As You Like It
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve: Warnings
Jack sighed. It had to be getting late. The day seemed to go by so slow..how much time had passed since he and Kate were in the jungle? And before then? The fight against the others or whoever the hell they were? Had that all only been in a matter of a week? Jack wished that they could go a week..hell, he'd take just a day, without something insane happening. He couldn't help but to think of all the things he'd be doing if the plane hadn't crashed. Working, of course, but also working with an air conditioner blowing, and other people there helping him, and of course, food. Every time he thought back to someone trying to get him to eat or take a break, he mentally kicked himself.
Bringing himself to reality, Jack began to worry that something had happened to Shannon, Sayid, or both. Shannon had left the caves almost an hour ago, and neither of the two had returned. Shannon and Sayid normally stayed at the beach(whether or not together, he didn't know), so he supposed they could've gone straight there, but there was the Boone factor, and Shannon seemed so keen to get back to her brother- stepbrother. Maybe the two had made up from whatever they had been feuding about from before. Jack could've help to feel sympathetic towards Boone. He too had learned the hard way what it was like to be just a replacement.
At that exact moment Boone groaned, signaling that he was awake. Jack hurried over as Boone struggled to sit up, and helped Boone sit up against the wall. Boone ran a hand over his head then held a fist to his forehead, trying to block out some kind of headache.
Jack said, offering the now half-empty bottle of water he had given Shannon earlier.
Boone muttered groggily, and took a sip of the water only to cough it back up a moment later.
Take it easy, advised Jack, you've been out for a while.
Boone tried taking a drink of the water again and succeeded. After taking a few more sips he sat the bottle down and leaned his head back against the wall of the cave, wincing as he did.
Where's Shannon? He asked, noticing she wasn't there.
She uh.. Jack thought quickly, went to the beach to get her stuff. She was going to stay here for the night. Charlie went with her.
Why did he say that after the Shannon/Charlie blowup? God he felt like an idiot.
Remember anything? Jack asked, changing the subject.
The last thing I remember.. Boone thought back a few days ago, talking to Locke.Well that's an improvement, Jack commented.
Boone wondered. What did I say last time?You told me Kate was a fugitive, Jack said gravely.
The silence that followed told Jack that Boone was either stunned by this revelation, or felt guilty about blabbing. Jack studied Boone and concluded his first assumption was correct.
You don't remember, Jack closed his eyes, mad at himself for telling someone else, and whoever was probably listening into the conversation while pretending to be asleep.
Boone said sincerely.
It was quiet after that as Jack began cleaning up the medical supplies that were left out from earlier, and poured some water over the blood stain on the floor from Boone's wound.
Is that why Kate's not here? Boone said.
How'd you know that? Jack asked curiously, surprised.
It's night, Boone pointed out, if she was, you probably wouldn't be in here checking up on me.
Boone winked and Jack laughed.
he said, shaking his head, I think she's a little torn up. I was just about to go looking for her when-Don't let me stop you, Boone interrupted quickly, I'm fine.No, it's late anyway.
Jack was beginning to wonder if Boone waking up just as he was about to go looking for Kate was some kind of sign that that was not what he was supposed to do. He wasn't big at all on fate, but that was a pretty promising coincidence. After all, Boone should've woken up hours ago.
No, really, Boone said, closing his eyes, falling asleep again, I'll just stay here..
And with that Boone drifted off to sleep before Jack could warn him that it would be a safe precaution to stay awake for awhile. He tried calling Boone's name to wake him up, but all that got him were a few disgruntled moans from the already sleeping castaways. He sighed again. Another sign.
In the jungle
Alex was dead silent during the walk back to camp. She was too embarrassed to say anything, and didn't have the strength to do so even if she wanted to. She hated herself. She hated herself for being able to fall for a guy so quickly. Then again, the situation was so similar when she first met Adam. He was charming, polite, sweet..tears began to swell once more in her eyes just thinking about it. The day he drove up beside her in the truck and offered her a ride..
So I guess this is it, Shannon said, snapping Alex from her thoughts.
Blinking the tears away, Alex looked around and saw that they were already at the beach. Couples and groups were spread out amongst themselves, most already sleeping. Alex would be the only one alone. She shivered thinking of staying up and glancing towards the jungle for hours and hours on out. Maybe the caves wasn't such a bad idea after all. Halfway into the hike to the caves Alex decided that there'd be no hiding the incident from Jack once they arrived, and part of her was convinced that if she slept at the beach the cuts and bruises would mysteriously disappear.
You still there? Shannon asked lightly, obviously trying her hardest to hide any trace of impatience.
