Hey look at this... another chapter... so soon :)

Okay, so when watching Outerbanks i was so mad with John B for lying to the Pogues and kind of kicking them to the curb so him and his dad could treasure hunt... like the others hadn't helped at all throughout this. I especially don't care for Big John... super happy he was alive... really made with his attitude and selfishness...

So that being said i remedied... it slightly, or more of told John B off like i wish someone would have done.

Also the whole JJ and Rowyn situation, you're just going to have to trust me on. This needed to happen, so it can lead to what i am excited to write about in the next two chapters. So just trust the process... i promise, still end game ;)

I will remain imperfect since perfection is overrated and thus there are sure to be some errors. Don't judge me on them.

Pure exhaustion bled from each of us as we rode the Ferry back to Kildare. I wanted to sleep, I lay in the back of Toppers truck, but each time I closed my eyes I saw JJ crashing into the concrete barrier, falling to the ground. Every time I thought I could get past it I was brought back to the moment I thought he was gone. Strategically I had avoided him the entire trip back. I knew we needed to talk, I needed to talk to him about all of this, but I couldn't bring myself too yet. If I did, I don't know what I would say, or how I would react.

The recklessness... it was who JJ was, and I knew that what he did was necessary, I may not have liked it but without him we could have easily been caught yesterday. I knew all that, and understood, but it was the realization of what would happen after if it had gone sideways. The sun started to rise when the Ferry finally reached the docks at Kildare, and I looked around at everyone. Things had been so different when we got back, but the one thing I was sure of was JJ, and last night happened and that could have been ripped away.

My eyes fell to Sarah who was awkwardly standing next to Topper actively avoiding his glances. Sarah, she had John B. that much was clear, with how much they had been through and still stayed, they were the real deal. Next, I found Pope, sitting next to Cleo, her arm around his shoulder. Pope had Cleo and supportive parents. Kie... Kie had parents, who as much as I hate what they say and how they judge, parents who care at least. That left me. If all this was taken away, who did I have? A mom that could leave at the drop of a hat? A dad MIA? JJ was it for me, I knew that from the moment I started having feelings for him, since that time in my rec room... but what if I wasn't for him. If it was so easy for him to risk his life, to risk it all...

"You all wanna come by the Wreck for breakfast?" Kie asked as we all exited the ferry. There was a murmur of agreement around the group, but I shook my head.

"I can't I have this brunch thing..." I sighed, "I'm gonna stop by the Chateau later though, hopefully John B. will be back."

I gave Pope a quick hug before heading towards the Chateau first for a change of clothes. Lucky enough I had a pair of jeans and t-shirt there still, so I looked somewhat presentable as I walked towards my house on Figure 8. Lost in thought as I walked, I didn't notice the figure standing at the end of the long stretch of driveway, until I nearly ran into them. JJ stood with his hands in his pockets looking extremely nervous and anxious to be standing out in the open in Figure 8.

"Considering our night, I figured you wouldn't come." I said sounding surprised. I eyed him from his head to his toes. He had changed, his shorts were replaced with cargo pants, and his T-shirt was covered with button down that was left unbuttoned, and from the looks of it... I think he brushed his hair as well.

"I promised." he shrugged looking down for a second before looking up at me, and for the first time since everything that happened the night before our eyes met.

"Yeah, I just figured you would be sleeping or sore," I shrugged.

"Hey." he said softly stepping forward so he could pull me towards him. Brushing a piece of hair from my face, "I promised, and nothing would keep me from that." I gave him a small smile stepping back to move towards my house. "Wait." He grabbed my hand and pulled me back. "We haven't talked about what happened... and actually you are avoiding me."

"There isn't anything to talk about. There was no cross and we didn't go to jail." I said, forcing myself to smile up at him.

"I crashed." he stated bluntly, and I clenched my jaw as a flash of the bridge the night before came back to me. "I was thinking about making sure you guys got away, with at the time – the cross – but it was fake which meant it was for nothing and I'm sorry."

"You're apologizing? For protecting us?"

"For being reckless." he corrected.

"Jay, you were being you... don't apologize for that." I said softly, reaching up to touch the side of his face. "I'm sorry I pushed away for a second, I just... I just need to process everything."

