The LOST Writers' Island

sawyersmine · Hollaback girl

RE: Southern Pride

Starlight · Charlie's Angel

Great job babe! Can't wait to see what happens to Sawyer and of course Des and Claire. :D

lisagwilkins · Site Administrator

Chapter 4

“What did you do?!!” Kate stomped into her father’s office. Ben and Jack were there talking in whispers. “I asked you what you did! Now tell me! What did you do? You can start from the beginning, the middle or in order of cast of characters, I don’t care which but both of you owe me an explanation!” She exclaimed.

Ben and Jack looked at each other. “Whatever do you mean Kate?” Ben asked.

“Don’t play innocent with me, father!” She yelled.

“Kate, don’t talk to your father that way.” Jack ordered and Kate was just about to deck him when Ben spoke up.

“You forget your tongue, daughter.” Ben’s voice got deeper as he hissed at her. “You must respect your elders.”

“Calm down Kate.” Jack said.

“I don’t know which one of you did it, but I promise you, as God as my witness I promise you, I will save his life.” Kate declared.

“You will not leave this house.” Ben said.

“That’s enough Kate.” Jack said siding with Ben as usual. Just then one of the slaves came in. “Lock Miss Kate in her room, Elijah. Make certain she is comfortable but do not let her leave.”

“Yessum, Mr. Ben.” Then he turned to Kate. “Miss Kate.” Elijah wasn’t about to man handle her, but he would take her in and lock the room up. Elijah escorted Kate upstairs and into her room.

“Why you gotta argue at him, Miss Kate? He just gonna hurt ya.” Elijah said, locking her in the bedroom. “Uhm, Miss Kate, I believe there be some pants and a shirt in that drawer. There be some boots behind the dresser too. You may be needin’ ‘em. I be right outside.”

Kate smiled at Elijah. “Thank you Elijah, thank you very much.”

“Yes ma’am.” He said as he shut and locked the door.

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Kate quickly shed the fine emerald green silk dress that she was used to wearing. Off came the petticoats, crinolines, and bustle that she wore. She quickly pulled on the britches and shirt and then the boots that were left for her. She quietly stepped out onto the small verandah and then shimmied her body down the side of the house. She ran out to the slave quarters where Mama Sallis was nursing a young mother in labor.

“Mama Sallis!!” Kate called as she entered the small two room house. “Oh excuse me.” She said as the young mother was clearly in pain. Unlike Jack and her father, Kate respected the slaves for who they were and what they did, even though their work was thankless.

“I know, Miss Kate. I see how you dressed.” She said. “Go, I be fine.”

Kate reached over and hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I have to get him out. Father and Jack will kill him if I don’t.” Kate said.

“Yes, you papa, he was more dangerous than he look.” She said. “Go, child.”

Kate turned and left the little house and ran toward the stables. She saddled a horse and rode out behind the stables. She took the less worn path and then ended up on the road that led toward Savannah. To anyone riding by it would look like any other field hand out riding or going into to town.

Kate had stopped at the tavern and asked for Claire. She wasn’t there but Jonas told her that she was home, so she mounted up and rode back toward her house.

----------------

Desmond and Claire had spent most of the afternoon sitting and talking and getting to know each other. They had played with Aaron and fed him and got him ready for his nap.

“He’s beautiful, Miss Claire.” Desmond said.

“Thank you sir.” She said coyly. “He’s the one thing I have done right in my life. My husband died of a terrible fever that hit Savannah and left me alone right before Aaron was born.”

“That must have been horrible.” Desmond said.

“Yes, but I had Kate to help me. She brought Aaron.” Desmond nodded, now knowing who Kate was though he hadn’t met her. At least not yet.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Claire got up and went to answer it. “Yes, can I help…” Claire asked, as Kate looked up at her.

“Kate!” Claire exclaimed. “What your wearing?”

“I don’t have time to explain.” Kate said. “I need to see Desmond. Jonas told me he had come looking for you.”

