Title: Hydra
Author: Crimson Coin
Rating: T … not quite R but it's romance so things may get a little steamy
Pairing: Juliet/Sawyer
Disclaimer: I don't own Lost or these characters. I just like to borrow them to have a little fun.
Summary: Dharma time story about how Juliet and Sawyer became a couple.
Note: This story is based on a suggestion from tntlostfan for a one shot. It's going to be multiple chapters because, well the ideas just started coming! So I hope I'm forgiven, tntlostfan. But I promise, you'll have your idea in the story.
Sawyer slowly roused from the realm of unconsciousness, blinking a few times. His vision obstructed by the vivid green grass and just over the blades he saw the familiar tan jumpsuit. Miles.
Miles lay still, unmoving about ten feet away. His eyes closed, head tilted back, breath shallow.
Sawyer moaned tucked his arms under his chest to push up. Finally on his knees, he rubbed the grass from his face and hair then looked around and up at the sky. He eased slowly to his feet, wavering slightly. His right leg trembled, the muscle of his thigh protesting the movement. He looked down at his tattered and torn jumper and then looked over his shoulder, twisting to see his completely exposed back.
Muttering a curse, he shrugged out of the jumper, tugging the sleeves off and letting it hang down at his waist over the front of his thighs. His hamstrings pulsed in pain and he bent down slightly to touch the tender and swollen muscles. Releasing an exasperated sigh, he stumbled towards Miles. "Hey … hey." He nudged the prone man with the toe of his boot.
Unresponsive, Miles lay motionless.
Sawyer dropped to his knees and leaned over Miles then reached out with a hand to check his pulse. The rhythmic beating of the heart was strong and steady though Miles showed no signs of awakening. Sawyer reached out, peeling away the tattered parts of Miles' jumpsuit and winced at the scrapes and scratches along the smaller man's chest.
"Ah …" Sawyer winced in sympathy then looked around them. He reached over Miles to pull the radio from his belt. He flicked the switch once, twice. No sound. Turning the radio over, he scowled at the missing back and the batteries gone. "Sonovabitch."
He hooked the radio onto his belt then slipped his hands under Miles' underarms. "Come on. We gotta go."
Miles remained limp and Sawyer grunted, pulling the man up to his feet. He ducked quickly, squatting to get leverage and leaned into Miles' thighs then letting the man fall over his shoulders. With a grunt, he stood, carrying Miles over his shoulders.
His muscles ached and screamed in protest but Sawyer fought through the exhaustion and walked southward towards the Barracks. "Yer lucky, ya know." He taunted the unconscious Miles. "Ya weigh as much as a woman."
Sawyer slowly and steadily trudged down the hilly side of the mountain and through the jungle towards the barracks. He wasn't completely sure if he was going in the right direction, only knew the barracks was south. Step by step, the foliage of the jungle floor crunched and crisped beneath his boots. Sweat slicked his brow, dripping from his hair. His shirt and jumper dampened, near soaked. The sweat slid down his back and over the quivering muscles of his legs. He continued, stepping slowly and continuously. If he stopped, he'd likely collapse.
Carrying the extra dead weight, his speed slowed and his eyes fluttered. His body temperature rose from the strain and he laughed in delight when the Barracks finally came into view. About five hundred yards in front of him, the jungle cleared and the bright and cultured grass of the commune awaited him.
"Hey!" he yelled then stumbled. He reached out with his left hand, the right holding tightly to Miles. His left hand gripped a fallen log and he dropped to a knee. The flesh on his hand scraped again, reopening the previous scratches. "Hey!" He called again towards the commune.
He pushed up onto his feet and continued towards the commune. Closer and closer. "Hey!" Within three hundred yards, his knees buckled. He dropped to his knees. The sweat from his brow dripped into his eyes, burning and blinding him. He squinted and saw two hazed silhouettes rushing towards him. He dropped Miles, the smaller man falling limp onto the ground. Sawyer collapsed, eyes fluttering as he hit the ground with a grunt and fell into sweet and blissful unconsciousness.
