We arrived back at the Chateau after we finished surfing. Pope and Kie sat off by the truck talking and I was leaning on the hot tub while JJ sat on the edge feet dipped in the water. I took the beer sitting beside him and tipped it up smirking at him as he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Really?" he asked pointing to his beer still in my hand. I shrugged taking another swig and putting it back beside him.

"Hey where's John B?" Turning to face Kie and Pope behind us asking loud enough for them to hear.

"Yeah, John B pulling a Houdini," JJ nodded moving so he was sitting with one leg out of the hot tub.

"He went fishing early this morning; he should be back by now." I added pulling my phone out. "I'm gonna call Sarah."

"I have my scholarship interview tomorrow." Pope said. "I have to go home tonight."

As if on cue, John B appeared from the tree line stalking up to the Chateau his eyes on the ground avoiding all of us.

"Speak of the devil, hey!" JJ called. I was standing a few feet away from JJ, pulling the phone from my ear I scowled at John B as he ignored JJ's comment.

"Hey. You good?" I asked reaching my hand out to grab his arm. I barely touched his shirt before he pulled from my grasp and continued into the Chateau. My hand still out where his arm had been, and I turned to look at the others all sharing a concerned look.

"What was that all about?" Pope asked walking up to us with Kie.

"I was gonna ask you the same question," JJ said with a scowl pulling his leg from the hot tub and jumping down. Entering the Chateau we found John B tearing apart the inside searching for something.

"You alright man?" What's… what's up?" Pope asked, the first to step up to him as he search the shelves in the corner of the living room. John B didn't answer just turned away and continued looking for something.

"John B what are you looking for?" Kie asked the worry and concern that was evident on her face clear in her words.

"Bro, what's going on?" JJ asked this time, but still there was no response. John B moved to the pull-out couch and lifted the mattress finally finding what he was searching for. My heart stopped as I saw the metal object heavy in his hand, looking to JJ with wide eyes. "John B what do you need the gun for?" JJ asked stepping forward grabbing his shoulders telling him to talk to us. John B was quick, he moved ripping JJ's hand from him, his own grabbing JJ and throwing him to the side.

"John B!" I called my hand covering my mouth as I watched JJ land on the couch rolling. John B moved, still with out a word towards the door again. Pope stood in his way this time arms out trying to block his exit. It only seemed to make John B more aggressive, and he pushed Pope out of the way hard.

"What are you JJ now?" Pope asked as he fell into the table, its legs squeaking against the floor.

"You, okay?" Kie asked him and he nodded. I looked behind me to JJ who was standing fixing his hat as we all followed John B out of the house. John B was on JJ's motorcycle starting it, revving the engine.

"John B!" I yelled.

"It was Ward! He has the gold!" He spoke and I felt my blood run cold. "He killed my dad!" he looked over his shoulder at us as he spoke, and I heard Kie gasp.

"Shit." I said under my breath and watched as he sped off down the road, Pope and Kie running after him JJ stopping a few steps away.

After their failed attempt at catching John B we determined pretty quickly that his next stop would be the Cameron's house. Piling into the HMS Pogue JJ captained the boat to the dock outside the Cameron's home, tying the boat off next to the Druthers. The sun was well past setting and we were sitting idle in the Pogue staring up at the house all lit up. None of us knew what to do next, we hadn't seen John B yet, but we were sure he would show up.

"It's pretty late guys." Pope stated

"What is it past your bedtime Pope?" Kie scowled almost disgusted at his comments rolling her eyes. "Look, I've never seen John B like that. We should honestly go to the cops."

"The cops? Really and say what Kie?" I asked surprised at her suggestion.

"We're worried about our friend because he's going off on a rampage because Ward Cameron found the Royal Merchant gold and killed Big John? Like, they're not going to believe us." JJ said and I agreed looking back at the house.

"We can't just sit out here, we need to do something." She put her hands on her hips pursing her lips.

