Thanks for the reviews, as usual!
Have no fear, more Jate will soon be upcoming. And no, I don't hate Sawyer, he's actually my favorite character on the show. So the next perspective will be alllllllll Sawyer. But until then, enjoy a little of the Marshal!
Edward Mars loved his job. Really loved it. He especially loved watching hte fugitives squirm, itching to escape, wanting to run.
And, of course, the best moment of his job was catching a very certain Ms. Kate Austen. Little Katie really liked to run, and Ed was really happy to be the one to put a stop to it.
He was probably the only man in the entire terminal who was happy for the layover. Oh yes, he wanted the woman taken in, he wanted the glory. He wanted to see her on trial. But he really loved to see her stuck. And that's where she was right now. Sitting next to a man she had to despise—Ed even despised him, and he was known for enjoying despicable characters—and unable to so much as slap him thanks to the cuffs he had personally put on her wrists.
"So, sugar, what were you doing in Australia?" the other man asked.
"None of your business," Katie replied. The man chuckled a little. Ed kept his eyes shut. Oh yes, this was good.
"Now, now, Sassafras, no need to bite my head off," Sawyer said. "Just trying to make some friendly conversation."
"I was staying with a friend," Katie sighed, clearly giving in to the man. This time Ed couldn't stop the laugh from leaving his mouth. He still kept his eyes closed. Let them guess. He preferred to listen.
Some friend she'd been staying with. A friend who turned her in for $23,000. Then again, it was possible. Maybe the man hadn't done it for the money. Maybe he just just had a sense of justice, wanted to do the right thing.
Yeah, right.
He snorted again. This time there was a definite silence, and he could tell that Sawyer and Kate were both inspecting him fairly closely.
Oh, how he loved being in the spotlight.
"Who's your buddy there?"
"He's not my buddy," Katie said.
"Ah," Sawyer said. "I see. One of those."
"No," Kate said, becoming angry now. "Now one of those. Me. Only me. You don't know me!"
"Come on now, Freckles," Sawyer said softly, drawling the words slowly. "I do know you. For example, I know exactly what you've got under that coat there."
Katie froze next to him. Ed smirked. Oh, this was getting good. But just as he was waiting to see how his little fugitive would respond, the intercom crackled into life.
"Attention passengers of Oceanic Flight 815. We regret to inform you that damage to the plane was more extensive than originally believed. Unfortunately, we will not be able to achieve flight until sometime tomorrow morning. Rooms have been procured for all passengers at a nearby hotel. If all passengers could join up into groups of two, four, and six, we will gladly accomodate you. We thank you for your patience, and apologize once again. Thank you for flying Oceanic."
That was enough to make Ed open his eyes. Squirming was one thing, but he did not relish spending an evvening with little Katie Austen. She'd eluded him for years. He wasn't going to let her get away again. Which meant a very long, very sleepless night.
"Bastards," he hissed.
"Why, little sleeping beauty's waken up," Sawyer said, smiling. Ed turned his head, finally getting a good look at the man who had been amusing him for the last hour. Not bad-looking, he decided. Yeah, he'd do him.
"You been getting along all right, Katie?" he asked, tenderly running fingers through his captives' hair. She jerked away from the contact, and Sawyer looked at the two of them speculatively.
"Yeah," he said slowly. "I got a good idea what's under that jacket." Then, switching track, he turned his dimples on Katie. "So, Freckles, what do you say you and I shack up for the night? Have ourselves a little fun on Oceanic's payroll?"
"Sorry, cowboy," Ed said. "Girl's with me. Though if you'd like to join us. . ."
He left the invitation open. The smile stayed on Sawyer's face, and his eyes were a blatant threat. Ed didn't mind that. He liked threats.
"Would Mr. James Ford please come to the front desk. Mr. James Ford."
Sawyer glanced up for a moment, surprise written across his features. Well, well, Ed thought. Looks like the good ol' Southern boy has a secret or two.
But, rather than heading toward the front desk, Sawyer leaned back in the chair and stretched his long legs out. "Wonder what that guy's done to deserve the special treatment," he said nonchalantly. Ed grinned.
"Seeing as you're him, maybe you should go check it out," he said. Sawyer and Katie both turned to stare at him, Sawyer's face anger, Katie's shock. Ed's grin widened. Oh, he was enjoying this very much indeed.
"I don't know what you're talking about, sheriff," he growled. But, sure enough, a moment later he stood up, and muttered something about going to the bathroom before hurrying out.
"Looks like your boyfriend might be in as much trouble as you are," Ed grinned. This was nice. Just him and little Katie together again. She, as per usual, refused to look at him, but she could see her hands fiddling with something under the blanket.
It was going to be a very long night. He was just going to have to enjoy it as best he could.
He laughed again.