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Opening Montage

Poguelandia

Day - Beach

John B was sitting alone, watching the ocean tide.

John B: (voice over) "From the very beginning, it was always Kooks and Pogues."

⚓️

Flashback 1

Kildare Island

Tannyhill Estate - Outside

The Camerons were sitting together outside the estate, having lunch and toasting their drinks, before everything fell apart for Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, and even Rafe.

John B: (voice over) "Some people with everything."

⚓️

Flashback 2

Maybank Trailer - Outside

JJ was standing outside his trailer, looking nervously over his shoulder toward the house.

John B: (voice over) "And some with nothing."

⚓️

Flashback 3

Day - Heyward's Shop

Pope was working with his father, lifting and carrying.

Isa: (voice over) "That's the way it's always been."

⚓️

Flashback 4

Day - On the Road

Isa and John B were driving in the Twinkie.

Isa: (voice over) "And that's how they wanna keep it."

⚓️

Flashback 5

Day - Pogue Nest - Third Floor

In the treehouse behind the Carrera House, Kaylee and Kie were laying down in Kaylee's bed, gazing off at nothing.

Isa: (voice over) "As if it will ever change."

⚓️

Brief flashbacks of the show/story showed all of the Pogues fighting for survival, when it came to Rafe, Tod, Topper, Kelce, Ward, Barry, the shady men from 1.01 and 1.02, so on.

⚓️

Flashback 6

Day - Heyward's Shop - Outside

Heyward was working, wiping everything down.

John B: (voice over) "Some people make the best of it."

⚓️

Flashback from 1.08 "The Runway"

Day - Boat

Ward and Big John were fighting.

Ward pushed Big John once more, and Big John tripped over an incline in the boat behind him, falling and hitting his head hard on the edge of the boat.

John B: (voice over) "Some people fight against it."

⚓️

Flashback 7

Day - Routledge House - Big John's Office

Big John was going over his life's research.

John B: (voice over) "The Merchant gold was a part of that. For my father, Isa and me, the treasure was our way out."

⚓️

Flashback from 1.03 "The Forbidden Zone"

Night - Pogue Nest

The Pogues were listening to the tape that Big John left for his children.

Isa: (voice over) "It was how we evened the scales."

⚓️

Flashback from 1.06 "Parcel 9"

Night - On the Road

The Pogues had found the gold, which John B held a bar of in his hand, all of them cheering, screaming.

Isa: (voice over) "How the Pogues win."

The Pogues were chanting. "Full Kook, full Kook, full Kook!"

⚓️

In another flash of scenes, the Pogues were seen going through hell, sadness, anger, devastation, running and fighting for their lives, etc.

Isa: (voice over)"But at some point, you kind of have to wonder. Was the treasure an escape? Or was it a trap?"

⚓️ Worlds Colliding (Outer Banks) ⚓️

Poguelandia Montage

Day Two on the island

Kaylee awoke to the grumbling of her hungry stomach and sharp pains in her wrist, side, and leg from the wounds inflicted Macias, due to her struggles and her sacrifice to save JJ. She had barely slept, and her body was aching intensely. The physical strain she endured the day before was taking its toll, compounded by her hunger and mental instability. The adrenaline rush of the past few days had ebbed, leaving her sore, famished, weary, and mentally exhausted.

The first night in Poguelandia was undeniably rough. With scant shelter against the elements and no proper bedding, they were vulnerable. The fire had died, leaving them to wake in the cold. The sand beneath them was hard and slightly damp. The Pogues had endured a tough first night, but they were hopeful for improvement as they began to settle on their island.

Kaylee stirred at the sound of movement and voices nearby, forcing herself to move and alleviate her stiffness. Perhaps she was subconsciously dodging the realization of her body's deep-seated resentment as she groaned into a sitting position.

JJ was waxing lyrical about his latest scheme. "Sarah, you know--"

Sarah gave a preemptive nod, anticipating his next words. "Yeah, yeah, 'Stupid things have good outcomes all the time.' Heard it before, JJ."

Lia and Wheezie were sitting together against a tree, nursing their shoulder and side wounds respectively while Wheezie was writing in her journal about their Coastal Venture adventure and Lia was helping, preparing the notes for Lia's book in the future.

Wheezie looked up at JJ from their spot. "Still not a green light to act the fool."

JJ gave a nonchalant shrug. "But where's the fun in playing it safe? Nothing like some reward for risk, Wheezie."

Lia arched a skeptical eyebrow, correcting him. "You mean, risk for reward?"

JJ, oblivious to Lia's correction, beamed. "Exactly! You're surfing my brainwaves, Lia."

Sarah gave an epic eye roll. Wheezie did a face palm. Lia just shook her head, bemused.

Kaylee sat up, wincing as her muscles protested the slightest movement, realizing she was the last one awake.

Pope was attending to the fire, Cleo was etching a second tally for day two on the granite wall with an ear-piercing screech, John B was munching on a coconut, Kie and Isa were hauling wood to construct a fort, while Sarah, Wheezie and Lia intertwined fronds next to JJ, who wore the expression of someone with a wild scheme.

Pope flashed a smile at Kaylee when he saw she was awake. She mustered a weak smile in return before stretching her arms, feeling a pop in her shoulders that brought a wave of relief.

The rest were oblivious to her waking up, their backs turned to her, engrossed in their own discussions.

John B mumbled through a coconut-stuffed mouth. "I think it's a solid plan."

Isa shot John B a look of revulsion. "Really, man?" John B's grin widened, sending coconut shrapnel scattering across the sand, causing Isa to protest. "Hey, save the coconut!"

Pope chimed in, unfazed. "I'd say it's a pretty stupid idea."

Pope tossed a dismissive look JJ's way.

"Anything that smells of danger, you label as dumb," Isa drawled, bored.

Lia gave a noncommittal shrug. "Well, it's not completely without merit, but..."

Lia winced from the pain in her shoulder, a stark reminder of Eberhini's attack under Ward's command - the fact that the knife would have went into her heart instead of her shoulder if it hadn't been for Wheezie saving her life. The realization that their own father sought to kill her and her sisters weighed heavily on them, filling them with sadness.

Wheezie's pain in her side was an equally heavy reminder that the wound was meant to be a fatal wound in her stomach, only rendered a non-fatal wound in her side when Isa and Kie saved their lives.

Sarah reached out to Lia and Wheezie sadly. "Careful."

John B, Isa and Kie settled beside Lia, Wheezie and Sarah, their concern evident.

Lia, Wheezie and Sarah offered them a reassuring, thankful nod, knowing they wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the three of them.

Kie looked at Lia and Wheezie's shoulder and side wounds sadly. "No heavy lifting for you, okay?"

With a resigned sigh, Lia conceded. "Okay."

"All right," Wheezie agreed.

Kie turned to Isa firmly. "And you."

"What?" Isa asked innocently.

Kie pointed to Isa's arm, where Eberhini had left the long, jagged wound in her forearm from her elbow almost all the way to her wrist. "Until your arm heals, no heavy lifting for you either. I noticed your pain while carrying wood. We can't risk infection."

John B pushed Isa lightly in the side, giving his little sister a look. "Yeah, what the hell were you thinking? We're stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere. If that wound gets infected, we can't exactly take you to the hospital."

"I was thinking I was going to try to help," Isa answered sheepishly.

"And if that gets infected and you die?" John B replied. "How does that help anyone? That goes for Lia, Wheezie and Kaylee too."

"They're right," Sarah agreed. "We can't risk you guys getting infected and hurt."

Isa, Lia and Wheezie were frustrated yet grateful for Kie, John B and Sarah's care, sighing in agreement. The others nodded in understanding.

Kie sighed. "That's why we let Kaylee rest. She'd insist on helping otherwise."

Acknowledging the truth in Kie's words, Kaylee nodded. "You're not wrong, Kie."

All eyes turned to Kaylee, surprise etched on their faces to see her awake, except for Pope, though all looked concerned.

JJ stepped closer. "Hey."

"Kay, are you--" John B began.

"Don't ask me that question, JB," Kaylee interrupted.

John B nodded, his gaze falling.

"Don't feel bad, Kaylee," Sarah reassured her. "They asked me, Wheezie and Lia too."

Lia and Wheezie gave a nod of agreement.

Kaylee, Lia, Wheezie and Sarah exchanged sad looks, managing only slight, forced smiles.

Kie rose and approached Kaylee, sitting beside her with a worried expression.

"What are you guys talking about?" Kaylee inquired.

"Your lover boy is contemplating climbing trees for bananas," Cleo replied. "I say... we let him."

At the thought of eating something more substantial than a few berries or a coconut, Kaylee's spirits lifted.

"Don't egg him on," Pope chided Cleo with a wink, glancing back at her before surveying the group. "How about we fashion a gigantic stick, eh?"

Isa just gave a noncommittal shrug, aware that convincing JJ was a lost cause.

Silence fell over the group.

Pope turned to Kaylee with puppy dog eyes. "Kaylee, you're with me, right?"

Kaylee pursed her lips, miming a zipper action across them. She might be concerned about JJ's tree-scaling antics, but she knew better than to argue with his spontaneous nature, especially when food was at stake.

Pope let out a huff of frustration.

JJ chuckled at her silent protest, comforted by the glimpse of the old Kaylee, if only for a second.

Upon their return to the camp the previous night, Kaylee appeared utterly exhausted. The mental burden she carried was still evident, causing concern among them. They knew she was doing what she always did; pretending everything was fine to keep them from worrying, but they were aware that she would have to confront her emotions after all of her ordeals.

Kie gently wrapped an arm around Kaylee, being mindful of her wounds, while casting a glance at the Pogues.

JJ, John B, and Isa shared a look of concern, not solely for Kaylee, but also for Lia, Wheezie and Sarah, realizing that they too would eventually have to face the aftermath of Ward's actions against his daughters.

Cleo interrupted the silence, "What's the grand strategy, chief?"

JJ waved dismissively. "Strategy? Please. Climb the tree, swipe the bananas, et voilà!" He air-kissed his fingers. "Enjoy your feast!"

Pope frowned. "That's hardly a plan. What about the risks? A fall, a slip, a snapping branch? You're missing the bigger picture!"

Cleo quirked an eyebrow. "Bigger picture?"

"Your arms, my safety net," JJ retorted.

Pope's head wagged in disapproval. "Wasn't part of the deal."

John B leapt up, seized Pope's shoulder, and squatted next to him, sweeping his hand through the air dramatically. "Pope, Pope, Pope. Think of the hunger, the miraculous power of one single banana to quell it."

Prompted by her growling belly, Kie chimed in. "Pope, imagine the taste, the texture, the satisfaction of a banana within reach."

Grinning ear to ear, JJ proclaimed. "Trust me, Pope, the payoff is huge. And I'm the one doing the vine-swinging heroics."

Pope, Isa, Sarah, Wheezie and Lia remained concerned.

Kaylee, second only to JJ in recklessness among the Pogues, hesitated, her gaze drifting away.

Yet, they all gathered at the foot of the island's tallest palm tree.

JJ was visibly excited, barely able to keep still, as if the impending thrill was the greatest thing ever.

Pope, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves, almost biting his nails to the quick.

JJ made a move to leap at the trunk.

Lia caught his arm. "Don't fall."

Kaylee's lips tightened. "Oh, he's already fallen."

JJ gave Kaylee a puzzled look, uncertain of her implication.

Kaylee seemed to realize she had spoken without intending to, her mind elsewhere.

JJ began his ascent.

"Be safe!" John B teased, flashing a dramatic thumbs up.

"Don't worry, I'll be the epitome of safety!" JJ shot back.

Isa couldn't help but snicker. "Asshole."

With a mischievous grin, Cleo whipped out her knife, gave it a twirl, and passed it to JJ. "Try not to die."

JJ grasped the knife, biting down on the metal, and leapt onto the trunk with enthusiasm, hugging the wood tightly. His knees formed a right angle as he pushed himself up and started to climb the palm tree.

Kaylee observed JJ intently, a sense of unease growing within her. It was a subtle presence, almost imperceptible, yet it persisted, and she found it unsettling. The feelings of paranoia, fear, and the need for caution were alien to her nature, gnawing at her despite her efforts to ignore them.

JJ's cheers of thrill filled the air as he ascended higher. Now six meters above the ground, the Pogues stretched their necks to see him. They envied the spectacular view he must have had, with still three meters to go before reaching the tempting bunch of bananas.

The tree held firm, supporting JJ's weight. His movements up the tree were smooth and impressively deliberate. He climbed with such fluidity, until suddenly, he didn't.

Kaylee was the first to detect the change in his pace. JJ's climb had become slower, less efficient, and even from a distance, she could discern the pained expression on his face.

JJ clenched his jaw, the cold silver of the knife pressed harder against his teeth as a sudden, unexpected pounding in his head caused slight disorientation. His grip remained firm, but the dizzying haze that enveloped him was impeding his progress. Blinded, he cursed the timing of this affliction at such a perilous height. Only Kaylee seemed to grasp the gravity of his current, hazardous situation.

"Jayj?" Kaylee's voice carried a note of concern when he halted abruptly, just a meter shy of his determined objective. "Jayj?" A sense of dread filled her when he remained silent. She watched him remove Cleo's knife from his mouth, his other hand gripping the rough wooden surface as if his life depended on it. He pressed the hand with the blade to his left temple, hissing in pain. Fear escalated in Kaylee's voice. "JJ, you need to come down!"

The gravity of the perilous situation dawned on everyone.

"I'm fine," JJ insisted through clenched teeth, pushing onward, fighting the pounding in his head. Barely a meter to go. "Come on."

Isa ran a hand through her hair in distress. "JJ, stop! It's not fucking worth it!"

Just two feet more.

Cleo shook her head in disbelief. "The man's lost it."

JJ, predictably, ignored the warnings, and Kaylee started pacing. Her gaze was fixed on JJ's retreating figure. She noticed his slight stagger, his unnervingly off-balance appearance. Her heart pounded in her chest.

"I knew this was a terrible idea!" Pope exclaimed in a panic, his hands flying to his head.

"Pope, that's not helpful!" Sarah retorted, her eyes wide with fear as she observed JJ sway to the left with every step he climbed. "JJ?"

"JJ, please listen to us," Lia implored, her concern evident.

"Please get down, JJ," Wheezie pleaded.

"Get your ass down here, now," Kie ordered like the mother figure to the Pogues she was.

Kaylee released a trembling breath, her hands quivering.

John B caught sight of her condition while the rest were fixated on JJ, sharing the group's concern but recognizing that her distress was far more acute due to the trauma she had experienced. "Kaylee, hey, it's going to be alright. JJ's going to make it."

Isa gazed at her best friend with concern. "Kaylee?"

Unable to respond, Kaylee's gaze remained locked on JJ.

One foot.

JJ attempted to regulate his breathing. He strove to remain steady and concentrate on the task at hand, though it proved challenging. His head felt increasingly light. Determined to finish, he mustered one last effort to hoist himself up, and there they were. The bananas. Breathing heavily, he cut the bananas from the palm tree and leaned against the trunk, listening as they hit the ground with a thud. Despite the pain, he smiled faintly at the sound.

As JJ's vision wavered and his balance faltered, he inadvertently let go of Cleo's knife.

Sarah looked on, alarmed. "Watch out!"

The Pogues scrambled out of the way as the blade plummeted, skewering the sand where Kie had just been standing. They were frozen for a split second at the sight before their fear for JJ surged anew.

Kaylee watched, horrified.

JJ clung to the tree as if his life depended on it, which it did. He started to sway.

Kaylee was seized by the same petrified feeling that had gripped her when she saw him facedown in the ocean, unresponsive. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, tears pressing forward from the back of her eyes. "JJ!"

Lia had an idea. "Get the dinghy!" She sprinted toward the small boat, casting a desperate glance over her shoulder, hoping JJ would cling on long enough. "Come on!"

The other Pogues took Lia's cue, racing to the grey dinghy about 40 feet away. Their actions were frantic as they lifted it with considerable effort. Together, they hoisted it onto their shoulders.

"Hold on, JJ!" Wheezie shouted, straining under the weight of the dinghy.

JJ's blond hair clung to his sweaty forehead as he gasped for air. His knuckles turned white from gripping the tree so tightly. The world seemed to sway, and his brain felt like it was being squeezed, his skull on the verge of caving in. It was as if a truck repeatedly slammed into his left temple. Dizzy and veering to the left, his mind was cloudy, his vision unfocused. Suddenly, he lost his grip, and his eyes flew open when he no longer felt the tree against his chest.

A deafening scream pierced the wind rushing past his ears as JJ fell, bracing for the shattering impact or the void of nothingness.

But the Pogues had maneuvered the dinghy just in time to catch him, saving his life. The impact still shook JJ's bones, and he was cradled by the net for a mere heartbeat before he rebounded, soaring a foot into the air, then crashing into Kaylee. A cough erupted from him as they hit the ground, bringing down the rest of the Pogues with their combined weight, screams mingling in the chaos.

Wincing, JJ barely managed to lift his head, his gaze falling on Kaylee's curls. Realizing he had landed on her, his head having rammed into her stomach, he saw she was winded and in pain, her wound from the gaff hook in her side starting to bleed. Aware that he was lying on her, his left arm over her abdomen, his head on her stomach, and knowing he must have exacerbated her pain, he quickly released her and moved off, though his throbbing head forced him to move slowly. Kaylee groaned sharply as he rolled away, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to draw air back into her lungs.

JJ noticed Kaylee was bleeding again and quickly removed his white tank top. "Shit, Kaylee..."

Unable to speak while catching her breath, Kaylee remained silent as JJ pressed his tank against her wounds to slow the bleeding.

