"Charlie! Claire!"

They had been searching for little over three hours with no sign of Charlie, Claire, or Ethan. Jack was becoming more frantic by the minute, obviously blaming himself for what had happened.

"Jack calm down, we don't want to attract the enemy," Locke said gingerly.

It was apparent that Locke was annoyed with the group, use to being alone on these excursions instead of dragging along a band of rag-tag misfits. Night was falling and they had found no more than footsteps and a trail of broken branches. However, as they walked on, there were signs of a struggle and then two sets of prints heading east while the third set, still fresh, were headed in the opposite direction.

"There looks like there was a sign of a struggle," Boone said matter-of-factly, a proud smile on his face.

"That does indeed seem to be the case," Locke said.

"Ya, great job there Boone. I coulda told you that ten minutes ago, you dipshit!" Sawyer said, though nobody paid him any mind, except maybe Boone.

"And look, here is one of Charlie's finger bands," Locke pointed out, totally disregarding Sawyer's outburst.

Everybody looked around, searching for any sign of Charlie but, since the sun was slowly setting, it was hard to see much at all.

"We're not going to be able to do anything more tonight, it would be best if we made camp," Locke said.

"But Charlie and Claire are still out there! Are we suppose to just sit around while Claire gets dragged around the island by a complete psycho!" Jack fumed. He was obviously cracking from the day's events.

"Jack, there is not much we can do for them right now, it is best if we get some rest tonight and get an early start tomorrow," Locke replied with no room left to argue.

"But…" Jack started

"Come on Jack, let it go." Kate stepped up beside him, making him look her in the eyes,

"Let it go," she repeated.

"Ok." Jack agreed and went to sit by the fire that Boone has successfully started.

Kate began to make her way over to the fire, passing Sawyer on her way, but was side tracked when one thought crossed her mind…'Why did Sawyer decide to come on this rescue mission? When did he become worried about someone other then himself? I mean he really didn't –'

"You look in deep thought Freckles, what's on your mind?" Sawyer asked curiously, breaking into her thoughts.

"Why are you here, Sawyer? I mean, really, why did you come?"

"I thought ya could tell, Freckles. I wanted to try my hand at being a hero. Ya know, fight for peace and justice and the good of cuddly puppies everywhere," Sawyer said sarcastically.

Kate rolled her eyes. "Yes, of course, I should have known. You wanted to surpass Jack, what a surprise," She laughed shortly, unamused. "As if that could ever happen. You could never be even half the man Jack is."

In the second it took for her to register what she had said, Kate could see the hurt that flashed through Sawyer's eyes before they became shuttered again, and she was instantly sorry. Yet she couldn't take it back now. What was done was done and besides, Sawyer wouldn't take her apology anyways.

"Sawyer, I -"

"You're right Freckles. How could I ever have thought that I could be like the great and mighty Jack. I mean, how stupid of me," Sawyer spat self depreciatingly before turning one his heels and stomping off.

"Sawyer wait!" Kate cried, but Sawyer ignored her completely and walked off into the darkness.