Team QueSt: The Next Generation
        "Reunion" 

* The character of Neela Lou Singh is dedicated to my late mother, Agnes
"Lou" (for Lucille) Asbury.  May her character embody the dreams that Mom
never lived. *

        Miana danced around the polished marble floor of the palace throne
room, spinning her young daughter in great excitement, nearly tripping
over her long Indian garments. 
        "Careful, love," prompted Hadji as he steadied her and removed the
toddler from her arms.  "It would be unfortunate for the Quests to spend
their visit with us in the hospital." 
        "Ugh, did you have to mention the 'H' word?" asked Miana.  "I had my
fill of them nine years ago." 
        Nine years had passed since Hadji and his family left permanently
for Bangalore, and they were all now in their late thirties.  They had
been back to Maine a few times, but time and responsibilities never
permitted either family to visit for any extended period of time.  The
last time the Singhs and the Quests were together was four years ago.
        "Your highness," said a servant, stepping into the room.  "The
Quest family is here." 
        "Thank you, Ramesh.  Show them in." 
        Seconds later, Jonny, Jessie, and an eleven year old Benny Quest
came into the throne room, followed by Bobby Channing. 
        "Miana!!!" squealed Jessie, nearly dropping the infant she had in
her arms.  Realizing her error, she handed the newborn to Jonny. 
        Jessie and Miana ran and embraced one another.  Jonny handed the
infant to Bobby, and approached Hadji. 
        "It has been a long time, my friend." said Hadji calmly, taking
his friend's hand, then pulling him into an embrace. 
        "Jessie, when did you--" 
        "I could ask you the same thing, Mi." as she observed the toddler
playing with a nine year old Rajan in one corner of the room. 
        Time had been kind to both families.  Both Jessie and Miana aged
gracefully, showing very few signs of time's passage, save a few light
lines under the eyes and at the corner of their mouths.  Both women had a
few streaks of gray through their hair, but nothing extreme. 
        "Miana, Hadji, meet the newest addition-- Rachel Estella Quest." 
        Miana giggled. 
        "Miana?" 
        "I'm just thinking at the irony of the situation-- how our link is
still strong after all this time." 
        "How so?" 
        "Rajan, bring your sister." said Miana to her son.  "We both named
our daughters with the first names of our husbands' mothers, with middle
names of our mothers.  Meet Neela Lou Singh, Lou for short." 
        "She's beautiful, Miana.  I never knew you had her." 
        "And I never knew you did, either.  But after all, a lot can
happen in four years." 
        Hadji escorted everyone into the main sitting room, while Ramesh
took their bags. 
        "Benny has grown into a handsome boy, my friend." complimented
Hadji. 
        "Rajan has, too." returned Jonny. 
        The young boys were silent as they stayed close to their
respective families.  The women introduced the boys and tried to get them
to play, but both were shy. 
        "Familiar sight, Hadji?" asked Jonny.  "Remind you of anyone?" 
        "We had a much different beginning than our sons, but they do look
very much the way we used to." answered Hadji. 
        Benny looked up at them through strawberry blonde hair that
constantly fell in his face. 
        "Dad, isn't there anything to do here?" whined Benny. 
        "Sure!" said Rajan.  "Come with me!" prompted the young prince as
he grabbed Benny's hand. 
        "I meant to ask you, Jonny, where are Race and Dr. Quest?" 
        "Dad has had to slow down quite a bit, and Race retired." 
        "Retired?" 
        "In dad's line of work," started Jessie, "Retirement usually comes
early, but he still has other important duties around the compound. 
Moniri, Bobby, and Race all instruct Benny at home, but when we are out,
Bobby protects, and Moniri teaches." 
        "She works for the family now?" asked Miana. 
        "Yes.  When Benny got old enough, we asked Moniri to become
Benny's tutor.  She resigned her teaching job and started to work for us." 
        "Jessie, when you called me, you had a sound of urgency to your
voice.  Is there something I can help you with?" asked Hadji. 
        "Hadji, the projects that Quest Enterprises are undertaking are
becoming too much for Jonny and I to handle.  For a long time, the
corporation centered around inventions and technology, but recently, the
assignments given to us are becoming a lot like th ose we went on as
teenagers-- requiring work in the field.  We need you and Miana to come
back with us.  We need you to join the team." 
        "Jonny? He finally graduated?" laughed Miana. 
        "Yes, he did.  He finally grew up about five years ago.  Believe
it or not, he has become quite a scientist." 
