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.

Juliet poured herself a steaming cup of coffee from the percolator. Bacon sizzled in the fry pan as Amy whisked the pancake batter in a large spouted plastic bowl. The small woman smiled brightly. "I swear, without coffee, I wouldn't be able to live here. I can do without the television, shopping and traffic. I do miss a lot but at least with coffee it can still feel like home."

With a small smile, Juliet nodded. "A saving grace."

Using a fork, Amy turned the bacon in the cast iron fry pan. "You can go sit in the living room or on the porch if you like. I can cook this for us."

"No, I can help you. You don't have to serve me."

"I want to," Amy scolded with a sweet smile and gentle shove. "Now get out of my kitchen."

Juliet chuckled. "I want to help you." At Amy's incessant nudging, Juliet resigned and with a sigh, carried her coffee towards the living room window. Holding the steaming mug in her hands, she leaned against the window frame, peering out over the commune. "I'm doing dishes then."

"No arguments here."

Juliet smiled into her coffee mug at the words and took a long sip of the hot liquid. One would think on a tropical island that coffee be the last thing desired. On the contrary, it reminded her of home. At least, civilization. Her head tilted as she watched Sawyer standing in the center of the commune, his eyes on a point past where she could see. An excellent vision of his profile, she stared.

His expression stern, brow pinched and eyes narrowed in dangerous threat, he put his hands on his hips and shifted his weight to one foot as if waiting for someone. She knew that look well, experienced it and his intensity first hand when she arrived at the survivor's camp with Jack.

*Flashback*

Juliet stood at a secluded part of the beach, tying her tarp tightly. Ben's words, his plan and her mission circulated through her mind. She hated Ben. She hated the situation and all she wanted was to go home. Ben trusted her, let her go and released her hand. He trusted her to do her job, to betray Jack and these people who hesitantly appeared to accept her.

Foolish people.

Jack believed her so blindly and she hated herself for placing him into the position. He thrust his neck out to the other survivors, defended her and protected her. And now she planned to throw it all in his face. How could she do that to him after everything they'd been through together?

Her actions with Jack back on the Hydra always genuine, though often were sparked by malicious intent. She never wanted to hurt him; on the contrary, she wanted to help him and wanted him to save her. He exuded a strength and a confidence, a natural leader even though he accepted the role hesitantly, humbly. He wanted off the island.

And he succeeded in negotiating passage for both herself and for him to go home. Granted, his methods bordered on immoral, dangerous and possibly even insane. But they worked and she felt the bursting elation of joy as she walked towards the submarine, ready to leave the island forever.

To see Rachel. Julian. Miami. Home.

The sub exploded before that dream realized. Part of her wished she was on it at the time. The torment, the loss at watching the only salvation destroyed shredded the last of her hopes. Survive. That was the remaining instinct. She had to survive.

She just wasn't exactly sure how to do that at the moment. So she'd do what Ben wanted, regretfully, begrudgingly. She healed Claire because she was supposed to, in order to gain their trust. But guilt overwhelmed her at the deceit. For everything Jack had done for them, for her and even for Ben he never lied. He told her that he would get her out of here, get her off the island and for his credit, he included her in his bargain with Ben.

Jack deserved to know the truth, to know what was happening.

Juliet stoked the small fire she built outside her camp and then lowered the tarp over the entrance to her tent. She glanced back at the other survivors, a force of habit to ensure she isn't watched or followed. Ducking into her tent, she released a heavy sigh and lay out the blanket Jack so kindly offered her.

She awoke two hours later with the uncomfortable sensation of being watched. Used to the concept, she feigned sleep a few moments in an attempt to gauge the situation. Unable to decipher her surroundings, she opened her eyes. Sawyer sat inside her tent, his back to the wall by her feet and his legs outstretched in front of him, right at her side. He watched her with darkened intensity, arms crossed over his chest.

She blinked slowly, expression calm and controlled. "If you want to kill someone in their sleep, you do it before they wake up."

He tilted his head, appraising her with dangerous intent. "I know how to kill a man, as you so eloquently stated before. Don't need your blood on my hands yet."

