One with the Pogues [jj x reader]

20. Free Man

JJ and Pope are arguing about how much wax to put on a board. Kie and I are just talking.

A car starts honking. We look over and it's John B in his van.
"No fucking way!" I yell running over. We all hug him.

"They dropped the charges." John B says.
"You're telling me we did all that work for nothing?" JJ says. I laugh.
"Oh, the most elaborate escape plan of all time?"
"Foolproof." Kie says with air quotes.
"Yeah, it was." I laugh again.
"We might've been high when we came up with it." I say.

"Wait, where's Sarah?" John B asks. We all look away.
"She went to go meet Wheezie last night. She didn't come back."

John B tells us how he almost got killed in jail.
"What the fuck?" I ask.
"I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch."
"Dude, it's okay." Kie says.
"No it's not. Sarah's missing."
"No, she's right there." Kie points.

There's a boat with Sarah and Topper. Sarah's yelling for John B.

They hug.

"Sarah, they're coming after Rafe."
"Good. He's completely unhinged. He jumped me last night." She says.
"What?"
"That's why I didn't come back."
"Yeah, he's lost it. Literally almost drowned his own sister." Topper chimes in. "Thankfully I got there... just in time."

JJ and I share a look.

"Uh well, guess I owe you one, Topper."
"It's all good. Somebody has to rescue your girlfriend, right?"

I can feel the tension.

"Funny cause she's not actually my girlfriend right?" Kie and I look at eachother.
"Uh, well, what is she then?"
"Tell him." John B says to Sarah.

Sarah just looks between them for a moment before talking.
"I'm with him."
"Gotcha. Just needed a little clarity there. You clear on that?" He says looking at me and JJ.
"I think it's clear you gotta go now." I say.
"Yeah, think it's time."

"Topper. Thank you." Sarah says hugging him.
"Of course." Topper says staring at John B.

"Oh shit." JJ mutters under his breath.

Topper drives off.

We all go inside.
"Let's drink." JJ says passing me a beer.

We go outside.
"John B, wanna shotgun one in the name of freedom?" John B ignores him.

I see Sarah.
"Sarah-."
"No!" She yells walking off.

"Then there were two." I say opening my beer. He does the same.
"To us I guess."
"To us!" I yell throwing my head back.

I smile at JJ as he pulls me in to kiss me.

His phone starts ringing.
"Piece of shit." He mutters as he picks up. "Oh shit. Yeah, I'll get him." JJ hangs up.

"Pope's dad. Something happened." He says.
"Fuck."

We run and tell Pope. We all get everyone and get to Heywards.

Sarah and I fix up his wounds.
"Pops what happened?"
"I should've known better. He came in just as I was about to lock up. Caught me by surprise. Once he had me down, he put his knee in my chest, and he asked me about that.. that key from that drawing. And in case you were wondering I ain't tell him nothing. Now did you track it down?"

Pope shows him it.
"Found it right where you said."
"Shit boy, you should've gave me it and I wouldn't have had to take a beating. Why they want it so bad?"
Pope explains the letter and what happened.

Heyward tells us to figure out what it means and to talk to Mee- Maw.

"Guys, what Limbrey said I don't think she meant to let it slip. She said the key leads to the cross of Santo Domingo." Pope says. I sit up recognizing the name.
"Can I see that?" JJ asks.
"Are we supposed to know what that means?"