Autors note: Back at it with Chapter 8! Honestly, I feel like this story is consuming me, and it's taken me so much time to move forward. But I'm almost done with the infamous Chapter 9—the one that's taken me over a year to write—so I hope it will be a worthy reward for those of you who have stuck with this story.
Once again, thank you to everyone who has left reviews and continues to follow my work. Your kind words are incredibly comforting and rewarding—they truly keep me motivated to keep writing. I can't express my gratitude enough!
PS: A huge thanks to ForeverErica for having my back with this one. Your encouragement has been key to me as a writer. ❤️
The first patient of the morning had just left Jack's office—a 54-year-old woman suffering from a lumbar hernia. Jack had been meticulously reviewing her case, running diagnostic tests to decide whether surgery would be the best course of action. He suspected it would be necessary, as it appeared to be the most effective way to improve her quality of life.
As had become usual in recent months, his schedule was fully booked, with patients hoping for the chance to be treated by his "miraculous hands." Renowned as one of the world's leading spinal surgeons, Jack's reputation alone ensured that his calendar was perpetually overflowing. This demand had only intensified after his unbelievable survival from the Oceanic Flight 815 crash, a feat that had earned him the media's somewhat tongue-in-cheek nickname: "Handsome Doctor of the Oceanic Six."
"There's no better marketing than surviving a plane crash, right?" Jack often found himself joking about the unexpected boost to his career.
The weight of that responsibility often bore down on him more than he cared to admit, but Jack prided himself on staying focused—for his patients, if not for himself. Yet, this morning, his distraction had nothing to do with the demands of his profession.
By mid-morning, Jack found his thoughts hopelessly tangled around Kate—her radiant smile, those piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through him, the way her skin shivered at his soft touch, and the way their bodies fit together perfectly when they made love.
"Screw it. I'm calling her." He talked to himself, finally surrendering to the persistent pull of her presence in his mind. Reaching for his phone, he quickly dialed her number.
It barely rang for just a few seconds before her voice came through, warm and teasing.
"Morning, handsome."
A slow, irresistible smile spread across his face, softening his features as his eyes lit up with warmth. His reply came gentle and heartfelt, carrying a tenderness reserved only for her. "Morning, green eyes."
His reply brought a soft smile to her lips, her heart fluttering just a little. "You're calling early." Kate said, her tone laced with curiosity and a faint note of concern as she moved around the kitchen. She cradled the phone between her shoulder and ear, while making Aaron's breakfast. The little boy was still sound asleep, gifting her one of those rare, quite mornings where the house felt unusually calm. "Is everything okay?" She asked, her voice softer now.
Over time, Kate had developed a skill for recognizing the subtle tones in Jack's voice. She could tell when he was calm, angry, surprised, happy—or worried about her. This time, his tone was different. It carried a blend of tenderness, hidden excitement, and something else she couldn't quite place yet.
"Everything's fine. Just wanted to hear your voice... see how you're doing." He said, his tone casual.
Kate let out a soft chuckle, her smile deepening as she leaned against the counter. "Are you at the clinic right know?" She asked, already guessing the answer but enjoying the rhythm of their small talk.
"Yeah, I just started my shift not too long ago." Jack replied, his voice carrying a slight edge of weariness. He hesitated for a moment before releasing a quiet sigh, admitting something he'd been holding back. "I miss you."
Kate's heart gave a little tug at his words, her chest warming instantly.
"This." She pointed to herself, pressing a hand lightly to her chest with a playful smile. "This is what Jack sounds like when he's in love."
She bit her lip for a moment, trying to keep the butterflies in check, before replying in a voice equally soft and full of affection, "I miss you too."
"Listen, what do you think about having dinner with me tonight after work?" Jack asked, leaning back in his chair. There was a flicker of hope in his tone, an eagerness he couldn't quite hide as he waited for her answer.
"I'd love to—" Kate began, her voice genuine. "But I promised Sun we'd meet up today to celebrate the trial being over. You know, a girls' night."
Jack let out a slow breath, nodding even though she couldn't see him. He leaned forward, resting his elbow on the desk as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, okay." He said, trying his best to keep the disappointment out of his voice, but failing just slightly.
Kate immediately caught the shift in his tone, as she always did. She never missed those little details when it came to Jack. "But—" She added quickly, her voice softening to reassure him. "I was hoping we could spend the weekend together. I can be all yours on Saturday, and then Sunday, we'll head to Hurley's. What do you say?"
