A/N: Rewritten. Enjoy and please review with your input.
Gallant:
The water swirled around him, and with every stretch of smooth, taut muscle he was carried further away from her. Yet, the glass still seemed half full to Sawyer. Yeah, Freckles was returning to civilization with the other guy competing for her affection, but she was also safe, as far as he knew, and soon to be happy. He was normally a selfish man, but he wanted her to be happy. Even if this meant having to give her up.
Then there was also the fact that for once Sawyer had gotten to play the hero. That helped speed him along on his swim back to land. For once in his life he'd done something without expecting anything in return, for the first time truly knew what it meant to be gallant. The image of him jumping from the chopper would forever remain embedded in Kate's mind, and he knew and relished this. The thought that she was probably thinking about him right this second, recalling the kiss they'd just shared, had him smiling to himself despite all he'd just given up.
In a few hours, when it really sunk in that he might never see her again, he would regret his actions horribly. Begin worrying for her greatly, missing her painfully. For now, though, it was enough to know that she might come back for him one day and bring him back to the world of civilization. Just maybe they could share a life together then.
Completely alone with himself, possibly sharks, and the ocean, he felt like he knew himself better than he ever had before. He could do a somersault in the water if he wanted to, or talk to himself, and not care if he was acting foolish. No one was around. No one had to or would ever know.
When he finally arrived to the island, he immediately slumped down onto the sand, muscles screaming, hair sopping wet, and utterly exhausted. Juliet could be spotted staring into the ocean, cradling a bottle of Dharma rum in her small hands. He grinned at her, dimples and all, wondering what she was thinking.
"What ya celebratin'?" No doubt the fact that she would finally be getting away from this god forsaken place. Stupid question.
"I'm not celebrating." Juliet cast him what seemed to be a despairing look and took a long swig of her rum.
Sawyer glanced toward the water and saw the column of black smoke rising there. This time that smoke was not indication of the crazy monster that haunted the island, but of something else. Something worse, even. His heart dropped into his stomach.
"That our boat?" But he already knew the answer, so asking was unnecessary.
She flashed him a tearful smile, lips quivering, looking like she was going to start sobbing any second. Really, barely a smile at all. "It was."
"Pass the rum."
Sawyer wished he had never gotten it into his head to be so gallant.
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