Ok so I know I promised Dark Jack, but my muse wasn't with me so instead you get Drunk Jack. Also this is going to seem a little non-Kate friendly but it will get better. Just an idea of who the survivors would side with it they thought Kate was with Sawyer and not Jack. This chapter is taken from the episode Outlaws. This story is rated K plus but this chapter may contain some language, alcohol consumption and definite sexual innuendo so please take caution. Also I know Charlie is a recovering addict but in this chapter I'm allowing him to get stinkin drunk.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
Jack finished organizing the meds and he wiped his sweat covered brow. He sat on the makeshift examining table and rubbed his eyes wearily. Kate was with Sawyer, she wasn't just with Sawyer but she was spending the night with Sawyer out in the jungle alone. He sighed it was like every time he made a step forward with Kate he would get knocked back three by the next day. He didn't know what it was about Kate that kept drawing him to her but he couldn't seem to stay away. And it seems now that all he ever did was get burned when it came to Kate. He thought about her for a second and then the image was quickly replaced by an image of her and Sawyer making out in the jungle. He stood up shaking his head and pacing, he needed to get out of here he needed to get away from his own thoughts. He couldn't go to the beach because everyone had decided to have a group dinner there and spend the night. The caves were empty and he might as well stay here.
Meanwhile everyone else at the camp knew that Kate was off with Sawyer and they all felt bad for Jack. He was a good guy who busted his ass for everyone and all he gets in return is crap. Things weren't going great for a couple of the guys Sayid and Shannon had a huge fight, Charlie was still bummed over everything happening with Claire and Michael was just bored out of his mind. Hurley looked around and realized his friends needed a release. He snuck down to Sawyer's tent and rooted around until he found what he wanted. He grabbed the stuff and headed down the beach.
"Charlie, Sayid and Michael, you guys need to come with me to the caves. It's really important." Hurley said. The three men looked at one another and shrugged. Not having anything to do they got up and follows Hurley. Sometime later they reached the caves to find an agitated Jack. Jack looked up as everyone walked in.
"What's wrong now?" he asked dreading the answer.
"Don't look at me man, I'm here cause Hurley said it was important." Michael said sitting on a rock. Charlie and Sayid followed suit and Charlie gave Jack a shrug.
"We're here because it is important" Hurley said setting his pack down. "We're all having a crappy time and I think it's time we get to have some fun"
"You didn't build a tennis court did you?" Charlie asked sarcastically.
Jack sighed and sat down next to Sayid. He looked at the Iraqi man who seemed miserable.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked him.
"Shannon and I had a fight" he muttered. "What's got you upset?"
Jack snorted "It seems Kate went off into the jungle to spend the night with Sawyer."
"Women" Sayid muttered which actually Jack off guard because he wasn't expecting the sarcasm from him. He smiled at his friend and gave him a nod.
"Listen up guys I think I have something we could all use." With that he pulled out several bottles of alcohol, not the little airline ones but full size. Everyone stopped and looked at him stunned.
"Where did you find those?" Michael asked getting up to look at the bottles.
"I can't get drunk" Jack muttered "The minute I do someone will get hurt and need a doctor."
"I stole them from Sawyer" Hurley said proudly.
"Screw it, I'm in" Jack said getting up.
"Look here, five bottles and five of us, it's perfect" Hurley said with a smile.
Michael reached out and grabbed the tequila and grinned at Hurley.
"What the hell" Charlie said grabbing a bottle of rum.
Jack walked up and looked at the liquor with a smile he grabbed the vodka. "Happy Days" he said raising the bottle.
"Come on Sayid" Hurley said "All the kids are doing it." Sayid eyed Hurley warily and reached out and grabbed a bottle of wine. Hurley grabbed the scotch.
"This is like Christmas" Charlie said looking at his bottle. "I can't believe this stuff has been here the whole time. Damn Sawyer"
"Shouldn't we be saving this for you Jack in case there's an emergency?" they all looked at each other "Nah"
"The way I look at it Sawyer never would have given it up anyway so drink up." Jack said with a smirk. Everyone chuckled not used to their hero and doctor being so blasé about everything.
