The Other Doctor - Pt. 4/?
CHEMISTRY
Kate didn't fall asleep right away.
She was still concerned about Jack but also trusted that if Juliet said he would be fine - then he would be fine.
At some point soon after Kate laid down Juliet rested her hand on Kate's back. Her touch drew pretty much all of Kate's attention.
She admitted to herself that she enjoyed being close to Juliet, but still - the type of connection Kate felt to her was unfamiliar.
They had somehow gone from enemies to friends quite quickly. Kate wanted to call it ... chemistry - but chemistry with a woman?
She had no idea that could happen, she'd never even given it a thought - but it was hard to find it surprising considering it was happening on a magical island where the impossible, was somehow possible.
Juliet began mindlessly rubbing Kate's back.
The mix of the gentle swoosh of the breaking waves, the occasional crackle of the beach fires - and Juliet's touch lulled Kate to sleep.
She dreamt of running through the jungle in the dark.
She didn't see him but knew that she was running toward Jack.
When she reached a clearing she expected him to be standing there - but he wasn't.
She was suddenly was on a boat, tethered to the shore - looking at the beach.
At first it was Jack who began pulling her in but when she reached the shore - it was Juliet that greeted her.
She awoke to Juliet softly saying her name.
Kate quickly sat up, "Everything ok?"
"Yep." Juliet stood, "I just need a restroom break."
When she returned Kate offered, "You should sleep, Juliet. I'll wake you up if he needs you."
Juliet started to say, "I'm not that tired ... " but yawned in the middle of it.
Kate gave her a playful glare.
Juliet smiled and shrugged, "Ok, ok. You win."
Kate laughed, " ... as usual."
LUCKY
She woke up a few hours later and said to Kate as she stood, "I'm going to wake Jack up, see if he's ok."
She held out her hand, smiled, and continued, "He'll want to see you."
"I feel fine, Juliet. Just tired." Jack said after she asked him a few questions and examined his stitches.
Juliet teased, "Yah, well. You must have had an excellent surgeon. Clearly top notch."
She looked at Kate, "I'll leave you two alone. I'll be in my tent if you need anything."
After Juliet left Kate sat down next to Jack, "You doing ok?"
He smiled, "I'm fine Kate. Juliet knew what she was doing."
Kate smiled back, "You're lucky she was here."
Jack nodded, "I guess I'm lucky for a lot of reasons."
"Do you want me to stay with you?"
"No. I'm ok. If anything was going to go wrong, it would have already. But If I need something I'll just yell. Go get some rest."
Kate agreed and then headed back to her tent.
She was surprised to find Juliet inside.
"Sorry," Juliet said as she set down Kate's blanket, "I was just returning this. I thought you'd still be with Jack."
Kate shook her head, "You're too good of a doctor apparently. He doesn't need me."
Juliet said, "He just doesn't want anybody, to think he needs anybody."
"That sounds about right."
They smiled at each other for a minute.
"Well ... goodnight." Juliet said and then turned to leave.
Kate gently grabbed her wrist, "Juliet."
She turned back towards Kate, raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you, again - for Jack, for everything else."
Juliet smiled, "You're welcome ... again."
In a burst of a mix of gratitude and a plain and simple desire to hug Juliet ... Kate hugged Juliet.
They both lingered.
Juliet teased, "Now everyone is definitely going to think we're friends."
Kate broke the embrace and teased back, "This would never happen if we weren't inside."
Juliet smirked, "Well - then I'm glad we're inside."
DOC AND SLEEPY
Kate didn't sleep long but she didn't feel like getting up and being social just yet. She had too much on her mind.
By the time she did get up the communal oatmeal was almost gone.
She looked around for Juliet but didn't see her - so she dished up the last of it for her.
She figured Jack wouldn't be up for a while.
Juliet was still asleep and Kate accidentally woke her up.
When Kate came into focus Juliet quickly sat up, "Is Jack ok?"
Kate nodded, "Yah, sorry. He's fine. I didn't mean to wake you."
