"Gone?! What do you mean he's gone?" Kie exclaimed the next morning jumping out of bed after Pope woke them with John B's note in hand. "He said get the rig and he'll meet us at the dump, JJ knows where it is, at 3 p.m. today. He went to get Sarah," Pope told her, showing her the note. "He is such a moron," Kie said angrily. Feeling JJ shift next to her Dakota raised her eyes to look at him, "I won't tell," he whispered. "Tell what?" she asked. Pulling her closer JJ whispered in her ear, "That you knew. You think I didn't feel you get out of bed last night?" he answered. "Well you didn't stop him either," she muttered against his neck. "Cuz if it was you I'd do the same stupid shit," he replied.
"What are you two whispering about?" Kie asked as she put on her sneakers looking at JJ and Dakota. "Just giving Dakota an idea of what I could be doing to her if you two weren't in the room," JJ answered smiling as Pope made a noise of disgust and Kie rolled her eyes. "Seriously, you're such a pig," Dakota told him climbing over him to get out of bed. Grabbing her around the waist JJ pulled her down again, "A pig you love," he laughed kissing her. "Can you two refrain from doing that shit till after the life and death situation has been dealt with?" Pope asked. "Seriously, Pope, you can be such a nag," JJ said letting go of Dakota so she could get out of bed.
"So, I'm thinking John B's going to need supplies. I'll use JJ's bike; go get gas if you guys can get the boat. I'll meet you at the boatyard," Pope said looking at the other three. Glancing at Kie Dakota spoke up, "How are you going to carry cans of gas on a dirtbike? Kie needs to go with you," she said, staring Pope down as he glared at her. Rolling his eyes he huffed, "Fine, let's go," he said walking out the bedroom door. Sighing Dakota looked at Kie, "Can you maybe take care of that issue?" she requested gesturing towards the open bedroom door. "Oh, I'll fix his ass," Kie grumbled stalking out the bedroom door after Pope.
"What the fuck was that about?" JJ asked sitting up on the bed. "You got him high and that's when he thought it would be a good idea to tell her he loves her," Dakota told him, raising her eyebrow at him. Scoffing JJ shook his head, "I did not get him high. I only handed him the weed he inhaled himself," he said indignantly, "And what's the big deal? You told me before; Kie actually does like him so she should be happy." "The big deal is, if the first time you tell a girl you love them is when you're high, you're liable to get throat punched," Dakota told him exasperated, "Come on let's raid the kitchen for food," she said walking out of the bedroom leaving him to follow behind her.
"So what did John B say to you that you actually let him leave on his suicide mission?" JJ asked as he filled a reusable grocery bag with the cans of soup Dakota was handing him from the pantry. Sighing Dakota rolled her eyes, "I never realized how good of a manipulator that boy is," she said, "Before I knew it he had me crying and agreeing to let him go," she told him, passing him a jar of peanut butter. "He made you cry?" JJ questioned. "Not in a bad way," she assured him, "We just had like a friend moment is all," she told him shrugging, "Do you think this is enough?" she asked looking at the two full grocery bags. "It'll get them started," JJ answered, picking them up and following her out to the garage. After loading the bags into her jeep Dakota handed the keys to JJ, "I'm being petty but if I don't drive then I can still say I'm not using my mother's car," she told him shrugging. Snorting JJ took the keys, "I'll be happy to drive your mother's car."
Opening the garage door JJ began to pull out of the garage only to stop when a police cruiser pulled into the bottom of the driveway. "Shit, what do you think they want?" JJ questioned. "Someone's in the back," Dakota said watching as the officer opened the back door of the cruiser, "It's Topper. What the hell did that moron do last night?" she questioned exasperated. "Kota," JJ whispered watching Topper walk up the driveway after the police cruiser backed out of the driveway and left. "I see it," she told him, "Just stay here," she said opening the jeep door and stepping out. Walking around the front of the jeep she waited for her brother.
