Summary Sawyer and Kate deal with their reunion after Kate has returned from her rescue attempt for Jack. Takes place post Tricia Tanaka is Dead and Enter 77.

*Just a quick note. This was originally intended to be just a one shot fict, but after some encouragement, I decided to run with it a little longer. Im thinking perhaps 5 chapters give or take. So, Hope you like it. Please review if you get a chance. :)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Chapter 1-Reunion

He came back with a small smile on his face. A smile that reminded him of her. Something he knew he could share with her, like Jin was able to share with Sun, and Charlie with Claire. But Sawyer knew when he came back with the rest of them, that she was gone. His Kate had left him to do the right thing. To save the Doc.

Sitting down outside his tent he opened up another can of beer and gazed out at the ocean. His mind plagued by visions of his last week on this island, how just over 24 hours ago he had almost lost his life, and her. It always came back to her no matter how hard he tried to fight it.

What did she mean when she said an apology would fix it? Fix what? What were they even talking about? The conversation turned over in his mind. And he wanted so desperately to say it. 'Wait' when she turned away and started heading back for camp. 'Wait Kate...(and she would look back at him with her stormy green eyes, and he would almost forget what they were arguing about, what had built back up between them but then he saw her determination and nothing he could say or do would change the fact that she was about to leave him. Even he knew that.

Sawyer told himself, things were easier this way; make a clean break, no regrets, no future. He had never had a future to think of actually. Life always revolved around his next con, his next fix or prize to be won. He had won Kate for one night, all his dreams and fantasies had come true, and it was amazing, but for the first time, he was scared about what she could do to him. He didn't think it was possible to love anyone. He had certainly said the words plenty of times before but he was scared when he said the words to her, that he meant it.

So Sawyer tried to go back to his old life. Finding comfort in his stash and the security it offered or didn't offer. But strangely enough, irregardless of whether he got his things back or not, there was a new emptiness that filled his heart. He craved and yearned for her, and there was a hollow feeling now. No one to share stories of the day with, or plot ways to get out of their cages, or kiss in the rock quarry. Kate had left him to save Jack.

Being particularly on edge today cause certain people had gotten under his skin again (which had been happening a lot lately,) Sawyer made his way back to his woodpile. Whenever he felt frustrated or angry or just plain crazy, he could find solace in chopping back a few cords of wood. Today was no different.

A few minutes later, Hurley came trouncing up to him. Sawyer was in no mood to chat and barked back at the young man...

"Beat it Lardo...You and Jimmeny Cricket got everything out of my stash worth takin, I got nothin left to steal..."

Hurley didn't listen to Sawyer and took a seat on one of the larger fallen logs within the clearing and Sawyer shot him a glare...

"Didn't you hear me? I said scram...I aint in no mood to converse or go ridin in your hippiemobile"

Hurley just shook his head...

"Dude, what's your problem? You just got back from god knows where, nobody knows what they did to you, or how exactly you and Kate escaped, but the rumor is you both almost died, and here you are acting like a stupid ass hole yet again... (Sawyer met his glare challengingly) Don't you think you should be the least bit grateful man?"

Sawyer shook his head and set down his axe meeting Hurley's gaze...

"I got nothin to be thankful for...They should have killed me back there...Woulda saved Freckles and the Doc alot of trouble..."

Hurley frowned and shook his head, taking an unusually serious tone...

"So that's it? You just want to die then huh? You don't care about any of these people here, just want to give up and end it all? None of it meant anything to you?"

Sawyer narrowed his gaze and met Hurley's questioning glare with a salty stare...

"Guess not!"

Hurley stood up, clearly upset over the whole thing...

"Dude, you're an idiot!"

Sawyer watched him thinking he would exit the clearing now and leave him be, but Hurley turned back around and asked him...

"You know the worst part? (Hurley paused for a moment and Sawyer shook his head not sure what or how to answer that) The worst part is, Libbies dead now! I think I loved her and she's gone and never coming back...She never got a second chance, but you did, and you don't even want yours..."

