Quickie:

xox-emily-xox - Aw. How did you manage to even write that??
SassyLostie - Well, Charlie didn't tell everyone. Just Jack. (who told Ally)

I actually have no words for this one except Enjoy!

Chapter 26

Kate and Sawyer reentered the reception hall, hand in hand. They sat again with Jack, Allison, and Ana-Lucia, who were surprisingly content and conversing. Within minutes of their seating, they were quickly included in the conversation. However, it wasn't long after that they wished they hadn't been. Allison had been raving about Jack and the "miraculous" surgeries he'd recently performed. Thankfully, the lights in the hall dimmed and everyone quieted. A light shone on Charlie and Claire only, who looked confused.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," said a voice.

Everyone immediately turned toward the stage to see who had spoken. Charlie's mother stood on the stage, microphone in hand, a smile on her face.

"It's time for the bride and the groom to dance for the very first time as man and wife."

Now, everyone turned their attention back to Charlie and Claire who were laughing embarrassedly, and getting up to head to the center of the floor. The slow music was the only sound that filled the room. Charlie took Claire's waist and she rested her hands on his shoulders. All of the guests looked on as they danced gracefully.

Kate leaned her head back softly, against Sawyer's shoulder, watching.

"She looks beautiful," she whispered.

He glanced down at her, then back at them. He brought his left arm over hers and laced his fingers over hers. She looked down at them, and smiled to herself, nestling into his hold. Too soon, the song ended and the lights rose again, but not as brightly as before. Kate sat up again and Sawyer let her go. They joined the clapping crowd.

More music began and Claire and Charlie remained on the floor, but were joined by more couples. Others remained seated and began to talk once more. Kate glanced up at Sawyer and they shared a knowing look.

"Sawyer?" Jack intervened.

Sawyer turned to look at him. "What's up, Doc?"

"Would it be all right if I asked Kate to dance?"

Kate smiled, and looked up at Sawyer to see his response. He looked down at her with a smirk, then back at Jack, nodding toward the dance floor. She followed Jack. He held out his hand for her and she took it. He wrapped his other arm around her back and she felt a light fluttering in her stomach

"Having fun yet?" Jack asked.

She grinned. "Trying to."

"I'm sorry if I upset you at all before."

"You didn't."

He nodded. "Yeah I did. Clearly you weren't comfortable with Ana. Just like Allison."

"It's not a big deal, Jack. I can live with it."

Sawyer watched Jack and Kate for a few minutes then turned back again, facing Allison. He looked at her, questioningly.

"Not in a million years," she answered.

He smirked and looked down, shaking his head. He snuck a glance at Ana-Lucia, who caught him and held his gaze.

"What?" she half-grinned. "You wanna dance?"

"You askin'?"

She let out a laugh and got up. "Fine."

They entered the dance floor, not far from Jack and Kate.

"So," Ana started. "You managed to get your girl back."

"Thanks to you."

She grinned, somewhat bashfully.

"So where's your date? Running late or stood you up?"

"No date."

"No?"

She sighed. "Nope."

"Then why'd you come?"

"See old friends."

He grinned. "You callin' me a friend?"

"Who said I was talking about you?"

He chuckled. They were both quiet and Sawyer could hear Jack talking to Kate.

"I just remember you two were…well you weren't on the best terms," Jack was saying. "Things were really bad."

"Jack, everything is fine now. I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. It's great."

Sawyer knew Jack didn't fully believe her. But apparently, so did Kate.

"He loves me," she said quietly. With a smile, she added playfully, "So don't ever think otherwise."

Sawyer smiled. She was sticking up for him. That was something that hadn't happened often.

Jack nodded. "I love you, too, Kate."

Sawyer turned his head to see her reaction. She stared at Jack for a moment, then looked down and leaned her head on his shoulder. He saw her eyes revert to the floor. There was almost sadness in them. He understood the expression completely. It was one he'd seen all too much. He turned back to Ana.

"Well, hot stuff, hate to have to cut this short, but I think it's time you took a rest. You're lookin' kinda worn out."

She laughed and let go of him. "If you wanna get rid of me, just say so."

He grinned. As she started to walk away, he called, "Why don't you go keep Allison company?"

She looked back at him over her shoulder, sardonically. His attention turned to Kate again. It was time to give her a break from Jack. He tapped Jack on the shoulder and Kate lifted her head, looking at him.

"Mind if I cut in?"

Jack smiled. "Sure."

Kate watched him walk back to his seat then looked back up at Sawyer. Instantly, a smile formed. He rested his hands on her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into him.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"Anytime, Freckles."

She inhaled the scent of his cologne, feeling instantly comforted. Though, she wasn't sure if it was just the cologne that did that.

"So, what, you and Doc professin' your love for each other?" he taunted.

She grinned, knowingly. "And if we were?"

"Mm," he moaned in mock anger, holding her tighter. "You'd be in a helluva lot a trouble."

She laughed and looked down. When she looked back up at him, she was still smiling.

"What?"

She paused and looked down, then back up at him, again. Her eyebrows creased.

"Why did you do your hair like that?" she asked, referring to how he had it slicked back with gel.

"You don't like it?"

"Here," she laughed.

She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair until it wasn't stiff and hung shaggily as usual.

"Perfect," she said, softly.

He stared at her, fighting the urge to kiss her.

"Did you get a haircut?" she asked, slightly surprised.

"Maybe," he dimpled.

She laughed. "Hm. Just full of surprises tonight."

"So?"

"It's kinda nice," she said in a low, flirtatious voice.

She rested her head against his chest again. They danced for a while, losing track of time and forgetting about the wedding. When they finally took their seats again, everyone was eating and enjoying each other's company. Kate even found herself talking with Ana civilly.

After a couple of hours, the toasts began. Charlie and Claire's family were the majority of them. Jack was making a toast as well. Being the maid of honor, she felt somewhat obligated to make one too. She decided that when Jack finished, she would stand and make her speech. Unfortunately, he had finished sooner than she thought, leaving her struggling with what she should say. Kate grabbed her glass of water, and stood. She cleared her throat, nervously. Sawyer looked up at her, taken aback by her sudden impulse. She paused for a moment, trying to think of what to say. Then she realized...she already knew.

"I think it was pretty obvious when I first saw Charlie and Claire together that there was an attraction," she started. "And even through the hardships, and the times they were separated, that attraction forced them together again." She smiled. "I guess I never realized, until now, that it wasn't just an attraction. Or if it was, it had turned into something more." She looked down, hesitant to go on.

Sawyer absorbed her words...

"It's that one type of love that is so hard to achieve - the kind of selfless love that everyone hopes to find. Some have found it. Some may never find it. Some of us are still searching. But Charlie and Claire…they have it." She looked up at them. "Don't let it go." She raised her glass. "Congratulations, Charlie and Claire."

The crowd applauded and drank. Kate took her seat again, avoiding eye contact with Sawyer. He was almost sure that her speech had nothing to do with Charlie and Claire at all. In fact, he could have sworn it was more about their relationship, but he wasn't entirely sure. She wouldn't look at him, which made him even more suspicious. When she snuck a glance at him, he caught it, but she quickly looked away again. That simple gesture told him all he needed to know. It wasn't about the newlyweds. She was expressing herself in a way that she didn't have to directly tell him. And he completely understood.