diandrahollman: (conception)
[personal profile] diandrahollman
Finally finished the next chapter! Uh...happy Mother's Day? ;P

E-Mail: diandrahollman@yahoo.com
Rating: R? TV-14?
Keywords: Slash, mpreg, labor, Jack/Sawyer
Spoilers: Ha! Yeah, right.
Disclaimer: They don’t belong to me, but I suppose technically they belong to fandom now that Darlton and Bad Robot and ABC are done with them.
Dedication: To everyone who stuck with me through the original epic story. To the Powers That Be and the fandom of the greatest, most ground-breaking and mind-boggling show in recent broadcast television history, possibly ever. Yes, I might be getting nostalgic. *curls in a ball and sobs*

Author's Notes: This started as an alternate scene to Christine’s birth in my story “Conception” that takes place in an alternate universe where A) Jack is able to give birth without a c-section and B) Jack escapes the Others at the same time as Sawyer and Kate or is still pregnant when they go back for him (you decide). It sort of grew into a short story of its own.

Previous chapters here


***************

Jack drifted slowly back to consciousness. He experienced a moment of disorientation when he took stock of his surroundings and realized he was in the middle of the jungle with an uncomfortable lump cushioning his head from the ground. A backpack, most likely. Then he felt a dull throb in his abdomen and the memories came flooding back.

‘I have a daughter.’

He had resigned himself to the possibility that he might not survive childbirth long ago – that he might never even get to see his child. He had accepted it as an inevitable sacrifice. But now that he had seen her, touched her, felt her tiny hand wrap around his finger...he wanted to live. He wanted to watch her grow up. He wanted to teach her how to ride a bicycle and kiss away her tears when she fell and scraped her elbows. He wanted to see the joy on her face when she opened her birthday and Christmas presents. He wanted to be sitting in the audience at her high school graduation. He wanted to walk her down the aisle at her wedding.

Of course, all of this assumed they would get off the island. He thought he understood now how Michael could have betrayed them in order to guarantee safe passage from the island for him and his son. Jack couldn’t raise his daughter here. He *had* to find a way home.

Jack opened his eyes slowly, blinking at the early morning sunlight filtering down through the trees. He turned his head gently to one side and smiled as he saw Sawyer curled beside him, sleeping. There was a time when he’d been frustrated by the fact that he was always up and ready to start the day long before Sawyer. Now he found he kind of enjoyed watching the Southerner sleep. He looked so youthful and innocent in his sleep – so beautiful. And if Jack touched him in just the right way – kissed him in just the right spots – he could usually get Sawyer to wake up with a sleepy smile and a husky “mornin’, Doc” instead of his former crankiness no matter how early it was.

“Sawyer.” Jack winced at the raspy whisper that barely resembled his voice.

Sawyer twitched slightly but didn’t awaken.

Jack toyed with the idea of letting him sleep, but his bladder demanded immediate attention. He reached over and ran his fingers gently down Sawyer’s arm, calling his name again.

Sawyer came awake with a jolt, instinctively slapping Jack’s hand away and reaching for his gun. He froze and blinked at Jack for a moment as the sleepy confusion on his face gradually gave way to horror. “Christ, did I hurt you?” He leaned over Jack, his hands hovering over his body hesitantly.

“No, it’s okay,” Jack reassured him.

Sawyer winced at the ragged, strained sound of Jack’s voice. He cupped Jack’s cheek carefully with one hand. “What is it, Doc? Whaddya need?”

Jack couldn’t hold back a tiny smile at the tender concern Sawyer showed for him. He would deny it if anyone pointed it out, of course. But while he may still act like a prickly conman around everyone else, with Jack he had become more open and honest over the past few months. “I have to pee,” Jack mumbled.

Sawyer blew out a breath in relief. “I’ll get the can...”

Jack clutched his wrist as he started to get up. “No. We need that for sterilizing. Just...help me up.”

Sawyer frowned. “But Blondie said you shouldn’t be movin’.”

Jack groaned. “I don’t need to go far. Just on the other side of the tree line.” He pointed to the trees surrounding the clearing. “I’ll be fine if you help me.”

Sawyer hesitated, clearly reluctant to disregard Juliet’s orders.

Jack rubbed the inside of Sawyer’s wrist with his thumb. “Please.”

Sawyer sighed. “Fine. Can you sit up?”

Jack nodded and gripped Sawyer’s proffered hands, slowly pulling himself upright. He moaned as a dull pain stabbed between his legs.

Sawyer froze instantly. “You sure ‘bout this?”

“It’s okay. It’s normal.”

Sawyer’s jaw clenched and he stared at Jack with a look that clearly said ‘don’t fuck with me’.

Jack sighed. “I just went through nearly fifteen hours of labor and pushed what I’m pretty sure was at least a nine-pound baby from an orifice I shouldn’t technically have. I would be worried if it *didn’t* hurt.”

