Title: Aftermath

Pairing: Jack/Kate

Setting: Post Island

Chapter one: New beginnings

Jack walked through the hospital hallway, the new chief of medicine nodded at him with respect, Jack returned the smile politely.

'Hey Shepherd.' Richard Carter greeted him.

Jack stopped mid-walk to greet the new elderly chief.

'Hi Richard.'

Richard smiled at Jack's scrubs as he asked, 'does it feel good to be back?'

Jack broke into a grin, he had missed the hospital more than he thought he would, it was a large part of his life now that the he was back for good.

'You have no idea.'

Richard patted him on the shoulder, a glint in his brown eyes, 'keep up the good work and with the amount of praise the media gave you and your reputation as a surgeon, you might be the one replacing me.'

Jack smiled politely, he knew he was more than capable of having Richard's Job, but he felt comfortable as a surgeon, just a surgeon. The island had fulfilled his needs of being the leader, it had fulfilled his need of being the best. He was a different man now.

He gave his boss a small smile, 'We'll see.' He replied.

With that, Jack continued walking down the hallway as Richard watched the most capable surgeon in L.A walk away from him.

Jack let his eyes drift across the hospital corridor for a moment, he smiled, savouring the familiar air of detergent and freshly mopped floors. A hint of coffee and plastic lingered in the air, he broke into a content grin, being back didn't feel good. It felt brilliant.

'Dr Shepherd, I guess we have the same shift tonight.' Jack turned on his heel at sound of the soft voice.

Lyla Carter gave him a playful smile, 'what're the odds of that, huh?'

Jack smiled at her, her soft brown curls rested just below her shoulders, her emerald eyes stung his soft gaze, she reminded him so much of Kate. Kate. For a moment, his mind went blank.

'You okay?' Lyla asked with a concerned expression.

Jack looked down at her, 'uh, yeah...yeah.'

Lyla smiled, bemused by his odd behaviour, 'You can't blame my father for wanting his favourite two surgeons on the same shift.'

Jack smirked, 'He gave you this shift because you're his favourite? I thought it was so he could keep an eye on you.'

Lyla smirked back at him as she replied, 'it sucks to be the chief of medicine's only child.'

Jack nodded in agreement, she had no idea, and she'd only been working here a week.

Lyla frowned for a moment, it was as if she was hesitating before she spoke, 'wanna go for a coffee?'

Jack frowned at her, 'but we're on call-'

Lyla rolled her eyes, 'I meant down stairs. The cafeteria?'

Jack felt like a complete idiot for a moment, beep-beep, he glanced down at his pager, he winced, someone was coding.

'Can I take a rain-check on that?'

She cocked an eyebrow at him, 'I'll think about it.'

Jack grinned at her; he headed for the direction of the coding patient. Lyla watched the handsome doctor go, she felt her heart stir in her chest, she smiled slightly, what was she thinking? This guy had baggage.

In the hospital room:

The flat-line tone ate at him as he slammed the defibrillator aside, he closed his eyes, the blunt continuous tone from the monitor was the only sound to be heard for a moment. He had lost his first patient since returning.

He turned around to find the nurse staring at him along with the med students, he ran a hand through his hair as he glanced at his watch. He had to keep it together, he could feel their eyes on him. His voice came out hoarse as he called it.

'Time of Death, 8:23 pm.'

The numbers made him pause for a second, he looked to the other people in the room, their blank expressions reminded him that he was alone when it came to remembering the island. These people could never fully understand what they had lost on the island. For the first time in three months, he felt a sadness filling his heart. He didn't know if it was the rude-awakening of failing to save his patient that reminded him, or the fact that yet again, he'd return to an empty apartment tonight, but he was no longer on the island, miracles wouldn't happen here. The island was a closed chapter in his life. There was no going back, not again, not after what happened last time.

Jack glanced at the patient's chart that now lay aimlessly on the bed, a sensation of powerlessness spread through him, handing the chart to the nurse, Jack walked out of the room. There were no second chances here.

His tender eyes were focused firmly on the floor ahead of him, out of the fear of meeting anyone's gaze he quickly headed for the locker room.

Once inside, Jack pressed his forehead against the cool metal lockers, closing his eyes, he let out a tortured breath. Contrary to the public's belief, he was no hero. He groaned out of frustration, slamming his fist against the locker, the sensation of pain was almost refreshing as he took a deep breath. The pain cleansed his anger, it was out of his system, he straightened as he closed his eyes again. When it came to being a doctor, this was the part he hated the most. Having an entire life slip through his fingers in the span of a single moment. It was times like these, when the weight of death and guilt felt unbearable and he wished he wasn't alone.

'You okay?'

Jack froze, he recognised that voice, it was strong but gentle, distant but warm, it was Kate.

He turned around, the sound of her name made his heart thump rapidly as he stared at her, 'Kate?'

Her delicate long curls rested beyond her shoulders, her once emerald eyes seemed softer now as she smiled at him warmly.

Kate walked towards him, she was dressed in a pair of smart brown trousers and a maroon blouse, she looked stunning.

Jack marvelled at her, 'what're you doing here?'

Kate smiled, 'is that how you're gonna greet me?' there was a wistful look in her eye, after a moment it was replaced by a casual smile, 'Its been three months Jack.'

Kate hugged him, she felt his uncertainty as he slowly held her back. He didn't dare close his eyes, he was afraid that if he opened them, she'd be gone. He held her closely, gently but firmly, words could not describe how feeling her body against his felt after so long, his pulse began to race.

Kate whispered in his ear, 'I missed you.'

Jack held her tightly for a moment longer before pulling away, in that instant the memory of losing a patient had vanished from his mind.

Instead it was replaced by memories of a place he wished was home. It was replaced with memories of the island, the distant memories of her along with the memories of what they had lost.

He smiled at her warmly, 'it's good to see you Kate.'

Kate bit her lip for a moment as she nodded, furrowing her brow, she looked up at him, 'why didn't you call?'

Jack looked down, 'I uh...' He trailed off as he glanced back up at her, their eyes locked. He didn't know how tell her he had been shackled with guilt whenever he thought of her after what happened on the island.

At a loss for words, he simply replied, 'I'm sorry.'

Kate looked dismayed, her heart stung in her chest, she had been hoping that their reunion would be a bit more intimate than just a brisk hug.

Kate glanced at her watch, she was getting cold feet, maybe making the first move after what happened wasn't a good idea. Maybe he needed time.

'I should head back to mine, the nanny finishes in an hour.'

Jack didn't meet her gaze, he looked down. Seeing her again had stirred up emotions that he forgot he had.

Kate touched his cheek, 'Call me. Okay?'

Jack felt his mind go blank, her warm hands made his heart stir in his chest, he could barely respond when she was standing so close, he nodded weakly.

Secretly crestfallen by his distant behaviour, Kate pulled her hand away, picking up her black handbag, she turned and walked towards the door.

Jack felt as if he should say something, anything, just to make her stay and be part of the bittersweet silence between them for a moment longer.

'I really am sorry Kate.'

Kate glanced back at him, for the first time tonight, she saw an inkling of the Jack she used to love in his eyes. The sincerity in his gaze made her heart melt.

She smiled sadly, 'I know.'

Feeling as if she had nothing more to say, she faced the door, praying he would say something comforting.

'I will call.'

Kate looked at him with a bittersweet smile on her face, 'I hope you do.'

Jack watched her leave, the locker room door swung shut. Still stunned by the brief encounter they had just had, he sat on the bench. Running both hands through his hair, he rubbed his face as he leaned backwards, laying flat on his back, he stared up at the pale blue ceiling as he lost himself in thought.

End chapter one: