Nathan kept his gun pointed at Sonny Garrison's chest until Bill had him handcuffed and started leading him towards the horses. Only then did Nathan holster his gun and turn around.

"Dad!" Allie burst out, unable to hold back any longer as she flew towards him. Nathan opened his arms and pulled his girl into a tight hug, his pulse still elevated and bumping hard from the adrenaline.

"Oh Allie," Nathan muttered into her hair. He held her close for a minute, trying not to linger on thoughts of what could have been. She was here now, in his arms, that was the important thing. "Are you alright?" Nathan asked, after several moments, gently easing away just enough to see his daughter's face. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" Nathan gritted his teeth at the question. If Garrison had laid a hand on his daughter, he didn't think he'd be able to restrain himself.

To Nathan's great relief, Allie shook her head. "He wasn't exactly gentle," she admitted, "But he didn't hurt me. I have Oliver to thank for that." Nathan briefly glanced over Allie's shoulder to Oliver who was standing near the tree. Nathan met his eyes and nodded his head, his gaze holding a silent thank you. Focusing back on his daughter, Nathan reached out to brush Allie's hair where her hair ribbon had been. Looking up at her dad's face for several moments, tears started to pool in Allie's eyes. "I knew you'd find us," she said, before burying her face in his serge and hugging him tightly again.

"Of course, Allie-girl." Nathan slowly rubbed her back and laid his chin on her head, relief finally flooding through him. Glancing up again, Nathan saw Elizabeth watching the two of them, tension slowly draining from her face. "'Lizabeth," Nathan breathed out, his eyes finding hers and intently searching her face. Why did she always have to put herself in harm's way? If something had happened to her, if he hadn't been able to protect her- Nathan couldn't even bear to think about it.

"Nathan." Elizabeth came closer and Nathan just reached out without a word and pulled her into a hug. Elizabeth immediately wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" he asked, whispering close to her ear so his cheek brushed against her soft chestnut hair.

"I am now." Elizabeth's shoulders shook as she let out a trembling breath. "You got here just in time."

"Thank goodness for that." Nathan didn't want to imagine what could have happened if he had been even a minute later. Slowly, he eased both of his girls back and looked into their eyes. "Never do that again," he scolded, his voice stern. He leveled his gaze with Allie first and then Elizabeth. "Never," he added, looking back at Allie. "Do you promise?" Allie and Elizabeth glanced at each other and shared a small smile.

"We promise," they agreed together, looking up at their Mountie.

"Good." Then, Nathan pulled them in close again. "I was so worried." His voice cracked on the last word. He gently fingered the ends of Elizabeth's hair, trying to calm his nerves.

"We're alright, Nathan," Elizabeth assured him. She brought her hand up and fingered the buttons on his serge as she laid against his chest. "Thanks to you." Nathan let out a breath and quickly sent up a prayer of thanks for how it all had ended.

Allie eased back first. Smiling up at her dad, she said, "Thanks for saving me." With a sweet smile, she stood to her tip-toes and kissed Nathan's cheek. "Thanks for coming after me," Allie said then, turning to Elizabeth and blinking rapidly a few times.

"Oh, Allie, always." Elizabeth reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind the girl's hair. Allie managed a wobbly smile before reaching out and giving Elizabeth a hug. After the two held onto each other for another moment, Allie stepped back again. She smiled once more before walking to where Oliver stood a few yards away.

"I would say that you never should have come out here without me, but you did just save my daughter, so I can't even be mad," Nathan said, only half-serious as he looked down at Elizabeth. Glancing up at him, Elizabeth chuckled softly.

"I couldn't wait around knowing she was in danger," she told him. "Besides," Elizabeth reached up and rubbed her thumb lovingly over Nathan's cheek. "I knew you would find us. After all," Elizabeth moved closer and gently pulled Nathan's Mountie hat off his head, holding it in her hands as she looped her arms around his neck. "You're always there right when I need you."

Sliding his arms around her waist, Nathan felt himself getting lost in Elizabeth's eyes. "And I will be." He dipped his head closer until their foreheads touched. "For as long as we both shall live." And then, Nathan closed the distance and kissed Elizabeth long and slow. It was a kiss full of all of Nathan's relief and worry, of all his hopes and dreams, not only for the present, but also for the future. Their future.

"Nathan," Elizabeth whispered and Nathan practically groaned. He always melted when she said his name like that. He glanced down into the eyes of his great love. "I love you," she said. Those three words held more meaning than anything else she ever could have said.

"I love you too," he whispered back and then he kissed her again, holding her tenderly like he never wanted to let go.

A few yards away, Allie approached Oliver, her gaze slightly shy as she stopped in front of him.

"Thank you." She paused for a second and smiled a little bit. "For protecting me."

"You're welcome," Oliver said, his dimples appearing as he smiled back at her. But his smile faded after a second. "Allie-" he started, his voice faltering. "I'm sorry. If Woody had never figured out that I'm a cadet, none of this would have happened." He glanced away, ashamed. Would he ever stop feeling like he was inadequate to be a Mountie.

"Oliver." A hand on his arm made him look up. "It's not your fault," Allie said. You are not responsible for Woody or Sonny's choices. Or mine," Allie added, after a beat. "After all," Now, Allie's shy smile returned as she looked up at Oliver through her lashes. "You saved me."

Slowly, Oliver started to smile again. "That's what partners do," he replied, bumping her shoulder lightly. "Governor Bouchard was right. We do make a good team." At his words, Allie felt a burst of courage flow through her. Before she could think too much about it, she reached out and gently took Oliver's hand in her own.

"Yes, we do," she said, the corners of her mouth lifting. For a second, Oliver just stared down at their joined hands in shock. But then, seeing the hopeful look on Allie's face, he squeezed her hand a little tighter. There was no way he was letting go anytime soon. Allie's grin when their fingers interlaced could have lit up a room.

Maybe he was cut out to be a Mountie after all. Because now, for the first time in his life, Oliver actually had someone who believed in him.

"Alright, everyone." Nathan's voice reached across the clearing and Allie and Oliver both turned to look at him, as did Bill and Henry. "What do say we head back to Hope Valley?" Then, he looked at his daughter and smiled, his eyes sparkling. "I don't know about you, but I could really go for a grilled cheese right now."

With that, the group started back towards home. And despite the afternoon they'd all just had, each one left the woods feeling grateful. Not only for the way things had worked out, but most of all, for each other.

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed my additional scene! Feel free to let me know what you though in the comments!