Warning: This chapter and the next contains violence and mature themes. Just be warned.

Title: Reload

Author: Crimson Coin

Rating: T. This is a tough one. T for teen possibly bordering on R for violence.

Copyright: This fan fiction is by no means intended to infringe on any copyright. I do not own the characters nor the series lost. My ideas are my own.

Genre: Drama/Romance

Pairing: The romantic pairing is Juliet/Sawyer – as per canon.

Summary: After a life of crime, Sawyer must prove himself worthy of an afterlife with Juliet. A continuation from the series finale.

James slowly roused from unconsciousness but made no sound and stayed motionless. His eyes remained closed as he listened and sensed his surroundings. He sat in a metallic chair, his body tied tightly to the chair, his wrists bound behind him with rope as well. His head pounded and he felt a pressure point on the side of his forehead. He remembered the van, running off the road then Juliet's scream. They must have crashed and considering his current state, they were captured.

He wore his clothes, his shoes too – at least they hadn't taken those before tying him up. His chest ached and he wouldn't be surprised if his ribs were bruised, if not broken. His jaw ached, throbbing and he wondered if they attacked him while he was unconscious.

He pushed his own pain and condition to the back of his mind as he attempted to gather his surroundings. He listened. He wasn't alone. Three, maybe four other men were in the room.

"I know you're awake, James, just open your eyes." An unfamiliar male voice.

James smiled. "Mmm, dreams are too good."

The owner of the voice scowled, the expression obvious in the voice. "They will not be good for long."

"We'll see," James retorted then finally opened his eyes. He glanced around the room, likely an electrical room, maybe a basement. The floor concrete, the walls cinderblocks. There were fuse boxes on the walls, wires everywhere and across from him, a door leading where, he didn't know. The lighting of the room flickered and buzzed. His eyes finally rested on the man sitting calmly in front of him, legs crossed as he leaned against a table.

The men eyed him maliciously. "Do you know who I am?"

James shrugged. "Nope." His chest exploded at the shrugging. His ribs were definitely injured.

The man leaned forward, feet on the floor and he glared, obviously offended. "You should by now."

James simply quirked a brow. "Alright, enlighten me."

The man smirked. "I am the first to be buried between her thighs." His eyes brightened, watching for a reaction and his grin broadened as James tensed. "Ah … that got a rise, didn't it? How's it feel to have my seconds? Hmm? Knowing every time … you are inside. I've been there too."

James willed the fury and rage to subside and he exhaled a long slow breath. "Maybe, but ya ain't there now. I am." Then grinned as the man across from him glared. James glanced around the room again. "Nice digs ya got here, Doc. This where ya bring all yer dates?"

Edmund Burke glared, eyes intense and focused. Within an instant, the heat and anger were gone and Edmund leaned back, crossing his legs again. He smirked, watching and waiting, his fingers rhythmically tapping the table to his side.

James turned his head and noticed the two muscle heads standing near that closed door. He looked away from the men and peered over his shoulder, trying to spot Juliet.

"Are you looking for her?"

James didn't answer.

Edmund grinned and tapped his finger again. "Listen carefully, James. Listen … just a little."

James glared at Edmund, eyes focused. James turned his head to listen, he swore he could hear something. Something behind the door.

Edmund glanced to the muscle man at the door. "Go …"

The man grinned and opened the door, stepping inside. The door closed. Silence again. James struggled just slightly against the ties. The ropes tied tight, he could not loosen them. Instead, he looked to Edmund when he heard a voice. His eyes widened; he recognized Juliet's voice.

Edmund grinned wickedly and leaned forward, watching James' reaction.

"Stop it," Juliet pleaded. "Don't … please don't." Then another pleading cry … another … then a whimper. Each scream accompanied by a sickening thud and then a man's grunt. Silence.

Juliet looked frantically around the small storage closet in which she was held. Unlike James, she wasn't lucky enough to be knocked unconscious at the accident. In fact, she nearly fled but her fear for James kept her in her seat as she reached over to touch him.

Too late.

The door to her side of the car flung open and a big hand held a cloth over her face. She struggled, but he was stronger and the darkness enveloped her.

She awoke in a dark and damp storage closet. Tight waxed rope bound her to an office chair, one wheel missing. An old tape recorder sat on the desk and she frowned, trying to get a glimpse of the tape inside.

