Confrontation

Sawyer sat in the same chair he always did reading the same book. Feeling a person near him he looked up.

"Well well well." Sawyer smirked as he put the book down.

"What is your problem?" Jack questioned.

"See I have many of those. So you're gonna have to specify." Sawyer smiled.

"Why do you insist on upsetting her?" Jack asked emphasizing with his hands. Sawyer lost his smile as he momentarily looked away.

"Why do you keep pursuing her?" Sawyer asked strait faced.

"That's not the question.' Jack quickly came back.

"Ah. But I think it is." Sawyer came back even faster with that grin back on his face. Jack looked away trying not to punch him right then. He took in deep breaths as if to be counting sugar plum fairies.

"Look. Keep you hands off her.' Jack warned with his hands again. Sawyer looked at him seeming to provoke him with what he would do.

"Or what?" Sawyer tempted him. Jack really had no clue what he would do.

"Don't make me come up with what." He simply put before turning away and waling away.

"Okey Dokey" Sawyer said as he sat there with that evil grin watching the enemy walk away.

Kate had filled all the water bottles and put them in her bag. Turning around she sat on the edge of the pond resting. She was tired of having days like this. Worried about one thing or another. Dealing with this person and that she really couldn't take it. Taking a deep breath she got up. Stretching out she bent over and picked up her backpack as she headed back to the beach. With the thought of dealing with Sawyer dwelled in her mind she pushed it away as she couldn't take the worry in the pit of her stomach. She thought more so of the kiss. Not the one on the beach the one that seemed to mean more to her. The one Jack gave her on her cheek showing he was gonna make it all better.

Walking out onto the beach she took in the ocean breeze. The sun felt good as it beat down upon her. Although the sand was hot it didn't seem to bother her skin as she walked across it. She had gotten used to it. With all thought from her mind feeling somewhat relieved she looked towards the wreck and saw Jack heading her way. He saw her too. Looking down at the ground he pretended not to see her as he walked toward she.

She tried to play the bashful game as he did, but she could help but look up at him. She saw him differently. Feeling more in touch with him she just starred at him. No reason more then to just look at him. As he got to her he looked awkwardly up to her. Their eyes met as their star became intense. No expressions graced their faces as Jack walked away. Looking away he continued on his way to the caves. Kate kept her eyes on him for a while before she turned back to see Shannon standing in front of her. Kate jerked to a stop.

"Is that our water?" Shannon nearly demanded as Kate followed her finger pointing at her backpack. Kate said nothing as she took her backpack off. Quickly going through it she handed an impatient Shannon the water.

"Thanks." Shannon thanked sarcastically before walking away.

"You're welcome." Kate whispered.

Handing out all the water bottles she felt that growing feeling in her stomach as she saw two bottles in the bottom of her bag. Sawyer's. She looked down at her arm. The bruises were barely noticeable, but you could see them. And they reminded her. Taking in a deep breath she got up her bearings. Standing up she walked as slowly as she could to take up time walking to his tent. Getting there she didn't wanna waste the time letting him know she was there. She just paraded in unannounced.

He sat in his chair as he looked up at her confused. Then anger displayed on her face. As she stood before him he looked down at his book pretending to be reading just to aggravate her. She looked down at him with wait spread over her body.

"So you had to go tell on me to Captain Planet." He said breaking the silence as he looked up at her. Jack had said something to him. She knew he would. It really didn't bother her. Seeing her handing out the water he focused on the bruises. His eyes traveled up to her as she pulled her hand back.

"I didn't tell on you Sawyer. I'm not twelve." Kate replied back.

"How'd he find out then?" He questioned with that smirk playing falsely on his face.

Kate wasn't going to deal with his 21 questions. This was his fault not hers. And he got what he deserved.

"He saw my arm.' She spat as she threw the bottle to his lap barely missing. He clenched back as she starred him down before leaving. She headed down the shore before she heard him following her. She began to tense up as she remembered earlier.

"Kate." He called after her. She didn't know why she turned around, but she did. He came up her. She saw guilt on his eyes as he looked down at her arm. She flinched as he took her arm in his hand.

His eyes seemed to be focused on it. His finders gently ran over the marks. Entranced with what he did. He eyes turned up to hers. He had no words for a moment.

"Kate." He began. She knew what he was going to say. And she didn't want him to say it. "I'm sorry.' He whispered. She had never heard him say those words. He didn't even think he had ever said them himself. What was she to say to that?

