(no subject)
Title: Holiday From Real
Pairing: Jack/Kate
Rating: Adult
Warnings: 1) No spoilers, but it is set in the far away future. 2) SMUTTY content!! Omg!
Disclaimer: Don't own Lost, and the title is a Jack's Mannequin song that I really only chose cause it was the first thing I saw in iTunes.
Summary: Your mom used to tell me loads of stories about them. Every time something happened she’d come back and tell me every detail, no matter what. I don’t know what to tell.
A/N: Okay. I wrote this for laulauz, who requested Jate, raspberries, swimming, and LONG. This is what I ended up with, and I think I have inappropriately changed her opinion of raspberries forever. And LOOK at that rating, Laura! LOOK!
“Tell me a story about them. My mom and dad.”
Claire looked up and over the top of her magazine. The gorgeous 24 year old was watching her reaction eagerly, and she was such a striking combination of both her parents, it was impossible to resist. Claire had read that magazine a hundred times before, anyway. She put it aside and leaned forward.
“What do you wanna know, Kira?”
She shrugged. “I dunno… something you’ve never told me before. Something different. And something long.”
Claire smiled. “Well, your mom used to tell me loads of stories about them. Every time something happened she’d come back and tell me every detail, no matter what. I don’t know what to tell.”
“Come on, Claire… choose any one.” Kira took a raspberry from the palm of her own hand, placed it in her mouth daintily, and Claire almost laughed out loud.
“Okay, I know. It’s long, I’ve never told you it, and it’s definitely different. But, uh, there’s kinda a reason I’ve never told you it. You were never really… old enough.”
“Old enough? For what?”
Claire suddenly pinked. “You know what, I’ll choose another one. It was a stupid idea.”
“No, no! Tell me it!”
Claire looked down the beach to make sure they were alone. She moved closer to Kira and grinned. They wouldn’t have minded…
“Okay. Well, it was around 10am your mom woke up, and for once your dad’s arms weren’t wrapped around her. She slept late and…”
*
Kate woke up to the smell of raspberries. She hadn’t realised they had a specific smell until that morning. She sat up to see Jack sitting cross-legged with half a coconut shell, filled with raspberries. Jack ate a couple, oblivious to her gaze until she leaned forward, reaching over his shoulder for the tiny red fruit. Jack jumped a little, then smiled and turned around. He picked up a raspberry and held it to Kate’s lips. She ate it slowly, then kissed him sweetly on the lips.
“Good morning, Jack.”
“Morning, Kate.”
Another kiss, and Kate ate another raspberry.
“Where the hell’d you get raspberries?”
Jack grinned. “I picked them this morning, while you were asleep. I think this island has every type of fruit known to man growing on it, there was just a coupla bushes full of the things. You mentioned a while ago you liked them…”
Kate couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, I did. You remembered.”
“Of course.”
The couple were silent for a moment, catching each other’s eye and then looking away with smiles on their faces, like they had a secret that they were scared someone would figure out if they looked at each other in a certain way. Jack eventually held up another raspberry, and Kate opened her mouth for him to put it in. He bit his lip and paused, then put it in his own mouth.
“Jack!”
He laughed, and Kate’s heart leapt into her throat. Without thinking about it she dove forward, knocking Jack onto his back and the raspberries to the ground. Pressing her body onto his, and their lips together, Kate couldn’t get enough of him, as usual.
She ran out of air quickly, having had no time to take a deep breath before they connected. Kate pulled back and watched Jack as he licked his lips, eyes closed. Kate smiled.
“Jack,”
“Mhm?”
“Your tongue is bright red.”
Jack opened his eyes and looked at her, then stuck his tongue out. She laughed and stuck hers out too. Jack shook his head.
“Yours isn’t that bright yet. Maybe you need to eat some more.”
Kate looked over her shoulder and Jack followed her gaze to the upturned bowl of raspberries.
“Um, sorry, Jack…”
“Hey, don’t worry. It was worth it.”
Kate kissed him again, leaving him breathless when she pulled away.
“You know,” Jack said in between heavily drawn breaths. “Not all raspberries are red. You can get white… and yellow, and black ones too.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “God, how do you know these things? Seriously, Jack, how?”
Jack shrugged. “I dunno. I like to know things.”
Kate smiled. “I know. I love you for it.”
Jack slid a hand behind her neck and pulled her down to his lips. They kissed deeply, tongues delving into each other’s mouths. Jack’s hands rested firmly on Kate’s hips and she began to undo the top buttons of his shirt, pressing her hips down simultaneously. She got two buttons undone and pressed a little harder, when Jack suddenly ripped his mouth away, stopping her hands.
