Chapter 15- Always on my Mind

"I hear a train somewhere around here," Kate said listening closely as she heard a whistle.

Jack sat down next to her, "It could be miles away, the sound travels far."

"But it could also be close by." Kate replied staring back at Jack hopefully.

Jack scowled as he stared back at Kate. He could see the determination in her eyes, she was never going to give up.

"Jack, maybe we should find the train,"

Jack smiled and then looked down. "Kate, do you know how fast a train travels compared to a human on foot?"

Kate shrugged, "No Jack I don't, but don't you think…"

Jack still seemed to be checking for his wallet. "He took that too,"

Kate raised an eyebrow, "What else did he take?" She stood up and started to look around for any direction in which the train could be coming from.

Jack wiped the sweat off of his forehead with the back of his hand, "Forget about it, now tell me Kate, if we do find the train how are going to get on it?"

Kate shrugged, "I don't know. I thought you would figure it out."

Jack grinned, "Do I look like Indiana Jones to you?"

Kate shook her head, "No, I think you're more attractive than Harrison Ford."

Jack gave up searching for the engagement ring. "You think?"

Kate had to stop flirting with Jack. She listened once again for the train. The sound had stopped and her plan no matter how crazy was botched. "I can't believe Sawyer just left."

"That's the type of guy he is. He seems to like running away from his problems, he'll never get anywhere like that." Jack replied.

"But Jack sometimes the only way is to run," Kate said.

Jack shook his head, "Not all the time."

"So then what should I do, Stop running?"

"No, you have to run."

"And so does Sawyer,"

"I can't believe your sympathizing with him Kate, He's a criminal…" Jack paused and then looked down.

Kate bit her lip and then looked away, "Sawyer and I are one in the same Jack,"

"No, you're different,"

Kate crossed her arms, "How's that?"

"You just are Kate, do you want to go and find that train now so we can hop on like Jackie Chan?"

Kate smiled, "Who knew you had a sense of humor."

"I try," Jack hoisted himself up. "So the train is not an option, and stealing a car is out of the question as well,"

"So what are we going to do?"

Jack scowled, "We walk,"

"Walk to where Jack?" Kate asked.

Jack ran his hand over his short dark brown hair, "I don't know Kate, I really don't know."

Kate sighed. If Jack didn't know what to do then they were screwed. He always had plans but now, he seemed just as confused as she.

Kate pulled off her jacket, and then tossed it to Jack.

"Thanks but this is ten times too small," Jack said holding her jacket.

Kate smiled, "I know, but if we're going to be walking, you might want some clothes…because,"

Jack pulled on Kate's jacket, "I look like an idiot…I think I might draw more attention like this."

"The mosquitoes are biting like crazy, I thought that would help with the itching."

Jack grinned, "Really, or did you just want to see me in it?"

Kate blushed, "It looks better on you than me."

"You know we always do this…"

"Do what?" Kate asked.

"During important situations get side tracked, we have to focus Kate," Jack pulled Kate's coat back off and then handed it to her. "I can handle the mosquitoes, we have to focus on getting you out of here without drawing any attention to you."

Kate gave him a small smile. "Did Sawyer take the engagement ring too?"

"Huh?" Jack asked trying to appear deep in thought.

Kate realized that Jack might not want to talk about it, so she decided to drop it. Now to think about it, she didn't really want to talk about it either.

Jack paused, "Yeah, he took the ring too."

"Maybe it was for the best…"

Jack stared back at Kate oddly.

Kate looked down. She couldn't believe she had just said that out loud. Kate's eyes found Jack's again, he was still staring back at her in surprise. "Jack, I didn't mean anything by that I just meant…you weren't sure if you wanted to marry her."

Jack let Kate off of the hook. "I know,"

They started to make there way back through the woods silently praying that Sawyer had come back, but he was still gone with the car.

Kate couldn't believe him, she had given him the benefit of the doubt and despite his ruffian behavior she had come to like being around him…obviously not as much as Jack, but close enough.

"Kate," Jack said.

"What?" Kate whispered back, because Jack was talking to her in a low voice.

"I hear an engine up by the clearing, there is a car out there,"

Kate grabbed onto Jack's hand excitedly, "Do you think it's Sawyer?"

"I wouldn't hold my breath, I'm going to go and investigate it. Stay right here Kate and…"

"No Jack, are you kidding me I'm going right with you."

"What if it's the police, I have a better chance getting off than you,"

Kate looked around, "I hear footsteps,"

Jack placed his hands on Kate's back and guided her towards a bush.