Juliet sat on the bench outside the infirmary, staring blankly towards the northern border of the commune. Her eyes focused and unwavering, her expression blank.
Horace watched her, observant and curious but uncertain. Juliet baffled him. He liked to consider himself a good judge of character, of people. But he struggled to understand Juliet. At times she seemed cold and calculated and at other times warm and compassionate. Her devotion to her friends overshadowed any icy exterior though she fought every exposed emotion in an attempt to appear calm and controlled.
The crackling of a radio distracted Horace and he looked down, pulling the radio from his belt. "Jim? Jim is that you?"
Radzinsky's voice distorted and buzzed over the speaker. "No, it's Radzinsky. We're out here. We don't see them."
Juliet's jaw tensed and she stood, leaving the porch of the infirmary and walked towards the north.
Horace jumped up to follow her quickly. "They didn't disappear. Find them." He ordered into the radio then called for Juliet. "Wait … Juliet, wait."
Juliet froze and turned, eyes blazing with emotion though her expression gave none away. "Wait. Wait wait wait. How long do I have to wait? I can't wait anymore." She frowned when she noticed Horace looking passed her.
He pointed towards the jungle. "Juliet, look."
She spun quickly, eyes scanning the edge of the jungle then widened at the man emerging slowly from the brush. "James." She heard his voice calling and the sound spurred her into a run, racing towards him.
She watched him collapse and as she neared, looked quickly between Sawyer and then Miles. Her mind raced. She dropped to her knees on the ground between Sawyer and Miles. She reached over to check Sawyer's pulse and convinced he was alive, turned to Miles. She rolled the smaller man over onto his back and winced at the sight of his chest. "Miles …" she shook her head and checked for his pulse as well. She looked up at Horace. "We have to get them in the infirmary. Now."
Horace nodded. "I'll get the stretchers." He ran back towards the infirmary, motioning for some of the men to follow him along the way.
Juliet turned to James. He lay on his stomach, eyes closed. She touched his back then leaned over to whisper in his ear. "James. James, open your eyes."
Silent and unmoving, he laid still, breath even and calm.
Her hand rested on the back of his sweaty head, stroking the strands slicked hair from his face. "Please. James, come on, open your eyes."
He hummed and squirmed slightly. "Mmm, don't wanna." He murmured into the grass.
She smiled and chuckled, choking back a sob of joy. She sighed in relief and ducked her head, her forehead pressed to the back of his neck a moment before she lifted up to stroke his hair again. "Why not? Stubborn ass."
He licked his lips. "Take yer top off, then we'll talk."
She rolled her eyes. "Nobody's here, James. Horace went to get the stretchers."
Eyes still closed, he grinned, expression soft. "I know nobody is here."
Her brow furrowed in confusion and she stroked his back again then looked at Miles. "What happened out there?" When he didn't respond, she frowned and leaned over him again. "James? James."
He fell unconscious again.
Sawyer slowly opened his eyes, the vision fuzzy at the flickering light over his head. His muscles gel, his head spinning, he closed his eyes to still the spinning. He licked his lips, releasing a long slow breath before forcing his eyes open again.
This time, his eyes focused on the feminine form hovering over him. As his vision cleared, brilliant blonde hair and piercing blue eyes came into focus. He grinned at the familiar features. "Juliet."
She smiled softly at him, her voice a gentle lull. "Hey there."
He hummed and licked his lips, eyes closing again. "Where am I?"
"The infirmary," her soft response and she touched his chest. "Open your eyes, James."
"Too damn bright," he growled and forced his eyes open.
She smirked and cupped his cheek with a soft hand, forcing his eyes to hers. She searched them and waved a finger in front of his eyes, checking his focus. "What happened out there? The cameras … I saw you fall and then nothing. Then climbing back up. What happened?"
"Miles … where's Miles?"
"He's fine," she soothed him. "He's in the next room. Worse than you. His arms and chest are scratched, scraped and torn. With the way you both fell, how did you survive?"
