Moans and faint screams were muffled in the night. The sound of people moving around and chattering was magnified in sleep. Rolling over Kate felt a lump under her body. Only wanting to sleep she passed it off as she pushed herself to relax.
She heard a faint breath close to her and she swore that she could feel it. It was somewhat calming helping her ease back into sleep. Without warning the sun hit her face. Quickly brining her hand up to her face she covered her eyes shielding them from the torture the sun pressed upon her.
Slowly a large shadow eclipsed most of the sun out of her eyes. Small giggles and whispering were heard. Someone was standing in front of her. Opening her eyes to a squint she looked up to see two dark figures. One holding something to their body and the other standing close holding back the tarp. As her eyes adjusted she came to see it was Claire holding Christopher and Charlie who stood in amusement with smiles on their faces.
"Morning.' Charlie snickered.
"Long night?" He asked looking over past Kate with a playful hit from Claire. Kate wasn't in the mood for this.
Her head was pounding and her body throbbed. What ever she lay on wasn't helping the matter, but again she didn't have the strength to move.
Letting her arm go limp across her face she lay there wanting to scream.
"Come on Charlie. Let them rest." Claire said with a hint of insincerity.
Kate thanked god as the tarp came down and it was dim again in the cave. Lying there motionless she again heard and felt breath upon her neck. She couldn't figure out what it was. Reaching her hand back as far as she could she scratch the tickle it caused. With that whatever she was laying on that caused her such discomfort came up pulling her back.
If she hadn't been so hung over she would have jumped up. Instead she just looked down to see a hand poking from beneath her wrapped around limply across her stomach. She knew that hand by touch. Lifting up her head in agony she looked back to see Jack sleeping no more then half a foot from her. Somewhat surprised she sat up.
Rubbing her face she tried to remember what happened the night before. Most was a blur. She remembered talking about Sawyer then being in love after that it was a blur of reds and black.
Looking over to Jack again as she let her hands sprawl over her face it hit her. They had kissed last night. No it was more then kissing. She saw it vividly. Him leaning back and her nearly collapsed upon his chest as she kissed him hard. His hand supported her around her waist. But after that it all went blank.
Rubbing her face again she sat up as strait as she could. Bending over she brush Jack's cheek with the back of her fingers.
"Jack." She whispered.
With that one time his eyes flew open looking up to her with the same question she had.
"Kate?" He asked as she turned away grabbing her stuff. He looked around as he sat up in great pain.
"What time is it?' He groaned.
"Don't know." She yawned.
He went silent as he watched her gather her things. Quickly they turned from her to the pile of a dozen empty bottles or so. He was too screwed up and out of it to count them like he usually would.
Grabbing his things and the bottles he climbed out after her to be greeted by the aggravated smiles and sunlight. Jack paid not attention as he followed Kate over to the cot. Placing the bottles amongst his things he began going through his backpack. Kate sat on the cot becoming coy with all the stares of people looking between the two. Had they known what happened last night?
She turned away to see Jack's hand extended to her with six small pills scattered in his palm. She looked up to him.
"You're gonna need them.' He smiled.
Looking back down she picked out three. Jack took his hand back and brought it to his mouth and soon after a water bottle. After he handed it to Kate so she could take hers. Taking the bottle he sat down next to her. She stared at the bottle in his hands thinking back to last night.
"I enjoyed last night." He said calling her to look up at him. Before she could react he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you." He whispered in her ear. As he pulled back her got up and walked away leaving her in a trance.
What exactly was he thanking her for?
Soon everyone turned their attention from the two going on with what they had to do. Kate wondered away again with that feeling in her stomach. This time she passed it off as the hang over and not her being sick. Coming back she wanted to talk to Jack, but he was nowhere to be seen.
She looked around as she walked over to her cot. Looking down she saw a black shirt sitting in a puddle on the cot. Picking it up she saw it to be Sawyer's shirt and lying underneath it was his letter. A smile came over her face knowing Jack had brought it to her knowing how important they were.
Picking up the letter she sat down and reached for her backpack. Putting in her lap she saw Charlie walk up out of the corner of her eye.
