Outfits Link:

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Day One

Restaurant

(Song:) Time Moves On - The Nude Party

The news broke out all across the island about the Pogues and Big John being back.

Including in the restaurant that Rafe was currently at.

Female reporter: (on TV) "Eight Kildare teens who went missing nearly six weeks ago are now reported alive, safe, and back on Kildare Island. The ninth, Kaylee Carrera, who is wanted for the death of Tod Laurent, has not been confirmed dead or alive."

On the TV, a picture of the Pogues at the hospital appeared.

Leaning against the wall, Rafe smirked, drinking from his glass.

Male reporter: (on TV) "Now a live update from the sheriff's department."

Rafe pushed away from the wall, walking toward the TV, sitting down in front of it.

Shoupe: (on TV) "Yeah, after six weeks, the teens that had been missing from Kildare County have returned, been reunited with their families. We're still waiting for details about their journey, but I'm sure they have quite a tale to tell. We're still looking for Kaylee Carrera, but so far, there hasn't been any news of her."

Rafe finished his drink, looking relieved that the police had no idea where she was.

⚓️

Drug House

Barry was watching the news, annoyed that Rafe didn't tell him that Lia was back, glaring at the picture of the Pogues, and more specifically Lia, blaming her for Ward finally selling him out about killing Robbie and being the reason why he was in hiding now.

Shoupe: (on TV) "We also got word that the father of two of the teens, Isa and John B Routledge, who's been presumed to be dead for a year now, has also returned alive and well. Wonders never cease."

⚓️

The Wreck

Mike and Anna were working at the Wreck, taking a break when the news played on the TV for everyone to see - the news report that the Pogues were back home. They were stunned, given that they hadn't seen Kie since their daughters returned after everything that had transpired.

Shoupe: (on TV) "Right now, we're just trying to get those kids settled back into school, with their families. They've been through a lot."

The crowd had mixed reactions, just as Mike and Anna themselves - they were happy that Kie was back, but everyone didn't know how to react that Kaylee potentially could be back and was in hiding.

⚓️

Boathouse

Topper was alone in the boathouse when he saw the news, waxing his surfboard until he heard the news about Sarah.

Female reporter: (on TV) "The teens were down in the Caribbean with three other Kildare teens, Lia, Sarah and Wheezie Cameron, the daughters of disgraced real estate magnate, Ward Cameron, who confessed to the murder of Sheriff Peterkin and exposed a local drug dealer for killing the friend of the younger of his three daughters."

⚓️

Esme's Cabin

Kaylee, Kie and the Mavericks were watching the news from the safety of Esme's cabin.

Female reporter: (on TV) "All the teens back, safe and sound on Kildare Island, and John Routledge back from the dead. That's about as good as a result as we could hope for. The only question that remains now is, where is Kaylee Carrera, and what will become of her?"

Elyna, Gael and Esme looked at Kaylee and Kie in concern.

Kaylee took a deep breath, letting it out. "Looks like everyone knows we're back."

"But they don't know about you or where you are," Kie pointed out.

"You're safe here," Esme agreed. "The police and the Laurents won't know that you're here."

Kaylee sighed, nodding in agreement, looking down.

"You said that the Pogues are coming by to see you two after this broke the news," Elyna stated. "That's okay."

"I just want you kids to be safe and careful," Gael admitted.

"We will," Kie replied.

Elyna snorted in amusement. "Yeah, or at the very least doing chaotic things as safely as we can."

Kaylee and Kie smiled slightly in agreement.

Esme looked at them with narrowed eyes. "What are you kids talking about?"

"Kaylee and Kie might have asked me for help with assisting the Pogues in a cross heist," Elyna answered. "They know that with our family history, I'm good at planning heists and have the tools to get shit done without too much of a hassle."

Gael shook his head, not surprised. "As long as you kids get through today and get back in one piece to help us set up for the plane heist, that's all that I care about."

Kaylee smirked. "We had a feeling you would say that."

Esme shook her head. "I don't want to know. Just be careful."

Kie smiled. "As careful as we always are."

Esme gave them a look. "How about more than you usually are?"

Elyna grinned. "That's fair. Hey, Dad, do you still have that monster tow truck at your old shop on the Cut?"

Gael nodded. "It should still be there. Why?"

Kaylee, Kie and Elyna exchanged a grin.

"Part of our mission that Mom doesn't want to know about," Elyna answered.

Gael and Esme shared a slightly amused look.

"Well, before you kids go on this mission, I think that we might have to talk to Mike and Anna," Gael pointed out. "They just found out, along with the rest of the island, that you're back on Kildare. And we need to tell them about what the Laurents are planning."

Kaylee scoffed softly. "They're not going to believe us."

"Maybe not," Esme agreed. "But we need to tell them just the same."

Kie looked between Kaylee and Gael. "They turned their backs on you two. They almost got Kaylee killed in that riot with the Laurents. If it wasn't for Rafe helping her get away, she would have been caught and killed or arrested."

"I know," Gael said softly. "But we have to talk to them. And get through today at least."

Kaylee and Kie knew they were right, looking down, unsure how they were going to handle their family reunion with their parents.

Kaylee swallowed. "What about our other friends? We didn't tell Isa and JJ because of the confidentiality of the case and we knew that it could put Esme in danger. Even though Isa and Lia are both Kie's girlfriends, and JJ... we're not together right now, but I still..."

The others looked at Kaylee sadly in sympathy.

"You can tell your friends, so they know what's going on," Esme answered. "But I don't want any more kids involved than there has to be. Lia, Wheezie and Rafe are more than enough. Okay?"

Kie nodded in understanding. "Of course. Isa has to deal with her dad with John B anyway, and JJ... he and Kaylee are getting some distance right now."

Kaylee sighed. "And I don't want anyone else being put in danger, but they need to know, too. If our parents of all people are going to know, our friends - our real family - need to know, too."

Elyna, Gael and Esme nodded in understanding and agreement.

(Song Ends)

⚓️Worlds Colliding (Outer Banks) ⚓️

Esme's Cabin - Outside

Outside of Esme's cabin, the Pogues had all arrived, including the kitten Indy who was nestled safely in Lia's arms.

Lia, Wheezie, Isa and Kie were using Rose's arts and crafts to create kitten toys for Indy to play with.

Elyna joined the group, excited to meet the found family of her cousins, smiling at Isa, John B, JJ, Pope, Sarah and Cleo. "Hiya, guys. I'm Elyna. Kaylee and Kie's cousin."

Isa smiled welcomingly. "I remember. You used to hang out with us sometimes before you and your dad disappeared."

"How's life of an international thief?" John B asked sarcastically.

"Definitely pays better than treasure hunting," Elyna replied sassily.

JJ smirked slightly. "Yeah, you got us there. We can never seem to keep our hands on the damn gold."

"Yeah, but maybe with Elyna's help, we might be able to this time," Kaylee pointed out. "She has a plan to help us get the cross back."

Pope lit up in relief, considering the cross was tied to his family history. "Wait, really?"

"Really," Kie answered. "But there's something else you guys need to know first."

Lia frowned, looking between the group. "Esme gave you the all clear to tell everyone?"

"Yeah," Elyna answered. "You guys deserve to know what could happen if we don't pull off this job."

Sarah nodded, looking concerned. "Okay, we're all ears."

Wheezie shared a look with Kaylee, Kie and Elyna before they began to explain.

The air was thick with tension as they prepared to share what they knew. The gathered Pogues settled in closer, exchanging worried glances.

Indy, sensing the mood, curled up in Lia's lap, her tiny purrs a reminder of innocence amidst the chaos as she pawed at the kitten toys that Isa, Kie, Lia and Wheezie had created from the arts and crafts.

Kaylee took a deep breath, her voice steady but laced with urgency. "So, we just found out from Gael, Elyna and Esme that the Laurents aren't just after me anymore. They've partnered with this hacker group called Leviathan, and they have a plan that could hurt a lot of people - and all of us."

"Like what?" Cleo asked, her expression hardening.

"Flooding cities," Kie replied grimly. "They're planning to use a shipment of gold that's coming through in 16 days as a way to fund their attack. If they succeed..."

"It's not just about revenge against Kaylee," Wheezie added quietly. "It's about that where the Laurents are concerned, since they couldn't find her, and they want to wipe out everyone close to her, but... it goes way beyond that now."

The others looked at them in shock.

"That's why we have to work with Rafe to use his jet as a way to get close enough to the plane where the gold would be," Lia explained. "Interpol tasked Elyna and her family specifically with stealing the gold to stop the transaction so that we can save millions, maybe billions of lives. And Kaylee, Kie, Wheezie and I have ways of helping them, maybe. And Rafe's jet is the only way that we're going to get up there to take the plane and the gold."

"We won't be able to keep the gold," Elyna admitted. "That'll be for Interpol. But once we get through it, we'll have pardons. Me, my dad, Kaylee..."

Shock and relief washed over the group.

"Interpol will clear Kaylee for Tod's death?" Isa asked hopefully.

"If you pull this off," John B finished.

Kaylee, Kie, Lia, Wheezie and Elyna nodded.

JJ looked absolutely stunned but relieved, although he looked upset and agitated that he couldn't do anything to help with their mission - while Rafe, once again, could.

Still, JJ knew that this went far beyond Kaylee, or Rafe's involvement, so he put his issues aside. "That's great. I take it that there's nothing we can do?"

"Not unless any of you have some super tech or engineering or flying skills," Kie answered.

Pope shook his head. "Yeah, nope, none of those."

Sarah frowned. "Wheezie and Lia do. That's why they're helping, right? And Rafe can fly, besides the jet."

"Exactly," Wheezie agreed.

The Pogues processed this all, all in shock.

Cleo frowned. "I know that Rafe helped Kaylee in Barbados, and that he sent the doctor to save her life, and Lia, Wheezie and Isa's. But are you sure you guys can trust him?"

Kaylee looked between the group. "With all the rest of you? I don't know. But the one thing that's been consistent is that he won't let the Laurents hurt me, and this goes far beyond that now. This isn't just about protecting me, or even Lia, Wheezie and Sarah."

"It's about surviving himself," Isa finished. "Because he's on the line, too."

"All of us are," John B agreed.

"So if there's anything we can trust, it's that Rafe is going to do what he has to do in order to survive," Lia pointed out.

JJ looked away, unable to respond to that.

Cleo sighed. "It sucks that we can't do anything to help you guys."

"We already have the plan in place," Wheezie assured. "We just need the next 16 days to put it together."

"Hell, probably have it done within half that time," Elyna agreed. "Don't you guys worry about it. We have it covered. We just needed to tell you so that you were prepared."

The others nodded in understanding.

Pope looked between them. "Okay, well, speaking about Rafe, what about stealing the cross back? I mean, his dad..." He looked at Lia, Sarah and Wheezie. "Your dad, I mean... he's stealing it from Rafe to try and give it away, yeah?"

"Yeah, how do we get that shit back?" JJ asked, eager to change the subject to something that he could do something about.

"I think I have a plan for that, too," Elyna admitted. "But first, I need you guys to tell me what you know."

Sarah nodded in agreement. "Yeah, yeah. So when I went back to Tannyhill to get things for me, Lia and Wheezie, and get Rose's arts and crafts to make toys for Indy, I heard Rafe on the phone with our dad. And he just kept saying 'my thing, this is my thing'. He had to be talking about the cross."

"Absolutely," Cleo agreed.

"And it's coming into Wilmington tonight at eight o'clock," Sarah went on. "It's being shipped by train to Raleigh from there."

John B, JJ and Pope exchanged a look with a smirk.

Lia held Indy close to her chest, petting the small kitten. "This is our chance to get it back."

"And you guys aren't worried about going against Rafe to get it back, even when he's helping us?" Elyna asked.

"Our dad's the one that went against Rafe to donate the cross to the museum," Wheezie pointed out. "Technically, we're not stealing from Rafe. We're stealing the cross from our dad, who stole it from Rafe. Who stole it from us."

Everyone nodded at that logic.

"You make a good point, little Wheezie," JJ told her.

Wheezie smiled at JJ in return, who had a small smile in response.

"You get any other information?" John B asked.

"Uh, Sarah got the cargo number," Kaylee answered.

Sarah showed them the picture of the note she had gotten before leaving Tannyhill.

"Okay, well, that's a start," Pope pointed out.

Kie nodded. "Yeah."

"I mean, they're definitely fencing that shit off as we speak," Cleo pointed out. "So we should probably get a move on."

"That's still not for another seven hours," Elyna pointed out. "But I got a plan."

"Of course you do, criminal mastermind," Isa said, a slight teasing tone in her voice. "What do you got?"

Elyna grinned. "Okay, so we have seven hours before that train leaves the station in Wilmington. If we get there in time, then we can have four of us on the train. Two so that they ca steal the electromagnetic key to get into the freighter car which holds the cross, and two to provide a distraction to anyone who could catch them before the four of them go into the freighter car to find the crate that the cross will be in."

JJ nodded. "Okay, I like it so far."

Elyna smiled. "And then we can get the tow truck from my dad's old shop. It's a super modified Chevy truck with its back half swapped with a tow truck's flatbed outfitted with side gates and two enormous nitro winches bolted on the side."

Lia lit up when she realized where Elyna was going with this. "With that, we can latch it to the crate and have the winches drag the crate out of the train and onto the flatbed. We won't have a hard time lifting the cross like we did last time."

Elyna pointed at Lia. "Exactly. We'll need a driver, and the others can be in the back of the truck to help the ones inside the train get the cross out onto the tow truck."

John B frowned. "Wait, wait. How do we get the cross out of the train while it's going high speed?"

Elyna smiled, pointing at John B. "That's the best part. I have acetylene torches that can cut right through the side of the train."

Before Kaylee even raised her hand, everyone looked at her, while she spoke up instantly. "I call the torches."

The others laughed lightly.

Elyna took out a mobile device. "I even have this device to copy the electromagnetic key, so that you guys can slip it back to the conductor before he realizes that anything's gone."

Kie tilted her head, making a face in amusement. "Kaylee and I asked you for help literally last night, Elyna. You're telling me that you came up with this idea within those few hours?"

Wheezie shrugged. "Well, I mean, she came up with the idea for hijacking the plane to steal the Laurents' gold within a few hours, too."

Isa nodded in amusement, smiling. "Ah, so you and Gael are professionals at this shit."

"All day every day," Elyna answered with a wicked grin.

Cleo smiled. "I like this girl."

Elyna winked in return. "Yeah, I just want to say that I'm loving the vibes here. I think it's good. I think it's fun. I'm on board."

"Of course you are, because you're crazy," Sarah remarked.

Elyna grinned. "Seems that fits in with all of you, then."

Isa, Kaylee, Lia, JJ and Wheezie smiled.

"I mean, she's got us there," Wheezie pointed out.

"Yeah, but what if something goes wrong?" Pope asked.

Elyna waved him off. "You have to stay positive. Come on, you don't have to throw a no--"

Pope held out a hand to ease Elyna's eagerness, amused but cautious as always. "Take a moment. Don't escalate it."

"I don't see how we can pull it off any better," Lia pointed out. "Let's do it."

The others all nodded in agreement.

"Okay," Kaylee agreed. "Hell, yeah."

"Now we just gotta figure out who does what," Kie pointed out.

Isa's face fell. "Yeah, but sadly, John B and I have to sit this one out. Our dad wants us to go to Charleston to look for a lead on El Dorado, but..."

Kaylee, Kie, JJ, Pope, Lia, Sarah, Wheezie and Cleo exchanged a knowing look, knowing that Isa and John B weren't happy about what happened last time with their father, but knowing that Big John wasn't giving them a choice.

"Even with what happened last time, you wanna go?" Sarah asked in concern.

John B shook his head. "It's just a lead. And we didn't think the lead with the diary would spiral out of control like that. Hopefully this one doesn't."

"Yeah, hopefully," Cleo reiterated. "What happens if it does?"

"I think we have more to worry about with a cross heist and a plane heist spiraling out of control," Isa pointed out.

"That's not the point, guys," Sarah told them.

"After what happened last time, you don't have to do this," Lia said gently.

"Isa, John B, it's just gonna keep spiraling downhill," Pope said carefully. "I mean, I get why you two wanna go because of your dad, and I get why he wants to go after it because it's where all the gold came from in the first place, but it'll be one thing after another, after another. And you know it."

"Look, we don't have a choice," John B replied, throwing his hands up. "We have to help him. If last time was any indication, he's gonna get himself killed."

Isa looked down, speaking softly. "And despite everything, we can't lose him again."

The others were brought short by that, knowing exactly how they felt, understanding, but they were worried because of what all of this was clearly doing to Isa and John B's mentality and emotions.

JJ, who had thus far remained uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "Go. Go help him. We'll be fine."

This caught everyone else, especially Isa and John B, off guard, coming from JJ without a fight.

"Wait, seriously?" John B asked.

"Seriously," Wheezie answered.

"Look, all of this is important to all of us, right?" Lia asked. "The cross is important to Pope, and I think it's safe to say we're all dying of curiosity to know more about the place where all the gold came from, after we've spent so long searching for the gold, and the cross, and looked into everything of its past. I mean, I may just be speaking for myself since I've been obsessed with the history of it all even before I joined the gold crusade, but--"

"No, you're definitely not speaking for yourself," Pope agreed. "Lia's right. I'm dying to know too. So I get it if you two wanna go."

Isa and John B frowned.

"Are you sure?" John B asked.

"Totally," Sarah answered. "Just be careful, for the love of God, please."

Isa and John B nodded in agreement.

"All of you too," Isa agreed.

The others nodded in agreement.

"Of course," Kie agreed. "Besides, it's not like the Twinkie's gonna help us with getting the cross. There's no way that thing can carry that thing." Isa and John B frowned. "No offense."

"Well, you're not wrong," Kaylee pointed out.

Elyna shrugged. "At least we have Dad's tow truck."

John B sighed, looking at Isa. "Okay, well, I guess I'll go tell Dad we'll be ready to head out soon."

"Just give me time to go with Kaylee, Kie and Elyna, okay?" Isa asked. "Lia, JJ and I promised to go with them, Gael and Esme after everything with Anna and Mike."

"Yeah," John B agreed. "Dad's not gonna like waiting, but he'll have to deal with it."

Isa nodded.

Kie sighed. "Isa, Lia, JJ, thank you for coming with me and Kaylee, and Elyna and her parents."

"Yeah, well, we know how your parents can be, so..." Lia trailed off.

Kaylee scoffed. "Yeah. Well..." She looked at JJ, especially relieved he was still coming given that things were so intense for them lately. "Thank you."

JJ nodded in agreement, knowing how bad it was with her parents. "Yeah."

Isa turned to Pope. "Pope, if you don't want us to go... Like we said, this is important."

"Yeah, but there's nothing more you two can do here that the rest of us won't already be doing," Pope pointed out. "We got this handled. Go handle your dad and keep him from getting himself killed."

"Just don't get yourselves killed in the process," Wheezie told them.

"Yeah, we don't want to lose our leaders," Cleo added teasingly.

Isa and John B were relieved with their responses, nodding.

Sarah turned to JJ. "You told them to go, even if it meant splitting up. Who are you and what have you done with JJ?"

JJ shrugged. "It's their dad. I get it. Sometimes it doesn't matter what he's done in the past. He's still family, you know? And you still care about him whether you want to or not."

He, along with Lia, Sarah and Wheezie, knew this all too well.

Gael and Esme walked outside, ready to go face Mike and Anna alongside Kaylee, Kie and Elyna and their loved ones, while giving the Pogues a proper hello. The moment they stepped outside, the air felt electric with anticipation. Esme and Gael walked side by side, their expressions firm, yet there was an underlying sense of nervousness that rippled through them.

Kaylee, Kie and Elyna stood together as they joined Esme and Gael's side. JJ, Isa and Lia walked closer to join them as well.

Kaylee felt her heart race as she glanced back at the others - John B, Pope, Cleo, Sarah and Wheezie - all of them too aware of what was at stake.

Kaylee took a deep breath. "Guys, this is Uncle Gael and Esme."

As the Pogues stepped forward, the atmosphere shifted, a blend of excitement and apprehension filling the air. John B exchanged glances with Pope and Cleo, their expressions divided between curiosity and caution.

"Nice to meet you," John B said, extending his hand to Gael.

Gael shook John B's hand firmly with a nod of acknowledgment. "You too, kids. I've heard a lot about you all. And I'm glad Kaylee and Kie have found family in all of you."

Isa nodded, her eyes assessing the man who had just walked back into their lives. "We're glad you're here to help."

Esme stepped closer, glancing over the girls in turn with a warm smile. "These girls have been through so much. It's good to see them surrounded by friends. And we're going to do everything we can to ensure everyone stays safe." She looked around at the group, her motherly instincts kicking in as she assessed their bruises and battle-worn expressions. "And it seems like you've had your share of trouble too."

JJ caught her eye, a slight defensiveness creeping into his posture. "We can handle ourselves, trust me."

"I don't doubt that," Esme replied, her tone softening. "But it's good that you have each other. All of you."

"And you two are just okay with us going off on a cross heist, with your tow truck of all things?" Cleo asked, glancing at Gael.

Gael chuckled. "I taught Elyna everything she needs to know to survive in this world. If you kids need to go off and do this, who are we to stop you?"

All of the Pogues were stunned but relieved by the response.

Wheezie turned to Elyna. "It's official. You have the best parents ever."

Elyna's cheeks flushed slightly at Wheezie's compliment, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze flickering to meet Wheezie's for a brief moment before darting away.

"They're pretty cool," Elyna admitted, her voice soft. "I mean, they've always supported me, even when I started getting into Dad's... less than legal activities." She chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck.

Wheezie found herself captivated by Elyna's sudden display of vulnerability. The confident, sassy girl she'd met earlier was now replaced by someone more relatable, more human. Wheezie felt a flutter in her chest, realizing how much she enjoyed seeing this side of Elyna.

Wheezie found herself noticing little details she hadn't before - the way Elyna's eyes crinkled slightly at the corners when she smiled, the small dimple that appeared on her left cheek, the way she absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

The air between them seemed to crackle with a newfound energy, and Wheezie suddenly felt very aware of how close they were, taking a step back, which Elyna didn't miss, smiling slightly in amusement.

The exchange wasn't missed by Kaylee and Kie, who exchanged a knowing look and slight smirk.

Gael looked at Kaylee, Kie and Elyna. "Are you ready to go? Mike and Anna are looking all over the island. We can't have them drawing attention to us here or it won't be so safe anymore."

Kaylee, Kie and Elyna nodded in understanding, each swallowing nervously.

"Isa, Lia and JJ want to come with us, for moral support," Kie explained. "That's okay, right?"

"Of course it is," Esme answered.

"Are you sure about this?" Kaylee asked softly, anxiety creeping into her voice. "What if they don't believe us?"

Elyna placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "They'll have no choice but to listen once we lay everything out on the table."

"They almost got Kaylee killed at the station," JJ pointed out. "There's no way in hell I'm letting you guys alone."

"Me neither," Isa agreed.

Lia nodded. "We're here for you guys, whatever happens."

Kaylee and Kie looked at them gratefully.

"And we've got enough evidence to back up what we're saying," Kie added. "They can't ignore the threat from the Laurents." She looked from Kaylee to Gael and Elyna. "Or that you're not just some fugitives anymore."

"And they won't call the cops when we get there, not when they know that I'm Interpol," Esme pointed out. "Once the Kildare Sheriff's Department know that you're working with Interpol, they won't be able to touch you, Kaylee. I promise."

Kaylee took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "Okay. Let's do this."

John B, Pope, Sarah, Wheezie and Cleo gathered around Kaylee, Kie, Elyna, Isa, Lia, and JJ, forming a tight circle of support. The air was thick with a mixture of anticipation and concern for what lay ahead.

Wheezie stepped forward first, pulling Kaylee and Kie into a tight embrace. "You've got this. No matter what they say, remember that we're your real family."

As Wheezie pulled away, Cleo moved in, her usually stoic expression softened with worry. "Be careful out there. And if things go south, you call us. We'll be there in a heartbeat."

John B nodded in agreement, his arm draped protectively around Isa's shoulders, taking Kaylee and Kie's hands to squeeze reassuringly. "Absolutely. We've got your backs, always." He pulled Kaylee into a tight hug, and then Kie. "You got this."

Sarah joined in, her arms encircling both Kaylee and Kie. "Show them who you really are. They need to see the strong, brave girls we know you to be."

Pope nodded solemnly. "And if things go south, you know where to find us. We'll be ready with Plan B... or C... or whatever letter we're on now."

Elyna, Isa, Lia and JJ smiled slightly at their support, while Kaylee and Kie couldn't help the tears that burned in their eyes, overwhelmed yet so relieved by the support from their friends.

"Thank you guys," Kie said emotionally.

"We love you," Kaylee told them.

"We love you too," Isa spoke softly.

"Always," Lia agreed.

Isa and Lia wrapped their arms around Kie, kissing her on the cheeks, as Kie smiled at both of her girlfriends.

"Let's go do this shit," JJ said.

Elyna smiled, nodding. "I love this little family vibe you've got. It's really moving."

"Maybe you'll get to be apart of it in the future if you keep this up," John B said teasingly. "You're already saving our asses twice over, Elyna."

Elyna grinned. "Damn right, Johnny boy."

Everyone laughed, including Gael and Esme as they watched the kids.

"Come on, kids," Gael told them. "Once we're done with Mike and Anna, you'll be free to do your little cross heist."

"Just don't get caught," Esme chided. "And be careful. I don't want to have to worry about you guys."

JJ pointed at Gael and Esme. "Like Wheezie said. Best fucking parents ever."

The Pogues laughed in agreement, everyone smiling.

⚓️

Heyward's Shop

As expected, Heyward immediately declined Pope's request to go on the heist. "Absolutely not!"

"This might be our last opportunity to go get that cross," Pope told him.

Heyward gave him a look, shaking his head. "Is that so?"

Heyward turned to leave.

Pope walked after him. "If I could just get to the mainland--"

Heyward raised his arms. "Oh, boy."

