Ok so this is a little different I know my stories mostly revolve around Jate but since I find Kate unworthy of the Jateness this one is going to deal a little with Jate but the main storyline will be between Jack and his new-found baby sister Claire. So I hope you like it. This is going to take place sometime in the future. They are still on the island and take place after the so-called Epic Battle between the beach and the Others. So read on, I haven't been able to download any updates as of recent so lets see how long this takes from me finishing to to you actually being able to read it.
THE LOVE OF A SISTER
"Mind if I sit?" Jack Shephard was pulled from his thoughts and looked to see Claire Littleton standing beside him. He smiled and nodded and she settled in the sand next to him. There was a moment of silence where neither knew exactly what to say. Juliet had revealed that Jack and Claire were actually siblings and with a look at a picture of Christian that Jack had, the proof was obvious. Since then things have been too hectic to really catch up with one another, the Others had come and all hell had broken loose. That was over now though and Jack found himself sitting next to the baby sister he never knew he had.
"I was a little afraid you wouldn't want me to join you" Claire said breaking the silence and earning a questioning look from Jack. Had he given her the impression he didn't want her near? Sensing his distress Claire gave him a small smile.
"Just seems like women are the last species on Earth you would want to be around" she said and Jack chuckled.
"Nah I haven't written women off completely yet" he said. "I still like you, Sun and Rose" he said with a smile and Claire smiled back.
"I guess I just wanted to make sure your ok. I mean you are my brother so it's my duty to look out for you." She said shyly.
Jack felt the emotion build slightly in his chest at her words. It was nice to have someone care about him who wasn't using him for something or another.
"Yeah I'm alright" he said looking down at the sand as if finding the yellow grains most interesting.
"I uh" Claire started and then stopped unsure how to form her words. After a deep breath she continued on. "I hate her but at the same time I'm grateful to her." she said quietly and Jack looked at her.
"I'm not following" Jack said
"Juliet" Claire replied and with that one word she watched all kinds of emotions flitter through Jack's eyes. Before he could say anything she continued. "She helped in my kidnapping, she was one of them and lied to us all, but at the same time she brought you and me together and in the end she died protecting you. I mean I'm sorry she died but Ben was going to shoot you and she stepped in front of the bullet. It's horrible but I just got you in my life, I was glad it was her and not you." Claire said sadly, her emotions were so jumbled over her conflicted feelings.
Jack just nodded slightly and Claire wasn't sure what exactly he was agreeing with her on. "I'm surprised you're even talking to me" Jack said looking at her out of the corner of his eye.
"Why?" Claire asked confused.
"I lied to you all. Sayid, Locke and I betrayed everyone's trust by bringing Juliet back and pretending we didn't know what she was up to" Jack said looking back at the water. "We had it all figured out, Locke would go with the Others for information, I would be love-struck with Juliet making it looked like I trusted her and Sayid would pretend to be skeptical of the whole situation. At anytime something could have gone wrong and any of you could have been seriously hurt." Jack said taking a deep breath. It had been a long emotional week, sticking up for Juliet when he knew what she really was, making the others believe Locke was a traitor and his continuous 'play' arguing with Sayid to make Juliet believe Jack was defending her honor. He had thought it would be easy playing her since he believed she had no real feelings for him either. That went wrong when the Others showed up on the beach and Juliet had turned her back on Ben. She had done it for Jack, revealing she had fallen in love with him and would never betray him. Of course that followed up by Locke's appearance and the revelation that Jack, Sayid and Locke had been in contact all along and had been playing Ben and Juliet themselves. He'll never forget the way Juliet looked at him when she realized his feelings for her were untrue and that she had fallen in love with a lie.
She had stuck by him then even after finding out about his deceit. She had proven her love for him with one last act; she had jumped in front of him as Ben had fired his gun at him. The bullet had pierced her heart and she died in Jack's arms her last words being 'I love you Jack'. No, he would never forget those moments no matter how hard he had tried. Sayid had killed Ben and within seconds the war that never was ended.
