I'm posting two chapters in this update, 32 & 33, because they didn't seem to fit together well thematically, so I split them up.

MistyX: Once again, you eerily predicted some of things I did.. Even down to the actual words. If something terrible happens to me, you finish writing this fic, okay? I'll leave it to you in my will... Lol.

Thank you so much for reviewing, guys - And I'm continually amazed by you new readers who are willing to read the whole thing straight through. I just wonder if I'll ever have the patience for that, myself.

Oh, and I also must add that the idea for the Halloween story was Kater's from Lost-forum (GoldenGirl on here). Chapters 33-34 would have been completely different otherwise, so she gets all the credit for this!


Chapter Thirty-Two

When Kate opened her eyes and glanced at the clock, she was alarmed by how late she'd slept. And it was all Sawyer's fault, she thought irrationally, giving him a forceful shove. They should have gone to sleep immediately last night, but oh no...

"Wake up," she demanded. He groaned and muttered something incoherent into the pillow. Getting out of bed, she hurriedly dressed, being careful of her right arm but deciding to do away with the sling for now. What time was Jack leaving for the airport? She couldn't remember, although she knew he must have told her.

Entering the hall, she noticed that the door of the room he'd stayed in was open, the bed neatly made and everything immaculate. She went down the stairs with growing dread, first checking the living room, which was empty. She went to the kitchen doorway to make a quick survey and then came to a halt, embarrassed and relieved at the same time. He was sitting at the table.

"Hey," she said quietly.

"Good morning."

"I had this crazy fear that you might try to leave before we woke up, without saying goodbye." She looked at him curiously, wondering if that had been his intention. His bags were packed, one stacked on top of the other, over by the door.

He looked vaguely guilty, but also amused. "Well, it's a little hard to ride off into the sunrise when you have to wait for a cab."

She smiled. "I suppose so."

They were quiet for a second. Kate wasn't really sure what to say. It would be pointless to bring up any of the things they'd talked about last night. They'd already been through it all, and there was nothing new to add. She wished Sawyer would hurry up and get his ass out of bed, if only to rescue them from this now-awkward intimacy.

"Are you hungry?" she finally asked. "You should probably eat something before you leave." She started over toward the cabinets.

"I'm fine, Kate. I'm not much of a breakfast person." He paused. "I, uh.. I made some coffee already. I hope that's okay."

"Oh," she said, glancing over at the coffee pot. "Of course." She went to pour herself a cup, if only to have something to occupy her hands for a second.

"I notice you took the sling off," he said, watching her.

"Yeah. It was more trouble than it was worth."

"How does it feel this morning?"

"Not too bad." She stretched her right arm out, experimentally. "I mean, I doubt I'll be doing cartwheels any time soon, but it feels fine. Just a little sore."

"I should probably take another look at it before I leave, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind," she said, sitting down near him at the table. "Go ahead."

Carefully, he unwrapped the bandage. As he tilted his head with concern and examined the tiny stitched incisions for signs of infection or bleeding, Kate watched his face. He glanced up at her before she had time to look away and she smiled sadly.

"Everything's fine," he said gently, holding her gaze.

There was a shuffling sound near the door. "Oh good, he's still here," Sawyer said in a sarcastic tone.

Kate raised her eyes to him and then closed them in embarrassment and irritation, sighing. He was wearing a pair of boxers, and nothing else.

Jack lowered his gaze to the table and shook his head, looking like he was trying not to laugh.

"Sawyer," she said through clenched teeth. "Would you put some pants on?"

"Couldn't find nothin' clean," he said accusingly.

Glaring at him, she went quickly into the pantry and grabbed a pair of jeans from the dryer. Coming back into the room, she balled them up and thrust them at his midsection, hard. He staggered slightly and brought both hands up to grasp them, giving her a playful, challenging smirk.

Pulling them on without even bothering to retire from the kitchen, he asked, "So what do I owe you, doc?"

"Excuse me?" Jack asked.

"For the arm. How much?"

Kate looked at the floor, uncomfortable but not interrupting. This had been bound to come up at some point.

"You don't owe me anything," Jack said, sounding tired. "This was a favor, for a friend," he added, looking at Kate. "I would hope you'd do the same for me."

Sawyer rolled his eyes at this last remark, but pressed him again. "You sure?"

"Yeah. Keep your money."

With a shrugging gesture of acceptance, Sawyer moved over to get a cup of coffee.

Kate tried to reason with him. "Jack, let him give you something. The airfare alone must have been outrageous. Plus, you're missing work..."

"I rearranged my schedule, so I'm not really missing anything. Besides... I'm just glad I got a chance to see you." He sounded sincere, and she dropped her eyes, feeling bad.

Sawyer came back over to the table, sipping from his mug. "What do you know, Freckles... I think you're gettin' better at this whole coffee thing."

Kate broke into a smile and paused for a few seconds so that her announcement would have the fullest impact. Sawyer looked at her questioningly.

"Jack made that," she said with slow delight. This was payback for the boxers.

He glanced from her to Jack, his expression changing to one of withering scorn. He looked like he'd been tricked somehow.

"Thanks for the compliment, Sawyer," Jack said, clearly enjoying this.

Pulling out a chair, he sat down heavily, pissed but unable to think of an appropriate comeback. Luckily, he was saved by the sound of a car horn coming from the driveway.

"That must be my cab," Jack said, standing up slowly.

Sawyer dragged himself up again and unlocked the kitchen door. Jack picked up his bags, and they stepped out onto the side porch. Kate started to follow him around to the front of the house, but Sawyer grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"Where the hell you think you're goin'?"

Jack stopped, the realization hitting him at the same time. "He's right, Kate. You can't risk the cab driver seeing you."

As the stupidity of what she'd been about to do dawned on her, she laughed almost bitterly. "I forgot. I completely forgot," she said in wonder.

They all looked sad for a second. Was this the way her life would always be?

"We can say goodbye here," Jack said.

Nodding, Kate reached out to hug him. "Thank you so much," she whispered over his shoulder. He squeezed her tighter at the repetition of those words, but then let her go abruptly, holding her at arm's length.

"If you ever need anything...Anything at all..." He gave her a meaningful look.

"I know," she whispered gratefully, trying to hold back tears.

Sawyer sighed, looking away. He wasn't going to interrupt the scene, but it was obvious he wished they'd hurry the damn thing up.

Jack finally tore his eyes away from Kate. Reluctantly, he held his hand out to Sawyer. Sawyer hesitated, looking miserable and cornered, but then he shook it.

"Take care of her," Jack said simply.

"Tryin' to," Sawyer muttered.

Kate covertly brushed away a tear, turning her head aside for a second. She swallowed hard. The car horn sounded again, two loud, blaring, impatient blasts.

Jack started down the porch. "Must be the same driver I had yesterday," he said with a half smile. "I think the guy has it in for me."

At the corner of the house, he paused, turning back. "Goodbye, Kate," he said quietly.

She nodded. "Bye," she said in a whisper, not trusting herself to attempt anything else. Sawyer put his arm around her shoulders.

Jack disappeared around the corner of the house, and a few seconds later, the sound of the car faded away.

They continued to stand there for a minute, not saying anything.

"You ready to go in?" Sawyer finally asked.

"You go ahead," she said, pulling away a little. "I'm just gonna sit here for a few minutes. I'll be right in."

He exhaled wearily, but then gave up. Kissing her on the forehead, he went back into the kitchen, leaving her alone.

Kate sat down on the porch steps. Wrapping her arms around her knees, she stared out at the mist-filled valley with a strangely peaceful expression.

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