A/N: This chapter goes to aurora1020 and gemini ebo who both requested a James jealousy chapter and especially to my friend gemini ebo for her help with ideas on this chapter. Please excuse the grammatical errors. Its school holidays over here in Australia and my three children have been harassing me all the time! So my editing hasn't been the best or the fluidity of my ideas. Not to mention I made all these editing changes which I somehow managed to accidentally delete. Arghh!

Chapter 5.

The new maternity ward at the hospital made a nice change from the motor pool. Delivering Amy's baby had been a release for Juliet, a welcomed release. After all those years of seeing women die in childbirth on this island, it was nice to know that it was now a thing of her past, or was that future? Being pregnant made her more sympathetic towards the other pregnant ladies, not that there was that many. Especially since the incident at the Swan station when stupid Radinsky had drilled into the electro magnetic pocket of energy causing anything metallic to be sucked into the chasm. All women and children had been evacuated from the island but she had refused to leave. James had been angry with her, had even raised his voice.

"You will get on that sub Juliet, in case you haven't realised but you are pregnant!" "I'm not taking those sedatives whilst I'm in the early stages of my pregnancy," she'd calmly replied watching him run an agitated hand through his hair, seeing the scowl on his face. "I gotta get back to the swan station," he muttered giving her a passing glance before stomping towards the front door. She hated the thought of him out there, but she still felt annoyed by him raising his voice. "At least stay in the house," he said over his shoulder. "Be careful," she called after him. Then she had paced the lounge room floor for most the day, anxiously waiting for him to return.

The incident was contained with a lot of cement and the hatch, hastily built. The infamous computer and button pushing was put into operation. It was weird seeing, hearing in her case, it all unfold in front of them, when they knew the future. Knowing that one day Desmond would be down in that hatch, pushing that button every 108 minutes before flight 815 crashes on the island.

"Do you think it'll happen again?" Juliet had asked James on the day the swan hatch had been officially opened. They were lying back on the bed, neither of them able to sleep, both thinking the same things.

"The incident always happened in 1977, I guess that'll mean the other things could happen too," he hesitantly replied.

"Think we'll see our younger selves when we are older?"

He rolled over on his side facing her. She didn't miss seeing the sudden worry in his eyes. She knew he didn't like to discuss the future.

"Who knows," he shrugged.

She didn't like thinking about it either, because it frightened her and it reminded her of the bizarreness of their whole being here to begin with.

Since the hatch had become operational, slowly the women and children were beginning to come back to the island. Life moved on and now here she was 13 weeks pregnant, about to get married in five weeks and it was December 1977. And she was living this cosy little life with a man that she deeply loved and loved her in return and she was blissfully happy and ignored the little voice in her head that said but for how long? She ran her hands over her stomach that was still relatively flat at this stage.

"Are you sure there's a baby in there," James had joked the other day, his hand resting on her tummy, "you're not just yanking my chain."

They were lying back in bed reading, James too before deciding to direct his attention to her.

"Just you wait," she had smiled in return, "soon I'll be out here," she continued, holding her hands in front of her.

"I can't wait to see that," he grinned, "then I get to tease you right?"

She gave a look that said otherwise.

"I look more pregnant than you," he said, sounding disgruntled.

"Says who?"

"Miles."

Juliet laughed. "As if and why do you always let what he says bother you?"

"I didn't say it bothered me," he frowned.

Juliet just shook her head and returned her attention to her book.

The door opened, breaking Juliet out of her reverie and she looked up to see Derek enter, carrying an armful of medical supplies. He had taken the position as the new surgeon on the island two months ago and much to James' chagrined seemed to have taken a liking to her.

"Hi Derek," she smiled.

He grinned in return. "Hi there Juliet, you're looking particularly pretty today."

His gaze wandering from her toes up to her face. He said that most days. You know I'm pregnant right? She felt like telling him and that I'm with someone.

"Anytime LaFleur stuffs up you know I'm available."

She hadn't mentioned that to James. James didn't tend to deal with his jealousy all that well. The thought had no sooner left her mind and who should next walk through the door, but James himself. He came at this time everyday to make sure she had eaten lunch. His concern was touching and even though they had been together this long, she could still feel the heat suffix her face at the sight of him. He smiled at her and then frowned when he saw Derek. 'What sort of goofy name is Derek anyway,' he'd muttered the other day. 'He's kind of cute,' she had replied just to see his reaction.

