OH BOY!! I thought I knew about strong reactions, but reading your latest reviews just proves that I have no idea!! WOW! Well, we have a lot going on in today's agenda, highly priority:
1.- I'M NOT A JACKETEER!!! Yes, I know it's all my fault that you believe that because I wrote it on my profile, but you need to know that was an awful semantics mistake!!! I believed a Jacketeer was like a Mouseketeer (LOL), I didn't know it was the term for the Jack+Juliet lovers. NO WAY PEOPLE! I'm a Jater, a pissed-off Jater maybe, but a Jater still. And by Jacketeer I intended to say I'm a die-hard Jack fan, okay? If you check on my profile you'll see that word is gone! Okay? Got it? Great, moving on…
2.- I know I'm evil (just a tiny little bit). I know I'm playing with your feelings and your Jater hopes. I know I make you suffer. I know I'm beating Kate badly, but believe me, it's worth it, all of it. Besides, she's earned it BIG TIME! She deserves to cry Jack a river for being such a sluttie and keeping screwing Sawyer shamelessly in Jack's face, WHO'S WITH ME??? (LOL)
3.- Guys, don't you give up on me! (Think of my suicidal tendencies, my Oxycodone dependence and stuff before it!) Have a little faith, come on! If I made this love story a joyride, it would be SO boring and SO predictable! Remember the sweet ain't that sweet when you haven't tasted the sour ;) So, DON'T YOU FAINT after you read this chapter! Only one left! You'll like the ending, I swear to God!
4.- Oh boy, that Scarlett… Such a break-through character! You love her, then you hate her, amazing, really. That's what's so great about writing, isn't it? Stories and characters come to life by their own. Awesome! And yes people, you totally got it! She's not that perfect and sweet, is she? She's playing her cards just as Kate is, ONLY she's been WAY smarter than Kate, you just said it: understanding girlfriend, "I don't make a deal of taking another girl living with you", blab blab. But the truth is she knew since the first minute she was threatened by Kate's presence. The job thing is the living proof, right? And that, my friends, is WICKED. And by making her perfect, because she certainly is, I only get you to hate her even more, brilliant:D (Evil laugh)
Okay, enough's enough. Here you have the before-the-last chapter! I'll be here waiting for your reviews with a lot of anxiety and Oxycodone pills in my hand… Don't you make me!! (ROFL) Enjoy!
P.S. Thanks guys for your reviews, love you all...

Chapter 11

— I'm going to kill that fucking bitch! —Claire yelled after she hung up with Scarlett, who had called her totally hysterical, crying and reproaching without making any sense. All Claire could get between her sobbing was that she knew Jack had slept with Kate.

She dialed Jack's cell phone immediately. — Hey… —he said nonchalant from the other side of the line.

— She knows! —Claire yelled, making him take the speaker away from his ear.

— What? —he asked frowning.

— Scarlett, she knows about you and Kate!

He froze. — What? How can she know? —he asked stunned.

— Of course she told her you asshole! What did you expect?!

He was speechless. Of all the reactions he expected from Kate, he never thought she would tell Scarlett just like that. How had she found her? Better yet, why? Anger grew inside him. Claire kept yelling at him. — I'm going to your place and if that bitch is still there, listen to me Jack, I'm going to beat the shit out of her! I'm going to hurt her, I'm telling you!

Among all the things that Jack hated in this world, people going hysterical was probably the one he hated the most. He believed it was a sign of weakness and an awful lack of control. Of course it was easy for him to think that, since he had nerves of steel. — Shut up! I can't talk to you if you're yelling like that… Where's Scarlett?

— I'm on my way to finding her at the agency, she can not drive in that state. And don't you call her right now! You'll only make it worse!

He was fuming. — Fine, you go find her and stay with her until I get there…

— And what are you going to do? What about Kate?

His eyes emptied. — I'll handle Kate…

Back in Jack's apartment, Kate was waiting, replaying in her head the last weeks. She was aware now of how things had got completely out of control. She knew she had taken him for granted. That's why she had gone completely crazy when she learnt he was involved with another woman. She never thought that would be possible. She went introspective. In the past, she had always pretended to be a different person. The only man that had ever known her for real was Tom. After him, she had always pretended to be someone else, and all the guys she'd ever been with had fallen for the character she was playing at that moment.

Then she met Jack. She remembered the first time she saw him and spoke to him like it had been 5 minutes ago. And the more she got to know him, the more she was convinced that he was perfect. In spite of all his mistakes, all his flaws, his issues and obsessions, she could see beneath that all he was probably the last well-intentioned man on Earth. He had a beautiful heart.

