Title: Character

Rating: PG

Warnings: None

Status: complete

Disclaimer: Lost belongs to J.J. Abrams and co. at ABC.

His eyes were focused on his fingers as they swam across the piano, landing in what seemed like random on notes that somehow made breathtaking music. In its world of black and white the piano could bring color to a bad day or anger if he needed someone to yell at. The crowd in front of the stage watched in their fixed impressed smiles, holding their programs in their laps and wearing the suits, ties, dresses, and high hills. He became aware of his own tie that was tucked a little too close to his neck for his liking, but his father had insisted that's how it was supposed to be worn. His shoes barely touched the ground, and his feet had to stretch to reach the peddles.

But he wasn't really concentrating on the music. He was thinking about the sixth grade dance and how Jimmy would be taking Maria. His anger fueled the energy in his fingers to brush across the keys faster. Not that he would have a chance with Maria anyway. She would find out he was the boy the others were talking about, the one who was always picked on and couldn't stand up for himself. The one who was at a piano recital instead of the school dance. Faster and faster went his fingers as they floated across the piano, and he braced himself for the ending chord.

--

Jack's eyes darted around the room uncertainly; he felt out of place amongst all these adults. The recital had just ended and his father was ushering him back to the car, but not before leading him through a crowd of the other students at the school and their parents, a crowd that would consist of girls from his grade level. One, her name was Alice, smiled at him above the rim of a plastic cup. The smile was of amusement. He could just see her in the cafeteria tomorrow, pointing him out to her friends. He could already hear the echoes of their laughter in the back of his mind as he sat with his only friend.

"This is so embarrassing," Jack stated, eyes drifting to the floor in front of him.

His father's arm was around his shoulder and he was grinning. Jack could never tell if the grin was fake or not.

"Don't be so judgmental, Jack," his father said, "taking part in something like this builds character."

"It builds a reason for people to beat me up," he muttered dreadfully.

Suddenly they stopped walking, Jack coming to a stop as his father let go of his shoulder. The two came face to face. He stared up at his father in fear. He was about to be interrogated on a matter he didn't wish to talk about and worse, one he should be talking about.

"Are they hurting you again?" His father inquired sternly.

"No," Jack answered, quick but with a terrified face.

"Jack," his arm fell on Jack's shoulder, "you can't let people push you around. This is what I'm talking about, building character. You either show them you're not who they say you are, or you tell someone what's going on. Understand?"

"Yes sir," Jack replied quietly, looking back to the ground.

He didn't know if he could be that brave. Inside, he knew he wasn't the pathetic, scared, little boy everyone at school said he was. But he didn't know how to show them that, not without getting hurt, or getting in trouble, or-

"You did very well tonight," his father said, changing the subject as they continued walking towards the parking lot, "do you still want to get something to eat?"

--

Twenty-seven years later Jack sat in a clearing in the middle of an island he didn't know the name of. People surrounded him, people who had become friends and allies, and some who had hurt him and his friends. One person, though, in particular he had become attracted to. Even though it may appear he and Juliet were in a relationship, he really wasn't sure he felt he liked her that deeply. But Kate...he couldn't help but to be proud of himself. This was their last night on the island, possibly the last time he would ever see Kate. Yet he had told her he loved her. He was allowing himself to be attracted to a relationship that could not exists, and he was admitting he wanted to be in that relationship.

He stared at the fire in from of him, letting the flames lure in him into the past. He was about to go back to a life away from the island, these people, and Kate. There would be so much he would have to deal with. What if the world really did think they were dead? But he attempted to remain unafraid and vowed to handle everything gracefully. He wouldn't have to fail or fear the future. He must already be content with what was happening. He told Kate he loved her. That was such a big step he sat now mostly in shock thinking about what he did. What should he do next? Talk to her? They would have to say good-bye.

He thought of everything he and his fellow castaways had been through over the past couple of months. There were so many hardships and moments so terrifying he thought for certain they weren't real. But they had survived. Even those they lost had been strong. Jack led them through it all, of course with help from others. There were times in his life where he would have never thought he would be able to do such a thing: lead a group of so many lost survivors, help save so many lives, tell a girl he loved her after being hurt the last times he dared to fall in love. He was strong. His character consisted of flaws but also strengths that were leading him through these difficult times. After being built from humiliating and traumatizing events, his character turned out to be saving him. Maybe he learned more from his father than he thought.