Isa, Kie, Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, John B, Cleo, and Pope rose, looking over with concern.

"Are you guys okay?" Cleo inquired.

Regaining enough breath to muster sarcasm, Kaylee gave a mock thumbs-up. "Never better."

Kie moved closer to assist Kaylee in sitting up. "Hey, you're okay."

Isa approached to aid JJ with Kaylee's injury, her own arm wound barely improved after their collective fall. "Here. Take it easy, you two, okay?"

"Yes, Mom," JJ responded, his concern for Kaylee overshadowing any real sarcasm.

Lia winced as she tested her shoulder, sore from the impact. "Ow."

Sarah cast a worried glance at her sister. "Damn, Lia." She reached for her other sister. "Wheezie..."

Wheezie winced as she looked down at her side. "I'm fine."

John B covered his mouth with a hand, uncertain of what to do next since they lacked resources to treat JJ, Kaylee, Wheezie, Isa and Lia's injuries. "Jesus."

Kie's gaze shifted from Kaylee's injuries to Wheezie, Isa and Lia's, and then to JJ's head, which was bleeding once more. "What the hell do we do?"

Pope was concerned. "I think I can make bandages out of leaves, but it's going to take some time."

"They don't have time, Pope," Cleo remarked.

"We'll make it work," John B reassured them.

Pope nodded solemnly. "We have to."

⚓️

Later

(Song:) Now That We're Alone - The People's Thieves

Following the turmoil, everyone gathered around the firepit. They were weary and bruised, yet they found solace in their reward: a bunch of bananas. There were at least 20 in total, and all but Kaylee had begun to indulge in the trove.

Kaylee, Isa, Lia, Wheezie, and JJ still had bleeding wounds.

JJ was helping Kaylee take care of her wounds, while John B, Kie and Sarah were on team Isa, Wheezie, and Lia.

JJ, in his typical fashion, ignored his own gory accessory; a crimson line meandering from his hairline, taking a scenic route down his cheek, and settling with a flourish under his jaw.

Kaylee, not one to let it slide, commandeered JJ's bandana, gave it a quick baptism, and dabbed at his head.

JJ tried to dodge, emitting with a whine. "I'm good, really."

"Nice try," Kaylee shot back, her grip on him as unyielding as superglue. "And kudos for the 'near-death experience' plan. Really spiced things up. As if we don't get enough of those around here."

JJ offered a sheepish nod, the embodiment of 'oops.'

The other Pogues could only muster a faint chuckle as they observed JJ reluctantly let Kaylee press the bandana to his head, her elbow resting on his shoulder. His face showed displeasure, yet he made no complaint, quietly relishing the proximity to her, his shirt still pressed against the wound on Kaylee's side. Their eyes met, both silently grappling with the aftermath of the ordeal on the ship, each far from being as fine as they pretended.

John B, Kie and Sarah succeeded in halting the bleeding of Isa, Wheezie and Lia's injuries, and eventually, Kaylee and JJ did the same for each other. Meanwhile, Pope, and Cleo looked on worriedly as they prepared the leaf bandages, then handed them over to help prevent the wounds from bleeding anew.

"I can't guarantee their effectiveness, but we've done our best," Pope said to them.

"Thanks, Pope," Wheezie responded, with a nod from Pope in return.

Sarah worried over Kaylee, Isa, Lia, Wheezie, and JJ's wounds. "What if they get infected?"

Isa waved off the concern. "Ah, no, nope. We're not going there again."

"Seriously, Isa," John B said.

"Chill, John B, we're superheroes, remember?" Isa quipped back. "Can't kill a Pogue."

Kie was playing the part of the cool-headed one, trying to keep Kaylee, JJ, Isa, Wheezie, and Lia from panicking. "They'll be okay. We're tougher than that."

"Crazy," Cleo whispered under her breath.

Kaylee's gaze drifted downwards, lost in thought.

"Kaylee, you need to eat something," Lia said gently.

JJ picked up the two remaining bananas intended for Kaylee and handed them to her with a meaningful glance.

Kaylee sighed, accepted the bananas, and began to eat. "Thanks."

JJ nodded, disliking the emotional distance between them despite their physical proximity, yet understanding that it was a realistic reaction considering what she had endured.

Sarah swiftly shifted the conversation, aiming to lift everyone's spirits. "How about a game of truth or truth?"

JJ made a face. "What happened to the dare?"

Kie gave him a look. "The last thing we need is more of your daredevil stunts today, JJ."

"Count me in," John B declared.

"Me as well," Cleo chimed in.

Isa gave a nonchalant shrug. "Sure, why not?"

Pope lobbed a banana peel towards the growing mound by the firepit. "I'm game."

"Ditto," Lia concurred.

"Let's do it," Wheezie agreed.

With a grin, Sarah turned to Kaylee. "So, Kaylee, truth or truth?"

Heaving a sigh, Kaylee conceded. "Not like there's a buffet of options. Truth it is."

Sarah looked up. "What's your fondest memory of the Pogues?"

Kaylee glanced at JJ, John B, and Isa, then looked down, pondering. It was hard to pick just one moment from so many. "You're asking a lot, Sarah. But one memory stands out. John B, JJ, Kie, and Pope were around 13, and Isa and I were 12. It was New Year's Eve at the Chateau." John B, JJ, Kie, Isa, and Pope all smiled softly, lost in nostalgia. "Big John had given us sparklers for the celebration, and we couldn't wait to light them."

"Kaylee was especially overexcited," Isa chimed in.

"Kaylee and fire?" Pope questioned. "That's a recipe for disaster."

Wheezie, Lia and Sarah smiled, acknowledging the sentiment.

"Big John had gone inside to get the lighter, leaving us on the dock with our unlit sparklers," JJ recounted.

Kaylee tilted her head. "He didn't know I'd taken my dad's lighter earlier and didn't plan on waiting. Things are more fun without adult supervision, right?"

The group erupted in laughter.

John B motioned to the younger Carrera girl. "And Kaylee, the pyromaniac that she is..."

Wheezie, Lia, Sarah, and Cleo were all ears, nostalgically wishing for the joys of their childhood, yet they couldn't help but revel in the group's charm.

Kaylee flashed a mischievous grin. "Obviously, I lit mine up despite Pope's nagging to hold off."

"Typical, you never listen," Pope remarked, his voice light with amusement.

"Nothing's changed," Kie chimed in, a playful smirk on her lips.

Kaylee gave a nonchalant shrug. "So there I was, sparkler blazing, feeling like a wizard. I remember the fizz and pop. Kie was next, pleading for me to light hers. I did, lighter in hand, but we all ignored the firework I was holding. Suddenly, John B's shirt was ablaze, and we're all freaking out, clueless on what the fuck to do."

Laughter erupted, a shared moment of mirth. Imagining a young John B, shirt aflame, while Isa, Kaylee, Pope, JJ, and Kie panicked was comically vivid.

"I did the only sensible thing," John B recounted. "I yeeted myself off the pier into the marsh."

John B winked at Sarah.

Sarah massaged her forehead, the inside joke causing a mix of amusement and embarrassment.

Isa and Lia grinned, recalling Sarah's infamous words, "Did you guys just yeet over that chain?"

Pope shook his head, amused. "Isa, JJ, and I rushed to the dock's edge to check on John B, and thankfully, he was fine."

"Then Kie and Kaylee crept up behind us and pushed us in," Isa added.

"And Isa managed to snatch our wrists, pulling us down with her," Kie concluded.

JJ grinned. "We splashed in the marsh, laughing carefree as the clock struck midnight and the new year rolled in. It was an unforgettable moment."

Lia beamed. "Sounds incredible."

Isa nodded. "Yeah, it was."

As their tale came to a close, they looked around at the family gathered before them and the island, their island, which they now considered home.

Their gratitude was boundless.

⚓️

Night - Beach

After nightfall on the beach of the island, Kaylee was sitting alone, reeling from what happened.

Isa walked up to her, sitting down next to her. "Kaylee?"

Kaylee jumped slightly. "Hey, Isa."

"I'm sorry," Isa admitted. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Kaylee shook her head. "It's okay." Isa closed her eyes, not wanting to push. "If you bite your tongue any harder, you're going to bleed. Just out with it."

"I'm not going to ask the question because I know you're not," Isa told her. "I just wanted to help make sure that you will be okay. Eventually. Like, if you need to scream or fight or any of that bullshit. Or just talk. I'm here."

Kaylee looked at her best friend with appreciation. "You always are." Isa nodded. Kaylee had tears in her eyes. "You're right. I'm not okay. I wanted to be, but... I can't just pretend that everything's okay this time. Not after all that."

"I know," Isa agreed. "You don't have to be so strong, you know. It's okay not to be for a while. We're safe here, you know? Nothing's coming to get us. We can just... relax."

Kaylee looked down, a couple tears falling. "Yeah. But I couldn't earlier."

"I know JJ scared the hell out of you," Isa told her. "He scared the hell out of all of us."

"Yeah," Kaylee agreed. "But it wasn't his fault." She took a deep breath. "I can still feel how heavy it was. His weight bearing down on me when we were in the water, after he got hurt so fucking badly. And I was losing blood that I couldn't keep us up any longer because I took the shot Macias meant for JJ. But I wouldn't never let him go even if it cost me my own life. I'd rather go down with him."

Isa looked at her sadly, nodding knowingly. "I know. You love him so much. Just as much as he loves you."

Kaylee swallowed slightly. "It's my fault. Everything..."

"What are you talking about?" Isa asked in concern. "No, it's not. It's not your fault, Kaylee. Or JJ's. Not even close. Don't ever think like that. Nothing that happened with Tod, his parents, or your parents, or Luke, or Rafe or Macias is your fault. You can't let yourself think like that, or else they win. And you're too fucking strong to let them win. I know you went through hell, and you had to come out different, but you're still you. You're still Kaylee Carrera. You're still our best friend. And there's nothing that you wouldn't do for us. And there's nothing that we wouldn't do for you."

Kaylee looked at Isa, almost crying, nodding slightly, definitely needing to hear those words. Isa wrapped her arms around Kaylee, both of them holding each other close, mindful of each other's wounds.

Further away on the beach, JJ and John B were watching Isa and Kaylee, keeping an eye on them, and Lia, Wheezie and Sarah across the way, knowing that they all got seriously hurt in what happened, worried about them all.

Kie and Pope were helping Cleo with makeshift beds so that they could go to sleep soon, but Kie and Pope kept glancing over at the others as well in concern.

JJ was aware of Kaylee's silence and reserve since their arrival on the island, recognizing that her distress went beyond physical injuries and understanding its cause, yet he was uncertain how to approach such a torturous subject for them both.

John B glanced at JJ. "You shouldn't try to sleep again, like last night. Pope said you shouldn't, given the concussion."

JJ, without diverting his gaze from Kaylee, ran a hand through his hair, grimacing as he touched the new injury. "Sleeping isn't an option for me anyway."

Silence lingered between them, their attention fixed on the girls, marked by worry.

Kaylee confided in Isa her need for solitude, which Isa respected, leaving to afford her the needed space.

Resting her forehead on her arms atop her drawn-up knees, Kaylee's defeated and weary appearance weighed heavily on JJ's heart.

John B shared the sentiment. "Yesterday, we nearly lost it all."

"Are Wheezie, Lia and Sarah coping with Ward's trying to kill them?" JJ inquired.

"Far from it," John B replied. "But Isa, Kie, and I are doing our best to support them. Sarah and Wheezie, naturally, are more concerned for Lia's well-being, considering her mental state."

JJ nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we all are."

John B looked down. "Kaylee too."

JJ looked down as well. "Yeah." He attempted to lighten the mood, despising the sense of hopelessness that settled over them after the events; his tone was weary yet tinged with amusement. "You can't be a Pogue without the thrill of living on the edge."

John B remained somber, his expression unreadable.

JJ shifted his gaze away, falling into silence.

John B's gaze dropped to the sand, his fingers sifting through the grains. "I'm not sure how long you two were in the water, but Kay did everything to keep you both afloat. I've never seen her like that before. She was prepared to go down with you, no matter what. If we didn't get there when we did..."

JJ's play with his ring ceased, and he caught his breath. "What?"

John B's frown deepened. "You don't know?" He paused, realizing. "You don't know. Of course, not; you were unconscious."

JJ's resolve nearly shattered knowing that Kaylee had almost died alongside him, especially when he felt unworthy of such sacrifice. He understood that her pain stemmed not only from her wounds but also from the trauma and turmoil, as she struggled to keep them afloat while bleeding out.

Fury simmered within JJ at the thought of everything that nearly led to their deaths. Yet, there was solace in the knowledge that their love was so profound that he would board a ship to save her, and she would willingly sink with him into the ocean's depths.

Snapped back to reality by John B's strained voice, JJ teetered on the edge of his own emotional breakdown.

"Losing both of you would have devastated everyone," John B had said, revealing the root of Kaylee's earlier panic. "I know that was why she was freaking out earlier."

With a slight nod and a hard swallow, JJ felt at a loss on how to support his friends, his family. Struggling to contain his emotions, he blinked rapidly to hold back tears. Clearing his throat, he draped an arm around John B's shoulders, offering a smile that was both pained and genuine. "Yeah, well, you can't kill a Pogue, especially to water, JB. At this point, we might as well be fucking immortal."

John B's laughter was empty yet carried a hint of amusement. He reciprocated the brotherly gesture with gentle pats on JJ's neck, cherishing the fact that they had all survived, despite being battered, bruised, weary, and wounded, but importantly, alive. "Yeah. Might as well fucking be."

JJ let John B ground him for a moment. The touch anchored him, preventing his mind from spiraling into madness. Pain throbbed in his head, his heart ached, and his eyes stung with residual tears. Yet, he recognized the necessity to suppress these feelings and confront Kaylee, so he exhaled deeply.

"I'm going to talk to her," JJ declared.

John B gave a nod of understanding and patted JJ's neck once again.

⚓️

Shoreline

Lia stood at the shoreline, on the water's edge; it was warm and inviting. She followed it, as the water reached her knees. She wanted to get across to the waves how lost and broken and worthless she felt, wondering if the sea already knew, as the waves pushed up onto her, pulling back, as if beckoning to her.

Sarah and Wheezie walked closer, noticing Lia completely zoned out and dissociated as she laid down over the water, knowing that she was about to be swept away, grabbing her, pulling her back. "Lia?"

Lia's eyes stayed fixated on the roaring ocean, her hair knotted.

Sarah grasped Lia's uninjured shoulder, shaking her slightly, worriedly. "Lia."

Lia finally snapped out of it, closing her eyes, taking in a long breath. She opened her eyes, stunned and out of it. "Sarah? Wheezie?" She realized what just happened. "Oh, my God, I'm sorry."

Wheezie shook her head in concern. "You don't have to say sorry. Please, just--just don't do that again. Are you okay?"

Lia frowned. "I don't know. I just wanted to swim."

Sarah gave her a look. "You just wanted to swim? But the ocean's so rocky right now. You know, you probably could've died."

Lia was incredibly out of it, not sure where her mind was. "Actually, I did die."

Sarah tilted her head, not liking the reminder of Lia being shot and her heart stopping for over a minute, but she and Wheezie were worried because Lia didn't even seem to be aware of what she was saying.

Lia frowned. "And there are, like, probably a million alternate universes where I died in those waves. I could've drowned there. But, in our reality, I walked into the sea and you dragged me out."

Wheezie took a shaky breath. "Yeah. I mean, if we didn't drag you out, the waves would've crashed over you completely. And you just kept going deeper and deeper into the water. You're not okay."

"I know that, Wheezie," Lia told her vacantly. "We've all known that. I was hoping that the effects of the medicine would've been a little longer lasting. But I wasn't on them for more than a couple of hours this time. The right kind. And now... out here... there's nothing to help. But I don't want to go back."

This was one of the only things Sarah could relate to over Lia's unstable moment. "I don't know if I want to, either."

Wheezie looked up at the moon. "We're safe here, Sarah. Aren't we?"

Sarah wrapped her arms around Wheezie and Lia gently, comfortingly. "Yeah, we are. I won't let anything hurt either of you again."

⚓️

Elsewhere

Sitting on the edge of the beach, Kaylee felt her throat tighten as she recalled everything that led her here within the last few days.

A mere three days ago, Tod had drugged her on the cliff top and tried to assault her. Kaylee had stabbed him and burned him alive. She still didn't feel remorse about it, though that caused her to feel guilt because she didn't. The power she felt instead was both exhilarating and terrifying.

The next day, hearing her parents Mike and Anna claim her as a monster and no longer her daughter but as a murderer just as she was stealing her father's truck. Helping JJ aid and abet his criminal, abusive father Luke in his getaway... Luke's cruel and sinister words about her family, about Tod's death, pushing her to the brink and causing her to lash out until she smashed his nose with her elbow, shattering his nose and filling the backseat of her father's truck with his blood, yet she felt powerful and in control as she challenged him to come at her with the box cutter and took it from him before he could. She remembered the fear in Luke's eyes as he realized just how unhinged Kaylee could be if she truly let herself be, and that thought filled her with satisfaction and terror all in one. She remembered crashing Mike's truck, leaving the scene of the accident, Sheriff Shoupe picking her and Kie up and forcing them to go to the station on the orders of their parents... where Mike and Anna made it clear that they were completely turning their backs on Kaylee and turning her in for Tod's "murder", as they never believed her when she told them about his abusive and rapist nature toward her, so of course they didn't believe her or Kie when they told them that what Kaylee did was in self-defense. Mike and Anna had allowed a mob to gather around outside of the station, led by Tod's grieving and crazy parents, all who wanted to watch Kaylee fry for what she did, and her own parents didn't defend her. Rafe of all people had to come to her defense to try and get through to Shoupe and use his family connections to buy Kaylee time and save her from the so-called justice system, but Mike and Anna's unwillingness to listen started and Rafe pointing out that Tod was the monster who got what he deserved started a riot that almost got Kaylee killed, until Rafe and Kie bought Kaylee time to run. Kaylee remembered the violence, the look in everyone's eyes as they hunted her down and she was forced to run into the woods. The way Tod's mother had clawed at her face like a rabid animal. The way Tod's father chased her down, tackled her, called her a murderous bitch who deserved a worse death than even his son did just before he tried to kill her, causing Kaylee to use her aerosol spray and lighter to burn his face enough to escape. Kaylee would not have been able to get away from Tod's father and the police alike if it hadn't been for Rafe finding her and offering her safety, which she allowed, which led to Rafe taking her to the Coastal Venture where everything else went down.

