Allie: "you had to leave it like that didn't you" Oh, yeah! :D

"i'm loving it especially the flashbacks" Thank U so much !

Norulesinlove: "Another terrific update! Good choice on the name for the Sana baby...Zack! Perfect!" Yay, thank You very much ! :D

"Can't wait for more and am sad this may be ending soon! Great job!" Thank You once again, but I'm happy to tell U, that it's not the last chapter. At least one more to come yet !

Renata Holloway: "Great story! Congratulations!" Thank You ! :D

Chapter 3

"Sawyer's in love"

"But I just wanna know why! Just tell me, will you!? Just tell me why!" Ana cried and let the tears fall down.

And it hurt him to see her crying. And it hurt him to know, that it was because of him…

And it hurt him to agree…

"Okay…"

But for once he decided to be honest.

"I don't want you to think, that what I did… was because I just wanted to screw you and then run away… It's not like that… When you told me about the baby… I freaked out… I just freaked out and didn't know, what to do. We actually didn't know each other at all and we were gonna have a kid together… It's just… the thought scared the shit out of me…"

Ana was listening to him carefully, as they were sitting in the kitchen. She actually couldn't believe, that he was saying things like that. Maybe he really changed after those three years.

"And I… I ran away. I've been running for my whole life and I just used to think, that it was the only way to be out of trouble. I guess I was wrong… Seeing our kid today kinda made me realize that…"

She had to stop herself from flinching as he used the 'our' word, referring to Zack. Thinking, that it wasn't the best moment to interrupt, as she was about to find out, why he left her, she just decided to suck it up and keep on listening… at least for now.

"When I was eight… my parents died."

And now she actually flinched, eyeing him with surprise and shock. He wasn't looking at her at all, instead gazing at her stomach.

"I was sleepin'… and then my mother woke me up. I heard my father's yells from outside of my room… I didn't know, what was goin' on. And my mom told me to hide under my bed. I did… And then she exited my room and I could hear her scream and then there was a gunshot…"

Ana parted her lips, feeling her blood boiling and her stomach seemed to lower a little.

"Then my dad came in… I thought he was gonna search me… He was nearing my bed more and more and I was sure he was gonna kill me… But he just sat up, right above me… And he fired. I just saw his legs bend limply… and then there was a silence."

Sawyer finished and swallowed hard, still afraid to look up at the Latina, who was now staring at him with her mouth opened and her eyes widened, … totally in shock.

At least five minutes passed and he finally gazed up, seeing the state she was in.

"I was afraid, that…" Sawyer choked out, blinking his tears away quickly "… that I had something from my father in myself…. I was scared shitless, that I was gonna hurt my child and the woman I--" he cut himself off, looking away, hoping she didn't know, what he was about to say.

Ana closed her mouth with a quiet snap and swallowed hard.

She always used to think, that Sawyer's just a jerk, who doesn't care about other people's feelings. Yes, he showed his other, softer side to her, while he's been taking care of her, but he was still his-sarcastic-self and she just thought, that it was the way he is.

But just like Eko once said: she knew nothing about him.

And there was more to him, than probably she would ever understand…

It was wrong, what he did… leaving her and abounding his child, but… now she understood why he did it and realized, that somehow it was her fault too.

He shook her out of her thoughts, when he decided to stand up. Ana looked up at him questioningly and he shrugged, noticing her gaze.

"You now know why. So now I better go, before you decide to kick my head off and feel guilty for my death in result."

She stood up too, sadness and shock were filling her eyes. And for a minute he was ready to stay, to actually reach her and give her a hug, but… there was no way he could do it.

Sawyer pushed past her, exiting the kitchen and she closed her eyes, swallowing hard once again. After a second she followed him to the hall.

"Can I ask you for a favour?" he asked her unsurely, when she stopped right in front of him.

"Sure…" Ana shrugged, scratching the back of her neck uncomfortably.

