AN: Thank you to all of my awesome reviewers:) Sorry this chapter wasn't up as soon as it should have been. For one, it was a pain to write (transition chapters usually are for me) and it's been a pain to upload as my internet connection keeps shutting off on me at the most inopportune times.
SonicH20 - Kate's gonna be just fine. The island helps along the healing process, remember? She'll be back to her usual self in no time. And as for the Others being pushovers... I don't want to make them too mean too soon, y'know?
Dogwood Flowers - JATEFLUFF! Hey, you should write some! Hehehe! I'll give you a chocolate covered Jack if you do:-)
MissFantabulous - You just wanted to see me dance, didn't you:-D
nikki-da-latina - I hope you find that book! Keep checking used book stores, maybe? And don't worry, I won't be abandoning Wicked Games, I just needed some time away from it to sate my muse. I'll post more of it soon, but in the meantime, I'm glad you're liking this one!
yas-m - here's the update you wanted, hon!
Chapter three
A few minutes passed, and the feeling of Kate's even breath grew hypnotic to Jack. When he was almost sure she was sleeping, he turned his head and kissed her on her forehead, not quite knowing why or how, but blaming it on post traumatic stress instead. She made an audible sigh and Jack smiled. Despite the fact that they were in a cement cell, with no mattress, no pillows, just one blanket between the two of them, he felt so comfortable. When he finally fell asleep, for the first time in a week, Jack dreamed.
Restless scenes from the past week replayed in Jack's mind and people blended and blurred together until he couldn't understand anything behind what he was seeing anymore, when finally the landscape switched once more. He was on Desmond's yacht again, but this time he was alone. It was dark but the moon and stars were out, moving quickly in their constellations.
Jack leaned against the rails of the deck, looking out toward the beach, their camp. He could see campfires burning on the sand, distant figures moving from tent to tent, settling in for the night. Hands rested on his back and Jack turned to see Kate standing next to him, the light escaping from the open hatch heading down below deck illuminating her from behind.
Kate smiled and Jack noticed that she was wearing the same clothes she had been wearing when they fell asleep earlier that night. Her blue shirt was spattered with her own blood and her body was bruised and battered, but she never stopped smiling. Jack felt himself return the smile, slowly at first. She looked back out to the beach and the short distance of ocean separating them from their friends. Jack followed her gaze, a deep sense of sadness taking over. "We'll find our way back," he heard her murmur. He turned to look at her, but in that instant, he opened his eyes instead.
The candle in the room had burned out, the wax was nothing more than a hard puddle. Jack blinked a few times to adjust to the darkness, his head spinning. Images from his dreams came to him in broken pieces, blurring together until the boat and Kate came rushing back to him. Jack smiled at the clear memory.
He didn't know what time it was, but Kate was still sleeping, the stress of the last two days taking its toll on her body. It was good. Something she needed. Jack knew that with lots of rest and minimal movement, and she would be fine in no time. He also knew that the more she slept, the less likely she would worry about where they were and if they were ever getting home. He decided he would let himself worry enough for both of them.
Kate groaned and rolled closer into Jack, her head snuggling down into his chest. Placing an arm behind his head, he took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to get back to sleep.
On and off Jack dozed, listening to the constant lull of Kate's breathing and wishing that he knew more about where they were, enough that he could come up with a plan, some strategy to get her out of here.
Some time later, the light came on from the hallway, shining into the room, and Jack raised a hand against it. Footsteps sounded a second later and trying not to jostle Kate too much, Jack sat up and looked to the door.
Keys turned in the lock and the door clicked open, illuminating the room in a bright florescent light. Shadows cast themselves into the room, and Jack tried to see who was there. Glancing down at the woman still in his arms, he was amazed that Kate could sleep though this. Then again, he had popped her shoulder back into place without her making a sound the last time she was asleep, so who really knew what she could sleep through?
Shuffling echoed off the walls and then finally a dull light flickered on in the small room. Henry Gale walked into the room, the heavy metal door closing behind him with a thud. He had changed his clothes after they had arrived, his green polo tee shirt and khakis contrasting with his still bruised face.
Jack felt Kate stiffen at his side and he knew she was awake. Without looking at her, keeping his eyes on Henry, Jack slipped an arm around Kate's waist as she sat up, a gesture he hoped would serve to reassure her.
Henry smiled his thin smile as he looked down on them. They were still on the floor, the blanket pooling around their waists. Jack moved to stand up but Henry put up a hand to stop him. "No, no . . . no need to get up. I only hope I didn't interrupt anything," he held his gaze on Jack, a hint of malevolence flashing through his eyes, teasing.
"I just wanted to inform you of some of our house rules and regulations," Henry went on, sliding his stare over to Kate. She never met his gaze and instead, kept her eyes fixed to the floor. "First of all, I am deeply sorry about what happened to you, Kate. It was unnecessary and I am certain that under Jack's care, you'll make a full recovery." He said this with a slight patronizing tone, almost as if he were reciting the words to her. He could tell he was getting to her, working his way under her skin, and he smirked when she still wouldn't look at him.
"We're going to be keeping the three of you here until . . . " Henry trailed off as he started to walk around them, never taking his eyes off them. "Well, until we no longer have a use for you. We'll give you the basic necessities, no more, no less: Food, water, access to the bathroom, the shower. And in return, we'll be running some tests."
Kate's eyes widened and Jack shook his head in disbelief. "Or you could let us go."
