I stayed up all night to get this one done. It isn't as long as the last on (don't know if i'll ever have one that long again) Anways i am a little iffy about this chapter. I am always iffy. But as always i hope you guys enjoy it! I'll let you know that there all no dreams in this chapter. No flashbacks.So everything is real. I want to thank you all for reading and reviewing! Enjoy! As always reviews make me that much happier!

Past Regression

The shadowy outline of his face burned into her mind as it disappeared back into the darkness of the room. She couldn't move in the moment after she saw it was him. Her mind raced with thoughts of what she had done to him and what he could do to her. It was going to be hard to get away from this unharmed. Or at all.

"You act surprised to see me there Kate." He said slowly walking out of the darkness towards her.

"Or should I call you Maggie?"

She wondered how he knew her real name. She knew she didn't tell him that was her name back then. She never used her real name when she was on the run. How had he found out her real name? Had he gone to the government or something to get it? Then she remembered how her and her real name were still probably being plaster all over the news on every channel. His search must have not been that hard.

He became visible as he came closer. Her eyes dreaded to look him over, but she couldn't help it. He looked no different than she had seen him last. His face rugged and beaten from years of the fast lane. She could still picture him lying on the floor in the vault of that bank. Clutching his leg after she had shot him. He had sworn revenge. She figured this was it.

"So…" He began as he leaned in closer to her. His eyes fixed loosely on hers.

Her attention was caught as she felt something brush up against her stomach. Looking down alarm came over her realizing it was a gun sticking out of the front of his pants. Her heart began to pound within her chest as she glanced back up to him. His eyes reflected anger and madness never breaking their stare with her.

"Which is it?" He questioned with a small smile snuck across his lips.

She didn't answer. She didn't want to. Didn't want to let him win. To give him the satisfaction.

His face fell from the conjuring smile when she didn't answer him.

"Which is it!" He screamed slamming his fist into the door behind her.

Her body jumped pressing herself up against him. The butt of the gun dug into her stomach. Quickly she flinched back and lowered herself back to the door. She began to shake as he slowly trailed his hand down the door just barely touching the outline of her body.

"K…Kate." She stammered.

"Kate?"

"You sure? Or is that just same name you're using to screw some pathetic idiot over?"

"No it's Kate." She whispered lowering her eyes to the floor.

They came back up as he gripped her face and pushed her head back to the door. Her eyes closed for a brief moment as she winced from the stinging pain in the back of her head. Opening them she came to stare forcibly into his eyes. She temped herself to look away, but realized this was serious. She didn't have the control. He did. Still she couldn't give in that easily.

"What are you doing here?" She questioned with a hiss.

"Finishing what I started last week." He breathed as his eyes wondered curiously down her body.

It clicked right then. It was if a bright light came over the room and opened her eyes. Letting her see everything that had been over shadowed in the last week. He was the one that had attacked her.

"It was you." Kate gasped.

"You were the one who attacked me?"

"Good guess." He snickered.

"But why?"

"In a word, revenge."

The world stopped in that moment. The darkness of the room shrouded her in her own little world of thought. His words sound so familiar to her. And it being said in this situation seemed so memorable yet so far off. She searched her mind pushing and prying through memories. Then it hit her.

Ethan.

He had said the same exact thing when he attacked her the second time. He had said he wanted revenge from Jack. Why she didn't know. He didn't do anything direct to him. It didn't make sense to her. It never had and never would. But this, this was making an odd bit of sense. These two incidences so similar, yet worlds apart.

Jason's revenge made sense. She had used him to get something she wanted and then screwed him over. She had to admit she deserved this. But then again she wasn't willing to give it to him.

"You won't get it." She spat.

His hand quickly came over her face. Smacking her hard. His fingertips left a stinging imprint across her cheek as she turned away. She didn't even look back to him when she felt his breath up against her ear. His nose pressed to her skin irritating it more.

"You thing so huh?" He questioned.

Her eyes moved from the wall back to him. He pulled away, but not far. Still he eyed her with his narrow eyes. She knew her next choice of word was going to push it. But she wasn't going to let this happen. Not again.

"I know so." She whispered.

In an instant she was struck with pain. The next thing she knew she was on the floor gasping for breath as she held her stomach. Taking deep breaths trying to recover from his blow she looked up to see him standing over her now. Gun drawn, pointing close to her head. She had pushed it.

"No more games." He growled.

"I am going to get what I want and you're not going to stop me."

Lowering her head she closed her eyes. She felt scared in that moment. Scared of how this night was going to end. Scared knowing she couldn't get herself out of this.

Was he going to kill her?

Rape her?

Suddenly she was pulled back from her questions as she felt the barrel of the gun press to her head. Her eyes shot open and her body froze. No movement, no thought, no breath.

"Get up."

She didn't hesitate. She knew when to pick which move at which moment. This wasn't a moment to push buttons. He had her under his control and all she could do was listen.

Once on her feet he took her arms and twisted them behind her back.

"Time to get what I want." He announced pressing himself up against her back.

Kate's eyes drifted shut as her head fell back against him. She was begging God in that moment to let Jack or somebody walk through the front door. But no matter how much she begged she knew deep down this was happening and more than likely it wasn't going to end on her side.

Her eyed opened and her head came up strait feeling the gun pressed to the back of her head. It was a feeling she couldn't get used to. A feeling no one should. She began taking deep labored breaths as his hand came up over her stomach and he pressed her back to him.

This was what was going to happen. This was what he wanted. Her. He wanted to take revenge out on her body and then leave her helpless and scared. And there wasn't anything she could really do at that moment. With the gun to her head she had to let this happen.

Relief came for a brief second when his hand dropped back to his side. Taking a hold of her hands again he pushed her in front of him.

"Move." He ordered pressing the gun harder to her skull.

Taking in her breath she held it as she began to walk with him closer than she wanted behind him. Her eyes were glued on what lie at the end of the dark hallway. Her bedroom.

Jack sat crouched down in the obscurity of his hallway. His head in his hands. His mind in pity. Pity of himself.

He had screwed up. Broken his promise. His curiosity got the best of him as it always did. But he couldn't help it with Kate. Badly did he want to know what troubled her. Wanted to know why she hid her feelings.

On the subjects of feelings he wasn't one to talk. He had problems beyond count with feelings. His parents made sure of that. With his mother's lack of approval and his father's lack of confidence in him, he had a hard time facing up to what he felt around woman. That was why he had his problems with Sarah. They had convinced him she was right. Didn't let him feel for himself.

Now he was. For the first time probably in his life he felt for himself. And was he felt was tearing him apart.

He loved Kate.

He had to admit it to himself before he ever could to her, if he ever would. After that night she'd probably never speak to him again and he would deserve it if she didn't. He had screwed up everything he had build up in the last weeks they let each other in again. He pushed her away again and it was going to be hard to pull her back.

Pushing himself to his feet he began to pace back and forth. Trying to figure out what he should do.

