Finally i got it on. (breath) I know it ook so long, but this was part of another chapter. It was way too long so broke it up. Here you go finally (smiles) Hope you enjoy it. (looks around and out the door) "Have fun." (smiles with a hug) (quikcly runs out the door) don't ask...

Not By Self in the Darkness

On the beach no word of Kate had made it's way to them. The attitude was very different then it was at the caves. The sun was setting and many had pulled themselves away from Sawyer's death and readied for the night. Sayid had been guarding Sawyer's tent. Sitting there for near three hours he began to worry about Shannon. She had left a little bit before they had stumbled onto Sawyer's body and never came back. He wasn't extremely worried, but he knew the state she was in.

Looking around he saw Jack walking towards him from the trail. He quickly came to attention and walked over.

"Jack." He called.

As Jack's attention was caught Sayid saw the grief quickly display on his face.

"What is it?" Sayid questioned hoping Kate was ok. Kate wasn't the thought Jack was thinking about Shannon.

"Is Kate alright?" Sayid questioned changing the thought on Jack's mind.

"She's been better.' Jack sighed.

"She was attacked again." Jack announced as Hurley came walking up behind the two.

"Again?' Hurley's voice questioned. Jack shook his head.

"My god." Sayid gasped. "Yeah she was pretty shook up and beaten up for that matter." Jack explained thinking back to many wounds and cuts she had.

All three were silent thinking all on the same subject, but different degrees of the subject. Sayid's thought changed as quickly as Jack's had before.

"On the subject of attacks. Has either of you seen Shannon?" Sayid questioned. Jack's face fell. "Umm that's what I came out here for." Jack began with regret on his voice. "What?" Sayid questioned with fear growing inside him.

Jack said nothing not being able to bring what happened to words. He couldn't even look Saying in the face knowing what had happened.

"I need to show you something.' Jack swallowed heading back towards the trial. Hurley headed after with Sayid hesitant behind him. He followed the two fearful of what Jack was leading him to.

Swallowing tears Sayid fell to his knees before Shannon's slain body. With tears damp on his breath he took her in his arms. Quickly he noticed revenge carved into the handle, but said nothing.

"How did this happen?" Sayid choked.

"With this island who knows." Hurley interjected. Jack looked back to him and then to Sayid who quickly turned back to him.

"Who did this?" Sayid growled standing up.

"I don't know." Jack sighed. Sayid's face grew strong as he walked up to Jack. "Who did this?' Sayid yelled causing Hurley to jump. He looked between the two waiting for one of them to say something. "I-don't-know." Jack slowly said trying to get his point into Sayid head.

Sayid turned knowing he was wrong for getting in Jack's face, but Shannon lay dead in the mud at his feet he wasn't too concerned with controlling his anger.

"All I know is this is the same person who attacked Kate. Both times. And it's probably the same person who killed Boone and Michael." Jack began.

And if we're not careful it'll happen-" "Careful?" Sayid questioned jerking around. "How careful do we have to be? Shannon was just heading to the caves and she was slaughtered. She didn't deserve it." Sayid preached.

"And Boone and Michael did? Or did Walt and Sawyer deserve dying slowly and painfully? Did Kate deserve to be attacked and left for dead?" Jack questioned looking Sayid strait in the eyes.

Sayid tried to pull away, but Jack's words wouldn't let him.

"No one deserves this touch of death this person or persons have over us. The fear that is instilled in each and everyone of as of whose going next. No one deserves to be on this god-forsaken island.

But we found a way to overcome it and that's what we have to do with this." Jack advocated to both. "All I am trying to get across is how are we supposed to be careful when our people our being savagely murdered just walking between camps.

If it's not safe to walk along the beach at free will then how can we be careful?" Sayid asked before he looked away from Jack down to Shannon's body.

Sitting there with her in his arms he fought off the questioning stare of Hurley and the contradicting stare of Jack. Taking a deep breath Sayid forced himself to a lighter tone. Turning around he looked up to Jack. "Now are we going to bury Shannon and Sawyer or not?" He asked in all sincerity. Jack looked away with exhaustion in his form before looking back and nodding his head.

Rest didn't come easy for Kate. She lay there hearing the whispers between everyone about what she did or if she actually did it to herself. Then there was the impending fate of Jack. Hopefully he'd make it back alive. With the worry in her head it slowly settled in her stomach as well.

She laid there for what seemed like an eternity, but only was four and a half hours. Darkness had set it and everyone had calmed down for sleep. Kate lay there watching them all go about their lives only paying the slightest gossiping attention to her. But she didn't care about them. She was too busy replaying what her attacker said over and over in her mind.

As midnight set in all was quiet. Locke was off a couple 100 feet from the camp taking watch. All that could be heard was the lazy breathing off those her were around her and the loud crackle of the fire. She was trying her best to close her eyes and just fall asleep for 10 minutes. That was all she was asking for. Suddenly there was a rustle of trees. Looking up to where it came from Kate became hugely aware off all the sounds besides those of the sleeping people around her.

The sound came again, but closer. With the sound came the beating of footprints in short heavy strides. As it came closer and closer she became alarmed. Watching the place where it was coming from closely she saw someone emerge from the bushes. She quickly turned and grabbed the pair of scissors that Jack had used to cut the thread as he stitched her. It was the closest weapon.

As the person emerged she held her breath, but as she looked up she jaggedly exhaled. It was Jack. He was covered in dirt and blood here and there. His face was blotted with the same. He carried a large man made shovel in his hand. Kate dropped her attack position.

'Jesus Jack scare the crap out of me why don't you?" She sighed placing the scissors back where she picked them up.

Jack had to laugh as he placed the shovel up against a cave wall.

"Sorry." He smirked as he turned heading for the waterfall. Kate watched uninterrupted as Jack discarded his dirt-covered shirt to the growing pile of dirty clothes. She couldn't keep her eyes off him as he leaned over and cupped his hand into the water brining his hand up to pour the water down his back. From far away she could still see water droplets trickle down his back creating streaks of clean skin.

He became aware that Kate was silent all of a sudden. It wasn't anything odd, but she didn't make a sound. Looking back he saw her eyes upon him in a daze. "Why so quiet?" He asked. All Kate heard was a blob of sound, but it broke her out of her daze.

