"I'm Sorry"
That was the message attached to the rose. Juliet opened her door and ripped the paper off the flower before throwing it on the kitchen table. She threw her clothes at the couch. Her mind was reeling as her fingers laced through her hair. There wasn't anything left to do. Juliet let out a frustrated yell and moved back to the kitchen to swipe the table harshly sending the rose skating across the linoleum. She paced the living room again then stopped at the record player, pulling off the Elton John record and throwing it at the wall. She stared at the mark it made then looked around one last time before she swallowed hard and headed back out the door.

...

"Open up Cowboy." Sawyer pounded as he double checked the address on the paper in his grip before shoving it back into his pocket.

The door opened slightly and Bill stood there looking mildly surprised to see him. He pushed the screen door open and joined Sawyer on the porch. Clearly un-intimidated.

"She finally told you?" Bill said flatly.

Sawyer's face flashed with instant confusion then he proceeded to attempt to launch Bill into the side of his house. He was instantly aware of how strong Bill was. It turned into more of a shove and Bill backed up almost willingly. They seemed fairly equally matched both size and stature-wise.

"You listen to me. If you threaten her? If you hurt her? and I find out about it. I'll kill you."

Bill's nose twitched as he relaxed - remaining pinned against the wall with Sawyer's forearm across his chest. He looked at the arm then at Sawyer calmly.

"She didn't tell you anything." he said his green eyes darkening with the slightest grin forming in the corner of his mouth.

"You better start talkin' Casanova."

"Sure why don't you give me a little breathing space and I'll consider it." Bill shot back.

Sawyer huffed and released him. "Talk."

"What do you want to know LaFleur? That I know about her "scar" cus- she showed it to me? Or maybe you want to hear that she told me she's remembered some of what happened to her? Did she tell you I kissed her?"

Sawyer's nostrils were flaring as he soaked up every word his eyes locked on Bill's.

"She doesn't belong with you, you don't deserve her- and maybe she knows it."

Sawyer paced the front porch growling- his mind racing.

He pointed a finger trying to come up with some sort of reply but was so angry at Juliet that no words came out. Bill stood his ground- flexing his fists -ready and waiting. Sawyer suddenly turned and propelled himself down the porch steps making a sharp turn away from the security station heading towards his house, her house. In the distance he heard Bill call out after him.

"Yeh, good talkin' to you too. LaFleur!"

...

Juliet had just gotten back from Amy's for the second time. She slipped off her shoes glancing at the rose lying at her feet- her body was numb.

She moved to the kitchen and started the teapot on the stove before turning to the bedroom to change. She was halfway down the hall when the she heard the screen door slam angrily against the house. She turned around as the front door opened and Sawyer stepped in- turning to close it loudly behind himself. His brow permanently furrowed. Juliet froze. She'd seen him mad before but this was different, it was personal. She swallowed and took two short tentative steps towards the living room, her heart pounding in her chest. Her hands were hanging limply at her sides. Sawyer looked down at his feet- he had stepped on the rose that Juliet had thrown there earlier.

Juliet's eyes stared at the crushed flower until she felt Sawyer glaring at her, then her eyes rose to meet his.

"There something you need to tell me? " he said in a slow, deep, booming tone.

Juliet's mouth dropped open as she blew a fearful breath out through her mouth. He knew. Her eyes glassed over. Sawyer's eyes in return had turned from dark blue to an intense gray almost instantly.

"He... Kissed me." Juliet said just above a whisper. Her eyebrows angled together as her hands moved nervously together and crossed defensively across her chest.

Sawyer nodded, his nostrils flared.

"Is that so? When?"

"Yesterday." She answered softly, the corner of her mouth twitching in honesty. She was holding her breath in short bursts.

Sawyer growled and took 3 long steps quickly thrusting himself into Juliet's personal space backing her against the wall.

"Were you gunna tell me? Cus I just spent the entire damn day out there with ya- watchin' yer back, gettin' my ass kicked- and it didn't occur to you that maybe it might be something worth mentionin'!?"

"James." She tried-her arms uncrossing as her fingers hovered near his chest trying not to touch him or look as afraid as she felt.

