"Alright, two weeks."
Juliet had just smiled at him. Sawyer's chest released a heavy sigh, his dimples giving away his thoughts.
They'd been through a lot in the past few weeks. How was it possible they had gone from adversary to comfort in such a short amount of time? Maybe it was when Sawyer crawled out of the ocean the day the freighter blew up. Or maybe the feeling began before that when Sawyer headed back to the beach to check on Sayid, Bernard and Jin after the Others attacked. Juliet chose to go back with him knowing that they'd be walking unarmed into danger.
As it turned out he wasn't a selfish, cold hearted conman and she really wasn't on anyone's side after all. She just wanted to get off the damn island. Once the flashes began Sawyer actually felt drawn to Juliet like a lifeline. Each flash they had endured together had drawn out their strengths as well as their insecurities.
Oddly, Juliet and Sawyer found that they balanced one another. No matter how angry or frustrated he had been, her presence had calmed him, she kept him grounded. He trusted her to have his back.
Juliet discovered that Sawyer was a leader (albeit a reluctant one) and he was a protector- something she had been missing. From the day the flashes first started neither of them held their pasts against the other. They just moved forward, together.
They stared out at the dark waters in comfortable silence for what felt like hours.
"Hello there." a man's voice called coolly. It was Horace. As he approached, hands tucked in his pockets casually he directed his words towards Sawyer, stopping just shy of the dock.
"It's getting late. We've set up house for you and your men to stay in for now, while you look for the rest of your crew."
Sawyer tipped his head with a charming smile as he stood -He reached a hand out to help Juliet up frowning a bit as he noticed the purple marks around her wrist from when they were attacked in the jungle. She allowed him to easily pull her to her feet smiling thoughtfully.
"Juliet, it has been decided that you may stay with Amy until we can arrange something more suitable for you."
The corner of Juliet's mouth twitched ever so slightly as she stared briefly at the ground, uncertain how to respond. She blinked a few times and then looked at Horace and gave a smile and nod.
"Thank you Horace, that will be fine"
Sawyer's brow furrowed at the idea and Juliet could see his unease.
"I hate to break up my crew, Chief, ain't there a way..."
Juliet reached out, touching his arm and instantly silencing him.
"It's fine, James. I'll see you in the morning."
She interrupted in that soothing manner of hers. Jin and Miles stood on a dimly lit porch nearby as Juliet separated from Sawyer and followed Horace across the lawn to Amy, who was waiting with a similar look of polite uncertainty. Grief still written on her face. Amy courteously ushered Juliet into her home. Sawyer waited until the door closed- then turned to face Miles and Jin putting his arms out in his Well, here we are fashion.
"Ya ok with this boss?" Miles said with an arch of his eyebrow.
"What? Yeh- Jiminy Cricket it's just great, at least I ain't gunna get sand up my crack tonight. Where's Einstein?" Sawyer said aloofly changing the subject as he parted from Horace and walked inside.
Jin gestured as Daniel walked out of one bedroom and into another, then back to the hall and back into the original bedroom, his finger pressed tightly to his lip. He was having an intense quiet conversation with himself bout space, distance and time.
Miles broke up the awkwardness " There's a bunk bed in one bedroom, single in the other- Someone's gunna have to take the couch."
He grabbed an apple off the counter taking an unnecessarily loud bite.
"...and there's food..." he continued stoically with his mouth full already half way down the hall.
"Just like summer camp. I call dibs on shower."
Jin closed the front door solemnly and picked up a nearby folded blanket while handing Sawyer a stack of neatly pressed clothes.
"For you."
Sawyer took the load and nodded in thanks to Jin then plopped down on the couch - kicking off the heavy brown boots he'd taken off a dead man back in 1954.
"Hell of day eh Jin?"
Jin nodded expressionless. "yes, day of hell- good night Sawyer"
Sawyer stared at the ceiling- listening to the mumblings of their madman with the background of running water before nodding off into an uneasy sleep.
...
"The bathroom is here, I assumed you'd like to shower so I put a few things in there for you." Amy said walking into the hallway of the small house and gesturing to her left.
"The couch is set up for you- I'm sorry we... I... don't have an extra bedroom." Amy paused nervously.
"I'm sure Horace will have a more comfortable arrangement for you soon."
Juliet smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Amy- I'm so sorry about Paul. I know how hard this must be on you."
"... if you need anything, just knock. goodnight- Juliet." Amy said curtly as she quietly disappeared into her bedroom.
