Thank you, to SassyLostie and Frex who reviewed the last chapter. And I hope you both enjoy Sawyer's "babysitting duty." : )
In the last bit of this chapter Sawyer also opens up a little, but not to Kate ...
Part 2
Scene 3 - Sawyer Looks After Aaron
( It's been 10 minutes since Charlie left but Sawyer is still sat in the exact same position cross legged out the ground, with one leg splayed out awkwardly. It isn't comfortable. Sawyer's expression hasn't changed either, he's still staring down at Aaron as if he's a ticking time bomb ready to go off at any minute. )
( Every time Aaron squirms in Sawyer's arms, raises a hand in the air, or blows bubbles Sawyer flinches, half expecting the damn thing to explode. Aaron meanwhile is quite happily relaxing, waving his arms about and kicking his legs up in the air, yet whenever he tries to do this Sawyer tries to push his legs back down. However Aaron starts to let out a small cry in protest as he does that, so Sawyer soon abandons that plan. )
( Instead Sawyer returns to moodily staring at the sea, any people wandering by, pretty much anything, as if this was their fault. As he sees it the situation can't get much worse, he's stuck here till either Charlie or Claire return, it's humiliating, he doesn't no one thing about kids, he can't reach his book in case he disturbs the midget, or worse, drops him, so he is bored out of his skull and Sawyer's also pretty sure his arm's gone to sleep too. )
( Suddenly however Aaron gargles, and Sawyer is broken out of his moody reflection. )
( Worried, Sawyer looks down at Aaron, who blinks a few time, shuts his mouth and then thankfully slips into silence. )
( Sawyer is still alert though, tensed in case Aaron might do something else. The coast looks clear however, and after one minute of being sat stiff, Aaron like a potato sack in his arms Sawyer relaxes. Shifting Aaron a little, to take the weight off his dead arm, Sawyer looks up, intending to glare at anyone who might be staring at him.
(But - )
( A slow whine is coming from Aaron, starting out softly but growing in volume and tremors every second, Sawyer looks down at the time bomb in his arms in growing terror, already wincing as he anticipates the worst. )
( As expected Aaron suddenly lets rip, his lower lip dropping, quivering a few times then he throws his head back, musters all the strength in his lungs and lets out an enormous cry, wailing for something. The sound seems too loud to be coming from such a tiny, and clearly unhappy, person. )
( Alarmed, Sawyer stares down at Aaron in captivated horror, the shock stalling him, then his first instinct is to hurl the damn thing in the sea and make a run for it, but then Sawyer's brain kicks in. He can't do that. Not, as he realises in panic, that Sawyer actually knows what to do. He is completely lost. )
( What the hell should he do?! Aaron isn't backing down, his cry is high pitched and suffering, only quavering when he stops to take breaths and continue yelling. The baby is so loud, that everyone in the nearby vicinity, and beyond have looked up to find the source of this caterwaul. Most look annoyed, some, Sawyer notes with anger, look worried and accusing. )
( Sawyer tries to calm down and brainstorm. But it's getting harder to think as Aaron gets louder and louder. What should he do? )
( Nothing. )
( Sawyer tries another angle. What would Kate do? )
( Sawyer pauses in thought, sitting still on the floor whilst Aaron wriggles crazily in his arms. )
( Sawyer frowns. What the hell would Kate do?! )
( Sawyer scowls and curses under his breath. Suddenly this is Kate's fault. If she hadn't left he wouldn't be in this mess. )
( Looking up angrily Sawyer catches the eye of a survivor regarding Aaron with worry, once Sawyer catches him looking the survivor soon looks away, slightly scared, and Sawyer scowls further. Though not without some sense of fleeting satisfaction. )
( Aaron suddenly lets up another wail, louder in protest, at whatever it is that Sawyer is not yet delivering.)
( Leaning down and whispering in panic, Sawyer practically hisses at Aaron - )
Sawyer: Ssshhhh…
( This shushing is less comforting and more harsh though so Aaron is not calmed - )
Sawyer: ( Desperately ) Hey! Hey kid, quieten down.
