Guess what?

(: IT'S FINISHED! :)

I'm sure there are those of you out there that doubted it ever would be, but it is. Done. Complete. Ended. Concluded. Over ... ish.

Okay, so this is not the last time I plan to write about Cecily, but this is the last chapter of this story.

A huge round of applause for my beta, JulesDPM, for sticking with me through thick and thin. I can't stay it enough, you're awesome.

I big shout out to all the members of Team GB and Team USA for getting the gold over and over again. (As of now, Team GB is third overall with 16 gold and USA is second with 27. WHOO-YA! :) )

And to the rest of you, enjoy the final installment of "A Distant Voice" ...

Chapter 25

John paced the short balcony before going over to a console to get an update on Two's ETA; exactly the same as it was when he checked thirty seconds before. He stalked back over to the railing, gripping it tightly as he gazed down to the main part of the hangar. Ten seconds later he was back to pacing and the process repeated itself.

"For piloting a plane with a cruising speed of 2,000 miles per hour, you're sure taking your sweet time getting home, Virgil," he muttered bitterly, returning to his post at the railing.

Truthfully, he knew it wasn't his brother's fault. He had to wait until the coast guard fished everyone out of the water so they could get their men and equipment back. Scott had stuck around for a bit to debrief the authorities, but he still beat the others home. Then again, so did John.

"Finally," he sighed as the alarm signaled the arrival of Two.

Hurrying down to the lower level, John watched the massive plane maneuver into place. Mustering whatever patience he had left, he hung back while the main part of the ship rose and the pod door opened. Virgil was first out, a pair of hard-drives tucked under his arm, followed by Alan who was carrying a strange looking plant. Last came Gordon, his arm around the most precious thing they brought back. Wrapped in a thick blanket and clutching her notebook protectively, Cecily looked small and broken; more so than when she thought her grandfather's trunk was lost to her. She was pale and seemed a bit unsteady, leaning against his younger brother for support. It was heartbreaking.

"John?"

Hearing Alan's question, Cecily's head snapped up as she looked around the hangar. John stepped forward and when her gaze found his it was as if the light returned to her eyes.

"John!"

Letting her notebook and blanket fall to the floor, she raced across the hangar and straight into his waiting arms. John held her tightly, entwining his fingers in her hair and breathing in the sweet scent that was entirely Cecily. No matter how many times Scott had assured him that they got to her in time, this was the first time he could truly believe it. She was safe.

"It's gone," she sobbed into his shirt. "My lab's gone."

"Shh," John soothed, rubbing her back. "I'm here now. It's okay. I'm here."

He tucked her head under his chin and just held her while she cried. Looking over he caught the eyes of his brothers and gave them a silent look of thanks. They smiled and each gave him a nod or wave of acknowledgment, but none said anything. They just quietly unloaded the pod, giving him as much privacy as the hangar allowed. He would have to remember to thank Virgil later, knowing his middle brother was the keeping the other two in line, but there would be time for that later. Right now his girl needed him and that was all that mattered.

"I should have told you," Cecily sniffed, turning her head to the side. "I should have told you the rig was unstable."

"It wouldn't have made a difference."

"It would have made me feel better," she mumbled, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," he tilted her chin up to look into her tear streaked face. "Let's just agree not to keep anymore secrets, okay?"

"Okay."

"Alright. And since we are sharing secrets, I have one of my own."

Brushing her hair back so he could cup her cheek in his hand, John smiled down at her and prepared to say what he had been dying to since the first time he saw her. But how would she react? What if she didn't feel as strongly as he did? But looking at her now, holding her in his arms, there was nothing else he could say except …

"I love you."

Cecily tensed in his arms and her eyes filled with tears, as if she had never heard those words directed at her before. Then again she probably hadn't, at least not since her grandfather died. Well that was going to change, because he couldn't hold back any longer.

"I loved you when you were just a voice on the radio, and even more the first time I saw your face. I love the way you work. I love the way you laugh. I love the way you talk about plants even though I only understand half of what you are saying."

She laughed as tears began to run down her face. John wiped a few away with his thumb, the same emotion filling his voice that had already filled his heart.

"I love you Cecily, and I would rather have the sky grow dark than live one more day without you in my life."

"I love you too, John," she replied. "And I would happily spend the rest of my life in a barren wasteland if it meant I could be there with you."

His smile widened. Never before had he heard a stronger declaration and looking into those moonlit eyes, he wondered how he had lived without her for so long. Since the day she entered his life he had been falling for her, and now the very though of losing her tore a hole in his heart.

"You don't have to live in a barren wasteland," John stated. "But you're stuck with me now."

"I think I can live with that," she smiled.

"I mean it," he continued seriously. "I came far too close to losing you today to risk doing it again. I'm gonna take care of you, Cecily. You don't have to do this alone anymore."

She closed her eyes and nestled deeper into his embrace. John hugged her tighter, wanting to convey how much he meant what he said. She sighed and squeezed him back.

"You've already given me so much," she whispered. "I just wish there was something I could do for you."

"Marry me."

She gazed up at him, her eyes wide with shock. Holy- did he just say that out loud? Cecily looked so stunned that for a second he wondered if he should take it back. But how could you take back something like that? Not that he wanted to, but International Rescue didn't leave room for-

"Yes."

John blinked, wondering if he had heard what he thought he heard.

"Did you just say-?"

"Yes," she repeated, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, yes, yes, yes."

His grin must have been from ear to ear as he, literally, swept her off her feet and kissed her right then and there. All his concerns melted away and his heart was soaring higher than Thunderbird Five. Nothing could bring him down now.

She said yes.

So? Was it the ending you wanted?

Let me know what you think and stay tuned for part 2; "A Nearby Heart."