Chapter Text
It was another 3 hours before JJ woke up again since briefly waking following his surgery. Between then... Early evening transformed, becoming indigo skied night.
All the while, the group remained within that same Moroccan hospital which was doubling as sanctuary, processing in silence. It had been a hell of a day. Even before they'd had to go into ambulance mode in the middle of nowhere in an unfamiliar nation.
If it hadn't been for that older Moroccan doctor who happened to be where they were... They didn't want to think about it. None of it...
Pope especially was attempting not to think about how he had blood on his hands. To save Cleo. Still, didn't make it easier...
Their relief when the hospital's doctor told them, with one nurse translating kindly, how JJ was officially out of the woods was the first time they'd been able to breathe since it happened. The Pogue wasn't completely in the clear, but was stable, beginning recovery journey. Safe...
The group exhaled. They didn't talk about any of it. Not losing the Blue Crown or those mercenaries, not how their friend's 'father' almost killed him, not how Pope had taken a life...
They existed in the stillness. In relief... Grateful JJ was with them.
Little by little... They rested. Finally able to now knowing JJ's life wasn't at some lethal tipping point. He'd be alright... In time...
Before then... The hours spent pacing within waiting room had been terrible... They group'd barely gotten updates... All the while, Earth existed...
Kie had only let go of her soulmate's hand once since he'd returned from his life saving surgery, to use the restroom. She was asleep, sitting next to his bed, her head gently on his arm, her loose hair stroked his skin.
Sarah fell asleep holding her own soulmate's hand, her baby's father, lying down on the only couch in JJ's room which everyone let her use as she was pregnant. John B sitting near his soulmate, asleep as well after his vigil wore him out. Leant against one armrest, her hand holding his, his head near Sarah’s. Her breath warming his hair.
Pope was leaning on the opposite armrest of the couch, by Sarah’s feet. Too wired to sleep, but at one point Cleo turned his leg into an improvised cushion. She was asleep, fully reclined, her bare feet pointed toward John B. Pope Heyward had one hand on Cleo Anderson’s shoulder, other stroking hair… The Pogue wasn't able to end the loop repeating within mind, of what he'd done...
Rafe felt like the odd one out again. He couldn't sleep. Any attempt at speaking with Pope was swiftly ignored when not shut down. Still processing Sofia... Thus Sarah’s brother kept making excuses to go out, and discreetly make calls to Shoupe, updating him on the drama plus JJ's condition. Or use restroom.
Eventually, when the others woke up from those naps later on, Rafe broke the silence.
"Groff said he was going to Lisbon..." Rafe exhaled, he paced with purpose around their 'cozy' room.
No one responded.
Pope was now sat on the aged couch with Cleo and Sarah. His tired girlfriend nestled between both, leaning on her boyfriend's shoulder. John Booker Routledge was standing by JJ's bed, his back leant against wall, arms crossed. An exhausted Sarah was holding Cleo's hand, looking at Kie.
Rafe looked at JJ Maybank, still passed out, a devoted Kie still holding his hand like he was her lifeline. "I don't know. If he was my friend, I'd probably go after the guy that just tried to kill him, after he used Kie as his hostage to take Alexander's goddamn crown." He shrugged. "Yeah?"
"Shut up, Rafe." Pope sentenced.
Rafe scoffed, frustrated. He shared brief look with Sarah.
"He's not wrong." Kie said, darkness claiming cadence. Stepping into warrior mode boldly. Everyone but John B looked to her. "You think JJ would sit here silent if it were one of us lying on that bed?" She sniffled messily. John B looked from Sarah to JJ. "You think he'd do nothing?"
The answer was easily deciphered.
"We all know what JJ would do." John B nodded, looking from JJ to Pogues, and Rafe Cameron. "He'd get even."
Kiara kept her eyes on JJ. Sarah Cameron exhaled knowingly, sharing a look with John B. Cleo nodded on her soulmate's shoulder, Pope straightened.
