Hey, thanks to reviews from xox-emily-xox, SassyLostie, LostSista ( thanks for getting caught :) ) and to SkateNowandForever!
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I hope I did the Nikki / sawyer meeting justice. I know she may seem a little out of character, but I wrote her before we'd really seen any of her. So just think of this Nikki as another character by the same name. ( But definitely not my character. Don't sue! )
Please review!
Chapter 4
Scene 3 -
( Kate and Nikki approach Sawyer's tent across the beach, one of them excited and slightly nervous, the other apprehensive, and lightly nervous. )
( Sawyer isn't sat outside. Kate notices this with relief . )
( Kate was walking behind, but now Nikki drops back to match her pace, and leans into Kate, speaking to her in hushed tones, as if Sawyer, even though not visible, could be listening. )
Nikki: Is he here?
( Kate comes to a halt and, looks around then turns to Nikki, her bottom lip stuck out and shrugging genuinely -)
Kate: I don't know.
( And Kate doesn't know. She and Sawyer hadn't been able to help but sink into a routine, and normally Sawyer would have been there. )
( It was at about this time, about an hour after they had eaten, that Sawyer would be sure to take up position outside the tent, comfortably settled into an old airplane seat with a book and bottle of water, maybe falling asleep, in the later afternoon, letting his food go down. It was almost domestic. )
( Kate usually took advantage of this time to go out and do something. Pick fruit, climb trees, swim, in the waterfall or the ocean, or sometimes she would just stand on the beach, by the water's edge and "sink", far away from camp and prying eyes. )
( Sawyer, not being so fond of exercise usually opted not to come, but soon as Kate returned, on most days barely tired, Sawyer would drop the book, and Kate would be willingly led by the hand into the tent or the jungle. Where, both she and Sawyer participated in the kind of exercise which he was much more fond of. And luckily for Kate, at which he excelled at. )
( But today Kate had used the time to re-visit her old tent, which incidentally was in a state of disrepair, a consequence of neglect. She had left Sawyer where she usually did, relaxed outside the tent, but it was clear he wasn't there now. Which clearly stalled their usual plan. )
( Normally, in such a case, Kate would have just pulled up the tarp and grabbed a bottle of water, maybe a banana, having a peculiar affinity for that fruit, and would have settled down and relaxed outside the tent, quite happy to wait there till Sawyer's return. Kate also had a book she was currently reading, one that Sawyer had cast aside, and while she wasn't a rabid reader like him, it didn't mean Kate didn't like to indulge when she wasn't on her feet. )
( Of course Kate doesn't want to do that now, as she thinks Nikki might perceive this as an invitation to do the same. )
( Instead she crosses her arms and turn to Nikki - )
Kate: ( Adopting an expression of regret ) Maybe if Sawyer isn't here you should just go then come back -
( But Sawyer is now approaching from behind, across the beach toward the tent, easily carrying wood in his arms. Calling out he interrupts Kate - )
Sawyer: Looking for me?
( Both Nikki and Kate turn at the sound of Sawyer's voice, one expressing excitement as earlier, the other sighing heavily and crossing her arms, looking at the ground in tense anticipation, and also to avoid Sawyer looking questioningly at her. )
( Nikki, of course is as bright as ever. )
Nikki: ( Laughing ) Yeah, hey, we are actually!
( Kate looks at Nikki, she always seems to be laughing. )
( Sawyer comes to a halt, staring at Nikki with an un-disguised look of query, wondering why the hell Barbie is greeting him as if she knows him. )
( Sawyer looks to Kate, who ducks her head down to study her shoes when she feels Sawyer looking to her. )
( Sawyer looks back to Nikki. )
Sawyer: We?
( She was a friend of Kate's?! )
( Nikki thrusts an arm out at Sawyer, and smiling and indicating her head in Kate's direction, by way of introducing herself, and says - )
Nikki: Yeah, I'm Kate's friend.
( Sawyer tilts his head back, assessing and his eyes flicker from Nikki to Kate. He doesn't shake Nikki's hand, either because his arms are full of wood, or simply because he's overlooking it.)
Sawyer: ( Repeating ) Kate's "friend."
( Kate can feel Sawyer's gaze boring into her but she doesn't look up. He looks back to Nikki who is smiling at him, "winningly." )
( Sawyer doesn't return the smile. )
Sawyer: Funny, she don't mention you much.
( As she speaks Nikki laughs lightly and looks back from Kate to Sawyer. )
Nikki: Oh, no, we only just met!
( Sawyer looks suspiciously from the perky Nikki, to Kate, who is still avoiding looking at him. )
( Nikki still continues talking - )
Nikki: ( To Sawyer ) She helped me carry some logs.
