Save One ~James Conrad

Light Groping

"Everybody," James said, groaning and sitting up. "Grab you're gear. We have to keep moving." He forced his feet under him and Loki forced herself to stand as well, stumbling slightly while heading for her bag. She unzipped it, pulling out her second pair of trousers and a tank top and began undoing her belt as she kicked off her boots. James eyed her slightly before looking away as she dropped her pants. "We'll go ashore and meet up with Packard."

"No," Houston said. "Wait a minute! Is nobody gonna say anything about the..."

"He's gone!" Hank shouted. "And he ain't coming back, there's nothing to say."

Loki buttoned her pants and pulled the tank to over her bra. She looked to James who looked over and nodded, saying he was gone. She looked down before sighing. She quickly began pulling her boots back on as the boat started heading towards the shore. She left her wet clothes, not wanting to ruin everything in her bag before she put everything else she had out away. They hit the shore and after some preparations, James began leading the way, Loki following closely behind. They stepped onto the ground and Loki sighed slightly.

"Their flare was two Klicks north," James said quietly. They had stopped and began refilling canteens. "They should be here soon." Loki took careful steps on the rocks, walking across the stream behind James. He turned and began walking towards her. "How are you doing?" He asked, looking down at her.

She peered up, her hair finally dry and once again, tied back. "I'm alright, are you?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

"I'm fine," he said nodding. He looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry for grabbing you... there. I really did not intend to."

"It's alright," she said, smirking slightly. "You saved my life, I suppose a little groping is in order," she jeered, looking up at him.

A laugh escaped her lips as he smiled, placing his hands on his hips, looking up towards the sky and shaking his head. He bit his lip and looked back down at her. "You're one cheeky little thing, aren't you?"

"Surprisingly," Loki said, chuckling. "I never did thank you," she said, smiling softly. "Thank you, James," she said quietly, leaning up towards him. He smiled as well and began leaning forward, slightly losing the smile as he got closer. Their faces were inches apart when the sound of Slivko cheering made James Purse his lips and close his eyes nodding slightly. He looked over to see the man running towards the bushes to greet his brothers in arms. As his cheek was on display, Loki quickly went on her toes, gently and rather quickly placing a kiss on his cheek.

She saw their leader heading closer as James looked down at her a smile on his face as he stared down at her shocked. Quickly ducking behind James, Loki began walking to the stream edge, looking down at her camera as everyone else were conversing.

She wasn't paying attention but Loki jumped slightly what Hank shouted; "West?! We can't go west. That's where the skull things live. We have an old saying, east is best west is worst! That's why we say it. You know, southwest, we could talk about that."

She sighed, beginning to walk further away from the group but turned back. "Guys... I think we should listen to Marlow," she said, causing everyone to look directly at her. Her eyes went wide and she put up her hands slightly. "This is crazy."

"Hey," Packard said to James, forcing him to pull his attention from Loki. "Your job is finding lost men, right?" He asked and James placed his hands on his hips, making his lips go in a thin line.

James looked down for a moment but nodded and looked back up. "Okay, sir." Loki looked down and bit her lip out of anger. "but if we reach that position and he's not there, we don't send out a search party. We are back here by nightfall, understood? In 24 hours, we have to be on the other side of the Island."

Packard nodded his head, a grin coming to his face. "Roger that. Hear you loud and clear." Packard looked over at the men and nodded. "All right men, you heard the man. Moving out in 10."

Loki rolled her eyes as Hank began to make jokes about everyone dying. Behind her, she heard footsteps. "Don't forget to tell me this is a bad idea," James whispered as he passed.

"This is a bad idea," Loki said over her shoulder to him. "I'll meet you back here at nightfall."

James stopped, holding his gun in hand and turned to her. "What?"

"I'm going to stay here... or on the boat or somewhere in between. That man..."

"I know you don't like him."

Loki turned, shaking her head. "It's not that I don't like him, it's that I don't trust him. Those are two very different things."

"Are they?" James asked, raising a brow.

"Yes," She said, crossing her arms. "For instance, I don't like you right now but I trust you."

"Five minutes ago you were kissing my cheek, and now you don't like me?" He asked, raising a brow.

Loki rolled her eyes. "Forgive me if I'm not thrilled about you sending yourself to get killed."

"Not me," James said, shaking his head. "All of us. Group effort. I'm sorry, but you're coming."

"I'll be on the boat."

"Like hell you will," James said, shaking his head, Loki furrowed her brows and jutted her hip out with sass. "I just watched you get ripped from that boat by what seemed to be a dinosaur and almost torn in half like Victor. Forgive me if I am not keen on the idea of you being on it alone. At least if you're with us, I can try and keep you alive."

"I like that you said alive, because alive and safe are wildly different things here," Loki said, rolling her eyes.

"Get ready," he said, nodding his head. "We are leaving in three."