Wish You Were Here

Chapter Four

NOTE: I know nothing about diabetes, but I need to for this character. Any information would help! Thanks! Also- I'm going with Claire's still pregnant, just so I won't confuse those who haven't read the entire series, and myself after Wednesdays. Just pretend like before, Sawyer rescued Claire, still pregnant.

Jack was trying to concentrate on the temporary stitches he was threading into their new survivor's shoulder when Sayid stormed in, breaking his focus, almost causing him to rip the man's skin. He held back from cursing as Sayid waited for him to start a conversation.

"Back already?" Jack said when Sayid had made it clear that he wanted Jack to say something first.

"I don't trust her," Sayid said flatly.

"What?" Jack said. "You were with her for five minutes and you don't trust her?"

Shoving the equations into Jack's face, Sayid said: "Look at these."

"They're equations," Jack said, not getting it.

"I've never seen anything like them," Sayid said in anger, "I've been working on them for weeks, and come up with nothing, yet she can solve them in ten minutes."

"So we have ourselves a kid genius," Jack shrugged as he began to get back to work.

"What are the odds that she has the same name as the French woman's child, and can understand her notes that nobody else can?" Sayid said.

"Considering that everybody else is you and Shannon," Jack said, thinking, "pretty good."

Sighing, Sayid gathered his papers, and left, leaving Jack to shake his head, wondering what the point of that was, and went back to stitching.

(Space)

That night, Sayid made his way through the jungle heading back towards camp. He had been up at the beach nearly all night, searching for the rest of Danielle's notes that had mysteriously floated away. Around midnight, he was finally turning the last path to camp, and he knew that he'd find Shannon asleep by a fire where she had tried to fight to stay awake and wait for him, but would fail. The air seemed still and silent, all for a soft rustle of fallen leaves. Stopping at the noise, Sayid listened for further movement, then began to walk forward, taking precaution. Slowly walking forward, Sayid prepared himself for any possible attack, but instead found..

"What are you doing here?" Sayid ask, making Alex jump and drop the bag she was holding.

"I..I was just-" Alex couldn't think of a lie quick enough as Sayid picked up the bag she had been holding, and straightening himself back up, he noticed her hands were slightly pale and shaking.

He pulled out what Alex had stuffed into the bag. She had looked like she was about to inject herself with something, and Sayid found himself guessing right when he saw what he was holding was a small type of shot.

"What's this?" He asked, knowing it was familiar but not being able to place a name to it.

His very first thought was whatever it was that Danielle had sedated himself with. Alex stared at him, forcing herself not to be nervous in his presence. Finally she sighed, and gave up.

"I have diabetes," she admitted.

"Diabetes?" Sayid repeated, expecting more than that.

"Since I was twelve," Alex nodded, "I've been coming out here every night to check my blood pressure and all. Thank god I found a kit in the wreckage."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Sayid asked, eyeing her, yet feeling a little more sympathetic towards her.

"Everyone already has enough to deal with," Alex expressed, "no one wants to put up with a little girl with a history of bad health.

"Jack would," Sayid reminded her.

Alex shrugged.

"It just seems like he has so much to deal with, you know?" Alex said, and Sayid nodded, understanding. "Along with whatever's going on with him, and this is something I can deal with myself."

"So how are you dealing with the food issue?" Sayid asked, now more curious than suspicious.

"It's all right," Alex said, shrugging again, "mostly the same fruits though. I get sick every time I eat fish."

Sayid smiled.

"I think I can help you there."

(Space)

"You're up late," Charlie commented as he entered the caves where Claire was sitting, staring into a fire with a blanket wrapped around her.

"I couldn't sleep," Claire admitted.

"Worried about the little one?" Charlie guessed, smiling as he sat down next to her.

"He should've came by now," Claire said, looking at Charlie, worry written all over her tired face.

"It's a he now?" Charlie joked, and then softened at Claire's hard face. "Maybe there's a reason it's not coming yet. Maybe it's waiting for something."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Claire sighed.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Charlie asked, looking at Claire, feeling more sorry for her now then ever.

"Actually," Claire said, a smile developing on her face, "I was wondering if you could sing to me?"

"Sing to you?" Charlie cried. "But Claire- he lowered his voice playfully, "there are people around!"

Claire laughed, and slapped him on the shoulder, an act that made Charlie himself smile.

"Whatever happened to Mr. Rock Star?" Claire joked. "The one who performed in front of millions of screaming fans under no nerves?"

"Fine," Charlie surrendered, "but you'll have to wait."

"Why?" Claire said, in a mock whine.

"You'll see," Charlie said, smiling mischievously, and stood up, leaving Claire watching him go, and in the first time in what seemed like weeks, smiling.

(Space)

The next day, Sayid walked the shoreline to Sawyer's haven, where he found Sawyer stuck halfway through the end of the book A Wrinkle In Time. Sayid had to smirk at the sight of Sawyer reading a children's book. When he reached the mini camp, he stood, arms crossed, waiting for Sawyer to look up.

