031
bring her home

From the outside looking in, Bianca Prescott was fraternizing with the enemy.

All these whispers about deals and secrets were condemning enough but upon seeing it with his own two eyes, Pope Heyward could no longer find the words to defend her. He swallowed thickly as he watched Bianca with her ex-boyfriend, who terrorized them since the very beginning.

Cleo couldn't fathom it either, staring blankly at the lit-up Catamaran ahead of them. She just finished convincing Pope to put down Heyward's shotgun when they saw Barry's car park in front of the Marina and Bianca get out.

"Wait, wait wait- that's B," Pope blinked away the tears lining his vision. "That's Bianca."

"What's she doing here?" Cleo's eyebrows furrowed from over his shoulder.

"I don't know," He breathed out, his heart still pounding in his chest. Moments earlier, he almost shot and killed Rafe Cameron, "Do you think she knows Rafe melted down the cross? She has to, right?"

"No chance," Cleo snapped a little harsher than intended. "She would've told us."

"Wait, shh," Pope pocketed the gun. "Can you hear them?"

"No, we're too far," Cleo stood up. "We gotta get closer-"

"No," Pope gripped her wrist and pulled her back. "They'll see us."

Her eyes flickered down to where his hand lingered against her skin, "So what? You just wanna spy on them? It's Bianca-"

"And Rafe," Pope shot her a look before turning back to glare at them. "It's him I don't trust."

"They look like they're... arguing," Cleo tried to squint through the darkness.

"I can't believe- why would she be here... with him?" Pope reared his head back, voicing what they were both wondering aloud. "Do you think JJ knows?"

"No," Cleo shook her head. She already told JJ earlier not to be rash about this same situation, "And he's not going to till we talk to her, right?"

"Fine," Pope's eyes narrowed at Bianca and Rafe's proximity to each other. "We give her the benefit of the doubt, let's just pretend she didn't know about the cross. I give her twenty-four hours, if she doesn't come clean about what she knows then I'm telling JJ-"

Cleo's frown deepened, "Pope-"

"No, Cleo," Pope shook his head. "He'd want to know about this."

Finally, the girl conceded with an eye roll, "Okay. Twenty-four hours. Now come on, let's go," She tugged at his elbow, forcing him to his feet. "We gotta get out of here before someone sees us."

While Pope and Cleo headed back, another boy was returning home to his beloved Chateau. After neglecting all his friends and lying to Sarah, John B was surprised but grateful to see JJ lying down on the front porch couch.

He parked the Twinkie in front of the marsh just as the blond boy walked down the porch steps expectantly. John B knew he needed to come clean when he noticed the 'I told you so' look on JJ's face through the sun's last few rays of light.

"Well, look who it is," JJ scoffed with his hands on his hips. "Nice of you to show up. You gonna spill the beans?"

John B's expression remained hesitant as they stood across from each other. He lowered his head in defeat and debated how he would tell JJ. Seagulls squawked in the distance, breaking the tense silence between them.

JJ's jaw clenched. Not only did he have his girlfriend lying to him but now his brother too, "You gonna tell me the truth about what's goin' on?"

"Look, I know I've been a little shady," John B began slowly. "And, uh... Stretched the truth a little bit-"

"Yeah, that's called lying," JJ glared with his lips pursed.

"Yeah," He nodded with resignation. "I know."

JJ shook his head, "John B, what's going on?" He couldn't keep up with all these secrets, and lies, and half-truths anymore. He was sick of it.

"My dad killed two guys," John B exhaled in a swift breath, studying his best friend's expression.

JJ's face fell. His heart was pounding now, unable to comprehend the words. His mind worked overtime— JJ knew Big John wouldn't do something like that. Big John was a good man. Surely there was more to the story.

Bianca's warning from earlier that very morning weighed heavy on his chest, had she been right all along? Was Big John really the problem here? JJ's stomach churned at the thought of the surrogate father he looked up to his whole life resorting to murder. One was an accident but two was a crime.

"He was trying to protect me," John B tried to defend his father when JJ didn't say anything.

"No, no, no- hold on. Okay?" JJ interrupted, narrowing his gaze. "You serious?"

"Yes," His answer was firm. Unwavering. And by the sickly pale hue of John B's skin, it must've happened in front of him, "It was the guys from the coastal venture."

His words were like the final twist of a knife in JJ's guts. The perfectly curated picture of Big John he had in his head, the man he looked up to his whole life, fell away like someone put their cigarette butt out on an old photograph. Now, every image, every memory was marred with smoky ash. A reminder of yet another parental figure who let him down.

