Part 380: A Matter of Semantics

The ocean crashed on the wet sand with the rhythmic intervals that only nature could control. Taylor would pick up small rocks that she wound and toss them back. Near the end of the beach, sitting in the tailgate of his truck was her husband, Barto McKay. She didn’t like to call him Barto and simply referred to him by his last name or any pet name she may have given him. McKay didn’t mind that she didn’t like his name; truth was, he didn’t really like it all that much either. The balding Australian looked up toward the night sky. There was a slowly mixture of clothes, a decent half moon and a few blinking stars. He took a deep sigh and rubbed his arms. “I miss the stars.” He mentioned.

“What’s that, baby?” Taylor said, turning toward him.

“I said, I miss the stars,” he repeated loudly, understanding she couldn’t hear him over the crashing of the waves.

She started to walk back toward the truck, picking up her sandals along the way. “The stars are still up there, McKay,” she winked as she sat down next to him.

“I meant that the stars are not up there in abundance. Damn L.A. smog. Back home in the outback, you could see all the stars.”

“Yeah, but you burned up during the day.” She mentioned, knocking the sand off her shoes.

“True. But it was still better for star gazing.”

Taylor calmly let her feet dangle, then gently stroked McKay’s arm with the back of her hand. The Australian looked at her and smirked. Her soft blue eyes gazed back up at him, with a mixture of sympathy. “You miss your home, don’t you?” she whispered.

“A little.” He admitted, “But if you are trying to imply I regret moving here to be with you, that is a big fat NO.”

“Well, I wasn’t trying to imply it . . .but it’s still good of you to say it.” She smiled.

McKay leaned over and kissed her. Taylor loved how he kissed her without warning most of the time. It always produced an excitement in their marriage. She gently stroked his cheek as he smiled at her. McKay leaned back, gazed up at the stars one more time and then looked at his watch. “You want to head back yet?” he asked.

“Oh, would you calm down?” Taylor giggled, “You can’t help yourself, can you?”

McKay laughed with her. “I guess I can’t.” he agreed, “I promised that boy would I take care of him in the new world. The last three years have been magic with him. As he has discovered the world . .I guess . . .”

“You’ve re-discovered it with him?” his wife grinned.

“Exactly!” he laughed.

“I know what you mean, baby. Mandy and I have practically did the same thing, with Flower included.”

“Definitely. I mean . .I know he’s basically been pining for Mandy since our stay on the Island. I only hope . . .this all works out.”

“It will,” Taylor assured him.

McKay’s cellphone then began to ring. He calmly picked it up and flipped it open. ”Probably Mandy wanting some ice cream,” he winked at Taylor, “Hello?”

“Barto McKay?” an unknown male voice said.

“Yeah? Who is this?”

“Detective Brian Ficco. Los Angeles police department.”

“Detective?” the Australian asked. Hearing those words made Taylor listen up as her husband continued to speak, “What do you want?”

“There is no easy way to say this so I will come right out and say it. There has been a break in at your house.”

“WHAT?” he yelled, “A break in?”

“BREAK IN?” Taylor freak, hoping off the tailgate.

“Detective, there is a young couple there. A young man and a woman both blonde, are they-“

“That is why I am calling you, sir. Both of them are inside one of the master bathrooms. The girl is unconscious and the boy is bleeding from a chest wound.”

“CHEST WOUND?” the Australian felt his heart racing, “What . .how . .how did he . .”

“He doesn’t appear to be in any immediate danger. The paramedics are saying he should have past out from such a wound a long time ago. However, the young man is thrashing around like an animal. He won’t let us near him or the girl. I was hoping that you could talk to him, so we don’t have to hit him with tasers.”

“NO! No, don’t . ..do that, we’re on our way.”

“McKay, what’s happening?”

“Get in the truck, baby!” he ordered his wife.

McKay got into his avalanche truck and started it up in a hurry. Luckily, he knew a back way to their house. He had to get there quick. He wanted to make sure that all of them were okay.


