Thanks for all the awesome reviews everyone, I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, ok onto Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
Jack Shephard wasn't a stranger to pain. Being involved in many dangerous activities in his life had basically guaranteed him a lifetime of injuries and wounds. He had suffered a gun shot wound, had been stabbed a couple times, and had even had a very unfortunate meeting with a man with a machete in Bancock who was convinced Jack had cheated him in a poker game. Even though Jack had suffered a little bloodshed in those situations, he had always seen them coming. He may not have been able to stop them but he always knew it was about to happen. That's why Jack was slightly surprised when the woman he loved and adored completely took him unawares and knocked him with a right hook so hard it sent him to the sand landing on his ass.
As he hit the ground he also became aware that Kate had followed him down and was straddling his lap cursing and hitting him. The other survivors had quickly gathered when they heard the shouts of Jack and Walt's return, some of them watched amused as the petite brunette attempted to pummel their leader, while others looked on nervously as if they should break up the fight. One of the most confused people was Alex. Should she try to intervene? He had rescued her perhaps she should try to help him. However, before anyone could do anything the situation changed drastically. Within seconds Jack had managed to grab the fists of the angry woman and with an amused smile, pulled her down to him and kissed her hard. Kate started to struggle and people figured that this very well could be the end of Jack, she might actually kill him. To their surprise when Jack released Kate she slipped her arms around his neck pulling him closer and returning his kiss hungrily.
After a few minutes Jack realized that he was very close to taking Kate right there on the beach and that there was a large group of people who would be watching if he did it. Jack gently pulled away from Kate, smiling at the tiny moan of protest she made. He eased her away and watched as she suddenly became aware of their surroundings and their lack of privacy. They both stood to their feet, Kate blushing and Jack with a tiny smirk on his lips. Soon people started barraging Jack with questions with where he'd been, how did he find Walt, what about the Others, and who was the girl? Alex noticing people all starting to look at her and she moved quickly back to Jack's side standing slightly behind him. Kate looked curiously at the young girl who was hiding behind Jack, the sleeve of his shirt clenched in her hand with a death grip. Kate shot Jack a look with eyebrows raised. She wasn't jealous or anything, the girl was much too young for Jack and Kate also recognized the fear in the girl's eyes. Kate knew that fear well, it was the fear that would fill her when she would hear Wayne come home drunk, or when he would be alone in the house with her and she would put the dresser in front of her door, just in case. This poor girl looked like she had seen her fair share of abuse.
"Everyone calm down" Jack said raising his hands in the air trying to calm everyone. "Look everything is ok, this is Alex, she helped me get Walt back all right? She isn't a threat."
"She could be an Other sent to spy on us!" someone called from the back of the group.
"The Others are all gone" Jack said and everyone fell quiet.
"What do you mean by gone?" piped up Sawyer uncharacteristically not being sarcastic or snippy.
"They're dead." Jack said. He noticed that people looked at each other shocked and confused, but he watched as Sawyer and Sayid gave each other small nods. They knew what that meant. "Look, it's been a long couple days alright? I need to get Walt and Alex down to the hatch so I can take look at them."
"Jack's right" yelled Sayid, "Everyone go back to what you're doing and as soon as we know anything, we will tell you everything. Ok?" Everyone nodded and left quietly talking and exchanging their own theories to one another. All that remained behind were, Jack, Kate, and Walt who was hugging his dog, Sayid, Sawyer and Alex who was still attached to Jack. Kate watched as Alex warily eyed Sayid, Sawyer, the girl obviously had trust issues with men. Kate suddenly felt scared for the girl and whatever it was that she's been living through.
Kate turned to Jack and smiled when she looked into his eyes. 'You do know that this is far from over right? I'm still very mad you, luckily for you though my love is outdoing my anger so you might just survive this." She said with a twinkle in her eye. Jack leaned in to kiss her but found himself being held back. He curiously turned to see Alex clutching him. Kate smirked at him, "Looks like you have a new shadow" she whispered quietly so only he could hear. He gave her a sad smile and the look in his eyes promised he would tell her everything later.
"Ok, hey Walt? How about I take you and Alex down to the hatch?" Jack gently took Alex's hand from his shirt and smiled as she immediately closed her grip on his hand.
"Is my Dad there?" Walt asked, his eyes lighting up.
