Okay so this is the first fic I have written/published in over a year. It is the first LOST fic I have published in about two and a half years. I am a huge Jate fan but this is a Skate fic. The plot is taken directly from the 1950 film noir, "Gun Crazy" and applied to James and Kate. I would say that it is set in the 70's. Anyways, this was just bugging me and my friend Kait told me to write it and publish it so I am. I hope you enjoy it.
He loved Tennessee. He always loved his home state. But he was sent away to the mountains to reform school for acting out; he was definitely a bad kid after his parents died. Being in and out of foster homes, James Ford stole from local businesses in rebellion. He was caught, at the age of 14, and sent away.
He was in the reform school in the Rockies until he turned 18. It was then that he decided to join the Army because he had nothing to lose. The guns were appealing too. That is what he stole when he was younger; he stole guns from shops, along with food and other small items. He didn't want to use the guns to hurt anyone though. No, James could never kill. He may have hated the man that tore his family apart, but he could never kill the man. The man killed his parents. He couldn't turn into Sawyer.
So, James was just fascinated with how guns worked. He was also fascinated with shooting inanimate objects. But actually shooting someone…no. That was not something that he would ever do in his life.
Coming home from the Army was probably the best day of his life. His two best friends from childhood were there to greet him. Miles was cop nowadays, married with a son. Hurley, on the other hand, was a journalist. The greeted him with open arms, eagerly asking him about the four years in reform school and the years in the Army. James amused them for the most of the afternoon and they went up to their old camping grounds to relax.
It was there, drinking beers, laughing and talking, that James was able to show Miles and Hurley his gun collection that he had gotten in the Army. He showed them off proudly, like they were his own children. Some were antiques while others were brand new, never used.
The cop and the journalist awed over the guns while James polished them gently. "The Army was definitely something…" he murmured to himself, putting the gun back in the case.
"You know what we should do to celebrate tonight?" Miles said, excited.
"What's that?" James asked, standing up and holding the gun case close to his body.
"We should go to the carnival! It is the last night for it before they pack up and go to the other city. Come on, we haven't been to a carnival in years!"
James smiled and nodded and the next thing he knew, they were all ready to go to the carnival. Walking around watching all the families and performers was something that James was mesmerized by. He completely forgot what it was like to be a normal citizen and he cherished the moments that he had now.
Hurley motioned towards one of the tents. "Let's go get popcorn and watch this show!" he exclaimed, abandoning his two friends like a little kid to rush to the popcorn stand.
James and Miles exchanged smirks before both running off after Hurley. The evening wind pushed James' blonde hair back as he was running and his gray eyes scanned the crowd, still watching.
After they had gotten popcorn, the men walked into the tent and sat down in the front row.
A few minutes after their arrival, the announcer walked up onto the small stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. May I present to you this evening, the gorgeous, dangerous, sharpshooter, Kate Austen!"
James and his friends clapped politely as Ms. Austen walked out onto the stage. Donning a cowgirl outfit, the announcer was not kidding; she really was gorgeous. Long brown curls cascaded down her back and her hips moved side to side seductively as she walked. She smiled to the crowd and James was almost certain that she caught his eye and winked at him.
But just as quickly as she smiled at him, Kate had turned around and started shooting at her targets. The first was a simple balloon on the board. Next was an object that her female assistant was holding. Then it was another round of balloons. This time though she shot at five balloons and did not hesitate in between each one.
She definitely had his attention throughout the entire show. Once she finished her spectacle (ending by shooting matches on the top of her assistant's head) Kate turned around and bowed to the same crowd. James clapped, a small smile on his face.
"Well, well, well. Katie here has put up a show for you men tonight. And now that he show is over, we would like to offer you men a challenge: beat the lovely Kate here at a shootout and you will win $500, double than what we usually offer. Lose, and you only pay us $50," the announcer said, smiling at the audience and at Kate.
Miles and Hurley smirked and nudged James. "$50. I have $10," Miles said, eagerly pulling the $10 bill out of his pocket.
"I have $20," Hurley offered, pulling a $20 bill out of his wallet.
"That means I would have to pay $20…" James said softly, shaking his head in a no fashion.
"C'mon, James! You like her. You can't keep her eyes off her. And you are the best shot in town. Just do it! What do you have to lose?" Miles prodded, nudging James in the ribs.
Sighing James pulled a $20 out of his wallet and nodded. "Fine," he said, gathering the money from his friends and standing up.
"Oh, I see we have a challenger here!" the announcer said, reaching for James' money. James stepped up on the stage, ran a hand through his hair, and glanced down at Kate.
"You ready to lose, sir?" she whispered.
"I dunno. Depends on how good of a shot you are against me," he replied back.
The two went back and forth, shooting at balloons. Kate didn't miss any and James didn't miss any. They stopped and Kate handed James the headband with the matches on top. He took it, put it on the top of his head, and walked back by the targets.
James stood there silently, holding his breath as Kate shot at him. One, two, three, four. She got four of the five matches. Aiming for the fifth one, she shot but missed.
James could hear Miles and Hurley gasp when she missed the shot. He took the headband off and walked over to where Kate was. She already had a new headband in her hand. "You're turn to be shot at, sweetheart. You scared?" he asked.
"As long as you don't aim low, I think I'll be okay," she replied back, putting the headband on and walking to the targets.
James stood there for a moment and aimed. A beat passed before one, two, three, four…five matches were lit.
Miles and Hurley cheered, standing up and smiling. They clapped for their friend and he turned around and smiled at them. Man, he sure did miss his friends.
Kate walked back from the target, the headband in her hand. She handed the headband to the announcer and then took her diamond ring off her right hand. "Your $500, sir," she said, handing him the ring. "Since we don't actually have the cash…"
James looked down at it and then at her. "I don't think this will fit me," he said, handing it back to her.
She looked at him and smiled softly, tucking a piece of her long curly hair behind her ear.
Miles and Hurley watched James, but James turned around to look at them. "You guys go on. I'll catch up with you in a minute," he said.
The two men got the hint and walked out of the tent.
"So, where did you learn to shoot?" Kate asked, sliding the ring back on her finger.
"The Army," James replied.
The announcer walked back over to them and smiled. "Good job, boy. You really are a good shot."
"Jack, we could definitely use him in our show, couldn't we? He needs a job after all. Having two shooters would be fun competition," Kate said.
"You know what…" Jack said with a smile. "You are right, Kate. Well, boy, do you want the job?"
James couldn't say no. He didn't have anyone in Tennessee besides Miles and Hurley and they already had families. "Yes!" he replied with a smile.
"Well, then. You are hired, Mr.," Jack paused, looking at James.
"Ford. James Ford."
"Mr. Ford. Welcome to the carnival."