Edmund walked into the room, eyes on her. He smiled warmly, affectionate and yet his eyes flickered with cold and calculated threats. "Hello, Juliet."

She met and held his gaze, straightening her back. He sat down in the chair beside the tape recorder and pressed play. He watched her as the tape played, replaying a conversation she and Edmund had.

Juliet's brow furrowed as she watched him, recognizing the conversation, the argument they had the night she served him with the divorce papers. She hadn't gotten out of the house before he came home and the confrontation was not pleasant. The argument intense and she closed her eyes, turning her head away. She knew what was to come in the tape, knew the next part was when he struck her, when he beat her for her actions.

Edmund stopped the recorder. "Sound familiar, Juliet?" He smiled at her disgusted look. "You didn't think I recorded that conversation. Well … I recorded a lot of things you probably didn't know about. That would be audio … and video."

Edmund tilted his head and smirked. "Aw, there is no need to look at me with such disdain." He slowly approached her then stroked the backs of his fingers over her cheeks. She stiffened but never turned away, staring at him. "You are so different from the girl in med school. You've changed. I liked you much better when you were … complacent."

He chuckled. "I would kiss you, dear, but I fear in your current state … you'd bite my tongue." He leaned down so he could look right in her eyes. "But … before we leave here tonight … you will kiss me. And you'll do it willingly too."

He grinned, lecherously. "So wait here, my dear. I have some … business to finish."

She waited until he left the room then shivered, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She could feel the panic swelling inside her and frantically wished for James, praying this was just a dream. She closed her eyes and counted slowly.

1

2

3

4

5

She opened her eyes; it wasn't a dream. She choked against the restraints of her gag and struggled in her chair. It was useless – the ties were tight. She heard mumbling voices past the door but couldn't make them out. She didn't know how much time had passed but when the door opened, she tensed again, shoulders pinched to keep straight.

A large muscled man walked into the room and sat in the chair. He grinned at her and glanced at the recorder than turned a knob on the side. He checked the time on his watch and then rested his chin on his hands, just staring at her.

Juliet shifted nervously.

The man simply smirked at her then pushed the play button.

"Stop it," Juliet heard herself plead. "Don't … please don't." Then another pleading cry … another … then a whimper. Each scream accompanied by a sickening thud and then a man's grunt.

The man pushed the stop button then stood. "Alright, sweetheart, time to make this look real." He reached over and unbuttoned Juliet's blouse, opening it completely. When she tensed, he sneered. "Don't flatter yerself. Y'ain't my type." He unbuttoned her jeans and unzipped them but left them around her hips.

Juliet tensed, staring blankly at the man whose features she clearly saw. Obviously he didn't think she'd be getting out of this alive. It terrified her. He stood and moved the table a little, letting it scrape along the floor then he walked to the door and waited. After about five minutes he unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, opening his belt. He grinned at her.

James narrowed his eyes, focused solely on Edmund and he struggled more visibly and managed to lunge out of the chair. The chair tipped and he landed hard on his knees then chest. The air pushed from his lungs, eyes wide and he gasped at the pain. He rolled onto the side, the chair crashing against the cement floor. "I'll kill ya."

Edmund laughed as the other muscle man walked towards James and kicked him in the abdomen. James curled in pain and moved with the chair, squirming on the floor backwards, in retreat. Edmund simply laughed and the muscled man followed him each step.

As he squirmed backwards, James felt along the floor frantically, trying to find something he could use to break his bonds. The flesh on his fingers sliced open with whatever metallic item he grabbed and he quickly fisted it, ignoring the pain as the big muscle picked him up by the collar, punched him in the face then forced him back into a seated position.

James grinned, eyes squinted slightly and he chuckled. "That all you got there, Huey?"

The man growled and punched him hard again across the face. James' head whipped to the side and he spat blood and saliva with the impact. He slouched in the chair and the air left his lungs again as the man punched him in the stomach once then again.

"That's enough," Edmund said and the muscle walked back to the door. Edmund grinned. "I want him conscious. How does that feel, James?"

"Peachy, Doc. Ya got a great bedside manner, ya know." He chuckled then spat again, the bloody spit landing in a plop on the cement. "I'm still gonna fuckin' kill ya."

"Really? How so, James? Do enlighten me. I'm just … titillated by the thought."

"I ain't figured that out yet. I'm real spontaneous, ya see." James taunted and his eyes moved quickly to the door when it opened. Silence within the room choked him as he saw the man buttoning and then zipping his jeans before refastening his belt.

