Thanks for reviewing SassyLostie. Glad to hear you're enjoying my version of Nikki's character, and don't worry this chapter holds Skate and future chapters are bound to hold more Kate / Nikki as it's just fun to write. ( Been on a bit of a break so will be catching up with and reviewing your fics soon. )
Enjoy.
Scene 8
( She is on Charlie's side, as an attacker. Locke is in defence, and every time the ball is passed her way she deftly takes control of it, dribbling it speedily toward Locke, then at the last possible minute shooting the ball to the side, with a foot that seems to come out of nowhere, leaving the old man strangely confused and sometimes left sitting on his behind. Which is a spectacle hilarious for both players and spectators considering the man's usual serene state. Because of this Kate has gathered a large number of people encouraging her, yelling "Kate!" over and over in the background, and going up in a cheer every time Kate shoots and lands the ball between the opposing team's "goalposts." )
( As Sawyer approaches however all he registers is background noise, and some recognisable figures kicking up sand behind Charlie, who stands in the foreground, blowing a whistle fervently. )
Sawyer: When's the next soccer game start hoss?
( Charlie turns to face Sawyer, irritably, correcting automatically- )
Charlie: Football.
( Sawyer walks past Charlie grinning; fully recovered from yesterday- )
Sawyer: Well the last time I saw it played it was called soccer.
Charlie: You've been to a football match?
( Sawyer turns around to face Charlie. )
Sawyer: It was a women's only team.
( Sawyer grins )
Sawyer: They had nice uniforms.
( Sawyer turns and carries on walking cheerfully. )
Scene 9
( He is walking parallel to the sea, with the football game in full throw to the right of him, and all the spectators sat to his left. Many become annoyed as Sawyer crosses their line of vision, taking his time, but he ignores them. Or at best glares. )
( Most of the people Sawyer knows are playing, the football teams are co-ed and the people Sawyer has spotted so far out of the corner of his eye include Claire, Jin, Locke, Sayid, Sun and an english man who lives a tent across from him. )
( However Sawyer can't help but think that someone is missing, and just as Sawyer is thinking this he spots Nikki in the crowd. Sawyer stops, alarmed at the sight of her, desperate for her not to see him, to make him sit next to her, and worst of all, maybe talk to him. )
( But as if Nikki can read minds Nikki's head pops up, and as if she could hear what Sawyer was thinking she automatically catches his eye. Startled Sawyer whips around, just as she starts to beckon him over. )
( Afraid that she might approach him Sawyer scans the crowd wildly, and in his mild panic settles on one noticeable figure and heads towards them without thinking. )
Sawyer: ( With false bravado ) Hey there buddy!
( Sawyer abruptly seats himself in the sand next to Hurley, who looks around in surprise. )
Hurley: Uh, hey - buddy?
( Sawyer isn't listening though, just glancing around in distraction. )
Sawyer: Yeah, whatever just make it look like we're talking.
Hurley:( Looking around in confusion ) Uh - we are talking.
( Sawyer turns back to Hurley not having listened to a word. )
Sawyer: What?
Hurley: ( Shaking his head ) Never mind dude.
( Hurley turns back to watch the game as Sawyer sits determinedly staring down the beach in the opposite direction to Nikki. There's a moment's pause before Hurley glances at Sawyer and is caught as he notices how intently Sawyer is staring in one direction. He turns to see the focus of Sawyer's attention but only sees more beach, puzzled he turns back to Sawyer and asks - )
Hurley: What are you looking at?
( Sawyer glances at Hurley but doesn't elaborate. )
Sawyer: ( Tensely ) She looking over here?
Hurley: Who? Kate? I think she's playing -
Sawyer: No Nikki. She coming over?
Hurley: ( Bemused ) Uh, no.
(Hurley's expression silently adds a "Why the hell would she?" )
Sawyer: Really? She 'aint looking?
( Hurley glances over Sawyer's shoulder and shakes his head. )
Hurley: No man.
( At these words all the tension goes out of Sawyer's back, and straightening up he releases a relieved breath of air, glancing back at Nikki just to confirm he's safe. Reassured he turns to give Hurley his ususal grin, and finding this unsettling Hurley shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Well, the sand. )
Sawyer: Thank god for small wishes huh Stay Puff?
( A flicker of annoyance darts across Hurley's face and, quite aggressively, he asks Sawyer - )
Hurley: So what are you doing here?