"They'll find us," Kate whispered back.

"Shh," Jack whispered getting as close to Kate as possible.

A cop stepped out towards them.

Kate's eyes widened.

(Break)

"I'm going to ask you again, do you know her?" The Marshall asked.

Sawyer continued to look down at Kate's mug shot. In the picture she looked like she didn't play games, if you messed with her, she would take you out in a second. He smirked, he had only seen glimpses of that part of her, but she obviously was hiding something else.

"She's dangerous, and she doesn't have a good track record with men…"

"And how do you know all this buster?" Sawyer asked.

"I've seen her in action she has no feelings, or emotions she is like a black widow waiting to take victims…do you know where she is?"

Sawyer took a drink of his beer. "Why do you think I know her? I haven't seen her, and I don't wanna. You do got to admit she's pretty easy on the eyes though."

The Marshal turned away from Sawyer, "23,000 is a lot of money to throw down the drain."

Sawyer clenched his jaw, why the hell was this Marshall on his case, when there was twenty other guys around. "Hey, why are you botherin me?"

The Marshall paused, "Don't worry about it,"

"You think I know where she is don't you?" Sawyer asked standing up.

The Marshall nodded, "I think you do, I've been on your trail for a while, but then I lost you…and now I found you again, but I don't see her."

"She's gone, probably on her way out of the states."

"How? You got the car," The Marshall tested.

Sawyer's eyes widened. How could this guy have been following them the whole time. Sawyer looked away from his persistent glare, He wasn't going to let this guy get to Katie. Once again he didn't know why he cared, but he did.

The Marshall sat down. "One beer please,"

Sawyer placed his arms on the table. He had to lead this guy as far away from Kate as possible.

"So where is she? Believe me that girl is not worth losing 23,000 over, and even your freedom."

Sawyer clenched his jaw, "What boss, you threatening me know?"

The Marshall shrugged, and nodded his head after he was handed his beer. "It's a crime to harbor a fugitive."

"Ain't nobody harboring a fugitive, I have no clue where she is."

"What about him?" The Marshall questioned.

"Who?"

The Marshall smiled wickedly, "Jack Shepard,"

(Break)

"Excuse me, what are you two doing out here late at night?" The cop asked shining his light in the bushes.

The color drained out of her cheeks, and she was fighting the instinct to run. She probably would've if Jack wasn't holding her arm so tightly. He knew she wanted to run, and he was keeping her there!

"I'm going to repeat myself, what are you two doing out here?" The cop surveyed them suspiciously. Jack was still shirtless, and wearing black slacks. While Kate wore the same tee-shirt, jeans, and jacket.

Kate glanced down at the gun in his holster. Maybe she could take his gun, and then his car. No, a police car was way to risky, they would definitely get caught. Kate tried to ease her arm out of Jack's grip but he continued to hold her in place.

"Officer, we were just looking for something we buried here a while ago."

Kate paused and then looked at Jack surprised. She stopped fighting him, and listened.

"Buried…you'll looking for a body," The cop asked with a smile on his face.

Kate looked back at him oddly. This was a sick cop.

"No, we buried a box with little mementos from our childhood inside, and we wanted to see if we could find it."

"Where's your shovels?" The cop asked suspiciously.

Jack frowned.

"By the river," Kate quickly lied.

The cop nodded, "Okay, let's go find them, and I'm going to stick around for a while."

Kate raised an eyebrow. He really didn't trust them. A million thoughts were racing through her head, and at the top of the list was…did Sawyer send the cop after her?

(Break)

"What do you have in the bag Tom?" Kate asked.

"You'll see when we get there,"

"Where are we going?" Kate asked finally catching up to Tom.

"Our new Haven…or yours,"

Kate scowled, "You're not going to stay with me?"

"Katie, I want too, but you know…"

Kate looked down sadly, "It's okay, as long as I don't have to be home."

"I'll bring you dinner every night, and I'll stay with you until ten…that's my curfew so."

Kate smiled, "Thanks for doing this again."

"No problem," Tom opened his book bag to pull out a box.

"What's that?" Kate asked.

"A time capsule," Tom said. He then pulled out his prize baseball which his father had given him, this baseball was autographed by Babe Ruth.

Kate picked up the baseball, "You're going to put that in there?"

Tom nodded, "Yeah, and I'm also going to put this in there too."

