CHAPTER TEN: A Pleasant Conversation

Sawyer was back on the beach, sitting on the wing of the plane. So much had happened that day. Nearly five sightings of the monster in the jungle. He didn't believe it was really a monster at first, but now he certainly did. And Sayid was giving him more problems than he thought possible. Kate would hardly speak to him, although he knew she wanted to, but was afraid of what the others might think.

Yesterday night…with Kate. He kissed her again, only this time, it wasn't because he demanded it. She didn't even pull away that time. It seemed to him that she actually enjoyed it. And then he couldn't deny it to himself…maybe he did love Kate. Maybe at first he thought he just liked her for her beauty and body, but now, getting to know her helped him to realize that maybe he did really love her. But breaking through to her wasn't going to be easy, especially when Dr. Charmer wanted her as much as Sawyer did.

But now it was easy to see. He was constantly worried for her. She was always on his mind. How he just wanted to get her alone again, just to talk about their feelings for each other, but she wasn't exactly a very emotional person.

And that moment in the tree…first, she slipped. He was afraid she would fall, so he helped pull her up. Then, he held her in his arms. Her body was propped against his chest. She was so warm. Her skin was smooth and soft. He held onto her. He could sense her fear when she leaned against him. He wanted to hold onto her forever, but he couldn't. He wasn't even about to allow her to go down to the ground with Sayid when that thing was so close. He did care for her.

That moment, Kate walked up slowly, arms folded over her chest. She apparently didn't realize he was there, because she said nothing. She gazed out into the ocean. Her face said that she was waiting for someone. And he knew she was. She was such a caring person. Sayid's sudden disappearance was startling to her, and it was a bit creepy to him, too. He could tell she was sad, depressed, angry, any emotion that you feel when someone you care about disappears. He wanted to talk to her, to show her that he wasn't just the ass-redneck in the back that took all the stuff. He had feelings, too.

"Waiting for someone, Freckles?"

She was startled. She glanced back at him.

"I…I didn't know you were here."

"It's alright. Not like it's bothering me, having you here."

She continued to stare out into the ocean. Then, she took slow steps towards Sawyer.

"That message is kind of…"

"Strange? Yeah. Figured as much."

"I wonder who picked it up."
"Could've been anybody."

She glanced back out to the sea. Then back at Sawyer.

"I don't understand how he could've just…disappeared. He was right behind me, and then he was gone."

"Don't beat yourself up for it, Freckles. He knows what he's doing. I'm sure he found himself a nice little house, made some pizza and is watching a movie. Planning on coming back in the morning. Hell, I don't blame him, going out alone on a night like this…dangerous. Especially with King Kong out there waiting for his next victim."

"So you do believe there's a monster?"

"Do now. First I thought it was some trick-or-treaters, playing pranks, but I don't think their sound effects are that good."

She looked away as she laughed a bit. Her laugh made him smile.

"I think that's the first time we've been here that I've seen you smile."

Still smiling, she looked up at him.

"I think that's the first time I've had something to smile about."

Sawyer looked out into the ocean, still grinning.

"Well…I'm gonna…head back to the caves. I'll see you later."

She started to walk off.

"Yeah. See you later."

He watched her leave. That was probably the only conversation on the island that he had with anyone that the other person wasn't getting pissed off at him for something. She actually laughed because of something he said. And it felt good. He got up and headed back to his airplane chair.

kinda dumb chapter, but i was stuck, and now i not! next chapter comin tomorrow as usual. thanx guys! oh, and special thanx to Evermore, bein a supporter from start to...well, im not near finished, but thanx for reading my story all along. and thanx to everyon else! keep reading! :)