Title: Trust
By: Nykky
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Sana (with a little Jana and Skate)
Summary: Up to "23rd Psalm"
Warnings: Maybe swear words
Status of fic: Completed
Author's Notes/Disclaimer:

#Disclaimer#

I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Lost". They were created by JJ Abrams and Damon Lindelof and they belong to them, Touchstone, and ABC.

Part One:

The sun beat down on her neck relentlessly as she walked the length of the beach. Her anger was brewing teetering over into a rage that almost blinded her as much as the sand on the beach. The focus of her anger, Jack and the Others, making her feel like she was a fool and helpless at the same time. Though she knew Jack was not trying to hurt her with the ultimate decision, she felt that he could have tried harder for her. Jack and her had been getting closer the past couple of weeks. They talk almost every day, sometimes for hours on end after his shift.

Her feelings toward Jack were growing she knew that. He understood her and her decision on the far side of the island. He didn't treat her like a pariah. He was very easy to talk to and it helped that he wasn't hard on the eyes. But what really got to her was his touch. It was so gentle and intimate in a slow burn way. She feels the effects of it long after he has done it. It caused her to tingle. She always left desiring more of him. Though they had many moments where it seemed that they are going to move to more, they both always hesitate, something holding them back. They never pushed the issue, always accepting the unspoken understanding that the time wasn't right.

Something was holding them both back. She knew for him it was Kate and what he felt for her. Ana's no fool. Jack's feelings for Kate were always bubbling under the surface though he tried to hide it. A part of her realized the closeness that they were developing stemmed from the fact that Kate was spending an enormous amount of time with Sawyer. Kate seemed to be everywhere Sawyer was much to Jack's frustration. Although he didn't speak on it Ana knew Jack was jealous. However, that didn't explain her own hesitation. She knew some it had to due with Kate but Sawyer was also part of the hesitation.

Sawyer. Ana hadn't really spoken to him since the hatch still she thinks about him sometimes. They shared a weird experience only circumstance could have created. She still felt the kiss they shared, the fire, the heat, the way she melted into him and he into her. There was a powerful connection between them that they both didn't acknowledge yet both recognized. But he too seemed invested in Kate. Ana knew to try and explore the explosive possibility of what they would create was not an option as long as Kate was in the draw. So Ana let it go pressing it back into the far recesses of her mind. She wasn't in high school and had no desire to chase Sawyer or even Jack, for that matter, just to pass the time in hell. She rather find ways of getting off the rock or at the very least, get those kids back from the bastards that took them.

Focusing again, Ana returned her mind to the problem at hand, the Others. They were back in the forefront of her life again. What started off as a plan to find Walt before Michael upped and bolted on his own changed into how to protect the camp. Ana thought back to two days ago when Eko came to her. He had just returned from his trek in the woods and told her what had happened. Her mouth hung open mainly because he informed her that it was his family that had died out there. She could see the guilt written all over his face. She understood it because it seemed similar to her own. They sat for a long time watching the water, allowing him to draw comfort from her without being chatty. But moments later Eko dropped a bomb on her.

Flashback

"They're watching us."

She turned sharply towards him, "What?"

"They're watching us," he said facing her. "I found signs of them close to the camp. They are observing us."

Ana gritted her teeth. "I guess they are trying to find out which one of us are good people. Shit! So much for the reprieve." Shaking her head, she slammed her hand in the sand before jumping up to search for the defacto leader of them all now, Jack. Moments later Eko followed after her.

She found Jack doing his rounds and she waited as patiently as she could for him to finish with his current patient. Behind her a few feet stood Eko. Jack walked away from the woman, smiling up at Ana in greeting until he really saw her face. Like water the cheerful expression fell from his face and the serious leader look took its place.

"Ana what's wrong?"

She waited until he was next to her before whispering.

"The Others."

Her talk with Jack was less than successful. Though they had been getting very close, he had a way of creating a detached attitude when dealing with the business of the island. Ana understood the reason for that although it ticked her off that he used it with her. But what irritated her more was his need to have committee before doing something about it.

"Are you kidding me? Jack…" she took a calming breath. "If they are coming around here, they are taking names and deciding who they will take and believe me once they are ready they'll start snatching people before your group can make a decision. We have to act now. Set up parameters with guards posted ready to take care of the first Other that dare cross our territory."

"Ana we can't just start arming every Tom, Dick and Harry here. Most probably can't handle a gun, and many won't be comfortable with the ones that can…"

She shook her head. "Look, Jack. Comfy or not, they'll get over it before the night's thru when they find themselves protected from the Others. We need to start getting ready now. Give people the weapons and set up the post. Everyone doesn't need to talk about it."

But Jack insisted on talking to the tribe especially to Locke, Sayid, Kate and much to her surprise even Sawyer. She was so annoyed by this that she could do nothing but just turn from him when he caught her hand pulling her back.

