Yay. Okay, a V day update. Its mildly angsty and it's a jate reunion.

Hmm…Im curious what you all think of the pacing of this story. Is it too slow? I know its not nearly as fast paced as Redemption, but then again I didn't have to build the Jate relationship from the ground up in that fic. I do promise that it is going to start getting a little faster, but I hope you guys are enjoying the more methodical/detailed chapters I think I'm delivering in this story. Would love to hear what you guys think!

Kate woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. She rolled over and groaned; it was only 3 in the morning. She frowned when she saw the called I.D; why on earth would Kevin be calling her?

"Hello?" she answered groggily, sitting up in bed, and pushing her messy hair out of her face.

"Hey Kate, sorry to wake you," Kevin's voice was loud, and the yelling in the background caused Kate to pull the phone away from her ear; apparently he was at the office.

"Is everything okay? Why are you…" Kate struggled to form the words, still half asleep.

"I uh…we picked up someone down here you may want to come pick up Kate," he said softly.

She rubbed her eyes tiredly, struggling to keep them open, "What…What are you talking about…?" she muttered groggily.

"We picked up Jack Shephard," he clarified, and Kate didn't miss the slight bitterness that crept into his voice at the name.

Her heart stopped as she shot up, finally awake, "Is he okay?" she asked quickly, her voice wavering slightly fearfully.

Kevin sighed, "Yeah…he's…" he grunted, "He's great. He's just too drunk to use the phone Kate," Kevin said accusingly.

Kate swallowed, and closed her eyes. Back when Jack had trusted her, she felt her throat tighten; he'd told her his dad was a heavy drinker. Even on their first date, he'd only had one glass of wine and water the rest of the time. He'd told her he was afraid to drink; hated how it made him feel like his father. She didn't know what would make Jack run to the bottle, but whatever it was would have to be big. She should have been there for him, she scolded herself, the guilt hitting her like a truck, a tear making its way silently down her cheek. Kevin's voice brought her back to reality; she still could be there for him she remembered, she could still show him she cared. "I'll be right down," she said quietly, preparing to hang up as she flung the covers off her bed.

"Really Kate?" Kevin challenged, and Kate sighed; she'd been afraid he wouldn't let it go, "You break up with me for passing out drunk in our own living room, but you think it's a good idea to date a alcoholic surgeon!" he hissed accusingly. "I mean…. after everything you told me about your home life," he added, his tone gentler.

Kate's jaw clenched, "For one Kev. The reason things ended between us is because you accepted a pay off," she said angrily as she flung open her closet door looking for something clean to wear.

"I did that to keep you-" Kevin started.

"I don't care why you did it!" she snapped, "You compromised everything I have spent my entire life fighting against. You compromised everything you spend every day fighting against. That's why we're over, and that has nothing to do with Jack," she hissed. "So you can mind your own damn business, and you don't get to hold my childhood over my head. And you sure as hell don't get to judge Jack right now," she added defensively, her chest tightening with guilt again as she thought of what she had put Jack through.

Kevin was silent for a long moment, "He's been asking for you," he said quietly before hanging up. Kate closed her eyes and let out a breath as she pulled the phone from her ear and threw it onto the bed.

She put her head tiredly against the door of her closet and let out a ragged breath. He'd asked for her, Kevin's words rang in her head and despite herself she felt her stomach do a little summer salt in excitement. She shook her head, pushing thoughts of her night with him from her mind. No matter what, even if he did forgive her….she felt more tears leak out from her tightly shut eyes. "He won't forgive me though," she whispered quietly to herself, her voice cracking on the words, trying to douse the spark of hope Kevin's words had ignited. Pulling on a hoodie and sweats she tried one last time to pull herself together before giving up and getting in her car.

Later: L.A.P.D County holding Area:

"Where is he? Where's Jack?" she asked breathlessly as she approached Kevin. He sighed and looked away, still upset by their phone conversation.

