Outfits Link:

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Same Day - Same Scene

Day One

Morning - Ocean

The camera view seemed to be free falling through the storm clouds.

Isa: (voice over) "So there's a moment in every kid's life when you feel like anything's possible. When you feel like you've got the total mojo. You could, I don't know, free-club El Capitan, land on mars, or, uh, get elected president."

The camera's view finally exited the storm clouds and showed the Pogues on their boat on the ocean.

John B: (voice over) "The whole world's there for the taking if you've got the sack to go for it. And then when you least expect it, some Kook shows up and tells you there's no eternal mystery. And then all that talk about free-climbing and Mars and the president... bullshit. Magic gets cancer and dies."

Even though the Pogues had just found the remains of the Royal Merchant with the camera drone 1000 feet under water, they were heavily disappointed when they didn't find any gold.

John B sighed. "It's not there. Look, just--just pull the drone up. Shit."

Pope attempted to reassure Isa and John B. "Look, we can do another pass. Recharge the battery. We can--we can go back down."

John B walked to the back of the boat, running his hands through his hair.

Thunder continued to rumble in the sky as the dark clouds loomed over them.

"Guys, we've been through tit three times," JJ pointed out. "There's nothing there."

"Shut up!" Kie snapped.

"What?" JJ asked, irritated by Kie snapping at him. "It's true."

"The gold could be buried," Kaylee suggested. "We don't know."

"If it was there, it would've been found the metal detector, okay?" Isa asked. "Somebody beat us to it."

"Or it was never there," JJ stated.

The Pogues all looked at each other in sadness, disappointed. Isa and John B were taking it the worst since this was their father's dream that they were trying to fulfill and felt like they couldn't make it into reality.

⚓️

Dock

Isa and John B took the HMS Pogue back to the docks, getting off the boat, walking up the dock to head back home.

⚓️ Worlds Colliding (Outer Banks) ⚓️

The Chateau - Living Room

Isa and John B walked into the Chateau, both still upset. John B grabbed the box of Cheerios on the table. Isa walked further into the house.

They were startled by Cheryl's voice. "Hello, Isa. John B."

Isa and John B stopped in their tracks, turning back to look at Cheryl.

Cheryl sat on their couch with her legs crossed.

"You know, Cheryl, it's kind of a bad time for a check-in," John B stated, walking toward the table, setting down the box of cereal, taking his backpack off, throwing it to the side.

"Not a check in," Cheryl admitted. "We're here to take you both."

Isa put on a calm front, sitting down at the table, crossing her arms, leaning back in her seat. "Today? Really?"

Cheryl leaned forward. "It's just for a few weeks until your hearing."

John B shook his head, putting his head in his hands. "No, no, no. Cheryl, look, we're not going into foster care, okay?" He slammed his hands down on the table. "We're not gonna go be a part of your little system."

A Deputy walked into the room, his radio beeping from his belt.

Isa looked at Cheryl, pointing to the Deputy. "Is he really necessary?"

"Isa, John B, this is Deputy Thomas," Cheryl introduced.

Isa nodded sarcastically. "Oh. Don't care."

Isa and John B stood, moving away from Thomas.

Cheryl stood. "He works with juveniles for the Sheriff's department."

"Still don't care," Isa stated with a shake of her head.

Cheryl sighed. "Look, I know Uncle T is down in Mississippi working at a casino. He hasn't been here in months."

John B scoffed. "What?"

Isa and John B exchanged a look as they communicated through eye contact, trying to make a run for it.

Thomas grabbed Isa's arm, pinning it behind her back to make them both stop.

Isa groaned. "Ow!"

Thomas let her go, and Isa pulled her arm away, stepping aside, glaring at Thomas.

John B pulled Isa toward him and away from Thomas. "No, see, that's my nightmare right there. Look, we--we want emancipation."

Cheryl frowned. "Emancipation from who? There's nobody here but you two."

"Uh... asylum, then," John B suggested.

"On what grounds?" Cheryl asked skeptically.

"On solid grounds, on holy grounds," John B told her, trying to come up with something. "Look, I'm confident I can speak for the both of us that we feel pretty prosecuted right now by you and especially Mr. Big Head over there. What are you looking at, bro? What are you gonna do, tase us?"

"What you're doing isn't helping us," Isa told her. "It isn't what's in our best interest. We are just another monthly paycheck for some greedy people and another notch on the system's belt. What is best for us is staying in here, in our home, together."

Cheryl shook her head. "I'm sorry, but this is my job. It's the law."

Isa scoffed, trying to run, getting past the table. Thomas grabbed Isa, pulling her back.

Isa struggled. "Let me go!"

John B tried to pry Thomas' arm off of Isa. "Hey, get off her!" When that didn't work, John B grabbed a fistful of Cheerios, throwing them into Thomas' face. "Let her go."

Cheryl stood there with her arms crossed over her chest.

"We didn't do anything!" Isa told her. "Cheryl, get your dog to back down!"

"That's enough!" Cheryl told them.

John B held up his hands. "Okay, okay."

Isa tried to get out of Thomas' hold. "Let me go!"

"Isa, John B, just relax," Cheryl told them.

Isa stopped moving in hopes of being let go if it seemed she surrendered. "Okay, we give up."

"Let her go," Cheryl told him. Thomas slowly released Isa. John B pulled Isa to his side. "I need you both to pack a few things. We have to get going."

They both went to get their things, packing up, as Cheryl and Thomas were watching closely.

John B walked over to a board at the front of his room, pulling out a picture of their father. "See this, Cheryl? Do you know who this is? Yeah, it's our dad. And you know what he wanted? He wanted me to stay here and look after Isa, at home. And you're taking us away from home. You're taking us away from him and each other. Do you understand that?"

"It's the law," Cheryl repeated.

Isa scoffed. "The law."

John B sighed. "Come on, Isa."

John B held out his hand for Isa, and Isa grabbed it, the two walking out of the house, getting into the back of the cop car outside. Isa bit her lip, looking over at John B, both planning to get away somehow.

⚓️

On the Road

Thomas was driving the cop car. Cheryl was in the passenger seat. John B and Isa were in the backseat.

John B propped his elbow on the window, raising the picture of Big John to look at, glancing at Isa, before smoothly letting the picture fly out the window. "No, no, no! Stop! Stop! Please stop!"

Isa was playing along. "How could you be so stupid, John B? That was our last picture!"

John B hid a smile. "It's the last picture of our dad, please."

Thomas looked back at them. "Not gonna happen."

"Please," Isa pleaded. "If you do this, we won't give you anymore trouble."

John B sighed. "Come on, just stop the car."

"Not gonna happen, kids," Thomas told them.

"Cheryl, please," Isa begged.

"That's all we have left of him," John B told her.

Cheryl rubbed her temples. "Pull over."

Thomas looked over skeptically. "You want me to pull over?"

Cheryl sighed. "Just pull over."

"Thank you," John B told them.

Isa gave John B a fake glare. "It better still be intact, or I'm gonna kill you."

John B smirked.

Thomas pulled over, getting out of the car to look for the picture.

"Cheryl, can I help him look?" John B asked.

"Why, so you can lose it again?" Isa asked. "Can I?"

Cheryl shook her head. "He's got it."

"Look at this idiot," John B complained. "He's not even looking in the right place. It's gonna get trashed. It's our final keep sake of our father. Are you really gonna let that happen?"

"Cheryl, can I please go help him?" Isa asked. "He's already overpowered me twice. I know it would be useless to run. Please?"

Cheryl unlocked the doors. "Make it quick."

"Thanks, Cheryl," Isa told her, undoing her seat belt, slinging the strap of her backpack over her shoulder, looking over her shoulder to see John B doing the same. "Go."

They both bolted out of the car and up the street.

John B laughed, mocking the guard. "Later, Thomas! Ha-ha!"

Cheryl got out of the car. "Shit. Thomas!"

John B and Isa ran across the street, ignoring the two cars that almost hit them and their angry honks, hopping over the metal fence ahead, running through the graveyard, coming around the corner as they skidded to a stop by a guy's house, where his bike sat conveniently on the other side of the fence.

Isa was breathing heavily. "Hey, Jorge."

Jorge looked up. "What's up, guys?"

Isa shrugged, looking behind them. "Nothing much."

John B pointed behind Jorge. "Look, a snow leopard." Jorge looked away, tricked long enough for John B to take the bike into his hands. "Sorry, Jorge." Isa stood on the small bars of metal that stuck out on either side of the back tire. John B pushed the petals forward, sending them flying down the street, as Isa had her hands on his backpack straps, gripping tightly to keep from falling off. John B steered them onto a new street, where a bunch of kids were playing on a handmade skate ramp.  "Look out, you guys! Coming in hot!"

"Move, move, move!" Isa urged. The kids ran out of the way. "John B?"

John B continued to pedal faster, sending them straight for the ramp. "Hold on."

Isa held more tightly onto the backpack straps, when the bike soared up over a large gap and hit the ground again. 

John B: (voice over) "So there's an old saying about hitting a big jump. When hucking, it's safe when you commit."

Isa cheered at being able to make the jump, as did the kids.

John B called back to the kids. "Stay in school!"

"And don't try this!" Isa called back to the kids. "You don't wanna be dumbasses like us!"

A small boy yelled out as they almost hit him with the bike. "Hey!"

John B swerved around the boy, hitting a metal chain. The abrupt stop sent John B and Isa both flying forward off the bike and into the street, making them both groan in pain, and gasp for breath as the air was knocked out of their lungs from the landing, having to push themselves up, in extreme pain.

John B: (voice over) "Which, in a lot of commonly accepted wisdom... is bullshit."

Isa groaned. "Who put the chain there?"

Lia and Sarah saw from across the street where they were about to get into Sarah's car with two milkshakes.

Lia jogged over to Isa and John B to check on them. "Hey! Isa. John B. Are you okay?"

Isa sighed. "Not really."

Sarah jogged over. "Did you guys just yeet over that chain?" She pointed to the blood that was staining John B's shirt. "Holy shit. Oh, my God, look at your shirt."

John B raised it up slightly to see a large scrape on his lower stomach.

Lia winced in concern. "Isa, you're messed up pretty bad too."

Isa looked down, seeing that her knees were busted and blood was running from them, having a scrape on her shoulder and cheek, but not as bad as her knees. Several more scrapes and scratches were over her legs and arms.

John B looked over their wounds. "Oh, wow. That's not ideal."

Lia shook her head in concern. "That's not good at all. Both of you need to go to the hospital."

"Right now?" Isa asked.

Lia nodded.

"Yeah, right now, that would be fantastic," John B agreed.

Sarah helped John B up. "Okay, well, you'll have to get up."

Lia helped Isa up. "Come on."

They walked to Sarah's car, with Sarah and Lia getting into the driver and passenger seats, while Isa and John B got into the backseat.

Isa looked down at her cuts. "Sorry if I stain your seats."

Lia chuckled. "Don't worry about it."

They buckled their seat belts.

John B leaned down out of view of the window. 'Uh, do you see a car? Like a cop SUV?"

Isa shrunk down in her seat. "Blue and white, perhaps?"

Sarah nodded. "Yes, there is a blue and white cop SUV."

"Shit," Isa and John B muttered.

John B looked up at the Cameron sisters. "Do you see a guy with no neck?"

Lia nodded. "Yes, there is a guy. He in fact has no neck. There's a woman with him."

"What are they doing?" Isa asked.

"They're, um, just looking around," Sarah answered, slowly pulling out of the parking lot.

"Can you just go, please?" John B asked.

"That's what I'm doing," Sarah told them. "They are stopped at the dead bike."

John B sighed. "Thank you."

As they drove away, Isa and John B could sit up, seeing how clueless Cheryl and Thomas were when they were looking for them.

"Why are the cops after you guys?" Lia asked, smiling slightly. "What did you do, rob a bank?"

"It's probably best you don't know," Isa told them. She looked at John B. "You okay?"

"Yeah," John B answered. "You?"

"For the most part," Isa answered.

"John B, Isa, are you like fugitives now?" Sarah asked.

"I don't know," John B admitted. He looked at Isa. "What would you say, we're more like refugees?"

"Something like that," Isa answered. She looked up at Lia and Sarah. "Hey, you know what? Don't take us to the hospital. Just take a left please. We gotta do something."

Sarah did as told. "Okay."

"Pull over here," John B told her.

Sarah pulled over. John B hopped out of the car, running to get Big John's picture from the ground.

"What's he doing?" Sarah asked.

"Just give him a second," Isa told them.

John B ran back to the car, getting in. Isa took the picture from him, putting it safely in her bag, leaning her head back against the seat, closing her eyes to try and block out some of the pain.

⚓️

Figure 8 Dock

Topper and his mother stood with a man as he was using a device to pull his boat up out of the water.

The man looked at Topper's mother. "Boat like this don't just sink, Dr. Thornton."

"How much is this gonna cost me?" Thornton asked.

"Ah, submerged 24 hours," the man stated. "So you're looking at 25, 30K."

"And insurance won't cover it?" Thornton asked.

The man chuckled. "No. Not for operator error. Plug wasn't in there."

Thornton looked at Topper.

Topper shook his head. "Well, why--why you lookin' at me?"

"Why do you think?" Thornton replied.

"I did not forget to put the plug in, Mom," Topper told her. "It's been sitting in the water a week."

Thornton looked away angrily. "I thought that when you turned 16, you'd take a little more responsibility for your actions."

"Mom, I did not do this!" Topper insisted. "Are you kidding me? You think I'm that stupid? Why is this my fault?"

"Because it usually is," Thornton answered, walking away.

Topper was left stunned.

⚓️

Gym

Rafe, Topper and Kelce were working out. Kelce was lifting weights.

Topper was shirtless, doing pullups. "My mom thinks that I did it. Even though there's no way I could've." He dropped down from the pull up bar. "I mean, how?" He grabbed his water bottle, running a hand through his hair. "It's always my fault, no matter what. She--she just wants me to be this little robot that--that just checks her boxes. You know what I mean? SAT prep? Oh, check." Rafe started to lift weights. "Serving food at the shelter? Check. I mean, I do--I literally do everything she wants, and I'm sick of it."

"Well, we know who did it, right?" Rafe asked.

Kelce put his weight bar down, turning to face them. "It was that little geek Pope."

Topper took a drink of water, nodding, pointing at Kelce. "Pope, yeah. Rafe, if you wouldn't have jumped him on the golf course, I'd still have a boat, right?"

Rafe put his weight bars down, giving Topper a sarcastic look. "Sorry if I, uh... had your back after some Pogue put a--put a gun to your head. Listen, man, I am not the enemy here." He looked at Kelce. "Am I the enemy here? I'm not the enemy."

Kelce shook his head. "No."

Rafe looked at Topper. "I didn't sink the boat. Pope did."

Topper nodded. "Okay, all right."

Rafe pointed to his own head. "And you need to force him to take some personal responsibility, bro."

"Bro, he sank the boat, all right?" Kelce asked. "That shit can't stand."

"So what are you gonna do about it?" Rafe asked.

Topper looked between the two, nodding with an angry look on his face.

⚓️

Tannyhill Estate - Outside

Sarah pulled her car with Lia, Isa and John B up to the mansion.

"We've got to clean your wounds," Lia told them.

"I'm good," Isa told her.

Lia looked at them skeptically.

John B shook his head. "No. Sarah, Lia, we can't be here."

Sarah pulled over. "Okay, well, you're gonna have to trust us."

John B scoffed. "Yeah, I did trust you once already."

"We've been through this already," Sarah told him. "I didn't rat you out, okay?"

"So suck it up, buttercups," Lia told them.

John B looked at Isa. Isa shrugged, as they all got out. Sarah and Lia led them to the front door, sneaking them into the house.

⚓️

Foyer

Lia and Sarah led Isa and John B along.

"Hey, I don't think your old man would be happy an ex employee and his sister are bleeding all over his house," John B pointed out.

Lia put a finger to her lips. "Shh!"

"So don't bleed," Sarah told them.

Lia rolled her eyes, giving Sarah a look, tilting her head. "Are you kidding me?"

Isa looked down at her bleeding legs, nodding sarcastically. "Like I can just stop bleeding on command."

They heard Ward's voice further away in the house. "Hey!" Lia and Sarah quickly pushed John B and Isa into the room next to them, using themselves to block the door. "Jerry, don't tell me we can't renegotiate the rate. We can absolutely renegotiate the rate, Jerry."

Ward walked down the stairs.

"Hi," Lia greeted.

"What are you doing?" Ward asked.

"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.

Ward gestured to the open front door. "Shut the door, come on."

"Oh, sorry," Lia apologized.

Ward walked out, leaving the house. Lia closed the door, and Lia and Sarah ran back to Isa and John B, taking them by the hands, leading them upstairs.

⚓️

Lia's Room

Lia opened the door to her room, leading Isa and John B inside. "Look, everything's white in here, so..."

"Be careful with the blood," John B finished.

"Yeah," Lia agreed.

Isa and John B surveyed the room with puzzled expressions.

"Hmm, since when did bedrooms start doubling as therapy sessions?" Isa inquired with a raised eyebrow.

Sarah stood in the doorway to the room. 

"Don't worry about it," Lia replied. "I'll stay here, but Sarah, can you get the first aid kit?"

"Yeah, Lia, I'll get it," Sarah answered. "I'll be right back."

Sarah closed the door, darting off.

Isa and John B set their backpacks down.

"Whoa," John B said.

Isa gazed at Lia. "Wow, this place is like our tiny home's grand mansion!"

Lia laughed. "Oops, my bad."

Isa's brow creased. "What are you apologizing for? Wait, you're not one of those 'sorry-for-being-rich' types, are you?"

Lia gave a half-smile and a shoulder wiggle. "Busted."

John B just gave an affirming grunt. "Mm-hmm."

Lia gestured to the couch and the chairs next to the couch. "You can sit there."

John B sat down on the couch.

Isa sat down in one of the chairs a few feet away.

Sarah walked in, holding a first aid kit in her hands. "Okay, let's get these cleaned." She walked over to the couch, opening the kit. "Lift up your shirt."

John B lifted up his shirt, and Sarah got distracted by his abs, causing Isa and Lia to exchange a look and roll their eyes. Sarah reached across the table to place the first aid kit on there, so Lia could grab what she needed to help Isa clean her wounds, pouring rubbing alcohol onto a rag.

"Wait, is that rubbing alcohol?" Isa asked.

"Yep," Lia answered.

Isa nodded, wincing already at the thought of how much that would sting.

John B looked at Sarah. "And you're gonna use that on me?"

Sarah poured some onto her rag. "Only way to be safe."

Sarah screwed the cap back on.

Lia started with rubbing Isa's shoulder scrape, and Isa tensed up, wincing, breathing a little unevenly.

Lia winced. "Sorry."

