The 12 Days of Christmas
Thanks for all the great reviews! And sorry for the break in the action, the days pass by way too quickly! Anyway, hope you all enjoy some after Christmas cheer!
Day 7
Juliet woke humming. "On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me…"
"Whoa!" she thought as she climbed out of bed. "I think that part of the song needs a bit of revising as well." And actually according to James it was now the sixth day of Christmas…she kept getting confused, but he had definitely made the song unique, and he had made the past week very exciting so she didn't mind at all.
She made her way to the bathroom, only to find it was already occupied. She knocked; hoping whoever was in there wasn't going to be in there much longer. After 30 seconds of no answer her hand lifted to knock again, but suddenly the door was pulled open. Steam billowed out along with Sawyer, who was wearing nothing but a dimpled grin and a towel around his waist.
"Well g'mornin' there Sunshine," He drawled out.
Juliet just stared. His skin was still damp from the shower, and she watched as a few beads of water dripped from the ends of his hair and rolled lazily down his chest.
He waved his hand in front of her face and she suddenly blinked and jerked back.
"Sleep walkin' again?" he laughed as he walked down the hall towards his room.
She smiled sheepishly and walked into the bathroom, mortified at the blushed cheeks that were mocking her in the mirror.
Breakfast was hurried, as she had agreed to get to the Motor Pool early. She never minded going in early because that meant she was able to leave early. Plus, it was Thursday, and that meant only one day until Friday and Friday meant…the Dharma Christmas Party.
Juliet wasn't sure why she was so excited about the party. She wasn't much for dancing, or crowds or mingling—maybe it was the fact that Miles couldn't stop talking about all the 'lovely ladies' that he was going to trap under the mistletoe, or that Jin actually seemed to be happy about the upcoming holiday, despite the fact that he was without Sun. Even Sawyer didn't seem to do too much grumbling about the impending Dharma get together.
Walking into the kitchen, she smiled at the three men sharing a quiet breakfast. Amid all the noise, chaos, clutter and confusion, sometimes she found herself inside a few happy moments. Smiling, Juliet grabbed an apple off of the counter and headed for the door, waving to her friends as she walked out.
--
The thunderstorm, and the fact that she never seemed to have an umbrella, put somewhat of a damper on her day, but as she ran home in the rain, she was happy just to be done with work.
She burst through the door, dripping wet, toed off her boots and bolted for the bathroom. After shutting the door she stripped out of her clothes and jumped into the shower. For her, there was no greater moment than washing away the grease of the day. After her shower she made her way into her bedroom. She put on pajama pants and was putting a tank top over her head when suddenly she heard an, "ahem" from the hallway.
She spun around, quickly pulling her shirt down, and found a smug looking Sawyer leaning against her door with his arms crossed in front of him.
"How long have you been there?" she asked.
He smiled at her, saying nothing.
"Make a habit out of spying on girls James?" she spat with a condescending tone as she grabbed the sweater hanging over her chair.
"Make a habit of leavin' your door open when you live with three men Juliet?" he shot back.
She knew he was right so, throwing on the sweater, she just grumbled and tried to walk past him, but his hand around her arm stopped her.
"Hey," he whispered.
She turned and their faces were mere inches apart.
He was staring into her eyes, trying to read her, but with her mask securely in place, he couldn't figure out what she was thinking. She licked her lips nervously, not sure what he was doing.
"What's that on your back?" he finally asked.
She squeezed her eyes shut, mask slipping away, and when she opened them she looked anywhere but at him. She had almost forgotten about the ugly scar on her back…almost.
"It's nothing," she said, trying to play it off. "Just an old scar."
But he wouldn't let her off easy.
"The hell it is," he replied, as he squeezed her arm in anger. "Somebody did that to you." He said forcefully. "Who?"
She knew he wasn't angry with her, but his reaction surprised her nonetheless. She figured honesty was the best policy at this point, and maybe once he heard how she got it, he'd back off.
"They marked me." She said simply, her gaze finally returning to his.
In that gaze he saw anger, hurt and betrayal…along with something else he couldn't quite pin point.
"They marked me because I killed one of our own."
"Who?" he asked, not quite as forcefully this time.
"Danny." Her voice was flat and emotionless as she said his name, but her eyes…her eyes were a different story entirely.
His filled with realization, a million thoughts rushing through is head. The emotion that prevailed however was anger. She watched it take over; knowing that he probably blamed himself. But it was a different time, and she wouldn't let him do that.
"James," she tried to pacify him, but he wasn't having it.
His hand slipped from her arm and his fists balled. He didn't understand. He couldn't.
"Why…"
"Hey guys, you didn't start playing without me, did you?"
Miles walked down the hall, stopping Sawyer from asking her any more about it. He looked between the two, sensing that he'd interrupted.
"Whoa, sorry." He said, putting his hands up in surrender as he started walking backwards. "Didn't mean to interrupt."
Grateful for the interruption Juliet started walking towards him.
"It's okay Miles," she said. "What is it we weren't supposed to start playing?"
"Uhh," Miles looked at Sawyer, who was resigned to put the conversation on hold.
