Chapter 12 – Gently

It was hard for the group to decide which was creepier, Miles' parents being around or the miniature version of the psychopath they came to know as Ben.

They spent their time working gently around the subjects. They avoided talking about and looking in the general direction if Ben or Dr and Mrs Chang.

It was easier to ignore them. So much easier than understanding or accepting their presence.

They also would move gently away from any talk about Sun, Kate, Jack or any of the other Islanders from their own time. Talking about Sun was painful for Jin, talking about the others was painful for them all. It was a reminder of how they were not going to be rescued.

Another topic gently avoided was Juliet and James new style friendship. It was new and fragile. They cared for each other, would hug and touch each other when needed. It was intimate and offered comfort. Miles and Jin would pretend not to notice. James and Juliet acted as though nothing was different.

What was the harm in the odd stroke of his hair when he was sat down and she walked past? What was wrong with him putting a hand on the small of her back when they walked together?

They both found it helped with coping. It was hard to go without human affection for too long. Neither spoke about it. If they spoke about it they would have to define it, and where it would end up. It was easier to ignore it, and carry on doing what made them feel better in the short term.

When James sat on the sofa Juliet would lie across it, leaning her back against his side and his arm would rest on her stomach. If James needed to be woken for work Juliet would take a cup of coffee into his room and stroke his hair until he woke up. At parties they would stay close to each other, like gravity, they could sense the other.

Both hearts would skip a beat when the other turned the full force of their smile on them. This was a fact to be ignored. Along with thinking about the other and craving to touch them. These feelings got stronger by the day, just to be squashed back down so they couldn't be analysed.

At first the group had avoided the social gatherings. Afraid to see any of the people they were pretending were not there.

James pointed out they needed to start getting back out there, it was looking odd. So they attended a evening party in the rec room.

James didn't leave Juliet's side. He kept her close with his arm around her middle or holding her hand. He ignored the looks they were getting, he didn't care. It wasn't anybody's business. And if they thought he was banging the hot blonde by his side it was their mistake.

He caught her catching him looking at her cleavage. He was only human. She just ignored it. Didn't even shoot him a glare. She didn't back away from his touch, more leant into it. He took it as a good sign.

Juliet liked that James stayed with her. It made her feel safer. She was so nervous about going to the first party as Roger and Ben could be there. At one point she spotted them near the door and tensed, ready to flee. She felt James behind her, he put a hand on her hip and whispered in her ear that he had her back. She relaxed back to lean against his chest gently and exhaled.

Miles quickly found his parents rarely attended the Dharma parties, so he didn't really need to deal with them too soon. He tried to relax and enjoy himself. He watched James and Juliet, they didn't realise what was happening between them yet. It was like watching a soap. He would stay near Jim and Juliet, usually with Jin. Juliet kept it well hidden how wound up she was but it was obvious she was by Jim's behaviour around her.

Jin enjoyed going to the gatherings again. They were a distraction from everything. He could practise his English on different people and it was nice to have different scenery. The little Ben creeped him out. He already had the big eyes that watched things. The gentle way that Sawyer reassured Juliet reminded him of what he had lost.

Jin was usually the first to leave the socials. Followed by the others. Depending on how drunk Miles was. If he was sober he would leave, if he was drunk he would stay till the end, If he was really drunk he would be brought home by James.

James would hold Juliet's hand on the walk home. When they got inside there would be small shy smiles along with good nights as they made their way to the separate bedrooms.