A/N: Thanks for all the reviews!!! Here is the next chapter. NOTE: THIS CHAPTER IS RATED M. I've never written one of these types of scenes before, so I'm really not sure how well it turned out. I think it's decent though, but please let me know what you think. That would be greatly appreciated! Enjoy!

Chapter 8: Dreams Gone Bad

"Oh, Jack!" Kate moaned loudly.

Jack's lips brushed against hers for what seemed like the hundredth time, she'd been so lost in this moment that it seemed like the world had stopped.

He's really doing this; he loves me too.

Jack's tongue brushed up against her lips, begging for access, and who was Kate to deny him? She instantly allowed him in, and Jack's tongue began exploring her mouth.

It's been so long, how have I lived so long without him.

After Kate was satisfied that Jack was fully re-acquainted with her, their tongues entwined, playfully dancing with one another.

"I love you." Jack whispered into her ear, as they broke apart for air.

I love you too, Jack. I love you too.

Jack began trailing kisses down her neck, to her shoulders. Kate's shirt had been wastefully thrown across the room, exposing her bare chest.

Don't stop Jack. Please don't stop.

It was almost as if Jack could read her thoughts. He continued laying kisses down her chest, quickly stopping at her breasts to re-familiarize himself with them. As he kissed and caressed them, Kate felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. A feeling she wanted to feel again, and again.

Jack, you are…incredible. I've missed you so much.

Once satisfied Kate's breasts were hard enough, he continued downward. As he trailed kisses from her chest to her navel, his hands were working feverishly at her pants.

Another moan escaped from Kate's lips. She hadn't realized until this moment just how much she'd missed Jack.

Jack was finished with her pants' button. His shirt was off now, and he was tugging her pants down past her ankles.

It's happening, it's really happening.

He was now working his way back up her chest, once again stopping at her breasts.

Kate could only moan again with pleasure. She couldn't contain herself.

He was back to kissing her shoulders, now her neck, and then his lips crashed against hers to seal the deal. Their tongues were entwined, exploring each other like they had so many times before, and then Kate realized it.

This was really going to happen; no more shameless flirting, no more teasing. This was it.

Jack was going to make love to her. Not have sex with her, make love, and it couldn't feel more right.

Jack parted their lips one last time, to gaze into her beautiful, emerald green eyes almost as if to ask permission before he was inside her.

I love you, Jack. I love you. I want you. Kate moaned.

Kate gazed right back at Jack's stunning chocolate eyes.

"I know, Sarah." Jack whispered.

And then she saw it out of the corner of her eye, and what she saw horrified her.

Staring back at her through the mirror on the wall was the small frame, blonde hair and blue eyes of Sarah, Jack's girlfriend.

No…No! This can't be! Not now!!!

Kate's moans had turned to screams of pain and agony. She tossed and turned in the bed, trying to escape from Jack's grasp. She needed to get out of here.

Kate was sobbing hysterically now. How could this happen? What the hell is going on?

Suddenly, she heard Jack's voice again from behind her.

"Are you OK?" He asked and put his hands on her shoulders, concerned.

"No, stop! Get off me!" Kate screamed back, trying to wriggle free.

I need to get out of here!

She felt his grip tighten on her shoulders, and as much as she resisted he wouldn't release.

"Kate, it's going to be OK!" Jack yelled back, staring into her eyes.

"No it's not! Let me go!" Kate yelled, but in vain.

"Kate, open your eyes. You're having a nightmare." Jack said, and she did as told.

Her eyes popped open. Jack was staring down at her, concern etched all over his chocolate eyes. Oh, those eyes…focus Kate! It wasn't real!

"Hey. You OK? I heard your screams and…" He began, his voice fading.

"I am now." Kate interrupted him, feeling better than she had only a few seconds ago when her worst nightmares were realized. No, worse, she had lived them.

"Wayne again?" Jack asked moving to wrap his arms around her, and Kate remembered the time she had told him about the dreams she was having on the island.