        Hadji's and Miana's mouths dropped in shock. 
        "What about you, Miana? Did you ever graduate?" teased Jonny. 
        "Actually, I did.  I finished up my degrees at the University of
Calcutta three years ago."
         "But seriously," continued Jessie, "We need you.  Will you help
us?" 
        "Well, Hasrani has become a very competent leader, as has her son
Sharad.  But--" 
        Miana looked at Hadji. 
        "But our child-- Rajan is old enough, but Lou is so young to be
out all the time.  She needs a stable home environment..." 
        "We have the same problem with Rachel.  We have so many
responsibilities, but with Rachel... that's another reason we need your
help." 
        "What could we do where Rachel is concerned?" asked Miana. 
        "Give us suggestions, anything!" exclaimed Jessie. 
        Miana had her head on her hand thinking, then her head snapped up. 
        "Hadji!  I have an idea.  We could talk to Hasrani about taking
care of Lou on a long term basis, and maybe Rachel too, if Jonny and
Jessie agree.  I would hate to leave her, but Dr. Quest and Race would be
in no position to tend to a toddler-- and, this is her home.  As for
Rachel, even though it is far away, she would be in good hands." 
        "You do have a thought, love.  Our line of work is no place for a
toddler." 
        "Or an infant." agreed Jessie. 
        Miana looked at Jessie. 
        "Jessie, I know it would be hard for you, but Rachel would be well
cared for here with Lou under Hasrani's hand..." 
        Jessie looked at Jonny. 
        "I hate to leave our baby at such a tender age, but we really
don't have a choice." replied Jonny. 
        Hasrani and Sharad stepped into the room. 
        "Hasrani, you remember the Quests?" asked Hadji. 
        "It has been a long time." smiled Hasrani. 
        "Hasrani, Miana and I have to go back to the States, possibly for
a very long time.  Are you up to taking over for me?" 
        "I would be honored, Hadji." 
        "Also, our daughters, Rachel and Lou, are too young to go with us
on the types of assignments we will be covering--" 
        "Enough said." smiled Hasrani.  "They will be well cared for
here." 
        "Jessie, when do we need to leave?" asked Hadji. 
        "Well, there is no great rush as of yet.  I just need to bring you
back in preparation for what is to come.  We really need you, and miss
you, too!" 
        "It will be good to have the gang together again." smiled Jonny. 
        Just then, Rajan ran through laughing and giggling, and he was
being chased by Benny. 
        Miana looked at the back of the room at Bobby. 
        "Bobby, you haven't said a word!" observed Miana.  "How's my
sister?" 
        "She is doing well, for the most part." 
        "For the most part?" 
        "We have been having a few problems with an old boyfriend of hers,
but other than that, things are well." 
        "Let me guess-- Jason.  Is it serious?" 
        "No, just annoying.  And you are right-- it is Jason." 
        "Who's Jason?" asked Jessie. 
        "When Moniri and I were teens, this guy had an obsession with her. 
They were engaged for a while, but when Moniri got scared, she dumped him. 
He left Maine, but I guess all the notoriety she had gained through her
association with the Quests caught his attention and brought him back.
When we were kids, Moniri wrote in her letters that he called her
constantly.  'Horatia, I must talk to Horatia...'" 
        "Horatia?" asked Jessie. 
        "Moniri's middle name." 
        Jonny cocked an eyebrow. 
        "You know, Miana, to this day, we don't know yours." quipped
Jonny. 
        Miana started to blush and shift uncomfortably in her seat. 
        "Miana?" smiled Jessie. 
        Miana started playing with the folds in her sauri. 
        "Miana!" 
        "Oh, geez..." 
        "Come on, Mi!" prompted Jessie.  "It couldn't be that bad..." 
        Miana looked down shyly. 
        "When I was a baby, my mother was very proud of me.  She was very
protective of me growing up, and I was a source of vanity for her..." 
        "Quit stalling!" teased Jonny. 
        "What is it?" squealed Jonny and Jessie simultaneously. 
        "Beauteous." whispered Miana. 
        "Speak up!" exclaimed Jessie.  "Louder!" 
        "My middle name is Beauteous.  Miana Beauteous Singh." 
        "I think the name fits you well." said Hadji softly, stroking her
cheek. 
        Miana blushed. 
        Lou toddled up to Miana, and Miana picked her up and looked her
daughter in the eye and stroked her face. 
        "My mother did mean well.  And her name sake is a lot like her." 