"They came here, looking for Denmark's diary," John B continued explaining, needing to make up for the deafening silence between them.

JJ ran a hand over his face, "And your dad capped 'em for that?"

"Yes, and then Singh showed up," His tone was more frantic now. "And they took my dad, and then they tried to kill me. They took him to South America, alright?"

"Woah, South America?" JJ reared his head back. "Wait-"

"Yes, they're on their way to South America, alright!?" John B threw an arm up in exasperation.

"Okay, hold on-" He was rambling so fast the blond could hardly keep up.

"A-And then what? And then they're going to off him?!" John B's breaths were coming out in shallow pants. As much as he hated his father at that moment, he was also the only family he had left. And he loved him. He just got him back. He couldn't let him die, "And I don't know-"

"Okay, hold on!"

"I don't- I don't know what to do!"

"John B, stop!" JJ finally snapped, forcing the boy to fall silent. "Just breathe for a second... I need to think."

John B blinked, shaking his head. JJ backed away toward the front porch steps and sat down. He leaned forward, resting his head in his hands, and gripped his hair. There was so much going on in his home life, and Bianca, and now with Big John getting kidnapped by Singh. JJ was yet to take a moment to collect himself.

After a few beats, JJ tapped the spot beside him, inviting John B to come over, which he did. The two brothers sat on those steps like they had a hundred times before but this time, for some reason, it felt different. They felt different.

"I don't know what to do, JJ," John B admitted under his breath. "How the hell do we get to South America?"

JJ sighed, "No clue."

So much had changed since it was just Kiara and the boys. Things that felt so meaningless at the time like surfing till sunset, and roasting marshmallows around a bonfire on the beach, crashing at the Chateau, or begging Mr Carrera for leftovers during closing time at the Wreck seemed so far away now.

A part of JJ knew they could never go back to being that carefree again. Too much had happened. Each new adventure had torn them apart, ripped them to shreds, and then glued them all back together again. Only this time, their edges were wonky, and their curves frayed at the edges.

"But..." JJ wound his arm around his best friend's shoulders and pulled him into his side. "We're gonna figure it out."

"Yeah," John B whispered, resting his head against the blond's.

And although the current had pushed and pulled them, the wind left them bent and broken and the waves eroded them to their bare bones, one thing was for certain.

"We're Pogues, man," JJ nodded. "We always do."

The boys sat like that, in silence for the most part. Just enjoying the comfort of each other's presence. They shared a few ideas too. Mostly stupid ones which would never work like hijacking a boat, or paddle-boarding across the ocean. The boys knew they wouldn't make it far without the others.

The realization made JJ sick to his stomach. Barry and Rafe's conversation about Bianca still weighed on his mind. Something in his gut told him this was a sinking ship, and to throw himself overboard before he drowned too. He didn't know if he had the energy, nor the willpower to hold on anymore.

JJ had weathered his fair share of storms but this may have been the worst. He didn't want to let go. He'd rather die than let go. But what if Bianca already had?

The moonlight danced against the blades of grass swaying in the cool breeze. The sun had set but the boys still stayed on the front porch. That was until the distant rumble of a boat sailing on the marsh drew them out of their soft conversation.

JJ's eyes narrowed at his boots, they weren't expecting any visitors. But when he glanced up and saw the Catamaran docking beside the pier, he quickly scrambled to his feet, "Is that... the Cat?"

John B frowned at his abruptness but did the same upon recognizing none other than the oldest Cameron sibling hopping onto the dock, "It- it's Rafe."

Rafe's strides were long, and confident as he made his way toward the Chateau. John B was too busy trying to figure out what he was doing here to realize JJ had flipped his cap backward on his head.

"Wow, must be my lucky day," The muscle in JJ's jaw ticked as Rafe neared them. All he could see was red.

John B's hand was on the boy's shoulder before he could do anything impulsive, "JJ, wait-"

"You got a lotta fucking nerve showing up here, Rafe," JJ seethed, shrugging John B off of him.

All he could think of was every unforgivable, disgusting thing Bianca ever told him about her ex-boyfriend. And not just that, for Rafe's crimes were endless. Putting his hands on both Bianca and Kiara. Shooting and trying to drown Sarah.

It took everything inside JJ not to storm up to Rafe and knock him out cold. But even that would've been merciful considering the rage the blond boy was feeling at that moment.

Rafe's eyes were dull, "Alright," He raised his arms in surrender, stopping short. "Alright-"

JJ cut him off by shoving him so hard he stumbled, "I've been fucking waiting for this day-"

"Stand down, man," Rafe pushed him back by the chest. "I'm not here to fight you."