Jack quickly exchanged glances with Sayid and Sawyer; he knew this moment would come when Walt would need to see Michael. Things had changed slightly for Jack, before he didn't think he could ever comprehend why Michael did what he did, however after seeing the Other's camp and what they were capable of he couldn't totally condemn Michael for wanting to get his son out of there. He and Sayid exchanged small nods, Michael wasn't a threat right now, he could see Walt and then they would figure out what to do.
"Yeah Walt we're going to see your Dad right now." Jack said.
"Can Vincent come?" Walt pleaded.
"Of course he can" Jack said affectionately mussing Walt's hair. As the group started off Kate watched as Alex held Jack's right hand and Walt took his left. She unconsciously caressed her hand across her belly as she watched Jack with the kids. And he was worried he wouldn't make a good father she thought rolling her eyes to herself and smirking a little. She followed and came around to Alex's side. Sawyer and Sayid followed behind them.
"Hi, Alex?" Kate asked. The teenager turned and looked at Kate as they kept walking, she nodded shyly at Kate. Kate gave her a warm smile, "Welcome to our camp, I'm Kate" she said gesturing to herself. Alex looked at her and smiled. Suddenly a look of panic overtook the girl as she looked at Kate and came to a sudden halt. She stopped so suddenly that she jerked Jack and Walt as well. She started shaking and tears welled in her eyes. Kate and Jack exchanged worried glances.
"Alex what's wrong?" Jack asked her softly and gently. Walt noticing his new friend's distress came over to see what was going on as well.
Alex looked at Kate and whimpered out, "I'm sorry" Kate looked at her confused and spoke gently to her.
"Alex, honey what's wrong, can you tell me?" Kate asked concerned.
"The day they took you, they made me put a bag on your head and they made me bring you out. I didn't want to, they made me though, I'm sorry" with that Alex broke and the tears started to fall. She looked at Jack and pleaded with him, "I'm sorry please don't send me back I promise I'll never hurt anyone again"
Kate felt like someone had just dumped a bucket of ice cold water over her head as she watched this poor girl plead with Jack. Jack had a slightly panicked look on his face as the teenage girl started sobbing even harder. Kate leaned over and pulled the girl into a hug. "It's ok, it's ok" she soothed as the girl's cries started to slightly subside. She and Jack exchanged glances and both knew this poor girl was going to need a lot of help. Kate pulled away and looked at Alex. "Alex, look at me" the girl slowly moved her gaze up and met Kate's stare. "It's ok, I'm not mad, and neither is Jack, ok? You don't need to worry anymore, you will never have to go back there, I promise. You're safe with us now."
'It's ok Alex," Walt said tugging lightly on Alex's arm. "You can live with me and my dad and Dr. Jack and Ms. Kate will be here too. You're safe now." Alex smiled at the young boy she had befriended. It was strange that back at the camp Alex had made it her priority to comfort and protect Walt and funny here he was doing the same for her. "Now come on we gotta go see my dad and the uh what did you call it Dr. Jack?"
"The hatch" Jack said smiling.
"Right the hatch, whatever that is" Walt said. The group started again and they soon reached the hatch entrance. When they got downstairs they were surprised to see Shannon and Claire. The two women had decided to straighten up the hatch and finish all the cleaning from the earlier events. Charlie was running the button and Claire wanted to be near him. Shannon had come down when her nerves over the entire situation got to her and wanted something to do. They both looked up to see Jack and Walt. Soon Walt and Jack were swept up in a flurry of excited squeals, hugs and kisses. Even Kate got a couple hugs in congratulations now that Jack was back safe. Poor Walt looked like he was about to keel over due to the amount of girl cooties he had just been subjected to; while Jack just blushed slightly at the attention which Kate thought made him look adorable.
Claire looked over and saw the young girl who had helped her escape when she was taken. She walked over to Alex with a smile on her face. Claire wasn't sure what was going on but she figured that Jack would never have brought Alex if she posed a threat.
"Hi' Claire said, "Do you remember me?" Alex looked at Claire and nervously nodded. "You got me and my baby out, you saved us" Claire said she went forward and hugged the shocked teenager, after a few seconds Alex returned the hug.
"How is the baby?" Alex asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?"
"A little boy named Aaron, he's in the other room would you like to meet him?" Claire asked. Alex looked at Jack for confirmation and he smiled and nodded for her to go with.