"Hello." He said oddly as he stood next to her watching her put Sawyer's things in her pack.
"Hi." She smiled throwing it to the floor.
Charlie stood there trying to hide his nervousness, which was odd for him. Kate looked past him to see Claire breast-feeding something that bothered Charlie. Now she understood his awkwardness.
"So what's up?' She asked looking up to him.
"Oh nothing. Just came over here to say hi.' He began as he sat down next to her.
"Ohhh." Kate smiled pretending to catch on.
The two sat looking back and forth and around to other things. They had never been this awkward before.
"So what'd you two last night?" Charlie asked dying to know from the moment he pulled back the tarp that morning.
"We sat around the fire talking." Kate replied sucking in her lips trying to hide her smile.
"Oh just talking. Harmless. Did you guys happen to have any lets say…umm alcohol?' He questioned trying to be sly.
"We did have…" She began as she saw Jack walk in with new attire on. He looked down to her with a slight rewarding smile as he walked past.
"Yeah we did have alcohol why?' Kate asked going back to the question.
"Well this is just me, but I'd say you were alitttle smashed." Charlie remarked.
Kate looked away with a nervous laugh.
"No. We just got a bit tipsy playing some games." Kate smiled.
"Oh what kind of games?" Charlie joked nudging her in the side.
Kate was too preoccupied looking after where Jack had walked off to listen to Charlie. She really needed to talk to him about last night.
"Would you excuse me?" She asked as she pulled away from Charlie.
"Sure." He replied kinda taken back by her rudeness to just get up and leave.
He watched, as she paid no attention to him as she got up and wondered after Jack. He knew she was stuck to him that morning with the way they looked at each other, but still she could have been a little polite.
Heading out of the caves she looked between the tress to see him talking to Claire. She stood in front of him with Christopher on her hip. Both looked up to Jack with inquiry. The importance of the matter really didn't strike Kate she was too caught up in the essence of what happened last night. Getting closer she went over and over in her mind about what she was going to say to him.
"About last nigh-"
"Honestly Claire do you really think it was Ethan kidnapped you the second time?" Jack voice contradicted diminishing Kate's thought.
"I never really saw the man who kidnapped me. He was always hidden, but you were the one who asked me about Ethan-"
"And you answered the question." Jack came back stopping her.
"Yes. Well I guess it's both our faults seeing how we had our minds set to the common thought of it being Ethan since it was the thought we all are used to." Claire tried to explain for the reason of everyone's thought of the attacker being Ethan.
Jack took a deep breath as he rolled his neck.
"Then who do you think took you?' Jack asked.
"It could have been anyone. Even Ethan-"
"It can't be Ethan you saw Charlie shoot him. Four times!" Jack yelled.
"I also saw who took me the second time and he looked a lot like Ethan Jack. And so did Kate. Why can't you just believe us that Ethan might still be alive?" Claire shouted.
Jack tired to compose himself not to blow up. He had had enough with these thoughts of Ethan.
"Look there is no way possible that a man can survive four gun shots to the chest." Jack tried to explain in a low tone.
Claire came close to him adjusting Christopher in his arms.
"There's no way for a polar bear to live on a tropical island. Or a person to come back after life after being hung to death now is there?" She asked lashing out in his face.
"This island defies all laws of nature and science. Anything is possible." Claire said leaving him in stunned thought of her repercussion as she turned and head back to the caves.
Jack stood there with his eyes closed trying to take in all the thoughts of what was going on. Kate saying she was sick again and that Ethan was alive. Claire believing her. It was all too much. Unclenching his fists he took a long deep breath and turned to head back. His head trapped up in thought he didn't pay attention to his surrounds. He looked up from the ground where he watched his feet make imprints in the soft ground. Looking up he saw her.
She stood there not even two feet from him. If he had kept his head down he would have never seen her. She was hidden with the shadows of the tress. Stopped in the wake of her quivering stare he stood for the first time nervous under her eyes. Her eyes were glistened with tears. She stood motionless with a tough breath. She was furious with him.
"How could you Jack?" She asked a state of tears on her voice. Jack knew she had heard his conversation with Claire.
