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.

Amy closed up the picnic basket then faced Juliet again. "Oh come on, don't read. Come for a swim with me."

"I don't know. I wasn't really planning on going for a swim."

Amy flashed an incredulous and scolding look towards Juliet. "You have got to be kidding me. You come down to the beach and don't plan on going in the water? Lighten up a bit!"

A single brow lifting, Juliet met Amy's eyes with challenge. Calm and controlled, she responded. "Amy, this is me lightened up."

Amy laughed and shoved at Juliet. "Oh shut up, you are not." She stood and untied the front of her sundress then pulled it off, revealing the swimsuit beneath. "I'm sure you look ten times better in yours than I do in mine and I'm not embarrassed. Plus they're all too busy down there with the football to notice you if that's what you're worried about. And anyway, Jim's seen you in less."

Not exactly a lie. Sawyer had seen her in a towel, which was certainly less than a swimsuit. Juliet closed her book, placing it in the bag. "But Jin is fishing for supper."

Amy sighed and rolled her eyes. "Then we move a little further down the beach. God, you're making things unnecessarily difficult. Stop being such a man! Now come on. I'm not swimming alone."

Glaring, Juliet stood and crossed her arms low at her hips to grip the hem of the pull over dress.

"And don't you look at me like that. It only works on Jim and people who don't know you." Amy stated then smiled warmly at Jin, waving to him before continuing about fifteen yards down the beach towards Sawyer, Miles and Horace. The men still a good fifty yards away, they paid her no mind. Horace's back to her, he planted his feet and threw the ball at Sawyer, who raced towards the surf to catch it while Miles attempted to defend.

Juliet pulled the dress over her head and dropped it on the blanket before stalking down the beach towards Amy.

Sawyer caught the pass with ease then held the football over Miles' head again. "Ya need a few more inches to play with the big boys there, Kung Pao."

"I got the inches where it counts, dickwad."

"Uh huh. Sure ya do." Sawyer laughed and flipped the football back to Horace. He looked up again for the pass and his eyes widened, jaw slackened as he stared passed the man and towards Juliet and Amy.

Miles paused too, brow lifted in surprise. "Damn." He whispered. "It's like watching that hot blonde chick from Caddyshack."

Sawyer's eyes raked her body in the flattering high hipped black swimsuit. "Son of a bitch," he muttered.

Miles tilted his head to look around Horace, who turned as well to see what had his friends so distracted. Miles hummed, curiously. "Has that even been made yet?"

Sawyer felt his mouth run dry. "Huh?"

"Caddyshack?"

"What about it?"

"Has it even been made yet?"

Sawyer took a step to the side to watch Juliet step over the surf and passed Amy before diving into the waves.

"Hello," Miles interrupted, dragging out the last vowel in an attempt to get the southerner's attention.

"What?"

"Have they made Caddyshack yet?"

Sawyer scowled and turned his head to look at Miles. "What, does it say IMDb across my god damn forehead?"

Miles threw his hands into the air. "I don't know. Yer usually a font of useless information."

"Bull, no I'm not."

"Of course you are. It's how you come up with all your fancy nicknames."

Sawyer smirked. "Jealous that I'm quicker up here?" He tapped his head.

"Quicker. Thicker maybe, not quicker. Callin' the Asian guy, Bruce Lee. Or Kimchi. Or the short guy, Midget. Real creative. Oh oh and the blonde woman, Blondie. Way to think outside the box, hick."

Sawyer tilted his head a moment and then laughed. "Yer still bent outta shape about the Kimchi thing, aren't you? I thought it was funny."

"Yeah you just crack yourself up." Miles jogged up the beach again, waving at Horace to pass the ball.

Jin crouched into the surf to pick up the rope he left dangling in the water. Three large fish hung from the rope, the fibers threaded through mouth and gills. Turning from the water, he draped the rope over his shoulder as he walked back to the beach blanket. Once at the jungle's edge, he lay the fish on a large flat rock. From the beach bag, he pulled a filet knife and a metal tool used to scale fish.

