Chapter 10- Undone at the Seams

"Kate, just let me check outside," Jack asked.

"Are you crazy?" Kate asked seriously. She could make out Jack's head turning towards her in the darkness. He made a move to approach the door, but Kate grabbed his arm and pulled him back towards her. Jack underestimated her strength, even though she was just 5'5, and weighed less than him, she was stronger than she looked, especially when she had to be. "Let me check it out,"

Jack glanced towards the door. Kate's words had went through one ear and out the other. He was forced to focus his eyes back on her when she dug her nails into his arm. "If someone is really out there, then they would've killed us by now, just let me…"

Kate stepped in front of Jack as she slowly inched towards the door.

"Kate,"

"Shh," She whispered. Before she could move any closer, Jack was right behind her. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and then pulled her back. "Hey…"

"Listen to me Kate, go back to the room and lock the door."

"C'mon Jack, you're acting like Michael Myers or some serial killer is out there, it's not that serious…and if anyone should go into the room and lock the door it's you,"

"Me,"

"I have to protect you." Kate said very seriously.

Jack looked towards the door once again. They had gotten sidetracked. The door creaked as gusts of air caused it to open wider and then close. "Protect me?" He asked with a snort.

"Yes…"

"We'll talk about this later, just let me check it out." Jack sidestepped around Kate and reached out doorknob. Kate was still behind him, but she didn't try to stop him this time.

"Do you see anything?" Kate asked in a shaky tone.

Jack remained silent. He stepped out onto the porch, the house was blanketed in fog, and the porch was slippery with ice. He nearly tripped, but Kate lunged forwards and grabbed his arm.

"Be careful," She advised.

Jack turned around to face Kate, her eyes were heavy with concern and Jack couldn't help but to notice a quick trace of fear wash over her face. He slowly eased his arm out of Kate's hand and tried to usher her back inside. "You said it's nothing to worry about right."

"I did but…"

Jack slid his hand down Kate's arm and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "Then go ahead inside and…"

"Did you take the gun Jack?"

Jack blinked in confusion. "The gun? What gun Kate?"

She looked away quickly realizing that Jack still had no idea about Sawyer's gun. "Oh um…just forget it,"

Jack raised an eyebrow, but he decided to leave his curiosity alone. "Go inside,"

Kate groaned as Jack forced her in. He closed the door, and then walked around the porch. There was no way Kate was going to let him be outside by himself. Not only did all they have bad histories with woods, but she was still positive that someone had taunted her and Sawyer about the accident. Kate looked around the darkened den, she needed a weapon just in case someone was really out there, but now she wanted Sawyer's gun more than ever. Kate didn't like guns, but she felt like they needed something to protect themselves, because they were in constant danger.

Kate heard something tapping on the window. "Jack?"

There was no response.

She quickly reached out for a lamp, and then she paused realizing how paranoid she had grown within the last couple of days. Kate took in a deep breath, and watched as Jack walked around the side of the house. He was still shirtless, so she knew he was freezing. Kate ran to the back quickly, grabbed a sweater for Jack and then ran out the door. She looked around the side of the house where she had just seen him, and then Kate walked around the perimeter. "Jack, where are you?" Kate whispered. She then realized that if someone was after them then they would both be dead by now, so maybe Sawyer, Taylor and Chloe just didn't close the door before they left. Kate bit her lip. As badly as she wanted to believe that, she did remember the door being shut earlier.

"Jack!"

Kate heard the sound of cracking twigs and the crunching of autumn leaves in the background. She jerked her head around swiftly and then stared out into the dark abyss of the woods with wide eyes. Jack wouldn't go into the woods. He had no reason too. Kate took in a deep breath as she felt her legs start to grow weak and numb from the 30 degree temperature. She didn't like going into the woods late at night, because she always thought someone was in there watching her. Kate winced at the frightening thought. What if the Marshal had found her? But if he did, then why would he sneak around when he could arrest her on the spot. After giving it some more thought Kate ruled him out, and Sawyer's "friends" didn't seem to be the game type of people either, so maybe she was going crazy.

"Jack, where are you," Kate forced herself to walk. She held on tightly to his sweater as if the piece of clothing was him itself. "You're scaring me now, where are you?" Fear registered across Kate's face when she got no response, she saw a flash of light ricochet off of the trees in the forest. "Jack?"

