Hope Anew

Chapter 3: Addition

"…and once again the little man started spinning and spinning on the wheel, turning all of the straw to gleaming gold…" Walt recited from the book of fairytales, bringing a new story to life each night.

Hope was sorry that the story telling had fallen to Walt since Boone's death, but she hadn't been able to summon the energy since losing him. Claire had chosen the evening's story, 'Rumplestiltskin', saying only that she had loved it as a child.

Somehow Hope knew the story well, and knew that it would not be long until the Miller's daughter would be forced to promise her first-born child to the strange little man who had saved her from death by spinning room-fulls of straw into gold. Everything seemed to be revolving around babies.

She swept her eyes over the many faces around her, all glowing in the firelight looking intently at the storyteller. Walt sat next to his father, with the book resting in his lap; squinting his eyes slightly at the small print. Michael was next to Locke as he sat silently stoking the fire, while Hurley and Charlie sat nearby, letting Walt's words wash over them as they relaxed after a long day. Hope was the only one in the audience sitting alone, slightly away from the rest of the group; and for the first time since losing Boone, she wished that someone would keep her company during the story.

"Hey, Peaches," Sawyer whispered as he sat down beside her. "Did I miss much?"

When story time first began, Sawyer would stand within the tree line to listen, protecting his image by staying hidden from the others. Hope had seen him there, and over a short period of time she had convinced him to sit with the group. He was getting better at being part of their community, while Hope herself seemed to be getting worse.

"It's 'Rumplestiltskin'." Hope whispered back, "Claire's choice. The King has just promised to marry the Miller's daughter if she can spin a final room-full of straw into gold in one night."

"Sounds like a job for Superman," Sawyer smiled, settling into his seat.

Hope let her eyes stray over the group again, noticing a change in Sayid. He sat beside Shannon with an arm wrapped around her shoulders, protecting her from absent dangers that only he could feel lurking around them. His eyes had moved from watching Walt and were now stuck on Sawyer, a slight frown forming at the edges of his mouth. Hope knew that he was unimpressed by her choice of company.

Shannon looked suddenly at Sayid, following his line of sight to Sawyer. She frowned, and Sayid squeezed her shoulder and gave her a small, encouraging smile, and both turned back to the story.

"He's still not too into me," Sawyer remarked quietly, flicking his eyes at Sayid.

"You noticed." Hope was uneasy, knowing that Sayid and Shannon were worried about her. "He's just taking care of me – Jack told him about the…"

Sawyer picked up where she had trailed off, "…addition to the group?"

"Possible addition," Hope corrected. "I talked to Jack again – he said it's too early to be sure."

Sawyer nodded his understanding, "So, what are we hoping for?"

"We?" Hope looked lost. "I haven't decided yet," she admitted.

"Ah," Sawyer smiled a little and tuned back into the end of the story.

"… 'Is your name Fuzzibert? Skinnywizard? Orbwazzle?...'" Walt continued with the story, as the Queen tried to guess the name of the man who was waiting to take her child. "… 'Porfelag?... Mumpoline?... Hurley?...'"

All eyes snapped to Hurley, who looked stunned. Hope laughed along with the group. Walt was always adding his own spin to the evening stories – Hope was almost certain that he had made up every name on the page.

"… 'Is your name Rumplestiltskin?' she asked finally. The little man's face contorted with rage as he shrieked…"

"Is that what this story's all about? Names?" Sawyer whispered in wonder. "I never read it myself – I don't do weird titles."

"Right," Hope nodded and smiled at the oddity of Sawyer-logic.

"Was that a smile?" Sawyer ribbed her as Walt closed the book and the group stirred.

"Yeah," Hope admitted as they stood and brushed the dirt from their clothes. "I've been doing that a little today."

"Since Jack told you about the 'possible addition'?"

Hope thought for a moment and shrugged, "Actually, yeah."

"Well," Sawyer said with smug satisfaction, "Maybe adding won't be as bad as you think."

Hope looked at him sceptically, "Since when are you a glass-half-full kind of guy?"

"I'm whatever suits me in the moment, Peaches. You should know that by now." He looked around and noticed the group of beach-dwellers moving towards the path. "Well, gotta go. I'll catch you tomorrow."

"Okay, Sawyer. 'Night." Hope waved him off as he ambled away with the last of the group.

Sayid approached her immediately, and Hope saw Shannon departing through the trees talking animatedly with Claire. It looked like Sayid was deemed tough enough to venture back to the beach alone.

"Hope," he called out softly as he entered her space.

"Hey, Sayid." Hope smiled genuinely, vaguely wondering what was going on with her today.

"I am concerned about you."

"Ah," Hope nodded, "Not really one to skirt the issue, are you?"

Sayid laughed softly, "No, not really."

"You're worried about me hanging out with Sawyer."

Sayid nodded, ready to dispense his brotherly advice. "I do not approve."

"I see," Hope was humouring him to begin with, but she didn't think that she would like where this was going. "And what do you suggest?"

"I would suggest that you find more reliable company," Sayid said, and then grinned hopelessly, "but I do not believe that you will live by my recommendations."

Hope smiled, "You're right."

"In that case," he continued, "I ask only that you be careful in his presence. I have not found many reasons to like or trust Sawyer. I hope that you will do what is in the best interest of yourself and your child."

Hope was startled by his bluntness, and looked around with wide eyes for anyone within earshot. Her anger rose quickly to the surface.

"First, the baby thing isn't for sure yet." Hope's tone was firm but quiet – as intimidating as she could summon in the presence of a former member of the Republican Guard. "Second, if and when it is for sure, it will be my concern and not yours, and I will be a great mother. Third, I'd appreciate if you could be a little more careful with what you say – this is actually a secret."

Sayid looked sorry, and Hope's anger began to melt away as she saw the regret in his eyes. He had obviously not meant to imply that she would be anything but an ideal parent. He knew he had overstepped his bounds.

Hope sighed and continued, "Look Sayid, I get what you're saying. It's nice that you're worried, but I'm fine. Sawyer isn't a problem – it's everything else in my life right now."

Sayid gave a sympathetic smile. "I want only what is best for you. Shannon and I worry that you are not taking care of yourself. We must take care of each other; we are a family now."

"I know." Hope touched his shoulder appreciatively, "I know you guys are just looking out for me, but it's really unnecessary."

"Alright," Sayid decided to let it slide, for the moment. "I must get back to the beach. Look after yourself, Hope."

"I will." Hope stepped forward and hugged Sayid tightly. She had a feeling that he was still a little unfamiliar with random displays of affection, but he hugged her back nonetheless.

Sayid left her with a brotherly kiss on the head and a soft squeeze of her hand. Hope watched him disappear into the trees, and moved a little closer to the fire to sleep.