Juliet heard the door lock from the inside. She let out a long sigh as she took in her all too familiar surroundings then made her way to the shower.
In the bathroom, she stared at her reflection, she had lost weight- her collarbones were protruding and her skin seemed thinly stretched across her expressionless face. Her fingers nervously pressed her cheekbones and went back into her hair which was dirty and tangled together. Delicately, she unwound her hair tie and released her long waves.
"Two weeks..."
She whispered to the woman staring back at her as she closed her tearing eyes with a silent pained expression and gripped the counter. She hadn't realized how exhausted she really was.
She blew out a heavy breath and snagged a piece of toilet paper wiping her nose as she leaned in and turned on the water, refocused on the task at hand. There was a neatly folded stack of clothes on the counter: blue medical scrubs, a sundress and a towel. Juliet carefully peeled her clothes off- collecting them in a pile to avoid the spread of dirt and then stepped into the shower.
The hot water was a welcome relief. As steam filled the room- she inhaled and released a few long jagged breaths allowing her tears to fully reclaim her. She stood there, water beating against her face, and cried. When the tears would no longer come- Juliet turned around almost mechanically, collected her thoughts then washed herself. She watched the brown water change to clear, turned off the faucet and toweled dry. Slipping into the pair of scrubs she gave silent thanks that she was at Amy's and not with the guys tonight.
Exiting the bathroom, Juliet could hear Amy sobbing through the bedroom door. She paused empathetically but decided it best not to knock.
...
Sawyer jolted upright, feeling around in the darkness as his eyes adjusted. The dream was vivid. Jack, Hurley, Kate- the helicopter. Why did he jump? Was it to save her or himself? He sat forward running his fingers through his hair. "None of that matters now", he growled to himself. That was 30 years from now. The house was dark and the bedroom doors were both closed. Standing up, Sawyer lifted his shirt and smelled it, disgusted, he groaned and headed to the bathroom.
After a much needed shower Sawyer put on the Dharma jumpsuit he had been borrowed - leaving himself bare-chested with the top portion dangling around his waist as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Still beats the beach " he said aloud to himself as he pulled an orange juice container from the fridge and began chugging it from the bottle. His eyes drifted out the window and across the lawn to the silhouetted figure sitting on Amy's front step.
...
Sawyer could see that Juliet was deep in thought as he made his way into view from across the lawn.
He had built his old life on being able to read women and he had to admit he was intrigued by the fact that Juliet was an absolute mystery to him. Just when he thought he knew "her type" she had proven him wrong. He sighed as he approached her then swung himself around, dropping down into the empty space next her.
"Hey" she said in a light whisper arching an eyebrow at his bare upper half.
"Hey yerself, Space Cadet. Can't sleep?"
Sawyer said turning his attention to an abandoned swing set in the distance. Juliet shook her head ever so slightly.
"Funny isn't it? This is the safest I've been in I don't know how long and... I can't sleep"
Juliet was expressionless. She was wearing blue medical scrubs, her elbows gently resting on her knees. Her blonde waves tucked neatly behind her ears. After consideration of her statement and a few moments of silence, Sawyer's hand reached over and he stood up, sighing.
"Think we've both earned ourselves a nightcap, whattya say?"
She looked up at him blinking slowly as she took his hand and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet for the second time tonight as they walked back to the guys house in silence.
Neither of them bothered to turn on the light- the moon was shining bright enough that it was still easy enough to see without it. Juliet sat on the couch, tucking her legs beneath her and leaned against the armrest while Sawyer rummaged through the kitchen for a few moments. He started a kettle of water on the stove, turning back to her with a look of irritation.
"Any idea when microwaves become popular?"
Juliet huffed a small laugh as Sawyer stood in the kitchen with 2 empty coffee cups and a small bottle of Dharma whiskey.
"I guess we should be thankful we didn't stop during prohibition times" she retorted as he raised the bottle smiling a silent toast to her statement.
The kettle began to whistle as Sawyer poured whiskey into each cup then added the hot water.
He moved to her and dropped down to the center of the couch passing Juliet her drink.
"It ain't exactly a "hot totty" but it just might do the trick."
Juliet took the cup thankfully and sipped, closing her eyes as the mug warmed her hands.
"We're gunna be alright, ya know? I got this... We got this. Locke will find a way."
He didn't know why he felt the need to give a pep talk but something in the way the moonlight hit her glassy blue eyes tore at his heartstrings and he had to admit that he even felt comforted after saying it out loud.