Sawyer walked down the beach towards Jin. "Dinner looks good."

Jin glanced up and nodded then pointed to the sand by the blanket with the filet knife. "We need uhm … hole for fire."

Looking around for a small shovel or spade, Sawyer finally picked up a flattened rock. About ten feet from the blanket he dropped to his knees and dug. He brushed the loose sand away and dug the hole about a foot deep with a two feet diameter.

Juliet and Amy emerged from the water, both women raking the hair back from their eyes as they walked up the beach. Amy giggled at Sawyer. "What you doing there, Jim? Building a castle?"

"Diggin' a hole to bury you, Trouble." He retorted without hesitation then shot a smirk over his shoulder at the two. His eyes lingered on Juliet for a second before he returned to his digging. "Fire pit. We're gonna cook up Jin-bo's fish for supper tonight. You and the boss stayin'? Catch yer own fish."

"Oh you're just so welcoming," Amy stated with flourish as she vigorously shook her head, splashing his back with water.

Juliet chuckled and walked to the beach bag and pulled out a towel, wrapping it around herself then tucking the corner to keep it up.

Sawyer resisted the urge to peek back over his shoulder and instead called out. "Hole's dug." He pushed to his feet. "Gonna get some wood and such."

"I'll help." Juliet offered.

Sawyer waved her off. "Psh, you sit yer ass down and chill. Let the men handle the fire."

Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest. He laughed at the display and closed the distance between them, leaning down to kiss her without hesitation. "Find some drift wood, Baby. I'll get kindling from the jungle."

"You know a kiss doesn't always make everything better."

He tilted his head. "Hmm, no it doesn't. But if I did more, it would be an X rated show, wouldn't it." He reached up to hook his finger into her towel and with a flick, the towel dropped.

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of her lips and she put her hands on her waist as she watched him. "Now my towel is all sandy."

"Well look at that," he teased. "Why don't you bend over and pick it up?"

She laughed and shoved at his chest. "Go get stuff for the fire." She crouched down to grab the towel and shook it out.

Sawyer leaned closer and whispered. "Love the sight a ya on yer knees."

"That so. Figured you liked me on my back at the motor pool better."

He growled softly at the image and shook his head. "You don't play fair."

"It's why I win," she shot back and with a teasing smile, turned from him to walk along the beach and collect any drift wood and dried seaweed.

Amy watched the entire confrontation though she only heard bits and pieces of it. She bit her lip to hold back her laugh. "You gonna make it through dinner, Jim, before ripping the suit off of her?"

"Course," He snapped back. "Not like I wanna share her with these two yahoos."

Brow furrowed, Jin looked up. "What is a yahoo?"

Amy giggled. "Apparently you, Jin."

"And Miles," Sawyer shot back over his shoulder as he walked barefoot into the jungle, careful with each step.

After supper, the sun setting, Miles and Jin sit at one side of the fire, lounged out on two towels as they played cards. Juliet lay on her back on the blanket, a book in her hand. Sawyer lay perpendicular to her, head pillowed on her stomach as he read as well. Her fingers slid absently through his hair, stroking and caressing in gentle comfort. The fire burned brightly at the center, Sawyer wiggled his toes and shifted his feet slightly away, too hot and too close to the flame.

Horace and Amy stayed for supper on the beach and now stood down the shoreline, walking slowly and speaking in private. Miles took two cards from the deck and glanced to his side. "Jim?"

"Mmm."

"Been thinking about the whole Hydra thing."

"Yeah?"

Miles nodded. "We should go. I think it could be fun."

Sawyer nodded, eyes fluttering at Juliet's petting. "Tell Horace yer game. I think some just left for the joint, so we'd be next on the list."

"I got a shift tomorrow morning. I'll tell him then." Miles glanced down the beach. "He looks more distracted than you at the moment."

"Mmm hmm."