"JJ- J, dude!" John B got in between them, quick to diffuse the situation before it escalated. He pushed JJ away to create distance, "Just relax, man."

JJ's fists clenched at his sides, breaths coming out shallow. He cornered them at the cinema. He beat up Pope. He melted down the cross. He murdered Peterkin. He framed John B. Bianca. He hurt Bianca.

John B felt JJ's muscles tense and held him back before he could lurch or swing for Rafe, "JJ!" He snapped, forcing him backward.

JJ could barely hear over the thunderous blood rushing to his ears, desperate to feel Rafe's bones beneath his knuckles. Rage curled hot and unstoppable in his gut, like a blazing inferno that wanted to burn him from the inside out. He hurt Bianca.

"Hey!" Rafe raised his voice, forcing them to return their attention to him. "I'm not here looking for a fight, man."

"Then what are you here for, Rafe?" John B turned to face him with heated cheeks. He could still remember the fury he felt after Sarah told him her own brother tried to drown her. He was still holding onto JJ but barely, "Start talking."

"I should put a bullet straight through your goddamn head," JJ snarled, his arms bulging beneath his t-shirt.

"So hostile," A smirk curved on Rafe's lips. He knew he shouldn't antagonize them but it was just too fun, "Look, before you do that, you're going to want to hear what I have to say," His words were slow. As if they were chosen carefully.

JJ's were the opposite, "I don't give a fuck about anything you have to say!"

"We don't have time for this, Pogue," Rafe spat, finally having had enough. "This isn't about you and me, this is about Her."

JJ's face blanched, "What did you do?"

"I didn't do shit, alright?" Rafe snarled, curling and unfurling his fists. "It's about what she's going to do if we don't stop her."

"Rafe," John B warned lowly, glaring daggers at the boy. "Get to the point."

Rafe's eyes flickered to him before settling once again on JJ, "She's going to do something stupid," He cursed under his breath. "Really stupid."

JJ's eyebrows furrowed, "What do you need me to do?" He'd do anything for her.

Rafe swallowed thickly, "She's turning herself in as we speak. You have to stop her."

JJ's frown deepened but his confusion did nothing to slow the panic coursing through his veins, "What are you talking about?"

Rafe held his breath, studying the boys in front of him. After a moment, he scoffed, "...She really didn't tell you, did she?"

JJ's mouth turned dry, "Rafe, you better start talking before I knock your fucking teeth in-"

"She shot him," The silence was loud. Too loud, "Her dad... Michael's dead."

The step JJ took back was against his will, and the ringing in his ears took over, "You're lying."

"Why would I lie?" Rafe's jaw clenched. "You've already won."

JJ's hands ran through his hair, once, then twice till he gripped the roots behind his neck and pulled. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have not known? The way she'd been acting, pushing him then pulling him away. It all made sense now.

JJ was rooted in place, his heart skipping beats. All he could think of was her. He needed to find her, to see her. If this was what she had been so afraid of, he needed to tell her that it was okay. And that he understood. And that he wasn't angry at her for keeping this from him. But he couldn't find the words, so John B did for him.

"What?" John B's eyes widened. Michael was dead. The man who ruined his life, framed him for murder, and supposedly killed his father was finally... gone?

"It was on the boat," Rafe shifted his gaze to the brunet. The calm in his tone told the boys he'd known for a while now, "I found her, covered in his blood. She said she didn't mean it, that it was an accident. Guess we'll never know now, will we?"

JJ suddenly pushed past John B and reached for Rafe's collar, bunching the material in his fist. He didn't like that insinuation, that Bianca was a killer. That she would do something like this on purpose, especially after saying she didn't mean to.

JJ was the one who gave her the gun. She didn't even want it. In fact, she was prepared to fight him on it. But JJ insisted. He insisted she keep it for protection. In case Rafe showed up. Fuck, he was the one who gave her the gun.

Rafe was quick enough to shove JJ's hands off of him while John B pulled him back, "I threw his body off the boat, and the gun," He rushed out in a swift breath, panting heavily. "I covered it up. I did, alright?! I was the one protecting her. This whole time, it was me all along-"

"Where is she!?" JJ cut him off, sick of his ramblings. "Where is she, Rafe-"

"I'm just saying," Rafe raised his arms in surrender. He needed JJ to know that he stepped up when Bianca needed him. He swore to protect her in ways JJ never could, "She's at the police station. That's why I'm here. She came to me earlier tonight. She wouldn't listen to me. It- it's like she already made up her mind."

If the situation wasn't so dire, JJ might've laughed. He knew how stubborn she was, "Why didn't you stop her?"

