Title: VS3x04: Running to Stand Still
Description: August 9th, 2006
Description: August 9th, 2006
Aimz - August 9, 2006 11:44 PM (GMT)
Lost Virtual Season Three
Episode Four: Running to Stand Still
Writers:
Act I and Act II Scene One, Aimz
Act II, Midnight Riot
Full Credits and Disclaimers: Will appear at the end of this post
Rating for Episode Three: PG-13
Special Thanks to: Leigh
Feedback: Would love it. Please Read and Feed.
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She woke up from where she was lying still
Saying I've got to do something about where we're going
ACT I
Scene One West L.A. Several Years Ago.
“So A-L, how many people know you are knocked up?”
Riding shotgun to Big Mike in a squad car, Ana Lucia divided her attention between her chatty partner and the usual shady-looking suspects on the street corners.
“Nobody except you. And I'd like to keep it that way.”
“Hey your secrets safe with me. Soon enough the truth will reveal itself anyway,” joked Big Mike while glancing at Ana's stomach. “Does the Captain know?”
“Yea she knows,” Ana Lucia answered with a tinge of irritation. “And she wants me on desk duty immediately. So doesn't Danny.”
“What Captain Cortez says, goes,” said Big Mike sarcastically. “But seriously, maybe you should listen to them A-L.”
“Already been through it man, ” said Ana, cutting his lecture short. “I'm less than 12 weeks in my first trimester. And I got my vest,” she declared, thumping against her armored chest with her fist. “It's not like I am the first cop ever to get pregnant. If I were any other female cop, my Mother wouldn't be riding me so hard. Story of my life. So for your information, I am going to finish out the month. As much as I'd rather stick needles in my eye than do desk duty, I'll do it.
“So what does Danny have to say for himself? You two getting hitched? He's going to make an honest woman out of you I hope.”
“He wants to get married,” she said flatly. “His family are strict Catholics and all religious and stuff. They would disown him if he didn't marry his pregnant girlfriend. They live in the 1950s man.”
“You going to do it?”
“I might,” she answered with a noncommittal shrug. “Danny and I have our issues, you know. He's all gung ho about this, wanting to get a new place with a backyard for the kid. And you know my Dad was never around. I don't want that for my child.”
“Oh look out, A-L's headed for the domestic life.”
“Ha,” she laughed heartily. “We even went shopping for baby furniture yesterday. It's surreal. But I am happy about this baby. I am,” she repeated quietly while sliding her palm down to her womb and smiling unconsciously. “I have to show you the sonogram photos later.”
“Can't wait,” he answered with a sarcastic eyebrow raise. “I am sure yours will look different from all the others I've seen.”
“You know it. This baby is a Cortez.”
816, 816 please respond to a suspected burglary in progress on 2342 Gale Lane
“Roger this is Adam-8 Adam-16,” said Ana responding to dispatch on her radio. “We are headed there now.”
Arriving at the scene and exiting their vehicle, Ana and Mike quickly decided to split up. Mike went around back, Ana decided to enter the front. She found the front door curiously unlocked and nobody inside; making her wonder if it was a false alarm.
While inside the dark, seemingly empty house, she reacted quickly to the sound of the front door opening by spinning around and holding her weapon stretched out in front of her, ready to fire.
“Freeze right there. And put your arms where I can see them.”
The man shifted in the dark vestibule, only a sliver of light illuminating his face.
“I said hands up where I can see them,” she commanded a second time.
“You got it wrong. Wait, wait. I live here. I am a student,” he pleaded through a shaky voice. “Wait, I have i.d. I'll show you.”
Ana relaxed her stance slightly. Her eyes followed the man as he reached around to his back pocket, but it was too late. Too late stop him from pulling the gun. Too late to duck or return fire.
Too late to stop him from setting off an explosion of gunfire into her chest.
Lost Freaky Music
Scene Two: The Island Coastline Present Day
The feel of hot lead entering her flesh, exploding inside her, stealing her life away -- Ana Lucia is ready for it.
She flies down the beach with the intensity of an Olympic sprinter headed for a mythical finish line that she'll never quite reach. The early sun has not yet reached full intensity; still her body is saturated with sweat. She digs the heals of her worn boots hard into the surf, making the wet sand kick up and hit the backs of her jeans in retaliation. The salty moisture of the dewy morning air stings her tender cheeks. The pain of it makes her feel alive, and she is keenly aware of the pistol, wedged down the back of her jeans -- cold, hard steel molded in-between the planes of her lower back. It's within arms reach should she need to use it in a quick draw, giving her the comfort of a security blanket.
She picks up momentum with every stride, pumping her arms hard, breathing sharply through constricted nostrils, and pushing herself until her heart nearly bursts out of her chest. She tries hard to reach that threshold -- that place right before self-flagellation turns into the euphoria of a runner's high. But she never quite gets there no matter how hard she pushes herself. There would be no euphoria for the hunted prey. She knows they are around her, watching her, salivating, waiting. With every stride, she anticipates feeling the pang of a sniper's bullet in her back. She is a marked woman after all. No matter how hard and far she runs, she can't escape the fact that there is a contract on her head. The Others want her dead, and there is no reason for her to believe that the vultures will stop before they draw every ounce of blood from her veins and see her six feet under. She's ready for them. Bring it.
In the near distance she sees Libby and Hurley. Libby looks like the happiest soccer mom in a pale blue jogging suit. She's smiling and encouraging Hurley, running backwards, circling around him like his own personal trainer.
Hurley spots Ana and uses it as an excuse to stop. He waves at her then doubles over bracing his palms against his knees. “Hola Ana Lucia,” says Hurley through gasps of breath, saying her name with proper Spanish inflection. “Que Pasa.”
Ana slows up, surprised to be greeted so warmly by Hurley. She waits a second to catch her own breath before answering. “¿Buenos dias. Obteniendo algún ejercicio?”
“Si, Si ¿Et Tu?”
“Si.”
Libby darts her eyes between the two of them, not fully understanding them conversing in Spanish. “How are you Ana Lucia?” she asks, her voice full of concern for her friend.
“Fine,” she answers with a tinge of defense. If she is alive, for all intents and purposes, she's fine. Being alive is all she can really hope for.
“I heard what happened. Should you be running, I mean so soon after a head injury?”
Ana rolls her eyes slightly, thinking that t Libby sounds like her mother. “I'm fine.” She takes note of Hurley's saturated shirt and audible labored breathing, thinking that Libby has it backwards. She should be concerned about pushing Hurley too hard.
“Just be careful. That's all I ask.” Libby reaches in her knapsack and pulls out a bottle of water, offering it to Ana. The three of them are still breathing hard from their excretion.
“Dude, I heard what that guy did to you. That sucks.”
Ana scowls a bit, while taking a gulp of water. She is not sure if Hurley's “that guy” is Henry or Michael. They both violated her and got away with it. But the last thing she needs is Hurley's pity or to know exactly how fast word travels in the camp like the most fluid gossip mill. “It will be taken care of.”
“Ana,” Libby starts in a scolding tone. She switches gears after being met with a fierce Ana scowl. “Now that Henry's escaped and Walt's back, maybe that's it, maybe they'll leave us alone?” Libby asks a question that she already sadly knows the answer to.
Ana reacts incredulously. “You don't really believe that now do you?”
“I am just saying Ana...”
“I hear what you think you are saying Libby. But you were there with me on the other side of the island. You know what those people are capable of and that they will stop at nothing. Walt and Cindy are back, but they escaped. And the other two kids, well they are still MIA. You remember them don't you Libby?”
Hurley shrinks a little at Ana's outburst. He heard that she could be pretty intense, but this is his first time being up close and personal to the woman Sawyer calls 'Rambina'.
“I plan on mobilizing everyone Libby. If you want to hear more about how you can defend yourself, then come see me at my tent later.”
Libby doesn't answer. Hurley studies her expression and fears that she may be taking Ana's offer seriously. ”Um, dude?”
“Look, I have to keep moving,” says Ana. She gives Hurley a wry smirk and tells him in Spanish that he is looking good, but not to overdo the exercising.
About a mile further, she hears a whistle call near the rocky shore and tries to ignore it. The whistling grows louder and she realizes it's Jin trying to get her attention. She hears faint chattering in Korean, two voices. She decides to acknowledge their presence. They were, after all, the first people aside from Jack to truly welcome her to the island. They had no reason to show her any kindness, but they did.
“Hey” she bellows while leaping over jagged wet rocks to reach them by the shore. “Have either of you seen Sayid or know where I can find . . .” She smirks, realizing that Jin probably doesn't comprehend a word she is saying. She looks at Sun and repeats her question.
Jin casts his net again, then mocks a wince and reaches towards the back of his head. “Head. Ouch.”
“Are you okay Ana Lucia?” asks Sun in a soft tone of voice.
“Yea fine,” Ana responds, trying to fight the tinge of annoyance she is feeling. She is not used to so many people fussing over her, well not since she was shot years ago. It gives her both feelings of warmth and discomfort to know that people care. Still, she knows it's not wise to fully trust the kindness of mere strangers.
“We wonder about you. We are glad you are okay,” offers Sun.
Ana tries to force a smile “Well you all are a gossipy bunch around the campfire, huh?” Her two friends give her confused looks. “Thanks guys. I appreciate it.”
“Sayid's about a mile further,” says Sun while pointing due north.
“Thanks.” Ana turns to leave but decides to make an attempt at being cordial. She figures she can use as many friends as she can get, and Jin could make a decent soldier. “Hey Jin,” she bellows to him as he fools with his net. “Catch me a lobster dinner. You know lobster.” She forms her hands into two claws as if it will help bridge the language barrier. “Nevermind just tired of eating mangos.”
Jin grins at her and nods. Sun says something to him in Korean and they both laugh and nod. “He said, he will try, Ana Lucia. Lobster, yes.”
Jin reaches down and holds up a string full of silverfish, nodding and gesturing to her.
“No Thanks. I mean I'll get them latter, thanks.” She smiles a bit at Jin working so hard, shrugs and turns to Sun. “Tell him to keep working on that English. So how are you Sun . . . you know since what happened to you?” she asks, recalling that it was not too long ago that Sun was attacked, and how the mystery of her abduction is yet to be solved. “We can make sure that never happens to you again, you know. You don't have to feel scared. You shouldn't have to.”
Sun nods feebly, while lowering her head somewhat in shame. Jin puts down his net and walks over closer to the two women. He breaks into an enormous grin and places his palm on his wife's stomach. “Baby,” he says in broken English, following with “Pregnant.”'
Ana darts her eyes between the glowing couple with one eyebrow raised. “No kidding. You're gonna have a kid.”
Sun nods yes while blushing.
“That's um, that's great. Congrats,” she offers through a cracked voice. It had been years since she had lost her own child, years, but still she can't help but feel the pain of emptiness in her own soul seeing the happy couple before her. Bringing a child into this godforsaken place can't be a good thing, she thinks. But it doesn't matter really, since she's proven that no child around her is ever safe anywhere in the world.
Scene Three : St. Sebastian Hospital, L.A., Several Years Ago
Ana woke up to swishing sounds of a respirator and the steady beeping of a heart monitor. The assaulting light hit her eyes like shards of glass as she tried to force open her lids.
“Mi Hija, Thank God.” Breathing a sigh of relief, Theresa smoothed her fingers along her daughter's forehead. “I'll get the doctor,” she said while looking around her surroundings for a nurse.
Disoriented and hearing echoes of gunfire in her brain, Ana attempted to jerk herself up only to succumb to the pain in her chest. It felt like she had been hit with a ten ton sledge hammer, and she was having trouble trying to force air into her lungs.
“Whoa, whoa, lie back down sweetie. “You were shot. But by the grace of God you are going to be okay,” she said while holding her daughter's hand between her palms.
With her eyes fully open but still disoriented, she attempted to expand her lungs and speak. “Wha?”
“You were shot. Let me get the doctor.”
“How many times?” Ana managed to get out her question, while gasping for air.
“Forensics is on it. We' ll get your statement later, and we'll catch the scumbag. I promise you that.”
“How many times Ma?” she repeated while making a second attempt to pull herself up.
“Four times.” Theresa realized that her daughter, being a cop, would not rest until she had all the details. “The assailant used hollow point bullets, so they exploded into your chest on impact. Your vest was no match. But you are alive,” she said earnestly while holding her daughter's palm to her cheek. “You have a collapsed lung and some broken ribs. You survived six hours in surgery so the worst part's over.”
As Ana listened to her mother rattle off her injuries, she felt the cold bitterness of reality surge through her like an ice storm. The worst part had just begun.
“It's dead.”
“Ana...I”
“Mama, the truth. The baby is dead.” She spoke through a tightened throat. The swell of pain was beyond tears. She let him reach back. She let him kill everything.
“The fetus couldn't survive something like this. I am so sorry baby.”
Ana jerked her head way a from her mother as she tried to smooth back her hair. She focused her gaze on dripping liquid of her IV, and the white drape that separated her from the rest of the world, succumbing to the tormented thoughts of what a split second had cost her. Everything.
“Yo lo maté, Yo lo maté.” I killed it.
Scene Four: Sayid’s Camp
After running another mile and pushing her malnourished body to the limit, Ana is happy to finally spot Sayid assembling a pile of branches near his camp. She wonders why he chose such a remote location to settle, so far away from everyone else, like some self-imposed exile. It must have been an attempt to avoid other people, who would no doubt pity him in his grief. It's something of which she can relate.
Immediately aware of her approach, Sayid stops what he is doing momentarily, thinking Ana Lucia is the last person he'd expect to see anywhere near him. It still surprises him, somewhat pleasantly so, that Ana doesn't fear him or avoid him out of her own guilt. She was a bold one, standing up to him and apologizing when others would have run, admitting her fault when a lesser person would have blamed another.
"Ana Lucia," he greets her flatly.
"Sayid,” she answers forcefully. “I've been looking for you."
Sayid raises his eyebrow. "It seems as if you have found me." Sayid resumes gathering and stockpiling branches and scraps of wood, while Ana hovers and shifts uncomfortably. Finally Ana rests her hands on her hips, leaning her head to one side, waiting to see if he will grant her his full attention.
"Got a second?"
"Well I would say I have several. What is it that you want?"
Ana takes a deep breath before speaking. She always feels the need to chose her words thoughtfully when speaking to Sayid with no sudden outbursts of emotion.
"I need to talk to you about them, The Others. They are not going to stop. They are not going to just go away."
