Chapter 3- Tears for Fears

Kate kept on playing the scenes over and over in her head. First, she was with Sawyer in the car, and then they hit the cop. Then, he died in her arms. Kate shivered, she needed to find a way to break this cycle. She glanced behind her, Jack was sleeping impossibly close to her, and somehow he had managed to swing his arm over her body and entwine his hands in hers. Kate closed her eyes. Even after fighting with him, and trying to push him as far away as possible he still loved her. Kate loved this guy, and that's what scared her the most.

In that second Kate realized that Jack had managed to detour her troubled thoughts briefly. She sighed, and then squeezed his hand tighter. Something inside of her just wanted to confess to Jack. Tell him about the car accident, the body, and even the person that she and Sawyer had heard in the woods. Jack could make it all better because he genuinely cared for her. Kate adjusted her body on the bed, and then rested her head against Jack's chest. She was crazy, how could she want him so much, but at the same time want him to let her go. This relationship was too confusing.

Kate bit her lip. Relationship? Was there even one?

Jack stirred next to her, unconsciously he let go of her hand. Kate promptly grabbed his hand once again. She needed to feel safe, and contrary to her old way of life, she couldn't provide that safety anymore. Kate slowly allowed her eyes to close. She begged not to be reminded of the cops' lifeless eyes as he struggled to hold on. Her eyes squeezed shut, and then something more pleasant popped into her subconscious. She was now dreaming about Jack.

A shaky breath escaped her mouth at the thought of finally being able to give herself to him, all of herself, her love, her mind, and maybe even her body. Kate quickly opened her eyes. What the hell was wrong with her?

Jack brought his body closer to her. He was so close she could feel the warmth of his skin melting through her tee-shirt. Kate thought Jack was beautiful, everything about him. From the way he showed her his care, put her safety before his own, and constantly checked up on her to make sure she was okay. It was a little annoying at times, but deep down, she loved that he cared so much. No one had cared about her before Jack, next to Tom, so she still wasn't used to this.

Earlier she had told Jack that she didn't believe in Fairytales, and she didn't…but a part of her wanted too. Kate glanced at Jack once more, his eyes were closed, and he had the most adorable expression on his face. She smiled. A part of her wanted to believe in Fairytales, believe in this Fairytale with Jack, and believe that they would have a Happily Ever After ending. But since she was a kid, she had known better than that.

(Break)

Kate sat across from her younger sister Kelly. Kelly was sprawled on the floor doing some finger painting, and Kate sat with her legs to her knees glancing outside longingly.

Kelly looked up at Kate, "Are you waiting for Tom?"

Kate ignored her sister. She let out a sigh, and then wrapped her arms around tighter.

"Fine then, don't answer me, but I hope you know why he's leaving."

Kate turned to her sister, confusion was apparent in her alluring green eyes which had a tendency to change color. "What?"

Kelly looked around and then came closer to her, "His parents don't want him having anything to do with you…"

"What, how can you say that, you don't know anything, so just shut up!"

Kelly drew back and then picked up her papers on the floor. "His parents know about Him."

Kate looked down, "What does he have to do withanything?"

"Our stepdad, beat the shit out of Tom last time he saw you two together. But Tom didn't take that as a warning he still comes around Katie, you know how that man gets, when we don't follow his rules."

"He's not my dad! I don't give a damn about his rules…what is he going to do? Beat me, and give me a matching black eye like yours?"

Kelly placed her hand to her eye, "Thanks for bringing that up."

"How can you take it, you and mom just sit there and let him hit you."

"He doesn't touch you, why is that."

"Because I would kill him." Kate declared. "And I mean it, if he ever touched me, I would kill him."

"He'd kill you first."

Kate and Kelly glanced towards the door, where their step dad had just entered. "Where the fuck is Diane?" He yelled.

Kate glared back at him. She was going to see Tom, and this belligerent man wasn't going to stop her.

"Where is Diane!" He yelled again.

Kelly looked down at her finger paintings. She was shaking and visibly scared, but Kate showed no signs of fear. He stormed over to them, and grabbed Kelly roughly by the shoulders. She let out a choked scream.

"I said where the hell is your mother!"

Kate shot up, "Get your hands off of her!"

He turned to Kate, his beady eyes showcased a primal and bewildered glaze. His beefy hands let go of her sister. Kelly collapsed against the floor in tears.

"What did you say to me girlie?"

