Chapter 4.

Juliet clutched the sides of the toilet bowl. Not again. So far being pregnant sucked. The morning sickness had kicked in five days ago, just as she hit the sixth week of her pregnancy. She wouldn't have minded if it only happened in the morning and not at various times throughout the day. Why the hell do they call it morning sickness? She could think of plenty other more descriptive terms to name it. James poked his head around the door, looking sympathetic and squeamish at the same time.

"Is it safe to come in?" he asked.

She nodded, flushing the toilet.

"I'm fine," she managed to get out.

He stepped into the small confines of the toilet and handed her a warm flannel. She took it from him and smiled. "I remember the time when this was the other way around and you were the one heaving in the toilet bowl and I was handing you the flannel."

James frowned. "Is that the time I got really drunk on New Year's Eve?"

"I'm surprised you remember any of that," she returned, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"I have the photos you took to remind me of it," he muttered dryly.

Her smiled widened. "You were so funny that night."

"Yeah I never heard the end of it."

Least Miles had made an even bigger ass of himself that night.

"Serve's you right for getting so drunk."

She wasn't particularly sympathetic when the cause was self inflicted. Feeling somewhat tender she raised a hand and stroked his unshaven cheek. The last 20 months had been fantastic and sort of surreal because she couldn't remember being this happy in a long while.

"It was the time you had that concussion from the cave in at the Orchid," she continued, "do you remember it?"

He smiled slowly. "That was kind of tortuous, that time."

"I remember sitting there in the chair watching you sleep and having all these sudden feelings towards you and thinking that this wasn't good."

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. His eyes meeting hers, she saw the warmth reflected there.

"It's just as well you eventually changed you're mind Blondie because you were driving me crazy," he murmured his eyes lowering to her mouth.

"I think it went both ways," she grinned.

He went to kiss her but she held her hand up to her mouth. "Spew breath … not a good idea."

~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~

Juliet had had the worst night sleep. She had spent three hours sitting there watching James sleep. Three hours of analysing these new and raw feelings she had towards him. Three hours to contemplate and remember everything she had read about him in that file Ben gave to her 20 months ago. Unfortunately she had a good memory and remembered most things but what she had read was at odds with the person she had come to know these last 16 months. Her main concern then had been about Jack. James was simply a ploy, a tool to be used in regards to Kate's feelings for him in order to manipulate Jack. James was nothing important, they hadn't even really regarded him as human. He was arrogant, cocky, rebellious and difficult, but his willingness to risk his own life to protect Kate was the first admirable quality she saw in him. A quality that had told her there was more to him. The attitude, as she found out, was just his defensive way of turning people away. In the beginning a lot of their conversations had been about trivial things. She was amazed by his pop culture references and teased him about living in front of a television set growing up. He had just replied 'that there wasn't much else to do and that he had a good memory for retaining trivial useless information.' She hazard a guess that immersing himself in the world of television was a good way to escape the trauma of what had happened to him. He made out like he didn't give a shit about finishing high school, joked he was just some dumb country hick but something about his manner told her that he wished it were different. He never talked about his parents but she knew and he knew she knew because he would often say, 'so what else was in that damn file?'

'Only facts."

"Such as?"

"You spent six months in prison, conned your way out by doing a deal with the warden, and you have a daughter called Clementine."

Then he would appear put out that she knew so much about him. He would squirm and look uncomfortable.

"I'd make a shit father," he'd muttered.

That is when she felt kind of sorry for him. When she noticed he did, intensely at times though he hid it well, dislike himself.

She had not wanted to acknowledge there was more to him, that they were in some ways similar. As time went on though she couldn't help but notice the warmth behind his gruffness, the odd moments when she'd catch the brief confusion mingled with sadness in his eyes and the way he seemed to be able to understand her own pain without asking questions. In a strange way he was able to offer comfort that she had had only from a few people in her lifetime.