"That actually sounds even better." Jack admitted, the weight lifting from his voice as excitement began to seep back in. Kate had that way of pulling him out of his funk without even trying. "And then—" He added with a playful edge, "maybe, we can have our own private celebration."
"You have something in mind?" Kate asked, her tone shifting into something playful, her curiosity laced with a teasing edge.
Jack tilted his head slightly, that familiar smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I've got a few ideas." He replied, his voice low and suggestive, letting the words hang in the air just long enough to spark her imagination.
Kate couldn't hold back a small laugh, the kind that came with a knowing smile. She didn't need to say more. That was all the confirmation he needed.
Jack cleared his throat, his tone shifting slightly as he spoke again, more earnest this time. "Kate, listen. I just wanted to thank you for yesterday—with Aaron. It meant a lot to me to see him again."
Kate nodded instinctively, even though he couldn't see her. "I know, Jack. You two are going to get along just fine. I can tell."
"You think so?" He asked, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice.
So much of Jack and Kate's connection was rooted in the unwavering trust they had placed in each other from the very beginning. Something unexplainable had happened that first day—the moment Jack had shared the story of how he'd pushed through his fear to save a young girl's life. Neither of them could fully articulate it, but they had bonded on a level so profound it seemed to bypass logic altogether.
Since that moment, Jack had trusted Kate in a way he never had with anyone else. It was an intense, instinctual trust—so deep that, in his most uncertain moments, he found himself looking to her for reassurance. Her presence had a calming effect that cut through the noise in his mind, anchoring him when he felt unmoored.
"I do. You're doing great." Kate said, her voice steady and encouraging.
Jack exhaled deeply, her words dissolving the heavy burden he'd been carrying. Kate was offering him a second chance—not just to reconnect with her, but to step into Aaron's life and become part of something he hadn't dared to hope for: Her family.
"Thank you." His voice quiet but filled with gratitude.
"Dr. Shephard, your next patient is ready." Jane, his secretary, announced, peeking into the room.
Jack briefly pulled the phone away from his ear. "Thanks, Jane."
As the door clicked shut behind his assistant, he brought the phone back to his ear. "I'm sorry, Kate. I have to go." He said, his voice laced with reluctance, the regret of cutting their conversation short evident in every word.
"It's okay. I love you." Kate said naturally, catching him off guard by saying it first.
"I love you too." Jack replied, his voice thick with emotion as he felt his eyes sting.
Kate hesitated for a second, torn between the promise she'd made to Sun and the longing of wanting to be with Jack. Her voice softened as she offered tentatively, "You know... I could still cancel..."
"Kate, you're not canceling your plans with Sun." Jack interrupted, his tone firm but affectionate, with that protective edge she knew so well. "You're not the kind of person who lets her friends down."
And he was right. If there was one thing Kate couldn't bring herself to do, it was turn her back on the people who mattered to her.
She laughed softly, a warm chuckle escaping her lips, charmed by how well Jack understood her. "You're right." She admitted, her voice carrying a hint of affection.
"I'll miss you." Jack said, his tone quieter now, laced with a tenderness that tugged at her heart. His words carried the weight of how much she meant to him, how her absence left a void he felt immediately. He wanted her to feel cherished, to know just how much she meant in his world, how deeply she had become a part of his life.
And just like that, they were missing each other. "I already miss you." Kate replied, the sincerity in her words mirroring his own.
By mid-afternoon, Kate found herself standing outside Suite 42 of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Los Angeles, her knuckles gently knocking on the door.
Sun had been in the city for several days, attending to high-level business dealings for Paik Industries, her father's conglomerate. Leveraging the settlement she had received from Oceanic Airlines, she had seized a controlling stake in the company, solidifying her position as one of the most influential—and wealthiest—women in South Korea.
Although business was her main reason for being in Los Angeles, Sun had decided to extend her stay to support Kate during her trial. Quietly, she had hoped it wouldn't come to the point where she'd have to step in and take care of Aaron. The two of them had already discussed the possibility of Sun becoming Aaron's guardian if the court ruled against Kate, but the plan was fraught with uncertainty. Sun wasn't sure if the DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) would allow her to take Aaron back to South Korea, where her own daughter awaited her. Kate, on the other hand, was gripped by a growing fear—one she didn't voice out loud—that Aaron might end up in the foster care system, placed with strangers who knew nothing about him or his needs.