"What?" She asked shaking her head. By now he was all cleaned up and walking towards her. "I asked why so quiet." Jack repeated bending down to grab a clean shirt from his pile.

"Just thinking.' She answered swiftly. He looked up to her with the most sincere look he had ever giving her. "Thinking about what?" He asked. She thought about it for a long second. "Just stuff." She smiled meekly.

Pulling the semi clean black shirt he picked up over his head he came over to sit on the cot. Kate moved back allowing him to sit Indian style in front of her. Usually she wouldn't let anyone this close to her, but it had been a long day and she didn't mind. Plus it was Jack.

"So…' He began as he leaned in looking at her cuts and scraps. "How are we doing?" He asked examining her neck.

"Good." She sighed. He stopped for a second and looked up to her.

"You ok?" He asked. "Yeah. Just tired and can't go to sleep." She replied. "I know how that is." Jack chuckled.

As he finished his overlook he sat there for the longest time just staring at her. "What?' Kate finally asked. Jack hesitated to say anything, but Kate pushed him. "What?" She asked again.

"Look I don't wanna seem like I'm pushing you to tell me." He began. She gave him a look of understanding and confuse. Still he hesitated to say anything. Sighing he looked away and then back to her.

"What happened out there?" He asked regretting he said anything by the look on her face.

She closed her eyes not wanting to relive what happened, but Jack had a right to know about the threat on his life.

"After what happened I had to get away from you guys. Away from the beach and the caves. Away from this island." Kate began looking around to everyone then back to Jack who attention was completely caught by the words she said.

"I went out just to get away from all of this and clear my head. I was blaming myself for what happened." She explained. Jack opened his mouth.

"It's not your fault." He assured her with that tone of certainty only he spoke in. "As I was walking I began to hear voices." She said.

"Voices? Like what kind of voices." Jack questioned. "Wind breathless voices. Taunting me." She explained knowing Jack had probably had enough with her crazy talk by now. "Then I bumped into him." She whispered blinking away her thought filled tears.

Jack saw her suddenly shift. From just sitting there to a terrified helpless person. It was like she was when he stumbled upon her and kissed her. Kissed her he thought. It helped her let everything out. Now she sat still fighting with herself to tell him. Maybe if he kissed her- No that wasn't the case now. Then he meant it now would just be a diversion, but he did wanna let her know he was there and ready to listen.

Outstretching his hand he rested in on top of hers, which trembled in place. She looked up to him with a look of thanks.

"He was evil Jack." Was the only thing she could get out before a tear rolled down her cheek.

They both sat in silence. Jack didn't wanna push her at that moment. But it itched him to know what happened to her out there.

"What did he say?" He asked. Kate looked up to him though the tears remembering the words uttered in her ear.

"He's not gonna like that I've taking you. And when he comes to find you…I'll gut him like a fish."

Kate became strong with the words replaying in her head. The man that sat in front of her who suddenly had forgiven her for everything she had down. Who was now trying his best to understand her and let her know it was ok was the reason why she felt this way. The reason why she was hunted after, but how could she blame him for that? She didn't even know what he did to become hated by "this man".

Swallowing her questioning she looked him strait in the eyes. Those eyes that glistened with concern and questioning instead of tears and fear as hers did.

"He said he wants revenge." Kate stuttered. Jack face became confused.

"Revenge? On who?' Jack questioned. Kate dared herself not to say it, but she had to. "You." She answered watching those concerned eyes turn to full question.

"Me? What have I ever done?" Jack asked.

"I don't even know the man or thing or whatever he is." Jack stated in disgust.

"How can he want reven-"

"I don't know Jack." Kate yelled breaking his rant.

Both looked around to the others thinking their yells might have woke them, but none stirred. Jack looked back to her with heavy breath. She still looked to the others watching apologetically over them.

"He use me as a puppet. Some how infecting me with that disease." Kate said just to get it out not caring if Jack heard her or not.

"He said that he was using me to get to you, but I infected the others instead." Kate continued looking to Jack.

"Why did he use you? Why couldn't he be a man and come up and kill me himself?" Jack questioned with rage.

"Because he knew I was more important to you then your own life." Kate whispered. There was a look of disagreement on his face.

"At least that's what he said." Kate brushed off.

Jack shook his head in protest. 'He's not getting you." Jack announced.

"I'm going to stop him before he trie-"

"Jack he's already tried. Twice. And succeeded in hurting me both times. He's killed five of us!' Kate interjected. "He's gonna use us against each other whether we like it or not." Kate said.

"He knows if one of us is gone the other will go looking and then who knows what he'll do." Kate stopped looking down as she shook her head.

Jack was silent at her words. He knew she was right. Looking up she couldn't look him in the eyes.

"Now no matter what you think we have a fight ahead of us." She concluded before pulling her hand from he grasp.

Turning over she laid her head to the pillow. She lay there for a minute staring into a daze or drowsiness. Closing her eyes she knew he still sat there staring at her questioning what was next.

As night turned to earl dawn Jack sat on the cot watching her sleep. His staying wasn't in question it was protection of her. Protecting her from this monster that instilled fear and guilt into her. Thoughts of what she had said plagued his mind. He was the reason of all this? But what had he ever done. Watching her he couldn't sleep. Not even if he tried. His eyes were wide on her. Afraid if he closed them when he opened them she'd be gone.

Turning he looked around. He saw the bits of new sunlight coming through the trees. Hitting the faces of the others sleeping. The sound of bird greeting each other and the trees swaying in the wind caught him off guard. Was it day already? Rubbing his eyes he looked down to Kate who was now on her back her head tilted to the side with her hand curled up around her chin. He could barely see her in the dark sense the light wasn't hitting her.

Still a smile came to his lips watching her sleep. He wondered what she dreamed about. Was it him? Or was it a nightmare fueled by the hate and death of this immoral place. Yawning he got up and walked over to his stuff which wasn't far from where she lay.

Rummaging through his backpack he found a small bottle of caffeine pills. He had become used to these early on when he couldn't sleep. But it had been a while since he used them. Now was the time to start again. He knew he wouldn't be sleeping.

