Here it is! The birth chapter! I worked really hard on this
one. Probably more than any of the ones before this. So i really hope
you all enjoy! And as always tell me what you think!
The Essence
"JACK!"
Charlie calls could be heard all through the caves.
"Jack!"
Everyone's head turned as he raced into the caves. Stumbling and out of breath. They all knew something was wrong. That something had happened.
He stopped and looked around to every person there. Their worried faces glancing from him to one another. He didn't see Jack. His heart began to race.
"Has anyone seen Jack?" He questioned walking through the caves.
No one said anything. They were all quiet as they turned and went about their lives not wanting to get involved. This made him angry and quickly pushed his tolerance.
"Where the bloody hell is Jack?" He yelled walking past everyone as they left the caves.
"Dude calm down." Hurley said walking up to him.
"What's up?"
"Have you seen Jack?"
"Yeah, he's in Kate's cave setting things u-"
Before Hurley could finish Charlie was racing over to the last cave. Seeing Jack walking around placing things here and there lifted a weight off of his shoulders. But seeing him there his did wonder how he hadn't heard him yelling his name. It didn't matter at that moment. All that did was Kate was in labor.
"Jack." He called out again as he ran up to the cave.
Jack spun around hearing the urgency in Charlie's voice. Seeing him stumble over himself as he came up to him put a terrifying feeling down his spine. Something was wrong.
"Charlie?" He questioned with a hint of fear in his voice as Charlie stood in front of him.
He was so badly out of breath it was to form words, but he only needed to get one out to send Jack over the edge.
"Kate-"
"Kate? What's wrong with Kate?" He questioned closely approaching Charlie.
"She's- labor."
Jack knew what he meant. In an instant he dropped what he was doing and grabbed his leather backpack rushing past Charlie. Then he stopped and looked back to see Charlie bent over trying to still recover his lost breath.
"Where is she?"
Charlie took a deep breath and walked slowly to Jack. The stare Jack sent down over him was stern and fierce.
"On the trail with Sawyer." Charlie said sending Jack out of the caves in a hurry with his following close behind.
"Oh god…" Kate gasped clutching her stomach.
Sawyer turned from where he was standing and came in front of her.
"What? Is it another one?"
She nodded her head pursing her lips as she tried balancing against the tree behind her. The pains were become worse and closer together. She didn't how much longer she could last.
She stood for the longest time with her face distorted as she took labored breaths. Slowly her posture eased back and her face lightened up. With a deep breath she opened her eyes and stood back up. Once she did she caught Sawyer's fearful stare.
"Gone?" He questioned.
She waited. Waited to see if it would come back with a kick, but it didn't. Relief came over her. Still in the back of her mind she knew the worst part was yet to come.
"Yeah I think so." She sighed resting back against the tree.
Sawyer let out a deep exhale as he joined her against the tree. His eyes wondered from her over to the trail leading to the caves. His patience was growing thin knowing Kate probably didn't have time on her side and that scared the crap out of him. He had no idea how to deal with this.
"Where the hell is Jack?"
"I don't know…" Kate began pushing her self off the tree.
Sawyer quickly jumped up and came to her side worried something was wrong.
"But I have to pee."
"Now?" He questioned as his eyes shifted from her to the trail and then back.
"Yes now." She whined as she started to stumble away from him.
"Should I go with y-"
"I really don't want you to." She tried to chuckle shaking her head.
He looked around frustrated. He had no idea whether to let her go alone or follow her. He wasn't prepared for all this.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Sawyer. I can pee by myself." She assured him with a small smile.
"If you're not back in ten minutes I'm coming after you." He warned watching her disappear into the jungle before him.
He felt better hearing her faint laugh as she walked off behind the trees. But no amount of her laughter could stop his heart from racing as he waited for her to come back.
Kate wondered further out then she should have, but she didn't want Sawyer walking up on her. It was embarrassing enough with him knowing what she was doing. If he were to walk up on her she'd never live it down.
After relieving herself she got situated and began to head back. Before she could get her foot off the ground another contraction came barreling down on her body.
Resting her hand up against the nearest tree she tried to again balance herself through the pain. Taking a deep breath she pressed her hand over her stomach as she closed her eyes tight. These pains were getting the best of her. She was slowly becoming exhausted from them.
The pain lasted longer than she expected. It was coming on stronger with every second and showed no sign of letting up. She couldn't hold up any more. Letting her body go she collapsed up against the tree nearly missing a fall to the ground. She let her weight off her arm and wrapped both around her stomach as it started to get worse. Quickly she began to panic to knowing if she could make it back to Sawyer.
Now she wished he would come after her. She wanted him to be there. Sitting there up against the tree alone she became scared like she had been earlier that day lost in the jungle. Her mind began to race with thoughts and the possibility that she might have this baby alone. She knew that was something she couldn't do. Not that she didn't have the will power; she didn't want to do that to the baby.
With all her strength she tried to push through the pain and off of the tree. It was a failed attempt. She was forced back down by sharp pains in her lower back that escalated over her sides. Her eyes closed again as she pressed her hands hard against her stomach.
"I can't do this. Not alone." She cried as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Her attention was quickly caught as the wind picked up and a gentle breeze whisked over her skin. The sound of whispers filled her ears. Taunting her.
"It's the essence."