Sayid wipes dirt and gravel from his hands, and moves closer to her. "And…"
"And we need to be able to defend ourselves, all of us. We need to mobilize, to train everyone. You were a soldier. I figure you can be of help."
“I could have killed one of them,” he says coldly while examining his palm. ”And As I recall, it was you who prevented me from pulling the trigger.”
Ana winces a bit. ”That was my mistake. I guarantee you it won't happen again. Anyway as much as I wanted the assh-le dead, we got bigger problems.”
He nods, in neither agreement nor disagreement. "Actually I was head of the Intelligence Division for the Iraqi Republican Guard. After that I was a torturer."
"All the better, ” she responds, noting that Sayid says 'used to be a torturer' as casually as she says 'used to be a cop'. ”You were trained to fight, as in war strategy. That's what I am talking about. We need to be strategic. If someone needs torturing, well I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, won't we? "
"What you are talking about is forming an army," interrupts Sayid. Ana Lucia seemed to miss the nuance of him being a torturer. He has to admit that he uses that line to rattle people, and he has no reason to expect it to rattle her. He's seen enough cop dramas on the American telly to know that interrogation tactics at the LAPD probably crossed the line of what was considered lawful and humane.
"Exactly. We need a national guard, man. It's the only way."
"Tell me Ana Lucia . . . How do you plan on forming a 'national guard', as you put it, with no weapons and no one willing to fight?"
"I'm working on the weapons situation. Sawyer has the guns, but not for long," she says with slight irritation. She thinks, but doesn't say, that's where Sayid's torture tactics could come in handy. She isn't willing to trade sex for the whole arsenal of weapons he was hoarding. So if Sayid has to break out the pliers, well. . .
“Who is fighting Ana Lucia? People are having a difficult enough time trying to survive let alone launch a defense against the unknown.”
Ana takes a deep breath and digs in her heals. "People are willing to fight now more than ever. They continue to attack us, and there are enough of us who aren't going to sit by and take it.”
"What about Jack?"
"What about him?"
"I know you two have formed some type of alliance for this very thing. Does he know that you are coming to me?"
"Does he need to know?"
"Would he not want to be involved?"
"Jack is a bit too indecisive these days. I can't rely on him."
Sayid shakes his head. If he had a choice of siding with Ana Lucia -- someone who had proven to think and act rashly --or Jack, he would chose Jack. "People trust Jack, Ana Lucia. Unfortunately he has their loyalty more so than you and I." Sayid rubs his bearded chin, pondering Ana's motivations. "They want you dead in particular."
"Yes, and…"
"Michael had orders to kill you. So why are you not fearing him?"
"Same reason why I am not fearing you," she answers defiantly. "I look fear in the face Sayid. I am not running scared. I can't afford to do that, none of us can. Truth is nobody on this island is safe from those savages. Not men, not children, not women. You of all people should know that."
Her robust voice, laying out the reality of the situation so unabashedly, hits him hard. Sayid eyeballs her coldly then stomps back to his stockpile.
“They want Eko dead, they want me dead, but do your really think it will stop there?" Ana pauses as Sayid stares at her intensely, but nearly expressionless. The coldness of his eyes rattle her. "You can hate me if you want. You can hate me for all eternity. But you know what I am saying is right."
"To say I hate you Ana Lucia is simplifying the matter at hand," he breaks his cold stare and responds with a slight smirk and eye twinkle, slightly entertained by Ana's tenacity. " I am listening to you."
"Good." She thinks it may be good. Ana can't decipher his response as positive or negative, but at least she has his ear. "Look Sayid, Jack is good leader. I will grant him that. People trust him. He earned that trust. But we are more qualified than any of these people to do this, and that includes Jack."
Sayid nods quickly, allowing himself to succumb to Ana's tactics of negotiation. "Fine. But training people for combat is going to take time, " he answers her pleas while looking over her shoulder at the man approaching. "The better people are trained, the less likely we will have casualties on our side."
"This is what I know Sayid."
"Yes, yes you know this Ana Lucia. But we must prepare people for the reality that they will be walking into a situation of which they may not walk out."
"That is what I am afraid of." Through short gasps of breath Jack slings off his backpack and waits for either Ana or Sayid to respond. He heard enough of their conversation to decipher what they were talking about and he isn't happy. In fact, he has is having a hard time not feeling downright betrayed.
"Hello Jack. Ana Lucia has come to me with a proposition to assist her informing an army. Would you care to offer your opinion on that matter?"
Jack glares at Ana Lucia while answering Sayid. "I would have to hear more about it," he mumbles with a tinge of anger in his voice.
"You know all about it Jack," Ana interjects, not allowing Sayid to entertain Jack by answering a simple question. "It's really not that complicated."
"Yes it is Ana. We've been through this," he answers sternly. The fact that Ana Lucia would try to go around him and to Sayid to accomplish her goal of waging a war makes his blood boil.
"Far be it from me to get in the middle of your quarrel, but what exactly is your objection Jack?"
"I said I have to hear more about it," Jack repeats through a clenched jaw.
Ana Lucia sighs heavily, but Jack finally had the right idea -- 'shut up and listen', especially since nothing he said to her over the past 48 hours made any sense.
Ana and Sayid begin to verbally map out their plan. Jack just listens, offering no assistance nor objections, just listening. As they talk on, he feels an unexplainable surge of anger coursing through him and taking over.
"Getting the guns back is not going to be easy," says Sayid as his eyes dart between Ana and Jack who look like they are in the middle standoff. "But without them we are defenseless."
"You let me worry about Sawyer," assures Ana with a smirk.
"What do you plan on doing Ana, ambush him in the middle of the night?" asks Jack, too sarcastically for Ana's liking.
"I'll do what I have to do Jack," she snaps back coolly. If Jack only knew the half of it.
“Why is it that you object to this Jack?” asks Sayid again.
“Where should I start, Libby fighting, Kate?” Jack exclaims. “Henry attacked Ana single-handedly and almost killed her with no weapons, no army. You are leading everyone on a death march. We can handle this ourselves Sayid, without them.”
“What!” Ana Lucia exclaims in an outburst. Then she shakes her head and presses her lips together in mute anger. This was about two things: Jack not trusting her skills after all, and protecting his girlfriend Kate.
“I feel Ana Lucia is quite capable Jack. The other people she mentioned will require extensive training, but we can do it quickly.”
“We are going in with loose cannons, Sayid.”
“Sayid, Jack's problem is with me.” Ana glares at Jack waiting for him to object, but he doesn't and that reality, along with his loose cannon comment, hits her in the gut.
“That's not what I said,” says an exasperated Jack.
“You don't need to say nothing more Jack. I get the picture just fine. I'm am going to do this with or without you. Your choice.” With that final word, Ana storms off.
Scene Five: Losties Camp, Present Day
“Come on sweetie. What's the matter huh? Please stop crying for Mommy.” Claire swipes beads of sweat from her brow and looks around nervously while attempting to calm a wailing Aaron. The baby's anguished face is beet red and Claire was certain his screeching could be heard from miles away.
While frantically rocking him Sun approaches. “Hello,” she hesitates. “Can I try, holding him?”
“Oh sure,” says Claire, at her wits end and willing to try anything.
Sun wraps her arms around the infant, swaddling him and rocking him gently. Aaron gradually starts calming down and looks up with curious eyes and the new person holding him.
“Wow you are great with him.” Claire rubs her hands nervously on her hips, looking around to see if she can spot Jack. Her nerves are haggard and she has barely slept in days.
Sun blushes and shrugs. “I have no practice really. Only when you left him with me.”
“Well you are going to make a great mother.” Claire pauses to stroke her finger against her son's flushed cheek. “He's fussy alot. I don't know what to do sometimes. I need Jack to take a look at him again I think.” As Aaron’s starts to whine again, Claire's tone grows more desperate. She eyeballs the syringes of strange blue fluid that Charlie gave her near Aaron's crib. “You need to be careful Sun. ”
“What do you mean?”
“I was taken and they did something to me, and probably to my baby too. When I left Aaron with you, Kate and I tracked down where I was during that time. They did something to me, I know it. You have to stick around here. Please don't go off wondering, promise me.”
Shaken a bit at Claire's sudden desperation, Sun is starting to wonder if his own mother's nervousness is rubbing off on her son. She nods to Jack who is walking towards them a few feet away. “Here comes Jack, maybe you should talk to him.”
Jack greets them quickly. “Have either of you seen Ana Lucia?”
They both nod no.
“Well she was running on the beach earlier,” Sun remembers.
“I know,” Jack mumbles while looking towards Sawyer's tent.
“Jack I know you said he's okay. But he feels a bit warm,” says Claire in a pleading tone.
Jack is skeptical but he accepts the fact that the only way to calm a nervous mother is to humor her. Plus there isn't much he can do to diagnose Aaron let alone treat him without the proper medical supplies. Sun hands the baby to Jack, who juggles him in his arms. “I don't think he has a temperature Claire,” he reported, trying to hide his irritation at having to examine Aaron everyday.
“Are you sure?”
“I don't know what you want me to say Claire. He's an infant.”
“I know but...”
“Look if he gets worse let me know. And if you see Ana Lucia. Um, just let me know.”
Jack continues to eyeball Sawyer's tent. He had already canvassed the rations at the hatch for a bottle of tequila earlier and came up empty. He feels he may have to suck up his pride and go to Sawyer to get his peace offering.
Scene Six: Oceanic Flight 815, 90 Days Ago
“Just relax Rose,” said Jack in a reassuring tone to the woman sitting across from him as she sat stiffly, grasping the arm rests for dear life.
“Easy for you to say. You obviously don't have a fear of flying.”
“Not really. But there is nothing to fear, I promise.” As Jack spoke he cranked his neck to see if he could spot anyone sitting in 42F. He flirted with the idea of marching back there and surprising her, instead of waiting for her to approach him for that second drink. He was never one to make the first move, but it was now or never.
Jack risked walking towards the back of the plane before the seatbelt lights were turned off, hoping the flight attendants wouldn't usher him back. He needed to go ahead and do this before he lost his nerve.
As he approached 42F, Ana Lucia, the mysterious woman whom he met a few hours ago at the airport bar, raised her head. Her face brightened when she spotted him, and she broke into an irresistibly radiant smile.
.
“You've come to trade seats with me after all. Good,” she declared in a throaty confident voice.
Jack laughed and blushed a little, happy to find the seat next to her empty. He stood hovering for a second, blocking the flight attendant. Biting her lip, Ana scanned the tall handsome man from head to toe. He was solid and strong and she commended herself for being bold enough to approach him. Things were becoming more promising by the second, and the payoff would no doubt be sweet.
“Please take your seat sir.”
“Go ahead sit,” Ana gestured. “I think the guy next to me went to find an empty seat in the back or something.”
Jack sat down and rubbed his knees. Then he realized that he had nothing to be nervous about. This woman hit on him, not the other way around. But there was a definite aura of strength and disarming honesty with her that he wasn't exactly used to. “Well maybe we can have that drink before he comes back.”
“That sounds good. I could use another if I am going to make it through this flight,” she said with a slight eye roll. “But they probably won't come around with the beverage cart for awhile now. Couldn't wait huh?”
“No, no, I guess I couldn't,” he admitted while rubbing his thumb on his forehead. He was anxious to see her again and he was embarrassed that it was so obvious to her. “Sorry, the wheels under your feet. . . “
“Yea, you remember. I hate that.” Ana laughed richly. She liked a man who knew how to listen and retain information. She had a feeling that somehow he would make the trip more tolerable.
Ana relaxed, filled with warmth that the handsome man was keeping her company. She took note of how his entire face lit up when he smiled, which softened his rugged features and revealed two lovely dimples.
“Might as well get comfortable.” She stretched to remove her leather jacket and Jack helped her, catching the sweet scent of her hair and feeling the silkiness of it brush against his face as she turned.
“So Jack, tell me your life story.”
“We have time for that?”
“Well go ahead and start. I'll let you know if I get bored.”
“Okay well you know two things about me. I am divorced. My father passed away.”
“Wow. Got anything good to tell me about yourself,” she joked.
“Not really. My life has been pretty um, tragic for awhile now,” he admitted through a cracked voice.
“Sorry about your Dad. That sucks man.”
“Yea. Um how bad was I at the checkout counter?” he asked with a grimace.
“Well you were fired up there. But it's understandable. You wanted to get your Dad's body home and they weren't cooperating. Don't sweat it. I would have done the same.” They both nodded and smiled nervously during an awkward pause. Ana thought how Jack's outburst prompted her to call her Mom and attempt to smooth things out. She was nervous about going home, but she missed her Mother so much and was so tired of running away from her problems that it didn't matter. A new day had begun for her and for the first time in years, she felt a calming sense of optimism for the future.
“Were you close?”
“My Dad and I? Well sort of.” He looked out of the corner of his eye at Ana, noting how much she made him feel at ease. She seemed, to him, like a person who didn’t have a care in the world. Her questions were blunt and to the point, but he didn't mind answering. “Um we're both doctors. And something happened. It caused a riff.”
“I see. So he died before you had a chance to like make things right.”
“Yea,” he answered, admiring her instinctual understanding of the situation based on very little information.
“Why was he here, in Australia?”
“Well uh. I don't really know.” He paused and shifted in his seat. “He's been known to run off and go on.... well drinking binges," he hesitated to admit. "This time it was mostly my fault.”
“Ah,” Ana responded then something clicked in her memory as the plane hit a bit of turbulence. Could the man who dragged her to Australia have been Jack's father? “You said your Dad was a doctor?”
“Yes,” Jack confirmed as the plane jerked them around and the captain's voice came over the intercom asking everyone to take their seats.
“And he was a drunk? I mean he had a drinking problem."
"Yes," he responded looking at her curiously.
"I have a feeling he's forgiven you Jack. So just forgive yourself, okay.”
Jack continued to gaze at her questionably as a flight attendant tapped him on his shoulder. “Sir we are going to have to ask everyone to return to their assigned seats."
“Hey I'll come up there later,” said Ana Lucia as Jack got up. “And we'll have that drink. And remember, Jack, things aren't always as they seem.”
Intrigued, smitten and reluctant to leave, Jack nodded at her and headed back to his seat.
