Ill Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 22

I’ll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 22

"So I guess you finally got your answer." Jessie whispered. Rafe had now moved to sit on the edge of the bed facing away from Jessie with his head in his hands. "That's why I left all those years ago, Rafe. It wasn't because I wasn't willing to stick it out with you, I knew what I had gotten myself into, and I knew I was strong enough to take whatever I had coming to me... but, our child? I could never forgive myself."

In a strange sense, Rafe did understand why she did it.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you kept my daughter from me for four years." Rafe finally spoke up as he looked up with a stolid anger. His eyes were wide, his jaw was clenched. "I can't believe you really think that you could just not tell me about her. I deserve to know her, don't I?" Rafe asked with more conviction as he stood up from the bed to look at Jessie.

Jessie paused, but finally spoke up. "No, I don't think so Rafe. Because up until that point you had given me no reason to trust that you would change at all." Jessie spoke with no remorse in her voice. Of course she wanted to be a big happy family with Rafe, but he proved her wrong on that matter a long time ago.

Rafe had so much more he wanted to say, instead, he shut down, as much as it pained him to close Jessie off like he never had before, he did it. Rafe put his hands on his hips, looked away, and thought of his next words carefully. He cleared his throat.

"Yeah, well, you can take your money and leave. I don't give a shit anymore." Rafe dismissed her as he lied through his teeth. He wanted nothing more in this world than to be a family with Jessie, but how could he trust her after the four year stunt that she's just pulled, and what she's been conspiring with the pogues.

"Rafe..." Jessie whispered as she looked down at the bed. "... for what it's worth, I do want you to know that I wasn't coming here to take the money for myself. I told the pogues and your sister that I didn't want any cut of this. I still don't. I just was doing my brother-- who I hadn't heard from in years-- a favor. These past two days have been the best I've had in a long time, in about four years to be exact. And at first, this was an act... but after we got back to who we used to be... a small part of me genuinely wanted this to work out. I saw the old Rafe, and I felt like the old Jessie. But if that's how you feel... I'll go. But if you ever do want to see your daughter, just say the word, and I'll come running." Jessie said sincerely.

Rafe stayed silent, just pondering what all had happened. Jessie finally eased her way off the bed and made her way back to her wing only to be met by a call from-- oh great-- JJ.

"What do you want, JJ?" Jessie sighed as her voice cracked, clearly holding back tears.  She knew exactly what JJ wanted, she knew he and all the others heard their entire conversation. She grew to hate that little trick Pope had rigged her phone with.

"You... you were pregnant?" JJ said barely above a whisper. Jessie could tell he was just as confused as Rafe was, but he was trying to be gentle for Jessie's sake.

"Yes. That's why I left." Jessie said as she breathed heavily, almost seeming like a sigh of relief. After all, Jessie had been keeping this secret for a long time, and she dreamed of coming back to OBX one day and letting JJ meet his niece, but she hated that this is how he found out.

***

"What do you mean you're leaving, Jessie? It's the middle of the night! Stop, tell me what's wrong." JJ demanded as he stopped Jessie from packing. Jessie had just gotten back from her... conversation, with Rafe and knew she had to leave immediately. Every second that she was there was another second for him to calculate his next move, how he was going to manipulate her into staying. She knew Rafe wouldn't take what just happened lying down, and she had to get out of dodge. But how would she tell JJ? No, she couldn't. She knew if she did he definitely wouldn't let her leave then. Even worse, he'd make it his mission to kill Rafe Cameron, and that was a far worse destiny than never seeing his sister again. Jessie didn't want blood on JJ's hands and a vendetta in his heart for the rest of his life.

Jessie didn't tell JJ what had happened for a host of reasons, but the most important reason was safety. She knew if JJ knew then Rafe would come after him. Well, Rafe would probably come after him regardless, but at least then he wouldn't have any reason to believe that JJ helped Jessie leave.

"I have to leave, JJ. I'm in trouble, and I can't tell you what it is but one day I will, I promise. I'll be okay as soon as I leave OBX." Jessie explained frantically as she turned away from JJ and continued packing.

"Th-this is insane, Jess. How much trouble are you in? It can't be that bad can it? I mean, I'm sure I've done way worse." JJ answered. Jessie still ignored his requests as she threw all the clothes she could into what little luggage she had. Her family didn't exactly go on a bunch of family vacations.

"Look, whatever it is, I'm sure Peterkin will vouche for you, she always does and besides Rafe-"

"I don't need Rafe. Rafe can't fix this." Jessie said sternly as she stopped packing and turned to JJ. JJ just tried to read her, what was she trying to say?

"Did Rafe do something?" JJ asked through gritted teeth. "I swear if he hurt you I'll kill that son of a bitch, I knew-"

"JJ." Jessie interrupted as she put her hands on JJ shoulders to try and ground him and get him to focus. "I'm only going to say this once so listen good. What I am doing is my own choice and for my own benefit, okay?" Jessie assured. JJ didn't completely buy it, he knew Rafe was struggling with addiction, and he bet that Rafe had something to do with the current situation.

Jessie zipped up her duffel bag and made her way through the house. "I put some extra money in the coffee can in the kitchen cabinet. You know how to handle dad if he comes back around. There's also a stash of weed under my bed and in my desk drawer if you want that and-"

"Woah woah woah, Jessie... you can't be serious." JJ almost laughs, thinking that this really is some sick joke. Jessie doesn't laugh.

"This isn't a joke, J. I'm leaving." Jessie responds, as tears brim her eyes. She quickly walks out of the door and towards her bike.

"Jess, come on, please talk to me." JJ pleads as he realizes his sister really is about to leave. "Don't leave me."

That sentence stops Jessie in her tracks. She could sense the clear worry and sadness in his voice.

"At least tell me where you're going." JJ begs with a soft tone.

"I don't know, Jayj." Jessie answers, not being able to look back, only gripping further into the strap on her shoulder looking for any sense of stability.

"Well when are you coming back?"

"I don't know that either."

"So... that's it? You're just gonna leave your little brother in the middle of the night with his piece of shit abusive father and just be okay with that?" JJ asks through tears, his voice starting to crack. JJ sounded scared, and Jessie picked up on that, only breaking her heart more.

"JJ," Jessie starts as she turns back around. She walks over to JJ and and engulfs him in a hug. "I will never be okay with this. I will never forgive myself for this. But please trust me when I say this is my only option for right now." Jessie breaks from the hug to look at JJ.

"I'll mail you my new number when I get one."

A silence existed between the two of them, neither one not knowing what to say next.

"Jessie, please, we can figure it out, we can do it together!" JJ insisted once more through tears.

"JJ, I wish we could, but I have to do this on my own for now. You're strong, you can do this!" Jessie said through sobs as she took JJ's tear stained face in her hands and wiped his eyes.

They both embraced in a hug that they wanted to last a lifetime, both sobbing into the other. Neither one of them knew if this would be their last hug to exchange.

"If you need me, anytime, anywhere, you say the word, and I'll come running. I promise." Jessie said she she held JJ close. JJ was too heartbroken for words, he simply nodded and after a few minutes, let his sister go.

***

"I get it now." JJ simply said. "I can't imagine what you were thinking. God, Jessie how did you do it?" JJ asked.