Sawyer was about to open his mouth in reply when Hurley stomped off. He closed his eyes in regret and leaned back against the tree. Hurley's words ringing true in his mind and working their way under his skin. Feeling that pit form in his stomach, Sawyer felt the empty hollow sinking feeling and suddenly felt sick.

Strangely enough, he didn't care about his words or death threats to Hurley; his biggest regret was not saying he was sorry to Kate. She offered him an olive branch that day, and he couldn't take it. He didn't think he deserved one. And now it was too late.

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Three days and one ping pong match later went by and still no word. He had to do everything in his power not to go out after them. After all, it was Freckles. She could take care of herself. She had Locke and Sayid with her and she didn't need him. He would just get in the way.

At least that's what Sawyer told himself; during all the distractions that had taken place here at the beach over the past couple days. It had been far from peaceful, but at least it was safer then being out there. Nothing could get rid of that pit, no matter how hard he tried. No amount of beer or looking over his playboys even could cheer him up.

Which didn't help his worries when Sawyer saw Locke back on the beach that day. Locke was alone. Last he checked, he was supposed to be with Sayid and Kate.

Sawyer shot up out of his chair and marched over to Locke 'Where is she?' he wanted to ask, but still afraid of the answer instead he enquired...

"What happened?"

Locke looked back at Sawyer tiredly and stated plainly after catching a swig from his water bottle...

"It seems that Jack made other arrangements that did not include us, so we decided to come back?"

Sawyers head was spinning...

"We? Where's Kate? Where's Sayid? What other arrangements?"

Locke looked at Sawyer questioningly and suddenly noticed something...

"You're not calling people by your nicknames...Why James?"

Sawyer just rolled his eyes...

"Who the hell cares, what happened out there?...Where is everyone?" ('Where is Kate,' his mind screamed)

"Kate and Sayid stopped off at the Pearl Station to use the first aid kit"

"She's hurt?" Sawyer asked worriedly.

Locke just shook his head...

"Not badly, Sayid was shot, they just needed to clean up his wound, it was taken care of a couple days ago, and Kate has a small gash on her side that needed to be bandaged up."

Sawyer swallowed, closing his eyes in dread. She could have been shot, he could have lost her. They had the battle scars to prove it.

Almost a little afraid now and apprehensive, Sawyer wondered if he should see her or keep his distance. It was easy enough for him to want to see her, but on the other hand, was it good for Kate for him to be there. After all, he didn't think he was on her favorite persons list. Locke easily settled the dispute however meeting Sawyers gaze...

"If you're going back there can you tell them that I have an idea how we can get that boat back...I owe them that much..."

Sawyer looked back at Locke questioningly wondering why Locke thought he owed Kate and Sayid anything and then he headed for the Pearl station.

This hatch was not as accommodating as the first place, but it did have a shower and a couch. And as creepy as these underground doomsday chambers were, it was nice to still have some of the bare necessities. Things they couldn't have back in their tents at the beach.

Sawyer nearly ran into Sayid on his way through the door...

"Damn Moh... (Sawyer caught himself) Mean Sayid...You always in a hurry after just bein shot?"

Sayid smiled when he saw Sawyer...

"I see you have spoken with John already then..."

Sawyer nodded...

"Yeah we talked...So the Doc left you all high and dry then huh? Didn't think he had it in him..."

Sayid watched Sawyer curiously and replied...

"So it seems..."

"Well aint that just like our golden boy...I tried to tell Kate..." Sawyer retorted.

Sayid met his gaze knowingly and answered him...

"I still think there is more to it, but they made it abundantly clear that it was in everyone's best interest to part ways right now...It looks like Jack has sided with them...And until I can find the upper hand...we have no choice but to entertain their requests..."

Sawyer nodded. A moment of silence passed between them and then Sawyer finally asked...

"Kate still here?"

Sayid nodded and gestured back behind him...

"Yes she's still cleaning up; I believe she's in the restroom..."

"She get cut up pretty bad?" Sawyer asked trying to mask his concern...

Shaking his head Sayid answered...

"No most of it is just superficial thankfully..."

Sawyer started back down the main hallway, when Sayid excused himself. Remembering what Locke asked suddenly, Sawyer called after him...