The next day, Kaylee remembered Rafe protecting her and being by her side while on the ship, comforting her in his own way while he was trying to become a better person, separated from his own inner darkness as they both struggled to find that middle ground they both discussed finding. He offered her a whole life away from Outer Banks where she would be safe from Tod's parents and the revenge they would take, protected from her parents and the betrayal they made, hidden from the police that wanted to take her in. While the offer was tempting, Kaylee would never turn her back on the Pogues - her real family who had never turned their back on her; her sister Kie, her boyfriend JJ, and all the rest. All of whom were on the ship and ready to protect Kaylee, and Lia, Sarah and Wheezie from Ward and the rest of the ship, who were all known to be dangerous and deadly to stowaways and runaways.

Kaylee remembered playing the game of chase with Rafe, the feeling of freedom and distraction it brought from everything that plagued her while it simultaneously helped her find her Pogues and helped her distract the ship's crew to protect them from being found even though it meant putting everything on the line for them again. Rafe knew the entire time what she was up to and didn't put her or the Pogues at risk, instead protecting Kaylee when she was almost discovered by Macias who had already had it out for her. Even Rafe's confession about how he knew about the Pogues being there the entire time and how he didn't care that Kaylee was distracting him because he wanted more time with her before she left with the Pogues was replaying in her mind. She knew he had the cross, but he had lost everything else, and she couldn't help but feel a little conflicted after all he had done to help save her and protect her despite everything in their past. She knew that he had aimed the gun at them, but it was after he had found Ward's prone, nearly dead body, and he didn't pull the trigger. He had dropped the gun.

Kaylee still loved JJ more than anything. Her reunion with him meant more than words could express. They faced off with Macias, realizing that he had been harmed by Rafe with a gaff hook - as Rafe wanted to try and ensure that Macias couldn't go after Kaylee until she was off of the ship but Macias woke up before she had been able to get off. Yet, all that mattered in that moment was survival as Macias came after them with a machete... and struck JJ in the head with his blade and sent him into the ocean where he nearly drowned. Kaylee remembered taking Macias's machete and instantly driving it into his stomach, leaving him for dead before jumping into the ocean to save the boy she loved. With her wounds in her ankle, side and wrist, she was bleeding out and losing strength fast, but she would have rather died than let go of JJ. They both would have died together in the end if the Pogues hadn't saved them.

JJ walked towards Kaylee, his footsteps heavy and purposeful on the sand. Kaylee sat huddled by the water's edge, her curls a tangled mess cascading over her face like a dark shroud. The grains of sand clung to her skin and hair, a gritty reminder of the horrors they had faced together just hours before. Her body trembled with exhaustion and pent-up emotion, as though she were holding back a dam of tears ready to burst at any moment.

As JJ approached her, Kaylee lifted her head slowly, revealing her vulnerable state. Her usually radiant face was now marked with despondency, the gold flecks in her eyes dulled with sadness and fear. JJ could feel his chest tighten with anger, seeing the strong and fearless girl he loved reduced to this fragile state.

JJ sat down next to Kaylee without a word, leaving a small gap between them out of respect for her need for space. But he couldn't turn away from her, couldn't let her suffer in silence like he knew all too well.

"Hi," Kaylee whispered, barely audible over the crashing waves.

But JJ didn't look at her, his gaze fixed on the stars above as he traced imaginary patterns with his eyes. "Hey."

Kaylee cleared her throat, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy. She straightened up, briefly brushing against JJ's shoulder. It was clear that he wasn't buying her act, that he could see through her lies. But still she tried to push him away, not wanting to burden him with her pain.

"Talk to me, Kay," JJ urged gently, sensing the weight of unspoken emotions between them.

Kaylee couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze, instead focusing on twirling the friendship bracelet on her wrist - identical to JJ's - as if it were a lifeline keeping her anchored in this chaotic world. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

JJ shook his head, refusing to believe her. "Stop with the bullshit, Kaylee. I may be a bit out of it right now, but I can still spot a lie when I hear one."

Despite her best efforts to avoid it, Kaylee's eyes flicked briefly to the dried blood at his hairline, and JJ caught her gaze.

Cursing under her breath, Kaylee quickly looked away, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill over again. She didn't want him to see her weakness, her pain.

An uncomfortable silence stretched between them, the distance feeling impossibly wide.

JJ wanted to offer comfort, to reach out and hold her, but he hesitated. He didn't want to push her away, knowing she was already hurting and on edge. He didn't want to risk making things worse by saying the wrong thing, struggling to find the right approach that would allow him to be there for her.

After a long moment, Kaylee finally broke the silence. "I... we almost lost you, JJ." Her voice quivered with emotion as she struggled to continue. "And it's my fault... because of Macias being after me. He ended up hurting you... if not for me, you wouldn't have fallen overboard and nearly drowned."

Just like how JJ didn't believe he was worth Kaylee sacrificing herself for him, she didn't think she was worthy of his sacrifice either to come save her. But they were both wrong; they both knew that they were each other's anchor and lifeline, willing to do whatever it took to keep the other safe and alive, no matter the cost.

Kaylee looked down. "I almost killed Macias. Hell, I probably did. After he sent you overboard. Just like I killed Tod. Even hurting your dad. And the police station riot, I almost killed Tod's father when he came after me, forcing me to go with Rafe willingly to that ship. All of this is my fault."

JJ recoiled visibly. "What the fuck, Kay? You can't be serious. You're joking, right?" But when he looked at her, he saw the truth. The tears she had been holding back were now cascading down her face, raw and pained. "Kaylee..."

Kaylee's jaw tensed as she closed her eyes, a sniffle edged with frustration escaping her; she didn't want to cry, especially not in front of him. In her mind, it was her fault; she was the monster in this scenario, and she believed she had no right to be upset, hastily wiping away her tears, exhaling shakily. "Don't."

Seeing Kaylee like this nearly tore JJ apart.

JJ reached out, his fingers gently brushing away the tears that slipped down Kaylee's cheeks.

"No, you listen to me," JJ said softly, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "You didn't ask for any of this. You didn't ask for Tod or his parents to come after you or for Macias to make you his target. You fought back because you had to. You survived."

Kaylee shook her head, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "But at what cost, JJ? I hurt people - people who didn't deserve it."

"All of them deserved it," JJ retorted.

Kaylee shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I'm not a hero. I'm just..."

"Just what?" JJ pressed, his eyes fierce with conviction as he searched her face for understanding. "Just a girl who stood up for herself? Just someone who took matters into her own hands when no one else would? What else were you supposed to do?"

"I don't know!" Kaylee cried, the weight of her emotions spilling over in a rush.

JJ cupped her chin, making her meet his gaze. "You fought back when everyone was trying to take everything from you. And that doesn't make you a monster, Kaylee. It makes you human."

Kaylee shook her head, fresh tears spilling over as she tried to look away from the concern etched across his features. "But what if I can't come back from this? What if I'm just... broken now?"

"Then we'll fix it together," JJ vowed, his voice steady and earnest. "I promise you, I'm not going anywhere."

JJ brushed his thumb against Kaylee's cheek, wiping away her tears with a tenderness that only seemed to deepen the ache in her heart.

"But what if I hurt someone again?" Kaylee whispered, fear lacing her words.

"You won't," JJ said firmly. "You have us, Kaylee. We're a team. You're not alone in this." He leaned closer, their foreheads touching, grounding her in that moment. "I won't let you lose yourself to this darkness. You're stronger than you think. Remember how you faced Tod? You didn't let him win. You didn't let his father win, or Macias either. Everything you did was to protect yourself or others. Don't let anyone else tell you that makes you less than who you are."

Kaylee swallowed hard, the warmth of JJ's reassurance wrapping around her like a shield against the encroaching fears. "But I still did things... horrible things."

"Things you had to do to survive," JJ insisted gently, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made Kaylee's heart race. "It doesn't define who you are. You're still the girl who lights up my world, who laughs at my terrible jokes, who stands up for what she believes in. That's who you are."

A flicker of hope sparked within Kaylee at his words, but doubt and heaviness still lingered. "What if my past keeps coming back to haunt me? We're safe here on the island, but if we ever go back home... if they never see it that way..."

JJ took a deep breath, leaning closer to her. "Let them talk. The people who really matter know who you are - what you're capable of. You've faced down real monsters, and you've won. You're a survivor. And you are in no way responsible for what Macias did to me. I promise. I don't regret anything I did on that ship to protect you. I'd take a hit from a machete any day if it meant saving you. Just like you did for me."

Kaylee couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could he still be so willing to sacrifice so much for her?

Kaylee dropped her head, feeling defeated and drained of energy, her back shuddering. The events of the last couple of days had drained her of all her energy, both physically and mentally.

As she wiped away the tears that continued to fall, Kaylee couldn't help but remember how close they had come to losing each other. "Just seeing you face down in the water... I thought I had lost you." JJ didn't think his heart could shatter any more than it already had as Kaylee continued. "I tried so hard to keep us both afloat. I was so tired, but I would never have let you go. Not if it fucking killed me."

JJ fiddled with his ring, his throat tightening. His eyes seemed to burn, and his chest felt heavy as if filled with cement. This was the strongest urge he had to cry tonight. Hearing her say aloud that she would have died with him struck JJ deeply.

JJ whispered, barely loud enough for her to hear. "How long were we in the water?"

Kaylee looked at him, confused. "What?"

JJ gazed at her. "When I was out, how long did you keep us going while you were bleeding out?" Kaylee remained silent. "Kay."

Kaylee met his gaze before embracing him. JJ was slightly taken aback but immensely relieved she initiated the contact, reciprocating the hug with a gentle yet firm hold, cautious of not causing her further harm.

"Never do that again," JJ whispered into her hair.

"You can't stop me," Kaylee responded with a hint of playful defiance in her voice.

While he was relieved to hear that playful and defiant side of her, to know that it wasn't gone, JJ pulled back to look at Kaylee, cupping her cheek in his hand, their faces mere inches apart, his tone serious. "I mean it, Carrera. Don't ever sacrifice yourself for me. With the machete or the ocean."

Kaylee couldn't help but feel a pang at his words. He was ready to give up his life for her, and he didn't even want her to consider doing the same, especially having done so twice.

Kaylee frowned. "But you were willing to do the same for me. Do you think I wouldn't do it again just because you asked me to? I know you would do it again for me even if I begged you not to."

JJ remained silent, unable to deny her words. He could only offer a weak chuckle as they both looked at each other, still shaken and regretful over what happened.

Finally, Kaylee spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

The vulnerability in JJ's eyes was evident as he responded in a hushed tone, teetering on the edge of tears. "No, thank you."

They stood there in each other's embrace for a while longer, neither one wanting to let go just yet.

"I'm so glad you're okay, JJ," Kaylee said, her voice filled with emotion and gratitude.

"Me too," JJ replied sincerely before pulling her in for another hug, both of them silently thankful that they had made it out alive. JJ closed his eyes, a wave of relief washing over him as he sensed Kaylee's tension beginning to ease, if only slightly. "Everything's fine now, Kay. You're safe. We all are."

They remained seated, watching the whitecaps crash onto the sand, losing track of time until a yawn escaped Kaylee.

JJ's smirk emerged when Kaylee muttered a curse, trying to hide her fatigue. "Go to sleep. I know you're exhausted."

Rising to his feet, no longer feeling the dizziness, JJ extended his hand to Kaylee. She accepted it, letting him pull her to her feet and into a closer embrace. Surprised and still on edge, Kaylee soon relaxed, encircling his neck with her arms and resting her head on his shoulder, both reluctant to let go.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Next Day

Morning - Poguelandia

(Song:) Wonderland - Axel Johansson

Once everyone got through the night and into the next morning, it wasn't much better for them mentally or physically as they all still had a lot of recovering to do.

Lia was out by the water again, but this time, it was when the waves were mostly calm, and she wasn't completely out of it like the night before, sitting on the sand and looking out over the waves.

Isa and Kie walked over to Lia, sitting next to her.

"Hey, been looking for you," Kie told her.

Lia looked at them. "Just needed to get away from everyone, everything. Process everything. Everything's just been so... crazy."

"Tell me about it," Isa agreed. "Are we considered everyone? Need some time away from us?"

Lia smirked, linking her arms around theirs on either side of her. "Never."

Their arms linked as they smiled at each other, Isa, Lia and Kie looked out over the water, taking a moment just to relax and find peace for themselves for a single second.

Eventually, Kie stood. 'We should probably head back."

Isa and Kie turned to go.

Lia hesitated. "Isa? Kie?" They turned back. "Before we go, I just wanted a moment for us. To be normal again. To just feel... like us. Not just us with the Pogues. But us three."

Isa and Kie exchanged a look, smiling knowingly.

"What do you say, Isa?" Kie asked.

"I say hell yeah," Isa answered.

Kie nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that too."

Isa took Lia and Kie's hands, guiding them closer, the three smiling small smiles at each other. Isa cupped Lia's cheek before kissing her sweetly, gently, caring and careful, but still holding all their passion. When they pulled away, Lia turned to kiss Kie, both of them cupping each other's cheeks as they repeated a kiss with the same amount of love and emotion. When they pulled away, Lia held a hand to the back of both Isa and Kie's heads, guiding them together, causing them both to smile as they shared another kiss just as much so as the first two.

Now, Isa, Lia and Kie just leaned their heads together, closing their eyes, breathing deeply, taking in each other's scent that calmed them immensely, arms draped lightly around each other in a comforting, calming and loving embrace.

"We're gonna be okay," Isa whispered. "It's gonna get better."

Lia and Kie nodded. They all opened their eyes, the equal amount of love in each pair that looked into each other's. They pulled away, still holding hands as they began walking toward the others.

Lia noticed Kie deep in thought. "What are you thinking about?"

Kie sighed. "A bed."

Isa raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Not like that," Kie rebuked. "A soft bed, somewhere to sleep. Right now I'm just tired of sleeping on the ground."

"Yeah, that's not great," Isa responded. "But you gotta admit, Kie, this place is pretty dope."

"I don't know if dope is the word I'd use there, Isa," Kie told her.

Lia looked surprised by this response. "What do you mean? This is great! You've got all the Pogues, and Cleo somehow, who's definitely a Pogue now, and it's just us. We have no rules, no fear of retribution, no threat of wilderness camp, just in our own little world."

"Okay, that part is definitely dope," Kie admitted. "But there are some things about OBX I miss. I just feel, like, lost. Don't you feel lost?"

Isa shook her head. "We've all been lost before. This feels different. Somehow, this is a whole new level of lost. We're not lost within ourselves. We know we're here. We know where the people who matter most to us are. So we aren't lost."

Kie gave her a look. "But we're lost to the rest of the world, Isa."

"That's a good thing in some cases, like Rafe and my dad," Lia replied. Kie knew that she was right, sighing. "We're far away from them where they can't find us. And Kaylee's not on the run from the police when she's here. After everything with Tod, his family, your parents, that riot and Macias with JJ, she can finally just rest."

"Which is something that Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, JJ and Kaylee definitely needed, Kie," Isa agreed.

"I know," Kie agreed. "But, Lia, Isa, you're both hurt. And Wheezie, Kaylee and JJ. We can't stay here for that long without you guys getting infected. And those wounds won't heal properly the longer we stay here. And we do have people looking for us. Good people, I mean." She placed her arms around their waists, as the three stopped walking just to be in each other's arms. "They're looking for us. We're like the lost boys. They know we're all gone. They have to be looking."

"Lost boys," Lia repeated.

Isa tilted her head. "If we're the lost boys, does that make you Tiger Lily, Kie? I am talking only personality wise, of course."

Kie chuckled. "Maybe. And that makes Lia Tinker Bell."

Isa nodded teasingly. "Yeah, I could see that."

"Whatever you say," Lia replied. "If Kie's Tiger Lily and I'm Tinker Bell, that makes you Wendy, Isa."

"But, like, a more fun version," Isa agreed.

The three girls smiled.

⚓️

More Montages

Isa, Lia and Kie were walking through the woods, coming across a waterfall, which was absolutely beautiful.

"Oh, my God," Lia said.

"Wow," Isa marveled.

Kie smiled. "It's beautiful."

Immediately, Lia had no hesitation, drawn into the pool underneath the waterfall, taking off her top and jeans as she did.

Kie and Isa immediately followed, taking off their clothes to shower away the filth and grime so that they could feel a bit more clean, swimming along with Lia, completely carefree for the first time in so long.

On the days that it rained, the Pogues were running and dancing along the beach, all basking in the rain as it showered all their pain and filth away.

Kaylee stayed to the side, watching JJ play in the rain, unable to help a small smile.

