Chapter 99
Ana didn't know what to do; any other time she would have run after him and knocked some sense into him if she had to; but his words were a severe blow to her already aching chest and she simply stood in the same spot, watching him disappear into the trees. He didn't look back and her knees went watery; the forest was silent around her and her breath heaved in her chest as she began to panic.
Jack kept walking, listening for her footsteps behind him; he was sure she would follow him, but as he got farther away he realized that she wasn't coming and he had to force himself not to look back. He didn't want to care, women were nothing but trouble and they all betrayed him in the end; Sara, then Kate, and now even Ana, a little, when she didn't confide her suspicions to him. He hated them all, and at the thought he sped up, trying to catch Locke and Hanso.
Locke was a little surprised to see Jack running up without Ana and so soon, but he just raised his eyebrows and didn't say anything. He fell into step beside them, and Locke noticed a change; he was totally focused on the mission. The two Jacks had merged into one, combining the drive and commitment of the Old Jack with the uncaring attitude and pliability of the New Jack and it made a perfect combination. For him.
Jack didn't mention Ana and Locke didn't ask; he kept his eyes firmly in front of him as he asked, "So what is the Foundation, John?"
John shrugged. "A research center, mostly. But there are some...other things there too."
Jack was persistant. "Like what?"
Smiling, Locke said, "Nothing I can really explain, Jack. Patience, remember? You will see soon enough."
Hanso grinned and spoke, his gruff voice rubbing Jack the wrong way. "Have you been amazed by all of the things you've seen? All of the things I've built? This place was nothing when I came here, just a scrubby, overgrown pile of rocks and trees." he gazed around and his smile faded. "It used to be different, you know. The...incident created havoc and ruined almost all of the facilities."
Jack nodded, his eyes still staring straight ahead. "How do you mean?"
Hanso sighed heavily. "This is a long story, Jack. I hope you're ready." Jack nodded and he said, "Okay. This Island is what you may consider a jumping off point, in regards to the tesseract; when you go into it from the Island, there are a billion other worlds you can go to, but when you exit that other world and go back into the tesseract it will always bring you back here, understand?" Jack didn't answer and Hanso grinned. "I'll take that as a yes. When we had discovered how to control the tesseract , we decided to use it to explore other worlds, but we found to our dismay that tessering more than a few times can...damage you. So we built the zoological research facility to create and test drugs that would make it possible to pass through without being corrupted."
Jack snapped his head around at that. "Corrupted?"
Hanso nodded. "Yes. I can't explain it well enough, but I can show you when we get to the Foundation." He paled a little and added, "It's not pleasant, Jack, but as you are a doctor I think you can handle it." He shuddered and continued. "We tested the animals for strength, intelligence, communication abilities, stealth and life expectancy; all of the things that were damaged." He nodded at Jack's look of horror. "Yeah, like I said, it wasn't pretty." He sighed. "Anyway, we discovered a potent mix of drugs and we tested some of the animals with it; it worked magnificently. We were in the final stages of preparing for human testing when the War broke out and to our dismay, some of the animals escaped during a battle."
It was all starting to fall into place for Jack; he smiled as Hanso continued. "There have always been people here, Jack, people who wandered into the tesseract, who were called by it, just so you know, but when the animals got loose, the animals who had been tested with a plethora of enhancement and mood-altering drugs, well, I guess you can imagine what happened. Wolves, horses, big cats, monkeys, birds, polar bears- the were smart, strong, stealthy, they learned how to work together, and they tipped the scales in the battle, killing of most of the dark side's pawns while protecting the Light." He shook his head. "It's amazing how a creature's brain works...they aren't all that different from humans. They have senses of humor, feelings, hates, wants." His eyes gleamed at Jack. "We are all just animals, Jack. It would do you good to remember that."
Jack glared at him,"I don't need you to tell me what I am."
He shrugged. "Fair enough. Anyway, after a while the battle was lost and everything was destroyed, and then something strange started to happen to the people who were bitten by the animals but didn't die; their intelligence grew, their strength multiplied, they moved without making a sound or leaving tracks and they learned how to work together." He glanced at Jack. "Live together, die alone, right Jack?"
He was staring at Hanso with horror. "That's what happened?"
"Yes. Then it began to spread. But there were too many, we were too crowded, and so," he drew his finger across his throat, shrugging lightly. "Survival of the fittest. Some of us banded together and started to rebuild what had been destroyed; the tesseract was soon back under control, but as I said before, one glitch was irreparable." He inclined his head a little. "The button."
