Well things didn't go exactly as planned, i mean searching for the crown was going fine, until it wasn't. Because apparently the people that attacked and kidnapped JJ weren't finished, once they went to the hill and started to search for the crown gunfire rang out. And as they were fleeing, not only did Cleo get hit in her upper shoulder but also Kiara, not in her shoulder but in her abdomen, not through and through just a graze on her side, though it can cause problems. They all ran into the tunnels and that's where they currently are.
"Kie, Kie! Calm down, okay? Let me see." JJ glances over at Kiara and holds her arms before he gently brings her down towards the ground to lean against the wall, Pope is taking care of Cleo while Rafe and Sarah have a private conversation. Leaving John B and JJ to take care of Kiara. Kiara grunts in pain as her hand tightly grips the wound, her eyes squeezed shut as she lets out ragged pained breaths. JJ curses silently under his breath and glances over at John B.
"What the hell are we supposed to do, man?" John B turns to look at him and then back at Kiara. "Just..Just let's get some bandages, I'm sure Pope has them, or something else to help at least." Kiara for her part is not screaming out in pain, just harsh breaths and the occasional whimper of pain. John B stands up and goes over to Pope who is still helping Cleo with the gunshot wound to her shoulder, no one really talks except for the occasional whisper between Sarah and Rafe. JJ stares at Kiara and reaches out a hand to cup her cheek. Kiara opens her eyes halfway and glances over at him, huffing out a light laugh before she grits out, pain lacing her voice.
"I'm fine, Jayj. Just..Just hurts a little." JJ furrows his eyebrows slightly as he studies her expression, realizing she's lying he shakes his head and turns to the others, specifically John B, Cleo and Pope. "Do you guys have an extra scarf or something?" Pope glances over at him and with his head nods over to his bag, John B nods at JJ and heads over to the bag, bending down and opening it up. Kiara lets out a groan of pain as her eyes start to shut, JJ turns to her and immediately taps her cheek lighlty.
"Hey, Hey! Kie, Kie. stay awake, okay?" Kiara whimpers in pain but nods, her head slightly going limp and she slumps forward to rest against JJ's shoulder, her hand loosening its grip on the wound. JJ curses silently and looks over at John B who pulls out a scarf, he immediately grabs it and gently pushes Kiara backwards and starts to wrap the scarf around her waist. Pope and Cleo, who now has a bandage over her wound, come closer and bend down. Pope, who has the most medical experience, takes over for JJ wordlessly. Cleo glances at Sarah and Rafe who seem to be in an emotional conversation before she looks towards John B and JJ.
"What now? with Kie like this, I don't like our odds, man." JJ doesn't take his eyes off of Kiara, seeing her in pain makes his heart tighten painfully. His hands fidget restlessly. John B glances at him before he looks at Cleo. "Let's take a break, with the crowds rolling in, they won't be able to find the crown. They'll wait it out, and so will we. Kie will be fine." Cleo looks at him and nods, Pope finishes tying and securing the scarf and he turns towards the others.
"She'll be fine, just be careful not to aggravate the wound." JJ gives a thankful pat on Pope's shoulder before he shifts to sit down next to Kiara, as she senses his presence her head falls down to rest on his shoulder. JJ smiles to himself and leans in to place a soft kiss on her forehead, the others give them space, while Rafe starts yelling at Sarah about Ward, John B immediately comes to her defense.
"Dad died because of you, Sarah! He's dead!" Sarah recoils as tears spring into the corners of her eyes, John B comes closer and glares at Rafe. "Come on, man. We're on the same side." Sarah's face contorts to a mixture of pain and anger, she steps forward and points at Rafe, hurt lacing her tone as tears start to fall down her face.
"Dad died saving me, Rafe! You're always so quick to judge, and you always blame me! But I'm the only family you got!" Rafe's eyes widen in shock before he bitterly growls out, "you're just going to stab me in the back like everyone else." Sarah's expression is stern but holds some affection as she answers.
"You're my brother, damn it. I could never turn on you, Rafe." Sarah's voice is gentle with a soft tone which makes Rafe pause, he looks down at her and his throat clogs up as she embraces him into a sympathetic hug. Her sobs are quiet and sorrowful, he hesitates for a second before he hugs her back. The moment feels intimate and secluded so the others slightly move away to give them space.
