Chapter 18
"In here," the Marshal gestured for Sawyer to carry Kate into a small room.
The room was tiny, with just a plain bed and chest of draws next to it. There were no port holes to look out, No TV for entertainment. On the far side of the room a door led to a tiny bathroom, but that was it. Sawyer thought it must be a spare crew member's room.
Sawyer carried Kate to the far side of the room and sat on the bed with her. Another Marshal had appeared now. He was a lot younger, and was looking round awkwardly.
"Here Thomas, make yourself useful!" the other Marshal barked, throwing the handcuff keys at him. Thomas caught them and hurried towards Kate and Sawyer.
Kate was forced to pull away from Sawyer and hold her arms out. She now looked a complete and utter mess. Her eyes were swollen and red, and the colour had completely drained from her face.
Thomas seemed upset by her appearance. He made an effort to gently unlock the handcuffs. "There you go miss," he said quietly, his voice had the faintest hint of a Scottish accent.
Kate didn't say anything, just turned back to Sawyer ad held onto him like a small child might clutch there parent when they are left alone at school for the first time. Sawyer gave him a thankful nod, at least he was being decent.
"Alright!" barked the other Marshal. "Funs over. Come on, move out." Sawyer threw him a venomous glare.
"I'm not leaving her!" The Marshal actually rolled his eyes.
"You can't stay here Sawyer, don't be unreasonable."
"Unreasonable!" Sawyer growled. "My wife just had a child, which she only got to see for about an hour before you took him away. She's been in labour for eight hours, she exhausted, and to top it off, all this has happened, and you want me to leave?" Sawyer had never felt like hurting someone so much in his life as he did about the Marshal then. "I'm not leaving her! We haven't been apart in 5 years! She's never even been alone in those five years-and you want me to leave her here, like this, all by herself?" The Marshal seemed unaffected by his plea, Thomas, however spoke up.
"Maybe we could give them some time Damien." He said timidly, receiving a glare from the older Marshal, but he didn't step down. "To help her adjust?" he suggested.
"Alright, half an hour." Damien said without a hint of compassion, then he left. Thomas watched him go, and when he was out of sight he turned back to Sawyer.
"I'll wait outside." He stated quietly, before leaving the room and closing the door.
A soon as Kate heard the door close she totally lost it.
"Don't leave," she sobbed loudly into Sawyer's chest. "I don't want you to leave me here alone."
"I have to leave Freckle's." Sawyer chocked. "You heard the basted, he only gave us half an hour-but I'll come back as soon as I can!" he promised fiercely, "I'm not going to leave you. It ain't forever Freckles."
Kate didn't answer, she just sobbed into his shirt. Sawyer rubbed her back, trying desperately to calm her. Finely she looked up at him with pleading eyes, "will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" she whispered.
"'Course I will." Sawyer said softly. Without another word, he helped her into bed, making a mental note to get her clean clothes as soon as he could, and if possible, more blankets.
"You warm enough?"
Kate just nodded. He could see how exhausted she was; she needed sleep before lack of it made her sick.
Sawyer sat at the head of the bed, with the pillow and Kate's head on his lap. She still clutched one of his hands tightly, but after a few minutes he could feel her grip slowly relaxing as she got sleepier.
"Tell Lilly I love her, and I miss her." Kate mumbled suddenly.
"I will," Sawyer promised. He felt her grip slacken a little more, than a few minutes later her hand fell away from his, and the room was filled only with the sound of their breathing.
Sawyer didn't move, he just sat there, watching over her, lost in his own painful thoughts.
The sound of the door opening broke through those thoughts. Thomas stared at him, "sorry, times up." He whispered, he actually seemed genuinely sorry.
"I gave you as long as I could," he explained as Sawyer left Kate, not looking back because he knew if he did, he wouldn't be able to leave. "I gave you an hour and a half, but Damien could turn up at any minute…" his voice trailed off, leaving Sawyer's imagination to put together what might happen in such a scenario.
"Thanks," Sawyer said, he meant it too. There was an awkward pause, "can I see her tomorrow?" Sawyer anxiously voiced his concerns. Thomas looked around, as if he feared being overheard, then he said quietly.
"Come around lunchtime tomorrow, I'll see what I can do, no promises though."
The ship they were on was huge, and Sawyer had no idea where he was, or where he was going. He felt stupid, and wished he'd asked Thomas for directions, but it was too late for that now, he doubted he'd even be able to find his way back.