A couple hours later
"So I said that's not a cat, that's a turtle!" Charlie said and everyone cracked up. Charlie was laying on a rock and Michael and Sayid were sitting on the floor. Hurley was passed out in the corner and Jack was lying on his back on his exam table.
"So explain something to me" Michael slurred. "Why are we mad at women again?"
"They're confusing and make no sense." Said Sayid.
"They jerk with your hearts" Charlie muttered.
"They make you think they like you and then they go off in the jungle with someone from the Jerry Springer show" Jack said bitterly.
"Yeah what the hell is that about?" Charlie asked annoyed. "Kate treats you like crap and we all know tomorrow she'll expect you to be all nice to her"
Jack snorted, "I'm sick of being nice, you know I wasn't always nice" Jack said darkly taking a swig of the alcohol.
"You? Not nice?" Michael asked skeptically.
"Nope" Jack said sitting up with some difficulty. "I was nice to my wife and she cheated on me, so I said hell with it. Back home I had a good thing. Only no-strings attached relationships." Jack gave up and lay back down.
"What does a no-strings attached mean exactly" Sayid said stumbling over his words.
"It means my friend, having a woman whenever you want and she doesn't expect anything in return. It was great half the time they wouldn't even spend the night, they didn't want to and it was perfect." Jack said taking another swig of vodka.
"Jack you surprise me more and more everyday." Michael said with a giggle.
"Yeah well that was all fine and dandy until I met Kate. I liked her so I did the gentlemanly thing I started as her friend, I took things slow. I complimented her tried to spend time getting to know her and then wham she's out there with the hillbilly doing god knows what. I mean seriously women say they want the nice guy and then when they get him they run off with the nearest asshole." Jack sputtered.
"That's crap" Charlie said "Absolute rubbish. Now granted Sayid and I will go back to following Claire and Shannon around tomorrow like love-sick puppies" Sayid nodded in agreement. "But there's no reason you should have to wait around for Kate, she made her choice let her live with it."
"I can't think of a worse punishment than having to spend your life with Sawyer" Michael mused.
Suddenly they heard giggling from Hurley in the corner, "It's not a cat it's a turtle"
Everyone sat quiet for a second and then burst into laughter.
"Yeah well what are you going to do right?" Jack asked sounding somewhat defeated.
"I'll tell you what you're going to do!" Exclaimed Charlie who clumsily stood to his feet. "You're going to let Kate know she's not the only beach on the woman." He saw the confused faces, "Damn I mean only woman on the beach. Just leave everything to me." With that he went out caves and into the jungle.
"He is so going to get eaten by a monster." Michael said.
Charlie stumbled through the jungle and ran into Boone literally. "Boone, it's you!" exclaimed Charlie.
Boone looked over the obviously drunk man. "Hey Charlie" he said with a smirk.
"Hey I have a prop…prop…I have a deal for you" Charlie slurred.
"What may that be?" asked the amused Boone.
"Jack, Sayid, Hurley, Michael and myself are becoming very well blitzed in the cave and you can come and join us on two conditions." Charlie said.
Boone wasn't entirely sold on the drinking with Sayid part but he had no problem with the rest of the guys. "Ok what?" he asked.
"Ok first you have to find your own booze but since you saw one of Sawyer's stashes that shouldn't be too hard. Second you have to go to the beach and let everyone know that Jack is over Kate." Charlie said leaning to one side as if he were going to tip over.
"Alright I know where the booze is but why about Jack?" Boone asked confused.
"Well it seems Kate has gone off to spend the night with Sawyer and Jack is left nursing his broken heart. The boys and I have all decided Jack could do better so as soon as the beach on the women, dammit I did it again. As soon as the women on the beach know, Jack will have no problem moving on."
"Uh Charlie why are you so interested in Jack's love life?" Boone asked curiously.
"He's my mate and he freaken brought me back from the dead. Not many people would do that for another person, it forms a bond" Charlie said seriously all the while trying to stand straight. "So go to it good man and we'll see you at the caves." With that Charlie wandered back towards the caves.
Boone headed to the beach and saw Shannon and Claire sitting and talking.
"Hey guys" he said walking up to them. "First you should probably know that Sayid and Charlie are getting drunk at the caves but are ok. Second I'm supposed to tell you Jack is over Kate so please spread the word so single women on the island will know."
