Note: Thanks for waiting a month for this chapter. The next one it´s already on the making but will take a while to get it done since it´s larger than this one, but I promise will be so worth it! Also, I NEED to start writing chapter 9 in the spanish version so I can get it done in english soon. Again, thanks Erica for your feedback and notes. Love the way you want the readers to get Jack and Kate´s emotions right through words :)
Jack felt nervous as he drove down the busy streets to their location. The date hadn't been prearranged; in fact, it had come together in a completely impromptu manner.
Since leaving the island, he had frequently fantasized about what a date with Kate would be like, free from constant threats and danger that had always loomed over them. They had their fair share of quiet moments by the fire, talking, sitting and just finding comfort in each other's company, even teasing as they swiped small bites of the other's food. He wanted to impress her, to show her he could be tender and the loving man she deserved, not that he hadn't given her glimpses of it on the island, but he was terrified that everything could go wrong then, it was different now.
They had experienced and faced so much together that a date felt almost surreal now. As he navigated the roads, his thoughts swung with excitement and uncertainty. He recalled challenging moments on the island, times he had tried to protect her, to take care of her, and how, no matter the challenge, they always found a way to find each other, and faced it together, as if an unseen force were pulling them into the other. Today, he wanted to honor the connection they couldn't escape, one he would never bear to lose. That's why he had chosen Elysian Park, a place he had recently discovered and deemed perfect for a "Kate-style" date. The view of the city at sunset, peaceful trails, and the tranquil ambiance were exactly what they needed to talk and reconnect. Yet, Jack couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Would it be enough for her? Would he be enough for her? While these thoughts swirled in his mind, Jack turned off the engine, quickly got out, and jogged around to the passenger side to open the car door.
"Elysian Park—I didn't know you liked long walks in nature." Kate remarked as she stepped out of the car, taking in the surroundings with a curious smile.
Jack held the door and offered her his strong hand to help her down. The carriage was somewhat high, so he knew it could be awkward to exit the car. "Old island habits, I suppose." He gave her a teasing smile and explained.
Kate placed a second foot outside the Ford Bronco and stood up. Jack still held her hand. She glanced down for a second to look at their intertwined hands, then looked up and joked. "If I'd known we were coming on an adventure, I would have brought hiking boots and my gun." She replied with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
"This time, I promise I won't ask you to stay." Jack chuckled lightly as he shut the truck´s door behind her.
"Good. Because if you did, the only option I'd have would be to follow you again." Kate said with a knowing smile. Jack felt his cheeks grow warm and gave a soft, amused grin in return.
He remembered all the times Kate had wanted to follow him into the jungle or had returned to help him despite his explicit requests for her not to. She was always coming back for him. Every single time, Jack was trying to prevent Kate from getting involved in any situation that might endanger her life, because he couldn't bear the thought of her getting hurt or worse. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her. On the other hand, Kate was never good at dealing with the uncertainty of whether Jack would come back to the camp and to her, safely or not. She had decided to disregard his requests and go after him anyway, every single time. Even if it caused tension between them, she wouldn't allow anything to happen to him without being there to help him. She could handle tension, but she couldn't handle him getting hurt or loosing him altogether.
Elysian Park was an urban oasis set on a small hill nearby downtown Los Angeles. The park spanned several hectares and had trails for walking. It was the perfect spot for a family walk in nature without leaving the city. Additionally, it featured several viewpoints, perfect for a romantic and private contemplation at dusk.
They both started walking into the park along a dirt trail. They could clearly hear the crunch of gravel under their feet, birds singing at sunset, and the distant laughter of children playing around the park.
"¿So, what's your history with this place?" Kate glanced up at Jack as they walked.
Jack knew she would ask that, as a small smile lit his face. He shook his head at how well he knew her" and slowly shook his head in denial. "I don't have any history here. This is my first time."
"Have you never brought any girlfriends here?" She gave him a small nudge with her shoulder. "With this view— I'd think it's a nice place for a date. Don't you dare lie to me, Jack Shephard." She teased him, finding the catch of a spark in his eyes and that intoxicating smile something she wanted in her life on a permanent basis.
