Chapter 62

The division within the group was painfully obvious; Locke, Ana and Jack led the way and Eko, Kate and Sawyer meandered behind them, taking their time in the sweet morning sun. Vincent bounded happily, glad to have everyone around again and be on the road; he barked but Sawyer didn't dare respond because he was sure Jack didn't believe Ana and he didn't want to give him a reason to start. Instead he grinned softly to himself, laughing at the silly damn dog while Kate held his hand and they strolled easily alongside of Eko.

Jack wasn't totally with Locke, but he had chosen to be on Ana's side, whatever that happened to be and that put him in league with John, at least for the moment. Sexual politics makes strange bedfellows, he thought wryly as he glanced back to the happy foursome behind them, acting as if they had all the time in the world while they steadily fell behind. "Hey," he called back, "You guys want to pick it up?"

Sawyer called back, "Not really, Doc. You go on ahead, save us a table."

Jack grimaced to himself as they all laughed; even Vincent was grinning at him. He turned back to find Ana watching him. "What's up?"

He shrugged. "Nothing. Let them fall behind." He moved up next to her, smiling and taking her hand; she smiled as he did, though he didn't see the triumphant light in her eye. He had come over; he was at least going to try. And he was doing it for her; she had asked him for something and he had given it.

The red-shaded area was not far from the hatch, only a few miles, and Locke decided to go along the beach since he hoped they might run across the fishing boat and whoever was on it; it was a slim chance but it was a shot, anyway. Glancing at Jack, he smiled. He had tried to get Jack to keep Ana on his side, but it appeared that things were working out a little differently, though still in his favor. Oh well, he thought, it's the end that matters, not the means. If Ana brought Jack to their side it was that much easier. He dropped back to Eko, who separated from the others and joined him.

"Yes, John?" Eko had an idea of what he was planning, and he agreed with it, if only to get Sawyer away from everyone else before he let anything slip. Sides had been chosen and the real battle was close; Sawyer needed to work on his skills while he still had time.

"I want to check the beach for any sign of the fishing boat I saw, but I also think someone should stay in the jungle, mark out a trail." He rubbed his forehead and glanced at Eko; he wanted to get Jack and Ana away from the others so they could discuss what had to be done; the thing he needed from the Shark Hatch was still tucked safely in his pocket.

Eko nodded. "Yes. We will stay in the jungle." He looked askance at Locke, a slight grin curling his lips. "And so we part again, Gilgamesh. But we shall meet again; let us hope it is not in battle."

Locke laughed. "Well said, Enkidu, but as I recall, the battle was a draw."

Smiling, Eko nodded. "Yes, it was. But life does not always imitate art, John."

------

The beach was hot and they stuck as close as possible to the tree line where there was a little shade; they went quickly, not sparing much time or breath for talking.

Jack brought up the rear, watching Ana's as she slogged through the sand; she glanced back at him, smiling as she caught him looking. She glanced down at her ass then looked back at Jack, raising her eyebrows at him as she grinned slyly; he smiled and winked at her and she smirked as she turned back around. Jack licked his lips as his eyes returned to her rear. He couldn't help it. Shaking his head at himself he caught up to her to remove the temptation.

"You get a good look?" she panted; Locke was setting a tough pace. "I thought I was gonna have to get out my crowbar." Laughing at his confused expression she said, "To pry your eyes from my ass."

"Did you mind?" He smiled at her, "Because it didn't seem like you did."

"Jack!" Locke's voice startled them and they both glanced up to see Locke pointing to a fishing boat lying smashed up on the beach.

It looked like it had been dropped from a great height; it was just a jumble of wooden slats and spars and netting; something that looked like it might have been a cabin at one point remained somewhat upright; a large dark smudge marred the remaining white walls.

They approached it carefully; Locke could barely contain himself, his theory was shaping up to be right. As they came closer he shouted, "Hello? Anyone here?" Nothing. "Hello?"

Ana walked up to a large lump in the sand next to the boat; she recoiled a little as she realized it was a man, obviously dead. He had been shredded. Bile rose in her throat; she had seen car crashes and shootings and stabbings, but never someone who looked like they had been ripped open by giant claws.

Jack was next to her in an instant; kneeling to the man he checked him over, shaking his head. He rose and took Ana by the shoulders. "You okay?"

She nodded. "Yes." Nodding a little shakily at the corpse she said, "What does something like that?"

Jack sighed and shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, Ana."

Locke came up to them. "I guess there's nobody here, alive. They must have moved off of the beach."

"If this is the same ship, Locke, it's only been a day. Why would they leave the beach so soon?" He glanced down at the shredded body and shook his head. "Never mind. I know." He looked up, squinting at Locke a little. "Can you track them?"

Locke eyed him steadily. "Do you believe there is someone, Jack?"