Should he go after her?

Should he stay and let everything cool off?

Staying was the logical reason. He knew she needed space and time to think. Not only about what happened, but also about everything.

He saw how she was around him. She acted the same way. The flirting. The blushing smiles. Touches here and there. There was some feeling deep down that he knew she had for him. The real problem was he didn't know how deep down she had pushed it. After what he did she had probably ripped it from her body and threw it out the car door as she drove away. He'd be lucky if he every saw the blushing smile again.

He couldn't think strait at that moment. So many thoughts clouded his mind, but all of them were about Kate. He couldn't pick just one to focus on.

Did he love her?

Of course he did. He always had a soft spot for her even back on the island, but it wasn't till he shot her that he realized it was more than just a spot. It was his whole body in which he loved her with. He cared for her deeply and never wanted to see her hurt like that again. But he knew hurt was something he couldn't stop. Especially when they made it back.

He had promised himself to do whatever to make her happy and feel safe. But so many things came into play. Sarah being the major thing that came between them.

If he had only told her about Sarah they'd probably be at a different place right now. Hell he had no idea he'd ever see Sarah again. How was he supposed to know they'd get rescued? He thought they'd be stuck there forever and live without the secrets of his past coming up. But as always things never went his way.

They didn't go his way when he got the guts to try and see if Kate wanted something more. He knew she did seeing the way her eyes changed when he asked her. But her past just kept enabling her from letting anyone in close to her. She's afraid.

Why couldn't he help her?

That was simple. She didn't want help. Her independence takes over too much. He knew she had spent most of her life by herself. She didn't like the idea of having to rely on someone. To scared they wouldn't come through for her. She was tired of being let down or the other way around. She was tired of letting people down.

It was so odd that she had let her guard down that whole week after she got hurt. She relied on him in the slightest, but still felt guilty about it. She was scared of looking weak in front of him. He didn't see her as weak. If anything she was stronger than he was. She was a fighter with her past being the ring she fought in. For most of it he was on her side, but every once in a while he switched sides and attacked her. And now he had her pinned in a corner.

Should he back down or continue to fight her till she gave up?

Going over everything in his head he pushed it all out and focused on one decision.

He needed to go after her.

He needed to apologize and try his hardest get back on her side. He hated when he tried to fight her. He knew it was wrong for him to even think of doing so.

Taking a deep breath he headed through the house. Grabbing his keys off the kitchen counter he raced through the living room to the front door. Walking down the driveway he got to his SUV and got in. Starting the car he pulled out of the driveway and drove down the street. Still questions loomed in his mind.

Where was she?

What was he going to say?

Most of all he asked himself;

Was she going to listen?

He drove past the first place that popped into his mind. Charlie and Claire's. Slowly driving by he saw his truck nowhere in sight. She wasn't there. Once he thought about it he realized she never talked about her problems. Why would she go the their house? She'd have to talk.

He stopped at the end of the their street. Going through his mind trying to think of all the places she could be. Then it hit him.

Her apartment.

The only place she could truly be alone. No people. Just herself. She didn't have to answer to anyone there. It made perfect sense.

Putting his SUV in gear he turned down the street. Heading down the black road with nervousness in his stomach, he hoped she was there. There was nowhere else he thought she could be. There was the possibility that she was in the hospital like she had been nearly two weeks before, but he didn't want to jump to that conclusion. He didn't want to think someone other than him hurt her again.

Kate sat on her bed with her hands bound together. She watched Jason hurry around her room throwing things to the floor and up against the wall. He was looking for something.

He came to her dresser and stopped to look at the few picture the adorned it. Pictures of her and the other survivors. Of her and Jack. He picked up the one with Jack. Staring at it for a moment he let out a chuckle.

"Some guy your screwing?" He asked showing her the picture.

Stealing a glance she saw it was the one of Jack kissing her cheek. She loved that picture. It was back when things weren't so complicated. It was the way she wished things could be.

"I guess so." He shrugged dropping it to the floor with the other pictures.

Pulling out her drawers he picked through her clothing. Throwing some of it to her, dropping the rest of it to the carpet. Then he stopped. Brining his hand up she locked her eyes upon what he had in it. Tom's airplane. He had found what he wanted.

Her lips parted with a gasp as he stared at it. Turning to her, his face lit up with a sinister smile.

"A toy airplane."

Slowly he began to walk towards her. Glancing from the airplane to her.

"You found me." He continued stopping in front of her.

"Seduced me, got me and my friends to hold up a bank…" He continued as he twirled the plane around in front of her.

With every movement of the toy her eyes followed. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes thinking back to what that toy represented. What it meant. What she went through to get it.

"All for a fucking toy airplane!" He yelled.

He quickly took the plane up in his hand causing Kate to look up to him. He stared down to her with that anger in his eyes. Kneeling between her legs he leaned in close to her. She was scared by his closeness, but more so of the gun still in his hand resting on her thigh.

"Was it worth it?"

"Every minute." She whispered never moving her stare from his eyes.

His hand quickly latched onto her neck cutting off her breathing. Pushing her back to the bed, he straddled her waist. Putting all his weight on her so she couldn't move, he let go of her neck and slowly traced his finger down her chest.

As breath hit her lungs she felt an awkwardly familiar feeling. A feeling she hadn't felt since the island. Since before she got shot. This made her panic more along with the horror that she was going to be raped.

Her eyes came wide as he raised the gun from her thigh. Brining it to the temple of her head her eyes flickered shut. Only for a brief minute as he slowly ran it down the side of her face. Resting it at the base of her neck his other hand came to grip her breast as he leaned in.

"I hope it was worth it, because it's going to be worth screwing you over it." He growled as he lowered his head to her neck.

His lips upon her bare skin as he pulled away her clothes was agony to Kate. She felt helpless under him. She couldn't move. Too scared he'd go farther and make it worse. But how could it possibly get any worse than this, she thought. It could only if he got his way.

Her breaths became short as the familiar feeling started to come on strong. It was forcing its way to win over her body the way he was. Sooner or later her body would give up to it like it would him.

Going to open her mouth the feeling pushed it's way out and she began to cough. Closing her lips she held it in feeling her throat closing in upon it's self. Taking in a deep breath she tried to remain calm. It was a hard thing to do as Jason began to unbutton her shirt.

"Jas-"

She stopped short of breath as she began to cough again with tears dripping on her forced breaths.

"Jason please." She cried.

He glanced up to her with a raised brow.

"Please what?"

Words couldn't make their way out of her mouth as she choked down her breath.

"Begging ain't gonna help you. It's just going to make it worse." He warned pointing the gun in her face.

Placing the gun back to her chest, he lowered his head again. She flinched back feeling his tongue across her skin. Moving his other hand across her breast, he went back to unbuttoning her shirt.

Kate turned her head to the bed. Tears streamed down her face as her weak breaths became wheezes. Her body shook under his touch. It was becoming more than a loosing battle of control with him It was a battle to keep herself conscious.