By the time McKay had arrived, he couldn’t get near his house. The neighbors had all gathered around a police barricade; forcing him to park down the street. The moment he did, he jumped out and so did Taylor; quickly following him through the ground. “MCKAY!” Sayid called to him.

The Australian and his wife paused when they heard his name being called by an old friend. He turned and saw the middle easterner working his way toward the crowd followed by his girlfriend Shannon. “Sayid?” McKay asked, “What . .why are you here?”

“Ana-Lucia called us,” he told her.

“Ana’s here?” Taylor asked in confusion.

“Taylor, is Mandy and Bridgett all right?” Shannon immediately asked.

“Let’s go find out,” McKay told her as they started to push their way through the crowd.

Once they got toward the police barricade, the cop stopped them but the Australian immediately started to scream that he lived in that house. Then another cop jogged over toward them. They immediately recognized their Latina friend. “Hey! Let them through!” Ana-Lucia told her fellow officer, “THEY do live here.”

The cop pulled up the caution tape and allowed them to walk under. McKay quickly walked up to his friend, grabbing her by the arms. “ANA!” the bald man said in distress,” Are they okay? Tell me they are okay!”

“Mandy is resting comfortably on a gurney in an ambulance.” She told her friend, “Alexander is being seen by the medics. He wouldn’t let them near him or her until I arrived. I think he believes the Dharma people or the Liberation might still be after him.”

“What about Bridgett?” Shannon asked of her niece, “Where is she? Who has her?”

Ana-Lucia took a deep breath. He gently placed her hand on Shannon and on McKay. “Bridgett is missing.” She whispered.

“What do you mean, missing?” Taylor gasped.

“We’ve searched the whole area. We can’t find any trace of her. It looks like an abduction of some kind.”

McKay felt like he was going to collapse. The little girl that had been a light in their lives these past three years had been kidnapped. Shannon was breaking down in tears as Sayid held onto her. The Australian tried to regain his composure and then saw a tall man with gray hair walking toward him. “McKay?” he asked.

“Yes?” the Australian replied.

“Detective Ficco,” he motioned, “You want to come with me, please? You too, Officer Cortez.”

McKay and Ana-Lucia led the way as the others follow. There was an ambulance parked in the front lawn. The moment they got toward the ambulance, Taylor saw her best friend up in a gurney. “MANDY!” she said, trying to get to her but the detective stopped her.

“She’s fine,” Ficco told them, then pulled out a clear plastic bag from his overcoat, “Near as forensics can tell, she was hit with one of these.”

McKay saw it and recognized it by common knowledge. “That looks like a tranquilizer dart.” He pointed out.

“Correct. The young lady was struck with one of these. However, the young man . .seems to be have been struck with 7. We found them littered on the bathroom floor.”

“Seven?” McKay gasped, “Why . .why would these people hit Alexander would seven?”

“I would assume it’s because he wouldn’t go down.” Ficco said obviously.

Ana-Lucia pointed into the distance. McKay turned and looked, seeing Alexander sitting on a gurney while paramedics bandaged his chest. The group quickly walked over toward him. The young man was not unconscious. He was simply staring into space; taking deep breathes in and out. If McKay didn’t know better, Alexander looked like he was seething with rage. The Australian slowly bent down and gently placed his hand on his shoulder. “Alex?” he asked.

The young warrior didn’t say anything. He continued to breathe in and out; staring into space. “How is he, Kent?” Ficco asked the medic.

“Remarkably well considering,” the paramedic pushed his glasses up, “ I have to retract my earlier statement, sir. I don’t think he was hit by a direct shotgun blast.”

“But you said the amount of pellets you found in his skin suggested he was?” Ficco countered.

“Yes, that is true. But he should be dead and as you can see, he clearly isn’t. Therefore, the shotgun blast must have grazed him.”

“Shotguns don’t graze, Kent.” Ficco pointed out.

“Well, how do you explain it, detective?”

