Last chapter. Hope you all enjoy it. I'll have my author's note up sometime in a few hours. Please review. I'll have the sequal up sometime. I'll keep you all update of that as I start my new story.

Chapter 27

Sarete Felici, Amore

"One word frees us
Of all the weight and pain in life,
That word is Love"

Jack emerged from the jungle, limping as he walked. He looked exhausted and defeated, his eyes glued to the ground, as if he'd lost all hope. Looking up, though, his eyes landed on Kate, and he felt himself freeze. He just stood there staring at her in pure confusion, until he heard and noticed Vincent.

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

He found himself barely able to even move as his eyes drifted back to Kate. He had thought she was dead. But right there she was, standing across the beach from him, her entire world falling down around her. For how many days she had been on the beach? Where was everyone else? He looked around for them for a moment, before his eyes landed on the graves. He took in what had happened, but didn't give it time to settle. Kate had been alone on the beach, most likely with the friend she was about to kill. He walked over to her quite quickly, not wanting her to have to kill the only companion she'd had. Grabbing the gun from her, he sent one bullet into the dog, killing it on the spot. He quickly dropped the gun and turned her around, pulling her into his arms.

I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreamin' you'll be with me
and you'd never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

Kate froze, not sure what was going on for a moment. She felt someone hugging her though, and quickly hugged them back, not even realizing it was Jack until several moments later. She quickly hugged him tighter, burying her face in his shirt, beginning to cry. "Jack!" she choked, holding onto him.

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of Hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything, but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

Jack closed his eyes. Ignoring the pain from the gunshot wound in his leg, he lifted her up, hugging her tightly. For miles he'd walked back to the beach, not caring about pain. "Kate." he whispered, tears beginning to roll down his own cheeks. He had thought they had caught her and killed her. But here he was holding her. "I missed you so much."

That I love you
I have loved you all along
I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreamin you'll be with me
and you'd never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

"Jack." Kate managed again, hugging him as tight as she could. "I thought…Jack." She couldn't even complete her sentences, overwhelmed by the fact that he wasn't dead. "I love you." she all she managed to get out. "I love you so much."

So far away
So far away
far away for far too long
So far away
So far away
far away for far too long

"I know. I love you too, Kate." Jack whispered, spinning her around slightly. "So much. So much, Kate." He still held her, needing to touch her, to make himself realize she was really there.

But you know, you know, you know
I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long

Kate pulled back slightly. She put her hands on his cheeks, staring into his loving brown eyes. Slowly, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips gently to his.

So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me, and never let me go
Keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me, never let me go.

Jack also closed his eyes. He kissed her back, holding her as close as he could.

Kate deepened the kiss, taking her hands off of his cheeks and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Sawyer walked out of the jungle behind him, followed by Jessie and Jayla. He held his hand over his shoulder where the bullet had hit. Glancing up, he noticed Kate and Jack and couldn't help but smile slightly.

Kate slowly pulled away from the kiss and opened her eyes, looking at Jack. She leaned her forehead against his, keeping her arms around his neck.

Jack also opened his eyes, looking into hers. The defeated look had gone now. It had gone from both of them. Hope had come back.

"I thought this was the end." Kate whispered, staring at him. "I thought it was going to be all over."

Sawyer headed over toward them, glancing at the graves as he walker. "Nah, Freckles." he said. He turned her to look out over the ocean, a grin spreading across his lips. "This is only the beginning, Freckles." he told her. "Only the beginning."