Juliet sighed, "Don't worry about it. I was only half asleep."
She leaned back on her elbows, " ... did you need something?"
Kate shook her head, "No," she paused, "I just ... "
Juliet raised an eyebrow and playfully said, " ... you just, came to cuddle?"
Kate laughed and sat down, "I brought you the last of the oatmeal."
Juliet sat up and Kate handed her the bowl.
She playfully investigated the contents, "Did Hurley make it?"
Kate smiled, "That's why it went so fast. He's the only one that can manage to not make it disgusting."
Juliet took a bite, "Thanks."
They sat in silence for a bit while Juliet continued eating.
Kate was staring at the water. "You cuddled me in the tree house, you know." she said.
Juliet took a drink, "Funny. I don't remember that part. I do, however, remember you sprawled across me."
Kate smirked, " ... you spooned me in the middle of the night."
"Are you trying to make this some kind of competition?" Juliet teased.
Kate turned toward her, smiled and shook her head.
Juliet nodded, "Then I guess we're even."
They sat in silence again for a bit and then Kate started to stand to leave.
Juliet quickly sat her bowl down and grabbed Kate's hand, "Are you ok, Kate?"
Kate sighed and sat back down, "Yah. I just feel ... anxious and tired. I guess I don't know what to do with myself."
Juliet raised her eyebrows, "I know exactly how you feel."
"If you're still tired, don't let me keep you up. I can help Jack if he needs ..." Kate responded.
Juliet interrupted, "I'm not that tired and you know he won't ask for help."
Kate nodded and yawned, "You're right."
Juliet raised an eyebrow again, "One hour."
Kate was confused.
Juliet continued, "Nap."
"How can you take a nap when you just woke up?" Kate inquired playfully.
"No, you."
Kate yawned again.
"Go take a nap. Doctor's orders."
Kate agreed after Juliet promised to wake her up in an hour.
Juliet decided to check on Jack. He was awake.
"Still doing ok?" she asked.
He nodded, "Still ok."
"You need anything? Water? You hungry?"
"Hurley beat you to it. Brought me oatmeal earlier."
Juliet smiled, "I'll help you to your tent if you promise me you won't try to get up. If you need something ... "
He interrupted her, "I'll yell. Got it. I promise. I'll stay put."
Juliet smiled and then helped him stand and walked him to his tent.
Before she left Jack asked, "Have you seen Kate?"
"She's asleep. Want me to get her?"
He shook his head, "No. Thanks."
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE FOURTH KIND
After the hour was up Juliet headed back to Kate's tent.
She knelled down, put her hand on Kate's arm, "Kate." she said softly.
Kate opened one eye, "Already?"
Juliet sounded concerned, "I just checked on Jack. He's still fine. Everyone is still just waiting. If you want to keep sleeping ..."
Kate took a deep breath. "Five minutes."
Juliet scrunched her brow, "I don't think five minutes is really long enough to ... "
Kate sighed, "No - lay with me for five minutes. And I'm only offering because for some reason, with you, I fall asleep easily. Must be because you're so boring."
Juliet playfully rolled her eyes, "First off - what makes you think I want to cuddle you? Second ..."
Kate smirked then interrupted her, "Shut up Juliet."
Juliet smiled. "This will be the fourth time we've slept together." she said as she laid down.
"You would count, wouldn't you?" Kate teased.
Juliet gently pushed Kate over onto her side and slid behind her, "Have the five minutes already started because I have plenty of other things I could be doing ..."
Kate reached behind her and grabbed Juliet's wrist, then pulled her arm over her, "It's not like we're handcuffed together. You can leave if you want."
Juliet smiled against Kate's shoulder, "Unless everyone outside this tent is currently being rescued - there's nothing out there for me."
BREAK TIME
Juliet waited until she was sure Kate was asleep before she left.
She walked down the beach a bit and then sat down.
She had a million things on her mind. Rescue, home, Jack ... Kate.
Kate.
