Jack came through the door of his condo, his thoughts racing. He was overwhelmed with happiness over everything that had unfolded. That morning, after his phone call with Hurley, he had gathered the courage to dial Kate's number, hoping they might find a way to reconnect. Yet, he had also braced himself for the possibility of being turned away. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined things would turn out the way they had. The joy he felt was matched only by his sense of disbelief.
Lying in bed, feeling more at ease, Jack replayed every moment of the day in his mind. The way his heart had leaped at the first sight of Kate walking toward his car. The ease with which they'd talked and finally resolved their lingering issues at thecafé. The heat of their warm, passionate kiss in the park. The memory of their bodies entwined in pure bliss right here on this very bed, her fragrance still lingering between the sheets and pillows. And finally, the words she'd whispered as they parted.
"I miss you already."
"You'd have to be an idiot to mess this up." He muttered to himself aloud.
He knew he had to commit to doing things right this time. Kate had made the choice to let him back into her life, despite the way he had once run from hers. For the first time, Jack realized they had connected on a level far deeper than anything they'd shared on the island. She seemed more open, more willing to let him in emotionally—something he knew couldn't have been easy for her. Silently, he thanked the universe for this unexpected chance and reflected that only God knew just how much he had missed her during their time apart.
The next day, Jack found himself struggling to concentrate at work. There were patients to see and lives to save, but his mind kept drifting, preoccupied with the thought of seeing Aaron again. Aaron was still so little—just over two years old—and likely didn't remember him. Building a relationship with the boy would be uncharted territory, something Jack knew he'd have to navigate step by step. He didn't know how it would unfold, but he was eager to discover that part of himself as he went. After all, Aaron was his nephew. They shared the same blood, and Jack was the closest thing the child had to family, especially with his biological mother lost to the island. Jack couldn't shake the sense of responsibility he felt—not just to Aaron, but to Claire's memory and to Kate. It was his duty to be present in Aaron's life.
He glanced at his watch for the tenth time that day. "5:30 p.m. Time to go." He noticed.
It was a good thing Jack had managed to help Kate find a nice neighborhood on the east side of Los Angeles after she received her settlement money. Moving out of the Shephard family home marked the start of a new chapter in her life. Jack had been actively involved in helping her choose the right home—one that would provide a safe and secure environment for Aaron to grow up and for Kate to settle into her new reality. He had convinced her to look for a place relatively close to both Saint Sebastian's Hospital, where he worked, and his own apartment, just thirty minutes away, in case she or Aaron ever needed him. Kate visited quite a few homes for sale, and Jack made it a point to join her every time he could. She trusted his judgment, valued his input, and often relied on him to handle the more difficult negotiations with the sellers when needed.
Jack couldn't help but arrive a few minutes early. For once, he had hurried out of the hospital, determined to be right on time at Kate's house. He'd even managed to swing by a flower shop, picking up a bouquet he hoped would bring a smile to her face.
Right on time, the doorbell rang at the Austen household.
"Veronica, could you get that, please? Must be Jack." Kate called from upstairs. She was still in Aaron's room, trying to get him dressed. The little boy's endless squirming wasn't making the task any easier.
Veronica went to answer the door and found a handsome man standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a warm, if slightly bashful, smile.
"Hello, Dr. Shephard." Veronica greeted him.
Jack gave a faintly awkward smile, clearly having hoped Kate would be the one to greet him.
"Hi, Veronica. Please, just call me Jack."
"Jack. Welcome." She said, stepping aside to let him in.
"Thank you. Is Kate home?"
"She's upstairs, getting Aaron ready. She'll be down in just a bit." She said with a polite smile.
"Okay." Jack replied with a small nod.
"In the meantime, why don't you have a seat?" She offered, motioning toward the living room.
"Thanks." Jack said, settling onto the sofa as Veronica disappeared into another room.
"Those flowers are lovely—she's going to love them." She added over her shoulder before leaving.
Jack felt a warm sense of anticipation as he sat on the sofa, glancing briefly at the flowers in his hand. There was something about being here, waiting for Kate, that filled him with a quiet excitement.
"You're here." Kate's cheerful voice broke through his thoughts, light and teasing, as she descended the stairs with an easy grace.
"I missed you." Jack said, his voice soft but sincere, rising from the sofa as soon as she came into view.
Kate stepped into the living room, closing the distance between them with ease, and leaned in to greet him with a tender kiss.
"These are for you." Jack said, extending the bouquet toward her with a quiet smile.
"They're beautiful." Kate replied, her eyes lighting up as she took the flowers into her hands, pausing to admire them. Nestled among the stems was a small card, the words scrawled in his familiar handwriting.
