Chapter 9- Protect You
"I'll take care of it myself," Sawyer said looking down at Kate.
Kate's face was ashen, and she appeared to be having great trouble stomaching the news about Hailey. Kate placed her hand to her mouth, and her foot began to tap impatiently on the dingy gray carpet.
Sawyer bent down, his knees close to Kate's nervously tapping foot. "People die everyday, you haven't seen…"
"Not like this," Kate said.
Sawyer placed his hand on her leg, "Stop that tappin' you making me nervous now."
"I can't help it…I just can't believe they killed her. They had no reason…why?"
"You suddenly care now?" Sawyer said.
Kate forced herself to look into his eyes, "She didn't deserve to die, she was just an innocent bystander…"
"Like Tommy Boy?" Sawyer said.
Kate cursed him under her breath. Tears started to well in her eyes, but she struggled to control them. She wasn't an emotional person, but after Tom's death, everything had changed.
"Look precious, I'm not…"
"Get away from me," Kate scolded to Sawyer.
Sawyer was taken aback. He closed his mouth, forcing himself to ignore the rude comment which was on the tip of his tongue. "We got to get rid of her body,"
"What are you?" Kate growled.
"A man, what kinda question is…"
"She was a person, and she still is! Don't you have any kind of feelings whatsoever, didn't you care about her. How can you talk so casually about burying her like she's an animal."
"Do you wanna take the rap for her death. I know I don't." Sawyer argued back.
Kate shook her head, and glanced at Jack who seemed to have some trouble handling the news as well.
"You don't have to go with us," Sawyer said.
Kate closed her eyes. She felt weak and drained, this was too much, all of it. She had been running all her life…from love, authority figures, and even her family…but she had never been through anything like this. Kate felt vulnerable, and susceptible to a breakdown. She pushed her curly locks out of her face, and then placed her hand to her aching forehead. She had this pounding headache for days and all this stress wasn't helping.
"So Jack, what do you think we should do. We can't be drivin' around with a body in the truck," Sawyer said looking down at Kate with worry one last time, and then moving away from her.
"I really don't know. We should go to the cops and tell…"
"The cops! Boy, have you lost your damn mind. Talking about going to some cops, you want to get locked up dontcha?"
Jack clenched his jaw, "Kate's right, how can we just bury Hailey? What if she's got family out there looking for her…"
"She ain't got no family," Sawyer said harshly.
Jack stood up. Sitting in one place was driving him crazy. They were in a hell of a bind and unfortunately none of his many years of graduate school, college or even his extensive medical experience could prepare him for this.
"Whatever we do, we got to do it soon. The cops are still alert, and they gotta be looking for us." Sawyer said looking at Kate once more.
"This is a bad idea," She said.
"What you talkin' about?" Sawyer asked.
Kate was very emotional, and she needed a way out. She didn't want to deal with dead bodies or the mafia, or whatever the hell was after Sawyer. She just wanted to get to Mexico and start over. Start her lonely, and empty life over.
"What are you talking about freckles?" Sawyer said.
"How are we supposed to evade the authority, and the people that are trying to kill you together! We are a walking target. We're all suspects for a crime, and we are making it way to easy for the police to find us!"
"Kate, we can't split up."
"She has the right idea Jack," Sawyer said.
Jack's eyes widened and he stared back at Sawyer, "Why are you trying to encourage this? You got a hit after her…hell you have a hit after all of us…"
"Let's get this straight, it ain't me that put out the hit…it's Julian."
Kate and Jack turned to Sawyer with expressions of confusion and fear draped across their faces.
"Who the hell is Julian?" Jack said.
Sawyer crossed his arms, and then allowed his hands to drop to his sides, "That's the son of a bitch that wants me dead, and that is the asshole that I'm going to kill."
Kate walked towards the window. She peered out and the pulled her hood over her head.
Jack knew she was trying to make a run for it, he wasn't going to let her go anywhere by herself. Before Kate could slip past him, Jack grabbed onto her arm.
"Let me go Jack," Kate said sternly.
"No, it's to dangerous Kate…"
"I swear to God, Jack if you…" Kate looked at Jack with determination in her intoxicating green saucers.
Jack stared back at her pleadingly. Sawyer was the craziest son of a bitch, he had met in his life. But Sawyer knew what he was doing. And if Kate left, he was going to have to follow her.
Kate tried to wring her arm free of Jack's. But his grip was too strong. "Why do you care what happens to me?"
"Ain't it obvious? Two strangers forced together, and put through life threatening situations, involved in a string of crimes…and probably more to follow that they had nothing to do with. It's all stress Kate, he thinks he loves you but he don't…" Sawyer's voice trailed off.
Kate didn't even look at Sawyer. The truth was she didn't want to leave anyone behind. She had a feeling Sawyer wasn't as tough as he pretended to be, and as for Jack, she couldn't understand why he had treated her so caringly. It would break her heart if he died, that's why she had to leave him behind. She had to get away before her sudden feelings intensified, and something happened to Jack.
"Let me go," Kate repeated with more venom that the first time.
"We ain't got time for this. Let her go, and help me get rid of Hailey's body." Sawyer said.
Jack glared back at Kate. He wasn't one to give up easily, and why start now. By just looking into Kate's eyes he could see that she was scared. Maybe she was used to being alone, but he didn't want her to be by herself. He wanted to help her get to Mexico…maybe he was stupid, or maybe it was because he was too involved already.
Kate successfully maneuvered her arm out of Jack's grasp.
Jack stared back at her helplessly like a wounded dog. "Don't do this,"
"What reason do I have to stay for? I wish you both the best, and…" Kate looked down as she reached for the doorknob.