Scene Seven: The Beach Present Day
Jack pauses and breathes a sigh of relief as he spots Ana Lucia sitting on the beach staring at the surf. Her long wavy hair is blowing in the breeze, looking like raven sun rays. Her bronzed skin seems to blend beautifully into the distant sunset. He is taken by her appearance. She looks so small and beautifully at peace sitting there in solitude. He slings off his backpack and tentatively approaches her, hoping against hope that they can mend fences. He had grown weary of their arguing and needs to try and make things right before the situation between them worsened.
Seeing a long shadow block her sunlight, Ana stops striping a stick with her knife and looks up at Jack hovering above her. She releases a long side, not in mood to continue arguing with him.
“Hey,” Jack greets her softly.
Ana doesn't answer fully, just cranking her neck and mumbling.
“Can I sit?”
“Suit yourself.”
“Ana. . .,” he starts, but stops himself. He decides to sit next to her, stretching out his long legs before him, and think over what he wants to say to her. Reaching into his backpack, he pulls out two small bottles of Jack Daniels and offers her one.
“Whiskey? I hate Whiskey,” she declares scrunching up her nose.
“Sorry. I looked all over the island for Tequila, even asked Sawyer. We're all out.”
“Shouldn't have bothered,” Ana eyeballs him coldly and looks away in disgust.
“Yes I should have bothered, Ana Lucia. Whatever I said back there with Sayid. Well I didn't mean to insult you. I apologize if I did.”
“So the tequila was supposed to be a peace offering? I accept your apology Jack. I don't need to be buzzed to do that. But it doesn't change a damned thing. I've had my fair share of people calling me quick draw, trigger-happy... a loose cannon. I've had to prove myself over and over again. So sticks and stones Jack. I just need you to back off me and let me do what I have to do. ”
“Ana. I can't. I am not going to stand in the way of what you want to do. It's not even that I disagree with you. And I don't think you're quick triggered. Come on we all know what happened, even Sayid. ”
Ana raises her eyes to the sky and stabs her stick into the sand. Yes everyone said that shooting Shannon was an accident, but she doubts anyone really believed it. “Then what is it Jack?”
“I don't want to see you get hurt,” he blurts out.
“Well you have to prepare yourself for that reality Jack. Because either I go down or they do,” she declares so coldly that it gives him a chill.
“I need you to stay alive Ana. More than anyone.”
“Why? I should be dead already, Why?”
“Because you are the only person who knew me before all of this. If only for a brief moment,” he admitted. “You're the closest thing to reality that I have. And I need you on my side.”
Jack's confession warms her heart, and despite herself she was smiles inside, beginning to accept his apology. She hasn't taken the time to admit it to herself, she is so busy trying to survive, but Jack is the only thing real for her as well – the one thing that serves as proof of life outside of island hell.
“I'm on your side man. That's not going to change.”
Giving him a wry smirk she grabs the bottle of Whiskey from him and take a huge swig, grimacing as the liquor burns at the back of her throat. “Man that's awful,” she said while sticking out her tongue. "It tastes like cleaning fluid."
Jack laughs at her heartedly. “Drink up. I have more where that came from.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“Naw not me.”
“Sure,” she responds incredulously, while leaning back on her elbows and looking up towards the sky. "You are going to have to find some tequila and tonic, please."
"I'll keep working on it," he says drying while handing her a second bottle.
After drinking on a nearly empty stomach, she feels the little bit of whiskey already taking effect.
Jack takes a swig of his tiny bottle and leans back on his elbows to meet her. The horizon is now displaying brilliant hues of orange and rust as the sun begins to set. He relaxes for the first time in weeks, due to the liquor, the gentle rolling surf and his friend Ana.
“You called me sweetie,” she says bluntly.
“What?”
“When I was knocked out? At the hatch? I heard you call me sweetie.”
Jack feels embarrassed at the recollection."Um, well..”
“I didn't figure you for the pet name type.”
Jack laughs. “Well I'm not the pet name type. I am improving on my bedside manner. Or at least I am attempting to. And I needed you to wake up. Apparently it worked.”
“I suppose so. Just don't let it become a habit. I can't have you going soft on me.”
“Deal,” he says giving her a sidelong glance. If anyone can make him go soft it's her. “You're the only person on this island whom I trust Ana. Promise me you'll stay alive.”
Ana turns to face Jack and examines him carefully. There is tremendous sincerity in his eyes. She realizes that this is as hard on him as anyone. And truth be told, she wouldn't mind having Jack as a bodyguard.
“I've survived worst than this. I'm not going down without a fight now. So yea, I'll do what I can.”
That was good enough for Jack.
Episode Four: Running to Stand Still
Writers:
Act I and Act II Scene One, Aimz
Act II, Midnight Riot
Full Credits and Disclaimers: Will appear at the end of this post
Rating for Episode Three: PG-13
Special Thanks to: Leigh
Feedback: Would love it. Please Read and Feed.
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She woke up from where she was lying still
Saying I've got to do something about where we're going
ACT I
Scene One West L.A. Several Years Ago.
“So A-L, how many people know you are knocked up?”
Riding shotgun to Big Mike in a squad car, Ana Lucia divided her attention between her chatty partner and the usual shady-looking suspects on the street corners.
“Nobody except you. And I'd like to keep it that way.”
“Hey your secrets safe with me. Soon enough the truth will reveal itself anyway,” joked Big Mike while glancing at Ana's stomach. “Does the Captain know?”
“Yea she knows,” Ana Lucia answered with a tinge of irritation. “And she wants me on desk duty immediately. So doesn't Danny.”
“What Captain Cortez says, goes,” said Big Mike sarcastically. “But seriously, maybe you should listen to them A-L.”
“Already been through it man, ” said Ana, cutting his lecture short. “I'm less than 12 weeks in my first trimester. And I got my vest,” she declared, thumping against her armored chest with her fist. “It's not like I am the first cop ever to get pregnant. If I were any other female cop, my Mother wouldn't be riding me so hard. Story of my life. So for your information, I am going to finish out the month. As much as I'd rather stick needles in my eye than do desk duty, I'll do it.
“So what does Danny have to say for himself? You two getting hitched? He's going to make an honest woman out of you I hope.”
“He wants to get married,” she said flatly. “His family are strict Catholics and all religious and stuff. They would disown him if he didn't marry his pregnant girlfriend. They live in the 1950s man.”
“You going to do it?”
“I might,” she answered with a noncommittal shrug. “Danny and I have our issues, you know. He's all gung ho about this, wanting to get a new place with a backyard for the kid. And you know my Dad was never around. I don't want that for my child.”
“Oh look out, A-L's headed for the domestic life.”
“Ha,” she laughed heartily. “We even went shopping for baby furniture yesterday. It's surreal. But I am happy about this baby. I am,” she repeated quietly while sliding her palm down to her womb and smiling unconsciously. “I have to show you the sonogram photos later.”
“Can't wait,” he answered with a sarcastic eyebrow raise. “I am sure yours will look different from all the others I've seen.”
“You know it. This baby is a Cortez.”
816, 816 please respond to a suspected burglary in progress on 2342 Gale Lane
“Roger this is Adam-8 Adam-16,” said Ana responding to dispatch on her radio. “We are headed there now.”
Arriving at the scene and exiting their vehicle, Ana and Mike quickly decided to split up. Mike went around back, Ana decided to enter the front. She found the front door curiously unlocked and nobody inside; making her wonder if it was a false alarm.
While inside the dark, seemingly empty house, she reacted quickly to the sound of the front door opening by spinning around and holding her weapon stretched out in front of her, ready to fire.
“Freeze right there. And put your arms where I can see them.”
The man shifted in the dark vestibule, only a sliver of light illuminating his face.
“I said hands up where I can see them,” she commanded a second time.
“You got it wrong. Wait, wait. I live here. I am a student,” he pleaded through a shaky voice. “Wait, I have i.d. I'll show you.”
Ana relaxed her stance slightly. Her eyes followed the man as he reached around to his back pocket, but it was too late. Too late stop him from pulling the gun. Too late to duck or return fire.
Too late to stop him from setting off an explosion of gunfire into her chest.
Lost Freaky Music
Scene Two: The Island Coastline Present Day
The feel of hot lead entering her flesh, exploding inside her, stealing her life away -- Ana Lucia is ready for it.
She flies down the beach with the intensity of an Olympic sprinter headed for a mythical finish line that she'll never quite reach. The early sun has not yet reached full intensity; still her body is saturated with sweat. She digs the heals of her worn boots hard into the surf, making the wet sand kick up and hit the backs of her jeans in retaliation. The salty moisture of the dewy morning air stings her tender cheeks. The pain of it makes her feel alive, and she is keenly aware of the pistol, wedged down the back of her jeans -- cold, hard steel molded in-between the planes of her lower back. It's within arms reach should she need to use it in a quick draw, giving her the comfort of a security blanket.
She picks up momentum with every stride, pumping her arms hard, breathing sharply through constricted nostrils, and pushing herself until her heart nearly bursts out of her chest. She tries hard to reach that threshold -- that place right before self-flagellation turns into the euphoria of a runner's high. But she never quite gets there no matter how hard she pushes herself. There would be no euphoria for the hunted prey. She knows they are around her, watching her, salivating, waiting. With every stride, she anticipates feeling the pang of a sniper's bullet in her back. She is a marked woman after all. No matter how hard and far she runs, she can't escape the fact that there is a contract on her head. The Others want her dead, and there is no reason for her to believe that the vultures will stop before they draw every ounce of blood from her veins and see her six feet under. She's ready for them. Bring it.
In the near distance she sees Libby and Hurley. Libby looks like the happiest soccer mom in a pale blue jogging suit. She's smiling and encouraging Hurley, running backwards, circling around him like his own personal trainer.
Hurley spots Ana and uses it as an excuse to stop. He waves at her then doubles over bracing his palms against his knees. “Hola Ana Lucia,” says Hurley through gasps of breath, saying her name with proper Spanish inflection. “Que Pasa.”
Ana slows up, surprised to be greeted so warmly by Hurley. She waits a second to catch her own breath before answering. “¿Buenos dias. Obteniendo algún ejercicio?”
“Si, Si ¿Et Tu?”
“Si.”
Libby darts her eyes between the two of them, not fully understanding them conversing in Spanish. “How are you Ana Lucia?” she asks, her voice full of concern for her friend.
“Fine,” she answers with a tinge of defense. If she is alive, for all intents and purposes, she's fine. Being alive is all she can really hope for.
“I heard what happened. Should you be running, I mean so soon after a head injury?”
Ana rolls her eyes slightly, thinking that t Libby sounds like her mother. “I'm fine.” She takes note of Hurley's saturated shirt and audible labored breathing, thinking that Libby has it backwards. She should be concerned about pushing Hurley too hard.
“Just be careful. That's all I ask.” Libby reaches in her knapsack and pulls out a bottle of water, offering it to Ana. The three of them are still breathing hard from their excretion.
“Dude, I heard what that guy did to you. That sucks.”
Ana scowls a bit, while taking a gulp of water. She is not sure if Hurley's “that guy” is Henry or Michael. They both violated her and got away with it. But the last thing she needs is Hurley's pity or to know exactly how fast word travels in the camp like the most fluid gossip mill. “It will be taken care of.”
“Ana,” Libby starts in a scolding tone. She switches gears after being met with a fierce Ana scowl. “Now that Henry's escaped and Walt's back, maybe that's it, maybe they'll leave us alone?” Libby asks a question that she already sadly knows the answer to.
Ana reacts incredulously. “You don't really believe that now do you?”
“I am just saying Ana...”
“I hear what you think you are saying Libby. But you were there with me on the other side of the island. You know what those people are capable of and that they will stop at nothing. Walt and Cindy are back, but they escaped. And the other two kids, well they are still MIA. You remember them don't you Libby?”
Hurley shrinks a little at Ana's outburst. He heard that she could be pretty intense, but this is his first time being up close and personal to the woman Sawyer calls 'Rambina'.
“I plan on mobilizing everyone Libby. If you want to hear more about how you can defend yourself, then come see me at my tent later.”
Libby doesn't answer. Hurley studies her expression and fears that she may be taking Ana's offer seriously. ”Um, dude?”
“Look, I have to keep moving,” says Ana. She gives Hurley a wry smirk and tells him in Spanish that he is looking good, but not to overdo the exercising.
About a mile further, she hears a whistle call near the rocky shore and tries to ignore it. The whistling grows louder and she realizes it's Jin trying to get her attention. She hears faint chattering in Korean, two voices. She decides to acknowledge their presence. They were, after all, the first people aside from Jack to truly welcome her to the island. They had no reason to show her any kindness, but they did.
“Hey” she bellows while leaping over jagged wet rocks to reach them by the shore. “Have either of you seen Sayid or know where I can find . . .” She smirks, realizing that Jin probably doesn't comprehend a word she is saying. She looks at Sun and repeats her question.
Jin casts his net again, then mocks a wince and reaches towards the back of his head. “Head. Ouch.”
“Are you okay Ana Lucia?” asks Sun in a soft tone of voice.
“Yea fine,” Ana responds, trying to fight the tinge of annoyance she is feeling. She is not used to so many people fussing over her, well not since she was shot years ago. It gives her both feelings of warmth and discomfort to know that people care. Still, she knows it's not wise to fully trust the kindness of mere strangers.
“We wonder about you. We are glad you are okay,” offers Sun.
Ana tries to force a smile “Well you all are a gossipy bunch around the campfire, huh?” Her two friends give her confused looks. “Thanks guys. I appreciate it.”
“Sayid's about a mile further,” says Sun while pointing due north.
“Thanks.” Ana turns to leave but decides to make an attempt at being cordial. She figures she can use as many friends as she can get, and Jin could make a decent soldier. “Hey Jin,” she bellows to him as he fools with his net. “Catch me a lobster dinner. You know lobster.” She forms her hands into two claws as if it will help bridge the language barrier. “Nevermind just tired of eating mangos.”
Jin grins at her and nods. Sun says something to him in Korean and they both laugh and nod. “He said, he will try, Ana Lucia. Lobster, yes.”
Jin reaches down and holds up a string full of silverfish, nodding and gesturing to her.
“No Thanks. I mean I'll get them latter, thanks.” She smiles a bit at Jin working so hard, shrugs and turns to Sun. “Tell him to keep working on that English. So how are you Sun . . . you know since what happened to you?” she asks, recalling that it was not too long ago that Sun was attacked, and how the mystery of her abduction is yet to be solved. “We can make sure that never happens to you again, you know. You don't have to feel scared. You shouldn't have to.”
