Only two more chapters left after this one. I'd really like to reach at least 50 reviews by the end of the story.

Chapter 25

Notte prima dell'estremità

"The obsession with suicide is characteristic of the man who can neither live nor die, and whose attention never swerves from this double impossibility."

The rhythmic rocking motion seemed to be keeping her in a tired state. It was either that or the comfort of the strong arms holding her close. The air around her seemed to be warm and misty, the kind of warm that makes you just want to lie down and take a nap.

Despite her confusion, Kate found it very easy to stay calm and to keep her eyes closed. Somehow she knew the person holding her close was Jack. She wasn't sure how, but she did. Most likely it was because this was a dream, even though it felt very real to her. And at the moment, she wished it was real. She probably would have done anything to be in Jack's strong arms.

Slowly, she forced her eyes open, finding herself on the beach, resting comfortably in Jack's lap. She seemed to have no control over what she was doing, since this was a dream. Though she just sort of went with things, without even noticing. "You like watching me sleep?" she murmured, leaning her head against his bare chest with a yawn.

Jack looked down at her and smiled. "I love watching you sleep." he said, running his hand through her beautiful brown curls. "And since you fell asleep in my arms and I had nothing else to do…" He smirked and kissed the top of her head.

Kate felt her lips curl into a small smile. "I see how it is…You say you love watching me sleep, but if you had something else to do; you would have gone and done that instead."

Jack chuckled softly. "Only if someone really needed me." he told her. "I wouldn't have moved even if you hadn't of fallen asleep on my lap."

Kate smiled even more. "Good." she murmured, snuggling against him. "I'm still tired." she murmured with a sigh, closing her eyes.

Jack smiled. "It's going to start getting late." he said. "I can take you back to your tent if you want me too."

Kate nodded her head, but then wrapped her arms tightly around his torso. "But only if you stay with me." she told him, yawning.

Jack smiled. "I planned on it." he whispered softly in her ear. He gently picked her up, feeling her hold tighter to him as he did so. He laughed and shook his head. "I'm not going to drop you, Kate." he told her.

Kate loosened her grip slightly. "Just making sure." she mumbled, wrinkling her nose a bit.

Jack shook his head again. He took her back to her tent, walking in and lying her down on the airline seats that she used as a bed. He lied down beside her, wrapping his arms around her. "Kate…" he said softly with a smirk. "Are you sleeping?"

Kate pouted as he spoke and nodded her head. She rolled over, trying to bury her face in his shoulder, only to have him pull away. "Jack…" she whined.

Jack smirked teasingly. "Kate…" he mocked softly. He leaned down, placing a gentle, teasing kiss on her lips. "Are you still sleeping."

Kate stuck out her lower lip, pouting even more. "I don't know." she replied with a frown.

Jack grinned. "You don't know?" he asked her. "Maybe I can help you figure it out." He placed another teasing kiss on her lips, pulling away just as he felt her kiss him back.

Kate whimpered in frustration. "Stop it." she pouted, opening her eyes to look at him.

Jack looked at her. "Awww." he said. He leaned down and kissed her again, deepening it as she kissed him back.

Kate smiled slightly and kissed him back. She placed one of her hands on his cheek, stroking it gently with her thumb.

Jack kissed her for several moments, pulling away when he needed to breath. He leaned his forehead against hers, smiling softly. "You know how wonderful you are?" he asked.

"No." Kate mumbled, trying to catch her breath. "But I have a feeling you're about to tell me." She smiled slightly.

"You are wonderful." Jack told her. "You are the most wonderful woman in this entire world. You're beautiful, smart, strong, brave, helpful, compassionate…And everything I've always wanted."

Kate smiled, feeling a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Thanks, Jack." she whispered, biting down on her lower lip. She opened her eyes and looked at him, still smiling.

Jack looked at her and grinned. "We've been on this island for so long." he told her, running his hand through her hair again. "Years. I don't think we're ever even going to get off." He looked at her, staring into her eyes. "Can I ask you something, Katie?"

Kate stared back into his eyes and nodded her head. What could he possibly want to ask her right now? All she wanted to do was kiss him again. Her gaze traveled to his lips, but she caught herself and quickly looked back into his eyes again.

Jack smirked, watching her. He pulled her closer. "Will you marry me, Katie?" he asked her softly. "I love you so much."

Kate stared at him for a moment, tears welling up in her eyes; soon streaming down her cheeks. She nodded her head. "Yes." she whispered. "I love you so much too."

Jack grinned, looking at her. Their lips met again in a passionate kiss before he slowly pulled away. "You'll be happy in the end, Katie."