“Kate, stop.” He gasped, his head falling back for a moment. Kate stared at him, confused.
“You okay?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah, yeah, fine. I just… I can’t do this, not now, it’s early, I’m supposed to be doing the rounds of the beach, I can’t, Kate…”
Kate stared at him a moment longer, then rolled off him onto her back. Jack stayed still for a second, hating himself, then sat up and turned over to her.
“Kate, look at me. I’m sorry, I… I want to, I do, I’m just… I have to make sure everyone’s okay, and they’ll expect me… I wouldn’t want anyone walking in on us… again,” Jack smiled a little, and Kate found it annoyingly infectious. He did that to her a lot.
“Okay, yeah, whatever. It’s fine. Fine.”
Jack brushed his fingers over her hair, lingering on her cheek lovingly. “I’m sorry, Kate.”
“I said it’s fine! Just go, it’s fine, they’re expecting you.”
Jack hesitated but got up and picked up his backpack, checking through it to make sure everything he needed was there. He swung it onto his shoulder and looked back at Kate, who turned onto her side so her back was to him. Jack sighed.
“See ya later, Kate. Love you.”
Kate heard Jack leave the tent and waited a while before she got up. She didn’t see Jack very much that morning; only in passing a couple of times. She didn’t let her gaze linger, but she didn’t mean to avoid him. It really wasn’t that big of a deal.
It had been a hot day and the temperature had dropped by late afternoon, though it was still comfortably warm. Kate was wandering, not having anything of much significance to do. She just stopped, standing on the shoreline. Kate considered taking her shoes off to feel the water, but before she could ponder it much longer she was interrupted.
“You doing anything?”
“Not really. Why, you want something now?”
“Kate…” Jack sighed heavily. “Come with me.”
Kate turned around and looked at him. He gazed back pleadingly and she couldn’t say no, so she held out her hand to him. He brightened up a little as he took her hand and pulled her close to his side, guiding them toward the trees. Kate didn’t ask where they were going. Jack could take her anywhere he wanted, really.
Jack led her through the jungle for about five minutes, and they came to a huge, beautiful clearing. There was a lake, with a sheer cliff behind it, but no waterfall. The water was calm and almost so clear you could see the bottom. Kate looked around, eyes wide, at the healthy foliage all around, making the clearing look more like a paradise than anything else. There were vibrantly coloured flowers everywhere. Jack took her to a spot on the ground near the lake, and sat down. Kate followed as Jack opened his backpack and began pulling things out.
He had a large blanket, which he spread out beneath them, and a collection of food, including some fresh raspberries. Kate smiled when she saw them. Once Jack had put everything out before them, he sat back on his heels and looked at Kate.
“Well, this is it. I wanted to say sorry for this morning. I don’t like us fighting. I just wanna be with you, and I don’t want it to be bad between us. Ever. So I’m sorry, Kate, so sorry, and I want to make it up to you, whatever you want, and I love you, so much.”
Kate could feel her cheeks reddening a little, so she looked down and smiled. “Its okay, Jack,” She said softly. “I’m sorry too, it was nothing, I wish I had talked to you more today.” She looked up. “So… we okay?”
Jack nodded, and they leaned together at the same time for a slow, loving kiss. They pulled apart and looked at each other meaningfully for a long moment.
Jack was the first to turn away, and he started to share out the small picnic he’d brought along. They ate it casually, chatting and laughing together. Kate eventually stood up and stretched, then headed over to the edge of the lake. Jack watched her.
“Kate? What are…”
Kate pulled her shirt over her head in one fluid movement. Jack frowned.
“You know, you’re supposed to wait at least half an hour after eating before swimming. It’s like, a rule.” Jack told her, completely serious. Kate rolled her eyes at him.
“Always the doctor, huh Jack?”
“No! I mean, I could… not be a doctor, if I wanted. If I felt like it. I could.” Jack said, looking a little unsure. Kate gave him a look, then unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them down her legs. Jack stared at her, but found himself blushing and looking away as she turned her back on him and removed the rest of her clothing. Kate dived cleanly into the still water, hardly making a splash. She surfaced and wiped the water from her eyes.
“Come on, Jack.”
