As You Like It
Chapter Three
Chapter Three: A Long Line of Shepards
The day grew longer and the sun grew brighter as Shannon lay on the beach, contemplating Charlie's proposal. Only Shannon knew that Charlie's theories were only too true. Though she didn't know exactly what was in the hatch, she knew Boone and Locke knew, and whatever was down there must've been pretty important because there was no doubt that's where the two go everyday.
Called a voice behind her.
Shannon groaned. She was smart enough to know that sooner or later Sayid was bound to say something, but she had just wished it wouldn't be so soon. Instead of answering, Shannon let Sayid keep calling her name until he was forced to come kneel beside her to get her attention.
I've been calling you, Sayid said to her as if wondering if she had gone deaf.
I know. Shannon replied coldly.
Seeing that Shannon wasn't going to offer to take her part in the conversation any farther, Sayid lowered himself into a more comfortable sitting position in the sand.
I saw you talking to Charlie earlier, Sayid began, it looked pretty serious.
When had Sayid entered the caves?
So what if it was?
Sayid had the gall, giving her the silent treatment for weeks and then coming to talk to her. He probably just wants information about the hatch, Shannon added to herself.
You don't have to talk to Charlie-
Shannon cut him off before allowing Sayid to finish. Her head whipped around towards him quick as lightening.
What's wrong with talking to Charlie? She demanded.
Sayid looked taken aback.
I was going to add, Sayid said slowly, trying to hide his impatience, you could always come to me.
Shannon rolled her eyes.
She said. When you were out wherever the hell it is with whoever the hell your with now?
Silence followed the outburst, until Sayid spoke up again a few moments later.
I know what's in the hatch, Sayid confessed out of nowhere.
And what, it needs three people's attention at the same time? Shannon's eyes narrowed. All day long?Not exactly.
Another moment of silence followed. Shannon began to grow impatient waiting for Sayid to say more.
So what, Shannon shook her head, are you wanting to make up or something?
For a moment Sayid looked as if though he were wanting to jump in and say
yes' and for that, Shannon almost felt bad for him. She liked him, didn't she? Love him, she was unsure of at the moment, but was definitely considering a possibility for the future. So why play hard to get? She'd certainly gain nothing from it. Just when Shannon was sure that Sayid was somehow going to defend himself, all he did was stand up, and leave.
At the Beach
Though she was currently living at the caves, going to the beach was still a necessity for Kate. She enjoyed knowing that while winter came with cool yet pleasant nights, those on the mainland(some places on the mainland) were experiencing frost and unbearable temperatures. It was a little selfish, yes, but still..
Came down for old times' sake, huh? Jack asked from behind her.
Kate jumped slightly, but recovered with a smile.
Interrupting what I'm doing for old times' sake, huh? She retorted.
Even if she couldn't see him, Kate knew that Jack was smiling as well.
Whatever you're doing, Jack commented.
Letting her heal tap up and down against the sand, Kate waited patiently for whatever it was Jack was going to say. Whatever it was, it had clearly gone over Jack's head as soon as he made the decision to replay that little memory.
You need something? She asked finally.
When she turned to Jack, Kate saw the possibility of maybe the memory not being in Jack's way, but nerves or guilt out of what he was about to say.
he said quickly after realizing the silence was making its way into the conversation. Just..wanted to see what was going on.
Kate rolled her eyes because she knew Jack had originally meant to say one of that. She wouldn't put it passed him to be one of those guys who recited what they were planning to say to their girl and then most likely freeze up when that time came.
You sure there's.. Jack hesitated before going on, nothing going on. Kate replied lightly and Jack's eyes narrowed, I mean, there's nothing going on. I'm sure of it.If you're so sure then..
It wasn't obvious that Jack wasn't keen to letting the interrogation go.
There's not, she assured him, and if there was, I'd tell you.
Jack looked doubtful.
I swear.
Jack shrugged. He must've felt like he should add something, because out of nowhere he spoke up:
Same goes for me.
With another shrug and smile, he walked off. Kate shook her head and laughed, wondering what that was all about.
Another Beach, somewhere else on the island
I never really realized I was seeing people others weren't, Alex was saying.
She beat a stick against the sand. The sun was hot, Alex was thirsty, but some unknown force was continuing her story for her.
And then I'd start mentioning things to people, Alex continued, some ladies hat or, hey, that couple looks nice', and they'd look at me like I just grew three heads or something.
Walt shook his head, confused.
