A/N: This is a gross stereotype as anyone and everyone has written a post-Exodus, Jack/Kate, beach encounter. And now I have too, enjoy!
Timeline: After Exodus part 2. Actually being specific here for once.
Rating: K
Disclaimer: Mine all mine! Wait no… I lied. Characters and everything else belongs to J.J. and all the fine folks at abc. They're pretty cool.
She walked, pulled more by exhaustion than anything else, until she made her way to the shore and without a moment's hesitation collapsed, tugging her shoes off so she could soak them in the waves. She let the motion of the waves tug at her for a minute and then leaned back, letting her body thump against the sand and closing her eyes to the stars above.
It wasn't long before she heard him approach and settle onto the sand beside her. She opened protesting eyes and turned her head towards him, noticing the utter fatigue surrounding him, tiredness seeping out of every pore. It was a look she could only imagine he saw mirrored in her self.
He drew in a deep breath. "Beach is deserted." He commented, not wasting too much energy on words.
She nodded, affirming it. "Everyone gone to the caves, just like you wanted."
He looked down, away from her gaze. "I didn't want this."
She struggled to prop her self up on her elbows and then reached out her hand to cover his, waiting until he turned back to look at her. "I know."
He turned his hand to grasp hers; squeezing her fingers gently in a silent thank you and she relaxed, once again feeling the steady tug of the water against her feet. After a moment she spoke again.
"I'm still mad at you you know."
He grunted noncommittally.
"About the explosives," she continued, "You shouldn't have lied to me."
His expression hardened, the vein in his jaw suddenly becoming apparent. "I made a decision, one that I would do again. I don't regret anything."
This time she looked away and considered arguing the point, considered giving into her own hurt feelings, but she didn't. "I'll stand by my promise, I've got your back."
He nodded. "Good. I've got yours."
He shifted, slipping his hand out of hers and prepared to leave. He stopped suddenly, seeming to have remembered something and turned to her, catching her eyes.
"Kate… about Locke and the hatch, don't do anything I wouldn't do. Promise me." There was a slight note of panic in his voice, of fear, and she returned his look solemnly, slowly nodding her head yes. "I promise."
He took another deep breath, smiling slightly and reached out a hand to tentatively tuck a loose curl behind her ear. "Thank you."
He turned and walked away, moving to stretch out beside the old signal fire that was burning low. She followed his movement for a minute and then turned her attention back to the water in front of her.
"Jack," she whispered to her self, "What wouldn't you do?"
END.