Sorry, I couldn't find guava seeds.
With love,
Jack.
The note brought a warm laugh from Kate, her chuckle brimming with affection. It was such an endearing gesture, instantly transporting her back to the island. She remembered Jack's quiet yet heartfelt attempts to win her over with small but thoughtful acts. Intimate, gentlemanly, and sincere—those qualities defined the way he expressed his love, especially with her.
Searching in the underbrush, Jack pushed aside thick leaves with his hands, his senses fully alive in the humid jungle. The dampness clung to his skin, the earthy aroma of wet soil filling his nostrils as he moved. Above him, the canopy came alive with the chirping of unseen birds, their calls blending with the soft rustling of vines and leaves. Droplets of water from the recent rain hung precariously on dry fruits, slipping onto his fingers as he reached for them. The sticky residue of guava pulp clung to his hands as he split open a ripe fruit, exposing its seeds nestled inside.
But his thoughts weren't on the task itself—they were on her. Kate. Why was he doing this? Why was he, a spinal surgeon, rummaging through the jungle for guava seeds of all things? It wasn't like this was a pressing survival task. He wasn't even sure if this small gesture would make her laugh, but he couldn't seem to stop himself from wanting to try. Maybe it was the way she lit up when she realized someone cared enough to show her, or maybe it was the hope of seeing that rare, unguarded smile of hers. The one that could make him forget, even for a moment, the harsh reality of their situation as castaways.
But beyond that, this was also his way of making amends. They'd had a fight the day before, a tense, frustrating argument about the marshall's Halliburton case and its contents. He had pushed her too hard to share what she wasn't ready to reveal. He'd offered her a chance to start over, no questions asked—and then he'd broken that trust. He knew now how deeply that had hurt her, opening a wound she'd tried to keep hidden. Seeing the pain etched in her face had left him filled with guilt and regret. No matter how much her guarded nature or the mysteries surrounding her frustrated him, nothing justified the way he'd forced her hand.
And now here he was, hoping to mend what he'd broken with a handful of guava seeds. It felt ridiculous, but it was also all he could think of. He'd carried those seeds with him in his shirt pocket the entire day, keeping them safe like treasures, waiting for the right moment. A couple of hours before sunset, he'd spotted her at the caves, cleaning herself by the stream. That had been his opportunity.
"Hold out your hand." Jack had asked her once on the island, pulling something out of the pocket of his shirt.
Kate had looked at him, puzzled.
"You'll like it. I swear." Jack reassured her.
Kate extended her hand, and Jack dropped a few tiny, slimy things into her palm.
"Gross-gray-yellow thingies?" She'd asked with a skeptical laugh.
"No, no, no. These are… slimy-little-blue-black thingies." Jack said, grinning as he pulled his hand back, revealing what he'd placed in hers.
"Guava seeds?" Kate asked, surprised, breaking into a wide smile.
"What's a garden without guava?" Jack replied with a cheeky grin.
The answer had made Kate laugh out loud, and Jack had felt an odd sense of pride at being able to make her laugh over something so simple. He realized then how much he loved seeing her happy. Despite the bleak circumstances of life on the island, he wanted to find ways to bring her joy, to give her something good to hold on to in the chaos.
And then, a question crept into his mind—why? Why did her laughter mean so much to him? Why did her happiness feel like his own? Was he falling in love with her?
Kate, for her part, had begun to notice Jack's subtle gestures—those quiet, thoughtful ways he showed he cared. She'd even caught herself flirting back at times, leaning in to close the space between them or giving him lingering looks with her striking green eyes. But the real issue was that she wasn't ready to face whatever Jack might be feeling—or to confront her own feelings for him. She was a fugitive on the run, and he was a celebrated surgeon, a man people looked up to as a hero. How could a relationship like theirs possibly work in the real world, beyond the strange, suspended reality of the island?
"That's the smile I fell in love with." Jack said aloud, the words slipping out as though they were meant to stay unspoken.
Kate heard him and felt a rush of warmth in her chest, her cheeks flushing slightly—not from embarrassment, but from the tenderness of his words. She was still adjusting to the ease with which Jack now expressed his feelings, so naturally and openly, as if he'd been holding them in for far too long and could no longer keep them to himself.
"Mom?" Aaron's small voice called from the staircase, breaking the moment. He was making his way down carefully, holding onto Veronica's hand for support.
Jack and Kate turned toward the little boy. Aaron, with his blond hair and striking blue eyes—so much like Claire's—was clutching a small plastic dinosaur, the toy he'd been carrying with him everywhere lately.