"Over here," Kevin muttered, walking towards the individual holding cells. Kate's breath caught in her throat as she saw him, his head resting his hands, his back arched defensively. He looked tired. His head shot up when he heard their approaching footsteps, and after a moment of shock, a glare came over his face as they settled on Kate. She swallowed hard, feeling vulnerable and guilty under his piercing gaze. "He's sobered up some since I called," Kevin warned, opening the door, "Since you paid his bail, he's free to go," Kevin said walking away angrily.

Kate entered the cell tentatively, and Jack sat back in the cell, crossing his arms over his chest as he surveyed her, his jaw clenched. "You okay?" she asked quietly.

He nodded, "Yeah….," he licked his lips his brow furrowing together, "You?" he asked finally, surprising her.

She nodded, biting her lip slightly to keep tears at bay. He stayed silent and she shifted on her feet, fiddling with the hem of her worn hoodie, suddenly wishing shed dressed a little bit nicer. "Why…um…Kevin said you were asking for me earlier…" She finally admitted, her voice wavering, trying not to let the hope and curiosity show through in the question.

He chuckled slightly and nodded, "Yeah," he ran a hand over his head, "I asked my dad about what you said," he admitted quietly, looking up at her from under his dark brow gauging her reaction.

She swallowed hard, "That's why you were drinking? He told you?" she said quietly, guilt ripping through her again.

His glare intensified, "No. He didn't tell me anything because he's innocent," he said coldly. He rose to his feet and moved closer, Kate felt her back press against the cell bars as he towered over her, his breathing heavy in his anger as he fumed. Electricity shot through her, every inch of his body hovered almost touching hers. He was so tall his breath, tinged with alcohol hit her face, and she definitely she looked up at him, determined to keep calm. Despite the memories the smell of his breath brought, and the slight involuntary shiver it caused, Kate was struck by a sudden feeling of safety. He was safe. He would never hurt her in anyway if he could help it; not like she had him she thought with another stab of guilt. A humorless smile spread across his face, as he looked down at her and he shook his head slightly. "I don't know what it was about you Kate…or whoever you are," she flinched, "But I'll admit…you got to me somehow," he chuckled bitterly again, "And you used what I'd told you about my dad against me. I don't know why but you did," he said sadly. She closed her eyes.

"Jack, I'm telling you the truth, your father-"she tried.

"Is one of the top surgeons in this country and a great man," Jack said angrily, lowering himself to her eye level. "He built himself up from nothing into one of the worlds finest surgeons. I am so lucky to have had him there to pay for medical school, to have helped me through all those things. 'Cause I'm not like him. I don't have what it takes to do it alone, he's the reason I am where I am today," he shook his head again, his mind flashing back to the many times he had heard those words spoken to him," Medicine is his entire life," his voice cracked as he thought of all the missed birthdays and piano recitals, and he shoved the thoughts away feeling guilty, "He wouldn't do it." He finished hoarsely.

Kate felt a lump grow in her throat and she reached out tentatively, taking Jacks hand in one of hers, the other reached up to his face, forcing him to look at her. He flinched at her touch in anger, but didn't try to pull away. "Yes he would Jack," she whispered sadly. He closed his eyes a moment, enjoying her closeness more then he knew he should've been, but unable to fight how right it felt to have her hand on his.

He drew a ragged breath and shook his head slightly, "No," he whispered, his eyes still closed. She watched a single tear find its way out of his eye and down his cheek as he shook his head, "He wouldn't," he finished his voice raw from the effort of controlling his emotions. She looked at him sadly. He chuckled hollowly again before he managed to pull himself from her arms. He licked his lip tentatively.

He looked towards the bleak cell wall, "You should be so easy to get over," he whispered sadly, and Kate grimaced, feeling her breathing stop. "But you're not," he finished looking back to her sadly his brow furrowed adorably. Kate felt a small tear role down her cheek.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, and shifted again, hugging herself, "You're not either," she admitted quietly.

He laughed, almost seeming genuinely amused, and Kate cringed. He would never believe her or forgive she realized sadly. You don't deserve either Kate, her mind screamed. "I know you think it was an act Jack," she said quietly, "and I know I haven't given you any reason to believe otherwise…but it wasn't. Not for a minute. I promise," she affirmed, her voice wavering.

