Over the next few weeks Jack and Sawyer took note of the 'others' routine whenever they let Jack see Kate. There seemed to be no way of following them and Jack had no idea where the hatch Kate was being held in was. He asked Kate and several other islanders about where they were but none of them had a clue.

Jack was beginning to loose hope that they'd get Kate back before she gave birth. If she had the baby whilst in the care of the 'others' then they'd take the baby for sure, unless Jack could convince them otherwise.

He was waiting in the clearing for what felt like the millionth time when the 'others' appeared.

"Listen," Jack said before they could move to blindfold him. "Could I ask you to cut me a break and hear me out?"

'Zeke' looked at him carefully.

"What?" He asked briskly.

"What do you want me to do for you to release Kate and let her keep the baby?" Jack asked. "I know it's rightfully yours, but if Kate is parted from it then both she and the baby are likely to die and I couldn't bear that so please… is there anything I can trade for them?"

'Zeke' looked taken aback and had to consult his cronies before answering Jack.

"You really want Kate and her baby to be free?" 'Zeke' asked.

"Yes," Jack said, hoping they'd make a deal.

"Then we want you," 'Zeke' replied. "That's the deal. The girl and the baby walk free but we get you."

Jack's heart sank. Not the deal he'd been hoping for.

"Ok, but that'll have to be after she's given birth because she'll still need to see me," Jack said, seeing no other way out of the situation.

"Right, ok then," 'Zeke' said smiling.

A while later Jack was explaining everything and what he was going to do, to Kate. She looked at him wide eyed.

"You can't!" She replied shocked. She had one hand resting on her now enormous bump and the other resting on the floor. Kate was now seven months pregnant and Jack was trying not to distress her too much, unfortunately he was failing.

"Kate, I've got no other option," Jack replied. "They will take your baby away if I don't and what will we do then?"

Kate didn't reply; she just looked at the floor her eyes shimmering. Just recently the simplest little thing could set her off crying.

"Oh Kate, look," Jack looked around hopelessly. "I don't wan to do this anymore than you want me to. But it's the safety of our baby we're talking about. I'm still working on it with Sawyer and if we figure out another way we'll do it, but until then this is our plan, ok?"

Kate nodded the tears falling down her cheeks. Jack put a hand to one cheek gently.

"We've been through worse right?" He said, smiling weakly. She nodded, not quite meeting his gaze.

They sat in silence for a few moments.

"Have you thought about a name yet?" Jack asked. Kate looked up, shaking her head.

"Had other things on my mind," she said whispered. Jack nodded.

"Sawyer, we've got a problem," Jack said once he returned. He explained everything to his friend as the other man looked on frowning.

"We can't loose the islands only Doctor," Sawyer said, looking around. "Anyone could fall sick. What will we do without you?"

"You'll manage ok?" Jack said not sounding convinced.

"Jack, we've got to think f another plan," Sawyer said.

"What other plan?" Jack shouted. "I don't have another plan Sawyer! His is it. We're going to have to face facts. It's either me or the baby."

"Jack, calm down," Sawyer said flatly, ignoring the other mans anger. "There must be something we can do."

Jack buried his face in his hands sighing. Sawyer watched him pondering.

"Did Kate say that the 'others' allow them out at night?" He asked suddenly. Jack looked up thinking.

"Yeah, but…" he looked at Sawyer. "You can't be serious?"

"It's the best chance we've got," Sawyer replied. "We can't afford to loose either of you."

AN: Sorry it's such a short chappie. Longer one next time, promise!