Living Past Seclusion PART2

by SinortiaDanzer

After defeating the island can Kate and Jack let it go or will something bring them back to their existance on the island? Will they be able to let of their mistakes, lies, and secrets of their past so they can survive?sequeal to :SURVING THE UNKNOWN:

6. Back Together

To answer your questions from the last chapter;

- No they didn't get together as a couple. They just put everything behind thme ot be friends again.

- No Jack isn't dead. The Wedding scene was a present event not a flashback. And sorry October Sky i'm not sending them to jail. Atleast not now:)

Anyways i speant alot of time on this chapter. I wanted it done on Saturday, but that proved impossible. This is also a long chapter. Alot of things happen and you might cry, so grab the tissues. Just a warning. I cried. :p As always I love your reviews and the fact the people actually read my nonsense! I hope you guys ENJOY!

Back Together

"Are you sure?" Jack questioned.

Kate nodded her head with a smile.

"Yes I'm sure. I don't need a ride home."

"You know it's right on the way."

"And you know it's only a block from here Jack." Kate pointed out.

With a sigh he backed down. He knew there was no winning with her.

"Ok." He smiled.

"Good." She whispered smiling at how easily he gave up.

"It's just hard to not worry after what you said Kate."

She knew it was too good to be true. He would do anything to change her mind.

"Well I haven't seen that guy in a while. Maybe he got the hint to stop following me when you started taking me home." Kate said shrugging her shoulders.

"Didn't you say he looked like some guy you met while you were on the run?"

"Kinda. I really didn't get a good look at him in the shadows he was hiding in." She smirked taking a sip of her juice.

She really didn't want to dwell on who she thought it was. She thought she'd never see that man again.

Jack's eyes wondered down to his watch as he did the same. Seeing the time he almost spit out the juice all over her.

"What?" She questioned seeing his shocked reaction.

"It's almost 7:30. I go on call soon."

"Oh…."

Clearing his mess he stood up as she came to her feet. Throwing away he cup she turned to him.

"Now are you sure about the ride home?' He asked one more time.

He had to smile as her hands came to her hips.

"Jack…."

"Ok. Ok." He gave up throwing his hands in the air.

"I'll be fine." She assured him.

"Plus you're on call. You can't exactly skip work to drive me a block to my apartment."

"I have my way around things." He joked.

"You're one of a kind Jack." She sighed shaking her head.

Taking her by the arm he wrapped his arm around her.

"A good kind?"

"No." She shot pushing him away playfully.

The two laughed at her cheap shot. Then again he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into a hug. They held onto each other tight before pulling away.

"Be careful." He warned pointing his finger in his face.

Slapping his finger away she looked him close in the face.

"I will. Stop worrying."

He dropped his hand and gently touched her arm.

"I'll try." He sighed.

"Try harder." She exclaimed pushing his hand away playfully again.

"See ya."

"Bye Jack." She called as he turned and walked out the door of the bookstore.

Jogging out to his SUV he tried his best to cover himself from the rain. Getting in he started up and pulled out of the parking lot. Oddly he kept looking up into his rear view mirror to the bookstore. Thinking he could see her that far away. It came to the point that he didn't turn away till the lights of the sigh were a glow. He was worried about her. He didn't like her walking home at night in LA especially in the rain. There were things here that scared him more than the jungles of the island.

It was a long drive to the inner city. The whole way he battled himself over Kate's safety. He knew she was grown woman, but he couldn't help feeling worried. Then the anxiety of heading to work came into the picture. With both fighting for top billing in his mind he began to feel exhausted.

Pulling into his parking space at the hospital he turned off the engine. For the longest while he just sat there watching the rain trickle down the windshield. Staring up at the sign on the hospital gave him chills. For some reason it always did. Rubbing the bridge of his nose between his finger and thumb he took a deep breath. With an exhale he got out of the car and headed in.

It was a long two hours before anything put Jack to work. He quickly rushed outside into the hallway towards the nurse's station. When they called him down he thought it was serious. It was paper work.

"This is it?" He questioned the nurse.

"Yes. Were you expecting something else?"

"Well it's been unusually slow tonight, so yeah."

"If anyone falls I'll call you first.' The nurse smiled sarcastically.

Jack didn't have the motivation to challenge her. He just picked up the papers and smiled the biggest smile he could. She stared at him with a raised brow confused by his smile. With a wink to top it off he turned away. Only to be quickly caught of guard by the emergency doors swinging open.

Walking over to the edge of the door to the waiting room he watched as a group of nurses and EMS techs came rushing in with someone on a stretcher. By the looks of it the person was a woman and she was beaten badly.

The nurses and techs rushed around looking for medicals supplies, a room, and a doctor. None of them had any qualifications to even be looking her over. Against the voice in his head he stepped up making himself known.

"Oh Dr. Sheppard." A nurse breathed seeing him.

"All the ER doctors are in surgery or they're off tonight. Could you take a look at this woman?" Cathy asked with frantic breath.

"Sure." Jack smiled as he watched them wheel the stretcher over to a corner examining area.

"She was found down on Sims knocked unconscious…" The woman began to explain quickly leading Jack over.

"There's obvious bruising to the head and face, her left leg is broken, along with her right hand. She's beaten pretty badly.

"I'll take a look." Jack assured her handing her the papers in hand.

"Thank you." Cathy said hurrying off.

Walking up to the supply area he cleaned off his hands and pulled out a pair of gloves.

"I'll take it from here guys."

The EMS techs backed off as Jack walked up to the woman. Before he even laid eyes upon her he took the chart hanging on the wall next to her. Silently he read it over to himself. As he lowered it his eyes wondered down to her. Immediately his breath escaped him as he dropped her chart to the floor.

It was Kate lying there in front of him. Her face was completely unrecognizable at first, but it was definitely her. She was drenched from the rain. Blood covered face from her forehead to her chin. Her lips were cut by what looked like teeth marks. Her neck was bruised along with her chest. There were outlines of fingers around her neck. Somebody did this to her.

Jack stood there frozen looking over her. Her body mangled and distorted. Tears welled up in his eyes as he began to blame himself.

Why didn't he take her home?

Why did he take no for an answer?

She had promised him she'd be fine. She lied to him. Why did she lie to him? Why didn't she let him take her home?

He tired his hardest to get the guilt out of his head. He couldn't blame her for this. He couldn't even blame himself. But he had no one to blame, so himself was the closet person.

"Doctor?"

Jack jumped hearing a voice behind him. Looking over his shoulder he saw Cathy standing there. She had worry in her eyes. She probably thought he had gone crazy.

"Do you know her?"

Turning away he looked back down to Kate. Lying there so lifeless in front of him. It made him think of when he had shot her. All the thoughts and feelings of that horrible night shrouded him into darkness as he stood there.

"Doctor?"

Jack took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Maybe she'd go away and back home if he closed his eyes. He knew she wouldn't. The world never worked in his favor. Opening his eyes sure enough she still lay there. He knew he had to face this.

Slowly Jack was pushed away and the doctor resurfaced. He had let the fear in longer than he wanted to. Now he had to act. He began to examine her. Checking her pulse and blood pressure. Her breathing wouldn't stabilize and he couldn't figure out if it was from the trauma to the head or something else blocking her air passage.

Hooking her up to a couple of different machines he checked for things he couldn't do by hand. Still with all the machines in the world he couldn't see what was wrong with her on the inside. Slowly pulling his eyes away from Kate he turned to Cathy.

"I want to stabilize her in here for right now, but I want radiology ready to take her in the next five minutes." Jack ordered letting the doctor push himself aside.

Cathy stood there for a moment stunned at his sudden attitude change.

"Now!" He shouted sending her off.

As she hurried off to radiology he hurried around the small space. He needed to quickly get Kate ready to be x-rayed. Still he wasn't done looking her over. Checking on all the machines she was hooked up to he wrote done what he needed to as his hand shook. The nurse stared at him shocked by his lack of patience.

