Disclaimer - I don't own LOST
"Ahem," said Sawyer, gesturing with his head towards the stairs. Everyone turned to see what he was looking at. Aaron was slowly making his way down the stairs rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked at Desmond curiously before running to Claire. It still surprised Sawyer, that the little munchkin had remembered Claire entirely.
Aaron hugged Claire tightly and she hugged him back. "Good morning mommy," he said sleepily. "Good morning, baby," she said in a thick voice. She held onto him for a little longer. Claire smiled contently. Then, she let go of him and he padded over to Kate. "Hi mommy," he said to her and smiled.
"Remember Aaron, from now on you can call me Auntie Kate," she reminded him. Sawyer could see the pain in Kate's eyes. No matter how she acted, Kate still loved Aaron as her son.
"OK," he said, nodding his understanding. "Can I have cereal?" Kate looked over to Claire, and she nodded back with a smile. Kate grinned and swooped Aaron up into a hug. He laughed happily.
"Maybe you guys should take this into the living room?" Kate asked them in a calm tone. Aaron looked back at them all shyly, except for Claire, whom he smiled at. Desmond gave Aaron a small smile. He laughed and looked away.
"Good idea," said Sawyer, keeping his eyes on Desmond, "You get the kid some breakfast, and we'll all carry on with our little get-together." Sawyer was not happy with any of it. He was tired of adventure, tired of ruffin' it, tired of chasing, tired of being chased; heck, he was just plain tired. All he wanted was to finally settle down, meet his daughter, Clementine and try to be a better dad than the one he had.
And yet, he couldn't stand the idea of Kate and Claire going off without him. He had to protect them now, Jack was gone, and they were his responsibility. After what Desmond had said, there was no way Blondie was going to pass this chance up, and there was no way she'd leave her kid behind. Sawyer knew that Kate would go wherever those two went, so he was stuck. They were all roped in, like it or not. Desmond had played his cards right.
They all got up and vacated the table. One by one, they filed into the living room. Desmond caught the sound of the TV playing. Sawyer reached over and turned it off.
"So, just how are you planning' to drag us onto this little expedition, Gilligan?" Sawyer asked as he plopped down on the couch. Claire sat on the couch a little apart from him, and Desmond took the chair opposite.
"On my boat," Desmond replied, "Our Mutual Friend." From the kitchen, Sawyer could hear cereal being poured into a plastic bowl. Sawyer craned his neck; he could see Kate around the corner, talking with Aaron as he ate. She seemed happy.
"Where do we start lookin'" he asked. Desmond opened his mouth and then closed it again. Sawyer narrowed his eyes. "You don't even know, do you?" He questioned.
"No," Desmond answered truthfully, "I don't. I'm hoping that when we get close, I'll have another flash.
"What about that little file of yours?" asked Sawyer venomously, "I thought you said you knew where this place was!"
"I know the country it's in, nothin' more brotha" Desmond replied. "They kept the place secret! Whatever it is though, it's important, I'm sure of it" Desmond said with conviction. Out of the corner of his eye, Sawyer saw Claire nodding in agreement. It was over, Claire was on board.
"Well fine!" Sawyer said aloud, "I guess we're going with you". The talking in the kitchen ceased abruptly. Kate was obviously listening.
"I'm guessing that we're gonna take turnip-head in there with us?" Sawyer asked nodding towards the kitchen. Claire smiled, a little sadly at the use of the old nickname.
"Yes," she replied. "I promised Aaron that I'd never leave him again." Sawyer noticed that she didn't seem so sure.
"Go up and play with your toys now, baby," Kate said quietly from the kitchen.
"Where's my whale?" Aaron asked loudly.
"It's in my room," Kate said. There was a pause and then Aaron's light footsteps could be heard going up the stairs. Kate entered the living room, looking curiously at Desmond. She sat next to Sawyer on the couch in-between him and Claire.
"Freckles... I'm sorry I yelled" he apologized to Kate softly, "I didn't mean it." Kate looked at him and smiled.
"It's okay," she said before turning her attention back to Desmond.
"So we're going?" She asked.
"Pack your bags, sweetheart," Sawyer replied.