"Oh, Jaaacck!" Lance called springing into Jacks office. Jack looked up and saw Lance holding a yellow envelope. Jack grinned. He set the letter down on Jacks table and pranced out. Jack opened the letter and saw that Kate had written on paper with a coffee stain.

Dear Dr. Jack Shephard,

No, please do write me! I've waiting for a pen pal for weeks and you seem like a very plesant man! A little silly maybe, but definatly someone I'd like! And don't worry I'm not offened that you called me a 13 year old girl who hasn't puberty. Hahahaha. I'm not. I'm 26, I work as a dog groomer in San Jose. Well, obviously you know that, having that adress and what not. I'm single as well. I just broke up with my boyfriend of three years, Sawyer.

So, you are depressed huh? Is it about a girl you don't have? Or one you want but can't get? Is she married? Engaged? A lesbian? That would suck, being in love with a lesbian. I'm not a lesbian by the way. Haha. If its not about a girl is it that someone died? Or you aren't happy with your job?Maybe you feel something is missing in your life?

I live with my cousin and she's a therapist and my best friend. So if you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll forward her response. I mean, if you want to write back to me and all. I completely understand if you don't want to. Oh I sound a lot like you don't I? I guess that's not really a bad thing. I could sound worse couldn't I?

Have you gone on any anti depressants?

As you can see I split some coffee on here just for you! So you wouldn't feel bad about spilling yours. Well…okay actually I did by accident. Lets pretend I did so you wouldn't feel bad okay? Haha.

Anyways, I should stop yapping and let you decied if you want to respond to me or not. If I don't get a letter in within two months I'll get the message.

Sincerely, delightfully, helpfully,

Kate Austen

Jack grinned as he read through Kates letter. Maybe this pen pal thing wasn't such a bad idea after all. Jack picked up a pen and was about to respond when his phone rang and he was called to sugery.

*

A few weeks later Claire brought Kate a letter. "It's the one you've been antipating! He repsonded! The mysterious, depressed doctor!" She giggled and handed Kate the letter.

Dea Kate,

I hope you don't mind me using just your first name. I think we both are going to be writing for each for now so I thought it was a good idea for us both to get more…comfortable? But if one of us decieds to stop writing to the other, we should definatly tell each other first. Because that's only fair, then we can properly say goodbye.

Why did you dump your boyfriend? If you don't mind me asking.

And no, it isn't a girl, or a dead person, or being unhappy work that makes me feel depressed. I think it kind of might be a girl. Well…I don't really know how to put this. I kind of feel old. Like, my best friend is getting married and another friend is married with kids…actually a lot of my friends are married with kids. And I'm not. I'm missing out on life and every girl I find I just can't…she isn't the one. I can tell.

I did meet a girl though. Ana –Lucia. I did a surgery on her brother, he lived and she was very happy and took me to dinner. She seems nice.

And I won't do anti depressants…my dad did those as well as going to a therapist…

Oh and thank you for the coffee stain! I laughed after seeing it. Well actually, I laughed later, cause I got called into surgery litteraly the second after reading your slightly detailed goodbye. I liked that by the way. Extremely creative! I smeared a little chococlate on this letter for you. I love chocolate, don't you? I have to say over all things its my guilty pleasure. Well, except sex. Okay wait. That's not guitly. Hahaha.

Well anyways, I better get going, Ana asked me to go see a movie with her.

Sincerely, depressedly,

Jack

Kate frowned while reading it. She wondered about his father. Kate pulled out some paper and pen and began to hurriedly write a letter back. She decided to ignore that he asked about Sawyer. She just wasn't ready to talk about it yet. She'd tell him the next time he asked.

*

Dear Jack,

I asked Claire, and she said that admitting to yourself and others that you are depressed is a big step. I hope you realize that. That could be a very good sign! I assume that writing sincerely, depressedly,, means that you admit you are? ,

Thanks for the chocolate! I looooove chocolate. Dark chocolate is the best. Its so mysterious and kinky. It is absolute bliss. Have you seen the commercials for that kind of chocolate? The Bliss brand of chocolate I mean. Dirty huh? Haha. Oh well, sex and chocolate are the two world wonders aren't they?

Hey, do you get laid often? That could be part of the depression. I'd be depressed if I didn't get laid often.

How was your time with Ana? I'd love to hear more about her, if she's making you happier then she must be a great girl.

I also hope you don't mind me asking but…what happened with your dad? If you don't feel comfortable telling me I understand completely, My parents are a little…messed up to.

Anyways, I have to go to work. I hope you start feeling better soon Jack.

Guiltily, but blissfully,

Kate.

Jack read the letter with a big grin on his face. He loved getting letters from her and hearing from her. She was really great and he thought maybe if they met in person he could really care about her. Not that he'd tell her that.

Next Time: Jack and Kate talk about love...and sex.