"Don't. you. dare. tell. me- "it's complicated", Juliet. It ain't complicated, not from where I stand. YOU shoulda told me!" The tone of voice was sending vibrations through her body- and Juliet could feel the air of his words hitting her against her cheek. He was so close she stopped breathing and looked past him submissively, her face red. He was right. Her words wouldn't come out. She made a tiny noise and took a small step to the side as he shifted back in front of her. Her eyes closed- her nostrils begged for air.

"I'm sorry." Her voice whispered.

"There's more ain't there? Bill was right? About all of it?" Sawyer said cruelly, shaking his head as though he couldn't believe he'd been so naive. Just like with Kate- he was being made into the fool. The temporary relief but not the cure.

The tea kettle began to whistle loudly. Sawyer's train of thought was interrupted and his eyes narrowed. Juliet was clearly frozen in fear in front of him and he didn't care.

"Listen to me... Please." Juliet let out a pained breath, she could feel her throat closing completely as she looked into his eyes. She reached for him but he quickly stepped back and turned towards the kitchen. Juliet's shoulder's buckled as her hands moved out to her ribs. Tears welled in her eyes and her nose began to run involuntarily as her heart wretched.

"Please?! No-Uhuh I ain't got... There ain't nothin' you say can right now! NOTHIN!" Sawyer spat -He picked up the tea kettle slamming it harshly into the sink, clearly agitated by it's sound. Juliet flinched as the whistling sound slowly died. His true emotions were masked in anger, it was all he knew. He turned and walked back to the door. Sawyer bent down and picked up the crushed rose before holding it up to her- tipping his head, his face locked in contempt. He spoke in a more detached tone as he moved further away from her.

"I thought you were the best thing that ever happened to me. What the hell was I thinkin?! Yer too good for me? Yer just like all the rest of em. Congratulations Sweetheart- you conned the conman."

He squinted at her then let the rose fall back to the floor, petals scattering like blood. His words went straight through her chest. She stared at the ground then looked at him breathing heavily through her mouth. Sawyer's face flashed with genuine hurt before he opened the door and walked out. Turning towards security, leaving the doors wide open.

Sawyer lowered his head as he walked away. His chest tightened and he groaned tearfully as his breath too became ragged. He headed back the security station defeated.

Juliet slid down the wall and started hyperventilating.

Juliet closed the door and slid her shoes off. S he heard the T.V. on and padded to the living room where she found Edmund passed out in the armchair. A half empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat on the side table. She honestly hadn't expected him to be there, so she hadn't called or left a note. She'd gone out with Rachel for dinner assuming he would be at work late again.

She leaned in to wake him, gently rubbing his shoulder.

"Ed?"

He stirred slightly then opened his eyes, squinting at her through the darkened space in the light of the T.V.. Edmund reached up slowly and pushed her hair back over her shoulder then planted his feet on the floor and leaned forward locking his fingers tightly around her throat.

"Where were you?" Ed whispered in a jealous tone -sliding his second hand up to the same position on the other side of her neck.

Juliet's expression drained as her hands flew up to dig her fingers under his so she could swallow. Her face instantly turned red as he pushed forward, bringing her to her knees. She tried to say his name but nothing came out. Her watery blue eyes stared into his pleadingly. His eyes twitched and he looked around briefly before his face straightened and he released her.

Late Night with Jay Leno, was playing and Juliet could hear the laugh track through her ringing ears as she gasped for air. Ed stood up and stoically moved to the bedroom, closing the door.

The phone rang and Juliet's eyes darted up in it's direction. She looked around then pushed herself up. She picked up on the 3rd ring and didn't say anything.

"You okay?"

Juliet's body pitched painfully at the sound of Bill's voice.

"What do you want... from me?" She said as her jaw locked, she was drained.

"Everything."

Juliet nodded and closed her eyes as she took the phone away from her ear and moved to hang it up. She could hear him say her name as she stared at the fallen petals near the door. Her breathing evened out and she hung up the phone.

It rang again and Juliet ignored it- moving to close the front door and lock it robotically.

...

Sawyer yanked the door open to the security building and loudly made his way down the stairs. Miles and Jin stood up and stared at him.

"Where's Juliet?" Jin questioned.