Kate inched closer towards the clearing. She contemplated turning around and running back inside, but what if Jack had went in deeper. "1…2…" With each number Kate took a step. The light flashed once more. It looked like a flashlight but she didn't remember Jack grabbing a flashlight on his way out. Kate shook her head as she stopped in her tracks. She couldn't go any further. The light dimmed.

Kate's eyes widened in fear, she turned around to run back into Taylor's house, but someone grabbed her from behind. She tried to scream but a hand was clamped over her mouth. The other hand tightened around her arm and she was pulled towards someone.

"What is that?" Jack whispered in her ear.

Kate reached for Jack's hand around her mouth pulling it down by her waist in relief. "I don't know,"

"Go ahead inside and…"

"Stop trying to get rid of me Jack!" Kate exclaimed.

"Shh!" Jack said looking back at Kate with wide eyes. He pulled her behind him and walked towards the area where they had seen the light. Kate grabbed his arm, and promptly pulled the sweater over his head. He looked back at her incredulously, "I think getting a cold is the least of my worries,"

Kate pushed her way in front of him. "Now that we're "dating" if that's what you want to call it, you're going to have to deal with this,"

"I don't see the light anymore, maybe it's just someone playing games, think about it…if they wanted to kill us, then they would've done it already."

Kate bit her lip, "Let's still go check it out just in case,"

"Okay," Jack replied hesitantly. He watched Kate from the side of his eyes and then shook his head. "Why do you feel the need to protect me, I can take care of myself and you…"

"We'll talk about this later," Kate said quickly.

They came across the spot where the light had been shining. There were no signs of anyone close by, and everything seemed normal.

"Someone was just playing games," Jack concluded. He sighed and then looked around for the last time. "I don't think it's anything to worry about,"

"Let's just go back inside." Kate suggested.

"On one condition,"

Kate looked down at Jack's sweater which was pulled halfway down over his stomach, she smiled and then pulled it down all the way. "See how easily we get worked up,"

"Well with everything that we've been through, I think we have reason." Jack placed his hands on Kate's shoulders, "No more diving in front of me and trying to be the hero,"

"And let you hog all of the spotlight?"

"What can I say, I'm selfish. Let's see if we can find the circut box before Taylor gets back."

"It's in the attic,"

As they headed back towards the house, Kate couldn't help but to turn around one last time. They stepped inside and Kate quickly closed the door behind them. "Go ahead upstairs, get undressed and I'll bring the candles."

"What?" Jack said with a smile.

"I was trying to alleviate some of the weirdness of this situation," She placed her hand on Jack's arm, "But once again I'm not skilled in the comedy area, so I probably just made things worse."

"I have an idea,"

"Love to hear it," Kate said softly.

Jack smiled and pulled Kate close to him. "I heard Taylor say that she and Chloe put up the Christmas tree on December 1st."

Kate nodded, she smiled briefly at the thought of searching for the perfect tree with her real father, and then her thoughts faded. "I stopped celebrating Christmas after a while,"

Jack reached for Kate's hand and brought her towards the room, "Grinch huh?"

"I had a reason to be,"

Jack turned to look back at Kate, but she gave him a nonchalant shrug. "Maybe our situation might remain normal for a little longer, and Christmas won't be so bad this year." He chuckled, "Well after nearly getting run off a bridge by the "mafia", getting a bullet taken out of my arm by a nail filer…"

Kate winced, "Our first real contact."

Jack shook his head, "No, our first real contact was when Sawyer handcuffed us together in…Hailey's house."

"I think I liked you then,"

"Did you?" Jack asked with a smirk. It was amazing how quickly they were able to change topics, especially after being so shaken up before.

"I went through a lot that day…we all did." Kate reached for a candle on the floor and Jack grabbed the matches on the press. "You reminded me of someone I cared about."

"Cared about, do you not care about them anymore?" Jack struck the match against the box. An orange spark illuminated the room and flickered around as Kate brought the candle closer.

"He's dead,"

"Tom?"

Kate closed her eyes. "I know I brought it up but…"

Jack immediately sensed that Kate wanted to change the topic. "Tell me when you're ready, let's go find the circuit box, and then paint some Christmas ornaments."

"Paint some Christmas ornaments?"

"I figure that if Taylor is letting us stay here until we get back on our feet then the least we can do is make some ornaments for the tree, because we can't exactly pay her back yet."

