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Post by lostali75 on Jul 1, 2009 13:36:11 GMT -4
Day 72
René jogged through the corridors of the Hydra to find Juliet. She went to cut through the surgical gallery when she just about ran over Ben coming out.
Looking at her with slight surprise and suspicion “René, what’s wrong, what’s the matter?”
Breathing heavily, more from the dream than the running, she tried to answer. “Looking…for…Juliet” she gasped as she steadied her breathing again.
“She just finished surgery on Zoe a little while ago.”
René’s face blanked, she had forgotten now completely what she was doing. “Zoe, my god, what happened?”
Ben reassured any worry from René “She’ll be fine; Jack, Juliet, Chase and Jo helped her out. There were just some complications; nothing to worry about. Aren’t you supposed to be with the children?” he asked
René shook her head, her long brown hair caressing her bare shoulders. “Cindy and I changed shifts today. I’ve been sleeping poorly since leaving home”
“Well,” he gingerly touched her shoulder. This immediately sent a cool shudder down René’s spine. Such a familiar touch it seemed, but couldn’t place it. “Perhaps she’s in the recovery room.”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, Juliet. Thank you Ben. Um, I’ll be sure to give you my report in a few days” she spoke while continuing her search for Juliet.
“I look forward to it, thank you.”
She thought to herself as she walked the next hallway now. Why was he always so distanced from anyone else? She shook the thought, she never questioned Ben. She just needed to find Juliet. She was the only to know about René’s “vision” of her husband back on the main island.
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Post by Belle MacFarlane on Jul 1, 2009 14:58:56 GMT -4
Carrie sat alone on the beach, by the sea, hypnotized by the waves crashing against the shore. She was lost in her thoughts, thinking of Richard and Kelso and Zoe ... how each of them had a reason to hate her, how crap she'd been towards them. She'd never been friends with Zoe from the start, but she still didn't like being hated.
Carrie was suddenly aware of a person sitting down next to her. She looked over, expecting to see Kelso, but instead she saw a kind-looking middle-aged black woman.
"You okay over here, sweetie? You look a little lonely," the woman smiled sympathetically, she didn't seem to care that Carrie was one of the Others. "I'm Rose," she said, offering her hand to shake.
"Carrie," Carrie replied, smiling and accepting the handshake, deciding not to mention the fact that she already knew Rose's name from when she'd watched them.
"How come you're out here, then, and not back with your people?" Rose asked her as if it was the most natural thing in the world, for someone from a group of people who have abducted most of your people to come striding into your camp.
"Long story," Carrie replied. "I knew Kelso way before I came to the Island, we've known each other all our lives really. He asked me to come back to camp with him."
There was a pause, as Carrie and Rose both watched the waves, before Rose said, "you're not really gonna get our friends back, are you?"
"Excuse me?" Carrie frowned. Was it that obvious that she had no intention of bringing them back?
"Jo, Zoe, Jack ... you're not here to help us get them back. If you were, you'd be there bringing them back, not here. You can't do anything from the camp."
Carrie looked at Rose for a moment, then looked back out at the sea. How many other survivors knew she wasn't bringing the others back? How many of them, right now, were talking about her, and wondering what she was really doing there? Even Carrie couldn't answer the last question. She didn't know why she was there. She wanted to be back at the barracks, with Richard. Things had changed so drastically between the both of them, Carrie wasn't so sure it was going to be perfect bliss like it had been before the crash. They'd been so happy together back then - it was simple, they loved each other. That was that. But now it was different ... Richard's affair with Zoe was still hanging over both their heads, and now Kelso was in the way too. What else was gonna get in their way? Or rather, who was gonna get in their way? This was all Ben's fault ... they might have had some chance of getting back to normality with Zoe, but with Kelso too, things were never gonna be the same again. Carrie knew for certain that Ben's only reason for capturing Kelso was to create friction between her and Richard. Ben was so jealous of the fact that Jacob allowed Richard and Carrie to be together, but he himself couldn't be with Sophie, of course he'd try to split them up. He was just that kind of man ... he'd killed Goodwin when he got in the way of Juliet ever being with Ben - not that she would have. But the point still stood ... Ben would do anything, kill anyone, in order to get what he wanted. Carrie had a strong suspicion that Ben would have killed her ages ago, were it not for Richard not allowing him to.
Carrie snapped out of her thoughts suddenly, brought back to reality by Hurley crouching down besides her, where Rose had been sitting. Carrie hadn't even realised she'd gone, she'd been so wrapped up in her thoughts.
"Hey, uhh ... sorry, dude, what's your name?" Hurley seemed slightly apprehensive about Carrie. She wasn't surprised - he'd been captured at the Pala, but had been sent back to warn everyone to stay away. Now she was at their camp ... ironic, really.
"Carrie." She wondered how many times now, she'd have to say her name. She'd get bored of it soon.
"Yeah, uh, Carrie ... could you go get us some, like, firewood or something? The fire's burning pretty low and it's night soon. I know you're an Other and everything, but would you mind giving us a hand? 'Cause you're kinda ... sitting there, not doing anything."
"Sure," Carrie smiled kindly, standing up. "How much do you need me to get?"
"Uhh, a couple of logs'll do," Hurley replied. He seemed pleased that she was willing to help out, but still a bit uneasy about her being an Other. "Thanks, Dude."
"No problem," Carrie set off alone into the jungle. She was fully intending to get firewood, and not return to the barracks, like she was so tempted to do. There were several footpaths she recognised as shortcuts, and each time she stopped, her stomach lurching, knowing the one man she truly loved was down that path. But each time, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and walked on. Each time, her eyes filled up with more and more tears.
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Post by tigerlily on Jul 1, 2009 15:55:33 GMT -4
Jo rushed to Zoe's side and checked her pulse. Zoe was muttering under her breath, something about Penny's boat.
"Dreaming indicates healthy brain function," Chase spoke up as he watched the machines monitoring Zoe's brainwaves. "It means she's okay."
Zoe opened her eyes. "Wh-what's going on?" she stuttered.
"You're among friends," Jo answered in a soothing voice. "You've had emergency surgery but you - and your baby - are going to be just fine."
