Chapter Fourteen
Sayid led the way down the corridor. Everything looked the same: white walls, doors on both sides. He vaguely remembered one door with a broken window. It was close to the entrance and the way out. He kept an eye out for that door.
He picked up his pace until Henry stepped in front of them. Sayid stopped suddenly.
"I see James didn't kill you," Henry said softly. "Quite a disappointment."
Sawyer moved forward, his gun raised. Henry barely blinked and Sayid felt the tension building.
"We are leaving here," Sawyer said. "Move aside or get shot. I don't care what you do."
Henry shook his head, smiling. "You won't get out of here alive if you kill me, James. Is this how far you will go for her?"
Sawyer narrowed his eyes and cocked the gun. He would show this maniac just how far he would go. He would get Kate out of here even if it killed him. She was all that mattered.
"I'll go as far as it takes," he growled, taking two more steps closer to Henry.
"I have no doubt you would, but you wouldn't make it out of here."
"Watch me."
Sawyer aimed his gun for Henry's head. He began to pull the trigger when the sound of guns being cocked caught his attention. Zeke and another man came to stand on either side of Henry. All three men smiled, angering Sawyer more.
"Son of a bitch," he growled.
"See? You didn't think I would just let you get away? Give up, James and no one will get hurt."
Sawyer glanced behind him at Kate. He saw the worry in her eyes, but also he could only call a determination. He knew she wouldn't let herself be taken again. He didn't want to see her hurt, but he refused to give in.
In order to escape they would need to do the unexpected. The element of surprise.
He backed up to stand beside Sayid. He lowered his voice so only he could hear.
"When I say go, charge them."
Sayid blinked in acknowledgement and Sawyer took a deep breath.
"Go!"
Sawyer, Sayid and Jack charged the Others, taking them completely off guard. Sawyer punched Zeke in the face. The man staggered. Sawyer shoved Zeke, sending him to the floor. He kicked him in the head then aimed his gun.
"Sawyer!" Jack's voice brought him out of his rage.
He stared at the doctor, an unconscious Henry at Jack's feet. Sawyer glanced at Kate, who strode closer to him.
"We need to go before more show up," she said calmly, placing her hand on his arm.
He glared at an unconscious Zeke, wanting to end the man's life. He wanted revenge for everything Zeke had done. He was so close, he could taste it. His heart raced as he fought himself. Was it worth the risk?
Sawyer growled, placing the gun back in his jeans. The tension left the corridor. He glanced at Kate, who smiled softly at him.
"Let's go," he said and headed down the hall.
--
Kate breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the surrounding jungle. She never thought she would be so glad to see it.
She glanced at Sawyer beside her. A wave of love washed over her. He had risked his life to rescue her. She was also a little wary of what he would do. He would kill for her. She wondered if that was what Henry wanted to know.
The sun hung in the western sky as they made their way back to the beach. Kate stayed near Sawyer, his nearness comforting her after her ordeal in the Others' hands. She was glad they had escaped. She feared what else Henry had planned for Sawyer or even her. She didn't want to contemplate it.
She reached out and touched his arm. He looked at her, his blue eyes questioning.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Sawyer smiled and placed an arm around her, holding her to him.
"I can think of many ways you can thank me, Freckles."
Kate rolled her eyes, but remained in his embrace. Being near him warmed her insides. She felt safe.
"Is that all you think about?"
Sawyer laughed and kissed her temple. Sparks sent chills down her body and she shivered.
"You know its not," he whispered in her ear.
Fire built inside her, pooling in her center. She moaned softly and leaned against him.
She glanced over to her right and saw Jack look away. She sighed, wondering what he would say to her now. She shook her head, not wanting to hear his lecture. She could almost hear it and she dreaded it.
Night had fallen as they arrived at the hatch. Sawyer wanted to take Kate to his tent, but Jack wanted to check her over. He would have refused, but Kate's health was more important.
He leaned against the wall, watching as Jack asked questions, poked and prodded. He did all he could to keep his temper in check. His patience was wearing thin. He gritted his teeth and growled.
"Are you done, yet?" Sawyer asked.
"You can leave," Jack answered as he took her pulse.
"Not without her."
"I'll send her to you when I'm through."
"I'll see you later, Sawyer," Kate said, smiling.
Sawyer didn't like the idea of leaving her with Jack. He glared at the doctor's back.
"I'll be waiting," he said then left the hatch.
He headed down the beach to his tent. He flung open the flap and stalked inside. He sat on his bed and sighed.
Fatigue set in now that Kate was safe. He had ignored all the aches and pains, knowing Kate needed him. Now everything came back with a vengeance. A dull throb in his chest reminded him he had been shot. His eyes kept drifting closed only to flutter open again.
He wanted to tell Kate how he felt, but he didn't know if he would be able to stay awake. He ran his hands through his hair and lied down on the bed.
Maybe tomorrow, he thought as sleep claimed him.
"Do you love him?" Jack asked after Sawyer had left.
Kate stared at him, wondering why he even asked. She thought it would have been obvious by now.
"Yes," she said, daring him to say something.
Jack looked away and sighed. She saw the disappointment in the way he held himself. A pang of guilt went through her, but she pushed it away. This was her life; she wasn't going to feel guilty for loving Sawyer.
"I doubt anything I saw will change your mind."
"After all he's done and been through for me, you still doubt him?"
Jack shook his head and stood. "It doesn't matter what I think, Kate. You'll do whatever you want."
Kate narrowed her eyes, standing. She couldn't believe him. No matter what Sawyer did, Jack would always be against him.
"I will do what I want, Jack. If you can't understand that then too bad. I'm through trying to explain things to you."
Kate began to leave, but Jack grabbed her arm. She glared at him, not caring how sad he looked at her.
"I know he cares about you, but he's the type who will toss you aside if he sees something better."
"You think I'm not good enough for him?" Kate asked, stunned.
"No, Kate. I think he's not good enough for you."
"He's been the best so far," she said, wrenching her arm from his grasp.
She hurried out of the hatch before Jack had a chance to stop her.