Kate watched as Tom pulled a small airplane out of his pocket. She laughed, "Why are you putting that stupid thing in there?"

(Break)

The Marshall watched as Sawyer got up. "Do you have any idea where she's heading too?"

"No,"

"She's still traveling with Mr. Shepard?"

"I assume so, now if you excuse me, I got a lady of the night waiting for me." Sawyer replied tossing fifteen dollars onto the bar.

"Let Kate know that I'm onto her if you see her, because I'm going to find her."

Sawyer used his hand to push his hair back, "I'm telling you boy, I'm not gonna see her, because she's made off with Jack…I think she said something about Australia,"

The Marshall nodded at Sawyer in disbelief, "Okay,"

Sawyer walked off. He knew the Marshall was going to follow him, so he was going to set him up, and then go back for Kate so he could get her as far away from this state as possible.

Sawyer opened the door to Hailey's car, and then lowered himself in. He turned on the ignition and then glanced towards the entrance. He shook his head as the Marshall stepped out. "Too bad you're not going to find her."

Sawyer pressed his foot on the pedal and then drove off. He was going to head to a strip club he saw up the street, and then take it from there.

(Break)

Kate linked her arm in Jack's as the officer followed closely behind her.

Jack fought the instinct to look down at Kate, because he knew the officer's eyes were trained on them. He suspected something was up, and he wasn't going anywhere until he found out what it was.

"Promise," Kate said.

Jack immediately knew what she was talking about. The promise they had made. He closed his eyes as the river came into view, the cop already didn't buy their story, and as soon as he found out about Jack's lie, he would probably take them to the station to question them.

Kate knew she had to do something. She believed Jack would protect her, but not in the way she needed right now. Kate needed to get away from this cop, and there was only one way. Hopefully Jack wouldn't be scared of her, after what she did.

"I don't see any shovels?" The cop said.

Kate turned around slowly letting go of Jack's arms, "That's because…"

"What are you two really doing out here?" The cop asked with his eyebrows arched over his eyes.

"We were just…" Kate stepped closer. Before the cop could react, Kate kneed him in the stomach and then punched him in the face. He fell to the ground with pain surging through his body. His hand fumbled around for his gun. But Kate stopped him by bending down with lightning fast action to pinch the pressure points in his neck.

As Jack watched her a feeling of nausea washed over him. He was frozen, because this woman that he thought he was in love with just performed such a vicious act in front of him.

Kate stood up, "He'll wake up soon, we have to go Jack!" She grabbed his arm. But Jack pulled his arm away from her.

Kate looked back at him in hurt. "Jack, he'll be up soon."

"Who are you Kate?" Jack asked looked down at the cop, and then back at her with bewilderment.

"Jack please, he's going to get up soon!" Kate reached for Jack's hand but he eased his hand out of hers' and then bent down to see if the cop was still breathing. Once he realized that he was, he got up.

Kate stared back at Jack, her mind racing, what if the cop got back up, and what if Jack stayed behind to help him. Kate looked back down at the cop, and then her eyes met Jack's. The same eyes she had looked into when they had kissed so passionately seconds ago. Kate swallowed down a wad of nervousness as she waited for Jack to come over to her, but he stood still. "So is this goodbye."

Jack looked away.

She could tell that he was debating whether to go with her or not.

Kate stared back at him pleadingly. She had become too attached to him over the last few days to him to let him go now. If she was strong enough, she would throw Jack over her arm and run away with him. Kate bit her lip sadly, but that wasn't the case.

"Bye Jack," Kate said sadly. She watched as the cop started to stir, her eyes widened and she realized she had to run. Kate turned around and ran.

Jack watched after her. He was letting her get away…after the way she made him feel, he had never met a woman that he kissed within two days of knowing her except for Kate…and he was letting her get away. Jack clenched his jaw, How could he love her after he just saw her savagely attack that man. But then again, she had been the only one to suggest taking Hailey's ashes.

He had to go after her. Jack checked the cop once more, and then ran after Kate.

(Break)

Sawyer stepped into the night club. A smile crossed his face as he watched the women dancing on stage. He constantly frequented gentleman clubs like this, but tonight he couldn't enjoy it. Sawyer sat down, and then tossed a twenty dollar bill onto the stage. He then looked around for the Marshall, sure enough the sneaky bastard was trying to blend in against the wall. Sawyer shook his head in amusement. Did this Marshall think he was born yesterday?

"Hey there handsome," A lady said dancing in front of Sawyer.

