Thanks to SassyLostie and Ellesexy for the reviews for the last chapter. They are much appreciated. And SassyLostie I would love to write some more Skate fic, and I have another AU Skate fic that I post over at Lost Forum. Want me to post here? That and this are both WIP's though, and I'm so busy I barely find time to write them, I don't know how you do it! And you are welcome for the review.

Plus thank you to SkateNowandForever for the review, I don't think I thanked you yet ...

Another long chapter in 3 parts I'm afraid, and this chapter features "cameos" from Charlie, Claire, Desmond and Aaron. There may be some slight Daire and charlie-bashing undertones, I don't mean to cause any offence it just came out that way. I actually quite like Charlie.

Enjoy! And please review!

Chapter 3

Scene 1 -

( Sawyer is sat outside his tent, supposedly reading, but really watching Kate approach with difficulty, over the top of his book. He seems amused. Kate is carrying fruit over to Sawyer's tent and then bends down to deposit it, inadvertently giving Sawyer a good view, which he appreciates with one raised eyebrow and a smirk. )

( Kate stands and views her modest pile critically. It probably needs more work but Kate gives up. She spins around aimlessly, and drops in the sand next to Sawyer, sighing uncontentedly. Sawyer notices Kate's distracted and bored state but pretends to still be reading. Just for amusement's sake. )

( Kate clears her throat loudly and as if to prove a point Sawyer just turns a page of his book. A Pause, then- )

Kate: ( Announcing like she's a 6 year old ) I'm bored!

Sawyer: What do you want me to do about it Freckles?

Kate: Well … you could come play golf with me.

Sawyer: ( Scoffing ) Yeah 'cos that sure went well last time Freckles.

Kate: Come on Sawyer! What else is there to do around here?

Sawyer: I could think of a -

Kate: Besides the obvious answer to that question.

Sawyer: You're the one who said you were bored Sweetcheeks.

Kate: I just want to get out and see people!

Sawyer: You tired of me?

Kate: No, it's just that for 40 odd people living on the same beach hardly anybody knows each other.

Sawyer: Civilisation as we know it Freckles. You ever wonder why people don't talk on the bus? They got more important things of their own to think about.

Kate: I know but you'd think in cases like ours …

( Kate searches for the appropriate words )

Kate: … situations of extreme danger, people would, I don't know, bond together.

Sawyer: 'Aint nothing much dangerous about sitting on a damn beach eating fruit.

Kate: Until we get the occasional polar bear to liven things up.

( Sawyer laughs )

Kate: What about them?

( She nods across the beach to where Nikki and Paulo are )

Sawyer: What, Barbie and Ken over there? I thought you had better taste Freckles.

Kate: At least they're making an effort Sawyer.

Sawyer: Well unless they're making an effort to get themselves killed I don't think they're having much success. Galloping off into the Jungle of Darkness 'aint exactly a swell way to make new friends.

Kate:( Despondently ) Yeah.

( Kate rests her head on Sawyer's shoulder sighing but he smiles to himself. Cut to a shot of Claire approaching from across the beach. )

Claire: Kate?

Kate: ( Kate sits up straighter ) Hey Claire!

Claire: Hey Sawyer.

( Claire nods to Sawyer )

( Sawyer nods back to Claire in return, but without flashing his patented trademark grin that used to make her so uncomfortable. )

Claire: Hey Kate, um, Desmond's looking after Aaron for a while and I wondered if you were -

Kate: ( Smiling ) Desmond?

Claire: ( Blushing ) Yeeah. Anyway I was wondering if you wanted to come fruit picking with me? We could get lunch.

( Claire's intention and purpose seems to have withered under the multiple gaze of Kate and Sawyer. She's either nervous, or unsure of dealing with Kate and Sawyer. )

Kate: ( Face falling ) Oh Claire, sorry, me and Sawyer already went picking and had lunch.

Claire: Oh -

Sawyer: No worries Freckles, you go. Pretty sure we're running low on fruit already.

( He grins at Claire )

Sawyer: We worked up an appetite.

( Kate smacks Sawyer lightly on the arm. )

Sawyer: ( To Claire ) Hey, take her away before she does me any more bodily harm.

Kate:( Standing ) You sure you'll be o.k. on your own?

( She speaks in a playfully patronising voice but there is an underlying note of sincerity )

Sawyer: Yeah, I'm just dandy on my own some.

Kate: 'K, I'll see you later.

( Kate leans down to kiss Sawyer and he replies, comfortably and affectionately. )

Kate: ( Leaning close in ) Thanks.

( Sawyer grins but breaking apart he catches Claire's slightly astonished look and becomes suddenly un-comfortable. )

Sawyer: ( Clearing throat ) Yeah, I'll see you girls later.

( He stands and goes inside the tent. Kate and Claire watch him go then head off. Kate turns to Claire who still looks bemused. )

Kate: ( Laughing ) Don't look at him like that!

Claire: Like what?

Kate: Like he's grown a second head!

Claire: He could have for all I know. Where's the old Sawyer and what have you done with him?

( Kate smiles shyly, and leans in closer, as if she's about to divulge a secret. )

Kate: Maybe the old Sawyer wasn't really the real Sawyer.