"I know, that it's probably too late and that he's asleep, but… " he paused, afraid of her reaction "Can I talk to Zack?"

She frowned and he sent her a pleading gaze.

"Please, Ana… Just five minutes and then I'm outta your life."

The Latina let out a heavy breath, but then slowly nodded, waving her hand towards the door of their kid's room.

"Thanks." He smiled a little and then walked off to wake his child up. Ana narrowed her eyes at his back and then followed him quickly.

She made her way to the room and he was already sitting at the edge of a bed, shaking her baby's shoulder a little. She leaned against the wall, watching him carefully.

"Zack…" Sawyer spoke softly and shook his shoulder a little harder. The boy stirred slightly and then yawned sweetly, making Sawyer smile. The kid opened his eyes sleepily and stared up at the blonde man above him in surprise.

"You da salesman?" Zack questioned quietly, rubbing his dark eyes.

"Yeah… " he responded "I'm the salesman…"

"Where my mommy?"

Ana smiled tenderly at this, crossing her arms with a soft sigh.

"She's right there, buddy… don't you worry." Sawyer told him and Zack nodded and grinned suddenly, showing his dimples.

"I love my mommy."

The Southerner chuckled briefly, glancing at the dark-haired woman and then turning his gaze back at the boy.

"I know you do."

"It okay to love my mommy?"

"Yeah!" Sawyer laughed and Ana chuckled quietly, feeling tears in her eyes.

"And you love your mommy?" Zack asked him and the Blonde man's smile was gone immediately. He swallowed and closed his eyes for a second, before opening them and smiling down at his son again.

"Yes, I love my mommy."

Ana looked down at the floor, as her stomach seemed to drop even lower.

"And you love my mommy?" Zack continued, not aware of the tension around him. Now Ana looked up immediately and turned her gaze on Sawyer, who opened his mouth a little in surprise.

There was a dead silence for a long while… and then…

"Yeah…" the Southerner nodded briefly "Yeah, I do."

Flashback

"That's right… I think you should go find out."

Ana was standing still for a few seconds, before gazing down and one word broke the silence, before she walked away:

"No."

What the hell was he thinking? Ana thought, as she was walking down the beach, towards her shelter. Eko had no idea, how much it hurt her. Sawyer hurt her more, than Eko could have ever imagined and now he's trying to tell some sense into her? He should have gone to the bloody Southerner with this.

Ana entered her shelter and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight.

He was there, placing a bunch of mangoes on her blankets.

When she came in, he looked over his shoulder and then his eyes widened, seeing her.

Sawyer got up slowly, staring at her in surprise and then lowering his gaze, as he met her glare.

"I, uh--…. You weren't supposed to see me…" he murmured stupidly, confused. He was getting kinda hot and he blamed it on the sun… though he was in a shelter.. oh, well…

"Yeah, I'm sure I wasn't." Ana replied him coldly "I don't want your fruits, Cowboy, so get the hell out and take them with you."

He stared up, ashamed and she scoffed with anger, noticing his blushing cheeks. Moment… Sawyer was blushing? Hot damn…

She shook her head firmly and sent him a killing look.

"You heard me. Now scram." Ana added, her voice freezing and its coldness made him shiver slightly. He ran his hand through his hair and moved to go out, but then he stopped.

"I'm sorry."

She snorted, rising her eyebrows in disbelief.

"I am." Sawyer added, approaching her. "I'm sorry for leaving you."

"Yeah, I bet you are." She choked out, giving him a furious gaze. "You were ignoring me for almost two weeks by now. So let me ask you nicely… what the fuck are you doing here now?" she hissed with disgust. He seemed to froze at this, eyeing her with pure sadness in his eyes. And she was ready to forgive him if he just made a move, but…

… he didn't.

"I'm sorry." Sawyer repeated and then came over closer to her, bending down to kiss her cheek gently, before exiting her shelter and walking out of her life…

At least she thought so…

The End of flashback

"Yeah, I do."