Sawyer sat back and enjoyed the show. As the woman danced in front of him he flashed back to his kiss with Kate.

Sawyer allowed his lips to dance with Kate's. Her lips were soft, and sweet. With his free hand he pulled Kate closer to him, and gently squeezed her lower back. He was surprised to see that she hadn't pulled away yet. Sawyer let out a low groan as he pressed his lips harder against her. She had a spell on him, he didn't want to care about her, but he was starting to get attached, no matter what she thought of him.

Kate slowly tried to pull away. Her lips were still moving with his, but she was trying to push him away with her hand.

Don't stop if you still want me. Sawyer thought reaching for Kate's hand with his. Kate tried to push him away again, but he kissed her harder, and with more intensity.

Sawyer closed his eyes. He didn't care about the woman dancing in front of him even though she was practically naked. He reopened his eyes and thought about kissing Kate once more, or maybe even more than kissing her. Sawyer grinned at the thought of being intimate with Kate.

"You're no fun," The woman pouted bending down to give Sawyer a kiss on the cheek, and then strutting away to another guy.

Sawyer placed his hand to the side of his face where she had kissed. If he was in his right mind then he would have taken her with him for a good time. Sawyer glanced at the Marshall, the idiot seemed side tracked for a second. His eyes were fixed on the stage and he was enjoying the strippers show.

Sawyer slowly got up. He looked away from the Marshall, and then ducked down as he walked through the crowd. Once Sawyer safely got out, he quickly located the Marshall's car. "You're not following us no more pal, we're gonna lose you again."

Sawyer took a swiss army knife out of his pocket and then sliced the tires to the Hunter Green Jeep that he had seen the Marshall get in after leaving the bar. Sawyer smiled satisfied, "Try to get her now boss,"

He then took off running to his car. Sawyer threw the door open, and then jumped in. A couple seconds later he was speeding out of the parking lot, and towards Kate, the one person he claimed he didn't care about, but yet he was intended on saving.

(Break)

Kate ran, she was out of breath, and crying but she couldn't stop. All she could think about was the way that Jack had looked at her before she left. What was she thinking. Why did she think he would ever love her! He was a doctor, and if he wasn't forced into this situation, he probably wouldn't have looked at her twice. Kate tried to pull herself together, she tried to stop the tears but it was too difficult. Kate's shoe caught a branch that had fallen.

"Dammit!" Kate cried pathetically as she fell to the ground. Her cheek was scrapped by a stray branch, and blood started to trickle down her face. Kate pushed herself up. As she struggled to get up, she felt hands wrap around her. Scared, Kate elbowed her attacker in the stomach and then blindly reached for their arm, turning them towards her.

"Kate it's me! It's Jack!" He yelled falling onto her.

Kate gasped, and then tears of joy started to fill her eyes. Jack had come after her! Despite how she had attacked the cop he had come after her! "Jack, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed placing her hand on his stomach.

Jack looked back at her in pain and understanding all mixed together.

Kate stroked his cheek, "Thanks for coming after me."

"We have to go, he was starting to stir,"

Kate got up, and then placed her hand under Jack's arms helping him up as well.

They both ran through the forest and as far away from the cop as possible. Kate stole a glance at Jack as they ran together. She just had even more reason to be in love with him. Any regular person would of ran for the hills after what she did, but not Jack.

"Your cheek…we have to take care of it….when we get a chance," He said out of breath.

"Thanks Jack," Kate said jumping over a branch.

"Don't thank me yet,"

Kate heard a car speeding down the highway. She grabbed Jack's hand.

"No, Kate it could be the…" Before he could finish he watched her run towards the road.

Jack took off after her with dread in his stomach.

Kate ran out onto the edge of the highway, and watched as Hailey's car sped towards them. She placed her hand to her mouth in disbelief, and happiness. Sawyer had come back for them! She was right he wasn't as bad as he made himself out to be.

The car screeched to a halt.

Sawyer smiled at her.

Kate smiled back at Sawyer relieved.

Jack caught up with Kate, he looked back at Sawyer in surprise. Sawyer leaned forward and opened the door for Kate, 80's soft rock spilled out, as Kate hopped in the front. Jack got in the back, and then Sawyer put the pedal to the medal, leaving behind the Marshall, the cop, and keeping his feelings for Kate. Sawyer looked back at Kate.

"Did ya think I wasn't coming back Freckles?" He asked.

Kate relaxed against the seat, "I thought you were." She turned around to look at Jack, and the focused back on the road in front of her. They were together again, all three of them and she would have it no other way.