"Revenge." Kie declared.
"Sounds good to me," JJ chuckled quietly, surprising everyone, eyes opening. "When do we go?" They looked his way rapidly. "Oh, and when we get to Lisbon I get to do it..."
The others got closer, except Rafe.
"Hey, man..." Pope said while he went to Kie's side with Cleo, eyes on JJ.
JJ snorted sluggishly. "My guy..."
Cleo smiled. "Can't keep ya down."
"Hell nah." JJ agreed wearily.
"You okay?" Sarah asked worriedly as she rushed to his side, John B swiftly moved by JJ's feet.
JJ turned, looked at Sarah, "Hey never better baby mama."
Sarah scoffed happily as the others snorted, exchanged glances.
JJ lazily reached and put a hand on Sarah's belly, "How's my godbaby?"
"Worried about you," Sarah sighed with a smile. Putting one hand over her friend's, still on her belly.
"Tell JJ Junior everything's tight." JJ nodded.
John B snorted. "JJ 'Junior'?"
"Triple J," he smiled tiredly. His hand falling, Sarah gently placing it back on bed.
Pope shared a smile with Cleo, then Kie.
"Triple J..." John B chuckled.
Rafe shifted slightly. Unaware Sarah's baby already had a godfather in mind... Not that he'd been expecting it of course, after the things he'd done, especially to Sarah.
His sister and the Pogues? Their 'found family'? He'd known about it sure, gone up against them time after time, yet it was another thing entirely seeing them together like this...
The Kook felt like an intruder.
Rafe knew he and his 'friends' back in Kildare weren't like this, he doubted they ever had been. Even before Peterkin... No one noticed Rafe's state.
"Cameron?" JJ called out.
"Yeah?" Sarah answered.
"No sis the asshole one." JJ quipped.
Everyone looked to Rafe bemused.
The Kook rolled his eyes. "What?"
JJ chuckled. "Never thought I'd live to see the day, your Kook ass would be body guarding mine... Or paying some doctor out of your damn pocket to keep my ass kicking..." Everyone looked around, exchanging glances. Well, except Rafe. JJ had been passed out when that happened, no one told him too... How'd he know? "Thanks prick..."
Rafe shifted. "Yeah... Sure dipshit..."
“Hey,” Kie glared.
JJ snorted unguarded. "So..." he looked around. "What's the plan?"
*
The group didn't plan for very long, JJ fell asleep again. The others did too successively. Rafe and Pope included now. Exhaustion never discriminated.
The group slumbered. All through this long night...
In the morning, John B woke first. At the crack of dawn... He stirred against the armrest by Sarah's head, hands holding. John B looked around silently...
Sarah asleep on the couch. Pope spooning Cleo on the floor, next to him. JJ softly spooned by Kie on his bed, Kie sleeping on the side without stitches, avoiding his injury. Rafe passed out with his arms crossed in his chair at the opposite corner, nearest their door, using Kie's chair as a foot rest.
John B's stomach grumbled. He exhaled. Stood up...
He gently kissed Sarah's forehead before letting her hand go. She unconsciously leaned into his touch yet stayed slumbering. The expecting father smiled momentarily.
Then silently moved.
John B found a dark pen, wrote a message on the room's hospital notepad on a side table before going to wake Rafe quietly, gently shaking his 'brother-in-law's shoulder.
"Mmm?" Rafe stirred. His eyes opened to see John B silently press a finger to his lips, shushing.
Rafe frowned, but John B gestured to the sleeping room, the resting Sarah... The Kook exhaled, nodding silently. John B nodded toward the door, Rafe followed the Pogue out, closed the door.
The hallway was so quiet. Not especially surprising. It was a small hospital.
"What's wrong?" Rafe questioned tiredly.
"You want your money back?" John B began. "We want Groff gone forever... The Crown's secondary."
Rafe scoffed. "Okay..."
"One step at a time, right now..." John B exhaled. "We need to get some food... You got money?"