"I can't do this," she murmured to herself as she looked at her pale reflection in the mirror. She couldn't afford to let herself get close to him because all of these feelings, in truth, terrified her. It was better to play it cool with him, and to see less of him.

~~~~~~~~End of flashback~~~~~~~~~~~

James felt really bad for her. She looked white as a sheet and it was all his fault. He was the one that got her pregnant. He'd had a week to get use to the idea of her being pregnant and was surprised by the sudden feelings of tenderness towards her. They hadn't talked anymore about getting married, though he had secretly ordered an engagement ring he had seen and liked in a jewellery catalogue. The downside to living on an unchartered island that was unseeable to the outside world meant it was going to take three months to get here. Should he tell her about it, maybe they should order wedding rings now and start putting some plans in motion for arranging a wedding day. Something simple and low key. He put a teaspoon of sugar in the cup of black tea and stirred it. He'd read in the pregnancy book that black tea was supposed to help settle the stomach. She had tried it and didn't mind it. Handing her the cup he sat down opposite her.

"You want something to eat?" he asked.

She shook her head.

"You should eat ya know because the morning sickness will just get worse and …"

"Did you read that in the book," she butted in.

He could tell the book pissed her off but lately quite a lot of things were pissing her off. He felt like he was walking on egg shells. Reaching out a hand he grabbed her pale one in his and squeezed it.

"Ya want me to rip the pages out one by one and start a miniature, pregnancy books only, bonfire?"

She managed a smile. "No I still get a laugh out of the pictures."

Okay, so she seemed a bit better. Did he talk about the wedding now?

"You know how you said yes about getting married the other day?" he began, hesitantly, averting his gaze from hers.

"I vaguely remember something," she replied with a wave of her hand and a half smile.

He glanced back at her seeing the playful glint in her eyes. He hadn't accounted for her mischievous streak and it had surprised him when he first saw it.

"How about ya take that vague memory and think more concretely about it, and I dunno look at setting some kind of date," he suggested.

She bit down on her lip, looking indecisive. He was beginning to feel a bit uptight, she was good at making him feel that way at times, especially in the beginning, when she was still trying so damn hard to make him believe she didn't care about him.

~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~

"What is it with Juliet?" he muttered to Miles as they walked to the dining hall.

"Why don't you ask her," Miles returned.

Three days had now passed since the night of his concussion; three frustrating days of trying to figure her out and why she was back to being the ice queen. The sudden cold shoulder treatment confused him. He had woken up the next morning after the Orchid incident, with a dull headache and some vague memories of himself throwing up in the toilet bowl and Juliet helping him back to his bed. She had been so sweet towards him. He figured he must have been dreaming and judging by her cool demeanour the next day, maybe he had been. Had he done or said something to her that night that he didn't remember? If so it must have been bad if she were now avoiding him. He was confused because he thought she cared, was maybe even starting to like him but he was obviously wrong.

"Maybe she's afraid," Miles offered.

"Of what?"

Miles turned to look at him. "Well let's face it LaFleur your track record with women to date hasn't been crash hot."

"Neither has yours," he retorted, his eyes narrowing.

Miles just shrugged, unperturbed. "You asked," he returned, moving on and pushing the door to the dining hall open. He had to accede that what Miles said made sense and he inwardly groaned. Who was he kidding anyway? Why would a smart beautiful woman like her want to go out with someone like him? He could feel the depression sink in as he grabbed a plate.

"Hi Jim," Barbara spoke from behind.

He turned to look at her.

"Hi there Sheena," he smiled.

She smiled at the nickname.

"I heard about what happened to you at the Orchid," she began, "how's your head?"

"It's fine, I'll live," he shrugged.

"That's a relief," she grinned, "Dharma just wouldn't be the same without you."

Her eyelashes fluttered and she suddenly looked really attractive. Was she flirting with him?

"I'm sure you'll survive."

"How about you sit with me and tell me all about your near brush with death," she suggested.