"What?" questioned Claire. "Jack told you that?"
"No actually Charlie told me, it seems Kate is spending the night with Sawyer so Jack is crushed and also getting drunk." Boone said.
"The poor guy" Shannon said sympathetically. She liked Kate but her loyalty leaned more towards Jack because of everything he did for her when she had her asthma attack. "Yeah I'll let some of the girls know" Shannon said. Boone smiled and happily went to raid one of Sawyer's stashes so he could get to the caves.
"I can't believe her" muttered Shannon.
"Wait, are Jack and Kate dating?" asked Claire. She still hadn't regained all her memory and parts were still fuzzy.
"Well no, but they should be. Jack has done everything for her and he's the total perfect guy and she just constantly seems to stomp on his heart. But this sleeping with Sawyer, that's too much."
Soon the rumor spread that Kate was now sleeping with Sawyer and many people felt bad for Jack and many women were sad for his pain but happy because he was now available.
Back at the caves the men were getting to the point of impossibly drunk and when Boone showed up with a couple more bottles of booze they all knew they were going to be hurting in the morning. Things also got pretty crazy when rumors spread of a party and people started coming up from the beach.
The next morning
Kate and Sawyer walked back to camp and she couldn't help but feel conflicted with her emotions about the southerner. At times he drove her nuts and other times she saw herself within him and he seemed like a decent human being. She sighed she knew she was attracted to him but she didn't think it was enough. She knew deep down that her heart belonged to Jack. They were headed past the caves when they noticed Boone lying at the entrance. Thinking he was hurt they rushed over to him. Sawyer rolled him over and both he and Kate recoiled when the strong smell of alcohol hit them. Boone groaned and his eyelids fluttered.
"Turn off the freaken lights" he grumbled.
"He's wasted" Sawyer said with awe. "I can't believe it but the kid is drunk."
Boone opened his eyes and saw Kate and Sawyer looking at him. He sat up slowly holding his head, "Man the world is spinning." He stumbled to his feet and looked at them as if it was the first time he saw them. "Oh it's you" he said looking at Kate. She gave him a curious look at his tone. Suddenly he turned slightly green. "Not good" he muttered as he turned to vomit in the bushes. Kate looked slightly disgusted and Sawyer smirked. They both turned to enter the caves to see what was going on.
Needless to say they were shocked to see what looked very similar to a scene from the movie Animal House. People were all over the place and they noticed empty liquor bottles. "They had a party" Kate said.
"Doc is going to have a fit" Sawyer said chuckling.
"I'm sure once he wakes up he won't feel real hot" they turned to see Claire.
"Claire, what are you doing here?" Kate asked. "Is Jack sick?"
"Oh I'm just here picking up Charlie. Shannon and I figured he and Sayid are probably going to need a little help getting back to the beach." She sighed and rolled her eyes with a small smile. "Oh Jack's not sick, not yet anyways" she said with a wink. "Ooh here they come" They all looked to see Shannon walking with a very wiped looking Sayid and Charlie.
"Come on guys" Shannon said leading them towards the entrance.
"Must you yell" Charlie grunted. They looked up and saw Claire talking to Kate and Sawyer. Charlie nudged Sayid and they exchanged glances.
"Hello" Shannon said coolly to Sawyer and Kate.
"Hey Sticks" Sawyer said, "What the hell is going on here?"
"We decided we wanted to have some fun. Is that all right with you?" Charlie said giving Kate a dirty look.
"Charlie what's wrong?" Kate asked concerned.
"Nothing is bloody wrong, everything's great. The world isn't going to come to an end because you weren't here." Charlie said sharply. Kate's eyes widened slightly.
"Ignore him" Claire said nervously. "He's just hung over."
"Um, ok have any of you seen Jack?" Kate asked looking around.
"Last time I saw him he was passed out but I think Niki was working on reviving him" Shannon said with a smirk.
"Niki?" Kate asked processing the thought that Jack was passed out somewhere and some girl named Niki was reviving him.
"Yeah Niki." Charlie said, "She won the wet t-shirt contest." He said with a dreamy expression that earned him a slap upset the head by Claire.