"What do you want us to do, just go up to the front door and say, "Hey Ward, heard John B was on a rampage after finding out you killed his dad, have you seen him?" JJ asked and I perked up, an idea coming to mind. Standing I walked to the side of the boat looking up at the house. Kie scoffed at his question as Pope tried to interject his own opinion strongly wanting to leave.

"That's exactly what we do." I said and the group went quiet staring at me.

"Rowyn you can't be serious." Pope stated.

"You agree with him?" Kie asked sounding shocked.

"Yes… well no, not the whole asking Ward about John B and blatantly asking him if he killed Big John. But I do agree with walking up and knocking on the door." I said working my way to step off the boat.

"Whoa, wait, what are you talking about?" JJ said coming up and grabbing my wrist.

"We don't have any other options right now Jay." I said grabbing his hand from my wrist gently linking our fingers. "I know the Cameron's. Look I haven't been able to reach Sarah and we need to know if she has talked to John B, if he is here, and what the hell is going on. Does anyone else have any other ideas?" Looking around both Pope and Kie shrugged, and JJ held my hand tightly letting out a defeated sigh. "Okay well if there is no better idea. Ward told me if I ever needed anything I just needed to reach out, for once my dad losing his shit on me may be beneficial." I pointed to the bruise still healing around my neck. With a final squeeze I stepped off the Pogue and took off the open button down I had on revealing my tank top and the dark bruising still evident on my shoulder and down my back.

"Hey wait." JJ called and I turned to find him walking up to me. Shirt in hand I turned, and he cupped my face placing his lips on mine. Putting his forehead to mine I placed my hands on his chest feeling his heart beating quickly under his shirt. "Please, just be careful." He sighed reluctantly stepping away from me taking the shirt in my hand. Watching him step back into the boat, I took a deep breath and gave him a reassuring smile before I walked down the dock to the front door.

As I walked up to the door, I pulled on the memory of my dad shoving me down the stairs, his hands around my neck. I pulled on the memory of all the words he had shouted at me. Tears stung at my eyes as I pulled my hair from the bun it was in and knocked loudly on the door. Nervously I looked over my shoulder waiting for the door to open. After a few seconds, I knocked again, louder. Mid knock, the door swung open and Rose answered the door, her eyes wild with worry.

"Rowyn?" she asked surprised. "Honey now isn't a good… oh my god, what happened to you?" As her eyes adjusted to me, she took in my appearance and stepped out moving my hair from my shoulder her fingers brushing the bruising around my neck.

"Rose who was at the door?" a voice boomed. I jumped at the loud outburst and Rose's arms came around my shoulders comforting pulling me towards the door. Ward stepped into view as we entered the doorway and I recoiled slightly only to have Rose's grip tighten slightly. "Ms. Daniels." He sounded surprised but his eyes darkened as they glanced over me in Rose's arms.

"I… I didn't know where else to go?" I stuttered the tears I had pulled on seconds before escaping down my cheeks. Rose shut the door behind us and I stood rooted to the floor as Ward stepped forward. I noticed the bandage on his arm, but paid little concern to it has his hand came to the sides of my face.

"Who did this?" he asked his voice hard, eyes cold. "Those boys on the cut did they…"

"No." I shook my head quickly interrupting his sentence and accusation. "My… He was so mad, I don't even know what I did. I picked him up from club, he was drunk and I thought… he was so mad Mr. Cameron." I cried, and was surprised at how much it hurt to remember and talk about. My chest ached as new tears streamed from my eyes. "I've never seen my dad so mad."

"Your father?" Rose gasped and Ward removed his hands from my face running on over his face before placing them on his hips.

"When?"

"A few days ago, I've been sleeping in my car." I lied looking down at my hands. "I can't go home… I don't know where else to go."

"Okay." Ward nodded, looking up at the ceiling and I risked a glance up at him feeling Rose squeeze slightly on my arm to reassure me. "Come on, let's get you in and calmed down. We will figure out what to do later." Relief washed over me as I was ushered into the kitchen and a glass of water was placed in front of me. After whispering something to Rose she nodded leaving and Ward leaned on the counter watching me.