Passengers threw him either curious or excited looks as he passed them in the hallways. Sawyer knew he must look a mess, and he was suddenly very aware of the torn and dirty clothes he was wearing.
Then he stumbled upon a restraint complete with a bar. Perfect. He'd gone for four years without alcohol, and he couldn't think of a time he needed a drink more than now.
Pushing his way through the crowds and to the bar, he quickly took the first free seat he saw.
"Give me the strongest drink you have," he told the bartender, who came back in a minute with his order. Sawyer took the drink and took a swig. It tasted like crap, but he didn't care. The bartender was staring at him, as if expecting something.
"Yeah?" asked Sawyer, a little annoyed.
"Card," the bartender said simply. Then when he saw Sawyer's expression he continued. "You know, the card they give you when you come aboard?" Sawyer continued to stare at him blankly. "Look, you got any money on you?" The bartender asked, a little irritated.
Sawyer actually laughed. "After bein' stuck on an island for five years? I don't think so." The bartender didn't seem impressed.
"You need to get a card for the ships staff-now how are you going to pay me for that?"
Sawyer ignored his glare. "Charge it to Oceanic airlines," he said with a shrug, "I don't think there gonna object."
The bartender threw Sawyer a dirty look, before he disappeared to serve another customer. Sawyer sculled the rest of his drink.
"Bet you could use that." A voice said from beside him. A man, in his early 40s flashed him a friendly Smile. "I'm Brad, Brad Harley." He said, he seemed to be staring intently at Sawyer. "Were you really on that island for five years?" he asked in amazement.
Sawyer felt a little annoyed, he didn't really want to deal with a nosey passenger. "What do ya think?" he asked a little roughly, but Brad didn't seem put off by his comment, on the contrary he ordered another two beers (with his card, much to the bartenders delight) and moved closer to Sawyer, handing him a beer.
"On me," he said with a stupid grin, Sawyer took it without a word.
"I was talking to my wife about the accident when you got picked up, she was a big fan of driveshaft-that guy from the band make it?" Sawyer snorted into his drink.
"Yeah, that has-been is still here." He was being unfriendly, but Brad wasn't getting the hint.
"That's good, my wife was a huge fan. I mean huge, even went to one of there concerts. When she heard she almost cried, of course," he lowered his voice, as if someone might overhear him. "I never really liked the band that much, couldn't stand that song, what was it again? 'you all everybody' or something like that, thought it was complete trash."
Sawyer warmed up to him a little. "You an' me both then." Brad gave a funny sort of laugh.
"Yeah, well, my wife's looking for that guy right now? Can you believe it?"
"Really?" Sawyer asked sarcastically, raising his eyebrows. "how 'bout that?"
"Yeah," Brad continued seriously, "stupid huh? She's into all that stuff, stars and gossip. Always reading those stupid magazines…" he ordered more beers before continuing. "Always gossiping with friends….drives me nuts…followed the whole story about the crash…it was in the news for months. Told me about that criminal on the plane….there's a rumour she killed the Marshal that was with you on the plane, is that true?"
Sawyer banged his mug down and glared at him. "She didn't kill anybody on that god damn island!" he said in a dangerously low voice.
Brad seemed taken back by this sudden outburst, but it wasn't enough to stop him talking.
"You ...you know her?" he asked.
"She's my wife." Sawyer said proudly. It occurred to him that he and Kate were never married, but funny, he always thought of her as his wife.
"Really!" Now Brad was really interested. "Well my wife said she murdered a bunch of people-not that I believe that gossip!" he said hastily as Sawyer glared at him.
A crew member, much to Sawyer's relief broke up the conversation. "Excuse Mr. Ford is it?" Sawyer nodded curtly and the lady continued.
"I've been told to show you to your room." She said, flashing him a smile.
Sawyer got up and followed her without a word, as he did he distinctly heard Brad shout out: "Catch up with you later then, mate? Take it easy!"
The girl, Sarah, was much smarter than Brad and caught on that Sawyer didn't want to talk straight away, and so she asked no questions. Instead she chatted away, telling him all about the ship, and handing him a card.
"Is this the thing the bartender was yappin' about?" Sawyer asked gruffly. Sarah flashed her pearly whites at him again.
"Yes, it's basically like a bank card, except you can only use it on this ship."
Sawyer sighed. "I ain't got no money, how the hell am I gonna pay you back? I'm guessin' right now I'm still listed as dead-I don't even exist at this point." Sarah seemed amused by this sentence, but wasn't fazed.