"I know," Kate made her way towards the attic with the candle in hand while Jack followed close behind. "Is the door locked?"

"I locked it before we went to get the candle,"

Kate smiled, "Good,"

They took the stairs to the attic, and then Kate took Jack to the circuit box. Jack opened the box, and started to play around with the switches. A couple of seconds later the house was bathed in soft yellow light.

Kate blew out the candle. "Oh wow,"

"What?" Jack closed the circuit box and turned around to survey the attic, he stepped back in surprise. The floor was covered with boxes of small glass ornaments, and Styrofoam balls. "How big is the tree?"

Kate laughed, "I'll do one."

"You will?"

She nodded and then lowered herself onto the floor. "Just one," Kate reached for two Styrofoam balls, she handed one to Jack and then kept one for herself. "Glitter, paint or…"

"Lace," Jack teased.

"Lace? Where?"

Jack reached out and traced his fingers along Kate's shoulder. "Right there,"

Kate smiled, "Forget the Christmas ornaments, we can worry about that after Thanksgiving, I want to do something else."

"Me too," Jack planted his hands against the floor and leaned in to kiss Kate. She accepted immediately wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "Did you want me to check outside one last time?"

"No, I just want you to stay right here," Kate said slipping her hands inside Jack's sweater and squeezing his sides, "I don't want to think about anyone playing tricks, or lights in the woods…I just want to focus on us."

Jack looked up. "Maybe I should check one last time."

"Not unless you want me to tie you up in the attic so I can monitor your every move."

Jack focused back on Kate with a charming smile, "Tie me up in the attic, while watching my every move, what kind of game are we playing?"

Kate smiled and placed her forehead against Jack's. She looked deep into his eyes and then leaned forward to steal a kiss. "I could go for another round,"

"I could go for three more rounds."

Kate's mouth dropped and she narrowed her eyes back at Jack as she shook her head. "We should've waited, because now…" She looked down and then started to work Jack's sweater over his head.

He grinned foolishly and then raised his arms. Kate leaned in closer and successfully pulled off the sweater.

"I have an idea. When I was a kid I used to lock myself up in my room hours at a time to paint, because I used to love painting, and it also relieved a lot of stress,"

Jack nodded. He listened to Kate as she spoke vividly about her love for painting. "I would've never guessed that you like to paint."

"I used too, but I haven't in a couple of years, well obviously because my lifestyle doesn't exactly give me vacation breaks." Kate laughed, "So can I paint you?"

"Sure,"

Kate tickled Jack's stomach. "Your body is going to be my canvas though."

Sawyer found himself bringing Taylor closer to him. He leaned forward and his eyes closed. The waves crashed onto the sand and sprayed droplets of sea water onto them. Sawyer clutched on tighter to Taylor's lavender coat as his nose rubbed against hers. He knew he shouldn't kiss her, because she was the last woman he wanted to lead on. Taylor was too sweet, he would corrupt her, and not only that, but he wasn't staying in North Carolina. Sawyer's troubled thoughts were silenced when Taylor placed her hands against his face. He opened his mouth to tell her not to kiss him, but it was too late. Her lips were soft, and inviting, and immediately he wanted more. Sawyer wasn't used to her kisses, soft and tender, and filled with love. That should've been enough motivation for him to push her away. Taylor honestly cared about him, and Sawyer didn't want to waste her time. With shaking hands he reached for her shoulder. "We should stop…"

She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I'm sorry I just…"

"Forget it, I…" Sawyer looked down at his shoes, "I'm not a relationship kinda guy sweetheart."

"I know that, I just got so wrapped up in…" She blushed, "I'm so embarrassed, I'm sorry Sawyer."

"Don't be sorry," He grabbed onto her coat tighter. Once Sawyer realized that she had let him go, but he was still holding onto her he loosened his grip. "It's not your fault…" He searched around for a cocky comment, "It's not your fault that I have that effect on women, what can I say except for the fact that I'm mouth-watering."

Taylor nodded in embarrassment; she looked down as a gust of wind blew her hair out of place.

Sawyer clenched his jaw. He liked Taylor, but if he had it his way then she would never know that. "I think we should head back."

"Yeah," Taylor added quickly. She seemed to be debating whether she should say something or not. Her mouth opened and then she looked away.

"What d'ya got to say?"

"Oh nothing,"

"It's right on the tip of you're tongue, you know it."

