Finally. After liek two weeks i got it finished. I must givecredit where it is due. I'd like to give credit to Shakespeare for the chapter name. And alot of credit to Cold Heart (on of Josh Holloway's other great performances besides Sawyer) for the weirdness of this chapter. Also thanks to all of you who have reviewed. And as always ENJOY!

Stir One to Seek a Foe

Kate's breath was caught as she opened her eyes. The sight of "him" hung in front of her eyes. Slowly it faded into a bright light as she saw the sun shining down through the trees above her. Taking a deep breath Kate turned her head seeing the caves around her.

Had it been a dream? Her running and running from him and suddenly tripping over a rock and falling over a cliff plummeting to the bottom. The pain and fear were so real. She heard his voice and felt his breath on the back of her neck. It was just a dream. As she looked around seeing Claire and Charlie huddled up together with Christopher in his crib, Hurley laying on his side, and Sun sleeping peacefully under her blanket she felt relieved.

Closing her eyes again she calmed down. Then she felt a body behind her. Heat of someone against her and breath upon her neck. Quickly opening her eyes Kate looked down to see an arm lay loosely over her body. Sitting up with the slightest hint of pain she looked over to see Jack curled up next to her on the cot. A smile came to her lips seeing him lay there protecting her like he said.

Looking back around the caves to the others it was oddly quiet. She didn't even hear a sound from Christopher. They were all asleep and dreaming. It felt good to know they didn't have nightmares like her. Pulling her hair back from her face she felt small grains of sand cluttered into knots about it. Obviously from the fall the day before. She really needed to wash up.

As quietly and slowly as she could she got off the cot and walked over to her stuff. Picking through the clean clothes she gather some things together in her backpack and decided to head off a ways from the camp. Pulling the backpack over her shoulders she looked down to Jack as she past him. He lay there in innocent sleep as tranquil as she's ever seen him. Quickly getting past the others she headed down the trail to the most perfect spot she could think of.

Stopping at the waters edge she looked up at the cascading waterfall. It still took her breath away every time she saw it. She still remembered the first time she saw it. Right after Charlie's brush with death Sawyer had followed her into the jungle wanting to protect her. That was Jack's job now or at least he had appointed himself to it.

Breathing in the smell of the water Kate climbed up on to a huge rock nestled at the lakes side. Undressing she sat there watching the waterfall into the lake creating ripples that lasted till they reached her. Sitting there Sawyer entered her mind again. She remembered how playful he was that day. Odd enough she enjoyed that time spent alone.

Soon the case entered her mind as she stare now in a blank daze going over all that had happened from what she did to get herself in trouble till when the plane crashed. The bank robbery was a mistake that never should have happened. Staying on that farm forever would have been nice, but she had to run. She couldn't just stay in one place. Unlike now.

She remembered vividly boarding the plane. Going through security and the embarrassment that held. She searched her mind trying to see if she could spot Jack as one of the passing people who gave her a look of disgust. Of course he wasn't there. Jack was no part of her memory before the crash only after.

Lying there in the sand she heard the screams and cries of those who survived around her. Sitting up as agony ripped through her body she looked around seeing the plane ripped to shreds scatter across the beach. The heat from the burning part of the plane was worse then the sun overhead. People ran in a frantic daze trying to make sense of what had just happened. Suddenly she off the ground walking through the jungle. Wondering aimlessly as tears streamed down her face she wondered why she was crying. She was off to jail and a possible death sentence and now she was here alone.

As the dirt turned to sand she looked up to see him sitting there. "Excuse me miss" were his first words to her. She couldn't walk any closer. She wanted to help him, but she couldn't walk. Looking from her suddenly paralyzed legs back up to this man his begging voice drown out with the waves behind him as another man came walking up behind him. Watching him she knew this man. She had seen him in her dreams. Quickly he pulled a knife from his back coming over the man in the sand. She opened her mouth to warn him, but nothing came out. Trying her best to pull herself to walk she couldn't. With a swift movement the knife came down to the man's back as she fell herself to the sand.

Looking away Kate came back to the lake. Her breath quivered trying to recover from her thoughts. Quickly she discarded her clothes, placing them next to her. Stretching out she looked again over the water. So calm. So peaceful. So different from the rest of the island. Sighing she scooted to the edge of the rock.

Sticking the tip of her toes in the water she tested it. Figuring it was cool enough she slid in like a snake letting the water nearly consume her. Wading away from the rock the water cooled down her heated skin. Water droplets replaced the sweat on her body. All around the water relaxed her to the core.

