Chapter 22 – Back down

He found that spending time with Juliet just got better. They started to learn more about each other. He found it hard to keep his hands off her. It was exciting and new.

He spent most nights in her room. Some nights she would go to bed alone. He acted like he was fine with it, that he didn't mind the space, but he did. He couldn't sleep without her. He missed her.

Sometimes she would act distant, usually after he had made some sort of joke. He just gave her some distance until her mood passed. He guessed you got that when you were sleeping with a woman.

He found himself wondering if they were together. He would kick himself for being such a woman. Not only did he think about it but he couldn't get up the balls to ask her about it.

They had been private about what was happening between them but the whole Dharma seemed to know. They did know better than to comment on it. He felt like he wanted them all to know. He wanted to stake a claim. She would hate that.

One evening they were both in the house doing separate things. As he passes her in the hall he tells her he is just putting the towels away then he is going to con her out of her pants.

She had been quiet all evening but at this she replied snapper 'are you now?' and stormed off.

He decided he had taken enough of this crap and strode after her, finding her in the kitchen putting their food supplies away. He knows he can tackle this two ways. He can approach her delicately and try and get her to talk or he can ask her what her problem is. When she glares at him his subconscious takes over and goes with the latter option.

'Wrong with me?' She replied, her mask up so it was hard for him to decipher ' Nothings wrong with me James, stuck on this Island, living a lie, its what I always dreamed of' She turned away and started slamming the cupboards.

He sighed and seriously thought about walking away. He walker up behind her and took one of her hands. 'Its not all a lie' He said gently, she seemed to relax slightly 'We may get rescued yet' He quickly thought that was the wrong thing to say as she wrenched away her hand and spun to face him.

'You would like that wouldn't you' It was almost like she was accusing him.

He was fed up with this now, he got in her face and argued back 'Well darling I was actually fine the way we are, I'd stay like this, surprisingly enough' He was getting angry now.

'What living a lie? Pretend name? Pretend job? Pretend house? Pretend friends? Pretend girlfriend?' She looked him in the eye.

He was confused.

Anger and confusion never went well for him.

He shouted 'What the fuck are you talking about?'

'About the bullshit, and how your fine sailing along, lies falling out of your mouth. Waiting for them to come back.' She remained calm although they were standing very close, trying to get the other to back down. . . .

~*~*~*~*~

She knew it was playing with fire getting this close to James. She loved the time spent with him, they got on so well. He made her happy.

They spent most nights together in her room. Sometimes when she had time to think she doubted what they had. She wasn't sure if this was real. It could be a lie, part of the con, something to pass the time, comfort or just convenience. She would get the thought stuck in her head and need to get away from him.

It made it worse that he didn't seem to care about not going to bed with her.

She had wondered if they were together. But she thought unless he brought it up maybe it was just better off left unsaid.

They had kept their new found relationship private. But of course there were rumours about the barracks. She could see the whispers and the looks. She thought they must be wondering what he saw in her, and when he would get board. She thought it was better off left private and unverified, as when he did leave her she could hang on to some dignity. If she had any left.

One evening they were doing small chores separately and he made a joke about conning her. Was he laughing at her too?

He asked her what was wrong and they argued. She wanted to know how he was OK with all the bullshit. How he could go about like everything was normal and good while waiting for their help to arrive.

'I'm not waiting for anything woman. Other than you to cut the crap and stop acting like this!' He was in her face. She wasn't going to step back first.

'Oh I'm sorry your pretend girlfriend isn't up to the standard of the rest of your pretend life!' She was angry. He didn't think she was good enough. Probably thought she was crazy.

'Pretend? Girlfriend? Your my girlfriend?' He was smiling.

She was confused.

She stuttered and looked away 'Well, um, I . . . '

'You are' He sounded certain, although he was confirming it 'And there ain't nothing pretend here' He tilted her head up to look at him and motioned between them both.

She hated herself for showing her vulnerable side but she needed to know 'How do I know I'm not part of the con? That this isn't a con?'

He looked at her for a beat before answering. 'Hell Juliet I don't know. How do I know that you really want this? Don't we know each other well enough? This is the first time I've been this close to anyone, and I'm obviously messing it up' He was showing some vulnerability too. 'Jules I want to be with you'

She believed him but wanted more 'How many women have you said that to before?'

'A lot, I don't know how to prove it to you, I want you' He pulled her into a hug.

'What if they come back?' She mumbled into his chest.

'Wont change this' He said into her hair squeezing her tighter.

'What if she comes back?' She needed to know.

'Still doesn't change this. That was different, Its nothing compared to how I feel about you. This is real.'

She backed down . . . .