Seeing his truck parked in front of her building Jack felt relieved. Parking his SUV next to the truck he got out. He felt nervous as he entered the building. All the thoughts of what happened and what could happen ran through his mind. But there was on thought that he never would have thought about when he came to the door of her apartment.

Coming to see it was locked, he pulled out his keys. He had secretly had a copy of her's made just in case. He really didn't know if this was a just in case moment, but it didn't matter.

Closing the door behind him, he was thrown into darkness. He thought to call out her name, but decided against it thinking it might startle her. Stepping into the room alitttle more he was caught by an orange glow coming from down the hall. She was in her bedroom.

He could picture it now. Her lying on the bed curled up into a ball crying her eyes out. Things thrown across the room. Pictures of him broken. All the pictures in his mind couldn't have prepared him for what he saw as he approached the room.

His eyes became wide at the sight before him. Things were indeed thrown across the room. There were pictures of him broken on the floor. But she wasn't curled up on her bed crying. Instead she lay with her feet hung over the end of the bed. Some man on top of her leaving marks and kisses across her chest.

His heart sank. She was on the verge of having sex with some guy that she probably didn't know. Something she was doing just to get over what he had done. Something she'd regret in the morning.

Pulling back from the doorway he pressed his back up against the wall. Still he couldn't look away from it as he held back tears of anger and guilt at the same time.

What was he supposed to do?

Stop her? Let her do it?

Then his mind stopped. He looked down to the side of her body and spotted something that put his mind into a different order. This guy was holing a gun so close to her chest that if his finger slipped she'd be dead in an instant.

Was this part of their little game or was this guy holding her against her will?

He got his answer the minute he heard her almost inaudible cry as she tried to struggle underneath him. Quickly he forced her back down and continued pealing her clothes back.

Jack stood there and watched him slip her shirt off her arms and throw it to the top of the bed. When he moved Jack caught a glimpse of Kate. In that moment he felt as if he had been shot in the stomach. Her eyes were watery and pain stricken with her lips quivering as she pleaded with this man. This wasn't something she was apart of willingly. This man was forcing her to lie there underneath him as he ravaged her body.

Seeing her face was all Jack needed to push him to do what he had to do.

"Get your hands off of her."

Jason stopped and glanced up to Kate who had jumped at the voice behind him. With a groan he sat up and looked back to see Jack.

Kate gasped her tired breath back into her mouth and closed her lips around it. When she saw him her heart stopped beating. Immediately she began to subconsciously thank God.

"Who. The. Hell. Are. You?" Jason asked as he stood up.

Kate thought to sit up and try something, but figured it was best to stay lying down and keep her eyes on Jack.

He turned his eyes to Jason who was staring him down while he fiddled with the gun in his hand. Jack eyed for a moment thinking if this got out of hand that might be pointed at his head. He shrugged off the fear knowing it wouldn't matter if he got shot as long as Kate was ok. He wasn't afraid.

"I'm here to stop you from doing whatever you were planning on doing with her." He replied glancing over to Kate who was slowly getting her breath back.

Jason let out a chuckle as he looked back to Kate.

"Do you know this guy?"

Kate said nothing. To scared to. To scared if she said yes Jason would do something to Jack. Jack didn't deserve that. Jason didn't want Jack. He wanted Kate.

Jason shook his head as both him and Kate looked back to Jack. Both waiting for what he was going to do.

"So Mr. Hero think he can stop me from getting what I want?" He asked slowly walking up to Jack.

"Think again." He said raising gun in front of Jack's face.

Kate closed her eyes as tears came on again. She couldn't just sit there and do nothing, but there was nothing she could really do sitting there with her hands bound. Her eyes quickly looked down to her hands. She thought about it as she stared at the tape that bound them together.

Looking up to the two her heart sank as Jason slowly backed up towards the bed still pointing the gun to Jack. If she was going to do anything it was now or never. Brining her hands to her mouth she bit onto a loose end of the tape. Tugging with all her might she tore it down the middle. Ripping the last bit her hands were free.

Pulling the tape back of her wrists she looked up to the two making sure she could make her move. Cautiously she stood. Catching Jack's attention she wished he hadn't glanced over to her. It caused Jason to look back too. Quickly he turned around.

"He-"

Before he could get the gun pointed at her, her arms were around his neck. She reached out to his hand and tried to grab the gun. He struggled against her and ultimately turned her around. Pushing all of his weight on her, the two went tumbling to the bed behind them.

They began to fight and kick each other as Kate tried to grab for the gun. Gripping the barrel she felt him put his finger in front of the trigger. She became scared seeing he had it pointed right at her stomach. With all of her might she pushed in into the air before her fired it.

Dry wall from the ceiling came crashing down on top of them. Still they didn't break apart. Even when Jack came to the side of the bed and began grabbing for the gun himself they didn't pull back. Instead Jason's elbow flew up and side swiped Jack across the jaw sending his back against the wall.

Jason quickly came back and got a hold of the gun. Kate's eyes became wide as he forcefully drove it into her chest nearly knocking the wind from her. She froze as his hand latched around the handle and he pressed the gun harder to her skin.

"I've always wanted to watch you die." He growled spitting the blood that dripped from his lips across her face.

Her eyes never moved from the gun as she watched his slip his finger in front of the trigger. Quickly her mind raced with so many thoughts and memories. Her life flashed before her eyes, but all came into focus when she saw him squeeze his finger back. All she could do was react.

Her hands came up and she pushed herself away before the gunshot echoed through the apartment along with her screams.

"AHHH!"

Jack looked up with her scream and the gunshot to see her curled up into a ball. He thought she had been shot till he saw the hole in the bed next to her. Jason had barely missed her.

The world blacked out for a moment and she didn't feel or hear anything until she felt a body jump onto the bed. Her first thought was that she was alive. Opening her eyes she saw Jack jump over her and push Jason to the ground taking her with them.

Sliding down the edge of the bed the world came back into focus as she watched the two men in front of her fight and scramble for the gun lying on the floor. She thought to lunge for it and take her change, but before she could move a hand grabbed a hold of it.

She stopped and pressed her self up against the bed as she watched in horror. Jack was pressed up against the wall the gun pointed up into his neck with Jason holding the gun.

The feeling came back and quick. Her stomach turned as her lungs and throat closed. She began to take deep painful gasps as her body shook. Her eyes were fixed on Jack's as he stared Jason down. Oddly she saw no fear.

"See I told you your sad attempt to save her ass wouldn't work." Jason snickered.

"You'd think so wouldn't you?" Jack groaned as Jason pressed the gun harder.

Jason shook his head as he slowly looked over his shoulder to Kate. She was now curled into a tight ball with knees pressed hard to her chest. Shaking back to forth as she fought for breath and control of her body. Her eyes still focused on Jack's who's suddenly filled with fear as he looked at her.