Walking around the caves he noticed a figure walking back and forth in the shadows. He was cautious, but didn't think about it as he walked towards it. Coming closer he realized it to be Locke.

"Jack?" Locke exclaimed.

"Why up so early?' He questioned.

"More like up too late." Jack tried to joke.

"Haven't been to sleep." Jack groaned looking back down the trail towards where Kate lay.

"Yeah I heard your conversation with Kate." Locke began catching Jack's attention. It was silent for a moment.

"Do you believe her?" Locke asked. Jack looked away and questioned for the first time whether or not he really believed her.

All that talk of revenge and her as bait. It seems real; then again she could be delusional and making up something based on true events.

"I really don't know." Jack mumbled.

"But we can't take any chances. No one leaves after sundown." Jack ordered.

"Ok." Locke agreed

. "If there is someone after us…then we'll have to deal with it the best we can." Jack expressed trying to be enthusiastic.

"We've done it before." Locke reminded thinking back two five and a half months ago and the incident with Ethan and Claire.

"And don't say anything to anyone about what Kate said. I don't want everyone scared out of their mind." Jack put across.

"Well they're already aware of the threat Jack." Locke contradicted. Jack didn't acknowledge the thought of a threat or Locke as he walked back into the caves.

It only seemed like she was asleep for two minutes when the noise around the caves woke her. Opening her eyes she thought she'd look up and see Jack sleeping at the other end of the cot, but she. Sitting up she saw the others going about their own ways. Charlie and Claire readied themselves and Christopher for a stroll to the beach.

Some stupid stalker wasn't going to stop them from enjoying themselves. Sun quickly walked in a grabbed something and headed back out down the trail obviously to the garden. She was the only one left. That seemed to be how it always was.

She got up and wondered about the day doing all the little necessary things that had to be done. She didn't wanna wonder away from the caves scared for the first time to even venture two feet away she found anything and everything to keep herself busy there.

Later on Jack came in with fish and other things from the beach. She noticed his tiresome look and commented on it. He passed it off as the sun on the beach getting to him, but Jack couldn't lie to Kate. She knew he hadn't slept and it was her fault for telling him about what happened. Pushing it out of the way both went about their way as others came in. Still trying to avoid the conversation of him not sleeping the two kept watchful eyes over each other.

Walking back to the caves under the gloomy sky with Christopher in arms, Charlie and Claire chatted about how life would be right then if they weren't on that island.

"And you wouldn't have the peanut would you?" Charlie asked looking down to Christopher with sadness in his voice.

"Yeah and I wouldn't have you either.' Claire groaned looking over to Charlie. With a smile Charlie wrapped his arm around her.

"Well it's a good thing we got dumped on this island isn't it?" Charlie exclaimed looking over to a suddenly smiling Claire.

She looked him in the eyes realizing for the first time she could consider that place a miracle.

"Yeah. I guess you can." She cooed.

"You see. The lord works in mysterious ways." Charlie announced holding his head up high.

"Yeah. It's weird how he used Kate getting attacked to bring her and Jack closer together." Claire interjected with a random, but on track thought.

Charlie gave her a glance and then his face became distorted.

"I guess you're right." Charlie began.

"Those two are closer now that she was attacked. Which is sad since it took Kate almost dying to get Jack to realize her." Charlie said out loud to himself.

"Yeah, but those two are too perfect for one anoth-" Claire stopped at the sound of the trees around her moving as if someone were walking from them. "Did you hear that?" Claire whispered.

"Hear what?" Charlie asked. The sound came again, but closer.

"That.' Claire exclaimed in a low whisper.

Both stopped in their tracks listening to their surroundings. The sound of footsteps quickly came up behind them. Both of them held their breath as Charlie turned and looked around. This was way too familiar to him. Then there it was. A shadow outline of a man not so far off down the trail. He stood there still as he could be holding a knife in his hand. No features could be made out on his face, but Charlie knew it wasn't one of the passengers.

"Oh my god.." Charlie whispered.

"What?" Claire quivered.

"It's him." Charlie said staring at the motionless man

. "Come on.' Charlie ordered in a harsh low tone as he grabbed onto her arm and started leading her down the trail.

Charlie looked back as they scurried down the path. Looking back he saw the man was quickly walking behind them.

"Keep going." Charlie coaxed.

As they hurried the man followed faster. Looking back Charlie saw him closer.

"Run." Charlie whispered as he let go of her and moved behind her.

Claire listened. Gripping Christopher close to her she ran off as fast as she could not knowing if Charlie was behind her or not.

Holding to Christopher for dear life dodging the trees, watching out from anything thing she could trip over; she rounded a couple of corners and came to a large tree. Seeing it she thought to seek refuge behind it. Swiftly bring her back hard up against the bark she stopped and closed her eyes. Her blonde hair clung to her face with a cold sweat. Holding onto Christopher she pressed him to her chest. Her heart pounded as thoughts of running from "the others' swirled in her mind. Regaining her breath she opened her eyes and peaked out from behind the tree. She then realized Charlie wasn't with her.

"Charlie.' She called out in a whisper.

No answer. Not thinking about her own security she walked out into the open.

Adjusting Christopher in her arms she wondered no more then 20 feet from either side of the tree. Charlie was nowhere to be seen. Christopher began to cry at his mother's own emotions. "Shh. We'll be ok. We're not far from the caves." She assured him. Holding him close he slowly calmed down. It was herself that needed to be held and clamed down.

Then she stopped as she heard and felt someone standing behind her. Taking a chance she quickly turned around to see Charlie standing behind her.

"Charlie!' She cried wrapping her free hand around him pulling him close. He too wrapped his arms around her holding her like there was no tomorrow.

Pulling back Claire came with a thousand questions.

"What happened?'

"Where is he?" She stopped long enough to look Charlie up and down.

"Are you-"

"Yes I'm fine. We have to get back to caves now." Charlie ordered.

Those words and his tone scared her. Without question Claire headed on with Charlie close behind her. He looked back and around to see if anyone was behind them. His eyes jumped from one tree to the other quickly checking them as if he had x-ray vision.

