A/N: Sorry for the long time, no update. High School started, and it's just been walls and walls of homework. Seriously, second day of school, the honors english teacher gave us an 3 page assignment due the next day. Yeah, not fun. But, all is well, and hopefully I'll fall into the groove of things sooner then later. So, please, please, don't be mad at me if I don't show up for a couple weeks. I'm here, but I'm too busy, unfortunetely. :(
A/N2: If you got the Lost DVDs, go to the deleted scenes, and find the one called 'Secrets'. I swear, it's an AWESOME JackKate scene.
A/N3: Cohen101 hads brought it to my attention that Boone magically has appeared dead in the last chapter. Well, my mistake, and Boone IS NOT DEAD, but him and Shannon got in fight instead, hence the stuff being tense about her and Sayid. Sorry for the mix-up, people.
Disclaimer: Don't own Lost. Though the pilot for the Second Season was SO KICKASS!
Capture The Flag
Summary: Who knew that such a simple game could bring out the deepest competitive sides in the survivors?
Status: LAST CHAPTER (Finally!)
Capture The Flag - Chapter 5 - And The Winner Is...
Jack raised his head at the scream, his eyes wide open. Someone had found it... The game was over. Well, maybe not. If Sawyer pulled off a fake flag stunt, then surely anyone else could. The sun was setting on the mid-summer night, the sky a mass block of pinks and blues, oranges and reds, and the round ball of light was already halfway below the horizon. Wiping away a bead of sweat, Jack took off towards the spot where he had hidden the flag. He had been so sure that the cave people would have won, and now all he got for his troubles were a couple snide remarks, and maybe some sneers if the Beach people were feeling particulary cocky.
Kate's feet played tag with the tide lines as water rushed in and out, receding back into the depths of the ocean. In her hand was the hankerchief, clutched tightly. Her shout hadn't been of triumph, but one of surprise. It had just slipped out, like so many other things had. So, she figured, why not let the people wait to see who it was. She knew that at this very moment, a crowd of people had conversed at the boundary line, wanting to see who's team won. She smiled secretly to herself, she would finally get the chance she had always wanted to make things right again with the audience of her life. But it wouldn't be because she caught tonight's dinner, or found a new water source, it'd be just for winning a stupid, yet ironic, child's game.
(Space)
Charlie looked through the trees, dodging the occasional survivor that flew past wildly, screaming something about a deranged psychopath on the loose. "Look who's talking, wise-ass," Charlie grumbled as he came back out from under the tree. Damn, people sure did get their knickers in a twist when they didn't find out the answer right away.
"Claire? Love, where are-- Claire!" Charlie came across the woman, crying silently into her hands. Her face was dirty where she had wiped away the tears, but those baby blues of hers were so entrancing...
"Claire..." Charlie was wordless, so he looked away, concentrating on an unsignificant rock, when he really should be staring at the actual human.
"What do you want?" She tried to sound harsh, but it came out more desperate sounding then anything.
"I want... I want us," Charlie said quietly, blushing slightly. "For it to be all okay again... I didn't mean to get you all mad over something... Bloody hell, I don't even know what I said!" He seriously had been stumped at why Claire had led him off like that.
"Charlie..." Claire breathed, but instead of the slap that Charlie thought was inevitable to come, a gentle kiss moved across his lips.
At first, a wave of shock erupted through him, but then that slowly proceeded to turn into desperation also. Deepening the kiss, he wrapped his arms around her, and her hands cradled his head, smoothing back the uneven ends or hair that had grown over time on the Island.
(Space)
Sayid's head jerked up again as the leaves rustled, and he chuckled as he saw Sawyer shake off an ever-clinging strip of ivy.
"Damn plant," Sawyer grubled, and tore away from the growth only to find Sayid trying to hold back laughter. "Whatchu waitn' for? Ladies first," He shot back at the reply, and waved his hand towards the path.
This only caused Sayid to let out a mere chuckle and shake his head, as if he were mocking the Southerner. "Nothing," And he walked away to the line, just like everyone else had, leaving Sawyer up to his own antics.
(Space)
Hurley and Walt glared at each other across the line, when Hurley realized something.
"Hey... I thought I put you in jail, dude." Hurley stated, confused.
"...Yeah," Walt grinned, "Your point?"
