I've spent the majority of this morning watching Rafe pack his bag for the Bahamas, pretending that it's not happening. Maybe if I go back to sleep I'll wake up and Rafe will still be asleep beside me, and none of this will be happening.

But that's not reality is it? Reality is my boyfriend is putting various items of clothing into his bag. I've been trying to convince myself that everything will be fine when Rafe is gone, but I'm not entirely convinced.

"Are you going to stay here while I'm gone?" Rafe asks, folding a shirt and tossing it into the bag.

"I'm not sure," I mutter, pulling my knees up to my chest as I sit on the bed, "I might go and stay with my parents."

"You know you can stay here though, if you don't want to go back." Rafe smiles gently.

"I think I should go and see them," I tell him, "And I might do some shifts at the surf shop, because there's no way I'm going back to school."

"Don't your parents want you to go to college?" Rafe asks, "You need grades for that."

"Yeah they do, but I have zero interest in college," I sigh, "Besides, we both know that what our parents want for us isn't always what's best for us."

"Yeah," Rafe mutters under his breath, and I can tells that he thinks what I said was a loaded comment, which it was, because as far as fathers go, Ward Cameron is about equal with Luke Maybank, "Have you seen my phone charger?"

"Could you have left it downstairs or in your father's office?" I suggest.

"The office probably," Rafe sighs.

"I'll go see if I can find it." I smile, slipping out of the bedroom and down the hallway, stopping at the office door.

My hand lingers over the doorknob as I hesitate, hearing the sound of Ward's voice on the other side of the door, "My son and I will be there later today, we'll be requiring armed escorts to accompany us to the airfield."

I had kind of figured that they'd be going for the gold, but as far as I'm aware, Rafe still knows nothing about it. I mean, knowing Rafe he most likely wouldn't be able to stop talking about the gold if he knew about it.

"There was a break in at my house the other day," He continues to explain over the phone, my mind instantly rushing to the likely conclusion that it could have been John B and Sarah trying to get their hands on the gold, "I need you to put your best men on this."

My heart begins to race as I wonder whether John B and Sarah realise how much bigger this is than they thought. Maybe I could find a way to get a message to them, if I speak to Pope, JJ and Kie, they could send them a text, warning them.

"I'm trusting you officer, this cargo is priceless, if anything happens I will blame you personally," Ward adds, "Great, I'll see you at Paradise Island."

Once he's hung up the call, I knock gently against the door, hoping he won't realise that I was listening outside the door.

The door opens and Ward appears in front of me, looking startled, "Sidney, what can I do for you?"

"Rafe said you might have his phone charger," I smile awkwardly, feeling immediately intimidated by the intensity of his stare, and the fierce darkness in his eyes.

"Oh right," He smiles emotionlessly, opening the door and letting me into the office, "It'll probably be on the desk."

Ward leads me over to the desk, picking up the phone charger from his desk and handing it to me, "I'm sorry to have disrupted your plans." He smiles with minimal sincerity.

"I get it," I nod, fiddling with the charging cable while avoiding all unnecessary eye contact, "You've got to protect what you believe is yours."

The darkness in his eyes deepens, he knows what I'm talking about, and he must be aware that I know that the gold is in the Bahamas. He will always try to be several steps ahead of us, regardless of what it costs.

I think I worry him because deep down he also knows that I'm untouchable because I have Rafe, and he wouldn't let anything happen to me.

"I don't think you realise what you're talking about, Sidney." He grits, his eyes full with a mixture of fury and panic.

"But I do, you and I both know what's on that island," I smirk, the fear I once had slowly dissipating, "And that's why you don't want me there."

"I'd be careful how you talk to me," Ward warns, clenching his jaw, "I could ruin your life at the drop of the hat."

"This must be weird for you, a pogue who won't be controlled by the fear you create." I reply, folding my arms across my chest.

"You and I both know that you stopped being a pogue the day you fell in love with my son." Ward mutters, fury woven through his words.

"Everything okay?" I glance over my shoulder to see Rafe behind me, concern in his eyes.

"Yeah," Ward nods, before I can answer, "I was just telling Sidney how sorry I am to have interrupted your vacation plans."

"Right," Rafe nods, placing his hands on my shoulders, massaging my upper back slightly, telling me he notices the tension across my back, "Did you find my charger, Sid?"

"Yeah," I smile half heartedly, handing him the cable while keeping my eyes on Ward. I don't trust him, but Rafe does, which I'm convinced is simply because blood is thicker than water, meaning that family loyalty always comes first.

"I need your help picking some shirts," Rafe mutters to me, rubbing his thumbs over my shoulder blades in the shape of stars.

