Sorry I didn't update when I last said I would. Started a new job recently and had to figure out how to get back in the swing of things. But as a reward, here is a long chapter that goes from high high's to low low's and then back up again. Enjoy!

Chapter 13.

Jack stared pensively inside his locker at the hospital, eyes blank, jaw set. Throughout the day he'd found himself distracted, but had realized with a start during his finals rounds that his father's advice was actually on-point for once. He'd forgotten where he was for a moment until a jab at his shoulder made him jump out his reverie, turning sharply to the man next to him.

"Hey man, what's up?" Marc greeted, sending him a smile as he rifled through his own locker, going about changing from his street clothes into his scrubs.

"You just finishing up your shift?" Marc continued.

Jack nodded, "Yeah, I'm headed to pick up Kate now." He added nonchalantly, failing to notice his friend's expression until he snorted.

"Dude, she has got you whipped."

Jack laughed, finishing up the last few forgotten buttons on his blue dress shirt. "I offered to pick her up, thank you very much."

The redheaded doctor to his left only shrugged, a goofy smile on his face as he shut his locker, finished changing. He settled his stethoscope around his neck and run an absent hand through his hair. He took in Jack's tense shoulders and the distracted look that immediately shadowed his face after their joke. Like he'd been snapped back to an unfortunate reality.

"You alright, man?"

Jack shot Marc a guilty glance, his spine straightening imperceptibly.

"There's uh—something I got to talk to you about." Jack started slowly.

"Shoot."

He rubbed the back of his neck—attempting to ease the tension there—before sitting down on one of the benches, waiting to look up until Marc followed suit.

"What is it, man?" Marc asked softly, sensing the seriousness of the situation as Jack's hands clasped and unclasped between his knees.

"Kate's mom is a in a coma." Jack said after a long moment, eyes still trained ahead.

Marc's eyebrows raised and he let out a long breath. "Damn, when did this happen?"

Jack's voice sounded numb and resigned. "Over a year ago."

Marc swiveled to face him, recognizing the severity of the situation but not sensing the mountain implications that would soon involve him. "So what's the deal now? Is she in long-term care? I mean, what's Kate doing?"

Jack sighed, "She wants to someone to operate."

Marc frowned. "Is her mom a good candidate?"

Jack hesitated, attempting to choose his words wisely before he decided that his friend deserved the whole truth, no sugarcoating.

"No," he licked his lips, slowly turning to face his friend, expression betraying exactly the truth behind the situation, "She's not." He said no more, hoping that somehow all the unasked questions would communicate themselves and would spare him the burden of verbalizing them. But the situation must have been so clear from Marc's perspective: if she wasn't a good candidate, you didn't operate. Cut and dry. Black and white. Jack envied that aspect of Marc's personality and medical choices.

Marc patted Jack's back. "Sorry man, wish there was something I could do." He wasn't dismissive, just fact-driven. He moved to stand, but Jack's voice stopped him.

"There is something."

Marc turned, confused but open, "Okay, name it."

"She's—she would be a neuro patient—if a surgeon took on her case," Jack stuttered out, looking up hesitantly at his friend before continuing. "An aneurysm is inducing the coma, and it's supposedly inoperable."

Marc looked at him curiously, sitting back down. "Are you saying—do you want me to take a look at her case?"

Jack finally turned to look at him—"I want you to consider doing the surgery."

Marc laughed nervously, trying to dismiss the steely determination in his friend's eyes, "Hang on man, I haven't eaten seen the patient and you want me to sign on for the surgery? You said she wasn't a good candidate."

Jack shook his head, "I know I said that, but Kate won't—she won't consider any other options. She's convinced that this could save her mom, and I promised her I'd ask you about it."

"What kind of promise is that?" Marc asked, a hint of frustration coloring the last word he spat out. Jack couldn't be reasoned with when something was set in his mind, and now he was sensing Kate was the same way. Now the two of them combined? It was an uphill battle.

