Chapter Twenty-Eight:

"I'm just a girl."

Shot of the beach.

Claire's tent. Claire is sitting on her bed holding Aaron while Andie paces in front of her.

Andie: He doesn't own me. He can't just decide whether or not I get rid of this ring. What about that letter thing of his? Huh? That's, like, thirty years of baggage. What's a ring? It's small and tiny and…and small. (Beat) He should just get over it, right? Just right over it.

Claire: Right over it.

Andie: Sawyer's a dumbass.

Claire: Yes he is.

Andie: I'm completely wrong, aren't I?

Claire: Yes you are.

Andie sighs and sits next to Claire.

Andie: I can't throw it away, Claire.

Claire: You were with the guy for years, you were happy up until the day of the crash; of course you can't end those feelings just like that.

Andie: I know. (She puts her head in her hands) Grr, it's just so confusing.

Claire: I see that.

Andie: I don't know what to do; tell me what to do.

Claire: Oh, you don't want to give me that kind of power.

Andie: Come on, just help me out.

Claire: You won't like it.

Andie: That's okay.

Claire: Apologize.

Andie: Hell no.

Claire sighs.

Claire: Told you.

Claire sees Sawyer walking towards his tent.

Claire: You should at least talk to him.

Andie sighs and reluctantly gets up.

Andie: Okay, okay. But I'm only doing it for you.

Claire: I can live with that. (Beat) Go.

Shot to Sawyer as Andie comes up behind him.

Andie: Hey.

Sawyer doesn't turn around. He turns his head slightly to acknowledge her but doesn't say anything.

Andie: You were right, okay?

Sawyer turns around.

Andie: It isn't fair for me to hang onto the past when we're on this island. But Sawyer, this ring doesn't mean what you think it does.

Sawyer: So it don't mean that you're engaged to a guy waiting for you in the real world?

Andie: Well, yes. That's what it means. But that's not what it means.

Sawyer: Are you drunk again?

Andie: Look, I know I should stop wearing this. It's not fair to you or to me. But if I throw this away...its like I'm giving up. That I know no one is going to find us. (Beat) And I'm not sure I'm ready to do that yet.

After an uncomfortable pause.

Sawyer: What do you want me to say?

Andie: Nothing. I just wanted you to know.

Sawyer sighs.

Sawyer: Sayid wants to leave at first light tomorrow. Best make sure you're ready. You need ammo?

Andie reaches for her gun. She realizes it's gone.

Andie: My gun's gone.

Sawyer: What?

Andie: It's gone.

Sawyer: When did you have it last?

Andie: If I knew that it wouldn't be gone! (Beat) I had it yesterday when we came back. I had it after Mikhail attacked me. I had it when I was--oh, that stupid bitch.

Andie storms off.

Sawyer: What?

Sawyer follows.

Sawyer: What's going on?

Andie: I had it when I was with Nikki. God, I was so stupid. Why else would she offer to drink with me?

Sawyer: Whoa, whoa, Nikki stole your gun?

Andie arrives at Nikki's tent. There's no one in it. Hurley is nearby and comes over.

Hurley: What's going on, guys?

Andie: Where are Nikki and Paulo?

Hurley: They went for a walk in the jungle about an hour ago.

Hurley points. Andie bolts off into the jungle.

Sawyer: Andie!

Sawyer goes after her.

Shot of Andie running through the jungle.

Shot of Sawyer running. He sees Andie stopped up ahead of him so he slows.

Sawyer: Andie?

She's looking at something on the ground. Sawyer sees its Paulo. His eyes are wide open and he's frozen stiff.

Sawyer: Whoa…

Andie bends down and checks his pulse.

Andie: He's dead.

Sayid and Locke run into view from the beach.

Sayid: Hurley told us you were after Nikki and…(he sees Paulo) what happened to him?

Andie: We just found him like this.

Sayid bends down to check the body.

Locke: Why are you after Nikki?

Andie: She took my gun.

Locke: Why would she do that?

Andie: To kill her boyfriend, maybe.

Sayid stands.

Sayid: He has no bullet or stab wounds. He's not bleeding. Perhaps he had a heart attack.

Andie: That Adonis did not have a heart attack. She probably poisoned him or smothered him or something...
Sayid: Let's not jump to conclusions. We have to find Nikki.

Sawyer: What if she's working with them? The Others?

Locke: We won't know until we find her.

Andie: Then let's go.

Sayid: Andie, you should go back and watch Mikhail.

Andie: Oh no, you're not leaving me out again.

Sayid: You're unarmed and if you see Nikki you'll probably kill her, right?

Andie: I'd smack her around a little.

Locke: The man's right, Andie, go back to camp. Sawyer, Sayid and I will find Nikki.

Andie looks at all three men.

Andie: Fine.

She turns and walks away.

Andie (mutters): Assholes.

Flash to black.

Shot of Locke and Jin digging a grave. Paulo's covered body is nearby. Andie is off to the side with Claire who has brought her some water.

Claire: Did you talk to Desmond?

Andie: No. When we got back to camp with Paulo Hurley told me he'd gone bore hunting. I'll catch him tonight.

Claire looks over at Paulo's covered body.

Claire: You found him like that? Just--dead?

