-How long do you plan to waste time here? -

Juliet abruptly turned around only to see Ben sitting on the couch. She expected that he would learn about James soon enough still he managed to catch her off guard.

-What do you want? –

-Oh, not this again, Julie. Honestly, I thought you were smarter than that. –

-If by being smart you mean believing your every word it's unlikely to happen. Give me a reason not to assume that was your doing. - She replied dryly.

-My doing? I am offended. –

He was going to play games with her and she had no time for that. -Anything else? I'm kind of busy right now. -

-I see, you're doing everything you can to miss any chance to find your husband. -

-What? How dare you… - Next moment she found herself face to face with Ben shaking him fiercely. -I don't know what game you're playing, but I'll find James and if it has something, anything with you, I'll make you pay for it. -

Ben was stunned by her outburst for a moment, but then he pulled himself together.

-You can hate me all you want, but you'll be the one to blame when the only result of a police investigation, initiated by you, will be you being taken away to another "safe" place where nobody can find you. You'll never know how long they look for James, before gave up on his case. -

-This isn't going ... - she broke off.

- Not going to happen? Really? –He looked at her with pity. -You do know what will happen, Juliet. Even if they find the car, which I don't believe will happen, it will be left without any trace of him or his kidnappers. Don't waste our time, you know where he is. - He finished quietly.

Juliet sat down heavily. The flash of anger took away the last of her strength, and now she wanted to curl up in a corner alone and cry. Why should all these things happen to her? People who could be trusted couldn't help her find James, and the person who was able to do something was Ben Linus.

-What are you suggesting? -

She had already lost a battle, but she couldn't lose the war. She was supposed to be strong, for James, for Veronica, for the future of their family.

-You have done enough to let people know something has happened. I guess, tomorrow everyone would find out about James' disappearance. That's why we have to leave right now, while we can still do that. -

She nodded silently, like a porcelain doll.

- While you had been sitting here I had been looking for Widmore. You'll be interested to know that he was last seen driving towards the docks. He has a head start, but if we hurry, we can be there not long after him. -

-One more Dharma station that will get us immediately to the Island, I guess. – She laughed humorlessly.

-I would like to, but unfortunately there is no such a place. A submarine is the only way for us to get there. You have five minutes to pack. -

-I ... No, I have to say goodbye to my daughter and Rachel and... -

-No! It would be better for all concerned if you were thought to have been kidnapped too. -

Her heart ached with the pain, but Ben was right. She should protect her family and it meant they had to be left out of this.

-I'm sorry, honey. Someday you will understand me. – Juliet whispered, standing on the threshold of Veronica's room. Crying at her daughter's empty bed was the only good bye she could afford herself.


The drive to the sub was a tense silence. Juliet had the feeling that she was being taken to some kind of execution and the trip was her last chance to look around.

-Take these pills- Ben stood with an outstretched hand.

She abruptly grabbed pills and swallowed before her fears and doubts could stop her.

-See you on the Island. - She muttered, and then her eyelids drooped and she fell into a deep sleep.

-Juliet- Someone shook her.

-Mmm -She tried to get away of the hand. Why did they do that? She only wanted to sleep a little longer. Was it too much to ask?

-Juliet- The voice was more insistent.

-No. - She murmured. She was so tired. Just a little bit of a sleep, and then she'd wake up.

-I know that you want to sleep, but you need to open those pretty eyes. –

-Not now - She pleaded.

-You make me feel like a sadist, Blondie - He laughed and kissed her neck gently.

-James! - She embraced him, still refusing to open her eyes.

-Yesterday, you asked me to wake you up early, in spite of all your moans and I'm so going to do that. -

-That was before you didn't let me sleep. - She opened her eyes just enough to look at him reproachfully.

-Again, you asked me. - He laughed heartedly. - Although it is possible I didn't understand you correctly yesterday, and you wanted ... -

-Shut up - She whispered, pulling him closer and kissing him.

-I love the way your mind works, but don't expect me to leave you in the bed just because of this. – He winked at her and stood up. -Five more minutes and then I'll pull you out of the bed. -

-Juliet-

-Getting up- She mumbled.

-Juliet - His voice was more insistent.

-I told you ... - She opened her eyes, expecting to see James' smiling face but it was Ben.

-We're on the Island. -