"Rowyn I know you are going through a lot right now but I need to ask you something." He said carefully watching my reaction. Taking a deep breath, I nodded and put the glass of water back down looking put at him. "Have you heard from John B today, I know you hang out with him sometimes."

"John B sir?" I scowled staring at him for a second before shaking my head. "No, I know he was staying here but I haven't talked to anyone in the last few days." He searched my eyes for any sign of a lie, and I prayed he wouldn't find any. Being this close to a supposed killer was making me nervous, my anxiety since entering the house continuing to rise. "Sir what's going on, is he in trouble?"

"He… he attacked me this morning when I took him fishing." He said his words catching in his throat as he walked around to stand next to me. "I am worried he is becoming unstable with the stress of losing his father and DCS. You need to be careful, he isn't safe to be around right now." As I nodded Rose came down quickly her eyes wide.

"She isn't upstairs Ward." She said and I scowled looking between the two adults.

"We need to find her." He said his voice hard as he started to walk away. I quickly stood up and tried to follow.

"Who? Mr. Cameron what's going on." I asked and he turned quickly. I stepped back startled nearly falling over as I recoiled.

"Stay here Rowyn, I don't want you getting hurt." He ordered and then walked out of the kitchen behind Rose. Watching them leave I waited to hear the front door shut before turning to start searching the house. As I passed by the dining room, I saw two figures in the back yard one seemed to be holding the other. Stepping closer I saw the unmistakable blonde hair of Sarah and the person holding her could only be John B. Looking over my shoulder I made sure there was no one around before sliding out the back and running towards the two.

"I don't believe you," Sarah said her voice breaking as she tried to pull from his grip.

"John B." I called and they both turned startled as I ran towards them. Grabbing his shoulder, I pulled him back a bit stepping between him and Sarah. "Dude you need to go before this get out of hand." He was shaking slightly sweat gleaming on his forehead.

"Hey look at me." I said my voice hard as I grabbed his face forcing him to look at me, his clouded eyes finally focusing on me. "You need to go, grab JJ's bike and go back to the Chateau to regroup." His eyes looked from me to Sarah behind me his emotional struggle evident on the pained look he had on his face. "You won't be able to do anything if they catch you right now. Go John B." Turning his body, I pushed him towards the tree line where I knew the bike was hidden. He took a few steps backwards still looking at Sarah, his eyes begging her to be with him. Finally, the common sense kicked in as he heard someone yelling for Sarah in the distance. He turned running towards the trees before finally disappearing.

"How could he… how could he say my dad was a… how could he." Sarah said through heavy breathing and tears. Turning I held her while she calmed down. Looking over my shoulder at the marsh I could still make out the Pogue sitting idle waiting.

"Sarah hey it's okay." I hushed pulling back a bit leaving my hands on her shoulders.

"Okay? John B is accusing my father of killing his. How is that okay Roe?" she all but yelled at me and I could see the hurt and confusion in her eyes.

"Okay I get it its a lot to take in…"

"A lot to take in… You don't actually believe him do you?" she interrupted pulling from me, her hand running widely through her hair.

"Honestly…"

"Rowyn!" she exclaimed now she was getting angry.

"Sarah!" I stated back shocking her at my outburst. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes before continuing, "I don't know what happened, I only know what I was told, but…" she was about to interrupt me but I put my finger out to stop her, "but I do know John B, better than you would think and here is what I know…" I paused stepping closer to her making sure I could meet her eyes.

"… He has nothing to gain from telling you or coming here tonight and he has everything to lose. He lost his dad and yes that is still a mystery, he has felt that pain and putting you through that would be the last thing he would want to do. He has a desire to protect you, even if it means losing you."

"I don't understand…"

"What does he gain by coming here tonight and accusing your dad?" I asked and she shook her head unable to come up with a response. "You… you are everything to him. After losing his dad, you were the person that brought him back from the edge, I know I watched it happen, I watched him crumble at the loss of his father, I watched you slowly bring him back. He risked all of that tonight to come here and tell you what he found out. He wouldn't risk all of that over a lie." I shook my head. I could see her wheels turning and she bit her lip as she looked to the place he had recently disappeared from.

