Title: The Other Man
Rating: T
Summary: Jack and Kate are best friends with a past. A past best left behind them. But when another man moves into Kate's life and threatens to take Jack's place, will those past feelings resurface? (BTW, I am aware that sounds extremely bad/corny/unreadable, but bear with me...summaries are harder than you'd think :D)
A/N: I don't own Jack or Kate or anything to do with Lost for that matter. I also don't own any of the movies/songs I may refer to at some point during this fic. The only thing I own right now is (most of) the dialogue. But if ABC would like to change that... :D.
It's taken me a while to figure out how I wanted to start this, and I'm sorry it's taken a while. I have the first two chapters written, but I don't wanna go any farther in case this idea doesn't go down well. So if you like the beginning of the story, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. If you don't like it, tell me that as well, then I can give it an ending and move on to bigger and better ideas :D. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Just One Night
"Dude. C'mon, you have got to come to this party tomorrow. We got one last chance to have some fun before finals. Don't tell me you're gonna sit in the apartment and study all weekend?" Mark said as he and Jack walked the short distance from their apartment to the Columbia gym.
"I dunno man, with the classes I'm taking finals are going to be really tough. I'm not sure if I wanna risk it?" Jack replied casually.
"C'mon Jacky-boy, live a little. One night, then you can study all you want." Mark insisted. "You can make the textbooks tired for all I care."
Jack thought about it for a second, recalling all the crazy schemes Mark had created that had nearly gotten them in all sorts of trouble, before reaching a decision.
"Alright. One night. Then will you quit bugging me?" Jack pleaded, hoping Mark would lay off, Jack had more important things on his mind than some party.
"That's my boy! I gotta call Will, tell him we're in for the beer-pong tournament. Hold on a sec, bro." Mark said excitedly, reaching for his phone.
"Whoa. I agreed to go, not get plastered out of my mind. Who's Will anyway?" Jack asked, his interest peaked.
"Jack. I am the best beer-pong player this side of Manhattan. Relax. And Will's the guy who's hosting the party. He doesn't go to Columbia, NYU I think." Mark explained as he dialed his friend's number.
"Right." Jack answered, chuckling at Mark's arrogance. "I'm gonna grab a water from the store, I'll meet you out here in a few seconds." Jack said, drawing a thumbs-up sign from Mark, who was already on the phone.
Jack walked into the store and found an 18oz bottle of water, quickly paying and walking out to find Mark talking to Kate, Jack's best friend- despite their recent troubles.
Kate was a student at NYU, but she'd known Jack since their days of high school together in California. While Jack had been accepted into Columbia as a pre-med student, Kate was going after a nursing degree at NYU.
"Hey Kate." Jack greeted as he walked back towards them.
"Hey." Kate replied curtly, before quickly turning her attentions back to Mark.
Mark noticed the briskness of her response, shooting a quick look at Jack, then turned back to Kate. "So, you wanna come? Me and Jack will be there."
"I'm sorry Mark, but I can't. Kevin's taking me out tomorrow night. He says he got us invitations to this really exclusive party. Not many people are invited." Kate explained, causing Jack to cringe at the mention of her boyfriend- again something Mark didn't miss.
"Oh, that's to bad. Maybe we'll see you sometime during the night though." Mark said reassuringly.
"Yea, maybe. I've gotta go meet Kevin, I'll see you guys around." She said, much more to Mark than to Jack.
"Have fun, Kate." Mark said while Jack remained silent.
"Let's get going." Jack said softly, and he continued to walk towards Columbia at a very quick pace.
"What the hell's gotten into you, man? You didn't even try to talk to her. If you don't start trying, things aren't going to fix themselves." Mark asked, concerned for his friend.
"Yea, I know Mark. But I'm having a hard time doing that. Anything else you'd like to lecture me about, or can we concentrate on basketball?" Jack snapped.
"Alright, alright, but don't think I missed your reaction at hearing her boyfriend's name." Mark chided him.
"What reaction?" Jack feigned obliviousness.
Mark immediately repeated the name of Kate's boyfriend and saw Jack give the same exact reaction. "That reaction." He said as they entered the gym, a triumphant grin plastered on his face.
They signed out a basketball from the gym, found an empty hoop and started playing. Jack was definitely not at the top of his game, and Mark beat him 1-on-1 easily, with a score of 11-4.
"Damn, Kate's really on your mind, isn't she?" Mark said as she sat down for a break between games.
"What makes you think that?" Jack said, trying to play it cool.