Just then Desmond walked up to her. “Pleasure to meet you Kate.” Desmond said. Kate shook his hand and nodded.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you Desmond but James has been arrested and put in the city jail and we have to get him out.” Kate said.

“What? Wait hold on.” Desmond said.

Kate paced as they talked. “Desmond, I don’t have time to wait around. You don’t know the judge in this town. My father wants him dead, and he’ll get his wish unless we get him out now.”

Desmond thought for a moment. “Alright, let’s go. When we get him out, you and James head for the ship.”

“What about you Desmond?” Claire asked.

“I am staying here with you.” He said. Claire was shocked and absolutely thrilled. She had wanted so long to find a man like him, someone who could love her and she could love and who would be an excellent father to her son.

“Desmond, I have a son and you and I…” He placed his finger over her lips.

“I know everything I need to know Claire. I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t.” He said. Kate didn’t want to rush them but she did need to see about James.

--------------

“Don’t worry Ben, even if she ever does get to him, he’ll be broken, if not dead by the time she gets to him.” Jack said.

“Possibly.” Ben said. It pissed him off that Kate had disobeyed him and left the house, though it didn’t surprise him one bit.

“Hurry Jack.” Ben said.

“I’ll let you know what happens.” He rared his horse back and headed off toward Savannah. Before too long Jack arrived at the jail.

“Well, are you boys ready?” Jack asked.

Charlie smiled evilly at Jack. Jack and the two men walked to the back of the jail where they had James strapped shirtless to the walls. His arms were stretched and when he raised his head, it was clear that he’d been beaten badly. Luckily for the two men who’d done this, James was incapacitated or they’d look a whole lot worse than he did at the moment.

Charlie opened the cell and Jack stepped inside. James raised his head to look at them. “Watch it doc, he’s a wild one.” Charlie said.

Jack was sickened by the sight of James bloody face and bruised chest and shoulders. He was having a hard time catching his breath and Jack realized that the men had beaten him severely, much worse than he’d thought before.

“I’m in…in trouble now, huh?” James asked.

“She’s gone Ford. You know that don’t you?” Jack asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ ‘bout.” James said indignantly. “Who d’hell are you anyway?” James asked.

“Me? I’m the man who’s gonna get you killed.” He said.

“Nice to meet you.” James said dryly.

“Well, look at it this way Ford, you got two choices here.” Jack said. James looked up at him. “I can kill you, or those two can kill you. It’s up to you.”

“Wow, you came up with that all by yourself?” James asked. “I’m impressed.”

“You are?” Jack walked up to James, coming within a few inches of his face. “Well then you oughta really get a kick out of this.”

Jack left the cell and headed for his own home. Then Charlie and the other man moved in. They beat James over and over, kicking and hitting him. James tried not to let it show. He tried not to let the pain show and tried to just keep thinking about how Kate was coming to get him. She had to be. Surely, she’d come get him. Please God, let her come get him.

He was totally subdued. There was nothing that he could do. No way he could pull against the chains, even though he tried. James sucked in his breath and breathed hard, seeing what they planned to do next. Charlie pulled out on the bullwhip and snapped it. He slung the whip and the leather cut into James skin. He tried to keep it inside but the sweat from his body burned the cuts and when the whip flew again he cried out. Over and over and over the whip made it’s bloody ruts in his back and his sides. Finally the chains broke free from their moorings and James nearly lifeless body slumped to the floor.

---------------

Claire went into the bedroom and called for Chenille. “Chenille!!” She called.

“Miss Claire?” She answered.

“Chenille you have to listen to me. Pack our things and go to the docks and find a ship called The Black Rock.” Claire said. “It’s docked at number 23. Get on that ship and wait for me. Tell the crew who you are and that your with me and Desmond.”

She saw the questioning look on Chenille’s face. “Don’t ask questions just do it, we’re leaving.”

“Yessum.” She said.

Claire came back out and grabbed her own gun. She slipped it into the back of her skirt and handed a duffle bag to Desmond. “Let’s go.” She said.

Desmond and Kate and Claire left the house. They rode toward the jail to get James.

