Kate yawned again, flicked her eyes over the unfamiliar surroundings. Her hand began absentmindedly feeling around the mattress for the familiar warmth, but instead found an empty spot in the bed. Where did he go? She pulled aside the comforter and swung her legs over the edge of the bed and tried to remember where her clothing was. She yawned, massaged her heavy eyelids and stretched her limbs.

Her posture changed the instant she became aware that she was being watched, she sat more erect. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Jack standing in the doorway leaning against the frame. He wore a grin of contentment and appreciation - obviously enjoying what he saw. Kate's eyes lifted, it was a rare moment to behold … this whole Jack looking happy thing.

"Hey sleepyhead."

Kate's lips grew fuller, softer as her mouth lengthened into a smile at the term of endearment. She then instinctually lifted the sheet to cover her nudity, "How long was I out for?"

Jack edged around the bed and sat next to her. He placed his arm around her shoulder, "Only three hours." He had checked on her a few times, and paused a few minutes to take in the sight of her splayed nude in the sheets, lying on her stomach with her arms above her head. She had even been sucking a tendril of hair into her mouth as she inhaled. She looked beautiful.

"Three hours?! Why did you let me sleep so long?" When was the last time she had indulged in an afternoon nap of three hours? Never.

Jack chuckled and then squelched her complaint before she had a chance to form it, "Kate, you're in your first trimester. You're going to feel fatigued. I want you to rest. You need to rest".

Something passed over her face, a weary premonition of what was in store for them in the near future and … well, forever. Kate sighed, "Is this really happening?" It wasn't that she was having doubts about wanting Jack's child, that part made her smile inside. It was more of the idea of bringing another variable into the unknown that was really setting in.

Jack shifted slightly next to her and took a deep breath, "Yes Kate. It's happening. Is looming parenthood giving you cold feet? Because if that's the case, it's a little too late now."

Kate took a deep breath, "By the way, I haven't told anyone - about the baby. Would you mind if we waited a little while? It just seems too early to announce it."

Jack reached over her slowly and took her hand, "Of course, most couples like to wait until the second trimester anyway. We'll just wait until you feel comfortable about sharing the news." He heard a faint grumbling noise and looked down at Kate's stomach. Chuckling, he said, "We should probably think about eating something soon-"

"Didn't Maggie say she was going to stop by with some things?" She asked. But, the truth was, Kate was more interested in seeing her nephew - squeezing him and feasting on his sweet cherubic cheeks. It's been way too long and she was itching to hug and smell him. See his chocolate brown eyes, his father's defined high cheek-bones.

She recalled the snapshots that Maggie sent her of Owen's first tooth and his first step. Her heart dipped, thinking about poor Glenn and how he would never be given the chance to see his son grow into a man … but then again, there was no certainty to anything now.

"She came by earlier, but you were asleep -"

Her eyes darkened, "Jack, you should have woken me up -"

Jack groaned, he didn't want an argument, "I didn't want to interrupt you and neither did Maggie." He gave a playful swipe on the tip of her nose with his index finger, "Owen is a cute kid, by the way. Very friendly and talkative. He had a lot to say about you too."

The irritation that was bubbling before began to dissipate as Owen's name rolled off Jack's lips, "You saw him?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yeah, I did."

Kate's shoulders lifted, "How was he? I mean, did he seem … happy?"

Jack rubbed the back of his head and sighed, "He seemed content to me. Healthy looking, smiley. I don't think he understands everything, if that's what you're asking. He's not even six years old yet. Did you know they actually have a school here? So he talked about that a little bit. But mostly he talked about his favorite aunt."

Kate laughed, "I'm the only aunt he has, but that's good to know. What else did he say?"

"Hmmm. He said that you were a very good 'draw-er', that you crayoned the most 'awesomest' firetrucks and puppy dogs. Owen also mentioned that you were the 'bestest' at playing hide and seek."

"Oh, did he now?" Her eyebrow quirked upward cynically.

"Yeah and I believe him too. I know for a fact that you are very skilled at playing certain games." He said, eyes mischievous with a hint of desire. Kate caught his meaning and playfully jammed her elbow in his side.

"Owww."

"So what are we having for dinner?"

"Ahhh. I'm making a lasagna -"

"Lasagna?" Kate asked in a musing way.

Jack's shoulders sagged as he ran his hand down the back of his head and sighed, "Long story, but I made a promise to Juliet."

"You made a promise?" Kate smiled playfully, while taking in his ruggedly handsome face. "I can't wait to try it. Let me get dressed and I'll be out in a few to help."

A couple of minutes later, Kate walked into the small living area and found a large cardboard box, "Jack, what's in here?" Holding a kitchen hand towel, Jack stopped at the entryway to the room while wiping his hands with the cloth, "Oh, that was some of the stuff that Maggie left. I didn't go through it, I figured I'd just wait for you-"

"Ahhh, like Christmas morning?"