"Kate I'm-" He started before she turned and began to walk away.
"Kate…" He started as he headed after her.
Quickly heading through the caves both knew this would cause a commotion. Jack caught up to her as she headed over to her cot where Charlie still sat.
"Kate.' He called he grabbed her arm and swung her around to face him. She swiftly pulled away from him.
"Don't touch me!" She yelled calling attention to the others.
Jack stopped as he looked around to all the others looking up to the two with wide eyes.
Kate stood not even realizing them. As Jack came back to look at her she was already turned and walking away. He watched her walk away in a furious rage over to Charlie who looked up to Kate as she past. Still Jack stood in his place feeling like the lowest person. He had really screwed up. She trusted him with her secrets as of last night and now she couldn't even be around him.
Sitting down in a fury upon the cot next to Charlie, Kate tried to pass it off.
"What was that about?' Charlie asked turned from the display as Jack walked off.
"Nothing." Kate huffed as she bent over picking up her backpack.
She began to go through it trying to pull herself away from the wonderful thought of the night before trying to get her to forget the unforgivable one now.
She tried her hardest to divert Charlie's questioning stare. Her heart was racing with rage and her body trembling with upset. Her mind raced with thoughts of anger towards Jack. Without warning it sprung on her. She went to talk and all that came out was a gasp of breath.
"What was that?" Charlie questioned.
"I don't-" She began with a cough. That sound was all too familiar to both. Kate grew sick to her stomach at the feeling. She knew what was happening.
Trying to tell herself to calm down she just became more worried. She began to panic as she felt her throat close up. With every forced intake of breath came a loud sharp cough. Quickly she went for a bottle of water. Before she grabbed it she began to cough. And with each cough came a choking pain in her throat and vomit feeling in her stomach.
"Kate you all right?" Charlie asked resting his hand on her back.
She bent over grabbing for the bottle knocking it over to the ground spilling it out. She began to panic and scare Charlie as her jagged coughs became long drawn out gasps as she struggled for air on her breath.
A feeling grew in the pit of Charlie's stomach as he looked around. This had happened before. He saw Claire looking at him confused at what was going on. Kate became worse.
"Jack!" Charlie called seeing his walk in.
Jack's eyes went from Charlie to the body hunched over heaving next to him. Kate.
She was panicking herself again. Jack got up and rushed over to her. Kneeling down in front of her he looked up to see the fear and anger in her eyes. Charlie had gotten up and ran for a water bottle. Coming back he handed it to Jack.
"Here." Jack said grasping her face.
Kate pulled away in defiance. Jack dropped his hand. She didn't want his help. She was willing to let herself die then let him help her. Jack felt angered and also guilty at this. He had caused her to feel like this and to also to upset herself.
Grasping her face in his hand again he wouldn't let go.
"Stop." He shouted as she tried to pull away.
Charlie was put off by his fierceness.
"Let me help you." Jack pleaded.
With those four words Kate stopped. Tears let themselves flow down her cheeks as she begged from breath. Taking her let go as a gateway Jack lifted the bottle of water up to her lips. Taking a quick drink she choked. Jack pulled away.
"Take it slow.' He said as he put it to her lips again.
Taking a drink she slowly let the water drip down her swollen throat. Opening her mouth she inhale a rough breath brining life to her. After that it took Jack a good ten minutes to get her back to normal, yet still she was shaken up and furious with him.
Jack still sat in front of her making sure she was all right. As he looked over her she wiped her tears away.
"Now do you believe me?" She asked. His eyes shifted up to hers.
"I never said I didn't believe you. I thought it was caused by stress." Jack tried again to justify himself.
"Well that really isn't helping." Kate said looking away. Jack took her hand causing her to look down at him.
"You're gonna be fine." He said with a promising look in his eyes.
He almost pleaded with her to trust him. She looked down and away from him as the look brought on tears. He brought his hand up to her face wiping away the tears with his thumb.
"It's gonna be ok." He whispered as he stood up and kissed her forehead.
She didn't fight him she let him hold her close. And he held her there for a while just caught up in the circumstances. This was a completely different fight from what Kate was talking about. But it was gonna be harder to over come.