Jack was up in a second, and he got undressed without taking his eyes from Kate’s. Jack dove in and came up beside her, his arms automatically going around her waist. Kate linked hers around the back of his neck and she kissed him, lifting her legs up to wrap around his hips under the water. Jack slid his hands underneath her and held her tight to his body as they kissed. The kiss grew more and more passionate quickly, and it flowed into another and another before they knew it. Without realising Kate was rocking against him, and Jack’s hands were guiding her unconsciously. Kate’s hands slid over Jack’s hair and to his cheeks, holding his face still as she took control. She led the kisses, liking the feeling of being in control, of having Jack bending completely to her will. But then Jack’s grip on her ass tightened and he pulled her hips closer, making Kate tear her lips away and let her hands fall onto his shoulders, head dropping back and a low moan escaping. Jack took the opportunity to attach his lips to her neck, sucking wetly on her skin. His lips travelled lower, over the tops of her breasts and Kate groaned again, tightening her legs around his waist. She suddenly realised Jack was keeping them both afloat, his legs kicking steadily but awkwardly in the water.
“Jack,” Kate gasped, try to stop her head from spinning long enough to talk coherently. “Jack, out… water, out, now…”
Jack didn’t seem to hear her, keeping his hips moving, lips moving, and legs moving without hesitation. Kate managed to pull his head up and look him in the eye.
“Jack… Jack, we need to get out.”
A fleeting look of confusion passed over Jack’s features, then he nodded and Kate let her legs fall from his hips and they swam to the shore.
As soon as her feet hit the ground Jack swept her up into his arms, eliciting a small squeal from her. He just grinned as she automatically threaded her arms around his neck, and he carried her over to the blanket.
Jack set Kate down gently and leaned over her, joining their lips chastely a couple of times before starting a slow, deep kiss. Kate pressed her tongue against his lips and he opened them immediately, letting her in. Kate slid her tongue along his lips and over his teeth briefly before Jack’s tongue responded, making them have to fight for access to each other’s mouths.
Kate drew away first, smiling seductively and licking her lips.
“We got any raspberries left?” She asked, and Jack nodded.
“Yeah, I think so, they’re over here…”
Kate stopped his hand as he reached for them, pressing one of her own to his chest and pushing gently.
“Let me get them.” She said, and Jack rolled onto his back. Kate straddled his hips and picked up the bowl of raspberries. Jack watched her with interest as she picked a couple out of the bowl and ate them, then fed a few to him. Jack was starting to wonder what she was doing, because to tell the truth this wasn’t what he’d planned on doing a minute ago. He opened his mouth to ask, but Kate put a finger against his lips, then dragged it down his throat and his chest, leaving a sticky red path with the raspberry in her hand. She picked out another couple and pressed them against Jack’s flat stomach. The rich juices squeezed out from beneath her fingers and ran over his sides and into his navel, and Kate watched it all with a slight smile on her face. Jack followed her gaze and let her smear more of the small berries over his skin, making it sticky and cold when a breeze blew across the wetness. Kate eventually looked at him and he met her gaze, raising his eyebrow questioningly. All she did was smile, then lean down and drag her tongue along one of the red paths. She did it to all of the marks she made, but once she was finished, the colour was still staining Jack’s skin. Jack touched a bit of the colouring with his fingertip, and found it dry but unable to be shifted.
“You stained me!”
Kate looked at him sheepishly. “Sorry, forgot they did that.”
Jack stared at her, then got a mischievous look in his eye and pushed her on to her back, taking the bowl of raspberries from her hand. Kate’s eyes went wide.
“Jack, no. You can’t do it to me.”
“Why not? Look what you did to me! I’m stained.”
Kate stifled a laugh. “I know, I’m sorry, I said I was sorry.” She paused. “How long do you think it will last?”
Jack looked at her incredulously, then pushed her hands above her head.
“Keep them there. Do not move, I’m warning you.”
Kate smiled but did what he told her, and Jack dipped his fingers into the bowl, drawing out a few raspberries. He started just below her breasts, drawing a curvy shape with the red juice. Below that he drew another shape, and Kate watched, but couldn’t make out what he was drawing, if anything. Jack drew three more shapes and then sat back, looking satisfied. Kate sat up on her elbows, craning her neck to look at her stomach. She stared at it for a moment, before realisation hit.
“Jack! You… you can’t…”
Jack grinned widely at her. “I can’t what?”
“I don’t… that’s stained, it’s not coming off any time soon, you know.”
“I know. That’s good.”
“Jack. You can’t be serious. I didn’t write anything on you.”
Jack just looked at her, looking much too pleased for his own good. Kate looked back down at her stomach, the word 'JACK’S’ standing out in big red letters against her pale skin. She shook her head and fell back onto the blanket. Kate closed her eyes and tried not to smile, the whole situation making her so incredibly happy, she didn’t know what to do. Soon enough she felt Jack’s tongue going over the letters, and she squirmed beneath his tickling touch. Kate opened her eyes and Jack moved on top of her, his legs on either side of hers but his weight on his arms. He leaned down and kissed her for a long time, and Kate let her hand drift between their bodies. She closed her fingers around him, hard and ready, and he gasped, his teeth catching her bottom lip. Kate could taste the blood but it was forgotten as Jack kissed her again, and she began moving her hand. He slowly moved his hips into her grip, keeping a steady rhythm.