Juliet approached Zoe's bedside with the portable sonogram cart that had been transported from the Staff. "We've checked your baby's vital signs, but I'd like to take a look just to make sure that everything is perfect, okay?" Zoe was still lying facedown on the operating table. Jo, Jack and Chase helped to gently roll her over so Juliet could check the baby, careful to avoid the fresh sutures on her back.
Zoe still seemed scared and unsure of her surroundings. Jo did her best to soothe her. "Do you remember where you are, Zoe? Do you remember being sick?" Zoe nodded.
"We're going to leave you with Juliet for a moment." Jo lowered her voice so Juliet and the others in the room couldn't hear her. "Remember what I said about Juliet - you're in the very best hands. I'll be just outside in the hallway, and Chase and I will take you to the recovery room when she's done checking on your baby."
Jo looked wistfully at Jack. She knew he would be brought back to the cell he shared with Kelso any minute now. Through the small window in the operating room door she could see Tom waiting impatiently for Jack to finish up.
Zoe seemed lost in her own thoughts, perhaps piecing together in her mind the events that had led her to wake up on this operating table. Jo squeezed her hand tightly to reassure her again, then stepped outside the operating room.
Tom was talking with Rene in the hallway. Rene looked flustered and agitated. Jo was on friendly terms with Rene, although they didn't know each other terribly well since Jo had spent nearly all of her time among the the Others stuck in the lab with Chase and Juliet.
"Jo," Rene implored. "I need to see Juliet right away."
"She's conducting a sonogram on Zoe," Jo replied. "She'll be done soon."
Jack followed Jo out of the operating room, hoping to finish their conversation about Ben, but Tom seized his opportunity. "Time to go home, Jack," he announced, as he pulled out the dreaded handcuffs with an apologetic shrug.
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Post by Belle MacFarlane on Jul 1, 2009 16:49:32 GMT -4
After finishing chopping up the last log, Carrie picked up the firewood she'd chopped up over the last half an hour or so. She was sure it'd be enough, at least to keep the fire going for the night and maybe the next day too. She made her way back through the forest. It was getting dark now - Carrie didn't like walking through the jungle in the dark. She kept expecting something to jump out at her, when she couldn't see them. Shivering slightly from the cold, she concentrated on making her way back to the survivors' camp.
In the middle of a clearing, Carrie suddenly dropped the logs as she felt a sharp pain in her head. It wasn't a headache, it was something worse. She clutched her head, feeling like her brain was trying to escape from her skull. Then just as suddenly as it had started, the pain stopped. She stayed on the ground for a moment, recovering from what had just happened. What had just happened?? Carrie heard a rustling within the trees, and looked over, but there was no-one there. But she could still hear it. Then she heard them ... the whispers. She stood up and looked around. She spun left, they moved. She spun right, they were somewhere else. They were everywhere and nowhere, saying everything and nothing. They were scary, though, she could say that about them.
Carrie was rooted to the ground with fright as she saw it ... the Smoke Monster emerged from within the trees and surrounded her, engulfing every inch of her, body and mind. Memories flashed through her mind, clearer to her than what was really happening ... memories of her mum, her dad, Kelso, Richard ... all the people that had ever meant something to her, she saw them now, she heard them, clearer than ever before. Her mum's soft blonde hair and blue eyes, giving out a deceptive image of innocence ... her dad's tanned features and Tennessee accent ... Kelso's own American accent, his soft brown hair ... and Richard, he stood before her mind's eye, clear as day, but Carrie knew he wasn't real. She saw him now, and heard him, his soft voice, his dark eyes, his perfectly shaped figure. They all swam before her like a dream, but now it was a nightmare.
She closed her eyes and put her forehead to the ground, begging for it all to stop. For a moment it stayed the same, but then the images started to fade, the voices got quieter ... and it was silent. All Carrie could hear was her own desperate breathing. Then, she sensed more than heard someone in front of her. She looked up to see Richard standing in the midst of the smoke. Carrie tried to go towards him, but some unknown force stopped her. Richard took a step forward, and Carrie was able to see him properly. She was taken aback by his eyes ... there was something behind them, something dark and scary. Whatever it was, it definitely wasn't Richard.
"You chose him," he said darkly. "You had a choice, you could have stayed. Everything would have been okay ... but you ran away. Why did you choose him, Carolyna?"
"I'm sorry," Carrie sobbed. "I'm so sorry, Richard. I love you so much. Please ..."
Carrie blinked, and suddenly it wasn't Richard standing in front of her. It was her dad. He stood there, clearer to her than in any memory. He, too, spoke.
"It's all your fault," he said, just as darkly as Richard had. "If only you'd have said something. If you'd have stood up to her. If you'd have stood up for yourself, for me. Why didn't you stand up for yourself?"
Carrie didn't reply, only cried. "Where are you?" She whispered. Her dad didn't reply, but he changed again. This time, it was her mum. She looked tired and angry.
"I knew you were rubbish," she said. Her voice was soft, and velvelty, something you wouldn't expect to come from a person like that. "You could never see why I was so angry. Why can't you see?"
Carrie closed her eyes, not wanting it to change, knowing Kelso was coming next. She knew how she'd let him down, she didn't want to be told ... but she couldn't keep them shut forever, so she opened them as slowly as she could. And sure enough, Kelso stood before her.
"You gave up," he said simply. "You gave up on me when I needed you most. Why did you give up?"
Then suddenly the noise stopped. The Smoke Monster dissappeared back into the trees. Carrie sat on the floor, the images of the people in her life still in her mind, but not as clear now. After several moments, Carrie realised she was holding her breath. She exhaled, recovering from what had just happened. A figure moved away from within the trees, but Carrie didn't notice. She picked up the logs and made her way back to the camp, the questions she'd been asked swirling around in her head. The questions she knew she needed to find the answers to.
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Post by fearandloathin on Jul 1, 2009 17:07:12 GMT -4
Day 72
Zoe will still slightly dazed and confused as Juliet proceeded with a sonagram scan, no doubt the effects of still being infected with pre-eclampsia. Zoe was safe for now, but there were those dreaded months ahead when a scheduled early c-section would have to be done. As Zoe gathered her thoughts, she was suddenly over-whelmed by her gratitude to Jack, Jo and Juliet...and that other doctor she didn't know too well. Chase.
