A/N:Okay, if anyone is still interested in this story (which, by the way, I hope you are)...Here is the next chapter. I contemplated just updating it to hiatus state, but I've been getting ideas and people asking about it, so I wanted to update.

To make one thing clear-I didn't abandon this fic. It's Jate, how could I:)...But for a few weeks, I could barely do anything-I had writer's block, and everything that came was forced...but this chapter was supposed to be special, and I didn't want to screw it up. Then, for about a month or so, I was having computer issues-which resulted in getting a new computer. But I digress-now, School is back in, I'm in AP Lang and AP Lit so hopefully that'll show in the sense that maybe the tone (my Language teacher will love me for saying that) and the differences will make sense. Now, on to the part that actually matters for the story:

There has been time that's passed. Basically, Claire is pretty much healed all together. She's regaining her strength, but is no longer in the hatch. Shannon is better as well, but still requires monitoring. As for Libby, she was moved to another room. Kate...well, she is able to walk on her own (but, Jack of course walks "with" her) outside, she's pretty much healed as well. Okay, well, if you read all that-Thank you bunches!

To answer any questions, this chapter is pretty much fluff...not in the sense that it is filler, but well...I don't want to spoil anything. Oh, and I should mention that there aren't that many chapters left. But (thanks to a few ideas from Katy, as well as some much needed inspiration)...I am working on a new fic to post. So...on to the story. Read and Review, Please!...I'll love you ever so much...

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Kate leaned against the tree, drinking from the bottle of water.

"We can sit if you want."Jack said, stretching.

Smiling, Kate wiped the sweat from her brow. "You tired?"

"No...but I figured you were.So...''

"So...you're still worried I'm gonna fall, aren't you?"Kate asked, growing concerned.

Staring back at her, Jack knew she was right. But no matter what she did, he'd always be worried-somewhere in the back of his mind, he'd always keep the image of her collapsing into his arms. It scared him. But seeing her stand by herself before him, it made him proud.

"I admit i'm still a little worried."He defended.

Shrugging, Kate drew a deep breath. "I guess I can accept that.Where exactly are we going?"She asked, surveying the area around them.

"You said you wanted to walk.I just figured we'd walk around...Actually-"He said, laughing a little. "I was kind of following you."

Kate wanted to be mad at him for the look on his face, but she couldn't bring herself to be mad. Figuring it was a good thing, she shook her head. "You..."She said, squinting her eyes.

"What?"

"Please tell me you're kidding.Because..."Kate said, staring up at the trees. "I really don't know where we are."

Jack mirrored back at her the same look of disbelief. Quickly averting his eyes from hers, he tried to rub the tension from his neck. "I uh...I was following you, Kate.So tell me-where are we?"

"You think I know?"Kate whined, growing a little annoyed. "I don't know where we are, Jack.You're the...expert."

"Expert?"

"You save people.You-You're supposed to know this place."

"I think that's Locke that you're referring to."Jack said, finding the situation quite amusing.

Playfully, Kate it him in the arm, making it sore. "You're not helping. Now, we came from that way-"She said, pointing in the direction that they had come. "So I guess we should go back that way."

"Kate, we've been walking for an hour or so.You're probably dehydrated, so why don't we just stay here for a minute.Rest up."

"Stop worrying, okay?I can make the trip back."Kate said, not willing to admit to herself that she was indeed feeling a little dizzy.

Studying her eyes, Jack could tell she was saying what she did to make him happy. Truthfully though, he'd rather have some time alone with her than heading straight back to what he knew would be an onslaught of "what took so long"'s and "where were you"'s.

"Fine."Kate said, sitting on a log. "But I'm not happy."

Jack couldn't help but laugh. "Okay."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Jack studying Kate as she ate. He felt a sense of warmth, of happiness as he watched her. From the moment Sayid had carried her in, he had been constantly worried. Jack was afraid that something would happen to her, or that if he left her side without keeping tabs on her that something would surely go wrong.

Wiping the juice from the papaya she was eating from her chin, Kate looked back at him. It was always like that, exchanging glances. Short, quick looks that said so much without a word.It was Kate who first broke the silence.

"So it looks like it could rain soon.We'd probably be better off if we just found some shelter around here. Unless you want to hurry back."

Jack shook his head, staring of at the sky. "No, I think you're right." Looking around, he tried to find a tree or rock of some sort that would be able to shield them from what he knew was coming. It had already started sprinkling.

"I think I saw something."Kate said, gathering everything up and placing it back in her bag. "It was back on the trail."

"Good.Lead the way."Jack said. He had insisted on carrying everything-Kate was still recovering he said.

Several minutes down the path, they came across a concaved rock formation next to what that had guessed used to be a pond, but had since for the most part. "Go!"Jack said, trying his best to shield her from the torrent of rain drops that started to fall.

"Are you okay?Comfortable?"Kate asked him after they had settled. She was half sitting against the rock wall, but due the the confined space, was leaning into Jack.

"As comfortable as I can be, I guess. This one probably won't last long. Look, maybe if I-"Jack said shifting. He was still concered about Kate, worried about her getting wet.