Jack awoke with a start when he heard the screaming inside the caves.

After taking mere moments to wake himself up, he identified the source of the voice within seconds. Kate.

He immediately ran over to her and rested his hands on her shoulders.

She was screaming now, extremely loudly, as if she was in a tremendous amount of pain. Whatever, or whoever, was causing her to scream like this, well he knew she'd need to talk about it eventually, whether she wanted to or not. Things like this, they just keep eating at you until they take over completely.

He began to shake her gently, trying to ease her out of the nightmare. After what seemed like forever, she began to come around.

She stopped screaming, and her writhing around slowed. She opened her eyes and was relieved to see Jack's face smiling back at her reassuringly. It had all been a nightmare after all.

"You OK? I heard you're screaming and was worried about you." Jack inquired.

"I am now." Kate answered, returning his smile.

"So, looks like I'm not the only one having nightmares, eh?" Jack joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Guess so." Kate replied, smiling weakly.

"Wanna talk about it?" Jack asked, placing her hands inside his.

Kate took a deep breath. She had never told anyone about these nightmares she'd been having since she killed Wayne. But finally, she was ready. She had to.

After a moment's pause to compose herself, she began, "You remember Wayne, right? The guy I...killed?"

Jack nodded.

"Well, he used to hit me, abuse me…and a few times he tried to…to…rape me." She managed to stammer. "And lately, well…he's been back."

Jack's heart leapt out for her, and he immediately pulled her tightly into an embrace.

"It's OK, Kate. I'm here now. Everything's going to be alright. Wayne can't come anywhere near you any more. Even if he could, I wouldn't let him." Jack assured her, and she could tell he meant every word of it.

"Thank you, Jack. Thank you so much." Kate whispered into his eye, sobbing lightly into his shoulder.

"Yea, something like that." Kate replied, accepting Jack's tight embrace. She didn't like lying to Jack. But what could she say?

'No, Jack, I was dreaming about having sex with you, and then it turned out I was in Sarah's body.' Yea, that would go really well Kate.

No, Kate was just grateful for a way out of one horrible, awkward, nightmare.

481516234248151623424815162342

Compared to the events of the morning, the rest of day passed by smoothly. Kate was back to the drawing board, circling the promising classifieds and setting up interviews to finally get herself back on her feet.

For Jack, it was an extremely quiet day at St. Sebastien's. For the first time in what seemed like months, Jack was ahead on his paperwork, and without any surgeries scheduled until next week he was at a loss as for what to do.

He thought about calling Sarah for lunch, and so pulled his phone out.

He typed in Sarah's number; put couldn't bring himself to hit the dial button. He couldn't figure out why, he just didn't want to see her.

Instead, he dialed the numbers '310-410-4223' and hit the dial button. He waited four rings before he heard Kate's message machine. He was slightly disheartened she hadn't picked up, but then he remembered why.

It was her first day at DeAngelo's.

He quickly picked up his keys and wallet, and headed out to the parking lot for the drive down to Wilshire.

481516234248151623424815162342

"What do you mean, there is no Kate Austen here?" Jack asked annoyed.

"I'm sorry sir, there is no one on the staff here by the name of Kate Austen." The hostess replied. "I'm sorry I can't help you any further."

"What do you mean? She's new here…maybe that helps. Today's her first day, she's a hostess as well." Jack tried to explain, but it didn't help.

"Sorry, sir. I'm the only hostess on duty until 6 o'clock tonight. Whoever you're looking for doesn't work here." The hostess, whose name was Amanda, explained.

"She has to, she only told me about the job two days ago. She was so excited. Can't you ask your manager or something about it? I'm sure he'll know what I'm talking about." Jack pleaded.

Amanda agreed and went immediately to get her manager. A few short minutes later, a tall man walked out from the kitchen are in a suit and tie.