JJ tilted his head back to catch the rain in his mouth, drinking, shaking his head like a dog to shake out his hair, causing Kaylee to laugh lightly. He walked toward Kaylee, reaching out for her. Kaylee gave in with a slight smile, taking JJ's hand, as the two started to dance in the rain.

John B and Sarah were dancing happily, smiling at the other.

Isa, Kie and Lia were spinning each other around and around as they danced. Isa would spin Lia around and toward Kie, the two smiling at each other. Kie returned the favor and spun Lia around toward Isa. Lia and Isa also smiled at each other as Lia took Isa by the hand, spinning her around as they did a circle, to spin her right toward Kie, who both grinned at each other. Kie spun Isa around as they did a circle, and Isa finished with spinning Kie toward Lia, who then spun Kie around as well. Lia took a couple of flowers so that she could put one in Isa's hair, and one in Kie's hair. Isa took another flower, placing it in Lia's hair to finish it. The three smiled at each other, leaning their heads together, kissing passionately, softly in turn.

After Wheezie put her journal in a safe shelter for the rain storm, she ran out to join the others, dancing with Lia, Sarah, Isa and Kie the most, all of them smiling and laughing.

JJ took Lia, Sarah and Wheezie by the hands and spun them around, making his "adopted" little sisters laugh, brightening their days, hoping to help them overcome the trauma of their father trying to kill them by filling their life with light, like he tried to do with Kaylee as well.

Isa, Kie, Lia, Sarah and Wheezie roped Kaylee into dancing with them in the rain, the smiles and laughter filling the air.

Even Pope and Cleo were dancing in the rain, having fun as they did.

On clearer days, Isa, Kie and Lia loved to go swimming through the ocean water, swimming alongside the turtles.

Isa stood up in the water, smiling, spinning around, hair flaring around her as she did. Kie and Lia broke through the surface of the water to join Isa. The three wrapped their arms around each other, smiling, laughing lightly, holding each other close.

Despite having fun and trying to live in the moments, Kaylee, Isa, Wheezie and Lia's wounds weren't getting much better. In fact, with everything and with nothing to treat them, they were getting worse, infections starting and halting their healing. Some days the pain got so bad that they couldn't do much of anything, especially Kaylee and Isa. Others, it was easy to do things. And now soon, fevers would start to set in as the infections worsened, as their already weakened states would weaken further still, but they didn't want to let the others know that as they didn't want them to freak out with worry especially when there was nothing they could really do. Clean water helped some, but not enough, and they didn't have anything to clean the wounds or real bandages to help cover them. The leaf bandages that Pope had made didn't stay well on the wounds, but it did buy them some more time until the infections got so bad.

Kaylee was definitely weighed down a lot by everything that happened, and her guilt about what happened with JJ, fearing for his safety even when they were hidden away like this, worried about what would happen if they were found and the psychotic game started again. She would have trouble sleeping most nights where she had nightmares about being kidnapped again and hurt so badly, and watching what happened to JJ as he went overboard, seeing him face down in the water.

Kie, Isa, John B and JJ did the most work to try and help Kaylee through this, and help Lia, Wheezie and Sarah through their own trauma of what Ward did to them. Pope of course helped when he could, though Cleo wasn't close enough to help truly, but she did try to help with distractions and fun, which sometimes was just as well.

On one of Kaylee's better days, Kaylee and JJ swam beneath the ocean water, entangling with each other, kissing. They rose up over the water, in each other's arms. Sometimes, they laid on the sand, the waves crashing up over them, as they kissed sweetly, passionately. But JJ could still see the fear in Kaylee's eyes, knowing her mind was still plagued with the fear that she could lose him for real, or watch him almost be taken from her all over again. It was also something that he feared, as well as fearing for her safety and sanity, just wanting to find a way for them to be sure that they didn't have to go through this anymore, and try and heal from all the damage done on them.

Most days, Kaylee was distant and JJ could feel her pulling away, and knowing that it wasn't her fault, but something that was forced on them; JJ couldn't even blame her because in a way, he had been pulling away too, but they still needed each other and got each other through the worst parts. When they were pulling away, it was with the thought that the other wouldn't be in so much danger and pain anymore, putting it on themselves to try and protect the other.

Because even if they were here, deep down, they knew that it wasn't over no matter how hard they tried to believe that it was.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Now

Day - Poguelandia

(Song:) Rivers of Babylon - The Melodians

All of the montage scenes led up to now, about a month after arriving to Poguelandia, and of course, the trauma hadn't eased.

JJ's head was healed thankfully as it was mostly a deep scratch from the gaff hook, but Kaylee, Isa, Wheezie and Lia's wounds weren't easily healed like that, especially not having anything to really treat infections with, but they tried to the best of their ability.

To stay moving and to stop thinking, JJ had managed to make their flag, just as he described it before; a chicken smoking a J and wearing crocks, hanging it up.

Kaylee gave a slight cheer. "You did it, J!"

Wheezie, Isa, Lia and Kie cheered. "Poguelandia!"

JJ did a cheer. "Whoo!"

Isa smiled. "It's perfect."

John B was gathering wood for a new fire.

Sarah was weaving once again.

Now, Kaylee and JJ were fashioning spears.

JJ chuckled. "Rescue? From what? From paradise? I mean, look around. We got everything we need right here."

Kaylee couldn't help the smallest of smiles that played on her lips as she watched the joyous look on his face, knowing that he was more relaxed and carefree here than anyone else, since there was no stress from back home, being poor and beaten.

Still, Kaylee couldn't help but tease him a little. "I could use a decent surfboard."

JJ grinned, eyes lighting up slightly.

JJ glanced over to Kaylee's makeshift spear. "How's yours looking? You ready to provide for the family?"

JJ stood, holding his hand out for Kaylee.

Kaylee took JJ's hand, letting him help her up. "Yeah, let's go kill something. I'm not about to go another month eating coconuts."

They both chuckled, walking down the shoreline, as JJ removed his shirt, and Kaylee spun her spear around.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Woods

Pope and Cleo were making their way back from the waterfall, picking berries.

"So you're telling me you had your own house, your own room, and they were gonna give you money to read books?" Cleo asked.

"Well, it was a scholarship," Pope explained. "And I don't know if I'd have gotten it. It's whatever now."

"So you just throw it away to chase treasure with your drop out friends?" Cleo asked.

Pope ducked underneath some branches. "It wasn't just about the treasure. That cross belongs to my family. It's important to me. And I still haven't lost it."

Cleo shrugged, looking away. "Better off keeping what you got than searching for something you ain't gonna find." She jumped down a rock. Pope walked closer, looking at her with a slight smile. "Did daddy ever teach you nothing?" Cleo chuckled. "Sunken treasure. You had the real treasure in your hand, and you just let it go."

"Okay, well, what about you, huh?" Pope asked. Cleo picked some more berries. "You had a job on a boat, a life, I'm sure, before all of this. You gave it all up to scrounge for berries in the jungle." Cleo looked over her shoulder toward Pope. Pope shrugged. "Just saying."

Cleo chuckled, looking away. "Well, what I had wasn't better than this." She tossed Pope a berry, which he caught. "You can't say the same, now, can you?"

Their eyes locked with a teasing banter as Pope popped the berry into his mouth, both of them looking away from each other.

⚓️

Beach

(Song:) Gypsy Queen - Gabor Szabo

Kaylee and JJ headed over to the more rocky area, trying to find the best place to spot something. The waves crashed into the shore, causing the water to rise up to their feet as they brought themselves into position.

"Remember to watch your shadow," JJ warned. "They see that, they're gone."

Kaylee nodded. They shared a brief look before moving further up, eyes scanning the water, looking for anything that stood out enough to them.

JJ's voice was excited while also trying to remain hushed as if his tone of voice had any effect. "Kay, skate. It's a skate, right there. You see him?" He pointed down to where he wanted her to look. "It's coming toward you. This is all you, Kaylee."

Kaylee waited, the skate approaching ever nearer. She hoisted the makeshift spear above her head and plunged it down through the water with a force that seemed to release pent-up anger and aggression, her action accompanied by a sound akin to a war cry.

JJ watched with a hint of concern, yet understanding that she needed to vent these emotions.

Kaylee pulled her spear with the skate on the end of it out of the water, looking shocked by how much better she felt for it, starting to laugh. "Oh, shit. Oh, my God."

JJ held a proud and prideful look on his face as he jumped over to Kaylee through the water. "You did it! We're having skate tonight!" They cheered. JJ wrapped Kaylee up in his arms as he cheered, spinning her around a little. "Full Pogue! That's food in our bellies right there. Freaking badass."

⚓️

Elsewhere

Wheezie was sitting on the beach while Sarah and Lia were working on their sleeping shelter.

Wheezie was doodling on a page in her journal before she looked into the distance, pulling her hair back from her face. She suddenly looked scared as she stood, placing her journal down, standing. "Lia? Sarah?"

(Song Ends)

Lia and Sarah, sensing the urgency in Wheezie's voice, walked closer in concern.

"What's wrong?" Sarah asked.

Wheezie looked out over the water. "Do you see that?"

"See what?" Lia asked softly.

"That boat," Wheezie answered.

"Boat, where?" Sarah inquired.

Wheezie pointed in the distance to where whitecaps were washing over the reef. "Right there! Eleven o'clock." She turned to her sisters, fear evident in her eyes. "Just under the horizon."

Wheezie stared out over the water as Lia and Sarah followed her gaze.

"I think it's just the whitecaps on the reef," Lia explained gently.

Wheezie shook her head insistently. "You don't know that. It's right there. I see it."

Lia and Sarah shared a concerned look, knowing this was Wheezie's trauma from what Ward did to them. All three sisters were crippled with paranoia most of the time after what their family did to them.

Sarah placed her hands gently on Wheezie's shoulders. "Wheezie. Wheezie, hey, hey."

Wheezie was trembling. "What if it's..."

Lia and Sarah both enveloped Wheezie an embrace, the three sisters holding onto each other tightly.

Lia shook her head gently. "No, it's... it's not Dad. Okay? I promise."

Wheezie frowned, confused and lost, hurt as she stared out at the sea, finally seeing that what she thought was a boat was only the whitecaps. "No... I was so sure..."

Sarah stroked Lia and Wheezie's hair, hoping to be a grounding force for both her little sisters, just like they had been for her over the past month. The three of them would have lost their minds if it hadn't been for each other.

Sarah kissed Wheezie's head. "It's okay. We're okay."

Lia cradled Wheezie's head against her chest, stroking back her hair while her other arm held Sarah close to them. The three sisters would never let each other go.

⚓️

Beach

(Song:) Reasons - El Michels Affair feat. Bobby Oroza

Now, all the Pogues sat together in a circle, playing a game of truth or dare while using a weaved, makeshift hat to use for whoever's turn it was.

Sarah was wearing the hat now. "Okay, John B, your turn. Truth or Dare?"

John B brought himself up to his feet. "Truth."

Sarah took the makeshift hat off her head, passing it over to John B. "Truth?"

"Truth!" Isa cheered.

"This is exciting," Cleo commented.

John B put the hat on his head, keeping his gaze locked on Sarah as he sat back down.

Sarah sat there for a brief second, staring off in the distance as she pondered the question. "If you could do it all again, what would you do different?"

"Uh, get the gold out before Ward did," JJ answered before John B could even get a word out.

"Maybe, uh, hide the cross a little better," Pope answered.

Kie pursed her lips. "Maybe not yell 'murderer' at Rafe and Ward, maybe."

Kaylee barely chuckled. "Yeah, that would be a good one. Another good one is maybe not piss off too many psychos. Not that most of us can help that a whole lot."

Lia looked at Sarah. "Double check to make sure that it was Wheezie texting us instead of our brother."

Sarah pointed to Lia in agreement.

Wheezie chuckled. "Point made."

"Uh, steal a couple bottles of rum before we jumped off the boat?" John B asked.

"Yeah, why didn't you do that, actually?" JJ asked, turning to look at John B.

John B shrugged sarcastically. "I don't know. Maybe 'cause I was in a fight to the death?"

"I would look both ways before crossing the street," Cleo spoke up, eyeing John B.

Sarah, Lia and Isa laughed.

John B nodded awkwardly in amusement. "Yeah, my bad. My bad."

They laughed more.

"Your turn, John B," Isa told him.

John B turned to Wheezie. "All right, Wheezie, truth or dare?"

John B took the hat off, plopping it down on the top of her head.

Wheezie rolled her eyes, shaking her head a little before answering. "Truth."

"All right," John B began to think of his question. "If you could go home to your parents' house on Figure 8 this instant, would you do it? We already know that Kaylee and Kie's answer to this is a--"

Kaylee, Kie and John B spoke together. "Hell no."

This caused the others to laugh lightly.

Wheezie pretended to think for a moment, before shaking her head. "No chance."

Lia pointed to Wheezie, Kaylee and Kie. "Fourth."

Sarah pointed to them. "Fifth."

Isa raised her coconut in the air as a way to salute. "Here here."

JJ raised his coconut. "To no chance!"

"The shower is tempting, though," Kie added.

"Oh, I could use a fat shower right now," Pope remarked.

Wheezie took the hat off, handing it to JJ. "JJ, truth or dare."

"I mean, do you even need to ask?" JJ asked, placing the hat upon his head.

Wheezie glanced back at the large cliff top sitting just behind them. "Big jump. Nobody's done it yet." She grinned. "Dare!"

JJ had no hesitation as he got up, offering a hand to Kaylee as an offer to join him. "How about my firestarter? We did say cliff diving could help with a certain dark energy."

"And we are stranded on an island where we can't do any of the other things - adrenaline rush driven things - that we said could help with your darkness, or mine," Lia added. "This could help with yours, Kaylee."

Kaylee knew that they had a fair point, smiling, tilting her head.

Pope was concerned, knowing that Kaylee's leg, side and wrist wounds weren't completely healed given that they were stranded on the island for a month, and they were infected, like the wounds of Isa, Lia and Wheezie. "Are you sure you wanna do that?"

Kaylee stood. "I'm restless as all hell and need something to do. I say hell yeah."

The Pogues all cheered as JJ and Kaylee scaled up the rocks until they reached the top.

(Song Ends)

(Song:) Bad Love - Dehd

The other Pogues watched Kaylee and JJ get to the top of the cliff.

"There they are," Lia said.

"There they go," Pope agreed.

They all started cheering again.

"You got this!" Isa told them.

Cleo shook her head in amusement. "They're not gonna do it. They're not gonna do it!"

JJ held his hand out toward the water. "Oh, we won't, huh?"

Kaylee threw her arms up. "You wanna bet?"

John B laughed. "No way."

"They're gonna do it," Kie stated.

Sarah shook her head. "No."

"Oh, yeah," Isa corrected.

"You see the way they're jumping out of their skin to do it?" Lia asked. "They'll go through with it."

Pope nodded in agreement. "Highly dangerous, zero reward, huge adrenaline rush for her darkness? Yeah, they're doing it."

JJ let out a loud cheer.

"Do it!" Wheezie cheered.

All of them were cheering them on.

Kaylee and JJ exchanged a glance, excitement flickering in their eyes as they stood at the edge of the cliff, the ocean roaring below them like a wild beast. The wind whipped around them, teasing Kaylee's hair into a frenzy, and she felt alive - truly alive - surrounded by her chosen family.

"Ready?" JJ asked, his voice barely carrying over the wind.

Kaylee nodded, determination hardening her resolve. "Let's do this."

They counted down together, adrenaline coursing through their veins. "Three... two... one!"

With a shared yell, Kaylee and JJ leapt off the edge, plunging into the cool embrace of the water below. Time seemed to suspend in that moment - gravity pulling them down as the rush of air filled their lungs. As they hit the water with a resounding splash, it was both freeing and grounding, an exhilarating escape from all that had haunted them.

The water enveloped Kaylee like a shroud, and for a brief moment, she felt weightless. The chaos and darkness of the past few months faded into a distant echo, replaced by the thrill of the plunge and the certainty of JJ beside her.

As Kaylee broke the surface, gasping for breath, the laughter and cheers of her friends echoed around her, pulling her back into the present.

JJ surfaced beside her, water streaming down his face, his eyes shining with exhilaration.

"That was awesome!" JJ shouted over the sound of crashing waves.

Kaylee laughed, shaking her hair out of her face. "Totally worth it!"

As they swam back to shore, the rush of adrenaline began to thaw out some of the lingering darkness inside her. Each stroke through the water felt like a small victory against the shadows that threatened to consume her. The laughter from their friends buoyed her spirit even higher.

As they reached the beach, Kaylee pulled herself up onto the sand, panting slightly but filled with energy. JJ followed closely, shaking off droplets like a dog and grinning at her all the while.

All of their friends came running closer to celebrate their daring escapade with cheers, laughter and embraces, surrounding them with happiness. This was what Kaylee needed - a reminder that life could be beautiful amidst chaos.

Kie threw her arms around Kaylee. "You guys are insane!"

Isa looped her arms around JJ and Kaylee's shoulders with a grin. "But we love it!"

John B lifted Kaylee up in a celebratory cheering gesture, making her laugh in surprise. "That's our risktakers!"

Lia, Sarah and Wheezie embraced with JJ, all of them laughing.

"Again, again!" Wheezie shouted, bouncing on her toes.

"Okay, but this time, I'm joining in," Lia declared.

Isa's hand shot up. "Count me in."

Sarah laughed lightly. "Give more of you to worry about, why don't you? You looked like you were gonna die."

Pope nodded. "I thought you were gonna die."

JJ grinned. "Please, like this has anything on us."

Kaylee waved off Sarah and Pope's halfhearted concern. "We've survived a hell of a lot worse than this. This? This is fun!"

