Chapter 16- Not Even A Kiss Goodbye

Kate yawned. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked around confused, and then slowly forced herself up. "Where am I?" Kate looked down at her hands which were resting on a light blue comforter. She pulled the comforter back and then swung her legs over the bed. Kate pulled her chestnut locks out of her face. Where was she at? She first glanced at the door which was closed, and then shifted her attention towards the window which was open. Crisp air invaded the room. Kate walked towards the window, her feet slid with ease against the hardwood floors. She placed her hand against the window sill and then looked out. All she could see for miles was fields of golden grain, and mountains in the distance. Kate closed her eyes. This place was beautiful. She turned around seconds later, and then looked around the room. A twin bed was positioned in the corner, and a dresser was slid against the wall. Kate smiled, she had to be at Sawyer's place. Her smile faded when she realized that someone had to be living here while he was gone, which meant someone else she couldn't trust.

Kate's eyes wondered onto the antique dresser, on top set a wash cloth, a towel, and a tee-shirt and boxers. She placed her hand to her mouth in order to hide her smile. Aww, did Sawyer set that out for her? Kate walked over to the items, and then collected them in her arms. Sawyer and Jack wouldn't just leave her here with a stranger. Kate opened the door, and then peered out. The house looked unlived in, the design and layout was beautiful, but the furniture was sparse. Kate looked around for the bathroom, she was so eager to get showered, and get out of the dirty clothes she had been wearing.

Kate opened a door. She was surprised to find the bathroom on the first try. The bathroom looked like the rest of the house. Beautiful layout, but nothing to bring it out. Kate placed the clothes down on the sink, and then stared into the mirror. How could Jack and Sawyer have kissed her looking so rough. After she had enough, of her mug shot worthy appearance, she pulled off her tee-shirt and then slipped off her pants. Kate walked over to the shower, and then turned on the water. She unlatched her bra, and then watched as it slipped to the floor.

The door creaked open, and Sawyer stepped in without acknowledging Kate's presence at first. He slowly looked up when he heard the running water, and his mouth dropped open when he rested his eyes on Kate's back, and then at her bra on the floor. Kate turned to him surprised.

Sawyer looked down, and then looked back up.

Kate covered herself with her arms. Her eyes were wide, and she was speechless.

Sawyer's cheeks grew warm, and he tried to tear his eyes away from Kate, but he couldn't.

"Um…Sawyer," Kate said softly.

Sawyer shook his head, and then smiled back at Kate suavely, "Sorry about that sugar, I was just lookin' for the plunger, I had a bad run in with the upstairs bathroom…and well sweet cheeks we'll just leave it at that."

Kate stepped aside so Sawyer could get to the plunger, while her arms were still covering her breasts.

He tried to cover his smile, but then gave up. "I'm sorry about that Kate,"

"It's okay, your probably not used to having…"

"Don't say women, because I had more than my share of women in this house." He reached for the plunger and then walked out.

"I thought you were never here?" Kate asked confused.

Sawyer turned around and gave Kate a half-smile, "I'm not, but when I'm here I make good use of my time." He closed the door behind him.

Kate placed her hand to her mouth flustered, and then leaned against the wall. Why had Sawyer been looking at her like that. She bit her lip, it really seemed as if he was attracted to her. She shrugged, but why? She was so different from the women he seemed to chase after. Kate then finished getting undressed and then stepped into the shower.

It felt so good to have a hot shower! Kate thought as she reached for a bar of soap. She had been so caught up with Sawyer that she had forgotten to grab the washcloth. Kate stepped out of the shower, she ducked down, because the window was open. Even though they seemed to be in a secluded area, she didn't feel comfortable yet.

Kate grabbed the washcloth, and towel and then went back to the shower. Where was Jack? She draped the towel over the metal bar holding the shower curtain, and then tilted her head backwards, so the hot water could gently sprinkle against her face and down her neck. She wanted to talk to Jack, and now that they were in a setting, which seemed somewhat normal, she could show him who she really was.

Sawyer smiled as he pulled a carton of eggs out of the refrigerator. He placed the eggs on the counter, and then pulled out some bacon. Right after he had carried Kate in from the car, and dropped Jack off at the bus station, he had stopped by the convenience store. He smiled at the thought of Jack taking a bus back to L.A. and leaving him alone with Kate. Sawyer had to admit that Jack was growing on him slightly, but Jack was standing in the way of him and Kate. Sawyer opened the carton of eggs, and then cracked one against the counter. Now that Jack was gone the real question was how would she react to him being gone. Sawyer then used his hands to separate the two shells, and then watched as the egg fell into the black pan. He wasn't much of a cook, but he was willing to cook for Kate, or at least attempt to. Sawyer cracked another egg, and then turned up the heat.

