Okay, so what's with the seperater-line thingie not working?
Anyway, it is my pleasure (and yours I hope?) to present to you the last chapter of Almost Home. I apologize for how long the posting has taken, but a lot has happened -- and the chapter is very long. (37 pages on Word, to be exact!)
As always, feedback is love and appreciated. I will be posting an author's note in the next few days to announce what's coming up.
Thank you all so much for sticking with me.
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Informed that Katherine Austen is very much still alive.
Jack had imagined the words, and how they would come, so many times that he wasn't quite sure if these men were actually saying them, or if his mind was playing tricks on him again. He could almost see them written out in front of him. Kate. They knew Kate was still alive.
Jack hoped the shock he was feeling registered as confusion like he wanted it to. Shaking his head, he shrugged, "I'm sorry? Katherine Austen?"
Smithey and Harris exchanged a glance.
As Harris started to speak, Jack nodded, "Oh. The fugitive from the crash? I told you; she died shortly after the crash. A shrapnel was lodged into her chest. I was able to remove it, but the internal injuries were far too serious. It took her about three days to bleed out."
Jack knew the story he gave them was the identical to the one he told them during the hours of interrogation they had made him sit through. Everyone else had given them a more diluted version. Jack was the one in control. Even now. He would take control of this situation and everything would turn out fine.
"Your ex wife, Sarah," Smithey said slowly, emphasizing Sarah's name as though Jack might not be too sure who she is. "Sarah told us that Katherine Austen accompanied you to a dinner party your aunt threw for you awhile back. We showed her Katherine's picture and she confirmed that the curly-haired brunette was indeed who had accompanied you."
Anger more profound than any he had ever felt swelled up within Jack. He began to see little white dots in front of him. He had to stay composed. He couldn't let them see what was happening inside of him.
He opened his mouth to respond but Derek Harper interrupted him. "Now, Dr. Shephard, we realize this is an ex-wife speaking," Derek Harper rolled his eyes and sighed, as though he had a lot of experience with dealing with ex's and knew what a nuisance they could be. "And an extremely disgruntled ex-wife at that. While I do not feel in any way that her accusation are true, I was required to call in the Feds."
"And we're required to follow-up," Smithey interjected, looking less convinced of Jack's innocence than Harper. "You take a date to this dinner?"
"I did," Jack said shortly, nodding. "However, she's never committed any kind of crime to my knowledge. She's a photographer from Delaware."
"I'm sure she is," Harris said, a slow smirk inching across his face. "And I'm sure you know nothing about this Katherine Austen other than you tended to her on in the island. We'll be talking to a few people from the party. Showing them some pictures. And we'll be stopping by your house soon enough, Dr. Shephard. Just a little follow-up."
"Of course," Jack nodded, surprised at how steady he was able to make his voice come out. "Whatever you need from me, just let me know."
"We'll be sure to let you know, Doctor Shephard," Smithey said with a nod as the three men began to make their way to Jack's office door. "You don't have any vacation plans, do you?"
Jack cocked his head, and stared at them. "No. I don't. Not in the near future."
Smithey and Harris exchanged one last glance. "Then it's to be understood you won't be leaving the state anytime soon? Not until this little investigation is wrapped up. Correct?"
"Of course," Jack nodded. He felt like they could see inside his mind. "Like I said, anything I can do. . ."
"Good to see you, Dr. Shephard," Harris gave Jack one last nod before the three men left.
Jack sat down on his desk, hard, after the three men left. He felt like everything was spinning, and he would be sucked down into the center if he stood. Forcing himself to take deep breaths, he stood up. He couldn't just sit. There was too much that had to be done.
Forcing himself along, Jack took an elevator down to the lab where he had stood days before, holding Kate's pregnancy test results. Glad to find it empty, he picked up the phone.
After two rings, his mother answered.
"Mom," Jack's voice came out thick. "I need you to listen to me and to do exactly what I say."
"Jack," Margo's tone changed from brisk to worried. "What's going on." She didn't pose it as a question. Jack could tell she knew exactly what was happening.
"I need you to go to Kate," Jack told her evenly. "I need you to help her pack any necessities you can think of for me and her. Don't let her know anything is wrong. Tell her I said I would talk to her about it when I get there. You can't act upset, Mom."
"Jack," Margo repeated. "They. . . How did they --"
"Mom," Jack's voice came out sharper than he had planned. "Just do this. I have to go. I'll be home as soon as I can." He hung up before Margo could say anything else.
After staring down at the phone for several seconds, and fighting the churning feeling in his stomach, Jack turned to leave the lab and almost collided with Carl, the same lab technician who had processed Kate's test. He cleared this throat, "Carl!"
"Hey, Jack," Carl nodded. "Back for more copies of your girlfriend's test? Going to pass them out as late Christmas presents?"
Jack gave a confused, nervous laugh. "I don't think negative hospital pregnancy tests make the best gifts, Carl."
Carl sat down in his chair, and gave Jack a confused look. "Her test was positive, Jack. What are you talking about?"
Jack forced out a dry laugh. The last thing he needed was some lab tech's twisted sense of humor. "I still have the copy up in my office. It's definitely negative."
Without responding, Carl got up and began to thumb through a stack of yellow folders. Muttering to himself, he grabbed one and then handed it to Jack. "97041. I checked it myself to see whether or not I need to congratulate you. So. . . Congratulations, Jack."
Jack hastily opened the folder, and stared down at the sheet of paper in front of him. It wasn't the same test he had seen before. Positive. Everything on the sheet added up to a
positive pregnancy test. Kate was pregnant. She was going to have a baby. They were going to have a baby. Black dots began to swirl in front of Jack and he had to lean up against the wall.
"I, uh," Jack's voice squeaked when he talked, and he had to clear his throat. "I picked up the wrong test. I thought a one was a seven. She's uh, wow. . . she's pregnant."
"Are you okay, Jack?" Carl sounded concerned. "Do you need me to go get you some water?"
"No," Jack stood up and sat the folder down on a desk. "No, I'm good. It's just. . . big, you know?
Carl nodded, and started to speak. Jack, however, didn't hear anything he was saying. All he could think about was how Kate was going to react to the news. Kate was barely stable on a good day. Jack couldn't comprehend how she was going to react to the news of her being pregnant piled up on the fact that the feds knew she was alive.
Forcing himself to look back at Carl, Jack nodded. "Thanks for everything, Carl. Looks like I have someone I need to go break some news to."
The two exchanged good-byes. Jack hurried back up to his office, grabbing his wallet and keys. He needed to get home as soon as possible.
Halfway home, Jack pulled over at a gas station. He walked briskly to a payphone, and picked it up, dialing a number he wished he didn't know by heart. It rang five times.
"Goddamnit, pick up," Jack muttered.
Three rings later, he got the result he desired. "Hey, it's Jack. That favor we talked about. She needs it now."
"You really don't know where we're going?" Kate questioned Margo again, as she watched her place Jack's clothes into a duffel bag. "Did he say how many bags I should take?"
"Just one, Katherine," Margo said evenly. "Just the necessities. And no, he did not tell me where you were going. He just asked me to help you pack. I assume you are leaving as soon as he gets home from work."
Kate laid her evening dress on the bed. "He wanted us to go out to dinner tonight. I don't know how he got enough vacation time for a vacation. What kind of bag should I put this dress in?"
Margo closed her eyes, trying to stay calm. "Katherine, that evening gown is not a necessity. Jack should be home soon. Focus on what you need."
Glancing behind Margo, Kate saw that Jack had entered the bedroom. "Jack! Where is this surprise destination I'm packing for? You're mother won't spill any details."
Licking his laps, Jack looked to Margo. "Mom, can you give me and Kate a few minutes alone, please?"
Margo stared down at the ground and nodded. "Of course, Jack. I'll be downstairs."
Nervous, Kate stopped going through her suitcase. Folding her arms, she looked at Jack seriously, "Jack. What's going on?"
Jack didn't know what else to do except dive right in. "Kate, three men came into my office today. Two of them were federal agents."
Kate bit her lip and took a step back. "That's not funny, Jack."
"Kate," Jack's voice broke as he reached out for her. "They know you're still alive. They got some information and -- they know you're with me. At least, they think you're with me. They don't have enough proof yet. They know you were at the party, Kate. Sarah told them. Eventually they'll show up here."
Her eyes filled with tears before she could put a hold on her emotions and she moved away from his embrace. Glancing around the room she had become at home in, she shook her head, "Jack. . ."