Taylor waved it off, "Chloe, are you ready to go?"

"Are you and Sawyer ready," Chloe yelled back. She had obviously seen the brief kiss between her mother and Sawyer.

"Yes," Taylor answered quickly. She signaled for Chloe to join them and then turned around to head back to the truck.

Sawyer closed his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. A chilly breeze blew past snapping him back to his senses. Sawyer looked up to the sky, the moon beamed down with a radiant light down onto the Atlantic and the damp sand. He shook his head as he trudged towards the truck. Taylor turned around.

Sawyer stopped where he stood.

"I don't want things to be weird between us because of that, and don't go leaving right away because I scared you off."

Sawyer felt as if he needed to say another smart comment, anything to shield the side of him that did give a damn, and liked Taylor despite how he acted on the outside. But all he could muster was a shrug. "Don't sweat it Goldilocks, if we're bein' entirely honest here, then I've had better,"

Taylor looked away. She then looked back at Sawyer with a smile.

Sawyer could read her from here. He had hurt her, and she didn't want him to know that. Sawyer looked away. "Some people are incapable of love."

Chloe ran over to Taylor and grabbed onto her hand. "Mommy, it's cold! Can I please go turn on the car, put on the heat, and put in my favorite Christmas CD?"

Sawyer scoffed, "Christmas CD! Taylor tell me the kid is kidding."

Taylor handed Chloe the keys and then looked back at Sawyer in disappointment. "You'll love Christmas by the time we're done with you." Chloe said clapping her hands and then pointing at Sawyer. "Even the grinch turned good at the end of How The Grinch stole Christmas,"

"Well this grinch is hardcore darling." Sawyer commented simply.

"No you're a teddy bear," Chloe retorted sweetly. Taylor placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder, "What mommy, did Sawyer tell you about the time he read to me?"

"No," Taylor said raising an eyebrow and then turning towards Sawyer in confusion and disbelief.

"I did not!" Sawyer protested.

"He did, and I didn't have anymore nightmares that night, and he even tucked me in." Chloe nodded her head with every word. She then turned around and ran back towards the car with her curls bouncing behind her.

Sawyer grimaced. "Pollyanna's telling you a lie, I never read to her."

"It's okay," Taylor smiled. She placed her hand over her mouth in order to shield the smile that was washing over her face. A laugh escaped, and Taylor's eyes widened. "I'm sorry,"

Sawyer raised his hands in the air, "What's so funny? You laughin' at me? What did I do?"

Taylor fanned herself, and then fixed her baby blue eyes back on Sawyer, "I think that's cute, you read to my daughter,"

"First of all I don't do cute…Second of all why are you still laughing at me woman?"

"I'm not laughing at you, I just…" Taylor wiped at some tears in her eyes. "I see you,"

"I hope you do, because I'm standing right here."

"Of course you are, I'm sorry about kissing you earlier, I just saw something in you for a second that reminded me of…" Taylor paused, "Reminded me of how you used to be, and how you probably still are behind all that gruff, anger, and pain."

"Done yet doll, 'Cause I'm tired, and all I want to do is close my eyes and crash onto my foldout bed."

"I'm finished,"

"Good," Sawyer walked past her. He turned around once he realized that Taylor was still standing in the same position looking down the beach. "You waiting for me to carry you back to the car or somethin?"

"No, of course not," Taylor snapped out of it and joined Sawyer. "I was just thinking about Thanksgiving,"

"What about it,"

"Usually we eat over at Cecile's house, Chloe's babysitter, but I guess we can't do that this year."

Sawyer looked down.

"They still haven't found her son, it's been a couple of weeks now." Taylor shook her head and then opened the driver's door. "Chloe we're going to see Cecile on Thanksgiving," Taylor said as she turned down Jingle Bell Rock on the radio.

Chloe nodded as she sung along.

"One problem beautiful, Jack, Kate and I can't go with you." Sawyer said.

Taylor placed her arm on the back of Sawyer's chair as she reversed out of the parking lot, a long strand of his hair caught in the Velcro cuff of her sleeve.

"Oww," He groaned.

"Oh I'm sorry," She shifted the gear back into park and then turned her arm slightly so she could gently free Sawyer's hair. "Did you want to get a haircut?"

"By you," He said sarcastically.

"Not necessarily, I know a guy in Nags Head that cuts hair, and I could give him a call if you want."

