Chapter 14: Distractions

Kate sat outside Sawyers tent with him reading some magazines she found in the hatch, since Sawyer couldn't read them himself without a migraine. It had become sort of a ritual for them both, a way to pass the time since Kate wasn't in Jacks good books and Sawyer didn't really like socialising. They laughed as they went through women's magazines, but conversation soon turned to much more serious matters.

"So, Jacko thinks he's actually gonna get the Others to chat, huh? Sounds to me like the Doc's been swallowing too many of his pills." grinned Sawyer.

Kate rolled her eyes. Even though the situation was less than funny Sawyer always managed to make her smile.

"I'm sure he knows what he doing." said Kate.

"Aw, you worried Freckles?" said Sawyer.

Kate rolled her eyes, "Your not?" said Kate, "The amount of times you've been injured on this island, you think you would be worried that the only doctor is running off into the jungle." said Kate.

Sawyer laughed. He honestly couldn't stand Jack and his hero ways but Kate had a point. There was a moment of silence while Kate looked over and saw Michael walking down the beach.

"I'm worried Michael might run off again, he was pretty agitated earlier." said Kate.

"'Cause it worked so well the last time." said Sawyer.

"He's just trying to get his son back." said Kate.

"All am saying is their aint been one person on this island who has been able to handle any of the Others alone, not even you Thelma, what makes Michael think he can do anything?" said Sawyer.

"Don't call me Thelma." said Kate.

"Why? Do you prefer Louise?" said Sawyer.

Kate and Sawyer laughed but then Kate's face went much more serious as she answered Sawyers question.

"People can do crazy things when their desperate." said Kate.

She noticed that Sawyer was beginning to look at her with an inquisitive look and quickly changed the subject.

"Beside, I survived didn't I." said Kate trying to smile.

"Yes you did, luckily. Just shows you how short life is, gotta have fun while you can." said Sawyer, giving Kate a look that he had given her before, and she knew exactly what he meant by it.

Kate just smiled as did Sawyer neither of them talking or breaking eye contact. Kate didn't know what she was doing. Apart of her said that there was no way she would let anything happen with Sawyer, but there was always the other side of her that questioned that.

"Well I'll tell you this. Michael has a better chance running in all guns blazing than Jacko does going in with a bargaining chip." said Sawyer.

"Why'd you say that?" asked Kate.

"'Cause darling, they've already got everything what they want." said Sawyer.

Ana caught up with Jack walking along the beach.

"Hey, how's Michael?" asked Ana.

"He's still asleep in the hatch, he's doing ok." said Jack.

"So what exactly are we planning on doing tomorrow?" said Ana.

"Well, I'm going to walk into the jungle unarmed and hope the Others show themselves. You are staying here and keeping an eye on things." said Jack.

By this time Jack had stopped walking and turned to face Ana Lucia. He could tell by the look on her face that wasn't they answer he was hoping for.

"Look, someone has to stay here and make sure everyone is safe. And I've already got Locke and Sayid coming with me, any more wouldn't be smart." said Jack.

"You think anything about your plan is smart?" said Ana, with half a smile on her face.

Jack returned the smile.

"I'm not gonna have to worry about you following me as well am I?" said Jack.

"No, you don't have to worry about that." said Ana.

"Good, I've got Jin and Sun distracting Michael tomorrow so he doesn't try and come with us. If he asks anything..."

"I got it." said Ana.

They both smiled and continued to walk down the beach. Jack was glad that had went better than he thought and Ana was happy that Jack trusted her taking care of the camp while he was gone.