Reggie was in the consulate garden with Opal, Ryan, and some of the kids. They were trying to keep the youngsters entertained after being shut up in the consulate for so long. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day, but the weather didn't change the fact that there was a black cloud over everyone's mood, with Erica and Bianca still missing.

Emma and Spike had roped Ian and Ayesha into a noisy game of tag when one of the ambassador's aides came out with a grave expression on his face. At first Reggie thought he was going to ask them to keep the noise down but instead he was there to tell them about what had happened to boat that took Bianca and Erica.

"My poor gal pal." Opal wailed when she heard the news.

Reggie just knew he had to get to his dad and make sure he was alright.

…

Reggie found Jackson in his room. He was surprised to find him packing a case.

"Dad, where are you going?" he asked.

Jackson looked up briefly before returning to his packing.

"I'm going to look for Erica and my niece." Jackson said flatly. "The At Last is moor at the harbour. The ambassador has given me permission to leave the consulate. So I'm going."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" said Reggie holding up his hands for a pause while he took in his father's words. "Your yacht is here… and you're leaving?"

"I got the crew to bring it up last week." explained Jackson, putting a neatly folded shirt into his case. "It was supposed to be a surprise for Erica. We would cruise back to Pine Valley at our own speed and make a honeymoon of our journey home. Now the boat's here I'm still going to use it to bring her home."

Reggie stepped up and put a hand on his dad's back.

"The ambassador's aide said that they had found bodies."

Jackson hung his head for a moment and licked his lips.

"I know what they said. I just think it's too convenient… I'll start my search were the boat sank… and if it isn't them I'm going to head out from there."

"But you can't go out there alone. It's too dangerous. We know there are pirate in those seas."

"I can't just leave them out there and do nothing. I mean, think about it. If it's a lie and they faked the deaths, my wife and niece are still in the hands of ruthless pirates who are willing to go to great lengths, even kill, in order to get what they want. I can't give up on them. I know if our places were reversed they would turn over heaven and earth to find me."

"I'm not asking you to give up." said Reggie. "Erica and Bianca have been taken from us. We don't know why. We don't know where they are. We don't know if we will ever see them again. But that is a big ocean out there, with many places to hide."

"What are you saying? "Jackson asked. "That you don't want me to go. That I'd be wasting my time?

"No, I'm saying I don't want you to do this on your own. I'll come with you. I think I have proven I can still handle myself in fight if it comes to it."

Jackson turned and looked his son in the eye.

"You don't have to." he said. "You have your own family to take care of."

"Camilla will understand." said Reggie. "You, Erica and Bianca are my family too, right? I couldn't in good conscious let any of you down."

Jackson gave Reggie a grateful smile.

"Thank you son." he said. "I'd be glad of the company."

"I'm here for you okay." said Reggie and he gave his dad a hug. "If they are out there we will find them… together!"

…