Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I don't own LOST. I don't own the song So Close by Jon McLaughlin
A/N: This is dedicated to all of you for waiting so patiently for me to update. It means so much to me. I will try to update more often now, I swear! Things have been really hectic for me lately. I wrote an extra long chapter this time. And the kiss I've been promising is in this chapter as well.
Warnings: Mentions use of alcohol.
The music was playing obnoxiously loud, so loud that Jack was worried about someone reporting it to the dean. When he expressed this to Kate, she just shook her head and laughed.
Jack opened the door, as a string of college students came in, some of them holding food in their hands, and others, the occasional beer bottle.
"Kate!" Jack shouted across the room, where Kate was talking to Shannon.
"What?" Kate shouted back.
"They're bringing beer!"
"Relax man!" Charlie walked by, a bottle in his own hand.
"What are you doing?" Jack yelled at him over the music.
"Turning the music up." Charlie turned the knob higher.
Kate walked across the room over to Jack. "Come on Jack, loosen up. Have fun. Haven't you ever been to a party before? Have you ever had beer?"
"Of course I have."
"Then why does it bother you?"
"Because it's in our dorm."
Someone behind Kate accidentally ran right into Kate, and she stepped forward to regain her balance, sending her straight into Jack. Jack grabbed her arms in order to steady her.
"It's crazy in here!" Jack shouted.
"I know! Isn't it great!"
The door to the dorm opened, and Sawyer walked in, holding a six-pack of beer in one hand and a girl around his arm.
"Hey!" Sawyer nodded at Jack and grinned at Kate.
"I'm glad you could make it!" Kate told him.
"Yeah. " Sawyer looked around him. "You've got quite a party goin' here. I'm surprised Jack. You've finally grown up."
Jack rolled his eyes as Sawyer went and made himself at home with his girl.
"What does he mean by that?" Kate asked Jack.
"In high school Sawyer held all the parties, and the ones he didn't have he crashed."
"What's that have to do with you?"
"I never went to his parties."
"Why not?"
"Look at him." Jack motioned at him. "He's a nightmare waiting to happen. He slept with the whole senior class, I swear."
Someone knocked on the door and Jack went to open it.
"Hey Jack." Juliet grinned at him.
"You invited her?" Kate asked.
"Yeah. What's wrong?" Jack turned towards her.
"Nothing."
"Hey Juliet."
Juliet put her arms around Jack in a friendly hug and kissed his cheek.
Kate crossed her arms and frowned.
Hey Kate!" Juliet smiled at her.
"Hey Juliet!" Kate said, her voice dripping with fake enthusiasm.
"Great party Jack!" Juliet turned back to Jack.
"It was mostly Ka-"
"Yeah, that's great." Juliet interrupted him. "Let's go in the kitchen huh?"
"Okay…" Jack followed her into the kitchen.
Kate shook off the bad feeling she had and turned around, running right into Sawyer.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Nothing."
"You look like you could use a drink." Sawyer said casually.
"Yeah."
"Here." Sawyer offered her the bottle in his hand.
Kate looked at it doubtfully.
"What? You don't drink?"
"Oh I drink." Kate just didn't want to be drunk around Jack. She had a history of acting a bit crazy when she was drunk.
"Then what're you waiting for? Drink!" Sawyer pushed the bottle into Kate's hand, and she gratefully took it.
"So why did you want to go into the kitchen Juliet?" Jack asked as Juliet closed the kitchen door behind her.
"It's more…. private in here Jack."
"What?"
"I thought we could talk." Juliet approached Jack and leaned into him.
"Uh, you thirsty?"
"Oh yeah."
Jack gulped and quickly turned and opened the refrigerator door, which Juliet quickly shut.
"What's wrong Jack? You said there wasn't anybody else. Why can't we just get back together?"
"Uh, well, there may be someone else."
"What?" Juliet backed away from Jack. "You've not gone out with anyone else since me. How could there…..?" Juliet trailed off. "Kate. It's Kate isn't it? You've only known her for what? A week?"
