"It's getting cold," Kate whispered. The three of them sat on a porch swing watching the sunset. Aaron was tucked against Jack, refusing to let go even in sleep. Kate had even let herself curl against the other side of him, giving him a chance to wrap an arm around her as he drank a few glasses of wine. "I don't want him to get sick."

"And you?"

"What about me?" She asked.

"Aren't you afraid of getting sick?"

"I'm a mom," she laughed as she stood up. "I don't get sick."

"I didn't have that much wine. I got him," Jack said when she reached down for the boy. "I missed our nighttime ritual. Or, I guess you're nighttime ritual."

"I liked it better the first way," she smiled, watching him carry Aaron inside and up the stairs. The two shared the same smile as they always did when it came to Aaron. No matter how long they were apart, Aaron would always bring back those tender glances and familiar smiles. Aaron would always remind them that they were bonded forever. They'd always be tied to each other, both by the island and by Aaron.

"I like us better this way," he fired back, returning the wistful expression she had. He put Aaron to bed without waking the sleeping child. "He's out like a light," he told her when he'd returned.

"He had a really good day," Kate smiled "he seems to have forgotten he was even sick."

"Well, his mom made it all better," Jack reminded her. "You're a really incredible mother." He saw Kate's cheeks redden but he wasn't sure if the words truly sunk in. He stepped closer and began massaging her shoulders.

"What did I do to deserve this?" She whispered breathlessly, trying to stifle a moan at the way he cured her of all the tension she'd been holding.

"You take care of my son," he slowly brushed the hair to one side of her head and let his lips make contact with her neck. She made a soft murmur before turning to face him.

"You take good care of him, too. I mean it, I love seeing you with him," she admitted. She let her thumb brush over his lips as she studied his face. He was still the same Jack, the man from the island, their fearless leader. She was helpless as the memories took over her and she kissed him, slowly at first but deepening the kiss when Jack initiated it. Her hands got lost in his hair; she grabbed his shirt, pulling him tightly against her.

He grabbed her quickly and slammed her against the wall, holding her suspended in his arms as he pushed at her skirt, desperate to get to her.

"Jack, wait," Kate panted, putting a hand to his chest. "We have to get a condom."

"Let's just go with it," he offered.

"Jack!"

"Why do we even need one?" He sighed, putting her down and running a hand through his hair in exasperation.

"If we used one throughout our relationship why wouldn't we when we aren't together?" She demanded, a hand on her hips.

Jack raced over to the island and threw the envelope on the floor. "I saw the brochure!" Jack yelled.

"You went through my things?"

"Why wouldn't you want a child with me?" Jack snapped.

"This is none of your business!" She snarled. "I think you should leave," she said softly, her eyes filling with tears.

"Having an anonymous donor won't make the baby Sawyer's." Rather than words, Kate backfisted Jack, her knuckle spinning behind her to make contact with his face. He let out a groan as he clutched his jaw.

"Why do you always bring him up?" Kate's voice shook with rage.

"You loved him, Kate! You probably still do—"

"He's gone! He stayed behind, Jack. We never had a chance at a future together because you can't let go of the past."

"He loved you."

"What?" Her head tilted in confusion.

"He told me when he got shot that he loved you..." he moved closer, hating that with every step he took, Kate backed up. He knew he was scaring her; he knew he was pissing her off but he couldn't stop. It was like watching a car wreck.

"That means nothing now. This isn't the island, Jack. This is real life. We can't keep living in the past; we can't keep one foot on that island anymore."

"You'd still be on that island if it weren't for me!" Jack yelled, slapping the wall. Kate's body tensed and flinched; she had been raised in a violent and alcoholic household. No matter how much wine Jack had to drink, there was no excuse for this behavior. And Aaron would never grow up in a house like Kate's. When he saw the terror in her eyes, he sobered up enough to realize what he had done. "Kate," he sighed. "I—"

"Don't." Her voice was so cold and icy that he almost didn't recognize it. "You need to leave right now or I'll call the cops."

"Kate, don't do this," Jack pleaded. "I'm sorry..."

"You're always sorry," the disappointment across her face shattered him. Her cheeks were stained with the trails of tears and her eyes were red and puffy. But there was a hatred in her eyes that he had never seen from her before. He wondered if she had looked at Wayne that same way but he knew he didn't want to know the answer. "Goodbye," she repeated and he knew better than to try to get through to her.

Jack didn't even get the front door closed before he heard the unmistakable sound of Kate crumpling to the floor as she cried uncontrollably.