"I know your hungry girl," Sawyer said.

"Yeah, kind of,"

Sawyer glanced in the rearview mirror at Jack, "Hey Docs, can ya get the brown bag in the back next to you."

Jack reached for a big brown bag of something and handed it to Kate.

"What's this, beer?"

Sawyer nodded, "And donuts, I thought you guys might be hungry."

"Thanks Sawyer," Kate turned around and squeezed Jack's leg.

Jack gave her a small smile and then looked away. He still loved Kate, but he was now starting to fear the unknown. She obviously had experience in self-defense, and she knew the exact point where the cops pressure points were. How many guys did she put out like that. Kate handed him the donuts as she took a bite of one.

Jack clenched his jaw.

"Here Jack," Kate said softly.

Jack shook his head, and then waved his hand, silently declining.

"Oh…okay," Kate said sensing the distance between them. She rested her head against the seat, and then closed her eyes. Jack had chose to stay with her, but that didn't mean that he still felt the same way she did.

Sawyer debated whether he should tell Kate about The Marshall. He turned down the music as she slowly drifted off to sleep. He smiled back at her. There was no one he would rather be with right now. Dangerous or not he wanted to get to know her.

Jack tried to clear Kate from his mind, but he kept on replaying their kiss over and over in his mind.

Kate took his hand and he pulled her up. Kate placed her hand against Jack's chest as she stared up at him. Jack leaned closer to Kate, her eyes started to flutter closed.

Jack's nose rubbed against Kate's as he drew closer.

Kate took action. She didn't care anymore. She wrapped her arms around Jack, and then stood on her tippee toes to kiss him.

Jack seemed taken by surprise at first but he gave in quickly. He wrapped his arms around her small waist, and then tilted his head to the side so he could get better access to Kate's lips.

The moon disappeared behind a mass of clouds, and Kate and Jack continued to give into temptation as the crickets chirped, and the gently rolling waters of the river lapped onto the banks.

Jack closed his eyes and laid against the back seat. He kicked off his shoes, and then tried to ignore the fact that Kate had beat up a cop. He just wanted to focus on her better moments. Her kissing him, and then him rubbing her shoulders to keep her warm in the lake.

"Where's your shirt boy?" Sawyer asked.

"I had to use it to nurse the bloody face you gave me." Jack groaned.

"Sorry about that. I guess things got a little out of hand."

Jack glanced at the back of Kate's chair, "Just a little, by the way where is my wallet."

"Hold your horses, and by the way, what would your girlfriend think if she knew you were frolicking around like a stallion with Sweet Cheeks,"

"No one's frolicking." Jack replied sitting up. "So why did you come back?"

Sawyer glanced at Kate, and then smiled back at Jack. "This girl right here, what can I say I couldn't shake that kiss she gave me."

Jack scowled. He was going crazy, because all he wanted was to be alone with Kate. He didn't want Sawyer to be with them anymore. He just wanted to get to know Kate, know the truth about her, and then debate whether he would allow himself to fall any harder for her.

"Ain't she a beauty?" Sawyer said spitefully towards Jack.

(Break)

"Jack, I'm not what you think. I've done some things that I'm not proud of…"

Jack kissed Kate on the cheek, "It's okay, I don't care what you did in the past. All I know is that I am in love with you."

Kate looked down as Jack slowly took his lips off of her cheek. "We barley even know each other…"

"I didn't believe in love at first sight before. Whenever I heard people talk about that, I always laughed…because it's just not logical, unless it's a superficial attraction."

Kate blushed, "So are you saying that you fell in love with me from first sight."

Jack linked his hands in Kate's, "Well that would be a lie, because when I first met you we were being chased by hit men." He grinned charmingly.

Kate tilted her head to the side, "So when did you fall in love with me?"

Jack stroked Kate's cheek with his other hand, "After you saved me the first night at Hailey's."

Kate reached for Jack's hand with hers, and then leaned forward to kiss him. Kate pushed Jack onto the ground, and then got on top of him as she sprayed kisses all over his face, showing him just how much she loved him as well.

(Break)

Kate smiled at her dream. She was going to make Jack see that there was so much more to her, and hopefully make him realize that he was a miracle worker. Her little miracle worker, only Jack could help her move on after Tom's death, and she was never going to let him go. Never unless he wanted to leave, and then she would be devastated.

(Thanks for the reviews. You guys are awesome!)