Hey, thanks to reviews from Frex, SassyLostie, SkateNowandForever and MULAN-IFUWEREGAY. Who's request for soon inspired me to post this one today. An no, you're not being a pain asking. : )
This chapter's quite long, but I hope you enjoy!
Scene 5 -
( Kate and Claire are in the jungle. They walk along a path, carefully picking their way among the undergrowth as this path doesn't look especially well-trodden. They carry a few mangoes in their arms, but not many, which indicates they have spent more time talking than picking. )
( While Claire finishes a small anecdote, about which the name " Aaron " crops up a suspiciously large number of times, Kate nods in a distracted state, obviously waiting for Claire to finish so she can say something - )
( After a small break in the story, and a short smile, Kate interrupts - )
Kate: Hey, Claire, thanks for inviting me. I know we haven't been hanging out much since I got back. I've just been preoccupied.
Claire: ( Wryly ) Yeah, I know.
( Claire laughs and Kate blushes. )
Claire: Kate, it's ok, I'm happy for you.
Kate: Thanks. It took us a while to get here … but I'm glad we did.
( Kate's voice is less assured than usual, as if she is a little unsure of the conversation, but enjoying it nonetheless. )
Claire: How did you anyway?
Kate: How did we what?
Claire: You know, "get together."
Kate: Oh. You really want to know?
( As if it's obvious - )
Claire: Yeah!
Kate: Oh, o.k.
Kate: Well you know we, well me, Sawyer and Jack, got captured.
( Claire nods. )
( Kate swallows as she remembers bad memories )
Kate: Well, the guys who brought us in. They, uh, the "Others" were … dangerous. And while we were capturedthey did,these horrible things to Sawyer. I was so worried … it made me… realise things.
( Kate seems to ponder her next words, careful what to say.)
Kate: It got to the point where I was scared for Sawyer's life. So, one night, I manage to climb out of my cage -
( Claire seems surprised by the mention of cages )
Kate: - and break Sawyer's open. But … he wouldn't run.
( Kate pauses but Claire doesn't interrupt as she is held captive in silence )
Kate: When I confronted him about it he told me about the two islands. He found out about them from Henry -
( Correcting for Claire's sake )
Kate: - Ben. Anyway Sawyer had found out about a day before, and I was so mad that he didn't tell me. I was already mad at him because he had been keeping so quiet about what had happened to him the day before. But it turned out they had …
( Kate struggles for the right words. )
Kate: - done this, this thing to Sawyer that meant he if tried to escape that he -
( Kate takes a breath )
Kate: - he would die. They threatened to do the same to me. So he couldn't escape. And he couldn't tell me why. Turns out it was all for nothing, they had conned him. None of it was true.
( Assuming a more normal tone )
Kate: He didn't tell me about that then of course. But he hadn't told me about the two islands either. So when I got mad he told me that he had just wanted me to believe we had a chance.
( Kate smiles to herself )
Kate: That's how we, " got together."
Claire: ( Quizzically) But how did you guys escape?
Kate: Well, the next morning Pickett comes out to kill Sawyer and Jack radios in -
( Kate looks puzzled )
Kate: But I thought you knew?
( Claire snaps out of the captive trance she was being held in )
Claire: ( Dazed ) What? Oh, yeah … No, yeah I knew. Kinda forgot. ( Sheepishly ) Sorry.
Kate: That's ok.
Claire: So you and Sawyer got together, the Others tried to kill him, but Jack bailed you guys out?
(Kate nods and looks up at Claire, who is quite taken aback. )
Claire: Oh, wow, intense. I just figured that …
Kate: ( Curiously ) What?
Claire: Well you guys were always together before you left so when you came back and everyone realised … I just assumed it had happened before you left and you hadn't decided to share till now.
Kate: ( Secretly pleased ) What? Really?
Claire: Yeah. I mean you guys don't act that different now except for… kissing and stuff.
( Claire blushes on the last part, and peeks shyly at Kate, ashamed of her schoolgirl behaviour. )
( Kate is still a little surprised by Claire's assumption, but nevertheless, happy about it )
Claire: So I understand why you haven't had time to hang out lately. Plus whenever I passed by your tent you were never there. So that's why I came to look for you at Sawyer's tent. I guessed you'd be there.