"Doctor…" One of them began thinking she should step up.

"I could do th-"

"I can handle it ok?" Jack snapped laying down the chart.

The two nurses backed off seeing his seriousness about this patient. And he was. This was one of the most important persons in his life if not the most important. He wasn't going to let her go like he did the last time.

Again he went back to looking over Kate. He needed to prep her for the x-ray, but he couldn't fully gather himself to do so. Every time he glanced down and saw her he had to fight himself to let the doctor stay in control. Then he began to question why he was even prepping her at all. Was she even stable enough to go through with an x-ray? At that point it didn't even matter. And x-ray was the only way they were going to find out what was wrong with her.

Quickly Cathy came running down the hall towards Jack. Hearing the clicking of her shoes his heart jumped.

"They're ready for her." She announced.

"Ok."

Her words sent him again into doctor mode. With the help of the nurses he got her ready. In minutes they were wheeling her down the hall to Radiology. He wanted so badly to follow, but knew he couldn't. Instead he stood watching them. Waiting for them to bring her back.

After a half an hour she was back in the small space. It would take fifteen minutes to have the x-rays ready to look at. He needed to keep himself busy in those minutes. It was going to be hard with her lying there behind him.

Jack began to look her over and try and make any predictions to all of her injuries. He saw her leg and hand. There would obviously need to be surgery to fix them. Her lips would defiantly need stitching, but the rest of her face would heal. She was obviously knocked out from being hit in the head. All the bruises and cuts told him that. Hopefully it was only a minor concussion.

Staring down at her the doctor façade faded and he turned back into Jack. Without all the blood covering her face she almost looked like herself. A beaten torn down version of herself. It hurt him to see her like this. Seeing tubes stuck up her nose and wires hanging from her. It wasn't right.

That day after she came back to life he swore to her and himself not to let her end up like this again. He had broken his promise.

"Who is she?" Cathy asked walking over to the other side of Kate.

"Was she on the plane with you?"

Jack took a deep breath trying his hardest to push all those memories out of his mind.

"Yeah.' He whispered nodding his head.

"Are you going to be ok being her doctor?"

"Was for nine months. Wouldn't trust anyone else to do it."

Nine months struck Cathy. It was a significant time period. It was enough time to have a child and that was what she suspected.

"Was she pregnant?" Cathy questioned.

"No." Jack chuckled.

"Just always in trouble."

"She'll be alright." He heard her say as she rested her hand on his shoulder.

He looked back to her and was some how comforted by her smile. Leaving him with that smile, she turned away and left him alone with Kate.

When the x-rays came back he looked them over. Her leg wasn't broken like they had thought. It was just an irritation where Ethan had broken it before hand. It'd be easy to fix. But her hand was worse. Her middle finger and thumb were nearly shattered. Along with that her muscle tissues were slightly torn from the joints.

Her ribs were bruised, which gave him the answer to why her breathing was off. The pressure that her ribs sustained must have been pushed onto the lungs. Therefore her breathing was put off. It was beginning to worry him how she would make it through surgery. All the possible questions swirled in his head. He could only pray nothing would go wrong.

All in all it wasn't that bad. Only her hand needed immediate attention and her head needed to be examined to make sure there was no damage to her brain or anything else. She already had memory lost from being shot and blacking out. He hoped that wouldn't happen in this case. He just needed to be sure.

With a sigh he turned from it and looked back to Kate. All the different beeping and gargling sound were all he heard as he watched her artificially breathe. God how he hated seeing her hanging on by a thread. He thought it had been bad when he held her in his arms, but seeing her lay in a hospital and him unable to make his own decisions on how to help her tore him apart.

Looking back to the x-rays he realized she'd need an operation to fix her hand. There was no way it'd heal by itself. He also knew he was going to be the one to do whether they were going to let him or not. He didn't trust anyone else to what was his job from the start.

Against the medical staff and other doctors. Jack quickly had a room and team ready for her operation. He wasn't going to let her stay like that for long. If he had had it his way he would have fixed her right when he saw her. But he couldn't have it his way. This was the real world. And in the real world there were rules.

After they wheeled her away Jack headed off to get ready. It was the slowest he had ever taken to get ready. He wanted to make sure everything was right. He didn't want to screw anything up. He was messing with more than a life. He was messing with Kate.

Putting on new scrubs he walked over to a sink. Running his hands under the water he glanced up to see himself in the mirror. His own appearance scared him. Bags under his eyes and wrinkles around his lips. He looked horrible. Not himself.

Rubbing his wet hand over his face he thought the water would refresh him. It didn't. Nothing could make him feel better at that point. Nothing until he saw Kate better. Rubbing his face in frustration he pulled himself away and headed into the operation room.

The operation took two hours. Two hours of complete and utter nervousness for Jack. Her hand was fixed and he examined her head. There was nothing to cause any brain damage, but she did have a concussion that needed to be watched.

Once he had her sown up and she was stable they began to worry about where to put her. They hadn't exactly had anything set up seeing how Jack had her rushed into everything without looking over her medical coverage. But Jack quickly volunteered to have all her medical expenses paid for. He didn't care how much they were just as long as she was ok and comfortable.

As they took her to a room Jack cleaned himself up. After that he checked to make sure she was all right. She was still out and on assisted breathing for the time being. Feeling ok with how the nurses were handling it, he decided to back away from it all for a while. So he headed down to the nurse's station down the hall from the emergency room to get some paper work.

"Thanks." Jack breathed as he began to walk away with the papers.

The minute he turned around he heard an all too familiar voice.

"Well I bloody want to see him!"

"I'm sorry sir, but he's working with an out of surgery patient right now. You'll have to wait." The nurse tried to explain.

Jack looked over to see Charlie and Claire holding Christopher standing down at another nurse's station. Charlie was obliviously demanding to see him as Claire tried to calm him down.

"Charlie." Jack called closing the file he was reading.

Charlie looked over and quickly came rushing down the hall towards him. Claire instantly followed.

"Sir! Please come back here!' The nurse demanded.

Charlie continued walking towards Jack.

"Sir, if you don't stop-" The nurse continued as she got up and began to follow them.

"Don't worry he's ok." Jack assured her.

She stopped with Jack words. Charlie turned around and stuck as his tongue trying to show off as the nurse headed back to the station. He quickly turned back as Claire slapped him in the shoulder. Grabbing his shoulder he cowered from her.

Jack couldn't help but laugh. They were already an old married couple.

"What are you guys doing here?" He questioned.

"We heard about Kate." Charlie announced still rubbing his arm.

Jack lowered his head thinking about it.

"How is she?" Claire asked.

"She's stable right now. Just got out of surgery."

"Surgery that fast?" Claire questioned.

"Come on Claire, Kate comes into the hospital where Jack is a doctor. Do you really thing she waited?"

"Yeah we had her in and out in two hours." Jack exclaimed.

"You were her doctor?' Charlie asked.

"Wasn't about to let anyone else touch her." Jack said with a slight smile.

"Well then she was in great hands." Charlie tried to assure them all as he patted Jack on the back.

Jack tried to tell himself Charlie was right, but he felt as if he could have done more. He could have driven her home.

"So…can we see her?" Claire asked.

"You're really not supposed to this early after surgery, but it's you guys and since I'm her doctor I don't see why not." Jack said.

"What about Christopher?"

"Am I going have to hide him?" Claire asked moving the baby around in her arms.

"You got to keep him quiet."

Charlie turned around and bent down to Christopher's level.

"Shhhh. You have to be quiet so we can go see aunt Kate." He said brining his finger to his lips.

Christopher didn't take the warning to heart. He instead pulled on Charlie's hair and let out a giggle.

"You got to be quiet sweetie." Claire winded hoisting him up in her arms.

