Chapter 41

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"Well, that went well." Rose and Jack were sitting at the table, Sawyer having fallen asleep. "He loved that."

"It was necessary. He can't do it himself."

"He can barely move."

"He'll get better."

"It's a long road then. He hardly ate any food."

"I wasn't exaggerating, he's hardly had any food for three weeks. The Others... they weren't big on... I mean, they gave us food everyday, but not him."

"I don't understand..."

"They starved him, hardly gave him water... not us... just him."

"I get it. Don't... don't say anymore." She didn't want to think about it. It was one thing not having food in ample supply, but it was another knowing they just didn't let him have any.

"Sorry, I know you don't want to hear it. But he needs to eat. I need him to eat. He won't get better if he doesn't."

"How is he?" John walked towards them, sitting at the table. He looked towards the open door, seeing Sawyer asleep.

"Oh he loves us. Especially when I fed him porridge."

"I bet."

The door opened.

"Hello... am I interrupting?" Sayid looked at them, he had made no noise, startling them.

"Sayid. No. Come have a seat. Do you want anything?" John stood, walking to the food storage. Sayid sat next to Rose, looking across at Jack.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes. You?"

"I am ok. I have been watching the perimeter. Making sure they are not coming back. So far nothing."

"How is everyone?"

"They are fine."

"What have you..."

"We have told them nothing. Just that the Others took us and you are here."

"Have they..."

"No one has asked about Sawyer." Sayid's statement was met with silence. John had sat down, putting food on the table. "Although, Walt... is asking to see him..." Sayid looked at the door, finding it open, being able to see Sawyer, "How is he?"

"Getting better. Not better yet, but moving in the right direction. He doesn't seem to remember much since the escape."

"That is for the best, considering. He has been awake? Can I see him?"

"Eh, yeah, of course. He's asleep but..." Jack stopped, Sayid had stood and began walking towards the door. Jack watched as he knocked on the door, causing Sawyer's eyes to open. He was relieved when Sawyer smiled as Sayid shut the door behind him.

"Hello Sawyer, how are you feeling?"

"Good. You?"

"I am fine. You look better than the last time I saw you."

"Thanks... I think. Look, I can't really remember..."

"That is probably for the best."

"Yeah... Jack said."

"I am glad you are feeling better." Sayid looked at him. He looked weak but his eyes were open and alert.

"Question... what happened? I mean... Jack looks terrible..."

"It was very difficult for him. Not as difficult as it was for you. But he..."

"He said we escape two weeks ago... where have we been since?" Sayid could tell he wanted answers, not wanting to ask Jack. Rose walked in the room, going over to the sink in the corner.

"We escaped on the boat."

"I remember that bit. Ben was on the beach, he was pointing the taser at Walt. Then... nothing. Jack says the kid is ok though...?"

"Walt is fine. He is at the beach. He wants to see you."

"Probably not the best idea. I mean... I'm not exactly ready to party." He smiled as he said it, but Sayid didn't play along.

"He has wanted to see you since we got back. He wants to make sure you are ok."

"All the more reason..."

"No. He is worried about you. He has not been sleeping well." Sawyer just looked at him, as did Rose, waiting on what he was going to say next. Sayid looked between the two, eyes locking with Sawyer. "You asked what happened? You pushed him out the way. Jumped in front of him... on the boat. The charge hit you in the chest. It stopped your heart, you had a seizure." Sayid watched Sawyer. But he didn't react. "You have been very ill. You have a... large burn on your chest from the contact. You had an infection. You were very ill."

"Oh." Sayid could tell from Sawyer's reaction that he hadn't heard this before.

"Jack never said?"

"No."

"Well, it has been very hard for him. He managed to bring you back... on the boat. Kept you alive in the jungle."

"How... how did we get back here?"

"I built a stretcher. We carried you..." Sawyer closed his eyes and turned his head to the ceiling, swallowing hard. "It is ok. Do not worry about it."

"Is he ok? Jack?"

"No. He has been through a lot. But he will be ok. As will you. But you need your rest. So I will leave you." He stood up, nodding to Rose. "I will come back soon."

"Sayid..." he stopped with his hand on the door, looking back at Sawyer.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."