Sorry that this took a bit longer than the last two chapters to get posted. But, on the upside, I did manage to chart out the entire rest of the story, and I'm really excited about it. I think a lot of it will surprise you, but expect chapter 13 sometime this weekend! Enjoy, and please leave a review. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but the whole reason I came back to this fic after a nearly 9 month hiatus was because I went back and read the reviews this story received and they got me inspired all over again, so be aware the your words have that power! Thanks, enjoy!

Chapter 12.

Kate woke up early, around five-thirty, and slipped out from beneath Jack's arm, and searched her suitcase for her running shoes.

She had just finished changing and was lacing up her sneakers when Jack shifted in his sleep, arm smoothing over the empty spot on the mattress where her body had been curled into his. With a groan he turned onto his stomach and opened his eyes with a frown.

"What time is it?" He grumbled. Kate laughed, finishing off the last knot on her shoes and moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Early still. I'm just going for a run." She smiled, straightening her ponytail and tucking a loose curl behind her ear.

Jack let his eyes droop shut and snuggled deeper into the pillow. "You brought your running shoes?"

She grinned. "Yeah." She watched him a moment. The blankets had been pushed down so that they rested low on his hips, exposing the long, lean plane of his bare back.

"I'll be back later," she said, before moving to stand. He reached out, stopping her before rolling over.

"Wait, I'll come with you." He mumbled, eyes still closed. She leaned forward, kissing both eyelids before absently tracing a pattern on his chest with her finger.

"You're not even awake."

"Gimme a minute, I'll get my shoes."

Kate laughed, standing and watching him roll himself out of bed sluggishly, running a hand through his short hair and rubbing eyes, looking like a sleepy little boy. He made his way over to his dresser, stark naked, and pulled out a clean pair of charcoal gray boxer-briefs and slip them on. She felt her skin heat as she watched him move, so unabashed.

"Promise to run shirtless?" She goaded, a twinkle in her eyes and he huffed a tired laugh, shooting her a sly grin.

"Will you?"

Kate laughed. "Dream on, Casanova."

An hour later, Kate skipped happily through the door to the apartment, Jack tiredly on her heels, body weary.

Kate grinned as she grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge, setting one of them on the countertop for Jack as he sluggishly pulled himself onto a stool.

"You almost had me." She teased, grinning wider when he looked up at her tiredly, his chest still slightly heaving. She took a long swig from her water bottle and smiled triumphantly.

"You cheated. I saw you cut a corner." He tried, making a grab for her water bottle, though he had his own. She clucked her tongue and moved away.

"Sore loser?" She goaded, setting her bottle down, and then coming around behind him and placing her hands experimentally on his shoulders before digging in, soothing the stressed muscles there until he let out a groan and his head slumped forward.

Kate frowned. "I thought you always go for morning runs."

"It's been a while." He admitted, looking over his shoulder. Her cheeks were still flush from her run; the formfitting exercise tank top she wore hugged every curve, and there was a single drop of remnant sweat trailing just between her cleavage, making him gulp as he followed the thin wet line.

She eyed him quizzically, wondering what he was staring at, when it dawned on her.

"Oh my god," she started, stepping back from him suddenly, but with a growing smile on her face, "you are totally turned on right now, aren't you?" She laughed, arms crossing over her chest.

He blushed and grinned simultaneously, nodding eagerly, and slowly rising to his feet. She took a playful step backward.

"I'm so gross right now." She rolled her eyes. "You're gross right now. We're all sweaty, and tired and—"

"I'm getting my second wind." He argued softly, finally closing the gap between them with his hands on her hips and pulling her closer to him. She let her hands brace themselves on his biceps, giving them a squeeze.

"Well…" she started, eyeing him and letting her resolve weaken as she felt his warm hands soothe up and down her sides, the steady strokes making her a little warmer than her run had.

"I guess we both do need a shower." She relented, though she hadn't really been averse to the idea from the get-go. Jack seemed to like it in the mornings, she mused, and she herself wasn't complaining.

Jack stooped lower until his face was level with hers and he pressed a careful peck to her nose before dashing off towards the bathroom that was off his bedroom.

