I've been flirting with this idea for quite a while, and finally decided to type it up before it got completely wiped from my thought process by newer ideas.

Now it's become my latest and sole obsession, but fear not because the "fics in progress", if you guys still remember them, will be revisited at some point. I've just got to get back into my swing of writing and updating again.

Like most of my fics this one's rating might waver depending on how M rated I wanna get down the line….

CHAPTER 1

In honesty she was still in recovery from the divorce due to clearly pining for a second chance with the man she still loved, but that all went to hell "somewhat" when he announced his engagement to the new Mrs. Jack Shepard.

That was 6 months ago and there was still no set wedding date. Weirdly enough he also avoided any discussion of it in the conversations she had with him at work.

Today was different however.

He seemed agitated at just about everything and on the tenth equally agitated patient she thought enough was enough and yanked him into her office.

"What the hell…"

"What's going on Jack?" the brunette demanded, cutting straight to the point just like she always did when it was the man before her concerned.

"Nothing Dr. Austen." he scoffed, infuriating her even further with the sarcasm in his tone.

"Bull" she shot back, "you can get away with lying to anyone else but you can't with me."

Hating to admit that she was right and with knowing she wouldn't give up, he went on to tell her everything.

Anger was all she felt in regards to his revelation, yet at the same time she sympathised with the argument.

If she were in Kathy's position and aware that her Fiancé was still working with his ex-wife then she would naturally be concerned as well. As much as Kate liked to believe that she wasn't the scheming type, she couldn't deny the fact that she wanted Jack back.

However was she willing to ruin his new found happiness in the bargain?

Up until this point she believed that his relationship with Kathy was a phase. His prolonged engagement sparking renewed hope for a possible rekindling, but none of that mattered now. Seeing him so emotionally perturbed made her finally realise just how much he cared for Kathy.

"Maybe she's right Jack." Kate reluctantly admitted, surprising and confusing him at the same time.

"What?"

"I think a change of scenery, or job in this case, would be a good idea." she continued, discretely avoiding eye contact with him because then he would see it.

The fact that saying each word was breaking her heart, yet felt it was the right thing to do.

"If I can't have him then the least I can do is give him the happiness he so rightly deserves. Even if it's with someone else."

"You can't be serious about this." Jack argued, making it that much harder for Kate to maintain her resolve. However with her friendly intentions in mind, she gathered strength to make the final cut.

"I am" she replied, finally facing him with a smile, wide enough to disguise the tears.

"Besides I bet you've had enough of my constant bellowing already…." she joked, eliciting a chuckle out of him, "and as a personal favour I'll see to it that your job transfer is taken care of as well."

"You don't have to do that Kate."

"I want to…." she confirmed, making him smile and then pull her into his arms as a form of thanks. The gesture tempting to say the least, but she restrained her urges and instead embellished in the nostalgic comfort of his embrace one last time.

Staying in his arms a little longer than necessary, she pulled away before her resolve could crumble and then disguised any residual emotion with suggesting, "now get outta here and start planning that wedding of yours."

"I can't…."

"You're officially on annual leave." Kate cut him off and Jack reluctantly accepted the offer. "Boss' orders" she added, leaving him no further excuses to argue.

"Okay, I will but on one condition."

"What's that?" Kate asked, having the slightest inclination as to what was going to come next.

"That you come to the engagement party."

Bingo

She wanted to decline for the obvious reason, but in sight of the historical "Jack Shepard puppy dog stare" she relented with an, "okay".

"Thank you."

"No…." she interrupted him, taking hold of his hand in hers and not bothering to hide her tears this time, "thank you Jack. If it weren't for you then I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't…"

"Hey, no matter what happens I'll always be here for you." Jack assured her when she broke off to compose herself. Determined to make his promise heard, he cupped her face in his hands. Unaware of what his touch was doing to her and more so when he leaned in to plant a kiss upon her forehead.

"Always Kate." He whispered once he pulled away. His breath hitting the surface of her slightly trembling face and with that it was over.

He was gone.

And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you, I will always love you.