"Kate? Kate?!"
Kate groaned. Her body shook uncontrollably, muscles tense against the ice trying to solidify in her veins. She couldn't recall ever being this cold in her entire life, but was too weak to do anything about it.
"Kate?"
She cracked open an eyelid with immense effort. The world swam woozily. She whimpered. Her heart was still hammering from the overload of adrenaline. She had a vague memory of being afraid of something, but had no idea what it was. A blurry, dark shape hovered above her, speaking softly in a familiar tone. It seemed important that she focused on the words, but she couldn't. She drifted for a while. Her body seemed to be moving without her input, but she was too exhausted to care.
Jack re-adjusted Kate against his arms, hooking her knees to brace her against his chest. Her head sagged against him.
"Why do you always have to be so stubborn?" He sighed heavily and remembered Aaron.
The boy was staring at them, wide-eyed and fearful. Jack could see his bottom lip trembling. It was obvious he was holding back tears and failing badly.
"Don't worry." Jack tried to mask his own concern. "She'll be okay."
He rested a hand against Kate's clammy forehead. She mumbled something incoherent and instinctively burrowed her head between the juncture of his neck and shoulder.
He mentally took inventory as he assessed her. Kate's breathing was fine. Pulse? Fast, but not worrisome. And her level of consciousness decreased, but he knew why. She had a high fever. He was confident he could wake her up if he tried, but he knew Kate. She would insist she was "fine" and he would end up chasing her around the airport until she collapsed again.
"I think she's just got a bad case of the flu," he explained to Aaron. "The fever is her body's way of fighting the virus. Sometimes it can make people really confused."
"You can fix her, right?"
The harsh florescent lights cast a cool sheen on everything below, making Aaron squint as he tilted his head to look up at Jack.
Jack frowned. No one had looked at him with that degree of faith in a long time. Not since people depended on him. People he grew to know better than anyone in his life in a short amount of time. People who relied on him for safety and survival. Not that it did them much good. He buried more than he saved. His stomach clenched. It was in knots. The last time he made a promise he had failed badly. Who was he to promise Aaron anything? He couldn't even manage helping Kate care for the boy. God! He owed Claire that much. Claire should have been saved. Not him. It never should have been him.
"Please, Jack?"
Jack was lost in his thoughts. He struggled to focus, to mentally stay in the moment as he felt his own anxiety rise. He blew out a breath and glanced at the boy who was tugging on his sleeve.
"She needs to rest, Aaron." His heart, usually numb, smoldered with remorse. But Aaron wasn't looking at him anymore.
Sergeant Major Sam Austen glanced down at his Rolex Submariner, tapping its face. The watch had been a retirement gift from the United States Army. It hung heavy and awkward on his wrist, but he wore it on occasion. He compared the time it displayed with the flight-status board mounted on the wall and facing the main entrance. His eyes scanned the list of the ten or so planes that were slotted to land within the next two hours. The WestJet out of Toronto, and the First Air from Ottawa were tagged as "Delayed." Several of the U.S.-based flights were listed as "Cancelled."
It took a moment for him to locate Air Canada Flight 259 out of Los Angeles. The flight status said "Arrived," but his daughter and grandson were nowhere in sight.
He spoke with Kate and Aaron at least twice a week and occasionally did FaceTime calls. Kate bought him an iPhone for that exact purpose. He didn't need the extra bells and whistles. A regular, no-frills cell phone was just fine. But seeing her and his grandson on screen was worth the upgrade.
Despite this, it had been almost a year since he had seen them in person. Normally, he spent Christmas in L.A. since Kate's probation restricted her to the state of California. Now that it was lifted, they finally had something to celebrate. But she seemed unfazed and a little withdrawn. His gut told him something wasn't right with her, but she hid it well. There was a touch of sadness in her eyes when she thought nobody was looking. A look he recognized. It was loss. He didn't question her about it, knowing it would be an empty fishing expedition. He hoped a quiet holiday in the mountains would cheer her up.
Sam scanned the area again. His vantage point gave him a decent view of the baggage claim. He watched it with anticipation as the gathering crowd collected their luggage and quickly departed through the wide double doors behind him.
The snow was light, but steady. People were wasting no time forming queues under the overhang where the taxis gathered. Sam shifted impatiently, knowing it wouldn't be long before the wind picked up and they would start to lose visibility. He estimated they had a two-hour drive in front of them. An hour and a half to Banff Provincial Park and another twenty-five minutes to his cabin, nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.
