JUST THE TWO OF US

Disclaimer – I don't own Lost or any of the characters.

A/N: Here's the first installment of my new story. It's a post rescue setting and I've skipped over the whole how they got rescued part - not pertinent to the story. I also am skipping over the part of how Kate dealt with her legal issues - just know she's free and NOT running in this story. Hope you guys enjoy it and as always I am a review hog…..

Prologue:

The survivors were rescued by a science exploration ship that came into the area. Kate faced authorities when they returned to the mainland but most of the charges were either dismissed or prosecutors refused to file because lack of evidence. Having finally gotten together on the island Jack and Kate return together to his home in Los Angeles. Here is some of the back story of some of the other survivors that may pop up in the story (this includes future things that may be referred to in the story. Just don't want to have to explain everything)

Hurley – Back home to the family and his money. Is now convinced he's no the jinx he once thought he was. He's now looking at getting into the music producing business.

Charlie/Claire – initially went to Los Angeles since Charlie wanted to explore the music industry there. Relocated to Seattle to get into the more edgy, independent label music and work as a studio musician while he works on his album. Claire also has an aunt that lives there. Charlie and Claire were married within the first month of returning home.

Sayid's/Shannon – Already having problems on the island they split immediately after getting back to the States. Shannon decided to help her step-mother and head up the division that Boone once ran. Sayid's and John Locke decide to open up a private investigations agency utilizing Sayid's electronic/surveillance knowledge and Locke's tracking/observation skills.

Sawyer – Stayed in Los Angeles temporarily while he decided what to do with his life next. Not going back to his con man past. He also burned the letter as a sign of letting go of the past.

Sun/Jin – Jin went to work in one of Hurley's many companies; his English getting progressively stronger. Sun took a job as a teacher's aide.

Note: At this point not sure if I will bring any of the other survivors into the mix. Might be too many to mix in and still make the story flow.

Chapter 1

Jack's eyes fluttered open as the morning sunlight came through the curtains and bounced around the bedroom basking the room in warmth. Groaning softly at the idea of having to get up he rolled over slightly and came into contact with Kate's sleeping form. Smiling he gently propped himself up on his side and looked down at her, watching how peaceful and relaxed she always looked when she was asleep. He noticed her nose scrunch up a couple of times and wondered what she was dreaming about.

He thought back to their time on the island when he would wake up before her and watch her sleep like he was now. He would marvel at her beauty and think about how lucky he was they found each other. Sometimes he would think about being rescued and wonder if he would get a chance to wake up next to her once they got back home. Now here they were, her legal problems behind them, starting a fresh and new life…together. Jack loved Kate deeply and he was looking forward to that life – the first step finding the right time to give her the ring he had recently purchased and ask her to be his wife.

Looking back down at Kate he reached out and pushed back one of her curls taking it and wrapping it around his finger.

At that moment Kate started to stir slowly opening her eyes she found Jack's handsome face smiling down at her. "Hey." She groggily gave what had become their standard greeting.

"Hey." Jack replied leaning down and giving her a kiss. "'Morning."

"Hummm…'morning." Kate returned the kiss then threw out her arms to stretch and sat up a little in bed. "What time is it?"

"A little after 7:30." He replied glancing at the alarm clock.

"Oohh…"Kate groaned and slid back under the warm covers. "It's too early."

"Too early?" Jack laughed tugging at the covers. "Didn't you use to be an early riser on the island?"

"That was because I was sleeping on sand and cave floors, not a comfy bed." She explained burrowing further under. "I love this bed."

"So you've told me before." Jack chuckled delighted that Kate was enjoying the comfort of his bed. After spending more than one uncomfortable night on the residents cots at the hospital during his internship and residency Jack had promised himself no matter what he would always have the best mattress and bedding he could get at his house. Anything to help get a good night's sleep. His bed was one of the things besides coffee he has missed the most on the island.

"Kaaate." Jack leaned over her covered figure. "Kaaate."

"Humpf." Her muffled response came from under the covers.

"How about some breakfast?" he pulled the comforter back from her head.

"Later." She mumbled.

"Come on." He kissed her neck just under her ear. "I'll make blueberry muffins." He offered knowing they were her favorite.

Kate opened up one eye and looked up at him. "Really?

"Ah-huh." He kissed her neck again. "And eggs scrambled the way you like them."

She seemed to be thinking it over for a moment. "Too early." She finally responded closing her eyes again. "Sleep more…bed cozy."

Pulling back Jack chuckled as he rolled out of bed. Walking out to the kitchen he put on a pot of coffee before returning to the bedroom and jumping in the shower. Emerging 10 minutes later he found Kate still under the covers back asleep.

'Boy, she wasn't kidding about more sleep' Jack laughed to himself. Leaving her there he went back out to the kitchen and settled down to read the morning paper with his coffee.

Sometime later Kate felt herself stirring out of her sleep to the smell of bacon flying and fresh brewed coffee. Sitting up in bed she took another whiff and turned finding a hot cup of coffee on the night stand next to her. 'Jack' she thought to herself, smiling. Reaching for the cup she took a sip and let the warm liquid flow down her throat.

Pulling herself out of bed Kate went down the hall to the kitchen where she found Jack, with his back to her, at the stove…cooking. She stood back and watched him silently for a moment admiring him moving gracefully from the counter to the stove. She had to admit there was something sexy about a man in the kitchen…especially when that man was Jack, she added.