Cleo laughed. "They're crazy, but they're right."

With a newfound spirit igniting within her, Kaylee turned towards the horizon, where the sun dipped low, casting vibrant hues of orange and pink across the sky. It was a painting of hope - a stark contrast to the storm clouds that had loomed over her life.

"Alright, Pogues," Isa said, feeling the adrenaline begin racing in her veins. "Who's ready for round two?"

The group erupted into cheers, feeling the infectious energy radiating off Kaylee and JJ and the mastermind planning of Isa. They were alive, together, and ready to face whatever lay ahead next.

"Let's see if you can keep up this time!" JJ challenged playfully.

"Oh, please," Lia retorted with a laugh. "You could barely keep up with me last time!"

Wheezie smirked as she stood on tiptoe, looking out at the ocean waves crashing against the shore. "Not for long. I'm going first this time!"

Before anyone could respond or stop her, Wheezie took off running for the cliff.

After a moment of shock, Lia and Sarah sprinted after their little sister. "Wheezie!"

"Hey, no fair, little Wheezie!" JJ called teasingly as he followed the Cameron sisters at a run.

Isa, Kaylee, Kie, Cleo, John B and Pope erupted to laughter as they ran to catch up to the Camerons and JJ.

As they reached the clifftop, a sense joy surged through the Pogues. Their laughter echoed against the waves, creating a symphony of resilience and camaraderie that filled the air with hope.

"Alright, who's next?" John B asked, eyes sparkling with mischief. He looked between his friends, muscles flexed and ready for a round of cliff diving.

"Definitely me!" Lia shouted, practically jumping up and down from sheer excitement.

Isa bounced on her toys. "Oh, I need this!"

Wheezie giggled. "I want to go too! I can do this!"

As they began to rally around for another jump, Kie felt a warmth bloom inside her - a flicker of normalcy amidst their chaotic lives. She caught Isa and Lia's eye, their grins infectious as they motioned for her to join them. Kie couldn't contain her grin as she stepped forward and took Isa and Lia the hands as the three girlfriends prepared for the leap together.

Wheezie was bouncing on her toes next to them, practically vibrating with the excitement that surged through her at the thrill.

Kaylee and JJ were ready, both grinning at each other. Despite their distance that had grown in the past month, in moment, they felt closer than ever.

John B and Cleo were even excited for the thrill of this. The only two that were hesitant and nervous were Pope and Sarah, but they found strength and solace with the Pogues surrounding them.

As the sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Isa, Kie and Lia stood at the edge of the cliff, hand in hand. The wind whipped around them, tousling their hair and filling their lungs with saltwater air. Excitement bubbled beneath their skin, igniting every nerve ending as they prepared to leap.

"Are you ready for this?" Isa asked, her voice steady but laced with adrenaline.

Lia nodded, a grin spreading across her face. "Hell yeah!"

Despite her nerves, Kie smiled. "Ready as I'll ever be!"

Their friends rallied behind them, cheers and laughter echoing from the other Pogues as they urged them on.

Wheezie had taken position at the forefront of the pack, looking every bit like a fearless grommet ready to conquer the world. "Let's go!"

John B wrapped an arm around Sarah's waist and kissed her head to ease her nerves, as she was smiling in both excitement and fear, but she was ready to take the leap.

"You don't to do this if you don't want to," John B reassured.

"I know," Sarah replied. "I want to."

"Let's do it!" Pope cheered.

Cleo threw her hands up. "Come on, man!"

As the group prepared for another jump, Kaylee felt the tension that had gripped her since everything had happened start to lift. There was something undeniably cathartic about standing on the edge of that cliff, surrounded by her friends - her family. It was a stark reminder that amidst chaos, they were stronger together.

"Okay, on three!" John B shouted, raising his hand dramatically. "One... two... three!"

With a collective shout, they all leaped off the edge once more, the adrenaline cascading through their veins as they soared through the air. As they hit the water, they all let whoops of joy.

Once they surfaced, the Pogues began a splash war that filled everyone with happiness, laughter ringing out like music. Time suspended again in that exhilarating moment - a beautiful freedom wrapped in courage and camaraderie.

For one moment, they could all be carefree and happy, enjoying the time they had together.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Night - Beach

After the others had drifted off to sleep, Kaylee knew she couldn't join them for fear of nightmares. She rose and walked toward the shoreline, settling on a dry patch of sand beyond the tide's reach. Curling into herself, knees to chest, she embraced the solitude, letting the rhythmic crashing of waves drown out her lingering thoughts.

JJ, observing from his resting place, understood her need for space and remained still, despite his concern. He pondered the growing distance between them, less worried about the physical gap and more about Kaylee's well-being, fearing that her façade of strength might crumble.

As exhaustion took hold, Kaylee realized sleep was inevitable, regardless of her fears. She returned to JJ's side and lay down, drawing comfort from his proximity. With a sigh, she nestled against his shoulder, seeking solace in his embrace.

JJ wrapped his arm around Kaylee, holding her tightly against him, knowing that it helped with the nightmares, thumb rubbing small circles against the side of her shoulder. "You okay?" Kaylee nodded just barely, entirely unconvincingly, but they were both too tired to talk about it, as Kaylee was starting to feel sick. JJ could tell by her body temperature. "You're burning up."

Kaylee let out an exhausted sigh. "I'm fine."

"Bullshit," JJ replied. "You three were supposed to tell us if this started to happen again. The fevers, infection, whatever."

"We didn't want you guys to worry, JJ," Kaylee told him. "We're fine."

JJ looked over to Wheezie, Kie, Isa and Lia, who were asleep at the moment, but he did notice that the wounds on Wheezie, Isa and Lia, like with Kaylee, were swollen and red, much more painful looking. "Water's not helping anymore."

Kaylee shook her head tiredly. "Mm-mm."

JJ was worried, sighing heavily, neither of them knowing what to do that would help them now. "We'll figure it out. All right?"

Kaylee nodded barely, sniffing slightly. JJ kissed her head, closing his eyes. Kaylee put her arm around his torso, so exhausted that she was already falling asleep in his arms, and soon, so was JJ.

⚓️

Day Two

Morning - Poguelandia

All of the Pogues were sleeping.

The sound of a plane engine sounded off in the distance, which woke Pope as he was the lightest sleeper.

Pope slowly stood, hope starting to fill his expression, as the only other thing that he really wished for was to be reunited with his parents. "Plane." He turned toward the Pogues. "Guys. Guys, guys, wake up. There's a plane."

Pope grabbed a lighter and his shoes, running down the beach as fast as he could.

Cleo was starting to wake up, seeing Pope run, and hearing the plane, sitting up in surprise, standing. "Oh." She gasped slightly. "Guys, wake the hell up. Guys!"

Cleo took off after Pope.

JJ and Kaylee were waking up, looking up at the plane in the sky.

"Oh, shit," Kaylee said. They stood. "Guys, wake up." She shook Kie's shoulder, which in turn rattled Isa and Lia lightly as they were sleeping next to each other. "Get up."

JJ shook John B slightly to wake him.

John B, Isa, Kie and Lia woke up, following their gazes, standing.

"Sarah, Wheezie, wake up," John B told them. "There's a plane."

Isa, even though she hated the idea of leaving, knew that they had to in order to survive in the long run, and get proper treatment for the girls' wounds that were still having trouble healing. "Come on."

Sarah and Wheezie stood.

Up above, Pope ran up the hills and inclines, followed by Cleo.

Kie waved to the plane. "Hey! Hey, we're over here! Over here! Hey, we're right here!"

Kaylee was not excited, frowning as she eyed the plane suspiciously. JJ turned to look at her, neither of them wanting to leave at all, but JJ looked over Kaylee's wounds, along with Isa, Wheezie and Lia's, and knew that they had to.

Isa, Lia, Wheezie and Kaylee were out of it given their fevers from their infected wounds. And all four of them would rather stay on the island than go home, even given their current predicament.

John B, Sarah and Kie continued calling to the plane to get their sisters the help they needed, and of course, JJ, who loved here than anyone else and the last thing he wanted to do was leave, called out for help in order to make sure that the girls would get better, knowing that it could get a lot worse and dangerous for them if they didn't. "Over here!"

Up above, Pope reached a stack of wood that was gathered, desperately trying to light his zippo. "Please, light, please."

Cleo ran closer. "Let me help, let me help."

Cleo knelt next to Pope, holding her hands around the lighter (within his hold) to keep the wind from blowing out the flame. 

Pope got a flame struck. "It's lighting, it's lit. Come on, come on, come on, come on." He lit the dead grass around the wood stack, which started to be set ablaze. "It's going, it's going."

Pope and Cleo backed away from the signal fire, yelling and screaming, waving to the plane. "Hey!"

Down below, the other Pogues were still on the beach, watching the plane.

"Come on, come on, come on," Lia whispered, just wanting the pain in her shoulder to stop.

Isa waved her uninjured arm, calling out, more worried about Kaylee, Wheezie and Lia's wounds than her own. "Hey, hey!"

"Over here!" Kie called.

Kaylee and JJ exchanged a look, both hating that they had to leave.

Kaylee shook her head slightly.

JJ called out. "Hey!"

John B waved his arms. "We're over here!"

Pope and Cleo were still screaming from up above. "Hey! Hey, we're down here!"

"Hey!" Sarah called. "Help us!"

Lia watched the plane suspiciously. "Come on."

Kaylee would have must rather to stay quiet, but knew that they didn't have another choice as she looked at Wheezie, Isa and Lia. "Hey!"

The plane looked as if it was going to leave them without even noticing.

Wheezie's hope plummeted. "No! No, no."

Pope was breathing heavily, desperately. "Please." At the last second, the plane turned around. "Look, he's turning around!"

Kie's hope rose. "He sees us. Guys, guys, he sees us."

Sarah turned to Lia and Wheezie, taking their hands. "They see us. Come on."

"He's gonna go to the pond," Isa told them. "Come on, guys. Come on. Guys!"

Up above, Pope and Cleo were cheering, embracing tightly, holding each other close in celebration.

"We did it!" Cleo cheered.

While Kie, John B, Pope, Sarah, Wheezie and Cleo were fueled with excitement as they took off to the pond, Isa, Kaylee, JJ and Lia were fueled by urgency only as they followed.

The small plane landed into the pond just as the Pogues ran their way over.

Kaylee and JJ hesitated behind everyone.

JJ knew that Kaylee hated to leave as much as he did, if not more, that she felt safer here, but they really had no option. "Come on."

Kaylee looked at JJ sadly. "I wouldn't leave if it wasn't for these."

JJ nodded knowingly in agreement.

Kaylee was unsteady on her feet, so JJ put a hand on her back, leading her along.

Kie had her arms linked with Isa and Lia as they walked up to the plane, steadying them as well.

Sarah kept an arm around Wheezie as they walked along. Wheezie clutched her journal in her hand tightly.

They all reached the plane, with Pope and Cleo laughing and cheering.

"We did it!" Cleo cheered.

Pope smiled. "Oh, man."

The ladder stretched out, and out came an older and gruff looking man with long brown hair.

"Hello, hello," Lia told him.

"Hey, there," the man replied. 

Pope smiled, grabbing John B by the shoulders, shaking him in excitement. "Hey! We're getting out of here. We're finally getting out of here."

Wheezie, Sarah and Lia couldn't help but glare at the man in suspicion.

The man walked closer. "And what do we have here?"

Isa casually shrugged. "You know, just some castaways."

"Well, I'll cross that off the grocery list," the man joked. "Uh, hang on. I have just the thing for y'all. Just one second."

Wheezieshook her head slightly. "Guys? Guys..."

John B noticed Lia, Sarah and Wheezie's looks. "Hey, no. Look at this guy. You think he works for Ward?"

"A guy like this, no way," Kie told them.

"It's okay," Isa told them.

Lia, Sarah and Wheezie weren't reassured, and no one could blame them for being so paranoid.

The man tossed down rum for them. "Everything you need on a plane. First aid and rum. Here you go." He tossed down the rum, getting two first aid kits from the plane. JJ remained beside Kaylee, completely unamused. Kaylee turned to JJ, uneasy with the overwhelming feeling that something wasn't right. "Incoming."

The man tossed them the first aid kits.

Instantly, Kie and JJ caught the first aid kits, holding them up for the girls to see reassuringly.

"Anyone actually know if they have what they need to clear the infections in there?" Sarah asked.

"Not everything, but something to hold over until we can get to a hospital," Lia answered.

"So what's the story?" the man asked. "You guys sank a boat?"

Kaylee looked away. "Jumped off one."

John B pointed to Wheezie, Lia and Sarah. "Their dad's."

Wheezie, Lia and Sarah gave him a look.

The man chuckled. "In-laws, man. They're tough. Well, have no fear. Jimmy's here. I'm Jimmy Portis. I'll be your captain today. I got you."

Cleo raised her arms. "Well, all hail Jimmy, guys! Let's go."

Portis smiled. "Welcome aboard the Flying Fish."

(Song:) 23 Minutes in Brussels - Luna

Portis looked over the kids. "Is this all?"

"Uh, yeah," Isa answered. "That too heavy?"

Portis shook his head. "Nah. Uh, technically maybe, but I think old Fish here'll probably be okay. We could always throw somebody overboard, right?"

Portis laughed.

Kaylee rolled her eyes. "Jesus, this guy."

Kaylee looked at JJ, both of them still hesitant and disappointed, just as Wheezie, Isa, Lia and Kie were.

Cleo called out. "See you, island!"

Pope fist bumped Portis on his way into the plane. "You're the dog, man."

Portis chuckled. "Pleasure to have you."

Kie led Isa and Lia up to the plane with the others. "Up we go."

JJ walked toward the plane, nodding to Kaylee. "Come on."

Sarah linked her arm with Wheezie's, guiding her along to the plane. "It's okay."

Portis looked from Kaylee and Wheezie to Isa and Lia, taking note of their wounds and weakened state. "You girls need some help?"

"We got it," Lia replied.

"Okay," Portis agreed.

Lia, Kie and Isa walked into the plane, followed by JJ.

Kaylee stopped just outside the plane, looking around in disappointment, like the only thing keeping them safe was being ripped away because of wounds that could end up seriously harming the girls forcing their hands. "Bye, island paradise."

Kaylee walked into the plane.

Portis climbed in. "Yeah, just tuck on in. Let's, uh, get this shit going."

⚓️

On the Plane

The Pogues were all sitting in the back of the plane.

JJ, Kie, Sarah and John B were handling the first aid kits with Kaylee, Lia, Wheezie and Isa as much as they could in the small quarters with limited resources they finally had, including much needed antibiotic ointment, and though they only had mostly small bandages in the first aid kit, not large enough to cover any of the girls' wounds, they used the bandage wraps in the kits as a substitute for now.

Luckily, Wheezie, Isa and Lia only had one wound each, but sadly for Kaylee, she had three, so JJ had to cut her wrap into three pieces in order to cover all her wounds with Kaylee's help.

Pope and Cleo watched in concern.

Wheezie, Lia and Sarah were still throwing suspicious glances up to Portis in the pilot seat, which the others noticed.

(Song Ends)

Isa wanted to ease their minds while also testing to see if they were right about Portis not able to be trusted. "So what were you doing all the way out here?"

"I got a little guide outfit in Saint Vincent," Portis replied. "I was spotting fish."

"What were you spotting?" JJ asked.

Portis shook his head casually. "You know, the usual. Wahoo." Isa and Kaylee frowned as they exchanged a look, before they glanced at John B and JJ, who both had the same expression. Isa's body tensed as she gripped Lia and Kie's hands in hers. "I'd hang on to something. Gets a little spicy on takeoff."

(Song:) You Don't Love Me (No, No, No) - Dawn Penn

The Pogues all grabbed onto railings or straps over their heads, sharing nervous glances as they grabbed a hold of something to situate themselves for takeoff.

⚓️

Guadeloupe

Cameron House - Outside

The camera panned across the sky, showing the new Cameron beach house not that far from the waves.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Inside - Ward's Room

Ward was sleeping, looking better.

Rafe was sitting next to him; his hair was gone as he now had a short buzzcut. "Doc said you're doing good and getting better. Don't worry, in the meantime, I'm already taking care of business. I've almost got the new papers ready, you know? Passports, bank accounts. I got this. Okay? Just like you taught me. I got it all planned out. All right, I do." He glanced over at the door. "Not Rose. She doesn't know what the hell she's doing. Listen, the gold's in the vault. Just like you left it, and I'm dealing with the cross. Okay? You'll see for yourself when you wake up."

Rafe patted Ward's arm, standing, walking away.

⚓️

Barbados - Skies

Portis was still flying the Pogues to an unknown destination, at least to them.

Isa signaled for the others to move closer, speaking quietly enough to where Portis couldn't hear through his plane headphones. "Wahoo don't run in September. Ever, all right? So whoever this man is, he's not a fisherman."

Pope tried to ease the minds of everyone around. "Maybe the run starts earlier out here."

"Are you sure about that?" Kaylee asked, scoffing. "In the Caribbean?"

Sarah shook her head in paranoia. "No, I know what this is. He's working for our dad, and he's probably been looking for us the entire time."

"All right, we gotta find out," JJ said, glancing around, mind racing to come up with some last minute plan as he always did. "Start looking around for some sort of... clues."

JJ's eyes landed on the bag that was laying across the side of the seat Portis was in, looking over to John B, signaling for him to be the distraction. The two communicated with each other without saying a word.

John B leaned up the window side, opposite of where the bag was and began asking Portis whatever questions he could to draw in his attention. "Hey, Jimmy?"

"Yeah, what's up?" Portis asked.

