This is completely planned out, and actually kinda of a modified version of the story I had started "Run" last year. Only this is better, and completely written out already. So review and you get the rest- Swear! Takes place immediately after Season 4 ends. Given Jacks problems in the flashforwards, and that this fic. addresses them (in a completely fictional mannor-so try it at home and you diedisclaimer) lots.
" Jack, that means all of us," Ben coaxed, with a meaningful nod back at the coffin
" Right, " Jack whispered, turning back towards the coffin, realizing he wasn't nearly "stoned on his pills" enough as Kate had put it ,since Claire sat at the end of the first row of chairs, giving him a disapproving glare, arms folded defiantly over her chest.
"Jack, "she scolded, "Come-on you're not actually considering this ," she questioned him , her voice drenched in worry and disappointment.
Ben standing at the door didn't hear the quiet "shut up" Jack mumbled brokenly under his breath.
Turning back around to the coffin, he jumped seeing his father casually leaning forward onto the coffin from the other side, raising his eye brow in a skeptical disapproving manner that made Jack infuriated. " Think of Kate," he heard Claire's voice, "You know Ben, selling your soul to him , he'll hurt her somehow," Claire's voice sounded more desperate as Jack stood still looking down at Locke's dead body. " And he'll use you to do it," she added, as he made a reach for the body. "Your not really gonna keep hurting her are you?" she whispered, sounding sad at how far he had fallen. He tensed, not bothering to argue anymore, exhausted, knowing that she was right. Looking up, Jack saw his father silently watching him, the same challenging expression on his stony unchanging face. Glaring at him, Jack shaking, pulled out two more pills and popped them into his mouth, swallowing them dry.
Ben rolled his eyes growing inpatient, "Jack?" he questioned his eyes intense on Jacks back. Stiffening, Jack turned around broken out of his own personal hell by the sound of the devils voice.
"No," he said angrily, his voice shaking with uncertainty. Ben gave him the look of a father disappointed in a misbehaving child. "No, " Jack repeated his voice more certain , and he walked past Ben back out into the cold of reality.
"Jack, your making a big mistake," Ben said following him, keeping the edge of panic out of his voice.
"Wouldn't be the first time," Jack yelled back not bothering to turn around as he got into the car and drove away.
Ben sighed heavily, pulling a phone out of his pocket and pushing the first number on speed dial. "No, he left…. No he was close but he couldn't take the body" Ben answered, watching his breath as it condensed in the cold night air in front of him. Listening to his orders, he gave a curt nod, his deadpanned smirk twitching on his lips, "Christian, I always liked Plan B more," he agreed hanging up. "This might actually be fun, "he muttered to himself as he shoved his hands in his pockets and started his trek back to his motel.
Pulling into the parking garage at his apartment complex, Jack pulled the key out of the engine and dejectedly lay his head on the steering wheel, letting out a ragged breath.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and jumped, looking over to see a empathetic Claire staring back at him. "Good job Jack, we knew you wouldn't do that," she said sounding proud. At her words, he stiffened and glancing in his rear view mirror he felt his jaw clench. Turning around slowly, he saw his father, silently looking at him legs crossed, face just as unmoving as before, Boone drenched in blood sitting in the middle, his labored breathing suddenly the only noise Jack could focus on, and Charlie, who other then being almost comically blue from lack of oxygen, seemed the same as ever, down to the spark of happiness that never left his eyes.
"No, " Jack whispered turning back to Claire , "your not real," he hissed at her, "Just leave me alone!", his voice high and shaking with anger.
"Hey! She didn't bloody do anything!" Charlie said defending her. Staring at him wide eyed, Boones labored breathing once again became the only sound in the otherwise silent car.
Quickly disentangling himself from his seat belt, he jumped out of the car slamming the door hard enough to make the car rock as he made it to the elevator, popping another two pills as he waited for the lift to come down, Boone's labored breathing still echoing in his ear.
Fumbling with his key a moment later, he stumbled into his apartment, not surprised that all of them were already waiting patiently for him. He grabbed the bottle of scotch that was waiting for him on the table near the door, sinking down to the floor, Ana Lucia sunk to the floor besides him, leaving a trail of blood from the bullet holes on his wall as she did. Staying silent a moment as she watched him, she finally said "Come on Jack, your dad just told me you drove here intoxicated; you know that's a crime, "she scolded lightly almost teasingly. Jacks head lulled against his chest, exhausted after 8 months of this hell. Taking another sip from the bottle, he whispered angrily, "Bite me Ana."
"Hey, Jack that wasn't nice," Libby scolded. Despairingly, Jack tried to laugh but it came out as a dry sob, and his trembling hand reached again for his bottles of pills. Shaking he pulled out the insomnia medicine, unable to listen to this anymore. Taking double the recommended dosage, he rested his head against the wall and sank into his usual fit full sleep.