That's why, when she first learnt he had feelings for her, she panicked. It was too much a weight on her shoulders, because back then she still had to run for her freedom, for her life. Besides, he knew her for real. He knew she was a criminal, he knew she used and manipulated people to get what she wanted. He even acknowledged she would go from him to Sawyer, depending on what she needed. And yet he loved her. How could that be?

She always pictured in her head a real world scenario. A top surgeon who had it all with a woman like her. Impossible. That's what made it so amazing. He could see her real self. Only love could make that happen. So it frightened her, and she had spent the next years believing she wasn't worth of him, that she'd let him down because she wasn't good enough. That's why she had always pushed him away, because she couldn't even stand the idea of it being the other way around.

But then she figured it out. If such a great man had been able to love her just the way she was, then maybe, just maybe, it meant she was worth it. After all, she was just a victim of herself and the terrible choices she'd made. But, like him, she had always meant good. So she decided to give herself a chance, stop beating herself up and stop refusing her true happiness.

When she came back looking for him, she believed she'd find him alone, still waiting for her. That had been her latest mistake. She was aware everything had gone wrong ever since. But it wasn't time to regret. She had to fix this for good. She was done quitting him, like she had so many times before. They belonged together.

She didn't fear his reaction. She knew he would come and yell and be mad and stomp around, telling her how dared she, how wrong was to hurt Scarlett and so on. But the truth was tranquility reigned inside her. They would work it out, talk it over and he'd finally admit his true feelings. She knew Scarlett wouldn't take him back, so that wasn't an issue anymore.

The night came and everything remained static. She knew it was only the calm that preceded the storm. She went to the studio and opened the drawer again. She took the ring and put it on her finger. Maybe she was losing her mind, but she smiled at the image. She couldn't tell why, but she knew Jack still loved her, even though he wanted to believe the opposite.

She took the ring off and placed it back in the drawer and locked it, as if she was trying to lock with it everything she had done wrong. Then she went to his room and sat on his bed, still waiting. She didn't know how longer he would take. The only thing she knew was that he was coming.

The small hours arrived, and so he did. She heard the slamming front door and his heavy footsteps approaching. He walked to the room and stood at the doorframe. She was sitting at the edge of the bed. Without looking at him, she could tell he felt defeated. She didn't say a word, neither looked at him.

— Are you happy now? —he asked in a flat, dry voice.

She didn't reply and he walked in, standing in front of her, eager to meet her eyes. She kept looking down. — I'm talking to you… —he snapped leaning over her, closer to her face.

She lifted her eyes. — If I were happy I wouldn't be going through all this…

— Why Kate? Why did you have to tell her?

— I wasn't planning on that…

He laughed wryly. — You weren't planning on that, huh? So putting an act together, making me believe that you were in need of help and using your own money to send my girlfriend away was not a plan?! You even applied for a job at her father's restaurant! How sick you are?! —he yelled, starting losing his temper.

She stood up. — I didn't know it was her father's restaurant! —she retorted.

— Oh really? —he asked sarcastically.

— Oh yeah. I swear on my mother's memory that I didn't know… —she assured looking right in his eyes.

— I don't believe you.

— God Jack, I'd never heard of Scarlett before! How could I've possibly known she had something to do with that place?

— You're good at that Kate… —he stated scathingly.

She went mad. — I'm good at what?! You think I'm a tramp, I know. I'm the worst, right? And her, she's so damn perfect, isn't she?! Did she tell you she gave me a promotion just to get rid of me? Did she tell you she knew who I was since the first minute? But she's just so understanding and sweet! And what about Claire, her fierce bishop? Did she ever tell you how many times she demanded me to leave you alone? She even threatened me!

He took a deep breath. Of course he didn't know all that. — What do you want from me Kate? What is it? I will ask you once again, why you're here? —he questioned, rage showing in his eyes.

She sighed. — Don't you see it?

— You think you have the right to come here after all this time and just fuck everything up?!

— Don't you blame it all on me. You let it happen. —she affirmed determined.

He finally lost it. — What the hell is wrong with you?! You're saying I asked for this?! I don't believe you!

— Face it Jack. If you're so in love with your precious girlfriend, then why you let me in? You got me in your house and told me to stay as long as I wanted. Am I responsible for that too?

— I just wanted to help you!

— And why's that? You hadn't heard of me in ages, and still you wanted to be there for me? —she asked, trying to corner him.

Her mind games enraged him even more. — Because I'm a fucking stupid! I thought we were friends, in spite of everything! I wanted to believe there was some goodness in you! But you just want to screw me every single time! Why Kate? Why you enjoy making me suffer?!

Those words broke her. He had a whole wrong idea. — I've never wanted to make you suffer!

— Then why you do this to me Kate?! What the hell you want from me?! —he shouted.