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“You think he’s dead?” The other guard asked.

“Beats me.” Charlie said. “Don’t matter, time we get back he will be.”

Charlie and the other man left James on the floor, bloodied almost beyond recognition and definitely not moving. He’d tried to do the right thing. He thought it was all a mistake and no matter how hard he tried to fight, and did he ever fight. He was no match for the two men with their chains.

-----------------

Kate and Desmond moved around the front of the jail. She peered into the building and didn’t see either of the men inside. She quietly pushed open the door and moved through the building with her gun drawn. “There’s nobody here miss.” Desmond said.

“Good, let’s find him.” She whispered. Soon they heard a groan and they moved toward it.

“Sweet Jesus.” She whispered, her heart breaking and tears beginning to stream down her face. “James.” She began to cry. “What did they do to you?”

“Kate.” James breathed. “Can’t…can’t breathe.”

“Bloody hell!” Desmond exclaimed. He helped Kate get James up and they both walked him out and toward the wagon that Claire was waiting in. They put him in it and Kate wrapped his shirt around him.

“Get him to the ship!” Kate exclaimed. Desmond worked on reviving James as Claire drove the wagon to the dock.

“He’s going to be alright, isn’t?” She asked. “Isn’t he?!!” Desmond looked blankly at Kate. James was barely breathing and his face was so bloody, Desmond couldn’t even tell where his eyes were.

“He has to be. He just has to.” Kate said. “Please God, he has to.”

Starlight · Charlie's Angel

Great chapter Lis!! Can't wait to see what happens next. Poor Sawyer... LOL at Charlie. I so can't see him beating anyone up. Nah, Charlie's not got a bad bone in him. ;) Hurry...we need more. :D

sawyersmine · Hollaback girl

Aw poor baby Sawyer. Hope they get back to the ship in time. Jacks a bastard, lol. I hope Kate kills him. And I hope Charlie gets some good lashings. Little punk, lol.

Great chapter hun, I cant wait for the next! :D

lisagwilkins · Site Administrator

This chapter is a little short but it advances the story a bit...more will come later.

Chapter 5

They finally made it to the ship and Desmond went to grab some of the other deck hands to help him carry James in to his captain’s quarters and lay him in the soft clean bed. Kate grabbed some towels and filled the shaving basin with some warm water.

The two maids that worked the ship to keep it clean and keep the deck hands fed stood by quietly watching Kate. “If there’s anything we can do, Miss.” One of them said.

“Yes, yes, there is.” She answered. Kate thought for a moment. “I need a ball of twine, some scissors, all the clean towels you can find, a needle and some matches. And keep clean water in that basin.” She said. “Get them, and get them quickly.”

Desmond creased his brow. “What’re y’doin’, lass?” He asked.

“Saving his life.” Kate answered. She looked up at Desmond from the bloody towel that she’d used to blot James’ face.

Desmond looked sadly over at Claire and stood up. “What?” She asked.

“I don’t think she can.” He said as he walked out onto the deck. Just then Aaron’s nanny came walking up to them.

“Miss Claire?” She asked.

“Yes.” Claire said, turning to face her. “Aaron is asleep in his cradle. I’ll go back and sleep in the bunk next to him.”

“Fine, dear. Thank you.” Claire said.

“Yes ma’am.” The nanny nodded to her and walked away.

“You really don’t think he’ll live Desmond?” Claire asked.

Desmond sighed as he looked out over the black water. “I don’t know. She thinks she can save his life. She’s no doctor.” He said.

Claire touched his face and smiled. “No, she isn’t. But she loves him and he loves her and sometimes, Desmond, that’s enough.”

Desmond smiled softly and leaned down and kissed Claire’s warm lips gently. “I love kissing you.”

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Kate sat on the edge of the bunk and blotted James’ feverish brow. His body shook a little from the fever and the pain of the cuts and bruises on his body. The maids came in and brought the things that she’d asked for.

