[Setting: Dharmaville; the two weeks that changed everything.]

"Come on, just give me two weeks. That's all I'm askin'. Two weeks." James pleaded, in his most charmingly persuasive voice. Sure, he'd have been fine if she left the island, but he didn't want to be on his own anymore. Even with Daniel, Miles, and Jin there, he'd feel lonely with her gone. If he had the courage, he'd have told her he just wanted more time with her. She was the only one who had his back, after all, and he was starting to get used to it.

Juliet paused, ten seconds that seemed to last an hour. "Alright, two weeks." she finally agreed, and James couldn't help but smile as he felt a wave of relief wash over him. It was only two weeks, but it was two more weeks to get to know her. Two weeks without having to run for their lives or shoot people or be shot at. Two normal (or as normal as that place could be) weeks. He'd make the most of every minute.

"Well then, what's say you and I go get ourselves a bite to eat?" he asked her, his lips turning up into a grin. "Come on, I can hear your stomach growlin', don't tell me you ain't hungry, Blondie."

Juliet laughed, the same genuine laugh that he always seemed to manage to pull from her, "I am, actually." she agreed with a smile. "Just promise me something." she said very seriously, staring intently into his eyes.

"What's that?"

"No mangoes or wild boar."

This time it was James who laughed. "I think that can be arranged."

"So, whatcha hungry for? They got all kindsa good stuff in here.." James said as he raided the refrigerator of the house they'd been assigned to for the next two weeks. "Definitely no mangoes or wild boar.." a grin spread across his face as he turned around and looked at Juliet, who was laughing and shaking her head."Any chicken?" she asked with a smile, "I could go for chicken."

"Well then, you're in luck, Blondie." he said, pulling a package of frozen chicken from the freezer. "Chicken it is." he paused, "Any idea how to cook this?"

Juliet laughed warmly and took the package from him. "I'll take care of that. Can you make a salad?"

"Can I make a salad..woman! I survived a plane crash, lived for over three months in the jungle, got shot at every other day, and, need I remind you, was captured and tasered by a certain blonde Other and then locked in a bear cage," James smiled at the memory of their first encounter, as did Juliet, "I can make a salad."

"Well alright, then." Juliet said, unable to suppress a grin. "I'm sorry about that, by the way. The taser. If it's any consolation, I set the voltage to low for you."

"Aw, well shucks, Blondie! I guess you had my back right from the get-go, huh?" James said, grinning back at her as she prepared the chicken and he gathered the salad ingredients.

"Absolutely." she replied immediately. "And I've still got it, James." she smiled, softly but warmly. "So you can talk to me. You know, if you need someone to talk to..at least for the next two weeks." she said, placing the chicken in the oven.

"Thanks, Blondie," he said sincerely, "Means a lot, comin' from you."

"Well, who else is gonna get your back if not me?" she asked with a smile, leaning against the counter, watching him randomly tossing veggies together, but leaving out one very crucial salad ingredient. "Lettuce, James."

"Let us what?" he asked in confusion.

Juliet chuckled. He was so adorable sometimes.. "Lettuce. For the salad." she smiled sweetly and grabbed a head of lettuce from the fridge, handing it over to him.

"I knew that." he replied, giving her a dimpled grin to hide his embarrassment.

"I know you did." she smiled, stepping up next to him. "Do you regret it?" she asked, looking him in the eyes, daring him to be completely honest. "Jumping from the helicopter, I mean."

There was nothing but genuineness behind her eyes, and James found himself becoming comfortable sharing his feelings with her. "No. It was what I had to do, ya know?"

Juliet nodded. "But if the helicopter hadn't been running out of fuel, you'd have stayed on it. You'd be with them now, wherever..whenever they are."

"But I ain't with them now, am I?" he asked with a smile. "And maybe that's best." he said, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Mm." Juliet said softly, her heart beating faster at that little sign of affection, "Do you really believe that?"

"I think I'm startin' to." he replied, leaning in to her. "Juliet?"

"Yes, James?" she asked softly, maintaining her composure as best as she could.

"I'm gonna kiss you now."

The words nearly made her melt, and she nodded, her eyes slipping shut as his lips met her own. The kiss was soft, slow, but meaningful. Juliet felt it in every inch of her body. She couldn't deny that she'd been thinking about this moment lately. How could she help herself? She just thought he was too wrapped up in Kate to give her a second glance, but maybe she'd been wrong. Maybe, just maybe, he'd been thinking about her, too.

Their lips parted a short while later, and when they did, both were smiling. Juliet's arms had somehow made their way around James' neck, and his hands rested on her waist. "Mm," he groaned softly as the kiss broke, "Well, Blondie..those lips of yours sure know how to pack a punch." he said with a chuckle.

Juliet laughed, "Yours too." a grin played on her lips. These next two weeks were about to get a lot more interesting.