He wasn't really keen but he didn't know how to say no without offending her.

"Sure not that there's much to tell."

She was insistent. He sat at the table and she sat next to him. Miles was opposite and they exchanged glances. Miles shook his head.

"So how's the hair dressing salon coming along?" he asked.

"Boring," she admitted, "everyone seems in favour of long hair these days, except for Miles."

"I'm a nonconformist," Miles stated.

"Just as well or I'd be out of a job," she joked.

Miles smirked. "Glad to help you out."

Maybe he should start match making these two, they were better suited, now all he had to do was excuse himself. Soon as he finished eating, but Miles beat him to it.

"I've got to get to work," he said, getting up from the table. "I'll see you around Barbara."

"Are you going to the barn dance tonight?" she asked.

"Maybe."

Miles was gone and now he was alone with Barbara. He ate quickly. Barbara had moved closer to him.

"So what about you? Are you going to go tonight?"

He grimaced. "I don't dance."

He'd never like barn dances, glad they died a natural death in the late 80's, unfortunately they were currently very much in vogue.

"I've got to go," he continued pushing his plate away and rising to his feet.

Barbara had also stood, in too close proximity to him, and he began to feel uncomfortable. Her large brown eyes gazed into his. "You should come tonight," she murmured. "It'll be fun and you don't have to dance."

He didn't know what to say and nodded stupidly. "Maybe."

She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Maybe this might help change your mind."

He froze on the spot. She smiled and then waltzed away. What the hell was that? She was so brazen. He looked up to see Juliet standing near the food counter, her gaze fixed on him. For a moment he was mortified and it was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that it wasn't what she thought. She raised an eyebrow looking him over coolly before turning away and he stomped out of the dining hall. Let her think what she damn well wanted.

He was unbelievable, Juliet fumed, how many notches did he want on his belt? It's just as well she let her reservations control her actions. He was just a womaniser through and through. She'd been in a shitty mood all morning and took it out on the various mechanic tools she's been using, tossing them on the ground or the bench with much force. Chucking the spanner in her hand on the bench, barely missing the bottle of coke, she looked up and noticed the other mechanics watching her. She glared at them.

"What are you all staring at!" she snapped.

They quickly continued with whatever they were doing but not before she heard one of them mutter, 'she must be on her rags.'

"I heard that, and no I'm not."

She worked till late as possible that day, taking out her frustrations on as many crappy hippy vans as she could. Cursing the 70's, cursing that she was unfortunate to be stuck in them. The fashion sucked too, so did the women, still stuck in some 1950's mindset of waiting on men hand and foot. Wasn't the feminist movement supposed to happen soon?

James took his bad mood out on Phil, sending him hurrying and scurrying about the place, doing various jobs for him. He'd tried ordering Miles around as well but Miles just told him to fuck off. Jin made himself scarce, saying he hadn't finished searching the Northern valley for John Locke and the others. Once work was finished he went to the gym and put himself through some punishing schedule of running, lifting weights, running, more weights until he pulled a muscle in his back and had to spend the next two days flat on his back in bed. That didn't help with his negative frame of mind at all. He'd come to the conclusion that women were just not worth the hassle.

Juliet had that determined stubborn look on her face. She could look intimidating when she wanted, like she did right now.

"Come on Juliet, what could it hurt?"

"I'm not going Miles."

He sighed running a hand up the back of his neck having had enough of both James and her, especially James because the guy was a serious pain in the ass when he was a grouch and he had to live with the bastard. It was alright for Juliet. She lived on the other side of Dharmaville now.

"So what if you hate LaFleur, you can just ignore him for the night," Miles continued. "Besides if it makes you feel any better he pulled a muscle in his back the other day and hasn't been able to do anything and he's been miserable and grumpy since, not that that's out of the ordinary for him …"

"He hurt himself?" she asked looking suddenly concerned.

