Chapter 10- Past and Future

Jack took his hand off of the gun, and looked back at the sheriff with a serious expression. He watched nervously as the sheriff stepped further into the room. Jack watched him closely, Did he find Hailey's body?

"There was a murder," The sheriff said finally.

Jack clenched his jaw, his breathing pattern was starting to pick up, and he knew that he appeared guilty as sin. He was trying to remain calm, but although he would like to think that he was a grounded person, he had a tendency to be irrational in stressful situations.

The sheriff directed his beady eyes at Jack.

Jack slightly raised his chin. Jack, you got to calm down. Kate's counting on you…you can't mess this up for her. You made a promise, and you got to keep it. "A murder?"

The sheriff nodded, "That's right…"

Sawyer watched him closely. His eyes drifted towards the bed.

The sheriff turned around to face him.

Sawyer relaxed. "A murder…someone got shot?"

Jack's eyes widened and he stared back at Sawyer in disbelief. What was going through his head, if Hailey was shot…then he had just given them all away.

The sheriff paused and stared back at Sawyer with a raised eyebrow. "There was a murder…but the victim was stabbed."

Jack looked down in relief. It was unfortunate that someone lost their life, but thank God, the sheriff wasn't after them.

"Did you hear or see anything last night."

"Like what boss?" Sawyer asked with a smile.

Jack clenched his jaw. Why the hell was Sawyer playing with the sheriff. The last thing they needed was the whole department barging in to ask questions, and then recognize either one of them. Jack was surprised that they weren't recognized. Was it possible that the police wasn't onto them yet. Jack shook his head. He couldn't think not now…he had to get the sheriff out of their room, and immediately afterwards get Kate out of this town.

The sheriff stared back at Sawyer daringly.

"Did I say somethin' wrong?" Sawyer asked with a casual smile.

"You didn't see anything?" The Sheriff asked once again.

"Not a damn thing unless I was dreamin' and maybe then…"

"Alright," The Sheriff looked around once more. "We might come back and ask you some more questions, so try and go back to last night, and if anything unusual comes up, then let us now."

Jack watched as another police car pulled into the Quarter's parking lot. Damn, they had to get Kate out of there and fast, because the place would be swarming with cops soon.

"Did you see anything unusual?" He asked.

Jack stood there, deep in thought. He snapped out of it as soon as he felt the Sheriff staring back at him. "Oh um…No, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary last night."

The sheriff nodded and then stepped out. He turned around suspiciously, and then kept on walking.

Sawyer closed the door with one hand, and then looked at Jack. "Your no good at hiding your fear. I know he had to think somethin' was up. Every time I glanced at you, you looked like you were about to piss in your pants," Sawyer said.

Jack clenched his jaw, "I'm not going to argue with you right now. All I want to do is get Kate out of here," Jack walked over to the bed, and then bent down on his knees, as he pulled back the comforter.

"Is it clear…Achoo," Kate sneezed.

"Bless you," Jack said reaching under the bed for Kate's hand.

Kate took his hand and he pulled her out.

"Thanks Jack," She replied.

Jack nodded, "There all over the place, there was a murder last night."

Kate's eyes widened, "At this hotel,"

"Yeah freckles, some poor person done got stabbed. They thought we saw something so they were coming around here investigating." Sawyer explained.

Kate shook her head, "Do you think it had anything to do with the people coming after you Sawyer?"

"Nah, those guys don't play games. If they knew where I was then they would've killed me."

"Which is why we have to go, Sawyer go and get the car." Jack ordered.

"Why don't you go get it, and I'll make sure them bad cops don't get to Kate," Sawyer tossed Jack the keys.

"Hey Jack, Sawyer, I hope you know I can't walk out in broad daylight with all those cops out there," Kate said with a shaky voice.

"Well Katie…"

"Please don't call me that Sawyer." Kate said.

Jack stared back at Kate puzzled. It was a mystery to him, why she hated to be called Katie. Jack met Kate's eyes, for the first time he noticed that her eyes had turned blue. He couldn't focus on that now. On Kate's eyes which changed colors, or how incredibly sexy she looked even in that coat, He had to focus on keeping his promise.

Kate looked down. Jack and Sawyer had to know there was a story behind her hatred for being called Katie. A dark and painful story, which would haunt her forever. As Jack disappeared out the door, Kate stared after him.

