Fic: Small Beginnings
Author:
andibeth82Rating: G
Fandom: LOST
Characters: James/Juliet
Spoilers: Jughead, early Season 5 knowledge
Word Count: 669
Note: Mid-episode piece for Jughead, inspired by the look between James and Juliet after Locke leaves them to go into the Others' camp during their time traveling stint into the 50's. Again, moments we never saw.
This fic is dedicated to propernice partially in thanks for simply caring and partially because sometimes fics are better than virtual hugs. Just something short and sweet.
He watches as Locke descends down the steep incline towards the camp, and son of a bitch, he’s really being that stupid, isn’t he? James grits his teeth together, his eyes hard. He should have just kept his mouth shut about what he saw, because now their fearless bald leader - and theoretically the best chance they had at being rescued - was going to probably get himself killed on a suicide mission based on the hope that Richard Alpert would remember him. After years of time travel. What kind of power trip was he on?
“What about you? You wanna stay here in Crazytown, or help me rescue the geek?”
He’s staring out at the tree line, not even looking in her direction as he says the words and when his brain registers silence he turns his gaze expecting that it’s because she hasn’t stayed around to answer him. He’s slightly shocked to find her eyes on his, a careful mix of understanding and respect shadowing her face.
“What?” Her glance borders between wary and amused as she turns and starts working her way down the back end of the hill.
“Nothin’. Just…you know, thought you might’ve left or somethin’.” One leg struggles to find the foothold he knows he just created while climbing up minutes ago, as his hand stabilizes his body against the grass. Juliet turns halfway, cocking her head slightly to the side.
“Now, why would I do that?”
Her voice is soft, and he’s not sure what it is that’s making him feel so protective but damn it to hell if he all of a sudden doesn’t want to just grab her and shield her from anything that could cause hurt. Like those machete-happy Others who almost maimed her hand in the jungle a few hours ago.
“Well…cause….I dunno. Guess it just made sense.” He realizes he doesn’t have a good response other than the fact that he’s just used to people in his life leaving, because he pushes them all away at one point or another. As he reaches for a stray branch to steady his descent from the hill, his hand slips. Before he realizes what’s happening she’s there catching it, one arm strong around the back of his waist as she helps him regain his balance. He stares at her for what feels like five minutes (though he knows it can’t have been more than two seconds) before he pushes himself forward, landing on solid ground.
“Thanks.”
Juliet nods, sliding a tight-lipped smile sliding over her face. “Don’t mention it.” She turns to walk towards the camp, shouldering the rifle as she does so and he fights with himself internally before calling out.
“What did you mean back there about…about sayin’ you wouldn’t leave?”
She stops in her tracks and he can see her tensing up, almost as if she’s deciding if she even wants to answer. He finds himself wondering when this cat-and-mouse game of caring-yet-not-trying-to-care about each other entered the mix. Son of a bitch.
“It doesn’t matter, James. But don’t worry. I’m not going to leave you.”
I’m not going to leave you. He can’t remember the last time he heard those words, and realizes that aside from his parents, no one’s ever really promised him that. He’s not exactly sure why he deserves to hear this from someone who clearly is leagues above him in every possible way (hell, she even shoots better than he can) but what the hell.
At least he’s not going through all this time travel stuff alone. At least there’s that.
James picks up his rifle, looking towards the trees and hearing the faint mutter of an escalating conversation.
‘You still got my back?”
He doesn’t even know why he says it - maybe he just needs to be sure that she’s really going to be there - but she doesn’t pause before answering him back.
“Always.”
He nods once, slinging the rifle over his shoulder.
“Alright, then. Let’s go rescue our scientist.”