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Chapter 14:
James was sitting outside Riley's room when Kate walked out.
"Hey Freckles," he said. "Leaving so soon?"
"She fell asleep," said Kate.
James stood up.
"C'mon," he said roughly.
The two walked down to the nursery and stopped in front of the glass window.
"That's her," said James, pointing. "Katelyn."
Kate smiled as she watched the infant.
"She's beautiful." she paused. "Never thought I'd see the day where you'd turn into a family man, Sawyer."
He shrugged.
"Thought I'd try something different."
"Out of here...what do you mean?"
Sawyer tightened his hold on me as we left the shed.
"I'm taking you to this place called the Temple." he told me, "This Ilana chick says it's the only way to save your life."
"Ilana?" I said.
"Richard said she's got a group of people she's taking to the Temple. He told me that we needed to go with her."
"You trust her?"
"I trust Richard," was the reply.
Suddenly shots rang out. Sawyer swore loudly and I felt his pace quicken.
"What's happening?" I asked.
"They know we escaped. Dammit!"
Kate leaned against a lone tree to catch her breath. Her attempt at finding Claire was not working out well. She'd been combing the jungle for over an hour with no luck. She sighed and set off again.
Suddenly, she heard someone approach.
"Stop!" a voice with an Australian accent yelled.
Kate turned to see Claire stepping out of the jungle, aiming a rifle directly at her chest.
"Claire!" she said, sounding relieved. She tried to approach the Aussie but stopped when Claire fired a warning shot.
"Do not move." she said, her voice low and threatening.
Kate frowned. Why was Claire acting like this?
"Claire, what --"
"Shut up!" Claire looked murderous. "Sawyer told me what you did! You took him... You took my son, Kate!"
James and Kate were making their way back down the hospital hallway when two policemen rushed past.
"What --" said Kate looking bewildered.
James' eyes suddenly widened. No...if that bastard...NO.
"Son of a bitch!" he groaned and ran after the two cops.
"How's she doing?"
Sawyer sighed. Hell, he was no Jack, but he knew just by looking at her that if they didn't get to this Temple soon, she was going to die.
"Worse." he said. "What makes you so sure this Temple can help her?"
Ilana knelt down and checked Riley's pulse.
"The people at the Temple will help her, James, because she's important." she said.
Sawyer arched an eyebrow.
"Important? How?"
Ilana didn't answer.
"Claire, c'mon, put the gun down," pleaded Kate. "Let's just talk about this."
Claire didn't move.
"Tell me why," she ordered.
"Why --"
"Oh don't play stupid! Tell me why the hell you took my son!"
Kate sighed. She explained about what had happened the day she and the rest of the Oceanic Six left the island and what had happened after.
"I left him with your mother." she finished. "She'll take care of him til we come back."
Claire frowned.
"What are you talking about? My mother is in Australia. She's in a coma!"
Kate shook her head.
"No, she's not. She was alive and well the last I saw of her."
Claire was quiet for a moment.
"Well, that's one hell of a story, Kate." she said. "but unfortunately, you haven't convinced me."
She aimed the muzzle of the gun at Kate's head.
"Get on your knees."
Kate's jaw dropped.
"Claire," she said, "Please don't do this."
"Don't tell me what I can't do. Get on your knees. Now."
Kate desperately tried to think of something she could say to keep Claire from shooting her. Sadly, she couldn't think of anything. She raised her hands in surrender, and got to her knees.
I can't fight her. she thought. I might kill her, and I can't take away the only parent Aaron has left.
She heard Claire walk around her and when she felt the muzzle press against her skull, she knew what was going to happen.
Claire cocked her rifle.
"Good bye Kate." said Claire coldly.
Suddenly, she yelped in pain and dropped the gun. Kate wheeled around and grabbed the rifle, leaping to her feet and pointing it at her would-be killer. Claire was cradling her left arm to her chest. The arm was bleeding profusely, but the wound did not look serious.
"Hello?" Kate called.
Jack stepped out of the jungle, the gun in his hand still smoking.
"Jack?!" cried Kate, part of her relieved to see him, the other annoyed that he'd come after her.
"Nice to see you too," he said wryly.
"Where'd you get the gun?" she asked.
"Took it off a body I came across," he replied, "One of the Others." He looked over at Claire.
"Claire what are you --"
"She took Aaron," Claire stated, "She took him from me, Jack."
"You were gone. Sawyer said you walked off, and you abandoned him. Kate took care of him."
Claire shook her head, opening her mouth and closing it rapidly in shock.
"She took him from me," she repeated, her voice faint. "She took him..."
"Aren't you listening to me?" said Jack, clearly frustrated, "She took care of your son!"
"Why on earth should I listen to you?" challenged Claire, "Give me one good reason!"
Jack sighed.
"Because I'm your brother."
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