Sorry this chapter is so short but it makes way for the next chapter which will be much longer. Thanks again for all the lovely comments and alerts. As always, I hope you enjoy and please review! :)
James sauntered over to the motor pool, stopping near a group of workers who were idly standing around, concerned looks plastered on each of their faces.
"Hey fella's." He greeted with a nod of the head, "Ya'll know where's Jules is at? She didn't come home. She workin' late?"
There was a pause, each person awkwardly glancing at one another until a young, fair, dark haired man spoke up, "You didn't hear?"
"Well it only just happened." Another worker observed and James furrowed his brow in sheer confusion.
"Hear what?" He asked, somewhat warily, "Or why don't ya' just tell me where Jules is an' she can tell me herself."
The man bit his lip, "That might be a bit hard." He stated slowly, "Maybe you should go talk to the boss. He's over with Horace." As he spoke, he motioned over to the far side of the motor pool where H was conversing with a group of men - most of who worked security alongside him.
Without a single word, James rushed over to the group of people, Miles and Jin included, and demanded, "Someone wanna tell me what the hell's goin' on?"
"Calm down, Jim." Horace soothed immediately, "I'm going to make sure Juliet arrives back here safe and sound as soon as possible."
"Back here?" James growled out in disbelief, "Where the hell is she now? What happened?"
"She messed up one of the van's today." Robert, Juliet's brawny boss, began to explain, "She said it was beyond repair before she even touched it but - " He shook his head, "I had a few choice words for her, she couldn't take it, and she got so angry she stormed into the jungle."
James' eyes widened and he had to clench his fist to keep from exploding, "And you didn't think ta' follow her?"
"Of course I did. But a few miles in I lost her." He justified, "And she was heading towards hostile territory so I wasn't going to risk my life to - "
"Why's everybody just standin' here lookin' useless?" James interjected, "Nobody's gonna go out ta' find her?"
"I was just informed of this situation but a few moments ago. I assure you I'm going to send out a team to search for her as soon as possible. She's going to be okay, Jim." Horace assured him, putting a hand on his shoulder for effect, "Why don't you go home and get some rest while I handle everything?"
James shrugged off his grasp, "I'm goin' ta' look fer her - now. Not lettin' her fall of a cliff or get shot by a damn hostile."
"Jin, you don't know the area well enough to go out into the jungle alone. It's far too risky."
"I will come." Jin spoke up suddenly and Miles added, "Count me in, too."
"I still don't think I'm comfortable with allowing - " Horace began hesitantly but James brashly cut him off.
"Good thing I'm not askin' fer permission."
The venture into the jungle was, for the most part, an eerily silent one, the only audible sounds being the twigs that crunched beneath their feet and James' incessant grumbling under his breath.
"How'd the two of ya' know 'bout Jules 'fore I did?" James asked, breaking the silence as he stepped over a fallen log and Miles and Jin stopped short, surprised at the sudden question.
"Huh?" was the only thing either of them could say and James kept his pace as he explained, "Ya'll were already over by H when I showed up demandin' ta' know what the hell was goin' on."
"We were stuck working the monitors when Rob blew up at her." Miles stated as he ran to catch up with the southerner, "When we saw her run into the jungle, we got our asses down there to try and stop her." He shrugged, "By the time we got there, Rob - who's a total douche by the way - was back and Horace was talking about a search party. And then you showed up."
If James bothered to listen to his comrades explanation, he made no sign of it. He instead continued forward, and ordered, "Alright. Let's split up. We'll cover more ground that way."
"LaFleur. That makes no sense." Miles stated slowly, "We're miles away from the barracks. We're in hostile territory. All splitting up will do is triple the chance that one of us'll get shot."
James didn't respond, giving Miles the incentive to continue, "Maybe if one of us had a flare or walkie...But we all rushed off out here without any supplies. Remember?"
"Look." James growled out as he spun around to face the two men, "Ya' wanna find the lady or not?"
"Of course I do!" Miles shot back as Jin simply nodded from his spot behind him, "But come on, it's Juliet. She can handle herself - she'll be fine. She's tougher than every single damn guy I know. And she knows this piece of crap island like the back of her hand." He let out a sigh of frustration, "And if you ask me, she'd be insulted that you don't think she's capable of - "
"Ya' hear that?" James gasped, stopping in his tracks and glancing in every direction.
"Hear what? I don't - "
"Maybe if ya'd shut the hell up then ya' would hear it." James shot back before straining his ears to locate the whereabouts of the soft breathing he could only hope belonged to Juliet.
Cautiously, he followed the sound as best he could and his eyes widened as he noticed her form lay limp against a tree, a large gash visible on her forehead.
"Juliet!" He breathed out huskily, falling to his knees and grabbing her wrist to check for a pulse. He let out a relieved breath as he felt her heart beat slowly, then pushed aside a few fallen strands of her hair to get a better look at her cut. He grimaced as his eyes fixated on the blood that stained her fair skin - even he could tell she would need stitches.
Gently, he reached out to wipe away the blood, and her eyes remained closed as she winced in pain. James took the movement as a good sign - at least she was partially conscious- and he swiftly motioned for Jin to bring over the canteen of water he had slung around his neck.
Jin did as he was ordered and after taking the object from the Korean's hands, James turned his attention back to the blonde, "Darlin', ya' gotta drink this."
Eyes still closed, her lips parted slightly, enough for James to lift the canteen between them and tilt her head back as she gulped down the liquid.
"Sweetheart, talk to me." James ordered softly as he took her fragile hand in his own, "I need ya' ta' talk ta' me."
She let out a wordless moan, making no effort to move her body, and Miles suggested, "The three of us should carry her back - let the doctor's in the infirmary look at her."
James glanced down at her petite body, unsure if moving her would cause more damage to her already crippled figure.
"Miles is right." Jin agreed after a moment, "What if hostile come? We need to get her back."
"Alright." James finally decided after a pregnant pause, "Be careful with her, will ya'?"