McKay said nothing; just letting the cop and the paramedic argue. He knew exactly while Alexander was tougher than most men his age; it was because of what the Dharma people did to him and his brethren. He wasn’t invincible, but he was very close. McKay gently took Alexander’ head and moved it to where the young man was looking at him eye to eye. “Alexander, do you know who did this?” the man whispered.

“He won’t be able to answer you for another three hours, sir,” Kent mentioned, “The grazing was near his upper chest where his larynx is. He’s fine but he’s got swelling in that area and it’ll have to go down before he can talk without straining.”

“Alexander, shake your head yes or no,” his mentor whispered, “Was the Liberation the ones who did this?”

“Liberation?” Ficco asked confused.

Alexander shook his head No.

“Dharma?” Taylor asked.

Alexander shook his head No.

“Did you see who did it, son?” Ficco asked him.

Alexander slowly looked at him and then shook his head Yes. “Did they take Bridgett?” Shannon cried.

Alexander then closed his eyes and winced; grunting like an wild man. He then started to thrash around and scream: forcing McKay to grab him and hold on. The officers rushed over and tried to help restrain him. “GET BACK!!!” McKay screamed, “IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!!”

Alexander screamed at the top of his lungs. “ALEXANDER!!!” McKay said, as he held onto him, “LISTEN TO ME! LISTEN TO ME! THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT!!!”

The young man then collapsed and began to weep in McKay’s arms. The Australian held onto his head as he cried. Taylor held her hands over mouth, trying not to cry. Sayid held onto Shannon’s hand as they witnessed the whole spectacle. “I know you made a promise,” McKay said, sniffing, “But you protected Mandy. That is good enough. No one blames you, do you understand?”

Alexander shook his head in agreement as they parted. McKay then made him look him in the eyes again. “Now, Alexander, you saw who did this.” He assured, “When your voice comes back, you will tell these police officers who took Bridgett.”

The lost boy looked at him and then began to walk back toward the house. He looked toward his friends and motioned for them to follow. Confused they did as he requested and Ficco immediately followed. The other cops were about to yell at him for disturbing a crime scene but the detective motioned them away. Alexander continued up the stairs and then went into Mandy’s bedroom. The cops got out of his way as he walked over toward the bed and then leaned down on the floor; reaching under it. McKay raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was doing. The young man then pulled out a shoe box and then stood up, dumping the contents on the bed. Shannon was really confused about what she was seeing. “Those . . .those are Boone’s photos, the ones I gave Mandy,” she pointed out toward the cop.

Alexander shifted through them with his hands, scooting them from side to side. He then found the photo he was looking for. He then held it up toward the others and pointed toward the person in the photo standing next to the late Boone. Shannon’s eyes started to bulge out of her head. “Sabrina?” she gasped, “Sabrina . . .TOOK BRIDGETT???”

“Oh, my god,” Ana-Lucia whispered.

“Officer Cortez, who is this Sabrina woman?” Ficco asked.

“The . .uh . . .victim’s grandmother.” She confessed.

“What?” the detective said in confusion, “Why would the grandmother kidnap her granddaughter?”

“Because . . . .Mandy never told her that Bridgett was her granddaughter.” McKay whispered.

“So this woman . . .had a granddaughter . . .that she never knew about?”

“Clearly she knows now.” Sayid said, crossing his arms.

Ficco then studied their faces and shook his head; a silent way that said he had figured it out. “So . .what you are saying . . .is that you kept this information from her on purpose?” he asked.

“Yes!” Shannon screamed, forcing her boyfriend to immediately grabbed her, “Yes, we kept it from her on purpose. She thought I was responsible for the death of Bridgett’s father, her son! That woman is a witch!”

“And she just proved it.” Ana-Lucia grumbled.

“Regardless of whether what you did was right or wrong, it’s enough for motive,” Ficco started writing in his notes, “And since we got the young man for a eye witness, we got enough to probable cause. Officer Cortez, I need you to escort three of these people with you, once we obtain this woman’s address.”

“I understand,” she said, “Shannon, tell them where Sabrina lives.”

