disclaimer - i dont won thes characters blah, blah , blah!

He had hacked through log after endless log that day, not stopping for anything, he had to let the anger go – not usually a violent man, but Jack did have a habit of letting things get bottled up inside of him. He was starting to regret it now though, as he struggled to get comfortable in his make shift bed on the rocky cave floor, his shoulder muscles were killing him, and he knew that when he woke up tomorrow it was going to be a hell of a lot worse. Of course in order for him to even get there, he would have to go to sleep first, and tonight sleep was not going to come easy.

She had run for at least a mile without looking back and no idea where she was going. It was the only thing she really knew how to do and the one thing she knew she could do well. Just herself and the ground beneath, carrying her forward blindly into the jungle. Now as she sat alone on the beach, beneath the stars she looked down at her legs, scratched and red raw from the plants and bushes she had run through earlier, and she began to regret it. What was the point? why did Kate always have to run?

Jack lay still, glaring up at the ceiling of his cave, illuminated by the embers of the fire glowing silently just outside. What was he so mad about anyway? Hurley was right, he was mad at Sawyer, but then when wasn't he mad at Sawyer the bloke was just so dam annoying. But hearing his confession in the hatch earlier that day had annoyed Jack more than he cared to admit, it was probably just the fever talking or some sort of post traumatic stress he tried to reason to himself. But what angered him most was that maybe Sawyer had the guts to admit something that Jack had been wanting to admit himself for a long time now.

He thought about her all the time, he watched her when she wasn't looking and he lived for their conversations, she's what keeps him going. There was just so much he didn't know about her, and something was always holding him back.

And as he lay there, uncomfortable as hell, mad and angry with the world he realised that that the something holding him back was him.

He had just stood there like an idiot after she kissed him. But that look in her eyes, well he'd never seen anything like it after he just kissed someone, she looked absolutely terrified. Maybe it was a big mistake; but then they'd shared so many moments, like when she was so relieved he was ok after the cave in or when he brought her guava seeds – no they defiantly had something. 'Geez! I am driving myself nuts!' he said allowed to no one in particular as he got up, quite painfully, and threw on a t-shirt and pants, deciding to go for a quite walk to clear his head.

Walking the long path down to the beach from the caves in the middle of the night alone probably was not the smartest thing he's ever done. But he needed to see the ocean, hear the sound of the waves crashing along the shore and look up at the stars while his bare feet sunk into the sand. Sinking, it always reminded him of her, he'd probably never tell her that once shed explained the concept to him he began doing it too. and that in a strange way, whenever he need to think or relax it really helped, it made him feel human, it made him feel whole, it made him feel like in some small way he understood her.

As he neared the beach all was quiet, the survivors still living on the beach had gone to bed for the night and were tucked away in their respective tents and shelters. The thought crossed his mind to go over to Kate's tent as he passed it, but then what was he going to say. 'Oh hi yeah I was just passing in the middle of the night, like some stalker, great kiss earlier, sorry I stood their like a jackass, oh hey by the way, why'd you run like you'd seen a ghost!'

Yeah right he shook his head, he just picked up his pace and carried on towards the shore.

He headed straight down the gentle slope towards the waters edge, his eyes were focused on the moon, which was almost full and was high above casting a silver streak across the water. The entire beach was bathed in moonlight, but Jack didn't even look around him – all he could see was the moon and all he could feel was his feet sinking in the sand and the cool water lapping at his ankles.

From her spot down the beach Kate had seen a figure emerge from the jungle and make their way down towards the water, pausing briefly outside her tent, and then picking up their pace faster than before. She knew it was him from his stride; she could spot him a mile off. Dam what was he doing here, well certainly not looking for her seeing as how he acted by her tent. Well good anyways, because she really didn't feel like talking to him right now. She had nothing to say, she was embarrassed at how shed acted. She had no idea what came over her, she was so emotional at that point and he was there for her, just like he always is – but when he pulled her into his arms she felt so safe and so cared for. Like he really wanted to take away her pain, and when he'd looked into her eyes, dam why'd he have to do that – she just lost it, all the composure shed been working so hard to maintain, but she couldn't help her self, she had no control. She had to kiss him there and then, and it had felt so good almost too good. She did not deserve to have this, and she couldn't risk hurting him. So she ran, and now it was the middle of the night and her mind just wouldn't let up, she saw no reason to even attempt to sleep so she had planned on spending the night alone with her thoughts, although now she was no longer alone.

For a moment Jack forgot everything, his mind went blank and all he could feel was the sand and the water. He opened his eyes and for the first time took in his surroundings and as he cast his eyes south along the beach he saw her. She was sat about 20 feet up from him, the wind blowing her soft curls, her knees tucked underneath her chin looking out at the ocean. She must of caught him staring out the corner of her eye and she returned his gaze, offering him a small smile and a nod.

