AN: This is the first chapter in my Dharma series. I'm not sure how many chapters it will be, most likely around six though. They will take place during chapters 6-9 of my fic Lost in Time and are deleted scenes. If you haven't read that, this might lead to some confusion. Thanks in advance for reading!


July 2, 1974

We had been here for nearly six months now. It didn't feel like it, as we had settled into a quiet routine, staying just under the radar. Mostly everyone thought of us as late recruits, not paying attention to the fact that we were never recruited. It wasn't so bad; we had showers with running water, food we didn't have to hunt and record players.

The last one was a personal favorite of mine. Being without music for so long had started to drive me slightly loony. I was glad that we now had music and records.

The summer term had started and I was, yet again, an aide. It wasn't so bad, though I was tired of cleaning up messes.

It was after school and I was cleaning up the mess from the end of the day art project. The teacher I was working with, Beth Adams, had left already for a faculty meeting, leaving me with the mess. Paint and crayons were strewn across the counters. If only the kids had remembered to clean up after themselves. I could be home right now.

"Kalie?" I turned toward the door, smiling as I recognized the voice. "Do you have a minute?"

"Horace. This is a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" I wiped my wet hands on a towel and leaned against the counter.

"Well, as you know, Olivia will be leaving at the end of this term. After speaking with the other teachers, we would like for you to take over her position."

I stared at him for nearly a minute, shocked that he would offer me the position. The school officials had said they would probably make me a teacher next term, but I didn't believe it. "Wow. Thank you very much."

"You're very welcome," he said with a smile. "The new term starts September 1st and you'll be teaching 5th level. Get with Olivia and she'll give you whatever extra materials she has. Horace's smile had spread to a small grin, one of the few I had ever seen.

"I will. Thank you again."

I waited until Horace left, and I was sure he was out of earshot, before squealing. I know it's immature, but how exciting was this? I was going to be teaching! And it was a decent grade level too, not like upper secondary students, like 17 year olds. I like ten year olds; they don't talk back (too much) and still give hugs.

As quickly as I could, I finished cleaning up the mess and put everything away. When the paints were stocked in the cabinet, brushes laid in the drawer and paper filed in the cabinet, I clicked off the lights and headed towards home.

I power-walked the entire way home, my long hair billowing behind me. "Juliet?" I called, jogging up the steps. "Juliet, are you home?"

I jiggled the handle, frowning when I discovered it locked. Juliet wasn't home. I needed to tell someone my good news; otherwise I might burst with excitement. Turning on the porch, I glanced across the road. The only person I knew would be home was Miles. Did I really want to go over there? Especially after he told me numerous times I didn't look old enough to be teaching?

Sighing, I walked down the steps and across the sidewalk. I needed to tell someone and I had worse options, Phil for instance. The security guard was just creepy, even though I barely knew him. Jogging up the steps, I knocked softly on the door. "Come on, Miles," I whispered while impatiently tapping my foot. "Be home."

To my surprise, and happiness, the door swung open, revealing Miles in his jeans and worn Geronimo Jackson tee-shirt. "What are you doing here?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Ignoring his tone of voice, I grinned. "I have good news and no one to share it with. You just happen to be the only one of our friends home, so you're the lucky recipient."

"Oh joy to me," he replied with an eye roll. "Come in." He stepped aside and I shut the door behind me.

I hadn't been in his house since before Daniel had moved to Ann Arbor. It wasn't quite as messy as I had thought. A few random books were scattered around discarded Dharma jumpsuits. Sadly, my house had looked worse a few weeks before. "So, what's your news?"

"What?" I pulled my eyes from the pair of boxers draped over the back of the couch and turned toward him. "Oh, my news. Guess who is going to be the newest teacher at the school?"

It took him a moment to respond. I wasn't sure if this was because he wasn't interested or had nothing to say. Probably the former, but with Miles, you rarely could tell. "So they actually gave you a teaching job?" He sat on the couch while I stood awkwardly by the door. "I didn't think they'd do it."

Raising an eyebrow, I shook my head. "Glad to see my friends have confidence in me and my abilities. Fine. Sorry for disturbing you."

I turned and opened the door, not bothering to wait for a goodbye. I closed the door behind me and slowly made my way down the steps. So much for my good mood lasting until dinner. "Kalie, wait." The door opened and I turned, watching Miles walk down the steps, barefoot. "Look, it's not that I don't have confidence in you. It's just… you look twelve." He shrugged, as if emphasizing his point.

"What? A few months ago I looked fifteen. What, I dropped in age?"

"You know what I mean. You don't look old enough to be teaching. How are the kids going to respect you?"

The fact that Miles Straume was trying to have a serious conversation was suddenly very amusing. I burst out laughing. "I'm teaching ten year olds. I look older than them, that's enough. Furthermore, why do you care how old I look?"

"Whatever I say is going to get me in trouble, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut." He grinned and I wasn't sure whether or not to smack him. He deserved it, that was for sure. But, fortunately, I didn't know him well enough to know how he'd react.

"Miles! So much for having happy news. You ruined my mood." With a smile on my face, I turned and headed back towards my house. Juliet might be home by now, she would be happy for me.

"You should put your hair in pigtails," he called as I walked up the steps to my house. "That'll help you fit right in with those kids!"

Turning back to look at him, I waved with one finger and turned the doorknob. This time, Juliet was home and it opened. I could still hear him laughing as I shut the door behind me. "Juliet!" I called, unclipping my earrings as I walked toward the back of the house. "Juliet, are you here?"

"Yeah, in my room." It was open and knocked lightly on her door before entering. "Hey. Where were you? You're normally home when I get back." She was hanging up freshly wash laundry in the closet and it reminded me, I needed to do my laundry.

"I went to talk to Miles for a minute." Grinning, I ignored the strange look she gave me. "I had great news and needed someone to share it with. Unfortunately, he was the only one home." I sat on her bed, kicking my legs back and forth.

"Well, what's the news?"

"Horace offered me the teaching position for next year. I'll be taking over Olivia's spot in fifth level."

A wide grin spread across her face. "That's wonderful! Congratulations! We should have a party. This is a big deal."

A look of pure terror flashed across my face as I vigorously shook my head back and forth. "No, thank you. I'm quite content just being alone. Thanks though." Looking down at my dress, I frowned. "I need to change. Do you have plans for dinner tonight, or is it just us?"

Juliet blushed, a first from what I remembered. "I actually have plans with James tonight."

"Really? Well that's good. Guess I'll see you later."

I headed into my room, unzipping the back of my dress as I went. I wasn't fond of the uniforms, but it saved a lot of time deciding on what to wear in the morning. I had been known to spend twenty minutes or more figuring out what to wear during my practicum.

I was going to be teaching next term. I would be doing what I wanted to do from the time I was eight years old. This was wonderful! As awful as this island could be, at least something positive happened.