"That's it we're going to the beach and you aren't allowed to play with your little friends for awhile." said Claire leading Charlie out of the caves, they were followed by Shannon and Sayid.
"I behaved" they heard Sayid say.
Kate gave Sawyer a confused look and he just shrugged. They headed into the caves where they saw some people gathering their things. Everyone seemed to be pretty hung over. Kate looked around and saw Hurly asleep in the corner. She couldn't seem to find Jack though,
Jack was actually on the floor behind a rock. He opened his eyes and waited for the painful sting of the hangover to hit. When he felt perfectly fine he sat up and saw Michael heading towards him very slowly. Michael cringed as he sat on the rock fast movements were the enemy. He looked at Jack.
"Do you feel as bad as I do?"
"No, actually I feel fine, no wait I'm still drunk." This sent Jack laughing and as painful as it was Michael chuckled too. It was true Jack had enough alcohol in his system that he was still drunk. He stood up and steadied himself from the dizziness. He suddenly found himself in the arms of a bubbly blonde. He looked down and found his mouth being crushed to hers. Her tongue thoroughly explored his mouth and it took Jack's alcohol fuzzed brain a second to catch on to the fact he was being kissed breathless. She pulled away and Jack found himself looking at Candy or was it Mandy? He really couldn't remember he had talked to her during the party and he was sure they had flirted but that was as far as it had gone. Jack had enjoyed his alcohol more than company at the time. He glanced at Michael who was smirking at him with a raised eyebrow. He became aware of the blonde slipping her hands under his shirt and lightly scratching his back lightly.
She giggled and lifted on her toes to rub her nose against his. "Jack" she said in a singsong voice. "You disappeared last night you naughty boy" she bit at his lip.
"Oh well, you know how things go I drank some more and passed out behind a rock." Jack said with a smile. He was enjoying the flirting and was still enjoying the affects of the alcohol.
"You're so funny" she said. Then she kissed him again lightly. She pulled away and smiled seductively at him. "Look I'm going to go down to the beach and freshen up, why don't you come visit me." With that he felt her slip something into his front pocket. With that she planted another kiss on his mouth. It was then that Jack saw Kate watching him with a shocked look on her face. He started to pull away from the girl when he noticed Sawyer standing next to Kate. Feeling the familiar pain of his heart breaking Jack pretended to not notice her and turned his back towards them. Candy or Mandy skipped off and Jack looked at Michael shaking his head in disbelief.
The blonde was heading out when she made eye contact with Kate, knowing the story of how Kate broke Jack's heart she made a noise of disgust directed in the brunette's direction. Kate watched the girl stunned. Her mind played the image of her and Jack kissing over and over in her head and it felt like her chest was caving in. She had also heard the girl's invitation for him to come visit her on the beach. Before she knew it she was headed in Jack's direction to confront him on what the hell was going on.
"What did she slip you?" Michael asked unaware that Kate and Sawyer who followed her were right behind them. Jack shrugged and reached into his pocket. Jack was slightly stunned to pull out a pair of silk bikini panties. "Oh man" Michael exclaimed.
"Should I be turned on or scared about this?" Jack asked with an amused smile. He turned and found himself face to face with Kate. He heard Michael let out a soft whistle.
"What are those?" Kate bit out when she saw him holding the underwear that slut had slipped into his pocket.
"Oh these? Uh they belong to Candy or is it Mandy?" Jack asked looking at Michael.
"I thought her name was Niki" Michael said trying to remember.
"Really? Well crap cause I think I've been calling her Candy all night" with that he started laughing.
"What is your problem?" Kate bit out. She had no reason to be mad at Jack except for her own feelings but seeing him like this just tore through her in a wave of anger.
"I don't have a problem." Jack said looking at the underwear. "In fact I think things are going well, plus I'm still drunk" he said giving her a charming smile, tucking the panties back in his pocket. It was the fact that he was drunk that was giving him the courage to act like he didn't care in front of Kate. He was still subscribing to the idea of getting Kate out of his life. Something he could never actually go through with if he was sober. The alcohol was giving him plenty of courage.
Kate practically sputtered at his apathetic attitude. "Did you sleep with her?"
Jack didn't like the tone Kate was using and he decided to tell her. Who the hell was she anyway? She goes off into the jungle with Sawyer and he flirts with a girl, and somehow he ends up being yelled at. Well screw it.
