Oh, poo, the last chapter...

Of course I could keep them in the cave for the rest of eternity, but these two do have to face the world eventually.

This chapter starts with a bang, so hold on tight, our two are going on quite the ride.

Chapter 11 – Three little words

Finn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had never been so happy. And it wasn't just about the sex either, although it was the most amazing, wondrous thing ever. It was having the most amazing, wondrous sex ever with the most amazing wondrous person ever. He could feel her stroking his back gently, her hands making small circles. He could easily fall asleep. He let his mind drift, allowing himself to sink deeper into a state of bliss.

Except…something was bothering him. The thought of telling the others? No, that wasn't it. That Piper of all people loved him? Nah, that wasn't it either. Finn struggled to concentrate as his subconscious kept trying to warn him of something. A sound, that's what it was. A surging, roaring noise of…

Water.

Finn jerked awake and pushed himself off Piper, ignoring her look of surprise. He moved rapidly to the edge of their cave and gasped. The little stream had turned into a rushing torrent of water, bursting its banks. As he watched the water began to widen until it had reached both sides of the small ravine.

Turning back around Finn leaped for his clothes. "Hurry babe, we've got to go!"

Piper didn't hesitate, grabbing her own clothes and quickly donning them. Securing her carryall bag around her shoulders she took hold of her staff and stepped up to the ledge. Finn joined her and stared out. In the short time they had taken getting dressed, the water had risen until it was halfway up the side of the wall. The rushing water was now over the tops of the bushes and small branches were being torn off and flung along at breakneck speed.

Both of them stood there trying to find a way out of this new predicament. The walls on either side of their enclosure were sheer, the overhang too far up to grab onto. And there was no way they could make it through the torrent to the other side. Finn gazed across the expanse, staring up.

Piper glanced here and there, seeking a way to safety. She wondered if the rope would be long enough to throw across, but how to anchor it? As she contemplated, she took out the rope and unwound it, hoping to come up with a solution and fast.

"Perfect! Here, hand me that!" Finn shouted. She turned to see him holding out his hand. She instantly held out the one end. Finn had taken a bolt out of his crossbow and tied the rope to it, then carefully loaded it, making sure the rope was in position not to tangle.

"Finn?" Piper questioned.

"Up there, see it? A small notch. If I can hit it, we can swing across, climb up. Wish me luck." As he spoke, Finn had raised his weapon and took aim. Piper grabbed hold of the rope's other end and held tight, wrapping it once around her wrist.

Finn squeezed the trigger and let the bolt fly. To the untrained eye it would have seemed to go too high, but as it flew, it arced up and out, the bolt flying just over the tiny crevice at the top of the opposite ledge. Piper leaned as far out as she could to allow the rope to play out. As the bolt landed unseen, the rope lay right inside the crevice. Piper exchanged a congratulatory grin with the not-so-humble blond and pulled back on the rope. The bolt slid down and jammed against the crevice. Both of them pulled back hard, making sure it was secure.

Finn took hold of the rope and wrapped it around his arm only to look at Piper questioningly as she grabbed him.

"Wait, Finn, I have an idea. This will help us stay steady." Piper grabbed the end of the rope and tied it around the center of her staff. "There, we can stand on this and keep our balance."

He grinned at her. "Anybody tell you you're smart?"

She smiled back at him and put one foot on her side of the staff, Finn doing the same on his side. They each grabbed hold of the rope in one hand and put the other around their partner's waists.

"Ready?" Finn asked.

Piper leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "For luck. Ready."

"GO!!!"

The leaped off the ledge and swung forward. They hadn't gone far before their legs came in contact with the swirling water. Within moments they were hanging on tight as the strength of the rain swollen stream threatened to tear them off their precarious hold and sweep them down and out of the ravine, to go tumbling down into the far wasteland. There would be no climbing back up.

