A/N: Wow, I'm really sorry for the long update time. Work hit me really hard this past week. Thank you for all the reviews for last chapter. I really appreciate them. Here is Chapter 16 and just so you know...there is Jate in this one :D, so don't be alarmed. Enjoy!
Chapter 16: Late Night Rendezvous II
Jack had tried every bar he knew of in the Los Angeles City limits, and as much as he hated to admit it, that was quite a few. Despite that, Kate was nowhere to be found, no matter how much he wanted to and needed to find her.
Jack had began his search three hours ago and he hadn't looked back since. I owe the Rolling Stones a 'thank you' letter, he thought wryly, cracking a smile for the first time in what seemed like hours.
It was ironic how the gift Jack had bought her to show that he could try and just be friends had been the very item that had provided Jack access into what he believed were Kate's true thoughts and feelings, and Jack couldn't be happier.
But now, he was out of ideas. He didn't know where to go, he hadn't been with Kate long enough to know which sections of the city she enjoyed, which she avoided. To be honest, he couldn't think of anyone who would.
Well, there was one person, and I could- no, I can't. I can't, Jack thought.
He was on Wilshire Boulevard and he was fast approaching the turn he'd need to take, but his mind was still jumping between decisions. Not for the first time in recent memory, Jack couldn't make up his mind.
If he went, it was sure to be a painstaking conversation full of backhanded quips and snide remarks, but was the reward worth it? If he didn't go, he'd most likely end up driving in the circles around the city until the sun rose in the morning.
He had about 25 yards to make the turn, and his window was closing fast.
In a split second decision, Jack made his choice. He veered across two lanes of traffic to make the turn, drawing a cacophony of car horns in the process. He completed the turn unscathed thankfully, and pressed slightly harder on the accelerator. The quicker he arrived, the quicker he'd be out, and the quicker he'd find Kate.
What happened from there though, was anyone's guess.
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"What's a lovely lady like yourself sitting alone at the bar for?" A brown-haired, blue-eyed man said as he approached Kate at the bar.
Kate turned slowly and appraised the man, quickly taking in his features. Well-built, like Jack, brown hair, like Jack, but gazing at the man's face, there was one feature she truly missed.
She missed his soulful, chocolate-brown eyes.
Kate had known for some time now that she had never gotten over Jack. She had her reasons for telling him it was over on the island, and she'd regretted them every day since. If Kate were truly honest with herself, she'd admit that she was head over heels for the good doctor. The problem was, Kate couldn't bring herself to tell him yet.
"I'm actually waiting for my boyfriend." Kate lied smugly, doing whatever it took to fend off the man's advances. He wasn't the first tonight, but she hoped he'd be the last.
The man seemed taken aback by her response. He muttered what sounded like, "He's one lucky man.", as he sauntered off.
Kate smiled sadly. I wish you were right, she thought.
"Did I hear you say boyfriend?" Sandra asked rejoining her from bathroom. "You're dating someone? You never told me! Spill!" She yelped.
"Not really dating anyone. Just taken." Kate admitted to herself, so softly Sandra could barely hear her in the crowded bar.
"Jack, huh?"
Kate's looked up quickly, obviously surprised. "Is it that obvious?"
"Honey, I think everyone in the hospital knows you two are into each other. Except the two of you of course." Sandra replied, smiling while she put a supportive arm around her friend.
"I don't know what to do, though. We've been living together pretty nicely and I don't wanna change that. Jack's my best friend, and I don't want to lose that. But at the same time, I want more with him." Kate said dejectedly. "I mean, my mom always told me that if it ain't broke, then don't fix it. Great advice that was…"
Sandra laughed at her friends response, "Kate, honey, I've worked at that hospital since before Jack got there. I've never seen him wearing as big a smile as the day you came in around his arm. Trust me, I know what makes the Shephard's tick, and that man is into you."
Kate nodded, a wide smile beginning to form on her face.
"Now, I'm going to meet up with the girls over there, because there's plenty of guys around here they'd like to get to know a little better and they're gonna need some help, if ya know what I mean." Sandra said, nudging Kate in the side suggestively, "But you're not coming 'cause you're already taken, as you put it. So take this cash and get yourself a ride home. I think you can figure out what to do from there." Sandra said grinning as she placed a few dollars in Kate's hand before departing for the table.
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Knock. Knock.
Jack had reached the apartment in record time. He'd only been once before, a few days after they'd been rescued, but for some reason he'd always had a good sense of direction. If he went somewhere once, he wasn't likely to forget about it.