Miles looked at Jin then back to Sawyer. "I was thinkin' we can trade roommates for a bit. My beds been cold and I like your living arrangements."

"Uh huh."

Juliet glanced at Sawyer at his response then to Miles, confused.

Miles smirked. "So that's ok with you then? I'll get my stuff and move in? You can move out?"

Enthralled in his book and Juliet's touch, he nodded. "Yeah, whatever you want, Miles, shut up."

Juliet chuckled and shook her head. "I don't think so."

Sawyer glanced up at her. "Think what?"

"That Miles will be moving in with me and you moving to Jin's." she said.

Sawyer shook his head. "Hell no. Ain't happenin'."

Miles sighed and shrugged. "Your loss, Juliet. I'm on to you though. You and me? We got chemistry."

Sawyer grinned. "Yeah, volatile. That ain't the good kinda chemistry, nugget."

Miles scoffed. "Oh yeah, and you two have the good chemistry." He motioned to Juliet and Sawyer with an outstretched hand. "I present to you the pinnacle example of healthy relationship pursuit."

Sawyer narrowed his eyes; Juliet ignored them, continuing to read though her hand abandoned his hair to instead rest on his chest. Jin smiled brightly and laid down his hand. "Ah hah! All hearts."

Miles threw down his hand. "God damn it!" Then grumbled and stood, brushing off his pants. "Well I'm up at Fuck me O'clock so later losers."

Jin gathered the cards and slipped them back into the case before putting them in his pocket. He stood and smiled warmly. "Good night, Sawyer. Juliet."

Juliet smiled at him. "Good night, Jin." And watched as he followed Miles back to the barracks.

Sawyer tilted his head slightly to look at Juliet. "Up at Fuck Me O'clock huh? What a coincidence. If that was the time, I'd certainly be up."

She laughed, flushing faintly and shook her head. "Dirty mind. You've gotten worse the last couple of weeks, you know."

"Eh," he shrugged casually. "Always was thinkin' it. Just wasn't sayin' it." He watched Jin and once they disappeared up the path, he pivoted on his hips until he lay beside her. "Damn I thought they'd never leave." He grinned at the words and without hesitation, leaned down to kiss her mouth.

She hummed softly, eyes falling closed at his kiss. She closed her book, setting it aside and reached up to cup his cheeks in her hands.

He smiled against her lips. "Been waitin' hours to do that."

"He's right, you know?"

"Hmmm?"

"Miles," she clarified and stroked Sawyer's stubble covered jaw. "About us."

He shook his head. "Nah, he ain't. We both had our reasons and our baggage and probably still do. So we were skirtin' the issue, ya know?"

"I don't want all this baggage. James, you wouldn't have recognized the woman I was almost four years ago when I came here." Her eyes grew distant as she looked through him. "Four years. My God, I've been here four years. Rachel probably thinks I'm dead."

"I don't think she does."

"Why wouldn't she? I mean after four years, you're a cold case. Police don't look for you anymore. You're just another file in a warehouse. Unsolved mysteries."

"She wouldn't cuz she's yer sister. And family don't give up. So until she sees a body? She's got hope that yer still alive somewhere." He stroked a hand down her side to her hip, warm and comforting. "And you are alive. Granted, not exactly where we should be, but alive. And Danny boy is off this rock and if anyone can find us a way to get back to where we belong, he can." He smiled softly, eyes searching hers. "And once we get back to our time? I'll get us off Jurassic Park. Don't you worry about that. I'll figure it out. We'll get you home to see your sister."

Her eyes softened as she focused on him again, a tear pricking in the corner of her eye. "Do you really think we'll get home?"

"Course I do. I gotta believe in that. I mean you wanna go home right? So if I wish we don't, then that's kinda counterproductive, no?"

She chuckled, watching him with an unmasked blazing affection. She flushed at his words, his attentions and looked away from his eyes slightly. "Not counterproductive. Just honest. Do you really want to go home?"

