Brian kissed Justin slowly and then pulled back. Justin arched a brow. “What’s with you?” Justin asked. “You’ve been acting really weird.” “I’m okay,” Brian assured him. “Hey,” Daphne said running to them. “James said to hurry up.” Brian looked towards James who had his backpack already on. Michael was stretching and waiting to leave too. “In a minute,” Brian said grabbing the bag he had. He looked at the motorboat and then at the yacht a few miles away. Something wasn’t right. “This is getting annoying,” Justin protested. “Why do we always do this?” Brian looked at the blond but didn’t say anything. “Do what?” James asked as he came closer to them. Michael was following them. “Why do we have to stop at each goddamn island that we see?” Justin asked. “I thought you liked land,” Michael replied. “Could it be that you like the sea better now?” “Not this kind of land,” Justin told him. “I was referring to the concrete of the city. I like to see the buildings and walk for hours in the museums. I like watching movies and doing hundreds of other stuff that I can’t do here. I feel like I’m always on vacation and seriously I need a vacation from it.” James and Michael laughed. “What’s wrong?” Justin asked Brian. “Brian, what’s wrong?” “Yeah, Brian,” Michael said. “You don’t look too good. You’re not getting sick, are you?” “I don’t get sick,” Brian told them. Justin bit his lower lip. He didn’t know what was going on with the brunet. “Brian, if you want to you can go back to the boat,” James suggested. “We can take care of this.” Brian shook his head. “Nothing is fucking wrong,” he answered. He had a bad feeling ever since he woke up in the morning. He couldn’t figure out what it was. He looked at Justin and felt a tingling in his stomach. It wasn’t the one he was used to feeling, it was different and it scared the hell out of him. “You’re gong to stay here,” Brian said to Justin. Justin arched a brow and frowned. “I hate these islands,” Daphne informed them as she looked around. “This isn’t an island princess,” James told her. “It’s an archipelago.” “I didn’t know there were so many archipelagos all over the freaking ocean,” Justin said. “I don’t like this place. I don’t want to stay here alone.” “Daphne is going to be with you,” Brian pointed out. “Or you could go back to the boat.” “We won’t be here long,” James assured him. “Stay with Daphne close to shore. We don’t want you two wondering off and getting lost.” “You stay with them,” Brian told Michael. “What?” Michael asked. “We don’t need a babysitter,” Justin protested. “Plus if something happens we’ll take the motor boat and go back to the ship. Then someone will come to your rescue armed to their teeth,” the blond said and gave Brian a thumb up. “Just like you guys are used too.” James rolled his eyes. Michael laughed slightly at Justin’s comical expression. Brian frowned and tried to calm his nerves down. “And we’re not going to run away,” Daphne assured them. “Plus there isn’t enough gas on the small boat.” Michael smirked. Brian sighed. “Whatever.” Michael shook his head, “I’m going with you guys. Just in case. You might need me.” “In case of what?” Justin asked scared for a moment. “There might be more people here or natives,” James said. “Oh,” Daphne said putting her hands on her hips. “I’m not scared.” James smirked. “Sure you’re not.” “We’ll be back soon,” Brian said as he started walking away. “Don’t come for us no matter what you hear.” Justin nodded as he and Daphne stayed at shore while the others left. The rest of the crew was on the ship. “How are things with you and Brian?” Daphne asked. “He looks a bit...” “Stiff?” Justin asked. “He’s been like that all morning and not in the way I like.” Daphne laughed. “Poor you.” “I don’t know what’s wrong with him?” Justin shrugged. “I bet I can make him feel better later on.” Daphne chuckled and shook her head at her friend’s innuendo. “We should have stayed on the boat,” Justin said suddenly. “I’m hungry.” “You’re the one that wanted to come,” Daphne pointed out. She took off her sandals and buried her feet in the sand. “And you had to drag me along with you.” “Oh whatever,” Justin told her. “Do you want to go for a swim?” “Not really,” Daphne said. “I’m tired of swimming. I’m tired of everything. “This sucks,” Daphne commented. “I mean I like spending time with James but I don’t know. It’s the same boring thing over and over and over...” Before she could finish her sentence a big explosion was heard. “What the fuck?” Justin asked. The two of them turned to see what was going on. “What do we