Taking a good look he jogged up along side Claire. Still she questioned what had happened. Where and who that man was. This scared her. As Charlie wrapped his arm around her he sighed resting his head to hers still looking around for the outline of the man.

"You've turned into everyone's mom." Jack's voice came from above Kate.

She sat on the cot with a pile of raggedy old clothes and Jack sewing kit patching clothes. She wouldn't have thought it to be Jack in such a lighthearted mood after what she had told him still she looked up to him with a smile.

"Somebody has to do the dirty work." Kate joked going back stitching one of Charlie's shirts.

"Well can't help it if we're always dirty." Jack grinned sitting down in front of her.

She glanced up to him seeing the bags under his eyes and the exhaustion on his face as he watched her fingers closely. He didn't seem to feel as good as his smile brought across.

"You seem to be the dirtiest." Kate joked as she held up the shirt he wore the night before when he buried Sawyer and Shannon. Jack pulled back pretending to be offended.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jack questioned a hint of laugher in his tone. Kate looked away from his shirt with a gentle laugh.

"Well let's see." Kate began as she looked over his shirt.

Putting the shirt in her lap she was struck with an honest smile from Jack as his eyes hit hers. She hadn't seen him smile like that when he looked at her in a while. She wondered if yesterday was going to bring upon this new place between them. Her face slowly dropped as she looked away.

Jack's face went too as he saw the sudden change in her attitude.

"Speaking of dirty…' Kate slowly said as she got up.

"What?" Jack asked as he turned around to see Claire and Charlie walk in. Charlie was covered in mud from head to toe and a clearly shaken Claire was plastered with it in certain spots.

"What happened?" Jack asked looking over the two.

Charlie shook his head as he led Claire over to Christopher's crib. He slept peacefully in her arms as she lay him down amongst the soft blankets and pillows of the crib. Jack and Kate saw the tears on Claire face as Charlie wrapped his arms around her.

"It's ok." He whispered before kissing her on the forehead.

Helping her sit down he walked over the stuff on the ground around him to where Kate and Jack stood.

Both questioned him without a word spoken. Finally Charlie's eyes flutter up to theirs.

"There was someone out there on the trail." Charlie got out in on single breath.

"He was chasing us and he had a knife." Charlie began to explain.

"Who was he? Have you seen him before?' Jack questioned with fury in his voice.

"I couldn't really make his face out, but I know he wasn't one of us." Charlie whispered looking over to Claire.

Before anyone noticed it Jack's hands were around his neck untying the key. Realizing he wasn't at her side Kate turned to see him heading off towards one of the caves.

Walking over she stood outside the cave trying to peak in and see what he was doing, but it was too dark for her to see anything. Hearing the sound of something hitting the ground and a clicking sound she didn't know what to think. As he emerged he was tying the key back around his neck. Thinking for a minute she had never realized he still wore it. He walked past her and she saw the rage in his eyes. This scared her as she looked down to his hand she saw one of the 9mms in his hand.

"Jack…" She started as she followed him over to Charlie.

"What are you doing?" Kate questioned. He didn't answer her.

"Where was he?" Jack asked Charlie.

Turning around his eyes too went wide at the sight of the gun.

"Down the trail towards the valley.' Charlie nearly stammered.

'What are going to do with that thing?" Charlie questioned as all three now watched Jack load the gun.

"Get revenge." Jack uttered in a strong voice as he cocked the gun and turned to the trail.

Before he got one foot away Kate's hand was around his arm stopping him. He turned to see her beaten face full of worry.

"Don't.' She said. He questioned her as he looked in her eyes.

"Kate I have t-"

"You don't have to Jack. None of us do." Kate said not letting go of his arm.

"This is what he wants us to do. Become scared and go looking for him." Kate explained.

"But if we don't do this- "

"We? We Jack? Seems that you're the only one with a gun heading out to kill him. And it'll only be you who doesn't come back and then what?" Kate questioned as Charlie and Claire's stares became aware of.

"He won't just stop with you. He wants us all dead." Kate tried to explain and make him change his mind.

Seeing plead in her eyes he pulled from her grip. Slowly she walked up to where there was barely breathing space between them. She looked up to him.

"Please don't go." She begged in a low whisper.

Closing his eyes he exhaled sharply.

"What do you want me to do Kate?" Jack asked opening his eyes looking down on her.

"I want you to-"

"Jack!" Locke's voice yelled the two to attention.

Locke came storming in with a few others. There was blood-covering most of them.

"John?" Kate questioned as her and Jack hurried over to him.

'What happened?" Jack questioned with dread in the pit of his stomach.

"It's…I can't Jack you have to come and see for yourself." Locke barely got out before he turned and headed back out.

Jack took a quick look back to Kate as he put the gun in the back of his pants. He headed off as Charlie and Claire holding Christopher came up behind Kate.

"What do you thinks happened?" Charlie asked looking to Kate.

"I don't know." She answered never breaking her stare of Jack walking off with the others. Without warning she headed after them.

"Wait for us!" Charlie called out as him and Claire rushed after her.

The sight was horrible. Jin and Sun were butchered to mere thread of people and strung up by the net Jin used to catch fish everyday. Blood dripped down the side of the tree creating a puddle below on the ground.

All the survivors stood around looking up to the sight in disgust and horror. This was the oddest of the recent murders. It being the only one done in broad daylight out on the beach where everyone could see yet no one saw it.

Hurley found them. Walking up along the beach he looked up for no reason spotting something in the tree. Walking over he came to he dismay that it was two bodies. Those of Jin and Sun. It was quite sad. Those two had just gotten back together and now they hang dead before what remained of the 47 survivors.

13 survivors of the flight 815 plane crash that was nearly 7 months ago now stood in aw and alarm. This was real and obviously a warning. Most had put off the others murders and some didn't even know about them. Now they did and now they knew everyone one who stood there was in danger. Looking around they questioned who was next.

Three days went by and anxiety was strong. Everyone tried to busy themselves in different things to keep their mind off the growing threat. Charlie and Claire dare not step foot on the trail in fear. Hurley stayed clear away from the area where he found the bodies. The others stay where they resided most either the beach or the caves. Locke tried to convince them all it was ok and they needed to show this attacker they weren't afraid.