Zoe suddenly heard a steady thumping, and she brought her attention back to reality, looking at the monitor that Juliet was staring at. Zoe felt a sudden rush of an emotion that she couldn't describe over come her, and she couldn;t hold back the welling up in her eyes that spilled with tears as she saw her baby on the monitor. She could make out the vague baby type shapes, Juliet turned and smiled.
"Looks like everything is perfect. You have one healthy baby." Juliet spoke softly.
"Wow." Was all Zoe managed to whisper, staring at the monitor.
"I can get a picture for you if you want." Juliet offered, and after a momentary pause, Zoe nodded.
"When can you tell if it's a boy or girl?" Zoe asked. week and one day
"Not for at least another seventeen weeks." Juliet replied. "Eighteen to twenty-two weeks is when the sonagram is most accurate..." Juliet was looking at the monitor curiously.
"What's wrong?" Zoe asked, sensing something wasn't right.
"Nothing." Juliet replied reassuringly. "It's just, grown more and developed a lot more than I expected." Juliet admitted.
"Is that good or bad?" Zoe asked anxiously.
"Well, it's not bad. You're baby just seems three weeks devloped instead of a week and a day." Juliet explained.
"Week and a day?" Zoe inquired, that really wasn't that long ago, and she felt like it had been a life time since she last saw Charlie. She had no idea what the date was either one week ago, unknown to her, on the 22nd November.
"So what does it mean? The growth spurt?" Zoe asked curiously.
"I'm not sure, but I'm pretty certain it's nothing to worry about." Juliet concluded confidently and reassuringly, just as Jo returned.
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Post by tigerlily on Jul 1, 2009 19:31:32 GMT -4
"I'm coming with you and Jack," Jo declared as Tom dangled the handcuffs before Jack.
"I don't think Ben would approve, Jo. Sorry." Tom shook his head and crossed his arms defiantly. Jo's glare shot daggers at him.
"If Ben trusts me enough to let me out of my cell and give me the freedom to roam the Hydra, I seriously doubt he would have a problem with me escorting Jack to his dungeon."
Tom lowered his arms. "Well, I guess it'll be all right."
That was too easy, Jo thought to herself smugly. No wonder Tom was known as Mr. Friendly. Jack obediently allowed Tom to handcuff him.
Rene had watched this interaction with little interest. "Jo, I'd like to speak to Juliet please," she reminded her impatiently.
Jo nodded. "Yes, of course." She returned to the operating room, where Juliet was packing up the sonogram cart, and smiled warmly at Zoe.
"Chase is going to wheel you to the recovery room. There's something I have to do, and then I'm going to be right back by your side. I'll stay with you all night, okay?"
Chase began to protest, but Jo shot him the same look that had hushed Tom so easily. It worked beautifully, and he agreed to look after Zoe.
"Juliet, Rene is anxious to talk to you, when you're done here. She's in the hallway. Chase, I'll meet you in the recovery room in a few minutes. Zoe, hang in there, okay?"
Jo was pleased to see some color returning to Zoe's cheeks. Thankfully, the immediate danger had passed, but Jo knew there would be many more dangers ahead.
"Chase, go easy on the painkillers, okay? I don't want Zoe's head completely clouded; I'm sure she'll have questions for us."
Zoe stared at Jo in surprise. "When did you get so bossy?" Jo laughed. Something had changed in her; she felt more sure of herself, more in charge of her own destiny than ever before, and apparently the change was visible to others.
"Just hang in there," she winked at Zoe in response. "I'll see you soon."
Jo marched out of the operating room and returned to Tom and Jack. She slipped her arm through Jack's and motioned for Tom to walk a few feet behind them. "Please," she asked sweetly, and Tom obliged.
"I have to tell you this quickly, Jack. We don't have much time. Try not to react; this is something that stays between the two of us, okay? The only other person that knows is Ben. I want to keep it that way, for now."
Jack nodded, intrigued. Jo took a deep breath, and began her story in a soft voice that Tom coudn't possibly overhear.
"In 1974 a baby girl was born on this island to Roger Linus and Emma Dudley, the product of a drunken one night stand. Roger was a janitor with the Dharma Initiative and well-known as the local drunk, already the widowed father of a nine-year old boy. Emma was a cute, young, new recruit that took a fancy to Roger's liquor cabinet. Emma didn't take to island living and left on the submarine soon after her baby girl was born, abandoning her to Roger's dubious parenting skills. She was given to a recently widowed woman named Amy to raise. Amy later took up with a man named Horace and gave birth to his baby in 1977, a boy named Ethan. The little girl lived happily with her new family until an unknown incident forced the sudden evacuation of most woman and children from the island. Amy's little girl was among them, and she began a new life in the United States. She never knew who her real parents were, or that she even had an older brother, and only learned the truth today."
Jo paused for a moment, fighting the nausea that threatened to engulf her as she concluded her story. "That little girl was me, Jack, and Ben is Roger's little boy. And Ethan...you already know how his story ends."
"And you believe all this?" Jack asked her, stunned. Jo didn't have time to respond; they had already arrived at Jack's cell.
Tom opened the door to the aquarium and stopped short, his eyes darting around the room. The cell door was hanging open, and Kelso had disappeared.
"That's strange," Tom muttered. "Who would take him out?" He pushed Jack roughly into his cell, released the handcuffs and locked the door behind him.
"I'm sounding the alarm," Tom decided aloud. "Something's not right here."
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Post by fearandloathin on Jul 2, 2009 6:49:26 GMT -4
Day 72
Chase wheeled Zoe to the recovery room, and the first thing she notice was Sophie's bed was empty. A pang of guilt surged through her as she remembered why she was here in the first place. Zoe had been out of it when Sophie woke up, so she hadn't a clue how she was.
"Where's Sophie?" Zoe asked.
"Well, she woke up, and so she doesn't need to be here any more." Chase replied.
"Is she alright?" Zoe asked anxiously.
"She has amnesia." Chase sighed. "Nothing that can't be fixed, I wouldn't worry. Ben has it all under control."
"Oh." Zoe replied quietly, the guild building up. "I'd like to see her soon. It's my fault. The least I owe her is an apology. Maybe I can help her get her memories back some how?"