She held his gaze, unflinching and unwavering. To back away from his challenge would forever give him an upper hand and she could not allow that. To survive, she could not allow it. "Then to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Hostility oozed from him and he leaned forward, forearms rested casually on his knees. "If ya think for one minute I believe any a that crap ya fed Jack, then yer as stupid as he is."

"And what crap are you talking about?"

"That you actually give a damn about anybody here. And that you ain't got some ulterior motives."

Juliet sat up, unwilling to stay prone with him sitting. Staying at his level gave her an advantage. "I don't care what you give or don't give a damn about, James. I'm here for my own reasons." She matched his stance and rested her arms over her bent knees. "I want off this island. And I will do anything to get off of it and get home. Now I understand why you may not trust me and that's fine. I wouldn't trust me either. But if I wanted to hurt you or kill you, don't you think I would have done it by now considering how long we kept you in cages?"

Sawyer narrowed his eyes.

"I kept you alive, James. I saved your life. And Kate's."

"Cuz Jack would let Ben die if you didn't."

"Yes," Juliet answered simply. "And Ben told me that if I helped you escape, he would send me home. Which was where I was headed before your John Locke blew up the submarine. Now frankly, James," his name sarcastic on her tongue. "I don't care what you think of me or what you want right now. I'm not interested. So why don't you enjoy the second chance at life I gave you on numerous occasions. Since the only reason you're alive right now? Is because of me."

He tensed at the condescending tone, his broad shoulders pinched and his brow furrowed intensely, lips pressed into a dangerously thin line.

Confidently, she held his gaze. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm exhausted. Without me, your Kate would have been consumed by the smoke monster. Why don't you go and enjoy your reunion with her instead of sitting in my tent and watching me sleep?"

Sawyer watched as she lay back down and turned her back on him in blatantly dismissal. Angered, he crawled towards her and slammed a hand into the sand right by her head, the other just on the opposite side. She tensed at his nearness as he hovered over her on hands and knees, his face inches from hers.

His eyes blazed with anger and his voice, when he spoke, tinged with snarled hostility and dangerous threats. "You stay away from her, you hear me? Cuz if I see ya within ten feet a her? Not even the good Jacko can save ya from me. You said yerself. I ain't the moral police. And what I'd do to you? Would reaffirm that statement. We clear?"

"Crystal," she stated, her eyes unwavering from his and she offered no hint as to her discomfort and even fear.

Sawyer searched her eyes, intimidating. "Yer on your own here, Princess. Nobody trusts you. And nobody ever will. So you keep your distance and everything will be alright." He sat back then and straightened his shirt. "Sweet Dreams." He offered a sarcastic and dangerous grin before crawling out of her tent and walking away.

Juliet released the breath she held slowly and closed her eyes, bringing her hands up to cover her face. Maybe she wouldn't tell Jack. Not yet. She needed to figure out what the hell she was doing first.

*End Flashback*

Juliet brought the steaming mug of coffee to her lips, taking a long and luxurious sip as she watched Sawyer, pacing at the center of the commune. It had been many months since she saw that expression he wore directed at her. It was an expression he wore when he felt defensive, angry, uncertain, frustrated.

Her brow furrowed as Rosie crossed the commune, coming into view. The brunette smiled flirtatiously at Sawyer and he stalked to her house across the way. Sawyer, still defensive, agitated and even aggressive confronted her. The woman appeared unconcerned with the dangerous man, even continued to flirt, batting her eyes and smiling. The tension seeped from Sawyer's shoulders until the only sign of tension remained in his constantly flexing hand.

Sawyer turned his head away from her, eyes closed a moment. Rosie reached up to touch his shoulder then his jaw. He tensed and turned dangerous hard eyes to her. Stepping back, he snarled something undistinguishable and stalked away. Rosie crossed her arms over her chest, smirking at his retreating form.

"Juliet! Food's ready."

Juliet watched Sawyer a moment then her eyes settled on Rosie. Releasing a slow breath, she controlled any jealousy and anger and turned from the window. She'd deal with Rosie later.

Sawyer sat in the security room, staring at the various monitors without really seeing what was on them. He leaned forward on his elbows, resting against the table as he stared at the one monitor overlooking the northern fence line. Lost in thought, he picked at his lip then scratched the scruff growing on his upper lip. He'd been lazy that morning and opted against shaving.