Charlie stood as Claire began getting frustrated as she tried to quiet the child. Of course she blamed Charlie.

"Don't worry about it." Jack assured them as he turned and began to lead them to the elevator.

As they walked Claire tried her best to look casual, but it was hard as she tried to hide Christopher with her purse. Which only sent him into a giggle fit. Charlie and Claire tried their best to keep him quiet as people started to look.

The elevator ride was a relief. Christopher got quiet. Too quiet. Quiet enough that they could hear themselves breathe. Claire thought that the sudden moving scared him a bit, but whatever it was he was quiet.

Getting off the elevator they began down the hallway. Kate's room was two doors down. Both Claire and Charlie saw Jack's immediate attitude change as they came to her door. His stride became slower and heavier. He seemed unwilling as he took her chart off the door.

Looking it over he sighed at the long list of medications she was on. Closing it and putting it under his arm he opened the door to her room.

All three were immediately put back to see her lying there hooked up to all the machines. Sadly Jack was put back the most, but held his own back. Claire gave Christopher to Charlie and rushed to Kate's side.

"Oh sweetheart…" Claire cried taking her hand.

"She looks horrible." Charlie whispered coming up behind Claire.

"Don't say that!" Claire barked shaking her head as tears fell down her face.

"It's ok." Charlie tried to assure her as he took her in his arms.

Still she stared at Kate. Holding her hand in hers. Begging her subconsciously to wake up.

"She's going to be ok Claire." Jack said sitting down next to her.

She glanced over at him. He was trying his hardest to keep himself together, but he wanted to make sure she believed him first. Obviously she didn't as she shook her head and looked back to Kate. It was hard to believe him seeing her hooked up to a heart monitor and breathing machine. It was hard for him to believe himself.

"Why does she have to be hooked up to all of these breathing machines?" Claire questioned.

"It's just for the first 24 hours to make sure she's breathing right. It's nothing to be worried about." Jack tried to assured her with a smile.

"Do they know who did this to her?" Charlie questioned.

"Don't know. Only two people saw it happen, but they didn't get a look at him." Jack sighed.

"Was she just walking out in the middle of the night?"

Jack lowered his head as his own blame came on.

"She was walking home."

"Wait haven't you been taking her home cause some guys was following her?"

Jack nodded his head knowing where this was going.

"Yes. But she wanted to walk home tonight." Jack replied in a low voice.

"And you let her?" Charlie shouted.

"I can't exactly stop her. Or tell her I have to take her home."

"Yes you could've! And if you would have she wouldn't be here right no-"

"Charlie quit it!" Claire cried.

Both of them stopped and looked to Claire. She was crying so hard she was shaking. She was truly upset.

"You guys did this the last time Kate got hurt."

"Stop blaming Jack. He couldn't have stopped this from happening." Claire exclaimed.

Folding his arms Charlie turned away and walked over to the window. Jack took a deep breath as he himself turned away. He could help but believe Charlie. It was his fault.

"No he's right Claire." Jack announced.

The two looked back to him. He stood in the doorway with tears in his eyes and on his voice.

"I should have taken her home."

"Jack…" Charlie began walking over to him.

"I didn't mean it. It's just that this shouldn't be happening." He continued trying his best to apologize.

"You're right it shouldn't be." Jack sighed.

"Well it did. And none of us can change that." Claire said looking over her shoulder to the two.

It had become silent between them. They all tried their hardest not to exchange looks, but there were all feeling the same thing at the same moment.

Suddenly there was and inaudible voice behind them. It was horse and almost deathly. Claire was the first to turn. What she saw sent joy through her. Kate was coming to.

"Kate!' Claire exclaimed calling the other two to her.

Jack came rushing to her side pushing Claire to the side. He watched her for a minute as she tried to adjust her eyes on him. Once she saw him she tried her hardest to keep her eyes open. The sudden pain she felt took control of her. Still she had question as to what was going on.

"Jack?" She questioned in a whisper.

"Yeah.' He smiled back taking her hand.

"I'm here."

"Where am I?'

"In the hospital."

"Why? What happened?" She asked.

Jack lowered his head as he looked to Claire and Charlie. Charlie avoided looking at him feeling bad about blaming him. Jack looked to Claire and then back to Kate knowing he couldn't hide it from her.

"You were attacked."

"Attacked."

"Yeah. You're pretty banged up. But the worst of your injuries is your hand."

Kate's eyes wondered down to her hand, which was now covered by a cast. She tried her best to lift it up, but it was too heavy and she was too brought down by the painkillers. Letting it go she began to cry.

"I hurt Jack.' She cried.

His heart broke right then along with Claire and Charlie's.

"I know. But you're going to get better ok?"

"Everything is going to be fine." He tried to assure her as he caressed her hand.

His words almost helped. She stopped crying, but couldn't help from whimpering from the intense pain. Still she was so out of it all she felt and saw was pain.

"Is there anything we can do Jack?" Charlie asked.

"I think she needs some rest now."

"But she's been out for fore-"

"Come on Charlie." Claire said stopping him from saying something else that would piss Jack off.

Charlie slung Christopher on his hip as he leaned over and gave Kate a kiss on the cheek. Leaving a friendly pat on Jack's back her headed past Claire as she walked over to Kate herself. Kissing her atop her forehead she wished her well. Giving Jack a comforting hug the three retreated into the waiting room.

Kate tried her best to keep her eyes open as she watched them walk out, but the pain in her head was too much. It was consuming her thought. The minute she looked back to Jack she felt her eyes droop again. The minute he leaned over to kiss her on the cheek she was asleep. Pulling back he had to smile as he watched her. She was going to be ok and he felt good to know that. Still he couldn't help but feel bad that this had happened. She didn't deserve it.

Her eyes flutter open. All she saw was white. Then they closed again. Taking a deep breath she pushed herself to open them again. This time she came to see more than white. She saw the sun coming into the room in which she lay. Sending heat across her body.

Adjusting her sight and hearing she realized she wasn't hooked up to any machines. Looking around the room she realized she wasn't even in the hospital. She had no idea where she was. For a minute she was put off by all the white and thought it was dead. Then she felt the pain in her hand. Looking down she saw it was still in it's cast.

She wasn't dead. The pain she was in was too great for her to be dead. She had no clue where she was. It was beginning to scare her. She didn't the only thing she knew to do at that moment.

"Jack.' She called.

No one answered.

"Jack.'

Again no one came. Her heart began to race when there was no answer. Taking all of it into her own hands she pushed the covers off of her. In all the agony she was in she sat up and over the bed. The moment her feet hit the floor she pushed all her weight off of the bad. It wasn't a smart idea.

All her pain came crashing back to her as she lost her balance and fell to the bed. She couldn't move.

"Jack!" She screamed.

In an instant he came rushing in. When he saw her crippled over on the floor he came rushing up to her.

"Kate what are you doing?" He questioned lifting her up off the floor.

Amazingly she struggled against him.

"Where am I?" She asked.

"My house."

Pushing against him the best as she could, she stumbled to the end of the bed before her legs gave out.

"I want to go home." She cried as she came crashing against the bed.

"Well too bad." Jack said picking her up once again.

Carrying her to the top of the bed he laid her down gently amongst the covers. Still she fought back as he tried to cover her up. She pushed them away and sat up against the bed. He let out a sigh as he stood back letting her be.

"Why can't I?"

"Cause it's not safe with the guy who attacked you still out there." He replied.

"Who attacked me?"

"We were hoping you could tell us."

Kate tried to think back to that night. Trying to focus on what she saw, but nothing came to her. All she saw were flashes between light and darkness.

"I didn't see him.' She whispered lowering her head.

She watched him as he wondered around the room adjusting things like the curtains. He walked over and arranged the flowers people had sent her. There were also balloons and baskets of things all over the room that he tried to arrange and adjust too. He was trying to avoid talk about what had happened.

