Chapter 25

"Allison?" she repeated. "When have I ever been Allison to you?"

"What're you doin' here?"

"Came to use your bathroom," she said, sarcastically, pushing her way through him and into the house.

His eyes widened. Unreal, he thought to himself as he followed her in.

"You can't be here, Ally," he told her, sternly.

"Ah. There it is," she turned around smiling at the sound of her name.

"I'm serious! You gotta get outta here."

"Why? You don't want me here?"

"No!"

"Oh," she said, stunned. "Well, I'm afraid that's just not going to work out for me, Sawyer."

She looked around quietly, then wandered into the kitchen. Sighing, Sawyer followed her. She was kneeling on the counter and looking in the liquor cabinet. Her scarf and jacket were on the table revealing she only had a loose white tank top underneath.

"What the hell are ya doin'?" he said.

"I need a drink," she said, turning around with a vodka bottle in hand. "Did you think I forgot where you keep the alcohol?"

"No. I just – "

"If I remember right, it wasn't too long ago that I lived here with you," she said, grinning to herself.

He backed up toward the doorway a bit glancing out to make sure Kate wasn't standing on the stairs listening. He didn't need her to know that. He turned back to Allison, trying not to look conspicuous. After taking a drink of the vodka, she looked at him up and down.

"Haven't seen you look better, Sawyer. Been working out much?" she teased.

She sat on the counter, her legs hanging over the edge. Sawyer's mind was racing. She was beginning to scare him with how much she'd acted like Kate in the two minutes she'd been there. He couldn't let himself think that!

"No! You need to go. NOW!" he said, coming back to his senses.

"I can't," she said, taking a swig. "Got nowhere to go. Thus, I came here."

"That's your problem. Not mine."

She hopped off the counter and put her arms around him.

"Come on, Sawyer. I'll be on the streets. Don't make me go," she pouted.

He heard Kate's footsteps sounding the stairs. "No. Get out, right now," he said, panicking, trying to pull her arms off him.

She locked them around him tighter. "You and I both know that neither of us really wants that, do we?"

"Ally!" he shouted.

Just then, Kate stepped into the kitchen. Allison and Sawyer both looked at her. She stared back, unsure of what to think.

"So this is why you want me to leave, huh?" Allison said, letting go of Sawyer, putting her hands on her hips.

Sawyer sighed. "Kate, Ally. Ally, Kate."

Kate looked at him bewildered. WHY would he use her real name?

"You look familiar," Allison said. "Have we met?"

Kate's eyes widened and she glanced at Sawyer. "No, we haven't."

"Oh," she shrugged. "Must've been someone else, I guess." They were all quiet.

"Sorry to be rude, but I have to get going," Kate said finally.

"What?" Sawyer and Allison said in unison.

"I was on my way out anyway," Kate explained, leaving the room.

"Kate, no!" Sawyer said, following her, leaving Ally alone in the kitchen.

"I have to," she turned around. "I already told you last night!"

"Listen to me," he said putting his hands on her shoulders. "I'm not lettin' you go."

After a pause, she asked quietly, "Why did you tell her my name? She already said I look familiar. What if she realizes who I am?"

"She won't. She's just a dumb broad!"

"Well I don't appreciate that very much," Allison suddenly appeared in the doorway with her vodka bottle. She looked at Kate. "A word of the wise on Sawyer: Get away while you can!"

Unable to resist, Kate replied, "I'm trying."

"God! You look SO familiar!" she giggled. "Where have I seen you before?"

Kate shrugged and Sawyer rubbed his head. Ally's eyes suddenly widened in realization.

"Sawyer, Sawyer, Sawyer!" she laughed coldly.

Kate cringed at the sound of his name in her voice. Ally went behind him and spoke over his shoulder and into his ear.

"I knew you were badass but aiding a fugitive? That's so different from your style!"

Kate's face heated and she glared at Sawyer.

"Ally – "

"Well I guess you two got busy on that island if you're helping her now," she said, backing away from Sawyer.

"Ally, get the hell outta here, now."

"I thought you were gonna let me stay!"

"No! GET OUT!"

"Fine. But you know, if by some chance I happen to slip up and, I don't know, go to the police and say you're aiding a fugitive – "

"Let her stay," Kate said quickly.

"What!" Sawyer turned around bewildered.

"Smart girl. I'd listen to her if I were you," Ally grinned. "But you know, I think I will go. It'd be more fun to see you fall flat on your ass. Just like you did to me."

"You did that to yourself, sweetheart!" he told her.

Kate grew disgusted. Why did she get the feeling that this wasn't just one of the girls that Sawyer had used? It almost sounded like they…had a relationship. She forced the thought away and went back to listening to them argue.

"Oh don't you dare try that with me! You know what you did!"

"You did it to yourself!" he repeated.

"How could you say that? Do you even know the pain I have suffered and the trouble I've gotten into for what you did?"

"Don't talk to me about pain and trouble!"

"Don't worry. I won't have to. Because the police will give you enough trouble for the rest of your life for helping her!" she said, pointing to Kate. "So you just wait until I go and tell them!"

Suddenly they heard a loud click. They turned and saw Kate holding a gun.

"You don't want to do that. Or you'll have consequences to pay," she said, keeping the gun perfectly aimed at Ally.

"Where'd you get that?" Sawyer asked.

"Attic," she said, tightening her grip.

"I told you not to go nosin' in there!"

"Like I'd let a thing like that stop me."

"Lower the gun. I swear I'm not going to do anything," Ally said.

"No. You won't. Because you're staying right here. Right, Sawyer?"

He stared at her in wonder.

"RIGHT, Sawyer?" she repeated.

"Yeah. Fine," he said, miserably.

"Good." She lowered the gun and handed it to him.

"Well wait. What about you?" he asked.

"What about me?"

"You stayin' or goin'?"

"It would be pointless for me to stay."

"Well if you're leaving, why can't I?" Ally asked.

"Because I need a head start before you go running to the police."

"I already said I won't," Ally replied, annoyed.

"Yeah. And how can I trust you?"

"Excuse me! I'm the one here who should be worried about trust! You're the damn criminal!" she said, putting her hands on her hips.

"All right. You two gonna shut up now?" Sawyer cut in.

They both looked at him, irritated.

"Neither of you are goin' anywhere. Ally, there's an extra room down the hall. It's yours. And there's a bathroom next to it so you're gettin' treated like damn royalty."

"Fine," she folded her arms, looking away.

"Freckles, you and I still ain't done talkin'."

"Actually, I am," she said, turning away.

He grabbed her arm, tightly. "No. You ain't."

She looked at him, unable to read his expression, and yet, still she knew what he meant. For a minute, they had a silent conversation between eyes. Then she glanced at Allison, and he knew.

"Later."

"Fine."