Chapter 14- Learning to trust

It didn't take long for Jack to catch up to Kate, even though she was running pretty fast.

Jack was an experienced runner in his own right. He was very athletic. He loved football and used to work out running up and down the stadium bleachers just to keep in shape.

He didn't have any difficulty catching up to Kate.

"Kate! Kate!" He shouted as he grabbed her forcefully but not strong enough to hurt her.

"No Jack! Leave me alone!" She screamed sobbing with tears in her eyes.

"No! You need to listen to me!" Jack said. He was serious and authoritative but this time he talked more gently to her.

Kate pulled her arm away from him and took a step backwards. She stepped on something sharp and cried out in pain.

"Ouch! Damn it!" She cried out.

"What's wrong?" Jack worriedly asked.

"I think I've stepped on a thorn." Kate replied.

"Let me see!" Jack tenderly said.

"No! I'll be fine." She tried to remove the thorn from her foot but it was too hard to do and her foot was bleeding.

"Don't be so stubborn!" Jack said. "You're bleeding. Let me help you!"

Kate let him examine her foot. It really did hurt. Jack bent down onto his knees and told Kate to hold onto his shoulder.

"The thorn is still in there and it's in pretty deep. You shouldn't have run though the jungle without shoes!" Jack sternly said.

Kate didn't say anything at all and Jack surprised her by swiftly lifting her up into his arms. "What are you doing Jack?" She nervously asked.

"You can't walk like this. I'm taking you back to the waterfall. You need to wash your foot and then I can try to remove the thorn." He said.

They went back to the waterfall and Jack gently set her down on a rock and carefully washed her foot.

"It's not too bad but I have to get this out of your foot. The wound will reopen but I'll make a bandage at the hatch." He looked at her and Kate agreed. "Ok, now I'm going to pull out the thorn. It's going to hurt… do you want to hold my hand?"

She tried to smile and said yes and grasped his hand. Jack carefully pulled out the thorn. Kate bit her lower lip, feeling quite a bit of pain but she didn't make a sound. Jack tossed the thorn away. Kate held in a whimper.

"It's done sweetheart!" He said kissing her hand.

When Kate heard Jack's voice talking so tenderly to her she began to cry. Not because of the thorn in her foot but because she was feeling guilty for having lied to him.

Jack washed his hands in the waterfall. When he heard Kate crying he turned and held her close and caressed her back. He remained holding her for a few minutes until she calmed down.

"Let's get back to the hatch. Your foot needs bandaging." Jack said wiping her tears away.

Jack put on his shirt and shoes again before he helped Kate get up to walk. "You don't need to help me Jack. I can walk by myself." She protested.

"No Kate! I'm the doctor here and I say that you shouldn't walk by yourself… so just hold on to my shoulder, ok?"

This time she didn't argue and she held on to his shoulder. They walked slowly because of the pain in her foot.

Together they went back to the hatch.

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The sun was unbearably hot on the beach. It was nearly three in the afternoon and too hot to do much. Sawyer was asleep, resting under the shade of a tree near Dylan's tent. He didn't notice when Ana left to go and get some food and water for both of them.

People's curiosity about a dead body in camp seemed to disappear and most of them returned to their normal activities… except for Tina who remained quiet in her tent. Aline was trying to convince her to eat something but wasn't having much success.

Sayid and the others hadn't returned, yet, and Shannon had decided to keep busy by helping Claire take care of Aaron while she was waiting for her husband to return. Claire thanked Shannon for her help and went to wash baby diapers.

Sawyer was still sleeping when he felt something caress his face. He smiled with his eyes still closed and maliciously said. "Mmm…Ana…that's a great way to wake up me, Baby."

The caresses became wilder and more aggressive and then Sawyer felt a warm tongue on his lips. He suddenly opened his eyes, frightened. "What the hell…!"

It was Vincent licking his face and lips. "Son of a bitch!" Sawyer exclaimed, frantically wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He felt sick to his stomach at the thought of what had been happening to him.

"It's time to wake up Sleeping Beauty!" Ana-Lucia said as she amusingly watched the scene, trying hard to contain her laughter.

"Ya think this is funny, don't you Lulu?" Sawyer snapped.