"Well, I haven't beaten you in three weeks. Last time I did you'd just failed a midterm in Biology. So I'd say something's on your mind." Mark explained, laughing.
"No, I just had a bad game. Plus, you've gotten a lot better." Jack argued.
"I've been practicing, Jack, but not that much. You wanna know what I think?" Mark asked.
"Not really." Jack said. But you're going to tell me anyway.
"I think you got a thing for Kate." Mark said. Upon seeing Jack look downward at the accusation, he continued, "I'm right, aren't I?"
Jack looked up at him and stood up quickly, walking over to the basketball. Picking it up, he threw it hard at Mark's chest before walking out onto the court. "Let's go. One more game."
Whatever was on Jack's mind, it would have to wait.
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"Alright dude, here's the plan. You're going to drink yourself out of this thing with Kate. Because I absolutely refuse to be a third wheel- it just won't happen." Mark joked. "Well that and I don't wanna see you hurt, because I don't think she feels the same way, seeing as she's got a boyfriend and all."
"Whatever, Mark." Jack said, as he opened the door into the fraternity house.
They stepped into the house and surveyed the scene before them; Jack began walking over to the beer-pong table, stopping when Mark grabbed his arm.
"Change of plan, Jacky-boy. Find yourself a woman, and do your thing." Mark said, patting Jack on the back as he walked off muttering, "I have got to come here more often."
Jack wasn't particularly in the mood for partying, but even he agreed he'd need a few drinks to get his crush- that's what it was, nothing more- off of his mind.
Meanwhile, across town, Kate was waiting patiently for Kevin to arrive at her apartment. She was making some final make-up adjustments in the mirror when the doorbell rang. "Hey." She greeted as Kevin brought her lips to his in a chaste kiss.
"Hey, you. Ready to go?" Kevin asked politely.
"Yea, just let me grab my purse." Kate replied, wandering over to the coffee table. As she picked up her purse, she knocked over her picture of herself and Jack after their high school graduation, in which they were both smiling.
A wave of sadness and regret came over when she brought her eyes upwards toward the cause of their current predicament- Kevin.
From the beginning of freshmen year, it was abundantly clear that Jack and Kate were inseparable. But the odd thing was, they weren't a couple- they were just two really good friends. The only reason Mark had even become friends with Jack was because they were both looking for a roommate at the time. They were so close that it was almost an unwritten rule that you didn't come between them. Numerous people had tried at first, Kate having been asked out three times in the first week of school, but for her, Jack always came first.
Kate knew that a lot of girls at the school really liked Jack, and she'd seen a few of them shamelessly flirting with him throughout campus, but Jack had quickly refused every one of their advances, always citing a lack of interest.
But about two months ago, Kevin had come around. She had wanted to tell him she wasn't interested, but for some reason she felt like he could be different. After a night of little sleep and a lot of thought, she finally accepted his offer of dinner and a movie, and it turned out to be the right decision.
About a week into their relationship though, Jack had come to talk her about it. He'd told her that he missed spending time with her, and that he didn't think Kevin was the right guy for her. She'd responded by telling him to get out, and asking him why he couldn't just be happy for her. An action she'd come to regret a few days later.
Since that time, she and Jack had been on somewhat rocky terms- Mark generally the only reason they met so often, and when they did it was usually a very short conversation with very little eye contact.
"Babe, is something wrong?" Kevin asked, pulling Kate out of her thoughts.
"No, let's go." Kate answered, smiling sadly as she placed the picture back on the table.
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Jack had gone slightly overboard compared to his original plan, and was on his 6th beer. He wasn't much of a drinker, and was buzzing slightly.
"Hey, handsome." Jack barely heard the voice behind him and turned around to find a stunning brunette standing only inches away from him.
"Hi." Jack responded coldly, hoping to repel the woman's advances. He'd almost reached his alcohol limit and wanted to finish the night in peace.
"I'm Ana-Lucia." The woman said, extending her hand.
"Jack." He replied, taking the woman's hand, looking up to see a grinning Mark standing a few feet behind her.
Reluctantly at first, they struck up a conversation, Ana-Lucia flirting at all possible opportunities. Jack had to admit, she was a very attractive woman, he just wasn't sure if he could deal with all this emotionally right now.
"Look Ana-Lucia, you're—" Jack began, but was interrupted.
"What d'ya say we head upstairs?" Ana-Lucia whispered into Jack's ear seductively, lingering a few seconds longer than absolutely necessary- probably a result of her alcohol consumption.
"I'm not—" Jack began once again.