"What day is it?"

"The 10th of September."

"How long was I in the hospital?" She asked.

"Two days. You weren't that bad off and you improved so quickly that I thought you'd be ok to go home or here rather."

"Oh…" Kate said lowering her head.

"You hungry?" he asked turning back to her.

"A little bit."

"What you in the mood for?"

"Whatever. As long as it isn't in a tube." She joked.

"Ok." He smiled.

He felt so much better that she was awake and talking. The days before then scared him. All the sleeping she did wasn't normal, but it seemed to be for the best. She was better now. But still she had a while till she was able to get back to her life.

The next three days she was asleep and awake off and on. She slept for long periods of a time once she took some medication. Jack often found himself watching her sleep wondering what was dreaming about. It scared him to think how alone she must have felt when she was beaten.

No one deserved to feel that alone. He just wished he had taken her home. It was a thought that plagued his mind whenever he saw her. It was a thought that would never leave his mind.

The Tuesday after it happened he had to go back to work. He didn't want to leave her alone, and he didn't have to. Claire instantly volunteered. She came over early with Christopher before Jack was even ready for work. Jack left her with some instructions and headed out for the day with worry hanging over his head.

He got through the day the best he could. Thanking God he didn't have any major surgeries he had to go through. He sat in his office for the longest time debating whether or not to call and make sure she was ok. Knowing he was over reacting he let it go and went about his paperwork.

Once he saw it was time for him to go he didn't hesitate to get in his SUV. Before he made his way home he decided to stop off at her apartment and get her some clothes. The whole time she had been staying there she had been wearing his shirts and boxers. Not that she didn't look good in them; he thought she'd be more comfortable in her own clothes.

Opening the door of his house he let out a sigh feeling good to be home. Dropping the bags of her stuff and some things he had picked up at the store he walked into his living room to see Claire and Charlie watching some kids show. Oddly he didn't see Kate.

"You're home." Claire smiled.

"Yeah. She still asleep?" He questioned.

Claire motioned out the back window to the patio outside. There stood Kate out on the patio close to the steps leading down to the empty pool. She was leant over the railing. A cigarette in her good hand as she let the smoke blow out between her lips.

"She's been out there every since she got up."

Jack said nothing as he reached down into one of the bags and pulled out a box. Without even acknowledging Claire he headed over to the back door, which led to the patio. He never broke his stare on Kate. He watched her take every drag and let out every exhale. He did hate to see her smoke, but she deserved a little peace after the week she had bee through. It didn't bother him at that moment.

Opening the door he walked out. She obliviously heard him and looked back to him. She had that smile on her face that had been absent that whole week. Turning back she lowered her cigarette and put it out on the railing of the patio.

"You're up."

"Yeah.' She whispered turning back to the sunset over the water.

"How are you feeling?" He asked looking over her injuries.

Shrugging her shoulders she turned back to him. She noticed the box in his hand.

Slowly he extended the box out to her. She eyed the box and then looked back up to Jack.

"Nicotine patches?' She questioned.

"Thought they might help." He smiled.

She stared at him for the longest time trying to get over the smile spread over his face. He seemed to be so happy that he bought her these friendly patches, but she knew he was happy she was up instead of sleeping.

"Turn around." He said opening the box.

Reluctantly she turned around. She felt oddly nervous standing in front of him. Chills ran up and down her back as he pushed the shirt she wore over her shoulder. His breath beat down on her neck as he became frustrated with the wrapper of the patch.

After he cursed it's way open he placed it on her skin. She almost jumped at the cool material touching her skin. She took a deep breath as he pressed his fingers to her skin as he pressed the patch to her skin. She half expected it to work instantly, but knew it would take time.

"You know I'm not that addicted." Kate smiled as Jack came in front of her.

"Yeah…ok.' Jack laughed sarcastically.

Kate had to laugh too, but they both knew she wasn't that addicted. The patches were just to help her through all of this. She really didn't like smoking the cigarettes, but they did ease back the pain.

Sadly they didn't help the guilt she felt. She didn't feel right having Jack do all this for her. She was able to walk and would've been fine to go to work, but Jack wouldn't let her set foot out of the house. Not that she wasn't grateful; she just hated having him take time out of his life to make sure she was all right.

"Thanks Jack, but you don't have to do all this." She whispered looking up to him.

"Kate…" Jack began.

"I don't have to do this you're right. But I want to."

"I want to make sure you get well and you feel as comfortable as possible while you are doing so." He finished with a smile.

Kate shook her head as she looked away with blushing. She couldn't fight against that.

"Well you're doing a great job.' She said.

"I guess I am." He smirked.

"Don't get a swelled head about it." She said narrowing her eyes as she turned away from him.

The two busted out in laughed as they headed towards the house. Coming up behind her he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

"I just might have to watch that.' He sighed.

"I'll make sure of that."

"Oh by the way I stopped by your apartment and picked up some of your clothes." He announced.

"Jack.' She winded struggling against him with a laugh.

"Hey I just thought you'd rather wear your clothes than my clothes? So I took it upon myself to go get you them."

Kate had too look away again as she began to laugh. Coming to the door she looked back up to him trying her best not to laugh at him.

"You're starting to slip Jack. You're letting you head swell." She pointed out pointing to the back of his head.

"Really?" Jack asked touching the back of his head.

Jack shut the door behind them as they walked into the house. Claire was readying herself and Christopher to go home, but instantly turned away seeing Kate.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Better." Kate sighed.

"Well you look better. Can barely tell anything happened." Claire said with a smile.

"She's right." Jack butted in shaking his head.

"Like I need your opinion Mr. Big Head." Kate joked looking over to Jack.

He just laughed as he rustled the bag of her clothes. She just shook her head as she looked away blushing.

Claire looked back and forth between the two confused as the giggled exchanging looks.

"What?" She questioned.

"Nothing." Kate breathed.

"Just Jack being Jack.' She said as she watched him walk down the hall with her bags.

Claire saw her intense stare with Jack's shadow. Looking back to her, she could see a glisten in her eyes that she hadn't seen in Kate's eyes at all. It was infatuation.

"So...' Claire began getting Kate to quickly turn back to her.

"How long until you're all healed up and stuff?"

"Who knows?" Kate said.

"I get my stitches out next week and I have therapy from then on. So I guess how ever long it takes me to feel ok."

"That good." Claire said.

"Well I have to go and Christopher home." She announced as Christopher began to get fussy.

"Oh. So soon?" Kate wined trying her best along with Claire to calm him down.

"I was here all day Kate." Claire pointed out with a chuckle.

"Oh yeah. Sorry I was out all day.'

"Don't worry." Claire assured her.

Leaning in she wrapped her arm around her giving her a hug.

"As long as you get better. Alright?"

"Alright.' Kate smiled.

"And you get some sleep." Kate warned Christopher pushing on his nose.

Smiling, she placed a small kiss on the top his head. Hugging again they said their goodbyes. Claire picked up her stiff and headed for the door.

"Good night Jack.' She yelled down the hall.

"Night Claire. Thanks again."

The door shut as Jack came walking back into the room. He looked around for Claire then realized she was gone. Heading into the living room he saw Kate standing there with a displeased look all over her face.

"What?"

"Why did you have her come over to baby-sit me?"

"It wasn't baby sitting. I just didn't want to leave you alone." He tried to explain as he began for the kitchen.

"Jack I'm grown up. I can handle myself." She said following him.

"You weren't up walking yesterday and I didn't know you were going to today, so I just wanted to make sure."

"I wanted to feel better about going to work." He sighed going through the cabinets.

Kate sighed as she stood in the doorway. She didn't mind his worrying. That was something she couldn't do anything about. But she knew he thought he was going to take care of her forever. Like he did back on the island. But he couldn't do that here. She wasn't trying to run anymore. She had to face up to everything and he couldn't stand in front of her and try to block it.