( Un-perceivable to Nikki, Kate rolls her eyes. Sawyer however does catch this, and looks back to Nikki, eyes narrowed in suspicion. )
Sawyer: That so Freckles?
( Kate looks up, and behind Nikki's back silently mouths "I'm sorry." )
( Sawyer's look isn't forgiving. )
( But - )
Nikki: ( Enquiringly ) Freckles?
( She looks back to Kate in confusion, and then realisation dawns. She addresses Kate excitedly - )
Nikki: Freckles? Oh, is that your nickname?
( Kate nods, wishing she were anywhere else than here, as she can feel Sawyer's eyes burning into her. )
( Nikki melts, looking between Kate and Sawyer adoringly. )
Nikki: Aw, that is so cute, he has a nickname for you?
( Nikki looks at Kate, and smiling, she talks out the side of her mouth, as if Sawyer can't hear her - )
Nikki: ( In a stage whisper ) You didn't tell me he was hot and cute!
( Sawyer eyes widen. His expression is priceless, a mixture of fear, indignation, and sheer, sheer confusion. Like Jin has just walked up to him, and suggested in English, that they should go for a drink sometime. )
( Kate looks equally horrified. Nikki however looks between them, delightedly, then bursts out laughing. )
Nikki: God ! You should see your faces! Totally hilarious.
( Nikki then turns to Sawyer, and sobering up, she looks sincerely at him. Sawyer leans back a little, almost defending himself, and frowning, like this could be the worst of all. )
Nikki: ( To Sawyer ) No seriously, congrats. I mean I know Jack is a doctor -
( Kate shifts un-comfortably, wrapping her arms around her, and Sawyer, tilts his head back a little, and sneaks a glace at Kate. )
( Nikki however, surprisingly, and for the first time, seems to actually read them, as she sense she has gone too far - )
( A hand flies to her mouth. )
Nikki: Oh st, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that.
( Kate squirms, feeling for Nikki's mistake, then steps in. And also so they can bypass the mention of Jack, always a sore topic - )
Kate: ( Gesturing lightly with one arm ) It's o.k., you didn't mean anything by it.
( Surprisingly, Sawyer chips in - )
Sawyer: Don't correct the girl Freckles, she's right. Jack may be a doctor, but he 'aint got nothing on me when it comes to 1980's arcades games. Just too damn bad this island don't have Pacman machine.
( Kate looks at Sawyer in reprimand, but not seriously, more than anything she's grateful that Sawyer has moved past the topic, and without biting Nikki's head off. )
( Nikki is less quietly appreciative of this remark, in fact she laughs out loud, snorting a little. Sawyer blinks a little, and refocuses on Nikki, surprised. Sure he can be sarcastic, but generally not bust-a -gut funny. Sawyer can usually only charm a smile out of Kate, mostly people just interpret his own brand of biting humour as rudeness. Which, in all fairness, it quite often is. )
Nikki: You're funny!
( Sawyer grits his jaw, and nods, raising his eyes in a quirk, giving off an expression that seems to say "Sure, if you say so. " Nikki, laughs again, almost simpering. )
( And then, to Sawyer's horror Nikki bats him playfully on the arm. Sawyer jumps at her touch then stares down at his arm, as if he expects to be branded in the place Nikki touched him. )
( Kate sees this, her eyes widen, and she bites her lip, desperately wishing Sawyer not to say anything bad.)
( Nikki however does catch this look, and interprets it wrongly - )
Nikki: ( To Kate ) Don't worry! I'm not gonna steal him -
( Nikki looks back to Sawyer who is staring at her stonily. )
Nikki: Not that I could anyway huh?
( Kate continues biting her lip, and when Nikki turns around, gives a weak smile. However Sawyer is less giving. )
Sawyer: ( Bluntly ) So who are you then?
( Kate winces at Sawyer's abrupt rudeness, and actually looks up, trying to catch his eye and shake her head. Sawyer however is staring resolutely at Nikki. Kate breathes in a little tensely, Sawyer might as well drop the logs and start peeing around the tent. Apparently Nikki however, hasn't picked up on Sawyer's warning signs, and equally isn't thrown by his rudeness. She doesn't make the mistake of trying to shake Sawyer's hand again, but she does introduce herself verbally - )
Nikki: I'm Nikki. Well, really I'm Nicola, but my friends all call me Nikki -
( Nikki leans in and clarifies - )
Nikki: - Nikki with an "I" not a "y." It used to piss me off so much when people used to spell it wrong. It's stupid really as they don't know any better and it's not their fault. But you know how little things just really irritate you even though you can't help it?
( Nikki looks at Sawyer. Sawyer stares back at her, his jaw clenched. )
Sawyer: ( Slowly ) I'm beginning to understand.
