DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Tribe or any of its characters.

This particular story is my own version of the events that take place after the dramatic season 5 finale.

Note: The unnamed trader who left saved the Mallrats on his boat has been given the name Connor.

HAPPY READING :D

Ellie: That's our home!
Lex: Not anymore
[The tribe stand in silence until the city fades out of sight, long expressions on every Mallrats face. Connor is of course the first one to break the silence]
Connor: So where am I taking you?
Amber: I uh… I guess we never thought about that
Connor: You're bloody kidding me! So you thought you'd just hop on my boat and what, sail out into the middle of the ocean and run out of fuel!? This is total bull, I better be paid well for this!
Lex: We saved your life, you ungrateful creep!
Connor: No I saved your life, this is MY boat after all. You are all just my TEMPORARY guests
Lex: It won't be you boat if I throw you off the side!
[Like always the quick tempered Lex lunges at Connor, but the others are faster and restrain him.]
Connor: If you take one step closer, I will throw YOU off the side
Lex: Bring it o… [Ebony cuts him off]
Ebony: Oh just give it a rest Lex!
Amber: This is not helping anyone!
Connor: Shut up, or I will throw you off the side as well
[Connor takes a step towards Amber, but May jumps in-between them quickly]
May: Don't you dare lay a finger on Amber!
Connor: Only if you let me lay my fingers on you instead babe
May: Don't ever touch me! Creep
[May storms off to below deck, the other Mallrats all stand around looking a bit awkward for a moment. The tribe looks lost as they gaze around the deck of the small boat, unsure what to do next.]

[Ruby, Lottie, Gel and Sammy are sitting below deck, it's musty and dark in the cabin.]
Gel: I can't believe there are no mirrors here, how am I supposed to do my makeup?
Ruby: I can't believe that's all you're thinking about, we are stuck on a ship in the middle of the sea Gel! No one is going to see you anyway
Gel (ignores Ruby): I'm also thinking that you need some makeup to cover those ugly bruises
[Gel motions to the nasty purple-black bruises covering Ruby's arms, legs, torso and face that she got from being hit by a truck in the chaos of escaping the city.]
Lottie: Are you sure you're ok Ruby?
Ruby: I'm fine Lottie just a couple of bruises
[Ruby stretches her arms out in front of her and winces, her hands clutching her chest in pain]
[Ruby takes a second to recover her composure before she can answer Lottie]
Lottie: You sure?
Ruby: Well maybe I am a bit thirsty, does anyone know where to get a drink of water?
Gel: Sammy will get you one, wont you Sammy?
Sammy: Anything for you Gel!
[As Sammy runs up the stairs Ruby rolls her eyes at Gel]

[Ram, Jay and Slade stand at the end of the boat. All three of them are looking up at the dark grey clouds lining the sky.]
Ram: That looks like a storm
Jay: Yeah it looks pretty bad, I should tell Amber
[Jay rushes off. After he is out of hearing range Slade lets out a chuckle]
Slade: Damn, that guy is whipped
Ram: I was never whipped, I knew how to control my ladies. I even controlled Ebony for awhile, you could learn a trick or two from me Slade
Slade: Well lucky for me I'm not going to try and control Ebony, she's a free spirit
[Ebony approaches from behind, wrapping her arms around Slade. Slade laughs and pulls her into his arms]
Ebony: Who's a free spirit?
Slade: You are babe
Ebony: Sure am. Isn't that right Ram? You had to learn that the hard way
[Ebony looks at Ram then leans in to kiss Slade deeply, running her hands down his chest. Ram makes a face at them then walks away leaving the young couple kissing on deck]