He looked down in surprise when something latched onto his leg.
"Hey there, Scout!" Sam laughed, his eyes sparkling with recognition. He bent to hug Aaron. "My, you are getting tall." He glanced over Aaron's head. "Where's your mom?"
"Jack has her, Grandpa! He said she has a bad flu and fever. She didn't know me and fell. Now she won't wake up." Aaron pulled back to look up, slightly out of breath from running. He turned and pointed towards Jack, who was gently placing Kate on adjacent seats along the wall to let her lay down. He put his suit coat under her head and turned to look for Aaron.
Sam rushed over, Aaron's hand clasped in his, as they dodged people making their way to the luggage carousel. He took a knee next to his daughter immediately and put his large, calloused hand on her forehead. "Katie? It's Dad. Can you hear me?" Kate's eyes remained closed. He turned to Jack who sat next to her.
"I'm Sam Austen. Aaron said you took care of my daughter." He reached out his hand and shook Jack's. Sam paused for a moment, issuing Jack a piercing look. It couldn't be…
"Jack Shephard." Jack noted Sam's firm grip. The man had short, greying hair and was well-groomed in his flannel shirt, jeans, coat and boots. Every button was in place and hardly a wrinkle was to be found on him except his face. His forehead was creased in the center as his brows pinched together with concern.
"Jack was on our plane." Aaron said. "Mom wouldn't wake up but he helped her. He's a doctor and he …. um … is my dad." Aaron cast his eyes down before looking at his mom. "But then she got sick again and Jack caught her before she fell."
Everything had already clicked in Sam's mind. This was Kate's Jack. The one she was going to marry. She never said anything bad about him or why they broke up. But the man in front of him was not the same depicted in the picture with baby Aaron at the park. The picture had taken up permanent residence on Kate's sideboard table.
Sam shook his head, finding it ironic Kate took after him. She fell in love with one person and lost interest in finding anyone else after it ended. He wanted more for her. She was young and deserved to be happy. Especially after everything she had been through.
He fixed Jack with a hard stare. "Tell me what happened. Aaron said it's the flu?" His tone was firm as he glanced back at Kate. She drew her knees to her chest and shivered. He shrugged out of his coat and draped it over her without taking his eyes off Jack.
Jack suddenly felt self-conscious about his appearance under Sam's gaze. Anxiety crept in. He tried to push it aside and focus on Kate. "When I first saw her, she was pale and coughing. She slept most of the flight. They paged for a doctor when Aaron couldn't wake her. She has a temp, but was doing okay otherwise. Kate didn't want me to treat her." Sam listened and raised a brow at his last words.
"She said she was 'fine.'" Jack explained ruefully.
Sam shook his head while his hand cupped her shoulder gently before touching her hair. She didn't respond. "Stubborn as a mule. Some things never change."
He stood and sighed. Aaron slipped his hand into his and Sam squeezed it to comfort him. He turned his attention to Jack.
"You staying here for the holidays?" He wondered. It wasn't lost on Sam that Jack just happened to be on the same flight.
Jack palmed the back of his head and rubbed it. It reminded him of his appearance. He flushed. The longer layers prevented him from feeling the bristles of his hair when he used to keep it closely cropped.
"No. Just a layover." Kate twitched. Jack moved without thinking, his hand instantly on her side to keep her from tumbling off the chairs.
Sam observed the protective gesture, a curious light in his eyes, but said nothing. He had taken note of the status boards as he waited for their plane to arrive. All outbound flights had been preemptively cancelled.
Aaron tugged on Sam's sleeve. Sam bent down, peering into the blue eyes of his grandson, a hue close to the shade of his own. It was ironic, considering Kate wasn't his biological daughter, despite the fact his name was on her birth certificate. But she was his in every way that mattered. He couldn't love her or Aaron more if they were his own flesh and blood.
"Grandpa. Can Jack stay with us? Please? He can help us with Mom. I don't want her to be sick anymore." Aaron pled, his eyes hopeful and hands clasped together tightly in supplication. He wanted so badly for Jack to stay with them. It was his Christmas wish. And he wanted his mom to get better. Aaron looked at her and took Sam's hand again, clenching it tight with uncertainty. He needed them both to stay together if his Christmas gift was going to happen.