Rafe frowned. "I'm not your bank."
"You kind of are big shot." John B shrugged.
"Great." Rafe snorted.
"Look," John B exhaled. "Don't worry, we'll have it as a Plan B. In case..."
Rafe's eyes narrowed curiously. "What's Plan A?"
"Five-finger-discount." John B offered.
"You want me to steal?" Rafe snorted.
"What? You only steal gold or crosses," John B quipped. "Food's too far?"
Rafe straightened. "Hey-"
"Relax..." John B began. "Listen to me... Yesterday was a colossal disaster, even for us, but we got lucky if you can believe it... We got to start today off non-explosively for once if we're gonna plan next steps but first we need food in its most basic form, so do the others, especially JJ and your pregnant sister or it won't matter 'cos we won't make sense then asshole wins."
Rafe hated the Pogue's logic, but he acquiesced. "Fine..."
"Great..." John B nodded.
"Market?" Rafe attempted.
"Market..." John B walked.
Rafe went with him.
Soon, they were outside...
Day's brightness starting. Early streets quiet. People existing, all utterly unaware.
"You know it'll be at least a week or more before your boy can even sit up without help right," Rafe exhaled cautiously, "he can't come with us, but... if we want a shot... to catch up with--"
"Rafe... Step one... Please..."
"Fine..." he concurred.
"Thanks. I honestly..." John B sighed. "Until eating, don't have energy for more than one issue at once."
"Same..." Rafe admitted. "Why'd you wake me anyway? For money?"
"In part..." John B sighed. "But didn't want to bother the others too. Much less worried over bothering you."
Rafe scoffed. "I respect it..."
John B snorted.
As they continued toward Morocco's nearest market... The room slumbered.
After some time, Sarah woke up... She sighed, looking around at her sleeping friends, Cleo with Pope on the floor while Kie was lying with JJ. The tired expectant mother frowned when she saw her boyfriend as well as brother were gone... Panic started rising. Then she found the message.
'Morning Sarah ;)
All good. Went with Rafe for breakfast. Wait here, stay with everyone.
Love you,
John B'
Sarah exhaled relieved. Kissed her soulmate's name. Unburdened at present...
*
After a few pointers, Rafe learnt the art of a five finger discount from his 'brother-in-law'.
They'd managed to snag one big bottle of water, a loaf of bread for the group and a couple pears also for Sarah as well as JJ. They ran down a street after being spotted, hid out for a few minutes before sneaking away. The unlikely duo was now walking back to the hospital.
The streets buzzing.
"See," John B started, "didn't have to use your cash."
"Yeah, yeah..." Rafe scoffed partially.
They walked in silence for some time, John B reflected...
Once, a long time ago, we just wanted to have a good time all the time...
Once Kiara, Kook by blood Pogue in spirit, just wanted to save the dolphins.
And Pope, the nicest, smartest person I knew, he just wanted to be a coroner. I don't think he'd ever been this quiet, but since he'd killed Lightner and JJ almost died...
God, JJ... Once, my brother for life was the Prince of the Pogues who just wanted to surf every chance he got, now our best friend's being held together by literal stitches, lying in a hospital bed after his biological Kook father put him there...
We didn't even know Cleo back 'a long time ago', but our missing piece was the Princess of Thieves back in Bahamas...
And Sarah… The Kook Princess, who fell for the Pogue surf rat.
Good time all the time, right? We said we were out for revenge, that we were gonna take back what was ours. But if I was honest with myself, I just wanted to make it back home without any more close calls.
"John B?" Rafe impatiently called.
"Hmmm?" John B watched him, pulled from reflecting.
Rafe frowned. "Weren't you listening?"
"No," he replied.
Rafe scoffed. "I was saying... You and Sarah... How are you gonna handle that?"
John B scoffed. "Excuse me?"
"Dude..." Rafe inhaled. "She's pregnant, you didn't forget or something?"
John B snorted disbelievingly. "No, I didn't forget I'm gonna be a dad..."