She quickly glanced around looking for where it was coming from as it repeated itself. Her eyes wide as they darted around hearing it again and again. But as quick and sudden as it had echoed through the jungle it ceased along with the pain in her back.
The moment she didn't hear the whispers the sound of rustling leaves took their place. Her eyes wondered off to the side of the tree she had been up against. She questioned if she was hallucinating or not, but soon let all doubt subside upon hearing faint breath overtop the leaves.
"Sawyer?" She questioned with a quivering voice as she slowly pushed away from the tree.
There was no answer, but the breathing continued as the rustling of the leaves stopped. It wasn't Sawyer. Then who was it? There was someone there was no doubt in her mind that there was somebody, but who?
"Jac-"
She stopped instantly in her tracks feeling someone brush past her. The feeling of heated breath down the back of her neck made her shake. It wasn't Jack or Sawyer. She began to trembling knowing this person behind was so close and unmoving. There was no way she could move without being confronted by them. She had no way of getting away.
So many thoughts ran through her mind in that moment. First fear, then guilt upon herself, finally she came to survival. She had to get away. There was no way she could give in to whoever this was being in labor like she was. There was no real way of getting away either, but she'd have to try.
Gathering all her guts she took a deep breath. In an instant she spun around and was confronted by a darkened horrid face before she was struck in the head with terrible force. All went white around her as she felt herself fall to the ground. The last sound she heard was the cock of a gun before everything went black.
Sawyer looked down to his wrist and was aggravated by the realization that he didn't wear a watch. Throwing his arm down to his side he pressed his head back against the tree. Kate had been gone longer then ten minute. He knew that even without a watch to tell him. He knew he had to go after her and see what the hold up was.
Probably another contraction, he thought.
She's probably worrying herself to death.
That mental image of her lying on the ground clutching her stomach sent his heart up into his throat. He was going to go after her. With a huff he pushed himself off the tree. Before he could take any steps in the direction Kate had wondered off in, Jack came running up. For the first time Sawyer felt relieved he was there.
"Where is she?" He asked his eyed darting around looking for her.
"Sh-"
"Where is she?" He questioned again this time louder as Charlie finally caught up behind him.
"Doc just calm down and I'll tell you."
Jack swallowed his heavy breath as he stared at Sawyer with heated eyes. Waiting for him to tell him where Kate was.
"She went off to go pee-"
"You let her go alone?" Jack questioned.
"She wouldn't let me follow." Sawyer exclaimed as he watched Jack paced back and forth.
"What the hell was I supposed to do?"
"Go after her!" Jack yelled looking back over his shoulder to him.
It became quiet between the three. Jack paced back and forth in thought as Charlie and Sawyer exchanged looks. Suddenly Jack stopped and walked up to Sawyer, who seemed somewhat fearful as Jack approached him.
"How long has she been gone?"
"Ten minutes."
"I was just about to go after her when you guys showed up." Sawyer sighed turning away from Jack's engaging stare.
"Then why don't we go after her?" Charlie asked stepping up.
He quickly backed down as both Jack and Sawyer shot him evil glares.
"Or not."
"Which way did she go?" Jack asked turning back to Sawyer.
With a deep breath Sawyer turned and pointed off into the direction he had last seen her walk off into.
"That way."
Jack needed nothing else to send him off. He said nothing as he quickly ran off in the direction Sawyer had pointed. Without a thought Sawyer and Charlie were right with him.
They slowed down after no more then a minute of running. Jack stopped abruptly looking around fro any signs of her. The other two quickly came up behind him. Wondering closely next to him hoping he'd tell them what to do.
"There's no way she went out this far." Sawyer pointed out looking around.
Jack closed his eyes as she came to his feet. Sawyer's words didn't ease him over. If she had only wondered out this far then where was she?
Running his hand over is head, Jack walked around slowly. Looking at every detail on the ground. Quickly he stopped and ran his hands over the moist dirt on the ground. The two saw his sudden aw of the ground beneath him and came up to his side.
"What is it?" Charlie asked bending over so he could see.
Jack took a deep breath as he looked past Charlie up to Sawyer.
"She's been here."
Sawyer was struck down by his words. It didn't make sense.
"Then where is sh-"
Jack hushed him as they heard the tearing of cloth. All three were at their feet and staring off into the direction the noise had come from. All three had an idea of what or who it could be, but only one acted upon it.
"Kate." Sawyer called as the three slowly inched their was towards the continuous noise.
The sound stopped instantly. It was quiet for a minute as Jack and Sawyer shot each other scolding looks. Sawyer shrugged it off.
"It might be Kate." He said loudly as if he couldn't whisper.
His words were followed by the sound of rustling leaves and footsteps scurrying off into the distance. All three took charge without thinking and ran after the sound. Their strides where long and fast as they ran after the fading sound. They would have caught up to eventually if the horrifying sight of a blood cover knife lying on the ground wouldn't have stopped them.
"What the-"
Sawyer stopped mid sentence watching Jack crouch down over the knife. Jack was silent as he stared down upon this knife. Somehow deep down he knew this had something to do with Kate's sudden disappearance and that scared him.
"Do you think?" Sawyer asked when he found it hard himself to turn away from looking at it.
Jack shook his head as he pulled away from it and looked to Sawyer.