Jessie just sort of laughed through her tears. "We're Maybanks, it's what we do, Jayj." Jessie joked. Although she said it as she a joke, they both knew it to be true. Jessie and JJ had been making things work their entire life, it's what made them who they are today. It's what always gave them the strength to cut ties when they needed to, even when they didn't want to. It's what gave them the instincts to follow their head, and not their heart. Jessie was tired of following her head. Her heart wanted Rafe, her heart wanted to fight for him with everything she had. But her head told her that she had a daughter that deserved a much better life than one that was plagued by a drug addicted father. Jessie couldn't let her heart win that battle.

"You got that right, sis." JJ laughed. "I'm proud of you."

Jessie had never heard those words before, especially not since she became a mother. She's been on her own, with nobody to support her like JJ always did. Jessie melted immediately, just silently bawling through the phone. She needed to hear that more than JJ knew in the moment. Someone was proud of her for what she did, for making the difficult decision to put her daughter first. That meant the world to Jessie, and gave her the strength to leave the following morning.

"Thank you, JJ." Was all Jessie could say as she finally collected herself enough to utter words.

"You're welcome. Charlotte's a beautiful name... can I meet her?" JJ asked gently, not wanting to overstep.

Jessie laughed through her tears. "I would love nothing more, JJ. Come back with me to Manhattan, please."

"Ohhhh, so it's Manhattan huh?" JJ finally connected that dot as well. Jessie knew the jig was up long before then, so she didn't mind telling JJ where she lived.

"Yeah, I love it there. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not OBX but I've got great friends there. That's where Charlotte's at right now, she's with some friends of mine." Jessie began to laugh. "They're uh, actually friends that I met through a biker gang."

"Woah! You mean to tell me you hang out with big city bikers all day? That's badass!" JJ exclaimed with a newfound excitement in his voice. He was mainly just ecstatic to hear Jessie sounding better. She had a joy about her when she talked about her daughter, and JJ couldn't help but notice.

"I don't just hang out with them... I am them." Jessie giggled.

"You're in a biker gang?!" JJ asked, sounding like he was jumping up and down on the other end. "I can't wait to tell the pogues man, they're gonna lose their shit. But then again, of all of us to join one of those it definitely would've been you." JJ rambled. Jessie didn't mind, she actually kind of enjoyed talking about this with JJ. She always knew JJ would love to hear about it, and she dreamed of telling him one day. She never thought it would be like this.

"Haha, yeah, I guess." Jessie agreed with a smile on her face.

"Well, hey, I know you've had a long couple of days and you're tired, so I'll let you get some rest."

"Thanks, Jayj." Jessie replied.

"And hey, Jess... just know that the money doesn't matter anymore. Whether you get it or not doesn't matter. We all just want you home." JJ assured Jessie. That was another sentence that warmed her heart so much she felt like she could cry, if she had anymore tears in her she probably would have.

"Thank you so much, JJ." Jessie whispered.

"And hey, Jessie..."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

There were definitely still more tears to cry. Jessie didn't realize she had it in her, but here they were.

"I love you too, JJ."

With that, they hung up the phone. Jessie crawled into bed feeling a flood of different emotions. Sad that things ended the way they did with Rafe. Grateful for the time she had to spend with him. Excited to see the pogues and eventually her daughter. She couldn't decide which one was the primary one. With that, she went to bed, and would figure out the rest in the morning.

Oh… oh I like this…

Ok so I dont write fanfic but I came up with a really good idea and would love someone to write it. So basically the reader is 9 months pregnant with JJ’s baby. When the pogues go on the plane to save big John the reader has to stay in obx bc of the pregnancy. While they’re gone she goes into labour and the only person she can call is her former best friend Rafe Cameron. Rafe drops what he’s doing in a heart beat to go help her. Time skip where reader finds out that JJ cheated with Kiara and in the end she ends up dating Rafe. Ik that was a lot but this would be such a good read. If anyone would write this lmk!!

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 32

Charley laid on the bed, still trying to wake up, as Jessie and Rafe got ready in the bathroom connected to Rafe's bedroom. Rafe of course was done getting ready before Jessie was, so he decided to help Charley get ready for the day.

Jessie eventually walked outside the bathroom and over to Rafe's desk to put on her usual dainty necklace and island bracelets. As she was doing so, she noticed Rafe went over to his bedside table and opened the drawer to reveal a pistol. He then stuck it behind his back in his waistband. Charley was in the floor playing on the other side of the room, so thankfully, she didn't see the exchange. Jessie, on the other hand, noticed every move.

"You just have a gun laying around in your night stand?!" Jessie whisper-yelled as she came closer to Rafe. Rafe was a little taken back by Jessie's response, he scrunched his brows together, showing confusion.

"I had a gun there four years ago when we were together and you knew about it then? Why do you care about it now?" Rafe asked, genuinely just curious, not trying to seem defensive. Jessie just exhaled and looked over at their daughter. Words were not needed for Rafe to follow what she was communicating.

Rafe slowly nodded and looked back at Jessie with understanding. He took one step further and grabbed Jessie's hands.

"I know that this probably worries you, with it being so easily accessible, but, baby, you know it's for protection." Rafe whispered with sympathy as he looked in Jessie's eyes.

"But do you really have to have it so close to where our daughter is sleeping?" Jessie asked with just as much sympathy. They both were genuinely trying to understand their differences in that moment, which was something neither one of them would have been mature enough to do four years ago. Rafe sighed and looked at the ground.

"Yes, baby. If it's anywhere else and something happens I'm not gonna be able to get to it in time and protect you and Charley." Rafe explained gently, still holding onto Jessie's hands.

"But couldnt you just, like, put a lock on it or something?" Jessie asked once again, still trying to meet Rafe in the middle.

"Jess... you know that's not any better than putting it out of my reach.  Seconds matter and if I-"

"Okay, okay..." Jessie trailed off, getting slightly annoyed. Rafe sighed and brought Jessie closer.

"Just like you taught Charley not to touch hot or fragile things, we will teach her not to go to the bedside table. But even more than that, she wont be staying in here forever. She will have her own space and not many reasons to come in here eventually." Rafe assured as he hugged Jessie tight. Jessie just exhaled and nodded as she laid her head on Rafe's chest. She had to learn to trust him with these things, especially when it came to his daughter.

"I have her best interest at heart too, baby." Rafe whispered as he kissed Jessie's head. Jessie knew he was right, he couldn't live with himself if Charley ever got hurt, but that was the main reason he kept the gun there in the first place. Jessie decided to let it go.

"Besides, you know I've got too many enemies around here to walk around without something." Rafe joked as he pulled away from Jessie.

"That is not funny." Jessie said completely serious. She did not appreciate mob mentality, even though she knew as Rafe's wife she was more than apart of it now. Who was she kidding, she had been apart of mob mentality long before she even met Rafe, and that didn't change when she was in Manhattan. Rafe just giggled.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to my girls, I promise." Rafe said a little more seriously, but still with a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. Jessie simply nodded in agreement and smiled as a silent thank you. With that, they were off to breakfast.

The three of them had arrived to a local breakfast spot right on the bay, overlooking the water. They decided against the Island Club, figuring that was still too much of a hot spot for them to be seen given that every wound was still fresh. Ward, Rose, and Wheezie's untimely death, Rafe's disappearance... and reappearance, Sarah's excommunication, oh, and now Jessie was back... with Rafe's kid. Yeah, too many questions for the young family to answer on their second day back home.

Charley loved her pancakes and bacon, and Jessie did too. Rafe enjoyed his breakfast sandwich.

