Chapter 35
Ana woke early; she had slept a lot the day before and she was full of energy. But it wasn't excess energy that woke her; she sat up to see Eko and Vincent disappearing into the jungle.
She glanced around; the grey dawn was just filtering through the canopy dappling the damp, dewy ground and she rubbed her neck, ruefully, thinking about the beds they'd left behind at the research center. And the shower. She smiled, glancing over at Jack, who was sleeping on the other side of Michael; the sleeping arrangements had been her call and since she had still been pissed at Jack she waited until he settled in to plop down next to Mike, glaring at Jack as she did.
She grimaced, remembering his look of hurt and confusion; did he really not know how seeing him with Kate made her feel? No, probably not, she thought to herself, and anyway, if he did, why would he care? She felt a sudden stab of empathy for Sawyer; it was pretty apparent that he didn't like Kate being around Jack and she seemed to have the same regard for his opinion that Jack had for hers. The difference was that Sawyer loved Kate, and vice versa; she had no claim on Jack other than a quickie in the shower.
But Jack had said he thought there could be more between them, hadn't he? Yeah, genius, she chastised herself, and you blew it off. She kicked herself silently, wishing she knew how to keep her big mouth shut sometimes; Jack stirred and opened his eyes, stretching and sitting up.
He caught her looking at him and he smiled, wondering if she was still angry. Sometimes he just didn't get women; he wasn't sure what he did to piss her off but he suspected it had something to do with Kate. What am I supposed to do, he wondered to himself, never speak to Kate again? Even if that was feasible he wouldn't do it, Kate was his friend; well, more than a friend, if he had to be honest with himself. But even if he did feel something for her- and he did feel a little, as long as honesty was on the table- he knew that nothing would ever come of it; she belonged to Sawyer, body, heart and soul.
He liked Ana, a lot. More than he was ready to admit because it frightened him a little; after Kate he didn't want to feel anything for a while, he needed to give himself some space to let her fade. Ana kept popping into his head, though, and it was almost automatic; the feelings he had for Kate were slowly beginning to shift to her instead. Kate was out of his grasp, but Ana was falling into her place almost without a hitch; he wasn't too sure that was the best way for things to go. He thought about her climaxing against him in the shower, and suddenly he didn't really care.
Locke came into the clearing, carrying some water bottles; he glanced at Jack and Ana, who still hadn't spoken, and Michael, who was sitting up, yawning. He held up a bottle, "There's a stream about a half-mile through there," he gestured in the direction he'd come, "You might want to fill your bottles; we have a trek ahead of us." He scanned the clearing. "Kate and Sawyer not back?"
Ana had jumped to her feet at the mention of getting water; already she had her pack on, ready to go. She held out her hand to Michael, saying, "Give me your bottles, Mike. I'll fill them for you." She didn't ask Jack for his; he wondered if that was an invitation or an insult.
Michael handed her a couple of bottles and she slid them into her pack, strolling off into the woods. She stopped at tree line and glanced over her shoulder at Jack; he was watching her and when she turned back to him a slow smile spread across his face. Invitation. Definitely. All of his caution and concern was forgotten as he opened his backpack and took out his own bottles.
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Neither one of them had slept much; after his shaking had subsided he had turned to her with violent passion, taking out his frustration and pain on her willing body. He'd hurt her, a little, but she didn't care; anything for him. Her release had been as violent as their lovemaking; afterwards they had clutched each other silently, trembling together with the force of their emotions.
Sawyer had dozed a little, but fitfully; he mumbled in his sleep and jerked awake and Kate was there to hold him and caress him; he was a little sorry because he knew he'd hurt her, but the restraint he'd kept with Frank had broken at her touch and he couldn't stop himself. But she'd met him, body to body, taking his punishment willingly and the wonder of her had driven him harder until she cried out in pleasure and a little pain sending him savagely over the egde after her.
He'd been ashamed to look at her after; he didn't want to see the hurt in her eyes but she drew him to her, their sweaty skin slicking together; she kissed him, slowly and with such feeling that Sawyer could feel that black hole opening up under his feet, threatening to suck him in and he almost let it because Kate was there, waiting for him. He pulled away from her, laying his head on her chest, feeling her heart beating against his ear; he wasn't ready to take that leap yet. Frank was still out there and he couldn't let that go, especially not now.
The sun had already crept over the trees and Kate opened her eyes; her back was pressed to Sawyer and he had his arms wrapped firmly around her, his hands splayed gently across her stomach. She rolled over to face him and his arms constricted as he woke with a start, clutching her to him as if he was afraid she would disappear.
"Hey, Tex," she whispered, touching his lips with her fingertips. "You okay?"
He looked away from her, still ashamed of his rough treatment. "Yeah. You?" She nodded and he swallowed hard, still not looking at her. "I'm sorry."
She smiled at him though he couldn't see it. "I think that's the first time I've ever heard you say that," she teased him gently, willing him to look at her. "Don't be sorry, Sawyer. I doesn't suit you."
He looked at her then, his heart swelling. He kissed her, gently, murmuring against her lips. "Kate...Kate, what have you done to me?"