"Sayid! Locke said he has an idea on how to get the boat back"

Sayid just nodded and answered looking down at the ground for a minute before answering...

"Thank you Sawyer!"

Sawyer headed towards the restroom. He didn't hear the shower running or see Kate outside, figuring she must still be inside getting dressed, Sawyer looked around the hatch. There were a couple books and board game sets along the walls and he nervously flipped up the broken lids to see if all the pieces were still in tact. The Monopoly board looked like it was in good shape but the Sorry game was missing a lot of pieces.

Suddenly Sawyer had the feeling like he was being watched and he turned around to find Kate there wearing nothing but a towel. Sawyer blinked, his heart pounding and for once, he didn't have a witty one liner or something sassy to toss out, completely tongue tied he swallowed hard.

"Sawyer? (Kate met his gaze puzzled) What are you doing here?"

Kate had been just as troubled as Sawyer in these last few days. It wasn't easy for her to go off on the rescue mission for Jack while leaving things left the way they were with Sawyer, but she was too afraid at the time to face him. She was so confused, feeling like what they shared was something more, but then Sawyer just stomped all over it, accusing her of doing it all for pities sake. On one hand it angered Kate and on the other, she couldn't stay mad. Not sure where her feelings fell, she was definitely left in a state of discontent. And leaving him and it all behind didn't help things like she thought it would. In fact after everything that had just happened to them over the past few days with Jack and the Others, leaving Sawyer the way she did made her feel even worse.

He looked at the scratches on her neck with concern and followed the line of her skin down past the towel where he imagined the other nicks were located, and he asked...

"You okay?"

Kate pursed her lip self consciously and nodded feeling like a little girl again. And she whispered...

"Yeah...fine"

Sawyer nodded and then met her gaze...

"Guess the Doc wasn't very receptive to your rescue mission was he?"

A wave of sadness washed over her face and Sawyer watched her. Taking it all in, he wondered if Kate went back for Jack and he turned her down. But for some reason, he didn't want Kate to be hurt by it; he wanted to comfort her...

"Don't beat yourself up over it Kate...When he's made up his mind there's no changing it...Time will heal your wounds..."

Kate looked up at him sadly. He should have just called her a hypocrite, or she at least deserved a hearty 'I told you so.' But he didn't do that this time, and she wondered why, watching him curiously. She batted her eyes back at him confused...

"I'm not beating myself up over it...Ill be able to live with myself tomorrow..."

Kate was talking about in opposition to Jack who betrayed them all, but Sawyer missed the translation, thinking she was talking about him...

"Yeah, guess when you get down to the quick of things, that's all that matters..."

Sawyer met her gaze sadly, feeling like he would never be enough for her, wondering why he kept torturing himself by going back for more. And he slowly turned away as Kate nodded in agreement and then she caught his arm realizing he was leaving...

"Sawyer?"

She searched his eyes not knowing how to say what she wanted to say. She was so scared, and Sawyer thought she was trying to apologize for what they did. He met her gaze shaking his head...

"You don't have to Kate...We've already been through this...I know you're sorry we did it..."

He looked down at the floor sadly and Kate tried to meet his gaze pleadingly...

"What?" She asked surprised...Some of the fire was coming back now heating up her skin...

"I never said I was sorry Sawyer... (She paused for a moment) And neither did you...For not taking it back..."

Sawyer met her gaze confused, forgetting about the stupid nickname rule...

"C'mon Freckles...Stop yankin my chain...I know you went back for the Doc cause you think he's a better man than I am..."

Kate looked at him like he was crazy, her voice rising...

"I went back for Jack because he risked his life to save Yours Sawyer!!! Or did you forget about that?"

Sawyer shook his head...

"Don't"

"Don't what?" Kate demanded.

"Don't do this! (Sawyer raised his voice too now) I was second choice and you know it!"

There was a fire in her eyes...

"You were my first choice...And you still are James!"

The air in the room could have spontaneously combusted at that moment with the heated glares they were sending each other.