( Nikki however resumes her fast, chatty pace. )
Nikki: ( Sighing to herself ) So yeah that's what people call me.
( Then she pulls a face -)
Nikki: Ew, except for this one really annoying guy I knew in school, Tom, he also used to call me Nick. I mean he only did it because it pissed me off!
( Sawyer stares at Nikki through narrowed eyes, increasingly amazed and irritated at the fact she can carry out a whole conversation with not more than a couple of syllables from the other person. Sawyer glances at Kate, and Kate looks away, pretending to pay attention to something far, far across the beach. )
( Nikki, on the other hand, continues talking - )
Nikki: Then again I think I understood why he did it, I mean -
( Nikki laughs and rests another hand on Sawyer's arm, and leans in. Sawyer looks horrified. Kate is suddenly full of attention, and stares at Nikki very, very hard, mouth slightly ajar. )
Nikki: ( Smiling covertly to Sawyer ) - I used to be kind of a tomboy.
( Nikki throws her arms up in the air. )
Nikki: In fact I'm even one now! Look at me! Living in a jungle! It's like… I don't know, I'm like Lara Croft or something, oh! or on like Survivor!
( Nikki laughs and rests her hands on her hips. Kate stares at Nikki in disbelief, also feeling slightly insulted. Her? Tomboy?! )
( Sawyer takes a look at Kate, who is still staring at the back of Nikki's impossibly silky hair, and she turns and catches his eye. He gives a look that seems to say, " see" and he jerks his head towards Nikki. )
( Kate nods, and pipes up. )
Kate: Um, Nikki?
( Nikki whirls around, her hair flying around her, and eerily reminding Kate of a shampoo commercial. )
Nikki: Yup, what's up?
( Kate eyes raise slightly, being taken aback by Nikki's everlasting, sheer exuberance and pep that just washed over her. )
Kate: Um -
( Kate doesn't know what to say when she can't think of anything that would be "up." She looks to Sawyer, but he shrugs and shakes his head, stiffening when Nikki turns around to see what Kate is looking at. )
( Kate looks back to Nikki, mouth slightly open - )
Kate: We, just uh, need to go … for a walk.
( Behind Nikki Sawyer looks at Kate in disbelief. He's seen this girl lie seamlessly and guiltlessly to everyone on this island, including himself, but she can't sum up the imagination to get rid of this Britney-wannabee? )
( Kate catches Sawyer's eye, and he mouths "going for a walk?!" at her, but she shrugs. The her attention is drawn back to Nikki - )
Nikki: Oh that's fine, I'll go. I mean I have things to do and stuff.
Kate: Really?
( Kate is surprised at Nikki's reasonableness. Behind her back, Sawyer looks up to the sky and mouths "thank god. " )
Nikki: Yeah, sure, besides, you guys need your alone time.
( Nikki winks at Kate, and Kate tries to smile awkwardly. )
Kate: Ok, well, see you later.
Nikki: Yeah -
( Then Nikki straightens up, and claps her hands together. Sawyer looks up in alarm. )
Nikki: Oh wow! I have just had the best idea!
( Kate looks at Nikki in bewilderment. )
Nikki: You two should come have dinner with me and Paolo! Oh, it would be so cool, like a double date type thing!
Kate: I -
( But Nikki is too enraptured by her idea. )
Nikki: Oh yeah, and Paolo made this kind of table thing, and we have fruit salad! Which I know isn't actually dinner but -
( Kate has to interrupt - )
Kate: Yes!
Nikki: ( Looking back at Kate ) What?
( Kate swallows, knowing she's going to regret this, and fixes her eyes on Nikki. )
Kate: Yes. We'll come.
( Sawyer eyes are now popping out his sockets. What?! )
( Nikki jumps up and down on the spot. )
Nikki: Oh yay! Ok, I'll see you later! I have to go make preparations!
( Nikki starts to run off, Kate and Sawyer watch after her. Then she turns once, and waves back - )
Nikki: Bye Freckles!
( Kate sighs, and watches Nikki run off again. Sawyer turns to Kate, accusingly.)
Sawyer: You said yes?
( Kate continues looking blankly in the direction Nikki left. Then she sighs - )
Kate: Yep.
( Then without another word, turns around and heads into the tent. )
Scene 4
( It is a little later in the day, and Kate is walking along the beach, intentionally, as if she has somewhere to be. In fact this is what she wants Sawyer to think, but he doesn't give a damn, he is following her anyway, and quite crossly. )
Sawyer: I can't believe you said yes Freckles!
( Kate, still walking - )
Kate: ( Irritably ) Yes, fine, I said yes. I think we've managed to establish that Sawyer.
Sawyer: Yes to them! You really wanna go have dinner with them? On a goddamn island I might add, 'aint exactly refined dining sweetheart.