"It's too late Sawyer." She simply left him with as she turned around and walked off. Without him trying to set foot after her.

The day was nearly spent. The sun was unhurriedly setting over the water, as many were getting ready to settle in for the night. Kate had wanted to stand out in the sand and look out into the water, but she decided against it. Choosing to take a quick walk in the edge of the jungle. She wasn't scared in the least as she walked away from the camp not knowing what was out there. She just wanted quiet time to herself. Like she always did. But when she tried she always ended up with someone coming up and ruining it.

Slowly trotting off into the unknown she seemed to let her mind escape. She just looked around at her surroundings. Taking in the sounds of all the life calming down as the light grew dimmer. She felt really at peace with nature. Suddenly her mind changed as she heard the trees rustling. Her mind began to wonder as she thought of what it could possibly be. Maybe it was just somebody not something. Then the sound got closer and louder. It was defiantly not a someone.

Her breath became labored as she looked around trying to see what it was. It was too dark to clearly see what it was. Whatever it was it was now coming towards her and fast. She slowly tried to walk away, but as it got closer she began to get more scared. As the sound of the trees became louder she bolted off in the direction of the beach. It happened to be right in the direction of whatever was out there. As she quickly ran with not knowledge of where she was going or where it was she just kept going. Before she knew it she had ran into something hard. Some kind of body. Her heart leaped from her chest as a pair of arms wrapped around her.

Her scream filled the forest as she struggled in the arms of her catcher.

"Let me go!" She screamed having not clue who or what it was.

"Kate! Kate! It's me!" The voice assured as she was turned to face it. As her vision became sustained she stared into Jack's eyes. Her breath was short as she tried to regain herself.

"Jack." She said as she pulled away.

"You're such a... Scare me half to death." She breathed pushing against his chest. He couldn't help, but laugh.

"It's your fault for being out her alone." He joked. "And why might I add?' he questioned.

She took in a deep breath as she looked at him.

"Just taking a walk." She replied.

"What is your beach spot taken?' he asked with a smile. She gave him a cruel look.

"Funny.' She laughed. He was happy to see her laughing for once instead of crying.

"So you lectured Sawyer." Kate put out. Jack perked up as he wondered why all of a sudden she was talking about him. Maybe if he played along he could get what happened out of her.

He nodded his head in reply.

"Warned was more like it." Jack gently laughed.

"Warned about what?" Kate wondered. Jack's eyes wondered down to her arm.

"Told him to leave his hands off." Jack replied up front not caring whether or not she liked it. Kate was silent. Jack wondered if she would ever tell him. He could tell by the way things were going she wouldn't.

"What did he do?' He asked one more time.

Kate's eyes turned innocent as she looked to him.

"He was kinda jealous I guess about me kissing you. We got into a heated conversation and he stole a kiss." Kate said kinda shrugging her shoulders. It really didn't matter to her anymore. Jack laughed a little at the thought.

"What?" Kate asked wondering what he thought was so funny.

"Well I should be the one that is jealous. The kissing score with me ain't exactly even." Jack joked thinking nothing of what he said.

Kate did. She took what he said seriously. Jack watched her curiously as she walked up to him. Coming close she looked up into his eyes. Staring in them she saw what he meant. He seemed bewildered by her actions. Looking down at his lips she remembered their soft presence on hers. Sending tingles down her spine. Moving in she didn't even prepare herself as she kissed him

The kiss was sensual as she slowly raised her hand to rest in the crook of his neck. She thought nothing again at that moment standing there with him. The world had stopped. Pulling back she pursed her lips as her hand slinked down his jaw feeling ever muscle loosen up.

"Even?" She seemed to ask more then say as she looked into his eyes.

She saw no question of what happened in them. All she saw was willingness as she felt his hand wrap around her back as he pulled her towards him. His lips crushed down on her. She felt as if the would bruise from the pressure. She didn't expect this at all. Especially not from Jack. As he pulled away unwillingly he looked in her eyes.

"Even." Jack smiled as he felt the balnce was full.

A bashful Kate looked away with a slight smile. Jack removed his arm, as they remained close. Looking back Kate realized she needed to get back. But she didn't wanna leave suddenly and give Jack the wrong impression.

"I have to get back." Kate whispered. Jack said nothing, as he seemed mesmerized with her.

"Oh yeah." Jack said shaking himself out of his daze.

"Goodnight." He whispered in her ear as he kissed her cheek.

This time she didn't protect it. She just smiled as she walked away to the beach and him to the caves. Smiles on both their faces.