"I know it's an awkward situation, but I wanted to help—"

"Dude, when are you gonna learn you can't fix everything?" Marc asked softly, trying hard not to hurt his feelings, but send him a clear and bracing reality Jack. He rose, letting a frustrated sigh finally escape—"Listen, I can take a look, but if she's not a good candidate, there's nothing I can do."

Jack nodded. "Thank you. That would mean a lot."

Marc nodded, too, but his eyes were distracted a moment before he sat down again, turning towards Jack.

"I know you want to help her, man, but if this keeps going on—if you keep letting her believe that you can do the impossible—it's going to end up a mess. You know that from experience, and I don't want to watch you fall in that trap again."

Jack said nothing, averting his eyes after a moment, unable to take the knowingness in his friend's eyes Marc had watched as everything unraveled between he and Sarah. He watched Jack drink himself into a stupor and hit on girls at cheap bars. And he'd let Jack have his months of pity. Jack hated that he couldn't erase that part of his life. And he hated that Marc knew him well enough to know that he could fall into the same old habits if nothing stopped him—if he didn't have something or someone to live for.

Marc laid a hand on his shoulder. "Just think about it," he said, and then left to pull rounds for the night shift.

Their conversation put Jack n an off-mood all the way to pick up Kate at the club. He knew their talk had gone as well as it could have—Marc promised to take a look at Kate's mom's case—and that's all Jack could have asked for. But there was something about knowing that the situation would end up lose-lose that made him feel unsettled and on edge. Not to mention the fact that Marc was warning him against demons he didn't want to believe still existed…

He pulled into the club parking lot and turned off the engine, huffing a long sigh and settling back into his seat a moment. He was looking forward to seeing Kate, and hoping that the dark cloud that'd settled over his evening would lift when he saw her. In her good moods, Kate could turn a room brighter. She was magnetic when she smiled, and he wanted nothing more than to fall into her pull and let loose the cares of the day.

With a determined flex of his shoulders, he exited his car and headed towards the club, feeling the weight beginning to slip off his shoulders already.

He knew Claire was working the graveyard shift, and Marc was working too—meaning no random visits, Marc's favorite type to make. The apartment would be there's and he had it all planned. They'd swing by Kate's favorite Thai place and get some take-out, maybe rent a movie, settle in on the couch—let one thing lead to another…

He could feel the smile building on his face and his cheeks begin to heat as he made his way towards the dining area, but it faltered when he saw the scene across the room.

Kate was drying the inside of the glasses at the bar distractedly and a guy, about her age and in a waiter uniform, was leaning close to her, one hand moving towards her lower back while his face craned low until his nose was nearly nudging her neck, making Kate shrug her shoulder to push him away. She turned sharply, eyes flashing anger, and she set the glass down on the bar, and pushed him back with a firm hand on his chest. She rolled her eyes and went back to drying dishes, clearly exasperated.

Jack waited for a moment, letting it play out, and—guiltily—wanting to see just what Kate would do.

The younger man was persistent gripped Kate arm and she pulled away,

"Rick, would you lay off?" He heard her say. He saw Kate glance towards the kitchen doors to her right, and he knew she watching for the management. She didn't like to make a fuss at work, she'd told him, and she just wanted to do her job, get paid, and go home—no trouble.

"Come on, Kate. You wear that cute little uniform all day and I'm supposed to—"

Kate let out a groan and made a move towards the kitchen, Rick prepared to follow hot on her heels—with no sign of letting up—before Jack called out.

"Hey!" he shouted, striding behind the bar and grabbing the waiter by the collar and shoving him backwards a step, eyes. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jack seethed.

Kate's eye widened, glancing at the dining room, which was—luckily—empty minus the busboys clearing away the tables for the evening. But at any moment her manager could come through the kitchen doors and watch the quickly deteriorating scene before her.

