He didn't think he'd ever hear from her again. But that fateful day when Sayid was rummaging through the fridge the phone rang. Jack answered. She asked for him, her voice full of fear. Jack had told her he was there and she had broken out into tears. She needed a place to stay, just for a while. Jack had agreed.
Kate walked up the steps to their apartment. She stopped in the door way and took a big breath. She breathed out opened the glass door. She looked down the list. Shephard one read, room 105. Kate punched in the numbers, her hand was shaking.
"Hello?"
"Its me." Kate responded. There was a beep and Kate opened the door. Kate walked up the steps. Her shoulder bag was the only luggage she had. She got to room 105 and knocked. She heard a T.V. going but then it turned off. The door opened.
There was Jack. Kate smiled at him shyly. She saw Sayid as well. Suddenly a large dog came barking forward and nearly jumped on Kate. Kate gasped and jumped back. Sayid grabbed the dog's collar and pulled it back inside. Kate giggled nervously.
"Sorry, she's protective of us." Jack joked. Kate nodded. She came forward. Jack took her bag and set it down on the floor. She came in looked around the apartment.
It was filthy. There was clothing on the ground, plates left out, a movie and DVDs lain carelessly about the room. Kate turned away from the mess and hugged Jack tightly. Jack chuckled and hugged her back. Kate held him for a few moments longer then necessary. Jack rubbed her back gently and she let go.
Kate hugged Sayid as well but not as tightly and let go sooner. She glanced at the dog sitting in the corner growling at her. Kate chuckled nervously. "Thanks for letting me stay." Kate said sweetly. Jack smiled.
"Anything for a friend." Sayid brushed off. "How about a shower? Would you like one?" He asked. Kate nodded eagerly. "Great, mine is being painted so you need to use Jack's." Sayid explained to her. Kate nodded and smiled.
Jack lead her into his bedroom. It was a bit cleaner and so was his washroom. He gave Kate a few towels and got the water started for her. He left the powder blue bathroom and was about to leave the bedroom as well when Kate called him back. Jack stopped and turned.
"Thanks again, Jack, really." Kate said. Jack smiled.
"No problem, Kate."
Kate turned and shut the door. She took off her clothing and stepped into the shower. She nearly moaned when the water made contact with her skin. She hadn't showered in a long time. Kate stood under the water, thinking about where she needed to go after here when suddenly something occurred to her. Jack was single! Jack was bachelor for god's sakes! He probably had young women coming to his apartment all the time. Kate froze while she shampooed her hair. Did Jack have women in this shower all the time? Jack was a young, single, attractive, doctor there was no reason he wouldn't have women in his shower. But she doubted Jack was a player. Kate leaned against the wall but in agony came off it when she realized Jack may have had a girl pressed against that shower only last night. Kate nearly hit her self.
Kate, you twit head!!! She scolded her self. Jack just wouldn't let you come over and sleep on his couch if he was bringing women in and out all the time. Sure, he's single as far as you know but that doesn't mean he's screwing women senseless in the shower every night and not calling them the next day! Jack doesn't have sex on first date, Jack doesn't have sex unless he knows the women, and loves her…doesn't he?!?!
Kate had her self in a mess. She breathed in and out and finally stepped out of the shower. She wrapped a towel around her body and realized she had no clothing. Kate dried her self off slightly and then snuck through Jacks bedroom and popped her head out the door.
Sayid and Jack where sitting on the couch with the dog. The dog growled at her. "Ummm…I need something to wear…there's something in my bag." She said. Sayid grabbed it and rummaged through, glancing up at Jack once, it till he found some pajamas and clean underwear for her. He handed it to Kate who disappeared back into the bedroom
Sayid looked at Jack and grinned. Jack grinned back. "What so amusing?" Jack asked. Sayid rolled his eyes.
"Found lots of her panties and bras in there." He chuckled and Jack rolled his eyes also. Kate came out with a towel rapped around her head.
Jacks eyes scanned her body. She was wearing plaid purple and pink pajama bottoms with a brown tank top. She came forward but stopped when the dog started to growl again.
