To answer those of you who are wondering if that was the last chapter - Nope, not even close. It's just getting started. :) What originally was planned to be about 20 chapters now looks like it could stretch into 40-50. I know, I'm insane. But it's something to get me through the summer...

This is a VERY VERY SHORT chapter, just to warn you. I wanted the "morning after" scene to be its own chapter for more impact. I'll update soon with the rest of their day in a separate chapter.


Chapter Fourteen

When Kate opened her eyes, she wasn't sure at first where she was. But the experience of waking up in a strange environment wasn't new to her - unfortunately, it happened much too often. She'd learned by now that if she remained still and cleared her mind, the events of the previous day that had placed her here would gradually come back to her. Within a few seconds, she recalled where she was - Sawyer's bedroom - and an instant after that, she recalled why she was there. The realization brought a faint flush to her cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and pleasure.

But where was he? She'd opened her eyes facing his side of the bed, and he wasn't in it. She was disappointed, but it was just like him not to want to have to deal with any "morning cuddling." Although she had to be honest with herself; it wasn't really something that she was accustomed to either. It would have been nice to give it a try, though, she thought, a little annoyed.

Was he afraid she would get clingy and needy? He knew her better than that, didn't he? Maybe he was trying to let her know, in his own way, that it had just been a one-night thing. Of course that's what he thought it was, she realized. He'd never had anything else before, why would she expect him to change now? Probably he woke up and got out of the room as quickly as he could, grateful that she was still asleep.

Fine, then, she thought, trying not to feel hurt. He'd been doing his best to seduce her for quite awhile now (and it wasn't like she'd never entertained the thought herself), so maybe one perfect night was all they were supposed to have. But it hadn't felt like that at the time... In fact, she'd never felt so safe or peaceful in her life. But if it didn't mean the same thing to him, then she would just have to deal with that. It was Sawyer, after all. She wouldn't make the mistake of expecting too much from him.

Then she rolled over and noticed for the first time the overflowing vase of wildflowers that had been left on the nightstand next to her pillow.


Sawyer sat at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and pretending to flip through a two-year-old car magazine that he had absolutely no interest in at all. It was past one in the afternoon, but she still wasn't up. They hadn't fallen asleep until close to six a.m., so that wasn't unusual, but he was starting to feel antsy. He'd awakened almost an hour ago, and had lain there and watched her. After that, there was no chance of getting back to sleep.

Although he tried not to put it to himself in absolute terms, he was anxious to see where things stood after last night. Either it had been a one-night thing, or it hadn't. Only she could decide that. And he had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach that he knew what she was going to decide. After all, hadn't she talked about Mexico just before they went upstairs? They were supposed to plan the trip today. Probably their night together was just a distraction, a pleasing diversion, but not anything important enough to get in her way.

But he hadn't really been expecting anything more, had he? He knew what she was like - she was constantly on the run. No matter what happened between them, he doubted that he would qualify as something worth sticking around for. Hell, she probably wouldn't even mention last night, he thought...it would be just like her to gloss over it as if it had never happened. Well, fine, if that's the way she wanted it, he would play along. He wasn't going to follow her around like a damn puppy dog.

Still, though...there was always the chance that she would want something more. The way she acted this morning would decide everything. Within a few minutes of seeing her, he should be able to tell whether it had been a one-time deal, or whether it had been...something else. He glanced impatiently at the clock again.

Suddenly, he heard her descending the stairs. She sounded like she was walking much slower than usual, without her driven, restless stride. Was that a good sign, or a bad sign?

He pretended to look back at the magazine as she appeared in the kitchen doorway. Glancing up as if he'd just noticed her, he felt a funny, sharp little pain at the sight of how beautiful she was, even in the plaid bathrobe and with her hair tangled and almost straightened, the curl pulled out of it (which was mostly his fault, he thought proudly.) She stopped there, looking at him, and it was hard to read the expression on her face.

"Mornin'," he said, trying to sound casual.

She watched him for a second, as if she was trying to read him too. They were normally both so good at this - why wasn't it working this time?

"I see you put the table back," she said with a small smile.

"Yeah. On second thought, I decided it looked better over here." Christ, what were they talking about?

There was an awkward silence. She crossed her arms in front of her and looked down at the floor briefly. He tried to think of something to say, but for once in his life he was completely at a loss.

Finally, she glanced over at the counter, not meeting his eyes. "Is the coffee fresh?"

"Been on about an hour."

"Good enough," she said matter-of-factly, starting over towards it.

As she walked behind him, he felt a surge of disappointment. So that was the way it was going to be, then. He was pissed at himself for even imagining it could be otherwise, and also for wanting it to be otherwise. If she was going to be with somebody who actually meant something to her, then she sure as hell wouldn't pick him, he thought bitterly. She'd pick...

His thoughts were interrupted in mid-stream as a shadow fell across the table. He felt her loosened hair cascading down his arm, and as he turned his head questioningly, she caught him in a kiss so powerful that it bent his neck back over the top of the chair. Slowly, he raised his hands to the sides of her face.

Finally breaking away from him, she smiled again, more genuinely this time. "Let's try this again, okay? Good morning."

He smiled back at her, so relieved he almost couldn't form words. "Mornin', Freckles."

Still leaning over him, she said almost shyly, "Thank you for the flowers."

Tilting his head back, he looked at her, confused. "What flowers?"

A nervous, worried expression flickered across her face, and he felt bad. He couldn't do that to her. Ducking his head, he smiled.

She smacked him hard on the chest, trying not to laugh. "You're such a jerk."

Before she could withdraw her arm, he caught it and pulled her deftly onto his lap, amazed once more at how lightweight she was. He kissed her again and then pulled away and looked at her seriously. There was something he had to get out in the open, and he wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it until he did. He paused, not really wanting to say it but forcing the words out anyway.

"You wanna talk about Mexico?" He waited apprehensively for her answer.

Her eyes wandered over his face searchingly, and he noticed for the first time that they were almost exactly the same shade of blue as his own. She appeared to be considering, biting her bottom lip slightly in thought. Finally, she looked directly into his eyes.

"No."

He felt a flood of gratitude so overpowering that he was afraid she would be able to see it, so he kissed her again to distract her.

"Okay, then," he said softly, pulling back.

They both realized that it was no trivial decision that had just been made. It had the potential to change everything. With that simple "no," it became clear that there would be no more talk of Kate leaving, at least not anytime soon.

She leaned her head onto his shoulder and rested it there, sighing deeply. He felt her entire body relax into him, the last traces of tension draining away. He wrapped both of his arms around her, tightly. Maybe they weren't really safe here, but it sure as hell felt like it. For now at least, the illusion was enough.

"Better finish makin' out that grocery list," he said.

"Okay," she whispered against his neck.

But neither one of them moved.