"We need to get groceries after this, like seriously we have nothing in that house." Jessie laughed as she continued to eat her pancakes.

"Alright, we'll go to the store and grab stuff." Rafe agreed through bites of his sandwich. Rafe suddenly caught a glimpse of a man he knew all too well walking into the restaurant. His eyes went dark and his mouth went straight. Jessie noticed. Before she had the chance to ask or even look around, Rafe butted in.

"We have to go." Rafe said immediately standing up to grab his daughter. However, it was too late.

"Country cluuuub! Man, you back from the dead, aint ya? Where ya been?!" Barry, his drug dealer, well, ex drug dealer, came up to the table. In that moment Rafe made a mental note to make sure Charley was always sitting on his side with him from now on. Before Rafe could even spit out a vile answer, Barry realized who Rafe was with. As he looked over at Jessie his eyes became wide and his jaw dropped.

"Woah! Speaking of coming back from the dead?! How you been, darling? Man, haven't seen you since you were stealing your dad's coke."

"That's enough, Barry." Rafe insisted with a deadly scowl. Barry, of course, didn't listen. In fact, Barry didn't even glance Rafe's way after that remark. Instead he kept his eyes on Jessie.

Jessie didn't waver. It was as if something kicked in when she least expected it.

"I've been doing just fine, Barry." Jessie replied with a totally uninterested smile, clearly for show and a little sarcasm. Her and Barry went way back, further than Rafe and Barry did by a long shot.

"Who's this?!" Barry asked as if his face couldn't show more surprise, it certainly did. "Did you run off with some other man? Is that why you left all those years ago?! Man, I really started to miss you pickin up your dad's weed, I hated dealin with that son of a bitch."

"Barry, seriously cut it out." Rafe demanded, his face and voice growing more intense. That finally caught Barry's attention, and he decided to glance over at Rafe.

"What the hell you defending her for, Rafe? You remember how much you hated the bitch once she left, huh? She got you pussy whipped again?" Barry spat, with his hands becoming comfortable on the high top in front of him.

"You're not gonna talk like that in front of my daughter." Rafe said with even more fierceness as he got up out of his seat to tower over Barry. "And I never said that I hated Jessie." Rafe insisted.

"Daughter?!" Barry said a little too loudly for their liking, followed by uncontrollable laughter. "Wow, man! Your girl comes back from the dead to tell you you got a daughter and now all of a sudden you're mister clean cut business man? I'm not believin this!"

That was enough to set Rafe over the edge. He quickly grabbed Barry by his shirt, his fists becoming white and his jaw becoming clenched.

"Jessie, take her outside."

Barry didn't dare say a word, as big and bad as he thought he was, he didn't think it was smart to play in this moment. He knew what Rafe was capable of.

Jessie didn't protest either, immediately scooping up the toddler and going out to the dock to look at the water.

"Daddy!" Charley whined, wondering where they were going without her new best friend. Rafe pretended not to hear her cry. Jessie simply shushed her and walked speedily out to the dock to try and explain to Charley that they were just going for a walk.

"I don't fight around my daughter. But my daughter's not here anymore. So you got something else you wanna say to me?" Rafe threatened, breathing heavily with rage spilling over.

"Man why you playin house? You think you're better than me now? That bitch is using you and you know it. You better get a paternity test. She was worse than you ever were back then and you know it. She's always been cold-"

Rafe shut Barry up with a swift punch to the mouth, causing a cut on his lip. Barry attempted to fight back as he winded up a right hook but Rafe saw it coming from a mile away and dodged it, quickly coming behind Barry to put his other arm behind his back and slam him on the table in front of him.

"You don't talk about my wife like that." Rafe seethed just loud enough for only Barry to hear him. "I'm not your little bitch anymore. I don't need you. Understand?" Rafe let Barry back up off the table and quickly turned him around to face him.

"What do you mean? You not using anymore?" Barry asked with a sly smile through his bloody lips.

"Do I look coked out to you, bitch? No, I'm stone cold sober." Rafe whispered with a dangerous calmness in his voice and a smile that truly unsettled Barry. "So you're gonna leave me and my family alone. Got it?"

Barry stood there in shock, trying to take in all the information he was just given. Wife? Daughter? Sober? He forgot to respond but Rafe reminded him by bringing his hand to his neck and tightening around it slightly.

"G-g-got it. Got it." Barry choked out and threw his hands in the air.

"Good." Rafe replied as he let off of Barry. "And you ruined my girls' breakfast." He said as he pointed towards the mess behind him. With that, Rafe walked out as he fixed the collar of his shirt. He looked at the hostess.

"Our food's on him." Rafe calmly said as he pointed at Barry, not bothering to slow his stride one bit as he walked out of the restaurant. 

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 37

Jessie had woken up the next morning to the sun peeking through the window. Well, not peeking... there were no blinds or curtains on the window so the sun was blazing through the window. She figured John B didn't see the point in buying either of those things for a room he didn't sleep in. Jessie could also smell freshly cooked bacon, and it made her hungry immediately. She then realized that her daughter was nowhere to be found in the bed... or even in the room. As her senses started coming to her she realized she heard rustling in the kitchen, she swore she heard JJ cuss and Charley giggle.

Jessie went to get out of bed when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her even tighter and kept her there. Jessie heard Rafe groan and shimmy closer to his wife.

"Don't go." Rafe pleaded groggily. Him and Charley shared the same disdain for waking up.

"I think JJ is trying to make our daughter breakfast." Jessie giggled as she looked over her shoulder in Rafe's direction.

"Good," Rafe said as he suddenly popped his head up and rolled Jessie on her back. "That gives us some time to ourselves." He whispered in a low seductive voice as he went in for a kiss. Jessie kissed him back but quickly put her hands to his bare chest.

"No, no, no..." Jessie retorted playfully. "There are tooooo many people in this house and this bed is wayyyyy too squeaky." Jessie joked. Rafe just whined and leaned his head back onto his pillow, letting go of Jessie to rub the sleep out of his eyes.

Jessie took the opportunity to get up and as she was about to open the door she heard Rafe whistle behind her to get her attention. She quickly looked back at him to see his hands propped behind his head with a smirk. It was really hard to resist him when he looked that good.

"So you just gonna walk around in nothing but some underwear and my shirt?"

Jessie immediately looked down, dumbfounded.

"Oh..." she said as she began to undress. She threw the shirt over to Rafe and he caught it.

"And just out of curiosity... what did you expect me to wear?" Rafe joked. Jessie was glad to see he had managed some humor. She just scoffed with a smile and rolled her eyes knowing he was right.

Both Jessie and Rafe put on their clothes from last night, undoubtedly wishing they had something comfier. They walked out of the room and into the kitchen to see breakfast had been made. The sight before them was priceless: JJ made Charley a plate and was cutting up her pancakes for her as she sat on the kitchen counter waiting patiently and looking at her uncle with so much love. JJ looked very concentrated.

"Good morning." Jessie interrupted, trying not to scare either one of them as she slowly walked closer to the kitchen with Rafe following behind. JJ and Charley both jolted their heads up in response.

"Mornin." JJ replied wide eyed still trying to focus as he looked back down at the breakfast.

"Mommy! Look what uncle JJ did!" Charley exclaimed happily.

"I see that, baby. It looks yummy!" Jessie replied with a smile as both her and Rafe sat down at the island in front of them.

"I'm a little rusty... we don't normally have this kinda breakfast around here." JJ stated as he finally let Charley eat what was beside her.