Jack nodded. "Every so often. Right. Every one hundred and eight minutes."
Hanso nodded. "That's right, Jack."
Jack sighed and glanced around them, automatically looking for Ana before he remembered with a pang that he had left her behind. "How far is it?"
Hanso smiled as they rounded a small stand of trees and even Jack had to gasp; it was a full-fledged complex of white-and- glass, art-deco buildings straight out of a futuristic movie, and unlike the other Dharma buildings, this one was well kept, with perfectly manicured lawns and walkways...and people. A half-dozen men and women in lab coats scurried here and there, but Jack could see that under their coats they all wore the same ragged clothing as Hanso. He noticed Jack's perplexed look. "We had plenty of coats but not many spare clothes."
"Why didn't you just go back and get more? If you can control the tesseract."
Hanso shrugged. "I guess none of us really care." He spread his arms wide, encompassing the complex and the Island. "Clothes, money, television, cars...all of that belongs to a different world. It doesn't matter here. The only thing you gotta worry about here is living." He winked at him slyly. "And dying."
-----
Sara woke with a start in the dark, vaguely disoriented as she searched the blackness trying to remember where she was. It came to her with a snap as her hand fell on something warm and furry and smelly and she lifted her head to see Vincent's tongue lolling out at her in the dim glow from the hallway. "Who said you could get up here? There are three other beds you could sleep on."
He woofed nonchalantly and jumped over her with a spring and landed on the floor, panting softly as his stomach growled loudly. "Yeah, I'm hungry too. I wonder what time it is?" She laughed to herself as she said it, who cared what time it was? There was no dinner date to make, no appointment to keep, hell, not even a TV show to watch; time meant absolutely nothing and it was a novel sensation to not have to be somewhere, to be able to sit on the edge of that bed for the rest of her life and not be responsible for anything. It was a good feeling, too good, and Sara stood, strecthing her still-sore muscles painfully and noticing that someone had taken off her shoes and lined them up next to her bed, and sometime while she was sleeping Kate had laid her out a fresh towel and some of her own clean-ish clothes.
She padded to the light switch and flicked it on, letting her eyes adjust to the briefly blinding light, then she opened the bathroom door and turned on the shower. It took a few minutes for the water to heat up and she undressed slowly, stretching out her muscles and creaking tendons as she did, then as steam filled the room she climbed in, relishing the feel of the hot water on her aching body.
After the hot water ran out she towelled off quickly and slid into Kate's clothes; she had given her a pair of jeans and her blue tank top and they fit, a little snug, but at least they weren't filthy. Her love for Kate grew as she reached into the pocket of the jeans and pulled out a scrunchy; sighing with relief she pulled her hair back and off of her neck. She was a little reluctant to go downstairs; she didn't want to really intrude on them when they were so happy, but as she hesitated at the door Kate's laugh rang out through the hall followed by Sawyer's and just the sound of it made her grin, too, and she stepped out into the gray twilight-filled corridor.
As she came to the bottom of the stairs she saw them, sitting at a little table with a big pile of cut-up fruit in front of them, and as Sawyer held out a piece of peach to her she ate it, then her eyes opened in surprise and she laughed, holding up a piece of orange for him. He closed his eyes and said, "Turkey and stuffing," and Kate took a bite, her eyes flying open again.
"It tastes just like it!" She noticed Sara standing reluctantly at the foot of the stairs and she motioned to her. "Come and eat! James has discovered a fantastic new talent." She took another bite of the peach but Sawyer wasn't paying attention and she grimaced as she tasted peach instead of the turkey she was expecting. "What are you-" she glanced at him and almost laughed; he was staring at Sara wearing Kate's clothes and he seemed unsure, as if he was in a dream or something. "What's wrong? Don't you like her outfit?"
He didn't, as a matter of fact. It was disorienting, disturbing to see someone else wearing clothes that he had come to associate so closely with Kate, it was like she had slipped her skin off and given it to someone else to wear. He didn't say that, though, he just shrugged and went back to helping Kate eat the fruit. He held out a piece to Sara, smiling, and he said, "Open your mind, Sara. Now, what is your favorite food?" he glanced at Kate, grinning. "She won't appreciate this as much, Freckles. She's only been here a day. We ain't had real food in two months."