        Little Lou had Miana's fair complexion, despite the dark skin of
her father.  Even though Miana and Hadji both had dark brown, almost black
eyes, Lou definately had the eyes of her grandmother-- a light brown.  She
had Hadji's thick, wavy, black hair, Miana's lips, and Neela's shape of
face.  She and Rajan were quite a contrast to each other, as Rajan was
Hadji reincarnated. 
        A tear ran down Miana's face as she thought of her mother, and
Hadji shared her pain, as his daughter also bore his mother's name, and he
could see Neela in her as well. 
        The silence of the moment had Jessie regarding young Rachel, and
how lucky Jessie was that both her parents were living.  Jonny, however,
felt the Singhs' pain from his experience from a much earlier time. 
        "Mama!" squeaked Lou as her tiny hand touched Miana's cheek. 
Miana set her down. 
        "It's going to be so hard to leave her." 
        "But it is best for her." said Hadji calmly.  "And the best for
Rachel.  Meeting our responsibilities now helps to secure the futures of
our children." 
        "But Lou's future is secure." said Jonny. 
        "Not necessarily.  Monarchies can be overthown, my friend.  Even
benevolent ones." 
        Rajan and Benny ran through again, and Rajan hopped on Hadji's
back and grabbed the back of his turban and pulled it off. 
        "Aaaahhh!  He has my hair as well!" screamed Hadji as his son
knocked him off balance. 
        "Sorry, father!" apologized Rajan as he ran off quickly. 
        Everyone around stifled giggles. 
        Hadji's hair was pulled down halfway from his turban, and went
ahead and took his hair down.  Hadji's hair had grown much over the years. 
It flowed down over his shoulders, and down past the middle of his back. 
It had streaks of gray through it, which further added to his appeal, as
he grew more handsome with the passage of time.  The only other signs of
aging on his noble face were frown lines on his forehead and laugh lines
around his mouth. 
        Jonny himself had grown his hair out, and he pulled his hair out
of his ponytail and shook his head from side to side. 
        "Oh, brother!" winced Jessie, rolling her eyes.  "Observe Jonny's
latest vanity.  He's been growing it out for about a year now, and he
thinks he's Fabio.  Sorry, Jonny!  Your hair doesn't even come close to
Hadji's." 
        Jonny winced as all around him laughed hysterically. 
        The next few days were spent with both families getting
reaquainted, and making preparations for the return trip to Maine.  The
Singhs had to prepare Rajan for a totally different life, and both
families had to prepare for life away from their daughters, which weighed
heavily on their consciences, despite the fact it had to be done. 
        The day of departure came, and the women cried hysterically as
they left their daughters with Hasrani.  Hadji gave his good-byes to his
aunt as he left the girls, and Bangalore, in her capable hands. 
        Time passed, and the Dragonfly set down in Maine.  Old familiarity
flooded the minds of the Singhs as they entered that place they knew so
well. 
        Miana smiled as did Hadji. 
        "Welcome back!" smiled Race as he came up to them. 
        "Race!" exclaimed Hadji as he went up to him. 
        Race, even though in his mid-fifties, was still in excellent
shape, especially for someone his age.  He shook Hadji's hand, and Hadji
and Miana showed him pictures of Lou as they told him all about her. 
        Moniri came in, and she exchanged excited greetings with Miana and
Hadji, and was glad to be reunited with her fiance.
        "Are they here?" came a voice from a distance.  Benton, who was in
his mid-seventies, walked in slowly on a cane.  Benton's hair was white,
with just a few red streaks remaining.  He had lost weight, and his
posture was slightly bent.  The years were catching up with him. 
        "Hadji... Miana... it's been too long."  Benton came and pulled
them into an embrace. 
        Rajan came up and looked up curiously at Benton. 
        "My, how he has grown!" smiled Benton.  "And I heard he has a
sister now?" 
        Miana helped Benton to his chair, and they told him all about Lou,
and showed him the pictures. 
        Benton knew it was necessity that brought the Singhs back, but he
also knew they wanted to be there as well.  His family was quite large,
but he only wished his granddaughters could be here with him.  But with
Quest Enterprises projects needing the full attention of his now mature
family, he knew that this wasn't the place for infants and toddlers. 
Moniri would have her hands full educating Rajan and Benny, and the burden
of the girls would be too much, especially with the adventures that
awaited them.  Still, it had been a long time, and in his twilight years,
nothing made him happier than to have his family together again under the
same roof.