Jack was preoccupied with checking on Kate. He barely caught Aaron's words and felt awkward. He didn't want to impose. He was sure there was a bar in the airport or one nearby that was open. His mind tried to spin up words of protest. He felt a pull towards Kate and didn't want to leave her. But he knew she wouldn't want him around Aaron. He blew that chance a long time ago. He didn't want to be a burden or upset her.
Sam looked at Jack and then his grandson, his decision made. "Well, I guess that settles it. Jack, will you keep an eye on Katie while Aaron and I get the luggage? Can't leave a man behind, can we Aaron?" Aaron's eyes lit up. He wanted to jump up and down but his mom's prone body put a damper on it.
"Mr. Austen, you don't have to…" Jack glanced outside at the snow. "I didn't bring anything for the weather and will be fine here."
"You sound just like Katie. You won't be fine here. No flights will be getting out tonight with the storm blowing in and hotels are going to be full. I appreciate your help with my daughter and can't leave Aaron's dad behind in good conscience." His assumption made Jack wince, but Sam didn't notice. He regarded the man sympathetically, knowing Jack was an absentee father. But he didn't judge him, having been one himself. He felt blessed Katie didn't hold it against him. Being a father and a grandpa gave his life more meaning and purpose.
"I have a spare coat in the car and can bring you back tomorrow to catch your connecting flight." He was calm but firm, allowing no room for argument.
Jack's protests died on his tongue. No matter how uncomfortable he felt, a part of him felt relieved. He could get Kate started on a regimen to help her recover. It felt strange yet familiar at the same time. This is what he did. Or used to do. Take care of people. Take care of her … when she would let him.
It took Jack a moment to realize Sam didn't bother to wait for a response. He caught Aaron sneaking a pleased look back at him as he followed his grandpa to the baggage claim.
Jack turned to Kate, his hand still on her side. He wondered how he ended up in Canada with the people who should have been his family versus crossing the Pacific, hoping again for the plane to crash.
"This isn't what's supposed to happen," he mumbled as he tucked the coat snugly around Kate's shoulders.
The luggage carousel was almost empty by the time Sam and Aaron plodded over to it. Sam easily snagged the two blue suitcases Aaron pointed at as they circled the belt. The wheels squeaked when they made contact with the polished linoleum.
Sam turned to Aaron. "Will you let Jack know I'm gonna bring the Jeep around front?"
Aaron nodded. He watched his grandson run back towards the seating area. Sam made brief eye contact with Jack as he rolled the suitcases toward the exit.
With the traffic, it took Sam a good fifteen minutes to retrieve his Jeep from short-term parking. His slate grey 2007 Grand Cherokee was old and rusted around the wheel wells, but reliable. He pulled up flush with curb outside the Arrivals terminal, ignoring the annoyed honking of taxis when he refused to move. Aaron led Jack over to the vehicle, Kate bundled in his arms and his briefcase tucked against his side. Sam slid out of the driver's seat to help.
"Come on! It's a cold one tonight." Sam held the rear passenger door for Jack and gave him a sympathetic glance when he realized the man's coat was wrapped around Kate, leaving him in nothing but a thin, pin-striped dress shirt in the biting, cold wind. Jack loaded her carefully across the seat, then followed, lifting her head to allow her to use his knee as a pillow.
"You're ridin' shotgun, Scout." He gestured to the passenger seat. Normally, Aaron normally would jump at the chance of riding up front with his grandfather. But when he was buckled in, it made it hard to turn around and see how his mom was doing. He didn't know what to think. He was happy to see Grandpa Sam, and Jack was coming with them. But he was afraid for his mom and still rattled that she didn't recognize him. She said "Mars" like the planet, but reacted like it was a bad person. He tried to turn and kneel in the seat.
"Aaron, you need to sit on your bottom facing forward. Safety first. Your mom's not going anywhere." Sam scolded softly as he slid into his own seat.
Aaron recognized the command in his grandpa's voice, despite the kind tone.
"Yes, Grandpa," he mumbled sheepishly.
The Jeep's ignition sputtered once before it roared to life with a low rumble. Sam adjusted the heating vents and flicked on the rear defrost before he slid the gearshift into drive. He looked in the rear-view mirror. Kate was stretched across the backseat, covered with the army blanket he kept in the car. Jack had folded up his own coat and put it on his lap for her to use as pillow. The man looked as worried as Sam felt.
