Lost belongs to JJ Abrams and crew. I'm just borrowing for some non-profit fun. After Sawyer and the others return to the island, he finds Kate has finally chosen Jack. Post Exodus II. (The events that lead up to previously posted stories –Incarceration, Interim, Ineffable) Enjoy!

Lost – Infected

By Mystic

July 2005

Chapter 8

"Momma," Kate heard clearly, despite her heart pounding in her chest. She pressed a hand into Jack's chest and he stopped himself in mid thrust, bringing his head up from her shoulder to look down at her, confused.

"What is it?" He half mumbled, his breath coming out in ragged puffs of air against her face.

She sat up, forcing him to roll off her and she grinned at his penis, straight up in the air as he lay on the cushions next to her. "It's Maggie, she's having a nightmare," she told him, pointing to the bamboo wall they'd put up, dividing the cave. Jack put an arm against his head and then sat up, rubbing himself with his hand for a moment before grabbing a pair of jeans and pulling them on painfully. Kate stood and pulled a long shirt down over her naked body and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Just give me a minute, we'll finish."

He shook his head. "Nah, it's ok," he told her, as if to say Maggie comes first. She loved that about him. Most men would be upset – or at least the men she'd had experience with. He took several long breaths, lying back under the cool night air as she went around the divide and saw the little girl tucked into a bed of airline cushions and blankets. She squeezed her eyes tighter, calling out again for her mother.

Kate picked her up easily, bringing her to rest against her chest and she smoothed hair away from her daughter's face. She was two years old and scrawny. Kate knew it was from the constant motion. When she was awake, she was constantly moving, always talking, always getting up things and into things and stuck under things. Sawyer pulled her out from under a tree trunk just the other day, bringing her to Jack with a cut on her backside and her bottom lip thrust out in a pout that amused both men.

She was glad for Sawyer. Kate was just exhausted and Jack was always busy. Sawyer was good at rounding up Aaron and Maggie, who generally traveled together when they traveled off alone. They'd become like siblings, fighting over homemade toys and fruits and sometimes going to blows at each other.

"It's ok," Kate told the girl, watching her rub her fingers against Kate's arm. She listened as Jack came around the divide and sat behind them, letting Kate lean against him. He kissed her neck and then Maggie's forehead.

"She's a little warm," he told her.

Kate smiled. "She just had a nightmare, Jack, she's flustered."

Nodding, Jack shifted uncomfortable. "I think she's psychic," he teased. "This is the third time this week she interrupts us with a nightmare."

"Tomorrow, babe," she told him with the flash of a grin and the raising of an eyebrow. "In the jungle, like the old days." She picked Maggie up and brought her into their bed, laying down and putting her between them. Jack lay across from her and smiled at her. "I haven't asked how your day was," Kate whispered.

"You were a little busy today," he told her with a laugh.

Kate sucked her teeth playfully. "She ran off, I swear."

"You should have told me, I'd have looked."

"Yeah, well, you were a little busy too," she sighed, playing with her daughter's long dark hair. The girl had her natural waves and never let her brush them. She was coming close to bringing a knife to the hair to keep it under control. Kate watched Jack's face go slack, as if the play had left their conversation and she touched his arm. "I just mean…"

"I know what you mean," Jack said quickly, holding his temper.

Kate frowned. "I never see you. Maggie never sees you."

"She sees me all the time," Jack whined, feeling immature.

Shaking her head, Kate inhaled a long breath. "Jack, you busy yourself with everyone else and everything else on this island. It's like you don't have time for us."

Jack touched her chin, making her look him the eye. "I have all the time in the world for you."

She nodded slowly. "I know. I know." She bit her bottom lip and then admitted, "Maggie's starting to think Sawyer's her daddy."

"What!" Jack shouted, startling the little girl who screamed and began to cry.

"JACK!" Kate smacked his arm and grabbed hold of Maggie, bringing her into her chest. She tried to console the child, but Maggie continued to cry. Jack reached out and swung her quickly to him. The little girl pushed off him at first, but then calmed, and fell back to sleep.

Kate watched Jack close his eyes and cradle Maggie to his chest. She smiled at the duo and touched his cheek, making him look at her. "Love you."

Jack nodded his head, the corners of his mouth perking up. "Love you too."

…

Finis