Kate: ( Blushes )Yeah I have been spending a lot of time there lately.
( Pause. Now it is Kate's turn to smile sheepishly, and Claire smiles kindly back, as if excusing her, but Kate still seems to have to say something. )
Kate: Claire I … I know I should have told you about this -
( Kate gestures between her and something invisible that seems to represent her new relationship with Sawyer)
Kate: - earlier. It just seemed weird to tell people about it. I guess we just thought people would get the message. And sawyer's not too hot on …
Claire: Publicity?
Kate: (Laughs ) Yeah.
Claire: ( Tentatively ) Kate?
Kate: Yeah.
Claire: Do you love him?
( A beat )
Claire: You love him don't you?
(Kate had looked down on first hearing the question, but slowly she raised her head and met Claire's eyes.)
Kate: ( Shyly ) Yeah.
( Claire smiles at Kate who smiles in return, Kate then leans in and says jokingly - )
Kate: Don't tell anyone.
( The pair laugh )
Scene 6 -
( Kate and Claire are walking along the beach, Claire's arms empty as she has deposited her fruit back at the communal beach bar. But Kate still carries her own private collection of a few scavenged and bruised mangoes. They see Sawyer first, as he appears out of his tent. )
( Sawyer is holding out the corner of his shirt, and inspecting it, for what, Kate will later learn, are stains. Looking up he sees Kate and Claire - )
Sawyer: So Thelma and Louise return. You two have fun fruit gathering -
( Kate shuts Sawyer up by dropping her mangoes, probably bruising them further, and kissing Sawyer, bringing up her arms about his neck. Sawyer is a little surprised. )
Kate:( Speaking lowly ) You behave?
( Sawyer grins and shrugs - )
Sawyer: Ish.
Kate: Well you know what they say, if it's a day that ends in a "y."
( Sawyer laughs. )
( Over Kate's shoulder to Claire - )
Sawyer: Hobbit came looking for ya.
Claire: Who?
( Kate turns and smiles apologetically at Claire - )
Kate: He means Charlie.
Claire: Oh.
Sawyer: He didn't find you? On the way to the caves?
Claire: ( Almost shyly ) No. We decided to go pick a bit further up the beach.
( Just them a small gargle comes from inside the tent and Sawyer's face is quickly masked by irritation. )
Sawyer: Thought I'd got the damn thing to sleep.
( Kate looking at Sawyer in crude amazement - )
Kate: You have been busy while I've been gone.
Sawyer: ( Defensively ) I was looking after the squirt for Charlie actually -
( He looks back towards the tent - )
Sawyer: Thought I'd gotten him to sleep.
( Kate bites her lip and looks up Sawyer in amusement. )
Claire: Is Aaron inside the tent?
Sawyer: Charlie dropped him off. Head right on in -
( Claire starts to walk toward the tent flap - )
Sawyer: Oh, and there's uh … there are, uh, some shirts, rolled up as pillows for him, so he didn't go to sleep funny or anything.
( Claire nods in bemusement. )
Claire: O.k.
( She enters the tent and Sawyer looks back to Kate, who is looking at Sawyer in disbelief and amusement. )
Sawyer: ( Lowly ) What? You think I've never been around kids before?
Kate: Noo … I just didn't have you pinned down as the Nanny type. Been reading too many Babysitter Club novels?
Sawyer: Wouldn't have to read them if people brought anything else on holiday.
Kate: ( Changing the topic ) What happened to Charlie?
Sawyer: No idea. He just came looking for Blondie, I told him where you were, he took off and left the kid here. Probably half way to the caves by now.
Kate: ( Sceptical ) And you've been looking after Aaron all this time?
Sawyer: It's only been a damn hour Freckles!
Kate: And you didn't drop him on his head?
( Claire exit's the tent to hear this last remark - )
Claire: What?!
Kate: Nothing Claire. Just kidding.
( Claire looks relieved, and stares down at Aaron in her arms, happy to see him again. )
( She looks up at Sawyer and Kate - )
Claire: Well thanks. For coming with me Kate.
( Claire then looks particularly at Sawyer and smiles - )
Claire: And for looking after Aaron.
