I was thinking about adding more to the story but I am not sure. Maybe what happens the next day and Sawyer feeling embarrased that he talked to Jack about all this last night. But... Maybe not? hehe

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Sawyer lay on top the sand, breathing in the crisp night air. Lost in thought, he released a heavy sigh as he shut his eyes. Soft, sandy foot steps approached him and a tall, lean figure stood in shadow at the tip of his feet. It was Jack, waiting for Sawyer to acknowledge his presence. Sawyer tried to ignore him as long as possible but Jack broke the silence.

"Hey," he said as he crouched down onto the sand lying next to Sawyer.

"Hey yourself," Sawyer snapped his eyes open and turned his head toward Jack. They lay in the sand on their backs for a while not saying a word. It was unusual for Sawyer to not have kicked him out by now.

"Are you alright?" Jack asked as he lolled his head toward Sawyer.

"Just dandy. Why do you ask, doc?"

"It's just…you've been quiet lately and that's unlike you."

Sawyer exhaled a light chuckle.

"Guess I just been thinkin'" He tiled his head up to look at the night sky.

"That's unlike you too."

"Hardy har har." Sawyer smiled.

"But really…what's on your mind?"

"You wana know what's on my mind, doc? Share a little heart to heart, cry, hug and become BFFs? Besides, why do you care?"

"I care because you're my friend."

At that, Sawyer looked at Jack and he could see it in his eyes that he meant it. Sawyer gave a light smile. "Well, alrighty then. I ever tell you 'bout my folks?"

"No," Jack answered lightly.

"They died when I was eight years old. Con man took them for everything they had. Dad didn't handle it too well…shot my mom. And then he blew his brains out. I was hiding underneath the bed when it happened. Saw the whole thing."

Jack exhaled. "I'm sorry."

"My bedroom had stars and planets all over the ceiling and I remember counting every star before I went to sleep. But…after they died, I moved in with my uncle. I slept on the floor in an empty room he had. The room was bare. Nothing on the ceiling to stare at before I went to sleep. I was up most nights. Thinking about my mom and wishing she was there to tuck me in one last time." Sawyer took in a breath and held it. "Why am I telling you this?" He exhaled.

"Because I want to listen," Jack replied gently.

"My uncle died." Sawyer blurted out quickly. "Brain tumor. And no other sonofabitch in my family wanted me so, the rest of my childhood was spent in an orphanage and let's just say it wasn't pretty lookin'."

Jack looked at the stars lighting up the sky and softly smiled. "You can count them now."

"I can count them now, Jack." Sawyer said in a broken whisper. "For the first time in a long time, I can count the stars."

Jack listens to the silence for a while, followed by Sawyer's light breathing. He turns to look at him and sees Sawyer fast asleep, his calm features glowing in the moonlight.

"Thanks for letting me count the stars with you, Sawyer." Jack whispered as he closed his eyes and soon fell asleep next to him.