A/N This is still the same story that you all know and love. Chapter Sixteen has just been moved to the front. Enjoy! -NotSupposedToRaiseHim

The noise of crashing waves was everywhere, mingled with the sharp sounds of birds flying overhead, free from the troubles of people, and the familiar sound of fire crackling. Jacob sat alone on the beach, contemplating his life with the time he had, and what he was about to do. Am I doing the right thing? he questioned himself.

Jacob had always questioned himself; it made him a stronger person and protector of the island. Recently, with Richard helping, Jacob hadn't needed to question himself, Richard had taken care of that. Recently, Jacob scoffed at the word. What was recent for him was ages ago for others. Time moves differently when you're immortal.

He hadn't wanted to be immortal, to be the protector of the island, it just happened. It was supposed to be Jacob's brother, he was the special one. And then, he had angered Mother and the job was forced onto Jacob. Protect the island at all costs.

And now, Jacob was sitting on the beach, ignoring his own rules, waiting to do something that he knew he shouldn't be doing. He wasn't supposed to interfere; he wasn't supposed to get involved. But Jacob couldn't help himself. He had a feeling, an intuition, that he was meant to this time. That he was meant to interfere.

All he had to do was wait. Just then, it happened. The sky lit up, and the waves, and the birds, and the fire, were replaced by a deafening, high pitched noise. Jacob covered his ears and waited for it to stop. His head pounded; he was only human after all.

Jacob's surroundings were replaced. It was now noon, and raining slightly. The ocean was calmer, almost like glass. Next to Jacob was a thick, black wire running through the sand. Something loud was crashing through the trees behind Jacob; he could hear voices. He moved out of the way and hid behind a tree just in time.

Charlie and Desmond marched onto the beach pulling an outrigger behind them. They walked over to the wire and ran it over the outrigger. Charlie sat down and brought out a crumpled note from his pocket. Hugo came running up to the two. Jacob watched the scene happen before his eyes:

"Just know that I love you man." Charlie told Hugo sadly as he hugged his best friend for the last time.

"Yeah, whatever Dude, love you too." came Hurley's reply. He marched off the beach, completely unaware of Charlie's sacrifice, and Charlie watched him go sadly.

I'm definitely making the right choice, Jacob told himself. He continued waiting, this time with anticipation.

The time went by quickly for Jacob, each minute lasting only a brief moment. While he waited, Jacob thought of the others; the other survivors who were in the jungle right now, confused, their noses bleeding, unaware that their friend was alive. Jacob wondered if they had known, would they try and stop Charlie. Hugo would have, Claire as well. They have no idea why I'm putting them through this, Jacob thought, almost guiltily. Desmond and Charlie left; the only one left to wait for now was Mikhail.

Jacob paced back and forth impatiently. Across the sea, he saw Charlie hit Desmond on the head with a paddle. Jacob watched Charlie stand still for a moment, taking his last breaths, and then jump into the ocean. It was almost time now. Mikhail came running out of the jungle and caught sight of Desmond, who had just woken up. He fired, again and again. Jacob watched from his hiding place, he just let it happen. He knew he couldn't change what was about to happen. Desmond dived, and Mikhail went after him into the deep, leaving Jacob with his thoughts.

He walked out of the trees and sighed. It would be awhile, before he could set his plan into motion. He sat back down on the beach and waited. The sun sank down and the sky burst into a canvas of color. No matter how tired or frustrated he got, Jacob never ceased to be amazed by the view. Everything was so peaceful above the waves that were hiding the turmoil within.

It was time. Jacob stood up with purpose, confident in what he needed to do. Slowly, but surely, Jacob waded into the water until he was waist deep, and then took a deep breath. He dived, immersing himself in the water, and swam forward powerfully. He finally caught sight of the station, and Mikhail in his gear outside the window. Jacob swam down below as the water rippled in the shockwave. He swam up through the moon pool, he barely needed to take a breath, let alone gasp for air. Desmond ran over to Charlie when he heard Penny's voice.

