As You Like It
Chapter Six
Chapter Six: Live To Tell the Tale
You sure you don't want to go to Jack about that? Michael asked Alex later on the beach.
Jack wouldn't care, Alex grumbled, it's just a little bit of blood.Yeah, well just a little bit of blood' is Jack's career, Michael pointed out.
Was Jack's career, Sawyer added from beside Michael.
Michael said, come on, I'm taking you to the caves. Walt, go-I'm going with you! Walt announced quickly.
Michael stared at him and Sawyer raised an eyebrow. Alex just looked to the ground. She knew this was all her fault. She shouldn't have dragged Walt out there, or force him into the whole psychic thing. Then again, wasn't it he who went to her?
Above Alex, Michael was contemplating Walt's exclamation, and was glancing to the side, hoping it would give him some kind of answer. It was then he noticed Sun sitting by herself, staring out to sea. Bending down on one knee, Michael took Walt's arms in his hands, as though he were making a proposal.
Why don't you go talk to Sun? Michael suggested.
But I want to stay with you, Walt said quietly.
Look, man, Michael glanced towards Sun again.
Just as he did Sun sighed heavily and looked down at the sand, as if she knew someone was talking about her.
I think she really needs someone to talk to, Michael tried.
I don't want to talk to her! Walt argued, loud enough to attract other castaways. I want to stay with you!
Turning abruptly, Walt fled towards the jungle. Michael sighed and dropped his arms, defeated.
You know, Sawyer spoke up a few moments later, to want to be with you so bad he sure did run away fast.
Sawyer laughed at his own joke, but faded off when no one joined him. Michael shook his head and stood up.
He'll come back, he said, and then turned to Alex, let's go. Alex stated softly, staring at the ground.
Come one, don't make me drag you up there, Michael said impatiently, making Sawyer snort.
I'm not going, Alex said through gritted teeth.
It's not that big of a deal, Michael said and then sighed, you don't even have to tell us what happened.I wasn't planning on it, Alex muttered to herself.
Why don't you just come with me? Michael questioned sternly.
Because you're not my father! Alex shouted to the ground.
Michael stood, taken aback, and then glanced at Sawyer, who shrugged as if saying you got yourself into this'. Sighing again, Michael bent down beside Alex, who looked away, slightly embarrassed at her outburst.
I'm not trying to be your father, Michael said sincerely, only your father can be your father.He could if he wasn't dead, Alex said quietly, not really meaning to say the statement out loud.
I'm sorry, Michael said, I didn't know..It's okay, Alex said, swatting a hand at her eyes to keep a tear from falling.
She wasn't even sure why she was crying. Shouldn't she be able to at least bring up the topic by now?
He deserved it anyway, Alex added, looking up and then away to the side.
Michael let another moment go before bringing the original subject back up.
What's this thing with you not wanting to be around Jack? Michael asked curiously. I thought you two were close.We are, Alex said dully, but I'm fine. I swear..just stop making such a big deal out of it.
She pulled her legs closer to her, wrapping her arms around her knees, and stared out into the ocean, much like Sun was doing a few yards away. The one thing she hated was being babied', and it even seemed to be getting worse now with knowing her mother and all. With her luck, Michael would bring that up next.
At least tell your mom you're back, Michael said.
Yep, there it was, and just for that, Alex didn't respond.
Why is this such a big deal? Michael inquired after the brief pause. Why can't you just tell me what happened?
No response.
Did you dall?
Alex didn't answer.
Get attacked?
Biting her lower lip, tried to control herself from trembling.
Why can't you just tell me what's going on! Michael finally demanded.
It's not my blood, Alex whispered at last.
Michael repeated quietly.
It's not my blood! Alex exclaimed.
Whether he meant to or fell back as a result of the exclamation, or loss of balance, Michael fell backwards into the sand, now sitting instead of kneeling.
What happened? He asked, breaking the new silence.
Alex didn't want to say. She really didn't. She didn't want to be reminded of her rip-off gift, how she couldn't save those people, or how she dragged Walt into the situation. She didn't want to have to betray Walt's trust and tell Michael what was really going on. Hell, if Walt thought about his ability as much as she did hers, he probably felt just as- or even possibly- more responsible.
We were on the beach, Alex began, picking out her story carefully, we heard something in the jungle..a..a scream.
Alex breathed in deeply before continuing.
So we ran towards it, she went on, and we found this stream..or creek..or pool..whatever it was..and there was this woman.
Sawyer raised an eyebrow, the statement obviously catching his attention.
I thought she was drowning, Alex continued, so I went to help her..but the more I pulled, the more she was sucked down.'Sucked down?' Sawyer repeated.
Alex nodded.
