Chapter Six:

Jack yawned as he went back to his spot aside everyone else in the caves. Boone wasn't going to wake up any time soon, he knew that, and Shannon was there with him if he did, she could call for help. Looking around, he made sure no one was watching, and took out Sawyer's letter, beginning rereading it for dozenth time. There was something about the letter that seem to grasp his attention, something that just didn't seem right, but he couldn't place it. Suddenly, the snapping of leaves and twigs behind him drew his attention away from the letter. Someone was watching him.

Jack stayed absolutely still, hoping the person would still pass by. Silence overtook his area, and he thought he was safe, until he felt cold steel against his neck. He froze.

"Give me my letter," a low, rough voice said behind me.

Sawyer, Jack thought miserably.

"Look," Jack said, trying to keep himself from shaking, "we can talk this out-"

But the breath was knocked from him as he felt a sharp kick to the side. He felt himself roll to the cave floor, feeling the rough surface touch his cheek. He stopped on his back, and looked up to Sawyer, who looked ready to kill. He also noticed two bags of what looked like all of Sawyer's stuff on the ground not far from him, along with a large bottle of water.

"That's the problem, doc," Sawyer said, "I don't 'talk things out'."

He advanced on Jack, who found the strength to stand up. Behind his back, Jack put Sawyer's letter in his pocket. Sawyer was about to make a move, but Jack was quicker, knocking the stolen knife out of Sawyer's hand and pushing him backwards. The two were immediately drawn into a fight.

Sawyer got a few lucky punches into Jack's ribs, but it was Jack who got the winning punch to Sawyer's jaw, jerking his head to the side. Grabbing him, Jack took hold of Sawyer, holding the knife to the man's neck. Sawyer struggled, but Jack had the advantage hold.

"Now listen," Jack said in a low voice, "I don't give a damn what you've done in the past, or who you did it to, but if you lay so much as a finger on anyone on this island, it'll be the last thing you do."

"Oh I'm scared now," Sawyer smirked, but he shut up as the knife dug closer into his neck.

"I'll give you your letter, under one condition," Jack continued.

"What?" Sawyer said, trying to hold himself still under the knife.

Jack brought the knife down, pushing Sawyer away from him. Sawyer caught his balance, and his breath, easily, holding his glare on Jack.

"Now what is it you want?" Sawyer asked a low voice.

Jack stopped, catching his own breath.

"I want you to leave," he said finally, "go somewhere else, and don't come back."

Jack glanced around the caves, thinking of the other castaways.

"And I think that speaks unanimously," he added.

Sawyer stared at him.

"Are you serious?" He asked, incredulous.

"Dead."

Sawyer's eyes grew cold, devilish, and if Sawyer had a gun, Jack knew that would've been the end of his life.

"Fine," Sawyer said, grabbing his letter from where it had fallen on the ground. He looked back at Jack. "But don't consider this getting rid of me. Consider it me leaving."

Without looking back, Sawyer began to leave.

"And for the record," Jack continued.

Sawyer stopped.

"Stay away from Kate."

Shaking his head, Sawyer snorted, and began what was going to be a long night.

Once Sawyer had left, Jack threw the knife down. He couldn't believe what he had just done. Instead of killing him quick and easy, he drew it out, condemning Sawyer to a life of exile, most likely leading to starvation and dehydration.

But he deserved it, Jack reminded himself, and he was more than willing to go.

Footsteps broke his thoughts, bringing him back to reality.

"Where was Sawyer going?"

Kate. The one person who would be concerned about Sawyer, and the last person he wanted to see at the moment.

"Where was Sawyer going?" Kate said again, staring Jack down.

Kate glanced at the knife on the ground, and noticed Jack's shaky behavior, easily putting together that something was wrong.

"He was leaving," Jack said finally.

"Leaving?" Kate said, puzzled. "What? Back to the beach? The tide's up-"

"No," Jack interrupted, not wanting to do this. He took a deep breath, knowing this wasn't going to turn out good. "he left. For good."

"What?" Kate exclaimed.

She stepped closer to Jack, as though challenging him.

"What did you do?" She demanded.

"Why does it have to be my fault?" Jack asked, finding himself unable to look at Kate in the eye.

"He didn't exactly look willing to go."

Jack looked her way for the first time.

"That's exactly what happened," he said, not sure to believe what she told him.

Kate looked about ready to explode. And she did.

"I can't believe you!" She yelled, then lowered her voice, and stood inches from his face, forcing him to look at her. "I never thought you'd sink this low."

"Kate-"

She didn't respond. Looking down, she made up her mind, and began to walk out.

"Where are you going?"

Kate didn't answer as she kept walking.

"Kate!" Jack called aft