"Beer is not breakfast." Jessie joked with a hint of judgement in her tone as she smirked at her brother.

"Woah, woah, why we so hostile this early in the morning?" JJ fired back as he scrunched his brows together and threw his hands up in surrender.

"Char Char binks, why don't you go eat your breakfast outside on the porch and watch the waves. Don't go past the screen door okay? Uncle JJ's watching you!" JJ exclaimed with a serious tone as he widened his eyes at the toddler and pointed two fingers at his eyes and then back to hers. Charley giggled and scurried off with breakfast in hand. JJ turned to look back at the two adults in front of him as he leaned his arms on the counter.

"You two are unbelievable." JJ remarked with a half joking and half judgmental tone.

"What're you talking about?" Jessie asked, genuinely confused.

"Oh don't act all innocent. You two can't keep your hands off each other even with your own daughter in the bed?! Charley told me you guys were "playing" last night." JJ replied as he threw up air quotes. Rafe and Jessie looked at each other and laughed.

"That was not what we were doing." Jessie laughed. "We were just... enjoying each other's company." Jessie shrugged, knowing that didn't make it sound any better. Rafe just chuckled and looked down at the floor. JJ looked disgusted as he made a gagging face.

"Alright well regardless, next time you wanna "play", stick the kid in my bed." JJ scoffed.

"Hey you ain't gotta tell me twice." Rafe joked. Jessie couldn't help but laugh. JJ was not as amused.

"Oh god." JJ replied with a grossed out look. He closed his eyes as if to physically erase the thoughts in his head. He quickly went back to the breakfast he was fixing on the other side of the kitchen. Jessie turned her attention back to Rafe.

"So are we going back to the house to get the rest of our stuff today?" Jessie asked with a gentleness to her voice, knowing Rafe was probably still sensitive about last night. Who wouldn't be? Rafe looked down at his hands and began to fiddle with his fingers.

"Yeah, I think we should do that. The sooner we move out the sooner we move on." Rafe replied half heartedly.

"Speaking of moving on, where are we going? Cuz we can't stay here." JJ asked, suddenly more interested in the conversation as he turned his body back towards Rafe and Jessie.

"Well, I don't know, I mean, we could stay here if we didn't have to worry about Rose and Wheezie, they have to know where we are right?" Jessie asked.

"Yeah, but, who knows what all Wheezie knows." Rafe answered. Before the conversation could continue, footsteps were heard coming down the hall. John B and Sarah had appeared, stumbling into the kitchen and rubbing their eyes.

"What does Wheezie know?" Sarah inquired through a yawn as she leaned her body up against the kitchen counter. John B was making his way to the fridge to grab... a beer.

"We don't know what all Ward or Rose had told Wheezie about Rafe's whereabouts, their plans, or anything like that." JJ replied.

"Well I bet you she doesn't know much, if anything. Ward and Rose never let her in on stuff way smaller than this and it always pissed her off." Rafe commented. Sarah nodded her head.

"Yeah, I agree with Rafe, I think it's really just up to Rose at this point." Sarah said.

"I still don't see why we can't dip to where nobody can find us. Ward's dead so nobody's going to go looking for him." JJ brought up the idea once more, he was nothing if not persistent.

"Except for Rose and Wheezie." Jessie reiterated, almost coming across annoyed. "They know Rafe killed Peterkin, and if they can't find Ward then they'll know exactly who did that too considering Ward came to obx to find Rafe."

With the converation getting louder by the minute, it was inevitable that Pope and Kiara eventually made it out of their rooms... room? Jessie didn't know what the sleeping arrangements were. The Chat wasn't exactly a mansion.

"We haven't even considered any other logistics like, oh, I don't know, money!" John B interrupted. "Let's say we decide to skip town and no matter what we do we're gonna need money."

"Well... we still have 400 million." JJ smirked as he looked around the room. Somehow they all collectively forgot they were millionaires. They all smiled sheepishly.

"We're going to Yukatan baby." JJ exclaimed as all the pogues laughed and began to clap and cheer... until Pope had to interfere with logic.

"But wait wait wait...guys, aren't you forgetting something?"

Jessie and Rafe were confused, what was there to forget? They were millionaires who could go anywhere anytime anyhow. Suddenly the pogues all had a look of realization.

"What am I supposed to have telekenesis?" Jessie sassed as she physically looked around the room for answers. Rafe mentally laughed at her joke, still in love with that sass she never seemed to lose.

"So... there's a cross, it's called the cross of Santo Domingo. And while you guys were gone we discovered that we might have reason to believe that it belongs to my family... like an heirloom from Denmark Tanney." Pope began to explain.

"The same Denmark Taney that possessed the 400 mil in gold." John B further explained.

"Yeah, and, we found this key that we think could lead us to the cross of Santo Domingo. We just don't know quite how to decipher everything just yet."

"Wait," Jessie began, "so this cross... you have no idea where it is?" Jessie asked looking for clarification.

"Well it sounds stupid when you say it like that." JJ retorted with a little scoff at the end.

"This key could be the thing that gets us to it, we're pretty sure it's on the island somewhere." Pope continued.

"And how do you even know about the key?" Rafe asked, suddenly just as skeptical as his wife.

"Well... so there's this woman... Carla Limbrey, and we met with her in Charleston and she was the one that told us about the key. She's looking for the cross too and she thought we had the key, but at first we had no clue what she was talking about, so then we came back home, did some investigating and-"

"And sure enough Pope's grandmother had it." Kiara butted in.

"Which only solidifies the idea that this cross has to be connected to my family somehow." Pope brought the conversation back to him. "... And I can't just leave... not without finding this cross. If we don't find it, Limbrey will, and who knows what she'll do with it."

"Yeah, and honestly, I'm gonna back Pope up on this one." JJ explained, "I mean, I wouldn't want to leave something like that behind either, especially not something worth 500 mill."

"500 million dollars?!" Jessie exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Yep. There's no way we can leave that dough hangin around now that we know it's here." JJ reiterated. Jessie was still hesitant.

"Guys..." Jessie sighed as she showed a look of sympathy mixed with desperation. "I understand, I really do, but, I don't know that we can afford another wild goose chase... not with the unknown variables of Rose and Wheezie most likely looking for Rafe." Jessie explained. She was not met with the same sympathetic looks, except from Rafe, who at that point was squeezing her thigh as if to silently thank her for sticking up for him.

"Well... with all due respect..." JJ started. Jessie knew whatever was about to come out of JJ's mouth most certainly was not going to be laced with respect. Jessie could feel the brother-sister love about to come out in this conversation, and it was not going to pretty... it never was. "... this isn't exactly a wild goose chase, we have some pretty good clues as to where the cross is. And also, it's not like either one of you were that involved in the goose chase before this one. And thirdly... you kinda owe us." JJ said plainly with a matter of fact look on his face. There it was, the guilt trip. Jessie couldn't let that slide, she never did.

"We... owe you?" Jessie replied immediately as she scooted her chair back and stood up, slowly walking towards JJ. JJ never wanted this to happen from his statement, but he figured the same as Jessie, that Maybank blood was about to boil.

"Yeah... you do. We got you guys back together-"

"When I never wanted to get back together with Rafe!" That one hurt a little bit, but Rafe tried to understand Jessie's argument. "You've said it yourself, the only reason you called me was to do what I had to do to get the gold, and I did. And you're gonna tell me that I owe you?" Jessie fired back with a laugh that was void of humor.

