My take on the Long Con magazine scene- I do not own anything.
Chapter One Part One: 10 Ways To Tell
Kate was walking along the beach, the 1980s copy of Elegant magazine hidden behind her back. He was sitting in the doorway of his tent clearing up the mess inside it. She knew that everybody had ransacked his tent when the raft sailed, and even more after they found out he was lying in the hatch with a bullet hole in his shoulder. The site of them doing this had almost made her cry at the time, because she realized that the rest of the survivors didnt think he would pull through to claim it back.
But he had pulled through, and now she was walking towards his tent, magazine in hand using it as an excuse to go see him. She wanted to check up on him to see how he was doing. After all hed just been through an almost fatal bout of septicemia and fever that came with it and he still wasnt in the all clear. Plus she missed him a bit. She had been able to spend so much time with him lately, looking after him in the hatch and helping him recuperate with moving him arm and all.
Sawyer also made her feel good. She couldnt help but smile at half of the words that came out of his mouth, the snappy one-liners and the huge list of nicknames. Everything he said was so irresistibly funny, that she often found herself giggling randomly out of nowhere when she remembered something hed said or done that she found amusing. This earned her a lot of strange looks from the other 815ers, while she tried desperately to wipe the smirk of her face.
Kate reached the entrance of his tent. Like what youve done with the place she said gesturing towards the mess
Sawyer looked up from the mass of t-shirts and he was trying to shove into a backpack with one arm so as not to hurt his injured shoulder. Whoa was his first thought. She looked absolutely gorgeous as always. She was wearing a green tanktop hed never seen her in before but he immediately thought he wouldnt care if she wore it every day for the next week. Particularly because of the way it tightly hugged her chest. He realized he was staring at exactly this part of the top, and had been for some time now.
Kate blushed and looked down when she realized what he was gawping at. She shouldnt have worn this top on purpose, she just wanted to be a little more adventurous wardrobe wise to go hang with him for a bit. Her ploy was to get him a little interested, but she certainly wouldnt have described it as a come on. But it was working, very well apparently.
Sawyer reined his eyes in from their misadventure. Maids day off he replied, reaching over to grab a shirt at the entrance of the tent. He tried to pull it back when he realized she was standing on it.
Ya' wanna move, Freckles? he didnt mean to but his voice came out in a sultry, sexy tone.
Sorry Kate said moving her foot so he could get the shirt back. She was smiling, she loved it when he called her that. Conversationally, she began.
Heard Jack took your pain killers. She was just sorry she was never there to see it. Nikki, a new friend shed made over the last few days, had descried it starting with Sawyer walking out of the ocean in his boxers. She grinned again when she remembered the first time shed seen him walk out of the ocean. She 'd be the first one to admit it, Sawyer was hot. But danm it she had to quit bringing Jack up. She noticed how much that pissed him off and right now, she didnt want to speak of Jack either.
Yeah well Sawyer shrugged Guess me an Doctor Giggles are on the outs. One less Christmas card al have to send this year.
Kate bit back a laugh, Doctor Giggles that was a new one. She dropped the magazine on the ground in front of him. Thatll cheer you up she said as she sat down in the airplane chair near the front. Sawyer raised an eyebrow at the magazine she dropped in front of him.
Its from the hatch, I know youre hard up for new reading material She explained, brushing her hair out of her face as she beamed at him.
Thats not all Im hard up for, he felt like saying but decided wisely not to. He picked it up, Sawyers eyes scanned the subtitle on the magazine. Learn to feather your own hair! it said as if this was the announcement of the century. Shed brought him a god damn Elegant magazine.
Well as much is like to learn to feather my hair He remarked as he got up, from his kneeling position in the sand. Kate laughed.
I lost my damn glasses on the raft, which wasnt entirely remorseful about, ugly ass things. He circled round till he was standing in front of her.
Oh Kate replied disappointed, she wanted to get him in a better mood since Jack had taken the meds this morning, but that idea was all to hell now. She smiled sadly up at him.
He looked down at her and picked up on the fact that she was a little disappointed. God, I hate it when she looks at me like that he thought. It made him want to hug her, and kiss her until shed completely forgotten what was bothering her. Ever since the incident with the Others a few days ago, hed been extra careful to know where she was most of the time. When she disappeared into the jungle to go get fruit or water he would watch out to see if she was back within her average time of about 2 hours, if not then he would ask around to make sure nobody had seen her at the hatch or the caves. He wouldnt be able to relax until she got back.