"I don't k-"
"Blood hell…"
The two instantly looked over to in the direction of Charlie's cry. When their eyes landed on him they saw him standing there staring down at the ground with wide eyes of fright. Both of their heart jumped up into their throats as they pushed them selves to look down at the ground before Charlie. When they did they were over some with dread.
There lay Kate, sprawled out on the ground cover in blood.
"No…" Jack whispered coming to his feet.
Sawyer beat him to the punch and was already at her side. He barely got his hand to her face before Jack pushed him to the side. This time he didn't argue. He knew Kate needed Jack's help and wasn't going to stand in the way.
Jack felt sick, as he looked her over from head to toe. Bruises encircled her eye and a deep gash that spread across her forehead. Blood dripped from the wound down the side of her face dripping off the edge of her chin onto her shirt.
His eyes quickly darted down to her stomach feeling the baby kick against his arm. He had to hold back everything he had eaten that day as he stared in a daze at her bare and beaten stomach. Her shirt was ripped and torn back to the bottom of her breasts. Her skin was laced in blood that oozed out of the huge gash that was almost the complete length of her stomach.
He sat stunned staring down at her lying before him. He prayed to god the baby was ok, but most of all that she was ok.
"Charlie…han-hand me my bag." Jack called over his shoulder never turning his eyes from Kate.
It took Charlie a minute to pull himself away. When he did he turned quickly and grabbed Jack's bag he had discarded to the ground. Turning back he walked up behind Jack and handed it to him. Feeling the weight of the bag leave his fingers he glanced over to Sawyer who stood as still as he could. His eyes unmoving as he watched Jack bandage Kate up. He didn't have any idea what could be running through his mind.
It was guilt. He blamed himself for letting her go off alone. For not following her. This was his fault. Her lying there unconscious and cover in blood with a huge gash in her stomach. It was because of him. It was hard for him to stand there and look at it. It would be harder to even live with himself if she or the baby didn't make it.
"Is she ok?" Charlie asked finally speaking up.
"She's unconscious right now-" Jack began securing the bandage around her stomach.
"What about the baby?" Sawyer asked.
Jack stopped and looked back to him along with Charlie. For the first time they saw tears in his eyes as he stared down to Kate in horror. Jack knew he was blaming himself.
"I felt it kick, but can't be sure till she delivers it." Jack said with a sigh as he turned back to Kate.
No more words were said as he gathered his things in his backpack and handed it to Charlie. With on swift movement he slid his arms under Kate and picked her up. Coming to his feet he stood for a second and didn't move. He looked down to her motionless face as she lay in his arms and was taken by grief for a brief second. Then seeing Sawyer's guilt filled stare out of the corner of his eyes he looked up to him.
"This wasn't your fault."
Sawyer looked up from Kate and to Jack with a furrowed brow.
"Whatever happens or happened, it wasn't your fault.' He said nodding his head in assurance to his words.
With that he turned and followed Charlie through the jungle. Sawyer stayed for a moment thinking about Jack's words.
Was he right?
Was it not his fault?
He couldn't feel sure with his words. If something happened to Kate or the baby he couldn't do anything but blame himself. He was the one that let her go by herself. Still he couldn't set full blame without knowing anything yet. And he wouldn't know unless he followed them.
With a deep exhale he shook his head trying to push off the guilt. In stride he quickly headed after them to the caves.
"Dude…" Hurley exclaimed stopping instantly in his tracks as he watched Jack rush in behind Charlie with Kate lying in his arms.
Charlie just shot him a look as they hurried across the caves.
"Get the blankets and pillows from her bed." Jack ordered Charlie.
He said nothing as he turned and ran past him towards Kate's cave. Jack slowly kneeled down and laid her down on an empty airplane seat. He didn't care whose it was. He slid his hands out from under her and went for his backpack searching for supplies.
"Here ya go." Charlie said presenting Jack with the blankets and pillows he had gathered.
"Good."
"Put one behind her head and the other behind her back." He ordered taking the blankets from him.
Dropping the blankets aside he went for her shirt. Taking the shreds that had been cut, he tied them back so he could clean her wound. It was hard for him to even look at it let alone treat it.
"What the hell happened?" Hurley asked slowly walking up behind Jack.
He looked back to say something to Hurley, but was stopped by seeing Sawyer slowly approach them. Seeing the look of constant guilt over his face, Jack lowered his gaze back to Kate. With heavy breath he pulled out the bottle of peroxide. Drenching a piece of cloth he brought it to the cut across her stomach.
The instant the liquid spread over it her face and fingers twitched sending the three men back in surprise. They stared down at her as her body eased back to it's motionless state. They waited for her to open her eyes and come to, but she just lied still.
Shaking his head, Jack went back to cleaning her wound. This time he ran the cloth over her stomach ever so slowly. He almost had to smile when he felt the baby kick under his fingertips. It instilled the hope that it was ok.
After his answer wasn't answered Hurley walked away realizing it was best if he backed out and let them have their space. In his place Sawyer stepped up next to Jack. Without a word or warning he came to the ground kneeling next to Kate. His eyes locked on her's still closed.
"What do you think happened?" He asked running his finger down her arm.
Jack's eyes followed every moment Sawyer's finger. It was just something else he could become in a daze with other then Kate.
"I don't know." Jack said shaking off the daze as he turned his attention to the gash in Kate's forehead.
"Who do you think did it?"
"I don't know Sawyer!"
Sawyer backed off seeing jack was loosing his patience.
