Exhale, Outer Banks [ 1 ]

013. RECONCILING DIFFERENCES

"You are gonna decide."

"I can't."

"I'm very interested, actually. Me or her?"

"Both."

"Went for the Hail Mary." JJ whispers as Pope lowly whistles. Kie storms out.

"It'll be cool, right?" Sarah asks her boyfriend. "I'm gonna leave. Let y'all chat. Let me know." She says, walking off.

"I'd just like to say, you handled that beautifully." JJ says.

+++

JJ, John B, and Cordelia are sitting on the kitchen counters when Pope walks back in after talking to Kie.

"What'd she say?" John B asks, tossing him a drink.

"That you're an idiot." Pope says.

"Well, I coulda just told you that." Cordelia says making John B flick her on the head.

"It's a no brainer. You're picking Kie." JJ says.

"Look, I can't make a decision." John B says.

"So what? We're just dead in the water because you're pussy whipped?" JJ asks. "We can't do this without Kie and you know it."

"And I can't do it without Sarah. Okay, they both have to be in on it." John B says.

"Well, good luck with that." Pope says.

"You know what? I know this was my fault, all right?" John B says.

"Well, at least you're self aware." Cordelia comments.

"But it's our problem. I've got a plan." John B says.

"Oh, God." Cordelia groans.

"And you three shitheads are gonna help me out." John B says.

"Yeah, your plan is probably gonna end up with two very pissed females, so I'm gonna opt out." Cordelia says.

"Nope. Not allowed." John B says.

"You're pitting Scrappy and Daphne against each other!" Cordelia calls after John B as he walks away.

"I would be kind of interested to see that fight." JJ comments.

+++

John B and the siblings are on Heyward's boat and Pope pulls up in the HMS with Kie who gets onto the boat.

"What happened?" Kie asks.

"Uh, the alternator's, uh, not alternating anymore." JJ says.

"It's not charged." John B says.

"Did you check the plugs?" Kie asks.

"No. No, you should check 'em." JJ says.

"Yeah." John B agrees.

JJ gives her the tool he was using and Kie bends down to check the plugs.

"You guys are useless." Kie says.

"Sorry about that." John B says.

The three rush off the boat and jump into the water. They swim to the HMS and get on.

"Guys!" Kie yells. "Are you serious?!"

"Are you joking?!" Sarah shouts after Kie released her from under the boat.

"Get your asses back here!" Kie shouts.

"We can't! Not until you two figure it out!" John B exclaims.

"I will kill every single one of you!" Kie threatens.

"You can't just leave!" Sarah yells.

"I do not agree with this! I was outnumbered!" Cordelia yells.

"There's food in the cabin and JJ rolled a blunt!" Pope calls over to them.

"Hydroponic!" JJ exclaims, proud of himself.

Pope starts driving off, leaving the two girls stranded on the boat.

"John B, you asshole!" Sarah yells, swimming towards them.

"Love you guys! Bye!" JJ exclaims.

"Reluctant accomplice!" Cordelia yells.

"You wanna get stuck with them?" John B asks her.

"That's rude." Cordelia glares at him.

+++

The next morning, they go back out to where the boat is, able to make out Kie and Sarah sitting on the edge of it.

"Uh-oh! You guys forget your keys or something?" John B asks.

"You need a tow?" Pope asks.

"Do we have to aggravate the probably already made teenage girls?" Cordelia asks as they get next to the boat.

"You got to admit, it's kind of funny." John B says. "Uh, what's that?"

"Mastermind, huh?" Kie asks.

"I'm always plannin'." John B says.

"This is some patriarchal bullshit." Kie says.

"Yeah, that sucked." Sarah agrees.

"I would like to once again say, I was very against this idea and had really nothing to do with it aside from being forced to act along unless I wanted to get my share of the gold taken away. I love you both-- well, I'll warm to you." She points to Sarah. "But please just hate the three idiots because I wanted nothing to do with this. It was coercion."

"You wanna sound more desperate?" JJ sarcastically asks her.

"I will throw you in the water." Cordelia threatens.

"You still love us though, right?" JJ asks the two girls, tossing Kie a rope.

"Yeah, whatever." Kie mutters.

"Hey, you still hate me?" John B asks.

"A little. And we're both gonna get you back when you least expect it." Sarah states.

"Better watch your back, boys, Delia." Kie warns.

"Oh, come on." Cordelia groans. "Did you not just hear me begging you to not hate me?"

"I, for one, welcome that challenge." Pope says, the two other boys agreeing. "So, did you guys, you know..."

"Reconcile our differences?" Kie asks.

"Mm-mm." Sarah shakes her head.

"Not even close." Kie says.

"But we're... willing to work together." Sarah says, sounding reluctant.

"You know what? That's victory." John B says.

"Woogity woogity woogity." Pope grins, wiggling his fingers with John B's and JJ's.

"You know what it was, guys? Hydroponic." JJ says.

"Don't say that." Pope says.

"He could be right. Maybe they're more honest high." Cordelia says.

"Exactly. See." JJ motions to her in agreement.

"Stop." Pope tells them.

"All right, shut up." John B tells the three behind him. "You guys ready to jack someone up?"

"Beautiful bonding activity." Cordelia says sarcastically.