"I'm sorry, Kate," Jack whispered as a single tear fell down her cheek. He stepped forward, finally pulling her to him. "I am so, so sorry that I couldn't protect you."
It made him sick that he had to finally admit what he had been afraid of so long. He was unable to save her when it really mattered. Tears filled his own eyes as Kate's arms wrapped around his middle, and she let out a muffled sob against his chest.
Jack pulled her to him, and tried to whisper soothing things, but before he got the chance, Kate pushed him away, wiping at her cheeks. "Jack, I don't expect you -- You know you don't have to come, right?"
In a last ditch effort to fight the tears that were ready to overtake him, Jack pulled her in for a kiss. "It's you and me, Kate."
Kate nodded. She wasn't going to fight it. Motioning towards the bed, she whispered, "I think we've got everything packed."
Jack nodded slowly, picking up Kate's suitcase, and slinging his duffel bag over his shoulder. He didn't know what to say to her. There was nothing that could make either of them feel better. He went to walk out of the room and noticed she wasn't beside him. Turning around, Jack found Kate walking around the bedroom. She gently touched the bedside tables, and then laid a hand on Jack's pillow. She looked up at him, and then nodded as she walked passed him out the door, "I just need. . ."
Unable to finish her sentence, Kate made her way down the hall to the guest bedroom where she had spent her first weeks. Jack followed her, and saw her staring at the bed. He ran a hand up her back, knowing she was thinking about the exact same moment he was. Jack wanted to assure her that the place where they had first made love was just material, and that there would be lots of other kinds of firsts. But no words came. Seemingly reading his thoughts, Kate glanced over at him. "I just need to remember it all."
Taking her hand, Jack nodded and whispered, "We're going to be okay, Kate."
"I know," Kate said with a nod. She pulled her hand from his, "We'd probably better be going. . ."
"You're right," Jack agreed. He followed her downstairs to where Margo was waiting in the living room. Boo was sitting next to her in a travel carrier.
Margo smiled tightly at Jack and Kate, "I picked it up on my way over. You can't carry a cat around with you in a cardboard box."
"Thanks, Mom," Jack said softly. He hugged her, "I love you, Mom. I could never thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I love you."
Pulling away from the hug, Margo shook her head. "Don't say that as though this is the last time you'll be seeing me. I'm proud of you, Jack. I have been every day of your life. And so was your father. He would be today. You are every bit the man he wished he could have been."
Jack went to respond, but was interrupted by a strangled sob from Kate. She put her hand over her eyes and shook her head, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I've caused this."
Margo took Kate's hands and pulled her into a hug. "Katherine --"
Kate hugged her back. "My own mother was afraid of me. And you -- you. . ."
Pulling away, Margo looked Kate in the eyes. "Kate, I could not have picked someone better for Jack than you. You take care of him."
Kate nodded, and Jack cleared his throat. "We have to go if we're going to make it to the airport in time."
"Airport?" Kate turned to him, becoming aware that Jack had plans he hadn't informed her about. Maybe having a plan was what was best for them.
"You can't drive your car to the airport," Margo shook her head, taking on her normal take-charge tone. "They'll find it. No sense in helping them figure out which direction you've gone in. I'm driving you."
"Mom," Jack shook his head. "You don't --"
"Get your things, Jack," Margo grabbed her keys from the table. "You don't want to be late."
In the sudden mood change, Jack and Kate both nearly forgot about being sad as they made their way to Margo's car. Kate sat Boo in the backseat and got in. Jack sat their luggage next to her and then got into the front passenger seat. Margo quickly climbed into the car, putting on her Chanel sunglasses.
Kate was quiet for most of the ride. She was overwhelmed by the thoughts, worries and doubts swirling in her head. Not to mention that riding in the backseat was making her a little bit nauseous. Just when she thought her stomach wasn't going to be able to handle anymore, they pulled into the airport parking lot.
Pushing past the luggage and Boo, Kate got out of the car, taking in a breath of fresh air. After several deep breaths, she was able to settle her stomach and she turned back to the car. Jack was getting their bags out of the back and Margo was staring straight forward.
Opening the passenger door, Kate leaned in and said. "I'll miss you, Margo."
Margo looked over at her, keeping her sunglasses on and her voice even. "Yes, Katherine. You certainly turned out different than I expected. Don't forget to take care of yourself along the way, too."
Kate nodded, and then stepped away from the car, far enough out of earshot to give Jack a moment alone with his mother. Several seconds later, Jack handed Kate Boo's carrier and Margo drove away.
The time it took to pick up their tickets and drop Boo off was spent in a daze by Kate. She felt as though she was walking through water. It was like everyone around her was moving at normal speed and she was in slow motion. When everything was taken care of Kate let out a sigh of relief and slunk down into a beige plastic chair.
Jack sat down, hard, in the seat next to her. "You okay?"
Leaning forward and putting her head in her hands, Kate let out a bitter laugh, "Yeah, Jack. I'm just great."
Jack sighed, "That's not how I meant it, Kate. I just --"
She interrupted him, standing up. "Is there a bar around here. I could really use a drink."
A million red flags immediately went up, and Jack fought to keep his composure. "No. I don't think so."
"Yes, there is," Kate pointed to a sign. "It's over that way. I'll be back in time for a flight."
Jack stood and caught her arm as she started to walk away. "Stop, Kate. I really don't think you should go wandering around. There's probably a ton of cameras in the bar. Besides, do you really think you should be drinking under these circumstances?"
"Under these circumstances?" Kate laughed, yanking her arm away from him. "Don't act like it's something new to me, Jack. I've been doing this for years, okay? All this is. . is getting back to the same old routine."
Sitting back down, Jack shook his head. "This is all my fault, Kate. If I had never insisted you go to that party then we wouldn't be in this situation right now. I feel terrible, Kate. If there was anything --"
"Shut up," Kate held out her hands, her voice rising with each word. "Just shut up, Jack! Don't you dare make this about you. You didn't even have to come!"
Jack grabbed Kate's wrist and yanked her down in the seat next to him. "What is with you? Do you want to cause a scene? Quiet down."
Kate crossed her arms and started straight ahead.
"You're welcome, by the way," Jack snapped. "You're welcome for orchestrating all this and for getting you out of there as quickly as I could."
"How the hell did you get all of this together so quickly anyway?" Kate asked, turning towards him. "What's in Georgia? What aren't you telling me?"
Jack sighed, then opened his mouth to respond. Before he could get anything out, the PA came on over head, announcing their flight was boarding. He stood up and offered her his hand, "We'd better go."
Somewhat reluctantly Kate took Jack's hand and followed him to their loading gate. She laid her head on his shoulder, and grabbed onto his hand as the plane glided down the runway. He kissed her on top of her head, and left his face buried in her hair, "What's the worst that could happen? We'll crash and end up on a deserted island?"
"Been there, done that," Kate scoffed with a roll of her eyes. She traced the outline of his hand, "Doesn't sound so bad though, does it?"
"Anywhere is fine with me as long as we're together," Jack told her, squeezing her hand as the plane began to climb. "That island could have been pretty romantic though, now that I think about it."
"Oh yes," Kate said dryly.. "I've always wanted to have sex on the ground of a cave. And it's been an even bigger dream of mine to have the person I'm having sex with run off in the middle of it to go save the lives of 40-some strangers!"
"Please," Jack rolled his eyes. "You know I paid more attention to you than anyone else."
Kate let out a snort. "I know you yelled at me more than anyone else."
Jack accepted a bottle of water from the stewardess pushing the cart around, and shook his head. "Maybe if you weren't off doing God-knows-what in the jungle with Sawyer every other day, I wouldn't have had anything to get so worked up about."
"If you were aggravated by the fact I was having sex with Sawyer, you could have just said so," Kate laughed, and winked. "I would've much rather been doing it with you, Jack."
Jack gave her a look. "At least you're smiling again."
"You know I'm teasing you," Kate shook her head. "Forget about Sawyer. We're never even going to see him again."
Jack choked on the water he was drinking, sending a spray onto the seat in front of him. Kate turned towards him, startled, "You okay?"
"Yeah," Jack nodded, covering his mouth as he coughed. "Just uh. . . just went down the wrong pipe."
Kate gave him a strange look, but dropped it, nodding slowly. Sighing, she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm so tired."
