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.

Slightly after 9 in the morning, Sawyer held the door open to the security center, letting Juliet step in before him. He wanted her to choose the guns she wished to shoot and thought getting to the armory early would give them the opportunity before Horace intervened. Or worse, Radzinsky.

"Hey. Yer gonna do great," he drawled softly and turned his head slightly to catch her eyes as they walked. "I know you are."

She offered a weak smile and a slight nod before following him into the small armory. Horace and Radzinsky stood at the center of the room in deep discussion. At Sawyer's entry, Horace glanced to the door and smiled. "Good Morning, Juliet. Jim."

"Hey, H. Figured I'd let the little lady choose the gun she wants to shoot."

Horace walked to the gun vault. "Of course. I was just talking to Radzinsky. We weren't sure what she would want to try. We don't have too many guns, but we have enough and a good variety. We were thinking maybe a 22. Or a 20 gauge. Something that doesn't have too much kick."

Juliet nodded slowly, calm and expressionless. "Don't think I can handle the big guns?"

Sawyer grinned and stepped back, holding open the door to the vault then happily motioned for Juliet to follow Horace inside. Radzinsky followed Juliet. Once inside, the blonde woman paused and inspected the walls of the small twenty square foot vault. Various guns lined the walls, rifles to the left and right, handguns and a couple of shotguns to the rear. An island table sat at the center; beneath the table top numerous closed drawers, each numbered cryptically.

She stepped further into the vault. "I'd be happy to shoot the 20 gauge, but frankly you have to be blind to not hit the broad side of a barn with a shotgun. And if I'm going to show you what I can do, I think you'd rather see me shoot a rifle or at least a handgun."

Radzinsky picked up one of the rifles in the far corner. "I was thinking this would be a good choice."

Juliet stepped to the man and looked down at the gun then quirked a brow. "If you want me to shoot the 22, that's fine. What exactly do you want to see me do? Are we going for distance? Or do you want me to name every gun in this vault?"

Sawyer smirked, clasping his hands behind his back as he rocked casually from heel to toe then back to heel.

Horace cleared his throat. "We just want you to do what you feel most comfortable with."

Juliet turned to look up at Radzinsky, her eyes playful and challenging. "Stuart, I thought this was supposed to be a test. If I get to play with the good ol' boys, I want to prove I can shoot better than them."

Radzinsky tilted his head and eyed her appraisingly. "Alright then."

"So what do you want to see? Distance? Handgun? Or something in the middle." Juliet prodded.

"All three," Radzinsky challenged and motioned to the vault with a single hand. "Choose any guns you want."

"Thank you," Juliet stated and hesitated only a moment. "The Ruger is your standard issue for most security right?"

Horace smiled, impressed. "Uhm … yes. Most security here use the Ruger Mini-14."

Juliet took the corresponding rifle off the wall and then approached the back of the vault to inspect the handguns. She picked up one of the pistols and tested its balance. Curiously, she glanced back at Radzinsky. "P38? So how does an American initiative get their hands on Nazi pistols?" She grinned, teasingly and then placed the pistol and rifle on the table. "You know? I really don't think I want to know."

Radzinsky frowned, his expression blank. Horace, however, watched Juliet with a mixture of shock and admiration. Sawyer laughed. "And you didn't think she knew what she was doing."

Juliet circled the room again. "Though it doesn't seem you're big on the distance … we could try that too if you like."

Horace smiled. "Please."

Sawyer crossed his arms over his chest, enjoying the sight of Radzinsky getting his ass handed to him about his arsenal. Especially from a girl. Damn, this was good. The big man radiated agitation when Juliet seemed to know every gun in the armory.

Juliet eyed an impressive bolt action rifle on the wall. "I don't think I've seen one of these before." She carefully took the gun down and tested its weight. Turning her back on the men, she set the butt of the gun into her shoulder and aimed high at a corner of the room, peering into the scope. "Is the scope sighted in?"

