Chapter 14

Next one for ya. Let me know what you think!

The night drew in. The Others obviously thought the wake-up call was redundant now, the siren didn't go off again. Jack tried to keep conversation up with Mike, but he was too worried about Walt. Sayid had closed his eyes not long after Ben brought the food and hadn't spoken. So instead, he sat next to Sawyer and they spoke. About nothing, really, but it was enough to pass the time and enough for Jack to make sure he was feeling ok. It was an hour until Mike spoke.

"Where do you think he is?"

"Walt?"

"Yeah. In there? Or far gone by now."

"He was in there yesterday," Sawyer spoke with confidence, "they want to use him as leverage against us. They'd want to keep him close. He's in there." Mike turned to look at him.

"He was ok when you saw him?"

"Yeah. Bit shaken up, but physically ok."

"Thanks."

"For what?"

Mike didn't want to tell him that the guy from the boat had told them what he had said. That he all but begged they leave Walt alone, putting himself at greater risk. "Just, for looking out for him. Since this started." Sawyer just nodded back at him and closed his eyes.

Jack had been watching, noticing how Mike had not mentioned what they were told, thinking it was for the best. Once Sawyer's breathing had evened out, he stood, walking over beside Mike.

"He'll be ok. Walt. I mean it. We will get him back."

"We don't even know where he is."

"You heard Sawyer, he's in there. They used him against Sawyer yesterday, it worked, they'll keep him close."

"He's protected him more than I have," Mike nodded over at Sawyer.

"You've protected him."

"No, I haven't."

"You both should get some sleep. I will stay awake to watch him." Sayid had stood up and was walking towards them. His sudden resurfacing to conversation made both Jack and Mike jump.

"Oh, right. Ok. Hey, help me lie him down. Sleeping sitting like that won't help him in the morning." Jack and Mike walked over and gently laid Sawyer down. He jerked awake, letting out a small groan, but didn't do anything else. Clearly the painkillers were working. Jack sat with his back against the bench, Mike sitting beside him. As the night got darker, no one spoke, eventually Sayid was the only one awake.

Jack jerked awake at the sound of Sayid talking. As he opened his eyes, he saw Sayid wasn't talking to him, but to Ben as he walked towards them. The sun was beating down on them and he felt Mike stir awake beside him. As he watched Ben and his man walk closer, he turned and checked on Sawyer, waking him. Again, as he put his hand on Sawyer's shoulder, his wrist was grabbed as Sawyer opened his eyes, seeing him and smiling, releasing his arm.

"Good reflexes," Ben was now at the gate, watching Sawyer with amusement. Jack ignored him, reaching over to grab more painkillers and water, tipping more into Sawyer's mouth after helping him sit. "Right, time to move out." He unlocked the gate, standing to the side, watching at Sayid and Mike walked out and stand with their back to Ben. "Come on Jack."

"Give me a minute," Jack looked into Sawyer's eyes, putting his hand over his right one, "How's the eye?"

"Getting better. You should go."

"I need to make sure you're ok."

"I'm fine."

"You heard him Jack. He's fine. Now move."

But Jack stayed where he was, checking Sawyer's torso. Without warning Sawyer shouted 'stop,' Jack feeling someone grab the neck of his t-shirt, pulling him out the gate and throwing him on the ground. He heard Mike and Sayid shout, looking up at Ben, who was leering over him. "I said move. I've already told you, you do as I say. You are not in control here. I would hate for Frank here to pay your friend a visit again when there's no one here to look out for him."

"Don't listen to him Doc," Sawyer's voice made Jack look at him. He looked determined and didn't flinch when the guy – Frank – move closer to the open gate. But Jack wasn't going to let anything happen.

"Ok. Ok, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm moving," he got up, feeling blood trickle from his elbow. As Ben led him, Sayid and Mike to the dig site, Jack looked back at Sawyer, who nodded at him.