The only thing that kept them stable was Piper's staff, their feet pressing against it as their bodies twirled in circles, their heads barely above the water. Slowly, gradually they began to climb up the rope as first one, then the other took turns letting go, only to latch on a few inches higher. Their other hands clutched hard at waists, arms tight around each other.

It was agonizing. Even though they knew they were closing the gap, they weren't getting any further out of the water. Not until they were directly under the small crevice that held the rope so securely (and they hoped would stay secure), did they finally begin to rise up the wall. First shoulders, and then their chests cleared the grip of the water. Looking up they realized that they were only within a few feet of the top.

Climbing with renewed energy, they pulled each other along until they finally reached the crevice. There was a brief hesitation as Finn tried to get Piper to go first.

"No Finn, you go, then you can help haul me up. Don't argue, just go."

He scowled a little but let go of Piper and used both hands to pull himself up and over. Quickly turning around he grabbed hold of the rope to pull her up to safety. A movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention.

Finn could only gasp in horror as a large tree swept towards them, its roots reaching out like many fingered hands. It slammed into the wall just ahead of Piper. Then it was his turn to hold onto the rope as it was almost yanked out of his grasp, his turn to pull back with all his strength, his turn to brace himself. His arms screamed with burning agony as they felt like they were going to be pulled out of their sockets and the rope bit painfully into his hands.

He howled. He screamed out his fear and despair, cursed everything and anything, implored whatever would listen. He reached for and found one last nugget of strength and somehow took one shaky step after another backwards. The only thing that kept him from the darkest depths of hopelessness was the weight that still hung from the rope. Please let it be her, please let her be alright, please let her hang on just a little longer, please let him pull her up. He couldn't lose her, not now. Not when he'd just found her.

So intent was he that it took him a moment to realize that other hands than his were on the rope, pulling with him. He heard a voice behind him.

"Keep pullin' boy, we've just about got her."

Finn wasn't about to not keep pullin'.

Suddenly the pressure released. Finn shrieked with dismay and then instantly shrieked with glee as Piper popped over the ledge. Releasing the rope he dropped to his knees and gathered her close. His emotions turned once again a hundred and eighty degrees as he perceived her unresponsive state.

Flipping her over, he tilted her head back, squeezed her nose shut and covered her mouth with his, blowing hard. He repeated the maneuver three times, then leaned back and turned her head to one side. Placing his hands just under her ribs, he pressed down, noting with satisfaction as water ran out of her nose and mouth. Then he repeated blowing his breath into her. As he did so he once more found himself alternating between cursing the fates and begging them for help.

The tiniest of coughs stopped him. Then Piper gave a choking gasp and the next thing he knew she was coughing and gagging and struggling to rise and he had grabbed her, pulling her up, his hand rubbing at her back. Finn was laughing and crying at the same time, he was so happy and relieved.

Gradually Piper's paroxysms slowed until she was breathing normally except for a small cough or two. Her eyelids fluttered and then she stared up at him. Finn grinned back at her. Her eyes sought his and then looked over his shoulder.

Finn suddenly remembered the pair of helping hands. Twisting around, he looked at a grizzled man, his face hidden by a large growth of whiskers that hung halfway down his chest. The man's eyes were brown and looked back at him quizzically. The thick grey beard split in two to reveal a nearly toothless grin.

"Almost done ya in, there, but safe and sound ya are, the both of ya. Was a mite worried there for a bit, wasn't sure ya was gonna get out of there on time. Was away on ta other side when the storm hit, otherwise wudda got here sooner."

Finn stared at the man, then exchanged perplexed looks with Piper. She shook her head and shrugged. Finn looked back at the man.

"Umm, excuse me, but how did you know we were there?"

The old man leered at them and gestured behind him. "Cabin's right there, heard the two of ya last night and this mornin', haven't exactly been quiet, ya know."

Both Finn and Piper's eyes went wide and they reddened. They suddenly couldn't meet the man's gaze as he chuckled.