"I don't need anyone to cut my hair,"

"If it gets any longer, I'll be able to call you Tarzan."

Sawyer narrowed his eyes at Taylor, "Real cute,"

"I was just trying to make you smile,"

Kate tied her long chocolate locks up behind her head in a high ponytail. On one side of her was a small cup of water and on the other side was a tray of paints. She dipped the thin black brush she held in her hand in the water, and then sought out a shade of yellow. "You can't look,"

Jack rested his hands behind his head, and sat up straighter. He shivered as the paint touched his muscles. "That's cold,"

Kate smiled, "I'll warm you up afterwards,"

He grinned almost a little too excitedly, "I hope I get to paint you next."

Kate looked back at Jack with a devious glint in her sparkling green eyes. She kept his gaze as she trailed the paint across his chest and then down his happy trail stopping right above his belt.

Jack licked his lips.

Kate laughed.

"What?"

"Are you trying to be sexy?" She teased.

"Try? I thought I…" Jack shook his head, "You don't expect me to answer that question do you?"

Kate tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she dipped the paintbrush back into the water. She gave the brush a quick shake and then twirled the paint around in a glob of purple. "If I didn't think you were sexy then why else would I still be here?" Kate leaned the paintbrush closer to Jack's stomach, and then traced in big and uneven strokes. Kate's property.

Jack looked down, "Is that right?"

She placed her hand to his forehead and gently pushed his head back, "I thought I told you not to look."

"Sorry,"

"Uh huh," Kate traced her hands along the purple paint smearing the K in her name and then trailed her hand upwards leaving a purple streak all the way up to his chin.

"Are you marking me too?"

Kate nodded, "Yes," She tapped his chin twice leaving two purple marks right below his lips and then lowered her mouth onto his. Jack's breath caressed her cheek as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Kate pushed him back, "I'm not finished yet,"

Jack opened his eyes obviously still wanting more of her kisses. He sighed and then reached for the paint brush which Kate had dropped earlier and placed it back in her hand. "I'm your canvas,"

"A canvas that is perfect for relieving all of my worrying, stress, and troubles to." Kate glanced up at the ceiling and then nodded as she realized what she wanted to paint.

Minutes later Kate had left a painting of an island with palm trees, the sun, calm waves and two dots on the beach. "This is my dream."

Jack looked down at the quickly done painting of an island. Before he could get a good enough look Kate smeared the entire painting with her hands. "Hey, I was…"

Jack's mouth dropped in pleasure at Kate massaged the paint over his stomach and then his chest. Her hands created an electric like friction as she grabbed, pinched and massaged the paint into the hairs on his skin. Her hands traveled up to his face as she brought herself onto him. She squeezed his cheeks blurs of orange and green were left behind, and then Kate moved her hands up into Jack's hair.

Jack's stomach rose against Kate's as she leaned in closer to him. Her face inches away from his and her hands entwining the paint in between his scalp. "I'm going to need a shower after this,"

Kate licked the edge of Jack's nose, "We could arrange that,"

Jack sighed and moved his head downwards, trailing kisses against Kate's collarbone and then on her neck, gently sucking at her skin. "You're irresistible, you know that,"

Kate let out a low moan as she felt Jack wrap his hands around her waist as he flipped her over him. "We can't…"

Jack sloppily kissed Kate's mouth.

She dug her nails into his back.

Jack kissed her harder with pleasure. "We're not going to…"

Kate nodded, "They could come back anytime,"

Jack lifted up Kate's shirt and then trailed his hands around her stomach. He smiled back at her as he looked down at her belly button. "It's my turn,"

Kate bit her lip as she watched Jack draw circles around her navel. His touch caused shivers to run down her spine. And she couldn't help but to reach out for his shoulders as he lowered his mouth onto her stomach. Kate released one hand from around his shoulder and placed it to her mouth. Jack kissed her stomach playfully and gently bit at her skin. "You shouldn't do that," Kate replied with flushed cheeks.

"Why not?" Jack asked looking up at her with temptation as he lowered his mouth back onto her stomach.

"Because you're making me want to pick you up, drag you to the room, and then have my way with you," Kate said with a smile.

Jack planted his hands against the floor and brought himself up. He looked down at his chest which was smothered with paint, along with his arms, and he could only imagine what his face looked like. Jack reached for the brush and then lowered himself back down. His chin rested on top of her thigh as he traced the paintbrush with even strokes against Kate's firm stomach. "I'm drawing you and me."