She liked her - but did she ... like her?
And why was this happening amidst the chaos of everything else?
She sighed. At least she was used to complicated.
But should she do anything about it? What did Kate think? What about Kate and Jack? Or Kate and Sawyer?
What if something happened and she never saw Kate again?
She thought about Goodwin - about how she didn't get to say goodbye and that was it. He was suddenly dead, gone - absent from her life.
Later she was grabbing a snack from the kitchen and when she saw Kate approaching she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
She immediately admitted to herself, "Juliet, you have a crush on her."
"Hey." Kate said as she rummaged through the fruit on the shelf.
"You look rested. Guess it worked. I must be magical." she teased, then continued, "That fruit is all rotten by the way."
Kate paused, then turned around and joked, "Then you better go pick some."
Bernard entered the kitchen, set his dishes down on the counter, "Why don't you both go? Get out of here for a while."
He turned around, "I'll be here if Jack needs anything. Take a break. Enjoy our last day here."
They stopped by Jack's tent on the way out.
Juliet hesitated before they entered, "I'll just wait out here."
Jack was awake, reading a book.
"Hi." He smiled. "I'm still ok, Kate."
She smiled back, "I'm going to take a walk. Just wanted to see you before I left."
He nodded, "Just be back by the time we get rescued."
"Deal." she said then turned and exited.
Kate and Juliet walked in silence for a bit but it wasn't awkward.
Kate was deep in thought - not really worried about Jack but he was still on her mind.
She was mostly thinking about how Jack had wanted to tell her something before the surgery just in case something happened during it - but she had stopped him.
What if something had actually happened? It happened to Charlie, Eko, Libby, Ana-Lucia ... one day, just gone.
She lifted her eyes from the ground and they settled on Juliet's back.
She considered how she might feel if she never saw Juliet again.
The thought made her feel empty and unsettled.
Juliet suddenly stopped and interrupted her thought trail, "Are you climbing - or am I?"
Kate stopped and realized they were in the mango grove, "I'll climb."
She investigated her options and approached a tree.
She put her hands on the trunk and then looked over her shoulder at Juliet, "Wanna give me a push?"
Juliet crossed her arms and said playfully, "I didn't come out here to fight you."
Before Kate could respond Juliet walked up to her, put her hands on Kate's waist.
Her touch made Kate smile.
They picked as much as they could fit in their bags - then took a minute to relax before heading back.
Kate sat down on a boulder. Juliet grabbed a mango, "Catch." she called out.
Kate looked up and attempted to catch it but Juliet's throw was off.
Kate smirked then leaned over and picked it up, "You throw like a girl."
Juliet walked over and sat down beside her and said softly, "Maybe you catch like a girl."
The boulder was barely big enough for both of them - their legs were touching.
Kate rested her hand on her own leg but the sides of her fingers were unintentionally touching Juliet's thigh.
They were somehow able to make small talk even though they were both distracted by the touch of the other.
Kate raised up her mango and offered a toast, "To the last mango that either of us will, hopefully, ever eat."
Juliet laughed. They locked eyes. Juliet smiled softly, "And ... to not having to eat it alone."
Kate eyes dropped to Juliet's lips but she quickly looked back up. She took a bite to break the tension. They both looked away.
After a few moments of silence Kate inquired, "Will you miss anything ... about the island?"
Juliet was quiet for a minute, then turned to Kate and said a matter-of-fact, "No."
"Not even Hurley's oatmeal?" Kate teased.
"Nope. What about you?" Juliet replied then took another bite.
Kate joked, "A lot of things. Being forced to break rocks, having bags put over my head."
Juliet smirked, "Well, I'm glad I was able to contribute to the enjoyment of your stay here on the island. Let me know if there's anything else I can do."
Kate laughed.
Juliet put her hand on Kate's thigh, "You ready to go back? We don't want to miss the boat."
A SIGN FROM ABOVE
Jack was convinced the satellite phone had been dropped by Sayid and Desmond.