"Upstairs. First bedroom on the right. 15 minutes." Ana-Lucia whispered into his ear once again, not withdrawing this time without kissing his jaw.
Jack didn't reply, just walked as the woman walked off and disappeared into the crowd. It wasn't long before Mark walked up to take her place in front of him.
"Did what I think just happened… just happen?" Mark said quickly.
"That depends on what you think just happened?" Jack said slowly, not really interested in the conversation.
"An amazingly hot woman just told you she wants you upstairs tonight? Naked? Doing the horizontal mambo? Dipping your potato chips in her salsa?" Mark supplied.
"Dipping my potato chips in her—what does that even mean?" Jack raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"I dunno. I ran out of cool metaphors on such short notice." Mark, who was way more drunk than Jack, replied, "but she did didn't she?"
"Yea. She did." Jack replied softly.
"Then what the hell are you still doing down here? This is the perfect opportunity to get over your little crush. You can have at least one night of fun with Ana-Lucia, then call Kate in the morning, and give Kevin your blessing now that you're over her. And then of course, you can call me and thank me for being the best wingman in the world." Mark rambled on.
"But you didn't do anything, Mark." Jack responded quickly.
"How do you know she wasn't all over me and I helped her over this way? Anyway, that's beside the point. Get upstairs. Or I will call Kate right now and tell her how you feel. And if you think you two are awkward now, just you wait." Mark half-jokingly threatened.
"OK." Jack said, the alcohol inside him warming him up to the idea. How bad could it be?, Jack thought.
"That's my boy."
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"I'll go and get us some drinks. Wait here, and I'll be right back-." Kevin said as they walked into the house.
"OK." Kate replied, smiling. "Hey Kevin, how'd you get an invitation here? This place is huge."
"Oh, I know a guy." Kevin replied cryptically. "Billy." He supplied in response to Kate's frown.
Kate didn't know many people at the party, they were mainly Kevin's friends, and so she didn't have much to do while Kevin was gone. She waited patiently for a few minutes, just looking around and taking in her surroundings. Kate was never really comfortable with new places and new people, but Kevin could vouch for these people, and she trusted Kevin, so her nerves were at somewhat of ease.
She waited fifteen minutes for her boyfriend to return, figuring that was enough to grab two beers and greet Billy, so she made her way towards the bar, searching for Kevin the entire way.
She reached the bar and asked the man behind it, "Hi, have you seen a tall guy, short blondish hair?"
"What you mean, Kevin?" He asked, and Kate nodded, "He's over there with his girlfriend?"
"What do you mean girlfriend? I'm his girlfriend." Kate asked, extremely worried and confused.
"I dunno, but he's over there. See?" He said pointing to the far corner of the room.
There was Kevin, hooking up with a girl she'd never seen before. She had medium-length blonde hair and was extremely skinny. Kate was seething as she hurried over to them.
She stood behind Kevin, folding her arms across her chest, but Kevin was to engrossed in this blonde slut that he didn't even notice. She cleared her throat in hopes to get his attention, but all she got for her efforts was a clear view of Kevin's hand venturing inside the blonde's shirt.
That put Kate over the edge. She tapped him hard on the shoulder, and soon as he turned around and noticed her presence she slapped him hard across the face.
"Kate? I thought I told you to wait by the front." Kevin said, surprised to see her, as he rubbed his cheek.
"What? So you could have time to make out with the blonde whore over here?" Kate yelled back, causing the blonde to slink off into the crowd.
"Look, I'm sorry Kate. I should've told you. I've been seeing her for a while, and I didn't think she was gonna be here. Then when I saw her—" Kevin pathetically attempted to think of an excuse.
"Save it for someone who gives a shit, you jerk." Kate said, turning on her heels and running as far away from he could. Seeing as Kevin had driven her here, she couldn't leave so she did the next best thing. She hurried up the stairs, tears flowing and crying in hysterics, and launched herself into the nearest room she could find. Lying on the bed in tears, she soon climbed under the covers and continued to sob.
She was so busy thinking about how much she hated Kevin at that moment that it took her a moment to realize that Jack had been right. He was right about Kevin, and she'd pushed him away because of it. This thought only brought around more tears, more sobs and more uncontrollable shaking.
Out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw the door open quickly and then close again within seconds, but right now that was the last thing on her mind.
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After finally having been convinced by Mark to meet this mysterious Ana-Lucia upstairs, Jack was having second thoughts. And so Mark had done what he usually did, and discovered a need for more alcohol. He had polished off another beer before he'd seen Ana-Lucia head up the stairs towards the bedrooms and literally been pushed after her by Mark, who proceeded to wink when Jack looked back at him.
