Disclaimer: I don't own "Lost" or the characters mentioned in this story, and I also do not own "Life is a Highway" which is by Tom Petty.
Chapter 30- Life is a Highway
"We're not stayin' here to long," Sawyer said.
Taylor looked up from the dishes she was washing, her green eyes found Sawyer's. "I wouldn't mind…I could use the company."
Sawyer crossed his arms, "Where's your husband?"
Taylor smiled, and then turned off the sink. "Husbands are for fairy tales, all I have is a kid and a hell of a mortgage."
Sawyer nodded, and then raised an eyebrow, "A kid?"
Taylor smiled, and then sighed as she pulled her long blonde hair into a messy bun on top of her head. "Don't worry she's not your kid,"
Sawyer smiled, "I knew that pudding,"
"You looked nervous,"
Sawyer shrugged, "Nah,"
"So how did you meet them?" Taylor asked motioning towards the back where Kate and Jack were talking.
"Oh, hijacked him, and took her as my prisoner,"
Taylor placed her hands on her hips in disbelief, "Yeah, uh-huh, so what really happened."
Sawyer threw his hands up in the air, "Well tie me up and hang me to roast if you think I'm lyin, cause sunshine I'm telling you the honest truth."
Taylor smiled, "You really did that."
Sawyer nodded, "Yeah, If I could do it all over again, I would've left him, and just taken her."
"You two don't get along?" Taylor asked.
Sawyer scowled, "He's a jackass, he thinks he knows it all, but lemme tell you, he don't know no more than me."
Taylor nodded, "You haven't changed a bit."
"And neither have you…still looking as fine as ever Ms. Valentine."
Taylor smiled, "I try, but it's hard taking care of my kid, and working a full time job, while still trying to be there for my daughter."
"I don't know the meaning of working hard, and personally I don't ever want to."
"So you're still conning people."
Sawyer smirked, "I do whatever I got to in order to stay alive,"
Kate glanced over at Taylor and Sawyer.
Jack sat down on the couch. "I guess they went to high school together,"
Kate nodded, "Yeah,"
"Are you listening to a word I'm saying?"
"Yeah,"
Jack patted Kate's leg, "Are you worried if we stay here then she's going to get hurt."
Kate nodded, "We had a rough night Jack, what if they managed to follow us."
Jack thought it over, he had bags under his eyes, and he looked exhausted. "I don't know,"
Kate raised an eyebrow at Sawyer, "I don't understand how he can be so calm."
"He's calm, because he's just looking out for himself."
Kate looked down, "So what are we doing Jack? Are we staying here?"
Jack stood up, "That's what I am going to find out." He yawned and then turned to Kate tiredly. "We need sleep."
"I'm fine, I can keep going."
"Our car is dead, we have no other means of transportation."
Kate bit her lip, "Right,"
"Are you guys hungry?" Taylor asked walking over to them.
Sawyer leaned against the counter and watched Kate interact with Taylor. He smiled. Freckles looked jealous, maybe she cared about him a little bit after all.
"Or do you guys want to shower, I think I might have some clothes for you." Taylor said kindly.
Kate forced a smile, "Thanks, but I…"
"Take it babe," Sawyer said cheerfully.
Kate scoffed in Sawyer's direction.
Taylor smiled apologetically at Kate, "He can drive you mad can't he."
Kate glanced at Sawyer, and then back at Taylor, who seemed to be really sweet. "Yeah, he can."
Sawyer shook his head, "Why women always have to be teamin' up on me?"
"I'm going to show Kate where the towels, and washcloths are, and then I have to pick up Chloe from school."
"You have a daughter?" Kate asked with wide eyes.
Taylor nodded, "Yep, she's going to be in first grade, and she knows more than me…I tell you."
Kate turned around to look at Jack in concern.
Jack stared at Taylor in thought.
"It's right over here Kate," Taylor lead her through a hallway, and then opened the door. "This is wear I keep all of my towels and…"
"We really appreciate this, but we can't stay," Kate said as kindly as possible.
Taylor tilted her head to the side, "Where are you going to go? It's no problem really. I have two bedrooms here…I'll move my daughter Chloe in my room, and you and the handsome dark haired fellow can share a room."
Kate blushed.
