25. Claire pulled her books out of her backpack and shoved them into her locker. She groaned when she realized she had taken that other girl's book. She looked at the cover to find the name. Juliet Burke. Now if only she could find out who Juliet Burke was.

"Claire?" Jack said next to her suddenly.

Claire screamed and dropped the book.

"Whoa, calm down," he said, reaching down to get the book, "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to scare you."

Claire laughed lightly, "No, I just didn't even see you there. Hi, Jack."

"My friend Juliet asked me to ask you if you had her bio book, but I think this is it in my hands?" he asked with his eyebrows raised.

"Wow, yeah, I just was wondering how I was going to figure out how to get that to her."

"Well, worry no more. I'll take it for you."

"Thanks, Jack. That would help a lot."

"No problem. Are you leaving?"

"Yep," she pulled on her jacket and shut her locker.

"I'll walk with you. So," he started nervously, "Have you made an appointment yet?"

"Almost," she insisted.

"Claire, really, this is important."

"I know, Jack. Please. Just let me do it on my time."

Tempted to stress the importance of having everything monitored monthly, he knew the statistics wouldn't sway Claire.

"Do you want someone to go with you?" Jack asked.

"To the doctor?"

"Yeah. If you're uncomfortable with me, I know someone who would be quiet about it all and willing to help."

"Who?" she said as she kept walking towards the front.

"Kate," Jack said with a sideways glance.

"Kate? Are you sure?"

"I think so. I can ask if you want."

"I don't know, Jack. That seems a little weird. I think you're just trying to make sure I go."

"That obvious? I'll have to work on my bedside manner, I guess."

Claire laughed, "Listen, I know it's just because you want to do the right thing and yeah, honestly, I would kinda like to have someone there. Could you talk to her maybe?"

Jack nodded, "Of course. Just take care of yourself. I'll see you tomorrow, Claire."

He headed downstairs towards his own locker. Shoving Juliet's book inside, he grabbed what he needed and made his way towards the entrance of the school.

Sliding into his seat, it felt good to be able to drive again. He pulled out onto the road and it wasn't long before he saw Kate Austen herself, walking home. With a brief sense of déjà vu he crawled along the side and rolled the window down.

"Need a ride?" he called.

"Sure," she agreed as she pulled the door open.

The car behind them honked and he tried to wave as he took off.

"Thanks," she said with a smile, pushing her hair back behind her.

"I can give you a ride any time you need one," he said earnestly.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Actually," he started and realized he didn't know exactly what to say, "I kind of had something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Claire, um, this sounds crazy, but Claire, she wants someone to go to the doctor with her and I thought maybe you could go and help her."

"Why does she need to go to the doctor?"

"She's pregnant."

"Oh," Kate said, surprised.

"But no one is supposed to know that."

"Oh."

"And I thought maybe you could, you know, talk to her or something. She needs someone just to listen to and you seem like a good listener."

Kate nodded slowly and looked out of the widow, "I don't know, Jack. That seems a little personal doesn't it? I mean, I don't really know her that well."

Jack nodded, trying to think of the best way to respond, "If you don't want to that's fine. I can go. I just want to make sure she actually goes."

Kate sat in silence, looking out the window, "No, I can do it. I'll tell her. How else do you get to know someone, right? Besides spending time with them?"

Jack tried to laugh lightly but it came out like a sigh, "Thanks Kate."

"You can drop me off here," she said suddenly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," she said with a smile, "I'm sure."

"Okay," he pulled over and let the car idle.

He thought about what Claire said with prom. Maybe Kate would go with him, if he would just ask.

Kate lingered as long as she could, waiting for him to say something else. When he didn't, she turned toward him.

"Well, thanks again Jack. I'll talk to Claire."

"Right."

She climbed out of the car and the door shut behind her.

"Bye Kate," he said quietly.