The Oceanic Seventh

Disclaimer: I don't own Lost or any of its characters, and am in no way associated with its production.

Summary: This story takes place after the Season Four finale. Walt takes Aaron's place among the Oceanic Six in an attempt to return to The Island and set things right. This will prove rather difficult for Walt.

Ben and Jack stood solemnly over Locke's coffin. Jack spoke up.

"You honestly mean we have to bring Locke's body back to that island, wherever it is. How do you suggest we accomplish that?"

"You don't think I have a plan?" Ben replied. "You and I are going to replace John with a dummy, and carry him off to a warehouse under my control. The body will be refrigerated until it is ready for transport. If necessary, it will be preserved in formaldehyde. The bigger problem is getting all the Oceanic Six together. Sayid reports that Hurley is reluctant, and the last I heard Sun was not too fond of the idea."

"Kate isn't crazy about the idea, but she may be convinced to go if she can see Sawyer. However, she adamantly refuses to let Aaron go. Claims she had a vision of Claire demanding that, and will blow our story if we try to take Aaron forcibly. Given that, I don't see any hope for this plan. Once her mind is made up, there's no changing it. Are you sure that is the only way to get back to the island?"

Ben paused.

"There is one other way. The Island requires a special person to find it, and there are only three such people on this planet. One is lying dead in this coffin before you, one is Aaron, and the third is…"

"Someone who I doubt very much will cooperate with you. The kidnapping, which made his father go mad and turn into a killer, … "

"No need to enumerate, I admit I might have handled the situation differently. What's done is done, and cannot be undone, … usually, … but returning to the Island may … fix things. Besides those still marooned and dying of the Sickness on the Island, there are wars all over the world, the global economy spiraling out of control, meteorological catastrophes, the deteriorating environment, …"

"Yes, you've explained, mankind's days are likely numbered, and there are an awful lot of things you might have handled better. Do we even know where he lives?"

"Of course, our friend Jeremy Bentham here met him and all the Oceanic Six, and left instructions we have to hope they will follow. It was simple, actually, he is living with a Noreen Dawson in Harlem under the pretext that he is her grandnephew. But enough talk, we should proceed with the plan."

"But … there was a night watchman. How are we getting past him?"

"You didn't get a good look at him, did you? I believe you will find him most accommodating."

Jack looked warily at Ben, but then the night watchman walked into the room. He raised his uniform cap, and Jack gasped as he recognized … Sayid. Sayid didn't speak a word, only nodding to indicate the coast was clear. Jack and Ben took Locke's body out of the coffin, and carried it into the truck Ben had driven there, and placed it in a long freezer. They then hauled in a heavy dummy to replace in the coffin, and Ben snapped it shut. With no more visitors, the coffin and dummy inside were destined for cremation with no one else the wiser. Ben then drove Locke's body to a warehouse Ben had acquired, near the place in which Hurley was ensconced. Jack drove back to his house, bringing a close to the evening of May 29, 2008.

In Jacob's cabin on the Island, Jacob communicated with several spirits.

"You have work to do. It must be done quickly. The Island needs those who left before their time. Begone!"

The spirits scattered, save for Claire, who being newly transformed, insisted that Aaron be spared. Jacob was aware of another possibility that perhaps was more likely to work out.

Sun had a restless day, attempting to acquire more information on Charles Widmore's undertakings. Returning home, she immediately hugged Ji Yeon, now two years and nine months old, who had been left in charge of a top-rate nanny during the day. Cooking herself relaxed Sun, and she prepared their dinner. After the meal, Sun put her daughter to bed, checked some reports on her computer, and retired herself. But she did not sleep well.

Sun was standing in her garden, when an apparition appeared before her. The man's body had several burns, and his clothes were waterlogged.

"Sun … come back … I must see you again … do not let our child grow up without her father."

"J-J-Jin! What must I do?"

"Come back … come back to the Island with the others."

Sun woke up, sitting bolt upright, screaming, "JIIIIINNN!" Her hands were shaking, and within a second Ji Yeon was crying. Sun got up unsteadily and went to her daughter's room, explaining,

"Sorry sweetheart, Mommy just had a bad dream."

Sun went back to bed, thinking, Jeremy Bentham may have been right after all.

In an isolated building that was somewhat reminiscent of the Santa Rosa institution, Hurley was playing Connect-Four by himself when an opponent seen only to him appeared.