"Juliet and Jo won't allow that." Chase told her. "You'll be under strict instructions to rest, and heal."
"But that's boring!" Zoe complained, almost childishly, Chase let out a small chuckle.
"If you think Jo was 'bossy' back there - that was nothing. Trust me, I would know." Chase added. "Juliet is pretty no-tollerance too. That's what makes them both doctors. They accept no nonsence from their paients." Zoe sighed. She never was one for sitting around doing nothing, she always had to be doning something. Granted of course shortly after her escape from her first kidnap, she was stunned into silence and immobility, ignoring all those around her from her statte of shock. But she was used to where she was now. She was finally begining to realise herself she was settled, even if she wasn't ready to admit it to anyone else yet, she was more thatn comfortable with going back to the village, carrying on with her work, her only concern was she would never see Charlie again, probably, and he would never know about his potential son or daughter.
Of course, Jack could tell him if he ever got out of here, but she hoped he won't, afterall, doctor-paient confidentiality, and the fact she would want him to hear the news from her. Maybe once she had gained some more trust from the Others, she could pay Charlie a little visit. The chip in her neck was going to prevent her from sneaking off by herself any time soon.
Zoe had to be sure Jack wouldn't say anything the more her mind dwelled on it. She needed to thank Jack for all he has done for her anyway, so she made a note to herself to see Jack as soon as possible, and hopefully on her own.
Zoe's thoughts were interrupted by loud alarm sounds. Chase rolled his eyes, frowned and groaned, and took his walkie out of his pocket.
"What's going on?" He muttered.
"Kelso has escaped. We need a full man hunt." Tom's voice replied through the walkie.
"Ugh. Ok. I'm coming." Chase answered putting his walkie back in his pocket and withdrawing a gun instead. Zoe watched bitterly, and shook her head. Guns. How she hated them. Since being on the island, they had caused so much trouble.
"What's going on?" Zoe demmanded.
"I have to go. One of the prisoners have escaped. I have to help investigate." Chase replied curtly.
"Prisoner? So if Kelso is a prisoner, does that make Jack one too?" Zoe snapped.
"One of us, Juliet, Jo or myself will back back as soon as possible. Remember. Rest." Chase answered and ran out of the room and down the corridor. Zoe sighed and angry growl. She was still in her wheel chair, her legs still too jelly like to try and walk on them so she wheeled herself out the room and down the empty corridors towards Jack's cell. The place seemed deserted - presumably everyone hunting for Kelso.
When Zoe arrived at Jack's cell, no-one was there but Jack. Zoe wondered where Jo went, to help with finding the escapee, or whatever, it didn't matter for now, Zoe got what she wanted at the right time. Everyone was too busy.
"Hey Jack." Zoe greeted and Jack looked up at her.
"Zoe. You should be resting." Jack answered as he walked up to the reinforced glass wall.
"Well we both know I rarely do what I am supposed to do, Jack." Zoe smiled. Jack nodded in agreement.
"Thank you Jack. For helping me. I do really appreciate it. I hope you know that." Zoe continued.
"As if I would let a friend die. Especially at the hands of them." Jack replied.
"It wasn't their fault Jack. I got sick. If anything, it's the baby's fault. I can forgive him...or her." Zoe smiled, patting her stomach. "Listen, Jack, you haven't told anyone who the father is, have you? Ben, Jo, Juliet, anyone?"
"No, of course not." Jack answered her.
"When you get out of here, you won't tell Charlie will you?" Zoe asked.
"I won't have to. When we get out of here, you can tell him yourself." Jack replied. Zoe bit her lip. He didn't realise she wasn't going back.
"What's wrong? Jack asked.
"Nothing. It's just....I'm not leaving here Jack." Zoe told him.
"Yes you are. I'll make a deal with Ben. He has to let us all go if I do his surgery." Jack promised.
"No, you don't understand Jack. I don't want to go back. I'm staying here, of my own free will. There's nothing for me back at the beach. I can live in a proper home here, this is where I belong, and off island, back in L.A or England, there is nothing for me anymore. Jack, I want to stay here, and the Others are happy for me to oblige." Zoe explained. Jack shook his head.
"They've got to you. They've brain washed you. You shouldn't stay. You don't belong here. And what about Charlie? You are going to have his baby. He deserves to know, to have the chance to raise a family with him." Jack told her.
"You and I both know he really wants Claire." Zoe told him, shaking her head.
"Well maybe once he knows you are having his baby he won't." Jack suggested.
"I want him to be with me because he loves me, not because I am carrying his love child." Zoe replied. Their conversation was interrupted by Jack's intercom emmiting a funny noise. Jack went over to it and pushed the talk button.
"Hello?" He said. Static was followed by a crackling answer.
"Try the door." Jack glanced up at Zoe, and she shrugged. Jack tried the door of his cell, and it opened. Zoe wheeled herself into the corridor to meet him.
"How well do you know this place?" Jack asked.
"Just from the medical room to here, the toilets and the monitor room." Zoe replied. "I've not had much time to explore."
"Show me to the monitor room then." Jack instructed, taking hold of Zoe's wheelchair and wheeling her down the corridor. Zoe rolled her eyes, but obliged.
Jack and Zoe arrived at the monitor room, and as she predicted, it was deserted. She hadn't seen the monitor room properly, to study what was happening on the screens. Jack was busy looking at the store cupboard, and Zoe heard in the background loading a gun. She rolled her eyes, but was then distracted by something on the monitors. There, snuggled up in an after sex embrace, was Sawyer and Kate. Zoe was shocked, for one she didn't know they were here, and second, she had no idea they were so close. Jack shared one of those reasons as he was now staring at the monitor speechless.
"If it helps, I was surprised, too." A familiar male voice came from behind them. Jack and Zoe reeled round, Jack immediately pointing the gun at his face.
"Jack!" Zoe said cautiously, but Ben appeared unfazed.
"If I were a betting man, I would have picked her and you." Ben continued to talk calmly, as if the gun wasn't shoved in his face.
"Shut up!" Jack spat. Ben briefly glanced from the gun into Jack's eyes.
"Well... I suppose this would be the proverbial nail in my coffin, wouldn't it." Ben replied defeated. Jack met Ben's stare, and he lowered the gun, there was a pause.