Ana stared at him in disbelief, as he turned to look at her.

Did he just say, that he loved her? In front of her… their son? He was impossible…

They were gaping at each other for a while and then she shook her head and exited the room. Sawyer sighed heavily and then gazed down at Zack, his smile returning.

"So how old are you?"

The boy grinned and then raised his hand, showing him two fingers.

"Two years old? Whoa, you're a big boy already!"

"Mommy say I small…"

"Yeah, well… " the Southerner laughed in response, not knowing, what to reply.

He felt happy around his son… His… That little, blonde, smart and cute boy was his. And he will never let anyone take him away from now.

"What your name?"

"Sawyer."

"I Zack."

"I know you're Zack."

"You come here again?"

Sawyer felt, that something was squeezing his throat. Was he gonna come back here? He wanted to, but it wasn't up to him. Ana was the one to decide and he was scared of her reaction.

"I hope. I really want to."

"I like you." Zack stated suddenly "You very nice."

"Thank you, jumbo."

"Promise you come again?"

There you go.

What was he supposed to say?

Sawyer looked into his baby's pleading, happy eyes and just couldn't help, but…

"Sure, buddy. You got it."

Zack smiled a sweet smile, yawning again.

"I should probably go now."

The kid nodded slowly, grinning.

"Good night, Mickey." The Southerner smiled one last time, stroking his hair.

"'Night, Sawyer."

It hurt a little to hear, that your child calls you by your name, because he doesn't know you're his father… But he could only blame himself for it.

With that Sawyer bent down to kiss his son's smooth forehead and then got up, exiting his room, stopping in a doorframe just to take one last glance at his boy. Then he closed the door quietly and went to talk to Ana…

That'll be good… he thought, as he made his way to the kitchen, where his Chica was walking in circles impatiently, looking very annoyed. Once she saw him she immediately approached him and smacked him across his jaw.

"Ow!" he yelped in pain "Now what was that for!?"

"You even have to ask!?" she hissed angrily "For telling lies in front of Zack!"

"Everything I said was damn truth, Ana!" he defended himself.

"Yeah, right!" she snorted, glaring at him with rage. "You're appearing after three years and you claim to love me!? It's disgusting! You're disgusting!"

"Yeah, I am! I'm the fuck up! Everything I do and say is wrong! I get it! What now!? You're gonna smack me again! Twice as hard! Go ahead! Don't hesitate if you think I deserve it that much!"

She was taken aback and her eyes even softened for a brief moment, just to harden once again, as she threw him a frustrate gaze.

"Don't fuckin' dare to make me feel sorry for you!"

"I don't want any pity! Especially from you!"
"Oh, that's good! So what I'm some kind of punishment for you!? And so is Zack, huh!? Admit it already!"

"If you were, I wouldn't bother myself to come here just to get my ass kicked once again by you, smart-ass."

"You make me sick!" Ana announce coldly, though she couldn't help, but think he was right.

"That's why I'm getting the hell out of here!" Sawyer hissed angrily and went to exit the kitchen, when she grabbed his arm… hard.

"If you came here just to talk to my son and say bullshit, you surely shouldn't have bothered yourself!"

"Oh, yeah!? So telling you about my parents' death was bullshit to you, huh!? If you think it was, then you shouldn't have bothered to pretend all that shocked!"

And now she was shocked to the core. She didn't mean it…

"No, Sawyer… I meant the-… the other thing about--"

"Whatever! Forget it!" he growled and then he was the disgusted one.

"Look, I'm sorry… It's not like I don't give a shit about, what you told me. I was really…" she cut herself off, not knowing, what she was supposed to say. He was now glaring at her and she felt a shiver, running down her spine, seeing his predatory look.

"It's j-just... " she stammered quietly "I was shot in work once… and I was pregnant."

Sawyer's gaze softened immediately and his heart pounded louder.