He knew what was happening. She was having a panic attack. It was a too familiar sight to him. All those times on the island. He thought what ever she had that caused this had gone away. He was wrong. He became scared. Scared for her. Scared knowing he couldn't stop it and calm her down. He knew she was panicked at the sight of him being held at gunpoint, which brought on the attack he guessed. But he knew the fact that she was panicking scared her more.

"Kate I want you to watch as I kill you're little boyfriend here." Jason announced with a grin.

Kate couldn't look away from Jack. Her eyes were telling him what her breathless voice could not. She was scared. And the more and more stronger the attack became the more she began to fear.

The world around her way vague and all she could focus on was the two men in front of her and the growing terror inside of her. She couldn't feel the tears roll down her cheeks as she watched Jack look away from her. Then she saw why he looked away. She saw him look down to the gun that was now pointed at his chest as Jason continued to rant.

He was thinking of going for the gun while Jason's attention was turned. He could do it. It was no doubt in either of their minds, but it was too risky.

Kate shook her head violently trying to tell Jack not to do it, but Jason took it as her motioning to him.

"What do you mean no?" He questioned catching Kate's attention.

"Who's going to st-"

Kate gasped in fright as Jack grabbed the gun. Jason turned back swung the gun up into Jack's face. Stunned by the blow he still held onto the gun trying his best to point it away from himself and back to Jason.

The two wrestled each other against the wall. Twisting their hands around slamming them into the wall. Kate tried to keep her eyes on the gun the whole time, but soon she pulled away when the gun came between them. Her heart began to beat faster when she couldn't see the gun. Then it stopped.

BANG

The gun went off. Both men froze and Kate tensed up with a scream as she looked to both their faces. Both held an expression of surprise with their eyes drawn wide and their mouths agape grasping for air. Their intense gazes never parted as both stood still.

Her heart began to pound in her chest as she took deep quick breaths. Her eyes were stapled to Jason as he slumped over onto Jack who was still motionless against the wall. Slowly Jason's body fell limp and slithered down Jack's. His body came to the floor with a loud thump.

Kate looked up to Jack who stared off into nowhere. Glancing down she saw blood splattered across his shirt with the gun held out in his shaking hand. He let go of it and let it fall to his feet next to Jason's body. Still his eyes didn't move and they didn't even blink till he slowly slid down the wall to the floor.

She thought she should go over to him. Sit with him, but she couldn't move. Every time she looked down and saw Jason's body her throat began to close causing her to hold her breath and her body to shake. Closing her eyes she tired to push it all out. But it all played before her as she lowed her head to her knees and tried to calm down.

Jack finally looked over to her. His heart began to pound faster as he saw her back heave up and down in quick labored movements. He could hear her faint breath as she struggled to breathe. He wanted to get up and comfort her. Tell her it was all right. But he couldn't. Not with this body that lay in front of him.

Looking away from her he looked down to Jason. He had no idea who this man was, but he knew he had hurt Kate somehow. He had seen him do it. Thinking about that alone justified him shooting this man. And with that thought his breath nearly escaped him. He had shot this man.

Pressing his head back up against the wall he looked back over to Kate who was now trembling. Still he couldn't push himself to get up and go over to her. No matter how hard it hurt him to see her that way he couldn't just walk over the fact that there was a man he shot laying in front of him.

Closing his eyes he listened to the sound of her troubled breathing. The more and more he did the more and more it tore him apart. Then he heard her faintly beginning to count. Letting all the fear in one second at a time. She went way past five seconds and with every additional second she sounded like she was calming down. It eased Jack, but not enough. Taking a deep breath he opened his mouth and began to count himself.

The sounds of sirens filled the other wise quiet room as police cars pulled up in the parking lot outside the apartment building. Both heard them and knew this was the end for them. They were going to go to jail and never see the light of day. It was the place Kate hated the most.

They burst through the front door and ran down the hall to the bedroom. Jack jerked his head up as three cops stopped in the doorway and stared down to him and Jason.

"We need a medic!" One screamed down the hall.

Jack watched as he tiptoed around the room. Slowly approaching him. Immediately Jack looked over to Kate who was still hunched over. He could see she was beginning to panic again as she gripped her knees tighter and he heard her breath quickly become worse.

"Sir would you like to explain what happened here?"

Jack blinked slowly and glanced up to the officer standing above him. Licking his lips and taking a deep breath he preceded to tell him.

He started with him and Kate's fight. Telling him she ran out. He knew she'd come back to her apartment so that was where he headed. When he got there this guy was on top of Kate, had her bound by the hand and a gun to her chest while he was trying to forcibly undressing her. So he stepped in and tried to stop it. This guy ended up pointing the gun at him.

Kate got loose and jumped on him trying to get the gun away. They ended up wrestling and firing off two shots one in the ceiling the other in the bed. After getting hit by the man, Jack jumped on him and tried to get the gun back. He ended up against the wall with the gun in his face again. And again they fought for the gun. It got so heated trying to get the gun for one another, Jack ended up hitting the gun the wrong way and it fired shooting Jason.

He didn't miss a beat as he told his side of the story to the officer. Everyone once and awhile he'd look away as they put Jason on a stretcher and rushed him out. Then his eyes would turn back to the officer as he continued the story.

"It was self defense." Jack whispered.

"Self defense?"

"Yes sir."

Another officer walked up to them as he eyed the floor. Jack followed his eyes to see Kate still on the floor. She was getting worse and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Self defense? You sure?" The approaching officer asked the other.

"Why don't we ask her?" He continued calling the other officers attention over to Kate.

"She seems a little shaken. I'd like to hear her side of the story." The first officer said glancing back to Jack who had an uninterrupted gaze with Kate.

Turning back the officer slowly approached Kate.

"Mama' " He called crouching down in front of Kate.

Her head jerked up and the sight of her put the officers back. Her skin was pure white and eyes wide as she stared at them. Her breath was worse. She was tanking deep breaths trying to put herself at ease, but it wasn't working.

She went to swallow her breath and immediately she began to convulse. Her body started to shake as she looked up to Jack gasping for breath.

"What's wrong with her?" The officer asked looking back to Jack.

Jack didn't know what was wrong with her that was the problem. He was at a loss for words as he stared down at her as she begged him with her eyes. This mysterious illness she got for Ethan's knife was still foreign even to him, but he couldn't tell them that.

"She's having a panic attack.' Jack whispered slowly walking towards her.

"Step back sir." The officer warned walking up to him.

"She needs water." Jack said turning to him.

"We need water!" Another officer yelled down the hall.

A woman came in and handed the officer kneeling before Kate a water bottle. As she left her leaned in and tried to offer the water to Kate. She didn't see it. Her eyes were fixed on Jack who stood almost as helpless as her.

"Come on drink it." The officer said handing it to Kate again.

Again she didn't take it. She just stared up to Jack waiting for him to come help her and he knew she would let anyone but him do so. He tried for it again.

