SMOKE SIGNALS / OUTERBANKS
ੈ✩‧₊˚ written by catie . . . © vqnillascented
chapter sixteen ━━  ' home sweet home '

THE MORNING LIGHT streams through the windows of the wreck, and Alex squints against the brightness as she stirs.

She tries to go back to sleep, but the subtle ache in her back sets in, so she groans against the pain and sits up. She has a few more minutes of peace before the wave of awful memories from the day prior hits her, and it's all nearly enough to knock her back down onto the cushioned booth that she had called a bed that night.

The four of them, JJ, Pope, Kiara and Alex had spent the night at the Wreck, Kiara's parents' restaurant, none of them knowing anywhere that was safe to go. None of them could go home. Some more than others.

Alex pulls her knees to her chest and hugs herself tightly, hating the way that the thoughts of her mom were making her chest ache. She should hate Katherine, so why does she feel so hollow?

"Did you get some sleep?"

JJ's voice startles her, but she quickly fixes her face and gives him a smile, "Yeah, I did. You?"

He's sitting at one of the tables, fully alert, so she can already guess his answer. "Nah. These chairs are too rough on my face."

Alex lets out a breathy laugh. "Tell me about it. I'm not sure that I can walk."

She slips out of the booth and pretends to stumble around the restaurent, clutching her back like she was an elder who had just gotten back surgery.

A playful smile overtakes JJ's once tired expression, and he gets up from his seat as well, rushing to her side to steady her. "Don't you fall and hurt yourself, now."

Alex takes his hand without really thinking, a stupid grin on her face. "I can handle myself, thank you very much."

"Really? Then why're you clinging to me for dear life?" He tightens his grip on her fingers.

Her stomach clenches. She pulls her hand away, shifting her eyes away. "Sorry. Got too into it."

He just shakes his head, the movement so slight, she barely catches it, but she does. He reaches out and grabs her hand once again, interlocking their fingers carefully. "No, it's nice." He murmers.

It should feel more awkward, Alex is hyper aware of that. But she's also aware of the fact that she doesn't want to pull away.

She's not sure if she ever wants to pull away.

All she wants to do is stare at him, watch his face as he lifts their intertwined hands into the air, examining her fingers like they're a beautiful art piece.

The sound of sirens whirring down the street outside makes reality come crashing back in. The two of them jump apart, ducking out of the view of the windows. As the noise fades out, Alex wonders if JJ's palm is tingling as distractingly as hers is.

"Do you think they found him?" Kiara's voice cuts through the quiet, her tone thick with sleep.

Pope joins in the conversation, now that he's awake too, "No. They wouldn't still be patrolling if they had caught him."

"Let's hope." JJ sighs, worry etched into his face.

"You know, we were in that car." Kiara points out. "They're probably looking for us too."

The four of them shift their eyes to one another, the silence more telling than any words.

"Well," Pope says, determined. "If we're gonna be outlaws. We might as well help John B."

"Find him before they do?" JJ asks, but gets no reponse. Pope grabs a set of keys from his backpack resting on the table, staying silent until JJ tries again, "Pope?"

"Gonna get gas for the boat." Pope answers bluntly, heading for the side exit.

"You be careful, okay?" Kiara says, and her words make him pause, his gaze lingering, but he doesn't say anything back, simply turning to JJ and Alex and informing them, "Meet me at the dock at three. Don't be late."

Then, he's gone.

Kiara scoffs to herself before following him outside.

Alex shoots JJ a look. "Should I ask?"

"You're better off if you don't." His eyes are locked onto the exit door, which is still swinging after the two dramatic exits.

"That's what I thought," Alex huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.

"We should go pack up some food for John B." JJ turns and leaves without waiting for a reply.

Alex is left standing alone in the dining area, a cold feeling of loneliness settling over her.

Thunder is rumbling overhead when Alex and JJ reach the makeshift dirt driveway to JJ's house.

Kiara opted to go ahead and wait by the boat storage for Pope, while JJ and Alex were sent to retrieve the keys from JJ's dad.

Alex had never seen JJ's house and she would be lying if she wasn't a bit excited to see this new side of--

"Home sweet home."

The way that JJ's voice trembles makes her stop in her tracks.

"Something's wrong? What's wrong?" She blurts, trying to search his face to read his thoughts but he's got his eyes glued to the dirt, not looking at her.

"It's fine." He shakes his head, brushing her off, continuing down the path.

"JJ," she reaches out and grabs his wrist, stopping him. He finally looks at her, and she hopes that he can see the conviction in her eyes. "I know what it feels like to not want to go home. To not really have a home. Not anymore." She whispers that last part to herself. "You're not alone. Please don't think that you are. I'm here."

His hard expression softens ever-so-slightly, but Alex takes it as a victory.

"T-thanks," He mutters. "That means a lot, actually."

"It's true. All of it." Alex nods, earnestly. "Do you want me to go inside with you?"

