Hey all! I'm sorry that's its been awhile since I last updated. I've been sick! Anyway, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own LOST (wish I did tho!) I'm a big JATE fan, so that's what this is, with some future CC and SANA. ENJOY!

"Kate!" Jack yelled, trying to catch up with her on the beach. She sure is fast, he thought to himself. Yet, she still didn't turn around.

"KATE!" he yelled again.

The desperation in his voice struck a chord with her. She slowed, but didn't quite stop. She didn't realize how much she had slowed until he felt Jack's hand grab her bicep and turned her towards him. She let out a short gasp at his strength, but she had to gasp again when she looked into his eyes: anger, fear, desperation but adoration and hope as well.

He wasn't letting go of her anytime soon. He wanted some answers to the questions that had been milling over in his mind. As he looked into her eyes though, he couldn't voice a single one. She was staring at him, as he was her, each looking deep into the other's soul. Kate seemed to have noticed this and began to struggle against Jack. He held firm. He situated himself against her and held her tight to him so she couldn't go anywhere.

"Kate…Stop!" he pleaded with her. She seemed to lighten the struggle, but only slightly. She didn't want to hear what he had to say. She was certain it was going to be derogatory about her actions earlier and she couldn't take it.

"Let go of me Jack," she stated rather calmly for her actions. He refused.

"Jack! Let go!" much louder and more forceful. As much as she wanted to stay in his arms, she didn't want to be there at that point in time.

"No!" His forceful response shocked not only Kate but himself as well. "We need to talk…now!" He wasn't giving up. Kate seemed to have as well, since she was still shocked by his tone.

"Fine," she started, trying to maintain her composure even though she could feel tears begin to burn her eyes. "What do you want to talk about?"

"You," he started, but then added "And me." Kate just stared at him.

"What happened back there, Kate?"

He didn't have to point back to the jungle or even mention it. She knew what he was talking about: the kiss. She remembered the feel of his lips on hers. She initiated the kiss, she brought this upon herself.

"Well?" He pushed.

"What do you think happened, Jack?" she stated right to his face, defiant.

"Kate…Don't start. For once, be honest with me." He saw her wince. He knew that she had been honest with him before, but every time he'd catch her in a lie it set them back. You know, one step forward, two steps back. He was getting really tired with it.

"Please, Kate. Just tell me what was going on. I need to know." He said, looking into her eyes, and then quickly looking down. He was still gripping her to him, and while he didn't plan on letting her, he loosened his grip.

"You need to know! Why do you need to know!" She was starting to get aggravated with this whole situation. She just wanted to run away, like she always did, but Jack was making it rather impossible at the moment.

"Yes! I think I have a right to know. You kissed me, remember? Or have you conveniently forgotten?" He didn't get a response from her. He pushed again.

"Why did you kiss me!"

"Because…" Kate couldn't answer. She knew the answer, but wasn't going to tell him.

"Because? That's not an answer Kate! Why?" His grip tightened one again on her.

"Because I love you!" Her eyes opened wide with that confession.

He stood there, stunned, his grip loosening once more to a point where he was barely touching her.

Kate's heart was in her throat. Did she really just admit that she loved him? And to his face? She looked up at him, to find his eyes boring into hers. He looked lost. She had just lost him, because she couldn't keep her mouth shut.

"What?" he asked softly. His breathing was irregular. Did she just say she loved him?

"Jack…I…" she trailed off, not being able to look at him any longer.

"Kate…" he spoke softly as he grabbed her arms again, but this time not to interrogate.

This time, he kissed her.

Ooh…to be continued! Please review!