Chapter 2

Revelations

As Daniel closed the door behind him he felt a slight hint of resentment, he had grown terribly fond of Kate and although he knew Jack well enough to know that he would never intentionally go out of his way to hurt her, he felt at times that Jack was taking advantage of the fact that Kate was totally besotted with him. It hadn't really helped matters when Daniel had returned to Kate's cabin a little too prematurely not giving Jack and Kate enough time in which to patch up their somewhat strained relationship.

He sighed, a long heavy sigh, before deciding that what he really needed was a good strong cup of coffee.

…..

His head buried in a dusty old book, Daniel had only just taken the last sip from the cup in front of him when Kate came into the refectory. On seeing him there she quickly sidled past him her head bowed down and her face hidden by her mass of red hair. He surmised that in the short time it had taken him to drink his coffee that Jack's attempts at persuasion had been cut short and that something was definitely amiss.

As Kate walked over to the cupboards he sneaked a glance over the top of his glasses adjusting them to take a better look as she picked up a large bread knife that had been left on the kitchen worktop and proceeded to carve into a packet of Daniels favourite biscuits. She seemed distracted and confused and suddenly began shaking and on closer observation Daniel realised she was sobbing, the knife wavering precariously in her hand.

Daniel got up quickly and went over to her cautiously approaching from behind, he removed the knife from her and put it safely on the work top. Then, turning her gently round to face him he attempted to coax her hands away from her face which was flushed and wet with her tears. For several seconds he couldn't help but gaze into her pretty glazed eyes as she stared hopelessly back at him. As he gently wiped away her tears, her moist lips quivering with emotion he found himself inexplicably drawn towards her and he lowered his face to hers and kissed her mouth, ever so gently. What was even more unexpected was Kate's response to his kiss because instead of pulling away from him as he'd expected her to do, she tenderly yielded to his embrace.

Daniels fingers gently grasped her hair as he breathed in her subtle womanly scent and his pulse suddenly raced. He pulled her towards him and kissed her more fervently until suddenly, he felt her hand on his chest… and he found himself reluctantly being pushed away.

He touched her cheek his lips wet with anticipation and he attempted to draw her close again, but Kate pulled away. Daniel realised by her expression that her reaction to his embrace had come as a shock to her.

"I'm sorry!" he apologised just at the very moment Jack happened to stroll nonchalantly into the refectory.

"Sorry for what?" Jack called out as he walked towards them, curiously examining Daniel who gulped nervously.

Kate quickly turned away and attempted to look busy. There was an uncomfortable silence as Jack came around to the kitchen and proceeded to open each and every cupboard, pulling out tins and packets of whatever he thought might be edible. He turned to Daniel and looked him straight in the eyes. "So! What did I miss?"

"You and Daniel! You're leaving me again aren't you?" Kate asked in an emotionally filled voice.

Daniel and Jack both looked stunned.

"What gave you that idea? No-ones going anywhere!" Jack answered sharply. "It's almost 10 below out there."

Jack knelt down, half his body disappeared inside a cupboard, then popping out again and raising his head he addressed Kate. "This hasn't got anything to do with that envelope you showed me?"he asked.

Daniel raised his eyebrows and picked up a tin of corned beef examining the label for a sell by date. "What envelope?"

Kate took the envelope from her pocket and showed it to Daniel. Daniel tilted his head and gazed at Kate enquiringly.

"I found it in my boot this morning, while we were getting ready to board the helicopter." She spoke softly, glancing over at Jack who was still half submerged inside a cupboard. "I asked Jack if he knew anything about it, he denied writing it but..."

Jack popped out making the two shrink back against the cupboards. "Tell me… why write you a letter when I'm right here?" he was obviously frustrated as he thrust several packs of walnut chip cookies onto the worktop.

Daniel examined the envelope. "Well, it is stamped Colorado Springs and it definitely looks like your handwriting!" he exclaimed.

Kate stepped backwards as Jack got up angrily. "So just open the darn thing." He said and was just about to reach out and take it from her when something caught Kate's eye and she jumped back with a scream.

Half a dozen large cockroaches had crawled out the sink and were crawling along the worktop. As quick as lightening, Jack grabbed a rolling pin from the open drawer and as Daniel watched open mouthed, he wacked the cockroaches hard causing blood, guts and decapitated body parts splatter in all directions and especially over Kate.

Kate screamed and made a beeline for the door and Daniel turned to Jack in utter disgust. Jack was totally unrepentant taking several packets of cookies away with him, leaving Daniel to scrape up their remains.

….

Kate dashed along the corridor to the first dormitory and dropped the letter on the bed as she headed straight for the shower. She hopped to avoid pieces of bug flesh as she undressed and deposited her clothes in a large plastic laundry bag at the back of the door. Then, turning on the shower she climbed inside allowing the warm blast of water to rinse away all the nasty bug bits from her face, her neck and her hair.

She opened her eyes with a start as she found herself thinking back to Daniel's kiss and quickly blinking the water from her eyes and as if trying to remove the thoughts along with the bugs she grabbed a bar of soap and zealously scrubbed herself down.

Turning off the shower, she put on a white towelling robe and stepped out and headed for the bedroom. As she entered she gasped in surprise at Daniel, who was sat on the bed.

Daniel raised his head and looked her up and down making her feel slightly nervous.

"I didn't mean to startle you, I'm sorry I realised you were in the shower and decided to move my things."

Kate followed his gaze and realised there were bits and pieces of Daniel's belongings scattered around the room. In her dilemma she had just gone straight for the first unlocked door and into the shower without checking if the room was already taken.

"Oh, it's my fault, I didn't realise, I'll just leave!" she exclaimed totally exasperated with herself at this point.

Daniel got up from the bed and walked towards her and taking another towel from the locker he gently dabbed the water that was trickling from Kate's hair onto her shoulders.

"Please...don't," she panted and stepped back.

Daniel was quick to respond and handed her the towel saving her any more embarrassment. "I'll leave you to get dressed then," he added in a slightly dejected tone before turning to walk away.

Kate took a deep breath and quivered, just then she noticed the letter that Daniel had opened and that he had tossed back onto the bed and wondered why he hadn't mentioned it.

Kate picked up the letter from the bed and read it aloud. Daniel had stopped in the doorway waiting for her to finish.

Dear Kate,

I did something really stupid, things are going to get really weird and I don't have much time...

I just wanted you to know that I'm glad that you weren't in the cargo hold when i pressed the button

and I wish I could be there with you, instead of here at home..slowly going crazy.

Kate's voice started to break and she raised her head and emotionally read the rest of the note.

I really miss you.

Love Jack