Thanks for the reviews, guys. *hugs* I still haven´t forgotten about your requests (they´re probably coming out in May), but I had this cute little idea that just wouldn´t let me go, so I had to give it a shot. It´s dedicated to Nille from LF.

p.s. It´s set after that short but sweet jate reunion in ELH. ;)

Home

˝Hey.˝ he said quietly and she looked up, giving him the sweetest smile.

˝Hey.˝

˝Here. You should eat something. ˝he said, offering her a bowl of oatmeal.

˝Thanks. ˝she said, smiling. Always the worrier.

He smiled too, placing himself down next to her.

For a moment, none of them spoke; looking in front of themselves.

˝Is the oatmeal good? ˝Jack asked, trying to break the silence.

˝Uhm...yeah. Yeah, it´s good. ˝she replied, and the silence fell down again, both of them knowing the oatmeal wasn´t what they wanted to talk about.

Kate took another spoon, swallowed, then asked quietly: ˝So...did you find it?˝

Jack looked at her, confused: ˝Did I find what? ˝

˝What you were looking for. ˝she said quietly, with a hint of sadness in her voice.

Jack smiled, looking in front of himself, then turning back to her: his eyes locking with hers before he finally said: ˝Maybe. ˝

He kept his gaze on her for a moment too long, looking at her with that dazed expression in his eyes; the expression that looked way too familiar, reminding her of lazy Sunday mornings and tender hallway kisses.

She looked down, feeling her cheeks blush; thousands of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Jack looked down too, a small smile flickering on his lips. He didn´t know what would happen between them in the future, but, for now, he was just happy to be in her company again.

˝So...˝ he started after a while, causing her to look up. ˝...things are a bit crazy on this side of the island, huh? ˝

Kate laughed. ˝Understatament of the year. ˝she said, making him chuckle lightly too. ˝Locke, or whoever he is, Sayid, Claire... ˝she began, sounding sad and tired, smile quickly leaving her lips. ˝...I...I dont even know what to think anymore. ˝

He looked up at her, studing her face.

˝I came her so I could bring her to Aaron and now...now I dont even know I want her close to him. ˝she said, her voice breaking down.

Jack reached out, putting his hand on her shoulder. ˝Hey...it´s gonna be okay. ˝he said, trying to comfort her. ˝I dont know how, but...we´ll figure something out together, okay? ˝

His words were comforting, and she felt a little smile appearing on her lips despite tears. She shooked her head, smiling. He always knew how to make her feel better. ˝Yeah. ˝she said and nodded, wiping away the tears with the back of her sleeve and then returning to stare at the ocean in front, trying to get herself in control.

Jack studied her face in the light of the fire, noticing exactly how tired and stressed out she was.

˝You look tired. ˝he stated quietly.

Kate smiled. ˝Yeah, I... I haven´t been sleeping much lately. Too many crazies out there to be able to relax. ˝she said, trying to sell it as a joke, but he knew her well enough to know it was truth.

He studied her for a moment, then finally said: ˝Come here. ˝

˝What? ˝ she asked, startled.

He bit back a smile; and instead said, his tone serious: ˝You need sleep, Kate, you´re exhausted. I´m fine, so I´ll keep an eye on the crazies while you get some sleep, okay? ˝

She looked at him, debating with herself her choice. The situation between them was already more than complicated, and she was afraid that, if she let him close again, she would end up hurt...once again. And she wasn´t sure she could take it. But, at the same time, he was right: she was exhausted and the thought of his welcoming arms wrapped around her sounded more than perfect.

Finally, heart won over brain and she scooted in front of him, sitting down and leaning back against his chest, letting out a content sigh as her back relaxed into a familiar territory. He wrapped his arms around her and she tried one last time to fight against of what all her instincts were telling her.

˝Jack...˝she tried feebly, but he cut her off, his voice tender.

˝Shhhh...We´ll talk tomorrow, now just close your eyes and relax, okay? ˝he whispered.

His breath was warm against her ear, his voice soft, the warmth of his body and the familiar comfort it provided feeling too good to resist anymore, and she found herself nodding, closing her eyes and allowing her muscles to go soft in his arms; the burden that she had been carrying on her shoulders for the past couple of days finally dissapearing.

Jack watched her struggle with her consciousness for a while, amused; and then finally give up, her head falling on the upper part of his arm. And as he felt her body going completely flex in his arms, he knew he had, indeed, foung what he was looking for.

He was home.

_________

p.s. I know, not my best, but RL has been really stressful lately and I dont have much time for writing, so I try to sneak in the little time I have between college and work. And writing while driving in the bus isn´t exactly the most inspiring enviroment *giggle*