RP3 Part Two "One Year Later"

Emma woke up, this time finding herself lying on Desmond's couch. Her leg was heavily bandaged and she felt groggy and disoriented, probably from painkillers. Desmond sat in a chair next to her, moaning softly with his head in his hands.

"Desmond? What's going on?"

"Emma, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

She struggled to sit up, but the effort was too much for her and she fell back against the couch. "Did you find Jack?" she whispered.

Desmond looked up, his eyes racked with guilt. "I was too late. He's gone, Emma. Mel took him to the boat, along with the others. They left the village before I could get back for him. Emma...." He looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry I failed you."

Emma's shock was transparent. She felt numb all over. Finally, she had found someone she loved completely and unconditionally, and who loved her back with an equal passion, and now he had been cruelly taken from her. Just like Desmond had been the first time she fell in love with him. Why would Mel do this? Emma moaned. "And Ben let them just walk away?"

"Ben was outnumbered." Desmond responded. "He didn't have any control."

"I want to talk to Ben," Emma declared. "He'll know how to bring them back."

Emma lay on the couch, heartbroken and despondent, for several hours. Around lunchtime Desmond brought a tray of food to her. “You’ll need your strength back, Emma.” he said. “I’ll take care of you. You can stay here for as long as you like.”

She couldn’t help but smile at him; she still had a serious weakness for his Scottish charm.

“Des, how long are you going to continue feeling guilty? You saved my life today, and I’m so grateful to you.” The intensity of her feelings for Desmond, which she had tried so hard to overcome, surged once more. She still loved him, she knew, and probably always would, whether or not Jack returned to her.

“Aye, and you did the same for me. I haven’t forgotten.” he responded. He kissed her forehead tenderly. “By the way, Juliet left those for you, when you’re ready for them.” He gestured toward a pair of crutches propped against the wall. “She’s a remarkably forgiving woman, Emma. If we’re going to continue living in this village, you’ll have to learn to coexist. Better to have her as an ally than an enemy.”

Emma nodded. She knew she had to make amends with Juliet, she just wasn’t sure how to go about it quite yet. “You think Ben will let us stay here?”

Desmond shrugged. “He’s got his own troubles, and I don’t imagine he has much use for me anymore.”

“I’ll find him, as soon as I can get off this damn couch.” Emma looked at Desmond sadly. “I don’t know how this happened, Des. I wish I could go back in time. I would never have fallen in love with Jack.”

Desmond squeezed Emma’s hand soothingly. “Don’t give up on him, Em. There’s something I haven’t told you yet.” He hesitated, unsure if he was doing the right thing by telling her. Emma looked up at him, her eyes full of hope.

“I’ve seen Jack in a future flash. You’re the reason he returns to this island – you can be certain of it.”

Joy and relief reflected on Emma’s face. Suddenly, her world had brightened. “Des, give me a hand with those crutches. Let’s take a walk!”

Desmond brought the crutches to Emma and gently lifted her from the couch. Emma caught her breath. Desmond’s face was so close to hers, and he was touching her skin. The electricity between them was palpable. She sighed quietly to herself and closed her eyes. Being so close to Desmond again was an incredible temptation, and remaining faithful to Jack might become more of a challenge than she had anticipated.

Sophie watched from a distance as Ben said goodbye to Mel and his daughter. Watching them as they got on the raft heading towards the boat. Sophie walked over and stood next to Ben holding his hand. "I'm sorry Ben." she mumbled. Apart of Sophie was thrilled knowing Mel was leaving and now she can actully have a relationship with Ben. But her other part felt the loss and hurt Ben was feeling right now. They both stood there as they watched them get on the boat and leave. Trying to hold in his tears Ben sighed and looked at his two girls.

"C'mon lets take you two home." he said as he wrapped his arm around Sophie as she held Molly and walked back to the village.

Mel sat quietly on the raft, lost in her thoughts. She wondered if it was a coincidence that the main men in her life were so connected to the island.

Christian had been first. She had met him when she was still a young grad student. He had been older and mysterious and she had fallen for him hard. Over the few years they had been together he had confided in her. He'd told her about his troubles and his very proud son. He'd also told her about a beautiful island that he wanted to take her to visit some day. He said she would see things she never imagined. Mel knew now that he had been talking about this island. But Christian had disappeared out of her life before he ever took her there.