Pope kept after him. "Pop, please! Come on!" Cleo sat on the counter, spinning her knife in hand, watching Pope and Heyward. Mrs. Heyward was watching from the counter. "This is about our heritage, our family. This is our thing."

Heyward turned to face Pope. "You wanna know what our thing is? Doing what we say we're gonna do. Keeping our promises. Exceeding expectations. You used to understand that! Just..."

Heyward groaned, waving a dismissive hand, walking off.

Pope followed him toward Cleo and Mrs. Heyward. "And I still do! I still understand that. Pop, please, this is the last opportunity, and I won't ask you for anything else, and I promise you, I'm done, I swear. Please, please let me do this. Mama!"

Mrs. Heyward put her hands up. "Uh-uh."

Mrs. Heyward shook her head, looking away.

Heyward turned to Cleo. "You on board with this?"

Cleo stopped twirling the knife in her hand. "Gotta strike while the iron's hot, Mr. Heyward."

"Get off my counter!" Heyward snapped, frustrated by her answer.

Cleo pulled a face, sliding off the counter.

Pope grabbed his shoulder. "Pop, I know appearances are against me right now, but please, I will do anything I have to. I'll work triple shifts. I'll never leave the house again. Just please let me go to Wilmington."

Cleo walked closer.

Heyward's gaze flickered from Cleo to Pope, sighing heavily. "Get out of here. Before your mama talks some sense into me."

Cleo and Pope exchanged a stunned, excited look.

Pope smiled. "All right. Thank you so much." He turned to Cleo, beckoning for her to follow, as they were already starting to head out, and Pope called back over his shoulder. "Appreciate you, Pop!"

"Don't break any laws!" Heyward warned. Pope gave a thumbs up and then turned to Cleo as their jog slowed to a walk.  "Try to keep him out of trouble!"

"I'll try!" Cleo replied.

They ran off together.

⚓️

Carrera House - Outside

Kaylee, Kie, Elyna, Gael and Esme arrived to the Carrera house on Figure 8, with Isa, Lia and JJ coming as emotional support, and protection for Kaylee if necessary after what happened the last time Kaylee saw her parents - when Mike and Anna had turned Kaylee in and helped incite a riot that almost got her killed at the hands of the Laurents.

As they approached the familiar home, the grandeur of the Carrera house felt overwhelming, as if the walls themselves were judging Kaylee and Kie's worth, as it had always judged Kaylee's worth. She remembered how Mike and Anna had kicked her out of their family home long ago and forced her to live full time in the Pogue Nest... a treehouse of all things, leaving her to fend for herself. The looming presence of their parents' expectations pressed heavily on both sisters as they stood outside, hearts racing in sync.

"Remember, we're just here to talk," Gael said, breaking the thick silence that hung around them. His voice was calm, but his eyes showed the deep concern he felt for his nieces.

Kaylee took a breath, glancing back at the group behind her. Kie squeezed her hand tightly in reassurance, and she could feel Elyna's support beside her. JJ's expression was steely with determination, while Isa and Lia had worry etched across their faces.

"Okay," Kaylee finally said, pushing her shoulders back and straightening up. "Let's do this."

They made their way up the steps, and Kaylee knocked on the door, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.

It felt like an eternity before Anna came to the door, opening it, and stopped in shock when she saw Kaylee, Kie, Gael, Elyna, Esme, Isa, Lia and JJ on her front porch.

"Kaylee? Kie?" Anna's voice was a mixture of disbelief and fear, her eyes darting from Kaylee to Kie and then to the adults behind them. "What are you doing here?"

"Mom," Kie started, stepping forward, but Kaylee squeezed her hand tightly, urging her to stay back.

"We need to talk," Kaylee said, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside her. "To both of you. About everything that's happened."

Mike appeared behind Anna, his expression hardening at the sight of Gael, Esme and Elyna standing there with their daughters.

Mike's eyes narrowed at his brother, crossing his arms defensively. "Gael. What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too, Mike," Gael retorted. "We just need to talk about everything?"

"Everything?" Mike repeated. "What part of everything? The part where you became a career criminal with Elyna there and disappeared after I told you I wanted nothing to do with you? Or the part where Kaylee stole my truck and got Kie mixed up in this mess again? Or that she murdered someone?"

"Don't!" Elyna snapped, stepping protectively in front of Kaylee and Kie, unwilling to let her cousins be hurt by their parents again. "You don't get to frame this as something your daughters have done wrong. You should be ashamed of yourselves for how you've treated them!"

Mike shot his niece a look. "You think that you can come back here and tell me how to treat my daughters?"

"Someone should, after you turned your back on Kaylee and almost got her killed in a mob riot that you started," Esme retorted. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Anna exchanged a glance with Mike, and for a moment, it felt like the air crackled with tension between them. The memory of their last encounter loomed large, heavy with unspoken words.

"No one asked for your opinion, Esme," Mike snapped, the hostility in his tone palpable. "This is between us and our daughters."

Kaylee felt a wave of anger wash over her, the familiar sting of betrayal igniting inside her. "You think this is just about us? You don't get it! I was fighting for my life, and you chose to protect your reputation over your daughter!"

The porch fell silent, the air thick with unresolved tension.

Anna looked torn, her eyes flicking nervously between Kaylee and Kie, her words weak even to her own ears. "Kaylee, we... we were just trying to do what we thought was best for you."

"Best for me?" Kaylee echoed incredulously, shaking her head in disbelief. "You threw me to the wolves! You made the cops bring me to the station and you were just gonna throw me away to that mob, to jail, when I needed you to believe me!" Her voice cracked slightly, and she pressed her lips together to suppress the flood of emotions threatening to spill over.

Gael gently grasped Kaylee's shoulder. "Can we go inside and talk? There's something that we all need to talk about, together, as a family."

Kie looked down. "Even if you don't want us to be a family anymore."

Anna's face fell at that, instinctively reaching out for Kie's hands. "Honey, I do want to be a family." She hesitated before taking Kaylee's hand in hers. "I just don't know what to do."

Mike's face remained harsh as he stared the group down outside.

"Can you hear us out?" Isa asked. "There's a lot of things going on right now, with the Laurents and everything that happened."

"And you might not believe us because you never believed your daughters, but you need to hear this," Lia told them. "It's for your own safety, along with all of ours."

"If you wanted to make things right with your daughters, I'd say hearing them out is the way to go," JJ pointed out.

Anna's gaze softened, and she exchanged another worried glance with Mike. When she spoke, it was soft, and her voice trembled slightly. "We should hear them out."

Mike hesitated, his jaw clenched tight. "This isn't how we should be handling this." But the tension in his voice wavered just enough for them to sense a crack in his resolve.

"Please," Kie pleaded, her voice breaking. "We just want to be safe. Everything feels like it's spinning out of control, and... we really need you."

Kaylee nodded, her heart racing as she tried to convey all the unsaid words in her gaze. She wanted her parents to see the truth - their truth.

Mike glanced from his daughters to Gael, Elyna and Esme, who implored him with silent glances. He glanced at Isa, Lia and JJ just behind them before finally relenting.

"Fine," Mike said, his voice low and heavy as he stepped aside. "Come inside. Hurry, before anyone sees you."

Kaylee felt a weight lift slightly off her shoulders, though a tight knot still resided in her stomach. It was a small victory, but it felt monumental. As they stepped into the house, Kaylee took note of how familiar everything felt - the scent of lemon-scented cleaner, the warmth of the home - but it was tainted with memories of hurt and betrayal.

⚓️

Living Room

The living room was decorated in neutral tones with family photographs lining the walls. Kaylee glanced at one photo in particular - a family portrait taken a few years ago, just before everything turned upside down. She was smiling, a genuine smile before the shadows crept in. Now, it all felt distant and foreign.

Mike motioned for everyone to sit down on the couches and chairs, while Isa, Lia and JJ stood by the dining table just behind them. "Let's get this over with."

As Kaylee and Kie sat down the couch, they shared a concerned look with Elyna, Gael, Esme, Isa, Lia and JJ.

Elyna, Gael and Esme sat on the couch across from Kaylee and Kie.

Anna sat in a chair nearby.

Mike stayed standing, his arms crossed and his expression hard.

Once again, Kaylee, Kie, Elyna, Gael and Esme explained the danger that Kaylee was in because of the Laurents - along with everyone close to her.

They explained about the hacker group Leviathan and how the Laurents teamed up with them, planning to pay them a half billion in gold so that Leviathan would flood an entire city where Kaylee would be, to kill her and everyone she loved in revenge for Tod's death at her hands, and Cian's burned face also at her hands the night he had tried to kill her at the police station riot.

They explained that they had 16 days to steal that gold for Interpol and to save Kaylee and everyone around her, explaining that Lia, Wheezie and Rafe were helping them with the tech, engineering, and the jet they needed in order to reach the plane that they needed to manipulate to stop the shipment of gold and stop the deal to rescue millions or billions of lives - clarifying that they wouldn't be able to keep the gold because Interpol would confiscate it, but in return, Interpol would grant amnesty and immunity to Kaylee, Gael and Elyna so they would be free.

They also explained about the gold cross that they were going to steal from Ward Cameron on the train so that they could stop the man that ignited all of this chaos and darkness. So they could put the cross back where it belonged with Pope for his family legacy.

Anna's confusion and skepticism was evident, though she tried to have an open mind about all of this, while Mike was utterly in disbelief and frustrated, not believing a word they said.

Mike started poking holes at the things they told them about the Laurents and Leviathan. "So you're telling me that a family that lost its son is now allied with a hacker group to flood a city and kill your own sister? It sounds absurd."

Kaylee felt her heart racing, the weight of their parents' disbelief settling heavily on her shoulders. "It's not absurd! You need to believe me, Dad. I was there. Tod was a monster, and now his family wants revenge. They'll stop at nothing to make sure I pay for what I did - what I had to do to survive."

Anna's expression shifted from doubt to concern. "But how do we know this isn't just some elaborate scheme? How do we know you aren't trying to pull us into your world of chaos?"

Kaylee turned to her mother, desperation creeping into her voice. "Because this is chaos, Mom! My life has been chaos ever since Tod came back into it. I didn't ask for it, but it happened."

"We're not exaggerating about this," Kie pleaded.

"And you expect us to believe you just like that?" Mike countered, arms crossed tightly over his chest. "You've made some questionable choices lately, Kie."

Esme stepped in, her voice calm and steady as she addressed Mike's skepticism. "They're not lying. I work for Interpol, Mike. We have intelligence on the Laurents and their connection with Leviathan. They're a very real threat, and if we don't act fast, innocent lives will be lost."

Mike's expression faltered for a moment, the reality of the situation weighing heavily on him as he glanced at Anna. She looked torn, caught in the crossfire of her concern for their daughters and the disbelief that had become so ingrained over the past few months.

Mike still didn't believe, but the sincerity in everyone's gazes made him doubt his instincts for a moment, though he still challenged his family. "Even if what you're saying is true, which I doubt, how do we know you're not just trying to run away from your problems? That it won't end up worse for you?"

Kaylee felt a surge of frustration rising within her. "What do you think I did by running away, Dad? I was trying to protect myself! Protect Kie!"

Elyna scoffed, shaking her head. "And now the people who were supposed to protect them are blind to the real danger. But according to Kaylee and Kie, you've always been blind to the real danger, since you never believed them before, and you didn't help Kaylee with Tod before."

Gael leaned forward, his voice steady as he spoke. "Mike, we understand your skepticism. We've been through enough to know that trust can be hard-earned. But we're not here to pull anyone into any chaos. We're trying to protect our family and everyone else they love. The Laurents won't stop until Kaylee is gone."

Anna glanced between Mike and the rest of the group, her brow furrowed in concern. "But what if we bring this to the authorities? What if we tell them everything?"

"Then they'll put Kaylee in danger," Esme answered. "The Laurents have people everywhere. They'll know if we tip off the police before we're ready to act."

Kaylee looked at her parents, her frustration boiling over inside her. "This isn't just about me anymore! This is about everyone. If you can't see that, then I don't know what else to say!"

Isa, Lia and JJ watched them in concern.

Isa gestured to Kaylee. "Look at her. Shouldn't it be enough proof that Kaylee doesn't care that she's in danger? She cares that everyone else around her is in danger because of the Laurents wanting her and everyone around her dead for revenge, including both of you."

"Your daughter still loves you and wants you to know what's going on so that you can protect yourselves if our plan doesn't work," Lia agreed. "Even after you almost got her killed in that riot. Shouldn't that tell you everything you need to know?"

"Just listen, for God's sake," JJ complained.

Mike shot a glare toward Isa, Lia and JJ, his prejudice toward the three of them evident.

Anna tried to keep the peace. "We are listening."

Kaylee scoffed, shaking her head. "No, you're not. You're still not listening. You never do."

Anna sighed. "I understand about the Leviathan and the Laurents. You explained all of that in detail. But this cross?"

"The Cross of Santo Domingo that we found," Kie stated.

"Right," Anna agreed, still disbelieving.

"We thought it was gone forever," Kie told them. "We just find out it--it's gonna be in Wilmington tonight."

Isa, Lia and JJ exchanged a look. Elyna, Esme and Gael sighed.

"Okay," Anna said. "And the cross is Pope's family--"

Kaylee nodded in answer. "Pope's family heirloom."

Anna nodded skeptically. "Priceless historical artifact."

Mike was pacing, disbelief radiating off of him, along with frustration, that he was having trouble keeping to himself, clearly about to explode sooner rather than later.

Anna continued. "Priceless, which you're telling me that you found?"

"We found it, and then Rafe and Ward stole it from us," Kaylee answered.

Mike couldn't help a disbelieving laugh. "Wait, do you know how insane you sound?"

Kaylee gave a sarcastic, bitter smile, not surprised by the words they had told her that she was insane her whole life.

JJ frowned, knowing this was going to happen. "Here we go again."

"Ward is dead," Mike told them.

Isa was sitting at the counter, elbow on the counter, head propped up on her hand as she nodded sarcastically, sitting up straight as she lowered her arm while speaking. "Oh, well, I guess it's a good thing that none of us have heard and seen tales of people who were presumed dead miraculously come back to life, right? Exhibit A, all of us on the news this morning alongside my dad, but you know, whatever."

Kaylee, Kie, JJ and Lia couldn't help but smirk at that.

Elyna grinned.

Esme and Gael shook their heads.

Mike and Anna gave Isa an unamused glare.

"He's not dead," Kie told them, trying to get through this as civilly as she could, as she wanted to try and mend this family any way she could, even if that would be near impossible. "We've been over this part a million times."

Anna held her hand toward Mike. "You understand that this is hard to follow, right? I mean, we had a funeral for the man."

JJ flipped his hat in his hand to try and distract himself before he did something stupid to make this worse.

"Yeah, not like you guys had a funeral for Big John, or me and Isa, and Sarah and John B," Lia listed. "Kie, JJ, Kaylee and Pope threw us a funeral. We've all been presumed dead and lookie here, we're still alive. This is my dad we're talking about, and he almost had me and my sisters Sarah and Wheezie killed." She nodded sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest, leaning back against the counter behind her, tilting her head. "So I think we know what the hell we're saying."

Esme gave Isa and Lia a soft look. "Okay, yes, but can we dial this back a little? I know you two are defending Kaylee and Kie, but it's not going to help like this."

Isa and Lia sighed, nodding in agreement, though they hated that they couldn't say what they really wanted to say to Anna and Mike after everything they did to Kaylee and Kie, who were both relieved and moved by the way they stood up for them.

Mike gave Lia a dark look. "I'm sorry if I'm having a tough time believing the insanity that comes out of your mouth after the things we've heard about you and your insane family. You and your brother are nearly as crazy as Kaylee."

Lia and Kaylee were both hurt by that, looking down.

Isa, Kie, JJ and Elyna looked at Mike incredulously.

Gael and Esme gave him a look.

"Now hang on," JJ told him.

"Mike!" Gael warned. "You need to stop right there." Gael's voice was firm, cutting through the tension like a knife. "This isn't about your anger toward the Pogues or their history. It's about your daughters and the threat to their lives. You can't keep blaming them for what they didn't ask for."

Mike opened his mouth to retort, but Kie cut him off before he could.

"One, Lia is not crazy, and neither is Kaylee," Kie told him harshly. "You don't get to say that to them after everything they've been through."

Isa glared at Mike. "You do realize that most of what people say about Lia was proven false when Ward literally admitted that he let Barry the drug dealer get away with the murder of Robbie Ramirez, right? And he exposed Tod Laurent for everything that he did to Kaylee, and you still don't believe either of them? They were telling the truth the entire time, and so were me and my brother when we said our dad was still alive. Oh, and when Ward admitted to being part of the reason why Sheriff Peterkin is dead, when you two thought that was because of me and my brother, but of course, even Ward proved both of you and everyone else on this island wrong. So why would you doubt us now? And why would you still doubt your daughters after everything they, and all of us, have been through?"

Lia looked at Isa and Kie - the girls she loved with all of her heart, ultimately moved with the way they defended her against Mike.

"Because it's insane!" Mike reiterated.

"No more insane than what's standing right in front of you, which you would think would tell you the truth," Lia replied. "You think that we gave these wounds to ourselves? That we tried to kill ourselves? Kaylee, Isa, Wheezie and I almost died! We only survived because of my brother sending a doctor to save us. You think we did this to ourselves?"

"I don't know what to think," Mike retorted.

Kaylee nodded bitterly. "Right, because you just have to believe that we have to be insane and that we would do this to ourselves, and for what? So you can go about thinking that life's not insane?"

Mike stared Kaylee down coldly. "I'm sorry, please explain to me why you deserve to be listened to after you stole my truck, and you burn and break everything that you touch, including human beings."

"Hey," JJ snapped in warning, his eyes darting to Kaylee in concern.

Everyone glared at Mike in utter disbelief in the way that he used Kaylee's darkness against her.

Kaylee's heart sank at Mike's words, the sting of his accusation hitting her like a slap. Anguish and anger warred within her, but she forced herself to respond calmly. "I stole your truck because I had to help my friends! I didn't want to hurt anyone, Dad. I was trying to protect Kie and everyone else from the real threats."

"Protect?" Mike scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "You think stealing my property and running away is protecting anyone? You put yourself in this position!"

Kaylee's eyes flashed with defiance as she fought against the tears threatening to spill. "I didn't have a choice! You made it clear that you wouldn't believe me or support me when I needed you most. You turned your back on me, and now you're acting like I'm the villain here? I had to do what I thought was right!"

Mike's accusations and harshness cut deeper than any wound she carried.

"You think she wanted to hurt anyone?" Elyna demanded, standing up for her cousin. "You don't understand what it's like to be hunted, to live in fear every day of your life."

Kie's voce rose, fierce and unwavering. "We didn't choose this life! All we've done is try to survive, and you turned your backs on us when we needed you most!"

Gael stepped forward, his voice steady. "The truth is, you chose to believe a narrative that suited you. You didn't want to see the real danger - what was right in front of you with Tod and the Laurents and Ward Cameron."

Mike shook his head, frustration bubbling over. "You're all just going to sit here and preach about insanity while ignoring that Kaylee actually killed someone!"

Mike gestured emphatically at Kaylee, his anger palpable.

"She did it to survive!" Isa replied in a passionate cry for her best friend. "She did it to protect herself when you refused to protect her. Where the hell were you when she needed you?"

Lia looked at JJ next to her, who was trying his best to keep his cool, staying silent, otherwise he knew he would explode and make everything worse. "JJ?"

"Yeah?" JJ asked.

Lia gave him a look. "A little help here?"

Kaylee looked at JJ, a plead in her eyes for him to say something.

JJ set his jaw, determined to say something without risking everything for Kaylee again, even if he knew that it didn't matter what he said now - there was likely no fixing her family. "I think you guys all covered the basis. But yeah." He ticked everything off with his fingers. "Ward's alive in the Caribbean. He's living off the loot that he stole from us. The Laurents are using Leviathan to flood entire cities in an attempt to kill Kaylee and everyone she loves in revenge for Tod. But, you know, you won't do anything about that because you don't believe her no matter the proof that she literally brings home on her fucking body from all the times she got abused by him and all the times she almost died. You didn't even believe her when she told you about Tod almost raping her and drugging her twice. And, uh, yeah, they're flying the cross to Wilmington."

Mike scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Give me a break, man."

JJ looked up, eyes filled with spite as he glared at Mike. "You're right. What do I know, though? Just saw with my own two eyes. So did Kaylee, Isa, Lia and Kiara, but whatever. You don't listen to your own daughters, ever, clearly. And even though Elyna and Gael are world class thieves with a family member in Interpol who can literally prove what we're talking about with the Laurents, you still won't listen to fucking reason."

"I'm skeptical, okay?" Mike asked. "I am skeptical, JJ, as in I think it's all bullshit." He walked closer to Isa, Lia and JJ, venom in his tone. "I think you, Isa and Lia led Kaylee and Kiara astray."

"Mike," Anna warned. "Can we just take it down a little bit?"

"No, no, no," Mike told her. "Let's get this out in the open. I'm not even surprised that you fell this far, Lia. You always were the Kook Outcast, and now everyone sees why. Not because of some made up crazy tales about your family, but because of you and your insanity. That drug dealer might have killed your friend, and you found his body, but that must have really fucked everything up for you mentally for this shit to still be going on."

Lia looked away, eyes glistening as she was determined not to let Mike get under her skin.

Isa, JJ, Kaylee, Kie, Elyna, Gael and Esme were all about to snap back at him for that, but Mike's tirade didn't give them a chance to get a word out.

"And Isa, JJ, let me tell you two something," Mike continued. "You need to understand that I do get it."

JJ laughed humorlessly. "Sure you do."

"Do you hear me?" Mike asked. "I do. I bet you two are fricking fun to hang out with, ditch school with, go down to the break, because I was once just like you two. I didn't think that anything mattered. Thought I could make up any bullshit story and these stupid Kooks would believe it."

Mike gestured to Kaylee, Kie and Lia to prove his point. "Then I learned about hard work and about what really mattered. Isa, you and your brother may not be murderers, but you've still got all this damage on your hands."

Isa fell silent at that as she swallowed, as Mike was playing on her guilt and fear of what happened to everyone, biting her lip as she looked away, tears in her eyes that she fought back.

Mike sneered at Isa. "Because of your little insane treasure hunt, which isn't even real, you got my daughters hurt, and for what? So you kids can live out a fantasy dream? And JJ, whatever you got filled into Kaylee's mind, don't think for a second I buy that all that she went through didn't come from you."

Kaylee, Isa and Lia glared at Mike.

"Stop," Kaylee immediately cut in. "I already told you where these came from."

JJ looked shut down, swallowing.

"Don't go there," Isa warned.

"He didn't do shit," Lia agreed. "Why would we lie?"

Mike shrugged. "I don't know, maybe because you've all lost it."

"Dad, enough!" Kaylee snapped. "Just leave them alone. Okay, you have no right to talk about any of them like that. JJ didn't do anything to me."

"Yeah?" Mike asked. "If it really was Tod that did everything they did to you, then why couldn't either of you do something about it, huh?"

"Because the Laurents are powerful, if you haven't been paying attention," Elyna answered, snapping.

"This isn't Kaylee and JJ's fault," Esme told him. "How dare you?"

Gael stood to guide Mike away from the kids, glaring at his brother. "How can you stand here and put these kids through even more hell than they've already been through?"

Mike raised his hands defensively, but his eyes burned with defiance. "No, you all don't get it! You think this is just some game? I've worked hard to keep my family safe, and now all of you are wrapped up in this madness with their craziness!"

"Madness?" Kaylee echoed, her voice rising again. "You think what I've been through is madness? You don't even know what it's like to feel hunted in your own home, to have your life torn apart because of a mistake that wasn't even yours!"

Anna's expression shifted as she looked at Kaylee, the guilt beginning to pool in her eyes. "No one wanted this for you, Kaylee. We thought--"

"You thought what?" Kaylee interrupted, frustration bubbling over. "That turning your back on me would somehow make it all go away? That pretending I didn't exist would save me from Tod or the Laurents? That pretending that it was all the Pogues' fault would make everything okay?"

Kie was on the verge of crying. "None of this is okay, and none of this is their fault! You're not listening to us, and that's the problem."

"No, the problem is that these Pogues have you two so brainwashed it's not even funny," Mike told them. "All I care about, all that I care about is my daughters. That's it. And all that I know is that they were a lot better off before they met you and your friends."

Kaylee stood, completely having enough. "Dad, stop!"

Kie stood. "We were never better off!"

"Yes, you were!" Mike snapped.

"Please, we were miserable," Kie cried.

JJ gave Mike a look. "And if it was true that you actually cared about your daughters, don't you think that you would've done something against Tod and protected your daughter instead of selling her out and almost getting her killed, huh? Kaylee lost everything because of you."

Mike's face flushed with anger, but JJ's words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, forcing him to pause.

"You think selling her out was the right move?" Isa pressed, her voice unwavering. "Because it sure didn't protect her. She needed you, and you turned your back."

Mike glared at Isa, his frustration boiling over. "You have no idea what you're talking about! You think just because you and your friends think you're some kind of heroes that you've got it all figured out? You have no clue how dangerous this is!"

"What's dangerous is your ignorance!" Lia shot back, her voice rising higher than she wanted as she stepped closer to him, refusing to back down. "You think shutting your daughters out will make it go away? You think shutting out your brother or your niece or your sister-in-law will make it better? They're a part of your family whether you like it or not. And just because you can't see the truth doesn't mean you get to treat them or the people that they love like a burden!"

Kaylee stood her ground, fists clenched at her sides. "I wanted to believe you cared about me. I wanted to feel safe in my own home. But every time I reached out, you pushed me away."

Anna's face softened as she looked between her husband and daughters, the weight of their collective pain pressing down on her chest.

"We thought we were doing what was best," Anna murmured, almost to herself.

"Best for who?" Elyna shot back. "For yourselves? For your image? Because it sure doesn't look like it was for Kaylee or Kie."

