Chapter 17: Apologies

Jack was in the caves making his bag up for the journey ahead. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but he was nervous about his plan. He was one of many who didn't trust the Others word, but deep down wished that he could for peace sake.

He finished packing his bag and made his way over to the water to wash his face and hands. It was almost dark and he wanted to get a good nights rest before he headed off into the jungle. His attention turned to the figure standing in the caves entrance.

He could tell for just from the shadows outline that it was Kate. He questioned what she was doing here near night fall. Kate wasn't a big fan of the caves from the beginning; she had always preferred the beach.

"Hey." said Kate, moving into Jacks vision.

"Hey." replied Jack, drying the water from his face and turning back to the pond.

"I heard what you're doing tomorrow and…" said Kate.

"Your not coming, Kate." said Jack.

"I know, that's not why here." said Kate.

Jack turned and faced Kate with a questioning look. He was sure the only reason she was there was to book a spot on the trip just like Ana had tried to.

"Then why are you here?" said Jack.

"I just wanted sort things out before you left." said Kate.

"You know I plan on coming back." said Jack.

"Yeh well, none of us exactly planned on crashing here, but we did." said Kate.

Jack nodded and dropped his head. He knew that his plan was dangerous but he hadn't thought about the consequences if he never came back.

Kate moved her way slowly over to where Jack laid his bag, and sat down beside it while Jack stood by the water side.

"I just wanted to say sorry about what I said the other day, I was out of line. And I should have listened to you and stayed here last time, like I am now." said Kate.

Jack nodded in acceptance of her apology and gave his own.

"I shouldn't have been so harsh with you when you wanted to help with Michael. You were right, I was mad for the wrong reasons." said Jack.

Kate also nodded. As Jack turned to wash his face one last time Kate placed her gift around his water bottle. It was a black piece of sewing string that she had got off of Rose. The same string that Kate used to sew up Jack's wound the first day they met. The reason they became friends.

"Well I'm gonna head back to the beach, I promised Claire I would bring her some water before night fall." said Kate.

Jack turned to face Kate and stretched to give her the bottle of water that was in his hand.

"Here, take this one I just filled it." said Jack.

Kate walked over and took the bottle with a smile.

"Thanks." said Kate.

Jack returned her smile. She walked towards the exit of the cave and turned around one last time before she left.

"Take care tomorrow, Jack." said Kate.

"I will." said Jack.

Kate turned and left the hatch and headed to the beach, she had given Jack his gift. She didn't have the guts to give him it to his face, but smiled at the thought that he would find it soon after he left.