Chapter Three: Rescued

"A boat!" Walt's cry carried from the beach towards the camp. Kate stood and ran towards the water. Jack sat motionless, looking dazed for a moment, but Kate came back and took his hand. Together they went to the shore. All the survivors were there. Most of them were waving their arms frantically, calling the boat, trying to attract its attention. But Sayid was not. He rummaged around in his pack, and pulled out the last bottle rocket from the air plane. He quickly set it upright in the sand, and lit it with a flaming stick that Boone handed him.

The firework flew sixty feet into the air and exploded with a loud BANG!

Within moments a bright light was flashing from the ship.

"They're using Morse Code," Locke said. "We are coming. We are coming Flight eight-fifteen."

People began to cheer, and all of a sudden things started happening, packing up of campsites and gathering of belongings. Before they knew it they were all aboard the ship, marveling at the luxury. There were chairs, real chairs! Some of them sank into the plush cushions, and others just stood around on deck until everyone had gathered on the ship. A tall man with dark skin and sunglasses stepped forward.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "Survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. I am Richard Bragden. I am the owner of Enchanted Evening Cruises. We have been out searching for you since we heard of the plane crash. I invite you all to relax. Utilize any rooms that you please, and feel free to wander, and please, enjoy yourselves." Mr. Bragden went on to explain that it would be too difficult for every one of them to make phone calls home, but that it would take just two days to reach Oahu, where the hospital could help them contact their loved ones. He asked them each to give their names so that a list could be faxed to the mainland.

Kate stepped back to the end of the line. Jack clasped her hand, assuming that her anxiety was in thinking of the crimes she had committed, which was, of course, what she wanted him to think. They waited as the others revealed their names, and it came down to the two of them.

"Dr. Jack Shepherd," he said quietly.

"Kate Ryan."

Silence ensued as Mr. Bragden's assistant penned the last name onto his steno pad.

"I hope that you all are comfortable onboard the R.M.S. Neverland," Mr. Bragden said. "If you find yourself in need of anything, a member of our staff would be happy to help you."

Kate watched Jack sigh in relief as no mention of her criminal record was mentioned. For a few hours, no one said much. They mingled about on the deck, and explored the main areas of the ship.

Kate sank down beside Jack on a deck chair. Exhaustion started to overtake her as she settled down into his arms. After awhile she was awakened by a shadow passing into the bright light from the sun. She opened her eyes a slit to reveal a large, square-shouldered silhouette. It was Mr. Bragden, and two security guards stood behind him, one off a little to each side.

"Ms. Ryan. We received a return fax from the police station in Oahu. We are hereby authorized to place you under arrest. You be detained in the brig for the remainder of the voyage until the authorities in Oahu take you into custody"

Gasps were heard across the deck as the bigger of the two guards handcuffed Kate. And they had all looked up to her.

"You can't do that," Jack said, getting to his feet.

"I'd keep out of this if I were you," the other guard said, touching the handle of the guard that rested in the holster around his waist. Kate didn't struggle as they led her away. She just looked over her shoulder at Jack.

"I love you," she mouthed as they went around a corner. They guards took her down to the lowest level of the ship.

Sydney Bristow smiled at Kate.

"Good luck," she said.

"Thanks," Kate replied. "See you in two weeks." She climbed into the car that would take her to the airport that her flight was leaving from. She was dressed in a yellow floral sundress, with short, straight blond wig planted firmly atop her head. Her fake passport and I.D.'s read Lorena Sykes, but that was subject to change at any time. The suspected terrorist would never see her the same way twice.

Sawyer. The word turned over and over again in her mind. The man she was observing did not look like a terrorist, but then neither did many of the others she had seen.

…..

The brig was a small room with plain white walls, a twin-sized bed and a doorless bathroom. The two security guards unlocked the handcuffs. Kate turned and hugged each of them in turn.

"Weiss, Vaughn, it is so great to see you," she smiled.

"Welcome home, Kate," Vaughn said. Richard Bragden was actually Agent Marcus Dixon. They explained to Kate that Sydney Bristow and Marshall Flinkman were also on board the ship. Dixon handed Kate a laptop computer. The screen lit up and Kate immediately saw the face of Arvin Sloane.