"Here I am, baby." Kate said warmly, stepping forward to scoop him up into her arms. At this age, Aaron was clearly attached to her, always wanting to stay close. She passed the bouquet to Veronica with a grateful smile, asking her to put the flowers in water, then turned her attention back to her son.
"Aaron, this is Jack—" She introduced him, her voice soft and reassuring. "Jack is my friend, and he's coming with us to play at the park today."
Jack stepped forward cautiously, crouching slightly to meet Aaron at his eye level. "Hi there, little guy." He said with a warm smile, his tone playful and inviting.
Aaron reached out his tiny hand, his curiosity evident as he gently touched Jack's face.
"He wants to say hi." Kate said softly, her voice carrying a note of encouragement. "Come closer."
Jack hesitated briefly, then leaned in, letting Aaron's small fingers pat his face. Kate noticed that Jack seemed a bit nervous. Of course, it wasn't like he hadn't met Aaron before—Jack had held and cared for him as a baby several times. But she understood that this was different. Aaron was now a toddler, capable of interacting, forming his own personality, and creating memories. Aaron was also the last living connection to Claire, and Kate knew that Jack probably felt a deep sense of responsibility to be part of his life.
"Jack." Aaron said, his tiny voice repeating the name clumsily.
Jack smiled, his heart melting at the boy's earnest effort. "That's right, buddy. I'm Jack." he said warmly, gently taking Aaron's small hand in his own. "Want to come to the park with me?"
Aaron nodded with excitement, his eyes lighting up at the invitation.
"He's just starting to form words, but he understands so much more than we give him credit for." Kate added, pressing a kiss to Aaron's soft cheek.
"Shall we?" Jack asked, glancing toward the front door.
Kate set Aaron down on his feet and picked up her bag, which held a few of Aaron's favorite toys—ones he refused to part with lately.
"Here, let me carry that." Jack offered, taking the bag from her shoulder.
Kate took Aaron's hand, and to their surprise, Aaron extended his other hand toward Jack. For a moment, Jack stared at the boy, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. But then, his face softened with a tender smile as he reached out to take Aaron's tiny hand in his own. Together, the three of them walked to the car, hand in hand.
At the park, they let Aaron settle into the sandbox, where he eagerly joined a group of children. Though still small, he seemed fascinated by the way the other kids played, occasionally standing up to toddle a few steps across the sand. Every so often, he'd hold up his favorite toy—a small car or dinosaur—to share with the other kids, or turn around to proudly show it to Jack, as if seeking his approval.
"He's growing fast." Jack remarked, his eyes following Aaron as the boy eagerly played in the sand.
"And he's so smart—and such a little troublemaker." Kate said with a laugh. "I can't take my eyes off him for a second. The moment I look even slightly distracted, he's already figuring out a way to get into something he shouldn't."
"Oh yeah? Sounds familiar." Jack quipped, his voice tinged with humor. He was already thinking of all the times Kate had ignored his warnings. Like when he'd told her not to come back for him, only for her to risk everything to rescue him anyway. Or the time he'd insisted, for her to stay at the hatch pressing the button while Locke, Sawyer and he went after Michael, and she'd immediately found someone to take her place so she could charge into the jungle after them. And let's not forget him yelling for her not to pick up that doll she'd found in the jungle. — a command she'd blatantly ignored, resulting in both of them caught in a net.
Memories of those moments flooded his mind, each one painting a vivid picture of Kate's relentless spirit and unyielding determination to run headfirst toward danger—especially if it meant standing by his side.
Kate chuckled, giving him a playful nudge with her elbow, fully aware of what he was implying.
The sound of Jack's phone ringing cut through their moment. He reached into his pocket, pulling it out to check the screen:
Hugo Reyes
"It's Hurley." He said to Kate before answering the call. "Hey, Hurley!" Jack greeted cheerfully.
"Hey, man! How are you? Everything okay?"
"Yeah, man. Everything's fine."
"I just wanted to check on you. After our conversation yesterday, I couldn't help but worry a little about you."
"Thanks for the advice. I'm doing a lot better now." Jack said, glancing over at Kate with a small, reassuring smile, careful not to let too much of his new circumstances slip to Hurley.
"I really hope—we all hope—you and Kate can work things out." Hurley added, his tone shifting slightly, sounding more pointed and curious.