Sarah rubbed the alcohol on John B's wound, making him yell loudly in pain, causing all three girls to look at him with 'seriously' looks, as Sarah put a hand over John B's mouth to stop him from yelling. "Are you kidding me? My God, I've never heard anyone wine like that before."

"Come on, John B," Isa told him. "Man up."

"Isa's handling it better than you," Lia told him. "At least woman up if you can't man up."

John B gave Isa and Lia a look, who both smirked.

John B shook his head, sighing. "Sorry." He groaned as Sarah continued cleaning his wound, slapping her hand away from his stomach. "Stop."

Sarah looked up at him with a look. "Excuse you."

"Sorry, sorry," John B sighed.

Isa took the cloth from Lia to work on the rest of her wounds, on her arms and knees. "I got the rest, thanks."

"At least let me help bandage," Lia told her.

Isa knew that it was no use arguing, nodding, sighing, rolling her eyes. Lia gave a small smile, helping Isa bandage her wounds.

Isa noticed some of Lia's personal research on the table in front of the chairs and the couch, which was separate from the research she was doing on Robbie and what happened with him.

In the research Isa noticed, it involved printed out old documents and an old fashioned picture of a man.

Isa frowned. "Who's that guy?"

Lia looked at the research on the table, glad it was that research Isa had noticed and not the Robbie's case research. "Oh, it's Denmark Tanny. Founder of Tannyhill."

"Founder?" John B asked.

Lia nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"So how did a slave found a cotton plantation?" Isa asked.

"He was a free man," Lia answered.

"How?" Isa asked.

Lia chuckled. "He was a survivor off the Royal Merchant." Isa and John B both looked at Lia in shock. "Showed up and paid for all the land around here in gold."

Isa and John B looked at each other instantly.

"I didn't think that there were any survivors from the Royal Merchant," Isa admitted, trying to appear to be casually asking.

"They wouldn't list slaves in the report because they were seen as unimportant," Lia pointed out. "Which is so unfair because everyone should've been seen as equals all the time, throughout time and history, no matter their skin color because we're all just people with lives, struggles, successes and mistakes, strengths and weaknesses, so no one should have been degraded or abused like that. But what can we do about that now? But after looking more into the history of the house, I looked more into it and found out by the ship charter who had every passenger name that he was the only one never to die in the shipwreck. And it makes sense why he was a free man, and how he was able to buy Tannyhill, because rumor has it that the Royal Merchant had hundreds of millions of dollars in gold."

Isa and John B exchanged a look, shocked that Lia had the missing information that they had needed.

"Lia's a major history buff, and she was always so curious about the history of the house and the founder that she wanted to look into it," Sarah explained with a fond roll of her eyes. Lia nodded in agreement. John B started to get up, but Sarah stopped him. "Hey, I'm not finished, Sancho."

Isa and John B looked at Lia, speaking in unison. "What else do you know about this guy?"

Lia looked at them in amusement. "Okay, first of all, that was cool. Second, when we first moved in, we found a diary, an almanac and a bunch of papers. Our dad donated all of it to the state archives at Chapel Hill. I didn't get to read through them, though, as much I wish I could've. I used to go at least once a week before..." Lia looked down. Sarah looked at her sympathetically. Isa and John B frowned. "Doesn't matter. Let's just say that I'm not really 'allowed' to be out most days unless it's to go to school or with Sarah."

"Why?" John B asked.

Lia shook her head. "Don't worry about it."

Isa noticed that was like the second time in that scene alone Lia said that, and she already said it before in the car, making it at least the third time since Lia and Sarah picked them up. "Is that one of your favorite sayings or something?"

"Pretty much," Sarah answered for her. "Lia doesn't like people worrying about her or things to do with her."

"Is that all you know?" Isa asked.

"I would've known more if my dad would let me out of the house more," Lia explained. "Would've known more than I already learned if he hadn't put me on lockdown."

"Lockdown?" John B repeated. "What--"

Isa knew what Lia was gonna say, saying the words at the same time as her. "Don't worry about it."

Isa and Lia exchanged a look. Isa smirked slightly. Lia gave a small, sheepish smile.

Sarah put a bandage on John B's stomach.

"Then can we go see that?" John B asked.

"See what?" Sarah asked.

Lia and Sarah cleaned up the first aid kit supplies and wrappers, throwing away the used cloths they used to clean Isa and John B's wounds.

"The archives," John B answered. "We need to go see them."

"I mean, we can get you in if you want," Lia answered. "Ward has a trustee pass that I used to use, but he hasn't let me use that for a couple months now."

"Yeah, we need that," John B declared with urgency.

"To Chapel Hill?" Sarah inquired, puzzled.

Isa gave a dramatic eye roll. "Nope, to the sea, obviously. Haven't you been listening?"

Lia's smirk was impossible to contain.

"And we need to go right now," John B announced.

"We've gotta hit the road, like, yesterday," Isa agreed.

"Why now?" Lia probed. "Why the rush?"

"That's top secret," Isa responded with a wink.

"More fugitive stuff?" Sarah asked blandly.

"Outlaw shenanigans?" Lia teased, her curiosity piqued.

Isa crossed her arms and shot a glance at John B.

"Uh, fugitive-outlaw adjacent, sort of," John B said, scratching his head.

"It's a matter of national security," Isa declared with mock solemnity.

Lia's sarcastic grin widened, amused and intrigued by it all. "I've waited my entire life for someone to say that to me. Finally, my life feels like an action movie."

Isa smirked, looking down.

"Look," John B sighed. "God, I know this sounds crazy, but I really need to borrow that pass. The less you two know, the better. Okay? You've just got to trust me."

Sarah smirked, enjoying watching John B squirm as she had something he wanted. "No. I don't trust anyone. Especially not with a trustee pass."

"I need to go now," John B insisted.

Sarah shrugged. "Okay, then I'm coming with you."

Isa and John B both shook their heads. "No."

"Yes," Sarah argued. "One last mission, and then I'm out of this dirty, dirty game." She walked toward John B, nudging him in the stomach, making him groan in pain. "Come on."

"Well, I'm not going," Lia told them. "This one is up to you guys. John B, Isa, I hope that you two are feeling better."

"Yeah, a little," Isa answered. "Thanks, Lia. Not just for that, but telling us about Denmark Tanny."

"Sure," Lia agreed. "I can give you a ride somewhere if you need, Isa."

Isa considered, since she didn't have another ride at the moment. "Yeah, sure. Just let me talk to my brother real quick."

"Okay," Lia agreed.

Lia and Sarah both walked out of the room.

Isa whirled on John B. "Care to spill the beans on that little show?"

John B exhaled heavily. "I've got to hit the road to Chapel Hill. Hold down the fort, will ya?"

"Instead of playing third wheel to you and Sarah?" Isa quipped.

John B gave an exaggerated eye roll. "Sarah's not the point. Just chill here, okay? Lia can cart you around. Maybe to The Pogue Nest or someplace. I'll be back before you know it, tonight or maybe tomorrow."

Isa cocked an eyebrow. "Sure, whatever."

"Trust me, I'll make it worth your while," John B vowed.

Isa flashed a mockingly sweet smile, tapping his sore wound gently. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

Bag in hand, Isa strutted out with a flair.

John B let out a resigned sigh, grabbed his own gear, and followed suit.

⚓️

Heyward's Shop - Outside

While working, Pope walked outside, turning his head to see Rafe and Topper sitting in a car nearby, staring at Pope.

Rafe blew a sarcastic kiss.

Pope walked toward the shop, turning around in paranoia to look around for any other Kooks, before darting inside.

Rafe chuckled. Topper looked at Rafe.

⚓️

Maybank Trailer - Outside

JJ was taking target practice with his gun, shooting a stuffed bear with headphones over his ears because of the loudness of the gun.

Pope ran closer. "JJ!"

"What was that?" JJ muttered.

"JJ," Pope repeated.

JJ fired the gun again. "That's what I thought, man."

Pope walked closer, speaking loudly. "JJ!" JJ finally noticed Pope, turning to face him. "They know."

JJ took off the headphones. "What?"

"They know," Pope answered.

JJ walked closer. "All right, chill, bro. All right? They don't know shit."

"Topper knows I sunk his boat," Pope told him.

"How do you know they know?" JJ asked, sitting down.

"Because Rafe and Topper posted outside of Heyward's and mad dogged me," Pope answered, pacing anxiously, panicking.

"Will you calm down and get a grip, man?" JJ asked. "They don't know shit."

Pope continued to pace. "They have cameras. They could've seen me."

"There was no power, Pope," JJ pointed out. "How could they have seen you?"

Pope looked at JJ as he still paced. "It's Figure 8. They got generators. They don't give scholarships to kids who vengefully sink boats."

"Take it down a notch," JJ told him.

Pope stopped in front of JJ. "It's not a good look on my transcript."

JJ stood. "Enough with the regret, bro! They caved your face in. They hit us, we hit them. It's the law of the jungle. Now, if any Kooks come up to you and ask if you had anything to do with it, you walk up to 'em..." He stepped closer to Pope, putting a hand on his shoulder, cupping his neck, pointing two fingers at his eyes with his other hand. "Look 'em right in the eye, and..."

"Deny the living shit out of it," Pope finished.

JJ nodded. "That's right. Deny, deny, deny. But just for safety, we don't go anywhere without protection." He pointed down to his gun. "Right?"

JJ patted Pope on the head.

⚓️

Kildare Sheriff's Department - Peterkin's Office

Peterkin was sitting at her desk.

Shoupe opened the door and walked in. "Got a couple things to show you. I should close the door." He closed the door. "I've been doing a little investigative work. A little recon on my own time."

"Is that so?" Peterkin asked.

"Uh-huh," Shoupe answered, walking closer with a file in hand. "Found this in Scooter Grubbs' motel room." Peterkin took the file, looking at an underwater picture of the ship. "That is the Royal Merchant. At least, it looks like it. Now, I didn't know what to make of it. Then those two mainlanders turned up in the gill net." He handed Big John's map (which the shady guy stole) to Peterkin. "That was in their truck beneath the seat."

Peterkin opened the map. "Three people lookin' for the Merchant drowned. Okay. One was a drunk fool, the others were from off. Didn't know the currents."

Shoupe took the map back. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Until this washed up." He gave a coroner's report to Peterkin. "Murder was the case that they gave me. Coroner's report. When was the last time you had a homicide?"

"A long time," Peterkin answered.

"Mm-hmm," Shoupe agreed. They looked at the pictures of the shady men's bodies. "Look at that. I mean, who in God's name could do that to a person?"

"These are the guys that chased Isa and John B  through town," Peterkin stated.

"Cheryl said they bolted when she went to pick them up for DCS," Shoupe explained. "Jumped out of the squad car. Maybe the kids stepped up to the big leagues."

Peterkin processed all this. "Okay. Good job."

"Thanks," Shoupe told her, taking the evidence and walking out.

Peterkin tried to figure out what all this meant.

⚓️

On the Road - Lia's Car

Lia was driving her car. Isa was in the passenger seat.

"You said that your dad has you on lockdown unless you go to school or you're with Sarah, which explains why most of the time I've seen you, you've been with her," Isa explained. "But now that you're out and about without her, won't you get in trouble?"

"Well, luckily for me, Ward agreed to a little more freedom lately," Lia admitted. "And he left the house so he won't know that I'm out anyway, for a while at least. Though I was out all morning with Sarah, and he said that I had to stay home after I got back, but I'll deal with whatever punishment he has for breaking his precious rules later. I wanted to head to the movie showing later on because I used to go there all the time with Sarah, Wheezie and Rafe before Rafe turned into a complete asshole and Sarah and Wheezie did their own things."

Isa nodded. "Oh, so you're going?"

"Yeah," Lia answered. "Are you?"

"Kie and Kaylee wanted to take me, JJ, Pope and John B," Isa explained.

"Well, John B can't make it because of going with Sarah to Chapel Hill, but at least you, Kie, Kaylee, JJ and Pope still get to go," Lia told her.

"Yep," Isa agreed.

Lia checked her watch. "And we still have like a while until the movie starts, so..."

"God, I'm so fucking hungry," Isa admitted.

"Well, lucky for you, there's a restaurant right there," Lia told her, pulling over. "Isn't this the one that Ward got you a job at?"

"Yeah, I work here," Isa answered. "But are you kidding me? I can't eat here."

"Why not?" Lia asked.

"A Kook restaurant which I cannot afford," Isa told her. "Lia, I can't afford a side salad here let alone a full damn meal."

Lia smiled a bit. "Don't worry. It's my treat. I'm hungry, too, so are you coming or not?"

Isa hesitated, but followed.

⚓️

Restaurant

Isa and Lia were eating.

Isa looked around. "I'm serious, Lia. This is too much."

"It's fine, Isa," Lia reassured her. "I wanted to help."

"I'm not a charity case," Isa insisted.

"Never said you were," Lia responded. "Maybe I just wanted to be nice and repay you. I told you yesterday I would, remember? You deserved more than just a 'thank you.'"

"I'm pretty sure helping me and John B after our accident counts as repaying me," Isa pointed out.

Lia shrugged. "Look, I see you glancing around. You like it here. Not just as a worker, but as someone who can enjoy the perks of dining here and having a good time."

Isa sighed, relenting. "Fine. But I'm paying next time."

Lia suppressed a smile. "Deal. Since you mentioned 'next time.'"

Isa realized her slip and looked away. "Fuck." Lia grinned. "Too late to retract that?"

Lia nodded playfully. "Definitely too late to take it back."

Isa nodded with a smile. "Right. Really?"

Lia smiled gently. "Nah, I wouldn't hold it against you if you chose not to hang out with me again. The people from my side of the island haven't been fair to you Pogues, so I understand if this is just a one-off thing."

Isa regarded Lia with curiosity. "Well, clearly you're different from the other rich kids here. You're alright, Lia. Kook Outcast."

Lia chuckled softly, acknowledging the truth in the words. "That's the label that fits me best. None of the Kooks are fond of me, except Sarah. Even Rafe despises me. So..."

Isa gave a slight nod. "I haven't seen much, but from the little I have, it's clear they don't treat you right."

"Not in the slightest," Lia concurred. "And you haven't even seen the worst part. Not by far." Isa offered a look of sympathy, nodding. Lia inhaled deeply, shifting the topic. "But after this, we can go to the movies. I'll drop you off, circle the park a few times, then park and find a seat for myself. I assume you wouldn't want your Pogue friends to see you with me, considering everything with Kie."

Isa glanced downward. "I'm not aware to what happened between you two, but from what I've seen, you don't seem so terrible." Lia gave a small shrug, her gaze averted, her expression one of guilt and sorrow. "But if your own crowd treats you this poorly, I can only imagine you wouldn't want Rafe and his cronies to catch you with someone like me. It could make things even worse for you."

"I don't give a damn about what Rafe or his stupid friends think," Lia replied, tilting her head. "But I'll admit... it would be nice for one day they don't act like total assholes and psychos while being hypocrites and calling me the crazy one and treating me like shit. Just like any other Kook out there, besides Sarah."

Isa nodded understandingly, somberly, before perking up to try and lighten the mood. "So, secret friends?"

Lia smiled. "Secret friends. I've had experience with secret friends."

Isa and Lia clinked their glasses, taking a drink, their eyes locking for a moment before breaking eye contact, placing down their drinks to continue eating.

⚓️

Ferry Dock

Sarah and John B made their way up to the ferry dock, seeing a sold out sign on the ticket purchase.

"Uh..." Sarah trailed off.

John B shook his head. "No, no, no." He ran up to the ticket salesman. "Hey, excuse me, sir? Wait, wait. Are you sold out?"

"You aren't the only ones trying to get off the island," the salesman told them, walking away.

John B groaned in frustration. "Goddamn it. Oh, shit." He got an idea, grabbing Sarah's wrist, pulling her along. "Follow me."

"Okay, yeah," Sarah agreed. "Sure, okay."

"Hey, so, have you ever been on a tugboat?" John B asked.

"A what?" Sarah asked. "You're not serious."

"Look, we gotta talk our way onto this barge," John B told her. "I got this."

Sarah frowned. "Oh, okay."

"These are my people," John B told her. "Just wait." He cleared his throat, walking over to a man with a cap on, the captain. "Hey, Cap! So, question for you..." Sarah watched from a distance, barely able to hear them. "Um, look, me and my sister really need to get on this boat, man. Can we hop on?"

The captain shook his head. "No."

"Just--just help a brother out," John B tried.

"No," the captain repeated. "Can't do it."

Sarah leaned against a piece of scaffolding, hand on her hip, smirking in amusement.

John B walked away. "Thanks for nothing."

John B reached Sarah.

Sarah smirked. "So..."

"Um..." John B trailed off. "So, they're booked."

"Who?" Sarah asked. "Your, uh, your--your people?"

"What, you got a better idea?" John B asked.

"Yeah," Sarah answered, walking away to grab a yellow worker's raincoat on the dock, then another, handing one to John B. "Here." They both hid behind a crate to pull on the worker raincoats. "Okay, grab a tank." They both grabbed a tank, walking out of hiding, and making their way onto the ferry. "Hurry." They placed the tanks down, making their way down out of sight on the ferry to not get caught as posing as workers or stowaways. "Oh, my God."

They walked down into the storage room to hide and stay clear of being found.

John B closed the door, putting a finger to his lips. "Shh."

They both smiled. When the ferry started to move, Sarah almost lost her balance, but John B caught her and she put her arm around his shoulders out of instinct to stay standing.

Sarah smiled, removing her arm from around him, smiling in relief. "We're moving."

"Yeah," John B agreed.

Sarah smiled, high fiving John B.

⚓️

Park

Kie, Kaylee, JJ and Pope were walking together.

Kie had her arm linked with Kaylee. "I'm so glad they're still doing this. Keep calm, carry on. Back to OBX life. You know? Aren't you guys glad Kaylee and I made you come?"

Pope cleared his throat. "Ecstatic."

"My couch was pretty comfy, to be honest," JJ commented.

Lia strolled by, popcorn in hand, and spotted Kie. "Hey, Kie. Can we—"

Kie brushed past her abruptly. "Don't talk to me."

Lia's gaze fell. "Okay."

Lia continued on to find a seat by herself.

Kaylee, JJ and Pope exchanged a look, looking at Kie.

Isa walked up to Kie, Kaylee, JJ and Pope, having seen Kie's cruel brush off of Lia, sighing. "Hey, guys."

Kaylee smiled, unlinking her arm from Kie's, and going to hug Isa. "Hey, Isa." Isa smiled, returning the hug, and hugging Kie as well, patting JJ and Pope on the shoulders. "Where's John B? Where you been today?"

"That's a long story," Isa admitted.

"Oh, what happened?" Kie asked.

Isa sighed. "Well, long story short. When John B and I got back from looking at the Merchant, an officer and social worker were waiting for us at the house, we took off, stole a bike, nearly hit a kid, and got yeeted over a chain."

