A/N:Thanks to all who reviewed...it means a lot to me to know that people are reading this.
I may have some more up sometime today. But it's the Fourth of July-so I'm not sure. To all in the US-Happy Independence day!To all the others on here...hope you have a good day as well. To all the Jaters (which duh-everyone who reads this fic)...there's some Jate coming. (Meaning like a whole chapter, minus other people popping in)...R&R!
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Sometimes when we want something to happen-we have to be truly willing first. Regardless of what happens-we have to, above all else, be honest. Not just to other people...But to ourselves.
"You meant it?"Jack said, somewhat relieved.
"Yes, Jack.I did mean it.And...I was hoping that you did, too."
"Of course, Kate.I-"Jack paused, looking around the room. He grabbed her hand, wetting his lips.
"I'm sorry if you thought I didn't...because I do."
Kate smiled, nodding. "That's good."She said, looking away from him. "So..."
"So...I think that maybe we should-"Jack paused, his throat feeling dry.
"Talk about it?What's there to talk about?"Kate asked, feeling guilty after she did. "It's not like you'd ever want to stay with me anyway."
"What's that supposed to mean?"Jack asked, concerned.
Her eyes were full of a certain sadness, an echo of happiness barely reaching the surface.
"My whole life..."Kate said, her voice cracking. "I've been the one to make decisions..I've lied...I've cheated. I've pretended...all for the sake of survival. I'm tired of being the strong one. I'm tired of acting like everything's perfect on the island when we all know it's not.Jack?"
His eyes seemed more soft this time. More understanding. "I don't know everything, Kate.I just know that I do love you.And I'll keep saying it until you believe me. Because"Jack said, shrugging.
There wasn't much to say. Kate was getting stronger by the minute, but judging by what happened with Charlie before, she wasn't out of the woods yet. Even in the pale glow of the sick room, Kate was beautiful to him. Her dark brown locks still held back by a pony tight, a few ringlets had fallen loose.
A smile formed on her lips when she realized he was staring at her. "Jack?"
He looked up, visibly blushing a little. "Yeah?"
"Do you think I could take a shower?I mean-I could have someone sit right outside the door if you wanted. I'm not a doctor but-"
"You're right."Jack said, feeling like she hadn't said what she'd wanted to say. "Um...I think there's a towel in here somewhere. Do you want someone to go up and get you some things from your bag?"
"I guess.Are you sure it's okay?"Kate asked, shakily swinging over the edge of the bed.
It wasn't until then did Jack realize how weak she really was. He wasn't used to this side of Kate-weak and vulnerable.
"If you need anything-you feel weak at all..."
''I'll holler.I promise."Kate said as she stood.
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"Where are you taking her?"Sayid asked after having entered the hatch. After the debacle with Jack, Charlie had left which currently put Sayid on numbers watch.
"She wants to take a shower. Do you think it's safe?"
Sayid smiled, sensing a change in the air. Fumbling with the trasciever again, he nodded. "I don't see a problem with it."
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Kate stood in the shower stall, steam surrounding her. Picking up the Dharma issued shampoo, she inhaled the scent.
As sad as it was, she couldn't remember the last time she'd had an actual shower. Scrubbing the shampoo into her hair, Kate's mind went back to the conversation she'd had with Jack.
A smile formed on her lips-he meant it,too.
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Jack sifted through Kate's bag-the one that was in her tent. "Come on...she has to have something..."
Sawyer had been staring at him for some time now, debating wether or not to walk up to him.
''Does Freckles know you're out here goin' through her stuff?"He asked, leaning against a tree.
"Saywer-"Jack said, trying to protest.
"No, No...I think it's kinda cute, actually."
Jack stared back at him, a look of clear confusion on his face.
"Oh, ya know-"Sawyer said, grinning. "Like in high school-one of the guys'd be dared to go into the girls' locker room...see what good stuff he'd find. I never pegged you as the kinda guy that'd do that, Doc."
"Not that it's any of your business-but she needed a change of clothes.And ya know-you could try bein' a little nice to me...I'm the one on charge of your pain meds, remember?"
"Well...''Sawyer stammered, clearly seeing that he had nothing left to say. "Just...ya know-give my best to everyone down there."He said before walking off.
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Kate climbed out of the shower feeling somewhat better than before. The scratched, dirty mirror was nowhere near big enough for her to tell-but she was somewhat better than she had been before.
"Where is he?"She muttered aloud, tousling her hair a bit. The towel Jack had given her was now tightly wrapped around her as she leaned against the wall, waiting for someone to come with her clothes.
Staring into the mirror, Kate reached forward, wiping off some of the steam. Strands of her hair clung to her face, her eyes seemed to stick out the most, though. They weren't tired-or even sad.
"Kate, I'm gonna leave your-"Jack said, rather loudly. "I'm...I'm sorry.I was going to leave your clothes on the sink.But you're out now so-"
Blushing a little, Kate checked the towel before taking her clothes from him. Her hand lingered close to his before pulling away.
Apparently noticing it, Jack smiled.
"What?"Kate asked, her mouth hanging open.
"Nothing.I should probably get back-Sayid went to watch Shannon and Libby while I went."Jack said.
"Okay."Kate said, trying her best to not look disappointed. "I should get back, too.Did you get a brush?"