He returned her smile and then looked back at the water, unsure of whether to go over or not, fighting inwardly with himself, he desperately wanted to go to her and talk about what happened earlier but would she talk to him, would it be awkward and weird. No he didn't care, he needed to speak to her, get some sort of closure or who knows when he's sleep next.

Head down, he strode towards her, he looked up as he neared her and saw that her eyes were fixated on him, her hair was blowing back in the gentle wind and the moonlight illuminated her face, he was immediately transfixed, she was probably the most beautiful women he'd ever seen.

He sat down next to her, grimacing slightly as he transferred his weight to his shoulders and arms on the way down.

'watcha doing out here Jack?'

'Couldn't sleep' he offered simply

'So you decided on a midnight stroll through a mysterious jungle filled with man eating creatures?' she was smiling as she said the last part, which eased his mood dramatically.

'Uhhh yeah' he chuckled softly

She stretched her legs out in front of her and lent back on her arms behind her, staring straight ahead across the ocean. All was quiet between them for some time, each one daring the other to speak first.

'Why'd you run Kate?' he said softly, breaking first.

She looked down at her feet, seeming to be fighting a battle with herself finally she shook her head.

'I'm sorry Jack' she said getting up and starting back towards the camp

'Kate! Stop' he said jumping up to follow her 'hey' he said finally catching up and grabbing her wrist 'Kate, please…. Talk to me' he tried to meet her gaze, but she turned staring out across the sea again.

He closed the distance between them, reaching out to cup her cheek, gently turning her to face him, as she did he didn't move his hand and she lent into his touch as his thumb stroked her cheek softly. They stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

Then she caught herself again, 'Jack, I cant I'm sorry. I…. I just cant'

His hand came back down to his side slowly, and with a soft sigh he broke away from her gaze 'right' he uttered quietly, taking a step back.

Her heart was breaking seeing him so dejected. 'Jack, people like you don't go out with people like me, you don't even know me and I…'

'I know you Kate' he interrupted, ' I know that you watch over Walt when Michaels busy, that you gave Clare your hairbrush, that you care about everyone on this island, I know you're a good person Kate, I don't know what you did exactly but I know that whatever it was couldn't be that bad because in you all I see is good'

Tears had began to make their way down her cheek and she tore her eyes away from his and glanced away. 'I've hurt everyone I care about the most Jack, I couldn't stand to hurt you too'

'Then don't' he said taking a step towards her

His eyes bore into hers, and she couldn't take it anymore she took a step forward and closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his neck as he slid his around her waist in a tight hug. They stood like that for a while; neither could remember when they had felt so secure and safe with someone.

Finally, Kate loosened her grip and pulled back slightly to look in his eyes, her hands coming to cup his face softly. He tilted his head down towards hers and his lips brushed hers so softly she hardly felt them at all. A small smile broke across her lips, although he felt it rather than saw it as his lips were back on hers within seconds. Her hands combed through his short hair as their kiss deepened, and he pulled her closer if it were even possible. His tongue battled softly with hers in a seductive dance that they were both unsure of yet it also seemed so familiar. His hands roamed her back, and he kissed her like he never wanted it to end. It was perfect, Jack was so gentle, yet strong as he held her in place and he was kissing her like his life depended on it.

If truth be told it did, Jack was past the point of no return, he could never go back now – not after this, he needed Kate to breathe. Kissing her was everything he'd imagined it would be, she was so tender and yet still a bit rough as she pulled at his hair and let her nails graze his neck.

His lips left her mouth and she groaned a small protest, but was silenced almost immediately by him trailing soft kisses along her neck, she racked fingers through his hair and a small gasp escaped her as he found a sensitive spot behind her ear. Grinning now he returned to her mouth in a slow and sensual kiss that left her weak at the knees.

Pulling back and panting slightly, she cupped his face with both hands, while his rested comfortable on her hips.

'I want to tell you Jack, I want to tell you everything'

He nodded his understanding as his hands slid slowly up and down her back 'I'm not going anywhere' he said solemnly.

She smiled at this and kissed him, a short sweet chaste kiss, put she didn't pull back quick enough and he closed the distance between them again with one swift motion, his lips crashing down upon hers.

She wasn't sure who started it, but slowly without their lips breaking contact, they knelt down on the sand and before she know it his body was covering hers as they lay there beneath the stars.

now guys i could continue this, but i feel i must warn you - its going to get racy, do you think i should do it... or i mean it can just remain clean and innocent! let me know, and feeback positive or constructive is always apprecieted.