Hey guys! After the terrible incident in 24, where both tony and michelle were killed off, I lost all motivation to continue writing my first ever fic "hazy shade of autumn". But the mourning period is over, and with lost being the best tv show EVER, and Jate being the best couple ive ever shipped, the author in me has returned! So without further ado, I present you with my second fanfic, I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to review on the way out ;)
I'd also like to thank the coppies for inspiration, for helping me to think of a title and for answering my questions!
Disclaimer: as much as id like to, I don't own ABC, Lost or any of the characters. Please don't sue, ive got no money to give!
Kate approached the black stallion with care. His ears flickered as she reached out to touch him, but showed no other signs of alarm. Soon Kate was stroking his nose, delighted with the progress.
"There's a good boy… " She murmured into the horses ears, as if he needed reassurance. "See I'm not going to hurt you"
She longed to ride him, to feel the wind rush past her, and to feel free. As a young child and especially during her teenage years she had always loved to ride, it was something she had found herself to be naturally skilled at. It had been the only activity that she wanted and needed to do alone, with the only the horse as company, because she felt that if other people were riding with her, including Tom, the moment would be lost.
As if the stallion read her mind, he stepped closer to a rotting stump, as if to invite her on to his soft back. She hesitated, as she had never ridden bareback before, but heart won the battle over head, she clambered onto the log, before gently sliding up onto the horses back. Both girl and horse stood silently for a few minutes, Kate holding on to its mane rather tightly, just incase its got scared and attempted to buck her off. But when no such thing occurred, She got a little braver, and with a click of her tongue, setting the horse off into a trot.
Set in deep concentration, she didn't notice Jack watching her in awe from behind a tree. Entranced by the aura of the situation, he followed Kate from afar, not wishing to disturb them. He watched her find her rhythm with the Stallion, amazed how quickly they seemed to flow as one.
Kate directed them to an open clearing, still unaware that she was being watched. Finally through the trees she pushed the horse into a canter, and after making sure she was gripping tightly enough with her legs, let go of the black mane, throwing her arms vicariously out above her. She felt like she was flying, the horse was light and soft on his feet. After circling the clearing a few times she grabbed his mane again, and urged the stallion to go in full gallop.
Jack watched on with mixed emotion. She looked so beautiful, hair streaming behind her, laughing to her self, and looking half wild, as if she hadn't ever known the confines of civilization. He loved that about her, hell he loved all of her, but her need for freedom left him heartbroken, for he knew that anyone with such a untamed spirit could never be satisfied with staying in one place, even settling down with a person, like himself. No she would get restless with that sort of life, and who was he to try and cage such a beautiful creature?
Suddenly, the horse came to a halt throwing Kate off in the process. She hit the ground hard, the force forcing her to roll over a couple of times before coming to a standstill and laying there motionlessly on her back. Then, without warning, the black stallion reared in panic over her, nearly trampling her, and bolted in the opposite direction, straight at Jack. The man leapt out of the way just in time, and the horse thundered past him, before leaping over shrubbery and disappearing from sight.
Natural instincts motioned into gear, and Jack found himself sprinting, in a blind panic, to where Kate had fallen. Even from where he had been standing he could see she was injured and sensed something was wrong, as she was still lying on the ground, and silently prayed that she hadn't broken anything, especially her spine, on the fall down. He maybe a surgeon, but without the right equipment, he was rendered useless. Dropping down to his knees next to her, he shook Kate gently, and was relieved to see her that her eyes were open.
"Kate? Are you all right?" he asked, concern leaking into his professional tone.
"Eugh … think so... except my shoulder kinda hurts" she winced as she tried to push herself up into sitting position.
"Here, let me take a look" Jack requested gently, moving around to the back of her. He drew breath has he discovered a long, deep, fierce gash through her now ripped t-shirt, and tentatively pushed the blood-soaked top up to properly assess the damage.
"It looks nasty, looks like we're gunna have to go back to camp so I can treat it properly" he told her "Kate, what the hell were you thinking, jumping onto the back of a wild horse?"
"I- its not wild" she mumbled. "I've met it before, away from the island"
"Its not wild? That's the best you can come up with? Jesus Kate, you could have been seriously injured" he snapped, his anger rising, "what are you trying to do? Get yourself KILLED? You have got to stop being so reckless"
He saw the look of hurt flicker across her and stood up abruptly, offering his hand to pull her to her feet. She grabbed it and started to heave herself from the ground, but collapsed back down, colour draining out of her visage.
" I-I don't feel so good Jack" she managed to whisper, before the depths of blackness swarmed around her and she spiraled into unconsciousness.