This is my first Lost story, an AU because I need a break from the mythology and complication of the show at the moment, that being said YAY for all of the Jate moments recently :D!!

Summary: Kate and Jack meet through different circumstances, the Island never happened, definitely a Jate story although there will be other cast appearances.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I'm too poor so please don't sue me ;)

If you like it PLEASE review, there's no motivation to write if you feel that nobody is reading your work.

What the Heart Wants

Kate sighed as she ran her hand across her forehead, massaging it lightly trying to stave off the impending headache she knew would plague her for the rest of the day. She glanced at the digital numbers in the right hand corner of her computer monitor…20 minutes until her lunch break, it couldn't come soon enough. She set about completing some mundane tasks to waste time, re-organized her desk, re-read her e-mail, wrote herself a little reminder to pick up some cat food on the way home…

She jumped when the shrill tone of her desk phone filled the room and cursed the caller on the other end, why did they have to call exactly 1 minute before she was due to finish?

"Good Afternoon, Los Angeles Architecture, how may I help you?" she spoke with the expertise of answering thousands of phone calls in this manner.

"Hello, Am I speaking to Miss K. Austen?" she perked up when she herd his voice, it was strong and direct, it made a nice change from the bumbling idiots she usually got on the phone who didn't have any clue what to say, and really why they were calling…

"Speaking, how can I help?" she repeated

"I was wondering if you would be interested in a new project. I found your details on the company website and was impressed with your portfolio, I'd really appreciate it if we could perhaps meet to discuss what I have in mind?" he asked his tone was more friendly than before, she couldn't help but feel like she should accept his offer with minimal questions asked.

"Of course, what kind of project are we talking about?" she asked, ideas already racing through her mind…

"I must warn you it's rather a large undertaking; we have a budget of $500 million dollars to build a new state of the art hospital to replace St. Sebastian's" he spoke enthusiastically.

Kate's eyes nearly popped out of her head; sure she'd designed her fair share of commercial buildings in the past, but nothing of this magnitude, infact that was more Ana's forte…Ana who for the past four years had made her life a living hell, with a smirk she abruptly answered him.

"It would be my pleasure, I'm free for the rest of the day if you have time, if not we can schedule an appointment Mr….?"

"It's Dr. Shepard, and let me just check my schedule" she frowned slightly, usually it was the director of a company who enquired about her line of work, maybe he owned the hospital aswell?

"Of course" she answered, grabbing a pen from the wire mesh holder on her desk ready to scribble down the details. She waited patiently as she herd him instruct someone to cancel his 3 o'clock and re-schedule it. She smiled when she herd him coming back to the phone.

"Would 3 o'clock be convenient for you?" he asked politely

"Yes, that's fine, where am I meeting you?" she replied eagerly.

"St. Sebastian's Hospital, I'm on the 5th floor, if you ask the lady at reception to direct you to Christian Sheppard's office she'll take you to me" he instructed. She scribbled some things down quickly and smiled.

"Great, I look forward to meeting you Dr. Shepard"

"You too Miss Austen, take care" he said kindly.

She put the phone down gently; her mood greatly improved and grabbed her purse and cell phone before walking purposefully out of her office head held high. She didn't miss the scowl Ana gave her from across the room when she saw Kate emerge victorious, she'd listened in on the call, Kate would have been stupid not to recognise the tell tale echoing in the background…She chuckled slightly and waved to Ana a shit eating grin on her face…well it was nothing more than she deserved for stealing Kate's last project from her.

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Kate took a deep breath and checked herself in the mirror of the elevator, smoothing the waves of her hair down and straightening the black tank top she wore underneath a sheer sleeveless blouse ending exactly where the waistband of her black dress pants started. Summer was just beginning and she was already thankful for the air conditioning cooling her overheated skin, it was going to be a hot one this year.

The ping signifying she had reached the 5th floor snapped her from her thoughts; this is it she thought to herself as she strode confidently from the lift and straight towards the awaiting reception area.

A slightly overweight middle aged woman with golden blonde hair twisted into a neat bun sat typing furiously at a keyboard before looking up at her. Her smile was warm and Kate found herself returning it before she spoke

"Hello, I'm here to see Dr. Christian Shepard?" The woman's face took on one of recognition and surprise…

"Ooo you must be Miss. Austen?" Kate smiled and nodded waiting for her as she rounded the desk and ushered her towards the door behind her.