Henry laughed. "Oh, I don't think so," he stopped circling and crouched down in front of Jack. "You see, Jack, you treated me so well when I was in your hatch . . . I just want to show you the same hospitality that I received. Think of it as my gratitude to you." His face was cold as he said this, hatred passing slowly through his features.
"You asshole!" Jack spat and made a grab for Henry.
"Now, now Jack. No name-calling. We're still friends aren't we?" Henry chuckled and stood up out of Jack's grasp. Jack glared at the small man. He should've let Sayid finish the job when he had the chance.
Jack felt Kate slide her hand over his where it sat on her waist, and as she gave it a gentle squeeze, Jack looked back to Henry. "Where's Sawyer?"
"Oh he's fine. In fact, he's right outside this door right now, waiting for us to finish our little talk." Henry pointed to the door where several shadows darkened the window. Kate's head shot up at his words, looking to the window, trying to catch a glimpse of Sawyer.
"Now, do we have a deal?" Henry asked.
When Jack didn't say anything, didn't nod or even move, Henry raised an eyebrow. "I can just as easily take all the privileges away, Jack, but we're not barbarians here. I'd feel a lot better if you agreed to the terms."
"Let us go." Jack said, his voice low and threatening.
Henry didn't chuckle this time. "You're not going to deprive Kate of her basic needs just to maintain your pride, now are you Jack?"
His words hit home and Jack looked to Kate, her eyes telling him no, to keep fighting for their freedom. He looked back to Henry, his eyes never leaving the smaller man's face.
"You have your deal."
Kate let go of Jack's hand at his words and Henry smiled wide and bowed his head. "Excellent! Well, then, I'll send Sawyer in." As he turned to go, Henry grinned, his face stiff where bruises were still healing. "With time, I think you'll see that we can be willing to compromise, Jack. Kate." He nodded his head to both of them in parting and opened the door, stepping out into the hallway.
Kate glanced up at Jack, a frown on her face. Jack just shrugged at looked away. A few seconds later, Sawyer was pushed into the room, followed closely by Bea. Jack watched as Bea untied Sawyer's bindings. As he took in his surroundings, Sawyer noticed Jack and Kate's location on the floor.
"Well, ain't this just cozy?" Sawyer said, sarcastic.
Jack had to hold Kate back down as she fought to stand up, her arm reaching out to Sawyer. She was trying to say his name, the word coming out in breathy gasps, and Sawyer knelt down in front of her. Jack's hand keeping her steady as she sat up, she threw her good arm around Sawyer's neck hugging him with every bit of strength she had in her.
"Hey, I missed you too, Freckles . . . " he smiled into her hair, hugging her back, a new softness to his voice. Jack frowned and tried not to pay attention to the jealously burning him up. Sawyer was stroking Kate's matted hair as he looked at the damage she had suffered since arriving there. His hand turning her head to get a better look at the deep welt that had formed on her cheek and the square patch of gauze, he threw a questioning look to Jack.
"She had an allergic reaction to a sedative they gave her. Her throat closed up and I had to give her an emergency tracheotomy," Jack explained, even though he knew the word would be lost on Sawyer. "And I don't know how she got the bruise. Her shoulder was dislocated for a while too, but I managed to set it last night." Jack went on, missing Sawyer's concerned look but catching the smile Kate threw at him, another silent thank-you.
From her position at the door, Bea's eyes caught Jack's and he held her stare, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. They wouldn't be getting time alone to discuss anything, any plan for escape, not with her in the room. Bea sent Jack a knowing smile, as if she could read his thoughts. "You have five minutes." She said, crossing her arms.
Jack nodded, turning back to Sawyer. "How do you feel?"
Sawyer shrugged. "I'd be a helluva lot better if you didn't get us into this damn mess," he growled.
Kate closed her eyes, not wanting Sawyer to start a fight. Jack ignored him. "Do you feel dizzy? Nauseous? Any headaches?"
Sawyer held his glare on Jack, but lifted a hand up to his neck. "It still hurts where they shot me and I got a couple of scrapes. But other than that? I'm peachy, Jackass, thanks for asking."
"Fine." Jack threw up his hands, finished with Sawyer.
Bea leaned forward. "If you're done . . . "
"I ain't done!" Sawyer snapped at the older woman before turning back to Kate, watching as she babied her damaged arm. "Why didn't you put that in a sling yet, doc?"
Jack sighed, exasperated. "I haven't exactly found anything I could use yet, Sawyer."
"Well, dammit, why didn't you give her your shirt? Or maybe you just don't wanna catch a cold." Sawyer frowned matching Jack's tone, as he started to shrug off his own button-down shirt. Kate shook her head in protest but Sawyer had already tied the sleeves around her right shoulder, the body of the shirt cradling her left arm. When she gave him a lopsided grin, Jack's frown deepened. He could have done that . . .
Bea cleared her throat. "I think you're done." She said, looking pointedly at Sawyer. Sawyer mumbled something that made Kate smirk as he stood up. Bea snapped up his wrists none too gently, and tied them with rope.
Kate threw a glance at Jack, tilting her head in Sawyer's direction suddenly. She gave him a pointed look and Jack understood. Clearing his throat, he called out to Sawyer. The other man turned his head and looked at Jack. "I'm glad you're okay, man." He said with a dignified nod.
Sawyer said nothing for a few seconds, almost processing the words. He looked like he was about to insult Jack once more, but with a look from Kate, he rolled his eyes and glanced away. "Yeah, me too . . . "
Bea gave the man a push and with a solemn nod to both Kate and Jack, Bea turned Sawyer back to the door. She knocked once and the door swung open.
As quickly as he had been brought in, Sawyer was escorted out.
