Jack put his hand on the back of Kate's head and gently stroked her back as he tried to comfort her. He wanted nothing more than for her sobs to quiet and her face to smile; he felt so helpless.
She wanted to stop this, stop this unexpected display of vulnerability, but at the same time it felt so good to just let it all out. Jack would never tell anyone her secrets or tease her about them; he would probably never mention it again. Whether he knew it or not he had comforted her and she was so grateful. Now all she wanted to do was stay just like this, forever. For once she had something… someone to protect her and surprisingly she didn't feel cornered…she felt safe.
Jack began to think that maybe time had stopped. It seemed like the rain was just a fact rather than a feeling and everything around him was a blur except for Kate. In his mind she was a patient who needed his help but in his heart he wanted to help her for other reasons.
Suddenly Kate released him and took a step back. A little startled, Jack put his arms down to his sides and looked at her. She wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands and her thumbs and looked into his eyes.
"Thank you", she said sincerely, "I………………….I needed that."
Jack smiled slowly and then he looked down, "Are you…are you going to be alright?" he asked her, looking back into her eyes.
Kate nodded.
Jack smiled. "Come on the, he said offering his hand, "We should get back to the beach."
Kate smiled and accepted his hand.
They began walking to the beach with the effortless comfort and gate of people who had been friends since childhood.
At the border between the jungle and the beach, Jack pulled Kate to face him, took both of her hands, and looked her in the eyes. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? Because we can wait here if you need—"
Kate cut him off. "I'll be fine Jack," she said with a smile, "Thank you again" She kept his gaze but let their hands drop.
"Any time", Jack responded, the sincerity in both their voices could not help but be noticed.
"Come on", Kate said grinning and grabbing one of Jack's hands. She led him out of the tree line and onto the beach.
The rain made the beach look very gloomy and it was completely devoid of humans. Except for the occasional survivor answering Nature's call and heading toward some discrete location, all of the beach dwellers were packed away inside their shelters.
Jack looked for Charlie and Claire but couldn't find either of them. His own tent sat way down the beach to his right but Kate was pulling him forward.
Soon they reached Kate's tent and she walked in with Jack at her heels.
"The rain should stop soon", she said glancing out of the "door" at the sky while rummaging through her stuff.
Jack turned and looked out of the opening and nodded his head in agreement.
She tossed him a rag that was once a towel or blanket of some sort. "Here", she said, "You're soaked!"
Jack gave her an amused look as he eyed her dripping hair and the puddles her sloshing shoes had left.
Realizing what he was looking at Kate laughed. "Not that I should talk", she said as she found another rag and began to dry her hair.
When Kate was satisfied she put the rag around her shoulders and sat on the ground facing the opening in the shelter and hugged her knees loosely.
Jack dried off as much as he could and then joined Kate.
Kate stole a look at Jack who was staring out of the opening, deep in thought, and then turned back to the rain…
The droplets skittered down and created tiny streams on the huge windows. Kate stared out of them quiet and alone. All around her hundreds of voices were buzzing but none of them speaking to her. A few years ago she might have joined them…but not now not after what she had become…no, too much had happened since those days. This was her life now: constant fear movement and loneliness tangled up into one big web. Even the rests she took were on the move, like now, on this train. She took one more look at her fellow passengers who were chatting, and then she turned back to the rain…
It was ironic how her current situation was so similar to that train right. Then again…(she glanced at Jack)…so different.
Jack turned and met her gaze. They both smiled.
Jack nodded his head toward the opening that revealed the still pouring rain. "Thought you said it was going to stop soon", he said.
At first Kate was a little surprised because it sounded like something Sawyer might say. Jack however didn't say it in a cocky way; rather, he seemed to be teasing and genuinely concerned at the same time.
"Why?" she asked pointedly, "Got a hot date?"
Jack's smile widened in that certain way that told you he was thoroughly amused as his exhale came out as a laugh.
"No", Jack laughed, "Not that I know of", he said looking at her.
Kate fought back a blush as she analyzed the series of events: Her 'question' his response him looking at her. She searched his eyes to see if he was thinking the same but his eyes where unreadable save a hint of amusement and perhaps a twinkle of something else…
To interrupt the awkward silence and prevent any assumptions from being made, Kate said, "WELLLLLL Dr. Shephard…I'm surprised… I always took you to be a patient man!"
Jack smiled and then suddenly looked mildly frustrated. "I am a patient man…generally. I just don't want to be here."
"Oh!" Kate said in a surprised and hurt voice. "Y-you don't have stay here, I-I just thought…" her voice trailed off.
Jack paled as her thought about what he had just said, how it sounded, and what Kate must think.
Slowly and unsurely Kate stood up. Suddenly, she stumbled a little to the side as Jack gently pulled her down by her wrist. Her legs collapsed into somewhat of a heap as she landed next to him. Startled, she looked at him questioningly but said nothing as she waited to see what he would say.
"I didn't mean that…I mean…I didn't mean it like that…I'm just kind of anxious because I don't know where Charlie or Claire area or how she's doing…", he said seriously and apologetically.
Kate nodded slowly. So very 'Jack' she thought.
"I know how it sounded, but I didn't mean…(he stopped)…I appreciate your…uhhh…hospitality."
With that statement, the tension was gone.
Kate smiled and then couldn't help but laugh. "Yes Jack, " she said, "Welcome to my 'Home Sweet Home'! I'm thinking of redoing the living room in blue."
Jack began laughing too. "Ah, what a good choice! I've heard blue reflects the sunlight well", he joked. Kate giggled.
"Speaking of sunlight", she said turning toward the outside, "looks like the rain is slowing down". She said it with enthusiasm but she secretly felt a twinge of regret because she knew this meant Jack would be leaving soon.
Jack didn't say anything; he just looked at her. He couldn't help but admire her. Technically, she hadn't actually done anything just now but he felt that way every time he saw her. She was so smart, funny, forgiving, caring, and brave. Maybe not quite perfect, but close enough.
Kate met his gaze again and they smiled and then turned back to the waning rainstorm. Their shoulders touched slightly as they sat side by side. Funny how this almost tense situation had made them closer…in more ways than one…
(to be continued…)
Preview of next chapter-Catches up to current EP, Kate's thoughts on the events in DEM and DNH, and for all you Sawyer lovers…;)