A/N: Thank again to those of you who left reviews on last chapter. I loved hearing your thoughts. Enjoy chapter 3!
1971
He had spotted her from a distance as he was walking by the motor pool. He didn't necessarily have to walk by there; it had actually been the scenic route to the cafeteria, but he knew that he might see her there if he took it. Why he wanted to see her, he had no clue, but the more time they spent together, the more he enjoyed it and the more he wanted to see her again. Maybe it was the fact that he had already known her before this whole time traveling, Dharma Initiative thing happened; maybe they just had a lot in common.
It was weird for him to think he was staring at her; he never actually stared at anyone in his life. Well, at one point, he used to stare at Kate, but it hadn't been like this, not like the way he stared at her now. He wasn't subtle about it either; one turn of the head or shift of the eyes and she would clearly see him standing there like a dope, watching her with this quirky smirk on his face. He supposed he'd just have to hope that that wouldn't happen.
He watched her laugh, curious as to what she might have been discussing with her fellow worker. Whatever it was amused her thoroughly; the smile on her lips never faded. As another second passed, James watched the beautiful blonde glance over in his direction, plainly making eye contact with him. Quickly, he averted his eyes, bringing them down to gaze at the lushes green ground. He couldn't help but glance up again, wondering if she was still looking at him. She had returned to talking, but did glance towards him again. With a gentle smile, she waved at him calmly and he responded with a gesture.
As she excused herself from her conversation and began to approach him, James decided to meet her half way. There was no way he could avoid talking to her now that she had spotted him, not that he wanted to avoid her. He just hoped that he'd have a good explanation as to why he had been standing there staring at her for a good ten minutes.
"Hey," she greeted him with a smile, reaching behind her to grab her clean rag from her back pocket. Wiping her dirty hands as best as she could, she then asked him, "What's up?"
"Just passin' by," James managed to reply on the spot. "Headed over to the caf to grab some grub. Was wonderin' if you'd like to join me."
Nodding her head with that familiar smirk on her lips, Juliet replied, "I could take my lunch now."
0-0-0
After getting their lunches, James and Juliet had decided to eat outside at one of the picnic tables by the swings. The air was clean and fresh; the sun was shining in every imaginable place. It was beautiful.
They didn't really talk much, but James found it kind of nice. He liked that Juliet was comfortable with not having to be in a constant conversation. Being able to sit contently in silence with another person tended to be a luxury, and it was something he really enjoyed being able to have with her. It was never awkward or uncomfortable. They just both seemed to be satisfied with each other's presence. It was enough.
As he gazed at her, Juliet found herself staring across the way while a young woman pushed her son on one of the swings. The bittersweet memory of her sister Rachel just kept playing over and over again. She could still see her beautiful smile, her flowing brown hair, and the plain joy on her face as she played with her son. And though Juliet was happy to know that she was able to give her sister the one thing that she wanted most in the entire world, she also dreaded the fact that she would never be able to see her again, hold her and talk to her, meet her nephew. In their time, there had at least been a sliver of hope for her, but now, in 1971, there was no chance. It had partially been the reason she had stayed and now three months had passed. What more was out there for her? It certainly wasn't what she really wanted nor what she could have. In all honesty, she wasn't even sure what she wanted anymore.
Finally able to put the thought at the back of her mind, Juliet turned her head towards James. He was staring at her again. "What?" she asked him curiously.
"Just looked like you were thinkin' about somethin' important," he replied.
Shrugging her shoulders, she responded, "Maybe." She raised her brow at him, almost growing defensive. "Either way, it's none of your business."
"Never said it was, Blondie," he commented with a shake of his head.
Juliet swore she really hated that nickname. But no matter how many times she told him not to, he'd only just do it more. Now it seemed it was beginning to stick. She even smirked a little when he'd call her that.
"I should probably get back to work," she said as she stood from the table. "I guess I'll see you later."
James stood not long after she did. Before she could walk away, he stopped her for just another moment. "Juliet," he said, provoking her to turn back around. "Uh, the guys are comin' over for drinks tonight after their shifts. You wanna join?"
He watched as she shrugged her shoulders, a little smile reappearing on her lips. "I get off at 7," she said.
"See you then," he replied with a grin.
0-0-0
1977
He shut the door behind him quietly, trying to avoid waking her. He should have known that she was going to do the opposite of what he had asked. Staring into the living room where she remained curled up on one of the sofas sound asleep, James just shook his head. With gentle and loving smile, he quietly walked over to her and crouched to the floor so as to look upon her closely. He brushed back a loose strand of light hair from her face with a soft and gentle touch. She was gorgeous, even in her sleep.