"Race you to the shower!" He called over his shoulder, while she stood rooted to the spot, momentarily in shock before grinning and turning to walk slowly towards the bathroom.

"You are such a sore loser!" She called after him, making her way into the bedroom and kicking off her shoes and socks. She took her time, taking off her watch and setting it on the dresser next to his. She looked at the image for a moment. His-and-her watches on the chic, modern dresser. What world had she fallen into?

She rounded into the bathroom after a long moment. Jack was already stark naked, and he stood proudly in the center of the room, which was slowly filling with the rising steam from the shower that he'd turned on. He didn't seem to mind that she hadn't bothered to race him again.

She stopped at the sight of him, her cheeks reddening as she bit her lip, leaning against the bathroom door's frame, eyeing him.

"You got naked awfully fast," She mused, trying to hide her grin as her eyebrows rose in amusement.

Jack's former confidence was wilting away as she watched him squirm under her scrutiny. He'd half-expected her to be just as undressed as he was by now. But he held firm a moment longer, His fists clenched and unclenched at his side, and then he took a step towards her.

She put a hand up to stop him, silent, as she slowly slipped out of her own clothes and met him in the center of the bathroom, his hands all too eager to get her within them. His palms smoothed around her bare back as he pulled her to him, making her sigh as their bare skin, still warm, met. She could feel the steady thump of his heartbeat reverberate into her own body, and she buried her face into his neck, letting his arms wind around her.

He pressed his cheek to her hair, eyes closing as the heat and moisture of the room's air settled around them, sticking them together, hot and humid.

She looked up after a long moment and he met her eyes. She placed a slow kiss to his lips, tongue peeking out after a moment to tangle sloppily with his. She let her hands wander down his back until they brushed the top of his backside and he let a breath out and into her mouth. She could feel him begin to harden at her stomach and she smiled into his mouth—proud—allowing her hands to come around the front of him and grip him tentatively. She could feel him lengthen in her palm, reacting instantly.

He shuddered as her hand slid up and down slowly, the heat and moisture in the bathroom adding to the sliding sensation. She watched his face, where his chin rested almost on his chest, his eyes closed in satisfaction as she worked him.

She smiled as she brushed a thumb over his tip, making him suck in a breath and hold it, only releasing the air in a heave a moment later as she continued stroking him. His eyes opened dreamily, watching what she was doing to him, mind hazy, hips twitching with the urge to thrust into her open palm.

His hands didn't remain idle long, caressing her sides, her back, circling around and cupping one of her breasts with his soft palm, making her roll her neck back in equal satisfaction, her hand fluttering where she held him. His other hand moved to grip her bottom, pushing her into him. She moved her head forward, tilting it up towards his in a silent demand for his lips to claim hers. Her eyes remained closed while he moved his mouth to hers, hers only responding when they felt the light brush of his tongue begging for entrance to her mouth…

Almost forty minutes later, Kate dragged herself away from watching Jack change into real clothes, instead opting to go brew a pot of coffee before she had to head into work. Today she was on at the club. A job, she realized as she rustled around Jack's cupboards, she was growing more and more tired of.

At first, it served its purposes: they paid a good hourly wage, she always got great tips, her choice of hours, and it had led her to Jack, she thought with a smile, but she could feel herself getting itchy for something new, something with a challenge, something where she'd do more than cater to people who'd have more money than she'd ever see.

It was unrealistic, of course, to consider another job at this point. She may have graduated from Iowa State, but it was a ridiculous degree—in photography, completely impractical for the real world—and she couldn't expect to assist with her mother's medical bills and insurance payments if she was attempting to establish a photography career. Not to mention she wouldn't be able to afford the equipment a real photographer required. She assuaged her love of art by working at the gallery when she could. But they only put her on at odd hours, and the pay wasn't great.

She shouldn't have taken the day off at the club yesterday, she thought guiltily. She was getting too comfortable letting Jack take her to nice restaurants and drive her around. She was living with him, for crying out loud. Even if it was only until her apartment was flood-free and she could salvage whatever second-rate décor survived the deluge—she couldn't afford to get comfortable living the plush life in a chic apartment on the right side of town.