"So... we're good?" he asked hesitantly. Smiling, I just shook my head and pressed my lips to his.

"Yeah, we're good." I answered before stepping back to look at the house in front of us. It still looked the same, the color, the yard... but it didn't feel like mine anymore. I felt JJ squeeze my hand gently pulling me from my thoughts.

"You sure about this?"

"No," I shook my head before shrugging. "But I mean, we're here now so guess we'll see how this goes." Keeping my hand in his we both made our way towards the front door. Before we could even knock the door opened and my mom stood in the entryway with a smile on her face.

"Rowyn." she called happily. "JJ, it's nice to see you again."

"Thanks for the invite, Mrs. Harper." JJ nodded politely.

"Of course." my mom nodded, stepping to the side. "Please come on in, Tucker is in the kitchen with Bekka and Logan." Swallowing the lump in my throat that appeared at the name of my half siblings I nodded nervously and took a step through the threshold. The last time I had set foot in the foyer of my house, SBI had tossed it. There had been papers scattered everywhere, tables turned over, but now... it was like nothing had happened. It was clean and open... and bright. My entire life the house hadn't been bright, it had always had a looming cloud over it. My eyes trailed to the staircase and my brain forced me back to the night my dad had all but thrown me down the stairs.

JJ squeezed my hand, and I pulled my eyes away from the stairs to turn to him. He gave me a reassuring nod and small smile and I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand back. My mom led us into the kitchen, and I saw two kids sitting at the counter while a man in an apron was shoveling bacon onto a large serving plate from the stove.

"Guys, this is Rowyn." My mother said with a huge smile on her face when we entered. I felt my stomach flip and my cheeks burn as everyone in the room turned to me. The man was quick to put down the plate of food and step forward wiping his hands on the apron before stretching one out to me.

"Rowyn, it is so nice to finally meet you, your mother has told us so much about you." he said with a smile, and it took me a second to reach my own hand out and shake it warily. "And you must be JJ, I'm glad you were able to make it." The man, Tucker, acknowledged JJ beside me greeting him in the same manner. JJ accepted the hand and nodded.

"Me too sir," JJ stated. Next my mom brought the two kids forward. The boy, who looked only a year or two younger than us, looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here, and the girl was eyeing up and down but when I met her eyes she looked away. After awkward introductions we were led into the large dining room. This room had never been used, the table was unused, it was just for show...but now, it was dressed in floral arrangements, placemats down, with flowers in the middle. The blinds were pulled back so we could see the view of the ocean, and food lined the middle of the table.

The next few minutes consisted of utensils on plates and small talk between my mom and Tucker. JJ sat as close to me as he could without being too obvious. His knee was touching mine and occasionally his hand found mine and he squeezed it.

"Were you really stuck on an island?" Logan asked through mouthfuls of pancakes.

"Logan." Tucker cleared his throat giving him a glare from across the table.

"Uh, yeah." I nodded with a shrugged pushing my food around my plate. My appetite was otherwise non-existent, even though I hadn't had a decent meal.

"How'd you get off?" Bekka questioned, ignoring her father's looks.

"Plane." I nodded. "Was flying overhead, we built a fire, and it picked us up."

"Cool." Bekka said with a smile.

"It must have been terrifying being alone." My mother spoke up and I looked up to see her looking at me, worry in the corner of her eyes.

"I mean, we weren't alone. We were all together and honestly wasn't as bad as it sounds." I answered easily. It wasn't a lie, it was the truth, the island, as hard as it had been, seemed easy now. "So um, how long are you guys here for?"

"Your mother has been here since you..." Tucker cleared his throat realizing the situation he was about to bring up, before quickly picking up again, "anyway, she has been redoing the house, putting it back together after your father disappearance. The kids and I...we try to come up every other weekend. This is the second time we've been up. These kids have a long weekend, but we'll have to head back tomorrow, Logan has basketball tryouts coming up, and they're training starts next week." I wasn't sure how to respond so I just smiled and took the watermelon that was on my fork and put it in my mouth forcing myself to chew and swallow it.

"Do you do any sports?" My mom asked genuinely curious.

