RP3 Part Two "One Year Later"

Mel and Juliet entered the house as Emma watched them with hostility. She saw that Jack was stitching up Christian's head but he didn't look so good.

Mel kneeled next to him, "How are you feeling love?" she said quietly.

Christian grabbed her hand, "I'm fine. Got the best doctor in town working on me."

Jack smirked but didn't say anything.

"Sophie and Zoe just took off into the jungle." Juliet said from the window.

"There off to find Ben I bet." Mel said.

Both Jack and Emma looked up, "Ben is back?" Jack asked.

Mel nodded.

"How do you know?" Emma said suspiciously.

"Because I saw him." Mel shrugged.

"Listen son, when Ben gets here things are bound to get a little messy." Christian cut in as he placed his hand on Jack's arm. "He is going to blame us for a lot of things we didn't do."

"What like killing all of those people?" Emma spat. "That is something you did do, whether you pulled the trigger or not."

"It's more complcated than that." Christian tried to explain.

"You could have said no dad." Jack said.

Mel and Christian shook their heads, "Jacob is not someone you say no to. "

"You could have tried!" Emma cried, her thoughts going to Desmond and now Abbie.

"If we had said no he would have found someone else to carry out his demands and would have punished us. We'd be dead as well." Mel said.

"It's a pity you're not." Emma said quietly.

Jack heard and whipped around to looke at her. His face showed shock and hurt at her words.

"Jack, you're my son and I know I haven't been the best father, but I love you. I don't want you as an enemy and if Ben has his way that is what we will become."

Jack shook his head as he finished stitching Christian's cut. "Ben doesn't control me dad. He won't sway how I think. Despite what happened with the purge, I believe what you both are saying. I won't act against you."

Christian closed his eyes in relief at Jack's words, at least he wouldn't have to fight is son. "Thank you Jack." he said sincerely.

"Emma, could I talk to you for a second?" Mel asked and motioned towards the kitchen.

Emma stalked into the kitchen behind her, "What?" she asked.

"I wanted to thank you for telling me about Desmond. I know that you didn't have to. You could have kept it to yourself and no one would have known."

"You never deserved him or his love."

"I know that. And I told him that same thing many times. But he was always so damn honorable. He was a good man."

"Then why did you have him killed?"

Mel closed her eyes then slowly opened them, "Emma, I didn't put Desmond's name on that list. I loved Des, in my own way. I wouldn't have done that to him."

"Then who do you think put it there?" Emma said pointing at Christian who was deep in conversation with Jack. "There is only one other person who could have done it."

"I believe he would have told me if he put his name on the list."

Emma rolled her eyes, "You don't think he's ever lied to you? That man is not perfect by any means. Who's to say he didn't put Desmond's name on the list because he wanted him to die. Because he knew Desmond was in love with you and didn't want the competition."

Mel bit her lip. It did sound plausible but she still didn't think Christian would have gone that far.

"You think you're little family is so perfect, but you're the most corrupt of us all."

Mel looked Emma in the eye, "So I guess that means that you're not on our side?"

"I'd rather die first."

"Fine, but you be careful with Ben. The first misstep you make, he'll send you away but not before he takes your baby."

Emma placed a protective hand over her stomach.

Mel moved closer, "And if it's not born yet, he'll cut it out of you."

Emma paled, "He wouldn't."

Mel shrugged, "He did it to me. Why not you?"

Emma shook her head, she looked like she was going to be sick. "Get out of my house."

"Alright." Mel said feeling bad but at the same time glad she had gotten under Emma's skin. Maybe she would realize Ben was no where near the hero she was making him out to be.

"Christian can you walk?" she asked.

Christian and Jack halted their conversation but it was obvious they had been planning something.

"Of course I can walk darling. It's only a knock to the head." he smiled.

Mel hugged Jack and he looked as surprised as she was, "Thanks for helping him."

Jack nodded, "He's still my dad."

"Remember what we talked about?" Christian said to Jack before they left.

"I will." Jack assured.

Mel, Christian and Juliet left the house and made way across the courtyard.

"Jules? You feel like starting a fire?" Mel asked with a smirk.

Juliet raised an eyebrow, "I have to admit I'm intrigued."

Mel smiled. "Grab some gas cans and meet me at Ben's house."

Mel met Juliet outside of Ben's house.

"You ready?" she asked her.

Juliet smiled, it seemed she was ready to do something besides crying, first over Jack, then over Abbie.

"Let's go." she said as she picked up the gas can she had brought with her.

Mel opened the front door without knocking and was met with Sawyer sitting on the couch.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I could ask you the same thing, but I don't really need to know. Is there anyone else in the house?" Mel asked.

"Molly and Charlie are sleeping in the nursery." he answered.

