Author's Note:Wow, I know it's been a while, and to be honest I don't really have a straight answer as to why. Truth is, I knew that this chapter was supposed to be the end, and I didn't know how to end it. I racked my mind again and again, I tried writing and re-writing. Well, here it is. It's the end, it's sad in some ways, cool in others. If you're lucky, there might be an epilogue, or a sequel. Anyway, do what us Jaters do best-read and review! (Oh, and there is one scene in here that i'm not too sure about, but I think it went well. Thanks to TotallyLost,Kate and Michelle for giving me ideas...

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The weeks that followed, Kate continued to grow strength as her and Jack grew closer. Everyone eventually moved out of the hatch and back to the camp, something that those who hadn't resided in the hatch were happy about-it was so much more lively. Claire and Charlie continued their relationship, as did Shannon and Sayid. As far as Libby and Hurley went, noone was quite sure.

Soon, the weeks turned into months, and Jack and Kate were practically inseperable. Anywhere that Jack went, Kate was always nearby. Though Jack insisted that he wasn't worried, there was always a small thought lingering in the back of his mind that something would happen. But she was happy, and so was he. The two grew closer, and truth be known she had been staying in his tent.They continued their walks into the jungle, often for several hours. So, it could be said they were inseperable.

Kate awoke that morning, a smile on her face. She felt Jack holding her close, something that she couldn't help but feel safe about. Sighing in content, she settled back safely. She didn't know what it was about him-but she knew she loved him. She smelled something outside, and felt an instant hunger overcome her. Carefully lifting Jack's arm from over her, Kate slipped out of the tent. Outside, she came upon Charlie and Claire sitting around a makeshift fire. ''What's that?"She asked, fighting back a yawn.

"Fish.Charlie caught some this morning. Do you want some?"Claire asked, prior to realizing how awkward the question was. "I'm..sorry.You're-"

"No.It's okay.If there's any left. "Kate said, taking a piece.

Charlie and Claire exchanged a glance. "I thought you didn't eat fish."

Kate paused, a bite in her mouth. "I'm hungry."

Jack awoke hearing laughter outside of the tent. "What's goin' on, folks?"He said, climbing out of the tent.

"Kate's eating fish."

"Kate's eating fish?"

"I was hungry."She said, now beginning to feel sick.

"You okay?"Jack asked.

Kate smiled, pushing her hair out of her face. "Yeah, i'm fine."

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Later, Kate sitting by the water when Sun approached her. "Kate?...I know you wanted time alone but-"

"No, it's fine."Kate said, wiping water droplets off of her face. "What do you need?"

"I was wanting to speak with you.Do you have a minute?"

"Of course."

"Everything has been happening lately.Quickly, for that matter.I guess I-I just wanted to know what you thought about it.Sayid has been talking about building another boat.Or a raft. Have you heard anything?"

Kate nodded in agreement. "I've heard,yes but-why?"

Sun shrugged, sitting in the sand next to her. "I just-Do you ever get the feeling that maybe life would be better if we stay on this island?I mean sure, we have life outside of here. But what if when we go back-"

"There's nothing there."Kate said,staring back at the other woman. Truth be told, she had been thinking a great deal about it. She had wanted to escape but at the same time, wished she could stay on the island. Just thinking about it sent a rush of nausea through her.

"Are you alright?"Sun asked.

"Um yeah, I'm fine.Do you know where Jack is?"Kate replied.

Sun smiled, moving the hair out of her face. "Last time I saw him he was in the hatch with Sayid."

Kate got up, brushing off her knees. "Thanks."

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"All I'm trying to say is that it doesn't make sense.Okay?...Look what happened the last time we built a raft.We don't know what we're up against here.We're gonna need something stronger."Jack said.

Sayid nodded. "You are right.We are going to have to find metal scraps-there have to be some left over from the plane around here. It will not be enough, Jack. We have been on this island long enough.The longer we wait, the longer-"

"I know,Sayid.I just-"Jack spotted Kate in the doorway. "Kate."