"Hilarious!" She said laughing out loud now. "Go away Vincent!" She sat down by Sawyer's side. "I brought some water and fish for you."

"Beach Fast Food! What did I do to deserve this kindness from you, Cupcake?" Sawyer said grinning from ear to ear.

She frowned and shrugged her shoulders and said. "Nothing important really. I'm just starting to enjoy your company. That's all Cowboy."

"Really now?" He replied thinking that she was teasing him but she wasn't laughing.

Sawyer understood what she wanted to say by looking into her eyes…they gave everything away… and he felt butterflies in his stomach.

"Come on! Give me the damn fish. I'm so weak from hunger that I'm starting to believe that I'm falling in love with you, too!"

Ana-Lucia smiled and quietly said. "Well… I think that the fish that I ate wasn't enough to make me stop thinking the same thing about you."

Sawyer felt his heart accelerate. So Ana was falling in love with him, too? He thought that he'd never hear her say those words…ever! He was going to say something back to her but he was abruptly interrupted by Charlie's screaming voice. "Hey everybody! Sayid is back with Michael and Desmond!"

When Shannon heard what Charlie was saying, she quickly handed baby Aaron over to his mother and ran to her husband. Sayid hugged Shannon and kissed her lips tenderly.

"Life sucks, brothers! I come back to the beach, too, and I don't have a woman waiting to kiss me! Where's my whisky bottle?" Desmond said grinning.

Michael laughed. Walt ran to hug his dad, too. People gathered to hear the news that they had brought back with them.

Sawyer asked. "What did you find out? Did you talk to The French Woman?"

"Yes." Sayid said. "We talked to Danielle and she doesn't believe in a contamination story. She thinks that The Others' killed Dylan."

"Are you sure man? You mean that there's no infection in this camp?" Craig asked.

"No…I don't believe so. We need to stay alert. There's nothing else that we can do. At this moment the infection is the least of our concern." Sayid stated.

"So that's it?" Tina yelled. "Dylan was killed and nobody is going to do anything about it! Doesn't anyone care!? Jack keeps lying to all of us…saying that we're safe… but that's not true. Many people have died on this island since we got here. How many more people have to die before someone will finally do something about it?"

"Calm down Tina." Aline said.

"Don't worry Tina." Sayid said trying to comfort her. "Dylan's death will not be ignored. We'll post guard shifts in the camp again."

"It doesn't matter anymore. I just need to bury him and say good-bye." Tina said with a distraught face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

Aline held her friend. "I'm going back to my tent." Tina said wiping away her tears.

"Do you want me to go with you Honey?" Aline asked.

"No. I need to be alone for a while… but thanks. I want to think about the words that I want to say for Dylan at the funeral." Tina said.

Tina went back to her tent…tears still falling down her cheeks. Everybody felt so sorry for her.

Aline felt for sorry Tina, too, however she had other things on her mind. "He's going to drink again?" She said to Rose.

"Who's going to drink again My Dear?" Rose replied.

Aline pointed over at Desmond looking for whisky in his tent and said. "Do you think he at least ate something?"

"I doubt it. They just came back from their mission." Rose said.

"I'm going to ask him if he's hungry." Aline said and walked towards Desmond's tent.

Rose smiled and said to herself. "Love seems to be in the air around here, lately."

Rose watched Sawyer and Ana-Lucia who were still talking to Sayid and the others. Ana was lightly holding Sawyer's fingers and he was lovingly playing with her finger tips.

"How are we going to do these security shifts?" Craig asked Sayid. "4 hours? 6 hours?"

"Something like that." Sayid answered. "We need to decide who pairs up for shifts and distribute the guns but we'll do this after the funeral. I need to talk to Jack about it. Where is he?"

"He went to the hatch with Kate." Ana said. "He'll be back later for the funeral."

"All right… lets talk about this later. Can I count you both?" Sayid asked Sawyer and Ana-Lucia.

"Sure thing, Alladin!" Sawyer said.

"Yeah…of course" Ana said.

"I think a war may just beginning." Sayid solemnly said.

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Locke was frightened when he saw Jack coming into the hatch with Kate leaning against him for support. He thought that maybe she was feeling sick again. Could his theories be right about the contamination?