JJ nodded sarcastically. "Kicking Kaylee out at 15 when she didn't live by your rules and then ignoring her when she's screaming for help, yeah, I'd say that's real parent-of-the-year award material. Tod got what he had coming to him, and we both blamed ourselves for everything, but like she kept saying, it wasn't my job to keep protecting her. It was yours, and you didn't do it. You didn't care enough to."

Mike's expression darkened, the tension in the room palpable as the words hung heavily in the air. "You think you know better? You think being some vigilante group makes you heroes? You're just kids playing at being adults, and it's going to get someone killed."

Kaylee clenched her fists tighter, fighting to maintain her composure. "You want to talk about getting people killed? Look at what your choices have led to! I'm not a child anymore. I've had to learn how to survive on my own because you refused to believe me when it mattered!"

Kie stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute. "We're not here to blame you, Dad! We're here because we need you to understand the real danger we're in. It's not just about Kaylee anymore; it's about everyone else who could be hurt if we don't act."

"What are you doing?" Kaylee asked angrily.

"What am I doing?" Mike repeated. "Protecting my daughters, despite what those assholes said."

Kaylee glared at him in incredulity, tears of heartbreak and anger in her eyes. "When have you ever protected me? Even believed in me? They're right, and you can't get that through your head. They've tried to protect me, they've always believed in me, which is more than you can ever say."

Anna tried to stop them. "Can we please--"

Mike held up a hand to silence Anna. "Wait a second. Everybody says it. Isa and her brother are obsessed with this fantasy just like their father, Lia's as crazy as those stories about her family, and JJ's a liar and a thief, just like his father."

JJ, Isa and Lia recoiled as if slapped, their eyes wide and startled; not only was JJ compared to Luke, but Isa and Lia compared to Big John, Ward and Rafe hit a whole new level for all of them.

Kie shook her head. "No, no, no. Don't go there. Please don't bring them into this again."

"Don't bring them into this?" Mike repeated.

"Isa and JJ are nothing like their dads, and Lia's nothing like her family, and neither are John B and Sarah," Kaylee snapped. "You don't know them."

"I don't know them?" Mike repeated.

"No, you don't!" Kaylee answered. "You've never even tried."

"They're nothing alike," Kie told him.

Mike looked at his daughters. "I know you."

"Clearly you fucking don't because you still can't get it through your head that we're telling you the truth and you refuse to do anything about it, even after you've seen what it did to me," Kaylee replied. "You're just as bad as Tod."

"Kaylee," Anna warned.

Kaylee shook her head, turning around, walking away toward the foyer. "No, I'm done."

"Where are you going?" Mike asked. "Kaylee--"

"We listen to you guys," Kie told them desperately. "Y'all can listen to us. All right, they were right. It's not our friends that destroyed us. It's the Kooks."

"Kiara--" Anna started.

"This isn't fair," Kie told them. "No, we listened to you."

"This isn't fair?" Mike repeated. "Kiara..."

"Mike, this isn't about you," Esme interjected, her voice firm but calm. "This is about your daughters' lives, and their friends. And all of us. And you need to start acting like it."

Kaylee's heart raced as she felt the tension in the room crescendo. This was everything she had feared and hoped for all at once - a chance to confront her parents, to make them see her truth. But it felt like a battlefield, and every word exchanged was a weapon.

Anna glanced nervously between Mike and their daughters, her heart breaking for Kie and Kaylee. "Maybe if we had listened from the start..."

"Maybe if you'd fought for your daughters instead of against them," Gael replied sharply. "They needed you. They still need you."

At that moment, Mike's anger faltered, replaced by something that resembled regret. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of helplessness that his family had rarely seen from him.

Lia scoffed softly, nodding. "Didn't mean any disrespect, Mr. Carrera. But you know it's the truth. Kaylee and Kie deserve better, so when are you going to start trying to be better for them?"

Kaylee and Kie were absolutely stunned by how passionately Isa, Lia, JJ, Elyna, Gael and Esme defended them, tears in their eyes from gratitude and overwhelming emotion.

While Mike's anger was still evident despite his helplessness, Anna looked as if she could cry from shame and regret, knowing that they were right.

A heavy silence enveloped the room, the only sound being the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall - a stark reminder that time was slipping away.

Kaylee felt her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned the faces of everyone around her, searching for a flicker of understanding from her parents.

Finally, Anna broke the silence, her voice trembling. "Kaylee, Kie... I didn't realize how deep this went. I just..." She hesitated, her hands wringing together anxiously. "I wanted to protect you. When we found out about Tod... it terrified me. I thought by distancing myself, I could keep you safe."

Kaylee's chest tightened at her mother's admission. "But you didn't keep me safe, Mom! You put me in danger by not believing me. I was out there fighting for my life while you were trying to pretend everything was fine."

Mike's jaw clenched as he struggled with his own conflicted feelings; guilt warred with anger and disbelief. He looked between Kaylee, Kie, Gael, Elyna and Esme - despite everything, he couldn't deny that a part of him wanted his family back, including his brother, niece and sister-in-law.

Anna took Mike's hand, gazing at her daughters and her in-laws. "Maybe it's time we start acting like a family again. I... I never wanted to push you away. I thought I was doing what was best. But maybe we just didn't know how to hep."

Kie felt a flicker of hope ignite in her chest at Anna's words. If they could just reach some level of understanding, perhaps things could change.

Kie's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I don't want to fight anymore. I just want us all to be together, especially now that everything is falling apart."

"That's all we want," Gael spoke softly. "We've spent too long torn apart, Mike. We can't be torn apart any longer."

Mike shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his anger beginning to buckle under the emotional weight swirling around him. "I know we have a lot to figure out before any of us can be good again. When do you have to leave?"

"Right about now, actually," Elyna answered. "But when we're done, we can talk again. Tomorrow or something."

"Is that okay with you?" Esme asked gently, relieved that the tensions had died down enough for them to have a soft conversation even with the underlying intensity.

Anna looked between her daughters and the group surrounding them, her heart aching with the weight of their shared history. "I... I think it's a start. Maybe we can meet again..."

"Tomorrow," Elyna interrupted, her voice filled with determination. "We need to handle this cross tonight and to finalize a plan to protect ourselves and everyone we love. We don't have much time."

Elyna glanced at Kaylee, Kie, Isa, Lia and JJ, who each nodded.

Mike's expression softened slightly, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he hesitated. "Okay. I'll try to listen this time. I want to understand what's going on."

"Good," Kie said, her hope shining through the cracks of their broken family. "We just need a chance to prove we can handle this together."

Anna stepped closer, concern etched across her features. "I want to help, but you need to promise me that you won't put yourselves in danger again. I can't lose either of you again. Not after this past month."

Kie nodded fervently. "We promise, Mom. This is about stopping the Laurents and keeping everyone safe and getting the cross back. We can't do it alone."

Elyna shot Kaylee and Kie a supportive smile as she wrapped her arms around her cousins comfortingly. "And we'll keep each other in check." She flashed a smile to Isa, Lia and JJ. "Right, team?"

Isa, Lia and JJ nodded in unison, despite their tension and high emotions after Mike tore into them.

"Of course," JJ agreed.

"Always," Lia whispered.

"And forever," Isa finished.

Kaylee felt a surge of warmth at the solidarity surrounding her. Despite the tension that had just simmered, there was a flicker of hope that things could change within her family.

Mike cleared his throat, his voice unsteady as he regarded his daughters. "Just... promise us you'll be careful. No more reckless decisions."

Kaylee exchanged a glance with Kie, and they both nodded.

"We promise," Kie said firmly.

Anna wiped away a tear that had slipped down her cheek, looking relieved yet apprehensive. "I'll make sure to check in with our contacts at the police station tomorrow, to see if there's anything we can do from this end while you're preparing."

Esme smirked slightly, appreciating Anna's willingness to help. "And I can give you some pointers on how to handle this if it comes up in conversation."

"That would help," Anna replied, her voice growing stronger with newfound determination. "Thank you, Esme. For all of this. Even if I don't know what to think about everything, I know that you do really good work with Interpol, and I know that you of all people can help Kaylee. And Elyna and Gael."

"Of course we can help," Gael agreed. "You're family, no matter what happened in the past."

Elyna tilted her head. "Whether we like it or not."

Isa, Lia and JJ shared a look.

"We should go wait outside," Isa said softly.

"Yeah," Lia agreed.

JJ nodded. "Let's go." He gave Mike and Anna a grim, sarcastic smile, still bitter with the way they treated their daughters, himself and Isa and Lia, who were like his sisters. "Y'all have a good day."

Isa nodded sarcastically. "You guys are a blast, as always."

As Isa, Lia and JJ walked toward the exit, Lia gave a sarcastic salute that Mike and Anna didn't see, before she turned the salute into flipping the off behind their backs - Kaylee, Kie and Elyna noticed, smiling despite themselves.

As they walked outside, Isa turned to JJ, looking at him in concern. "You gonna be okay?"

JJ nodded. "Yeah. You two?"

Isa and Lia nodded, but none of them seemed to be convincing after everything Mike said to them.

Isa and Lia walked outside.

JJ, spiraling and looking to get back at Mike for all the things said, saw Mike's money clip on the foyer table, picking it up, slipping it into his pocket before walking outside as well.

Kaylee, Kie, Elyna, Gael and Esme were about to head out as well.

Anna walked toward them. "Please just wait. Please wait. Just one second, please."

Kaylee and Kie turned back.

Anna looked at her daughters emotionally. "I promised myself if you came back and I had a second chance, I'd try and be different, and I'm trying to be different." She held out brand-new iPhones toward her daughters. "I want you take these. There are credit cards on the back. If you get into trouble, if you need help, you call me."

Kaylee and Kie were both stunned by this, as Anna had never done this before, and she did appear to be trying to be different.

Kie nodded, hugging Anna tightly. "I will. We will, Mom. I love you."

Anna grabbed Kaylee's arm, tears starting to stream down her face. "I'm so sorry, Kaylee."

Kaylee's breath caught in her throat, the unexpected tenderness of her mother's gesture piercing through the emotional chaos swirling around them. She pulled away just enough to look into Anna's eyes, searching for the sincerity she desperately wanted to believe.

"I love you too, Mom," Kaylee finally whispered, her voice trembling. "I just... I need you to understand what I've been through."

Anna nodded, her expression softening further. "I will. I promise I'll try to understand. Just... please be safe."

Gael stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Kaylee's shoulder. "You're not in this alone anymore. We're all here for you."

Elyna linked her arms with Kaylee and Kie. "It's okay. We've got this."

"Please look out for them, Elyna," Anna told her.

"I will," Elyna told her. "I promise."

"We'll see you tomorrow, Anna," Esme told her.

Anna nodded in agreement.

Mike watched from the living room as they stood in the foyer. He knew that distance right now would be the best thing after everything he said, knowing everything needed to calm down before they spoke again.

Kaylee and Kie felt comfort surrounding them as Elyna, Gael and Esme guided them outside.

Anna and Mike watched them go, conflicted yet willing to try despite everything that transpired that morning.

⚓️

Outside

(Song:) Kilby Girl - The Backseat Lovers

As Kaylee, Kie, Elyna, Gael and Esme stepped outside, the cool air hit Kie's flushed cheeks, invigorating her spirit as she looked at Isa and Kie waiting by the car.

JJ leaned against his dirt bike, arms crossed but his expression softening slightly as he caught Kaylee's eye, despite the distance that seemed to be growing between them by the day.

Kaylee, Elyna and Kie walked down the porch steps with their arms intertwined as they walked toward the trio by the bike and the car. Gael and Esme followed.

Kie unlinked her arm with Elyna as she jogged up to Isa and Lia, reaching out to take their hands instantly. Isa and Lia pulled Kie closer, the three girlfriends embracing and holding each other close after the intense and emotional argument inside.

While Kie was horrified by everything Mike said to the girls she loved, she was awed by everything Isa and Lia said to defend not only herself, but Kaylee as well.

"Sorry for dragging you into all this," Kie murmured, her voice thick with emotion as they pulled away from the embrace. "I didn't want any of you to face my dad's anger because of me."

Isa shook her head earnestly, squeezing Kie's hands. "You don't have to apologize for anything. You're our family now, no matter what anyone else thinks."

Lia nodded in agreement. "And we won't stand by while he tries to tear you down. You deserve better."

Kie looked at them with tears in her eyes. "Thank you. Both of you. For everything you said in there."

"Of course," Isa agreed softly. "We won't let him get away with what he did to you. We love you. And Kaylee's my best friend."

"And one of mine," Lia added. "There's no way in hell that we're going to let you two get punished like that."

Kie smiled tearfully, overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude, adoration and love. Isa and Lia kissed Kie on either of her cheeks and placed a gentle kiss on the corners of her lips, which Kie returned happily and contently, holding both of her girlfriends close as she nuzzled against them.

Kaylee watched the three girlfriends with a swell of gratitude, her heart warm despite the lingering tension from the house. She was so happy that her sister Kie had found an epic love as strong as it was with Isa and Lia. It felt like they were forging stronger bonds with each passing moment, and it gave her hope.

Elyna joined Kaylee's side as she watched Isa, Kie and Lia, smiling softly. "They're really good together."

"Yeah," Kaylee agreed. "They are."

Gael and Esme exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of concern and pride as they stood a few steps behind the girls, watching the interaction unfold.

Elyna caught Kaylee's eye and stepped closer, her voice low but supportive. "You okay? That was heavy back there."

Kaylee nodded, swallowing. "Yeah. I just want to get through this."

Elyna leaned her head against her cousin's shoulder, holding her comfortingly. "We will. Trust me."

JJ watched them from his bike, distant but his heart filled with warmth as he watched how close Isa, Kie and Lia were, and the support Kaylee got from Elyna, Gael and Esme as well as the Pogues. Even if he felt as if he failed to protect Kaylee, he was glad that she was with family who would protect her the way she deserved, finally after all this time.

Gael and Esme walked closer.

"Isa, do you need us to drop you off at the Chateau so you can leave with John B and your father?" Gael asked.

"Yes, please," Isa answered. "I would rather go on this cross heist, but John B needs me. We have to stop our father from getting himself killed... for real this time."

Everyone nodded in understanding.

Kie kissed Isa's head. "We get it. Go. You do everything you can for us. We understand that you need to handle this too."

Isa smiled slightly in relief, sniffling.

"The rest of us can handle the cross just fine," Lia agreed.

"Okay," Esme concurred. "And then we'll drop Elyna, Kie and Lia to pick up the tow truck from Gael's old shop so you can use that for your heist. Kaylee, JJ, are you sure you don't want to ride with us in the car?"

"We're good on that," JJ assured. "I got my bike back. Kay can ride with me if she wants."

Kaylee smiled in relief. "Yeah, I do."

JJ nodded in return.

"All right," Gael agreed. "While you kids are on this cross heist, Esme and I can stay looking into Interpol contacts to see who can provide us with additional intel. If we can get precise timings on the gold transfer, we can perfect Elyna's plane heist plan."

"All right," Elyna agreed. "Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad."

"Of course," Esme replied. "You kids just be careful."

"We will be," Kie assured.

Gael unlocked the car, getting into the driver's seat. Esme got into the passenger seat. Isa, Kie and Lia got into the backseat.

Kaylee jogged up to JJ at his bike as he climbed on. "Jayj. I'm sorry." JJ turned away on his bike. "Jayj, wait." JJ glanced back for a second before looking away, rigid. Kaylee looked at him sadly. "What they said, it wasn't true. You know that, right?"

JJ didn't answer. "It's whatever. I already know what they think of me."

Kaylee sighed, mounting the bike behind JJ. "They think the same about me. Actually, they think worse. Thank you." JJ glanced back. "For what you, Isa and Lia said. To defend me and Kie. It was the truth. So thanks."

JJ looked completely at Kaylee for the first time that morning, his eyes softening as he met her gaze, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. Back at you." Kaylee gave a slight smile, even if it wasn't quite reaching her eyes, as she was completely emotionally drained from the fight. JJ felt the same. "You ready?"

Kaylee couldn't help it when her gaze slipped to JJ's lips for a second before raising them back to his eyes, nodding. "Yeah."

Gael started his car and drove away.

JJ started the bike, following with Kaylee on the bike of his bike.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

The Chateau - Outside

First, the Mavericks dropped off Isa at the Chateau so she, John B and Big John could head to Charleston as promised.

As Isa got out of the car, Kie and Lia followed.

Kie and Lia caught Isa by the hands. "Hey."

Isa turned back.

Kie looked between the two with love in her eyes. "I mean it. Thank you for everything today."

"Of course," Isa agreed.

"And I'm so sorry for everything my dad said about you guys and JJ," Kie continued earnestly. "Don't listen to him. He's played cards like that against Kaylee for our entire lives. Not a word of it was true, okay?"

Lia nodded shakily, swallowing. "Okay."

"Yeah," Isa agreed.

Kie squeezed Isa's hand. "Everything that happened? It wasn't your fault, Isa. We already told you that. We all made our own choices. You wanted us to get out and we made the choice to keep going."

"Kie's right," Lia agreed. "None of this was on you."

Isa smiled slightly in relief. "Thank you. Sometimes I wonder."

"I know you do, but we're here to remind you that our choices and what happens to us is not all on you," Kie told her. "We make them and we face the consequences together. Yeah?"

Isa nodded shakily in agreement. "Yeah."

Kie turned her attention to Lia. "And you. You're not crazy, Lia. And neither of you are like your fathers or like Rafe."

Lia swallowed. "Rafe gave me the medication I needed, remember? To get better. I still haven't taken it yet."

"And that's completely your choice," Isa pointed out. "You don't have to take medication to get better, Lia. This is your life. Your father, stepfather and Barry don't get to make those choices for you anymore. And whatever you choose, Kie and I will stand by you."

"Absolutely," Kie agreed. "Whether you take the meds or you throw them out. We've helped you take care of yourself without the meds for months now. We can keep doing that."

"I keep losing control, though," Lia pointed out. "And it could keep getting worse."

Isa took Lia by the hands, gently stroking her thumbs against the back of her hands. "It's okay. If it does, we'll be here for you. Even if we're all doing separate things right now. If you need me, call me and I'll be right there."

"Same to you," Kie told her. "Call us if you need anything."

Isa nodded in agreement. "I promise."

Lia nodded, reassured by this arrangement. "I promise."

Kie smiled softly at the two of them, her heart filled with warmth and love for the two girls before her. "I promise. I love both of you."

"I love both of you," Isa murmured.

Lia smiled with tears in her eyes. "I love both of you."

Kie's eyes softened as she gazed at Isa and Lia, overwhelmed with love for both of them. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow on Isa's face, highlighting the flecks of gold in her eyes. Kie felt drawn to her, as if by some invisible force.

Without a word, Kie stepped closer to Isa, gently cupping her face with one hand. Isa's breath hitched, her eyes fluttering closed as Kie leaned in. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss that sent sparks coursing through both of them.

Kie marveled at how Isa's lips felt against hers - so familiar yet thrilling every time. She tasted of salt and sunshine, reminding Kie of lazy summer days spent surfing together. Lia smiled as she watched them, stroking their hair softly as she caressed their cheeks. When they pulled away, they all smiled softly.

Isa gazed at Lia, her eyes sparkling with adoration. She reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of Lia's hair behind her ear. The simple gesture sent a shiver down Lia's spine, and she leaned into Isa's touch.

"I wish you didn't have to go," Lia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Isa nodded, her expression a mixture of determination and longing. "I know. But I'll be back before you know it."

Kie smiled softly, nodding, resting her hands on Isa and Lia's heads, gently coaxing them closer, biting her lip as she watched as their lips met. Isa and Lia's kiss was tender and sweet, passionate and romantic, just as Kie and Isa's had been. In that moment, the rest of the world fell away, leaving a moment of bliss in their chaos. When they pulled away, the three girls smiled at each other.

Isa stroked Kie and Lia's hair, giving them a mischievous grin. "Now your turn."

"We're not the ones going off on a separate adventure," Kie pointed out in amusement. "We'll be together."

Isa shrugged sheepishly, smiling. "True. But you can't fault me for wanting to see the two girls I love kiss before I leave, too."

Lia beamed. "No. No, I guess we can't."

Isa cradled Lia and Kie's heads as the two leaned closer to each other, sharing a passionate and sweet kiss, just as adoring as the two kisses before.

When they pulled away, Isa, Lia and Kie leaned their heads together, drawing strength and courage from each other.

"I'll see you both soon," Isa said softly.

"Of course," Lia murmured.

"Be careful, yeah?" Kie whispered.

Isa nodded. "Both of you, too."

"We will," Lia returned.

As they pulled away, Isa let her hands slip from Kie and Lia's hands, turning around, walking toward the Twinkie, where John B and Big John were waiting in the van for her. Lia and Kie watched her get into the van, the three girls sharing a smile and a wave before the van pulled away. Once they were gone, they returned to the car where Elyna, Gael and Esme were waiting for them, getting into the car and driving away.

⚓️

Gael's Old Autoshop

While picking up the tow truck, Kaylee, Kie, Elyna, Gael and Esme spoke to Wheezie over the phone.

"So Elyna and I are working on the stealth mods still to make Rafe's private jet invisible to GPS, but to do the same for the A380, we need a PSID," Wheezie explained.

"What's that?" Esme asked.

"Portal Signal Interference Device," Gael answered. "It blocks all GPS transmissions from the A380 to air traffic control. I'm already working on getting the parts. They'll be here tomorrow after your kids' heist."

"Okay, so what's the problem?" Kaylee questioned.

Elyna made a face. "The chance of us turning on the PSID and the transponder at the exact same moment in two different planes, both moving over 700 miles per hour is next to impossible."

Kie realized. "So if air traffic control suddenly see two planes with the same signal, or if the A380 suddenly disappears..."

Wheezie scoffed. "It's over."

Gael hummed in thought. "If you can't hack the tech, you gotta hack the people. We need someone in air traffic control."

"In Brussels," Wheezie added.

"Why Brussels?" Gael asked.

While waiting, Wheezie was looking at her laptop. "The minute the plane crosses the English Channel, that's who'll be tracking it till Zurich."

Kaylee frowned. "Do you guys know someone in Brussels?"

Gael frowned, shaking his head. "I don't."

"Me neither," Elyna answered.

Esme realized she did, sighing heavily. "I know someone. He's a piece of shit, but I know someone. While you kids go on your heist, Gael and I'll head to Brussels to talk to him."

"Okay, cool," Kaylee said. "We'll see you guys later then."

⚓️

Ferry Station

(Song:) Mad Man - Born Free

The Pogues, minus Isa and John B, were already ready for the ferry to head out to Wilmington, but having to wait until the ferry took off, standing on the dock beside it.

Sarah and Wheezie looked at Lia and JJ in concern, knowing they were still reeling about what Mike went into them and Isa about, glancing at Kaylee, Kie and Elyna in concern regarding their family.

At the ferry dock, Pope, Sarah, Wheezie and Cleo were waiting for both the ferry and for the other members of the Pogues that would help with the mission, after Isa and John B left with their father as explained before.

Kaylee and JJ arrived on JJ's dirt bike, which they were prepared to put on the ferry with them.

After Kie, Lia and Elyna picked up the tow truck from Gael's shop, they arrived at the ferry dock inside the tow truck.

As Elyna had described, the truck was a heavily-modified Chevy truck, its back half swapped with a tow truck's flatbed outfitted with side gates and two enormous nitro winches bolted on the side.

The Pogues all looked at the monster tow truck in awe, laughing in disbelief and excitement as Kie, Lia and Elyna got out of the truck to join the others.

"What?" Pope laughed.

"That's what I'm talking about, man!" JJ cheered.

"I know you described this thing, but this is next level!" Wheezie said in excitement.

Elyna grinned, leaning against the truck with a self-satisfied smirk, her arms crossed over her chest triumphantly. "Told you it was something special. She's a beast, and she can handle anything we throw at her."

Kaylee ran her hands over the tow truck's surface. "Uncle Gael really knew what he was doing with this setup."

Kie nodded vigorously. "And she's all set for the cross heist. Just imagine that thing cruising along the train tracks, towing away our prize."

Lia leaned against the side of the truck, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We'll be able to haul that crate out of the train in no time. This is perfect!"

"And if we need to make a getaway, we'll have enough horsepower to outrun anything, by the looks of it," Cleo admired.

"Absolutely, baby," Elyna agreed.

Sarah clapped her hands together, her excitement palpable. "All right, we've got the plan, we've got the ride. Now we just need to execute it without getting caught."

Kaylee turned her attention to the group, her nerves settling slightly under their infectious enthusiasm. "As long as we stick together and stay smart about this, we'll be fine."

"You guys ready for this?" Wheezie asked.

Pope squared his shoulders, determination flooding through him. "I am. Just... let's be smart about this."

Cleo nodded, her expression serious. "We stick to the plan. No one gets left behind, and we keep our eyes open for any surprises."

"Okay," Lia agreed. "So, Elyna, your plan that you said this morning, it could really work."

"Yeah, we just have to decide who does what," JJ agreed.

"Wheezie and I can go on the train and steal the electromagnetic key to get into the freighter car with the cross's crate," Sarah volunteered. "We'll recognize our family's business logo on the crate."

Wheezie nodded in agreement. "I can use the mobile device that Elyna has to copy the electromagnetic key and give the conductor the key back before he realizes it's missing."

Elyna handed the mobile device to Wheezie. "That's perfect, Wheeze."

Wheezie blushed slightly at hearing Elyna using her nickname, which caused Kaylee and Kie to smile knowingly.

JJ, Lia and Sarah shared a look as they recognized the sparks flying between Wheezie and Elyna as well, smiling slightly.

"Yeah, Cleo and I can go on the train with them to help with the lookout and hooking up the cross to the tow truck's winches," Pope added.

Cleo nodded in agreement. "I'm good with that."

"I can drive the tow truck," Kie added.

"You sure?" Lia asked.

"Yeah, I got this," Kie answered.

"All right, cool," JJ said. "That leaves me, Kaylee, Lia and Elyna on the back of the tow truck in the flatbed to help with dragging the cross out of the train."