"I lost the baby… "

Oh my God…

"And my boyfriend left me…"

The Southerner closed his eyes, cursing himself. That's why it hurt her so much, when he left her…

"That's the reason I can't easily deal with someone, who abounded me…" Ana added softly, looking up and deep into his eyes. He sent her a gaze, full of sadness, helplessness and … love…

He wanted to hug her, but he knew it was too fresh yet.

But he will wait… God, he will wait for her, as long as it's necessary.

"Can I--?" Sawyer questioned quietly "Can I call you… sometimes? Or drop by, when you're not.. busy…?"

Ana opened her mouth wordlessly. And then the very first and very small smile appeared on her face.

"Sure."

He let out a heavy breath in relief and nodded, grinning.

"Okay. Thank you."

She simply nodded in return, happy, that he asked her about it. He smirked stupidly down at her and turned around to exit the kitchen--

"Don't you want my phone number?" Ana teased from behind him and he collided with a wall, bumping his head… hard. She let out a gasp and grabbed his shoulders to help him keep his balance, chuckling. He saw stars and heard Ana's voice, as if she was standing a mile away from him.

"Oh my God, you okay?"

Sawyer squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, seeing some dark-haired beauty in front of him, who was calling his name… He could feel her soft and warm hands on his shoulders and he didn't want them to let him go…

"Sawyer!"

Ana snapped him harshly out of his daze. He looked at her and God he never saw a woman, who was more beautiful, than her…

"You all right?" she asked him again, desperately trying to hide the fact she was actually worried about him. He looked her straight in those chocolate eyes and murmured:

"You're beautiful, y'know that?"

Ana raised her eyebrows and then rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"You talkin' like a drunk person."

"I know… Argh.. it hurts..."

"Wait…" she made him sit down on a chair and then took a look at his head. She saw, that his hair was wet and red from blood, above his hairline.

"You idiot!" she snapped, smacking his shoulder.

"Ow! Dammit, what did I do now!?"

"You cut your head!"

"Yeah and you smacking my shoulder mostly doesn't help!"

Ana rolled her eyes again and walked away, reaching for a gauze from a cupboard. She soaked it with hydrogen peroxide and came back to him.

"It's gonna hurt a little…" she warned him and the pressed the gauze against his wound.

"Ouch!" he yelped.

"I told you it was gonna hurt a little!"

"A little!?"

"Just stay still!" she snapped, glaring at him playfully. He bit his lip, shaking his legs. She sized him up and smirked. "Moron…"

Sawyer stared up at her and narrowed his eyes.

"Madwoman."

She scoffed, meeting his piercing gaze.

"Jerk."

"Dumb-ass!"

"Idiot!"

"Imbecile!"

"Faggot!"

"Lamer!"

"Asshole!"

"Son of a bitch!" Sawyer hissed suddenly and Ana frowned in surprise, but then understood him, as she realized, that she pressed a little too hard on his cut by an accident of course...

"Oops… Sorry." She apologized, smirking evilly and he looked at her face, a smile on his own.

"Did this make you feel better?"

"Uh…. Yup, a little…"

"Great…"

She poked her tongue out at him and he answered her with his oh-so-hot grin with dimples.

God, she missed this…she missed him…

Flashback

"I've never been married."

"You asked me this before, remember?"

"Yeah, but now it's not a question."

"Touché…" Ana murmured smirking, but didn't drink. Nor did Sawyer.

It was few days after the shooting and Ana was getting stronger with each, passing day, though she still needed to take her antibiotic and she wasn't really willing to do it. So Sawyer had to somehow make her take it. And he offered her his popular game: 'I never' and it worked. She agreed. Though instead of having an alcohol, she had a glass of water with spoiled antibiotic in it. And he had a bottle of orange juice… hey it's better, than nothing.

Sawyer frowned thinking intensively.

"I … never wore a dress."

Ana glared at him and groaned. She brought a glass to her lips and Sawyer grinned deviously.