"Does this not seem like a date to you?" Jack asked, locking eyes with her. "I'm telling you the truth, this is my first time here." Then, he raised his index finger in the air to emphasize his point. "And to be perfectly clear, you are the only one." Jack noticed a smile played on her lips.
"You know, when we were on the island, I was always trying to find ways to surprise you with little details, sometimes making you laugh and other times giving you guava seeds for the garden. I was always wondering if I'd ever have the chance to ask you out— you know, like on a real date. And when we left the island, I started planning where I'd take you. That's how I found out about this place. It's so —you."
Kate thought Jack couldn't be any more charming at this very moment. He really knew her well. Then, she felt this warm impulse on her chest to kiss him but stopped herself, suddenly remembering it might be rushing things, and they still had issues to work on and talk about along the way.
"Thank you, Jack. This is beautiful." She said, shifting her gaze around to take in the surroundings.
Indeed, the view of downtown Los Angeles couldn't be better. Along their walk and conversation, they had reached the top of a small hill within the city. At the top, there was a viewpoint from where you could see the tallest buildings in downtown Los Angeles and the Dodger's Stadium. At this time of day, the sun was already beginning to set, and the city's bright lights were starting to show up discreetly. They contemplated the view for a few minutes, sharing their warm silence, simply enjoying each other's company and putting to rest the chaos they had endured. It felt like those moments in front of the fire on the island, when knowing the other was near gave them the comfort and strength to keep going and to keep fighting.
"¿So, how's Aaron?" Jack broke the silence to ask about his nephew. He hadn't seen him for about a year and missed the sweet boy as much as he missed her.
"He's fine. He's growing up so fast, Jack. He's the sweetest, smartest little boy— I think it's a family trait."
"Yeah, well, I think the Shephards didn't turn out so bad after all." Jack replied, showing off.
"Actually, I think he got it from the Middletons." Kate teased him. She wouldn't let him win this time.
"Sure." Jack laughed.
"He's learning to use color pencils. The other day, I found him drawing on the walls. When I walked in and saw this was happening, I scolded him and told him I wouldn't read him any more stories if he didn't help me clean up the mess. Since he wouldn't help clean anything, I caught him that night holding his favorite storybook and making up stories at loud—because, you know, he can't read and doesn't speak very well either." Kate pointed out realizing something. "That attitude I think he did get from the Shephards, they're way too stubborn."
Jack looked at her and frowned, suggesting she was making things up, while he noticed another smile growing wider on her face. He smiled back, glad they were finding their rapport and sense of humor again. Then, he admitted he was quite stubborn and, raising a hand, pleaded, "Guilty."
They both turned right to keep walking along a different path in the park, moving side by side. Now, Jack seemed thoughtful. Kate's story about Aaron had made him question himself about how many other important bits of his life he was missing, and it pained him deeply not to be there for him.
"I'd like to see him." Jack said suddenly. "I feel like I've missed so much during this time, and I've missed him a lot." As he said this, a sorrowful expression clouded Jack's eyes. "Do you think I can visit him?"
Kate noticed his eyes filling with tears, along with genuine desire to be part of the child's life again. So she tenderly rested her hand on his cheek, gently caressing it, offering him a profound sense of comfort and empathy.
"Yes, Jack. I'd love that. You can visit Aaron anytime you want."
"Thank you." Jack replied with a sigh.
She noticed a sense of relief on his expression and returned his smile before her gaze shifted past Jack, drawn to something that caught her attention.
"Look, there's a swing!" Kate exclaimed, catching Jack by surprise as she took his hand and led him towards it. "I haven't been on one of these in years." She added cheerfully as she settled onto the swing and invited Jack to join her. They swung side by side, their feet facing opposite directions, easily catching each other's eyes with each sway. Suddenly, Kate's joy gave way to regret. She struggled to understand why, despite Jack's evident love and support for her, she wasn't able to gather the courage to pursue their relationship on the island. She realized that setting aside, even for a moment, her belief that she wasn't enough for him, and expressing her true feelings to Jack, would have been enough. What a waste of time and love.
Her friendship with Sawyer had evolved into a confusing and toxic relationship. She had even come to realize that she had used him as a pawn when things with Jack were too intense. This strategy backfired, only serving to push Jack further away. Perhaps she sought solace in Sawyer to avoid feeling alone or to find kinship with another outcast. Despite his troubled past, Sawyer was a good man who cared for and loved her, which is why he rarely rejected her advances. But he wasn't him. He wasn't Jack.