Kaylee looked at Elyna. "As long as I still get to use your acetylene torches to tear a hole in that bitch."

Everyone laughed at Kaylee's classic response.

"Of course, Kaylee," Elyna replied.

"We'll still have JJ's bike in case we need to split up and divert cops if they show up," Sarah added.

"Exactly," JJ agreed.

Everyone started to smile.

Kaylee's jaw dropped. "Do we actually have a plan right now?"

Wheezie grinned. "Think we do."

"Hell yeah," Lia agreed.

"That's impressive," Sarah said.

Kie nodded. "I think this is our first time actually thinking things through."

"Let's not jinx it while we're ahead," Pope replied with a grimace. "Come on."

"Nobody ever listens to me," Cleo said.

Elyna smiled. "You're welcome for the plan, you guys."

"Yes, thank you, Elyna," Pope replied. "We wouldn't be able to do this without you. I know you're just helping because of Kaylee and Kie, but this means everything to me.'

Elyna shrugged. "I can help because of you guys too. I know we didn't know each other all that well before, when we were kids, but I remember enough. And you're Kaylee and Kie's family, better than Mike and Anna have ever been. Better than their own parents. I wanna do something to honor that. For you guys helping take care of my cousins."

Kaylee and Kie smiled at their cousin's words, as they felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude wash over them, each taking one of Elyna's hands.

"Thank you, Elyna," Kaylee told her. "It means a lot to us."

Kaylee nodded in agreement, her expression filled with sincerity. "Having you here makes this feel so much more doable. We're lucky to have you."

The others smiled at them.

"You guys finally got the family you deserve looking out for you," Lia pointed out. "That's a huge improvement."

"We've always had a family looking out for us," Kaylee replied, looking at each Pogue in front of them, causing them all to smile.

"But seriously, everything you've done so far means a lot, Elyna," JJ told her. "You and your parents."

"We really appreciate you being on our side," Sarah agreed.

Elyna smiled warmly, her heart swelling at the acceptance from the Pogues. "Just promise me that once this is all over, we can all hang out together. I've missed out on enough fun already."

"Definitely," Wheezie chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious as her eyes sparkled with warmth. "You're stuck with us now."

Elyna felt herself blush at Wheezie's words, smiling.

As they chatted, the atmosphere buzzed with energy and anticipation. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the ferry dock as if the universe itself was cheering them on.

"All right, team," Cleo said, gathering everyone's attention. "Let's go over the plan on the ferry one more time on the way there."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Sarah looked away, noticing Topper by a restaurant on the dock.

"I was just, uh, surfing the Soup Bowl," Topper said. "Oh, my goodness."

Sarah looked away. "Oh, my God."

"Oh, my God, what?" Cleo asked.

They followed her gaze.

"Is that Topper?" Wheezie asked.

Lia scoffed, shaking her head. "Of fucking course it is. Why... is he everywhere?"

Elyna looked at them in confused amusement.

"It's a Kook," Pope explained.

"One of the worst ones who kept almost getting Pope, Isa and John B hurt or almost killed," JJ explained. "Yet he thinks that saving Lia and Sarah's lives once erases all of the bad he's done."

Elyna scoffed. "As if."

"Exactly," Kie agreed. "Thank you."

"He doesn't care about anything other than his obsession with Sarah," Lia added.

Sarah tilted her head. "Topper is not obsessed with me."

Wheezie gave Sarah a look. "He literally said that he would bash a guy's brains out just for trying to take you away from him, and started countless fights with John B out of jealousy because you moved on and found love with him. He even pushed John B from the Hawk's Nest and almost got him killed, after he already drowned him."

"And you're saying that he's not obsessed with you?" Kaylee asked sarcastically.

Sarah opened her mouth to retort, but the words caught in her throat as she watched Topper's expression shift. He was walking toward them now, a mix of confidence and desperation painted across his features., looking smug as ever as he strode over as if he belonged.

"Hey, Sarah!" Topper called out, weaving through the crowd. "I thought I'd find you here!"

Kaylee ducked into hiding behind the tow truck, knowing that Topper and Kelce were two of the people who spread nasty rumors about her and Tod in the past, wanting to see her punished for his death. "Oh, shit! If he sees me, we're fucked."

"Just stay hidden," Pope urged. "You'll be fine. Remember that Esme said that once the cops know that you're working with Interpol, they can't touch you."

"Let's hope that means soon, so Kaylee doesn't have to keep hiding," Kie pointed out.

JJ glared over at Topper, muttering underneath his breath as he crossed his arms. "Oh, great. Just what we need."

Wheezie rolled her eyes. "Why can't he take a hint?"

"I can take him if you want," Elyna offered, glaring Topper down.

"Aye, me too," Cleo agreed.

"How about we keep it civil for now?" Pope asked, giving Elyna and Cleo a look. "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

Lia shook her head. "Fine, but fair warning, if he pisses me off, gloves come off and I'm going off on him again."

Wheezie smirked. "Go for it."

"Yeah," JJ agreed. "It's always amusing as hell to see you rip into him."

JJ, Wheezie and Lia did the Pogue handshake, as Sarah gave them a look.

Topper continued walking closer, though he didn't see Kaylee in her hiding place in the tow truck. "Hey, Sarah."

"Topper!" Sarah called back, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She took a step forward, instinctively positioning herself slightly behind Kie and Lia for support. "What are you doing here?"

Topper approached, his golden tan glistening under the sunlight. His gaze flickered to the others, and for a moment, it seemed like he hesitated before approaching them. "Good to see you all... again."

Kie crossed her arms defensively. "Really? After you and Kelce wanted to sell my sister out for murder even after you know everything Tod did to her and that she was defending herself?"

Elyna narrowed her glare at Topper, in disbelief that he could do that to her cousin after everything she had been through.

Topper shrugged, his arrogance shining through. "Come on, Kie. That was a long time ago."

"That was a month ago," Lia corrected. "And how the fuck is that any defense after you know what Tod did to Kaylee?"

Topper raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm just trying to mend bridges here." He looked back at Sarah, his smile returning. "I came to see if you wanted to grab some coffee or something? Just talk."

"Talk about what?" Sarah replied, her tone guarded. "About how you and Kelce tried to have my friend arrested? Or how you nearly got John B, Pope and Isa killed?"

"That's not fair," Topper argued, glancing at the others as if searching for their support. "I was just trying to protect you!"

"Protecting her?" Elyna scoffed. "How is selling Kaylee out at the bonfire protecting Sarah?"

"You were the one who couldn't keep your hands off of Pope's neck," Kie added. "You think that's protecting her?"

"Come on, I just came to see how Sarah was doing," Topper tried. "I didn't mean to upset anyone." His eyes darted between the Pogues, searching for an opening. "I know things got... complicated."

"Complicated?" JJ shot back. "You mean when you tried to drown John B or throw him off the Hawk's Nest? Or attacked Isa every time she tried to fight back against you to protect John B and Pope?"

Topper's voice raised slightly, his anger showing through despite his attempt to keep calm, showing a glimpse of his true colors. "Come on, that was a mistake! I was... I was angry! But that's in the past! We're all just trying to survive around here, right?"

Cleo scoffed. "If you call attempted murder and assault survival, you're even more psycho than Rafe Cameron and Tod Laurent. At least Rafe helped save the lives of Isa, Kaylee, Lia and Wheezie."

Topper glared at Cleo and Elyna. "I'm sorry, who the hell are the two of you, and why are you in this conversation?"

"Hey, don't talk to them like that," Pope warned. "Cleo's our friend and she helped save our lives. Elyna's the cousin to Kaylee and Kie and she's helping us more than your side of the island has ever done. So you can see why Elyna hates you after what you and Kelce pulled at the bonfire with almost getting Kaylee arrested."

Elyna stepped forward, her expression fierce. "You don't get to pretend like you're the hero here, Topper. From what they've said, all you've done is nothing but cause chaos."

In her hiding place in the tow truck, Kaylee couldn't help but smile in pride for her cousin standing up to Topper like that. She loved hearing all of her friends, her sister and cousin defend her against one of the Kooks that had ruined her life - all of their lives.

Topper's face flushed with frustration, his eyes narrowing at Elyna. "You don't know anything about me! You're just a Kook wannabe pretending to be tough. You think you can come in here and act like you belong?"

Elyna stepped even closer, chin held high. "And you think throwing your weight around makes you a man? Real men don't need to bully their way through life. And I don't know about you, asshole, but I don't want to be involved in your Kook vs. Pogue bullshit society divide. I just want to make sure that no one, including you, hurts my cousins and my friends ever again. Because you and your friend Kelce did hurt Kaylee that night at the bonfire, and you can't deny that. You called her a psycho and said that she deserved to be arrested, right? I think the ones that are psycho are the ones that attack a girl who they know was a victim of a psycho abusive stalker like Tod and think that she deserves to go to prison for fighting back against her tormentor and saving herself. You know why you boys do shit like that, Topper? Because you're all fucking pigheaded misogynists and classist assholes willing to let everybody go to hell to make sure you rise to the top. And everybody hates those guys. They deserve to rot in hell more than anybody else."

Kaylee, Lia, JJ, Kie, Pope, Sarah, Wheezie and Cleo's eyes went wide with shock and disbelief, but they couldn't help but laugh in awe.

"Damn, man," Cleo marveled. "Cheese on bread."

Lia started to mouth off again, her knack for hilariously calling out Topper igniting once again. "Honestly, Topper, it's embarrassing to see you still clinging to the past like this. You're not even a blip on our radar anymore, so why the hell are you still here? Seeking validation and attention from Sarah? Newsflash: She moved on."

"Uh, yeah, I just have to say that if you're looking for sympathy in being a misogynistic piece of shit, you won't find it here," Kie finished. "You can't just bully your way through life and expect everyone to roll over."

Topper's expression flickered between anger and frustration, his eyes darting between each Pogue as if looking for an ally in this unexpected confrontation. "You guys don't get it. I'm trying to help--"

"Help?" JJ interjected with a scoff. "By trying to act like you own the place? By threatening our friends? Spare us the act."

Topper scoffed, clearly losing his temper. "You all think you're so tough because you live in the Cut. But trust me, this isn't a game. You don't know what real life is like."

Wheezie stepped forward, a fire ignited in her eyes. "Real life? Is that your excuse for attempting to drown John B, trying to strangle Pope and attacking Isa each time she tried to defend them? Or trying to have Kaylee arrested when she was just defending herself? Because that doesn't fly with us. Remember when you were drunk off your ass and you came into Sarah's room confessing your so-called love for her, before you said that you would bash in the brains of any guy who would try to take her from you? You were talking to me instead of her, and that was the night that I realized how psycho you truly were, before you even pushed John B off the Hawk's Nest."

"You're acting like some high school bully just because you got rejected," Pope agreed.

"You're pathetic," Cleo shot back, her tone sharp and unwavering. "And honestly? You don't deserve any of our time. We're done with you."

Wheezie chimed in with a rebellious grin. "Do us all a favor and get lost."

Topper clenched his fists at his sides, his bravado faltering under their united front. "You don't know how much--"

"Enough!" Sarah interjected, cutting through the rising tension. She took a breath, forcing a calmness into her voice. "Topper, we're done here. You need to leave. This conversation isn't going anywhere productive."

Topper hesitated, glancing around at the waves of hostility directed toward him. For a moment, he seemed caught between his arrogance and the reality that he was outnumbered and outmatched.

"I just wanted to check on you, Sarah," Topper said, his tone softening slightly as he tried to latch onto any way that he could stay. "That doesn't give your bitch friends the right to come at me like this."

Sarah looked at Topper in disbelief.

Finally, Kaylee had enough with hiding in the truck and leaned out to call out Topper herself, uncaring if he reacted by calling someone out to them, knowing that the ferry was almost ready to pick them all up anyway.

"Hey, Topper!" Kaylee called.

The Pogues turned to give Kaylee a look, while Topper's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of her.

Kaylee grinned sarcastically. "If you wanna keep being a pussy-ass bitch, just bow out now and head on home. Because you know what they're saying is nothing but the truth and you can't handle it."

Topper looked around guardedly. "What the fuck?"

"What are you gonna do, call someone on me?" Kaylee asked mockingly. "You'd just be proving all of us right."

Topper's face twisted in anger, his bravado faltering under the weight of Kaylee's challenge. "You think you can just waltz back into this place and act like you're the queen of everything? You're a joke, Kaylee."

Kaylee stepped out of the truck, her posture strong and unwavering as she faced him head on. "Funny, coming from someone who's spent all their time trying to bully people for being different. The last time I checked, I was standing with my friends while you were busy trying to ruin lives. You think you're tough because you hang out with the Kooks? That doesn't make you invincible, Topper. It makes you pathetic."

Lia crossed her arms, nodding in agreement. "She's right. You're nothing without your little clique. And it's about time someone puts you in your place... again."

"Nice try," Topper scoffed, attempting to regain his smug demeanor as he glared from Kaylee to Lia. "But it doesn't matter what you two think you've been through. You're still just girls with a troubled past."

Kie took a step forward, eyes blazing. "And you're still the same loser trying to manipulate everyone around you just because you're scared of losing your precious reputation."

"You talk about survival," Wheezie added with a smirk. "But all you've done is hide behind your privilege and tear everyone else down. And, I mean, if you're looking for validation from Sarah after everything, that makes you the joke, Topper. Not us."

Topper's expression twisted with frustration, and for a moment, it looked as if he might lash out. But the unified front of the Pogues, standing strong and confident, held him back. The weight of their words hung in the air, anchoring them all in a shared reality that Topper was clearly unwilling to accept.

"Whatever," Topper finally muttered, attempting to save face but unable to mask the tremor in his voice. "I don't need this. You think you're tough? You're nothing."

Sarah stepped closer, her heart racing with adrenaline. "No, Topper. We're not just 'nothing.' We're survivors. We've been through hell and back, and we still stand strong together."

"That's more than you'll ever know," Cleo quipped.

Topper's frustration boiled over, his fists clenching tighter at his sides as he looked around at the group of Pogues. "You're all just a bunch of rejects who can't fit in anywhere else. That's why you cling to each other like a lifeline."

"Better than drowning like a lost puppy," Pope shot back, crossing his arms defiantly. "At least we know what loyalty looks like, unlike you."

"And I'd rather be a 'reject' than a coward," Elyna added, stepping forward with conviction. "You're all talk and no action, Topper. Look how easily you fold when the pressure's on."

"You know what?" Topper snapped, his bravado cracking. "I'm done with this. Just remember that I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here to take you Pogues down a notch."

JJ shook his head. "Do whatever you want to do, man. We're gonna do the same."

Topper glared at each one as he turned to leave.

Lia grinned triumphantly as she waved bye, winking mockingly. "Catch you later, Tweedledumbass."

Topper glared back at Lia, not surprised that she used her old nickname for him, leaving the ferry.

The Pogues smiled in victory.

"Damn that felt good!" Kaylee cheered.

JJ turned to Elyna, pointing at her in enthusiasm, admiring the way she stood up to Topper and took him down with words alone. "And you, you, that was fucking good. I knew I liked you. We're gonna keep you."

The other Pogues laughed in agreement.

Elyna smirked, brushing off the praise. "What can I say? I just call it like I see it. I just can't stand bullies, especially ones like him." She glanced at Kaylee and Kie, her expression softening. "But really, I'm just glad to be here with you all. You're the ones who've been through so much."

Kaylee and Kie smiled softly at their cousin which she returned.

"Still, we need more of that energy for what's ahead," Pope pointed out, gesturing toward the ferry as the crew began to prepare for departure.

Wheezie bounced on her heels, excitement bubbling over. "Okay, but seriously now. Can we focus? We still have a mission to execute!"

"Right," Kie said, clapping her hands together to rally everyone's attention. "We need to get on that ferry and go over everything one last time on the way over on the ferry."

The Pogues nodded in agreement, their spirits renewed after the standoff.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

On the Road

(Song:) Powerman - The Kinks

The Routledges were driving up to Charleston in the Twinkie, pulling over in the street.

Big John stopped the van. "Here we are. Gunning for the big prize. You with me, Bird? Dove?"

Not even the familiar nicknames from their childhood could do anything to rouse Isa and John B from their funk, both of them seeming depressed, numb.

Isa felt like she was suffocating, like she was trapped somewhere deep in the ocean, unable to move while the water slowly filled her lungs. She vaguely wondered how long it would take for her to fully sink, to fully submerge.

Isa and John B, despite that, both responded, not enthusiastic. "Yeah."

"See, the idol, it has the directions to El Dorado on it," Big John explained. "The diary should lead us to the other half, which is why Singh wants it so badly. But we got the jump on him this time. If we put the whole thing together, both halves, and decipher it, mountain of gold, here we come. Let's go find this church."

John B did look up at that, but his voice was as flat, cold and empty as his expression. "Mountain of gold, huh?"

Isa and John B exchanged a look before getting out of the van, following Big John. They didn't bother to try and fake any sort of emotion. Their dad wasn't paying a bit of attention, and still, his kids did the best they could to help.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Street

Isa, John B and Big John walked down the street.

Big John was looking in Denmark's diary. "So we're looking for 17 Society Street. Uh, it should be an old church with a graveyard."

A Thai restaurant caught John B's eye. "Uh, 17, you said?"

"Catholic church..." Big John trailed off, looking up, frowning. "Yeah, 17 Society Street. That's it. Seventeen."

John B pointed mutely to the Thai restaurant. "This 17?"

They looked at the 17 above the Thai restaurant's door.

Big John began pacing back and forth frantically. "No, no, no, no. This can't be right."

Numb as she felt, upset and still angry not only about Big John, but about Anna and Mike, Isa still found it in her to make a sarcastic remark. "Right, right. Because we've been right so many times. Why would we be wrong now, Dad?"

"Don't get smart with me," Big John snapped. "I don't need that right now, not after you made us wait this long to come out here in the first place when we don't have time to wait."

John B gave Big John a look, about to say something, but Isa cut him off, already on top of it.

Isa nodded sarcastically. "Yeah, because it's not like I was trying to take care of myself after our mission yesterday almost got us killed the first time I'm out of the fucking clinic, and not like I was making sure that everyone we care about was okay because they've been dealing with this shit, too. No, please tell me more on why I was wrong to make us wait to leave, Dad."

Big John didn't have a response to that, just more frustration.

John B tried to ease the tensions, not liking the fighting. "She's right, Dad. We had to wait and make sure everybody was okay. Including Isa. So you don't get to blame her for that."

Isa was relieved for him to have her back on this. "Thank you, John B."

Big John, ignoring them, shook his head, perusing the diary once more. "This doesn't make any sense. This should be a church and a graveyard, not a damn Thai restaurant."

John B glanced around, then froze when he spotted a white sign. "Hey, guys?"

"Maybe it's numbered wrong," Big John was muttering. "It can't be..."

John B whistled. "Hey, great explorers?" He pointed to the sign. "Check it out."

Isa walked over to John B first, standing by his side, reading the sign. "'Trinity Church, stood until the Great Earthquake of 1886'."

"Site was excavated and relics donated to Charleston Museum," John B explained.

Big John walked closer, grinning like a loon. "Well, I'll be damned. You are good for something, kids."

John B dropped his gaze to the ground. He knew he should feel somewhat hurt by those words, but he couldn't bring himself to feel anything at all.

Isa clenched her teeth but didn't have the energy to respond to what was a pretty messed up thing to say to someone's kids.

Big John slung his arms around their shoulders as if he hadn't just insulted them and berated them for their compassion and caring for their friends and their own health. "Charleston Museum, eh? Plan B."

Big John slid into the driver's seat of the Twinkie, while John B got back into the passenger seat, and Isa got into the back behind their seats.

John B and Isa looked out the windows, watching the buildings fly by with unseeing eyes, physically present, but mentally absent.

If Big John noticed their flat expressions, he didn't care enough to comment on them.

⚓️

Ferry Docks

Sarah nodded to the ferry. "They're boarding now. Let's go."

Cleo patted the tow truck. "Aye, since Kie's driving this thing on the mission, I wanna drive it onto the ferry."

Elyna smiled. "Knock yourself out, Cleo."

"Yeah, and we should hurry before Topper decides to really call the cops on me after we just roasted his ass," Kaylee added.

"Yeah, good thinking, since we don't know when Interpol's no-touch on you activates," Lia agreed.

JJ got onto his bike, starting it up so he could drive it onto the ferry as well. "Let's get this shit done, guys."

Everyone grinned as Cleo climbed into the driver's seat of the tow truck.

Pope got into the passenger seat next to Cleo. "Man, Elyna was right. This thing's a beast."

Cleo grinned. "Right?"

Kaylee, Lia, Kie, Sarah, Wheezie and Elyna climbed into the flatbed of the tow truck, each one smiling at each other.

"We got this, guys," Kie told them.

Sarah nodded in agreement. "Absolutely."

JJ drove his dirt bike onto the ferry first.

Cleo started up the tow truck, carefully driving it onto the ferry as well, as she and Pope shared a smile in the cab, excited for the upcoming heist.

The girls in the flatbed were practically vibrating with excitement.

As the tow truck rolled onto the ferry, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting an orange glow over the water. The gentle hum of the ocean waves contrasted with the frenetic energy of the Pogues, who were now buzzing with anticipation. Cleo parked the truck with precision, and as she turned off the engine, a palpable silence settled among them - the calm before the storm.

Kaylee peeked over the edge of the flatbed, her heart racing as her gaze traveled over to where Topper stood on the dock, still glowering from a distance. "He's not going to give up easily."

"Let him watch," Elyna replied confidently. "We've got bigger fish to fry."

"Right," Wheezie chimed in, her voice steady despite her nerves. "The cross. We need to stay focused."

Sarah felt a surge of adrenaline course through her as she took in her friends' resolve. "We're really doing this."

Lia glanced at Kie, who was adjusting the straps on the tow truck to secure some of their gear.

"Damn right we are," Kie replied, grinning back at her. "And we can't back down now. We've got our families counting on us."

Lia peered over the edge of the flatbed, watching the waves lap against the sides of the ferry, her heart racing. "Can you believe it? In just a few hours, we could have the cross back and be one step closer to stopping the Laurents."

JJ parked his bike right alongside the tow truck, getting off the bike and walking closer to the truck, smiling at the others. "Believe it? Not yet. But I'm looking forward to seeing to believe."

Pope and Cleo hopped out of the cab of the truck to join the others in the flatbed, climbing up to join the girls, along with JJ as he climbed up as well.

Pope smiled. "We've got this, guys."

"Absolutely," Cleo agreed.

Everyone smiled in anticipation, ready for what was to come.

⚓️

Brussels, Belgium

Cafe

After traveling by private jet, Esme and Gael arrived to Brussels, walking into the cafe where Esme's contact would be.

The contact was a man named Whitaker, who was confined to a wheelchair, and he spoke a lot of trash talk to the people around him - currently, the barista behind the counter. "Well, I don't know what this is, but it's not a cappuccino, Claude."

Claude sighed, shaking his head, not surprised by this as it seemed to be a constant. "Fuck you, Whitaker."

"Hey!" Whitaker complained. "I'm trying to help you. I'm being honest. People won't stand for that. Starbucks will come along, and you'll be done. I'm not gonna pay for it." When Claude went to take the coffee back, Whitaker picked up the cup. "Uh-uh-uh-uh. I'll drink it. I'm just not going to pay for it. Sort your life out, yeah?"

Whitaker noticed Esme and Gael by the door, waving them over to a table, knowing he was there to meet with Esme anyway.

Esme and Gael joined Whitaker at his table.

Whitaker smiled. "Free coffee?"

Gael frowned, turning to Esme. "You know this guy, how?"

"Whitaker is an informant," Esme answered. "We had to relocate him to Belgium, because so many people wanted him dead."

Whitaker nodded in agreement. "I thought you were here to ask me a favor."

"We are," Gael answered. "We need help with air traffic control in Brussels."

"Someone who can communicate with the pilots, overlook any potential glitches," Esme explained. "Maybe give us access to your air control channel so that one of our own can speak through on your behalf to maintain a mission of ours."

"Glitches?" Whitaker repeated with a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Mission? Sounds nefarious. Is this official?"

"Yes and no," Esme answered.

Whitaker sighed. "Then I could lose my job. I could go to jail. They could pin a terrorism charge on me, so thanks, but no thanks."

"Interpol will protect you," Esme interceded before he could leave.

Whitaker scoffed in disbelief. "I really, really want to say yes, but..."

"You'll be saving lives," Esme attempted to appeal to any human conscience.

Whitaker only laughed in response.

Gael shot him a glare. "Including our entire family." Whitaker's laughter died down as Gael continued. "We'll pay you a million dollars."

Esme looked at Gael in surprise.

Whitaker's mouth dropped in shock before he nodded eagerly. "Happy to be in business with you."

"Gael, no," Esme warned. "We don't have that kind of money."

"I do," Gael replied.

Esme realized he meant from the criminal lifts, sighing heavily in concern. "Gael..."

"Like we said," Gael told her. "It's for our family and all of those other lives. Nothing's more important than that."

Whitaker insistently gestured to Gael. "Listen to the man. Listen to him."

"You wouldn't happen to know anyone who can load cargo off an A380, would you?" Gael asked.

Whitaker nodded. "I might know a few people, yeah."

When Esme's phone went off, she took it out, looking at the text message, frowning. "It's Huxley. He wants to see us."

Esme and Gael shared a look.

⚓️

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston Museum

The Routledges pulled up in the Twinkie outside the museum.

Big John led them inside. "All right, just follow my lead, okay, kids?" Isa and John B nodded barely. "Hey, sharpen up." When they approached the front desk, a mask of pleasantness lightened Big John's features. "Hi. Hello, sir."

The man working looked up from his computer, his bored eyes suddenly curious. "Hello. How can I help you today?"

"I wondered if I could have a word with your chief of collections," Big John said politely, though his fingers were drumming impatiently on the top of the marble desk.

The worker pursed his lips, shaking his head. "Dr. Pierce is out doing fieldwork till June. Can I help you with something?"