"Hey Walt why don't you go with and Charlie can show you the cool computer we have. And I'll let your dad know you're here." Jack had no intention of Walt having to see his father tied and locked in the gun closet. Shannon and Claire led Alex and Walt into the other room and Shannon gave Jack a nod that they would keep Walt occupied until they were ready for him.
Jack looked at Sayid and Sawyer and gave them a nod he figured Michael shouldn't be a problem anymore but Jack wasn't going to take any more chances then needed. He walked to the door and punched in the code. When the door opened he saw Michael sitting on the bed looking completely broken down. He raised his eyes to Jack who motioned for him to get up and come out of the room. Michael stood and shuffled quietly with his head down. When he got out he looked at Jack.
"Are you leaving to go get Walt?" Michael asked quietly.
"No" Jack said monotone.
"Jack please" Michael pleaded, "You can't leave him there please…" Michael stopped stunned as he watched Jack pull a large hunting knife out of his belt. Michael watched as Jack coldly studied the weapon. Suddenly Jack grabbed Michael arms and cut the ropes off his hands. Michael had closed his eyes expecting to feel the cold steel pierce his skin and end his life; he wasn't expecting Jack to set him free.
"Walt is here, the Others are dead. I don't want him to have to see you tied up so he's going to come out here, you'll stay in this room. Both Sayid and Sawyer will be in here with you. If you try anything, I swear to God Michael if you even look cross eyed at them, they will put a bullet in you, it won't matter if Walt is here or not. Understand?" Jack asked in a no nonsense tone. Michael looked at him shocked but nodded.
Sawyer went to get Walt. Alex was sitting with Shannon and Claire and laughing at Charlie's antics so Sawyer let them be. Walt came out of the room and saw his dad, with a shout of excitement he threw himself at his father. Everyone watched with mixed emotions at the reunion, Kate felt sad knowing that things would have to change now that Michael had killed two of their own. She glanced up at Jack and for the first time truly looked at him studying everything about him. It was then that she noticed that he had about three different spots on his shirt soaked in blood, one on his chest, one on his side and the other on his arm. She watched and noticed as the spot on his arm looked slightly bigger than it just did. She sucked in a breath.
"Jack!" she exclaimed, "You're bleeding" her excited tone managed to gain the attention of everyone in the room.
Jack looked at Kate and then followed her gaze to his to his shoulder and torso. "Oh these are nothing, just some scratches, not even deep enough to need stitches" Jack said trying to pass off his bullet graze and two swipes he had taken from an Other with a knife.
"Dr. Jack got shot" said Walt looking very serious. "It would have been worse but Alex hit the bad man and made him miss."
Kate turned slowly to face Jack and he cringed, that wasn't exactly what happened, but he knew from the look on Kate's face it really wasn't going to matter. "You got shot?" she asked between clenched teeth.
"Well not really the bullet just grazed me it's nothing I promise." Jack said trying to reassure her.
"And these other two wounds?" she asked
"Uh, well they're knife wounds, just scratches at most. Like paper cuts." Jack said looking for some kind of change of topic. He wasn't that lucky.
"Knife wounds doc?" Sawyer asked, "You get yourself stabbed?" he asked with a smirk enjoying the fact that Freckles looked like she was ready to kill Jack herself.
"No, not stabbed just slightly slashed, I uh was fighting with the guy and he got in one or two swings but nothing major" Jack said trying to downplay the situation. Kate just glared at him and Jack was relieved when he heard Sayid clear his throat.
"Here Jack, why don't you go take a look at those and get cleaned up" Sayid said handing Jack his bag full of medical supplies. Jack took the bag gratefully. He watched as Kate shot him a dirty look and went into the bedroom, about two minutes later she came out with her own bag. She walked into the kitchen and put some food and water into it. Jack watched her curiously, waiting to see what she was doing. A second later she returned and took him by the hand.
"We'll be at the caves, so I can fix Jack with no interruptions." Kate said to the group.
"The caves?" Jack asked curiously.
"Yes the caves, that way no one can hear you scream. I can't talk for Jack but I'll be back tomorrow morning, I can't say if Jack is coming back at all" she said glaring at him. He heard Sawyer snicker and saw Sayid try to hide a smirk. Jack sighed and then looked over to the computer room.
"Hold on a second" he said hoping Kate would give him a second. She watched as Jack went to the computer room. When he went in he saw Alex listening to Charlie tell a story. She looked up when Jack entered and stood. He gestured for her to sit and he knelt in front of her chair.
