RP3 Part Two "One Year Later"

"Where did you see this boat?" Sayid asked eyeing Zoe's reaction to Mel.

"At your old camp on the beach." She told him without taking her eyes away from Mel.

"Damn." Mel said more to herself than to anyone else.

"You think this is a bad thing?" came from Sayid.

"The last time someone new came to this island they tried to kill us and and nearly suceeded. So yes, I think this is a bad thing. Sayid, I need you to stay with Zoe."

"Where are you going?" Sayid asked.

Mel took a deep breath, she was afriad to even say the words, "I'm going to tell Ben."

Jack carried Emma for half a mile into the jungle before he felt it was safe enough to put her down. He lowered her gently onto the grass. She was conscious, but couldn't move her body. Her voice was scratchy, and it was a struggle to speak. "Thank you, Jack."

"Just lie down, Emma. Don't try to move. The effects will wear off shortly."

Her entire body ached, and felt as heavy as lead. She motioned for Jack to move closer. He knelt beside her, his face close to hers. "I'm sorry I left you alone, Emma."

Emma didn't even care anymore. She had gotten half of what she wanted; the key to Ben's briefcase was still clutched tightly in her hand. She had had only a split second to react before the tranquilizer kicked in, and in his distracted, painful state Ben hadn't noticed her grab it from his neck, thankfully.

"Jack, your people need you. I won't keep you from them. But there are two things I need from you."

"I'm listening, Emma." he responded.

"I need the silver briefcase from Ben's house. I dropped it near the open window I climbed in. It might still be there, if Ben hasn't moved it. I need that briefcase."

Jack nodded. There was enough drama happening all around him to ensure a stolen moment or two to accomplish this. "I can do that."

Emma squeezed his hand, grateful for his friendship. "I also need someone to guide me, someone who knows the island better than I do. Someone I can trust."

Jack immediately thought of John Locke. Nobody knew the island better, but he couldn't always be found when you needed him. Sayid and Emma had bonded, he knew, and Sayid was an excellent guide. Either one would be an ideal candidate.

"I will do my best, Emma. But I can't leave you here alone."

"Jack, I'll be fine. I've spent plenty of time on my own in this place."

Jack shook his head. "We'll wait until the tranquilizer wears off."

Emma squeezed his hand again. "Thank you, Jack." Jack lifted her head and placed it in his lap so she could rest comfortably, and they waited together quietly.

Ben followed Mel outside. He noticed Richard and John talking. Richard handing over stuff to john. He looked at them suspicously as he watched john head off in the jungle. He started to head off to Richard.

"Ben! This way." said mel turning to Ben. "C'mon you need to stop these people. You can deal with that later." she said.

.........................................................

Sophie explored her new home. It was basically like the flame only smaller. It had a huge storage space. So sophie assumed it was just a place they stocked things when dharma was around. "Will have to give this place a good clean up Mols" said Sophie as she looked around

Lauren stepped out onto the wind-swept deck. A tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away. She clutched the railing and stared out to sea, desperately scanning her surroundings, looking for a glimmer of hope, but nothing. She sighed and slowly returned to her bed, exhausted, as the slow swaying of the boat rocked her to sleep.

---

“What the-“
The ship jumped under Lauren's feet, and she found herself on the ground. A cold wave rose from the ground and struck her, it reverberated and she skidded across to the back of her room. The wave expanded across the whole deck. She knew she had to hurry to make it through to the other side of the boat. She wouldn’t have long. Lauren crawled sideways to avoid making further contact with the waves that were violently rocking the boat. She coughed and shuddered at the salty taste of the sea water she had swallowed.

Lieutenant Frank Mason sat in the command centre, grinning. He pushed a button over and over again on the computer he sat in front of. He looked concerned as Lauren dragged herself into the room, dripping wet.

“What’s happening?!” she screamed

Frank only smiled and waved towards the window.

“We’re here.”

Lauren pulled herself up against the deck, and gripped the edge, to stop herself falling back down again. She leaned across and glanced through the window. Sure enough, the island was there, it was much larger than she had imagined, the transition from beach to jungle seemed almost like an illusion. She stumbled back as the ship rocked with the momentum. Things were flying across the room from the roughness of the sea. She threw herself behind Frank. The instruments were going crazy, spinning round in circles.