It became quickly silent between the two again as they focused their attention on Kate. Jack cleaned the gash on Kate's forehead as they both watched her eyes twitch. She could feel the sting, but it wasn't enough to bring her out. They began to wonder what would.
"What's going to happen if she doesn't wake up with her being in labor and all?" Sawyer questioned finally looking over to Jack.
He waited for Jack to snap his head off, but instead he stopped what he was doing and stared back down to Kate like he had been.
"Let's just hope she wakes up." He said coming to his feet.
Sawyer quickly followed and stopped him.
"What will happen?" Sawyer asked again with harshness.
Jack looked away from him to Kate lying there. So frail and weak. He hoped she would wake up, but even if she did he was afraid she wouldn't have the strength to go through the labor. Either way he was afraid he'd have to operate to get the baby out.
"I'll have to cut her open and take the baby out." Jack sighed turning back to Sawyer.
Slowly Sawyer backed off with shock written on his face.
"Cut her open?" He questioned.
"Yeah. And without enough penicillin and painkillers she'd have a hard time recovering."
"You mean she could get infected or something?" Charlie asked stepping up next to them.
"Yeah. She could." Jack sighed shaking his head.
All three fell silent thinking about everything that could happen. The huge mess this had become. More so then the consequences, Sawyer dwelled on what he should have done.
"Let's hope she wakes up." Charlie said breaking their silence.
"Sawyer?"
His head snapped around as he looked over to see Kate coming to. He quickly rushed to her side without thought with the other two behind him. Dropping to his knees beside her he tried not panic with joy that she was awake.
"Kate?" Jack questioned coming up next to Sawyer with Charlie standing behind him.
Her eyes moved from them as she struggled to sit as her hand came to her head. She began to shake her head trying to remember what had happened. All was a blur to her as she pushed through the pain that coursed her body from head to toe. Suddenly her eyes became wide and her breath short as she swung her arm around her stomach. Her eyes wondered down to where a sharp stinging pain was coming from. When she saw the blood soaked bandage wrapped around her body she began to panic.
"The baby!" She exclaimed gripping her stomach tightly.
"Kate-" Jack tried to calm her down moving closer to her.
"The baby!"
No one could get a word in as she struggled against them yelling about the baby. The three of them knew she was disoriented from suddenly waking up in the caves in pain, but she was becoming overwhelmed with worry seeing the blood covered bandage over her stomach.
"Kate. Kate." Jack called trying to get her attention as he and Sawyer grasped a hold of her arms.
"What's wrong with the baby?" She questioned looking back and forth between the two.
She stopped realizing her outburst wasn't going to help matters. With a deep breath she sat back down and tried to stay calm as she waited for their answer.
"The baby is fine." Jack assured her.
Sawyer quickly shot him an evil look knowing he was just telling her that when in fact no more then ten minutes ago Jack had said he didn't know. He really couldn't be that mad. He was lying for her sake. It was just he could already see her reaction if the baby didn't come out fine.
"Really?' Kate questioned as her short breaths became slower and eased.
"Yeah." Jack smiled nervously nodding his head.
"I felt it kick an everything."
A small smile came over her lips hearing his words. She felt better knowing he had felt it. Still something deep inside her told her not to totally give into his security.
Before she could even settle back a nagging pain ripped through her body a contraction came on. Her breath was quickly caught as her body became tense. She went to grab for Jack or Sawyer's hand, but ended up with the airplane seat instead.
"What? What is it?" Jack questioned as his eyes quickly wondered her body looking for any trauma.
"A contraction.' Sawyer announced on an exhale as he watched her go through yet another one.
"How long between them did you count?" Jack asked turning to Sawyer.
"No. Didn't have a watch."
"Here take mine and keep an eye on how long it is between each one." Jack instructed pulling his watch off his wrist.
Sawyer took in from him and looked down upon it in a daze. He was hit with a sudden fear as he looked at it and heard Kate's groaning along with Jack's coaxing in his ear. Slowly he looked away and up to Kate. Seeing her slumped over fighting her self. Her hair stuck to her face, which dripped with sweat. Then he came to focus on the bright red color spread over her stomach. That bright red color was his fault. And no matter what happened he would have to deal with what was going to happen.
"It's ok." Jack whispered wiping a damp cloth over Kate's face.
"This is too much." Kate breathed shaking her head as she slowly came through the contraction.
"I know."
Taking a deep breath, Kate sat back against the pillows behind her. She tried to relax by closing her eyes and listening to the waterfall off in the background, but all of their obvious uneasiness didn't help the situation.
"Keep an eye on the time." Jack said to Sawyer who was still entranced with Jack's watch.
"What happened to me out there?" Kate asked looking up from her stomach over to Jack.
"I don't know. We were hoping you could tell us." Jack laughed.
"Last thing I remember was being in the jungle after I had to pee." Kate began.
"A contraction came on and I couldn't move. Then the wind picked up and there were the-"
"I can't do this." Sawyer exclaimed jumping up.
Kate stopped as all eyes came to Sawyer. He stood still staring down at Jack's watch still in that weird thought filled daze.
"What?" Jack asked also coming to his feet.
"I can't do this." Sawyer repeated dropping Jack's watch to the ground as he spun around and headed through the caves.
"Sawyer." Jack and Kate both called after him as Jack began after him and Kate struggled to her feet.