On the other side of town:
"Jack ," she breathed out, her head tilting back as he lay feather light kisses along her neck, her legs wrapped tightly around him. "God, I love you," she whispered against his chest. She swallowed hard as she looked into his rich brown eyes, his chest heaved with emotion upon hearing her declaration, she watched him closely as he leaned in, water from the shower head hitting her for the first time, his broad back blocking her until he'd changed position. He opened his mouth , and Kate knew what came next, her breath caught in her throat waiting for him to say it back, just like he had the first time, instead a low buzzing noise seemed to come from his throat. Momentary confusion hit her, before the usual gut wrenching realization that she was, again, dreaming hit her. "No, "she whispered heart broken, their surroundings seeming to fade around them, replaced by black." No, No No, we need more time!" Her unconsciousness was beginning to fade in the morning light, and with it her dream world, and it was all she could do to keep him here in front of her. Swallowing back the desperation that suddenly filled her, she found his face with her hands and pulled his face down for one last searing kiss, his moan against her lips again turning into the sound of the buzzer. A sob bubbled in her chest, "Jack" she whispered his name again, desperately this time as he faded away, just like every night. The buzzer echoed again , and when Kate opened her eyes, she was alone, same as always.
Pounding her fist down on the offending buzzer, she slammed her head back into her pillow, hoping to find slumber for 15 more minutes, 15 minutes where she could forget what had happened to Jack, how far he had fallen and whatever demons he wouldn't talk to her about, and just remember the blissful month he had lived with her, when things had been perfect in every sense of the word. When he had been there for her and for Aaron. Her head shot up as she thought of her son, realizing that this was one of those days where she couldn't sleep in. With a sigh she got out of bed, and went to wake Aaron for his first day of pre-school.
Walking into his room, she picked him up, pulling him tight against her, "Wake up little guy," she whispered into his ear, and he stirred against her, hugging her sleepily. He mumbled what she guessed was an incoherent good morning against her shoulder and she smiled slightly. "Come on, lets get you breakfast," she said carrying him down stairs. Once she had him settled at the table with his bowl of cereal, she went back up to change and make the bed. When she came down a few minutes later, Kate saw that he had barely touched his cereal, looking at it intently, his tiny forehead furrowed, making Aaron look just like Jack despite his blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Concerned she sat down next to him, "hey," she said gently, "what's wrong sweet pea?" she asked.
"Mommy...what kind of a doctor is Daddy?" he asked. She felt like a knife was being turned in her heart, 8 months, and she still hadn't convinced Aaron to not call Jack Daddy. This was one of the times that made Kate hate Jack passionately. Jack had left them, taking a piece of each of their hearts with him and had washed it away with booze and pills. For her son, Kate wanted to hate Jack, but for herself, she couldn't stop loving him, and it royally ticked her off. She'd always been good at cutting ties until he'd come along and made her feel safe and loved. And then….she shook her head dejectedly, she still didn't know what had happened to him. She knew whatever Jeremy Bentham had told him had broken him, but she knew something else had to have happened that Jack hadn't told her about , something bad enough to make him listen to a word that Bentham would have had to say. Something the Jack she knew would never do.
"Mommy?" Aaron asked again when she didn't respond.
She smiled at him, turning away to draw a shaky breathe and hide the tears. She swallowed and turned to him, a smile on her face. "He was a spinal surgeon bud, "she said, putting her fingers on his spin as if to explain. " He fixed peoples backs."
"I'm gonna be a doctor too, "he declared proudly, as he did at least once a week. Unlike the children he was friends with at the park, whose career went from truck driver, to astronaut, to race car driver every ten minutes, he never waivered, determined to be just like Daddy. "But I don't think I'm gonna fix peoples backs, "he added thoughtfully.
"Yeah?" she asked, loving the serious look on his face that reminded her so much of his uncle.
"Yeah, " he said, his face brightening, " I'm gonna be a heart doctor, so I can fix you and daddy," he said proudly. Kate's face went white and crumbled, tears threatening to boil over. Aarons face crumbled, thinking he had upset her.
"I'm sorry mommy," he said starting to sniffle.
"No, Aaron," she whispered, pulling him to her, " It's not your fault, "she whispered hoarsely, clearing her throat she said again "You didn't do anything," pulling him back so he could see the sincerity in her eyes, "You didn't ever do anything wrong." Kissing him on the nose as his chin wobbled slightly, she sighed and gave a weak chuckle. "Time to get you ready for school," she said picking him up and carrying him back to his room.
Though Aaron hugged her the whole way up, he promptly kicked her out, determined to dress himself. Laughing more sincerely at his efforts with the concept of matching, she had sighed heavily losing the struggle to have him wear something other then his favorite and well worn Batman t-shirt. Batman was his favorite he had said, and she knew why- he was Jacks favorite too.
