A/N: Hey everybody! Long time no update, I know. (You may commence throwing tomatoes at any time). Unfortunately, it couldn't be helped-- I had to move and start a new job at the spur of the moment, and I was without internet access for quite awhile. It was terrible! But hopefully there are still a few of you out there reading this, lol. And I certainly hope you think it was worth the wait!

Thanks, as always, to Foxygirl33 for the great suggestions :)

Oh, and since a few lines of dialogue are borrowed from the movie "Reality Bites"--

Disclaimer: "Reality Bites" is the property of Universal Pictures and Jersey Films. No infringement intended.

"Why don't you go outside and get some air, Jack?" Sun suggested quietly from Kate's side. "Her breathing is steady and she seems to be resting comfortably now. I'll watch over her while you're gone."

Jack continued pacing nervously back and forth across the cave floor, a single muscle twitching under his tightly clenched jaw. He showed no sign of taking Sun's advice. She could sense determination and defiance in his posture, but every once in awhile, something akin to desperation flashed in his eyes. His face was grim and she could see the unspoken anguish he was feeling. His usually calm exterior seemed to be bubbling over with emotion, with pain. But Sun knew it wasn't a physical pain plaguing him.

She couldn't be sure of what exactly had taken place, but she had heard shouts coming from the infirmary cave for several minutes before Jack had yelled for her to bring more water into the cave. She had rushed in to find Kate sprawled, pale and unconscious, across Jack's lap, and together they had carried her to the make-shift bed.

Jack had barely uttered a word as they worked to cool Kate in an attempt to wake her up. He moved at a frenzied pace and, as there was only so much they could do with their scarce medical supplies, he had taken to walking off his frustration up and down the length of the cave. The air around him was charged with nervous energy and Sun was beginning to worry about what might happen if he didn't find a better outlet for his emotion soon.

She knew from experience that cautious suggestions would have no effect on Jack in the state he was in, so she steeled herself for a battle of wills before speaking again, more forcefully this time.

"Jack, please, you really need--"

"I heard you the first time," was his acid response.

But Sun wouldn't be deterred. "Then what are you still doing in here?"

Jack stopped pacing and stared at her for a moment, seeming to consider whether it was really worth an argument. Hands resting wearily upon his hips, he let out a long sigh and nodded his head slightly in surrender. "Send someone to get me the minute there's any change."

He brushed past the concerned faces waiting for him outside the infirmary cave and continued walking until he reached the mouth of the cave, stopping only briefly to take a deep breath before continuing out into the jungle. He didn't want to be too far away from Kate, but he knew it was only a matter of time before someone followed him out of the caves and started asking questions, and he really didn't feel up to talking about what had happened just yet.

What had happened? Jack wasn't even sure he knew. What in the world had possessed him to say something so hurtful to Kate? He had lost control of his emotions and hurt Kate in the process, and it didn't matter whether it was due to anger or hurt or worry. Or jealousy, he admitted to himself. There was no excuse. She had already been weak from her walk with Sawyer-- why couldn't he have just recognized that and kept his mouth shut?

Sawyer.

Just the thought of him made Jack's blood boil. Kate's relapse could have been completely avoided if it hadn't been for that son-of-a-bitch interfering. It had been incredibly irresponsible-- not to mention arrogant-- to think that he could make decisions about what was best for her. Who the hell does he think he is? Jack muttered under his breath.

Somehow, Jack found himself on the path to the beach. And he knew exactly where he was going. If Sawyer wanted to play games, fine. But Jack was going to make sure he knew exactly what was at stake. Sawyer hadn't been there to see Kate cold, or scared, or so sick she could barely move. He hadn't witnessed the pain on her face as the poison had ravaged her body. He hadn't been there to hear her blaming herself, thinking she deserved all this…

Jack's temper began to cool as he remembered the days and nights he had spent with Kate. He hadn't just watched her suffer-- he had suffered with her. Her pain had become his as well; a strange bond that made him feel even closer to her. There was something there between them, and although Jack hesitated to give it a name, he was through denying it.

By the time he arrived at the beach, thoughts of Kate had superceded any plans he'd had in mind for Sawyer, and he wanted nothing more than to get back to her and make things right. He was fairly certain that she'd recover physically, but the hurt he'd seen in her eyes-- the hurt he himself had caused-- was a kind of pain that he wasn't sure would simply heal with time. And as much as he wanted to see her again, he had absolutely no idea what he would say.

Torn, Jack hesitated at the edge of the jungle, wanting to turn back to the caves, but unsure whether he ought to give it more time. For all he knew, Kate hated him at the moment. And frankly, he wouldn't blame her. But she was safe with Sun there, so maybe he should just give her some space…

It was Sawyer who made the decision for him. Jack watched with narrowed eyes as he sauntered up the beach, slowly closing the space between them, and clearly itching for a confrontation. He stopped a few feet in front of Jack, squaring his shoulders and flashing a characteristic smirk.

"You come all the way down here to teach me a lesson, Cowboy?" Sawyer drawled. "I was kinda hopin' you'd bring Freckles along."

"I don't think she's quite ready to move back to the beach yet," Jack replied in a measured tone.

"She's not ready, or you're not ready to let her, Doc?"

Jack had an momentary flash of himself wiping the smirk off Sawyer's face with a well-placed right hook, but he willed himself to stay in control. He wasn't going to let Sawyer bate him this time.

"Well, considering she's been unconscious for nearly an hour, I'd say the former."

Surprise registered on Sawyer's face for an instant before turning to a poorly-masked concern. "What do you mean unconscious?"

"What I mean, Sawyer, is that after your little jaunt in the jungle, she was exhausted and feverish and poorly nourished, and she passed out in my arms," Jack replied without missing a beat. His own guilt tugged at him, but he refused to acknowledge it for the moment. This-- right now-- was about Sawyer's mistake, not his own.

Sawyer stared at him for a moment, torn between being worried about Kate's condition and being pissed as hell that Jack was blaming him for it. On the whole, anger was an emotion he was much more comfortable with, and his eyes narrowed as he continued to return Jack's gaze.

"She sure as hell seemed alright to me, Doc. Until you showed up and upset her, that is."

"She was anything but alright, Sawyer." Jack's tone was becoming even more accusatory now. "And you would have noticed that if you ever took the time to think about someone other than yourself."

"You lecturin' me, Jack?" Sawyer's tone was dangerous. "You sure you wanna do that?"

The words struck a nerve in Jack; it was just like something his father would have said. Fists clenched at his side, he moved a step closer to Sawyer, disregarding both the threat and Sawyer's menacing posture. The tension was palpable, and Jack held his breath for a few seconds before answering in a low voice.

"What I want, Sawyer, is for you to understand that Kate is sick. She needs to rest, and stay out of the sun, and eat three meals a day. And she needs you to leave her alone."

Jack turned away and took a few steps back toward the caves before Sawyer's voice stopped him.

"You don't know what she needs." It was a challenge.

Slowly, Jack turned and met Sawyer's flinty eyes. "I think I know what she needs in a way that you never will."

And with those words echoing in the air between them, Jack turned and stalked back into the jungle.