Kate: ( Still not turned ) I've thought about it, and I want to go.
( Sawyer slows down, and he yells after Kate, exclaiming - )
Sawyer: Well, if you wanna go play, that's fine Sindy. But don't expect me to come. I don't like Barbie and Ken and I aint no …
( Sawyer struggles for words and Kate turns around, hands on hips. )
Sawyer: ( Finishing lamely and waving his arms about ) … action man.
( Sawyer turns around and heads off angrily in the opposite direction, back to camp, but not believing for one second that Kate won't follow. )
( Kate stares at Sawyer in disbelief for a second, that he is actually refusing to come, then follows, her mouth open slightly. )
Kate: ( Rolling her eyes ) I'm not asking you to be "action man" Sawyer.
( Sawyer winces in irritation as his words are thrown back at him. )
( Kate's eyes focus on Sawyer's back and she raises her voice. )
Kate: I'm just asking you to be civil!
( Sawyer whips around and glares at Kate incredulously. )
Sawyer: Civil?!
( Kate stops and resolutely holds her ground, meeting Sawyer's eyes, chin up. )
( Sawyer approaches Kate, looking wildly between her and the direction in which he gestures wildly. )
Sawyer: How the hell, am I supposed to be civil to these people Freckles?!
( Sawyer stops and looks at Kate, and almost shakes his head as he speaks. )
Sawyer: Why the hell would you, of all people, want to be civil to them?!?
( Kate heaves a sigh, as if she can't believe she has to explain this - )
Kate: Yes, they're annoying Sawyer, and I first I only said yes to get rid of her, but -
Sawyer: ( Interrupting loudly ) Then why the hell do you wanna go?!
( Kate snaps - )
Kate: Because I want to make the effort Sawyer!
( Kate shouts so loudly Sawyer is momentarily shut up. )
( So Kate uses this valuable opportunity to talk without interruption, in a lower tone, but not without gritting her teeth to contain her anger, and letting her gaze bore into Sawyer - )
Kate: Sawyer we are stuck on this island.
( Kate looks around and smiles grimly - )
Kate: And it doesn't look like we're getting off any time soon.
( Kate's gaze returns to Sawyer and her face settles, the serious undercurrent in her voice coming to the surface. )
Kate: So we are going to have to survive here. But not just that, we are going to have to live here.
( Kate puts special emphasis on the next words. )
Kate: We are going to have to lead a life.
( Kate pulls herself up and Sawyer notes with alarm, how much she resembles Juliet in that moment, as she speaks in an informative yet authoritative tone, as if she is teaching Sawyer. )
Kate: And part of leading a life is making an effort, getting to know people better.
( Kate draws her chin up further and stares at Sawyer. )
Kate: And that's what I'm going to do.
( Lesson over. )
( But Sawyer doesn't think so. He meets Kate's stare for a moment, then breaks away, tilting his head toward the ground and smiling to himself, one finger scratching the stubble on his chin. )
( Sawyer looks back up to Kate, still smiling, though this time with intent. )
Sawyer: Is that so?
( Kate looks back, and swallows. Her eyes still trained on Sawyer, and her head still slightly titled back, like an anticipating a blow. )
Sawyer: See I got a problem with that Freckles. Cos I just can't imagine you "making the effort" and " getting to know people better."
( Kate frowns and Sawyer clarifies. )
Sawyer: You know, on the run.
( By the end of the sentence, though Sawyer started out smiling, his face has dropped. H moves a little closer, and towers over her. He speaks quietly. )
Sawyer: Because I thought that was your life. Being on the run.
( Sure enough Kate stares at Sawyer, hurt, and his face flickers momentarily. But he can't back down, even if he is already regretting the words on the inside. )
( And now it's Kate turn to hold Sawyer's stare, while he waits for a reaction, then, almost mimicking him, she looks down too, smiling bitterly to herself. )
Kate: Yeah, that was my life.
( Kate looks up, no longer smiling. )
Kate: But you know what? It's not anymore. I've got a fresh start.
( Beat. )
( Sawyer and Kate stare at each other. One with a clenched jaw, and one biting their bottom lip stubbornly. And though they are not touching, it feels as if there is an actual physical force, holding them in this moment. )
Kate: ( Looking up and staring coolly into Sawyer's eyes. ) And I intend to take it.
( Kate's eyes flicker over Sawyer once, looking him up and down in an instant. )
( She meets his gaze again. )
Kate: Whether you want to come or not.
( Kate turns and walks away from Sawyer. He stares after her, feeling like someone has pulled a rug from beneath him, and a little at loss for words. )
Sorry about the angst, couldn't help myself. :) But don't worry, all will be resolved next chapter.
You know the drill, reviews make me happy!