Reflections

Disclaimer: I don't own Lost. Also, a tribute to Toxic's sig in here :D.

A/N: Sorry about the wait, I've been very busy. But on the plus side, I got an offer from Oxford! Yay :D!

Chapter 21

Sawyer stood still for a moment, drinking in the sight of Kate, like a man deprived of water happening upon a glorious oasis. But then reality pushed its way in, and Kate's dead weight seemed intent on succumbing to gravity. Sawyer stumbled, weak after his arduous journey, and his back connected with the earthen walls with a sickening crack. Sawyer winced and threw a look at the wall that would have turned it to stone, had he been able to. Sensing his grip on Kate was slipping, he inched his fingers around her waist until he firmly held her in his arms, rather than his hands, and allowed himself to sink to the ground.

It was silent, apart from the muffled thuds coming from the door Kate had been trying so desperately to close. Kate's weight pressed firmly onto Sawyer, and he shifted her, allowing himself to breathe more freely. His eyes flickered around him, absorbing every last detail. Finally, when he had exhausted all possibilities, he allowed himself to relax, both physically and mentally. He turned his attention almost solely to the woman in his arms.

"Freckles. Freckles. Kate!" Sawyer hissed, shaking her in an attempt to rouse her. Sawyer panicked slightly at the lack of response and laid his head on her chest, relieved when he felt the rise and fall. He bunched his hands around the grimy material of her t-shirt, and inhaled her natural scent, mixed up with dirt and sweat. It didn't matter what odours clung to her, he would always be able to tell it was her, that unique scent. He was slightly worried about the way her clothes seemed to positively hang off her. Food and water was definitely a top priority. Sawyer himself was feeling weak and had been fighting off dizzy spells all day, and since Kate's conditions had been worse than his, he doubted either of them could last much longer.

During his ruminating the thuds from inside the room had stopped. The absolute quiet sent Sawyer's ears buzzing. He hadn't heard silence – if one could hear silence – since he had landed on the island. There was always background noise – waves splashing against each other, the hiss of the sea kissing the shore, the whisper of the trees, the ominous rustling of the unknown – there was always noise. Silence was man-made. Silence existed here. Man must exist here too.

"Sawyer."

The almost rude shattering of the silence startled Sawyer. He glanced down at Kate whilst simultaneously connecting the voice to a male's. Kate was still in deep slumber, and a quick sweep of the corridor indicated no presence.

"…the hell?" Sawyer muttered, creasing his eyebrows.

"Sawyer."

"Who are you?" Sawyer demanded, rising and assuming a defensive stance in front of the unconscious brunette.

"Sawyer, it's me. Boone. Open up."

Sawyer realised the whelp must be behind the door, out of sight. But why would Kate have been trying so hard to trap him in that room? He cautiously inched closer to the door, taking in the metallic door, the numbers inscribed on it.

"Come on, Sawyer. We have to go before They come." Boone's tone was both insistent and oddly compelling, and the stress placed on "They" made Sawyer wonder exactly who the Others were and why they were so terrifying. His hand seemed to work independently of his brain and whilst he had been thinking his hand had been creeping towards the handle.

"Don't."

The voice was weak, scratchy, but unmistakably Kate.

He turned to look at her, incredulous. Kate slowly pushed herself up to a sitting position, resting heavily back on one arm.

"Curiosity killed the cat, Sawyer."

The corner of her mouth twitched, like she was attempting to smile, but was failing to do so. Sawyer immediately abandoned his post by the door and kneeled down by her side. He gently rubbed some dirt off of her cheek, and Kate nestled her head into his cupped palm.

"Hey," Sawyer murmured, his eyes hungrily drinking in her freckles, the curve of her nose, the flecks of grey in the stunning green of her eyes, the pink and brown scrape that burrowed into her jaw line. He traced the line with his finger, and Kate winced, jerking her head back slightly, involuntarily. She looked up at him through thick eyelashes, and tilted her head ever so slightly to the right.

"I knew you'd come," she whispered. "I knew it. I thought I was crazy, but…I just knew. I'm glad I was right."

He could feel her breath, mingling on his bronzed cheek. He could almost feel her nose, brushing against his. The tension was delicious, but unbearable, and he found himself grinning madly at her words. He wanted to yell, to holler to the whole world, but enough common sense lurked at the back of his mind to figure that this was not the time to do it, so he settled by pressing his lips against hers and the electricity was dazzling. Sawyer closed his eyes and moaned in appreciation, and a soft gasp from Kate meant she was enjoying this just as much as he was. Sawyer grasped her waist with one hand, and brought the other up to tangle itself in her hair, slipping his tongue inside her yielding mouth. Kate whimpered as the kiss intensified, and Sawyer tore himself away from her mouth, kissing a trail down her jaw, her and ending up in the hollow of her neck.

"Sawyer…" Kate moaned, half in pleasure, half in warning. He was suddenly thrust back into reality and did not like it one bit. He reluctantly pulled away from her, pulling her forward for one chaste kiss on her forehead, before tucking her into the crook of his neck. He gently rubbed circles on her back, and they sat there for a few minutes, not saying a word, not needing to.

Kate broke the silence.

"We need to go."

Sawyer nodded reluctantly.

"You ok to go?" He stood slowly, blinking away sudden red blotches that had floated into his vision.

"Yeah, I think so." Kate sounded unsure, and Sawyer grabbed her firmly under the arms, holding her closely until she was completely steady on her feet. She swayed a little as she took a step forward, and Sawyer leapt forward quickly, balancing her.

"I'm ok." Kate shrugged him off quickly, and Sawyer was a little offended.

"Only tryin' to help, darlin'. Excuse me for tryin'."

Kate looked at him remorsefully, and Sawyer just knew he was falling for those doe eyes. She sighed.

"I'm sorry Sawyer; I guess I'm a bit touchy. I'll be fine once I have something to eat or drink. You bring anything?" The last bit was hopeful, even though she could see it was unlikely. He hated that he would be disappointing her already, but there was nothing he could do at the moment.

"Sorry sweetheart," Sawyer spoke gruffly, looking at the ground. "Finished it up a day or so ago."

"'S alright Sawyer," Kate was slurring slightly due to the dizziness and tiredness, and she looped her arm with Sawyer's. "We'll find some."

Sawyer smiled at her unbelievable optimism. A sharp thud made him jump, and he could feel Kate shaking in his arms as well at the sudden rush of adrenaline.

"Hey!" Boone's voice was more insistent. "You gonna help me outta here, or what?"

He glanced at Kate, who narrowed her eyes and shook her head. Sawyer sent her a questioning look, one that demanded answers, later.

"Or what," Sawyer shouted, and holding onto Kate both in support and for support, the two began to shuffle slowly down the corridor, back the way Sawyer had come.

Hopefully.

Ok, I think that's the best place to stop, so so sorry it's been so long between updates! Hope the reunion was alright: ).