A/N: Thanks again for all the comments and excellent suggestions! There are more plot developments coming into the picture soon, but here's a little Jack-Kate tidbit to get the weekend started off right!
Jack had awoken before dawn to the sound of Kate's labored breathing. He looked across the dark cave to see her sitting up, struggling to choke down a sip of water.
"Hey, what is it?", he asked, walking over and crouching down beside her.
"I don't know," Kate breathed, shaking her head. "I can't… catch my breath."
"It's okay. Just relax." Jack took her shoulders and guided her into a reclining position against the airline seatback. "Put your arms above your head; it'll help open up your lungs."
Kate did as she was told, willing her lungs to cooperate. "What's… happening?", she asked Jack.
"Can't be sure, but I think that spider that got you was poisonous," Jack answered. "The poison's spreading through your body. There's probably some internal swelling and inflammation around your lungs. Does your chest feel tight?
Kate nodded, one palm pressed against the bare skin above her tank top, as if she was in pain.
Jack turned away from her and scanned the supplies he stored in a niche in the cave wall, his eyes coming to rest on the eucalyptus poultice Sun had continued making for Shannon's asthma. Silently thanking Sun once again, he brought it to Kate and knelt down beside her.
"Jack, no," Kate protested weakly. "What if Shannon…"
"Sun can make more first thing in the morning," Jack assured her. "Besides, you need it more right now, anyway."
Not for the first time, Jack was touched by Kate's concern for someone else over herself. A large capacity for compassion and sacrifice was a common bond between them, and it was becoming more apparent to Jack all the time. For him, it was part of the job. A doctor had to learn to put others' needs before his own, and it was second nature to him now. But Kate didn't have any medical training; giving was just part of who she was. Every day he watched her work harder and ask for less than anyone else, and he admired and respected her for it. But right now, for once, she needed something from someone else, and he was glad to be the one who could give it to her.
Jack reached over and took the hand that Kate still had pressed tight against her chest, lifting it back over her head. "Keep them both up there. It'll help, I promise," he said softly.
Kate shivered when the first of the eucalyptus touched her feverish skin. "It's cold," she explained nervously.
"Sorry. Just try to relax. Concentrate on taking deep, controlled breaths," Jack said in a soothing tone.
Kate closed her eyes, concentrating on synchronizing her breathing with the gentle rhythm of Jack's fingers tracing circles on her chest. She thought of the times she had seen Jack angry or defiant, usually concerning Sawyer in some way. She liked that he could be strong and powerful, but it amazed her that he could be so gentle sometimes, too.
Jack lifted the eucalyptus to Kate's nose for a moment and she breathed in deeply. The sharp pains in her chest had begun to recede, but her breathing was still heavy and irregular. She felt a tug at the bottom of her tank top and Jack's fingers traveled slightly lower on her chest, continuing their circular pattern. With anyone else, Kate would have tensed up and immediately opened her eyes; she never liked to feel vulnerable in any way. But it was different with Jack. She trusted him.
"Better?", he asked softly, as her breathing slowly returned to normal."
"Yeah," Kate whispered, her eyes still closed. "Thank you, Jack."
Jack tucked the blanket more tightly around her, relieved that the eucalyptus had worked. "Do you need anything else?"
"Can you just… sit with me? For a little while?", Kate asked softly.
"For as long as you want," Jack answered, moving a little closer.
Eyes still closed and nearly asleep, Kate turned onto her side so that she was facing Jack. He reached toward her, tenderly brushing a curl from her face.
"For as long as you want," he whispered again.