"Let's try and not burn em" He replied to himself.

"Hey," Kate said stepping into the kitchen.

Sawyer looked up and smiled. He turned around to face Kate, "My boxers look good on you."

"Thanks," Kate crossed her arms, and walked over to him.

Sawyer nodded. He opened his mouth to tell her that Jack was at the bus station, but then promptly closed his it.

Kate sat down at the table, "You have a beautiful house, it's just lacking…"

"A woman's touch?" Sawyer grinned.

Kate nodded, "You could say that," She crossed legs, and then leaned forward resting her face against her hands. "Sawyer, where's Jack?"

"Dear Old Doc?" He asked amused.

Kate nodded eagerly.

"I'm sorry sweet cheeks, but he's on his way back to L.A."

Kate moved her hand away from her face, and then looked back at Sawyer in disbelief and shock. "No he's not."

"Why would I lie, he's gone with the wind." Sawyer chuckled.

Kate looked down at the table. She bit her lip. How could Jack just leave without saying goodbye to her? She felt her lips start to tremble and then looked back at Sawyer.

"He had to get back to his girl,"

Kate nodded as if she understood, but she didn't. "That's okay,"

"We didn't need him anyways. All Doc woulda done for us, is cause us trouble."

Kate nodded once again, "Your eggs…they are burning."

"Oh shit freckles!" Sawyer said turning around promptly and trying to scrape the eggs from the pan with his spoon.

Kate wasn't going to cry. Crying got her no where, it just made her feel even worse, and it never solved anything. Kate slowly looked back up at Sawyer, who was dragging the pan of eggs which was now on fire into the sink. It was funny that he couldn't even cook eggs, but then again it wasn't because her thoughts were preoccupied with Jack. The guy that had got away. He had made a promise and she believed him, because Jack seemed like the type to always keep his promises, but this time he ran away without looking back.

Jack stared down at the engagement ring in his hand. He had been staring down at it ever since Sawyer had dropped him off one hour ago. He knew he cared for Sarah, but deep down inside he wasn't sure if he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, Jack closed his eyes. If he made a commitment to Sarah, then leaving her wasn't even an option. Jack was a man of commitment, and once he was tied down to something, letting go wasn't even an choice. Jack took the ring out of the box, and then ran his thumb along the sparkling diamond. Commitment.

Love wasn't something that came easy for him either, and maybe that was why he felt the need to settle down with Sarah. At 38, almost 39, he was getting to old to be wandering around looking for the perfect woman. Jack looked around the bus terminal, expecting any random cop to recognize him, but surprisingly no one did…maybe Sawyer did know what he was doing. Well partially, because he was still bent on taking out the boss, who most likely lived in West Virginia.

Jack had to clear his mind. He was free, from Sawyer, the drama, and from Kate. He should feel relieved, but instead he felt a knot in his stomach. If he had got a chance to know Kate more than he already did, there was no doubt in his mind that he would fall even harder for her. Jack closed his eyes, and tried to picture Kate sitting right next to him. She was cleaned up know, and the Marshals weren't looking for her. She was just like everyone else, regular, except for the fact that she had stolen his heart.

Jack looked down at Sawyer's jeans with hole's where the knees should be, and white tee that he was wearing. This was definitely not his style, but it was better than the shirtless, and black slacks combo he had sported out in the woods with Kate.

"Gate number 3, Honeyvale, West Virginia, to L.A. will be boarding in ten minutes," A lady announced over the speakers.

Jack had no luggage, so he was just going to wait to get in line for the gate to board. He looked around at the small bus station. Kids played happily with their parents, and a young couple held one another close. Jack looked down, He wasn't sure if he would ever have that.

"So this is your place?" Jack asked as Sawyer drove the car up a dirt road.

Sawyer nodded, "Yeah, I don't ever live here that much. So it's gonna be dusty. But I'm sure Freckles won't mind doin' a little cleaning for me."

Jack looked back at Kate's chair.

"So why have ya been distancing yourself from her?"

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"You know, as usual she's goin out of her way to please you, but you're makin it awfully hard for her."

Jack rolled down the window, so some air could circulate. "I…"

"You want to go back to your in girl in L.A. right?" Sawyer asked watching him in the rearview mirror.

