A/N: Ok, I now have all of the chapters of this story written, I just have to type them up and get them betaed (Special thanks to Bella-writer for the betaing). I'll probably be posting about one or two chapters a week.

This chapter is the same events of chapter one, from Libby's POV. Flashbacks are italicized. This is AU from after the funeral scene in WKD on.

BTW, I'll do five minutes of typing each day for each reveiw I recieve. Flames are accepted, as long as, if you say my story sucks, you give reasons why it sucks and suggestions to make it better. I'll ignore anything that just says "This is crap" without giving a reason. Also, with good reveiws, I'd like it if you tell me what it is you like about the story, so I can keep that up.

Ok, I'm done rambling now. Enjoy the story!


She noticed him watching her at the funeral.

She didn't even know his name, but she did know he was one of them. The people who didn't trust her. He was probably expecting her to jump out of the crowd and shoot another one of their people. Libby sighed miserably and resumed watching the funeral.

Adorned in a black velvet dress, Libby stood, holding the hand of a little girl, about two years old. Her other hand rested on her slightly pregnant stomach. She listened intently to the words spoken by the pastor, tears streaking her cheeks.

"We will all mourn Joseph Rhys Donnagun. He was a great man, a loving husband, and a wonderful father,"

Libby stared at the still body of her husband. His skin was normally fair, but it was almost chalk white, and the freckles dusting his cheeks stood out more than ever, like sand on a piece of paper. His red-blond hair was combed down; it was an unusual look for him, since his air usually stuck up in every direction known to man. It was hard to believe that was her husband. It looked more like a carved wax figure, too still, too pale. But she knew better.

Libby choked back a sob. Her shaking hand gripped tighter on her daughter's small one.

Love hurts, Libby told herself miserably as the pastor's speech continued, and I can't be strong for my children if I keep getting my heart broken.

Right then and there, Libby swore never to fall in love again.

Libby's heart ached for Sayid. She knew, all too well, how it felt to lose a loved one. The memory of her husband and seeing the Iraqi man in so much pain overwhelmed her, and silent tears began to fall down her cheeks.

The funeral ended and people began making their way back to whatever they needed to do. Libby noticed the man still watching her. Embarrassed, she broke away from the crowds, but before she could get too far away, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Libby, are you okay?" Bernard's face was full of concern. They had become good friend on the other side of the island, him almost being like a father to her. Like the father she had lost so long ago…

Libby snapped out of her thoughts and shrugged.

"I was, uh, just thinking about Cindy," She lied. She had been good friends with Cindy as well, but that had most certainly not been what she was thinking about.

Bernard still looked concerned, but he nodded and continued on with his wife and the rest of the crowd. Libby headed the other way, down the beach. She sat down, feeling more alone than ever before. She stared out ever the crashing waves, memories washing over her like the tide.

Flashback

Libby was in the middle of bathing her two-year-old daughter Andrea when the phone rang. She plucked her daughter from the tub, and carried her out to the hall. She balanced the naked child in one arm and picked up the phone in the other.

"Hello, Donnagun residence, Libby speaking,"

"Hey, Libs, it's me," Her husband's voice sounded upset and worried.

"Joe, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly, "You sound upset,"

"Yeah, my car broke down in a bad part of town, near the pool hall. I called a mechanic, though, so I don't want you to worry," The deep concern in his voice betrayed his assuring words.

"Not worry?" Libby squeaked, "Isn't that right by where that woman got murdered just last week?"

"Yeah, uh, Libs, I gotta go, I'll call you ba-,"

Libby screamed as she heard the cell clatter to the ground, followed by several gunshots, a yell of pain, and cries of shock.

"Mommy?" She heard her daughter call out, but Libby didn't hear her. She only could hear the sounds of moans and grunts and she called the name 'Joe' over and over.

She hardly noticed when someone came up to her.

"Hey, are you okay? She heard the voice from over her shoulder, "I mean, I like, saw you before and during the funeral and all, and I though you looked kinda lonely,"

She turned to face him and saw the same man who was staring at her during the funeral. Okay, she'd been wrong. He'd been (most likely) staring at her out of concern and pity instead of suspicion.

"I'm fine," She lied, trying to make her voice sound bright and cheery. He obviously didn't fall for it, but still, he began to walk away.

Before she realized what she was doing, she called him back.

"Wait…"

He turned back around and Libby's emotions began tumbling out of her mouth uncontrollably.

"You're right. I am lonely. And I'm not fine. I feel scared and guilty and unwanted, and that girl – Shannon's – funeral made me remember all our miserable experiences on the other side of the island, and my experiences prior to the island,"

She broke off before she gave this man her entire biography. She was shocked at herself. She usually kept her heart so well locked up, but this man had somehow found the key, or at least broken through at her weak spot. She was embarrassed, and it showed.

"I can't believe I just told you all that,"

"Hey, dude, it's cool," He replied with a kind smile, "I won't press things if you don't want me to. I just though it looked like you, y'know, needed a friend or something,"

"I do," Libby sighed. She had, for longer than she'd even been on the island. Over a year now. She had always been paid to listen to other people's problems, to be other people's friends, but ever since Joe had died, she hadn't really had any friends of her own.

"The way your people look at me, Bernard, and Eko…" She continued, "Just because Ana killed Shannon, they expect us all to be bloodthirsty maniacs. They act like it's our fault. I suppose, to some degree, it is. I should have talked to Ana, stopped her…" Libby confessed miserably, once again being stupid and opening her heart to this total stranger. It was like a reversal of roles. Usually she was the one coaxing people to spill their emotions, yet this man was able to open her up so easily. Perhaps he was a shrink, too. She snapped out of her thoughts as she realized the man was speaking again.

"Now wait a minute. I dunno exactly what happened, but from what I've seen and heard about that Ana chick, there was probably no way you could have stopped her,"

Libby knew he was right, and had, deep down, known that all along, but it felt good to have someone assure her of that. She smiled at him.

"Yeah, you're probably right," She paused, and then went on, "You know, I really appreciate you coming over here. It's making me feel better, talking to you," It was true. It actually felt good to tell this stranger what was on her mind. Huh. Now she knew what her customers felt like.

"Glad I could help," He said with a shrug.

"Unless you're busy with other stuff, why don't you sit down for a bit?" Libby offered. She felt a sharp pang of regret as she remembered all her vows never to get involved with guys. But it wasn't like this was a commitment, right? She just needed a friend and he was offering. Simple as that. He accept the offer to sit down, and he introduced himself as he did so.

"I'm Hugo, by the way, but you can call me Hurley," He said, smiling at her.

"Hurley, nice to meet you. I'm Libby," She replied, returning the smile, she tried to keep it less than flirty. He definitely seemed nice, and not a bad person to spend time with.

Little did she know, just in talking to him, she let a little piece of the cage she kept around her heart breakaway.