Five minutes

The next few days, she spent analyzing every movement and thought, wondering whether James was her friend or something more. On the one hand, they never crossed the line; there were no friendly hugs or kisses. Their hands met only when they passed each other books or dishes. On the other hand, she felt so safe and secure with him. He could make her laugh until she cried, which, she didn't expect after so many years with Ben. Even if he was more than a friend to her, there was still a question, what she was to him? Second choice after Kate?

-A little more and you'll stare a hole in me. - James looked up from the report that should be completed for tomorrow's meeting. Ann Arbor sent a commission and now the whole of Dharmaville was working like mad to prepare for inspection.

-Sorry, I was just thinking-

-About what, if I may ask? - He took off his glasses and began to clean them.

A couple of months ago, they forced him to go to the doctor because with headache he became simply unbearable. He got a prescription for glasses. Though they had to wait a while for them to be sent from the mainland, at least now he could read and write without headaches.

-With short hair and glasses, you look like an accountant rather than a security officer. -

-Or con artist. - He added.

-Or con artist. -She nodded. She knew that he still had a problem with his past, but he was much calmer, having managed to finally accept who he had been before was no longer who he was.

-And which version of me do you like better? - He leaned forward, watching her expression.

"Both, I like you in any version."

-I don't know. Not that I'm worried about appearances. I just need some time to get used to your new look.-

-Okay, tell me when you're okay with my appearance and I'll ask you again. - He smiled and went back to his report.

"I'll answer the same way."

-What do you think about me?-He raised his eyes shocked by her question.

-Should I change my style? - She added too scared to stop at the first meaning of her question.

-I don't know. - He glanced at her.-You can change something, if you want. As for me you look great now, without any changes. -

Did that mean that he liked her or was he just being polite? Her head was spinning. He was obviously much more than a friend to her but could she hope for something more from him? He had been with her in the first place to avoid Dharma women. Well, maybe now he was with her because they were friends, but no more. She had to cope with her feelings; otherwise they would destroy the friendship they'd built.

-Good night. Don't stay up late. It's just a routine checkup. -

"Pull yourself together. He can be near you, if you don't do anything stupid. Love hurts, it's better without it."


-Finally got out of all the issues. God, where did they find such a boring man? -

-It's his job, Miles.-

-Yeah, as if there is something, anything to steal here. What on earth can be checked? The number of trees? -

-This is about rules nothing more. - Jin said calmly but Miles was too annoyed for this discussion.

-Then they should just sit with their rules at home rather then preventing us from doing our real job. Just listen what they asked me. "During the usual check you were in sector B5 at 11:30 and in sector C5 at 12:00. The one needs 25 minutes reach C5 from B5. The question is where you were for those five extra minutes." Really! We risk our life with hostiles every day and what they wanted know was how I had spent five damn minutes. -

Juliet smiled. Sometimes Miles acted like a baby. -And what did you really do during those five minutes? -

-No! Not again! – He stormed angrily out of the room.

-Hey, look where you're going! - They heard from the door, and seconds later James entered the room. -What have you done with him that he ran out like a madman? -

-Nothing, I just asked him about how he spent five minutes. - Juliet shrugged.

-Oh, I see. - He grinned.

James, as opposed to Miles, was clearly in a good mood.

-How did it go? You hardly slept last night. -

Jin stared at them with amusement.

-I saw the light from the living room. - She explained embarrassed.

-Just fine.-Juliet was surprised to see that he was not just in a good mood. James was excited, like a child who had a new toy, one that he had dreamed about, and now he couldn't wait to tell everybody about it.

-Any news? – She asked curiously. What could be so important to him?

- I was going to tell all of you, so Miles can blame only himself for his self-control problems. - James made a melodramatic pause.-I was promoted -