DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT MY ORIGINAL CHARACTER!!!!

Title: REDEMPTION
Summary: AU - Season 6. What happened after the flash? Will the survivors ever get off the island? Do Riley and Sawyer have another chance at a relationship now? Read to find out! NO FLAMES!
Pairing: Sawyer/ Riley (OC)
Genre: Drama/Romance

Chapter 1:

The blindfold was yanked off my head with such a force that my head jerked to the side. When I was able to see clearly, I saw Jake sitting across from me, a small fold-out table between us.

" Jake what the hell is going on here?" I asked furiously when I realized my hands were cuffed behind me.

" You owe me one right?" he said calmly. " Well here is what I want you to do."

He tossed a manilla folder onto the table and the man standing next to me opened it so I could see the contents. I frowned.

" So what do you want me to do about this guy?"

Jake leaned over the table.

" Isn't it obvious?" he said. " I want you to kill him, Riley."

I was going to kill Jack the next time I saw him. My head hurt and I felt incredibly dizzy. It was like having a hangover -- but without alcohol. Groaning, I opened my eyes and found myself curled up in a fetal position on the ground. I got up onto my knees and willed myself not to throw up as I looked around.

I was not anywhere near the Swan, but I did recognize the area -- it was where Sawyer had saved me from a boar mauling almost four years ago. I sighed and got slowly to my feet. Where were the others? Were they back at the Swan site? Why hadn't I ended up where they were? More importantly, what year was it? These questions raced through my mind, but I had no answers. I decided my only option was to head for the old station and hope that was where Jack and the others were.

Movement in the trees behind me caused me to turn around and grab my gun from where it was still attached to the clip on my skirt.

" Who's there?" I shouted, " Come out now, or I'll shoot!"

I saw a flaming torch heading in my direction and then a man stumbled out of the trees. My jaw dropped. It was Richard Alpert.

" Riley?" he said, evidently shocked to see me.

" What?" I said incredulously. " No, I'm not going to murder some innocent person for you!"

" This person is not innocent," said Jake seriously, " He's the worst conman you'll ever meet. Goes by the name of Alan Parker. Screwed me out of a job we ran in Oklahoma last year. He also has the blood of several innocent people on his hands."

I was straining to get off the chair I was sitting on, but being handcuffed to it made it rather difficult for me.

" No!" I screamed. " Let me go!"

Jake leaned back in his chair and nodded at the man guarding me. Suddenly I was grabbed by my arms and hauled away.

I was sure my facial expression must have mirrored Richard's as we stared at each other. I was stunned he would remember me even after our brief encounter in the hospital after I woke up from my coma. I did not lower my gun, even when more of the Others appeared behind him.

" Hey, why don't you put your gun down and we can talk?" he suggested.

I shook my head.

" Sorry, but that's not happening, Richard." I said.

" Why? I'm not going to hurt you." he said, " but my people -- if you try and shoot me -- well you get what'll happen, don't you?"

To emphasize Richard's point, several of the Others drew their guns and pointed them at me. I was out numbered. Sighing exasperatedly, I clipped the gun back onto my skirt.

" What year is it?" I asked.

He frowned.

" What?"

" The year!" I said impatiently, " What year is it?!"

" 2008," he said, " It's January, 2008."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

" Okay."

" What happened to you?" inquired Richard, " Why are you out here alone?"

I didn't hear him. The woman peering around him to look at me had caught my attention.

" Sun!" I cried.

" Riley?!" she said incredulously. Then she ran over to me and we hugged. She turned to Richard. " You know her?"

" He came to visit me in the hospital once," I said simply.

She sighed and I saw her eyes taking in the Dharma uniform.

" What --"

" Look," I said tiredly, " I can't explain everything right now, Sun. Jin's alright though."

" He's alive?" her hopeful expression begged for me to confirm it.

I nodded.

" Yes...or at least...he was the last time I saw him."

" Which was when?" she asked urgently.

" I don't know!" I said impatiently, then I looked over at Richard. " Look, I have to go --" I turned and started to walk away, but stumbled. A woman with dark hair caught me by the arm and kept me on my feet. " Thank you."

" You're welcome," she paused, studying my face, " You were on flight 316, weren't you?"

I frowned, then nodded.

" Yeah. Were you?"

She nodded then smiled.

" I'm Ilana." she said.

I smiled back.

" I'm Riley." I wrenched my arm out of her grip and started to walk away, but she stopped me.

" Where d'you think you're going?" she asked, " You're in no condition --"

" I have to find my friends!" I snapped, fighting another wave of dizziness. " I'm sorry if that cuts into your schedule, but that's my decision. You can't stop me."

" Richard?" said another voice. My stomach lurched when I recognized it. " Why have we stopped?"

The trees rustled once more and John Locke emerged. He smiled at me.

" Hello, Riley." he said.

Alright guys hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story! Please review - NO FLAMES!