She kissed him back, his words ringing in her ears. I just loved you, she started to whisper to him, but the words stuck in her throat, she couldn't choke them out. She didn't say anything.
Barking rang out through the trees; they both sat up, startled since neither of them had even noticed that Vincent was gone. He came bursting through the bushes and he leapt happily on Sawyer, licking him and wagging his tail; Sawyer laughed despite himself and wiped the doggy slobber from his face, pushing the wiggling dog off of him. He grinned sheepishly at Kate, she was laughing and scratching Vincent's ears as he wormed his way onto her lap, squirming with the joy only dogs have.
Eko came through the bushes, looking worried; his eyes fell on the three of them, laughing and playing on the ground and he relaxed a little, smiling. They were alright.
Sawyer noticed him and he smiled. "Hey Ed!" The pain and shame of the past hours were pushed aside; Kate had forgiven him and that was all that mattered; Frank would have to be dealt with later. The day was suddenly very bright. Sawyer motioned to the heap of wiggling dog Kate was scratching furiously, making one of his legs spasm as she laughed and scratched harder. "Care to join in the dog pile?"
Eko smiled widely, relief flooding him. "Perhaps some other time." He came over and squatted next to Sawyer. He hated to ask, now, seeing how happy they were, but it was important that he know what had happened. "James," he said, quietly, putting his hand gently on Sawyer's shoulder, "I need you to tell me what happened."
Kate froze and Sawyer looked away. The sunshine went out of the day; he could feel the clouds rolling in. Vincent shoved his nose under Kate's hand trying to get her back into the game, but she stared at Sawyer with fear in her eyes as he looked away from her. "Nothin' happened, Ed. We just had a little visit from an old friend." his voice had suddenly turned venomous and cold.
Eko sighed, leaning back a little on his haunches. James needed to know, but he wasn't ready; Eko tried to find the right words. Kate was staring at him, angrily, why had he come here and disturbed the little bit of peace they had been able to finally find for themselves? Eko sat down wearily, and he looked at Sawyer. "James, I know that this is hard for you, but I want you to listen carefully. He was sent here last night to try to draw you out, to make you go after him." He leaned in closely. "You must not do so, James. It would be disastrous. For you both." He nodded to Kate, and Sawyer's rebellious look faded. If it involved Kate it was different. Seeing the look of compliance on Sawyer's face, Eko nodded to himself; as always, Kate was all the motivation he needed. "I am sorry, James. But believe me, your time will come. You just need to be patient a little longer." He stood, smiling at them again. "I think it would be best if you returned to camp. I believe everyone is almost ready to go." He walked to the edge of the clearing, glancing back at Sawyer and grinning. "Joy is fleeting, James. I am glad to see you have caught some in your hands." He disappeared into the trees, leaving Kate and Sawyer stunned behind him.
Sawyer sighed and smiled, reaching over a happily panting Vincent to kiss Kate. "You know, I like Ed, but sometimes he has really shitty timing." He stood, groaning and Kate joined him, brushing off the seat of her pants. "Want me to do that for ya, sweetheart?"
Kate rolled her eyes at him; sometimes she was afraid her eyes were going to roll right out of their sockets. "No, Cowboy, I think I can handle it." He leered at her, flashing his dimples and she rolled her eyes again. "Good God, Sawyer, give it a rest!" Her voice was irritated but she giggled a little underneath it.
He pulled her close, hugging her, his hands entwined in her hair; as his breath caressed her neck and she felt chills raise on her arms. He wouldn't let her go; she could feel tiny spasms rocket through him, and she wished with all of her might that Frank Sawyer was standing in front of her so she could beat him into a bloody, screaming puddle of flesh. Holding Sawyer tight, she stroked his hair, murmuring into his ear; he finally released her, looking a liitle sheepish. She smiled and took his hand and picking up both packs Sawyer joined her as Vincent gamboled around them, happily.
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Ana was waiting by the creek, leaning against a large, flat rock, the bottles lying on the ground next to the water. She hoped he would come; a smile crossed her face as he burst, panting and sweaty into the clearing. He glanced at her leaning against the boulder and the bottles tossed carelessly on the ground and he smiled. "You know, you have to actually put the water in the bottles; it won't do it on its own."
Ana grinned and stood, eyeing Jack hungrily. "I didn't really come here for the water, Jack."
He dropped his pack and went to her, swiftly, kissing her ravenously. She returned it, leaning into him and reaching for the button on his pants; he pulled her tank top over her head and dropped it on the ground as he backed her up against the rock, bending her backwards until she was lying against it. His mouth left hers and traveled slowly lower, she moaned a little and his mouth was back on hers again, feeling her groaning against his lips. She pushed against him, using him for leverage to scoot herself higher up onto the rock; Jack unbuttoned her jeans and she lifted her hips to allow him to pull them off. He caught her under her rump, holding her stomach up to him he kissed it, glancing up at her as his lips moved lower; she groaned and rolled her eyes up to the sky as it dissolved into exploding fireworks.