do?” Daphne asked seeing the fire that was burning inside of the archipelago; the same direction that the guys had left. “Brian,” Justin gasped with fear in his heart. “We have to go to the boat,” Daphne said. “But Brian,” Justin told her. “What if he is hurt?” Daphne started thinking of James being in the same predicament. “But, we should go to the ship. Remember Brian asked us to stay away so we wouldn’t be hurt.” Justin ran his fingers through his hair and made a decision. He started running towards the brunet. He needed to find the captain and make sure he was okay. “Justin, wait,” Daphne yelled at him. She put on her sandals as fast as she could. Then she ran after her best friend. They were told not to move no matter what they heard but it was easier said than done. They ran into the wilderness for about five minutes before they stopped. They didn’t have any clue as to where they were going. “What now?” Daphne asked. “We’re so fucking lost.” “Brian!” Justin yelled. “Shut up,” Daphne told him. “You heard them. There could be more people here.” “God,” Justin hissed. He wanted to find Brian at that instant. “We have to find them!” “We have to get out of here,” Daphne pointed out. Justin knew that she was right. He started thinking that Brian and the others might be running to shore and now they were stuck in the inside of the archipelago. He should’ve listened to the captain. “What?” Daphne asked when she felt an arm grabbing her by the waist. “Who the fuck are you?!” Justin yelled. “Grab them,” the tall, brunet man said. “No!!” Daphne yelled. Justin tried to pull her into his arms but they pushed him back and he fell down. “Stop!” He yelled. “You’re coming with us,” the same guy spoke. “Let me go!” Daphne hissed as she tried kicking her way out of the man’s grasp. “You have to cooperate with us,” the man said as he pulled out a knife. Justin felt the air leave his lungs. He thought of Brian and his warnings. He wished he had stayed on the boat. Brian knew how to defend himself and he didn’t. The brunet had greater odds of returning to the ship without him to worry about. Now because of his mistakes he had complicated things. What if these men wanted to harm Brian and were going to use him, he asked himself. “Please,” Justin said not sure what he was asking for. “We’re trying to help,” the guys said. “My name is Steve. Now get up.” Justin got up slowly. The other guy had taken Daphne with him. “You can’t do this,” Justin informed him. Steve put his knife away. “Emmett sent us.” “What?” Justin asked shocked out of his mind. “What?” “Come now,” Steve said. “We don’t have much time.” “Justin!” Michael called from afar. Justin bit his lower lip. “Emmett,” he whispered. “It’s now or never,” Steve told him. “You can come willingly or not. My orders are to take you with us.” Justin nodded and before Michael or anyone else could get to them he left. He left because even if it was a lie he couldn’t leave Daphne alone, because if it was true he wanted to see Emmett and he really wanted to go home. Because he was tired and he thought Brian would understand, because he thought that he wouldn’t miss the brunet that much. Maybe Brian would be better off without him. *** Justin was grateful when he finally saw Emmett. They had been brought to yet another yacht. He thought they would be starting from zero once again. But there was Emmett looking happier than ever. “God, it’s so good to see you,” Emmett told him hugging Justin tightly. Justin felt like crying but he didn’t. “Emmett!” Daphne yelled as she was put down. She ran to them and hugged them tightly. “We’re going home,” Emmett whispered over and over again. “I don’t understand,” Justin said pulling back. “I thought you were going home, what happened?” “I was but when the guys left me in the airport I didn’t leave. I called Edward and told him I needed some money,” Emmett said. “What?” Justin asked. “You called your brother?” “Yes,” Emmett told him. “Then I started asking around about who could help me and no one would.” “And then I came to save your ass,” the captain of the ship said. “Hi, I’m Drew.” “Right,” Emmett said. “He was the one that helped me. It was cheap too.” “That’s great,” Daphne said. “I think.” Justin sighed. “God, anything could have happened to you, Emmett.” “I know,” Emmett said. “But I wasn’t going to leave you guys. Edward is going to be waiting for us so he can give Drew his money and then we’re going to go home.” “I can’t believe it,” Justin said. “That’s so fucking great, Emmett!” he yelled and hugged his friend again. Daphne