"How long you had this bird?" John B asked.

"Oh, about ten years now," Portis answered.

"How long you been flying?" John B asked.

"I've been flying all my life," Portis answered.

As he distracted Portis, JJ reached up and grabbed the belongings from his bag.

"Uh, who's that lovely lady right there?" John B asked, spotting a picture on the plane window.

Portis laughed. "That right there? That's Cynthia. Yeah."

JJ was sifting through his stuff before finding an El Dorado book.

"And what about that beautiful girl right there?" John B continued.

"Huh?" Portis asked. "Oh, that? That's Stacey."

JJ opened the book, revealing a picture of the Coastal Venture cargo ship.

Wheezie took the picture, looking at the ship. "The Coastal Venture. Oh, my God. This is the boat we were on. With Eberhini and the cross."

"So he was looking for us?" Cleo asked.

Kaylee nodded in frustration and paranoia. "Exactly."

Lia rubbed her hand across her forehead, letting her head hang slightly. "He's working for our dad. We should've just stayed back."

"We had to make sure that you, Wheezie, Isa and Kaylee would be fine, Lia," Sarah told her.

"Yeah, and because of it, we're heading right into a fucking trap, Sarah," Lia replied, trying not to freak out.

Kie took Lia's hand to try and keep her calm. "Hey, hey."

Isa rubbed a hand on Lia's back to calm her. "It's gonna be okay."

JJ frowned, expressing another concern. "If this guy is not working for Ward, and not looking for Lia, Sarah and Wheezie... what if he's a bounty hunter looking for Kaylee after everything with Tod or Macias?"

The worry weighed heavily on all of the Pogues, knowing that was an equally likely scenario.

John B, Isa, Kie, Pope and JJ looked at Kaylee, Wheezie, Lia and Sarah worriedly.

"Hey, y'all better hold something," Portis told them. "We got some unexpected turbulence up here."

The plane began banging around a little, getting more unsteady.

Wheezie looked out the window. "Guys, whatever it is, it's happening fast. Look."

They looked out at the island they were arriving to.

"That looks like Barbados," Cleo explained. "I've been there with Terrance."

"Okay," JJ said. "There's ten of us, one of him. You know my vote, we storm the cockpit."

"No," John B denied. "Who's gonna fly the plane, dumbass?"

JJ nodded to Pope. "I've seen Pope fly simulators."

"I crop-dusted for my uncle last summer," Pope corrected. "This is not the same thing."

"We don't have time to pretend that's a real option," Kie spoke up.

"Do you have an idea?" Lia asked.

Kie shrugged. "Something safe."

Kaylee couldn't help a scoff. "Kie, given that we're literally hundreds of feet up in the air and heading God knows where, I don't think any option is a safe one."

"Why don't we just wait until the plane lands somewhere safe and then we sneak out?" Isa asked.

Pope pointed to Isa in agreement. "And if somebody comes to mess with us, we mad-dog them."

The others nodded in agreement.

"I like the mad-dogging part," JJ admitted.

Sarah pointed to the stuff that JJ took. "Just put that back. Put it back."

"Be cool," Wheezie told them.

"Yeah, so cool," Lia replied anxiously.

JJ gathered the things, using John B as a distraction again as he reached over, putting the stuff back in the bag as John B talked to Portis over the other shoulder.

"Hey, Jimmy, is that Burning Man, right there?" John B asked.

Portis laughed. "Yeah, that's Burning Man, all right. That was my first time."

"How many times you been to Burning Man?" John B asked.

"I started going when I was 18," Portis answered. "GT's, baby! GT's!"

John B nodded nervously. "Yeah, I've heard a lot about it. I've never been west."

Portis glanced back before JJ could completely pull away. The action caused him to go into defense mode as he yelled, reaching back for JJ. "Hey, man, what the hell are you doing?" His abrupt movements caused the plane to go on a deep dive down. JJ and Portis began an ongoing struggle war for the bag. "That's mine!"

Wheezie was holding on tight. "The plane, the plane!"

"Fly the plane!" Sarah snapped.

"Please fly the plane," Isa insisted. "Please fly the plane!"

The controls beeped rapidly as every alarm was seeming to go off.

Portis turned back around, taking over the controls as the kids were yelling out, trying to refrain from getting tossed around like ragdolls as the plane went down. Portis was yelling curses to himself as they went down, trying to find some safe way to land them down in the water.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa," Kaylee said, freaking out.

The impact into the ocean caused everyone to go flying forward in their seats. They were all crashed into each other at the unexpected force.

Portis was knocked out when his head hit the dashboard of the plane.

Isa, Kaylee, Wheezie and Lia cried out in pain because of their wounds.

Water began to flood into the plane.

Cleo was freaking out. "Guys, guys."

"Is everybody good?" Pope asked.

"We gotta get out," Kie said.

Isa helped Lia and Kie up. "We gotta get out before it sinks."

John B helped up Sarah and Wheezie, while JJ helped up Kaylee, and Pope helped up Cleo.

John B kicked the door open.

Kie looked out across the way toward where men were running closer to the shoreline. "Oh, no. They don't look friendly."

"No, they look very unfriendly," Lia agreed.

"We gotta go," John B told everyone. "Come on."

"Gotta go," Pope told them.

"Jump," Cleo urged.

John B helped Sarah down into the water. "Come on, hurry."

"We gotta get out," Isa said. "We gotta go now, come on."

"Come on, guys," Wheezie said.

John B jumped out, followed by Isa, then Kie, then Lia, then Wheezie, then Pope, then Cleo.

"Kay, let's go," JJ called.

Kaylee was looking back toward Portis. "I'm coming. Go!"

JJ jumped out.

"Kaylee, get out before it sinks," Isa told her.

"Come on," Lia told her. "Go."

"They're headed this way," Sarah said.

Kaylee, despite everything, couldn't leave a man to drown. "Hang on!"

Kaylee felt as if she had done enough harm in the last few months. Tod, Macias, nearly killing others. She thought that maybe if saved this one person, no matter the circumstances, maybe she could make amends for all of the other damage she had inflicted.

She had to prove to herself that she wasn't just a monster.

Kaylee swam back toward Portis, leaving the others confused.

"No, no, no, Kaylee!" John B told her. "Come on."

Cleo led the others toward the pier. "Come over here. Get to the pier."

"Kaylee, come on," Sarah called. "You gotta hurry."

The others started swimming to the pier.

Kaylee reached Portis, grabbing him from his seat. "Portis. Come on, Portis, wake up. Wake up!"

Kaylee swam them out of the front door of the plane, which was luckily open from the crash, getting them both out before the plane sank, going in the opposite direction of the pier.

Cleo still led the way to the pier. "Come on, guys, hurry up. Hurry up."

As they stopped underneath the pier for a place to take shelter and hiding, they looked around and realized that Kaylee never joined them.

"Wait, where's Kaylee?" Wheezie asked worriedly. "You guys, where's Kaylee?"

Pope pointed out to where Kaylee was. "She went the other way."

Kaylee was pulling Portis' body to the shore, grunting and groaning in pain because of her wounds, collapsing onto the beach when she reached the shore.

Two people ran over to help her pull Portis up onto the sand.

"Take him," Kaylee told them, breathing heavily in exhaustion, exertion and pain. Portis woke up in a coughing fit. "You okay?"

"Thank you," Portis told her.

Kaylee glared at him; her decency to save his life didn't terminate her anger. "You lied to us. Who are you?"

Men on dirt bikes and four wheelers rode up on the sand.

Portis groaned. "Oh, God. You should get out of here."

Kaylee looked around to see the men coming from all directions. "Shit."

Kaylee pushed herself up, taking off running as fast as her body would allow her to; her running was not as fast as normal given the sickness from her infected wounds, and there wasn't much of an area for her to run  to

Trucks followed up the others with men standing in the beds of the truck, loaded guns in arm.

The Pogues underneath the pier watched in shock and disbelief, worry and horror.

"Oh, my God," Kie said. "Oh, my God, Kaylee."

Kaylee ran to take cover in hiding behind some barrels, hoping to stay hidden until the men passed her, but they were looking for her all over.

A man walked up to where Kaylee was hiding, finding her, reaching for her through the barrels to try and take her out.

Kaylee slammed her palm through the barrels and into the man's face, knocking him down.

The man groaned in pain, sitting up. "She's over here!"

Kaylee crawled out of her hiding place, trying to make a run for it, only for two other men to block her escape.

These two men worked for Carlos Singh. Their names were Ryan and Fenton. They grabbed Kaylee, restraining her in their arms, not feeling the least bit guilty about pressing on Kaylee's wounds, visible beneath her crop top and shorts. As they dug their fingers into Kaylee's side, wrist and leg wounds from Macias's machete, all of which were infected from a month of being on a deserted island, making Kaylee cry out and stop fighting them as they got a hold of her dragged her away toward a truck.

Kaylee struggled, but couldn't find the strength to break free. "Let me go!"

The Pogues could do nothing but watch from a distance as Kaylee was snatched up by the men and taken towards the cars.

Kie and JJ were freaking out.

Kie shook her head worriedly. "We have to go after her."

Kie tried to move forward, but John B grabbed her arm, keeping her from making herself noticeable to anybody looking for them.

"Damn it!" JJ snapped. "What are we--what are we gonna do?"

"What--what can we do?" John B asked.

"There's nothing we can do," Pope pointed out realistically.

"Not without us getting caught and taken with her, and then how will we save her?" Isa pointed out, but she was just as worried and freaking out about her best friend.

Kie and JJ knew they were right.

"Where are they taking her?" Lia asked worriedly.

They heard more men above the pier, looking up.

"They're all right there," Wheezie said.

Cleo whispered. "They're looking this way. We got to go."

Sarah looked at Kie and JJ. "Isa's right. Come on, guys. We can't save her if we get caught."

"JJ, Kie, we gotta go," Isa told them. "Lia, come on."

"Kie, JJ, we'll save her," Lia told them. "Like Isa said."

Kie shook her head worriedly. "Guys..."

Wheezie nodded. "We'll save her, guys."

JJ hated leaving more than anything, knowing what happened the last time Kaylee was in this situation, and how she was still recovering from it. "That's it."

They all had to swim away and find a way to make it through this alive in order to get Kaylee back.

On the beach, Kaylee was forced to sit in the back of a truck with the men watching her, breathing heavily, shaking, feeling even worse than earlier.

A guard's voice came over the radio. "We lost the others. We'll keep searching."

Kaylee sighed in relief, knowing that meant they had been smart enough to get away and try and form a plan later, one that wouldn't get them all killed or captured.

Portis walked up to Kaylee.

Kaylee glared at him, fearful and freezing but furious. "I saved your life."

"I know, I know," Portis agreed. "I'm sorry. I'm gonna try to help you, okay? I swear, I didn't know it was gonna be like this. Look, if you don't fight, if you just do what they say, these guys pro--probably won't hurt you."

Kaylee was not reassured by that in the least. "What did Ward promise you?"

Portis frowned. "Who?"

Kaylee was fed up. "Ward. He's behind this, right?"

"I have no idea who you're talking about," Portis told her. Kaylee frowned in confusion. "Hey, just take my advice, do what they say. Good luck."

Portis walked away.

Fenton sat in the back of the truck with Kaylee, glaring daggers at her to make sure she knew that it would be stupid to try and get away again as he spoke into his radio. "All right, let's go."

⚓️

Guadeloupe

Cameron House - Outside

Rose was waiting outside the house.

A car pulled up, and out stepped a man and a woman, who both walked closer.

Rose turned around, leading them inside.

⚓️

Inside - Dining Room

Rafe and Rose were sitting at the table with the man and woman.

Rafe took lead. "Again, thank you both for coming. I know it was a long way to travel. But I think what we have is..." He glanced at Rose before looking back. "Is pretty worthwhile."

Rose eyed him skeptically before looking at the pair across the table.

The woman gestured to the man next to her. "Yes, well, Michel is the most prominent antiquities dealer of the West Indies. Unfortunately, he only speaks French."

Michel shook his head. "No English."

Rafe gave a thin smile, nodding. "Yeah." He looked to the side curiously. "What is... what is French for priceless?"

⚓️

Another Room

Rafe was showing the cross to Michel and his translator, who both stared in shock and awe for a moment.

Rose watched them silently from nearby.

Michel stepped closer to the cross, putting on his glasses, taking a closer look, speaking in French.

The woman looked at Rafe to translate. "Uh, may he touch it?"

Rafe gestured for him to go ahead. "Knock yourself out, Michel."

The woman assured Michel it was fine in French.

Michel touched the cross in various places, pacing around it while speaking in French.

The woman showed Michel his tablet, which had a picture of a drawing of the cross, also speaking in French.

Michel was very pleased when he saw that everything in the drawing matched up with the cross in front of him, speaking in French as he turned to face Rafe.

"He wants to know where you found it," the woman explained.

Rafe shook his head. "Don't worry about it. We got it. That's all he needs to know. It's here. It's for sale. So who can we get to buy it?"

Michel took off his glasses, speaking in French.

"Uh, for a price like this of this value, there are very limited buyers," the woman translated. "Uh, like an institution, a museum." Rafe sighed. Michel spoke some more French, which the woman translated. "But he has a client in Barbados who will be interested. This client will have lots of questions. He'll want to meet with you in person." Michel handed Rafe a card, speaking in French, which the woman translated. "Call this number to arrange everything."

Michel tried his hand at English. "You... phone?"

"Yes," Rafe answered.

Michel nodded. "Very important."

Rafe nodded in agreement. "Very important. Very good."

The woman smiled. "Oui."

Rafe offered his hand to Michel. "Let's make a deal?"

Michel shook his hand. "Let's make a deal."

⚓️

Barbados

Sigh's Estate - Office

Mr. Carlos Singh was reading a newspaper, which had a picture of the Pogues' history teacher, Mr. Sunn, who had gotten the chance to check Denmark's diary out of Chapel Hill since the last time Lia went to read it and print pictures of it in 2.07.

The headline read; "Local History Teacher Makes Rare Find".

The subheading read: "Kildare High School Teacher Discovers Lost Diary of Denmark Tanny".

A soldier named Ryan walked up to Singh. "Eberhini was right. They do have it. And Michel says it's real."

Singh nodded. "Let's invite him to dinner then."

"Will do," Ryan agreed, walking away.

Singh returned to reading his paper.

⚓️

Woods

The Pogues were hiding in the hoods just off the beach, freaking out about what just happened, including Kaylee's kidnapping.

"What the hell was that?" Isa asked.

"Why would they want to kidnap Kaylee?" Pope asked.

"It's called bait," Lia stated.

Wheezie grumbled in exhaustion. "I am so sick of this."

JJ was sitting down, before standing up, punching the metal next to him, doing everything he could not to spiral out and lose control, pacing.

"Do you think there is any way we could trust the cops?" Sarah asked.

"You're joking, right?" Kie asked. "You seriously think your daddy hasn't called them already?"

"Not to mention that Kaylee is literally a fugitive from the law," JJ added. "If we call the cops, we're just turning her in for burning a kid alive, since none of the cops here will know the story of self-defense."

Pope took a seat beside Cleo. "I have a crazy idea. Why don't we call my parents?"

"And say what, Pope?" John B asked.

"And say we're alive," Pope answered. "I haven't seen my family in I don't know how long. They're probably worried sick about me. We can just call them and maybe ask them to wire us money or something."

"And put them in danger?" Isa asked.

Pope knew Isa had a point, looking away.

JJ pulled a wallet out from his back pocket. "I got a better idea. And faster."

"Whose is that?" Lia asked.

"You seriously think I'm gonna go through someone's backpack and not pinch their wallet?" JJ asked, reading off the address on Portis' license, holding it up for the others to see. "Jimmy Portis. 101 Cattle Wash. I bet that's where she is." He handed the license to Kie, who looked hopeful on finding her sister soon. "That's where we're going."

"Hell yeah," Kie agreed.

"Yeah, that's conceivable, but can we at least think this through?" Pope asked.

"You got a better idea, Pope?" JJ asked, walking away without another look behind him. "Come on, 101 Cattle Wash. That's where we're going."

Wheezie nodded. "Let's go."

The others exchanged a look, worried about JJ spiraling out because of the intensity of everything that happened before, and the fear that it was happening all over again.

⚓️

Singh Estate - Outside

The trucks with the men inside drove up to the estate in the middle of the fields, with the kidnapped Kaylee in the bed of one of the trucks, Fenton still looming over her with an intimidating gaze.

They pulled up to the gate of the estate, pulling over.

Kaylee saw more guards standing outside the estate with guns and guard dogs, looking incredibly overwhelmed.

The guards opened the gate and let the trucks drive through to the estate.

The trucks pulled over outside the huge mansion.

Fenton grabbed Kaylee by the arm and pulled her with him, forcing her to jump down to the ground, pulling her toward the house by her arm, up to the front door, past even more guards with guns.

A maid opened the door for them.

⚓️

Inside - Foyer

The maid and Fenton led Kaylee inside.

Fenton closed and locked the door behind them.

Kaylee looked around the estate, trying to find any sign or clue that would confirm her suspicions that Ward was behind this, but everything around her was foreign and confusing.

She noted seeing a knight-like helmet, and priceless gold jewelry and other artifacts in glass cases that were on display.

The maid led Kaylee and Fenton toward the stairs. "Take her upstairs. The Orinoco Room. I'll be up in a moment to deal..." She glanced at Kaylee's wounds. "With that."

Fenton grabbed Kaylee roughly by the arm, dragging her toward the stairs. "This way." Kaylee groaned in pain because they clearly did not care about being gentle even given her wounded state. "Up."

Kaylee was forced to go upstairs.