Miles felt like wringing her neck. Oh, so now she cared!

"He'll live," he replied, unsympathetically.

"How bad is it?" she continued to ask, a frown denting her smooth forehead.

"He's in some pain I guess but he takes the pain killers with a can of beer and several more cans of beer and says that helps a lot."

Juliet's frowned increased. "He's taking pain killers with alcohol? What sort of pain killers."

Miles shrugged, "I don't know, why don't you ask him?"

The cool mask had slipped somewhat and now she looked concerned.

"I bet if you come to the monopoly night tonight it'll probably cheer him up a bit."

Juliet bit down on her lip. She glanced back at Miles.

"Is Barbara going to be there?"

Miles frowned. "Why would she be there?"

Juliet blinked in surprised. "I just thought … never mind."

"So you're going to come right?"

She nodded.

******************

"Talk me out of this," she whispered to her reflection in the mirror. How did Miles talk her into coming to the monopoly night, yet again? Maybe she was just a sucker for punishment. She was still fuming from the other day and seeing Barbara kiss James. And she was far from ready to hear what he had to stay about it but it looked to be nothing much after all and maybe she had blown the whole thing out of context. Then why hadn't he spoken to her since?

Soon as she walked through the front door that night and saw him, she knew she had made a mistake in coming here. He had looked good, too damn good and despite moving a little stiffly he didn't look that worse for wear. All the resentment of the last week had bombarded her and she just could resist saying, so who's the latest harem addition now? He'd been cocky but surly, she'd been a bitch, Miles and Jin had disappeared. Then he had just pulled her into his arms and kissed her so passionately and longingly that it literally left her breathless. You don't know just how perfect you are for me, he murmured.

His breath tickled her neck. Everything turned upside down as his hands moved from her shoulders to her waist, moulding her body to his so tightly she could feel the beating of his heart. She wound her arms around his neck and buried her fingers in his hair. How was it that no man's kiss had ever made her feel this way? There really wasn't any turning back now.

When James lifted his mouth from hers, she felt bereft. Time hung suspended as he gazed at her, his eyes questioning. "Ya aint gonna avoid me anymore?"

"No, I-I don't think I can," she replied honestly in a husky voice.

Instant relief crossed his face.

"Thank god for that," he breathed and began planting teasing little kisses over every inch of exposed skin, starting at the hollow at the base of her neck. The man was driving her crazy. She couldn't remember wanting anyone so much. She felt ambushed by her desire and need and want. Her hands fumbled to undo the buttons on his shirt. Frustrated that it was taking so long she pulled the shirt apart, a stray button bouncing of his chest.

"Easy there Blondie," he drawled, a crooked smile crossing his face. "I know I'm hot but …"

She silenced him with a kiss, her tongue slipping intimately into his mouth, teasing, coaxing, making him groan. Her hands circled his waist and slowly made their way upwards through the light scattering of chest hair, her fingers lightly brushing his nipples. He drew in sharp breath.

"Do you have any idea on what you do to me?"

Of course she did.

"Stupid question," she grinned.

She could see the barely controlled passion in his eyes.

"I thought you'd want to take it slow?"

"I haven't had sex in nearly two year James, how slow do we take it?"

He looked lost for words and not giving him a chance to answer she pressed her lips against his, her hands resuming their exploration. James was obviously no longer fighting for control. He deepened the kiss, his hands doing their own exploration, now causing her to groan. He led, half lifted her towards the bedroom, reluctant to let her go so much as even an inch. Once in the bedroom, he pulled her top off, fiddled to undo her bra.

"Damn stupid things," he muttered, his breath hot against her neck.

She smiled up at him and easily unclipped it with two fingers. His hands caressed her breast, causing a low moan to escape her throat.

"You are so beautiful," he breathed in her hair, pulling it free from the confines of the scrunchie, so that is fell down loose and free over her shoulders. "That's better," he muttered huskily, his hands ploughing through her hair, lowering his mouth to hers. Legs and arms entangled they fell back on his bed and Juliet was beyond any rational thought. She just wanted him inside of her and right now. Her hands fumbled at the top button of his jeans. He groaned but had gone strangely still. Sitting back, she looked down at him. He was laid flat out on his back, not moving, a pained expression on his face. She pushed the hair out of her eyes.