As the tall blonde walked over with Ficco to discuss her step-mother’s whereabouts, Ana-Lucia motioned for the others to huddle next to her. “Ana, what is going on?” he asked, “Why did he say you were going to escort three of us?”

“He’s going to secure a warrant for us to search Sabrina’s house,” Ana-Lucia said, “Since there is a minor involved, not to mention a baby; they are going to want one of the family to take procession of the baby.”

“Let it be Shannon,” Taylor then said, “I’ll stay with Alexander and Mandy.”

McKay kissed his wife on the lips, loving her understanding. The man then turned around and explained to Alexander what they were going to do. He “tricked” him into staying by telling him to stay and protect Mandy still, while they go get Bridgett. Sayid, of course, would stay with Shannon. Ficco and Ana-Lucia proceeded to descend the stairs as they got ready to go pay a visit to Sabrina Rutherford. McKay only hoped they could make it in time.


After the ride, which consisted of zooming in and out of traffic, they arrived at Sabrina’s mansion. Sayid stepped out of the back seat with Shannon and McKay exited the passenger side door. Ana-Lucia led the way in first as they started to run up the drive way. The tall blonde followed her friends but took immediate notice that the gate was open. She knew her step mother never left the gate open. Ficco strapped on his bullet proof vest as he led the way up the sidewalk to the front door. The detective moved up past the other officer and stepped up to the door. “SABRINA RUTHERFORD!!” he said, banging on the door, “LOS ANGELES POLICE!!! WE HAVE A WARRANT TO SEARCH THIS HOUSE. OPEN UP!!”

Ficco waited one minute and then motioned toward the man with the battling ram. The officer swung it up and then slammed it against the door snapping it at the hinge. The door cracked open and the officers rushed in. The lights were out so they had to use their flashlights. Ana-Lucia waited till the rest of them were in and then followed closely allowing all the others to follow. Shannon then blinked at the confusion in front of her.

There was not a single bit of furniture.

“What is this?” McKay asked in disbelief.

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Clear!” one police officer replied.

“Clear!” another one informed them.

Ficco holstered his weapon and rubbed his forehead. “Her cars are still here, “ the detective mentioned, “But why do I get the feeling that she is not going to need them anyway?”

“She’s gone,” McKay whispered with tears strolling down his eyes, “Dear God in heaven, she’s gone.”

“NOOOOOOOO!!!!!” Shannon screamed,” YOU BBBIIITTTCCCHHHHH!!!!”

Sayid rushed toward her and embraced, as she cried in his arms. McKay understood how she felt. Sabrina had not abducted Bridgett; it was a pure kidnapping. Abduction would imply their will be a ransom for the baby. However, they all knew that Sabrina wouldn’t bother with a ransom; she already had what she wanted. The lost connection and the last bit of her departed son. McKay slowly closed his eyes; letting the tears flow out. He didn’t know what felt worse.

The fact that they lost Bridgett or the impending moment will he will have to explain to Mandy why she’ll never see her daughter again.


The group arrived back at McKay’s house. They hardly said anything to one another. Ficco assured them they will put out an APB on Sabrina Rutherford and issue an Amber Alert with Bridgett’s picture. He also mentioned that he would get the FBI involved and since Shannon mentioned that Sabrina had a cottage in Belize, they would be speaking to Interpol as well. It was all small comforts. It didn’t change the fact that the baby of their family was gone.

McKay started to walk toward the house where Mandy was now fully awake. She was sitting on the porch with Taylor and Alexander surrounded by cops. The young blonde saw the man she looked up to approaching her. She then started to weep when she noticed by obvious course that her daughter was not with them. The fact that Shannon was crying in Sayid’s arms only made it worse. The blonde then buried her hands in her face and began to cry. McKay gently took her by the arms and she stared screaming, pounding him in the chest. The older man was not insult; nor did he believe she blamed him. He knew she was simply lashing out. As she finally collapsed and held onto her dear friend, McKay stared up toward the sky again; gazing at the stars. He didn’t know if God was listening nor if the Magic of the Island was still with them.

But he prayed for a miracle anyway.