She'd had to step up her hours at the club lately, and had added the day shift to her typical night shift, too. No, she thought resolutely—she definitely needed this job. Her desire for substance would have to wait until her mother got better, or until she died. Angry with herself for thinking that way, she shoved the thought from her mind, turning at the sound of the front door opening.

She shot a glance towards the bedroom, where she knew Jack was getting dressed, and walked towards the hallway, where Claire was shrugging off her jacket and hanging it up.

Kate grinned, arms crossing over her chest, trying her best mother-act while Claire looked up, looking both pleased with herself and slightly embarrassed.

"I take it that going for drinks went well?" Kate asked sarcastically, but with a laugh, ushering Claire towards the kitchen as she bustled around, finally getting around to preparing coffee.

It was a little bit after seven, and Claire looked a little worse for the wear, but clearly giddy.

"So? Spill." Kate coerced, setting the coffee to brew.

Claire tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, gnawing on her fingernails.

"We slept together." She said after a moment, cheeks heating.

Kate snorted. "Well, I didn't think you were playing board games all night long."

Claire laughed, relieved that her friend wasn't judging her.

"I know I say this a lot, but this guy is different. It was really…special."

Kate smiled, nodding, but her eyebrows rose— "It was the first date, Claire, you didn't think it was a little too soon?"

Claire shrugged, thoughtful. "Well, how long did you and Jack wait?"

Kate thought for a moment. To be honest, she'd drunkenly tried to seduce him on their second real date, and they'd finally had sex on their third.

"Well…" she started, evasive, shooting another glance back towards the bedroom subconsciously, "that's not important." She gripped Claire's hand sincerely, "I'm just glad you guys hit it off."

Claire rolled her eyes, knowing Kate was avoiding the topic, but she nodded. "I think we did. I really do. He was so sweet. He had to go into the hospital early, but he woke up and got coffee for me before I even got out of bed. And hello? He's a doctor. I can't mention that enough."

Kate laughed. "He must be smitten."

She blushed, accepting Kate's compliment and squirming in her seat. It was times like these that Kate remembered how young Claire was—and how happy she was that they had met and become each other's family when they both had no one else.

"Well, I'm a bit tired, so I'm going to have a nap, maybe take a shower in a bit."

"No coffee then?"

Claire shook her head.

"You working today?" Kate asked, turning and tending to he coffee, which had finished percolating, and poured two mugs, one for her and one for Jack.

"Not until tonight. Graveyard shift. You?"

Kate nodded. "Day and night shifts."

"Well, you did take off yesterday."

"Which was stupid," Kate agreed, shaking her head at herself.

Jack stepped out of the bedroom, dressed in a crisp white dress shirt and slacks, fiddling with his tie distractedly. "Kate, have you seen my—"

He skidded to a halt when he saw Claire, a bit at a loss for words. It was awkward enough sharing a living space with a relatively new girlfriend, and then her young roommate, who then just clearly had an intimate night with his one and only best friend.

"Hi, Claire." He said after a moment, waving awkwardly. She smiled, seeming to understand the discomfort. She scooted off the stool she'd taken to and grinned knowingly.

"Tell Marc I said hello." She said subtly as she moved towards the guest bedroom, stifling a yawn on her way. Jack blushed.

Kate watched the interaction with a grin. Jack embarrassed was a cute Jack. He moved towards the kitchen, graciously accepting the mug of coffee she offered. He took a sip, watching the direction Claire had gone off in, lost in thought.

"You worried?" Kate asked softly after a moment, sensing his preoccupation.

Jack shook himself out of his thoughts. "It's a bit awkward, isn't it?" He pinked, and she smoothed a hand down his chest, straightening his tie. She leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him softly.

"Let them be happy."

Jack sighed, accepting her advice.

"I just don't want it to end badly." He thought aloud. She shrugged.

"You never know how these things will go. Best to just let them run their course, if it works out, it works out. If not, then that's that, you know?" Kate said thoughtfully, and he turned to her, wonderfully if she felt as laissez-faire about their own relationship.