"Where are you going to go? How are you going to get away? Kate be logical, your walking around on foot with a hood on your head how are you going to get away from anyone."
Kate opened the door, she peered out quickly, "Jack, I never walk. I always run, and as soon as I get the chance I will have my own wheels."
"How Kate? Hold someone at gun point and attract more attention to yourself?" Jack questioned.
"If that's what I have to do then yes," Kate pointed out.
Jack scowled, "You need a better plan…"
"We're all wasting time here, are you going to let her go or are you goin' with her?" Sawyer directed at Jack.
"So you're telling me you don't care one way or the other if she goes out there, with your mess on her shoulders, and gets killed!" Jack yelled.
Sawyer watched as Kate closed the door stepping back inside.
"Hold on Doc, don't go blamin' all this on me. She's running from the cops, and that ain't my fault. Don't play her out to be all innocent because she's not."
"Sawyer, you're right, I'm not innocent and I never pretended to be." Kate said glancing at the door longingly, and then at Jack who was returning her a smoldering look. Kate's heart started to pick up. She couldn't focus on how handsome he was…not now. She had to focus on getting away, why was she still here, she should of made a run for it when she had the chance. Or maybe she was staying because what Jack said did make sense.
"So what are we doing? Standing around and looking at each other…excuse me I meant are you'll standing around and lookin' at each other while I'm supposed to sit around and watch?" Sawyer said.
"Kate, are you going to stay with us?" Jack asked.
Kate winced. Was she going to stay or…
"Kate," Jack stepped closer to her.
"We're playing a dangerous game Jack, if the police are looking for us, then they won't have much trouble, Sawyer's right they probably have you on camera and…"
"I'll dye my hair and…"
"Now we're talking," Sawyer said staring back at Jack amused.
Jack looked back at Sawyer annoyed, "I'm glad you find this funny, but we're in a life or death situation."
Sawyer ignored Jack, "Hey Kate are ya finished with the sausage egg and cheese biscut?"
"I thought we were trying to get out of here," Kate directed at him.
"I thought so too until you'll started that damn arguing again. If we're going to take care of some serious business then your heads got to be straight."
"We're good…"
Jack glanced at Kate hopefully, "So your staying,"
She nodded, "Yes,"
Jack fought the urge to wrap his arms around her, and promise that he would do all in his power to keep her safe. He didn't want to make promises that he couldn't keep. Jack kept his eyes on Kate, But as long as he was alive…he was going to make it his duty to keep her safe.
"I'm glad your staying with us freckles," Sawyer said briefly. He then stood up, "We're bringin the food, because you'll are going to be some hungry sons of bitches later,"
"So what are we doing? Are we moving or are we going to…get rid of the…" Jack scratched his head, and then looked back at Sawyer for help.
"We have no choice, we got to."
A knock was heard at the door.
Kate jumped, and grabbed onto the sleeve of Jack's shirt.
It had become an instinct of Jack's to hold Kate close, it was like they were attached. Jack didn't believe in fate, but after he was thrown into this situation with Sawyer and Kate, he wasn't so sure. What if all this craziness what part of fates way of saying that he didn't truly love Sarah. He couldn't focus on that now. He had to keep Kate safe.
"Get under the bed Kate," Sawyer said quietly.
Kate looked between Jack and Sawyer worried. "What if it's them?"
"He's right Kate," Jack gently guided Kate towards the bed. He bent down on one knee and then pulled back the unsavory comforter. He glanced underneath, and then reached for Kate's hand.
Kate took Jack's hand. She trusted him.
Jack lowered her down to the floor with him, and then whispered in her ear, "No matter what, Sawyer and I will keep you safe."
Jack's mouth grazed Kate's ear.
Kate smiled back at him sadly. "Jack take this,"
Jack's eyes widened as Kate pulled a gun out of her pocket. She then placed it in his hands, and then got under the bed.
Jack clenched his jaw as he looked down at the gun. He watched Kate's eyes, as she stared back at him. He closed his eyes and the pulled the comforter back down. He took the gun Kate had just given him, and then slipped it in the pocket of his business jacket. If he had enough time, he would've thought of a better place to hide it.
"Who is it?" Sawyer asked placing his hands to his gun.
"The sheriff, open up,"
Jack placed his hands on his gun as well. A million thoughts were racing through his mind. But at the top of his racing thoughts…was Kate, if the sheriff had come for her, then he was going to leave empty handed. Jack felt beads of sweat start to gather around his hairline, and then drip down his face.
Sawyer opened the door, "Howdy Sherriff, what can we do you for?"
The sheriff looked between Jack, and Sawyer in surprise, and then looked away, "Sorry to disturb you two…"
"Don't mention it," Sawyer said playing along.
"There was a murder, and we want to know if either of you have any information on it."
Sawyer clenched his jaw. Shit they had found Hailey's body.
(Rain1657, Wow, thanks! I'll explain what happened to Hailey in two chapters. And yes this is going to be a Jate story, I was thinking of an equal triangle, but I like Jack with Kate more, but Sawyer will be there to cause tension. October Sky, You're good! It might have been a little obvious though, like I didn't try to make it a big secret. Orlando-crazy, lol…poor Hailey, at least it wasn't Kate! But it's sad she had to die she didn't do anything. Nikki-da-latina, your welcome, I hope I don't disappoint. Jack and Kate are still trying to find a safe place for now until they get out of the country, but when the do find a "safe place" I will focus on the relationships, and they will be safe for a little while…so Jack and Kate can get their moments…and Sawyer will be tossed in a little too. But don't worry…I like Jate. Gowland…thanks a lot, I'm glad you think that, because I tried to balance out their confused feelings despite all the madness going on around them. Thanks for reviewing you guys! You'll keep this story going!)