At least she was making an effort now.
Alex forced herself to say, speaking quietly, it's just..my stuff's back there. I think I dropped it when..you know.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. What did Shannon care about her stuff? She and Shannon were hardly on a talking bases. Shannon probably didn't even know her name.
Shannon said, just as softly as she spoke, do you want to borrow a shirt or something?
As surprised she was at Shannon's offer, she noticed that Shannon was glancing towards where the shoulder of her shirt was ripped, and the red skin underneath it. Alex felt herself mentally shrinking, and was suddenly glad it was dark and not broad daylight where everyone would be staring.
Nothing you have would fit me, Alex said when she realized she was supposed to be saying something.
Do you want a jacket or something? Shannon offered.
Alex began to wonder if this was one of those make up for all your sins nights for Shannon.
It's fine, Alex whispered, trying to cover up her now hoarse tone.
She was sure that Jack would have some kind of medical reasoning for the sudden change in her tone that seemed like night and day. Her throat began to itch, but Alex was afraid to scratch it for fear of what she might feel there.
Are you sure? Shannon said. Because I have this sweatshirt I think would fit you.
The mention of the sweatshirt took Alex back to Adam's black sweatshirt she took off his body before sending him off on that boat. The sweatshirt that was back in her bag..back at that tree. She wanted to scream. Was this already some kind of test of fear?
You know, Shannon said thoughtfully, studying her, I think I have some foundation that would cover up those scars.
Alex snorted.
Like you'd give up your makeup for me.
Shannon looked hurt, and Alex felt guilty for the assumption.
I had this friend when I was a kid, Shannon said, she fell in love' with her boyfriend' when she was thirteen and ended up getting beat up.
Alex looked down at the ground, thinking of how the situation was similar. Earlier she had felt so alone in the world, like the universe had just given up on her- a hopeless case. Shannon's story reminded her that maybe she wasn't so alone, though she wasn't quite ready to forgive yet.
I don't know what your feeling right now or anything, Shannon continued, but I have an idea, and I want to help. Alex sighed, just as long as-I don't tell, I know, Shannon finished for her.
Shannon looked her in the eye. Alex was surprised at the sudden personally change, and wondered if Shannon always acted this way after traumas.
But I think you should, Shannon finished quietly.
In the caves
Jack was worried. Kate wasn't at neither the beach nor the caves. He didn't want to start another search party in fear of losing someone else in the dark, not to mention they were all asleep anyway, so he had walked around for hours before somehow ending up back at the caves. He figured if he was going to search at night, he'd need some guidance. Tonight must've been his lucky night because right then Sayid walked in, and Jack knew he had some kind of map of the island, and maybe a compass.
Sayid, good, Jack said, I need your help.Is Boone okay? Sayid asked immediately.
Jack said, but Kate's missing and I need to find her. Do you have any of those maps?At the beach, Sayid said apologetically, but I can go get them-Never mind, Jack sighed, how's the head? Sayid said, and then added curtly, she slammed me against a tree.
Jack chuckled.
At least you're remembering things, he said.
He found himself happy to realize that Sayid most likely wouldn't know about Kate unless Shannon told him, which reminded him..
Where is Shannon?She went back to the beach with- Sayid cut himself off, she went to the beach. I told her she should probably get some rest.That was probably a good idea, Jack nodded.
He noticed the small backpack on Sayid's shoulder and frowned when he recognized it as not Sayid's bag, but Alex's.
Is that Alex's bag? He asked, pointing at it.
Sayid said innocently, and looked at the bag on his shoulder. Oh, I found this. I think she dropped it.Is she okay? Jack inquired, considered.
A flash of something Jack couldn't detect came over Sayid's face for a split second. Was it his own worry? Fear? Anger? And then as soon as Jack caught it, it was gone.
I'm sure she's fine, Sayid assured, it's cool out, she probably just wanted some fresh air.
Jack nodded but part of him still felt that something was wrong. When Sayid didn't appear to have anything else to say, Jack stepped aside to leave the caves.
Where are you going? Sayid called after him.
Looking for Kate, Jack called back over his shoulder.
On the beach
Shannon lightly brushes the darkest foundation she could find onto Alex's face, careful not to brush too roughly. Alex was really surprised at how..human..Shannon was actually being, and found it very similar to Sawyer's own personal growth.
Shannon said, and sat back to admire her work,
She gave Alex a smile, and though she admired the attempt, it didn't make her feel any better. Her stomach was still bothering her and every now and then she'd experience random waves of claustrophobia.
Alex said sincerely.