James took a long slow breath. He knew Edmund was watching him, watching for a reaction and to show any hint meant that Edmund gained more confidence, more power. He couldn't give in to that, he couldn't let Edmund know he was winning. Because right now, James felt a part of him tear away, knowing what Juliet just endured at the hands of that giant wall of a man. He'd kill that bastard too … as well as Edmund.

A slow grin tugged at Edmund's features. "How do you feel, James? Comfy?"

James clenched his teeth a mere moment before casually meeting Edmund's eyes. "Perfect. Place could use a new coat a paint though … maybe cushions fer my chair."

The casualness irked Edmund and the man frowned and stood, slamming a hand down. "I don't think you are respecting the seriousness of your situation!"

James suppressed the grin inside. He could still get the upper hand. "And I don't think yer respectin' my creativeness."

"Get her!" Edmund barked and the man who attacked James walked from the room. A minute later he returned with a bound and gagged Juliet, tossing her towards the table. Juliet stumbled, her pants falling off her hips with the movement.

James' eyes flared at the sight of her and he worked quickly yet secretly, cutting away at the ties that bound his hands. He willed Juliet to meet his eyes and when she did, he held them. There was no fear in her gaze, no tears. She was hardened, cold and icy.

Edmund walked across the room and pulled out a hunting knife, the blade long and extremely sharp. He pointed to James with the knife and one of the muscle men picked up a lead pipe from the floor then walked towards James, simply standing behind him, waiting. James ignored him.

Juliet's eyes widened and she looked from the man with the pipe to Edmund. Edmund grinned. "Confused, dear? That's just my leverage. Get on the table." He pointed with the knife and Juliet carefully hopped up onto the table, sitting and watching Edmund cautiously. Edmund chuckled. "Good girl. You still know how to do what you're told."

Edmund approached her slowly, circling as predator would prey and then held the knife out to her throat. Juliet tensed and he smiled. "That's it … lay back." Juliet slowly obeyed him and swallowed as the knife pressed to her throat. Edmund reached down with his free hand to unbuckle his belt. "I think we shall let dear James watch our reunion, no?"

James tensed. "Juliet, look at me." At his words, the muscle at his side punched him in the stomach. "Keep your …" one more punch. "Eyes on me." He finally sighed then fell quiet, leaning over in the chair. His ribs exploded in pain and he prayed that nothing was punctured.

Juliet obeyed him, kept her eyes on him even when she heard Edmund unzip his jeans and push her legs apart. She swallowed hard, the fear consuming her but she refused to look away from James. His eyes, despite the obvious physical pained were calming and she sensed the calm within him.

Edmund raped those women for control. That's what James had said. She couldn't let him feel any control. She couldn't show fear. Indifference. It was her only weapon. With walls erected, she gazed passed James at the far wall and her expression softened, uncaring, haunting, icy and expressionless.

"Hey," Edmund snapped. "Look at me. Look at me, Juliet, or I will beat him!"

She didn't turn right away but when the man raised the lead pipe she turned her head and stared blankly into Edmund's eyes. She showed him no fear, no unease. Only pity.

He growled. "Don't you look at me like that!" He pressed the knife into her throat, breaking skin just slightly. She didn't flinch. He roared in frustration and slammed the knife into the table, the point puncturing the wooden table just beside her head. She jostled at the force but still didn't move, merely looked away and back at James. She smiled.

Edmund pulled back, zipping his jeans back up again and yanked the knife from the table, walking to James. "You … will die. Slowly and painfully. And when you are dying you will sit here and think of everything you've lost. And everything you never had. Because she was always … mine!"

James leaned forward. "She was never … yours. So we can play Doctor Mengele all you want. But no matter what ya do … she ain't yours."

"Mine!" Edmund yelled and held up a hand, pushing down his index finger. "Mine to use." Then pushed down his middle finger, counting off his statements. "Mine to manipulate. Mine to abuse. Mine to own."

James grinned, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. "But she wasn't. You couldn't abuse her. You couldn't own her. Because she got away from you. On her terms. She divorced you, Edmund." James spoke slowly, manipulative. "She left you and you lost your control. And even now, you can't control her."

Edmund punched James across the face.

James rocked with the force and chuckled. "Nice try, Ali. But ya probably just hurt yer own hand with that one." Then laughed as Edmund shook out his hand. James opened and closed his mouth a few times, relaxing his jaw.