"I said step back sir!" The officer repeated looking to Jack.

"She needs me. She's scared and isn't going to let anyone else near her." Jack explained.

"And why how do you know that?'

"I'm her doctor."

The officer looked away with a sigh. Turning back to Jack he handed him the water bottle. Jack took it and quickly came to the floor in front of Kate.

"Kate…' Jack said unscrewing the lid.

"I need you to drink this."

Brining the bottle to her lips he waited for her to take a sip, but like always when this happened she had trouble. She put her lips around it as Jack tilted the bottle up. Taking in the cool liquid she tried to swallow it, but she did it too fast. Her throat quickly closed up and she began to choke. Taking her hand he tried to comfort her.

"Take it slow." He reminded her brining the bottle to her lips again.

He expected her to listen and take another sip. She didn't. She sat still staring into his eyes as she gripped his hand tight. Her eyes quickly became wide as her body flinched.

"Kate?" Jack questioned setting the bottle down.

He didn't know what was happening. She hadn't done this before. Before he could figure it out she took a short breath. Her eyes quavered as her lids struggled to stay open. It was a loosing battle. Quickly her eyes began to close as she went limp in his arms.

"No. No. No."

"Stay with me Kate!' He begged her as he lightly tapped the side of his face.

With a light exhale she was out. Her body motionless in his arms. This was all too familiar to Jack. It was the sight and feeling that haunted his dreams nearly every night. He wasn't going to let it get that far out of hand this time.

Sliding his hand out from under her he checked for her pulse. It was there and stable. He checked her breath seeing it had returned to normal. He felt a weight lift off of his shoulders realizing she had simply passed of from lack of oxygen.

"We need a medic!" One of the officers screamed.

Jack didn't pay attention. He simply held her in arms close to his blood-covered body as tears trickledown his face.

"Is she ok?" The officer asked fear hinted on his voice.

"Yeah. She just passed out." Jack smiled looking to him over his shoulder.

"What's with the tears then?"

"Just happy she's ok."

In an instant the officer body language changed. He quickly understood all of this. He believed Jack's claim. He believed it was self-defense. He believed that Jack just trying to save Kate.

When the medic came in, Jack helped her get Kate up onto the stretcher. He explained her condition to the best of his knowledge as they strapped her down. As they prepared to take her out Jack was by her side ready to follow.

"Wait sir!" The second officer called.

Jack and the medic both stopped.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I have to go with her. If not she's going to go into another pani-"

"Go ahead." The first officer interrupted.

The second officer looked over to the first in question along with Jack.

"Go with her, we'll continue our questioning at the hospital."

"Thank you." Jack said shaking his hand.

"Not a problem." The officer smiled.

Jack nodded his head as he turned back to Kate's side.

"I'm officer Mills by the way." Officer Mills said.

"I'll be sure to catch up at the hospital." Jack called back as he walked down the hall along side Kate's stretcher.

They ended up at Jack's hospital. Everyone began to gossip as Jack came in covered in blood with two unconscious bodies behind him. Jason quickly went into surgery. Kate was set up in the same side room she was last time.

Once Jack was assured by Cathy that she was ok and they'd keep a close eye on her, he was led off to a secluded hallway to further the questioning. Officer Mills seemed more at ease this time around. He and Jack went over what happened two more times and every time Jack came through with the same story. He began to ask who the man was. Jack said it was probably someone from Kate's past. He really had no idea.

Mills started on another list of questions as the second officer, now know as Officer Franz came walking up.

"We found this on the bed next to the bullet hole." Franz said extending his hand to Mills.

Mills took it and turned back to Jack.

"Look familiar?" Mills asked extending a toy airplane to Jack.

"It's Kate's." Jack whispered realizing what it was.

It was the toy plane that had been in the case with the guns. The one that belonged to the man she loved the man she had killed.

"Would this have anything to do with what happened tonight?" Mills asked.

"Don't know. Ask Kate." Jack suggested.

"I tried. She isn't talking." Franz said.

"She's up?" Jack questioned with a hint of joy.

"Yeah. Only been so for about five minutes."

Mills looked to Franz with idea sparked in his eyes.

"Maybe you should go talk to her Jack." Mills suggested.

"She'll probably talk to you."

"What do you want her to say?" Jack asked.

"We need her to tell you or us the same story you told, but it can't be influence in anyway." Mills explained.

"And how are you going to make sure that happens?" Jack asked.

"We'll be close and listening to what she says and you say.' Franz said.

Jack didn't agree with them using him to get Kate to talk and he didn't like forcing her to talk, but if it was going to clear them both her had to do it.

"Ok." Jack sighed.

Mills handed Jack the toy plane with a smile. With another sigh, Jack turned and headed down the hall towards where Kate was.

Walking around the separating curtain he saw her. Sitting Indian style on the bed dressed in her pans and a hospital gown with the hospital blanket wrapped around her legs. She was bent over playing with a loose piece of thread. Her softened curls falling in her beaten face. The look she had was lifeless.

"Hey there." He said breaking the silence.

She didn't say anything. She didn't even look up at him. She didn't move. She sat perfectly still in a daze with the thread wrapped around her finger.

With a deep breath he stepped closer to the bed seeing if she would do anything, still nothing. Looking away and down to his hand he saw the toy airplane. Looking back up to Kate he started to feel sick knowing what he had to do. Slowly he extended it out to her where she could see it. When she didn't take it or even acknowledge it he simply set it down on the bed in front of her and turned away.

Picking up and chair he turned back to put it closer to the bed. His eyes never moved from her as he came to sit down. When he finally did he felt better to see her pick the plane from the bed. She at least was showing some sign of life.

He sat there watching her clutch the toy plane in her hand. Still she said nothing. She didn't look at him either. Her attention was so caught up in that plane. It had to have some significance with what happened.

"Does that have something to do with what happened tonight?" He asked leaning in over the bed.

She didn't say anything. She just continued to sit the motionless and wordless. Then she took the plane and began to twirl it in the air. Following it closely with her eyes. He realized she wasn't going to tell him anything. Why had he even thought this would work? Maybe because he wanted it too.

Pulling himself away again he slumped back in chair. Eyes still focused on her as she played with the toy.

Watching herself weave the plane around in the air, thoughts quickly flooded her mind. Thoughts of Tom and of Jason. She had really screwed up both of their lives just for the sake of herself. She had used Jason to get into a safe deposit box to recover this toy plane. The toy plane that belonged to the man she loved. It was such a small thing, yet held such meaning. It was the only thing she had to remind her what was and what happened because of her selfishness.

Glancing over to Jack through her messy curls she began to feel the same way. Because of her she had probably gotten him convicted of manslaughter. His medical license was going to be taken from him and he was going to probably end up in jail. All because of her. Because of her stupid mistakes she made in her past and just happened to trail with her into the present.

He didn't deserve it.

