Snow Globe

End of Season 3. Sawyer, Juliet, Hurley, Desmond, Sayid, Jin, and Bernard, the beach party, had just been reunited with the group at the radio tower. The beach party shared Charlie’s message, “Not Penny’s Boat” and the fact he died, with the radio tower group. No one really knew how to process any of the information; but Sawyer, Desmond and Sayid were skeptical over who the “rescuers” really were. The rescuer’s helicopters were overhead readying to land when BOOM! The radio tower blew up, crashing one of the helicopters. The other one landed roughly, seemingly damaged at that time. Mass confusion broke out.

As the radio tower blew, the percussion from the blast knocked Kate to the ground. Sawyer saw her going down as he was staggering into Desmond trying to stay upright. The heat from the blast diverted Sawyer’s attention away from Kate for only a second as he assessed any danger the falling debris may have caused. Fairly sure they were a safe distance he made his way over to Kate to help her to her feet.
“Kate, you okay?” Sawyer asked bending down to touch her lightly on the shoulder. He couldn’t see her face. Kate didn’t move.
“Kate!” Sawyer shook her shoulder. Kate started to move, pushing herself up on her elbows.
“Are you okay, Kate?” Sawyer asked again.
“Yes James, I’m fine.” Kate answered, shaking her head getting to her feet. Sawyer looked around to see if anyone else needed help and noticed Locke over at the tree cutting Ben loose. Rousseau, Alex, and Karl were together but didn’t seem to notice Locke and Ben heading into the jungle. Frantically, Sawyer looked around for Sayid. But Sayid was helping Claire and Aaron. The baby was screaming and bloodied, Claire had blood on her too. Sayid was calling for Jack. The Doc had run over to the crashed and burning debris of the helicopters from which some “commando” types had emerged. Locke and Ben were getting away. Sawyer grabbed his backpack and took off after them; Locke had some explaining to do.
Kate was on her feet, brushing herself off. Looking around, she couldn’t believe what was happening. Juliet was tending to Claire and Aaron. Sun, Jin, Rose, and Bernard were together in a group. No one seemed to know what to do. Kate noticed Sawyer making his way into the jungle, seeming as if he was following someone. Where was he off to? Determined he wasn’t leaving her again until they could have a talk, Kate grabbed her backpack and took off after Sawyer.
“Son of a bitch.” Sawyer muttered, kicking at the ground cover.
Standing a couple feet behind Sawyer, Kate was smiling remembering his previous attempts at tracking boar. “What are you looking for James?”
“Son of a bitch!” Sawyer flinched, surprised by Kate’s presence. “Why aren’t you back with the group?” Sawyer questioned annoyed.
“I could ask you the same thing James.” Kate threw right back at him.
Sawyer shook his head, shifting his weight. “It’s too dangerous out here. Go back to the group.” Sawyer turned and walked further into the jungle.
“Don’t tell me what to do. It wasn’t exactly safe back at the radio tower either. What are you doing out here?” Kate was jogging after him, trying to catch up.
Sawyer stopped abruptly and stalked back toward an approaching Kate. “Alright Nosy Nellie, if you have to know, Locke grabbed Ben and they came this way. Thought I’d like to ask Locke why he is Ben’s buddy now and why he is still on his blow up the island tour.”
“Really?” Kate was surprised Locke had helped Ben escape. “I guess Locke has also managed to keep us on the island a little longer too.” Kate looked around to see if she could pick up the trail. “Looks like they went this way.”
Sawyer shrugged his shoulders, scowled at Kate, and followed after her.
They tracked for a while but didn’t see Locke or Ben, although Kate was reasonably sure they were still on their trail. It was starting to get dark, Sawyer seemed increasingly on edge, and the jungle seemed familiar. Kate slowed and stopped, hearing the rush of water. “Do you hear that?” As Kate asked, she recognized the sound and started grinning thinking of their earlier visit here. They stepped into the clearing and saw the waterfall.
Sawyer dropped his backpack to the ground and approached Kate. “You did this on purpose.” Sawyer angrily accused.
Kate snapped out of her thoughts. “I did what on purpose?”
“You weren’t tracking Locke or Ben. You brought us here on purpose.” Sawyer was pacing, looking between Kate and the waterfall.