Dipping her head back into the water she wet her hair. Bringing her hands back through it she tried her best to comb out the gunk. Shaking out the rest she just wadded there in the water trying to be a one with her surroundings. Closing her eyes for a second just listening to the water and feeling the ripples press up against her body.

Finished with washing up she got back up on the rock. Pulling a towel from her backpack she brought it to her hair. Wrapping it around she rubbed it down drying it as best she could. Putting down the towel she pulled out a new set of clothes. A pair of jeans and one of Jack's shirts he had given her.

Standing up slowly trying to keep her balance, she put one leg into the jeans. Doing the same with the other she began to pull the jeans up her body. Quickly she stopped with the too familiar sound of leaves rustling behind her.

Slowly turned around she looked over each shoulder seeing if anyone was behind her. Looking through the trees and bushes trying her best to see if she could make out any one. She kinda wondered who would come all the way out here. Maybe Jack had followed her. She wouldn't doubt it. As no one was seen she turned back around bent over, and grabbing her shirt.

Pulling it over her head she heard the sound. The sound of a twig snapping. As slow as she could she lowered her arms.

"Kate." A voice drew out with a long breath.

Kate held her breath as she turned around. Looking again through the trees and bushes searching for a face or body. Again there was no one. Neither a face nor feet. She began to wonder if her mind was messing with her. She really couldn't tell anymore. Turning around she lowered her shirt down her stomach. Bending over she picked up her stuff and hoped down off the rock. With the thought of her mind playing games with her well out of her head she started back to the caves.

Walking along she kicked at the leaves and clumps of dirt. Jack's shirt clung to her damp skin as her also damp hair un brushed dripped an anonymous trail behind her. Walking she seemed caught up in watching the dirt she kicked fly up in front of her. Looking up to the world before her she thought about Jack's words the night before.

"He won't get you."

Had he been telling her the truth about what Sun had said? Or was he trying to just scare into not leaving the caves. It was hard to know his motive. It was hard to know anything anymore. The world around her as she knew it was slowly melting into unbelievable fantasy. Or horror rather. After Sawyer dying and that wonderful night in the caves with Jack she began to wonder for the first time in hard thought about where exactly they were.

Completely in thought almost unaware of where she was even walking, she was brought out by the sound of footsteps behind her. She stopped with a swift movement across her back sending terror filled chills up her spine. Quickly turning around she became alerted by the sound of scurrying footsteps through the brush coming to a thud of a stop. Looking closely she could see the footsteps imprinted into the dirt. They were bigger then hers and hand longer strides. She could have sworn to be imagining it.

"Again so far from away from Jack." A voice sighed.

Kate immediately stopped. Glancing quickly around for a person, she realized it to be the same voice she heard on the rocks. The same voice that haunted her dreams and every step of her life.

"And so innocent. Hmm? Now we all know that isn't true. With your track record you're the furthest thing from innocent." He pushed in her face.

She began to wonder where he was or if he was actually there. She squinted her eyes trying hard to make out figures in the trees.

"Oh speaking of innocence how's Claire? Heard she was with child again." He put out wondering himself about the comment.

Her eyes stopped searching. Claire pregnant? She questioned the reality of the statement. She questioned the reality of the moment. Was her mind that so far gone? Was this a dream or her damned existence?

"Oh and how are you?" He questioned.

"You worried me when you collapsed yesterday." He said in a tone almost making her see him hang his head in sarcasm.

Questioning still her sanity she stood in utter confuse hanging onto his last words. How did he know she had collapsed? She now tried to convince her self that this voice, that he was just in her head. Her imagination. The fear of his threat messing with her.

As it got quiet her eyes darted around wondering if her coming to grips brought her to the real world. With all silent she took another look around. He was gone. Or her mind had calmed down. Taking a deep breath she continued on.

"No where are you off to?" His voice questioned out of the silent.

Again she stopped. Staring at the ground, slowly her eyes wonder behind over her shoulder. Rapidly searching the surroundings looking for him.

"How am I supposed to have nay fun with you going back to Jack?" He questioned.

Her eyes locked onto a tree she could have sworn his voice to be coming from. Eyes, mind, and body aware she slowly walked over to the tree. Still looking around for possible tricks her mind could be playing on her.

"It wasn't really smart in the first place to come out here alone. Didn't you get my warning?" He questioned with obvious amusement over the situation.

Kate slowly tip toed up. Hugging close to the tree she slowly rounded it. Putting her back up against it she stood there peering behind. She heard breathing as she stood there. Slow fear came over her. Was it really him?