"I'm just that damn amazin', Sweetheart." He grinned teasingly and the hand nearest her reached out to touch her, finally resting on her hip to keep her on the bed. "I got Miles back up the cliff. Stupid damn cliff. Who the hell makes a patrol up a cliff face?"
"That wasn't the patrol," Horace interrupted.
Juliet glanced over her shoulder and stood. Sawyer's hand slipped from her hip and he struggled to sit up at the voice. "H? What you talkin' about?"
As Juliet stepped back just slightly, Horace approached the bed. "That wasn't part of the patrol. I don't know who told you that you had to climb the cliff face but it's not part of the patrol."
Sawyer blinked and he sat up, his torso trembling at the muscle contractions. Juliet rushed to his side, sliding an arm around his back to hold him up.
His expression hardened, eyes dangerous and his brows pinched together. Horace shifted uncomfortable under the glare. "I found out today. Phil called me down when he saw you fall. I didn't know they told you that was part of the route. It's not; you never had to climb the cliff."
Sawyer held Horace's gaze a long moment then without looking away, spoke deeply to Juliet. "Get me outta here."
"James, that isn't wise. You should stay to make sure …"
"Don't be my Doctor, Darlin'." He interjected and turned his gaze to hers. "I gotta get out a here. Please."
She hesitated, her mind spinning to weigh the pros and cons and the consequences of moving him. Eventually, she nodded and reached down to push off the sheet that covered him. In only his boxers, he swung his legs off the side of the bed and with Juliet's help, he stood. His legs trembled and nearly gave way under his weight. Far stronger than her slender form would appear, Juliet braced herself and kept him erect until his leg muscles clenched and stabilized.
Horace took a step forward as if to help but sensed the defensive walls and kept his distance. "Jim, please. Stay. We have to make sure you're ok."
Juliet helped Sawyer to the nearest concrete wall and eased him against it. She stepped away from him a few moments to fetch the clean jumper on a folding chair on the opposite side of the room. Sawyer hunched slightly, exerted and his hair swung into his face. With narrowed eyes, he peered at Horace. "I don't think so, H. Sorry if I don't seem to trust the good will at the moment."
Juliet returned to his side and with tender caring, helped him step into the jumper then pulled it up over his hips. She buttoned it and let it rest low, knowing he wouldn't pull it up over his shoulders. "I don't have your shoes here. But the ground is soft and grassy. You sure about this?"
"Yeah. I'm sure."
Juliet nodded and slipped under his arm again to help lift him and guided him slowly towards the door. She held Horace's gaze a long moment, calm and yet compassionate, understanding. She offered the smallest of smiles and Horace ducked his head, stepping aside. Juliet led Sawyer to the door placing herself between Horace and Sawyer. She reached out to Horace, gently touching his arm.
Horace sighed, averting his eyes to look at the now rumpled and abandoned infirmary bed.
Juliet helped Sawyer walk slowly the few hundred yards from the infirmary to their house. The distance tasked him and with every ten yards, she felt him lean on her a bit more. Her jaw tensed as she willed her body to handle his weight. "Almost there." She encouraged softly then smiled. "And then you have to take the stairs," she teased.
"We should leave on the next sub," he grunted as he reaches for the railing on his porch, pulling himself up the few stairs.
"What?" her voice confused and hitched.
"You heard me." He leaned against the house as she opened the door then helped him inside. He managed to get to the stairs and gripped the railing, pulling himself up one stair at a time.
"Why?" She whispered from behind him and then stepped in front of him to open the bedroom door. "I … you were the one that gave me every reason under the sun to stay."
"I know," he panted and flopped down onto the bed with an exhausted groan. Slowly, he rolled onto his back. She brushed off his feet then reached up to unbutton his jumper and pull it down and off his legs. Sawyer grinned. "Not exactly the way I pictured you strippin' me."
She blushed and smirked. "That so. What did you picture?"
He chuckled. "Somethin' more seductive. Ya got that doctor look on yer face which is fine and all but it's like yer doin' a job, not strippin' me cuz ya can't help yerself."
She rolled her eyes and her lips tugged gently with a smile. "Relax, James. You have to rest. Your muscles are so strained and your hamstrings are bruised."