"Jack, there should be another blanket under the seat if you're cold. And a coat if you need it." Sam stole another glance at Jack, scrutinizing his appearance. He certainly didn't look like a doctor, or any form of working professional. His demeanor was more like a dog that had been beaten. Sam's gut was screaming something wasn't quite right about the man. He mentally weighed the risks. Jack was a stranger to him and hurt his daughter, at least emotionally. But he was also, presumably, Aaron's father. Kate had never weighed in on the subject of Aaron's paternity and Sam knew better than to ask. The boy seemed to adore him.
Was there any harm in bringing him home for the night? Sam was conflicted. Jack had proven himself a big help with Kate being sick and was gentle with her. And he couldn't just leave him behind to sleep in the airport. Especially after seeing the expectant look in his grandson's face. He was family, or at least used to be. It was the right thing to do.
Sam was so lost in thought, he didn't know if Jack had responded about the blanket or coat. He focused his attention on the road.
Approximately 20 miles past the outskirts of Calgary, the snow started coming down hard. The wipers were hardly able to keep up with the snowflakes rushing the windshield. They looked like white clumps in the headlights.
The cab was silent enough to hear the mechanical swishing of the wiper blades. Aaron respected that his mom wasn't feeling well and held back his questions for Jack. He yawned and turned to peer out the window at the endless swaths of snow-laden fields as they passed, spotting the occasional barn.
If it were any other time of year the land would have been teaming with cattle. Beef was one of Alberta's main exports and the ranchers here took pride in their stock. Many had migrated out of the city when the oil prices fell and housing became too costly. The land was vast and the Canadian winter, unforgiving, but people managed well enough.
Jack had barely uttered two words since he agreed to come with them. He felt as though he was intruding on something that he wasn't meant to be a part of. Not anymore. He watched the dips and swells of snow blanketing the ground alongside the road. The wind was picking up. Dense snowfall obscured his view of the tall firs that lined the highway as they crept out of the valley. He had warmed up. Kate's body was giving off enough heat for the both of them. She still shivered despite the blanket, her coat, and the heated vehicle. Jack tentatively brushed some stray curls from her face. It had been so long. His feelings were surfacing without any alcohol or oxys to numb them. He missed having her close, her smile, the scent of her skin, and those eyes that always seemed to see straight through him. God! What the hell had he done? He was ashamed of the difficulty he had adjusting back into his own life, but more than that, he couldn't be man she deserved and wanted him to be.
Sam honked a few times at some deer idling in the road, startling Jack. They saw the headlights coming and stared until the horn blared. The four deer startled and bound away with giant leaps. Aaron had only seen deer at the Angeles National Forest near his home and Los Angeles Zoo. He leaned forward, surprised to see how high they leapt, clearing drifts and easily navigating deep snow as the Jeep continued its ascent.
"Jack!" Kate's eyelids were shut tight as she shifted restlessly. He quickly put his hand on her hip again to keep her from falling off the seat. He caught a fleeting glimpse of the deer but wasn't interested.
"Shhh, you're okay." He leaned over and whispered soothingly, unaware of Sam observing the exchange, his brows drawn together.
Kate was in a familiar clearing. God, she was warm. The humidity and residual moisture, from the almost daily downpours hung heavy in the air. The result was a haze that muted the bright colors of the jungle. She traversed the narrow footpath from the hatch to beach on a daily basis. Normally, she could make the journey with little effort, but today she was weighed down with fatigue that seemed to sink deep into her bones. She dismissed it as a product of the mid-afternoon heat. Jack was always lecturing them about the importance of not staying out in the sun too long. She turned to reach for her pack, knowing she had at least two bottles of water, but frowned when she came up empty-handed.
Where was her pack?
She spun on her heels. Had she left it at the hatch? She noticed for the first time how strangely silent it was. Silence, she had learned, was a bad thing. Not a bird chirping. Not a leaf rustling. It set her on edge. Her heart sped up, knowing something wasn't right. Then the whispers started. Just a simple buzzing at first, gradually morphing into loud, breathy voices droning non-stop from every direction. She didn't understand, but knew she would have to run for it if she wanted to survive.
Loud, mechanical sounds erased all thoughts. It was a clinking noise, like heavy chains combined with something organic. It roared, sending Kate into a full-out sprint. She raced through the jungle using every ounce of energy until she could go no further. She slipped into the hollow center of a banyan tree. It seemed to grow wider as she stood, shaking uncontrollably. Kate braced herself by gripping the knotted trunks beside her.
