Old Habits

This story is set after DOC and my fan fiction, All You Got To Do Is Ask, about day 90, late afternoon to evening, ending at the beginning of The Brig.

Kate walked back to camp, unconsciously hugging her water bottle and grinning. The dark purple tank top, that’s what she’d wear to go swimming with Sawyer. Back at her tent, she quickly changed and found a couple towels which she put in her backpack. Knowing she still had a couple minutes before Sawyer got there, she ran over to Sun’s tent and peeked in; Sun was napping. She looked around camp but didn’t see Jin or any of his “camping buddies” roaming around. Returning to her tent she waited, feeling slightly giddy and almost nervous. Had Sawyer asked her on a date?

“You ready to go, Freckles?” Sawyer’s voice startled Kate.

She jumped up and grabbed her backpack. “Never been more ready.” She popped out of her tent. “Where are we going?”

“Taster’s choice, you decide, the waterfall or Sayid’s beach, about three kilometers down.” Sawyer nodded his head to the left.

“Let’s go to Sayid’s beach.”

Sawyer smiled. “Sayid’s beach it is.” They chatted about nothing and everything on their way to the beach; the first food they would eat when they got rescued, their favorite color, the name of the first person they kissed. When they reached the beach, Sawyer dropped his backpack and announced, “Last one in the water’s a rotten egg.” Sawyer kicked his boots off and threw his tee shirt behind him, splashing into the surf with his blue jeans still on.

There was a lot of teasing and laughter that sunny afternoon in the sapphire blue water. The bulk of which was spent with Sawyer giving Kate tips on how to improve her body surfing technique. Tired out after riding countless waves, they returned to their backpacks. Kate offered Sawyer one of her towels. Drying off, Sawyer made Kate turn around and promise not to watch while he changed into dry jeans. Kate wrinkled up her nose, giggled, and made sure to take a peek after quickly changing into a dry top. With great flourish, Sawyer produced a blanket, mango, and Dharma nutribar. “Wanna share?”

“Is that dinner?” Kate sounded let down.

“Nah, just a snack. We’ll have dinner back at camp.” Sawyer attempted to spread the blanket and dropped the food. “Son of a bitch“ Sawyer muttered. “Don’t just stand there lazy bones; help me spread out the blanket.”

Between bites of mango and nutribar, they sat enjoying each other, the warm sand, and sound of the waves. Watching the fading yellow sun start to play hide and seek with the clouds to produce the striking hues of a tropical sunset, Sawyer and Kate knew it was time to head back to camp. Kate reached for her abandoned jeans and Sawyer shook out his tee shirt.

Tom sat up in the back of his Dad’s gray Volvo sedan, his white dress shirt unbuttoned and hanging out, and his auburn hair messed up. The rented tux and tie had come off a couple hours ago after leaving the senior prom.

Tom and Katie had a fantastic senior prom. After picking up Katie in his Dad’s new Volvo, they ate dinner at a nice restaurant and went to the prom. The decorating committee did a good job of disguising the high school gym as a romantic retreat, where they could dance the night away with their friends. Deciding to skip the post prom party to spend time with each other, they ended up parking.

“Why are you sitting up, Tom?” Katie questioned, trying to adjust her gown to cover herself.

“We got to stop now Katie. Things are getting way out of hand.” Tom was trying to button his shirt.

“Wait.” Katie placed her hand over Tom’s. “I thought we wanted things to get out of hand.”

“Katie, you deserve better than the back of a car. You should have a fancy hotel in some exotic location. I want to give that to you when we get married.”

“Tom, why does it matter if we wait or not, cause we’re going to get married anyway, right?”

Tom opened the back door and stepped out into the cool spring night to finish buttoning his shirt. “It matters to me, Katie. I love you and I’m taking you home, now.”

Katie was disappointed and the ride to her house seemed especially long and quiet.
Tom walked Katie to the door of her house. “Please don’t be mad at me, Katie. I’m doing this for you. I have four years of college to finish before we can get married.”

“I’m not mad at you, Tom. I’m just disappointed. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. I just want you to know that.” Katie kissed Tom lovingly.

Tom reached for the doorknob, “Just trust me, Katie. It will all work out.” Tom smiled, kissed her one more time, and opened the door.

Katie stepped inside, “Thanks for tonight. Everything was beautiful.”

Tom smiled, “You’re right. Everything was beautiful, except you. You…you are exquisite.”

Katie blushed and stayed at the door to watch Tom drive away. Sighing, Katie went to turn off the TV in the living room. Wayne was asleep on the couch, several empty beer cans littered the coffee table. Passing through the kitchen, she found a note on the table from her mom; Diane was working the midnight shift at the diner and would be home around 8am. Katie climbed the stairs to her room and locked the door behind her. She changed into her pajamas and carefully hung up her prom gown. While admiring the corsage Tom gave her, she heard a thud and a curse; Wayne was awake. Katie jumped off her bed checked the lock on her door and listened. His gait sounded unsteady; Katie heard the sharp pop of another beer can opening. After what seemed like an eternity, his footsteps headed for the stairs. “Katie, you home?” Another stumble and curse, “You know how late it ish?”

