Whee. Part Three. Kate's POV. Finally some actual dialog. As always, please read and review. Tell me if anything is out of character or simply nutty.
And the usual reminder: I do not own anything that relates to Lost. All I do is play with the characters.
Spoilers for season two, espcially "Everybody Hates Hugo"
Enjoy! xo

He caught me coming out of the shower. Nothing but a towel. A short towel at that. I swear I was radiating red, talking slower that usual, trying not to stutter, but still dropping clothes along the way.

I thought last night was going to make things awkward. It didn't. Today's encounter? I can bet my money on it.

Last night, when he found me on the beach, in the rain, Jack walked me back to the hatch. When he took my hand, it felt twenty times better than rainfall. The best part: after walking for what felt like minutes (but really was 30 minutes in reality), I didn't feel numb.

Endless memories and thoughts disappear in the rain, leaving me numb. Jack erases, at least for the near future, the past leaving me feeling…loved? Cared for? Belonging? I don't know what it was, it wasn't numbness, but it did the job nonetheless.

Jack finally spoke about a quarter of the way there, "What were you doing out there, Kate?"

My voice cracked a bit, it felt like hours since I last spoke, "I was… thinking. About the rain."

The smile that looks like he's going to laugh but eventually won't crept on his face, "You like rain?"

I grinned, "Love it." I hesitated whether to add a "especially when it numbs me" but instead I said, "good childhood memories."

Jack nodded, but said nothing as we inched closer to the hatch, our latest issue. And silence took over. Jack just stared at the path ahead and me, back and forth for a few minutes.

Whenever he does that, stares at me, I feel like Jack can see right through me. I feel vulnerable, as if the worst of me is written all over my face.

BAD DAUGHTER. COWARD.

THEIF. SELFISH. RUNAWAY.

And worst of all,

MURDERER.

By now the numbness was almost gone, and coldness, with chattering teeth, took over. Goosebumps crept along my body. My sticking, damp clothes were doing their job: sticking.

I noticed Jack's stare, "You cold?" he asked.

"Uh, a tiny bit, yeah."

His hand let's go of mine. I absolutely forgot that I was holding onto Jack Sheppard's hand. Awkwardly he wrapped his left arm around my shoulders, pushing my slightly towards him. It felt comfortable and was easy to walk with, my shoulders fitting into his armpit. The height difference was perfect.

We made simple chat about the others on the island, especially Turnip He—Aaron, the weather and eventually food supply.

"We don't have anything to worry about, Kate." He said as we got closer to the hatch, "There is enough food for all of us for about a month. Give or take."

"It will run out eventually."

He did that almost laugh smile again, "Way to be optimistic."

I continued, whenever I am with Jack, I'm not afraid to voice an opinion, "We can't rely on the hatch for everything."

This obviously hit something, "And who or what should we rely on? Use Locke's theory on hope? Faith?"

We stopped in front of the hatch, "No Jack," I said, "Each other."

What do you think? Please read and review! I'll give you a cookie. :)
I have the next bit pretty much set (just a few random things to fix) but I'm pretty much stumped for what to do next. Any ideas? Let me know.
xo