( Sawyer smiles in return, then ducks his head, like he has to stare at the ground, suspiciously quiet. )
Claire: Bye.
Kate: Bye.
( Claire leaves and Kate watches her go. )
( Sawyer instead watches Kate, happy to see the peaceful, content expression on her face. As opposed to the restlessness apparent there this morning.)
Sawyer: Have fun Freckles?
( Kate turns to Sawyer smiling warmly. )
Kate: Yeah.
( Kate's vowels are drawn out and lazy, like she's fully relaxed. )
Sawyer: Good to hear it.
( Jump shot to Claire turning around, some distance from Sawyer and Kate, and looking back at them. )
( Kate and Sawyer are still standing close together, talking, Sawyer's arms loosely encircling Kate, who is leaning, ever so slightly, into him. )
( Claire gazes at them ponderously, revelling how in that moment, how well they seem to fit together, and just how … right and she wonders why she didn't see it there before. )
( But Claire seems to be staring at them differently as to this morning, looking at Sawyer in a different light after Kate's revelations, and ultimately looking at Kate differently too. )
( After a few more moments of staring at them, perhaps a little wistfully, Claire heads off again. )
( Cut back to Sawyer and Kate. )
Kate: So I told Claire about what happened when we were captured.
Sawyer: ( Frowning ) How much did you tell her?
Kate: Don't worry, not that much.
( Kate turns to stare at the sea, her forehead creased a little. )
Kate: Just what I needed to say.
( Sawyer looks at Kate through furrowed brows, his head slightly tilted backward, studying her. When Kate looks back to him, turning so he can't study her anymore, but he doesn't need to. Making eye contact, Sawyer nods at Kate, in comprehension, understandingly, letting her know he accepts she had to do what she needed to. And she needed to do it if she is the better for it. )
Kate: ( Changing the topic ) What about you? How did you get on?
Sawyer: ( Dryly ) What? Seriously this time?
Kate: Yeah. Seriously seriously.
( Sawyer shrugs indifferently - )
Sawyer: Kid's alright.
( Kate looks at him searchingly - )
Kate: And?
( Sawyer is reluctant to go into details of the afternoon so speaks shortly and without much emphasis. )
Sawyer: And he doesn't talk much so he didn't get on my nerves -
Kate: ( Interrupting ) So he couldn't get on your nerves.
( Despite not wanting to tell the story that bad Sawyer still doesn't appreciate interruptions. )
Sawyer: You want me to talk or not Freckles?
Kate: ( Smiling ) Sure. Talk.
Sawyer: Don't think I should now, would hate for you to interrupt me again.
( In her snap -out-of-it voice- )
Kate: Sawyer.
Sawyer: Fine, the kid started crying, Sun came to help shut him up, he went to sleep, I put him in the tent, he woke up again, I read to him, he want back to la-la land, end of story o.k.?
( Kate raises her eyebrows. )
Sawyer: ( Defensively ) Yeah I read to him.
( Off Kate's expression - )
Sawyer: What? The kid 'aint exactly high maintenance, no need to look at me like that Freckles.
( Kate looks at Sawyer with interest, her eyes crinkling in the corners and her face, though she is not smiling, is very serene, honestly and openly looking at Sawyer and reflecting )
( Sawyer tries to shake it off - )
Sawyer: Anyway, next time you're looking after the kid. Claire can go off in the jungle with Charlie, to do whatever it is they do, hold hands or whatever.
(( Kate's serene expression is dropped and she smiles reproachfully, almost disbelievingly at Sawyer. He must be joking. He had better be joking. - )
Kate: Come on, who says I have to look after Aaron?
Sawyer: You're a woman! You know how to take care of babies!
( Kate retorts - )
Kate: Seems like you did alright to me.
( This comment doesn't sit well with Sawyer, he leans in to Kate, gritting his teeth he speaks, harsher than intended - )
Sawyer: ( Voice dangerously low and eyes glinting in warning ) I 'aint got no kids. And I 'aint no good with 'em.
Kate: ( Defensively ) Yeah, well me neither. So I guess we have nothing to worry about huh?