"Um..." I hesitated, looking at my step-brother and half-sister realizing how unimpressive I was about to sound. "No, I spend most of my free time surfing or going into the marsh and fishing with JJ and the others."

"Wait, you surf!" Bekka nearly jumped out of her seat in excitement. "Thats so awesome, I've always wanted to learn."

"JJ actually taught me most of what I know." I smiled, turning and looking at JJ who gave me a smile of his own. "I was pretty bad when I started and took a few bad wipeouts."

"And what do your parents do JJ?" My mom asked, turning to the person next to me. My smile faded and I instantly wished JJ and I could leave. I wasn't ashamed of JJ's past, or parents, but I know how he felt when people pitied him or compared him to his dad...

"My uh, my dad ran into some trouble and left a few months ago." JJ answered before I could change the subject. "My um... mom left when I was young." JJ was quiet when he spoke, and I could see my mother's face fall at the similar situation she had put me in. "But I mean, I do alright, before all the island shi... stuff, I worked our buddy's dad went missing so me and him were living together, help each other out."

The air in the room had become stiff and an awkward silence filled the room. Eventually small talk filtered through the room, between Bekka, myself and JJ and my mother and Tucker seemed to be having their own conversation. Logan looked unamused and was quick to finish eating and get up clearing his plate before heading out into the backyard. Taking my plate, I walked into the kitchen and dropped it into the sink leaning over it and bowing my head and taking several breaths.

"You okay?" JJ asked, coming into the room, his plate and three others in his hands, as he walked in. I nodded but didn't look up, trying to fight the tightening of my chest. "You want to get out of here?" he asked coming around the counter and wrapping his arms around me. I nodded, taking another deep breath.

"Hey, Rowyn." Bekka came into the kitchen. "I want to show you my collection of shells I've founds since I've been here." I looked up and blinked back the water from my eyes, swallowing. She seemed to regard JJ and I with a smile, but her eyes came back to me waiting for my response eagerly.

"Go ahead." JJ said behind me, and I turned my head to look at him over my shoulder. "I'll do the dishes or something and then we can head out."

"You don't have..." I tried but he silenced me by putting his lips on mine.

"Sooner you go, sooner we go." he whispered as he pulled away. Nodding I slowly turned back to Bekka and nodded my head heading towards the stairs as she led the way. I didn't like leaving him alone in there, I didn't know what was going to happen, but my skin crawled as Bekka led me to 'her' room... which was actually, my room. Several of my things were still on the shelves but the covers on the bed were changed, there were stuffed animals on the nicely made bed. There were ballet shoes in the corner, and it looked like a bar had been placed along the wall for her to practice with. Bekka moved around the room and grabbed a velvet bag hanging on the coat rack before dumping the contents on the bedspread.

She went through each shell with me, asking the name of each and if it was rare. Finally, I was able to get away and made my way downstairs. JJ was standing by the door stiff and uncomfortable, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He looked up at me as I came down the stairs, and his jaw was clenched. I looked at him and then back to the kitchen where my mom was coming from. Something had happened.

"We're going to go." I called down the hall, my eyes remaining on JJ scowling at him as if asking him what happened. He shook his head and turned towards the door.

"Are you sure, we could..."

"Yeah, our friend is supposed to be getting back today and we were all meeting up to make sure he was alright." I interrupted my mother's plea for us to stay as she walked down the hall. Tucker followed behind her, placing his hand on his wifes shoulder. "It was really nice meeting you Tucker and... your kids." I stated, lifting my hand.

"If you need anything just let us know." my mom said, and I smiled and nodded before following JJ out the door. He didn't say anything to me as we closed the door behind us and started to walk down the driveway.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" I finally asked halfway to the Chateau. I had spent the entire quiet walk trying to meet his eyes and get him to talk to me, but he was doing a good job evading me.

"Nothing happened." He said shrugging his shoulder.

"Really?" I scowled. "That's why you're being weird and quiet right now?"