"I suggest you get them and take them to your house." Juliet quipped.

"What are you two going to do?" Sawyer asked eyeing the gas cans.

Mel smiled, "It's probably best if you don't know. But trust me, you need to take the kids away."

Sawyer looked puzzled.

"What's wrong Sawyer? Does this really seem like something that is out of my nature?" Mel teased.

"No." he shrugged. "But just yesterday I was about to strangle you. Why are you so cordial now?"

"I don't have anything against you Sawyer. Well, except for the fact that you're most likely going to choose Ben's side over mine. But I won't take it personally. You'll see you made a mistake soon enough."

"If you say so Thelma." Sawyer said as he shook his head. He walked to the nursery and got Molly and Charlie. With one last look at Mel and Juliet he left the house.

"Let's get to work." Mel said as she and Juliet went to the bookcase. They shoved it over to reveal the hidden door behind it.

"Oh my God." Juliet whispered as they entered the room and looked around. "I knew he was lying about leaving the island." she said when she saw one of Ben's passports.

"This is what we need to get rid of." Mel explained. "The less Ben has to use against us, the better."

"You're really going to wage war with him aren't you?" Juliet asked.

"I wish it wouldn't come to that, but I'll do what I have to to protect those close to me. Okay, enough of being all sentimemntal." she smiled.

Mel picked up the nearest gas can and started pouring it over the table in the middle of the room. Juliet did the same. Soon the smell of gas was overwhelming.

"I think that will do it." Juliet said and they moved to the steps. Mel pulled a matchbook from her pocket and struck a match. Once lit, she slowly let it fall to the ground. She watched the flame for only a moment before Juliet pulled her to the front door.

Smoke was already pouring from the windows when they reached the front porch. Mel shut the door behind her and joined Juliet on the lawn. They both looked back up at the house.

"So much for peace." Juliet smirked and Mel saw that the old Juliet, the fighter, had returned.

Mel saw Sawyer watching them from Zoe's porch and Jack looking across the courtyard. Neither one moved to do anything. She found that odd.

Mel started to walk away from the house. She turned for a moment and glanced at the jungle where, to her surprise, she saw Ben. He stood there with wide eyes as he watched his house become enveloped with smoke. He turned and found Mel.

Mel noticed that Ben was not alone but didn't stop to see who was with him. No doubt it would be Sophie and John. With a wink at Ben, whos gaze became stony, she walked away.

Zoe glared at Mel and Christian furiously, and walked up close to Christian.

"I don't care what lies you've been filling your wife's delicate mind Sheppard, but know this. I don't take anyone putting me and my family on a hit list lightly, I have, afterall, got the repuatation for seeking vengence. Oh, and by the way, the next time you try and endanger my son's life, don't think I won't hesitate to make sure William doesn't see his mother again, well, I'm sure sooner or later he would disown her anyway, given that his mother murdered his father." Zoe said harshly, glancing between Christian and Mel.

Zoe didn't wait for an answer, and ran over to Sawyer and Sophie, scooping Charlie in her arms, hugging him, relieved that he was okay, before also embracing Sawyer, suprised by Sawyer's stiffness. Zoe looked in the direction Sawyer was staring. He was glaring at Locke.

"Remember what I said Sawyer." She reminded him. "He's on our side. He and Ben. We have to help him."

"I can't just forget what he did to Desmond." Sawyer growled.

"I'm not asking you to. I haven't forgotten either. Just....trust me, okay? This is the right thing to do." Zoe assured him.

Mel put a strong hand on Christian's arm, holding him back from going after Sophie and Zoe.

"They're just ignorant love. Leave it."

Christian looked back at her then nodded.

Mel left his side and walked up to Ben.

"I see I didn't hurt you too badly." she smiled.

Remarkably, Ben smiled back at her, though it was a little forced, "I remember you being a better shot."

"Yes well, you startled me."

Ben's face became serious, "Did you set my house on fire to spite me or did you have a real reason?"

Sophie listened to the entire conversation and grew angrier with the moment, amazed they were being civil.

"My aim was to destroy your hidden room. Which is gone by the way. You didn't need any of those things in there did you?" Mel asked.

Ben smirked as he realized what kind of adversary he truly had in this woman who used to do anything he asked of her.

"The actual house may have suffered some damage, but I doubt much. You know, we do have many other houses available."

"So I hear, how many are dead?" Ben asked.

"At least twenty-five. But that number is sure to grow just a bit."

"So this is it?" Ben said. "This is what our lives have led to, from lovers to enemies."

"Looks that way Ben." Mel answered oblivious to everyone around them who were wondering what the hell was going on.

