Chapter19

"Please let me see them!" Kate begged, "Let me see my family!" The Marshal laughed at her, and shook his head, grinning crazily.

Kate could see Sawyer standing far off behind him, Telly cradled in one arm, Lilly holding tightly onto the other. She called out to him to come help her, but he just stood there.

Kate began to scream for him, but he paid no attention. She tried to run to him but realised with a prang she was tied up. She began to shout for help, for anyone. Sawyer was staring at her, disappointed. Telly and Lilly were crying.

"Tell us what you did Kate!" Jack said suddenly appearing. "We can't take you out Kate, not now. You're a murderer Kate."

"I'm not!" Kate sobbed. "It was a mistake! I didn't mean it! It's not who I really am!" She screamed louder and louder for Sawyer, struggling against the ropes that held her. Suddenly Sawyer, Lilly and Telly disappeared in a whirl of colours. The Marshal came closer to her, laughing madly.

"You can't run, you can't hide. You can't run, you can't hide." He mocked in a singsong voice. "Nobody to run to, nobody to save you." He took out a gun and pulled the trigger.

Kate woke with a scream.

Someone was holding her, she thrashed like mad.

"Get off me! Please, leave me alone!"

"Hey! Hey! Calm down, it's alright! It's me Freckles! Godman it women, stop thrashin' It's me, Sawyer." Kate could just make out his worried face in the darkness.

Kate burst into tears and hugged Sawyer tightly.

"You wouldn't come when I called." She sobbed, "I kept calling but you wouldn't come! He wouldn't let me. And I couldn't" she realised she was shaking, as well as making no sense at all.

"Shhh," Sawyer soothed. "It was just a dream Freckles, it's ok, I ain't going anywhere. I'm here now, I'm here, it was just a dream."

Soon Kate began to calm down. "What are you doing here?" she sniffed, "it's the middle of the night."

Sawyer gave her a small smile. "Yeah well, there's no lock I can't pick."

Kate was horrified.

"Sawyer, what if they catch you!" she whispered. Sawyer squeezed her hand.

"They won't, there's no one around. Besides, I had to see you." He added.

Kate gave him a small smile. She was glad he was here, and she hadn't woken alone in the small dark room.

Sawyer pulled her towards him and she snuggled up against him, pulling the sheets up around them.

"I'm so scared," she finely voiced her concerns aloud.

Sawyer kissed her gently on the forehead. "I'm scared too," he admitted. "But that don't mean things won't go right for us."

"I'm a murder Sawyer," Kate said aloud, her voice was firm, but Sawyer could feel her trembling again. "I killed two people."

Sawyer didn't know what to exactly say to his, so he just held her tightly and said nothing at all.

After a while Kate whispered, "I'm going to jail." She chocked on the last word.

"Don't say that!" Hissed Sawyer, "don't even think It Freckles! You really think I'm gonna let them take you away from us?"

"There's nothing you can do." Kate cried softly. Sawyer could feel the lump in his throat again, because ... what if she was right? What if there plan didn't work? Then she would go to jail.

"We came up with a plan." Sawyer said, trying hard to sound confident. " A good one. So I don't wanna hear another damn word out of you about jail or any of that…ok?" Kate nodded, and pulled his arms around her tighter. She felt so fragile to Sawyer, like she might break, not at all like her usual self. Hell, it looked like she'd even lost weight in the few hours they had been apart.

After a while Sawyer said the words he knew Kate was dreading. "I gotta go Freckles."

He left in silence, feeling like he was betraying her as he locked her in, but knowing he had to. He realised for the first time how empty his world was without her-things would never be the same again if they were separated.

He didn't feel like going back to his room, so instead he set off for the bar. He was surprised by how crowded it was when he got there, after all, it was almost 1 am. Muttering under his breath about how much he hated crowds, he made his way to the bar.

The bartender from before was working tonight. He saw Sawyer and looked annoyed. Sawyer gave him a grin and held up his card, and the bartender rushed over.

"See you sorted things out then?" He observed, "what will be then?"

"Most expensive thing you have," Sawyer said bitterly. The bartender came back a minute later, handed him his drink and took his card, swiping it then handing it back, but this time he didn't leave.

"You really got something against the airline then?"

Sawyer raised his eyebrows. "And why the hell wouldn't I hate them? They did just kinda leave me stranded on an island for five years." This didn't seem to satisfy the Bartender.

"What else is bothering you then?" he asked as he cleaned a glass. Sawyer threw him an angry look.

"Not like it's any of yer business-but I ain't exactly havin' the best time of my life here. I'd rather be on the damn island."

The bartender raised his eyebrows, "righhhtttt." He said, looking at Sawyer as If he were crazy.

"Aren't you meant to be serving people?" Sawyer pointed out stiffly. The bartender laughed and looked around.

"What people mate? They all clear off round the same time when it gets this late." Sawyer looked round, and found much to his annoyance that he was right.

"Well good-o for you." He said sarcastically.

Sawyer's conversation was suddenly, and thankfully interrupted by Mr. Eko, who's appearance caused the bartender to move away.