How do you become psychic? He wanted to know. Medium..whatever it is.Once I found out what I was, I did research on it, Alex explained, nothing really helped, but apparently, somethings are inherited genetically, but others can be developed. It was about all this science stuff with the brain- she knew Walt wouldn't understand the scientific of it, so she decided to skip it all together, but I was different.Because I was born on the island, Alex sighed, I don't know..enviromental stuff I think it was. Anyway..here I am now.But you said you weren't always psychic, Walt pointed out, how come you just now are?
Alex shrugged. She had asked herself that same question a million times.
Maybe I missed something.
Sighing heavily, Alex just wished that someone would give her some answers. She knew that if she had asked David, he would've just gave her some slow development explanation that would've probably only ended up half true.
Well with me, Walt began, I think I was born with it.
Alex looked at him. Walt still hadn't explained what he had meant by saying he thought he was psychic. Instead, he had asked what it was like to be one, and her powers.
Born with what? Alex asked curiously.
Being able to make things happen.
At the Caves
The caves were unusually quiet for an afternoon. Jack assumed this was do the perfect weather outside, which he figured he should be enjoying, but decided to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Jack struggled to fit the key into the lock a few times before finally managing to open the door. He and Sarah had purchased(well, begun the early payments) for a house just thirty minutes away from the hospital in a nice, quite neighborhood. Or so they thought. Jack wasn't even going to get started on the people next door, or the dog that barked across the street at three AM- if he was lucky to get home that early. But tonight was one of those lucky night. It was only seven and Jack was planning on changing and meeting Sarah at a restaurant across town, which was why he was surprised to see her sitting at the kitchen table on a laptop.
Glad you're home, Sarah greeted, standing up, I've got something for you. Jack said curiously, throwing his coat across this top of the couch.
Sarah grabbed a sheet of paper out of the printer just as the ink finished brushing across the page. Jack sat down on a couch that had been purchased by one of Sarah's mother as a wedding gift, and Sarah joined him, handing him the printout. On the sheet of paper was a list of names, and all the last names had one thing in common: they all ended in Shepard.
This would be all your family on your dad's side, Sarah explained when Jack shot her a confused look, and this- she reached over to the coffee table where Jack hadn't noticed a similar sheet lay, would be your mother's side.
She handed him the sheet, carefully studying his reaction as Jack read the list of names. Most ended with the name Segan' as a surname. Jack shook his head, still confused.
So which one's-
Sarah pointed at the second to last name on the list: Jessica Segan. Jack sat in silence for a moment, taking the information in. He had never really been sure if he ever wanted to find his mother. Of course, he had always known of her existence: that she was there. Surely his father would've said something if something had happened to her. But Jack never really considered the fact that finding her was a possibility. And now he knew. She was alive, she had a name, and she only lived four hours away. At last Jack was able to say something.
She changed her name, he commented.
She's been remarried and divorced twice, Sarah informed him.
Jack muttered.
Hell, she was probably worse than his father at this rate.
And you have a half brother in Illinois, Sarah said.
There was a hint of excitement in Sarah's voice that Jack couldn't match, no matter how much he may have wanted to.
he said simply.
He then smiled sheepishly, seeing the irony of the situation. All his life he wanted to know more about his family history, and now that he knew, it was exactly what he hadn't wanted to hear. Well, not exactly, but he wasn't exactly thrilled either.
Think I have a twin in St. Paul? Jack joked sarcastically.
Sarah seemed to be able to see right through him.
I appreciate your efforts, he assured her, really, I do. But this- he waved a hand towards the paper, I mean, it doesn't even matter, right?They're family, Jack, Sarah reminded him.
Jack shot back. They don't exactly care about me, do they? If they did, surely someone would've said something by now.
Throwing the paper back down on the table amongst old tv guides and bills, Jack stood up, and grabbed his coat. Changing clothes didn't even matter anymore. He wanted to leave as quickly as possible because the sooner he could get away from the conversation, the sooner he could pretend it never happened.
Sarah tried again but failed helplessly.
Come on, Jack said, throwing the door open, I'll be in the car.
At the Hatch
Kate was right on time that day as Boone crawled out of the hatch. She couldn't help but to notice that Boone was slightly paler than most of the other survivors, supported fewer bug bites, and had been able to control his weight well, like someone who sat and watched tv all day, yet still kicked in a few hours at the gym.
Something wrong? Boone asked, noticing Kate, though she knew he had probably know she was coming up hours ago.
Kate said, and stopped before continuing, thinking about what she was about to propose, I'm telling Jack.
This got Boone's attention. His head jerked towards he so fast that Kate could've sworn she heard his neck crack.
