Back at the cave, Kate barely stirred as they tucked her in. Sawyer watched over her while Jack went to the beach to check up on those who had been ill.
At the beach, Jack was encouraged that the worst of what appeared to have been a minor flu epidemic seemed to be passed. Only a couple of people were still sick, but even they seemed to be well on their way to recovery.
A wonderful smelling soup had been simmering over a fire on the beach, and he'd been promised that someone would bring some to the caves for him and Kate when it was ready. For now, he brought back a good-sized freshly caught fish and some fruit.
Kate was still sleeping soundly when he returned, no doubt exhausted from the morning's ordeal. He let her continue sleeping for a while longer after Sawyer had left. Eventually, he decided to wake her, wanting to give her another dose of antibiotics and hopefully some food as well. He hoped that what he'd said to her before had gotten through to her. Praying for the best, he shook her gently.
After some resistance, she began to stir. "Come on, Kate" he coaxed. "Open your eyes. It's time to wake up." With a slight grumble, she slowly opened her eyes and met his for a moment before looking away. He moved back slightly and gave he some space to wake up.
She sat up, gripping the blanket in an unconscious gesture of insecurity and hesitantly met eyes again. They both seemed unsure of where to begin.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, smiling, as she stifled a yawn. She nodded slowly.
He glanced anxiously towards the fire area, and then looked back at her. "So . . . antibiotics?"
She couldn't help but smile slightly at his expression of cautious hope, and she nodded slowly. He smiled in response and moved to grab the pills and some water. He held his breath until she had swallowed them, and let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Thank you, Kate".
She lowered her eyes and shook her head sadly. "Jack . . .", she said softly.
"What?" he asked, leaning in. "What is it?"
"Jack", she sighed. This wasn't easy.
"Don't thank me. I'm the one who should be thanking you. In spite of everything, you've taken care of me . . . and I know I haven't made it easy. I . . ."
"Kate," he began "It's okay. I . . ."
She shook her head. "Please Jack", she paused. "This isn't easy for me. I . . . I'm not good at this," she gestured indistinctly, shaking her head, at a loss for words.
"Not good at what, Kate?"
She sighed again. "At any of this. I'm not good at being sick, at being dependent on others, at trusting them, and I'm not good at apologizing", she said, her voice cracking at the end.
"Kate, you don't have to say anything. I know that. I understand"
"But . . ."
"No buts. Apology accepted, okay?" he said, holding out his hand for her to shake.
Slowly, she reached for it and smiled, sniffling. "Okay"
He squeezed her shoulder encouragingly. "So," he said, effectively closing the subject, how does some fish for lunch sound?" he asked, glancing towards the large fish he'd brought back with him from the beach.
She looked at it doubtfully, but nodded, not wanting to fight anymore.
Jack read her thoughts and smiled. "That good, huh?" he asked sarcastically.
"I'm sorry," she apologized, "its just . . ."
"Hey, no more apologies," he warned. "I won't force you if you don't feel up to it. We have some mighty fine soup coming later, maybe that will sound better. How about just a little fruit for now?"
She nodded, clearly relieved, and he reached for a bunch of bananas, breaking one of for each of them. They ate in silence for a while. She ate a good portion of it before slowing down, and he took it from her, knowing she was done, and finished it himself. He got up to throw away their peels then returned to find her yawning and rubbing her eyes.
"Nap time?" he asked, moving to tuck her in.
She nodded, suppressing yet another yawn, and lied down, closing her eyes.
Kate slept for another hour or so, waking up in what must have been late afternoon.
Jack was glad to see her awake, but she was still very quite, only speaking when he asked her a direct question. He often caught her staring of into space, clearly lost in her thoughts.
It was clear to him that she was hurting, and he hoped that she would open up to him soon. Talking about what had happened - releasing all her pent up emotion, would be the best way for her to heal, he thought. He'd told her as much, offering to listen when she was ready, but so far she had remained silent, and he didn't want to push her.
Tired of spending so much time inside the dark cave, Kate yearned to be outdoors. Suspecting this, Jack offered that she might want to sit by the rocks just outside the cave for a while and enjoy the rest of the day's sunlight. She jumped at the suggestion and let him walk her out.
After making sure she was comfortable, Jack left her to her thoughts, telling her to holler if she needed anything, although he knew she wouldn't.
When Jack went back into the cave, Kate sighed and turned her face skyward, trying to soak up the rays or warm sunlight that filtered through the forest canopy. It did feel good to be outside again. She couldn't wait until she could go back to her usual daily activities. She missed hiking into the forest, tree climbing, and gardening. It gave her a sense of purpose and a way to occupy her mind, to keep the bad memories a bay.
Kate was so lost in thought; she barely noticed when a person approached the cave. Rose had noticed Kate, though, and was concerned for the younger woman who seemed so disconnected.
"Hi Jack," Rose greeted, entering the cave holding a covered container. "I brought you two some soup for dinner".
Jack accepted it gratefully, putting it down by the fire. "Thanks for bringing it Rose. It smelled so good when it was cooking earlier. I'm hoping it will pique Kate's appetite".
"How is she doing?" Rose asked, sitting down.
"She's doing better, but still a little weak. She just needs food and rest, that's all. That bug that's been going around just hit her hard."
"Mmhmm," Rose nodded, looking him in the eye appraisingly. "Well, I'm glad she's gonna be alright". The way she was looking at him made Jack a little uncomfortable. Something gave him the impression that she could see through his lies.
"Well, I'd better head back to the beach before it starts to get dark. Enjoy your dinner".
"Will do. Thanks again, Rose", Jack said as she headed toward the mouth of the cave. He saw her pause and turn to him again.
"I think I'll say hello to Kate, if you don't mind" she said.
"You're welcome to try, Rose, but she's been pretty withdrawn lately," Jack warned, turning to the fire to start their soup heating.