𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 | jj maybank

XL. Not Mad, Just Disappointed

"We're not gonna die," he scoffed. "It's our divine right to get that cross."

"Pope! Look at the freaking road, dude!"

Stella wasn't sure what happened. All she felt was JJ's arms tighten around her, pushing all the air from her body, then a hard smack as her forehead hit the back of Kie's headrest. When she lifted her head, she groaned in discomfort. The dull ache in her side would surely remain for the rest of the night and she was bound to get a headache. "Is everyone okay?" she asked, looking around the crashed truck.

When the pained grunts and coughing subsided, John B repeated her question. "Everyone good?"

Sarah nodded weakly. "I think so."

"Never better," JJ chimed. He brushed the hair away from Stella's face. "What about you, baby? You good?"

She gave him a tightlipped smile and pushed the car door open. "Just peachy, I love getting thrown around in a metal death trap," she muttered, almost stumbling from the backseat if it wasn't for JJ grabbing her arm.

The blond got out and looked at her in concern, searching for any injuries she may have acquired. His hand brushed her forehead and he pursed his lips. "That is the last time you drive, Pope."

Kie got out next and walked around the front to assess the damage. "My dad's truck!" Pope had driven headfirst into a nearby tree and the car was obviously totaled. "My parents are gonna kill me for real this time."

"Yeah, well, weren't they already gonna do that anyway?"

After a few moments of silence, Pope joined Kie's side and stared down the dark road with his hands on his hips. "We're gonna have to walk the rest of the way."

This friends looked at him like he was crazy. "Just relax for a second."

He shook his head and started down the road with determination written all over his face. John B moved to stop him, but he was harshly shoved off.

"I'm getting my cross."

"We just crashed the car," Kie argued. She followed after him once he stepped into the middle of the road. In the distance, they would see a pair of headlights driving up and if Pope didn't move, he'd probably be hit.

John B pulled him back and the pair struggled, only stopping when the upcoming vehicle passed by.

Rafe mother-fucking Cameron sat in the passenger seat with his elbow propped on the open window and a small smirk planted on his face. His eyes met Pope's and he winked, chuckling to himself as he turned away and shook his head. His gaze lifted and he looked out the window again, this time making eye contact with Stella. She was leaning against the wrecked truck, her hand rubbing the side that he had shot. He glanced at her, then the truck, then back at her. When he deemed that she wasn't hurt, he blew a smug kiss in her direction.

Stella scowled as the truck passed.

Immediately, Pope took off in a sprint. The Pogues followed closely with one thought running through their minds. The cross. The cross. The cross.

The cross was gone when they got to the church.

"No." Pope shook his head in denial as he stared at the empty space where the cross used to be. When the brief shock subsided, he kicked a nearby pew. "No!"

"It's gone."

"I'll tell you what, Sherlock Holmes. You are unbelievable."

An object flying across the room caught Stella's attention and she turned to see JJ throwing the dusty pew cushions at the wall.