Part 164: Day 37

It was morning on the beach. Eddie was sleeping peacefully on his little cot, holding his toy kangaroo. Marita barely slept at all. She was worried something terrible had happened to Boone. She couldn’t leave Eddie alone, even though every fiber of her being told her to run to Tony and make sure he was okay. But in the end it was better that she take care of Eddie; Tony would have wanted her too. What could have happened last night?

John then slowly awoke. He rubbed his eyes, forcing himself awake at the rise of the sun. He then felt around him and realized Mia was not there. He then leaned up and looked around. The majority of his close friends were missing. As he leaned up to sit up, he then turned around and saw at least Marita and Eddie were still there. She smiled softly, sharing his confusion. “Marita, where is everybody?” he asked.

“I don’t know, John,” she sighed, “I hope . . .I hope nothing bad has happened.”

John then stood up, pulling his shirt over his head and placing it on. “Its not like Mia to be gone all night,” he shifted, “I hope she is okay.”

“Are you going to go look for her?” asked Marita.

“Yeah, in a little bit. Where is Taylor, McKay and-“

John then paused as he saw the majority of the survivors grouping around a crew of people exiting from the jungle. The archer looked in the distance and spotted Jack, Charlie, Kate and Claire. He blinked; when he realized the Australian woman was holding her baby. He quickly turned around. “Claire had her baby!” he laughed.

“Oh, wow,” Marita giggled, getting up.

The two friends then jogged down the stretch of the beach. Everybody was laughing and congradulating Claire. John and Marita stopped by the group. The Australian woman then saw the Latina and immediately walked up to her, grabbing her by neck and kissing her on the cheek. The stewardess was a little thrown by the affection but she just chalked it up to the joys of being a mother. “Thank you so much, Marita,” she smiled, teary eyed.

“Uh . .you’re welcome,” Marita laughed, “But what did I do?”

“You got one hell of a man.”

“Tony?” she blinked.

Then from the woods came Jin and Tony. The Korean man led him by the arm into the beach area. “I was the one who delivered the baby, “ Kate told the group,” But if Tony wasn’t there, holding us together, I couldn’t have done it.”

“Thank you again, Tony,” Claire walked up, hugging him.

“I am just glad I was there,” the blind doctor smiled.

A few of the group then applauded Tony’s efforts. They came up to him and shook his hand. Marita was so proud of Tony; it finally happened. He was able to prove himself to this group of survivors. The Latina then walked up him, placing her hands on his chest. By the smile of his face, he immediately knew who she was. He held her close and kissed her. He needed the kiss; after the amazing night he went through. John came up and patted him on the back. “Good job, Tony,” he smiled, “You never cease to amaze me.”

“Thanks, John,” he said, embracing him.

“Eddie is okay, Tony. I stayed with him the whole night,” the stewardess told her boyfriend.

“I knew you would. Thank you.”

“Tony, what happened? I wasn’t expecting Claire to give birth but I thought Boone was hurt?” John asked.

“He was hurt, John,” the blind doctor sighed, “But he’s not hurting anymore.”

Then John heard crying. He looked up and saw Taylor holding onto Mandy who was crying severely. The Archer’s heart sank; as he could only assume Boone didn’t make it. McKay slowly followed them. He looked over to his two best friends and then walked over to join them. John was humbled at the sight of the outback guide; he looked like he was crying as well. “McKay?” John whispered.

“He . . .he passed on with his dignity,” He said wiping his tears, “He wanted one last kiss from Mandy. I hope when my times comes . . .I will be blessed to have Taylor by side.”

“Oh, no,” Marita said, holding her mouth.

She quickly turned and walked toward the weeping blonde. When Mandy saw her and the look in her eyes, she knew she was filled with sympathy. The young girl embraced the Latina holding onto her. Marita held onto her swaying back and forth. “Let it out, Mandy,” she said, “Let it out.”

“I can’t . .I can’t cry no . more.” She said, sniffing,” I’m . .out of tears.”

“I know, honey. But you can’t hold it in. Let it out.”

Mandy shook her head, only barely crying. Then she noticed Hurley getting Jack’s attention and pointing into the distance. She turned around to see Shannon walking up the beach so happy, holding Sayid’s hand. The young blonde choked; knowing full well the young woman wasn’t with her brother when he passed on. Jack then lowered his head and started to walk toward her, knowing full well what he had to tell her. Mandy then started to follow him. He paused looking at her but all she did was stare at him with tear soaked eyes. Taylor felt so bad for her friend.

Jack just shook his head as he continued walking and allowing Mandy to join him. Within a few feet, they arrived at Sayid and Shannon’s location. The tall blonde immediately took notice of Mandy being upset. As she held onto her arms, Mandy sopped and finally told her what had happened. McKay walked up to Taylor, placing his arm around her. Her best friend marveled at the bravery of Mandy. As Shannon heard the news, she looked to Jack who just shook his head in agreement, verifying what Mandy had told her. The tall blonde looked like she was going to faint. Then she turned and started to head toward the caves. As she did, Mandy and Sayid ran after her.

Jack then started to walk toward his camp area. Kate watched him the whole time. He then picked up a backpack and some water. The brunette then immediately noticed he was putting on his good hiking shoes. She turned and quickly strode toward the blind doctor. “Tony, I think something might be wrong with Jack,” she said.

“Lead me to him,” he said, extending his arm.

Kate took him by the hand and they started to walk toward him. After a few feet, they wounded up by his side. Kate slowly kneeled down beside him. Jack was very pale; shaking his head to stay awake. Tony held onto his cane, waiting for him to say a single word. The doctor rubbed his head and took a deep breath. “It’s a happy and healthy baby,” he whispered, “Good job, guys.”

“We all lose patients, Jack,” Tony said, “It never gets any easier with each one we lose but it does happen.”

“The only part that makes it easier is that we don’t know our patients, Tony,” the doctor grunted, “I knew Boone. You didn’t know him the way I knew him.”

Tony sighed, “You’re right. I didn’t. But I did know another man on this island I couldn’t save. His name was Brendon.”

Jack stopped tying his shoes.

“DO NOT . . .for one instance, think you are alone in this.” The blind doctor grunted.

“I’m sorry, Tony,” the doctor sniffed, “I should have listened to you. The leg was crushed. We could have . . .removed it and saved him . .we . . should’ve.. . “

“Woulda, shoulda, coulda,” the blind doctor muttered, “You can’t control that, Jack. Nor can you dwell on it. You’ll have plenty of time to think that later. BELIEVE ME.”

Jack then stood up. He hoisted the backpack across his shoulders. “You’re right. I don’t want to think about it now.”

“I don’t know, Tony,” Kate piped, “Maybe talking about it would help the pain we are all suffering from.”

“There is nothing left to talk about, Kate,” Jack retorted.

“There is plenty to talk about. Boone died, Jack.”

The doctor shook his head. “He didn’t die.” He whispered.

Tony turned his head.

“He was murdered.” Jack spit out.

“Excuse me?” the blind man coughed.

Jack turned around and began to walk away. Kate held onto Tony’s arm, who could hear by the footsteps that Jack was leaving. “Jack, where are you going?” the brunette called to him.

“To find Locke and Mia,” he muttered back to them.