"We've been told tocharge it to Oceanic airline's." She said simply, Sawyer found himself grinning stupidly.
"Well you got that right."
"Heres your room," she said suddenly, stopping at one of the many doors in the hallway, she handed him another card. "This one opens your door. You need anything, there's a map and the number of room service next to the phone. Any questions?"
"Yeah," aid Sawyer, "where the hells the rest of the island gang?" The girl looked at a list she was holding.
"Dr. Shepard and Mr. Jarrah are on either side of you….I've marked on the map where the rest of your friends are. Anything else?"
"Yeah, where the hell are my kids?"
"Your son is with Mr. Shepard, and your daughter is staying with the Driveshaft guy, Mr. er.. Pace."
Sawyer just nodded to this. He could feel the alcohol starting to kick in, and all he wanted was to sleep.
"Anything else I gotta know?" he slurred, she shook her head.
Sawyer walked gladly into the cabin, and locking the door behind him, threw himself onto the bed, falling asleep instantly.
Sawyer groaned ad opened his eyes. The world was bright, too bright. Someone had turned the damn light on.
"Good morning Sawyer."
Sawyer pulled the covers off himself and looked up to see Jack. "What the hell are you doin' here!" he asked, cranky. His head was pounding with a head ache and he felt like shit. Why'd he have to go get so trashed last night?
"Nice to see you again, too." Jack said grimly.
Sawyer ignored his comment. "What are you doing here?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
Jack sighed. "To see if you're ok, and to talk about Kate, of course."
At the mention of Kate's name Sawyer felt his heart start to beat a little faster. Jack quickly noticed the change in his face.
"Is she ok?" he asked softly.
"Ok as she's gonna get," Sawyer said bitterly. "I spent about an hour and a half with her last night. There's two Marshals-the prick, Damien I think he's called, and another one, Thomas or something like that. That kid told me to come back round lunch time today."
Jack nodded his head, still lost in his own thoughts.
Sawyer was now taking in the room for the fist time really. He had bothered to look around last night, and now he saw it was first class, like a floating hotel.
"All our rooms like this?" he asked, still looking around. Jack nodded.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, Jack answered it, and a minute later appeared with a tray of food. "Here, eat." He said, handing it to Sawyer.
Sawyer threw him a funny look. "What, you my nanny now?"
"Just eat it." Jack said in a weary voice.
"I'm not hungry."
Jack sighed. "Look, it'll help get rid of the hangover. Eat it, have a shower, a cup of coffee, then get dressed."
"And why the hell would I do all that?" Jack rolled his eyes at Sawyer as if the answer was obvious.
"Because we're going shopping. We need new clothes, besides, I already promised Lilly on your behalf."
At the mention of his daughter Sawyer's expression softened. "Fine," reluctantly he began to eat scrambled eggs and toast.
Sawyer had hated shopping before the Island, and he realised that he still hated it. With a passion.
But Lilly seemed to love it, and at the moment, that was all that mattered to Sawyer. It had seemed so long since he'd seen her, and he'd been glad to finely have her back in her arms. Sun said she'd been really upset and confused, as all the children had been when they were rescued, but she seemed to have recovered from that fully now.
"Where's mummy?" she'd asked Sawyer after they'd hugged.
Sawyer hadn't known what to say. "Mummy's gone away for a while, but she'll be back real soon," he promised. "She told me to say hi, and that she loves and misses you." For the time being, Lilly seemed happy with the answer.
She was more excited about finely seeing her Baby brother, who, she for some reason had taken to calling 'Telly' Sawyer didn't have a name for him yet, so he called him by the same thing.
"Daddy! Daddy can I get this!" Lilly asked, holding up a pink dress that was about two sizes too big for her. "Please" Sawyer grinned.
"Anything you want kiddo, go nuts."
Jack threw him a "just because your not paying for it doesn't mean you should act stupid" look, Charlie, Claire and Ana Lucia all seemed amused.
When they were shopping, Aaron stumbled across Driveshaft album, which Charlie quickly brought for him. This for some reason, inspired Aaron to run around singing at the top of the lungs, and Lilly quickly copied him. Sawyer let her, not caring if she disturbed anyone.
They left after about an hour and a half, weighed down with clothes, but also DVDs, toys, and souvenirs. Sawyer had brought 'Telly' a blue baby suit with Bart Simpson on it, as well as a pram, more clothes, bottles, Nappies (he was thankful for them) and a bunch of other things. Lucky for them, the ship seemed to have come complete with a mini shopping mall.
