Hey Everyone! So excited.. This is my first fanfic that's not sci-fi/adventure type writing.. Reading the amazing stories on this site has turned me into such a sap, I had to give the romance writing a try. I'm so glad I did.. As I write this story I am crying tears of happiness (ok, a little exageration) but seriously, I am experiencing chills as I write this, I feel so inspired and the meaning behind this short and sweet story is so powerful.. I'm thinking 2-4 chapters..Please, comments are welcome! Enjoy! -bobt

-Chapter 1-
Inside the Church

Christian Shephard opens the doors to the foyer, allowing the light to overtake the church. It's extremely bright; what would otherwise be blinding, somehow enhances their vision in this extraordinary place. Most of them stand from the pews and begin leaving toward the light; Jack and Kate remain seated to further enjoy the moment.

Jack tightens his grasp on her hand; she smiles back, her soul fulfilled at last for finally being next to the man she loves. He looks down and presses his hand against his chest, then uses his fingers to poke his shoulders and arms.

"It's real, Jack," she says, taking his hand and placing it against her cheek.

"I know, but, how can it"

"Shhhhhhhh be still." She kisses his hand and places it back on his lap. Jack stubbornly feels his leg, then presses his chest again.

"I waited for you, Jack. I believed everyday, for years, that you somehow survived and would someday show up at my door."

Tell me I'm gonna see you again. For Jack, it was only moments ago that he heard those final fateful words. He remembers that last kiss goodbye on the cliff after not responding. "I didn't want to give you false hope of ever seeing me again," he says, shaking his head. "I didn't say yes, Kate."

"I know. But you didn't say no either," Kate replies, looking away but still holding his hand.

Jack pulls at her hand until she looks back at him. "So, you never met anyone else?"

"If I did, then he would be in the church, wouldn't he?"

Jack places his fingers to his brow, like he typically does when he's confused. "You were alone, for the rest of your life?"

"Not always. Claire and Aaron became like family to me."

"That's nice." Jack looks away and laughs nervously. "But that's not what I'm asking."

"Ok," she smiles, looking away with a blush. "There were a few others, but nothing serious. There was nobody like you, Jack."

Jack stands and looks forward, staring at the symbolic arrangement of cross and stained glass. The thought of Kate waiting for him for all those years burdens his heart. Surely, Jack died a hero's death; he paid the ultimate price for saving his friends and the Island. But Kate also paid the price in missing Jack the entire life he died to give her, and for that, Jack is left feeling the least bit heroic.

He steps closer to the front of the church, staring blankly at the crucifix hanging from the ceiling. Kate follows from behind, then looks back to the light emanating from the open doors. The rest of the couples stand at the back, waiting patiently for Jack and Kate to join them.

"Everyone's waiting for us," she says. "Let's go Jack. It's time to move on." She tugs his arm, but Jack doesn't budge. "What's wrong?" she asks.

"I can't move on, Kate."

Their friends realize they're not coming, and walk back up the aisle to join them at the front pew. "What's goin' on, Doc?" asks Sawyer.

"I have to go back," he says, continuing his stare at the crucifix.

John Locke looks over to Sawyer, and subtly shakes his head. Even Locke understands their purposes for going back to the Island have been fulfilled.

"Are you crazy!" Kate asks, her voice louder than appropriate for being inside a church. "You want to go back? To the Island?"

"No Kate," he says, turning his gaze from the cross to her eyes. "I want to go back to you."

(to be continued!)