"You may not have planned on getting back together with Rafe, but regardless, you did! And you seem to be much happier for it, so I'd start saying you're welcome because now we're covering up a murder for your little project over here and-" JJ could't finish his sentence before he felt the hands of his sister push against his chest, forcing a slight shove that barely moved his feet.

"You cocky little shit! You-" Jessie began as she walked closer to JJ, clearly wanting a fight. Neither one of the siblings meant anything by their actions, it's just how they alwasy settled their differences... they learned from the best. Everyone else started getting uncomfortably close and looking around trying to see who was about to break this up. The most eager one to do it seemed to look like Rafe. He knew that even if JJ was Jessie's well meaning brother, if he laid a hand on her, all bets were off.

"Oh you wanna settle this like we used to huh?" JJ replied quickly as he stepped closer and returned the favor by giving Jessie a slight shove. The truth is, JJ could've shoved his sister way harder, but he chose not to. Was it wrong to say that both of them missed arguing like this?

"Yeah, I do! What're you gonna do about it, kid, huh?!" Jessie got louder as she regained her footing and stepped closer to her brother and shoved him again, this time with more force. The pogues and Rafe all started to circle in some more, this time with murmurs towards the two to cut it out.

"Listen, you're older, but I'm bigger and-"

"And I can still rock your shit-"

"So rock it!" JJ concluded and that was the final straw before the both of them were at each other's throats, literally. By that point Jessie had grabbed two fist fulls of JJ's shirt and JJ had began to walk Jessie backwards towards the front door. However, the interaction didn't last long before all the pogues were in between them.

Jessie felt arms wrap around her waist, but she knew they weren't Rafe's because she quickly saw her husband in between the two of them, his back towards her as he towered over her brother, making his presence known by puffing his chest. Although she couldn't see the front of him, she knew the exact look he had on his face: one of pure rage.

JJ felt a much stronger pair of hands replace where his sister's were just moments ago, as he was backed up into the kitchen sink looking into icy blue eyes. Rafe wanted to say so much, starting with the idea that JJ was not going to harm his wife. But due to the fact that JJ was her brother, and he most likely never intended on actually hurting her, he decided to let it slide just this once. After all, he was still technically trying to prove that he had changed.

Jessie kicked and flailed as she finally realized who had a hold of her.

"John B, let go of me!" Jessie demanded.

"Are you really sure you two wanna fight like this when there's a three year old little girl on the front porch that thinks the world of the both of you?" John B explained as he held Jessie back. John B and Rafe finally let go around the same time and Jessie and JJ both came to a realization.

"You two need to grow up!" Sarah exclaimed through annoyance as she looked between the two of them, both of them exchanging glances of anger but also of shame. "This isn't just kids treasure hunting anymore... there is a child involved now. You two have got to get it together and talk this out like adults. If you can't do that we're not going to get anywhere!"

Everyone knew Sarah was right, even JJ and Jessie. Even Rafe couldn't deny that he was a little disappointed in Jessie's outburst.

"Okay, okay." Jessie finally spoke up, clearly still annoyed but getting the idea that they both needed to move on.

"We'll help you find the cross." Rafe interceded for Jessie. "It's the least we could do."

That's not at all what Jessie wanted to say, and Rafe knew it. Jessie wanted to say that she was taking her family and fleeing to Yukatan or wherever they couldn't be found and she wasn't sticking around looking for buried treasure. She wanted to say that she had spent too many years only dreaming of the life she has right now, the life that she was so desperately holding onto with both hands. Instead, Rafe decided for her, and she had to trust him. She knew why he did it. He felt like he owed them... and he did.

Rafe just gave Jessie a knowing look as if to plead with her to trust him. She sighed and looked towards the porch.

"I'm going to check on Charley."

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 28

As Jessie was getting ready to leave for the restaurant, Rafe came into the bathroom as she was brushing her hair. Rafe wrapped his arms around Jessie's waist and pulled her in close.

"Where's Charley?" Jessie asked as she looked at Rafe through the mirror.

"She's playing in her room." Rafe answered. Jessie simply nodded and went back to getting ready.

"She called me daddy this morning." Rafe said simply with a small smile on his face. Jessie stopped what she was doing once again and looked back at Rafe with a grin.

"Seriously?!" Jessie asked with wide eyes.

"Seriously." Rafe replied through a slight laugh. "She said it this morning when she woke me up wanting breakfast."

Jessie couldn't help but be filled with tears of joy. This was more confirmation that her and Charley would be just fine following Rafe back to OBX or wherever they needed to be. No matter where they went, Jessie knew she couldn't split up their family again. Jessie couldn't choke out any words, instead she opted to wrap her arms around Rafe's neck.

"I'm so glad baby, you deserve that." She whispered as she buried herself further into Rafe.

"Thank you." Was all Rafe could say as he breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly they both heard little footsteps coming to the bathroom door.

"What we doing?" Charley asked with knitted eyebrows. She was already ready to go in her yellow sundress and high pigtails. Rafe bent down to be eye level with his daughter as Jessie went back to fixing her hair.

"We are going to find you some shoes to wear." Rafe replied as he pointed at Charley and booped her nose. She giggled and ran away to her room, clearly anxious to pick out a pair of shoes. Rafe simply followed behind her, but not before giving Jessie one last loving look.

- - -

"We ready to go?" Jessie asked as she slipped on her converse and met Rafe with Charley on his hip at the door.

"Yep." Rafe responded as they walked out the door and towards the bar downtown. Living in Manhattan everything was within walking distance, which Jessie loved. It was always a great way for Charley and her to get some fresh air and a little exercise. Plus, it saved on gas. Jessie didn't even have a car until after a year of living there, with the help of Mama and Tom getting her a job and hooked up with a friend selling one for a good price. However, she couldn't part with the small motorcycle she brought with her from OBX. That was all she had besides a few other belongings when she left. She left both her small car and motorcycle parked in the parking garage connected to their building.

The three of them had finally made it down to the small local dive bar. If Rafe would have blinked he would have missed it. He almost did, thankfully Jessie knew where it was and side stepped him just in time. Jessie had a key to the door of course but also told them she was coming and that she was bringing a friend. Considering they were stopping by before they opened she knew they wouldn't mind. They never minded having Charley there either. Many a night has been spent bartending with Mama while young Charley slept in the back room in a cot built just for her under Tom's desk.

"Hey Mama!" Jessie exclaimed enthusiastically as she let Charley down to run to her grandparents.

"Hey darlin!" Mama replied as she bent down to accept the impending bear hug from Charley. Soon after Tom rounded the corner.

"I thought I heard my favorite girls." The bearded burly man said as he came out of his office and around the counter to give Jessie a hug.

"Hey sweetheart." Tom exclaimed as he hugged Jessie and gave her a kiss on the head. Before Tom was done with the motion he eyed Rafe up and down. "Is this the guest you were talking about?" Tom asked with knitted eyebrows. At the same time Mama came walking up behind Tom with Charley in tow.

"Yes! This is Rafe. Rafe, this is Mama and PopPop. But you can call them Maci and Tom if you'd like." Jessie proclaimed as she introduced the two parties. Rafe stuck his hand out nervously with a soft smile towards Tom. Rafe couldn't belive how nervous he was. He had done billion dollar deals with gun wielding maniacs and their goons surrounding him with no nerves and yet this had him shaking.

