In the Beginning
(A Very Lost Christmas)
Chapter One
Author's Note: This is seventeenth(I think) in a series of twenty, so you have been forewarned. Note that in this series, they've been on the island longer than in the show, so it's right around Christmas time. Also note that I'm not trying to be prejudice against religions or anything, mostly the title just fit, and it would probably be most common on the island. However, I will add in mentions of Hanukah and Kwanzaa as well, to make all fair.
Summary: It's Christmas time on the island but all is not merry as Jack and Kate journey to find yet another distress signal- a trip in which the causes could be proven deadly- and a desperate search for missing castaways bring on a manhunt for the others.
Disclaimer: Lost belongs to J.J. and co. at ABC. The subtitle title was inspired by a future episode of The Dead Zone: A Very Dead Zone Christmas. There are not many who remember Imagine all the people
Why can't we learn from all we've been through
After two thousand years?
Two Thousand Years- Billy Joel
They say a handful still survive
To tell the world about
The way the lights went out
And keep the memory alive
- Billy Joel
Living life in peace
- John Lennon
Chapter One: The Third Transceiver
In the end Danielle agreed to move in with the other castaways and had chosen to stay in the caves which were closer to her former environment and her daughter, were she to ever come back. Now it was morning and Sayid was once again with her in the Black Rock, only this time helping her pack up some personal belongs she had stashed there, and any other hidden supplies as well.
I'm glad you've decided to stay with us, Sayid said when the silence grew to thick in the dusty atmosphere of the ship's interior.
I decided that not all monsters are bad, Danielle said pleasantly, throwing Sayid a smile.
She reached up a storage rack in the ship and helped Sayid lower a cardboard box to the ground. The box was heavy and Danielle saw that it was full of oil lamps. At the last second, Danielle's fingers slipped, and the box tilted sideways, its contents spilling out onto the floor. Glass showered the wooden floorboards and Danielle found herself thankful that she was wearing sturdy hiking boots. Sayid began picking up the glass and placing it carefully into another box while Danielle put the lamps back into their box. In the middle of her task, Danielle noticed something black wedge in between two lamps. Sayid glanced over and noticed her trying to force the object from its hold and with his help, Danielle was able to successfully remove the object. It wasn't until they leaned in closer when she could see what the object was: a transceiver.
The blue of the Pacific ocean shone in the morning sun, sparkling in rays of golden yellow below the deck of Portsdell, where Danielle's science team would be launching from in a matter of minutes. A thick French accent called out above the crowds. Spinning around as if someone had grabbed her from behind, Danielle sighed in relief when she saw that it was only Robert, a man she had met in a cafe months before when she was looking into the trip. A couple of almost four months, Danielle and Robert were now well known in the local area, and especially amongst their fellow scientist. At last Robert reached her, and had to catch his breath before speaking. We're boarding in ten minutes, he informed her. I know, Danielle replied quietly. Robert looked at her curious, obviously wondering what was wrong, but his trailing eyes led to the lump which had once been Danielle's stomach told him what was wrong. Are you sure you want to do this? Robert asked for the hundredth time that week, raising an eyebrow. Danielle said exasperatedly, letting her impatience show, I know now and I knew yesterday and last week and four months ago- she drew in a deep breath, I'm sure.And Richard? Robert said. His jaw was set and firm, as if he were interrogating a prisoner who wasn't corropercating. Danielle gave Robert a small smile. The adoption's complete, she told him, the baby's ours. Robert smiled a true smile, happier than she had ever seen him. He bent down and kissed her, hand rested on her stomach the entire time. Danielle was now five months pregnant, and was fully prepared for the destiny the baby would bring her, no matter what it would be. Little did she know how hard that vow would bounce back.
Is there anything else you remember?
Sawyer looked up at Jack, incredulous.
Didn't I just spend the last ten minutes telling you no? He said, pronouncing the last word more forcefully than the others.
Kate stole a glance to Jack as he sighed deeply. Just as Sawyer had said, he had spent the last ten minutes trying to piece together the story of what happened out at sea, but all Sawyer remembered after Alex sacrificed herself to the others was a gunshot and being thrown into the ocean.
Maybe I'll get to talk to Alex again soon, Jack muttered as he stood up from where he had been kneeling in the sand.
The day after Sawyer moved back to the caves, thing were(as Jack predicted they would be) back to normal. Vincent seemed to be the only problem. Sawyer's problem, that was. No matter how much Walt wanted Locke to take care of his dog, or how much Locke wanted the responsibility of caring for it, Vincent refused to move from Sawyer's side, as if he were spiritually attached to him. Now Vincent was laying on the other side of Sawyer, panting in the heat. Knowing that Sawyer hadn't put much thought into caring for the dog, Jack took out a bottle of water and, reaching over, let some of the cool liquid calm the lab down.