Rosie was such a god damn bitch! She'd give him the Petula Clark album, if he slept with her. Ten months ago, he might have taken her up on that offer. But ten months ago, he was still an asshole and unattached and didn't give a damn about Petula Clark or record albums. Ten months ago, he was blissfully unaware of his future on a plane from Sydney to Los Angeles.

Ten months ago, he was a different man. He could not pin point the pivotal moment where he began to change. It probably began when he admitted his feelings for Kate. He wanted to impress her, to show her he wasn't a total douche bag. Of course it was never enough, having to compete with Saint Jack. But that didn't matter. He kept trying more and more until finally he sacrificed everything about himself for her. And he leapt from a moving helicopter into the ocean to return to Hell Island.

When he emerged from the water onto the shores, he felt refreshed, renewed and different. The weight of his past and demons lightened and eased. He even joked about it; the first words from his mouth to the sorrowful blonde on the beach were humorous, casual. Cliché as it sounded, he felt reborn.

So what did reborn Sawyer do when propositioned for sex by a whore for an album for his sorta girlfriend? Good question. He needed to think on that. Not that the concept of sex appalled him. On the contrary, he needed it and bad. Problem was, the wrong party was propositioning him. He wondered how much longer he could last before he started ripping Juliet's clothes off. He prayed he could resist the aching need to be with her and buried inside her. But it grew more difficult by the day.

How could he get that damn album from Rosie without jeopardizing the fragile relationship with Juliet?

"Hey, there."

Oblivious to the voice, Sawyer stared at the monitor and flicked a few switches, making the cameras move. Juliet continued into the room, carrying the plate she made up for him. Bacon, eggs, toast and home fries all left over from the meal she shared with Amy. The hour near nine in the evening, Juliet made up a second batch of everything for Sawyer before leaving Amy's house. Amy helped happily and even shooed her out the door to get the meal to him before it cooled.

Juliet left but only on the understanding she would stop back at Amy's before returning home to help her friend clean up the dishes. She continued into the room. "James?"

He startled when she came into view in the corner of his eyes and sat back, scowl in place. Dawning with realization, the scowl faded replaced by a tired smile. "Hey, Blondie. Mmm, smells good. What you got there?"

Juliet matched his soft smile and set the plate before him then pulled a fork from her back pocket and presented it to him. "Your dinner. Did you want coffee? I forgot to bring some but I could go make you some real quick."

"In a minute. This smells too damn good right now." He inhaled deeply and eyes closed.

She chuckled, sitting on a clear area of the console to watch him. "It's just bacon and eggs."

"Amazing." He reaffirmed and shoveled a big bite into his mouth.

Juliet glanced at the monitors. How could he see anything? The moonlight offered little illumination and the cameras seemed pointless in the darkness. She looked up at the ceiling and glared at the annoying flicker of a bulb near dead. "It's so musty down here. There's probably mold in the walls."

"Probably," he muttered around a full mouth.

"Not exactly the healthiest working environment."

Amused, he glanced to her. "I'll try to resist licking the walls or chewing on some asbestos. Thanks for the input, OSHA."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm just saying. The room could use a bit more ventilation."

"Well, if yer my union rep, take it up with management. I'm sure Horace'll rip the place down to rebuild it to code."

She held his gaze, unable to keep the smile from her face. "Maybe I will." She looked to the monitors again. "How's your shift so far?"

"Sucks," he responded honestly as he continued to eat every morsel on the plate. "I kinda like the patrolling. In here is just lame. Nothing exciting happens. We need like a hostile invasion or something."

"Can't just live in peace, can you?" She teased. "You've been living like this longer than you've been roughing it on this island."

"Yeah, well, sometimes a man just hasta stretch his legs."

"Mmm, and you do that every night on the couch while I cook supper."

He finished the last of his plate then set it aside before running his tongue over his teeth. "Yeah well, I let you do what you do best."

"Cooking? That what I am to you?"

