Chapter 9

No More Hiding (FF)

Jack opened his eyes then squinted as the morning light came in through the window. It wasn't the light that woke him, but the absence of her presence. That empty feeling of being alone crept up inside him, but soon subsided as he heard the sound of the shower running in the bathroom down the hall. Jack slid his hand under the couch and felt for the book with the strange symbol on its cover that he and Kate looked at the night before, but it was gone. Instead of allowing himself to become anxious about the book's absence, he settled on the resolution that it was Kate who had moved it from its previous position and put it in a safer location.

Jack raised himself off the couch and moved in the direction of the bathroom. He paused as he heard Kate's voice humming spiritedly through the door. He smiled to himself and suddenly wished he had the courage to enter to satisfy his desire to be as intimate with her as he had been the evening before. Jack envied the water that poured down her body and his heart beat quickened at the thought of it. Even so, he still did not open the door, but instead entered his room and began packing his own things. Even though Kate had given him a valid reason for why she left, Jack knew she had the knack for getting close, and just when things began to feel right between them, she suddenly distanced herself from him, as if she couldn't allow herself to be happy. Jack didn't know if it was consciously done, but it was a bad habit that he was going to try to break her from.

Jack packed as if he was never to return. He searched his closet feverishly for something that he had put away months ago, something that he couldn't leave without. Jack smiled as his eyes landed on the object he was looking for: It was a small package, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a straw-like string. Jack untied the string and carefully unwrapped the package. Inside there was a small rectangular shaped wooden music box, with a beautiful blooming cherry blossom tree intricately carved into the lid with magnificent detailing and color. Jack bought it at the airport the last time he flew to Tokyo, it had reminded him of Kate. Jack never expected he would actually be able to give it to her, but now he thought that he might. Jack opened the box letting out its delicate little song. There was something inside: a ring. It was a gold band with three gems: two heart shaped emeralds and a slightly larger circular diamond between them. This ring was also intended for Kate. Jack's love for Kate was none like any he had ever experienced before, and he bought it knowing, that one day he would ask her to be his forever, whether it was now or years from now, it would always belong to her and her only. Jack's soul would never be whole without her.

Jack closed the box, re-wrapped it in its paper and string, and packed it safely away in his suitcase. He moved from the closet to the dresser, pausing with his hand on the drawer's knob. Jack didn't want to open the drawer that held the substance of his dark habit, a habit he knew he had to rid himself of. Even as he said in his mind that he did not need it, he couldn't stop his hand from opening the drawer. Jack soon found that the book wasn't the only thing that Kate had moved to a safe and hidden place. The bottle of pills were not inside, instead he found nothing but neatly folded rows of socks.

Jack drew in a deep breath and held it, because unlike the feeling he had with the absence of the book, he was unable to contain the dams of anxiousness that now flooded his mind. His eyes grew wide as he desperately rummaged through the contents of every drawer in the dresser.

Kate stood behind him in the doorway, clenching the towel that wrapped around her tight against her chest; her hair still dripping wet, and watched the scene in front of her.

"It's not there." She spoke finally, with an air of sadness. She knew the argument that was coming.

Jack froze at the sudden sound of her voice.

"Where is it?" Jack's voice failed to constrain his desperation.

Kate looked away from him and did not respond. Jack stood in front of her and clutched her at the shoulders. "Where is it Kate?!"

Kate clenched her jaws and looked at him with the same determination. With tears in her eyes she said firmly, "You'll never find them…Ever."

Jack closed his eyes trying to contain his frustration and anger. He loosened his grip on her shoulders, realizing the pain he was causing her, and then backed away from her shameful of his behavior.

"Kate, I'm so sorry." His voice broke as he said it. "I didn't mean…"

Kate moved in close to him and gently placed her hands on his face as she looked up into his tearful eyes. "I know. I know Jack," she stroked his beard from the angle of his jaw to his chin and kissed his lips. Jack embraced Kate tightly and the towel fell to the floor. Kate kissed him passionately sinking deeper into his arms. Jack lifted Kate and laid her on the bed without removing his lips from hers. Kate's fingers scurried to remove his clothing piece by piece.

One by one, the books that lay around them fell to the floor, with each pleasurable movement. Jack's desire for the drug departed; his quest for the elusive island, gone. The only thing he desired was her. No drug could compare to the blissfulness of this moment. It was as if his sole purpose was to please her and that nothing else in the world mattered. Even after Kate reached her climax and he had reached his, they remained in each others arms kissing tenderly.

"I love you." Jack said suddenly unable to contain himself.

Kate smiled softly at him. "And I…Love…You." She said giving him a kiss between each heartfelt word, then smiled at him again, this time with sadness and tears forming in her eyes. "I should've never left you Jack." She placed her head against his chest then whispered, "I'm sorry."

It was the second time that Kate had ever uttered those three words to him. Jack thought that he would never hear them again, and here she was saying it to him. In a matter of days, things had gone from hopeless, to hopeful. And for the first time, Jack was thankful that he hadn't succeeded in ending his life.

"But we're together now, and that's all that matters Kate." Jack said softly.