Aaron was now dressed in blue overalls and a red and white stripped shirt. Sawyer, on the other hand, had let Lilly go wild. She was in a T-shirt two sizes too big for her that said "Kiss my arse" (much to Jack's disapproval, and Sawyer's amusement) with bright green pants, orange shoes that lit up every time she took a step, and pink hat turned backwards. Sawyer couldn't help but smile every time he looked at her.
It was only 11, but they were all hungry, and so they set off in search of a place to eat. Claire quickly found them one, and Sawyer decided (since Lilly had never tasted any of them before) to let Lilly order one of everything on the menu. Jack shot him another look, but Sawyer just laughed.
"lighten' up doc, kids been stuck on an island her whole life, I reckon she deserves it. Besides those basteds at oceanic can't complain, not after what they put us through."
Jack still didn't seem pleased.
Half an hour passed and Sawyer got edgy and nervous. His mind get jumping back to Kate, all alone, locked up, when she should be here with them.
Jack seemed nervous too, and when Sawyer awkwardly excused himself, he made it clear that he was going with him as well.
"Can I come?" Lilly cried, racing towards them.
"Not today Baby, you need to stay with Aunty Claire and Uncle Charlie. Ok?" To his relief she didn't chuck a tantrum, what she did was worse.
"Alright daddy," she muttered, her face full of sadness, "tell mummy I love her, Telly too?" Sawyer hugged her tightly.
"Of course baby."
Kate woke up suddenly, crying out for Sawyer. But as her memory came flooding back she realised there was no Sawyer, no Lilly, no son, no family for her anymore. She looked around the small, empty room and felt like crying, but she didn't-there was no point in crying anymore.
she decided to try and make herself feel better by washing up. Getting to her feet she walked across to the small bathroom, and showered, changing back into her dirty clothes because she had no clean ones, before she sat back on the bed.
A clock on the wall told her it was almost 12 o clock. She yarned, she still felt tired, she was just about to try and get some more sleep when the door opened.
A very clean and neatly dressed Sawyer entered with a pram and Jack following close behind.
"Hey Freckle's," he said, his voice soft as she threw herself at him. "They treating you alright?"
Kate nodded, then turned to give Jack a hug, before devoting herself to her son.
"Hows he been?" she asked, concerned.
"Fine," said Sawyer with a sad sort of smile. "Lilly says hi, so does Claire and Sun." he took hold of her hand.
"I got ya something."
He held out a bag full of new clothes. "Thought you could use em."
The three of them sat down on the floor, Kate nursing Telly in her arms. "He still doesn't have a name," she thought aloud sadly.
"Yeah he does Freckles," Sawyer said quietly, "Lilly named him." For the first time that morning Kate actually smiled.
"This should be goo, what is it?"
"Telly." Kate laughed a little. There was an awkward silence, then Jack began to speak.
"Kate, we're going to come up with a plan to get you out tonight." He said gently.
"It won't work," Kate said sadly, her voice trembling.
"Yes it will!" Sawyer said fiercely, Jack nodded in agreement.
"Kate, the world is going crazy. It's all over the TV, and the press is going mad." He paused, and leaned forward a little.
"This ship is headed for the US, but it's taking a detour first. The first stop is Hong Kong, and that's when the press is getting on. Just image how we can use that to our advantage!" Or disadvantage, Sawyer thought with worry.
"Everyone's agreed to help you," continued Jack, "We're all going to work together to get you out." Kate felt touched by this, so did Sawyer.
They were suddenly interrupted by the young Marshal. "I'm sorry," he said, "but your going to have to leave." He walked towards Kate and handed her a sandwich that had been quickly made and carelessly wrapped in plastic.
Sawyer felt both angry and guilty at the sight of Kate's lunch, especially after the one he'd just had. He made a note to bring her as much stuff as he could carry tomorrow.
Kate took it without complaint though, and handing Telly back to Sawyer gave him a brave smile. "I'll be ok," she whispered. "See you tomorrow."
"God damn it! This thing is rigged!" Sawyer threw the game boy down on the bed angrily. Jack smiled at him amused as he drank his coffee.
"I thought you brought that for Lilly."
Sawyer shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, well, thought I'd give it a try since she's sleeping, but turned out to be a waste of time."
Charlie suddenly entered the room and threw himself on the bed next to Sawyer. "God, this bloody ship is driving me crazy!"
Sawyer glared at him, "you and me both." He agreed darkly.
"Some crazy women just chased me down the hall. Wanted my autograph…and she wouldn't shut up! Kept talking and talking and talking!" Sawyer laughed.
