Warning! Parts of this story will be SPOILERY! I'm a spoiler-whore and I read as many of them as I possibly can. If I know something is going to happen in advance, it may very well work it's way into this story. Label yourselves warned. passes out stickers
Disclaimer: I don't own LOST, ABC, or Disney. This story is mine, however.
A/N: (moment of silence for Scott.)
Threading
By: Elurandir
How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on... when in your heart... you begin to understand... there is no going back?
-Frodo (Return of the King)
Special
Steve had spotted a boat.
He hadn't believed it, not at first. Not when the other man had burst into Cavetown declaring they were finally saved. Not after four months stranded on this island. Not after he had finally accepted his fate with these people.
And when Jack, Charlie, Kate, and Sayid all left with Steve to the beach, he was still skeptical. He didn't move from where he was idly watching Walt play with the toy boat he had fashioned out of wood and leaves upon his son's request earlier in the day.
Then Charlie returned not too long after he had left, scooping up Claire's baby and demanding everyone follow quickly, Steve was telling the truth. Then…then, Michael believed.
"Walt, let's go," he said abruptly, moving quickly over to Vincent and grabbing the vine leash that Locke had created a month earlier for the wandering canine. Michael was halfway across the open area when he turned back to see Walt still playing with the boat. "WALT!" he barked, and his son only then got up, leaving the little boat still floating in the pool of water. "What did I tell you about listening to me?" Michael said in a weary voice. "You think you can just sit around? Did you hear Charlie? We're rescued," he said, taking his son by the arm and making certain the boy kept the quick pace Michael had set.
They reached the beach, and stood, with everyone else, and awaited the ship to grow closer. Even Vincent stood alert and silent, staring out at the sea.
Michael was on the first boat. He and his son were getting off this God-forsaken island as quickly as possible. With a hint of bitterness, Michael thought back to his own raft, the one that had gone up in mysterious flames. He scowled for a moment, but then grinned down at Walt and patted Vincent's head jovially. "We're saved! What'd I tell you, Little Man? I knew we'd get off this place one day." he said and breathed in the ocean air. Suddenly, the salty breeze and warm sun felt very refreshing and no longer common. He thought with a smirk that perhaps he would never vacation to the beach ever, ever again. Mountains and Disney World for him, thanks. No oceans, maybe not even large lakes. And flying was certainly out. As Michael wondered idly if boats went from Australia to America, he caught Sun looking over at him.
Michael's mood sobered almost immediately, and he kept her dark-eyed gaze for a moment, before looking back out and watching the island fade into the distance. He had made a secret friend in Sun, and sometimes he fancied that maybe they would be something more, if not for Jin. Said man was actively speaking to one of the fishermen in Korean, not bothering to pay much attention to Sun, other than to keep a firm hand around her waist. He thought that he would miss her soft voice and sound advice, once they all went their separate ways. And he wondered if she'd miss him.
-
Michael had forgotten all about Sun by the time the interviews were halfway through. He had to be at every one of his, and every one of Walt's. Not only that, but he had to deal with what's-his-name, Walt's adopted father. The man had appeared, looking so frenzied Michael doubted his sanity. Vincent was back in their hotel room, and Michael didn't mention the dog, neither did Walt. Mercifully, the man never mentioned the canine either. Walt greeted him warmly, throwing his arms around his neck and clinging like he was afraid to let go, which made things very awkward for Michael; not that anyone noticed.
Finally, Michael had to tug Walt away from the other man, and lead him off, much to Walt's discontent.
"You're my son," Michael snapped in agitation. "I'm your legal guardian, and I'm your real father," he said in a huff, almost wishing he'd told Walt to the truth about how the other man didn't want him and practically pushed custody onto Michael. But the moment he thought it, he took it back. He knew he couldn't crush Walt like that, especially after all that had gone on. And what the other man had said was different and creepy about Walt….Michael had learnt, not only from Locke, but from his own experience, that it wasn't creepy….it was special.
-
"I miss the beach," Walt said in a huffy tone as they sat in their hotel room. "It's too cold here."
"We have to get used to it, Little Man, we're back in civilization now." Michael said with a smile, though secretly, he agreed with his son. He hadn't thought that would be the case, but he found himself wishing he could hear the roar of the ocean and the whisper of the wind through the trees.
"I don't see what's so special about it," Walt snapped. "Mr. Locke says you don't need buildings and stuff to be civilized." he paraphrased the older man, participating in a dull staring contest with Vincent.
"I'm sure he did, Walt," Michael responded, a hint of aggravation in his voice.
"Are we going to see Mr. Locke again? And what about Claire? She had said that I could help her with the baby…"
"Things've changed," Michael cut his son off abruptly. "We're not on the island anymore, Walt. Claire will probably stay here in Australia, and we're going back to the US as soon as possible."
"Mr. Locke is from-"
"He's not where we're from," Michael cut the boy off again and laid down on the bed. "Go to sleep, Walt," he said, his mood turned sour. He heard Walt huff and shuffle around before feeling the bed shift with the weight of his son climbing onto it. Neither used the sheets or comforter.
It took Michael hours to fall asleep, the silence deafening and his thoughts having to scream to be heard over it.
"I wish we never had been rescued," he heard Walt whisper, sniffling, and Michael's blood ran cold for a moment.
"Don't say that, Little Man," he said, his voice a bit raspy from having not spoken in a few hours. "Don't ever say that."
Because Michael knew that, with Walt, you had to be very, very careful what you wished for.
OOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Fourth chapter. Wootwoot. Sorry this one isn't as long as the others have been. I'm not as comfortable with Michael's character as I am with the others. This one also dealt a little bit with Walt, because I figure they both tie in together quite closely. It also had more dialogue, which surprised me, I hadn't planned on it having so much.
Don't know who's next. I'll probably wait until after this coming Wednesday's episode and see where I'm at.
Fair-Ithil: Sayid does have bad luck. And…after that last chapter, I backed myself into a corner of having to do more than one chapter a character, because, as Shayid fan myself…I must have them talk to one another! (grin)
Vainfinde: Yay! You came back! I shall try to keep the chapters as spoiler-free as possible so that you can keep reading. I am completely emotionally invested in these characters. Heh. I loves them all.
LunaCohen: Hee! Charlie/Claire are my favourite couple on the island…I can't help but love the adorableness of the good ship "Charlie Loves Babymama". I do like Shayid as well, though, and…I'm already planning on having another chapter so they can talk. Because…they need to. (grin)
Msik: Thanks! I hope I haven't dropt the ball on my characterization of Michael. (crosses fingers)
Review please? I would greatly appreciate it.