Kate picked up the pace and Jack didn’t seem to be able to do anything but rest his head on her shoulder, breathing shallow and sharp, curses coming through in some of it. He gasped her name over and over, and Kate thought he must be close, when suddenly his hand closed over hers and he murmured ‘stop’ under his breath.
Kate looked at him, and he shook his head, attempting to get his breath back a little before speaking.
“Don’t wanna… with you, better, rather, you… together, now, Kate,” Jack managed single words, but Kate got the message, turning so she was on top and gazing at him before guiding him inside her in one movement. Her eyes slipped closed for a moment, but when she opened them she realised watching Jack was one of the best things about this.
Jack couldn’t keep his hands off her, brushing them over her skin lightly at first but unconsciously digging in once she started to move. Kate leaned forward and forcefully opened Jack’s mouth to her with her tongue, kissing him urgently until the feeling became too intense, and she could hardly think anymore. Her hair fell down around Jack’s face, tickling his cheeks each time Kate rocked above him. His hands settled low on her back, pressing into the smooth dip and holding her near to him.
Kate made a point to keep her eyes open, and she looked at Jack, and he watched her just as closely. Their noses brushed but kissing took too much energy and concentration, so they settled for the passionate gazes that took their breath away just as much. Their breath was scorching, mingling in the tiny space between them, and when Kate dropped her head to Jack’s shoulder his short puffs of breath on her neck gave her goosebumps all over.
Jack was so close, and Kate could feel it. He was gasping her name and she looked at him again, and he cried out Kate so loud they could have heard him back on the beach, and he was giving in, falling over the edge and pulling Kate with him seconds later.
Kate collapsed onto his chest, the dry raspberry juice on their bodies rubbing together and smudging a little. She sighed and Jack drew in a shuddery breath, pulling her close up against his body. Kate didn’t think she’d ever been as tired in her life, and she was only just awake enough to murmur I love you and to hear it back before she fell contentedly asleep.
*
“…And the next morning, she came into my tent and I had to kick Charlie and Aaron out so she could give me all the gossip. The end.”
Kira stared at Claire with wide eyes, then turned to the group of people clustered behind her, all with similar expressions. During Claire’s narrative a reasonably sized audience had gathered, all surprisingly interested in another story of Jack and Kate.
Now they were all sitting in stunned silence around Claire, and she didn’t know what to say.
“Um… The. End.” Claire repeated.
“Wow…” Kira murmured. “That was… they were… was that true?”
Claire gave her an indignant look. “Yes, it was true! Do you really think I have that kind of an imagination?”
“I dunno, hon, I think you have the potential…” Charlie started, giving her a wink. She glared at him.
“I didn’t realise Jack and Kate were so… uh… active.” Min, Jin and Sun’s second daughter, said. Jin often reminded everyone of how in Korean Min meant cleverness, but at times like this Min made it hard for him to prove his point.
“Seriously? After four children and about fifty ‘honeymoons’, you didn’t realise?” Aaron asked skeptically, and Claire gave him a disapproving look.
After a little more discussion, most of the listeners wandered off, until it was just Claire and Kira left.
“Well,” Kira started. “It was definitely different…”
Claire laughed, and agreed with her. “Yeah. Thinking about it, I probably shouldn’t have told you that,” Kira frowned at her, and Claire hurriedly continued. “Not that you’re not old enough… I just thought it was probably weird for you to… think of your parents like that.”
Kira shrugged. “I dunno. I guess… I just, I’m pretty sure I’m over that being such a ‘gross’ concept. And I know… that they loved each other. And that’s what you do, when you love each other, right?”
“Right,” Claire said, smiling. “If you want to.”
“Yeah.”
The women were quiet for a moment, and then Claire realised something she hadn’t really thought of before. “Hey, Kira, you know what… now I think about it, your mom told me that about nine and a half months before you were born. I think…”
“Okay, Claire, that may be going too far.”
Claire laughed and Kira joined in, sounding so much like her mother and smiling so much like her father that a wave of sadness passed over Claire, and she automatically glanced down the beach, where there were eleven wooden crosses now, two slightly apart from the rest but closer together than any of the others. She didn’t feel sad about it that often these days, because she had learned to accept it. Still, every time Kira showed a quality of either of them in herself it was like jumping back five years in time to the last time she saw them, and nothing could make that hurt less.