Derek was in the middle of putting the medical supplies away.

"Hi Jim," he acknowledged.

"Derek."

James put his arms around her, in a possessive way and she felt like kicking him.

"Hey there Sunshine have you eaten lunch yet?" he asked, nuzzling her neck.

She pulled back and gave him a 'don't start' look, which he completely ignored.

"No."

He smiled. "Great, neither have I, now you can join me."

She rolled her eyes. James turned to Derek. "Is that alright with you boss."

"Sure," Derek replied with a dismissive wave.

James put his arm around her.

"Hey you know Juliet and I are getting married," he declared and Juliet gave him an incredulous look. "In five weeks," he continued ignoring her look again.

Derek stopped what he was doing and glanced at them. "Congratulations," he stammered, his eyes resting on Juliet.

"Thanks," Juliet replied, grabbing James by the hand and yanking him out of the infirmary.

No sooner were they out the door and she rounded on him. "What was that all about?"

He shrugged, looking vague. "What?"

"You getting all jealous."

"I'm just letting him know you're my girl," he replied as if that were perfectly normal and right.

You're my girl. That made her smile.

"We're not in high school James."

"Yeah well I'm not going through what you put me through with Mr Hot Mechanic last year," he muttered as if the whole memory of that time left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"What I put you through," she gasped eyes widening in disbelief, "don't you mean what you put us through."

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

It was a Friday afternoon. Miles, Jin, James and Juliet were sitting on the front porch eating pizza, drinking beer. Juliet was sipping on a glass of white wine a look of contentment on her face as if she'd just worked a hard day and deserved a drink. There was still grease smudged on her cheek. James tried rubbing it off with his thumb.
"Such a grot, you couldn't wash before ya came," he teased, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "It's only been six months and ya getting slack already."

"You smelt under your arms yet," she returned.

He frowned and did just that. She laughed and shook her head.

"Anyone seen the new heart throb?" Miles asked with a mouthful of food. "Damn but it's going to be harder to get a girl now, apparently his abs are hotter than Jin's."

"I saw him at the gym," Jin spoke. "He is very fit."

"Good on him," James added, reaching across for a slice of pizza.

"He has these killer blue eyes, with dark lashes," Juliet said.

James frowned at her.

"Jane's exact words," she continued. "And a smile to die for."

"Jane's words again?" James enquired, nonchalantly as possible.

"No I noticed that," she replied with a quick smile.

"When did you see him?" James asked, still frowning.

"He works at the motor pool," she shrugged finishing her glass of wine.

"He does huh," James mumbled, not liking the thought of that.

"What's he like?" Miles asked as if sensing James' concern and wanting to capitalise on it.

"He's actually very nice and friendly," Juliet replied.

"How friendly?" James asked gruffly.

Juliet just laughed, resting her hand on his arm. "Don't be silly, he's not going to look twice at me."

Those words didn't reassure him. It sometimes annoyed him that she was totally unaware of how beautiful she was.

"I need another glass of wine," she continued, going inside the house.

Miles looked up at him.

"How does it feel LaFleur? No longer being the top spunk of Dharmaville?"

James took a swig of his beer. "Great."

And it was kind of a relief, except for the part about the so called new hunk working in the motor pool alongside Juliet. Still he wasn't that fussed. Things were going from strength to strength with Juliet and they just continued to grow closer together. He had subtly mentioned about them moving in together. She hadn't got back to him on that one yet, did it mean he should ask her again. Perhaps she had just forgotten about it or maybe she didn't want him to move in with her? He ignored the last part of that thought.

He got to see the new guy for himself the following day and yeah he was something else. Guessed chicks would dig a guy who looked like a Greek god. The wavy dark hair, the killer blue eyes, perfect nose, the smile to die for and the best physique to ever grace Dharmaville. But he wasn't worried. Didn't worry at all until he noticed the way the new heart throb looked and smiled at Juliet.

It was a Monday evening. He was at Juliet's house playing two handed patience. She had cooked spaghetti. They had nearly drunk a whole bottle of wine and he tried not to mention the new guy, but failing miserably.

"So how is Mr Good-looking at the motor pool?"

"Paul?"

"Yeah him," he said, lightly, placing a card down on to the pack.

Juliet peered at him over the top of her cards.

"He knows what he's doing, that makes a nice change," she replied.

Great, now he added smart to the long list of his attributes.

"So he hasn't tried to crack on to you yet?"