He had long ago accepted that he cared about her. But he saw it this way- Sawyer wanted to screw her, and occasionally got to friendly without perusing that motive and then out of instinct, backed off. James thoughwas another story. He cared about Kate deeply and didnt want to get with her just for the sex. He wanted to be there for her, let her know she was cared about, wanted to prove to her that he understood her, because he loved her. That thought absolutely terrified him. Hed always lived by the policy of never get attached. He was torn about what to believe.
Still, though both sides would agree on the fact that since she took her sweet ass time to go all the way to the hatch to get this thing, they might as well get something out of it.
You wanna read it to me? He asked as he looked down at her hopefully, giving her a baby face.
The look he got back was just what hed expected. She looked like hed just told her he was gay and in love with Jack.
What!? Sawyer asked at her expression. You got an appointment or somthin?
Laughing, she reached out and snatched the magazine from his hand. He sat down at the other side of the tent, but it wasnt very wide so he was forced to rest his legs parallel beside hers, bringing them closer together.
He groaned at how good it felt to chill out for a bit after spending half and hour cleaning up the mess caused by hurricane Jack at about 11:30 this morning. That guy really pissed him off.
Kate would be lying if she said she wasnt surprised. But why not?. It would be a laugh anyway wouldnt it?. It was just a magazine. She noticed the way his legs ended up pressed against hers when he sat down, but didnt say anything.
She wasnt at all familiar with stuff like this so she just flipped it open to the center section. Her eyes caught on to a banner in bold pink lettering, with a picture of a couple dressed in 80s style clothes, embracing.
It was a quiz. 10 Ways To Tell If Hes A Sensitive Man. Alright she indicated that shed selected something. This would no doubt be entertaining.
Kate quoted 10 Ways To Tell If Hes A Sensitive Man she said with a grin, giving him a pointed look.
Sawyer scoffed, flicking the hair out of his eyes. This oughta be good.
Its quiz questions Kate informed him, leaning back to get comfortable in the airplane seat. Ill ask, you answer. Right he responded. But I think my result is gonna be pretty sucky, just to warn ya he said with a wink.
Ive not got my hopes up anyway she laughed out.
Okay she started. Question One. Has he ever cried at a sappy movie? Kate raised her eyebrows waiting for his answer.
No! he replied with a scorn. Never.
Realizing that this question was hitting a very defensive matter Kate rolled her eyes and continued to the next one. Then halted, she looked up at him. This one doesnt really count.
Sawyer frowned at her. Huh?
It doesnt apply to you. She read it anyway. Does he remember your Birthday or your Coupling/Wedding anniversary?
Cant help you with the second one sweetheart he paused. But he looked at her. When is your Birthday?
Kate looked up from the page. He already knew lots of things about her so she didnt hesitate telling him.
June 14th
Sawyers head instantly snapped up from where his eyes were focused, again checking out Kates chest. A short ironic laugh coming from his mouth. He gawped at her a stunned expression on his face. That was impossibleit just couldnt be.
What? Kate asked curious.
Thats". He stopped and tried again, in a voice shrouded in shock, he told her. Thats the same day as mine.
No way! Kate thought placing a hand over her mouth. What! She didnt know why but this new knowledge made her feel awesome. She was so happy he suggested they do this. Otherwise she would probably have never found out that they shared the same birthday!.
Still stunned Sawyer spoke. Well at least ya wont have to worry about me forgettin your birthday Freckles he told her grinning.
Yeah she answered shakily. Her smile as amazed as his was. What are the chances, huh?
Hell Sawyer started maybe well find out that we come from the same ancient ancestral background or somthin
Kate laughed We might. They shared a friendly smile, but looked down when it go too uncomfortable.
Kate, having a good time now, asked Wanna do the next one?.
When he told her go for it, she read the next one, in her hast she never bothered to read it herself before she started talking.
If you say you dont want to talk about something, does he except and leave you be or does he press you to talk?.
Now this question really related to them, they both knew the other had shady, horrific pasts so bad that they could never be forgotten about. They were badly tangled in with their memory and would remain in their thoughts for the rest of their lives. So in conversation, whenever they realized that they were entering dark territory, they immediately dropped it or changed the subject.
