Apologies for the late update. Some action and truths admitted in this one!

Chapter 23

Sunshine reflected off their shades as they strolled down the pier past the hustle and bustle of summer crowds. The seagulls circled overhead looking for their next victim against the powder blue backdrop of a cloudless sky. It was blisteringly hot. Gordon wore a light short sleeved shirt and shorts whilst Tin-tin wore a neat little green shirt dress with a high collar and wrap waist. The heat would have been stifling if not for the cool sea breeze.

They walked companionably taking in the sights as they threaded through the throng of people to the funfair. Gordon was eyeing up the roller-coaster.

"No! Walk away. You are nowhere near recovered enough."

"I know, it's just I can't even remember the last time I went on one. I used to love them as a kid.". They pushed on with Gordon dragging his heels with one more wistful look over his shoulder. When he glanced back, he saw Tin-Tin looking at the Ferris wheel its bright yellow and red cabs swaying gently in the breeze. "Fancy a go?"

"Yes, I think this is a safer option for you and I bet the view is wonderful."

"Alright." They walked up to the vendor where there was a short tussle over who was going to pay. Gordon managed to swipe his card first. He winked before holding out an arm to indicate Tin-Tin should climb aboard first. After a short wait they were slowly moved up the first rung as the cabs behind them started to fill. Tin-Tin clung to the edge in anticipation while Gordon leaned back resting an arm on the bar above the seat.

"You know, it's been tough recovering initially but I'm glad we got to spend this time together, it's been great."

She smiled pushing her fringe out of her eyes. "It has been nice to get away." Tin-Tin looked out getting a peek of the horizon as they were gently lifted up.

"I wanted to make sure you at least got to do some activities while you were here, I know it doesn't make up for my behaviour but I want you to know I am truly sorry."

"What do you mean?" Tin-Tin eyes broke away from the view as she focused on Gordon opposite her.

"Well, my stupid antics ruined your weekend. I know dad would have called you back to the island as soon as he worked out I was missing." Gordon wrung his hands in his lap.

"No, he didn't; We arrived home whilst Scott and Virgil were out getting you, we had no idea what had occurred but I was so worried when your father told us, you were missing and no one had told us why."

"Really? But you were so upset when you arrived, I felt sure it was because I'd ruined both your weekends by being a self-centred Jackass." He glanced up surprised.

"Not at all! You did nothing that jeopardise our weekend so please don't blame yourself." Tin-Tin's eyes burned behind her sunglasses, the skyline becoming hazy as her eyes brimmed. She was going to have to do better than this, she would have to face him again soon.

"Oh well; if you're sure."

"I'm sure, if anything being here with you was just what I needed." The cab drew to a halt at the top of the wheel. Los Angles panned out all around them, she traced the golden coastline for miles on one side before taking in the mountains on the other. The people below looked like uncoordinated ants as they grouped together. Tin-Tin stood up, her back to Gordon while she composed herself. He wondered what she was hiding. He'd just assumed it was him, what else had happened?

He went to stand beside her, hands gripping the rail. "Stunning, isn't it? The way the sun refracts off the ocean. If you look over there it looks like crushed sapphires dusting the ocean, I could watch the play in colours for a lifetime and still be amazed by the view."

She nodded not trusting herself to speak. The car began its descent. Gordon sighed. "Forgive me if I'm intruding; but I know something has been cutting you up inside and I know you said you didn't want to talk about it, but when you do; I'm here for you alright?" He gently squeezed her hand before taking a seat.

They finished the rest of the ride in silence with Gordon berating himself for bringing it up. It hadn't sat well with him knowing she was going home and he hadn't apologised. Now he'd made things worse for her by dredging up some sort of painful memories. He didn't want her to go home like this. When they reached the bottom, he hopped out to hold the door before they thanked the guy in the cab.

Up ahead was a large market stall with air gun targets. All above and down the sides of the stall were an assortment of brightly coloured stuffed animals in various shapes and sizes. Gordon broke out into a smile before dragging a flummoxed Tin-Tin along by the wrist. He drew to a halt in front of the stall holder. "One ticket please."

"Sure, that will be five dollars sir. The targets will start up in a moment you need to hit 25 to win a prize, 75 to win big."

"Understood." Gordon picked up the rifle, comfortably shouldering it as he lined up his sights down the barrel in the absence of a scope. His finger feathered the trigger as he waited calmly. A bell sounded signalling the start of the round. The first target swung up to the left, moving swiftly backwards. It flicked down as he hit it, the scoreboard instantly flaring to life. Another one whipped up at the back in the shape of a clown with his arms bent and palms exposed. It cracked down before it had even had a chance to fully rise. Gordon leveled the gun straight to his right as another popped up at the front, this one a clown on a unicycle. By now the stallholder was watching slack jawed from under his cap, he stopped leaning on the edge of the post and paid attention. This guy was something else!

