Notes:

-English is my second language, so yes, I assure you there are lots of mistakes down there. I hope you'll enjoy the story nevertheless.

-Reviews are much welcome, so please do review ; )

The Man Under The Mask

Part 1

Her heart pounded frantically against her chest, she was shaking from head to toe. Ignoring her fear, she scrambled to the floor and crawled fearfully to his side. He was as still as a rock.

"Sawyer?" This can't be happening, she told herself. With trembling hands, she touched his face. The warmth of his breath calmed her, and she finally allowed herself a long needed gulp of air. "Sawyer?" she whispered again, shaking him this time. Sawyer remained perfectly still. She let her gaze travel down to scan his still form anxiously. There was no blood no apparent injury of any kind. She shook him again. "Sawyer, wake up, damn it!"

A moan then a slight thrash. "That's it, wake up," Kate encouraged eagerly.

His eyes fluttered but remained closed, and his lips moved silently. A sudden move behind her allerted Kate but before she could turn, a strong hand stilled hers.

"Don't be afraid." Kate closed her eyes with relief; it was only Mr. Eko. "Sawyer?"

"I found him," Kate told him excitedly, "I found him."

Eko knelt before Sawyer, and ran two careful hands over the unconscious body.

"I don't know what's wrong with him," Kate still did not trust herself to speak beyond whispers.

"There are no broken bones," Eko informed, "It is safe to move him."

Not waiting for her approval Mr. Eko hauled Sawyer's limp form over his shoulders and prepared to leave. "Come, we must move quickly."

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Back in the camp, Jack was consumed with anger and worry. "I told her not to go but does she listen?"

"Getting angry will not get us anywhere," Sayid reasoned.

"We're going after them."

"Jack," Locke began to argue but was cut short by Sun's sudden appearance.

"Jack!"

Behind her Kate appeared. Jack's initial reaction was pure relief, but then that was replaced by anger, which he had no time to let out because Mr.Eko walked into their circle, an unconscious Sawyer, dangling from his shoulders.

His medical instincts kicked in instantly. "The hatch," he instructed solemnly. "Tell me what happened."

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The instant they removed Sawyer's shirt, Kate gasped with horror. Ugly bruises, welts and marks covered Sawyer's chest, Kate was appalled.

"Who would do this?" Mr. Eko was the first to speak, snapping Jack back to action. "Kate, fresh bandages, alcohol, and..."

As Jack continued with his instructions, Eko carefully studied Sawyer.

"I got it," and with a last worried glance toward Sawyer, Kate was gone.

"Look," Mr.Eko motioned for Jack flipping Sawyer's arm to reveal several needle marks covering the inside of the arm.

Jack frowned, sweat already forming on his face.

Sawyer began to moan. "Sawyer, can you hear me?" Jack coaxed.

"Easy," Mr. Eko placed a calming hand over Sawyer's forehead as he began to thrash about. His eyes fluttered and slowly opened. At first they were glazed and unfocussed but gradually began to focus on Jack's face.

"Hey, can you hear me?"

For a long moment he just stared at him, Jack thought he'd never respond to his question but then Sawyer moved his head, ever slightly, and with a groan he replied, "I hear you, Doc."

His voice, although rasp and weak, was nevertheless a good sign. Motioning for Eko to hand him the glass of water on the stand, Jack put a hand under Sawyer's head and lifted it gently. Even that slight movement caused Sawyer to hiss and moan in pain. Jack frowned at the reaction but did not comment.

"Easy, here you go."

Sawyer gulped greedily until the glass was rudely lifted from his hungry lips. "That's enough," Jack instructed, "You'll drive yourself sick."

After his head was eased back on the pillow, Sawyer instantly closed his eyes, a move which earned him a hasty shake from Jack.

"Hey, stay with me."

Sawyer's eyes fluttered back open.

"Sawyer, what happened?"

"Huh!"

"Tell me what happened. What do you remember?"

Sawyer swallowed and his eyes wandered around scanning the room, finally resting on Mr.Eko's solemn face. "I was," he began gruffly, "tending to my stash. Someone jumped me from behind," Sawyer paused.

"Go on?"

"That's it."

"That's it?" Jack was incredulous.

"Sorry Doc, that's all I remember," Sawyer mocked bitterly, becoming more alert with each passing minute, "They were pretty quick, took me by surprise, covered my face with some funny smelling rag and that's the last thing I remember."

"They? So now it's more than one?"

Sawyer frowned. "It must've been."

Jack shook his head and sighed.

Kate came back, the stuff Jack ordered in hands. She froze as the sight of the now awake Sawyer greeted her. "You're awake!"

Sawyer managed a weak smile.

Taking the alcohol bottle and a clean gauze, Jack approached Sawyer. "Got to clean those."

Looking down at his chest, Sawyer's face turned passive. "I'm fine, Doc."

Jack ignored him. "Tell me what happened."

"I already told..."

"Sawyer, " Jack paused from the task of cleaning Sawyer's wounds long enough to hold the sore man's gaze, "You've been missing for five days!"

Sawyer blinked.

"So now, you want to tell me what really happened? Who did this to you?"

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"None of your damn business," Sawyer shot back bitterly.

"So you do remember."

Ignoring him, Sawyer turned his head to the other side, refusing to say anymore, or to let any indication of pain escape him as Jack continued with his task.

"Someone cleaned those for you," Jack observed indicating the multiple wounds covering Sawyer's chest."

Sawyer kept his head turned, gritting his teeth in silence.

"Why aren't you telling us what happened!"

Silence.

"You suddenly disappear without a single trace, without telling anybody about the whereabouts of the guns,"Jack snapped, "Do you realise what..."

"Jack," Kate eyed Jack disapprovingly, "I think this could wait?"

Jack returned her heated stare, and for a moment he looked like he was about to take his frustration out on her, but then he calmed down. "Fine," he finally agreed, "but first I need to check his back."

"My back is fine."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So, you don't mind me seeing it."

"I don't."

Kate looked from man to man, clearly noticing the defiant stares they were throwing at each other.

"You know what kind of drugs you've been injected with?" Jack questioned, turning Sawyer's arm for his benefit.

Sawyer eyed the marks on his arm and swallowed. "I don't."

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