"Nice to meet you." Rafe blurted out with his hand still extended. Tom looked down at his hand and back up at Jessie, still trying to decide if he was going to shake it or not. Tom saw the plea on Jessie's face and decided to go with it.

"Nice to meet ya Rafe." Tom said simply in his grisly tone he always has. Thankfully, Mama decided to break the very clear tension.

"Well, y'all want something to eat or drink? It's almost lunchtime!" Mama exclaimed as she made her way back behind the counter hoping everyone would follow.

"Chicken nuggets!" Charley quickly demanded as she ran alongside Mama.

"We'll just take whatever you make." Jessie answered as they sat down at the bar, Tom opted to stand alongside it beside Rafe, still unsure of the man he was looking at. For Tom, no man was good enough for Jessie. Jessie was not looking forward to telling Mama and Tom about her and Rafe's history.

"Can I get you anything to drink, baby?" Mama asked Rafe as she got Jessie started with a Moscow mule, remembering it was her all time favorite.

"Oh I'm okay, water's fine." Rafe replied, politely putting a hand up.

"What, you don't drink?" Tom asked with his eyebrows furrowed. This kid was seeming more and more peculiar to him.

"Uh... just not feeling it today, it's only lunch." Rafe joked looking at Tom for any semblance of understanding.

"Oh come on." Tom bantered as he slapped Rafe's arm with a little too much force for Jessie's liking. Thankfully, Rafe wasn't phased, his strong arms could definitely withstand the blow. "Little whiskey won't hurt ya. Put a little hair on your chest. Get him a whiskey and coke, Mama." Tom insisted. Jessie gave Rafe a look as if to silently apologize. Rafe reciprocated with a soft half smile as if to tell her it's okay. Mama gave Tom a look of disapproval but continued to make a drink for Rafe and slide it his way. Jessie tried to brush it off as best she could despite Tom's best efforts to intimidate Rafe.

"Sooooo..." Jessie began as she stretched her hands across the bar and look around bashfully. "There's a reason that I wanted to come and meet with you guys today."

"Uh oh, here we go." Tom joked as he finally took a seat at the barstool beside Rafe. Charley at that point was playing contentedly in the corner but Jessie wondered if she should redirect her to Tom's office.

"So, Rafe is actually... um... Charley's father." Jessie explained as she gripped Rafe's hand over the bar. "And we're... m-back together." Jessie didn't have the heart to tell them they were already married. She thought that would be way too much too soon. She knew eventually they'd get around to that conversation though. Mama and Tom just exchanged looks that neither Rafe nor Jessie could quite interpret. Were they angry? Confused? Surprised? Did they expect it? Probably a combination of all those things.

"This..." Tom began as he pointed at Rafe. "This is the guy you left home for? And this is the guy you had to protect from Charley?" Tom asked with a dangerous calm in his voice. Rafe couldn't let that slide.

"Hey man you don't even know me." Rafe spat as he immediately stood up from his chair and looked at Tom dead in the eyes, who had also stood up at the same moment to meet them. Despite Tom being slightly shorter, his gaze was just as fierce. Jessie didn't expect that to escalate so quickly, but she thought maybe she should have considering Rafe was never one to accept insults.

"I know enough." Tom answered with just as much vengeance in his voice. "I know that you were the reason Jessie had to leave wherever she came from. I know that you were the reason she felt she and her baby were unsafe. I know you were the reason she came here with no money and nobody to rely on." Tom continued, never breaking his death glare up towards Rafe. At this point their faces were mere inches away from each other. Rafe was trying to prove to Jessie that he had changed, but he still wasn't going to let disrespect slide.

"Yeah well that was the old me, okay?" Rafe replied. Tom just scoffed.

"You may be fooling Jessie with that but you're not fooling me alright I'll be damned if-"

"Stop it! Both of you!" Jessie interrupted, loud enough to get the point across but not loud enough to disturb Charley from across the room.

"Alright, come on now. Your daughter and your granddaughter is in the room right now." Mama spoke up as she went to grab Charley and take her to Tom's office to play with the toys they always kept in there.

"Yeah, and you're lucky she is." Tom retorted, narrowing his eyes at Rafe once more. Rafe was finding it increasingly difficult when a man was judging him so harshly without getting to know him first. Still, he had a point to prove. He remained stolid, not fuming, but he made it clear he was not afraid. Jessie decided to butt in before Rafe had a chance to say what he was really thinking.

"Tom, I promise you nobody is being more cautious about this than I am. I could never forget the reason that I came here, and I could never forget what you and Mama did for me..." Jessie trailed off as she wedged her way in between the two most important men in her life. "... but it's time for me to give Rafe another chance now that he knows about his daughter and is willing to change for us. Okay? Can you just trust me on this?" Jessie said as she looked up at Tom with hopeful eyes. Rafe had softened his look slightly and had un clinched his fist despite him still being angry deep down.

"I guess, sweetheart, whatever you want." Tom sighed as he looked at Jessie lovingly, then back up to Rafe with a hardened glare once again. "But if you step one toe out of line-"

"I'll handle it myself, like I always have, pop." Jessie interrupted with a knowing stare. Tom knew she was right, and so did Rafe. Jessie really hadn't changed that much in four years, she was still that strong, independent, snarky, know it all that was perfectly fine with taking care of herself. Rafe still appreciated that about her... that freedom she always found within herself to live life and not be afraid. Tom sighed in agreement.

"Lets eat you two!" Mama butted in, trying once again to break the tension— and the death glares— between the two men. Jessie moved from her spot back to sit at the bar, the others doing the same as Mama platted everyone's food, including Charley's, who had now re entered the room.

"So is Rafe who you were going to see last week?" Mama asked as she ate over the bar counter in front of them.

"Yeah, actually. I met him in the Bahamas to... tell him about Charley." Jessie answered. Her and Rafe both knew that was a lie, but they couldn't exactly tell the truth. How do you casually mention that you went across the world to take half of what you rightfully own as the wife of a murderer, drug addict and convicted thief of your own brother? Mama and Tom, despite how close they were to Jessie, never truly knew her history, and there was clearly a reason.

Tom put his fork down and swiveled in his chair closer to Rafe. "So what do you do for work son." Tom asked, this time a little friendlier, but not by much.

"Oh, I uh, run my dad's company. He passed away not too long ago so I'm kind of in charge of it now. Cameron Enterprises." Rafe answered, returning the same tone to Tom, friendly, but still not letting his guard down.

"Cameron? Oh! We heard about your dad a couple of weeks ago! Yeah, he was the one who..." Tom began, then realizing what he was about to say.

"Killed himself by blowing up his own boat, yeah." Rafe finished the sentence for him with a calmness in his voice that showed he was oddly un phased. To distract himself from the thought he took a sip of the whiskey and coke in front of him... well, more like a chug.

"Well, we are so sorry, honey." Mama spoke up, putting her hand on Rafe's with a sympathetic look. Jessie knew Rafe never liked pity looks, besides, he never had the best relationship with his father anyways so the loss wasn't as hard as the world may think.

"I appreciate that." Was all Rafe could muster as he pursed his lips together. He really wanted to say it was no big deal, but clearly that would raise some red flags. Instead he opted to grasp the small glass even more firmly. Jessie seemed to be the only one who noticed.

"Yeah, well, that's the main reason I needed to see Rafe. I knew his dad had just passed and as hard as it was to go back and see him, I felt it was only right that Rafe finally know what happened to me and that he had a daughter." Jessie took the moment to capitalize on her story. Truth is, as hard as it was to lie, she knew that Mama and Tom would probably never know the full story, that's just the way it goes when you're tied up with treasure hunts and ruthless tycoons like Ward Cameron.