Jack looked over at Locke and realized what John was thinking and hurriedly explained the situation to him. "She's fine John. She's just hurt her foot on a thorn."

Jack helped Kate over to the kitchen and Kate hobbled on one foot and sat down on the sofa.

"Does it still hurt?" Jack asked Kate, observing the blood on her foot.

"I'll survive." She said with a smile.

"Damn it!" Jack said. "I forgot my medical stuff at the beach."

"Do you want me to go and get it for you Jack? I can be back in 20 minutes." Locke asked.

"No John. Thanks. I think I can find what I need to make a bandage here." Jack said.

"Are you hungry? I cooked a fish with Dharma Rice and vegetables from Sun's garden. It's delicious!" Locke said.

"Thanks John. Kate needs to eat something." Jack said finding antiseptic and bandages from the locker.

"You're not going to eat?" Kate asked feeling guilty for yelling at Jack earlier at the waterfall.

"No. I'm not hungry now." He quietly answered.

Jack started to make the bandage on her foot. It was hurting but she remained quiet. She hated fighting with Jack, but more than anything she hated it when he was suspicious about her. She hated that he couldn't trust her.

It was true that she was hiding something from him about the night of the storm… but it was also true that she didn't remember most of what happened that night.

Jack finished the bandage and gave Kate something for pain. "Take it. You'll feel better." He said.

Kate took the medication with no objections. Jack left her for a moment and then went to the kitchen to get some food for her. He made a plate of rice, fish and vegetables.

"I'm not hungry, either" Kate said when he brought the food to her but Jack insisted.

"No, you have to eat something. I'm the doctor here and that's an order!" He filled the spoon with food and moved it towards Kate's mouth. She ate feeling a little embarrassed because Jack was feeding her because Locke was still there pretending to read a book.

Kate ate some of the food and told Jack that she was satisfied. Jack then got some water for her. Kate noticed that he was also getting water for himself and putting on his backpack.

"Where are you going Jack?" She asked.

"I'm going back to the beach. People need me there!" Jack answered her.

"Then I'm coming with you." Kate announced.

"No Kate. You stay here with Locke. Can you take care of her John?" Jack asked.

"Of course Jack." Locke answered.

Kate became angry and said. "I don't need a baby sitter!"

"It's ok Kate. Go ahead and hate me if you want to but you're staying here with John or I'll lock you in the storage room." Jack sternly said.

She frowned. "Do you still think that I lied to you?" Kate angrily asked.

"Did you?" He taunted her.

Kate didn't answer.

"John… I'm going back to beach." Jack told Locke. "Sayid and the others should be back by now. I need to know what's happening."

"Right Jack." Locke answered.

"How do you know that I'll stay here when you leave Jack?" Kate asked. "Locke can't keep me here!"

"Don't worry about it." Jack sarcastic said. "Locke won't be watching you for long."

Locke smiled. "Yes Kate, Jack is right. The next shift belongs to Mr. Eko. He should be arriving any moment now."

At that exact moment Eko entered the hatch. "Hello."

"Hello Mr. Eko." Jack greeted him.

"What's this about? Am I a prisoner now?" Kate asked.

"What is happening here?" Eko asked noticing the tension in the hatch.

"Eko I need you watch Kate for me. You know she's always getting into trouble… so this is for her own good. Can you do this for me?" Jack asked.

"It would be my pleasure." Eko said. "Don't worry. She won't get into any trouble while I am here. I give you my word."

"I can't believe you're doing this to me Jack! You're crazy!" Kate protested but Jack just ignored her.

"Thanks Eko. We'll talk later Kate. John, do you want to go back with me to the beach?" Jack asked.

Locke nodded and followed Jack and they both left the hatch.

Eko gave Kate a gentle smile. Kate sighed… she was feeling very frustrated.

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"Jack? Do you mind if I ask you what's happening?" Locke asked Jack while they walked.

"If you're talking about Dylan then I know about as much as you do John. I hope Sayid has found out some news from Rosseau." Jack explained.

Locke nodded and gave him his mysterious smile and said. "No Jack, I'm not talking about Dylan. I'm talking about you and Kate."