( Kate's voice is purposefully baiting him, but Sawyer just stares back at her, glaring in defence, a expression matched by Kate's, and they stare at each other defensively. A face off, each one challenging the other to make the first move and either let the argument slide, or escalate, over a very sensitive issue for both. )
( Sawyer's brow is furrowed, his eyes boring directly and hardly into Kate's, his mouth a taut line. He looks ready for a fight. Kate stares right back, her won anger less visible, but still present in equal measure, and she waits silently and selfishly, testing Sawyer to see what his move will be. )
( Kate and Sawyer still standing extremely close, having not moved from the position they were in, a moment ago, when they started talking, relaxed, and before the conversation took a more serious turn. )
( Sawyer's hands are still on Kate's waist, gripping quite tightly, his fingers digging into her skin, but she doesn't move them. Her face is centimetres away from Sawyer, having moved closer, and her chin is tilted up slightly in defiance, so her mouth is angled toward his. With all the tension strife in the air, and the fact that they are so physically close the situation almost seems primed for a kiss. All Sawyer would have to do is lean in a little bit and capture Kate. They both seem aware of how close they are, Sawyer and Kate can both hear each other breathing. )
( More then Sawyer, Kate seems unnerved by the other's presence, she blinks once, and Sawyer smirks slightly, smiling in that deceptively gentle, knowing way. Kate glares at him - )
Kate: Your turn.
( Kate stares, defiant but shaky at Sawyer, whose furrowed brow unravels, smoothing, and he leans back a little, studying her with confused, cautious air. )
( And as he stares at Kate, Sawyer's expression softens, marvelling at her, and he looks down, smiling ot himself a little, his tongue poked out of the corner in his mouth in thought. Breaking the eye contact between them Kate feels like she is realised. She breathes heavily, in and out, and lowers he head, sinking a toes a little deeper into sand. Then she watches Sawyer. What will they say now? )
( Sawyer doesn't say anything. Instead he ducks down and kisses Kate so hard her head is thrown backward, her toes lifted off the ground and she has to grab him to stop from falling over. )
( And while she is a little stalled at first, Kate soon throws herself head first into the kiss, her lips moving on his, and she regains her balance, her hands holding onto his shoulders and running through his hair. Getting too long again. This absurdly ordinary thought coming to Kate amidst all this, another kind of fight. Just non-verbal. )
( Just as suddenly Sawyer and Kate break apart, both pressing their lips together, mourning the loss of contact, humbled. Kate pulled away first, and as she does after a particular moment of intensity, ducks her head, to process what's happened, and usually to hide. With Sawyer she isn't often hiding from him, just scared of looking at feelings full on in the face, and is also painfully aware that Sawyer and her are standing outside, on the beach, in the public eye. And while she can't feel anyone looking at them, she hates the fact that they could. )
( Sawyer on the other hand doesn't look away at all, he looks down at Kate, feeling nothing but everything for her. He can see that she is a little knocked off her feet, and also a little vulnerable at the moment. )
Sawyer: Kate.
( Of all the things he could of said, the endearments he could have used, Kate reacts most strongly to the most sincere, simply her name. An object that seems much more intimate when handled by Sawyer. How strange it was that someone like Claire could call Kate by her name every day and not have it matter, and when Sawyer said it, once in a blue moon, it could send shivers down her spine. )
( Looking up Kate and Sawyer make contact. Sawyer is still staring at Kate, defiantly again as if to dare what he just did. Kate tries to recall what they had been arguing about before. And as she remembers the look on Sawyer's face is explained. He's expecting her to be mad, indignant, outraged. )
( Except she isn't. Sawyer could do what she couldn't, effectively end the argument, bury their issues they both clearly had, by showing her that he could because he scared more about her than about them. Why couldn't she make the same sort of gesture? )
( And Sawyer's face also contains a hint of wall, just surfacing below his defiance, a wall hiding the reason that he can't talk about kids, a reason he can't tell her. But the fact that Sawyer is even letting the wall show, that he kissed her instead of arguing her, tells Kate that she will know some day. Just not yet. )
( And Kate has the rest of the time in the world to hear that story. )
( Kate looks down, again, but this time gently placing her hands on Sawyer's upper arms. When she speaks her voice is soft and low - )
Kate: Next time.
Sawyer: ( Still observing Kate intently ) Next time what?