"Hurley … we never had the picnic. Come join me."

"L-L-Libby? Why are you here? Can't you leave me in peace? You're not real."

"Are you sure? Don't you wish you were certain what is real and what is imaginary?"

"I know better. Like I told Sayid, I'm going to stay in places like this for the rest of my life, and not hurt anyone else with my curse."

"You are not cursed, sweet Hurley. And you can regain full control of your mind. You just have to return with the others to the island."

The apparition, who Hurley just noticed had bloodstained clothes, placed a checker into the Connect Four game, completing a four-in-a-row, and vanished.

"YAAAA-AAA-AAAHHH!" Hurley jumped up, his heart racing. He smashed the Connect Four game off the table. This can't be happening, he thought. He closed his eyes and counted to five, but no one else was there. Who am I kidding, that did happen. Like Charlie said it would. Like Mr. Eko said it would.

Hurley calmed down, and picked up the pieces to the game off the floor. Having something to do made him feel better for the moment. A while later he went to bed. His last thought before he fell asleep was, There is no getting around it. Jeremy Bentham may be right.

Kate had a hard time putting Aaron to sleep this night, and shortly thereafter fell asleep herself. In the middle of the night, a long-forgotten image entered her dreams.

"Katherine Austen … I must speak with you."

Kate was quite addled, mostly asleep, but haunted by the bloodied figure.

"A-A-Ana? Lucia? How … what?"

"Kate … I made a promise to two children that they would see their mother again. I have been unable to keep that promise. We need your help."

"Me? What can I do?"

"Yes you. You are a mother now, or at least acting like one. You know how it feels. These children, Emma and Zack, must see their mother, and the only way that can happen is for you to come back to the Island with the others."

"NO! I must …" Kate woke up, trembling. Aaron had started crying, and Kate rushed over to calm him down. The child, now three years, seven months old, asked,

"What's wrong, mommy?"

Kate wasn't sure how to answer.

"I … might have to go away for a few days, and you could stay at Grandma's. I don't know yet. But always remember that Mommy loves you."

Kate kissed Aaron, and the little boy looked sad, but then went back to sleep. Kate had been referring to Jack's mother, Margo Shephard, as she didn't know who else to turn to. She went back to her bed, regretfully admitting, Jeremy Bentham was probably right after all. But I can't leave Aaron, can I? What should I do?

Haunted by guilt, Kate agonized over her decision while sleeping fitfully the rest of the night.

Walt would be finished with the eighth grade in two weeks. He had been very quiet the past three and a half years, making few friends. His main form of social activity had been venting energy in pickup basketball games. This night seemed like most others, with his grandmother insisting Walt study for finals, and Walt listlessly complying. After he went to bed, he tossed and turned, and had an unexpected dream. A tall blonde young woman, also with bloody clothing was calling.

"Walt … you left Vincent with me … it's time to pick him up. You must come back to the Island."

"Sh-Shannon? Vincent? How? I thought Vincent was dead," Walt muttered mostly asleep, clutching his pillow tightly.

"Shannon is right." An image of Michael stepped into Walt's vision. "Vincent is here, longing for you, and only you can save him."

"D-Dad? What happened to you?"

Michael's body was covered with burns, his clothes shredded, and his face disfigured.

"That is not important. I made many mistakes. It was too soon to take you off the Island. However, things can be rectified, but only if you return with the others."

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Walt screamed, jumping out of bed and finding himself saturated in perspiration. His heart pounded as his grandmother came in.

"Oh Walt, the nightmares again? I was really hoping you were over those. What was it this time?"

Walt had never told his grandmother the events on the island, and had done a pretty good job of blocking them off in his memory.

"I'm sorry, but I just got the feeling that Dad is definitely dead. I'll be all right."

Noreen Dawson, long convinced that Michael was dead, looked at Walt, not really believing him, but there wasn't much anyone could do.

"I'm afraid if your father was alive he would have paid us a visit a long time ago. It's late, go back to bed. But you can't sleep in those clothes now, change first. And remember, the last thing he told me was that he will always love you."

Grandma sighed, feeling sorry for Walt, and went back to her bedroom. Walt changed into a clean tee shirt and shorts after drying off with a towel. He lay awake a long time before finally getting to sleep, thinking, Jeremy Bentham was right. I should have known.