"Why are you wearing John B's clothes?" Dakota asked Topper when he stopped several feet from her on the driveway. Blinking Topper looked from Dakota to JJ in the driver's seat of her jeep," Where are you going?" he asked, ignoring her question. "To JJ's house. Now tell me why you're wearing John B's clothes. Did you see him? Did he get arrested?" Dakota asked, panicking. Swallowing Topper shook his head, "I helped them," he told her quietly, "They were surrounded at Old Oak Church and I helped them," he repeated. "Them? Topper, who did you help?" Dakota asked. "Sarah and John B," he whispered. Taking a breath Dakota stared at her brother, "You helped them?" When Topper simply nodded Dakota hurried across the driveway to him and threw her arms around him hugging him, "Thank you. Thank you for helping them."
Pulling away from her brother Dakota told him she had to go. Looking up at him when he grabbed her arm, "You can't get involved in this shit, Dakota," he told her, "There's stuff you don't know. Ward and Rafe," he was telling her when she interrupted him. "I know. Ward lied; it was Rafe that shot Peterkin. John B's innocent and I'm going to help my friend," she told him, pulling her arm away and hurrying back to the jeep. "Dakota," her brother yelled following after her, "Dakota, there's shit you don't know," he insisted yanking on her closed door, "Fuck, unlock the door, Kota," Topper yelled. Looking at JJ Dakota told him to just go. "Are you sure?" JJ asked when Topper continued yanking on the door. "I'm helping my friend, Topper," Dakota yelled at her brother, "Yes just go," she told JJ. "You okay?" JJ asked as he drove. Turning her head to look at him she nodded, "Yeah, he helped them and that's what's important. Now we need to help them," she told him.
"You're not coming inside," JJ argued with her as he pulled up outside of his house. "JJ, I'm not letting you go in there by yourself," Dakota told him, reaching for her door. Hitting the lock button on his side he locked her door. Rolling her eyes she turned to look at him, "Really? Like I can't just hit the button over here," she said glaring at him. "But you won't because I'm asking you to stay here," JJ responded. Huffing she shook her head, "JJ, you can't ask me to stay here and have you go in there alone." "And what are you going to do if he comes after us?" JJ asked, "I don't want you anywhere near that asshole." Taking his hand Dakota sighed, "I don't want you anywhere near that asshole. And you have a better chance he won't get violent when someone else is around so I'm going with you," she declared. Taking a deep breath JJ exhaled, "You have to promise me at the first sign of anything you get your ass out of there," he made her promise.
Opening the screen door JJ cautiously walked inside with Dakota directly behind him, "Dad?" When they didn't hear anything JJ walked further into the house heading for the living room. Stopping at the sight of his dad passed out on the couch JJ told Dakota not to come any further before he walked over to the couch, "Dad, I need the keys to the Phantom," he said, stopping in front of the couch. When Luke didn't move JJ reached down and picked up a pill bottle, "Ambien," he told Dakota who moved further into the room to stand beside him. "You think he'll be out long enough for us to find the keys?" she asked. Shrugging JJ looked back down at his sleeping father, "Shit," he muttered, moving his dad's shirt slightly he revealed a set of keys on a necklace around his dad's neck, "Well found them," he said sarcastically. "So just pull it off and let's go," Dakota whispered.
Taking a deep breath JJ let it out slowly. Wrapping the necklace in his fist he was just about to yank it off his dad's neck when Dakota grabbed his arm. Glancing at her he saw her staring past him to his dad. Turning his head he found himself looking into his dad's open bloodshot eyes. Wide eyed JJ slowly let go of the necklace and eased himself back. "I didn't expect to see you," Luke said sitting up. Pulling Dakota behind him JJ stepped back further before answering, "Yeah, I uh was just checking in." Grabbing a warm beer Luke took a long drink, "Schools out already?" he asked blinking up at JJ and Dakota. "What?" JJ asked, confused. "You two ditch?" Luke asked, "It's alright; you can tell me," he told them laughing. "Yeah, we uh hit the break out on Nag's Head," JJ answered as his dad laughed. "Used to ditch with your mother too. I hated school. We'd spend all day out there just me, her, and the ocean," Luke told them with a far off look in his eye.