"Probably at home where I left her." Sawyer snapped as he rolled his neck, trying to release the tension, his face was still red with anger.

"Uh, okay? So you went to talk to her? What'd she say?" Miles said, a little surprised that he was having to ask.

"Nothin! I don't wanna talk about it. You get me?"

Jin sighed. "Not good."

Sawyer huffed then dropped into a chair.

"No shit Sherlock- She coulda at least told me! I mean I did just move in with the woman for cryin' out loud."

"I'm sorry? What the hell are you talkin' about LaFleur?! What happened?!" Miles spat- like he was insulted by how he was talking about Juliet.

"What I ain't the last to know? Billy Boy made a move on her and she didn't tell me. She made me ask- then had absolutely nothin' to say about it."

"Juliet?... had nothin' to say? Bzzzt, there's a big shocker. The woman we all know doesn't trust anyone and generally can't say anything when she's upset, unless she's drunk. That Juliet?"

Sawyer furrowed his eyebrow in thought. He was so mad he'd forgotten he wasn't dealing with Kate.

"Yeh."

"So, she kissed Bill?" Miles inquired trying to get the details.

"That ain't what I said. He... kissed her, yesterday and I just spent all day with her conversatin' with the damn enemy and she didn't say an everlovin' thing."

"Hmm..." Miles said shaking his head before stating the obvious.

"Do you think it had to do with the fact that maybe~she didn't want you going in there with this attitude towards her. Cus you're being a complete ass right now."

"What the hell! You weren't there! Whose side are you on!?"

Jin answered quickly. "Juliet's"

Both Miles and Sawyer stopped and looked at Jin questioningly.

"Spit it out Thundercat. Yer the one who told me Bill was all pressed up against her at the Motor Pool last night."

"No, not what I say. Not friendly. You no listen. She look afraid."

"You didn't say that?!"

"Yes, I did."

Miles shot Sawyer a look then narrowed his gaze. "So, you asked her and she tried to tell you what you wanted to know, but you didn't let her and you treated her like "the enemy"?"

Sawyer groaned at Miles spitting his own words back at him from the night Juliet told them about her scar.

"Sonofabitch-I ain't havin' this conversation with you two right now!"

...

It had been 2 hours and Sawyer hadn't said a word. Miles and Jin were playing a game of cards but neither of them were paying attention- suddenly Miles stood up and announced.

"I'm going over there" Jin looked at him in confusion.

"I'm going to Juliet's- and.. you're coming with me." Miles said to Jin- realizing that there was safety in numbers if Juliet got mad at them for interfering. Jin stood up and folded his cards.

"What the hell, it's the middle of the night, it ain't yer business Enos- she probably ain't even awake.

"You started this LaFleur. Now it's our turn to find out the truth. You? Stay here! It's your turn." Miles said flatly as he moved to the door.

"Well ain't you just the overprotective big brother all the sudden." Sawyer spat.

Miles shot him an annoyed look as he opened the door and he and Jin slipped out into the night.

Miles stood in front of the door, clearly having second thoughts. Juliet had the porch light off and the house looked dark. He turned back to Jin

"Maybe she is asleep. We should go- he's right-it's none of our..." Jin arched an eyebrow at Miles while simultaneously knocking gently on Juliet's door.

"What the hell Jin!" Miles whispered slightly panicked.

The curtain moved instantly and they heard a shuffling sound before the door unlocked.

Both men stood there holding the screen door open as the front door opened. Juliet's peered out and Miles opened his mouth to talk but closed it again unsure of how to start. Juliet glanced past them in uncertainty. Her eyes were glassy and red rimmed.

"Where's James?" she said delicately with unease.

Miles sighed and gave her a somber look. She nodded shakily.

Jin spoke next "You alright?"

Miles looked at him as Juliet nodded again and obediently opened the door wide enough for them to slip in. Jin moved quickly at the invitation and looked back at Miles to follow. He did.

Juliet turned and quietly locked the door behind them. The house was dark. Juliet was wearing a light t-shirt and pajama pants- her hair pulled back into a pony tail.

Juliet folded her arms nervously and waited as Miles took a deep breath.

"Can we turn on a light or something?"