"It's been longer than that."
"So you're not denying it then?"
Jack didn't say anything.
"You think she's the girl for you? You think she's your type?"
"I don't know."
"She doesn't know you like I do. She hasn't known you as long as I have. I know everything about you Jack."
"Not everything."
Juliet glared at him. "So this is how it's going to be."
Jack nodded.
"Fine." Juliet muttered and left the room.
Jack shook his head and followed her out of the kitchen. The scene in the living room surprised him. Everyone was dancing, but that wasn't what surprised him. Kate was dancing, jumping up and down, shaking her head, raising her hands in the air. Jack smiled. She looked so cute. Then he frowned as he watched Sawyer put his arms around her waist, dancing with her.
Kate laughed and danced to the beat with him.
Jack stood with his hands in his pockets, watching everyone. It reminded him of high school all over again. He would always stand on the side, never dancing. It saddened him in a way, to know that nothing had changed.
"Come on Jack!"
Jack shook his head and realized that Kate had ditched Sawyer and had ran across the room over to him. She took his hand and pulled him into the middle of all the people.
"Let's dance!"
She began to bob her head again, her hair flying everywhere. She still held onto Jack's hand, with her other hand raised. Jack grinned at her and couldn't help but start to move to the beat.
"I don't dance!" Jack shouted at her.
"What?"
"I don't dance!" Jack yelled over the music.
"Yes you do! You're dancing right now!" Kate smiled at him, and started to sing the song.
Jack grinned at her. She always made him feel like this, like he was the coolest guy around. He had never felt that way, until he had met her.
Charlie sat across the room, controlling the stereo. He noticed Kate and Jack dancing and smiled. They seemed like they would make a cute couple. Charlie grinned. He had an idea. He put in a cd, and pressed play. People quickly adjusted to the change of pace. Some stopped dancing completely, others complained (mainly Sawyer) and then some couples kept on dancing.
Kate smiled shyly and moved closer to Jack and Jack held his breath, watching her carefully.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" She placed her hand on Jack's shoulder, and Jack relaxed.
"May I have this dance?" Jack asked softly, smiling at her. He held out his hand. Kate's smile broadened and she took his hand. He put his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. At first, Kate stiffened, afraid, but then she relaxed and sighed contentedly.
You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
Jack looked over Kate's shoulder at Charlie, who gave him a thumb's up. Jack's jaw dropped. Had he planned this?!?! He looked at Kate, who was gazing up at him.
"If this is too awkward or something, we can stop." Jack told her, hoping she wanted to keep dancing.
"Shhhh. Don't talk." Kate's finger on Jack's mouth, then quickly drew back, as if she had been shocked.
"What?" Jack asked, his lips still tingling from her touch.
A life goes by
Romantic dreams will stop
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I wanted to hold you
So close
Kate shook her head and smiled. She laid her head on Jack's chest, and Jack's heart began to race. He hoped she wouldn't feel it.
But Kate did hear it. She slowly placed her hand over his beating heart. "I love you." She whispered softly so that he wouldn't hear.
So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far we are so close
Jack's heart leaped into his chest in a panic. She had noticed. He had been so careful not to expose his feelings for her, and now she must have figured it out. Kate opened her eyes and tilted her head back so that she could look Jack in the eyes. He looked at her uncertainly.
Kate suddenly had the urge to kiss him, and she did.
Jack was taken aback, and it took him a second to recover. Once he got over the surprise, he eagerly kissed her back, holding her tightly against him.
How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy end
And almost believing this was not pretend
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
So close
So close
And still so far
Kate didn't know why she did it. She didn't know if it was the effects of the alcohol kicking in or if she was suddenly brave. She was suddenly so tired, and within a few seconds, she passed out, and Jack caught her in his arms.
Maybe it was the alcohol.
A/N: Please let me know what you thought. And if you have any ideas, just let me know.