At one point during their conversations, Sun had gently suggested that Kate consider contacting Jack. But the very idea had made Kate bristle. She hadn't spoken to him in over a year, and reaching out to him now felt like opening a door to uncertainty and unresolved emotions. The thought of involving him, of asking him for such a monumental favor, seemed impossible. And yet, as the trial drew closer to its conclusion, the weight of Aaron's future hung heavily over her. She prayed fervently that things would resolve in her favor so that she wouldn't have to make such impossible decisions. Sun prayed for the same—not just for Kate's freedom, but for her chance to finally leave her troubled past behind her and to reclaim the life she was fighting so hard to protect.
After a brief moment, the door opened, and Sun appeared, her expression lighting up with a warm smile.
"You made it!" Sun exclaimed, stepping forward to envelop Kate in a warm embrace.
"Hi!" Kate replied, melting into the hug—a hug that radiated comfort and sincerity. One of the warmest she'd received in a long time. Second only to Jack's, of course.
As they pulled apart, Sun gestured toward the suite with a welcoming smile. "I'm so happy for you, Kate. Come in, make yourself comfortable." She said, stepping aside to let her pass.
The suite was spacious and luxurious, its understated elegance evident in every carefully chosen detail of the decor. Sun motioned for Kate to sit, her movements graceful and precise as she set about arranging an array of snacks on the coffee table and pouring champagne into two fluted glasses.
Once satisfied with her handiwork, she settled onto the plush sofa beside Kate, her posture relaxed but her curiosity clearly piqued. Handing Kate one of the glasses, Sun leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling with playful intent.
"So, are you seeing Jack?" She asked, diving straight to the point, her tone light but probing.
Kate couldn't help but let out a shy chuckle as she nodded, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. "Hurley told you, didn't he?" She asked, accepting the glass and taking a small sip.
"No, Kate—" Sun said, her tone shifting to something more serious, as if she were about to deliver a critical piece of information. Then, after a dramatic pause, her lips curved into a playful grin. "I saw it in the press. And then Hurley told me."
Kate groaned, sinking back into the sofa. "Of course he did." She muttered, shaking her head, though there was no hiding the small smile tugging at her lips. "I'm sorry. I didn't have time to tell you myself."
Sun took a leisurely sip of her champagne, her perfectly arched eyebrow lifting knowingly. "Of course you didn't. You've been so—busy." She teased, her tone light but her grin full of mischief.
Kate rolled her eyes with a small laugh, already bracing herself for Sun's line of questioning.
"So—" Sun continued, leaning in slightly, the playful glint in her eye growing brighter. "When exactly did this happen?"
Kate took a long sip of her champagne, letting the cool, bubbly liquid buy her a few precious moments to compose herself. The heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her, though, and she finally gave in with a soft. "Two days ago."
Sun tilted her head, her curiosity sharpening. "I don't understand." She said, her tone full of genuine bewilderment as she leaned forward slightly. "The last time we talked, you said Jack wanted nothing to do with Aaron. What changed?"
She couldn't reconcile it—how had they gone from estranged to this? More than a year apart, and somehow their bond had survived the distance. For most people, that amount of time would've eroded even the most intense connection. And wasn't Jack the one who, under oath, had sworn he no longer loved Kate?
It didn't make sense. Sun's mind raced with questions, but her heart quietly hoped for an explanation that would justify what she was seeing—a love strong enough to withstand it all.
Kate's mind drifted back to that pivotal moment in the courtroom.
The seemingly endless hallway leading toward the underground parking lot. As she walked, she had loosened her hair, letting it cascade over her shoulders, a symbolic gesture of shedding the weight of the past. Her steps were quick, purposeful, each one carrying her closer to the life she was determined to reclaim.
A taxi had been idling at the curb, its engine a soft hum against the quiet. She had spotted it through the glass doors and felt an unfamiliar but welcome sense of calm wash over her.
She was free.
Free from the shackles of her past, free from the label of "criminal" that had haunted her for years. She had waited so long for this day—for the chance to stop running, to simply live. As she stepped toward the taxi, the possibilities of a new life stretched out before her, as wide and open as the horizon.
Never again would she be Kate, the fugitive, the criminal. Now, she was simply Kate: a mother, a survivor, a woman fiercely devoted to protecting those she loved. That was her truth—the essence of who she was and who she had always been, beneath the shadows of her past.
"Hey!"
A familiar voice called out just as she reached the taxi. She turned, and there he was.
Jack.
He stood a few steps away, dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket that somehow made him look effortlessly rugged, his presence striking even in the dim light of the parking lot. Stepping away from his car, he spun his keys around his finger with a casual confidence, catching them neatly in his palm—a gesture that felt both triumphant and reassuring.
"Here I am. We made it. It's over." His expression seemed to say without words.
