Disclaimer: I don't own Lost. Yes i do! No you don't. Yes, i do! What are you talking about? What are YOU talking about? Wait a sec, who are YOU? Who are you? This is so confusing...

Author's Note: Okay so beware all, this chapter includes violence, tears and heartwrenching happy moments that will last not much longer, so enjoy them while they are here. This story is not for the weak of heart or mind since some flashbacks may get more...intense.

Oh-yeah and don't forget to give me some more delicious reviews, thanks for the really tasty ones, they are so yummy. ;-)

Riding On The Wings Of An Angel

Chapter 8: Mistaken Identity

Jack:

The second Jack spotted her, all his fears were confirmed. Dashing over to Kate, Jack kneeled down, she was half conscious.

"Kate." Jack whispered his heart pounding in his ears. A cold sweat broke out on Jack and he could feel his stomach turning from fear.

Wiping her hair off her face Jack felt her forehead. It was hot.

"Kate! Damn! You're burning up." Patting her cheeks he tried to get her to answer him. "Kate. Open your eyes. Kate…please." He begged his voice reaching an unusually high note.

A small moan was the only response he got.

'Okay, Jack. THINK. Calm down and think. You're a doctor. What does she need?' Jack looked around. Jumping up he rushed over to the stream to fill up a bottle of water. His hands were trembling so hard that he couldn't get the lid off right away.

"Errr! Focus!" Jack filled the bottle and brought it over to Kate. "I'm sorry, Kate. Please Kate, just stay with me."

Jack then noticed the cloth tied around Kate's leg and unwrapped it. The bleeding had stopped but she needed stitches.

As Jack looked at the blood soaked rag in his hands he replayed the last conversation he had with her before she went on the hike.

X X X X X X

Flashback:

Jack came to the beach to drop off some water…and check on Kate. He hadn't seen her since the briefcase opening.

Perhaps she was avoiding him… maybe it was the other way around. Either way Jack finally decided it was time to check on Kate. He had been hearing reports that Kate had been acting strangely. More like overworking herself, not sleeping and risking her life at every opportunity.

Out of the corner of his eye Jack saw Kate come around a bend, she saw him and tried to leave before he saw her, but Jack was too quick.

"Kate." He called out.

She stopped, not turning. Folding her arms protectively around herself she slowly turned saying nothing, just eyeing him warily.

"Just needed to drop off some water." Jack explained.

Kate nodded and started to leave.

Sighing Jack called out again, "Kate, wait." Jack started towards her.

"Jack, what do you want?" Kate said icily

"I need to talk to you."

Kate just stood there. When Jack didn't speak, Kate spoke up. "Jack, I don't have all day…"

"I'm worried about you." Jack blurted.

"Well don't be." Kate replied coldly and started to walk away.

Jack's reserves broke and he caught up to Kate. "What is your problem!"

"What?"

"Why are you risking your life every chance you get?"

"That's ridiculous." She spat.

"Do you want to die? Are you trying to kill yourself?" Jack's hands shot up to stop from walking. She jerked back in fear, then slapped it away.

Suddenly her head shot around and she glared at him. "Are you checking up on me?"

It was more of a threat then a question.

"Kate I—"

"No, Jack. Stop. Just stay away from me. I will do what I want. I don't need a babysitter."

"I just—" Jack tried again.

"No, Jack!" Kate shouted. "You butt into my business and then you judge me. YOU don't even know the whole story. Jack." The way Kate said his name was like a slap in the face, the words filled with venom.

"Kate, if you get hurt—"

"—I won't come running to you for help." Kate finished. "Just leave me alone." She hissed before walking away.

As Jack watched Kate walk away, he knew he had really screwed up this time. She was on the defensive and in a destructive mood. A worry for her settled itself in his heart.

X X X X X X

Kate:

A wetness was on her face. 'What?' Someone was wiping her face. Kate couldn't figure out what was going on.

Flickering her eyes open she saw someone, a man, hovering over her.

"Jesse?" Kate turned her head to the side. "Where is Jesse?"

A voice spoke. "Kate. Thank god. Kate. Can you hear me?"

Kate tried to focus on the person before her. She saw his arm and Jack's tattoos. A shock went through her and she panicked. "Jason?" She choked in a horror stricken voice.