He grinned at her challenge and reached out to take her hand. "Course. Cookin' and Cleanin' and all that jazz. Yer real good at it." She jerked her hand away, expression hiding any true emotion. He laughed and reached for her again. "Come here."

"Come here?" She taunted and turned to him. Lifting her leg, she stepped over his legs, effectively straddling him as she sat on his thighs. "A real woman and all should know her place. Bakin' an' Breedin'." She mocked in Rosie's accent. "You need a real woman, Jim. Soft and supple. One who'll treat you right. Like a man!"

Sawyer threw his head back and laughed, resting his hands on her hips. "You heard that?"

"This morning? Yes, I heard that. She's not exactly quiet about her propositions, is she?"

"She throws me something new every day."

Juliet draped her arms around his neck as she watched him. "Does she tempt you?"

"Who? The town playground?"

She smirked at the nickname. "Town playground. The jungle gym might be more fun over there."

"Doubt it. Too slippery. And the bars are too wide apart."

"That so," Juliet teased and tightened her legs slightly, squeezing his thighs.

Sawyer hummed and slid his hands along her waist then down to her hips again. "That's right."

"And how do you know how far apart her bars her?"

He leaned back casually in the chair, a knowing grin on his face. "Cuz I know who was there last. Big Bob was preachin' it. And if he was there last? Then it'd be like goin' for a walk. And frankly, when the casing's too big for the meat? There's no fun."

Her face scrunched up in slight disgust. "God, that's a gross way of putting it."

"Truth, Darlin'." He stated. "Plus I think we fit pretty good like this, don't you?" He leaned closer, lips brushing hers. "Can't wait til I know for sure how good a fit."

She shivered at his words, muscles relaxing as she leaned into him. Her arms slid further around his neck and she tilted her head to return his kiss. "You seem sure of yourself." She teased and nipped his lower lip. "That you'll know."

"You can't resist me," he taunted with an amused smile. "And one a these days, we won't get interrupted."

She nodded slowly. "So you'd rather work harder for me than jump on Rosie?"

He scowled at the name. "Darlin' no offense to you, but I'd rather try my hands at one of those polar bear on the Hydra than that clap trap."

She chuckled gently, reaching up to smooth the frown lines from his brow. "I saw you talking to her before your shift. She had you so riled up I thought you were going to strangle her. And the last time I saw you like that was because you thought I'd kill Kate."

His expression stern, he nodded slowly, staring over her shoulder at one of the monitors. "It took everything in me to resist just wrappin' my hand around her throat. Hell, it would probably turn the bitch on."

"What did she do? Why would you even talk to her anyway?" Her fingers massaged his temples, thumbs pressed firmly as her fingers slid back through his hair.

His eyes closed as his head lulled. He hummed contently at her massage. "Long story. And if I told you, it'd ruin my surprise for you."

"Rosie has a surprise for me?"

He sighed at her incredulous tone and he opened his eyes. "Can ya trust me? Just trust me, Juliet."

She searched his eyes. "I trust you. But I'm sure you understand why I'm skeptical."

"I know. Just trust me, Blondie, please?"

She paused, more for effect than reflection. "Alright. I trust you. Her, on the other hand, I don't trust."

"Please, she won't get the upper hand with me." He affirmed and tugged her closer, settling her higher up on his thighs. "You know, if you keep visiting me like this, it might make my night shifts much much easier to get through."

"As thrilled as I'm sure you are for that, I don't think Horace will be too pleased if something happens and I'm here so you didn't catch it."

"Five more minutes." He lifted up slightly and nibbled at the tendons on her throat.

Her eyes fluttered at the contact and she resisted the urge to cave into his arms. "Five more minutes."

With a deep chuckle, he nipped at her then soothed the spot. "I should mark ya."

"What is this, high school?"

"You were the one who said it was, Darlin'. If I recall you said something about not knowin' who was cool or who to eat lunch with. We'll be the talk of the homeroom. Brainy nerdy girl and the bad boy who sleeps in the back of the class."

She chuckled and cupped his cheeks, easing him back. She tucked the long hair behind his ears and searched his expression. "So if you're getting something from Rosie, I guess that means I can't go intimidate her to leave you alone."

"Not yet, but I'll give ya the green light when I got what I need."