Jack seemed to be the one handling it the best besides Locke. When in fact it was tearing him up inside. He knew he was somehow the cause of this and he couldn't do anything about it. Of course he could load the gun and go out searching for this monster, but he knew he couldn't get past Kate. She watched his every move making sure he wouldn't leave.

She had grown to notice he never put that gun back. Carrying it around with him everywhere he went probably wasn't the best idea. Still she knew he was using it in case he had to use it.

With Kate's watchful eye over Jack he had his minor stalking of her. He knew after Sun and Jin's murder she might go a bit down hill. Over the three days it would seem that she was fine and going about the way the others were, but to Jack he knew she was blaming herself as he was. He noticed she's wake up every morning shaking for some reason. To his thought she was letting her emotions get the best of her.

Then he noticed she'd start shaking in the middle of the afternoon while she did ordinary things. Sometimes she'd go off beyond the caves when no one else would and not come back for long periods of time and come back all shaken up looking pale. She began to worry him, but he never thought to follow her or go up and ask why. She was like him. She kept her grief to herself.

Everyone got up early the forth day after it happened. All going about their business and daily activities. Some had become uneasier and others had loosened up with the absence of another murder. Jack had gotten up and stayed around the caves that morning watching Kate like he usually did. This time she didn't seem to watch back. As usual in the last three days she wondered off for a bit.

Wondering back through the trees she pushed the gut wrenching feeling she had out as she walked into the caves. She came to see Jack sitting on the cot with her things packed beside him and him packing his own. Coming over to him she watched for a second in silence.

"What's all my stuff packed for?" She questioned. He glanced up to her. She saw that he had had a decent amount of sleep telling from the bag under his eyes disappearing.

"Thought you might want to go with me to the beach." He announced turning back to his things. He planned on going to the beach by himself, but took this as an opportunity to talk to her.

"Ok…"She said as she thought about it.

"If you don't that's ok." Jack assured her picking up his things and started for the trail. "No I wanna go." She called out.

He stopped and turned back waiting for her. She picked up her things heading after him.

Sayid sat in the mist of his now empty tent. The wind carrying his hair across his face and back to its original place. People walked by pretending not to notice as he sit lonely by himself. Watching the waves come up the shore and rush back into the sea. Each time renewing the surf. He wished it were that way in life. He missed Shannon. There was now a hole in his heart. At least she was with Boone now. Still he ached to get up every day and try and make since of this heartless island and those who inhabited it.

Pulling himself from his wallow of mourning he turned only to he struck in the heart by seeing a box. He knew what was in that box. Picking it up he slowly took off the lid revealing the shoes he had given Shannon in the early weeks. Soon he couldn't hold back any more and began to weep. He questioned in his mind why she was gone and cursed the man who did this to him. Bringing his hand up he wiped away his tears trying to hide his sorrow from him self and the others around him.

Dropping his hand he stared long at the shoes.

"Are we interrupting anything?" A well-known voice pulled him away. Looking back he saw Jack standing at the entrance of his tent with Kate close to his side.

"No just memories." Sayid whispered putting the shoes on the ground.

"I'm sorry." Kate apologized.

"It's not your fault." Sayid snapped setting the two off guard.

"It this monster of a man that's after us." He began.

"And if I ever find him I will put a bullet between his eyes." He continued to himself.

It wasn't like him to threaten someone even if they weren't known. Last time he was anywhere close to this was when they tortured Sawyer.

"Don't you think I wanna do the same?" Jack questioned with a temper.

Kate looked back in forth between the two's raging thoughts.

Taking a deep breath Jack pulled himself back.

"Look we have to think about this logically." Jack implied.

"This man is hitting us just like we've been hit before. With fear and the murdering of our own." Jack explained.

Kate listened intently to the conversation hoping Jack had come up with a better plan then parading out into the woods with a gun.

"He's just like Ethan. So we need to deal with him like Ethan." Jack proposed.

"Ethan. That name had almost escaped my mind." Sayid exclaimed.

Quickly with their words Kate's mind went to the face of Ethan. She remembered him clear as day now. His disgruntled face and evil grin aggravated her mind then the face of her attacker. It was blurred in her mind, but suddenly with that name she saw it clearly.

"It's him." Kate sucked in.

"What?" Jack and Sayid questioned both looking back at her.

"It's him." She said louder as she looked out onto the beach in a horrified daze.

Jack and Sayid's gaze turned out the beach to see no one there

"Kate what are you talking about?" Jack asked looking around to each person on the beach around them.

"There no one-"

"Not there Jack." Kate tried to explain.

Jack turned back to her with an uncomprehending daze.

"He's Ethan. The man who attacked me is Ethan." Kate announced.

Jack and Sayid looked back and forth between each other and then back to Kate.

"Kate you know Charlie killed Ethan." Jack stated.

"I know Jack. But don't you remember how weird it was that we couldn't even make out his body when we buried him. He was shot in the chest not the face like on the body we buried." Kate reminded them both.

Jack rubbed his face trying to ease the stress. He remembered how it was odd the body was shot up differently then Ethan's had been when they left him, but they never thought differently of it. They just wanted him out of their lives.

"Kate Ethan is dead. I know you've been through some horrible things in the last couple of weeks, but-"

"Jack I know that face. I saw him when he tried to kill Claire and I saw him when he tried to kill me. His voice is etched in my mind. It was Ethan." Kate explained not backing down from what she knew was true.

"Kate he's dead." Jack yelled trying to instill in her mind. She stood there looking at the two in disbelief that they didn't believe her.

"Fine don't believe me. But when he comes face to face with you I won't be there to tell you I told you so." Kate sneered before she turned.

"Kate…" Jack called as she kept on walking. He knew he had screwed up, but there was no way Ethan was alive.

This was now the second time in a week she had walked away from him. Something told him to go after her, but a stronger sense told him to stay and let her be. For a while.

Not even acknowledging his calls she walked past the stares of the others as she walked down the beach.

No real destination just a walk to clear her head. Then she spotted a pile of stuff scattered amongst the sand. A tarp clung onto a piece of the plane as it swayed in the wind. It was where Sawyer's tent used to be. No it was Sawyer's tent. This stopped her. The others had picked his tent clean.

