I've already posted this story at 2 Lost sites, but my friend keeps bugging me to post it here since this is her favorite fanfiction site. It was written a few weeks ago, after "Do No Harm."
CHAPTER ONE
"You taking a trip, or something?" Kate's voice came from behind Jack, slightly over to the left near the spring. He raised his head up from his partially packed backpack and smiled at her.
"You could call it that." He looked glad to see her, but lurking behind the outward expression was something that almost appeared to be guilt, or at least the expectation of guilt, as if he'd been caught doing something he was slightly ashamed of and would prefer to keep from her.
"Any place in particular, or is this just your standard safari, vision quest type-thing?"
"Not exactly," he said, looking amused. "You remember the cockpit - the front section of the plane, where we went to look for the transceiver?"
Kate's face clearly registered her none-too-pleasant memories of this excursion. "How could I forget?"
Jack sat down, pulling the drawstring tight in his pack, then looking at her. "We never went back there after that. I know it was just a small section, but there'll still be luggage, carry-ons, things like that. There's a chance of finding some more medicine, alcohol...even clothing would come in handy. Fabric won't last long out here, especially when we're all wearing the same things over and over." He looked pointedly at her green top as he said this, and then seemed embarrassed. She tried to suppress a smile as he continued. "At this point we need everything we can get."
Kate seemed to agree, but then turned thoughtful and looked slightly disturbed. "Jack...the bodies."
"I know. I don't know why we didn't burn the cockpit along with the fuselage. It was stupid." He seemed angry at himself. "It's not gonna be pretty. But if there's a chance there are usable supplies there..." his voice trailed off as if the conclusion was obvious.
"You'll be gone overnight?"
"Just tonight. I should be back by tomorrow afternoon."
"Is that...I mean, do you think that's a good idea?" She looked concerned. "What if something happens here?" She regretted saying it almost immediately. The look of guilt reappeared on his face, along with a tinge of annoyance.
"It's just one night. I think everybody can manage to keep themselves alive for one night, don't you?" he spoke almost sarcastically, and it sounded unusual coming from him.
"Of course." She was conciliatory now, trying to retract the accusation that had been lurking in her words. "I didn't mean..."
"I know." He interrupted her, regretful. "I'm sorry. It's just...Look, regardless of the supplies, I really need to do this, Kate." He looked into her eyes, trying to make her see his meaning without having to convey too much personal information. "I need to get away from here, from all of this...even if it's just for one night. I'm not sure I can explain why."
"I understand." She looked as if she truly did. For a moment she seemed tentative, wanting to say something, but unsure how to go about it. He waited in silence till she finally voiced what was on her mind. "I don't suppose you'd want company?"
"Sayid's going. I don't know how much I'll find, but I'll need help carrying it back. And considering what happened last time, I can trust him to be able to hold his own if things get bad."
He seemed almost embarrassed by this admission, and Kate couldn't resist. "I guess I didn't realize you two felt that way about each other."
Jack laughed, nodding his head in admiration of the joke. "Funny."
Kate kept smiling at him, then seemed to come to some kind of decision. She spoke with an air of finality. "Well, it looks like you've got all your bases covered. Good luck." She paused, on the verge of leaving. Her voice softening, she looked at him with concern. "Be careful out there, Jack."
"I will. I'll let you know when I get back."
Nodding, she turned to go back to the beach. He watched her walk off, apparently torturing himself with some kind of dilemma. He seemed torn between choices, but as if he knew which impulse would win out, and was already pissed at himself for giving in to it. It was too strong, however, and sighing, he stood up and took a few steps after her. "Kate!"
She turned back with a questioning air. He ran his hand over the back of his head in perplexity, but his mind was already made up. "If you really want to come...It's not gonna be any fun, but we could use the help. If you're up for it, that is."
She seemed to be considering, but like him, it was patently obvious that her mind was already made up. "You sure?"
"Of course."
"Okay, then. Let me just go get some stuff together."
They looked at each other for a few seconds longer, Jack worried, Kate triumphant, and both of them unnaturally animated, especially considering the nature of the excursion.
As Kate passed out of the cave area, Sayid entered from a slightly different angle.
"Jack, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Yeah." Jack finally tore his eyes away from Kate's retreating figure. "What's going on? Where's your stuff?" he added, noticing Sayid's empty hands.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I know we agreed that I would accompany you, but... I was wondering if it would be possible to push it back for a few days."
Jack looked slightly annoyed at this. "Why? What's the problem?"
"It's Shannon."
Immediately, Jack's irritation was masked over as he transitioned into doctor mode. He asked with concern, "She okay?"
"It's nothing physical. I doubt there is anything you could do for her." He hesitated, not wanting to bring up the subject he was going to be forced to bring up, but seeing no way around it. "Today is...was...his birthday."
"Boone." The guilty look was back on Jack's face again, in full force.
"Yes. She's trying to pretend that everything is fine, but...it's not. I can tell. I would prefer to remain with her tonight. I'm sure you understand."
Jack, looking distracted, nodded. "No, you're right. You should stay with her. I'm just a little worried that Kate and I won't be able to carry everything back on our own." Actually, what he was worried about was the prospect of being alone with her for an entire night, and what might (or might not) happen, but he wouldn't admit this.
Sayid seemed surprised. "Kate is going?"
"I figured another pair of hands couldn't hurt."
"Ah." Sayid looked as if he found this vaguely amusing, but he didn't press the issue. "I'm very sorry. I'm sure you can find somebody else, if you ask around."