"Hey man, take it easy—" the waiter stuttered, hands coming up in surrender. Jack easily overpowered him. That man was younger, at least four or five inches shorter, and gangly where Jack was tall and built like an athlete.

"Jack," Kate tried weakly as she placed a steady hand on his back meant to settle him.

"Who do you think you are?" Jack spat at the waiter, ignoring her and shoving Rick backwards again and waiting until he regained his balance before shoving him another time.

"Cut it out, man, I was only—"

"Don't you ever touch her again."

"Jack—"

The man surrendered, "Okay, sorry. Jesus."

Jack finally took a step back, his muscles uncoiling but his nostrils still flaring with the pent up anger. He turned back to face Kate, taking her gently by the elbows and moving her a few steps back. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. God." She said with a sigh, placing her hands on his shoulders and forcing him to take a steady breath. He could tell that she thought he overreacted, but he also knew that Kate never seemed to value herself very highly—he only hoped this was the first time she'd been harassed on the job.

The waiter had straightened by now and made to move towards to the kitchen, purposefully bumping Jack's shoulder hard as he walked by.

In a flash, Jack grabbed the waiter by the collar and leveled him with a punch to the face, sending him sprawling on his back on the floor.

"Jack, stop—" Kate let out as a yelp, grabbing at his elbow.

Jake shook her off and stood over Rick menacingly, fists clenched at his side, one of his knuckles busted and slowly trickling a drop or two of blood.

She grabbed his shoulder again, trying to force him to turn away. "Jack."

She finally managed to shake him from his stupor and he began to turn towards her after shooting a threateningly glance down at the younger. Once he was convinced the waiter wasn't going to get up and fight back, he turned to face her finally.

"Go wait outside." Kate said harshly.

"And leave you here with him?" Jack shouted, gesturing to the waiter still on the ground, who was holding his nose as blood seeped between his fingers.

By now a few busboys had rushed over after having observed the one-sided brawl, and Kate could hear a commotion in the kitchen which was no doubt her management and the rest of the staff headed her way.

"Go, Jack." She urged again, wiping her hands nervously on her uniform and attempting to straighten up the scene.

Reluctantly Jack shot her a wounded look before stalking out to his car.

It was twenty minutes before Kate climbed into the passenger seat slowly. Jack had pulled the car around to wait out front, and as he shot a look towards the front doors, he saw Kate's manager there, arms crossed over his chest and looking royally pissed

Jack sighed before turning towards Kate. Her eyes were trained out the window, purposefully avoiding his.

"Kate—"

"Let's just go." Kate breathed, before leaning her head against the window and pulling her jacket tighter around her small frame.

He paused a moment, considering pressing the issue, simultaneously apologizing and defending himself, but thought better of it and put the car into drive and headed back towards his apartment complex.

Kate didn't say a word the entire ride. She was silent as they rode the elevator to his floor. And she remained completely mum as he opened the door to his place.

He'd long decided against the side-trip to pick up dinner and a movie. He wasn't sure he could take the silence while they suffered through local evening traffic.

Kate didn't follow Jack towards the kitchen. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and watched her move silently towards his bedroom. When she didn't emerge a few minutes later, he took one long pull from the bottle and set it on the counter, wiping his clammy hands against his dress pants before headed back towards his room.

Kate was seating on the edge of the bed, her hands tucked beneath her thighs and her eyes towards her lap. She had changed, at least. Forgoing the clingy, short-skirted waitress uniform for a pair of well-worn jeans and her favorite fitted Iowa State t-shirt. She was barefoot, as usual, and Jack couldn't stop the warm smile from spreading over his face.

She didn't look up when he sat down next to her, eyeing her hesitantly and waiting for her to make the first move. When he saw that she wouldn't, he sighed, bracing his own palms on his knees before beginning.

"I'm sorry, Kate. If I had known that I was going to get you in trouble, I wouldn't have--"

"I got fired," she softly, pausing a moment before meeting his eyes. "They fired me."