"Kate sit back down.' Jack ordered over his shoulder as he continued after Sawyer who was on his way out of the caves.
Kate became fast as she got her balance and hurried past Jack. Catching up with Sawyer she grabbed his arm and turned him around. Seeing her as the one who had caught him he suddenly became sick. The look on her face was worry as she stared into his eyes.
"What do you mean you can't?" She questioned.
He almost didn't have the heart to tell her he didn't have guts to stay by her side. He was terrified knowing that that night he could be a father. It scared him to the very depths of himself. He had passed off the thought for so long, but now it was sitting right in his face waiting to kick him in the crotch. He couldn't face the responsibility.
"I just can't."
And with that he looked away from her tear stricken face and back to Jack as he stood behind her. Sawyer knew the curse that were running through his mind as he stared him down, but it didn't matter. He had no clue what was running through his mind.
He couldn't even look back to her as he turned away and headed down the trail.
"Sawyer!" She yelled as she tried to go after him.
She would have gotten a hold of him again if Jack's arms wouldn't have come around her.
"Kate. Let him go." He said pulling her back as she struggled for freedom.
"But Jac-"
Jack let her go and turned her to face him. Her face was wet from tears that she cried for Sawyer. Jack felt bad seeing her like, but he couldn't let her go after her. He wasn't about to let her out of his sight.
"Let him go. He needs to be alone."
Kate stopped pushing against him and stood still against his arms. She didn't understand why Sawyer was suddenly acting like this.
"Come on sit down." Jack said.
Looking on last time in the direction Sawyer had huffed off into, Kate lowered her head and turned away. The walk back to where she had been sitting seemed like forever. It almost had been as another contraction came on. She quickly stopped where she was and reached back for Jack.
He grabbed her hand and came behind her.
"It's ok. Breath through it Kate." Jack instructed her as he pushed her to walk through the pain.
The deep breaths she took did nothing to help the pain. All those time she had seen people do it on TV was a bunch of crap. They obviously had no clue what they were doing and neither did Jack. They weren't going through this.
"It's not helping." Kate said gritting her teeth as she slowly sat down.
"Just don't think about it."
"How am I not supposed to think about it?' She snapped.
"Concentrate on something else." Jack suggested.
"There isn't anything else." She whimpered.
Jack could see her slowly reducing herself. She was letting it take over. Letting the pain win. He knew this was going to be hard on her.
Sitting down beside her, he watched as she came out of it. Her body eased up again and her grip loosened on his hand. It was over. For now.
"Charlie. Watch the time between her contractions." Jack said handing Charlie his watch Sawyer had dropped to the ground.
"Alright." Charlie breathed trying to comprehend his new responsibility.
Jack looked back to Kate. The look on her face was on pure exhaustion as tried to catch her breath. She needed rest and it wasn't going to be easy to get her to.
"Now I want you to try and sleep."
"And how am I supposed to do that exactly Jack?"
"I want you to take these." He said pulling out a bottle of sleeping pills from his pack.
"You want to drug me?" She exclaimed.
"I just want you to rest." He said opening the bottle.
"You need to for the baby Kate."
She stared down at the blue pills in his hand. It didn't seem right to her, but Jack was a doctor and he had know what he was doing. Hopefully.
With heavy sigh she took the pills. A look of ease took over Jack's face as she took a drink of water to help them down.
"What if I don't wake up in time?"
"You will.' Jack assured her.
After that he sent Charlie off for a bit. He stood in front of her with his back to her as she changed out of her torn shirt and into one of his clean ones. Reading herself for the birth she took off her pants and underwear. Placing two blankets over her lower half, Jack promised no one but him would see anything. That fact didn't help her unease.
As her lids began to droop she settled back against the pillows in the airplane seat. Jack rung out a cloth and draped it over her forehead. Leaning over her as she fought sleep he left a kiss upon the top of her head.
"It's going to be ok." He whispered.
And with his words she was out.
Jack backed away from her slowly. Never taking his eyes off of her.
"How long do you think she'll be out?" Charlie asked walking up.
"Don't know, but knowing her. Not long." Jack replied shaking his head as he turned away.
He walked away with his backpack in hand. Coming over to the medical cave he began to go through his things. Preparing for what he knew he'd have to do. Something he was terrified and complete unprepared to do. Something he didn't know he could do. He was so delved into thought he didn't see Charlie walk up behind him.
"Who do you think did this to her?" He asked walking up behind Jack.
Charlie's question nearly made him jump.
"Like I told Sawyer, I don't know." Jack said turning his full attention back to what he was doing.
"Well somebody did this. And it's possibly the same freaks who kidnapped Claire."
"Might be." Jack sighed walking past Charlie back out to where Kate was.
In aggravation Charlie followed him. He stood close by watching Jack set up an area around a still sleeping Kate. His eyes then focused on her as she took each breath.
"I'm not going to let them get her and the baby like they did Claire and Aaron."
Jack glanced back seeing the determination on his face as he stared down at Kate. He knew he was fighting with the guilt inside himself over what happened to Claire and not what had happened to Kate. Everyone felt guilty over what happened.
Charlie was beating himself up over not running to the caves fast enough.
Sawyer was blaming himself over and over again for letting her go off alone.
Jack felt bad for leaving her on the beach.