"Hey," he said softly, "I just wanted to let you know I was going to be going back into the jungle, but I'll be back tomorrow."
"I'll go with you" Alex said motioning to get up; she stopped when Jack gently nudged her back down.
"No, not tonight, I need you to stay here tonight ok; you'll be safe I promise."
"Yeah Alex, you can stay with me tonight" Claire said smiling warmly at the teenager.
Alex looked at Jack troubled. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked.
"No, No you didn't do anything wrong this is just something I need to do ok? I'll be back tomorrow and you have Claire and I bet Walt would like to spend time with you and you can look around the camp too." Jack said gently. Alex looked at him still not convinced; finally she leaned forward and hugged Jack tightly. Jack found his balance and hugged her back. He pulled away and gave her shoulder a squeeze. "It will be ok, I promise" he said, looking her straight in the eye. She nodded and Jack turned and left the room. He found Kate looking at him and he noticed a torn look in her eyes. He looked closer and could see the battle in her eyes, on one hand she wanted to smack the living hell out of him, on the other seeing him so gentle with Alex made her want to hug and kiss him. To her annoyance the latter was winning out. He gestured for Kate and they both left with Sawyer yelling good luck.
The walk to the caves went by rather quickly, surprising being neither said a word to each other the entire trip. When they reached the entrance, Kate went to the cave that they had last shared together. He watched as she grabbed the airline cushions they had slept on and pulled a blanket out of her bag and placed it on the bed. She looked up at him and gestured for him to come over. Jack walked over and sat on the bed. She gently lifted his shift off of him. Jack was somewhat surprised at how gentle she was being, he was expecting her to pretty much punish him. He watched as she examined the wounds with a concerned look. She gently cleaned them and bandaged him. When she was done he watched as she turned to put the supplies away, it was then that he noticed she was shaking. He stood and took her by the shoulders and turned her to him. When he saw her it broke his heart, she had tears falling down her face and was trying in vain to fight them. She looked up and her lower lip trembled harder.
"You could have died." She whispered, "You could have died and left me all alone. How could you not tell me what you were doing? What would have happened if they caught you, I might have never seen you again." She said her voice rising in anger. "You could have died" she sobbed. Jack pulled her into his embrace and hugged her to him tightly.
"Shh, its ok baby, I didn't die, I'm right here." Jack said gently stroking her hair as he felt her hot tears soak through his shirt. "I'm right here"
Kate sniffled and backed away slightly she gently traced his bandages lightly with her fingers, "How could you be so nonchalant? You compared these to paper cuts Jack. They're knife wounds" she said softly, her tears subsiding.
"I'm an asshole," Jack said smirking, watching as Kate looked up at him and then broke down and smiled back at him. She slipped her arms around him and hugged him tight just enjoying having him back in her arms again.
"I know someone, who doesn't think you're an asshole" she said her voice muffled against his shoulder.
"Yeah, who's that?" Jack asked running his hands lightly across her back.
"Alex, in fact I think she thinks the world of you." Kate said smiling. Jack leaned back and looked at her, Kate notice how his eyes changed slightly.
"I think I'm the first male she's met beside Walt who didn't abuse her" Jack said sadly.
"I noticed that too, what did you find out there Jack? What did they do to that poor girl?" Kate asked looking up at him.
Jack sighed and shook his head slightly, "Not tonight baby, I'll tell you everything tomorrow, I promise but just not tonight ok?" he asked, Kate nodded not wanting to push him, "Plus we have other things that need taking care of." He said giving her a smile, the twinkle in his eye back again.
"Oh what's that?" Kate purred. Before she knew it Jack had her on the airline cushions and was gently undressing her. "Why Dr. Shephard, I do the love the way your mind works" she said huskily. As he pulled her top off and undid her bra Kate was unbuttoning his jeans, they were each on a mission, only stopping to exchanges soft and passionate kisses. When Jack had her stripped down and naked in front of him he quickly stood and kicked off his jeans.