There had been accusations and anger thrown at Jack, Sayid and Locke but the sting of betrayal had really been thrown in Jack's direction. He was supposed to be their leader and he had endangered them all. After a few days people cooled off and things started to go back to normal, well as normal as things could be.
"So I guess maybe I don't hate her" Claire said quietly of Juliet. She looked over at Jack and she sighed. She knew he had been through so much as of late with the others, Juliet, Kate. She scowled slightly at the thought of Kate. She was indebted to the woman who helped deliver her child and was at one time her friend. That had changed though, Kate had chosen to be with Sawyer while they had been away and she had come back another person. She was selfish and whiney, she had turned into the female version of Sawyer. Always bitching at people about how hard her life was. She was a complete stranger to Claire. She probably wouldn't have felt so harshly towards Kate but it was a conversation she had overheard between Kate and Jack that had set her nerves on edge.
After the dust settled Kate had gone after Jack yelling at him for lying to her and keeping her in the dark. She had been almost hysterical and all Jack could do was try to calm her down apologizing to her softly. Kate had then looked at Jack and spoke the words that had changed Claire's opinion of her greatly. Dammit Jack why didn't you tell me you weren't with Juliet. The only reason I slept with Sawyer again was because I thought you had moved on.
It had been a one-two punch to Jack's heart. His face expressing he had not known that Kate had once again slept with Sawyer, and that he really wished he didn't know the information now. The second punch being Jack realizing that Kate was blaming him for her indiscretions with Sawyer. She was actually blaming him. Claire had held back from walking up and knocking Kate one right in the face. But she didn't need to. Jack had stepped away from her disgust written on his face and Sawyer who stood by heard everything, knowing that his love for Kate was unanswered and that she had played him as well. Both men walked away from her that day and Kate was alone. Claire felt bad for her because she didn't believe this was who Kate really was and if Kate would go back to being the kind and caring person she believed deep down she really was that Jack and her could have a real chance together. But until that time Claire had no problem standing between Jack and Kate. This being a protective little sister job was hard work but Claire was finding she really enjoyed it. She also liked the way it felt when Jack was protective of her as well. As her big brother he had started looking out more for her and Aaron. She had gotten into a small argument with the Charlie the other day and Jack had walked up and shot Charlie a look saying why are you making my little sister mad? The fight was over as soon as it started but Claire had enjoyed Jack's care.
She also made sure he got to spend more time with Aaron. Before Jack had always been good with the baby but had always kept it professional. Now Jack was seen carrying his little nephew all over the place and Aaron seemed to have grown attached to his new uncle and had no problem with all the attention.
"Sayid said we might be able to get off the island now that they have figured out the Others way of communicating with the real world" Claire said. Sayid, Locke and Sawyer had gone back to the other island to use the Others technology to get help. "What happens then?" she asked.
"Well, I'm not sure. I guess we go back to our lives the best we can." Jack said.
"I mean about you and me" Claire said. "You're my big brother and my family, you're Aaron's family." She said softly.
"I'm not going anywhere" Jack said dead seriously. "I've never had a real loving family before you and Aaron." Jack smiled sheepishly. "I like it"
"Me too" beamed Claire. "I was running away to LA because I panicked about giving Aaron up for adoption. I left Australia behind and I'm not sure I want to go back. Charlie wants to start a life in LA as well. Now that I know you're there it sounds even better." Claire said grinning and Jack smiled back.
"Well it sounds like a plan to me, but you know if you wanted to go back to Australia I would never make you choose between me and your home. Hell, I don't even have that much holding me there anyway. My mother has probably sold all my stuff and given the proceeds to some charity so people will feel for her" he cringed, he knew his mother mourned him but he also knew she would no doubt use his 'death' for her own gain.
"Wow, so not real loving huh?" Claire asked and then she let out a small giggle. "Wait until she meets me, now that's going to be awkward."
