Hi, this is a short story I've typed on a couple of nights on the late shift. Lets just say, in the UK, just about everybody in the UK is talking about Lost, it's big!
Programme: Lost
Romance / Some drama, about Kate in an earlier part of her life.
Beta checked by a couple of good friends (I hope)
Disclaimer: The character, Connor Sutherland is mine, however like all good ideas the rest belongs to JJ Abrahams and the good people at ABC.
Classification: It'sT rated or 15 as they have in this country. Adult content with some violence
Pretty Face don't mean a pretty heart.
Chapter 1
The sun set another day over in a paradise that was rapidly becoming another prison. The dying embers from the campsites fires cast an eerie glow amongst the wreckage as survivors moved amongst them, seeking shelter from the cold. A breeze was starting to coming in off the ocean.
Kate sat alone as usual at the edge of the campsite, pulling a "borrowed" jumper from Claire tighter to ward off the chill, not from the night but from what scavenged from amongst the wreckage. An ID badge, not just any badge, this badge belonged to an FBI agent, there were other personal artefacts belonging to the man, pictures of him and three older and younger siblings, and finally another picture, this was more personal, she was in it along with him. She stared at it for a while, and started to sob.
Denver Colorado, three years before.
"The reason why I don't live near you, in that the eight months that I've been here your wife keeps trying to fix me up with her fellow nurses!" an exasperated Agent Connor Sutherland groaned, at his partner and mentor Agent Max Apone, an FBI agent with twenty years field experience, and a lifetime of the school of hard knocks. Apone grinned as he took the two very hot cups of coffee from the sales assistant, he winked at, a pretty latino girl in her early twenties. "Connor – you're almost a year out of Quantico, second out of your year, you need to stop having a"
"Rod up my ass." Connor finished for him. "Precisely". Apone said handing Connor a cup of coffee. Both started walking over to a booth in the diner. They had just gone off from a night long surveillance, Apone was eagerly anticipating the fry up that he'd ordered, in defiance of his wife, and three daughters. Connor shook his head, 24 sandy haired, and five foot eight, the FBI agent was on probation, it had been very good so far, paired up with Apone, they were chalk and cheese. The Denver office chief, James Murray had pulled a master-stroke in combining the rookie with a seasoned pro, this was promising to be a very good partnership, and he wished he could end the probation now.
"That apartment must be a pretty penny to rent." Connor frowned. "It's sorted, I put an ad in the metro yesterday for a flat-mate!"
"The guys at the station are going to have a field day when they find this out Connor" Apone grinned an evil grin, the office would know, so would Chrissy his wife, and no doubt the whole of Denver by tonight.
Apone rubbed his hands in glee, the waitress was bringing over a fry up for him, and breakfast cereal for Connor. The one consolation today was once they'd written up their reports they'd be free for the weekend. Connor sipped his coffee, Apone was right, he needed a life outside this job.
So far there was no messages on his answering machine, as Connor woke up he checked the bed side clock, 3pm. Oh god is that the time, and got himself up.
It was a typical bachelor's apartment, he had a cleaner, Maria come in once a week every Tuesday, however there was the grim contemplation that he'd have to make some effort himself at the weekend. An OJ was called for as he made his way into the kitchen, he stopped before realising there was none, the last drop was drunk yesterday. Hey, my day is getting better I've got the local market to go to.
There was a knock at the door, that startled Connor out of his daydream. He stared at himself, T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms with an ancient pair of Nike's, what way to greet somebody at he door.
Fuck it.
He walked over, and opened it. "H, hello how can I help you?"
She was pretty, long ravened haired, and blue eyed, thin built, and slightly smaller than him. "Hi!" She gasped, clutching a copy of the local newspaper. "I'm here about your ad, for a flat-mate!" She smiled. "I guess I'm the first!"
Connor ginned. "Yeah, sorry I have to pop out for some groceries, if you want to come with me and I'll tell you all you need to know!"
She smiled, this was a friendly smile. "Do you always offer rental of a room to a woman that you've just met?"
Connor leaned against the side of the door. "No – you're the first!"
"Thanks." She replied, holding out her hand. "I'm Kate, Kate Austin"
Connor reached out, and shook it. "I'm Connor, Connor Sutherland, and I'm pleased to meet you Kate."
Present day
"What you got there?" Charlie crept up and sat down beside Kate. Momentarily distracted, the shape of Hurley appeared on the other side. Kate tucked the artefacts inside her jumper, glancing at them, they took the hint. Company was not high on Kate's priority list now.
Denver, three years ago.