"See it's settled," Taylor said with a smile.
Kate sighed. She didn't want to put Taylor's life in danger, and it wasn't the jealousy talking anymore.
"So, Sawyer tells me that he hijacked you two."
Kate smiled, "Is that what he said?"
Taylor nodded, "He's always loved telling tall tales. That Sawyer…his real name is James you know."
"Yeah,"
"Anyways, are you an item with the dark haired guy…I don't remember his name."
"Jack," Kate said slightly taken aback.
Taylor nodded, "Yes, he's very handsome."
"Oh he's not…we're not…I mean we're not an item."
"Sawyer said you were."
Kate laughed, "Oh really…Sawyer said that too?"
Taylor nodded, "Straight from the horses mouth."
"A horse? Well don't you ladies agree that I am a helluva lot better looking than a horse?"
"Maybe," Taylor said.
"C'mon now, that just ain't fair, now if you were talking about Doc then maybe, or maybe not, he more resembles a rat." Sawyer chuckled.
Kate scowled, "Jack doesn't look like a rat,"
"Can't believe ya don't see the resemblance." Sawyer said.
Jack stepped into the room with them, "Resemblance to what?"
Kate, Sawyer, and Taylor turned to face him.
"Nothing Jack," Kate said.
"Want some cheese, I crack myself up." Sawyer said laughing.
Jack stared angrily back at Sawyer, "Kate, I'm wondering if he can be serious for two seconds."
"I can be serious, when I'm messed around with, I'll get serious real quick, and no one should know that better than you Jacko."
"Hey guys, c'mon," Kate sighed.
Taylor looked between Jack and Sawyer curiously, and then raised her hands in the air. "I'm going to go pick up my daughter, make yourselves at home."
"Thanks Taylor," Kate called after her.
She nodded as she grabbed her keys and headed outside.
"To think I coulda been with her." Sawyer reminisced.
Kate rolled her eyes, "She doesn't seem like your type."
"She was back in the day, in a matter of fact we used to date until…" Sawyer shrugged.
"Until you went crooked." Kate finished.
Sawyer shrugged, "Whatever you want to call it."
"We have to come up with a plan," Jack said.
"Well welcome back to the land of the living, it looks like you're finally gaining your sanity back." Sawyer joked.
Jack ignored him.
"We'll stay here until we get some money. She lives in a pretty low key area, so…" Sawyer started.
"What about the truck…what if the cops have already found Vinnie's body in West Virginia, and then they trace his truck to us here in North Carolina." Kate questioned.
"Then we'll be the suspects for his murder." Jack said with a clenched jaw.
Kate closed her eyes, "Oh God, and the truck is right on the side of the road."
"Not for long, I'm gonna take care of it," Sawyer said.
Kate frowned, "Oh yeah Sawyer, how are you going to do that?"
"Did you turn off the car before it gave out?"
Kate shook her head, "Yes,"
Sawyer nodded, "Smart freckles,"
Kate scoffed, "Sawyer don't get smart…"
Sawyer placed his hand on her shoulder, "No, mamasita, I'm thankin' you, because I got an idea, how to solve one of out issues."
Kate stared back at Sawyer in disbelief, "What do you have in mind?"
"You'll see, after I take a shower…ahh forget it, I'm gonna get dirty anyways so, minus as well shower when I get back."
"Why don't you fill us in on what you're doing." Jack scolded.
Sawyer smirked, and then looked around, "Why, so you can tell me it's a bad idea hero?"
"No, because we have to work together Sawyer…contrary to your beliefs."
"I'm with Jack," Kate said.
"That goes without sayin muffin." Sawyer replied.
"Just fill us in." Kate sighed.
"I'm going to drown the car, fill it up enough so it can drive to the lake, and then I'm going to send it to its watery grave." Sawyer smiled. "Genius huh?"
"What if someone sees?" Kate asked uneasy about Sawyer's plan.
"I'm going to do it late at night, and this town is so backwards I doubt anyone will be out that late."
"What about the man that saw the truck, and anyone else who passed it along the highway?" Jack tested.
"How the hell should I know, all I'm talking about is getting some gas, so I can sink the damn car."
Kate bit her lip, "This is all crazy, what if I didn't turn off the car in time?"