Jack was beginning to think no one was home when he heard a combination of groaning and swearing from inside, progressively growing louder as the voice neared the door.
Jack distinctly heard, "This better be good," As the door swung open, and Jack was face to face with one man he never thought he'd want to see again.
"Doc? What the hell do you want?" Sawyer asked, just as surprised as Jack was.
"Hey Sawyer." Jack replied, realizing how awkward the situation was.
"Well, I ain't gonna start guessing, what d'ya want?" Sawyer asked, annoyed he was woken at 4:30 in the morning.
"Oh right. Can we talk?" Jack asked, running his hand through his hair.
"Doc, you know I ain't one for talking, an Freckles ain't here anymore so I doubt you'll find anyone who cares much about your problems here. There's a reason we don't go out for drinks every Friday night." Sawyer snarled.
"It's important, Sawyer." Jack stated bluntly.
"Well, in that case, come on in." Sawyer stated sarcastically, obviously still upset at the hour he was awake.
They walked in to the modest apartment and Sawyer gestured for Jack to sit down in an armchair. Jack did so, and Sawyer went over to the fridge to grab a few beers, returning seconds later.
"So what the hell's so important you woke me up at the crack of dawn?" Sawyer said handing Jack a beer, and, looking out the window added, "literally."
Jack accepted the beer and took a few seconds to compose himself, because what he was about to say would be hard to say to anyone, let alone to Sawyer.
Sawyer must have sensed Jack's hesitance, because he answered his own question. "It's about Freckles ain't it?"
Jack was momentarily surprised at how quickly Sawyer had figured things out. He opened his mouth to respond, but Sawyer was to quick for him again.
"Lemme guess, she's been acting weird around you. You obviously still got feelings for her, and you can't figure out if she feels the same way 'bout you. That about it, doc?" Sawyer said, smiling with satisfaction at Jack's dumbfounded stare.
Jack just nodded. How could Sawyer possibly know all that?
"Yea, didn't think I knew all that did you? Truth is, I know way more than you think I do." He said, and seeing Jack's expression change from confusion to astonishment added, "Yea, you may have been to Pukhet, doc, but I've been to Tallahassee. Nothin' gets by me."
Finally, Jack's mouth found the will to speak, "What are you talking about?"
"Quick question for ya Jack-o, do you know why me and Freckles ended things?" Sawyer asked, obviously enjoying the current edge he held over Jack.
"She just told me you kinda grew apart, you weren't really connecting anymore. She didn't really wanna talk about it that night, and I didn't' wanna upset her." Jack explained, clearly not sure as to the relevance.
Still wondering why'd he decided to help Jack out, Sawyer let out a long, hard laugh. "That's what she told ya, is it?"
"Yea, why is that so funny?" Jack asked still wondering where this was going.
"It's funny, because it couldn't be farther from the truth." Sawyer explained, letting it sink in.
"But wait, if that's not true, then why…" Jack began to ask, but Sawyer broke him off.
"I told Freckles it wasn't working, but not because we were growing apart or anything. Well, we weren't anyway. I told her that it wasn't working, cause she was still in love with the island's hero doctor." Sawyer explained, and saw Jack's jaw drop.
"Was that…true?"
"Hell, she packed her bags and left that night, didn't she?" Sawyer answered sarcastically. "Something musta struck a chord."
"Wow. I really need to talk to her. You wouldn't happen to know what bars she hangs out at? I tried calling her, but she didn't pick up her phone." Jack asked hopefully.
"Maybe she just don't wanna talk to you?" Sawyer joked cruelly, before thinking better of it after noting Jack's reaction.
Sawyer shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, but then looked over at the clock in his living room. "I don't know where she likes to hang out, but you're in luck. Freckles always was a lightweight, she's probably on her way home right now, half passed out in the back of a cab." Sawyer laughed at the thought. "Hell, half the city's on their way home now, seeing as some people got work in an hour or two."
"I gotta go." Jack said, more to himself than anyone.
"Yea, can't have some other random guy puttin' the moves on her at FOUR THIRTY IN THE MORNING, doc!" Sawyer said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as usual.
Hearing Sawyer's remark, Jack turned around. "I really appreciate your help, Sawyer. You've been a huge friend to me tonight, I can't thank you enough."
"Just send me an invitation." Sawyer replied nonchalantly, finishing off his beer.