Kate fought the instinct to sink back into the chair. She was scared of him, but couldn't back down, and show her his fear, or he would feed on that. With shaky legs, she slowly stood to her full 5'5 height. "I said don't…"

Before she could even finish he raised his hand, and then with one swift movement, he slapped her. Kate was thrown back against the chair, her cheek burned with pain, and her neck ached from the sudden trauma.

She was shocked, stunned, but somehow she managed to get up again. "Don't ever…"

But he was too strong, and too tall. He gripped her by the shoulders, and then squeezed her arms so tightly that all she could do was scream. At the top of her lungs, let out the most blood curdling, painful scream she could muster.

He shook her violently. "Shut up!"

"Get off of me!" Kate screamed with tears in her eyes. She glanced back at Kelly and silently pleaded for her help.

"Don't you ever talk back to me! You think you're running this household huh?" He squeezed her arms tighter.

"Stop!" Kelly screamed.

He turned around with ferocity and then punched Kelly in the stomach. The thirteen year old crumpled to the floor in helplessness.

Kate's eyes widened. She raised her knee, and then jammed it into his stomach. He groaned, but the force wasn't enough to take the burly man down.

"You shouldn't have done that, you shouldn't have!" He screamed. His eyes bulged out like an angry cartoon character, and every vein in his neck bulged. With a violent force he slammed Kate onto the chair. She screamed as her back slammed onto the edge of the metal arm chair. She had to fight back, she had too. But her thoughts were silenced, and a great deal of pain overtook her.

As she looked back at him through blurry eyes, she saw a monster. Kate tried to scream, but he was punching her. She had become his punching bag. Each blow he delivered to her stomach hurt more and more.

He was killing her, and she couldn't do anything about it. Why wasn't her sister helping her, and where was her mom when she needed her, and why did Tom have to leave when she needed him so much.

"Get off of me!" Kate screamed.

Jack was alerted up. He let go of Kate with a quickness that he didn't know he possessed.

"Stop!" She let out a bloodcurdling scream.

"Kate!" Jack yelled. He could see that she was having a nightmare. Quickly Jack went over to her, he grabbed onto her wildly swinging arms. He clenched his jaw, as he watched the woman he loved scream, yell and fight in such turmoil.

"Kate, it's me Jack, can you hear me?"

Kate swung her leg outwards, she ended up kicking Jack in the face. Jack groaned as he collapsed off of the bed, and onto the floor.

"Leave me alone! I hate you…Ahhhh!" Kate screamed. Her arms swung wildly around her body. She tossed and turned like she was having a seizure, and tears streamed down her closed eyes.

Jack jumped up. His jaw ached from being rammed in the face by her foot with such force, but that didn't matter now. The only way to calm Kate was to get on top of her and hold her down.

"Ahh!" Kate screamed.

His heart twisted in pain at seeing her like this. Tears welled in his eyes. Something was wrong with Kate…something was deeply wrong. Jack quickly brought his body onto hers, His knees dug into the mattress as he tried to keep Kate from hurting herself, or falling to the ground. "Kate, Kate!" He said.

Kate screamed again. She threw her head back and opened her mouth so wide as she let out the loudest, gut-wrenching scream she could muster.

The door was thrown open and Sawyer barged in. His eyes rested on Jack's back, and then at Kate who was under him. "What the hell is goin' on here,"

Jack ignored Sawyer, "Kate, you have to wake up. It's me Jack,"

Sawyer quickly closed the door behind him. And then rushed over to Kate's bedside, he could act like he didn't care, but he did. "What's wrong with her?" He asked with wide eyes.

Jack ignored Sawyer once again. "Kate, it's Jack!"

"And Sawyer too!"

Jack glanced at him quickly and then focused back on Kate, who had suddenly stopped the screaming and fighting. He squeezed his eyes shut, and then took in a relieved mouthful of air. "She was having a nightmare,"

Sawyer's brows furrowed low over his eyes, "Did she say what about?"

"No," Jack slowly got off of Kate, and then affectionately ran his hands across her cheek. "I'm worried about her, she's been really jumpy lately."

"I'm worried about her too." Sawyer said glancing down at Kate. Once he realized that Jack was staring back at him, his face hardened. "What jumpin' Jacks? I can't be concerned about Sassafras too?"

"What happened while you'll were gone?" Jack questioned.

"Come again Doc?"

Jack glanced down at Kate, and then back at Sawyer. "When you and Kate went to get rid of Vinnie's truck, what happened? Kate was fine before she left, so something had to throw her off."

"I didn't do shit." Sawyer spat.

"How about you keep your voice down so she can get some sleep,"

"And how 'bout you stop questioning me Jackass."

"Why are you so on edge, I'm asking you a simple question." Jack leaned forward as if he knew something. "You look guilty like you're hiding something."