He was also convinced it was his duty to go chasing after the helicopter.
Juliet wasn't surprised when Kate agreed to go with him, but she wasn't thrilled about it.
After Kate went to get water as requested, Juliet saw her head towards her tent - so she followed.
She entered. Kate was packing her backpack.
"Any chance you'd be willing to convince Jack not to go?" Juliet inquired.
Kate stood, turned around and smiled, "We both know that's impossible."
Juliet nodded, "And what about you?"
Kate smirked, "I shouldn't go ... or you don't want me to go?"
Juliet shrugged and sighed, "Both?"
Kate laughed and Juliet continued, "We're all leaving the island, Juliet - together. We'll come back."
Juliet briefly looked down at the ground, then back up at Kate, "Just make sure Jack doesn't bleed to death."
Kate took a step toward her, "You're the doctor. Why don't you come with us?"
Juliet took a deep breath and teased, "I'm sort of over jungle treks."
Kate could see through Juliet's attempt at being nonchalant. She found her concern endearing.
She put her hands on Juliet's shoulders and looked her in the eye, "We'll be back. Just do what you can here in the meantime."
Juliet reached up and covered Kate's hands with her own, "Okay." She bit her lip then sighed and repeated softly, "Okay."
NEWS FROM THE ZODIAC
When Sayid arrived on the raft and told the camp about the intentions of the men on the helicopter - Juliet cringed.
She told Sayid, "Jack and Kate just went running after it."
Regardless of the situation there was nothing rational she could do about it. She was more useful on the beach helping Daniel start ferrying people to the freighter.
Just when Sayid was ready to leave to track Kate and Jack down - Kate came through the tree line with Aaron in her arms.
Juliet was briefly relieved. When Kate offered to go with Sayid back into the jungle - Juliet was gutted for multiple reasons.
Not only was she concerned for Kate's safety, she was reminded of how Kate felt about Jack - or at least how she assumed Kate felt about Jack.
Kate gave Aaron to Sun, then Sayid asked her to grab any extra ammo that she knew of.
She caught eyes with Juliet, "Wanna help?"
She followed Kate into Jack's tent.
Kate grabbed the bullets, "Told you I'd come back."
She was trying to be casual but the seriousness of the situation came through loud and clear in her eyes.
Juliet didn't hesitate to pull her into an embrace. They held it for a minute then Juliet said softly, "I'm not leaving without you."
Kate pulled back, "No, Juliet. Promise me, regardless, you'll leave if you can."
Juliet couldn't imagine leaving without Kate - but she also couldn't imagine not leaving if she had the chance to.
Goodwin flashed into her mind. She should have stopped him to say goodbye before he left for the tail section. God, how she regretted that.
Kate couldn't imagine leaving without Juliet. For personal reasons but also because she knew how badly Juliet wanted to go home.
Juliet put her hands on Kate's waist, "I'll see you on the freighter." Kate nodded and then left the tent.
She took a few steps and then was overwhelmed with the need to know how it would feel to do what she'd be thinking about doing for the past couple of days.
She quickly turned around, walked swiftly back inside - and up to Juliet.
They locked eyes for a second before Kate put her hands on either side of Juliet's face - and then leaned in and kissed her.
To Kate's relief - Juliet kissed back.
It ended when Kate dropped her hands took a step back, then turned around to make a second attempt at walking away.
Juliet called after her, "Was that to prove to yourself you don't love Jack?"
Kate paused, closed her eyes for a second. She turned her head to the side, smiled - and said over her shoulder, "It had nothing to do with Jack."
FATE AND THE FREIGHTER
The first thing Juliet did after seeing the freighter explode was grab a bottle of rum.
She had felt hopeless and defeated many times in the past three years - but this time she felt like the universe had it out for her.
It was drastically hard to believe and so easy at the same time.
She could only hope that where ever her friends were - they weren't anywhere near that boat.
As she watched it burn she noticed someone swimming toward the shore.
She took a long draw.
It could be anyone, she thought.
It could be anyone ...