Stay With Me
Rating: T
Characters: Jack/Kate
Genres: Romance/Family
Summary: Set just after the Season 1 episode "The Moth". What could have happened to the survivors, disregarding all events after the escape from the cave-in. Focusing on Jack and Kate.
Mad with relief, Kate staggered to Jack, pulling him into a tight hug. She could tell he was slightly surprised as he hugged her back, but at the moment she found she didn't shock of learning about his dangerous situation, plus the exhaustion that came with digging through solid rock for hours without rest were finally setting in, and yet all she cared about was ensuring his safety. Gently taking Jack's hand, she guided him through the crowd gathered around Charlie and led him towards a fire on the outskirts of camp. They sat down together, and realizing that his stint in the cave must have left him parched, she handed him a bottle of water from a nearby pack. Ever the doctor, he took small sips, ridding his throat of dust. Kate smirked at him, knowing that if she were in his situation she would be guzzling the water like there was no tomorrow. Or at least, she would be until he advised her against it. She would listen to him, because despite only knowing him for about a week, she trusted him. This was a strange realization for Kate, as she rarely trusted anyone. Yet she had observed this man's behavior over the past several days, and he had done nothing to merit her distrust. Yet. Perhaps this was why she had been so afraid for him when Sawyer first alerted her of his predicament. Because Jack was the only man in her life who hadn't let her down. Kate hoped it would stay that way.
Jack watched Kate as she watched him. Murmuring his thanks, he accepted the water she offered and poured some in his mouth, spilling a little on his face and neck in the process. He cursed his shaking hands as Kate smirked at him. She calmly wiped the water away, then took his hands in hers in an attempt to still them. A little surprised at this sudden display of affection, Jack glanced up at Kate's face. She, however, didn't seem to be aware of what she was doing. She seemed to be contemplating something. Shaking his head slightly, Jack pulled her out of her reverie.
"Kate," he said softly. Her head snapped up at the sound of her name, and she blushed slightly upon realizing that she had zoned out. She started to pull her hands away, but Jack kept them wrapped in his.
"I just wanted to say thanks," he continued.
'For what?" Kate asked. "I didn't save you. I didn't even get close. If there's someone you should be thanking, it's Charlie."
"I did. Several times." His mouth pulled up into a half-smile. "But you tried to save me. That means a lot. You know, to have someone… care for you enough to do that. That's what I wanted to say thanks for."
"Oh." That was all she could say for the time being. It was true, she did care for Jack, but she hadn't exactly planned on revealing that information anytime soon, if ever. She had to focus on getting off the island and disappearing once again. She didn't want to form any bonds with anyone on the island, because when they were rescued she knew she would have to go on the run again. Prison was not something she could take. She would not lose her freedom because she was saying goodbye to a friend.
Then she recalled the pilot's words before he was killed by the mysterious monster of the jungle. "We were a thousand miles off course… They're searching in the wrong place." What if they never got rescued? She didn't want to condemn herself to a life of solitude, as Sawyer seemed bent on doing. Perhaps it would be in her best interests to form friendships among the surviving passengers of her marooned flight. In fact, this kind young doctor seemed like a good place to start.
Kate looked up at Jack. He noticed something in her eyes, a sparkle, as if she had reached a conclusion of some kind. Shaking his head again, he wondered how these thoughts worked their way into his mind. He stood up.
"Just where do you think you're going, mister?" She asked playfully. "You just survived a near death experience. You've got to have injuries of some kind."
"What, do you wish for me to be hurt?" He shot back, his grin evident in his voice. "Oh, I get it. This is about power, isn't it? You're setting yourself up to become Queen of our little island here, aren't you? And now you're picking off the competition. If I have to go first, who's next? Locke? Sayid?"
She rolled her eyes at his banter, but the sparkle was still evident in her gaze.
"Shut up and sit down, wise guy." She commanded. "Now, where's your 'medical bag'?"
He pointed it out a few feet away. As she returned with the backpack containing Band-Aids and rubbing alcohol, he continued.
"You're going to saw my arm off, aren't you?" He stated, in all seriousness. She giggled, and sat down next to him.
"Only if you're not a cooperative patient."
"Well, in that case." He became motionless as she began cleaning the small cuts and scrapes he had sustained from his ordeal. He closed his eyes as she moved to his face. Inexplicably, his breath hitched as she worked along his jaw line. All to soon, she pulled away. He quickly opened his eyes, hoping he hadn't scared her off. Yet there she was, pouring a bit of water over her hands to clean them.
"Thanks." He whispered.
"No problem." She muttered back. She stood to leave.
"I'd better get back to the beach with the others." She avoided his eyes, knowing she had brought up the sensitive subject of their disagreement about living arrangements.
"Wait." Jack grabbed her hand before she could leave.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Stay with me."