"It'll work," Sawyer said, "I've been on this crazy running spree longer than you babe."
Kate raised an eyebrow, "No wonder you're so crazy."
"Crazy as a fox." Sawyer's raised his eyes suggestively at Kate, and then stared back at her with an "I want you" expression.
"Kate and I will get the gas," Jack offered.
Kate smiled at Jack, "Yeah…but we don't have any money."
"But Sawyer does." Sawyer pulled forty dollars out of his pocket and handed Jack and Kate ten, "The lake isn't that far away, when Taylor comes back ask her can you'll use her car to get to the station. I'm taking a shower."
Kate stepped back as Sawyer grabbed a towel. "Where did you get that money from?"
"It doesn't matter, wanna join me sweet cheeks?"
Kate shook her head, "No I'm fine go on ahead,"
Sawyer stared at her a while longer, and then headed into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Jack placed his hand on Kate's shoulder, "Now that we have some downtime, I just wanted to talk to you."
"Me too,"
"I lost it last night, I was seeing things, lets just say it wasn't one of my better days."
"I was going a little crazy myself," Kate offered.
Jack looked down, "I was so caught up in feeling sorry for myself and…"
"Don't worry, you were entitled to feel that way after…" Kate waved her hand, "That's all in the past Jack,"
Jack sighed, "I know I'm not going to be able to forget it for a while, but…"
"I'll be here,"
"I know," Jack said.
Kate reached forward to stroke Jack's cheek. "I'm so glad you're back, I missed you Jack."
Jack forced a smile, "I missed me too, I don't want to go back into that state, but if I do then just don't take what I say to seriously, because I never meant to hurt you."
Kate bit her lip, "You grouped me with Sawyer, not that I'm delighted at the idea of being grouped with him."
Jack grinned, "Now you know something was definitely wrong with me,"
Kate placed her hand on Jack's shoulder.
"And by the way I missed you too Kate."
Kate hugged Jack, "It's so good to know that I can always depend on you in the long run, you don't know how much this means to me Jack."
Ten minutes later, Taylor came back with her daughter Chloe.
Kate and Jack who were know talking on the couch got up, and smiled back at Taylor and her daughter.
"Chloe honey this is mommy's new friends, Kate and Jack,"
"He he," Chloe said bouncing over to Jack and Kate.
"She's adorable," Kate said to Taylor.
"Thanks," Taylor said watching as Chloe hugged Jack and Kate.
"She's very friendly," Jack commented.
"Are you husband and wife?" Chloe asked.
"Chloe," Taylor said in amusement.
"No we aren't." Kate said bending down.
"You look like it…" Chloe said with a smile.
Kate and Jack glanced at each other and then smiled.
"I like them mommy,"
Kate looked down, there was no way they could stay here, not with Taylor and her daughter, putting them in danger.
"Go on in the kitchen and get some cookies and milk, and then I'll help you with your homework." Taylor said.
"Okay, bye Katie and Jacks, can I call you that? Please, Please," Chloe begged.
Kate nodded, Although she hated being called Katie, because of her past.
Jack nodded as well, even though he hated the nickname Jacks, because that was the nickname given to him by Sawyer.
The door opened and Sawyer stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. "Got any clothes for a man Taylor?"
"Mommy who is that! He's cute!" Chloe squealed.
Taylor smiled.
Kate glanced at Sawyer and then playfully rolled her eyes. Sawyer was such a showoff.
"That's Sawyer," Taylor said.
Chloe's eyes widened, "Ohh…the one you went to prom with…the one who left…ahh, mommy."
Sawyer raised an eyebrow.
Taylor's eyes widened, "Oh…Chloe, let's go in the kitchen…and um…Sawyer, I'll be right with you."
"Oh um…Taylor," Kate said hating to interrupt.
"Yeah," She asked.
"Could Jack and I use your car?"
"Of course," Taylor tossed Kate the keys off the press, and then lead Chloe into the kitchen.
Kate and Jack headed out seconds later.
"I'll drive," Jack offered.
"Thanks, because if the police stop us and I'm driving then my adventure is over."
Jack opened Kate's door first.
"Thank you Jack," She said.
