Apologies for the delay in posting, work got in the way but never the less I know I sound like a broken record saying this, but thanks so much for your continued support guys and a special congratulations to llane, the 100th reviewer.

To make up for the current gloominess of the fic, here's a little treat….

She wasn't one for parties, especially ones that involved costumes, but she didn't want to be a complete party pooper and not show up. Particularly when a certain guy she could now see from across the room, dressed specifically "to match", relentlessly begged her to come.

"Now it all makes sense", she mused to herself whilst observing the Cinderella-esque dress she was wearing. Going all the way with authenticity in adorning a pair of transparent high heeled shoes, plastic instead of glass of course, but it was enough to mesmerise her target audience none the less.

She'd put her hair up, held in by what looked like a crown, yet a few ringlets of hair still hung to frame her angelic face. Her dress, a milky pink, hugged her figure in all the right places and he couldn't help but smile when she rolled her eyes, knowingly shaking her head after seeing what he was wearing.

Making his way over to her, the first thing he did when he approached was take her left hand into his and bring it to his lips. Punctuating the gesture with a "good evening Miss."

"And you kind Sir" she replied, smirking at his attempt of maintaining the character.

"What?"

"Ever the romantic, Doctor Shepherd"

"I try Doctor Austen." He teased. "You look stunning by the way." He stated before leaning forward to peck her on the cheek.

"Not too bad yourself Prince Charming." Kate shyly commented, amused yet unable to deny how mouth wateringly handsome he looked in his full white suit.

They'd been skirting around the prospects of asking one another out on a date a while now and Jack finally took the stab in being the one to ask her to accompany him to their New Year's Eve Office Party. Discrete in his intentions but Kate caught on right away yet said she would still be there.

He seemed like a nice, genuine guy with a wit similar to hers. The fact that he was good looking as well added temptation to the desire of exploring more than friendship with him.

"Wanna dance?" Jack offered, a hint of nervousness in his tone but Kate eased it considerably by taking his outstretched hand. Allowing him to lead her to the dance floor and once they stood in the middle of it, swaying gently to the rhythm of the music, time momentarily seized up until she heard Jack mumbling something.

His head was bowed, making it that much harder for her to understand, but once she did she couldn't help but chuckle.

"1 2, 1 2…." Jack continued to mumble under his breath. So caught up in maintaining the routine that he didn't even hear Kate. Not until she started laughing.

Cowering in embarrassment, which only widened Kate's smile, he then decided to explain but Kate spoke instead.

"I'm impressed." She stated, hoping it wouldn't come off as sarcastic or patronising and thankfully he awarded her compliment with an affirmed nod and a chuckle.

"Thanks, but trust me you would not have been saying that 2 weeks ago." He revealed.

Touched that he'd made the effort for her, Kate gave him the benefit of the doubt by wrapping her arms around his neck. Pulling herself closer into him as a result and Jack welcomed the warming, intimate gesture with open arms.

She spent the first few minutes simply staring into his eyes. Seeing nothing but appreciation and an underlining streak of what looked like lust, especially when he focused on her lips. Briefly looking to her for wordless permission of what he blatantly wanted and Kate gave it without hesitation.

It started out as a simple touching of lips. Staying that way for several minutes before Jack moved to deepen the kiss, but just as he did so the first chime of 12 suddenly struck. Followed by roaring cheers of "Happy New Year" reverberating throughout the entire room, but all Jack could focus on was her.

"Now how does the fairytale go?" Kate stated, teasing Jack that bit further by extracting herself out of his arms to leave before the clock's last chime struck, but all he did was pull her back in for another kiss. This time more passionate, if possible in Kate's barely coherent mind.

It was several minutes before he pulled away and though there was a hint of reluctance in doing so, Jack didn't want this moment to go unannounced.

"Happy New Year Kate." He wished, achieving a smile from her formerly breathless expression and she replied by taking his breath away this time with a kiss.

(End of Flashback)

What followed that night was definitely expected, what with the groping and heavy petting on the cab ride back to his place. However it was a lot more than just a night of physical passion. It was the beginning of a relationship that brought forth a shared, unconditional love which later culminated in the creation of a beautiful baby girl. As short as her life was, the memories didn't fade and neither did the love.

"I can't lose her too." Jack said to himself, staring at the last existing element of that life and love.

With Jack preoccupied at the Hospital, he didn't want Kate's Mother to have to take a cab from the Airport. So he asked Charlie if he could pick Diane up which led to a half hour, at the least, lecture from Claire berating him with not being told about Kate. In reply Jack assured her that Kate was in the okay and he would keep her updated if any changes occurred.

As much as Claire wanted to be adamant in demanding being there herself, she also had to consider her own health, specifically the baby. So she reluctantly accepted Jack's offer. Won over just a tad more when Charlie too said he would keep her informed on the situation.

He was already on edge as time counted down to who he knew was coming, so when none other than Kathy showed up instead, Jack was surprised to say the least. Particularly when she walked in on him showing what he intended as emotional encouragement, but Kathy of course didn't see it that way.

Never the less she took it upon herself to keep up appearances.

"How is she?"

Genuinely surprised by her concern, he awarded it with honesty, especially when he caught sight of her narrowed gaze on the kiss he'd just made on the side of Kate's head.

"I don't know." Jack admitted, sighing in defeat and bowing his head to show the extent of it.

Placing her hand on his shoulder, she aided the comforting gesture verbally, "it'll be okay."

Accepting Kathy's assurance, Jack looked to her and it was then that she saw how fatigued and sunken he looked.

"Why don't you go home and rest for a bit." Kathy suggested.

"No, I'm fine…" he argued but Kathy was persistent, almost forceful of defending his well being.

Truthfully he was too tired to argue and with trusting her assurance of keeping Kate company whilst he rested up, he then made his way to his Office. Choosing to rest in there for an hour or so, but on the way there he suddenly bumped into…..

"Diane."

The moment Jack stepped out the room, Kathy abandoned the façade.

She wasn't one to condone murder, but in her mind the exception was well deserved in this situation.

With that her eyes fell to the machine keeping Kate stable at the moment. Her hand moving towards the switch which would finally rid both her and Jack off an unnecessary obstacle.

"Where is she?" Diane inquired instead. Unwilling to invest in anything the man before her had to say for himself.

Before Jack could even respond, an alarm suddenly went off. Both Doctors and security rushing towards the room it was coming from; Kate's room.

Next Chapter: Jack sees the truth, in more ways than one and so does Diane…..