Edmund paced back to the table and jerked Juliet up onto her feet. Using the sharpened knife, he sliced the gag from her mouth, the tip of the knife skimming her cheek, drawing the slightest amount of blood. He tore the fabric away, eyes focused on his ex-wife. "Kiss me."

He spun her, ensuring James an excellent view of their profiles. He held the knife in the hand unseen by James and pressed the tip against her side, teasing the area between her ribs. Unwavering in his demand, he repeated it, voice deeper. "Kiss me."

Juliet swallowed hard, heart racing and she licked her lips. From the corner of her eye, she spotted the man with the pipe move closer to James. Defiantly, she lifted her chin and closed her eyes. Edmund cupped her cheek with his free hand firmly and tugged her closer, pulling her down as he lifted his face up to her and pressed his lips harshly to hers. He teased her mouth, his tongue coaxing tense lips to part. She refused him and he pressed the knife harder into her. The tip of the blade pierced her skin and she gasped, her lips parted in surprise.

Edmund deepened the kiss, claiming and Juliet responded slightly. James sagged, the muscles in his shoulders submitting and he closed his eyes, looking away. The man with the pipe gripped James' chin and forced his head to turn. "Watch," he growled in James' ear. "Or I'll break every bone in her body."

James opened his eyes and watched, his heart breaking. He understood the mind game, her desire to survive. Witnessing the spectacle stung, nonetheless.

Edmund slowed the kiss and pulled back, a victorious grin on his features. Juliet's eyes still closed, she hummed. "James …" Her eyes fluttered open, a genuine smile on her face but when she saw Edmund, the smile faltered. She turned her head to look at James and smiled tenderly, sweetly. Her expression illuminated with love, absolute adoration, her eyes warm and gentle, every emotion unmasked for James.

James' expression mirrored hers and the corners of his lips twitched before he smiled fully for her. He licked the blood from the corner of his mouth and chuckled. "Ya always did have the most amazin' mouth, Sweetheart." His eyes darkened at the statement and he shifted in his chair for good measure and hummed in memory.

"You never did that for me!" Edmund snarled at Juliet then brandished the knife towards James, eyes wild with rage. "She did that for you? She did, didn't she? Didn't she!"

James grinned, eyes challenging. "It felt so good. Oh … did you never have that experience? She never got on her knees for you? Her tongue is just … magic." He taunted; James knew he treaded the dangerous line with this psychopath but the longer Edmund focused on him and this, the longer Juliet had to survive, maybe even run.

Without hesitation and a roar of anger, Edmund plunged the knife into James' abdomen, aiming for the exact spot that would bring the most pain, and the longest death. He jerked the knife slightly, ensuring it embedded right to the hilt and Edmund leaned into the attack.

Juliet cried out, eyes wide as she watched James, his eyes fluttering at the pain, his body tensing. James jerked at the attack but refused to cry out.

Edmund pulled back with the knife and looked at the blood. He held the knife up, watching the red liquid swirl down the handle and over his hand. He licked the blood from the flat of the blade then grinned at James. "Goodbye, James. The last thing you will see of her … will be me … taking her away."

Juliet squirmed off the table to rush to James but Edmund grabbed her wrists and jerked her back to the table. He held the knife to her throat. "Don't move." He motioned for one of the muscles to come his way. "Fix her up."

The man didn't hesitate to button up her blouse then her pants and he grinned teasing her stomach with big calloused fingers during the process. She shivered, eyes still on James. James hunched over in the chair, head ducked. She could see the blood on his shirt, where once it was white. The stab wound bled near the side of his body, possibly grazing an organ. The knife, if dirty, could infect the wound. If he didn't die from the blood loss, his body would grow septic with infection.

She stumbled as Edmund dragged her to the door but she fought back, kicking the back of his knee. He tripped, the knee giving out and she raced back to James. One of the muscle men caught her and tossed her against the wall. The impact jarred her and she closed her eyes when the back of her head hit the wall hard.

Edmund grabbed her and held the bloody knife to the back of her throat. "You come with me … and once we are gone, I'll let you call 911. But you come peacefully or I'll let them carve him up a bit more."

Juliet's shoulders sagged and she nodded slowly in response. James glanced up at her, eyes blazing with the pain, but focused intently on her. Every emotion within him exposed to her.

"James," She cried as Edmund kicked open the door and pulled Juliet out, leaving James behind.