Mel turned to Sophie, "For your information, I sent Sawyer away with the children long before Juliet and I set the fire. I could have started it with them there and you wouldn't of had time to save them, you remember that." Mel moved closer so only Sophie and Ben could hear her, "And the next time you kick my husband in the head, expect me to come after you soon after. I don't care if you can throw things around with your mind. You can only dodge so many bullets."

Mel backed up and looked around. There was a definite choice of sides.

Ben, Sophie, Locke, Zoe and Sawyer stood to one side. While Mel, Christian, Juliet stood on the other. Jack and Emma where farther down on Mel's side still on their porch.

"You really think this man has come to save you?" Mel called to the entire crowd. "You think he is going to make everything better? He can't take back the purge, no one can."

"It's your fault!" Zoe yelled, "You caused it."

"On Jacob's orders! I have killed enough people since I was brought to this island and I have never denied my involvement in any of their deaths. If I had really done this, why would I be denying it now? This purge was Jacob's doing."

Mel felt Christian come behind her and place a supporting hand on her lower back, urging her on.

"And do you know what I find funny? That you believe Ben is going to be any different than us. Ben has been listening to everything Jacob has said for years! He's never defied him. Hell, when Jacob told me to kill Sophie, Ben's wife, he didn't even try to stop me! He never once asked me not to kill her because the order had come from Jacob."

Ben's lips tightened and Sophie looked over at him with hurt on her face.

"Guess you didn't know that, huh, Sophie? Ben was willing to let you die and I came so close to doing it too."

Mel turned back to everyone else, "If Ben would let his own wife die because Jacob wanted it to happen, what makes you think he'd value your lives more? Don't fool yourselves. Not six months ago you all considered Ben an enemy. Leaving the island did not change him."

Mel walked back up to Ben and leaned close so only he could hear her. Since Sophie was so close she heard her too.

"Nice speech." Ben commented.

Mel smirked, it seemed they could still banter back and forth even if they were ready to kill each other. "You know what the best part is Ben?" Mel asked.

"What's that?"

"They're not thinking about what I just said right now, they'll mull that over later. Right now, they are wondering if you still have feelings for me. They're seeing how close we're standing, me whispering into your ear and thinking of how loyal you can be to them when you're still in love with the enemy."

Sophie gasped and pushed Mel roughly away.

"He is not in love with you!" she growled loud enough for everyone to hear.

Mel smirked, "Of course he's not." she mocked. She'd gotten exactly the reaction she'd wanted.

Mel turned her back on them and walked back to Christian. She took his hand and kissed him in front of everyone. She could feel Ben's gaze burning into her back. She didn't turn back to the crowd. She and Christian walked confidently back to their home.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Sawyer asked under his breath, whispereing to Zoe as Ben and Sophie began talking. Zoe looked at him sadly, and ushered him to sit down.

"Just because Mel says that Jacob told her, ordered her, to kill everyone, doesn't mean it makes it right. She didn't have to follow the orders. She has disobeyed him before, she could quite easily have done it again. Heck, she isn't the only one who has. Jack was never meant to have come here. He wasn't on the list, yet Ben had him brought here, so do you really think he follows every order he is given from Jacob?" Zoe started to explain to Sawyer, cradling Charlie, who had now began to cry again from everything that had happened.

"I still don't know who the hell this Jacob is!" Sawyer sniped, starting to get impaient. Zoe shrugged.

"No-one really does - well, I was never loyal enough to Ben to personally find out. I don't know, he just seems to be the authorative over the island, but I think he is flawed. His views are far from diplomatic. I mean, come on, writing lists, who says who can die and who can't. He likes to see himself as God, or God's second in command. I'm sorry, but I don't buy that. I'm not having anyone tell me when I live or die. I'd rather just let it happen." Zoe continued.

"What are you saying? Who's side are you actually on?" Sawyer asked.

"Oh, I'm on Ben's." Zoe assured him. "But not Jacob's. That shall be sorted though. Very soon I think." Sawyer stared at her, puzzled.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean, I am going to stop Jacob. I am going to take his power, his authority, away from these power crazed, hungry people. I'm going to find a way to defeat him." She promised.

"How?" Sawyer asked in disbelief.

"I don't know, but I'll figure out a way. But first, there is this war to fight first. And while we fight it, I am going to figure out a way." Zoe promised. "Jacob is the reason for all of this. It's his fault I'm here, it's his fault you are here. His fault so many people are dead. And I can't let that happen anymore."

Zoe glanced over at Ben and Sophie, holding baby Molly, and Emma, the woman Zoe recognised from the jungle when they had both been seeking for something before they had been able to join the village. She then glanced in Mel and Christian's direction, glaring at them angrily.

"Zoe?" Came a voice that made her zone back from her thoughts. It was Ben. She looked up at him.

"Yes?" She replied.

"Do you remember the day we recruited you? The day we brought you to the island?" Ben asked her seriously.

