Author's Note: Ok, so everyone who reviewed was so kind! Thank you so much for the nice comments! And, so, I decided to continue on with this story! What I decided to do was take events that happen between Jack and Kate in different episodes and have them reflect on what happened and hopefully talk through some issues…Won't be exactly consistent with what happens on the show, but I'm gonna try to stay pretty close!

Anyway, this second chapter takes place after episode 2.11 "The Hunting Party." Enjoy! And as always, read and review if you have the time! 

Disclaimer: Everything about LOST belongs to J.J. Abrams and his team.

As Kate sat next to Sun, sorting through the different seeds they had collected, her mind kept wandering to the day's events…and Jack, of course. She looked out at the sun setting across the ocean, knowing his silhouette was still there. Why do I always seem to disappoint him? But he shouldn't have told me what to do? He knows me better than that…especially since we talked by that waterfall.

She smiled a little as she thought about their time together at the waterfall. They seemed to finally understand each other. But that didn't last very long. Jack had been acting kind of weird. Was it because I was with Sawyer? But Jack knows I don't like Sawyer "in that way?" Jack knows I care for him deeper than I ever could for Sawyer? He knows I love him…But then she remembered that neither of them had completely shared how they felt, and so the tension that had been there before seemed to slowly creep back into their lives.

It hit an all-time high when Jack told her, or more like yelled, that she wasn't going to join the search party for Michael. Kate couldn't believe it. Jack had never yelled at her like that before. Sure he'd been protective, but he'd never stopped her from going. But was he being protective? He's been acting so…different for the past couple days. Was there something else wrong that he hasn't told me?

But Kate felt like it'd be useless to talk to him now. He couldn't even look her in the eyes. That painful memory of being taken by the Others after following Jack…and then being used as a bargaining tool. She'd been scared – terrified – but then she heard the leader talking to Jack. She knew everything would be alright. No matter how many times she had disappointed Jack, she knew she could always count on him.

He's like that – so faithful and committed. But when they uncovered my face and I saw Jack…the look he had…he looked so…hurt – almost like I had betrayed him somehow. And then when they let me go and Sawyer untied me, all he asked was if I was OK. He didn't even look at me. Even on the way back to the beach, he barely talked to me. I tried…I really tried to tell him I was sorry, but he didn't even forgive me.

As Kate glanced at Jack sitting by the ocean, so many emotions ran through her. She needed Jack to understand her. She needed Jack to forgive her. So, Kate excused herself from Sun and slowly made her way to where Jack sat. She prayed that he would listen…that he would look at her and see the pain she felt.

Jack sat in the sand staring out into the vast blue ocean thinking about all that happened that day. He'd been doing that a lot lately…thinking. Mostly about Kate. I thought we had worked it out. I thought we could finally trust each other. But after what happened…after what could've happened, I can't even look her in the eyes.

After their talk a couple days ago, Jack had thought him and Kate could have a fresh start. They had sat by the waterfall for the longest time just enjoying each other's company. Everything just felt right. But then that never lasts long. Kate went back to check on Sawyer and even gave him a haircut. I tried to put on a good face, but knowing that Sawyer has feelings for Kate, and Kate clearly enjoying his company…I felt like my heart had been broken all over again.

And then, he had blown up at Kate AND Sawyer when they went looking for Michael. He didn't want Kate to come. Period. Jack knew this could be dangerous and didn't want to risk anything…especially Kate. But a part of me feels betrayed, too. Why? Why did she turn to Sawyer again? And why did I let my jealousy get the better of me? Hmm, so I admitted I'm jealous? But it's too late again. It seems like it's always too late.

Jack thought back to when they finally encountered "the Others." He was scared enough as it was with that weird man standing in front of them, telling them that it was "their" island. Did they think we actually wanted to be here?

And then they brought her out. They brought Kate out, tied and gagged. Jack's heart sunk lower than it ever had before as he stared at the one woman on this island who made him feel like maybe he could start over and forget his past. But she had followed them, and they were all at the mercy of the Others now. Why, Kate? Why couldn't you just stay behind like I asked?

Then he heard that awful man counting and telling Jack he needed to make a choice. Does he really think I'd let her die? He heard himself say "wait" as he slowly put his rifle down and backed away. He could barely move and was still shaken up by the fear that had invaded his heart when he thought he might not be able to save Kate. All he could manage to ask was if she was OK…he couldn't look at her. Even on the way back to the beach he avoided her as best he could.

As Jack turned his gaze from the water, he saw Kate sitting next to Sun. She apologized. She probably thinks I'm mad at her, but how can I face her? I don't want to lose someone else who means so much to me. I'm sick of caring for people when they'll just turn their backs on me…like my father, and Sa… He couldn't even finish this thought as memories of his ex-wife came flooding back. Kate knows I care for her…but does she know just how much? Maybe I just care too much? I can't lose someone I…love. Not again.

Jack looked out over the water again. The crashing waves mirrored the emotions of his heart as he thought about Kate and the way she made him feelHe was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice the footsteps heading his way. Then his heart stopped as he heard her voice.

"Hey Jack."

Although he already knew who was standing right beside him, Jack turned his head slightly toward the voice.

"Can I join you?" Kate asked. Jack could hear the almost pleading tone to her voice, but all he could do was continue staring out across the ocean. Maybe hoping his silence was enough. But then she asked another question – one that Jack had been contemplating only a few moments before.

