Over the week, David and his men continued their distant observation of the former Minnow castaways, Ralph, Pam, Bill and Kim. He'd managed to get more men from The Office, men that he could trust to fulfill the part of the plan he'd worked out for them.

They knew the M/V Minnow was due to depart on Friday morning, and he knew the Hinkleys and Pam Davidson would be there to see them off.

"Everyone know what they're doing?" he asked one more time, on Thursday night, to be sure everyone would be in position the following morning.

"Yes, comrade," one of the new men said, nodding his head.

"Good," he said, smiling at them all. It was finally happening, after all the frustrating weeks of pursuing the woman who'd betrayed them, and the man who'd foiled so many of their operations. Once those two were out of his hair and out of his life, he could resume his usual duties and tasks for The Office.

At the Los Angeles marina, the Hinkley family, and Pam, were slowly walking down the dock, back to the main building. Pam and Ralph were silent, sensitive to the mood of the others. They were sad, having said goodbye to their dear friends for another year. Even the twins were quiet as they trailed behind their parents.

When they reached the parking lot, Ralph and Pam turned to them to say their goodbyes.

"Well, Uncle Roy, it's been an exciting week! Pam and I need to take off to work though."

They all took turns hugging one another before parting.

"I understand, Ralph, so we'll keep in touch. Don't stay away for TOO long now, okay?"

Ralph laughed, "I won't, Uncle, I promise!"

The Hinkley family turned toward their car.

"Pam, I'm going to go grab a cold soda, did you want one?" Ralph asked, remaining by the building entrance.

"No, I'm good. Let me have the keys to the car."

He threw her the keys and they turned away from each other. As the door swung behind Ralph, he heard a scream from Pam.

He turned back in time to see her being thrown into a black non-descript van, which squealed its tires as it roared out of the parking area.

He ran out to see which way the van was heading, then ducked behind a line of bushes. As he struggled to remove his street clothes, he screamed for Bill over the walkie-talkie.

"BILL! Bill, answer me, they've got PAM!"

"Where you at, Ralph?" came Bill's urgent reply.

"Leaving the marina! They're heading south on the main road in a plain black Chevy van!"

"Follow 'em and keep in touch on where they're headin', the kid and I will meet up with you when we can. Just don't lose sight of her!"

"Right!" Ralph yelled into the mic, throwing the remainder of his clothes and shoes down.

He launched himself in the direction Pam's abductors had taken.

He was so focused on going after Pam that he didn't notice the Minnow several hundred yards off the beach, heading southeast away from Los Angeles.

Gilligan and Ginny were on the stern of the Minnow, preparing the boat for ocean travel. He'd given her small tasks he was confident she could do well. He glanced up one last time as the marina grew smaller in the distance. When he gasped at what he saw, red and in the air, Ginny looked up from the ropes she was securing.

Her eyes went wide as she, too, saw what Gilligan was seeing.

"Uncle, what is THAT?"

"I dunno, Ginny, it's too far away! Quick, go get the binoculars!"

Keeping his eye on the speck of red in the sky, which was paralleling the Minnow, he waited for Ginny to return. She was back within seconds, having only to grab the set off the observation deck above.

"Here, what IS it?" she asked breathlessly.

Gilligan frowned, and shook his head, not believing what he was seeing. He took the binoculars away for a moment, then looked a second time.

"Ginny..." he said, unable to continue. He absently handed the set to her, and pointed. She quickly adjusted them to her smaller hands, looked where Gilligan was pointing and gasped as well.

When the red speck had moved out of her field of vision, the little girl slowly lowered the binoculars, and the two simply stood and stared, mouths agape.

Ginny whispered, "That was RALPH, Uncle! It WAS!"

Gilligan didn't answer at first, he was too stunned. He whispered back, "I know, Ginny. I know."

The two looked at one another, ex-Navy man and future Olympics star. They weren't sure what to do with this new information, so they silently agreed they'd keep it to themselves alone.

For now.

Fin... also for now.

(A/N: The Lilacs Series will conclude in the next story, imaginatively called "Lilacs IV." It will be strictly GAH, and it's going to be Drama/Angst. If you haven't already, re-read the first chapter of "Lilacs II." I've changed O'Neil's situation, from sad demise to going on witness protection. I may or may not continue with the GI storyline. I've got too many other plot bunnies waiting to spring free via my Muse, so I'm not carving anything in stone. Visit my homepage via my author's profile to see what stories are coming up for the Minnow crew and passengers.)