Lowering her eyes back to the bed they fixed onto the toy plane.

"His name was Tom."

Jack looked up to her in surprise as she talked. For a minute he thought he was imagining it, but when she looked over to him he couldn't help but lean in.

"Who was Tom?" Jack questioned.

"The man I loved. The man I killed." She whispered looking back to the toy plane.

"He put this plane in a memory box we made when we were like ten. We thought we'd be together forever…" She began becoming once again entranced with the plane.

"Things changed and I went on the run. Soon after he fell in love again, married, and started a new life. I didn't forget him. No matter how many men I came across I always loved him. Then I got letter from him one day telling me my mother's cancer had gotten worse. That she was going have an operation…." She continued as tears dropped from her face to the bed.

"I went to go see him and we ended up digging up our memory box. The plane was still inside it. The next day….I went to see my mother. She got startled and I tried to flee before anyone came in and saw me. I got past a couple guards and out to Tom's car… he wouldn't let me leave, so he got into the car with me. The cops had a blockade at the end of the street. I didn't think and just went for it. I ended up crashing into a parked car which stopped me….."

She stopped for a second as the tears and the memories became too much.

"I looked over and I saw Tom bent over… blood all over his face and chest. When I leaned over to look at …him…. I realized he was….de-"

She stopped as she began to sob uncontrollably. Raising her shaky hand, she brought the plane to her trembling lips as she cried.

Jack's face was brought down in sorrow at hearing her words. After all this time of fighting and begging her to tell him, she did. He didn't push her. She just let it out. This wasn't what he had expected. It was far from what he had been thinking all these months.

His own tears came to his eyes as he watched her break down. Getting up he sat next to her on the bed. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her close him.

"It's ok Kate." He whimpered tucking a piece of her fallen hair behind her ear.

Putting his arm back around her he squeezed her gently up against him as he caressed her arm. Feeling her shake within his arms made him feel almost powerless, if he had any power to begin with. Seeing her like this over something he didn't even see as her fault tore him down. All he could do was hold her.

His arms comforted her as she tortured herself. She didn't know why she kept dwelling on things from her past. It was because they'd always come back to haunt her. They'd never leave her alone. Someone, something, or some place always came back to remind her of what she did.

After awhile she calmed down and was ready to talk. She explained everything about Jason while she fiddled with the plane. She told them he admitted to being the one who attacked her two weeks before. Also she dished out one of her darkest secrets just to keep Jack out of prison. She didn't really care about herself. As long as Jack walked away from this a clean man.

And he did. They ruled in self-defense. It made it an easier to claim that when test results came back saying Jason was on quiet a bit of hallucinogenic drugs. They were also informed that Jason didn't make it.

That hung heavy on both their consciences, but more so Kate. She quickly went silent again with the news. Jack felt bad, but still passed it off seeing Kate ok and standing next to him. Kate on the other hand felt horrible. She saw that after what she did to him she would have deserved what he would have done. But what happened, happened and no one could change that. They'd both have to live with that for the rest of their lives.

The car ride home from the hospital was silent. Jack didn't really mind it, but was worried about Kate. She was blaming herself for what happen and he knew it. He could see the guilt in her eyes. She was blaming herself the way she blamed herself for Tom all these years. It was going to be something that pulled at her forever.

"I want you to know something Kate…" Jack began looking back and forth between her and the road.

"What happened tonight wasn't your fault. He was sic-"

"He was trying to get revenge for what I did to him Jack." Kate cried looking over to him.

"I know that's what he said. And I have to admit what you did wasn't the best thing you should have done, but I'm not going to judge and punish you because of mistakes you've made. Just like he shouldn't have."

"But you do Jack. You punish me and judge me every time you want to know something about my past."

He became silent wit her words. She was right. He did, but his actions don't justify what Jason did and tried to do. He needed to get that through her head.

"I wasn't going to let him hurt you. No matter what you did in the past it should matter now. Not to him or me. What happened was an accident. It wasn't your fault." He finished looking over to her.

She turned away and looked out the window. She couldn't look him in the face without crying. This night was just too much for her and she didn't feel like talking about it.

Walking into the house they were quiet. Quiet like they had been the rest of the ride home. Scuffling her feet across the carpet, Kate walked into the kitchen with Jack following right behind her. She stopped and sat up against the counter. In the darkness she watched him walk around. Setting down both pair of keys, he walked over to the trashcan. Without a look or acknowledge he tossed the blood soaked shirt.

Turning back he caught Kate's gaze as she watched him. With a slight smile he walked up to her.

"You still hurting?" He asked.

She nodded her head as she looked away from him.

"Let me take a look." He said switching the lights on.

The light from the moon hanging in the night sky wasn't going to cut it. Neither did the horrible hospital lights. Once the lights came up both jumped to see each other's beaten and bloody faces. She could see the cuts on his nose where Jason had hit with the gun. Bruises outlined the lower part of his jaw where he had been elbowed.

She was no better. A cut soiled her newly healed lip. Bruises accented the deepness of her cheekbones. She bore a striking resemblance to herself two weeks ago.

"No different from any other day of the week." He said with a grin.

She couldn't help, but smile. No matter how bad she felt inside or out, his smile made her feel somewhat better.

"Turn around." He said pulling at her shirt.

Slowly she out her back to him. Her body shivered when his hands rubbed against her skin as he lifted up the hospital gown. She tried her hardest to look back and see what he was looking out, but she couldn't bend that far.

"Don't look that bad."

"What don't look that bad?" She questioned as she lowered her shirt.

"Where the bullet he shot into the mattress grazed your skin." He said looking back up into her eyes.

"Oh." She replied never breaking from his stare.

It became silent like it always did between them, but still their eyes were locked on each other. Trying to read each other's thoughts.

"How about a bath?" Jack suggested.

"Warm water would feel good on that." He smiled pointing to her back.

"Ok." Kate answered not even giving herself time to think about it.

He was taken back by her quick answer, but he wasn't going to complain. She was easing up.

The two followed each other closely into the bedroom. Jack headed for the bathroom as Kate gathered some clean clothes. She tried to comfort herself hearing the running water. With a deep breath she placed the clothes on the bed. She walked cautiously into the bathroom. Jack's eyes quickly shot up to her.

She stood meekly by the door watching him as he sat next to the filling tub. With a smile he raised a bottle of bubble bath in the air.

"Bubbles?"

A crooked smile came to her lips.

"Sure."

Pouring the red liquid into the water, he came to his feet. His eyes fixed back to her waiting for her next move.

"You want me to turn around?"

Kate became squirmy thinking about Jack seeing her naked. It wasn't a big deal to her to be naked, but this was Jack. She had to think about it. Then again he had seen her with most of her clothes off already.

"Actually could you untie me?" She asked turning around and motioning to her hospital gown.

His stomach dropped to his feet. Slowly he walked over to her. His hands trembling for some reason as he grasped the material. As the string became free he stepped back and let her drop the gown to the floor.