"Are you just going to ignore me forever Jack?"

All he could think to answer was, "What, like you did after that kiss? I'm not you, Kate. I don't run from everything."

Kate couldn't believe those words had just come out of his mouth. He was the one who wouldn't look at her…even now. Hewas the one who wouldn't talk to her. And now he had just opened up one of the deepest wounds in her heart. She wanted to cry, but managed to hold it in as she spat out, "Jack, how can you say that? I thought you knew me better than that?"

Before Kate could continue, Jack cut in, "Yeah, I thought I knew you better than that, too. But you're always full of surprises, Kate."

Kate couldn't hold it in any longer and the tears just spilled out. Did Jack know how much he was hurting her? But she wasn't giving up and she sat down next to him. Kate once again tried to get him to look at her and said, "Jack, we need to talk."

But he still wouldn't look at her. "Jack, please. Please, just look at me." She couldn't take it anymore and Kate finally just reached out her hand, taking Jack's face and forcing him to look at her.

And Jack couldn't believe what he saw. Kate's face was streaked with tears…tears he had caused. Jack had been so focused on controlling his emotions around Kate, that he had deeply hurt her in the process. As he finally looked her in the eyes, she dropped her hand and wiped some of the tears from her face.

"Kate…I'm…I'm so sorry." Jack's words were barely above a whisper, but he said them with such heartfelt conviction.

"It's OK, Jack." And echoing his words earlier that day she added, "I'm sorry, too."

There was a moment of silence before Kate continued, not wanting to let this moment pass them by. "Why didn't you want me to go with you?"

"Because I didn't want you to get hurt." The way Jack said it, it almost sounded like he had rehearsed it before.

But Kate wasn't buying it. "No, Jack. I don't think that's it. I know you've been concerned about my safety before, but this was…different. You've always tried to protect me, but you've never ordered me like that. It's like that conversation we had a couple days ago never existed…like we didn't understand each other all over again."

So she had seen through his answer. She had seen through his attempt to rationalize his behavior. Now he actually had to give her an answer. So he slowly began, "It's complicated, Kate. I don't know if you'd really understand."

"Well, I don't see a rescue plane, so I think we've got some time. Make me understand, Jack."

Jack sighed, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "When you asked to go, I knew it would be dangerous and I honestly didn't want you to get hurt. I shouldn't have yelled at you like I did, but I was stressed. I guess you could say that my past was haunting me."

At this, Jack gave a little smile as he almost repeated the same words Kate had told him when they had talked about their kiss. Kate returned his smile, encouraging him to continue. But he didn't.

"Jack, that can't be all?" asked Kate. "What happened to you, Jack? Why can't you share your past with me? Why can't you tell me something real about yourself?"

"There are some things that are just too painful to talk about, Kate. You understand that better than anyone." Jack turned his gaze back to the ocean and continued, "When we talked after the kiss – our kiss – it felt so good to know that we were on the same page. I know we both have a lot we need to work through, but I really felt like we would be OK."

"So did I, Jack. That's why I was so confused when you didn't want me to go. And after the whole thing with the Others, you wouldn't even look at me. Sawyer, of all people, was the one who comforted me."

The mention of the name Sawyer tugged at that jealous spot in Jack's heart and he inwardly winced. "Yeah, that must have been rough," Jack added sarcastically, hoping to disguise his pain.

"It was," Kate said, "Especially since I wanted you to forgive me and tell me that it was all OK." Kate had wanted to say that it had been hard because she just wanted Jack to hold her and make her feel safe again, but now didn't seem like the perfect time.

"I do forgive you, Kate," Jack interjected. "It was just so hard imagining you in one of those graves…like Boone or Shannon. No one is safe on this island. And when they brought you out, I realized that there might be a time when I couldn't save you."

"You can't save everyone, Jack," Kate said blankly as she stared down at the sand. Knowing that Jack cared that much about her touched her heart and her love for him grew deeper. But she knew that Jack wasn't telling her everything.

As Jack looked at Kate, her beautiful features outlined by the sunset, he felt tired. He just wanted everything to be the way it had been…before all the secrets and lies. So many people had told him that he couldn't save everyone and that he couldn't fix everything, but he had proven them wrong so many times. But the truth in Kate's words struck him and he said, "I know I can't. I've been realizing that more and more on this island."

"So much for fresh starts," Kate added lifting her head.

Jack let out a small laugh and said, "Yeah. This island doesn't seem to want us to forget our pasts." As Jack said this he thought of Sarah and how she had hurt him. He knew he was to blame for their failed marriage, and he had wanted to fix it. But she left anyway.

Jack wanted so desperately to fix the distance between him and Kate. But he feared that if he tried, he might just fail again – that Kate might just give up on him and turn to someone else…to Sawyer, maybe? None of his fears were vocalized and Jack knew it'd take time for that to happen…on both their parts.

Jack still sat, staring at Kate. She turned her head and those amazing eyes, so full of emotion, stared back at him. He gave her a small smile and she returned it, but they both quickly drew their gaze back to the ocean…back to a place where their pasts weren't constantly reminding them of their failures. Back to the crashing waves that seemed to understand that a fresh start might not be as easy they thought.

OK, so what'd you think? Was it a worthy follow-up? I decided to let their still be cause for tension b/w Jack and Kate as it seems like there will some tension for some time on the show. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this…God bless. Oh, there will be more to come, but it might be a few weeks as I'm starting a new semester soon!