Andie: Yeah.

Claire: Did Nikki do it?

Andie: I think so. But Sayid doesn't agree since there aren't any wounds on his body. (Beat) But I tell you what; she'll have some wounds when they bring her back.

Claire: Because of Paulo?

Andie: Because she stole my gun.

Claire: You really don't like her, do you? Nikki.

Andie: Look, I'm sorry. I am. But it's like this chemical thing. I mean, every time she starts talking I wanna...rip my arm off just so I have something to throw at her.

Claire: She's not that bad.

Andie: She stole my gun, her boyfriends dead and we can't find her.

Claire pauses.

Claire: Okay, maybe she is that bad.

Shot to Sayid and Sawyer in the jungle.

Sawyer: Wanna tell me what we're hoping to find out here Magellan?

Sayid: Nikki has a head start but she's not an experienced tracker.

Sawyer: And how do you know that?

Sayid: Because her trail is easy to follow.

Sawyer: Why do you think she did it? Kill that boy a'hers?

Sayid: When we find her; I'll ask.

They walk in silence for a few more moments.

Sawyer: Why'd you send your man Locke back to the beach? I'd think you trusted him more than me.

Sayid: What are you really asking me, Sawyer?

Sawyer: Why are you so mad? Is it because we haven't found Jack and Kate? (Beat) Or is it because you're jealous that Andie's with me?

Sayid stops and turns around to him. He's about to say something when he hears movement ahead of them. Sawyer hears is too and raises his gun. Sayid turns and motions for him to move ahead.

Shot of Nikki walking through the trees with Andie's gun pointed out. Shot to behind her and what she's seeing; Sawyer moving forwards slowly with his own gun out. Suddenly Nikki rushes out of the jungle with her gun at Sawyer.

Nikki: Hold it!

Sayid (os): I could say the same to you.

Pan shot shows Sayid walking out of the jungle directly on Nikki's right. He has his rifle at her.

Sayid: Put it down, Nikki.

Nikki gives up, drops the gun and puts her hands in the air. Sawyer picks up the gun. Sayid gets some rope from his backpack and ties Nikki's hands behind her back.

Sawyer: What the hell were you doing out here?

Nikki doesn't respond.

Sawyer: What, you want a lawyer?

Shot to Jack in Ben's room looking at his back.

Jack: You're healing fine. I'd still take it easy for a week or so before you try walking.

Ben: Thank you, Doctor.

Jack: You asked me to come here and I did. I checked you out. I behaved. Now I want something.

Ben (pauses): Alright.

Jack: I want you to move Kate.

Ben: I'm sorry Jack, I can't do that.

Jack: Why?

Ben: You know why. If I put you and Kate together you'll formulate an escape. And I'm sorry but I just can't allow that.

Jack looks annoyed and dejected.

Ben: But you're right. You have been rather accommodating. (Beat) How would you like to go home, Jack?

Jack: Back to my friends?

Ben: No. (Beat) Away from this island. Away from all of this. To truly go home.

Jack: What do I have to do?

Ben sighs.

Ben: You'll have to leave her behind.

Shot to the beach.

Andie is with Mikhail.

Andie: So you've taken a vow of silence? Wonder how long that's going to last...we're leaving in a couple of days. I wonder what you're people will think.

Out of the jungle behind her come Sawyer and Sayid with Nikki in tow. Andie gets to her feet and walks over.

Andie: You stole my gun.

Sayid: Andie, wait.

Andie: You do realize I'm gonna kick your ass, right? I'll kick it right off this island!

Sawyer hands Andie her gun.

Sawyer: Andie, play with this.

Andie takes her gun. Sayid walks Nikki past her.

Nikki: For what its worth; I didn't use it.

Sayid walks Andie away. She checks her gun and sees that it has not been fired. She sighs. Andie turns to Sawyer.

Andie: What was she doing out there?

Sawyer: She didn't say a word.

Andie: She's up to something, I know it.

Sawyer: I think so, too, but how are you gonna get her to spill?

Andie thinks for a moment. Then suddenly she smiles.

Andie: I need to find Hurley.

Sawyer: Say what?

Shot of Sayid putting Nikki in her tent. He kneels before her.

Sayid: Did you kill Paulo?

Nikki: No.

Sayid: But you knew he was dead.

Nikki: We went for a walk. There were these spiders. He got bit by one and collapsed. I couldn't wake him up.

Sayid: He was bitten by a spider?

Nikki: Yes.

Sayid: Why didn't you call for help? Why did we find him alone in the jungle with you nowhere to be seen?

Nikki: I got scared, okay?

Sayid: Why did you take Andie's gun?

Nikki: You guys never let anyone in your little gang. Even Claire knows more than the rest of us and she never goes on your little hikes. I was sick of being left out of it all.

Sayid nods and gets to his feet.

Nikki: Are you gonna untie me?

Sayid: Not yet.

Nikki: Why?

Sayid: Someone else wants to talk to you.

Sayid nods over her shoulder and Nikki turns. Andie is walking towards them. She has her gun out and makes sure Nikki sees her putting it in the back of her jeans. Then she comes and stands in front of Nikki. She holds up something in her hands. A set of car keys.

Andie: Let's go for a ride.

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