Because if he would have stayed, he would have been there to lead her back to the caves. Not that he blamed Sawyer, it's just he wouldn't have let her go off alone no matter how hard she fought him.
"No one is going to let anything happen to Kate or the baby." Jack sighed turning his stare back to Kate.
"JACK!"
Kate pulled away from her dream like state hearing Locke's voice echoing through the caves.
"JACK!"
Hearing it again her eyes shot open. The first thing she saw was Jack running past her over to Locke who hurried into the caves out of breath. He was covered in what looked like ash.
"What's wrong?" Jack questioned.
"There was a fire…"
It was the only words Locke could get out. It was all he needed to say to send a jolt down Kate's spine. Images of her nightmare from the night before flooded her mind and the only thing she could think of was Sawyer.
"Jack?" She question with worry.
He spun around seeing she was awake. Upon seeing the look of worry on her face he knew that she had heard what Locke had said and knew what she was thinking.
"Where was the fire John?"
"In-in the valley." He choked out.
Kate eased back with a sigh of relief. Sawyer was nowhere near the valley, but the sudden realization that people were probably injured swept over her mind. It meant Jack would have to leave her.
"Whose all hurt?"
"Don't really know." Locke said shaking his head.
Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Kate sitting in the middle of the caves. Her body stained with spots of blood here and there. Blankets and medical utensils placed all around her. Her face brought down by worry. He began to question what had been going on before he got to the caves.
"What happened to her?" Locke asked looking back to Jack.
"She got attacked."
"By whom?"
"We don't know."
Locke's stare turned back to Kate as she eyed Jack. That wasn't all that was going on.
"I need you to go back to the valley and bring them here." Jack said.
"Why can't you come to them Jack?"
"I have to stay here with Kate."
"She looks fine. I think Charlie can watch her for a while. Some of these people can't wal-"
"She's in labor." Jack announced in a hushed tone.
Locke's eyes became wide as he realized the seriousness.
"I'll go back and tell them." Locke said trying to tear his eyes from Kate.
Slowly he turned and was on his way till Jack stopped him.
"Don't tell them about Kate. I don't want them thinking they're going to suffer because I have to be here with her."
Locke nodded his head in reply as he hurried through the caves and back out onto the trail. Closing his eyes, Jack ran his hand over his forehead. This was not going to be easy. With burnt victims and Kate in labor it would be a miracle if it all worked out.
Jack came over and started preparing things as Kate watched him. She was trying her best to keep her mind off of everything that was happening to and around her.
"Jack?"
"Hmmm?"
"What's your middle name?" She asked.
"Why do you wanna know my middle name?" He questioned with a laugh as he kept his attention on what he was doing.
"Just cause."
He didn't answer.
"Jack…" She whined with an aggravation on her voice.
He stopped what he was doing and glanced over to her. She was serious.
"Nicholas." He said trying to his blushing look.
"Nicholas?"
"Yeah. My mother's idea." He said wit a groan.
"It's cute."
He stared at her for a second. Again she was serious and it scared him. Shaking his head he brushed it off with a laugh.
A half an hour went by with tremendous grief. Kate's contractions sped up to two minutes apart. The baby was coming fast and painful. Jack was racing around trying to get everything read for the delivery and for when the first victims of the fire. Along with all this he tried to stay calm for Kate, knowing if she sense his fear she'd freak out.
"Coming through!"
John's voice came loud through the caves as he rushed in again with one of the survivors lagging on his shoulder. The man's leg was burnt to hell. His skin was charred to a dark gray color.
Jack quickly turned from Kate and ran over leaving her alone with Charlie. He came over and took the weight of the man on himself as he led him over to the area he had set up. Setting him down Jack kneeled in front of him checking over his burn.
"Not that bad." Jack said with a laugh trying to take the man's mind off the pain.
"Easy for you to say." The man scowled.
The minute Jack began to treat his leg another contraction came on. Kate's groans and cursing rang in the men's ears as Charlie stared at Jack wondering what to do.
"Charlie get her to concentrate on breath." Jack yelled over his shoulder.
"Alright." Charlie agreed with smile as he turned to Kate.
"Now deep breath, one sugar plum fairy, two su-"
"Wha-what the hell is a sugar plum fairy?" Kate questioned as she winced in pain.
"You've never heard of a sugar plum fairy?"
Kate shook her head taking another deep breath.
"They are these little thin-"
"This isn't helping Charlie." Kate whined taking another deep breath.
"Right. Sorry."
"Deep breath in and then out." Charlie went on trying to coach her on breathing.
Jack finished cleaning up the man's burn. When he was done, he gave him some medication and sent him off to rest. Coming to his feet he walked over to Kate and Charlie who were carrying on a conversation about sugarplum fairies. It hurt him to look at her. With her face pale and covered in sweat in blood. She was already worn out and she wasn't even to the tough part yet.
"How she doing?" Jack asked Charlie as he squatted down in front of him.
"Good." Charlie replied nodding his head as he turned back to Kate.
"You're almost done." Jack said pulling Kate's messy hair out of her face and tying it back.
"Wahoo." Kate groaned sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"Jack!"
Boone caught all attention as he and Sayid rushed in with Shannon in their arms. Jack quickly jumped up and hurried over to them. They came over and gently placed Shannon down on the cot. Jack pushed Boone and Sayid out of the way as he looked her over.
She was unconscious, but not burnt.