She sighed softly and kissed his mouth gently. "I should get you some coffee."

"Already? I like ya here."

"How will you stay up?"

Quirking a brow, he grinned, wolfishly. "Baby, I'll be up for a good few hours." He tugged her a little further up his legs towards his hips.

She held his eyes, matching his expression though masked any grin. "I meant awake, James. So get your mind back to sea level."

"I'd have you know, I was talking about being awake."

"Mmm hmm, and that's why the entire time I've been sitting here, you've been tugging me until I'm just over your hips." She squirmed slightly, teasing and bit back the smirk at his reaction. The muscles of his neck tensed and his eyes fluttered. She tilted her head. "Awake, right?"

"Yep. Totally awake right now."

She chuckled, sliding her fingers through his hair, raking the tangles away. She averted her eyes from his, focused on the strands of his dirty blond hair. "What are we doing, James?"

He tilted his head into her touch. "Flirtin'."

"I know but not just now. I mean, in general."

"Ah. Well, I'd say we're beatin' around a big damn bush, don't ya think? Probably been doin' it a while."

She nodded slowly, still unable to meet his eyes. Instead, she brushed at his shoulders. "What if Kate comes back?"

"So Kate comes back. So what?"

She looked to him at that, expecting and confused. He mimicked her expression, fingers dancing on her waist then along her thighs. He shook his head. "Baby, is she always gonna stand between us?"

She kissed him.

"You're tryin' to change the subject again." He murmured against her lips. "You always do that."

"You want me to stop?" She whispered, head tilted, lips parted.

He growled and kissed her soundly, deeply, tongue tangling with hers.

Breathless, she finally pushed back, cupping his cheeks as she panted softly on his lips. "I'll get you some coffee for the rest of the night. Do you have off tomorrow?"

He hummed and nodded slowly. "Mmm hmm," then kissed her again. "You?"

"Yep."

He grinned. "I'll plan a great day. All you gotta do is make some sandwiches."

She chuckled. "So again, we're back to me cookin'."

"That's right. Stick to what you're good at."

She playfully shoved his chest and stood, offering a lingering kiss as she eased out of his lap. He groaned in frustration when she left but didn't move to stop her. She raked the hair back from her eyes. "I'll bring you some coffee then leave you to your television."

"You gonna put a show on for me?"

"Maybe later," she teased and with a smirk, left the room.

The flush of a toilet then a running sink from the room across the hall stirred her from sleep and Juliet slowly opened her eyes. She licked her dried lips and stretched slightly, pinching her shoulders back and extending her legs. She sighed, relaxing into the bed again. The water stopped running and the door quietly opened. He obviously tried to be quiet though the clink of his belt on the floor then the plop of heavy jeans and a t-shirt sailing past the hamper to the wall gave her doubts.

He sighed heavily and sank into the bed, slipping under the covers. She turned towards him and shifted closer. Resting a hand on his chest, she pressed against his side and pillowed her head on his shoulder.

Sawyer grinned and slid his arm around her, holding her closer and his hand splayed on her back then over her hip. Nice and warm, he settled into the bed.

Juliet hummed softly, eyes falling closed. "So I assume you actually washed your hands this time and weren't just pretending in there."

A pregnant pause extended between them and his arms slackened. "Ah … shit." And he pushed her aside to sit up.

She laughed and peeked up at him, her gaze warm and exposed to him in the haze of sleep.

He glanced behind him and grinned at her then lay back down. Resuming their previous position, he tugged the sheets up over their bodies. "Ya shut the blinds yeah?"

"Mmm hmm."

"Good. I'm sleepin' in tomorrow."

"Mmm hmm."

Silence extended a few long minutes. "Jules?"

"Mmmm?"

"You regret givin' me more than two weeks?"

She hummed a response and shook her head. Her arm tightened around him, holding him possessively. Sawyer grinned at her answer and closed his eyes, submitting to absolute exhaustion.

Author's Note: And another chapter down. By all means shoot your reviews my way. I also put a poll up on my profile to let the users choose the style of ending for this story. I have so many ideas and can't decide which to use so I'm leaving it all up to you. So by all means, head on over and vote. After reviewing of course =D