"This isn't going to go on forever Jack."

He looked over to her with question. He knew she was she was talking about, but pretended not to.

"You taking care of me. I'm going to get better sooner or later." She smiled pushing herself into the kitchen.

Still he looked at her. Watched her as she spoke. Thinking to himself about how badly he never wanted her to go back to her apartment. Back out into that world in which behind every corner lurked someone that wanted to hurt her.

"You're going to have to let go." She sighed.

He turned away looking through the cabinets again. He was buying himself time so he could think of what to say. Once he did he closed the cabinet door and turned to her.

"Well you're not better yet. So I don't have to let go yet.' He pointed out.

She looked away laughing at his words. He attempted to point out something wrong with her statement and he won. She wasn't better and didn't know when she was going to be. It was probably going to be a long while before he would let go. And even after she went back to her real life he still wouldn't let go.

Turning away when the silence became too awkward, Jack went through another one of the cabinets.

"Dammit.' He cursed closing the door.

"We have nothing to eat in this one either."

"Maybe you should go to the grocery store and by some food." She suggested.

"Too lazy." He said almost to serious.

"How about takeout?"

Kate shook her head as she walked up to him.

"Tried of it huh?" He asked.

"Pretty much."

He moved away and looked into the last cabinet. His face lit up as he turned to her.

"We have some hamburger helper." He suggested.

"Do you have hamburger?"

He thought about it for a minute.

"Probably not."

"Looks like pizza is our only option.' He sighed.

Dinner was as it usually was with them. They sat in front of the TV eating their delivered dinner. This time Kate was fully awake. Every night before then she had been hopped up on something and just sat mumbling to herself. And this night they actually ate out in the living room instead of the bedroom.

After, the weight of the day came over Kate. She tried her hardest to push through it, but it all came down on her. To Jack's wishes she took her medication and headed off to bed. He took his own advice and realized an early night might be good for the both of them.

While he was in the shower she sat up in bed watching TV and waiting for her medication to kick in. Usually it only took a few minutes, but that night it wasn't working as fast. She wasn't in an extreme amount of pain like she had been the nights before, but still she was praying for sleep to get through it.

Once Jack came out and ready for bed she was slumped over in the bed staring at the ceiling.

"Still awake?" He questioned.

"Uh huh." She muttered.

He walked over, pulled the covers back, and got into bed next to her. It seemed weird to the others that the two had no problem sleeping so close together and they weren't together. It was even weirder that one of them pushed for that kind of relationship and it still didn't affect them. It just wasn't something they thought about. This was the same way they were on the island. It was a security factor.

Looking over to her spaced out and staring at the ceiling worried him.

"Do you want something else?"

"No."

"Don't wanna become dependant on medication."

'Ok.' He sighed looking away from her.

"You sure?"

"Yeah.' She said looking over to him for the first time since he got into the bed.

"Well if you do…" eh began turning over to his nightstand.

"I have this-"

He stopped when he saw her eyes closed. Smiling he put what he had in his hand back. Turning back he kissed her on the cheek and whispered "goodnight." Laying back he closed his eyes. Within seconds he drifted of himself.

The days following came easier for Jack. He felt better going to work knowing she was up and about. Knowing she was capable to look after herself and do things made his days go by that much easier.

Sometimes when he was alone in his office he would think. Of why she never talked about what happened. How she didn't even get a glimpse of the guy. It was possible that she didn't see his face, but still there had to have been something she saw. It just bothered him that she never said anything. She just went along as if she were healing from a fall or something. She acted as if nothing had happened.

He wanted to ask her about it, but then again didn't want to push her. He had pushed her too many times already. And he wasn't willing to put more strain on them. He would juts have to push himself to let it go.

Kate on the other hand had her moments. Her days went along ok, but being alone in his house made her feel just that. Not that there wasn't anything to do. There was just no one to do it with. She ended up spending her days with Claire, Christopher, and sometimes Charlie. With them her healing process went by that much quicker.

By the end of the week Kate was almost completely healed. She was walking around fine, her stitches in hand came out and she was going to therapy to help get her muscles back in order. Her lip stitches also came out, but she had a nasty scar that she couldn't hide. All in all her recovery process was going as expected.

Coming out of Jack's bathroom wearing nothing but a towel, Kate tried to get used to the feeling of her bare hand as she dried her hair. It felt come much better to be able to feel things outside a cast.

She also quickly got used to that feeling of just stepping out of the shower felt. She hadn't had one in days. Since before what happened. While she was healing Jack had to help her wash up. Something she still felt embarrassed about.

Walking quickly across the room she closed the door and locked it. She knew Jack wasn't home, but still felt uneasy. After the accident she felt herself looking around corners and locking more doors.

Going through her bag on the floor she found a pair of sweats she knew she'd feel comfortable in. Dropping her towel to the floor she did her best balancing as she pulled her clothes on. Pulling a t-shirt over her head she glanced into the mirror and focused on her lip. The stitches did leave a scar, but she couldn't help but smile at the feeling of having them out.

Walking out into the living room she was quickly caught off by seeing Jack walking around in the kitchen. Only dressed in the lower part of his scrubs. She wanted to say something, but stood and watched him silently. He walked around getting putting groceries away unaware that she was watching him.

Oddly she began to smile without realizing it. Her eyes followed his every movement stuck to the muscles moving under his skin. She had never looked at him this way before and she began to feel weird doing it.

"So…' She finally said walking into the kitchen.

He was so startled by her intrusion that bags fell to the floor and he jumped back into the counter.

"Kate.' He gasped bending over to catch his breath.

"Do you always put groceries away without a shirt or is this a special occasion?" She giggled as he tried to bring his breath back to normal.

"Do you…always sneak up on people?' He questioned back.

"I've been known to.' She smiled walking up to him.

He shook his head as he stood back up. Turning around he continued putting things away. Kate walked over and sat up on the counter. Going through a bag sitting next to her she had to laugh.

"What?"

"I can't believe you actually went grocery shopping.' She chuckled.

"It's not brain surgery. I think I could handle it."

"Well we know you're kinda good a brain surgery, so it must have not been too difficult."

"Funny." He winced trying to hide his smile.

"How'd Doctor Morrison treat you?" He asked.

"Well he wasn't you." She groaned rolling her eyes.

He turned back and stared at her with a confused look.

"Oh yeah? What wasn't me bout him?"

"He was just too antsy. He had an issue with touching things."

"With touching things?"

"Yeah. He wouldn't touch my lip at all."

"Didn't know he took the stitches out unless I looked in the mirror. I still don't know."

"Here." Jack said putting what he had in his hands down.

"Let a real doctor take a look."

She stared at him with a raised brow with his words. Their eyes never parted as he walked over to the counter. She was hesitant at first as he came close to her, but she eased as he balanced himself against her knees. Shifting her own weight, she slowly leaned in towards him.

Chills ran down her spine when his breath beat down on her hands that lay between them. Closing her eyes she took as deep breath. The moment his fingertips brushed across her lips she became lost. She looked up into his eyes as he stared down to her healing scar. It was a hard fight to keep her hands in submission. And with all this she had no lip to bite to keep herself from saying something she knew she'd regret.

Why was she feeling this way?

And over Jack?

She knew she had feelings for Jack. That was the whole reason why she couldn't be with him. After all that had been done with and they got past it she thought those feelings would leave her. Thought they would bury themselves and never resurface.

But sadly they would always be there. And now they were resurfacing. Sitting there and trying to be in control of her body while Jack was this close to her was proving to be hard. As soon as his fingers left their last burning imprint on her lip she sucked it in between her teeth. Closing her eyes against she tried to imagine anything to get all the feeling out of her head.

"Well it looks pretty good." She heard him say.