And then this man ran over to help us- me, she quickly corrected, and when we pulled her up..she went down. Michael said.
That..that thing? Alex tried to explain. That thing in the jungle? That's what it was.
Michael and Sawyer exchanged glances as she continued.
And then..just as that guy was trying to recover from it all..it took him too.
The only sound heard was the crashing waves. Alex could've sworn she heard Sun sob ever from their distance apart. Had the monster really been in hiding that long? Of course, what did she know? It was just another one of those things that reminded Alex that she wasn't one of these people. She didn't know the things they did, and in some cases, she knew more than they did. They weren't on the same level. Even though she blended right in with the other castaways, Alex knew where she was wanted and not wanted.
And the blood? Sawyer asked a few moments later.
Michael hit him in the arm and shook his head.
So let me get this straight, he reprised, the monster's back?
Alex nodded stiffly.
And you took my son out there to it? Michael said in disbelief.
Alex looked at him, incredulous.
I didn't take him out there to it'! Alex argued.
That's what you just told me!But that's not how it happened!
Michael muttered something under his breath, stood up, and stalked off towards where Walt had run off to.
Alex called after him.
Jumping up, she ran to follow him.
she said, grabbing his arm, though Michael didn't stopped walking, I know you don't believe me but you have to at least trust me.Ain't that the same thing? Sawyer called from the ground.
Michael stopped and both he and Alex glared.
Just forget about whatever you think happened and just know that..Walt needs you right now.
Inhaling deeply, Alex stopped and then let the breath out, looking towards the ground. Michael glanced towards the jungle and sighed.
All right, he finally agreed, but if something like this happens again-You know, Alex teased, I think the parenting thing is finally growing on to you.Well it's about time, Michael chuckled. Just..at least get that blood cleaned up. That's disgusting.
It was then he noticed Alex looking passed him.
She nodded towards where she was staring, and Michael turned around to see Walt carefully approach Sun from behind. The boy said something to her, and Sun nodded, inviting him to sit down. Alex looked back up at Michael and smirked as if saying I told you so'.
A few yards down
Sun watched the tide roll in below her, mix in with the sand, and then watched as the two chased each other back out into the sea. She had always loved the sound waves something, she reminded herself, that she never got to tell Jin.
The death had come so abruptly, Sun barely had time to process what she was told before the burial, which came in slow stages. Sawyer and Michael buried the body, gave their best wishes to her, and she hadn't talked to either since. Part of her had secretly hoped that Michael would be the one to offer help to her, for she had felt a sort of special connection with him, since he was really the first person she had talked to on the island, but instead she got his son, which she supposed wasn't so bad. Walt was good enough company, though Sun could sense that Walt came out of guilt and sympathy, two things she didn't want out of others. Of anything, she was the guilty one, or at least she thought. Why hadn't she sensed something was wrong? Weren't wives supposed to be able to feel those impulses?
Sorry about your husband, Walt finally said.
Sun gave Walt a small smile for his efforts and nodded. Not really feeling like talking at the moment, Sun remained quiet, half wishing Walt would get bored and leave.
We tried to save him, Walt blurted out.
Sun turned to look at him. She just then realized that she had yet to heard the story of how her husband died.
The raft was attacked, Walt continued, Alex was kidnapped..the raft was blown up..and we were stuck out there. I started drowning and then Alex just kind of came out of no where and pulled me up..but I don't remember what happened after that.
Walt looked up at Sun and added, I'm sorry.
Guilt immediately swept over Sun for having such a negative attitude towards Walt. Here she was not wanting to be around him while he was caring his own baggage of guilt.
It's okay, she responded quietly, tears shining in her eyes as she tried to smile.
At the caves
You're doing it all wrong! Shannon argued, grabbing the cloth out of Charlie's hand.
She dabbed the cloth gently onto Charlie's bloody head, where he had made a sloppy mess of trying to clean the wound with peroxide by pouring it all over himself(something they both swore to never tell Jack). It was so hilarious, Shannon could've sworn Charlie did it on purpose, just to make her laugh. He was good at that.
Are you hiding some secret life as a med student? Charlie asked, grinning. Is Jack going to have competition? Shannon said, closing the bottle of peroxide, Boone was a lifeguard. I had to sit through all of his practice demonstrations. At one point he wanted me to throw myself down a flight of stairs so he could heal a broken ankle.
Charlie chuckled.
That doesn't seem like him.Yeah, he used to have a sense of humor, Shannon admitted, if you could call pushing your sister down a flight of stairs comical.
Charlie raised an eyebrow.
Shannon inquired.
Charlie said, quite a big word for you, isn't it?
Shannon smiled.
Maybe me being around you is having an influence on me, she said, remember a similar conversation they had earlier that day.