For the first time since she had heard him she believed he was real. She believed that he was there. Just behind the tree. Holding her own the best she could she thought she had him. This man that had been torturing them all these months. He was there within two maybe three feet of her. She could end this once and for all. Well if he was actually there.

As swiftly and quietly as she could she reached down to her side. Reaching for a knife that wasn't there. As her fingers reached around for it and didn't grasp it she looked down. It wasn't there. It hadn't been there in a month. He had it.

"Dammit!" She muttered looking around for some sort of weapon

Readying herself she closed her eyes picturing how this would go down in her mind. She'd jump out, grab him, and wrestle him to the ground. That was what she hoped to happen, but knew that wasn't how it would in reality. There was a better chance of her dying then her getting him. But she had to take that risk. She had to for the others survival and her own sanity.

Inhaling deeply she opened her eyes. With one swift moment she sprang out hoping to meet him face to face. Instead she was met by the sound of running.

"Nuh un uh. We can't have you doing that." He chuckled at her loss.

Kate looked around. Again peering through trees trying to just make out an image or shape of a body. She knew he was out there with her and that it wasn't her mind anymore.

"I mean honestly what do you think Jack would do if you came into the caves dragging me behind?" He began to question with inquiry.

Hearing him again she turned around slowly looking to the trees. Looking them up and down and round and around.

"Besides I think it might be more fun for me to drag you into the caves. Have him chase your half dead body for awhile…." He began.

"I think he'd reward you by giving you another mark to match the one on your neck that night in the caves..." He taunted with a quiet laugh.

Again she stopped with his words. Her hand came down to her neck with his words. Down to where Jack had left a small hickey on her skin. It had been from that night in the caves. The night they had a few too many drinks. The night they explored her issues. It was well gone now, but still her knew.

Somehow he knew. Did he watch her? With Jack? It was a scary thought, but the only explanation for his knowledge.

Slowly she began to walk again. Still alert and aware that any moment he could spring up on her.

"Maybe he'll give you what you've always wanted.' He came again.

Her eyes glanced over to where it came from.

"Maybe he'll finally give you what you've been searching for all of your life. Love. Pure utter love." He growled taunting her with her own existence.

Stopped in her tracks again her breath was caught in her throat.

"Isn't that what you want Kate?' He asked.

She almost wanted to nod her head answering his question. That was what she wanted. As tears formed at the realization and thought, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. That was what he wanted. He wanted her to give in.

"Oh that is what you want. You want it so badly it hurts and keeps you up at night till you nearly drown in your own pity. Pity of being alone." He exclaimed.

"I know you want his love. And you know how I know? It's the mere fact that I watch you." He announced.

Quickly struck with the realization that she was right, she fought her body hard not to run off screaming. Something inside her told her she needed to stay and to not give in.

"Yes I watch you." His emasculating voice called.

Kate's eyes jerked over to the sound.

"I watch you Jack, Charlie, Claire. I even watched Sawyer when he was alive." He began with a thought paused snicker.

He paused long enough to give Kate a chance to search him out again.

"I watch how you stare into Jack's eyes everyday pleading for help and all he gives you is a smile. A smile. A smile to cover up his true feelings. His feelings and thoughts he has about not being able to live without you…

IT MAKES ME SICK!" He screamed shooing away all other life, but Kate.

Whimpers came from her lips as they quivered with his words. He was right. It wasn't scary that he knew. It was the fact of how he knew. He watched their everyday lives. While they slept, ate, walked alone…everything.

Standing there in her own self-pity of truth the voice didn't taunt her. He let her be getting off on the silence of her guilt. She stood there alone in reality and emotion. Her eyes jumped from place to place following the sounds of birds and the wind. Looking for HIM. She was so scared. Not scared of him scared she had lost it.

In place she shook with tears whispering to her self that it was ok. All she wanted was what he said. For Jack to scoop her up in his arms. She wanted him to hold her to love her.

"Scary huh?" His voice sparked on the wind again.

Jumping in fright she looked around seeing no one yet again.

'I know your not scared of me. Are you?" He questioned.

"No you're scared you're going crazy. Scared that you'll be the death of Jack.' He put forth.

She closed her eyes trying to tell herself to calm down. To turn around, run to the caves, and hide behind Jack. She had had enough. She couldn't take it anymore.

"That's it isn't it? You scared that Jack will die at your expense. The only man you ever truly loved dead because you hear voices….."

Kate began to count. Remembering what Jack had told her. It always seemed to help, but she wasn't so sure now.

"Well I'll tell you right now you're not hearing voices you're hearing me telling you what will happen….

His voice drone out and was replaced quickly with haunting whispers.

"He's gonna kill you."

Her heart began to race.

