Firstly, thank you to the great reviews from Frex, SassyLostie, Annabele Potter and Basketball Babe8 ( will check out your story soon. )

Ok, this chapter … I have introduced, a recently introduced character, Nikki. But bear in mind, I wrote the scene with her ages ago. When I didn't know all that much about her. So sorry if she is a little out of character according to the latest episodes.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Scene 1 -

( Kate and Sawyer are lounging in bed. )

( Kate is lying on top of Sawyer's chest, seemingly asleep with her eyes shut and a small smile playing on her face, but really just basking in the afterglow. )

( Sawyer meanwhile is awake, though barely, staring through lidded eyelids at the opposite tent wall. )

Sawyer: Freckles.

(Sawyer's voice is barely more than a murmur, gravelly and sleep, reverberating in his chest, which Kate can feel as her cheek is rested on Sawyer. It is curiously satisfying to feel the heat radiating from Sawyer in between points of contact between them, and Kate is quite comfortably and intimately aligned against him.)

Kate: ( Eyes shut and sleepy too ) Yeah.

Sawyer: You heard about Sayid right?

( Eyes still shut, still half-asleep, and not really that engaged in the topic - )

Kate: ( Voice sleepy and lilted ) Hear what about Sayid?

Sawyer: ( Under casual pretences ) Apparently, he and the A- Team are planning another gung-ho, Get-Jack-Back mission for today.

( Kate looks up in interest, opening her eyes and pushing against Sawyer's chest so she is sat up slightly, and Sawyer opens his eyes fully, so they are sitting face to face, their noses mere centimetres away from each other. )

Kate: ( Surprised and concerned ) They are?

( Sawyer looks intently at Kate, trying to gauge her reaction. )

Sawyer: Yeah.

( Kate looks back down and returns to her position on Sawyer's chest, which he annoys him because he can't see her expression any more. )

Kate: ( Sounding confused ) With just two people?

( Sawyer brings up a hand and starts fiddling with Kate's hair, trying to gently pull out the knots with one hand. A habit he is prone to when he is distracted, concentrating on something, whilst in Kate's presence and while nobody is watching. )

Sawyer: Nah, they're not taking the canoe.

Kate: What? They plan to swim to the other island?

( Kate looks at the opposite tent wall, staring through it. Sawyer causally flicks a piece of her hair between his fingers. )

Sawyer: Wrong again. They're heading out to another hatch in the jungle. The one they found before Eko was -

Kate: ( Interrupting ) Yeah, I know.

( A pause. )

Sawyer: You going with?

( Kate considers for a moment. )

( Then she takes a small breath, her chest rising and falling on Sawyer's. )

Kate: ( Decisively ) It won't work. I saw where they kept Jack, I talked to Ben. Nothing can be achieved by just running into the jungle because we're going stir crazy.

( A beat. )

Kate: Besides, I'm tired of hatches.

Sawyer: So, if you're not donning your cape today Freckles, what's the plan?

( Kate shrugs - )

Kate: Up to you.

Sawyer: Well then -

Kate: ( Remembering ) Oh! wait, actually I need to go back to my tent today.

Sawyer: Why?

( Kate looks up Sawyer, but doesn't quite meet his eyes, and in a carefully controlled voice states - )

Kate: I'm running out of clothes.

Sawyer: Well hell Freckles, I don't mind. Given my way I'd keep ya barefooted and naked for the rest of my days.

( Now Kate meets Sawyer eyes. )

Kate: (One eyebrow raised ) And what would I do if I wanted to go outside?

( Sawyer sidesteps this issue lightly - )

Sawyer: ( Shrugging nonchalantly as if it's obvious ) I'd throw a blanket over ya.

Kate: ( Looking down and relaxing into Sawyer again ) Thanks, but I'll have to say no.

( Sawyer pretends to be disappointed by sighing heavily. )

( Kate ignores him. She is highly used to this. )

( Instead she shuts her eyes, making an effort to get back to sleep now that the conversation seems to be over. Sawyer meanwhile stays awake, musing reflectively - )

( So - )

Sawyer: Don't know why you just don't pull the damn thing down.

Kate: ( Opening her eyes and saying, somewhat irritably ) What thing?

Sawyer: ( Looking at Kate )That excuse for a tent you got Freckles.

Kate: ( Less annoyed and more offended ) Hey, I built and lived in that tent for three months!

Sawyer: Well then you should've shacked up with me sooner then Freckles.

Kate: Well I haven't exactly shacked up with you Sawyer.

( Kate's remark was just a casual counter-point to Sawyer's joke, but it's met with silence. )

( Sawyer is looking ahead, rebuked by Kate's un-intentionally harmful remark. )

(Puzzled by Sawyer's silence Kate angles her head up, twisting her neck without sitting up, to look at Sawyer.)

Kate: Sawyer?

( Sawyer blinks, and aware that Kate is now watching him, schools his face into a picture of purposeful nonchalance. )

Sawyer:( Slightly defensively ) What?