"So what's her name?" Apone peered through the IR-binoculars. Connor grins, and reaches for his walkie-talkie. "OP one, nine pm, no positive identification of suspects at warehouse." This was a long night. "Kate."
"Age?"
"I didn't ask her. Dad!" Connor coldly replied. Apone sighed. "The first caller for your apartment, and you offered it to her?"
"Uh-huh!"
"What do you know about her?"
"Er – she works as a freelance photographer, she's vegetarian, and she likes to travel!"
Apone started to help himself to some really hot, very strong coffee from a flask. "So what are you up to this weekend?"
"You ask too many questions Dad!" Connor turned to stare at him, his smile matched his own.
"Hi – long night?" Connor nodded as he walked into his apartment. Kate's smile was genuine as Connor sloughed into an arm-chair. "They sure work you hard."
"That's the FBI for you Kate!"
"They still teasing you at work?"
Connor's eyes narrowed. I only get this interrogation from two people. "Let me guess Chrissie called!"
Kate laughed. "We had an interesting twenty minute talk on the phone last night!"
Connor sighed in resignation. "I can forget about my life now!"
"Not while you're with me!"
"We're flat-mates Chrissie, nothing more nothing less!" Connor leaned against the boarding of an outdoor ice-skating rink, precariously balanced. Chrissie was a very determined, self confident Head nurse in intensive care at the Memorial hospital, she was used to getting results, as Connor occasionally despaired.
"I've heard that one before Connor!" She said with a knowing wink. Both turned to watch Kate, Apone and three girls skate around with ease. "She's a good skater, were did she say she was from Connor?"
"Er – all over I think." Connor grasped the edge of the thinking he was about to fall. No I'm not, as a firm hand grasped his waist, holding him upright. A smiling winter beaten face underneath a purple knitted hat grinned at him. "Wuss" Kate whispered.
"I think me and Max, better leave you two alone." Chrissie shook her head.
"You're the bain of my life, Kate!" Connor grimaced. The bruises and bumps were going to be very painful in the morning. "I have that habit." Kate whispered as she leaned up alongside him in bed.
Three months later…
"Connor still on leave?" Apone nodded at his fellow agent. "Yeah – photographing wildlife at Yellowstone park." The agent looked at him with an I don't believe that look. Both laughed, as James Murray walked into the office. Nine times out of ten, he'd have joined in, as this was his nature. Not this Tuesday morning. The other agent scurried away.
"Max can I see you in my office!" Murray said directly.
Apone walked into his boss's office. It was like any other FBI Chief's office. Except Murray was a health freak, he absolutely abhorred smoking, and the white grey-haired middle-aged man was with an aura of defiance. He gave Apone a predatory look, as the door was closed behind him.
"Agent Max Apone. This is US Marshall Edward Mars." Mars got up and extended his hand, Apone, shook it, his grip was hard.
"Pleased to meet you." Murray beckoned on them both to take a seat. However from his expression, he was not going to take the lead in this conversation. Mars had a file, and opened it.
"Gentleman, I'll cut to the chase here. I'm looking for some-one and I believe they are in Denver." Apone glanced at the file, instinctively Mars moved it out of his area of vision. He lifted a rap sheet with a photograph on it.
"This little viper here." He handed it to Murray. "Is wanted for a bank robbery in New Mexico, people died in it, and her actions caused the death of a doctor. There's a reward out for her if you're interested."
The professionals in Murray and Apone, had a shared look of distaste. Murray looked at the rap sheet. He whistled. "A pretty face" He handed it to Apone. "Don't make for a pretty heart." He added. Apone smiled.
"That's Kate Austin alright." Apone stared at the police id photo. He'd kept his composure. The eyes gave her away.
"We got a tip-off from a store clerk in the south side of the city." Apone listened keenly, part of him wanted to get out of this office now, and get on the phone.
"Can I count on your assistance?" Mars politely asked.
Murray nodded, it was probably just to get him out of the room. "If you find her, we'll provide assistance."
The look Apone observed on Mars, was cold, like a predator who was calculating his next move.
Two days later
The taxi pulled up outside the apartments. From across the street, Apone watched from his family's SUV. A copy of the rap sheet in front of him.
He watched Connor jump out of the passenger side door, and go round to the trunk. She was paying the driver. Connor removed a couple of ruck-sacks from the back. He's had a good time, Apone observed. Then the driver side door opened.
She stepped out. Kate Austin. Kate Ryan. The one and the same. Apone's hands gripped the steering wheel. Oh god, Connor. He said to himself. You poor taken in bastard…
He wanted to go right there, and get it over and done with. He wanted to talk to Chrissie first, but he couldn't. He knew he would not get any sleep tonight.