"Tomorrow." Jack said suddenly.
"Sorry?" Ben asked, slightly confused.
"Tomorrow morning. First thing. And everything I mentioned before. The instruments. The anesthesia. Juliet and Chase." Jack instructed firmly. Ben nodded.
"Yes. Of course." he replied.
"I'll get it out, your tumor. And I'll keep you alive. But I need your word. I need what you promised me before. I need to get the hell off this island." Jack ordered. Ben nodded and shook Jack's hand.
"Done." He sealed the agreement.
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Post by lostali75 on Jul 2, 2009 13:02:17 GMT -4
Just as Juliet was about to come out and see what René so anxiously needed her for the alarm sounded. Juliet ran through the door, “I’m sorry René, whatever it is will have to wait.”
“OK,” she sighed, realizing she may not get a chance now to speak about her most recent dream “I’m gonna go check on Cindy and the children.”
Juliet kept on running down the hall. René stood for a minute, ignoring the sounding alarm. “Why,” she rolled her eyes, “why do they try to escape?” she begrudgingly asked herself.
She turned back around and turned ghost white, hands dropped to her side and she began shaking with fear. Standing a few feet from her was a man roughly 6 foot in height, brown hair and blue piercing eyes. He looked pale and his cheeks were slightly sunken in from illness.
“Help him” he mouthed to her. No voice. “Help him” again she strained to hear the whisper. “HELP HIM!” the scream rattled her ear drums; she dropped to floor in terror and clasped her ears from the sudden pain.
Dr. Chase walked around the corner and virtually tripped on René cowered in the hallway.
“René, you all right?”
She looked up; the man was nowhere to be seen; only Dr. Chase stood looking at her with a very puzzled look on his face.
“Where’d he go?” her voice shook
“Where did who go?”
She stood for another second, still pale and tense with fear. “My husband," she paused "Shannon” was the only words she could audibly say at that point.
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Post by Belle MacFarlane on Jul 2, 2009 14:00:47 GMT -4
After Ben left the surveillance room, he picked up his walkie talkie. "Tom! Tom, are you there?"
There was a pause, before Tom's voice returned, evidenly from the surface of the Hydra as Ben could hear the wind whipping. "Ben! Glad you shouted me. Kelso's escaped."
"I know," Ben said. "I want you to call off the search."
"What!?" Tom sounded angry. "Ben, he could tell his people where we are!"
"Don't question me, Tom, just stop the search immediately. Call a personnell roll call. Whoever let him escape, may have gone with him."
Tom was evidently angry as he put his walkie away, but he obliged. Ben smiled to himself. He knew exactly who had set Kelso free, just as he planned. And if everything was to continue to go right, Carrie would have gone with him.
Carrie returned to the survivors' camp and gladly dropped the logs by the fire. Kelso came up to her and lead her to his tent.
"We haven't got anywhere spare, so you'll have to share with me," he said. He looked at Carrie curiously. "Hey, what's up? You look pale as a sheet."
"I'm fine," Carrie whispered, too weak to speak any louder. "I'm just tired, is all."
Kelso stroked her face tenderly. "Okay," he said. "Best get some sleep."
Carrie smiled, as she climbed into the bed that had been set up for her, not even taking her clothes off. After all, she'd need them again in a few hours. She didn't know, yet, what to do about her parents or Kelso, but she knew, for the good of herself and everyone else, that she had to go.
Kelso climbed out of the tent, and Carrie pretended to go to sleep. She didn't even need to try to stay awake, her head was still spinning from earlier. She heard Kelso come back in, and felt him kiss her on the cheek before climbing in to his own bed.
She waited an hour or so until she knew for certain Kelso was asleep, and all the noise had stopped outside. She quietly climbed out of the bed and out of the tent. She was shocked to see Locke, sitting quietly by the fire. He looked at her and smiled knowingly.
"Can't sleep?" He asked, but they both knew that wasn't why she was out.
"I was just gonna go for a walk," Carrie said.
"Bit late isn't it?" Carrie didn't have time to reply before Locke continued, "I'll come with you, I can't sleep either."
He went to stand up, but Carrie stopped him. "No, I wanna walk on my own," she said. "I've got some stuff to figure out."
"The outdoors has always been helpful in the thinking process," Locke said this almost sarcastically, as if he knew what she was really going to do. "Go on, then."
Carrie made her way silently up the beach, and through the jungle. She quickly came to a shortcut to the barracks, which she gladly took. Tears welled up in her eyes again as she heard the very faint trickling sound of a waterfall, and realised she was at the spot where she first realised she was in love.
Panic rose up in Carrie's chest as she realised she was lost. She'd been on the island for two weeks now, and was still getting herself lost in places that should have been familiar to her. The weather was extremely hot again, and Carrie was sweating and extremely thirsty. "Richard?" She called. Since coming to the Island, Carrie had become good friends with Richard. She called him again, hoping someone would hear her, even if it wasn't Richard. There was a rustling in the bushes behind her. She turned around and jumped, as Richard emerged from within the bushes.
"Hey, Carrie, are you okay? You look a little lost," Richard spoke with concern.
"Where the hell'd you come from?" Carrie asked. Seriously, where had he come from? He was off seeing Jacob when she left. Although she didn't know where Jacob was, she knew that whenever Richard went to see him, he always went the opposite direction to where Carrie was right now.
"You were calling for me, and here I am. You look hot."
"Ya think?" Carrie replied sarcastically. "It's 30 degrees out here. I could really do with some water right now."
"There's a waterfall nearby, can't you hear it?"
Carrie listened. "No," she said.
"Sshh, be absolutely silent. Close your eyes, and just listen," Richard instructed her.
Carrie did so, and became very aware of Richard's hand on her shoulder. After a few moments, she heard the gentle trickle of a distant waterfall. She opened her eyes, and looked up at him. "Yeah," she said softly. "Yeah, I can hear it."
Richard smiled knowingly. "That waterfall's about a mile away. You have very good hearing." Carrie didn't reply. She was caught breathless by his smile. And his eyes ... he had the most beautiful, dark eyes she had ever seen. His touch on her shoulder was like velvet. "Come on, I'll show you where it is."
