The Very Thought of You
Chapter Five

Shannon followed Sayid out into the jungle, to no place in particular. She bit her lip as she followed him, knowing Sayid had probably worked hard on his story, while Shannon already knew it. The guilt chewed another hole into her skin. Sayid stopped abruptly, as if someone had whispered in his ear that this was the perfect spot. Sayid stopped, taking in a deep breath, and then turned around to face Shannon who stood, afraid of what she already knew.

I fought in the Gulf War, Sayid began, on the Republican side.

Deciding not to embarrass herself with how little she knew about politics, Shannon just nodded, and waited for Sayid to continue.

And the girl in the picture, Nadia, Sayid drew in another deep breath, was a prisoner of mine.

Shannon looked down, knowing how hard of a story it would be to tell.

But before the war we were- Shannon was on the verge of tears, even if the only introduction had started.

Sayid looked at her, as if wondering rather or not he heard her correctly.

Shannon bit her lip, looked down, and then spoke, I already know.

She looked back up at Sayid apologetically, staring into his dark brown eyes, which now were filled with a mixture of hurt and confusion.

Sayid seemed lost for words,

The answer seemed to have dawned on him. Instead of turning on Shannon, Sayid whirled around, and stormed back down the path. Shannon ran after him, calling his names in desperate hopes to get him to stop, and had to cling to him hard to keep Sayid from jumping on Boone. Charlie came out of nowhere and pulled Sayid away. Actually, it was more like Sayid shoved Charlie out of the way and Charlie took that as a cue to leave this to the three of them. Suddenly Sayid was at another loss of words, and instead of beginning a shouting match with Boone, brushed Shannon's hand off his arms and walked off. Shannon threw Boone a sympathetic look, and turned to follow him.

(Space)

Kate, hand me the scissors, Jack hadn't mean to sound so demanding but apparently, Kate took it that way.

She didn't hand him the scissors, or make any notice of having heard him. Sawyer raised an eyebrow and Jack sighed.

I need them to cut this tape, Jack said impatiently, looking at Kate, getting slightly annoyed.

Kate hadn't said a word to him all day, and Jack had no real way of knowing if she had slept with him again last night, for she went to bed way after he did and had woken up earlier than he had. Abrudly grabbing the tape out of Jack's hand, Kate began snipping away the material.

Jack said, standing up, if that's how it's going to be, you take care of him. I'm done.

Sawyer looked at Kate as Jack left. For a moment it looked like she was regretting her actions and she might go after him, but then the guilt faded, and she returned to helping Sawyer change his bandage.

(Space)

How long were you planning on staying out here? Robert asked curiously that morning.

I don't know, Alex muttered, glaring angrily at the sand, You mean there's a group of forty something people out there looking for you and you'd rather stay out here alone? Robert said incredulous, as if it were the worse idea he ever heard of.

There's over forty, Alex replied bitterly, and only one of them probably cares that I'm gone.What about your mom? Robert mentioned quietly.

I don't care about her, Alex answered quietly.

Okay guys, that's a rap, came the producer's voice from the other side of the glass.

Alex let out a sigh of relief and threw off her headphones. Recording wasn't all it was looked up to be. For the past eight hours she had been playing the same tune on her guitar because, apparently, Adam was singing off key, something never said to him before. Adam hadn't handled the accusation well, and while he was off in a shouting match with the producer, Alex was cursing herself for coming up with what she once thought was a brilliant tune. Adam had a few words with their manager while she packed up her guitar, and he came back just as she was securing the locks.

Ready to go? He asked, lifting the case up for her.

I got it, she said, pulling it back, yeah. I'm starved. But please-There's this little pizza place right of the street, Adam offered.

Alex sighed.

No more pizza.

Living in New York wasn't as easy as either of them had thought it would be either. To support himself, Adam had talked their manager into pulling some strings, and in no time he had become assistant to the producer of some pop singer, but it turned out that assistance don't get paid very well. Adam had reluctantly kept the job, and had gotten a night job at a deli a few blocks down from his apartment. Since she was still new to the city, her uncle had forbidden Alex to get a job at night, though she secretly worked during the day at a nearby restaurant while her uncle thought she was at school, because Arnie's wage as a grave digger was hardly enough to support one man and his house, let alone his teenage niece. Adam hadn't been able to afford any fast food, and the most Alex was able to do was invite him to dinner at night.

We'll find somewhere, Adam sighed.

Grabbing his jacket off his stool, Adam led Alex out of the studio and onto the crowded streets of Manhattan. A cold vibe ran over Alex's spine.

You okay? Adam asked, concerned.

Alex muttered.

She had developed this odd, cold, feeling ever since they arrived in New York, but decided it was just due to the new environment. Without realizing what she was doing, Alex grabbed Adam, forcing him down to the concrete. Many fellow pedestrians turned their way as Adam yelled, What the hell? Alex looked up as he did from her position on his chest, arms pinned to the street beside him, to see a bus whiz by. The driver seemed to be having trouble controlling the vehicle, and swerved to the sidewalk, just where Adam and Alex were standing seconds before. People around them gasped and Adam looked up at Alex, not grateful, but someone horrified by what had happened.

What's with Kate? Charlie asked, following Jack as he rentered the caves a few hours later.
Jack sighed as he glanced over to where Kate and Sawyer were standing up, ready to go somewhere.

She's ignoring me, Jack replied casually.

Charlie asked, confussed, before remembering their conversation the day before. Oh..hey, sorry about that man, I didn't really think you'd believe me.Well now that we all know that I'm a complete idiot, Jack began throwing his bag down against a cave wall, I'll just let it blow over.

Just then, Kate and Sawyer passed them as they walked out of the caves. Jack grabbed Kate's arm in hopes to force a conversation over her. Forget letting it blow over.

Kate demanded hottly.

Jack found that he wasn't really sure what to say, so he settled with.

Where are you going?To help Sawyer move back , Kate answered simply.

'Move back in', Jack repeated with a laugh, he didn't drop out of college, Kate- he looked off to the side for a moment, though I'm sure that's happened before.He never went, Kate said with a smug grin.

Another thing you two have in common then, Jack commented, and picked up his bag.

You know what? Kate said, crossing her arms. If you want to act like that, fine.Me act like that? Jack said, growing furious. You're the one over there giving me the silent treatement!

He waved towards where Sawyer had stayed in the caves, then looked back at Kate.

We're not seven, Kate.So don't act like it! Kate snapped. Why can't you just trust that nothing's going on?

Jack glanced towards Sawyer, who was talking to Sun, most likely about Jin. Kate followed his gaze and looked back at him.

See you around, she said with added sarcasm, and left the caves.

Charlie clapped his shoulder from behind him.

You can't say you didn't try, he stated enthusiastically.

Jack shook his head, and walked away.

Author's Note: Way to short, I know. I'm having a horrible time fighting writer's block with this(sigh), but the good news is is that I've got great new ideas for the next story and new ideas for off-island.

Let me ask this to anyone who's still reading: when do you want me to do my off-island fic? I can finish the on island series first, or not. I can tell you, the more I think about off-island, the more ideas I've get(and man I've got a big twist coming!) or I can do it after this next fic.

Thanks to those reading and the one reviewer it seems I have left, whirlwind-2005. Where'd you guys go?

Coming up next on The Very Thought of You:

Eek..I lied. No makeup..okay, next chapter, a makeup, a breakup(one that's already broken up, anyway) and a heartache(once again, one that remains).

Thanks again!

Until next time..

+ October Sky