"Yeet!" JJ said teasingly, smirking.

Isa hit JJ in the stomach teasingly, causing the two to smile. "Anyway, that's where all this is from. And now John B's on a little lead of his own for the treasure. Explain more later."

They all nodded.

"All right, now do you guys want anything to drink?" Kie asked.

"Yeah, Pepsi, please?" JJ asked.

"Yeah, me too," Pope agreed.

"All right, I'll go with Kie," Kaylee told them.

"I'll go with, too," Isa agreed.

"Thanks, girls," Kie told them. She gave the boys a sarcastic look. "At least Kay and Isa will go get their own damn drinks with me."

JJ and Pope just flashed the girls smiles. Isa, Kaylee and Kie smirked, standing, walking away to the concession stand.

JJ and Pope spoke to themselves when the girls walked away.

"We're out of the green zone, man," Pope told him in a panicked voice.

"Dude, tranquilo, okay?" JJ reminded him.

"We're in the middle of Kooklandia," Pope pointed out. "This is the last place I wanted to be."

"Shut up, Pope," JJ replied.

The girls walked up to the guy at the concession stand.

"Hey, can we get five Pepsis, please?" Kaylee asked.

Rafe walked up to them. "Hey, Kaylee. Kie. Isa. What's up, ladies?" Kaylee glared at him. Isa rolled her eyes, looking away. Kie gave Rafe an unimpressed look. Rafe put a hand on Kaylee's shoulder. "How are you?"

Kaylee pushed Rafe's hand off of her. "Don't touch me."

"And we're fine," Kie told him, grabbing Kaylee's arm, pulling her away from Rafe to keep her from lashing out or doing something in front of everyone that could get her in serious trouble.

"Go the fuck away, Rafe," Kaylee told him.

Rafe shook his head. "No can do, Kaylee. You girls tell your boy we know what he did."

Kie frowned. "Sorry, what boy are you talking about?"

"Oh, he'll know," Rafe told them, smirking as he looked between Isa, Kaylee and Kie. "Bye."

Isa glared at him. "Douche."

Isa, Kaylee and Kie walked over to JJ and Pope with their drinks.

"Just saw Rafe, and he said, I quote, 'tell your boy we know what he did'," Kie explained. "What is that?"

JJ and Pope took their sodas.

"Thank you," JJ thanked. Pope looked at them with wide eyes. "Chill. Where is he?"

Kaylee pointed. "Right there."

Pope and JJ looked back to see Rafe, Topper and Kelce sitting by the bathrooms.

Rafe took a sip of his drink. Topper smirked at Pope. Kelce was looking down at his drink.

Pope's anxiety shot up. "Great, the whole death squad."

JJ turned Pope's head back forward. "Don't stare, bro. Just warning. If they corner me, I'm coming out swinging, okay? Slice and dice, I'm on edge right now. If that doesn't work, I've got this right here."

JJ held up his backpack.

Pope nodded. "Yeah, yeah. We just got to stay in a group. They can't get us if we stay in a group."

JJ nodded in agreement. "Like a school of fish."

"Stay in the school, stay in the school," Pope said.

Isa, Kaylee and Kie looked at the boys in suspicion, realizing JJ had the gun in his bag.

"What the fuck are you two talking about?" Isa asked.

JJ and Pope whirled around, their eyes landing on the girls.

"I'm sorry, JJ," Kie said. "Please tell me you didn't bring a gun here."

JJ pulled a grimace.

Isa shot him a warning glance. "JJ, there are kids!"

With a grin that fooled no one, JJ assured the girls. "No! Girls, I didn't bring the gun. Everything's fine, okay?"

"Oh, wow, thank you," Isa retorted.

Kaylee rolled her eyes dramatically, nodding sarcastically. "Super convincing. I love that, JJ. Really. Founding principal, you guys. 'No secrets among Pogues,' remember?"

"What's Rafe talking about?" Isa inquired.

Pope locked eyes with them, serious. "Girls, it might go down tonight."

The trio of Isa, Kaylee, and Kie just stared, clearly frustrated and expecting more.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Kaylee pressed. "'Might go down tonight'?"

"What did y'all do?" Kie chastised.

Isa's concern was evident. "What have you guys done now?"

Leaning close, JJ muttered to Pope. "Deny, deny, deny."

Kaylee cast a glance back at Rafe, Topper, and Kelce.

Rafe's gaze swept over Kaylee as he licked his lips, sending her an air kiss with a smug smirk.

Tod joined Rafe, Topper, and Kelce, seating himself on Rafe's other side, smirking and winking at Kaylee.

Tod seemed to scare Kaylee.

Kaylee shot Tod a glare before turning away. "Fuck's sake."

JJ caught Kaylee's reaction and overheard her words, looking back to see the expression Tod was giving Kaylee. He glared at him, then turned to Kaylee. "Did he try something again?"

"No," Isa answered. "Rafe talked to us when we went for drinks, but Tod wasn't there then. But now?"

JJ's eyebrow arched, his protective anger evident.

"Forget about it," Kaylee reassured him.

"Even after what happened before?" JJ questioned, his skepticism and disbelief apparent.

"It's fine," Kaylee assured him. "I can manage. They just won't accept the hint."

JJ nodded thoughtfully, drawing Kaylee closer and guiding her onto his lap. "Perhaps they'll understand this one."

Kaylee's smirk broadened slightly. "Yeah, maybe. Hopefully."

Kaylee pecked JJ on the cheek, eliciting a smile from him. Both cast a smug glance over their shoulders at Rafe and Tod.

Tod returned a sarcastic nod, his glare sharp.

Rafe's jaw tightened, his gaze quickly shifting away from Kaylee, but as he did, he caught sight of Lia sitting alone across the park, his eyes narrowing upon realizing his sister was there against their father's expectations.

Lia noticed that Rafe was there and that he saw her, looking away in annoyance. "Shit. Fuck this."

Lia leaned back onto her arms which propped her up as she sat with her legs stretched ahead and crossed in front of her, seeing that Rafe was still giving her that glare, returning the glare with one of her own, looking away, annoyed, determined to ignore him and watch the movie.

⚓️

Flashback 1 - Kook Year

Day - Carrera House - Living Room

Kie was seated with Anna, already aware of the news she disapproved of, but certain that Kaylee would detest it even more.

After spending time with the Pogues, Kaylee entered, casting a glance over her shoulder to see Kie and Anna watching her.

Kie just shook her head.

Anna's eyes sparkled with excitement, clutching two invitations, her smile bordering on manic. "Come here," she beckoned.

Approaching warily, Kaylee asked, "What's this?"

Kie brandished her invitation at Kaylee. "Believe me, you're going to despise it. I already deem it nonsense."

"But you promised you'd do this for me, knowing how much it matters to me," Anna countered.

With a resigned sigh, Kie relented.

Taking the invitation with trepidation, Kaylee's eyes swept over it; a thick white card embossed with golden flourishes. In elegant cursive, it summoned her to the annual debutante ball scheduled for the following weeks.

As expected, Kaylee immediately pushed the ball invitation back at her mother. "I refuse to go, absolutely not."

Kie nodded, unsurprised. "I warned you."

However, Anna had different plans as she hugged the invitation close. "This is your opportunity to enter high society, both of you. You're going." She was almost amused by Kaylee's vehement head-shaking and arm-crossing. "You don't have much choice since I've already confirmed your attendance with the committee."

Kaylee's expression dropped. "You can't be serious."

"As serious as a heart attack," Anna retorted with a smug smile, guiding Kaylee by the arm to the couch to sit beside Kie. Kaylee and Kie exchanged glances. Kie regarded Anna warily, while Kaylee's lips formed a tight line, her eyes reflecting a sense of betrayal. "This is beneficial for you. Can't you see that? Consider the opportunities that will follow, and all the nice people you'll meet."

Kaylee scoffed, shaking her head. "You don't understand, Mom. If she wants to be a Kook, let her. But I am a Pogue, always have been, always will be, and no ball is going to change that." She paused, her gaze desperately seeking an escape in their mother's eyes. "I'm sorry I can't be the perfect Kook princess you want, but it's just not me. It's not who I am." Turning to Kie, Kaylee added, "And I can't believe you're considering this, even if you're intent on pleasing Mom these days."

Kie scoffed. "It was more of a guilt trip, but she makes a point, doesn't she?" Kaylee shook her head. Kie sighed. "I'm sorry, but I don't want to let our parents down anymore. It's not my fault if I'm the only one who feels this way."

Kaylee felt wounded by the remark but concealed it well, looking down and swallowing hard. "I'm not gonna do this."

"Yes, you are," Anna insisted. "You made a promise to do whatever it took to atone for the last incident when you and your friends nearly got arrested. You almost set a whole room ablaze, and we had to ensure you weren't taken into custody. So, if you're truly intent on making amends, you'll do this for me. For us."

Kaylee closed her eyes, bowing her head in evident shame, yet she was incredulous that Anna was leveraging that incident against her to coerce her into something that defied her very nature. The longer she was subjected to Kie and Anna's words, the more a profound guilt engulfed her, prompting her to divert her gaze. "This isn't who I am."

"You haven't discovered yourself yet," Anna countered. "You're still young with an entire life ahead. You can't see where you'll end up or who you'll become in five years."

Anna then adopted the most sorrowful expression Kaylee had ever witnessed, meticulously executed to exacerbate Kaylee's already profound remorse.

Kaylee couldn't escape the manipulation, the play on her guilt and regret, believing she was a disappointment and 'poison' to her family, as her parents constantly reminded her.

Desperate for it to stop, Kaylee conceded. "I'll go, but just know I'm entirely against it."

Kie was only mildly surprised, nodding in agreement. "That makes two of us, but I'll ensure she enjoys herself somewhat."

Anna's demeanor brightened at their acceptance, her expression shifting to joy as she hugged Kaylee and Kie, pressing her face into their dark hair and emitting a shrill sound that made Kaylee wince.

⚓️

Flashback 2

Day - Dance Academy - Outside

By the weekend, it was clear that Kaylee had been reluctantly enrolled in professional dance classes. Kie, on the other hand, was more enthusiastic about it than Kaylee could ever be, as she joined voluntarily, unlike her sister who had been coaxed and pressured into participating.

As Kaylee and Kie approached the building, they took in its facade. The academy boasted of its long-standing reputation, celebrating decades of business and numerous national competition victories.

"Come on," Kie urged.

"I'm just focused on getting this the fuck over with and never setting foot in a dance academy again," Kaylee responded.

Kie gave a slight tilt of her head. "Well, brace yourself, because we're here for several weeks. Let's go."

With a groan, Kaylee followed Kie inside.

⚓️

Inside

Kaylee and Kie entered the building.

Near a ceiling-to-floor mirror, Lia and Sarah were doing stretches.

Lia rushed towards Kie and hugged her almost immediately.

Kie smiled and hugged her back. "What brings you here?"

Lia stepped back, smiling faintly. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my dad and sister insisting."

Kaylee nodded, looking at Kie. "That's a familiar feeling."

Kie playfully stuck out her tongue at Kaylee.

Lia chuckled softly.

Approaching them, Sarah sighed. "Oh, come on, it won't be that terrible."

"I'm surprised you're actually looking forward to this," Kaylee responded.

With a noncommittal shrug, Sarah drew the three girls towards the mirror to stretch. "I wasn't keen initially, but it's important to our dad."

"He even got our brother to escort Amber, claiming he wanted him more involved, which is the same reason he forced me into this," Lia explained. "So, at least we're not suffering alone here."

Kaylee glanced away, giving a slight nod.

Kie cocked her head, looking skeptical. "Okay then."

Sarah gestured towards Kie. "Since Lia mentioned you're without an escort, and Kelce's parents wish for his involvement but he's unsure who to escort, I've paired you two up, if that's alright."

"Yeah," Kie responded, visibly flustered but agreeable, nodding. "Yeah, sure, why not?"

Lia raised her eyebrows and averted her gaze, not keen on Topper and Kelce; they shared the sentiment due to her outcast status. "Mm." She glanced over. "Timothee is my escort. We've been friends for a while."

Kaylee looked at Timothee with raised eyebrows, noting his unabashed expression of his sexuality and appearance. "He's not scared to be himself here, and that's something."

"Yeah, that works well for me," Lia concurred, gesturing to Timothee.

Timothee returned the gesture with a smile and a wave.

Sarah glanced at Kaylee. "Anyway, who's your escort?"

Caught off guard, Kaylee fumbled for an answer. She honestly had no clue how to respond, as she was completely unaware of the topic at hand and the significance of having an escort. "I don't think I have one."

Lia and Sarah paused in their stretches.

Sarah nodded slowly, scanning for any unaccompanied boys, her attention settling on one. "What about him?" She gestured towards Tod. "He's probably the tallest here, and quite handsome too. His name is Tod Laurent."

Kaylee raised an eyebrow. "So, to be accepted into a male-dominated society, I need a male escort?" She gave a sarcastic nod and rolled her eyes. "How typical."

Lia offered a small smile of agreement.

Kie shot Kaylee a look, silently urging her to make things easier for herself, rather than more difficult, as was her habit.

Sarah nudged Kaylee playfully. "Be right back." She approached Tod to ask him to be Kaylee's escort for the event. Tod appeared relaxed as he looked down at Sarah, his gaze shifting between her and Kaylee several times in the brief thirty seconds it took Sarah to persuade him. Successfully, Sarah escorted Tod by the arm back to the group, introducing him with a playful bow. "May I present Tod Laurent."

Tod responded with a jesting bow and extended his hand to Kaylee. "Tod."

"I gathered," Kaylee replied, shaking his hand. "This is awkward." Kie nudged Kaylee, prompting her to continue. With an eye roll, Kaylee added. "I'm Kaylee. Nice to meet you."

Tod maintained a composed expression and met her handshake with a smile. "Enchante."

The instructor, Mr. Tull, was clapping his hands, eagerly gesturing for the debutantes, along with their escorts, to approach the center of the room.

The front door of the studio was swinging open to reveal a fashionably late escort.

Rafe entered, his expression nonplussed and his demeanor bored.

Kaylee's frown deepened at his arrival.

Upon noticing Kaylee, Rafe's surprise was evident, his brows knitting together in concern, aware that she would never choose to be here. He caught Topper and Kelce exchanging smirks, clearly thinking along the same lines.

With a nonchalant shrug, Rafe dropped his bag and headed towards Amber.

Rafe gestured for the instructor to proceed, yet his gaze inadvertently met Kaylee's again, his hand motioning with a silent gesture.

Kaylee diverted her gaze.

"Just to be clear, no one is to be late to Tull's dance class," Tull declared firmly. "Going forward, the door will be locked as soon as the class starts. Make sure to arrive early to avoid any consequences. Now, let's pick up from where we left off."

⚓️

Now

Day - Ferry - Storage Room

Since the storage room was near the engine room, Sarah and John B were both burning up.

John B took his shirt off, leaning back to lay down.

Sarah ran her hands through her hair. "Oh, my God. What is the hottest you've ever been?"

"Right now," John B answered.

Sarah nodded in agreement. "Same. Do you... I don't know, do you wanna play a game?"

"No, I don't," John B answered.

Sarah fanned herself off with her hands. "Cool. So there's this game Lia, our little sister Wheezie and I play." John B pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's called truth or dare, except there's no dare."

John B lowered his hand. "So it's just truth, Sarah. That's just truth."

"Yeah," Sarah agreed. "Do you wanna play truth?"

John B reluctantly shrugged. "Sure."

"Okay," Sarah said. "You get first question."

John B spoke in a Russian accent. "Why did you kill Dimitri?"

Sarah responded in a Russian accent. "Oh, that is too easy. Dimitri, he--he knew too much. He was compromised."

John B still used the Russian accent. "Yes, you know, we all know too much, eventually."

Sarah dropped the accent. "My turn. Why did you and Isa seem so interested in Lia's research on Denmark Tanny?"

John B sighed. "Look, I can't tell you, okay?"

"Why?" Sarah asked.

"Because it's for your own safety," John B answered.

"Okay, but something made you want to go to the archives, obviously," Sarah told him.

"Look, like Lia said," John B told her. "No one recorded survivors of the Royal Merchant. They didn't think a slave surviving mattered, even if that slave ended up a free man. He was supposed to be dead, but he wasn't."

"Like your dad?" Sarah asked.

John B looked away. "Yeah, okay. You know what?"

"I'm sorry," Sarah apologized.

John B shook his head. "No, it's fine."

"No, it's not," Sarah corrected. "I am such an idiot. That was a really lame thing to say. I can't imagine losing my dad." She sighed. "My entire family would fall apart without him. Lia hates him because of everything that he's done to keep her on lockdown and everything else, but I just think he's trying to protect her, take care of her, but she doesn't see it that way. Everybody thinks he's this really rich guy, but he's from the Cut, like you, and he's busted his ass for everything that we have."

"You appreciate him," John B told her.

"Yeah," Sarah agreed. "I do."

John B sighed, nodding, eyes closed. "That's how Isa and I feel about our dad."

"Is that what this is about?" Sarah asked.

John B considered what to say, opening his eyes. "Okay, so, you know how whales make those deep noises? It's like a..."

John B made a sound to imitate whales. 

Sarah smiled in amusement, wondering where this was going. "Yeah?"

John B had a small smile. "That's how... other whales hear each other across the ocean, and I know this sounds really weird, but, uh... I can hear him calling to me. Like he needs help. My help, Isa's. But, uh, I..." He used his Russian accent again. "I cannot let feelings interfere with the mission."

Sarah shook her head, using her Russian accent. "No. No, comrade. Definitely not."

John B put his arms behind his bed, leaving his eyes closed to relax. Sarah watched him curiously in sympathy.

⚓️

Morgue

The coroner led Peterkin over to the two shady men's bodies, which were covered with sheets. "Look, I hear hooves, I usually think horses, not zebras."

"Two tourists fall off their boat in the high seas, drown, and the sharks took 'em," Peterkin told him.

The coroner pulled the sheets back off their bodies. "Yeah. Yeah, I get it. But... this is kind of weird. First, there's too much water in the lungs, and that tells me that they were dead before they hit the water, not after." He pointed to stab wounds on the bodies. "Then there's this. Same type of wounds on both corpses. Now, at first I thought it was a bite, but it's not. There's a round curve on the inside. I think it's defensive wounds from a gaff hook."

"Gaff hook?" Peterkin repeated.

"Yeah," the coroner answered. "That thing you spear a fish with--"

"Charlie, I know what a gaff hook is," Peterkin told him.

Charlie held up his hands innocently. "All right, all right. My take is that whoever did this was trying to destroy evidence. They gaffed 'em, they rolled 'em overboard, and let the sharks do the rest."

⚓️

Park

The people in the park were still watching the movie, including the Pogues (minus John B), Lia, and the Kook boys.