A man in a white t-shirt and jeans came into view, but her vision was blurred. "Jack," she whimpered, too exhausted and breathless to yell.
Jack came to a sudden halt, but seemed to look straight through her. Thin wisps of smoke mushroomed into an immense cloud behind him. He was oblivious and scanned the area for her. "Kate!" He called out for her, his hands cupped around his mouth. A smoky strand shot out, like a tentacle. It encircled his legs as it spiraled up and around his body in a coil. She tried to yell, to warn him. She wanted to grab him before it dragged him across the jungle floor or flung him into a tree. But the banyan tree's trunks had multiplied. Her shelter became a jail.
Kate grew more fitful and began to flail.
"Whoa, Kate!" Jack held her firmly as she struggled.
"Smoke monster! Behind you!" Her face contorted as if she was in pain. Jack swallowed hard. He caught Sam looking at him in the rearview mirror with a highly inquisitive look. But his focus was Kate.
"Shhh. Relax, Kate. It isn't real." He whispered in her ear. "You're safe." He used his other hand to feel her forehead again. She was burning up.
"Kate? If you can hear me we're okay. It's the fever." He knew the likelihood of her understanding him was low. But maybe the sound of his voice would help in some way.
"Jack? What's Mom talking about? What's a smoke monster?" Aaron's voice sounded younger than a ten-year-old's. His mom was dreaming about monsters. But she said they weren't real. He didn't know grown-ups had dreams like that.
"Nothing Aaron." Jack ran his hand over Kate's head with more confidence. He had to keep her calm and get the fever down. "Your mom's high fever is giving her nightmares."
"Oh. But what's a smoke monster?" Aaron asked. "Does he smoke cigarettes? Those are bad for you."
Jack was somewhat amused. Sam coughed abruptly. Jack met his eyes. He was also trying not to laugh. "You're right. Cigarettes are bad. I can't say, Aaron. And I doubt she'll remember when her fever is gone." He turned his head towards Sam. "How long until we get there? I need to get this fever under control."
Sam glanced at the clock. "Best estimate is another hour and a half, give or take. It's a slow go with the snow accumulation and no snow plows in sight." His brows came together at the predicament. The sooner they got home, the better.
"How is she?" His concern was evident.
Jack sighed. "She's delirious or dreaming. Probably both. We need to get her body temperature down. She'll be a lot more comfortable." He didn't like the fact her body heat was radiating through her clothes like a furnace. "Do you have a clean towel and water?"
Sam reached into the console between him and Aaron and pulled out a clean cloth. "Water bottles are in the small cooler on my side. I figured they might be thirsty after the flight."
Jack took the cloth gratefully and handed Aaron a bottle before opening a second one and dampened the cloth. He draped it across Kate's forehead to cool her down. She mumbled in protest, but he spoke to her in hushed, reassuring tones. He wasn't going to let anything happen to her. He leaned back against the seat when she settled. He kept his eyes on her, but relaxed the arm that was still draped across her hipbone.
Sam eased his foot from the accelerator, squinting through the windshield into the inky darkness. He had driven the long stretch of the Trans-Canada from Alberta to Banff many times. He could picture the landmarks in his mind's eye. He knew when they passed through Canmore the only thing he should be able to see was the unfathomable beauty of the Rocky Mountains as they dominated the skyline. Instead, his vision was restricted to the dull patch of icy road a few feet beyond the hood of the Jeep. His headlights picked up the snowflakes as they swirled toward him, some building on the windshield only to be flicked away by his wipers. He hadn't passed a single car since Morley, but he wasn't worried. His Jeep was reliable enough and once they passed through Banff, the mountains would provide a modest barrier from the winds.
Sam's cabin was situated near a dirt access road just past the turn-off to Lake Louise. He barely saw the trail marker through the storm, a florescent orange tag denoting a gravel path where the snow had been beaten down. The area was popular enough with skiers and local outfitters, so the makeshift road was maintained. But in this weather, he doubted it would be much longer. The tires whined and spun as he forced his Jeep along the narrow ruts of the icy path. It was a good twenty minutes before the pale lights of the cabin were barely visible from a distance. Pines dotted the landscape and briefly blocked their view as they crept inland. Sam pulled into his driveway, a makeshift space he created with his snow blower before leaving. It was already filling in with more snow. He parked the Jeep adjacent to the house and cut the engine.
