Sayid left his tent intending to double-check that Charlie was actually asleep and then pay another visit to Sawyer. As soon as he left his tent, however, he found Kate sitting just outside. Sayid frowned at her.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey." Sayid glanced around but no one else appeared to be awake.

"Can we talk?"

Sayid pulled the tarp open and backed up a little to allow Kate enough room to step inside. Watching her Sayid thought through the reasons she might be here. He didn't really feel like talking about any of them.

"Do you mind if we walk? I don't really feel like sitting anymore." She gave him a half-smile.

Sayid dropped the tarp and followed Kate.

"So what is it you needed?" Sayid asked Kate

"Jack says, you said we weren't alone when you came back."

"I did."

"He also said right after that you asked about Sawyer." Kate stopped and looked at him. They were closer to the fire now and he could see there were bruises on her neck. Sayid reached out to move her hair to get a better look and Kate backed up. Sayid dropped his hand and stood where he was.

"How did you get those?"

Kate smiled and turned away.

"Is it true that you asked about Sawyer almost as soon as you got back."

"I will answer you, if you will answer me," Sayid said quietly.

"Accident."
Sayid crossed his arms, and waited. Kate turned back around and faced him. She shrugged and bit her bottom lip. Sayid continued to wait.

"I asked a question someone didn't like."

"Who?" Sayid dropped his arms back down.

"Nope. Deal's a deal. I answered you, you answer me."

"Yes, I asked about Sawyer."

"Why?"

"Will you tell me who did that?" Sayid nodded in Kate's direction.

"How about if you tell me what's up with you and Sawyer, and then I tell you what happened?"

Sayid thought it through. Was it worth it? He could try to find out who had hurt Kate with telling her anything. Someone had to know something. He didn't really want to share how Sawyer made him feel with anyone.

"I asked about him because I wished to know how he was doing."

"Sayid," Kate said flatly.

"Kate," Sayid mimicked back.

"Fine." Kate turned to leave and Sayid grabbed her by the arm.

"Wait." He glanced around. "Let's keep walking."

Kate nodded and they continued at a slow pace.

"I was worried for him." Sayid didn't look at Kate.

"Why?"

"Well, his injuries for one."

"And two?"

"I... I find that I might have feelings for him."

"Might?"

Sayid stopped walking and looked at Kate.

"Why did you come by this evening?"

"Do you have feelings for him?"

"Yes. Yes Kate, I do. Why do you need to know this?"

"You know, I think he cares for you too."

"Why would you think that?"

"I asked him about it."

"You asked him? When? What did he say?"

"Not much."

"What do you mean by not much?"

"I think he's been hurt before." Kate laughed nervously. "I mean, I know he has. What I meant was, I think he's been hurt before by another man."

"What makes you think this?"

"When I asked him about what was going on between you two he got upset. " Kate reached up and pulled her hair back. She turned her neck so Sayid could see it better. "I don't think he meant to hurt me. I just think he got hurt, bad, by someone else before. I think when I was asking him about it, it just brought back some bad memories."

Kate dropped her hair back and stood there watching. Sayid processed what Kate was saying. Sawyer had done this. Sayid was torn with indecision. One part of him wanted to hold Sawyer and make sure nothing hurt him again. The other part of him wanted to hurt Sawyer for hurting Kate.

"Are you okay?" he asked her.

"Yea. It's fine. " replied Kate. She gave Sayid a half-smile.

"I see. And have you told anyone else about this?"

"About you and Sawyer, or about him grabbing me?"

"Either."

"No, neither."

"Will you?"

"No."

"I see. Shall we go back?"

Kate nodded but didn't speak. They walked back in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. After a short time they'd reached Sayid's tent.
Sayid brushed Kate's hair back and looked at her bruises again. Kate bit her lower lip.

"Good night Kate. And I will make sure this doesn't happen again."

Sayid walked into his tent without giving Kate a chance to respond. He had some thinking to do and not much time to do it in.