HannySkateShipper - I'm glad you think so. I always get a little uncertain when it comes to that. Mostly on Kate's part though.
LostSista - You know...I never actually thought about that. But I suppose it does give him a lot of space..I should have expanded on that, darnit!
SassyLostie - Just wanted to comment on how I love that you talk back to the characters. Hehehe! It's usually something I do too.
Mathildou - Could be!
Good thing you guys are such good reviewers. ;)
Chapter 10
They started to unpack their things and get situated. Kate went into the bathroom to put their toiletries in there. She felt a small wave of nausea come over her, but it went away quickly. She went back out, finding Sawyer already lighting a cigarette out on the deck. She opened the sliding doors to join him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Just did," he said, letting out a stream of smoke.
"Is something bothering you?"
"What makes you think somethin's botherin' me?"
"I don't know," she leaned over the railing, looking down at the panorama. "You've just seemed to be in a weird mood since we got here."
He shook his head. "I'm fine, Freckles. Probably just jet lag."
She looked up at him, concerned. "Are you sure?"
He put an arm around her and smiled. "Positive."
She smiled, weakly. "Okay."
"Don't look too thrilled now."
"Sorry."
"C'mon, sweet cheeks. We're in LA," he said gesturing elaborately at the view below.
She laughed. "What's your point?"
"Puh-lease. I know you wanna get out there and meet all those hot movie stars. Why sit here and hang around me when you could get guys like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise," he teased.
"Don't try and pin your fantasies on me," she grinned.
"What're you sayin'?"
"Hmm. Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie…"
He shook his head and flicked his cigarette over the edge. "They ain't got nothin' on you."
She pressed her lips together. "How about Ana-Lucia Cortez?"
His playful expression immediately melted into a look of worry. "What?"
"I was kidding…" she tried, wishing he'd wipe the look from his face.
"Why would you even mention her?" he said, turning to face her now.
She stared at him, then shrugged, letting out a nervous laugh. "It was a joke."
She turned to walk away but he followed her. "I ain't buyin' that."
"Buying what?"
"You brought her up for a reason, Freckles. And I wanna know what that reason is."
"Sawyer, I told you. It was a joke."
He grabbed her arm before she could turn away. "Tell me."
She didn't say anything. She put her free hand in her pocket, but it was empty. Her eyebrows furrowed, but her gaze remained on Sawyer. He looked down at her searching her pockets which were both empty.
"What're you lookin' for?"
Her brow creased in confusion. "Nothing."
"Nothing?" He let go of her arm and reached into his own pocket, pulling out the red hair tie. "What about this?"
Kate stared at it and her eyes widened in realization. She took it from him to examine closely and point out the black hairs on it, but there were none there.
"I thought…"
"It ain't hers," he shook his head.
"There were black strands of hair on this," she said, frustrated. Then her eyes widened as she stared at him. "You took them off."
"Wha – Are you serious, Freckles?!"
"They were on there. That's why I took it!" she said, staring down at it.
"Took it from where?"
"The attic," she looked up at him accusingly.
"What're you talkin' about?"
She threw the hair tie at him. "Forget it," she said leaving the room.
"Freckles!"
He ran after her, and stopped abruptly at the kitchen doorway. Kate was already in there with Claire and Charlie. He sighed and looked away. Kate looked at the floor. Claire looked back and forth between them both.
"Is everything all right?" she asked.
"Fine," Kate said, quickly.
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, we're good," Sawyer said, with a sigh. After an awkward moment of silence, he added, "I'm gonna go to the store."
"For what?" Charlie asked, confused.
"A tooth brush," he replied, glaring at Kate.
"Oh. Well, I'll come with you!" Charlie jumped up from his seat.
"That's all right, daddy-o. I'll go myself."
"No, it's okay. Besides, you don't have a car."
He sighed in defeat. "Well then, guess we may as well find one while we're out there."
"Great."
Charlie went back over to Claire and gave her a quick kiss, and gave Aaron a pat on the head.
"Anything you need?" he asked softly.
"No, thanks."
"Okay. I'll be back soon."
Sawyer glanced at Kate but she looked away, angrily. The tension was quickly building up. Charlie cut past Sawyer, grabbing his keys off the hook. Sawyer looked one last time at Kate, then followed Charlie out the door.