( Kate bites her lip and judges it wise not to say anything - )

Kate: Nothing.

( She moves her neck to stare back at the tent entrance, still lain on Sawyer's chest, and together they stare off in the distance, both simultaneously lost in their separate pool of thought, together. )

Scene 2 -

( Kate is walking along the beach, changed into a fresh outfit. )

( She walks past the beach bar, taking time to take in all the activity there. It's not a particularly sunny day, and a lot of people are at the golf course. Noticeable members of the island society aren't around, Kate knows for a fact Locke is out hunting as she said good morning to him on the way to her tent, and the rest, Kate realises, must be on Sayid's mission. )

( In fact few people are even about, some are by the communal beach bar, chopping fruit and some are just idly standing and talking. Kate muses for a second what they must find to talk about on an island. But she doesn't really know does she? She doesn't even know who they are. )

( Just as Kate is reflecting upon this Nikki walks out of the jungle. In her arms she is carrying chopped wood, with difficulty as it appears quite heavy. She walks onto the beach, staggering slightly under all the weight and barely able to see over the top of the wood. This causes her to walk funnily, leaning backwards so she doesn't topple forwards, and whenever taking a step forward probing the earth with her foot, so she can find a flat surface. )

( This draws Kate's attention, and she stops and stares at Nikki. Nikki trips and Kate\s good intentions kick in. Rushing over to Nikki she grabs some falling wood and steadies her - )

Kate: Hey!

Nikki: ( Tripping up, and dropping more logs - ) Oh shit!

Kate: ( Smiling slightly and bending down to help ) Here, let me help you with that.

( Kate grabs the logs falling out of Nikki's arms, bending down to pick them up as they all fall down. As son as Kate bends down Nikki lets go of the rest, jumping up and brushing the hair out of her eyes. )

Nikki: Wow thanks, those are really heavy.

Kate: ( Stiffly ) It's fine.

( Kate, collects the load and stands, constantly trying to rearrange her hands around the wood so it won't fall off again. Nikki just stands there happily watching the whole process. Kate balances, blowing a tuft of hair out of her eyes. She looks at Nikki, expecting her to offer to take back the load. )

Nikki: Um …

( Nikki points to a pile of wood by a tent, ten feet away or so from Kate. Kate stares once at Nikki in disbelief, who doesn't seem at all abashed, she just smiles and shrugs, quietly pretending to be embarrassed. )

( Heaving a sigh and readjusting the load, Kate carries it over to the tent, deposits it, then walks back to Nikki, who is standing there waiting, with her hands in her pockets. )

Nikki: ( Not sounding sorry at all ) Hey so sorry about that, I just can't stand carrying those heavy loads; they hurt my back so much!

Kate: That's -

Nikki: ( Interrupting, head tilted to one side ) But you're like, really strong.

Kate: ( Smiling shortly, then moving on - ) Uh, yeah I'm -

Nikki: ( Taking no heed ) Like guy strong.

( Nikki laughs, as a thought occurs to her. )

Nikki: Or like, you know, you know like those really freaky females with like a six pack and stuff?

( Nikki bursts out in laughter. )

( Off Kate's expression; a mixture of strained amusement and offence, Nikki's face drops however - )

Nikki: Oh my god! You don't have a 6 pack do you?!

Kate:( Tonelessly ) I don't have a 6 pack.

( Nikki doesn't seem to mind the fact that Kate isn't reacting to her all that much. )

( Instead she laughs in relief, imitating wiping her forehead - )

Nikki: Phew!

( Nikki takes a look at Kate to see if she's laughing. She's not. But the way Nikki acts though, someone would think Kate is bowled over, clutching her ribs and howling. Nikki continues to laugh, slowly calming down however, giggles escaping her. Kate just stares. )

( Eventually, Nikki dies down. Sighing, she brushes the hair out of her eyes and addresses Kate directly - )

Nikki: You're Kate right?

( Nikki seems more calm now, so when she extends an arm to Kate, Kate shakes it. )

Kate: ( Shaking ) Yeah, you're Nikki right?

Nikki: ( Dropping Kate's hand and staring at her in surprise ) Yeah, actually. How did you know?

( Kate shrugs - )

Kate: Guess I just -

Nikki: ( Interrupting, again ) Because, like, hardly anybody knows who I am around here.

Kate: I know who you are. We just haven't been introduced yet.

Nikki: No … then again, people never remember to introduce me. Half the time I don't think they even realise I'm here!

( Kate hears this news disbelievingly, not notice Nikki? She can say quite truthfully - )

Kate: Un-believable.

Nikki: I know!

( Kate nods slowly, unsure what to say in response to this. )

Nikki: Anyway, I know about you.

( Nikki laughs to herself )

Nikki: I mean, you're practically famous.

Kate:( Frowning) Famous?!