"Now, now, don't you two young-un's get into a tizzy over it. Was quite the young buck myself, back in the day." He nudged Finn's ribs with a not so gentle finger. "Course, didn't ever have such a pretty little thing like that, ya lucky dog."

Finn wasn't sure if he should scowl at the man or grin in male acknowledgement. Deciding to look noncommittal, he gave a shrug instead.

Piper decided to take things into her own hands before it devolved into some sort of male self congratulation party. Getting to her knees she attempted to stand up. Finn was instantly on his feet giving her assistance. She stood and swayed a bit, leaning against him.

"Easy, babe, take it easy. You okay?"

She nodded, her head woozy and her legs feeling like rubber.

The old man had risen to his feet as well and gestured toward his cabin, two sides of it visible on the edge of the nearby woods. "Come along young'uns. Get ya inside where it's nice and warm, get ya dried up and some grub into ya."

Piper nodded weakly and took a couple of steps. Suddenly she stopped and turned. "Finn, my staff…" she croaked out, her voice husky.

Finn reached down and grabbed at the crossbolt that was still stuck tight in the small crevice. He quickly hauled up the rope and with it her weapon. Piper grinned ecstatically and took hold of it.

As they turned away from the edge she swayed a bit and Finn supported her as they walked along, even though he felt as if he could sink down and become one with the ground. He'd never felt so tired. Even though the old guy's cabin wasn't far, it still seemed like they had travelled miles until they reached the door.

The old man hustled in front of them, turning on a crystal lamp and then pulling out a chair, making a half hearted attempt to brush it off. Finn gently lowered Piper onto it and then leaned against the table.

"Now you two just set a spell there, rest up while I make something to eat. Get your strength back into ya." The old man remarked as he moved about the small room. That was made even smaller by the sheer amount of stuff inside it.

Finn and Piper gazed in awe as they found themselves surrounded by several piles of…things. There was so much stuff that they couldn't even begin to identify it. Every surface was piled high, the floor had stacks of things so that there was trails that led from front door to the table at which they sat to the sink the man was standing in front of. If there were counters or even other furniture, they couldn't see any from the heaps that seemed on the verge of teetering over. Even the walls were lined with stuff, and more things dangled from the low ceiling.

"You a….collector?" Finn asked.

"What's that now, oh, no, I'm a prospector. All this is in case I need it, emergency ya know. Good thing to have in hand, not like I can pop on down to the nearest wayside, being out in the middle of nowhere, like."

Both teens wondered how the man could find anything he would need, the unidentifiable things were so haphazardly placed. Finn tried to find a bed, but there didn't seem to be anything but piles of stuff. As they sat there, they suddenly became aware of the smells of food cooking. Both of them were instantly ravenous. As such, they only looked at the plates that the man thrust in front of them with acceptance. The bacon and eggs were swimming in grease, and the utensils were none too clean.

It was the best food they'd ever eaten.

The old man cackled as he watched them eat. "Figured you'd be a bit on the hungry side, especially with all your activities."

Finn and Piper blushed.

Deciding to change the subject, Piper addressed the old prospector. "Say, do you have a radio? We got separated from our friends and would like to let them know we're okay, and where we are."

The old man nodded rapidly. "Yup, sure do. You two young'uns stay here, got to go warm it up. The radio tower's on the other side of the terra, don't use it too often." Seconds later, the man was gone. Finn and Piper sat at the table, looking at all the stuff.

"Kind of an old coot, ain't he?" Finn said.

"Mmm, wonder how long he's been on his own?"

Finn shrugged. "From the look of him, probably forever. I mean, just look at this place. Junko'd go crazy, there's so much stuff around." His blue eyes roamed over the room, trying to sort the items into anything recognizable.

"Stork would probably faint from all the things that might be infectious." Piper chimed in.

Smiling back at her, Finn began to notice that the room smelled very musty. "Come on, let's go outside, I need some fresh air."