— I want you! I love you! And I don't give a shit if you don't want to hear it or if you're too afraid of facing it this time. I came back for you and that's the only reason I'm here!

His madness kept growing. He cornered her against the wall. — Don't you even dare to say that bullshit! Come on Kate, tell me the truth!

— I just did! But you don't want to deal with it Jack. I love you and you love me, so why don't we just stop this madness?

He gripped her shoulders and jolted her. — Did he put you to this? Is that it? You want my money?! Tell me!

She chuckled in irony. — You're out of your mind. He has nothing to do with this…

He let her go, realizing by her face he was hurting her. He started walking around like a caged lion. — You have any idea how ridiculous you look standing here in front of me talking about love?! It's insulting…

Her eyes hardened. — You didn't find it very insulting that night when you fucked me 3 times, did you?

— You got me drunk! —he yelled back facing her, desperation in his voice.

— You're going to justify yourself? Come on Jack, you're better than that…

He kept trying to find an explanation, in total denial. — You want a baby? That's why you slept with me?

She threw an almost delirious smile. — We'll get to that, eventually…

— Stop talking nonsense Kate!

— Nonsense why?! God Jack, why don't you believe me?! I had a life, you know? It wasn't perfect, but at least he loved me! You think I'd give that up for nothing?

He had an outburst again. — You should've stayed with him! —he barked with hatred, just inches away from her face, she still against the wall.

She ventured further and cupped his face. — Please Jack, you have to stop… I love you, you know I do…

Then she tried to kiss him, but he stepped away from her. — Why do you want me to believe that?

— Because it's true…

— Oh, and I'm going to believe you just like that… —he chuckled again— You think I'm stupid?

— I know you don't trust me, and that's my fault. But I'm willing to prove to you that I'm sorry for everything I've done wrong… I want to make it up to you…

He laughed and ran his hands through his face in despair. — Fine Kate, let's say you love me… You really think we have a chance? After all we've been through? After all the harm we've done to each other?

She looked down. — If I didn't believe we have a chance I wouldn't be here…

— So you expect me to run to you just because you claim to love me? What do you take me for?! —he snapped, his temper growing again.

That comment hurt her. She felt her eyes filling with tears. He kept going. — What about me Kate? What about what I want?! You think you can walk into my life and make things your way? Why are you always so selfish?

— I just want to do the right thing! —she yelled. She was running out of patience.

— Well the right thing is to leave me alone! I want you out of here!

She shook her head. — I won't leave Jack. I won't let this happen again. I won't give you up this time.

He smiled wryly. — Well, I'm afraid you did that long time ago…

— And I've regretted it every single day… I wish I could take it back, but I can't. All I can offer you is the future…

— We have no future Kate… —he said with sorrow in the eyes.

— Yes we do! Why do you keep denying it? —she asked raising her voice.

— Because you're lying! You don't love me! You never have! —he shouted back.

Her voice began breaking. — Then why I left everything I had?! Why?!

— Because you can not commit! You want to hear why you left him? Because you got bored or maybe you're mad at him, only God knows! And you turn to me and try to make me believe you're here because you love me! You know what's going to happen if you stay with me? We'll be fine for a while, and you'll pretend everything's okay. Then one day you'll be done with me, you'll dump me and you'll get back to him. That's what you do every time! That's who you are Kate… Only this time it's not going to happen… I won't let you ruin my life…

— I don't want to ruin your life! I just want to be with you! —she said bursting into tears.

He looked away. — Why now Kate? What changed? You remember how many times I told you the exact same thing? I can't tell myself! In the end all I wanted was to talk to you! But you couldn't even pick up the damn phone! I was in hell and you didn't give a shit. Now you come here and tell me you love me?! What you've ever done for me Kate? Where was all that love you say you have? Because honestly I've never seen it… —he reproached.

She kept trying to fight her tears. — I thought getting away was the best thing I could do for you…

He chuckled and looked at her with hilarity. — You're insane!

— It's true! What kind of wife would I've made Jack? I'm a murderer! And you, you are a hero!

— I'm no hero Kate, that's just the image you wanted to have of me. And I know, I know who are you, and still I wanted you. I gave it all, or at least I tried. And all you did was lie to me and push me away. You broke my heart over and over again… I'm sorry, but that's not love…

— I made a mistake! I made millions, to be fair! I believed I'd ruin you for real if I stayed with you… Don't you get it? All I've done ever since I can remember is running away. Then I met you and you made me want to stay! I never attached to anything before. I didn't know what to feel! I was scared and I thought corresponding to your feelings wasn't good for you…

He looked right in her eyes. — That's exactly your problem Kate. You don't get to say what's good or bad for me. You're only entitled to your own decisions. You can't choose for other people… All you've done, you've done for you…

Tears rolled over her cheeks again. Those were almost the same words her mother told her the last time they talked. — I know… now I know…

His eyes filled with sorrow. — Yet here you are trying to decide for me again… Not a second time… You've made your choices, now I'll make mine… —he affirmed.