“Why would I do that? Their trail came this way.” Kate said pointing behind her.
“Right.” Sawyer snapped, snatching his backpack off the ground.
“It’s as good as any place to make camp for the night. Plenty of fresh water and we can make a fire over there.” Kate pointed out. She put her backpack down in the clearing.
“Well, don’t just stand there.” Sawyer grumbled. “Help me gather some firewood.”
They both gathered wood in silence. Kate wanted to say something to Sawyer, but he was so moody and silent. She didn’t know how to reach out to him. The wood was piled and Sawyer started the fire.
“Hey, Sawyer, give me your water bottle. I’ll fill it for you.” Kate offered. Sawyer looked up from his task. His gaze was intense and focused on her.
Pointing to his backpack, he grunted, “There.” and went back to tending the fire.
Kate found his bottle and went to the water’s edge, over by the waterfall and gathered the cool, refreshing water in their bottles. She poured some out and splashed her face and poured a little more over the back of her neck. Feeling refreshed, Kate returned to the fireside, handed Sawyer his bottle, and sat down. Sawyer was digging through his backpack and offered her a Dharma nutri-bar. Kate thanked him and they ate in uncomfortable silence. After Kate finished the bar and took a drink, she decided to break the silence. “James, we need to talk.”
“Talk’s overrated.” Sawyer sniped back.
“Both of us are going to have to face up to the possible consequences of what we’ve done.” Kate said quietly, not quite able to make eye contact.
Sawyer leaned in, looking directly at Kate. “What’s done is done. We can’t undo it. Now we got to hope for the best and not do anything stupid.” Sawyer got up and turned away, feeling like he needed to move.
“Don’t walk away from me again, James.” Kate was on her feet right behind Sawyer.
Sawyer spun around, grabbed her shoulders, and barked, “I’m no good for you Kate. Don’t waste your time with me.”
“But what about the cages…..and the mix tape…….and the last couple days back at the beach before all this? I thought we had something special.” Kate felt the tears starting but refused to cry.
“I’m not a good person, Kate. Never did a good thing in my life. You deserve better. You don’t want me.” Sawyer said sadly, letting go of her shoulders.
Stepping forward toward Sawyer, anger started to overcome the hurt. “Don’t tell me what I want.” Kate threw back at Sawyer. “I want you. I want to be with you.” She poked him in the chest. “I love you!” Kate wished that last statement had come out less forcefully.
Sawyer just stood there not knowing how to respond. Ever since he killed Cooper, all he knew was confusion and hurt where there should have been satisfaction. Here stood Kate offering acceptance and love, even if it was only for a short time, even if it was possibly stupid. James leaned in and claimed Kate’s mouth. She was soft and yielding and felt so good. Just a little longer and Sawyer thought he would stop. But Kate reached under his shirt and returned his kiss with her tongue. All thought stopped and the sparks they kindled turned into a raging fire.
It was a clear night with a light breeze; they could hear the waterfall’s serenade playing softly in the background. Their problems still needed to be addressed. Together again, they could take the next step. James was pulling the cover over Kate who was nestled into his side, smiling and content. “It’s a beautiful night. Isn’t it James?”
“Hmmmm” James murmured, kissing Kate’s ear.
“Have you ever seen so many stars? I swear you can see more here than any other place I’ve ever been.” Kate snuggled in close to James’ side.
“Since when did you become an astronomer Freckles?” James squeezed her affectionately.
“I think I could be a good astronomer actually. See that group of stars just to the left over there.” Kate was pointing to the sky making a circle with her index finger. “They are in a perfect circle and there are a couple of stars underneath the circle like a base. They look like a snow globe. All the stars in the middle are the snow swirling around inside the snow globe.” She paused, quite pleased with herself. “Yes, I am naming that constellation The Snow Globe.” In good spirits, Kate turned, kissed James, and put her arm around his warm, naked chest.
“The Snow Globe? So now you’re naming stars with me Sassafras?” It was James turn to smile as he remembered advice he once gave to Karl. “I’ve been with a lot of girls, some of them worth the trouble, some not. Every now and again there’s one …………. one that you name the dumb stars with.”