"Ana understand. I believe you. But this isn't going to work if there isn't any trust. We need the others to help convince people this is in their best interest."

His voice was soft and soothing. She felt her pulse quicken where his hand touched her arm. She gazed into his brown eyes that seemed to be seeking her understanding, like he needed it. They stared at each other for a long time before she nodded again, this time with a slight smile.

"Alright. Let me know. But Jack in the mean time, I'm gonna check it out with Eko."

"Do that," he said before walking past her.

She found Eko waiting patiently for her as if he expected the decision that was made. They trekked the camp and the area around the hatch. The whole time Ana felt her skin crawling. They were being watched, that much she knew but the Others were wary of both her and Eko. They are the highest kill count so far when it comes to them and the Other's know their deadliness. That didn't mean Ana or Eko could lower their guards. The Other's probably have a good learning curve and both knew that the island was more theirs.

By the time they got back, they found the camp getting into a panic. Jack called the group together and told them what Eko observed. When they reached the group all eyes were on them. Ana thought to say something but stopped glancing at Eko. They would trust it more from him than her. Although people are reaching out to her, she knew many still question her judgment. So she waited until Eko spoke and told him what he knew. Again the loud murmuring began until Jack's voice overrode it.

"People. Let's not panic! We can't afford it. What we need to do is get prepared. First and foremost, we need to plan a parameter for the hatch and this area. Also we need everyone to get closer to the camp…"

The discussion laid out the general things that needed to be done and Ana only half paid attention. She was waiting for the guard duty assignments to come forth. A moment later the group began to disband so that Jack could talk with Sayid, Locke, Kate and a few other people about specific guard duty and what to do. Ana stepped closer to hear what was to be planned, when guns would be given out and if there was to be a hunting party to track down the others before they came here first.

The conversation moved to the position of various guards and what the length of the shifts would be. Ana offered a few suggestions that had many stare at her suspiciously except for Sayid who for the first time she came to the camp acknowledge her and agreed with the idea.

Ana felt herself paused as a strange sense of relief flooded through her. She gave him a faint smile and he nodded back to her. She sat there for the first time actually thinking that maybe things would be alright in this camp with her and the people there. That was until the gun assignments went out.

The decision about who should handle a gun came down and where the patrols would be, and she realizes that she wasn't included on the list. At first Ana thought it was a little oversight but then people started to get up. Looking around she finally spoke.

"Hey! I need a patrol and a weapon too."

Before Jack could speak Locke said, "No. We got all the people we need right now. If we expand the search we will use you then…"

"Are you kidding me!" She faced Jack who stared was trying to tell her to be cool. She saw something flint across his face but the emotion disappeared soon after.

"Why am I not included in this? I can handle a gun…"

"We are well aware of that. But for now we aren't giving you a gun for the same reason that we aren't giving one to Michael. You're too close. And when you're too close you make mistakes. Folks, let's go." With that Locke walked away as if the discussion was over. Following him were people she didn't know and some she did including Sayid and Kate. Seeing Kate walk off really pissed her off.

"I thought you were in charge." She pointed at Jack, anger simmering on the edge of her voice.

Eko touched Ana's shoulder but she shrugged him off.

"Don't Ana," started Jack.

"Don't what? Don't ask why? I can use a gun. I can tell by looking at some of those people they can't handle it but you are letting him keep me from using one. Why don't you tell them to let me help."

Jack stared at her, the room quiet. People were staring at Jack including Locke, all waiting to see if he was really the leader or if she was now going to have influence over him.

Jack's eyes glinted with anger. Ana knew she should have waited until everyone left to question his authority but she was too pissed. All the talk and friendliness from other's in the camp was all pretense. It meant nothing as far as she was concerned. Things have gotten more dangerous.

"The decision has been made Ana," Jack's voice was hard and cold, "I suggest that you find other ways to help."

She started to speak again but Jack turned from her effectively cutting her off. He barked orders to everyone else who jumped at the anger in his voice. Ana was seething and turned to storm away. She felt Jack's hand on her again but this time it wasn't friendly.

There was a darkness in Jack that she never thought he would have. He stepped close to her so that no one could hear what was said between them.

"Don't ever do that again. You want to help, let everyone see that you're not just some crazy trigger-happy nut from the far side of the island. Then maybe I can convince them that giving you a gun won't get them killed."

She jerked away from him stepping back. Jack's face softens.

"Ana I trust you. But what you did today didn't help you get closer to gaining their trust."

She shook her head. "Fine. Keep telling yourself that as the other's snatch people away and you don't have all the help you can get."

She stormed away from him barely noticing in the shadows the blond cowboy watching the whole scene unfold.

End Flashback