Chapter 21
As Jack awoke the next morning he opened his eyes groggily to find himself still tightly wrapped around Kate – who was sleeping peacefully. He smiled as memories of the previous evening came flooding back to him.
It had started out a fools love – at least for Jack – who had let his mind continuously wander back to thoughts of a torn woman. But now there was no doubt in his mind that Kate had made her decision – and she had chosen him.
He lay where he was a moment longer, not wanting to pull away just yet from the warm body of the woman he loved. He stroked her soft skin affectionately, smiling as she stirred, and as he reached up and started caressing her lips she grinned happily back, taking his fingers tightly in her hand.
"That tickles." She whispered.
"Morning." Jack smiled warmly back at her.
"Morning." Her voice was silky and delicate.
To Jack's relief all traces of her previous exhaustion the night before had gone now, to be replaced with a contented gleam. She looked so happy, he thought.
They lay in silence for a moment longer, holding each other close – Kate's head nestled into Jack's shoulder as he ran his fingers through her long dark hair, and caressed it gently with his nose.
"I love you." He whispered softly into her ear. His heart skipped a beat as he heard her response.
"I love you to." She whispered back.
Jack didn't want to be the one to spoil the moment between them, he didn't want to break their sensual embrace. It seemed almost wrong to break contact with her now, but after a moment he realised that unless they wanted to remain here, glued to each other forever, then one of them would have to make the first move.
It was with reluctance that he finally pulled away from her, getting slowly to his feet.
"Hey, where are you going?" Kate asked him.
"I need to check on Sawyer." Jack explained as he kissed her delicately on the forehead. "I'll be back later."
As Jack exited the cool darkness of the caves he was relieved to find that rain the previous evening had left the air outside fresh and crisp and the ground beneath his bare feet smelt refreshingly earthy.
Locke had already left when he made the decision to look in on him before checking on Sawyer – but he couldn't honestly say that he had expected him to still be there, having now received the all clear. It looked as though he had left some time during the night – his bed was un-slept in and as Jack took a brief moment to tidy around the now abandoned cave he noticed that his belongings had also gone.
Jack took a moment to compose himself before looking in on Sawyer. The other man's attitude the night before had left him feeling somewhat concerned for Sawyer's physical wellbeing and state of mind, and he couldn't deny feeling somewhat apprehensive as he leaned against the rocky wall of the cave. He briefly considered putting off checking on Sawyer – after the previous evening a few more hours spent with Kate certainly seemed a more appealing option right now – but as usual Jack's conscience won over and reluctantly he made his way to Sawyer's cave, fully aware of the welcome he could expect to receive.