"Just anxious to see John B." he answered still keeping his distance. As he stepped a few paces ahead of me, I let it go, knowing I could talk to him later about what happened after I left the kitchen. The Twinkie was parked in the driveway of the old fish shack and JJ, and I picked up our pace when we heard excited banter from the backyard. I stopped beside the stairs in shock and awe, the older man in front of me had been missing almost a year, and hear he was laughing with the other Pogues. JJ wasted no time running and jumping on the man's back and I couldn't help but smile as I watched the happiness return to JJ's face. Big John had been the father he never had and had taken JJ in several times. When Big John had gone missing, as terrible as it was for John B. JJ felt it too, but he hid his pain for his best friend. As I watched everyone smile and laugh, I looked to my right, John B was standing in the doorway with a sad sort of smile on his face as he watched.

Eventually the pandemonium had died down and we all sat in a circle around the firepit with Big John swinging in the hammock behind us.

"Yeah, yeah... so we um...we went to the archives in Charleston and uh... it was... it was a dead end." John B finished explaining where he and his dad had been the past few days. "a dry hole... so..." he finished, and I watched him pick at his fingers looking at the ground. Something wasn't right about his details, and he wouldn't maintain eye contact with any of us for long. The other thing that didn't seem right was Big John. For the man to have been searching for this treasure forever now, he didn't seem as defeated as you would have expected. Glancing to my side I noticed JJ squinting his eyes slightly at John B before nodding. He didn't buy the story either.

"So, that's the gold, the cross and now El Dorado..." Pope counted out sounding defeated. "We're three for three guys." He stated, throwing the stick he had in his hand across the yard. "The streak continues."

I watched as Pope walked off and Cleo followed close after.

"I'm going fishing." JJ sighed, standing his voice tight as he lifted his beer to his friend. "Thanks for the beer." I followed him as he walked down to the pier still trying to figure out what had happened before we had left my house. Kie was next to leave, and I stood as well putting my hand on John B.'s shoulder as I passed him squeezing it slightly before walking up the steps of the porch, sitting on the stairs leaning my back on the rail.

John B eventually got up and walked to the edge of the yard staring out at the ocean and I watched as Sarah walked up behind him, hugging him from behind. Their interaction seemed normal, but John B seemed stiff, and just as fast as it started the tension changed and John B turned on Sarah. I couldn't make out what they were saying but whatever it was Sarah was becoming more visibly upset and John B was getting frustrated. Sarah's lips trembled as she turned her head away from John B. before looking back at him and then turning to leave. John B just stood there watching her leave, and I found myself getting more and more angry at him for not going after her. After everything, he just stood there.

Walking towards me he bowed his head sulking at whatever had transpired between the two. I moved my legs from the steps to allow him to move past me. He didn't even look at me as he passed me, and I glared at his back shaking my head. Taking a deep breath, I stood and followed after him, making sure Big John was still swinging in the hammock. I found him standing in the kitchen staring absently out the small window above the sink.

"You're just gonna let her leave like that, after everything?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"You don't understand..."

"Sure, I do John B." I interrupted. "Your dad has been dragging you around with him for the last few days, and we had no idea what happened to you or wear, and now you're back giving us some bullshit story."

"It's not bullshit." he groaned, turning around finally. He looked exhausted and almost haunted, but I couldn't figure out why. "I thought my dad was dead for a year, and he's alive, I should be able to hang out with him without it being suspicious or getting the third degree!"

"You're right." I nearly shouted, taking a step forward. "You're right, we all thought your dad... all of us. I can't imagine how that felt thinking he was dead, but I know that everyone of us have jumped headfirst with you... hell for you, and I just watched you turn your back on all of us. Because why... because your dad came back... like we meant nothing? Like nothing that's happened to us, has meant anything you you, the sacrafices we have made?"

"I never asked any of you to..."

"You didn't have to!" I exclaimed, eyes wide with a small chuckle of disbelief. "You didn't ask because you didn't have to. We did all of it because we care, because we had your back. This whole time... the search for your dad, then the gold, then the cross and now the treasure... we have been there the whole time... and where was he?" I asked, pointing outside. "Sarah lost her family, Kie is on the edge with her own parents, Pope lost his inheritance... but all of them stood by you even when it got hard an unbearable... Look you may have fooled them, but you can't fool me... you're lying and for what? To do this treasure hunt that 'we' started with you, on your own all because 'he' doesn't want to share?"

"Rowyn..." his voice was quiet, but I just shook my head.

