After being saved by Gene, Valley had the decency to do as the man said. After a fierce blow to the face and stomach, Gene ordered Valley to stay away from Alex, the others and the treehouse.
"I'm sorry," Valley said quietly, wincing in pain as his face began to bruise, "and Gene…thanks."
"Just go," Gene spat. Valley sighed before turning around and walking ashamedly back to his village. Gene was glad to see the back of the warrior. He knew he had done the right thing by saving him, but it didn't mean he was then going to welcome him back with open arms. Gene watched as Valley disappeared into the foliage and hoped that this would be the last time he ever saw him.
Sighing, Gene turned around to make his way back to the treehouse, glaring at Ray and Lily on the beach as he passed.
Ray swallowed as he saw the Guv stalk back into the treehouse. "Never seen 'im get that angry about a comment made about Drake before," Ray murmured, "something's clearly up."
"Oh I bet he just shagged her and got pissed off because you'd figured it out, sweetie," Lily shrugged, snuggling up to Ray, "I wouldn't worry. They just had a bit of rough sex."
"I don't think so, Lily," Ray frowned, "the love bites, yeah…but did yer see Drake's face? Covered in bruises. The Guv wouldn't do that ter her. Even in a sex game."
"Probably needed a bloody good slap to keep her in line," Lily muttered.
Ray stared at her, appalled. "The Guv would never hit a woman, least of all Drake. I don't know why you get in such a piss about her. Maybe cos the Guv fancies 'er and not you. Still got feelings for 'im 'ave yer? I'm the second choice am I?"
Lily looked horrified. "No! Ray, I…look, I'll admit when I first met you both I did fancy Gene and yes, I was jealous of his affections towards Alex. But as the days went on…you became the one I liked. You're the one I love, Ray."
Ray stopped fiddling with the sand and looked up to smile at Lily. "And I love yer too, yer daft bird. Just…lay off Drake, yeah? Something bad 'as obviously happened. The Guv don't get all angry like that about nothin', and Ma'am was really quiet this morning…"
"She'll be fine," Lily dismissed it, snuggling up to Ray again as he threw his arm lazily around her, "and anyway, you said yourself – she has Gene."
Ray nodded before tilting his head downwards to kiss Lily lovingly on the lips. Smiling at each other, they both turned to look out to the horizon over the ocean on the beautiful, clear, sunny day.
But they didn't see clear skies ahead.
On the horizon – getting dangerously close to their island – was a pirate ship.
----
"Ow!"
"Sorry, sweetheart, this may hurt a bit. Scherazade, get me some more water will yer? And Chris, get another cloth."
"Yes Guv."
Gene, Scherazade and Chris were all sitting on the rocks by the lagoon tending to a bruised Alex. Gene was holding her hand soothingly as he dabbed at her bruises delicately, Chris and Scherazade hovering to do whatever they could. Freddy was sitting nearby with Davie the monkey, sulking at the fact Valley was not around.
"It's all right, Bolls. I'll look after yer," Gene promised Alex, smiling weakly as she squeezed his hand in affection.
"Here you go," Scherazade said briskly, taking the cloth off Chris to dunk it in the sparkling, cold water. Handing it to Gene, she and Chris returned to Alex's side as Gene dabbed tentatively at Alex's face.
"Feel better, Bolly?"
"Yeah," Alex replied, "a lot better."
Gene placed the cloth on the rock, stroking Alex's face gently as Chris and Scherazade shot each other knowing looks and Freddy mimed puking. But the moment was suddenly broken by raised, scared voices as Ray and Lily bursting through the bushes.
"Pirates!" Lily yelled frantically. "There's pirates on the beach!"
Gene stood up. "What?"
"There's pirates Guv, right 'ere on our beach!" Ray panicked. "Sailing up on their ship. We 'ave ter fight, its what we've been working for!"
"Oh my God!" Alex gasped. "Freddy, come here, now!"