bit her lower lip and tried to smile. Justin could tell that she wasn’t all that happy. “We’re going home, Daph,” Justin said pulling her to him. “We’re going to be just fine.” Emmett smiled happy that he had been able to help his friends. He couldn’t believe it but they were really going to go home. “I’m happy to help,” Drew assured them. Justin pulled back and looked at the man. “He doesn’t like Brian too much,” Emmett whispered. “Oh,” Justin muttered. “I see.” “What did he do to you?” Drew asked coming closer to Justin. “I heard you were his slave.” “It wasn’t like that,” Justin assured him. “You wouldn’t be the first to last this long,” Drew pointed out. Justin felt like he had been stabbed. He didn’t care, Brian had said he loved him and he believed it. Drew smirked. “I think I got you out of there in time. Before he got bored and killed you.” “He promised he was going to let me go,” Justin hissed. “He would have never killed me.” “He would have sold you off again for half the price,” Drew told him. “He wouldn’t kill you but he would gain something from you.” Justin glared at the man. “Drew,” Emmett said frowning. “Leave him alone, please. He has been through enough.” Drew grinned and nodded. “Right, I’ll be in my chambers.” Daphne put his hand on Justin’s shoulder. “I believe you. Brian wouldn’t have done that.” “It doesn’t matter,” Justin hissed. “It’s not an issue anymore. We’re going home and nothing else matters.” Emmett and Daphne looked at each other and shook their head. *** “How much longer?” Daphne asked. Justin looked at her and shrugged. “I don’t know. A few days, but I think we can manage we have waited this long.” Daphne sighed and looked at the sea. “Is it wrong that I’m hoping to see Princess Molly coming after us?” “What?” Justin asked and looked at her as if she was crazy. “Never mind,” Daphne muttered. “I’m going back to our chambers.” Justin got up to follow her. “Hey,” Drew said as he looked at Justin. Justin sighed and looked at the captain. “What?” “We need to talk,” Drew informed him. “What about?” Justin asked. “I want to know about Brian’s crew and his new ship,” Drew told him. “Why?” Justin asked. Drew smirked. “That’s my problem.” “I don’t know anything,” Justin said and shrugged. Drew licked his lips. “You’re protecting him?” Justin frowned. “What do you want with me? I know nothing.” Drew shook his head. “He’s a bad man, Justin. If you only knew half the things he had done.” Justin swallowed having a slight idea. “Whatever.” “I’m the one helping you here,” Drew said. “You can throw that in Emmett’s face. He was the one who asked, I didn’t,” Justin spat out. “I could throw you overboard, you know,” Drew informed him. “What, you’re trying to be as bad as Brian?” Justin asked. Drew smirked. “Maybe you know bits about him.” Justin shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m going to go.” “Sure,” Drew muttered. “We’ll talk some more later.” Justin licked his lips and kept on walking away not bothering to answer. He needed to find Daphne and talk to her. He wanted to make sure that she was okay. When he got to her room Emmett was sitting on the bed but Daphne wasn’t anywhere to be seen. “Hey,” Emmett said. “Em, where is Daphne?” Justin asked. “She’s taking a shower,” Emmett announced. “Oh,” Justin said and sat down next to his friend. “What’s wrong?” Emmett asked. “Nothing’s wrong,” Justin assured him. “I’m just...anxious to get home. That’s all.” Emmett nodded slowly. He wasn’t sure if he believed his friend. “Drew is something else,” Justin commented. “What do you mean?” Emmett asked. “He was asking me about Brian and his crew and wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Justin said. “He kept acting like we were having a friendly conversation even when he threatened to throw me off the ship. He’s nuts.” Emmett smirked. “He wouldn’t do that. He has a kind soul.” Justin arched a brow. “You like him?” “I might,” Emmett said. “Jesus,” Justin whispered. “What?” Emmett asked. “He’s freaking hot.” “Yeah,” Justin agreed. “But he’s a pirate.” “You should be the one to talk,” Emmett said a bit dry. “No,” Justin said shaking his head. “I’m just saying they’re not the best ones to choose from.” Emmett looked at his friend. Justin looked at Em. They smirked and ended up laughing. “I know, if they get mad they might make you walk the plank,” Emmett said and laughed. Justin nodded and leaned back in the bed as he laughed. “Or they might make you swim with sharks.” “Take one eye out,” Emmett suggested. Justin chuckled at that and added, “Leave you on an island