( Sawyer widens his arms around him as if it's obvious - )
Sawyer: Watching the game.
Hurley: You?
Sawyer: Yeah, sure, why not? Got nothing better to do.
( Hurley looks as if he doubts the truthfulness of this statement. )
Hurley: But you -
Sawyer: I what? You got something to say spit it out.
Hurley: ( As if stating the obvious ) Well, you hate people.
Sawyer: What? Who said that? I'm practically a people person.
Hurley: Sure dude. And I'm Hugh Jackman.
( Sawyer laughs. Hurley looks at him - )
Hurley: What?
Sawyer: Oh, nothing it's just - that was quite a good one.
Hurley: ( Unsure of whether or not to look pleased ) Oh.
Sawyer: Besides you and Wolverine do have a kind of hairy resemblance.
( Sawyer smirks and Hurley sighs, accepting in resignation what he knew was coming. Resolutely he turns and returns to watching the football game. Sawyer notes this, perhaps for the first time, and asks - )
Sawyer: How come you 'aint playing then?
Hurley: I -uh, decided I wanted a break -
Sawyer: Or maybe the Seventh Dwarf over there decided to chuck you off 'cos the harm you were doing to your team.
Hurley: What? I wasn't -
Sawyer: I mean it's an unfair advantage to the other team 'aint it, if they have to widen the goal to accommodate you.
( Sawyer smirks. )
Hurley: Oh, yeah, haha I get it. How long you spend thinking that one up?
Sawyer: What you talking about Hugo? This here's my very best stuff!
Hurley: Hugo?
Sawyer: It's your name 'aint it.
Hurley: Yeah but - what happened to all the nicknames and stuff?
( Sawyer smirks and flings a pebble he had been fiddling with over the heads over those in front. )
Sawyer: Why? Would you prefer I called you Tom?
Hurley: What?
( Sawyer smirks once more and presses his lips together. He can't help this, he's on a roll. )
Sawyer: You know, as in "peeping."
( Hurley's mouth pops open in surprise. )
Sawyer: And here was me thinking after that little show you caught a couple of weeks back we'd be on first names basis by now.
Hurley: ( Spluttering ) How - wha?
Sawyer: Mystery of communication Mongo. Look it up.
( Hurley turns vehemently red. Looking down his hands start to fumble awkwardly with the sand, running grains through his fingers to have something to do in order to appear nonchalant. )
Sawyer: Come on now Hugo, no need to come over all shy on me. Not now anyways.
Hurley: So, uh, she told you about that did she?
Sawyer: Sure did. And don't worry, I don't intend on telling nobody else -
( Sawyer turns to Hurley with a playfully malicious grin - )
Sawyer: - just find your squirming entertaining.
Hurley: ( Muttering under his breath. ) Evil, sadistic -
Sawyer: ( Conversationally; but clearly enjoying himself ) Speak up Hugo - can barely hear ya.
(Sawyer studies Hurley with a anticipatory grin, expecting him to defy the laws of science by turning another astonishing shade of maroon. Instead he sees Hurley's eyes look up, spot something, widen, then fall right back to staring at his lap again. Following the direction of his gaze Sawyer looks up to see a sweaty Kate approaching, wiping her hair out of her face and from sticking to her forehead. )
( As she nears Sawyer calls out - )
Sawyer: Being given a run for your money then by the look of it Freckles?
( Kate nears and does a semi-shrug - )
Kate: Or yours considering the situation.
( Sawyer leans back onto his hands and says in a knowing voice - )
Sawyer: Aha, I take it you are playing for Chucky's team then?
Kate: If by Chucky you mean Charlie.
Sawyer: And judging by the sweat on your brow I'd say Gandalf and the elves are putting up quite a fight? How's it feel to find something you 'aint good at Freckles?
( Instead of responding goaded Kate smiles demurely, and bending to pick up a bottle of water next to Sawyer she inadvertently leans in to him, her face hoverin near his, and says matter-of-factly - )
Kate: Well, not knowing what to do on a football pitch is a lot harder than it looks, you have to learn.
Kate: ( To herself ) Course.
( Standing up straight Sawyer's objects of distraction are yanked upwards, so Sawyer's head shoots up where he meets Kate standing over him, staring him down with her hands on her hips. )
Kate: ( With a coy smile ) You were saying?
Sawyer: Give a guy a break Freckles, if you will wear such tight -
Kate: Hurley are you o.k.?
