“DON’T COME BACK FOR ME, KATE.”

Jack sees Kate from behind the walls of his glass cell. It seems like forever since he last saw her, since they were kidnapped by “The Others”, a hostile group already living on the island when they crashed. He sees clearly now that he loves her: despite her past; despite his. But all she can think of is Sawyer, that they will kill him unless Jack operates on their leader. The only reason they let him see her today was to convince him to do it...yes, that’s right--he, a spinal surgeon, just happened to fall from the sky when their leader developed a tumor. She trusts them? “I have to!” she replies. Is she kidding? Jack angrily demands that they take her away.

SOME TIME LATER:

Kate can’t believe her ears. Jack actually just told her to run. For once in her life, it is okay. But now she can’t. Separated from Jack, locked in a cage, Sawyer has been there for her--tender and kind--unlike his usual self. She couldn’t just let him die. She had to ask Jack for help. And help he does: he risks his life and tricks the Others into letting she and Sawyer go free. Run. Don’t look back. But before she goes, Jack forces her to make him a promise: “Don’t come back for me, Kate!” Kate doesn’t want to, but Jack is insistent. He wants to make sure she is safe, but there is another reason: he is saying goodbye. Kate doesn’t realize it, but Jack knows that she slept with Sawyer. Perhaps Jack has finally learned how to let go. He lets Kate go so that she can live and be happy, even if it means being happy with Sawyer and not himself, because he truly loves her. But Kate isn’t one to obey orders, and in all her confusion, does love Jack. Despite what he says, KATE WILL COME BACK FOR HIM.