Sun nods feebly, while lowering her head somewhat in shame. Jin puts down his net and walks over closer to the two women. He breaks into an enormous grin and places his palm on his wife's stomach. “Baby,” he says in broken English, following with “Pregnant.”'
Ana darts her eyes between the glowing couple with one eyebrow raised. “No kidding. You're gonna have a kid.”
Sun nods yes while blushing.
“That's um, that's great. Congrats,” she offers through a cracked voice. It had been years since she had lost her own child, years, but still she can't help but feel the pain of emptiness in her own soul seeing the happy couple before her. Bringing a child into this godforsaken place can't be a good thing, she thinks. But it doesn't matter really, since she's proven that no child around her is ever safe anywhere in the world.
Scene Three : St. Sebastian Hospital, L.A., Several Years Ago
Ana woke up to swishing sounds of a respirator and the steady beeping of a heart monitor. The assaulting light hit her eyes like shards of glass as she tried to force open her lids.
“Mi Hija, Thank God.” Breathing a sigh of relief, Theresa smoothed her fingers along her daughter's forehead. “I'll get the doctor,” she said while looking around her surroundings for a nurse.
Disoriented and hearing echoes of gunfire in her brain, Ana attempted to jerk herself up only to succumb to the pain in her chest. It felt like she had been hit with a ten ton sledge hammer, and she was having trouble trying to force air into her lungs.
“Whoa, whoa, lie back down sweetie. “You were shot. But by the grace of God you are going to be okay,” she said while holding her daughter's hand between her palms.
With her eyes fully open but still disoriented, she attempted to expand her lungs and speak. “Wha?”
“You were shot. Let me get the doctor.”
“How many times?” Ana managed to get out her question, while gasping for air.
“Forensics is on it. We' ll get your statement later, and we'll catch the scumbag. I promise you that.”
“How many times Ma?” she repeated while making a second attempt to pull herself up.
“Four times.” Theresa realized that her daughter, being a cop, would not rest until she had all the details. “The assailant used hollow point bullets, so they exploded into your chest on impact. Your vest was no match. But you are alive,” she said earnestly while holding her daughter's palm to her cheek. “You have a collapsed lung and some broken ribs. You survived six hours in surgery so the worst part's over.”
As Ana listened to her mother rattle off her injuries, she felt the cold bitterness of reality surge through her like an ice storm. The worst part had just begun.
“It's dead.”
“Ana...I”
“Mama, the truth. The baby is dead.” She spoke through a tightened throat. The swell of pain was beyond tears. She let him reach back. She let him kill everything.
“The fetus couldn't survive something like this. I am so sorry baby.”
Ana jerked her head way a from her mother as she tried to smooth back her hair. She focused her gaze on dripping liquid of her IV, and the white drape that separated her from the rest of the world, succumbing to the tormented thoughts of what a split second had cost her. Everything.
“Yo lo maté, Yo lo maté.” I killed it.
Scene Four: Sayid’s Camp
After running another mile and pushing her malnourished body to the limit, Ana is happy to finally spot Sayid assembling a pile of branches near his camp. She wonders why he chose such a remote location to settle, so far away from everyone else, like some self-imposed exile. It must have been an attempt to avoid other people, who would no doubt pity him in his grief. It's something of which she can relate.
Immediately aware of her approach, Sayid stops what he is doing momentarily, thinking Ana Lucia is the last person he'd expect to see anywhere near him. It still surprises him, somewhat pleasantly so, that Ana doesn't fear him or avoid him out of her own guilt. She was a bold one, standing up to him and apologizing when others would have run, admitting her fault when a lesser person would have blamed another.
"Ana Lucia," he greets her flatly.
"Sayid,” she answers forcefully. “I've been looking for you."
Sayid raises his eyebrow. "It seems as if you have found me." Sayid resumes gathering and stockpiling branches and scraps of wood, while Ana hovers and shifts uncomfortably. Finally Ana rests her hands on her hips, leaning her head to one side, waiting to see if he will grant her his full attention.
"Got a second?"
"Well I would say I have several. What is it that you want?"
Ana takes a deep breath before speaking. She always feels the need to chose her words thoughtfully when speaking to Sayid with no sudden outbursts of emotion.
"I need to talk to you about them, The Others. They are not going to stop. They are not going to just go away."
Sayid wipes dirt and gravel from his hands, and moves closer to her. "And…"
"And we need to be able to defend ourselves, all of us. We need to mobilize, to train everyone. You were a soldier. I figure you can be of help."
“I could have killed one of them,” he says coldly while examining his palm. ”And As I recall, it was you who prevented me from pulling the trigger.”
Ana winces a bit. ”That was my mistake. I guarantee you it won't happen again. Anyway as much as I wanted the assh-le dead, we got bigger problems.”
He nods, in neither agreement nor disagreement. "Actually I was head of the Intelligence Division for the Iraqi Republican Guard. After that I was a torturer."
"All the better, ” she responds, noting that Sayid says 'used to be a torturer' as casually as she says 'used to be a cop'. ”You were trained to fight, as in war strategy. That's what I am talking about. We need to be strategic. If someone needs torturing, well I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, won't we? "
"What you are talking about is forming an army," interrupts Sayid. Ana Lucia seemed to miss the nuance of him being a torturer. He has to admit that he uses that line to rattle people, and he has no reason to expect it to rattle her. He's seen enough cop dramas on the American telly to know that interrogation tactics at the LAPD probably crossed the line of what was considered lawful and humane.
"Exactly. We need a national guard, man. It's the only way."
"Tell me Ana Lucia . . . How do you plan on forming a 'national guard', as you put it, with no weapons and no one willing to fight?"
"I'm working on the weapons situation. Sawyer has the guns, but not for long," she says with slight irritation. She thinks, but doesn't say, that's where Sayid's torture tactics could come in handy. She isn't willing to trade sex for the whole arsenal of weapons he was hoarding. So if Sayid has to break out the pliers, well. . .
“Who is fighting Ana Lucia? People are having a difficult enough time trying to survive let alone launch a defense against the unknown.”
Ana takes a deep breath and digs in her heals. "People are willing to fight now more than ever. They continue to attack us, and there are enough of us who aren't going to sit by and take it.”
"What about Jack?"
"What about him?"
"I know you two have formed some type of alliance for this very thing. Does he know that you are coming to me?"
"Does he need to know?"
"Would he not want to be involved?"
"Jack is a bit too indecisive these days. I can't rely on him."
Sayid shakes his head. If he had a choice of siding with Ana Lucia -- someone who had proven to think and act rashly --or Jack, he would chose Jack. "People trust Jack, Ana Lucia. Unfortunately he has their loyalty more so than you and I." Sayid rubs his bearded chin, pondering Ana's motivations. "They want you dead in particular."
"Yes, and…"
"Michael had orders to kill you. So why are you not fearing him?"
"Same reason why I am not fearing you," she answers defiantly. "I look fear in the face Sayid. I am not running scared. I can't afford to do that, none of us can. Truth is nobody on this island is safe from those savages. Not men, not children, not women. You of all people should know that."
Her robust voice, laying out the reality of the situation so unabashedly, hits him hard. Sayid eyeballs her coldly then stomps back to his stockpile.
“They want Eko dead, they want me dead, but do your really think it will stop there?" Ana pauses as Sayid stares at her intensely, but nearly expressionless. The coldness of his eyes rattle her. "You can hate me if you want. You can hate me for all eternity. But you know what I am saying is right."
"To say I hate you Ana Lucia is simplifying the matter at hand," he breaks his cold stare and responds with a slight smirk and eye twinkle, slightly entertained by Ana's tenacity. " I am listening to you."
"Good." She thinks it may be good. Ana can't decipher his response as positive or negative, but at least she has his ear. "Look Sayid, Jack is good leader. I will grant him that. People trust him. He earned that trust. But we are more qualified than any of these people to do this, and that includes Jack."
Sayid nods quickly, allowing himself to succumb to Ana's tactics of negotiation. "Fine. But training people for combat is going to take time, " he answers her pleas while looking over her shoulder at the man approaching. "The better people are trained, the less likely we will have casualties on our side."
"This is what I know Sayid."
"Yes, yes you know this Ana Lucia. But we must prepare people for the reality that they will be walking into a situation of which they may not walk out."
"That is what I am afraid of." Through short gasps of breath Jack slings off his backpack and waits for either Ana or Sayid to respond. He heard enough of their conversation to decipher what they were talking about and he isn't happy. In fact, he has is having a hard time not feeling downright betrayed.
"Hello Jack. Ana Lucia has come to me with a proposition to assist her informing an army. Would you care to offer your opinion on that matter?"
Jack glares at Ana Lucia while answering Sayid. "I would have to hear more about it," he mumbles with a tinge of anger in his voice.
"You know all about it Jack," Ana interjects, not allowing Sayid to entertain Jack by answering a simple question. "It's really not that complicated."
"Yes it is Ana. We've been through this," he answers sternly. The fact that Ana Lucia would try to go around him and to Sayid to accomplish her goal of waging a war makes his blood boil.
"Far be it from me to get in the middle of your quarrel, but what exactly is your objection Jack?"
"I said I have to hear more about it," Jack repeats through a clenched jaw.
Ana Lucia sighs heavily, but Jack finally had the right idea -- 'shut up and listen', especially since nothing he said to her over the past 48 hours made any sense.
Ana and Sayid begin to verbally map out their plan. Jack just listens, offering no assistance nor objections, just listening. As they talk on, he feels an unexplainable surge of anger coursing through him and taking over.
"Getting the guns back is not going to be easy," says Sayid as his eyes dart between Ana and Jack who look like they are in the middle standoff. "But without them we are defenseless."
"You let me worry about Sawyer," assures Ana with a smirk.
"What do you plan on doing Ana, ambush him in the middle of the night?" asks Jack, too sarcastically for Ana's liking.
"I'll do what I have to do Jack," she snaps back coolly. If Jack only knew the half of it.
“Why is it that you object to this Jack?” asks Sayid again.
“Where should I start, Libby fighting, Kate?” Jack exclaims. “Henry attacked Ana single-handedly and almost killed her with no weapons, no army. You are leading everyone on a death march. We can handle this ourselves Sayid, without them.”
“What!” Ana Lucia exclaims in an outburst. Then she shakes her head and presses her lips together in mute anger. This was about two things: Jack not trusting her skills after all, and protecting his girlfriend Kate.
“I feel Ana Lucia is quite capable Jack. The other people she mentioned will require extensive training, but we can do it quickly.”
“We are going in with loose cannons, Sayid.”
“Sayid, Jack's problem is with me.” Ana glares at Jack waiting for him to object, but he doesn't and that reality, along with his loose cannon comment, hits her in the gut.
“That's not what I said,” says an exasperated Jack.
“You don't need to say nothing more Jack. I get the picture just fine. I'm am going to do this with or without you. Your choice.” With that final word, Ana storms off.
Scene Five: Losties Camp, Present Day
“Come on sweetie. What's the matter huh? Please stop crying for Mommy.” Claire swipes beads of sweat from her brow and looks around nervously while attempting to calm a wailing Aaron. The baby's anguished face is beet red and Claire was certain his screeching could be heard from miles away.
While frantically rocking him Sun approaches. “Hello,” she hesitates. “Can I try, holding him?”
“Oh sure,” says Claire, at her wits end and willing to try anything.
Sun wraps her arms around the infant, swaddling him and rocking him gently. Aaron gradually starts calming down and looks up with curious eyes and the new person holding him.
“Wow you are great with him.” Claire rubs her hands nervously on her hips, looking around to see if she can spot Jack. Her nerves are haggard and she has barely slept in days.
Sun blushes and shrugs. “I have no practice really. Only when you left him with me.”
“Well you are going to make a great mother.” Claire pauses to stroke her finger against her son's flushed cheek. “He's fussy alot. I don't know what to do sometimes. I need Jack to take a look at him again I think.” As Aaron’s starts to whine again, Claire's tone grows more desperate. She eyeballs the syringes of strange blue fluid that Charlie gave her near Aaron's crib. “You need to be careful Sun. ”
“What do you mean?”
“I was taken and they did something to me, and probably to my baby too. When I left Aaron with you, Kate and I tracked down where I was during that time. They did something to me, I know it. You have to stick around here. Please don't go off wondering, promise me.”
Shaken a bit at Claire's sudden desperation, Sun is starting to wonder if his own mother's nervousness is rubbing off on her son. She nods to Jack who is walking towards them a few feet away. “Here comes Jack, maybe you should talk to him.”
Jack greets them quickly. “Have either of you seen Ana Lucia?”
They both nod no.
“Well she was running on the beach earlier,” Sun remembers.
“I know,” Jack mumbles while looking towards Sawyer's tent.
“Jack I know you said he's okay. But he feels a bit warm,” says Claire in a pleading tone.
Jack is skeptical but he accepts the fact that the only way to calm a nervous mother is to humor her. Plus there isn't much he can do to diagnose Aaron let alone treat him without the proper medical supplies. Sun hands the baby to Jack, who juggles him in his arms. “I don't think he has a temperature Claire,” he reported, trying to hide his irritation at having to examine Aaron everyday.
“Are you sure?”
“I don't know what you want me to say Claire. He's an infant.”
“I know but...”
“Look if he gets worse let me know. And if you see Ana Lucia. Um, just let me know.”
Jack continues to eyeball Sawyer's tent. He had already canvassed the rations at the hatch for a bottle of tequila earlier and came up empty. He feels he may have to suck up his pride and go to Sawyer to get his peace offering.
Scene Six: Oceanic Flight 815, 90 Days Ago
“Just relax Rose,” said Jack in a reassuring tone to the woman sitting across from him as she sat stiffly, grasping the arm rests for dear life.
“Easy for you to say. You obviously don't have a fear of flying.”
“Not really. But there is nothing to fear, I promise.” As Jack spoke he cranked his neck to see if he could spot anyone sitting in 42F. He flirted with the idea of marching back there and surprising her, instead of waiting for her to approach him for that second drink. He was never one to make the first move, but it was now or never.
Jack risked walking towards the back of the plane before the seatbelt lights were turned off, hoping the flight attendants wouldn't usher him back. He needed to go ahead and do this before he lost his nerve.
As he approached 42F, Ana Lucia, the mysterious woman whom he met a few hours ago at the airport bar, raised her head. Her face brightened when she spotted him, and she broke into an irresistibly radiant smile.
.
“You've come to trade seats with me after all. Good,” she declared in a throaty confident voice.
