Hi guys, sorry its been a while, I hope you are all still interested in this fic. I've finally got a moment away from my family and was able to type this up. I hope you enjoy it, it's a good sized chapter too :)

Chapter 10.

It had been a week since that phone call that had made all the difference between them, all that week had followed the same routine; each night Jack would get a phone call, he was at home each time. He would say night to Aaron, and then he and Kate would talk on the phone until Jack's takeout came, something that Kate could not help but laugh at. Jack's excuse was that he was waiting for a new fridge freezer, to which Kate just laughed. The conversations were always the same; they would talk about what they did that day, what they were planning to do the following day, the conversations never getting serious.

The calls were great, however it did not stop Aaron asking to see his daddy or his daddy to read him a bedtime story, or kiss him goodnight. The first few nights, Kate kissing him twice, once for her and once for Jack satisfied him, but he soon became irritable at sleep time. Kate secretly wondering how long it would have to go on having a relationship over the phone, a relationship she scolded herself for thinking that, that's not what they were doing, sure they were talking again but it wasn't anything more, or was it?

She had been her at her happiest whilst talking to Jack, and after. It just felt so good to be talking with him again, to have him back in her life.

Unaware that Jack was also thinking the same as her, that he was so glad to be just talking to her 'normally' again, was more than he could've hoped for after how things ended, yet as Kate had said, everyone deserves a second chance, and he definitely wouldn't ruin this one. Even though he was feeling all the same things as Kate, he was thinking more like Aaron. When the takeout came and the conversations would end, he would long to call her back, to talk longer, he missed Aaron too, he had hoped he would call before his bedtime, when he was not falling asleep and all he got was a goodnight. He missed being around them both, and just doing family things.

It had been a week and he just could not wait for the call. It was a Friday night, a full week since they were first reunited, a week since he had seen them; already he longed to hold her, to touch, to… he could think and think all those thoughts, but he knew he couldn't act on them, not yet anyway. There was however one thing he could act on now, she had said come by when ever he had time, yet now it was finally dawning on him what the time was, and that she hadn't yet called. Had she realised that she was too hasty to give him a second chance, had she met someone else? He had not asked her if she had, he would not blame her, any man would want her, he had her and lost her, what were his chances of having her again, and not loosing her. Was he too late? On the other hand, was she just busy, and had not had the chance to ring him, or was he just being distrustful again.

He was pacing about his apartment, it was 8.15 pm, she normally rings by now, Aarons bedtime is 8.00. He walks to the kitchen and gets a glass of water. Why was he being so impatient, he should just wait, if she does not call, she does not call, he will call her tomorrow, and casually ask what happened last night. No, he could not do that, he was making excuses, he knew the real reason for why he was acting the way he was, he just wanted to have a reason to go see her. He was going to take the next step, he would go see her, and find out for himself, if she was with someone else, and at least he would find out before he committed to her again.

With that, he grabbed his keys and his coat and headed for the door. It would take him 25 minutes to get to Kate's providing the traffic wasn't bad, he should make it there for 8.30 pm, and if the sensible part of his brain was right in that nothing was wring, at least he would make Aaron happy, by reading him a bedtime story, if he wanted him to.

His way over there had been a jittery one, checking his cell to see if she had rang, and checking the time, to considering turning back and going home. Yet here he was outside Kate's house, he smiles sadly at that part, what used to be theirs. He sees the light on in the living room, so she must be home. Her car is in the driveway, only hers he notices.

He decides, turning of the engine, he had come here he may as well go up there. See Aaron, if he is still up.

He locks the car and begins his way to the house. Getting nearer he hears Kate laughing. He hesitates for a moments before letting out a breath and knocking.

He waits a moment, and turns around, he hears the door open, and he turns back around to see a surprised Kate.

Kate: "Jack. What- what are you doing here?" She smiles at him.

Jack: "I-erm, I was… you hadn't called so I err, wanted to say night to Aaron."

Kate looks a little guilty Jack looks confused. Before Kate can say anything, a voice shouts her, a male voice.

"Katie, who is it?" As Kate turns to reply to the man, Jack shakes his head, turns, and starts making his way to his car. Not even hearing Kate shouting his name, he walks head down, until he feels a hand in his. He stops, the all-knowing feel, her hand in his, he does not tighten his grip as he normally would, he waits, lets her talk.

She tries turning him round to face her, but he does not budge, she lets out a sigh, he feels her grip tighten on his hand, her head suddenly coming to rest on his shoulder. He feels her breath on his neck, which arouses feelings in him he had longed for, for so long. He feels her front pressing against his back, her other hand now coming to rest on his other arm. Kate lets out a shaky breath, and then begins to speak.

Kate: "It's not what you think." She says, feeling Jack's shoulders tense she continues quickly.

Kate: "My dad, it's my daddy he's finally home. We have finally been able to speak to one another without worrying about the police. I- I finally spent the day with my dad, after all these years, we…"

She rests her head on his shoulder, he can tell she's trying not to cry, he squeezes her hand, then releases it, and turns around, embracing her. He holds her, he feels her arms wrap around him and embrace him just as tightly. They are standing there for what feels like hours, enjoying being in each other's arms again. Jack's the one to break it, as he slowly pulls apart, his arms resting on Kate's arms, as she doesn't move away he slowly rubs his hands up and down her arms, smiling at her. He sees Kate close her eyes.

Jack: "I'm sorry- I should go…"

She opens her eyes; that is not what she was expecting, she shakes her head.

Kate: "No, why, you can't. I- You would make Aaron's day even better if you could say goodnight in person."

Not having let go of each other, Jack lowers his head. Kate's breathing hitches, yet his head falls to his chest, he won't look at her as he speaks.

Jack: "What… what about your dad…"

Kate: "He's great, he- he won't be a problem." She says with a smile, which soon fades, once she hears Jack quietly mumble.

Jack: "What, what does he know about us, about me." He says ashamed.

Kate looks at Jack who has yet to look at her; Jack's hands are now resting in his pockets, his body hunched over. She reaches up and cups his chin, forcing him to look at her. She gives him a sad smile, yet a hint of something else, happiness?

Kate: "He- I haven't told him, he only knows what he's read in papers, on the news and stuff. He hasn't pressed me about it, and I haven't told him… I want him to, get to know you, without judgement, he wouldn't understand."

No one could understand stand Jack's reasons for doing what he did, what happened, without knowing all about what they had been through, what they had left behind, more so what wouldn't leave them alone. He finally manages to give her a small smile, to which she returns. They lock eyes, both staring into the others, seeing things, knowing things no one else does. Kate leans up, he breathing slowing, her eyes never leaving Jacks. Suddenly Jack whispers and she feels nothing but the cold air.

Jack: "We can't." He says somewhat hastily.

Kate nods however much she disagreed, she knew he was some how right, they could not, not yet. Her father was still waiting inside, she had only said she would be a minute, he would be getting worried, what if he had already come out. She turns. No one was there, just the open door. She turns back to Jack, and gives him a coy smile.

Kate: "You wanna come in?"

Jack simply nods his head, Kate turns around and heads for the door, once there she looks back to see Jack following her and she smiles, they both enter the house- and Jack closes the door behind them.

So there it is, they finally, kind of "reunited" lol. I know there was not much dialogue but as always with Jate, words are not always needed, but I did need to write certain things lol. I hope you enjoyed, your thoughts and requests always welcome :-) I will try to update sooner, if the family does not need me, and I get a moment's peace lol. What will happen once inside? How will Sam take to Jack? Will Aaron be happy- silly question haha the answer to that already... Yes! lol Many thanks as always Lauren xxx