Sawyer grunted and helped Jack climb slowly to his feet without further comment. Jack leaned on him heavily, barely managing to swallow the whimpers and moans clawing at his throat.

Sawyer drew Jack’s arm over his shoulders, clamped his other arm tightly around Jack’s waist, and slowly guided him across the clearing.

“Where’s Juliet?” Jack panted.

“Followin’ the trail Kate left, tryin’ to find the next water stop. Said if it was close enough maybe we couldn’t start movin’ you. Guess it ain’t.” His jaw tightened a little. He didn’t like the idea of staying out in the jungle, so far away from Jack’s medical supplies. He would have started carrying Jack further down the trail already if Juliet hadn’t insisted they had to stay close to a water supply.

“How long’s she been gone?”

Sawyer caught the alarm in Jack’s voice. “s’okay, she’s got the rifle. And believe me, she knows how to use it.”

Jack opened his mouth to reply, but only ended up letting out a high whine as the pain that had been manageable only moments before suddenly flared.

Sawyer stopped moving as Jack stumbled. “What happened?”

Jack shook his head, eyes screwed tightly shut.

Sawyer supported him as he bent nearly in half. He cursed and quickly judged the distance to the nearest large tree. “This’s close enough. Just a couple more steps.” He slowly guided Jack toward the tree.

Jack leaned against the thick trunk, fingers curling against the bark, the position very similar to the one Sawyer had found him in when he’d returned from gathering wood hours earlier.

Sawyer pressed against his back, wrapping his arms around his middle, careful to avoid his abdomen. “You need to lay down?”

Jack shook his head and leaned back into Sawyer’s hold. The pain was dying down a little, becoming manageable again, but he still felt like his insides were twisting into knots. “No,” he gasped. “Just help me.” He reached one hand to fumble with the button on the jeans Sawyer had helped him into only hours ago – along with the ill-fitting extra t-shirt.

Sawyer brushed his hand away. “Just hold on.”

Jack swallowed a whimper and resumed his position, both hands pressed to the tree for support as Sawyer unzipped his pants. He felt Sawyer’s lips brush his neck in a helpless gesture of comfort as he emptied his bladder and tears of pain and frustration pooled in his eyes. “I don’t think I can walk back,” he choked. The pain may have diminished, but the thought of walking more than two steps further was agonizing.

Sawyer winced. He had fully expected an argument when he offered to carry Jack back to the clearing. He knew Jack must be in more pain than he was admitting to. “’s okay, baby, I can carry you.”

He felt wetness on his fingers as he tucked Jack back into his underwear and glanced down, wincing again. “You’re bleedin’.”

“It’s normal,” Jack said quickly.

“I know.” Juliet had already warned him. “Turn around.”

Jack slowly turned around, his movements stiff, and wrapped his arms around Sawyer’s neck.

“Hold on...” Sawyer’s muscles screamed in protest as he swept Jack into his arms. He may have lost nine pounds recently, but Jack was still damn heavy. “It’s okay,” Sawyer grunted when Jack made a small, pained noise. “I got you.”

Worry drove Sawyer to move faster, and they were back at the campsite in a fraction of the time it took them to walk to the tree line. Sawyer set Jack back on his feet, then slowly helped him lower himself to the ground, wincing as he groaned and hissed in pain.

Jack’s eyes clenched shut as Sawyer rearranged the backpack beneath his head. He reached for Sawyer’s hand when he’d finished fusing, clinging tightly.

Sawyer watched Jack anxiously, trying not to look scared out of his mind when Jack finally blinked up at him. “I’m gonna have to change the bandage, darlin’.”

Jack winced and nodded.

“I’m sorry...”

“Just do it. Please.”

Sawyer clenched his jaw and nodded, letting go of Jack to retrieve the cloth Juliet had left by the fire after ‘sterilizing’ it hours earlier.

Jack breathed deeply, swallowing a whimper as Sawyer tugged his pants and underwear down and replaced the cloth Juliet had pressed to the stitched tear.

“You okay?”

Jack nodded, eyes closed, face pinched.

Sawyer knew better than to believe that. He hurriedly replaced Jack’s clothing, brushing aside Jack’s trembling attempts to assist. Then he pressed himself to Jack’s side, arms curling around him protectively.

Jack made a few half-stifled noises of distress and clutched at Sawyer’s arm, fingers twisting and pulling at the fabric of his shirt. The pain was diminishing back to a dull throb, but now the fear was settling in his mind. Women who died giving birth didn’t always die while delivering the baby, he knew. Many died from complications after the fact.

“I don’t wanna die,” he blurted.

“Don’t you talk like that,” Sawyer scolded, his voice thick. “You ain’t gonna die.”

Jack shook his head. “I need antibiotics. I need...”

“Shh...” Sawyer’s hand came up to cradle Jack’s head, thumb rubbing his cheek firmly. “We’ll get ‘em. You’re gonna be just fine.” Sawyer cursed Juliet’s absence in that moment. She would know what to say and do. He was trying to be strong for Jack’s sake, but he was scared out of his mind. He had thought that the worst part was over, but Jack was still in pain, still terrified and still in very real danger of dying and leaving Sawyer all alone to care for their baby.

