Sorry for the long wait but I just went back to school and there's so much work, I barely have time to write anymore. Thanks so much for all the reviews! And I hope you all enjoy this chapter...

"Jack, the papers are all filled out--they're already sent in. In less then a month the marriage is officially over."

"What if I don't want it to be over?" He asked softly, taking a step towards me whilst I subconsciously took a step back.

"We dated for a long time, Jack." I replied, ignoring his question for he wouldn't like my answer, "And the day we got married--it was the happiest day of my life. Even though it was on a whim and it was so unlike us, it was incredible. But then..."

I paused, causing Jack to flinch since he already knew what I was about to say. I sighed heavily, and keeping my voice steady, finished, "But then your ex-girlfriend came back."

I closed my eyes briefly and thought back to everything that he had done to me. How after only one week of marriage his ex had gotten back in touch with him. How I had soon found them together and the sight ripped my heart in two. How he had confessed he was still madly in love with her--with Kate--and that he wouldn't have married me if he knew she was coming back into his life.

"Juliet, you know I'm sorr--" Jack began but I put my hand up in order to stop him midsentence, "You were the one who asked for the divorce papers. You were the one who wanted to end this--and that's what's going to happen."

It was, without a doubt, true: Jack had been the one to ask for the divorce. He had a plan that he would leave me, start a life with his ex, and live happily ever after. But instead, he filed the divorce papers and a few days later, Kate explained that she wasn't ready for a relationship and left Jack in the dark. Somehow, he and I remained friends and despite his disloyalty and my anger towards him, we had became closer than ever--until right now--now it felt as if our whole friendship began to unravel within the few short moments of conversation.

"I think you'd better leave now, Jack." I ordered softly, and not until he got into his car and drove off, did I realize I had no way of getting home.

"Son of a bitch..." I cursed under my breath, now angry at myself for so eagerly hopping onto James' motorcycle as opposed to simply taking my own car.

"You okay, dude?" A large, fairly tall man asked suddenly as he approached me, "I overheard you and your like, husband, fighting."

"We weren't fighting." I argued snippily, "And he's not my husband."

"Whatever dude, just tryin' to help." He said whilst shrugging, and I let out a deep breath before explaining, "Right. Sorry, I just...it's been a long day. And now I have no way of getting home."

"No problem, I'll bring you home." He stated casually and upon noticing the look of unsureness mounted on my face, he added, "Don't worry, I'm not a like, psycho killer or anything."

"Well then, I guess I can't say no, can I?" I said reluctantly, not fully trusting the man I had just met but I did need a ride home--and he did seem like a genuinely nice guy.

"Names Hugo by the way--friends call me Hurley." He said happily, leading me to his car and graciously opening up my door.

"Juliet." I introduced whilst climbing onto the seat. He then asked for the directions to my home and after giving them to him, I asked, "So what's your story, Hugo? I'd tell you mine but I wouldn't want you to fall asleep behind the wheel."

"I live with my parents, and I have a girlfriend named Libby--well she's not actually my girlfriend, I just met her--but she's awesome."

His rambling continued for the few minutes it took to arrive at my home--He told me everything from his new job at Mr. Cluck's to his father who had just came back into his life. When we pulled into my driveway, I gave Hugo a friendly smile and stated, "Thank you for the ride."

"No problem, dude, it was my pleasure." He answered and I then slowly got out of the vehicle and made my way towards the front door.

"So...? How did the date go?" Rachel asked singsongingly immediately as I turned the doorknob and strode inside.

"It didn't." I said plainly, and when I noticed her eyes grow wide, I added precautiously, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Come on, Jules!" She prodded, "I want to know what happened. I really thought you two would hit it off."

"Oh, we did. Me and James got along just fine, that is, before Jack came along and scared him off." I replied casually, trying to make the subject seem more lighthearted than it was serious.

"Jack showed up?" Rachel said as more of a statement than a question, "Well I'm sure he didn't ruin your date on purpose."

I refrained from commenting but by the look on my face, Rachel evidently knew to 'drop the subject' and instead stated, "Don't forget I'm going to Penny's wedding tomorrow. Can you still drop off Julian in the morning?"

"Of course." I answered quickly, relieved at the change in subject, "How do you know Penny again?"

"She moved here from Britain with her fiance and we became friends, you don't remember that? I think you've even met her and Des once or twice."

I opened my mouth to respond but before I could the phone rang and Rachel bolted up to get it. I breathed out deeply as I watched her walk away, wondering how the day had somehow went from good to treacherous. And as I then made my way to the bathroom to run a hot bath, all I could think about was James.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next day I dropped Julian off at daycare as I was told and just as I was about to leave, I heard a familair voice.

"Blondie." I heard a man say gruffly, and I swiftly turned around as he joked, "Not only do ya got a husband but ya got a kid I don't no 'bout either?"

"James?" I asked surprised, "No. I was just dropping off my sister's--" I started to explain softly but chuckled and interupted, "Calm down, sweetheart. I know you're just here with Julian."

I nodded and when he grinned, I smiled faintly back before deciding to explain, "About yesterday...I'm in the middle of getting a divorce. It's not something I like to talk about--and it isn't something you should worry about. Jack's just a friend and I know some people think you can't be friends with your ex but I really don't feel anything towards him anymore--"

"No need to explain yourself." James began, thankfully cutting off my incessant rambling, "I got a friend who's an ex too."

I sighed happily, glad that he was so willing to uderstand before he added, "I shoulda' let ya say all this last night instead a' just leavin' ya there...Maybe we can take a raincheck?"

"I'm free now." I suggested, giving him a sly smile and he nodded slowly, "I got time."

It was only a good ten minutes later when we arrived at our destination: the Santa Monica Beach. As soon as we both set foot on the hot, grainy sand, James suggested, "Ready for a swim?"

"I didn't bring my suit." I said plainly, and while looking at me quizzically and raising his eyebrows, James said, "Why hell, Blondie, you're the one who suggested the beach. What did ya think, we were gonna sit 'round makin' sandcastles?"

"Fine. I guess I can wear these clothes in the water." I decided since I was only wearing a casual, simple outfit.

"I was thinkin' ya wear nothin' at all but I guess those clothes'll do." He shrugged, causing me to laugh heartily, shaking my head as I tossed off my shoes and started towards the ocean. Once I reached the clear, frigid water I turned to see James following suit: smiling and shirtless. He looked gorgeous--the picture perfect version of what every girl in her right mind wants.

James then swam up to me, grinnning with his charming dimples and asked, "Ya come to the beach often?"

"Not as much as I'd like." I said honestly, "I used to all the time when I was little--I grew up in Miami and me and my sister would go almost every day."

"Why don't ya do it anymore then?" He asked and I shook my head and answered simply, "Never have time."

"Well make time." He countered in the same tone of voice, "Ya only live once an' ya might as well enjoy it."

"You a philosopher now?" I retorted with a smile and as he flipped his wet hair back he answered, "Nah, but I sure as hell know how to have a good time."

"I'll be the judge of that." I stated and when he gave me a strange look, I asked, "What?"

"Let's race."

"Race?" I asked skeptically, "What are you, five?"

"Scared you'll lose, huh Jules?" He laughed which caused me to roll my eyes and state, "Fine. First one to the booey and back wins."

James smiled mischievously and nodded, before we both started to swim as fast as we possibly could.

A few minutes later, whilst I was only a few feet behind James, I suddenly got caught by a riptide and acting on impulse, I quickly splashed and thrusted, trying to escape.

"Sawyer!" I screamed as loudly as I could, "Sawyer! Help!"