Piper stood up, her legs no longer shaky. Even still, she didn't refuse Finn's arm as he gallantly offered it to her. Stepping outside, the two observed that the storm clouds were breaking up, sunlight beginning to shine down. Finding a bench nearby they walked over and sat side by side.

After looking around to make sure the old prospector wasn't lurking about, Finn leaned over and gave Piper a kiss. She instantly responded and they wrapped their arms around each other.

Coming up for air, Piper was the first to speak.

"Thanks Finn. You saved my life, again."

"You're welcome, again." He replied smugly. Then his face sobered. "I…I almost thought I was going to lose you…"

"Shhh. You're not going to get rid of me that easy." She replied, and although her lips smiled, her eyes still held a look of anxiety. Go on – say it. You know how you feel. And you know how he feels… "Finn, I was scared too. The thought of loosing you, what we have… I don't care what happens, I love you. You hear? And I want everyone to know." There, I said it!

"Me too. I realized that, when I thought you had been swept away, this is too special, too wonderful to hide away. Piper…I love you, too." Wow – that wasn't as hard as I thought it was.

They stared into each other's eyes, each one's heart soaring. Three days ago they would have laughed uproariously if anyone had ever suggested that the Navigator and the Sharpshooter would have, could have fallen in love with each other. Now it was the most natural thing in the world.

They leaned forward to seal their conviction with a kiss, only to pull back as the old man burst into the clearing.

"Radio's up and runnin', come on inside, call whoever ya want."

Standing up they followed him back into the cabin, where after searching for a few minutes, the old prospector finally located the radio controls.

Piper dialed in the settings and then held down the button. "Storm Hawks come in, do you read. This is Piper and Finn, calling the Storm Hawks."

Static.

"Do you read Storm Hawks? This is Piper and Finn calling, come in."

Static again.

They exchanged a look of concern and puzzlement. Finn started to take hold of the reciever to try himself.

"Piper!!? Finn!!? You guy's there? You ok? This is Aerrow, come in!"

"Aerrow!!!" Finn shouted. "We're here, we're ok, we're fine! Where are you, can you zero in on us?"

"Roger that Finn, Stork's setting the heading now. Looks like we'll be there in about a half an hour. Hang tight! Man it's good to hear your voices again. We were worried. We've looked all over for you guys, but couldn't find you. Seeing these coordinates, can see why, you were a hundred clicks from where we thought you'd be."

Both Finn and Piper could hear the relief in Aerrow's voice, and could also catch Junko's ecstatic yells in the background.

Piper leaned toward the mike. "We'll be waiting, Aerrow."

"We're coming as fast as we can!" He replied.

Finn replaced the receiver and grinned. Soon they would be back among their friends again. He turned toward Piper and smiled. She gazed back at him and smiled just as happily. They walked outside, the sky clear and sunny.

The two young lovers walked arm and arm toward the nearest hill and stood waiting. Both of them were intimately aware of the other in a way they had never been before. They had withstood adversity and had come out as one, relying on each other's strengths to persevere. They knew that they would never have survived without the other, and along the way had uncovered truths they hadn't suspected. They had faced long odds and won, won big. The future gleamed in front of them and they were going to go forward together, no matter what.

As such, when the Condor landed in front of them, they didn't bother to release each other from the passionate kiss they were sharing – they were both in too deep.

***

A/N - Taa-daa!!! And so there it is. My take on a pairing. As I said before FinnxPiper isn't my alpha/omega, but I do think they'd be good together. I decided to end this where it did, even though I originally was all set to continue on, have them get back to the Condor and face their teammates, etc, etc. But I really didn't want this story to go into the whole angsty thing. I wanted this tale to remain what it was, a sweet love story in which two total opposites come to find that they're not so different after all.

Thanks everyone who read, thanks much for those who reviewed, and grateful wonderness for those that faved this tale. As usual, I apologize with much heartfelt sorrow for any and all spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors. They due like two hyde; don"t. they?

Till the next story (and yes, there are more!),

Yours, Liestra