Kate thanked them and they backed out slowly leaving her there with James. He opened his eyes a little and gazed up at her, squeezing her hand a little. “Let it…let it go Kate.” He whispered. “It ain’t…I ain’t worth it.”

“Shut up James.” She said as she worked on his cuts. “If you think you’re dying on me, you can just forget it. I have no tolerance for foolishness.”

Kate dressed his wounds some more. She reached over the table and poured some bourbon on his wounds as she sewed them up. He groaned in pain as the alcohol burned him.

“I…I love you, Freckles.” He said, his eyes closed in pain.

“I know.” She whispered. Kate leaned down and kissed him softly. “Remember, you have to get better. If you don’t, you don’t get me.”

She smiled a little. “Well, then…maybe…maybe I got somethin’ to…to live for.” He teased back at her a little. James moaned in pain. “It hurts.”

“I know.” She whispered. ‘I’m going to try to stop it.”

James seemed to drift off to sleep a little as Kate worked on him. She listened to his breathing and made sure he was alive. She placed a cool damp towel on his forehead. The blood was gone and the stitches were done fairly well, as well as could be expected. He was beginning to look more like his normal self now.

James woke up just a little. “Kate.” He groaned.

“James? Do you want something?” She asked.

“Water.” He choked.

She handed him some cool water and lifted his head so he could swallow it. “Okay, you get some sleep and relax for a little bit.” She said. “I’m going to go out and let Desmond know how you are.”

He nodded a little and watched her walk out of the cabin.

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“He’s my brother Claire.” Desmond said, holding her hand. “We spent years apart from each other. I can’t lose him now.”

Claire touched his face and ran her thumb over his lips. “I know luv. But he’s in good hands. He’ll be alright.” She smiled a little.

“Yes, he will.” Kate said as she walked up to them. “He’s in a lot of pain, but he’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” Desmond asked.

“I am not a doctor Desmond, but I have a pretty good belief.” She said. Just then one of the deck hands came running up to them.

“Desmond! Marshall’s are a-comin’!!” The deck hand called.

Sure enough, Desmond looked up to see horses coming around the side of the harbor and getting close to the dock. “Up anchor!!” He called out and the ship began to move. By the time the time the possee got to the dock, the ship was a good 500 yards out.

Kate ran back into the cabin and locked the door behind her. “What…what happened? We’re movin’.” James said softly.

“Yes, we are. Desmond ordered the ship to leave.” Kate said.

“Why?” James asked. “There’s somethin’…you ain’t…tellin’ me Freckles.”

“Everything’s alright. You just sleep now.” She kissed his cheek softly.

---------------

One of the horsemen turned his horse around and rode back to the end of the dock. “I’m sorry, Dr. Jack, we missed them.” The rider said.

“Yes, I guess you did.” Jack answered. “Son of a bitch.” He muttered as he watched the ship sail away.

Starlight · Charlie's Angel

Good chapter hon. :) I love the Daire sweetness and Kate saving Sawyer. :D

lisagwilkins · Site Administrator

Okay here's chapter 7!!

15 Days Later

They had sailed around some of the major ports in the South and had delivered several loads of blockaded goods, that other wise wouldn’t have been able to make their way into the hands of consumers there in the various Southern cities. James was recovering nicely but still had a few cuts and bruises here and there and Kate refused to let him do too much more than stand on the bridge of the ship as they sailed.

She had Desmond pretty much doing everything other than a few things that James insisted he be allowed to do.  Even though he was the ship’s captain, he enjoyed shoveling coal into the engine to keep it running and Kate allowed him to do that from time to time, but not for very long. She pretty much oversaw everything on the ship and the ship’s deck hands were none to happy taking orders from a woman but they knew their captain was still in control and doing what was best for everyone.

“James.” Kate said, stopping him. He turned to see her there in the cabin. “Don’t do too much, alright?”

He chuckled a little. “I ain’t no invalid woman.” He tried to be gruff and angry but she knew better, and shot him that look that showed that she knew he wasn’t really angry. “Look, I gotta do somethin’ Kate, I can’t just hang around this room and lay in that bed.” He said, again noticing her look. “Okay well at least not until tonight.”