Juliet lowered her cards and looked at him, a frown denting her smooth forehead.

"Are you jealous?" she asked, getting straight to the point.

He just shrugged and half laughed saying. "No way, I just noticed the way he looked at you the other day."

"Looked at me?" she asked in disbelief. "Like how?"

"Like he likes ya."

Juliet shook her head, a bemused smile crossing her face. "James you know I adore you right?"

He glanced up at her, a tinge of red creeping into his cheeks. "Yeah sure." But she still hadn't asked him to move in with her yet. "I adore you too." And he did but he still had his moments of insecurity because he couldn't always figure out what she saw in him?

"Then you have no cause to be jealous."

Margaret emerged from her bedroom wearing black leggings and a pink leotard that seriously hurt his eyes, hair and make-up perfect.

"I'm off to the gym," she spoke, slinging a towel over her shoulder.

"Have fun," Juliet grinned.

James watched her exit the door. He looked back at the wide smile crossing Juliet's face.

"Don't tell me, Mr hotshot there?"

Juliet nodded.

"I'll have to go to the gym when he ain't there now."

"Since when do you go to the gym?"

"Since of today."

Every muscle in his body still ached. And after comparing his own physique to that of the island idol, his wasn't looking that crash hot. The ten pounds he'd put on since giving up smoking four months ago, didn't help. He didn't even have a two pack, let alone a six pack, or maybe even a no pack for that matter.

"We have the house to ourselves," Juliet said, flinging the cards down on the table, a wicked glean in her eyes. "Margaret's gone and she won't be back for at least an hour."

James needed no further prompting, his own vanity forgotten along with any thoughts of the new hot mechanic as they rushed to the bedroom, pulling off shoes and clothes along the way.

********

Over the next week he made himself known to the new mechanic. Made sure the guy knew that Juliet was with him, taking lunch to her every second day, that sort of thing. This day was no exception but when he reached the motor pool Juliet was no where to be seen.

"You're looking for Juliet," a man asked and he turned around to see Paul.

"Yeah."

"She had to go out to the Orchid, a van's broken down out there," he explained wiping his hands on a rag. "Is that her lunch?"

"Uh yeah."

"I'll pass it on to her."

James nodded, feeling awkward. "Okay."

He handed the paper bag to him.

"She's some lady hey," he said taking the bag from him. "I think you've managed to snare the only good looking woman on this island with some common sense."

"Yeah she has a lot of that."

Just as well too.

Paul smiled. "So how long have you two being going out?" he casually enquired.

"Six months," he replied.

"That all."

James frowned. What did he mean by 'that all'?

"We've known each other for years," he added. "We're very close."

Did he say more? Did he placing greater emphasis on how close they were?

The jealousy didn't really raise it's ugly head until the evening he saw the two of them sitting, much to close for his comfort, on the steps at the front of the motor pool looking deep in conversation. He was obviously talking about something that was bothering him judging by the sad expression on his face. Juliet reached over and squeezed his hand and James felt like he'd been kicked in the guts. Since when did they get so buddy buddy? They hadn't seen him and spinning around he headed back to his house, hurt, confused, angry and scared. He slammed the front door behind him as he went inside startling Miles who was making out with Barbara on the couch.

"You right there LaFleur," he called out annoyed.

James ignored him. Went into the kitchen and reached for the bottle of bourbon in the top cupboard. Beer just didn't cut it. He needed something stronger. He was on his third bourbon when there was a knock on the door. Her heard Juliet's voice. "Hi Miles, sorry to disturb you, is James here?"

He tipped the rest of the bourbon down the sink, his heart hammering in his chest. It was cool, he could play it down. He filled the glass up with water just as Juliet walked into the kitchen an apologetic expression on her face. "Sorry I'm so late, I got caught up at the …"

"Don't sweat it, it's fine," he shrugged sculling the glass of water.

She smiled sweetly and wove her arms around him, smelling of apple shampoo, her still damp hair curling around her shoulders. He tried hugging her back but what he saw tonight still ate away at him. He pulled back. "I'm tired tonight, I was gonna go to bed early anyway."

He saw the puzzlement in her eyes. "Bad night sleep last night," he continued as if that explained it.

"Oh, okay," she stammered.

He lightly and briefly caressed his cheek, keeping his expression neutral.

"No hard feelings?"

"No," she hesitantly replied an uncertain smile crossing her face before it vanished.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

He led her to the front door, kissed her goodnight, reassured he'd be back to his usual self tomorrow and watched he walk away, a tight feeling constricting in his chest.