Big John cleared his throat. "Well, hopefully. I'm Dr. Marion from up at USC. Paleogenetics mostly. I'm interested in seeing some items you have in your collection. Specifically pieces retrieved from the excavation at Trinity Church back in the 1880s."

The man's features lit with understanding. "Ah. Well, you could submit a written request to get access to the archives."

Big John smiled. "I was really hoping to poke around there today. I got two of my students with me."

Big John gestured to where Isa and John B stood behind him.

The worker sighed. "They don't let folks down there after that Egyptologist weaseled in and proved a bunch of the Pharaoh collection were fakes."

Big John nodded. "I remember that."

"You'll have to go through the protocols," the worker explained.

Big John paused, deliberating. "Well, where are the archives? Are they here on-site?"

The worker shook his head dolefully. "Oh, no, downtown museum storage, end of Broad Street, uh, near the Battery. I'd take you, but they won't give me one of them key cards." He scoffed. "Above my pay grade. You got to be a director like Ms. Flannery here." He waved to an older, short lady walking by. "Hello, Ms. Flannery."

Flannery smiled warmly at him as she moved past. "Good afternoon."

Big John watched her walk away, his eyes following her hand as she lifted a card up to approve her trip on the elevator. "Key card, huh? All right. Understood. Well, thank you for the information. You've been most helpful, okay? You have a good day."

⚓️

Outside

The Routledges now sat in the Twinkie, waiting.

"So this is your master plan, huh?" Isa asked dryly. "Rob an old lady?"

Big John shook his head. "Not... rob. Appropriate, all right? Temporarily acquire an object that has no value for her and is essential for us. Hey, there she is. It's game time, kids."

Isa and John B followed their father's gaze and noticed Ms. Flannery from the museum preparing to step into a sleek black car.

Big John took out his gun, cocking it, much to the shock of Isa and John B.

"No, what are you doing?" Isa asked.

Big John cocked the gun. "Do you know where we are? We are on the hot damn Hillary Step, okay, kids? One beat away from the mountaintop. We can't let a little thing like federal armed robbery get in the way."

Isa shook her head fervently, putting her hands up. "Absolutely not. No way. I've gone along with all of this, Dad, but there's no way we're threatening her with a gun."

"I taught you how to shoplift," Big John stated.

"Are you seriously bringing that up right now?" John B asked.

"But that came in handy when I was gone, didn't it?" Big John pointed out.

John B shook his head incredulously, looking away. "Oh, Jesus. Come on, man."

"Here's another little lesson," Big John told them. "A little baby step." Isa and John B didn't respond. Big John turned their heads to look at him. "Kids, hey, you gotta let that thing go out there at sea. Lighten up a little. It was us or them. What did you want me to do? And right now, we got another thing that needs doing. I think it's better if one of you does it."

Isa looked at Big John incredulously.

John B scoffed. "Oh, us. You want us to go, your kids? To go hold up that old lady?"

"That's right," Big John answered. Isa and John B were completely overwhelmed with shock and incredulity. "I assure you, once we get to Orinoco, it will get harder." Big John showed them that the gun clip had no bullets. "Hey, look. See? It's empty."

Isa pushed the gun away. "Yeah, we get it. it's still fucking wrong."

"You trust me now?" Big John asked. Neither kid answered. "Now I need to know that I can trust you." Big John forced the gun into John B's hands. "Okay? And don't ask for her key card specifically. All right? Get her whole wallet. We don't want anybody to know what we're after. She's leaving now. This is our only chance. Go on, it's game time, kids. Go!"

John B was so overwhelmed that he didn't know what to do.

Isa shook her head. "No, Dad. No, this isn't fucking happening." John B's breath was shaken. "John B, you don't have to."

"If you two wanna keep going by side and making sure all of this was worth something, yes, he does," Big John replied. "Otherwise I'm going on without you two."

"Yeah, and risk getting killed or disappearing and leaving us again?" Isa asked. "Or do you not care about what that put us through the first time?"

Big John didn't answer, seething angrily, obsessed with going forward.

John B couldn't handle the fighting anymore, and knowing that Big John was serious; if he didn't do this, then he would go on alone, and his and Isa's fear about losing him again would come to reality and put them through hell all over again. He thought that if he did this one thing maybe it could stop it from happening, so he just got out of the car with the gun, walking away from the van.

Isa was stunned but knew why John B was doing this, no matter how misguided he was and the fact that they were both pushed into this.

Big John nodded proudly "Go get that bag, boy. That's it."

Isa pressed her back against the wall of the van, sinking down, putting her head between her knees, struggling to breathe, hating the downward spiral but having no idea on how to make it stop without losing their father again.

John B made his way up to Ms. Flannery, feeling absolutely sick, but trying to do whatever he had to do. "Ma'am."

Flannery jumped slightly. "Ooh goodness. You snuck up on me."

"Yeah, sorry about that," John B apologized.

"Can I help you with something?" Flannery asked.

John B glanced back toward the van.

Isa shook her head slightly, desperate for this to stop.

Big John gave John B a death glare. "Come on."

John B slowly turned toward Flannery. "Look, I was just wondering, uh--"

"Wondering what, son?" Flannery asked. John B hesitantly drew the gun, but kept it down at his side. Flannery frowned. "What are you doing?"

John B gestured nervously. "I just need your bag, please."

Flannery wasn't scared, as she could see that John B was no threat to her and that he didn't even want to be doing this. "You're not getting my bag, son."

"I will bring it back with everything inside of it," John B tried. "Can I please just have your bag?"

Isa sighed, tilting her head back against the van, giving a dark, but smug, look to Big John since he wasn't getting his way that easily with John B.

Big John groaned, making a fast, hanging his head. "Shit."

Flannery eyed John B skeptically. "You're about the most pitiful excuse for a thief I've ever seen in my life. What's the matter with you? Does your mama know where you are? You need to be ashamed of yourself."

Flannery got into her car, starting the car without a care in the world, driving away.

Big John angrily hit the steering wheel in the van.

Resting her arms on her knees in front of her, Isa rolled her eyes, looking away, getting up and out of the van, walking toward John B.

John B turned toward Isa, releasing a shaky breath. "I'm sorry. I--I was just trying... he was gonna leave, and we came out here to make sure he didn't disappear or die on us again, and... we couldn't lose him again, and... it's not an excuse, but--"

Isa grabbed John B's shoulders. "JB. I know. It's okay. I mean, it's not okay, but it's not your fault, all right? And you didn't go through with it, so that's something. You know Dad would've." John B nodded, both of them hating this. "Let's go."

They walked toward the van, getting in.

Big John was not happy in the least, disappointed and even angry that John B didn't go through with it, and Isa never wanted to in the first place. "Ain't exactly Jesse James, are you, kid? We'll just get into the archives the old-fashioned way."

⚓️

Ferry

(Song:) Your Love is Too Cold - Bobby Oroza, Cold Diamond & Mink

On the way to Wilmington, the Pogues went over the plan, while Lia and Pope were also helping Wheezie go over her chemistry and science homeschooling homework, which she did in a notebook. She also had her Pogue adventure journal, like always, as she journaled their journey coming up ahead, multitasking with her science and chemistry homework, glad that she had both Lia and Pope's help.

JJ even had a moment when he was able to help. "Yeah, see? Science. I knew my science."

Everyone laughed.

Cleo looked at Lia in amusement. "So you a history buff and a science geek?"

Lia shrugged innocently. "I'm good in school, even if we're homeschooled." The others chuckled. "Plus, I know how to make Molotov cocktails, but never had the time to do so before a mission, or the ingredients, at that."

"Uh, yeah, remind me to make sure you get those ingredients one of those times and I'll help you blow some shit up," Kaylee offered.

Lia and Kaylee grinned.

JJ, Elyna and Wheezie smirked.

Sarah and Kie - ever the responsible sisters - gave Lia and Kaylee a look, shaking their heads. "No."

Lia and Kaylee pouted slightly.

Wheezie giggled, smiling brightly. "Thank you for helping me, guys."

"Anytime, Wheezie," Pope replied.

Elyna admired the bond that the Pogues had from the other side of the flatbed, smiling slightly as she gazed at Wheezie, who enjoyed the bonds she had created with everyone around her.

Kaylee and Kie noticed Elyna's gaze on Wheezie, smiling slightly as they shared a look, walking over to their cousin.

"Are we crazy for thinking we can pull this off?" Kaylee asked.

"Absolutely," Kie answered. "There was never a doubt even before."

Elyna smirked. "Well, why don't you tell us how you really feel, Kie?"

Kie shrugged. "But we can't call it off, either. Because that's only even more crazy."

Kaylee looked at Elyna. "Though you, Lia, Pope and Gael are pulling off all the genius shit off well on both missions. And Wheezie's helping big time."

Elyna couldn't help a small smile. "Yeah, Wheezie's actually surprisingly good at this stuff."

Kie smiled slightly, knowingly. "Right. I see."

Elyna noticed her cousins' looks, frowning. "Why you say it like that? What does that mean?"

Kaylee shrugged. "Well, it's just, you know, the way you look at her."

Elyna gave them a skeptical look that seemed a little exaggerated. "The way I look at her? How do I look at her?"

To tease Elyna, Kaylee put on a lovestruck expression.

"What is that?" Elyna asked.

"That's what you look like," Kaylee replied.

Elyna scoffed in disbelief, sheepish and embarrassed. "I've never made a face like that. Nobody makes that face." She tilted her head as Kaylee continued to make that face. "All right, how about you stop?"

Kaylee stopped, though she couldn't help a small smirk.

Elyna looked across the way, where Wheezie was working on her journal and notebook with Pope and Lia's help. Even now, Elyna looked struck by the simplistic and cute beauty of the other girl as the sea air blew through their hair. She couldn't help but notice the way Wheezie's eyes lit up as she dove into her intellectual passions, both with engineering and homeschooling.

Kaylee snapped her fingers to get Elyna's attention. "Look at me."

Snapping out of it, Elyna looked at Kaylee, her expression from looking at Wheezie changing slightly to exasperation. "I am looking at you."

Kaylee pointed to Wheezie. "Now look at her."

Elyna turned her head to look at Wheezie, her expression a mixture of the awestruck look Kaylee teased her about and the exasperation directed at her cousins.

Wheezie looked up at the wrong moment, seeing Elyna's look, suddenly becoming nervous and awkward as she looked away and continued working on her homeschooling, a blush coloring her cheeks.

Kaylee gestured to Elyna as if to say 'I rest my case'.

Kie couldn't help but laugh lightly.

Elyna shook her head. "I look like a damn creep." She gave Kaylee a sarcastic look. "Proud of yourself?"

"Yes," Kaylee replied with a smug smile.

Kie smiled softly at seeing a piece of the old, carefree and teasing Kaylee - her sister before all the darkness. It was even better because they were teasing their cousin, like they had never been separated.

Elyna looked at Kaylee and Kie fondly despite her exasperation, sighing, looking away, her face falling slightly. "It doesn't matter. I mean, what we're talking about, this thing like that, it'll never happen."

Kie frowned in concern. "Why not?"

Elyna raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean, why not? The same reason why my mom and dad never got officially married. Why we're constantly torn apart, and why Dad and I haven't seen our family with you two and Uncle Mike in almost eight years. The game we're in isn't fair on the love life, or the family life."

"True, but Uncle Gael and Esme make it work despite everything," Kie pointed out. "And this morning, despite all the drama, we made progress with our parents, a little."

"And you still maintained your family life with Uncle Gael and Esme despite how many times you were torn apart," Kaylee added.

"Yeah, but I've seen the pain it put my parents through," Elyna admitted. "And I don't want to go through that or put another person through that."

Kaylee looked down in understanding, somber. She had broken up with JJ because she didn't want to put him through more pain and danger than she already had.

Kie looked at both her sister and cousin sadly in concern, knowing how this could apply to both Kaylee and Elyna regarding JJ and Wheezie. "Even if it means you end up being alone? I mean, doesn't life like that, the one you want to live, get lonely?"

"I party and have fun with people all over the world," Elyna pointed out, though the words sounded hollow even to her own ears. "I mean, I don't have friends or relationships, but..."

Kie tilted her head. "That's my point, Elyna. There's respect and fun, and there's admiration and friendships and family... but is there closeness? Is there intimacy? What if trying to protect everyone around you by isolating yourselves, you're only hurting the people you want to protect? And you're hurting yourselves all the more?"

Kie looked between Kaylee and Elyna pointedly, hoping that her words would get through to both of them. She didn't want them to isolate themselves and put themselves through more pain than they had already gone through.

Elyna's expression softened as she considered Kie's words, her defenses wavering. "I guess... I just don't want to end up like my dad. Always running, always hiding."

"But you're not your dad, Elyna," Kie told her softly. "You have a choice. We all do." She glanced at Kaylee pointedly, then back at Elyna. "You can choose to be with someone who understands this life and supports you."

Kaylee gave Elyna a small smile. "Friendship and love don't weaken you; they make you stronger. We're all here for each other, and you don't have to go through any of this alone."

Elyna looked between her cousins, feeling the warmth of their support engulf her. "I just worry about forming bonds that might get hurt... again."

Kaylee reached out, taking Elyna's hands in hers. "Then take it slow. Start with friendship and let it grow from there. You'll never know what will happen if you don't try."

Elyna reflected on their words and her own choices, realizing that they were right. She searched Kaylee's expressive eyes for understanding. "What about you?"

Kaylee sighed. "I've done what you're doing too. Pushed people away when I needed them the most. And it only made things worse."

"Exactly," Kie said, her voice firm yet gentle. "You think isolating yourself protects others, but really, it just drives the people who care about you away. Look at us - we're barely holding it together as it is with everything going on. Don't you want someone by your side through the chaos?"

Elyna sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I want that. But I also don't want to drag anyone into my mess."

Kaylee reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Elyna's shoulder. "I get that. Believe me, I do. It's partly why I broke up with JJ, so he didn't get sucked into more of my mess. But also because I wasn't good mentally enough to be in a relationship right now, and neither is he. He's pushing me away right now, too. But you and Wheezie... you're different. This is the first time you've gotten to have friends, right? Since you were always running and hiding."

Elyna nodded somberly. "Yeah. The first time."

Kie smiled softly, nudging Elyna. "And we're not going anywhere. You deserve to explore those connections, no matter how messy life gets. Friendship first, right?"

Kaylee added, her tone lightening a bit. "Plus, if we can handle Tod and the Laurents, we can definitely handle whatever happens next in our lives."

Elyna laughed, the tension easing in her shoulders. "You sound like my dad trying to convince me to embrace the chaos."

"Well, your dad has a point," Kie replied with a wink. "Chaos can lead to some of the best memories."

Kaylee squeezed Elyna's shoulder gently. "Don't waste this chance, Elyna. You have to let yourself feel something real, even if it scares you. We can help each other through the mess."

Elyna looked into Kaylee and Kie's eyes, feeling the warmth and support radiating from her cousins. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely," Kie chimed in with a grin. "Trust me, the Pogues are a messy, chaotic bunch, ut that mess is what makes us family."

Kaylee nodded fervently. "And remember, you're not alone in this. We've got your back."

Elyna took a deep breath, her heart racing with newfound determination. "Okay. I'll try."

A smile broke across Kaylee's face, and she pulled Elyna into a tight hug. Kie joined in, wrapping her arms around them both. The embrace felt comforting, a promise of solidarity amidst the chaos in their lives.

JJ, Lia and Wheezie noticed the bonding of Kaylee and Kie with their cousins, smiling softly despite all of the chaos and darkness in their lives recently. They were just glad that they had a moment of connection and contentment.

⚓️

Park

Agent Huxley was waiting, sitting on a benches as he anticipated the arrival of Gael and Esme. When he saw their approach, he stood to shake Gael's hand. "Commander Dennis Huxley, London Metropolitan Police Service, seconded to Interpol Anti-Terrorism."

Gael raised his eyebrows skeptically. "Is that your full name?"

Esme glanced at Gael, giving nothing away.

Huxley looked between them. "Why don't we take a seat? This'll be quick."

As Esme sat down on a bench, Huxley was quick to block Gael's attempt to sit next to her, taking that spot instead, extending his body so there was no room left on their bench for Gael to sit down.

Esme rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Really?"

Gael shook his head in annoyance. "Okay, big dog."

Gael took a seat on the bench next to them.

Huxley glanced around before lowering his voice conspiratorially. "So, Arthur Tigue washed up on the Irish coast in six grocery bags."

Esme looked at him in shock. "What?"

Gael frowned. "Who's Arthur Tigue?"

"Arthur Tigue was the inside man we had with the Laurents," Esme answered.

Gael nodded in understanding. "And he was found dead."

"Yeah," Huxley answered. "And it's why I think the bank's brought the transfer down to seven days from now."

This was news to both Esme and Gael, who spoke in unison. "Seven days?"

"That's not enough time," Gael told them.

"Well, being that it is your family on the line, I recommend you make it enough time," Huxley retorted harshly.

Gael glared at him. "My family is already on the line with being involved in this heist just to please you."

"And to save themselves," Huxley replied. "You, your daughter, even your niece, all of you are after the immunity to save your own skin."

Esme clenched her teeth, having to remain silent despite the overwhelming urge she had to defend her family. She couldn't risk blowing her cover, and both she and Gael knew this.

"You don't know anything about my family," Gael spit out. "It's about saving everyone, jackass, not just ourselves."

"And yet you're scared with having Elyna, Kaylee and Kiara and their friends involved anyway because they might be killed," Huxley hummed sarcastically. "But you realize if you opt them out, then you're definitely signing the death sentences of your daughter, your nieces, all of their little friends, and your brother and his wife. Do I need to go on?"

"I'd rather you didn't," Gael countered.

"If you're worried about your own life by getting caught in this mission, don't worry," Huxley stated cruelly. "'Cause you and your daughter are from the art world, and Kaylee and Kiara are small-time treasure hunting adventurists with their friends. It's what made you and your family brilliant choices. You and Elyna may be renowned for what you've done as the Mavericks, but no one's expecting anything from Kaylee and Kiara Carrera or their little friends. And if any one of your family tries to get out of this, I will take away your immunity, and Elyna and Kaylee's, and I'll bring the power of international law down on your girls and their band of misfits. Comprende, homeboy?"

Esme shot a look of disgust and disbelief at Huxley at the way he threatened their family, and for the blatant racism against not only Gael but all of them.

Gael maintained his calm despite the anger surging beneath the surface, keeping himself restrained as he looked at Esme in warning. "Better get your boy."

Esme stood, having enough. "Guys! Guys, innocent people's lives are on the line." She shot Huxley a look of disdain. "But you have to realize the danger that Gael and his family are putting themselves under after what already happened between Kaylee and the Laurents, and how all of this comes back to them trying to get revenge on her for Tod's death. After what they've been through, I would say that warrants a little goddamn compassion, don't you?"

Huxley eased back, sighing.

Gael glared at Huxley. "As you've said, I can't walk away. I'm doing this for my family. Not for me, and sure as hell not for you. But don't you ever threaten my daughter or my nieces or their friends like that again or I'll bring you down with us if you want to take away our immunity. I can't imagine Interpol will like to know that you're willingly involving civilians and criminals to do your dirty work and threatening their livelihoods just to get what you want. Never fuck with a man's family."

Huxley looked between Gael and Esme for a moment before sighing. "Veilleux, I want you on this operation from beginning to end. Like you said, we can't trust them completely. I need you to keep them in line."

Esme nodded, knowing that she wasn't walking away from the mission anyway when it was her family on the line. "Yes, sir."

"Good," Huxley said. "See you in London when the job's done."

Huxley stood, walking away, leaving Gael and Esme alone on the park benches.

Gael's gaze settled on Esme, raising his eyebrows, still thinking about what Huxley called him.

Esme shook her head. "Don't say it."

Gael scoffed. "Homeboy, huh?"

Esme sighed.

Esme looked around to ensure that Huxley was gone before she turned to her husband. "Gael, I'm so sorry. I never expected Huxley to do something like that."

Gael's gaze softened as he looked at his wife. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault, Esme. I just can't stand it when people like him come down on people like us."

Esme nodded in agreement, biting her lip, conflict raging inside of her. "I can't keep doing this. I can't keep up with this if it means I can't defend my family against all of this."

Gael looked at her in concern. "Esme, being an Interpol agent is all you've ever dreamed of. You've worked your ass off to get this far. And yes, you have to be a double agent to protect me and Elyna, but we're okay with that."

"Maybe I'm not okay with it anymore," Esme replied. "I can't... I'm tired of us being ripped apart, Gael. Especially after all of this with Kaylee, Kie and your brother. Our family is hanging on by a thread. And all I want is to be with my family without anything holding us back or keeping us apart anymore."

Gael reached out, taking Esme's hands in his. "I get it. I really do. But we have a chance here - a chance to clear our names, to protect our girls, and to finally be together without the shadows of our past looming over us."

Esme's eyes glistened with unshed tears, the weight of their situation pressing down on her. "But at what cost? How many more sacrifices do we have to make before we're free from this?"

Gael sighed deeply, searching her eyes for understanding. "I wish I had the answers, Esme. I wish I could promise that once this is over, everything will be perfect. But life isn't like that. It's messy, and it's complicated."

Esme nodded slowly, pushing back the emotions threatening to overflow. "I just... I want to protect them from all of this. Elyna, Kaylee, Kie. All of their friends. They've already been through so much."

Gael squeezed her hands tighter. "And by doing this job, we are protecting them. I know this isn't easy for you. But we have to play our parts for now. Once this is all over, we can be together as a family. No more secrets, no more hiding, no more running. I promise you."

Esme swallowed hard, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I just want to feel safe again. I want Elyna to feel safe. She deserves that, and so do Kaylee and Kie."

"They will," Gael assured her, his voice steady. "We'll see this through, and then we'll tackle whatever comes next. Together."

In that moment, as they shared a silent understanding, Esme felt relief wash over her as she gazed at Gael with love in her eyes. "You're right."

Gael smirked slightly. "I usually am."

Esme smiled slightly. "Yes."

"What do you want, Esme?" Gael murmured, his voice husky with longing and adoration. "Really?"

Esme stepped closer. "I want all of this to be over. I want you and Elyna to be free so we can settle down in one place and just stay together as a family. Hopefully in Kildare with Kaylee and Kie, so we can be a real husband and wife. A real family."

Gael smiled, his eyes lighting up. "That's the dream. I can't do anything about that right now, but we will. I promise."

Gael gravitated closer to Esme, his eyes drifting to her lips for a moment before raising to her eyes once more.

"And I really want to kiss my husband without worrying about who's watching, for once," Esme murmured.

Gael's smile grew as he leaned in closer, raising his hand to cup Esme's cheek. "That I might be able to do something about."

As their lips met, the world around them faded into a blur. The warmth of their connection ignited a spark that momentarily shielded them from all the chaos and uncertainty swirling in their lives. It was a reminder of the love that had endured through years of turmoil, and it strengthened their resolve to face whatever lay ahead. An unspoken promise that they would make it through the chaos together.

When they finally pulled apart, Esme's eyes shimmered with emotion. "We're going to get through this, Gael. For Elyna, for our family."

Gael nodded, his expression serious. "We will. And when this is all over, we'll finally have the life we've both wanted."

Esme smiled softly as Gael took her by the hand, placing a kiss on her skin. The two walked through the park toward their car, ready to go to the airfield and fly back to Outer Banks.

⚓️

Charleston, South Carolina

Night - Archives - Outside

Isa and John B sat outside with Big John in the van, both off them still looking numb and distant.

"Figured out a way to get in without a key card?" John B asked.

"No plan yet," Big John answered. "Just got to wait for the night to settle. Less people around, the better. We'll wait till the witching hour then get down to some serious cat burgling." He took out a cigarette. "Grit?"

Isa shook her head, gazing off at nothing. "I'm good."

"No," John B answered, even his voice just sounding like all of his emotions were shut down completely.

Big John lit the cigarette. "Attakids. You know what is true, though? All faults aside, it is nice to be back together with you."

John B looked at Big John, but his expression and voice didn't change. "Yeah, it is."

Isa barely looked up. "Sure is."

A guard walked outside.

Big John noticed him first. "Oh, three o'clock, eh?" They remained calmly in the van. A couple outside, dressed in a fancy tux and glittering red gown, were laughing and chatting on their way up to the building. "This is it. This could be our chance. Let's go."

The Routledges got out of the van, watching the couple head upstairs to the archives and going inside, using a key card to get in, coming out of hiding.

The door was about to close, but John B grabbed a branch from a nearby plant, sticking it in the doorway to stop the door from closing and locking just in time.

Big John chuckled. "Nice catch!"

They started to make their way inside.

⚓️

Wilmington, North Carolina

Train Station

When the Pogues reached the train station in Wilmington, the plan started.

Sarah, Wheezie, Pope and Cleo boarded the train before it started on its route, leaving the others in the tow truck ready to begin their heist once they fulfilled their end of the plan on the train.

⚓️

Charleston, South Carolina

Archives

The Routledges were sneaking in past the couple, who were too drunk and giggling to notice them.

Big John pointed. "Hey, look, upstairs." They saw a sign for "Archaeology Storage" pointing upstairs, starting to head up. Big John was in awe. "Look at this place. It's a gold mine. Check everything, just check everything. Look for anything Trinity Church. Anything late 1800s." Isa and John B did just that, not feeling up to more arguing. "Habitats, biodiversity. Antiques. Pretty cool stuff but not what we're looking for. Tiles, grass dividers, come on. Underground Railroad, rocks. What we got? Uniforms, coats, buttons? Swords, scabbards. Some porcelain, silver plates. Pottery. Religious."

Isa found a sign on the wall to their left, pointing. "Holy Trinity Church."

Big John grinned, clapping Isa on the back as he passed. "Good work, Dove."

Isa and John B sauntered up the stairs and made a left when their father did.

Big John was practically bursting with excitement. "Look at this. Look at this, kids. The mother lode. This could be it, kids. Five hundred years in the making. Here we are."