"So what if I did Kate? Last time I checked you weren't my mother." Jack said coldly.
"Why are you being this way? What is going on? Yesterday morning we we're fine what has changed?" Kate asked trying to get the inebriated Jack to look at her. Jack snorted.
"Nothing has changed Kate why would you think it has?" Jack asked.
"Oh I don't know maybe because I come back to find you all drunk, you're making out with a girl whose name you don't know and you're treating me like a leper." Kate argued.
"First off we all got drunk because we wanted to no one was forced. Secondly, her name is Niki; at least I think that's what it is. She is a nice girl and if she wants to jam her tongue down my throat who am I to argue? And thirdly, I'm not treating you like a leper Kate; I'm just treating you like everyone else I know." Jack said. He could feel his buzz being worn off and he cringed. He knew that soon he'd be conked out with a killer hangover. "Now if you excuse me I have a beach visit to make." He said throwing a wink at her. He found himself being grabbed tightly by the arm and he looked up to see an annoyed Kate glaring daggers at him. Before he could respond he heard Sawyer speak up.
"Come on Freckles, Doc's a big boy, if he wants to go have some fun in the sun with the blonde let him be." Sawyer said with a smirk. He would love to see Jack leave Kate to be with the other girl it would open the door for him and Kate.
"Shut up Sawyer" Kate hissed venomously at him.
"No Sawyer's right. I deserve a little R and R." Jack said looking at Kate darkly. "How come everyone else gets to have fun but me?" he asked bitterly.
Kate looked at him confused and she saw the quickest flash of hurt in his eyes. "Come with me Jack." She said gesturing towards the empty cave behind them. She just needed to get him alone so they could talk.
"No" Jack said pulling his arm away. He figured the conversation she wanted to have would consist of why she picked Sawyer over him and gee Jack you're a nice guy but it won't work. Jack wanted to have that conversation like he wanted to be shot in the gut. "I have to get to the beach and I doubt anything you have to say is going to be worth the fun I'm going to be having down there." Jack actually had no intention of going to the beach but he didn't want Kate to know that. He didn't want her to know that he was crushed because she would just give him that sympathetic look while she finished the job and ripped his heart out completely.
Kate stepped back as if struck, she couldn't wrap her mind around what was happening. What she did know was she couldn't face it if Jack went to the beach. Her heart would surely shrivel and die.
"Just a few minutes, please? As soon as we're done you can go to the beach." She said softly nearly choking on the words. It was ironic she couldn't get the painful images of him and Niki kissing out of her head and Jack couldn't make his imagination stop flashing images of what might have happened between Kate and Sawyer.
Jack rolled his eyes. "Fine" he bit out. Best to just get it over with. Hell when Kate was done telling him how much she loves Sawyer and how great he is Jack might just want to go to the beach to see Niki.
Kate headed into the empty cave and Jack followed. He sat on a rock and crossed his arms and shot her an expectant look.
"Jack, please tell me why you're mad at me." Kate requested quietly.
Jack sighed it looked like she still wanted to play games with him. She couldn't even give him the decency of just coming right out and being honest. "I'm not mad at you Kate."
Kate shot him a skeptical look, "Gee Jack sure doesn't seem that way to me."
What the hell did she want from him Jack thought to himself. "In order for me to be angry with you, would have to mean I care about you. Like I said I'm not angry" Jack said coldly.
Kate sucked in a sharp breath the pain overwhelming her. Soon her hurt turned to anger. "You bastard" she bit out.
Jack let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah that's about right, I'm the bad guy." He shook his head.
"What the hell am I supposed to think Jack?" Kate sputtered. "I come back and you are treating me horribly."
Jack stood up he had enough. He was sure as hell not going to let Kate turn this all on him.
"Why do you bother Kate? Huh?" Jack asked staring her straight in the eye. Kate too a step back at his sudden reaction. Jack noticed her move back and he snorted, great now she can crush his heart, blame it all on him and then act like she's afraid of him as well. God she was good at the manipulation. "Why do you even act like you care? I love how you go off and spend the night with Sawyer but yet I'm the one at fault. You know you're right I am angry and I have no reason to be. You're big girl and who you sleep with is your problem not mine. You've made your choice though Kate. You picked Sawyer so don't act all surprised when I'm a little hurt. What was it Kate? Come on tell me, was I too nice? Was I too understanding? Did I not degrade you or throw cheesy pick up lines at you enough?" Jack asked his real emotions bubbling to the surface.