Sawyer: Don't worry Freckles nothing to see! Hugo here just got landed with the runny mangoes this morning, poor man's just having a bit 'a trouble shifting his business.
Kate: What -
( Sawyer quirks his eyebrows upwards and Kate gets his full meaning. )
Kate: Oh.
( Kate glances at Sawyer, and a little awkwardly says - )
Kate: Sorry.
( A little grossed out Kate turns to Sawyer and makes her excuse to leave. )
Kate: Well, I'm just gonna get back. Charlie's handing out half time advice.
Sawyer: Well be sure not to listen too carefully Freckles.
Kate: That's it? No more comments? About me playing for Charlie? The fact that I'm on his team. Taking orders from him?
Sawyer: Can't help you there Freckles. I'm happy to let you play on the midget's team long as it don't do me no harm.
Kate: ( Smiling at Sawyer's grave mistake ) You'll let me?
Sawyer: You know what I mean.
Kate: Yeah? Well maybe I'll let you go fruit picking on your own tomorrow.
( Kate shoots Sawyer a pointed smile. )
Kate: What does that mean?
( With a triumphant flourish Kate turns and heads back towards the game, the water bottle swinging from her hand at her side. Sawyer watches her go with a look which is struggling between admiration and annoyance. He turns to Hurley, then notices what he's doing - )
Sawyer: Buck up there Hugo, you can come out now she's gone.
( Hurley's head rises from where it was buried in his arms, red and shamefaced, yet he still manages an apoplectic expression, eyes popping out from his head. )
Hurley: Shifting his business!
( Sawyer smiles at this and adds conversationally, in the tone of someone giving friendly advice - )
Sawyer: Well that's what comes of taking up as a peeping tom Hu -
( But this is enough to break Hurley's already rather sore ego, and rather loudly he snaps - )
Hurley: Stop it! Just shut up you …
( Hurley turns redder searching for the appropriate expletive, and when he can't find one just shouts even louder - )
Hurley: - I am NOT a pervert!
( Several surrounding heads turn around in surprise. )
Sawyer: Oh ho, you might wanna keep it down there Pizza Pie, the Others might not have heard you.
( Hurley just remains seated in stony silence. )
Sawyer: From the looks of things though I'm treading on the toes of some sore childhood issues of being spying on folks. You peek in your neighbour's windows as a little Deep Dish kid?
Hurley: ( Snappily ) I don't know, am I touching on any issues of being a redneck bastard?
( And with that shot Hurley clumsily stands to his feet, but storms off no less angrily. Many of the surprised faces turn o look at Sawyer accusingly, who sits there with his mouth open watching Hurley go, somewhat surprised by the violent outburst, to what he thought was just funny teasing. )
Sawyer: Wha - Fine! Storm off like a big damn girl then!
( Sawyer scans the pitch and finally located her near Charlie's team's goal. With some surprise and raised eyebrows Sawyer notices that Kate has the ball. Well, a little voice in his head goes, she has to get the ball at some point, good for her. Absentmindedly Sawyer wonders if he is supposed to cheer her on, he can hear a number of people shouting her name. Actually … )
( Sawyer looks around and notes that a surprising number of people are chanting Kate's name. People he didn't even know that she knew. A prickly feeling that something isn't quite right begins to be felt by Sawyer, looking back the at the game Sawyer looks at Kate more closely. )
( She is dribbling, and speedily too, with none of the clumsiness of a novice but all the authority of a player who knows what she is doing. Sawyer's eyebrows shoot up further as he watches in disbelief as Kate neatly skirts Locke, shooting the ball through his open legs then meeting up with it on the other side. As she does this the crowd goes wild, cheering even louder. But just then, as Sawyer's mouth hangs open, Kate's foot draws backwards and with a graceful swipe she shoots the ball directly in the direction of Locke's team's goal. Claire, awkwardly standing in the middle, makes a lame attempt to wave her arms in the direction of the ball, and several crowd members jump to their feet cheering as the ball goes completely wide, and completely through the goalposts. )
( Several things happen at once. Charlie blows loudly on his whistle before running towards Kate gesturing and talking excitedly, Locke walks to the edge of the pitch, dusting the sand off his trousers and avoiding eye contact with most and Claire wraps her arms around her body and nervously looks backwards towards her own tent. )
To be continued. How will Sawyer react? Will he play? Will Kate lose him his stash? Why's Hurley so pissy? Will I ever reach the end of this chapter?
Please review.