He held her gaze for a long moment, and sighed, running a hand through his hair. Seeing the tears in her eyes, and the defensive way she held her arms around herself made it hard to breathe, and his chest hurt. He clenched his jaw, trying hard to fight the urge to put his arms around her. To make it better; to fix it for her. He shook his head slightly, "Thanks," he offered quietly, unable to bring himself to hold her even though he was dying to.

She smiled weakly, "Do you ah…do you need a ride home?" she asked tentatively.

Jack shook his head, "No I .."

"Actually, he does," Kevin said cheerfully, appearing in front of the cell startling them both.

"What?" Jack asked frowning.

Kevin smiled, "Your license is suspended because of your arrest," he shrugged.

"I was drunk but I wasn't driving," Jack fumed, moving towards Kevin, who just held up his hands.

"I didn't make the law," he casually shrugged. Jack sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before turning to Kate.

"Um…" He started shifting slightly.

Kate nodded, feeling her heart flutter, "Of course," she said not needing him to continue. "My cars out front, I'll be out in a minute okay?" she added giving him a small smile.

"Thank you," he offered sincerely before walking out of the cell.

Kate watched him leave before turning to Kevin. "If he wasn't driving, he should have his license Kev. Just because you don't like him you don't get-" She started angrily.

"Here," he said, sticking a small card out to Kate, "Take it," he offered.

Reaching her hand out tentatively, she blinked in surprise, "Why are you giving me Jacks license?" she asked suspiciously.

Kevin sighed, "Look…You were right earlier. I was out of line on the phone," he sighed, "Who you date is none of my business. If this guy makes you happy…" he waved his hand. She cocked an eyebrow still confused, "You said you guys were having a rough time, I figured ya know, I accidently lost his file already so there's no case against him but he doesn't know that," he shifted on his feet, "Bring his license to him in a day or two, say you took care of his arrest. He'll be grateful and…" he shrugged, "Just consider it my olive branch okay?" he added with a smile.

"Thank you Kev." She said sincerely, putting her license in her pocket. She stood next to him for a moment unsure of what to say, "I uh…Jacks waiting," she gestured towards the parking lot and started out of the holding cell.

He caught her wrist. "And when you're ready to admit you and I should be together, I'll be right here," he added.

She closed her eyes in exasperation, "Kevin. It's over between us. It's been over between us. I appreciate what you're doing for me but…" she shook her head, "I'm sorry," she added, pulling her wrist free.

Kevin sighed, "IN nearly 15 years on the force I've never seen a blood alchohal level as high as his Kate. At least not on anyone I haven't had to call a body bag for. This isn't the first time he's hit the bottle Kate. You have to hit it pretty damn hard to get a number that high and live to brag. It takes a lot of practice and a damn good gene pool. So I'll be right here Kate when you realize what you're doing. Have a nice night," he added angrily, leaving her.

Kate closed her eyes to stop more tears, more confused then before as to why Jack was drinking; she needed to talk to him about that. She shivered, he could hate her all he wanted, but she wouldn't let him do that to himself. He was too good to become like his father; like her father.

Kate shook her head and watched as Kevin returned to his desk. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair; unsure of what else she could say to Kevin to make her feelings about him-or lack thereof-any clearer. She turned her head towards the parking lot and sighed again. She didn't know what to say to Jack either-and that was going to be harder, because she knew she did have to find a way to make her feelings clearer to him. She just didn't think he'd believe her.

Yay! Jate conversation in the next chapter. And thank gosh ! no more Kevin for a few chaps. I was getting sick of writing him lol (and don't worry, Kate is never going back to Kevin I will tell you that right now-I think we have enough mainstream problems with geometic shapes don't you guys lol)

Next chap: I think its going to be my stories Flash back chapter. The flashes were alluded to here in this chap, so if you can figure it out....feel free to speculate, love to hear what you think. (i think you'll be able to figure it out lol)

8 reviews and you know what happens-and thank you guys, the response to this fic has been stellar (though, please if i'm on your story alert and you aren't reviewing, drop me a review, I love to hear from new and old fans of this fic alike!)