Kate was silent for a moment, then spoke, "We should get ready, I have a feeling it's going to be a long day."

Jack agreed, but neither of them moved. It was that need for a few more moments of peace, before they had to face the unknown events of the day.

Twenty minutes later and Jack was showered, dressed and ready to go. Kate was sitting on the couch reading a newspaper article that had been clipped out. It had their pictures above the article. She looked at Jack's picture, cropped hair, his face worn with exhaustion and sorrow and no beard. It was taken as they were being herded from the boat to the limousine that took them to begin their new lives.

"You wanna go get some breakfast?" She heard him say as he entered the room. Kate looked up from her article to answer, but the words were lost, and she stood up in front of him staring at his now beardless face.

"You cut it." She said smiling and touching his smooth face with her finger tips.

"No more hiding, right?"

"No more hiding."

Jack watched as Kate took a sip of her coffee. They sat at a booth in a far corner of the IHOP, next to the restrooms and the kitchen. Kate never understood why restaurants always did that, have the restrooms near the kitchen, it seemed so unsanitary. Kate was eying the two pay phones that were between the two doors that were labeled men and women. The place was packed, which is precisely why Kate chose the restaurant. She thought there was no way that they would try anything with a restaurant full of witnesses. Running from these guys was different from running from the cops. Cops always had rules, protocols, but these guys had no rules. These guys weren't looking to put them in any jail; they wanted to put them in the ground.

"So what do you think?" Jack asked. Kate knew he wasn't referring to the coffee.

"Seems alright." She said taking a quick glance to her left.

Jack took out his wallet and pulled out a business card. "Here's the mechanics shop I was telling you about."

"Yeah I think it's time I gave them a call." She smiled and took the card.

Kate started to get up but stopped as she felt Jack's hand grasp hers.

"I should go with you." Jack said slightly uneasy about her going by herself.

"No, it's better if you stay here. I'll just be five minutes." Kate said trying to reassure him. Jack nodded and took her place in the booth for a better view. Kate reached the phone lifted the receiver then dialed the number. "That will be two-dollars-and-thirty-five-cents." she heard the recording say. Kate deposited the change and thought as she listened to the line ring, just where does this Penelope live? That's an awful lot of change just for one phone call. Kate remembered she had a British accent and figured it was probably somewhere in England. Just then Kate heard a voice on the other end it was the same British accent.

"Hello?"

"Um hi, this is Kate Austen, you called me about four months ago about…about that place we were on…and I…I mean we, have decided that we want to help."

There was a moment of silence. Kate had almost thought that Penelope had hung up when she final said, "Kate? Who survived oceanic flight 815?"

"Yes, but I can't talk to you about it now." Kate lowered her voice, "We're risking our lives just talking to you…there are some dangerous people who are following us…If they found out…"

"Where are you?" Penelope said hastily.

"We're in a restaurant, an IHOP in Los Angeles California."

"I'll have someone pick you up."

"Where?"

"Do you think you can make it to the helipad at St. Sebastian's hospital? I'll have a chopper waiting for you."

"We'll be there." Just as the words left her lips, a man in a chef's uniform grabbed Kate's neck and shoved her into the women's restroom. She nearly fell over but caught herself by the edge of the sink. The man came up behind her griped a handful of her hair and forced her face against the mirror above the sink. His hips pressed firmly against her from behind. Kate struggled to free herself.

"Ah, ah, ah Kate." The man said in a deep gruff voice pressing his gun against her face. "I warned you. All you had to DO, was keep your damn mouth shut. It's really a shame, 'cause you're such a beautiful woman." The man let go of her hair and stood back. This was it, Kate thought. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The sound of the shot was deafening. Kate clutched the side of her face and hit the floor. There was the muffled sound of two men struggling somewhere off in the distance. The beating in her chest was almost unbearable, and she struggled to take in breath, but she was still alive. She opened her eyes and saw Jack, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her out.

"Somebody call an ambulance!" She heard Jack shout. There were screams of shock. Jack laid Kate on the floor and looked at her, his face full of grief.

"Kate, Kate," She looked at him and told him that she was alright and started to sit up. She removed her hand slowly from her face which was wet with her own blood. Jack quickly placed a wet napkin against her wound. Kate winced with pain. Jack had tackled the man just as he pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the mirror behind her just an inch from her face. It was a piece of the mirror that lacerated her cheek as it shattered. Her assailant was still lying in the bathroom unconscious.

"Jack we have to go to St. Sebastian's." She said urgently.

"Wait, there's a closer hospital." Jack said.

"No it has to be that one, I'll explain on the way."

Jack nodded then helped her get to her feet. They made their way out of the restaurant and into their car.

"Wait, aren't you going to wait for the ambulance?" The restaurant's manager called out behind them.

"I can't wait, I'm taking her now." Jack said.

"But what do I tell the police? They will be here any moment!"

"Tell them a man tried to kill a woman in the restroom. Hopefully they get here before he wakes up."

The sudden thought of a dangerous killer waking up in the bathroom sent the manager into a panic, and he rushed back inside the restaurant.