Walking up behind him she slipped her arms around his waist and placed a kiss on his bare back.

"Hey sleepyhead, you're finally up." He teased. "I thought I would have to eat all this food myself."

Stepping to the side Kate peered into the frying pan, the smell of eggs filling her nose. "Mushrooms?" she asked.

"Ah-huh"

"Cheese?"

"Of course." Jack bent down and kissed the tip of her nose. "I wouldn't forget that."

Smiling she reached over and took a warm muffin from the basket. Pulling it apart she popped a piece in her mouth enjoying the warm buttery taste that mixed with the blueberries. "Mummm…You are the best." She told him.

"Remember that next time I'm late coming home from work." He teased as he served the eggs on to two plates.

Kate finished up the muffin and reached for another. "What?" she asked noticing Jack's side glance. "I'm hungry."

"So, I see." He laughed sitting down. "You must have worked up an appetite last night."

"That's your fault." She teased grabbing a carton of orange juice and joining him at the table.

"Oh yeah?" Jack laughed flashing the smile she loved. "I don't remember any complaints."

They continued the lighthearted conversation through breakfast as they did most mornings since the rescue. Jack marveled at times at how easily he and Kate had fallen into the everyday routine of not only living with each other but getting back to the real world. Jack had returned to the hospital a couple of weeks after they had settled back, but had cut down the hours he would spend at the hospital. He had told the supervising surgeon that he wanted to avoid being overworked but a large part of motivation was his not wanting to be away from Kate for large gaps of time. He refused to turn into his father and put work ahead of his home life. Kate for her part had gotten a part-time job at a bookstore. It gave her a chance to get out of the house and also made her feel like she was contributing to the household. The last thing she wanted to be, she had told Jack, was a free loader.

"How about we go to the Farmer's Market?" Jack suggested as he helped Kate clean up the kitchen when they were done eating.

"That sounds like fun." She rinsed the last dish and placed it in the drying rack.

"We can grab lunch after." He added.

"Let me jump into the shower." She started down the hall then turned around to face him. "Hey, maybe we can pick up a couple of movies for tonight?"

A short time later the couple was on their way to a local farmer's market where they spent the next few hours walking around looking at the vendor's booth in addition to picking up some fruits and vegetables. After they ate lunch and enjoyed the music from a band performing at the market.

"So, how about this one? Jack asked later at the video shop. He held up a movie case for a Jackie Chan movie. Kate wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "Not in the mood."

A few minutes later she approached Jack with her selection which he rejected. "Chick flick."

"And?" she questioned.

"Not in the mood." He teased.

Kate shook her head and put it back. "How about a comedy?" she suggested.

"I was thinking an old murder mystery, "he replied, "Maybe a Hitchcock?"

"Oh, that sounds good." Kate agreed. "You pick the mystery and I'll pick the comedy."

Happy with their selections the couple ventured back home. As Jack maneuvered the SUV down the road he thought back over the day's events. It had been an enjoyable and relaxing Saturday. He marveled at how he and Kate could have fun doing everyday simple things with little effort. Kate could take something as mundane as picking out a bouquet of fresh flowers and inject it with a sense of fun that would have Jack laughing and joking along with her. Halfway through the day he had decided that he would propose to Kate that night. It seemed like the right time to do it and the perfect way to end the day.

Once home they unloaded their purchases before Jack dramatically collapsed on the couch.

"Okay, I'm pooped." He announced.

"Oh yeah?" Kate walked over and laid down half on him and half on the couch. "Me too."

"Oof. Hey!" He sucked in some air as she propped herself on his chest. "Warn me next time."

"What?" She said sweetly locking eyes with him and feeling her heart start to race a little. She loved this man, plain and simple. She loved him more than she had loved any man before. Being with Jack made Kate understand why people wrote poetry and sappy love songs. You're just filled with such happiness that you want to share it with the world, she thought.

Jack reached up and gently caressed her soft curls before dragging his hand down along her jaw line. "You're amazing." He said lovingly.

"Oh yeah?" she purred leaning down to place a light kiss on his lips.

"Ah-huh." He replied returning the kiss. Suddenly feeling mischievous Jack trailed his fingers down her arms to the sides of her waist and stopped. Breaking the kiss he grinned. "Ticklish?"

"Huh?" Kate was still concentrating on their kiss when she felt his fingers start to dig lightly in her sides. "Jack stop!" she giggled.

"Stop what?" He feigned as he continued to tickle her enjoying the sound of her laughter. Kate wiggled her way off of him slapping his hands playfully. "You're not playing fair, Jack." She laughed. "You know how ticklish I am."

Swinging his legs over the side of the couch he stood up and took a step towards her causing Kate to back up. "What? I was just trying to make you laugh." He stated.

"Oh? And here I thought you were trying to kiss me?" she replied.

"Well, that too." He took another step grabbing her waist this time and pulling him to her. Leaning down he planted a lingering kiss on her neck. He heard Kate groan softly as she snaked her arms around his neck.

Suddenly in the background the front doorbell rang causing the couple to break apart.

"You expecting anyone?" Kate asked surprised.

"No. You?" He made his way to the front door as Kate shook her head. Opening it he came face to face with his ex-wife.

"Sarah?" He was totally taken by surprise at seeing the blonde woman standing in the doorway.

"Hi, Jack." She replied nervously.

TBC

Upcoming chapter: What does Sarah want? And how does that affect Jack and Kate?