It ended in just over a minute, Gordon placed the rifle back on the table and flexed his shoulder. He grinned at his score of 105. New high record flashed in red with fireworks dancing across the screen. The merchant still looked dumbstruck in his rolled-up flannel shirt. He took off his cap. "Wow. Erm top prize which is any of the super large stuffed toys along the top there (He pointed above their heads) Which one would you like?"

Gordon invited Tin-Tin over and beamed "Lady's choice."

She held her hand over her eyes shielding them as she surveyed the toys whilst walking the line. When she came back, she pointed. "I'd like the white rabbit please."

The young lad used a pole to hook down the rabbit before passing it to Tin-Tin. They said their thank you's and left as Tin-Tin held onto the rabbit tight around the waist. It was half the size of her. She smiled at Gordon between the floppy ears. "Thank you."

"You're welcome - that was fun!"

"I feel like you may have cheated the poor man."

"I'm sure he's conned hundreds of people today; those targets weren't easy." Tin-Tin cocked her head at him with a look of disdain. Anyone who knew Gordon knew he was one of the best sharp shooters around. His brothers had yet to beat him on the range at home.

"Well thank you anyway I love my little….erm. Giant bunny." She smiled her melancholy mood lifting again.

They decided it was time to get back as Tin-Tin would need to be up early to leave. They were halfway up the pier having just brought some candy floss when Gordon heard shouting and yelling from behind. A blonde woman with a child on her hip and a tall man with a buggy came thundering past; their feet thudding on the decking, sending vibrations up their feet. The crowds parted just in time for Tin-Tin and Gordon to see a young Blonde-haired boy push himself through some tape where the smaller protective rail had come away. As he pushed under, he overbalanced before toppling backwards straight off the pier with a small yelp.

The parents just reached the rail as he fell, his mother let out a blood curling scream. The Father looked ready to jump in after him as their other young child burst into tears. Her pretty little blue dress flared over her mother's bare arm, her cheeks flushed as wailed harder.

Tin-Tin ran; kicking off her shoes as she flew across the worn boards, she dropped the rabbit and her bag as she ran. "Tin-Tin!" Gordon yelled.

She leaned over the barrier and could see the child struggling below. Doing a quick assessment of the nearby hazards, she hauled herself up on the rail before diving in the perfect ark straight off the pier. Gordon dropped their belongings and took off his own shoes. He arrived just in time to hear the splash as Tin-Tin landed. She smoothly rose to the surface treading water and looking around desperately. The child had gone under. She dived again. Gordon searched his surroundings before quickly sighting the life ring. He rushed over to the box and released the door before grabbing it up in his arms with the rope. He ran back and peered in the water again. Someone had the young couple's child whilst both of them craned over the balcony. "James! Jaaaammmess!" She keened before breaking down in her partners arms. He embraced her tightly, his own fear exuding from him.

"Has she come up again?" Gordon asked his voice tense. His eyes roved anxiously scouting for any sign of her but all he could see was the waves crashing against the pier. Where was she? His stomach flipped.

"She came up once but we haven't seen her since. The boat is on the way from the harbour." One of the spectators replied. Gordon nodded grimily. The father of the boy suddenly started towards the barrier before Gordon body blocked him "Move out of the way I'm going in! She needs help."

"Sorry I can't let you do that sir. If you go down there you could die; my friend used to be a lifeguard. She's trained, You're not." He placed a firm hand on the taller man's chest, palm spread as he dug his heels in. "Don't leave your daughter without a parent. I know what that's like and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy." The guy remained, his whole stance rigid for a moment as his wife clawed at his arm. Eventually he swallowed and nodded defeated before retreating back onto the pier.

One disaster adverted he whirled round to check the waves below again. If she didn't surface shortly, he was jumping in there, to hell with his injuries! He kept scanning where he had last seen them, by now a crowd had gathered but he could hear the police fighting their way through the throng, urging people back. "Come on Tin, come on!" He muttered under his breath.

Then he saw it. At first, he thought it was a figment of his imagination then he saw the rippling on the water. She broke through the surface gasping for air with her hair plastered against her face with a lifeless little boy in her arms, he couldn't have been much older than five. "Tin!" Gordon shouted. She looked up just as he threw the life preserver. It landed perfectly a few yards from her so as not to injure her or the boy. She made a swim for it on her back, one arm wrapped around the lad to keep his head above the water. She reached out panting as her fingers scraped at the ring. She strained again before finally being able to grasp the little white rope before then being able to put her arm over the ring. She propped the small boy across the ring, panting with the effort.