Slowly walking over she was reduced from anger to grief. It was sad enough that no one had come to a memorial service that had never even been put together. There wasn't even a thought. It was worse that they now used the fact that he was dead to take things from his tent without a thought. Even know it wasn't really his tuff it was still shame in taking them.

Poking through the stuff with her feet she saw found suitcases tipped over with blankets and medical supplies among other things spilled upon the sand. Walking over to the seats of the plane where Sawyer used to sleep. She remembered so many times walking in and seeing him sit there with a smug grin on his face waiting to annoy her.

Now she'd never see it again. Looking at the chair she became intrigued. Sitting down she felt around the cushion. Running her hand along the side of the cushion she came to feel the tear Sawyer had cut along the back.

Pulling the cover off she looked down onto the untouched stash of liquor. Most were still unopened from the time they had that time alone in the woods. She knew no one had touched it when she saw the seat, because she was the only one he had shown the stash to. She thought for a second about whether or not to take any. Pushing all the thoughts from her head she picked through grabbing 10 or so bottles of her choice. Leaving the others the rest if they ever found it.

Covering the stash she placed the bottles in her bag. Turning to leave she was stopped by the sight of his clothes dumped over in the sand. Extending her hand she grabbed a black shirt that hung close to falling. Pulling it all the other clothes came to the ground. Not even paying attention she brought the shirt to her face. Inhaling the aroma of Sawyer. That brut musk cologne covered it bringing her back so many memories as she clung to it. Memories of when she leaned in a kissed him that first time. She remembered the chills going up her spine never realizing Jack stood behind her watching. Her mind switched to that late night a month or so into the island. She came for her blank check, but ended up getting more then she bargained for.

A night that went a little farther then it should have. She remembered how he smelt as he kissed her and his hands wondered her body bringing warmth with their touch. But it ended abruptly and so close when Jack came out onto the beach looking for her. That night when she left Sawyer for Jack was when she ended any possible relationship her and Sawyer could have had. Opening her eyes she looked strait ahead to see Jack standing there still talking to Sayid. He gave her a quick glance and turned away.

With that glance she felt shame of some sort. He was the only man that made her feel guilty about something she never did with that stare of his. He could also make her feel like the most important woman in the world. Why couldn't it have been Jack she stumbled into that night? She would have never pulled away.

Shoving his shirt in her backpack she noticed something on the ground. Bending over she recognized it as Sawyer's letter he wrote to the man who conned his parents. The sole reason why he was the way he was. Picking it up she decided to take it with her as she did his shirt. Little reminders of that irritating grin to hold onto. It was better her to take it then someone else who didn't know the essence behind it.

Getting up she left the rest of his stuff to the highest bidder or fasted runner. A swift wind came up picking up her curls. Looking out onto the horizon the clouds became dark and gloomy. The smell of rain surrounded her as she watched the waves become weary. Turning she headed to the trail wanting to make her way back to the caves before the rain came. Too many awful things happened on the island when it rained.

As she shuffled her feet along the trail she looked down through the tress seeing how far she could make out her surroundings. Staring for a while she vision blurred and she went dizzy. Stopping where she stood she closed her eyes trying to regain herself. When the world stopped spinning she opened her eyes again only to be caught up in blurred vision again. It was odd she didn't feel a thing as the dizzy spell came on.

Suddenly her legs turned to mush as she tried to maintain composure. Bringing her hand to head to try and steady herself she started to not trust her own body to keep her up anymore. Reaching with her other hand she searched for something to support herself on. Grasping a tree she felt her way roughly to the ground. Sitting her she immediately wrapped her arms around her bent legs holding the close to her to her body.

Closing her eyes she dipped her head between her arms. She knew what was happening and it scared her to death. She pushed herself not to pass out in fear of them finding her too late. Who knows when anyone would come walking down that path again.

As the world spun faster her heart began to race.

"One."

"Two."

"Th…ree." She began to count remembering Jack's words as she sewed him up that first day.

"You're not afraid. I don't understand that" She never understood why Jack never showed fear.

" I'm sorry." His voice oddly rang in her ears sending a shock wave through her body.

Was she imagining it or was he really talking her. Either could have been a possibility. Pushing herself to look up she saw an indistinct outline of Jack standing over her. Not being able to take it she put her head back down.

It was silent for a long while, but she knew he still stood there.

'Are you ok?' He questioned.

"I can't see." She muffled under her arms.

"What do you mean you can't see?" He asked. Her head jerked up.

"I mean when I look at you or anything else all I see is a blurry outline. I nearly passed out a couple minutes ago." She explained trying to focus on what face he was making.

"You probably overwhelmed yourself-"

"No Jack I'm sick." She stated. That set him back a bit. Sick? How could she be sick?

"You're just worried about all that's happened." He began trying to come up with a better explanation then she had.

"No Jack." She contradicted as she stood up leaning on the tree.

"I know my body-"

'I know that Kate, but I'm a doctor and you're clearly suffering from-"

"Honesty Jack. What do you think I've been doing when I wonder off? Or maybe you've seen me shaking? I know you watch me." She began to wine as she came close to him.

"He infected me again." She whispered not being able to look at him.

"Who?" He asked. She looked him in the eyes holding back pain filled tears.

"Him. Ethan. Whatever you wanna call him." She sniffed.

"Kate you're not sick. You're worrying yourself over the well being of everyone else, but yourself." Jack tried to explain to her as she turned away disbelief of his contradicting.

"How do you know Jack? You're not me. You don't have a clue what I go through." She softly said.

"You're right. I don't I don't know why you do this to yourself. Blaming it all on you. Hell I don't even know if what you're thinking." He began as he walked up to her.

"But I do know this. You want so badly to grab someone and take their blame so you have something to hold onto when what you're really doing is pulling for someone to listen to you." Jack whispered in defense as he stared down into her watery eyes.

She quickly turned away walking away as slowly as she could.

"And if you want me to listen I won't deny or judge you." He called before he turned and headed back to beach.