Kate raised her eyes to his wanting to see what he thought about this. She saw a relaxed, yet convicted expression, as if he was certain of something.
I dont think I force you to talk about anythin. He said in a low smooth drawl.
Hes right Kate thought, he didnt. He knew what to say and what not to say when he was around her, which is one of the reasons why she felt so at ease with him.
In contrast she remembered the way Jack had provoked her about Toms plane, after telling him the same answer twice, with a tone that suggested he stop it. He definitely noticed, but didnt accept the hint she gave and forged ahead, not giving up until she told him the full story. Then he walked away, leaving her in tears. That little stunt had caused her a whole night of wallowing in her self-loathing, the walls she had excruciatingly tried to build around this passed issue had been knocked down, and she had to start building all over again. As much of an ass as he was, Sawyer would never ever do that to her. He understood all too well what it felt like.
You dont Kate told him with a small smile, he gave her an ever more minute one back, just enough to make his dimples deepen. Know better than that by now he said Probably get another elbow or head-but for tryin to It was just a cover up of course hed never put her through something like that.
She gave a scoff of laughter. Next one she said continuing to number four.
Well this was interesting. Would he hug you if you were upset? she said in a testy, questioning tone. This would give her a new insight into his feelings towards her. She expected some sarcastic remark or perverted comment. Anxiously she waited.
Sawyer gazed at her back, apprehensive to reply. He broke their eye contact and looked out towards the ocean behind her. Looking at the waves as they weakly and slowly slid back and forth across the sand in the lazy mid-day tide. In thought, he pressed his lips together. The honest answer would sacrifice a bit of pride but he wanted her to know anyway.
Yeah I guess so He mumbled, pretending there was something fascinating about the sand he was gliding his hand through.
You would? Kate asked surprised at him but she also found the embarrassed, fidgety way he was acing adorable. Cute Sawyer she mocked him playfully. If looks could kill the one she received would land her in a casket. You want to be smacked girl? he enquired in a fake polite tone. Not right now she responded, giggling. Then quit it. Sawyer told her. I bet you wouldnt hug me if I was upset would you? he betted to her, sulking after she bruised his ego.
What?! she gawped. Even if you were upset Sawyer, you wouldnt let me hug you if I tried would you? She knew she had him there. Yeah well he tried, pissed hed walked right into that one. If it was a bad enough thing I might! he threw back, arms crossed.
A flash of mischief came upon Kates face. Then I guess Ill just have to make you cry and find out huh? Sawyer scoffed And how the hell are you gonnaHEY!. As he looked up he saw that Kates leg had moved in the middle of his. She looked like she was preparing to kick him in the balls. Quickly, he reached his right hand forward to stop her knee from moving any further. Not another inch sweetheart he demanded alarmed I need those!.
Kate laughed at the expression on his face, giving up the ploy and moving her leg back to rest beside his. He didnt withdraw his hand though, so as she moved back his hand stroked her fore-leg down to her ankle. The contact sent shivers down her spine. She looked down at her lap to read the next question, before he noticed the effect.
Five She informed him, trying to move things along. She was relived this was more neutral. Does he go out of his way to make you laugh? This should be fun Kate thought- she found him hilarious but what did he think about it?.
It didnt go amiss to Sawyer that his touch has an effect on her. Danm, why couldn't she just give in to their flirting and except it from what it should lead to?. He was absolutely dying to get her into bed. If and when this did happen he would make sure she was more pleasured and relaxed than she had ever been in her whole life. If she would just let him.
Hed gotten so lost in his thoughts that he didnt hear what Kate asked him. She nudged his legs with hers Sawyer? he came back down to earth Yeah?. Does he go out of his way to make you laugh? Sawyer sighed, looking of into the distance, he didnt know how to answer that one. Kate cut in.
Sawyer, if youre fed up we can stop, its alright.
No, Im not! he assured her. I just dunno how to answer that one. He paused then asked. What do you think?.
Kate looked at a loss. Well. Your funny Ill give you that. She stopped But you dont exactly go out of your way to make me laugh, you make me laugh just being you. Besides making me laugh isnt exactly that hard, Im the kind of person who laughs at anything This made Sawyer laugh, Yeah.