Kate looked away, biting her lip and grinning. "Actually...while you were off rafting Hurley gave out all of the food in the hatch. And there was a lot. So, I had some chips, some freeze dried chicken and rice, and Claire gave me some peanut butter." She looked angelic as she remembered, and Sawyer laughed at her almost salivating mouth. "And chocolate." She groaned in ecstasy at the idea of it.
Sawyer reached behind him and pulled up his pack; unzipping a hidden pocket he pulled out a somewhat wrinkled and worse-for-wear package and handed it to Kate. "Apollo bar."
She gazed up at him with love and amazement as she held the wrinkled cellophane pack to her chest. "I can't believe you still have this."
He shrugged, delighted in the smiled he had put on her face. "Chocolate ain't my thing." He grinned slyly. "I was actually savin' it to use as a bribe, but since I don't have to bribe you anymore..." his words trailed off as he remembered their first kiss, the one he had let himself be tortured for, and how soft and trembling her lips had been when he touched them for the first time, how she had been so reluctant, and then as the chemistry between them heated to a boil she kissed him again, and again, and again.
Kate grinned back. "Right." Her voice and her smile softened. "Thanks."
Grinning madly he said, "So, Sara, what is your favorite food? Nothing too fancy please. I'm just a poor old country boy."
She smiled as she sat down next to Kate. "Okay, easy. Ummm, spaghetti and meatballs."
Sawyer chuckled. "That's really easy. Okay, close your eyes and think about spaghetti and meatballs." She closed her eyes and he closed his. "Now, take a bite."
It really did taste like it, and her eyes flew open in amazement as Kate laughed. "Wow."
He grinned and Kate leaned over and kissed him as she picked up another slice. "Pepperoni pizza."
"Grilled Cheese."
"Mashed potatoes and butter."
"French fries. With ketchup."
"Barbecue ribs and slaw."
They kept it up, laughing and joking together until almost all of the fruit was gone and they felt full; sated. Vincent woofed as Sawyer held up the last peach. "I'm not doing that. Gross." Vincent woofed again, eyeing the peach with eagerness and Sawyer shook his head. "I don't even know what that tastes like!"
Kate and Sara were laughing at them, and Kate said, "What does he want?"
Sawyer rolled his haed at them, frowning. "Roadkill. Do you believe it?" Vincent chuffed and Sawyer gave him a look of disgust, making the women giggle harder. "What makes you think I would know what dead possum tastes like? What? Because I'm from Tenneessee? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Vincent was laughing along with Kate and Sara, his tongue lolling out at Sawyer's half-angry glare, then he gave up the act and started laughing too, rubbing Vincent's ears as he said, "How about steak? I know what that tastes like." He closed his eyes and tossed the peach to Vincent, who swallowed it down with a gulp. "You didn't even chew it, dog. Why the hell did it matter what it tasted like?"
Kate was laughing and happy as she watched the two of them bicker and her hand unconciously went to her stomach as she gazed at Sawyer; he noticed her hand and smiled, reaching out and covering it with his own.
Sara smiled at the two of them; they radiated light and warmth and love and she was almost glad that she had crashed here, with them, so that she could see what real beauty was, for beautiful was what they were. She sensed a sadness in them, especially Kate, though the sorrow only made the joy they expressed now all the sweeter and she hoped that they could keep the laughter and love of this day with them, whatever happened. "Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy," she murmured to herself, and Kate glanced up at her, her smile fading a little.
"What?"
Sara smiled; she hadn't even meant to say it out loud, really, it just slipped out and she reddened a little as she said, "Anne Frank. We're reading it it my class now. She said, 'Think of all the beauty left around you and be happy'." She paused, then grinned at Kate sheepishly. "I was just thinking of how happy you look, the three of you, and it slipped out."
Kate eyes her curiously. "Three?" He eyes darted to Sawyer's and he looked away. "You told her?"
Sara said quickly, "No, no. I asked him. I could just tell...woman's intuition, I guess." She smiled and placed her hand on Kate's. "Congratulations."
Kate's frown faded and she smiled back, a little chagrined, and as she looked down at Sara's hand on hers tears welled up in her eyes. "Thanks," she croaked happily, as the tears splashed down her nose and Sara couldn't help it, she started crying too, and they both looked at Sawyer, who was gazing at them with an expression of horror mixed with indecision; he was tensed on the edge of his chair like he was going to run if one of them tried to make him cry too. Kate burst into an alarming mix of laughter and sobs as she saw the look on his face and Sara started laughing too; this time he stood and actually started for the door in a semi-panic before Kate called him back, getting a grip on herself and calming her tears and giggles. "Come back, James. We'll stop, I promise."
