The next few times the alarm went off, Kate didn't stir. Jack kept close watch over his patient while she slept. He had tried to rouse her a few times to give her some water but had met with only partial success.
Kate awoke to a loud, persistent beeping. She groaned at the sound and, briefly confused by her surroundings, wondered where the incessant noise was coming from. As she looked around the room, she soon realized that she was in the hatch's bedroom, although she wasn't sure she quite recalled how she came to be there.
As the beeping continued, Kate wondered if there was anyone else there to enter the numbers. She stood slowly, testing out her legs, and then made her way to the domed room that held the computer.
Hearing the alarm as he stepped out of the shower, Jack quickly dried off and pulled on his boxers and pants. He grabbed his t-shirt, putting it on while jogging towards the computer.
Jack hit execute and watched the numbers return to 108. Hearing a sound, he turned and saw a Kate sleepy-eyed Kate leaning against the doorway.
"Hey sleepy head" he greeted her. Gripping her firmly by the elbow, he led her to the couch. She sat down heavily and folded up her long, bare legs, tugging absentmindedly on the hem of the t-shirt. Jack wasn't sure if this was out of coldness or insecurity, but if only for his own sanity, he reached for the blanket that lay folded over the arm of the couch and spread it over her lap.
Sitting down beside her, Jack observed her for a moment, appraising her condition. "How are you feeling?" he finally asked.
Kate shrugged. "Better than before."
"Well, I can see that" Jack smiled, "but that doesn't quite answer my question."
"It just always takes me a little while to get back to 100 after one of these".
Jack nodded his understanding. "Hold on a second, I'm going to get you some water". He left the room, headed for the kitchen. Kate closed her eyes and leaned her head against the arm of the couch.
Jack returned with a glass of water a few moments later. "Hey," he called, approaching her.
"I'm awake" she assured him, although her eyes remained closed.
"Not very convincing. Here, drink up" he said, sitting beside her. He held out the glass, waiting for her to open her eyes and take it from him. She did, after a pause, but avoided his gaze.
"Start slowly" he advised. "I've got some soup heating up. Are you hungry?" Kate shrugged and sipped the water tentatively.
"Well you should be. I doubt you've had anything to eat in at least a couple of days." Kate nodded. Apparently convinced that the water would stay down, she drank it greedily, quickly draining the glass.
"Thirsty, huh?" Jack asked, taking the glass from her hand. Kate nodded.
"I'm not surprised. I tried to give you some water while you were sleeping, but you weren't very cooperative."
"Sorry."
"It's okay. I think you just needed sleep even more than you needed water".
Kate stifled a yawn.
"Looks like you still do" Jack said with a soft smile. "But," he said, rising from the couch, "it will have to wait a little while. I'll be right back. Don't fall asleep".
Jack returned with another glass of water and a bowl of soup. They sat in silence as she again drained the glass before turning her attention to the soup. After finishing about half of it, she handed the bowl back to him. Jack looked at the contents of the bowl and then raised his eyes to meet hers.
Kate shook her head before he could say anything, clearly indicating that that was all she would have for now.
"Okay," he conceded, setting the bowl aside. "I guess that will have to do for now. So," he paused, "how's the head?"
"It's okay. Just a little sensitive to touch" she admitted.
"Any other symptoms?"
Kate released a long breath. "I'm just tired. And my brain is kind of sluggish, fuzzy-like, you know?"
"I think so. The morphine should be out of your system by now. I think this is just after-effects of the migraine itself".
"I know," Kate nodded, "postdrome". They remained silent for a moment, before Kate spoke again. "It's going to keep happening, you know."
It was Jack's turn to nod. "We'll figure something out, Kate".
"Yeah" she replied, but she didn't sound convinced.
"Do you want to get some more sleep?"
Kate yawned again. "I do," she admitted, "but I'd like to take a shower first".
Jack looked unsure.
"I'll be fine" she assured him.
Jack had walked Kate to the bathroom and put out a towel and clean t-shirt before leaving. The hot water felt wonderful, but it left Kate feeling even sleepier than before. She emerged from the steamy bathroom to find Jack waiting for her.
"Looks like somebody's ready for bed" he said, reaching for her arm. Kate nodded, to tired to protest, and let him lead her to the bedroom.
Jack got her settled and watched her eyes drift shut. He turned off the light and whispered, "I'll be just down the hall if you need me".
"Jack" she called out softly, just as he was turning to leave. He stopped and turned back to her.
"What is it, Kate?"
"I . . . You know I am grateful, for all of this . . ."
"It's okay, Kate" Jack interrupted. "You don't have to thank me. I . . ."
"I wasn't finished."
"Sorry. What were you saying?"
Kate continued. "I'm grateful that you helped me, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten what an ass you were before that."
Jack sighed and moved closer. "I know. I was an ass. I'm sorry. I should have listened to you when you said you had a headache, I . . ."
"It wasn't just then," she stopped him. "The past few weeks, you've been so . . ., so mean. I . . ." Her voice cracked. Jack sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for her hand. He felt her stiffen under his touch, but she didn't pull away.
"I know, Kate. You're right. I've been acting like a Jackass, as Sawyer would say. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Yes you did" she said coldly, pulling her hand from his.
"Maybe you're right" Jack conceded. "Maybe I was trying to hurt you, but I really am sorry. I want to explain," he said, reaching to brush a strand of hair from her forehead. "We need to talk about this, but after you've gotten some more sleep".
Kate nodded slightly, letting her eyes fall closed. "Promise?"
"I promise" he assured her. "But for now, get some sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."