Sam turned to see Aaron slumped in his seat, fast asleep. He looked over his shoulder at Jack and whispered. "Give me a head start. I'll take Aaron in and open the door so you can follow with Kate."
He swung his car door open and landed on the snow. It felt good to walk after the long, vigilant drive. The powdery snow crunched under his boots. He opened Aaron's car door, unbuckled him, and scooped his 85-pound grandson as if he weighed nothing. It seemed like yesterday Aaron was just a little boy. He was growing so fast. Sam was grateful to still have little moments like this with his grandson. He would have enjoyed it more if his girl wasn't sick. Sam closed car the door with his elbow as he cradled Aaron and trudged up the steps to the door. When he opened it, the light spilled like a beacon into the frigid night.
Jack had already exited the Jeep and pulled Kate carefully into his arms. She moaned and pressed her face into his chest. He eyed his briefcase and decided to come back for it. He hustled inside to get her out of the cold.
He admired the cabin as he entered. It was simple yet cozy with braided rugs, wood floors and furniture. A combination of rustic and with a touch of modern on the inside.
Sam emerged from the hallway. He had deposited Aaron in the smaller of his two spare rooms. "I'll go get the suitcases. Put Katie in here." He indicated the open door to the bedroom adjacent to the living room.
Jack noticed everything was neat as a pin as he brought her in. The bed was made and several quilts were at the foot of it. He decided to lay her on top of the blankets until he could assess her again. He sat beside her and looked up as Sam came in with Kate's suitcase.
"Your briefcase and suit coat are in the front living room." The worry in Sam's voice was evident. "Never seen her like this before. Katie's usually healthy as a horse."
Sweat dotted her brow and upper lip, yet she shivered and mumbled. Sam quickly left and reappeared with a battered looking first-aid kit. Jack opened it and surveyed the contents.
"Kate, I need you to wake up now." Jack told her gently.
Her eyes opened partly but were unfocused and bloodshot. Sam watched as she gazed up without seeing and murmured something before closing them again. He sat down on the opposite side of the bed and felt her forehead.
"Katie? It's your dad. Wake up, honey." He squeezed her shoulder but she didn't respond to him.
Sam was at a loss. He appraised Jack, who continued to try to get her to wake. He had found a generic oral thermometer at the bottom of the kit. It had to be at least ten years old, but was certainly better than nothing.
"She's burning up. We gotta try and get a temperature on her to see what we're dealing with." Jack sighed, hoping Sam wouldn't murder him outright as he shifted on the bed, pulling Kate against his chest so that he could sit her up. She whimpered and he gently stroked her damp, sweat drenched hair. She unconsciously nuzzled into his touch, seeking the cool relief his skin brought to her body even though she was shivering.
Jack stroked her cheek until he could get her mouth open enough to wedge the thermometer inside. She almost bit down on it twice. He had to distract her by pinching her neck and squeezing her wrist a little too hard to redirect her attention.
The thermometer beeped and Jack frowned. No wonder she thought she was cold. The nerves do not distinguish between hot and cold. She was in the throes of fever and might as well be standing naked in a snowstorm.
"104.2 degrees." Jack rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger briefly, wishing he had an IV to run some fluids through. He had a viable option but wasn't sure her father would allow it.
Sam could see the wheels in Jack's head turning. He could tell the man was sincere with his concern about Kate but was hesitant to say something. Almost nervous. "Well? Speak plainly, Jack. What do we need to do?"
Jack took in a deep breath and looked over at Sam. "We need to get her in the tub, get her cooled down. It should wake her up enough to get some Tylenol and fluids into her.
Sam shot Jack a look that made the man squirm. He mentally weighed out the options. Bathing his grown daughter wasn't something he wanted to do personally. Even if she was fully clothed. He sighed and shifted his stance slightly.
Jack held his gaze for several moments before looking at Kate again. He knew her father wasn't keen on the idea but was mulling it over. Jack wasn't her husband or fiancé.
"It's the quickest way to get her feeling better." He spoke firmly and cupped Kate's cheek and jawline. Her neck was flushed a florid pink that traveled into her cheeks.
Sam didn't sense anything untoward about Jack's proposal. Hell, it was smart. An old-fashioned remedy his grandma used on him when he was a kid and running a high fever. Kate might not like either, but it would take hours to get her to the hospital if she got worse. He made up his mind quickly; To trust Jack based on what he had seen so far. He felt protective over Kate and her privacy, but yielded. Jack and Kate were a couple in the past. It would be a big help and spare him and Kate both current and future embarrassment. "Would you be comfortable giving her one?"
