Back to LA
Jack and Casey were the first one's off of the boat. Reporters had obviously heard word of the survivors and were now bombarding them with so many questions they could barely process them all. A somber mood cast over the dock as they answered the questions reluctantly.
Jack watched as Kate was put into a police car and that just seemed to twist the knife in his stomach even more. He knew it was going to happen but it just didn't seem fair. She was still one of his best friends and it hurt to see her go. His attention returned to the reporters at hand and he decided he could take no more. Casey, too, had had enough.
The castaways were then told they were to be escorted to the nearest courthouse where they would be granted money and shelter for their troubles. And even though it was a wonderful agreement no one could stop thinking about the children.
Each survivor had his own share of quite a bit of money and couples were granted houses fully furnished and paid for by the government. It seemed to take the edge off of things knowing they would all be within the same block of each other and that they didn't have to worry about 'homes' anymore.
000
Casey opened the door to their new home and walked in with Jack at her heels. They walked hand in hand around the house to see all what it had in it.
The first thing they walked into was a hallway with two rooms on either side of it. To the left of them was a living room fully furnished just like they said it would be. Jack was particularly fond of the color scheme of deep reds and tan. And on the other side was a kitchen with a table, an island, and more cabinets than they could count.
They continued up the flight of stairs that was at the end of the hallway, which led to a very open upstairs. There was almost a business office feel to it with a couch and computer supplied already and a window over looking the tiny backyard they had. The walls were a warm yellow color and the sunlight complimented it well.
Across the room was another door, which when opened, led into a bed room. Aqua blue bed sheets covered the kind sized bed they hand and two white tables on either side. There was a walk in closet and boudoir.
A guestroom could also be found on the other side of the room. It was pretty with a violet theme to it. Cozy, Casey thought.
An upstairs bathroom finished off the tour and both Jack and Casey plopped themselves on the couch and sighed heavily.
"Quiet." Jack commented closing his eyes.
"Yeah. It's very different from the beach, huh?" There was a peaceful silence between the two. But it was interrupted when the phone rang.
"I got it." Jack said pushing himself off of the couch. He walked into the other room (the bedroom) and picked up the phone with a 'hello'.
Casey strained to hear the conversation.
"Yeah Sawyer. We're settled in okay." She could hear Jack say. "Uh-huh, that's right…Well, I'm sure it'd be fine…Yeah…Okay, third house on the left…Gottcha…Fine…Goodbye." Casey heard Jack hang up the phone and reenter the room.
"Who was that?" She asked even though she knew perfectly well who it was.
"Sawyer. Wanted to make sure everything was okay. He and Tina want to have us over for dinner Thursday. I said it'd be fine." He said while sitting back down on the couch. He tried to remind himself that the day of the week was Tuesday. Another long silence settled in between the two.
"So, who's taking the first shower?" Casey finally asked.
000
Thursday came faster than the couple had expected. They were dressed to the fullest with nice pants and button up shirts; something both of them hadn't worn in years. Casey could barely stand in her heels anymore while Jack complained he was being choked by his tie. They had to laugh at each other though so the lighthearted feel came back to the evening.
Casey had attempted making a cake for dessert but wasn't quite sure if it was going to meet everyone's standards. She could barely remember how to cook anything other that meat and even then she had to grill it.
At half past six the two were out the door and headed down the street. They both figured since they were within walking distance of the people they could surely use the exercise.
They rang the doorbell and stood underneath the hang over porch they had. The outside of the house was beautiful with white siding and navy trim. Casey couldn't wait to see the inside.
"Hello!" Tina shrieked as she opened the door. She kissed Casey's cheek and hugged her then did the same for Jack. "This is going to sound completely stupid but I missed you guys. I'm going to have to get used to not seeing you everyday."
"Well, at least we live on the same street." Jack said optimistically. The two women smiled. Tina invited Jack and Casey into the house and offered them a drink, which they both excepted.
Now with a cup of red wine in each of their hands they toured the house. Leaving the comfort of the bright colored kitchen they traveled the living room, which connected through a hall holding a bathroom.
The living room was decorated very delicately with eggshell colored carpet and a stone fireplace. A coffee table sat in front of the lazy-boy couch. A TV sat in the corner out of the way.
Next they traveled upstairs to see the bedrooms and master bathroom. One bedroom was colored in deep greens, reds, and blues but in an elegant manner. A bed with complimenting sheets sat against the wall.
"It's beautiful." Casey complimented.
"Thanks. Sawyer really liked it, too." Tina stated. She then took them into the connecting bathroom.
With a white tiled floor, pink trim along each wall, and bath tub you could get lost in it was truly a religious experience. A white vanity sat across from the tub.
"Now…this is the only part of the house that Sawyer didn't like." Tina laughed.
"Because of the pink." Jack spoke the thought for everyone.
The final bedroom was a bedroom turned nursery for baby Bailey. As Tina turned on the lights quietly Casey and Jack could see her sleeping soundly in a small white crib. A matching rocking chair was in the corner as well as a changing table. Various stuffed animals were thrown in different places to give the room the authentic baby room feel. But what really caught everyone's attention was the ceiling. It was painted like a sky with a pastel blue with white clouds partially hiding a light yellow sun. It was just perfect. Light blue carpet really pulled the room together in Casey's opinion.
After the look about the house the three of them found their way back into the living room.
"Where's Sawyer anyway?" Jack said taking a sip of his drink.
"Oh, he's the one making dinner." Tina said proudly. Jack almost spit out his wine while Casey just laughed.
"Now there's something I didn't see coming!" She giggled. Jack quickly swallowed and agreed with her.
"Come and get it!" They could hear Sawyer call through the hall. Tina and Jack followed Casey into the kitchen; glasses still in hand. The smell of food filled the air as the stepped into the kitchen. On the table were four place mats and four sets of silverware.
In the middle of the table was a huge bowl full of pasta with many colorful vegetables off to the side and plump pink shrimp as well. The southern man also placed a tossed salad on the table. Everybody sat down and grabbed a plate and started dishing themselves.
"Sawyer everything looks great!" Casey cried.
"Thank you. I wanted to make sure after over twenty years I could still cook." He said with a drawl.
"I know what you mean. I made a cake for dessert but I'm not sure how it will be. God know I had trouble making it." She laughed.
000
An hour went by and everyone was full to bursting with Sawyer's home cooking. They now sat around the table sipping coffee and enjoying each other's company.
"So, how are you guys holding up?" Jack asked.
"Actually better than I thought we would." Sawyer said taking another sip of coffee. "I'm giving the credit to Bailey."
"I totally agree. I think if we didn't have her we'd be a mess." Tina looked down at her cup and traced the edge of it with her finger. "I just feel so guilty for taking her from them. I mean…she is Will and Marie's after all."
Casey reached over and rubbed her friend's back for support. "I'm having a tough time getting used to being only two again." She leaned back in her chair. "I woke up the other morning and got up and almost yelled for Taylor. Then I realized she wasn't there."
Jack thought for a moment then sighed. "What I regret the most about leaving is leaving them alone. I mean…Taylor is six months pregnant and she's working herself to the bone at the caves. I don't know why I didn't think about it but…I'm just worried about them all." He tapped his fingers on the table for entertainment as silence set in.
All four of their faces were plagued with thought. Everyone was thinking something different but along the same lines.
"Why did we leave, anyway?" Sawyer finally blurted.
A/N: Sorry guys but I think the chapter updates are going to get more sporadic now that my school has started. I hate to do this to you and was really hoping to get the story done by the time I went back to school but…as you can see that didn't happen. I'm sorry once again. REVIEW!