Though the island had grown reasonably cooler over the course of the past few weeks, the shadeless beach had remained hot in the bright sun. Eventually the weather brought more cavers into the jungle, something Jack didn't seem to have a problem with.
Kate followed Jack as he headed back to the caves, and stopped him right before he entered the jungle. They looked at each other a moment before Kate spoke up.
You don't believe him? Kate inquired, though she already knew the answer.
He remembers, Jack confirmed with a nod.
Why would he lie about that? Kate pressured.
If he's hiding something, Jack said obviously.
Kate rolled her eyes.
This is insane, she shook her head and turned to walk back towards Sawyer.
Jack was about to continue his walk to the caves when he heard Sawyer hiss in pain. Turning curiously, he saw that Sawyer was grabbing his shoulder in pain, just above a new set of bandages.
(Space)
Sayid groaned in frustration when the transceiver refused to turn on for the fifth time.
Maybe the battery's out, Danielle suggested from her spot on a log of a fallen tree.
Why would someone hide a transceiver in a box of oil lamps? Sayid asked himself out loud. And it's hardly been used, the batteries should be perfectly fine.Maybe we're not high enough, Danielle shrugged.
Boredom had overcome Danielle as Sayid tested the transceiver, which wasn't cooperating with Sayid's electronic skills.
That has nothing to do with the battery, he pointed out.
Looking up to the sky, Sayid noticed that rain clouds were overcasting the island.
We should head back, Sayid said, I'll hike up to higher ground tomorrow and try and get a signal.What if tomorrow's too late? Danielle said, standing it.
It won't be, Sayid stated confidently.
(Space)
Can't you just- pop it? Sawyer said, throwing Jack's hand off his shoulder where two quarter sized blisters were forming.
You don't pop a blister, Kate said, rolling her eyes.
Then what the hell am I supposed to do? Sawyer exclaimed.
If you stay in the sun, you're a good candidate for skin cancer, Jack informed him, and then sighed, of course, if you keep smoking, you're a good candidate for lung cancer.Well lucky me, Sawyer smoked, so how long do I have to chose?
Kate and Jack sighed almost at the same time. Sawyer just chuckled.
Jack was clearly about to lose patience with Sawyer, stay out of the sun.
As Jack stood up he noticed Sayid and Danielle coming out of the jungle. Sayid practically ran up to him, like he was hoping that if he moved fast, no one would noticed he had stepped onto the beach. His planned seemed to have been working for him.
I thought you had to have an appointment, Sawyer joked but was ignored by the other four as Sayid gathered them in a small group, and showed them something that he was holding.
A- transceiver, Jack said in disbelief.
He shook his head.
Where did you find-The Black Rock, Sayid cut him off, it was hidden.But why would someone hide a transceiver? Kate said, confused.
I don't know, Sayid said in a hurry, and then looked up towards the top of the island, but I'm going to try and get a signal today.I thought you said- Danielle began, but was interrupted by Kate.
I'll do it, she volunteered quickly.
The other three looked at her. Kate shrugged.
That's a lot of mountain to climb, Kate pointed out, and it'll get dark soon.Which is exactly why you should go, Sayid said in a single breath.
What if I go with her? Jack spoke up.
This time everyone looked at Jack, even Kate, who was wondering why Jack would make such an offer. He was a horrible tracker, and had the tendency of almost getting himself killed every time he stepped into the jungle. Instead of protesting, Sayid shrugged.
That's fine with me, he said, and handed Jack the transceiver, just like that, it took a while to get the batteries to work, but I think I figured it out. Anyway, don't turn on the transceiver until you're at least thirty feet up.Why are you telling him this? Kate groaned, clearly not in the best of moods.
She took the transceiver from Sayid, and placed it gently into her back pack. Jack glared, but shrugged it off.
Let's go, he said simply, and led Kate into the jungle.
Author's Note: Short start, but I'm hoping this will be a really good story, with lots of action and a fair amount of romance. Thanks to all who reviewed last story! You guys rock!
Next time, on In the Beginning:
Jack and Kate start off on their journey but if Jack thought this was going to be an easy trip, boy is he wrong. It's anything but. Oh, and as for Danielle's flashback, if things go as planned, Danielle knows exactly why someone would hide a transceiver in a box of lamps.
Crazyhorsegirl88- as much as I wanted to do an Xmas title, part of me had to stick with meaningful ones. It's just who I am! But the subtitle stays:)
Thanks again!
Until next time..
+ October Sky