Radzinsky nodded, bristling that she questioned the condition of his rifles. "Of course it is. I just sighted it in about three weeks ago."

She nodded again and placed the gun on the table. "30 caliber?"

"M1903 Springfield." Radzinsky announced proudly. "We don't have many long range rifles. But that's one of the few."

Horace smiled warmly. "Come on, let's get going." He picked up the Ruger and slung it over his shoulder then handed Juliet the handgun. Radzinsky searched the drawers of the center island table and took the required clips and rounds, loading the magazines and placing them into the pocket of his jumper.

Juliet sighed and casually tucked the handgun into the back of her jeans. Sawyer chuckled. "Regular natural there, Sweetheart."

She met his eyes confused and then smirked at the realization. "Well, where else should I carry it? Plus, it makes me look dangerous, don't you think?"

He nodded, lips pursed in thought. "Yeah. But you look dangerous just standing there glaring at me." He nudged her shoulder affectionately and motioned for her to follow Radzinsky from the vault.

Once outside, the four walked through the commune towards the eastern edge. Juliet frowned at the small crowd gathered near the improvised firing range set up at the jungle's edge. "I thought nobody knew."

Horace sighed and shook his head. "Someone must have overheard me talking to Stuart. You know how information flows here like wild fire. I'm sorry, Juliet we don't have to do this today if you don't want to."

Juliet shrugged, unperturbed. "If I can't make the shot under pressure then what good am I?"

"That's the spirit," Sawyer coaxed her then stepped closer, resting a hand on her back over the pistol. "You're gonna do great, Blondie. I mean that. Full faith in ya. Ok?"

She smiled nervously up at him and nodded, walking passed the small gathered crowd. She glanced indifferently to Phil, the man crossing his arms and grinning.

Sawyer glared, fingers clenched and he stopped walking, eyes on Phil. Juliet stopped and twisted slightly, her hand reaching out to rest on his arm. "Hey … come on."

"He's standin' there all smug. Like he's mockin' ya or somethin'."

"Then let him," she said simply. "When he sees me tear the can in half with a single shot, he won't be grinning anymore."

He glanced to his side, eyes on Juliet's a long moment. "Come on," he reached for her hand, gripping tightly in support and offered a genuine and almost tender smile. "We got some cans ta shoot."

"Shame," she nodded in seriousness as they continued towards the gathered crowd. "I was hoping of shooting some apples off of Phil's head. I wonder if he'd trust me not to miss."

He tilted his head curiously. "Would you miss?"

She shrugged casually, her tone serious and cool. "Not in a fatal way."

He laughed and shook his head, tugging her towards the gathered crowd. Miles sat on the hood of one of the jeeps, a bright smile on his face. "Bought time you got here, Romeo! I been sitting here waiting for you two yahoos for twenty minutes."

"How the hell did you even find out!" Sawyer snapped, eyes narrowed.

Miles pointed at Amy. "How do you think? If you don't want anyone to know what's going on in yer miserable life, don't tell her."

Sawyer growled. "I didn't tell Amy!"

Horace approached them, a sheepish expression on his face. "I'm sorry, Jim. I didn't know I had to actually tell her not to say anything but apparently if you don't get a blood oath of secrecy, Amy tells everything that moves."

Amy skittered across the path towards them, scowling at Horace. "Now don't go talking about me like that. Of course, I told people what was happening." She giggled at Juliet. "How exciting! I'm sure you can out shoot any of the men here. Especially if Jim has such faith in you. Oh and look at you! You even tucked the gun in the back of your pants."

Juliet offered a polite yet reserved smile and shook her head. "I really would have preferred not to be on display."

"You'll do great," Sawyer reaffirmed and tugged her closer, nudging her affectionately with his shoulder. "I know you will. Now I never saw ya shoot with a scope but Christ, woman, I seen what you can do without one. Just hope I ain't in the crosshairs."

Mike from the motor pool strolled towards the crowd, looking at Juliet with curiosity. He grinned. "Well well, the newest grease monkey is also a crack shot? Julie, you're holding out on us."

