When Sawyer returned to the cave, his bag heavy with water, he found Jack sitting outside on a rock. Jack looked up and waved as sawyer approached.
"Mornin' Doc," Sawyer replied. As he got close, Sawyer noticed and angry looking bruise on Jack's Jaw.
"Ouch, rough night" Sawyer commented, indicating the bruise.
"Yeah," Jack said, bringing a hand to the bruise, "it was."
"Geeze, did she belt you?" Sawyer asked, joining Jack on the rock.
"Well yeah, she did, but she was dreaming. She had some whopping nightmares last night. I got a little to close during one of them".
"Yeah," Sawyer nodded, "she has some pretty intense ones".
"Really?" Jack questioned, clearly surprised. "How long has this been going on?"
"Oh, off and on the whole time we've been on this damn island. I learned pretty quickly not to ask about them, though I assume they're about the crash. I think we've all dreamed about that, from time to time."
"Hmm, maybe", Jack said thoughtfully.
"So, other than the dreams, how is she?"
"I think she's doing okay. She just slept a lot. Other than the dreams, she was only awake for about twenty minutes since you left yesterday."
"Did you ask her who the father was?"
Jack chuckled, "No, I didn't. Not that I'm not curious, though. She really wasn't very talkative. Just getting her to speak at all was like pulling teeth. Besides, if I had asked her, I'm pretty sure she would have belted me on purpose".
"Yeah," Sawyer laughed, "I'm sure she would have. Well, I love a good mystery. Oh, here, I almost forgot", Sawyer said, handing Jack a full water bottle.
"Thanks man, thanks for doing this. I'm sure she appreciates it."
"It's not a problem. Look, I'd better get back and hand the rest of these out", Sawyer said, starting to rise.
"Wait," Jack called "do you think you could do me a favor?"
Sawyer looked at him skeptically, "what do you need?"
"How about we switch places for a while. I need to head down to the beach and check up on some people, there seems to be a bug going around. I also need to stock up on food. I just don't want to leave her alone. I can hand out the water bottles if you stay here with her".
"Well, okay", Sawyer said reluctantly, "but what if she wakes up?"
"She probably won't, but if she does just try to get some food and water into her. There's a banana by the fire, see if you can get her to eat some of that. If you can, there's also a bottle of antibiotics. She should take two of those. Other than that, not much. Just sit with her. I won't be gone too long. Two hours, tops, okay?"
"Alright", Sawyer said, not sounding convinced.
"You'll do fine" Jack assured him. With that, he picked up the bag and head towards the beach.
Sawyer paced around in front of the cave for nearly twenty minutes before moving inside. Again, it took his eyes a few moments to adjust to the dim light. Once they had, he quietly made his way to the seats where Kate was sleeping.
She was lying on her side, with her head in the crook of her arm. Dark curls cascaded across her face and shoulders. Even in the dim light, he could see she was still pale. She was beautiful, though, perhaps more beautiful than he'd ever seen her. In sleep she had certain delicateness that she normally kept hidden in the daytime. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed this. On the beach, he often watched her sleep in the moonlight when no one else was around.
For what seemed like forever, Sawyer sat on the cave floor, watching Kate's every breath. At some point he noticed her breathing increase and her forehead wrinkle. Curious, he moved close until he was kneeling right in front of her, looking down at her face. Even in the dim light of the cave he could clearly see those freckles of hers that he so adored.
With a sharp intake of breath, Kate suddenly shot up, nearly banging heads with Sawyer. He pulled back just in time, clearly startled. For a moment, they just started at each other in shock, Kate's rapid breathing echoing through the cave.
"Jesus Christ, Freckles, you scared me half to death", Sawyer exclaimed. She didn't respond, her eyes darted around the cave in panic, and her breaths came in gasps. Sawyer started to get concerned.
"Hey. Hey, are you okay?" he asked? Her eyes met his, and they stared at each other silently.
"Hey," he said, as his hand reached for her cheek. "Kate? Kate, are you okay?