Jack laughed and blushed a little, happy to find the seat next to her empty. He stood hovering for a second, blocking the flight attendant. Biting her lip, Ana scanned the tall handsome man from head to toe. He was solid and strong and she commended herself for being bold enough to approach him. Things were becoming more promising by the second, and the payoff would no doubt be sweet.
“Please take your seat sir.”
“Go ahead sit,” Ana gestured. “I think the guy next to me went to find an empty seat in the back or something.”
Jack sat down and rubbed his knees. Then he realized that he had nothing to be nervous about. This woman hit on him, not the other way around. But there was a definite aura of strength and disarming honesty with her that he wasn't exactly used to. “Well maybe we can have that drink before he comes back.”
“That sounds good. I could use another if I am going to make it through this flight,” she said with a slight eye roll. “But they probably won't come around with the beverage cart for awhile now. Couldn't wait huh?”
“No, no, I guess I couldn't,” he admitted while rubbing his thumb on his forehead. He was anxious to see her again and he was embarrassed that it was so obvious to her. “Sorry, the wheels under your feet. . . “
“Yea, you remember. I hate that.” Ana laughed richly. She liked a man who knew how to listen and retain information. She had a feeling that somehow he would make the trip more tolerable.
Ana relaxed, filled with warmth that the handsome man was keeping her company. She took note of how his entire face lit up when he smiled, which softened his rugged features and revealed two lovely dimples.
“Might as well get comfortable.” She stretched to remove her leather jacket and Jack helped her, catching the sweet scent of her hair and feeling the silkiness of it brush against his face as she turned.
“So Jack, tell me your life story.”
“We have time for that?”
“Well go ahead and start. I'll let you know if I get bored.”
“Okay well you know two things about me. I am divorced. My father passed away.”
“Wow. Got anything good to tell me about yourself,” she joked.
“Not really. My life has been pretty um, tragic for awhile now,” he admitted through a cracked voice.
“Sorry about your Dad. That sucks man.”
“Yea. Um how bad was I at the checkout counter?” he asked with a grimace.
“Well you were fired up there. But it's understandable. You wanted to get your Dad's body home and they weren't cooperating. Don't sweat it. I would have done the same.” They both nodded and smiled nervously during an awkward pause. Ana thought how Jack's outburst prompted her to call her Mom and attempt to smooth things out. She was nervous about going home, but she missed her Mother so much and was so tired of running away from her problems that it didn't matter. A new day had begun for her and for the first time in years, she felt a calming sense of optimism for the future.
“Were you close?”
“My Dad and I? Well sort of.” He looked out of the corner of his eye at Ana, noting how much she made him feel at ease. She seemed, to him, like a person who didn’t have a care in the world. Her questions were blunt and to the point, but he didn't mind answering. “Um we're both doctors. And something happened. It caused a riff.”
“I see. So he died before you had a chance to like make things right.”
“Yea,” he answered, admiring her instinctual understanding of the situation based on very little information.
“Why was he here, in Australia?”
“Well uh. I don't really know.” He paused and shifted in his seat. “He's been known to run off and go on.... well drinking binges," he hesitated to admit. "This time it was mostly my fault.”
“Ah,” Ana responded then something clicked in her memory as the plane hit a bit of turbulence. Could the man who dragged her to Australia have been Jack's father? “You said your Dad was a doctor?”
“Yes,” Jack confirmed as the plane jerked them around and the captain's voice came over the intercom asking everyone to take their seats.
“And he was a drunk? I mean he had a drinking problem."
"Yes," he responded looking at her curiously.
"I have a feeling he's forgiven you Jack. So just forgive yourself, okay.”
Jack continued to gaze at her questionably as a flight attendant tapped him on his shoulder. “Sir we are going to have to ask everyone to return to their assigned seats."
“Hey I'll come up there later,” said Ana Lucia as Jack got up. “And we'll have that drink. And remember, Jack, things aren't always as they seem.”
Intrigued, smitten and reluctant to leave, Jack nodded at her and headed back to his seat.
Scene Seven: The Beach Present Day
Jack pauses and breathes a sigh of relief as he spots Ana Lucia sitting on the beach staring at the surf. Her long wavy hair is blowing in the breeze, looking like raven sun rays. Her bronzed skin seems to blend beautifully into the distant sunset. He is taken by her appearance. She looks so small and beautifully at peace sitting there in solitude. He slings off his backpack and tentatively approaches her, hoping against hope that they can mend fences. He had grown weary of their arguing and needs to try and make things right before the situation between them worsened.
Seeing a long shadow block her sunlight, Ana stops striping a stick with her knife and looks up at Jack hovering above her. She releases a long side, not in mood to continue arguing with him.
“Hey,” Jack greets her softly.
Ana doesn't answer fully, just cranking her neck and mumbling.
“Can I sit?”
“Suit yourself.”
“Ana. . .,” he starts, but stops himself. He decides to sit next to her, stretching out his long legs before him, and think over what he wants to say to her. Reaching into his backpack, he pulls out two small bottles of Jack Daniels and offers her one.
“Whiskey? I hate Whiskey,” she declares scrunching up her nose.
“Sorry. I looked all over the island for Tequila, even asked Sawyer. We're all out.”
“Shouldn't have bothered,” Ana eyeballs him coldly and looks away in disgust.
“Yes I should have bothered, Ana Lucia. Whatever I said back there with Sayid. Well I didn't mean to insult you. I apologize if I did.”
“So the tequila was supposed to be a peace offering? I accept your apology Jack. I don't need to be buzzed to do that. But it doesn't change a damned thing. I've had my fair share of people calling me quick draw, trigger-happy... a loose cannon. I've had to prove myself over and over again. So sticks and stones Jack. I just need you to back off me and let me do what I have to do. ”
“Ana. I can't. I am not going to stand in the way of what you want to do. It's not even that I disagree with you. And I don't think you're quick triggered. Come on we all know what happened, even Sayid. ”
Ana raises her eyes to the sky and stabs her stick into the sand. Yes everyone said that shooting Shannon was an accident, but she doubts anyone really believed it. “Then what is it Jack?”
“I don't want to see you get hurt,” he blurts out.
“Well you have to prepare yourself for that reality Jack. Because either I go down or they do,” she declares so coldly that it gives him a chill.
“I need you to stay alive Ana. More than anyone.”
“Why? I should be dead already, Why?”
“Because you are the only person who knew me before all of this. If only for a brief moment,” he admitted. “You're the closest thing to reality that I have. And I need you on my side.”
Jack's confession warms her heart, and despite herself she was smiles inside, beginning to accept his apology. She hasn't taken the time to admit it to herself, she is so busy trying to survive, but Jack is the only thing real for her as well – the one thing that serves as proof of life outside of island hell.
“I'm on your side man. That's not going to change.”
Giving him a wry smirk she grabs the bottle of Whiskey from him and take a huge swig, grimacing as the liquor burns at the back of her throat. “Man that's awful,” she said while sticking out her tongue. "It tastes like cleaning fluid."
Jack laughs at her heartedly. “Drink up. I have more where that came from.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“Naw not me.”
“Sure,” she responds incredulously, while leaning back on her elbows and looking up towards the sky. "You are going to have to find some tequila and tonic, please."
"I'll keep working on it," he says drying while handing her a second bottle.
After drinking on a nearly empty stomach, she feels the little bit of whiskey already taking effect.
Jack takes a swig of his tiny bottle and leans back on his elbows to meet her. The horizon is now displaying brilliant hues of orange and rust as the sun begins to set. He relaxes for the first time in weeks, due to the liquor, the gentle rolling surf and his friend Ana.
“You called me sweetie,” she says bluntly.
“What?”
“When I was knocked out? At the hatch? I heard you call me sweetie.”
Jack feels embarrassed at the recollection."Um, well..”
“I didn't figure you for the pet name type.”
Jack laughs. “Well I'm not the pet name type. I am improving on my bedside manner. Or at least I am attempting to. And I needed you to wake up. Apparently it worked.”
“I suppose so. Just don't let it become a habit. I can't have you going soft on me.”
“Deal,” he says giving her a sidelong glance. If anyone can make him go soft it's her. “You're the only person on this island whom I trust Ana. Promise me you'll stay alive.”
Ana turns to face Jack and examines him carefully. There is tremendous sincerity in his eyes. She realizes that this is as hard on him as anyone. And truth be told, she wouldn't mind having Jack as a bodyguard.
“I've survived worst than this. I'm not going down without a fight now. So yea, I'll do what I can.”
That was good enough for Jack.
Aimz - August 9, 2006 11:52 PM (GMT)
ACT II
Scene One: St. Sebastian Hospital Several Years ago
“I thought I told you to contact me if you knew my father was in that condition,” said Dr. Jack Shepard, scolding a surgical nurse in the hallway of ICU.
“Dr. Shepard I tried to have you paged,” said the nurse in a loud whisper while trying to will the young doctor to calm down and move away from the patient’s door.
“How’s the patient. It was a gunshot wound?”
“Yes the patient was shot four times in the line of duty apparently. She’s stable Dr. Shepard. Your father did a fine job. There is nothing to worry about. She under the care of Dr. Phillips.”
“What state was he in during the operation? The truth.”
The nurse hesitated to answer. “I can’t tell for sure. But she’s fine.”
“What else are you not telling me?”
“Well, you should know, the patient was pregnant. Now I am not sure the 12-week fetus could have been saved. But I am giving you a heads up about it. I don’t think it was your father’s fault. . . in my opinion. The board should leave this one alone.”
Hearing voices, just outside of her hospital room, Ana grimaced in pain as she tried to swing her legs around and walk to the door way to hear what exactly was being discussed about a pregnant patient and a gunshot wound. The little bit of information she could decipher sparked her curiosity. Unfortunately she was met by Danny at her doorway.
“Whoa what are you doing? Get back into bed.”
Danny locked his arms around a weak and barely lucid Ana and propped her back into the bed.
“I am trying to hear what’s going on out there.”
“Hear what? Ana you shouldn’t be up walking around right now.”
“Who is my doctor?”
“I don’t know. A Dr. Phillips was here before. Do you need the doctor, are you in pain?”
“Of course I am in pain.”
“Can you lie back down for me, please,” sighed Danny.
“Do me a favor. Check out Doctor Phillips for me.”
“Why?”
“Just please,” Ana held her side and grimaced again as her barely healed body rebelled against the exertion. “Get my Mom to check to see if there have been any complaints against him, any malpractice lawsuits. ”
”Okay I’ll check it out if you lie back,” said Danny just to humor her. He had no idea what she was talking about and had no intentions of following up on her request. He propped up the pillows behind her head and helped her to recline.
Ana pressed hard on her self-injection medication and began to relax.
“How are you today,” he said stroking her hair.
“I’m just peachy,” she responded with heavy sarcasm. “You don’t have to be here Danny.”
“What are you talking about? Of course I have to be here. I want to be here. I’m your fiancé. I love you.”
“You were my fiancé because I was pregnant, and I screwed that up.”
Exhaling sharply, Danny was fully aware that he would have to struggle to get beyond Ana’s stubbornness, but he was in familiar territory. “It wasn’t your fault Ana. That’s all I’m going to say about it.”
Ana turned her head away from Danny and fought against the tears that were burning in her eyes. She blamed hormones and pain for the tears, because she certainly had no right to cry over her loss.
“I was stupid, Danny. I let him reach for his gun. I let my guard down.”
“How could you have known. The bastard is scum. Who shoots a cop for no reason. He's going to fry for this. ”
“If you say you don’t blame me, you’re lying.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“You told me to quit for the baby. Now you can say ‘I told you so’.”
Danny shook his head slowly, unwilling to play her game. “It wasn’t meant to be. That’s all. You want to hold this against yourself fine. But you are not going to get me to do the same. ”
Trying to change the subject and lighten the mood, Danny looked around the room at the multitude of bouquets. “You’ve been here one day and you have more flowers than the Rose Bowl parade," he joked.
He went over to ledge where they were all displayed and began reading cards. “These are from Luis Martinez. 'Get well soon. You are in my prayers an thoughts always.' Don’t tell me this is your father.”
“It probably is. Throw them out.”
“What? Come on Ana.”
“I said throw them out. He tried to call me earlier today. I don’t want anything to do with him. You know the situation Danny,” Ana said as sternly as her weakened state would allow. She could count on one hand the number of times her father had bothered to contact her in the past 20 years.
Danny shrugged and walked over to the largest bouquet in the room. “Hey these are from my bosses at Widmore Industries.”
“What?” Ana rolled her eyes.
“Yea. Well they have been great. Offered to give me as much time off as I need. Offered private care should you need that.”
“And that doesn’t sound suspicious to you?”
“Why should it Ana?”
“The LAPD has good insurance. I don’t need charity from your shady company.”
“Listen to that, do you hear that?” laughed Danny, referring to the people on the other side of the curtain in attempt to change a touchy subject. They were arguing fairly loudly in Spanish. “Something about numbers being cursed. The mother is slapping her son. She doesn't understand. The numbers are cursed. Dios Mios. Loco.”
Danny eventually stopped laughing and eavesdropping and sat down next to her. He cradled her hand in his palm and kissed it. “We are going to get through this Ana. We are.”
Ana briefly glanced at Danny, noting his dark-chocolate, wavy hair and hazel eyes. Their baby would have had that hair, those eyes. She could picture just how perfect the baby would have been. That image would haunt her for a long time. She might as well had put a gun to her own baby and pulled the trigger.
“I need the forensics report Danny.”
“You need to relax and let your Mom and Mike handle the investigation.”
Ana looked away and stared into nothingness, as Danny became just as much of a nonentity as the furniture in the room. Everything was hazy, nothing seemed real. The pain in her heart was as bad as the pain in her chest. The sense of shame and guilt unbearable. Danny would not be able to help her. Her Mom would not be able to help her. She would have to handle things on her own. In her own way.
Scene Two: Sun’s Garden
Sun sits in her garden, nearly oblivious to her surroundings as she pats down damp earth around a seedling. A sudden rustling in the bushes makes her start slightly, and she looks around curiously for a minute. Seeing nothing, she turns back to her seedlings, nearly jumping out of her skin when Walt suddenly emerges with Vincent in tow.
“Oh!” she exclaims, chuckling softly and resting a hand near her heart. “Walt, you scared me!”
“Sorry,” he says, slightly stonily, and Sun considers his face for a minute before standing up and hugging him quickly.