Scene 2 -

( Some time has passed since Kate and Claire have set off, Sawyer has returned to his position, outside the tent and is still reading. Charlie approaches carrying Aaron. )

Charlie: Hey, Sawyer.

Sawyer: ( Not looking up ) Hey Frodo.

( Aaron gargles )

Sawyer: ( Still not looking up ) Pipsqueak.

Charlie: ( Offended ) His name's actually Aaron you know. You could at least call him by it man.

Sawyer: And unless I'm mistaken your name's actually Charlie. Doesn't mean I'm gonna call ya by it Frodo.

( Charlie looks momentarily annoyed but Aaron cries out so his attention is switched to rocking the baby gently )

Sawyer: Don't know why you're getting in a bunch anyways, you 'aint exactly the kid's father.

Charlie: Might as well be. I'm the closest thing Aaron's got to a father on this island.

Sawyer: Don't know about that. I heard Desmond was looking after the kid earlier.

Charlie: Yeah, but that was only till I came back.

Sawyer: But I take it ya didn't ask him to.

Charlie: ( Looking put out ) No, Claire did.

( Sawyer gives a knowing smile that seems to say; " Well there you go" )

Charlie: Have you seen her?

Sawyer: As a matter of fact I have. She and Kate went off fruit picking. Girls only trip.

Charlie: Oh. Do you know when they'll be back?

Sawyer: Even if I did how the hell am I supposed to know when that is?

( Charlie looks momentarily confused, then - )

Charlie: Oh right! No watch.

Sawyer: You got it genius.

( Charlie looks offended at the insinuation that he is stupid so reverts back to business mode. )

Charlie: Well, do you know which direction they were headed in?

Sawyer: Route to the caves probably.

Charlie: Ok.

( Charlie seems to be making a decision, Sawyer watches him out of curiosity and can practically see the cogs turning in his head. )

Sawyer: ( Interrupting ) You might wanna give the kid back to Desmond.

Charlie: What?

Sawyer: Well I 'aint no baby expert but taking them into the jungle wouldn't be the smartest move. Specially not, if you wanted to impress the missus.

Charlie: Well … can you look after him?

Sawyer: What?! No! Give him back to Desmond.

Charlie: I don't where he is!

( This is not maybe the whole reason and Sawyer knows this, so is un-convinced. )

Charlie: Look, you should do this favour for me … because we've got to start helping each other out.

( Off Sawyer's bemused and disparaging look. )

Charlie: Because we need to get along.

( Charlie sounds more confident now, as if he's latched onto, what he thinks, is a persuasive argument, and is more and more convinced that in fact, it is true. )

( Sawyer is less assured. Why in hell would be wanting to do this guy favours?)

Sawyer: Why?

Charlie: Because our girlfriends are friends, so … you know.

( Hearing Kate referred to as his "girlfriend" unsettles Sawyer somewhat, and it surprises him too, to think of Kate as his girlfriend, like she was his. He's not sure if he likes thinking of her that way. )

( Charlie is staring at Sawyer. And as Sawyer notices this he realises Charlie is looking at him. And realises he's not sure whether he wants to be chumming up with him either. But for some absurd reason, he feels an obligation to do a guy a favour now that Kate has been brought into the equation. Like there's a voice in his head telling him he should do it for her. Sawyer could reason that whether he takes the damn baby or not it won't affect Kate in the slightest but Sawyer knows it would please Kate for him to do it. )

( Sawyer is starting to hate that voice. )

Sawyer: ( Sighing heavily ) Fine.

Charlie: Fine what?

Sawyer: Just give me the damn baby.

Charlie: Oh! Ok.

( Charlie transfers Aaron to the other arm, cradling him and then holding him out for Sawyer to take. Sawyer just looks surprised that he is expected to move. Awkwardly he holds out his arms, and Charlie carefully lays Aaron on them, his head resting in the crook of Sawyer's elbow. )

( Sawyer's look of distaste at being caught doing something degrading in public soon changes to a look of terror, as he stares down at the tiny alien being in his arms. )

Charlie: ( Worried ) O.k. so he was fed a while ago so he probably won't be hungry for another couple of hours, and if he cries just rock him, but if that doesn't help put him over your shoulder and burp him cos - Sawyer? Sawyer are you even listening?

Sawyer: ( Looking up ) What? Yeah.

Charlie: Yeah, so if he falls asleep you can put him inside the tent, just make sure his head is supported and don't leave him on his own, and … just don't do anything stupid o.k.?

Sawyer: I'm sure I can manage the munchkin for an hour. Can't be too tricky right?

Charlie: ( Wryly ) Yeah, you'd be surprised.

( Sawyer smiles, but then looks up and sees Charlie is smiling too, so quickly stops. )

Sawyer: ( Clearing his throat ) Best be on your way.

Charlie: Yeah, seeya man.

( Charlie turns to go, but - )

Charlie: Oh Sawyer!

( Sawyer looks up. )

Charlie: Thanks.

( Sawyer grunts noncommittally. )

( Charlie heads off in the direction he came from. But then he stops, turns and walks back to Sawyer. )

Charlie: Uh, which way are the caves?

( Sawyer inclines his head in completely the opposite direction, and Charlie sets off for a second time. )

TBC in Chapter 3, Part 2

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