Nothing could make it hurt more, either.
Pairing: Jack/Kate
Rating: Adult
Warnings: 1) No spoilers, but it is set in the far away future. 2) SMUTTY content!! Omg!
Disclaimer: Don't own Lost, and the title is a Jack's Mannequin song that I really only chose cause it was the first thing I saw in iTunes.
Summary: Your mom used to tell me loads of stories about them. Every time something happened she’d come back and tell me every detail, no matter what. I don’t know what to tell.
A/N: Okay. I wrote this for laulauz, who requested Jate, raspberries, swimming, and LONG. This is what I ended up with, and I think I have inappropriately changed her opinion of raspberries forever. And LOOK at that rating, Laura! LOOK!
“Tell me a story about them. My mom and dad.”
Claire looked up and over the top of her magazine. The gorgeous 24 year old was watching her reaction eagerly, and she was such a striking combination of both her parents, it was impossible to resist. Claire had read that magazine a hundred times before, anyway. She put it aside and leaned forward.
“What do you wanna know, Kira?”
She shrugged. “I dunno… something you’ve never told me before. Something different. And something long.”
Claire smiled. “Well, your mom used to tell me loads of stories about them. Every time something happened she’d come back and tell me every detail, no matter what. I don’t know what to tell.”
“Come on, Claire… choose any one.” Kira took a raspberry from the palm of her own hand, placed it in her mouth daintily, and Claire almost laughed out loud.
“Okay, I know. It’s long, I’ve never told you it, and it’s definitely different. But, uh, there’s kinda a reason I’ve never told you it. You were never really… old enough.”
“Old enough? For what?”
Claire suddenly pinked. “You know what, I’ll choose another one. It was a stupid idea.”
“No, no! Tell me it!”
Claire looked down the beach to make sure they were alone. She moved closer to Kira and grinned. They wouldn’t have minded…
“Okay. Well, it was around 10am your mom woke up, and for once your dad’s arms weren’t wrapped around her. She slept late and…”
*
Kate woke up to the smell of raspberries. She hadn’t realised they had a specific smell until that morning. She sat up to see Jack sitting cross-legged with half a coconut shell, filled with raspberries. Jack ate a couple, oblivious to her gaze until she leaned forward, reaching over his shoulder for the tiny red fruit. Jack jumped a little, then smiled and turned around. He picked up a raspberry and held it to Kate’s lips. She ate it slowly, then kissed him sweetly on the lips.
“Good morning, Jack.”
“Morning, Kate.”
Another kiss, and Kate ate another raspberry.
“Where the hell’d you get raspberries?”
Jack grinned. “I picked them this morning, while you were asleep. I think this island has every type of fruit known to man growing on it, there was just a coupla bushes full of the things. You mentioned a while ago you liked them…”
Kate couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, I did. You remembered.”
“Of course.”
The couple were silent for a moment, catching each other’s eye and then looking away with smiles on their faces, like they had a secret that they were scared someone would figure out if they looked at each other in a certain way. Jack eventually held up another raspberry, and Kate opened her mouth for him to put it in. He bit his lip and paused, then put it in his own mouth.
“Jack!”
He laughed, and Kate’s heart leapt into her throat. Without thinking about it she dove forward, knocking Jack onto his back and the raspberries to the ground. Pressing her body onto his, and their lips together, Kate couldn’t get enough of him, as usual.
She ran out of air quickly, having had no time to take a deep breath before they connected. Kate pulled back and watched Jack as he licked his lips, eyes closed. Kate smiled.
“Jack,”
“Mhm?”
“Your tongue is bright red.”
Jack opened his eyes and looked at her, then stuck his tongue out. She laughed and stuck hers out too. Jack shook his head.
“Yours isn’t that bright yet. Maybe you need to eat some more.”
Kate looked over her shoulder and Jack followed her gaze to the upturned bowl of raspberries.
“Um, sorry, Jack…”
“Hey, don’t worry. It was worth it.”
Kate kissed him again, leaving him breathless when she pulled away.
“You know,” Jack said in between heavily drawn breaths. “Not all raspberries are red. You can get white… and yellow, and black ones too.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “God, how do you know these things? Seriously, Jack, how?”
Jack shrugged. “I dunno. I like to know things.”
Kate smiled. “I know. I love you for it.”
Jack slid a hand behind her neck and pulled her down to his lips. They kissed deeply, tongues delving into each other’s mouths. Jack’s hands rested firmly on Kate’s hips and she began to undo the top buttons of his shirt, pressing her hips down simultaneously. She got two buttons undone and pressed a little harder, when Jack suddenly ripped his mouth away, stopping her hands.
