Title: Scared With/Scared Without

Disclaimer: I am not the rightful owner of Lost. No copyright infringement is intended.

Spoilers: Everything up to "Fire + Water".

Summary: Sawyer walks in on Kate and Jack arguing about their kiss. He no likey, kids.

The first thing Sawyer heard when he walked into the hatch was Kate's voice.

"Jack, I'm sorry. What more can I say ? Please talk to me," she pleaded.

Sawyer flattened himself against the wall and strained to listen.

"Sorry ? What are you sorry about, Kate ? Following us when I told you not to ? Putting yourself in danger, not to mention the group ? The kiss, what ?" Jack shot back angrily.

Sawyer's eyes darkened.

"Is that what this is about ? The kiss ? That's why you're mad ?" Kate asked incredulously.

"Oh, don't turn this around," Jack sputtered. "You've been acting crazy for days. Running around doing what you want."

"What are you talking about ?" she asked.

"I get it, okay ? You were lonely and you had your toy Jack around. Figured you might as well get some comfort, right ?"

"Jack, you know it wasn't like that," Kate sputtered. "I was upset, I needed time to be alone and think, but you hugged me and… all these feelings flooded in."

There was silence for a moment and all Sawyer could hear was his heart beating out of his chest.

"Yeah, so flooded that you kissed me… and then you ran," Jack said quietly.

"Jack, please," Kate pleaded, "I had things to sort out. Still do, but I have been thinking about you. I really have."

"Yeah, I can tell by the way you've been ignoring me."

Sawyer couldn't listen anymore. He could just open the hatch door and go. Then, again, that wasn't his style. He pushed himself off the wall and swaggered into the computer room where Jack and Kate stood.

"Well, well," he drawled, "What do we have here ? A little lovers' quarrel ?"

They just stared at him.

Sawyer glanced down. Jack was tentatively holding one of Kate's hands.

Sawyer chuckled, "Well don't worry, Doc, Freckles always did like to kiss-and-run, or in my case, hit. She's a feisty one. Ain't that right, Freckles ?"

TBC…