That night no one slept. Kate had two more attacks. Jack was convinced that the seriousness about it was scaring her into literal panic attacks. He tried his best to calm her, but once the thought of an impending cough she began to panic again. Finally he got her to sleep giving her a sedative. As she slept he calmed down as well with the others. Sleeping close by he was on end as he watched her praying she'd make it through.
The days after she got worse. Her attacks became more frequent and worse off. One time she was left breathless for nearly five minutes terrifying Jack that her heart would give up and she wouldn't make it. As soon as it came about it disappeared. Her coughing fits ceased, but she became fluish. She couldn't keep anything down. Rarely did something settle in her stomach. She would burst out in pain running into the jungle with Jack right behind her.
Everyone began to worry she was done for. She was becoming unhealthy. They began to notice she lost weight in a matter or a day or two. Loosing close three pounds just while she slept. She soon became and insomniac. Laying there forcing herself to sleep at night. It was no use.
She didn't have the strength to fight herself. She just let herself lay there. And of course she turned Jack into an insomniac as well. He would sit up with her making sure she was all right. Staying with her long hours into the night and sleepless hours of the day. He didn't have time to help anyone else. She was too ill to sit up anymore.
By the time a week past from the night in the cave she had become deathly ill quicker then Walt had scaring most of them. The suddenly one day she woke up fine. Walking around doing chores she seemed fine, but still she wasn't strong enough. Jack kept a close eye on her never really leaving the area around the caves in fear that when he came back she's be gone.
Waking up the next day and nearly two weeks after it all began everyone held their breaths. They all hoped the day before wasn't a fluke and Kate was better. She got up and met everyone expectations. She was perfectly fine. She looked rejuvenated in fact. As soon as she woke she was off the thought of most of their minds.
Charlie and Claire sat where they normally sat. Claire held Christopher in her lap looking down to him with her held hung in sorrow. Charlie sat down next to her his face stone with shock.
"Are you sure?' Charlie asked with immense worry in his voice.
Claire shook her head as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Yes Charlie I'm sure. I feel the same way I did with Christopher." Claire whispered playing with the young boys hands.
Charlie was left silent next to her.
"How are we going to do this?" Claire cried as she looked to Charlie.
He turned and looked to her for the first time since she had told him. Seeing the fear in her eyes he grew strong.
"It's ok." Charlie whispered taking her tightly in his arms.
She began to weep against his shoulder.
"We'll make it through this.' He assured her as he kissed her cheek.
Pulling away he wiped away her tears.
"Let's go for a walk." He suggested.
She nodded her head.
"Ok." She replied. Charlie stood up and bent over to pick up Christopher.
"You're getting big." Charlie grunted as he picked up at small child.
Claire had to laugh through her tears as she stood up. Charlie smiled to see her smile. Wrapping his arm around her he handed her Christopher and led her off towards the trail to the beach.
"We'll get through this." He whispered as he brushed away a ringlet of blonde hair and pressed his lips to her temple.
They walked past Jack who stood with Kate. He looked back and was caught by the sight of Claire wiping away tears.
"Charlie." Jack called as the past. Charlie looked back to him.
"Go on I'll be there in a second." Charlie told Claire as he let go of her and headed over to Jack. He held his head down as he walked over.
"She all right?" Jack questioned about Claire.
"Oh yeah. Some post partum stuff." Charlie tired to make up not yet ready to let Jack in on this mess.
"That's odd. She should be done with that." Jack wondered.
"Well you know woman." Charlie laughed nervously before turning around to head after Claire.
Jack looked down to Kate confused. Kate shrugged it off as Charlie being Charlie.
She was too into packing for the walk her and Jack were taking to the beach. Just a walk to clear her up let her get up and out. Not much was said on the way there. Both were just happy to be able to walk together and not have to talk.
Walking out onto the sand the ocean breeze felt good.
"You're looking well." Sayid commented walking up to them with a warm smile on his face. Kate smiled.
"So how are things going?" Sayid asked more referring to Kate's heath then the overall view.
"Good." Jack sighed in relief knowing she was all right. Still he didn't know for sure. Could just be a relapse like Walt.