Her face went pale. — And what choices are those huh? Scarlett?

He got closer to her again, enraged of hearing her saying that name. — You leave her out of this!

— You think she'll make you happy? —she challenged.

— She does make me happy!

Her heart shrunk. — Come on Jack! She's a fucking princess! She has no idea of everything you've been through! You think she knows what pain is? You believe she can even imagine what makes you tick? She'll never get you! —she affirmed, mad in jealousy.

He began yelling again. — I don't want her to get me Kate! All I ever wanted was someone to love me, to take me as I am and to let me take care of her. And she does! That's enough for me…

— No it's not! If she was enough you would've never let me in!

— You're going to keep saying that?!

She didn't want to fight anymore. — Jack, please… I'm sorry, I'm sorry I hurt you and put you through all this. I'm sorry I lied to you and made such a mess… But we need to stop… we have to start over…

— Jesus Christ Kate… Don't you get it?! It's too late! I'm trying to have a life here! And thanks to you my girlfriend doesn't want to see my face! She kicked me out without even waiting for an explanation! And my sister! She's not talking to me! —he declared, furious again. She sought for his eyes and placed a hand on his face again. — Don't touch me! —he snapped, taking her hand off of him and making her step back.

But she didn't give in and approached him again. — You don't need them Jack…

She should've never said that, because her words were a trigger for him. Wrath took him over and blinded him. — What do you know about what I need Kate?! You want to know what I need? I need you to show some respect and get the hell out of my life!

— You're mad at me, I understand. You're not yourself right now… So I'll just ignore everything you're saying… —she stated.

He felt his blood boil before her stubbornness. — We're done here! —he announced, and then started walking away to leave the room.

She opened her eyes wider. — Where are you going? —she asked, following him. He headed straight to the studio. — What the hell you're going to do?! —she asked frantic.

— What I should've done the minute Scarlett came back. I'm going to fix this… —he snapped without stopping.

He entered the studio and forced the drawer with violence, since Claire was keeping the key. He spotted the tiny red box containing the ring. He breathed deeply, convinced it was the best thing to do. He and Kate were just not going to happen. They were doomed forever.

He left the studio and walked to the front door, determined to go finding Scarlett and ask her to marry him. But Kate was standing there, leaning on the already locked door, blocking his way. — Get away from the door… —he demanded.

— No! —she said determined, trying to prevent another tragedy with all her being.

— You get away from the door Kate, or I swear to God! —he barked, his eyes menacing.

— If you cross this door you'll be making a terrible mistake Jack!

— At least it will be my mistake Kate, not yours! Get away from the door now!

— You want me out of your life Jack?! You really do?! Then you say it to my face, you son of a bitch! Look into my eyes and tell me you feel nothing for me! Tell me you regret everything that happened that night between us! Say you don't love me anymore and I swear to God you'll never see me again! Because we both know it takes way more than jello with vodka to get you drunk! —she screamed frantic and hysterical, tears running wild through her eyes and not moving an inch from the door.

He had to turn his back on her, unable to endure her look. He just couldn't say it. He felt his heart fall into pieces and all he could hear was her sobbing. He looked back at her and got closer. He cupped her face almost with devotion and cleared the strands of hair that were resting on it. — Kate… that time when you vanished and I couldn't find you, I knew I had lost you forever…

He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on hers, speaking softly to her lips. — I don't blame you for leaving me behind. I was a drug addict and a drunk… But the pain I felt … it was just… so unbearable… And of all the things going wrong in my life, you were the one that hurt me the most…

Then his eyes opened again and fixated on hers, hugely dilated with expectation and anxiety. He got even closer and caressed her cheek gently, his lips almost brushing hers, his warm breath on her chin. — I wanted to die Kate, and I almost made it… I was lost…

She placed her hands on his chest and was ready to kiss him desperately, but he wasn't done talking. — Until she found me… Please Kate, let me have this… —he begged.

She felt the world crash into dust and paralyzed. Then she looked down and burst into tears again. She moved aside and hid her face in her hands, feeling disgusted by him, by herself, by everything that had ever happened ever since they'd met. Then she heard the door opening and his footsteps walking away.

— Oh God! —she moaned, and then her weakened body collapsed on the floor near the door. She couldn't resist anymore and cried her heart out, the echo of her sobbing resounding around the apartment, now as empty as she was. Outside, the dim lights of dusk were starting to show.