Title: Interludes
Rating: Mature
Characters: Jack & Juliet (some Others thrown in)
Summary: Scenes between Jack and Juliet. Post-Not In Portland
Author's Note: I used some of the themes from the preview of the episode, A Stranger in a Strange Land
Interludes
Juliet sat on the cold hard floor with back straight and her legs stretched out in front of her. She stared at the empty grey walls with nothing but her thoughts to keep her company. The room was eerily quiet and she knew that no one would hear her if she screamed. The room was soundproof. Her lips twitched into a sad little smile at the irony. She had started out on the other side of these walls. She was the guard, the one with the key. How the tables had turned.
She wondered what would happen to her now. After her mistake. After her betrayal. Would they put her through the same process they put poor little Carl? She closed her eyes at the fear that tickled along her spine. She blew out a breath and tried to calm her nerves. She was disconcerted at the feeling of terror running through her blood. She thought that she had left behind that scared, mousy woman back in Miami. That in her place stood a confident, fearless doctor. One who wasn't scared to make decision and answer to her actions. Where was that fearless woman?
She knew that iHe/i was watching her, but she refused to look up at the camera that she knew was hidden behind the ventilation grate. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her quiver. Everyone feared him and she didn't understand why. He wasn't ominous in stature and she was pretty sure that she was smarter than him. So why was it the instant he woke from his surgery she felt her guts twist into a knot?
The door to her cell opened and Gary walked in, causing her to glance up. She searched his eyes hopefully but all she saw was resignation and…regret. She should have realized that it would be every man for himself. She was alone in this and it was stupid of her to hope that he would support her in her attempted coup.
She caught his eyes flicker to the hidden camera in the corner of the room and she knew that it was his way of telling her that Ben was watching. She lowered her head and stared blankly at the ground knowing that her fate was at the mercy of one man.
"Get up," Gary's voice boomed in the empty room. She let out a quiet sigh and stood up in resignation. She wouldn't struggle. She knew it would be stupid to do so since he was the one carrying the gun.
She pushed herself to her feet using the wall as assistance. She shook her head and raised her chin proudly. Her face was a mask of strength and impassiveness, but inside she was quivering, shaking with fear. Although she wanted to, she wouldn't dare ask the question –Where are you taking me? After all, she had a feeling that Gary wouldn't tell her.
He strode towards her, and her eyes flickered to the item he held in his hand.
Handcuffs.
As he moved to restrain her he said, "I'm sorry, Juliet." She looked down for a split second, moved by the emotion held in his little statement but she quickly became aware of the camera and swiftly masked her features. She noticed that his back was turned to the camera so that Ben wouldn't see his compassion.
Clever Gary.
He slipped her wrists into the cuffs and it didn't go unnoticed by her that he hadn't tightened them very much. Inwardly, she was thankful for his kindness despite the circumstances.
"Let's go," he said, moving to flank her side.
He held her elbow as he led her out of the room. She followed him woodenly. She still didn't have a clue where he was leading her but she was sure that it wouldn't be back to her little house.
As they neared the corner she could hear voices. Deep male voices and they were arguing. She recognized one of the voices. Her eyes widened and her pulse picked up in anticipation.
"Where are you taking me?" The familiar voice demanded and her features softened. He was okay. After Ben woke up and they took her away, she was afraid that they were going to punish Jack or worse, kill him. But it eased the vice around her heart to know that he was alive.
They rounded the corner and there he was, handcuffed and struggling between Arlen and Tom. She knew the moment when he realized that they had company. He looked up and immediately stopped struggling.
She felt the steady tattoo of her heartbeat. It was so strong she thought that it was going to jump out of her chest.
Time seemed to slow as she neared him. He couldn't take his eyes off her and neither could she off him.
"Hey," she said as she passed him and didn't miss the look of shock on his face. She turned to look behind her and caught him gaping at her before Arlen tugged on his arm to turn him around.
She wondered what he thought of her now. But then she rolled her eyes at herself. Of course, he didn't think much of her. After all, he thought of her as the enemy. Perhaps she was but what he didn't realize was that she was as much a prisoner of this island as he was. Sure, she had a cozy little house and the liberty to walk around but what she didn't have was the freedom to leave. Leave the island. Leave the program. That choice was taken away from her the minute she signed the dotted line on that contract.
If only she could go back…
Jack gently thumped his head against the plain grey wall, trying to quell the frustration and boredom that was eating away at him. He had no clue as to how much time had passed when they first brought him here. It wasn't the same room that he'd been held in the first time he was brought to this side of the island. It was smaller, brighter, and a little more sterile. He assumed that it was a medical room of some sort but there was no evidence of any medical equipment other than the cot with the uncovered mattress that sat in the corner.
He thought back to what had transpired in the hallway. He had seen Juliet being led away in cuffs. He shrugged off the guilty feeling that maybe it was his fault, that his outburst in the operating room might be to blame for her shackled state. After all, there was a lot going on around here that he didn't know about. Maybe there were other reasons to blame.
He blinked; his eyes blurry and tired from the bright fluorescent light up above. He doubted if they ever turned it off.
