As You Like It
Chapter Two
Author's Note: If you're new and confused, feel free to ask me any questions, I know it's a lot of reading to catch up on but speaking that this is second to last in a series, it'll be a lot to explain.
Note on Jack's Past: Okay, here's how it is. In this fic, the flashbacks are taking place during Jack's marriage. I'm all confused about how I've done Jack's flashbacks so here's the timeline:
2000- marriage to Sarah
2001- Sarah announces that she's pregnant and leaves Jack
June 2004- that fight with his father
July/August- all flashbacks from The Message In A Bottle
September- father's death and plane crash
These flashbacks take place in May 2001, before the divorce. I chose 2000 to match up with Cat's age in the off-island fics. I think it matches up, anyway.
Chapter Two: Cheeseburgers and Chinese
It's all in your head, Claire told Charlie a-matter-of-factly, maybe you just have too much spare time.
Charlie looked at Claire.
You're enjoying yourself, aren't you?
The caves had been quite the past day but the beach had been even more depressing, so Claire decided to resign at the caves for the time being and naturally, Charlie agreed to stay with her. Now Charlie was confessing his latest theory that at least five of the survivors, Locke, Boone, Sayid, Kate, and maybe Shannon, knew something the others didn't. Charlie had only seen Kate maybe a few minutes the past day, but he could tell right away that something was bothering her; but then Jack would come along and she would put on this fake smile that was obvious to him, but maybe not Jack, and that told Charlie that whatever it was that was bothering her, she didn't want Jack to know. Shannon withheld the same behavior, though in the past few days she seemed unusually happy.
Looking up, Charlie noticed Jack walking into the caves with Kate and Sayid. He hadn't actually seen or talked to Jack since he had caught up with him and Kate in the woods, but Jack looked pretty good considering the circumstances. Either that or he knew how to put on one hell of an act.
Maybe Jack will talk some sense into you, Charlie said, standing up.
Claire rolled her eyes as Charlie walked off.
He called, stopping Jack before he could disappear into a cave or some path to the jungle.
Jack stopped walking and whispered something to Kate. Kate nodded and walked off, and Jack met up with Charlie.
What's up? Jack said casually.
Have you noticed anything different lately? Charlie asked him.
Jack looked around the caves and then back to Charlie.
What, did you dye your hair? He joked.
Charlie sighed.
Not about me! Charlie said. About, you know- he dropped his tone considerably, other people.What, do you think they're plotting against you? Jack said with a chuckle.
Charlie exclaimed. Haven't you noticed anything weird going on? Locke and Boone still going out into the jungle everyday and Sayid disappearing just as much?Maybe they're all having an affair, Jack joked sarcastically, I'm sure it's nothing. Charlie mumbled, clearly disappointed by Jack's response to his theory, suit yourself.
Jack shook his head as Charlie walked back to Claire..
May 2001
Jack took a sip of the coffee he had bought along with a cheeseburger from a McDonalds in the hospital. He looked around the cafeteria, looking for hid date. Okay, so date was a little underused- wife. Marriage hadn't been as complicated as Jack had feared. The couple had honeymooned in Hawaii for a week before Jack went right back to work. Sarah had made a game of teasing Jack for his workaholic habits, but from what he knew, she understood his reasons. Jack spotted Sarah waiting by a fake flowering plant that sat on top of a trash can. Her arms were crossed and she looked like she had been waiting for a while. Smiling, he walked over to her from behind.
Jack greeted, making Sarah jump a little.
Sarah sighed in relief when she saw Jack.
You scared me! She exclaimed softly.
You're not eating? He inquired as they sat down at a table Sarah had been saving.
I am, Sarah said, that Chinese guy over there- she nodded towards a Chinese place in the cafeteria, doesn't speak English. I asked for some orange chicken and rice and he gave me some kind of pork and- well, I never found out what the rest was.So why didn't you get something else? Jack asked, unwrapping his burger.
I did, Sarah said, I ate it. Do you know what time it is?
Confused, Jack glanced down at his watch. It read one thirty, nearly forty-five minutes before his usual lunch break.
Oh God, he said apologetically, sorry..surgery ran late from last night and..It's okay, Sarah laughed, I missed you last night though.
Jack smiled at her to finish his apology.
How was your mom? He asked after a short pause.
Sarah perked up a bit, she was great- Sarah smiled, she loved the flowers.I'm glad, Jack said truthfully.
I just wish you would go see your mom, Sarah said, I mean, you're just now patching things up with your dad-I'm not patching things up', Jack argued, our fighting;s just..on hiatus.
Sarah rolled her eyes.
You're mom can't be that bad, she said, what's the worst that can happen?She finds out I'm alive, Jack said sarcastically.
Do you even know where she lives? Sarah asked.
I don't even know if she's alive, Jack admitted, and took a sip of the coffee.
Sarah looked at him as if she didn't believe his story.
Jack said, sitting the cup down, I lied. My parents didn't divorce.. he sighed, my mom left after I was born. Sarah stopped, realizing she had no clue how to respond to that, I'm sorry. Is that why your dad-Is so hostile? Jack offered, maybe. Probably.
A moment of silence passed before Sarah spoke up.