At that moment, Jacob rose and concealed himself in another room with a view what was happening. Two of his people lay dead on the floor; Jacob promised himself that he would bury them later.

He watched, calmly, as Desmond desperately tried to free his friend. Jacob watched passively, as the room filled with water and Charlie drowned. It didn't matter to feel emotional, not to Jacob. All the mattered was protecting the island. Desmond left in a rush, concerned about Charlie's final message. He took one last look at his friend before diving. For a moment, Jacob felt pity stir up inside him, and he almost wished that he could save Charlie, right there, so he could go back to his people. Jacob shook the feeling. The island, he reminded himself. They will think he's dead, for the island.

Jacob ran over to the room and pushed the emergency switch concealed within the wall. Within seconds, the room had drained through a separate opening, while a blast door covered the porthole. Satisfied, Jacob threw open the door using the hidden key.
Jacob walked into the room and bent over Charlie, checking him for signs of life; he was nearly dead.

"Come on Charlie," he muttered to himself. Jacob reached out with his hand and grasped Charlie's shoulder. Life surged through Charlie, and his eyes flew open. He coughed and looked up at Jacob questionably.

"What happened to me? Am I dead? Who are you?" Charlie asked groggily. He pushed himself up and put a hand to his forehead, his eyes blinked rapidly.

"I'm Jacob." he said plainly. Charlie nodded, confused. His eyes were burning with questions, like a child's. Charlie's head suddenly fell back again, and he nearly blacked out.

"What I need for you to do now Charlie is to swim out of here," Jacob commanded, "You're going to pass out again, but when you wake up... swim out, and you'll find me on the beach. I'll be waiting for you to answer any questions you may have." He looked at Charlie who was already fading. It was imperative that Charlie knew what he needed to do.

"Charlie! Charlie listen to me. I have a job I need you to do." Charlie passed out.

Jacob swam ashore. It was late now, the stars twinkled innocently above. The moon reflected in the ocean. Desmond was already gone, as were the others.

He felt confident that Charlie would make it out in time for them to talk. The flashes wouldn't happen to Charlie for a while, not until he caught up to where his friends were in time. The people who flashed here currently weren't in the same time as Charlie, they were only passing through, and they'd be somewhere else tomorrow, as would Jacob. Charlie's current friends were on their way to meet Jack, certain that Charlie was dead. Just as it should be.

Jacob smiled to himself as he set another fire. His plan had worked; Charlie was meant to live. Whatever happened, happened. The flames leapt up to the sky and the embers joined the stars. Charlie was alive and was always supposed to have lived; only no one had known it.

Suddenly, there was a loud noise behind Jacob. He turned, but only slightly before looking out at the ocean. He knew who it was. Jacob's brother sat beside him and looked at the stars.

"Nice night," he began casually. He stretched out his hands over the fire while looking sidelong at Jacob, squinting slightly in the light.

"It is," Jacob replied evenly, "beautiful" he added. "Is there something you want?" He asked after a lengthy pause. Jacob's brother scoffed and pointed out at the sea.

"I know what you did," he said angrily, "I thought it was against the rules to interfere." he said in a mocking tone.

"Sometimes rules have to be broken." Jacob answered back, "This was one of those times."

"You know what's going to happen now, don't you?" his brother asked, "You know what he's going to go through, what his people are going to go through, what you have put me through for years!" He exclaimed angrily, "You care nothing for the lives of these people, nothing! All you care about is this island!" He thrust his hand into the sand to make his point.

"Is there something that you want?" Jacob asked of his brother again, tone neutral, but slightly threatening. He kept his demeanor calm and steady, giving nothing away. His brother may wear his emotions, but Jacob refused to let his take control. Not after the last time he had cared and killed his own brother, leaving the monster sitting beside him.

"You shouldn't have done it." His brother said stonily, "you should have let him die when it was his choice, and he had an opportunity to leave this island peacefully. He was supposed to die."

Jacob ignored his brother and looked out at the ocean. He knew that his brother was wrong, but deep down, a small part of Jacob wondered if he was right.