Kate looked up at him and drank in the sight of his muscular and naked body. She leaned back and held her arms out and open to him, and Jack didn't need to be told twice. He gently lowered himself on top of her. Their lips met in a sizzling kiss and their tongues tangled and meshed together. Kate groaned into his mouth as she felt his hand travel down her body, stroking her neck, breasts and stomach. He gently urged her legs apart and she spread them to wrap around him. She gasped when she felt him probe her with his two fingers. While he was doing this Jack was kissing her all over and had just settled on her chest taking one of her nipples into his mouth. At the same time that he did that he thrust his fingers deep inside of her causing her to moan and writhe in ecstasy at the intrusion. Kate ran her hands all over his back lightly dragging her nails up and down him. Jack smiled and took her other nipple into his mouth and added a third finger into her. Kate was going into sensory overload as Jack was slowly bringing her to her peak, all she could do was lay back and enjoy the feeling of his fingers deep inside of her while he sucked and nibbled at her chest. Kate felt the unmistakable force of her release creeping up on her and all she could do was whimper and plead with Jack. What she was pleading for was unclear however.
Hearing the need and desperation in Kate's voice Jack moved back up and took her mouth with his. He then sped his fingers up and gently curved his middle finger gently hitting her sensitive spot and sending her over the edge with a hoarse cry. Jack watched as she came down slowly and felt male pride as he watched a smile of satisfaction form across her lips. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. She pulled his head down to her and kissed him lovingly. She ran her hand down his body and felt him intake a breath. She glanced down and saw how hard and ready he was for her. Kate eased him down by pressing down on his lower back with her heels that were crossed behind his back. She ran her hands up and down his arms, back and chest careful of his wounds.
"God Jack, I missed you so much, you were only gone one night but I missed you so bad I craved you. I went to the slumber party but the whole time I was missing your touch, all I wanted to do was have you in me, I was so hot for you it hurt." She whispered huskily, enjoying the flare of fire that passed through his gaze. "All I wanted to do was go back to our tent, sleep in our bed and wear your shirt Jack, I wanted to lie there and touch myself imagining it was you." Kate was surprised when Jack quickly entered into her with a forceful thrust. The feeling of him enclosed within her sent absolute shivers down her spine. "Oh god Jack, oh please baby you feel so good you feel so right, ughhh god" she whimpered as he began to move in and out of her. All Kate could do was hold on tight as he pushed in and out. She kissed his neck, his face his chin anywhere she could get. Their lips collided as Jack picked up his pace and thrust in her quicker and harder. Kate could hear the hitch in his breathing the tell he had that let her know he was close. "Oh baby come in me please, I've missed you so much, oh god Jack harder." She cried as she felt her own body winding up again. Jack gripped her hips and rocked harder into her. Soon he was hitting her right in the exact spot and she could feel her release come on her. She clenched Jack as tight as she could as the shudders began to overtake her again. She came hard and fast and held on to him tight. She felt him thrust into her three times hard and then shout as he released inside of her.
Jack collapsed against her chest and buried his face into her hair. She held him to her with her arms and legs gently caressing him and brushing kisses against his skin. Kate didn't want this to end; she wanted to spend the rest of her life lying naked with him. After a few minutes Jack gently lifted himself off over and rolled to his side, causing them to both groan as he disconnected them. She turned to him and snuggled close. He smiled at her and brushed her hair lightly out of her face.
"Mmm" she lightly hummed, "That was incredible" she said nuzzling him with her nose. Jack smiled at her and pulled her close.
"There's something you should know" Jack said softly. Kate looked at him curiously her eyes telling him to go on, "I've never loved a woman the way I love you, and I never will."
Kate smiled dreamily at him, "Same for me" she whispered.
"You've never loved a woman the way you love me?" Jack asked teasing her, "Cause baby if you need another woman in the bedroom with us just let me…" he was cut off as Kate jumped on him and pinned him to the bed and smacked him with the pillow.
"That will never happen, Jack. I won't share you" she said lightening up on trying to smother him with a pillow.
Jack was laughing as he found himself at the mercy of the woman on top of him, "I love it when you get all bossy and controlling" he said giving her bottom a light pat.
Kate gave him a wicked smile and held his arms down at his sides, "Oh really?" she asked trying not to laugh as Jack smirked and nodded his head. "Perhaps I'll have to tie you up one of these days and have my way with you," she giggled and felt Jack harden underneath her.
"Maybe some other time, right now, I don't want to wait" and with that he guided her over him and he slipped inside causing both to moan at the contact. Kate smiled down at him, "I'll keep it in mind" she said moving over him, soon they were lost in the rhythm of their lovemaking.
Ok there it is, and on a note, Alex isn't going to be a huge character in this, being it is a Jate fic, however I thought Jack could use some hero worship and I think Kate will see herself in Alex bringing up memories that will make her confide more in Jack. So you know the drill please read and review.
