yes, unfortunately, this IS the last ready-made chapter. i DO plan to try to do is write new chapters as the second season goes on... but ill have to play that by ear. hopefully, itll work out.

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Lina awoke to find herself alone, dressed, laying on the jungle floor. The sun was still high, it couldn't have been too much later than when she'd gone looking for Sawyer. For a moment she frantically wondered if she'd dreamed the whole thing. Those fears were put to rest the moment she tried to stand, and felt the aching tenderness between her legs.

She rushed back towards the beach, praying that she hadn't missed the launch. When she saw the newly repaired mast of the raft, she almost fell to the ground with relief, but she didn't have time to waste, they could be putting to sea this very second.

She burst out of the jungle to find everyone milling around the raft, exchanging hugs and handshakes. Sawyer stood slightly off to one side, trying to look busy with the rudder. He glanced towards the jungle, face drawn with longing. He saw her, and dropped whatever he'd been holding. She raced down the sand towards him. When she was almost to him, he actually looked afraid. She guessed he suddenly worried what she might say there, in front of everyone, about leaving her in the jungle after they'd made love. And, oh yes, she knew it was making love.

She threw herself into him, wrapping her arms around his neck, clinging as if her life depended on it. He held on tight, as well, his face buried in the crook of her neck.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You should be," she whispered back.

"I didn't want to see you regret what happened."

"I'll never regret what happened."

He sighed. "I could stay," he said.

"You could, but we both know you won't."

"Yeah…"

"I'll be here when you get back," she promised. He gave her a squeeze, and pulled away, wiping quickly at his eyes.

"Okay," Michael said. "Let's get this baby in the water."

A cheer went up in the crowd. Walt rushed over and gave her a quick hug before climbing on board. A few moments later, she was standing on the beach, watching the boat drift away. Trying not to cry too obviously.

Claire came up to stand next to her. All too soon the boat was just a speck on the vast blue-green ocean.

"He'll be okay," she said, reassuringly.

"I'm that obvious?"

The blonde woman smiled. "You're standing alone, on a beach, watching a dot disappear."

Lina, shrugged. So, she was that obvious. "You really think they'll be okay?"

"If, after all this, I'm still okay?" she said, smiling. "They'll be fine."

"I hope you're right."

"He can't see you anymore, Lina," Clair told her. "Come on. Charlie has a new song he wants someone to hear."

Lina sighed, and let herself be lead away from the launch site.

"So, Charlie said you sent out a letter in the bottle, too. Was it to your family?"

Lina smiled, laughing quietly. "No, it was to James."

"James? Boyfriend?" Claire said confused. Lina nodded.

"Something like that."

"You didn't dump him by message-in-a-bottle, did you?"

Lina grinned, shaking her head. "No, no. Nothing like that. Let me explain."

"Please do."

"I hope you didn't put anything too personal in your letter…"

---

On the raft, Sawyer demanded. "Who the Hell is Hugo and why is he leaving his mom 157 million bucks!"

"You shouldn't read other people's letters," Walt admonished. "how would you like it if someone read your letters?"

"Only letter I ever wrote was to the man I'm gonna kill."

"Why are you gonna kill him?"

" 'Cause he deserves it."

He tipped the bottle, and extracted another rolled up note. Suddenly, he burst out laughing. The others looked at him, disgusted, and then ignored him. Once he'd finished with this last note, he folded it up and put it in his pocket, sliding the other letters back into the bottle and corking it. He saw Walt watching him, and flashed his pearly whites.

"Don't worry kid, that one was for me."

Dear Peaches,

Stop reading everyone's letters, you nosey bastard!

By the time you read this, you'll already be gone, and wont be able to argue with me about it. Don't piss off anyone on the raft and get yourself thrown overboard. You might not want to hear it, but there is someone back here who would be very upset to hear something happened to you. But enough about Arzt.

Be safe. I'm serious. There might not be anything on this island worth staying safe for, but the world is a lot bigger than this stupid island, and its a lot bigger than you! I'm sure there's something out there for you, other than that damned letter you carry around.

And don't think for a minute that I'll ever forget you, cause you're out of luck buddy. I'll be here when you get back. Whenever that is.

p.s. bring chocolate with you.

Sloppy Kisses,

Lina