Note: Call it an interlude, a little tale in Jack's perspective of previous events, just to tide you over. I'm sorry but the update for a little bit will be less because I am swarming in GCSE's and revision. But I will do my very best. Really happy if you are still reading and reviewing :) I'm so happy with the responses and I hope I don't let you down, sorry if it's a bit weak or short, and my Sawyer isn't that accurate. I tried!

Jack observed as the group seemed to congregate at his and Juliet's feet. He didn't ask for this. He didn't ask to be this great leader they seem to have pushed him into. The hopeful faces haunting him, the ones that died and never made it; the ones that still have faith.

He turns to Juliet. His partner; but not in a romantic sense. They had shared a kiss. Maybe two, but nothing materialised out of it. The spark never really ignited, Juliet was no fool. She could see how he would look into the distance as the kiss ended to see if Kate was looking their way. She could see the burning jealousy when Sawyer so much as touched Kate's arm, or spoke her name. She could see the despair as he watched helplessly at Hurley comforting a very fragile Kate, and he could not approach her.

Juliet was very smart.

'You alright?' She asked to his left, and he looked to her and gave a small smile.

He gazed down at the expecting audience, despite the absences being few and far between, he could feel the smaller group. Losses hit the camp hard, and although the group may be thinner by far less people than there was present. It was still really quite noticeable, sending shivers down his spine.

'Well I know you all know why we called this meeting today.' He heard Juliet boom, with natural authority in her voice. He could feel the murmurs and the whispers in the background, people questioning their motives, Juliet's integrity, and the trust in him.

'Why are you still doing this?' Sun asked, moving her jet black hair away from her face, the wind blowing in their direction.

'I assure you Sun, it is in the best interests of the camp to continue this.'

'Jack?' He looked to her, both her, her husbands, and the entire camps gaze upon him, the pressure for decisions mounting on him once more. Each one looked to him for a different reason. Reassurance, conformation, comfort. Somehow in his answer he needed to satisfy all their agendas.

As he opened his mouth to reply, something got his attention. Something or someone. He saw a flash of wavy brown hair enter the stash. He blinked a few times to try and rid this feeling of… an odd feeling he couldn't shake.

'When you made me this leader, I promised you I'd keep you safe…'

'That hasn't always worked.' Came a voice from the background. 'Has it Jack?' He turned his gaze to meet Sayid's, still scornful for the loss of Shannon to Ana Lucia.

Another life that was lost. Another life he couldn't save.

Despite the comment hitting home, he composed himself and continued.

'Juliet has extensive knowledge about the going's on of the island. Far more than we can imagine. So we are just going to have to rely on her judgement for the time….'

He trailed off as he saw her leave the tent.

He wasn't hallucinating. Kate. Heading out.

Sawyer seemed to catch Jack's eye line and instinctively know what he was watching, as he spun and scampered across the beach, only to be pulled away by Desmond, who, for some reason Jack could not work out from his position in the crowd, wanted his help.

He snapped his concentration back to the conversation at hand and felt Juliet's glare on the back of his head. He sighed, and stepped down from the piece of rubble he had taken his position on.

'We've survived this far. We're getting ever closer to getting off this island. So believe me when I say; Trust Juliet, she's here to help. I'm asking you, as your leader. As your friend. If you have faith in me. Have faith in Juliet.'

The crowd once again murmured and fell their separate ways. Claire shared an uncomfortable exchange of looks with him, and as Charlie came to meet her with Aaron, he didn't even look Jack in the eye, and ushered her out of the way. Jack found himself heading toward the jungle. But not before another castaway tugged on his shirt.

'Where you going Doc?'

He recognised that southern accent anywhere.

'Does that concern you Sawyer?'

'Yeah it does.' Sawyer replied stubbornly, circling him to block the path directly toward the jungle.

'Someone going after public enemy number one?' He asked. 'Or is someone realising their part of the duo that creates the real problem, and trying to wiggle their way out of it, by playing the hero?'

Sawyer had him. The amount of times Sawyer was way off the mark, and the one time he really shouldn't, he hit the nail on the head.

'I think you want to get out of my way.' Jack replied, trying the best to keep any hint of venom out of his voice.

'Now that ain't playin' nice.' Sawyer teased, but Jack wasn't having any of it.

'Cut the crap Sawyer, I saw you try to leave earlier.'

Sawyer chuckled.

'Wow, you've realised the world doesn't revolve around Dr Barbie. Gotta hand it to you, you got some smarts there.' He patted him patronisingly on the back. Jack could feel the anger rising in him, and knew Sawyer could feel it too.

He knew Sawyer was trying to save face from the basic fact that Kate 'dumped' him. As much as Jack tried not to, he took great pride in the fact that Sawyer's ego largely deflated that day. The world seemed that bit less bleak.

'Judging by the fact she took the 9mm with 4 bullets, I'm thinkin' this ain't for hunting.' Sawyer rattled off, taking a seat against the tent by the jungle, daring Jack to go in.

'Don't you even care?' Jack found his voice raising, anger at such blase attitude towards the most facinating woman he had ever met. 'You loved her… love her and you don't even care?!'

Sawyer shook his head and adjusted on the floor.

'Well you know me, I'm just not the caring sorta guy.'

He winked cockily to him, but Sawyer's eyes betrayed his words. The words feigned indifference, but the eyes… the eyes of the conman screamed at him to find her, get her back safe.

And god damnit that's what he was going to do.

Because this was all his fault.