"Right this way" she instructed.

"Thank you" Kate said as she walked through the door that was being held open for her. They walked down a long hallway with a rich wooden panelling before reaching a door on the right. A man with grey hair looked up when the door opened and immediately stood rounding his own desk to greet them.

"Ah, Miss Austen, pleasure to meet you" he said holding out his hand for her to shake; she took it giving him a firm shake in response.

"Dr. Shepard" she acknowledged with a polite smile.

"Please" he motioned to a seat in front of his desk "Have a seat"

"Thank you"

He rounded his desk and took a seat, clasping his hands in front of him in a distinctly business-like manner. His office was nicely decorated, the walls were rich, a deep chocolate brown colour, the carpet light….behind him an entire wall of glass allowing him to overlook the city below…she liked it.

"What sort of hospital are we talking about In terms of size? Do we have a site yet, or will this one be knocked down and replaced?" she began at once, Christian laughed slightly.

"You don't waste any time I see" he said good-naturedly, opening his drawer and taking out a file he had prepared for her.

"Sorry" she replied nervously "It's just a really interesting project, I've never undertaken anything quite as….large before, I need as much information as I can get" she laughed slightly a small blush creeping across her cheeks. Maybe she shouldn't have said that? He might decide that she's not experienced enough for the job.

"No, no it's fine, here… this should cover the basics, we're a privately owned Hospital, the Director and I have each invested the money into the project with revenue from past years….aswell as some from our pockets. We've brought an area that's about to be demolished, after the new hospital is built this site will be sold and demolished, which will also contribute to the budget" he spoke confidently.

She nodded impressed with how well thought out the project was already and took the file immediately opening it to look through the details inside…she scanned through it quickly, there was a list of all the facilities that would need to be included, the number of private patient rooms, the number of beds that needed to fit into the ER, the number of offices, the number of operation theatres ect.

"This is really great" she said impressed "I'll draw up some ideas, work with what I have here and send them to you in the next 2 weeks?" she asked still reading through the file.

Christian smiled, he liked her attitude, in truth she was the third architect he'd met with about the project, and he was convinced she was the right one for the job. He'd seen a few different ideas from the others and if he was honest, he'd hated them. They were too sterile, too boxed minded, they looked too much like everything else in the city, more like skyscrapers than a Hospital.

The silence was abruptly broken when his office door was flung open a disgruntled looking man bursting through the door only to stop in his tracks when he realised he'd interrupted a meeting. Kate looked up, her breath catching in her throat….he was…gorgeous, his eyes immediately met hers and she felt a jolt of electricity run through her body.

"Uhhh, sorry…I didn't know you'd have company" he mumbled never taking his eyes of Kate. Christian shook his head, dismissing his apology.

"It's fine, Kate this is my son Jack" he spoke nodding towards him, somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she should have acknowledged his comment, but instead she was stuck starring wide eyed at him…

"Jack this is Kate, she'll be our architect for the new Hospital" he continued oblivious to their exchange. He blinked when he herd his Father address him, somewhat snapping him out of the intense gaze he held with the brunette sitting a mere metre in-front of him, he stuck his free hand out on a whim and smiled warmly at her.

"Hey" it was simple, and quiet, but it still sent shivers down her spine and caused her insides to go slightly warm and fuzzy. She flung her right hand out to him; his hands were softer than she'd expected them to be, soft and warm…

"Hi" she replied breathlessly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips, their hands lingered to the point where it would no longer be considered a polite greeting, they seemed to realise as they sheepishly let go of each other and averted their eyes. A glint caught Kate's eye and it was only then that she noticed the silver band situated on his ring finger. It was entirely foolish, but in that moment, she felt as if she'd been sucker-punched.

"Erm, I'll come back later, it was nice meeting you Kate" he said nervously. This snapped her to her senses and she looked up at him, giving him a smile and a slight wave.

"You too Jack"

He lingered for only a moment more, maintaining eye contact with her before forcing himself to walk out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him. He stood for a moment against the door, shocked, he had no idea what the hell had just happened in there…all he knew was that he didn't really want to leave, yet he'd barely spoken a sentence to her.