Disclaimer: I disclaim…


This Romeo is bleeding
But you can't see his blood
It's nothing but some feelings
That this old dog kicked up

It's been raining since you left me
Now I'm drowning in the flood
You see I've always been a fighter
But without you I give up

Now I can't sing a love song
Like the way it's meant to be


The words of Bon Jovi flew out of the speakers and straight to Jack's ears. It had been three weeks since Kate had stormed out of their…his apartment. She could be anywhere, she could be a million miles away by now, and knowing Kate, she probably was. Kate was a runner, that much Jack knew…it hurt him to know that this time, Kate was running from him, she'd probably be half way across the country…world even; and he'd driven her there.

Jack never meant to hurt her, he never meant to doubt her…they just got caught up in the moment, and things happened – they exploded at each other. He couldn't apologise fast enough, neither could she. He remembered watching her slide down the wall, staring back at him, tears in her eyes, she'd sat on the floor, knees drawn up under her chin and she sat there screaming and crying at him for a full five minutes whilst he tried to apologise or calm her down. Eventually she'd stood up, walked over him and slammed the door in his face.

Jack felt like he was dying on the inside, she'd left his home, and taken a piece of him with her. Since that day, three weeks ago he hadn't been able to forget her. Her presence lingered there, in every corner, every inch of his apartment. He couldn't even go into his room alone, he'd lie on the bed, sheets tainted by her…he'd lie on the bed, turn his head to her side…and sometimes he'd let out a small sob, or a scream. He remembered the way her body curved around his as they slept, how her hair spread over the pillow, and how her breathing sounded as she slept peacefully beside him. He thought back to that night they finally consummated their relationship after near enough two years. The way she said his name, the way she touched him, the way she looked, the way her arms and legged wrapped around him…the way she felt – inside and out; it was all engraved in his memory, on his heart.


Well, I guess I'm not that good anymore
But baby, that's just me

And I will love you, baby - always
And I'll be there forever and a day - always
I'll be there till the stars don't shine
Till the heavens burst and
The words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you - always


The way that the song on the radio reminded him of her, he wanted to shout and hit the radio. He didn't want to remember her anymore, he just wanted to forget.

Forgetting was easier said than done. And when he says he wants to forget her, he knows it's not true, and he never wants to forget. Because it's Kate, his Kate. He simply loved her too much to let go.

Jack knew regardless; after everything that had happened over the past few weeks, he'd give anything to see her one more time. There was nothing more he wanted than to be able to hold her in his arms.

Jack couldn't stop himself from wondering whether it was just the fight, whether Kate had been hiding something inside, or whether he'd done something really bad to hurt her. If he had, just the idea of causing her so much pain tore him apart. The Kate that Jack knew…or at least, the Kate that Jack thought he knew was a fighter. Surely, she wouldn't just give up after one fight, would she? No, there had to be something else. But what?

Jack remembered; back when they were on the island:

They'd stayed awake, long after the other islanders had gone to sleep. They'd been lying on the beach, Kate's head resting on Jack's chest, as one arm was wrapped around her waist tightly and the other was running through her hair. They watched the stars until they fell asleep, not long before the sun rose.

Jack remembered Kate saying "I don't ever want to leave…here, or you. Never leave, Jack…promise you'll never leave me."

And Jack had promised, with his whole heart, and body and soul. He promised that he'd always be there; he'd always love her. Until the end of the world, he'd said.

But he couldn't love her, and he couldn't be there until the end of the world, not if she didn't let him, not if she walked out.


Now your pictures that you left behind
Are just memories of a different life
Some that made us laugh, some that made us cry
One that made you have to say goodbye
What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair
To touch your lips, to hold you near
When you say your prayers try to understand
I've made mistakes, I'm just a man

When he holds you close, when he pulls you near
When he says the words you've been needing to hear
I'll wish I was him 'cause those words are mine
To say to you till the end of time

Yeah, I will love you baby – always


Jack looked up from the floor and his gaze fell on a photo of him and Kate. Happy, they looked happy. She'd jumped on his back just as the photo was taken, and they were smiling and laughing. He remembered afterwards, she'd hung on tight, and he'd ran half way along the beach with her until they both collapsed, laughing.

What he wouldn't do to hear her laugh again…or her voice, even her footsteps would be ok. He just wanted to know that she was happy, and safe. He wanted her here, with him. He closed his eyes and hoped that when he opened them she'd be there, just having stepped out of the shower, looking as beautiful as ever.

But she wasn't there; she wasn't in the bedroom, or the kitchen, or the shower. She wasn't sitting next to him, or in his arms. She wasn't there. She was somewhere else. Without him.

Probably in some crappy motel room, or with some other guy. Someone else was probably comforting her, telling her everything would be okay. Telling her everything Jack had ever told her, and meant.

Jack looked towards the bottle of 'Jack Daniels' that had been on the side for three weeks. He'd gotten it out the night she left, but he hadn't yet gotten around to drinking it. He refused to become his father. And he knew, that if he started, he most likely wouldn't stop, because the alcohol would numb the pain, and if he drank enough it would make him forget. No, he couldn't do that to her.


And I'll be there forever and a day - always

If you told me to cry for you
I could
If you told me to die for you
I would
Take a look at my face
There's no price I won't pay
To say these words to you

Well, there ain't no luck
In these loaded dice
But baby if you give me just one more try
We can pack up our old dreams
And our old lives
We'll find a place where the sun still shines


Jack sighed as he stood and walked into the kitchen. It was time…time to try and let go. Three weeks of pain was enough, it didn't need to go on this way. And if tomorrow he decided he needed to cling on and remember for just one more day, then so be it. But now, tonight…he refused to think about Kate. Step one, would be to remove that bottle of 'Jack' one way or another.

The door bell rang, startling Jack out of his thoughts. He wasn't really in the mood to go answering any door bells, but what the hell.

He walked back into the living room to turn off the radio, but as a last minute decision just turned it down. He then crossed the room, and padded along the hall towards the door. He caught a glimpse of his appearance in the small mirror and groaned; forget not being in the mood to see anyone, or answer the door…he looked like shit. He didn't look like he should be opening any doors.

He raised his right arm, and rubbed his neck, easing out the muscle tension whilst doing so, as his left arm went to open the door. He eased back the door, and his arms dropped to his sides as he stared at the sight before him.

There she was, in all her glory, all her beauty. She was drenched from the rain, her hair damp and limp as it clung to her face. Her clothes clinging to her figure, her white over-shirt now see through, showing off the orange tank top underneath that hugged her figure and allowed Jack to see every curve.

Jack didn't want to look into her eyes, for he was sure she'd been crying. When he finally did look into her eyes he saw so many emotions; fear, nervousness, regret, even passion and love.

Her gaze shifted towards the floor, and then back up to Jack. The expression on her face almost made him fall to the floor. She looked so young, vulnerable and helpless. He didn't know why she was here, but all he knew was that he wanted to draw her into his arms, whisper words of comfort and tell her everything would be alright.

"K…Kate?" He finally stuttered, his voice sounding weak.

"Hey Jack." She said softly, and forced a small, weak smile; and Jack felt himself falling for this poor, helpless looking girl all over again.


And I will love you, baby - always
And I'll be there forever and a day - always
I'll be there till the stars don't shine
Till the heavens burst and
The words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you - always
A/N: I'm not sure on this chapter, but I thought I should include Jack's viewpoint. Next chapter, will focus more on Kate. And this is shorter than I would of liked, but hopefully the next will be a bit longer.