"Somebody else for what?" Charlie entered the clearing bearing empty water bottles, headed toward the spring.
Sayid and Jack looked at each other, but neither spoke. Finally, Jack admitted, "Kate and I are going back to the cockpit to get the last of the luggage. Sayid wants to stay with Shannon, so..."
Charlie interrupted eagerly. "You need someone else to go? I can do it!"
Jack reluctantly began, "Look, Charlie, it'll be an all-night thing, and it's gonna be pretty rough when we get to the plane..." The look on Charlie's face stopped him, however. He'd seen it before, and he couldn't do this to him again. What the hell. "But if you really think you want to go..."
"I do! I mean, I'd like to help."
Jack sighed, giving in completely. "All right, go get your stuff."
"Okay!" Charlie started off, and then turned back as a thought occurred to him. "Hey, it'll be just like the first time around, with the three of us, you know!" His expression changed. "Only hopefully without all the screaming...and the blood...and that thing that was chasing us." By the time he reached the end of this catalogue, he looked much less excited, and stood lost in memory.
Jack recalled him. "Charlie?"
"Right!" He took off again, and Jack and Sayid followed him with slightly bemused gazes.
Sayid turned to Jack. "Should be an interesting trip."
As Charlie headed towards his campsite, he noticed Claire standing over to the side with the baby. Sawyer was with her. For some reason, this annoyed him. He stopped, telling himself that he should let Claire know where he was off to so that she wouldn't worry.
"Howdy, Pops. This kid don't even look like you."
"What?" Charlie felt his ears getting red. "He's not mine!" God, he hated the bastard.
Sawyer just smiled, and Charlie was a little irritated to discover that Claire was trying to suppress a smile as well.
"I need to talk to Claire." He tried to sound calm, but he could hear the annoyed edge in his voice, and it grated on him.
"There she is," Sawyer gestured smugly.
"What is it, Charlie?" Claire seemed slightly worried as she shifted the baby to her other arm.
He glared at Sawyer, but apparently he wasn't leaving. Trying to ignore him, he turned his attention to Claire. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm going with Jack and Kate to get some things from the cockpit, a few miles from here. I'll be gone overnight," he said, somewhat proudly.
Sawyer seemed surprised. "Jack asked you?" He shook his head. "Gotta hand it to him, he sure knows how to make himself look good in front of the ladies. Guess Hurley musta been busy, huh?"
Charlie turned to him, on the verge of losing his temper. "For your information, he asked Sayid first. But he can't go, so I volunteered. Some people around here actually want to help out, as hard as that is to believe."
Ignoring the last part, Sawyer seemed intrigued. "And why can't he go?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but he wants to stay with Shannon. Any other questions?" The angrier he got, the more amused and patronizing Sawyer appeared. It was absolutely infuriating.
Claire had been quiet throughout this interchange, and she seemed bothered and slightly preoccupied. "But Charlie...isn't it really..dangerous? I mean, look what happened the first time you went out there."
Charlie watched her closely, completely forgetting about Sawyer. "Of course it's dangerous. But everywhere here is dangerous. Right?"
She tried to smile, but couldn't quite pull it off. "That's true."
Sawyer, butting in again, spoke to Charlie good-humoredly. "Don't you worry about Ma, here. I'll keep an eye on her." Sawyer winked in Claire's direction, and she looked equally touched and unnerved by this declaration.
Trying his best to block Sawyer out, Charlie looked at her softly. "You want me to stay here, Claire? I mean, I told Jack I'd go...but.."
She tried to brush off her fears, saying in a forced light voice. "No..I couldn't ask you to do that."
Sawyer, finally quiet, watched this exchange with interest. Charlie stared at Claire intently as she wearily shifted the baby yet again, then he looked at the ground. Obviously disappointed but firm in his resolution, he raised his head again, looking at her. "I won't go."
She started to protest, but stopped, biting her lip. Gratefully, she met his eyes. "Thank you."
Letting a few seconds of silence pass by, Sawyer spoke. "Well, guess that spot opened up again, then, huh? Looks like I just might have to tag along, see what that cockpit has to offer. The doc thinks he's got a right to all of it, he's out of his mind. Plus, he can't really say no, seein' as how you and Ali are tied to those apron strings."
The anger was coming back again now. "Yeah, well, I'm sure there won't be any problem then. After all, it's not like anybody here cares whether you stay or not."
The dig failed to hit home, however, and Sawyer said unconcernedly, "Course not. Like you said, my woman's goin' along."
"Your what?" Kate stood a few paces behind them, her full backpack already on as she made her way back to the caves.
Charlie, appearing triumphant at this turn of events and looking gleefully at Kate's incredulous expression, turned to Sawyer. "Nice one, mate. Enjoy the trip." Placing his hand on Claire's elbow, he guided her further down the beach.
Kate and Sawyer stood looking at each other; Sawyer playful, Kate antagonistic. "Speak of the she-devil. I hear you're off on a little campin' trip."
"And let me guess. You want to come."
"Don't have much choice. Turns out nobody else wants to be the third wheel on your date with the doc. But you know me, Freckles. Anything to help out my fellow man." He grinned broadly at her.
She sighed and closed her eyes, smiling grimly. "Does Jack know?"
"I'll let you deliver the good news. Meet you there in ten minutes."
Kate watched him walk off, feeling that same faint flutter of excitement as she had earlier at the caves, and trying unsuccessfully to tamp it down. With both Jack and Sawyer going, this had the potential to be a disaster of unfathomable proportions. So why on earth was a part of her looking forward to it?