"Then go to sleep," Jack told her softly, kissing her on top of her head. For the first time he noticed that her hair wasn't lying in it's usual mess of curls. She had straightened it and curled the ends just slightly, giving it a little bit of bounce. He sighed as he kissed her hair again. They were supposed to be out on their "first date" at that very moment.
They sat in comfortable silence for several long minutes before Jack softly whispered, "I like your hair curly."
"Oh, really?" Kate looked up at him, a small grin on her face. She ran her fingers through her hair, "I would have thought you liked it all neat and orderly."
Jack shook his head, "No. I like it crazy and untamed."
"You've had a lot of crazy and untamed these past few months," Kate said dryly as she settled back on his shoulder. "Have I ever thanked you, Jack?"
"Thanked me for what?" he responded automatically, tracing her knuckles with the tips of his fingers.
"Thanked you for. . ." Kate fell silent for over a minute, and Jack thought she had decided to let the entire topic drop. Instead, when she finally spoke again, her voice was strained, "I don't even know where to start, Jack. For everything you've done for me. For everything you'll never admit you gave up for me. I can't. . . I can't even put it in words."
Jack thought of a million things he wanted to tell her, hundreds of different emotions he wanted to express. But, as he squeezed her hand, his only reply was, "Giving you up would have broken my heart into a million more pieces than losing anything you think I gave up did."
Kate turned her head to his shoulder and a comfortable silence overlapped them as Jack felt Kate's silent tears seep through his shirt. After a few minutes, as her breathing and the rise and fall of her chest became more steady, Jack knew she had drifted to sleep.
Jack was able to doze off for awhile himself, until the pilot's voice came over the intercom announcing that they had arrived in Atlanta. Gently, he sat up, shaking Kate. "Wake up, Kate. We're here."
A groggy Kate sat up to greet him, as they landed with ease. After exiting the plane and grabbing their few items from baggage claim, Kate waited near an exit door as Jack went to retrieve Boo. He handed Kate Boo's case, and took the luggage as they made their way into the parking garage.
Kate smirked at him as they walked through the rows of vehicles. "You realize with all this luggage, and a cat, in tow we can't just hop aboard the Georgia public bus system, right?"
"You under-estimate me, Kate," Jack told her, turning towards her and handing her all the luggage.
Looping the duffel over her shoulder, Kate gave him an aggravated glare. "What the hell are you going on about now?"
"Shh," Jack whispered almost more to himself than to her. Kate watched, confused, as Jack stopped in front of a green Oldsmobile Alero. He jiggled the handle, and to Kate's surprise it opened. Jack slid into the driver's seat.
"Jack!" Kate hissed, glancing around. "What the hell are you doing?"
He disappeared below the dash for several long seconds. To Kate's surprise, the engine started up. Jack reappeared. "Get in."
Stuffing Boo and the luggage into the backseat, Kate hurried around to the front. "Jack! We're stealing a car!"
Jack glanced in the review mirror, rolling his eyes, as he backed out of the space. "Kate, at this point, I think the last thing we have to worry about is the punishment for stealing a car."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Where did you even learn how to hotwire a car?"
A slow smirk spread across Jack's face. "I have a lot of layers you have yet to discover. There's got to be some mystery, doesn't there? Where's the fun if we know everything about each other?"
Kate was oddly turned on by the situation. "You look kind of hot driving a stolen vehicle."
"Don't talk like that," Jack warned, glancing over at her. He checked the mirror again as he got onto the highway. "Because right now all I want to do is pull into a deserted road stop and take you into the backseat."
Kate glanced into the backseat, then back at him coyly. "There's not very much room back there."
"I've performed in smaller spaces," Jack laughed. "And the way I'm feeling right now -- we wouldn't have to be back there very long."
Glancing at the exit ramps, Kate asked, "Can you get to where we're going by taking back roads? Or do you definitely need to be on the highway?"
"I can take back roads," Jack said slowly. "It's going to take longer though. Why? Do you think it's a bad idea for us to be on the highway."
"Yes!" Kate said, turning and grinning widely at him. "That's it. It's a bad idea for us to be on such open road, I think. There. There's an exit right there."
Several minutes later Jack and Kate were driving down a dirt road. Farms stretched out on either side of them and there wasn't another car in sight. Kate unbuckled her seatbelt, and leaned over towards Jack, placing her hand on his knee. Slowly, it drifted upward.
He laughed nervously, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Shh," Kate told him, her hands finding his belt. "Just drive."
Glancing down he saw that she had undone his belt. He looked over at her and she was grinning, "Drive slower. And sit up for a second, I can't get those off all by myself."
"Kate," he said lamely, trying to keep his voice stern. It was no use though. From the look on her face, she had her mind set on what was about to take place. And who was he kidding by acting like he didn't want it? It would be a nice distraction.
Seconds later his jeans were at his knees.
He tried to keep his eyes on the road as she leaned over him. "You know, you don't have to --" Jack's foot the accelerator harder than he wanted it to as he let out a moan, "Kate."
As Jack continued to drive slowly down the deserted dirt road he was glad no one was around to see through the window the brunette curls that bounced up and down every few seconds.
Less than ten minutes later Jack and Kate were face-to-face again as he pulled over to the side of the road. "What are you doing?" she questioned, running a hand through her hair.
"Trade me places," Jack ordered, putting the car in park.
"Why?" Kate asked. The reason dawned on her, and her eyes went wide. "No, Jack. You know I can't concentrate on anything else when you do that."
"Try," Jack whispered, his tone practically a plead. Kate nodded and seconds later they were both on their knees on their seats, caught up in a hungry kiss. Her jeans were discarded as they clumsily switched seats, only breaking the kiss once when Jack banged his head on the roof of the car.
Kate settled down in the driver's seat and tried to get comfortable as she felt Jack's lips on her thigh. Another quick kiss very low on her stomach, and his lips were up at her neck. Keeping her eyes opened proved to be nearly impossible as Jack's fingers went to work.
A minute later she couldn't take it anymore. Glad she had never taken the car out of park, she turned, her lips meeting Jack's. He pulled her as close as he could get her and her hands went down to his jeans, which he had left unbuttoned. They were quickly discarded onto the car floor next to hers. Jack reclined his seat and pulled Kate across the median onto him. There was just enough room for her knees on either side of him.
"Jack," Kate moaned against his mouth as his hands grazed over her hips, guiding her at a quicker speed.
It was the kind of sex she had only ever experienced with Jack. The feel of him could make everything else disappear. When they came together, there was nothing but the two of them. Jack filled her completely, all the parts of him melting over the parts of her that were missing.
"I think. . ." Jack whispered a few minutes later, resting his perspiration-dotted forehead against hers. "I think we needed that."
Kate let out a husky laugh, "I know I needed that."
They sat together for several more seconds until Jack spoke up, "We'd probably better get on our way, Kate."
Kate nodded, and eased back into the driver's seat, wiggling quickly back into her discarded jeans. They both exited the car and met in front for a quick kiss before returning back to their seats. They were silent as Jack pulled back onto the highway. Resting her head against the window, she quickly fell asleep.
She awoke just in time to see them pass under a Welcome to Tennessee sign. Tennessee. Something -someone?- was connected to Tennessee, right? She just couldn't jar her still-half-asleep mind awake enough to remember who. She sat up straight, and cleared her throat, "Jack, where are we driving to?"
Jack didn't look at her. "Knoxville."
Knoxville. That was even more familiar. It was right there -- why couldn't she place it? All of the sudden, it clicked. "Pull over, Jack!"
Jack looked at her like she was crazy. "We're on a highway, Kate. I can't pull over. What's wrong?"
"I don't care where we are," Kate snapped. She was suddenly so angry that tiny white dots began to appear. Trying quickly to blink them away, she grabbed the door handle. "Let me out right now!"
More worried than anything, Jack took the first exit he saw, and quickly pulled into a rest area. Despite it being the middle of the night the secluded area was practically empty. Jack counted less than a handful of cars as he glanced around the parking lot. Turning to Kate, he demanded, "What is going on with you?"
Getting out of the car and slamming the door shut behind her, Kate walked away from him. "Just stay away, Jack."
Hastily, he got out of the car and tried to keep up with her quick pace through the small brick building. Four restrooms, a couple snack machines, and more pamphlets than anyone would ever need in their life decorated the small room, but Kate didn't stop for any of them. Instead, she walked out the back door to a small courtyard adorned with several picnic benches and a few dim light posts. Jack caught up with her as she began to fall a stone path back to the woods.
Grabbing her arm, he pulled her back to him. "What the hell are you doing, Kate?"
