Title: THE OTHER DOCTOR
Author: ScrollLocke
Pairing, Category: Kate/Juliet, Friendship/Romance.
Rating: PG - R+
Summary: Follows the general time line of the show but with a focus on the development of the relationship between Kate and Juliet mostly through "in-between" or "missing" scenes.
Partially AU. Starts when Juliet joins the beach camp. Ending unknown.
Notes: The relationship is going to develop realistically slow considering the quadrangle of Kate/Jack - Kate/Sawyer - Juliet/Jack - Juliet/Sawyer. Stay with me!
THE OTHER DOCTOR
Juliet was the first person Kate saw as she reached the tree line.
She had slipped on her way back from getting water and cut her shin on a rock.
She did a quick scan of the beach for Jack and noticed Hurley keeping an eye on Juliet from afar.
She approached Juliet in the kitchen, "Have you seen Jack?"
Juliet looked up from the tub of dirty dishes and over her shoulder, "Not in a while," she dried her hands while turning around, "I think he went fruit picking with Charlie."
The blood stain on Kate's jeans caught her attention, "Want me to take a look at that?" Her tone was dry but she couldn't hide the concern in her eyes.
Kate looked down and saw a bigger blood stain than she expected.
Before she could answer Juliet continued, "Sit down on the table."
Kate hesitated, "I can wait for Jack."
Juliet scrunched her brow, "You could - but he might be longer than you'd like him to be. Judging by the stain I'd say sooner is better than later."
Kate didn't want to have to acknowledge that Juliet was right, but she clearly was - so Kate gave in and sat down on the makeshift table.
"What happened?" Juliet inquired as she knelled down in front of Kate and carefully pushed her jean leg up.
"Just slipped."
Juliet visually assessed the wound. "Quite a slip." she said as she stood to get a water bottle and a rag.
"I don't need stitches, do I?" Kate asked.
Juliet poured water over the cut and dabbed it with the rag. Kate gritted her teeth.
They hadn't spent much time together since Juliet joined their camp.
It was fairly obvious to Juliet that the tension between them had the most to do with the attention she was getting from Jack.
"It's deep - but you don't need stitches." She looked up at Kate with a smirk, "You can always ask for a second opinion."
Kate almost smiled back. They had unintentionally worked out some of their tension out during their handcuff adventure, but Juliet still made Kate feel invaded.
Juliet stood, "Stay put. I'll go get a bandage."
Kate grabbed her arm and stopped her, "Any particular reason why you're so eager to help me?"
Juliet nodded and sighed, "It's a side effect of being a doctor, Kate - wanting to take care of people." She turned and headed toward Jack's tent.
Kate could tell she was being genuine - and it bugged her. She wanted Juliet to remain the "ice queen". She was more predictable that way.
Juliet returned with a bandage and anti-biotic ointment.
"Ok," she secured the last piece of tape and stood, "... I'm done. You should change the bandage before you go to bed."
Kate slid off the table, "Thanks."
Juliet raised her eyebrows and said nonchalantly, "You're welcome, Kate."
That evening Kate went looking for Jack to help her change her bandage and found him eating dinner with Juliet.
She was immediately annoyed. Though she would never admit it, part of what irked her about Juliet was that Juliet was clearly more suited for Jack, than she was.
Juliet made her feel insecure and challenged - and it was even more annoying that Juliet had no intention of doing either.
Kate made a rash decision to let Sawyer distract her for a while.
On her way back to her tent she noticed most of the camp had gone to bed - including Jack.
Juliet had been unable to sleep. When she saw Kate leave Sawyer's tent she jumped up to catch Kate before she went to bed.
Kate was just about to climb in when she heard movement behind her, then spun around. She relaxed when she saw it was Juliet.
"Why are you still up?" Kate inquired.
Juliet pulled a bandage out from her pocket, "Couldn't sleep," she handed the bandage to Kate, "Jack was looking for you - to give you this. He left it with me when he went to bed."
Kate took the bandage, "Thanks."
Juliet looked down at her leg, "Does it feel ok?"
Kate nodded, "I think so. "
Juliet looked back up, "Good. Goodnight Kate." She turned around and walked back towards her tent.
A FELLOW HUMAN BEING
A week passed. The majority of the camp was gathered around the main bonfire, including Kate.
Juliet was also amongst them, sitting alone. Kate wondered why Jack wasn't falling all over her as usual.
She watched her for a while. Juliet was in a stare-down contest with the ocean, obviously contemplating something - but still managed to exude an eerie confidence.
