Thanks LOST!

Chapter Two:
MEXICO

Kim continued to stare at the group down the beach. She went into the tent and sat down. She was there for hours, staring at the sand that made up the floor of the tent.

“Kim Ryan, my ass.” She scrambled to her feet.

“I knew you'd screw me eventually, I just didn't think it would be my big sister. Funny how life works out ain't it?” She imitated a Southern accent. He tried not to laugh at her. She pulled him into a hug. “I missed you.” He pulled away from her.

“Girlie, I don't know if I can say the same about you but,” He grinned at her slyly, “Kate on the other hand...” She hit him, hard. He backed out of the tent, still smiling playfully.

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh yeah, how come?”

“About Mexico. You never showed.” He stared at her not knowing what to say.

“Something came up. I had to go to Australia. Unfinished business.” Kim immediately knew she had struck a wrong cord.

“Sorry. It was a huge deal, and you never back out.”

“Never say never, Sweetheart.” He had resumed the sullen attitude he used around the other people on the island. He turned to leave.

“Did you find him?” she asked softly. He stopped.

“No,” he said flatly.

“Didn't think so.” He whipped around to stare at her.

“I will. And when I do, you'll be the first person to know.” She looked at him sadly. His whole life was about finding the man who had destroyed his life. If only he knew what Kate had... She stopped herself before Sawyer had a chance to read her thoughts. She sighed heavily.

“You're probably tired. You should get some rest.”

“You're right,” he turned to leave, but seemed to change his mind. “Thank you.” He said simply.

“For what?” She was shocked. Hearing “Thank you” come out of his mouth was like hearing a cat bark, strange, weird, and totally unheard of.

“For pulling me out. You thought I was a complete stranger, but you went out there anyway. You didn't have to.” She shot him a small smile.

“You would have done the same.” They shared a short look of understanding. He walked over to one of the campfires. She saw him reach for his pocket and pull out the letter she had seen so many times. If only he knew. She had only just gotten here and now she wanted to tell a secret which could destroy the way these people lived. They had been there over a month and life was settling into place for them. But the guilt she felt for keeping him in pain was almost to much. The secret she kept could destroy the lives of the people she loved the most. The secret she kept. And that was what she planned on doing.


Sawyer woke up early the next morning, much to his disappointment. He looked over at the brown hair next to him. He sat up slowly so as not to wake her. He shuddered at the pain in his shoulder. He walked slowly out of the tent onto the beach. Kim was standing down by the water, sinking, if he remembered correctly. Last night he hadn't really had time to look at her. She was still growing. A small smile played across his face. Apart from that she was very much the same. She had the same brown hair. Her rosy cheeks were redder than ever, probably from a sunburn. The freckles were the same, although maybe there were more of them now. Her eyes were still the same. He had always admired her eyes. They were blue, but when she wore just the right color they got a hint of green. She was standing exactly the way she had been when he first saw her two years ago. He walked quietly down the sand to her.

“Sinking?” He inquired. She didn't look at all surprised he was there.

“You remembered,” she said when he had begun to think she hadn't heard.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Getting the hell out of here. Although I guess its never going to happen,” she continued to stare at the ocean. Sawyer had seen that look in her eyes before, and it scared him. He put his arm around her.

“Now why would you think that?” She looked at him like he was stupid.

“Kate told me everything. About Locke dieing in that hatch thing. About the French transmission. About the damn polar bear.” He pulled her closer to himself. Over the past two years she had become like a little sister to him. He thought growing up that a sister would be annoying, but not this one. Kim was adventurous and timid, cocky and polite, backstabbing and loyal. In many ways she was a lot like himself. Life with Kim around was never boring.

“At least you're not alone,” he said. Kate stared at them from her position outside of Sawyer's tent. She glanced down at her feet.

“Sinking.”

__________________
"I never said goodbye."