Jack's head snapped up. He looked at Sam carefully and nodded. Sam was entrusting his daughter with the same man that hurt her. He didn't take it lightly. "Of course." He raised a brow. "She's not going to like the cold if she wakes up," he warned.
Sam pointed Jack in the direction of the bathroom before he excused himself to tuck Aaron into bed. The boy was still in his winter coat and boots, sprawled out like a starfish on top of the covers.
Jack surveyed the bathroom. It was squattish with barely enough room for a sink and tub. He ran the water as cool as he thought she could tolerate before he returned to the bedroom.
"Please don't hate me for this, Kate." He mumbled as he removed her clothes. She shivered. Her body was covered with goosebumps. Jack tried not to look at her that way. She was sick for god sakes. But she looked the same. Beautiful and perfect to him. Instead of feeling aroused, he was flooded with concern at the vivid pink blotches on her chest and neck from fever.
He brought her to the bathtub and kneeled next to the pile of towels and washcloths he had stacked for easy access. He guided her body into the tub and fought with her to stay put.
Kate's eyes shot wide open. Her body cold and wet. She didn't know where she was or why her vision was blurred. A bearded man was holding her down in water. She was trying to sit up, but was weak and pinned down
"Get the hell away from me!" she raged, splashing and shouting so loudly that Jack expect Sam to burst in with his shotgun in tow.
"Hey, Kate! It's okay." Jack croaked, nearly sliding on the slippery tile as he tried to steady her. She peered back at him bewildered, like she had never seen him before.
"Let me go!" Her voice held a frantic, desperate air that broke Jack's heart.
The only thing her mind could conjure up was she was being drowned. The strange man was drowning her in a bathtub. Her head pounded and a buzzing sound filled her ears. She tried to yell but her voice was hoarse.
"No! Don't kill me…please!" Her voice cracked. The man was talking to her but her head hurt and she couldn't hear it over the buzzing. Were there bees in the room?
She pushed and tried to spin to the side in an attempt to evade the strong hands that held her down, drowning her in ice.
"Kate." The assailant somehow knew her name. "Kate. It's gonna be okay."
"No!" She splashed hard, making him sputter. The water soaked his thin dress shirt.
Jack heard a knock at the door. "Everything okay in there?" It was Sam. He sounded a little more than worried.
"Yeah. She's awake but doesn't understand what's going on." He paused as Kate grabbed hold of his arm and tried to move it off her body to no avail. Jack closed his eyes and dipped his head. "She's fighting and thinks I'm drowning her."
Kate was shaking like a leaf. Jack could see the tremor in her muscles, the terror in her eyes as he moved closer.
"Kate ... You know me. It's Jack." She was scaring the hell out of him. Jack tried his best to break through the fog surrounding her.
"No!" Kate didn't understand what was happening. "I just n-need...you to...l-leave...me a-alone." She managed through chattering teeth.
She wasn't sure who was talking to her, but she prayed they would put her pants back on soon. Her legs felt like blocks of ice. Her energy was fading too quickly to do it herself. She used her remaining strength to push at the hand that was holding her under. It didn't work. She was so tired and only wanted to sleep. Maybe drowning wouldn't be so bad.
Jack saw her body relax and begin to go limp. He put her head on the slanted back of the tub and grabbed a rolled-up washcloth to tuck under her neck. He took a few more washcloths and soaked them before putting them on her forehead, neck and chest. He used another to wipe her cheeks. Her teeth were chattering as the tears fell. No matter how much she tried to squirm away, she couldn't escape. The intensity of the cold ripped through her.
"Kate, it's only me. It's Jack. I won't hurt you." She didn't look over. Her eyes were glazed. "You have a high fever and we're at your dad's cabin."
Jack set his watch for 15 minutes and felt terrible. Her chin quivered and teeth chattered uncontrollably.
He periodically dipped the washcloths back in the cool water and replaced them. Jack spoke to her for a while, unsure how much good it did her, or if it was more for him.
"This is the last place I thought I would be. It's not that I didn't want to see you and Aaron. It's just… I feel like… I don't deserve to. I ruined everything, Kate. I hurt you. I'm so sorry." His voice was full of remorse.