[Sammy appears from below deck and with a determined little smile he walks up to Salene]
Sammy: Is there any bottled water, Ruby needs a drink
Salene: Oh poor Ruby is she okay, I had completely forgotten… It look like that truck half killed her
Sammy: It worse looks than it is, just has a couple of nasty bruises
[At that moment May appears from below deck, she looks calmer now but not entirely thrilled to be still on board the boat]
Salene: Hey May, do you know if Connor stores any bottled water on the boat?
May: I don't know… CONNOR!?
[May screams out his name and in a moment Connor comes wandering over to the girls and Sammy, a smug expression written all over his face]
Connor (to Sammy): See I told you, the women always come back for more
[May clenches her fists and glares, she opens her mouth to protest, but Salene beats her to it]
Salene: Do you have anything to drink Connor? A couple of the Mallrats are getting thirsty
Connor: Sure, I've got some water. A fine young lass like yourself, you can help yourself to a few bottles
Sammy: It's not for her, you dummy
Connor: What did you just call me?
Sammy: Dummy
May: Sammy don't waste your precious insults on skum like him
Connor: Say that one more time May…
May: Sku…
[Salene steps in between them, cutting May of mid-word]
Salene: HEY! The drink?
Connor: Who's it for?
Salene: It's for Ruby
Connor: Ruby?
May: She's the moody blond below deck
Connor: Hmm a blond? Well maybe I will deliver it to her myself
May: Don't you dare!
Connor: You jealous babe? Coz there will always be room for you in my bed
[Connor slaps May's ass then runs below deck, laughing happily as he goes]
May: I'm swear I'm gonna kill him!

[Lex stands alone on deck staring out to sea]
Lex: I'm coming Tai...
[A single tear glistens on Lex's cheek]

[In a little group Trudy plays with Brady, while Amber has her arms wrapped around Jay]
Trudy: It's going to be dark soon
Brady: Me no like the dark
Amber: Where are we going to sleep?
Jay: There's not enough room below deck a few of us are going to have to sleep up here
Trudy: I guess I will have to see if some of the boys will volunteer
Amber: Good idea Trude. I'm starving, I wonder if Connor has anything to eat on this godforsaken vessel
Brady: Food!
[Everyone laughs at Brady for a moment. Trudy then stands up and walks across the deck, Brady crawls over to Amber and Jay and the three of them start up a game of patter-cake]

[In the musty air below deck Connor has found were Ruby and Gel are sitting]
Connor: What a bunch of lovely ladies you two are
Ruby (annoyed): What do you want?
Connor: To give you this
[Connor balances the bottle of water in his hand as he holds it out to Ruby]
Ruby: Oh… Thanks
[Connor bows at the waist like a gentleman. Both the girls giggle at him]
Ruby: Sit with us?
Gel: Yeah sit
[Connor purposely wedges himself in the gap to he is sitting between the two girls]
Connor: So why are you two ladies alone below deck?
Ruby: Well...
(Gel cuts in)
Gel: The salt water messes up my hair and the spray makes my makeup run and...
[Connor spots Trudy over Gels shoulder, Trudy is talking to Ram. Like one of those fairytale moments Connor feels his whole world go out of focus and all he can see is Trudy, glowing like a soft purple light]
Connor: Who is she…?

[Jack and Ellie are at the front of the boat near the steering wheel and all the controls. Of course Jack is fiddling with all the knobs and levers trying to work out how the boat works]
Ellie: Jack?
Jack: Yeah El?
Ellie: What happens now?
Jack: Well I think Amber and Jay were trying to organise dinner
Ellie: No Jack, to the Mallrats? To us?
[Jack turns slowly to face Ellie, his eyes sparkling with colour and joy]
Jack: I don't know Ellie, but I know one thing for sure
Ellie: What's that?
Jack: I will be with you always
Ellie: Always and forever
Jack: I love you Ellie
[Jack pulls Ellie in for a soft kiss]

Gel: WHO ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!
[Back in the cabin Gel is furious as Connor ignores her and stares at Trudy]
Connor: That girl over there, the one with the purple hair
Ruby: Oh. That's just Trudy
Connor: She is the most beautiful girl in the world
Gel: EXCUSE ME!
Connor: Ahhh Trudy
Gel: I DONT BELEIVE THIS!
[Gel throws Ruby's water bottle at Connor then runs onto deck in a hissy fit]
Connor: I didn't deserve that
Ruby: Probably not, but I wouldn't go near Gel again if I were you
Connor: I wasn't planning to, I only got one person on my mind
[Connor turns to Trudy again and smiles]

