Chapter 21: wake up!

"Kate! Kate come on we have to get up..." Jack tried woaking her. It was almost 1 in the afternoon, not that time mattered when you were stuck on a deserted island...

"mmph go away!" Kate mumbled snuggling further under the covers making Jack chuckle.

"Come on...I brought you some fruit" He coaxed

"Coffee" She mumbled demandingly

"Yeah, i'll get right on growing those beans..." Jack said sarcastically. Jack sighed annoyed and pulled her up into a seated position making her growl in irritation.

"Jack what the hell!" She snapped, slowly opening her eyes trying to get used to the light.

"Sorry you wouldnt wake up. It's almost 1 Kate" he said

Kates eyes widened "Really? When did you wake up?" She asked

"Just a little while ago, Claire came by, said people were asking about the Marshall" he explained

Kate groaned "What are we going to do about him?" She asked

Jack shrugged "I dont know...the antibiotics we're giving him arnt helping. We dong have enough of the stronger ones." he said regretfully

Kate nodded "What does everyone else think?" She asked curiously

"They're pretty divided. Half want to put him out of his misery, and the other half think we should keep trying. What do you think?" he asked

Kate looked down "Honestly? Theres not much we can do...he's in agony..." She trailed off not being able to say the words

Jack understood, but could he just allow that to happen? An how would they do it? 'Damn this island' he thought. "I agree" he finally whispered

Kate's head shot up to meet his eyes "How?" she croaked out

Jack shook his head "I dont know yet" He answered, leaving them in a comfortable silence.

"How's your back?" Jack asked, breaking the tranquility.

"It's alright, i'll be fine" she said

"Okay, but if it hurts, come to me alright?" he told her sternly

Kate rolled her eyes "dont worry so much Jack"

"I cant help it" he defended "you want to go check on the Marshall?" he asked once she was done eating.

Kate nodded grimly "Yeah, let me get ready" She said making Jack raise an eyebrow.

"What?" She asked noticing his confusion.

"You make it sound like we're in a 5 star hotel or somthing" He chuckled

"I just woke up, what I meant was, let me brush my hair and change my clothes. Although I could really go for a shower right now." She responded

"Okay, Well I'm going to haedover to Claire, see you in a bit" he said before giving her a quick peck and leaving the tent.

"Hey Claire" Jack said as he approached her. Jack smirked when he found himself being ignored. Claire's back was turned ot him and she was obviosly in an animated conversation with Charlie.

He teasingly tugged at her hair "Cla-aire" he said in a sing song voice.

"Oh! Hi Jack, how's the Marshall?" She asked, turning her head slightly

"We're working on it" he said vaguely "How's my mini-me?" He asked pointing at her portruding belly.

Claire smiled "Mini-me huh? I think he's doing fine! I felt him kick just a little while ago" She said excitedly

Jack grinned "That's great Claire! See I told you it would all work out! Dont stay out in the sun too long okay? I have to get back to the infirmary." he said

Claire smiled "Thanks Jack, i'll see you laterr" she said as he walked off.

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"How is he?" Jack asked as he entered the makeshift infirmary and saw Kate tentatively taking his vitals, as if he was going to jump on her any minute. "here let me do that." Jack offered

Kate sighed "It's alright, i'm done. He's not good...his abdoman's rigid Jack" She said regretfully "He wont make it..." she added

Jack cursed under his breath "Okay...So what do we do? Stop treating him? Put him out of his misery?" he thought out loud.

Kate remained silent...she didnt have an answer, but she knew they were just prolonging the inevitable. "Jack..." She interrupted his thoughts quietly. Jack looked up at her and watched her struggle with what she was about to say. "We...we have to do it. He's in so much pain" she whispered

Jack sucked in a breath "But...how? We dont have any meds" he stammered.

Kate's eyes filled with tears "Sawyer has a gun" She said barely audible.

Jack remained silent. Stunned at what Kate just suggested. Seeing his reaction, Kate let the tears fall. "Jack I--" She was interrupted by Jack.

"Stop." he held his hand up "We cant murder him Kate" He said harshly "What if we do it today and rescue comes tommorrow? What then?!" he reasoned, his voice softening when he saw how hard this was for her.

Kate let her tears flow freely "I'm sorry Jack. There's no other way." She countered

Jack shook his head "No...We dont have to do this, but I can see that I wont win here. Do what you want, but I dont want any part in this." he said coldly before swiftly exiting the tent.