He stared at the white linoleum floors and wondered for the hundredth time if Kate was okay. Did she make it back? Was she safe? As much as he hated him, he knew that Sawyer would protect her with his life. The knowledge gave Jack a small sense of comfort.
He felt a small twinge in his heart when he recalled the vision of Kate huddled intimately in Sawyer's arms. He couldn't help but feel a little betrayed but their actions.
He knew it was ridiculous. He had no hold over Kate but he couldn't help the way he felt about her.
Hell, maybe it was just loneliness talking. Maybe he'd fooled himself into thinking that he was in-love with her. After all, who could blame him? He was stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere and a smart, strong attractive woman was showing him a little bit of attention and kindness.
He sighed and closed his eyes. He was tired. His mind was tired. His body was tired. He thought back to Ben's promise of letting him go home and can't help the bitter laugh that escaped his lips. Fat chance. He has an inkling that Ben isn't a man of his word. That he's a manipulative bastard who'll use one's weakness against them to get his way.
He pushed himself to his feet and began pacing in the small bright room. What were the Others planning to do with him? He'd already served his purpose. He performed the surgery on Ben. Wasn't that all they needed him for? He paused and swallowed the knot of fear in his throat.
He hated the not-knowing, the in-between. He wished that if they were going to kill him that they would just go ahead and do it and spare him the waiting and uncertainty.
He heard a door close and shut and immediately ran to his door and began pounding on it.
"Hey! Hey! I wanna know what's going on!" He yelled banging his fist against the metal. "I want to speak to Ben!"
"They don't care what you want," a soft voice said, causing Jack to turn around.
He quickly scanned his room but it looked the same. There was no one in it but him.
"You might as well save yourself the trouble and not yell," the voice advised.
"Who's there?" Jack demanded still looking around the room for the source of the voice. A minute passed and no one answered.
"This is bullshit!" He yelled, kicking in one of the walls. When his tirade failed to get him an answer he slumped down on the cot and lowered himself until he was lying on his back and staring at the ceiling.
He stared at the bright light fixtures overhead until his eyes swam with tears and his vision became blurry. He stayed this way for a long time, warring with his anger and thoughts.
He didn't know how much had passed but a soft, sniffling sound broke him out of his trance. He stilled and concentrated, once again the same sniffling sound met his ears. This time, he chose to remain silent, making sure to limit the amount of noise he made.
He pushed himself to a sitting position and stood up from the bed. Moving softly around the room, he pressed his ears against each of the walls trying to discern where the sound was coming from. As he got closer to the cot, the sound seemed to soften until he could barely hear it. He looked around the bed and the wall looking for an opening, anything that might let the sound in. He spotted a small air vent underneath the cot.
He pushed the bed away from the wall and crouched to his hands and knees. He held his breath and listened carefully for the sound.
He heard a soft whimper that caused him to press himself up against the wall and train his ears to the vent.
"Hello? Who's there?" He asked. Seconds passed and no one answered. Just as he was about to give up, he heard a gentle voice whisper.
"Hi Jack."
Jack frowned and his eyes shifted, searching his mind as to the owner of the voice.
"Juliet?" He asked but got no reply. He blew out a tired breath and pushed the cot away making enough room for him to sit on the floor. He had a feeling it was her and scowled when his stomach fluttered with joy.
"Are you okay?" He sat down and pressed his back against the wall awaiting her answer.
He heard a sniff, "I'm fine."
Jack shook his head at her cool tone and rolled his eyes in irritation. Did she not know how to feel? What was that he saw in the operating theatre yesterday? Was it a glimpse of her real self or was she manipulating him?
"A-are you okay?" She asked and he heard her voice come closer to the vent.
"I'm just peachy," he answered sardonically.
"Th-they told me that Ben isn't doing very well," she said. "His stitches are infected."
The corner of Jack's mouth lifted into a wry smile. "Tell me why I would care if Ben lived or died? I did what I was told. I performed the operation." He paused and turned towards the vent like he was trying to see her.
"Wait a minute," he began. "Is that why you're crying? Because he's dying?" He couldn't help but feel irritated at the fact. "I thought you'd be happy. You were the one that asked me to make it look like an accident."
A minute passed before she answered. "You need to save him, Jack."
"Why should I?" Jack scoffed. "It's not like they'll let me go."
"Please, Jack. As a favour to me," Juliet begged.
"Why? So you can go home?" He thumped his head against the wall and closed his eyes. He was tired of being here.
"I'm in trouble, Jack," she said, sniffing.
Jack stilled. Could she be lying? He wouldn't put it past her to do so, but she had been forthcoming with most of the information she'd shared with him in the past. He didn't know what to think.
"I killed someone," she continued. "Please, Jack."
Jack's features hardened. Without the benefit of seeing her face, he couldn't be sure that she was telling the truth.
"No," he said firmly.
"What?"
"I said no," he reiterated. "I'm not going to do it."
He could hear her rustling around her room but he heard no more from her. He didn't know whether to be happy or upset about that.