"Kate, no, listen it is Jack. You're hurt, you're sick."

But Kate didn't hear Jack's voice anymore. All she could hear was Jason.

"Please, Jason, don't hurt him. Please!" Kate's voice quivered.

"Hurt who? Kate, I won't hurt anyone." Jack tried t reassure her. He was really worried now. Her fever was too high.

"Don't hurt him. Don't hurt Jesse. He's just a little boy. He didn't do anything. Hurt me, just don't hurt him…okay?" Kate pleaded with Jack.

X X X X X X

Jack:

'What was she talking about?' Jack frowned, 'Add that to the list of Kate's mysteries.'

"He's just a little boy."

"Hurt me, just don't hurt him… okay?"

After Kate had said those words she had passed out again. Jack had actually been glad. The look in her eyes had been too much. It was a look of pure terror and it had been directed at him. The fear he saw in her eyes was too real and the anguish in her voice made tears come to his eyes.

Jack, who didn't cry or at least was taught not to, had to blink away the tears at just the thought of how Kate had said those words…

"Don't hurt him. Don't hurt Jesse."

"He's just a little boy."

"Hurt me, just don't hurt him… okay?"

"Hurt me…"

"Hurt me…"

Jack blinked back tears as the words echoed in his head. He struggled to thread the needle he had retrieved from him backpack. Good thing he had come prepared… just in case.

'How could Kate say those things?'

"Hurt me…"

"Hurt me…"

"…Just don't hurt him…"

"…Okay?"

The last words had held such a pleading conviction, that Jack found himself blinking once more.

Rolling up her pant leg to the knee, he began to clean the area with peroxide and was thankful that after almost a month on the island he still had some left.

Starting to stitch up the wound he found his thoughts wondering back to what Kate had said.

'How could she say those things?' He thought once more. His hands shook and he tried harder to concentrate on the task at hand; the lack of sleep was catching up with up him.

'Who would she care about so much to take… take what? A punch? A hit? Would she die for this person?'

Kate had always confused him, awed him, he admired her. She had strength. But there was always she hid from him… from everyone. As if she was trying to forget some painful event.

'So, who was this 'little boy' this 'Jesse' that Kate seemed to want to protect so much?'

X X X X X X

Flashback:

"Jesse." Kate called out over the ruckus from all the other small kids with moms in tow at the pool. For the last two weeks Kate had driven. Driven straight across the country. Somewhere far away. Somewhere far away from Jason. Somewhere hot and fun. Somewhere safe.

"Jesse, it's time to go." Kate smiled and beamed at the little boy who ran to her. A soggy little boy hugged her legs. He didn't truly fuss about leaving like all the other kids she saw with their moms.

"Already?" Still hugging Kate's legs he looked up at her and gave Kate an impish grin.

Reaching down Kate tickled him. "We've been here for two and a half hours." Kate replied in mock disbelief.

Giggling Jesse gasped, "I…I…Know!" Jesse laughed and Kate mercifully stopped tickling Jesse and grabbed a blue towel with toy airplanes on it.

They had seen it at a roadside stand the day before when they entered Arizona. It was a hot day; a scorcher and Jesse had been begging to go swimming. She couldn't pass up a chance to get Jesse that towel. After all they had just been through. Besides, they forgot their towels at the last place they had lived, in their New York apartment. Kate rationalized as she had paid for the towel.

Drying Jesse she rubbed his head and whipping the towel away to reveal a tousled head of hair. 'He needs a haircut.' Kate had thought.

Hearing Jesse's shriek of surprise and pleasure a smile lit up her face reaching her eyes and she hadn't felt happier in days. In fact Kate couldn't remember the last time she felt so happy.

Tugging on a pair of shorts over her bikini bottoms, Kate grabbed Jesse's and her bag of swimming stuff. Lunging at Jesse she heard him shriek as he wriggled in her grasp.

Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the envy of the other mothers at the pool as they struggled with their children. At that moment she knew no matter what, that she was lucky. All this…this trouble. It was for something. It was for Jesse.

What she didn't see was the man in a black suit watching her from behind the fence of the pool. His cold eyes followed her every move.

X X X X X X

Thanks to all the reviewers! And we have a guest today that will join me and hopefully answer a few questions, everyone welcome...KATE! Cheers... Okay that is enough everyone, please calm down. Thank you , thank you.