Rafe inhaled frustrated. "My sister shouldn't come with us anymore than JJ can."
"Your sister makes her own decisions." John B recalled.
Rafe nodded, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah her judgement's great, man..."
John B's eyes narrowed. "Is this the part where you ask me my 'intentions' with your sister?"
Rafe's eyes rolled. "Your boy is in the hospital, his own goddamn dad did it, what do you think that prick'd do to Sarah?"
John B scoffed. "Right, sure..."
"What?" Rafe frowned.
"You almost killed her twice, Rafe." John B reminded. His delivery calm.
Rafe froze in his tracks, John B turned to face him.
"First time, she got hurt 'cos your gun was aiming for me..." John B grimaced. "She died for a minute, man..." He informed. Rafe looked his way shocked. "Happened once I got Sarah to this shady doctor, with Cleo's help, 'cos I sure had zero contacts... Her heart it..."John B's voice broke. He inhaled, then resumed recapping. "She made it... Barely... Even then, before she did... I thought I lost her, that's on you..."
Rafe looked away...
"Second time, you tried drowning her while one of Ward's bribed henchmen was trying to make it look like I hung myself, to protect you..." John B scoffed. "So yeah Rafe, 'sorry' if your overprotective big brother speech is a little weird for me..." He continued evenly, Rafe shifted. "Maybe she can forgive you for both times, but me..."
"Yeah?" Rafe waited.
John B's head shook. "Your dad tried killing her once too..."
Rafe looked up. "He... When?"
"On the boat..." the Pogue started. "Tried strangling her... To protect himself..."
Rafe inhaled. "That's..."
"You didn't know..." John B realised.
"He didn't say..." Rafe confided.
"Did you tell him how you almost drowned her?" John B posed.
"I..." Rafe grimaced.
John B sighed. "This was back when I thought he'd murdered my dad, when I had full clarity he framed me to save your ass so I already wanted him dead, Rafe... Only reason I didn't end him for hurting Sarah is he was her father, and maybe part of me... didn't want to be like either of you... But man, if you weren't her brother..."
Rafe exhaled. "I get that..."
They resumed walking toward hospital. Silence. Until...
"For the record, it's not like I want her in the crossfire anymore than you do..." John B admitted.
Rafe breathed. "She's always been stubborn..."
"Must run in your family." John B ribbed.
Rafe snorted, emptily. "I am sorry for what I did to her..."
"Just Sarah?" John B wondered.
Rafe looked toward Sarah's soulmate. "I..."
John B exhaled. "I was this close," his fingers adjusted, "to getting the death penalty 'cos of you... Then you stole from Pope's family... If I'm being civil now, it's for Sarah plus... we need allies..."
"Right enemy of my enemy..." The Kook outlined.
"Something like that..." the Pogue nodded.
John B wasn't expecting what came next...
"Sorry." Rafe inhaled, catching John B's gaze. "The death penalty..." John B sighed. "That you were my scapegoat, I never told you that before 'cos I didn't want to think about you not deserving it. Then or now. It was easier in my head telling myself it was you or me, really wasn't personal, just saving myself..."
John B nodded. "Appreciate your apology..."
"We good?" Rafe asked, hopeful.
"Guess we'll see..."
"Fair..." he accepted.
They continued quietly.
At the last turn, they reached the hospital. They saw Sarah waiting with Pope as well as Cleo. All sat on an aged bench by the entrance's steps.
"John B!" Sarah stood.
He closed the distance, hurrying, and wrapped an arm around her. He kissed her forehead softly. "Good morning..."
"Morning..." Sarah inhaled.
Rafe watched as his sister leant into her soulmate's embrace.
"Any issues?" Pope asked low, looking up.
"None." John B's head shook.
"That's a first." Cleo joked.
Sarah lightly snorted.
"Guys," John B nodded, "we got provisions..." He held up the bread, holding water bottle with Rafe. "This is for everyone..."