Nikki: ( Like it's obvious ) Yeah, you know. I mean, you're always going off into the jungle, then there was that whole thing with Jack -

( Kate winces slightly, un-comfortable at having her private life so openly discussed and determined by practically a complete stranger. )

( Nikki is still oblivious to this - )

Nikki: - then it turned out you were, well, you know.

( For the first time Nikki looks slightly un-comfortable. )

Nikki: Well, you do know.

( Then she resumes her gusto. )

Nikki: Oh yeah, and then you went chasing after the others, then you got captured, and now you're with Sawyer!

( Nikki concludes by leaning into Kate confidentially - )

Nikki: Who! by the way -

( Nikki takes a breath and whispers excitedly - )

Nikki: - is so, totally, hot!

( Kate looks almost scared. )

Kate: Um, thanks?

Nikki: God, you're so lucky. I mean of all the people to be stranded on a desert island with!

( Nikki pulls a face. )

Nikki: I mean you could have been stuck with some fat guy with bad hair, who sweats a lot and cracks bad jokes.

( Nikki giggles to herself. )

Nikki: Like that dude Hurley right?

Kate: ( Coldly ) Actually Hurley is a friend of mine.

( A hand flies to Nikki's mouth. )

Nikki: Oh sorry, crap. Oh god, I shouldn't have said that. It was rude.

( Nikki looks apologetically at Kate. )

Nikki: ( Sheepishly ) Sorry.

Kate: I -

( Nikki groans and throws a hand up in the air dramatically. )

Nikki: God, you must think really lowly of me now.

( Nikki actually looks so humbled, and guilty, Kate even feels a little sorry for her. Despite the fact she keeps interrupting Kate - )

Kate: ( Breaking in ) It's fine. You probably didn't mean it.

Nikki: Yeah, and I totally don't have anything against fat people.

( Kate stares, in slight disbelief at Nikki, then laughs, at the way she was being so sincere at the same time. )

( Nikki smiles too, not really in on the joke, but glad to be getting some positive reaction from Kate.)

( Tilting her head she looks at Kate - )

Nikki: You're really nice, you know.

( Kate smiles, not really believing it. )

Kate: I'm not.

( Nikki nods. Then waits expectantly. )

Kate: ( A little awkwardly ) Oh, um, you're really nice too.

( Nikki smiles warmly, and Kate's a little surprised to find herself smiling back too. )

Nikki: So … where are you off to now? There's not much to do around here.

Kate: Oh, just back to the tent - uh, I mean Sawyer's tent.

( Kate almost blushes at her slip of the tongue. )

( Nikki doesn't pick up on it. )

Nikki: Yeah, I'm always just hanging around Paolo's tent too. There's nothing better to do around here huh?

Kate: Yeah.

( Kate pretends to agree with this statement, even though she obviously doesn't agree with Nikki. But it seems like the appropriate thing to do. )

Nikki: So you're going back to Sawyer's tent then right?

Kate: ( Unsure of where this is heading ) Yeah …

Nikki: Cool! I could come with!

( Off Kate's blank expression - )

Nikki: You could introduce me to Sawyer properly!

( Nikki's enthusiasm seems to have returned in full abundance - )

( Kate meanwhile has taken less to this idea - )

Kate: Um, I'm not sure that's such a good idea.

( Nikki is not deterred in the slightest. In fact she is so enthusiastic it is to the degree where it becomes irritating - )

Nikki: Oh come on! Why not? It'll be fun!

( Kate stares at Nikki. This is so not the kind of girl she hung out with in high school. )

Kate: Well, Sawyer doesn't really take too kindly to strangers dropping in.

( Nikki's logic is at hand though - )

Nikki: But if you introduce me, I won't be a stranger anymore will I?

( Kate still doesn't look convinced. She doubted that even if he knew her, Sawyer still wouldn't take to kindly to Nikki just "dropping in." )

Nikki: Besides I'm not just some "stranger" am I? I'm your friend.

(A beat. Kate looks stuck for words, not wanting to hurt Nikki's feelings, but really not wanting to introduce Nikki to Sawyer as her "friend." He'd never forgive her. )

Nikki: Right?

( Nikki tilts her head, ever so innocently, and stares at Kate while she waits for her to speak. And Nikki doesn't seem nervous of the answer at all, she's backed Kate into a corner and she knows it. )

( Kate stares back at Nikki, biting her lip, but already knowing she's going to give in. Rolling her eyes slightly, looking out to sea and sighing, Kate concedes regretfully - )

Kate: Yes.

( And Nikki interprets this concession as permission, and brushes past Kate cheerfully leading the way to Sawyer's tent, and clearly expecting Kate to follow. )

Nikki: Let's go then!

( Kate stares after Nikki for a moment, then just as she starts to edge out of sight, snaps out of it and hurries after the retreating blonde head and denim shorts, that Kate wouldn't be caught dead in. Kate doesn't want to let Nikki get out of her sight, she's worried what damage she could do. )

( And as she catches up Kate looks at Nikki, who smiles cheerfully over her shoulder, and Kate looks back with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension. )

( This isn't going to be pretty. )

As always please review!