Two days past until Kate heard that Desmond and the others had returned from their "camping" trip. Excited to see him, she jumped up from the spot on the beach where she had been talking with Sawyer. Lately she had tried her hardest to play fair and not let Sawyer's jealously get to her. Sitting there she knew he was enjoying the fact she was alone. Right before she heard that they had returned Sawyer began hinting towards what was really going on between Desmond and her. Sighing, Kate brushed back some of her hair and stared out at the ocean. Lately she had so much on her mind she couldn't stand it, mostly since she had spoken with Juliet. Thinking of Desmond, she thought of what really would happen if they ever left this island. She could all ready see handcuffs waiting for her once she touched the main land. Thinking of him her heart ached until she noticed Sayid approaching one of the tents further back on the beach. Curious, Kate got up while Sawyer was in the middle of talking and went over to where Sayid was going. Sawyer simply sat there before swearing under his breath and getting up to walk away.

Walking towards the tent Kate couldn't help but smile. As worried as she was, the thought of seeing Desmond made everything seem to fade away. Even though it had just been two days, it felt as if it had been a lifetime. Laughing to herself on how stupid she had been acting she kept going until Sayid appeared again from the tent. His eyes serious. Right away Kate knew something was wrong.

"Sayid…what's wrong?"

Sayid brought her over where nobody else could hear them.

"Desmond and the others came back late last night."

"What?!"

"Please…keep your voice down."

Kate glanced around as everyone went about their day and noticed Sawyer walking alone down the beach. Looking at Sayid, right away panic filled her eyes.

"Is he okay?"

"Desmond is fine…but if I tell you something you need to promise not to say a word to anyone…most of all Jack."

"What?"

Sayid motioned over to where Jack was sitting in the shade with Juliet. The two were laughing together and enjoying breakfast.

"I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't trust that woman, and it appears Jack won't listen to any of us."

Slowly nodding Kate took a step closer to him.

"What's wrong?"

"While going through the jungle Desmond found a woman who had crashed her helicopter the night before. She was badly hurt but it seems that she was sent here to rescue us."

"What?"

"I don't know if I truly believe her but she claims she was hired by a Penny Widmore."

That name hit Kate like a pile of bricks, right away Desmond's words seemed to repeat over and over again.

"Penny is part of my past."

Standing there in shock, Kate opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Right away Sayid moved in closer.

"Kate?"

Kate blinked before snapping out of it, right away Sayid knew what was wrong. Quickly he kept talking.

"She has a satellite phone…it works. It appears there's a boat not that far off shore…"

Before Sayid could go any further Kate walked inside the tent, violently pushing the tarp aside. There she saw Desmond sitting beside a very beautiful yet weak looking woman. Desmond looked up, slightly suspired.

"Kate…"

"I need to talk with you right now."

Kate tried her hardest to control her anger. The woman weakly opened and closed her eyes a few times before Desmond quickly stood up. His eyes concerned.

"Kate what's wrong?"

"Now Desmond…"

Kate left the tent and began storming down the beach. Sayid watched as Desmond followed her. Within minutes Kate walked into the jungle, further away where nobody could hear them. Standing there she felt her head begin to swim again. Just then Desmond joined her.

"Kate what's wrong?"

Turning, Kate knew the only thing she had going for her was not to cry. Looking at him she wanted to say so much, instead she took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye.

"That woman…do you think she's telling the truth?"

"Kate…"

"That Penny hired her to rescue us?"

Desmond didn't say anything for a moment. Dropping his eyes he glanced up at her before sighing.

"Maybe…I don't know. Sayid still needs to look…"

Kate cut him off.

"Do you love her?"

"What?"

"Do you love her Desmond…yes or no, because we pretty much know how she still feels about you, after what did you say? Three years?"

"Kate…please…"

Kate shook her head, all ready feeling the tears coming.

"No…this was a mistake, I knew it was to good to be true."

Kate pushed past him attempting to go back to the beach, that's when Desmond grabbed her arm tightly and yanked her back.

"You're hurting me!"

Desmond made her face him, his eyes were wide and on edge as he looked her up and down.

"We don't even know if that is Penny's boat, or what this woman is doing here."

Kate looked down for a second before taking a deep breath.

"But…if there is a chance that she is here to rescue us…then…Penny sent her."

"I."

"And…if Penny sent her, if she went to all this trouble looking for you after all this time…it means she still loves you very much…"

"Kate…"

"No, let me finish…it means she searched the world for you and might be the reason why we're all saved…right?"

Desmond didn't answer, he looked ashamed. Kate went on, her voice slowly starting to break up.

"So I'll ask you again Desmond…do you love her?"

There was silence between the two of them before Desmond dropped his eyes.

That was all she needed to know. Stepping back and having him let go of her arm she looked at him as tears began to blur her vision. Trying to control her breathing she turned away, not wanting to look at him.

"Kate…I…"

"Go…just go…"

Kate said softly through the tears. Seconds later he tried taking hold of her shoulder but she shook him off. She felt sick to her stomach.

"Kate…"

That's when Kate broke away from him and started running into the jungle as fast as she could. Desmond simply watched her before lowering her head in shame.

A few minutes later Kate was far enough and stopped in a small field to catch her breath. Standing there her stomach started to act up again and she slapped her hand across her mouth before puking. Moments later she spit and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Standing she felt dizzy and couldn't control the horrible amounts of tears that were rushing down her face.

That's when she heard a voice.

"You shouldn't get so upset…it isn't good for you."

Kate froze before seeing Juliet slowly walk from behind some trees, that same stupid little smirk still on her face. Walking over, hands in her pockets she looked Kate over.

"Still nauseous?"

Kate didn't want to answer her, instead she turned away.

"Leave me alone!"

"I overheard you and Desmond…"

Kate turned, shooting a look at her before Juliet took a step closer.

"Don't worry, I won't anything…but from the looks of you…you're upset, let me just…"

"Get away from me!"

Kate snapped. Juliet looked at her, still completely calm.

"Kate, I know you don't like me…nor trust me. But I know you're scared…please let me at least try to set some of her mind to rest."

Kate stared at her unable to say a word.

Back at the beach Desmond popped his head into the tent telling Sayid who was looking over the phone to yell if he needed him. Sayid's eyes found his for a moment and right away both knew. Nodding, Sayid told him to get some rest and that he would get Hugo or Charlie to come and get him if anything changed.

Softly thanking him, Desmond's eyes went over to Naomi who was sleeping again. Leaving, Desmond walked back alone to the tent that Kate and him shared. Sitting down in front of it he never thought he would want something to drink more then he did then. Sighing he looked out at the water and thought of Penny.

Was it really true?

Then his eyes went down to the water, over near the surf. Right away he remembered that morning when Kate was standing there bleeding and screaming. Shutting his eyes he tried his hardest to fight again the vision. Thinking of her made his heart feel as if it was being torn it two places. Looking at the water he felt terrible.

After all this time…

He thought of Penny again and then thought of Kate.