"You forget. I knew your dad before he disappeared, and I saw what he did to you. How he was gone all the time, spending your rent money for the hunt that he was so focused on... And now, he wants you to cut us out because he doesn't want to share..." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath trying to collect my thoughts. When I opened my eyes again John B. was staring back at me with a pained expression and I knew I should have felt bad about how I was speaking to him, but I couldn't find it in me to let up. I know his dad being gone had hurt him badly and I didn't want to take the joy of his return away, but something had to be said. Lowering my voice, I just stared at the brunette boy shaking my head again. "I get it John B. He doesn't trust us, but he isn't in control here and he knows it. Its why he wants you to lie to us. You hold all the cards, not him... It's why he needs you.

He wouldn't be this close to the treasure without you. You did what he couldn't... Look, he was ready to sell everything you owned, give up everything you had without your permission for this treasure hunt, but... The Pogues... The Pogues have given up everything for the hunt for your dad... treasure or not, we have stood behind you... But I guess family truly is just... blood."

John B stood staring at me processing my words. I watched him open and close his mouth as if trying to respond, but nothing came out. Finally, I saw him close his eyes and there was a crack in the wall he had put up. When he looked back at me, I saw the fear of something, something he wanted to talk about.

"John B!" Big John's voice came from outside pulling John B out of whatever thought he was having. He sighed and looked past me before looking back at me, almost pleading with me.

"Go." I shrugged quietly stepping away and gesturing to the door. "It's obviously more important."

"Rowyn," He stepped forward and placed a hand on my arm. "That's not... it's not what you think..."

"John B. let's go!" Big John yelled again, this time we could hear his footsteps on the porch. I could see the hesitation with John B and instead of trying to fight for him to talk to me I just sighed and stepped out of his reach and out the door. Big John stood with his backpack over his shoulder waiting. "It's good to see you're still hanging around Rowyn... I know these boys needed you." I gave the older man a tight smile and nodded before leaving the porch and standing in the yard. I heard the engine of the Twinkie start up and pull out of the gravel driveway. Still worked up, I moved towards the next hanging cloud.

JJ was on the dock leaning on the railing, one foot on the middle level. He was lost in thought, but I saw his shoulder tense when I stepped foot on the dock.

"So, you finally gonna tell me what happened?" I asked, approaching him cautiously.

"Nothing, I told you." he said his back to me.

"Yeah, I believe that, like I believe John B.'s story he spun us." I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, something had to have happened, you went from talking to me to avoiding me... did my mom say anything..."

"Nothing happened, Jesus Roe!" he groaned dropping the pole to lean on the rail. "Maybe I just needed a second to think, a second without you constantly around." I scowled feeling the sting of his words.

"JJ..."

"No, just... Rowyn, I needed some time to think, you have to give me some time to just think about everything. I saw your mom, saw how happy she was with you, and as awkward and uncomfortable as it was you fit there, and you deserve to fit there, fit with them." He turned suddenly and his eyes were bright with anger and frustration, forcing me to step back slightly. "Look I tried, I really tried to ignore it, ignore what everyone was saying, ignore what you were saying, but the fact of the matter is... you are a Kook, and you can't hide from that, not really and I need to figure out where I fit into the mix, if at all... so you need to just let. Me. Think." he ended, and I had my jaw clenched fighting back the tremble of my lip and burning in the back of my eyes.

"Figure out what you want JJ... because obviously it hasn't been me... you need to figure this out because..." I paused when my voice broke and I cleared my throat and looked up blinking away the tears, tears I wasn't going to let him see. Not right now. "Every time you feel insecure about yourself, you take it out on me... and … you need to figure it out." Without another word I left.

I had no clue where I was going, but I found myself on the beach. Sitting down on the sand I listened to tourists and families play on the sand. I listened to the waves crash on the beach until the sunset behind the horizon. I hadn't let myself cry over what had happened, I couldn't... breaking down wouldn't fix anything, and there was nothing I could do to fix anything. Both situations had to be resolved by their owners.

Hope it wasn't too awful. This chapter i actually had to split because it was getting so long and there was so much more i wanted to write, so Chapter 9 is actually partially written.

So hope to have that out soon.

Also, i love comments, suggestions, follows and likes ;)