"You made it back," Sayid observed while Sawyer tried ignore him.

Giving up, Sawyer simpered and said: "What? Missed my grand entrance?"

"Just glad to know you're staying away from Jack," Sawyer said.

"Skip it," Sawyer said, "I've already heard that lecture. What can I do ya for?"

Sayid kneeled down beside him, making sure he got Sawyer's attention.

"When we found the tail section of the plane," Sayid began, "did you take any of the peanuts?"

"You Iraqis have something against fish?" Sawyer said, somewhat amused.

"It's for the girl," Sayid told him.

Sawyer looked around, searching for Shannon, but found that she was no where in sight. Instead he spotted the new girl, sitting as she did day after day, staring out into the horizon like he had seen Kate do so many times.

"Alex?" Sawyer question.

"She has diabetes," Sayid said, "she can't eat some of the fruit, and she's allergic to fish."

So the last part was a lie, but anything that would work.

"Well fine," Sawyer said, reaching over to a black suitcase, "putting me on the spot and all."

He threw a bag of peanuts to Sayid, who caught them before they plummeted into his chest.

"Thanks," Sayid said sincerely.

"Whatever," Sawyer said, going back to his book as Sayid stood and left.

(Space)

Alex sat on her usual spot on the beach, staring out into the ocean, trying to remember what a ship looked like so she could try and picture one wading out on the horizon. It shouldn't of been so horrible, she though, considering..

"Adam!" Alex yelled after Adam, who was lost in a mass of hundreds of passengers that were boarding the S.S. Moondance.

It was the lamest name for a ship she had ever heard, but as long as she had a way of getting back home, she didn't care. She stood on the heals of her black shoes, letting the Pacific breeze blow her hair around her face as she searched the crowds for Adam, who she finally found, talking to a few men boarding the ship. Spotting her, he waved, ushering her over as the men filed out.

"Who were they?" Alex inquired as she approached.

"Listen, I need to talk to you," Adam said, pulling her aside just to the edge of the peer.

The scene would've been far more beautiful if it wasn't for the pit forming in her stomach, a subconscious guilt telling her that nothing good was coming out of this. They were standing on the dock of a bay outlining the very edges of the continent, whose name she was killing herself for not remembering. The sun was bright in a cloudless skies. Stores baring all sorts of souvenirs and sweets lined the outskirts of the bay, providing a cure for boredom waiting for those who were boarding the cruise. She hadn't had time to browse, but she saw various people coming back with foreign goods and t-shirts saying: "My best friend went to Europe and all she brought me back was the stupid t-shirt". She couldn't believe they actually sold those there.

"What is it?" Alex said, tugging at a lose strand of hair.

Adam took her buy the shoulders, a move which made her nervous, and the seriousness at the tone of his voice scared her even more.

"It turns out, the cruise isn't going to New York," Adam said, waiting for her outburst, which soon came.

"What?" Alex exclaimed. "How-"

"It's going to New Hampshire," Adam said.

"What kind of cruise goes to New Hampshire?" Alex cried.

"What kind of cruise goes to New York?" Adam retorted, and then softened. "Look, I'm sorry, it was an honest mistake."

"You're going to be sorry," Alex muttered.

"But I've got a plan-"

"You always do," Alex mumbled, irritated.

Adam glared at her, and then went back to what he was saying.

"I met these guys," Adam continued,and was once again cut off.

"The ones you were talking to?"

"Yeah," Adam nodded, "they can get us a boat, a good one, and we can sail ourselves closer to New York, and go from there."

"But we have no money," Alex pointed out.

"That's where we come in," Adam said, "because, you see, neither do they."

Alex stared at him. What kind of plan was this?

"But there's something about this boat that nobody knows except for those three and I, and now you," Adam said, lowering his voice drastically, "in the cargo of this ship is half a million dollars."

"What?" Alex said, eyes widening.

"If we get them the money, they'll get us the boat," Adam said, and held a breath, awaiting her reply.

"They want us to rob it?" Alex said, taking it in.

"I'll do the dirty work," Adam promised, "no one we'll get hurt, I swear."

Alex looked at him doubtfully as they finally horn blew for the boarding of the ship.

"It's the only way we'll get home," Adam reminded her, "you're uncle's out for the next week, no one will find out."

Looking down, Alex hated herself for being right. Nothing good was going to come out of this. Nevertheless, she looked up into Adam's desperate eyes, and nodded.

"Alex!" Sayid's voice called, jerking her away from her memories.

Alex turned and nodded, signaling to Sayid that it was all right for him to come over. Sitting down, Sayid handed her the bag of peanuts, which she accepted gratefully. Tearing the bag open, Alex tore off the shell of a nut, and popped it into her mouth, letting the taste of salt match the smell of salt in her hair. Sayid stared out into the ocean while she ate a few, and then figured as long as they were going to sit there, they might as well talk.