She yanked her arm away, and he noticed how heavy she was breathing. "How dare you bring me here, to him, without telling me. Don't I get a say in anything, Jack? You can not just involve whoever you want without consulting me. Especially someone you know I wouldn't want involved. Who do you think you are?"
"I am just trying to protect you, Kate! I just did what --"
"I don't need you to protect me!" Kate's voice echoed through the courtyard, and Jack silently gave thanks no one was around. "I don't need you at all. I don't. I should have known better than to let you come. To trust you like this!"
Jack closed his eyes briefly, trying to calm himself down before he said something he would later regret. He opened them and stared at her outraged frame, wondering if this was how life was always going to be with Kate. One step forward, two steps back. He guessed that it probably would.
Taking a tentative step in her direction, Jack reached out for her, "Please don't do this, Kate."
"Just go home, Jack," Kate shook her head. Her voice took on a desperate tone, "Please just go home. Just tell them I tricked you into this somehow. Tell them it's all my fault. They'll believe you, Jack. I can't do this to you, I can't let you do this. Tell them whatever you need to be about me. Just go back home."
"I'm not going to leave you, Kate," Jack said firmly. "I am sorry I didn't tell you where we were going, but it's because I knew you'd react just like this. Sawyer is the one person I could think of who can get us the kind of help that we need right now. And he did. I don't like that anymore than you do, but it's the truth. Now, can we just go?"
Kate shook her head, "No. I don't need his help. Or your help."
Jack bit the inside of his lip. "Yes, you do, Kate."
Crossing her arms, she glared at him. "Give me one reason you think I need you."
"Because you're pregnant, Kate."
Kate took a step back, as if his words had physically assaulted her. They locked eyes, staring intently for several seconds. "I'm what?"
Jack swallowed hard. "We're uh, we're having a baby, Kate."
Kate remained almost frighteningly calm as she let the situation sink in. Deep down, it wasn't a huge surprise to her. Speaking quietly, she uncrossed her arms, then crossed them back. "So, you lied to me. The test was positive."
"No," Jack took a step forward, surprised when she actually let him touch her. "No, I didn't lie to you. I would not lie to you about something like this. I must have picked up the wrong test or something. I went down there today to call my mom, and Carl was there and he started congratulating me, and I didn't know what for, and then he told me he had looked at your results and you were pregnant. Believe me, Kate. I am as surprised as you are but --" He finally cut himself off, realizing he was rambling.
Kate remained completely quiet, and still, not moving an inch. Her gaze fell on a crack on the sidewalk and stayed there for several minutes. Jack almost wish she'd make some sort of outburst. That she'd start screaming or hitting him or crying. This silence was worse than anything he could have imagined.
Finally, she shook her head. "Maybe he was wrong. Maybe it was him who looked at the wrong test, and the one you looked at was the right one."
"Is that really what you think?" Jack asked softly.
"Yes," Kate said firmly, her expression saying just the opposite. "He must have been mistaken."
Jack wasn't sure how to respond. Taking her hand, he nodded in the direction of where they were parked. "Come on, let's go."
Wordlessly, she allowed him to lead her to the car. She was surprised when they didn't get back on the highway, but instead drove down the road until they came upon a 24-hour convenience store. Opening his door, he told her, "Wait here. I'll be back in just a minute."
Kate sat in the car, watching the people that entered and left the small drug mart. It was an interested crowed that made two a.m. runs to the tiny, run-down shop. A man in a cowboy hat, wife beater, basketball shorts, and snakeskin boots was the first to catch her eye. He was followed by a young couple who didn't seem to have a care in the world.
But the one who really caught Kate's attention was a young woman. She looked like she couldn't have been much older than twenty. She wore a pair of tight jeans and had her white-blonde hair pulled back in a pony-tail. An old army bag was slung over one shoulder and along with it, she tossed her purchases into the back of an old green, Chevy pick-up. It wasn't the girls clothes, or her actions that mesmerized Kate. It was the look in the girl's eye. Kate recognized it all too well. The young girl was running from something.
The young blonde glanced behind her and caught Kate staring. She stared back for a moment, looking slightly afraid. Then a tentative smile broke out, followed by a nod, before the girl climbed into the truck and turned it on. It took an almost physical control for Kate to not leap from the car and go and talk to the girl. She knew she couldn't help. And she knew the girl wouldn't want help even if she could. But Kate couldn't remember ever feeling so immediately connected to someone she had never even talked to. With a squeal of her tiles, the girl pulled out of the parking lot and disappeared into the darkness.
Kate stared after her vanished figure until Jack's car door opened and she felt something drop into her lap. She glanced over to his concerned face, and he laid his hand on top of hers, "You alright? You look like you just saw a ghost."
Forcing a smile, Kate nodded. "I'm fine, Jack."
Jack didn't quite look like he believed her, but he let the subject drop. He left the parking lot and headed back towards the highway. Or at least Kate thought he was driving back to the highway. Instead, they ended up back in the parking lot of the rest area. He tapped the bag that still lay in her lap. "There's a bathroom inside."
Kate opened the bag, and removed it's contents, letting out a tired sigh.
Jack gave her a sympathetic smile. "Do you need me to go with you?"
Clutching on to the pregnancy test, Kate opened her car door and rolled her eyes, "Thanks, Jack, but I think I can pee on a stick by myself."
Laying his head against the headrest, Jack closed his eyes and waited for her to return. She did in less than three minutes, stick in hand. He studied her closely, "That was quick."
"It wasn't the most difficult task," Kate snapped, holding out the stick to him. "Here. You look at it."
"Oh," Jack drew out the word sarcastically. "You can pee on it by yourself, but reading the results, that you need me for."
Waving it around, Kate seethed, "Can you just look at the goddamn stick, Jack?"
"This is ridiculous," Jack snapped back. "We both know damn well what those results are going to be."
Kate closed her eyes for several seconds, and when she opened them her expression had changed from hostile to apologetic. "I just can't look at it myself, Jack. Please."
Wordlessly, Jack took the test from her and studied it closely. Kate stared out the window, waiting for him to speak.
"Two pink lines."
Slowly, Kate turned back to Jack, meeting his gaze. "So."
"So," Jack replied slowly.
Sighing, Kate leaned toward him. "Maybe the --"
"The test isn't wrong, Kate," Jack interrupted with a shake of his head, tossing the stick back into the plastic bag. "We both know that."
"Did you check the expiration date?" Kate argued. "It could be defective."
"Our method of birth control certainly was," Jack quipped, smiling over at her. He tossed the plastic bag into the back seat and watched as Kate erupted into laughter.
Between her peels of laughter, Jack caught her mumbling something. He couldn't make out what it was but the words baby and ridiculous both came out clear. It took over a minute, but she finally managed to compose herself. Calming down, she wiped her face with her sleeve and sighed. "I'm sorry."
Jack took her hand, "This doesn't have to be something bad, Kate."
Squeezing his hand, Kate nodded shortly, "Can we just. . . not talk about it now, please?"
"Are you hungry?" Jack asked as they pulled out of the rest area's parking lot for the final time. "I think I saw a 24-hour drive-thru up that way somewhere."
Kate shook her head, and glanced in the back to where Boo was sleeping soundly, despite all the commotion of the night. "No, I'm fine. Go ahead and get you something if you want it though."
She didn't pay attention as he nearly shouted his order into the speaker box, and was surprised when a minute later he handed her an orange juice and a breakfast sandwich. Leaning over, he placed a quick kiss on her forehead. "You need to eat."
Taking a bite of the sandwich, Kate was surprised at how hungry she was. She thought back and couldn't remember her last meal. She finished her sandwich in only a few bites. Laughing, Jack held his out to her. "You can finish mine."
"You need to eat too," Kate let out an embarrassed laugh. She gave him a playful smirk, "Plus, yours has meat on it."
"It does," Jack nodded, smiling over at her. "But if I recall correctly, you're a sausage-eater now."
Kate was relieved how easily they had fallen back into their playful banter. "That was one time. And besides, I can't help what I crave."
"I guess that is true," Jack said softly as she fell quiet. He stopped at a red light, and they shared an understanding smile. Feeling as though a weight he hadn't known was there had been lifted off his shoulders, he held out the sandwich again, "Just take it, Katie."