Sawyer smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know."

Jack sighed, "We're in this together Sawyer, you me and Kate, so I need you to tell me what happened."

"Like you can make it go away…with one twinkle of your magic fairy wand. Well let me tell you something boy, it doesn't work that way." Sawyer's eyes softened when he looked down at Kate. He couldn't help but wonder if she was having the nightmare because of what he had done.

"You like testing me don't you." Jack growled.

"And you like to test me, push my buttons, and expect me to report to President Jack whenever something goes wrong."

"We're finished here," Jack declared.

"I'm not going no where," Sawyer watched as Kate slowly stirred. She looked back at Jack first, and then sat up.

"Hi," Kate mumbled. She could tell by the expressions of concern on Jack's face…and even Sawyer's, that she had done something to awake them during the dream. "I'm fine,"

Jack placed his hand to his jaw. He was careful of the words he chose. "You had a really bad nightmare Kate,"

"I know, but it was just a nightmare," She dismissed quickly.

Jack wanted to reach out for her hand, and tell her that she could trust him. But he couldn't force her to give him that. He glanced down in helplessness. He didn't like feeling helpless, especially when it came to Kate.

"Can I make you some hot chocolate?" Sawyer asked.

Jack was stunned, Sawyer offering to do something for someone besides himself? Kate seemed to be shocked herself when Jack looked at her.

When Kate didn't immediately respond to Sawyer, he placed his hand on her arm.

Kate shivered, and then looked at him.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just wanted to know if you wanted some hot chocolate, I might make it too hot, but I'll put marshmallows in there for ya." Sawyer smiled briefly.

"Thanks Sawyer," Kate said hesitantly.

He nodded and then stood up, "Jack want some…ahh forget it."

"Actually I do," Jack replied.

Sawyer paused in the doorway. He had only been kidding. Well if Jack wanted hot chocolate, then Sawyer would give him a surprise to let him know just what he thought of him. Maybe a few lugies would do.

Sawyer felt bad for Kate, and he usually didn't feel bad for anyone but himself. He closed his eyes, and the sighed. The pretty girl was all bent out of shape because of what he had done. A part of him wanted to talk to her, and try to comfort her, but he knew that wouldn't work. Sawyer didn't do comforting, even when he knew something was his fault. Damn Kate, she had him on an emotional roller coaster all night. He didn't want to care about Freckles, but he did, and he hated seeing her all broken up inside like this.

After a few seconds of silence, Kate placed her hand against Jack's jaw.

Jack winced, but it was very quick.

"Did I do that?" She whispered. Kate was trying as best she could to put up a front. She didn't want Jack to worry about her anymore that he already did.

"Nah, I…um…I,"

Kate tilted her head to the side, "You what? Walked into a tree…and it scraped your jaw?"

"Yeah, it was a fierce tree." Jack said trying to muster a smile.

"I'm sorry Jack, I'll go and get some ice to take care of that." She stood up, but Jack latched onto her arm.

"I know I'm being the bad guy here, but I can't help but to worry about you. Maybe I am smothering you, but I care about you too much to just sit on the sidelines and watch as you…"

"I'm fine Jack," Kate plastered on a sugary sweet smile, that Jack could easily read through. "I was just having a nightmare about…The Marshal, I guess I was scared that he had come to get me."

Jack knew that was a lie, but he sufficed to her story anyways. "Not on my watch."

"And for the record, I don't think you're smothering me. I'm going to go and get you that ice."

Jack nodded.

Kate paused in the doorway and then turned around, "Thanks for keeping me warm, I was so cold before but…" She looked away, and then gave Jack an embarrassed nod. "Okay…I'm going to get that ice."

Kate walked into the kitchen. She was glad to see that Taylor and Chloe still seemed to be asleep. Her eyes closed at the thought of the painful flashback. She hadn't thought about her step father, and Kelly in so long. The thought almost brought her to tears again, but she fought the tears when she stepped into the kitchen with Sawyer. He was leaned against the counter, with a tub of Cookies and Cream ice-cream in his hands.

Kate forced a smile, "One of those days?"

"I could ask you the same…but I already know the answer to that sweetheart." He dipped his spoon in and then took a bite. "Ya can't go beatin' yourself up over the…you know."

Kate shrugged, "It's too sad to think about right now."

Sawyer walked towards the entrance of the kitchen and then peered around for Jack. "I'm surprised you're watchdog ol' faithful Jack didn't come trailing after you."

"How are you?" Kate asked.

