After a few brief hours of sleep Sayid woke up and went to see if Sawyer had made it back. He wanted to go after Sawyer as soon as he found out that Sawyer had left. His worry over Sawyer's safety hadn't abated. He just respected Sawyer's need for a little time to himself. It was still dim out and probably wouldn't be day for a few hours yet.

The beach was quiet. Approaching Sawyer's tent Sayid looked down at Charlie sleeping just outside the door. Sayid thought about when he came back last night and found Charlie waiting for him. It had to take a lot of guts for Charlie to do that. Sayid was grateful that Charlie had done it.

Sayid moved the tarp a tiny bit to see inside. No Sawyer. Sayid was pretty sure Charlie had been here the whole night. If Sawyer had shown, Charlie wouldn't have any reason to still be here. He bent down to wake up Charlie. Putting a hand on Charlie's shoulder Sayid gently shook him.

"Charlie."

Charlie's eyes blinked a few times. He yawned and sat up.

"Hey mate. What's up? Sawyer make it back?"

"It would seem not."

"Do you think something happened to him?"

"I don't know Charlie. Why don't you go check on Claire?"

"I guess. You doing okay?"

"I am fine Charlie. Go check on Claire. I will take up your watch."

"Yea, sure."

Sayid watched Charlie get up and rub his neck.

"Charlie. Thank you."

"Yea mate. No problem."

*Sawyer POV*

Sawyer woke and looked around. It took a few minutes for him to realized where he was. After walking for a while, he'd sat down and watched the ocean. He must have fallen asleep at some point. Sawyer stood and stretched a little.

He debated going it alone but knew he wouldn't. As much as he didn't like being around people, he couldn't stand being alone. They were complete opposite ends of the same problem. Being around people gave you more chances to be hurt. Being alone meant you had no one but your own demons.

He supposed he had to go back sooner or later. Usually if people got too close or, if situations got to bad, he switched cities. There weren't many cities around here. "Looks like Beach Town it is," Sawyer said to himself. He turned and began heading back. While he walked he though about Sayid.

Sayid scared him on a lot of levels. If Sawyer let him in there was so much Sayid could do to hurt him. There was also a lot Sayid could do to hurt him even if Sawyer didn't let himself get close to Sayid. What Sawyer couldn't understand was why he wouldn't allow himself a chance to be happy. If he was going to get hurt either way, what's the point in not allowing yourself a little happiness.

Thinking about it Sawyer supposed it was because you can't miss something you never had. Whatever pain Sayid could cause him, wouldn't be half as bad if Sawyer didn't let himself fall for Sayid first. Some part of him wanted to believe Sayid would never hurt him like that. Sawyer tried to cling to that part, but couldn't.

What's it matter, he thought, Sayid won't understand what happened while he was gone. He's never going to believe me if I say I wanted it the first time but not the second time. Besides, if anyone else found out... He couldn't let that happen. He shook his head and continued walking.

Sawyer had made it back to the beach. He vaguely wondered if anyone even realized he'd been gone all night. Like who, his mind asked.
Shove it, he told his mind. Rounding the last corner he saw Sayid sitting outside his tent. Sawyer frowned. He wasn't ready to face Sayid right now.

*Sayid POV*

Sayid noticed Sawyer at the edge of the camp, but he chose not to turn and look directly. He watched to see what Sawyer would do. Sawyer start walking forward again but then stopped. He was looking at something beyond where Sayid sat. Sayid shifted his eyes to find out what it was.

Jack was walking towards Sayid. He didn't doubt Jack was walking towards him because there was no one else on this side of the camp. Sawyer's tent lay at the furthest edge on this side. Damn it. Jack's timing couldn't have been worse if he'd planned it. From out of no where
Charlie caught up to Jack.

After a few steps Jack stopped walking and turned to Charlie. They seemed to be discussing something. Charlie made a few gestures back up the beach and Jack glanced back in Sayid's direction. Sayid held his breath. After less than a minute Jack turned and walked back in the direction Charlie had been gesturing to.

"I owe Charlie," Sayid whispered quietly.

His eyes glanced back to Sawyer. Sawyer hadn't moved, he was standing in the same place watching what was happening. Sayid waited to see what Sawyer would do. Sawyer raised his head, pulled his shoulders back and walked towards his tent. Sayid hid a small smile and waited.

"You got the same view at your tent, you know."

"Actually, I don't. My tent is further in so I have others blocking my view."

"I bet if you asked them real nice they might move 'em for you. If they don't you can always tie 'em up til they do what you want."

Sayid finally turned and faced Sawyer directly.

"I might if I didn't think they would like it."

Sawyer's jaw clenched tightly. Sayid waited.

"Don't you have better things to do?"

"Actually, yes."

"Then why are you still here?"

"Because I wish to be, and because you wish me to be."

"Why don't you tell me what I said that made you think that so I don't say it again."

"I don't think so." Sayid stood. "You will be here after it is dark. I will come back and you and I are going to talk."

"What makes you think I'll be here?"

"Because you know what will happen if you aren't here."

Sayid walked off without another word.

*Charlie POV*

"Charlie," Jack said impatiently.

"I know what I saw mate."

"Well there's nothing there now. I have things to get back to Charlie."

"Yea, sorry I interrupted what ever it was you were doing."

"Don't worry about it."

I don't, Charlie thought to himself as he watched Jack leave. Hope that bought you enough time, Sayid.