for a few days,” he held his stomach as he laughed. “What is with you two?” Daphne asked when she came out of the shower. She had already dressed. “We’re discussing the cons of dating a pirate,” Justin informed her. “Oh, I see,” Daphne whispered. “How about the good stuff?” “There aren’t many,” Justin said. “You get to be stuck in a boat for so long that you might go mental. You eat mostly fish and the list goes on.” Emmett nodded knowing he was starting to hate the dish. “Yeah, how about you get to be alone, where you can love each other and no one interrupts you,” Daphne said. “They are bunch of bad men but when it comes down to it if they really love you they would kill for you. In my book I check that as good. I can keep going.” Emmett and Justin stayed quiet. “Yeah,” Daphne said as she exited the room. Justin looked at Emmett. “She wasn’t the one that got to swim with sharks.” Emmett smirked and nodded. “Although I have to admit the sex was pretty good,” Justin told him grinning. Emmett and Justin started laughing again discussing the pros of dating a pirate. It was good to laugh about it and let it all go. They were finally going home and it all could be left behind or so they thought. *** “Jesus fucking Christ,” Edward said as he held tightly to Emmett. “It’s been months since I last heard from you.” “I know,” Emmett answered. “It’s quite something traveling by sea.” “I hate to interrupt,” Drew said. “But my money.” Edward pulled away and glared at Drew. “Here is it, you fuck.” “Ed,” Emmett said. “He helped us. We ate on his boat and he brought us all the way here. He deserves to be paid for his services; he has to live off something.” “If he was so good he wouldn’t have asked for anything,” Edward said. “Whatever,” Drew answered taking the bag of money. “God,” Daphne said. “We’re here. We’re truly here.” Justin stayed silent. He was going home. “You’re parents are going to be so happy to see you,” Edward announced. “We thought you were dead. All of you.” “Have you talked to them?” Emmett asked. “Yes,” Edward said. “But I didn’t tell them you had arrived yet. I didn’t want to create a commotion.” “Good thinking,” Emmett said and turned to Drew. He went and hugged the man. “Thank you.” Drew looked away not sure what was happening to him. “Oh, yeah, sure.” Daphne started walking ahead. She had nothing to say. Justin looked at Drew and arched a brow but then followed Daphne. A few minutes later Edward and Emmett where right behind them. They got in the car and went to drop off Daphne first. Justin watched with a big smile as her mother and father hugged her tightly and wouldn’t let go of her. They were blind to anything else. “I think we should go,” Edward suggested. “I think your family wants to see you.” Justin nodded and they headed to his house. He was anxious to know what was going to happen. He had unshed tears in his eyes. He had missed his family for so long. A year and two months to be exactly, it was too long. “Come on,” Emmett said. “Do you want me to go with you?” Justin realized they had arrived. “No, you go home and see your family. I’m sure they’re dying to see you,” he said. He got out of the car and walked to the door. He looked back to see that Edward and Emmett didn’t leave. He sighed and knocked on the door. He didn’t know what to expect. “I got it!” Molly yelled from inside. Justin licked his lips and the door opened. “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” Molly yelled with all her might. The scream piercing the air; it was full of wonder, happiness and fear all in one. “AHHHHHHHH!” she kept screaming as she threw herself into Justin’s arms. Justin could feel her shaking and he knew she was crying. “What is going on?” Jennifer asked terrified. She came running to see if her daughter was okay. Craig was running behind her thinking the worst. “Justin!” Jennifer yelled and hugged her son. “Oh my god! Let me see you,” she said pulling back to look at his face. “Jesus Fuck!” Craig said stopping dead on his tracks. Molly was crying now full force, almost slipping to the floor as she held on to her brother’s waist. She knew that he was coming or at least that’s what they had said but she wasn’t sure. She had hoped and dreamed and wished for it for so long. She couldn’t let go of him now. “Oh my god,” Jennifer said as the tears came out one after the other. “My baby.” Craig went to his son and hugged him. “You’re here.” Justin didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say. He just held on to them and cried. He was finally home and yet, he wasn’t.