She smiled and reached to kiss him. “Your come off like an old bear.” She teased kissing his stubbly chin. “But I love you anyway.”

He popped her on the bottom. “I won’t be long.”

“Alright, I’m going to talk to Claire about having a special dinner for you and Desmond.” She said. She figured that she and Claire might go into New Orleans and see what they could find, maybe make a reservation for a dinner at one of the fine restaurants there.

“You two be careful now. I want you to take one of the deck hand with you.” James told her. “Don’t you be goin’ alone, you hear.”

“Of course.” She hugged him. “And James,” She said into his chest and then looked up into his eyes. “I can shoot straight you know, as long as I don’t have to shoot too far.”

James smirked a little and shook his head as he walked out the door and down toward the engine.

----------

Claire stirred a little as she unwrapped herself from Desmond’s arms and moved to clean up a little. Desmond got up and picked a fussing Aaron up out of his crib and bounced him a little. “Sleep well luv?’ He asked.

“When I slept.” She mused a little at him. “You don’t exactly make sleeping a priority you know?” She said as she wiped her clean face on the towel. Claire walked back over to the bed and tickled Aaron’s little chin.

“Let me go and see about some breakfast for us, yea?” Desmond asked. He kissed Claire softly and headed for the galley.

“Good morning Desmond.” Kate said. “Miss Kate.” He nodded.

“I thought I might ask Claire to go with me into New Orleans today.” She said. “I think she’d like that.” Desmond said.

“Good, I’ll speak with her then.” Kate said as she walked down the passageway to their room. She knocked softly on the door. “Claire dear?”

“Come in Kate.” Claire said as she changed Aaron.

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“Captain’s on deck!!” The deck hand shouted as he opened the engine room door for James. The men dropped their shovels and stood at attention. “Carry on.” He said, as he picked up a shovel.

Bernard the old overseer that James had had for years eyed him closely. “What?” James asked him, feeling the man’s eyes boring holes into the back of his neck.

“You own this boat. You’re the captain and one of the most well respected captains of blockade ships in the South.” Bernard said.

“Yea, so?” James asked as he shoveled the coal.

“So why’re you down here doin’ this?” Bernard asked.

“Because I like it.” He said. “Keeps me real.”

Bernard laughed some. “You can’t lie to me. I known you since I put the first pair o’knickers on ya, boy. You’re scared.” He said. “Still carryin’ them old ghosts, ain’t ya? Still wearin’ your daddy’s pride around y’neck like a noose.”

James stared at the older man who was a good bit shorter than he was. “You don’t know shit about it, Bernie.”

“The hell I don’t. You’re not your daddy James.” Bernard said. “I loved your daddy like my brother, but you’re a better man. You got a woman up there who loves you. You’re the captain of this ship and you wanna come down here like a deck hand and burn your troubles in coal.” James began to work up a sweat as he shoveled the heavy coal briquettes into the oven.

Bernard grabbed his sweaty arm. “Look at me, boy!”

James stopped and turned toward him. “Be the captain you are and love the woman who loves you. You got two choices. You can suffer or cut it loose.” He said. He looked pointedly at James. “Cut it loose.”

James swallowed hard and stopped working with the shovel. “I can’t.” He said. “Not yet.”

“Then ya better find a way fast, before it eats you alive.” Bernard said.

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Kate and Claire had left Aaron with Rose and had taken one of the deck hands into town to do some shopping. They were careful as James had always told her to be. Neither one knew when Jack might just pop up out of no where and hunt for Kate and James again. And, Kate new her father had contacts and would have little trouble finding her if he really wanted to.

They made several stops and then chose the Grand Orleans on Bourbon street to have dinner, thinking how nice it would be for them to get dressed up with their men for a night out on the town.

They chatted as they walked though the streets of New Orleans about Aaron and how much Claire was falling for Desmond and how she hoped to someday be his wife. “Well I hope to marry James.” Kate said. ‘But given the situation, who knows. If we never marry and as long as we are together, that’s all I could really hope for."