"Now that's a way to make you take your antibiotic, don't cha think?"

He made sure, that she drank all of it and then took the glass from her, smirking. She poked out her tongue at him and he laughed out loud.

"Now don't be mad. You have to take the medicine, sweet cheeks."

Ana just shrugged and moved to cover herself with a blanket more tightly. He moved to help her do it. She was still sitting and he was bending down above her holding the blanket, his face inches away from hers.

She glanced up at him unsurely and he smiled a little. Neither of them really knew, when they started leaning in. Their lips were practically touching, when a quiet voice brought them back to reality.

They pulled back from each other and turned their gazes on very confused Jack, standing in a doorway.

"I, uh… just wanted to check if Ana took her medicine…" the doctor mumbled and Sawyer cleared his throat, sitting back down beside her, before answering:

"Sure thing, Jacko…Here." He showed him an empty glass. Jack stared at Ana, who immediately looked away. He swallowed and nodded unconsciously leaving the scene.

Sawyer turned back to Ana, smirking. She gazed at him, frowning.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothin', chica." He responded innocently. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, smirking. "Absolutely nothin'." Sawyer added, sighing. Ana raised her eyebrows and after a while she shook her head, obviously deciding to let that go. He smiled softly at her and wrapped his arm around her. She shifted slightly and snuggled closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. His hand wandered down to her waist and he kissed her hair, rubbing her side very gently with his fingers.

The End of flashback

Ana was staring at him long and hard, as he was still grinning. She knew, what she wanted to do, but she also knew, that she couldn't.

Get yourself together, Ana… she thought and then shook her head firmly, looking away and breaking the tension between them.

"It's done. The cut is cleaned." She told him, maybe a little bit too harshly. Sawyer's grin faded and he dropped his gaze down on the floor.

"Yeah, uh… thanks."

She simply nodded and he got up from the chair.

"So uh… Can I have your phone number, Chica?" he asked her unsurely and she rolled her eyes at his old nickname.

"Sure…" Ana breathed and walked away. After a minute she turned back with a small piece of paper in her hand.

"There you go."

Sawyer took it from her and smiled softly.

"Thank you."

And with that they both exited the kitchen, making their way towards the door. He stopped in front of it and then slowly turned around.

"So, uh… I hope I see you soon." Sawyer stated quietly and she answered him with a very small, but true smile.

"Yeah…"

He nodded and then looked down, spotting the teddy-bear, that Zack had dropped earlier on the floor. He picked it up and gazed back at Ana.

"Can I… Can I keep it?"

She narrowed her eyes a little at his behavior. This just wasn't Sawyer she used to know…

"Yeah, sure… It's all yours."

"Zack's not gonna miss it?"

She laughed briefly, shaking her head.

"Nah… he's got tons of all his toys."

He smirked, nodding in understanding.

"Yeah, he probably does… "

There was a silence for a while and he started feeling uncomfortable.

He decided to take a closer look at her. She actually didn't change that much. Just her hair was longer and of course her new clothes were a positive variation to her image.

As soon as she noticed his obvious look, she cleared her throat, making him gaze up.

"You checkin' me out?"

"No, I, uh--…. Like that new jeans of yours." He tried to defend himself and she rolled her eyes at this rotten explanation. He could have found something better.

"Yeah, right…" Ana breathed and then opened the door for him.

"I'll call you." Sawyer assured her firmly and she sent him a smile. "I'll call you." He added one more time, as if to prove his point and was about to give her a hug, but stopped himself. Instead he just grabbed her soft hand and gave it a little squeeze. She barely felt any contact and he already let her go, walking out of her apartment.

And she hoped to see him again really soon…

And he knew he would come back…

…Because he is in love.

That's such a beautiful thing, isn't it?

A/N: I am glad to tell you, that it's definitely not the last chapter. There will be at least one more, at least. :) And I'll try to update as soon as I can.

Thanks to everyone for reading!