Rafe walked over to Lia. "What the hell do you think you're doing here, Lia? You really think that Dad will be happy to know that you've been out of the house for more than you both agreed to today?"

Lia looked up at Rafe in annoyance. "I don't know, Rafe. Why don't you tell me? Do you honestly believe that Dad will be happy that you used the generator money to buy yourself a new motorcycle?" Rafe looked away in annoyance. "Yeah, two can play at that game."

Rafe forced a smile, shaking his head. "No, no, no. You don't get to use that against me."

"But you get to use everything imaginable against me?" Lia asked sarcastically, skeptically, tilting her head. "Not likely. Come on, Rafe. We used to be close. Can you just help me out here just once? Me being here is not going to hurt anyone, not even me."

Rafe stood there, conflicted, his eyes darting between Lia and the path back to their home. The warm evening breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of popcorn and the low murmur of excited moviegoers. He could see the determination in Lia's eyes, a spark of the old her that he hadn't witnessed in months.

"Lia," Rafe began, his voice softer than before, which surprised his sister. "You know it's not that simple. Dad's been on edge ever since... well, you know."

Lia's gaze didn't waver. "I'm not asking for much, Rafe. Just this one night."

Rafe ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He glanced around the park, taking in the familiar scene of families and couples sprawled out on blankets watching the movie, the gentle hum of conversation mingling with the distant sound of waves. The setting sun cast a warm glow over everything, reminding him of countless summer evenings spent here with Lia, Sarah and Wheezie when they were younger.

Rafe sighed. "Lia, it's not that simple. You know how Dad gets."

Lia's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I do. But I also know how you get, Rafe. You used to have my back, remember? Before whatever happened last year happened and you blackmailed me to stop asking questions about Kaylee and I had to stop seeing Kie."

Rafe's jaw clenched at the memory of that, a flicker of guilt passing over his features at the reminder of how far off the rails he fell as a brother after he truly started to lose his mind.

As Rafe looked around, memories flooded back of times he'd covered for Lia, times they'd snuck out together, sharing secrets and laughter under the cover of darkness. But those felt like a lifetime ago. He had always struggled with mental health and anger and aggression, and Lia had always vouched that he should get help, but Ward had denied that he needed it, and stated constantly that Rafe just needed to "man up".

Yet, after Lia lost her friend Robbie and found his dead body, after her downward spiral into mentality issues herself, Ward had thrown her into every viable source of help he could find to control her, isolate her, and ensure her safety even if it meant ruining her life. Part of Rafe was jealous that Ward was spending so much energy on Lia like this in a way he never did for him, yet Rafe was also relieved that he never had, because Lia's life was a living hell, and Rafe felt guilty for enabling Ward's treatment of her, even if they both thought she needed it.

So while Rafe felt guilty for the way he and Lia fell apart, and he felt guilty for helping Ward keep her under lock and key, he also felt like he needed to in order to protect her - he thought it was necessary just like Ward did, but he saw that it wasn't helping her either, leading to more conflict in his own broken mind.

Rafe's expression softened slightly as he looked at his sister. "Look, Lia... I get it. I do. But you know how Dad is. If he finds out you're here..."

Lia cut him off, her voice low but intense. "He won't find out unless you tell him. Come on, Rafe. For once, just once, can you be on my side?"

Rafe hesitated, torn between his loyalty to their father and the lingering affection for his sister. He glanced around the park again, taking in the peaceful scene.

"Fine," Rafe said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I won't say anything. But Lia, you need to be back before Dad gets home. I mean it."

Relief washed over Lia's face, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Rafe."

For a moment, the hostility between them faded, replaced by a flicker of their old closeness.

Rafe stood there awkwardly for a moment, then turned to leave. As he walked away, Lia watched him go, smiling softly to herself, relieved to see a part of her brother that she had thought was gone forever.

Isa and Kie had been watching from where they sat with the Pogues. Lia looked over, notcing their looks, meeting their gazes. Isa gave a slight smile, though Kie was acting hostile toward Lia again, looking away instantly when she saw that Lia caught their gazes. Lia and Isa exchanged a sad look before looking away from each other.

JJ and Kaylee had noticed the exchange between Isa, Kie and Lia, frowning in puzzled amusement.

Kaylee watched as Rafe walked back toward Tod, Kelce and Topper at the back of the park, looking down, lost in thought knowing that Rafe and Tod were both here.

⚓️

Flashback 3

Day - Tannyhill Estate - Patio

Lia had invited Kie to hang out at Tannyhill Estate, and Sarah had suggested that Kie bring along Kaylee, which was unusual for the sisters since they hadn't done this since the night the Camerons invited the Carrera sisters for dinner. However, given recent events, Kaylee decided to join.

Ward was grilling before he went inside.

Rafe was lingering nearby.

Lia and Sarah were waiting.

Rose ushered Kaylee and Kie out to the patio before she returned inside with Ward.

Lia shifted in her seat to look at the sisters, her eyes shining with amusement as she watched Kie, pulling a chair closer to hers.

Rafe observed Lia's bright expression as she saw Kie, arching an eyebrow subtly.

Kie approached Lia and sat beside her. "When did the Camerons start barbecuing?"

"It's usually just for show," Lia said, rolling her eyes a bit.

"Is something wrong?" Kie inquired. "It sounded urgent when you called."

Rafe offered Kaylee a slight smirk as he took a sip of his beer.

Kaylee, aware of his gaze, looked away, feigning ignorance.

"It's urgent," Sarah insisted. "We need to practice."

Kaylee groaned in response. "It's bad enough that my ankles are protesting. Practicing outside of practice in boots is out of the question. Besides, our dance partners aren't here, so there's no one to practice with."

Rafe casually lifted the lid to check on the burgers, skillfully maneuvering the spatula for a quick look underneath.

"Topper, Kelce, and Timothee are on their way," Lia informed them, glancing at Kaylee. "But, we don't have Tod's number."

Kaylee gave a half-nod. "As I said, no dance partners for me."

"Rafe's as good as any," Sarah chimed in. "Why not him?"

Rafe perked up, a mix of surprise and smugness on his face, grateful yet ready to tease Kaylee to provoke another reaction from her. "Hmm, Sarah, our Pogue Princess here seems too Kook to mingle with her kind. Think she'd dare to step up with their king?"

Unfazed, Kaylee just shrugged. "A self-styled king can't have it all. And you're right, dancing with you? Pass."

Rafe crossed his arms. "I'd out-lead Mr. Vanilla Name-and-Personality any day."

Kaylee's eye roll was almost audible. "Lead? You couldn't even if it was life or death."

"With you as a partner?" Rafe shot back, amused, enjoying riling her up. "No thanks."

Kaylee threw up her hands in mock defeat, hands doing a little aimless gesturing in frustration. "You're impossible, you know?"

That just widened Rafe's grin, thoroughly enjoying getting under her skin.

Kie, Lia, and Sarah glanced between the two as they bantered, eyebrows slightly raised.

Sarah interjected. "So, it's decided. You'll practice with Rafe, and we'll wait for Topper, Kelce, and Timothee."

Sarah then picked up her drink.

Kaylee and Rafe both gave Sarah a look, ready to respond.

Sarah simply continued sipping her drink contentedly, strolling off and waving her fingers cheerfully as she entered the house.

Kie and Lia shared a glance.

"Uh, do you have something I could wear instead of trying to dance in flip-flops?" Kie inquired.

"Sure, let's go," Lia responded. They both got up and headed for the door. Lia looked back at Rafe with a beseeching expression, tilting her head. "Please be nice."

"I will be nice," Rafe replied, his gaze shifting from Lia to Kaylee.

Kaylee let out a derisive snort. "Sure."

Lia and Kie proceeded inside.

Kaylee was hardly thrilled to be stuck with Rafe, especially after his knack for getting on her nerves. She sneaked a peek at him.

Rafe, with a sly grin, turned his attention back to the grill, only to be greeted by a plume of smoke. He flailed his hands like a mad conductor, trying to disperse the smoky cloud.

A chuckle of satisfaction escaped Kaylee as she observed the chaos, thinking it served him right for his unwelcome attitude.

Catching her gaze, Rafe resignedly removed the charred patties, muttering under his breath. He carefully placed them on a tray next to the golden buns.

Facing Kaylee, Rafe quipped. "Of all the dudes at Kook Academy, you settle with Tod?"

Kaylee's eyebrow arched in challenge. "Settling, really?"

With a nod and a pout, Rafe replied. "Yep, settling. Surely, you can snag a better escort."

"Isn't he your friend?" Kaylee inquired.

"Not by choice," Rafe retorted. "He's more of a 'we play lacrosse together' kind of guy." He lounged against the counter, arms folded, giving Kaylee the once-over. "And you're quite the looker, so I'd expect you to be drowning in better offers." Kaylee's brows shot up. Rafe gave a mock-serious nod. "My bad, should I have said 'smoking for a Pogue'? But here you are, slumming it with us Kooks. When you're actually a real Kook, too."

"Not by choice," Kaylee shot back, echoing his sentiment. Rafe's smirk was barely concealed. "You ever listen to yourself?"

Rafe gave a nonchalant shrug. "Just calling it like I see it."

"Your coke habit's toasted your neurons," Kaylee declared with a nod. "It's gotta be the drugs."

Rafe let out a chuckle, dismissing her with a shake of his head. "Sure, let's go with that."

Now, Topper, Kelce, and Timothee had arrived and were already practicing with Sarah, Kie, and Lia, respectively.

While Sarah and Topper were beginning to develop feelings for each other, not yet a couple, Kelce was flirting with Kie in a manner that made Lia glance over before she averted her gaze, feeling numb. Meanwhile, Timothee was the supportive and cheerful friend Lia needed to endure the situation.

Topper called out to Kaylee and Rafe, "Come on, guys."

"Waiting on you two," Kelce chimed in.

Topper and Kelce exchanged a knowing smirk with Rafe, their gazes interlocking in a silent understanding that went unnoticed by Timothee, Sarah, Kie, and Kaylee, but not by Lia. She frowned, her eyes flitting between them, too preoccupied with practice to dwell on it.

Rafe chuckled, extending a hand to Kaylee. "Well? Ready or not."

Kaylee sighed, relenting and hesitantly accepting Rafe's extended hand. Rafe's smirk widened slightly at her capitulation, drawing Kaylee closer into position, which took her by surprise. He paced himself for her benefit, restraining his true skill—whether he admitted it or not—giving her the chance to catch up and learn the steps, all while playfully taunting her to elicit reactions that pierced his usual numbness.

Rafe's piercing blue eyes seemed to gaze into Kaylee's very soul as he smoothly moved one hand to her lower shoulder, the other held aloft, waiting for hers. Kaylee looked at his hand and stepped forward, closing the gap between them, placing her hand in his while her other hand lightly touched his upper arm.

As the music played, Rafe led with elegance, advancing his foot with grace and adjusting smoothly when Kaylee stumbled, though she quickly adapted. Rafe softly hummed the sequence of steps for her, guiding her with a firm hand on her shoulder as they glided together.

"You're not usually this silent," Rafe observed.

"Just focusing," Kaylee retorted.

Rafe grinned. "Wow, must be a tough puzzle if you need this much focus. ADD much?"

"Zip it," Kaylee replied.

Rafe's laughter filled the air.

Kaylee fell silent and hesitantly let Rafe submit her through a series of turns. On the final turn, she spun as expected, and Rafe drew her close, his gaze locked with hers, his hold on her tightening slightly. Kaylee's breath caught, and Rafe let out a chuckle at the reaction before moving on as if nothing had happened.

Yet, this was the moment Rafe realized he had found a new addiction: her. Rafe's addictions tended to consume him unintentionally, and inevitably, he would end up causing their ruin, just as unintentionally.

⚓️

Now

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Day - Ferry

Sarah and John B were wearing the worker raincoats again so they could pose as workers to get off the ferry.

"Okay, go, go, go, go!" Sarah told him.

A Chinese man caught them, shouting in Chinese as he chased them.

Sarah and John B ran away, laughing and holding hands as they did, running down the dock.

"Excuse me!" Sarah called. "Sorry!"

"Comin' in hot!" John B called. "Sorry." They stopped running when they were off the dock, both laughing. John B handed Sarah's fallen shoe to her. "Here's your shoe."

Sarah took it. "Thanks. Whew." She looked them over. "Oh, my God. We're disgusting. We will not get into the archives looking like this."

"Why not?" John B asked.

Sarah gave him a look. "I promise you, they will not let us in looking like we crawled out of a swamp."

John B tilted his head. "Okay, fine."

As they walked, they pulled off the worker raincoats and put them in their bags.

⚓️

Ben Silver Store - Outside

Sarah led John B up to the store. "What about this store? Let's go shopping here."

John B started to walk away. "Absolutely not."

Sarah walked to the door anyway. "Whoa, Sancho. I think we've arrived."

⚓️

Inside

John B and Sarah walked along.

"Sarah, I don't think you understand," John B told her. "This is like an organ with the wrong blood type. It doesn't work."

"You are the single most dramatic person I've ever met," Sarah told him.

"No, I'm not," John B replied.

Sarah looked at some sweaters. "What about cashmere?"

John B leaned forward when he saw the price. "Oh, my God. Have you seen this shirt? It's $190!"

"Yeah, don't worry," Sarah told him. "I'll sugar mama you."

John B frowned. "Sugar mama?"

They walked along.

"What about some glasses?" Sarah asked, picking up a pair of glasses, putting them on John B. "Little Clark Kent action."

"Sarah, you don't understand," John B told her. "I don't want anything from here."

Sarah gave him a look. "John B."

The clerk walked closer. "Can I help?"

"Yes," Sarah answered. "Yes, you may, Mr..."

"Mr. Ike," the clerk answered.

"Ike?" Sarah repeated, shaking his hand. "Sarah." She put a hand on John B's shoulder. "Jonathan."

"John," John B corrected.

"My friend Jonathan here needs all the help he can get," Sarah told him.

Ike nodded in agreement. "I can see that."

"Yeah," Sarah sighed.

John B look terrified.

⚓️

Later

In the dressing room waiting area, Sarah was sitting in a chair, wearing a hat.

John B stepped out of the dressing room wearing a white button shirt, slacks and a bowtie.

Sarah smiled, finding the outfit adorable. "Aw! You look like you're ready for the middle school dance."

John B was incredibly uncomfortable. "I look like I got kicked out of the barbershop quartet."

"Mr. Ike, what about seersucker?" Sarah asked.

"I'm not wearing seersucker," John B denied.

"Excellent choice," Ike complimented Sarah.

"And maybe a pink button-down, some bucks?" Sarah asked.

"Bucks?" John B repeated. "What's a buck?"

"I'll get a pair," Ike told them, walking away.

Sarah looked at John B in amusement, clearly enjoying his reaction to all of this, placing a finger over her lips. "Shh. Just accept your fate."

After John B went to change but refused to leave the dressing room, Sarah knocked on the dressing room door.

"Nope, not comin' out," John B denied.

"Why not?" Sarah asked.

"Because you're probably gonna buy it or something," John B answered.

"Yeah, well, you're not wrong," Sarah told him, opening the door, seeing John B shirtless and looking in the mirror. "Are you checking yourself out?"

John B ducked down hilariously to grab the jacket. "No, I'm not checking myself out. Stop."

Sarah laughed. "Relax, John B. It's not like I've never seen a boy in underwear before." John B pulled on his jacket (without his shirt), raising his eyebrows curiously at Sarah. "I have a brother. Get your head out of the gutter, John B." John B walked out of the dressing room. "Snazzy."

John B looked at himself in the mirror. "Oh, man."

Sarah patted his ass. "Pull your fly up."

John B did. "Got it. Honestly, if somebody saw me in this--"

"They'd roast the shit out of you," Sarah finished.

"Yeah," John B agreed.

"But it's a good thing we're on a secret mission," Sarah pointed out. "So we have to assume another identity. In fact, we probably shouldn't even be using our real names."

John B nodded, liking where this was going. "Yeah, so we need aliases. What are you thinkin'?"

Sarah put a finger to her lips in thought. "Hmm... Vlad... from Vienna. What's mine?"

John B crossed his arms with his finger to his lips in thought. "Okay. Uh, Valerie from Quebec."

Sarah smiled, speaking with a French accent as she repeated what John B said in French. "Mm! Valerie du Quebec?"

John B raised his eyebrows, impressed, speaking in French. "Parlez-vous francais? [Do you speak French?]"

Sarah answered in French. "Oui, oui, monsieur. Et toi? [Yes, yes, sir. And you?]"

"No," John B answered. "No, that's it." Sarah smiled. "So, since you got to dress me, I'm feeling all spiffy." He walked closer to Sarah. "I get to dress you."

Sarah raised her eyebrows, unbothered. "Bring it."

⚓️

Later

(Song:) Continents - Hembree

John B was now sitting down in the chair, not wearing his jacket, but wearing the pink button shirt.

Sarah stepped out of the dressing room wearing a pink dress.

John B looked amused. "Wow. It looks great. It's like a soccer mom's first outing."

In the next outfit, Sarah stepped out in a purple dress that wasn't put on right. "How do I put this on?"

"Is that a lavender or plum?" John B questioned teasingly.

Sarah returned to the dressing room without answering.

John B shrugged, gesturing with his hand, wearing an upside down smile.

Sarah stepped out in a light pink dress with two long, thick ties attached at the waist. "This dress comes with built-in nunchucks."

Sarah swung them around like nunchucks, laughing.

John B smiled, tilting his head. "Ah." He shook his head. "No."

Sarah gave him a thumbs down, blowing a raspberry.

(Song Ends)

Sarah stepped out of the dressing room wearing a white and black striped dress with her hair up.

John B looked stunned for a moment. "Wow. You look... cl--I mean, you--you clean up nice, Val."

Sarah shook her head in amusement. "You have a way with words, Vlad." John B stood. "So do we have a winner?"

John B pulled on his jacket. "I think we have a winner. Yeah, I think so. Yeah." Sarah chuckled, fixing his collar. "Can I ask you something? Why did you come?"

"To finish the mission," Sarah stated.

"No, for real," John B told her.

Sarah took her hair down. "Because I am 16, and I already know what the rest of my life is gonna look like. It's gonna be... stupid yacht clubs filled with hollow people making useless small talk, and I feel like I don't get out of the bubble wrap now, I never will. And then, by the time I'm 30, I'm going to be an alcoholic, and I won't even notice it."

"Well, I'd kind of like some of that bubble wrap," John B admitted.

Sarah nodded barely. "Be careful what you wish for." She put her hands on John B's chest to smooth down his shirt and jacket, and the two looked at each other for longer than they had to, both clearing their throats awkwardly. "Um... best to keep it professional. We've got a job to do. Come on. Archives now."

⚓️

Outside

Sarah and John B walked out of the store, walking down the street.

