Disclaimer: I waaant to own something (or someone…) but I don't…

Special thanks to my kind reviewers: steam rolled harry potter, Myralee8 (your review made me all boogie :D ) and moonhowler14

Chapter 4

"We need to create a search team" Jack's voice was loud and clear. He was surrounded by about 40 people, who were listening carefully to what he was saying. They were waiting for someone who would give orders, tell them what to do and Jack, like always in situations like that, became a leader.

"Sayid, Ana Lucia, John…Me, ok I think this will be enough. Rest of you must stay here, in case she comes back. Hurley until we return, I want you to be in charge of the button, you have to remember about shifts. Charlie, make sure that our camp is protected, if anything happens take people to the hatch. Understand? Ok so…"
"Wait a minute" sudden interruption surprised Jack, but there was only one person who would disturb when he was speaking.
"Sawyer." Rather statement than question. "What do you want?"
"I'm coming with you" He wasn't asking for permission. They both knew that he would go whether Jack liked it or not. There was no point in arguing. But Jack couldn't let Sawyer do whatever he liked without saying what he wanted to say.
"I thought you were happy she had run away. After all, you made her do it. Didn't know you care" Sawyer shot him a murderous look but responded in his usual cocky way.
"I told ya, I'm full of surprises. Besides, I didn't finish talking with your girlfriend doc, and I've got something to tell her…" Sawyer's eyes were cold.

Don't argue with me doc, or you will regret it.
I. Am. Going. With. You.

They stared at each other for a few seconds. The air was full of tension, they didn't even attempt to hide their hatred. Both of them scared for the same woman. Both ready to do everything to save her. Jack was first to break the silence.
"Ok Sawyer, you can go." He turned his stare from him, and once again faced the group, that witnessed their wordless challenge.
"We will divide into two troops. Sayid, you'll go with John, Ana Lucia you'll come with me, Sawyer…" There was a short pause but Sawyer instantly filled the silence "I'm going with you doc"
Jack nodded, he was happy with that choice, at least he could keep his eye on Sawyer now. He still didn't know what that bastard did to Kate but was pretty sure that it wasn't anything pleasant. Whatever it was, he wanted to make sure that once they find her, Sawyer won't be able to hurt her again.
"So, take some food and water. We will meet here in 15 minutes and part the searching area between our troops"

Sawyer turned back to his tent, walked in quickly and took everything he thought would be necessary. Then he checked if no one was watching him and walked into the jungle… he knew exactly where he was heading…

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"So are we ready? I've divided the area into two parts. Sayid, you and Locke will go north, I'm taking south… wait a second, where the hell is Sawyer?" Jack was clearly irritated.
There was a smirk behind him and loud response "Right behind you, Jackass".
"Next time try not to be late. We were about to go without you"
"Then you should be glad you didn't, cause I've brought something that may come in handy." With those words he showed them four 9mms.
"So, you've decided to give them back Sawyer?" Jack raised his brow in surprise.
"Doc, I ain't giving anything, just lending. And… Freckles has got carte blanche. So lets say I don't have much choice, do I? Sayid, Locke take two of them, here you've got some ammo. I really hope you won't have to use it" There was a little bit of concern in Sawyers tone, which disappeared immediately when he turned to Jack and met his gaze. "Don't worry, I've got one for you too doc." He handed the gun slowly to Jack, as if he was wondering whether he made a good decision. Jack grabbed it quickly and slipped it carefully under his belt. Sawyer watched him for a moment before he started talking again.
"So since everything is done, we may now…"
"Not so fast…" He heard a low, threatening voice behind him, then someone grabbed his arm firmly. "Where is a gun for me?" Ana Lucia was furious and everybody could sense it. Sawyer smiled ironically and turned to her.
"You ain't gonna get a gun sweetheart." His voice was serious and that startled her.
"Why?"
"Well I could just say that I don't trust you. But if you really want to know it seems to me that you've already killed one innocent person on this island. Sayid was understanding and, though I don't I get it, he has a right to act as he wants. But if you hurt Kate, damn, if you killed her I wouldn't forgive you like Sayid did, I would have to kill you too. And I really don't want another murder on my conscious now, so I'm not giving you gun for both our sakes. Is it ok with you sweetheart?"
She looked as if she was about to cry, but she nodded slowly, fully understanding him. Jack, Sayid, Locke, they all thought that Sawyer was nothing more than a sonovabitch who cared only for himself, but she knew better. He just loved that girl. And although that shocked her a little, she couldn't blame him for that.
Without another word she passed him by and followed Jack, who vanished among the trees a few moments earlier.

"Everything ok?" Jack asked concerned, when he noticed her presence by his side. "He didn't give you the gun, so I thought…"
"No, It's great" She interrupted him "We just had to clear some things out, but it's all fine now, don't worry" Then, almost unnoticeable smile appeared on her full lips. "To tell you the truth, I've got a feeling that some day we're gonna be friends, don't you think cowboy?
A loud smirk was the only response she got.

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"So, what do you think?" Locke's question broke the silence that fell between them when they had left the beach.
"About what?" Sayid sounded a little distracted, he preferred silence because then he could let his thoughts wander around Nadia, Shannon… Ana Lucia.
"About all of this, Kate, her disappearance. Do you think she has been kidnapped by those "others"? She found something in the jungle with Danielle and Claire, maybe they were afraid she would lead us back to this place." John's voice was calm but there was also something else hidden under the casual tone, something that made him sound almost like fanatic.

That slightest change didn't slip Sayid's attention. He knew what it meant. Locke was disappointed when Kate said that she wouldn't be able to find that mysterious place again. He, like most of the people in the camp assumed that she lied to protect something or someone . Still John couldn't force her to take him back to the second hatch.

"You can't change your destiny Kate!" There was a hint of insanity in Locke's behavior when they were arguing. Sayid knew there was something wrong with John and that made him keep a close eye on him.

Thinking about it, he realized that Locke was still waiting for his answer.
"I seriously doubt it John. She probably got lost… maybe she is hurt, the jungle is dangerous and we all know it, but I don't think that "the others" had anything to do with that."
Locke didn't respond but only smiled thoughtfully as if he knew something that no one else did.

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If you got leaving on your mind
Tell me now, get it over
Hurt me now, get it over
If you got leaving on your mind.

She kept playing that song in her head. It helped her stay conscious, make another step. Patsy Cline was with her in her worst moments. And she didn't leave her now too, when everybody else did.

Jack

She suddenly started thinking about him… Did he leave her too? Or maybe he was looking for her... It would be so easy to rest in his arms, to find calmness, close eyes and just stop thinking.


Stop breathing…

He would make all the decisions for her just like he always did. But she had already tried to find peace with him and she couldn't do it. The kiss… if only she hadn't run away then, everything would be so simple. She chosed Sawyer… but he didn't give a damn about her.

"Frankly my dear I don't give a damn"

She smiled weakly… "My condition must be really bad if I'm quoting "Gone with the Wind"… " She thought "But then, Sawyer has got a lot in common with Rhett" That idea amused Kate… she stopped for a moment considering it. She was breathing heavily because the long walk exhausted her, drawing air into her lungs was more paiful with every minute. Suddenly she started coughing very hoarsely, tried to stop it by putting hand to her mouth but to her horror she noticed small dots of blood on her palm. It was the last thing she saw before the world turned black.