Fall from Grace
Part 4: The Con Man

The sky had turned a watery shade of purple as they made their way down the beach with Sawyer at the head of the small group. He kept his eyes fixed on the horizon, occasionally glancing backward at Jack and Kate who were teetering at a slow pace behind him. The sand was damp and clung to his jeans as he plodded farther away from them, eyeing the small fire at his feet with the slightest hint of pride. The mango coloured flames danced along the gravel, reflected by an up thrust column of basalt that stood rigidly behind him.

“Sawyer, what did you do?” Kate looked around with a mild curiosity, directing her gaze toward two lopsided tents that were dangerously veering to the left. At once she understood and a small smile splayed across her lips. She’d have to thank him later.

The blonde haired man shrugged. “All those damn Baywatch reruns have been getting to me, pull up a chair Doc, maybe Freckles can give us a bit of a show.”

“Not happening.” She glanced at the doctor who hung back a few feet looking dazed. The crease in his brow was tight and he slumped slightly forward causing the tattoo on his shoulder to glow under the flames.

“Jack, sit down before you fall down.” It was an order not a suggestion that he hesitantly obeyed, not knowing what else to do with himself. Kate gave him an approving nod but her face faltered when he refused to meet their eyes.

“Jack...”

She was cut off by Sawyer who spoke in a tone that was almost hesitant but still held that familiar air of sarcasm.

“So spill Doctor Feel Good, what’s eat’n ya?”

Jack didn’t answer right away but pretended to be more interested in a small conch shell that glittered in the sand next to his big toe. For the first time that afternoon he realized he was barefoot and shifted his ankle slightly, allowing his heel to drag.

“Nothing.” He made a small circle with his foot, not bothering to look up.

“Jack.” Kate reached for his forearm but he snatched it from her grasp before she had a chance to close her fingers around him. Slowly, he pulled himself backward into a standing position and retreated toward the ocean.

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t do this.” He looked into Kate’s eyes for a second but it was clear he wasn’t going to say anymore before turning his back on the pair.

Kate gave Sawyer a glance that told him all he needed to know, earning a sour grimace in response.

“Oh hell no Freckles, can’t we just drop him off on Dr. Phil’s doorstep and be done with it?”

“Sawyer, please. I can’t get him to talk to me.”

He shot her a sarcastic look. “And you think I can do any better? Hate to break it to ya Sweetheart but I ain’t Oprah.”

She shrugged, jabbing at the fire with a piece of drift wood. “Maybe you can try the whole male bonding thing?”

The expression on his face was incredulous. “With Jacko? Well damn just a second there Freckles, let me go get my fishing rod then afterwards we can come back here and roast marshmallows.”

“You’re a con man,” she said simply, enunciating each word very clearly as she issued a fleeting look down the beach.

He glanced at her, opened his mouth, paused, checked his pocket for something, and stood up wordlessly.

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