A/N: The time has come ("the walrus said") to bring this collection of my Jack-and-Kate-inclined brain meanderings to a close. Sad, as I've had a really enjoyable time thinking up and writing them, but happy as well, as it seems that LOST itself is giving finally giving us some future for the couple (whether for good or for ill). I can't wait to see what's in store – should be a fun time.

Timeline: The future. Could quite possibly be AU.
Rating: K
Disclaimer: In my imagination, Jack and Kate are mine and they get to do all the fun stuff that I think up. Legally though, they're still J.J.'s. Maybe it's better that way.

Jack found her on deck, right where he expected her to be, the wind whipping her hair around her face as she watched the island slowly disappear into the distance.

He walked unsteadily towards her as the boat rolled under his feet, still too used to the shifting of sand on the beach or the solid stone and earth feel of the cave. He rested his elbows against the railing when he reached her side and drew a long, deep breath before he looked over at her again.

"Hey."

She turned to glance at him and smiled quickly in greeting, but turned away too soon to stare back over the rail.

Jack traced a heavy finger across the railing's surface and let his arm brush against hers gently.

"I talked to the captain. He's decided that they're not going to take you into custody, not until we reach land anyway."

She let out a short breath through her nose, her mouth a hard line.

"They, uh, closed your case after you were presumed dead and opening it up again is going to take work. A lot of work. I don't think they're going to bother for now, you don't seem to present a danger to anybody, so..."

She only nodded curtly and continued to stare out over the water, her hands gripping the railing tightly.

"Kate..."

He didn't know what he was going to say. Didn't know how to tell her that it would all be fine, that they could get through it.

"You can't see it anymore."

Jack turned towards her, surprised to hear her voice again after what seemed to him like ages. "What?"

"The island." She pointed with her right hand, finger stretched out to the horizon. "You can't see it."

He squinted his eyes, but couldn't find anything in the choppy, grey waves and the dull sky.

"You're right."

For a second, he didn't know how to feel.

She sighed then; her whole body shuddering with the force of it and he let himself wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her in close until she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"So, Jack," she covered his hand with her own, her fingers cool against his, her eyes still unmoving, "Where to now?"

He leaned over to press a kiss into her hair and didn't answer.

THE END.
(for real this time)