[lost-lover]

CHAPTER TWO - OPERATION SURVIVAL

The night dragged on with the usual look-out posted around the edges of the caves. The Oceanic crash survivors had banded together with several of the Others; namely those who had been present from the day the message had been sent from the radio tower. As it was, the partnership had caused alot of tension, not least because Ben was still under permanent watch - Sayid was less than happy to the man who had ordered the death of himself and two friends to be given a free reign on the island.
Four days had past since the boats arrival, four days since Jack's apparent demise. The survivors hadn't attempted contact - taking the shooting as a hint that the people on the boat were less than willing to help them out. Kate's condition meanwhile, was also deteriating.
"We need to do something about this wound. Someone bring me some more antibiotics." Said Juliet, her face white as she took in the extent of Kate's injuries. Soon infection would set in.
"You want to do this now? It's barely dawn!" Said Sawyer.
"That wound needs medical attention fast or she'll get infected. I'll need someone to help me and to keep her quiet." Replied Juliet.
"She won't even stay quiet in her sleep, always crying for the Doc. You expect her to stay quiet while you're doing surgery on her in a cave with no anesthetic?" Exclaimed Sawyer. "Yeah, that'll work."
"James, they shot her. She needs help or she will die. Look at her, she's delerious, and I don't think she even knows we're here. This is urgent. I'm no surgeon but right now I'm her only hope."
"You think I don't know that? You think I want her to die?" The southerner was quickly getting angry. "You do this now and she starts screaming again, they'll find us. And they'll kill us." He looked away before quietly adding. "And don't call me James."
"It's a risk we'll have to take if we want Kate to live Sawyer." Said Sayid, joining the concersation. "We can keep Kate quiet. We also have lookouts around the whole perimeter, as well as Rosseau scouting the nearby areas. I can not say I am thrilled by this but we have little choice."
"Gimme a break, she ain't even a surgeon!" It was clear that Sawyer was torn in two directions. He wanted them to save Kate and it was clear to everyone he cared for her, but he didn't want to risk giving away their location to the invaders. Juliet was worried too, though she hid it well. So much was riding on this and if she made one wrong move it would all be for naught. Kate would die and in all liklihood so would they.
"I told you. I told you if you contacted the boat you'd all die." Ben chuckled. "Bet you regret not listening to me now, huh?"
Karl punched Ben in the face, looking as though it gave him immense satisfaction. Everyone went quiet and looked at the teenager; Ben looked as though he couldn't beleive what had happened. "I wanted to get him back for brainwashing me." Karl shrugged as he quickly applied a gag to Ben with Alex's help. Sawyer smirked. "I think I like that kid."
Kate was aware of the conversation around her, the light showing on the horizon and the pain in her chest. Vaguely. Everything seemed a blur, unreal. She remembered Sawyer telling her Jack was gone, she knew he was right and Jack could not have survived that shot. Yet she couldn't register the simple fact - the undeniable truth - Jack Shepard, her first friend on the island, the first man she'd ever been in love with, was now dead.
FLASHBACK: Kate heard the gunshot ring out echo through the quietness of the beach combined the nearby screams of several of her island companions as if things happened in slow montion. Forgetting the a stranger with a gun could just as easily have shot her she ran towards Jack, catching his body as he fell, gripping onto his hands. She didn't notice that no blood had left the wound, and to her it didn't matter. Jack, her Jack, was dying. His eyes began to close as they locked onto hers, blue into brown. He whispered to her "Run." His message delivered, his hand went slack in hers, his eyes closed and his breathing stilled. "No!" Kate screamed. "Jack! Jack!" Jack's assassin moved in the darkness. Kate heard a gun ****. The last thing she heard was a pop, then darkness. She woke in the caves several hours later in the darkness of the caves, screaming for Jack, who had left her forever. END FLASHBACK.
The argument had finally been settled. Juliet was to attempt surgery on Kate's gunshot wound. Sun would be helping her and Sayid and Sawyer would be restraining Kate while attempting to keep her quiet. Neither man looked happy with this choice of events. Hurley was sat near to Desmond and Claire, who was still in a state of shellshock over the news of Charlie's death. Hurley was to help by making sure Juliet had all the equipment she needed. He was looking apprehensive; Hurley hated blood.
The operation began sucessfully. Juliet set to work and began mopping away the dried blood around the wound to ensure a clearer view for her work, Sawyer was keeping Kate quiet. Sayid was nearby and Sun was waiting for further instructions from Juliet. Juliet was still nervous; this job would be difficult, more so due to an extensive lack of proper medical equipment and the need to keep her patient during what was sure to be a painful procedure. Just when they needed Jack, she thought with a pang of sadness. Shaking her head to keep her mind on the job at hand, she picked up a needle to start work on Kate's stitches.
A split second before the needle reached Kate Sawyer and Sayid stood up and walked off, focused on something behind her.
"I know you're not exactly happy about me doing this but you leaving at a vital stage is definately not a good way to let me know." Said Juliet angrily.
Turning to look at them she could see that their urupt departure had little to do with the operation. A general panic had insued among the group, as a gap form she could see why. The look-out guard - Jin, Locke and Rossaeu - were back. She and Sun walked quickly to the group now huddld around the new arrivals, arriving just in time to hear a message which she was dreading.
"They've found us."