"Okay, the library's not open all night, so we need to hurry," Sarah told him.

They walked quickly down the street.

⚓️

Kildare Island, North Carolina

Night - Park

The sun had gone down and the movie was still playing.

Isa, Kie, Kaylee, JJ and Pope still sat together on the ground.

Kaylee was still sitting on JJ's lap as he had his arms around her, leaning back into his chest.

Pope whispered to JJ. "JJ."

"What?" JJ asked.

"I gotta take a piss," Pope answered.

JJ gave him a look. "Hold it."

"I can't," Pope told him. "I drank too much soda."

JJ glanced back at the Kooks. "It's too exposed. They'll totally see us."

"I gotta go," Pope insisted. He glanced back with panic. "They're blocking the bathrooms."

JJ looked around. "Come here. I know where. Kay, I gotta get up."

Kaylee looked at JJ over her shoulder, sliding off his lap to sit on the ground next to Isa and Kie. "All right, fine."

JJ and Pope stood.

"Hey, where y'all going?" Isa asked.

"We gotta wring it out," JJ told them.

Kie made a confused and disgusted look. "You gonna hold it for each other?"

Kaylee smirked, winking at JJ and Pope teasingly, and Isa snorted. JJ and Pope walked away through the crowd. Kie, Kaylee and Isa exchanged a look, confused and exasperated by the boys' behavior and secrecy.

Behind a tree, Pope and JJ were taking a leak.

Pope tilted his head back. "This feels better than a blowjob."

JJ rolled his eyes. "Like you'd know how that feels."

Pope tilted his head in correction. "This feels better than what I imagine a blowjob would feel like." JJ finished, pulling his boxers and jeans back up, zipping up, looking away. "You bring the peacemaker?"

JJ realized he left his bag back with the girls. "Oh, shit, I forgot it."

"You forgot it?" Pope repeated incredulously.

"Hurry up," JJ urged. "Hurry up."

Pope finished, pulling his boxers and jeans back up, zipping up. "Dude, you had one job. That's all I asked you to do, man."

Tod, Rafe, Topper and Kelce stood to go follow JJ and Pope.

Isa and Kie were watching the movie, but Kaylee saw Tod, Rafe, Topper and Kelce following JJ and Pope, feeling like something was wrong, standing up to go see.

Isa and Kie watched Kaylee go, exchanging a look. Lia looked over to Isa and Kie. Isa and Kie saw Lia and the three of them exchanged a look, while Kie was being cold and hateful toward Lia once again, before looking away. Isa and Lia looked from Kie to each other.

Tod, Rafe, Topper and Kelce caught Pope and JJ on the way back, pushing them behind the screen to confront them.

"What's up, Pogues?" Rafe asked.

"What's up, Rafe?" JJ replied. If possible, the glare he gave Tod was so much worse than the one he gave Rafe. "Tod."

"How you guys doin' tonight?" Rafe asked.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" JJ snarked.

"We just wanna talk," Tod told them.

Topper stepped closer. "Hey, hey."

"Just chill out, Topper," Pope told him.

"Yeah, that was some nice work you did on my boat," Topper told him.

Pope shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Topper scoffed. "Oh, yeah, of course you don't."

Rafe looked at JJ. "Not so burly without a gun now, are you? And you don't have Kaylee around to clean up the mess of some of your fights like she usually does."

JJ glared angrily, shaking his head. "Don't bring up Kaylee. Take one more step, I'll rip those prepubescent faces off."

Tod laughed lightly. "Yeah, and why's that? Scared your girl's gonna find one of her one that can keep up with her?"

"You mean knock her down like you did?" JJ replied. "You ever try anything like that again and I will kill you, Laurent."

Tod nodded sarcastically. "Big talk."

"Hey, Pope, do you feel good about yourself, stealing shit?" Topper asked. "Is your mom proud of you? Is your dad?"

Kaylee walked around the corner of the trees and the movie screen, seeing that Tod, Rafe, Topper and Kelce had Pope and JJ cornered. "What the fuck is going on?"

Tod, Rafe, Topper, and Kelce turned to look at Kaylee.

JJ and Pope were concerned that Kaylee had come to see what was happening, as she often did. Rafe had mentioned her tendency to clean up after such fights, a point Kaylee and JJ had discussed in 1.01, noting Kaylee's better odds at standing up to the likes of Rafe or Tod.

Rafe smirked. "Oh, good, you're here. Just in time, too. I wanted you to be here to enjoy the show."

Tod waved mockingly. "Hiya, Kaylee."

Kaylee glared at Tod and Rafe, inhaling sharply, glancing at Rafe. "So you're teaming up with him now? You're going to stoop that low after what he's done? After what he did, and you stopped him from doing?"

Rafe shrugged, conflict and guilt yet a darkness deep inside taking over. "Needed to get a rise out of you somehow. I was tired of being ignored. You can't ignore me now, hmm?"

Kaylee took a deep breath, her glare intensifying.

Pope took the opportunity of their distraction to headbutt Topper in the face, sending him stumbling back.

"Attaboy!" JJ cheered him on. "But you gotta use your fist like this."

JJ walked forward, punching Kelce in the face.

It started a full on brawl as JJ was hitting Kelce and Pope went to attack Topper again.

Pope punched Topper in the face.

Kaylee threw her arms out in frustration. "For fuck's sake."

Rafe tried to go after JJ.

Kaylee pushed Rafe away. "Get the fuck away from them."

Rafe put a hand up to stop Kaylee from getting any closer, warning. "Was just hoping to make you watch us beat their asses to see what you'd do. So, unless you want to get hurt yourself, Kaylee, stay back."

Rafe didn't want Kaylee to get hurt, though he knew that it wasn't likely for her to stay out of it.

"Stay away from my friends then," Kaylee replied.

"Tell them to not sink Topper's boat next time," Rafe retorted.

Kaylee frowned, but she didn't have time to process as she tried to stop Tod from getting closer to JJ. "Stop!"

Tod had no qualms at all trying to punch Kaylee.

Kaylee ducked, punching Tod in the face, glaring at the teenage boy that drugged her and would have assaulted her... if Rafe hadn't had stopped him a year before.

Rafe instantly shoved Tod away from Kaylee. "I said don't hurt her. Just hold her the fuck back."

Tod grabbed Kaylee before she could attack them again, restraining her, holding her back as she struggled with all she had, holding her tightly. "Bring back memories, Kaylee?"

Kaylee struggled, overwhelmed, furious and shaken up though she tried not to be. "Let me the fuck go, Tod!"

JJ struggled as Kelce was holding him back. "Kaylee! Don't touch her!"

In Rafe's twisted and broken mind, he thought that if he brought Tod into the picture, that he could show Kaylee who the real villain was in her life - while Rafe was obsessed with winning her over, Tod wanted to control her and had already tried to forcefully claim her as his, only stopped by Rafe. With Tod involved, Rafe could act as the 'hero', though the darkness in his own mind was making him lash out at JJ out of jealousy as he knew that Kaylee and JJ liked each other and would eventually end up together, and Rafe wanted to prove to Kaylee that JJ couldn't protect her like he could.

Yet, Rafe also knew that Kaylee had a spark of crazy inside of her that matched his. She was the only one that saw his facade over the last year when they were close to being friends and even almost got together until Rafe's mentality and his psychotic break forced that to end before it began. He thought that if he could show Kaylee that she was just like him, that they could be accept the darkness inside of them and be happy together while ruling over everything else. Kaylee was violent, she was a pyromaniac, and with her own family driving her out of his mind like Ward drove Rafe out of his, she could have easily ended up just like Rafe, and deep down, Kaylee knew it. Her hatred of him reflected the hatred of herself as she denied the truth that he saw.

Kaylee's struggle against Tod's grip intensified, her eyes blazing with a mix of fury and fear. The feeling of being restrained and Tod stroking her hair back triggered memories she'd fought hard to suppress, causing her heart to race and her breath to come in short gasps.

"I said let go of me!" Kaylee snarled, her voice raw with emotion.

JJ, still held back by Kelce, thrashed wildly. "Get your hands off her, you piece of shit!"

Rafe stood nearby, his expression a twisted mask of satisfaction and conflict. He'd wanted to provoke a reaction from Kaylee, to remind her of their connection, but seeing her genuine distress stirred something uncomfortable within him.

"Tod, ease up," Rafe muttered, his voice low enough that only Tod and Kaylee could hear.

Tod's grip on Kaylee loosened slightly, but he didn't release her entirely. "What's the matter, Rafe? Getting soft?"

Rafe's jaw clenched. "Just do what I say."

Kaylee took advantage of Tod's momentary distraction, slamming her elbow back into his ribs. As he gasped in pain, she broke free of his hold, spinning around to face him.

"You want to see soft?" Kaylee snarled. Without hesitation, she drove her knee up between Tod's legs.

Tod crumpled to the ground with a strangled cry.

JJ let out a triumphant whoop. "That's my girl!"

Kaylee whirled to face Rafe, her eyes blazing. "You think you can play games with me, Rafe? You don't know me at all."

Rafe's eyes gleamed with a mix of satisfaction and twisted admiration as he watched Kaylee stand over Tod's crumpled form. A slow, predatory smile spread across his face.

"Oh, but I do know you, Kaylee," Rafe purred, taking a step closer to her. "I know you better than anyone else here. That fire, that rage - it's always been there, simmering just beneath the surface."

Kaylee's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, her fists clenched at her sides. The adrenaline coursing through her veins made her feel alive, powerful. For a moment, she reveled in the rush.

Rafe continued, his voice low and intimate. "You can pretend all you want, play at being the good girl, the loyal friend. But this - this is the real you."

Kaylee's eyes flashed dangerously as she glared at Rafe. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know more than you think," Rafe replied, taking another step closer. "I see the darkness inside you, Kaylee. The anger, the violence - it's just like mine. We're the same, you and I."

"I'm nothing like you," Kaylee spat, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

JJ struggled against Kelce's grip. "Don't listen to him, Kaylee! He's just trying to get in your head!"

Rafe ignored JJ, keeping his intense gaze fixed on Kaylee. "You can't deny it forever. I've seen the way you fight, the way your eyes light up when things get chaotic. You crave it, just like I do."

Kaylee shook her head defiantly, despite the conflict inside of her, the fear that he could be right about her. "This isn't who I am."

Rafe took another step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But it could be. Think about it, Kaylee. The power, the freedom. No more playing by their rules. You and me, we could own this island."

Kaylee would always choose her found family - the Pogues. But the darkness Rafe spoke of was quite real inside of her, and it terrified her. She didn't want to end up like Rafe, but the way he spoke with understanding and acceptance messed with her head more than anything else. She pushed that conflict down, shaking her head vehemently.

"No," Kaylee said firmly.

Rafe wasn't deterred, knowing that her first answer would be no - he knew that she could say no for a long time now, but he had no intention of giving up.

Luckily, before things could get more intense with Kaylee and Rafe, their attention was drawn back across the way where Topper and Pope were fighting.

Topper tried to punch Pope. "Let's go, Pogue."

Pope ducked, tackling Topper back. Topper elbowed Pope in the back repeatedly.

JJ almost broke free from Kelce, causing Rafe to turn and stop him from attacking his friends.

However, Tod was recovering on the ground where Kaylee took him down and glared at Kaylee from behind as he launched up from the ground to attack her, tackling her to the ground and punching her in the side.

Kaylee gasped in pain as Tod's fist connected with her side. She twisted beneath him, trying to break free, but he had her pinned.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Tod sneered, raising his fist for another blow.

Suddenly, Tod was yanked off of Kaylee. She looked up to see Rafe throwing Tod to the ground.

"I told you not to hurt her!" Rafe snarled, his eyes blazing with fury.

Tod scrambled to his feet, glaring at Rafe. "What the hell, man? I thought we were on the same side!"

"Not when it comes to her," Rafe growled.

Kaylee pushed herself up, wincing at the pain in her side. She watched in confusion as Rafe stood between her and Tod, his stance protective.

JJ struggled against Kelce,. "Kaylee! I swear to God, Tod, I'll kill you!"

Isa and Kie heard the fighting up front by the screen, as did Lia from her seat a little distance away, all three girls exchanging a look. Isa and Kie stood with their bags, running toward the sound of fighting. 

Lia glanced back to where she saw Tod, Rafe, Topper and Kelce sitting before, realizing that they were the culprits behind the beating, rolling her eyes, not the least bit surprised. "You've gotta be kidding me."

Lia stood, jogging closer to the fight.

Isa, Kie and Lia paused in surprise and confusion when they saw JJ restrained by Kelce, Topper and Pope grappling, Kaylee on the ground in pain while holding her side with Rafe standing between her and Tod protectively.

Kie instantly ran to her sister's side. "Kaylee!"

Fury coursed through Isa with the memory of Topper trying to drown her brother John B in the ocean while tormenting her of their trauma with their father disappearing at sea. Seeing Topper now beating Pope into the ground caused her to jump into action instantly.

Isa launched onto Topper's back to get him off of Pope. "Let go of him, Topper! Fascist asshole!"

Isa repeatedly hit Topper with Kaylee's bag, hitting him hard in the stomach, taking him down away from Pope, causing both Isa and Topper to fall to the ground - Topper landed on the ground beneath Isa as she punched him in the face.

Kaylee laid in the grass, holding her stomach and side. Kie comforted her sister as much as she could.

Tod tried to attack Rafe in his pursuit of Kaylee while she was helpless on the ground.

Lia instantly stepped in to help Rafe stop Tod - she knew that her brother Rafe had something to do with starting all of this, but she also knew that he was trying to protect Kaylee now, trying to help in doing so.

Lia stepped between Tod and Rafe, her eyes blazing with fury. "Back off, Tod. You've done enough."

Tod sneered at her. "Stay out of this, little Cameron. This doesn't concern you."

"If you're trying to attack my brother and former friends of mine, I'm not going to sit out of it," Lia shot back. She shot Rafe a look behind her. "Even if my idiot brother was involved."

Rafe's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue with Lia's true assessment.

Tod tried to shove past her, but Lia stood her ground. Rafe grabbed Tod's arm, yanking him back.

"I told you to leave her alone," Rafe growled.

Tod wrenched his arm free. "What's your problem, man? I thought we were teaching these Pogues a lesson!"

"Not like this," Rafe said, his jaw clenched.

Kaylee struggled to sit up, wincing in pain. Kie supported her sister, glaring daggers at Tod and Rafe.

Meanwhile, Isa continued to pummel Topper, unleashing all her pent-up rage. "This is for John B, you piece of shit!"

Pope struggled to his feet, wiping blood from his lip. "Isa, stop! He's not worth it!"

Kelce, distracted by the chaos, loosened his grip on JJ. It gave JJ a chance to break free as he threw his elbow back into Kelce's face, making his head snap backward.

Topper punched Isa in the face and kicked her in the stomach, making her fall to the ground nearby Kaylee and Kie.

Kie gasped as she turned to Isa beside her on the other side. "Isa!"

Kaylee's face twisted with worry for her best friend. "Isa, are you okay?"

Lia turned her head in worry at the sound of her friend's name, concern washing through her when she saw Isa on the ground and in pain from Topper's attack.

A rare fury rushed through Pope as he instantly went to defend Isa, knowing she only got hurt trying to defend him and her brother against Topper. "You asshole!"

Topper shoved Pope back. "Hey, listen, Pope! All you gotta do is accept a little personal responsibility!"

"Screw you, Kook!" Pope replied.

Tod took Lia's distraction as an advantage, attacking Lia with a punch to her face before she or Rafe could react. Rafe grabbed Lia's arm and pulled her out of the way, even pushing her out of Tod's way to the ground. Lia groaned in pain, though now she was out of the crossfire - even if Rafe had unintentionally hurt his sister, he had done it to protect her in his own twisted way.

Tod instantly went to attack Rafe and get him out of his way when he was distracted in getting Lia out of the way of his path - all Tod wanted was to get to Kaylee, as Kie tried to move Kaylee out of the way, but the pain in Kaylee's side made it difficult for her to move.

JJ launched himself at Tod with a roar of fury, tackling him to the ground before he could reach Kaylee. The two rolled across the grass, trading blows.

"I warned you what would happen if you touched her again!" JJ snarled, landing a solid punch to Tod's jaw.

Tod bucked beneath him, trying to throw JJ off. "Get off me, you Pogue trash!"

Nearby, Pope and Topper continued to grapple, their fight fueled by years of resentment and class divide. Pope managed to land a solid hit to Topper's stomach, causing the Kook to double over.

"That's for Isa," Pope spat.

Rafe stood frozen, his eyes darting between the various fights. His plan had spiraled out of control, and now he found himself torn between his loyalty to his Kook friends and his desire to protect Kaylee and Lia despite his insanity spiral being the reason they were in this mess.

As Tod kicked JJ to the ground and tried to get up, Rafe kicked Tod in the face to keep him down, glaring at him. He looked toward Kaylee and Lia, realizing just how far this got out of control.

Kelce stood by, unsure if he was to jump in or not.

Topper now had Pope in a choke hold, strangling him. "Come on, man. Just admit it! Admit you did it, bitch! You don't mess with me, Pogue! You hear me? I'm gonna give you one chance. One chance, Pope!"

Pope was choking.

Kaylee looked at Isa and Kie as she pointed to Pope desperately. "Help him!"

Isa and Kie ran at Topper to try and break him off of Pope, but he had too strong of a chokehold on Pope around his throat and head for them to be able to pry him off. "Pope!"

"Finish him off, Top!" Tod urged.

Still on the ground, Kaylee held her side in pain, her gaze finding her bag on the ground where Isa had dropped it in her previous attack on Topper.

Crawling closer instantly, Kaylee reached into her bag, pulling out her aerosol hairspray and her lighter, flipping open the zippo lighter, striking a flame. She moved closer to the movie screen, holding the flame against the bottom of the screen. Fire was reflected on her face as she watched the flames in awe, the fire slowly starting to spread, setting the entire movie screen aflame, until it was completely engulfed with a glowing gold orange glow of flames.

Kaylee turned on the Kooks, glaring. "Enough!"

The people watching the movie started to panic and run and leave.

As the flames got higher, nearly overtaking the entire screen already, the Kooks stopped fighting.

Rafe looked at Kaylee, as if her love for fire and pyromania was proof to what he told her about her darkness. He raised an eyebrow in amusement, smirking, impressed.

Tod was surprised by this, eyeing Kaylee warily.

Lia was glad Kaylee did this to stop the fight. "Guys, fire."

JJ, Isa, Kie and Pope watched in shock and exasperation and even worry. Kaylee had been known for setting fires, but not to this degree, and they were unnerved to see her set a fire in the middle of a park filled with families, including children. Though they knew it was to protect them from the Kooks, it didn't ease their anxiety and unease about the violent use of flame.