With his touch, she stirred ever so slightly, her blue eyes opening hazily and gazing up at him. "What time is it?" she asked in a whisper.
"It's 2," he replied, grinning at her as she shut her eyes again sleepily. "I told you not to wait up for me."
"Did you really think I'd listen to that?" she replied, keeping her eyes shut as she tucked her hands beneath the side of her head.
James simply chuckled at her. "Come here," he said as he put one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back as she sat up and wrapped her own arms around his neck. He lifted her against his chest and felt her rest her head against his shoulder as he carried her to their bedroom.
As he put her down on the bed, setting her head gently onto her pillow, he heard her ask in a quiet voice, "So, what happened with Jin?"
He caressed her cheek, taking a moment to think about it. He knew for certain that he couldn't hide the truth from her, nor did he want to hide it from her. Even if he did try, her persistence would eventually get the better of him; not to mention how something this big couldn't even be kept a secret.
Staring down at her though, watching her in such a peaceful and happy moment, he couldn't bear to tell her. No, he wouldn't, at least not until morning. He'd allow her to have one more normal night before revealing his life changing news to her. And it was certainly going to change everything. He thought, after taking so long to let himself believe that it would never happen, he was now wishing it hadn't. However, there was no going back and no way to change it, and he'd have to tell her in the morning regardless of if he wanted to or not.
Kissing her lovingly, James managed a smile and whispered, "It can wait 'til morning. Just go back to sleep."
With a light hum, Juliet replied, "Only if you promise to tell me."
"I promise," he replied, kissing her head before standing and walking over to the closet.
Soon after changing, he slithered into bed with her, wrapping his arm around her waist and spooning her from behind. He softly kissed her shoulder as he heard her let out another sweet hum. She felt how his hand rested against her stomach, caressing the lace on her nightgown. Her hand slowly slid down his arm, reaching to where his hand was placed, and interlocked her fingers with his. Bringing their intertwined hands up to her chest, she spoke in a soft, groggy voice, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," he replied hesitantly, dreading the fact that in a matter of hours, their lives would change forever.
0-0-0
1971
James had opened the door only seconds after she had knocked. Juliet's eyes widened a bit when noticing the look on his face. "The guys got stuck covering night shifts again, so they ain't comin'."
Shrugging her shoulders, with that familiar smirk, Juliet replied, "I'm fine with it just being the two of us."
"Alright," James replied, finally letting her inside. "Take a seat, then."
Minutes later, he returned from the kitchen with two glasses of wine. He chuckled at the surprised expression on her face. Staring at the curious look, James said, "I supposed we could be a bit classier tonight considering they ain't around."
Receiving the glass, Juliet commented with a smile, "I have never really imagined you as a classy guy, James."
Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "I could try. Can't be that hard. Plus I know that that's the kind of gal you are, and you haven't had the chance to, you know, be that way since you were with the Others." Staring down at the Dharma wine that he had poured from a box, he made a face. "It's probably not completely the same, but it was the best I could do."
Juliet smiled, grateful that he had even attempted to do something kind for her. "It's great," she replied softly. "Thank you." Leaning forward, she held out her glass. After hearing a light clinking sound, they both drank.
0-0-0
They had been sitting for a while in silence, bits of small talk here and there, but nothing really stimulating. She had had this question burning inside of her ever since they had had lunch together that afternoon, ever since those memories of Rachel had stirred once again. Glancing at James before directing her eyes towards the glass in her hands, she asked, "Do you really think we'll ever go back?"
"What do you mean?" he replied.
"I know that you send Jin out along the grounds, searching for signs of them," she admitted. "Do you really believe that they will come back?" The tone of her voice clearly told him that she didn't think it was possible. "That they will somehow return, trigger another flash and send us back to our time?"
After a brief pause, James leaned back in his seat and replied, "I'd like to think so. I like to hope that we might still have some chance to get back there, return to the real world, you know."
Shaking her head, Juliet curiously asked, "You don't think this is real?"
"Well, you know what I meant. Livin' on this island, here in 1971 ain't my ideal choice." He stared at Juliet, noticing that some thoughts were brewing in her head. He asked her the same question, "You think they'll ever come back?"
"Honestly?" She raised her brow at him. "I don't think I ever believed they would, James." She shook her head, trying to explain the logic of the situation. "We're in 1971," she said. "Even if they did return, how could they possibly find us when we are more than thirty years in the past?"
"I'd like to think that the island would take care of that," James replied.
Juliet chuckled. "Then you have far too much faith in the island."
"I take it, you ain't much for faith."
She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm a scientist. I believe in what I can see and what I can tangibly prove. And there's no logical way, no realistic way for them to ever come back and find us." She shook her head again. "I'd rather live my life while I can, regardless of the time period I am in."