When Jack told Kate that all Juliet wanted to do was go home - Kate believed that he believed it - but she still wasn't settled with the thought that Juliet didn't have a hidden agenda.
Everyone on that beach had secrets - most of which Kate was indifferent about - but Juliet ... well - Kate couldn't distinguish whether her curiosity about her had more to do with safety or just plain - curiosity.
Kate didn't like that Juliet had read her file. She felt like Juliet didn't deserve to know intimate details about her.
Juliet happened to look in Kate's direction and they caught eyes.
Her facial expression didn't change - but she sighed then stood and headed toward her tent.
Jack approached Kate from behind and put a hand on Kate's shoulder, "Hey." he said as he sat down next to her.
Kate smiled, "Hi. Where were you?"
"Talking to Hurley, down the beach. He asked if he could be taken off 'Juliet duty'."
"Ah. So who gets to 'other-sit' her now?" Kate inquired.
Jack smirked, "She's fine by herself - unless you're volunteering."
Kate rolled her eyes and then stood, "No thanks."
Jack looked up at her, "She's a good person, Kate. And like the rest of us - she's doing what she has to do to get home."
Kate nodded, "And like the rest of us - she would do anything, anything - to do just that. But I hope you're right Jack."
Jack didn't respond, instead he asked, "You going somewhere?"
"Little girls room. I'll be right back."
She passed by Juliet's tent and noted that she wasn't there.
As she made her way through the jungle she heard a distant sniffle - and altered her path to investigate.
She found Juliet sitting against a tree, taking a series of deep breaths - occasionally wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
She kept herself hidden - and again - watched. She knew she was witnessing a rare moment and a very private moment at that - but couldn't break her eyes away.
After a few minutes Kate was surprised when Juliet said softy, "Hurley?"
Kate thought about just walking away and leaving her presence a mystery but was strangely overwhelmed with the desire for Juliet to know that it was her.
She stepped into view. They stared at each other for a minute before Kate finally said, "I'm sorry. I wasn't following you."
Juliet nodded and then stood, "I was going to head back anyway." She wiped her eyes again.
Kate watched Juliet walk away from her, toward the light of the beach fires.
Her figure was silhouetted - her stride slow at first, weighted even.
The closer she got to the beach, the more casual her stride became.
With every step she appeared to be falling into the 'character' of Juliet that was generally accepted - collected, calculated, unfaltering.
Kate suddenly regretted interrupting her as she watched her sit down next to Jack.
She thought about how everyone deserved alone time - but no one amongst them, including Juliet, deserved to feel alone.
DWINDLING SUPPLIES
The next morning Kate woke up with an intolerably sore shoulder. She pulled it while climbing a tree to pick fruit and had ignored the pain for a couple days.
Jack was sitting outside of his tent reading a book. He heard someone approaching and looked up. He smiled when he saw it was Kate.
She smiled back, "Good morning. Any chance I could have a couple aspirins?"
Jack immediately looked concerned, "You ok, Kate?"
Kate nodded, "I'm fine Jack. Just pulled my shoulder a couple days ago."
"If you're asking for pain killers Kate - you're not fine." He said matter-of-factly.
Kate smiled again. Jack knew her too well to see through her attempt at being nonchalant.
He continued, "Of course I'd give you some - but we're out."
Juliet overheard their conversation.
She walked up and stood next to Kate, "Sorry to interrupt. There are more medical supplies not too far from here," she put her hands in her pockets, "Pain killers, antibiotics. I'm happy to get them."
Jack looked at Kate, then back at Juliet, "How far?"
"Probably a day's walk. I've never gone there from this side of the island so I'm not for sure."
"Well - I think you should go," Jack said, then he looked back at Kate, "You up for a hike?"
Kate was slightly irked that he volunteered her, "Why don't you go?"
Jack stood, "Because it's best to have at least one doctor at the beach. If you aren't up for it - I can ask Sayid ..."
Kate wasn't keen on being considered unable to do anything, "No. I'm fine. I'll go."
Juliet turned toward Kate, "We won't make it back before nightfall."
Kate nodded, "I'll find you when I'm ready."
Juliet took the cue to leave Kate and Jack to themselves.
After she left Jack looked at Kate with concern, "You sure you want to do this?"
"I wouldn't use the word 'want' - but I'll do it."
Jack smiled, "Ok. Take the gun."
"I thought you trusted her." Kate teased.
A HIKE TO REMEMBER
They hiked for about an hour in silence before Kate finally asked, "Where is it that we're going?"
"A tree house. Alex and Carl built it. They stocked it with supplies so eventually they could run away together."
Kate quipped, "How romantic."