"And I'm glad she did... she really pulled me out of the pit there." Rafe half smiled as he placed a hand on Jessie's thigh. That was the truth.

"Aw, well we're glad you two have found each other again." Mama simply stated and Tom nodded half heartedly in agreement. It was clear Tom was still fishing for information and looking for something to be wrong. Jessie didn't blame him, it was in Tom's nature just like it was in hers.

"Yeah, about that..." Jessie sighed as she grabbed Rafe's hand, she couldn't tell if it was for his support or hers. Regardless, Rafe squeezed her hand back. "I'm... well, we're... moving back home... to be with Rafe." Jessie finished, almost wincing not wanting to see the look on their faces in response.

Mama and Tom just paused in thought and looked at each other. Tom was quicker to speak than Mama of course.

"What do you mean? You can't be serious. You're gonna go back with the man who you ran away from four years ago just like that? Come on, Jessie, you know better."

"Pop... he's changed. He's not who he used to be. We're going to just try it out. What happened was four years ago. If I can see past it surely you can." Jessie insisted, this time with a hint of annoyance. Tom looked down at his plate and sighed. He finally nodded in agreement, knowing that at the end of the day it just mattered what Jessie wanted and what she felt was right for her and Charley.

"I think we're just... shocked is all. It was like one day you were perfectly fine with the life you had and now..." Mama explained.

"It's all changing. Yeah, I get it." Jessie sympathized. "And I know it's going to be hard and I know there are a lot of things we haven't thought about yet but we're just going to try. We're gonna start by visiting Outer Banks as a family... that's where I used to live." Jessie answered with a soft tone in her voice.

"You used to live steps from the beach and yet you chose to come here?" Mama joked. Jessie and Rafe just laughed.

"Yeah, this was the place I knew I could disappear. You know that, Mama."

"Yeah, I remember darling. I'm just glad you guys are getting another shot at being a family. Pop and I always wanted that for you, but we weren't quite sure it was ever going to happen." Mama ended her sentence with a giggle looking over at Tom. Tom chuckled as well.

"Of course we want the best for you, and hope everything works out, but you better come back and see us!" Tom exclaimed.

"Of course we will! I couldn't imagine a life without you guys." Jessie reassured as she went to give Tom a hug. Rafe sat there with a content smile on his face, silently thanking them for understanding.

"I promise we'll come back to visit as often as we can, and you guys are more than welcome to come see us anytime, my treat." Rafe said as Jessie went to hug Mama also.

"Oh, Tom wouldn't a vacation sound so fun?! Maybe one day we might even be invited to a wedding!" Mama hinted with excitement as she held Jessie's shoulders. Jessie just giggled nervously while looking at Rafe. Rafe smiled and hung his head down as if to prepare for the news they were both about to break.

"Hehe, yeah... about that..." Jessie started as she looked around at Mama and Tom with a clear nervous look. Mama and Tom looked confused as they narrowed their eyebrows.

"We're already married." Rafe chuckled as he threw his hands out awkwardly and slowly nodded his head.

"You got married to this man while you were gone? Thats what you were doing?!" Tom asked as he looked back at Jessie with judgement written all over his face. Oh great, this was about to be the cherry on top.

"Um, no.... We got married four years ago... before things went sour and I left." Jessie replied sheepishly, her posture showing she wanted to physically retreat into whatever shell she could find. There was an awkward pause as everyone tried to collect their thoughts, thankfully Charley was still eating her chicken nuggets happily in the corner and completely oblivious. Finally Tom slowly turned his head back to Rafe with a clear look of anger.

"You let your pregnant wife leave you and you didn't even think to go after her and make this work four years ago?!" Tom exclaimed a little louder than he should have.

"Tom!" Mama whisper-shouted, signally that he needed to keep his voice down. Tom breathed out heavily in frustration but understood.

"I didn't know she was pregnant. Jessie didn't tell me. But either way don't act like you know me, okay? You don't think I tried to find Jessie in every corner of this earth? You don't think I loved her enough to try and find her? Don't insult me like that ever again! You don't know the sleep I lost and worry I couldn't get away from when she left. Hell, that never went away! I never stopped looking for Jessie. There was never a moment when I didn't want to find her." Rafe spat as he got out of his seat and hovered over Tom with a look in his eyes that could kill. Tom didn't take that sitting down- literally- he stood up to meet Rafe with just as much fierceness.

"Well clearly you didn't look hard enough!" Tom retorted, still a little too loudly.

"It's not like I made myself easy to find, Pop! I changed my number, changed where I lived, and everything in between! I knew Rafe wouldn't have let me go that easily, that's the very reason I didn't tell him I was pregnant. I would've stayed and we wouldn't have grown up! But we're adults now and we can handle this! Rafe isn't to blame for all this. I left! This is the last time I'm going to let you fault Rafe over something that happened years ago!" Jessie demanded. Despite all that Rafe had done to Jessie and to many others, Jessie always saw something in Rafe that nobody else did. Rafe was always her Achilles heal, and that's exactly why she left years ago.

"Tom, she's right. You need to settle down." Mama said with a much more serious tone in her voice. Tom took the hint and sighed as he sat back down.

"I'm sorry, Jess, I just-"

"Don't be sorry Pop." Jessie said as she went around the counter to give Tom a hug. "You're like a father to me, you know that. I appreciate that you care so much... but you've gotta trust me on this one." Jessie assured. Tom nodded in agreement and quickly tried to change the subject to something more hopeful.

"So, when you leaving?"

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 35

Rafe immediately pulled his gun at the same moment that he pulled Jessie behind him.

"Jessie..." Rafe whispered with labored breaths with his gun pointed right at his father, who was standing in the living room in front of them. "Grab the gun that is in that vase behind you to the right of the door. Go get Charley, and come right back down here to me." Rafe said sternly, never once taking his eyes off of Ward. Rafe wasn't completely sure he wasn't hallucinating, but he wasn't willing to take any chances. He didn't figure he was considering he could feel his wife trembling and holding onto his arm for dear life behind him. Jessie broke away and did exactly as she was told, finding the hidden Glock 43 conveniently in the large flower vase by the door.

Out of the corner of Rafe's eye he saw Jessie run up the stairs with the gun in her hands to grab their daughter. He didn't dare peel his eyes away from the man standing right in front of him, for fear of Ward taking advantage of even the slightest vulnerable moment. Ward appeared with an empathetic look on his face, the look of a master manipulator.

"Get your hands out of your pockets." Rafe snapped with anger behind his eyes as he kept the gun pointed straight out. Ward slowly pulled his hands out of his perfectly ironed khakis. Rafe noticed that Ward looked particularly cleaned up. Aside from the fact that he was even alive, it was even more shocking to see him as pristine as ever, like death had never touched him. Ward slowly raised his hands up as if to silently surrender to his son.

"Don't say a word." Rafe spat as they sat in silence waiting for Jessie to come down with Charley. As hard as it was to contain himself, Rafe refused to let anything happen with his wife and daughter in the house. After a few more moments of silence and looks that could kill, Rafe finally saw Jessie come down the stairs with Charley, clearly sleepy and disheveled from being jolted awake by her mother. Rafe figured it was a miracle she wasn't crying, she never did like being woken up. Jessie, who now had the gun in the waistband of her shorts and her child on the other hip wrapped in a blanket, stood behind Rafe waiting for further instruction.