She smiled sheepishly, eyes averting from his. "I was interrupting.I'm sorry I should-"

"No,No.It's alright."Sayid assured. ''Did you want me to speak with Locke about it?Perhaps he could come up with a solution."

Jack nodded. "That's fine."

Sayid nodded in agreement and left. "What's wrong?"Jack asked, seeing the look on Kate's face.

"Nothing."She said firmly. "I'm...fine.I'm worried about you, though."

Jack frowned, sitting next to the computer. "Why would you be worried about me?"

"With this whole thing about getting off the island-I mean, I know you want to leave.But if...if you go,I'll want to go and-"

"You'll stay here until we get help.It'll be fine, Kate."Jack assured her. Standing up, Jack walked towards her. "It's gonna be okay."

Kate nodded, knowing that what he said was right. However, there was still a nagging somewhere in her mind. Something that was telling her that something wasn't right.

"Hey-When's the last time you ate?"

She let out an exhausted laugh, pushing her hair out of her face. "It's been almost three months, Jack.You don't have to monitor me anymore."

"I'm not.But this-"Jack stopped, wetting his lips. "Whatever we are...it means that I'm entitled to worry about you, okay?"

A crooked smile formed on Kate's lips as she shook her head. "That's an interesting way to put it."

"What?"

"Nothing, Jack.It's just-"Kate stopped, not sure where she wanted the conversation to go.

"It's just what?"

"What exactly are we, Jack?I mean, if we were anywhere other than here...as in civilization-this would be considered dating.And Me-well, I'm not exactly the type to-"

"What are you talking about?"Jack asked, wondering what Kate was talking about.

"Come on,Jack.Don't act like you don't know.Okay?The...The sleeping in the tent.The long walks into the jungle.The sitting on the same...log by the campfire.The whole...sneaking off into the caves.The whole-"

Jack rested his finger on her lips. "I get it."

Kate tried to speak, but was unable to find words. She saw him standing before her. She saw the eyes, assuring her. She felt his frim hand grasping her shoulder. It was going to be okay. It had to be.

She nodded, leaning her forehead on his. "How long until the alarm goes off?"She asked.

"It just went off a few minutes before you came in.Why?"

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On the beach, everything seemed to be going well. Sayid and Locke were discussing the matter of another raft. Or better yet, a makeshift boat. Claire was trying her best to feed baby Aaron. Saywer was trying his best to fish, Jin at his side. Sun and Shannon were sitting listening to Charlie practice playing his guitar. And Hurley was focusing his energy on writing something-as to what, noone was sure. Libby was, at best, attempting to read what he was writing while at the same time, monitoring the skies-it appeared as if it was going to be another rainy day on the island.

Hurley looked up from what he had been writing. "Dude-what is it lately.Seems like every day it rains around here."

Shannon laughed, watching Sawyer's feebled attempt at catching fish. "Looks like we'll have to get used to it."

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It was late afternoon before Kate and Jack were seen again-a fact everyone pretended they didn't notice.

"So...everyone-"Claire said, smiling. "Charlie has a new song."

Everyone had gathered around the campfire by the caves, content in eating whatever it was they could gather.

"You gonna play it?"Saywer asked, pretending to care.

"Are you going to finish explaining?"Charlie asked Claire who at present had just sat next to him.

She smiled a little, shrugging. "Just play...really."

Kate snuggled close to Jack, leaning her head on his shoulder. She relaxed as she felt his arm wrap around her.

Charlie finished his song before anyone had said anything, and it was good timing,too. Because right then the rain that had been threatening them began to fall. Light at first, but then harder-the group quickly found their way into the caves.

"Is everyone alright?..."Hurley asked.

"Yeah.Just a little wet."Jack said.

Kate scanned the cave, seeing the faces around her. She tried to keep standing, she tried to keep her composure, but knew better. She had to sit down. Claire spotted her, and ran towards her, catching her arm. "Are you okay?"She asked.

Kate shook her head, sighing. "I wish people would stop asking me that.I'm fine."

Claire sighed, knowing it was a lie. She knew Kate, and knew how well she could put up a fake front. Truth be told, she wasn't sure what was going on.