⚓️

Wilmington, North Carolina

Train

Sarah and Wheezie were riding in the dining car on the train, ready to begin their part of the plan.

Pope and Cleo were sitting across the room, ready for them to begin.

The conductor entered the dining car to collect tickets.

Seeing him, Wheezie's demeanor shifted to all business. "Here we go."

Sarah and Wheezie rose from their seats.

(Song:) Live Like You - Dewolff Music

Outside, as the train glided along at high speed, the tow truck rampaged toward the train, tearing up the rough countryside, launching and landing over bumps in the hardpack at incredible speeds, trying to catch the train.

Inside the train, as Sarah and Wheezie passed the conductor, Sarah's foot caught and she tripped right into him.

Fortunately, the man caught her. "Are you all right, miss?"

As he helped her up, Sarah secretly swiped his magnetic security card dangling from his coat pocket, holding it behind her back for Wheezie to quickly slide on the mobile device.

"Yes, thank you so much," Sarah answered, giving the conductor a kiss on the cheek, using the distraction to deftly clip the card back onto his pocket before moving on, leaving the conductor none the wiser.

Wheezie followed Sarah toward the back of the train.

Pope and Cleo exchanged a look.

Pope nodded to Cleo. "We're up."

Cleo smiled slightly. "Let's do this."

Pope and Cleo stood, following Sarah and Wheezie through the train.

(Song Ends)

⚓️

Charleston, South Carolina

Archives

The Routledges were searching through all the boxes they could get their hands on. They rummaged and ruffled through the boxes filled with priceless antique items. None found what they were looking for.

Big John threw the last box heavily to the ground, cursing loudly.

John B stood up. "Come on, Dad. It's--"

Big John gave up. "That's it. That's it. It's over! That's the last of it! It's over."

"Dad, relax," John B told him. "Calm down."

"What was the point?" Big John demanded. "That's the last of the Trinity boxes." John B tried to shush him so they didn't get caught. "It's over. It was a long shot, anyway. Such a long shot. Goddamn it." A tear slid down Big John's cheek, before he really started to cry. "There's so much disappointment, you know? Near misses."

Isa looked away, letting her father have his moment, when a stone relic caught her eye. "Hey, Dad? We missed one. There's a rock here."

Isa walked over to the box where she saw the stone, lifting it up in her hand, examining it, which looked identical to the artifact they already had.

Big John snatched it from her, wiping his tears away with a sniff. "What's it labeled?"

Isa read the box. "Trinity Church, miscellaneous."

Big John was breathing heavily as he looked at the stone in his hand in pure awe and adoration; a look he never gave to his own children, which clearly hurt them, and made them feel very awkward.

"Um... Dad?" John B asked.

"This--this--this is--this is Kalinago," Big John whispered. "A vanished Indigenous people. Isa, John B, this could be it. This could be it. Look, look!" He pulled out the other artifact from his backpack. "The stones, they're the same color. Let's see if it fits."

Isa and John B watched, curious. "Holy shit."

Big John set the new stone on top of the old one. They slid together perfectly, the markings aligning as they had been made so many years ago.

Isa and John B's jaws dropped in surprise, but they didn't look excited as they thought they would be, knowing that they found another piece of the puzzle.

"Dude," John B said. Isa put her hands to her head, running them back over her hair. "Isa... Dad..."

Meanwhile, Big John was beaming like this was the best thing that ever happened to him, letting out a sob of relief and awe. "This is the cat serpent. I think this is a skylight. It's the evening, obviously, so we can't check it here, but... oh, kids."

When Big John held up the idol, the clear stone in the head of it reflected the light from the moon outside, and light shone from the idol's eyes as if it was glowing.

Isa and John B stared in shock.

"What the shit is that?" John B asked.

Big John gasped. "Look at that, kids. Look at that. We're on our way! We did it. Together. Just like I said we would. You see that?" He grasped Isa and John B's shoulders giving Isa a smile. "You found it, Dove. You. We did it. We did it. That a girl."

Big John laughed.

After the shock and excitement wore off, John B looked number than he had before.

Isa frowned, not feeling any differently, which really started to concern both siblings for one another and themselves.

⚓️

Wilmington, North Carolina

Train

Outside the train, the tow truck got closer, with Kie driving, and Kaylee, Lia, JJ and Elyna standing on the flatbed of the truck, all wearing bandanas and masks to protect from the dust as well as keeping their identities hidden.

Inside, Sarah and Wheezie led the way up to a freight car, arriving at the electromagnetically locked door.

Meanwhile, Pope and Cleo remained in the corridor, keeping a look out.

"Hey!" Pope whispered.

"What?" Cleo asked.

"Just so you know, I'm not normally this crazy," Pope told her. "It's just getting this cross back, it means a lot to me. I have to do this. It's worth it."

"It better be after all this shit, man," Cleo replied.

Wheezie swiped her mobile device (which recorded the conductor's magnetic security card info) across the card reader. With a beep, the door unlocked, allowing Sarah and Wheezie to enter the freight car, where they saw the many packages they would have to sort through to find the one they were looking for.

Wheezie made a call on her phone. "Found it. Second freighter from the end."

Sarah called out into the corridor quietly. "Pope, Cleo! Found it."

Pope and Cleo, making sure the coast was clear, hurried closer to the freight car.

⚓️

Charleston, South Carolina

Archives - Outside

The Routledges were leaving the archive building.

"This is it, kids," Big John told them. "There is blood on the tracks." He whooped. "We are hot on the trail."

"Yeah, feels great," John B remarked numbly.

Big John either didn't notice that he didn't mean the words, or he didn't care that neither of his kids looked up to even be excited, patting them on the shoulders. "Ha, you're right about that, boy. It feels great!"

They stopped when they realized the Twinkie was gone.

"Wait, wait, wait," Isa said. "Dad." She put her hands to her head, looking around. "Dad, where's the car? Dad."

Big John was stunned. "It's--somebody must have stolen it."

"Why would somebody steal the Twinkie?" John B asked, getting worked up by something precious to him and the Pogues. "That's all I've got. That's all we've got, Dad." Isa noticed a note on the parking meter where they had parked the Twinkie, picking it up. "What?"

Isa read the note. "Oh, boy. Looks like Limbrey found us."

John B scoffed. "Great. Limbrey stole the Twinkie."

"Come on, I know where she lives," Big John told them.

Isa and John B frowned, but followed him to get the Twinkie back and go home.

⚓️

Wilmington, North Carolina

Train

Outside the train, Kie made her way to the second freighter car from the end with the tow truck and the others in the flatbed. The rough terrain entered a smooth stretch, and the truck slid up beside the train, aligning with the last freight car.

However, once Pope and Cleo got close to walking into the freight car, they noticed a guard about to catch them, and they ducked outside into the corridor once again to buy the team some time, distracting the officer.

The officer walked toward Pope and Cleo. "Hey, hey!"

Cleo went to Pope's side immediately, plastering an innocent expression on her face.

The officer approached. "Stay right there. Hey, what are you doing here?"

His flashlight was pointed directly at them, the blinding white glaring in their eyes.

"Sir, I'm so sorry," Pope told him. "It is not what it looks like. I know it looks like we're criminals, but that's not our intention. I promise, sir."

The officer raised a brow at Pope and Cleo, looking the duo over. "What are you doing here? It's very dangerous."

"Just trying to get to the next town over," Pope replied smoothly. "We're running away from home. That's it."

The officer reached for his walkie-talkie. "You know, I'm not buying it. I'm sorry, I'm calling for backup."

Pope stopped him, noticing a wedding ring on the officer's finger. "Sir, please! I--I see you're married. Sir, please. We're in love. That's all we're trying to do. We're just trying to get married." Cleo choked on a cough but masked her expression quickly. "And we can't do that here."

Cleo looked at Pope with wide eyes.

Pope was still trying to convince the officer. "Please, this is my fiancée. Please."

Cleo moved against Pope's side, holding his hand with one arm, and placing her other hand on his shoulder. "Our parents won't let us be together, but..."

"Sir, we can't get married in this town, but I love her so much," Pope stated, decidedly ignoring the way Cleo's breath caught in her throat and how his body thrummed with the words. "If you'd just let us get to the next town, we're gonna find a priest who'll marry us. And we just wanna start a life together."

The officer bit his lip, then sighed heavily. "You guys, sneaking onboard, it's illegal, okay? But..." He looked around. "I can't stop what I don't see." Cleo and Pope looked at each other excitedly, smiling at they met each other's gazes. "So listen, just... go sit somewhere."

"Thank you," Cleo breathed.

"Sir, what's your name?" Pope asked desperately.

"It's Jimmy," the officer answered confusedly.

"That's gonna be our first child's name, Jimmy, because of what you've done today," Pope told him. "Thank you so much. You're a good man, Jimmy!"

Jimmy sighed again, beginning to walk away. "Go. I don't want to see you again."

Pope and Cleo watched him disappear through the train, then both backed away from each other, exhaling with relief as they went to catch up with Sarah and Wheezie in the freighter car.

"Jesus, what took you guys so long?" Wheezie complained.

Pope and Cleo shared an awkwardly sheepish look.

"Long story, no time to tell," Cleo replied. "Share time later."

"Okay, well, start looking," Sarah told them. "The crate's got to be in here somewhere."

Wheezie found the crate in the corner. "No need, I found it."

Pope frowned. "You sure?"

Wheezie nodded sarcastically. "It's the symbol for the family business. Says Cameron Development. I think so."

Sarah gave her little sister an amused look for her sassiness. "You've been spending too much time with Lia, Isa and Kaylee."

Wheezie shrugged.

Outside the train, as Kie brought the tow truck closer to the train with Kaylee, Lia, JJ and Elyna in the flatbed, they ignited the acetylene torches as they kicked the side gate over, creating a working platform that they walked out on as they started burning through the wall of the freighter car.

Kie was running the truck alongside the train. When a signal post shrieked toward them, she swerved hard to avoid it before easing the truck back against the train.

Inside the train, Wheezie, Sarah, Pope and Cleo watched as four intense blue flames from the acetylene torches illuminated the interior of the dark freighter car. They watched the cutting flames until a sizeable hole was burned into the side of the train, and it was ripped open. The large sheet of metal went flying away.

Moonlight streamed into the freight car as Kaylee, Lia, JJ and Elyna walked into the train in determination.

Pope walked closer to the crate. "This is it. This is the cross. This is it!"

Lia frowned. "Should we check the crate?"

"There's no time," Cleo pointed out. "There's guards right out front, we gotta get out of here now."

"We only got a two minute window, guys," Kaylee told them.

Elyna looked between the group. Then she turned and scanned the freighter, and like a general, she instantly had a plan. "All right, let's go. Come on!"

Lia and JJ nodded, tossing over Nylon straps attached to the winches. Pope and Cleo wrapped them through the rings on the large crate for the cross, while Sarah and Wheezie did the same for the other side of the crate.

Wheezie gave the signal, and off her cue, Lia and JJ (in the flatbed) punched the nitro winch, and in the blink of an eye, the crate was yanked sideways with incredible force, wrenching the crate out of the train car and across the folding platform onto the tow truck.

Two guards walked inside, aiming their guns. "Stop!"

Elyna pushed her arm up to aim the gun at the ceiling of the train, making the shot fire up, throwing Guard 1 into the wall, making him fall.

Guard 2 tried to punch Kaylee. Kaylee caught his arm, kneeing him in the stomach, twisting the gun out of his grasp and throwing it to the ground.

Kie looked over from where she was driving the truck, worried. "Guys, come on!"

Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, JJ, Pope and Cleo jumped into the flatbed with the crate and JJ's dirt bike, while Kaylee and Elyna were dealing with the guards.

The tow truck ground against the train with an ear-piercing metallic screech, throwing up a volcanic shower of sparks as the train began to chew up the truck.

The train rounded a band ahead and revealed a gorge just before them, spanned by a trestle bridge... with only enough room for the train.

It would obliterate the truck and everyone on it.

"Kaylee, Elyna, come on!" Kie cried out.

"Let's go!" Lia told them.

Kaylee ran and jumped on the flatbed of the truck just as Kie started to pull away, forced to do so otherwise they could be killed.

Elyna ran for the opening of the train, leaping out with all of her strength, flying across space - barely missing a signal post as it went rushing past - and landed on the last centimeter of the truck ramp, grabbing a cable to keep from sliding to the ground, holding on tight.

Wheezie watched in amazement before she launched forward and pulled Elyna up onto the flatbed with Sarah and Lia's help. "Come on!"

Kaylee and JJ hurriedly got onto JJ's bike, knowing that they had to split up if they were going to keep the cops and guards off their marks.

Kaylee didn't made sure they didn't leave until she saw that Elyna was safe with Wheezie, Lia and Sarah, sighing in relief.

"Punch it, Chewie!" Pope called.

"Go!" Sarah called.

JJ drove his dirt bike - with Kaylee on the back of it - off of the flatbed of the tow truck and away from the others, hoping to lead the cops and guards astray.

Kie floored the accelerator, driving away from the train and toward the nearby highway.

The truck continued driving past the train officers to get away, but cops were coming.

Up ahead, Kaylee and JJ had to come to a stop before they could lose control of the bike, skidding to a halt, both of them breathing heavily.

In the process, Mike's money clip - which JJ had stolen earlier that morning - fell from his pocket and onto the ground.

Kaylee noticed. "Hey, you dropped your..." She got off the bike briefly and leaned down to grab the money clip, realizing that JJ stole it from her father. "Jayj... what..."

JJ looked away, avoiding her gaze. "If I'm gonna be accused of being a thief, might as well get something out of it. Especially after all the shit they said this morning."

Kaylee frowned slightly, knowing that once Mike found out that JJ stole from him, he would bla,e her all over again, and it would ruin whatever progress that her family had made this morning - and JJ must have known this.

Kaylee's heart raced as she processed the weight of JJ's impulsive actions. "Jayj, you can't just steal from my dad like that. Not after everything we just went through."

JJ shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair, frustration flaring in his chest. "What do you want me to do, Kaylee? Let him walk all over me, let him say those things and not fight back?" His voice was sharper than he intended, but the vulnerability beneath it was clear.

"It's not about letting him walk all over you," Kaylee replied, her voice steady yet laced with concern and hurt. "It's about breaking this cycle. If you keep stooping to his level, it only gives him more ammunition against us."

JJ turned to her fully now, eyes dark with unresolved emotions. "So what am I supposed to do? Just let him keep thinking he can treat us like crap without any consequences?"

"And what happens when he blames me for what you did?" Kaylee retorted. "When everything that we went through this morning to try and get a semblance of understanding is wiped away because he'll blame me for you stealing from him like he blames me for everything?"

JJ's expression softened, guilt creeping into his gaze, yet defensiveness and their lack of time to talk about this won out as they heard police sirens cut through the air. "You know what? We don't have time for this. Get on."

Kaylee was lost, distracted by the sound of the train horn blaring and the police sirens closing in, breath caught in her throat. Everything was happening at once, too much for her to handle. A distant look in her eyes took hold as she nearly dissociated from the stress of the situation.

JJ noticed Kaylee's dissociation and spoke in a hard, firm voice to snap her out of it. "Get on the bike, Kaylee. If they find us, you're gonna get arrested. Come on."

Kaylee snapped out of it, confused for a moment before she remembered what was happening and got onto the back of the bike behind JJ, holding on tight. JJ revved the engine, taking off down the road after the tow truck with Kie still driving and Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, Elyna, Pope and Cleo on the flatbed.

A cop car was in hot pursuit behind them.

Kie noticed the duo on the bike through the rearview mirror, calling back to the others. "We got somebody on us."

Sarah turned her head to look, spotting the weaving red dirt bike. "That's JJ and Kaylee."

The cop car was still chasing them.

Kaylee's heart pounded in her chest. "Jayj!"

JJ veered to the right. "I know, I know."

In the cop car, the cop driving shook his head. "What the hell are these kids doing?'

JJ drove alongside the tow truck, moving the bike as close as he could to the flatbed.

"What is he doing?" Lia asked.

Wheezie frowned. "I don't know."

On the bike, JJ and Kaylee both glanced back at the cops before looking forward, hair flown back by the wind.

Lia, Wheezie, Sarah, Elyna, Pope and Cleo watched them warily from the flatbed.

"What are you doing?" Pope asked.

JJ shouted at Kie through her open window. "Kie, keep going straight!"

"Y'all be careful, all right?" Kie called.

"Kie, hold it steady," Elyna told her.

"I'm trying!" Kie replied.

JJ looked over his shoulder at Kaylee. "Get ready to jump."

"What?" Kaylee demanded.

"What?" Elyna demanded a second later.

"Have you lost your mind?" Kaylee asked.

"Probably," JJ answered. "Get ready to jump."

(Song:) The Medium - Toro Y Moi, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Of course, Kaylee was just crazy enough to go through with this without a second thought. "Fuck it. Let's do it."

JJ barely managed to chuckle at her expected response, not surprised in the least.

Pope gestured to Kaylee worriedly. "Come on, come on. We've got you, we've got you. Come on."

Kaylee took a deep breath as she looked at Lia, Wheezie, Sarah, Elyna, Pope and Cleo, bracing herself as she started to rise up, holding onto JJ to keep balance, both of them scared and trying to balance so they didn't crash.

Kie was watching in shock and worry from inside the truck as she continued to drive. "Kaylee, what are you doing?"

Kaylee pushed off the seat with as much force as she had in her to stand up, one hand on JJ's shoulder, while Kaylee's right leg went to prop herself up on the truck, her other hand reaching for the others in the flatbed.

JJ looked over his shoulder to make sure that Kaylee was okay over his head.

"Easy, easy now," Cleo told her. "Be careful."

Kaylee jumped off into the bed of the truck, caught by Lia, Wheezie, Sarah, Elyna, Pope and Cleo and landing on the huge crate in the bed.

Kie saw this through the rearview mirror. "Oh, shi--"

Even the cops following them reacted in shock. "What? Holy shit!"

Now that Kaylee was safe, JJ slowed down to a stop, letting the truck blaze ahead.

Lia looked at Kaylee in concern. "You okay?"

Kaylee was breathless because of the pain her healing wounds were in after that stunt, but nodded as she caught her breath. "Yeah."

"Are you good?" Sarah asked.

Kaylee started to sit up, breathing heavily, groaning in pain. Cleo helped Kaylee sit up, knowing she must've been in pain, and they gripped each other's hands. Kaylee nodded to Cleo in thanks, looking between everyone with appreciation.

"Did she make it?" Kie called in disbelief.

"She made it," Wheezie answered, as all the girls were catching their breath in relief, having been scared of what could happen.

Kaylee leaned against the cab of the truck, closing her eyes, looking over her shoulder to look at Kie in the truck.

Kaylee gave Kie a thumbs up, trying to lighten the mood. "We're all doing a very good job."

Kie shook her head angrily, breath still heavy.

Elyna tilted her head back against the window, catching her breath. "Oh, shit."

JJ watched, relieved as Kie continued going straight.

Kaylee, Elyna, Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, Pope and Cleo looked back toward JJ in the road behind them.

"What's he doing?" Cleo asked.

Pope shook his head. "I don't know. I don't think he knows either."

JJ spun the bike around to face the incoming cop car, bending down to pick up a rock from the pavement, saying a silent prayer. "Come on."

Kaylee sat up fully, looking toward him worriedly. "He's trying to get killed."

"No, no, no, JJ," Lia whispered. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Okay, maybe he's just trying to get rid of the cops," Sarah told them, trying to reassure them.

JJ bounced in his seat for a second, rock in hand, lowering it down to take hold of the handlebars of his bike. "Let's dance."

JJ started to drive, driving toward the cop car on the opposite side of the road.

"Oh, here we go," the cop driving said.

When JJ passed the cop car, he chucked the rock as hard as he could into the windshield, making the glass crack, and took off down the road past them.

This of course diverted the cops away from the truck with his friends inside, as the cops now were turning around to chase after JJ.

Wheezie's eyes went wide. "Oh, shit. JJ!"

"He did it!" Cleo announced. "They're chasing him."

Kaylee put her hands to her head, fighting to breathe, anxiously fearing the worst, knowing that it was right that every time they did this, it always ended in disaster where one of them almost died. She closed her eyes, trying to convince herself that he would be fine.

"Kie, stop!" Kaylee ordered firmly. "Stop the truck!"

"We're going to get JJ!" Lia called.

"JJ needs us," Sarah agreed.

Kie jerked the wheel around, and the tires squealed against the pavement as she made the sharp turn.

JJ was still shredding the road as he tore down the street on his bike trying to get away from the cops, taking a turn to psyche them out, but they were fast in continuing to follow.

At the tow truck, Elyna glanced at Kie in the truck. "Go faster. You need to go faster."

"I'm trying," Kie replied.

"Let's go!" Pope urged.

Cleo pointed down the road. "Turn left!"

Kie took the left quickly.

The ones in the flatbed saw JJ first from the back of the truck as they looked over the top of it.

"There he is," Wheezie said. "What is he doing?"

JJ was heading up the road across the way, followed by the cops.

"Turn right!" Kaylee shouted.

Kie quickly took the right.

(Song Ends)

But when they drove down that road, they didn't see JJ, as they saw that the road JJ took led to an overpass over their heads.

"No way, he's up on the overpass," Kie stated.

Up on the overpass, a car drove right toward JJ from the side of the road he was on, as the cops were closing in on him from behind, leaving JJ no room to go accept to the side of the overpass. "Oh, fuck!"

JJ lost control of the bike and crashed through the concrete railing of the overpass, shattering it, and sending debris raining down onto the road below.

Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, Cleo, Elyna, Kaylee and Pope watched in shock from where they were standing in the flatbed of the tow truck, all of them gasping and reflexively ducking their heads when they saw the bike and the debris falling from the overpass to crash into the road ahead of the truck.

Kie slammed on the brakes, pulling them to a quick stop that jarred everyone, shaking them.

JJ's bike rolled over the ground and landed beneath the tow truck.

Inside the tow truck, Kie's jaw dropped in complete shock and horror, denial.

Kaylee instantly started to freak out, nudging at Pope to move so she could get down. "Pope, go!"

Pope jumped down, and Kaylee flew out of the truck bed.

The other girls ran to follow. "Go, go!"

Kaylee immediately ran for the site of the impact.

Kie immediately jumped out of the tow truck, running closer.

Lia, Sarah, Wheezie, Pope and Cleo were frantically looking around, but Kie and Elyna turned to who they knew would be the most distraught, who was already freaking out.

Kaylee was breathing heavily, in a full-on panic mode as she saw no sign of JJ, her voice laced with the most fear she had ever felt. "Jayj? Jayj? Jayj! Where is he?"

"Shit!" Pope said.

Kaylee's shaky breaths got shakier and shakier by the second as she was close to breaking down in full paranoia and panic. "No, no, no, no."

Lia was struggling not to freak out herself, knowing that was the last thing Kaylee needed right now, for someone else confirm her fears about what happened. "JJ? J!"

Wheezie shook her head desperately in fear, starting to cry. "JJ!"

Kie and Sarah were both horrified and worried for their sisters, knowing Kaylee's constant fear of losing JJ after everything they went through, and Lia and Wheezie's close bond with JJ now, and Kaylee and Lia's weakened mind states.

Sarah tried to assure them. "Maybe he's up on the bridge."

Lia shook her head, tears in her eyes, whispering, holding her head in her hands. "No, no, no."

Kaylee fell to her knees, sobbing, crying. "JJ, don't do this to me, damn it." She was pleading, praying to whoever was listening, whispering to herself, her voice cracking in pure sadness and denial, fear at losing him like this. "Please, please, please not him. He said nothing... would happen."

Everyone looked at Kaylee in shock and sympathy, fear and horror.

Kie and Elyna instantly went to embrace Kaylee to try and keep her calm and comfort her, tears in their own eyes at seeing Kaylee like this.

Sarah wrapped her arms around Lia and Wheezie to be just as there for her, as neither one of them could take their eyes off of Kaylee, tears threatening to spill from all of their eyes.

Kaylee couldn't breathe. Her heart was pounding so fast that time seemed to slow around her, shapes fuzzing into unintelligible blurs. She couldn't think through the panic. She could survive everything, she had survived everything, but not this. She wouldn't survive this. Not losing him. She held onto Kie and Elyna desperately as Kie and Elyna held onto her.

Pope and Cleo watched the girls in heartbreak.

Suddenly, they heard someone approaching.

JJ made his way toward them, limping slightly, a trickle of blood going down the side of his head, out of breath. "I wish I could say I did that on purpose." They all looked at him in shock. "But that was the gnarliest power slide I've ever done."

Pope in his excitement and exhilaration rushed to throw his arms around his best friend. "You're alive! Dude!"

JJ laughed. "I know, I'm surprised too."

Kaylee could barely focus or hear anything through her panic attack, barely even registering what was happening.

Kie and Elyna kept their arms around Kaylee, this time able to reassure her.

 Elyna shushed Kaylee comfortingly. "He's okay, he's okay. It's okay."

Pope laughed. "Shit, that was gnarly."

JJ pointed at Pope. "That was trucking, dude."

Sarah let the boys have their moment but hearing them hype up his recent plan of pure insanity pushed her over the edge. Before she could think, she surged up to JJ and pushed him back.

JJ let out a surprised huff. "Oh, Jesus."

Sarah wrapped her arms around JJ tightly, so angry at him for putting all of them through that, especially Lia and Wheezie, and definitely Kaylee who was struggling to regain any form of composure, but more than anything just so grateful he was fine. "We really thought you did it this time, J."

JJ slowly relaxed into the embrace, returning it, pulling away, as JJ sent Sarah a small smile.

Lia, after gathering herself, stormed up to him.

JJ knew that Lia would definitely be madder. "Oh, God."

Lia shoved JJ as hard as she could without knocking him over, the movement enough to display her anxiety and anger over what just happened, the devastation of nearly losing him, and the incredulity of what he did. "You asshole."

"I know, I am," JJ agreed. "Sorry."