"The smoke got to her. She started having and asthma attack. Then she passed out." Boone explained to Jack in one short breath.
"Sayid. Go and get that Eucalypts Sun used last time." Jack said.
"Where is it?"
"With all the medical supplies." Jack said turning back to Shannon.
Sayid turned and hurried across the caves. Boone came to her side with a damp cloth. Jack took it from him and put it to her face. Running it over her face her eyes began to move as she came to.
"She's coming to." Boone announced.
"Oh god!' Kate screamed.
Jack quickly glanced over his shoulder seeing Kate clutch her stomach and gasp in pain. Another contraction.
"Hold on Kate." Jack called to her over his shoulder as he turned back to Shannon.
Quickly her eyes shot open as she began to gasp for breath. She started to choke back the air that was hitting her lungs. Before any commands were shot on what to do to help her Sayid rushed up with the bowl of Eucalypts. He scooped some up in his fingers and ran it over he chest.
"Shan can you hear me?" Boone questioned leaning over her.
She slowly began to breath slow deep breaths as Kate was heard doing the same behind them. Jack glanced back and forth between the two of them. Trying to pick which one needed him more.
"It hurts…" Kate cried.
"Charlie hold her hand." Jack ordered.
"But she'll crush it and my playin-"
"Just do it!" Jack demanded turning back to Shannon who was slowly recovering.
Sayid and Boone's attention was pulled from Shannon and stuck on Kate.
"What's going on with her?" Boone questioned.
Jack looked up to both of them as they gave inquiring looks. He didn't want to worry them even more, but he couldn't hide it.
"She's having the baby." He whispered looking back down to Shannon who was trying to keep herself conscious.
It took Sayid and Boone a moment to interpret what he said. Quickly they exchanged looks and then turned to jack.
"Are you serious?" Sayid questioned.
"Yeah." Jack said nodding his head.
The two looked back over to Kate who was slowly calming down. It was obvious to them Jack was telling the truth.
When Shannon's eyes finally opened and stayed open for a while, Jack turned back to Kate, but didn't leave Shannon's side.
"How far along Charlie?"
"Less than a minute and a half." He announced looking at Jack's watch.
"Dammit!" Jack cursed slowly closing his eyes.
She didn't have long. She'd be delivering the baby within the hour and he didn't know if he was prepared for that let alone Kate being prepared.
"She's going out!' Boone yelled calling Jack's attention back.
Before he could turn Kate's screams echoed through the caves. He quickly spun around seeing her pulling down on Charlie's shirt as she gritted her teeth and cursed like a sailor. This was more then a contraction. This was it.
"Thir-ty seconds." Charlie choked out as he struggled to lift his hand up to look at Jack's watch under the weight of Kate's hand pressing down on him.
Jack wiped the sweat off his brow as turned back to Shannon who was struggling to keep her eyes open again.
"Try an keep her conscious." Jack said looking to both Sayid and Boone.
"Ask her questions. Do whatever."
Leaving them with that he rushed over to Kate. She still had a power grip on Charlie as he kneeled before her. Once she saw him she tried to calm down.
"Now Kate, I have to look and see how far you-"
"No." Kate said bluntly.
"Kate…" Jack said resting his hands on her knees.
"No!" She refused again shaking her head.
As they fought Sayid and Boone got Shannon to come back to full consciousness. She fought with them like Kate did Jack as she tried to sit. They finally gave up.
"What's going on?" Shannon questioned watching as Jack tried to coax Kate.
"She's having the baby." Sayid answer.
"Now?" Shannon asked in disbelief.
A few others came into the caves as they continued to fight. All of them burnt and injured, but the moment they saw what was going on they sat down off to the side near Shannon, Sayid, and Boone waiting for what was going to happen.
Seeing all these people watching her and Jack, Kate became more nervous. She didn't want to go through this in front of every body. She didn't want to go through this at all.
"Kate, I have to." Jack tried to convince her.
Her lips trembled as her eyes came back to him. With a deep breath she closed her eyes trying to hide herself. With that Jack took his ok to take a look. The realization hit Jack like a tone of bricks.
"Oh g-god." Jack stuttered staring down at her in aw.
"What?" Everyone questioned at the same time.
Kate opened her eyes as her heart began to race. Something was wrong with the baby she knew it.
"It's crowning." Jack announced breathless.
"It's what?" Kate asked as her breath became short and panicked.
He didn't answer her question. Instead he looked up to her with seriousness in his eyes. She had to look away as she became afraid.
"Kate look at me."
Slowly her eyes scanned everyone and then stopped of him staring at her with and intense gaze.
"With your next contraction I need to push." He instructed with slow words.
"No!' Kate said shaking her head.
"Yes Kate. I need you-"
"I can't Jack! I can't do it!'
"Yes you can."
"No I ca-"
"Kate you have to." He exclaimed.
Her body began to tremble feeling the pain creeping up her back. This was it. It was show time. All this build up had come down to this. Nine months of what if and now they would get their answer. In the next couple minutes she would be a mother.
Taking a deep breath she sat back and got a comfortable as she could knowing she was going to be over taken with serve pain in a matter of second. Charlie quickly came to her side and took a hold of her hand willingly.
She felt each beat her heart made as the contraction slowly came over her. The world stopped as she looked to each person around her. Wondering how it had all come to this. Finally her eyes landed on Jack who had a determination set across his face like she had never seen. It was time.