"You've done an incredible job raising Aaron. I should've been there … He's my nephew. I want to be there but look at me. I lost everything good in my life. And it's all my fault." He shook his head as a few tears fell into the bathtub, disappearing into the cool water. He sniffed before he straightened up and changed her cloths again. Time passed slowly after she settled, surrendering to her icy prison.
He heard the repetitive beep-beep of his timer and reached for the plug to drain the water. Kate twitched and jerked at the sound. Her forehead collided with his temple as she tried to sit up. "The code! Enter the code!" She panted and coughed. "The computer! Or the hatch will blow up!" She had fallen back and tried to get up but failed, being too weak to move. Water sloshed over the side of the tub onto Jack. He cursed under his breath and reached for his watch. He fumbled with it before finally turning the alarm off.
"Fucking alarm." He tossed it onto the bathroom sink. His temple throbbed. Kate's forehead had a red mark where she accidentally hit her head. It might bruise but was superficial.
Jack had her out of the tub and on the bed in no time. He briskly dried her off and dressed her in her pajamas before rolling back the covers and tucking her in. He piled quilts on top of her as she shivered. He noticed a glass of ice water Sam left next to a bottle of Tylenol on the night table.
He propped her up against the overstuffed pillows.
"Come on. You just need to swallow these. They'll help you." His mouth was near his ear as he coaxed her along in a string of soothing whispers.
"I haven't gotten much better at this, but maybe you could give me a break?" He admitted, remembering the last time he and Kate had been in this predicament when Sawyer had gotten shot. She had always been the one with the better bedside manner. As he had told her then, he hadn't learned the old "whisper in the ear trick" in medical school.
He shook Kate a little harder to try and get her alert enough to swallow.
He sighed. "Please wake up. If you take this, it will make you feel better." He palmed two Tylenol and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. Kate's eyes opened partly. He put his hand under the back of her neck and tilted her up.
"Open up, Kate." She looked slowly towards him. He put the Tylenol in her mouth and then the straw. She automatically sipped the water, more than he anticipated. She closed her eyes as her lips released the straw. Jack was grateful for small miracles.
Jack thought about how empty his life was and looked at the one person who loved and understood him. Who he left because his addiction came first. She moved and her head rolled so it faced him. A small spark kindled inside of him. What he wouldn't give for a do-over. To go back in time and make the right choices. So many wasted years. But who was he kidding? He was a loser with no job, still taking pills and had nothing and nobody meaningful in his life. How could she ever forgive him, much less take him back?
Jack looked up from his vigil as Sam knocked and entered the room. He saw Kate tucked in and leaned over to feel her forehead before Jack could give an update. He grunted in approval. "Feels cooler already. Looks like she gave you a hell of a fight."
Jack looked puzzled until he glanced down at his attire. His pin-striped dress shirt and dress slacks were still soaked. He shrugged half-heartedly. "I've had worse on my clothes. Comes with the job."
"How is she? Did she wake up?" Sam asked. A hopeful note was in his voice.
"Yes and no. She did but wasn't lucid. She's finally settled down. The fever's taken a lot out of her. Regular Tylenol will keep ahead of it and we need to try and keep her hydrated."
Sam nodded thoughtfully. Jack was soaking wet and looked exhausted.
"I appreciate what you've done for her. I've made up the couch in the living room for you and there's some dry clothes out there as well. I've started a fire so you'll be plenty warm." He looked at Jack meaningfully. If it were up to Jack, he would sleep on the floor next to Kate or in a chair to keep watch. But he had no right and it wasn't his place to argue. He gave Sam a nod and brushed the back of his fingers gently against Kate's cheek before leaving. The gesture wasn't lost on Sam.
Sam stopped him and shook his hand as he walked past. "Glad you came home with us, Jack. Aaron is too. Help yourself to anything in the fridge or pantry. Got cold cuts for sandwiches and other things if you're hungry. We'll check on your flight in the morning."
Jack nodded and gave Kate a final glance before leaving. He went into the living room. The fireplace crackled and the large couch was piled with blankets, a few bed pillows and pajamas. He took it all in and found himself smiling. He had no idea why. He was stuck in the middle of nowhere in a cabin full of people who should have been his family. Maybe it was the fire. Or the prospect of hot coffee and seeing his nephew again. He couldn't pinpoint the reason, but for the first time that night, he was truly grateful Sam offered to bring him home.