She continued to stare at him, unspeaking, taking in the strange new expression on his face – concern. Finally, she gave asurprised look.
"What?" he asked.
"Sawyer?" she questioned breathlessly.
"Yes?"
"You haven't gone soft on me, have you?"
He laughed in surprise, and ran hand through his hair, considering her question.
"You know, I think I just might have."
Kate gave a frustrated sigh and lowered her eyes.
"Don't worry," he chuckled, "I'm sure in a few days I'll be back to back to my old obnoxious self, okay?"
She had to smile at that.
Try as he might, Sawyer couldn't recall that beautiful smile of hers ever having been direct at him before.
He was looking at her funny, Kate noticed. "What?" she demanded.
"Nothing," he said, looking away quickly. "It's nothing".
She shrugged and looked around the cave as if searching for something.
"The doc went to go check out the folks at the beach. He should be back in a bit", Sawyer said, answering her unasked question.
Kate nodded. "And he left you to stand guard?" she questioned, with skeptical amusement.
"Yeah, something like that. Here," he said, reaching for a banana and handing it to her. Eat up". She wrinkled her nose, but took it.
"I'll be right back", Sawyer said, heading out of the cave. He returned, water bottle in hand, and sat down next to her. He put the bottle down on the seat and took the untouched banana from her hand, peeling it for her.
"Come on," he urged putting it back in her hand and guiding it towards her mouth, "doctor's orders".
She rolled her eyes at him, but took a hesitant bite. Once she seemed to be eating it on her own, he turned to grab the antibiotics. When she'd finished about half she shook her head and held it out to him.
"All done?" he questioned. At her nod, he held out the antibiotics to her. "Here, how about we trade?"
She accepted the pills and washed them down with the water he offered. Their eyes met, and a look of confusion - perhaps worry, crossed her face.
"Watcha thinkin' about?" he asked.
"Sawyer, were . . . . you were here before, yesterday I guess, outside?", she questioned, now staring into her lap.
"Yeah. I was. You don't remember?"
Still looking down she replied quietly, "I think I doa little, it's kind of fuzzy. So, you. . . you know, then?"
Sawyer sighed and reached to tip her face up, so he could see it. "Yeah, I know. And I'm sorry, Kate. I'm sorry . . ."
She shook her head defiantly, stopping him. She looked like she was fighting back tears.
"I know you probably didn't want me to know," he continued, and she nodded.
"I'm going to kill Jack", she muttered under her breath.
"As much as that might please me," he said, "it's not his fault. I already knew, or suspected at least. I asked him".
She looked up at him skeptically.
"Really. I'm more observant than you think, I guess".
"Fine," she responded coolly, after a pause. "But you'd better not tell anyone else. I don't want everyone's pity".
Sawyer nodded in agreement. "You're secret's safe with me".
"Good," she said definitively, clearly ending the conversation.
They sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment. Kate looked down at her bare legs, noticing them for the first time, and then looked around the cave.
"Have you seen my clothes?" she finally asked.
Sawyer got up and grabbed them from a pile. "Need any help?" he asked with a sly smile.
"You wish", Kate replied, indicating for him to turn around.
When he had, she stood up, with a supportive hand on the back of the seat, and pulled on her underwear and pants. "Okay, all set".
Sawyer turned around and saw her heading unsteadily towards the mouth of the cave.
"Hey," he said, rushing to grasp her elbow for support, "where do you think you're going?"
She let out a frustrate breath. "Bathroom, if that's alright with you".
"I don't know, Kate," Sawyer said with concern.
"Well", Kate huffed. "I do know. It's my bladder".
He had to laugh at that. "Okay, but at least let me walk you out".
She let him, and he lead her out of the cave and towards the trees. She stopped and gave him a look that clearly indicated he should scram.
"Okay, I'll be right over there by the cave. Just holler if you need anything. And if you're not back here in a couple of minutes, I'm coming after you".
"I'll be fine" she assured him, a hint of frustration in her voice.
With that, Kate headed further into the brush while Sawyer turned around and walked back toward the cave, taking a seat on the rock to wait.