Episode: Recon

III.

The spunky brunette joins Sayid on the fallen log, though he doesn't even seem to notice. He's too busy starring blankly at the ground, his mind just as blank as the view.

"Do believe Locke?" Kate asks, just trying to find something to say.

Sayid grits his teeth like he's in pain and the act of producing words just causes him further discomfort. "What do you mean?"

It's been deathly slow with everyone seemingly just waiting for something to happen. She's glad to have the conversation partner. "That he can get us off the island." She kicks some dirt around with her shoes and that captures more of Sayid's attention then her voice.

"Yes," he manages, "I believe him." He flashes her a sideways glance to show a vague hint of honesty in his reply.

Kate throws him a worried look and Sayid glares back towards the ground, trying to avoid eye contact. He doesn't want her to see him like this.

"Sayid," she moves closer and places her hand on his, "are you alright."

He notices something approaching the brunette from behind but decides not to mention it. It's not worth the energy of having to speak, for even talking is a chore when you are dead inside. He pulls his hand back from hers.

"No."

Kate is grasped from around the shoulders and pulled backward, causing her to tumble to the ground. Claire spins her around onto her back and straddles the woman, using her knees to pin her arms above her chest.

"Claire!" Kate cries out. She moans when a knife is pressed deep into her neck.

Sayid sees the blade make contact with her flesh and looks on with a mild curiosity.

"Sayid, please!"

Suddenly Locke is there, pulling Claire up by the arm. Sayid turns back, losing what little interest in the proceeding he had. Kate gets to her knees and rubs her neck while coughing.

"She took him!" Claire screams, her voice full of bottled anger and hate. "She took Aaron!"

"Claire, you had disappeared," Locke reminds her. There is an authority in his voice but also a trace of manipulation, like he's watering an already planted seed. "She did what she had to do."

"She took Aaron! She can't just do this!"

Locke's hand sends Claire's face reeling to the left, leaving a red hand print on her cheek. Kate looks appalled at the entire scene with her mouth held agape in disbelief. Sayid had stopped watching long ago.

"This is completely inappropriate!" Locke grabs her by the shoulders and holds her firmly in place. "Now you go over there," he motions to a clearing in the jungle, "I'll deal with you in a minute."

Claire's eyes are fixed down like a child who has just been caught misbehaving. She gives Kate an apologetic look before disappearing behind the trees.

Locke sighs like a disappointed father and turns his attention to Kate. "You alright?"

It comes bitterly and Kate can't help but to snort sarcastically at the question. "No! I'm not alright!" She turns and walks off herself, wanting to be alone. It's been three long years, she didn't expect the happy reunion like you'd see on TV but she doesn't even recognize Claire anymore. It's like she turned into... something else.

Locke pats Sayid on the back. "How are you holding up?"

Sayid looks up with his eyes while keeping his head tilted down, there is a pain evident on his face and his breathing is labored. "I can't feel anything."

"Good," Locke responds cheerfully giving him a nod and a smile, "it'll help you get through what's coming next." He looks like he's about to add something but just saunters off towards Claire.

Sayid is alone again and grateful for it. If he cared what came next Locke's words would have provided a small measure of relief. But he doesn't. For the moment he's just glad to have Kate gone. It was almost worth letting Claire slash her throat if it would have ended her forced conversation and looks of pity. All he has now is his thoughts, and luckily for him they are silent.