Kate are you up to answering some questions?

Kate: "What are you talking about, aren't I hurt and having nightmares about evil Jason?"

Yes, but that doesn't matter. Here is the first question. Will Jack save Kate?

Kate: "Your asking me? I dunno, i am unconscious remember?"

Okay, for the next question. Will Jack and Kate make out soon?

Kate: "What!...Well, actually"

Okay, forget answering that one, here's another. Is Jesse real?

Kate: "Of course he is real. I am talking to him aren't I?"

You are, but is he just a hallucination?

Kate: "Are you implying that I am going...nuts? Because if you are"

No I'm not

Kate: "I am NOT nuts. I didn't kill the person i loved, i am not talking to a dead Jesse, i am not in love with both Jack and Sawyer and have a fetish for bad boys. I AM NOT CRAZY."

Umm, okay, thank-you Kate for that...um... informed interview. Come back soon, oh and i hope you get rescued.

Kate: Now you say that. karate chops Freckles

There you have it, some...um... answers, just not to the questions you asked. If you have anymore questions feel free to leave them in your review and Kate may be invited back (although i may be in a body cast) she's really scarey when she is pissed for some more interviewing.

Pink Pinker: You never know. There may be some of that in the future. nudge nudge wink wink So just keep reading and you will see!

Lindsay: Yep, Jack found Kate, but has he saved her yet. I mean she will live and all, but mentally... hint These Jesse sightings will continue, but is she the only one that can see him?

CrAzYhOrSeGiRl88: Definately more Jack and Kate, but Sawyer will get in the way. When is he not, but it just isn't the same without the funny argueing scenes between Jack and sawyer and Kate and Sawyer. I sure hope they make Kate's backstory out to be more like this story. I don't want her to turn out to be some heartless criminal...although i don't think that is the case.

Oreata: If i told you it wouldn't be any fun. Although i think i am leaning more towards hating broccoli. lol. But that doesn't mean there isn't a little bit of island magic involved. Or maybe...Kate is just nuts.Kate: "Hey, i told you earlier.I. AM. NOT. CRAZY."Throws a punch and misses. Remind me to getthat girl tied up!

Writing Squirrel: Oh, personaly shrinks, now there is agood idea! lol, You are soright. Wouldn't it be hilarious that if someone on the plane was a shrink as just turnedup and starts to analyze everyones issues.I can see it now. Kate, Jack, Sawyer and a few others all surrounding him in a public stoneing. Okay that was a little morbid.

rain165:That is good, those horses can deffinately be a problem. I just can't seem to keep them under control when shiggity doesn't put up a new chaper of 'Another' or 'Pangs of Guilt' fast enough. Well, here is another chapter.

Austin B: I wouldn't let that happen. I mean letting Kate bleed to death, that just wouldn't be any fun. Sawyer on the other hand may be a problem for a while. Thanks for reviewing. Keep reading and you may be rewarding.

Sailor-Sara-Moon: I am happy you are enjoying it so much, andhere is another chapter to reward you for your awsome patience.

Phoenix-Talon: I am one of your favorite writters? Cool! Jumps for joy and does a little spin That is so nice to say. I really do love your story it is so funny, with Sawyer and Jacey bantering and avoiding each other like that, totally had me crackedup. I love that you are liking it so much, i do try. It just seems to fit. But comming up soon, Sawyer will interfere with Jack tending to Kate. Yep you read it. INTERFERE! Typical Sawyer. Sawyer: "Hey...what'd you say, freckle face?"

Teyla Sheppard: Yep, Sawyer is alive and well. Sayid, Sawyer and some of the others will come into play soon, if not in the next chapter, then the one after. It is going to be a lot of fun.

Orlando-crazy: So there you have it, another chapter. I am glad you are liking it so much. Kate: "Hello? Yeah, me over here, am i going to get rescued soon? Cause i am getting really board."

Kate, you are always whining. Sheesh, she needs an attitude check, she is only tremendously injured and hallucinating.

Next Chapter: So it will come in about a week. Will contain Jack, Kate, Sawyer and and some other characters. Can't tell you much else except that there will be nightmares, midnight comforts and flachbacks. For more hints at what is to come read the above written. Kate: "And my interview, don't forget my interview!"