Part 341: At Last

The helicopter ride was probably the most unique of all the rides the marines ever went on. The group of survivors were displaying a wide mixture of emotions. Eddie was still sitting on Tony’s lap, laughing at the fact of leaving the Island. Walt was laughing too but he was doing his best to keep Vincent still. Barbara and Jilly were enjoying the view. Locke was gently pinching his legs the whole time. No one cared why he did it, except Mia. Every time he would pinch his legs, he smiled profusely. The Lakota girl knew it would be okay.

Hal was resting near the back with Libby by his side. Shannon and Sayid were doing their best to comfort Andra and Flower, as it was their first helicopter. The young girls were holding onto their two friends as they couldn’t comprehend how they could be flying. Jack was with Claire and Charlie, making sure enough cotton was placed in Aaron’s ears. They didn’t want the loud sound of the rotors above making him deaf before his time. Jack then turned around and sat between Tony and John. The archer then helped him get his headset on. “Welcome back, Jack.” Tony said.

“It’s good to be back with you guys.” The doctor mentioned.

“It’s good to have our little family reunited that is for sure.” John spoke.

“So, how was life at the Island? Pretty boring, huh?” the blind doctor asked.

“Boring? Yes, it was very boring.” The doctor replied in a special tone.

Tony shook his head. He could tell the way his friend was talking that their stay was anything but boring. “Yeah, it was a boring trip for us too.” The blind man told him.

Jack shook his head in agreement. He could understand the logistics of what Tony was saying. “I’ll tell you how bored we were later, Tony.” Jack told him.

“Likewise.” The blind man agreed.

Then the helicopter made a decent jolt, making Andra and Flower scream. Sayid comforted them best he could. Shannon had to laugh about it but she gently stroked Andra’s hair, trying to get her to calm down. When the landed, the nearest Marine opened the sliding door, and jumping out. They motioned for the group to fall out one at a time and keep their heads low. The group walked together as they continue to step fast enough to get away from the flying vehicle. Then the group realized that the other group was on the deck waiting for them. Eddie’s face lit up when he saw the woman who helped take care of him when his parents were missing. “MARITA!!!” he screamed, as he ran toward her.

The Latina kneeled down and held her arms open for him. He ran toward her and embraced, making her laugh. She kissed him on the cheek, so happy to see him. The others began to run toward their fellow companions as well. Charlie laughed as he ran toward Hurley, jumping on him and embracing him. Karleigh laughed as she ran toward Libby, embracing her. Hal walked up to Dutch, as the surfer just extended his hand. The cop took it but then pulled him closer to him, embracing him. “Damn good to see you, boy.” He said, nearly falling into tears.

“It’s good to see you too, sir.” Dutch said, “I was worried about you.”

Karleigh embraced Jilly and then Barbara, the women she cared for under the bunker. Ana-Lucia hugged Libby, glad to see her. Mandy and Taylor ran up and embraced Shannon, their new Californian blonde mall rat sister. The tall blonde cried tears of joy, happy to see them both. Sayid shook Chance’s hand, happy to see him again. Jack shook hands with McKay and even Sawyer. The redneck just smirked at him, glad to see him but no where near going to admit it. The doctor then turned and saw Jenny embracing Kristy to the side. He looked at his “little sister” and just smiled, not wanting to break up the reunion of good friends. When Jenny parted from her friend, she saw Jack and her eyes lit up. She quickly ran over to him and embraced him. The doctor laughed, as he picked her up from the hug. Everybody was glad to see everybody else. And the reunion was the most bittersweet as it could have been.

After their arrival, it was time for the showers. Jack seemed to love his best as he quickly proceeded to shave off his stubble that had been bothering him. Ecko even enjoyed it cause it was the first shower he had actually had in years. After the showers, came the food. Libby seemed to be the one who ate the most. Hal and Dutch laughed as they ate together, sharing beers. Eddie and Walt were allowed to have ice cream, even though they really should be eating normal food. Barbara and Micheal agreed they would have normal food later. Vincent was a big hit among the sailors, not having a dog on board. Nearly each one contributed a small piece of food for the dog to eat.



Kellye gently opened her eyes, as she felt a soft hand stroke her forehead. The girl soldier looked up and saw her deaf friend smiling her. A friend she knew was on the Island but if she was here, then they were finally rescued. “Jilly,” Kellye coughed, “It’s so great to see you.”

“Don’t try to talk, sweetie,” she whispered, “I just wanted to let you know we were on board with you.”

“Barbara?” she coughed.

“I’m here, honey.” The older redhead looked down at her.

“Thank God,” Kellye whispered.

“We talked with the surgeon. They said it was a bone spur in your neck that caused you pain?”

“Yeah. When the bullet hit my head . . .the jolt broke off a small bone spur from my neck . . .it was floating there, with no where to go . . .but now they got it out and once . . .my inflammation goes down . . .I’ll be right as rain.”