While Hurley was one of his closest friends, and someone who had often voiced his desire to see Jack and Kate end up together, Jack wasn't ready to share their relationship with the world just yet. At least, not now. He and Kate were only just starting to date, feeling their way through this new chapter, and he wanted to keep it private for as long as they could—to savor it, to enjoy the simplicity of being just the two of them, wrapped in their own little bubble of happiness. For once, they could explore their love without the weight of prying eyes or impossible circumstances. Jack firmly believed that the best way to nurture their relationship was to give it the peace and privacy they'd never been afforded on the island.
"I hope so too." Jack replied, keeping his tone casual, feigning nonchalance.
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.
"So—you sure you're okay? Anything you'd like to share?" Hurley asked, his tone nudging, as though fishing for details he already had a hunch about.
"No, Hurley. Why do you ask?" Jack replied, his voice steady but laced with caution.
Another pause lingered on the line.
Then Hurley finally said: "We know, Jack."
Jack's brow furrowed. "Know what?"
"You know—you and Kate. You're together, aren't you?" Hurley said, his tone probing yet light, trying to catch any hint in Jack's voice or tone. After a moment of silence from Jack, he added, "Like, together together—like partners together."
Jack froze. It was his turn to fall silent. For a few seconds, he simply stared at the ground, his mind racing for a response.
"Hello?" Hurley asked. "You still there?"
"How—How—How do you—" Jack stammered, struggling to form a coherent sentence as he tried to process what he'd just heard.
"Maybe I saw a picture online—of you two arriving at Kate's house. You know, one of those gossip sites." Hurley replied casually. "You were holding hands."
"Wait, what? Where?" Jack's voice shot up, a mix of surprise and concern.
"TM-something... E! Online, maybe. It's everywhere! Haven't you seen the news?"
Of course, he hadn't seen the news.
"What?!" Jack exclaimed, jumping up from the bench, his sudden reaction immediately catching Kate's attention. She turned toward him, concern etched on her face as she tried to make sense of his sudden shift in demeanor.
"You do know, right? Ever since Kate's trial, you've had paparazzi on your tail. Did that slip your mind or somethin'?" Hurley added, as if stating the obvious.
Of course, Jack had forgotten about that too.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Kate asked, standing up as well, her brow furrowed with worry as she searched his face for an explanation.
Jack turned to her, letting out a small breath. "Apparently, we made the news today."
Kate's confusion deepened. "What do you mean?"
"A paparazzi followed us last night." Jack clarified, his tone both annoyed and resigned.
"Is Kate over there?" Hurley jumped in, having picked up on her voice in the background.
"Wait a second. Let me put you on speaker." Jack said, pressing the button.
"Hi, Hurley." Kate greeted warmly. It had been a while since she'd last heard from her friend, and, truthfully, she realized how much she'd missed him.
"Hey, Kate! I'm so stoked for you two." Hurley replied, barely managing to contain the excitement in his voice about the big news. He'd always been their biggest supporter.
"Thanks, Hurley. I guess everyone knows now , huh?" Kate said with a smile.
"It's about time! We were even taking bets on how long it'd take for you two to work things out after the trial. Pretty sure I won." Hurley said, letting a little too much slip.
Jack jumped in. "Wait—is that why you called me yesterday?"
"Uh—no?" Hurley said, his tone not at all convincing.
"No?" Jack repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Alright, alright, you got me, dude." Hurley admitted with a small laugh. "But don't complain! You needed a push, and honestly? You owe me one."
"I'm glad you did, Hurley." Kate added, glancing at Jack with a playful look.
"Hey, listen, since you guys have patched things up, how about coming over to my place this Sunday for a barbecue?" Hurley suggested, his voice casual but hopeful. After a brief pause, he added, "Sayid, Nadia, and Sun will be there too."
Kate and Jack exchanged glances, silently deliberating. They'd hoped to keep their relationship private at least for a little, but clearly, that wasn't an option anymore. Things were moving faster than they'd anticipated, and hiding it was no longer feasible. Still, Sayid, Sun, and Hurley were more than just friends—they were family, woven into the fabric of their shared history and struggles. It wouldn't feel right not to share this happiness with them. Trusting wholeheartedly in their loyalty and friendship, Jack and Kate came to a silent agreement.
"Sure." They answered in unison.
"Great! I'll see you this Sunday then. Oh, and bring Aaron too."
"Of course." They replied again, chuckling softly at how in sync they were.
"You two are too cute. I love you guys. See you son." Hurley said warmly before ending the call.
Jack let out a quiet sigh, dragging his hand slowly from his forehead through his hair—a gesture Kate recognized all too well, one he always made when he was stressed. He looked at her with a slightly troubled smile.
"Damn it." He muttered under his breath, glancing at her again. "This is not how I wanted."