"Hello." Mr. Eko said quietly. Sawyer didn't answer, and the man continued. "How are you feeling?"

"After a few more of these?-great." Sawyer said seriously, finishing his first drink and asking for another. "You want one?" Sawyer asked, Eko shook his head.

"No thank you."

"Suit yourself." Sawyer eagerly began to drink whatever it was the bartender had brought him.

"I came to talk to you," Mr. Eko said quietly. "About Kate." At the mention of her name Sawyer stopped drinking and gave Eko his full attention. "I just wanted to know if she is ok." Mr. Eko finished quietly.

Sawyer shrugged. "I don't know. Hell, Kate's strong, but if it keeps going on…" his voice trailed off, this was too painful to talk about. Eko didn't answer, he seemed to understand.


"Wake up!" someone was poking him hard. "Sawyer, get up, now!"

"What the hell?" Sawyer rolled over and opened his eyes. Jack was standing above him, eyes narrowed. "How'd the hell you get in her?" Sawyer shouted.

"The door was unlocked." Jack hissed, "And get up. Do you know what time it is? 10 in the morning, and you're hung over. Get up!" he repeated. "I've already taken care of Lilly and Telly, now get up."

Sawyer forced himself out of bed. His legs felt slightly unsteady underneath him. He quickly pulled a T-shirt over his head, trying hard to block out Jack's lecture.

"You can't come home drunk every night," Jack was saying, "You're an adult, a parent-think of your kids!"

Sawyer spun round, "don't tell me how to take care of my own damn kids, last time I checked, you didn't even have one yet!" he roared. Jack glared at him.

"This isn't helping Sawyer," he said quietly, "they need you, Kate needs you, don't screw up." Sawyer wanted to lash out at him, but inside he knew Jack was right, and it pissed him off even more.

"Why'd I even need to get up this early?" he scowled, "not like I got anything to do today."

Jack suddenly looked nervous. "What?" asked Sawyer, instantly becoming worried, "what? Tell me what the hell is wrong!"

"We docked just about 15 minutes ago in Hong Kong.." Jack began slowly, "but…The Marshal, he and a few other people..Want to talk to you, it's about Kate."

Sawyer felt sick, he wished for the hundredth time they'd never been rescued. "What about Kate?" he managed to ask. Jack shrugged.

"I don't know, but we better get going, Ana is going to watch the kids for you." Sawyer forced himself to drink a whole cup of coffee, he also pulled a brush through his hair, and shaved his stubble off, hell, he could at least make a better impression this time.

He said a quick goodbye to Lilly and Telly, before he and Jack set off.

"Stop fidgeting damnit!" Sawyer barked as they got closer to the place where they were keeping Kate.

"Your fidgeting as well," Jack pointed out. Sawyer ignored him.

When they got to the place Kate was being kept, the young Marshal, Thomas, was waiting for them. "Follow me," he said, his tone giving up nothing. Sawyer felt a prang of worry, why had they moved Kate? Where were they going? And what was going to happen?

They went down a long passage, then downstairs, turned left, then left again until they came to a door. Thomas opened it for them and both Jack and Sawyer walked in.

The room was small and plain, with a single table in the middle and nothing else. Damien was leaning against the far wall, arms folded, with the usual sarcastic grin on his face. Just the sight of him made Sawyer want to beat the crap out of him, but he refrained. Two important men were standing near the table, and a little way off from them stood the ships Captain. Kate was sitting at the table, hands handcuffed in her lap, she looked calm and distant, but Sawyer knew on the inside she was trembling.

"Ah, welcome." Said one of the important looking men. He was wearing a grey suit and black tie and looked like a detective, his friend was wearing all Black. "Well, lets get on with it then, shall we?" he said, rubbing his hands together as if eagerly awaiting the event.

"Mr. Ford, my names Dennis Thorn. And well, I believe you know why your partner is here," he began.

"Wife." Sawyer interrupted.

"I don't believe you two are married," he questioned, Sawyer felt himself going red, but Thorn ignored him. "Your partner was being transported back to the United States for trial when your plane unfortunately crashed. Now, I'm aware of the time you spent on the island, but I must remind you nothing has changed, your partner is up for a number of charges, that hasn't changed, and it won't."

"What do you mean?" asked Sawyer angrily, "nothings changed? Hell, do you know what she's been through!"

"Kate Austen is a criminal, Mr. Ford, may I remind you she has killed two people, and has committed various other crimes."

"You mind!" Sawyer shouted, losing his temper, "she's sittin' right there, she's a person you know." He took a step towards Kate, but Jack held him back, thinking he was going to pick a fight.

"Let.go.of.me!" Sawyer said through clenched teeth, he turned back to the men. "let her go, she's been through enough."

"She is a criminal Mr. Ford." Thorn repeated loudly.

"She's not!" Sawyer shouted, almost losing it completely. "She's my wife! And she has friends, and a family, two kids-one who hasn't even got to know her yet!"

Suddenly Damien spoke up.

"The guy Kate murdered had a family too, you know about him Sawyer?" he walked towards Kate. "He know that Kate?" he asked, "He know about Tom?" Kate looked away from him, staring at the ground, eyes welling up with tears.