"How did you know I'd be here?" Kate had asked, unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Jack closed the distance between them, stopping just a breath away. For a moment, he seemed utterly at a loss for words, his hazel eyes locking onto hers as if he were seeing her for the first time all over again. It was as though the world had fallen away, leaving only the two of them in that fleeting, charged silence.
"Your lawyer gave me the heads up." Jack finally said, his voice slightly uneven as he exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. A hint of a sheepish smile crossed his face as he added, "He owed me one."
Kate had smiled at his words, her gaze briefly darting to the taxi to ensure it wasn't about to leave her behind. She nodded, the memory of Jack stepping into that courtroom flashing vividly in her mind. After more than a year apart, seeing him there had been nothing short of a shock.
Despite everything, Jack had chosen to take the stand and present his version of the truth—a desperate, selfless attempt to shield her from the consequences of her past. A version of the truth that, deep down, they both knew was incomplete. Yet the sight of him up there, defying his own principles, the core of who he was, just to protect her, had been almost unbearable. She couldn't let him compromise the very essence of himself—not for her.
Part of her had been angry—furious, even. Furious that he would risk everything for her, putting his career and reputation under the harsh spotlight of the media and the judgment of strangers. Jack had already done more than enough for her, more than she could ever repay. He didn't deserve to be dragged into her mess.
It wasn't just her lawyer who owed him. She owed him, too.
But that was Jack, always stepping in, always carrying the weight of others' struggles when he couldn't bear to see someone he cared about in pain.
"Thank you." Kate had said softly. "For saying what you did."
He had shrugged it off, as though her gratitude was unnecessary. And to him, it truly was. He didn't need her thanks. He didn't even want them. All that mattered to Jack was her freedom—seeing her walk out of that courthouse, unshackled and free to start over.
Did Kate still not grasp that he would stand by her, no matter the cost? The image of her behind bars had plagued his darkest thoughts. To see the woman he loved reduced to a criminal—when all she had done was act out of desperation to save her mother from an abusive, alcoholic father—was a weight he couldn't have borne. It was a cruel injustice, everything broken about the world. And if he was the only one who truly understood the depth of her courage, loyalty, and capacity for love, then he would move mountains to ensure the world saw her for who she really was. She wasn't a criminal; she was a hero.
"Youre welcome." He'd replied simply, his voice low and steady,
"You know Jack, Ive heard you say that story so many times. Im starting to think you believe it."
"What do you want me to say?" Jack thought defeated. He had learned to lie against his own principles, to go against everything he believed in, all to protect those they had left behind on the island. Because that's who he was—the kind of person who would do everything it took to protect the people he loved, Kate included. So, the story he told on the stand, whether it was true or a lie, didn't matter. None of it mattered. Only one thing weighed on him—the one thing he wished he'd never said under oath.
"Dr Shephard?Do you love Miss Austen?"
"No. Not anymore."
But now, as they stood there in the parking lot, Jack had looked her in the eye and said the words he hadn't been able to say in court.
"I just wanted to tell you that, what I said in there—" He'd paused, his gaze steady and unwavering. "—I didn't mean it."
That was all it had taken.
Kate had understood. He still loved her.
Jack still loved her.
And when he saw that she understood, Jack's eyes had softened, relief washing over him. She knew, and that was all that mattered.
"I don't know. He called to check on me after the trial." Kate explained, her gaze dropping to the floor as she replayed the events of that day in her mind. Her voice softened as if she were speaking more to herself than to Sun. "We agreed to meet later that afternoon to talk."
"And then?" Sun pressed, her curiosity unmistakable as she leaned in slightly, eager for more.
"And then… one thing led to another, I guess." Kate admitted, finally lifting her eyes to meet Sun's. Her voice carried a mixture of reflection and vulnerability. "We went for coffee, and he explained why he didn't want to see Aaron. He apologized for staying away all this time."
Sun's brow furrowed, her confusion evident. "But, why wouldn't Jack want to see Aaron?" She asked, her tone tinged with curiosity and concern.
"You know Jack… he can't help but carry the weight of the world on his shoulders." Kate began, her voice soft with understanding. "He cares so deeply, and that makes him feel responsible for everyone. The guilt—especially about the people we left behind on the island—it's something he struggles with every day." She paused, her gaze distant as she tried to put his feelings into words.
"He told me that when he realized things between us were becoming... more, he couldn't shake the thought of Aaron starting to see him as a father figure. And the guilt of leaving Claire behind—" Kate hesitated, her voice catching slightly. "He just wasn't coming to terms with it." She finished, carefully leaving out the revelation Jack had shared about Claire being his sister. That truth was his to tell, not hers.
