"You wanna what?!"

"I want to talk to Richard."

She repeated coolly like it was a dentist appointment that she had to make. Juliet slid out of bed, already wearing her panties. She moved to her dresser to pull out the rest of her clothes. She slipped her bra on- facing away from Sawyer- before turning back to him with a determined look on her face.

Sawyer moved to the edge of the bed and grabbed his boxers- yanking them on before making his way over to invade Juliet's personal space. His eyes darted back and forth as his nostrils flared in confusion.

"I do somethin' wrong? Last night?"

"No...no... It was perfect, all of it." Juliet said shaking her head apologetically with a slightly hurt tone in her voice. That wasn't what she'd meant for him to think.

"This 'bout yer Cowboy? Bout him goin' all crazy talkin' to smoke rings in the rain?"

"No" Juliet answered him quietly but firmly, clearly displeased over Sawyers use of the term "YER Cowboy".

"Then what is it? You want to go talk to your buddy with the eyeliner about what happened when you were out there? Cus I'll tell ya what happened Blondie, I thought I was gunna lose you- and I came pretty damn close. I ain't doin' it again."

Juliet moved around him and started pulling her tank top on and then sat down on the edge of the bed to pull on her jeans and socks. Sawyer turned wide eyed and stared at her.

"I gotta right to know..."

"I'm off tomorrow - If we leave early enough we can be back before anyone knows we're gone." She said looking up at him.

"Woah now... We ain't goin' anywhere!"

"Then stay here." Juliet said flat-lined- locking her jaw and getting up to pull a backpack out of the closet.

Sawyer let out a huge sigh and moved around to grab Juliet's arm. She yanked it from his grasp and turned to him.

"Don't! You don't know what it's like. Alright? Knowing someone is out there- that has... and you can't ... So, just... don't." Her eyes searched the room as if the answers she was seeking were somewhere in it. - her voice arc'd

Sawyer's features drained and he raised his hands hands up defensively as he backed off.

"I said it before. It ain't safe." He stated, quietly pleading his face serious but calm. Juliet listened to him, a flash of of hesitation crossed her face- her gaze drug slowly up to his from the floor.

"I need you, to help me. Will. you. help. me?"

Her eyes were teary but Sawyer got the message. She was trying to communicate through the vice grip that normally kept her silent. He moved next to her and turned to pull a gym bag from the top shelf- looking at her in disapproval before tossing it hard on the bed behind them.

"We'll need to talk to Miles and Jin, If we time it right- Horace will never know. We need a walkie and a gun."

Juliet closed her eyes and swallowed knowing he was upset by the fact that he was using everyone's proper names. She pursed her lips and arched a brow giving him a faint smile.

"Knock it off- I ain't happy about this, not one bit..."

Juliet relaxed and nodded turning into Sawyer's body her arms at her sides. He sighed and pulled her close.

"Thank you" She sighed heavily into his chest. Sawyer growled in response tightening his embrace.

...

Juliet's hair was pulled back a simple wavy ponytail. She'd normally straighten it because it was 1974 but the last few days had been so wet that there was really no point. She spent much of her day counting inventory and filing invoices again. It was busy work but her mind was adrift anyways as she played through the different scenarios debating what and what not to tell/ask Richard. James had called during lunch to let Juliet know that she needed to come to the security station after work for a "family meeting". He was right, Miles and Jin needed to know the plan, their help would be essential. The rain was still coming down, on and off. The Beatles "Yellow Submarine" was playing softly throughout the garage. Juliet's eyes were beginning to burn. She really hadn't slept last night, not even after James fell asleep in her arms. She was a little spooked by the idea that Bill had been sleepwalking - and that she knew he was having black smoke terrors.

Jesse poked his head into the office before he clocked out.

"Hey- I'm gunna take off. Good n..news~ Rains suppose to let up tonight. M..maybe tomorrow we can open the big door."

Juliet smiled "Yeh? That is good- I'm off tomorrow but it'll be nice to get outside. I'm starting to think the sun isn't coming back."

"Right?" Jesse laughed as he waved goodbye.

Juliet stacked her paperwork and stepped into the door frame. She looked at the clock once more then turned her attention to Bill. She'd managed to avoid him most of the day, now they were all that was left.

"How you feeling?" She questioned knowing that wasn't sick.

He seemed irritated as he looked up with a pencil in his mouth then quickly retracted it- his eyes lingered questioningly.

"I'm good, thanks. How's LaFleur?" He returned with a slight tone of hostility. Juliet paused.

"You need any of those filed before I go?" Juliet said ignoring his comment, trying to seem casual by being helpful.