Kate stared at him shocked as she heard his words. He thought she had slept with Sawyer? "Jack, I went with Sawyer last night in order to get the gun back for you."
Jack turned and looked at her with a look of total amazement. "Unbelievable" he said softly. "Gee Kate thanks for sacrificing yourself on my behalf. I seriously bow before your ability to turn every little thing around on other people. You slept with Sawyer for me? Do me something and never do another favor for me ok? I also remember telling you to forget about the gun because I didn't want you having to owe him. So don't you dare turn this on me." He said shaking his head. He needed to get out of here. He couldn't be near her it was hurting too much. He started to walk past when he ran into Kate who had placed herself in his direct path.
"I didn't sleep with Sawyer." She said through gritted teeth. "He was tracking a boar and I offered to help him in exchange for the gun. That is it."
Jack rubbed his head wearily, the alcohol had just about all worn off and his head was beginning to feel like it was splitting in half. "Look Kate, I'm sorry ok? I'm not myself so just, I'm sorry" he said wearily. He started to walk past her when she grabbed his arms.
"Don't go to the beach" she pleaded a desperate tone in her voice. Jack looked at her slightly confused and then realized what she was talking about, the girl Niki. He was about to respond when Kate continued. "Be mad at me all you want Jack ok? Just please know I didn't sleep with Sawyer, I would never choose him over you and please don't go to the beach." He watched stunned as tears filled her eyes.
He brushed her cheek with his fingertips lightly. "I didn't sleep with Niki, and I have no intention of doing so."
Kate threw herself in his arms and her tears released. Jack stumbled a step but quickly regained his balance. He slipped his arms around her and held her tight. It amazed him how perfectly she fit his body, like two pieces of a puzzle. He rubbed her back while he buried his other hand in her beautiful hair. He closed his eyes and just enjoyed the feel of her in his arms. Soon Kate's tears dried and she pulled back to look at him but stayed in his warm embrace.
"How did things get so screwed up" she asked softly.
Jack pressed his lips against her forehead. "I don't know but we'll figure it out."
Kate lifted her face and brushed her lips against his gently. After a few seconds Jack leaned in and deepened the kiss. Soon their lips were pressed against one another while their tongues danced lazily together. Kate explored his mouth wanting to erase any memory that Niki's kiss might have left. Soon they broke away to catch their breaths but stayed in each others embrace.
Kate laid her head on Jack's shoulder and buried her face in his neck. Jack held her close to him and they swayed gently as if in a dance.
"People hate me" she mumbled into him.
"What?" Jack asked her confused.
"When I came in today people were shooting me nasty looks. It seems you're not the only person who thought I was sleeping with Sawyer." Kate said.
"Well I guess we'll just have to show them we're together." Jack said tickling her side and making her giggle.
"Hmm lots of making out in public huh?" she said.
"It's a hard job but someone has to do it" Jack said with a small smirk.
Kate looked at him and her face grew serious. "I'm not an easy person to be with"
Jack gave her a small smile, "Neither am I so let's just take it one day at a time alright?"
Kate snuggled back into his warm embrace. "I can live with that."
"Hey Kate?" Jack asked a moment later.
"Yeah?" Kate answered.
"Would you mind moving this to my cave because my hangover is hitting and I think I might pass out."
Kate giggled and stroked his cheek. "Claire's right you're grounded from playing with your little friends for awhile. Come on let's get you to bed" she chuckled. "You know you would think that kind of statement would have so much more meaning."
"Yeah well in three days when I'm back to normal we can discuss all of that." Jack said and Kate giggled even more.
She leaned up and brushed her lips against his gently. She knew they had their work cut out for them and they had a lot to work through but Kate knew that when they did they were going to have a great life together.
Ok there it is and I dedicate this chapter to all of my readers who have woken up from a night of heavy drinking to realize they were still drunk the next day. Cause that is one of the funniest feelings in the world :)