"Last name wouldn't happen to be Harley but any chance?" he joked.
Charlie looked surprised. "You met her too?" he asked. Sawyer shook his head.
"The other half," he said grimly.
Suddenly the phone rang, and Jack picked it up in a rush.
"Hello mum," he said in a weary tone, when he realised who it was. "Yes, I'm fine, I've told you twice today."He paused, glaring at an amused Charlie and Sawyer who were watching him with grins plastered across their faces.
"I don't know mum, I think it's going to be a while…I told you the ships basically travelling around the world. Mum I'm not getting off at Hong Kong…yes I'm sure!" Sawyer snorted, this was fun.
"Yeah, I missed you too mum." Jack said in a weary voice. "It's Ana Lucia, not Ana Lue…yeah shes about eight months on…You'll like her..." Jack was tapping his foot impatiently. "Look mum, I gotta go, ok? Yeah, Love you too." He hung the phone up with relief.
"Good to know someone missed you." Sawyer said with a laugh.
"She's just worried, and excited." Jack explained, annoyed. "After all, she did think I was dead for five years, and now I'm coming home with Ana, and a baby on the way-It's a big thing for her."
Charlie was grinning at him like a goon.
"Everyone should be here soon," Jack said as he looked at his watch, eager to change the topic of conversation from his worried mum back to the meeting.
Soon people began to arrive, First Sun and Jin and the twins, then Claire, and Sayid and Locke. Ana Lucia appeared with more shopping bags and a mischievous grin, and soon the room was packed.
After a whileeveryone clamed down and the chatter died, Jack felt a little awkward. He stole a glance at Sawyer who had come to stand beside him. Sawyer was no longer grinning, but was deadly serious.
"Well, You all know by now what happened to Kate when we got rescued," Jack began, which prompted more chatter, so he waited a while for it to die down. "They took her prisoner. Locked her up." He paused to think, not really sure how to continue.
"Well, you all know Kate was a criminal, and I mean was. Because you all know Kate, you all know what she's really like. If it wasn't for Kate, half of us wouldn't be here right now, going back to our families. Kate, if you think about it, is actually, a…hero." He looked towards Sayid, asking for helpful input.
"It doesn't matter what you have heard." Sayid said quickly. "It doesn't matter what Kate did, who she 'supposedly' is, we have all spent five years with her, and she never once gave us reason to be afraid or fear her in some way. So it is not important what Kate did, what is important, is that we find a way to free her."
"Dude!" Hurley suddenly spoke up. "How we gonna do that? I mean, I don't want Kate locked up anymore than anyone else does, but what can we do? No ones gonna listen to us man, we don't have any say in this." There was a mummer of agreement.
"I believe we may be able to free Kate," Eko's voice suddenly boomed. "I have learnt that where there is a will, there is also a way."
Jack nodded. "Exactly. Think about it, the whole world wants to know our story-we can use that to our advantage."
"Well, how exactly is the media going to help?" asked Charlie. "I mean, won't they…be on there side?"
"Not if we get them on ours first!" Locke said suddenly. "The way I think about it, there are two ways we can all go about this: We can either tell the media all about Kate, get them on our side, get her story out, and get the public on our side. Or we could refuse to say anything until Kate is released."
Everyone considered this. "I don't think we should tell those son-of-a-bitches anything!" Sawyer said loudly. "Hell, lets make em wait! They got to let her out that way."
"That is a good plan," Sayid said, "but it could also backfire."
"Those basteds will twist our words right round if we so much as tell em one thing!" Sawyer yelled. "You really think they'll help us? All they want is a good story to sell."
"I think we should tell them." Sun said suddenly. "Get them on our side."
"We ain't telling them nothing!" Sawyer yelled, getting angry. "It's my wife who we're talking about here!"
"Sawyer calm down!" Jack barked, Sawyer shut up, and glared at the floor, looking sullen.
"Compromise." Ana lucia said suddenly.
"Do what now?" Challenged Sawyer.
"Compromise, we all say nothing. Jack will be the only one to talk to the media. He'll tell them something, but not the amount they want. And everything he says will connect to a reason why Kate should be freed. He'll make it clear they won't get anything else out of him or us until she's out. They'll write sob stories just to get the public on there side to pressure the government. Anything to get what they want, trust me, it's the best way to go."
Jack looked pointedly at Sawyer. "You ok with this?" Sawyer just nodded.
He hoped to God there plan worked.