"Naw- I can handle it."

Juliet nodded and turned to open her locker. Bill was leaning over the tool counter with his papers as the low sound of thunder rumbled through. The lights stuttered off and on for a few seconds and Juliet froze.

"Woah~" Bill commented glancing up as the lights returned to a regular glow.

Juliet she let out a very deliberate breath as a chill ran up her spine.

"Jules?" Bill said- setting down his pencil, aware of Juliet's sudden unease. .

"I'm fine. Just..." she smiled in a painfully fake manner as her gaze met his.

"Still don't remember any of it huh?" Juliet's smile faded and she shook her head lightly.

"No, Just more like little... flashes..."

Why are you telling him this?

He looked at her for a moment, then his features softened as he let out a sympathetic sigh.

"It was pretty intense. Walking in here- that night, I mean. The side door was open and this entire tool chest was all over the floor. There was blood and..."

Bill turned to lean his back against the counter as Juliet awkwardly moved to him, listening. Her fingers ran the edge of the tool counter in an attempt take in the visual of his description. A sad expression crossed her face.

"I should've stayed, ya know? Off the clock. I can't help but think that a lot of things might have gone differently."

"I trusted him... Mack." Juliet's face locked in a look of concentration, trying to put the pieces together. She didn't know why she was talking about it with Bill of all people. Her mind was telling her that it was not a safe choice, especially since he was clearly still upset about her being with James.

Bill sighed in understanding as he watched her- his nose twitching in anger.

"We all did. He's lucky security got to him first. I would've..."

"The rain." Juliet continued softly as she listened to the water pattering against the garage door.

His eyebrows narrowed in concern as he leaned closer to her. "Yeh... just like now." he confirmed.

Juliet stared off for a long moment then mechanically pushed off the counter and walked past him towards the side door- stopping as her fingers hovered over the light switch. Bill swallowed as he watched with memorized uncertainty.

"Juliet?" He warned her.

She turned back-looking right at him, straight-faced. She blinked stoically then flipped the switch. As the lights went off Juliet's hand moved to grasp the cold door frame and her body lurched- she let out a soft gasp - her heart lept. She closed her eyes tightly as her other senses took over. The smell of the garage, the sound of the rain, the feel of the air, the swept up feeling of her feet leaving the ground.

Emotions shot through her like an electrical current. Her knees were instantly weak as she slowly buckled and slid down the door to a crouched position, one hand still gripping the door frame next to her- the other planted on the floor as though it was keeping her from spinning.

A dark figure dragged her back inside.

Her feet barely touched the floor.

The sound of tools crashing loudly to the floor.

Her arms were both pinned to her chest.

Her own panicked voice pleading.

Someone was moving towards her...

Suddenly, the light flipped back on, Bill quickly squatted down beside her. His eyes searching hers with thickening interest.

"Jeezus...What the hell..."

Juliet's chest was heaving, her eyes were glassy and the corner of her mouth twitched as she stared at the floor where the tools had fallen, breathing shakily through her mouth.

Bill's slightly panicked voice snapped her back to his attention and she swiftly moved to wipe her face with the back of her hand. She looked slightly confused as began pushing herself back to her feet. He reached his hands out to her. Juliet stared at it then glanced up at him.

"You back? You okay?"

Juliet attempted to drain her features as took his hands nodding and he pulled her to her feet.

"Your hands are cold" Bill noted as she pulled away hovering her hands defensively in front of herself.

Bill let out a frustrated sigh "It's a sign of shock. You should probably sit down for a minute."

"I'm... fine." Juliet swallowed.

"Clearly." Bill growled as moved a few steps back and pulled a stool out from the counter with an angry screech then walked back over and reached to grasp Juliet by her upper arms- solidly turning her towards the stool.

Juliet's eyes went wide and she let out a gasp but she didn't stop him. She slid up onto the stool hesitantly as Bill stood in front of her and grabbed the pencil off the counter behind her. His body leaning to brush across hers.

"What are you doing?" Juliet said quietly, watching his actions carefully.

"Will you just let me look at you? Follow the pencil with your eyes."

"I... told you..." Juliet said just above a whisper. She wasn't sure where her voice went.

"Yeh, and I heard you. Now, follow the damn pencil."

Juliet pursed her lips, at his angry tone and obediently set her hands on her lap and followed the pencil. She knew what he was checking for and also knew she was fine but her instincts told her to listen to him. Juliet realized too late that Bill had moved dangerously close. He was bent slightly hovering over her. His free hand moved to her thigh, just above her knee. Juliet saw something change in his expression. His look was suddenly intense.