"How cute," Kate smirked.

"Not really," Jack replied two minutes later. "My head is a little too big, and your eyes are way too large, it's pretty ugly actually," Jack said placing down the brush. He pulled up Kate's shirt a little further and then redirected his eyes towards her. "I'm not much of an artist,"

"It's going to take forever to get that paint out of your hair," Kate replied as she dipped her hands in some blue paint. "But I'll help after I have a little more fun with you…since you're my study for the night,"

Jack grinned as Kate pushed him onto his back and crawled on top of him, moving her hands upwards very slowly. His eyes closed as she placed a hand covered with blue paint on his cheek and moved her mouth towards his ear. "You're delicious,"

Jack was turned on.

Kate wrinkled her nose back at him cutely. "Why is it that I can't seem to behave myself around you?" Before he could respond Kate traced his lips with hers, teasing him, by moving her lips away and then bringing them back onto his.

Jack stroked her cheek, and then traced the freckles that graced her face. "If we don't stop now then you're about to be my dessert."

Kate grinned, "Who's objecting?"

Chloe jumped out of the car. "Sawyer are you going to read me another story tonight?"

"Not tonight rugrat." He closed the car door and walked towards the house. Sawyer reached for the doorknob and was surprised to find that it was open. He shook his head. "If I fall asleep before you, make sure the door is locked," Sawyer said to Chloe.

Chloe nodded, "I always do, so the boogeyman doesn't come in."

Sawyer smirked, "Uh huh, didn't your mama tell you that there is no such thing as the boogeyman, go on inside."

"Yes there is," Chloe said with a nod.

Sawyer glanced towards the car where Taylor was still sitting inside. "Unless you're talking about Jack, then I don't know of any other boogeyman."

"Jack's not scary!" Chloe exclaimed.

Sawyer wasn't going to argue with Chloe, because he knew the kid had a mouth on her like a grown woman. He placed his hand on her back and ushered her inside. "Go watch Sesame Street or Barney…or whatever you kids do."

Chloe turned around and walked into the kitchen. Sawyer looked after Taylor, he peered into the car to see what she was doing, and then decided to go inside after he realized that she was on the phone. Sawyer kicked off his shoes at the door, and made a beeline straight for the attic. He needed to be by himself for a little while and figure out how he was going to deal with the fact that he had just kissed Taylor. As Sawyer took the stairs he frowned at the thought of Jack and Kate, and what they were probably doing. He wouldn't put it past Jack to write some sappy ass poem for Kate, read it too her while they were surrounded by candles, and then beg her to spoon with him until the morning. Sawyer was finally starting to get over Kate, and he was glad, because he needed to let Kate go like a lot of things in his life.

Sawyer raised an eyebrow when he realized that the light was on in the attic and the door was halfway closed. Without hesitating he placed his hand against the door, and cracked it open. Sawyer looked between the small opening and his mouth dropped. Both Kate and Jack were sprawled on the floor in a compromising position. Paint was all over their bodies and Jack was shirtless. He clenched his jaw. Why the hell did he care? Sawyer felt his fists clench in anger, and adrenaline pump through his veins. His expression twisted into one of rage. Sawyer turned around and walked away. The kiss he had shared with Taylor earlier was now forgotten to him, and now all he could think about was Jack and Kate all over each other.

"I'm making you some cookies," Chloe said looking away from the television.

Sawyer ignored Chloe as he stepped into Taylor's room and slammed the door behind him.

Taylor stepped out of the car. She watched in surprise as a man walked out of the woods towards her. Cautiously she backed closer towards the house, but still retained a pleasant expression on her face. "Can I help you?"

He shook his head, "Actually you can, I was shooting some deer in the woods, and I found something."

Taylor nodded waiting for him to continue. He stared back at her blankly making her feel slightly uncomfortable. "Well, what did you find?"

He dug around in his pockets and then pulled out a small object. "Is it yours?"

She gasped, "Yes, where did you find this?"

"In the woods…I was hunting as I said before and I saw it…it's a beautiful ring, and I'm sure the girl that it's for is equally as beautiful,"

Taylor raised an eyebrow. Why was he talking about the ring as if it wasn't hers? It was Kate's but how would he know that. Realizing that she was overreacting Taylor reached in her purse. "Thanks a lot," She handed him twenty dollars.