Rafe showed off both pears. "These are for the unwed mother, plus invalid."
Sarah rolled her hazel eyes.
"Real hilarious Cameron." Pope scoffed.
"Alright." Cleo frowned.
"What's up?" John B looked around. "Not in the room?"
"Needed fresh air," Pope exhaled.
"Also..." Cleo sighed. "Giving lovebirds some space..."
Sarah sat back down. "Kie wants to speak with JJ."
"Alright..." John B nodded. "Let's eat then..." He sat down on the ground next to Sarah's leg, leaning. "We'll feed them right after."
"Oh, I'm gonna sit on the ground?" Rafe nodded.
"Feel free to walk more," Cleo offered.
Rafe scoffed. He went to sit on the hospital's steps, yet first offered Sarah a pear.
"Thanks..." she exhaled. She ate heartily. Gently stroked John B's hair too.
John B passed bread around. The water too.
The Pogues, and Kook, sat. Ate. Drank.
Waited.
*
Kie was still spooning JJ on their makeshift bed, JJ had his own arm around her tenderly too. He took off the nasal tube that morning, didn't need it. But Pope as well as the girls made him keep the IV plus the heart cables where hospital staff placed.
Once Sarah went out with Pope, with Cleo...
JJ told Kie everything.
About his vision... His life flashes. His mother on the boardwalk... Their overdue talk... JJ also shared his ironic opinion that he probably wound up being 'safer' raised by Luke...
Kie listened patiently. Never judging.
"I know it sounds crazy." JJ sighed.
"No..." Kie's head shook smoothly.
"She was so real though..." JJ smiled. "As real as you are. I think it happened, Kie."
"I believe you," Kie vowed.
JJ chuckled. "She... She was so happy to see me..."
Kie beamed. "That's hardly surprising..."
"Said she'd been watching over me since she... I think she would've been good at it..." JJ inhaled. "The mom stuff..."
"Yeah..." Kie exhaled.
"Like healthy lunches..." JJ posed. "Tying my shoelaces... Grounding."
Kie chuckled. "You would keep her busy."
"She called you Kiara..." JJ recalled. "Like, the way moms don't use nicknames..." He snorted. "I think she knows about us, and she likes you..."
Kie grinned. "Yeah?"
"Totally..." JJ confirmed.
"That's always nice."
"I miss her," he confided.
Kie sighed. "JJ..."
"Don't remember her, when she was..." JJ noted. "Met her 'once'. Not even convinced it counts."
"Does with me..." Kie reassured.
"You can tell the others..." JJ said. "That I saw her... Or think I did, whatever..."
"Yeah?"
"Not Rafe..." JJ outlined. "Pogues..."
"Alright," Kie responded.
"What about you?" JJ asked.
Kie adjusted slightly, meeting his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Are you okay?"
Kie snorted messily, "You've got stitches, an IV, and you're asking me that?"
"Kiara..." JJ exhaled. "I wouldn't be okay... If it was you on this bed, like this..."
Kie exhaled, eyes watering, tired voice broke. "I thought you were gone forever JJ... You were for... We lost you..."
"Never again," JJ promised.
"J--"
"Ain't getting rid of me that easy." JJ swore.
"Promise?" Kie smiled.
"Oh yeah..." JJ nodded. "In fact..."
"What?" Kie pondered.
"Can you reach into my bagpack?" JJ smiled.
Kie's eyes narrowed. "Okay..."
With a chuckle she carefully rose from his side, then went to JJ's bagpack, on the floor.
"Upper left pocket..." JJ said.
Kie unzipped then pulled out a... Ring... A simple yet elegant golden circle with an azure stone.
Her heart raced.
"This..." She stood up, speechless, then turned to face JJ.
"I'd get on my knees if I could..." JJ winked.
Kie exhaled. "JJ--"
"I love you." He interrupted.
Kie smiled, coming closer. "I love you more..."
"That's impossible..." The Pogue teased.
"JJ, we've both been through it," she started gently, "especially you..."
