-Doctor!-
-Doctor- She answers, smiling and turning to Jack.
This was the first time she had seen him since his returning. He was still asleep, when she left for work this morning.
-What are you doing here? I thought you weren't working today.-
-I wasn't but Gregory called me a few hours ago and asked to come in. An emergency case, a man was hit by a car.-
-But why did he call you? Gregory is an experienced surgeon himself.-
-Looks like, that man already had problems with his spine. So Gregory decided not to risk it.-
-I see-
-I'm going to look at his old injuries. Maybe I can fix them, too.-
-As always, you want to save everyone from everything- Juliet chuckles.
-We are doctors; it is our duty- Jack shrugs.
-Well, then guess I have to let you do your duty, Doctor. – She winks him. -But don't be late for a dinner.-
Jack nods and they go in opposite directions.
"From a distance they look like a happy couple and they really are, at least that's how it is for Jack. And she…" Juliet tries to understand her own feelings. "It's strange, but some part of her is completely satisfied with this life, with Jack. When they are together, she doesn't have to make any effort to pretend that she is a loving wife. She feels so comfortable with him."
Juliet frowns. She doesn't like these thoughts, because they remind her about another person; the person, whose behavior she once didn't understand. And now she does, absolutely. She loves James with all her heart and she wants to spend her whole life with him, but for some reason she forgets about that around Jack. Maybe before going to James, she should make her choice, because James deserves better than to be again "second choice."
-Do you think they will come back? -
Silence.She turns to him and tries to discern his expression, in the dark.
They sit on the dock.It's been a month since he asked her to stay.He asked for two weeks, but Juliet is still on the Island. She finally understood that only by staying here, could she hope to return to her sister someday.
-I don't know - he says finally.
Juliet nods, understanding him very well.Everything that happened was so strange that it was impossible to know anything for certain.
-I'm sure Locke will do everything to bring them back- she tries to assure him.
-Yes, of course- he murmurs, but his thoughts are far away. - But is it worth it? –
-What? – She isn't sure that she heard him correctly.
-I'm asking myself whether I want her to return and…- his voice is shaking- I don't know-
Juliet looks at him in surprise, but doesn't interrupt, realizing that if he starts talking, then he really needs to say it aloud.
-We are still dreaming about escape from this Island. Why should they come back when they are finally free from this place? Jin wants Sun to be happy, so asked Locke to lie to her. He doesn't want her to come back. Maybe I should do the same thing. Maybe Locke shouldn't have left at all.-
-Then we would have died- Juliet whispers.
-Well, he had to leave, but no more than that. The flashes are over, we're safe.So why should they return? - He pauses, looking at the water's surface in front of him.
-It sounds logical, there is no need for them to return. - She smiles, but he doesn't.
There is something else that worries him.
-But it's not about the reason THEY do or do not something, it's about YOU.-
-What? - He turns to her.
Well, at least she managed to get his attention.
-Why don't you want her to come back, James? - She says softly, looking into his eyes.
She sees how he starts and looks away, but she is sure that he'll answer her question.
-I would want to say that I wish her happiness, and do that because of love, as Jin did, but it wouldn't be true.Whatever I did, there was always an unseen, selfish motive. A leopard can't change his spots- he grins slyly.
Juliet looks at him sadly.During the past few days, she got to know him better, to see what kind of person hides behind a mask.
-It is not true! You saved me.You jumped from the helicopter.You ... -
-You don't see the main thing, baby- he interrupts her and she flinches from the sharpness of his voice - I jumped, because I was afraid of how my life could change, I was afraid of responsibility.I saved you, because I was afraid to be alone.And I don't want her to come back, because with her I'm always second.I know I don't deserve to be loved. I know that Doc is a hundred times better then me and I don't argue with that. I just don't want to look at them.That's all.-
He gets up and walks towards the town, leaving Juliet alone.
Once upon a time, she told Kate that she broke Jack's heart. She hated her then. But she never thought about that situation from Sawyer's point of view. She never thought that they were in the same boat, always second. And they have to hide, how much it hurts.