"We're all getting along." Jack said as Locke came walking up.
"Well that's good to hear." Sayid smiled.
"Look who's up and about." Locke exclaimed looking Kate over.
"Yeah. Scared us for a moment there." Jack smiled looking down to Kate. She didn't feel like talking much. She was just happy to be walking around.
"Sure di-"
"CHARLIE!" A voice screamed from the forest.
All eyes turned to trees.
"That was Claire." Locke announced as he put his knife in its holder.
"CHARLIE!" Claire voice came again. They all looked back to each other.
"They were going for a walk today." Jack exclaimed in a jagged voice and all of them realized the man who was killing them was still out there.
"PLEASE!" Claire screamed. Jack left Kate's side.
"She's close." Locke announced grabbing another knife.
Jack and Locke started off.
"Jack." Kate called. He turned.
"I'm coming with you." She exclaimed knowing jack wouldn't let this man go if it was him. He'd fight till the death.
"No. You're not-"
"I'm fine-"
"No! You're not strong enough." He said ending it.
She stood there in defiance of what he said knowing he was right. He turned to Sayid who had a gun in his hand.
"Here. You left it last time you were here. You might need it." He said handing the gun to Jack.
Kate eyed it as Jack took it. Her breath was taken knowing he was going out there.
'What about you?" Jack questioned coking the gun and securing it in his pants.
"I'll stay here incase." Sayid answered looking to Kate. Jack turned as Locke was already heading off.
"Please be careful" Kate pleaded.
Jack turned and nodded his head as he quickly ran off after Locke. She stood and watched him run off. With a growing pain in her chest it became hard to breath as she bit her lip fighting the urge to run after him.
They stayed a good close distance as they hurried towards the cries. They ran through the trees and brush towards a ghostly scream of Claire's. Tormented thoughts ran through Jack's head about what could happen. Had this man murdered Charlie? What about the baby? Was Claire ok?
"JACK! SOMEBODY PLEASE!" She cried out again.
They stopped getting a direction of the voice. Looking around Jack spotting Locke hurrying down the path and quickly went after him.
Running that way they didn't go far before they were stopped at the top of a gully of trees. Looking down through the rows of narrow spread out tress there sat Claire. She was huddled to herself up against a tree rocking back and forth. She was covered in mud and blood. Her pure blond hair was stained to a dark brown. Jack looked around for Charlie seeing him nowhere. Glancing to Locke, Jack saw that he was already on the trail to where Charlie might be so he quickly turned to Claire.
Walking up to her she was in a sheltered daze. He couldn't tell if she had Christopher or not. She was so wrapped tightly in a ball there was no way of telling.
"Claire." Jack whispered resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" She screamed swinging at Jack.
As her arm came out Jack saw a wide-eyed Christopher in her arms. He felt better, but not relieved.
'Claire it's me." Jack said trying to grab her arm and clam her down. She looked up to him with a tear soaked face.
"Jack?" She cried letting her arm down.
Jack squatted down and looked her over.
"Are you all right?' Jack asked checking her face for cuts or wounds. Quickly he looked down to Christopher nestled in he arms.
"Yes me and Christopher are fine." Claire assured him.
Jack looked back to see Locke walking around aimlessly. He had disappointment written all over his face.
"Where's Charlie?' Jack questioned looking Claire strait in the eyes.
"I-I don't know." She quivered as her blue eyes began tear filled.
"He. The man who was on the trail that day. He came after us trying to snatch Christopher." Claire began as she looked down to the sleeping baby.
"Charlie of course wouldn't let him have him so they fought and ended up getting away from me." Claire cried.
"Look at me." Jack ordered grasping her face.
"Did you see who it was? What he looked like?" Jack questioned staring her in the eyes.
Claire became stone with his words. She had seen him. That dark face and leering eyes. She remembered them well. Even when she him as she turned around to see him standing there she knew his face. It had watched her closely many nights.
"He was evil." Claire whispered in a stone cold daze looking to nothing. Jack was caught by the words.
It was exactly what Kate had told him. He knew now this was the same man.