Meanwhile, Tod, Topper and Kelce looked outright scared of Kaylee in that moment.

Rafe, however, looked as if he never saw Kaylee more alive or true to herself - this was the Kaylee he longed for and brought out of her. Admiration and glee filled his eyes as he gazed at her, wanting to see more of her.

Tod instantly grabbed JJ while he was distracted with the display, hoping that by restraining him, he could keep Kaylee from using her weapon against him.

Isa glared at Tod and Topper, who still restrained Pope. "Let them go!"

Kaylee turned on the Kooks, holding up her lighter and hairspray, aiming to fire. "Do we need to say it again?"

"You're not gonna do anything," Tod retorted.

Rafe scoffed, knowing that was the wrong thing to say, smirking slightly.

The flickering light from the burning movie screen cast an eerie glow across Kaylee's face, highlighting the dangerous glint in her eyes.

Kaylee's eyes flashed dangerously, a wicked smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "You wanna bet?"

Without hesitation, Kaylee aimed the hairspray can at Tod and Topper, her thumb poised on the lighter. Time seemed to slow as she pressed down on the nozzle, unleashing a stream of flammable mist. In the same fluid motion, she flicked the lighter, igniting the spray.

A brilliant plume of fire erupted from the makeshift flamethrower, roaring towards Tod and Topper. The sudden burst of heat and light was blinding, causing them to instinctively recoil. Tod released his grip on JJ, stumbling backwards with a yelp of surprise and fear. Topper's eyes widened in shock as he shoved Pope away, desperate to escape the oncoming flames.

JJ and Pope ducked for cover hile on the ground, gasping for breath as they looked toward Kaylee, nervousness yet relief and gratitude in their eyes.

Isa's eyes shone with appreciation despite her anxiety.

Kie shot Kaylee a look, knowing that her sister could get into so much trouble for this if they weren't careful - including getting disowned by their parents.

Lia's eyes widened in shock but awe.

Kelce stumbled back toward Topper and Tod, eyes widened in shock and even fear. "Oh, shit!"

Rafe could only smile at seeing Kaylee in all her glory.

Yet, Tod, Kelce and Topper were still poised to fight as they circled around to Rafe.

Kaylee maintained her flamethrower's flame, discharging a greater quantity of hairspray into it, which ignited and intensified the fire, sending it surging towards the Kooks with increased force.

Tod, Kelce, and Topper recoiled, retreating hastily, on the verge of fleeing.

"That's what I fucking thought!" Kaylee snapped.

Tod glared at her. "Crazy bitch."

"You four should take a look in the mirror before you call someone else a crazy bitch," Lia replied, glaring especially at Topper and Kelce as they had repeatedly called her that, sending Tod a glare as well.

Tod, Topper and Kelce were on the verge of taking off, staying behind when they realized that Rafe stayed where he was, unafraid of Kaylee's flames.

Rafe gave Kaylee a knowing glance, his smirk revealing his delight in seeing her violent and dangerous reaction. The gleam in his eyes challenged her to continue to burn the world down around them, to give into the darkness and prove that she was just like him.

Kaylee's eyes locked with Rafe's, the flames reflected in both their gazes. For a moment, she felt a thrill of power coursing through her veins, tempted by the chaos and destruction. The darkness inside her threatened to consume her completely as she reveled in the feeling of control, of making the Kooks cower before her.

But then she caught sight of her friends - JJ, Pope, Isa, and her sister Kie, and even her former friend Lia - their faces a mix of concern, awe and fear. It was like a bucket of cold water, snapping her back to reality. She looked around at the burning movie screen, the terrified faces of families fleeing the area. The weight of what she'd done began to settle on her shoulders.

Kaylee lowered the makeshift flamethrower, her hands shaking slightly.

"Get out of here," Kaylee growled at the Kooks. "Now."

Tod, Topper, and Kelce didn't need to be told twice. They turned and ran, disappearing into the darkness.

Rafe lingered for a moment longer, his eyes still fixed on Kaylee. "This isn't over, Kaylee. They all might be afraid of you. But I'm not. I'm the only one who understands."

Kaylee's eyes burned with intensity as she glared at Rafe. "I said get out of here. Now."

Rafe held up his hands in mock surrender, but his smirk remained. "As you wish, firebird. But remember - I saw the real you tonight. And I'll be waiting when you're ready to embrace it."

With that, Rafe turned and sauntered away, leaving Kaylee and the Pogues alone in the flickering light of the burning screen.

As soon as Rafe was out of sight, Kaylee's tough facade crumbled. The makeshift flamethrower slipped from her trembling fingers, clattering to the ground. She stumbled backwards, her eyes wide with shock at what she'd done - almost killing four people.

"Oh, my God," Kaylee whispered, her voice shaking. "What did I just do?"

JJ rushed to Kaylee's side, wrapping an arm around her waist to support her as her legs threatened to give out. "Hey, hey, it's okay. You did what you had to do to protect us."

Kaylee leaned into him, her whole body trembling. "I could have hurt someone. I... I didn't mean for it to get so out of control."

"But you didn't hurt anyone," JJ reassured her, his voice soft. "You scared them off, that's all. We're safe because of you."

Pope approached cautiously, rubbing his neck where Topper had been choking him. "He's right, Kaylee. You saved us."

Isa nodded, her eyes still wide with a mix of awe and concern. "That was... intense. But you got them to back off when nothing else would."

As Lia turned to look at Isa and Kie beside her, the three girls locked eyes.

Kie's hostility toward Lia seemed faded in the moment after seeing how she protected Kaylee and the other girls against Tod and tried to help get Rafe under control, even at the cost of getting hurt. Isa looked at Lia gratefully in appreciation. Lia nodded breathlessly, no words needed for their heavy exchange, the fire of the movie screen behind them casting an orange glow over all of them.

Isa and Kie quickly walked toward Pope and helped him stand as the three of them made their way to Kaylee and JJ.

Kaylee held onto JJ tightly as she reached toward Pope. "Are you two okay?"

"I'm okay," JJ answered. "I'm okay."

Kie helped Isa steady Pope with one hand while she reached her other toward Kaylee, worried for her sister. "You good?"

Pope nodded, putting his hat back on. "You girls are freaking idiots."

"Say the more idiotic ones," Isa retorted. "We saved your asses."

"We should go before the cops get here," Kie urged. "Come on."

Lia stepped forward, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames. She looked at each of them in turn, her gaze lingering on Kaylee, who was having trouble walking due to Tod's assault on her side, causing JJ to support her weight against him.

"Wait," Lia said, her voice cutting through the chaos of screams and sirens in the distance. "You guys need to get out of here, but I'll stay and handle the cops."

Kie's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Why would you do that for us?"

Lia sighed, running a hand through her hair, looking at Kie sadly. "Look, I know we're not exactly on the best terms right now. But I'm not going to let you guys take the fall for this. Especially not Kaylee."

Kaylee looked up, her eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you, Lia."

Isa looked at Lia intensely for a moment, a wave of appreciation washing over her for her 'secret' friend, though it was clear between Isa and Lia's actions that their feelings went beyond friendship. "Thank you."

Lia nodded in return, her gaze flickering between Isa and Kie with conflict and longing in her eyes for both of them - she had long since liked Kie despite her brother's blackmail that caused her to stop being around Kie the previous year, seemingly abandoning her without reason which was why Kie was so hateful and hostile toward Lia despite her constant defense of the Pogues. While Lia's crush on Kie never faded, the new one that sprung on her with Isa took her by surprise, and Lia found herself caught between the two.

Just like Isa, who had complicated feelings for both Kie and Lia. And despite what Kie said, she hated Lia so much because she had liked her before Lia seemingly abandoned her, and she had feelings for Isa now, hot and cold because of the conflict and confusion of their feelings for each other.

Kaylee leaned heavily on JJ as they made their way through the chaos, leaving the burning movie screen behind. The sounds of panicked voices and approaching sirens filled the air.

"We need to split up," Pope said urgently. "It'll be harder for them to track us that way."

Isa nodded in agreement. "Good idea. JJ, you take Kaylee. Kie and I will go with Pope."

JJ tightened his grip on Kaylee's waist. "Got it. We'll meet back at the Pogue Nest."

As they prepared to part ways, Kaylee cast one last glance back at Lia, who stood silhouetted against the flames. Their eyes met for a brief moment, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"Be careful," Kaylee called out.

Lia gave a small nod. "You too."

The group moved quickly through the panicked crowd, dodging fleeing families and keeping their heads down to avoid being recognized. The wail of sirens grew louder as they neared the edge of the park.

"This way," Isa urged, leading them towards a secluded path that would take them away from the main roads.

As they disappeared into the darkness, Lia turned back to face the burning screen, which still had the projected movie playing on the screen beneath the flames.

As Sheriff Peterkin walked closer, she took in the scene around her, noticing Lia standing still amidst the chaos while watching the burning screen. The dark-skinned woman frowned as she walked closer to Lia. "Lia Cameron."

Lia turned to face her. "Sheriff Peterkin."

"Haven't seen you much since January," Peterkin remarked.

"Yeah, well, my father basically has control over your department and declared that you can't look into my friend Robbie Ramirez's case even though he was clearly murdered," Lia retorted.

Peterkin sighed sympathetically. "Sweetie, I've been looking into it and the description you gave me of the drug dealer you saw threatening him. I haven't found any leads."

Lia nodded slightly, looking away. "And no one else will listen to the insane girl that gets locked up and controlled by her own father, right?"

Peterkin set her jaw, frustrated at Ward for everything that he had done to Lia and the amount of control he had over her department. She was trying to find a way to take him down for good, but she knew that she didn't have the power to do that yet.

"I'm working on it," Peterkin promised softly, causing Lia to look at her in surprise. Peterkin nodded to the flaming movie screen behind Lia. "In the meantime, you want to tell me what happened here? You seem to have a story to tell."

Lia took a deep breath, nodding, looking down, preparing to tell a story that didn't tie to the Pogues, yet she couldn't out the Kooks either because she knew they would get out of trouble, and they would find a way to twist it back on the Pogues - especially Kaylee.

Lia wouldn't let that happen. 

⚓️

Flashback 4 - Kook Year

Day - Dance Academy

Dance practice was underway for Lia/Timothee, Kie/Kelce, Sarah/Topper, Kaylee/Tod, and Rafe/Amber.

Tod was leading Kaylee in a dance, his experience and dramatic flair surpassing most of the teens there. He lacked patience with Kaylee's frequent mistakes, yet he tolerated them, unable to take his eyes off her, which made her feel uneasy, perhaps even more so than Rafe's intense gaze had.

Tull instructed the couples to practice their steps to facilitate better correction and advice on improvements.

As they danced, Kaylee glanced up at Tod. "I hope I don't step on your toes."

Tod concealed his irritation with a casual shrug. "Practice makes perfect. It's nothing new to me."

Kaylee let out a snort at his response. "So, having your toes stepped on is a common theme? That's unfortunate."

Tod continued to lead. "I've been taking classes since before I could even speak."

Kaylee made a misstep, but Tod quickly corrected it, making it almost imperceptible.

Kaylee sighed. "Your mom reminds me of mine. Do you think I fit in here?"

Tod shrugged and executed a series of turns. On the final turn, Kaylee spun, catching Rafe's eye, who, while practicing a turn with Amber, seemed distracted by Kaylee and Tod, his gaze narrowing at Kaylee in visible annoyance.

Unaware that Rafe's irritation stemmed from Tod still being her dance escort, Kaylee assumed Rafe was just being his usual dick self, and she removed her hand from Tod's arm to flip Rafe off.

Rafe gave a slight snort and unexpectedly dipped Amber, leaving her gasping in surprise as she gazed up at him, her eyes wide with astonishment, before he pulled her back up and drew her close to resume their dance.

Kaylee, rolling her eyes, turned back to Tod, noticing his unusually thoughtful expression. "Did I step on your foot again?"

Tod increased the tempo of their dance, and she found it challenging to match his skill. "No, it's not that. It's just..." He paused as the instructor, Tull, approached, nodding in approval at their technique and giving Tod a congratulatory pat before moving on. Tod regarded Kaylee thoughtfully. "We're partners, and I think it's important we get to know each other better, don't you think?"

Surprised, Kaylee's eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"

Tod leaned in, expectant. "Oh?"

Kaylee gave a noncommittal shrug. "I mean, sure. Maybe I won't seem like such a fool out there."

Tod tutted condescendingly. "Don't be so hard on yourself; you're doing great, despite a few stumbles here and there."

Kaylee let out a sigh of annoyance at the backhanded compliment.

An awkward silence fell as they took a break and walked over to the refreshment table, which was laid out with small finger foods on one side and a lineup of water bottles on the other.

Kaylee grabbed a water bottle and held it against her forehead, savoring the coolness; she anticipated the refreshing taste that would follow a few hearty gulps. After a brief pause to cool off, she twisted off the cap and took a drink.

Tod was summoned by Tull, who gestured imperiously with his forefinger. He glanced at Kaylee. "Excuse me for a moment."

Kaylee nodded in acknowledgment.

Tod made his way to Tull, who was gesticulating widely, likely commending his own prowess in contrast to the novices.

Observing Tod's assured posture, Kaylee noted how he seemed to carry an air of superiority, his nose tilted upwards as if basking in his own excellence.

Kaylee rolled her eyes, turning away from Tod as she took another sip of water.

Rafe sidled up to Kaylee's left, looking down at her. "You two hooking up now?"

His abrupt presence caught Kaylee off guard, causing her to nearly choke on her water at the unexpected question, coughing slightly as she regained her composure.

Rafe's smirk widened, clearly entertained by the reaction he had elicited from her.

Wiping her mouth with her arm, Kaylee regarded him with disbelief. "Why do you care?"

Rafe gave a nonchalant shrug, though his casual demeanor didn't quite match his words. "I don't."

Still frowning in doubt, Kaylee pressed. "Then why did you ask?"

Rafe remained intentionally quiet, idly twirling the bottle cap between his fingers. "He's obviously interested in fucking you." Kaylee was brought sort with that. "I just thought you should be warned in advance, so it doesn't catch you off guard."

Kaylee gave a sarcastic nod. "Oh, really? As if your partner doesn't distract you?"

Rafe gave a nonchalant shrug. "If I wanted to get together with her, it wouldn't be an issue. She's just not my type."

Kaylee's frown deepened, perplexed. "That's... good to know, I guess?"

Rafe passed a hand through his hair, taming the tousled strands. "Just be careful, okay?"

Confused, Kaylee made a face but gave a serious nod.

Rafe kept his gaze on Kaylee, retreating slowly, his eyes holding an indecipherable emotion she couldn't quite grasp.

As Rafe moved with a grace that was uncharacteristic of him to rejoin Amber, Kaylee bit her lower lip, observing his concentrated expression and precise movements.

Tod came back to the table. "Apologies for the delay. Tull was curious about my entire life story. I'm all set if you are."

Snapping back to reality, Kaylee met Tod's gaze and nodded.

⚓️

Now

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Night - Chapel Hill University - Outside

Sarah and John B took a car to the Chapel Hill college, getting out of the car, walking up to the buildings.

"So, the library's on the other side of the student center," Sarah explained. "Have you ever been here before?"

"I've never been to a college, no," John B answered.

Sarah smiled. "That's a gap in your training. How do you like it?"

"So far, so good," John B answered.

"So, my dad went here," Sarah explained. "And then his dead went here, and then his dad's dad went here."

"That's pretty rough," John B stated.

"Yeah, I know," Sarah agreed. "He would have an absolute aneurysm if Lia and I didn't go here, which is kind of annoying, but what can you do? What about you?"

"Uh, college has never really been on my radar, so..." John B trailed off.

Sarah's phone went off, and she took it out to see that Ward was calling. "Uh-oh. It's my handler."

"Oh..." John B trailed off, like he was teasing her about getting into trouble.

"I told him I was spending the night at Scarlet's," Sarah explained.

"And what would he think if he knew you were with me?" John B asked.

Sarah smiled. "I'd be hanged for treason."

John B gasped mockingly. "As a Pogue sympathizer?"

Sarah nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"Oh, my goodness," John B said.  They both held their hands up like they were talking into phones. "You've gotta be careful fraternizing with the enemy, Valerie." He reached out to grab Sarah's wrist lightly. "Wait a minute. Did he kidnap you? Or drug you?"

Sarah played along, speaking in her French accent again. "No, I came of my own recognizance, following a lead."

John B nodded. "Oh. Do we know this enemy?"

Sarah nodded, still speaking with the French accent. "You do. He used to work for you."

John B put his hand to his mouth, shaking his head. "No, no, no. It's not the scuba thief, is it?"

Sarah smirked, tilting her head. "He is not what you think."

John B put his hand to his head. "Goodness gracious, he's working some good psyops on you, Val. He's a smooth operator."

Sarah smiled, dropping the French accent to speak normally. "No, he's not."

John B made a face of mock hurt. "Uh." He pretended to hang up the hand phone. "Huh."

Sarah giggled. "He's really clumsy. He does finger guns way too often." John B did finger guns, blowing at each one, twirling his hands around before acting like he put the finger guns in his pocket. "And he has absolutely no idea when to make a move." John B looked away sheepishly, hiding a small smile. "But I think I might be able to turn this one, sir."

They walked toward the library.

"You'd better be careful, Valerie," John B told her. "Once a Pogue, always a Pogue."

⚓️

Library

Sarah led John B along. "All right, Vlad, it's time to play the truth game."

"Again?" John B asked.

"Why the hell are we here?" Sarah asked.

"Look, Sarah, I already told you," John B told her. "I can't tell you."

"Okay, well, intel on the mission is the price of the ticket, and I'm the only way you're getting in," Sarah pointed out. "It's your choice. I have to know."

John B stopped walking, sighing. "Okay." Sarah turned to face him. "On pain of death?"

"Mm-hmm," Sarah answered.

John B looked around to make sure no one was listening. "I'm on a treasure hunt."

Sarah laughed. "What?" She stopped when she realized. "Oh, shit, you're serious."

"Look, you heard what Lia told me and Isa," John B told her. "Denmark Tanny was the sole survivor of the Royal Merchant wreck. Lia even said she thought he got away with 400 million in gold, which is how he would have been able to buy Tannyhill. And I think the location of that treasure is in his papers or the diary that Lia mentioned, that she couldn't read through because your dad put her on lockdown for whatever reason. That's why we're here."

"You said 400 million?" Sarah asked.

John B nodded. "That's a lot of bubble wrap. I just have to read through the papers and the diary that Lia didn't get the chance to."

Sarah considered. "I'll talk to the librarian."

Sarah walked away.

John B watched her go. "That's a fantastic idea."

Just a bit later, The librarian led them along. "I can't tell you how grateful we are to receive the Tannyhill materials from your father."

"Of course," Sarah agreed.

The library pointed up to a balcony above. "It's right up there."