Her hands didn't come up to cover her breasts like he thought they would. Instead she openly began to undo and pull down her pants. When they came to growing pile of clothes at her feet Jack had to pull himself back from the sight. There before him Kate stood almost completely naked. Not trying to hide a thing from, him. He began to wonder.

Once her hands came to her underwear and she began to slide them down he turned. That was where he drew the line at that moment for himself. With all the feelings he had for her and with the ones that worked themselves up that night the last thing he needed was to see her naked.

Still that didn't stop him completely. The tub was full and he needed to turn off the water. Going to do so he bent down. Turning it off he came to stand back up; when he did he was faced with her again. Standing there now completely naked. It was taking him every ounce of strength not to look at her, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't have sworn the way she was looking at him she wanted him to.

His eyes wondered from her saddened face down her and over her skin. He felt sad seeing all the bruises, scars, and cuts. The one that got him the most was the one right above her right breast. It was from when he shot her.

"You want me to help you?" He almost stammered as he extended his hand.

She willingly took it. Coming up behind her he helped her step up into the foam filled water. In that moment his hand wondered up to her bare side helping her balance. They didn't let go of each other until she was completely submerged up to her neck. With that Jack could breathe.

Kate's body quickly took to the heat. It was soothing to the core. Almost good enough to wash away her sins. Looking up to Jack as he stood idling behind her, her heart began to beat fast again. She didn't know why she had let him see her naked. Why she had just walked up to him. She had to admit his face was priceless. Looking up to him she could still see the shock on his face.

"If you need any-"

"Actually I was wondering if you stay and keep me company?" She asked.

"After what happened I don't want to be alone."

"Sure." He smiled with heavy exhale.

Her eyes never left him as he came to the floor next to the bath. She just watched how he tried to hide what he wanted to say to her. And she knew there was something, because you don't see one of your best friends naked and stay quiet.

Silence provoked them. Guilt came with that silence, for Kate. She sat comfortably amongst the bubbles that felt almost like velvet over her battered skin. Running her hand over her skin she felt worse and worse with each cut or bruise she came across. For some they were badges of honor. For her they were reminders of dumb things she had done.

Her eyes wondered over the water to Jack who still sat on the floor next to her. His head hung with his eyes fixed on his fingers as he picked at them. His face was brought down telling her something was bothering him. She wanted to ask, but thought about what she would want him to do if they switched places.

She looked back to the bubbles as he looked up to her. Seeing her sit staring to the bubbles in a heavyhearted daze he knew she was again feeling the guilt of the nights events. But he really could blame her? He was doing the same.

His eyes wondering her body, stopping at every mark like her eyes had before him. Instead of banishing them as brands of past mistakes he studied them. Wanted to know their stories, which were most likely, her secrets. His eyes again came focused on the scar on her chest.

The guilt set in.

It lay there permanently in her skin to remind him of what happened. All that happened leading up to that dreadful showdown that ended so horribly. It reminded him of what he could and couldn't do. He could fix her physically, but not emotionally or spiritually. He could, but couldn't heal her in the same ways. No matter how hard he tried he would have to realize he could only save her from death, but not from life.

Taking a deep breath he shook it out of his head. He didn't like to dwell on the past, but sometimes he couldn't like she couldn't. He had to admit it took him a while to let things go; yet there were still things he held onto deep down.

Grabbing the sponge from the back of the bath, he dipped it into the water quickly catching her attention. She watched him carefully as he squeezed the sponge, letting all the water out.

"Lean forward." He whispered.

Hesitant, she leaned forward against her knees. A quickly shiver racked up her spine and surged through her body when she felt the damp sponge on her back. She had to admit it felt good. He moved it around ever so lightly making it feel as if feathers were waltzing across her back. Leaning her head forward to rest on her knees she let the sensation kick in as her eyes flutter shut.

He glanced up to her as she twitched ever so lightly. Her eyes were closed with her head rested on her knees. The dark curls dangling over and sticking to her body. Looking to her back he couldn't help, but smile. She looked so relaxed in that moment. Almost like an angel sleeping to him.

Sucking in his lips he fought against his smile. Running his tongue along his bottom lip he took in a breath. Dipping his hand along with the sponge into the lukewarm water, he held back from releasing his breath. He was trying to test himself in some way. But once he guided the sponge up over her shoulder and down her arm he could help but let it go. And with that he let everything that had plagued him in that moment go too.

Feeling the feathery like tickle move over her arm, Kate's heavy lids parted. Looking up through her steamy surroundings to see him running the sponge down her arm and back into the water. Her eyes stopped and didn't follow his hand. She was fixed on his other hand gripping the side of porcelain tub. It was cut and torn with bloody scabs across each knuckle. Dry blood splatters here and there.

She quickly lost the sense of tranquility seeing his hand. This was the hand in which he held the gun that shot Jason. Her face became pulled down as her eyes filled for tears for the countless time that day.

He saw her sullen stare and turned his. He had no idea what she was looking at if anything.

"What?" He asked.

Her eyes locked with his and then turned back to his hand.

"Your hand Jack." She winded reaching her bubble covered pruney hand.

The second the water dripped down over his skin he pulled his hand back wincing in obvious pain.

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok." He assured her resting it back on the edge of the tub.

"A little pain is worth making sure you're ok." He smiled leisurely putting his unhurt hand back into the water.

Kate's eyes wondered from his hand up to him for a brief second and then settled back on his hand. His words struck her. He didn't care if he got hurt as long as she was ok. She didn't understand that. She had never known any man to feel that way towards her. To risk his own life just so she could be safe in hers.

It almost made her cry as an overwhelming feeling came over her. She didn't understand why this suddenly came at her hearing his words. Maybe it was the fact that he cared that much for her. The only other person that came close to that was Tom, but he more so wanted her to be safe than happy. Jack seemed to try and do anything to see that she had both happiness and safety.

He really honestly cared for her. All those times he went parading out into the jungle after her or when she got attacked and he stayed by her side nearly every minute of every day. And then there was tonight. He risked going to jail and even death to save her. He was willing to put everything aside for her.

All the feelings and thoughts in that moment were racking her brain. She didn't know how to feel. But when she looked up and caught his eyes she was quickly over come by emotion.

Lifting her hand out of the water again, she brought it to the side of his face. Slowly running her fingers down his jaw she traced over the bruises ever so gently. Resting it in the crook his neck she looked up into his eyes.

Her heart pounded as she leaned forward and placed her lips to his. Instantly they both let their hidden feelings take control. Jack was a bit taken back by her sudden displays of affection. He had to admit that this kiss startled him more than seeing her naked.

Slowly she pulled back and looked again up into his eyes.

"What was that for?" He questioned.

"Thank you." She whispered against his lips.

'For what?"

"Saving my life again."

"Well I can't help that you're life always needs saving." He said without laughter as he stared deep into her eyes.