Still she sat and said nothing back. And he stepped back and looked at her for a brief second. Something was bothering her, but he didn't know what exactly.

"Are you ok?" He questioned as he placed his hands on either side of her and leaned in.

Opening her eyes with his words she almost cried out in surprise at seeing him so close to her. They were only inches away from each other. It was hard not to stare into each other's eyes. It was almost hard to speak a word to each other.

"Are you ok?" He asked again.

She thought for a moment about the real answer to that question. In reality she wasn't. She was crumbling under his stare and a few minutes ago it was his touch. But she couldn't exactly tell him that.

Sucking in her breath as she nodded her head and fluttered her eyes away from him. Still she felt his breath and eyes on her next as she focused on the floor with her eyes. He was pushing her as he rocked himself closer to her and then away again. And he knew it. He was trying to antagonize her.

Feeling his hand creep up closer to her eyes shot up to his. She saw an odd mischief dancing around in the dark pools of his eyes. Both seemed to be waiting for that moment they knew would break them apart before they could let anything go farther. If that was what they wanted. To go farther.

The phone rang. Kate jumped, but Jack didn't move. He pulled away, but lingered. Their eyes only broke when he picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

Kate eased back with a slow exhale. She only looked up as the phone was extended to her.

"It's for you."

She looked to the phone and then up to Jack.

"Who is it?" She questioned as an odd fear came over her.

"Nancy from your work."

Kate took the phone from him and hopped down off the counter. Looking over her shoulder to Jack, she wondered out into the living room.

While she was on the phone Jack continued to put the groceries. All the while thinking to himself about what had just went on between them. She was obviously put off by his closeness, but why. Was she uncomfortable? Of course she was either way. But was it in a good way or a bad way?

He almost drowned in his thought until Kate came back in. Turning around he saw she was teary eyed. Something had gone wrong on the phone.

"What's wrong?" He question wondering if she'd actually tell him.

To his surprise she did.

"They fired me." She whispered.

"What?"

Closing the refrigerator he slowly came to her side.

"They said they couldn't keep an opening for me any longer."

"Kate they can't do that. You can sue the-"

"Don't bother with it Jack. I hate it there any way." She said trying to laugh it off.

"What are you going to do?"

"Don't know. Unless you have some bright idea?' She asked as she began to walk out of the room.

Jack thought for a minute. Quickly going through his mind remembering open jobs at the hospital. All of them needed some sort of training except one.

"Actually I do." He announced.

She stopped mid stride and turned around.

"What?"

"They're looking for assistances down at the nursery at the hospital."

"Don't you need some sort of training or something?" She questioned.

"No. And I think you'd be perfect for it seeing how great you are with Christopher." He smiled.

"Jack I don't know…" She winded trudging across the floor to him.

He lowered his eyes as he took her by the shoulders.

"Kate you'd be perfect. You shouldn't worry about anything."

"How do I go about even trying to get this job?"

"I'll set up something for you." He volunteered.

"Jack..."

"I know the girls down there. I can get you an interview and everything. I can practically guarantee you the job."

"Thank you." She cooed pulling him into a hug.

"You don't have to thank me." He assured her as he rubbed her back.

"I know, but you're doing too much for me."

Slowly she turned away with a smile. Heading out of the room she looked over her shoulder.

"I might become dependant on you." She joked with a wink as she continued down the hall.

Jack slowly let her words sink in. "dependant on you." Was that something he was trying to do? Did he want that? All he knew is that he didn't want her to leave.

After he was done he got on the phone with the hospital. Calling the woman who headed up the nursery. Only two minutes and Kate had an interview. Hanging up the phone Kate's words soon entered Jack's mind again.

Dependant.

Was he trying to make her dependant on him?

He thought about it. All he had been doing for her. It was for her well being and to help her get better. Wasn't it? But then again she had gotten along fine before they met. Before the plane crash. Or had she? Seeing how she didn't want to talk about anything before the crash he had no idea. He didn't know if what he was doing was affecting her and if it was how.

He had to admit he did like the way things were going. Him taking care of her. With her being the way she was he was amazed how she was letting her independence and stubbornness still be a factor. Yet she was giving in and he was enjoying it. He liked that she was letting him help her.

She wasn't becoming dependant. He was.

Rubbing the side of his face he sighed. Pushing himself away from the kitchen, he slowly made his way down the hall. Coming to the door he noticed it was cracked open. Of course he had to lean in and see what she was doing.

She sat there going through her things. Folding them and separating them into piles. It was almost a relief to see her sitting there. For some reason he felt better seeing her sitting there.

Slowly pushing the door open he caught her attention. Her head jolted up as she saw him. Taking in his appearance she looked back down to what she was doing. He wanted to say something to her, but kept his mouth shut as he walked over and sat at the edge of the bed.

The quiet between them was usual, but odd. He was more content with it than her. She kept glancing over her shoulder as he sat there watching her. His stare felt unnerving. Like it had been when he was staring at her as she sat on the counter.

What was he thinking?

"Are you sure you're ok?" He asked breaking her thought and their silence.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Just wanted to make sure. You seemed upset when you got off the phone."

"Trust me. I am glad I got fired." She smiled looking back to him over her shoulder.

"I got you an interview." He announced.

She stopped folding her shirt and slowly sat it down. Taking a deep breath she couldn't help but smile as she turned around to face him. They locked eyes as she stood up and walked over to him.

"You just can't help yourself can you?"

He chuckled, still never breaking their stare. Laughing, she gently poked him in the head and pushed it back.

"What was that for?" He questioned grasping his head.

"You're head was swelling. Had to pop it." She smiled.

She didn't drop the smile or the stare as she walked into the bathroom. Turning around she stuck out her tongue and closed the door.

He couldn't help but smile. He really didn't even realize it till he saw himself in the mirror on the wall. It didn't matter that the door was closed and she couldn't see him smile. He was doing because of his own satisfaction.

Her smile and odd touch sent a feeling through out his body. He hadn't felt that way with Kate since they were in the caves that night. Then they were drunk. Now he was widely aware and able to realize. He was falling for her.

Closing the door behind her, Kate let out the deep breath she had been holding. Glancing over her shoulder she was unconsciously checking to see if Jack was looking at her, but he wasn't. There was only a wall.

Slowly she walked over to the toilet. Her steps were shaky. Putting down the lid she sat down. Immediately her hands caught her face. Tears welled up in her eyes. Stinging her heated skin as she blushed. But these weren't tears of sadness or guilt. They were of question.

After what happened in the kitchen she thought she could slip away for a while. What had she been thinking? This was Jack. He always knew where to find her and at what time too. It was if he knew her internal clock.

He also seemed to know which buttons to push. The ones to make her aggravated, safe, flustered. He also knew how to make her feel a way she hadn't in years. She didn't know the inside of that feeling, but she knew the outside. Almost as well as he seemed to. The outside was a game. With plays of touches. Touches that were leaving her breathless.

She didn't know how this had happened so suddenly. She had pushed all the feelings she had for him besides friendship away after she found out about Sarah. Now they were making their own rules and playing for themselves. If she didn't do something they'd win.

Then there was Jack. She didn't know his motivation. He hadn't shown this kind of attitude before. Maybe a little on the island when they were both vulnerable, but nothing this serious. Not even when he asked her about them. This was a side she had never seen before in him. She didn't know how to feel about it and that's what was screwing with her.

Part of her didn't want anything to do with it. The part of her that was scared of hurting him, which in turn would hurt her. The same part that told him no. Then there was the part that wanted to say with the hell with it all. Let everything that happened go and try and be happy. But could she be happy? With Jack?

It was a possibility. But so was everything. This part of her was the part that questioned everything. It was also the part of her that thought if she slammed her hand in a door she could pass it off that she fell and Jack would be there at her side in a heart beat.