⚓️

Orinoco Room

Fenton opened the door and pushed Kaylee inside. "Inside."

Kaylee turned to him with a glare. "Why am I here? Who are you working for?"

Fenton didn't answer. "Dinner at eight. Housekeeper will be up shortly. I'd clean up."

"Just tell me what they want!" Kaylee snapped.

Fenton stepped out of the room, closing and locking the door before Kaylee had a chance to try and escape.

Kaylee rattled the doorknob in an attempt to open the door, but of course it didn't work. She sighed, walking toward the window, looking outside toward the armed men with guards outside, knowing she had little to no chance of getting out of this alone, especially in her state.

Kaylee sighed anxiously, turning around, noticing a rack of red fancy dresses by the door, frowning, walking closer, picking up a note that was hanging from the rack.

The note said: "Pick your size."

Kaylee was only more confused, biting her lip anxiously.

⚓️

Guadeloupe

Cameron House - Living Room

Rose was drinking, looking up at the balcony over the living room.

Rafe was up there, packing a bag to leave, sunglasses on. "I don't have time for this, Rose, okay? I gotta get to Bridgetown. I'm taking the boat."

"Come on, Rafe," Rose told him. "You don't even know this guy." Rafe was looking at the card that Michel gave him (which said Michel's last name was Arnaud). "You can't just go out and try and make a deal, Rafe. That's so risky."

Rafe took off his sunglasses, mocking her. "I can't?"

"I know you think you know what you're doing," Rose stated. "But there are people out there that know your dad is alive. No! Not just people, Pogues."

Rafe nodded. "Pogues, Pogues. Listen, they can't prove it. They don't know where we are."

"Lia, Sarah and Wheezie do," Rose replied.

"Oh, Lia, Sarah and Wheezie do," Rafe repeated mockingly. "Listen, they aren't gonna do shit, Rose. Lia's spiraling worse than I am most of the time and that's saying something. Sarah's too afraid. Wheezie wouldn't want to do anything against us."

"And Kaylee?" Rose challenged.

Rafe gave her a warning look. "Kayle doesn't have a part in this, okay? I let her go. All right? And if the Pogues show up, I'm just gonna handle it."

"You'll handle it?" Rose repeated incredulously. "When have you ever handled anything for us? Rafe, everything you touch turns to--"

Rafe was fed up, pausing in getting his things together, yelling. "Hey, hey!" Rose shut up real quick. Rafe lowered his voice. "Listen, I'm gonna sell the cross that I found. Okay, that I saved, and when Dad wakes up..."

Rose nodded in annoyance, rolling her eyes, taking a drink. "Okay."

"He's gonna see that I took care of it," Rafe finished. "Not you."

Rafe gave a smug smirk.

Rose nodded skeptically. "Sure."

"So why don't you go have yourself another Tom Collins while I go make us all a shit ton of money, okay?" Rafe asked. Fed up with his smug attitude, Rose threw her glass, which hit the wall beneath Rafe's feet. Rafe looked down to watch the glass shatter, completely unharmed, and more amused than anything. "You missed." He grabbed his bags. "Maybe you don't need another drink."

Rafe walked away as Rose watched him go with a glare.

⚓️

Barbados 

Beach

Big John Routledge and Carla Limbrey were sitting in a car, watching the clean up on the beach where the Pogues had landed and Kaylee had been kidnapped.

"And you think it's them?" Big John asked.

Carla tilted her head. "Mm, they fit the description I heard."

"From who?" Big John asked.

Carla removed her sunglasses. "I got the police report."

"Did they have a phone on them or anything?" Big John asked.

"They were just rescued, off the Grenadines," Carla explained. "They had nothing."

Big John looked down in thought. "That means no one else can track them either. Maybe that's good."

"Why didn't you call them, your children, when you had a chance?" Carla asked. "Just let them know you're alive."

Big John looked up. "You don't know how many times I wanted to, but it would've put them at risk. And me, it was better I stayed dead." He listened to the sound of a bell on a nearby buoy in the water. "When they were kids, I used to bring them home with the bells."

⚓️

Flashback 9

Day - The Chateau - Outside

Young John B and Young Isa were out on the dock, while Young John B was fishing, and Young Isa was swimming.

Big John walked outside toward the bell, ringing it in a specific rhythm: Ding... ding... ding ding. "John B! Isa! Bring it on in!" He rang the bell again four times in the same pattern. "Bring it on home, kids!"

Young John B smiled. "Coming, Dad!"

Young Isa grinned, climbing out of the water onto the dock. "Race you home, John B!"

Young Isa took off running toward the chateau.

Young John B followed. "That's cheating, Isa!"

Young Isa and Young John B laughed all the while.

⚓️

Now

Day - Beach

Still in the car with Limbrey, Big John turned his head to look at Carla. "Find my kids, and I will get you your shroud, I promise."

⚓️

Street

The Pogues were walking down the street.

"Really helps there's no names on the streets," Isa said sarcastically.

"Just let me handle it," Cleo told them, walking toward a house to call up to a group of people. "101 Cattle Wash?" The group pointed them in the right direction. "Blue house? Thanks, I appreciate you."

Kie nodded thankfully. "Let's do it." They walked up to the blue house, seeing Portis' address on a sign outside. "This is it. Let's go around back."

⚓️

Portis' House - Backyard

The Pogues snuck up on the side to try and go undetected, staying low as they ran up to a window, shushing each other to be quiet when they had to.

John B stepped forward, toward the house. "Hey, window?"

"Yeah," Lia answered.

Pope stepped up. "Here, you want some help?"

"No, I got this," John B answered, grabbing onto the windowsill over his head, pulling himself up to the window, prying open the window.

"Careful," Sarah whispered.

JJ got distracted by all the crabs crawling up to him, as one got onto his shoe. "Whoa. Yo, get off. Get off! Dude, get--"

JJ leaned down to get the crab off his shoe, but the crab pinched at his finger, causing JJ to let out a sharp and high-pitched yelp.

Wheezie was giggling hysterically.

Lia covered her mouth with a hand to hide her snickers as JJ screamed and waved his hand around in the air.

The crab eventually let go and went tossing away from all of JJ's flinging.

The others were quick to hush JJ's outburst.

"What are you doing?" Pope exclaimed in a hushed tone. "Does the element of surprise mean nothing to you?"

JJ turned to Pope with a bewildered look. "It turned my thumb purple."

Cleo tried to calm him as he freakishly looked around at the rest of the crabs. "Shh. Relax, it's just a crab, man."

"I'm being surrounded right now," JJ complained. "Goddamn it. Damn little sea spider."

JJ held his hand against his chest as he backed away, not really knowing where to go.

Wheezie grinned. "Damsel in distress much?"

Isa spoke dramatically but quietly. "Don't worry, JJ, I'll protect you."

JJ walked closer to the others.

Lia nodded. "See, that wasn't so hard."

⚓️

Inside

They made their way into the house after John B. They all took separate corners of the house, trying to find any possible clues to help them out.

"I'll take the front," Cleo whispered. "Take the back."

Sarah looked around in concern. "Kaylee?"

John B and Isa both whispered. "Kaylee?"

Lia, Wheezie and Sarah looked into the dining room.

"Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, no one in there?" JJ asked.

"No," Wheezie answered. "No Kaylee."

"No one?" Sarah asked.

Kie shook her head worriedly. "There's no one here. Okay, well, if she's not here, where the hell is she? Where's... my sister?"

Isa and Lia both looked at Kie worriedly, taking her hands to try and calm her down and reassure her.

"We'll find her," Isa told her. She looked at JJ, knowing he wasn't doing any better than Kie right now. "We will."

JJ and Kie both tried to relax, but it was impossible.

Pope noticed a painting on the wall, turning to the other Pogue that would find undying interest in this as well. "Lia. Lia?"

Lia walked closer to Pope and the painting, stunned. "Oh, my God."

The others walked closer.

"What, did you find something?" John B asked.

Kie didn't get it. "It's a burning boat."

At the bottom of the painting, the words San Jose were painted.

"Holy shit," Lia said. "This is San Jose."

"It's from Denmark's diary," Pope explained. "This is the ship that Captain Limbrey stole the cross from."

"And the Merchant gold," Lia added.

Kie clearly didn't care. "Great. It's just about the gold. It's not about Kaylee. It still doesn't help us."

"Well, Portis is a treasure guy," John B stated. "It's too close to our boat."

"Just let it go," Wheezie told them. "That's not why we're here."

Cleo whistled to grab their attention. "Guys, guys, guys."

Sarah walked closer to see she was looking out the window, seeing Portis pulling up. "What? Shit. It's Portis."

"Shit," JJ said. "Yo, he's back."

"Do we run?" Wheezie asked.

"Then there's little to no chance we find Kaylee," Isa pointed out. "We gotta find out where she is."

⚓️

Outside

Portis walked up to the house, on the phone. "Yeah, yeah, they're pulling her out right now. I'm just really worried about the electrical, all right? I--All right, all right. I'll check in with you tomorrow."

⚓️

Inside

Portis walked in, hanging up his phone. "Flying Fish, man." He stopped when he saw a crab on the floor. "Damn it. I've had it with you guys."

JJ launched himself forward, punching Portis in the face furiously, making him stumble back from the unexpected impact. As he did, Pope grabbed him from behind, throwing himself onto Portis' back, wrapping his arms around his neck.

John B ran closer, punching Portis in the face. Portis kicked John B back, causing him to stumble and lose his balance, throwing his elbow into Pope's side, making him let go, throwing him around to the floor, going to run out the door.

Kie was standing there, ready, throwing out her leg, causing Portis to trip and fall to the floor. Lia picked up a vase from nearby and slammed it over Portis' head with way more force and violence than she had to, rattling his skull, shattering the glass and stunning the man greatly.

Isa reached down, grabbing Portis by the roots of his hair to pull him up onto his feet, kneeing him viciously in the stomach, making him shriek in pain as he was pulled up by his hair.

JJ came up next to them, grabbing Portis to help Isa shove him down against the table behind him.

As Jimmy tried to push himself up, Wheezie came up between Isa and JJ to deliver a painful kick between Jimmy's legs, making him shout in pain and slump against the table, leaving him unable to break free from Isa and JJ's restraint.

"That's our girl," Isa praised.

Wheezie smirked, stepping back.

Cleo stepped up between JJ and Isa, pressing her knife up against his throat.

Portis grunted. "You guys really shouldn't be here right now."

Kie stood in front of them, crossing her arms as she glared at the man. "Where is she, Jimmy?"

"Answer the girl!" Cleo demanded, pressing the knife closer to his neck.

Lia, Sarah, John B and Pope walked closer.

Portis shook his head. "You really don't want to know."

Sarah came up from the other side of the table to press a hot sauce bottle against Portis' face. "Talk. Who took her? Was it Rafe or Ward?"

Portis laughed. "Rafe? Ward? Who are they? You guys really don't understand who you're messing with."

"Then we will call the cops," Sarah threatened.

"Sure, call the cops," Portis replied. "See how far that gets you. This guy owns the cops." He tried to move his head away from the bottle. "He's got eyes all over the island looking for you. All of you." The Pogues shared a brief glance. "He's a big man, the Kingfish."

"The Kingfish?" Wheezie questioned.

Pope walked up to them with an envelope in hand. "Hey!"

Portis tried to get up. "Hey, take your hands off my shit!"

JJ and Isa shoved Portis harshly back down with the grip they had on the man's shirt, while Kie stepped closer and kneed Portis in the stomach to keep him pinned down against the table.

"Stay the fuck down," Isa threatened.

Cleo put pressure against the knife on Portis' throat. "Hey, quiet down!"

"Shut up," Kie told him.

Pope pulled wads of cash from the envelope, showing it to them, passing it to John B.

John B looked through the money. "What's that, Jimmy? Is that the payoff?"

"Is that the payoff for Kaylee, Jimmy?" JJ asked hatefully. "Is it?!"

"Talk!" Cleo commanded.

Pope waved the envelope. "What's Vaux Hall?"

Portis remained quiet.

Lashing out, Lia stood next to Sarah, taking the bottle from her, slamming it down over the table to make it shatter, holding the sharp edge of the broken bottle toward Portis threateningly. "Answer the fucking question."

The others looked at Lia in surprise and concern, stunned by the violence of the action, but they weren't surprised given that while they never had the chance to get Lia help while on the island.

Sarah grabbed Lia's arm. "Lia..."

Wheezie placed a hand on Lia's shoulder gently. "Can we ease back a little?"

"You really don't want to go there, man," Portis grumbled. "That's the lion's den."

(Song:) Worry - Songhoy Blues

"That's where Kaylee is," John B realized. "Come on, guys!"

"You really don't want to go there," Portis warned.

"Do we look afraid?" Cleo asked, as they all glared at him.

Portis was breathing heavily. "You should be."

Isa glared at Portis, punching him in the gut, making him groan in pain. "That's for selling out Kaylee even after she saved your fucking life."

"Damn right," Kie agreed.

JJ nodded.

John B pulled Isa away from Portis. "Let's go, Isa. Come on, it's not worth it. Come on, Cleo, JJ, let's go. Come on, Lia!"

John B and Isa ran out of the house with no time to waste.

Sarah pulled Lia away from Portis quickly, making her drop the broken bottle as she led her out of the house as fast as she could. "Come on."

Wheezie took Lia's other hand as she and Sarah led her out of the house. "Let's go, let's go."

Pope and Kie pulled JJ and Cleo away from Portis before their impulse could take over on what to do with them.

"Portis, we're taking some clothes," Lia called. "Deal with it."

The Pogues all ran out of the house.

"Big mistake," Portis said. "You're just gonna make it worse for her!"

⚓️

Outside

The Pogues ran away from Portis' house, going on whatever insane rescue mission that they could come up with to get Kaylee back, a change of clothes in arms.

Portis looked out the window to yell after them. "Hey, I didn't tell you shit, okay? Remember that!"

(Song Ends)

Portis looked across the street toward the people who had pointed the Pogues to his house.

One of the men there pulled out his phone to make a call.

Portis knew that he was fucked either way. "Shit."

⚓️

Vaux Hall (Street)

The Pogues walked down the street, while the boys were wearing whatever they could find from Portis' clothes that they stole, not just for a change of clothing, but in hopes that if they weren't in their regular clothes, they would be slightly harder to spot and caught. The girls of course were out of luck, still in their clothes from the island.

"Pope, are you sure you have the right address?" JJ asked.

"I know you aren't talking to me about having the right address," Pope told him.

"That's exactly what I'm asking," JJ answered.

Pope looked at the envelope. "Look, the place says Vaux Hall."

Wheezie pointed to a map on a wall in the street. "Vaux Hall, it's on the map."

"Yeah, but we don't know if that's where we are," Kie stated.

"It's in the general vicinity," Lia pointed out.

Cleo noticed a man driving a tractor nearby. "Why don't we just ask someone?" She called out to the man. "Hey!" The man stopped driving for a moment. "Pardon I. You know where we can find Vaux Hall?"

"You kidding me, right?" the man asked.

"Does it look like we're kidding?" Isa replied. "Pretend we're tourists, 'cause we are."

The man nodded, pointing around everywhere. "Everything you can see all around you is all Vaux Hall."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Wheezie asked. "Like..."

The man gestured around. "All this, all this, all this."

Kie looked around. "Oh, everywhere." She pointed up to the big estate across the fields. "Okay, so who lives up there?"

"Carlos Singh," the man answered. "Just on the other side of that wall. But take it from me, he's no one you want to get to know."

The Pogues exchanged a look, knowing now without a doubt that that was where Kaylee was.

"Okay, thank you," Sarah told him.

"Thank you," John B agreed.

The Pogues started to walk across the field toward the estate.

⚓️

Singh Estate - Orinoco Room

Kaylee was laying on the bed after a well-needed actual shower, not having anything else to wear besides a red dress in her size. Her wounds had been actually semi-treated by the maid, and although she still felt sick and like shit, she seemed to feel a little better than before; although not enough to try and fight her way out of this alone.

The maid knocked on the door before opening it.

Kaylee stood quickly.

"He's ready," the maid told her.

Kaylee was nervous, having no idea what to expect.

⚓️

Living Room

The maid led Kaylee down the grand staircase, the soft rustle of her short red dress echoing in the room, as the maid led her to the living room.

Kaylee's heart pounded with anxiety as she cautiously walked into the room, her eyes darting around in search of any danger. The only other person present was Rafe, clad in a business casual suit, his back turned to her as he poured a drink at the bar. His buzzcut head was bowed down, concealing his face from view.

Kaylee frowned in confusion. "Uh, excuse me?"

Rafe paused at her voice, placing the glass down, turning around, shocked to see Kaylee standing there in a stunning red dress. "Kaylee?"

Realization hit Kaylee like a wave as she came face to face with Rafe for the first time since the he had saved her from the riot outside police station that her parents had started and taken her to the ship as a way to protect her. How he was even willing to make a deal with his father to ensure that she was safe from police and Tod's parents and their revenge alike. The game of chase that was a welcome distraction from everything that had gone wrong in her life, while she simultaneously looked for her friends and sister and provided a distraction to protect them even at the risk of her own life. Realizing that Rafe had been aware the entire time and kept her secret. His goodbye when he accepted that she was leaving with the Pogues ran through her mind. And then when Rafe had found Ward's prone body, how he had trained his rifle on the Pogues but dropped the gun before any harm could be done, pulled back by the memories of his sisters and Kaylee herself.

Seeing each other for the first time a month later was overwhelming for both of them. While Rafe didn't know if Kaylee and the other Pogues had survived or not, half-believing they were dead, his shock was mixed with relief upon seeing her alive before him, once again showing that in his own way, he cared for her.