"And?" JJ replied.
"Maybe it's not the best time to talk about this?" she gently suggested.
"I respectfully disagree..."
Kiara looked at the ring. "JJ, you almost died."
"Kie..." he reached out, taking her free hand, gently reeling her in. "I was already thinking about it, long before this..." JJ revealed. "That's why I stole it for you."
Kie looked up. "Stole it?"
"During the riot." JJ snorted.
Kie didn't blink. "Naturally."
She laughed.
JJ exhaled. "Kie... I was thinking about it, but wasn't gonna do it, not for years... But after this..." he tapped his stitches once.
"JJ..." Kie sighed.
"Time's not promised... But..." JJ inhaled, watching Kie's ring. "Whatever deadline I have left, I want to spend it with you before my clock stops ticking..."
"Oh I want that too..." Kie exhaled.
"Full disclosure, I haven't thought too far ahead beyond this moment," JJ admitted, "but we don't have to get hitched right away if you don't want to rush it and wanna study dolphin science," he chuckled tenderly, "keep me waiting as long as you want Kie, 'til we're 50, 99... But until you're ready to make it official I'd love to be able to say I'm your fiancé, all Spanish fancy-like..."
Kiara chuckled, eyes watering rapidly. "Yeah?"
"Yes, hell yes..." JJ answered, his hand still held hers, their eyes interlocking too. "I want everyone to know I'm yours, no one else's... Forever..."
Kie cried. "I..."
"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Kiara Carrera. Will you marry me?" He asked finally, tears streaming. "Please."
The seconds which followed, however short, lasted lifetimes...
Kie exhaled. JJ's breath held. Earth continued turning.
Until...
Kie put his ring on her finger. "I sure as hell will JJ Maybank."
JJ's heart beat peaked, the monitor gave auditory proof. The Pogue looked at the ring on Kie's finger. Then again into her eyes.
"Really?" JJ beamed.
Kiara kissed him with urgency, still gently, mindful of his injuries. JJ kissed her back instinctively. They stayed like that for a moment, then--
The room door creaked open.
"Woah, K." Sarah froze. She walked in fully, smiling, the Pogues following in after with Rafe.
The newly engaged couple broke apart, giggling.
"Uh... Got breakfast." John B tried through his amused grin.
"You hungry?" Sarah's brow arched.
Pope quietly chortled.
"Unless you're busy." Cleo joked.
JJ flipped the laughing Pogues off, as did Kie.
"Kiara..." Sarah's eyes narrowed, her giggles ceased. "Is that a ring?"
The Pogues' laughter stopped gradually.
"Why, yes it is Sarah Cameron," Kie showed it off.
The Pogues looked at the ring glinting upon Kiara's finger.
Rafe's eyes widened.
Pope shifted. "Did he just..."
Sarah shared an excited beam with Cleo.
"My fiancé stole it for me." Kie smiled.
John B shared a look with Pope.
"Fiancé?" Cleo exhaled.
"He really did." John B chuckled. Pope grinned.
"Stole it?" Sarah laughed.
"During the riot." Kie nodded.
"Romantic." Cleo approved.
Kie chuckled softly.
"I'm engaged boys!" JJ declared.
"I'm getting married!" Kie jumped.
The Pogues erupted. Pure celebration.
John B and Pope ran to the prospective groom's sides. Softly high fiving, excitedly squeezing shoulders, bouncing on feet. Asking their impulsive brother questions.
Cleo and Sarah rushed to the soon to be bride. Hugging their sister excitedly. The girls squealed.
The room became overlapping joy.
Rafe watched them... Left holding the bread, water, last pear. Recalling his brief engagement to Sofia, they'd had no friends to truly celebrate like that with...
*
As the young Pogues enjoyed this brief celebratory high, far away, Chandler Groff was getting further. From Morocco... With his stolen crown, believing he had his son's blood on his hands as well, unaware of what occurred once he fled or what was coming to follow him...