"It seems like it is always you and him…you like him huh?"

Kate's eyes blinked slowly. She was seeing it so clearly…the days when she was younger and she wanted to run away…run as far away as she could.

(Break)

"Tom!" Kate screamed at the top of her lungs. She was fifteen and there was nothing more she enjoyed than playing hide n' seek with Tom out in the fields.

Kate smiled to herself. She was way to old for these childish games…but that was okay, because she was playing with Tom. Kate stopped dead in her tracks when she heard footsteps. She turned around, and screamed with joy as Tom playfully tackled her to the ground.

"It looks like I got you," He said.

"You ruined the game!" Kate replied back with a laugh.

"I know, but it's getting late, and we should probably go back." Tom stood up, and then held out his hand for Kate.

Kate pulled her long curly hair out of her face.

Tom dropped his hand down to his side, "Katie,"

Kate pouted, "Tom, I don't want to go back."

Tom eventually realized that Kate wasn't going to get up, so he sat back down and looked back at her.

Kate gave him a small smile, "Thanks Tom, do you think it would be okay if I ate with you tonight, and then stayed…"

Tom shook his head. "Katie…he's going to be mad."

"I don't care,"

"But I do," Tom reached for Kate's arm and examined the large purple telltale bruise.

Tom pulled her arm to him, "You can't stay out late again."

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do." Kate stared back at Tom angrily. He was her best-friend, and she needed his help, because she couldn't do this on her own.

"I'm sorry Katie…"

"You have to help me Tom," Kate said pleadingly.

Tom seemed to brace himself for the worst.

Kate hated putting him through this, but she had no one else to lean on. She bent down and started to trace her hands along the dirt. She was tracing Tom and Kate forever. Tom leaned forward to glance at what she had just written but before he could see she ran her hands over the words.

Tom sat back and stared back at Kate with confusion in his eyes.

"Tom, I need you to help me run away."

(Break)

"Hey freckles, where is your mind at? You don't hear me talking to you?" Sawyer asked.

Kate snapped out of it. She remembered where she was, and then turned to Sawyer. She was so used to Jack being right by her side, so this was definitely different. "Huh?"

"You like to daydream don't ya?" Sawyer asked turning towards her.

Kate stepped away from him, he was really close to her. She was surprised to notice that he had cologne on. "Are you wearing cologne?"

Sawyer stared back at Kate in confusion. He then picked up some of his shirt and took a sniff. "Oh yeah, that's some powerful stuff, I put this on yesterday afternoon before…"

"It smells good," Kate said quietly.

Sawyer smiled. "Thanks sweet cheeks,"

Kate nodded, "I hope Jack comes back, what is taking him so long."

"Good ol' doc is probably trying to wait until the coast is clear." Sawyer replied.

Kate nodded once again.

"So, who is Tom?"

Kate closed her eyes. Was Sawyer going to bring up Tom every time he got her alone? "He was someone I cared about end of story."

"If it makes you feel better. You ain't the only person that lost someone they loved." Sawyer said sitting down.

Kate glanced towards the window for Jack once again. He still wasn't coming. She was staring to get nervous, what if someone recognized him, and they were hauling him off to jail as they spoke right now. Kate placed her hand to the side of her face, and started to pace nervously back and forth.

Sawyer rested his arms against the tough mattress, "You worried about Jacks?"

"No, I just…"

"You don't got to lie…I see the connection you two have…it came out of no where, and I'm sure you think it's love, but…"

"I don't know him enough to love him. I just want him to live,"

"And the crows can pick at my flesh, and leave my bones right." Sawyer said with an edge of sarcasm in his voice.

Kate found his relaxed country accent comforting, no matter what he said, she felt safe. Not as safe as with Jack, but safe enough.

Sawyer nodded. So he was right, the girl was falling in love with the damn doctor, and he didn't mean a thing to her.

"I want you to live too, we have been through so much in one day…" Kate glanced towards the window again.

Sawyer met Kate's eyes, "We got to help each other."

"I know,"

Sawyer checked for his cologne once again. A smile crossed his face, he didn't hear Kate telling Jacko that his cologne smelt good.

Another knock was heard at the door.