[Sammy is sitting alone when Lottie approaches]
Lottie: Why the grim face?
Sammy: I'm always the little kid that everyone picks on
Lottie: So, show them how grown up you can be
Sammy: How?
Lottie: You're a talented young man I'm sure you'll think of something
Sammy: I just want to prove that I'm not a kid anymore
Lottie: Yeah, we need to prove that we aren't kids anymore
Sammy: We?
Lottie: I'm 15 years old Sammy!
[Lottie stands up and shoves Sammy so hard that he falls of his seat. As Lottie storms off below deck Sammy stares after her with a confused look on his face]

[In the dim light of the cabin Connor watches Trudy until she finishes up her conversation with Ram. As Ram walks away Connor walks up to Trudy]
Trudy: Well hey there!
Connor: Hey, I don't know if we've been properly introduced. My name is Connor.
Trudy: Well it's nice to finally know the name of my rescuer. I'm Trudy
[Trudy giggles and hold her hand out, and Connor smiles at her before taking her hand between both of his and shaking it.
Amber and Jay approach, Amber has BJ in her arms]
Connor (mumbles): Damn.
Trudy: Sorry what was that you said?
Connor: Nothing
Amber: Connor I need a word with you. The tribe was just wondering if there is there any food to share around?
Connor: Well that depends
Jay: On what?
Connor: Depends on how much you're going to pay me for it
Amber: Are you kidding me?
Connor: Hey! I worked hard for that food, I'm not just going to give it away for nothing in return!
Amber: You mean you scammed hard for that food
Connor: Same, same. I still had to work for it
Jay: Please Connor we need that food, be the bigger man for once
Connor: Price?
Trudy: You can join the Mallrats
Amber and Jay: WHAT?
Trudy: He can join the Mallrats
Amber: That's not your choice
Trudy: So whose choice is it? Is it yours, doesn't anyone else get a say in it?
Amber: It's the tribe's choice Trudy
Trudy: So give them the food and while they are eating, ask them
Connor: You're brilliant Trudy!
Trudy: Thank you Connor
Amber: So that means we can have the food?
Connor: If you must
[Connor pulls a key out of his pocket and opens the cupboard behind him then hands the key to Amber]
Amber: You just saved the Mallrats lives for the second time today Connor
Connor: Yeah whatever

[Later… The Mallrats are counting the cans in the cupboards and sharing them out between themselves]
Ellie: Wow look at all this food, it's amazing!
Amber: Go easy on the food guys need to ration it, we might be stuck on this boat for weeks
Lex (spits out a mouthful of food): Weeks!
Jay: Or months.
Lex: You're kidding me, I could eat all those cans tonight if I wanted to
[Lex lunges towards the cans of food, but a blunt object hits him on the back of the head and he falls onto the ground with a groan]
Connor: That's. My. Can.
May: That was totally out of line Connor
Connor: The pain in the ass deserved it
May: What no come on attempts tonight Connor?
Connor: Not today
[Connor smiles at Trudy and she blushes, May catches the exchange and glares at them both with jealousy flaming in her eyes]

[Ebony is leaning on the rail along the front of the boat, Slade is behind her with his arms snaked around her waist]
Slade: Isn't this nice
Ebony: At last a moment of peace, away from the others
Slade: The sunset is almost as beautiful as you tonight Ebony
Ebony: Almost
[Ebony turns her head and Slade pulls her into a deep kiss]
Slade: I can't remember my life before you, it all seems hazy and unimportant
Ebony: You aren't getting all mushy on me are you babe?
Slade: Maybe I am
[Slade pulls Ebony in for another deeps kiss]
Slade: I think I'm falling in love with you Ebony
Ebony (shocked): You're what?
Slade: Ebony I love you
[Ebony stares down at the waves crashing against the side of the boat for several long minutes]
Slade: Eb?
Ebony: Slade I don't know what to say
Slade: Say you love me too
Ebony: Slade I…
Slade: Please Ebony, say you love me too
Ebony: Slade. I'm not going to lie to you, I really like you and have helped me so much, maybe even saved my life, but...
Slade: But?
Ebony: Slade I'm not saying we can't be together, I'm just saying I'm not in love with you
[Slade's face suddenly goes dark. Unreadable.]
Ebony: Slade?
[Without a word Slade walks below deck, leaving Ebony standing alone stunned, she sighs and turns back to watch the inky black waves crashing over each other in the ocean.]