Miles grinned. "Mikey! Hey, wanna make a bet? Come on … ya know ya want to."

Mike laughed. "What kinda bet?"

Miles puffed his chest up and stroked his chin in mock thought. "On Juliet's shooting of course! I'm runnin' some good odds here. I mean come on. She's a girl! You really think she's got such a crack shot?"

Sawyer rolled his eyes as he led Juliet towards an impatient Radzinsky. "Jeez, and I thought I was the con man. He's a damn hustler."

Juliet glanced back over her shoulder then released his hand as they stood at the marker for the shooting range. She faced Sawyer, watching Miles. "So should I blow it, just to see him lose?"

Sawyer grinned. "That depends. Ya wanna miss out on the amazin' patrol of the Hydra? Just to see Miles sweat a little?"

She shrugged then eyed him mischievously. "Might be pretty funny."

He nodded in agreement. "Might be. But then ya get two weeks without yers truly. And ya make me go to that damn island with only Jin and the midget? Yer really gonna put me through that?"

She considered the option a long moment before shaking her head. "I suppose not. I want you back in one piece and not a raving lunatic." She turned to Radzinsky. "Let's get this over with. Do you want me standing, crouched or prone?"

Miles hooted from right behind Sawyer at her words. "Now isn't that the question of the hour!" He slapped Sawyer on the back. "Tell us, Jim, how she likes it?"

Sawyer turned on him with an intense glare. "Listen ya little pimple, back the fuck off."

"Oooo, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the couch." Miles taunted and stepped back to grin at Juliet. Despite his words, the affection for the blonde woman obviously flickered in his eyes and on his expression.

Juliet focused on the various targets Radzinsky set up, her head tilted slightly to better study. "Miles?" She said without looking.

"Yep."

"Shut up."

Sawyer grinned at the scolding remark and knew that without a glance, Juliet could shut Miles up. Almost like the little shrimp was afraid of her. Maybe he was. After all, Juliet could be dangerous when she wanted to and Miles respected that. That said a lot since Miles and respect were not two words often used in the same sentence or thought.

Radzinsky crossed his arms over his chest in an attempt to look imposing and authoritative, maybe even intimidating. "Standing and crouched. Chances are slim you would ever be prone unless you were sniping. So you can be prone for the 30 caliber if you like."

Horace handed her the Ruger. "Here. This first."

Juliet took the rifle and then the magazine from Radzinsky. She inspected the gun and after only a few seconds, loaded and readied the rifle. "Which?"

The crowd fell silent as Radzinsky pointed to a set of cans at the center of the range about sixty yards away along the jungle's edge. "There. I painted those cans three different colors. Red, Blue and Yellow. And I scattered them on the mound so you couldn't just aim at whatever and hope to hit something. Take the blue one first."

She nodded and tucked the butt of the rifle into her shoulder. "First shot will likely miss as I get the feel of the gun and exactly how the sight is lined up."

Phil laughed. "Miss huh? That an excuse for, you can't make the shot."

"No," she said calmly though her teeth clenched. "It's the 'you don't always make the first shot with an unfamiliar gun' which is entirely true if you knew anything about firearms."

Sawyer grinned at her retort and crossed his arms as he watched her. He saw the tension in her shoulders, her neck. "Damn, Baby, ya handle that barrel nicely. I should know though, eh?" He teased her and his grin broadened at the slight quirk of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Not too hard now. Ya don't want it goin' off in yer hand too soon."

She laughed and lowered the gun, shaking her head as she looked at him. "God, yer such an ass."

Miles shook his head. "You two really got an interesting idea of foreplay."

Sawyer smirked over his shoulder at Miles. "At least I get it."

Miles glared and bit back the retort on his tongue. Juliet shook her head and brought the gun back into place. More relaxed now after Sawyer's joking, her shoulders eased, molding to the gun as she aimed at the blue can. Releasing the breath she held, she fired a single shot.