There light laughter drowned out the moment, until Charlie brought up a topic Shannon hadn't been expecting.
Why do you do this to yourself? Charlie asked. Chase after all the wrong guys? Date your brother?We're a dysfunctional family, Shannon laughed, and do you really think Sayid's all that bad?No family's that dysfunctional, Charlie commented, and who's the one sitting with a bruised head?
Shannon paused before coming up with her story.
You know, she said, I did meet this one great guy- she smiled at the memory, he lived in Europe. I was over there for a few months and-Turns out he had a kid who hated you and it didn't work out? Charlie interrupted with a grin.
Shannon looked at him.
How'd you know?Wild guess, Charlie smiled.
That smile of his. Shannon loved it. And then..just out of nowhere..she found herself leaning forward, and soon her lips were brushing against his, and found herself embracing yet a third island romance, right before her eyes..or rather, behind closed eyes. And just as it began it was over. The two broke apart slowly and for a moment just stared at each other.
Charlie finally said, you're good- he smiled, I can see why Boone's so desprate.Has anyone seen Charlie?
Claire's voice caught Charlie's attention and he blushed. Shannon looked down, embarrased as well.
Excuse me, Charlie said, standing up.
Charlie greeted Claire a few feet away from where Shannon was sitting, watching them.
He said casually, as he usually did. To what do I owe this pleasure?
Claire rolled her eyes.
Since when is it a pleasure to be with me? She asked sadly.
Charlie offered her a smile.
Want to go to the beach? He said.
I just came from the beach, Claire reminded him.
But you didn't go with me, Charlie said playfully.
Though he was telling himself that this was right, he kept reminding himself that technically he wasn't in a relationship with Claire, and that besides, who was really in a relationship with Shannon anyway? Of course, he had no doubt in his mind that if either Sayid or Boone found out about that kiss, he'd have a second black eye in a moment.
Back at the beach
The group was deadly silent as they listened to Alex tell the story. Actually, the group was only her, Sawyer, and Michael, but she seemed to both be able to catch their attention effortlessly.
But when the ship came back, she was saying, the men weren't the same. Some were on fire. Some were stuck- inside the ship's parts. And some- she shifted her eyes mysteriously from left to right, didn't return all together. And in the end, all of the men died. No one on that team was ever the same again.
Another silence foolowed before Sawyer broke it.
That's not true! He exclaimed wildly and turned to Michael, come on, you don't actually believe that do you?I don't know, Michael admited, sounds pretty convincing. Sawyer snorted. Men stuck in rails? Right, what's next? Birds stuck in trees?
Alex gave in to the laughter, realizing how crazy the story was even it was supposivly true.
What's so funny? Asked Kate's voice from behind them.
The laughter stopped immediatly and the three looked down innocently, as if ashamed to be having fun. Above them, Kate crossed her arms, hurt.
she said, brushing some a strand of hair out of her eyes, just wanted to see what was going on. Sawyer said sarcastically. Jack getting boring?
Kate glared.
You know what? Kate huffed. Fine, whatever. Forget I was here.
Kate marched off elsewhere.
You shouldn't have said that, Alex said quietly a few moments later.
Sawyer said bitterly. Well, it came out wrong.
After that the three remained quiet, sitting in the same place they had been sitting in all afternoon. Alex had never really thought that she would depend on either of the two men for company- especially Sawyer. She admitted that Sawyer was right, lately Jack seemed to be having his own thing with Kate, whereas others seemed to be seperating themselves equally as well.
You know, Sawyer said, lifting his head, if there were no surivors, who lived to tell the tale?
The three glanced around at each other as if withholding some dark secret before bursting out laughing.
You watch too many movied, Michael said.
Alex nodded in agreement, and was about to comment when-
Alone.
Alex's head jerked up.
We were alone.
Looking around, Alex noticed that neither Sawyer nor Michael noticed the voice that she was hearing: the whisper.
Alone.
There it was again.
I'm alone.
Curious, Alex glanced towards the jungle where, sure enough, a white figure was peaking out of the trees nearby.
Author's Note: I hated that chapter. Really. I didn't really know what to do with it.. I wanted to get something up a decent length before the premire(which, unfortuently, I've heard all about). And I have to say congrats on the six grammy wins including best drama series to the cast and crew! Totally deserved! And they deserve even more! Thanks to my reviewers who are coming back! You guys rock!
Next time on, As You Like It:
Jealousy, hurt, betrayel, and the first of many, many new characters. A hint to this new character? Okay, or rather, a hint to a future cliffhanger/twist? Here's half of the line: When are we going to tell them about what really happened after fill in the blank. Yes, I know, I'm evil. Muhaha.
Thanks again!
Until next time..
October Sky