"Is that so?" James asked, not really agreeing with what she was saying. Their views on this matter were complete opposites and they both knew it.
"Do you really want to spend your entire life waiting for something that might be nothing. Realizing that you've wasted it when you could have started over, fallen in love again, had a family and been happy."
"What are you takin' about?"
"James, I'm not stupid. I know the only reason your still looking is because you want to see her again." Juliet admitted honestly.
"What would it matter to you if it was the reason?" James replied defensively as he stood from his seat. "Maybe I ain't as content as you to just give up on gettin' home and livin' my life here in Dharmaville."
Juliet stood soon after he did. "How about I let you wait another five years and we'll see how you feel then," she replied. "I'm just trying to make you see-"
"That I need to live my life? Why? Cause I ain't lived it good enough for you, Blondie?" He approached her, standing so close to her as if to make her feel uneasy. "Then let me ask you, what do you do?"
"What?" Clearly, the close proximity in which he stood did make her nervous. However, she didn't flinch. She stood firmly in her place, anticipating what was about to happen.
"What do you do to live your life?" James asked, his tone forceful yet much calmer than the moment before. He leaned forward, bringing his face only inches from hers. Before she could even utter a word, he had captured her lips in a fervent and passionate kiss.
Just as she felt herself gripping the collar of his shift, Juliet caught herself and pushed him away. Shaking her head, she said, "I'm not going to do this."
"What?" James asked, catching his breath.
"I'm not a rebound, James. I'm not going to do this just so you can convince yourself that you are over Kate." They were still standing closely, her hands clutching his shirt, his breath warmly hitting her face. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't let herself do this. Oh, but something inside of her wanted to more than anything.
"It ain't about that," he replied.
His eyes and tone of voice seemed honest, but she still wasn't sure if she could believe him. She looked straight into his eyes and felt how his hands slid to her waist and pulled her closer. As she tried to reply, "Yes, it is-" she found herself interrupted once more as their lips connected. Her head kept telling her to stop, that this was a terrible idea, but nothing seemed to register. All of her logic was gone in that moment. She slid her hand from his chest and up to his jawline where she caressed his stubble-covered cheek. Kisses only grew more fervent, and before long, all thought was gone and everything that had been bottled up between them was finally unleashed in a mixture of passion and heat.
0-0-0
1977
Juliet awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs wafting from the kitchen. Getting up and putting her silk robe on, she made her way into the living room area. As she had predicted, James was there by the stove, cooking up some breakfast while the twins, who had probably been up since six or seven that morning, were sitting at the table calmly watching cartoons and coloring.
Placing her hand on Rory's head and kissing him, she whispered, "Good morning." She stepped around the table and did the same for her daughter before going over to James. "Hey," she greeted him, still a bit groggy.
"Hey, babe," James replied, leaning forward to peck his wife's lips. "Kids came in the room at six. Told them to let you sleep a bit longer."
"Thanks," Juliet replied. She continued to stand there, waiting for James' explanation as to what had happened last night.
"What?" He looked at her as if having no idea what she wanted.
Juliet leaned against the counter and looked straight at her husband. "What happened with Jin last night?"
He still wasn't ready to tell her, but he knew she'd coax it out of him at some point and he really didn't want her to leave the house angry with him for not telling her right away. Turning the stove off and moving the pan of scrambled eggs to one of the cool stovetops, he turned to look right at her, complete and utter honesty in his expression. "They're back," he said.
"Who are back?" she asked.
"Kate, Jack, Hurley," he replied. "Jules, I don't how it happened, but they came back and they are here, now."
Shaking her head, trying to process everything that she was hearing, Juliet asked, "Where are they?"
"Jin and I found a place for them to stay for the night. Now we gotta figure what to do next before they come in and ruin all we got here."
Juliet glanced over at their two children sitting so quietly and contently at the table. So many things had changed; it had been six years after all. She couldn't imagine what was going to happen now that they had actually returned to the island somehow. "There's a sub coming in this afternoon," she said to him. "New recruits."
James looked at her, knowing that she was just as lost and confused as he was, and not to mention worried about what might happen if anyone were to find out where they had really come from.
Suddenly, a small voice interrupted the couple. "Daddy?" Rachel asked. "Can we have our breakfast now?"
"Yep, just give me a sec, munchkin," the girl's father replied. He looked to Juliet once more as he grabbed the pan to bring it to the kitchen table. "Are you sure, Jules?" he asked her referring back to the afternoon submarine.
"Do we really have a choice?" she replied, crossing her arms over her chest and following her husband to the table for breakfast.