Welcome to 1974.
Their story had started long before, well, long after 1974; depending on what timeline you're looking at. But it hadn't truly started until their launch into the past. Their launch into the past, and two promised weeks.
She was sitting on the dock. The same dock that thirty years from now she'd be standing on as her way home would be blown sky-high by John Locke. But here, in this time, her ride home was still here. And it was leaving tomorrow.
By now, the sun had set and all the good dharma folks had head into their cookie-cutter yellow homes. But she was still here. Sitting on the dock with half a bottle of dharma branded rum and a foggy head. She didn't even realize he had come up until he plopped down next to her and grabbed at the bottle for a pull.
"I'm taking the sub tomorrow." She said. Not to him in particular, but maybe just to everyone. To make sure she went through with it.
"If you go, who's gonna have my back?" he paused. "The next sub comes in two weeks. You gotta give me that. Locke will be back and we'll be home before you know it." He sounded so hopeful. Here was a side of James Ford she had never seen thus far. She's seen Sawyer. The man who tried to kick her off the beach. Outed her as a conspirator. The man in his file. But this, this was the first time she met James Ford.
"Okay, James. Two weeks." She watched him as he smiled a bit to himself. He stood himself up and reached his hands down to help her up. She went to grab them slowly. Grasping his hands she could feel the roughness and the callouses. She felt a small comfort from them. Enough to bring a small ounce of hope. Hope that maybe James Ford would be the one to finally get her home.
Who was he to ask her to stay? The poor women had been on this island three years. Him? A month and a couple days. He couldn't even remember at this point. But looking at her, he couldn't let her go that easy. Purely for the fact that he wouldn't be able to get through this sane by himself. Hell knows that keeping track of Miles, Jin, and the damn twitchy scientist kid would be enough to drive him mad in a matter of hours. But Juliet fascinated him. Her quietness. Her intuition. Her confidence to make the right decisions even when she's going at it alone. She's different. She's not Kate.
He wouldn't lie to himself and say he didn't miss her. He did. And part of him can't tell if he's pissed that he jumped off that helicopter or if he's glad. She could be dead for all he knows. But despite it all, he hopes that she got away.
He and Juliet walk back in silence. It wasn't a very long walk to the little yellow house Horace had borrowed them during their stay. By the time they got back, Miles and Jin were passed out in one of the bedrooms, and twitchy the scientist was nodding off at the table mumbling into his notebook. He stopped in the living room.
"Well. Uh. Thanks for agreein' to stay Juliet." He said, voice thick with his southern drawl. He watched for her reaction.
Looking up, she murmured, "Don't worry. I've got your back remember?" With that, James watched as she walked towards the other bedroom. Stopping before she reached the door, she looked back and whispered a light "goodnight" before entering the door then closing the door with a light click.
He laid down on the couch, arm over head, staring at the ceiling. Those sad eyes. She may sound like she's got it together, but those eyes tell another story.
Before he slipped to sleep himself, "That son-of-a-bitch has two weeks." He thought, "I have two weeks. I gotta get this girl home."
Authors Note: So not completely sure how i'm going to work this, or if i'll finish it. (Depends on if I get any feedback I guess) But I'm working on some stuff and I have some ideas I want to toy with! But i'd appreciate feedback or anything :) Thanks guys!
-Kas