“Oh God help me, he’s drunk.” Katie prayed quietly. “When is Mom getting home?” It was almost dawn.

The burnt orange sun was sinking into the midnight blue sea as Sawyer and Kate arrived back at camp. Heading directly to the kitchen to get some dinner, they found Sun who offered them some fish and rice she had cooked, hoping Jin and his buddies would be back in time for dinner. Kate thanked Sun; Sawyer got plates and forks and piled an indecent amount of fish and rice onto the plates.

“Hey, you going to eat all that?” Jack approached with two plates of his own.

“Ain’t mine to offer you. MamaSun made it and offered some to Kate and me.” Sawyer put another forkful on his plate.

“Well, Sun just said Juliet and I could have some too.” Jack countered.

“All yours.” Sawyer picked up the plates and went to Kate who was still talking with Sun. He threw a glance or two back over his shoulder at Jack.

Kate gave Sun a quick hug, “I’ll trust you know what you are doing.”

Sun replied, “I do, Kate. I believe Juliet is a good person.” Sun nodded her head at Sawyer. “Enjoy your dinner.”

“Smells good, Emeril.” Sawyer grinned at Sun.

Eating their dinner by the community fire, Sawyer watched Kate watch Juliet and Jack. Noticing Sawyer was watching her, Kate finally questioned, “What?”

“You tell me. The Doc and his favorite Other have your attention, not mine.”

“James, I just don’t trust Juliet. Now Sun is telling me she thinks Juliet is a good person.” Kate answered, pushing around the little bit of fish and rice that remained on her plate.

“You sure that’s all that’s bothering you, Freckles?” Sawyer nudged her shoulder with his.

Kate remembered standing by this same fire several months ago wanting to tell him how she felt. That night she wanted to tell him it was too dangerous for him to go on the raft; please stay, because I am worth staying for. All she had managed to say was, “Be safe, Sawyer.” But tonight, sitting by this same fire, she confided, “It really bothers me that Jack trusts Juliet too.” She looked at Sawyer to judge his reaction.

“Well, looks like we got something in common… again.” Sawyer got up and took her plate. Offering Kate his free hand, he helped her to her feet, leaned in, and whispered in her ear, “But I got something better to be bothered about right now, and it ain’t the Doc or these dishes.”

Kate smiled at him, “Your tent in five minutes?”

“You asking me, Freckles?”

Kate nodded and blushed.

“Since your asking me so nice, I’ll even go do these dishes, then…my tent…five minutes.” Sawyer kissed her; it was quick but full with the promise of the night ahead and the love they would share.

An orange-blue flame flared then settled to a slow burn as it was lowered to light the fuse. The short fuse burned quickly then pop, pop, pop.

Tom and Katie were laughing, watching the firecrackers go off in a parking lot near the community fair.

“You are too old to be playing with firecrackers.” Katie teased.

“Hey, I just want to celebrate July 4th properly.” Tom was checking the pockets of his jeans for more firecrackers. “Looks like that was it.”

“Oh, poor baby.” Katie playfully messed his hair. “Let’s grab the blanket so we can get a good spot for the fireworks.” It was starting to get dark; people began to gather in the field behind the community fair for the fireworks. They spread the blanket and sat down.

“I’m glad we have this chance to talk before the fireworks start.” Katie became serious. “You know I’m going to visit Dad tomorrow and I’m staying for two weeks, right?”

Tom nodded.

“Well, we’re going camping cause he feels bad he missed my graduation. And it’s his birthday, so I’m going to give him that scrapbook I made for him. And I’m going to ask him if I can live with him. But if he says no, I’m staying there and getting a job and my own place.”

“What?” Tom was surprised. “You can’t do that. Your home is here.”

“No, Tom, it isn’t. I can’t live here with Mom and Wayne anymore. You know how I feel about that. You’re going to college the end of next month. We’re going to be separated anyway.”

“So what does Diane think about this?” Tom questioned.

“I’m not going to tell her til I’ve already done it. Look, Tom, I’m 18 and have my high school diploma. They can’t stop me. My mind is made up.” Katie remained firm. “We’ll call each other and talk. I can come visit you at college. I’ll come back for holidays and stuff. This isn’t the end of you and me. We’re still going to get married.”

“No, this isn’t the end of us.” Tom leaned over and sealed the statement with a kiss. “I love you. It just sounds like you’re running away.”

Katie looked at Tom, sad but resolute; there wasn’t anything else to say.

(The Brig)
Even though Kate was snuggled up to Sawyer’s warm back, she was unable to fall asleep. Maybe she was overtired, maybe if she were in her own tent. Sawyer was sleeping peacefully; Kate could feel it. His arm was heavy, draped over hers, if she could just pull it out without disturbing him… She started to put on her pants.

Sawyer stirred, turning toward Kate. “Hey, where are you going?”

Kate looked over her shoulder, “I can’t sleep if I’m not in my own tent.”

Sawyer started to get up. “Fine, let’s go to your tent.”

Kate pushed her hair out of her face and rubbed her temples. “Um…It’s nothing personal. It’s…old habits…you know?”