"Welcome aboard, Agent Matthews," he said.

"Thank-you," Kate returned with a smile.

"I'm sorry that your quarters are what they are, but I am sure that it will be more comfortable than what you are accustomed to," Sloane continued. "You will be de-briefed when you arrive in Los Angeles. Until then just try to get some rest."

"Thank you Sir, I will." The screen went blank and the computer was taken away. Kate assumed the role of prisoner. She showered off behind the solid white curtain, and dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue shirt with a high, crisp collar and creamy buttons. Then she sat on the bed and started at the opposite wall.

Soon Weiss came to the barred door of the brig.

"You have a visitor," he said coldly, opening the door. Jack quickly entered, and the gate snapped shut behind him. Kate stood and was wrapped in his arms.

"Are you alright?" he whispered, stroking her hair.

"Yes," Kate said, "I'm fine. I've grown used to being in tough places." Her face held a vague smile. Even now, after they had been rescued, Kate still had to lie to Jack, and she did not like it one bit.

"Kate, I love you."

"Jack, stop it," she said, "I'm under arrest, remember? I don't deserve you."

"You're wrong, you know," Jack said quietly. Kate shook her head. Jack turned her face towards his and kissed her. Kate stepped back and blinked.

"Maybe I was wrong." She sat down beside him on the mattress, and once again began to feel drowsy in the warmth of his arms. Soon enough, though, the guard came back and roughly escorted Jack from the brig.

He left with a whispered "I love you." Behind him, Weiss was also mouthing words.

"I'm sorry."

…..

Sayid took the envelope out of his pocket. He was sitting out under the stars on deck. It was great to have showered with real soap and shaved with a sharp blade.

Now as he lounged in the chair, the gunshot wound in his leg started to throb. He rubbed it with one hand as he gazed at the picture of Nadia that he held in the other. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back.

"Nadia," he whispered.

"What did you say?" Sayid opened his eyes to see a woman with mouse-brown hair that was pulled back into a bun behind her head. She was wearing a gray maid's uniform. Sayid smiled at her.

"Nadia. It's the name of my love," he said, turning the picture towards the woman. She took it from him and gently rubbed her thumb across the woman's face. She looked back up at Sayid.

"Where did you get this?"

"I've had it for a very long time, Lucy," Sayid said, reading her nametag.

"You love her?" Sayid leaned up on his elbows and looked at Lucy questioningly.

"Why are you asking me so many questions?" Lucy sat down beside Sayid.

"My name is Sydney Bristow. This woman, this Nadia, is my sister."


Review Returns (Plus an A/N at the very bottom) :

JerseyGrl00320- THanx for your great review. It was very gratefully accepted.

Lillywriter- To answer your question: Maybe. I haven't thought it through completely, although I have a sketchy idea of what I want to happen. Thanks for reading.

rain1657- A Marshall dance! I think I know the stpes to that one! I performed it during the season opener this year, when I found out that he was not dead from the Lauren-inflicted gunshot wound. I'm so glad they kept him on. Thank you for reviewing.

Oreata- I'm sorry! I didn't know I was taking your idea. As for other nicknames, I'm momentarily drawing a blank, but I'll let you know.

CrAzYhOrSeGiRl88- Thanx for reviewing. I LUV JK fluff too.

FanOfLOST- Thanks, I wanted an orginal pen name. (I have two others, tunabooboo, and LelaofBast.) Then I saw a picture that said "Get LOST each wednesday." And I do, so I used that.

A/N To All: I am totally obsessed with LOST. The other day someone called my cell phone and asked for Scott. All I could think was "Scott's dead. Ethan shot him." Luckliy I gathered my composure enough to tell the guy that he had the wrong number!

I like the romance that is starting to budd between Shannon and Sayid, but for the purposes of this story, it did not work. I apologize to anyone who is put out by this.

One final note before I say good night, my sister trollseatfish, just put up her very first story on Please read it. I have read up to chapter four, and I think it's really pretty good.Also, if she tells you that "Doh-dee don't like you," don't be offended. Doh-dee is her cat, and he doesn't like anyone. I hear that about 700 times a day.

Now, so long, farewell, a-(I can't spell this), good bye! Please review!