"How many times do I have to tell you to get out of my house?" Kate tossed her keys on the table in the entry way. With Aaron present, her tone sounded like a joke, making Aaron giggle but both she and Jack knew it was no joke.

Jack realized how often he'd taken the simple routine for granted. The soft clink of the keys in the decorative bowl. The way her body language changed, relaxing in the comfort of her home. The way Aaron ran into her arms, letting her pick him up. Even the way she seemed so short once she stepped out of her high heels.

"You look beautiful."

"It's a green cardigan and jeans. You've seen me in this exact outfit before," she rolled her eyes.

"Doesn't make you any less beautiful." Jack noticed the slightest blush spread on her cheeks. "I brought pizza."

"I see. Thank you," she said, smiling at the Aaron eating his cut up pizza, the small squares still getting smeared across his face. "I'm actually not that hungry. I'm trying to watch what I eat," she lied.

"Trying to lose those last few pounds before the holidays?" He teased. He knew she was lying. Between being on the run and their time on the island, she hadn't been able to eat her favorite foods for some time. She had no problems indulging.

"Can't hurt. You never know who you might end up spending the holidays with." She raised an eyebrow, moving closer to Jack. "Jealous?" She whispered.

Jack grabbed her hip and pulled her against his side so fast she jumped. "I'm not jealous because I don't feel threatened. My stocking will be hung with the rest of my family's." His tone sounded ominous but Kate was struggling to breath. She loved this side of Jack, territorial and in charge. It reminded her of the Jack she met in the jungle; the Jack whose leadership left her yearning for his touch.

"That doesn't mean you'll be here for Christmas," she lied.

"You're bluffing. You'd never do that to Aaron. I know you Kate."

She knew he was right, and she knew that he knew. She tried to change the subject. "Once Aaron goes to bed, you're leaving."

Aaron was thrilled to skip his bath for the night, but Jack knew why.

"Kate," he whispered as they walked down the hall after putting Aaron to bed.

"Goodnight, Jack," she said without turning around.

Jack grabbed her hips, spinning her around. He kissed her quickly, taking her by surprise. She wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling him in as she kissed him back automatically. Her body reacted before her brain set in and after a moment she pushed him away.

"Aren't you exhausted from this?" Jack asked. "The reason you're so torn is that you love me, Kate. Yes, I messed up but we can move past this."

Kate felt her heart pounding in her chest. She knew he was right. She'd been so mad and now she didn't know if she was mad at all. The lunch had gone well and brought her and her father a little closer. So much so that Kate actually missed hearing from Sam.

"You have to go," she whispered. He could hear the pain in Kate's expression and knew he had touched a nerve. He could see the torment written on her face. As desperate as he was to tip the scales in his direction, he was equally grateful that she hadn't cut him off completely. For Kate to keep her walls down, even a little was a declaration of their love.

He headed out the door but stopped to face her, his face so close to hers that he could feel her warm breath. "I'll never stop fighting, Kate. We aren't over."

"It's nice she packs up these bags," Margo offered, trying to lighten the situation. "You have clothes at your apartment and can surely afford to buy new ones and still she packs you bags with clothes and shoes." Margo tried desperately to fill the silence "and she gives you copies of all of Aaron's bedtime stories."

"I don't want copies! I want to be there with my family!" Jack growled.

"Give her time, honey. She's hurt. You broke a promise and put her in an uncomfortable situation. She needs time."

"If I sit around and wait I'm going to lose her. She won't answer my calls or text me back. When I'm at the house she's somehow warm with Aaron but cold as ice with me. I don't know how to thaw that ice, Mom. I can't lose her."

"I'll talk to her," Margo finally offered with a sigh.

"Mom, we agreed not to—"

"I'm not in the middle of it. I'm on your side. I think she needs to be nudged in the right direction, whether it be with Sam or with you."

"Margo!" Kate chirped, rising to meet the older lady and greet her with a hug.

"You look beautiful, Kate. I'm glad you agreed to meet me," Margo said softly before ordering a hot tea and a Greek salad.

"May I please have a BLT with French cries, please? And an Arnold Palmer. Thank you." Kate turned to Margo. "I'm not going to stop contact just because Jack and I—"

"—had a fight," Margo interrupted. "That's all this is, sweetheart."

"He broke our trust. He broke a promise while backstabbing me. I don't—"

"He thought he was helping you. You know deep down that he'd never betray you without—" they were interrupted by the server delivering their meals. "He'd never hurt you on purpose."

"His intentions don't make it hurt any less." Kate dipped a French fry in ketchup, making lazy circles before eating it.

"Last I heard you were on a diet," Margo smirked.

"I just panicked," Kate laughed. "I don't know it's like I'm suffocating when we're in the same room and my heart is pounding so fast I can feel every beat."

"You know why that is, Sweetie. It's unresolved tension. And love." Kate glanced down, unable to meet the woman's eyes. Margo reached across the table and grabbed Kate's hand. "I know your first instinct is to run but please don't mistake a fight for a breakup." Margo saw the wheels turning in Kate's head. She had known that if anyone could get through to Kate it would be her.

"Jack?" She said softly into her cell phone once she was in the car after lunch. "I'm sorry to both—"

"You didn't. You don't, I mean. You've never bothered me," he raced through the sentences, almost in a panic. He somehow heard her silent smile through the phone and relaxed.

"I just wanted to um, to see if you wanted to meet for a coffee…"

"Yes! I'd love that."

"Actually," she paused. "Would you want to come over for dinner? We could talk after Aaron goes to bed?"

"You're comfortable with that?" He hated himself for asking her but he wanted to do this right.

She chuckled into the phone. "Yes, it's fine. Would tonight—"

"— Tonight is perfect!"

"I'm really looking forward to seeing you," she said softly before hanging up.