Bill dropped the pencil and his hand flew around the back of Juliet's head, as he swiftly moved in and kissed her, his lips were hard and unforgiving. She didn't kiss him back as she sucked in a whimper of shock. Juliet's brows angled painfully as she instinctively raised her hands up to his chest in an attempt to push him off. He took one of Juliet's wrists- locking on as held her by the back of her hair pressing in. Juliet's knees rotated and she slid sideways off the stool. As soon as her feet hit the floor- she ripped her head free and stumbled, falling backward and catching herself as Bill yanked the stool out of his way, sending it careening to the floor in a clatter before spinning her to face himself. She pulled away and her back smacked solidly against the tool counter, Juliet let out a pained gasp as she used her free arm to push herself upright. Their eyes locked. She'd seen this look before.

Just then the side door opened with an obnoxious wet creaking sound. Bill released Juliet instantly and took a long step back. Letting out a heavy breath out- his nostrils flared. He reached down and moved the stool upright as his eyes locked on Jin's. Juliet immediately straightened herself up and swallowed hard as her eyes also met Jin's.

Jin's expression flinched but he remained unreadable. His eyes were carefully processing the scene as he walked in.

He nodded at Bill, his eyes dropping as though he was trying to keep Bill from reading his thoughts. Jin's body moved instinctively to stand in between Bill and Juliet. He turned his attention to Juliet, giving her a concerned look as he noticed her fingers awkwardly fidgeting with her cuff on her sleeve. He tipped his chin ever so slightly- silently asking if she was "okay"

The tension in the garage was palpable.

Juliet gave him a single nod and forced a smile before averting her eyes.

"LaFleur said to me to come get you. Ready to go?"

"Yeh" She said coolly before turning to her locker to retrieve her things.

Bill attempted to act casual as he moved back to stack the paperwork he had been working on earlier. His eyes followed Juliet until he noticed Jin watching him. He gave a half smile

"Sounds like the rain is finally stopping." He said slowly as he picked up his pencil from the floor and used it to point upwards- as though maybe Jin wouldn't understand him without the gesture.

Jin nodded at him- stone faced then moved back to the door and waited for Juliet.

"Hope you have a nice "uncomplicated" day off, Jules." Bill said flatly -as Juliet passed him- his eyes shifting suspiciously. Juliet understood the warning as the corner of her eyebrow twitched.

As the garage door slammed closed- Juliet let out a huge breath and headed around the building towards the security station. It was dark but Jesse was right, the rain had finally stopped. Jin quickly caught up to Juliet and gently halted her.

"You okay?" He said, his eyes searching hers.

Juliet nodded.

"He... hurt you?"

She shook her head.

"This no good. We can talk about it with Miles and Sawyer?"

Juliet shook her head again then looked at him pleadingly.

Jin let out a breath of hesitation

"I'll talk to him. Soon. Okay? I promise. Not tonight."

Jin squinted then nodded reluctantly and they continued forward.

"He will be more problem" Jin said as he pulled open the door to the station and gestured Juliet in. She stopped and put a hand on his shoulder sweetly.

"I know. Don't worry." Juliet said quietly then she moved down the steps.

...

It took a bit of convincing that they would be able to get beyond the fence, find the "Hostiles" and get back in one day but eventually Miles realized that Juliet wasn't backing down and that LaFleur wasn't going to let her out into the jungle without him.

"I hope you two know what you're doing."
"Look, we just stick to the plan- We'll take a spare walkie from here an' swing by the Motor Pool gun cage before dawn- They ain't gunna miss one pistol, they don't even open the damn thing."

Juliet nodded in confirmation that his statement was true then picked up the conversation confidently.

"We'll use the walkies when we cross the fence both coming and going then in case of emergency. We'll be gone before you leave tomorrow morning and back after you are on shift tomorrow night."

"And if you're not?" Jin piped in.

"Then Miles can have my "Led Zeppelin IV album"." Juliet said sarcastically- knowing that Miles had mentioned it on a few random occasions. Technically it wasn't even hers- it came with the house, but she also wasn't above blackmail at this point.

Sawyer sighed.

"Alright any questions? Comments?"

"What if someone comes looking for you? Ya know?"

"Strawberry Shortcake is volunteering at the school tomorrow - Stu will be at the Hydra and ain't no one else keepin' that close a tabs on us."

Jin's eyes shot to Juliet and she looked at the floor, knowing his look was about Bill.

"Right?" James said takin' note that everyone was very quiet.

Everyone nodded.

"Okay- then it's settled."

...