He nodded absently. "Expected when yer playin' monkeys. Just didn't have any damn barrels."
She frowned, confused then touched his forehead as if to check for a fever. "You need to rest. You're exhausted. I'll make you something to eat. What do you want?"
"Mmm," he licked his lips. "Just not a fish biscuit."
She laughed.
In the hours that James slept, Juliet showered, cleaned the house and washed a load of clothes. She fought the temptation to return to the infirmary, visit Miles and find out exactly what happened. But she didn't want to leave Sawyer alone in the house. She walked to the large window by the dining table and leaned against the wall, peering outside at the commune.
Arms crossed, she released a slow and steady sigh. She wondered of the strange and odd penance forced upon her. To look outside her home and see the house that would one day belong to Danny Pickett.
*Flashback*
Juliet stood outside a large facility building surrounded by thick jungle brush. She watched at the top of the few stairs as Danny Pickett turned his back on her and marched into the jungle, murder intent in his eyes. She focused on his retreating back a few moments before turning to look at Aldo, the guard appeared shaken and unsure.
Ben's words echoed in her mind, swirling through her brain. The opportunity to finally go home. Home, after three years of torment and torture on this god forsaken island and all she had to do was help Sawyer and Kate escape.
She followed Danny.
Could she really go home? After so long was she the same woman who left Miami three years ago? Was her sister alive and well or had the cancer returned? Did Ben cure Rachel? The thought of finally going home simultaneously terrified Juliet and exhilarated her.
Terrifying. She had been missing for three years of her life, three years she could not account for because after all, who would believe her. Who would believe she was held prisoner on a magical island trying to help women give birth and unable to truly understand why the island prohibited birth. How could the boars, birds and animals continue to survive and thrive on this island while humans failed? What science could explain an instance of species specific mutations that aged the uterus of healthy young women to the point where bearing a child killed both mother and offspring? Yet she personally witnessed the birth of generations of rats and even the boar.
At first she believed Ben wouldn't let her leave because she had failed in her purpose. He intended to keep her until the problem was solved. But how could she fix something beyond the scope of science. The very essence of the infertility problems on the island baffled her. She had no answer and no matter her treatments or the drugs she invented, nothing worked. Women died. Children, babies died.
But Ben kept her for different reasons. Selfish reasons, obsessive and unforgiving reasons. Reasons she could not fight. Ben was right. She was his as long as she remained on the island. An island that for three years, he showed no hint of letting her leave.
Until now.
Ben valued his own life more than keeping her. She hoped and prayed he would keep his word and to Ben's credit, he had yet to break his word to her. His obsession was confusing because he never forced anything sexual from her. At first she thought his desires and intentions romantic but as the years passed, she realized it was something different. It was companionship, it was friendship – in an odd sociopathic kind of way – it was trust. She was damaged goods. But so was Ben. As much as she hated to admit it, they related on many levels.
But with one difference. Juliet liked to believe that no matter how much the island hardened her, she maintained a shred of humanity, compassion and caring.
Three years on the island drastically changed her. Her heart hardened, her mind sharpened. Her survival instincts usurped the calm and submissive, even fearful woman she once was. Though she would give orders when necessary, she still far too easily fell into the role of servant, especially in her obedience towards Ben. She liked to think, however, she followed direction because it was what she needed to do to survive. To get off the island. And to return to Rachel.
Again, she followed direction. She obeyed Ben because to do so meant she could go home. She would return a different woman, stronger and harder from her trials. But home, nonetheless. Considering her research and her history, she likely could return to work with some finagling and romancing of various employers. It intimidated her, but she knew her capabilities. She knew her intelligence; she knew she could live. If she survived on the island for the last three excruciating years, life off of the island would be far easier.
Juliet emerged from the jungle onto the beach. Danny held a gun to Sawyer, Kate standing beside the canoe. Karl lay inside the canoe with Alex huddled behind Kate. Danny would shoot. In seconds. Juliet did not hesitate. She raised her pistol, pointing it at Danny.