The following morning.
"The organic orange juice Connor!" Kate kissed Connor on the lips. He was going for his morning run getting back into shape for going back to work, his end of probation report was due next week. Not that Connor needed licking into shape, Kate mused, as she playfully slapped him on his bottom.
The long run or the short one, Connor thought as he started his run.
"It's been ages since I've had a good breakfast." A familiar voice shouted from across the sidewalk. Connor turned, and waved. Apone stood alongside a staff car. "Besides – you don't need to run, you're fit enough."
Connor checked both sides of the street, and crossed the road. Apone looked in a serious mood.
"My shout!" Connor said.
Apone thinly smiled. "I was hoping you would say that."
Apone stared at Connor, as he looked at a copy of the rap sheet on the table, eyes fixed. Emotionless. The figure that was staring back at him, he'd just kissed goodbye to moments before.
The world was beginning to collapse around him. Apone watched his hands, they were shaking.
"It can't be Max." He whispered. Apone paused for breath. "I've watched video footage of her crimes Connor." Connor turned his head around, not wanting to listen.
"She is cold, very calculating, and desperate." Apone said grimly. "I don't like this any more than you. She's baby sat for Chrissie and me. I know you too are a helluva lot more than friends."
Apone noticed the tears in Connor's eyes.
"There is a US Marshall in town, Mars is his name. He's the kind that'll shoot first, and accept the reward afterward. He's been tailing Kate for a couple of years now."
Both watched the waitress put coffee on the table. "I have your badge, handcuffs, and your berretta." The experienced FBI agent now spoke.
"We'll drive back to your apartment, you'll make the arrest. She gets a good defence attorney, gets a long prison sentence. You'll cop some flak Connor, but myself and Murray will help you through this. You will get through this."
Connor leaned back, closed his eyes, and nodded. "Ok. Lets do it now."
Connor's late, Kate thought checking the street from the apartment window. She smiled, he's probably bought a newspaper, and started reading it, forgetting the time.
He's not like any of the others. Kate rested her head against the cold window glass. In another parallel or alternative world, this is guy I'd have thrown my lot in with. He's never used me, or hit me. Kate closed her eyes, and her mind betrayed all the happiness she was thinking. He deserves better than me, sooner or latter I'm going to have to hurt him. Sooner or latter, jesus Kate, he's FBI he's not stupid. He's going to see my criminal record. I have to go. She hurriedly looked round the apartment.
Kate heard the door open. She composed herself quickly. This is going to have to wait for now.
Connor walked in. The warm feeling Kate had evaporated in one look as Connor glanced over at her. Kate noticed no OJ, no newspaper.
"Get your coat, get whatever ID you have. Kate Ryan, or Austin, or whatever." Connor whispered. "You are under arrest, you do not have to say anything…"
"Connor. I'm sorry" Kate gasped, suddenly the room felt very small, and very cold now. Defeated, there was an acceptance of what was now coming, Kate knew there was a place that was waiting for people like her. There was tears in her eyes, matched by Connor's.
No matter what, she couldn't go to that place.
She dropped to her knees, as Connor took a set of handcuffs out of his tracksuit top's pocket. Kate noticed the pistol in the other pocket.
Connor cautiously circled her. Saying nothing, his mind was racing thousands of what ifs. "Hands in the air where I can see them." Kate slowly raised them in front of them. Connor roughly grabbed her right arm with his right hand. Suddenly, Kate dropped her left arm, struggled with her right, and grabbed the pistol from Connor's pocket. She looked up at Connor, Connor stared down at Kate. He then felt the muzzle of a gun pressed against his gut. "I'm so sorry." Kate closed her eyes.
Connor heard a loud crack, a sharp pain, and his world disintegrated, as his slumped to the floor, blood started to pool around him.
Kate was nowhere to be seen.
Apone sprinted up the lobby stairs, the whole street had heard the shot. He barged past an elderly couple, caring nothing for niceties. Pistol was drawn. A crowd was gathered in Connor's apartment doorway. "Outta my way."
He saw the scene in the apartment, and on instinct reached for his mobile, and hit the speed dial key.
An ambulance sped by, followed by a number of police cars. They didn't notice the forlorn woman, walking along the sidewalk, in an oversized jacket, and in shock. Kate didn't notice the rain as it started to fall heavily.
"Well isn't that a switch." Kate looked up, as she heard Sawyer curse. Droplets of rain started to fall, heavy splashes peppered the dying embers of the fire, her clothes and hair. She would have to find shelter and quickly.