She didn't know which part was winning. At that moment it was the slamming hand part. But who knew how long that would last. This was a game in which no one played fair. She'd just have to wait for the right time to make a move. Whatever part of her was winning at that point would take the points. The next few days would bring out that winning side, till then she wouldn't know. She had to wait for an absolution that would never come.

The next day came slow and awaited for the two. After the ordeals in the kitchen and the bedroom they both tried to keep their distance. Sleep was a problem. The closeness wasn't an issue, it was the fact that sleep was a precious thing that was hard to grab a hold of.

Kate's interview was the next day. She was completely unprepared for it, but Jack insisted she'd do great. They were words that didn't sink well with her.

This was his day off. He spent it lounged out on the couch watching football. It was something he missed on the island and at work. He wasn't a fanatic, but it eased him up a bit.

He had completely lost track of time as he lay there with a bag of chips in one hand and a beer in the other. The front door nearly gave him a heart attack. Jumping up he was relieved to see Kate walk into the house.

"You're too jumpy for a doctor." She smiled.

"You just sneaky enough to be an ex criminal." He shot back as he caught his breath.

She simply rolled her eyes as she walked into the kitchen. Suddenly remembering where she had been he got up and followed her.

"So how'd it go?"

"Horrible." She sighed searching for something to eat.

"I doubt it was that bad."

"Really? Well what would you say to a woman who had an issue holding newborns?'

"I'd say it was an interview and you weren't used to it. And in time you would be." He said.

She stared at him unable to come back with something after that. She just shook her head and hoped up onto the counter. Grabbing a banana she turned back to him.

"Is that the only thing you think you screwed up on?"

"Yeah. It's not that I had a problem; I am just so scared I'd drop them. What with my hand and everything."

"Well they knew that so I wouldn't worry about it." He assured her.

"I can't help but."

"How about I call and ask what they thought?" He suggested picking up the phone.

"Jack. I don't know. What if they know I'm behind it?"

"How would they?"

"I'm just checking up to see how you did." He smiled dialing the number.

She could help but smile at his brilliant idea. Although it was brilliant it had its flaw. What if they didn't like her? What if the whole baby thin did put her off?

"Yes Julia, this it Jack Sheppard…" He began.

"I was just wondering how Kate did today."

He was silent beside the occasional nod and utter. She wanted badly to know what she was saying to him. It was too hard to read it from his face.

"Jack.' Kate whispered grabbing the sleeve of his shirt.

He batted her away as he turned away from her. That made her even more worried.

Finally he took the phone from his ear. She eyed his every movement as he hung up the phone. The minute he turned around her heart sank. He stared at her with the biggest puppy dog eyes as he bit his lip.

"Oh no…"

"You got the job!" He shouted extending his arms.

Instantly she felt delight and jumped into his arms. Wrapping her arms around his neck he spun her around the room. Then she put her feet on the room and stopped them.

"This isn't because of you is it?" She questioned.

"No. Of course not."

"They said you were one of the sweetest people they've ever met. And they way you talked to the babies was just amazing."

"Are you serious?"

"Yep." He declared nodding his head.

There were not words for her. Only excitement. She actually got this job on her own. No help, besides Jack setting up the interview. That didn't matter. She had a job that she might enjoy.

"I think we can celebrate over this." He said grabbing some wine coolers form the fridge.

Taking her by the arm he led her into the living room. Pushing all the snacks and junk aside they sat down. Taking off the tops they raised them in the air.

"To another beginning." Kate declared.

"To another beginning and hopefully a happy one." Jack smiled.

Taking a sip a memory came to mind.

"Remember the last time we drank together?" Kate asked.

"The caves. That rainy night right?"

"Yep." Kate said taking another sip.

Faded memories of that night keep them from taking for a moment. Both focusing on the kiss that led the night on in a haze. Neither remembered what happened after Kate dwelled upon her issues. Or rather they both dwelled.

"How about we go for another round." Jack suggested.

Kate's face twisted up at the thought of waking up not knowing where she was.

"But without the stakes of drinking."

Again she began to think. Whether or not this was a plan that had worked itself up in his mind. A plan to get her questioning side to come up to the front and break down the barriers she had.

How was this night going to end up?

Were they going to end up sharing all their most intimate secrets?

For once she pushed her inhibitions out of her head and went for it.

"Ok." She agreed.

"You first." She quickly said.

He groaned with a smile as he thought.

"Since you already know about me. Have you ever been married?"

"Once." She answered meekly.

He was oddly not surprised. With the track record she was putting out he expected it.

"His name was Michael."

"And yes it was while I was on the run." She quickly said beating him to the punch.

"What happened?"

"Just didn't work out. He wanted to be together forever and I just wasn't willing."

That first question of the game left them both in a weird spot. Kate felt somewhat torn that he had chosen to go to ask a question about her past. But still it wasn't something that gave away anything beside the fact that she had been married.

"Favorite food?"

"Favorite food?" He questioned.

"Yeah." She smiled trying to encourage him.

"Meat loaf."

"Really. I can't stand it."

"Well you haven't had the kind my nanny made."

"A nanny?" She questioned trying to comprehend him having a nanny.

"Yeah. I had a nanny growing up. With my dad being a doctor and my mother being well… my mother I had to have someone to watch me." He explained.

"Ok…" Kate said stretching out.

"How about you? Favorite food?"

"Umm…fruit."

"Fruit."

"That's a pretty gray area there Kate. There are many kinds of fruits."

"Well I like all kinds." She smiled.

"Childhood friend."

"His name was Richard." Jack replied taking another sip.

"Sounds like there's a story behind Richard." Kate smirked.

"No story. Just a little asshole." Jack smirked back.

"How about you?"

"I didn't have any friends." Kate said taking a sip.

"Come on you had to have had friends. Everyone had friends."

"Not me. I moved around so much I didn't have time. I spent most of my time sitting alone outside thinking to my self."

"That's why you were always sitting in the sand staring off in to space."

His words struck her. This was the first time she had ever heard him mention anything about the island. It wasn't exactly a direct reference, but it was something she did on the island. Something he remembered her for other than being sick.

These thoughts brought her to her next question.

"Do you miss the island?"

"The island?"

"Yeah. I mean we spent nine months in seclusion Jack. There has to be something you miss."

He thought for a second. The only thing he really loved on the island was sitting in front of him. He did enjoy the essence of it, but getting back to a normal life felt good.

"No." He whispered.

"Really?"

"What do you?"

"Yeah. I miss the beauty of it and the feeling of alone I got just walking five feet into the jungle…' She began.

"It was the good kind of alone."

He watched her eye dazzle as she talked about it. Watching her you might get the impression that she enjoyed it. If she did that was her. He hated it and didn't want to talk about it.

"Favorite band."

She was almost awed at how he pasted off the subject of the island. It was if he didn't want to talk about it. That was how every seemed to act. Anytime she had brought it up in the past they quickly changed the subject. But it was going to be different this time. She was going to get him to talk.

"New Kids on the Block." She replied with no emotion.

Before he could laugh or comeback she questioned him.

"Why don't we talk about what happened?"

He was put off by her question. He didn't know what she meant. Maybe this was her trying to open up about what happened to her. Still he didn't know for sure.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the island Jack."

"Every since we got off the island no one has said anything. Why?" She questioned.

"Maybe because it's something we all want to forget."

"How can you just forget?"

"We crashed on an island. And island in the middle of no where for nine months Jack."

"I know." He sighed taking a swig from the bottle in his hand.

"All we went through. Trying to survive. Living on the borders of a jungle that was inhabited by a monster none of us could see, but all of us heard. Then there were the people who lived among us that we didn't know about. That kidnapped us and hung us from trees. The people that killed and buried our own in some mass grave…'

"How could you forget what happened after that day. Finding me in that ditch barely alive. Claire coming back with Christopher. That illness that I contracted somehow and spread on to the others. Killing them one by one. I mean how can you forget Walt and Michael. Sawyer." She continued as tears welled up in her eyes from the thoughts.