Richard took his hand off Carrie's shoulder, breaking his hypnotic spell over her, and led her towards the waterfall. With the same hand he had put on his shoulder, he took her hand. His fingers linked between her own.
They arrived, half an hour later, at the waterfall, still hand in hand. They hadn't spoken throughout the whole journey, but it hadn't been an awkward silence. Somehow, it had made her feel closer to him.
"It's beautiful," Carrie said, awestruck by the rhythm of the water splashing into the pool. Richard stepped forwards and crouched at the edge of the pool, and cupped some of the water in his hands, then let it fall gracefully back into the water.
"It's cold, and completely clean," he said, as Carrie crouched down next to him. "Safe enough to drink."
Carrie then remembered the reason they'd come to the waterfall in the first place. She'd been so transfixed by Richard, that she hadn't realised just how how and sticky she was. "Can I swim in it?" She asked him.
"I don't see why not," Richard replied. "I might join you, actually."
They both stood up, and Carrie pulled her top off. She suddenly became aware of Richard's eyes on her back. She smiled slightly as she took off her shoes and socks, then wriggled out of her trousers. She could hear Richard undressing too, but daren't look round in case he saw her looking at him, or she saw him looking at her. She knew that he was looking again, as she took her trousers off, because she could feel his eyes on her legs. She listened carefully, and bit her lip to stop herself giggling as she heard Richard's breathing getting deeper.
Carrie dived into the pool with a loud splash that was quickly muffled as she submerged herself underneath the water. There was another muffled splash as Richard jumped in behind her. She swam down as far as she could, until her ears started popping, at which point she turned around and made her way back up to the surface.
After suggesting to go swimming, Richard was surprised by Carrie's enthusiam. He stood up as she did, and was surprised to find himself staring as she took her top off. A feeling swept over him which he hadn't felt in a very very long time. He shook himself out of his gaze, and began pulling his own clothes off. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Carrie pulling off her trousers, and his gaze once again fixed on her. He had a strong desire to wrap his arms around her and never let go, to protect her from anyone that tried to hurt her ...
Richard was snapped out of his thoughts by Carrie diving into the pool. He quickly followed, watching her swim down. He was surprised by how deep she went, before turning around expertly and swimming back to the top. Richard emerged from the surface several seconds after her. "You're really good," he said to her.
"Thanks," she grinned. "I took swimming lessons when I was a kid, and I was the best in the class."
"And so modest too," Richard agreed mockingly. In response, Carrie put her hands on his head and pushed him under water, using pressure on him to keep herself afloat. Of course, being underwater didn't bother Richard, but what did bother him was how close he was to her body. Her legs were extremely close to him, he had a strong desire to stroke them.
His strong fights against temptation were broken when Carrie released him, and he emerged back to the surface, gasping for breath. "You didn't struggle at all," Carrie said.
"I can hold my breath for a very long time," Richard replied. He looked at her, sorely temped to hold her close. To stop himself from doing so, he said, "come on, I'll race you to the bottom."
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Post by lostali75 on Jul 2, 2009 17:21:21 GMT -4
René sat by the bed holding his frail hand. The doctors said that there was nothing more that could be done. She wept silently as her husband slept. He lay listlessly in the stale hospital bed. His breathing staggered more and more. She knew it would soon be time.
She looked at his frail once masculine face. The monitor went flat. The nurse in the room turned it off. No more to be done, the DNR had been signed. René held in the sobs as much as she could, her body heaving as if gutted to the core.
"bye Shan" she leaned over and kissed his lips, one last time.
Wiping away her tears she walked out of the room, not knowing at all were she was going.
Rain whispered and fell cooly upon the grave stones. The friends slowly dispatched walking to their cars. René stood, stoic, as if waiting to awaken from her nightmare. She looked up and saw a lone man seemingly waiting for her. He was dressed in a black suit and tie holding an umbrella to shield himself from the rain. He was rather tall, very dark hair and deep brown eyes. He slowly walked towards René.
"Are you René Shaw?" he held out his hand. René took it and they shook. "Forgive my intrusion" his voice smooth and flowing. "I'm very sorry for your loss but my associates are very interested in meeting you."
René was baffled "Associates? Whom do you represent?"
"Well, to be quite honest René, we represented your husband." René was confounded. She wasn't quite sure how to handle the situation.
"I, I don't understand" she shook her head trying to grasp on to what reality she could.
"By the way," he continued in the same smooth flow "My name is Richard"
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Post by tigerlily on Jul 2, 2009 19:19:32 GMT -4
Day 72
Tom grabbed Jo by the wrist and yanked her out of the aquarium. Once they were in the hallway again she shoved him angrily. He just laughed as she pummeled his bulky frame with her one free hand.
"Let go of me, Tom! I need to talk to Jack!"
Tom pulled the switch in the hallway to sound the alarm. "No way. We're going to need everybody on this." He stopped by the monitoring room and released Jo's wrist. He tossed a walkie-talkie to her and helped himself to a loaded shotgun.
"See if you can find Carrie. She might want to know that Kelso has disappeared."
Jo gazed longingly down the hallway towards Jack's cell before charging down the hallway in the other direction. 'Later,' she told herself. 'He'll still be there later.'
**********************
Jo had just reached Carrie's deserted quarters when her walkie-talkie beeped, indicating an incoming transmission. "Yes?" she asked, wondering who would be on the other end.
"It's Ben. Did you find Carrie?"
Jo's heart stopped beating for a moment. Her mouth suddenly felt dry, and she thought she was going to be sick.
"Joanna?" Ben prompted impatiently. Jo closed her eyes and, swaying slightly, held tightly to a chair in Carrie's room. She forced herself to respond.
"No. Her quarters are completely empty."
"That's fine," Ben replied. "Thank you. I'd like to see you in my office now."
Jo sighed heavily and switched the walkie-talkie off. She hadn't had any time to absorb the news about her past, and she definitely wasn't ready to face Ben yet.
"I guess it's now or never," she said aloud to herself.
**********************
Ben was gazing at a framed photograph of Sophie with a strange, sad expression as Jo approached his desk. She noticed that Sophie looked much younger in the photo, and that it was taken near a London landmark. 'Strange,' she thought to herself. 'How did he get a photo of Sophie off-island?'