"I know it's a lot, but I need you to really think right now Sarah." I said and she looked back at me tears in her eyes. "Would John B do this, say what he did to hurt you, is that who he is? The man you love?"

"Sarah!" Ward yelled again and I could see him now coming around the corner of the house Rose close behind. I stepped back as they ran up to us. "There you are! What are you doing out here?" he asked taking her shoulders and looking down at her. She had composed herself from the time he yelled her name.

"Nothing I was just talking to Rowyn." She said and I smiled innocently.

"Rowyn." Ward nodded taking a big breath of relief as he looked around wildly for any intruders. I was thankful for the Druthers and the darkness on the marsh keeping the small HMS Pogue from view of quickly glances. "Alright, let's get inside." He reached out for me to follow and slowly I stepped forward my mind racing for a way out. "Your dad should be soon." He added and I froze in place.

"What?" I asked my heart pounding.

"I called your father, he said he would like to talk about what happened. He has been worried about you." Ward said with sympathetic smile on his face. I looked from him to Sarah, and I knew my panic was obvious now.

"Dad, why did you do that?" Sarah asked knowing the fear that was running through me.

"He is her father Sarah and this doesn't involve you." He stated hard.

"I… I don't want to talk to him." I stepped back my voice audibly cracking.

"What he did was not okay." Ward shook his head stepping towards me, "But he must have had his reasons, he only ever wants what's best for his family." I felt like I couldn't get enough air into my lungs. Lights from the drive way could be seen and I could hear the engine of a vehicle as it pulled in. I looked back at Sarah my eyes pleading with her to help me. "We can all talk together if it helps, I will go get him and we can talk over some drinks." Ward and Rose went around the side of the large home and I could hear a door to a car close loudly.

"Roe Go!" Sarah stated pushing me towards the marsh. I still couldn't move as my brain tried to process seeing my father again. "Hey!" she exclaimed and I looked at her again and she pointed to the marsh. "Meet me at the surf shop tomorrow. Go!" with a final shove from her I nodded and started to run towards the dock.

JJ POV

Watching Rowyn walk away into a supposed murders home was hard. The same fear gripped me as it had when she walked away from The Wreck with her dad. I sat in a puddle of anxiety at the Bow of the boat, my eyes never leaving the house. The tension between Pope and Kie was intense, but I couldn't focus on that now.

After waiting what felt like forever Pope finally saw them through his binoculars.

"Let me see man." I said standing up and grabbing them and putting them to my eyes. I watched as John B stood with Sarah in his grasp. She looked distraught and upset. On cue, Rowyn ran out from the house, and a small bit of relief eased from inside me as I watched her grab John B. She was pointing to the trees. Finally, John B made a quick exit and I dropped the binoculars handing them to Pope again watching the figures in the distance.

"Hey, I see Ward." Pope stated watching Ward walk around the house towards Rowyn and Sarah.

"Doesn't look dead to me, can we go now?" Pope asked and we turned to him in shock.

"What?" Kie asked

"We are not leaving Rowyn here." I stated firmly.

"She's fine, Sarah's fine, Ward's fine." He stated, "I don't want to leave her here, but she is safe with Sarah, Sarah won't let anything happen to her. John B was here, but he isn't now." He shrugged, "plus I have the biggest most important moment of my life in like six hours."

"Our friends are in trouble." Kie stated and I could hear the annoyed tone in her voice.

"I'm in trouble." Pope said firmly pointing to himself. "Guy's I haven't been home in like three days. My dad probably put all my shit on the street by now."

"So that's it?" Kie asked. "In a time of need, you're just gonna bail? Just gonna walk away?"

"Guys can we not do this right now?" I asked taking my eyes from the girls for a second to look at Pope and Kie both standing facing each other.

"I have a scholarship interview in the morning, I can't…"

"Okay what about John B?" Kie asked and I pulled my hat off leaning on the front of the steering column of the boat bowing my head.