Jack shut his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. "Kate, I'm so sorry, I overreacted in there, I just couldn't stand the way that guy was—"

She put a hand up and he stopped talking, eager to please after his blunder.

"I needed that job, Jack." She said evenly, eyes unreadable but distinctly forlorn. He sighed again, unable to concoct the perfect apology. She wasn't reacting the way a normal person would react.

"I know. I know you did. I am so sorry. I'll—I'll help you find another one, or better yet, I'll talk to the manager, I know my family's belonged to that club for—"

Kate rolled her eyes, "That's exactly the point. I didn't do a thing, but I'm the one that gets fired. I'm disposable but your family's disposable income saves your ass."

Jack licked his lips, trying not to fire back. "I know it's unfair."

She finally let a huff of bemused air come out—"You think?"

"I was only trying to help. You can't just let a guy like that—"

"No, Jack. That's exactly what I have to do. When you need the money and there are bills to pay and a hospitalized mother to watch out for, and a flooded apartment, and rent, and gas money, and a million other things—you do what you have to do to keep your job."

Jack didn't say a word, letting her tirade unravel. He could sense it building and let his eyes tactfully avoid hers as she stood from the bed and began pacing.

"I needed that job. I can't make my rent with my hours at the gallery. Not to mention, that I've got a pay for the water damage in my apartment—not to mention that I've gotten so comfortable in your perfect little high-rise apartment, that I took off work the other day. I never took a day before I met you, and you're just so happy to get me wrapped up in your perfect—"

"Stop." He said evenly, but loud enough that she could make out his tone through the din of her diatribe.

She seemed to realize her own overreactions and missteps and shut her mouth, lips pursed.

"I just needed that job, Jack." She said softly after a moment, feeling her eyes begin to water before she looked away, not wanting him to see her cry.

He stood, eyes softening as he took her gently by the shoulders. "I'm sorry." He whispered, letting his hands smooth up her neck to cup her jaw as he pulled her closer. She tightened in his arms a moment before relaxing, letting her arms slip around his back as he held her.

"I think you broke his nose." He heard Kate mumble into his neck and he let out a bark of laughter.

"He had it coming." Jack joked, taking her chin and lifting her eyes to meet his. He could see that hers were tired, and he was sure she wasn't done being angry with him just yet. But that didn't stop him from lowering his lips down to hers, then waiting until she responded to let his hands trail down to her hips and nudge her closer into him.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, prying his mouth open with her tongue and tangling hers with his, making his grip on her hips tighten.

After a moment, she pulled away, a tad breathless.

"Can we just sleep tonight?" She asked softly, looking hesitant. He smiled warmly.

"Of course. We can do whatever you want."

She brightened, and moved out of his arms, yanking her t-shirt over her head and slipping out of her jeans. He watched her move to her side of the bed (the right) and felt himself heat up as her skin, smooth and glowing from the dim light of the bedside table, tempting him.

She caught his eye as she was pulling back the covers, ready to climb in. She smiled. "I'm still mad at you, you know. You're going to have to find me a job where I can pull in 800 dollars a month, you know that?"

He could tell her mood was light, but still felt guilty, frowning. "I really am sorry, Kate. I just wanted to—I don't know, stand up for you, I guess. Rescue you." He said the last part with a smirk, and she smiled softly, eyes a little sad.

"Didn't I already tell you that you can't save me, Jack?"

He nodded, pulling his own clothes off until he'd stripped down to his boxer-briefs and joined her in bed. He propped himself up on his elbow and looked over at her as she did the same thing.

"I want to take care of you." He said softly, smoothing a curl away from her face, her eyes flickering closed at the gentle movement.

"I know you do." She acquiesced, but Jack knew that didn't mean she was planning on complying.

"You can stay here as long as you want, and I can help with the water damage at the apartment—groceries, whatever you—"

Kate put a finger to his lips. "That's not what I want."

Jack sighed. "Why won't you let me help you?"

