AUTHOR NOTE/SPECULATION POST 4x11:

Ben is not the chosen one anymore. He was really just Locke's replacement until Locke was ready anyhow.
But my theory is that his infatuation with Juliet is the reason for the island/Jacob punishing him.

Unlike Locke, Ben used his power for his own gain (to try to get Juliet and his own desires) instead of the island/Jacob's will.
It's a whole Christian - God's will vs your will or in the Lost universe - the island's will vs your own will.

Locke is the true protecter because he puts the island before himself (killing Naomi - the island's will -
instead of killing his father - his own will.)
Whereas Ben failed.

I'm so glad Ben isn't such a mystery anymore! And I laughed so hard when Ben was like "I used to have dreams" - all pouty.

Anyway: I don't own Lost and now I support Ben/Juliet because Ben is just a dude who's made some mistakes not the leader/mastermind we once thought.

Sacrifice

"You really have no idea do you?"

He had a sly smile on his face. He always had a sly smile on his face. Juliet countered it with a sly smile of her own.

"No idea about what?"

"What I had to sacrifice for you. What I gave up for you."

She continued to smile, false pleasantness through their uncomfortable situation. "I never asked you for anything."

"I would do it again." His eyes trailed over her. Nothing about her went unnoticed to Ben. He knew she was thinking about him. About Jack. He was gone and now Juliet was all his... again. "My daughter. My tumour." He knew he would do it partly because he would get his revenge, partly because of her..

Juliet's lips thinned suddenly. The smile had gone. She hadn't reciprocated in all this time. In fact, she went after everyone else on the island that was not him - both times men who were taken in one way or another. And yet, he still loved her. She still trusted him with what he'd said about her sister. She still trusted that he'd look out for her. And after everything that she'd done... he still loved her.

Unconditionally. Nothing she seemed to do made him love her less.
"Why?" Was the only thing she could think to say. Why would he bother? She was a disappointment to him who had to do things her own way. She always did things her own way.

"I was chosen" Ben started simply, "And I chose you."

Juliet ran a hand over his bruises and cuts from the previous weeks, more like a doctor would who was examining just how much damage was done.

Her eyes softened. The island was saved but now there was no way out. She was stuck here. With him. And it wasn't as bad as she had once thought... he was broken now. He was not the same man.

"You did." Her voice was light, airy somewhat. She took her hand off his face and moved it to his own hand. She was almost ready to stop running from his choice. She was almost ready to give in...

So excited for next week - Oceanic 6 time!