"It's the sixth day of Christmas after all," Sawyer said, relenting. "Time for your gift."
He half smiled at her and she knew he would be upset until they could talk things through. But she was willing to play along for the sake of Miles.
"I've been looking forward to this all day," she said, her mood brightening some.
They walked out into the living room and she saw a pile of brand new board games on the coffee table.
She started laughing. "Six more chances for me to humiliate you guys, huh?"
That got a genuine smile out of Sawyer.
She scanned the table and saw some of her favorites. Scrabble, Monopoly, Sorry!, Connect Four, Battleship and one she didn't recognize -- Bermuda Triangle.
"Bermuda Triangle?" she questioned. "I've never heard of that one."
Sawyer laughed. "Yeah I saw that on the list and thought you might get a kick out of it."
She smiled at him and squeezed his hand, telling him with her eyes that she knew they needed to talk, but for now, they could just enjoy the evening.
"Thank you James," she said.
Miles waited no longer and dove into the stack.
"Which one are we playing first?"
She looked at Sawyer.
"It's up to you Blondie."
"How about Bermuda Triangle," she said. "I've never played it so you might actually have a chance to beat me."
"HA!" Miles shouted. "You're going down!"
Sawyer and Juliet laughed and the trio settled down to play some board games.
Day 8
The Christmas Party was in full swing. Alcohol was flowing, food was aplenty and the music was loud.
Miles had stolen Amy from Horace and was pushing her around the dance floor. Jin was chatting with a few guys from the motor pool, and Sawyer and Juliet were taking a break on one of the picnic tables that were set up in the quad.
"Nice evenin' huh?" Sawyer commented.
Juliet nodded. She wasn't uncomfortable around him, but since their conversation the previous evening, he'd been distant; only making comments about the most generic things. She knew it was the middle of the party but she wanted to clear the air. She didn't want to dance around the issue any longer.
"Want to take a walk?" She asked him.
He looked at her for a minute, trying to figure out what she was thinking, then nodded.
They stood and wandered away from the party, and after walking for a few minutes, ended up at the playground. Each chose a swing, and she pushed herself back and forth slowly, matching the beat of the music that wafted over.
"So about last night…" she started, but he quickly interrupted.
"Listen Juliet I got somethin' I wanna say."
She nodded, letting him continue.
"I was really angry when I found out what that scar was, and how you got it. And I wanted to justify it, wanted to blame someone. And it's tough because logic would tell me to blame myself." He paused, trying to figure out what to say next. "But then I had time to think about it and I know you did what you did, not to save me 'n Kate, but to help yourself…it was the only way for you to get off of the Island."
"James…"
"Just let me finish," he interrupted. "Juliet we aren't the same people now that we were then, we didn't know each other. The choices we made were made because we thought they were the right ones. And realistically, we made'em because we didn't really have any other choice."
He looked at her and smiled. "I mean, back then you were just the woman who tasered me…"
She laughed.
"…an' I was just the pest who kept givin' y'all a hard time." They were both silent for a moment, content to just swing back and forth.
"But the fact still remains that you saved my life, and was scarred for doing so. So…" He turned to look at her. "I just want to say I'm sorry."
She smiled a sad smile and looked into his eyes. She saw sorrow and guilt there, things he shouldn't be feeling.
"James you don't need to be sorry," she said, "You didn't do anything wrong."
"I know," he replied. "But I'm sorry just the same."
"It's okay," she said with a genuine smile.
He smiled back but then looked at her hesitantly.
"Juliet…" he started. "Can I…"
"See it?" she finished for him.
He nodded.
She stood from the swing, turned away from him and lifted her shirt.
He squatted down for a closer look, and traced his fingers lightly over the scar. It reminder her briefly of when Jack had done the same, but where Jack's touch had been warm and reassuring, James' sent a shiver of excitement down her spine.
She turned, dropping her shirt and sat back down on her swing.
He looked down at her and she couldn't quite figure out what he was thinking.
"So because of yesterday, I want to give you this."
He held out his hand and when she didn't do anything, he grabbed her hand and held it, pulling her back to her feet.
"Give me what?" she finally asked, not knowing where he was going with this.
"Five," he said. "Five fingers…well, four fingers and a thumb. But it's my hand Juliet." He paused, noticing her confused face. "When you need it, I want you to know you can take it." He held her hand tighter. "I know that you got my back and I know that I got yours, but, it's just us in this crazy, fucked up place. It's about more than just survival now. If we can't rely on each other no matter what, then we got nobody."
With tears threatening she simply nodded, not trusting herself to say anything.
"I had something else planned for tonight but after yesterday, I thought this would be more…fitting." He finished.
"It's perfect," she whispered as she squeezed his hand.
He smiled. "Well now that that's settled, lets get back to the par-tay! We haven't got nearly enough ammo on Miles yet."
She laughed, and they walked back to the party hand in hand.
Day 9
Saturday's were normally lazy days, but with the hustle and bustle of the holiday, everyone seemed to be out and about. Juliet had offered to help clean up after the party, so shortly after breakfast she had headed off to the rec room.