Resolving to do something about it, the bind around Sawyers heart snapped and he grabbed Kate kissing her fiercely and passionately. Their hands all over one another, like two moths to a flame. Unable to deny each other what they had craved for so long Sawyer pulled Kate along back to the bathroom…

"Why don't we go back and make sure that showers workin Freckles, I want to take a look at those marks..."

Kate smiled up at him, drunken by his kiss...

"You were worried about me?"

He slowly moved his hands to the part in her towel and pried the folds apart, the light piece of material peeling away and falling to her feet.

"Course I was...Any man who'd let his girlfriend run off into the twilight zone jungle armed with the republican guard and some guy who thinks he's ghandi has to merit some concern..."

Kate smiled and kissed him again, and then she started to unbutton his shirt...

"I missed you Sawyer... (catching herself) I mean James..."

Sawyer smirked...

"Gonna use that name often Sassafras?"

Kate smiled and unbuttoned his pants...

"As often as I can James..."

Sawyer thought he would save the story about the little name thing for another time. Would most likely kill the moment. But for some strange reason, he didn't mind it as much when Kate called him James.

They danced around each other, Sawyer reaching for the shower nozzle turning it on and Kate tugged at his pants. They finally were completely undressed and Kate stepped inside pulling Sawyer up next to her.

He ran his hands gently over the sides of her breasts and carefully around the bandages...

"Does it hurt?"

Kate met his concerned Kate and shook her head...

"No...you feel really good..."

Sawyer's dimples deepened...

"Well darlin, I'm just gettin started..."

As he bent down to kiss her again his hard full length rose up pressing against and in-between her thighs. Kate moaned starting to get wet from his touch. She had only done it once with Sawyer, but that one time was enough to make her forget all her other lovers. She craved him finding that she had never been with another man who had left her so sexually satisfied before. Even in the tight uncomfortable compounds of the cage, he made her feel like a beautiful loved woman. Everything around them had melted away.

Just like now with the droning of the pattering water and Kate felt him latch onto her breast with his mouth. He felt so good, and what he was doing left her so heated for him. Kate nudged her legs open a little wider inviting him in, the mere thought of Sawyer inside her almost sending her over the edge and then he dipped his hard shaft into her folds, letting it rest there just under the surface.

Kate moaned in painful pleasure, wanting him to penetrate her fully, but he used his hand and reached down to excite her and engorge her fully before he pushed in all the way. Finally allowing Kate the sexual ecstasy she craved, he thrusted in and pulled out. Kate wrapped her legs around his hips and he pressed her up against the wet hard tile wall and pushed into her again and again and again.

Finally allowing both their releases to come, Kate slinked back down against the wall, resting her bottom on the shower floor. Sawyer bent his knees to join her but Kate held her arm out gesturing for him to stay up. She started kissing his cock, trailing a line down his hard shaft, tasting the dewy beads around his head, she ran her hand delicately over it, and then sunk him into her mouth. He was so hard. And she could tell that watching her with her mouth on him was making him crazy. His hands ran through her hair, bracing himself against the wall as she bobbed her mouth over him. "Oh god" he shouted. Feeling like he was ready to burst Kate grabbed him in her hands and rubbed over him, allowing him the release he craved and he shot his white milky fluid out over her breasts.

Kate rubbed it over her skin, feeling highly aroused by it all, dipping and pushing the white fluid into the vee between her thighs. She craved him like no other man.

Sawyer cleaned her off with his mouth allowing her the same release she offered him with his tongue, Kate screamed his name, his real name, and he resolved to finish the job in the bedroom. Using the rest of their time in here to devour one another totally and completely. Obliging to one another's every wish and fantasy while exploring and learning one another's bodies, they made sweet passionate love.

After a few hours, and people started to wonder where Sawyer mysteriously disappeared off to and why Kate hadn't come back with Locke and Sayid, they lay there clasped in each others arms. Sawyer looked down and kissed Kate's forehead stating plainly...

"I'm sorry Freckles..."

Kate smiled and stretched up to kiss him, replying softly...

"Well I'm not James...."

Kate wasn't sorry for any of it, but she didn't have to tell the man laying next to her that--He already knew.