She agreed and finished off his sandwich. Awhile later, Kate was even able to talk Jack into letting her drive the rest of the way into Knoxville. They joked around, and even sang along to a '70s rock station, as they entered the city just as the sun was starting to rise. When Kate caught site of sunrise, spilling soft pink morning light over the distant mountains she was tempted to pull the car over and watch.
"Don't get this view in Los Angeles," Jack said softly, reaching over and squeezing her knee.
"You do in Iowa," Kate said quietly, surprising both Jack and herself. Before she could think better of it, she continued on. "We didn't have mountains though. Just hills and cornfields. Still, it was just as pretty."
"Or maybe even prettier," Jack responded.
She glanced over and caught him staring at her intently. Blushing, she shook her head, and focused on the road. "You need to tell me where I'm going."
Jack directed her down a few one way streets that led to an apartment complex. It wasn't exactly up-scale, but it was nicer than what Kate imagined Sawyer to be living in. Doing as Jack told her, Kate pulled into a parking space in the back of the building. Leaning under the dash, she unhooked the wires and asked, "What now, Clyde?"
"Well, Bonnie," Jack pointed towards the building. "I suppose the logical thing to do is go inside."
Kate nodded, but didn't move from her seat. Looking over to Jack, she asked, "Do you think they have any idea where we are?"
"No," Jack told her honestly. "Not yet anyway. Even if they know we're gone, this isn't going to be the first place they look. Sawyer said no one else from the crash even knew he was living in Tennessee now."
Kate still didn't budge. "Why do you trust him to help us?"
Jack glanced away from her, considering how to answer. "Because half of us is you."
Kate started to respond, but was interrupted by, "Took y'all long enough! I was startin' to think the Feds had put both your asses in jail somewhere back in Georgia."
Opening her door, Kate gave Sawyer a forced smile. "Good to see you, too, Sawyer."
"Your hair's straight," Sawyer responded, giving her a funny look. It was gone as quickly as it arrived, and he nodded to Jack. "Where'd you get the ride, Doc?"
"I borrowed it from someone back at the airport," Jack told him. "You can take care of it once we're gone?"
"Don't have to ask me twice," Sawyer grinned, glancing in the backseat. "This all your shit?"
Kate rolled her eyes and opened the door to the backseat. "Are we going to carry it all upstairs?"
"Just take out what you need for tonight," Jack told her. "And Boo. You can have cats in your apartment, right Sawyer?"
"Because I would listen if I couldn't," Sawyer snapped back. He turned to Kate, "What the hell do you need a cat for anyways, Freckles?"
"He just showed up on our porch on Christmas Eve and I didn't want to send him to the pound," Kate explained, watching Jack take their bags out of the backseat. She reached for Boo's carrier and smiled affectionately at Jack, "He and Jack are still trying to get used to each other."
He smiled back and shook his head, "Don't carry Boo's carrier. It's too heavy. I can get it."
Kate walked around the car to him. "Give me one of the bags then."
"I've got them," Jack shook his head, reaching in the car for Boo. "Don't worry about it."
"Jack," Kate rolled her eyes. "You can't do this. I helped carry everything yesterday and you were okay with it."
"No, I wasn't," Jack told her. "And trust me, they're too heavy. Just follow Sawyer upstairs and I'll be there in a minute."
"You can't do this for the next --"
"Why don't you just let her carry a damn bag?" Sawyer interrupted, sounding aggravated. "I don't think the lady likes the pampering."
Jack and Kate both fell silent. She glanced uncomfortably between Jack and Sawyer and then let her gaze fall on a tree. Sawyer continued on, "It's a damn suitcase, Jackass. Ain't like you packed rocks, is it?"
"You can just carry them, Jack," Kate mumbled. She turned to Sawyer and started walking towards the apartment complex, "Come on, Sawyer."
Sawyer stepped in front of her, blocking her from going anywhere. "You done went and got yourself knocked up, didn't you, Freckles?"
"Can we just go in, Sawyer?" Kate asked, crossing her arms.
Sawyer studied her closely, then glanced back at Jack. It was obvious he had something he wanted to say, but he just nodded slowly. Turning around, he led her up to his apartment, "I like it straight. Shoulda worn it around the island like that more often, Miss Clairol."
Kate rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Yes, because I had access to so many hair products or the time to sit down and make myself pretty."
Sawyer smirked and leaned in to respond, but Jack walked up behind them before he got the chance. "You going to stand in the hallway all morning, Sawyer, or are you going to take us where we need to go?"
Kat couldn't help but feel as though Jack's voice carried an unnecessary hostility. Sawyer was helping them. But as she took in Jack's steady, unwavering expression, she knew that saying anything would only make things worse.
Sawyer unlocked a door, and pushed it open. "After you, Sassafras."
Kate walked in first, studying his living room instead of watching the immature, millisecond scuffle between Jack and Sawyer for which of the two could get in the apartment first. Part of her wished they had got stuck in the doorway as they tried to push through it at the same time.
A solid blue couch was pushed up against the back wall, a painting she didn't recognize hanging over it. There was a tan recliner facing a plasma TV. A large bookcase was pressed up against a side wall, books haphazardly placed on it. A laundry basket sat in the middle of the floor.
It was a nice apartment, from what she could tell. Random knick-knacks were placed around. But was struck her as odd was that there were absolutely no pictures. Which, on second thought, was probably not that odd for Sawyer.
An uncomfortable silence fell and Kate searched for something to say. "Nice little place you've got here, Sawyer."
Sawyer moved from his rigid stance near the door, "Ain't exactly Beverly Hills, Freckles, but it does me just fine."
"How long have you been living here?" Kate asked, crossing her arms and shifting from one foot to the other. She thought about sitting down, but didn't quite feel at liberty. "Are you working anywhere?"
Before a still-uncomfortable-looking Sawyer could respond, Jack set Boo's carrier on the floor and cleared his throat. The expression on his face managed to make Kate feel guilty. Clearly, he was not in the mood for small talk. He gave Sawyer a chin-up gesture, "Did you get the tickets?"
"Two one-way," Sawyer nodded, walking over to the bookshelf and opening a hard-bound book. He handed the tickets to Jack, but looked at Kate, "Don't gotta keep the thing in cage, Freckles."
Kate let Boo out of his cage, but quickly moved to Jack's side. "Two one-way tickets to where?"
Jack tapped the tickets against his palm. "Papua New Guinea."
The only response she could come up with was a blank, "What?"
"We can't stay in the States." Obviously, it didn't dawn on Jack that could should have been consulted. "It's an island in the Pacific. Most of it is still really rural, some of it's pretty dangerous. We're going to a province that's just outside --"
"I don't need a history lesson, Jack," Kate interrupted. "I just --" She stopped and sat down on the couch, willing herself to not get mad. "How did you come up with this?"
"A woman, Karen, I went to med school with is over there," Jack knelt down next to her. "She runs this missionary hospital. There's not really any pay. Just necessities are provided for anyone who will work there. She isn't funded by the US at all. Just outside sources who donate money."
"I'm still not following you, Jack," Kate kept her voice steady. "So what if you can work over there? She's going to know who you are."
Jack moved up to the couch and looked at her seriously, "They have a non-extradition law, Kate. Even if by some chance they find us up in the mountains over there, they can't bring you back home. They can't bring either of us back."
"She still knows who you are, Jack," Kate shook her head. "I don't care how little contact they have with the U.S. government, I'm worth a lot of money. I'm sure that would really help out her little mission field."
"I wouldn't do this if I didn't think it was safe," Jack told her. "And it doesn't have to be forever, Kate. We can just stay and work there until we figure out a plan. You know I am only doing what I think is best for us."
Kate leaned back against the couch, covering her face with her hands. "I guess I didn't need to pack all those sweaters, did I."
Jack let out a relieved laugh, and took hold of her arm, pulling her into a hug. "I'm going to take care of you, Kate."
And there it was, Kate thought. Jack's constant need to try and prove that he could control everything. That he could -- no matter how much he would deny it -- fix whatever problem was going on in their lives. She supposed it was something she'd get used to, she partly had already. Kate doubted though, since her stubbornness wasn't going anywhere fast, that she'd ever be able to fully accept his overly-concerned behavior. There were things about her she was sure he didn't like, but he had managed to accept them. Easier than she could accept his habits.
Kate flashed back to her ten year old self, sitting on the kitchen counter, watching her mom patch up a bruise from where Wayne had hit her against the wall. Kate had kicked her feet against the cabinets, and bounced her pony-tailed head, asking, "Mama, why don't you just push him back?"
