Sorry I took so long in getting this chapter out. Thanks for the reminders. Just to let you know, I probably won't be able to update again until this quarter is over in late June. I've got lots of work piled up.

Kate's eyes widened, and she pulled back with a quiet gasp and then turned her back to him. Jack sighed.

"You asked for the truth," he said plainly.

"I know," she admitted softly "but I didn't expect that".

"And does it repulse you, or scare you?" he asked, moving closer. She didn't answer.

"Kate?" he prompted.

"The second" she admitted, her back still towards him.

"Well, that we can work on". He saw her tense. "Don't worry. I won't push you. For now, just think about it, okay?"

She nodded and turned slowly around to face him. "Okay".

He smiled with relief, and then looked at her critically. "You're cold. Let's head back. I think you've had enough excitement for this morning".

They didn't talk much on the way back to the cave. When they got there, Kate went straight for the row of seats while Jack rummaged around for something.

Antibiotics, water, and food in hand, Jack turned to see Kate curled up on the seats. Juggling his load, he grabbed a blanket as well and headed towards her.

"Hey" he said, putting down the things and urging her into a sitting position. She willingly took the pills he offered and washed them down with the water, but she ignored the food, moving to lie back down instead.

"Kate, you need to eat something, you know". She yawned in response, and he moved to cover with the blanket.

"Later," she assured him, eyes already closing. "I just want to sleep for a little while".

Jack sighed and reached to brush a curl away from her face. "I think I let you do a little more than you were ready for today", he apologized.

She smiled slightly a reached for his hand. "No, it was nice. I needed that." She stifled another yawn, "Thank you".

"You're welcome," he said, bringing her hand to his lips. "Get some sleep".

"So how's the patient?" Sawyer asked as he approached the cave, finding Jack sitting outside.

"Better. She's got a ways to go before she's back to one hundred percent, but I think she's getting there. She's going to be alright."

"Good to hear" Sawyer said with a smile. "I've missed being able to get her all riled up".

Jack shook his head. "Go easy on her for a little while longer, Sawyer, will you?" Sawyer nodded.

"Why did you always insist on antagonizing her, anyway?" Jack questioned.

"I don't know, entertainment?" Jack cast him a skeptical look

"Hell, I don't know" Sawyer sighed. "I guess it was nice to be the recipient of her attention, positive or negative. I figured I was a lot more likely to be able to get the negative, I guess."

"Well, I think maybe that's changed now, don't you? You've been good to her these past few days. I'm sure she appreciates it".

"Maybe" Sawyer considered, picking up a stick and playing with it. "I feel kind of bad that I've been so tough on her. I can't believe she was pregnant the whole time".

"I know what you mean," Jack agreed sadly. "I can't believe it either. She's good at keeping secrets." He paused, "I was hard on her too, in a different way, but we can't change that now. What's done is done. The only thing we can do is be there for her now."

"I guess you're right."

"She's doing better, and she's anxious to get back to the beach. I'll need you to help me keep an eye on her".

"I doubt she'll appreciate that. What did you have in mind?"

Kate felt like she'd just closed her eyes, yet already someone was trying to wake her. She rolled over with a groan, hoping whoever it was would go away.

She heard Sawyer chuckle, "Come on, Freckles, time to rise and shine" he coaxed. She shook her head, refusing.

"Sorry," he said, gently forcing her into a sitting position, "doctor's orders. Lunch is almost ready and Jack says you gotta eat."

"What time is it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes and looking around the cave.

"Late afternoon".

"Where's J-- . . . ?", she started to ask.

"Good, you're up" Jack said, walking into the cave with a load of firewood. "Let's eat".

They chatted while they ate, and although Jack tried to be discreet, Kate knew he was watching how much she ate. When she'd eaten her fill she held her plate up for Jack to see. "Does it pass inspection? Am I done? " She asked jokingly.

"Busted!" Sawyer, laughed.

Jack laughed too, but looked a little embarrassed. "Yeah Kate, you're fine."

"Good" she said with a decisive nod, putting the plate down.

"So," Sawyer said, "I hear you had a little outing this morning".

Kate smiled and nodded. "It was so nice to be outside again. Staring at the walls of the cave gets old pretty quickly, you know?" She turned to Jack. "Can we go again tomorrow?"

"Actually, I had something else in mind". At her look of disappointment, Jack clarified. "Kate, you're doing really well. Whenever you feel ready, I think it would be fine if you moved back to the beach".

"Seriously?" Kate asked hopefully. At Jack's nod, Kate's face broke out in a beautiful smile that made his heart ache.

"Seriously".

"When can I go?" She asked excitedly.

"Whenever you want."

"Tomorrow, then." She said with a happy sigh.

"Tomorrow" Jack agreed. Although Kate didn't notice, Sawyer saw that Jack didn't seem to share her enthusiasm.