"Danny"
The man turned, hardened and grief stricken eyes meeting Juliet's. She saw in that instant his desperation, his desire for revenge after the loss of his wife, the maddening sorrow. His intended to take Sawyer from Kate just as the survivors took Colleen from him. Vengeance.
Her hand trembled for barely a second before she pulled the trigger once then again then once more.
Danny dropped.
Remorseless, Juliet walked to the body and stared down at the man she once called friend. Defense walls erected higher, she swallowed any guilt or grief. There was no time.
Home. She had to get home.
Juliet turned to look at Sawyer and Kate. "Go, get out of here."
*End Flashback*
She had the time now for guilt, for grief. Stuck on the island again with no hope in sight, she thought of her choices. Did she have to kill Danny? If she tried to talk to him, appeal to the man she knew was still inside beneath the mourning mess of a man still in shock from the sudden loss of the woman he adored.
But would Danny have listened? Doubtful. The murderous intent in his eyes remained ever present from the moment Colleen breathed her last breath. She wondered if she would feel the same. If she ever found love like that and then lost it so suddenly.
How could she judge his murderous intent over grief? Especially when she murdered him in cold blood with hardly a flinch.
Tears finally slipped from her eyes and she turned her head away from the window, unable to look any longer. She closed her eyes, reaching up with a hand to cup her face in her palm as her other hand touched the small of her back, feeling the distinct brand marking. Her shoulders trembled with the guilty sob but nothing escaped her. Her walls too high, she could not weep, could not mourn. She sniffed and straightened, blinking back the tears and wiping the streaks from her eyes. She walked across the room into the living quarters to a decorative mirror hanging on the wall.
She looked at her reflection and sighed, raking her hands back through her hair to push it from her eyes. How reminiscent. Nearly a year ago to the day, she stood in one of these Dharma houses and played a CD of her favorite song, trying to calm the hopelessness and sadness in her heart as she prepared for a book club meeting. That same day, she witnessed Flight 815 split in half in midair and the pieces dropped to the island. That same day of course somehow was over thirty years in the future.
She bit her lip and approached the tall bookcase to the left of the mirror. At the top, neatly placed were various decorative pieces including a few empty glass and ceramic bowls. At the center of the case, two shelves packed full with various books, some old and some new. She crouched down and opened the bottom doors on the bookcase, displaying two shelves beneath with records. Her fingers traced the spines as she scanned the titles.
Releasing a shaky breath, she smiled sadly. No Petula Clark.
A knock on the front door distracted her and she turned to look over her shoulder at the offensive sound. With a sigh, she pushed to her feet and kicked closed the doors. She wiped her eyes one last time and looked in the mirror. Somewhat satisfied with her appearance, she walked to the front door and opened it.
Amy stood outside, smiling sadly. "Hey. Horace told me what happened. How are you holding up? Is Jim ok?"
"He's upstairs asleep," Juliet answered softly and opened the door wider, an invitation.
Amy smiled at that and stepped inside. "I came by to sit with Jim. Radzinsky managed to find an angle from one of the cameras that shows what happened to them. Horace thought you'd want to go see for yourself."
Juliet hesitated and turned slightly to look up the stairs.
Amy reached out, touching her arm. "He'll be fine. I won't leave the house."
Juliet met Amy's gaze and her lips parted in thought. Finally she nodded. "Alright. I'll be back soon. Is Miles awake yet?"
Amy shook her head. "Not yet. They don't know what's wrong with him. He shouldn't be asleep still."
"It's the shock," Juliet answered. "His body shut down to recover from the shock." She leaned against the wall by the door for leverage and pulled on her boots. "I'll be right back."
Amy nodded and smiled. "Don't worry. I'll take care of Jim."
Juliet smiled gratefully and stepped out of the house, heading towards the security office.
Author's Note: A nice long chapter for all you die hards out there. Hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for all of the reviews. Please keep them coming. The more reviews, the more inspiration I have to try and write. And I like to write further ahead than I post. So please, review again if you like, if you didn't like or if you think they should just throw caution to the wind and just 'have at it' already! Remember though, the more tension, the far better it will be later.