Author's Note: Right on time with chapter 5! I had this planned out to be much longer, but I've decided to break it into two chapters. So the good news is chapter 6 is already started!

I will start looking for apartments and a new job this week so again no promises on when the next update will be, but it will definitely happen!

Thank you to Just a fan, Love-oncers, zeusfluff, sandyba, and aggie for reviewing chapter 4! You guys rock!

As always, please read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Lost

Code Silver

Chapter 5

"I'm worried about you." Juliet told her sister from the doorway of the bathroom. Rachel was emptying the contents of her stomach which was becoming a daily routine. It was Juliet's day off and they had planned to take Julian to the mall, but instead Rachel was sick for the third day in a row and Juliet was going crazy with worry for her big sister.

Rachel coughed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Where's Julian?" She asked as she pushed herself of the floor and into a standing position.

Juliet helped her sister to get upright. "He's watching TV." She forced Rachel to look at her, brushed the hair out of her face, and studied her. "I think you need to go to the doctor." She said seriously.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Jules." She assured her, but could tell Juliet didn't believe it. "It's just that bug that's been going around." Rachel turned to the sink and brushed her teeth. She could see Juliet watching her in the mirror. When she finished she took her sister's hands in her own. "I. Am. Fine." She said, accentuating every word. "Why don't you take Julian to the beach or something? Give me time to rest and I'll be good as new tomorrow!" She gave Juliet the biggest smile she could. She knew what her sister was thinking. Cancer. But Rachel refused to believe for one second that the disease had come back to haunt her. Again. No, it was just the stomach bug she'd been hearing about. It had to be.

Juliet finally gave in. "Ok." She sighed. "I'll take him out for the afternoon. He's been wanting to make sandcastles since he saw them on TV last week. But if you're not better by Monday you're going to make an appointment."

Rachel nodded. "I promise."

After lunch Juliet collected all the little pails and shovel she could find. She stuck them in the car along with various other toys and one very excited nephew before heading to her favorite beach.

Rachel laid down on the couch and turned on the TV, ready for a long afternoon of rest and relaxation. She would be better tomorrow. She had to.

Juliet stuck an umbrella in the sand and unfolded two chairs to put underneath. Julian ran circles around her excitedly. She laid out a towel and dumped out his bag of toys.

"Aunt Julie."

She was pretty sure she'd heard those two words at least a hundred times since they left the house. Juliet turned her attention to her nephew.

"Swim first?" The boy was beaming and she couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Ok." She said and kicked off her flip flops.

Julian grabbed her hand and pulled her to the water. They stood at the edge and he giggled as the waves lapped at his feet. They waded out to what was waist deep water for Julian. He held on to his aunt as the waves came. He splashed and laughed when they receded. Juliet found herself thoroughly enjoying her time with Julian. His happiness was infections and she was able to push her worries about Rachel to the back of her mind.

Once back at the umbrella she showed him how to use his tools to build a sandcastle. After no more than five minutes of directions Julian instructed her to go away. He wanted to surprise her with his creation. She took a seat and got out her book, peering over the pages at him after every few paragraphs.

It wasn't too long before Julian abruptly stood and presented his castle to Juliet. It looked more like a lopsided lump, but she high-fived him anyway. "Good job, Buddy!" She said.

He climbed up into the other chair and she gave him his snack which consisted of a juice box and carrots. Juliet checked the time. Rachel wouldn't expect them back for at least another hour. She really thought the sandcastle would keep him entertained longer than it did.

They hunted shells and played in the water some more. Eventually Julian wore his aunt out and Juliet took a seat under the umbrella.

"Aunt Julie!" He whined. Juliet looked at him. "Play with me!" He commanded.

Juliet frowned and looked around for something for him to do. She suddenly remembered why she and Rachel seldom took him to the beach without the other. His smile had turned upside down and she could tell he was dangerously close to letting a flood of tears loose. She spotted a beach ball he'd pushed to the side earlier and tossed it to him. "You wanna play catch?" She asked.

His smile returned and he tossed the ball back to her. It wasn't long before his throws became wild, bouncing off the chair and going in every direction. She would reach out and corral it before it went too far. One particularly hard and aimless throw managed to bounce off Juliet's head before flying somewhere behind her. She stood and gave Julian a stern look. "What did I tell you about throwing it too hard?" He did his best to look angelic.

A southern drawl came from behind Juliet. "Lose somethin'?" A man asked.

Julian grinned and took the ball from the stranger. Juliet turned to thank the man and was met with a face she did not expect to see. Dimples. Long blonde hair. Mr. Security. "Thanks." She said when she finally found her voice.

James had been walking along the beach when a ball suddenly landed in front of him. A quick look found the nearest woman and little boy near an umbrella so he went over to return it. The boy was cute and took the toy back with a smile, but when the woman turned around he was shocked. Dr. Blondie. She was the last person he'd expected to see here and she looked good. She was in a T-shirt and a pair of modest shorts and he couldn't help but admire the long legs he'd never noticed before. He could tell she recognized him, too.

She thanked him and he smiled. "Didn't think I'd run into you here, Blondie." He said and then remembered the boy. She's got a kid? Damn. That probably means a husband, too.

"Just giving my sister a break." She replied. "He's my nephew."

James tried not show how very happy that last sentence made him.

"And it's Juliet." He looked at her somewhat confused. "My name. It's not Blondie."

He laughed. "It suits you though."

"I could say the same for you." She pointed to his hair and wondered how she was still functioning. This man was giving her all the feelings she hadn't felt in so long.

"Touché." He replied. "I'm Jim." He stuck out his hand.

Juliet shook his hand and was tempted to never let go. It was soft and rough and manly and wonderful all at once. "So what brings you out here today?" She managed.

"I just moved from California. Always heard people sayin' the beaches here were better than there or the other way around. Had to check it out for myself."

"And?" She asked. "Which is better?"

He looked around before setting his eyes back on Juliet. "They look about the same to me." He smiled. "I hear it's those tropical islands that really have something different." She smiled, too and James thought he would melt.

"You'll have to let me know when you figure it out." She said and felt a sudden tugging on the bottom of her shirt. She looked down to find Julian staring at her pointedly.

"Are you gonna play or not?" He asked seriously.

James laughed. "Guess I better go. I'll see ya around?"

Juliet nodded. "Yeah." And she found she really hoped she would see him around. She watched him walk away until Julian's small voice reached her.

"Can we make another sandcastle?" He asked.

"Sure, Buddy."

They spent the rest of their time at the beach playing in the sand.

Julian didn't last long after dinner. He fell asleep on the couch before his bedtime and Rachel carried him to his room. Afterwards the two sisters sat together on the couch.

"Do you feel any better?" Juliet asked.

Rachel smiled and nodded. "I'll be fine, Jules. Don't worry!" Juliet narrowed her eyes at her. "I promise." Rachel added with an eye roll. "Tell me about the beach!"

Juliet gave her the play by play, but eliminated James from her story. She knew Rachel would want every detail. She was still coming to terms with the fact that she liked this man she hardly knew. She knew if he asked her out she wouldn't say 'no'. The thought of dating again and quite possibly getting her heart broken terrified her. She did not need Rachel's gushing, prodding for details, and pushing her towards him. Not yet.

Besides, she had no idea how he felt about her. Maybe nothing would come of it. She wouldn't tell Rachel until there was something to tell.