While Rafe was only here upon the impression that the man he was meeting was wanting to strike a deal for the cross - for a lot of money - Kaylee was confused, overwhelmed and angry because she had been kidnapped and taken here against her will.

Kaylee shook her head in disbelief, walking closer. "Fuck no. I knew Ward was behind this shit. What, are you, too?"

Rafe closed the distance between the two, frowning in confusion and defense. "What are you talking about? You trying to weasel in on my deal right now? Is that what's going on?"

"What deal?" Kaylee scoffed.

Rafe frowned in curiosity, his eyes gazing Kaylee up and down, taking in the sight of her in the red dress. Kaylee bit her lip nervously, suddenly aware of what she was wearing and how he would appreciate how attractive she looked.

Suddenly, a heavily accented voice cut through the tension from the next room, making Kaylee and Rafe turn to see Singh, their captor, enter the room with a smug look on his face. "I wondered if your little reunion would cause sparks, you know."

Rafe raised his eyebrow at Kaylee with a slight smirk. "Probably not a good idea to say that to a pyromaniac." Kaylee shot him a look. Singh chuckled, looking oddly pleased despite the circumstances. Rafe glared at Singh. "And who are you?"

Singh sauntered closer, oozing confidence. "Me? My name is Carlos Singh. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cameron. And Miss Carrera, I do apologize for the rough tactics in bringing you here." He gestured for them to join him with a graceful wave of his hand. "But please, come. Sit down." Kaylee hesitated. "Come now, I don't bite."

Rafe glanced at Kaylee.

For a moment, Kaylee stared Rafe down before walking toward the chairs that Singh indicated.

Rafe's brow furrowed in suspicion, his hand unconsciously sweeping over his head as he trailed behind. "Rough tactics?"

"Yeah, kidnapping," Kaylee retorted with a sharp edge and a glare directed at Singh, claiming a seat in one of the chairs.

Rafe turned his glare on Singh realizing he took Kaylee. He knew that he needed to find a way out of this situation, and fast. He couldn't leave without Kaylee by his side, and he was determined to make sure they both got out of there alive. Singh and whoever stood in his way would pay.

Rafe raised his eyebrow at Singh. "What about me?"

Singh poured himself a drink. "Yes, Mr. Cameron, false pretenses. But the ends justify the means, I'm afraid. Sit down. We have a lot to talk about."

Rafe exhaled, sitting in the chair next to Kaylee, his eyes flickering to her face for any sign of distress. However, she showed no sign of it.

"Why are we here?" Kaylee asked.

Singh stepped closer. "Well, Miss Carrera, Mr. Cameron, we share certain interests, you know. Objectives."

"Is this not about the cross?" Rafe asked impatiently.

Singh pointed at Rafe with a smile. "It is. Tangentially, it is about the cross, but it's also about something much, much bigger than the cross." He walked toward a painting on the wall which depicted a jungle with a figure going through it toward what looked like a city of gold. "By orders of magnitude, the completion of a grand quest."

Kaylee frowned.

Singh turned to face them. "You see, the story goes that 450 years ago, a Spanish soldier came out of the Orinoco Basin with a few gold beads. And one day, when they asked the Spanish soldier, 'where did the beads come from?', the Spanish soldier replied he got them from a peaceful Indigenous tribe who lived in a city of gold. El Dorado. And for the next 450 years, people tried to find that gold, you know. They tried."

Singh picked up a knife, twisting it around in his hand. "Conquistadors, knights, captains of ships, tribes, entire nations. All fighting each other in a race for the end of the rainbow. Thousands of lives laid on the pyre of gold fever." Rafe was hanging his head in boredom, not really paying attention, raising his head as Singh continued. "And it falls to me, you know. It falls to me to complete the task. To bring full circle a quest that has gone on for almost 500 years."

Singh jabbed points with his knife to drive his point across. "Perhaps... perhaps the greatest quest in the history of the western hemisphere, you know." He used his knife to point from Kaylee to Rafe. "And you two... you two are going to play a part in that."

Rafe nodded sarcastically, looking away, lips pressed into a thin line.

Singh turned his gaze to Kaylee. "What about you, Miss Carrera? Are you interested in history?"

Singh sat across from them.

Kaylee shook her head flippantly. "More of a live-in-the-now person."

Rafe put a hand to his head. "Yeah, I didn't listen to a word you said, okay? How much you gonna keep philosophizing?"

Singh looked between the two, not surprised by their remarks. "The two of you are direct, aren't you?"

Realizing that they both said something and acted in ways that could piss Singh off without thinking, Kaylee tried to remedy that to ensure she got out of there intact. "What do you need from me?"

"I've come to believe that you and your friends are in possession of something that can help me get what I want," Singh explained.

"Which is?" Kaylee asked.

"An old manuscript," Singh answered. "A diary, actually."

Rafe glanced around in confusion before turning his head to look at Kaylee.

Kaylee tried to remain completely expressionless, knowing that Singh meant the Denmark Tanny diary, not wanting to tell them anything that could put her friends in danger.

⚓️

Outside

JJ was the first to climb up onto the wall, reaching his hand down to help pull Kie and Wheezie down after they got a push up from Isa and Lia. Wheezie jumped down on the other side. Once on the top, JJ and Kie both pulled up Isa and Lia as they got a push up from John B and Pope. JJ and Kie jumped down, so that Isa and Lia could help Cleo and Sarah up as they got a push up from John B and Pope. Isa and Lia jumped down next to JJ and Kie, as Cleo and Sarah helped Pope and John B climb up. The four of them jumped down.

"Oh, shit, wait," Isa whispered.

"Oh, man," Pope said. "Okay. Portis wasn't kidding."

John B's eyes widened as they took in what was in front of them. "No, that's a fortress. This is much bigger than Ward."

Armed guards filtered through the area. They had men walking the fields with dogs, men up in some sort of watch towers.

"We got two towers, patrollers, ATVs, possibly snipers," Kie listed.

Sarah shook her head. "There's no way we're getting past that."

"We gotta help her," Cleo stated. "We can take them if we stay towards the treeline."

Cleo stood, heading toward the treeline.

The other Pogues tried to call her back in hushed tones. "No, Cleo! Cleo!"

"Shit," Lia said.

But they ended up getting up and following after Cleo. 

⚓️

Inside - Living Room

Rafe and Kaylee were still sitting across from Singh.

Rafe looked at Kaylee, knowing the look on her face, realizing she knew exactly what Singh was talking about even if Singh didn't notice that she did.

Rafe didn't want to help Singh after the false pretenses that led him here and took Kaylee, so he maintained innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Kaylee scoffed. "This is ridiculous. I don't know anything about a diary."

Rafe resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the lie.

Singh frowned, not convinced. "But how else could you have learned that the cross was on the Royal Merchant?"

Kaylee remained composed. "Look, I want to help you, but I can't."

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that, you know," Singh told her. "Because unfortunately, I don't believe you." He pointed to Rafe. "You and your friend here couldn't have found the cross without it."

Rafe sighed, tired of the situation, and stood up, clapping his hands once. "Look, this is ridiculous. Okay? I'm out." He stood. "I don't know anything about a diary, okay? We're leaving."

Kaylee looked up, only slightly surprised.

Rafe extended his hand toward Kaylee, firm and protective as he glared as Singh. "Let's go, Kaylee."

Because of their history, Kaylee knew that Rafe would not leave her behind where she was held captive, obviously wounded and weakened, and in danger.

Kaylee stood, stepping closer to Rafe, her glare not leaving Singh as she did. Rafe took her hand and pulled her closer to him as he led the way to the door.

Singh didn't move yet because he knew he didn't have to.

A guard blocked Rafe and Kaylee from leaving, gun in arm, making them stop.

Singh glanced over, noting their retreat from the guard. "Do I look like a fool to you, Mr. Cameron?" He stood. "Do I look like a fool to you?"

Rafe faced Singh with a nonchalant shrug, as if thinking, 'yeah'.

Singh glared. "You have the cross." He pointed to Kaylee. "She and her friends had the cross at one point. So one of you has the diary." Rafe glanced at Kaylee, who avoided his gaze. Singh stalked closer as he looked at Singh, nodding to Kaylee as he called her Rafe's friend. "And if you really don't know, then I suggest you convince your friend to tell me."

Kaylee glared at Singh.

"Once I have the diary, you'll be free to leave," Singh declared.

Kaylee struggled to maintain composure at the realization that neither she nor Rafe would be leaving soon.

Rafe's eyes were still on her, his expression unreadable. She could feel the weight of his gaze, knowing he was trying to figure out what she knew and how to use it to their advantage. The familiar push and pull between them threatened to resurface.

"I told you, I don't know anything about a diary," Kaylee said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Singh's eyes narrowed. "I think you do, Miss Carrera. I think your friend here knows it, too. And I'm afraid I can't let either of you leave until I have it."

Rafe stepped slightly in front of Kaylee, his posture protective and tense. "Look, we've already told you we don't know anything. This is getting old fast."

"Oh, I'm just getting started," Singh replied with a cold smile. He snapped his fingers and two more armed guards entered the room. "Let's take them upstairs to the Orinoco Room. Don't worry, I'll be going with you."

The guards roughly escorted Rafe and Kaylee up the grand staircase, their grip firm on their arms. Kaylee stumbled slightly on the steps, her dress hampering her movements. Rafe instinctively reached out to steady her, but one of the guards shoved him forward, keeping them apart.

⚓️

Outside

The Pogues stayed moving behind the tall grass, moving behind another area, crouching down to get a better look.

"Stay down," Isa whispered.

"Cleo, slow down," Wheezie whispered.

JJ held up his hand to signal them to wait as he peaked over the grass line. "Oh, shit."

JJ quickly ducked back down.

"What do you see?" John B questioned.

JJ started doing a bunch of crazy hand gestures as if they were playing a game of charades.

"What?" Sarah asked.

"Hey, use your words," Kie told him. "Words."

JJ pointed in front of him. "They're right there."

"Then just say that!" Wheezie exclaimed in a quiet tone. 

JJ started to stand. "All right, what we should do, is we should back up, all right? Because there's no way."

Lia grabbed him by the sleeve of his shirt, trying to refrain from him getting spotted. "JJ, get down."

Cleo pointed to a spot across the field. "There's an opening down that way. As soon as the guards turn around, we just sneak through the back."

They all started to walk again.

"Come on, it's this way," Isa whispered.

Cleo, Isa, Lia, Wheezie, Sarah and Kie were leading the way, staying low, while Pope, JJ and John B followed.

"Wait, you know what we should be doing?" JJ asked. "Go down, take the sewers up..."

"Shh," John B shushed.

"What sewers?" Sarah asked.

"The sewers," JJ repeated.

"This is all grassland," Pope told him. "There's no sewers."

A beeping and clicking noise then froze them all in their tracks, as they stood up straight, turning towards the ongoing beeping noise.

"What was that?" Wheezie asked, turning to face the boys. "What was that?"

They all looked around, trying to locate where exactly the sound was coming from.

"Wait, hold on," Lia told them. "I know that sound."

Isa moved to grab the green box from the post in front of them. "It's a game cam. Oh, shit!"

"Mash it up, mash it up!" Cleo demanded, grabbing the game cam from Isa, tossing it onto the ground, going to bash her foot on top.

Pope quickly reached down and grabbed it. "No, no, no, stop it, give me that. Pull the battery!"

"Quick, before it transmits," John B added. "Come on, Pope."

"Transmits?" Sarah repeated.

The beeping quickened.

"Pope, come on, hurry up," Lia urged.

The fast beeping came to a sudden stop just as Pope yanked out the batteries.

They all stood in silence, staring around at one another.

"Do you think we got it before it transmitted?" Kie asked the question that they were all thinking, but were too scared to ask.

Before anyone could answer, dogs were heard barking in the distance.

"No," Wheezie answered.

John B looked panicked. "Dogs. Dogs, we gotta go!"

They were stood turning around and breaking into a sprint towards the wall.

"Go, go, go!" Cleo yelled.

They sprinted up the hill, scared yells emitting from everyone.

JJ led the way. "We gotta go, we gotta go."

"Run!" Pope urged.

"Go, go!" Cleo shouted.

Behind them, ATVs and dogs were only getting closer to the Pogues, as the dogs were being released from their leashes and gaining on them with every step forward they took.

"I'm not about to be dog bait!" Isa complained.

"Dogs, dogs!" John B repeated in panic. "Go, go!"

"Come on, come on!" Kie told them.

JJ and John B, ahead of everyone else, jumped themselves to the top of the wall, reaching down to help Wheezie, Lia and Sarah up to the top of the wall. Wheezie and Lia both cried out from their shoulder and side wounds.

"Come on," JJ told them. "Hurry up, get up here!"

Wheezie, Isa and Lia yelled out. "Guys!"

Pope jumped up the wall, reaching down to help Cleo to the top as well. "Cleo!"

Isa used the momentum she had from the force she was running to jump toward the wall and kick herself up, her hands barely reaching the top edge, but Lia and John B were able to grab Isa's biceps and pull her up the rest of the way.

Isa cried out from the pain in her forearm as her wound was heavily impacted. The gash from her elbow to nearly her wrist was throbbing in agony. Lia and John B held Isa steadily.

Pope, Cleo, JJ, Wheezie, John B and Sarah jumped down.

"Isa," Kie cried. "Lia, come on."

Isa and Lia quickly grabbed Kie's hands and pulled her up, just in time to save Kie from being attacked by the dogs as they were all staring in shock.

"Okay, cool," Lia said to try and calm the dogs down. "No, stay down."

"Guys, get down," John B told them.

Sarah called up worriedly. "Guys!"

"Guys?" Wheezie asked.

Isa, Kie and Lia jumped down to the other side of the wall with the other Pogues.

Everyone was breathing heavily, trying to catch their breath as they leaned against the wall, calming down from almost being dog bait.

"Ah, cool," Isa said.

"Oh, my God," Wheezie said breathlessly.

"Series of bad decisions," John B mumbled.

They were all desperate because they hadn't been able to save their lost friend.

"What are we gonna do about Kaylee?" Sarah asked, looking up at JJ and Kie.

Kie shook her head desperately. "I don't know."

JJ was practically seething. "We'll think of something, but we're not leaving her in there."

Isa shook her head in agreement. "Not a fucking chance."

John B was just as determined, nodding. "She wouldn't leave one of us."

Lia looked toward the estate worriedly for their friend. "Come on."

Once again, they were forced to walk away and regroup and try and find a way to save her without getting them all killed.

⚓️

Inside - Orinoco Room

Singh and his guards ushered Kaylee and Rafe to the Orinoco room.

As they entered the Orinoco Room, the same bedroom Kaylee had been taken to before, Kaylee's eyes darted around, taking in potential escape routes. The large windows overlooked the sprawling grounds, but they were too high up to jump.

Singh waved his arms. "Enjoy the grounds during your stay." He turned to face them. "I must warn you, though. I'm not a man of infinite patience." He held up one finger. "You have one day. Go to the window for a little demonstration." He walked between Kaylee and Rafe on his way to the door, patting Rafe on the shoulder. "I think you'll enjoy it, you know."

Singh walked out of the room.

Ryan, the firsthand soldier of Singh's, closed and locked the door with Rafe still inside with Kaylee.

Rafe walked toward the door. "Hey. Hey! You're just done talking?" He tried to open the door. "Hey!"

Kaylee strode to the window, gazing out.

Rafe approached, standing just behind Kaylee to peer outside, a little too close as he peered outside alongside her.

Kaylee frowned as she watched Portis being escorted toward the estate.

"Who the hell is that guy?" Rafe asked, his eyes unable to stray too long from Kaylee.

Kaylee didn't glance his way, focusing instead on the scene below. "I know him. That's Jimmy Portis." She frowned, shaking her head. "He was trying to help me."

Rafe observed Kaylee, his hand hovering near her shoulder, seeking reassurance this wasn't a disturbing fantasy in his mind. However, he controlled the impulse, turning his gaze back to the window.

Singh and Ryan stepped onto the porch, heading towards their men and Portis, now out of sight from the window.

Singh glanced up at Rafe and Kaylee, ensuring they were watching, drawing a gun.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Rafe said in disbelief.

Kaylee swallowed, a shiver going down her spine. "Oh, my God."

Kaylee knew what was about to happen, but she couldn't look away.

Singh turned around, walking toward Portis, cocking his gun.

The next sound, a deafening gunshot, left them both shaken as Singh coldly executed Portis in full view, without a moment's hesitation.

Kaylee let out a quiet gasp, her eyes reflecting horror.

Rafe flinched, inhaling sharply, the reality of Singh's threat against them sinking in.

Turning to Kaylee, Rafe's hand hovered near her wrist. "The diary." As Kaylee withdrew her wrist, Rafe noticed the injury from Macias, momentarily distracting him with confusion and concern before he regained focus. "Hey, no bullshit." He tilted his head to catch her gaze. "Don't bullshit me, okay? Do you have it?" Kaylee avoided his eyes, her expression resolute and determined. "Kaylee."

Kaylee slowly turned her head, eyes flashing with defiance. "No."

Kaylee couldn't say something that risked her family with the Pogues,even with Rafe knowing that he had helped protect them last time, given that he had also held a rifle trained on them.

Nevertheless, the palpable electric tension and chemistry between them persisted, the constant push and pull that never subsided, despite Kaylee's resistance. This gave Rafe a glimmer of hope his efforts for them to be together were not in vain, that maybe there was a chance for them yet

But for now, they were both in danger, and Rafe knew he needed to protect Kaylee no matter what.