“Kate, stop.” He gasped, his head falling back for a moment. Kate stared at him, confused.
“You okay?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah, yeah, fine. I just… I can’t do this, not now, it’s early, I’m supposed to be doing the rounds of the beach, I can’t, Kate…”
Kate stared at him a moment longer, then rolled off him onto her back. Jack stayed still for a second, hating himself, then sat up and turned over to her.
“Kate, look at me. I’m sorry, I… I want to, I do, I’m just… I have to make sure everyone’s okay, and they’ll expect me… I wouldn’t want anyone walking in on us… again,” Jack smiled a little, and Kate found it annoyingly infectious. He did that to her a lot.
“Okay, yeah, whatever. It’s fine. Fine.”
Jack brushed his fingers over her hair, lingering on her cheek lovingly. “I’m sorry, Kate.”
“I said it’s fine! Just go, it’s fine, they’re expecting you.”
Jack hesitated but got up and picked up his backpack, checking through it to make sure everything he needed was there. He swung it onto his shoulder and looked back at Kate, who turned onto her side so her back was to him. Jack sighed.
“See ya later, Kate. Love you.”
Kate heard Jack leave the tent and waited a while before she got up. She didn’t see Jack very much that morning; only in passing a couple of times. She didn’t let her gaze linger, but she didn’t mean to avoid him. It really wasn’t that big of a deal.
It had been a hot day and the temperature had dropped by late afternoon, though it was still comfortably warm. Kate was wandering, not having anything of much significance to do. She just stopped, standing on the shoreline. Kate considered taking her shoes off to feel the water, but before she could ponder it much longer she was interrupted.
“You doing anything?”
“Not really. Why, you want something now?”
“Kate…” Jack sighed heavily. “Come with me.”
Kate turned around and looked at him. He gazed back pleadingly and she couldn’t say no, so she held out her hand to him. He brightened up a little as he took her hand and pulled her close to his side, guiding them toward the trees. Kate didn’t ask where they were going. Jack could take her anywhere he wanted, really.
Jack led her through the jungle for about five minutes, and they came to a huge, beautiful clearing. There was a lake, with a sheer cliff behind it, but no waterfall. The water was calm and almost so clear you could see the bottom. Kate looked around, eyes wide, at the healthy foliage all around, making the clearing look more like a paradise than anything else. There were vibrantly coloured flowers everywhere. Jack took her to a spot on the ground near the lake, and sat down. Kate followed as Jack opened his backpack and began pulling things out.
He had a large blanket, which he spread out beneath them, and a collection of food, including some fresh raspberries. Kate smiled when she saw them. Once Jack had put everything out before them, he sat back on his heels and looked at Kate.
“Well, this is it. I wanted to say sorry for this morning. I don’t like us fighting. I just wanna be with you, and I don’t want it to be bad between us. Ever. So I’m sorry, Kate, so sorry, and I want to make it up to you, whatever you want, and I love you, so much.”
Kate could feel her cheeks reddening a little, so she looked down and smiled. “Its okay, Jack,” She said softly. “I’m sorry too, it was nothing, I wish I had talked to you more today.” She looked up. “So… we okay?”
Jack nodded, and they leaned together at the same time for a slow, loving kiss. They pulled apart and looked at each other meaningfully for a long moment.
Jack was the first to turn away, and he started to share out the small picnic he’d brought along. They ate it casually, chatting and laughing together. Kate eventually stood up and stretched, then headed over to the edge of the lake. Jack watched her.
“Kate? What are…”
Kate pulled her shirt over her head in one fluid movement. Jack frowned.
“You know, you’re supposed to wait at least half an hour after eating before swimming. It’s like, a rule.” Jack told her, completely serious. Kate rolled her eyes at him.
“Always the doctor, huh Jack?”
“No! I mean, I could… not be a doctor, if I wanted. If I felt like it. I could.” Jack said, looking a little unsure. Kate gave him a look, then unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them down her legs. Jack stared at her, but found himself blushing and looking away as she turned her back on him and removed the rest of her clothing. Kate dived cleanly into the still water, hardly making a splash. She surfaced and wiped the water from her eyes.
“Come on, Jack.”