Juliet nodded and took another sip then set her drink on the table beside the couch.
"1974." Sawyer stated quietly "Hell, I'm like 6 years old right now - out there somewhere.- you aint even that old"
He could see her smile through the darkness. He grinned as he entertained the thought of a little version of Juliet running around. His looked away, his mind wandered to his parents and then through the past few months. How the hell he was still alive was beyond him- bringing his cup up - he took another sip of his drink and nodded to himself.
"Yep... We're gunna be just fine here. Maybe take some disco lessons? Play a little backgammon?- Invent the Walkman... and before you know it we'll be back home."
She let out a deep breath but didn't move. Sawyer leaned forward to see her face- he let out a half snort when he realized she had fallen asleep. Slowly he slid himself off the couch. He carefully bent over her and untucked her knees shifting her up onto the couch.
"James?"
Juliet whispered, eyes still closed, as she shifted to her side burying her hand under her chin like a child.
"Uhhuh?" he replied reaching back for a blanket.
"Thank you." She said as Sawyer covered her. He dropped into the chair beside her leaning his head back and closing his eyes with a smile.
"Anytime Sleepin' Beauty".
...
The flash of light hit him and his head screamed in protest
"Sonofa.."
Sawyer lurched upright, blinking hard. A blanket was tangled in his arms. The sunlight from the window had just reached the perfect angle to hit him square in the face. Sawyer shoved himself to his feet and furrowed his eyebrows, huffing audibly. He turned his attention across the room where Miles sat at the kitchen table, staring at him from over his coffee cup- wide eyed.
"Morning- There's ... coffee." Miles said keeping his eyes locked on Sawyer.
Sawyer's glanced at the empty couch, tossed the blanket back onto it and stalked off to the bathroom.
Jin entered the kitchen "Sawyer ... ok?" he said, looking at Miles.
"Yeh, not a morning person, I guess. " Miles replied; handing an empty mug to Jin.
...
Juliet had been awakened by the sound of footsteps, rhythmically pacing. 1-2-3 turn. 1,2,3 turn. Daniel was hovering near the still open door- she determined she'd only been asleep a few hours because the sun had yet to come up. Her eyes followed him for a few moments before she calmly addressed him.
"Daniel? You alright?"
Juliet whispered as she slowly slid upright, mindful not to startle Daniel. Sawyer stirred restlessly in the armchair to her right.
"Whatever happened, happened... 1974, Eloise. 11 flashes, 10? 11." turn "The machine must be oscillating at 11, Widmore, 2.342, Charlotte."
1, 2, 3 turn Daniel continued to verbalize his thoughts quietly, his hands nervously gesturing the accented points of his internal argument.
Juliet approached carefully. She gently put one hand to his shoulder using the other to brush his sweaty hair back from his forehead in a motherly way. His eyes darted about - eyebrows pinched in anxiety.
"Daniel- look at me"
she said softly stopping purposely in his path. His intense dark eyes locked with her soothing crystal blue ones. They stood there a moment as he focused on Juliet. He reached up and placed his hands lightly on her arms and slowly spoke to her
"I need... to go... back. There's a reason.. we are here. I need to find out more about the Dharma Initiative and the work they are doing... it could.. help us.."
Juliet nodded with him.
" Ok. Daniel. Let's talk to James in the morning and we will figure this out together."
"K... Yeh - The submarine leaves tomorr...today"
He corrected himself continuing to nod slightly as he separated from Juliet and headed back into a bedroom, closing the door softly. Juliet crossed her arms, bringing a hand up to her face and sighed worriedly as she watched him leave before refocusing her attention on the sleeping form in the armchair.
She moved over and carefully picked up her blanket from the couch, draping it over Sawyer. Pausing at the peaceful look on his face she couldn't help but smile.
Juliet closed the screen door and crossed the dark lawn, back to Amy's, reclaiming her place on Amy's couch and closing her eyes. Ben's words echoing in her mind
"After everything I did to get you here, after everything I've done to keep you here, how can you possibly not understand... "
She had been second guessing herself since agreeing to stay on the island. Ben was gone yet she was still here. Really, Sawyer was right. She had no reason to go. She had no money. There was also the fact that she had no home, no family that knew her and no friends she could rely on off island. What was she gunna do in 1974? As her thoughts shifted to Jin, Miles, Daniel and Sawyer- her heart ached and she knew that the only chance and the only choice that made sense right now, was to stay. They all needed each other.
