Chapter 15

It was nearly two weeks later when Jack stepped out of LAX. More than three months after he was supposed to arrive. So much has happened in that time it felt like a lifetime ago that he left for Australia in the first time. He felt like he aged ten years in the past few months. How com sometimes years can go by without much happening, one gets stuck in a routine and the time flies by without much standing out but then there's the times when it seems like everything happens at once every day is filled with so much you can barely keep up.

He got into the rental car he just hired minutes ago and pulling out of the driveway he didn't even bother to turn on the A/C. Strange how you can survive without all the luxuries if you need to. It wasn't as warm here as back on the island though. He pulled into the driveway of the Shepherd home nearly an hour later, he'd been driving on automatic more than anything, he could hardly remember how he got there. He'd have to start paying more attention again if he was going to be driving around in the LA traffic.

His mother opened the door as he forced himself to get out leaning on the crutches he still used to get around, he'd been getting physical therapy but his leg was still healing, way too slow for Jack though he was getting restless being this immobile.

He'd been released from the hospital a few days after he woke up the first time, but had insisted on staying behind a while longer he wanted to try and find a pilot to hire so he could go back out looking for Kate but it had proven more difficult than he had anticipated. His mother had nagged him to go back to the States with her but had eventually given up and had came back early after Jack had promised to follow later.

He knew he had to go back to get all his affairs in order, all the other survivors had gone back to the Us already except for Charlie and Claire who were staying behind in Australia. Charlie had temporarily taken up residence at his brother and Claire with her mother. They both promised to come and visit soon though but Jack was determined to get back down under before them.

He turned down his mother's request to come have supper down with the excuse that he ate on the plane, he really just weren't hungry. He went straight upstairs and knew he wouldn't be able to sleep either.

Another week passed while Jack got his finances sorted out, he wanted to move into a place of his own again. He couldn't stay here with Margo much longer if he were to keep the bit of sanity he still had left. She was nagging him to go back to work, to get on with his life but he couldn't and she wouldn't understand why he just couldn't do that.

He'd just returned from another physical therapy session and was slowly walking down the street to where he'd left the car. He wanted to go see a realtor to try and find a apartment nearby to rent just something temporary he told himself he didn't want to set up roots until he could go find Kate and bring her back home, only then would he look for a decent place to buy and set up house again.

He'd abandoned the crutches the day before and was now just limping along through the crowds. All around him were shop windows decorated with fake snow and tinsel. He could hear parts of jingle bells and we wish you a merry christmas drifting out every time a shop door opened and closed. People were rushing to get last minute shopping done. Jack hardly noticed he was caught up in his own world. He hadn't even come close to thinking about buying gifts. His mother had talked about planning a Christmas dinner and inviting some of his old friends and colleagues. But he'd stopped her he didn't feel in the Christmas celebrating spirit. The only thing he wanted for Christmas he couldn't have.

He stopped in front of a jewellery store, Christmas lights were blinking in the front window next to the sparkling diamond rings and gold watches. There was a couple inside A tall man with dark hair and a woman with long brown hair they were looking at the rings as he smiled up at her just as she picked up a ring and handed it to him he continued to slip it onto her ring finger and she just fell into his arms, so obviously in love. Maybe that's what made him go inside, maybe it was that they were playing a song other than jingle bells on the speakers.

I keep trying to find my way
and all I know is im lost without you
I keep trying to face the day
I'm lost without you
How am I ever gonna get rid of these blurs
baby I'm so lonely all the time
everywhere I go I get so confused
your the only thing thats on my mind
On my bed so cold at night
I miss you more each day
only you can make it right
no I'm not too proud to say
All I know is I'm lost without you
I'm not gonna lie
how am I gonna be strong without you
I need you by my side

"Jack!" He looked up recognising the voice, he'd been so deep in thought he didn't see the people entering the shop just as he left nearly bumping into them.

Jack was slightly surprised to see Hurley and Libby here but didn't have time to ask questions as Hurley practically dragged him aside, a huge grin on his face.

"Good to see you man. How are you? How's the leg?" Libby stood smiling next to Hurley. "Hey Jack"

Jack nodded a 'hi' "The leg's fine. What are you two doing out here?"

"Oh we got a lot to tell you" he winked at Libby. "Let's go somewhere we can talk"

Jack didn't have much chance to argue as the two led his across the street to a café. As they sat down Hurley took Libby's hand in his and they shared a smile that was obvious to Jack there was something going on between them.

"We're engaged" Hurley blurted before Libby could say anything she looked at him accusingly. "Hurley.." she tried to stop him and Hurley looked at her with a guilty look on his face. He looked so comical at that moment that Jack snapped out of the shocked expression when he heard Hurley's news and actually smiled.