“Oh Claire, look at this.” She said, eyeing the deep purple dress in the store window.

“You should buy that Kate. James would love it.” Claire said. Kate got a glint in her eye and the two women headed into the store.

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“No, she’s not anywhere near the Louisiana territory. They headed up toward Maryland.” Jack said. “Didn’t you see what they told us before. No, she’s with that killer and their headed up toward Maryland.

Jack sat at the desk showing the men where he thought Kate had gone, but as usual Jack was wrong. “Now you and your men go to Maryland and find her. $15,000 in gold to the man who finds her.”

“As you say, Dr. Shepherd.” The leader of the men said as they walked out of his office. “Where are you Kate?” Jack muttered.

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“Bernie’s right you know James.” Desmond said.

“How’d you know about that?” James asked.

“What? You think you’re the only one who talks to Bernie?” Desmond asked.

“Let what our father did go, James. Besides, if he hadn’t done the things he did, we would not even know each other would we? And how bad is that?” Desmond teased his brother.

“We both have women that love us. It’s time to make them our wives and put this nonsense behind us.” Desmond said.

“Well ain’t you the philosopher.” James said with a smirk. “’Course there are some real nice places to see.” He said. James leaned against the railing of the ship. “I been readin’ in the papers that they’re wantin’ officers in the Mexican Army. We could have a quiet life in Mexico.”

“That’s a thought brotha.” Desmond said. “Maybe we should talk it over with the ladies.”

“Guess we should.” James said. “Well looks like the ladies bought out the town.” James said. He nodded to Desmond as the two women and the deck hand coming on to the ship, packages in tow.

Claire smiled at Desmond. “Hello luv.” He said. She smiled sweetly at him.

“Had a good day?” She asked.

“I am now.” He teased as he kissed her softly.

“Well, well, here comes the belle o’the ball.” James said. “What’s for dinner honey?” He teased.

She gave him a bit of a snooty look, which of course he loved. “I have things to put away.” She said, passing him on the deck. He, of course, followed her into their cabin.

“Just exactly what’d you buy, little lady?” He asked.

“A dress for dinner.” She said.

He eyed the boxes and sacks and bags that were in the room. “Is it in pieces, or somethin’?” He asked.

She kissed his chin. “Put on your best suit.”

“Oooh Freckles.” James said with a dimpled smile. “I like these games we play.”

She cut him a look and a sly smile. “We are going into New Orleans tonight for dinner. Claire and I want to go to the Grand Orleans for dinner.”

“Well then I think we can arrange that.” James said.

-- Edited by lisagwilkins at 03:38, 2008-11-06

lisagwilkins · Site Administrator

second part of chapter 7

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“Do you like it on me?” Claire asked, holding up the dress against her body.

“I like it better off of you.” Desmond teased.

“Now you be nice.” Claire said. “It’s for dinner tonight.”

“Is it edible?” Desmond asked her. “Because I know parts of you that certainly are and this dress will be in the way.” He raised an eyebrow and smiled at her.

“You are evil.” She teased. Desmond wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her neck.

“I think I’ll just have you for dinner.” He said.

She wriggled herself away from him for a moment. “We are having dinner at the Grand Orleans with James and Kate, so you best get cleaned up.”

“Will you make it worth my while if I do?” He teased.

“We’ll see.” She answered, knowing full well he would be very pleased when they got back.

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“James?” Kate asked as he held her face in his hands and kissed her chin and neck. Kate closed her eyes. “James?”

“Hmm?” He muttered.

She put her hands on his chest and pushed him away gently. “Get dressed and then when we get back, maybe we’ll have some quiet time together, but only if you feel well.”

“Oh trust me honey, I feel just fine, and you feel even better.” He said.

sawyersmine · Hollaback girl

That was a fabulous chapter Lisa, I really feel the authenticity of the time period through your writing. I think thats a definate gift. And yey James and Kate going out on a date...Oowee its about time. Cant wait for the next, dont keep us waiting long. :)