Kate turned and settled on her back, eyes toward the ceiling. "You want to drive me to work once in a while, or pay for dinner—that's fine. But I'm a big girl. I have to do the hard stuff myself, okay?"

She didn't sound frustrated, just firm, and Jack scooted closer to her, hand finding her hip beneath the covers. "Why don't you move in with me?" Jack asked softly, and he wondered if he'd started moving too soon, again. It was just that every time he watched her move around his apartment, or brush her teeth at his sink, or help stock his fridge—he wanted her a part of his everyday life. He didn't want to pick her up across town to see her. He wanted to come home and know she'd be there. He wanted to make plans in two's, as a couple. He wanted her to be the accent in his mundane life.

Kate was quiet, and Jack didn't realize he was holding his breath until the tightness in his lungs got painful and he had to keep breathing again. Kate was biting her lip and had brought her hand up to her forehead and was rubbing it vigorously, like she always did when she was in deep thought.

"Kate?"

She sighed, turning towards him, eyes as clear as he'd ever seen them

"I'm going to say yes." She decided finally, but didn't crack a smile so Jack was unsure at how to take this unusual acceptance.

"You're going to say yes?"

"I—I'm not going to think about it. I'm just going to say yes." She nodded, as if to herself to make sure, and then smiled hesitantly. "Okay?"

Jack said nothing for a moment before cracking a broad smile, leaning down to her mouth and kissing her soundly, drawing the breath from her lungs and letting his hand wander along her waist and then around to the small of her back.

He could feel her smile against his lips and he couldn't help but match it.

She broke away suddenly, eyes alight. "Don't think you can disregard all that other stuff I said before just because I'm moving in."

Jack laughed, nodding vigorously. "Any more demands?" He asked sweetly, making her roll her eyes.

"I'm getting a job, and I'm paying a part of the rent."

At this, Jack sighed. "That's ridiculous."

"Why is that ridiculous?" She sounded incredulous.

"Because I'm a surgeon. What's the point of making all this money if nothing comes of it."

Kate rolled her eyes, and then rolled onto her side, forcing Jack to do the same.

"I don't want it."

"Fine, pay part of the rent. But if you plan on making at least 800 a month, then I hate to break it to you, it's not going to cover even half." Jack didn't mean to upset her, just convince her that she didn't have to pay a thing at all.

But she bit her lip, bemused. "What the hell am I doing here?" She said to herself.

"Kate—"

She rolled her eyes for the millionth time that night. "Out of all the bimbos at the club and nurses at the hospitals and socialites I'm sure you're parents want to set you up with—why in the hell are you sharing your bed with a trailer park girl from the Midwest, who is now—thanks to you, by the way—currently unemployed."

Jack couldn't help but grin at her summary, and knew that all the fluster was mostly for show, but he didn't let the opportunity slip by.

He kissed her once, short and sweet, and leaned back, meeting her eyes. "You're so much more than you think you are, Kate." She bowed her head, avoiding his eyes, but he tipped her chin to meet his again. "If you saw yourself that way I see you…" he trailed, unable to complete the great expanse of a thought of what she'd become to him.

"I know you think I'm trying to save you," he added, and he let his thumb brush across her freckles—like pinpricks against the wane backdrop of her skin—"but to be honest—all cheesiness aside—I think you're the one who really…" he sighed, kissing her again, slowly, trying to open his mind to let the right words float in. "I'm just saying that if you hadn't come along, if we hadn't met—I'd still be stuck. And lonely. And apathetic. And just a waste. Before you, I was just wasting away my life—waiting to find someone who fit me as well as you do."

More to come soon, I promise! Hopefully before Wednesday? We shall see. I'll try and work on an update for tomorrow, but no promises. Maybe if you review a bunch then I'll be more inspired. Up next: Marc and Claire, more moving in business, Kate's mom business, and a new character is introduced, but it's someone you'll recognize...oh and did I mention serious jex? Review!