"Thank you," Sarah told her, walking upstairs.

John B shook the librarian's hand. "Thank you." He followed Sarah up the stairs. They both sat down with the diary and the papers. "Down the rabbit hole."

"Here we go," Sarah answered.

They pulled on gloves and started to read.

John B and Sarah were still researching.

"It says that Denmark used the money he made from Tannyhill to buy slaves and give them their freedom," Sarah explained. "It says that he was accused of inciting revolt. This is before the Civil War."

John B showed Sarah an article. "That's why they hanged him." He picked up the diary. "Let me see this. Check this out."

Sarah looked over. "These are the birthdays."

"Yeah," John B agreed. "Denmark Tanny."

Sarah read from the other names. "Cecilia, Robert, Lewis and Abraham. I remember those names. Lia said that they were his wife and three sons."

John B picked up a picture with a bar of gold that had a wheat symbol on it. "Wait a minute."

"Is that a picture of--" Sarah started.

"Gold," John B finished. "This is how he bought the land. It--it's British gold. This is what was on the Merchant." He smiled. "Lia was right."

"Bingo," Sarah stated. "Thank God for Lia and her history buff nerdy ways."

John B nodded in agreement, before seeing a letter in Sarah's box. "Wait, what's that?"

Sarah picked up the letter. "This is the last correspondence."

"Wait, that--that's in Gullah, the lost Creole language," John B explained.

"Can you read it?" Sarah asked.

John B shook his head. "No. Mm-mm. I wish, but no. So, Denmark finds out that the posse's coming for him. Wait, what's the date on the letter?"

"It is May 3rd, 1844," Sarah answered. "Wait, that's--"

"That's the day he died," John B finished.

"And this is addressed to Robert," Sarah explained.

"So on the day he dies, he writes a letter to his son?" John B asked.

"In a language only they can understand," Sarah agreed.

John B reached for his phone. "Wait a minute." He used his phone to take a picture of the letter. "Let's see."

⚓️

Kildare Island, North Carolina

The Pogue Nest - First Floor

(Song:) A Few Things - JP Saxe, Charlotte Lawrence

Kaylee and JJ entered the Pogue Nest.

"Are you sure you don't want to go home?" Kaylee inquired.

"Nah," JJ replied. "I don't want to bump into my dad, and we can meet with the others at the Chateau tomorrow morning."

"Remember, you can always come here whenever you need to, JJ," Kaylee reassured him.

JJ offered a small smile and nodded. "I know." Holding her side and stomach where Rafe had kicked her, Kaylee winced. JJ cast a worried glance at her. "Come here."

They moved towards the small sink on the first floor. JJ assisted Kaylee onto the sink as moving was painful due to the harsh kick.

Kaylee took a washcloth and dampened it. "I'm okay. But let me help you. Your face is a wreck."

JJ gave a half-smile. "But still handsome, right?"

With a smile, Kaylee winked at him. "Always."

Grinning, JJ stood before Kaylee. Gently, she pressed the washcloth against JJ's split lip.

"Ow," JJ flinched.

"Stop being a baby," Kaylee muttered under her breath.

"I'm not," JJ retorted. "It hurts. Tod has a vicious right hook, not to mention his kick, judging by the state you're in."

Kaylee looked down, shaken up after what Tod did to her, in the past and present. "Yeah. We knew Tod was unhinged after what he did. And Rafe brought him into it only to protect me from him, and... I don't know what the fuck to think after tonight, JJ."

JJ nodded pensively. "Tell me about it."

Kaylee finished dabbing the small spots of blood from JJ's face. "There, you're all cleaned up."

JJ grabbed the cloth. "Now it's my turn." He gently wiped away the tiny specks of blood from Kaylee's hairline, remnants of her earlier fall when Tod had shoved her to the ground. Kaylee winced slightly. After he finished, JJ tossed the cloth into the basin. "Okay, lift your shirt."

Kaylee's eyebrows arched, a playful smirk on her lips. "Mm, how long have you been waiting to say that to me?"

JJ smirked. "Maybe a while, but that's besides the point." He returned with a serious expression, tilting his head. "I'm serious. Come on, let's assess the damage." Kaylee averted her gaze, causing JJ to urge her. "Kaylee."

Reluctant to lift her shirt because she knew the severity of her injuries from the pain and difficulty moving, Kaylee hesitated. JJ, interpreting her silence and stillness as a bad sign, gently lifted the hem of her shirt to reveal her side and stomach, both marred by deep, angry bruises, scratches, and slight bleeding from the forceful kicks and knees to her abdomen.

JJ, witnessing the extent of her wounds, felt a mix of worry, protectiveness, and a surge of anger, even though the fight had ended.

"Kaylee..." JJ whispered.

Kaylee shook her head,. "Stop."

"You didn't deserve this," JJ insisted. "God, if Pope and I hadn't gotten into that damn mess by sinking Topper's fucking boat..."

Kaylee clasped JJ's hands firmly. "Stop, JJ. I would have done the same in your and Pope's place. You're not to blame for the fight. It began when Topper and Rafe attacked Pope, didn't it?"

"Yes, but--" JJ began, only to be interrupted.

"No butts," Kaylee told him. "This was Tod's psychotic ass. It had nothing to do with you. This started and ends with them."

"What happens if your parents find out about the fight tonight, that you started another fire, got injured, and they decide to kick you off their property, even out of the Pogue Nest, and disown you for real?" JJ asked.

"Then I'll handle it," Kaylee replied. "It's not your concern, nor anyone else's. Everything I do is because being a Pogue, being friends, being family with the Pogues... that's all that matters to me. I don't care about the consequences or what I might lose."

"Kay..." JJ said, shaking his head.

Kaylee held his gaze. "I mean it. If my parents really cared, they wouldn't disown me for doing exactly what Mom did. Being friends with Pogues, being one, and doing everything for those I care about. The ones I love. Understand?"

JJ, visibly touched by her words, nodded, though clearly upset about her injuries. "Yeah. I understand."

Kaylee gave a small smile, taking JJ's hand. "Help me down from here, please. This is really painful."

After helping her down, Kaylee grimaced.

"Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital or anything?" JJ inquired.

"Fuck hospitals," Kaylee replied. "I'm fine."

JJ shook his head. "Stubborn ass."

Kaylee smirked. "Takes one to know one."

JJ couldn't help a small smirk in return but gave her a look. "If the pain's not better by morning, I'm taking you to the damn hospital."

Kaylee sighed, giving in. "Okay. Fine."

"Come on," JJ urged. "Let me help you to your room."

Kaylee tilted her head. "I'm good."

JJ nodded with a quip and a smirk. "Fine, I'll just shadow you up the ladders and stairs. That way, if you take a tumble, I can swoop in for the save and smugly declare, 'I told you so'."

Kaylee relented with a sigh and a light chuckle. "Thanks."

"Sure thing," JJ murmured softly.

They moved towards the ladder in the ground-floor room. JJ was on alert, ready to ensure Kaylee's ascent was without mishap or further injury.

⚓️

Third Floor

Reaching the third floor, JJ held the door open for Kaylee, who limped slightly as she moved towards her bed. JJ kept pace beside her, ready to assist if necessary.

Once Kaylee was on her bed, she let out a deep sigh. "Thanks, JJ."

JJ gave a nod. "Everything alright with you?"

With a smirk, Kaylee responded, "A little thing like this won't keep me down, JJ Maybank."

Matching her smirk, JJ replied. "Wouldn't dream of it... Kaylee Carrera."

They exchanged soft smiles.

Clearing her throat and biting her lip, Kaylee hummed. "So, where do you plan to sleep? First floor, second floor, or the third floor through that small door?"

She gestured towards the arched doorway leading to another room on the third floor.

JJ laughed lightly, teasing. "I could continue our intense flirting and say right beside you." Kaylee's smile widened. "But after tonight, I think I'll refrain."

"You've already put it out there," Kaylee pointed out. "So..."

JJ conceded with a smile. "Yeah, that's true."

Kaylee gave a slight shrug, her gaze downward. "Who knows? I might need help if I wake up in the middle of the night for some reason."

JJ's eyebrows went up. "That's true."

Kaylee pointed at JJ. "Clothes on."

With a smirk, JJ chuckled. "Takes some fun out of it, but okay."

Looking up, Kaylee smiled. "Good."

JJ settled on the other side of the bed.

Kaylee looked down thoughtfully, a worried expression on her face after what she did earlier in the park, worried about what Rafe said about her being like him. She was scared that setting that fire and trying to set the Kooks on fire was proof of that.

JJ knew what she was scared of, and he didn't shy away from the subject. Instead, he hoped to use it to lighten the mood and prove to her that she was far better than Rafe could ever be. "I can't stop thinking about how you used the lighter and hairspray to torch the movie screen and frighten the Kooks away. How long have you been itching to set something else ablaze?"

"For quite some time," Kaylee admitted. "I like lighting fires, when no one's hurt, of course. Like being the one to ignite campfires and bonfires at beach parties or in the backyard fire pit. And I certainly don't mind using fire to scare a bunch of asshole psychos."

"Obviously," JJ chuckled, shaking his head in a playful manner, teasing. "You all give me grief about the gun, but I think we should be more concerned about you and your affinity for fire."

"Oh, please," Kaylee retorted with a grin, achieving JJ's aim as he grinned back. "It's not like it's glued to my hand."

"You've got a lighter and hairspray stashed in your bad at all times, and you've torched more things than a dragon," JJ pointed out. "So, pretty much, yeah."

"Fine, but it's not like I'm itching to use it, unlike your constant urge to play cowboy with the gun," Kaylee countered. "The flames are just a precaution."

"And for those times when you're bored and find a burnable treasure," JJ chimed in.

Kaylee beamed. "Fine, I may have a tiny bit of a firebug streak, but--"

"Tiny?" JJ echoed with raised eyebrows.

With a playful shove to JJ's chest, Kaylee got them both grinning. "But it's nothing compared to your obsession with firearms or whatever you want to call it."

JJ's smirk widened. "Tell yourself whatever helps you sleep at night. The firestarter and the gunslinger. What a match made in hell."

They both laughed lightly.

Kaylee held her hand over her torso in pain where she had been kicked in both places. "Don't make me laugh right now."

JJ looked at her concern. "That's it. Kaylee, in the morning, you are going to the hospital." Kaylee sighed, rolling her eyes. "I'm just trying to make sure you're okay, all right?"

Kaylee looked at JJ, giving a small, thankful smile. "I know. Thank you."

Kaylee's gaze darkened as she looked down. JJ's attempt to cheer her up worked briefly, but now she could feel the fear setting in again.

"What if he was right?" Kaylee whispered. "What if I'm just like him?"

JJ looked at Kaylee with concern, realizing her lighthearted mood had shifted back to worry about Rafe's words. He gently took her hand.

"Hey, look at me," JJ said softly. Kaylee reluctantly met his gaze. "You are nothing like Rafe. Not even close."

Kaylee shook her head. "But what I did tonight... I could have really hurt someone. The fire, the violence - it felt really good in the moment. I felt alive, powerful. What if he's right about me? About the darkness inside me?"

JJ squeezed her hand. "Listen to me. Everyone has a bit of darkness in them. The difference is how we choose to use it. You used yours to protect your friends, to stop a fight that was getting out of control. Rafe? He uses his to hurt people, to feel powerful."

Kaylee shook her head. "You don't get it, Jayj. For a moment, I loved it. The power, the control."

JJ looked at Kaylee with understanding in his eyes. "I do get it, Kay. That rush of power, that feeling of control - it's intoxicating. But the fact that you're worried about it, that you're questioning yourself, that proves you're not like Rafe. He doesn't care who he hurts. You do. And he forced this onto you."

Knowing that last part wasn't true, Kaylee bit her lip. "But what if this is just the beginning? What if I keep pushing further, keep going darker?"

JJ shook his head firmly. "That's not going to happen. You know why? Because you have us - me, Kie, Pope, John B, Isa. We're your family, and we won't let you lose yourself. And more importantly, you won't let yourself go down that path. You didn't let it consume you back there. You used it to protect us and then you stopped. That's what matters."

Kaylee sighed, still uncertain. "But what if next time I can't stop? What if I go too far?"

JJ gently cupped her face, making her look at him. "That's not going to happen, either. Because you have a good heart, Kaylee. You care about people. Rafe doesn't have that. He only cares about himself."

Kaylee leaned into his touch, drawing comfort from his words and presence. "I'm scared, JJ. I've always felt like I was crazy. Like I was toxic, or poison. My parents drilled those words into me since I was a kid. And now Rafe sees it. Everyone sees it. I hear what people say behind my back when they don't think I'm listening. Talking about how I'm violent, unstable and unpredictable. I proved that tonight."

"You also proved that you have a heart of gold willing to do anything to protect the people you care about," JJ replied. "As long as you have that, and you always will, you have nothing to worry about. I promise you."

Kaylee's eyes softened at JJ's words. She leaned her head on his shoulder, letting out a shaky breath. "Thank you, JJ. I don't know what I'd do without you."

JJ wrapped an arm around her, careful not to aggravate her injuries, teasing her gently. "You'd probably set a lot more things on fire."

Kaylee let out a soft laugh, then winced. "Ow. Don't make me laugh, remember?"

"Sorry," JJ said, but he was smiling.

Kaylee and JJ shared a moment, their bodies unconsciously drifting closer to each other. Their gazes locked, filled with both longing and adoration. JJ gently smoothed back a strand of Kaylee's hair, his finger brushing against her cheek as she leaned into his touch. She brushed her hand through his hair in return, electricity crackling between them.

Their eyes danced over each other's features before locking onto each other once again. As they leaned closer, Kaylee's eyes flickered between JJ's lips and his eyes, giving in to the temptation and closing the small gap between them with a gentle kiss.

JJ's arm wrapped around Kaylee's waist, pulling her body closer to his as he deepened the kiss. His hand cupped her jaw, sending shivers down her spine. Kaylee sighed in bliss, running her fingers through JJ's hair and tugging lightly at the roots, eliciting a moan from him.

When they pulled away for air, JJ brushed a thumb across Kaylee's bottom lip. "Better than I dreamed it would be."

Kaylee raised an eyebrow in amusement. "You dreamt about this?"

JJ shrugged nonchalantly. Kaylee couldn't help but smile at his carefree demeanor. "What else have you dreamt of?"

JJ returned her smile with equal mischief and cuteness, cupping her other cheek in his hand as he leaned in for another passionate kiss, only stopping when something popped into his mind. "Wait. What about the 'no Pogue-on-Pogue macking' rule?"

Rolling her eyes, Kaylee grabbed JJ's shirt and pulled him closer. "Stupid rule."

With that, she initiated the next kiss.

"Mmm, good answer," JJ murmured against her lips.

Kaylee pulled back slightly, biting her lip nervously. "JJ, I like you. But I won't be one of your little hookups."

JJ shook his head, pulling her into his lap and wrapping one arm around her waist and the other around her neck. "You won't be. I like you too, Kaylee."

They both smiled at each other, their gazes filled with genuine affection before leaning in for another heated kiss, though they both knew it wouldn't go any further that night.

Kaylee couldn't be more relieved to have JJ in her life, and vice versa. They were each other's anchors despite all of the chaos they got into together. They were each other's lifeline to make sure they didn't go over the edge Kaylee was so afraid of.

Kaylee and JJ broke apart from their kiss, both breathing heavily, basking in the afterglow of their moment and confession. They gazed at each other, eyes filled with emotion.

"Wow," Kaylee whispered.

JJ grinned. "Yeah, wow."

Kaylee winced slightly as she shifted position.

JJ's expression immediately turned concerned. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

Kaylee shook her head. "No, you didn't. I'm just sore from earlier."

JJ's face darkened at the reminder of her injuries. "I still think we should get you checked out in the morning."

"I know," Kaylee sighed. "And I will, I promise."

JJ nodded, then glanced at the clock. "It's late. We should try to get some sleep."

Kaylee agreed, and they settled into bed, careful of Kaylee's injuries. JJ kept a protective arm around her.

Kaylee felt a sense of peace wash over her. The darkness that had threatened to consume her felt alleviated while within JJ's hold. He was a force of lightness that couldn't be denied, and she held onto him tightly as she laid her head on his chest.

"Goodnight, Jayj," Kaylee whispered.

"Night, Kay," JJ replied softly, stroking her curly hair.

Despite the chaos of the night, the adrenaline had burned through their systems, and the drop they felt put them to sleep almost instantly, feeling safe and content in each other's arms after what just happened between them.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Day Two

Morning - Thornton House - Outside

Shoupe came to talk to Dr. Thornton and Topper. "We got lucky. There's a camera on solar panel." He showed them a video on his phone. "We can't make out a face, but we were able to ID the other boat."

Topper scoffed.

"Whose boat is it?" Thornton asked.

"Registered to Heyward," Shoupe answered. "We think this is his kid."

Topper sat down. "All right, so she thought that I did this, Deputy, right? I told you, Mom, not everything's my fault."

Thornton gave him a look. "Can we talk about this privately, please?" She looked at Shoupe. "So what happens now?"

"Well, if you press charges, it'll be up to juvenile court," Shoupe explained. "Now, Pope is 16. Could be tried as an adult. He'd do time."

"Press charges," Thornton told him.

Shoupe hesitated. "You know, Heyward, uh..."

"Deputy, I said press charges," Thornton repeated.

Shoupe nodded. "Yeah, all right. We're on it."

Shoupe and Thornton stood, walking away. Topper was stunned by everything that happened, not looking happy.

⚓️

Ferry

Sarah and John B were taking the ferry (this time legally after buying tickets) back to the island.

"My dad is going to kill me for being out all night, but at least we completed the mission," Sarah told him.

"Yeah, yeah," John B agreed. "You know, speaking of the mission, you're not as bad as I thought you'd be."

Sarah laughed. "Well, what'd you expect?"

"Do you want me to answer that?" John B asked.

"I have an idea," Sarah stated. "Maybe a Kook princess? Bubble wrap queen?"

"Something like that," John B answered. "Rude to waiters at a minimum, type of thing."

"Ow!" Sarah said. "That hurts. Yikes."

John B shrugged. "Just saying."

"You know, you're not what I expected either," Sarah told him. John B looked at her, mouth open. "Much weirder. For starters, you are totally ADD."

John B looked like he would try to deny that. "Uh... ooh..." He nodded in agreement. "Yeah."

"Yeah," Sarah said. "And I thought you were this really laid-back, surfer, dude-bro. And it turns out you are on a paternal jihad."

John B nodded. "Yeah, I'm just trying to get this letter translated."

Sarah looked at him curiously, shrugging, raising her drink. "Hey, to breaking expectations."

John B raised his drink. "Salud."

"Salud," Sarah agreed.

They both drank.

John B hesitated. "So... what's it gonna be like when we get back?"