Jack felt his back pocket, sighing. "It must've dropped out while I was walking back.I'm sorry."
Kate stared back at him, shrugging. The door was slightly opened, due to him coming in, which allowed for a cool stream of air to infiltrate the warm cacoon of air that had blanketed the bathroom.
"I should get back now."Jack said, apolegetic. "How are you feeling,though?Do you feel any better?"
She smiled a little, leaning into him. Kate wouldn't admit it, but while she did feel better, something still wasn't sitting right with her. "I'm good.Thanks-"She said, holding up the change of clothes.
Realizing how close they were, Jack felt a sense of panic. The last thing he wanted was to upset her.
Leaning close to her, Kate could feel his breath slowly greeting hers. Biting her lip, Kate laughed nervousily.
"Kate?"Jack asked, as if in permission. She nodded sheepishly, without looking into his eyes. Reaching towards her, Jack grasped her face in his hands, kissing her. He wanted the moment to last, to let her know that he did truly love her-that he would always be there.
But as her knees buckled, he went back into protector mode, quickly grabbing her before she fell to the floor.
"Um...Jack?"Kate asked several minutes later, him still holding her. "Are you gonna let go?"
"Right."Jack said, looking away. He seemed disappointed, but as he walked out of the room he knew it was for the best.
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Sayid sat on the edge of Shannon's bed. She had woken up again several moments before, glad to see him there, she smiled.
"You know-"Sayid said. "You are getting better. You are going to be out of here soon."
She stared at him, a little suspicious. But seeing the look in his eyes, Shannon knew that he was probably right.
"I'm just tired of laying here."She said, straining to sit up.
"Here, let me help you."Sayid insisted.
"No.I can get it."Shannon said, propping herself up on her elbows. "Where's Kate?"
"Jack took her to take a shower. If you feel up to it-"
"Sayid?"
The sounding of his name caught him a little off guard. "Yes?"
Shannon smiled weakly, but nodded her head towards him. "Thank You."
"Shannon-there is no need to thank me.Jack, Sun and me-we've all taken care of you. Kate, Libby and Claire as well."
"I know I probably haven't been the best person to deal with. Everything's so-"Shannon stopped, feeling a sharp pain in her head.
"Are you alright?"When no answer came, Sayid moved closer. Removing her hand from her forehead, he looked into her eyes, concerned. "What happened?"
"I don't know.I just-It just happened.I felt fine and then-"
"Maybe you should lie back down."Sayid said, helping her to lay back down.
"You know-It's probably just a headache."Shannon said, watching him. "Sayid?-There's nothing to worry about.I feel fine now."
Sayid stared back at her, nodding. "That may be true.But can you blaim me for worrying?"
She smiled a little, seemingly amused. "I guess not."
Jack entered the room, wiping off his forehead on a towel.
"Is everything alright?"Sayid asked, a little concerned.
Jack nodded. "Yeah.She'll be in shortly."
Sayid shook his head.
"What?"
"You're worried about her one minute-the next it seems like you want nothing more to do with her."
"Is this about what happened earlier?Sayid-"He was cut off by Sayid holding up a hand.
"No matter.All I'm saying is that it's already clear that you love her. Now you have to make sure that it does not get in the way of you doing your job.I'm not saying that it will."
Jack nodded, not sure if he should be offended. A sound was heard from Libby's bedside. "Libby?"
''Jack?"
"It's me."He said, checking the time. "How are you feeling?"
"Honestly?Like I got hit by a truck.But I've felt worse."
Jack went to get some of the medicine. ''It's time for you to take some medicine. Can you sit up?"
She tried, with pain. But eventually the medicine was taken.
"I'm on duty for the next little while.If you feel any change...good or otherwise let me know."
"I'll do that."Libby assured him before he walked away.
"I'm going to go check on Claire for a minute."Jack said, before leaving the room.
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When he returned, Kate still hadn't come back.
"She should be here by now."Jack said, more to himself than anyone else.
Going to where the shower was, he felt an almost sense of panic seeing her, sitting on the ground, leaning against the doorframe. "Kate?"
She opened her eyes, a little startled to see him kneeling before her. "Jack.I tried to go back.I fell."
Looking at her, he nodded. "It's fine.I'm not mad. I was just worried."
"Worried?"
Jack nodded, smiling a little. "Come on, let me help you back into the other room."
"I can walk."Kate protested, trying to stand. But failing, she sat back on the ground.
"Kate-you probably pulled something in the fall. Even if you didn't, you're still weak.Let me carry you."
His words seemed to surprise her. Looking up at Jack, eyes unsure, Kate simply nodded.
Picking her up, almost effortly, he let out a sigh. "Kate?"
"Yeah?"Kate asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I feel safe."She assured him.
"How did you-"
Kate laughed a little, her mood lightened. As they were heading back to the room, she shrugged, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I just did.That's not a bad thing, is it?"
"No."Jack said, stopping outside the door of the room. He contemplated going to another-or even taking her to the room Claire was in. She was getting better. But the fall outside of the bathroom proved that maybe she wasn't ready.
"Are we gonna go in?"
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Hope you guys liked it. The title comes from a Sarah Mclachlan song-one of my favorites. In any case, click that little purple button...let me know what you think!