"So Jack tells me that your a big believer in fate," Sayid said.

Eyeing him, Alex tried to tell herself not to feel betrayed in anyway by Jack. Nobody made him talk to her, but she enjoyed the company, nonetheless. Of course he would've told something like that to somebody else, or at least mention it. She couldn't blame him as suspicious as they were of her.

"Mind telling me why?" Sayid finished.

Alex took a deep breath, and, pulling her a long strand of hair behind her ear.

"Weird things happen to me," Alex said simply.

"Weird things like what?"

She stared out into the horizon again before finally replying.

"This one time, in fifth grade, when I was ten," Alex began, "my dad took me to this outlet mall. I didn't want to go, I was never the type to want to shop or spend hours standing around at a store, but my mom died when I was a baby and he was always saying that we never spent enough time together, and wanted us to bond or something."

"Your mom died?" Sayid repeated, thinking of Danielle. "How?"

"A car crash," Alex replied, and then went on with her story, "anyway, we stopped into this toy store where they were having a sail on these bookmarks at the front counter. I moped around the store for an hour, and then spotted them, and immediately was drawn to them. They had these ships on them, anchored in this dock in the sunset." Alex laughed a little to herself in memory as Sayid watched her. "I had this thing with ships when I was little."

"Did you get one?" Sayid asked, curious.

"When we were almost out into the parking lot, I begged my dad to let me go back and get one," Alex said, "since he wanted me to have at least one good memory of the day, he gave me a dollar fifty and watched as I ran back inside and bought it."

Alex stopped, turning her gaze to the ground, and lowering her voice as she spoke to the tiny shells embedded into the sand.

"On the way home," Alex continued after a long pause, "we got stuck in traffic, and it turned out, this truck had flipped over, causing a five car pileup only minutes before. Three people died and two others were severely injured. This one man was turned up, all the way under his car, twisted between the seats." She shuddered at the thought. "For years after that, even now, I couldn't help but to think, that if I hadn't of gone back to get that bookmark, that one, stupid bookmark that I ended up loosing a few days later-"

"That you might've been one of those people?" Sayid concluded, looking at her.

She turned, and met his eyes.

"Yeah," she said quietly, and turned her gaze back to the ground.

Neither said anything as Alex eventually went back to munching on the peanuts, and after a few good moments, she tilted the bag over, making an offer to Sayid. Sayid accepted, and made to reach his hand in, and made up his mind that even though she might end up being the French woman's daughter, he now saw no reason not to trust her.

Author's Note: So how'd you like the Charlie/Claire fluff? I'll try to get Jack back in with talking to Alex. I know they have at least one scene together coming up. Thanks for everyone whose reviewing! I really appreciate it! And a question: would yall hate me if I ended up writing a fic with one of the plots being Sawyer and his headaches after Wednesday? I really want to do that plot, along with some of the Kristen from E-online spoilers. Thanks again, and hoped you enjoyed it!

Sawyer: But it's not fair, why am I the one who has to have the headaches!

Fluffy: (smug) Because nobody likes you!

Sawyer: Do too!

Fluffy: We'll see..

Review replies:

Freckles-101: Glad to see you again! Also glad you like the story, and don't worry, you'll get more Alex!

LOTRfanficreader: You don't mind me shortening your screen name, do you? Thanks for all the reviews! Sayid's one of my favorite characters too, and he's unlike any character I've ever written before, and I love writing him! He's so different, you know?

Crazyhorsegirl88: You don't mind me not doing your crazy letters, do you? That would drive me insane, lol! You might see some J/K romance, though I'm not promising it and not saying when. Jack's really confused at this point, and is unsure how he's feeling and what's going on. He has some personal issues to work through before he moves on to romance, but that doesn't mean that Kate won't get to help him. That's how the romance will come in. Also, think it's the same bar and grill? Want to be spoiled? All I'll tell you right now is, you have seen her before, at least in my story!

auromast: (from chapters one and two) Didn't want to leave you out! Thanks for all the reviews, and I'm glad you like it!

Sawyer: Coming up, on "Wish You Were Here"

You'll find out what happened on the cruise ship. You'll also see the past connections between Alex and Jack and Alex and Kate. Someone else will find out about the hatch

(I think). There's a twist with the peanuts, and it's not that they'll turn into little cartoons. Danielle may come up in this fic, I still haven't decided.

But I have decided that the next fic will be called "The Impossible" and it will be Boone centric. All I know about it so far is that I'll add in the Sawyer-headace thing, and you'll find out the complete story behind Boone and the car crash, events leading up, the crash, and following it, and I can't wait to write it!

Well, I I let time get away from me! It's almost midnight and I have to wake up at..well..six ten, but still. I got two hours of sleep after school though. Hey, it's called being sick- lol! But the reviews are helping! Thanks so much!

Until next time..

October Sky