"I'm going to stay for a few weeks." Kate said softly, lying face up in bed hours later. "If that's okay."
Their fight from hours earlier had left them tense and on edge around each other. Kate had adamantly refused Jack's plea. She wouldn't, not in a million years, allow him to become the way she was, live the life she had to. He had stormed out in anger, choosing to walk the city for a few hours before returning home.
Wordlessly they'd climbed into bed, turning to opposite sides, the space between them cold. Knowing neither of them was asleep, Kate had finally spoken. It had scared her when Jack had left. She knew he'd have to come to back, but she hadn't seen him that angry in a long time. She knew she didn't want to lose him right away.
It was dark, but Kate felt his eyes fall on her.
"You're going to stay?" He whispered reverently next to her.
"Just for a few weeks. Then let's see where we are then." She turned towards him on her side. "I want to be with you, Jack."
He propped himself up on his elbow, a gentle palm finding her cheek in the dark. "I'm sorry about before. I overreacted about the whole thing, and Sarah."
Kate nodded. "Let's not talk about it anymore, okay?"
He studied her for a moment.
"Agreed." He finally sighed, pulling her close so that she curled into his side, arm flung across his stomach. She nuzzled into the hair on his chest, pressed a chaste kiss to his collarbone, and settled her head in the crook of his neck.
"That's better." She breathed into his skin, sending shivers up his spine. He let out a contented chuckle.
"I hate fighting with you." He said into her ear.
"Me too. Let's not do that anymore." She mumbled sleepily.
He laughed again. "I'll do my best."
Another two and a half weeks past without incident. Jack had gone back to work part time at the hospital, only working a few minor hours a couple days a week until the hospital decided to fully reinstate him again.
At first he didn't want to go back, only wanting to spend time with Kate. But once he began again, he found that he had missed it more than he thought he might. It felt nice having a larger purpose, saving people. It wasn't exactly as exciting as the island was, but then again—he actually had supplies to work with at the hospital.
"Jack. Get up." Kate said, poking him in the back, which was bare. Jack let out a garbled moan from where his face was pressed into the pillow.
"Get up!" Kate said again, shaking his shoulder. He lifted a drowsy head from the pillow and cracked an eye open.
"Huh?" He said dumbly. Kate was clad in one of his long t-shirts, perched on the side of the bed, wide awake—her bare legs making him sit up a little farther to get a peek.
"What is it?" he mumbled.
"You're going to be late for work. And I want you out of the house today. I've got a surprise I'm working on."
"A surprise for me?" Jack yawned.
"Of course for you." She smiled goofily, and leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips.
Before he could deepen it she had shot of the bed and ambled into the bathroom. He heard the water of the shower running as she popped back into the bedroom.
"Go ahead, get up. I started your shower. What do you want for breakfast?"
Jack smiled smugly. "A little domestic, aren't we?"
She scowled. "I'm being nice, and if you don't watch it I might poison your coffee."
He feigned shock. "You wouldn't dare." He goaded then stood, clad only in boxers and making his way over to her. His hands found her hips and pulled her closer for a probing, wet kiss.
"Good morning." He mumbled against her lips as he pulled away. Her eyes were a shade darker, but she cleared the lustful fog away once she saw his smirk of satisfaction.
"Take your shower. I'm going to make pancakes." She said, placing a quick kiss on his lips and untangling herself from his arms. But in an instant, he pulled her back into him, hands skimming beneath her shirt.
"Jack, no." She said, but she couldn't hide the smile fighting at her lips or the way her body seemed to melt into his.
"You're not going to take a shower with me?" He said enticingly, his teeth nipping at her ear.
She placed her hands against his chest, fingers tangling there. His tongue darted out at her ear lobe and she let out a tiny gasp.
"Jack." She tried again.
His lips moved to her neck, spreading little wet kisses and licks down the slope as his hands squeezed her hips, bracing them against his own.
"It has to be quick." She conceded breathily and felt him smile against her neck.
After their shower, there was little time for breakfast. Kate poured him some coffee in the kitchen as he fumbled with his tie. She had only thrown on a pair of his boxers and tank top, letting her wet hair trail down her back.
"What's your surprise?" He asked, as he knotted his tie.
She laughed. "You know I can't tell you. But here's a hint: it's something you need. Trust me."
"Is it condoms? Because we ran out two nights ago." He winked, finishing with his tie.
She rolled her eyes, but smiled. "No, it's not condoms. But you can pick some up on your way home if you want."
"Betting on getting lucky, huh?" He teased, rounding the counter and accepting the coffee mug from her hands.
"Well you're going to owe me after you get your surprise. It's gonna be pretty good."
"Anything else I should pick up?"
She thought for a moment, before blushing.