"Listen," Luke said, lurching to his feet as JJ pushed Dakota back further as he backed further away from his dad, "I gotta tell you," Luke continued advancing on the two till he had his hand on JJ's shoulder, "I know I'm hard on you sometimes. It's just sometimes I see your mother in you and…..and it gets me a little tweaked, you know?" Luke told him. Nodding JJ stayed silent. "You're a good boy," Luke said patting JJ's shoulder, "With a pretty little girlfriend, just like your mama," he said grinning at Dakota, "You two better be careful. I'm too young to be a grandpa," Luke told them laughing. "Dad," JJ scolded while Dakota attempted a smile, "Of course, Sir, no grandkids any time soon," she assured him. "Awe come here," Luke told them, wrapping both his arms around JJ and Dakota, "I love you, son." Sighing JJ told him he loved him too as he felt his dad's body go heavy in his arms, "Sorry," JJ muttered as they put his passed out father back on the couch. "It's okay," Dakota whispered as JJ grabbed the necklace and ripped it off his dad's neck. "Let's go," he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her back outside.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Dakota asked, "I mean you don't really say much about your mom," she said looking over at JJ. Clenching the steering wheel JJ shook his head, "Not really much to say. She got sick, we couldn't afford treatment, now she's dead," he told her simply. "It's been like six years hasn't it?" Dakota asked. "Seven," JJ answered, "Seven years of my dad kicking the shit out of me because my mom died. I don't want to talk about it," he told her agitated as he switched on the radio. "In weather news The National Hurricane Center issued a Special Tropical Weather Outlook this morning, as radar imagery indicates that the area of disturbed weather located just off the South Carolina coast has become significantly better organized over the past few hours. Reports from an offshore buoy are showing that this system is producing tropical-storm-force winds. If these development trends continue, then this system is likely to become Tropical Storm Danielle before it moves inland later today." Shutting off the radio Dakota leaned out the window to look up at the sky, "Another storm. That's all we need," she said looking at JJ. "If we didn't have bad luck we'd have no luck," he told her as he too glanced up at the darkening sky.
Pulling into the boatyard JJ found the warehouse the Phantom was stored in. Backing up to the door, they both then jumped out of the jeep and approached the door. Unlocking it JJ pulled it open to reveal his dad's boat. "There she be. Hey girl," JJ smiled running his hand down the boat, "A 1983 Formula 402 SR1, The Phantom. The first boat to make the run to Bermuda in under 16 hours, Dakota. It's still the fastest thing that Kildaire's ever seen," JJ told her proudly. Biting her lip Dakota looked over the boat, "Babe, I don't want to rain on your parade but it looks kind of like a junker," she said. Scoffing JJ turned to look at her, "Really? She's right there, Kota. She can hear you," he said, wide eyed gesturing to the boat. Suppressing a smile Dakota shrugged, "I just hope she runs." "Oh, she'll run alright," JJ told her, "Help me line up the hitch," he said getting back into the jeep to back it up to the boat trailer.
After lining up the hitch to the trailer JJ came back around and began connecting the two together, "Do you really think it's going to get John B out of here?" Dakota asked, looking at the boat again. "She's faster than any of the cutters the boys in blue got," he told her nodding. Hearing a dirtbike approaching Dakota smiled, "Pope and Kie are here. We may actually pull this off," she said. "Hey there. What's going on?" came the voice of Rafe Cameron as he strode into the warehouse. "Woo-hoo," came another voice from the other side of the jeep as Barry came around the back, "Well well," he said, pulling his gun out and aiming it at JJ, "See, don't think I forgot about me and you on the side of the road. I'm here because I want my motherfuckin money," Barry yelled grabbing JJ around the neck and bringing him to the floor.
"JJ! JJ!" Dakota screamed as Rafe picked her up by the waist and hauled her back from Barry and JJ, "Rafe! You fucker put me down," she screamed. "It's not you we want, Dakota," Rafe told her, dropping her on her feet, "Where's John B?" he asked. "I don't know," she yelled, slapping him across the face, "I know what you did," she continued yelling, "You murdered Peterkin and your vile father framed John B for it." "I really wish you didn't say that," he growled as he grabbed her by the throat, "You know you were supposed to be mine. Topper had Sarah and by rights you were mine. Instead your fucking this Pogue," Rafe yelled breathing heavily. Choking Dakota grabbed at Rafe's hands as he asked her again where John B was. Hearing JJ screaming her name Dakota could see him out of the corner of her eye trying to get to her only to have Barry kick him in the ribs. Crying Dakota struggled to breathe as she slapped at Rafe and then suddenly he was gone and she could breathe again.