"Every dream, and every nightmare." Zoe replied firmly, staring him in the eyes.

"You're abilities. They are still working? They are still strong?" He asked her.

"Yes. Well, as far as I know. I never did get round to using them, did I? Not with one dead, and the other half burnt in a cave somewhere." Zoe smiled.

"You need to practise." Ben said to her. "You know where the Orchid is. There are plenty of test subjects you can use."

"I can't go now." Zoe informed him.

"Why not?" Ben replied.

"Because I need to mourn my daughter." Zoe replied, her head slightly tilted, she felt her eyes water, and then she looked over at John. "And you need my help to get John better."

Ben paled.

"What happened?" He asked sharply.

"She got sick." Zoe replied, more tears streaming down her face. "She got sick when I was forced to flee the village. When the purge happened. Juliet and Jack. They tried to save her. But it was too late." Zoe looked down on the floor, sniffing, and wiped her tears away. Ben shook his head.

"It's their fault." He muttered angrily.

"What?" Sawyer asked.

"Abbie and Charlie. Well, Charlie, his arrival here, went smoothly, but he still needed treatment. The injections. Abbie was weaker though. She needed more attention. If she went more then forty two hours without the next injection, she would get seriously ill. We managed to sustain the illness, but spending too long out in the jungle with out medicine - there was no chance." Ben explained. Zoe felt her blood boil with anger.

"So it was their fault!" Zoe shouted, pointing over at Christian and Mel's, glaring at John angrily. They were all responsible. "All because of bloody Jacob and his sodding lists! And getting tweedle dumb and tweedle dee. His ickle little puppets to play God. If they had never wanted me dead, Abbie would still be alive! Sawyer, Charlie, Abbie...and me. We would never have had to flee the village in order to survive!" Ben looked at her sympathetically, and nodded. Zoe shook her head angrily.

"Christ!" She shouted. "Everything just gets more wonderful by the fucking hour! I'm going to make them pay. I swear, if it's the last thing I do!" Sawyer moved closer to her, to comfort her, but she pushed him away.

"NO!" She screamed. "I need some time alone!" Then she pushed past everyone and into the jungle, alone with Charlie.

"c'mon lets go look at the damage" Sophie sighed taking ben up the porch steps and opening the door, they quite pleasently surprised there was hardly any just the room Mel had set on fire. Ben stood outside it and sighed. Everything had gone, everything he had work hard on had burnt into pile of ash. "She even burnt all your sexy shirts!" Sophie said behind trying to make the mood lighter. Ben smiled and turned around.

"What did she mean about you throwing things around with your mind?" he questioned.

"It's nothing!" Sophie said placing some pillows on the floor around Molly so that she sat safely.

"Sophie? You not been using them have you?" he asked.

"I had no choice, his hands were around my throat."

"His?" he asked in an angry tone. "I want you to back off from Chirstian Shepperd." he ordered.

"What? No!"

"Sophie! Please he's dangerous and i don't want you to get hurt. I know your determind to get your revenge on him after what he's done to you."

"Ben you can't control me! I need to do this to protect Molly. If he knew....."

"And you will in time Sophie, just not now." he sighed. "Promise me?" he asked as he walked over and hugged her. Sophie wrapped her arms around him crossing her fingers behind his back.

"I promise...."

"Ok sophie, what i want you to do is move this cup from here to the end of the table." Ben said.

"Ok....." Sophie replied picking up the cup and moving it.

"No, with your mind!"

"What? Ben im fed up with these stupid tests. It won't work"

"Just relax and focus on the cup" Richard chipped in.

Sophie took a breath in then stared at the cup. "This is pointless!" she said.

"Just concentrate" ben replied. Sophie looked back at the cup. It started to wobble and slightly move across the table. Bens face lit up with joy as it reached the end of the table. "You did it!" he said grabbing her and swooping her in his arms.

"I suppose we should clean up this place." Ben said. Sophie moved the bookcase with her mind so that it closed shut again.

"Now its gone." she replied.

Ben looked at her funny, "stop!" he said.

"Stop what?" she replied cheekly.

"Wheres my old Sophie gone? huh? The one i fell for. The one i greeted at the docks and helped her off that sub. The one who painted my nose as we decorated that old building. The one i sat with at the docks talking about personal things, the one who used to sneak in my bed in the middle of the night." as he pulled her towards him, "Where has she gone?" he asked.

"I've always been here Ben, just only stronger."

"You know we were trying and nothing happened off the island." he sighed. "Were now back on the island." he smiled.

"Ben i don't think this a good time to start trying for another child. After all we have a war to win." she kissed him on the cheek. Then sat down next to molly and started to play with her.
Ben watched them both then looked out the window looking over the village already planning what to do next.