********

Everything wasn't right the next morning. The doubt was still there is full force. He'd rolled over in bed groaning, pulling the pillow over his head. Just confront her about it he chided himself, stop torturing yourself like this. Maybe the other guy, what's his face, was better for her and he at least had a trade, unlike him. He was just a high school drop out. And what did she see in him again? She hadn't mentioned moving in together either, maybe she was having doubts? Maybe she wasn't as committed to this relationship as him. His frame of mind didn't improve over the course of the day, and he agreed to work the evening shift for Phil, much to Phil's shock, just so he wouldn't have to see Juliet.

********

Juliet was distracted the next day. James has been acting so odd and she didn't know why. Last night she didn't see him at all. That had been a first in the whole six months they'd been together. Then when she went to his house Miles had answered the door and told her James was doing the late shift. She was surprised considering he'd worked all day and she knew him well enough by now to know he only worked double shifts when something serious was bothering him. She was tempted to see him but thought better of it, maybe he just needed space to sort out whatever was going on with him. She still couldn't help but think it was to do with her. Had she done or said something to upset him? Not having him around or any contact with him left her feeling bereft. She missed him and would like nothing more than to share house with him, but what about Margaret? She would have to move out and Juliet felt bad about that. Waking up to James lying alongside her every morning would be wonderful. His warmth and affection filled the hollow void left by her ex-husband. James made her feel beautiful, special and valued and that is why she loved him so much. Until the other night that was, when he said he was too tired, saw her to the door and kissed her lightly on the lips and she had felt rebuffed and confused. It just wasn't like him.

Juliet tugged at the wrench. Damn bolt wouldn't unscrew. Pulling harder at it she let out a string of swear words. Suddenly it came loose and she fell back on her ass, her hand catching on the sharp ragged tear alongside the metal hull of van she was working on. Blood poured out everywhere and grabbed an oily rag Juliet wrapped it around her hand. It hurt and she bit down on her lip to stop the tears. Paul rushed over to her side.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his eyes falling to the blood on the ground and to the now bloody rag wrapped around her hand. It was bleeding a lot.

"Let me see," he continued gently removing the rag. A nasty deep gash two to three inches long ran from the base of her thumb to her wrist. Looking at it made her feel faint.

"You need to get to the infirmary and have it stitched up."

She nodded. He wrapped the rag back around her hand and she noted the concern in his eyes. As much as she found his attention flattering, he wasn't James. Maybe if she wasn't so in love with James she would almost consider being friendly with him. Despite his good looks, he had a personality and the story he had told her the other night about his wife dying touched her. It must have been tough for him. He said that is why he was here, to escape.

"I can take myself there," she murmured. Last thing she needed was James to see her with Paul.

His jealously had surprised her. How could he at all doubt her? Or was it those own issues he had with his self esteem being the problem again. She wished he'd just get over it.

She went to move but her legs felt wobbly and she would have fallen over if Paul hadn't caught her.

"Whoa," he began, "I think I better go with you."

He still had hold of her and he led her down the steps of the motor pool.

"I should drive you there," he suggested, "in case you pass out."

Juliet nodded, and looked up to see a jeep pull in. She felt much relief to see James behind the steering wheel. A warmth spread through her at the sight of him. Getting out of the jeep he approached them, his eyes darting from her to Paul, his expression suddenly becoming guarded.

"What happed to you?" he asked his gaze resting on her pale face.

"I cut my hand," she replied, his voice sounding wobbly.

His expression softened and she waited for him to pull her into his arms, like he'd normally do but looking into his eyes, she saw the uncertainty there. Why are you not holding me?

"Juliet needs stitches," Paul spoke, "you should take her to the infirmary."

James glanced down at his watch, tapping it with his finger.

"Love to but I have a meeting with Horace right now," he said lightly, handing the keys to Paul, "you'll have to take her."

Juliet was too stunned to speak for a moment, even Paul seemed surprised. She could barely suppress her disappointment. Screw Horace. Couldn't he wait? She gave him an incredulous look, he averted his gaze.

"I'll catch you later," he said under his breath before turning her away, "to see how ya going."

Don't bother she felt like yelling after this retreating back and fighting back the tears.

******

Juliet had sat there quietly as the doctor stitched up her hand. She was still reeling from James' lack of concern and his refusal to take her to the infirmary. What was his problem? She didn't get it. Was she just girlfriend number eight after all? When she left here she was going to find him and demand an answer.