Jack started the car and they were soon en route to St. Sebastian's.

Jack looked at Kate then cursed, he was furious.

"Dammit! If it wasn't for that stupid waitress…I mean one minute your on the phone, then the waitress spills her tray right next to me…I bend down to help her… I took my eyes off you for just a second, I look up and you're gone."

"I wondered what was taking you so long." Kate meant for that to come out as a joke, but Jack didn't find it the least bit amusing. It just made him look even graver than before. Kate immediately regretted saying this to him. "Jack, it wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was! I almost lost you today and it was MY fault." Jack said in a shaky voice as tears formed in his eyes. "I thought I was too late, I thought…" Jack stopped and took a deep breath.

"Don't…we're alive and that's all that matters."

Kate took his hand and interlocked her fingers with his. Jack squeezed her hand gently then brought it up to his lips and kissed her hand.

"Next time, I'm going with you."

Kate didn't argue with him and hoped that there wouldn't be a next time.

Jack pulled into St. Sebastian's staff parking lot and parked.

Jack looked at Kate, "So why here?"

"Penelope said she was sending someone to pick us up, I'm guessing that it's one of the few hospitals that have a helipad."

"A helipad? Where are we going?"

"I don't know, I didn't get a chance to find out."

Jack still looked apprehensive, but he didn't press it any further.

"Then we have to get to the roof." Jack stated.

They grabbed their bags and went into the hospital through the ER. Jack went into the supply room and grabbed a few things, then they took the elevator to the roof to wait for the helicopter.

Jack pulled out some gauze, ointments, tape and a surgical sewing kit. Kate looked at him nervously as he set everything neatly on a towel.

Jack took notice. "I'm gonna have to stitch that up Kate." He said motioning to her cheek. "Don't worry I brought something to numb it with." He said pulling out a small bottle. "A luxury we didn't have on the island." He placed several drops on a piece of gauze and told Kate to hold it on her wound for a few minutes. Jack started threading the needle. Kate watched him.

"Are you sure you want to leave all this? I mean there's a chance that we won't come back." She said.

"I know. And I'm alright with that."

Kate nodded then scooted closer to him. "I think it's numb."

Jack placed his hands on her face and examined the cut. It was about an inch long and ran horizontal to her cheek bone. "You'll feel some pulling but it shouldn't hurt."

Kate smiled, "Believe it or not this isn't the first time I've had stitches."

Jack smiled back, "Tree climbing accident?"

"Something like that." She said carefully trying not to move as the needle penetrated her skin. Jack was finished within a few minutes.

"It wasn't as deep as I thought, you only needed six stitches." He said pleased, then covered it with a small bandage.

"Thank you." She said as she leaned forward and gave him a kiss.

Suddenly they felt the wind picking up around them. They looked up to see a large black helicopter closing in to land. When it landed a tall man in a gray suit emerged out of the helicopter and trotted towards them. He addressed Kate first, "Are you Kate Austen?" He said loudly trying to speak over the loud whine of the helicopter's rotors that were still spinning.

"Yes." Kate answered the man loudly. The man looked at Jack. "This is Jack Shepard, he's coming too." She explained.

The man nodded and smiled, "Pleased to meet the both of you, I'm Andrew Neilson, shall we go then?" he said in a thick English accent. He grabbed Kate's duffel and moved in the direction back to the helicopter. Jack and Kate exchanged looks, then grabbed the rest of their things and followed.

Just after they got situated in their seats Jack asked Andrew where they were going.

"Not too far. There's a private airport just a few kilometers from here. Then we go from there to London, where Miss Widmore will be waiting for our arrival."

Before they knew it Jack and Kate were standing in the cabin of a full size private jet. The cabin was large and luxurious, with leather chairs, enough to seat ten people, and a long sofa. There were wood tables between some of the chairs, a bar fully stocked, three flat screen televisions all cocked to a different angle to optimize its guest's view, and a bathroom. Jack didn't need to go into it to know that it was much roomier than any bathroom he's ever used on a plane, in fact neither of them have ever been on a plane like this one before in their lives.

Mr. Neilson smiled as he watched them admire their new accommodations.

"We'll be in the air a little over 14 hours or so, so please make yourselves comfortable. There are meals prepared for you if you are hungry and plenty to drink if you get thirsty."

"Thank you." Jack and Kate said in unison.

"You're welcome. Miss Widmore made it very clear that you are to be well taken care of, and that you arrive safely in London. I will do everything in my power to make sure that you will." Mr. Neilson promised, and then made his way to the pilot's cabin at the front of the plane.

Jack and Kate sat down as they prepared to take off.

"Here we go." Jack said.

"Yeah, I just hope he keeps his promises."

Jack took her hand in his. "Yeah me too."

Note: Okay disregard the chapter outline I posted with chapter seven, the chapters ran too long so I had to break them up. This chapter was six pages on Word and I decided not to break this one up and just keep it the length it was. I apologize for the lengthy amount of time it took to finish this chapter, and hope it was worth the wait. As always thank you for reading and reviews are always welcome.