"I don't need your money ma'am,"

"Oh it's just twenty dollars, and besides I really appreciate you bringing this back to me,"

He took the money, "Well if you insist."

"You have a beautiful family,"

Taylor nodded. This guy spooked her out, but she refused to show her fear because she didn't want to offend him. "Thanks again," Taylor headed towards the door.

"You should really lock your doors,"

"What?" Taylor asked in surprise. Her eyes widened as she turned back around to face the man.

He smiled and then pointed to her door which was wide open. "I heard a story about a man being murdered in that house a couple of years back, supposedly his son did it."

Taylor shivered, "Thanks for the ring,"

"Oh no problem, I didn't mean to scare you,"

Taylor shook her head, "No not at all, Thank you."

Timmy watched as she disappeared inside. He wasn't too pleased with Kate tonight. He wasn't pleased at all. First she slept with Jack, and then she got in his way when he tried to kill Jack earlier. Timmy turned around and started to walk away. He had a new plan, he was going to allow Jack to live, and then kill him as Kate watched. He smiled wickedly to himself. But until then he could always change around the list. Timmy turned around to look back at the house. The blonde was sweet and she was innocent, but if he allowed her to live then he knew that he risked getting caught. He exhaled blowing his breath out into the chilly air. His new plan was ready. Blonde died first, then the child, Sawyer, Jack…and if Kate made him any more madder than she had done today…then he would kill her too. Timmy smiled to himself. He was going to play some chess to relieve his tension. His boots crunched against the leaves as he walked back towards his flashlight, container of gasoline, matches and rifle. They had no idea what they were in for.

Taylor locked the top lock. She glanced outside and sighed in relief when she realized that the strange man was gone.

"You're back," Jack said stepping into the den.

Taylor turned around. She smiled when she saw Jack with paint smeared all over his face, and some on his sweater as well. "You and Kate started working on some ornaments?"

"You could say that," Jack said with a nervous laugh.

Taylor suddenly remembered that she had Jack's wedding ring in her hand. She walked towards the kitchen signaling for him to follow her. Jack followed behind. "Someone found this is the woods,"

Jack stared back at Sarah's engagement ring as if it were gold. He reached out and held the diamond in his hand. "Oh my god,"

"Wouldn't it be nice if you asked Kate to marry you on Thanksgiving?"

Jack closed his mouth which had been agape for at least five seconds. He blinked in amazement. "I've been looking for this forever, because I wanted to ask Kate for so long."

Taylor clasped her hands together and stared back at Jack excitedly. "Kate loves you so much, I know she'll say yes,"

"I want to get her a different ring, this is Sarah's so I can't give this one to her." Jack sat down at the table and rolled the ring around in his hand. "I want to do this right, I paid a lot of money for this ring so I'm going to pawn it."

Taylor decided to ignore the fact that Jack had just said the ring belonged to another woman. She sat down across from Jack. "So you're going to get Kate another ring?"

Jack nodded, "Thanksgiving is in a couple of days so I have to act fast, do you know any shops around here?"

"I do," Taylor grinned, "Now I have to find the biggest turkey in North Carolina!"

"No, no, it's okay…"

"Are you kidding me! You're asking Kate to marry you, I'm pulling out all the stops this Thursday, first thing tomorrow we'll go sell the ring, and get Kate her own ring."

(Thanks everyone for reviewing last chapter. Timmy is one freaky dude isn't he...I made him up and he even scares me. I'm going to update on Thursday, and write a special Thanksgiving chapter. There will be no Timmy, because this chapter is going to be more on the non-angsty side, Sarah will be back, and an issue will arise will regarding her pregnancy, Jack's proposing to Kate, and somone other than Taylor and Chloe will find out about the three "Outlaws".

Jillian- lol...Jate smut. If I killed Jack then there goes the story...so I hope that's some reassurance.

Lindsay- I've been reconsidering the killing off someone idea. But someone is still going to get hurt very badly and Jack, Kate, and Sawyer's situation will get darker when Timmy/ wanna be Tom puts his plan into motion. Enjoy your vacation and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Cohen101- I don't know when Kate's real b-day is, but in this fic, Christmas works for me.

Thanks to Nikki-da-latina, NYR88, delee, sunny102, Oct, Orlando-crazy, lostfan, Jate is Fate 815, and Kballgetlost.)