Chuckling, Jack nodded, "Yeah, something like that." He moved over to where she was standing and urged her to sit down on the couch. Taking the spot next to her, he leaned over and dragged the box across the hardwood floor. He lifted the flaps that were loosely closed and then reached in to pull out a pair of his/ hers arctic expedition parkas. The black one was in his size, the army green was in Kate's. They were a generic brand and he recognized the standard issue uniform quality to them. He handed Kate's coat to her and then proceeded to rifle deeper through the box and, sure enough, there were identical gloves, hats and thermal socks. All black … basic. Jack fingered the items for a long while and Kate saw that Jack was still puzzling over this. "Huh." He said.

"What is it Jack?"

"Nothing. I mean, did they raid a uniform factory? This is the kind of equipment that is ordered in bulk."

Kate's brows creased, "I don't understand Jack -"

"Look at this stuff, Kate. This didn't come from a department store or from some place you'd find on a supply run. And definitely NOT in Vermont."

Kate took a deep breath and stood up. She folded her arms across her chest defensively, "Okay, Jack. So what are you saying? Where do you think my sister got these things from?" And with those words, Jack realized that he needed tread lightly … this place, these people were her sister's friends. To question this was to question Maggie, her loyalty … her motives.

Jack lifted his hands in surrender, "Hey. Hey, listen… you're right. Just ignore me, okay. I'm being paranoid."

Kate studied his expression and she didn't believe him. He was just trying to avoid an argument and could she blame him? She knew Jack was still suspicious, he was hardwired to be that way. Jack told her about his father's lies and manipulation, his ex-girlfriend's betrayal and Rick's murder at the hands of Shane. Jack was a soldier that was delivered behind enemy lines to perform covert operations. To not be suspicious was as a potential death sentence.

The gang sat at the table sharing jokes, the first genuine laughter in a very long time. None of them could remember the last time they were all able to enjoy a meal together without looking over their shoulders in fear for their lives. Sawyer reached over to pour himself a glass of the boxed wine he brought over - compliments of Miles. Hey, it helped to have friends in high places, as he always liked to say.

"So Freckles, why ain't ya partaking in a glass of this fine vintage? Wine from a box, not whatcha used to huh?" Kate chuckled, there was a reason she wasn't drinking, but the truth would just have to wait.

"Oh Sawyer, are you calling me a snob? I actually hit some boxed wine back in the day. I'm just holding off for a little while, until I'm fully recuperated, back to my old self and have my old energy level."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. At the very least you can eat another slice of the garlic bread I made … I used my bare hands - whoops, I mean one hand -" With a grin, Sawyer lifted his stump, "Not bad for a person with a handicap -"

With a smile, Juliet tut-tutted, "James, the days of feeling sorry for yourself are over now. I gave you your mourning period."

"Damn, Blondie! Didn't know there was a statute of limitations for missing a limb, but I'll take your word for it." Sawyer took another long sip, leaned back into his chair and laughed. His dimples were already flushed from the couple of alcoholic drinks he had.

Jack looked back and forth between Sawyer and Juliet. They were seated together and he sensed that there might be something brewing between them that went beyond friendship and he didn't know how he felt about that. Was it too soon? It seemed like yesterday since Rick was killed, but it also felt like an eternity had passed as well. The last few months felt surreal, as if they were living in another time dimension where days blurred into weeks and so on.

Daryl sat with a cooing Aaron on his lap, a child that now seemed to belong to all of them. Aaron never flinched when any of them picked him up. And Kate found herself observing Jack's interactions with the baby more carefully now, even noticing the delight on Jack's face when the baby smiled back at him.

Kate was disappointed that Maggie and Owen weren't able to come tonight because she had to work, but Kate made sure to enjoy the moment. Her friends all sitting together at a candlelit table and enjoying Jack's prepared dinner. It was almost too much to hope for, she had her family, friends … Jack and she touched her barely there swell then.

Daryl noticed Kate grab her belly and smiled, "Kate, did you eat too much of Jack's lasagna."

"I think so, Daryl." She stood up and grabbed a few of the empty dishes off the table and brought them to the sink.

Jack pushed Kate's hands away as she tried to do the dishes. Her nose wrinkled in a cute pout, but she appreciated the gesture nonetheless. He nudged her with his hip and whispered to her. "Be a good host and keep our guests company," he teased. "Let me see if I can get this dishwasher to turn on. It's probably just not plugged in." Jack bent down and opened the sink cabinet, reaching in, he fumbled his hand around until he felt a switch, "I think I found it, here we go-"

A loud grinding sound of a motor broke through the silence.

Sawyer and Daryl jumped from their places at the table and looked around as the sound encompassed the entire house. "Son of a bitch! What the hell is that, Doc?"

