A LOST fanfic: Taken care of

Chapter 32: Unprepared

"Juliet is giving birth in four days. I want everything ready by then. If Ford resists kill him. Take Jack. He'll be useful in doing our research. But we have convince him that he's doing 'good'."

Ben's malicious smile rose to his eyes and resembled something twisted and evil. Nodding Ben knew exactly what he was supposed to do.

"We'll be ready to ambush them sir."

The Black Smoke monster gave a grin only the evilest of things could give.
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"Got you a mango blondie. Here. Take a load off and put your feet up."

Sighing Juliet settled her feet up on a pile of old cushions from the plane.

"You know James this really isn't necessary..."

Her hand shook as she took a bite of her mango. She'd woken that morning to a stiff back and lower back pain. She thought nothing of it as it had come and gone. Four days is
four days until these little one's come out. Taking another bite she looked up to find Jack staring at her with a concerned expression crossing his face.

"You're looking a little pale Juliet. You feeling ok?"

Shifting uncomfortably Juliet knew she couldn't fool Jack. She was exhibiting the same body language Kate had right before Megan was born.

"My back has been bothering me all day. But come to think of it, it's getting a little harder to ignore. I've probably been in labor most of the day. You would think I'd recognize the difference between gas pains, a backache and contractions. It's so much different when you are on the receiving end of it and not someone else. I think this is it."

Sawyer's eyes grew wide with nervousness as he gently pulled her to her feet. Putting his left arm under her shoulders, he guided her towards the tree line. Once in the jungle, Jack stayed close to Juliet, acting as a kind of spotter in case she tripped on a rock, tree root or fallen tree.

"Take your time Juliet. There's no rush."

Juliet glared at Jack as she stopped dead in her tracks, grabbing for a low tree branch in her path. Jack didn't take offense, he took everything in stride.

"Oh god I feel like someone's socking me in the stomach with a sledgehammer!"

Jack stayed close but managed to keep a little distance away from Juliet. He put his hands up to reassure her.

"Take a breath and blow through the pain. Don't go against it. It'll only make it worse."

Juliet now understood the women she helped on this island. She was always sympathetic towards them, but she couldn't reciprocate the pain that they felt. She knew that now and
all she wanted was the two of these babies out of her. Contraction subsiding, she tested the ground below her. When she was sure she could walk, she moved forward with Sawyer's help.

"How much farther to the medical station?"

A sympathetic sort of smile danced across Jack's lips as he turned towards Juliet.

"Just beyond those palm trees there."

Taking another breath Juliet pushed forward, letting go of Sawyer's hand and pushed his helping hands away.

"I am not a child James, I can walk by myself."

About to protest Sawyer opened his mouth to say something, but Jack shook his head no at him.

"Don't argue with her Sawyer. That's the last thing she needs right now. Just agree with her."

Sawyer however didn't agree with Juliet. But she was ready to use every four letter word in the book just to keep him quiet. He saw her sigh in relief when they reached the foliage
covering the hatch doors to the medical station.
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