“It’s so good to have you back. You had as very worried for you.” She smiles kindly down at the little boy, resting her arm companionably across his shoulders.
Walt doesn’t respond, instead looking towards her stomach pointedly. The intensity of his gaze makes her fidget uncomfortably, and she moves away from him slightly, gesturing towards her garden in an attempt to shift his gaze. “Would you like to help me with some seedlings? As long as Vincent doesn’t eat anything, he can help, too.” Sun tries to keep her voice steady, but she fails when she realizes that Walt is unresponsive, simply staring blankly at her stomach.
“Walt? Walt, are you okay?” She moves away from him again, feeling the hair stand up on her arms as a brief wind sweeps over them. A chill runs down her back, and she has to keep from shivering as she looks concernedly at the little boy.
“They’ll find out.”
Sun lets out a small, involuntary gasp and takes another step away from him. “W—what? Walt, how do you—”
Suddenly, Walt’s eyes go huge as he grabs her arm urgently. “You need to get away from here,” he says, voice quick and panicked. “Don’t stay here alone! They’ll find out, and they’ll take you!”
The wind picks up, and Sun folds her arms around herself protectively, eyes wide in fear as she stares at Walt. “Walt, what are you talking about? How do you even know that—”
The wind slows down, and Walt starts backing away, now looking once again like the normal Walt she had known in those first few weeks on the island. “I—I should get back, my dad will notice I’m gone. Don’t stay here long, be careful.” With that, he takes off in the opposite direction, tearing through the trees.
Sun moves to go after him, calling out, “Walt, wait!” But a sudden sharp pain in her abdomen stops her, and she clutches at her stomach quickly, doubling over as tears spring to her eyes.
Scene Three: The Hatch.
Kate approaches Locke cautiously, as though approaching a ticking time bomb and not someone she’s even mildly acquainted with. She bitterly considers the fact that she’s barely acquainted with anyone anymore. Oh sure, she’s good for the girl-talk sessions and the cute banter on the beach. But since she’s not invited to the cool club meetings anymore, she’s not ‘in’ with all the people that matter. She remembers the time when she was one of those people that matter, and she rolls her eyes over it.
Kate vows to make herself matter again. She promises herself that she’ll show them exactly who she is, exactly what she can do, and how she doesn’t need any of them to do it. And that starts right here.
“Hey, John,” she says gently, offering him a companionable smile. Locke returns it a lot less warmly, and she wonders briefly what happened to him. But now’s not the time to get sidetracked. She has something she needs to do, and she’d better damn well get it done.
“So, I was just curious about some things,” Kate says casually, taking a seat across the table from him as though they’re about to discuss politics. Locke avoids her eyes, concentrating on the Dharma-O’s in the bowl in front of him. “Do you remember when Sawyer got all the guns?”
He looks up at her, and his face clearly states, ‘Well, duh,’ except Locke would never say something like that, let alone think it. She tries not smirk at the thought and continues. “How exactly did that go down? I know that there were issues between you and Jack, power struggles that Sawyer managed to worm his way into and use to his benefit, but what exactly happened?” Kate tries not to think about the fact that she was his access to those power struggles, and that he used that access mercilessly. Thinking about that fact would throw her off focus.
Locke clears his throat and speaks, as though he’s bored with the conversation and can’t really be bothered making an effort. “Sawyer told me Jack was going to come after the guns. I moved them and had Sawyer watch the button. Somehow, he figured out where I had moved them and then moved him himself.”
“How?” Kate blurts out before she can stop herself. She knows this story, she’s heard it before. But there has to be something missing, and she’s sure of it.
Locke gives her an odd, slightly amused look, and she feels her face burn up. “Well Kate, he’s either psychic, or he had me followed.”
She realizes the stupidity of the question and attempts to shake it off. “Do you know by who?”
Another odd look. Oh, she wishes she can slap the condescension right off his face. But that wouldn’t do her much good, would it? “If I knew who, Kate, we wouldn’t really be having this conversation, would we?”
Kate sighs, realizing that Locke is just another dead-end, and stands up. “Thank you, John, for you time,” she says softly, before turning to go.
“Kate,” he calls out, his voice brimming with curiosity.
“Yes?”
“Why do you want the guns?”
She thinks about all the reasons swirling around in her head, and she thinks about which one to tell him, which one would sound the most selfless.
“Because Sawyer has them, John, and we all know how wrong that is.”
Kate doesn’t have to look back to know he’s smiling. Just call her psychic.
Scene Four: Flashback to L.A., Ana-Lucia’s Apartment
Ana-Lucia laid on the couch, hands resting gently on her stomach. She stared up at the ceiling, listening to the thumps and the yells and that sound. That awful, God-forsaken sound she wished would stop echoing around in her head so much, the sound she wasn’t even sure was real anymore. The neighbors’ newborn’s cries drifted through the ceiling piercingly, deafeningly, almost tauntingly. Unable to stand it anymore, she grabbed a broom and stood up slowly, thumping it as hard as she can against the ceiling. The angry thumps hopefully translated to, Shut the hell up, but then again, babies weren’t good at understanding things, were they?
As she thumped some more, the phone rang, and she ignored it, concentrating on getting her message across. Ana only stopped when she heard Danny’s voice come over on the machine. Frozen, heart racing slightly, she set the broom down and sat on the couch, head in her hands.
“Ana, I—I’m at the therapist’s. You’re, well, late again. I’m just worried, you know?”
She tried to block out his face as the baby’s cries start up again, and she felt them both wash over, sinking into her head and messing around with her thoughts again. She hated when that happened.
“Please, Ana, just pick up. Please just pick up. Don’t do this to me, Ana-Lucia, I’m doing this for you, please…”
She hated to hear him beg; it reminded her of the passionate side of their relationship, those hot, steamy nights in the apartment. “Please, Ana, please…” She used to like to hear him beg. But she used to like a lot of things.
“We can get through this, Ana, I promise. Dammit, if you’ll just pick up the phone and talk to me, we can do this…”
She heard his frustration, and she suppressed a bitter chuckle; he didn’t know frustration. Frustration was having no control over your own damn body, your own life and your own job and your own child. Frustration was having to let other people do something you know you should be doing, and sitting back and letting someone else handle it.
Ana-Lucia eyed Jason’s rap sheet as the baby’s cries and Danny words washed over her pounding head.
“I—I don’t want to give up on this, Ana, but you have to understand that this is killing me. I want to be able to help you, to take care of you and fix this, but you won’t let me, and that kills me.”
She grabbed her gun as her heart broke into a million pieces. She loaded it, slipped it into her jeans, and stood up, realizing something. She could never let Danny help her, take care of her, fix this. Not until she fixed this first.
Scene Five: The Beach at Sunset
Rose sits in the sand complacently, enjoying the sunset and the feel of the now cool sea air on her face. Her husband approaches her, looking adorably nervous and fidgety as obviously prepares himself for whatever he’s about the say to her. Rose smiles to herself. “Bernard, if you’re gonna stand there and hover nervously, you might as well just sit down and get it over with. You’re making me feel small.”
Bernard lets out a light, obviously fake laugh, and Rose smiles again at his attempts to get on her good side. “Oh sweetie, you’re not small.” He sits down, sees her severe expression, and opens his mouth as he realizes what he’s just said. “Oh, I mean, Rose, dear, you know I think you’re—”
She laughs out loud and rests a hand on his to comfort him. “Relax, honey. What do you want to talk about?”
He hesitates some more, before looking at her square in the eye. “Rose, you know that I totally and completely support your—our—decision to stay here. Right?”
“Yes…”
“Okay, good. But, see, just because I support that decision doesn’t mean that I’m going to just sit by and not ensure our safety on this island. Or the safety of everyone else. I mean, if we are staying here, we need to be safe. You understand, right?”
“Yes, of course, Bernard, but what are you saying?”
“Sayid and Ana are starting up an army, for real, this time. Kate’s interested in joining, and so are a few other people. I’m going to join.”
Rose’s mask of calmness gives away almost immediately. “Bernard, are you out of your—”
“Rose, please. I really don’t want you to try to talk me out of this. I just want you to accept it, and support my decision.”
“Then you really don’t know me at all,” she huffs, and turns away from him. Bernard sighs sadly and touches her face gently.
“Rose, sweetie, I have to do this. I can’t just stand by and watch my friends go off and protect us without helping them. You know that it’s not in me to do that.”
Rose nods tearfully, before fixing him with a stubborn, sad glare. “But don’t you understand? Me living—on this island, or anywhere else—it just doesn’t mean anything if something happens to you.”
He smiles, tears forming in his own eyes as he presses his forehead against hers. “I understand that. I feel the same way.” Rose sniffs slightly and leans into him. “But that’s why I have to do this, Rose.”
As Bernard and Rose move out of sight, guitar riffs can be heard playing, and now Charlie is seen strumming at his guitar. Nearby, Walt and Vincent run around, playing with a Frisbee. Sun watches them thoughtfully, hand on her stomach, and she smiles when she feels Jin’s arms around her. Claire rocks Aaron in her arms, trying to coo him to sleep, before realizing that the soft melody of Charlie’s song is doing the job. She smiles and starts towards him. Sitting near Charlie is Michael and Cindy, both watching Walt and Vincent play. Michael is surprised when Cindy suddenly takes his hand, but he smiles slowly and holds hers tight, making sure she knows he’s not letting go.
Scene Six: The Hatch Laundry Room
Sawyer stands in front of the washing machine, muttering darkly under his breath about being forced into doing “damn domestic work.” Ana-Lucia watches in amusement as he’s about to pour bleach all over his colors and lays a hand on his arm.
“I really wouldn’t do that if I were you, Donna Reed.”
Sawyer scowls at her for the nickname, then grins and hands the bleach over. “Never make a man do a woman’s job,” he says cheerily.
“Oh, do not even go there, Cowboy. Wash your own clothes.”
“Come on, I’m not tellin’ ya to cook me a roast with a little apron on. Just do me this favor.”
“Why on earth would I do you any favors, Mr. Gun-Hoarder?”
“Cause ya think I’m cute?”
“God, you wish.”
“You tell him, Ana.” The scene is interrupted by a smiling Kate. Only Sawyer notices that her smile is stretched too wide. He grins at her obvious jealousy.
“Well, ain’t this great. Now I got two women to do my laundry for me. Happy day.”
“Sawyer, that’s the second time I’ve ever heard you say that, and it still scares me a little,” Kate quips, striding over to join Ana.
“And again, whatever gave you the idea that we were doing your laundry?” Ana wants to know, crossing her arms over her chest.
Sawyer pretends as though he doesn’t hear her and starts backing out of the room. “I’ll leave you ladies to it, then. Got a lot of work to do, ya know.” Grinning, he leaves, and Ana-Lucia and Kate glare after him.
“So,” says Kate, sitting on top of the dryer and turning to Ana. “Are we dumping ants in his clothes or what?”
Ana cracks a smile at her. “Somehow, I think the Con Master might be expecting that. Maybe we can go with something a little less 5th grade?”
Kate looks like she’s thinking for a minute, before grinning devilishly at Ana. “Hey, what about conning him out of the guns? Adult enough for her?”
Ana-Lucia looks at her. “You serious?”
“Like a heart attack.”
She can’t help but smile slightly as she eyes warily. “I’m listening.”
LOST.
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Lost Virtual Season 3: Episode Four full credits:
Writers: Aimz and Midnight Riot
Opening Lyric: U2 "Running to Stand Still"
Executive Producers:
midnight riot
Aimz
Scouse
nycjoc
Skayla
InMemorium
Brought to you by Leigh and mru-forum.com. Thank you, Leigh, for all your help and support through this. It wouldn't have been possible without you. And special thanks to all the board members who have been just as excited about this project as we are. You guys totally motivated us.
Disclaimer: None of the writers or producers have made any money on this project. It was purely for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement is intended.
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Next on LVS3
Scene One: St. Sebastian Hospital Several Years ago
“I thought I told you to contact me if you knew my father was in that condition,” said Dr. Jack Shepard, scolding a surgical nurse in the hallway of ICU.
“Dr. Shepard I tried to have you paged,” said the nurse in a loud whisper while trying to will the young doctor to calm down and move away from the patient’s door.
“How’s the patient. It was a gunshot wound?”
“Yes the patient was shot four times in the line of duty apparently. She’s stable Dr. Shepard. Your father did a fine job. There is nothing to worry about. She under the care of Dr. Phillips.”
“What state was he in during the operation? The truth.”
The nurse hesitated to answer. “I can’t tell for sure. But she’s fine.”
“What else are you not telling me?”
“Well, you should know, the patient was pregnant. Now I am not sure the 12-week fetus could have been saved. But I am giving you a heads up about it. I don’t think it was your father’s fault. . . in my opinion. The board should leave this one alone.”
Hearing voices, just outside of her hospital room, Ana grimaced in pain as she tried to swing her legs around and walk to the door way to hear what exactly was being discussed about a pregnant patient and a gunshot wound. The little bit of information she could decipher sparked her curiosity. Unfortunately she was met by Danny at her doorway.
“Whoa what are you doing? Get back into bed.”
Danny locked his arms around a weak and barely lucid Ana and propped her back into the bed.
“I am trying to hear what’s going on out there.”
“Hear what? Ana you shouldn’t be up walking around right now.”
“Who is my doctor?”
“I don’t know. A Dr. Phillips was here before. Do you need the doctor, are you in pain?”
“Of course I am in pain.”
“Can you lie back down for me, please,” sighed Danny.
“Do me a favor. Check out Doctor Phillips for me.”
“Why?”
“Just please,” Ana held her side and grimaced again as her barely healed body rebelled against the exertion. “Get my Mom to check to see if there have been any complaints against him, any malpractice lawsuits. ”
”Okay I’ll check it out if you lie back,” said Danny just to humor her. He had no idea what she was talking about and had no intentions of following up on her request. He propped up the pillows behind her head and helped her to recline.
Ana pressed hard on her self-injection medication and began to relax.
“How are you today,” he said stroking her hair.
“I’m just peachy,” she responded with heavy sarcasm. “You don’t have to be here Danny.”
“What are you talking about? Of course I have to be here. I want to be here. I’m your fiancé. I love you.”
“You were my fiancé because I was pregnant, and I screwed that up.”
Exhaling sharply, Danny was fully aware that he would have to struggle to get beyond Ana’s stubbornness, but he was in familiar territory. “It wasn’t your fault Ana. That’s all I’m going to say about it.”