Jack was up in a second, and he got undressed without taking his eyes from Kate’s. Jack dove in and came up beside her, his arms automatically going around her waist. Kate linked hers around the back of his neck and she kissed him, lifting her legs up to wrap around his hips under the water. Jack slid his hands underneath her and held her tight to his body as they kissed. The kiss grew more and more passionate quickly, and it flowed into another and another before they knew it. Without realising Kate was rocking against him, and Jack’s hands were guiding her unconsciously. Kate’s hands slid over Jack’s hair and to his cheeks, holding his face still as she took control. She led the kisses, liking the feeling of being in control, of having Jack bending completely to her will. But then Jack’s grip on her ass tightened and he pulled her hips closer, making Kate tear her lips away and let her hands fall onto his shoulders, head dropping back and a low moan escaping. Jack took the opportunity to attach his lips to her neck, sucking wetly on her skin. His lips travelled lower, over the tops of her breasts and Kate groaned again, tightening her legs around his waist. She suddenly realised Jack was keeping them both afloat, his legs kicking steadily but awkwardly in the water.
“Jack,” Kate gasped, try to stop her head from spinning long enough to talk coherently. “Jack, out… water, out, now…”
Jack didn’t seem to hear her, keeping his hips moving, lips moving, and legs moving without hesitation. Kate managed to pull his head up and look him in the eye.
“Jack… Jack, we need to get out.”
A fleeting look of confusion passed over Jack’s features, then he nodded and Kate let her legs fall from his hips and they swam to the shore.
As soon as her feet hit the ground Jack swept her up into his arms, eliciting a small squeal from her. He just grinned as she automatically threaded her arms around his neck, and he carried her over to the blanket.
Jack set Kate down gently and leaned over her, joining their lips chastely a couple of times before starting a slow, deep kiss. Kate pressed her tongue against his lips and he opened them immediately, letting her in. Kate slid her tongue along his lips and over his teeth briefly before Jack’s tongue responded, making them have to fight for access to each other’s mouths.
Kate drew away first, smiling seductively and licking her lips.
“We got any raspberries left?” She asked, and Jack nodded.
“Yeah, I think so, they’re over here…”
Kate stopped his hand as he reached for them, pressing one of her own to his chest and pushing gently.
“Let me get them.” She said, and Jack rolled onto his back. Kate straddled his hips and picked up the bowl of raspberries. Jack watched her with interest as she picked a couple out of the bowl and ate them, then fed a few to him. Jack was starting to wonder what she was doing, because to tell the truth this wasn’t what he’d planned on doing a minute ago. He opened his mouth to ask, but Kate put a finger against his lips, then dragged it down his throat and his chest, leaving a sticky red path with the raspberry in her hand. She picked out another couple and pressed them against Jack’s flat stomach. The rich juices squeezed out from beneath her fingers and ran over his sides and into his navel, and Kate watched it all with a slight smile on her face. Jack followed her gaze and let her smear more of the small berries over his skin, making it sticky and cold when a breeze blew across the wetness. Kate eventually looked at him and he met her gaze, raising his eyebrow questioningly. All she did was smile, then lean down and drag her tongue along one of the red paths. She did it to all of the marks she made, but once she was finished, the colour was still staining Jack’s skin. Jack touched a bit of the colouring with his fingertip, and found it dry but unable to be shifted.
“You stained me!”
Kate looked at him sheepishly. “Sorry, forgot they did that.”
Jack stared at her, then got a mischievous look in his eye and pushed her on to her back, taking the bowl of raspberries from her hand. Kate’s eyes went wide.
“Jack, no. You can’t do it to me.”
“Why not? Look what you did to me! I’m stained.”
Kate stifled a laugh. “I know, I’m sorry, I said I was sorry.” She paused. “How long do you think it will last?”
Jack looked at her incredulously, then pushed her hands above her head.
“Keep them there. Do not move, I’m warning you.”
Kate smiled but did what he told her, and Jack dipped his fingers into the bowl, drawing out a few raspberries. He started just below her breasts, drawing a curvy shape with the red juice. Below that he drew another shape, and Kate watched, but couldn’t make out what he was drawing, if anything. Jack drew three more shapes and then sat back, looking satisfied. Kate sat up on her elbows, craning her neck to look at her stomach. She stared at it for a moment, before realisation hit.
“Jack! You… you can’t…”
Jack grinned widely at her. “I can’t what?”
“I don’t… that’s stained, it’s not coming off any time soon, you know.”
“I know. That’s good.”
“Jack. You can’t be serious. I didn’t write anything on you.”
Jack just looked at her, looking much too pleased for his own good. Kate looked back down at her stomach, the word 'JACK’S’ standing out in big red letters against her pale skin. She shook her head and fell back onto the blanket. Kate closed her eyes and tried not to smile, the whole situation making her so incredibly happy, she didn’t know what to do. Soon enough she felt Jack’s tongue going over the letters, and she squirmed beneath his tickling touch. Kate opened her eyes and Jack moved on top of her, his legs on either side of hers but his weight on his arms. He leaned down and kissed her for a long time, and Kate let her hand drift between their bodies. She closed her fingers around him, hard and ready, and he gasped, his teeth catching her bottom lip. Kate could taste the blood but it was forgotten as Jack kissed her again, and she began moving her hand. He slowly moved his hips into her grip, keeping a steady rhythm.