( Kate looks up and smiles at Sawyer, a little nervously - )
Kate: Next time -
( Kate takes a deep breath and looks down- )
Kate: Next time we we'll look after Aaron together. Two novices have to be better than one right?
( Kate looks up again at Sawyer. )
Sawyer: If there is a next time.
Kate: ( Matching his serious tone ) Oh there will be.
( But now Kate is turning a little more playful )
Kate: So maybe in that case we should just head off is see Claire coming.
( And Sawyer joins her, smiling and grinning at Kate, his Freckles, and, well, her pluck. )
( And like that they're both back. )
Sawyer: Sounds like a good plan to me Freckles.
( Kate pretends to consider this, and quite innocently says - )
Kate: The jungle?
Sawyer: Well do you know what Freckles? I do feel like paying a little visit to the jungle right now, but more like the waterfall.
( Kate rolls her eyes but grins too, she expected it, hell even suggested it, and she's tempted. But that doesn't mean she can't play a little longer. )
Kate: We already went out there once -
Sawyer: ( Cutting in ) Twice actually.
Kate: ( Levelling with Sawyer ) - twice, already this morning.
Sawyer: Yeah but I've been looking after a kid all day! I should at least get a reward.
( Sawyer smiles on the word "reward." )
( Kate pretends not to be convinced. Sawyer tries another tack. )
Sawyer: Plus, since then you went off without me. I coulda got lonely.
Kate: I didn't go off without you! I was in the jungle with Claire.
( Sawyer raises an eyebrow suggestively. )
Sawyer: In the jungle with Claire huh? This the same jungle we been in this morning Freckles?
( Using her hand resting on Sawyer's shoulder Kate shoves Sawyer backwards. )
Kate: Not like that!
( Sawyer regains his balance. )
Kate: You're disgusting.
Sawyer:( Smiling ) You wouldn't want me any other way.
( Kate pauses, then goes to playfully shove Sawyer again. )
( But Sawyer catches hold of Kate's writs and holds it, reprimanding in front of her, wagging her own finger at her. Despite Kate's best efforts to get it back. )
Sawyer: Now Freckles. I'm happy for you to go in the jungle with Claire. Just next time remember to bring me along o.k.?
( Kate grins knowingly. )
Kate: Come on then.
( Kate grabs Sawyer's hand and starts to lead him away from the tent. )
( Sawyer pulls on it, pulling Kate to a stop. )
Sawyer: What?
( Kate smiles at him. He's so cute when he's being an idiot. )
Kate: Where do you think we're going?
( Sawyer grins in understanding and lets Kate return to pulling him along. )
Kate: ( Not turning around ) But Claire isn't coming.
Sawyer:( Jokingly ) Damn.
( Kate laughs and Sawyer catches up with her and they walk together, side by side. Their fingers brush together, almost holding each other's hands, imperceptible to those around them, but still there. )
Scene 7
( Claire is sitting by Aaron's cot, dangling her hand over him and playfully tickling Aaron in his soft spots.)
( As Aaron squeals and giggles in delight Claire smiles down lovingly at the Kate. )
( It is then, that Sawyer and Kate happen to walk by, and Claire looks up and sees them in surprise. )
( Calling out - )
Claire: Kate?
( Kate looks around at the sound of her name and sees Claire - )
Claire: Where are you going?
Kate: Oh -
( Kate glances up at Sawyer - )
Kate: We were just … going for a walk in the jungle.
Claire:( Nodding ) O.k. Have fun.
Sawyer: Oh we will.
( And over the top of Kate's head Sawyer grins suggestively. )
( Claire blushes. )
( Kate looks at Claire strangely. What's she look so embarrassed about? )
Kate: See you later.
( Claire nods and looks back at Aaron quickly. )
( Kate and Sawyer leave together. )
( Once their backs are turned, Claire looks up again, and for a second time today, watches them go. )
( However she is snapped out of her thoughts by someone else arriving - )
Desmond: Claire.
( Claire spins around quickly. )
Claire: Oh, Desmond!
Desmond: Hey …
( Desmond nods, and Claire looks at him for the rest of his sentence. )
Desmond: Do you want to go for a walk in the jungle with me?
Please review as always!
