“You need to let me have a look, Pip. We can set it for you if it’s dislocated,” Luke said.

“It hurts.”

“Well, obviously. Now stop being a baby, and let me fix it.”

Dylan watched as Luke crouched beside Joe to examine it.

“I’m glad you’re safe, cousin.” He kissed the top of her head.

Dylan caught the nod Luke threw him as he moved into position behind Piper.

“Piper, look at me.” Dylan lifted her chin. “That’s it.” He kissed her softly. “I need to tell you something, and I’ve never spoken these words before, so pay attention.”

“Is this gonna make me puke?” Jack Trainer said, lifting Piper’s hair out of the way. “Because if so, I’d be mighty pleased if you left it till you and Pip are alone.”

“I love you.” He whispered the words against her lips.

Her scream as Luke forced her shoulder back into the socket made his ears ring, and he wasn’t entirely sure he’d ever get full hearing back in one ear, but it was worth it just to say the words.

“It’s done now.” She’d fallen forward onto his chest, one hand gripping his so hard he couldn’t feel his fingers.

“Ouch,” she whispered, making him snort. “I’m making you pay for that later, Luke.”

“Look forward to it. Now, I’m not sure about you, but I’m hungry as hell, and it’s getting cold up here. What say you we all head on down now?”

“But Zander?”

“He’s dead, Pip,” Fin said. “I just radioed the chopper, and they’ll check on the way up to get you.”

“I know he’s bad, but... well, it’s still kind of hard to accept,” she said, looking up at Dylan.

“I know.” Dylan held her then until they heard the chopper.

“Okay, there’s a clearing that way. We’ll head there, it’ll be easier to get her into the stretcher.”

“I don’t want to leave you,” Piper whispered to Dylan.

“You can’t walk down with that shoulder, sweetheart. I’ll be down soon, I promise.”

After that it was all fairly straightforward, and she was in the chopper and flying to the hospital not long after. The pilot told them that Zander was indeed dead.

“Hell of a day,” Cubby said. “And I came here for a vacation.”

The journey down took less time, and as Buzz seemed to know which way to go, they simply followed his lead. It was a tired rescue party that eventually made their way down to the ranger station.

Dylan called his family and told them he was well and that Zander was dead. Ava had told them he was responsible for what had been happening to the Howards, and why.

“So, you and my cousin?” Jack Trainer said from beside him as Fin drove them to the hospital where Piper was.

“Uh-huh.”