"Jessie, I want you to grab the keys to my truck, and I want you to drive to JJ's. Before you ever step outside I want you to have JJ on the phone, and I want him to stay on the phone with you until you get there. Got it?" Rafe explained, still looking at his father with a concentration like none other.

"Got it." Was all Jessie could say. Of course, she wanted Rafe to go with them, but she completely understood that now was not the time to insist. She simply went to the kitchen, grabbed the keys while speed dialing JJ.

"What's up, buttercup?" JJ happily answered the phone, still sounding like they were in the Twinkie.

"I'm coming to the Chat right now. Charley and I are in danger and that's all I can say but Rafe is handling it and he's told me to keep you on the phone while I drive to you." Jessie simple stated as she walked back to the entry way, only to see her husband still with his arm out straight with the gun cocked at Ward.

"We're on our way back to you. Give us five minutes." Jessie heard JJ say with an attitude shift that was hard to go unnoticed. Jessie could've sworn she heard the tires squeal in the background. Still, she walked outside, but not before putting the truck keys in the chest pocket of Rafe's shirt, her only form of a goodbye to him. She assumed Rafe heard JJ, and he was too wrapped up in the sight in front of him to protest.

"You've got five minutes to tell me why you're here. The second my wife and daughter leave, all bets are off." Rafe said in a deathly hushed tone after the door closed behind him.

"Son... I-"

"Don't call me that." Rafe corrected Ward. He knew he couldn't view Ward as anything more than an intruder in his home- and his life- despite the fact that he once took the blame for his own gigantic mistake of murdering Sheriff Peterkin. He knew it would be just like Ward to try and pull the father son card to get Rafe to comply with whatever he was trying to coerce him into. Rafe was done being coerced. He was done feeling like he always had to please his father. That was what led to the second downfall of Rafe Cameron, the first being when Jessie left, of course.

"Rafe... I... came back to help." Ward whispered, with a glint in his eye and shakiness in his hands. Rafe noticed Ward was afraid of him, he liked that... he missed that. There was only a few moments in his life where he felt Ward was truly afraid of him, and right now that's exactly what he needed. "You need my help-"

"I thought you were dead." Rafe said plainly as he struggled to control his breathing, almost feeling as if he was about to cry. No wait, he was about to cry. How could he not? Despite everything, his father, whom he thought he'd never see again, was standing right in front of him. He never got the chance to thank him for taking the blame for his massive mess up. Despite the immense pressure Ward put on him from such a young age, he couldn't help but still feel grateful for what Ward had done for him, but he couldn't forget what Ward did to him with all those years of fighting for his love through various accomplishments. Conflicted was an understatement in that very moment.

"I... I staged my death... Rose and Wheezie's too."

"They're alive?" Rafe asked as he licked his lips and furrowed hushed brows, trying to remain focused and not show any sign of weakness."

"Yes, son."

"Don't call me that!" Rafe corrected, much louder this time as he jolted the gun in his hand, suddenly holding it tighter. Neither one of them realized that was possible. Nonetheless, Ward placed his hands higher as if to show even more surrender to the situation.

"I'm sorry, Rafe, I just..." Ward began as he took a sharp breath in, "I... staged my death and couldn't tell you because I needed to keep this all air tight. I needed you to run the company as if I really was gone, that way there would be no suspicion from the FBI and they would truly lay this thing to rest... for you." Ward whispered with the same sympathetic eyes that neither Rafe nor Sarah believed anymore.

Rafe sniffled and let out a sharp breath he didn't realize he was holding in. He felt old habits start to arise as he instinctually contorted his lips and nose in a way to show he was thinking about his next move- and simply trying to contain his anger.

"Why'd you come back?" Rafe asked through a shaky tone as one single tear rolled down his face. He then bit his tongue as if to tell himself to get it together.

"I was hoping to come back under different circumstances... but I came back because... I heard you were back with Jessie." Ward hushed as he slowly put his hands down, assuming he was now in Rafe's head enough to do so.

Rafe just shook his head in disbelief.

"That's what this is about?" Rafe choked out, now even more upset. "God, Ward, why can you not just let her go? She's the mother-"

"She's using you, Rafe. She always has been." Ward said a little bit louder, showing once again some gained confidence in the exchange.

"Bullshit. You don't know shit about her, or me, or us!" Rafe seethed as he walked closer to Ward with the gun still pointed straight out. It wasn't clear whether his strong arms or his pure adrenaline was keeping it extended for such a long time.

Rafe finally heard the Twinkie drive off into the distance, allowing him to confidently make his move. With that he finally took steps closer to Ward, this time connecting the cold metal straight to his father's chest. Ward didn't flinch, not even in the face. It's almost as if he expected the violence.

"You do realize I have the advantage here?" Rafe slightly chuckled as he flashed a maniacal smile. "To the world, you're dead. I could kill you right now and nobody would suspect a thing. What makes you think I won't?"

"Nothing, Rafe." Ward simply stated. "But I want to give you a proposition." He finished as he lightly pushed Rafe's gun clad hand away from his chest. Rafe surprised himself by obliging, still not backing away and still not letting his finger off the trigger.

"I don't want whatever you're offering. I've got something much better now." Rafe whispered with an oddly content smile on his face as he looked at Ward's chest, imagining where he could so easily put the bullet that would end this conversation. Ward gave a subtle chuckle in agreement.

"Children will do that to you, Rafe." Ward whispered. "But think about your daughter." He said with furrowed brows looking into Rafe's eyes. "You could give her a better life." 

"Your children did nothing for you! You were still the same heartless business man through and through, and you expected the exact same from me... and you won't get it! Not anymore!" Rafe yelled this time, with fire behind his eyes and venom in his voice. Ward still remained motionless at the chastisement.

"Rafe... I want you to continue Cameron enterprises, but I want you to cut me back in to work in Barbados. That's where Rose and Wheezie and I have been staying waiting for things to blow over. It's low key there, and we can start a new life and you don't even have to leave here-"

"Absolutely not. You're not getting one cent from me and my family." Rafe insisted through a clenched jaw as his pointer finger connected with his father's chest.

"Rafe... you don't have a choice. I could come back from the dead and tell Kildare County Sheriff's Department about all that went down on that tarmac, and Sarah and John B could testify. You have to take this deal." Ward simply stated.

"I don't have to take shit."Rafe snapped as he cocked his head with a new found confidence.

"Then your only option is to kill me... right here... right now... because that's the only way you get out of this scotch free with your own business." Ward replied as he slowly began to lift his arms up by his sides as if to say come and get me.

"What happened to not letting me go down for something I did for you?" Rafe asked, now clearly showing confusion and hurt in his words. There was a slight pause.

"That was before you went rogue, Rafe. That was before you decided to run off with Jessie Maybank and mess up your life... again. I tried to stop you from doing that once, and now you're falling back into the same patterns, and I know there's nothing I can do to stop it, so I'm protecting my family from when you crash and burn again." Ward whispered, this time with a tinge of sadness in his voice. It's almost as if he truly believed his son needed saving from this girl yet again.

"Jessie Cameron." Rafe corrected coldly with a straight face as he pulled the gun on Ward once again and took a step back. "Her name is Jessie Cameron."

With that, Rafe pulled the trigger, sending Ward out of this world once and for all with the realization that he had lost his son in more ways than one.