After Kate was in, Jack closed the door behind her, and then went over to the driver's seat. Kate leaned over to open the door for him.
Jack nodded in appreciation, and then started the ignition. He reversed, and then drove out of the apartment complex parking lot.
"We have to be the messiest fugitives," Kate said with a laugh.
Jack smiled, "Under regular circumstances that wouldn't be funny, but you're right, we got luck on our side so far."
"Yeah, we survived explosions, car chases, and gun shots…I can't believe it." Kate said resting her head against the seat.
"If it was me alone…then let me tell you I would have…"
"Turned yourself into the authorities." Kate finished.
Jack nodded, "How did you know,"
"Because before I corrupted you, you went straight by the book."
Jack grinned, and then turned on the radio.
Kate listened as the familiar beat of one of her favorite songs filtered throughout the car. She smiled, and then fought the urge to tap her feet and hand along with the beat.
"This is a classic," Jack said.
Kate smiled, "You like "Life is a highway" as well?"
Jack nodded, "Kate, are you kidding, God, I love this song."
Kate bit her lip as she smiled. "Sing with me then."
Jack raised an eyebrow, "Outlaws cruising down the highway with no cares in the world singing to "Life is a highway"…"
Kate turned up the radio louder, "It's only fitting Jack, how often do we get a chance to relax and have fun, just you and me…"
Jack focused on the road, "Keep a look out for cops,"
Kate nodded, "I have all my life."
Jack watched as they passed they're broken down truck. "You have to sing with me Kate…you can't leave me hanging."
"I wouldn't do that you Jack, Sawyer maybe…but never you…1… 2…3…"
Both Kate and Jack nodded there heads, and they're feet and started to sing along with the beat.
Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
There's a world outside every darkened door
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
Where the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
We won't hesitate, break down the garden gate
There's not much time left today
Kate laughed and then placed her hands over her mouth as she watched Jack get into singing. It was fun to see him relax and let loose. He needed this and so did she.
"I'm taking the drums Jack, watch out."
"Don't hurt yourself, I'll take the accordion."
Kate closed her eyes and pretended to drum her hands with the beat, "I always wanted to be a musician you know…oh here comes the chorus."
Jack turned to Kate, and she turned to him.
"We're acting like fools, but we need this!"
"Here it comes Kate, here it comes…."
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I want to drive it all night long
Kate turned away from Jack and started to rock back and forth with the beat.
Jack rolled down the windows and then tilted his head backwards, as the cool North Carolina air whipped past.
Kate held her hand out of the window, and then stole a glance at Jack from the corner of her, she smiled.
Through all these cities and all these towns
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love you now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights
Knock me down get back up again
You're in my blood I'm not a lonely man
"I'm letting loose now Jack," Kate yelled.
"Don't hurt yourself now," Jack said laughing.
Kate raised her hands in the air, and then started to shake her head around with the beat, her curly chocolate locks covered her face, and then blanketed her shoulders.
Jack drummed his hands on the wheel, as his thoughts filled with Kate.
There's no load I can't hold
Road so rough, this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Tell 'em we're survivors
As Jack watched Kate, he knew that he wasn't going to turn himself in like he originally planned. He stopped dancing as he watched her, she was being so carefree, and enjoying herself, he smiled. Maybe he didn't want to go back to Sarah, and just maybe he wanted to stay with Kate.
There was a distance between you and I
Misunderstanding once but now
We look it in the eye
There's no load I can't hold
Road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Tell 'em we're survivors
Kate leaned against the seat laughing, her hair still in her face. "I haven't let loose like that since…ever!" She placed her hand on Jack's leg as she laughed.
Jack smiled as he focused on the road. If they got out of this crazy adventure alive, then he had a really tough decision ahead of him. Sarah never made him feel like this, Sarah barely got him to loosen up, not like Kate. Jack sighed in disbelief, at that moment he felt as if he had finally found his soul mate, the one he wanted to be with forever, and it wasn't in Sarah like he had thought, but instead in Kate.
(Hey guys thanks for the reviews as always! School is starting this week, so I won't be able to update as much, but I will update as much as possible, because this story still has a ways to go! Also thanks to October Dreams for your song idea, I know I didn't choose the one you suggested, but your choice inspired me to choose this one…thanks a lot!)