Kate sat shocked at what just happened. She knew Jack had problems letting go, but she thought he would be reasonable about this. She decided to give him some time, but now...she had to go talk to that damn redneck. She groaned before walking towards his tent.

"Sawyer!" She called out from outside his tent.

"Well well well Freckles, Doctor giggles know you're here?" He asked cockily

Kate rolled her eyes "I need the gun" she stated bluntly, wasting no time.

Sawyer smirked "Finally, startin' to live in the present eh?"

"Are you gonna give it to me or what? She asked impatiently

"Now now. Dont get your panties in a bunch Freckles. I would give you the gun, but I dont think i'd ever get it back now will I?" he challenged

Kate groaned and realized he wasnt going to give it to her "Alright...fine. You do it" stated

Sawyer looked taken back "Me! Whoa there...you talk to Jack-O bout this?" he stated

Kate snapped "Look Sawyer, you gonna do it or not?"

"Alright, maybe afterwards i'll be able to get a decent nights sleep without all the moaning and groaning" he said, making Kate groan in disgust before walking back to the inromary.

Kate entered the infirmary and looked at the Marshall. She had to do this...he was in agony, he let out tortured moans all too often, his breathing was labored and he was as pale as a sheet. She had to find Jack...--hopefully he had calmed down considerabley since he left.

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Meanwhile

Jack stormed out of the infirmary with a thousand thoughts going through his head. How could Kate suggest something like that! Just shoot him--he shook his head and cleared his thoughts. He walked over to a secluded spot on the beach and planted himself on the sad, and let the calm take over him as he looked out at the tranquil ocean. His thoughts were interrupted by a timid voice coming from behind him.

"Jack?" kate nervously called out.

Jack sighed and slowly turned his head to look at Kate. She looked exhausted, physically and emotionally exhausted. He noticed the way her shoulders slumped and the way her upper body favored one side.

"Hi" he said quietly, waiting for her to come sit down with him.

Kate was nervous, she didnt know what to do. Did he want to be left alone? Was he mad at her?

"you gonna come any closer?" he asked smirking a little.

Kate didnt smile, she just nodded. For a brief second, the memory of an angry Wayne passed through her head. kate dismissed that thought as soon as it came to her though...Jack wasn't like that-- He would never...

She slowly walked towards him and sat down a few feet away from him.

Jack noticed and frowned...what was wrong with her? He reached out to cup her cheek but quickly retracted his hand as she flinched at his touch. Now he knew something was up...she had never done that before.

"Kate? Whats wrong?" he asked calmly

Kate felt tears well up in her eyes "i'm sorry...Jack...I'm sorry. Please dont be mad...I couldnt take it if you were mad at me" she pleaded tearfully.

Jack was shocked but knew there was somthing more. He wanted so badly to reach out and comfort her but was afraid he'd pull away from him again. "Kate...i'm sorry I got so angry in there. I guess I just needed to calm down. I'm not mad at you" he gently comforted

Kate nodded. She launched herself in his arms and let her tears fall.

"Shh...I'm not mad sweetheart" he whispered while rubbing her back soothingly. Once she calmed down, Jack spoke up.

"Kate? What is it?" he asked, wanting to know why she looked so scared of him when she thought he was mad at her.

Kate shook her head "Sorry, it's just...I know you would never do anything like that--and I hate myself for letting it cross my mind...God" she babbled

Jack knit his eyebrows together in confusion "Kate! Baby, you're not making any sense..." he interrupted "I would never do what?" he coaxed when she didnt say anything.

Kate looked down "hit me" she whispered barely audible.

Had he heard what he thought he heard? "Sorry?" he sputtered

Kate couldnt meet his eyes "Hit me...I said I know you would never lay a hand on me!" She whispered hysterically

Jack pulled her so she was sitting in his lap like a child, knees on either side of him and arms around his neck "oh Kate.." He murmered affectionately against her hair. Now he understood why she had flinched at his touch and why he saw fear in her eyes "I would never do that to you baby okay? ...never" he whispered

"I know...i'm sorry for even thinking that, its just I thought you were furious with me...and" she trailed off

Jack shook his head firmly "It's okay, it's okay. I'm sorry I got so mad" he assured her.

"Do you remember the first night we were going to...uhm..." she blushed, hoping he'd understand what she was talking about.