"Kate will be fine." Jack said as he continued to walk but he increased his pace because he didn't want to talk to Locke about Kate.

"No Jack. There's something wrong or you wouldn't keep her locked up in the hatch." Locke stated.

"Do you think I'm hiding something important about Kate from you, John?" Jack asked.

"I don't think that Jack. Actually, I know you're protecting Kate but at the same time you have doubts about her. You're wondering if you're doing the right thing in trusting her. Why don't you tell me why you're afraid? After so long on this island Jack, haven't I gained your trust by now?" Locke asked.

"Discretion John. We're already talking about this and I don't need to tell you about my personal problems with Kate. That's none of your business." Jack explained.

"Well, I do agree Jack but just make sure that your problems with her don't affect the rest of the group… then I won't interfere with your romance with her." Locke quietly stated.

"What do you want me to tell you John? That Kate has something to do with what's happening?" Jack was really getting irritated now.

"Never mind about that Jack. I'm just warning you not to make decisions in the name of the group without talking to them first. You and Kate aren't the only ones on this island" John firmly said.

Locke remained quiet the rest of the way back to the beach. Jack was thinking about what he had said. Yes…he was protecting Kate… but what if she really had made a deal with The Others'?

Jack needed answers… despite his feelings for her. What was he going to do?

He decided that after the funeral he'd have a serious conversation with Kate and he'd convince her…no force her to tell him the truth.

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"Ok, so Steve, Craig and Neil will watch the east side of the beach. Sawyer, Ana-Lucia and I will be on the west side of the beach. Bradley, Philip and Andrew will cover the jungle entrance." Sayid explained as he formed the groups that would guard the camp that night.

"What about me, Brother?" Desmond asked. "I want to join the group."

"Cool Forrest Gump." Sawyer said. "You can come back and join us when you're sober!"

"All right Brother. I'll sober up when you change your group around… or do you want to watch guard with you girlfriend? I think that's a bad idea because you'll be too distracted."

Ana-Lucia frowned and said. "Who's Sawyer's girlfriend Brother!"

Before Desmond, Ana-Lucia and Sawyer could argue anymore Sayid interrupted them and said. "Let's keep the focus on our mission everyone! Desmond… you can stand guard with Michael and Eko on the north side of the beach. He nodded in agreement.

The shifts will consist of four hour intervals. One person sleeps while the other two stand guard. Everybody agreed.

"What about the guns?" Ana-Lucia asked.

Sawyer smiled. "That's my girl!"

"I'm not your girl!" She snapped.

"I'll go to the hatch later to get the guns." Sayid said. "Who's coming with me?"

"I'll go." Ana-Lucia said.

"If you're going with Omar then I'm going, too." Sawyer announced.

"I'm afraid to ask why" Ana coyly said.

"Well for one good reason…you are my girl!" Sawyer maliciously answered.

"Man! Give me a break!" Ana sighed exasperated

"Are you really going to make the same mistakes again?" Locke asked interrupting their discussion. He had just arrived on the beach with Jack.

"What mistakes?" Sayid asked intrigued. "One of us was murdered! We need to do something about it!"

"Did you find Rosseau?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Sayid answered. "She doesn't believe that an infection killed him. She believes that he was murdered by The Others'."

"She's right." Jack said. "Tom came to the waterfall this morning to talk to me and Kate. He said that they had nothing to do with Dylan's death… but of course it's a lie. They want to distract us."

When Locke heard what Jack said he became angry. "Is this your idea of discretion too, Jack? Why didn't you tell me about Tom? Does this have something to do with Kate?"

"This has nothing to do with Kate! I told you that already John!" Jack said annoyed. "Sayid is right. We need to do something about what happened to Dylan. We need to fight for our survival on this island… even if we have to start a war with The Others'!"

"Revolution!" Sawyer said. "You can count on me, Doc."

Sawyer placed his hand in a circle and then Ana-Lucia placed her hand on top of his. Sayid did the same thing and the others followed.

It was their pact of survival on the island.

"Great!" Locke said clapping. "Let's play Super Heroes! But let me tell you something. The Others' have been on this island a lot longer than us and they won't let us win so easily. They'd just as soon kill each other or let us kill ourselves first!"

To be continued…