Diane had put down what she was doing, studied her precocious daughter carefully, and then came as close as she ever would to acknowledging she was a battered wife. "In every relationship, Katherine, there's someone who loves more. It's never ever equal. I'm not sayin' it's fair, but it's life. And if you're the person who loves most, you got two choices. You can go on pretendin' that every relationship is fifty/fifty and let it suffer, or you can make some sacrifices."
No wonder, Kate thought bitterly, that she'd grown up with such a shitty view on relationships.
Kate knew she loved Jack more. That she needed him a hell of a lot more than he needed her. But she also knew Jack would be just as quick to think that he was the one who loved the most. And that, she realized as she sat on Sawyer's blue couch, her head resting on Jack's shoulder, is what made them equals. What made their relationship, even though she'd never admit it out loud, damn near perfect.
Her moment of clarity was interrupted by Sawyer clearing his throat. "Hate to interrupt, kids, but you don't exactly have time to do it on my couch."
They pulled away from each other and Jack stood up, walking towards Sawyer, "Did you get everyone called?"
"I tried everyone," Sawyer nodded. "But I didn't get through to Locke, and the only number I had for Sayid is no longer in service."
"Last I heard John was going on some sort of mountain exhibition over-seas," Jack was talking to himself as much as he was to Sawyer. "No one who wants to get in touch with him will be able to."
Kate joined in their conversation. "Everyone's going to be in trouble, aren't they? I didn't even think about that. Every single person lied to the police about me."
Sawyer and Jack exchanged a glance. They both started to speak at the same time, but Sawyer continued on first, "If -- when -- the feds contact them, they're going to say you and Jacko here threatened them into keeping silent. It ain't exactly the best plan, but it's gonna work."
Crossing her arms, Kate gave Sawyer a dubious look. "Like anyone's going to believe you can be threatened into anything."
Sawyer mimicked her stance and smirked, "They ain't gonna be able to find me to ask, sweetheart."
Jack didn't like the way Sawyer was looking at Kate and was about to comment on it, when Sawyer surprised them both by bending down and scooping the cat up. He inspected it closely, then roughly rubbed it's head, "What'd you name it, Freckles?"
Kate's hand joined Sawyer's, "Boo Radley."
Sawyer laughed and gave her a proud smile, "Because he's albino. Pretty clever, sassafras."
Disgusted by the fact Sawyer and Kate were sharing in something that he hadn't even got at first, Jack tried to get things back on topic, "Everyone was okay with the new plan?"
"Yeah, Jack," Sawyer looked at him like he was a mixture of stupid and crazy. "Everyone is thrilled to be lying to the feds. Who doesn't want the threat of bein' tossed in jail? No, they're not okay with it. But they're doin' it."
Ignoring Jack's angry glare, Sawyer tossed him his cell phone. "Hurley wants you to call him."
Taking Sawyer's phone Jack disappeared down the hall. Several minutes later he returned, his brow furrowed. "Can I borrow your car?"
"For what?" Sawyer and Kate questioned simultaneously.
"Hurley's in Graceland with his girlfriend," Jack explained. "He offered to . . . lend us some money. I didn't want to say yes, but we need it, Kate. I can be there and back in about twelve hours."
Kate shook her head, stepping towards Jack, "No. Jack, you don't know what they know about us. They could have seen us on surveillance tapes at the airport. They could know what flight we took. Anyone could have seen us at that rest stop. Or you in that convenience store. Don't you think our faces are going to be all over the news the minute they find out we're gone? We can't risk going there. We have to leave. Can't you just empty your bank account?"
"Yeah, Kate," Jack nodded impatiently. "That was my plan until they froze it. We have about three hundred dollars in cash right now. But you're right. We aren't risking anything. You're staying here, and I'll be back as soon as I can."
"No," Kate shook her head defiantly. "I'm not letting you go alone, Jack. Something could happen to me here just as easily as it could on the road."
"No one's going to find you here, Kate," Jack argued. "And nothing's going to happen to me either. I just need you to stay here, and let me do this as fast as I can." He turned to Sawyer and accepted the keys he was holding out.
"Blue Chevy truck, parked right out front," Sawyer muttered, glancing towards Kate.
"Jack," Kate closed the distance between them and took hold of his shirt. Before she could stop them angry, scared tears formed in her eyes. "Don't go."
Jack cupped her face in his hands, "I'm going to be okay, Kate. I'll be back as soon as I can." Kissing her softly, he stepped away and whispered, "I love you."
Nodding, Kate hastily wiped at her tears. "I know."
Jack held her gaze for a long while and then made his way to the door. Right before he shut it behind him, he gave Sawyer a short, steely looks. Sawyer nodded shortly. Kate knew neither thought she was able to catch it.
The implications of the glance were glaringly clear.
"If anything happens to me. . ." And then the nod of understanding, one that promised to take care of someone who didn't want to be taken care of.
Several long, tense seconds followed Jack's departure. Kate didn't expect any words of comfort from Sawyer, and he wasn't about to offer any. Sawyer moved to the couch and sat down, asking, "You thirsty or anything?"
Shaking her head, Kate glanced over at Sawyer, and before she could stop herself, teased, "Shouldn't you drive a Ford?"
His expression immediately changed. He didn't speak, but his eyes demanded an answer.
"Your real name was on the manifest," Kate said softly. "Hurley told me once. It's not like I didn't already know Sawyer wasn't your real name. It's not a big deal."
Sawyer mumbled something under his breath, and then motioned to a seat. "You just gonna stand 'til he gets back, or what?"
Rolling her eyes, Kate moved to the recliner, sitting down and tucking her legs under her. She watched as Sawyer flipped through channel after channel. Finally, he offered her the remote, "Wanna watch somethin'"
Kate shook her head. She couldn't concentrate on the TV, she couldn't concentrate on anything. Glancing towards the clock, she Jack had only been gone for ten minutes. She didn't know how she was going to be able to handle not knowing where exactly he was for 12 hours. What struck her as somewhat amusing was that if their positions were switched, Kate would be angry at Jack for worrying about her. But she couldn't help it.
Shifting uncomfortably, Kate sighed loudly.
Sawyer sat forward, "You want some whiskey, Freckles?"
Kate looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Oh, yeah," Sawyer drawled, leaning back and studying her closely. "That whole baby thing. How's that going for ya?"
Kate didn't verbally respond, but her look was enough to tell him that she didn't want to discuss it. Sawyer didn't seem to care.
"I'd offer my congratulations," he said dryly. "But you don't much look in the mood for being congratulated."
When Kate didn't respond, Sawyer continued talking. "How long you known about this?"
Kate laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "That's a long story."
Clearly confused, but unwilling to press the matter, Sawyer continued on. "And how's ol' Jacko reacting to this mess?"
Rolling her eyes, Kate finally looked at Sawyer. "He's thrilled. He's playing it down but I know he is. Which, of course, would make any normal woman deliriously happy."
"But not you," Sawyer drawled quietly.
Kate shook her head. "It makes me angrier than anything else he's ever done."
Sawyer suddenly seemed to become very interested in the far wall. "It's fixable, you know."
Glancing towards the spot he was staring at, Kate emitted a confused noise. "The chipped paint?"
"No," Sawyer's voice had an edge as he brought his gaze back to her. "You don't have to want it just 'cause he does, Freckles."
Biting her lip, Kate looked away from him. He continued on, "We gotta clinic about ten minutes away from here. You play it right, Jack don't even have to know about it."
"I could never do that to Jack," Kate told him sharply. She hated herself for thinking that it was a good idea. All she had to do was go with Sawyer, and get it over with. He was right. If she waited awhile, then said the right things, Jack would never be any the wiser to what she had actually done. Was that the kind of person she was? Kate shook her head. "I could never do that to him."
Sawyer stood up, looking pissed at her. "Since when are you that kinda girl, Kate?"
The use of her first name made her lock eyes with him. "Since when are you the kinda person who goes around caring so damn much about what other people think or want that you can't even see what's best for you. That ain't the Freckles I know. And bein' afraid to hurt some feelings ain't the kind of attitude someone like you needs to have."
"Someone like me?" Kate repeated levelly. Standing up, she took a step towards him, "You don't know me."
"I know you just fine," Sawyer met her toe-to-toe. "You might want it. Deep down somewhere you might think you do, but you know you can't have what you want. That ain't what your life's about. And it's not gonna be. No matter how much you want it too! I'm sure Jack tells you what he thinks you need to hear, Freckles. But we both know I ain't gonna lie to you. You keep listenin' to him and what he wants -- all you're gonna do is get your ass thrown in jail."