Staring warily at Locke, Jack shrugged. "Why not?"

Locke was a little disappointed but he swallowed it. "Well, that's not exactly the vote of confidence I was looking for, Jack, but I guess it's a start." He glanced up at the tree line. "If we can find a track I can follow it. Give me a few minutes." He ran up to the edge of the jungle and began scouting the ground.

Jack watched him go, still distrustful and wary. He had agreed to go along because Ana asked him, but also because he didn't trust Locke- look at what happened to his last apprentice. If he tagged along he could watch her and try to protect her, at least, and really, what did he have to lose? Just her.

Ana went to him, putting her arms around his waist; he stiffened a little but then relaxed and hugged her back as they watched Locke riffle through the bushes looking for tracks.

-----

The day was much brighter with the Brute Squad gone, and Sawyer relaxed into his old habits, driving Vincent wild with joy when he started talking to him again; the damn dog didn't shut up for an hour.

His bad feeling from the day before was gone; they were happy and together, and they walked slowly, talking and laughing, enjoying the day and each other. "Freckles, I was thinkin'." Kate pretended to be shocked and he rolled his eyes at her as she laughed, pressing her face gently to his shirt. "You and Tom were never married, right? To each other?"

"No. Not to each other." She stopped laughing, but the pain wasn't so bad; a little hurt made her happiness all the sweeter.

He caressed her face, pressing her to him briefly, then he said, "Which brings me to my point. If you weren't married to Tom, then who?"

She sighed, her breath hot on his chest. It still made goosebumps raise on his arms and he shivered a little, tightening his arms around her. "Eddie."

"And who is Eddie?" She was reluctant to answer and he used his most cajoling voice. "Come on, Freckles."

He wasn't going to let it go. She sighed again and leaned against him a little more as his arms enveloped her. "Ater Tommy got married I...freaked out a little. I mean, I knew deep down that we would never really work, we were just too different. He was going to be a doctor and I wasn't going to be anything." She stopped, glancing up at Sawyer's tightening grip on her. "I knew it even then. Turns out I was right about myself."

Sawyer stopped, grabbing her shoulders and turning her to face him. "No, Freckles, you weren't." He was a little angry. "Why do you think that way? You're beautiful, smart, sweet," he nodded at her dubious expression, "Yes, sweet, when you want to be. You are so much more than just anything, Kate. You're everything." Kissing her forehead, he said, "Now, finish tellin' me about Eddie." They started walking again.

She was still reluctant and it whetted Sawyer's appetite to know; why was she so scared to tell him? His curiosity was running wild. "Sawyer, please, it was so dumb, I mean, it was just..." She was deperately trying to stall until he gave in but it wasn't working; finally he felt her shoulders sag as she gave up. "Fine. He was a friend of mine from high school. One of my best friends was getting married in Las Vegas so she flew us all out there to be in the wedding party." She glanced up at Sawyer, who was grinning. "Party was the word, really; I was still freaked out about Tommy and next thing I knew I woke up with Eddie and a cheap ring on my finger." She flushed under Sawyer's gaze. "I'm not proud of it, Sawyer. It was annulled the next day."

"What was your married name?" He was grinning at her, slightly jealous of this Eddie guy.

"Dodd." She smiled. "Katherine Elizabeth Austen Dodd." The names felt strange on her tongue; they belonged to another life, another Kate.

"What happened to him?"

She stopped, staring at Sawyer a little sadly. "He died. Two years ago, in Iraq. After our annulment he joined the Army to get away from me." Sudden sorrow she hadn't thought about in a while flooded her and Sawyer felt it; he held her close, soothing her softly. "Turns out he really loved me. And I broke his heart." Sawyer felt her shudder a little. "I killed him, too. He joined the army because of me and he was killed a year later."

Sawyer snorted. "I think that's a bit of a stretch, Freckles."

"Maybe." She leaned against him, feeling his strong arms harden against her as he hugged her tight. "Alright, Sawyer, your turn. I told you about Eddie, now you answer my question." It was his turn to appear reluctant. "Fair is fair, Tex."

Rolling his head at her, he said, "Fine, fine. What's your damn question?"

Touching his chest a little nervously she said, "You told me that you've never been in love. I didn't believe you then, and I still don't." She gazed up at him. "I want the truth. Now, not counting me, have you ever been in love?"

He hesitated, then stopped, meeting her eyes with his. "No, Kate." She shook her head with disappointment and started to pull away from him angrily; he held her arm, dragging her back to him. "Listen to me, Kate. I only thought I was in love with her." His awestruck eyes met hers and he cupped her chin in his hand, kissing her gently. "I didn't have a clue about love, Freckles." His eyes were shining as he pulled her closer and whispered, "I didn't have the slightest damn idea."