"Suffering."

Bump

"That's how it's gonna end and that's all that will be left."

Ba bump

Ba bump

"Suffering."

Quickly they became caught up in her head. Spiraling in an unstoppable whirlwind in her head. They taunted her with words of hate and death. Telling her what would happen.

Closing her eyes she became dizzy. It was hard to stand as the wind picked up blowing the voice across her body. They became louder and she had to bring her hands to her head to stabilized herself, but it only got worse.

"He's going to kill you."

Bump

Bump

Bump

"strike you in the heart."

Bump bump

Bump bump

Bump bump

Her heart feel as if it would explode within her chest.

"Sufferin-"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" She finally scream in tears throwing her hands in the air.

It became quiet. No wind. No voices or whispers. Just the sound of her labored breath that now slowly panicked her at the feeling of her throat collapsing within. She needed to clam down. She couldn't have a panic attack out her. Jack would never find her. Well he would, but by then it would be too late.

Her breath crept back from her long drawn out pants. Her own heart pounded within her chest. Slowly she inhaled a jagged breath. It was quickly caught with the sudden sound and feeling of someone else upon her back.

Bu-bump

She exhaled and her breath became harder as she realized she wasn't imagining the feel of a body upon hers with a slow trembling breath down her back.

Ba-bump

Bump

Not thinking of consequences just the fear and curiosity she slowly turned around.

"Revenge." He growled with his distorted face ablaze and his eyes full of anger glaring at her with his teeth grinding at each other.

Ba-bump

Ba-bump

Ba-bump

Her heart quickly stopped.

With wide eyes she went dashing off into the jungle. Never did she look back. Her eyes only focused on the world hurling towards her like a bullet. She knew he was still behind her. With his feet loud on the ground. Thumping like the beating of a drum. The sound was in sync with her heart leaping from her chest. She knew he would catch her. The only thing he didn't know is what he'd do with her.

She crept around slowly, looking for him. Checking behind each tree she came across hoping he would come charging out ready to kill her. His voice had stopped, but it still echoed on the wind along with his footsteps taunting her.

The sudden sound of a twig snapping sent her into near panic. Turning all directions she saw no one. Just the trees swaying. Then came the sound of someone walking. The sound of footsteps upon her. Quickly turning around she prepared herself again. And again there was no one.

Was her mind playing tricks again? Had it been playing tricks all along? It didn't seem like it. His face was too real to be an allusion. Her breath became ragged as the sound of footsteps regained. They were closer and faster then they were before.

Quickly she felt the feeling of death. With her panicked breath her throat began to close around itself. Taking her back to that horrid place of helplessness. As her breaths became gasps she tried her best to stay calm with the continuous sounds igniting her senses. She knew if she wouldn't come down she's end up on the ground gasping for life and no one would be there to save her. Too far from the caves and no strength to even try. By the time Jack would find her she'd be dead.

"Just calm down." She told herself taking in a deep breath.

Quickly the footsteps came running towards her in all directions. Approaching faster upon her. Kate disregarded her own advice.

Picking up her feet she ran. Through the leaves and past the trees. Pushing her self just a bit faster and further. She would be back at the caves soon. She had just a bit longer until she was in his arms. But she didn't make it.

Running so fast she didn't see the root sticking out of the ground. As her foot hit it she came crashing to the ground. Landing violently on her side. Her arm grazed across the root tearing great pain from it.

In pain she tried balancing her weight on her arms to push herself to stand. Her first attempt failed. She fell back to more pain. Holding her hurt arm to her body she use her other to push through the pain to stand. Coming to her feet in a sigh of pain she brushed herself off. Then that feeling of closeness came about.

The ground trembled as close footsteps came up behind her. As breath forced it's way down her neck she knew she was caught.

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump

Slowly turning around she held her breath. Her body trembled with fear as she turned to face him. But much to her surprise and fear, she came face to face with Locke. She nearly collapsed into his arms from exhaustion.

"Kate!" He exclaimed reaching out his hand to steady her.

"Locke." She began to cry in relief.

His eyes looked her down. Examining her fragile state. He stopped at her arm as his eyes went wide.

"Your arm? Are you ok?" He questioned still gawking at her arm.

Kate's eyes wondered down looking down to see a gash in her arm from her wrist nearly up to her elbow. It seeped blood that rolled down her arm in trickles soaking her hand. She must have done it when she fell. It was odd that only now she felt pain. She was speechless and in a daze of confusion.

"Let's get you back to Jack." Locke suggested as he rested his hand on her he shoulder leading her away. As she walked close before him, he looked around behind him with wide eyes searching.