Gordon squinted towards the harbour, where was that damn boat! The kid was unresponsive. The mother was inconsolable. Gordon felt so helpless. "Its alright, she's got him that's the main thing, the boat will be here soon and they will help him."

He shouted over the edge. "Hold on Tin, the lifeboat's coming!"

"Okay!" She continued to tread water whilst trying to rouse the young boy from unconsciousness. His arms hung limply in the water, she desperately tried to maintain his airway but it was near impossible with the waves crashing against and over them. She couldn't find a pulse, his lips were blue.

Just then a small raft jetted through the water leaving white surf in its wake. A crew of six at its helm. They cut the engines as they neared. "Hey!" Gordon called to get their attention indicating he had the rope. The boat came near until one of the crew signaled for him to throw it down. He launched it down, landing in the boat in a small pile. One of the crew members deftly started to reel it in until they had Tin-Tin in arms reach. They hauled the boy out in the brown shorts and the marvel shirt first, instantly starting cas care. They began compression's just as Tin-Tin was lifted out. the mother screamed and collapsed to the floor, her partner sinking with her in shock.

"Come on, lets get you to the harbour office, if they air lift him out of here one of you might be able to go with him."

The guy nodded. Gordon quickly gathered his belongings whilst someone else collapsed the buggy and handed their daughter back. The Police had arrived in a patrol car and once they told them who they were, the female officer told them to hop in. She radioed to her colleagues to finish up with the crowd control before she hit the lights and maneuvered around the crowd.

The car had barely pulled to a stop before the mother was leaping out of the back seat with her daughter cradled in her arms. The female officer detained her. "Easy. I know it's hard but I need you to follow my lead, okay?" She nodded.

Together they walked up to the harbour office where the officer enquired for the latest update. Both parents were frantically discussing between them who should go with their son as Gordon strained to hear the report. His hearing (although much better) was still not back to normal causing him to frown in frustration. Overhead Gordon heard the thrum of a chopper. He shielded his eyes to see a air ambulance. He knew the kids chances of survival were slim.

A few minutes later they were ushered through by the harbour staff at the end of pier. The boy was just being transferred onto a gurney as paramedics and the life guard crew continued to work on him. One of them jogged over. "You the boy's legal guardians?"

"Yes" The mother replied breathlessly.

"We need you to get yourselves to the hospital now."

"But….I was going to go with him!"

The chopper was already taking off.

"Every second counts they had to go. They are going to Centinela medical centre."

The female officer stepped forwards. "Come on. I'll take you."

The parents were cajoled into the car. "You alright sir?" She called as she shut the door.

"Yeah, fine my friend helped rescue the boy. I'm waiting for her." The officer approached him, key fob in hand.

"We will need to take witness statements from both of you, if I radio my team to get down here can you wait?"

"Sure."

Intuitively sensing she could trust him at his word she gave a curt nod before holding onto her radio to call in the report. "Yep, they'll be waiting here…...what's your E.T.A?...Five minutes? Great."

Not wasting a moment more she nodded in farewell to Gordon before heading off. The SUV swung wide before disappearing up to the gates. Gordon turned in time to see Tin-Tin accepting a helping hand from a crew member, wrapped in an orange blanket. Gordon was overcome with relief and concern all the same time. "Want to go and meet your friend? She was incredibly brave to do what she did but it was a dangerous thing to do to endanger herself like that." The man pulled off his helmet ruffling his chestnut locks that matched his moustache.

Gordon puffed up. "She's aware of the danger, she's trained in open water rescue."

The man held his hands up in a placating gesture. "Woah buddy! Sorry but we have to advise everyone of the dangers, I wasn't aware she had experience."

Gordon shook himself out internally. "Sorry. Lot of adrenaline, stressful day."

"I understand. Here she comes now."

Tin-Tin walked up on shaky legs, supported by a team member in an orange jump suit. She reached out for Gordon who immediately swept her up in his arms, tucking her head under his chin. He nodded his thanks to the team before they left to give them some privacy. Gordon steered her to the bench near their stuff, wrapping the blanket tighter around her. He crouched before her.

"Hey"

"Hey" Her voice wavered.

"The police just need to come over and go through the formalities are you up to that because if not I'll get them to visit us."

"No, no its fine. Let's do it now then we can go back."

"Alright but if it's too much just say. That was a tough rescue."

"I just need to know if he made it." She gripped the blanket tightly.

He held her hand in both of his. "We'll try and find out."