"I tried," Rafe shook his head, eyes darkening. "She won't listen to me. But you...? You, she'll listen to."

JJ shared a look with John B. If what Rafe was saying was true, then that made him the biggest dickhead in the history of dickheads. She was so obviously grieving, and all he did was cause problems for her. Albeit, he didn't know it was because of this but still... all this time... she must've felt so alone.

JJ's eyes squeezed shut at the mere thought. All he wanted was to bundle her in his arms and tell her that he was here and everything was going to be fine. As much as she told him she didn't need a knight in shining armor, he was desperate to be one for her.

JJ would slay fire-breathing dragons, and scale the tallest of towers, trek through all the elements, and vanquish anything that could cause her harm if it meant she was happy. He was sure his sole purpose in life was to make sure she was exactly that. Happy. That's all he wanted.

"She thinks she knows what she's doing but she doesn't, okay?" Rafe breathed out shakily, more hesitant. "She needs to know the truth."

"The truth?" John B's nose wrinkled.

JJ's gaze snapped back up, "What truth?"

Rafe exhaled through his nose, eyeing the two boys wearily. He knew the repercussions of what he was confessing to. He knew the truth, in the hands of JJ Maybank and John B Routledge was like playing with fire but he trusted Bianca. He had faith when she said she understood why he did it and hoped she still would after this.

"When I found her on the boat..." Rafe trailed off, running a hand over his face. "She told me to go get help. I didn't- I- I stayed. And when I searched for a pulse... Michael, he- he was alive," He swallowed thickly, his piercing gaze holding JJ's. "I told her he didn't make it- that he was already gone. And I covered it up."

JJ's gaze hardened, "What the fuck-"

"You let her think it was her fault, you sick fuck!" John B lashed out this time, his lips curling into a scowl. His heart pounded in his chest, as his temper rose.

John B couldn't help but think of the guilt he felt after his father killed those two men from the Coastal Venture. He couldn't even begin to imagine the kind of guilt Bianca shouldered for so long.

"Hey- you didn't see the blood- how much of it there was-" Rafe's eyes burned. "He probably would've been dead anyway, alright?!

"You don't know that," JJ bit back.

"He wanted to turn the boat around- I couldn't let that happen!" He inhaled sharply. "Look, no matter the outcome, I was protecting, Bianca. I thought you'd understand that. If he died, if something happened to him- she would've been blamed-"

Rage coursed through JJ like a red-hot knife, "She already blames herself!"

"Yeah, well now she can blame me," Rafe ran his tongue over his teeth. "Do whatever it takes. Tell her if you have to. But she's not going to prison for something I did," Fuck, this was killing him. "You need to go after her. Stop her. Before she throws her life away."

JJ didn't need to be told twice. He didn't need to hear any more of the story to already be bouncing on the balls of his feet, "Fuck-" He turned to John B with pleading eyes. "How do I- I'll never make it in time."

John B didn't hesitate to pull the keys out of his back pocket, "Take the Twinkie," He threw them at his best friend's chest. "Bring her home, alright?" And JJ knew he wasn't referring to his prized van.

The blond sent a look to his best friend, one of thanks before backing away toward the vehicle. He didn't bother sparing a glance back but when Rafe stepped in front of him, blocking his path, he had no choice but to listen.

"Just..." Rafe pushed JJ back by the chest slightly. His adam's apple bobbed as if struggling to find the right words. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he whispered low enough only for him to hear, "Deserve her."

JJ's jaw clenched but graced the boy with a nod nevertheless before pushing past him and toward the Twinkie. As much as his insides scalded with hatred for Rafe, JJ would do whatever it took to deserve her like he said. He would do anything for her...

Even if it meant taking her place.

author's note. sometimes when i'm bored i go back to the old books and read the comments because they genuinely make me laugh so hard but it also made me realise that some of u guys have been here for over a year, if not yearS??? that's crazy to me, thank you for sticking around ik i say it every other chapter lol but i'm so grateful for all of you guys <3 ily thank you p.s i have a question for you guys, between bianca and jj, who do you think fell first and who do you think fell harder?

also the original story was for rafe to not tell bianca/the boys that michael still had a pulse and i still kinda hate that he did but i really wanted the whole situation to be morally grey. yes, michael was technically still alive after rafe checked but like was he really??? with that amount of blood loss he'd be dead anyway. there's no way of reviving someone with internal bleeding like that without a blood transfusion and they were in the middle of the ocean on a boat lol. i hope this makes sense idk why i'm explaining it lol <3 anyways more to come next chapter, it's all b and jj hehe