( Aaron will not "quieten down" however, instead Sawyer's agitated state seems to worsen Aaron's. He cries out even louder, almost mewing like a cat, except at least 10 decibels louder. )
( To further push across the point that needs Sawyer to do something, Aaron flails about violently and kicking his arms and legs up in the air. To avoid any hits, however tiny they might be, Sawyer holds out Aaron at arm's length, one hand supporting his neck so he won't fall but not quite sure what else to do. )
( Sawyer has the expression of someone who's careering down a hill in a car with snapped brakes, but who doesn't know how to stop the car, which is gaining speed every second, and can't do anything but sit there and grip the steering wheel. Or in this case Aaron. )
( By this point several people passing by are beginning to look at Sawyer questioningly. He's become the centre of attentions thanks to Aaron, though not really in the light he likes, and the people staring seem to be wondering what Sawyer is doing with Claire's baby, what he did to make it cry, and why he can't make the baby quiet. )
( Trying to ignore this Sawyer carefully lies the still crying Aaron down in his lap, and leans down - )
Sawyer: Ssshh … come on kid, you're showing me up here.
( Aaron just cries louder. )
Sawyer: ( Urgently ) Ssshhhh … quiet. What are you crying for? I didn't do anything!
( Aaron takes one deep breath, and Sawyer holds his in, but then Aaron gives out the loudest wail yet and Sawyer sighs in irritation. )
( Aaron cry is louder so Sawyer's voice also rises in volume. )
Sawyer: Kid be quiet!
( Several people look up sharply, now not only is Sawyer making the baby cry, but now he's yelling back at the baby. Sawyer glares at them, till they look away disapprovingly. )
( Except for one. One figure separates from the crowd, and cautiously approaches Sawyer, who hasn't noticed her coming as he is hunched over Aaron again, trying to conspire with him to keep him quiet. )
Sun: Saw-yer?
( Sun pronounces Sawyer's name like " soya. " However he doesn't hear as her voice is barely audible over Aaron's wails. )
Sun: Saw-yer!
( Sawyer looks up frowning, but his expression slightly softens when he sees Sun. Could she help? Frankly he's desperate. )
Sawyer: ( Yelling over Aaron ) Yeah, what?
Sun: What happened?
Sawyer: What?
( He leans forward trying to hear her better. )
Sun: ( Practically shouting ) WHY IS HE CRYING?
( But still - )
Sawyer: What?
( Sun sighs, almost imperceptibly, and she bends down and carefully picks up Aaron, out of Sawyer's un-resisting arms. )
( Sawyer looks relieved and scrambles to his feet, stumbling as he stands when realising they've both gone to sleep. )
( Sun meanwhile supports Aaron's head and puts him over her shoulder, gently patting his back and bobbing him up an down a little, by bending her knees and rocking on the spot. )
( It works almost like magic, as soon as Aaron starts moving his cries become more choked, then soothed, then, turning into mild, quiet whimpers. )
( There's a quiet pause, and Sun's hand stops where it is, then Aaron burps loudly in satisfaction and falls into total silence, with the exception a few content murmurs. Most of the people on the beach, let out a collective sigh of relief. )
( Sawyer looks at Sun in amazement and exasperation. )
Sawyer: How the hell did you know to do that?
( Sun doesn't say anything, just shrugs, but smiles to herself, looking down at Aaron in reserved delight and continuing to rock him. )
( Sawyer meanwhile is quite embarrassed at how Sun has managed to silence Aaron so easily, yet he had just sat there like a dead weight listening to him scream. Sawyer mentally reprimanded himself, it was only a damn baby. But a very noisy baby. )
Sawyer: I, uh -
( But Sun saves Sawyer from trying to excuse himself, by giving him a question he can answer - )
Sun: Why are you looking after the baby Sawyer?
Sawyer: Oh Charlie left him here, had to go track down Claire.
( Sawyer adds sarcastically - )
Sawyer: Was important apparently.
( A beat )
Sawyer: So he gave me the kid to look after. Not that I'm doing a great job.
( Sun nods, perhaps agreeing with this statement. )
( Aaron cries out calmly again so Sun resumes rocking him back and forth gently. )
( Then returning her attention to Sawyer - )
Sun: But, what happened?
Sawyer :( Looking guilty and worried ) Nothing! I was just sitting here with it -
( Sawyer corrects hastily - )
Sawyer: - him, then, before I know it, Chuckie started bawling his eyes out!
( Sun looks at Sawyer in confusion. He however interprets this as a look of accusation - )
Sawyer: ( Gesturing with his hands in the air ) I didn't do anything to him!
( Sun shakes her head and shifts Aaron to the other arm - )
Sun: No, who is Chuckie?
Sawyer:( Cooling down ) Oh, it's a nickname.
( This doesn't help. )
Sun: But Nick is not his name.
Sawyer: No … look, don't you have the Rugrats in Korea?
( Sun stops rocking Aaron and looks at Sawyer in complete misunderstanding. )
Sun: Rats?