They continued hiking and not talking. The further they went, the more aware Kate became of how easily the scenario could be a trap.
When they stopped for a break Juliet noticed how close Kate kept her hand to the gun.
"I'm sure you're thinking that this is some sort of trap but it isn't. I have no motive and no gun."
Kate took a drink of water. "Could be a gun in the tree house."
Juliet nodded, "Could be. But after killing Danny so you could escape - killing you would be a little counter-productive."
Kate became defensive, "Are you trying to make me feel guilty for a choice that you made?"
Juliet hadn't meant to make Kate feel anything but safe.
She was silent for a minute, then told Kate the truth. "It wasn't a choice. I made a deal with Ben."
She dropped her eyes to the ground. "If you didn't escape - I didn't get to go home." Her tone was soft and her eyes were distant, sad.
She looked as defeated as when Kate had stumbled across her alone in the jungle.
Juliet took a drink, "Doesn't matter now. We should get going."
Kate wanted to say something - but didn't.
THE TREE HOUSE
Sure enough - the tree house contained plenty of supplies.
They sat on the balcony and had dinner.
Their silence was awkward. Kate felt like it mostly her fault.
She noticed a few bottles of alcohol while they were sorting through the supplies.
She wasn't much of a drinker and sensed that Juliet probably wasn't either, but she also felt like Juliet could use a drink - so she grabbed a bottle and offered it to her.
Juliet raised an eyebrow, "Dharma rum, huh?" She took the bottle and Kate sat back down.
She smiled and teased, "You trying to get me drunk so I can't kill you?"
Her obvious lightheartedness made Kate smile back, "No, but all the same ..."
Juliet took a drink and handed it back to Kate. "It'll help your shoulder."
They still didn't talk much but the awkwardness faded after a few rounds.
Juliet didn't realize how tipsy she was until she stood to take a bathroom break.
She stumbled and steadied herself by putting a hand on Kate's shoulder.
When Kate winced Juliet was made aware that Kate's shoulder was the exact wrong place to have bear-ed her weight down on.
She immediately apologized fearing Kate might think she did it on purpose, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean ... "
Kate interrupted her, "I know. It's ok." she said through gritted teeth.
When Juliet returned Kate was attempting to rub her own shoulder.
Somewhat instinctively - Juliet sat down behind her.
"What are you doing?" Kate asked.
Juliet answered by beginning to massage her upper back. Kate started to pull away but Juliet stopped her by saying, "I owe it to you."
As Kate relaxed Juliet added, "And I'm a doctor," she paused, " ... and I'm good at it."
"Fine. Massage away." Kate kept thinking about how this would never happen if she was sober.
After a while she concluded that Juliet was right - she was good at it.
"Better?" Juliet asked as she finished and then scooted next to Kate.
Kate rolled it around, "Yes, actually - it is. Thanks."
"You're welcome." she said as she yawned and then stood - slowly this time, "I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight Juliet."
"Goodnight Kate."
Kate stayed up for a bit longer but wished she had gone to bed first. Earlier she had eyed the mattress that Karl and Alex had somehow managed to drag up there.
Juliet had her eyes closed but she wasn't asleep. She heard Kate rummaging around.
Eventually Kate found the blanket she was looking for and then laid down on the floor.
Juliet said into the darkness, "It's a double bed, Kate. You don't have to sleep on the floor."
Kate joked, "You might try and suffocate me in my sleep or something."
Juliet teased back, "I could also do that if you're on the floor. So if you're not going to make it through the night either way - you might as well enjoy sleeping in a bed."
"No, thanks. I'm fine here."
Juliet didn't really care either way but she didn't think the floor could be comfortable - especially not to Kate because of her shoulder.
She sat up, "Then I'll sleep on the floor. You can have the bed."
Kate was surprised at her offer. It was a genuine gesture and Kate didn't want to take advantage of Juliet's kindness.
She stood, "No. You don't have to do that. We can share the bed."
Juliet scooted over. Kate laid down on her side, facing away from Juliet.
"You're not one of those people who spoons in their sleep, are you?" Kate inquired.
Juliet laughed, "If I do - you can punch me with your good arm."
Kate scrunched her brow, "Maybe you should sleep on the floor."
Juliet laughed again and then stopped, "Are you being serious?"
Kate rolled onto her back, "Are you?"
Juliet rolled on her side, facing Kate, "Technically we've already shared a sleeping space in a tree, and as far as I remember nothing happened. So I think you'll be fine."
"Are you always this annoyingly logical?"
"Are you always this concerned with a marginal potential to accidentally be touched?"
Neither responded and both eventually fell asleep.