Ana turned her head away from Danny and fought against the tears that were burning in her eyes. She blamed hormones and pain for the tears, because she certainly had no right to cry over her loss.
“I was stupid, Danny. I let him reach for his gun. I let my guard down.”
“How could you have known. The bastard is scum. Who shoots a cop for no reason. He's going to fry for this. ”
“If you say you don’t blame me, you’re lying.”
“I don’t blame you.”
“You told me to quit for the baby. Now you can say ‘I told you so’.”
Danny shook his head slowly, unwilling to play her game. “It wasn’t meant to be. That’s all. You want to hold this against yourself fine. But you are not going to get me to do the same. ”
Trying to change the subject and lighten the mood, Danny looked around the room at the multitude of bouquets. “You’ve been here one day and you have more flowers than the Rose Bowl parade," he joked.
He went over to ledge where they were all displayed and began reading cards. “These are from Luis Martinez. 'Get well soon. You are in my prayers an thoughts always.' Don’t tell me this is your father.”
“It probably is. Throw them out.”
“What? Come on Ana.”
“I said throw them out. He tried to call me earlier today. I don’t want anything to do with him. You know the situation Danny,” Ana said as sternly as her weakened state would allow. She could count on one hand the number of times her father had bothered to contact her in the past 20 years.
Danny shrugged and walked over to the largest bouquet in the room. “Hey these are from my bosses at Widmore Industries.”
“What?” Ana rolled her eyes.
“Yea. Well they have been great. Offered to give me as much time off as I need. Offered private care should you need that.”
“And that doesn’t sound suspicious to you?”
“Why should it Ana?”
“The LAPD has good insurance. I don’t need charity from your shady company.”
“Listen to that, do you hear that?” laughed Danny, referring to the people on the other side of the curtain in attempt to change a touchy subject. They were arguing fairly loudly in Spanish. “Something about numbers being cursed. The mother is slapping her son. She doesn't understand. The numbers are cursed. Dios Mios. Loco.”
Danny eventually stopped laughing and eavesdropping and sat down next to her. He cradled her hand in his palm and kissed it. “We are going to get through this Ana. We are.”
Ana briefly glanced at Danny, noting his dark-chocolate, wavy hair and hazel eyes. Their baby would have had that hair, those eyes. She could picture just how perfect the baby would have been. That image would haunt her for a long time. She might as well had put a gun to her own baby and pulled the trigger.
“I need the forensics report Danny.”
“You need to relax and let your Mom and Mike handle the investigation.”
Ana looked away and stared into nothingness, as Danny became just as much of a nonentity as the furniture in the room. Everything was hazy, nothing seemed real. The pain in her heart was as bad as the pain in her chest. The sense of shame and guilt unbearable. Danny would not be able to help her. Her Mom would not be able to help her. She would have to handle things on her own. In her own way.
Scene Two: Sun’s Garden
Sun sits in her garden, nearly oblivious to her surroundings as she pats down damp earth around a seedling. A sudden rustling in the bushes makes her start slightly, and she looks around curiously for a minute. Seeing nothing, she turns back to her seedlings, nearly jumping out of her skin when Walt suddenly emerges with Vincent in tow.
“Oh!” she exclaims, chuckling softly and resting a hand near her heart. “Walt, you scared me!”
“Sorry,” he says, slightly stonily, and Sun considers his face for a minute before standing up and hugging him quickly.
“It’s so good to have you back. You had as very worried for you.” She smiles kindly down at the little boy, resting her arm companionably across his shoulders.
Walt doesn’t respond, instead looking towards her stomach pointedly. The intensity of his gaze makes her fidget uncomfortably, and she moves away from him slightly, gesturing towards her garden in an attempt to shift his gaze. “Would you like to help me with some seedlings? As long as Vincent doesn’t eat anything, he can help, too.” Sun tries to keep her voice steady, but she fails when she realizes that Walt is unresponsive, simply staring blankly at her stomach.
“Walt? Walt, are you okay?” She moves away from him again, feeling the hair stand up on her arms as a brief wind sweeps over them. A chill runs down her back, and she has to keep from shivering as she looks concernedly at the little boy.
“They’ll find out.”
Sun lets out a small, involuntary gasp and takes another step away from him. “W—what? Walt, how do you—”
Suddenly, Walt’s eyes go huge as he grabs her arm urgently. “You need to get away from here,” he says, voice quick and panicked. “Don’t stay here alone! They’ll find out, and they’ll take you!”
The wind picks up, and Sun folds her arms around herself protectively, eyes wide in fear as she stares at Walt. “Walt, what are you talking about? How do you even know that—”
The wind slows down, and Walt starts backing away, now looking once again like the normal Walt she had known in those first few weeks on the island. “I—I should get back, my dad will notice I’m gone. Don’t stay here long, be careful.” With that, he takes off in the opposite direction, tearing through the trees.
Sun moves to go after him, calling out, “Walt, wait!” But a sudden sharp pain in her abdomen stops her, and she clutches at her stomach quickly, doubling over as tears spring to her eyes.
Scene Three: The Hatch.
Kate approaches Locke cautiously, as though approaching a ticking time bomb and not someone she’s even mildly acquainted with. She bitterly considers the fact that she’s barely acquainted with anyone anymore. Oh sure, she’s good for the girl-talk sessions and the cute banter on the beach. But since she’s not invited to the cool club meetings anymore, she’s not ‘in’ with all the people that matter. She remembers the time when she was one of those people that matter, and she rolls her eyes over it.
Kate vows to make herself matter again. She promises herself that she’ll show them exactly who she is, exactly what she can do, and how she doesn’t need any of them to do it. And that starts right here.
“Hey, John,” she says gently, offering him a companionable smile. Locke returns it a lot less warmly, and she wonders briefly what happened to him. But now’s not the time to get sidetracked. She has something she needs to do, and she’d better damn well get it done.
“So, I was just curious about some things,” Kate says casually, taking a seat across the table from him as though they’re about to discuss politics. Locke avoids her eyes, concentrating on the Dharma-O’s in the bowl in front of him. “Do you remember when Sawyer got all the guns?”
He looks up at her, and his face clearly states, ‘Well, duh,’ except Locke would never say something like that, let alone think it. She tries not smirk at the thought and continues. “How exactly did that go down? I know that there were issues between you and Jack, power struggles that Sawyer managed to worm his way into and use to his benefit, but what exactly happened?” Kate tries not to think about the fact that she was his access to those power struggles, and that he used that access mercilessly. Thinking about that fact would throw her off focus.
Locke clears his throat and speaks, as though he’s bored with the conversation and can’t really be bothered making an effort. “Sawyer told me Jack was going to come after the guns. I moved them and had Sawyer watch the button. Somehow, he figured out where I had moved them and then moved him himself.”
“How?” Kate blurts out before she can stop herself. She knows this story, she’s heard it before. But there has to be something missing, and she’s sure of it.
Locke gives her an odd, slightly amused look, and she feels her face burn up. “Well Kate, he’s either psychic, or he had me followed.”
She realizes the stupidity of the question and attempts to shake it off. “Do you know by who?”
Another odd look. Oh, she wishes she can slap the condescension right off his face. But that wouldn’t do her much good, would it? “If I knew who, Kate, we wouldn’t really be having this conversation, would we?”
Kate sighs, realizing that Locke is just another dead-end, and stands up. “Thank you, John, for you time,” she says softly, before turning to go.
“Kate,” he calls out, his voice brimming with curiosity.
“Yes?”
“Why do you want the guns?”
She thinks about all the reasons swirling around in her head, and she thinks about which one to tell him, which one would sound the most selfless.
“Because Sawyer has them, John, and we all know how wrong that is.”
Kate doesn’t have to look back to know he’s smiling. Just call her psychic.
Scene Four: Flashback to L.A., Ana-Lucia’s Apartment
Ana-Lucia laid on the couch, hands resting gently on her stomach. She stared up at the ceiling, listening to the thumps and the yells and that sound. That awful, God-forsaken sound she wished would stop echoing around in her head so much, the sound she wasn’t even sure was real anymore. The neighbors’ newborn’s cries drifted through the ceiling piercingly, deafeningly, almost tauntingly. Unable to stand it anymore, she grabbed a broom and stood up slowly, thumping it as hard as she can against the ceiling. The angry thumps hopefully translated to, Shut the hell up, but then again, babies weren’t good at understanding things, were they?
As she thumped some more, the phone rang, and she ignored it, concentrating on getting her message across. Ana only stopped when she heard Danny’s voice come over on the machine. Frozen, heart racing slightly, she set the broom down and sat on the couch, head in her hands.
“Ana, I—I’m at the therapist’s. You’re, well, late again. I’m just worried, you know?”
She tried to block out his face as the baby’s cries start up again, and she felt them both wash over, sinking into her head and messing around with her thoughts again. She hated when that happened.
“Please, Ana, just pick up. Please just pick up. Don’t do this to me, Ana-Lucia, I’m doing this for you, please…”
She hated to hear him beg; it reminded her of the passionate side of their relationship, those hot, steamy nights in the apartment. “Please, Ana, please…” She used to like to hear him beg. But she used to like a lot of things.
“We can get through this, Ana, I promise. Dammit, if you’ll just pick up the phone and talk to me, we can do this…”
She heard his frustration, and she suppressed a bitter chuckle; he didn’t know frustration. Frustration was having no control over your own damn body, your own life and your own job and your own child. Frustration was having to let other people do something you know you should be doing, and sitting back and letting someone else handle it.
Ana-Lucia eyed Jason’s rap sheet as the baby’s cries and Danny words washed over her pounding head.
“I—I don’t want to give up on this, Ana, but you have to understand that this is killing me. I want to be able to help you, to take care of you and fix this, but you won’t let me, and that kills me.”
She grabbed her gun as her heart broke into a million pieces. She loaded it, slipped it into her jeans, and stood up, realizing something. She could never let Danny help her, take care of her, fix this. Not until she fixed this first.
Scene Five: The Beach at Sunset
Rose sits in the sand complacently, enjoying the sunset and the feel of the now cool sea air on her face. Her husband approaches her, looking adorably nervous and fidgety as obviously prepares himself for whatever he’s about the say to her. Rose smiles to herself. “Bernard, if you’re gonna stand there and hover nervously, you might as well just sit down and get it over with. You’re making me feel small.”
Bernard lets out a light, obviously fake laugh, and Rose smiles again at his attempts to get on her good side. “Oh sweetie, you’re not small.” He sits down, sees her severe expression, and opens his mouth as he realizes what he’s just said. “Oh, I mean, Rose, dear, you know I think you’re—”
She laughs out loud and rests a hand on his to comfort him. “Relax, honey. What do you want to talk about?”
He hesitates some more, before looking at her square in the eye. “Rose, you know that I totally and completely support your—our—decision to stay here. Right?”
“Yes…”
“Okay, good. But, see, just because I support that decision doesn’t mean that I’m going to just sit by and not ensure our safety on this island. Or the safety of everyone else. I mean, if we are staying here, we need to be safe. You understand, right?”
“Yes, of course, Bernard, but what are you saying?”
“Sayid and Ana are starting up an army, for real, this time. Kate’s interested in joining, and so are a few other people. I’m going to join.”
Rose’s mask of calmness gives away almost immediately. “Bernard, are you out of your—”
“Rose, please. I really don’t want you to try to talk me out of this. I just want you to accept it, and support my decision.”
“Then you really don’t know me at all,” she huffs, and turns away from him. Bernard sighs sadly and touches her face gently.
“Rose, sweetie, I have to do this. I can’t just stand by and watch my friends go off and protect us without helping them. You know that it’s not in me to do that.”
Rose nods tearfully, before fixing him with a stubborn, sad glare. “But don’t you understand? Me living—on this island, or anywhere else—it just doesn’t mean anything if something happens to you.”
He smiles, tears forming in his own eyes as he presses his forehead against hers. “I understand that. I feel the same way.” Rose sniffs slightly and leans into him. “But that’s why I have to do this, Rose.”
As Bernard and Rose move out of sight, guitar riffs can be heard playing, and now Charlie is seen strumming at his guitar. Nearby, Walt and Vincent run around, playing with a Frisbee. Sun watches them thoughtfully, hand on her stomach, and she smiles when she feels Jin’s arms around her. Claire rocks Aaron in her arms, trying to coo him to sleep, before realizing that the soft melody of Charlie’s song is doing the job. She smiles and starts towards him. Sitting near Charlie is Michael and Cindy, both watching Walt and Vincent play. Michael is surprised when Cindy suddenly takes his hand, but he smiles slowly and holds hers tight, making sure she knows he’s not letting go.
Scene Six: The Hatch Laundry Room
Sawyer stands in front of the washing machine, muttering darkly under his breath about being forced into doing “damn domestic work.” Ana-Lucia watches in amusement as he’s about to pour bleach all over his colors and lays a hand on his arm.
“I really wouldn’t do that if I were you, Donna Reed.”
Sawyer scowls at her for the nickname, then grins and hands the bleach over. “Never make a man do a woman’s job,” he says cheerily.
“Oh, do not even go there, Cowboy. Wash your own clothes.”
“Come on, I’m not tellin’ ya to cook me a roast with a little apron on. Just do me this favor.”
“Why on earth would I do you any favors, Mr. Gun-Hoarder?”
“Cause ya think I’m cute?”
“God, you wish.”
“You tell him, Ana.” The scene is interrupted by a smiling Kate. Only Sawyer notices that her smile is stretched too wide. He grins at her obvious jealousy.
“Well, ain’t this great. Now I got two women to do my laundry for me. Happy day.”
“Sawyer, that’s the second time I’ve ever heard you say that, and it still scares me a little,” Kate quips, striding over to join Ana.
“And again, whatever gave you the idea that we were doing your laundry?” Ana wants to know, crossing her arms over her chest.
Sawyer pretends as though he doesn’t hear her and starts backing out of the room. “I’ll leave you ladies to it, then. Got a lot of work to do, ya know.” Grinning, he leaves, and Ana-Lucia and Kate glare after him.
“So,” says Kate, sitting on top of the dryer and turning to Ana. “Are we dumping ants in his clothes or what?”
Ana cracks a smile at her. “Somehow, I think the Con Master might be expecting that. Maybe we can go with something a little less 5th grade?”
Kate looks like she’s thinking for a minute, before grinning devilishly at Ana. “Hey, what about conning him out of the guns? Adult enough for her?”
