A/N: Thanks for the tough love in the reviews, lol. As you can see, it's working because I'm updating sooner than usual! Enjoy!

Kate sat peeling a banana when Walt and Vincent bounded into the infirmary cave.

"Jack said Vincent and I should keep you company," Walt said with a smile. He was glad to be helping out for once.

Kate laughed, knowing Jack really just wanted to make sure she didn't wander off, but she was glad for the company anyway.

"Do you want to play backgammon?", Walt asked eagerly.

"Sure," Kate replied.

"I'm warning you, I'm really good," Walt remarked. "But I'll take it easy on you since you're sick and all."

"Gee, thanks," Kate replied sarcastically, clearing space next to her so that Walt could sit down.

"Does Vincent play, too?", Kate joked, smiling as the dog settled down at her feet.

Sawyer made his way slowly along the path to the caves, wondering what in the hell he was doing. He really didn't want to come face to face with Jack, even more so than usual, but there hadn't been any word on the beach about Kate's condition yet, and he wasn't waiting around any longer.

He figured he would just fill up his water bottles and casually ask the pregnant chick, or someone else who might give him the time of day, if they'd heard anything. No sense bothering Hero if he didn't have to.

Feeling good about his plan, Sawyer adjusted the straps of his backpack and walked on more confidently, occasional yawns reminding him of his sleeplessness the night before. That's what this little trip to Cave Town is all about anyway, he reminded himself. I just gotta get some damn sleep tonight, nothin' more to it.

He quickened his pace, eager to get out of the sun and into the cooler air of the caves. Suddenly, though, he spotted something out of the corner of his eye and veered off the path towards it.

Walt had just won his fourth game in a row when Vincent ran excitedly toward the cave entrance, bursting with pent up energy. Walt and Kate looked up in time to see Sawyer kneeling to scratch the dog's ears.

"Looks like your pup needs some attention, Short Stuff," Sawyer directed at Walt.

"We were keeping Kate company," Walt explained without hesitation. A lot of people hated Sawyer, but since Vincent liked him, Walt figured he must not be that bad.

"Well, how 'bout I take your place and you and Lassie go for a walk?", Sawyer said, raising his eyebrows to let Walt know that he wasn't just asking.

Walt took the hint and gathered up the game. "Let me know if you want a re-match," he said to Kate, who was less-than-thrilled with the prospect of losing again, but tried to feign a little excitement. "Come on, Vincent!", Walt called over his shoulder as he skipped out of the cave.

Sawyer watched him leave, then walked slowly towards Kate, eying her curiously.

"You look a sight better than yesterday, that's for damn sure."

Kate grimaced and looked away, remembering her condition the last time Sawyer had seen her. "Let's not talk about that," she warned, praying he wasn't about to throw her weakness in her face.

"Whatever you say, Freckles," he said easily, slipping his bag off his shoulders and sitting down across from her.

Kate watched him. "Did you really come to keep me company?", she asked skeptically, never one to mince words.

Sawyer hesitated for a split second, just long enough for Kate to catch it. "Nah. Came for the water and the shade. Too damn hot on the beach. But seein' as how everybody else is out there worryin' over the pregnant girl, I figured you might need some company."

"Is Claire okay?", Kate asked, worry crossing her face. Jack had been gone longer than she'd expected.

"Seems like it. She just looked kinda shook up," Sawyer said with a shrug.

"Hmm…," Kate looked pensive. "Well, I'm sure Jack will know what to do."

"Course he will," Sawyer replied, a hint of sarcasm meeting Kate's ear.

Thinking it was best to change the subject, Kate cleared her throat and said, "How are things at the beach, apart from hot?"

"Same old, Freckles," he said, taking another swig from his bottle. "Not as much fruit down there lately, though," he added with a wink.

"Well, sorry, but I'm pretty sure Jack won't let me climb any trees for awhile," Kate said, smiling. "Guess you'll have to fend for yourself."

"Guess so," Sawyer nodded. "How much longer you gotta stay here at Hotel Jack anyway?"

"I don't know," Kate said, the smile leaving her face.

"Well… you're gettin' better right?"

Kate shrugged, looking down.

"Well, what's the Doc say?", Sawyer asked, narrowing his eyes to watch her reaction.

"He doesn't know either," Kate replied, picking at a loose string on the blanket covering her and refusing to meet his eyes.

An uncomfortable silence followed. Sawyer ran a hand through his hair, not sure what to say. Comforting people wasn't his strong point, and he knew it. His eyes traveled to his bag, and he pulled it towards him.

"Oh yeah, almost forgot," he said, unzipping one of the larger pockets and reaching carefully inside.

Kate looked up in time to see him pull a single flower from the bag. It was a lush, deep purple, and Kate's face lit up as he handed it to her.

"I don't have any purple in my garden," she said, shaking her head. "Where did you find it?"

"Tell you what, once you get outta here, I'll take you there myself."

Sawyer stood as if to leave, and Kate looked up at him, pleasantly surprised by his gesture. He was looking a little bit like he regretted it, so she waited to catch his eye before she smiled and said, "Thanks. Really."

Sawyer nodded and turned to go, hoisting his bag over his left shoulder. He had only taken a few steps when Kate called out to him, remembering their conversation in the jungle the day she was bitten.

"Hey, Sawyer…"

He turned to look at her.

"I thought you weren't the flowers type?"

"Yeah, well… don't get used to it." He gave her a fleeting smile, then turned and was gone.

Kate stared after him, twirling the flower gently between her thumb and finger, not quite sure she understood what had just happened. When Jack returned to the cave a moment later, he found her staring straight ahead, eyebrows knitted in thought. It took her a moment to realize he was speaking to her.

Kate felt him watching her, and she focused her eyes and turned to look at him. "Sorry, what?", she asked.

"I said, was that Sawyer I just saw leaving?"

A/N: I know, I know... this chapter was very short on J/K. But I promise I'll make up for it next time!