"Quit it, Megan!" Jack snapped and shooed the dog off the couch. Kate giggled and sat down on the right of Sayid. She leaned forward to see both of them.
"I hope I'm not causing any…um…intrusions or anything…" Kate trailed off.
"Of course not, Kate." Sayid said gently.
"But if you bring a girl home and she sees me sleeping in on the couch won't she be put out?" Kate asked frowning. Jack and Sayid shared a glance. Sayid knew what this was about but Jack didn't. Sayid knew this was about the relationship blossoming between Jack and Kate and Kate's curiosity for Jacks status.
"First of all, Kate, you're sleeping in my bed." Jack explained. "And secondly, Sayid is currently trying to find an old sweetheart and I'm single and not looking." He said.
Kate didn't know if she should be happy or sad. If Jack was single that was good, because he was open for her but open to other women, but he said he wasn't looking so that meant all girls where out didn't it?
Kate was planning on telling Jack how she felt the day they had been rescued. She panicked and despite Jacks beg for her to not to run, she did. Now she was still on the run and wanted to be with the man she loved, and that meant being with Jack.
"I'm sleeping in your bed?" Kate asked, shocked.
"Yes." Jack said nodding. Kate shook her head back.
"No, Jack, you live here, that's your bed."
"Kate, you're the guest, I insist."
"Well, I insist to, Jack! Really, I'll be in the way enough as it is!" Kate raised her voice.
"The answer is no, Kate! You've been on the run, the pull out bed is horrible, you deserve a good bed!" Jack told her firmly. Kate stood up.
"No, Jack!" Kate exclaimed. Jack stood up. They where trapped between the couch, and coffee table. The T.V. sat just beyond the table. Sayid sat awkwardly between the two people.
"What's the matter with you, Kate? Why is it so hard?" He demanded.
Because of how I feel…
"Its not that…" Kate started when suddenly Megan began to bark madly and jumped at her, teeth bared. Kate screamed and flung her self at Jack. Jack wrapped his arms around her and spun her away so his back was to her. Luckily, Sayid stopped her and sent her away. He stood behind Jack nervously.
Kate stood shaking in Jacks arms. She looked up at Jack who was looking down at her in concern. "Are you alright?" He asked. Kate nodded, taking a big gulp. Jack nodded and smiled. He kissed her forehead gently and Kate closed her eyes, loving the feel of his rough lips against her soft skin. Kate sighed happily.
"Please, Kate?" Jack asked looking her in the eyes. "You need a nice place to sleep after being on the run." Kate studied his eyes. His big brown eyes held concern and compassion and love? Kate didn't have time to think about it when all of a sudden Megan came charging around the table and Kate, baring her teeth and growling.
"Jack!" Kate exclaimed as Megan jumped onto Kate's back, knocking her and Jack onto the couch. Jack landed with a thud and broke Kate's fall. Sayid grabbed Megan's collar then picked her up and roughly pushed her into his bedroom. Kate buried her head into Jacks chest, tears where about to spill from her eyes because of the scare.
"Kate?" Jack asked. Kate looked up and Jack saw the tears. "Oh, Kate…" He said. "Megan's not all that bad I promise. She doesn't like strangers." Kate nodded.
"I want to go to bed, Jack." Kate said softly. Jack nodded. He scooped her up in his arms and, much to Kate's delight, carried her off to bed. He laid her down in the navy blue bed. The wall was blue and there was clothing littering the floor. The room seemed dark and masculine. Jack kissed her forehead.
"I'll wake you for dinner." Jack said and left.
Kate lay awake, excited about dinner and happy about her closeness with Jack but terrified by the dog. She also wasn't pleased that she had acted to helpless when she was scared but liked his protectiveness over her. Kate sighed and rolled onto her stomach, pulled the covers over her head and closed her eyes, falling asleep to Jacks scent.
Next time - Does Jack tell Kate how he feels? And if he does, how will she responde? And what is Jack's secret?