Jack stood up and immediately pushed the curtain aside to discover hinged steel louver panels rolling down and covering the window. Daryl walked over to the door, but that was also now being covered by the rolling panel. Jack bent down again and flipped the switch in the other direction and the panels stopped and began to retract upwards again.

Jack stepped into the dining room, wearing an expression mixed with confusion and anger.

"Hey Doc, that's some alarm system you got here, you think I was trying to steal your silverware?"

Jack wasn't laughing though, he looked at Daryl, "Those are hurricane shutters and from what I can see, pretty heavy duty ones. The kind that are meant to withstand a category 5 storm. Does anyone have an idea why a house in Vermont was built with hurricane shutters?" Kate stepped up to Jack, she knew very well what he was thinking: that this place wasn't what it seemed.

"Jack, I'm sure there's an explanation-"

He raised his arms in frustration, "Really, Kate? Because, the way I see it, this place is built like a fortress to withstand … walkers." God, he was calling the infected that now.

Kate watched Jack go to the coat closet and begin to put on his parka, the parka he briefly glared at with annoyance before fitting his arms through the sleeves. Kate walked up to him, "So what are you gonna do, Jack?"

"I want answers, Kate."

Jack opened the door and walked out. Wearing a helpless expression, Kate looked over to Daryl for some support.

"Don't worry Kate. Sawyer and I'll go and talk down the Doc before he starts actin' crazy."

Daryl placed his hand on her shoulder and she smiled back, "Thank you, Daryl."

Jack heard footsteps chasing up behind him. "Yo Hoss, hold them horses and give us a chance to catch up with you." Jack took a deep breath, but that did nothing to abate the anger that was fueling his veins. He knew something was off here. He felt it right away and Locke had tried to make light of it. But now, he was tired of just accepting things at face value. What the fuck was this place?

The three were walking abreast on the road. Daryl spoke up, "You wanna tell us where we're going?" Jack wasn't sure actually. He wanted to speak to Locke or Sayid.

"I'm going to the clubhouse, the rec room … whatever they call it."

"All righty. Lead the way, Moses." Sawyer snorted.

It only took a few minutes to get there, but the icy cold weather fueled their limbs to span the distance as quickly as possible. Jack stepped inside the door of the three story building. In the foyer, he pulled the hood of his coat back and looked around. There was a woman sitting at that the welcome desk. "Is there is something I can help you with?"

Impatient, Jack snapped at her, "Yeah. I'm looking for John Locke." The woman recoiled at the tone of his response and Jack noticed. Using a softer voice this time, Jack tried again, "Excuse me. I'm sorry. I'm having rough day. Do you know if John is here tonight."

"Sure. He's playing chess in the game room on the second floor."

"Thank you."

The three men walked up the stairs and found the large room easily. In the space were a number of card and game tables, there were even logs burning in the fireplace. There were about a dozen people there, all engrossed in their activities. Jack found Locke and Sayid in the far-side corner and took long strides towards them.

"Locke-"

Without lifting his head, Locke raised his hand, "One second, I'm in the middle of -"

Jack wasn't waiting though. He swiped at a few of the chess pieces and that made Sayid bolt out of his seat, the chair hit the floor behind him with a loud thud. Glaring at Jack, he readied himself in a fighting stance. But Daryl immediately stepped in to separate them. The others in the room froze still, riveted by this outburst.

Sawyer gave Daryl a nervous look. What the hell has gotten into the Doc?

"That's alright Sayid." John looked around at the rest of the room, "Everything's okay. Just get back to where you were." After a few seconds, when it appeared that everyone was re-engaged in their activities, he turned back to Jack, "That wasn't very polite, Dr. Shephard. I was about to win. But now that my match is over and you have my attention, how can I help you?"

Jack straightened up and looked around the room. "I want to know what this place is. I want to know how you got all these supplies. I want to know why you're here."

"I've explained this to you, Jack."

"No. You haven't. You told me what you think I want to hear, but not the truth."

Jack took a deep breath, "I want to speak to the person in charge. Now." Jack's large hands were now pressed on the surface of the table, supporting the weight of his upper body. Jack's chin jutted forward and he could feel every striation of the muscles in his forearms.

"NOW, John!"

Locke shook his head, "Well, I can't help you -"

A voice interrupted them. "Hey dude. It's okay. I'll talk to him." Jack, Daryl and Sawyer turned to find a large fleshy man with shoulder length curly brown hair standing nearby. He was smiling as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"And who the hell are you Stay Puft?" Sawyer asked incredulously.

Hugo rolled his eyes at the insult, but smiled nonetheless. "Me. I'm the man in charge."

A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the LOOOOOONG hiatus. I wanted to let you know that I am still committed to finishing this story and that I am working on the next chapter of SA - I hope to have that up soon.

If you're still reading, drop me a review, it really helps me keep inspired.