He quickly shakes his head at that suggestion. "No, I'll be okay."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Okay," Alex lets out a breath. "Well, I'm here here. Literally and metaphorically."

He gives a dry chuckle at her attempt of a joke, but his face is solemn again as he turns and heads for the door to the screened in back porch. Alex shifts on her feet nervously once he disappears inside, hugging herself against the goosebumps that have covered her arms.

It feels like hours pass before JJ returns, and Alex practically jumps out of her skin at the sight of him.

"Are you okay? You're okay?" The words spill out of her without her control.

He nods, but his eyes are glassy. "Yeah, I'm fine. I got the key." He lifts it into the air, swinging it to show her, but she pushes it aside.

"What happened?" She scans his face, from his teary eyes to the old bruise on his trembling jawline. "Do I have to hurt anybody? Cause you know that I will, you've seen me."

He chuckles. "I know that you will. Alex, I'm fine, really. Just..." He swallows hard before continuing, "It's hard going home seomtimes." His voice breaks at the end of his sentence, and so does her heart.

"I know," Alex breathes. "Believe me, I know."

It's then that she realizes that she has a hand cupping his face, and she almost jerks away, but JJ's not flinching at her touch, so she keeps it there, just for a moment. They watch each other cuiously, and there's a strange, unknown, twisting feeling in Alex's chest.

She chocks it up to concern for him and lowers her hand back to her side. She clears her throat. "We should get going. Kiara and Pope are waiting."

"Right," he shakes his head, as if snapping out of a daydream. "Let's go."

"There she be!" JJ greets the boat. "Hey, girl."

"Is she a dog?" Alex crosses her arms over her chest, watching him with humor in her eyes as he approaches the vehicle and gives it a pat.

"Seriously." Kiara scoffs in agreement, lingering in the doorway. Pope was a no show, but he did say to meet at the boat dock, so they all just crossed their fingers that's where he would be.

"You guys don't get it." JJ waves them off, continuing to circle the boat.

"That we do not." Alex murmers, earning a snort and a shoulder bump from Kiara.

"A 1983 Formula 402 SR1." JJ muses, like he's giving a prestentation. "The Phantom."

Alex raises her eyebrows, feigning interest. But really, her heart swells to see JJ in a better mood.

He goes on, "The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under 16 hours, Ally."

She almost opens her mouth to mention her hatred for the nickname, only, she finds that the annoyance that usually resides in her chest when Jenna uses it, isn't there. So, she clamps her jaw shut.

"She's forty years old, Kie!" It's Kiara's turn to get talked at. "And she's still the fastest thing that Kildare's ever seen."

"It's kinda a junker," Kiara says, bluntly.

JJ blinked. "Really? She's right there."

Alex bursts out laughing at this.

"She can hear you." JJ scolds them both through gritted teeth. "Let's just put it this way, you would not be smoking weed right now if she never excisted, okay?"

"I just hope it runs." Kiara lifts her hands in the air in mock surrender.

"Oh, she'll run, alright." JJ says, confidently. "She's faster than any cutters the boys in blue got."

The sound of screeching motorcycle tires against the roads fills the air, and Kiara lets out an exasperated sigh. "Pope, finally." She mutters, heading towards the entrance to greet him, but the voice that floats it's way back to JJ and Alex, sounds a little different than Pope.

"Hey, there, Kie. What's going on?"

Rafe. Alex's blood turns cold.

"Is that?" JJ freezes.

She can only nod.

"JJ," Rafe is further inside the building now, greeting them all like they were tight. His voice drops to say, "Alex."

She can feel her wild pulse at her wrist, and she takes a step closer to him. "Rafe. What the hell are you doing here?" She sets her jaw with determination, getting between him and Kiara, who has stumbled away from him.

"We," A singsong voice pipes up from around the corner, but soon Barry reveals himself. "Heard some ruckus coming from inside here and decided to check it out."

Alex doesn't even blink away from Rafe. "What we're doing is none of your damn business. Get out of here."

"Or what?" He leans closer, lowering his voice. "What will you do? Threaten me with scissors again?

The sound of a gun cocking grabs Alex's attention. Barry aims the barrell at JJ's chest, and Alex fights the urge to spring forward. It was best not to make any sudden movements.

"See, don't think I forgot about me and you on the side of the road." Barry says, unwavering. "I want my motherfucking money!"

He slams his the end of the gun into JJ's jaw, the blonde falling to the ground with a grunt, Barry getting on top of him now.

"Shit, JJ!" Alex blurts, starting for him, but Rafe's painful grasp tightens around her upper arm.

"I don't want to hurt you, Alex." Rafe breathes down her neck, the sensation making her stomach churn.

"The feeling is not mutual." Alex yanks her arm, trying to free herself. "I very much want to hurt you."

There's a cold change in Rafe's eyes, and he doesn't waste another second, wrapping his arms around Alex's waist and holding her in the air, kicking and grunting against his force.

He's stronger than her, sure, but she's a lot smarter.