Kate gave him a soft smile, stepping closer as she placed her hand on the back of his neck, her thumb brushing gently against his skin in an instinctive effort to comfort him. "Don't worry about it. We'll be fine." She said softly, her tone calm and reassuring, grounding him back to the moment.
But Jack's mind was already spinning, a quiet storm of thoughts brewing. He couldn't stop himself from slipping into problem-solving mode.
"Maybe I should hire a publicist or something—someone who can help us dealing with all this attention." He said, his voice tinged with an edge of anxiety as he began reaching for his phone. "I'll call my lawyer. We need to figure out how to keep the paparazzi off our backs, especially to protect Aaron."
Kate watched him for a moment, noticing the way his hand tightened slightly around his phone, his brows furrowed with concern. His focus was already miles ahead, thinking about all the possible solutions, all the ways he could protect her and Aaron.
Gently, she stepped closer and slid her hand into his, letting her fingers brush against his palm. The warmth of her touch, the simplicity of the gesture, brought him back to the present.
"Hey—" She said softly, her voice calm but steady, drawing his gaze to hers. "We'll figure it out. Okay?"
Jack stopped, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he let her words sink in. He nodded, his eyes holding hers. Somehow, he found exactly what he needed. There was a quiet strength in her eyes, a sense of certainty that eased the tension building in his chest.
"Okay." He finally said. He gave her a faint smile, squeezing her hand gently. Kate smiled back, knowing she'd gotten through to him.
For now, the world outside could wait.
"I guess that explains why that woman keeps glancing over at us." Kate pointed, tilting her head slightly toward a woman seated a few meters away, who seemed to be stealing repeated looks in their direction.
"I thought it was because of how handsome I am." Jack quipped, his tone light and teasing, clearly fishing for a reaction.
Kate raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "You're... fine." She replied with mock indifference, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
He pretended to be offended as he leaned back slightly, crossing his arms and gazing dramatically up at the sky. "That's not what you said last night." He added after a beat with a smirk that made it impossible not to laugh.
"Jack!" Kate blurted, a mix of amusement and mock outrage in her voice as she gave him a playful shove, her cheeks tinting the faintest shade of pink.
Their brief moment of joy was cut short as little Aaron toddled over, his tiny feet kicking up sand as he reached out his small hand toward Jack, a clear invitation for him to join him at the playground.
"Look at that! He likes you." Kate said with a soft smile, watching the interaction unfold.
"Yeah? How can you tell?" Jack asked, his voice light with curiosity as he crouched slightly, taking Aaron's hand and letting the boy guide him wherever he wanted to go.
Kate, already on her feet, followed them with a soft smile. "Normally, I'm the one he runs to, the one he shows everything to. But today? He's all about you—showing you every little thing he does. He's looking for your approval. Kids only do that when they feel comfortable with someone."
Jack glanced at her, his expression gentle, and replied with a kind smile before turning his attention back to Aaron. The little boy was pointing insistently at the slide, gesturing for Jack to help him climb it. Without hesitation, Jack lifted Aaron into his arms, holding him securely as the boy squealed with delight.
As Kate watched them interact, she couldn't help but think back to the time she and Aaron had lived with Jack. Back then, Jack had been an incredible help, always stepping in to care for Aaron whenever she needed it. Whether it was feeding him, soothing him to sleep, or entertaining him with silly games, Jack had been present and patient. And although Aaron had been just a baby at the time, Kate wondered if, on some level, he still remembered Jack. Maybe that's why he felt so safe around him now—like he knew, instinctively, that Jack was someone he could trust.
Kate stayed nearby, watching but letting the moment evolve naturally. She didn't want to interrupt the easy connection that was developing between them. She had worried that, after so much time apart, Jack might find it difficult to reconnect with Aaron. But the reality couldn't have been further from her fears.
It was seamless. Jack had a way with children—a calm, playful side that seemed to emerge effortlessly whenever he was around them. With Aaron, he had already fallen into a rhythm, responding to the boy's every unspoken cue with care and attention. And Aaron, for his part, seemed to have already decided that Jack was his new favorite person.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Kate allowed herself to breathe, to feel as though life was finally starting to align. She was standing beside the man she loved. She was free from her past. And she was raising a bright, loving son who gave her the strength to face the shadows of her memories. The island and the people they had lost would always be a part of her, but today, she had every reason to hope.
She glanced at Jack, who was now laughing as Aaron slid down into his arms, the boy's giggles filling the air. This was her life now—a life worth holding on to.
Jack had been her constant in the chaos, the man who, without hesitation or questions, had done everything to protect her and give her a second chance. And now, she was ready to embrace that chance—with him by her side.