"I don't even know why I have to do this," Spencer grumbled.
"They're my closest friends. Please? For me?"
"Why does he have to be there?"
"They're his friends, too. We've always been a group," she smiled at the memory. "We had to live together or we'd die alone. Now, can you please go get ready?"
Kate was almost ready and on schedule, which was a rarity in itself. Spencer had moaned the entire time and still sat on the couch, drinking a beer.
"Katie cat—"
"— I hate that. You know this," she sighed. Even as a kid, she hated nicknames. In relationships, she didn't like or appreciate them. She turned on her heels and walked off.
Since the engagement, Spencer had become a different person altogether. He didn't attend any of Aaron's events like he used to. He didn't help her out the way he used to. Had it always been lying underneath the surface or did it appear that way because of Jack?
Jack, on the other hand had changed completely. He had gotten clean. He went above and beyond for all of Aaron's events. He was always there for her when she needed help, whether to watch Aaron or to give advice. But in the back of her mind was the fight. That fight. When he had thrown Aaron in her face, unaware that the little boy was awake. Some nights she would lie awake, wondering if she could ever forgive him for it. She also wondered if she could forgive herself if she didn't forgive him.
And then he dated Ariel. The leggy blonde model. Always blonde, Jack's type. She had tried to keep her jealousy in check so long that when Spencer came around, he was a welcome distraction.
And then it happened. That night. The night. The night she let Jack in. The night she cheated on Spencer with Jack. She had missed it, missed him. She and Jack had always had such an explosive sex life. He brought things out in her that she didn't even know existed. She craved his touch constantly. She yearned to make love with him instead of just having sex. A time or two, she had touched herself thinking of him. And when she had sex with Spencer she couldn't even force herself not to imagine it were Jack.
"Kate… you look…" Jack stammered when she answered the door. She wore a plum dress with a gold belt around her tiny waist.
"Expected a green tee shirt, baggy jeans and a ponytail?" She chuckled.
"If it isn't the good doctor," Spencer gruffed, purposely interrupting what he knew was a moment. He thought it was pathetic how Jack tried repeatedly with Kate. Why would she date a junkie when she had him? He was glad Jack was no threat to him. He played a big game but Spencer knew he wasn't Aaron's father. He didn't need to be in Kate's life.
"I just came by to see if you needed help setting up," Jack said, his eyes on Spencer. Jack needed Spencer to realize that Jack was the alpha. Aaron and Kate would always be his first priority and he'd always be there for her, no matter how big or small. "I know it always used to take both of us to get ready." Kate and Jack shared a smile at the memory.
"Just like old times," Kate smiled, getting lost in his eyes for a moment.
Before long everyone had arrived. Sun showed up in a navy dress that looked flawless against her pale skin. Hurley wore a brand new teal polo; He had forgotten the tag so Kate helped him. He had made her pinkie promise he wouldn't say a word and Kate found the entire ordeal endearing. Even Sayid wore a nice shirt, although Kate considered anything other than those tank tops nice.
"So how did you two meet?" Hurley asked.
"I was at a rock climbing gym with my guys," Spencer started "and I just couldn't stop looking at that one ass up there… I knew I had to have her," he laughed. Everyone laughed politely but awkwardly.
"How is Aaron?" Sun asked.
"He's so good," Kate began.
"He's amazing," Jack said at the same time. "You'll have to plan a longer trip to stay with us."
"There's no 'us'" Spencer spat. " It's Kate and I."
"I actually meant Aaron and I," Jack said casually. He had known it would set Spencer off. That had been his plan, to let Spencer make a terrible impression with her three best friends who were rooting for a reunion between Kate and him.
"I'm going to the bar to watch the game with the guys," Spencer mumbled. He left quickly, wanting to avoid Kate asking him to stay. Shortly after, Sayid followed.
"Spencer?" Sayid asked. "I just want a word."
"What's up, man?"
"You know Kate and I went through a lot together. I think of her as a little sister and a close friend. If you ever hurt Kate or Aaron in any way, I will kill you."
"I get it. She's a great girl," Spencer said casually.
"That she is but you misunderstood me. I am a very dangerous man and I am incredibly overprotective of Kate. If you hurt her, I will kill you."
Spencer took a big gulp, suddenly intimidated.
"So…" Sun said softly when she was alone with Kate. "How is it really?"
Kate paused a moment before looking around. "I slept with Jack," she said softly.
Sun's gasp quickly turned into a smile. "How did that happen? When?"
"A month or so ago. I don't know… Spencer couldn't make Disney on Ice so Jack and I took Aaron. Aaron had the best time and Jack just…"
"You don't have to remind me how it is when men get like that. When Jin got like that…"
Kate squeezed Sun's hand. "He was a good man."
"So is Jack," Sun reminded her. "I had cheated on Jin. I was going to leave him. And we did more than rekindle our love, we recreated it. You're always going to love him, Kate.
"She's still into you," Hurley nodded his head.
"She's getting married," Jack said sadly.
"Bro, she escaped a cage only to come right back after you. She always went with you; she always followed you to protect you—"
"And make even more trouble?" Jack laughed.
"She's in love with you," Hurley repeated.
"I'd give anything to make that true," Jack responded, his attention on Kate.
"Okay, what do you guys think?" Kate finally asked.
"He's got really good hair," Hurley said before taking a swig of beer.
"I really am sorry—" she began.
"That's not something you need to apologize for," Jack said. "It was nice for us to all catch up."
"That's right," Sun added.
When they had all left, Jack stayed behind to help her clean up. When he brought in the last little bit he returned to her kitchen. The kitchen that used to be his. Kate was on her tiptoes trying to reach the top shelf. He pressed against her, putting the serving dish back. Kate spun around, making the tiniest of gasps. Instead of speaking, Jack pulled her into a bear hug.
"I know seeing them brings up a lot of memories," Jack started, playing with her hair. "I know how hard it is on you. Do you want to sit down?"
Kate nodded softly and lead him to the couch. "It's so much," Kate whispered. All the secrets we've kept, all the things we survived, all the people we lost."
"I know," Jack whispered, rocking her softly while stroking her hair.
As always, he knew exactly how to quiet all the static in Kate's head. She quickly fell asleep curled up with her head against his chest. He had no idea how long he sat like that; he just knew he wasn't going to move until she woke up. He rubbed her back and played with her hair, making her nuzzle into him further. He prayed that Spencer would come and find them like this.