JJ spares them a glance but his main focus is Kiara, he glances back down at her and smiles to himself as he sees her relax slightly. Her face still pinched in pain but not that much, her hand hovered over her wound, and his expression became full of sadness. His Kie was hurt, and there was nothing he could do about it. It was ironic and funny in a way, he was the one who was usually reckless and getting hurt doing stupid stuff. How funny how things have changed, a long time ago he wondered if he would ever have a family, but here he is. With his friends and with his soulmate, his second half, His Kie. Kiara shifts slightly and groans in pain which catches the attention of not only JJ, but the others as well. JJ shifts slightly and checks the scarf, seeing blood seeping through it, he looks towards the others, his gaze filled with worry as he speaks.
"She's bleeding too much, guys. we have to get out of here, forget the crown, okay? I don't care about the crown, I just care about Kie." There's an underlying panic to his words as his hand comes up to put pressure on her wound, Kiara lets out a sharp hiss of pain and scrunches her face up. John B glances towards the others with a distraught expression.
"I'm..I'm with JJ, we can forget the crown, Kie matters more." The others, including Sarah and Rafe who joined them after their little moment all glance at each other before they look towards Kiara, noticing the agony in her expression they all come to the same conclusion. Pope turns towards JJ and John B and nods.
"Let's get out of here and find a way back home, but if you guys have a chance for the crown, take it." Sarah turns to Kiara and grimaces.
"Hey guys, isn't her face a little..too pale?" JJ and John B both turn towards Kiara and worry takes over. Sarah's right. Kiara seems a little too pale, with sweat beading down her forehead and a pained expression on her face. JJ moves closer and cups her face. "Kie, Kie. Hey, you okay?" Kiara grunts in pain and opens her eyes halfway. This is not good, her eyes are hazy and her body seems limp. Kiara scrunches her face up and shifts slighter before she mutters.
"Jayj? Hngh..it hurts." JJ's heart stops and tightens with worry, he doesn't like to see her in pain. He turns to the others and they simultaneously agree that the crown isn't worth it but will go for it if they can. With the help of John B, both him and JJ help Kiara up, swinging her arms over their shoulders to help her stand up. Pope and Cleo look at each other briefly, while Sarah and Rafe make subtle eye contact. Kiara's head lolls to the side to rest on JJ's shoulder. His grip on her waist subtly tightens and he looks over at the others.
"Alright, let's get going. Pope, stay with Sarah. Rafe, Cleo, you both look out for any danger, okay?" Even though JJ only cared about Kiara right now he knew Sarah was vulnerable and that Pope would protect her at all costs, and well Rafe and Cleo are certainly as unhinged as him. They all make their way out of the alleyway, looking around for any signs of danger. If Kiara wasn't hurt, JJ would have said this is the first time they worked together with no arguing.
But Luck wasn't on their side, just walking a few steps outside, and then all hell breaks loose, remember the people from the boat that kidnapped him? Well here they were. They all end up getting split up with JJ and Kiara sticking together, Gunfire erupts around them and JJ grabs onto Kiara and drags her away, he takes an opportunity to hide behind a beige and crumbled stone wall as he sees that it's only one guy. He turns to Kiara who seems to be a little better though her breathing is still labored. "Kie, Kie. it's only one guy..we got this." His voice is a low whisper as he meets her gaze, she blinks a few times before she nods. He smirks at her before he stands up and calls out to the man.
"Hey! You want me? Come and get me!" He immediately ducks back behind the wall and as soon as the man comes underneath them with all their might they push the stone wall and it lands on top of the man, they let out a slight cheer with Kiara looking a bit tired. JJ notices this and walks over to her, and wraps an arm around her waist. They start to walk until a sandstorm hits, with their vision impaired they end up on top of the hill with Rafe, the crown just a few feet above them.
"Hey! You guys get the crown as a bonus! I'm going to deal with the people!" Kiara turns towards Rafe and lightly shakes her head, "you're going to get yourself hurt, Rafe!" Her voice is much stronger now as she regains her strength. Rafe just smirks and shakes his head, "you underestimate how unhinged i can be, Kie!" JJ laughs at him and gives him a salute, maybe everything will be okay when this is over. Rafe nods over at him before he turns around and disappears into the sandy storm. JJ then turns kie and smiles, "I'm going to get the crown! Stay down here." Kiara turns to him and holds her side before she gives a small nod.