"Get the fuck off my sister, you piece of shit!" Topper was yelling as he had Rafe on the ground punching him in the face. "Hey!" Barry yelled, turning from JJ to come help Rafe. Grabbing Barry's foot JJ tripped him causing him to fall and drop the gun. Scrambling across the warehouse floor Dakota grabbed the gun. Holding the gun Dakota aimed it at Barry, "Don't fucking move," she threatened, "Topper, Topper, he's had enough," Dakota yelled at her brother who still had Rafe on the ground hitting him. "Topper, dude. Snap out of it," JJ yelled, pulling Topper off of Rafe, "You got him man," JJ said, looking down at a bloody Rafe. Breathing heavily Topper shrugged out of JJ's hold before crossing the warehouse to Dakota, "Are you okay?" he asked looking at the marks already forming on her throat. "I'm fine," she answered, throwing her arms around him and hugging him. "Where did you come from?" she questioned, stepping back to look at him. "I followed you. Knew you two were in over your heads," he told her, looking at JJ who'd come to stand next to her.
Noticing Barry moving Dakota pushed past JJ and Topper, "Oh, I don't think so," she snarled reaiming the gun at the drug dealer, "I said don't move. Which means don't fucking move," she hissed firing the gun off towards the back of the warehouse to prove a point. "Damn you're so fucking hot right now," JJ muttered. "Christ, shut up," Topper grumbled. "Both of you shush," Dakota told them, "Now, we seem to have a problem," she declared looking at Barry, "You remember what happened on the side of the road; well so do I and you held a gun to a bunch of under age kids. FYI that's assault. On underage kids that could put you away for a stretch. That drug ring you run, well shit, that should put you away for a while too should someone find out about it. But it doesn't have to be that way Barry so let's make a deal," Dakota said, "Our friend needs money. We have 25,000 of your money. We take 10 of that, for our friend, you take the rest back along with that piece of shit," she said pointing to Rafe on the ground, "You heard what he did. Take the reward, we don't want it, and you leave us the fuck alone, and we forget any encounter we've had with you," Dakota proposed.
"You've got some balls, little girl," Barry grumbled. "Ummm…...what's going on guys?" Kie voiced as she and Pope walked into the warehouse with two gas cans. "So do we have a deal?" Dakota asked Barry as JJ told Pope and Kie what was going on. "10,000 and we don't know each other," he agreed, slowly getting to his feet. As JJ and Pope dealt with Barry and his money Dakota stood with her brother, "Why did you follow us?" she questioned. "I was trying to tell you earlier this is more serious than you think. They brought in SBI agents. They're working with Shoupe and if you're caught helping John B the fact that dad knows Shoupe isn't going to help you with them," he told her. "Did you talk to them?" she asked. "No, but I did talk to Shoupe. I told him what John B told me about Rafe. I don't know if he believed me," Topper told her.
"Dakota, we gotta go," JJ called walking up to where she stood with Topper. "Kota, please don't go. I don't know what'll happen if you get caught," Topper begged. "I have to go. He's my friend, who did nothing wrong, and he needs help. Please understand that," she pleaded. Sighing Topper simply nodded. "Thank you," she said, kissing his cheek quickly before climbing into the passenger seat of the jeep. "Hey man, thanks for protecting her when I couldn't," JJ said, looking at Topper. "She's my sister, of course I'm going to protect her," Topper told him, rolling his eyes, "But I know if you could've you would've beat his ass yourself," Topper conceded. Nodding JJ cleared his throat, "I still don't really like you though," he told him. "Yeah, you're still Pogue trash," Topper told him, before holding his hand out. "Kook, asshole," JJ called him before shaking his hand.
By the time they got to the boat ramp they were already an hour past when they were supposed to meet John B. As JJ and Pope worked to get the boat into the water Dakota and Kie looked around, "John B isn't even here yet," Kie remarked, "Do you think he got caught?" she asked, looking at Dakota. Shrugging Dakota chewed the inside of her cheek, "I don't know, but we'll stay here all night in case he shows," she decided, "Did you deal with Pope?" she asked. Smiling Kie nodded, "You could say that. He got into an awful fight with his dad while we were getting the gas," Kie told her quietly, "I made him pull over after we left Heyward's and we had a screaming match on the side of the road. Complete with a makeup kiss," Kie laughed. "He doesn't seem so angry," Dakota commented watching Pope joking around with JJ. Looking over at the boys Kie sighed, "I told you I'd fix his ass," she laughed, "but let's discuss how Topper beat the shit out of his best friend," Kie said looking at Dakota.