"Do you want to get under the bed?" Sawyer asked in concern.

"What if it's Jack?"

"It can just as easily be the coppers," He said.

"Your right," Kate dreaded going back under the bed, but if she didn't want to get caught then she had no choice.

"If it's the police, I'll move em' along quick."

"What if they recognize you,"

"Some people just might have to get shot." Sawyer said in a serious tone.

Kate's eyes widened.

Sawyer smiled back at her, "But not you."

"It's Jack," Jack called from outside.

Kate smiled relieved. She was so glad to hear Jack's voice. She quickly got up and ran to the door, she stood behind the door so no one could see her and then opened it.

"The coast is the clear, the cops are on the other side of the building…we have to be quick."

Jack looked around once more and then reached for Kate's arm. He led her quickly towards the car which was parked right in front of their room. Like a true gentleman he opened the door for her. Kate quickly ducked inside, and laid down flat on the seat.

"What your legs," Jack warned affectionately as he closed the door.

"Gimme the keys Doc, just in case the police or anyone else decides to come after us…and we get in another high speed chase then I don't want you driving."

Without any arguments, Jack handed Sawyer the keys. He quickly ducked in the passenger seat, and then turned to Kate.

Kate kept on glancing at the chair. She was scared to death, because she knew Hailey's body was still in the trunk. She didn't have a strong stomach and the thought of a dead body made her nauseous.

"You okay precious?" Sawyer asked.

Jack turned around to glance at her, "Kate, you look really pale. Do you feel sick?"

Sawyer turned on the ignition, and then shifted the car into drive.

"I…" Kate winced as Hailey's body slammed against her seat. She raised her hands to her face, and let out a choked scream.

"See why we have to get ridda the body, it's freaking freckles out."

"Well obviously we can't drive around with it…I mean Hailey in the back, if the cops stop us, then not only are we risking getting caught but we are also risking charges for murder." Jack said glancing back at Kate. He reached in the back, and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Kate are you okay?"

Kate slowly sat up. She was frightened to sit up all the way so she sat up halfway. "I was just thinking about Hailey."

"We got to get rid of her body," Sawyer said.

Kate wrapped her arms around her body. "How are we…"

Sawyer looked up at her in the rearview mirror. "There's one way…"

"What's that?" Jack asked.

"We could uh…freckles, I don't wanna make you sick, but…wanna close your ears."

Kate was surprised to hear Sawyer expressing some concern for her. She glanced at Jack, if she didn't know any better she would think he was jealous. But she couldn't focus on that right now. "No, what's your idea Sawyer."

"We could do a cremation." He said.

Jack raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"Sticks, matches, a bonfire, and Hailey…and there will be no more evidence."

"That's sick," Kate said with wide eyes, and fear in her voice.

"I don't wanna do it, but what are our other choices?"

Jack remained silent. Burning Hailey's body just seemed wrong. But then again look where they were at. They had no choice, if they wanted to survive…then they had to do it. "He's right Kate," Jack said slowly.

Sawyer was surprised to hear Jack agree with him. "Well Jacks, your finally talking with some sense."

Jack turned around to look at Kate once more. She seemed to be coming to terms with their choice.

"Okay, but we have to keep her ashes…not just leave them there."

Jack's eyes softened. Through this dark situation, he was seeing some light. How could she be guilty of anything, she seemed harmless, and compassionate. Jack looked down, in Kate's jacket she had the gun the she had given him earlier. How did she get it back? Jack patted the pockets of his business jacket…the gun was gone. Maybe there was a side to Kate that he was missing. "Are you sure your okay with this?"

Kate nodded, she reached for Jack's hand, "As long as I have you and Sawyer, I can deal with it."

Sawyer looked up at her in the rearview mirror once again. And his eyes drifted down towards Jack and Kate's hands which were entwined. He knew that Kate was more like him than the Doc, and as some as her secret came out…or whatever she was hiding Jacks would run for the hills.

(Thanks for all of your support. You guys are all awesome…Orlando-crazy, Kballgetlost, rain1657, bwcheer, October Sky, and Nikki-da-latina. Nikki-da-latinia, more Jate sideways glances are coming…plenty more…and the best is yet to come. Let's just say in their downtime sparks will fly. You guys rock. Peace.)