The gun cracked loudly and the bullet hit the dirt about a foot away from the can. She frowned. "It's drifting wide right and a little low."

Horace frowned. "If the sights are off, we can get you a different gun."

Phil chuckled. "Excuses."

Sawyer's fist clenched and Miles kicked his thigh to distract him, offering an intense stare and slight shake of the head.

Juliet sighed. "No no. I'll just compensate." She held the gun in place again, keeping it settled firmly into the crook of her arm. She adjusted her angle, steadied her shot, released a breath then fired. The gun cracked and the bullet hit the lower corner of the blue can, knocking it over. The can rolled down the dirt mound and knocked over the yellow can.

Miles laughed. "Two bullets, two cans down. Eat that, Phil!" he taunted.

Amy squealed and clapped at the shot and Sawyer beamed proudly. "Told you, H. Crack shot."

Radzinsky, still unimpressed, ordered for the red can. "This time hit the can head on."

Juliet nodded, crouched and prepared her third shot. She pulled the trigger once, hitting the dirt just below the can, quickly compensated and within a second, fired again. The can flew into the air.

"That's my girl," Sawyer praised and closed the distance between them, touching her back as she stood. He kissed her softly and pulled the handgun from her pants. With a saucy grin, he presented her with the gun. She chuckled and handed him the Ruger then took the pistol.

"I'm not as good with a handgun." She admitted. "At least at range."

Radzinsky, still appearing unimpressed, simply nodded. "For the pistol, you'll only be shooting at twenty yards."

She glanced to the second set of targets arranged about twenty yards away. Taking the clip from Radzinsky, she loaded the gun and sighed. The targets for this round stood at various points on a separate dirt mound, the cans painted as well: Blue, Green, Red.

"Speed," Radzinsky clarified and looked at his wrist watch. "When I say go, I'll time how long it takes you to get them all. Horace, count the shots."

Juliet crouched, using her knee to help steady her arm and her aim as she peered down the length of the sight. She released the nervous breath from her lungs as the seconds ticked.

"Go!"

She fired, successive shots, easily compensating for each. The Green can flew into the air immediately followed by the red. Two more shots and the blue rattled down the hill. She sighed and stood, looking at Radzinsky.

His brow lifted, finally impressed. "Five seconds."

"Seven shots," Horace clarified.

Sawyer laughed. "What do ya think, H? If those were guys, don't matter that it took her seven shots. They'd all be on the ground in six seconds."

Amy squealed again and raced to Juliet, catching the blonde by surprise with a fierce hug. "That was amazing! I had no idea you could shoot. You never told me. Where did you learn something like that?"

Juliet smiled, a little uneasy at the question but masked any uncertainty. "Oh … a few years ago," she answered cryptically but honestly. She glanced behind her.

Miles collected his winnings from a peeved Phil and Mike. Jin smiled proudly and knowingly at her, offering a slow nod of approval. The other women of the compound watched her with a mixture of awe and nervousness. Some of the men appeared impressed but tried not to show it in fear of emasculation.

Sawyer laughed and took the gun from her hands. "Nice shootin', Tex." He teased and smiled, flirtatious.

"I still have one more rifle to shoot. No celebrations yet." She said with confidence though her eyes flicked with uneasy nerves.

"Psh," Sawyer waved off her concerns, dismissive. "Nobody uses long range rifles like that. It's just a game at this point. Ya nailed those cans! Damn, I gotta remember not to let ya carry around the house. I'll have my foot blown off if my boots are ever in the wrong place again."

She grinned, eyes amused. "You better watch out. If I pass this whole test, they might give me a gun to keep under the pillow at night."

"Mmm, kinky. Then the rope … maybe handcuffs. And a whip. Hey, H? You got a whip?"

Horace frowned, confused having not heard the conversation. "I'm sorry, Jim? A whip?"

Sawyer shrugged. "Never mind. It ain't important."