Once again the time came for them to part, and once again Alex met the immediate fear of being alone.
You want to go to the caves, Shannon said, reading Alex's mind.
Alex forced a small, half-smile and nodded weakly.
I can go alone though, Alex said, though that was the last thing she wanted to do, it's no big deal, I've been to the caves a dozen times.
Even while saying it, in her mind she was trying to picture the path to the caves, and couldn't picture it clearly. Something would always be in the way- a rock, a tree..
Or I can wake someone up, Alex suggested to herself.
I'm up, Shannon shrugged, ll walk you.
Alex eyed her.
You're not going to start sending me cards and flowers, are you? She said.
Shannon laughed and shook her head.
Don't count on it, she said, even Boone doesn't get that kind of treatment.
With that the joke was over, and the lingering silence of the night drew over the beach camp, threatening them with its infamous tension. She hated those moments when you had nothing to say and were trapped with your own thoughts. And now the scenes of the day were replaying in her head like a projector movie: meeting Kyle, the walk with Kyle, the sudden kiss, trying to break away..
And then Alex did break away. She let it out. She couldn't force herself to hold back the tears any longer. Shannon just stood there watching as Alex sobbed, hand to her head to hide her face as she did. The make up was a throw off. She never wore it and it had to be completely noticeable. Someone would find out. Someone would ask.
Shannon reached up and pulled back cautiously, as if unsure how much closer was too much. Finally she made up her mind, and put an arm around Alex's shoulder, pulling her into a hug. Though she knew no one would believe the story of Shannon's kindness, Alex accepted the hug, and sobbed into her shoulder. Hating the world, her life, this island, and especially him. Why her? As if she wasn't living in hell already. That was when she decided that maybe some people were just made to suffer.
Further down the beach
Sawyer and Kate still lay in the same position they had been for hours now. Getting up never occurred to either, and after Kate's confession about Jack's kid, neither felt like talking either. Kate was so overwhelmed with guilt that she couldn't move. Her leg had been asleep for so long she couldn't even feel the pain anymore.
Excuse me!
Neither bothered to turn towards the voice.
I said excuse me! The voice cried louder.
Both Sawyer and Kate then turned, emotionless, to see a man that neither recognized running towards them with a limp in their right leg. Sawyer finally sighed and stood up with difficulty to meet the man.
The man said in a hurry. Take this!
He shoved a piece of notebook paper into Sawyer's hand just as Kate joined them.
Tell him to use the code, the man said, a wild look in his eyes.
The man was fairly old with dark hair that grew just past his ears, and dark eyes. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a brown over shirt on top of it, and Kate decided that this man clearly didn't have a sense for fashion. Glancing down at his shoes the man wore, Kate could barely make out a Nike symbol in the dark, and to complete his outfit the man wore old blue jeans, torn at the right knee and covered with dirt stains.
What code? Sawyer asked roughly.
The code! The man cried. Tell him to use the code!
Kate shook her head, just as confused as Sawyer.
She asked.
The man shook his head furiously.
There's no time! He exclaimed. Just tell him to use the code!
With that he made to run past them, but Sawyer grabbed his arm in a grip that made the man gasp in pain. Kate placed a hand on Sawyer's arm and he loosed the grip a little, but not completely.
What the hell are you talking about? Sawyer growled.
I can't talk, the man said quickly, there's no time!Why isn't there time? Kate said in the voice of a calm psychiatrist, showing more patience than Sawyer.
I don't want to be here when it starts!
Sawyer dropped his hand in surprised, and they both stopped. The man looked at both of them once more in fear and then ran past them, straight into the ocean, Sawyer and Kate watched as the guy swam out to sea.
Kate said a few moments later, that was just a little weird.A little? Sawyer raised an eyebrow.
Out of nowhere a gunshot popped in the air, making them both flinch. Seconds later blood mixed in with the salty sea water, soon dying the light sand as well. It was then that Sawyer thought to look at the note that was given to him, though what was written on it left him with more question than answers:
6 43 45 91 82 63
Author's Note: Ha, who's the queen of numbers now? Lol. Don't worry, Jate's coming back, but you might have to wait awhile. I'm not sure if the next chapter will be the last chapter or not, I'm still planning it. Thanks so much to you guys who reviewed! You guys rock!
Coming up next, in As You Like It:
Now Alex's denial starts, and Kate finds that it might not be so easy to confess to Jack, and if this is the last chapter, Shannon makes up her mind in her little quadangle relationship, and Boone makes a fatal mistake. And a hint on that crazy guy? You've seen him before, but he's not who you think he is.
Thanks again!
Until next time..
+ October Sky