His mind went back to yesterday when she was helping him do his exercises by rotating his arm around, tying to loosen the stiff muscles in his shoulder.
After Hurley left theyd gotten on to the topic of baths. Sawyer mentioned how unfair it was that when guys and their girlfriends took baths together, the men always got the tap end of the tub, with the hot and cold faucets sticking into their backs and the shower fixture on the wall dripping onto their heads. That compliant sent her into a giggle fit for a good 10 minutes. He forced himself out of his reflection.
Sawyer looked at her expectantly Whats six? he asked her.
Kate traced her finger down the page until she got to the number. Does he say things to make you feel better? This she thought was true, thinking about a couple of days ago, the day theyd set out looking for Michael, when they had all gotten back from the showdown in the jungle with the Others, when she was taken hostage. She was sad because Jack was not speaking to her. He told her not to beat herself up, as hed have followed them too if he was told to stay behind.
Sawyer was clueless, he didnt think he said things to make her feel better, that was too intimate for the kind of relationship he was perusing with her.
Noticing the bewildered expression on his face, she decided to help him out on this one. You sometimes say things to make me feel better, like when we got back to the beach a couple of days ago she didnt mention details, not wanting to recall her horrible experience with the Others.
Yeah, he had done that. He realized now that he said stuff to make her feel better all the time. He did it without realizing he did. It was an automatic thing he did, which had never done for anybody else before. It must be the James side of him coming through, he cared about her being happy, so he had eased her conscience by telling her he would have done the same thing in her place.
Oh yeah he said acting like hed just remembered and didnt think nothing of it.
Kate was a little disappointed about this. It must not matter to him that much after all. Sawyer knew what she was thinking, she must think it didnt matter to him. Good one asshole, he cursed him self.
Kate wanted to get them back onto the bantering care-free way they had been a few minutes ago, but the next question meant even more relative thinking.
Has he ever done you a really big favor? Do I really need to ask? Kate thought.
Sawyer decided he wasnt going to let these questions get to him. He knew they were bringing up some aspects they didnt really want to think about. He knew he had done some really bad things whilst they were here, revealing her as the fugitive and all. Dick he cursed himself again. But this was bringing up all the positive things in their relationship, showing all the good things hed done or would do for her. If there was any safe way to make her finally except their closeness, this was it. He resolved he was gonna stop side-stepping barriers and up the play. He dove right in.
I killed that Marshall for you didnt I?
Kate was shocked by the way he bluntly threw this in. Thats not like him, he wasnt being his usual guarded, selfish self. But he wasnt really like that was he?.
Sawyer had been a development made of a boy that had been through as much horror and heartache than anyone should be out through in their whole lives, at only eight years old. He been forced to grow up fast and give up his pride as a person to become the con-artist he was today.
But there was another side to him. The side only she saw. The remains of the kid he was before he grew into this man who conned. Some of that kid remained clinging on to him, which made him hate himself for all the things hed done. It was that part of him that made him shoot the Marshall for her, the other person in him forced him to act on behave of someone else, where he would usually have dismissed it as not his problem.
She sadly thought that she didnt know as much about him as she thought. She knew Sawyer but he didnt know that other half of him, she only got rare glimpses. She didnt even know his real name for God sake.
Yeah you did she answered him. Then something occurred to her. Ive never thanked you for that have I?.
No, you havent he said slowly, in a deep, low drawl. Raising an eyebrow and giving her a cheeky toothed grin.
Well thanks then she told him, giving him a replica of his own tone and smile. Nice try she threw in as an afterthought. He rolled his eyes, she was never gonna give in that way.
Kate wanted him to know that she was genuinely thankful for him doing that for her, and she wasnt going to if she was just joking around. She got his attention by tapping his knee with her hand.
But really she looked at him with a serious face. Thank you for what you did, I had issues with that guy I could never have done it. Was that too much? She thought worriedly.
Slightly taken of guard by her gratitude, he didnt know how to deal with it.
Yeah he offered quickly, accepting her thanks.
Were almost finished, were at number 8 now Kate enlightened him, eager to get to the next question, and take his mind of her thanks.
Kay, go on he answered her.
---------------------------------- The second part of chapter one is in the topic boared underneth this one, had to do it this way because chapter 1 was said to be too long to post in one go.