Ben replaced the photo on his desk and smiled politely at her.
"I thought you might like to know that Dr. Shephard has agreed to perform my surgery first thing tomorrow morning. I would like you to assist, along with Juliet and Chase. You have already proven yourself more than capable with Zoe's surgery."
Jo wondered what had changed Jack's mind about Ben's surgery. Was he doing it because she had pleaded with him to? Was it because he now knew that Ben was her only living family member? She was aching to sit down with Jack in private, to know what was really going through his mind, without all the constant interferences. Jack was the only person she really trusted, and she desperately needed his levelheaded advice in this bizarre situation she suddenly found herself in.
"I'll do it, Ben." She was so uncomfortable she barely spoke above a whisper.
Ben removed his spectacles and looked her straight in the eye. "I'm glad to hear it," he replied in his most pleasant voice, and promptly changed the subject. "Well then. I suppose we should discuss the contents of your file. You have read it, haven't you?" Ben's eyes widened, giving him a peculiar bug-like expression.
Jo's stomach lurched. This was the moment she had dreaded: acknowledging to the man she hated most, the man she blamed for everything that had gone wrong since the crash, that they shared the same father.
"Yes, I read it."
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Post by WinZFactor on Jul 2, 2009 22:36:21 GMT -4
“3SJ London, this is MAS 365, over.”
“MAS 365.”
“We have been assigned on an emergency duty to the ABC power station. We’re now on our way. Apparently one of the generators leaked. Please standby for further information. We might need backup, over.”
“Roger that, 365 - how many of you are there, over?”
“We have 4 first responders and a junior PM. We’re almost there. ETA 20.15. Over.”
“Roger, 365 - we got you on our priority list, ETA 20.15 -- inform us if you need backup since there are a LOT of standby crew nearby, over.”
“Roger that, London - MAS 365 out.”
Mars watched as Kenneth - the ambulance driver - makes his way through alleyways and crossroads in order to reach the power station quickly. She sighed. ‘Here we go again’, she thought. Mars is one of few exceptional junior paramedics out there in London to be assigned on a massive emergency like this. Despite her very young age, she is both physically and mentally trained to handle critical situations.
Mars looked around. Sitting on the seat across her is Jon and Philip. They are brothers. Jon is a 7 years older than Philip, but, surprisingly, smaller and shorter than Philip. On her left is Brad - her ex-instructor. He is renowned for his epic ‘Hitler moustache’. Unlike Hitler, of course, he’s kind and loving. On the driver seat is Kenneth - navigating his way through the streets of London, and on the seat on his left is Andrew, the officer in charge of today’s duty.
Mars ran her hand through her short, brown hair. “Are we there yet?”
“Two seconds.” Kenneth made a sharp turn to the left, and then slammed the brakes, causing everyone to jerk. “Here!”, Kenneth sighed.
“Kenneth, just a reminder. We wanted to get here in one piece.” Philip said.
“But we need to get here fast, right?” Kenneth unbuckled his seatbelt. “Come on, let’s move.”
Mars unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the rear door. She jumped out of the ambulance. She gasped as she saw a lot of people assembled in front of the power station.
“Seems like they’re all evacuated already.” Kenneth gave Mars a pat on her back and hand her a first aid kit.
“Yeah.” Mars sighed. “Let’s move.”
Suddenly, a middle-aged man ran towards Mars and her team. Judging from his yellow and white uniform, he must be one of the engineer.
“We need help. We’re missing a person. I think he’s still inside. In the engine room.” the man stuttered.
“How on earth is he still inside?” Jon wondered.
“One of the generators leaked, and it caused a little tremor in the engine room. Part of the engine room….. Collapsed….. And… he must’ve been trapped.”
“We’re on it. Mars and Kenneth - get inside. Watch out for falling debris. Get out there if there’s another leak. MOVE!” Jon ordered.
Mars and Kenneth ran towards the entrance, elbowing their way through the people lining in front of the entrance. Once they entered the station, they followed the directory down to the engine room downstairs. It was chaos. Alarms were ringing, lights were flashing and blood can be seen splattered on the floor and walls.
“I think we should go back upstairs.” Kenneth started to back away.
But before they could even move, they heard something.
“You hear that?” Mars whispered.
“Yeah. On second thought, let’s go and check it out.” Kenneth made a gesture, indicating Mars to follow him. After several minutes of walking and searching, they saw a man, trapped between two gas pipes, his leg impaled by a strip of metal. “Help! Help!” he screamed. “Down here!”
“You’re going be to fine. Mars, stop the bleeding.” Kenneth ordered. “I’ll radio the team.”
Mars nodded, quickly opened her first aid kit, made a ring bandage around the metal strip and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.
“MAS 365, this is MAS 06. We have a casualty at the engine room. Request….” Kenneth stopped when he heard a sharp buzzing sound coming out from his handheld radio. Then, a tremor could be felt.
“Oh, God. You guys better run.” The man mumbled.
“What do you --”
“Listen, we don’t have time for this. Leave me alone. Run. There could --”
Another tremor happened, this time harder than before. Kenneth packed his things. “We’re really sorry, pal.”
“GO!” The man barked
“Come on, Ken, let’s go!” Mars sprinted towards the staircase. Debris started to fell all around them. Kenneth ran up the stairs, Mars followed behind him. Disoriented because of the tremors, Mars fell and tumbled down the stairs, back to the engine room.
Then, Mars heard a loud buzzing sound and everything went black.
----------------------------------------------------
Mars opened her eyes.
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Post by Belle MacFarlane on Jul 3, 2009 13:43:07 GMT -4
The sounds of the waterfall suddenly got much clearer, as Carrie stepped out from the jungle and into the clearing. Her heart leapt into her mouth as she saw a familiar figure sitting at the edge of the pool. Richard.
He was sitting with his shoes and socks cast aside in the grass, and his trousers rolled up to his knees while his legs were dipped in the water. He was transfixed by the water cascading into the pool, so lost in thought that at first he didn't notice Carrie sitting beside him. When he saw her, various emotions rushed through him at once - he was angry at her for running off with Kelso, happy that she was here with him, and so very very in love with her, just for being her. Despite his anger at her, his love and happiness overcame it and he smiled. "Hey."
