Forces of nature

Summary: Jack has to go back to the island with the others from the chopper, and it's forced to take Jaden with him

"Come on, pick up…pick up!" Jack paced in frustration as he dialed his mother's number

"Dad?" 5 year old Jaden eyed him curiously "what's wrong?"

"Mom?" he said, the answering machine told him what he feared the most. His mother was gone on her around the world trip.

"Daddy?" Jaden asked again. He was now in front of Jack. He just stared at his son

"What am I going to do?" he couldn't just go back to the island leaving Jaden with Sarah. Not after what had happened

"About what?" his matching eyes sparkled. Jaden had been keeping a low profile ever since he had been back with Jack. That meant trying not to make Jack upset, so he wouldn't drink

"I have to make a call" he said finally "stay in your room" Jaden rolled his eyes but did as he was told

"Mark?" Jack waited "hey man, I need your help… could you come over?" The room was then silent

"Knock, knock?" Jack opened the door "hey"

"What's all this about?" Jaden asked. He had grown more intelligent with the years .now Jack couldn't fool him

"Uncle Mark is coming over" he said avoiding the question

"What for?" Jaden stared at him and then it hit "you are going back aren't you?"

Those words were Jack's worst nightmare and him discovering the truth "I have to"

"And Kate?" he kept quiet "and Aaron?" he whispered. His father had told him the truth about his relationship with Claire and Aaron, and he had taken the mission of being Aaron's protector

"I don't know" he honestly didn't. He hoped she would. He needed it.

"And what about me?" his little boy asked. He had grown so much in the last couple years, especially after what had happened with his mom and Michael

"That's what I'm trying to figure out" his father answered "your grandma is out of town"

"Why are you doing this?" Jaden asked like Kate had done, a long time ago. He swallowed hard

"I need to do this…for us" Jack felt his throat dry "you'll be okay with Uncle Mark and Lauren" he assured him

"When will you be back?" but there was no answer. Jack couldn't bring himself to say it

"Dad?" Jaden's greater fear formed on his father's face

Chapter 1! Next: Mark comes over and Jaden has to face his greater challenge yet