"An invitation?" Jack asked confused.
"To the wedding, dumbass." Sawyer replied, shaking his head smiling.
"Oh, right. Uhh, well… thanks again for your help Sawyer, I really appreciate it. I didn't know you had it in you." Jack thanked him again.
"Yea, who knew right?" He said, "Just don't tell anyone, cause I'll flat out deny it. I got a reputation for being extremely unhelpful to keep up."
Jack laughed, "I wouldn't dream of it."
As Jack raced home, he could clearly see the sun rising to the East. He was now going almost double the speed limit, but he didn't care. There was only one thing on his mind right now. Kate.
The car radio was on, but Jack wasn't paying attention. He was carefully planning what he wanted to say to Kate, how he wanted to say it, and how he hoped she'd react.
In all honesty, this had to go well. It wasn't about wanting to be with Kate anymore, it was about needing her. Jack would do anything he could to make sure that happened.
He turned onto his street and glanced over to his house- their house. All the lights were off, but a cab was outside and someone was getting out.
He pressed harder on the gas pedal again, and as he got closer he saw the cab pull away, giving him a clear view as to who had exited the cab.
It was Kate. Thankfully, she was alone.
He veered into the driveway, and his haste to exit the car, almost forgot to brake before hitting the garage door. Thankfully, instincts took over and he hit the brakes just in time.
The sound of rubber sliding on concrete and the roar of Jack's engine had gotten Kate's attention, and she had turned to face Jack.
Jack got out of the driver seat and slammed the door shut, running around the car to meet Kate.
"Kate!" Jack said breathlessly. The nerves were already setting in. "I've been looking all night for you, I tried everywhere…" At that precise moment, everything he'd planned, everything he'd though of left him. He was going to have to wing it.
Kate looked down apologetically briefly, before looking back up and into Jack's eyes.
Jack took her silence as a nod to continue, and mustered up his courage. "Kate, I've waited a really long time to tell you this, but I can't hold it in any longer. I never got over you; it isn't possible to get over someone as special as you are. I tried everything, but the truth is, Kate Austen, I'm in love with you. I always have been, and I always will be.
Kate didn't respond, just continued to gaze into his eyes, the smallest hint of a smile appearing on her beautiful features. Jack gazed back and was mesmerized instantly by her emerald eyes, but soon doubt overcame him.
Did I say the wrong thing? What the hell is going on? Is she trying to figure out how to let me down easy? Just say something Kate, please.
Jack's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as Kate's lips crashed down onto his own. She kissed him with the pent-up frustration of almost a year apart, she kissed him with a passion he'd never felt before, and the kiss sent electricity shooting throughout Jack's body. This was a feeling he'd missed all too much. There wasn't another woman on Earth that could evoke the same feelings in him. This, all of this, was perfect. Kate was perfect.
Jack was awestruck at first by Kate's suddenness but he quickly responded and the passion of the kiss elevated sharply. Jack's tongue flirted around Kate's lips begging for more which was duly granted, and the pair locked into a sensation they had gone far to long without.
After what felt like minutes, they finally broke apart, but it was the last thing either of them wanted. If the need for air had not aroused, Jack felt like they could have kissed each other forever.
Momentary respite came when they broke, gasping for air, their foreheads resting on each other's, gazing into each other's eyes.
"I'm so sorry Kate, I should have…" Jack broke the silence.
"Shut up, Jack." Kate whispered, and she kissed him again.
This time though, the kiss was different. The kiss was slow, sweet and tender, a stark contrast to the passionate, intense kiss just seconds before. They had released their year of frustration and this was truly a different type of kiss. It may not have been as passionate as the last, but they both poured all the same emotion and love into it. The world around them stopped, time stood still.
It was Jack and Kate. Kate and Jack. No one else.
Sadly though, after what seemed like forever, the need for air arose again, and once again they separated, but just enough so that they could almost taste the other's breath.
Their foreheads pressed together, a small smile graced Kate's beautiful features. An infectious smile that Jack was all to eager to return.
"I love you, Jack."
"I love you too, Kate."
They were so engrossed in each other that neither noticed Jack's car was still running, and the radio still playing.
You can't always get what you want,
But if you try sometimes you might find,
You get what you need.
A/N: I think this is my favorite chapter so far, and I hoped you enjoyed it to. Please leave a review, they keep me writing. I noticed alot of you have enabled author/story alerts but not reviewed, please leave a few words it only takes a second.
Coming Up: The next morning.