******

James had just opened a can of beer from the fridge feeling like a first class ass. What the hell was he doing? He knew he'd hurt her by not taking her to the infirmary and hadn't missed seeing the confusion mingled with pain in her eyes before walking away. And he was miserable. He needed to see her and just talk to her. Tell her how he felt. She meant too much for him to screw things up. A knock on the door startled him and he went to answer it. Juliet stood there looking pissed off and he was left speechless for a moment. She stormed past him, slamming the door behind her making him jump.

Her gaze searched his face and he could see the range of emotions on hers; from hurt to anger.

"I admit I'm a jerk," he muttered, shifting uncomfortably.

"So what gives James," she got out through gritted teeth. "I'm just some notch on your belt as well? I'm just girlfriend number eight? You get some kind of kick out of it …"

"No!" he protested, shocked. "How could you think that?"

She blinked. "You've been acting like suddenly you don't want to know or care about me," she faltered and he could hear the hurt in her voice. "What am I suppose to think?"

"It's not that …" he began running a hand through his dishevelled hair.

"You think you're the only one who's afraid here?" she demanded, her eyes direct and challenging. "You think that I'm not scared of you screwing some pretty young girl behind my back? Think that it didn't hurt when Edmund did that to me?"

He could see the tears gathering in her eyes and he felt even worse. What did he say?

"I'm sorry." It didn't really seem enough.

She was rubbing her arms and James wished he sometimes had more faith in himself, wished he could promise he'd never hurt her.

Placing his hands on her shoulders he gently rubbed them.

"I'm sorry that I was such an ass Juliet," he murmured gazing down at her. "Ya know I love you and the only reason I've been such a jerk was because I saw you with whats his face the other night and I felt threatened." His voice trailed away there. You're an idiot, he chided.

He swallowed hard and looked away from her direct questioning gaze. "I should have told ya that night instead of making some dumb ass excuse that I was tired."

There was a brief moment of silence before Juliet wove her arms around him, pressing her body up against hers. His relief was instant. She wasn't mad or upset with him anymore.

"Promise me you'll never act this way again James," she murmured in his ear.

He tightened his grip burying his face in her hair.

~~~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback (finally) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

James watched Juliet eating ice cream, her shoulders shaking with laughter as they watched Blazing Saddles on video. Jin, Miles and Barbara were here also. Miles had managed to convince Barbara to go back out with him. It had been the biggest novelty when Horace purchased ten VCR's and had them brought to the island. James had managed to snag one for himself. The only down side to that was he had more people popping in to visit than he cared for. He hardly had any alone time with Juliet. Not to mention the amount of women constantly fussing over her. Anyone would think she was a human incubator on legs. They patted her growing belly as if it were their god damn right. Doesn't that piss you off? He had asked her. She shook her head. It's a woman thing. Yeah but he'd also seen Derek at her work do it and he'd felt like ripping the guys arms off. You promised me James. He wasn't about to have any hissy fit over it, it was just annoying, that's all. He was plenty secure in his relationship with her now. Juliet's gaze met his and she smiled warmly at him. Since the pregnancy they were closer than ever. He felt this overwhelming tenderness towards her. Juliet licked the spoon in a teasing way and he longed for the movie to be over. Bloody VCR's, bloody technology. It was beginning to catch up with them. Time was slipping away. He was turning 40 next month, a month before the baby was due. And the future was coming back around again.

After everyone had left he snuggled up with Juliet on the couch discussing baby names, giving her a back massage, running his hand over her tummy, feeling the baby move. He found it hard to believe that life could be this good, that he 'James Ford' aka Sawyer the conman would ever have a happy fulfilling life with someone he deeply loved, with friends that cared and that he would ever be capable of loving and caring back. It was something he'd never take for granted, ever.

A/N: Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this story. I am officially retiring from fanfiction at the end of this month and do not know if I'll get another chapter happening for this story (hence the sort of semi cheesy ending). Unless the withdrawals become so bad that I have to write again or if half way through Season 6 and its so depressing that I'll need a Sawyer/Juliet fix?

I will continue to read and review other fanfic stories I've been following until they are finished. I will also, for those loyal readers who have stuck it out to the bitter end with me, try to attempt to finish my other fanfic story that I've spent the last seven months writing. To those guys even more special thanks.

Only 20 days left till Lost returns! Yippie.