"Be careful, JJ! Don't do anything stupid." JJ laughs and puts on his mask, "when have I ever done something stupid?" Kiara gives him a pointed look as she smiles at him. "Go get that crown, JJ!" JJ gives her a small smile and salute, "Yes, Queen Kie!" Kiara's smile widens as she watches him turn around and start to climb up the sandy hill. After what felt like forever, JJ comes down with the crown wrapped in a cloth. He shows it to Kiara who smiles and whoops, he laughs with her before he climbs down and they start to run, well more of just carefully running during a sandstorm. Kiara runs ahead and looks around before she feels someone grab her by the waist and put something sharp to her neck and then cover her mouth with the hand that was around her waist, her eyes widens and pain shoots up her body. She turns her gaze and sees the one and only Geoff. God damn it. JJ comes a few seconds later, "Hey, Kie! You read-" he stops mid-sentence as he turns around and sees his father and Kiara, a knife to her throat. His chest tightens and his breathing stops. 'No, No, No.' his mind races as he runs towards his father and Kiara, but is immediately stopped when Geoff digs the knife into Kiara's neck and she lets out a small whimper. He holds his hands up and narrows his gaze.
"What do you want?" Geoff, with a wild look in his eyes just laughs and looks over at him, "you know what i want. This is payback for leaving me in the damn well." JJ looks at him and then towards Kiara, seeing the panic in her eyes he releases a slow breath and looks towards Geoff. "Take it, I don't want it. I already got my wish." Geoff looks at him before he looks at Kiara, he then looks back at him and nods. They both slowly walk forward, JJ muttering the words, "careful..careful." He reaches his hand out and as soon as he feels Kiara's hand he wraps his hand around her wrist and pulls Kiara close, tossing the crown to his biological father, He wraps his arms around Kiara's waist and holds her close to him, "I got you Kie, I got you." he pulls back to glance at her and then towards her wound, "your okay, your okay." Geoff then starts laughing and glances over at them. JJ scowls and pulls Kiara behind him.
"It's a shame you chose to leave me, JJ. we could have done this together." JJ narrows his gaze and his scowl deepens, "you have the crown, so leave." he spits the words out like steaming venom, Geoff just shakes his head and points the knife at him. "It's not that simple, JJ." Before JJ could react he vaguely hears Kiara yell something and push him to the side, he falls to the dirt and grime filled ground and when he looks back up. He sees Kiara grabbing Geoff's wrist which is pointed straight at her abdomen, JJ scrambles forward and pushes Geoff but it's too late. He turns around in a panic and what he sees makes his blood run cold. Kiara looks up at him, her hands holding the knife that is now embedded into the side of her abdomen. She gives a small and heart warming smile before she starts to slump forward, her eyes starting to close, JJ immediately runs forward to catch her. "Kie, KIE! Hey..Hey! It's okay, you're okay..shit..shit." His words jumble together as he looks towards Geoff, who is still knocked out on the ground, he lowers Kiara to the ground, her body limp and her eyes halfway closed. JJ looks around and then starts to scream for the others, panic lacing his tone, "John B! Pope! I need help!" He looks back at Kiara where she opens her eyes and glances up at him. "Jayj..Jayj look at me..it's okay, it's okay. I'm okay." he words are slurred and her vision blurs, JJ taps her cheek lightly before he immediately swoops down and picks her up. His heart beating out of his chest, he ignores how she's practically limp in his arms. He hears footsteps, spinning in place he sees everyone else, he immediately out of pure reaction runs towards John B and Pope. "John B, Pope! Kie..Kie Geoff had a knife and..and" he takes a shaky breath, his throat clogging up as he looks down at Kiara. Sarah grips Cleo arm and Rafe looks murderous, he and Kiara just started to become friends and now this. But he has to think rationally, he looks towards Geoff and glares, "Cleo, John B, tie him up. Pope, Sarah help JJ get supplies." they all look at each other before they nod.
After tying Geoff up and Rafe dragging him along and also grabbing the crown as a bonus. They walk through the town, avoiding people while JJ keeps checking on Kiara. Kiara is in a daze, her eyes halfway closed and her hands on her abdomen. Pope talks with John B to make a plan while Sarah and Cleo stick together. JJ leans down to kiss Kiara's forehead, murmuring softly.
"You're okay Kie, We're going to make it out. Just a little longer." Kiara mumbles something and JJ strains to hear it, he leans closer, The world around them fading, "what was that, babe?" Kiara lets out a dry cough and groans before she mutters just a little louder, "you would be my wish..Jayj." JJ stops walking and glances down at her, his eyes widening in surprise. Her eyes open and she looks up with a warm and light smile, her eyes shining with a spark of devotion and love. JJ smiles too and kisses her softly, he hears the others make light whistles and he rolls his eyes, walking to catch back up to them while he grumbles.
