Chapter 7

The mood on the beach had been stilted and tense. There had already been division between those who wanted to keep trying to signal for help, and those who wanted to find a better shelter and safety, even if it meant moving away from the beach. The group for shelter and safety had gained quite a few members since Jack, Charlie, Kate, and Matt had returned from their hike with news of the pilot's unexplained demise, and tensions had only increased.

"Hey," Jack said, settling into the sand next to Matt, who was stretched out, his feet dangling in the water.

"Hey yourself," Matt said back, smiling as he twisted his head to face Jack better. "How are you doing?"

"A little thrown by that radio transmission," Jack admitted, slipping his shoes off and digging his toes into the sand.

"Definitely more than a little freaky." Matt nodded. "The whole 'we're not the only ones here' is more disconcerting than reassuring, I think."

"Couldn't agree with you more." Jack eyed his shoes before turning back to Matt. "You up for a little hike? I could use some time away from everyone else's tension."

"Sounds perfect." Matt smiled, slipping his feet back into his shoes before springing up. "Race you! Loser has to pick the bananas!" Matt took off running, and Jack laughed, fumbling on his shoes before chasing after him.

"You do not play fair!" Jack called, lengthening his stride and catching Matt, lunging forward and tackling him to the ground. They rolled over in the sand, Jack ending up on top, staring down into Matt's face. Jack's breath came fast, his hands tangled in Matt's shirt, revealing a small sliver of Matt's toned stomach. Matt slowly and tentatively reached his hand up, gently brushing the sand from Jack's hair.

"Where are you guys off to?" Kate's voice rang out loudly, and Jack instantaneously stood up, leaving Matt to lift himself off the ground.

"Taking a hike. You should come too," Jack said, and Matt bit his lip, his hands dropping to his sides. Kate glanced between the two men before nodding, following the two men up the beach.

"So Matt, where exactly are you from?" Kate asked, as they headed towards a nearby hill.

"Los Angeles," Matt said, offering her a smile. "You?"

"Kind of everywhere lately," Kate said, and Matt nodded. "Crazy family stuff."

"I can understand that," Matt answered, and Kate tilted her head towards him. "My parents died when I was a teenager, and I raised my little sister. It wasn't always easy, but it was always worth it."

"When I was little, I always wanted a brother," Kate said, a wistful smile spreading across her face. "I would have been lucky to have a big brother like you."

"I'll be your island big brother," Matt said with a smile. "Even though I think we're the same age, but hey, doesn't matter, right?" He slung an arm around Kate's shoulder and she let out a loud laugh, causing Jack to turn around. His eyes landed on Matt's arm around Kate, and he walked back towards them, standing close to Matt. Reaching up, Jack brushed Matt's hair back from his forehead, lightly running his fingers over the still-red scar darkening Matt's skin.

"It's healing really well," Jack said, and Matt smiled.

"Well, I did have the best doctor on the planet to take care of me," Matt said, and Jack smiled back.

"At least the best doctor on this island," Jack laughed. He took a step backwards and suddenly froze, the loud crunch mixed with an instantaneous buzzing sending shivers up everyone's spines.

"Don't move," Matt said softly. "Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to switch places with you and-"

"No!" Jack said firmly. "There's no way I'm letting you risk getting hurt."

"Yeah, well I don't like the option where you get stung by a billion bees either," Matt answered, eyes full of worry.

"Why don't we try putting a heavy rock or something on the hive, as soon as Jack steps off?" Kate suggested calmly, and both men turned their heads to look at her.

"Cool in a crisis Kate," Matt said, flashing Kate a smile. "Let's do it. I'll drop the rock." Jack opened his mouth, but Matt put a hand up. "You're not in a position to stop me, so don't bother arguing." Scanning the ground, Matt stooped down and picked up a large rock, cradling it in both hands as he moved to stand next to Jack. He met Jack's eyes, and held them. "Ready?" Jack nodded, and jumped off the hive, Matt dropping the rock.

Most of the bees were squashed back into their hive, but the rest slipped out, and headed straight for the trio. "Run!" Jack yelled, grabbing Matt's hand and pulling him along, Kate close behind.

"Shit!" Matt yelled, feeling the stingers prick his back and neck, gathering under his shirt. They finally stumbled into a set of caves. No one even paused to look around, as the three ripped their shirts off and swatted at the bees still flocking around them.

Jack's gaze was drawn to Matt, who stood near the center of the cave, sweat-soaked bare chest heaving, head thrown back and throat working furiously to draw in much-needed breath. Kate stood to the side, in her bra, shirt hung forgotten at her side, as she watched Jack watch Matt. Matt turned his head, and his gaze landed on Jack, Matt's eyes following a drop of sweat down into the waistband of Jack's jeans.

"You ok?" Jack asked Matt softly, crossing the space between them. Matt nodded, his hand extending to hover over a sting on Jack's stomach.

"Are you ok?" he asked Jack.

"Look!" Kate said suddenly, pointing to a break in the cave wall, where two skeletons lay curled in the space. The trio stepped closer, peering down at the ancient bones.

"People lived here," Jack said softly. "We could live here." He turned to Matt. "Would you come with me?"

"No question," Matt said. "I'm with you."