He sighed and eased slightly away from her so he could lay on his back at her side. He tucked his arms behind his head, pillowing as he looked up at the star covered night sky. "What's home? What I even got to go back to? A bastard daughter with one a my marks, a criminal record and a murder wrap, if they figured out it was me. Which they probably did, since you knew I did it and called me on it."

"I didn't know." She answered simply.

"What?" He frowned and glanced up at her. "But when Sayid and I had you cornered you just knew that."

"I knew about Sayid. I didn't know about you. I knew why you went to Australia; I knew what you were looking for. I took a shot in the dark that you actually did it. And from your reaction I knew you did."

"And what if I didn't."

"Then the response is, but you were there to."

Sawyer sighed and focused on the sky. "So it wasn't in yer super secret files. Don't mean there ain't a warrant out for me."

"It almost does." She answered softly. Her hand slowly slipped into his, fingers entwining. "I received your file about three weeks into your stay here. It actually wasn't given to me. Tom had your file. I was confused why he wouldn't give your file to me, he gave me others, but not yours."

He chuckled, squeezing her hand. "Didn't want ya head over heels for me, obviously."

"Oh of course. Ben didn't want me racing into the woods to pounce on you in your make shift tent. I'm sure that's exactly what he was doing."

"Maybe it was. You said yerself he was always jealous. And I'm hot shit."

She fell quiet at the words, deep in thought nearly a minute. "Now that I think about it, all the files he gave me to read were the women. Sun, Kate, Claire, Rose, Ana Lucia, Shannon. The first man's file he gave me was Jack. And that was when he knew Jack was a spinal surgeon." She sat up, expression worried, drawn and stressed. "My God, he was so possessive he wouldn't even give me files on other men."

He sat up as well, taking her hand again. "But ya read them eventually right? When did ya get them?"

"Yours when we captured you and the others before he sent me to infiltrate your camp." Her hold tightened on his hand as she stared out over the water.

"Hey," he tugged on her gently. "Think of it this way. He knew ya'd be attracted to my animal magnetism." He chuckled when he saw the hint of a smirk on her face.

"Even if I was, it wouldn't have mattered. You were in love with Kate then."

"I was," he agreed. "But she was never in love with me. So maybe things woulda been different. Ya know, like I said, if ya didn't tase me."

"I had to. And think about this. If I showed you any interest … James, you were more disposable to Ben. If he even thought that I might have found you even the slightest bit attractive, he would have killed you. The only reason he didn't kill Jack was because he needed him."

He reached up to cup her cheek, turning her to face him. "Ben ain't here now. Neither is Jack or Kate or Twitchy or any other lunatic tryin' to mess with our lives."

She held his eyes. "Is that why you're interested in me? Because she isn't here and I am?"

He met her gaze, unflinching. "I don't know. I don't know what woulda happened or woulda been or anythin' like that. I know that ain't what you wanna hear. Ya wanna hear that I ain't never really loved her and all that jazz but if I said that to ya, you'd know I was lyin'."

She smiled sadly and followed his coaxing when he pulled her into his lap. With a sigh, she slipped into his lap, straddling his thighs. She brushed the hair from his eyes, tucking it behind his ear. "I keep thinking that they'll come back, and this will all come crashing in around us."

"What will? Our lives here or you and me."

"Both."

"Well, I'll do everythin' I can to keep our lives here intact. And safe." He slid his hands along her waist then hips. "Look, I know what yer worried about. Yer worried that if by some stroke of luck that Kate and Jack and all them yokels manage to come back and actually to nineteen seventy whatever hell year it is, that my head is gonna turn her way and leave ya hangin'."

He leaned forward, tilting his head when she averted her eyes to force her to look at him. "That ain't gonna happen, Sweetheart. Ya know why? Cuz I had what, three months with her … and now how the hell long we been here? Eight months? With you. Why the hell would I throw away eight months a my life with you … for her?"