"I nearly went crazy and tried to pull you down with me. We all went crazy running from that madman that we thought was dead. The man that almost killed me. How can you just forget?"

He stared at her thinking about everything moment as she mentioned it. The moment she mentioned dying his heart stopped. She didn't know what happened. She didn't know that he had shot her. Her memory was gone from the point she wondered into the woods that day until she woke up in his arms. There was no way could forget that even if he tried.

"You think about it don't you?"

"Don't you?" She countered.

It was. Something he thought about everyday of his life. It was constant reminder to not let life slip through your fingers.

"I guess it's something we all want to try and get past."

"It's hard to let the past go Jack."

"I should know. It's going to stick with you no matter what." She whispered putting the bottle to her lips.

He could hear the exhaustion on her breath. This was getting to her. What was supposed to be a celebration turned into a bring down. But he had to admit to himself that she was right. This was never going to go away. No matter how hard he tried.

Soon after the remorse of what happened lifted off their tongues Jack turned on the TV. Both knew it was best to end the questioning. It wasn't getting anywhere.

Soon the weakened sun gave up and let there be night. The glow of the TV cast shadows of their movements into the kitchen. Both had settled down quite a bit after their last drink and the silence between them was an eerie calmness.

As a commercial over took the screen Jack glanced down to Kate. He was put off at seeing her lie there asleep. He had wondered why she was being so still and quiet. Then again both of them were oddly quiet.

Looking up to the clock he saw that it was 9:00. It was early, but not early for her. For a moment he thought to pick her up and take her into the bedroom. She just looked so right lying there in front of the TV. The light bouncing of the groves in her face. Lighting up her curves as she lay scrunched up against herself.

He let her be. Sitting back he couldn't help but look away from the TV to her. Watching her sleep like he had many nights in the past weeks. Again he wondered what she was dreaming of. Seeing how their main conversation of the night was the island and its affects he saw her running down the beach trying to reach the end of an endless ocean.

After a while he had to pull himself away. He need to do something, because h couldn't imagine how awkward it would be if she opened her eyes, looked up and saw him. How would he explain it?

Getting up as slowly as she could, he tried not to disturb her. Going through his mind he tried to make a checklist of what he could or had to do. Walking around the couch he glanced down to get one last glimpse of her before he turned and walked down the hall. Leaving her lie in front of the TV.

The sound of someone yelling woke her.

Her eyes focused on the TV. Gradually they wondered over to where Jack had been sitting. It was an empty space now. She wondered where he was. Sitting up she surveyed the area around her. There was no sign of him. No note. No nothing.

Glancing up to the clock she was surprised that it midnight. Had she been out that long? She didn't even remember falling asleep. But the real question wasn't sleep. It was Jack's whereabouts.

Traveling down the hall she headed for the bedroom. She didn't really expect him to be in there. He would have never left her sitting on the couch if he were going to sleep.

Before she end reached the door she was caught by the faint light coming from Jack's office. Pushing the door open she found him. Lying across his desk knocked out. A smile played across her face as she tip toed into the room.

Coming up behind his chair she heard him breathing. His back rising and falling with each sound. Looking around she saw his computer, which had given up the faint light that led her into the room. The screensaver was on. It was some stupid thing that came installed with the computer.

Seeing him lie there asleep she almost didn't have the heart to wake him, but she couldn't leave him there.

"Jack." She whispered brushing her hand across his face.

He didn't move.

"Jack. Honey."

Again his eyes stayed shut and his body motionless.

Extending her hand she shook his shoulder this time. This caused his hand to jerk across the desk and hit the mouse. Brining the previous screen to life.

"Ja-"

She stopped and dropped her hand to her side. Her eyes widen as she stared at the screen. There spread across it was her mug shot. That gruesome picture of her that she had often seen Jack staring at on the island. Under it was listed the crimes she had been convicted of. All of them. Every last one.

She was speechless. She couldn't feel anything in her body for a long moment. Not until Jack stirred. Her eyes jolted down to him and then to the screen again. Soon she began to question.

"Kate?" He groaned rubbing his eyes.

There were defiant tears in hers as she looked back down to him.

"How could you?" She whimpered.

He didn't have any idea what she was talking about. Then he saw her eyes move to the computer screen. He didn't look over. He knew what was there and this time he couldn't work his way out of it.

"Kate, I'm so so-"

Before his final word her hand came quick across his face. Leaving a burning imprint across his cheek. Turning away he brought his hand up. As his fingers ran across his stubble he looked down to her with tears of his own. Her body was shaky as she stood her ground.

"Kate, I am so-"

"I don't want to hear it Jack. You promised."

"You promised!" She cried pointing at the screen.

"I know I did, but-"

"Why did you lie Jack? Why do you always lie to me?"

He didn't know what to say. He had lied to her. He had promised to not get involved in her past and now here he was looking at all the charges against her.

"If you can't be satisfied with me the way I am and are so bent on what did in the past than this can't work. It can't."

"I can't." She whispered bringing her hand to cover her mouth.

Standing there under his pathetic gaze was too much for her. She had to get out. And not just run to the bathroom. She needed out of the house.

In an instant she turned and raced out the door. Quickly he was after her.

"Where are you going?" He questioned standing at the end of the hall.

"I don't know Jack." She replied standing with her back to him.

"I just have to get away from you."

With that she grabbed the keys to his truck leaving the ones to his SUV and walked out of the door. Amazingly he let her go. But once the door slammed shut behind her his blame let loose.

"Dammit!' He yelled putting his arm up against that wall.

In that moment he realized he needed to let her go. Let her be with herself away from him. But not for that long. She couldn't stay out all night. Sooner or later he would go out that door and follow her.

Crying. That was all she did as she drove around. At first she had no idea where she was going to go, but then she remembered she did have an apartment. Although if he followed her that would be the first place he would look, it was the best place for her to be alone. If he did show up she didn't have to let him in.

Jogging up the stairs she felt somewhat glad she was hopefully going to have this night alone. Wiping away her tears she pulled out her keys and opened the door. Walking into the dark apartment she almost didn't recognize it, but it was her's.

Turning around she closed the door behind her. Once the lock was bolted she pressed her back up against the door. Taking in a deep breath she almost felt relief.

"Kate?"

Her breath stuck itself in her throat. She couldn't breath as she watched a figure in the darkness slowly walk up to her. Her mind raced with thoughts of who it could be. Then she realized it. This was how it had happened when she was attacked. A figure emerging from the darkness calling her name. With that reminder she began to tremble.

The sound of an approaching car came quickly form the distance. She begged God for it to be Jack. As the headlights rushed past her window the person before her could be seen. She almost choked on her breath as she saw who it was. Quickly she feared for her life.

"Jason."

Jason is the guy she robbed the bank with.

Authors Note: I know this story is six times slower than the first story. I mean i was killing people left and right on that one. This one is going to be most likely the most thought worthy. There's going to be alot of thinking and life decision making in this one. But since i have decided to write four stories all together in this series you won't have to wait long for something to happen. All this slow emotional stuff is just what lead up to all the drama. I also realize i haven't been taking about anything to do with the island. I have mentioned it, but not explained it. I promise you guys all the questions from the last story will be answered in time. I mean all of them. From why Kate was being used by Ethan, why he's still alive, the mass grave, the illness, why Sawyer contracted the illness, and everything else. I will give you one hint to what will happen...so if you don't want to know this spoiler i'd turn your head...

They will we going back to the island. I hope that doesn't spoil anything, i just wanted to let you all know what way this story is going. I promise you the end of all of and the ride there will be worth it! I hope you all enjoy it as much as i have coming up with it and antisipating it!