Finding Release in the Wrong Place

The night was long. She had dozed on and off all night as she stared into the flames. She was so out of it she didn't know whether Sawyer was there or not. It didn't matter to her. She just wanted to sleep. Slowly her body eased up and her eyes floated shut. Sleep. It felt good to just be asleep and let her body rest. She needed it after the long day and slowly deteriorating night.

It seemed only a short while before she was awoken again. But it wasn't the fact that she was woken. It was the fact of what woke her. Feeling a gentle touch rub against her cheek her eyes slowly fluttered open. Looking up Jack sat above her. Very close to her. He had calmly pulled his hand back as a smile came to face.

"Jack?' She questioned as she sat up.

"Just checking on you." He replied. She looked confused. Why had he come out here in the middle of the night? Why had he been rubbing her cheek?
It confused her.

"Well I am gonna head back." He said starting to get up to leave.

"Alone. In the middle of the night?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'll be ok. Got a flashlight." He explained.

She felt reassured that he could at least see in the dark. But what about what ever was out there? And why was he leaving so soon without explaining himself further? She stared up at him wanting to say stay, but that would just be like him asking her to go with him to the caves. And she knew what the answer would be.

"Goodnight Kate.' He whispered as he leaned in. His lips tenderly touched her cheek before he pulled back. Her hand came up to her face as if to guard the kiss. She watched him as he quickly got up and headed off into the night. Never looking back at her.

Sleep was a small chance now. She wasn't even gonna try. To many things had just happened. She was confused. But what was she gonna do till sunrise? How was she gonna last through the day with no sleep? She looked around the beach and around the fire. Everyone was asleep. Sawyer had obviously been gone for several hours. Then she spotted the water. She always seemed to look at it when she needed an answer. Maybe a little swim would clear her mind. Calm her down. It did seem like a good idea.

Getting up she looked cautiously around at everyone and everything. Making sure not to wake them she headed off to find a secluded area. But where could she go? It really didn't matter to her at this point she just wanted to swim.

Walking down the shore she kept going until her she was in the middle of the surf. She stood there for a while letting the water bury her feet in the sand. She just stood there staring out into the water again. This time she wasn't questioning anything. Just staring up at the stars. They seemed so beautiful twinkling in the sky. This was as close to peace as she could get.

"Water too cold?" A voice came from behind her. Jumping nearly out of her skin she turned around. Sawyer stood behind her with that smug grin on his face.

She couldn't believe after the day she had and the night that was still pushing her Sawyer was standing there ruining her moment of peace. She simply nodded her head as she turned back to the stars. Looking up at them the significance was gone knowing he stood right behind her.

"Then why ain't you swimming?" He asked as he came up long side of her. She didn't even acknowledge him.

"Don't tell me you walked all this way to the water to stare at the stars sweetheart." He laughed.

"Maybe I did." She shot back at him. He backed down. "Gesse." He sighed as he turned away from her.

He still stood next to her. Looking at the same stars she did. It aggravated her that he wouldn't leave. She saw him quickly discard his clothes out of the corner of her eye.

"Don't know bout you. But a midnight swim sounds good right now." He proclaimed as his clothes made a puddle at the bottom of his feet. She closed her eyes trying to get him out of her head. All she asked for was some quiet and she couldn't even get that.

Opening her eyes he stood in front of her. Only in boxers.

"What?" She asked trying as hard as she could not to sound rude.

"Why don't you come in with me?" He asked.

"Why?' She questioned folding her arms.

"It'll be fun." He smiled. She rolled her eyes thinking of what awful thought was bubbling in his mind.

"Sawyer it this isn't gonna work." She began.

"Just come on. Freckles." He begged. She looked away trying not to let him get the best of her.

"I promise I won't try anything ok." He said putting his hands up. She looked over to him. She knew he wouldn't give up till he got his way and she'd never get back her quiet moment.

Sighing she headed towards the water. Slowly she pulled her shirt over her head throwing it to the ground. She wasn't about to look at Sawyer knowing he had some lust filled smile on his face. Pulling down her pants she let them puddle in the sand next to her shirt and the towel she had picked up. She headed out into the water silently behind Sawyer.

The water was a slightly warmer then she had expected it to be. Seeing how it was night she thought it to be chilly. As they walked farther and farther out into the water it came higher and higher up on her body. Splashing against her skin. It felt good to be surround by something so cooling. It felt just like a bath. Floating there she looked back up at the stars. Getting lost in them once again she forgot about Sawyer standing next to her.

"This is what I'm talking about." His voice came from behind her.

She didn't notice his words. She barely noticed him wadding next to her.

"Come here." Was as she heard as she felt her self being pulled out of the water and into Sawyer's arms. Bringing her self to realize where she was she looked up to see his face so close to hers. She looked timidly into his eyes. He said nothing to earn her as he swiftly kissed her lips. Finally brought back into the real world she pulled back.

"I thought you said you won't try anything?" She asked.

"Well I lied." He smiled. She looked away form him. "Didn't see you trying to stop me either." He pointed out.

He was right. She hadn't stopped him. She was kinda out at the moment, but she still could've reacted. Just like she could've stopped Jack from kissing her on the cheek. Even thought it was less harmful then this. She still could've stopped them. But she did. Did she want this too happen? She looked back to Sawyer.

"Well?' He asked. She said nothing. Sawyer obviously saw it as an opportunity kissing her again. This time Kate's sense worked. He tasted of cigarettes and his lips were chapped as they pressed against her. She regained her breath as he moved away. His lips surfaced on her neck sending chills up her spine. Opening her eyes she looked towards the beach.

She was surprised at what she saw. Jack stood in the sand only feet from the surf. Watching her. Watching her and Sawyer. With his arms around and her hands laying limp on his back. Letting him kiss her. She had no clue what look he had on her face, but she knew it wasn't smile. A lump formed in her throat as she held back tears. It quickly plummeted into her stomach as he turned and walked away. Closed her eyes as much began to become a blur to her as Sawyer's lips roamed her body and his hand wondered south.

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