Ana-Lucia looks at her. “You serious?”
“Like a heart attack.”
She can’t help but smile slightly as she eyes warily. “I’m listening.”
LOST.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lost Virtual Season 3: Episode Four full credits:
Writers: Aimz and Midnight Riot
Opening Lyric: U2 "Running to Stand Still"
Executive Producers:
midnight riot
Aimz
Scouse
nycjoc
Skayla
InMemorium
Brought to you by Leigh and mru-forum.com. Thank you, Leigh, for all your help and support through this. It wouldn't have been possible without you. And special thanks to all the board members who have been just as excited about this project as we are. You guys totally motivated us.
Disclaimer: None of the writers or producers have made any money on this project. It was purely for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement is intended.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next on LVS3
fallen_angel - August 10, 2006 12:18 AM (GMT)
excellent episode!
Letty - August 10, 2006 12:35 AM (GMT)
that episode rocked!! :D ^_^
BeckyT - August 10, 2006 12:36 AM (GMT)
That was amazing! I loved the flashbacks to Danny, and on the plane.
Letty - August 10, 2006 01:04 AM (GMT)
YEAH coolness
Leigh - August 10, 2006 01:30 AM (GMT)
I cannot even begin to try to give long ass adjectives to describe this. It was simply just awesome.
The Ana characterization was at EVERY moment 100% spot on. Jack was spot on....Sayid....spot on. Hell even the smaller characters....Libby, Kate, Sun, Claire, etc....again....spot friggin on.
The flashbacks were done perfectly....no over doing it and you didn't try too hard showing what happened before and after the shooting. It was great. Loved the Jana....refreshing to see them the way they started in S2 as being someone eachother sort of leans on yet still having their guards up. Cute Ana/Sawyer/Kate moment at the end.
Oh and the Walt/Sun scene was awesomely creepy. Really well written, short enough to leave you going 'whoa!', but not overkill.
Most importantly, again....characterization for EVERYBODY (especially Ana which is usually hard for people) was perfect.
Way to go. I simply LOVED it!
L.
The Ana characterization was at EVERY moment 100% spot on. Jack was spot on....Sayid....spot on. Hell even the smaller characters....Libby, Kate, Sun, Claire, etc....again....spot friggin on.
The flashbacks were done perfectly....no over doing it and you didn't try too hard showing what happened before and after the shooting. It was great. Loved the Jana....refreshing to see them the way they started in S2 as being someone eachother sort of leans on yet still having their guards up. Cute Ana/Sawyer/Kate moment at the end.
Oh and the Walt/Sun scene was awesomely creepy. Really well written, short enough to leave you going 'whoa!', but not overkill.
Most importantly, again....characterization for EVERYBODY (especially Ana which is usually hard for people) was perfect.
Way to go. I simply LOVED it!
L.
Aimz - August 10, 2006 01:46 AM (GMT)
GOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!
If Leigh is happy, I am happy. :lol:
Thanks for the feed everyone.
Giving feed to Allie after re-reading Act II: to echo Leigh about the characterization. You have Bernard pegged, which is awesome considering we didn't see a whole lot of him.
Freaky Walt :blink: One of my favorite scenes now.
And LMAO at Sawyer telling Ana he wasn't asking her to "cook a roast."
High Fives.
If Leigh is happy, I am happy. :lol:
Thanks for the feed everyone.
Giving feed to Allie after re-reading Act II: to echo Leigh about the characterization. You have Bernard pegged, which is awesome considering we didn't see a whole lot of him.
Freaky Walt :blink: One of my favorite scenes now.
And LMAO at Sawyer telling Ana he wasn't asking her to "cook a roast."
High Fives.
Leigh - August 10, 2006 01:49 AM (GMT)
:D
Yes! Bernard and Rose was FRIGGIN PERFECT! Many tend to write them....weirdly. You got 'em right on Allie, bravo!
And LOL yeah the "roast" bit was one of my fave lines, definitely, lol!
L.
P.S. Aimz, LOVE the new banner! ;)
Yes! Bernard and Rose was FRIGGIN PERFECT! Many tend to write them....weirdly. You got 'em right on Allie, bravo!
And LOL yeah the "roast" bit was one of my fave lines, definitely, lol!
L.
P.S. Aimz, LOVE the new banner! ;)
Hatsumomo - August 10, 2006 01:58 AM (GMT)
Best episode ever! The losties were 100% in character, and I loved it. You guys make the hiatus seem a lot shorter. :D
midnight riot - August 10, 2006 02:19 AM (GMT)
Yay! Thanks guys, glad you liked it. :)
Hoelli - August 10, 2006 03:19 AM (GMT)
I so couldn't wait for it :wub:
Now I can't wait for the next one, I always can't wait *thud* But it was ANA'S and she's SO alive despite all! ;) Even if it's so sad :(
I already said it's almost more Lost than Lost, esp. the most recent Lost :P It even has all the Easter eggs, man :bow: :bow:
Always loving the Sana bits of course :wub:
Now I can't wait for the next one, I always can't wait *thud* But it was ANA'S and she's SO alive despite all! ;) Even if it's so sad :(
I already said it's almost more Lost than Lost, esp. the most recent Lost :P It even has all the Easter eggs, man :bow: :bow:
Always loving the Sana bits of course :wub:
Skayla - August 10, 2006 04:28 AM (GMT)
God that was the best ep so far!!!! even though theres only four.. THE BEST!!
Jade_4412 - August 10, 2006 06:38 AM (GMT)
:bow: :clap:
I am eagerly awaiting next episode
I am eagerly awaiting next episode
emz - August 10, 2006 10:29 AM (GMT)
:o Wow!!
That was ace!!!
:bow: :bow: :clap: :clap:
That was ace!!!
:bow: :bow: :clap: :clap:
Yariene - August 10, 2006 05:56 PM (GMT)
I can't read this now. Not when I'm at work. Damn it! Aimz, I give you my review in like 2 weeks :(
caramel199012 - August 10, 2006 11:20 PM (GMT)
really good update really blew me away lol :lol: please update again with the next episode soon :)
fallen_angel - August 11, 2006 01:47 AM (GMT)
what type of Kana Action is in the 5th epi?
shiva - August 11, 2006 09:45 AM (GMT)
omg! i loved it :) great job!
i can't wait for more!!!!
i can't wait for more!!!!
doublell20 - August 11, 2006 09:29 PM (GMT)
riveting! amazing! brilliant! better than the real thing....says the double ll alberta fun times!!!!!
wonderful guys!
missed the sana but loved the jana, anyhoo!
the ana flashbacks were awesome and just what i'd hoped to see on that show....what was it called again...mmm.
well done all. :)
ll
wonderful guys!
missed the sana but loved the jana, anyhoo!
the ana flashbacks were awesome and just what i'd hoped to see on that show....what was it called again...mmm.
well done all. :)
ll
Yaya - August 13, 2006 01:37 AM (GMT)
:o Excellent
LettyRocks - August 14, 2006 10:12 PM (GMT)
Wow. I just got caught up with all of this LVS3 stuff and.....wow. You are all really talented writers. This is such a cool idea. Great work everyone!
firstanointed - August 15, 2006 02:04 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| “I really wouldn’t do that if I were you, Donna Reed.” |
*Cracks up* Now THAT's funny! I love it! And the end especially. From an un-holy alliance shall come revenge! Buahahahahaha!!!! Personally, I love the idea of putting ants in his clothes. The 5th grade mind is genius, it is. :P
Excellent episode, I dig, I dig. I'm following, keep it up!
Fish1941 - August 15, 2006 06:42 PM (GMT)
Before I continue reading Season 3, is this going to end with a Sana relationship?
InMemoriam - August 16, 2006 12:40 AM (GMT)
We don't really know yet, hun. I'm pro Sana but, really , it can go either way.
Aimz - August 16, 2006 03:40 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Fish1941 @ Aug 15 2006, 02:42 PM) |
| Before I continue reading Season 3, is this going to end with a Sana relationship? |
If you are a Jana fan, you gotta speak up. Sana fans have been very very vocal so far in loving the Sana interaction. There is alot of Jana in this episode, and I didn't notice anyone jumping for joy over it.
Ana may just go the route of Michelle and marry herself.
doublell20 - August 16, 2006 04:20 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| missed the sana but loved the jana, anyhoo! |
hey guys i commented earlier re: sana/jana!
i did indeed like the jana...i was a bigtime jana fan first before sana and now prefer sana BUT i'd be open to either or...
ll
devilish_angel - August 16, 2006 06:22 AM (GMT)
Hey that's so awesome! i luv it u guys r really tallented. They shuddah done sumpthin lyk this on the programme! I know michelle onli signed up for one season but it wuddah been cool.
Leigh - August 16, 2006 11:47 AM (GMT)
Ah come on....a few of us LOVE Jana too! :)
But yeah, fans of both need to speak up b/c much of the writing is based on what the fans enjoy and crave. The virtual writers, unlike the actual ones, actually CARE about the audience, lol. So speak up, say what you like and don't liked, etc. as I'm sure they will take it into consideration.
L.
But yeah, fans of both need to speak up b/c much of the writing is based on what the fans enjoy and crave. The virtual writers, unlike the actual ones, actually CARE about the audience, lol. So speak up, say what you like and don't liked, etc. as I'm sure they will take it into consideration.
L.
Aimz - August 16, 2006 11:59 AM (GMT)
I know a few of us love Jana, operative word is few. Yariene is a huge Jana fan, but she's having technical issues. I am sure she will weigh in soon.
Hoelli - August 16, 2006 01:56 PM (GMT)
I can stand even Jana, just don't make a triangle :angel: :D Ana as Kate, ewww. :angel:
Fish1941 - August 16, 2006 02:56 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Aimz @ Aug 15 2006, 09:40 PM) | ||
If you are a Jana fan, you gotta speak up. Sana fans have been very very vocal so far in loving the Sana interaction. There is alot of Jana in this episode, and I didn't notice anyone jumping for joy over it. Ana may just go the route of Michelle and marry herself. |
Okay . . . if you say so. I'm a Jana fan. Sana doesn't do it for me.
skadi - August 16, 2006 07:09 PM (GMT)
love it!
please more sana!
please more sana!
Malenkaya - August 16, 2006 09:59 PM (GMT)
To all of the wonderful people involved in this project:
I love, absolutely love, this virtual season three. After Ana Lucia was killed off on LOST, I spent so much time looking for good fanfiction and was sorely dissapointed-- everything I found was either out of character, poorly written, or far too focused on a romance. This fanfiction is absolutely perfect-- it reads just like the episodes, with a lot of action, drama AND some romance. Every character is included, although Ana Lucia has been put into central focus (which still isn't that far off the last few episodes of LOST, and plus, a bonus for me-- she's my favorite character), and what amazes me is that they are all so in character. With a cast this big, that's a very impressive achievement. I am really enjoying this-- it's so true to the show, and yet better in it's own way as well. I'm glad it seems to be updated frequently (considering the length of each update), so please keep that up as well.
I also especially love the written promos on the site-- they're awesome. Like when I used to see trailers for LOST and keep rewatching them, I keep rereading your promos for each upcoming 'episode'.
All in all, this is perfect. Thanks SO much for the idea and all the time and effort you've put into it.
~Tina
I love, absolutely love, this virtual season three. After Ana Lucia was killed off on LOST, I spent so much time looking for good fanfiction and was sorely dissapointed-- everything I found was either out of character, poorly written, or far too focused on a romance. This fanfiction is absolutely perfect-- it reads just like the episodes, with a lot of action, drama AND some romance. Every character is included, although Ana Lucia has been put into central focus (which still isn't that far off the last few episodes of LOST, and plus, a bonus for me-- she's my favorite character), and what amazes me is that they are all so in character. With a cast this big, that's a very impressive achievement. I am really enjoying this-- it's so true to the show, and yet better in it's own way as well. I'm glad it seems to be updated frequently (considering the length of each update), so please keep that up as well.
I also especially love the written promos on the site-- they're awesome. Like when I used to see trailers for LOST and keep rewatching them, I keep rereading your promos for each upcoming 'episode'.
All in all, this is perfect. Thanks SO much for the idea and all the time and effort you've put into it.
~Tina
Aimz - August 16, 2006 10:28 PM (GMT)
Thanks so much Tina. And welcome to the forum. Thanks for making your first post so special.
Leigh - August 17, 2006 12:44 AM (GMT)
Dude, look at the love. See there! Awesome. :)
Welcome indeed Malenkaya!
L.
Welcome indeed Malenkaya!
L.
alecha - August 21, 2006 06:44 AM (GMT)
Wheeeeeeee, i can't wait to read this, i can't wait. just finished the horrible trials, and cos of my timetable, i get the rest of the week free, so i'm gonna finish a chem project and then i'm gonna read this. i can't wait. i know it will be great :D
Yariene - September 7, 2006 04:53 PM (GMT)
Aimz, have I told you how much I love you? Prepare yourself to hear the word love (d) constantly.
Your writing is exccellent. Your characterizations are dead on. I am so ecstatic with how you portrayed Jack and you also made my Jana loving heart sooooooooooo happy. Everythinh was amazing! Loved Ana's flash back, how you depicted the Ana-Danny relationship, how realistics is the Ana-Sayid relationship. I could feel Sayid's resentment towards Ana. Love how you connected Jack and his father with Ana. You gave me ariplane scene with Jana. Loving that! Loved that! I really like how you established Ana's ralationship with other people. Everything was awesome!
PS. See, I told you I would read it. Sorry for being so late!
Your writing is exccellent. Your characterizations are dead on. I am so ecstatic with how you portrayed Jack and you also made my Jana loving heart sooooooooooo happy. Everythinh was amazing! Loved Ana's flash back, how you depicted the Ana-Danny relationship, how realistics is the Ana-Sayid relationship. I could feel Sayid's resentment towards Ana. Love how you connected Jack and his father with Ana. You gave me ariplane scene with Jana. Loving that! Loved that! I really like how you established Ana's ralationship with other people. Everything was awesome!
PS. See, I told you I would read it. Sorry for being so late!
Aimz - September 7, 2006 11:34 PM (GMT)
Awww my Jana-lovin twin!! Thanks so much Yariene. It was great getting this feedback in my email box during work. It definitely made my day. I am glad you read it and loved it, and it met your Jana stamp of approval. We Jana fans are few but strong.
Maritza Roman - November 1, 2007 02:52 AM (GMT)
^I agree with you Aimz...