It was still a long way before dawn when they arrived back at the beach. A very annoyed and angry looking Kate was waiting for them at Sawyer's tent. When they walked up Kate slapped Sayid.

"Kate," Sawyer said quietly.

Kate walked closer until she was nose to nose with Sayid.

"What were you doing with him out there? Why didn't you tell anyone? Who do you think you are that you can just-"

"Kate," said Sawyer again.

"No, he doesn't get off that easy. With everything he's done to you?"

"Everything I've done to him?"

"Sayid, Kate. Please don't do this.

"What's going on out here?"

Kate and Sayid turned towards the voice at the same time. Sawyer flinched. In a matter of seconds Sayid was sure of three things. The voice belonged to Locke, Locke knew what was going on out here, and Locke was the person who'd been hurting Sawyer.

Without warning Sayid walked forward and hit Locke. For Sayid it was simple. Locke had caused Sawyer pain. He would make Locke suffer.

Sawyer was suddenly between them.

"Don't do this. Please just let this go."

"Let this go?" Sayid stared at Sawyer in disbelief.

Locke wiped away the blood from his split lip and laughed.

"After everything he still chose me. How's that feel, Sayid?

*Sawyer POV*

Sawyer snapped. He just couldn't take anymore. He was tired of being scared, tired of hiding this, tired of blaming himself for everything. Tired of being tired. Sawyer turned and decked Locke. Sawyer walked over to where Locke lay and looked down at him.

"Don't you ever come near me again. The next time you come near me, I'll kill you. Do you understand me? I'll kill you! You will never, never touch me again!"

*Sayid POV*

Kate started to reach for Sawyer but Sayid stopped her.

"Don't," he said to her.

"What in the hell is going on here?" Kate yelled at Sayid.

"Wait," Sayid told her.

"Stay. Away. From. Me. Or so help me, I will kill you."

"Sawyer?"

Claire, Sayid thought to himself. God, not now. He let go of Kate and turned to stop Claire from getting too close. Before he'd taken two steps
Charlie came up behind Claire and stopped her. Sayid glanced at Charlie who nodded at him. He turned his attention back to Sawyer.

*Sawyer*

Sawyer couldn't deal with this. He looked around. He saw Claire first then Charlie right next to her. He wasn't sure what to make of the look on her face but he knew it wasn't good. If everyone already hates me, then what's it matter? Could they hate him more than they already did? Sawyer turned and walked off.

*Sayid*

"Sawyer!"

Kate started after him, but Sayid held her back.

"Not now," he whispered in her ear.

"Let me go!" Kate yelled at him.

"Not now," he repeated.

Sayid stared at Locke, who hadn't stood up yet, then walked over.

"If you ever come near him again, he will not kill you. I will take you into the jungle and make you wish I had let him kill you. Leave now and don't let me catch you anywhere near him again."

Sayid turned back to Kate and reached his hand out. As soon as Kate took it he led her in the direction which Sawyer had taken off in. Sawyer would need a friend. Sayid would make sure no one would hurt Sawyer ever again. He would make sure Sawyer felt safe.

*Charlie*

"Charlie? What's going on?"

At first Charlie wasn't sure himself. He'd been asleep when it had all started. The yelling had woken him up. When he came out and heard Sawyer yelling that Locke wouldn't touch him ever again, he began to get an idea about what happened. Charlie almost started to tell Claire what happened but stopped.

He thought about lying but wasn't sure if he could do that. When he looked at her face he knew there was no way he could ever lie to her. Claire was pregnant. She trusted him to take care of her. He owed her the truth. So he told her.

*Kate*

"Sawyer?" Kate peered into Sayid's tent.

"I didn't have anywhere else to go. Sorry," he muttered irritably.

Kate turned and looked at Sayid. He had asked if she would talk to Sawyer about what happened. 'I think he needs you more than me right now,' Sayid had said. 'He's going to need a good friend right now. That would be you.'

"I don't think Sayid's going to mind. Can I come in?"

Sawyer shrugged. Kate walked in and sat next to him. After a little bit she nudged his shoulder with hers. Sawyer smiled half-heartedly at her.

*Sawyer*

"So, anything interesting happen to you last night?"

Sawyer looked at her and the corners of his mouth started to turn upwards.

"As a matter of fact I think maybe there was something."

"Yea?"

"Yep."

*Sayid*

Sayid sat outside his tent letting Sawyer take all the time he needed. Everyone needed a good friend every now and then. Sawyer was his and no one was going to come between them. He would never let anyone hurt Sawyer ever again. Sawyer would learn to trust him completely eventually. If only for just this one moment, everything was right with the world.