“That is such wonderful news.” Jilly laughed, holding her hand.

The three friends had been so much. Kellye took care of Jilly from Clay and the soldiers of the Liberation. She also view Barbara as a mother figure toward them. It was great to have them back together again.

Down the rows of beds, rested the fugitive Kate. She was sound asleep until she felt a gentle hand stroke her cheek. She opened her eyes and turned to see the heroic doctor she had come to love. “JACK!” she gasped.

“Hey, Kate.” He said, before she leaned up and immediately embraced him.

“Oh, Jack. I never thought I’d see you again.”

“I never thought I would see you either.”

As they parted, they stared into each other’s eyes closely. Jack smirked, then inspected the bandage collar bone. Kate just smiled at his attention. “Ever the doctor, eh?” she giggled.

“Old habits die hard.” He smiled, “They had to open you up.”

“It’s just a scar, Jack. I can live with it.”

“Good. I’m so glad you are safe.”

Kate then immediately turned serious. “I’m not safe yet.” She whispered.

“Do they know who you really are?”

“No. Your . . .care package bought me some time.”

“Good. Hopefully it will buy you some more time when we get back to the states.”

“Loretta was a person, Jack. I am not going to impersonate her. Her family might be waiting for her.”

“All the more reason for you to run when we get back.”

“Jack . ..I don’t . . .I’m not sure . ..if I want to.” She stammered.

“Don’t do that, Kate,” the doctor said in all seriousness, “We all know why you did what you did and after what we’ve gone through on that Godforsaken Island, who are we to judge you? You don’t deserve to go to jail but the law will not see it that way.”

“He’s right, Freckles.” Sawyer said behind him.

Kate and Jack turned to see their redneck companion standing behind him with his hands in his pants pocket. The fugitive was amazed that Sawyer agreed with Jack and judging by the doctor’s face, he was just as shocked. The southern man walked over and sat down on the bed opposite of Kate. “Lord knows I am not going to speak for Jack but I’d be pretty dumb to say I didn’t know how he feels,” he smiled, “But I am going to also admit I feel the same way.”

“Sawyer,. . .” Kate tried to say.

Sawyer held up his hand to let him finish. “I love you, Kate. I know Jack loves you too. So what I am saying . .is . . .” he tried not to show any emotion, “Is that we love you so much we got to let you go.”

Kate couldn’t help but get teary eyed.

“When we get home, the moment you get the chance, the moment . . .you run and don’t look back.”

Kate leaned over and kissed the southerner. After that, she parted from him and kissed Jack as well. The doctor held onto her. “No tears now, Kate.” He promised her, “You’re with your friends now.”


Seth looked around and heard some commotion. He was wondering why their was a mixture of laughing and crying behind him. Then when he saw Charlie appear from the doorway, smiling like an idiot, Seth knew Mia spoke the truth; they got their friends off the Island. Seth leaned up and embraced his friend. “How you doing, Charlie?” he asked.

“Bloody fabulous, Seth,” he said, sitting down on a nearby stool, “I am so glad to get off that Island. I’ve had enough to monster, sentient smoke, and mad men.”

“Ain’t that the truth, eh?” the singer relaxed.

“Say, are you all right? Tony said your wound got infected.”

“Yeah, it was pretty rough for about three days but now, I am peachy keen. I don’t think my singing ability has been affected.”

“That is great news.” Charlie laughed.

“Yeah, we’re going to take the world by storm, my friend.”

“You wanna hear something funny?” the bassist scratched his forehead, “My brother has reformed DriveShaft.”

“Oh, yeah?” Seth raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, to honor me. What a sodding joke.”

“He’s still your brother, Charlie.” The musician mentioned.

“I know that, and a part of me still loves him but . . .why honor me until I am dead? Why not honor me when I am alive? Liam’s problem is that he only thinks about himself. He always had.”

“Well . . .I can promise you, I won’t be thinking about myself.”

Charlie looked to his friend and patted him on the arm. “You’re right, Seth. Sorry for my rant.” He laughed, “I guess . ..I just needed to be next to a true friend. A true brother.”

Seth shook Charlie’s hand with pride. “Always, man, always,” he told him.



Later that evening, the group gathered into the mess hall for a formal reunion. The sailors were even kind enough to let them have their champagne. They had brought it on board to celebrate New Years Day but they figured they had earned it. Sayid even took a moment to grab a bottle and spray his friends with it. Jack laughed as he and John got soaked. McKay grabbed two glasses from a nearby sailor holding them up. He brought them back to Taylor and Mandy. “For my two favorite ladies.” He smiled.

“I just want a sip,” Mandy said, “I can’t risk drinking the whole thing.”

“Mandy, why would not pass up champagne . .” Taylor then froze, and covered her mouth, “Mandy?”

“I went to the infirmary earlier today.” She giggled, “I AM pregnant.”

“YES!” McKay laughed.