Jack didn't feel the need to express to Sawyer how torn he was so he just remained silent.

"So you're gonna keep it all in."

"You don't seem to have a problem doing that." Jack replied, looking away and giving Sawyer no choice but to leave it at that.

After Sawyer parked the car, he got out and went over to Kate's side.

"And she was talking about my snorin', she sounds like a heard of elephants stomping across the desert." He opened her door, and then bent down so he could wrap his arms around her. Sawyer placed one arm under her legs, and then the other on her lower back as he carried her to the house.

Jack followed behind, alternating his thoughts between Kate attacking the cop, and then kissing her.

"Watch where ya step Jacks, there might be some beer bottles on the floor."

Jack frowned. "Broken beer bottles?"

"Both," Sawyer answered. After he opened the door, he turned on the light and then walked Kate towards a room.

Jack followed after him. He was just so used to going wherever Kate was.

Sawyer placed her down on the bed, "I can take care of her, she'll be safe."

"She'll never be completely safe."

"I'll do what I can." Sawyer responded.

Jack nodded, "Why are you talking to me like I'm leaving?"

"Because you are. Freckles and I don't wanna hold you up from that big ol' wedding you got to get too."

"I haven't even asked her to marry me yet." Jack said.

"But you're planning on it. Get away while you can…"

"Why do you suddenly care?" Jack questioned.

"I don't," Sawyer replied as nonchalantly as possible. "There is a bus station down the street, I'll take you there so you don't get in any more trouble with us." He then headed out of the room.

Jack sighed and then walked over to the edge of Kate's bed. He had made a promise to her. Jack proceeded to pull the covers from underneath Kate. She was in a deep sleep, almost in a comatose state. She was really tired, and if he left she probably wouldn't realize until his bus had already left. Jack tucked her in, and looked down at her fondly. Although, his feelings for her felt right, he had to make himself believe that they were wrong in order to make this decision easier for him.

"Bye Kate," He leaned forward to kiss her one last time.

"Jack," Kate whispered.

Jack pulled back surprised. Once he looked down at Kate he realized that she was still sleeping. He looked around the barren room in regret. If he left her he would probably never see her again.

"Gate 3, from Honeyvale, West Virginia, to L.A, is now boarding. I repeat Gate 3 from, Honeyvale, West Virginia to L.A is now boarding."

Jack stood up and walked towards the Gate. Did he really want his life back in L.A., or did he want to keep his promise. Jack stopped in his tracks and thought it over. Sarah was probably worried to death about him, she might even think he was dead. But then again what if the Marshals chasing after Kate caught her, and what if she ended up in jail? He could never live with himself.

"Last call for Gate 3 from Honeyvale, West Virginia, to L.A." The announcer called.

"How does these eggs look?" Sawyer asked showing Kate the pan.

"Are you sure those are eggs?" Kate asked half-heartedly.

Sawyer grinned, "They were until I burnt em'. One thing you will learn about me is I am dumb as nails when it comes to the kitchen. I always thought cooking was more of a woman's role."

Kate placed her hand against her cheek. She didn't even get to say goodbye to Jack, and that bothered her because she really liked him. I guess he didn't feel the same way. Kate stood up. "Is it okay if I go back to sleep?"

"Yeah, do you need anything from the um…store?"

"Yeah, some feminine products…and some scissors and hair dye."

Sawyer looked around, "Feminine products….and scissors,"

Kate leaned against the doorway, "Yeah, in case you haven't noticed I am a woman."

"No honey I noticed." Sawyer said smiling.

Kate rolled her eyes, "And I need the scissors and hair dye for you."

"Come again sweet cheeks?"

"I know you came here for a reason, and if you walk around looking the same way you always have then they'll know you're here."

"What makes you think I look the same?" Sawyer argued.

Kate shrugged, "I don't know, but I think you need a change. By the way would you mind picking up a broom, a mop, a dustpan, and some candles?"

"Candles?" Sawyer asked with mild excitement.

Kate gave him a small shake of her head, and then walked back towards the room she had slept in last night. She flopped down on top of the comforter, and then propped her head up on the pillow. It was going to take a lot of time getting used to Jack being gone.

(Hey guys thanks for the reviews! Not much happened in this chapter, the next couple of chapters will be about their relationship. Sawyer will be taking care of "business" but I'm not sure if I'm going to write a lot on that. And don't worry Jack is coming back…lol, peace.)