Kate stopped and turned with his words. She held back tears as he walked out of her sight. Taking a deep breath she held in her urge to walk after him. She wasn't going to give up that easy. After all she had built herself up to be she wasn't going to demolish that because Jack knew she was weak. Turning she took a deep breath continuing on the trail.

Night came fast and it brought the rain with it. Quickly those in the caves resided in the their shelter and some stayed (like Locke) out in the opening taken in the renewal. As soon as Kate made her way through the others she made her way into the cave they used for changing in privacy. She went in there to be alone not to protect herself from the rain.

Drawing back the privacy tarp she walked in to see it unoccupied. Not even bothering to pull the tarp back she crept into the darkness. Putting her stuff down she walked back out grabbed some fire wood and headed back to the cave.

Lighting the small fire she sat back and began to relax. Going through her backpack she pulled out the bottles of alcohol. Setting them at her side she went back grabbing Sawyer's letter. Picking up a bottle she twisted the cap off and took a swig as she opened the envelope. Taking the now crumbled letter between her fingers she read it.

Every line slowly taking in every single word. She read it with the sound of the fire and rain pouring down on the halfway pulled back tarp. "You don't know who I am, but I know what you done to me. You slept with my mother." A single tear rolled down her cheek. She could never put her self in Sawyer's shoes. Watching his parents kill themselves and so young. It must have been awful.

Reading on she took a sip of the tiny bottle in her other hand. Before she was done with the letter she was done with the bottle. Setting it down she grabbed for another one. You killed my parents Mr. Sawy-"

"Where is she?" Her reading was interrupted by the voice questioning her obvious whereabouts.

Looking up from the letter and over the fire she saw Jack out of the corner of the cave. He had obviously asked Locke and he had directed Jack over to her hideout.

She looked back down to the note pretending not to see him walk up. Glancing up she saw him dripping wet and his shirt clinging to his skin revealing every muscle as he climbed in and stopped. He stared at her backpack unzipped with Sawyer's shirt and bottles of liquor falling out of it. Then over to the empty bottle next to her and finally up to her glancing over the top of Sawyer's letter.

"Made quite a little cozy place for yourself." He remarked coming further into the cave.

"Sit down." She said as she folded the letter and placed it back into the envelope setting it to her side.

For a second he thought about it. Those two had just been so cruel to each other and now here they were sitting alone by firelight no doubt on their way to getting drunk. But if she was putting it past her he would to.

As he sat down next to her she took a quick mouthful of the alcohol finishing her second bottle.

"Where'd you get those?" He questioned setting his things next to her empties.

"Sawyer's tent." She replied. Jack became intrigued. His looked away pretending not to want a small drink.

"You want one?" She asked holding one out for him. He quickly turned back.

"Sure." He obliged going for the bottle.

Kate quickly pulled it out of his grasp.

"If you want one you have to play." She said dangling the bottle loosely between his fingers.

'Play what?" He questioned.

"I-Never." She hiccupped.

He stared at her in disbelief for a moment.

"Are you drunk?" He asked.

"Not yet." She smiled now becoming fascinated with the dangling bottle between her fingers.

"How do you play?" Jack asked eyeing the bottle.

"Well…' Kate began taking a quick hold on the bottle.

"You say "I never" and finish the statement. And if you've done it you drink if you haven't you don't drink." Kate explained Sawyer's words coming out of her mouth.

Jack seemed hesitant.

" For instance. "I never got a tattoo. Now you'd drink cause you have two." Kate said handing him the bottle.

He took it without complain. Quickly he untwisted the cap and threw it across the cave making a loud dinging sound. Kate laughed as he nearly swallowed the whole bottle in one gulp.

"Slow down cowboy." Kate laughed as she pulled the bottle from his lips. He had to laugh himself as some missed his mouth and landed in his lap.

"Sorry. It's been a long 6 months." Jack sighed tossing the bottle to her pile. She pulled out another and handed it to him.

"This time ease back." She joked. Jack looked at her pile.

"Me ease back. What is that you're 3rd bottle?" He asked.

"Hey! Just go." She giggled hitting him in the arm.

He sat there for a second.

"Uhh. I never had a one night stand." He said. Kate's face dropped hearing Sawyer's words now coming out of Jack's mouth.

She sat knowing to her self she never had. There were some close instances, but never anything too far. Jack slowly took a drink. A smile soon reappeared on Kate's face.

"What?" He asked hiding his own smile from the corner of his lips.

"You had a one night stand." She pointed out with a laugh. Her discretely put up three fingers.

"Three!" Kate called out with a laugh. "So. You can't tell me you've never." Jack insisted. "Nope. Came close though." Kate joked.

The conversation slowly faded.

"Ok. I never…had sex in a bathroom at a restaurant." Kate said going ahead and getting past the cheeky stuff no one cared about.

Both looked look at each other and took a drink. Pulling their bottles back both began to laugh again. The looks given seem to put to rest any conversation on that one.

"I… never was drunk while driving." Jack said pondering his own question to himself. He turned and watched as Kate put the bottle to her lips.

"Are you serious?" He asked. Quickly she pulled it away with a grin.

"Nope. Just trying to get your attention." She smiled evilly. Rolling his eyes he took a drink.

"Ah! Jack! That's-not good." She giggled with now obvious hiccups. He shrugged it off. "I never made fun of a person for how they looked." Both waited for the other to commit, but neither raised the bottle. "Let's see." Jack began as he looked around the cave seeing their own shadows on the wall.

"I never robbed a bank." He put out as he looked back to her. She took a drink leaving him wide eyed. He wanted to say something, but he didn't wanna push it.

"I never got arrested." Kate said barely above a whisper. Both watched the others as the other took a drink

. "What happened?" Kate swallowed.

"The drunk driving. You?" He asked.

Kate focused on the bottle she twirled between her fingers.

"It wasn't the bank robbery. It was something else I really don't wanna talk about." She smiled tensely glancing up at him.

His mind immediately remembered she was the Marshall's prisoner on the plane. He had never thought about it when he asked her. Then he thought about when he badgered her to tell him the truth. And she did. The truth wasn't what he expected.