Scene 4 -
( Kate and Claire are still on the beach, amiably talking and happy to be in each other's presence after so long. Desmond however comes running up behind them, without Aaron. )
Desmond: Claire!
( Claire and Kate turn round, one worried, the other slightly confused. )
Claire: Oh! Is something wrong? Where's Aaron?
Desmond: Aah, no. Aaron's asleep in his cradle. Charlie came back early so I gave Aaron to him. Thought you ought to know.
( Off Claire's expression. )
Desmond: That was alright wasn't it?
Claire: Oh, no. I mean yes, that's fine!
( Claire puts on a bright smile. )
Claire: Thanks anyway.
Desmond: No problem.
( Desmond looks at Kate as if he just realised she was there. )
Desmond: Kate.
( Kate nods, biting her lower lip to stop from smiling. )
Desmond: ( To Claire again ) See you around.
( Claire watches Desmond walk away and Kate turns to Claire, now fully smiling. )
Kate: You two seem friendly.
Claire: Well we are just friends.
Kate: Yeah.
( Kate smiles and sighs. )
Kate: I remember that.
Claire: ( Suspicious and somewhat curious ) What?
Kate: Me telling people me and Sawyer were " just friends. "
Claire: Yeah, I also remember you telling people you and Jack were " just friends. "
( Kate seems quite taken aback, then put out by this. Snapped out of her playful mood. Claire tries to backtrack desperately. )
Claire: Oh no, I'm sorry Kate. I shouldn't have said that.
Kate: No, Claire, it's fine.
( Pause. )
Kate: Did everyone really think that about me and Jack?
Claire: Um, not everyone. But there was something between you guys wasn't there?
Kate: ( Conceding ) Maybe, just at first. Or maybe I just wanted there to be. Jack, Jack is such a good guy, and I guess I felt … flattered.
( Kate looks at Claire. )
Kate: But there's nothing there now. And there was never anything of the magnitude I have with Sawyer.
Claire: Oh. Sorry.
Kate: What for?
Claire: ( Sheepishly ) I guess I always thought you two would end up together. But it's no big deal.
Kate: ( Still perturbed )Yeah.
Scene 5 -
( Sawyer is standing outside his tent, avoiding the looks of some survivors which are directed at him, and just waiting, with his thumbs stuffed in the belt loops oh his jeans. )
( Sun emerges from the tent. )
Sawyer: He asleep?
Sun: Almost. You will have to stay quiet.
( Sawyer nods, then there is an expectant lull in the conversation. )
Sawyer: Uh, thanks.
( Sawyer doesn't seem to happy about saying thank you. It's not that he's not grateful. He is. It's just the word tastes to bitterly familiar on his lips; like he's been saying it too much recently. )
( Sun nods. )
Sun: I do not mind.
( And she doesn't, this isn't just a courtesy she's extending, Sun really means it. And without realising it, as she speaks she also has her hand on her stomach. )
( Sawyer on the other hand does realise, being a keen reader of body language, and he looks at Sun's stomach, as if for the first time comprehending that she is actually pregnant. His expression is one horror and compassion, empathy for what's about to befall Sun. )
Sawyer: I never said.
( Sun looks at Sawyer questioningly. )
Sawyer: Congratulations.
( Even though Sawyer doesn't seem to understand why he would be congratulating Sun at all. )
( Sun smiles widely anyway. )
Sun: Thank you.
( She also looks back toward the tent, pointing with one hand - )
Sun: He is a lovely baby.
( Sawyer looks at Sun strangely. She does realise the squirt's not his right? )
Sun: Isn't he?
( Sun looks curiously at Sawyer for his reaction. )
Sawyer: ( Shrugging ) Yeah, I guess.
( Sawyer feels like he's being asked his opinion on a topic he knows nothing about. )
( Sun smiles anyway again, nodding as if confirming her suspicions, then starts to walk away, sidestepping Sawyer and serenely making her way down the beach. )
( Sawyer watches her go, slightly unsure of what has just occurred, and not liking the feeling. )
( Jump to a shot of Sawyer entering the tent, scanning for Aaron, who he sees curled up in a nest of blankets supporting him, one loosely draped over his mid-section and one chubby hand clutching it. )
( Warily Sawyer sits at the other end of bed, a safe distance from Aaron. )
( No taking his eyes off him Sawyer watches the baby for any sudden movements. )
( Nothing happens. )
( Sawyer deems it safe to go back outside and fetch his book. )
( Returning Sawyer immediately looks at Aaron's bed, to check if he's escaped in the 10 seconds he's been gone. Who knows how fast babies can move? )
( Aaron however hasn't moved, but, inaudible from the outside, has started whimpering and wailing a little, letting out small cries every few seconds. )
( Sawyer rolls his eyes - )
Sawyer: Not again.