Jack smirked and nodded "And your cell phone went off" he added

flashback

mm. Lets move this to the bedroom" he said in a low voice making kate shudder. Kate didnt trust her voice, so she just nodded.

Jack grinned and picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her to his room.

"Jack!" Kate yelped

Jack gently laid her down on his bed and crawled over her. Kates hands went straight to his back as he latche dhis mouth to her neck. He was fiddling with the buttons on her pants when he felt something vibrate in her pocket. He stopped what he was doing, looked up and smirked at her.

"What's that? My competition?" he teased

Kate blushed scarlet as her jaw dropped "Shut up!" She muttered before digging around her pocket for her cell phone. She cursed when she saw the caller ID and dismissed the call before turning back to Jack who looked quite amused. "Where were we now..." she said seductively.

"mmm right here" he said as he once again took her lips before kissing his way down to her chest. He layed open mouthed kisses along the edge of her bra before fiddling with the clasp on the back to take it off. He moved back up to her shoulders and slid the straps down, kissing where they had been before. Just as he was about to slip the article of clothing off, Kate's cell phone vibrated against the table again. Jack groaned and rolled off of her. Kate growled and knew the person that was calling wouldnt let up until they talked.

"What!" She snapped into the phone, sending an apolegetic look to Jack who was sitting back trying to get himself under control.

"Stop calling me! You have NO right to anymore. Hell! you never did!" She yelled into the phone.

"Yeah well you lost that right the minute you ca--" she cut herself off abruptly suddenly remembering where she was. "Look, just stop calling me... I dont want anything to do with you" She said before snapping her phone shut. She turned to Look at Jack who was staring back at her quizically.

"I'm sorry" Kate said...the moment clearly gone. She re-did her bra and crawled over to where Jack was laying and sat next to him.

"It's okay" Jack said, pulling her down so she was laying in his embrace.

End of Flashback

"Well...the person who called that day--his name is Wayne. She started. She took a deep breath before continuing "Wayne...is my step father, or at least I thought he was until I was 16, and I found out he was my real father. I'll never think of him like that...but it wad devastating that I was actually related to that Jackass" she said bitterly.

"Kate..you dont have to tell me" he said softly

"you deserve to know" she stated "Wayne...he was a drunk...he uhm started out hitting my mom. At first, I didnt notice, I was only 4...she'd have a broken wrist or a black eye, but she'd just tell me sh fell. That was until my mom had to start working full time at the diner, Wayne came after me." She sobbed making Jack's heart break "I dont know why my mom didnt leave him--she loved him...she loved that bastard! she cried.

"Shhh baby, it's alright" he comforted, rocking them both back and forth.

"Finally after high school, I had to get out...I had to. I left my mom with him Jack...what kind of horrible daughter does that!" She cried, beating herself up.

"You did good Kate. You looked after yourself...sometimes people just fall in too deep okay? Theres no way you could've helped your mom. She genuinly believed she loved him. It's not your fault" he soothed.

"Thank you Jack" She whispered, looking up at him for the firs time.

"Hey i'm here for you...you dont have to worry--I would never hurt you" He said gently

Kate nodded "I know...I feel stupid for even thinking it. You would never do that--I trust you" She responded

"I'm sorry about the Marshall Kate...you're right, we need to let him go. I was a jackass" he apoligized

Kate smiled and kissed him soundly "Hey, dont go calling my boyfriend a jackass..." she teased "Jack, I understand; I really do -- and I know how you are with letting people go" She paused when he looked down "But thats what makes you the wonderful loving person you are...we all have our flaws, I'm not mad at you Jack" she finished

Jack stared at her in awe. 'Was she even real?' "You dont know how lucky I am to have you..." he said affectionately.

Kate smiled and quickly kissed him "Come on, I asked Sawyer to...uhm" she said quietly

"I dont want to be there" he said softly

"I'm not taking you there...we're going back to our tent. Everything's taken care of" she said grinning slightly "I dont know about you, but i'm exhausted" She said

"Yeah, I noticed. Why are you favoring your left side?" he asked, remembering what he saw

"How did you even notice that!" She asked incredulously. She was touched that he even noticed somthing so minute.

Jack smiled "Why?" He probed.

"I dont knowwww...I think I just need to crack it" she said

Jack nodded and followed her back to their tent.

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