"If that's how you feel," Kate spat out, "then why the hell were you so quick to help us?"
"You don't know anything do you," Sawyer retorted, shaking his head. He stepped away from her, sitting back down on the couch. "You do whatever you want, Freckles. Just stop lettin' him call all the shots. You're too smart for that shit."
With that, their small blow-up seemed to be over. Sawyer showed no signs of how angry he had just been as he turned the volume of an old Western up louder than Kate was sure his neighbors cared for. Calming herself down, she selected a paperback off the shelf and sat down to try and read.
It was over an hour before anyone spoke. Sawyer broke the silence by tossing down the remote and asking, "Aren't pregnant women supposed to always be hungry?"
Kate set the relatively uninteresting book down, and arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You," Sawyer rolled his eyes. "You're just sitting there. You should be telling me to go get you some weird ice cream, or something, shouldn't you?"
Kate wasn't feeling hungry, but she decided to appease Sawyer by asking for something to drink. At least it would give them both something to get up and do. "Do you have anything to drink?"
Sawyer stood up. "You want some juice?"
"You have juice?" Kate leaned back and crossed her arms.
"Well," Sawyer shook his head. "No. But there's a corner market down the street. I can be back in ten minutes."
Kate laughed, shaking her head. "It's not that important. I'll just have a glass of water. Tap is fine since I'm sure you don't believe in bottled water."
Mumbling something under his breath again, Sawyer walked to his front door. "You don't always gotta try to make it difficult, Freckles. I'll be right back."
He returned two minutes later, half a bottle of apple juice in hand. Kate wrinkled her nose, "So, you're idea of to the market is really to the dumpster out back?"
"You're welcome," Sawyer retorted. He held it out to her and smirked, "Chick next door has a thing for me. Ain't bad lookin' but she's got three little brats running around. Told her I'd pay her back with a cup of sugar or somethin.' Guess there ain't no chance she'll forget."
"You're so charming," Kate took the juice from him and went into the kitchen, opening cabinets until she found a glass. "I can see why she's so eager to date you."
"Didn't say she wanted to date me. I think she just wants in my pants," Sawyer followed her and scowled as she went through his cabinets. "Oh yeah. Go right ahead. Make yourself at home."
Kate poured her drink and took a sip. "You want some?"
Taking out a bottle of vodka, and held it up. "Got my own juice right here, sweetheart."
Rolling her eyes, Kate refilled her cup and walked back into the living room. "Come on, sailor. Watch a movie with me."
"A movie?" Sawyer wrinkled his brow. "What the hell kind of movie do you wanna watch?"
"What the hell kind of movies do you own?" Kate asked.
He smirked, and opened his mouth to respond but Kate held up her hand, "We are not watching porn."
"No wonder Jack's so uptight," Sawyer grumbled, following her back into the living room. "You just ain't no fun."
Kate pushed her hair behind her ear, and gave him a dimpled smile. "Jack and I have plenty of fun."
"Just pick out a movie," Sawyer made a disgusted face and pointed to his collection. "And I don't have any chick flicks hidden anywhere, so don't ask."
The look Kate gave Sawyer showed exactly what she thought of the type of girls who watched chick flicks. She picked up a large box and tossed it to him, "We'll have a marathon."
"These are a little violent, aren't they?" Sawyer asked. Then he glanced over at her, "Oh yeah. This is you we're talking about."
"You're so funny," Kate rolled her eyes. "Just put it in, okay?"
For once, Sawyer shut up and did as he was told. He and Kate spent the next few hours laughing at inappropriate moments and imitating what Kate referred to as a "mafia accent." The first time Sawyer attempted one, Kate laughed for a good three minutes and then informed him he was the "worst Southern Italian" she had ever met.
After the first movie was over they stopped to order a pizza. When the restaurant promised Sawyer that their pizza would be delivered in an hour or less or it would be free, he set a timer. When the pizza boy (who's squeaky voice implied he hadn't reached puberty yet) arrived Sawyer proceeded to get into an argument with him. According to the boy he had arrived right on time. According to Sawyer, he was exactly 37 seconds over an hour, making his pizza free. It took Kate five minutes to convince Sawyer to pay.
Kicking the door closed behind him, Sawyer handed Kate the pizza box. "You think his mom was driving him?"
Kate giggled, "He did look a little young, didn't he?"
She set the pizza box down on the kitchen counter and accepted a paper plate Sawyer was holding out to her. He grinned, "We could be really wild and eat in the livin' room."
Rolling her eyes, Kate shook her head. "Jack lets us eat in the living room. He's not nearly as high-strung as you make him out to be."
"Whatever you say, sassafras," Sawyer's expression showed he didn't believe her. "He makes you laugh?"
"Yes," Kate nodded. "He really does."
Sawyer studied her closely. "And you really love him?"
A soft smile spread across Kate's face and she picked a pepperoni of her slice of pizza and popped it in her mouth. "Yeah. I really love him."
Sawyer nodded slowly and picked his plate up. "Good."
Taking their plates into the living room, they ate their dinner and resumed their Godfather marathon. Somewhere towards the end of the third and final movie, Kate glanced up at the clock. Seeing what time it was, her body noticeably stiffened.
Sawyer noticed and sat up straighter. "You okay?"
"He's been gone fourteen hours," Kate's voice was monotone.
Sawyer shifted uncomfortably. "He's okay. There's probably just a lot of traffic."
Kate nodded shortly. She searched for something to say to get her mind of the time, "Why did you do it? Help him, I mean. Jack. When he asked you."
Sawyer sighed, and shook his head. "He didn't ask me to help him."
Kate bit the inside of her lip, momentarily at a loss for words. "Sawyer. . ."
He glanced over at her, the slight hint of his left dimple showing. "How about you do us both a favor and stop right there, sweetheart?"
They lapsed into an awkward silence for several moments until Sawyer started to say something. He were interrupted by a pounding on Sawyer's front door. They exchanged a quick glance.
"Must be Sandy comin' to collect her sugar."
Kate nodded her silent agreement.
Sawyer stood up, "Maybe you better go back to the bedroom, just in case."
Kate started back in that direction, but stopped when more pounding was followed by, "What the hell are you two doing in there?"
As soon as Sawyer opened his door, and Jack walked into the living room, Kate practically knocked him down with the force of her hug. He laughed, wrapping his arms around her, "Nice to see you too."
She pulled back just slightly, and tried to calm her pounding heart. "You're late."
"I know," he nodded, pulling her back into another hug. "There was a huge wreck on the freeway. I didn't move for over an hour."
"Everything go okay?" Sawyer asked, taking a step towards them.
Jack and Kate pulled away from each other. Jack nodded, tossing Sawyer his keys, "Yeah. Hurley says to tell you both hey. Thanks for letting me use your truck."
Sawyer nodded, "She didn't give you any trouble?"
"None at all," Jack shook his head. He glanced towards their plates, still left laying on the coffee table. "Pizza?"
"Yeah," Kate nodded. "Are you hungry? There's still some left."
"No," Jack smoothed her hair back. "I'm just exhausted. And we have to be out of here by six in the morning."
"You two take the bedroom," Sawyer looked as if it was hard to get the words out. Kate started to argue, and Sawyer shook his head, "Just take it, okay? I put on new sheets this morning, and you don't need to be sleepin' on a couch, Freckles."
"Thanks," Jack said, nodding towards Sawyer. He looked at Kate, "Are you ready for bed? If you're not tired, that's fine, but I need to go lay down."
"I'm ready," Kate nodded, squeezing his arm. She smiled at Sawyer, "Thanks, Sawyer. Good-night."
Sawyer and Jack exchanged a courteous good-night before Jack slung their bag over his shoulder and led the way to the bedroom. He set it on the floor, and shut the door behind them. Letting out a sigh, he took her arm and pulled her to him.
"I missed you," Kate murmured right before his lips met hers. The kiss was long and slow, clearly conveying he'd missed her too.
Jack pulled away first and opened their bag, handing Kate some pajamas. They both quickly changed and crawled into bed. Kate settled down under the covers, and was surprised when Jack remained sitting, his head rested against the backboard.
"What's wrong?"
Jack kept staring forward. "I got pulled over on the way back."
Kate sat up. "What?"