"We were going to wait before telling people" Libby said softly but Jack could still hear what they were saying. "Sorry, I'm just so happy" at that Libby seemed to consent and both looked back at Jack. "You can keep a secret right?" Hurley asked as he called the waiter over.

"Sure. Congratulations, I guess" Jack said still too surprised to say anything else. "When did this happen"

"Last night" Libby now said.

"We came back here together and Libby stayed with me till all our things got sorted out again but then she realised I'm the man for her and she didn't want to move out again" Hurley teased and Libby just gave him a look.

"I think you got that bits mixed, you're the one who didn't want me to move out and must've thought a proposal was the only way to keep me around"

"You're saying the 10 carat diamond wasn't necessary?" He pointed to the sparkler on her left hand.

"Hey I didn't say that!" She laughed.

Jack sat quietly just watching the two people bantering. He was happy for them and for a few minutes they made him laugh and forget about his own problems again.

The conversation inevitably switched to Kate as soon as their coffee was put on the table. Jack told them he was going back to find her. Hurley and Libby looked a little concerned, but Hurley also saw the determination in Jack's eyes and nodded.

"ok man, if you need anything, money, boats, planes anything just say so. I'll do anything I can to help"

Jack looked surprised "you got access to boats and planes?"

"Well not directly but I can rent something" Hurley frowned "or buy something" he added.

"Thanks Hurley, but I think I'll manage"

"No man I'm serious. You'll get a lot more done if you can pay people well to take you back"

"Hurley I appreciate it but I've got money"

"Nearly $170 million? Dude, I insist. I want to help find her too. It's the least I can do"

Jack looked at Hurley "$170 million?" Then after a few seconds "you were serious about winning the lotto?"

"yeah"

Jack sat thinking for a few seconds "ok we can work something out"

When they finished lunch Libby asked Jack what he was doing for Christmas.

"I don't really know. Why?"

"We called the other survivors and invited them to our place up in Santa Barbara. Most of them are coming; we'd love it if you could make it as well"

Jack hesitated for a moment. "Ok give me the address; I'll try to make it"

Hurley refused to take no for a answer. So late afternoon on Christmas Jack stopped in front of a house you could only describe as a mansion. The gates opened seconds after he rung. He could already see several cars in the driveway. He was beginning to doubt if this was such a good idea, he didn't really feel like being among a lot of festive people. But if he had to choose between here and home where all his parents' friends were it was here. At least here they understood somewhat what he was feeling.

Libby opened the door before he even knocked. Dressed in jeans and a red sweater she looked the perfect hostess.

"Hey jack. Glad you could make it. Merry Christmas"

Jack returned the well wishes and went inside not just slightly impressed by the place. Hurley and Libby sure had a far cry from the beach and jungle living here.

Libby led him into the lounge where the rest of the people were, he was surprised to see just about everyone there. Hurley and Sayid were standing by the bar while Jin, Sun and another dark haired woman he didn't recognize were sitting together talking. Sawyer, Michael and Walt were sitting on the floor playing poker at the small table.

Eko and yet another dark haired unfamiliar woman were standing watching them.

Everyone looked up and came over to say hi, he haven't seen most of them since the island.

They spent the afternoon catching up. He told everyone that Charlie and Claire seemed to be happy back in Australia and had wished they could be here when he told her about the get-together.

Michael told them he and Walt had been in New York with his parents since they got back but they're now going to relocate to California where Hurley will help him set up a studio so he can concentrate on his art and Walt can go back to school.

Jin and Sun had decided to stay in the US as well, they didn't want to go back to their lives in Korea. Her father weren't happy when he heard but she wasn't going to let him ruin their lives anymore, especially now that their expecting a baby. They bought a house not far from Hurley and Sun's pregnancy was going along well.

Sayid introduced the woman sitting with Sun and Jin as Nadia. She had heard the news reports of the Oceanic flight going down and when the names of the passengers were released she was shocked to see Sayid's name there. Then when the news broke of survivors being found she called to find out if he was one of them and was overjoyed to find out he was. She contacted him and he now moved in with her, both of them settling in California as well.

Eko planned to go back to Nigeria at least temporarily. He had some things to take care of there. He planned on coming back t the States though.

Then Sawyer introduced the other dark haired woman as Cassie. He had left Australia on the hope of tracking her down in the US again, it turned out to be a lot easier than he thought when she found him not even a day after he was back on US soil. She'd also heard the news of the plane crash survivors. He wanted to fix things between them and give their relationship a second chance this time without conning each other or other people. They were now living in San Francisco where Cassie worked.

Jack was happy for all of them it seemed like they had all found happiness again, their lives were back to normal He felt oddly out of place like he couldn't join their celebrations until he had his happiness returned too.