Hey, thanks for the reviews. So...I guess no jate kiss in yestarday´s eppy. Well, we´ll just have to wait. Hope this chapter will make your waiting more enjoyable...

CHAPTER 17

The sun was slowly going down to its sleep. Kate was sitting on the sand, watching the ocean and listening to the sound of the waves, her feet immerged in the cold water. The beach was completely empty – everyone else left back to the caves.

She liked this silence. This serenity. It wasn´t easy to find a place just for yourself on this island, among 46 other survivors, not to mention the Others and the monsters. She needed some place to clear her thoughts, to reconcile her feelings.

˝Hey.˝

She heard his voice and gave a little shiver.

˝Hey.˝ she replied, raising her head to look up at him.

˝May I join you? ˝he asked, and, after seeing her nod, sat down next to her. ˝You sinking again? ˝

˝Yeah. ˝

˝We need to talk, Kate.˝ he said quietly, looking at her. ˝About what happened… About us.˝

He waited a little, to see if she´s gonna say something, but she showed no sign of doing so, so he continued.

˝I was married.˝ he started, causing her to look up, surprised. ˝Her name was Sarah. She had been my patient before. It was almost like love at first sight, I thought we were gonna be together for the rest of our lives… One day, I returned earlier from work and I….I found her in bed – with my best friend. I was broken hearted.˝

˝I´m sorry.˝

˝I devoted to my work, determined not to let anybody close to my heart again. I thought I would never love again….And then I met you.˝ he added quietly.

She looked up at him, but then quickly returned her glance. Although it was dark, he could see her blushing, and that gave him courage to go on.

˝I know you have trusting issues, but I´m not going to let you down, Kate. I promise.˝

She raised her head a bit and looked him straight in the eyes.

˝I know.˝

He leaned towards her, until he was inches away from her face. He touched one of her curly brown lock, looking her directly in the eyes.

˝My turn.˝ he said, smiling, before putting his lips on hers. She closed her eyes, losing herself completely in his arms. The kiss seemed to last for eternity. When they finally separated, she just stood there for a couple of minutes, resting her head on his shoulder.

˝Thank you, Jack.˝ she said quietly.

˝For what? ˝

˝For being here.˝