"I guess I was speeding," Jack shrugged. "I was being careless. And then all of the sudden, there were the lights and siren. The second he got to my door, a call came on his radio. He told me I was lucky, and he had to go. I just -- I don't know if I've ever been so scared. The only thing I could think of was that he'd know somehow, and I'd never see you again."
Kate reached over and took his hand. He kissed her knuckles, "I don't know how you do it, Kate."
"We're going to do it together," Kate kissed his shoulder lightly.
Jack turned to her. "All I could think of the rest of the way back was how unfair I've been to you. I don't know why you put up with it. This is going to be a lot harder than I realized. This whole baby thing --"
He broke off, and even though Kate couldn't see his expression in the darkness, she knew he must be crying. After a moment, he continued. "If you don't think we can handle having a baby, Kate, then it's your decision. I'm not going to try to make it for you. This isn't something that I should force you or guilt you into. I shouldn't force you into anything. I'm sorry I've been such a jerk about this."
Tears filled Kate's eyes and she wrapped her arms around him. She hadn't realized until that very second, but all she had wanted was to hear him say it. He pressed his face into her hair, "I'm sorry, Kate. I'm sorry."
Kate leaned back, kissing him softly. Pulling away, she rested her forehead against his. "So, are there any OB/GYNs on this little island of ours."
Jack pulled back, "Yeah. That's what Karen is."
Kate nodded slowly, leaning back against the backboard. Biting her lip, she placed a tentative hand on her stomach. "Do you want a boy or a girl?"
Jack hesitated. "It wouldn't matter. . ."
"Good, it doesn't matter to me either," Kate nodded. She licked her lips, then smiled at him, "But I think it's a girl."
Jack laughed, "Yeah. You think it's a girl or you want a girl?"
Kate shrugged, and leaned over, meeting his lips in a sweet kiss. He kissed her back, running his hand up her shirt and pushing her back onto the bed gently. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled away, "We are not having sex in Sawyer's bed."
Jack's only response was another kiss, and a light tugging at her pajama pants.
Kate laughed, trying to push him off of her. "Come on, the door doesn't even have a lock!"
"So you've looked?" Jack arched an eyebrow. He rubbed his fingers on her hipbones, "That means you thought about sex when we came in the bedroom."
"Of course I thought about sex." Somehow her pants were now off. "But there's no lock!"
Jack was removing his boxers. "Keep quiet then. And stay under the covers."
Kate sighed, giving into his kisses, but enjoying the banter. "I thought you were exhausted."
"I am never too exhausted for you," Jack informed her, tossing his shirt onto the floor.
Kate giggled as his lips brushed over a tickling spot on her stomach. "And if Sawyer walks in?"
"The general rule," Jack smirked. "Is that when the bed is rockin', you don't come knockin'."
Kate pulled Jack down on top of her, muffling her laughter with a kiss.
The next morning, Jack woke up at a little after five. Carefully shifting Kate off of him, he grappled through the clothes in their bag and threw on a t-shirt and jeans. Walking out into the kitchen, he found Sawyer at the table, feeding Boo Radley cheerios.
"Wish I had a camera," Jack muttered, walking over to the coffeemaker. "Have any extra mugs?"
"Top shelf of that cabinet," Sawyer motioned, and watched as Jack filled his cup up. "This thing likes cereal."
"I wouldn't know," Jack said, making a face as he swallowed the black coffee. "He's not my cat."
Sawyer set Boo back on the floor. "You two sleep okay?"
"Yeah," Jack nodded. "Thanks."
"Do I need to wash the sheets?" Sawyer asked dryly, standing up and refilling his coffee cup. He didn't wait for a response, just continued on, "What time you need to leave?"
"Soon," Jack glanced at his watch. "I need to go get her up in a few."
"Take care of her," Sawyer told him.
"What?" Jack sat his mug down and faced Sawyer.
"You heard me," Sawyer folded his arms. "I ain't sayin' it again. But I mean it."
"I do," Jack told him.
"Well," Sawyer looked away. "Just don't stop."
Their conversation was put to a stop by the sound of the bathroom door slamming. Jack started towards it, "She has, ah. . . morning sickness." Knocking on the door softly, he entered before she could respond.
When they emerged several minutes later, Sawyer was standing outside the door, holding a glass of apple juice. "Mornin', Freckles."
Kate took the glass and looked at Jack. "I just need to shower, and then we can go." Walking into the bedroom, she closed the door behind her, gathering her things.
While she showered, Jack and Sawyer sat on opposite ends of the couch. Standing up, Sawyer reached into his back pocket, then held his hand out to Jack.
Jack glanced at the wad of money in it. "I'm not taking your money, Sawyer."
"Then don't take it for you," Sawyer thrust it at Jack.
"You've done enough already," Jack shook his head. "We can't take your money, too."
Sawyer rolled his eyes. "Could you stop being a jackass for two seconds and just take the damn money?"
Jack relented, and shoved the money into his pocket just as Kate opened the bathroom door. Running a hand through her still-damp hair, she asked, "Ready?"
Jack nodded and went to retrieve the bags from Sawyer's room. Kate watched closely as Sawyer picked Boo up, "Enjoy your flight."
Kate cocked her head, "Maybe Papua New Guinea isn't a good place for cats."
Sawyer looked at her quizzically.
"I'm just thinking," Kate shrugged. "I don't know, they might eat cats there or something. Maybe Boo could stay here with you."
"You don't want to take him?" Sawyer questioned, rubbing Boo between his ears. Boo emitted a low purring noise, and Kate laughed.
"No, I think he'd be happier here with you."
Sawyer set him back on the ground. "I guess I could take care of him, if you don't think you should take him with you."
Kate nodded. "Thanks, Sawyer."
Jack returned with the bags and nodded to Kate. "Can you put Boo in his carrier?"
Grinning broadly, Kate informed him. "Boo is going to live with Sawyer."
Jack arched an eyebrow, but didn't question it. He was just happy to be rid of the cat, no matter how it happened. Sitting down the bags, he held out his hand to Sawyer. "Thanks for everything. I mean it."
Sawyer nodded. "You sure you have the directions? And you remember where to leave the truck?"
Jack nodded, patting his jacket pocket.
Kate moved forward, wrapping Sawyer in a hug. His arms snaked around her waist as he hugged her back. Neither one said anything as they stood, embracing.
Licking his lips, Jack had to glance away.
As they pulled away, Sawyer squeezed her arm, whispering in her ear, "You take good care of him, Freckles. And anyone else who comes along."
Kate nodded, and gave Boo one last pet before she and Jack left.
The ride to the tiny airport was quick, and Kate and Jack boarded the small plane immediately. Squeezing his hand as the sat down, Kate felt a nervous flutter inside her stomach. "You sure you're ready for this, Jack?"
"Of course," he told her. "Everything's going to work out."
Kate nodded, and they were silent until after the plane took off.
About an hour into the flight, Jack let go of Kate's hand, moving so he could take something out of his pocket. Silently, he held his hand out to her, palm up.
In it lay the wedding rings Margo had given him on Christmas Eve.
Kate stared at Jack, a mixture of shock and confusion playing across her face.
"I know," Jack cleared his throat. "I know you and I can't legally get married, Kate. We can't do a huge wedding with hundreds of people there. But that's not us anyway. I want to be your husband, Kate."
An all-too-familiar fear filled the pit of her stomach as Kate shook her head. "Jack, it --"
"Don't say it wouldn't be the same," Jack interrupted. "Don't say it wouldn't be real."
Letting out a nervous puff of air, Kate picked up one of the rings. Looking up at Jack, she whispered, "I, Kate, take you, Jack, to be my husband. I promise to honor you and cherish you, and all that other stuff. Plus, to probably be more stubborn than ever before. In sickness and in health. In obeying the law and breaking it. For as long as we both shall live."
With a smile, she slipped the ring on Jack's finger.
Tears filled Jack's eyes as he picked up the other ring, "I, Jack, take you, Kate, to be my wife. I promise to always be here for you, and that I will never let you go through anything alone. In sickness and in health. In obeying the law and breaking it -- but let's not go overboard, okay? I will love you as long as we both shall live."
As Jack slipped Kate's ring on her finger, she leaned up and kissed him softly. "That felt real to me."
"Me too," Jack whispered. "I love you, Kate."
"I love you too, Jack," Kate kissed him again, before settling back in her seat next to him.
As she rested her head on his shoulder, she felt a new contentment settle over her. Kate knew that it didn't matter where they ended up. As long as she was with Jack, she'd always be home.