Jay: You're up late tonight Ebony
[Ebony is still standing at the rail when Jay walks up behind her. Judging by the darkness of the sky it looks like Ebony has been standing outside for several hours since Slade walked away]
Ebony: Oh Jay. You made me jump.
Jay: It's a beautiful nigh isn't it?
Ebony: I'm not so sure
Jay: What's wrong Eb?
Ebony: Nothing
Jay: Eb, I know you, I loved you. What's wrong?
Ebony: That's the thing Jay, Slade loves me too
Jay: Slade told you he loves you?
Ebony: While everyone was eating dinner
Jay: And what did you say? Do you love him?
Ebony: Jay I really don't know, he saved my life.
Jay: You don't owe him anything
Ebony: I know that, so I told him the truth… I told him I didn't love him back. Jay he won't even talk to me!
Jay: If he really truly loves you he will come back
[Ebony looks up and finds herself staring deep into Jay's eyes]
Ebony: I think that's where we went wrong
[Jay turns and catches Ebony's gaze. Long minutes pass as they gaze into each other's eyes until finally Jay breaks the silence]
Jay: It's late.. Amber will be wondering where I am
Ebony: Oh, Amber...
[Much to Ebony's dismay Jay walks off to the stairs, but before he walks down he stops and looks back at Ebony for a long while, a thoughtful expression across his face]

[As the sun rises over the sea blue horizon Trudy and Brady are sitting up on deck getting some fresh morning air]
Brady: Momma look!
Trudy: What's up Brady?
[Trudy picks up Brady and turns around wondering what Brady was looking at]
Trudy: GUYS COME QUICK!
[Trudy yells out and in a few seconds a couple of Mallrats come running out from below looking sleepy and surprised]
Ellie: Trudy what is it?
Trudy: LAND! THERES LAND OVER THERE!
[Suddenly the Mallrats are lined up across the deck, all of them staring out at the tiny speck of land visible across the glittering sea]
Jack: Wow! It's so close, we must have been drifting all night!
Lex: Alright, who the hell woke me up?
Ellie: Lex there's land!
Lex: Hallelujah! I'm going back to bed, wake me up when we get there
Trudy: Come on Brady, let's go tell Connor the good news so he can take us to the island!
Brady: Hali-la-moo-la
Jack: I think it's pronounced hallelujah Brady
[Everyone laughs, happy their hope is reignited at last]

[Darryl, Ram, Sammy and Lottie have come outside to they can see the island with their very own eyes]
Darrel: What do you think this new island is going to be like?
Lottie: It will be an amazing place full of wonders and gold
Ram: We aren't going into cyberspace Lottie
Sammy: How cool would it be if we were. All the girls would adore me, especially Gel…
Lottie: What's cyberspace like?
Ram: It's the best place in the world
Sammy: You would love it Lottie!
[When Sammy speaks Lottie ignores him, obviously still mad about his comment yesterday. Sammy stands up frustrated and walks away]
Ram: Real life sucks
Lottie: True that
Darryl: Why'd you have to me so mean to Sammy for?
Lottie: He called me little
Ram: Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you, but you ARE little
Lottie: Shut up, I'm not a kid anymore!
[Lottie storms off leaving Darryl and Ram staring at each other in surprise]

[From around the corner Trudy comes along with her daughter in tow just behind her]
Trudy: CONNOR!
Connor: Trudy?
Trudy: Land… There's land… We need to turn the boat!
[Trudy huffs and wheezes trying to catch her breath]
Connor: That's great! So exactly which direction is this boat going to have to be heading off in]
Brady: Ober there!
Connor: Well come on then Brady you can help me turn this boat around
[Trudy watches Brady as she reaches up and takes Connors hand in her own, then the pair of them run off towards the cabin. Trudy can't help but smile]

Amber: You came down late last night Jay
[Amber walks over to Jay where he is standing below decks counting the cans. Taking Jays hand in hers, Amber twines her fingers through his]
Jay: It was a beautiful moon, I didn't want disturb you
Amber: I'm sorry I didn't see it
[Jay pulls Amber in for a long kiss. From the dark shadows at the edge of the room Ebony watches the couple. Tears rolling down her cheeks, she wipes them roughly with the back of her hand and takes a shaky breath to compose herself for a moment before she begins to sob again.]