"I'll run and get Valley!" Scherazade decided. "I can be quick, I promise!"
"No, love!" Gene cut in. "Er…Valley's not fighting."
They all stared at Gene as Alex looked down self-consciously.
"What?" Freddy gawped. "But Valley's the best!"
"Yeah, Guv, we need 'im," Chris said worriedly.
"We do not need that little waste o' space. I 'ad a little run in wi' the bastard this morning, and let's just say it's for his own good as well as ours that he's not part of this anymore," Gene said firmly.
"But what did he do?" Lily gawped.
Ray didn't miss the involuntary flicker towards Alex in Gene's eyes. Noting the bruises on his boss' face, it all became clear to Ray as he clenched his fists angrily. That bastard. That bastard Valley had hurt Alex.
There was a silence, but the sounds of the pirate ship's cannon brought them all back down to Earth.
"Right, Raymondo, Wonder Chris, with me!" Gene ordered as panic broke out. "We're gettin' into position for the bridge and the logs and rocks. We need ter take these bastards by surprise. Scherazade, take Alex, Lily and Freddy up ter the caves in the hills to wait for us where you'll need to prepare the coconut bombs and whatever else! Don't let 'em see you. They see us and they're one step ahead before it's even started."
"On it," Scherazade nodded, springing into action, "let's go!"
"No Gene, I won't leave you!" Alex squeaked.
"I'll be okay, Alex," Gene promised her, giving her hands a squeeze as he embraced her lovingly. Placing a warm kiss to her lips, Gene tugged a stray curl behind her ear and stroked her hair. "I just need you safe. Promise me you'll follow my orders just this once. Please."
Alex nodded. "Yes…I will. Just be careful, Gene. Please."
Not caring that everyone was looking, Gene pressed his lips to hers once more, kissing Alex passionately, their tongues intertwining. "I promise, love. It'll be fine."
Breaking apart, blushing, Gene led the way down to the beach with Ray and Chris after Ray had given Lily a reassuring kiss as well. Chris hugged Scherazade and ruffled Freddy's hair as the seven of them split into their two camps; Gene, Ray and Chris down towards the beach and Alex, Lily, Scherazade and Freddy up into the caves.
It was the moment they had all been preparing for. It was time.
However, it didn't take very long before someone ignored the plans and caused something to go wrong.
"Rusty and Rover!" Freddy gasped, turning back immediately and pounding down the hill. "I have to go and get them!"
"Freddy!" Alex shrieked. "Freddy, come back!"
"I'll get him!" Scherazade cried. "Alex, Lily, just get in the caves! Don't worry! Freddy!"
Freddy began to run through the jungle until he was overlooking the beach from the hilly cliffs. Scherazade ran into him, grabbing him forcefully.
"Don't you dare –!" But she was cut off with her own gasp. On the beach, they could clearly see Malcolm Miners and about thirty pirates being unloaded from the pirate ship. Their ship had been anchored and smaller boats were coming over to the island. Miners had already set foot on the beach, looking around nastily.
Then, Rusty and Rover pounded onto the beach excitedly, chasing the zebra. Miners raised an eyebrow in complete confusion as the dogs began to bound up to him, and then trot along the beach.
"Come on," Scherazade whispered, snatching Freddy's hand and leading him back up to the caves. But Freddy pulled back, determined. He ran to an opening in the trees where he could clearly see the beach and his dogs and if the pirates looked in that direction, they could clearly see him.
Thoughtlessly, Freddy was desperate to get the dogs' attention. Before Scherazade could stop him, Freddy had put his fingers in his mouth and let out a shrill whistle, alerting the dogs as they began to run up the hill but consequently snapping up the heads of the pirates, as Malcolm Miners cackled and shot his gun into the air.
"They've spotted us!" Scherazade screamed as commotion hit the beach. The pirates were running now, drawing their weapons. "Run, Freddy, run!"