It was several hours after the news of the sunken pirate boat had been broken that the consulate aid called everyone together in one place for a meeting.

"I am pleased to announce that your visas have been approved, you are now free to go." he announced. "I know some of you have already approached me about leaving and I can confirm we have booked a flight for you all. The plane leaves at nine o'clock tomorrow morning to take you home. If any of you wish to stay longer, that can be arranged also."

Kendall scowled at the news. It felt like a betrayal. How could everyone be so ready to pack up and leave her mother and sister when they were still lost?

"Who asked to leave?" Kendall demanded glaring at the group, wanting to know who amongst her friends felt so little for her family.

Cara raised her hand. She was sat down, her leg in a cast; she had been running through the woods on a fracture rather than a sprain.

She turned to Scott who was stood nearby.

"Some of us have to get home to our babies." she explained.

Ryan put a hand on Emma's shoulder,

"And the kids have school." he said.

"And we aren't doing much good staying here." added Opal. "Back home we can rally the press, raise funds and awareness. If the bodies on the boat aren't Erica and Bianca we need to mount a full search. They could be anywhere in the world!"

There were nods of agreement around the group.

Jackson then stepped forward.

"We're staying." he said, nodding across to Reggie. "I brought the yacht up so we can start a search of our own."

Kendall's eyes widened at this news.

"Take me with you." she exclaimed.

"Kendall?" asked Griffin in surprise, "Are you sure about that? What about your boys?"

Kendall's eyes locked with Ryan's.

"I need to find my mom and my baby sister. Could you watch them for me?" she asked. "You and Emma can stay at the house if it makes it easier."

"Of course," said Ryan, "If you are sure?"

"I'm sure." said Kendall. "I'm staying right here until I find my family!"

...

Marissa was sat very quietly in the corner while all this was going on. Her fingers played subconsciously with the heart pendant around her neck. Deep down she knew she wanted to be like Kendall and throw everything she had into finding Bianca but she had three scared kids to think of. She knew things would be better for them if they could be out of this strange foreign environment and back home in their safe warm beds. Miranda was suffering her nightmares again and Gabby was so confused about what had really happened to her mother she would go from crying to throwing a tantrum to sitting calmly and asking when her mommy would come home. It was painful to see the girls suffering so much. AJ was suffering too but he was making a good show of being brave, Marissa suspected for her sake.

Marissa sighed. She knew she had to get the kids home even though it felt like she was abandoning the love of her life.

All she could think about was that maybe she would finally be able to sleep once she was back in her own bed. It didn't feel like she had slept in the past five days. She longed for their bed almost. She hoped the pillows would still smell of Bianca... and would still hold the dent where she used to lay her head...

Maybe at home it would be easier to pretend that everything was going to be alright.

...

…