"Dude, you can't just walk out of jail! Who was jail guard?" Hurley groaned. Chances were everyone was out now.
"No one," Walt shrugged, "You know, you should really check up on the prison once in a while... Steve left a while back."
"Steve! Damnit!" Hurley cursed, "That dude has got it coming..."
"Man, I thought you said not to curse..." Walt joked, grinning.
"For you, yes. For me, no." Hurley shot back, still obviously angry.
"...It's only a game, Hurley..." Walt tried to reason with him.
"...Yeah... Just a game." Hurley took a deep breath, "So, later, you up for a game of Backgammon? I'm onto you this time..." He smiled back, trying not to let the 10-year-old on to him.
(Space)
Jack reconized the silhouette before he even made it out onto the beach, her profile was outlined against the crashing waves, and her skin shimmered as the light bounced off it. He had helf a mind to leave her to her antics, knowing that everyone always needed a little alone time. Besides, the people could wait to find out who found it for a little longer. It wasn't like they were going to commit sucide if they didn't find out which team found the flag in the next five mintues.
But something called him to her, and he strolled across the sand, trying to be as quiet as possible. One minute, he was ten feet away from her, and the next he was inches. His breath caught in his throat as his nostils took in the sweet aroma of her. He didn't want to surprise Kate, so he went around, and ended up next to her.
"Hey." He mumbled, looking out over the ocean as she did.
Not breaking her glance, she gave back a feeble hello also.
"So... See you found the flag," Jack tried to make conversation with Kate, but she just wasn't responding.
Kate just nodded, and unwrapped the flag from her hand, "You should take it..."
Jack was stunned, "But why?"
Kate bit her lip, and looked down, "Because they like you better then they would ever like me. They'll probably think that I stole it from the real person anyway," Her voice faded off, and silence once again met the two.
"Kate, I can't take it," Jack said after a while, "You're the one who found it."
"So? Besides, it'll put Sawyer in his place, and save you from a 'new nickname'." She quoted him from some time back, "Just take it, will you?"
Jack shook his head, "No. Kate, you've got to stand up to them."
"I'll give it to someone else," Kate's voice wavered, taking on a threatning tone, "Maybe Sawyer would enjoy it,"
Jack laughed, "Sawyer will just say the same things I am now," he smiled, "Sorry, you're stuck with it."
Kate sighed, and wrapped it back around her hand, the soft fabric flailing about in the wind. Jack stared at her just standing there. And suddenly it all came rushing back to him, everything. Kate had woken from her long slumber, her long run, to make her first and final stand. She raised her arm, her hand clutching the hankerchief, and started to launch it into the sea. Just as she was about to let it go, another hand grapsed onto her arm, and halted it.
"Don't," Was all Jack said, "Just don't." He had shifted so close to Kate that he could feel his breath repealing off her neck.
She merely nodded, and dropped it slowly, her grip on the flag loosening. A sudden wind picked up, and the leaves on the trees rustled gently as mountains of mist poured across the shore. The sky clouded over, the sun disappearing from view, and low thunder could be heard in the distance. The waves in the sea reached new heights, cascading unrelentingly over the couple's feet. Shouts could still be heard from the survivors, but half the time they were silenced by the winds.
"Come on, Kate," Jack said uneasily, "Let's head back... This storm isn't going to have a good outcome." They sky had already turned a nasty hue of grey, and darkening every second that passed.
Raindrops began to pour onto their heads, soaking everything in sight within minutes. Kate stood there, her feet dug deeply into the sand, just watching the waves crash upon the shore.
Jack made his way to the edge of the forest, only to realize Kate was still out there. "Kate!" He called, "Come on!"
The fugitive's shoulders limped, and she turned her head to look at him, clumps of hair sticking to her head. But her green eyes were as vibrant as ever, and Jack could see that little shine of amusement flickering in them, and for one fleeting moment, he wished he could be out there, with her.
But the feeling had dissapeared just as fast as it had shown itself, and she silently made her way to him.
"I won." Was all Kate said as she passed him, grinning.
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A/N: FINALLY! This story is done! I loved writing every minute of it, and I'm sad to see it's ended. I'll finish my other stories soon, and needless to say, I always have plans for a new one. Next one updated will hopefully be "Guilty Pleasures", and then I'll tackle the bigger ones. :) Thanks for all your reviews!