Chapter 10: Lack of Changes

"It went that badly?" Jack inquired. He felt bad for causing even more problems between Kate and Sawyer, but another part of him wanted to laugh at Sawyer.

"It was pretty bad," Kate said with a small laugh, "He wouldn't talk to me all night. But at least he slept on the couch this time, that thing is not to comfortable at all."

"I'm sorry," Jack, said softly, "Maybe Claire was right, maybe I am complicating things."

"Don't be silly," Kate said firmly, "Just because Sawyer can't handle the fact that were friends, doesn't mean we have to suffer. Plus Claire called me and apologized for doing it, she said she had a temporary lapse of judgment."

"Really?" asked Jack. He was not sure what he thought of Claire's apologize, sounded to him like she had a lot of guilt about doing what she did, Jack couldn't blame her, she had made things between Kate and Sawyer far more worse then he did.

"Yes," answered Kate bending down so she could rearrange Delilah's leash.

She and Jack continued to walk through the park, if anyone stared and watched them, they would think that they were a happily married couple. The way they looked at each other when the other looked away… there was a light around them. They seemed to be the two happiest people on earth, they were in their own little world and nothing could destroy it.

"But I think she was just feeling guilty," Kate said almost reading Jack's thoughts, "But I accepted it, she is kind of my Maid of Honor."

"Why kind of?" he asked as Delilah attempted to bit the cuff of his blue jeans and hold on for dear life.

"Well," Kate's face was turning a light shade of pink, "Because Sawyer doesn't have a best man or a groomsmen at all for that matter, I don't get to have any bridesmaids. I really don't expect too many people to show up to the wedding actually. Neither of us have a family and only I have friends."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Jack said uncomfortably, "It doesn't really matter how many people show up or who is in the wedding. The only thing that matters is that both of you are there, I suppose."

"You always make everything better Jack," Kate said happily beaming up at him, "What would I do without you?"

"Oh I don't know, probably die," said Jack with a small laugh. He looked up at the sky just in time for one huge crash of thunder, that sent Delilah into a barking fit, the rain came immediately afterwards, huge dime sized drops fell from the sky, instantly soaking anyone. Jack grabbed Kate's hand and started to pull her towards the houses nearby, "I live right over there, let's get out of the ran."

Kate put Delilah down on the terra-cota tile that covered the entry of Jack's Spanish style home. Once inside Kate could see that it wasn't huge, but a lot bigger then the apartment she shared with Sawyer. Off the main living room, kitchen, and dining room were three small hallways. Jack informed her that each of them led off to the three separate wings for each of the men.

"Are they home?" asked Kate as Jack handed her a towel. He stood there and watched as she bent down and dried off her puppy and then herself, "I haven't seen them since Jin and Sun's dinner."

"Hurley should be home within the hour," Jack said checking the time on the microwave, "Please make yourself at home."

Kate took a seat at the island that was in the middle of the kitchen. Everything in the house stayed in touch with its Spanish roots. Kate rested her hands on the granite counter top as she watched Delilah explore the new surroundings. Finally the puppy curled up on the living room rug and fell asleep.

"She must like it here," Kate said, "She is very particular on where she sleeps."

"Well I am glad she is comfortable," said Jack placing a mug of hot chocolate in front of Kate. Kate spoke a soft thank you and took a drink. "Can I get you anything to eat?"

Kate shook her head, "No. I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" asked Jack, "I swear I am not that bad of a cook…I won't make you meatloaf, I think we both had enough of that when you brought it for lunch."

"Yeah," Kate laughed, "That was a bit of a disaster."

"So what do you want?" asked Jack opening the pantry doors.

"Anything you feel like making," said Kate, "It doesn't matter to me, I am a sucker for anything home cooked and hot."

"Okay…"

"Spongebob Mac and cheese," Kate said laughing. "I love it."

"Not up to my usual standards," Jack said sitting down next to her, "But it's hot and cheesy."

"Perfect," Kate said eating a big spoonful. On any other occasion, this would be absolutely disgusting, but right now it was perfect. Kate remembered the girls she went to high school with, they were afraid to eat in front of a guy. What if he thought she was a pig? What if he thought her eating skills made her prissy? Kate laughed in the thought of them. If Jack wanted to study the way she was eating this macaroni and cheese, he would think she was disgusting. "God I was hungry."

"I can tell," Jack said clearing away their empty bowls, "You know what I like about you?"

"What?" asked Kate perplexed.

"You are the same person you were on the island," Jack said standing in front of her. "Unlike some of the other people… some of the them have changed. Maybe they returned to their old selves, but it is kind of sad. Some people I barely recognize, like Claire…"

"Like Sawyer," Kate said sadly. "But you haven't changed that much either…"

"That much?" asked Jack softly.

"I like you more now," Kate said delicately. She stood up, she was so close to Jack now; she was getting lost in his presence. She looked up at him, their eyes locked, before she knew what she was doing, her hand was on the side of his face, she was holding him there in front of her, "Jack…"

Her word was ending by the sudden kiss. He was not forcing his lips onto hers, he was gently and loving. He waited for her to kiss him back. Kate kissed him back almost immediately, it seemed like she had been waiting her whole life for this kiss. The kitchen disappeared from around them, it was only she and Jack, he kissed her again and again, she accepted them; he was gently holding the sides of her neck now. Everything was a blur; they seemed to be spinning in their own universe. But as quickly as it happened, it was over. She had pulled away from him. Not to far away, just their lips parted. They were still holding each other, eyes still closed.

"I should go," Kate said softly.

"That's a good idea," Jack said honestly. With all of his heart and soul he did not want her to leave, but his head new that she had too.

"What do you think of this?" asked Kate as she searched through the racks and racks of wedding dresses. She was now holding out a floor length strapless gown. It was simple, off-white, and with no other embellishments.

"Don't you want something fancier?" asked Claire, "Like a Cinderella dress? This is your wedding day after all!"

"I don't feel much like a Cinderella," Kate admitted. She could now say with complete honesty that she was no longer the same person. The kisses that she had shared with Jack had turned her world upside down. She felt confused and ashamed. She didn't tell Claire about the encounter… she tried not to think about it, but if she didn't, she would dream about it. She didn't know which was worse, "I think something simple would be best."

"But how about a little beading," said Claire, "Just something to make it a little extra special? If you wear that one you might as well be going to your prom."

"If it wasn't for you I might end up going in some sweatpants and a t-shirt," said Kate with the slightest hint of a laugh, the first laugh since that day at Jack's. "How about this?"

"Go," said Claire pointing to the dressing room.

Kate walked out of it a minute later; Claire was nodding with approval as she circled around Kate. Kate stared at herself in the mirror; it did not look like her. That could not be her reflection staring back at her. The dress was strapless and fell to the floor and three feet behind her. It had beading across the top and around the bottom of the dress. It hugged Kate perfectly, accentuating her curves. Claire seemed to conjure a veil out of thin air. She took a hair tie and pulled Kate's hair back into a bun and then clips on the back length veil.

"I guess this is it," Kate said in a monotone voice, "This is my wedding dress."

To be continued…