Kate picked up the pace and Jack didn’t seem to be able to do anything but rest his head on her shoulder, breathing shallow and sharp, curses coming through in some of it. He gasped her name over and over, and Kate thought he must be close, when suddenly his hand closed over hers and he murmured ‘stop’ under his breath.
Kate looked at him, and he shook his head, attempting to get his breath back a little before speaking.
“Don’t wanna… with you, better, rather, you… together, now, Kate,” Jack managed single words, but Kate got the message, turning so she was on top and gazing at him before guiding him inside her in one movement. Her eyes slipped closed for a moment, but when she opened them she realised watching Jack was one of the best things about this.
Jack couldn’t keep his hands off her, brushing them over her skin lightly at first but unconsciously digging in once she started to move. Kate leaned forward and forcefully opened Jack’s mouth to her with her tongue, kissing him urgently until the feeling became too intense, and she could hardly think anymore. Her hair fell down around Jack’s face, tickling his cheeks each time Kate rocked above him. His hands settled low on her back, pressing into the smooth dip and holding her near to him.
Kate made a point to keep her eyes open, and she looked at Jack, and he watched her just as closely. Their noses brushed but kissing took too much energy and concentration, so they settled for the passionate gazes that took their breath away just as much. Their breath was scorching, mingling in the tiny space between them, and when Kate dropped her head to Jack’s shoulder his short puffs of breath on her neck gave her goosebumps all over.
Jack was so close, and Kate could feel it. He was gasping her name and she looked at him again, and he cried out Kate so loud they could have heard him back on the beach, and he was giving in, falling over the edge and pulling Kate with him seconds later.
Kate collapsed onto his chest, the dry raspberry juice on their bodies rubbing together and smudging a little. She sighed and Jack drew in a shuddery breath, pulling her close up against his body. Kate didn’t think she’d ever been as tired in her life, and she was only just awake enough to murmur I love you and to hear it back before she fell contentedly asleep.
*
“…And the next morning, she came into my tent and I had to kick Charlie and Aaron out so she could give me all the gossip. The end.”
Kira stared at Claire with wide eyes, then turned to the group of people clustered behind her, all with similar expressions. During Claire’s narrative a reasonably sized audience had gathered, all surprisingly interested in another story of Jack and Kate.
Now they were all sitting in stunned silence around Claire, and she didn’t know what to say.
“Um… The. End.” Claire repeated.
“Wow…” Kira murmured. “That was… they were… was that true?”
Claire gave her an indignant look. “Yes, it was true! Do you really think I have that kind of an imagination?”
“I dunno, hon, I think you have the potential…” Charlie started, giving her a wink. She glared at him.
“I didn’t realise Jack and Kate were so… uh… active.” Min, Jin and Sun’s second daughter, said. Jin often reminded everyone of how in Korean Min meant cleverness, but at times like this Min made it hard for him to prove his point.
“Seriously? After four children and about fifty ‘honeymoons’, you didn’t realise?” Aaron asked skeptically, and Claire gave him a disapproving look.
After a little more discussion, most of the listeners wandered off, until it was just Claire and Kira left.
“Well,” Kira started. “It was definitely different…”
Claire laughed, and agreed with her. “Yeah. Thinking about it, I probably shouldn’t have told you that,” Kira frowned at her, and Claire hurriedly continued. “Not that you’re not old enough… I just thought it was probably weird for you to… think of your parents like that.”
Kira shrugged. “I dunno. I guess… I just, I’m pretty sure I’m over that being such a ‘gross’ concept. And I know… that they loved each other. And that’s what you do, when you love each other, right?”
“Right,” Claire said, smiling. “If you want to.”
“Yeah.”
The women were quiet for a moment, and then Claire realised something she hadn’t really thought of before. “Hey, Kira, you know what… now I think about it, your mom told me that about nine and a half months before you were born. I think…”
“Okay, Claire, that may be going too far.”
Claire laughed and Kira joined in, sounding so much like her mother and smiling so much like her father that a wave of sadness passed over Claire, and she automatically glanced down the beach, where there were eleven wooden crosses now, two slightly apart from the rest but closer together than any of the others. She didn’t feel sad about it that often these days, because she had learned to accept it. Still, every time Kira showed a quality of either of them in herself it was like jumping back five years in time to the last time she saw them, and nothing could make that hurt less.
Nothing could make it hurt more, either.