Simone bit her lip, her eyes fixed on Jake, worry tainting her predominantly stoic gaze. The boy didn't seem to notice; he was too busy trembling in front of her. After a moment of thought, the matriarch took a solitary step forward. The scouts acted as if on instinct, and they took a step backward all at once. Jake was released but realized too late that his chances for escape for slim. He looked up at the woman who these others called leader.

"But…but..!" the boy stammered.

"Silence." It was Simone's only spoken word, firm and mechanical. She raised one brow and studied Jake thoughtfully. A look of shock crossed the youngster's face, which grew to terror as Simone reached out and gently grasped his shoulder. It wasn't hard, though just enough to tell the boy who was in charge of the situation. And, reluctantly, he restrained the instinct to fight.

Simone, confident that the boy was successfully restrained, raised her eyes to Gordon and the other scouts. A gracious nod of her head was directed to them, followed by a firm "Dismissed." Gordon returned the nod; perhaps he was the bravest of the group, or maybe it was just out of respect.

And, just like that, the scouts vanished into the wall of cypress trees.

"Come with me, Jacobson," Simone murmured, gently nudging the boy along, and toward the cabin where Lena, Fiona, and the others had watched.

The boy dared a glance up at Simone as they walked. So this was their leader? She wasn't as savage as he thought she would have acted toward and intruder, that was for sure. Or was there a worse fate coming to him?

Lena approached, and deciding that there was no initial danger, placed Fiona on her feet. However, just to be safe, she kept herself between Jake and the girl. Her eyes traveled from the cowering boy to her superior.

"What next..?" Lena's quavering voice murmured. The voice was barely audible, but it was enough for Simone to pick up the sounds of her younger charge.

"We take him to Wolf," came the slow response, keeping a more gentle hand on Jake's shoulder. Another thoughtful glance moved to the boy, who was merely shuffling at Simone's feet and not daring to move from the spot.

Wolf sat on a boulder near the bunkhouse from which he had emerged earlier. He was still sore for the most part, and the gashes in his chest still stinging. He knew that Simone would have his neck for being out of bed. He smiled as he spotted the familiar forms of Lena and Fiona coming down the path. But the smile faded as Simone came into view, gently leading a stranger. Wolf's eyes instinctively narrowed, and seemingly not noticing the other three as they all drew close enough.

Jake couldn't meet Wolf's eyes. Though he winced as he heard the man growl, "He reeks of pirate." Not knowing what to do, he just stood there, trying to make himself look small. What other alternative did he have?

"The scouts brought him to me shortly before," Simone reported. "MacWright's group must have taken off without him."

"A spy?" Wolf stared angrily at the boy, who shrank away, nearly bumping into his escort behind him. Although Simone still had his shoulder, and she could feel him shaking beneath her palm.

"Maybe he's a spy," Simone started, "and maybe he is not." She arched her brow again, waiting to receive Wolf's reply.

"Just what do you mean?" Wolf's voice had taken an uncharacteristic demand in his tone. He stood and waited.

"The boat has reportedly left the bayou," Simone replied softly. "The scouts saw no sign of a camp anywhere; they've even contacted a few neighboring isles. No camps anywhere in the swamp."

Wolf's mind was frantic. This was his family after all. A worried glance is cast to Lena and Fiona, were merely stand by and watch. "They may still be missing one. There may even be other pirates running amok!"

"Doubtful," Simone responded, still firm and soft in her tone. She regarded Wolf blankly before adding, "Scouts reported seeing all members of MacWright's crew boarding the ship, of course, save for Jake. Although I suggest we harbor him here and wait."

"What did I tell you," Wolf said lowly, looking Simone in the face. He was probably being stupid to do this, though at the moment his mind was racing with the thoughts of pirate raids, all because of a live-in informant. "If I find anyone on the island, they will be killed. This boy is no exception."

At that moment Wolf immediately regretted his statement; and Simone saw the hint of a pained expression cross Wolf's features. He added in a deep sigh, in a softer tone, "I don't want his stay risking our colony."

"Wolf, you are forgetting who the matriarch of the colony is," Simone began firmly. She shifted her form to stand slightly in front of the boy. Although she knew Wolf was prone to let anger blind him in times like this. He was calm now was harmless. But just in case, Simone thought.

"But the colony," Wolf began softly, his eyes searching Simone's.

"I will handle it," Simone added, with another gracious nod. She allowed a slight smile to cross her lips.

Lena and Fiona had kept their distance from the confrontation. Lena wanted to hear, although was afraid of Fiona getting verbally involved with a debate, and possibly into trouble. She sighed in relief as she saw her matriarch smile.

"He stays with us. Provided that he is searched. The island will be patrolled after dinner," Simone announced. Wolf nodded. Even though he was calmer now, his mind still churned with worry. Although, Simone's word was law.

Before leaving, Simone lowered her voice just so Wolf would hear her whisper, "If the pirates do not make a return, then hopefully we can live in peace. But, if or when it happens, Jake will be accepted as part of the colony." Another nod from Wolf.

The night came quickly. As the nocturnal animals came alive, the colony members were growing weary. Not long after sunset, the islanders began retreating to the undamaged bunkhouses.

Jake was instructed to stay with Simone for the time being. She still had her suspicions that needed to be resolved before he could officially join the colony. And, that was an idea the boy liked a lot. Finally being part of a family that stayed put and looked out for one another instead of just the captain. The search of his clothing, his only belongings, revealed nothing, although they were taken and he was given new clothes. Jake was glad to receive them; they were new, warm, and had no wear and tear. At least not yet. A nice hot meal at sunset wasn't so bad either; in fact, the first time his belly had been full in weeks. No wonder he was sleepy, yawning as he followed the matriarch into the bunkhouse. While Simone readied the bed, he looked about.

Lena and Fiona had already been nestled in for the night. The girl was already out, while Lena was steadily falling into slumber herself. Jake decided that trying to talk to them was a bad idea, especially because Wolf was in the bunk below them. His injuries entitled him to his own bunk while he healed. Though both Jake and Simone were glad that he was too asleep. Simone was too tired to argue with him anymore today.

"Alright, you," Simone murmured. "Bedtime." She gestured to the bed.

Jake was taken aback. "You and me? Share a bed?" He looked up at his surrogate captain.

"Well, after the pirate attack some of our bunkhouses had been destroyed," the matriarch replied simply. "You're the guest. Make yourself comfortable."

Reluctantly, he climbed onto the bed and laid down, waiting as Simone joined him, and pulled the blankets up. Soon, only the sounds of the night were heard amid gentle snores.

Jake's eyes moved to the matriarch, whose back was to him. He admired her, partially out of fear and partially out of respect. He moved closer, rolling onto his stomach and nudging his side against Simone's back.

He finally felt comfortable. Even moderately accepted.

Screw MacWright and his crew.

Jake slept.