Alone Together • JJ Maybank

Fifty.

A/N

I was hoping this would be the last chapter so that the OCD in me could end nicely on chapter 50, but there was too much to fit in. So I'm keeping this one shorter and splitting it with the next chapter which will be the last one!!

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I watched as John B adjusted his backpack and walked towards us, never being happier to see someone in my entire life. "Shoupe let me take it for a spin." A smile broke out over my face as my body came back to life. I jumped off the boat onto the wooden dock and ran straight up to him, engulfing him in the biggest hug that I could.

"Oh my god, I was so worried about you." I spoke into his chest as he hugged me back, before pulling back and grabbing my face as his eyebrows furrowed.

"Maybe I should be the one worried about you?" He questioned as he inspected the dried blood and bruising I was sure was already showing on my face. "What the hell happened?"

"Long story." I laughed it off as I stepped to the side, letting Kiara welcome John B with her own hug.

"Wasn't easy bro, but we got the Phantom for you." JJ yelled proudly from his spot still on the boat.

"Yeah and either these two are an absolute match made in heaven, or JJ's a terrible influence, but turns out Abby is also a natural with a gun." Kiara joked, causing John B to look questioningly from me to JJ, and me to playfully glare at her.

"Ready to go?" JJ threw the boat keys to John B, not giving him a chance to process anything that was going on. He caught the keys, looking around in confusion before his expression dropped slightly.

"Where's Sarah?"

"She's not with you?" Kie asked.

"No, we got separated in the swamp. She said she was gonna meet me here. I'm not leaving without her." I glanced awkwardly at JJ, feeling terrible for John B as I could hear the panic growing in his voice.

"John B, look at me." JJ walked up to face him as he continued. "I know you feel bad for leaving, but there's no time man. You've got plenty of gas, plenty of food. Once you get around that point, it's a straight shot across the sound to Dismal Swamp, okay?"

I could feel the tears growing in my eyes at the realisation of what this all finally meant. We had been so wrapped up in the plan to get John B to safety, that now the moment was finally here I realized it meant he was leaving. At the same moment, I felt Kie reach for my hand. Neither of us looked at each other, but I knew she was thinking the same as me.

"Once you get there, lay low, all right?" JJ continued, reminding him of the plan. John B nodded as his eyes glazed over, before he looked slowly in my direction. I swallowed down the lump in my throat as I nodded encouragingly at him, forcing a reassuring smile. "Hang out for a couple of weeks, and then go overland, cross the border at Brownsville. You got that?" JJ shook his shoulder, getting his attention back on him.

"Yeah, yeah, Brownsville."

"All right. Saddle her up, saltwater cowboy. Let's do this." JJ slapped John B's arm reassuringly as he jumped off the boat to join the rest of us.