"It was Ethan.' She said her eyes still in gaze away from him.
Jack sighed at the thought. He thought back to when Kate had told him and how she acted. It was weird that now Claire claimed the same thing still it wasn't logical even for this place. No man could survive four gun shot wounds to the chest. She was just probably saying this cause she knew Kate had.
Jack looked back to Locke who had come to his side.
"Anything?" Jack asked fearing the look on his face.
"The tracks are scrambled and wondered off in the brush unseen." Locke sighed shaking his head.
Jack looked to Claire who was gazing down upon Christopher.
"We have to get you back." Jack said standing up reading to head back. Claire's head jerked up.
"What about Charlie?" She questioned.
"We can't just leave him out here. What if he's hurt?" She yelled before Jack could open his mouth.
"We'll go back out for him. Right now we can't have you out here as an easy target." Locke explained getting silence from Claire.
Jack and extended his hand for her. Locke came over and helped her up. As she stood she looked up to Jack with pleading eyes.
" Look I promise we'll find Charlie. We just need to have you safe." Jack said with real honesty.
Claire looked down trying to hide her tears.
"You promise?" She asked.
"Claire I promise." Jack assured her.
With his words Claire lowered her head again. They began back towards the trail with all attention to what was around them this was man was still out there and he had Charlie.
Not even a quarter of a mile from the trail they came to a border of trees. They went on as long as any of them could see quickly curving around to disappear into the distance. Quickly they all stopped at the sound of rustling leaves. Claire began to shake as she clutched Christopher. Jack pulled the gun from his pants and pointed it to where the sound was. He gripped it tight turning his knuckles white. If he was about to confront this monster he was going to be ready.
Locke slowly walked up to him putting his hand to the gun.
"Lower it. It might be Charlie." Locke whispered.
Claire looked over to Locke with hope instilled in her heart at his words. Jack still readied himself. They all stood with hearts racing as someone emerged from the trees. Slipping his finger in front of the trigger Jack was ready to shoot, but he was stopped as he looked up to see Charlie. His face was beaten and his clothes torn.
Stumbling out he caused outburst of joy in Claire.
"Oh my god!" She cried running over to him.
Flinging her free arm around him he wrapped his tightly around her.
"You're all right." She cried.
"Yeah." He said as she let go. Walking over to Jack as he put the gun down Charlie prepared himself.
"Kate was right." Charlie announced. Jack became confused.
"Right about what?' Jack asked trying to think back to all the things Kate had said at once.
"It's Ethan. His face was distorted, but I could tell. I can tell that bastard's face anywhere." Charlie growled at the thought.
'Charlie there's no wa-"
"Jack it's him. With no doubt in my mind it's him.' Charlie said not letting him finish his contradictory.
"Did he say anything to you?" Locke asked.
"He said he wants revenge and that was all." Charlie replied as he looked down to a distant Claire whose mind was clearly on something else as Christopher played with her fingers.
"Where did he go?" Jack asked for the first time wondering how Charlie got away.
Charlie came to attention looking to Locke and Jack.
"I had my back to him and when I turned around he was gone." Charlie explained looking back down to Claire and Christopher.
A silent breath settle between the four.
"We should head back." Locke sighed.
"Everyone's probably worried."
"Yeah." Jack seconded knowing Kate was worrying her self sick over him as he put the gun back in his pants.
"But we're fine." Charlie sighed looking down as Claire's blue eyes gazed up to his. She believed what he said.
Jack took lead of the group as Locke took the back. Guarding the three in between. All was quiet besides the cooing and sounds from an obvious unaware Christopher now in Charlie's arms. None wanted to say anything as they headed back to the caves.
As the group stumbled into the caves most of the people there weren't even aware that something had happened. They all passed it off not wanting to terrify them. Still they stared in dismay at the four covered in mud and Charlie in blood. Charlie began to walk away with a slight limp in his right leg Claire still close. It was just a minor numbing sensation whenever he out pressure on it. Jack quickly noticed his limp. Charlie shrugged it off as just a mere injury from fighting with Ethan not wanting to get into all the scraps and bruises he had. He just turned wrapped his arm around Claire and walked towards their stuff.