"I'm sorry.I just-"

"It's fine."Claire assured. "Do you need anything?"

Kate buried her face in her hands, trying to remain quiet. "I'm gonna vomit."

"You're sick?"Claire said, scanning the cave for Jack-who at present was speaking with Locke and Sayid. "Do you want me to get-"

"No.I don't need Jack right now. I just need-"Kate got up in a hurry, running outside. In a fury of coughing and crying, she leaned against the tree, throwing the contents of the day up.

It wasn't long before she felt Jack at her side. "Kate?"He said, handing her a bottle of water and a towel.

"Thanks."She said, wiping at her face, ignoring the rain that pelted them. She swished water in her mouth before spitting it out on the ground.

Jack's hand rested on her cheek, wiping away a smudge of dirt. "Kate?"

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine.How long have you been like this?"He said, concern laced through his voice. Though he wouldn't mention it, the thought of some sort of relapse came to mind.

Kate stared at the ground not willing to look into his eyes. She didn't want to see the look that she knew was there.

"Kate?"

"A week or two.I figured it was just a cold at first.But now..."

Jack looked back to the cave to monitor what was happening there. Claire had been standing in the doorway, but once she realized they needed a moment, she had returned to the cave. "Just a cold,Kate?What other symptoms do you have?"

She took a deep breath, staring back at him. "I don't need you to tell me what you think it is.I...I already know."

"You do?"

Kate nodded, feeling her tears mix with the rain. "I just don't know what to do.I mean-I don't know how to do this..this thing that i'm supposed to do now."

Jack stared back at her in confusion. "What are you talking about?You've seemed kinda off lately, but other than that i'm sure you're fine. Maybe we can get Sawyer to let us look in the meds."

"I don't need medicine.Well, I do but-"Kate sighed, walking away from him. She knew he'd follow her, but she couldn't deal with it-the one thing that she had dreamed of, but at the same time always wanted to avoid. She knew she had love with Jack, that she was willing to accept. But this?She thought, wiping furious at her tears.

"Kate, if something's wrong with you, you need to tell me."He said, walking towards her. "Don't you trust me?"

She stiffened as his words echoed through her. Turning towards him, she saw the questions lingering in his eyes. It was in that moment that she knew she had to tell him. "I'm pregnant, Jack.Atleast I think I am. And I just...I can't be. Atleast not now. But i'm late. I've never been late. We...we're just getting close again. I know you love me.But a baby, Jack?"She cried. "I don't know how to be a mother.I don't know how to...to know all of these things that I'm supposed to."

They stood in silence as she sobbed, Jack trying to process what she was saying. He knew that there was a chance the way things had been going lately. He was surprised to say the least, but relieved that it wasn't anything bad. Wrapping his arms around her, Jack whispered her name. "It's okay."

"No, it's not, Jack. Because once we get off this island-they'll pick me up. What's it gonna look like if i'm..."

"We'll get through this-"

"You don't know that, Jack.You don't...know that."Kate said, willing herself to calm down.

"I love you.Kate?...I...Love...You.And if it is true...if you are-I'll help you.Claire can help you too,i'm sure. You have friends. You have me.You'll get through this...We'll get through this.When you were sick-I was scared.I thought sometimes that you wouldn't make it through...but you did.And if you think i'm giving up on you now-"

"We'll get through this."Kate whispered, more to herself than to him.

Jack nodded. "Yeah.We will."

Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck. All of the waiting, all of the anticipation-it was over. "Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

He frowned.

"For what?"

Kate smiled, laughing. "For...being you.I love you."

He wiped the hair that had been matted against her face away. "I love you too,Kate." Then, Jack kissed Kate-putting all of the reassurance, all of the love he could into it. He was done with waiting. He was done with pretending. They had a future now. And for him, that's all that mattered. The group hadn't been listening, but had gathered at the mouth of the cave-the rain had stopped. Jack pulled back, sensing they were being watched.

Kate leaned her forehead on his, letting out a satisfied laugh. Regaining her breath, she looked at him. ''We're gonna be okay, right?"

Jack nodded, kissing her again. ''Yeah.We'll be okay."