About halfway up the stairs, Jack decided he wasn't going to sleep with this woman. She was obviously plastered and not thinking straight, and he still had emotional issues to deal with.
He walked up the stairs and into the specified room, opening the door slowly, expecting to see the woman lying naked on the bed in her inebriated state, but instead he saw the brunette huddled up inside the bed, already asleep.
Confused but slightly relieved, Jack smiled to himself. The effects of the alcohol had taken hold of her body slightly quicker than she had probably hoped.
Jack turned around and opened the door once again to leave, but heard a sob emanate from the bed, and immediately turned around.
He had half a thought to continue walking out the door, the woman was clearly drunk and not thinking clearly, but his curiosity got the better of him.
"Hello? Are you OK?" Jack asked softly, inching forward toward the figure huddled underneath the sheets.
"I'm fine. Go away!" She responded, clearly not wanting the company any more.
In his slightly drunken state, Jack thought there was something familiar about the voice, but attributed it to the amount of alcohol in his system. "Are you sure? You don't sound OK Ana-Lucia. What's wrong?"
"Who the hell is Ana-Lucia?" The figure responded, turning around, revealing her identity.
"Kate? What are you doing here? I thought Kevin was taking you out across town?" Jack asked incredulously.
"Don't mention that jerk's name around me ever again!" Kate yelled through her sobs.
At this, Jack's protective and caring side quickly took over. He was at Kate's side, sitting on the edge of the bed within seconds.
"Kate, what did he do to you? What's wrong?" Jack asked, affected by Kate's distressed crying.
"I saw him making out with some whore downstairs." Kate answered in between deep breaths.
"I'll kill him." Jack muttered as he got up, but was pulled back by Kate's desperate arm.
"Jack. Stay with me?" She pleaded with him.
At seeing her face, complete with tears and puffy eyes, the anger dissipated in Jack. He could deal with Kevin later, but now, Kate needed him.
Jack walked quickly around the bed leaning up against the headboard, and encouraged Kate to do the same. She complied quickly, pulling herself up, resting her head in the crook of Jack's neck. They both remained silent for a while, as Jack placed frequent kisses on her forehead and stroked her arms with his.
"I'm so stupid." Kate sobbed.
"No, how could you have known. This wasn't your fault, Kate. You need to understand that. I'm here for you." Jack disagreed.
"You were right, Jack. There was something about him; I don't know why I didn't see him. I'm so stupid!" She cried, causing Jack to draw her closer to him.
"This isn't your fault Kate, you couldn't have seen something this horrible coming. You don't deserve this- you need to remember that. This is Kevin's loss not yours." Jack attempted to sooth her emotions.
"Then how did you know it wasn't going to work out?" Kate said, removing herself from Jack's chest and looking him straight in the eyes.
"I didn't." Jack replied shortly. He knew the reason he didn't approve in the first place, but the last thing he wanted to do right now was cause more trouble.
"Then why'd you say something?" Kate asked pointedly. She wasn't going to let this go without an answer.
It was now or never.
"Because…" Jack paused, "I...I was worried for you." He muttered, berating himself for chickening out once again. Because I was jealous!
Kate looked him in the eyes, her own eyes red from the crying and vulnerability, and reached her hands to caress his cheeks. It felt so good to have her touch him like this, it felt so right. Then she brought her lips crashing down onto his and kissed him with a passion he'd never thought possible.
It was a sensation he'd gone far to long without. He had a moment of doubt where his conscience debated whether this was the right thing to do with Kate, in her vulnerable state, but in the end his heart won out and he returned the kiss with the same amount of fervor- if not more.
He felt Kate's hands leave his face and slowly find their way down to chest, one of them not stopping until it reached his belt buckle. Jack responded by reaching his arms around Kate and pulling her even closer; he'd wanted this for to long to stop now.
Kate, having just finished with his belt, broke off the kiss for the few seconds it took to tear the shirt over his head, before pushing him down towards the bed.
As Jack felt his pants slide off of his legs, he just hoped he wouldn't come to regret this in the morning, because tonight had turned out to be one of the best nights of his life.
A/N: Oh, one last thing! Please tell me if you saw the end of this chapter coming. My friend gave me the idea to make it a surprise hook-up at the end there, and I'm not sure if I pulled it off. Reviews are greatly appreciated, even bad ones :D. I can take it, promise.
Coming Up: Everyone needs to talk after something like that right?