Snorting Dakota shrugged, "Caught me by surprise too. One minute I'm thinking I'm going to die; I couldn't breathe with Rafe choking me and then next thing I know my brother's beating the hell out of him." Looking at Dakota's throat Kie asked if it hurt, "You already have marks," she told Dakota, pointing to her throat. Touching her throat Dakota nodded, "It's starting to hurt now. I think the adrenaline is wearing off," she told her. "You were completely badass dealing with Barry," Kie said as the two girls walked over to the dock where the Phantom was floating in the water. "Pretty sure that was adrenaline too," Dakota confided.
"Everything ready?" Kie asked the boys. Climbing out of the boat Pope nodded, "Yeah, gas cans are loaded and so are the groceries. We just need John B," he told her. Smiling Kie asked if he wanted to take a walk. Watching them walk away Dakota smiled as she climbed into the boat with JJ. "I take it they worked out whatever their deal was?" JJ questioned. Nodding Dakota pulled JJ's shirt up to look at the bruising on his ribs, "I didn't get a chance to ask if you were okay?" Running his fingers down her neck he assured her he was fine, "What about you?" he asked. Suddenly tired she wrapped her arms around him hugging him carefully keeping in mind his hurt ribs, "Exhausted," she mumbled into his chest. Shuffling to the captain's chair JJ sat down pulling her into his lap. Hearing thunder rumbling Dakota looked up at the sky with JJ, "That doesn't sound ominous or anything," she mumbled.
"Guys where is he?" Kie questioned an hour later when John B still hadn't shown up. "I'm starting to get worried," Dakota voiced from where she still sat curled up with JJ on the captain's chair. Hearing approaching sirens the four stood quickly with JJ and Dakota on the boat and Pope and Kie on the dock. Seeing the Kildaire county police cruiser coming around the corner JJ swore. Until John B emerged from the driver's seat, "Dude, no effing way," Pope said. "Umm, I'm sorry, what?" Kie questioned. "You've gotta be kidding me," JJ said rolling his eyes. Climbing out of the boat Dakota stood with Pope and Kie on the deck, "Care to explain?" she asked looking at John B.
"Shoupe let me take it for a spin," he told them walking down the dock. "Yeah that's believable," Dakota scoffed. "Alright well we did it. The Phantoms ready. Plenty of gas and food," JJ said climbing up to the bow of the boat as he threw John B the keys. "Wait, wait, where's Sarah?" John B asked looking around. "She's not with you? Topper said he helped you both," Dakota replied. "No, we got seperated in the swamp," John B answered, "She said she'd meet me here." "We haven't seen her," Kie told him. "Okay, well I'm not leaving without her," he declared. "John B, look at me. I know you feel bad for leaving, but there's no time. The whole of Kildaire county is coming for you. You need to go," JJ told him.
"There's a storm coming from the south so you've gotta head north. Once it makes landfall you should be able to skirt around it and then head south. Hit the intercoastal waterway and it'll take you wherever you want to go," Pope told him. "I'm heading to Nassau. That's where Sarah said Ward was taking the gold," John B told them. "That's perfect," Dakota said, rushing to the jeep. Digging through her bag she tore a piece of paper from her sketchpad writing a name on it. Handing it to John B she told him to find the woman on the paper, "My dad's sister is there. Give us a few days to make sure no one follows us and I'll get us there to meet you," she promised him.
Taking the paper John B climbed into the boat, "Thank you guys. And I'm sorry for basically throwing us off a cliff with this whole treasure hunt thing," he told them. Snorting JJ shrugged, "We were bound to run off a cliff at some point. At least we did it together," he said, putting his arm around Dakota. "Tell Sarah goodbye," John B told them, tearing up. "We will now go," Kie promised. "See you in a few days. Love you man," JJ told him as John B started the boat and the four pushed him away from the dock. "He's gonna make it, right?" Dakota asked looking up at the darkening sky. "Of course," JJ answered. Hearing police sirens the four ran down the dock towards Dakota's jeep. Freezing when several cop cars came around the corner the four put their hands up as the police jumped out of their cars pointing their guns at them.