The game went on for an hour more. As they came to the end the questions became harder to think of any. They sat closer now and eased up a little. Maybe it was the alcohol or the game. Either way it brought them closer. Kate learned that Jack had only been with five women a close match to her four men. She also learned that he felt guilty for the only woman who died on his operating table. He found out that her last serious boyfriend cheated on her and that she had lived in places all over the world.

He found out why she had been wondering of. It made him really wonder if she was telling the truth about being sick. This seemed to be a blessing out of the last couple of days. Being on that island and so close they never knew this about one another. So a chance rainstorm comes around and they get trapped in a cave getting drunk and telling stories. As drunk as they were they found a new found respect for each other.

The rain poured harder outside of the caves. Chattering form the others in the cave beside them was a faint whisper below the laughing of the two. She now lay back comfortably on her backpack with her barefoot resting up against Jack's leg. He sat close to her leaning up against his stuff and his legs bent with his feet warmed by the fire. They had turned from

"I Never" to "Reply and Stay Dry." It was game where you answered the other's question or you drank.

"When was your first kiss?" Kate asked now on her fifth bottle.

"I was five and-"

"Now you know your mom doesn't count." Kate said with a strait face.

He looked at her with a raise eyebrow. She was getting cocky now.

"It wasn't my mom. It was a girl named Brittany." He explained looking to her for her answer.

"I was seven and his name was Conner-" What kind of name is Conner?' Jack questioned. She looked to him with a laugh seeing the obvious drunken state of the question.

The two sat there for a while after that question thinking to themselves about what else they could ask. Kate soon became preoccupied with Sawyer shirt. Using it as a blanket from the cold she nitpicked at all the little wrinkles and creases. She got so caught up in pulling and poking at the shirt to make it neat she had forgotten Jack sat in really close breathing space to her.

"Did you love him?' Were the sullen words that made her aware of him sitting there. She looked up taken back.

Then she realized his question. Looking back down to his shirt she tugged at the corners trying to divert the question, but Jack's stare was too intense

. "There could have been something there." She said looking up to Jack.

"If your feelings were allowed to fully develop." Jack interjected his face drug down by the thought.

"No…anything that could have happened was lost a long time ago. Before I even moved to the caves." Kate explained answering his question fully.

He knew exactly the moment she spoke of. That night on the beach when he came looking for her and she quickly rushed out of Sawyer's tent flustered and right past him. He knew without even asking her. He noticed her spending more time with him. It was inevitable that she would go to one of them; it was just that he thought he'd be the one.

Kate's eyes wondered over to Jack and his thoughts. He was thinking about something staring hard and long into the flames.

"Did you like him?" Kate questioned in the silence knowing it wasn't the right question. Jack looked over to her with his brow furrowed.

"Sawyer?" Jack asked in an obvious surprised tone. She shook her head in reply.

"Well he was a jackass most of the time Kate." Jack began. Kate quickly sat up coming close to him.

"Maybe if you got to know him better." She implied with an echo of her voice upon the rain. Jack sat in distress in her sudden backlash.

"I would have if he didn't drive everyone away." Jack imposed as Kate sat back folding her angered arms across her chest.

"Not me." Kate muttered as her eyes wavered up Jack's. The look he gave her was of frustration as he passed her last words off.

"Plus I rather have spent time with someone else." He put out speaking directly of her trying to justify his last comment.

Her eyes focused on him questioning his statement. With his un-fletched stare she knew he was telling the truth. All those months if he could he would've just love to have spent more time with her. Still the two were on their fifth bottles, which neither of them noticed in their hands.

They could've have been just speaking these words to get the other to shut up or say what they wanted. Yet when those words moved from his mouth and she watched uninterruptedly his eyes turned soft instead of cold she believed him.

Quickly with that voice ready again the conversation would spark again.

"Have you ever been in love?" He asked drawing out the been. Looking down as if in shame she saw the nearly empty bottle in her hand.

Tracing the slightly wet tip of the bottle with her finger she brought it to her lips taking the last of it in her mouth. Tipping her head back she finished it off before dropping her hand limply to her side.

Jack stared at her puzzled.

"You've never been in love?" He questioned.

"I've been in love Jack. I drank I didn't say NO. I just really don't wanna talk about." She winded hoping to put it rest. Jack wouldn't let it be.

"You can't tell me you don't wanna talk about it. Love is something that should make us wanna talk." Jack pushed her.

She snapped her head over to him.

"Look I don't wanna talk about it ok? I have some issues." She tired to explain.

"I have issues too. Commitment issues. We all have issues. It's what makes us human and we shouldn't hide from them." He argued surprising himself at his honesty.

He pushed her further as he sat up and scooted closer to her. She tried to avoid his impending encouraging eyes.

"And like I said if you want me to listen I won't judge you or push you away." He said in a low voice almost sexual.

She could feel his breath on the side of her face as he sat there waiting for her to talk. As she turned to face him his concentrated deep stare stuck her in the chest. She was pulled towards him. Looking first to his lips and then to his eyes she pushed every self issues out of her head as she leaned in. Slowly touching his lips she stopped and just took in the feeling of Jack. Closing her lips around his she came back with a sweet smacking noise, but didn't pull away. Coming back he was more in control as his hand came up placing his shaky fingers to her face slinking them up her cheek. Butterflies tied knots in their stomachs as they pulled away slowly unready to face each other.

An inch or less apart they stared into each other's eyes with a quivering breath. Their faces were broken into to halves by the firelight on one side and the other darkened by the shadows.

"Wha-t was that for?" Jack whispered with heavy exhale.

Kate shook with curiosity of her own actions. Suddenly she was strong as she leaned in cutting out the separation between the two. Closing her eyes she leaned in again for a gentle kiss.

"My. Iss-ues.' She whispered between lustful kisses.

He didn't think upon her words too caught up in her actions. He hurriedly took away her words as his hand became confident to rest upon her cheek again. The nervousness had left it as he quickly intertwined his fingers loosely in her loosely tied back curls. Her heart leapt from her chest as a weak noise escaped her lips humming over Jack's. The two's world quickly became a blur as the kiss intensified with hands about their bodies. For once their thoughts were in the moment and not ahead to where this might lead, although the question was readying itself upon the nightly breeze.