Juliet took a step towards the couch and leaned in stoically flipping on the living room lamp. Both men looked around a bit in shock as their eyes readjusted at the state of Juliet's normally tidy surroundings. There was a pile of clothes on the couch. There was a kitchen chair next to the door. There were rose petals at their feet and a broken record lying against wall. The phone cord had been angrily ripped from the outlet.

"Is there something you need to tell us?" Jin said softly as he approached Juliet. Her eyes looked around for a few moments and then she nodded.

"I'll tell you everything." "Everything" Bill's voice rang in the back of her mind.

"Anything you want to know." she finally breathed out tipping her head weakly- looking on the verge of tears.

Miles stood and stared at her in shock. He had never seen Juliet so broken before. He didn't even know it was possible.

Jin instantly nodded in approval. "Yes".

Juliet moved almost mechanically into the kitchen and began making coffee.

"You're going to want to sit down." She said

Miles and Jin shared a look of confusion and trepidation as they took seats in the living room. Juliet picked up the kitchen chair calmly and returned it to the kitchen. She brought 2 cups of coffee - handing one to each of them before going back for her own and starting a new pot. She stood facing the sink for a moment then spoke.

"I'm from Miami..." she started.

Over the next two and a half hours Juliet told her story. She remained detached and told it very factually as though she were a skilled lawyer pleading her case. She paused in thought quite a bit but didn't withhold information like she normally would. Her hands rattled involuntarily when she spoke about things that frightened her and she had to stand and pace a few times to get her nerves out- but she continued.

Miles knew Jin wasn't getting all of what she was saying but it didn't matter- how she said it was just as intense.

She started with her research and her sister and worked her way through Edmund, Ben, Goodwin, Jack- and all the circumstances she never had a chance to verbalize. The last thing she talked about was Bill. The guys had said very little- afraid to interrupt and accidentally end her bravery. They were both in shock themselves a few times- ranging in emotion from anger to sympathy. When Juliet finally stopped talking her voice was hoarse. She was numb.

She sat across from them in silence for what seemed like forever. Jin finally stood up and came to rest in front of Juliet putting a hand out to touch her knee.

"We will figure out how to fix." He nodded.

"I don't know what to say..." Miles started.

Juliet tipped her head at him. "It's okay, Miles- you have a right to know, the results effect you now too. I should've been more open so- please. don't apologize."

"We have to tell LaFleur." Miles sat back suddenly panicked.

Juliet let out a pained sigh. "I think that ship has sailed for tonight..." She looked out at the clock. The night was gone.

"I will stay here today, for protection. This Bill- he is dangerous." Jin stated frankly gesturing at Juliet's couch.

Juliet nodded. "I'll talk to Horace again tomor.. today and see ... I don't know." Juliet stopped- her face contorting silently.

"LaFleur has his file maybe we can find something that can get him put on the next sub?"

"It's my word against his- I've been down this road before." Juliet responded.

Miles sighed. "Right. So for now - we set up a couch rotation and find a way to tell LaFleur without him going off half cocked. Piece of cake." Miles said sarcastically.

"I think life was easier when we didn't know anything about you." Miles said standing up and moving to Juliet- he put a hand out to offer her up.

"But... We're in this together so we'll do our best not to let you down." Juliet looked up at him-touched by his out of character sincerity, the corner of her mouth twitched as she grasped his hand. He noticed her bruised wrists as he gently pulled her up. Jin stood and moved out of the way-turning to clear the couch for himself. Miles looked at Juliet then awkwardly pulled her in holding her as she silently shook.

"He's gonna hate me." She whispered.

"It's gunna be ok" He said in his best brotherly fashion.

...

Miles walked back into the house just as the sun was rising. He didn't feel like dealing with LaFleur anymore today. His mind was reeling with his new image of Juliet and the situation with Bill. With all he had learned about what she had been through to make her who she was he was awe struck. She was tougher than he could've imagined.

His thoughts shifted to himself when he was eleven- his mom had dated an abusive boyfriend for almost a year. He remembered being so mad when they picked up and moved in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye. His mom didn't tell him about it until he was in his 20s. He'd really liked that guy and the whole thing had been one big lie. Miles found himself becoming very angry as he opened his door. Sawyer was one lucky bastard and he had no idea.