( Careful to keep his cool this time Sawyer walks to the other end of the bed, sitting down on the ground next to Aaron, so Sawyer can lean over him. )
Sawyer: Hey kid, what's wrong this time huh?
( At the sound of Sawyer's voice Aaron immediately calms, the cries subsiding a little. )
( This reminds Sawyer of something, and he recollects the day when Charlie forced him to read an auto-manual to the squirt. )
( And in a rare moment of inspiration Sawyer has an idea, and knows exactly what to do. )
( Reaching over and picking up his book, Sawyer clears his throat, opens the book at a random page and starts to read - )
Sawyer: " The wind ruffled their fur and tugged at the grass, which smelt of thyme and self- heal. The solitude seemed a release and a blessing, the height, the sky and the distance went to their heads and they skipped in the sunset. " 'O Frith on the hills!" cried Dandelion. " He must have made it for us " …
( Sawyer continues to read, checking over the top of his book every minute or so to see how Aaron is, careful not to stop reading though. )
( Sawyer soon grows bored however, he has already read this chapter and Aaron seems to be quieting, his eyelids drooping a little, and his hand un-furling, tiny, chubby fingers letting go of the blanket and relaxing across the top of it. )
( When he reaches the part where Dandelion starts to " exclaim at length" Sawyer throws down the book-)
Sawyer: Hell, don't know why I'm reading this to ya anyway. You're a damn baby, you can't tell the difference.
( Sawyer looks down at his lap. )
Sawyer: Only doing this for Freckles anyway.
( A beat. )
( Sawyer looks up at Aaron and on an impulse adds conversationally - )
Sawyer: She's off with your mama.
( Adding for clarification - )
Sawyer: In the jungle.
( Sawyer sinks back into thought and after a pause continues, more to himself this time - )
Sawyer: Can't be many kids who grow up next to a damn jungle.
( Sawyer adds thoughtfully - )
Sawyer: Suppose it 'aint too far from home for you though,
( To Sawyer's surprise Aaron gargles lightly, in what almost seems like agreement. )
( Sawyer leans forward, maybe un-consciously and adds, almost casually - )
Sawyer: I got a kid too ya know.
( His seemingly light comment is betrayed however, by the heavy tone in which Sawyer speaks, gravelly and slow. Without realising it as he speaks Sawyer picks up a loose pebble which had been lying around, and he starts to roll it between his fingers, staring at without really looking it, his eyebrows furrowed. In the same tone Sawyer continue speaking aloud - )
Sawyer: Name's Clementine. Must be about 2 now.
( A silent beat )
Sawyer: She grew up with her mama too, like you.
( Sawyer sinks into silence for a moment. )
Sawyer: Perhaps your dad left you like -
( Sawyer pauses and corrects himself, almost defensively - )
Sawyer: - but I weren't even with her. I didn't damn know.
( Sawyer frowns further and his voice grows in volume a little - )
Sawyer: She was just a job, a con, a pretty lady with a lotta money.
( Sawyer sighs and his voice returns to it's normal volume - )
Sawyer: But I guess she played me in the end too huh?
( Sawyer listlessly throws the pebble he had been rolling his hand onto the floor and looks at it where it lands. )
Sawyer: Still, she got her money. She 'aint important.
( A silent beat. )
Sawyer: Freckles is.
( The tent is completely silent after Sawyer's un-witting confession. He's sat dead still, still looking a the pebbles, but his eyes clouded over, mind elsewhere. )
( But then Aaron makes a muffled noise and Sawyer is disturbed, blinking once or twice as if waking up and wondering how he got there, looking round, seeing Aaron, and remembering. )
( It then occurs to Sawyer he's just been speaking aloud. He frowns trying to remember what he said and shaking his head a little at the fact he let his guard down, and what's worse, had a heart to heart with a damn baby. )
( But Sawyer is more distasteful of himself than of Aaron. )
( Looking over at Aaron, Sawyer notes, with some surprise, that he's gone to sleep. )
Sawyer: ( Muttering ) About damn time too.
( But looking at Aaron Sawyer's expression does something strange, it softens, looks almost grateful and Sawyer lets out a short, quiet laugh, to himself. )
Sawyer:( Quietly ) Night kid.
So what did people think? Was Sawyer out of character? Please review!