You know, Sarah said, it's not to late. I mean, you should at least know who she is.I know who she is, Jack cut in, but I don't even know where she went off to. How am I supposed to find her? Jack let out an ironic laugh. Do I even want to find her?
Sarah shrugged as she stood up.
I have a meeting at two-fifteen, she explained, but the offer stands.
She gave Jack a quick kiss and then left, leaving Jack to ponder the offer.
At the Caves, 2004
Dude, I'm serious! Michael laughed, you one the lottery, and I got a Noble Peace prize.
Michael and Kate roared in laughter and even Jack chuckled.
And hey, Charlie threw in, if he one the lottery, and he got the Noble Peace prize, then I'm America's most wanted!
This time only Michael and Charlie laughed. Jack gave out a snort in an attempt to not make it so obvious that he and Kate didn't find the joke amusing. Looking behind him, Jack noticed Sun sitting by herself, staring at her hands. Sun looked up just as Jack did. Jack offered her a small smile. She attempted to return it, but it ended up as a sort of happy smirk. Michael noticed who Jack was looking at and stood up and walked over to Sun, where he sat down beside her. Boone and Shannon entered as Michael left their little circle, looking unusually cheerful like they were..dare he say it..getting along.
Anyone else think that's a little wrong? Hurley asked in a low voice.
Jack realized that he wasn't the only one watching the pair.
Think what's wrong? Jack asked as he glanced around the caves, looking to see if Alex was anywhere nearby.
He hadn't seen her since the previous night and word had it that she hadn't stayed at the caves. Jack meant to ask Sawyer if he had seen her on the beach, but he couldn't find him either.
Those two, Hurley said, equally as low, as a..you know..couple.They're not a Kate said from beside Jack, is it so wrong for siblings to get along?
Charlie snorted.
My mom said that once, he recalled.
But it turned out pretty well, Kate pointed out.
You'd think that, wouldn't you? Charlie mumbled.
Hey, anyone seen my dad? Walt asked, sounding ecstatic.
Jack turned back around.
He's over there, he pointed.
Where've you been? Hurley asked him, He looked all over for you.Been hanging out with Sawyer, Walt replied, he's the coolest!
With that Walt ran over to where Michael was sitting beside Sun and flopped down next to them without asking to be invited into the conversation. Of course, Michael still welcomed him into it, and Sun nodded along, thought it was clear that she wasn't really paying attention. It was quiet a moment before Kate spoke up.
That's not something you hear everyday, she commented, smirking.
He probably gave the kid a few drinks, Charlie said, standing up, well I'm off, this is way to much fun for me.
By the Waterfall
Boone had left to go back to the hatch. Shannon now stood at the waterfall, refilling a bottle of water to take back with her to the beach. Really she had chosen that time to leave because Sayid had just come back from wherever he had gone to in the jungle earlier.
Shannon and Sayid hadn't spoken since their confrontation in the woods, though there had been moments where at least one of the two had been tempted to say something to the other. A couple of times Shannon had caught Sayid glancing towards her from across the beach, while others he had caught her doing the same.
Her falling out with Sayid meant spending more time with Boone, something he didn't seem to mind. The other castaways had begun to notice this and whispers followed the two wherever they went, but no matter what the rumors said, nothing had happened since the kiss by the hatch. Locke kept his promise(Boone had told her what had happened afterward) and the survivors were left to come up with their own stories.
Truth was Shannon wasn't sure if she even wanted something to happen between her and Boone. Part of her knew how wrong it was, but then the other part kept reminding herself that they had only been family for a few years.
Hey, Shannon, said a voice from behind her.
Turning around Shannon noticed Charlie standing behind her. The only reason she knew her name was from the kidnappings of him and Claire.
she said, a little uncertainly.
Can I talk to you for a moment? Charlie asked.
Though his tone was sweet, there was a little hint of desperation with it, and Shannon couldn't help but to smile.
At the Beach
Disappearing was one thing Alex had already been good at, or so she would like to think. The night after all the kidnapping and the confrontation with David, Alex had stormed off into the jungle after yelling at Jack, only to backtrack to a private part of the beach she had discovered during her short period of running. She had stayed there through the night ignoring her rumbling stomach that was beginning for food, and now sat on the sandy white shores, staring into the bright blue horizon. Suddenly she turned without even being aware of doing so and noticed Walt approaching her from the jungle. She eyed him curiously but didn't say anything, letting him sit down beside her.
Walt began but Alex quickly cut him off, sparing him from having to inform her of the news.
I know, Alex replied, her voice hoarse from not having spoken in a while, how'd you find me?You know when you told us that you were psychic? Alex nodded. Walt trailed off before finally finishing, I think I am too.
Author's Note: Okay, kind of a cheesy place to end, but oh well. Do you guys like how I've been setting the locations, or is it annoying? Thanks so much to the three of you who reviewed! You guys rock!
Chris1317: welcome back! Oh, and you can call me October or Oct.
Coming up next, on As You Like It:
Shannon considers a request from Charlie, and well..truthfully I'm not sure. This fic's still in planning even as I write it.
Thanks again!
Until next time..
+ October Sky