"Juliet?" Radzinsky called then handed her the M1903 Springfield. "Alright come with me." He led her away from the shorter ranged shooting area and to a second range for long distance rifles. All of the spectators followed and Sawyer glanced back at them and scowled. "All like a show huh?"

Amy giggled. "If she could do that with those guns back there I can only imagine what she can do with that bigger gun!"

Horace smiled warmly at the woman and rested a hand on her forearm. "It's a completely different style of shooting. Just because she could use the handgun, doesn't mean she can use this gun."

"Of course, she can!" Amy defended with a furrowed brow. She stood a little ways back as Juliet and Radzinsky stood at the line for the range. Sawyer kept about ten feet away, giving her the space and the room to concentrate on her shots.

"I don't know why she needs to be shooting things or wants to go on any patrols anyway," Rosie commented from just beside Sawyer, voice sultry and flirting. "I think it's much nice for big … strong men to protect us." She slid a hand up his arm to his shoulder.

He sighed and shook his head. "Hey, Fanny Hill. I wouldn't be feelin' me up when she's got a 30 caliber rifle in her hands. If ya catch my drift."

Juliet rested the butt of the rifle against her thigh as she cocked the bolt action lever, bringing the bullet into the chamber. Her actions quick and decisive, she turned her head to stare at Rosie then glanced at Sawyer in silent expectation for an explanation. When he offered only a sly grin, she commented. "Fanny Hill? James … I never pictured you as one for eighteenth century erotic literature."

Miles squawked. "Oh please! Really, Jules? Oh yeah, Jim, the upstanding moral citizen. I'm sure he also never drank, smoked, watched porn or had sex with a hooker."

Juliet showed no expression but her eyes searched Miles' then glanced to Sawyer. Sawyer rolled his eyes and shook his head with a teasing smirk. "Jealous there, Yard stick? Who needs porn or a hooker when I got her waitin' home for me every night?"

Radzinsky cleared his throat, hostile eyes on Sawyer. "As fascinating as this conversation is, I have better things to do today then listen to whatever mating ritual is happening here. Can we just get on with this?"

"Thank you," Juliet muttered and turned her back on the men and rolling her eyes, impatient. Radzinsky pointed out the targets about 500, 1000 and 1500 yards away. Eyes cold and iced she curtly nodded. Tension in her shoulders, she crouched down then lay prone on the small hill and out over the range.

Amy frowned at Sawyer as Rosie stormed off. Amy stomped over to him and poked him roughly in the chest. "Now why would you go and say something like that," she whispered, accusatory.

"Say what?" Sawyer crossed his arms over his chest, a joking grin on his face as he looked at Amy. "What's with the puss?"

Amy shook her head. "You don't get it? You just compared Juliet to a porn star and a hooker."

"What? Bullshit, no I didn't."

"Yes, you did. Don't you think before you speak?"

Miles laughed. "Nah, Jim never thinks that far ahead. He's always thinkin' about the crack, not the aftermath."

Both Sawyer and Amy jumped as Juliet fired the rifle, not expecting the shot. The crack rang out, loud and piercing. Amy winced and covered her ears, stepping further back and away.

Miles smirked at Sawyer. "So … you called Juliet a pornstar. Fan … fucking … tastic, man. You just … you got this way with women, you know?"

"I did not call her a pornstar!" Sawyer defended and covered his ear as another shot fired.

"Yeah, dumb ass. Ya did." Miles taunted and shook his head. "Look … ya said who needs porn or a hooker when I have her which means … look it's just not exactly the romantic compliment that ya maybe should have offered."

Sawyer muttered a few choice curses then watched as Juliet continued to focus on her task at hand. He growled in frustration. "Guess now isn't the time to try to smooth that over, huh?"

"She's armed," Miles commented. "So … probably not."

Juliet hit the target at 500 and 1000 yards but could not compensate properly for the wind at 1500. She growled and sighed, relaxing against the rifle and shook her head. "Damn it. I got close to the center at 500 but 1000 … I still hit the target but not in the center and I don't even know where the hell my bullets were landing at 1500."