"Me, oh, I'm fine, it's sunshine, and clouds on a rainy day over here." Sawyer smiled.

"No really," Kate said resting her hand against the refrigerator.

Sawyer handed her the tub of ice-cream and then the spoon. "Have some, it'll make ya feel better."

"Did it make you feel better?" Kate tested.

"I don't need no damn ice-cream, to make me feel better about anything. I'm good, I always have been and I still am sweetheart."

Kate dipped the spoon into the ice-cream and then took a mouthful. "I think I'll bring this back to the room with Jack."

"Yeah, you'll can have a girls' night out." Sawyer jokingly clapped his hands, "And you'll can talk about guys, cry over movies, and do each others hair."

"You don't have to be alone in this."

"Neither do you." Sawyer responded.

Kate looked away. She handed Sawyer back his ice-cream, "Maybe you need this more than me." Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out some ice-cubes and then wrapped them in a cloth. "I doubt I'm going to be able to get any sleep after…everything, so I'm going to stay up. Make sure Jack falls asleep, and then reflect."

Sawyer nodded, "I'm gonna fall asleep like a baby."

Kate looked down. "My conscious won't let me," With that she disappeared, leaving Sawyer behind.

He sighed, and then dipped his spoon back into the ice-cream.

Kate came back into the room with Jack.

"I think I got it." He said.

Kate looked back at him in concern. She lowered herself onto the bed next to him. He reached for the ice out of her hand, and then placed it to his jaw. In a desperate attempt to distract herself and him, she removed his hand from the ice, and then replaced it with her own.

"You just relax," She said quietly.

"I know something happened with Sawyer…"

"You're wrong…"

"Kate, let me finish. I'm not going to ask you any questions, but I think you're going through post-traumatic stress because of…" Jack looked away in thought. "Because of what happened."

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm fine." Kate replied, a little more forced than last time.

"I'm sorry I guess I was wrong." He said.

Kate knew that he was right. How else could she explain her dramatic swifts in mood, the fight she had with Jack earlier, and the paranoia that came with the flashbacks. "I'm sorry for waking you."

Jack shook his head, "It's no problem, I'm sorry about diagnosing you without any actual evidence, I guess it is the doctor in me, or the part of me that will always worry about you…even when you don't want me too."

Kate placed the ice away from Jack's jaw, and then held it in her hands. "You're all fixed."

Jack smiled back at her, even though he knew she wasn't fixed. Her smile was fake, and he could see the sadness behind her beautiful eyes.

"Two hot chocolates, and a hot chocolate with marshmallows," Sawyer announced stepping into the room.

He handed Jack's his first.

Jack didn't trust the hot chocolate so he sat it down on the press.

Sawyer smirked back at Jack, "Drink up, while it's hot."

Jack raised an eyebrow. He definitely wasn't drinking that.

"Buttercup, this is for ya." He replied holding a cup out to Kate.

"Thanks," Kate took the cup and then took a sip of the hot chocolate, three large marshmallows grazed the roof of her mouth. For the first time that night she felt a smile creeping up, but she quickly lost it. "Sawyer you put big marshmallows in here?"

"Yeah, five of em' darlin."

Kate smiled, "I guess I'll wait until they melt, and then enjoy the hot chocolate."

Sawyer pointed to Jack's on the press, "Doc, drink on up. I made yours' with a special blend."

Forcing herself to put on a brave face for Jack, she turned to him. "Don't drink that."

Jack nodded back at Kate, "I had no plans on it."

"Oh c'mon!" Sawyer exclaimed.

Outside he watched. Each breathhe took spilled out in foggy smoke. A sinister smile formed alonghis face ashe watched the three. The curtain was transparent, and the same blonde guy that hehad seen earlier was sitting in a chair, while the brunette was sitting on the bed very close to a dark haired man.

He gripped his rifle tighter. Soon it would be time to hunt.

His eyes then zeroed in on Kate. She was going to be first.

(Thanks for reviewing last chap everyone! It makes me feel good to know that you'll are still liking this thus far.

XxLauraxX, and Rain1657- I enjoyed writing the Germany scene, and it made me think how fun it would be to take them out of the U.S. but that might take a while.

Kballgetlost- Jack can obviously take a lot...at least where Kate is concerned...and this person in the woods isn't the Marshal, or Sawyer's "friends", but someone equally crazy...they have reason to be concerned.

Oct-Thanks for the compliment, and yes I'm a guy. And you are seeing a little "friction" betweem Sawyer and Taylor.

Thank you's as well to Sunny102, Cohen101, Angel, Clarkson04, delee, and Orlando-crazy.)