"Mr. Shephard" the man said, extending his hand, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting- busy day today. How can I help you?"

Jack took the man's hand and they shook firmly. "Uhh yea, my friend works here. She said her first shift was today, Kate Austen?"

Jack saw the manager's brow furrow as he tried to recall anyone by that name, and then saw his expression change, as he must have recognized the name.

"Oh, yes. Ms. Austen interviewed here a few days ago. Unfortunately though, I wasn't able to offer her a job here because she lacked any experience in the field." The manager explained coolly.

Jack was silent, why had Kate lied to him?

The manager broke the awkward silence, "Are you sure there wasn't some type of mix-up?"

"Yea, there must have been. I'm sorry about that." Jack said, thoroughly embarrassed, as he back out the door.

481516234248151623424815162342

Kate was still going through the classified when she thought she heard a car approaching the house.

She waited in silence, and when she heard nothing, continued with her work.

When the door opened without warning, Kate had to quickly re-fold the paper and managed to make it look like she had just started the daily crossword.

"Oh, hey Jack. I didn't hear your car in the drive." Kate greeted Jack happily.

"Oh, yea. So how was your first day at work?" Jack greeted, and got straight to the point.

Sh*t. I totally forgot about my 'job' at DeAngelo's.

"It was ok. I just don't think it's for me in the long run. As soon as I can get something else lined up I'm probably going to quit." Kate lied coolly.

"You sure? It seemed like a pretty nice place when I went there today." Jack stated, and that was all he needed to say.

Kate knew her lie was found out, and everything was about to blow up in her face.

"What? You were at DeAngelo's today. How come I didn't see you?" Kate asked, trying to disguise her discomfort.

"Kate, just stop. I even asked the manager about you when I couldn't find you. Why didn't you tell me?" Jack asked frustrated, yet interested.

Kate looked down at her feet, and it seemed like that was becoming a habit these days, "The same reason I didn't tell you the first time- I didn't want you worrying about me." Kate mumbled, defeated.

Hearing her reasoning, all anger and frustration was vanquished from Jack's body. His tone and demeanor immediately softened. He wanted to be angry, but as hard as he tried, he found it impossible.

"Kate. Look at me." He asked, and she looked up. "You can tell me anything. Anything. You need to know that." Jack assured her.

Kate nodded, and whispered, "I'm sorry, Jack."

"It's OK, Kate. You just have to trust me. Have you had any luck finding another job?" Jack asked, his practical side shining through.

"Not yet. I've been searching through endless classifieds for the past couple days." Kate explained, "Actually, that iPod you gave me has been a lifesaver." Kate said, and Jack cracked a smile.

Jack thought about it for a second, and then spoke. "Hey look, if you still need a job, I could get you set up at the hospital. I mean…only if you want to…I don't know many people who can survive a car ride with my music. But you're welcome to try."

Kate laughed at Jack's sorry attempt at humor, and then said, "You'd do that for me?"

"Kate, I'd do anything for you. Besides, they own me a lot after all the crap publicity they got from the crash…" Jack said, his voice drifting off, clearly not wanting to explain himself further.

"Are you sure that's OK, Jack? I mean, you see an awful lot of me here. You sure you can take that much more?" Kate said and laughed.

Kate, I can't see enough of you.

Jack just smiled, "I'll make a few calls and get you set up. Consider it an extra birthday present if you want."

As Jack turned to walk to his office, Kate called out to him, "Jack. That's three presents, you're going to be a tough act to follow."

"Three presents? I've only given you an iPod and now this…." Jack began, "Oh…" he added, recalling their moment last night in the hallway before bed.

I really hope Kate didn't regret that, because I sure as hell didn't.

A/N: Hope the first part of this chapter wasn't to bad. I'd really like to hear what you thought of it (yes I know it was cruel, but they'll get to the real thing eventually). Please review!!!!

Coming Up: A certain girlfriend causes a lot of trouble at the house