"What?" He asked, noticing the look on her face.
She ducked to her head. "Is it really embarrassing if I ask you to pick up tampons?"
He laughed, setting down his coffee and finding her hips, and backing her slowly against the counter until their hips and chests were flush.
"I'm a doctor. Nothing embarrasses me." He assured her, pressing a sound kiss on her mouth. "This is probably weird, but I didn't think you were due for you period, are you?"
Kate blushed again. "I know, I just figured since you were picking up stuff…"
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. "You're cute when you're embarrassed."
She rolled her eyes, slapping his shoulder playfully. "Get to work, bring home the bacon, be the man and all that stuff." She said with a smile.
He chuckled, checking his watch. "Damn." He muttered, then pressed a quick kiss to the side of her mouth.
"I'll be home around four, okay?"
"Got it. Your surprise will be waiting."
He laughed as he rounded into the hallway. She waited until she heard the door close behind him until letting the mischievous smile she'd been holding in slip out. Giggling to herself, she scurried into the study.
By the time Jack came home at 4:30 Kate was bouncing with anticipation on one of the plush armchairs in Jack's study. She had worked all day unpacking boxes, arranging old sports trophies, tidying up his desk. It felt domestic, sure, but it felt good. It felt good making this space Jack's and she had to admit, it'd been fun seeing goofy pictures of Jack as a boy—missing teeth and shaggy hair.
Kate heard the front door open, ears perking to the sound. "Kate?" Jack called.
She smiled broader. "In here!" She called excitedly. Jack's footsteps approached the door.
"Sorry I'm a little late, I got caught up—"
Jack rounded the corner and stopped, taking in the newly organized furniture and unloaded boxes, mouth open a little. Kate watched him nervous and excited, waiting for his reaction.
He was quiet, sheepishly approaching the desk where a few frames had been set out. One housed a picture of him and Marc in their college years; bear glasses raised in the direction of the photographer, eyes glassy in inebriation but smiles wide.
Another was a picture of Jack's father holding him when Jack had been a toddler. A young Jack was perched precariously on his father's knee, a confused expression on his chubby face as he pointed a finger at his father's nose. Christian's smile was genuine and his hands were tight around his son's small body.
"So what do you think?" Kate prodded timidly, coming up behind him.
He turned to her, a far away smile on his lips. "It's great, Kate. I can't believe you did all this. I've been meaning to get to it but…" he smiled, and pulled her close, pressing a kiss on her forehead, "Thank you. It's nice that you did all this."
She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on the flat of his chest. She sighed contentedly. "I'm so glad you like it."
He let himself enjoy the warmth of her body against his before pulling away. "I picked up the things you wanted." He wagged his eyebrows suggestively. "Including the condoms."
Kate laughed. He felt the vibration against his chest and tightened his arms around her waist. She leaned forward, a breath away from his lips, hovering just close enough to make his heart begin to race.
She felt his breath against her mouth. "Let's save them for tonight. You're cooking me dinner." She whispered against his mouth, inching even closer, tempting him, before pulling away, laughing and skipping out of the study.
Jack got his racing pulse back under control before groaning and following after. "You're going to pay for that!"
After dinner, Jack offered to wash the dishes, despite that he'd cooked. It took some convincing to get Kate to acquiesce, but they finally compromised: she'd stay in the kitchen and at least keep him company.
It was quiet, the sound of the running water filled out the space peacefully. Kate watched Jack from behind as he did the dishes. Seeing his muscles bunch and flex beneath his t-shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows while he did the dashes was strangely a turn on. Kate came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, letting her check rest against his back.
She felt the rumble of his laugh. A soapy hand found hers from where it was wrapped around him, pulling it up to his mouth and pressing a kiss to her knuckle.
"Kate?" Jack asked after a moment, turning to face her—eyes serious.
She furrowed her eyebrows. "What's the matter?" She asked, confused.
"Nothing," he hurried, finding her hips and bringing her closer again, "I just started thinking today, on my way home—don't you get bored sitting around here all day?"
"Yeah, I do. I miss going outside, being able to go where I want. Driving." She said at first, seeing the disappointment in his eyes, the anxiety, she continued, pressing closer to him. "But I like it here, too. I like our bed, and I like watching you check me out when I'm cooking for you, and waking up with you. I'm happy here, too."
Jack look a little more relieved, but was still lost in some emotion she couldn't tag. Like he'd swallowed an idea and was working up the nerve to let her in on it too.
"Why did you ask me?"
He smiled shyly at her, eyes dancing. "I have an idea."
Okay, so no flashback this chapter, but you'll get a good one next chaper, and a longer chapter too. We're going to come to a crossroads soon and some definitive action will be taken. Please review! Love to hear from you, it helps a lot!