you're on your own, kid... obx

006. the rooster

John B opens the door to Ward Cameron's boat, freezing when he spots Sarah and Brooklyn asleep inside. He tries to quietly go to put the tanks down as Sarah starts to wake up.

"Wheezie, shut up." Sarah groans. There's a clanging noise as John B accidentally knocks one of the tanks into the wall making Sarah gasp. "God." He whispers, opening her eyes and stopping when she sees him. "You're not Wheezie."

"Correct. Yeah." John B says. Brooklyn groans as she wakes up, rubbing her eyes. "Um... I'm just dropping off some scuba gear. What are-- what are you two doing... here?" He asks.

"It's our boat." Sarah says like it's obvious -- which it is. "She's my cousin. It's also the only place with air conditioning."

"Right." John B mutters.

"Did you, um... top off the tanks?" Sarah asks.

"Uh... no. No, power's down, so the compressors were off." John B says.

"So, you're sneaking onto our boat at 5:00 AM with empty tanks?" Sarah questions. "I'll make sure to tell Ward."

"Okay. Okay. Cool. Cool. Just drop these off." John B takes all the gear off and puts the tanks down.

"Yeah, yeah, the middle of the room is fine." Sarah remarks.

"Yeah, this is pretty much what he told me to do." John B says.

"Bye." Sarah says.

"Actually, you know, what-- what exactly were you gonna tell your dad?" John B asks with a nervous laugh.

"Nothing much. Just that you poached our scuba gear." Sarah says.

"Okay, fuck." John B whispers. "I borrowed it for a few hours." He says. "Okay? And then I brought it back intact and unharmed."

"Don't forget empty." Brooklyn says, holding her arm up as she talks, her eyes still shut as she tries to fall back asleep.

"Look, please don't tell him. Either of you. Okay? He'll fire me." John B says.

"So, what are you gonna do? Pull a gun on me?" Sarah asks.

"Wrong pogue." Brooklyn mutters.

"Okay, I didn't know JJ would do that." John B says.

"That's convenient to believe." Sarah remarks. "Maybe you should get better friends."

"Well, maybe you should get a better boyfriend." John B retorts.

"I hate to interrupt..." Brooklyn sits up a little, opening her eyes. Sarah rolls her eyes. "But I agree with him on that." She tells Sarah while pointing to John B.

"Like one who doesn't poach?" Sarah questions.

"Look, please, just don't tell him. Okay?" John B pleads.

"Relax." Sarah says, smiling. "I'm not gonna tell him anything."

"Yeah, and I never tell him any shit anyway, so." Brooklyn says, lying back down.

"Your secret's safe with me, John B." Sarah promises. "And her." She nods to Brooklyn. "Okay. You can leave now."

"Right. Yeah. I'll leave-- I'll leave that right there." John B says, motioning to the scuba gear.

"Bye." Sarah says, lying back down.

"Later." John B calls.

+++

JJ and Zack get to the chateau, finding a summons notice from DCS on the door.

"Damn." Zack mutters.

"Yeah." JJ mumbles. He bangs his hand on the door. "DCS! I know you're in there!" He waits a moment before jumping in front of the window, his hands slamming against the glass.