Hi! So This is my first attempt at a Lost fic. I absolutely fell in love with Suliet the second I saw them together on screen. I've wanted to write them ever since.

This fic takes place during Dharma times. What if the gang ended up in the Dharma Initiative earlier? What if, instead of 3 years, they were there for 6? James and Juliet have a chance to marry and really create a life in Dharmaville before Jack and the rest of them show up. How would it have changed everything?

Present day in this fic is 1977 (the year when Jack, Kate and everyone show up) while each chapter flashes back to the past 6 years that James and Juliet have been there, showing how they grew together and developed their lives in the Dharma Initiative.

1977

The sun beat down on him as he walked across the front lawn. It was a warm and comfortable day, a good one. Granted, lately, almost everyday was a good day. He had built a life there in Dharmaville, a content one. There was no more need to hunt for food or fish, no more tarp ceiling or sandy floor. James could proudly say that he was satisfied with what he had, even if it was in 1977.

When he had reached the house, he noticed that all of the windows were opened and he could hear the sound of the radio playing loudly. There was also that hint of her voice, singing happily along to the tune. There was no doubt that she was probably dancing around the kitchen barefoot too. On beautiful summer days like these, it was what she tended to do and he loved seeing her like that.

Stepping through the front door, James' smile grew larger. It was just has he predicted. There she was, bopping to the sound of Elvis' "Burning Love" while cooking dinner. He didn't hesitate another moment before swooping into the kitchen and wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.

She jumped instantly. "Oh!" she exclaimed. However, when reaching back, feeling his familiar features with her hand and weaving her fingers through his hair, she chuckled. "What are you doing back so early?" she asked, beginning to sway along to the music with him.

"Got off early," he answered, spinning her around to face him and pulling her a little closer as they continued to dance.

"Just couldn't stay away. Could you?" she joked with a light smile.

"Not a chance." Together, they continued to sway to the upbeat tune, James twirling Juliet around, dipping her, and spinning her as he began to singing along to the second verse:

"Oo, oo, oo, I feel my temperature risen'

Help me, I'm flamin'. I must be a hundred and nine."

He listened to her laughing in his ear as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands moved from her waist to her back, pulling her a bit closer and allowing them to dance cheek-to-cheek.

"Burnin', burnin', burnin'. Nothin' can cool me

I just might turn into smoke, but I feel fine."

He twirled her again, just enjoying the beautiful sound of her laughter and the sight of her bright smile. He continued with the chorus, now really getting into the song and what he believed to be his fabulous Elvis impression.

"'Cause your kisses lift me higher

Like a sweet song of a choir

And you light my morning sky

With burnin' love."

With another chuckle as the instrumental bit of the song began to play, Juliet asked, "What's put you in such a good mood?"

Bringing his head back so that he could look into her bright blue eyes, he smiled. "Well, Sweetheart, it's a beautiful day, I got to get off work early, and I have the most beautiful woman in the world wrapped up in my arms right now." He watched as her smile grew wider and her cheeks blushed a bright pink. Still swaying back and forth to the music, though they were no longer in time with the fast beat, James leaned forward and placed a tender and loving kiss to her lips. He felt the way her hand brushed through his long hair and rested comfortably on his cheek. As they parted for only a second, he felt her thumb caress the stubble along his jawline. He then leaned in for another kiss, and then another as the song began to fade out.

However, as their lips slowly parted, the couple heard a set of loud squeaky voices exclaim, "Eww!"

Parting from Juliet and glancing behind them, James noticed two little figures standing before them with devilish smirks on their faces. Playfully raising his brow at the two-year-old twins, James asked, "You think my kissin' your mommy is gross? Do ya?" He released his arms from Juliet's waist and began to approach the toddlers. Quickly, before they could escape, James snatched them up in his arms. "Well, do ya? Then I guess I'll just have to unleash all of my kisses on you. Won't I? Huh?" He teased as they giggled and squirmed. He kissed their cheeks over and over again, making them laugh even louder.

After a few more kisses, James gave them a moment to calm down. He smiled when glancing at their cheerful little faces. Both of them possessed their mother's big bright blue eyes. They were mesmerizing. Their daughter, Rachel, who had been named after Juliet's sister, also had her mother's blonde curls and smile. Juliet had put it half up, half down in a little butterfly clip. Their son, Rory, was practically the spitting image of Juliet as well, though his hair was a bit darker than his sisters, like James' had been at that age.

Again, James kissed each of them as he turned to face Juliet once more. He whispered, "I'm going to give Mommy another kiss." He leaned forward and captured her lips tenderly. Their son and daughter then proceeded to kiss her as well. "You know when dinner will be done?" he asked.

"Well," she smirked, "I only just started, so I'd say about forty minutes. Maybe a bit longer."

Enthusiastically, James replied, "That is the perfect amount of time."

"For what?" the children, both staring at their father curiously, asked.

"…To go play on the swings," he replied simply and watched their eyes light up with excitement.