And he forgot to hold down her arms.

She swings her elbow back, enjoying the crack of his nose under her bone.

He drops her to clutch at his face, and she collapses to the ground, landing painfully on her shoulder.

"Fuck, you broke my nose, you little bitch!" He seethes.

"What did I tell you..." She grits her teeth against the searing in her arm, getting into a sitting position on the ground. "About calling me a bitch?"

She sweeps her leg across the dirty concrete, attempting to knock him off his feet, but he sees her moving this time and slams his foot down into her ankle before she can touch him.

Her foot cracks under his weight and Alex yelps at the hot pain that goes shooting up her calf. "Shit!"

"Don't fucking hurt her!" Kiara comes out of seemingly nowhere, pouncing on Rafe like an animal. She manages to get an arm around his neck, succesfully choking him for a moment, but he's able to get the upper hand and turn her own tricks on her, tightening his grip around her throat.

"Where's John B?" He barks in her ear.

"I don't know!" Kiara gasps out, struggling for air against his hands.

Barry gives JJ a rough kick to the ribs. "Stay down."

Alex attempts to get to her feet, but Barry is pointing the gun at the back of her skull before she can. "I said, stay down! Both of you!"

"Where is John B?" Rafe roars.

Kiara's kicking has grown weaker, and JJ's breathing is ragged against the blows that Barry is delivering to his stomach. And Alex can't manage to prop herself up on her injured shoulder, and hot tears have started to blur her vision.

"Let her go, Rafe." She says, voice trembling. "You're going to kill her, and then you'll have two deaths on your hands."

Barry pauses his beating, and even Rafe loosens his grip on Kiara, ever-so-slightly.

There's a pause, but the quiet is quickly interupted by the sound of clanging metel.

Rafe goes down, revealing Pope standing behind him, bearing a pipe like a sword.

Kiara lands on the ground, free, gasping and choking on air as she tries to drag herself out of harms way.

Alex reaches out her good arm, which Kiara takes, and Alex uses her remaining strength to yank Kie to her side, several feet from Rafe.

"You good?" She whispered.

"Great." Kiara coughs.

Pope wails on Rafe again with the pipe, this time hitting him in the shoulder. After stumbling back from the blow, Rafe regains his balence and swings his fist right into Pope's jaw.

Barry cocks the gun again, starting towards the fight. "Hey!"

JJ sticks an arm out and grabs Barry's ankle, sending him tumblling to the floor, his gun slipping from his grasp, skidding away.

A surge of adreneline rushes through Alex, and she uses the newfound energy to climb onto her hands and knees and crawl for the gun. Her shoulder is screaming in pain by the time she reaches it, but she's able to reach out her uninjured arm and smack the gun underneath The Phantom, so that nobody can have it now.

Pope has gotten the upper hand on Rafe once again, and is punching him in the gut repeatedly. Maybe too repeatedly.

"Pope..." Kiara stumbles to her feet, warning in her tone. "Pope, that's enough."

But he ignores her pleas, instead, finding a loose rope on the toolbench and wrapping it around Rafe's throat, pulling it taut.

"Shit, Pope, that's too much!" JJ climbs to his feet as well, rushing over to the scuffle to try and pull Pope away.

But Pope stays strong.

And Rafe is starting to go blue in the face.

As much as the sight is satisfying to her, Alex knows that killing Rafe is wrong. She manages to her feet, limping over to the others. "Pope, you gotta stop. We can't have any more dead bodies."

He doesn't stop though.

JJ locks an arm around either of Pope's shoulder, physically pulling him off. Blood is pouring from Rafe's battered nose, mixing with his spit as he coughs, desperate to breathe.

Alex jumps into the action, ignoring her injuries to get her hands on the rope, literally prying Pope's fingers away. She ignores it when she feels Rafe's wild eyes lock onto her, filled with confusion.

Between her and JJ pulling against him, and Kiara's pleading for him to stop, Pope's hands go slack on the rope, and Rafe drops to the ground, limp. He lets out a few, wet coughs, letting everyone know that he's still alive.

"It's okay..." Kiara pants, sounding like she mostly trying to convince herself. "We gotta go."

JJ drags Pope towards the exit, Kiara leading the way, but Alex hangs back a moment.

She stands over Rafe as he sputters, blood leaking from his mouth. They lock eyes, and she sets her jaw, hoping that he can get all the messages that he needs from her face alone.

Don't hurt me or my friends again.

And then, she leaves him there.

catie speaks!

AHHHH I LOVE WHEN ALEX HURTS RAFE ITS SO SATISFYING!!! 🥵

this was such a jjalex heavy chapter, and i loved EVERY SECOND! they're my slowburn babiesss 👶🏻

ONE CHAPTER LEFT UNTIL SEASON 1 IS COMPLETE 😱

please vote and comment if you enjoyed, follow to be notified when i update! & i hope you have a really great day!!!

virtual hugs,
catie