Tell Jack what? Boone asked as though trying to play out a way around the declaration.
You know what, Kate said impatiently, he needs to know, and I'm not going to start keeping secrets from him.Think about it, Boone said carefully, how many secrets are you actually keeping from Jack?
Kate bit her lower lip. Boone had a point.
That doesn't matter, she lied, shaking her head, those things don't matter. This matters.Believe me, said Boone, if it'd mattered, I'd know.
He said the statement in somewhat of a snooty tone, full of pride, and complete with a smirk.
Shut up and stop thinking about yourself as the king of the jungle', Kate spat in a nastier tone than usual, one she hadn't shown to anyone on the island except maybe Sawyer, if something happens and believe me, it will, who do you think people will turn to? Jack. Will Jack know what's going on? No. Why?They won't understand, Boone cut in somewhat desperately, as if he wanted to go along with Kate, but knew he couldn't, it's..it's too big of a thing.
Kate stood, mouth agape.
You sound brainwashed, she said in disbelief, are you listening to yourself?Are you listening to yourself? Boone shot back. Has Jack seen this side of you?Leave my relationship with Jack out of this, Kate warned.
But yet that's what this is about, isn't it? Boone said in a know it all' voice.
Kate stared at him. Something certainly wasn't right. Kate hadn't even heard Boone talk that way to Shannon. Sure he had close to pushing Jack's nerves once or twice, but he hardly ever actually back talked to someone. Kate began to wonder what this new power'(as he was surely calling it) was doing to him and even worse, Locke's influence on the situation.
That's it, Kate announced, I'm talking to Sayid. By tomorrow, this thing's back in the ground.Are you serious? Boone snorted. We bury this and what, we all die?We did fine without it, Kate reminded him.
Right, so what's a few lives? Boone mimicked.
Kate pursed her lips, trying to hold onto her patience.
This thing's changed you, Kate explained, changed Locke- even Sayid's been acting weird. Boone said. Because maybe we know something about this place?
He shook his head.
Forget it, he went on, talk to Locke and Sayid all you want, but they'll never agree with you.Agree about what?
Both Kate and Boone froze as Sayid cut into the scene. After the initial shock of being interrupted, Boone took no time in telling Sayid what was going on.
She wants to tell Jack, Boone informed him.
About that hatch? Sayid's eyes narrowed. Why not? Kate exclaimed. What's one more person?One more person who will learn that in all reality, he really can't do anything about the situation, Sayid said smartly, and you of all people should know that Jack won't cope well with that.You don't know him, Kate was getting angry; both of them were getting closer and closer to attacking Jack personally directly.
And I'm sure you do, Sayid commented, all criminals should get to know their future victims.
Kate's heart stopped. Boone's smirk and Sayid's uncharacteristic grin should have been enough to tell Kate that this was just some insane nightmare, but a soft wind that blew the trees their way woke Kate up and welcomed her to reality.
she couldn't finish the statement, but Sayid got the general idea of what she was asking.
he replied quite happily, like he was trying to set up some personal grudge, and him- he nodded towards Boone, he's probably known for months.
Boone nodded, confirming Sayid's theory.
I'm not planning on..killing him or anything, Kate finally managed to say.
Of course not.
Sayid's malicious grin was beginning to make Kate nervous, and for the first time in her life, Kate felt as if she were on the receiving end of the fight. The losing side. The week side.
You've got to believe me, Kate said desperately, please..don't spread any of that around.
We won't if you don't tell Jack, Sayid told her.
And Kate understood. It was a set up- a set up for her. A perfect one too. Blackmail, and suddenly Kate felt sick.
All right, she agreed quietly a few moments later, you when.
She looked down to the ground, defeated, before walking off. Not once did she look back for a reaction.
Author's Note: Wow, that really came out of nowhere. I had Kate saying she wanted to tell Jack about the hatch planned and that was it. The rest just came out of nowhere. Please don't hate any of the characters(or me!) yet..it's all a side effect to the sickness. You'll see. At least, you will when I figure out what's going on. All I have to say is..they're not evil mosquitos. Now I have to go before my dad complains about me going to bed at the same time he gets up. I'm so terribly sorry for the wait! I've had this horrible writers block and could never think of anything for the chapter! But thanks so much to all you guys who reviewed! You guys rock!
Coming Up Next, on As You Like It:
Charlie and Shannon set to work and in flashbacks, Jack finds that it's not so easy to give up on the past after all.
Thanks again!
Until next time!
+ October Sky