Together, they both yelled out "Yeah!" and squirmed out of his arms, racing each other to the door. Turning back, just for a moment, James noticed the smile that remained on Juliet's lips. It hadn't left since the moment he had walked through the door. That's how he liked it. He smiled back at her before leaning in and pecking her lips.

"We'll be home in time for dinner," he said as he caressed her cheek once more and then headed out the door.

As James shut the front door, Juliet moved into the living room and glanced out the window. She watched as he chased the twins down, snatching them up in his arms and draping one over each shoulder. She smiled when hearing them giggling and James joining in on the laughter. It was a good thing to hear. For many years, the sound of laughter had been so rare. Even during the first year she had known James, she hadn't heard him laugh unless it was some sort of snarky scoff. Still, it wasn't this kind of laughter; nothing like it.

Watching James stroll away, Juliet then decided to get back to cooking. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac was now playing on the radio. She still couldn't believe that that was a new hit. Living in the 70s was not something Juliet could have ever fathomed. For a short while, she denied it, still hoped that they would find a way back to the present, whenever the present was. However, now she was pretty content with the life she had, or maybe she just didn't care about what was then and what was now. After what she and James had built together, she was pretty sure that this was their now.

Staring down at the golden ring set comfortably on her left ring finger, Juliet recalled what James had always said to her: I don't care when we are or what we are doing, so long as we're together. That's all that matters, Jules.

Smiling, she remembered how six years ago, she had been so bent on getting off of that island. Two weeks. She swore that that was all it was going to be. But as she listened and hummed to the radio tune, she could recall that exact moment; that moment when she knew that two weeks was going to turn into so much more.

0-0-0

1971

"I honestly have no idea what they are talking about over there," Juliet said, referring to motor pool where she had been assigned. She was lounging on one of James' sofas, her elbow propping her up on her side. Things were still a bit iffy for all of them, the whole new identities and new lives thing. It was hard to believe they were really there in the Dharma Initiative in 1971. They all supposed it would take some time to really adjust.

She listened to the tall blonde man chuckle as he reentered the living room with another round of beers in hand. Passing one to her, he smiled, "You'll get the hang of being a grease monkey in no time there, Blondie."

Juliet just raised her brow as she popped her fourth can open. "Leaving in two days, James. I won't be getting the hang of anything."

"You seriously still on that whole getting off of the island business?" James slurred. He too had had his fair share of drinks. "There's nothin' wrong with livin' here in Dharmaville. And what do you suppose will happen when they get back?"

She knew he was referring to Jack and Kate and the others. Shaking her head, she made it clear that she didn't really care; she didn't really believe they would come back. "James, I have been trying to get off of this island for three years. I already explained this to you. Two weeks was our deal and my two weeks are up. I am leaving in two days and that is final." She was completely set on her decision.

"We'll see about that," James commented deeply. In response, Juliet simply rolled her eyes and drank.

Miles, who hadn't really been a part of the night's conversation, rolled over on the couch and mumbled, "What time is it? I gotta be in early tomorrow."

"Looks like it is tomorrow," James replied. "One o'clock."

Miles then quickly and unsteadily got to his feet, his eyes barely open. Jin was quick to go to his side and help him. He had been the only one who hadn't really had too much to drink.

"I help you home," he said calmly to the tipsy man.

As they headed toward the door, Juliet also decided to get going behind them. She got to her feet, also proving to be slightly wobbly. As the other two began walking back to Miles' place, Juliet took a moment to linger at the door with James. She faintly smiled up at him; he smirked back. It was clear that neither of them were fully aware, their eyes rather hazy from the alcohol.

With a sigh, Juliet finally broke the awkward silence they shared, "Well," she said, goodnight."

James replied, "Goodnight," and, without any hesitation or thought as to what he was doing, leaned forward and kissed her on the lips as if it was the most casual thing. Backing away from her, dazed and confused, he made a face and paused.

It took him a good minute to realize what he had just done.

"Did I just really do that?" he asked her. Apparently he was too drunk to differentiate between what he was actually doing and what he was thinking he wanted to do. Staring down at her, he watched her nod silently, unsure of how to respond or react. "Oh," he replied.

There was another pause, neither of them moved nor spoke. James was surprised that Juliet hadn't booked it home; instead she just stood there, staring up at him with curious eyes. Perhaps she was waiting for some sort of answer from him as to why he had done what he had done. Really, he had no clue.

"Sorry," was all he said.

Nodding her head, her eyes signifying that she maybe was expecting him to say something more, she replied, "It's alright." She smiled at him and received and shy smirk from him in return.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow," he said, leaning forward and kissing her lightly on the cheek.

"See you," she replied meekly. "Goodnight."

As he replied with another "goodnight", Juliet began walking down the front steps and along the path back to her own place. Her expression was curious, filled with thoughts that now entered her mind, and the thought that she was leaving in two days was now a distant memory.