“Frank! We can’t go to the island. If we take her any further we will die!” she screamed above the sounds of the waves slapping against the boat.

He looked thoughtful, as he stared down at the instruments in confusion.

“You’re right”

He ran out on to the deck and yelled for the boat to be anchored. Lauren held onto the desk and watched as everyone frantically skidded across the deck, trying to get the heavy anchor out and drag it to the side. The waves were rocking the ship so violently that a few nearly fell overboard. Eventually they managed to hoist it over the side and into the sea.

The ship heaved as the anchor scraped along the bottom of the ocean, causing the boat to stop.

As quickly as the storm had begun, it stopped. The clouds cleared, as the sun beamed down across the boat, lighting up the complete chaos the storm had left behind. The sea became calm and smooth.

---

Lauren scanned the deserted beach and frowned. After one year of trying to find this place, they had finally succeeded. She daydreamed for a while, taking in her surroundings before turning back down the beach to help the others unload their supplies from the raft. The mood was joyful, everyone was laughing and joking, happy they had finally reached their destination. She relaxed for the first time in months and joined in with their laughter.

"Put your hands up!" A woman yelled as she ran from the jungle, accompanied by a tall, handsome man. They both pointed their guns at them.

She repeated her order, angrily. Lauren glanced around at everyone. They all looked confused, and slowly they all raised their arms and faced this woman…

Lauren fixed her eyes on the gun the woman was pointing at her. She saw the man walk around behind her.

“We don’t want to hurt you” Someone behind her called out. “We’re here to rescue you, we came to help.”

Lauren looked from the woman to the man, her heart pounding. She had researched the survivors of flight 815, she practically knew them all off by heart. She didn’t recognise these two. They can’t have been on the plane, but then, where were they from?

“Get on the floor” the man snarled. Lauren felt the four men behind her drop to their knees. She didn’t move, her heart was pounding in her chest.

“Who are you?” she asked with a shaky voice.

The man stepped towards her. Her mouth turned dry. He raised the gun to her forehead. Her body froze. Sweat was dripping from her face, the once cold gun barrel had quickly warmed up against her skin, all she could smell was the hot metal.

“Get on the floor” he repeated, almost smirking, staring at her with cold, blue eyes.

She wasn’t taking any chances, and she slowly kneeled down in the sand, not daring to take her eyes off of him.

She saw him raise the gun above her head.

“No, Ben!” she heard the woman cry as he forcefully brought the gun down against her skull.

Everything went black.

Mel glanced at Ben and noted the hard look on his face. There was no way they were going to get through this easily.

"Put your hands on your heads and don't make any sudden movements. If you do, we will shoot you." Mel said calmly.

"Who are you?" one of the women asked.

Ben took a step toward her, his gun ready.

"What is your name?" Mel asked.

"Lauren." the woman answered quietly.

"Well, Lauren. I suggest you be quiet. You don't want to give my friend here more of a reason to hurt you."

"Get on the floor!" Ben demanded.

Lauren looked scared but didn't move.

"Get on the floor!" he yelled.

Mel was too late to stop Ben. He'd hit Lauren on the head with his gun before she could get to him. She shook her head at his barbaric manner.

Mel saw that they had unloaded some rope from their raft. Making sure that Ben had them covered she stowed her gun in her jeans and grabbed it. One by one she tied the five's arms together. She kept the unconscious Lauren for the last.

"What are you all doing here?" she asked one of the men.

"We've been looking for this place for a long time."

"Why?" Mel asked coldy.

"Research." he answered back.

"Right." Mel scoffed as she tightened the ropes around his wrists.

"Don't move." Mel told all of them as she backed off a bit with Ben.

"They claim they are here for research." she told him.

"That is what they all say."

Mel agreed with him.

"I want you to keep it up." Ben told her. "Keep playing like you are the leader, the one in charge. Give me orders to follow. I want them to remain in the dark about me and the island."

"Okay." Mel said, "It shouldn't be too hard to push you around a little." she teased.

Mel walked back to the group. "Come on, it's time to go." she told them.

"Where to?" the man from before asked as he helped pick up Lauren.

"There you go again with the questions. We're going to a different place. That is all you need to worry about."

Mel looked at Ben, "Cover them from the back." she ordered. "If any of them try anything funny, shoot them."