"Push!"
With all her might Kate pushed down as hard and fast as she could. She felt it instantly. The baby slowly making its way out of her.
"Again!" Jack yelled.
Again she bore down and pushed. Pain tore at her body as she used all her strength to get through it. Soon she had had enough and she collapsed back onto the airplane blanket.
"I can-" She tried to breath as the world around her swirled into a brilliant display of colors.
"Come on Kate. One more time." Jack coaxed her.
She shook her head as she lay there. She didn't wanna do it. It was too much.
"Come on Kate you can do it." Charlie said giving her hand a squeeze.
With a deep breath Kate forced herself up. Her breath was labored as she locked eyes with Jack. With a slow nod of his head she went for it again.
"Come on Kate. Just a little more."
Sweat dripped down her forehead she pushed down with every muscle in her body. Her body ached as she tried her hardest to force her way through this.
"Here it comes!"
All the yells and coaching became a drone as she felt her body on the edge of giving up.
Then everything was gone.
Her body eased up as she fell back onto the airplane seat. Her eyes fell shut as the noise around her became recognizable. There was and instant up roar of cheers. They were all so mixed together she couldn't tell what they were saying.
Then she heard a loud cry. The cry of a baby.
Her eyes struggled to open as the cry continued. She looked down to see Jack holding the baby in his arms. Her baby.
His face was overtaken by joy as he laughed through tears. He couldn't turn away from this small thing lying in his arms.
"You did it!' Charlie exclaimed as he looked back to Kate.
He gave her a gentle pat on the back of her hand as they both turned back to the baby. Kate had to smile through her exhaustion as she stared at Jack and the baby.
"Is it ok?" She asked trying her hardest to get a better look at it.
Jack finally looked up from the small body in his arms. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he nodded his head.
"He's ok." He smiled staring at Kate.
"It's a boy!" Kate exclaimed.
"Yeah." Jack exclaimed looking back down to the baby.
Finally being able to pull himself away he took the pair of sterilized scissors and cut the umbilical chord. Cleaning him off, Jack wrapped him in a clean blanket. Holding him securely in his arms he looked to Kate. She lay completely exhausted with Charlie at her side. Her eyes followed Jack's every move.
"Wanna hold him?"
"That's a stupid question Jack." Kate smirked.
With the help of Charlie she sat up. Still she watched Jack's every move as he crouched down next to her with the baby. Sliding her arms under the infant she quickly took him from Jack and cradled him in his arms. Once he was safe in Kate's arm he didn't utter another cry.
She was instantly entranced as she looked down to this small life. She just couldn't get over this joyous feeling she had staring down at him. He was just so beautiful. He had patches of dark hair here and there on his head. A cute little button nose to match his cute little hand that reached up grabbing for her.
She quickly took it between her fingers and the moment he felt her touch his eyes opened.
"Hi there." Kate exclaimed in a low calm voice as her face spread with a wide smile from ear to ear.
His eyes were a hint of blue and brown as he stared up at her. It almost brought tears to her own eyes.
"They'll change." Jack whispered rubbing the side of the baby's cheek with his finger.
Kate looked back to him hovering over her shoulder. She didn't pay attention to his words. She didn't care. She was just so happy. With him sitting there and the baby in her arms. For once she felt complete. But then she realized Sawyer wasn't there.
He hadn't seen the birth of what could be his son. The thought tore at her heart. She didn't want to think about it. It was his decision not her. Right then she had to concentrate on her son. Slowly she looked around to everyone who had smiles on their faces. Then she came back to the baby.
He still looked up at her studying her face as she did his.
"He's beautiful Kate." Charlie cooed.
"Thanks." She blushed never turning from the baby.
"What'd are you going to name him?" Charlie asked.
"Don't know." Kate shrugged.
It wasn't a concern. She didn't care what she was going to name him. All she cared was that he was ok and in her arms at that moment.
"Well I'll leave you three alone." Charlie said as he got up.
Kate looked up as he gave her a smile. Then he turned and headed off. Most likely to the beach where he would announce the baby to everyone. For once she didn't mind his gossiping. This was something she wanted everyone to know.
As he walked out of the caves she turned back to the baby. With a small yawn he closed his eyes and snuggled against Kate's chest hopefully drifting off to sleep. Although she was happy she was tried and wanted to sleep.
"I'm proud of you Kate." Jack said calling her attention away from the now sleeping baby.
He still had a smile on his face as she looked at him.
"It was a lot to go through especially here, but look what you got out of it." He said running his hand over the baby's head.
Kate looked away and back to the baby. He was right. All the crap she went through and this was what she was rewarded with. It was worth it. Every second.
"Jack!" Sayid called from behind them.
They both looked over to see Shannon struggling to breath again and Boone trying to keep her calm.
"Now I want you to try and sleep while he's out." Jack said turned back to Kate.
"Trust me there's no try about it." Kate joked.
Leaving a quick kiss on both her and the baby's forehead, he came to his feet and rushed over to Shannon. Kate watched as he quickly went back into doctor mode as he fought with Sayid and Boone on how to help Shannon. Sadly that was how it was going to be for the next few days if not longer.
Looking away from him and back down to the baby in her arms she almost didn't want to sleep. And she fought herself not to. She didn't want to miss a second of his life.