Taylor laughed and embraced her best friend. The Australian couldn’t have been happier. He felt Mandy deserved her happiness. He wished that she would have gotten to share it with Boone but something in the back of his mind told him, in time, Alexander will be devoted to her just like Boone was preparing to be. The two young blondes then ran off to tell Shannon the good news.

Sawyer burped as he downed his third glass of champagne, laughing with the sailors. He then took his forth glass and proceeded to walk over to where Tony and Marita were sitting. He took the blind man by the arm and proceeded to help him up. “Sawyer, what are you doing?” the Latina asked.

“It’s time for Tony’s speech, chica.” The redneck laughed.

“MY WHAT?” the blind man exclaimed.

“We need a speech, Cochise and your speeches are better than Jacks.”

“Aw, man,” Tony laughed.

Jack overheard it and couldn’t help but laugh. Sawyer pulled him into the middle of the mess hall. “HEY, EVERYBODY!!!” he screamed, “TONY IS GOING TO GIVE A SPEECH!!”

“SPEECH, SPEECH!!” John and Mia repeated; laughing as they did so.

Tony just smirked, motioning them to calm down. Marita came up to him and put her arm around him so he wouldn’t have to stand alone. The blind man in turn put his arm around her and kissed her on the forehead. “Thank you, Sawyer for forcing me into this.” He laughed, must to the laughter of the others.

“Okay, okay,” the blind man quieted them down, “Since I am being forced into this, you owe me one, Jack.”

“Yeah, okay.” His fellow doctor laughed.

“Now, I guess it’s time for me to serious,” Tony replied, looking downward, “Thirty days ago . . . we crashed landed onto an Island. When we all walked away from it, I am sure we were all bombarded with questions. Why me? Why did God spare me? Why . . .did Fate tell me I should live while these other people died? Through each of our experiences on the Island, I hope each and every one of you found the answer to that question.”

The group drew a round of agreements and approval. Sayid kissed Shannon the cheek and held her close. Hal put his arm around Libby and then put his other arm around Dutch. “I guess if anybody has the need to be pissed off about landing there . .I would probably be me.” Tony paused for a moment, “I had to wonder . . .why me? Why did fate choose to take away my sight? Take away one of the two things . . .that made me a doctor. After much soul searching, I found out why. Because I came away with so much more. I am way with two best friends and the girl I plan to marry.”

The group then proceeded to applaud for the blind doctor as he kissed Marita. Tony then held up his glass to toast his friends. Lt. Monday, who was observing from afar, wondered if it was just luck that the blind man managed to toast in the direction of his friends. Tony took one more sip and regained his composure. “For those of you who went to the Island, and lost something . . . .try not to dwell on it. Try to remember what you gained and brought back with you.” He told them.

Everybody knew what he was talking about. Shannon sniffed, thinking of Boone. Mandy knew who she was thinking of and it brought tears to her eyes as well. She gently reached over and took Alexander’s hand. The blonde man looked at her but said nothing; he knew who she was crying for. Tony took a deep breath and held up his glass again. “We made it. We’re going home. But let us not for one instance, forget those brave people we had to leave behind,” Tony said, “We are the fortunate ones. Let us always remember them.”

Tony turned around to face his friends. “Mia?” he asked.

The Lakota girl looked at him. She knew what he was suggesting. Gentle tears began to flow out of her eyes as she held up her champagne glass. “Brendon Battle.” She whispered.

Shanna then held up her glass and Seth held up his, as he rested in his wheelchair. Hurley then help his own glass. “Rose,” he spoke.

“Bernard,” Natasha continued.

Mandy then looked to Shannon but the tall blonde wiped her tears; smiling at her new friend. That gentle smile told her that she would let her say his name. Mandy whispered bless you and then held up her glass. “Boone Carlyle.” She said.

Sawyer then coughed for a second. “Cecil Walker.” He said.

The people around him looked at him in a strange manner. “What?” he grunted.

Claire looked at Charlie and the musician just smiled, shaking his head. Claire gave the billionaire a lot of respect and in the end, no one forgot he tried to apologize for what he was going to do. The blonde Australian woman held up her glass for respect. “Clayton Kane.” She said.

“Martin Chambers.” Kristy said, holding up her glass. Jenny held up her glass in respect as well.

“Danielle Rousseu.” Sayid said, making Andra hug him.

“And to the rest of our fallen brethren,” Jack held up his glass, “May they all rest in peace.”

The group said a silent prayer for their fallen friends and then began to mix and mingle through their group. Jack was brought to introduce Ecko fully to Jenny; who immediately wanted to know how Raven was doing. Tony and Eddie found a nice corner to sit down and talk about Bunny. Jilly sat next to Kellye and began to tell her about Goodwin’s betrayal. Barbara filled in McKay on how Desmond and Isabella were doing. The group was finally together and they were happy.

And in some distant corner of the sky, Boone and Brendon smiled down on them.