"Son, we're leaving in five minutes, get that bag packed," Ward tells him sternly.

"Okay," Rafe nods, slipping his hand into mine and pulling me back towards his bedroom.

"I thought you'd packed all your clothes?" I ask as Rafe shuts the door behind us.

"What was that about?" He asks, the palm of his hand resting against the back of the door, "With my Dad."

"I don't trust him," I tell him honestly, knowing only an ounce of what Ward is truly capable of.

"You don't know him, Sid." Rafe sighs, never one to believe his father could do any wrong, "He's not a bad man."

"I'd run that past Big John if he wasn't dead," I reply, "That was your dad's doing."

"That's all speculation." Rafe scoffs.

"And Gavin, was that speculation?" My words stun Rafe, he stares at me in silence, carefully considering his next move like a tactical chess player.

"What are you talking about?" Rafe asks sternly, stepping closer to me.

"I heard your dad the other night, he killed Gavin." I whisper.

"Sid-"

"I won't tell anyone," I assure him , "Not because I'm protecting him, but because no one would even believe me."

"Thank you," Rafe exhales with relief, "Did you hear anything else?"

"No," I reply honestly.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

"What else is there to hear?" I reply, confused by the intensity of his questioning.

"Nothing," He sighs, grabbing his bag, "We should head downstairs, Dad will be waiting."

"Okay," I nod, following him out of the bedroom, as he holds his hand out for me to take, interlocking our fingers as we walk down the hallway. It's still early so I imagine Wheezie is asleep, but Rose is definitely awake as I can hear her talking to Ward downstairs.

We make our way down the spiral staircase, passing Ward and Rose who are involved in a heated discussion on the porch. Rafe leads me to the car, opening the back door and tossing his bag onto the seat before closing it and returning his attention to me.

"So I'll see you soon, then," I smile, trying to suppress the looming anxiety setting in across my body at the thought of Rafe leaving for a few days.

"Yeah," Rafe nods, smiling reassuringly, like he knows that inside I'm panicking, "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Mmhmm," I nod, blinking away the tears that I can feel beginning to form.

"Hey, look at me," He whispers, tilting my chin to focus my gaze on him, "You're going to be okay, and I'm going to be okay."

"I know," I reply.

"I want you to look after this for me," Rafe removes his signet ring, taking a hold of my hand and sliding it onto my ring finger as I look down at my hand in disbelief, I don't think I've ever seen him take it off, "Can't be losing it in the sea, can I?"

"Yeah," I nod, glancing towards the front door where Ward and Rose are standing.

"Come here," Rafe mutters, cupping my jaw and kissing me longingly, as if the second he breaks away I'll disappear forever. As we continue to kiss I hold onto his hips, tugging at his t-shirt.

"Rafe, we've got to go," Ward calls out.

Instead of pulling away, Rafe holds his index finger up to Ward, silently instructing him to wait, as he continues to kiss me, filling my stomach with butterflies just like the first time he kissed me.

I pull back, looking up at his eyes, "You don't want to miss your plane," I smile, brushing my thumb over his cheekbone, noticing the marks I left on his neck last night. He's not bothered by their presence on his skin, if anything he's proud of it.

"Be good," Rafe smiles, letting go of me and heading to the passenger door, while Ward waits in the driver's seat.

The car begins to head down the driveway, and I watch until it eventually disappears, hoping that maybe they'll just turn around and come back. I know it's only for a few days, but he's been the one constant I've had since John B and Sarah disappeared. Every night that I've slept beside him I've barely had any nightmares about what happened on the tarmac.

"Sidney, would you like a coffee or something?" Rose asks, probably not knowing how to talk to me.

"I'm fine thanks," I sigh, "I've got to help my parents at the surf shop."

"Okay," She smiles, "Wheezie and I are ordering takeout for dinner tonight, if you want to join us."

"I'll let you know," I smile, walking over to the tree where my bike is.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚

After cycling across Figure Eight and through part of the cut, I reach the harbour, stopping outside the surf shop and leaning my bike against the wall. A few shops down I spot Pope outside his family's shop. This might be the only chance I get to warn him about Ward going to the Bahamas.

I hurry past the other shop owners who are collecting their stock and fresh food from the delivery boats, reaching Heyward's fish shop. In the time it's taken me to walk along the harbour, Pope must have gone back inside, so I lean against the exterior wall of the building, waiting for him.

A few minutes pass and I spot Pope leaving the shop, heading straight for his dad's truck, his back to me.

"Pope," I call out, stopping him in his tracks, "I need to talk to you."