Licking her lips she went to kiss him again, but was beat to the punch. Kissing her back his hand came up out of the water to the back of her string hair as he held her to him. Their kiss deepened as their lips parted and their tongues moved with one another. The same went for their hands as Kate wrapped her self around his neck pulling him closer to her.

As she pulled him towards the tub his hand slipped off the edge and he lost his balance. Quickly her came crashing down on top of her and into the water. Water was splashed ever where as the Jack struggled to pull out of the water.

Pulling away from the kiss he began to laugh as gaining his balance proved to difficult for him. She couldn't help but laugh at him as he slipped and slid all over the tub. Pressing her hands to his chest she helped him sit back.

Finally he got a hold of the edge of the tub. Putting all his weight on his hands he pushed himself up and out of the tub. Slowly her hands slithered down his now soaked chest as he stood over her. She looked up to him with a grin from ear to ear knowing she was the cause of this. Giving her a narrow stare he pulled his shirt over his head and rang it out over her.

Shaking the rest of it out over the bath, he gave up and threw it to his clothes hamper. Looking back to Kate his eyes were pulled away looking at the mess they had made. The bathroom floor was soaked with puddles reaching to the door ten feet away. Eyeing Kate in the tub he couldn't hold back his laughter as she covered her naked body. There was no more water in the tub to conceal her from him, not that he hadn't already seen her.

"I guess I'm done." She laughed staring down to the now puddle size water at her feet.

"I guess." Jack chuckled walking cautiously across the floor to the closet.

Coming back over he held out his nice dry robe out to her. Helping her out of the tub he stood behind her for balance and privacy as she slipped on the robe. Tying the sash loosely around her waist she flung her head back and tied it into a bun.

Looking back to Jack she couldn't help but laugh at his gawking stare with the wet floor.

"Where's the mop?" She asked.

"I'll clean it up."

"No I don't have a-"

"I'll do it." He insisted with a chuckle.

"O…k." She drew out in one long breath as she eyed him over her shoulder.

Going into the bedroom she dried herself off and put on her clean and dry clothes. Hanging up his robe on the back of the bathroom door she watched him clean up the mess. Her eyes glued onto his every movement as he bent over and stretched out. All she couldn't think about at that moment was what he had said. But before she could dwell any further on it his eyes caught her.

"You enjoying the show?" He grinned picking up the last towel form the floor.

"Maybe." She smirked walking away from the door.

He couldn't help himself, but watch her as she walked over to him. A smile was smug across his lips the entire time. He might have looked sure of himself on the outside, but inside he was confused. Just earlier that night she had slapped him and told him nothing could work between him. Now she was walking around naked and pulling him into bathtubs. Not that he didn't mind. He liked her being suddenly eased back, but he wanted to know why.

Taking the towel in his hand she threw it to the hamper. Taking his hand this time she led him over to the toilet.

"It time to clean up your hand." She announced.

"Kate…" He began to whine.

"No whining. It could get infected."

He shook his hand with a smile giving up there on the spot. He let her take his hand into her lap as she sat on the sink beside him. Taking the peroxide out of the cabinet she unscrewed the lid. Wading up a bit of toilet paper she dampened it with the peroxide.

"Now this might hurt alitttle bit." She warned pressing the damp paper to his knuckles.

He quickly pulled his hand back and gasped in pain.

"Sorry." She apologized trying to hide her smile.

He saw it.

"You think it's funny don't you?"

"No. I just can't believe how big of a baby you are. I mean come on Jack you're a doctor. You sat perfectly still when I stitched you up with needle and thread." She pointed out letting her smile run free over her lips.

"Well if you didn't notice I was crying just a little bit." He contradicted.

She rolled her eyes taking his hand again. This time gently pressing the paper to his skin. Once it stopped fizzing she putt some medication on his knuckles and wrapped them in a cloth bandage.

"See all better." She smiled kissing his hand.

At first she thought he pull back, but he did. He in turn took her hand in his and pulled her towards him as he leaned in to her. He dropped her hand to her lap as his came up to cup her face as he kissed her. She immediately went weak as his lips smoothed hers over. They slowly spread over the top of hers and came back with a smacking noise, as they broke apart.

"What was that for?" She asked looking up to him.

"Thank you." He smiled.

"For what?"

"Cleaning up my hand." He whispered softly gazing down to the white bandage wrapped around his hand.

The two headed back into the bedroom. Both changed and ready for bed. And both were in a state of simplicity. The smiles on their faces had disappeared, but the essence was there.

Kate climbed into bed under the covers. Pulling them up over her body she looked up to Jack as he got it. Only he didn't join her in the warmth. Instead he sat up against the wall with a suddenly uneasy look upon his face.

"You going to sleep?"

He looked down to her, as she got comfortable.

"Yeah here in a second."

"Ok then, goodnight." She smiled turning over onto her side facing the window.

"Night." He whispered.

She turned over and pushed herself to let all the thoughts and haunting memories that were brought on that night out of her mind. She didn't want to think about what happened and Tom. She didn't want to bother herself with guilt of her actions. She just wanted to sleep. And within a few minutes she was out.

He on the other hand still sat up against the wall. That uneasy look upon his face. He wanted to sleep, but couldn't push himself to lie down and close his eyes. Overpowering thought of what had happened that night propelled him. Yet with everything that happened with Jason he was more caught up by what had happened in the last hour.

He was confused by what had suddenly happened to her. But that didn't bother him as much as the question of "what now". After what had happened how were things going to be between them. Looking back to the kisses they really didn't show a progression more so than they did affection. But yet he couldn't get over the reactions both made being that close to each other.

Looking over to her he watched he sleep. Again wondering what she was dreaming. Was this night of sleep going to be plagued by nightmare of Jason? He didn't know what was running through her mind right then in fact he never knew.

He stared at her for what seemed like only seconds when really it was an hour and a half. The sun was slowly rising outside the window. Casting sunlight over body. Shadows lying across her bruised face.

He knew there was going to be no sleep for him now. Not while he lay next to trying to fight off the urge to hold her or lean over and kiss her. But those feeling quickly were moved aside as she turned over onto her back. Quickly his eyes were fixed upon her chest eyeing the scar that was seemingly haunting him.

Uncertainty filled his mind again.

He couldn't save her.

He couldn't heal her.

Suddenly the words his father drilled into his brain came to the surface.

Did he have what it took?

After all they had been through together and apart did he really have what it took?

Before he even let all of it overwhelm him he turned away from her. Pushing the covers off of him he got out of bed. He could sit there next to her at that moment. If it wasn't his hidden feelings that got to him it was his hidden problems. He wasn't in the mood to let them take him over.

Walking quietly across the room he opened the door to the hallway. Before heading out he turned around and looked to her one last time. His eyes lay upon her as she slept. Watching each breath she took in slumber. Closing the door he lowered his head with a sigh. Turning his back to the door he walked down the hall.