Everyone else must have either forgotten or found something better to do, because Juliet found herself strangely alone. She didn't mind too much though. Cleaning was mindless work, and she enjoyed the quiet.
She had been working for a couple of hours when a slamming door had her turning around. Sawyer walked in with a big bag in his hands.
"Lunch time Sunshine," he announced, and proceeded to set up the contents of their meal on the pool table. She suddenly realized that she was starving and walked over, grateful for the food.
They set everything up and sat down to eat.
Sawyer suddenly paused, looking around. "Hey, where is everyone?"
Juliet laughed. "I think they all found something better to do."
"Do you need any help?" he asked, taking a bite out of his sandwich.
She scanned the room. She had brought everything inside from the quad and was more than halfway finished picking up the remnants.
"Nah, I think I've got it. Not much left to do now."
"Well, why don't you let me help you anyway," he replied. "That way we can have some time to take a stroll on the beach later."
"Okay," she agreed, and they finished eating.
After lunch, Juliet started on one side of the room and Sawyer started on the other. About an hour later they met in the middle, a stack of games the last items to be put away. They each took an armload and walked over to the shelves in the corner. Once rightly in their place, the pair stood, scanning their accomplishment.
"Not bad, if I do say so myself." Sawyer said as he mockingly patted himself on the back.
"It's so funny." She then mused.
"What's that?" Sawyer asked.
"That even with all of the advancements that will be made between now and thirty years from now, this room will still look exactly the same."
"Well how about that," Sawyer laughed. "You're right."
"Even down to the Christmas decorations," she continued. "They are all the same and they'll always be put in the same spots."
They continued to scan the room.
"Except…" she started, then paused.
"Except what?" Sawyer asked.
"Except for the mistletoe," she eventually responded. "We always put it in the archway over there," she said as she pointed to the other side of the room.
Sawyer looked over. "So where is it?" he asked. "I bet Miles stole it."
They laughed.
Both surveyed the room, in search of the mistletoe, and both froze when they realized it was directly above them.
With a nervous laugh Juliet made to move towards the door, but a hand on her shoulder had her stopping and turning.
"Where do you think you're goin' Blondie?" He whispered as he pulled her hard against him.
The breath that she had been holding whooshed out of her with the sudden contact against his warm body. His arm had snaked its way around her and his hand was currently resting at the base of her neck. She didn't try to back away but his grip on her grew tighter nonetheless.
She forced her eyes to meet his, and what she saw there was both terrifying and exciting. The raw need was something she'd never seen in anyone before.
She didn't know how it happened but she suddenly realized that her arms were wrapped around him, her hands pressed flat against his back.
"James…" she whispered as her gaze fell from his eyes to his lips. They were mere inches apart yet the distance between his mouth and hers felt insurmountable.
He slowly drew her in, savoring the moment and he was a breath away from touching his lips to hers.
"There you guys are!"
The pair jumped apart, startled at the shout from across the room.
Miles looked at the two, suddenly realizing what he had walked in on.
"Shit!" he said seeing Sawyer's glare, knowing he'd again walked into the middle of something. "Uh…sorry," he said as he quickly ran out of the rec room.
Juliet let out a shaky breath and laughed.
Sawyer just looked at her muttering, "I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch."
"Don't say that," Juliet said playfully. "We know his mother and she is a very nice lady."
Sawyer had to laugh at that.
With the moment passing, Sawyer decided to carry on with his plans.
"How 'bout that walk Blondie?"
Juliet smiled up at him and nodded. With one last glance at the mistletoe, Sawyer shook his head and followed her out. The two left the rec room and headed towards the beach.
--
They walked the familiar shore towards their favorite spot. There was a slight curve at the end of the beach, and once rounded, provided a private little haven. They often wandered around the bend just to get away from it all.
Upon reaching their spot, Juliet saw the blanket. She smiled up at him.
"Another picnic?" she asked.
"Somethin' like that," he responded.
They reached the blanket and she saw a bottle of wine as well as,
"A guitar?"
"I've been known to strum a tune or two in my day," he lazily replied. "Have a seat Sunshine, for the fourth day of Christmas you get your very own concert." He paused and strummed a few fast chords. She laughed.
"Four requests, anything you want…," he continued, "well as long as I can play it," he winked at her and picked up the guitar.
"I didn't know you could sing," she said, as she sat down across from him.
"Well now ya do," he replied simply.
He sat down, grabbed the wine and two glasses. He poured each of them a glass, "Cheers," he said.
They clinked glasses and took a sip. He put his between his legs and picked up the guitar.
"So, what'll it be?" he asked. "And no Snoop Dog, someone might overhear us!"
They both laughed.
"Downtown," she then blurted out without even thinking.
"Hmm," he said, surprisingly not phased by the odd request. He strummed the chords and the familiar music had her smiling "You might have to help me with the words, I don't know if I know all of them."
She started, "When you're alone, and life is making you lonely, you can always go…"
"downtown," he finished. "Those pipes aren't too bad Blondie," he said as he continued to strum.
They both laughed and continued singing.
TBC
Three to go…