Jack chuckled having no idea how his mother will react to meeting her husband's love-child. "I love my mother and I hate that my father hurt her, but you're my sister and that will never change."
"Jack?" they both glanced up to see Kate standing there nervously wringing her hands. Jack felt his heart sink and Claire felt her defenses rise.
"Yeah?" Jack asked trying to keep his voice cool and calm.
"Do you think we could talk for a second? Alone" she said glancing at Claire and knowing the tiny blonde woman was glaring daggers at her.
"Actually right now isn't the best" he was cut off by Claire.
"No its fine" Claire said looking at Jack. "I have to go get Aaron from Sun anyway. I'll see you at dinner?" Jack had started eating dinner with Claire, Charlie and Aaron a tradition they all seemed to enjoy.
"Of course" Jack said. "Give that little nephew of mine a big hug for me"
Claire grinned and then turned to Kate her grin turning less friendly and even a little threatening.
"Hurt him again and I'll drown you in the ocean" she said quietly and then off she went leaving a stunned Kate behind. Jack didn't hear what Claire said but by Kate's reaction he figured it wasn't very nice.
"What did you need?" he asked tiredly and having no clue where this conversation was going to lead to.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry." Kate said. She seemed to stumble on her words but then after taking a breath continued. "I wanted to apologize for everything, for lying to you to get the Marshall's key, for going on the trek when you asked me not to, for asking you to save Sawyer when I had no thought as to what it might cost you, and for everything that has happened with Sawyer. I'm sorry I yelled at you the other day. I was completely out of line. I'm so sorry Jack" she broke down into tears.
Jack looked at her and the urge to comfort her had risen but he managed to withhold. He felt for her but his trust in her was waning she had used him before, how did he know this wasn't another trick.
"So Sawyer left you and now you're trying to make up with me?" Jack asked though his tone was not cruel just questioning.
Kate looked up her face tearstained. "No Jack, that's not it at all." She shook her head. "I've made so many horrible mistakes with you and I wish I could go back cause if I could I would change every stupid thing I've done. I love you Jack and I know you don't believe me and I don't blame you. But please know I do."
"I don't know if I believe you" Jack said softly. "And even if I did what would that do, how would anything change? Jesus Kate, I know I don't know who you really are, maybe I never did. But I look at you and you're unrecognizable to me, from the woman who stitched up a stranger after a plane crash. That woman was strong, brave independent. She helped the people on the beach and she did good. Now I see you and I don't know who you are, all you do is lie, and manipulate, me, Sawyer. I'm tired of it Kate I'm sorry but I'm tired of you, this unrecognizable you." Jack said looking out towards the water knowing he hurt her but sick of having to hold in own feelings in all the time.
Kate felt her heart break at his words because she knew he was right. She didn't recognize her own self. "I want to be who I am I've just lost touch with her" Kate whispered. "Help me find her" she looked at Jack with pleading eyes.
"Only you can find yourself Kate" Jack said with a shake of his head. "I will support you as a friend though" he said after a few minutes.
"Only as a friend?" Kate sniffled. Jack looked at her thoughtfully and then nodded.
"Yes Kate I will be your friend, that's all I can offer you right now" He stood wiping the sand off his legs. He felt like taking a walk. She scrambled to stand up by his side.
"I'll take what I can get" Kate said looking at him with a small smile. Jack smiled back and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm going for a walk, you want to come" he asked and she nodded. She leaned down to take his hand but was not shocked when he moved it gently out of her grasp.
"One day at a time" he said softly and she nodded. They walked slowly down the beach side by side but still strangers. Strangers however, that may grow to actually know one another.
Ok so there it is, funny with this story my friend who loves Kate said Kate would never act like this, my other friend who hates Kate says this is typical Kate behavior. Sadly I can see her acting like this so I'm hoping the writers will one day bring back the Kate from the beginning who would never act this selfish or shallow. I miss that Kate.