The minute Jack returned to the hotel room, he knew something was off. The room was silent and dimly lit, making Kate appear as a silhouette, sitting on the edge of the bed with her face buried in her hands.

"Kate?" Jack asked, turning on the light. Even studying her profile, he knew she'd been crying. Her eyes were rimmed in red and her cheeks were stained with tears. "What is it? If it was the beach, it's okay. You can take baby steps to gettin—"

"It wasn't the beach," she sniffled, letting him bury her in his safe embrace. She wished it were that easy, to just let him hold her until all her problems dissolved.

"Then what was it?" He asked, using two fingers to lift her chin until her eyes met his. "What can I do, hmm?"

"Would you do anything for me, Jack? Anything for Aaron? No matter what?"

"Of course! Now what is this all about?"

"I need you to leave me, Jack." Jack started to smile, not taking her serious. And then he saw her expression. She looked pale and pained as fresh tears slid down her cheeks. "Go. Leave now. Get Aaron and leave. Anywhere, just don't tell me. Don't look for me—"

"Kate!" Jack shook her shoulders, unable to hear another minute. She was in hysterics, spewing nonsense and making Jack panic.

"You have to go," Kate whispered weakly. "Please..." he wiped her tears, scooping her into his lap. He let her straddle him so they were at eye level. It only took one second of eye contact for her body to crumble as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"This isn't what you want," Jack warned her. "Tell me what's happened. Now." His voice was deep and husky. There wasn't a hint of anger but still it dared her to lie.

"You and Aaron are in danger," Kate whispered, unable to look at him. "You need to leave..." she stood, trying to rush Jack out of her room and out of her life.

"In danger how?" Jack whispered, holding Kate firmly by the hips so their faces were inches apart. When she didn't answer he grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze of encouragement.

"He blames me ... for his father ... he's coming back..." her words trailed in and out as she struggled to explain.

"Who is he? Kenneth Smythe?"

Suddenly, a large knock made them both jump. Jack had to shake Kate to regain her attention. "Who is he?" He repeated.

"It's not Kenneth Smythe. It's Kenneth Mars," her whole body was shaking.

"Mars..." Jack's mind raced. He knew that name.

"His father was Edward Mars. Marshall Edward Mars."

"Kate!" Kenneth called. "I know you're in there! Open up!"

"Jack, please, sneak out the window or lock yourself in the bathroom," she begged. "He blames me for his fathers death—"

"But I'm the one who killed—"

"Shhh!" Kate put her hand against Jack's mouth, silencing him. "Jack, you have to go!" She hissed.

"I'm not leaving you; get that through your head!" Jack sighed, suddenly guilty over snapping at her. He held her against him and kissed her, hoping to stop her trembling.

"I'll break this door down!" Kenneth called.

Jack kissed Kate's forehead before they exchanged a glance, the same glance they'd exchanged as Ben Linus blindfolded them and took them hostage. That glance that expressed their love in case they didn't make it out alive.

Kate gave one last sad glance before opening the door.