"With what?" Sarah asked.

"Well, you know..." John B trailed off. "Like, um..."

Sarah pointed between them. "This?"

"Yeah," John B answered.

Sarah shrugged. "Nothing changes, I guess? Right? I'll go back to the bubble."

"Like, Topper back to the bubble?" John B asked.

Sarah looked away, not looking happy about it. "Yeah." John B also didn't look happy in the least. They both looked disappointed. "And, um... I guess you'll go back to being a... a fugitive with Isa."

John B nodded barely. "Yeah."

"Had a really great day, though," Sarah told him.

John B nodded in agreement. "Me too."

They looked at each other with small smiles.

⚓️

Tannyhill Estate - Foyer

Lia walked downstairs, in slight pain after Tod's attack on her and being pushed down by Rafe when he tried to get her out of the way. Lia's arm had a bruise from when Rafe had grabbed her arm when he did so, but the bruise on her torso and her back from Tod's attack was much worse.

Rafe walked into the foyer from the living room, seeing Lia on the stairs, a flicker of guilt crossing his features before he buried it. He knew his sister had gotten hurt in the crossfire last night after his plan had spiraled out of control because of Tod. Yet, he knew that Lia had spoke to the police after the fight and the fire, and none of his friends or the Pogues were in trouble, so he knew she didn't snitch on anyone.

Lia paused on the stairs, her eyes meeting Rafe's. For a moment, neither spoke, the tension between them palpable.

"How are you feeling?" Rafe finally asked, his voice gruff.

Lia raised an eyebrow. "Like I got caught in the middle of a fight I didn't start. Oh wait, that's exactly what happened."

Rafe had the decency to look slightly ashamed. "Look, I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand. Tod wasn't supposed to--"

"Wasn't supposed to what, Rafe?" Lia interrupted, her voice sharp. "Attack me? Or Kaylee? Because from where I was standing, it looked like that was exactly what you all planned."

Rafe ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "It wasn't supposed to go down like that."

"What exactly was your brilliant plan here, Rafe?" Lia asked. "Topper almost killed Pope, he hurt Isa just for defending him. Tod seriously hurt Kaylee and JJ and me and tried to attack Kie."

Rafe sighed. "I just wanted to scare them a little, okay? Show them they can't mess with us. I didn't think Tod or Topper would go that far."

Lia scoffed, shaking her head. She didn't doubt that Rafe had underestimated just how far Tod and Topper would go - she knew that her brother's mentality was weakened and his mind could be easily manipulated despite the fact he was a gifted manipulator himself. She had seen his friends take advantage of him to get what they wanted, she had seen Ward and Sarah do the same. Rafe, in his attempt to please others around him on an obsessive level, went to the extremes to make them happy, especially his friends and Ward.

And she knew Rafe's sense of protection was just as screwed because of Ward - Ward controlled and dominated Lia's life in an attempt to protect her after her trauma with Robbie's death. In a parallel, Rafe had been protecting Lia the same way, and now Kaylee in his obsession with her born out of the knowledge that Kaylee was treated the same way by her parents that Rafe was by his father and the similar darkness inside them both.

Lia knew that her attempt to get through to Rafe, for him to get professional help, would fail, but she had to try again before he did something that he couldn't come back from - either because of others manipulating him, or his warped sense of protection.

Lia descended the remaining stairs, her eyes never leaving Rafe's face. When she reached the bottom, she stood directly in front of her brother, her voice low and intense.

"Rafe, this has to stop," Lia said firmly. "You're spiraling, and you're going to end up doing something you can't come back from."

Rafe's jaw clenched. "You don't understand, Lia. I'm fine. I'm just trying to protect what's ours."

"Protect?" Lia scoffed. "Is that what you call what happened last night? Because from where I was standing, it looked a lot more like assault."

"They started it," Rafe muttered, though his eyes flickered with uncertainty.

"Did they?" Lia challenged. "Or did you and your friends decide to ambush them for no good reason? That's what started this, right? You and Topper jumped Pope."

Rafe had no response to that, floundering for a moment.

"I don't want someone else getting hurt," Lia said softly but firmly. "And I don't want you getting hurt. Dad's making me get help even when you and I both know that I don't need it. But you do."

Rafe's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with conflict and anger. "No, I don't. I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Lia insisted, taking a step closer to him. "I know you think you're protecting me, or Kaylee, or whatever twisted logic you're using to justify your actions. But this isn't protection, Rafe. It's destruction."

Rafe looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "You don't understand."

"Then help me understand," Lia pleaded. "Talk to me, Rafe. Like we used to."

For a moment, Rafe looked as if he would, desperate for someone to listen and help.

But then he heard Ward's voice in his head, drilled into him from childhood that he didn't need "help". He needed to man up.

Another voice in his head, darker and sinister that he had been struggling with for over a year, said that he was just fine. He was powerful and taking what he wanted and that just made everyone else afraid.

Those voices in his head corrupted him so much that Rafe couldn't see right from wrong anymore, and he shut down once again as Lia was trying to help him.

Rafe's expression hardened, the brief moment of vulnerability disappearing. "You don't know what you're talking about, Lia. I'm fine. Just stay out of it."

Lia sighed, frustration and disappointment evident in her voice. "Rafe, please. I'm trying to help you."

"I don't need your help," Rafe snapped, taking a step back. "I don't need anyone's help. I've got everything under control."

"Do you?" Lia challenged, her eyes searching his face. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're spiraling out of control. And I'm afraid of where you'll end up if you don't stop."

Rafe's jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "You don't get to judge me, Lia. You don't know what it's like." With the voices getting stronger in his head, Rafe tilted his head. "Oh, that's right, maybe you do. You're the one who needs help, remember? That's why Dad's got you locked up and drugged up."

Lia flinched as if she'd been slapped, hurt flashing across her face before she masked it with anger. "Wow. And here I thought there might actually be a shred of my brother left in there somewhere. Guess I was wrong."

Rafe flinched slightly, but covered it with a sneer. "Maybe you should worry less about me and more about yourself. You're the crazy one, after all."

"I'm not crazy," Lia snapped, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "And at least I'm not the one hurting people."

"Who knows how long that will last?" Rafe replied. "See, I've seen the way you've been spiraling too, Lia. How long do you think it will take for you to go from tearing into people with your words to actually tearing into people?"

Lia's eyes flashed with anger, but beneath it was a flicker of hurt. "You don't mean that, Rafe. This isn't you talking - it's whatever darkness has been eating away at you."

"You don't know me anymore, Lia," Rafe sneered. "Maybe you never did."

"I know you better than you think," Lia countered. "I know the brother who used to protect me, who looked out for me. What happened to him?"

For a moment, Rafe's mask slipped, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability and pain. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by cold indifference.

"He grew up," Rafe said flatly. "Maybe it's time you did too."

Lia shook her head, a mix of anger and sadness in her eyes. "No, Rafe. Please."

Rafe shook his head, turning around, walking away, heading for the front door.

Lia tried to reach out to stop him. "Rafe..."

Rafe paused at the door a moment, deep down knowing that Lia was trying to help, but convinced that he didn't need it, by his father and the voices in his head. He looked over his shoulder at Lia for a moment with conflict in his eyes before he opened the door, walking out of the house, closing the door behind him with a medium slam, leaving their home.

Lia let out a shaky breath, knowing that going after him would only push him until he truly snapped, and she couldn't do that to him, or to herself.

Lia stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door. Her shoulders slumped as the weight of her failed attempt to reach Rafe settled over her. She had hoped, for a brief moment, that she might be able to get through to him, to help him see reason. But it was clear now that Rafe was too far gone, too consumed by whatever darkness was eating away at him.

She felt a mix of anger, frustration and deep sadness. The brother she once knew seemed to be slipping further and further away, replaced by someone she barely recognized.

Lia turned away from the door, her steps heavy as she made her way to the living room.

As she entered, she saw their little sister Wheezie sitting on the couch, her phone in hand.

Wheezie looked up as Lia entered, her expression shifting from casual interest to concern as she took in Lia's dejected posture.

"Hey," Wheezie said softly. "I heard you and Rafe talking. Or... arguing, I guess."

Lia sighed, sinking down onto the couch next to Wheezie, not wanting to worry her little sister. "I don't want to talk about it."

Wheezie nodded in understanding. "Okay. Are you okay?"

Lia shook her head slightly, looking down. "I don't think any of us are going to be okay for a long time, Wheezie."

Wheezie reached out to take Lia's hand. "It'll get better, Lia."

Lia gave Wheezie a small smile, appreciative of her optimism. "I hope so."

⚓️

Heyward's Shop

Isa, Kaylee, Kie, JJ and Pope were helping Heyward out in the shop.

Isa looked at Kaylee. "So JJ and Kie took you to the hospital this morning? Anything serious?"

"Just an oblique muscle strain," Kaylee answered. "The strain and kicks created a tear in the muscle. Could've been a lot worse, like a broken rib or something, but luckily it wasn't, because that's even more of a bitch to deal with."

"Kaylee..." Isa trailed off.

"Oh, God," Pope said. "Kaylee, I'm so sorry."

"I'll tell you the same thing I told JJ last night, Pope," Kaylee told him. "It's not your fault. This started and ends with the Kooks."

"How serious is it?" JJ asked. "They didn't let me hear."

"Kaylee just needs some time to recover, but she doesn't have to sit out on anything," Kie answered. "There'll be a lot of pain until it heals, but with recovery, and ice, and some muscle therapy, and some resistance exercises to align any scar tissue that forms during the healing process, it should be easy enough for a full recovery."

"Okay, recovery, ice and exercises," JJ stated. "I got that. Muscle therapy?"

"Just means like massaging and stuff," Kaylee explained. "It's not as serious as it sounds, but it does hurt like a bitch. Just gotta avoid twisting around, and as long as things I do for now aren't painful and straining the obliques, I'll be fine. It'll be fine."

Pope sighed, shaking his head. "Jesus, Kay."

Isa and Pope both gave Kaylee a hug.

"I'll be okay," Kaylee promised. "Be back to fighting shape in no time."

"2 or 3 weeks," Kie corrected.

"Okay, but until then, I can still warm my way up to other things, like running and stuff," Kaylee pointed out. "Actual fighting will just have to wait a little bit. Doesn't mean that I can't still hit a bitch, so people still gotta watch out. I still got my lighter and hairspray."

JJ nodded, pointing at her. "Like I said. Pyromaniac."

"That was a given," Isa pointed out.

"Yeah, we all knew that," Pope agreed.

They chuckled.

Kie wrapped an arm around Kaylee to hug her, careful not to touch her side or stomach. "It'll be okay, Kay."

Kaylee returned the embrace. "I know."

"Don't let it get in your heads, guys," JJ told them. He pointed at Pope. "Especially you. Four of them on two of us. Until Isa, Kay and Kie jumped in. Even Lia tried to stop it before Tod jumped her too."

"Typical Kook for you," Kaylee told them.

"Hell yeah," Kie agreed.

Kaylee looked at Pope. "What was your thought process, using your head?"

Pope shook his head. "I don't know, guys. I just kinda acted off instinct. I was a cornered animal."

Isa tilted Pope's hat to the side. "Uses his head for being a genius and an ass kicker."

Pope laughed, giving Isa a slight push, and Isa smiled.

Heyward walked in. "Hey, Pope. Someone here to see you."

Shoupe walked in.

Pope nodded to Shoupe. "Evening, officer."

Shoupe laid a sheet of paper on the table beside Heyward. "I have an arrest warrant for felony of destruction of property."

"What?" Heyward asked.

Pope looked back at Isa, Kaylee, JJ and Kie with wide eyes, as all of them were worried.

Shoupe looked at Pope. "Hands where I can see 'em." He stepped around Kie to get close to Pope. "Young lady, get out of my way."

Shoupe moved around Kie, walking up behind Pope.

Heyward tried to stop him. "Whoa, Shoupe. What'd he do?"

Shoupe placed Pope in handcuffs. "Take a look at the warrant."

"I'm sorry, you're arresting him?" Kie asked.

Isa stepped closer. "You can't just arrest him. Where's your proof?"

"When are you people gonna wake up and realize you're only serving one side of the island?" Kaylee asked.

Shoupe gave Isa and Kaylee a look. "I suggest you two back up before you go with him."

"You're just gonna arrest my boy?" Heyward asked incredulously.

Shoupe pushed Pope against the counter to clamp the handcuffs around his wrists.

Kie glared at Shoupe. "Be careful!"

"Shoupe, are you listening?" Heyward asked.

"How much did they pay you, man?" JJ asked. "Huh? How much?"

Shoupe read Pope his rights. "Everything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney."

⚓️

Outside

Isa, Kaylee, Kie, JJ and Heyward followed Shoupe and Pope outside, their protests becoming a blur in Pope's ears, as Isa, Kaylee and Kie were angrily trying to defend Pope.

"Hey, you can't just do that!" Kie told him.

"Pope didn't do it!" Kaylee defended even though it was a lie.

"Stop!" Isa told him.

JJ had had enough. "It wasn't him! It was me." Isa, Kaylee and Kie looked at him in shock, knowing he was covering for Pope, but stunned he was doing this. "He tried to talk me out of it, but I was mad because he had just been beaten up. I was so sick of those assholes on the Figure 8. I lost my shit." JJ walked toward Shoupe and Pope as the girls watched in shock. "I can't let you take the blame for what I did. You've got too much to lose."

"JJ, what are you doing?" Pope asked.

"I'm telling the truth," JJ replied. "For the first time in my goddamn life, I'm gonna tell the truth. I took his old man's boat too."

Heyward gave him a look. "What the hell?"

"JJ, come on," Pope pleaded.

"Just shut up, Pope!" JJ snapped. "Just shut up." He looked at Shoupe. "He's a good kid. You know where I'm from."

Shoupe nodded in agreement. "Yeah."

"This was all me," JJ told him.

Shoupe looked at Pope. "That's the whole truth?"

JJ nodded. "Whole truth, swear to God."

"I know what you think, damn it," Shoupe told him. "I'm asking Pope."

Pope looked at JJ, conflicted, but when JJ gave him a nod, Pope gave in. "Yeah, that about covers it."

Shoupe nodded. "Okay, then. Heyward, I'm sorry for the mistake."

Shoupe took the cuffs off Pope, and JJ turned around so he could put them on him.

Kaylee ran closer before Shoupe handcuffed JJ. "Wait."

Kaylee hugged JJ tightly.

JJ tried not to cry, knowing what could come after this with his own father, but buried that down, wrapping his arms around Kaylee, holding her close. "I'm gonna be okay, Kaylee. I promise. I'll call my dad to bail me out."

Kaylee pulled away, fearful for JJ. "You know what he'll do to you."

JJ nodded, a tear falling. "So be it."

Isa had tears in her eyes from worry and fear for JJ, walking closer so she could wrap her arms around JJ. "Don't do this."

JJ returned the embrace from his sister figure, emotional but trying not to be, giving Isa a kiss on the head. "It's gonna be okay."

Shoupe put the cuffs around JJ's wrists and put him into the back of his police car.

Kie pulled Isa and Kaylee away from JJ, holding both their hands in worry and concern, trying to be there for both of them, wrapping her arms around Isa and Kaylee on either side of her because Isa and Kaylee were emotional with thinking what JJ's father would do to him, and the fact JJ was sacrificing himself to protect Pope.

Pope was emotional as well, feeling extremely guilty.

Isa, Kie, Kaylee and Pope were frozen as they watched the police car drive away with JJ in the backseat.

Pope took off his hat, throwing it to the ground. "Shit!"

"Pope..." the girls trailed off.

Heyward picked up the hat. "Pope? Pope... Pope!"

Pope walked off inside.

Kie left her arms around Isa and Kaylee, as the three girls were completely in shock and not knowing what to do.

⚓️

Kildare Sheriff's Station

Shoupe brought JJ inside, uncuffing him. "In there, tough guy."

JJ walked into the cell. 

Shoupe closed and locked the gate.

JJ paced for a moment, before sitting down, running his hands through his hair, holding his hands to his face. He finally looked up with a stunned look on his face but the corner of his lips turning up just slightly, not knowing what to make of this.

⚓️

Ferry Dock

It was raining when Sarah and John B got off the ferry and started walking down the dock.

"Okay, so..." Sarah trailed off.

"Yes?" John B asked.

"Now that we have returned to the motherland..." Sarah trailed off. "We must revert to our real identities, so if you see me on the street--"

John B spoke in his Russian accent. "Yes, of course, I am a true, uh, professional."

They faced each other.

"It's been a pleasure working with you, comrade," Sarah told him.

John B shook her hand. "Pleasure's mine." They both looked sad about the idea of parting ways and acting like today and the day before never happened. Sarah started to walk away. John B hesitated before calling out to stop her. "Wait, wait, wait! Uh, wh--" Sarah turned back. "Really? That's it? You're just gonna walk away like this never happened?"

"Well, that's what professionals do, right?" Sarah asked.

"Sarah, I just had the best day of my life!" John B told her.

Sarah couldn't help a smile. "John B, you're gonna blow our cover."

"Look, I don't care about my cover, Sarah," John B admitted. "I don't care if my sister or my friends find out or your boyfriend with his frosted tips. Look, yesterday, I--I didn't even know who you were. And today, I'm like... Sarah Cameron." It was the first time he spoke her full name without mocking, but with understanding, clearly liking her a lot already. "And honestly, in my limited experience, that's rare. That's like--like, eclipse rare. Like a blind person seeing color for the first time rare, or like Bigfoot evidence or the Northern Lights. Look, I can't pretend like this isn't real." Sarah started walking closer. "Like this didn't happen. I'm sorry, I--"

(Song:) THE W.A.N.D. - The Flaming Lips

When Sarah reached John B, she smiled and shook her head. "Shut up." Sarah instantly kissed John B, which he kissed back to, before pulling away. "I can't pretend either."

They smiled, continuing to kiss passionately, as Sarah wrapped her arms around John B's neck.

A man walked past. "Hey, man, get a room."

Without opening her eyes or breaking the kiss, Sarah held out her hand to flip the man off, chuckling as she put her arm back around John B's neck as they continued to make out. They finally pulled away, smiling. John B brushed a bit of Sarah's hair back.

"Um..." Sarah trailed off. "It's a--it's a small island."

John B nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"So we have to be careful," Sarah told him.

John B nodded in agreement. "Yeah."

Sarah gave John B one last kiss, backing away. John B smiled, pointing finger guns at Sarah. Sarah laughed, turning around, walking away. John B turned around, smiling, leaning forward against the railing of the dock, turning his head to watch Sarah go, in shock but happy about what just happened.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Mystery Garage

A mystery man had gotten a hold of Big John's compass, wrapping it in a cloth, placing it in a box, closing it, picking up a gaff hook, carrying it to the side and placing it down in its holder, before leaving, his face never shown.