Lia was near tears again as she threw her arms around JJ, holding him tightly. JJ wasn't surprised, returning the hug as they swayed for a moment.

Lia whispered against his shoulder as she was getting her breath back. "If you felt any better than you did right now, I would be slapping the hell out of you."

JJ chuckled. "I know."

They pulled away, and JJ gave a reassuring smile. Lia smiled slightly as tears fell from complete relief.

Wheezie stood frozen for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to process the fact that JJ was actually standing there, alive and mostly unharmed. Relief flooded through her, followed quickly by a surge of anger at the reckless stunt he had just pulled.

"JJ!" Wheezie cried out, her voice cracking with emotion.

Wheezie rushed forward, her legs shaky but determined. As she reached JJ, she hesitated for just a second before throwing her arms around him, hugging him fiercely.

"Don't you ever do that again!" Wheezie scolded, her words muffled against his chest. "We thought you were..."

Wheezie couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, her arms wrapped around him so tightly as if she feared he might disappear if she let go as she buried her face in his chest, tears soaking into his shirt. The terror of thinking she had lost him, the person who had become like an older brother to her, was still fresh in her mind.

JJ wrapped his arms around Wheezie, holding her close. "Hey, it's okay, Wheeze. I'm right here."

Wheezie pulled back as her eyes darted over his battered form. Her voice cracked. "You stupid, reckless idiotic..."

JJ couldn't help but chuckle. "I know. It's okay."

Lia, Wheezie and Sarah looked over to Kaylee, Elyna and Kie on the ground behind them, who had before been out of JJ's sight during all of this.

Kaylee was just now starting to gain what little control over her breathing she could.

JJ's heart broke at the sight, realizing how bad it was after everything they had gone through, especially their moments earlier and what they talked about.

Kie gave JJ a dirty look for pulling this, but was definitely relieved and grateful he was okay.

JJ walked over to Kaylee, Elyna and Kie quickly. "Hey, hey."

Kie gave JJ a passing hug on his way to Kaylee, as she and Elyna both got out of the way.

JJ knelt next to Kaylee, an arm around her to try and anchor her back to control. "Breathe, Kay. I'm here, okay? I'm all right. Deep breaths." With JJ's help, knowing he was here, alive and okay, Kaylee copied his breathing as he demonstrated, breathing in and out. "You're doing so good, Kay. In and out. That's it. There you go."

Kaylee's thudding heart calmed gradually, her thoughts clearing. She exhaled a shuddering breath, slumping raggedly against JJ, tears still rolling down her cheeks.

JJ used a gentle finger to lift her chin, and a sob caught in her throat when her gaze locked with his. "Kaylee?"

Kaylee finally caught her breath enough to be able to speak, pushing JJ's chest in a burst of anger. "I thought... how could you..."

JJ caught Kaylee's wrists to calm her down, regret in his features, apology in his eyes. "I know. I know, I'm sorry. Come on."

They both helped each other up to their feet, as Kaylee instantly buried herself in his arms, holding him tightly. Despite her anger, she couldn't help but hold onto him tightly.

Despite his hesitation, JJ returned the embrace, closing his eyes in guilt, swallowing. "It's okay."

They remained in each other's arms, anchoring each other, as she clung to him tightly.

The others watched sadly and knowingly in sympathy, but they knew they were running out of time; the cops on the overpass might have gotten busy with helping the people in the car that almost hit JJ and crashed, but that wouldn't keep them busy for long.

"The pleasantries are nice, but we should get out," Elyna pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah, let's roll," Cleo agreed.

Pope, Cleo and Elyna were the first to run to the truck. Lia, Wheezie, Sarah and Kie looked at Kaylee and JJ before following.

Kaylee and JJ finally pulled away when all the panic and anxiety was finally starting to die down for real.

Kaylee shook her head. "Don't... don't ever do that again."

JJ pressed his lips together, giving a slight nod of regret, putting his hat on, looking down. Kaylee and JJ's gazes were lost in concern for the other despite the distance JJ had put between them.

Their moment was broken by the cops yelling at them from the overpass. "Hey! Hey, you kids, don't move!"

Kaylee and JJ both looked up at the cops.

JJ's hand was on Kaylee's back as they ran to the truck. "Go!"

"Stay right there," Cop 1 ordered. "I said stay right there! We need backup right away."

Elyna was in the driver's seat of the tow truck with Wheezie in the passenger seat. Sarah was in the seat behind them. Kie, Lia, Pope and Cleo were in the flatbed. JJ and Kaylee got into the backseat with Sarah.

All the Pogues shouted at Elyna. "Go!"

Elyna took off driving.

⚓️

Charleston, South Carolina

Limbrey Estate - Outside

The Routledges made their way up to the Limbrey estate.

"So, yeah, in return for helping me find you, I told Limbrey I'd get her shroud," Big John explained.

"Right, you're talking about the healing garment, the one that cures all maladies, supposedly in the cross," John B recalled. "Is that what you're referring to?"

"That's the one," Big John answered. "It wasn't in the cross. She checked. That's how I was able to convince her I had a bead on it."

"And do you have a bead on this magic healing garment?" Isa asked, voice mocking.

"Currently, I have zero beads," Big John answered. "I don't have a single magic garment that can heal all maladies." They opened the gate ahead of them, walking through it. "Oh, and by the way, that shroud she's after, it's a known hoax."

"Yeah, we could've guessed that," John B replied. "Do you have a plan?"

Big John nodded. "Sure, always have a plan. We are gonna prevaricate our way out of a pickle, kids."

John B frowned. "I don't know what that means."

"You'll figure it out," Big John remarked. "Play along if you feel like it."

Isa and John B paused next to the Twinkie outside the estate, as Big John headed to the front door.

"Yeah, I'd play along if I knew what the word meant," John B replied.

Isa smirked, rolling her eyes.

Big John knocked on the front door.

Carla made her way up to the front door, peering out through the window toward Big John.

Big John waved.

Carla unlocked and opened the door.

"Hi," Big John greeted.

"Hi," Carla replied.

"Uh, you got my ride, right?" Big John asked.

"Yeah, I was tracking you," Carla answered. "First on your boat, then on your phone. I needed to get your attention."

Big John nodded. "Just checking. I came down here to see you, of course."

Carla chuckled sarcastically. "Oh, is that so?"

Big John shrugged. "That is so... so." He turned to look at his kids behind him. "But first, lookee there."

John B rested against the van by his arms. "Oh, hey, Ms. Limbrey."

Isa leaned back against the side of the van, waving as she crossed her arms. "What up?"

Carla gave them a smile that was tense but somehow polite all the same, before looking at Big John. "You found your children." Big John nodded. Carla looked to Isa and John B. "And you found your father. How fortunate." John B walked up to them, running a hand through his hair as he looked down numbly. "That bond, so precious, so... fleeting." Isa glanced down, pushing away from the van, walking closer, arms still crossed. "Please, come in."

Big John helped with the door. "Here, let me help you." Carla led the way. Big John looked at his kids, nodding for them to follow. "You heard her, come on."

"Can't do this on the front porch?" John B asked.

"Just come on, be cool," Big John told them. "Be cool."

Isa raised a skeptical brow. "Be cool? You realize this is the same woman who attacked Pope and his dad, right?"

John B gestured to Isa in agreement, as if to explain to their father this was why they were so uncomfortable here.

Big John waved them off. "It's okay."

Big John followed Carla into the house.

Isa and John B exchanged an exhausted look, sighing, closing the door behind them, following.

⚓️

Living Room

Carla was sitting down, looking at the three Routledges standing before her.

Big John was easily coming up with a story. "So, as the Spaniards were coming downriver out of the headwaters, they were attacked. The Kalinago warriors began to loot the ship. And the priest was... was terrified that the shroud would be taken if the natives got the cross." Carla looked to Isa and John B, who both gave a nod. "So he--he took it out of the cross. See? That's why it wasn't there when you looked, yeah? And then that priest kept the shroud. And he--he fled. He took cover. Eventually--"

Isa got impatient, taking over, a much better liar than both her father and brother, wanting to get this over with so they could go back home to their loved ones. "So what our dad is trying to say is that the priest ended up on the Royal Merchant 'cause he was the sole survivor of the San Jose fire."

Big John pointed to Isa. "That's right. And we know all this because of Denmark's diary, which my kids here found."

Isa nodded. "With a little help of one of my girlfriends."

Isa gave Big John a look, as if to remind him that they never would have gotten this far without Lia knowing so much about the diary and reading it before.

Big John ignored the look because he knew what it was about, giving Carla a smile; his line about Isa and John B following his lead also seemed to be his way of responding to Isa's silent message about Lia and what he said before about her instability like Rafe and Ward. "Apples don't fall far from the tree."

Isa gave him a serious, dark look.

John B gave Big John a 'what the hell' look, knowing what this was about even without the actual words.

Carla frowned at the silent, secretive communication between the Routledges, but let it go as she knew it had nothing to do with the matter important to her.

Big John sat across from Carla. "Then later, the priest, see, he got dysentery, and he died. He was... he was buried here in Charleston."

"But if he had the shroud, why didn't he just touch it and heal himself?" Carla asked.

Isa and John B gave a look to Big John for that hole in his story.

John B helped cover it. "That, very valid question. You know, I was thinking the same thing, but--"

Big John cut him off. "That's part of the story."

John B sat next to Big John, across from Carla. "Yeah, continue, please."

"Because he was so devout, he was so looking forward to being reunited with his Heavenly Father," Big John stated. Carla accepted this with a nod. "We dug up his effects at the Charleston Museum. And yes, we have it. We have the shroud." Carla looked at them hopefully. "We were just on our way to bring it to you when you left your... invitation."

Big John pulled out the cloth that they had found around the second piece off the idol. "I wrapped it up the best I could with... with what we had on the way." He chuckled. "That is... the shroud right in there." He handed the cloth to Carla. "Thousands of years to be placed in your hands." Carla opened the cloth around a smaller cloth, which she would easily be fooled into thinking it was the shroud given her faith was so strong. "There she is. Behold a thing of magic." As Carla took the cloth out, Big John chuckled, looking to hiss kids. "You feel that? I just got chills. Look at that. Yes, wow." Carla put the cloth to her head with shaky hands, closing her eyes in contentment. "That's right. Do you feel the power of that?"

Isa and John B exchanged a concerned look, having no idea what would happen if Carla knew they were tricking her.

Carla seemed to feel something different, gasping quietly, grabbing her crutches with one hand, pulling them onto her arms, walking unsteadily past the Routledges. She stopped between John B and Isa, taking off one of her crutches, letting it hit the floor.

John B reached for it. "I'll grab it."

Big John stopped him. "You can just--"

Carla brushed him off.

John B sat back, awkward. "I'll just leave it, yeah."

"I don't need your help," Carla told them coldly, continuing on.

The Routledges were worried about being caught, making worried faces behind her back.

Carla let her other crutch fall to the floor, which crashed to the ground, making John B jump and rub his hand over his eyes.

Isa closed her eyes, waiting anxiously.

Carla looked stunned as she stood in place. "Oh."

Isa stood on stand by in case Carla fell, looking at her warily, unable to help but feel a little concern for the sick, dying lady.

Carla took the first time on her own, and then another, barely managing to stay on her feet, but her belief in a miracle gave her the bodily power, no matter how briefly, to be able to stand on her own.

Isa, John B and Big John exchanged a look.

Carla looked so devout and relieved she started to cry, laughing, closing her eyes in contentment. "I'm healed."

Big John chuckled. "Hallelujah." Carla laughed emotionally, putting a hand over her lips. "Look at you, darling. How about that?"

⚓️

Outside

The Routledges were about to leave.

Big John put his bag into the Twinkie. "She walked. It worked."

They got into the van, closing the doors.

"What the hell was going on there?" John B asked.

"Hey, you have to believe in miracles if you want them to happen," Big John pointed out.

Isa looked at the engine of the van warily. "It'd be a miracle if this thing starts up."

Big John started the van, patting them on the shoulders. "Gotta believe, kids. I believed it." He started to drive them down the road. "El Dorado, here we come."

Isa sighed. "Home, here we come. Gotta lot of shit to short through there."

John B nodded barely in agreement.

⚓️

Wilmington, North Carolina

On the Road

Elyna drove the tow truck down the road. Wheezie was in the passenger seat next to her. Sarah, JJ and Kaylee were in the backseat. Pope, Cleo, Lia and Kie were in the flatbed with the crate.

The crate was wobbling in the back of the truck, loose, and Lia, Kie,Cleo and Pope were trying to keep it down.

"Elyna, Ely, turn here," JJ told her, tapping Elyna's arm. "Turn here!"

Elyna raised a hand to make him back off. "Don't touch--don't touch the driver, man."

JJ reached up to tap her again anyway. "Elyna, turn around."

Wheezie smacked JJ's hand. "Stop. She said don't touch the driver!"

JJ gave Wheezie a look. "I'm trying to--"

Sarah raised her eyebrows as she looked between Wheezie and JJ.

Elyna cut JJ off. "It's a liability."

"Then go faster," Kaylee told her.

"If she goes faster, that's gonna draw attention," Sarah replied.

Lia gave Sarah a look. "Yeah, I feel like that ship has sailed at this point."

"Put the pedal to the metal, girl!" Cleo called.

Elyna grinned mischievously as she booked it down the street. "All right, fuck it, here we go."

"There you go," Kaylee said. "That's what I'm talking about."

Elyna hit a bit bump going over a bridge, which flung Lia, Kie, Pope and Cleo in the flatbed, but they were able to grab onto the sides of the tow truck and hang on tightly so they weren't thrown out. "Hey!"

But in the process, the crate they had stolen was thrown off of the flatbed of the truck, and it fell crashing to the ground.

"Stop!" Pope told them. "Stop, stop, we lost the cross!"

Elyna pulled over.

"Shit," Kie complained.

"Great, Elyna," JJ told her sarcastically.

"You guys told me to go faster," Elyna replied.

Lia, Kie, Pope and Cleo jumped down from the bed of the truck.

The others piled out onto the road.

Sarah looked at Lia, Kie, Pope and Cleo in concern. "You guys okay?"

Lia, Kie, Pope and Cleo nodded in assurance.

Pope reached the crate, and went to fix the lid on it, before something told him to open it all the way, which he did.

Three barrels of cement were revealed to be inside the crate, to make up for the weight of what the cross was.

"What the hell?" Kie asked.

"Shit," Pope said. "It's fake. We stole a freaking fake."

Kaylee was not surprised at this point, tilting her head back as she turned her head to look at JJ, Lia, Sarah and Wheezie.

Lia, Sarah and Wheezie met Kaylee's gaze, as the four of them knew who did this.

JJ turned away. "Of course we did. Of course we stole a fake."

Wheezie made a face. "Fuck. Rafe tricked us."

Cleo held her hands on either side of her neck.

Elyna exhaled. "Fucking hell."

Lia was stunned, whispering. "I knew we should've checked."

Cleo shook her head. "We didn't have time."

They all looked so defeated, but none more than Pope, who looked absolutely crushed.

"Pope, I'm so sorry," Sarah told him.

Kaylee stood behind Pope, wrapping an arm around him sadly as she gazed off, closing her eyes, hating that they did all of this for nothing, risked losing JJ, and seeing Pope so depressed and beaten.

JJ walked closer to stand next to Kaylee and Pope, placing a hand on Pope's shoulder as he glanced from him to Kaylee, hating the looks on both of their faces, knowing the defeat, anger and sadness they all felt.

Kie and Lia looked at each other sadly, not knowing how to process this.

"Pope..." Lia trailed off.

Pope barely raised his head.

They heard sirens closing in, wailing in the distance.

"Pope, we gotta go," Kie told him.

"Y'all coming?" Elyna asked, heading for the truck, looking at the Pogues sadly. "I'm sorry, guys, but we'll get another chance. I promise."

Kaylee and JJ backed away from Pope.

Wheezie touched Pope's shoulder in concern, sympathetic. "We gotta go, Pope."

"Pope, we got to go," Cleo told him. "Pope."

All the others went back to the truck.

Cleo walked closer to him. "Pope, we got to go." She hugged Pope from behind to try and bring him out of his moment so they could go. "We'll find it. We're gonna find it later."

"Pope, we gotta go," Elyna called.

They all started to pile into the truck.

Cleo pulled Pope toward the truck. "We gonna find it. Come on, come on."

Once they all were in the truck, they drove away, leaving the crate of cement behind in their wake.

⚓️

Docks

Wheezie sat on the edge of the docks, her legs dangling above the water, watching the waves lapping against the wooden posts as she wrote about their recent Pogue adventure - or failure as she would call it - in her journal. Her heart felt heavy, a weight she couldn't shake since their recent bust. The thrill of their plan had turned into a bitter taste in her mouth, and she could hardly process what had just happened. The world felt chaotic, and she felt lost amidst it all.

"Hey," Elyna said softly as she approached, her voice barely rising above the sound of the ocean. She settled down beside Wheezie, letting their legs dangle together. "Mind if I join you?"

Wheezie shrugged but didn't look up, her fingers tracing patterns in the wood beneath her. "What's there to say? We screwed up."

Elyna sighed, searching for the right words. "We didn't screw up. We learned. That's part of this life, isn't it?"

Wheezie finally turned to look at Elyna. "Does this optimism thing always work for you?"

Elyna chuckled lightly, a smile dancing on her lips. "Not always, but I try to keep it around. It helps, you know?"

Wheezie could see the warmth in Elyna's eyes despite the shadows of doubt that lingered. She looked back at the water, watching as a few fish broke the surface in playful splashes. "But what if our learning comes at too high a cost? What if one day we lose someone we can't bring back?"

Elyna's gaze hardened slightly, her expression turning serious. "I get it, really. I've lost people too. But dwelling on what could go wrong will only hold us back from what could go right."

Wheezie bit her lip, contemplating Elyna's words. The truth was, every time they embarked on these adventures, it felt like they were flirting with danger in a way she hadn't fully grasped before joining the Pogues. "It just feels like we put ourselves out on the line in a way that could backfire every time, and..."

Elyna looked at her in understanding, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "I find that if you keep your head up, you can see what comes next. Besides isn't that what we're all about? Taking chances?"

"Yeah," Wheezie answered. "But what if one of those times, it's a chance we can't take back?"

Elyna's expression softened. "I get it. We all want to protect the people we love, but sometimes... sometimes taking a leap is necessary to save them from something worse. Like what we're doing with the Laurents."

Wheezie nodded in agreement. "Yeah. That's something we don't have a choice about."

Elyna paused, glancing at Wheezie's journal. "What are you writing about?"

Wheezie sighed and hesitated for a moment before showing Elyna the page filled with scribbles of half-formed ideas and sketches of their heist gone wrong. "Just... the heist. It's what I explained before. I journal about the Pogue adventures so that Lia can write about them in her book once we complete our journey, whenever that may be. Sometimes, we work on journal entries together, and it's fun. The historian writer and the journalist sister duo."

Elyna smiled. "You two are definitely more than that, after what I saw today. You're genius scientists and technicians and engineers. That's what's going to help us so much in this mission against the Laurents."

Wheezie smiled, blushing slightly at Elyna's compliments. "Thank you."

"And thank you," Elyna replied. "I think your passions with history, writing and journaling are amazing though."

Wheezie's cheeks flushed deeper as she caught Elyna's gaze, her heart racing at the unexpected compliment. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely," Elyna replied earnestly. "Your perspective can bring a unique angle to everything we're doing. You see details others might overlook, and it's that creativity combined with your engineering skills that can make a difference for us."

Wheezie felt a surge of pride mixed with uncertainty. "I just wish I could feel more confident during all of this. Sometimes it feels like I'm just tagging along. With both the Pogues and with your family."

Elyna shook her head, her expression serious now. "You're not just tagging along, Wheezie. You're part of these teams, and every contribution you make counts - whether it's technical know-how, journaling or moral support. You might be surprised at how much your voice matters in these groups."

Wheezie considered Elyna's words for a moment, smiling slightly. "And what are your passions, Elyna? Besides professional art thievery and computer hacking?"

Elyna smiled. "I think you might have noticed by now that I have a flair for the dramatic."

Wheezie nodded sarcastically. "Uh, yeah."

Elyna grinned. "I love theater and any kind of art relating to that. Broadway and movies. I love acting out the parts that I get to play while undercover for a heist, like you did tonight on the train, even if it wasn't that big. I absolutely love making elaborate costumes to make each heist and job unique. If I wasn't a professional thief, I think I'd be an actress full time, in costume design."

Wheezie's eyes widened with excitement at the unexpected revelation. "You? An actress?"

Elyna looked down with a sheepish smile. "It might seem silly."

Wheezie shook her head with a smile. "I think it's cool. I can totally see you in something dramatic - like a classic femme fatale or maybe even a superhero."

Elyna laughed, the sound lightening the mood that had permeated their earlier conversation. "Right? I would pull off either role flawlessly. But for now, I get to play different parts every time we're on a mission. It's thrilling!"

Wheezie leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "What's the best costume you've ever made for a heist?"

Elyna grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, that was definitely during an art auction in Venice just before coming here. It was an art festival, so everyone was in costume. I had this red gown with a masquerade mask, and N8's golden face mask. Faked his kidnapping and got him 52 million dollars while Dad, Mom and I got just below his price and donated it to the art museums. It was priceless."

Wheezie's mouth dropped open in awe. "You donated 40 million something dollars to art museums?"

"All the time," Elyna answered. "We don't keep money like that for ourselves. We put it to good use whenever we have the chance."

Wheezie was utterly inspired by Elyna and her family, smiling, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Well, I think you could have your own show. 'The Adventures of Elyna Maverick: Artful Dodger and Costume Queen'. I would watch that."

Elyna laughed, a genuine sound that rang out against the backdrop of the waves. "Maybe we should pitch it to Netflix. But only if you're my co-star."

Wheezie's heart raced at the thought, but she quickly masked it with a playful smirk. "Only if you promise to make all my costumes. I need a fabulous wardrobe for my debut."

"Deal," Elyna said, nudging Wheezie playfully with her shoulder.

Wheezie felt a sense of hope blossoming alongside her affinity for adventure. The laughter shared between her and Elyna echoed softly against the backdrop of waves crashing into the docks, creating a rhythm that pulsed with possibilities.

"Okay, so if we're pitching this to Netflix," Wheezie said, her imagination ignited. "We need a killer premise. Something that showcases our heists but also highlights our friendship and how we navigate danger together."

Elyna's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! Think of it. A blend of art theft, high-stakes adventures, and our evolving friendship while we expose the secrets of the art world. Each episode could start with an art piece at stake and end with us outsmarting the competition while making it personal."

Wheezie nodded enthusiastically. "And we could include flashbacks to show how we've both grown through our experiences."

Elyna grinned. "Maybe even cameos of Kaylee and Kie as my cousins and Lia and Sarah as your sisters. The other Pogues and their adventures as our friends."

Wheezie beamed. "Yes! Not just friends, either. Family."

"Of course," Elyna agreed. "Also can't leave out my mom and dad, especially after everything they've done to taught me this way of life."

Wheezie smiled, shaking her head. "Especially when Gael and Esme are literally the best parents ever, letting us go on a cross heist with Gael's tow truck."

The two girls laughed.

Elyna leaned back on her hands, her laughter fading into a contemplative smile. "You know, it's funny. We started off thinking we were just after a couple million of gold bars and now we're planning the biggest heist of all time... for a TV show."

Wheezie chuckled. "And potentially to save the island in the process. Talk about a plot twist."

Elyna nudged Wheezie playfully, her eyes glinting mischievously. "We just might have the next big blockbuster on our hands, complete with high stakes, complex heists, and - let's not forget - the power of family and friendship."

Wheezie felt a surge of warmth at Elyna's words, appreciating how they could turn a dark situation into something hopeful and exciting. "If we pull this off, saving the island and spreading the word of what happens, maybe we can change how people see us - the Pogues, you know? From just wild kids to people who can actually make a difference."

Elyna gazed at Wheezie with respect, drawn to her now more than before, nodding. "I hope so. You deserve to have people who see you for who you are, Wheezie."

Wheezie looked at Elyna, her breath catching slightly as their gazes met.

Wheezie felt a rush of emotions wash over her, the intensity of Elyna's gaze making her heart race. For a moment, the world around them faded - just the two of them sitting there, suspended in a moment that felt charged with possibilities. They felt a connection that went beyond their shared experiences. It was an understanding forged in vulnerability and ambition, a promise that they were both more than just the chaos surrounding them.

"Thank you," Wheezie managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elyna smiled softly, brushing a stray hair behind her ear again. "You know, it's easy to forget how powerful our dreams can be when we're caught up in all this chaos. But every little step we take brings us closer."

Wheezie nodded thoughtfully, her fingers absently tracing the edge of her journal. "And maybe those steps are what will lead to something even bigger than just saving ourselves from the Laurents."

"Exactly," Elyna replied, a spark of excitement returning to her eyes. "We can show everyone that we can make art theft - artful living - an expression of who we are, not just what we do for a living."

Wheezie felt a surge of determination at Elyna's words, her heart racing with possibilities. "We can redefine what it means to be part of this world. Not just survivors but people forging our path."

Elyna grinned, the mischief returning to her eyes as she nudged Wheezie playfully. "And who knows? Maybe we'll inspire a whole new generation of artists and adventurers while we're at it."

Wheezie laughed, the tension from earlier dissipating as they shared this moment of camaraderie. "I can see it now: 'The Artful Adventures of Wheezie and Elyna' - a legacy of creativity and rebellion."

Their laughter echoed across the water, filled with a sense of hope and new beginnings.

Elyna turned serious again, her gaze fixed on Wheezie. "Just promise me a couple things."

"What's that?" Wheezie asked.

"One, don't let the people that want to tear us down bring you down," Elyna answered. "People like Topper and his friends who won't change their minds about us."

Wheezie nodded in agreement. "Okay. What's the other thing?"

Elyna took a deep breath, her expression earnest. "The other thing is, stay true to yourself. No matter what happens, don't lose sight of who you are. Don't underestimate yourself. You have so much more to offer than you realize. Embrace who you are, and the skills you have."

