Summary: Kate watches the sun rise, but all she sees are shades of darkness.Spoilers: Up to "Two for the Road"
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Lost, etc.
A/N: I hate the way this turned out. It was hard for me to get in the Lost writing mood, but I'm already working on the next chapter. Reviews are lovely.This starts sometime after "Two for the Road."

Shades of Darkness

Prologue

She stands in the sand, watching the sun rise. Mindlessly, she brushes her hands through her long, tangled hair. She hasn't had a shower in days, and she has already begun perspiring in the heat of the day.

The sound of someone's footsteps catches her attention. Momentarily, she turns and looks to see who it is. This is her time, the morning. She likes to just be something, anything, nothing. For one small part of the day, when no one else is awake, she doesn't have to be the fugitive or Freckles or the runner. She can just be whatever she wants.

Without saying a word, she glances back at the rising sun. They've been on the island for almost two months. Over two months? She's lost track of time. After all, when there's no where to be, time stands still. And everyday, she watches the sun rise. Its brilliant colors splash across the sky, but all she sees are shades of darkness. Will they be here for another hour or another month? Will they be here forever?

--

He stares out at the ocean waves. It seems like the mornings are the only time someone isn't pestering him about a minor scratch or a headache or some other little thing. He never asked to be the leader, but he can't turn away from people in need.

No one ever asks about his needs. Even if they did, he couldn't tell them. Some people crave chocolate, and others want to sleep in a real bed. He's different though. He needs her to have his back, to keep up his own morale, to be there. He only needs her.

As he walks closer, his chest tightens. He feels as though he is underwater, struggling for air. Sometimes she lets him in, and he sees the raw pain and hurt in her eyes. That's when he feels helpless. That's when he wants to ask her about her past. But then he remembers what he told her, and he stops himself. "Three days ago, we all died. We should all be able to start over."

--

"What are you doing here?" She winces as the words leave her mouth. She didn't mean for it to sound so harsh. She sees a hurt look flash across his eyes and quickly amends her question. "I didn't mean I don't want you here, and I'm not saying I do or anything, but I thought you were still sorting things out in the hatch."

"I wanted to make sure you were okay." She smiles without realizing it. It has taken her awhile to realize the truth, but he's different. He actually cares, and for once, she cares, too.

He wants to kiss her again, be close to her again, like they were in the trap. Instead, he maintains his distance but allows a small smile to creep across his face as he watches her face light up.

"When was the last time you slept?" He shrugs. He doesn't remember, and he doesn't care.

"You didn't answer my question."

"You didn't ask one. Am I going to have to drug you again?" He chuckles softly. He wants to tell her that being near her is like taking a drug. His heart races, his skin becomes clammy, and he feels like he's flying. As soon as she's gone, he comes crashing down, back to the island, back to the people depending on him, and back to reality.

"Jack," she whispers. He glances up at her eyes. In one swift motion, he has his arms around her. He kisses her with hot, fiery kisses that leave her lips burning. His hands tug softly at her hair, and finally, they both pull away, breathing heavily. This time, he's the one who backs away a few steps.

"I'm okay, Jack." Their eyes meet, and then he knows – knows that she's not sorry, that this isn't over. She smiles and then turns back to watch the sun rise.

And for the first time, she sees the light.