This is a fan fiction taking place after 2x15: Maternity Leave. Spoilers all the way up there. Might go a bit AU at some points. Jack/Kate.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter one: Trouble in what paradise?

"So… what did you find out there?" Jack asked, following Kate as she walked.

"You're talking to me now, huh?" Kate said and stopped, turning around and she looked at him.

"I asked you a question," he said politely, watching her every movement.

Kate looked down, biting her lip and then she looked away from him, taking a deep breath, trying to keep the calm between them. As she looked back at him, she shook her head lightly.

"We didn't find anything out there, Jack," she simply said as an answer.

"A wasted trip then?" Jack chuckled sarcastically, not believing what she said and he tried to make that clear but obviously she thought he believed her.

"Yeah, a wasted trip…" Kate agreed, nodding.

When she turned around to leave, Jack cleared his throat and she turned her head back to him, searching his face for an answer. Yet, his expression was blank and she had seen it before, too many times. It was the same expression as he had when she had hid the key from him. Blank yet so hurt because of the tender and not hurtful lie, as Kate had thought at least.

"It's funny, Kate, how you continue to lie to me over and over again," Jack started and as he saw that she was going to protest or explain, he held his hand up and stopped her. "So why don't you, just for once, tell me what you found," his words were soft yet strong and he clearly meant what he was saying.

She turned her whole tense body against him, keeping her head down and her eyes locked on the ground. Even though she wasn't nervous, she breathed deeply and her heart was beating fast in her chest. Why did he make her feel like this? So guilty and she never felt guilty when she lied. But he had this kind of power over her that made Kate tell him the truth.

"We found a… another bunker. Like the hatch, or rather Claire found it…" Kate started, moving her eyes up to meet his gaze. "She had been there before and she was looking for the medicine but we didn't find any," Kate stopped. She didn't feel like revealing the things about the clothes, the beard and the hat. It seemed inappropriate to involve Jack in that.

"Another bunker? Well what was in it then?" Jack asked quietly to not let anyone else hear.

"Nothing, it was empty. The others probably vacated it the moment Charlie shot Ethan," Kate said and chuckled, looking away from Jack. "And by the way, I asked you a question too. But I know the answer already," Kate snapped at him and turned around, walking away.

Her words stung like a bee in his heart and he heaved a sigh. Yes, Jack had been avoiding her for the past week, but he had his reasons. He wished though, for things to become the way they had been right after the crash.

Their closeness, their unexpected trust with each other, their talks. Jack missed it all. But did Kate? She wasn't one for closeness and trust nor talking, but with him she had seemed awfully relaxed. He had his chance now – to run after her and tell her everything, at least try to make everything right – or lose her forever. It was his choice.

Right when he was about to go after her, his thoughts - and actions – were interrupted by Ana. Always bad timing, he thought to himself, sighing.

"Trouble in paradise, huh?" Ana asked, smiling slightly.

"In what paradise?" Jack asked, starting to walk and she slowly followed him, motioning towards Kate. "Me and Kate? No, just some small things that needs to be taken care of,"

"Of course," Ana said sarcastically, still following him. "So, did she tell you what they found?" Jack stopped, dead in his tracks, making her stop too and he turned to her.

"Excuse me?" Jack asked, looking at her like she was crazy.

"Calm down, I just thought, you know… since the whole army thing that we should start sharing things we find out with each other, no biggie," Ana explained calmly, obviously affected by the way he acted now.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I did find out what they found, but I can't share it with anyone," Jack said determined as he started to walk again. "People would get to upset,"

Ana let him walk off and instead she shot Kate an evil look that made Kate frown.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What did you tell her!" Kate asked angrily as she followed Jack as he walked.

"Told who what?" Jack asked stopping and turning to face her. "Okay, what did Ana say now? 'Cause I swear to God, Kate, I did not tell her anything!" Kate looked at him which such hurt in her eyes that he couldn't take it and he looked down, heaving a sigh.

"It's the way she looks at me, like I'm in her territory!" Kate exclaimed but managed to lower her voice. "And it's not some simple 'I-own-this-island' look; it's more than that, Jack. It's a threatening look so why don't you just be honest with me, huh?" Kate said and breathed deeply.

Jack looked up, holding her gaze, keeping the silence. He had always been honest with her, he had never lied. Even when she had lied him right in the face, he hadn't been able to do the same things. Only protect her by not telling her certain things. In a short moment, Jack had made a decision and his face lightened up.

"We're going on a hike,"

To Be Continued…

Jack and Kate are going on a hike, but to where?