"Daddy, whose your favorite hero?" Aaron had asked one Saturday morning as they had sat watching the Justice League cartoon on Cartoon network while Kate made pancakes behind them. She froze, barely aware of a batch of pancakes burning on the stove in front of her, petrified at how Jack would respond, Aaron had never called him that before. She couldn't see his face, but she had seen his shoulders stiffen briefly, but let a breath when she saw him barely miss a beat before turning to Aaron.
"Batman, "he had declared simply, surprising her slightly, for both his answer, and his effortless response.
"Mine too," Aaron said smiling back at him. She could see the smile pulling at the corner of Jacks lips. "Oh really, "he had said with a slight chuckle, "tell you what, why don't you go get dressed, we'll head out and get you a cape." He said. Aarons face had lit up as he bolted up the stairs.
"Jack!" she had said surprised.
"What?" he had said innocently, getting up and coming over to her, "Halloweens not to far away." His expression cheeky as she had pushed him up against the counter top, his forehead resting on hers.
"Only over a month, "she had said smiling slightly, feeling him smile against her forehead, kissing it lightly.
"So … Batman huh," she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Always pegged you for a Superman guy, "she smirked. He had chuckled at that.
"Nah, Superman's to perfect," he had said as she buried her face in his chest, hearing Aaron's feat on the stairs above them.
"Funny, "she whispered into his chest, just loud enough for him to hear, "You're my Superman." Buried in his chest, she had missed the momentarily pained expression that passed through his eyes.
Kate pulled up in front of Aarons pre-school, getting out, she took his hand to walk him to the classroom. Outside the classroom, she hugged him tightly, "have fun little man," she whispered. He rolled his eyes at her embarrassed, "I know, " she said with a chuckle, "That's an oxymoron." Aaron was smart too, like Jack. When Kate said she knew he could be anything he wanted she believed it. Jack had picked up an IQ test after seeing Aaron trying to disassemble a radio controlled car, turning it into a game for Aaron, revealing that he was roughly two years ahead of the average child his age. They had signed him up early for pre-school after that, wanting to give him the best they could.
Sighing, she finally let him go to class, and like every other mom dropping their child off that day, she walked out sniffling, unable to believe how fast her baby was growing up. Returning to her car, she cried for a moment, unable to believe how big he was getting on her, before collecting herself. "Time for work, "she muttered, backing out of her parking space.
She worked 25 hours a week at a small diner as part of her parole, to show she was a "functioning" member of the community. She didn't actually need the money, the Oceanic settlement had been generous to all of them, but she put her wages towards Aaron's college fund, knowing that if he was even half as persistent as his uncle, she would end up paying for medical school. Sitting at a back booth of the dinner on her lunch break 4 hours later, she found her mind drifting back to Jack, despite her best efforts to think of anything else. She was woken from her trance by her co-workers voice. "Kate, your lockers ringing!" Allison, the 17 year old cashier hollered. Running to the backroom, she picked up her phone, frowning at the number on the caller ID :
415-816-2342, she swallowed hard, a wave of fear washing over her. Steeling her voice, she answered.
"Hello?" she said icily.
"Hello, Katherine, its been a while," Ben's voice slithered through the speaker.
"What do you want Ben?" she said, her voice hard.
"I have a job for you, Katherine, one I think you'll very much want to complete," he said and she could feel his smirk.
"What reason could there possibly be for me to work for you, "she hissed back.
"Well, you have your 'son' to consider now Kate," the threat evident in his voice.
"Leave him out of this," she said, unsuccessfully trying to stop the fear in her voice.
"Where is he now Kate, at school right?... I'll be talking to you later." He said hanging up.
Her face went pale at the implication, dumping the contents of her purse out, looking for the number to the school. Finding it she dialed furiously.
"Hello, this is the reception desk at William-Parker pre-school, my name is Britney how may I help you," was the overly chipper reply she got.
Taking a labored breath, she forced her voice to come out normally "Hi, I'm sorry, my son Aaron Austen, he has a doctors appointment and I need to pull him out early from Mrs. Johnson's class," she said, her blood throbbing in her ears, almost making it impossible to hear what the lady said next.
"Good news, "Britney's overly chipper voice said over the phone, "Your husband already came by and picked him up."
"My husband?" Kate whispered, horrified, as she sunk down against the wall.
Britney's voice faltered hearing the change in Kate's voice, "Yes, he came in, all the paper work was correct….is there something wrong?" she asked petrified.
"Um…can you read me the name on the signature...there was a divorce, "she explained sloppily and lamely, realizing how strange her request sounded.
"Sure," Kate heard papers shuffling, "This is odd Mrs. Austen, I can't seem to find the sign out pad, and I swear he signed it."
Pulling the phone away from her ear in horror, she felt the room spin, and her phone slipped from her grip, breaking on the concrete ground. She shivered and trembled, knowing she could do nothing but wait for a phone call now on another line, because Ben had Aaron, and Ben could be anywhere.
I live for reviews, they can be really helpful. Review & you get more. 5 reviews (though I prefer more) and chapter 2 goes up, See you soon