Sara snorted and nodded at him. "Come on, Sawyer. We're done." They were both red eyed and flushed and as he looked at Kate, so happy- and not entirely because of him- he loved her even more. She needed him but she didn't; she could make it on her own without him and it hurt him to think that she would have to. What kind of life would she have on the run, alone, with a baby? She could do it, he was sure; she could do anything she damn well put her mind to. But how much would she suffer? Maybe that is her sacrifice, a voice whispered in his ear. He pushed the thought aside for now; he didn't want to ruin what they were having now, he didn't want to see her smile fade and her eyes darken. He rejoined them at the table, acting reluctant, but he had to hold himself back from running back to her like an eager puppy. sara glanced at Kate as he sat back down. "Why do you call him James?"
Kate said, giggling, "Because he doesn't like Bunny."
Sawyer rolled his eyes at her, and said, "My real name is James. Sawyer is just a nickname."
"Interesting nickname. Are you a lumberjack?"
Sawyer laughed. "Believe it or not, you are the second person on this Island to ask me that." He winked at her, slyly. "Jack asked first."
She sighed and said, "Figures. Jack always comes first." She nodded at them sagely. "Trust me, I know."
Kate snorted and dissolved into laughter again, leaning on Sawyer as she shook; he laughed too, smiling at Sara. "I'll bet you do." Their was a breathlass silence as they all caught their breath and Kate burst into giggles again as Sawyer sighed, rolling his eyes. Hiccuping would be next. "I never noticed but a lot of people ask me if I'm a lumberjack." He winked at Kate. "Must be this awesome body; looks like I wrestle giant trees all day, right?"
Kate rolled her eyes and giggled again, and Sara just smiled. "Sawyer means someone who saws logs."
"Well, that would be him, because he snores like a buzzsaw." He threw her an offended look and she smirked back before hiccupping and bursting into laughter again.
He smiled at Sara and cocked his head towards Kate, who was hiccupping again. "Thirty minutes of this, I swear." He turned his gaze to Kate and said, "Drink some water, woman, please."
She smiled and retorted, "If they bother you so much, why don't you just-HIC!- heal them?" She dissolved into laughs again, laying her head down on the table.
He nodded. "I think I will." With an evil grin directed at Sara, he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together until they started shooting sparks, then he reached out and poked Kate in the side, sending a sharp shock into her as he did it; she jumped, yelping, and glared at him, giggles and hiccups gone.
"What the hell was that?" She rubbed her side, giving him an evil stare.
He shrugged and tried to smile innocently, failing miserably as he chuckled, "Scarin' away your hiccups."
She leaned in close and said, "Boo would have worked, you ass. That hurt."
He leaned his head against hers and whispered, "I'm sorry."
They kept their heads together for another second, then Kate glanced up at the sky above them; it had become dark while they sat but they hadn't cared; the starlight and the glow from the computers gave them enough illumination, and just like sleeping in the bedroom, the unnatural light just felt wrong, out of place, and they preferred the semi-dark to glaring, harsh shine from the flourescent bulbs that lined the walls. It was late; the moon was high over head and beginning its descent; they had been having such a good time they hadn't realized how deep into the night it was getting.
Kate stretched and kissed Sawyer on the cheek as he wrapped his arm around her waist and said, "You can sleep down here, Sara. James will pull you down a mattress if you want." He nodded from his chair, his arm still around Kate's waist and his head pressed against her stomach.
She looked at the two of them, wrapped up together and the look of desire that flared in Kate's eyes as Sawyer kissed her stomach, lightly; she shook her head. "No, thanks, I prefer a real bedroom. This is still a little...open for me."
Kate laughed softly, her hands gently stroking Sawyer's hair. "You'll get used to it." Her eyes lifted to Sara's and she grinned. "I'm glad you're here, Sara. I haven't had that much fun in a long time." Sawyer squeezed her waist.
"Thanks, Kate," she said softly. She tenatively held her hand out and touched Kate's stomach, smiling. "Have you thought of any names?"
She could still hear Kate laughing as she and Vincent climbed the stairs, feeling as happy and safe as she could possibly feel as she leaned down and patted the dog between the ears.