Locke gave an encouraging pat on Jack's back before walking off to his post on the border of the caves. Jack discretely took out the gun trying not to make it noticeable. Placing it in his backpack for the time being he turned around looking around to see if anyone saw him. He didn't like carrying that gun around, but it was to protect them and himself.
Getting up Jack walked over to the waterfall with a small piece of cloth in his hand. Dipping it in the somewhat cool water he brought it to his face cooling his heated skin. Wiping away the sweat and dirt he sat down along the edge in near relaxation. His only thoughts were on the dripping water down his face then slowly turned to remembering Kate was on the beach.
Suddenly there was a loud commotion of the people in the caves. Yelling and raving as a few people from the beach stepped in. The people at the caves quickly jumped up and stopped whoever it was from entering. Catching his attention Jack turned only to come to see a flood of the survivors crowding around what he thought to be Sayid. Looking over to Claire and Charlie who sat in the same position as Jack he came to realize something was seriously wrong as they jumped up and tried to get to the center of the mess.
Jack slowly got up looking over and through the bodies trying to see if he could see anything. Approaching them he caught the eye of Claire.
"Jack!" She called as she frantically waved him over.
The look on her face scared Jack to the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong amongst them.
"Jack!" He heard Sayid's voice as he himself tried to peak over the other to see Jack.
Everyone turned back to Jack giving him these pale looks that chilled him to his soul. Pushing past the first person it became harder as he went.
"Clear a path!" Sayid yelled pushing as hard as he could through the people to Jack.
Slowly the people moved back to allow Sayid to walk through. The moment Jack looked at him his heart sank.
In his arms lay Kate. Her body limp and her hair about her face. Without word Jack rushed over sliding his arms under her body. Quickly and swiftly as he could Sayid basically dropped her into Jack's arms.
"What happened?" Jack questioned as he rushed with her over to the cot with everyone quickly behind him.
"As soon as you left she began to get a bit pale and started to hold her stomach. I turned my back to get something in my tent and when I looked back a crowd was where she stood. Them all looking down at her laying in the sand." Sayid explained as Jack laid her body on the cot as everyone came around them.
Reaching over to his stuff Jack pulled out one of his shirts and grabbed a bottle of water. Twisting off the cap he soaked his shirt in water.
"Is she all right?"
"What happened?"
Were the questions from people looming over him.
"Please everyone just back up ok!" Jack yelled looking up at them with worry and fear on his face.
Quickly making them back up with the sound of his voice. Looking back down to Kate he took a deep breath trying not to panic. He knew she had probably worried herself over him and made herself sick.
Wrapping his fingers around her chin the tips of his fingers felt the burning heat of her skin. Despite the fact he looked her over. Making sure there were no bruises or cuts. To the others it was hard to tell with her other cuts, but Jack knew each and everyone she had so it was easy for him to pick out the new ones.
Brining the shirt to her face he wiped her it across her forehead taking the sand that covered with it.
'Kate." He whispered gently rubbing her face.
"Kate. Wake up.' He ordered in a low hushed tone.
Slowly running over to the side of her face that was concealed by her hair sticking to her skin he pushed back the hair with the shirt.
A gasp came from the crowd as her face was revealed. A long red rash ran from the corner of her eye to the tip of her chin. Sand covered the rash irritating it more. Jack sat back for a moment as the others whispered among themselves. She must have hit the ground pretty hard.
His hand shook and he tried to hide it as he brought his shirt to the rash slowly blotting the skin. Slowly Kate's face began to twitch showing signs of life. He exhaled jaggedly at the somewhat joyous thought that she was all right. Or at least he hoped so.
As he pressed the shirt to her face again her eyes flew open. Looking around to the others staring at her, her eyes immediately locked with Jack's. Quickly she started to panic not knowing what was going on and she started to gasp for air.
"It's ok." Jack assured her as he rubbed the shirt down her other cheek.
As he ran the shirt over her face and his fingers around her chin caressed her skin she slowly calmed down in his arms.
Scooting closer to her he looked her up and down making sure she was all right. Making sure there weren't any other cuts or scraps.