"What is it?" she asked with sudden concern.

"My back," he grimaced.

In the heat of the moment she had forgotten all about his back. So had he, obviously.

"Son of a bitch," he muttered in obvious pain.

For a moment she was too stunned to speak and then she started giggling. What rotten timing … she had such bad luck. James was obviously not seeing the funny side of it.

"I'm sorry," she gasped, leaning over him, "It's just that I think I'm jinxed when it comes to stuff like this."

And she was truly sorry because he had to spend the next week in traction, and it was a month before he was in any fit state to have sex. She promised to be gentle and take it slow this time. He teased her about visiting old crazy Oldham and getting un-jinxed.

Funny thing was, that maybe waiting a month turned out to be a good thing after all. He was more vulnerable, she was more than willing to make him feel better. She spent every moment of her free time with him. They spent hours talking, cuddling and just enjoyed being together.

~~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~

James was surprised to come home from work to a spotless house and the smell of something delicious cooking on the stove top. Not much of that had been happening the last several weeks as Juliet battled through her morning sickness. Maybe this was a sign she was getting over it. At least he hoped. She appeared in the doorway wearing jeans and the purple halter neck top he liked so much. There was some colour in her cheeks for a change and she appeared to be wearing lip gloss. She looked so damn pretty that he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. He tripped over the rug as he approached her, a hairs breath away from knocking her favourite crystal vase off the buffet.

"You right there Mr Klutz," she grinned.

He knew she loved it when she got even with him.

"Ha ha, so what's the special occasion?" he asked, finally reaching her.

"It's the end of my first trimester and I've not thrown up for three whole days."

He leaned forward to kiss her. "That's a relief," he grinned, "no more spew breath."

"And they have officially put me in charge of the maternity ward at the hospital."

He was impressed but not surprised and kind of glad she was no longer working in the motor pool with all those men. "So they should after you delivered baby Ethan."

They both went still, that name causing an uneasy silence between them.

"And you're happy with this?"

She smiled and nodded. "At present it seems women can safely have their babies on the island and now that I'm feeling better I think we should set the wedding date."

He looked at her surprised. She had barely discussed that these last two months.

"How about three weeks?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miles and Jin were still sitting on the step outside the front of the house. Jin had launched into a lengthy discussion on the art of fishing but Miles was only half listening. Fishing wasn't his thing. His mind was pre-occupied with figuring out a pick up line to use when he next saw Barbara and hoping she was over her infatuation with LaFleur.

"Been quiet for a while now," Jin spoke.

Miles turned to look at the front door. "Think it's safe to go in?"

Jin nodded and they made their way inside the house.

Miles eyes scanned the room. "Where did they go?"

His gaze met Jin's.

Jin grinned. "About time."

Juliet suddenly emerged from the passage way looking flustered, hair all messy, her face flushed.

Miles and Jin looked at her startled for a moment.

"What the …" Miles began.

"Um it's James," she stammered, trying to smooth her hair down with her hands in an attempt to regain some composure. "H-He's hurt his back and it's bad."

"How did he hurt his back?" Miles enquired unable to hide the grin.

Juliet's face went a deeper shade of red. He'd never seen her this way before. This was amusing but he better not tease her too much. LaFleur was another thing all together. They went into the bedroom and he looked down at James, shaking his head.

"What is she too much woman for you to handle LaFleur?" he quipped.

James glared up at him. "Shut up Miles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: I probably should finish there. Sorry about the long chapter but I just can't help myself sometimes. I hope you enjoy it and get a bit of a laugh. Please review and let me know what you think.