Jack noticed that Kate's demeanor had shifted from joy to deep contemplation. Concern etched on his face, he gently reached out and touched her arm.
"Hey, Are you okay?" He asked, his voice sweet and filled with genuine worry.
"I owe you an apology." Kate replied.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked with a sigh. She closed her eyes, searching for the right words in her mind and heart before continuing.
"Do you remember the day you asked me to come with you to the spot where the Others had marked the line we couldn't cross?" She paused, smiling wistfully at the memory. "When we got caught in the net? —When I apologized for kissing you?"
"Yes— yes, I remember." Jack nodded, a smile spreading across his face as he recalled the moment with both humor and nostalgia.
"I take it back. I've never regretted kissing you. The only thing I do regret is not staying in your arms that day and running away."
Kate studied Jack's silence for a few seconds; he seemed at a loss for words, so she continued, her eyes reflecting vulnerability and remorse. "I was afraid of what we could become. I was afraid of—falling in love." Jack's eyes widened in surprise, his heart racing.
"I've lost so many people I love, Jack. And—thinking about what might have happened between us if I hadn't run away after that kiss—has haunted me ever since."
Jack frowned slightly, locking eyes with her as he tried to take in her words. "Why are you telling me this, now?" He asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Because, I don't want us to keep wondering what might have been." Kate sought Jack's gaze, confusion and pain evident in his eyes. She knew everything she had put him through after their first kiss. That's why she wanted that memory and core feelings of that moment to become a new beginning for them, a beginning based on honesty, love and all the good things they had to offer.
Kate awaited a response, her heartbeat quickening in the suspenseful silence. He took a deep breath, allowing himself time to absorb her words. The sincerity in her voice and intensity in her eyes made him realize the depth of her feelings. He kept his eyes fixed on her green eyes, still deafeningly quiet. But she noticed Jack's gaze was shifting timidly to her lips and back again to her eyes, with desire. She smiled, and he smiled back. Both cosmically agreeing that they didn't want to keep wondering.
Kate closed her eyes and leaned in towards Jack, her fingers tracing gently along his cheek, drawing him closer. He felt the warmth of her forehead pressing against his, their breaths quickened with anticipation. Taking in the intensity of the moment, Jack delicately held her freckled cheeks in his hands, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and finally, their gazes locked in a meaningful connection, finding themselves.
"Then let's find out." Jack whispered, adding a tender, warm smile.
They collapsed into a passionate and desperate kiss. Jack slid his hands to Kate's waist, gently pulling her closer, feeling the light curve of her body against his. In return, she let Jack hold her and guide her to him, her mouth urgently exploring his. She felt the heat of their bodies filling the space between them, and each soft touch slowly ignited a spark of desire they could no longer ignore. She craved this as much as he did, evident in the way her body responded to his. She couldn't help but caress and embrace him as they kissed.
Then, Kate slid her hands under Jack's leather jacket, moving around his waist, and beneath his shirt, finally meeting the warmth of his bare skin. Jack shivered at the touch of her cold fingers. She was searching for him in ways she never had before, and he couldn't help but feel they were venturing into places they had only imagined but never explored. Their breathing deepened with each touch and kiss.
The situation was escalating beyond their control. His heart beating hard and feeling intense heat and a stirring, arousing sensation within him. Suddenly, remembering they were in a public place, and against his will, he cupped her face in his hands and paused to catch his breath. They both took a few moments to compose themselves, their lips still burning and brushing, their breaths in sync.
"Do you want to go somewhere else?" Kate asked tentatively.
Jack paused for a moment to digest her question, incredulous at this turn of events that were clouding his mind and racing his thoughts. He hadn't anticipated things escalating this far so quickly.
Kate noticed the shocked glaze in his eyes, and the loss of the ability to form a complete sentence, or any sound at all. Sensing hesitation, she gently added, "It's okay if you don't want to—"
Jack hastily interrupted her. "My apartment is nearby."
Kate smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, and nodded in agreement, signaling her acceptance of what was to come next.
What do you think is gonna happen on Jack´s apartment? I´m reading your suggestions :)