After the Storm- JJ Maybank (Outer Banks)

38.

It had probably been a few minutes since JJ had fallen in and he still hadn't woken up. I continued to kick my legs to keep us up. I was hoping Kie went after the others to come help, because I was afraid that I couldn't hold him much longer. I just watched his face, seeing how uncomfortable he looked. The water surrounding us was turning red, from the blood coming from his head. I had been sobbing since the second he fell in and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to stop. I just kept thinking about everything. Us, the past two years. We had grown so much together and he didn't ever give up on me. Even after the events that happened after Rafe, he still wanted to support me no matter how hard it was. He always knew what was best for me.

I felt my legs starting to cramp up, looking around to see nothing. I looked back down to him.

"I'm sorry, J. I'm so so sorry." My legs stopped kicking and I felt my body begin to sink into the water, still holding on to him.

"Rachel? Rachel!" I heard some screaming coming from around the boat.

"John B? Sarah? Please, help!" I was waving my arms, trying to keep us floating for a few more seconds.

My legs burned as I saw a lifeboat come around. All of the pogues were on board, a long with another woman I hadn't met before.

"Please hurry!"

They picked up the pace quickly and the boat pulled up right next to me.

"Oh my god, is he breathing?" John B pulled JJ into the boat.

Sarah reached out for my hands and pulled me up into the boat as well. I plopped down right next to JJ, putting my hands on his chest.

"Rachel, oh my god." Pope looked over to us, I realized he was the only one I hadn't seen since getting out.

"J? Please be okay, please be okay." I felt my entire lip quiver as I dug my face into him.

He started to cough, water coming out of his mouth. His eyes finally opening, he looks over to me.

"Hey." He muttered under his breath.

"Hi." I brought my hands up to his face, holding him up.

"Sup?"

I practically wanted to hit him for being so dumb at a time like this but I just laughed and laid my head down against his. I felt his warm skin against mine.

I heard the pogues scattering behind me, talking about the cross.

"Damnit." I heard Pope say.

"We'll get it back. Don't worry. You did what you had to do." John B patted his back.

I didn't want to leave his side. It had been a long 5 weeks without him, without his touch, hearing his voice. I felt like I was floating, a sense of euphoria going over me.

"When were you going to tell me you were back in town?" I heard him mumble against me.

"I never was back. I just got out today, J."

"And you ended up here how?"

"Rose came and picked me up from the facility. Not what I was expecting. Sarah had been knocked unconscious and I ended up here. I learned you all were here and I came out to find you. Ward is alive."

"What?"

"Double what."

"Are you okay?"

He pulled my body away to look me over, scanning up to my eyes. He let out a small smile.

"I'm fine. You just got hit in the head with a machete and almost drowned."

"Your stubborn ass jumped in after me and almost drowned."

"I was fine. I wasn't going to let you die, at least not alone."

It was silent for a few moments as we looked over to see Rafe pointing a gun towards our boat. I felt my entire body heat up. I had only had one conversation with him since the facility and I planned on having no more. I finally felt normal, besides the fact that I was kidnapped and don't know if my dad is alive.

I looked to him, seeing him struggle to pull the trigger. Maybe he did want to change. I wished that he would get better but I wanted nothing to do with him. He finally shrugged and put the gun down, looking directly to me. I turned around to see the woman that was in the lifeboat.

"Hi, I'm Rachel."

"Cleo."

"She was the one that helped save us when we got washed away. She's one of us." Sarah laid her hand on her shoulder.

"Welcome to the pogue life."

I looked back over to JJ, realizing one of my hands was still over his. I wasn't exactly sure where we stood after everything. I'm sure we would be talking for a while, but I was just happy to be here. His fingers wrapped around mine and gave me a squeeze. I took that as an invitation to lay my head on his shoulder and just listen to the waves hitting against the boat.

I had no idea where we were going or if we'd ever get home again, but I didn't care. I was with my family. I finally felt normal again, and I wanted to stay that way. They would all help me stay that way. I couldn't be more thankful for all of them. They saved me. JJ saved me, and I saved him.