Her eyes closed when he cupped her cheek and she leaned into the warmth of his palm. "Because you love her."

"Loved her," he interrupted her. "Past tense, Darlin'. And she never loved me and I ain't really one to hang around where I ain't wanted."

"Does it just go away? Love?"

"You never been in love before?"

She chuckled. "I don't know. Maybe somewhat."

"You were married though, didn't ya love him?"

She searched his eyes then sighed and distracted herself by tucking his hair behind his ear again. "It's complicated."

"Well, I can tell ya first hand. You can fall in love with more than one person in a life and love more than one person and all that jazz and sometimes even at the same time. So just because I loved Kate all them months ago, don't mean that I still do or that I'd choose her over you now. Got me?" At her sad smile, he tugged her closer and hugged her. "You ever been first before? To a guy? Well except Ben cuz that don't count."

She clung to him, hugging tightly.

He felt the slightest shake of her head and he cursed whatever bastard she married who obviously didn't appreciate what he had. "What about in Othertown? Meet a guy there?"

"Yeah, but I wasn't first there either." She eased back from him. "And Ben had him killed the first moment he could."

"Ben ain't gonna kill me. So ya don't got that excuse. Look …" He tugged her closer again, arms around her waist to keep her molded to him. "Feel that?"

She laughed. "How could I not?"

He grinned and pressed his lips to hers. "You got no idea how long I been livin' with this predicament."

She draped her arms casually around his neck, expression calm despite the tension in her body. "We're having sex tonight, aren't we?"

"God, I hope so," he growled, grin still in place.

Her cheeks tinged with a slight blush and she smiled, looking at the fire. "It's been some time for me. I can't make any promises."

"Yeah, well I ain't had sex since before we got stuck here so I can't promise it'll last more than about 5 minutes. At least the first time."

She chuckled, stroking teasing fingers down his jaw and over his chest. "Let's go home." She glanced up at him, coy, flirtatious and the corner of her lip quirked with her smirk.

He moaned at the suggestion and captured her lips, mumbling. "If I can make it that far." He deepened the kiss, holding her close.

She wound her arms around his neck through the embrace, her heart racing, nerves jumping at the promised pleasures to come. Her tongue tangled with his and she shivered as his hands roamed her back. From the side, she heard a frantic voice calling for Horace. She ignored it at first until it came closer. Behind her, Horace rushed up the beach.

Sawyer broke the kiss at the interruption and pressed his forehead to hers, nuzzling her. He overheard the message for Horace with ease, the gasping communications operator recounting with rushed breath.

"Horace," the man panted. "We … we lost communication with … with The Flame."

Sawyer grumbled and Juliet smirked. He slowly shook his head. "We're always getting interrupted."

"Horace didn't ask you to …"

"Jim!" Horace called. "Could you please meet me back at the security office? I'm sorry Juliet, we have an emergency.

"You were sayin' Blondie?" He whispered then turned to Horace. "See ya in five, boss." His response laced with frustration.

"It could be a real emergency, James." She soothed him. "The hostiles. Just be careful, ok?"

"Gonna wait up for me?"

She smirked teasingly. "Maybe. I don't know the moment kinda passed don't you think?"

He laughed and shook his head. "No, I don't think."

She eased out of his lap then helped him stand. He brushed off his pants and reached for the blanket. Touching his hand, she lifted onto her toes to kiss his mouth slowly again. "I'll handle this. You go. The sooner you're gone, the faster you're back."

"Mmm, I love the way you think." He kissed her once more than picked up his shirt. Shrugging his arms through the sleeves, he left it unbuttoned as he searched the sand for his boots. Picking them up with one hand, he followed Horace up the darkened path towards the barracks.

Note: I hope you liked this second part of the beach scene. I loved writing it, it was fun. I've been working on Shattered a lot lately, but I promise, this story isn't abandoned. In fact, I'll write the next chapter soon. Reviews, of course, always help. Keep reading, thank you so much for the hits and the reviews.