Thanks for the reviews guys. As promised. Here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Lost.

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Sawyer leaned forward, his hand resting on her forehead, she was still burning up. He sighed and traced the outline of her face with his finger. Sliding over her freckles, he felt the dampness and warmth of her cheek.

Without saying anything, he lifted her up a bit and scooted back onto the bed. He sat against the wall and held her close to his body.

"Come on girl. You have to wake up now. You can't leave me alone again." Sawyer rocked gently back and forth with her. "Come back to me Kate." Sawyer gently pushed back some hair off her forehead.

A wave of dizziness hit him and he grabbed his head. Laying her down again, he noticed that her skin felt cold and clammy. He sighed, laying down next to her and wrapping his arms around her in hopes of helping keep her feeling comfortable.

He leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'll be right here when you're ready to get up Freckles." His voice was soft and he pulled her close to his chest. Soon, his breathing slowed to a steady rhythm as he drifted off to sleep.

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Sawyer opened his eyes groggily. Looking around, it took him a bit to realize where he was.

He was out in the middle of the jungle.

"James." Sawyer turned upon hearing his name. He felt shivers run down his spine and his eyes grew wide.

"Who… what are you?" The shadow moved a bit, circling around Sawyer. It seemed to be growling at him. He bit down on his lip until the bitter taste of blood entered his mouth. When it spoke again, Sawyer was silent. For once in his life, he was too afraid to move.

"I'm going to kill her. She will die, and soon."

"Kate…" Sawyer's voice was quiet.

"And there's nothing you can do about it." Sawyer's hands started to shake.

"I can get rid of you."

"This is a dream James. A vision. You can't get rid of me. And anyways, she'll be dead before you wake up." Sawyer gritted his teeth.

"No she won't. I'm not letting her go without a fight." The shadow laughed. It was the most haunting sound that Sawyer could ever remember hearing, he placed his hands over his ears, but the sound filled his mind still.

"You… you're in my head?" The shadow growled.

"Yeah. That's how I'm speaking to you… so you can't ignore me." Sawyer took a step back. "And you can't run from me."

"Leave her alone! What is this… some kind of sick game you're playing?" Sawyer's hands balled into tight fists.

"You'd honestly do this? Fight a battle you know you could never win for the chance to save her?" Sawyer glared ahead of him, fear gone, replaced with blind hatred.

"I'd die for her."

"Would you really?" Sawyer nodded, without a thought.

"I ain't no sap. When I say I'd die for her... I mean it." The shadow moved a bit, so it was no longer surrounding him, but straight in front of him.

"Then prove it. Prove that you would risk it all for her."

"How?" Sawyer stood up staight.

"The button. Don't press it."

"Excuse me?"

"The test can't begin until that clock goes to zero James. Let it go to zero. And then prove that you care as much as you say." Sawyer nodded.

"Alright.."

"If you hit the button. James... if anyone hits that button... she's dead."

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Sawyer's eyes opened and he found himself in the bed with Kate again.

"Freckles..." He put a hand to her face, cupping her chin. She moaned a bit and took a long, deep breath, opening her eyes. "Freckles?" Kate turned to see Sawyer next to her and tried to send him a small smile.

"Hey..." Kate's voice was hoarse, but there. And she was awake again.
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There it is. Hope you liked it. Please RnR.