"Shut up, and focus on finding a way out of here." The others all laugh and John B loops an arm around his shoulders, glancing down at Kiara before he looks back up at JJ. "I'm happy for you man, truly. Just don't start denying you being a softie, hm." JJ smirks at him and shoves him lightly with his shoulder, being careful with Kiara. "Shut up, man. You can't be talking." John B, for his part just laughs though you could see a hint of pink on his cheeks. JJ turns back down to Kiara, the bleeding has slowed down and Pope said it didn't go that deep and missed any major organs so it was safe to pull out, which they did and then used Kiara's and Cleo's head scarf to tightly wrap the wound to prevent blood loss. Geoff starts to stir but in an instant Rafe shoves him forward and grabs his collar and punches him back out. Well, Damn is the first thing JJ could think of before he looks at the others, they all have a surprised expression on their faces.
Rafe looks over at them and mutters, "sorry, did you guys want him awake?" John B looks over at him and towards Kiara, shakes his head and mumbles "Nope..uhm just..well let's just keep going. I'm sure we can find a boat and something for Kie." JJ lets out a light snort before he continues to walk, Kiara by now has fallen asleep, and the only thing keeping JJ calm and not going absolutely insane is the subtle rising and falling of her chest. Though it's a bit labored and her face is scrunched up in pain, she's alive. They continue to walk towards the dock, JJ choosing to ignore the looks people give him, I mean who would find someone dragging a body tied up and another person being carried totally not weird? JJ glances over the docks before he finds Geoff's boat, he nods towards it while he calls out, "There's his boat, we can use it to get home." John B who now has an arm around Sarah, a hand sprawled protectively over her abdomen glances over at the boat and nods. "Alright, Pope can search for medical supplies for Kie."
Not even ten minutes later, they are already off back to sea, Sarah and John B in the captain's area driving the boat and talking, Rafe choosing to guard Geoff while Pope and Cleo start to search for medical supplies, JJ and Kiara in a bedroom with JJ holding Kiara close, arms wrapped around her waist with a hand over her wound, he's careful to not apply too much pressure on it. Kiara starts to stir, a small whimper escaping her as she mutters,
"JJ..what..w'at happened?" her words are a bit slurred and her eyes are still closed, JJ kisses her forehead and murmurs, "we're on our way home, go back to sleep, okay? You're safe." Kiara mumbles an 'i love you' before she falls asleep again, JJ smiles and whispers back, "Love you too, Kie." a few minutes later Pope comes back with bandages, JJ trying not to wake up Kiara shifts her slightly and rolls up her shirt halfway, untying the scarf and when he sees the stab wound and the bullet graze his heart clenched tightly, his fists balling up so hard his knuckles turn white. Pope gives him a look before he starts to wrap the bandages around Kiara's abdomen, Cleo comes in with two sandwiches and two glasses of beer, placing them on a nearby table for JJ and Kiara, "How is she, man?" JJ turns over to her and then back down at Kiara, "she'll be okay, better once we get home." Pope finishes with wrapping the bandages around Kiara's waist and ties the ends together. He then glances back up at JJ, "give her some pain medication in an hour, man. And we need to talk about what we're going to do when we get back home." JJ gives him a puzzled look which results in Pope letting out a sigh and shaking his head, "we're fugitives man, once we get back we'll go to jail, so we have to lie low for a bit, and we can't let Kie's parents see her injured either." JJ's mouth makes an 'O' shape and he nods but then pauses and glances back at him, Cleo leaving the room behind Pope.
"Why can't Kie's parents see her like this?" Pope gives him a look and shakes his head again, sounding like an exhausted parent, "Because then they'll blame us and won't make it easier for us to lie low, okay? So we all agreed to dump Geoff somewhere and then lie low on some island, the supplies here should last us a couple months." JJ follows along and nods, an island doesn't sound that bad. And plus the last time they were on an island it was the best time of his whole life, especially with John B and Kiara, Sarah, Pope and Cleo all of them were fun. But John B was his friend since third grade, and Kiara, well he had the biggest crush on her back then too. So this time he for sure will enjoy it. Pope pats his leg and gives a small smile before he turns around and leaves. JJ shakes his head with a small smile before he looks down at Kiara, his smile widens and he wraps his arms around her shoulders and pulls her closer to him. We'll be alright, Kie. I'll never leave you." he murmurs softly into her youthful skin before he closes his eyes into a peaceful slumber.
Yeah they'll be alright.