Chapter 42

Hey, COVID has hit me hard. Sorry for the late post. Let me know what you think.

The dog hadn't left Walt's side in a week. He just lay there. Walt, just sat there. He hadn't said much. Hadn't eaten much. Hadn't slept much. Mike was worried.

"Hey Walt. You feeling ok?"

"Yeah."

"You sure? You want to take Vincent for a swim?"

"No, we'll stay here."

Mike looked at him. He was about to push further when Sayid emerged from the trees.

"Hello Mike, Walt. How are you both?" Walt just shrugged in response. Sayid nodded to the left, walking in that direction, leaving Mike to follow.

"How is he?"

"He's... Not doing much."

"I have noticed."

"Where have you been?"

"The hatch." Mike looked at Sayid. He had hardly mentioned what had happened, never mind saying he was going to see them.

"Really? How are they? I went last week, Jack seemed... distracted."

"He is tired. He looks worn down. He is defensive. Protective."

"Don't blame him. And Sawyer? I didn't get to see him..." He was almost too afraid to ask. But Sayid looked at him, a small smile on his face.

"He was awake and lucid."

"Thank God."

"He doesn't remember much. Since the escape. He asked me what had happened. He obviously didn't want to ask Jack – considering the state of him I can understand why. I told him the basics. Rose was with him."

"God, what a mess."

"Jack asked if anyone had asked about him. I did not lie. He nor Rose seemed very impressed."

"Yeah. I mean... he pissed people off before... before it happened. But..."

"I know. But we must not tell them."

"Telling them he saved Walt..."

"He is very weak. He will not be able to defend himself against them."

"What? He wouldn't have to..."

"We tell them he is there and he might. He is not ready. But I think he will want to see Walt. He asked about him twice."

"Jack said..."

"That was before. He is able to communicate with him now, he will want to see him."

Mike looked back at Walt, seeing him stare into the distance. He didn't want to expose him to anything more, but he knew it was what Walt needed. "Can you watch him for me? I'm going to see them. See if Walt can see him tomorrow." Sayid just nodded, retreating back to Walt.

As Mike walked through the jungle, he had sudden thoughts back to that night. As the wind blew, he thought he heard Walt scream. It was light, he could see. It wasn't that night. But he hurried all the same.

When he made it to the hatch door, he almost ran into John when he went through the door.

"Hey man, what you doing?"

"Hi Mike, tracking these wires, see where they go. You?"

"Just came to see Jack and Sawyer... still through there?" he pointed to the right, John nodding, going back to his tracking.

As Mike walked through the corridor, he saw Rose sitting at the table. Just as he was about to speak, she looked up. A smile appearing on her face.

"Mike. Hi. How are you? How's Walt? I've been meaning to come see you both but..."

"No, they need you here. How is he?"

"Which one?"

"Both?"

"Jack is... tired. I have to say, I'm worried about him. He seems... detached, not like himself."

"Considering what we've seen, I'm not surprised," he felt Rose look at him, not wanting to look her in the eyes, he glanced over at the closed door. "And Sawyer?" At this Rose smiled.

"He's doing much better. The infection is almost gone. Temperature back to normal. Not able to move much, or eat much..."

"He's hardly ate for three weeks so..."

"I know. Jack told me. Not all of it... I couldn't listen to what they did..." she stopped when the door opened. Jack was rubbing his face as he walked towards them. Mike looked behind him, seeing Sawyer looking at the ceiling.

"Mike. Hey. Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, yeah. All good. How are things here? He looks better?"

"Fine. He's getting there."

"Good, good. Look, I wanted to ask about Walt coming..."

"I don't know... I still don't think it's a good idea right now..."

"Let the kid come."

All three looked towards the open door, Sawyer had obviously been listening. He was smiling, looking at Mike from the bed.

"Sawyer, I don't think..." Jack walked towards the bed, Mike and Rose following.

"If the kid wants to come, then he can. If that's ok with you?" He looked towards Mike. Who smiled back.

"Yeah man, course that's fine by me. You look good. You feeling better?"

"Yeah. I'm feeling great. Great meds at this place."

"Good, I'm glad. Walt..."

"Mike... I really don't think..."

"Jack, he wants to come. He wants to see him. He needs to. He isn't sleeping well, eating right..."

"Bring him."

"Sawyer stop."

"It's ok Doc. It's ok."

Jack stared at him, realising he wasn't going to win this one, "Ok. Tomorrow?"

"Great..." Mike could tell Jack didn't want this. But Sawyer did, and Walt needed it, "We'll see you then. Look, I'll leave you to sleep. It's really good to see you." He leaned forward, squeezing Sawyer's arm before backing out the room.

"Good seeing you too man," Sawyer watched as Mike walked towards the exit. "Don't say it..."

"Don't..." Jack looked fuming, Rose stepped back, towards Sawyer, "what is wrong with you?"

"The kid is struggling..."

"So are you."

"It's not the same. The kid needs to..."

"Look, you were dying, begging me to stop him from seeing it happen. Telling you to leave you behind, lying about how sick you were, as I carried you through the jungle, sat in that shower trying to wake you up...now you just disregard everything I say? You're selfish... make no wonder no one's asked about you..."

"Jack! Stop." Rose had moved in between Jack and Sawyer. Jack hadn't noticed how loud he had become, how he had squared his shoulders, how Sawyer was just staring at him – a guarded expression on his face. He looked at Rose, looking back at him like she didn't know who he was. Looking scared.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't apologise..."

Jack didn't hear the end of Sawyer's sentence. He turned out the room, striding past John, bumping his shoulder as he made his way to the exit.