Chapter 4:

It was nearly six o'clock by the time Jack pulled up in front of the Callis home. He had decided it would probably be better to arrive early – after all, he was a doctor, and doctors ought to be punctual. It was a good thing he wasn't late – if he had arrived in about 2 minutes, there would be no where to park at all.

Jack carefully steered his car to the side of the road, and turned off the engine. The keys, he stowed in his pocket of his new jacket, which he had purchased during this afternoon's spur of the moment shopping trip. Along with it, he also wore a new button up shirt, dress pants, and shoes. He looked rather dashing, in his opinion. Probably the best he'd had in a while – Mandy sure seemed to think so. On the contrary she looked shocked when Jack showed up with his purchases. Oh yes, Jack was quite pleased with himself.

As he headed to the front door, Jack got a chance to examine the house. It was rather large for one man – although, it could be possible that his fiancé was living with him. Even still, the house was extravagant. 'But,' he reasoned to himself as he rapped smartly on the front door. 'Some people just need more room."

The door swung open to reveal Kevin, who appeared to be having a rather good time. "Doctor Shepard!" He greeted brightly, ushering him inside. "I'm glad you could come!"

"Thank you," Jack replied to his host, eyes sweeping the front hall. There were quite a few people here, none of them who he recognized. But the again, who was he to know anyone? All he was, was the doctor who treated Kevin's mother. Not very important.

Kevin seemed to think otherwise though. He guided Jack by the arm through the crowds, introducing him to anyone and everyone. As he did so, he chatted amiably, not noticed the dazed expression on Jack's face.

Finally, Jack had met everyone in the room, save for a man standing by the punch bowl. As expected, Kevin immediately led him over. "Max, there's someone here I'd like you to meet. This here's Dr. Shepard – he treated my mum at the hospital." He gestured to Jack, reciting the exact thing he'd said to everyone else.

"Hi there," Jack forced a smile and shook Max's hand. Max merely nodded.

"This is the best man," Kevin stated, as if it were important to the conversation.

"Oh, yeah?" He replied, trying to sound interested. It's not that Kevin was being a bore, it was that Jack had no wish to know who everyone was, or everything about them.

Kevin turned to Max and began to speak. "I was hoping to introduce Jack to.." Who exactly Kevin wished Jack to meet, he couldn't hear – a loud song began to play on the radio, drowning out his words. However, it was obvious that Max didn't know where this person was – he shook his head, and then shrugged.

Kevin looked crestfallen, but shook it off. Jack on the other hand, took the opportunity to excuse himself before he was swept off to meet someone else. Jerking his thumb in what he hoped was the direction of the bathroom; he hurried away up the stairs, leaving Max and Kevin alone.

The music was a lot quieter on the second floor, allowing Jack to think. Why had he even bothered to come to the party? He must have been able to assume it would be a total waste of time. After all, he knew no one, and that was how he liked things to be. Jack only interacted with people he had to. Ever since he left the island at least.

With a heavy sigh, he turned a corner sharply. He collided with something solid, and with a flash of chestnut curls, he found himself sprawled on the ground. Jack squeezed his eyes shut, trying to ignore the throbbing in his shin. He was surprised when a voice very close to his ear, muttered, "I'm sorry."

He sprung up, towering over the person. "No, it was my fault. I should have looked where I was going." A glance downwards told him he had walked into a woman. Her face was covered by a curtain of coffee coloured curls as she examined her knee carefully. His stomach clenched in realization. It couldn't be her, not here, and not now. Turning his back on her abruptly, he prepared to leave before she recognized him. "If you'll excuse me."

Too late.

"Jack?"

---

Author's Note:
Bleh, not so good of a chapter. I wasn't feeling particularly into it while on vacation, but I wanted to have one done for you when I got back. Which I am now. As always, review are loved. Thanks!