Wheezie felt a swell of gratitude at Elyna's words, her heart pounding with determination. "I promise. I won't let anyone make me feel small again."

Elyna smiled, a bright and genuine expression that sent warmth coursing through Wheezie. "Good. Because you're going to shine, Wheezie - like the gold we're going to take from the Laurents and the gold that the Pogues are going to find in El Dorado."

"And if we fail?" Wheezie asked, her voice wavering slightly as doubt crept in.

Elyna rested a hand on Wheezie's shoulder, grounding her amidst the uncertainty. "Then we adapt and try again. That's what families and friends do; they support each other through mistakes and failures."

Wheezie gazed at Elyna for a moment. "And what are we, Elyna? Are we friends now?"

Elyna's eyes softened as she met Wheezie's gaze, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I'd like to think we are. Friends, that is." She paused, her heart racing as she considered her next words carefully. "Maybe... maybe even on the way to becoming good friends."

Wheezie felt a flutter in her chest at Elyna's words, a warmth spreading through her that had nothing to do with the summer air. She nodded, her own smile growing. "I'd like that. To be friends, I mean."

There was a moment of charged silence between them, filled with unspoken emotions and possibilities. Both girls could feel the potential for something more, a connection that went beyond mere friendship. But neither was ready to voice it, to risk the delicate balance they had just begun to establish.

This was enough for them, for now. It was more than enough.

Neither of them wanted to lose it.

⚓️

Woods

Barry and Rafe were setting up sheet metal around the cross.

Barry scoffed. "This shit is straight out of the Pope's vault, bro. You don't think we can get more for it as it is?" Rafe walked closer, drinking from a bottle of alcohol. "I mean, this straight out of church, bro."

Rafe handed Barry the bottle, moving more sheet metal over the cross. "This is how we turn the cross into untraceable money."

Barry shrugged, taking a drink from the bottle. "Untraceable, huh?"

Rafe opened the compartment in the cross, taking out the golden key, putting it into his pocket. "You know, I heard some crazy shit that happened earlier tonight."

"Is that right?" Barry asked.

"You know that fake cross we put in there?" Rafe asked.

"Yeah," Barry answered.

Rafe leaned in. "It was stolen."

Barry instantly knew. "Does sound like them Pogues, don't it?"

"Oh, no doubt," Rafe answered.

Barry chuckled. "I mean, I'd pay half the value of this just to see the look on their faces when they opened the box."

Rafe shrugged. "I'll bet you would."

Barry walked around to stand behind Rafe as they looked at the cross. They knelt down in front of their own makeshift oven.

"You know what the melting point of gold is, Country Club?" Barry asked. "1948 degrees. Hot enough to melt me and you. I got to be honest with you, dog. I don't know if I got this in me, bro."

"I do," Rafe replied instantly.

Barry scoffed a chuckle. "Yeah, I knew you did. It's all yours, Country Club."

Barry stood, backing away.

Rafe struck a match, igniting the furnace, watching the fire roar to life, standing, putting the lid over the cover. "There it is."

Rafe knelt down to watch the fire start to burn the cross and melt it down.

Barry paced behind him. "We're going to hell, that's for sure."

Rafe watched the flames with a small little grin.

⚓️

The Wreck

In the dead of night, Kaylee found herself at the Wreck, downing a shot of liquor from a bottle pilfered from her parents' stash.

She knew that it was dangerous to be out and about even at this time of night given she was technically still on the run, but she didn't care. She needed to get drunk. After the fights with her parents and JJ, who had stolen from her father and risked blowing what little progress with her family they made that morning because Mike would blame her for everything like he always did, and then JJ's reckless stunt with the bike that had almost killed him driving her into a panic attack on top of it, added with the stress of her family and the Laurents targeting her and everyone she loved out of revenge for what she did to Tod, she just couldn't take it anymore.

She didn't even care if Mike would blame her for stealing alcohol from her family's restaurant anymore, or the sheer folly of mixing alcohol with her pain medication, the events of JJ's carelessness of risking her status with her family and his suicidal stunt that incited her panic attack, her family turmoil, and the pain from her leap from JJ's bike to the flatbed weighing heavily on her.

Even Rafe tonight, knowing that he had stolen the cross back and put a fake cross back to fool his father into thinking that no one had taken it until it was too late, while also fooling the Pogues, pushed Kaylee over the edge. He had saved her time and again lately, but stealing the cross and leaving the Pogues feeling defeated once again because of Pope losing his family legacy made everything feel... conflicted. And she didn't know how to handle that turmoil knowing that Rafe could still defeat the Pogues while he was still saving her life and helping her family with the Laurent mission.

Even the memories of Singh's kidnapping and Fenton and Ryan's treatment of her - how they hurt her, how Macias had hurt her and JJ, was playing in her head. How all of this started with Tod, how he ruined her life, and yet somehow, she was paying the consequences for it each and every time. Every time she fought against someone to survive - Tod, Macias, Fenton, Singh, the Laurents - she always ended up killing them or almost killing them, and she ended up hurting someone she loved, or getting hurt in the crossfire.

It kept building and building until Kaylee finally lashed out. In frustration, she hurled the bottle against the wall, shattering it, then stood and left the Wreck, unable to bear remaining there.

⚓️

Docks

(Song:) My Strange Addiction - Billie Eilish

Kaylee stormed out of the Wreck onto the dock, her heart racing and her head swimming with anger and grief. She needed to escape, to find solace in the calming waters ahead. But as she made her way towards the edge, she saw Rafe approaching his boat and she stopped.

Rafe was both surprised and concerned to see Kaylee out on the dock where anyone could see her while she was supposed to be in hiding - despite knowing the Interpol deal would soon lead to the police in Kildare not being able to touch her while she was working with Esme. "Kaylee? What the hell are you doing out here?"

Kaylee's heart raced at the sound of Rafe's voice, and she turned to face him, her emotions a tumultuous storm within her. "What does it look like? I'm trying to get out of here."

Rafe stepped closer, concern etched across his features. "You shouldn't be out in the open like this. It's dangerous, especially with the Laurents still looking for you."

"I don't care!" Kaylee snapped, frustration leaking into her tone. "I can't keep running forever, Rafe! I can't keep pretending like everything is fine when it's not!"

Rafe's gaze softened as he took another step forward, trying to bridge the emotional distance between them. "I know it's hard. But we have a plan. You need to trust that we can handle this together."

Kaylee clenched her fists at her sides, torn between wanting to trust him and feeling like everything was slipping through her fingers. "I don't want to be a pawn in your plans, Rafe."

"You're not a pawn, Kaylee," Rafe told her.

Kaylee scoffed, shaking her head. "I know you got the cross back."

Rafe sighed heavily, not surprised. "Yeah, I stole it back from my dad. Just like I know you Pogues tried to steal it back from him tonight, too. I left the fake to trick my father, not you guys. I should've known that you and your friends would've gone after it though. I heard Elyna went with you this time. And I heard about what JJ did. I'm sorry."

Kaylee shook her head, hurt evident in her eyes when she thought about JJ and everything that happened lately. "I don't wanna talk about him."

Rafe raised his eyebrows, curious. "What happened?"

Kaylee tried to mask the vulnerability beneath her anger. "I don't owe you an explanation."

Rafe stepped closer as he assessed her flushed cheeks and wild eyes. "You're not safe out here. You shouldn't be alone."

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Kaylee shot back, pain lacing her voice. "You've been helping me, but in the end, what do you want? To save me just so you can claim some sort of victory?"

Rafe frowned. "That's not it at all. I'm trying to protect you because I care about you."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips as Kaylee shook her head, her hands shaking from the need to lash out.

Rafe recognized the signs that Kaylee was about to explode. He had seen it in himself many times. He glided closer until he was within inches from Kaylee, face to face.

Kaylee put her hands to her head, struggling against her darkness and the urge to explode and lash out, arguing with herself internally. She didn't want to be violent again and succumb to that reckless part of her that needed to release that dark side of her, but everything she had been enduring, added with her high from the pain meds and alcohol, had her control slipping. It was causing her agony to keep herself contained like this when all she wanted to do was unleash it.

Rafe could see her internal struggle because of his own inner battles, and he didn't want her to hurt herself like this to keep it contained. He reached out and gently curled his fingers around Kaylee's wrists, pulling them away from her head, knowing only that touch would trigger her.

Kaylee pushed Rafe off of her. When Rafe didn't retaliate, the look in his eyes challenging her, it was like gasoline to the fire inside Kaylee, pushing her over the edge. She lunged at him, fists raised and ready to strike. To her shock, Rafe didn't retaliate or fight back. He simply stood there, eerily still and unmoving as Kaylee struck him in the chest over and over, letting her take her rage out on him.

As she tried herself out, Kaylee could feel the anger fading and being replaced by exhaustion. Her body sagged against Rafe's chest. She raised her hand again.

In one swift motion, Rafe intertwined his hand with hers and pulled Kaylee closer to him until their faces were mere inches apart. The intensity between them crackled like electricity, each one feeding off the other's emotions.

And as Kaylee looked into Rafe's eyes, she could see the feral desire burning within him; a hunger for chaos and destruction that mirrored her own, despite her denial and self-loathing.

In that moment, they weren't enemies or rivals. They were two broken souls consumed by their own inner demons. And as they stood there locked in a tense embrace, neither one truly wanted to let go.

Kaylee's chest heaved as she glared up at Rafe, their faces inches apart. His grip on her wrists was firm but not painful, holding her in place. She could feel the heat radiating off his body, smell his familiar scent. It made her head spin.

"You feel better now?" Rafe asked softly, knowingly.

Kaylee swallowed but she refused to answer, though a part of her did feel better after releasing all of that anger and rage. "Let me go."

Rafe's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Make me."

Kaylee struggled halfheartedly against his hold, but they both knew it was futile. Her anger was fading, replaced by exhaustion and a cocktail of other emotions she didn't want to examine too closely.

Rafe held firm, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Come on, firebird. I know you've got more fight in you than that. Unless you don't want to fight anymore." Kaylee's gaze snapped to his, as Rafe spoke slowly in amusement. "What are you waiting for, Kaylee?"

Rafe stalked closer to Kaylee until she was flush against his chest, looming over her as she was breathing heavily underneath his stare, noses almost touching.

"If you want to go, go," Rafe murmured.

With a smile, Rafe didn't stop until Kaylee's back rested against the wall of the Wreck, making her gasp as her back touched the wood. Rafe grabbed Kaylee's other wrist, pinning both of them above her head, his arms resting against hers on the wall as he leaned down to graze her nose with his own.

Kaylee squirmed in his grip, which just made him intrigued and content to see that she wasn't doing more to pull free. Yet, Rafe didn't make a move on her, especially knowing she was intoxicated. He would never take advantage of her like Tod did, and he wanted her to know that.

But the tension between them was electric, charged with unspoken words and lingering feelings. Kaylee could feel her heart racing, her breaths shallow as she locked eyes with Rafe, searching for an answer to the chaos swirling inside her mind.

"Rafe," Kaylee breathed, almost a whisper, caught in the storm of emotions.

"Tell me what you want," Rafe murmured, his voice low and steady. "Do you want me to let you go? Or do you want to fight?"

Kaylee's pulse quickened at the challenge in his words. She felt both vulnerable and powerful under his gaze, like she was teetering on the edge of something monumental. She could fight him again if she wanted to; she had always had that fire inside her.

She didn't know if she wanted to fight anymore. There was something about the way he held her - firm yet gentle - that made all the anger and frustration melt away like ice. As much as she hated thinking it, it felt like everything had been pushing her toward him lately - including JJ.

Rafe held her gaze, the intensity of his blue eyes searching Kaylee's for any sign of reluctance. He wanted to push her limits, to see just how far she was willing to go. How much of herself she was ready to reclaim.

This was more than just about facing the Laurents or the chaos that surrounded them. It was about confronting her own fears, her darkness. The part of her that craved release but felt so tethered to all the pain.

"I was to fight," Kaylee whispered, surprising even herself with the conviction in her voice.

Rafe's lips curled into a smile that softened his fierce demeanor, a spark igniting in the depths of his eyes. "Good."

Rafe released her. As Kaylee lunged toward him, Rafe sidestepped her, taking her hand, twirling her around, wrapping his arms around her from behind, trapping her in a powerful embrace that left her breathless. The intensity between them crackled like electricity.

"What do you want, Kaylee?" Rafe asked softly.

Kaylee swallowed, longing for the feeling of freedom again - the kind that she only got when she was running. When she was being chased. "I want to run."

Rafe couldn't help but grin at her answer, knowing exactly what she needed. "I was hoping you would say that. Don't worry, firebird. I'll always catch you."

Once Rafe released her and stepped back, Kaylee bolted down the dock and further into the marina as her mind raced with adrenaline.

Kaylee ran and ran, her heart pounding in her chest, the thrill of freedom coursing through her veins. The moonlight danced across the water, illuminating the path ahead as she sprinted down the dock, feeling alive for the first time in a while. Behind her, Rafe chased after her, his footsteps echoing like a heartbeat against the wooden planks.

Kaylee glanced back to see Rafe gaining on her, an exhilarated grin spread across his face that sent a rush of warmth through her - warmth she didn't know whether was from her high or drunkenness or something more complicated she didn't want to look into tonight.

Without thinking, Kaylee turned sharply, veering toward the edge of the dock where the woods lined the marina. In that moment, it felt like the entire world faded away - the chaos, the fears, the pain, the drama, all of it. Just her and the feeling of freedom flowing through her veins.

Despite the mixture of alcohol and pain meds, Kaylee surprisingly kept her balance. With the wind rushing past her face, sobriety and awareness came back to her with every step she took as she ran into a grove of trees just off of the marina.

Rafe watched her go, smiling. He was pleased that he could help her reclaim apart of herself even in her darkest time.

⚓️

Woods

Believing she had lost Rafe, Kaylee made her way through the woods, arriving at the rear of the white wooden chapel. It was deep into the night, and she was certain it would be deserted. She tiptoed to the back door, wishing for it to be open. Pulling at the handle, Kaylee found it immovable. Muttering a curse, she pivoted to circle towards the church's front, eyeing the crimson doors with apprehension.

⚓️

Chapel

Kaylee pushed the church doors open and stepped inside, engulfed in darkness. She gently closed the doors behind her, pausing to let her eyes adapt to the absence of light. After a moment, the dim red hue from the streetlights outside began to illuminate the stained-glass windows.

Extending her hands, Kaylee touched the church pews, guiding herself to the center aisle. She proceeded towards the towering cross that stood solemnly above her.

Kaylee surveyed the darkness, mumbling to herself in a daze. "Great, a church. He's going to burst into fucking flames the second he steps in."

A loud laugh escaped Kaylee before she quickly covered her mouth. Her grin vanished as she felt an electrifying presence behind her, almost as if she could sense his approach.

Rafe strolled down the aisle, shrouded in shadows, agreeing with her remark with a quip. "That would be the expectation." Kaylee froze, and Rafe's smirk grew. "Quite the irony, isn't it, firebird?"

The hair on the back of Kaylee's neck stood straight up and a shiver clawed down her spine. Kaylee wondered if he had been in here the whole time, watching her, waiting for her to notice that he had been here all along and that she walked right into his trap.

An orange flame flicked to life in the dark, illuminating Rafe's face. He held his lighter to the pyre in front of him. He picked up a taper candle and lit the end, using it to light the others, flooding the chapel with dancing shadows that formed figures on the walls.

Rafe brandished the golden key to the cross, flaunting it before Kaylee with a teasing tone. "I found it fitting. Leading you to a chapel after taking the cross. Do you see the irony? We both have committed sins needing forgiveness. Though mine far outweigh yours."

Kaylee sniffed. "I'm not so sure about that anymore. Even if Tod was just about survival... I didn't have to drive a machete though Macias' stomach. And I didn't have to set fire to Singh's estate with Fenton inside. The house we blew up with him tied up inside. We don't even know if he's still alive. There's nothing that makes me better than you anymore, Rafe."

Rafe stepped closer, the light from the candles flickering across his features, illuminating the conflict in his eyes. "You're not the one who took a life without thinking it through. You acted out of survival. You didn't relish it, Kaylee. You were trying to protect yourself and those you love. Just like I did. You can't keep punishing yourself for that."

Kaylee crossed her arms, the last remnants of bravado slipping away as the darkness closed in around them. "No, the Laurents will do that for me. And punishing everyone I love for what I did. Because of my choices. Everyone will suffer because of what I did if I can't fix it. And all of it is my fault."

"Stop," Rafe interrupted softly, closing the distance between them. "You're not Tod. You're not a monster. And whatever the Laurents do, it's not your fault. You don't deserve any of this. I've made choices that haunt me every day and I try to fix it. But we can either let those choices define us or we can rise above them. I'm trying to do that every single day by helping you and the others with stopping the Laurents, to protect you and my sisters, to make up for what I've done to them and to you. And your friends."

"You don't care about them," Kaylee retorted.

"No, I don't," Rafe agreed shamelessly. "But you and my sisters do. And you're doing everything you can to protect the people you love, too. That's all that matters."

Kaylee looked down unblinkingly. "I wish I could believe that."

Kaylee leaned against the altar.

Rafe leaned closer, his arms resting on either side of her, caging her in without constricting her. "And why is that?"

Kaylee lowered her gaze, though the conflict in her gaze was clear.

Rafe tilted his head. "This isn't just about your darkness, Kaylee, and you know it. You're tired of fighting it, and me." Kaylee wasn't surprised by how much Rafe couldn't see through, as he always did. "You know you don't have to anymore. You can let yourself feel it all, everything you denied letting yourself feel before. The thrill, the danger, the rush. Passion and desire doesn't just have to come from good, Carrera. It can come from the darkest parts of yourself, too. And you know it, because you've felt it with me. I don't want you to lose yourself to that part of yourself, firebird. I won't let you lose yourself. Because I won't let me lose myself again, either. I still believe we can find that middle ground together." Rafe lifted Kaylee's chin to meet his gaze. "You don't have to hate yourself for feeling something for me still, Kaylee. Hate me all the more for it, if it makes it easier for you not to hate yourself."

Kaylee's breath hitched as Rafe's words washed over her, stirring emotions she had tried so hard to bury. The warmth of his gaze held her captive, forcing her to confront the whirlwind of feelings she'd been avoiding. She could see the truth in his eyes - the understanding, the acceptance, and the shared darkness that lingered between them like a shadow.

"I've tried so hard to hate you more than I hate myself," Kaylee finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I hate me more." Rafe nodded in understanding. "I hate what I've become. What I've done. And maybe... I hate that even you see me as something worth saving."

Kaylee could understand the Pogues and her cousin, uncle and aunt seeing her as something worth saving. But Rafe of all people, even when her parents couldn't stomach her before today... it was unfathomable to her.

Rafe's expression softened, his brow furrowing as he leaned closer, their faces mere inches apart. "You're not broken, Kaylee. You're whole, even in your chaos. It's what makes you who you are. Passionate, fierce, and willing to fight for those you love." He paused, searching her eyes for any flicker of doubt. "Don't let anyone take that from you. Not even them."

Kaylee swallowed at how those words hit deep - because the people that were dragging her down right now were the very people that she sacrificed so much for because she loved them so unconditionally.

Kaylee's eyes narrowed slightly as she processed his words. Anger mixed with vulnerability bubbled beneath the surface, and she longed to push him away yet pull him closer. It scared her how easily he could read her, how effortlessly he could pull at the strings of her emotions.

Even more than that, it scared her how much she needed him to survive in recent days. How much she just wanted to shut everything out and forget all of her pain, and she knew that he would happily let her use him to do just that. To forget everything that drove her to this point.

After a mere moment's of hesitation, Kaylee leaned in, which only surprised Rafe a little as her lips brushed his before closing the distance. As their lips crashed together, Kaylee poured all of her hate, pain, rage and conflict into it, everything she felt bubbling to the surface.

Rafe had always compared Kaylee to fire given her affinity, so she showed him what it would feel like to touch that flame to burn him down. His hands held her against him, consumed just as much by her.

As their lips crashed together in a fiery, passionate kiss, Kaylee felt herself getting lost in the intensity of the moment. All of her anger, pain, and conflicted emotions poured out as she kissed Rafe with a fervor that surprised even herself. 

As their kiss deepened, the world around them faded into oblivion. The chaos of their lives melted away, leaving only the electric connection they had once shared a year ago. Kaylee's hands tangled in Rafe's hair, pulling him closer as fire ignited within her - a sensation both intoxicating and consuming.

Rafe responded eagerly, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pressed her against the cool wooden altar. She could feel the heat radiating from him, matching the tempest brewing inside her. For that moment, nothing mattered but this connection - a brief escape from the turmoil that surrounded them.

But as quickly as it began, reality crashed back in. Kaylee pulled away abruptly, gasping for breath, her heart racing as she attempted to reconcile what had just happened.

"What are we doing?" Kaylee whispered, panic flooding her senses.

Rafe's brow furrowed with confusion and desire. "Kaylee..."

"No," Kaylee interrupted, shaking her head as her thoughts spiraled. "I can't..."

Kaylee closed her eyes, trembling slightly, guilt washing over her. Even though she was single, it felt wrong after everything that had happened between Rafe and the Pogues - Rafe and JJ, even after everything JJ did and said that basically pushed Kaylee toward him recently.

Rafe knew that this felt like a betrayal to her, attempting to soothe her. "It's okay. You're not doing anything wrong."

Kaylee shook her head repeatedly, overwhelmed. "I need to go."

Kaylee needed to get back to Esme's cabin. She couldn't let this go further than it did.

Rafe looked at Kaylee somberly. As much as he desired more, he understood she wasn't ready for this. "Let me take you."

As Rafe offered his hand, Kaylee hesitated for a moment, torn between the tempest of emotions swirling inside her and the undeniable connection she felt with him. She knew that she felt the lingering effects of what was still in her system fading away, and it was late at night. Walking home like this was dangerous, potentially leading to being attacked or arrested. She couldn't take the risk.

Finally, Kaylee took Rafe's hand, and together they stepped out of the dimly lit chapel into the night, releasing their hands.

⚓️

Esme's Cabin - Outside

The drive to Esme's cabin was silent, which Kaylee was relieved for.

When they reached the cabin, Rafe got out of the truck and opened Kaylee's door, helping her out of the truck.

Kaylee hesitated, biting her lip. "I'm sorry." Rafe frowned. Kaylee sighed. "I wanted to forget. I didn't think."

Rafe looked slightly amused. "Kaylee, if you think I give a fuck if you used me to forget everything for a little while, I don't. That's why I played the game with you, to help you forget a while. Because you needed it. To stop the pain even for a little bit. Same with the kiss. It doesn't make you the bad guy if you use me to forget everything that Tod, JJ and your parents and everybody else put you through."

Kaylee looked down, unable to meet Rafe's gaze. "But it feels wrong, Rafe. I shouldn't have used you like that. I shouldn't be with you like that. Not after everything--"

"Stop," Rafe interjected gently, tilting her chin up so their eyes met. "You're not a bad person for wanting to escape for a moment. We both know the world is chaotic and dark right now. It's okay to seek comfort in each other."

Kaylee frowned. "But what if--"

"What ifs don't matter right now," Rafe cut in with a firmness that made Kaylee shiver slightly. "What matters is that we're here, together, and we can help each other through this mess."

"I don't want to hurt anyone," Kaylee admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, knowing that whatever this was could hurt JJ and her sister and friends.

Rafe softened his grip but kept her chin steady. "You won't. If your friends and sister don't understand after everything you've been through and everything they've pushed you to, then fuck them. You're not like them, Kaylee. You're not Tod or the other bad guys. You care too much about the people in your life, but you can't base everything on how they'll feel, either. Not when it comes to you."

Kaylee's heart raced as Rafe's words sank in, clarity breaking through the haze of confusion that had overwhelmed her. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his gaze steadying her. "I just... I don't want to be the reason someone else gets hurt. Not again."

Rafe stepped closer, closing the distance between them, his presence both comforting and intimidating. "You can't control how others feel, Kaylee. All you can do is make your choices based on what you believe is right. And right now, it's about survival - yours and the people you love."

Kaylee felt the weight of Rafe's words settle in her chest, a mixture of relief and confusion swirling within her. "It just feels like I'm constantly walking on a tightrope, trying to balance everything without falling."

"You don't have to do it alone," Rafe replied softly, his thumb brushing against her cheek in a surprisingly tender gesture. "Just let me help you."

For a moment, Kaylee closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his touch wash over her. It was comforting, grounding her amidst the chaos inside her mind. "I don't know if I can trust myself right now."

Kaylee opened her eyes to meet his steady gaze.

"Then trust me," Rafe said earnestly. "I won't let you fall."

The sincerity in his voice tugged at something deep inside her. Part of her wanted to believe him, wanted to hold onto that fragile thread of hope that maybe they could navigate this darkness together. But the fear of making another mistake loomed over her head, unwilling to let her trust him completely, even though she knew that she could trust him with her at the very least.

Not so much everyone else.

Kaylee's gaze flickered over him for a moment. "Good night, Rafe."

Rafe returned with a slight smile. "Good night, Kaylee."

Kaylee turned to walk toward the cabin, her heart heavy. She could feel Rafe's gaze on her back. The night air was thick with tension, needing to put distance between them to clear her head.

As she reached the door, the faint light from within spilled out onto the porch, and Kaylee hesitated for just a moment, glancing over her shoulder. Rafe stood still, his expression unreadable in the dim light, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made her heart race.

Rafe made sure that Kaylee was safely inside before he got into his truck and drove away, his headlights fading in the dead of night.

Kaylee stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of uncertainty of her fate and the fate of everyone she loved settle around her like a heavy cloak. The night was still, but the chaos in her mind churned relentlessly. She wanted to scream, to release all the pent-up emotions that threatened to suffocate her - but she forced herself to breathe.

Kaylee had to figure this out, for herself and those she loved. She refused to hurt anyone else. She couldn't do it.

She couldn't live with herself if she did.

(Song Ends)