"No.It's okay."She said, looking back at him. "God, it's pouring down hard."She said a little louder so he could hear her over the rain.

They held each other's eyes for a moment, feeling a rush of sudden warmth. Despite that, Kate felt herself shiver from the cold. Smiling, she felt Jack place his arm around her, feeling him pull her even closer. "Thanks."

"It's no problem."Jack said, staring back at her. "Kate?"He asked, his voice low. It wasn't really intended to be a question, more a mere utterance of her name. But seeing her, watching her there, it was as if he needed reassurance.

Nodding her head, Kate sighed. Wetting her lips, she thought she caught Jack staring again but settling into him again, it didn't seem to matter.

"Hey."He said after a few minutes. "The rain's letting up a little, do you wanna go ahead?"

"No."Kate said suddenly. "I'm...fine here."

Jack laughed, contemplating on her sudden decision.

"Would you stop?"She asked, looking back at him.

"What?"

"Staring.You're staring.Is there a problem?Am I...you know what?Nevermind."

He loved her. As if there was ever any doubt, it was confirmed there. At times, Jack found Kate so utterly stubborn. Others, he wanted nothing more than to take care of her to assure that everything would be content and safe. It wasn't until then did Jack realize the closeness of their sitaution-one they hadn't been in since they had been caught in the net. He thought she noticed it, too.

"Jack?"Kate asked. "I need you to be honest with me.Am I okay?I mean-I feel okay.But you-you're the doctor. So are you worrying because of that? Is the constant staring a means to monitor my health or is it because you actually want to?"

The question caught Jack off guard, but he figured it was worthy of an answer. "I'll always be worried, Kate."He said, his voice rough. "I love you-so that'll never change. But yes, I think that next time we go on a walk we either bring someone who knows better or-"

"We go to a place we're familiar with."Kate said, feeling somewhat nervous. "But I have to be honest."

"About what?''Jack asked, not noticing the fact that the rain had slowed down.

"I...might of..taken a wrong turn on purpose."Kate declared, trying to gauge his reaction.

"On purpose."Jack said, amused. "You were trying to get me alone?"

Kate shook her head. "That's not what I meant.Look, Jack-I love you.You know?And that's something that for me is hard to admit.I guess I just wanted more time than normal so I could-"

"Get more time alone with me.Kate?"Jack asked, lifting her chin. "You don't have to be sorry."

She smiled, his eyes reassuring her. "That's good."

"Okay.Now-"

Before he could continue, she leaned in to kiss him. It seemed natural, allieviating any doubt or nervousness that was in the air. The wind kicked up a little, drawing in some of the rain to them. Pulling back from him, Kate's hand rested firmly on his cheek.

Slowly letting out the breath he had been holding, Jack leaned his forehead against hers. Neither of the wanted to break the tranquility of the moment, each dared the other silently to say anything.

"It's getting late."Jack said, causing Kate's heart to sink a little. "We should probably start to head back before it gets too late."

Kate nodded in agreement. "Let's go."

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They arrived back at the camp some time later to find Claire sitting happily beside Charlie who was strumming on his guitar. Sayid was stirring the coals of what was supposed to be a fire. It was apprently Sun's time to monitor, so she and Hurley (who was keeping Libby company) were in the hatch. Locke worked on a figure, carving in out Jack figured.

"Oh."Charlie said having finished a song. "Glad to see you two back.Where have you been?"

"Charlie."Claire said, Aaron in her arms.

"Well,they left a few hours ago."He defended.

"It's okay."Jack said, assuring him. "We got a little lost.But we're back."

Kate smiled, holding onto him. "Is he asleep?"She asked, referring to Aaron.

"Not yet."Claire whispered. "The storm we had earlier kept him awake, he was scared a bit."

"Jack if you do not mind I would like your help with something."Sayid said. "Once we head back to the hatch, I found something that I believe could help us."

"A trasmitter?"Jack asked.

"An old one-but it looks as if it is in good condition.Anyhow-if you are headed that way now, I suppose I could go."

Jack looked to Kate to see if she would mind. After they ate dinner, the three decided to bid everyone goodbye and head to the hatch.

Kate decided to take a shower a check in with Sun, Libby and Shannon before retiring to her room down the hall. It had been a tough day, so her lassitude was starting to reveal itself. She didn't make much of an excuse other than to say 'good night'.

It was some time later before she heard anyone else. Jack slowly edged into the room, quietly shutting the door. "Hey."She whispered.

"I thought you were asleep."

"So you were planning to watch me while I was sleeping?"

Jack smiled, knowing he had been caught. Truthfully, in the past few weeks he had spent a portion of his time watching her sleep, watching for the slightest glitch in her breathing. Wrapping his arm around her, Jack wanted to be sure she was okay.

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"He replied, breathing in the scent of her hair, still damp from her shower.

Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought while fighting off a yawn. "Good night."

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It's not exactly what I planned it to be, and there wasn't much that changed-basically Jack and Kate growing more comfortable with the idea that yes, they love each other. Trust me...the new chapter will be up much sooner next time. So...Review, please!