Radzinsky remained silent a few moments as he used binoculars to inspect her shots. "It's not an easy shot. The island winds really are nuts down there."

Juliet's lips twitched with the hint of a smile. "So … how'd I do?"

Silent, Radzinsky obviously wanted to make her squirm before finally nodding. "Impressive. I think you're more than capable for any kind of security patrol. If Horace approves, I see no reason why you cannot be the fourth for the Hydra shift."

Juliet laid the gun down and pushed up onto her hands and knees then sat back onto her heels. "Do you want me to clean the guns?"

"No, I'll do it." Radzinsky stated and reached for the rifle.

Juliet handed him the gun and nodded. "Thank you, Stuart." She stood and the crowd dispersed while some approached her, offering congratulations and awed applause. She smiled politely and thanked them for their compliments though shifted her weight from one foot to the other, anxious to leave.

Sawyer cleared the distance between himself and Juliet, waving his hands to shoo away those around her. "Alright, get lost." He smiled at Juliet, oblivious to the various disapproving and even disgusted reactions from some of the women gathered around the blonde.

The responses quite visible to Juliet, she smiled politely at everyone and gave Amy a quick and tight hug, before stepping back. "Now that that's over, time to go slide under a van."

Amy smiled softly at her in comfort and understanding. "Why don't you come over for supper tonight? Jim's on the overnight shift, right?"

Juliet nodded.

"So come over," Amy coaxed. "Come on, we can do breakfast for dinner. We can make eggs and bacon and toast and maybe pancakes."

With a soft chuckle, Juliet squeezed Amy's hand. "Alright. Breakfast for dinner."

Amy hugged her friend again, whispering in her ear. "Don't let Jim's words bother you. He really does love you. He just needs to realize how he can sound sometimes. I'm sure he doesn't think you're a prostitute."

Juliet bit back a laugh but managed to only smile at Amy's obvious concern. "I know. It's alright. I'm not offended. I know what he meant."

"Babe, you ready?" Sawyer interrupted with a relaxed smile. "Come on, I'll make ya a congratulatory PB&J sandwich before your shift. It's the best I can do. I mean you saw what happened last time I tried to make pasta."

Juliet chuckled then explained to Amy. "He actually managed to boil the pot dry."

Amy laughed and eyed Jim with moderate approval. "Do you have any idea how hard that is? To boil a pot completely dry, you had to have ignored it for at least an hour if not longer."

"About an hour." Sawyer stated and his cheeks flushed. "An hour and a half considering I fell asleep."

"Ruined my best saucepan," Juliet responded with a playful glare to Sawyer then smiled when Sawyer mock pouted. She shook her head. "He did that for a week every time he saw me."

Sawyer leaned towards Amy to whisper, though loud enough for Juliet to hear. "Can't blame me. Thought she was gonna tear me a new one."

"But Jim, I thought you cooked that meal for Juliet the other day?" Amy asked, curious.

"Oh I did," Sawyer clarified. "But I was payin' attention. It's when I'm distracted that it's all a disaster."

Amy giggled and shoved his arm playfully. "Get out of here you two. Jules, I'm sure Mike will be hounding you to get to the motor pool so they can all grill you on your shooting skills."

She rolled her eyes. "Fantastic," though the concept of her pending grilling obviously unsettled her.

"Hey," Sawyer took her hand, squeezing. "Come on, let's get them sandwiches before I change my mind and try to fry bacon." He winked and tugged at her.

She held his gaze, the only sign of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Excuse us, Amy, I have to go save my pots."

Amy waved. "See you at six, Juliet," she said, barely able to control her giggling.

Author's Note: No heat yet, but they can't all be steamy. Then it loses its impact! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. This one took me a while to get right. I think it's there so here it is. By all means, review if you liked. I love to hear from everyone. Thanks again for the support for this fic.