Words

The choppers finally found the gang! What happened next? Let's see…

When the first chopper touched down, the pilot was met by four very happy people. Bug, Woody, Kate, and Nigel stormed the man, helping in every way possible to further the rescue mission. "I can take four people… max," the man informed them once inside Dr. Macy's makeshift home.

"Okay," Jordan took charge. "Garrett, Nigel, you guys are definitely on the first chopper. Garrett, do you want me to –"

"I want you to go with Woody. You two need to talk." His voice was strained, but strong. She knew instantly that he would be alright.

"We already —"

"Then talk more," Dr. Macy insisted. "You can't possibly have talked about everything."

"Then, Garrett and Nigel go with Kate and Bug on the first chopper. Woody and I will bring whatever we can on the second one and we'll meet you guys at the hospital." Jordan smiled, looking up at Woody excitedly.

After the choppers had switched positions and the first one headed to the hospital, Woody helped Jordan load up the helicopter. First, he helped her climb in, then she pulled him in after her. As he buckled in, he noticed her tearing up. Woody rubbed her arm, and tears began to tumble down her cheeks. He tried his best to reassure her. "We're all gonna be fine, even Dr. Macy," he stated confidently. "We're safe."

Jordan forced a smile through her pain. "Yeah, but just because we almost died on a mountain in the middle of nowhere doesn't change what's back at home," she reminded him. The look on his face testified to his cluelessness. She explained, "My dad's gotta find out about this somehow, and I have to deal with him. Kate's in charge, so work is gonna be as tough as ever. And my meningioma…" Her voice trailed off.

Woody's eyes widened as he recalled the events of the last few days. Your medicine –" he started, but Jordan cut him off.

"I took it," she nodded.

With that assurance, Woody relaxed again. "You said you want to travel…"

"I… I don't think I can," her smile began to fade.

"Why not? You can take a couple weeks off… relax… anywhere you want to! Experience the rest of the world!" The very concept excited Woody almost as much as it did Jordan. What he really wanted to know was: what was she not telling him? Luckily, it turned out to be the same question.

"I don't want to spend so much time away… from you. I can't risk messing up another relationship. I just keep throwing myself at whoever I can get my hands on, and I end up… running away. I only run because I'm…" it was hard for her to admit it, but, "I'm scared. I guess it's like you said before. I just need someone to hold me a little tighter – and not let go." As she remembered all the times she had been hurt, a second wave of tears escaped.

Woody cupped Jordan's face in his hands and turned her head so her eyes met his. "I won't let go," he promised, wiping away her tears with his thumb. "And I'm not going anywhere. I know I didn't say it on the mountain, but I love you, Jordan. I want to make this work."

"So do I," Jordan responded. "I'm sorry if I've ever hurt you. It won't ever happen again."

Woody stopped her before she could say anything more. "No, it's okay. I know I've hurt you; and I'm sorry, too. We can take it slower this time, if you want. Trust takes time…"

Again Jordan cut in. "I've had enough time. I do trust you. I just have to learn to trust myself – to face my fears. I… I'm gonna stop hiding, okay? You deserve my honesty."

"I don't deserve anything. You're the one –"

"You at least deserve more than I do. I'm the one that's been lying and keeping myself from you. I want to fix things, and I'm gonna need help. I need you, Woody. Please." Jordan was begging now, and Woody knew it.

He smiled. It was now or never, as his gut feeling told him. Discreetly, he removed the box from his pocket. Jordan recognized it instantly. She gasped as he opened it to reveal the same ring he had proposed to her with once before. He could not read her expression, and that worried him. "Is now a bad time to ask?" he questioned nervously. To his relief, she smiled and began to laugh.

"You don't even have to. The answer is 'yes!'" She leaned in and kissed Woody gingerly before allowing him to slip the ring around her finger.

Woody, knowing how tough all this was for Jordan, wrapped one arm around her shoulders. His other hand was enclosed in both of hers, her head on his shoulder. Woody rested his head against Jordan's, his own heart soaring. For the rest of the ride they remained like that, both asleep long before they reached their next safe haven.