"Like a father?" Sun echoed, her brow furrowing.
"Well, Sun, at first, Jack invited me to live with him because I didn't have anywhere else to go." Kate began, her voice soft but steady. "We spent almost all our time together, and Jack... he took care of me and Aaron." A small, almost wistful smile crossed her face as the memories flooded back. "Then, when the Oceanic settlement came through, I bought my own house and moved out. But Jack... he still came by almost every day. We just... kept spending time together."
Her smile deepened as she thought about those early months—how, without the life-threatening distractions of the island, they'd been able to let their guard down and grow closer in ways they never had before. Kate took a measured sip of her drink, giving Sun a moment to process what she'd said. Then, with a hint of humor, she added. "I guess, after everything we went through, we all have the right to lose our minds a little."
Sun didn't respond immediately, her thoughts drifting back to the harrowing experiences on the island. She hated revisiting those painful memories but could easily understand how Jack, as their leader and the one who bore the brunt of the responsibility, might struggle to cope with all they'd endured. Still, she felt the need to ask. "Are you okay with this?"
After a brief pause, during which both women seemed to sink into their own thoughts, Kate broke the silence. "You know, when Jack found out I was a fugitive—that the feds were after me, and that I was being transported to prison when the crash happened..." She trailed off, her eyes softening as a faint smile curved her lips. The memory, though weighted, held a strange warmth to it.
"He never asked if I was guilty." She continued. "He never judged me, never pushed for explanations or answers I wasn't ready to give. He was the only person who made me feel like I had a real chance to leave it all behind and start over." Kate's voice grew quieter but steadier as she looked at Sun. "So, I figured I owed him the same thing—a chance for us to start over."
"And how did you two finally decide to be together? I mean—" Sun leaned forward slightly, her curiosity unrelenting. "You've been orbiting each other for so long, and honestly, the rest of us spent forever wondering who would take the first step." She reached out and took Kate's hands in hers, her touch radiating trust and encouragement. "I want to know every single detail."
Kate blushed, letting out a soft chuckle before straightening her posture, a spark of confidence lighting her expression. "Alright." She said, her voice steady but playful. "What do you want to know?"
Sun cleared her throat dramatically, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she leaned in closer. "Well—" She began, feigning seriousness. "Is doctor Jack Shephard just as skilled in bed as he is in the operating room?"
"Sun!" Kate exclaimed, her cheeks burning brighter.
"Did you finally count to five at the same time?" Sun teased, her voice dripping with mock innocence as she winked at Kate. When Kate stayed silent, clearly trying to contain her growing laughter, Sun pressed on, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Did he gift you his precious guava seeds?"
"Sun, I can't—please, just stop!" Kate protested between fits of laughter, her cheeks now burning a deep shade of red. She could barely catch her breath as Sun's teasing grew more relentless.
"Oh, come on." Sun continued, undeterred. "Did you let him into your hatch?" She added with a final cheeky jab, her smile widening.
Kate buried her face in her hands, laughing so hard she could barely respond. She couldn't believe that not only did the entire world know about her relationship with Jack thanks to the tabloids, but now she also had to endure her friends' endless teasing. Still, as much as she tried to protest, she couldn't deny that Sun's humor was lifting her spirits in a way she hadn't felt in months.
"I can't believe this. Are we back in high school?" Kate said, half-laughing, half-exasperated.
Sun simply arched an eyebrow, the corner of her lips quirking into a smug little smile as she remained silent, patiently waiting for an answer. She wasn't going to let this go.
Kate took another sip of champagne, letting the warmth of the drink settle her nerves. Finally, she set the glass down, her lips curving into a sly smirk as she leaned back against the sofa. "Let's just say... we got caught in a net. Multiple times that night." She quipped, raising her eyebrows with playful emphasis. "If you know what I mean."
The two women dissolved into laughter, the sound ringing warmly through the elegant suite like a shared secret too good to contain. For a moment, it was just the two of them—free from judgment, free from the burdens they carried, basking in the kind of friendship that could weather anything.
As their laughter gradually faded, Sun's expression shifted. The mischief in her eyes gave way to a quiet sincerity, and her tone softened as she leaned closer.
"Do you love him?" She asked, her voice low, almost reverent.
Kate didn't even pause. Her smile lingered, but her gaze turned inward, her voice dropping to a quiet confession. "I think I always have."
It was a truth she had finally allowed herself to say out loud.