"Why is it always about John B?" Pope huffed rolling his eyes and I cringed at his forward question.

"It's not always about John B." Kie defended pursing her lips. "You're so stupid, it would be any of you guys in this situation."

"Oh Bullshit!" Pope stated throwing his hands in the air.

"Guys…" I tried again but they just continued arguing over me. I turned to look back as Rowyn and Sarah were starting to make their way towards the house.

"This is about friendship!" Kie exclaimed.

"Hey bring it down." I hissed.

"This is about Pogue's for life." Kie said her voice strained. Pope scoffed at her comment as he brought up his goals and his career I looked back towards the house and saw Rowyn frozen a few feet from Ward as he spoke. Something wasn't right.

"Guys come on." I said watching Rowyn take a step back just as Kie and Pope started yelling louder at each other. "Pope man, come on."

"No. She has no room to talk. Where were you when Big John went missing huh? You weren't there, you weren't there for John B, and you weren't there for any of us." He said stepping up into Kie face. "Remember your kook year?"

"Dude," I said. I turned away from the house at Popes words surprised they came from him. When I turned back, Rowyn was running down the dock towards us. I moved to start the engine just as Kie pushed Pope.

"Give me a break." She stated rolling her eyes disgusted. Rowyn got in the Pogue just as they started pushing each other and instantly got in the middle of them as I pushed them both apart.

"What the hell?" Rowyn stated out of breath.

"Come on cut it out!" I stated grabbing Pope and pushing him towards the front of the boat. "If I'm the one mediating, we've hit rock bottom. Bow now!" he pointed to Pope to go take a seat.

"We have to go Jay, he called my dad." Rowyn said still looking between a tearful Kie and angry Pope. Within a second, I pulled the Pogue away from the Druthers and back out into the marsh. After dropping Pope off at Heywards we made our way back to the Chateau. Kie wasted no time stepping off the boat before I had killed the engine and stomped up to the house the door to the Chateau slamming behind her. "What the hell happened?" Rowyn asked.

"Pope finally snapped." I shrugged following her up the dock hands in my pockets.

"I kinda get it you know." She sighed as we both got comfortable on the hammock. She was with her back on my chest, her head on my shoulder. I placed a soft gently kiss to her forehead as she continued, "He is under so much pressure from his dad and everyone who knows him. He's just trying to make everyone happy, do something with his life."

Hope you all are doing awesome!

There is brief mention of physical abuse in this chapter. Is light but it's there so please keep this in mind if it is a trigger or anything.

Errors happen and I will accept all that are in this.

I plan to keep this going with an adjusted season 2 version.

I also am working on a new Outer Banks fiction that just won't leave me alone so hopefully i will be posting that one shortly as well.

"And then Kie…" she breathed out taking my hand in her looking at our fingers as the tangled together. "She is trying to make up for the 'gap year' she took from us. She feels guilty and knows how much it hurt us and wants to prove she is fully invested in the Pogues." I nodded against her, and we sat quietly. The quiet of the night was interrupted as my motorcycle came revving down the dirt road. Rowyn lifted her head and watched as John B walked head down shoulders slumped, defeated down to the dark of the night.

Looking up at me I shook my head and just held her as we watched him. We both knew he need his time to process but seeing him mourning alone, it hurt. Eventually we both moved slowly walking down the dock. A flicker of light was dancing across his face as he lit a small candle. There was a small paper boat in his hand, and he placed the candle in it, slowly lowering it to the water.

A quiet sob filled the space as he watched the boat float away from him and he pulled his knees to his chest. Rowyn dropped to her knees beside him an arm going around his shoulder. She laid her head on his shoulder and I went to the other side of him standing close enough to him, so he knew he wasn't alone. Watching my best friend finally morn for his father was not what I expected. I was there when Big John didn't come back, when the police officially listed him as missing. Finally accepting he wasn't going to return… we truly only had each other.

We remained there well into the morning letting the reality of the situation finally sink in.