Chapter 35
Sawyer automatically reached for his gun; his fingers closed on nothing and he remembered that Kate had his gun. He snarled at the man in the shadows. "I'm gonna kill you, you son-of-a-bitch."

The man laughed, harshly, cackling. "Maybe so Ford, but not tonight." He nodded at Kate, who was staring openmouthed at them. "I don't believe we've met." A dirty hand extended into the light; Kate eyed it with revulsion and Sawyer stepped in between them.

"Don't you talk to her." His voice was shaking with rage and- fear. Kate laid her hand on his back, trying to lend him strength.

The man withdrew his hand, cackling again. "Now, Ford, there's no reason for such hostility. Hell, you and me are practically like family. I just want to introduce myself to the new missus." He bowed low, his face sweeping in and out of the firelight. "Frank-"

"I know who you are," Kate said coldly, pulling the gun from her waistband and pointing it at him. She couldn't bear to look at Sawyer; she was afraid to; she could feel the pain and fear and hate radiating from him as he stared at the man who ruined his life. She hated that man with a hatred like she'd never felt, not even for Wayne. Her finger tightened on the trigger. "I'm going to kill you." Her voice was icy; Sawyer's eyes flicked to her and he shook his head. reluctantly she relaxed her grip a little.

"Listen to your boyfriend, there, Missy. You didn't think I'd come alone, did you?" A dozen torches flared up in the darkness and Vincent started growling again, pulling against Sawyer's restraining hand.

Scowling, Kate stuck the gun back in her jeans, looking apologetically at Sawyer. He flashed her a smile; at least she tried, and that meant more to him than anything. He turned his attention back to Frank, glaring helplessly at him; his hands itched to get around his throat and strangle the life out of him. "I have something to read to you. Later."

Frank chuckled derisively. "Yeah, Ford, I know all about your letter. 'Dear Mr. Sawyer'," he mimicked, " 'You don't know who I am. You killed my mommy and daddy. Boo-hoo.'" He cackled again harshly, and Kate wanted to cry; she could feel Sawyer shaking and struggling to keep his control and she knew that the only reason he hadn't rushed Frank was her. I'm supposed to protect you, she thought, this is all wrong! "I didn't kill your parents, you silly boy, your daddy did. He was a weak-minded fool who couldn't give your mama what she needed." He craned his head to see Kate. "That's what you got in store, Missy!" He cackled harshly again.

Kate clutched onto the back of Sawyer's pants; she could feel him about to spring. Sobs wracked him but he didn't make a sound; his body convulsed with the effort to control himself and Kate cursed her inability to do anything for him. Cold fury took her and she stepped out from behind Sawyer and stared at Frank murderously. "What the fck do you want?"

He eyed her appreciatively, nodding at Sawyer. "She's feisty. I always liked 'em with a little spirit myself. Your mama was a challenge; she loved your daddy you know. I had to work her hard."

Kate stepped in between him and Sawyer, praying that her body would be enough to keep Sawyer from doing something crazy. She could feel the fire burning in him, and she remembered with a pang the vision of him in flames; glaring at the man in the shadows she snapped, "Are you here for a reason?"

Sighing as if she was ruining his fun, he said, "Not really. We were just passing by and I couldn't resist dropping by and seeing my old buddy Ford." Sawyer was trembling so hard Kate could feel him even though she was inches away; the air was shivering around them. She hoped he didn't faint before she could get rid of this nightmare. "Remember the time your mama and I took you to get ice cream? You called me Uncle Frank and man, that really touched my heart. Good times, Ford, good times." His voice ended in a hiss and Kate felt sick. Sawyer was shaking so hard behind her the ground was vibrating beneath her feet. She knew he couldn't restrain himself much longer; she was shocked that he had lasted this long and she backed up into him to help support him. His free hand found hers; the other still had a grip on Vincent.

"Well, I am sure 'Ford' enjoyed your little visit. So thanks, goodbye." Kate glared at him; he sniggered and bowed again.

"Thanks for your hospitality, young lady." His hand reached out of the shadow and took Kate's; she gasped at the feeling of his touch- it was like biting on tinfoil.

Sawyer's hand grasped Frank's arm, jerking it away from Kate; he snarled with barely contained fury, "If you ever fucking touch her again I'll make what you did to me look like a paper cut." The unpleasant senation ran up his arm making it tingle but he didn't let go. "You and me ain't done, Sawyer. We'll meet again, and when we do it's lights out for you." He released his arm and Frank smirked, still half in the shadows.

"I'm lookin' forward to it Ford." He started to melt into the shadows. "Oh, and We're coming for Michael. Walt wants him. So be prepared." With one final cackling laugh he disappeared into the jungle, the torches going out with him.

Kate turned to Sawyer and hugged him tight as he heaved, sobbing against her. They sank onto the ground, arms wrapped around each other; Sawyer clung to her, his fists in her hair, she could feel him still shaking against her. "It's okay, baby," she murmured against him, "It's okay." They stayed like that for a long time; Kate murmured to him, soothing him and his shaking convulsions finally slowed and stopped. But he didn't move away from her.

The fire burned low, their forgotten meal burning to crisp in the embers. Vincent lay quietly next to them, his head on his paws; his brown doggy eyes remained open, watching the night for them.

-----

Eko and Locke sat apart from each other, the electric sparks flying between them. They had not done this for a while; it felt good. Locke felt as if he were getting back in touch with the island; he felt invigorated.

Eko had his arms out, smiling up into the darkened canopy. He sighed a little, and the sparks pulsing around them paled just a hair. "John, you know that we will be separated soon."

Locke smiled, feeling the island whispering to him. "Yes. I know."

Eko lowered his arms and a few sparks died out. He glanced at the sleeping bodies of Jack, Michael and Ana. "Do you know why?"

Locke shook his head, smiling. "Nope. It hasn't told me that yet."

Eko shook his head, whispering urgently. "I don't like it, Locke. Why would we divide our forces?"

John lowered his arms; all of the sparks faded out and died. "Eko, this island has not led us wrong yet. Everything it does is for a reason, everything we do is for a reason. If we have to separate, then that is what we are meant to do." He lifted his arms up again, but the mood was broken and he dropped them in irritation.

Shaking his head, Eko looked sadly at Locke. "What if the island's reasons differ from ours? Are we just a means to its end?"

Locke shrugged. "The end is always the same, Eko. The means don't really matter."

Eko dropped his eyes to the dying fire. "I hope you are wrong, John." He reclined on the springy jungle floor, closing his eyes. "I like to think that I matter. That we all matter, in the end."