Their baby...

Sawyer knew Christine wasn’t his daughter by blood. Juliet’s calculations had confirmed what Jack had begun to suspect midway through the pregnancy – she had been conceived before the island.

And yet...

Sawyer had been there throughout Jack’s pregnancy. The morning sickness, the mood swings, the aches and pains, the joy and wonder. He thought about the mornings and nights when he had lain with his stomach pressed against Jack’s just so he could feel the baby moving around, kicking. Boone Carlisle may have been Christine’s biological father, but Sawyer was her father in every other sense.

A twig snapped nearby and Sawyer jumped, reaching for the gun tucked beneath the backpack and pointing it in the direction of the sound.

“James,” Juliet’s voice called tentatively from the tree line.

Sawyer relaxed and set the gun on the ground.

Juliet emerged into the clearing, frowning as she took in the sight of Sawyer crouched over an obviously distressed Jack. She dropped her backpack and rifle beside the fire and knelt opposite Sawyer. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Sawyer muttered.

Juliet pressed gently against Jack’s abdomen. “Just breathe, Jack. Did you let him stand up?”

It took Sawyer a moment to register that she was talking to him even though her attention seemed completely focused on Jack. “He had to piss.”

Juliet stopped her gentle explorations to shoot him a disapproving look.

“I told him it was okay,” Jack said before she could even open her mouth to scold Sawyer.

Juliet’s jaw tightened and she seemed to struggle to reign herself in for a moment. By the time she turned to Jack, her frustration had all but evaporated. “You’re having afterbirth pains, Jack. Just try to relax.”

“What does that mean,” Sawyer demanded.

“His uterus is contracting,” Juliet explained calmly, her explorations turning into a more purposeful massage of Jack’s abdomen.

“Is that normal?”

“Yes, James, it’s normal. It should go away in a couple days.”

Sawyer sucked in a breath and tamped down the impulse to scream at her. A couple *days*? “Wha’do we do?”

Juliet gave him a look that reminded Sawyer of the expression his mother used to get right before saying something like ‘y’see? *This* is why you’re not s’possed to play with matches!’ “Just try to keep him comfortable and *don’t* let him walk around anymore.”

“That’s it?”

“Kate will be bringing meds back with her. Until then, there’s nothing more we can do.”

Sawyer opened his mouth, but any thought he may have had about her plan was cut off as Jack’s hand slipped into his and squeezed. He turned to look at Jack, surprised to find him mostly calm again.

“It’s okay,” he said softly, giving Sawyer a weak smile.

Sawyer’s chest ached at the look on Jack’s face. It was obvious he was still scared, but now he was forcing that fear back beneath the surface, beneath a mask of stubborn stoicism.

‘No,’ Sawyer thought. ‘It ain’t okay.’ But he just smiled weakly and squeezed Jack’s hand back, nodding.


TBC

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-10 03:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] adahleah.livejournal.com
GOOD UPDATE:)

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-11 02:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] diandrahollman.livejournal.com
Thank you! I caught your comment this time! *hugs* :)

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-10 01:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] julis-dh.livejournal.com
Jack opened his eyes slowly, blinking at the early morning sunlight filtering down through the trees.

great line, so Lost!

love it! It makes me nervous to think that Christine is not with them right now!

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-11 02:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] diandrahollman.livejournal.com
Ha! Why is it Jack is always waking up with jungle leaves swaying overhead on the show? ;)

Christine is okay - don't worry! She's with her Aunt Claire. Or she will be once Kate gets her to the campsite through the dark scary jungle...yeah, I can see why you're worried.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-10 07:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fashionparis.livejournal.com
Awww poor Sawyer, he still love and care for Jack even when he know Christine is not his. I hope JJ is still in the picture in this version. I want Sawyer to have a family he so deserve it.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-11 02:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] diandrahollman.livejournal.com
Let there never be any doubt how much Sawyer cares for his Doc. If Christine is still Boone's, I'm sure JJ will be in the picture somehow.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-10 09:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sylaire87.livejournal.com
Love it. I'm glad Sawyer still loves Jack. My 3rd fav Jack ship next to Joone and Jana.

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-11 02:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] diandrahollman.livejournal.com
Was there ever any doubt? Yeah, I could pretty much pair Jack with anyone. He is the island slut as far as fanfic is concerned. ;)

Hey, there's an idea for a smutty AU...

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-11 12:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] julis-dh.livejournal.com
slutty Jack yey!

(no subject)

Date: 2011-05-14 03:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sylaire87.livejournal.com
I would totaly read all the jack slut stories except for Jate and Jacket. Some goes for Sawyer. The only Sawyer slut stories I wouldn't read are Skate and Suliet because I hate Kate and I kinda like Juliet.
Page generated May. 22nd, 2026 05:33 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios