Chapter 9
Kate's POV
It's getting dark when I finally decide to head back to camp. I really don't feel like it, but I also know that sleeping out here alone isn't the smartest, safest thing to do. And even though right now I don't feel like talking to anyone, I know that being with the other survivors will help ease my pain at some point. Sun is probably going through the same thing I am right now; maybe tomorrow we could talk, try and support each other.
Yes, I'm aware of all that, even if right now I don't see how the pain could ever ease. All I can feel is despair and loss.
As I walk, I look at the now totally dark sky. The stars are visible and I wonder if he's watching them, too. I wonder if he found my message yet… and if he has the same feelings for me. I think he does, but since he's never told me I guess I'll never know for sure. I sigh and make a silent prayer.
Be safe, Sawyer.
Once back at the beach, I purposely avoid looking at his tent. It would have been just too painful. Perhaps in a few days I'll go in there and see if he left anything behind I could keep as a reminder of him, a shirt, a book, anything. But for now I'm just not ready to do such thing.
The beach is totally empty now, everyone being in bed. I enter my own tent and lie down, even though I know I'm not going to be able to sleep.
How could I? He's haunting me; I can't stop myself for reliving every word, every touch we shared… I don't ever want to forget any of the moments we had together. They're the only happy memories I'll have left until the day I die. I close my eyes, trying to withhold the tears from falling again…
And I suddenly hear his voice.
"Kate…"
Startled, I open my eyes. This can't be. Sawyer is crouching right in front of me, soaking wet.
"Kate," he whispers urgently.
Maybe something happened to the raft and he died? And now his ghost is visiting me? Nothing is too crazy on this island, I think as I sit up fearfully.
"Sawyer, is that really you?"
He must hear the apprehension in my voice, because he moves towards me, putting his hand on my arm.
"Yes, it's really me. This isn't a dream. You have to come with me before rescue comes," he explains hurriedly.
I feel a wave of happiness wash over me. He's back, he's back, I keep saying to myself. I want to grab him and kiss him senseless, but something in his eyes stops me.
"What? What's going on?" I ask.
"I can't explain right now. But we've got to leave before someone sees us. Trust me, Kate," he murmurs, gazing into my eyes. I know he's telling the truth, as strange as it may sound. I get out of bed.
"Let's go."
But before I can stand, he pulls me to him and stares at me gravely. I can see there is a lot he'd like to tell me, but now is not the time and he knows it. So he settles on giving me a needy kiss that neither of us wants to end. But we finally break apart. He grabs my hand and, after sharing a smile, we exit the tent.
Saywer's POV
Careful not to be seen by anyone, we rapidly walk up the beach, walking on the humid sand. By morning, the tide with be high and our footsteps will be erased. Still holding hands, we finally cross the point were the others can't see us anymore, as their view is blocked by big rocks. We can now see Robert and Marge's boat waiting for us a not too far away in the water, and suddenly Kate stops dead.
"Are we heading to this boat?" she asks, worry written all over her face.
I know she's afraid she'll be arrested and I take a minute to explain what happened and what's my plan. She relaxes as I do.
"Good thinking, pretty boy," she congratulates me with a relieved smile.
She is so beautiful; I can't stop myself from touching her. I gently wrap my arms around her waist. There is something I need to tell her before we swim to the boat.
"I'm sorry I was such a moron, Kate. I should have understood that I didn't need to leave to be redeemed," I apologize.
She nods knowingly.
"It's okay, I understand you had to do this…" she says reassuringly. But in her eyes I can see she still doesn't know how I truly feel about her.
I take a deep breath and hold her tighter.
"Kate… I… I love you, too," I whisper, saying the words I mean for the first time in my life.
She raises her eyes and our gazes lock. My heart is beating like crazy as her lips gently touch mine. We kiss and I can sense just how much she loves me. I've never felt something this amazing.
"Kate," I begin when we finally break apart, needing to breathe, "once we get off the boat… I want to stay with you."
She stares at me in disbelief.
"Sawyer… I'd love it if you stayed with me, but… Are you sure you want this? I mean... I'm wanted. They could find out I left the island," she warns me, but I can actually hear the hopefulness in her voice.
I tenderly stroke her cheek and confirm:
"I don't care what happens. All I want is to be with you. Heck, Sweet Cheeks, I'd even stay on this damn island to be near you."
"Sawyer..." she begins, choking on the words, unable to hide how happy my words make her.
"Call me James," I say, doing my best 007 imitation. The result must not be too good, because Kate is now chuckling. I pretend being offended and she finally sobers up.
"For me you were always James," she replies, beaming.
We smile to each other as I tenderly wraps my arm around her shoulders and we head towards our new life.
THE END