Before he could ask, Kate had drained the last of her coffee, washing it out in the sink and setting it on the rack to dry.

"I've got to pull double-shifts today, so I gotta go." She said, moving towards the hallway.

"I can drive you in," Jack offered, wanting to spend more time with her. In truth, He also had to ask her about her mother and Marc. He wanted to make sure that she was sure before he asked his friend for an impossible favor.

Kate shrugged. "I can drive. I've got the car. Besides, then you don't have to pick me up later."

"It's okay, I don't mind."

Kate rolled her eyes, smiling and acquiescing. "Alright, be the man, drive me to work."

Jack laughed, finishing his coffee and leading her out the door. They made small talk on the ride, discussing what they'd do for dinner. Kate offered to cook. Since Claire was working the graveyard shift, Kate enticed, they could have the apartment to themselves. Jack listened distractedly to the plans, smiling along, but he knew what he had to ask.

But when they rounded into the club's lot and she pressed a lingering kiss to his lips to say goodbye, he couldn't bring himself to end the light mood she was floating in. So, instead, he promised to pick her up later that night.

Jack was distracted the rest of the day. It was slow at least; only a few consults to worry about, and a minor procedure that only took a few hours of his morning. When he settled into a cafeteria seat with a salad at lunchtime, he couldn't bring himself to even focus on eating. His distraction was only broken when his father settled into the chair across from him, a coffee in his hand.

Jack wondered idly if the coffee wasn't spiced up with the liquor that Jack knew his father had in a flask in one of his desk drawers. "For after-hours," his father always said with a wink.

"What's on your mind, son?" He began; making Jack huff a wry laugh that his father could read him so easily.

"That obvious?"

Christian smirked. "Is it the girl? Kate? From the club?"

Jack smiled ruefully. "Well…sort of. It's—it's complicated." He hesitated a moment before sighing, deciding to just ask his father for advice. There was no one else he could ask, after all. "You remember the situation with her mother?"

He nodded.

"Well, Kate is convinced that her mother can come out of her coma and that surgery is the key."

Christian frowned. "When she asked me for help, I gave her my medical opinion. She seemed satisfied with it."

Jack laughed. "Well, trust me, she's not. She won't even consider long-term care, let alone taking her mother off of life support."

His father nodded along, arms coming to cross over his chest as he listened thoughtfully.

"And she won't listen to your advice?"

Jack sighed. "She's pretty stubborn."

The older man laughed, nodding knowingly.

"The worst of it is," Jack continued, "I promised her that I'd speak to Marc about taking the surgery on—even though I know it's impossible, and it's only going to end badly."

"Well, Jack, it's a bit unfair that Kate would ask you to—"

"That's the thing—I promised her. She told me she didn't want me to get involved or get my friends involved, but I wanted to—I wanted to help her somehow. And this was the only way I knew how."

Christian sighed, leaning forward and resting on his elbows, his fingers interlacing as he looked at Jack carefully.

"Sounds like you're in a bind."

Jack laughed. "Yeah, thanks."

Christian leaned back. "Well, there's no harm in bringing the idea to Marc. He could refuse, and then you're off the hook."

Jack fidgeted. "Actually, Marc just started seeing Kate's roommate, Claire. So it's all a little bit…messy."

He laughed. "Well!" Christian said with a surprised chuckle, and even Jack had to laugh ruefully at the absurd situation he found himself in.

Christian sobered, "I—I know I can't offer much in the way of good advice. God knows I don't have the best track record in relationships myself. But," he leaned forward, voice softening, "I think you'd better be honest with her, Jack. She's got to face the reality of the situation. Living in neverland isn't going to help her or her mother. And it isn't going to make things easier for her or for you when the time comes to face the truth at hand."

Up next: Jack talks to both Marc and Kate about her mother, a sticky-situation at work for Kate, and some angst...maybe some angsty jex? I don't know, you be the judge! How's the smut working for everyone by the way? Please review and let me know what stuff you liked about this chapter!