Then, of course, was Ethan. Her kind, supportive Ethan. She'd found the man of her dreams in him. Then she had to kill him. She'd be wondering forever if she had done the right thing.

Ben was a problem all his own. Mel didn't think she would ever be able to break from his spell. She did love him but it was far from enough. She regretted that she had to lie to him about her reasons for leaving the island, but it was the only way he would have let her leave. She did intend to find her son William, but Mel could honestly say she didn't intend to go back to the island.

Mel turned her gaze back to the island which was quickly fading in the distance.

Desmond had been the last. Des, her protector. He'd saved her life many times and she truly appreciated him. She wish he could have come with her. Maybe he could have finally found his true love, Penny. Despite him stating his feelings for her she knew that his heart belonged to Penny.

Mel was startled and held Bella closer when she felt the raft stop. She looked up and saw the hull of the huge boat.

"Let's get you up there so we can go back for the rest." Cameron said, more cheerful than he had ever been.

Mel nodded and took Cameron's hand as he helped her climb aboard. Jack was right behind her.

"Are you sure about this?" he whispered to her.

"It would be too late now if I wasn't." she answered.

Mel walked quietly to the middle of the deserted deck.

"Where is everyone?" she asked, expecting that Cameron had left people with the boat.

"We're right here." came a sly reply.

Both Jack and Mel turned instinctively towards the voice. What they saw made Mel feel weak. Jack had to grab her arm to keep her standing.

Mel looked into the face that at once filled her with joy and with dread. "How are you here?"

"I've been here the whole time darling." Christian Shepard answered with a smile.

"Dad?" Jack asked, stunned.

"Hello kiddo." Christian said fondly.

"What are you doing here?" Mel asked, coming out of her shock.

"I'm here for you of course." Christian answered as he walked up to her. He looked down at Bella and grinned, "She's beautiful just like her mother."

"Where is William?"

"He's safe. That's enough for now."

"You said you were here for me. Why?"

"Because you Mel," Christian said as he kissed her foreheard, "You are the one who got away."

"I didn't go anywhere, you left me." Mel claimed.

"I know that. I was called away."

"By who?"

"Oh he's gone by many names, you might know him as Jacob."

Mel's face paled. "I need to sit down." she breathed and Christian grabbed a stool and lowered her onto it.

"You told me that you wanted to bring me to an island. You meant this island didn't you?"

Christian nodded, "Yes."

"Tell me why."

"Jacob wanted you here." Christian shrugged. "I fancied myself in love with you so I had no objections. But like I said, I was called away, back to my real life. To my son. So Jacob found another way to get you here."

"Ben." Mel whispered.

"Yes, Ben." Christian acknowledged as his expression hardened.

"Why did you take William?" Mel continued, forgetting about Jack who stood next to them.

"I was following Jacob's orders. It was easy to convince Ethan that Ben would only put your son in danger. He was head over heels for you too. You seem to leave a trail of besotted men where ever you go."

Mel glared at him, "Not intentionally."

Christian smiled again, his heartwarming smile that made Mel want to trust him.

"It doesn't make sense. Why work so hard to get me to the island, but then let me leave?"

"You are only meant to be gone for a little while."

"You mean I come back later?"

"Darling, you're not going anywhere. You're coming with me back to the island."

"I don't want to go back. I got on this boat so I wouldn't have to ever go back there."

"Mel." Christian crooned, taking her hand. "When are you going to realize that when it comes to this island, you will never have a choice?"

Emma and Desmond raced up and down the beach until they were exhausted. Nothing made Emma happier; riding reminded her of growing up in the English countryside, which she had left behind nearly two years ago.

Desmond caught Emma as she slid off her horse, and again they felt the unavoidable surge of electricity between them. He led her by the hand to a shaded spot on the beach, and they sat down. Des pulled a bottle of Dharma wine out of his backpack. "This one's for you," he said. He then pulled out a bottle of his favorite Scotch, McCutcheon's. "and this one is for me!"

Emma stared at him for a moment, then broke into a wide grin. "Des, is this a date?"

"Only if you want it to be," he responded. "After all we've been through, I thought it would be nice to have a bit of fun."

"You're right, we've been through hell. Let's open that bottle of wine and celebrate better times ahead!"

"Cheers, Emma." Desmond held up his Scotch to Emma's bottle of wine. "To love."

"To love," whispered Emma, thinking only of Jack, until Desmond leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on the lips.