Chapter 32- Don't Mess With Mommy

Alex sat up so quickly that Shannon screamed and toppled over backwards into the sand.

"Alex!" Sayid exclaimed. "Are you alright?"

"Kate and Hope. Where are Kate and Hope?" the woman asked frantically.

Her question brought a fresh flood of tears from Claire.

This was all the answer Alex needed. Jumping up, she tired to run out of the tent, but Sayid grabbed her around the waist and held her back.

"Wait up! Where are you going? You just woke up, you're not leaving this tent until Jack says its okay."

"Let go of me! This is life or death, Sayid!"

"Whose life?" Shannon squeaked from her position on the ground.

"Kate's."

Sawyer immediately stood up and looked at Alex, a mixture of panic and fiery rage in his eyes.

"Where is she?"

"Follow me."

Slipping out of Sayid's grip, Alex bolted out of the tent, closely followed by Sawyer.

The others hesitated for a second, then went tearing after them.

Kate was fighting a loosing battle. Trek had the rope around her neck and was choking her.

Her vision swam, and her lungs felt like they were on fire.

Closing her eyes, Kate pictured Sawyer, one last time.

Suddenly, she felt the noose loosen it's hold on her neck. She was able to breathe again.

Kate opened her eyes on time to see Sawyer punch Trek hard in the stomach.

A pair of hands pulled her to her feet. It was Jack.

"Stay over there with the girls, don't try to fight!" he yelled over the noise of the small war.

Kate stumbled over to Shannon, Alex and Claire, who were huddled together away from the fight.

"Thank God you're alright!" Alex said, hugging her.

"Where's Hope?" Claire asked anxiously. "I don't see her anywhere!"

"Over there! He's getting away!" Shannon shrieked.

Looking in the direction the girl was pointing, they could see Snip tip-toeing away from the wrestling men, yanking Hope along by the hand.

Kate saw something snap in Claire's eyes.

With a blood-curdling scream, the Aussie mother brought Snip down with a tackle worthy of the football pros. She then proceeded to beat the crap out of him.

Shannon ran over and snatched up Hope.

By this time, Trek and Crow had been tied up.

But Claire wasn't done with Snip yet.

"Don't…you…ever…come…near…my baby…AGAIN!" She screeched, pummeling the jungle man with her fist after each word.

"Claire? I think you won." Jack said loudly, tapping the woman on the shoulder.

"Hell, yeah! I kicked his fricken' ass!" Claire panted, allowing the doctor and Sayid to tie up the very bloody Snip.

Shannon looked shocked. "Claire! Don't forget, little ears are listening!" she said pointedly, motioning to Hope.

Claire ignored her. She took her small daughter into her arms and started covering her with kisses.

Sawyer and Kate were hugging each other. Kate was sobbing and you could tell the Southern man was choking back tears.

Charlie strode over to Claire and Hope and picked them both up off the ground in a giant hug.

Alex made her way over to Sayid, who was standing by the prisoners.

He looked up at her.

"You okay? Alex? ALEX!"

Alex, who had been swaying slightly, jumped a little and looked at Sayid.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I just feel a little dizzy…"

All at once her legs gave out. Sayid caught her easily and gently lowered her into a sitting position.

She smiled at him weakly. "I guess my adrenaline rush wore off."

Sayid still looked concerned. "It's a long walk back to the caves, and I'm not letting you walk another step. I'll carry you, okay?"

Alex was too tired to argue. "Okay, just don't drop me."

Sayid half-smiled. "Why would I drop you? I've carried you before, and I've never had any trouble. You're extremely skinny, you need to eat more."

"Right now, the thought of food makes me sick. And you might drop me because you hurt your arm in the fight with the wacko guy, don't deny it."

Sayid glanced down at his forearm, which had a bluish bruise on it. "Fine, I won't deny it."

"Good. Can we leave now?" Even though she enjoyed teasing him, Alex felt drained, and her vision was slightly out of focus. All she wanted to do was sleep.

"Of course. Let's go." Picking her up effortlessly, Sayid called over to Jack to tell him they were leaving for the caves. Then he began walking slowly down the path, listening to the rhythmic beating of Alex's heart against his chest.

By the time they got back to the caves, Alex was already asleep. Sayid carefully laid her down and watched her the rest of the night, worrying.

AN: My poor babies! I coudn't post this during the week, and I promised I would on Monday! I'm a bad parent! cries

lol I really am sorry that I took so long! Chapter 33 coming soon, this timeI mean it!