"He had a family, didn't he Kate?" Damien said loudly. "A wife, kids, saw it when I was looking through your file last night." He paused, "how old do you think his youngest would be now? Seven? Eight? C'mon Kate, you must know these things." Kate didn't reply, so Damien turned his attention to Sawyer. "Childhood sweethearts you know," he said lazily. "But Kate killed him, but it gets better!" he added, throwing his hands up. "You know who the first guy was that she knocked off? Her own father." He paused, letting the silence hang unbroken. Kate was staring hard at the crowd, silent tears sliding down her face. "Why don't you tell Sawyer about that Kate?"

"I already know!But ifyou say one more word to her-I'll kill you!" Sawyer whispered angrily, using every inch of his self control to stop himself from killing the guy. The Marshal didn't stop though, he continued.

"Did you tell him about the time you put a bullet in your boyfriend Kate?" he continued, "or how your mum screamed for help when you visited her in hospital because she was so scared of you?" Kate let out a sob but refused to look up. "You know what Sawyer? I don't think you know Kate at all," Damien continued. "You know what I think? I think Kate's using you, just like she used her parents, just like she used Tom and all her other boyfriends. And now she's using you to get her out of this place, isn't that right Kate!" he finished in a triumph tone.

"STOP IT!" Jack spoke for the first time. "Please," he said, lowering his tone. "Look, we don't care what you say or think, because we spent every single day with Kate for five years and we know her!" he paused, hoping that his words would sink in.

"Please, all we're asking is that Kate be released on bail, or something while she awaits trial, I really think, after all that's happened to us-to her-that's not asking too much."

Detective Thorn shook his head. "I'm sorry Mr. Shepard, but we can't do that with Mrs. Austen's long history of running."

"At least let her stay with me on the ship, she ain't got anywhere to run on here!" Sawyer pleaded.

The Captain who hadn't spoken a word the whole time seemed to jump awake. "Absolutely not." He said angrily. "I will not have a criminal on my ship any longer, already there is talk," he turned to Thorn. "Passengers are concerned for their safety! They have a right to feel safe, detective Thorn, how can they feel safe with a murderer on my ship?"

"Want to say that again?" Sawyer challenged furiously, Thorn threw him a warning look.

"You don't have to worry Captain," he said apologetically, "we have booked Miss. Austen a plane ticket back to the United States, I'll be taking her there myself this afternoon."

As the word 'plane' was mentioned, Kate's head shot up, the fear was written across her face.

"You what!" Both Sawyer and Jack yelled at the same time.

"What the hell you doin' putting her on a plane? The last one she was on crashed!" Sawyer shouted.

"That's totally unreasonable!" Jack added in horror.

Detective Thorn held his hands up. "Look, I'm sorry if you feel that way, but that accident was a one in a million chance-and we can't keep Miss. Austen here."

"My wife ain't goin' on any damn plane!" shouted growled furiously. He rushed towards Kate and pulled her into his arms. Kate held onto him tightly as best as she could, she was terrified.

"Don't let them take me," she whispered furiously, "please Sawyer, I'm scared, don't let them take me away." Sawyer held her tightly, but he realised with rising panic there was nothing he could do.

"Don't let them take me Sawyer," Kate's voice became higher when she got no reply, "don't let them take me! Sawyer please! Please don't let them take me!" she was trembling now, and as white as a sheet. "Don't let them take me!" Detective Thorn had a firm hold on Kate now, trying to tear her away from Sawyer. Sawyer held onto her tighter, but at the same time, felt someone trying to tear him away from Kate.

"Now, now, you've said goodbye!" Detective Thorn said firmly. "Let go Mr. Ford." Sawyer refused, if anything he hung to Kate tighter, but there were at least three men tugging on him now and he felt his grip slipping.

It was in slow motion that Sawyer saw Kate torn from him. Saw her struggle desperately, heard her sobbing for him. Then suddenly her eyes rolled, and she fell to the ground with a sickening crack.

Sawyer was at her side almost immediately, throwing the men off with newfound strength, Jack was there too.

"She ok?" he asked desperately, pulling Kate into his lap. "Kate, Freckles…can you hear me? Kate!"

But Kate didn't wake up. Sawyer noticed blood on his hands and saw that Kate had cut her head when she fell.

"She needs medical attention!" Jack shouted furiously, "look at her! Have you been giving her enough food and water? She may be a prisoner but she's a person too!"

Detective Thorn and his partner looked a bit shaken, the Captain just looked guilty, as if it was his fault. Damien didn't seem the least bit fazed, Thomas however, ran towards them.

"We should get her to the ships hospital!" he said. Sawyer picked Kate up into his arms. She flopped lifelessly, and she was so cold. He could feel himself about to break-no-one deserved this.

The nightmare got worse as they exited, the press was now very clearly on board, and flash after flash of their cameras went off, the hall was filled with shouting, but Sawyer ignored them all. There was only one thing that mattered to him now.


Just thought I'd tell you that I might not update as regularly for a while because I have about 10 assignment all due around the same time, as well as exams. The last year of school sucks :(