Author's Note: This story takes place about a week after Countdown to Destruction. Hope you like it!

When Andros had carried her off the ship and brought her back to life, the people of Earth had cheered. Of course, at the time, none of them knew who she was. Or used to be. As soon as they found out, it was all over the place. Some people didn't care who she used to be, but others surely did. And they did something about it.

There had been two . . No three bomb threats on her apartment building yesterday. So far today they had gotten one. She was constantly having to evacuate her place and as soon as she hit the street people shoved cameras in her face asking her if she had any current plans to take over the world. She'd even gotten an invitation to the Jerry Springer show asking her if she'd come to their show entitled 'Aliens for World Domination'.

She wasn't alone, however. The others were always there for her. Giving her support, constantly telling the reporters that Karone wasn't herself back then. That the evil villians had changed her. But they didn't listen. They only hear what they want to hear. And that hurt Karone. More than they would ever know.

She sat down at her desk and looked into the mirror. She was pale. Very pale. Except around her eyes. She had been crying a few minutes earlier so her eyes were a little red and puffy. Crying did no good, but she couldn't help it. If only all those people knew how deeply, deeply sorry she was for what she had done as Astronema. She would do anything to change it, to go back in time and stop herself from hurting all of those innocent people. But she couldn't. It just wasn't possible.

"When will they ever believe that I'm truly sorry?" She asked herself in the mirror and sniffed her nose.

"In time they will." A solemn voice said behind her and she twisted around to see Zhane standing in her doorway.

She smiled and sniffed again, feeling more tears come to her eyes, "What if they don't? What if they never . . ." Her voice broke at the last word and she started crying, "What if they never forgive me?"

He closed the door and walked over to her. She stood up and he put his arms around her, bringing her into a fierce hug.

"There isn't anything to forgive, Karone." He whispered into her ear, "You weren't the same back then. You were different. The people of Earth . . . they just don't understand that yet. But they will. I promise."

He heard Karone sniff, then she pulled away, "How can you be so sure?"

He smiled and put his hand on her face, rubbing her cheek, "Because sooner or later they're all going to see what I see. And they'll love you, just like I do."

She smiled and a few tears trickled down her face. But they weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of happiness.

"I love you too, Zhane." She said and kissed him on the lips lightly.

He brought both of his arms around her waist and picked her up. She squealed and started giggling. Some how she knew that the people of Earth would accept her. Someday, she knew they would, and this would be her home.