"Do you hurt anywhere?" Jack asked tilting her chin up to see if her stitches were healing.
As he let go she shook her head taking a deep breath.
"Wha- What happened?' She swallowed trying to sit up.
"You blacked out I guess. On the beach." Jack explained wrapping his arms around her as she sat up.
As she did pain racked her body from her neck to her thighs. Brining her hand to the side of her face she coiled in burning pain.
"Here." Jack said raising the shirt to the side of her face.
After she woke the others moved away giving the two some space. Sitting there in his lap she tried her best to regain herself. But she felt sick and was in extreme pain. Her breathing gradually slowed down as Jack's hand rubbed up and down her back.
Pushing different pressure points along the side of her face she began to tangle her fingers in her hair falling to her face. Without a word spoken Jack pulled her hair back tying it in place with a loose piece of cloth.
Turning back to her he slid his hand down and around her waist pulling her close. Resting his chin gently to the side of her forehead he took a deep breath. He just wanted to hold her like this and never let go. She didn't deserve what this monster was doing to her. And yet with this man in play he still blamed himself.
"You scared me." He whispered with a long breath.
She said nothing in reply. She didn't feel like it. She felt so comfortable in his arm at the moment no matter how much pain she was in.
Pulling away he looked down to her. Examining the side of her face it didn't look so bad.
"All my stuff is at the beach. So I can't do anything for you till I go and get them." Jack began touching it ever so lightly.
"If you want me to I'll head out there now.' He suggested looking down to her. Looking up to him he saw her fighting herself in her eyes.
"If you want to." Kate whispered. It wasn't really question of wanting to he needed to.
Her face needed some form of medication whether either of them liked it or not.
Getting up Jack gradually let go of her.
"Well if I do I want you to get some rest. And please list-"
"Don't worry I'm too beat to try and do other wise." She said as she lay down.
Bending over her Jack situated the stuff around her. Becoming comfortable she looked up to him.
"I won't be long. Just try and close your eyes and sleep.' He advised.
Nodding her head she let out a yawn telling herself and Jack she wouldn't last long. But before she could close her eyes Jack sat next to her looking her strait in the eyes.
"You're gonna get better I promise." Jack nearly swore to her.
Leaning in to kiss her on the forehead quickly getting looks from the others. He didn't care about the embarrassing factor anymore. Their lives hung in the balance and every moment was precious now.
As he got up her eyelids became heavy as she watched him put the stuff away. Taking one last look at him she closed her eyes falling into a deep sleep. Jack looked back down to her and felt relieved that she was actually asleep. She was defiantly worn out and it would do her good, still his mind was full with question with what was wrong. This being the second time she had this "illness" he still had no clue what was wrong with her.
Walking over to what stuff he had he was awkwardly approached by Claire.
"Jack..' She slowly called getting his attention.
Looking back he saw a look in her eyes he hadn't seen since she had the nightmares before she was kidnapped. It was worry.
"How is she?" Claire questioned looking over to a peacefully sleeping Kate.
Jack's eyes wondered over to her .
"She's fine. Hopefully." Jack sighed cleaning his hands.
A nervous look to the ground told Jack Kate wasn't the really reason Claire came over to talk.
"Claire what's up?' Jack asked wanting the reall answer.
"I really need to talk to you about something." She said looking away nervously.
"About what?" Jack asked in a quieter tone realizing she wanted this to be a secret conversation.
"Charlie really doesn't want me to say anything so please don't tell him I did." She begged.
"Sure." Jack assured her.
Taking a deep breath she rubbed her hands around her face brining them to rest upon her lips. She looked over to Charlie who sat and played with Christopher. Taking another deep breath she looked Jack in the eyes readying herself.
"I'm pregnant."
!READ!
Just
to let you guys know. For those who have read it my other story "The
Essence of Two Men" I'll have the next chapter up on the 25th at the
latest. I might even have another for this story. If you haven't read
my other story if you want to it's called 'The Essence of Two Men" It's
a Sawyer, Kate, and Jack fanfic. So if you want to please do. To
everyone Thank You for even reading any of my stories and your lovely
reviews.