"What?" Pope turns around, I know he's disappointed in me, but he's nowhere near as angry about what I've done, compared to JJ and Kiara.

"I'm worried about John B and Sarah's safety, I need to get a message to them," I explain.

"You're concerned for their safety?" Pope sighs, "Your boyfriend is the reason they're out there, Sidney."

"That's not important right now," I state, "Ward and Rafe are on their way to the Bahamas right now to move the gold, and I think John B and Sarah will try to intercept them."

"And?" Pope replies.

"I overheard Ward on the phone, he's booked armed escorts." I explain.

"Shit," Pope hisses.

"Can you tell them?" I ask, "On the number he messaged you on, the other day?"

"That number is out of service," Pope sighs, "They must've abandoned the phone."

"So it's just a waiting game then?" I mutter.

"Suppose so," Pope replies.

"I'll tell you if I hear anything," I tell him, knowing that Rafe won't be able to keep quiet if he runs into John B and Sarah.

"Thanks," He smiles, and for a moment, I feel like I've got the real Pope back, "How have you been?"

"I've been better," I reply, not wanting to burden him with the depth of my emotions over the last few weeks, but still wanting him to know that the aftermath of Peterkin's death hasn't been easy for me either, "The doctor said I've got PTSD."

"Are you okay?" Pope asks, concern on his face, "I've read about PTSD, that can't be easy."

"I know you'll think it's ridiculous, but it would've been a lot worse if I didn't have Rafe." I reply, knowing how deep Pope's resentment for Rafe runs.

"As long as you're okay," Pope smiles, "I still care, despite everything else."

"Pope," I hear JJ's voice over my shoulder, which once upon a time would've bought comfort, but now it just worries me, "Why are you talking to her?"

"She's got some information that might affect John B and Sarah," Pope replies as I turn to see JJ and Kiara looking at me in disappointment.

"What information do you have that could possibly help John B and Sarah?" Kiara asks me, folding her arms across her chest.

"Ward is on his way to the Bahamas to move the gold, and I think John B and Sarah will try to intercept it." I begin to explain.

"Ward's not going to scare John B." JJ replies.

"But the armed escort he's recruited might." I tell him confidently.

"Ward's hired an armed escort?" Kiara mutters.

"Yeah, Ward and Rafe are probably in the air as we speak," Pope tells them both.

"So Rafe's going too?" JJ scoffs, "You're sure this isn't just a way of protecting your little boyfriend?"

"Rafe doesn't need me to protect him," I sigh, "I'm worried how Ward will react if he finds out Sarah and John B are still alive."

"Well thanks for the intel, but we don't need your help." JJ tells me.

"JJ, please don't-" Pope begins to reply.

"No!" JJ snaps, "Don't you dare tell me she's got into your head and poisoned you with her lies."

"JJ, she's trying." Pope replies solemnly.

"I shouldn't have come," I mutter, "I'll leave you three to it."

"Bye then." JJ scoffs as I turn to leave, heading for the safety of the surf shop.

"I can't believe her nerve, showing up here like that." Kiara says to the boys as they watch Sidney walk down the harbour.

"I don't think she's coping." Pope tells them both.

"I actually don't give a shit." JJ replies.

"She said the doctors diagnosed her with PTSD," Pope attempts to defend Sidney, feeling conflicted by her involvement with Rafe and the fact that she was once one of his best friends.

"She's probably lying to you man!" JJ exclaims. JJ resents Sidney for what she did, but he's been forcing himself to paint every aspect of her as a villain, to make it easier to get over losing her. Because despite the fact that she's siding with Rafe, losing Sidney still hurts.

"Okay, she's flawed in a lot of ways, but do you really think she would lie about something so serious?" Pope asks, "You know better than the rest of us how bad her anxiety can get."

"I suppose you're right." JJ sighs.

"You can hate what she did, but please don't hate her," Pope replies.

"Easier said than done." Kiara rolls her eyes.

"I've researched PTSD for a psychology class," Pope begins to explain, "I read somewhere that people who experience a traumatic event can sometimes have warped perception of reality, so maybe John B was right."

"You think Rafe has been using that?" Kiara replies.

"I wouldn't be surprised," Pope exhales, "We all know what he's capable of, we just need to find a way to prove it to Sid, I know it's easy to perceive this as her defending a murderer, but remember what John B said."

"So what do we do?" JJ asks unenthusiastically.

"Well we gave the murder weapon to the police, and Gavin is dead, so we've got to find a way to prove Rafe killed the sheriff." Pope tells Kiara and JJ.

"We need to get the cops to listen." Kiara agrees.

"And then maybe we'll get our girl back."