Carrie smiled back. "Hey." She proceeded to take off her own shoes and socks, and put them aside. She rolled her trousers up to her knees and dipped her legs in next to Richard's. She smiled to see her own smooth, feminine legs next to Richard's muscular, masculine legs. That was another thing she loved about Richard ... every part of him was perfectly in shape.
Neither of them spoke. They both just watched each other's legs swimming around under the water, listening to the gentle sounds of the movement. Richard wanted to say something. He wanted to hold her, but something told him not to. He knew that now, of all times, she needed him most. He was certain that was why she'd come to the waterfall.
"What happened to us, Richard?" Carrie asked quietly, breaking the silence.
Richard looked over at her sadly. She wasn't looking at him, her gaze was still fixed on their legs, which were next to each other, perfect next to each other, but not intertwining like they had before. "I don't know, Carrie," he replied. "I really don't know."
Carrie looked up at him. In her eyes, she looked so innocent and young. He knew, by being with her, he was taking that away from her. He knew, one day, he was going to have to watch her die. He didn't want to have to go through that again ... but he loved her too much to let her go. He reached up and pushed a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.
"I love you, Richard," she said. "Do you love me?"
"Yes," Richard replied immediately. He may be unsure of anything else, but one thing he would never doubt is how much he loved her. He'd doubt Jacob before he doubted his love. "I love you so much, Carrie."
"Then why are we like this? Why is there so much awkwardness in the air? If we love each other, we should be together. That should be that. Only Ben wants to stop us, and he's succeeding. The only reason he captured Michael was because he wanted this to happen, Richard, he wanted us to doubt each other." Without holding it back this time, a tear fell from Carrie's eyes, followed by another and another, until she began sobbing. Richard instictively held her close, resting his chin on top of her head and stroking her hair. "I saw it," Carrie whispered.
"What?" Richard looked down at Carrie. He knew exactly what she was talking about.
"The smoke monster." Carrie looked up at Richard, her eyes swollen and red. "I saw it. It showed me ..." Carrie choked back another sob. "It showed me you, and Michael, and my parents. It spoke to me ..."
Richard was shocked. He had no idea that might have happened. "What did it say?" He asked quietly.
Carrie shook her head. "I can't ..."
"It's okay," Richard said quickly, kissing her on the top of her head. "You don't have to tell me." Carrie began crying again, and he held her tighter, as if it was the only thing that would calm her down. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, Carolyna."
Carrie wrapped her arms around Richard's torso. "I love you," she sobbed.
"I know," replied Richard. "I love you too."
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Post by tigerlily on Jul 3, 2009 18:27:34 GMT -4
Jack examined the spinal x-ray illuminated before him and spoke into his tape recorder. “Osteoblastoma is present in the posterior area of the lumbar. I am recommending biopsy for...”
The persistent beeping of a smoke detector interrupted him. Distracted from the X-ray, he left his office to find the source.
It was nearly pitch-dark in the deserted waiting room. Jack climbed up on the reception desk and pulled the dying battery from the detector. He hopped down easily and headed back to his office.
An eerily familiar voice called his name. Jack whipped around to see his father sitting on the waiting room couch, dressed in the same clothes and white tennis shoes that Jack had planned to bury him in three years before.
Jack didn’t trust his eyes. He stepped slowly, tentatively, towards Christian, his eyes wide and fearful.
His father spoke again. “She’s still alive, Jack.”
“Jack?” This time it was a different voice calling his name from behind. Jack spun sharply to face Erika, his colleague in the St. Sebastien Neurosurgery Group.
Jack glanced back to where his father had been, but Christian was gone. Jack sighed and rubbed his head anxiously, fighting back tears.
“You okay?” Erika asked, noticing his disheveled appearance and frightened expression. Concern was etched all over her face.
“The, um, the smoke detector was... was beeping, and I just...”
Erika smiled, unconvinced. “Okay. Thank you for keeping us safe.” She moved toward the exit of the empty waiting room.
Anxiety overwhelmed him. “Erika, um…you mind doing me a favor? Can you write a script for clonazepam?”
She walked back towards Jack and pulled her prescription pad out of her bag. “For you?”
“Yeah,” he replied, eager for an escape from his pain.
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Post by fearandloathin on Jul 3, 2009 18:28:30 GMT -4
Day 73
Zoe was back in her bed in the medical room, under strict orders to recover. As Jo promised, she had come to stay with her all night, after the whole Kelso incident, and been away talking to Ben, Jo finally managed to fullfill her promise. Zoe was pleased but anxious that Jack had agreed to do Ben's surgery, as it meant that soon Jack, Kate and Sawyer would all be free to go. Well, Jack was a definate, Zoe was unsure on the deal with Kate and Sawyer, but she planned on saying something if they were kept prisoner.
"Thank you Jo. For everything. I probably wouldn't be here now if it weren't for your help." Zoe smiled warmly as she lay in her bed reluctantly.
"Don't be silly. Besides, it was mainly Jack's handy work." Jo smiled as she pulled up a chair beside Zoe's bed.
"Zoe. There's something I've been meaning to tell you, to do with Ben's surgery. I've agreed to do it, but under the condition that after your surgery was completed, they'd let you go. That they''d let you off this island." Jo explained. There was a pause, and Zoe didn't say anything for a moment.
"Jo, I'm staying here." Zoe replied eventually. There was another pause.
"What? Why? Ben said you can go...you'd no longer be here against your free will." Jo asked frowning with confusion.
"I don't want to leave. I want to stay." Zoe replied. "Jo - back 'home' there is nothing. It's all gone. This is my home now. I have more going for me here then I do back there. I lost my friends, my work, my fiance. Here, I have a purpose." Ben was standing in the doorway now, out of Zoe's eyeline, smiling smugly.
"I appreciate you fighting for me though, Jo, I'm sorry it wasn't what I wanted, otherwise you probably could have bargained something far more worthwhile." Zoe apologised, and for some reason, Zoe felt that she could detect anger and fury in Jo. Afterall, she knew far more than Zoe did about the circumstances of being pregnant on the island, which she hadn't brought herself to tell her yet. Zoe stared at her softly.
"You're not mad, are you?" She asked Jo hopefully.
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