It was a very subdued affair home. Tin-Tin had sat sopping wet in the taxi, the rabbit sat forlornly next to her. Gordon hadn't let go of her since he'd got her back, all he could think about was what if he had lost her. It filled him with such an intense pain he almost couldn't breathe. Touch reassured him that she was still here. His heart went out to the parents too, he could only pray the kid pulled though.

Back in the flat he let Tin-Tin headed straight in to the bedroom to change, she was dazed and freezing. Sometime later she emerged in fluffy pj's. It was rare to see her without makeup. Gordon could see a few freckles across the bridge of her nose as he handed her a hot brew. She settled into the nook of the sofa with her legs tucked underneath her. He sat next to her flicking on the TV for some background noise and waited. He longed to reach out to comfort her but refrained. Instead he shoved his hands under his knees.

"He was so cold by the time I got to him he was already gone. I was too late." A tear streaked down her cheek.

He held up an arm. After a few moments she tucked underneath. "We don't know yet, you were so quick off your feet, you'd have given him the best chance Tin-Tin. I'm so proud of you. I'm just sorry I couldn't help, I should have just jumped in anyway."

"No, that life saver - If you hadn't thrown that I would have gone under. I was so exhausted, I'd pushed myself to the limit."

"The police said they would try and give us an update if the family permitted it, but until then let's try to remain optimistic."

She fidgeted in his arms. "I almost had him the first time but I had to come up for air, I should have held on."

"You did the right thing, you dying wouldn't have saved him." Gordon added softly as he shifted closer.

"I know."

Another long silence stretched between them as the nature documentary played on. Gordon was struggling to concentrate. He hated that she was so upset, he wanted to comfort her with more than words but that wasn't his place. He glanced down at her dark hair tumbling over his bicep, the ends silky smooth as they brushed against his skin. It was rare for her not to have her hair styled but he thought her natural straight hair was beautiful. Her warmth radiated up his side from where she was resting.

"I don't want to go home."

Gordon gave her a gentle squeeze. "At least you won't have to cook for yourself if you want a decent meal."

He felt her chuckle against him, her small sniff at the end tugged at his heart.

"Alan and I had a falling out."

So this was why she had been so upset! "Oh?"

"We were having a lovely evening. I just wanted some quality time together - you know a nice meal, then we would maybe go for a moonlit stroll around the grounds before retiring for the night. In reality we bumped into Alan's friends again where I had to endure dinner with them all, then he wouldn't leave them. It was getting late so I said I'd meet him upstairs. I waited for so long I drifted off. When I awoke, I was worried so I went to look for him and that's when" – her breath hitched. "That's when I caught him kissing some young girl in his lap. With all his friends laughing and joking surrounded by women."

Gordon could feel the heat rising to his face as his blood boiled. How dare Alan treat her like that! Did he really not see how lucky he was? She sounded so crushed it broke his heart.

He raised her up to look at him. "Tin-Tin I'm so sorry, you deserve so much better."

"He said it didn't mean anything, the girl came on to him."

"He's a big boy Tin-Tin, big enough to push a girl off his lap. I can't believe him! What a dick!" He added outraged.

She snorted through the tears as he leant across the coffee table to hand her a tissue.

"He is a bit." She sniffed.

"I hope you told him where to go!"

"I did. I was so angry Gordon; I've never been that angry with anyone before. Its all such a mess! I don't know how I feel. I don't want anyone to know, it's so embarrassing!"

She sat across from him with her hands in her crossed legs, her gaze cast downwards. He took her hand.

"Don't you dare feel ashamed for his stupid behaviour. The others will understand if you told them. I don't blame you if you want nothing to do with him ever again but I know you love him." Gordon stumbled over the last words. She did love Alan. "Maybe now you've had time to process it, talk to him and explain how you feel and see what he says. Maybe it will help you come to a decision."

"Hmm maybe. I guess I have to face it at some point. You won't tell anyone will you? I'm still not ready yet."

"I won't but I would like to give Alan a piece of my mind!" She looked horrified. "But I won't or at least, not until you're ready." He added to reassure her.

She yawned, it was getting late she ought to try and get some sleep. "I have to be up in just over four hours, I better try to get some sleep."

"I'll come with you to meet Scott."

She nodded. "That would be nice, well goodnight Gordon thank you. I feel a bit better now."

"Good. If you need me just come and wake me." She nodded again before scooping up the rabbit and retiring to her room.

Gordon fell back onto the couch. His hand had a burning desire to call his little brothers' personal line but he refrained, some conversations were best in person. Just wait until he got back on the island. His hands clenched as anger still coursed through him. His brother had some explaining to do.