ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

power and control

"You must choose to take hold of what you can control and let go of what you cannot."

"Why didn't you shoot when we were in that rescue boat?", I ask Rafe finally after having thought about this for too long. He had the gun in his hand already. He could have made us stay or drown whatever he'd liked. "You were on it", Rafe replies easily as if the answer was so clear. 

"Still you could have shot someone else or make us drown. I'm glad you didn't but I wonder-" "I'm not a murderer on purpose. I.. I didn't even think about it. Taking the gun happened instinctively but I would have never shot.. not with you on the rescue boat." He's answered my question.. not completely but enough. He could have shot but he didn't. He didn't want to. That's what is important to me. 

To change the serious atmosphere, I let my hand go through his hairs, well I try to but their too short. "I can't run my hands through your hairs anymore", I pout sadly, "Although it looks good." "It needs to look good for you. That's all I want." "Don't be so cheesy", I giggle letting him wrap his arms around me for the night.

"You look worried", I confront Rafe the next morning when I see him standing on the balcony. "Hey, you're the best, Rafe", a guy from James' group of friends hollers from the garden where he leaves the property with a girl. We fell asleep pretty early for a party night. "Yeah and it'll stay this way", Rafe yells back and turns around to give me a soft look, "Had a good night?" 

I'm about to nod when Rafe's already storming back into his bedroom. "What are you looking fo-", I begin speaking as I open the door right behind him just to stop myself when I see him putting the gun between his skin and the back of his trouser. "Rafe, what are you doing with the gun?" 

"Nothing", Rafe claims then acts like it's nothing, "It's just for safety reasons, Bella." "If that's the case.. I'll join you wherever yo-" "No, you don-" "You won't leave without me", I state jumping up to follow him. "Don't", Rafe tries to stop me harshly when I'm about to cross the door threshold as he gives me another serious look. "It's too late, Rafe. I've already seen you with the gun. Either I'm in or you're out. It's up to you." 

Rafe and I stare at each other for a few seconds until he sighs and finally gives in. "Don't be mad when I murder someone who might hurt you", Rafe huffs and stops holding me back so I can finally follow him out the door and house to his bike. "Hold on tight", he tells me softly as I get on his bike so I lay my arms around his upper body making me feel safe. No matter what happened, I always felt safe around him.

"Where are we?", I ask confused when Rafe stops the engine of his bike in front of a small cabin at a lonely dock. I follow Rafe's concentrated look. "Rafe?" "Come", Rafe replies instead and takes my hand, "Stay right behind me." I nod and follow Rafe into the cabin where I find the back of someone's head, Ward. God, I ended up in another father son fight. At least I might be able to help. "Did you calm down?", Ward asks Rafe before he turns around.

"I'll take care of the business, okay? I choose new paths and get new contacts", Rafe doesn't hesitate to make clear what he's planning, "I'm trying to build something here for Isabella and I. I don't need you here for that so go back to your secure island and take Harvey with you. You two should stop intervening, okay? If anyone sees you here, they got us. 

"I knew if anyone would find me here, it'd be you", Ward smiles at us noticing Rafe's arm that makes sure that I stay behind him, "I'm glad that you're here. After yesterday, I believe that it's more than clear that I was right. You're on a wrong path." "Your thoughts, not mine. I think I'm making quite good decisions." 

"No, you're doing it over and over again, just like me. That's why I'm going to help you by making some changes." "What do they look like?" "I'm going to withdraw your control for the company." "What?", Rafe breathes unbelievingly. "Your time to rule is over, Rafe." "What's that supposed to mean?" "My lawyers have found a recent document in which I give Rose the control over the company." 

I gasp for a second. I think Ward's decision is fine, Rose makes smart decision. After all, she's planned all of this with Ward. But Rafe won't be ha- "Rose..", Rafe sighs dangerously. "Do you really believe I would withdraw the control completely without the tiniest bit of impact? I like being generous-" "Ah, is that so?" 

"But I'm not a gullible idiot. It's obvious that you're overburdened. That's why Rose gets the control and we withdraw your salaries. We sell Tanneyhill and I want you to leave until the end of the week." Rafe's veins start throbbing but he walks up and down still relatively calm realizing what just happened. I froze in my position trying to keep as calm as possible to not freak out Rafe any more. "Uh-" 

"I know that's hard to leave this life behind but that's what you two have to do because we begin a new life as if we've been born again. I've also been talking to Dana, Isabella, it's all settled. The families will be together. We just have to let go of this life." Rafe has finally came back to stay next to me but he lets out his anger now. "New born.. new born.. you can't be serious! You just can't deal with me standing by myself, that I'm the one in control!", Rafe yells stepping forward to his dad. "Do you, Rafe? Do you've got the power?" 

"I could call the cops and tell them that you're here and that you're alive", Rafe threatens Ward. I mean, that probably wouldn't be the worst option. Ward behind bars. I used to look up to him but some things have changed. I don't always agree with him. "Yeah?" "I'm in some kind of control." "Yeah.. then I might have to tell them that you've killed Sheriff Peterkin. I wouldn't want to but.. maybe it'd be the best for you in the end. Who knows? You have to live with some kind of guilt.. don't you think that's problematic for you relationship as well? You could turn yourself in and they'd give a lenient sentence. Sarah would support me. She's been there." 

"Have you seen her?", Rafe sighs probably already feeling like the ignored son again. I understand both men but I still hope they would reconcile their issues. "Of course I have. She's my daughter. I offered her money and an apartment but-" Out of the sudden, Rafe pulls out his gun making me gasp. I thought he'd use it in a case of defense but not against his own dad. 

"Rafe, put the gun down", I yell immediately trying to take it by reaching my arm towards his but he pushes me back so I stay behind him. I can still see the look in his eyes from the side. His hands are shaking, his eyes are full of fear of what he's capable to do. Would he? No, he can't shoot his own dad.