A/N: Just so you know, I'll be going on vacation pretty soon, so this will most likely be my last update for a couple weeks. Don't fret, fellow writers. I'll be back! Sure, I'll be a little sunburned, but I will come back! I always do ;)

Free hugs to all those who review!

--silence--

FREE JACKS TO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEW!

--mad dash for review button--

Chapter 10- Spite and Slander

Broken.

Lucy Everard was broken.

"Think I'm a coward now, Lu? Fight me! Fight back!"

She tried to, but she couldn't. He'd won. He'd taken the last thing she had left on this godforsaken island.

And worse, she still had feelings for him. Because she knew that wasn't the real Jack. Because she knew that the real Jack was still out there. The real Jack was not lost. Not yet.

She only hoped it wasn't too late.

"So this is our Queen."

Lucy barely stirred. She was used to Roger's taunts by now and ignored him entirely. Blatantly frustrated with her lack of response, he poked her repeatedly with his spear.

"Piss off," she mumbled and drew her legs tighter to her chest.

"Or what?" He said with a final jab. "You going to tell Jack?"

Her mouth stayed shut as tears welled up in her eyes.

Jack.

Roger chuckled and sauntered away.

"Pathetic."

Lucy squeezed her eyes shut. She was not pathetic.

"I'm not. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not." She repeated the phrase over and over again, willing it to be true. No, she only came to Jack Merridew in fear of the nonexistent beast and when the time came to change loyalties (again), she couldn't even make it back to Ralph without... She blocked the memory from her head. She must not think about that.

Insistent rustling from above her caught her attention. There, in the trees, was a bird. It appeared to be stuck to something. A branch perhaps?

Lucy stood up to take a closer look. A flicker of gold glinted in the moonlight.

Gold. It couldn't be.

She rubbed her hands together. It wasn't too high up, and there were plenty of boughs and such to hold on to. She would just have to remember not to look down.

Taking a breath, she began to climb the tree as quietly as she could so not to be heard. This was it. This was her chance. For the first time in months, she realized she was going to go home. She was going to escape.

She reached for the long, thin chain dangling just inches above her head. It was so close.

"Got it," Lucy whispered triumphantly, grabbing it tightly in her hands.

Carefully, she untwisted it from the poor little bird's foot. It looked at her through blank, beady black eyes before squawking in thanks. She watched it take off, to its family, no doubt. She smiled. She would be seeing her family in a short while too.

The watch felt so warm, so inviting. So perfect. The island hadn't damaged it at all. Only that Lucy noticed it stopped ticking. Maybe a clock hand was stuck. She shook it in vain.

And suddenly, the branch supporting her weight began to crack. Her arms flailed about in hopes of catching some sort of hold.

No such luck.

Snap.

The tree branch quickly broke off, spiraling to the ground, taking Lucy and the watch with it.

She screamed until hitting the ground with a resounding crash.

"Ow," She winced and examined herself. Just a couple scratches and bruises, no lasting damage.

"What was that?"

Oh no. They heard.

The sound of crunching leaves and running feet announced the hunters' appearance in Lucy's little alcove. Her mind was racing. How on earth would she explain herself this time?

Jack knelt beside her, taking her face in his hands. "Are you alright? What happened?"

Lucy flinched at his touch, before looking up into his concerned, shockingly blue eyes. She swallowed.

"Well, I climbed a tree," she reiterated, "And I fell...?"

He stared at her in disbelief. "You fell?"

She only nodded.

"Tell me, Lu," Jack went on. "Why were you climbing a tree in the first place?"

With a nervous laugh, she continued. "Well, you see, I wanted to- I wanted... to-to gaze at the stars. Yes, they're really pretty, aren't they?" She said, adding a girlish giggle. Good God, she was a horrible liar.

His hunters snickered.

"You wanted to gaze at the stars?" Jack implored, a touch of amusement to his voice.

"Precisely." Lucy crossed her fingers behind her back. Maybe she could get away with it.

And just as suddenly, his face went ice cold as he slowly advanced toward her.

"You're not very convincing, you know." With every forward step, Lucy involuntarily went back, until he had her pressed to the nearest tree trunk. "Now tell me again," he hissed. "Why were you climbing that tree?"

When she didn't answer, he made do with threats. "I really don't want to have to do this again, but if I have to..." She cringed as he ran his palm down her right arm. He knew how to get what he wanted, Jack Merridew. And he was damn good at it, too.

"I went for the watch." The words flew out of her mouth before she could make to stop them.

"What watch?"

She pointed to the precious pocket watch laying a little while a way. Roger picked it up, looking at it curiously.

"Chief." He handed it to him.

Jack examined it, puzzled. "These numbers... Look," he said, and his whole tribe crowded around it, scrambling to catch a glimpse at the peculiar object. He swatted them away in annoyance and held the watch in her face. "Explain."

Lucy sighed wearily. And out came the story.

"Ralph's your grandfather?" Maurice asked in shock. "You're from the future?"

They never realized it. Lucy didn't blame them. She only pieced together the puzzle just yesterday.

The others muttered amongst themselves, looking at her as if she was an alien life form. However, she was thankful that they didn't think her to be crazy and do her. Like they had Simon. She shuddered at the thought.

Jack was the only one who hadn't said anything. He simply stared, his expression unreadable.

"Go," he commanded.

Bill protested indignantly. "But she was just going to tell us-"

"I said go!"

And they all scrambled away. Even Roger. Lucy wished they would stay. She didn't want to be alone with him. Especially after...

"Thought you said you didn't remember anything," he mumbled, his gaze directed at the ground.

"I lied. I had to," Lucy said.

"You lied," he said, slowly repeating her words, "Because you had to."

She was becoming frustrated that he wasn't getting it. "We all have to. Even you. You lied about the beast."

"I. Didn't. Lie." Jack gritted his teeth.

"You did." Lucy turned her chin up. "Just now."

"Well you lied about the watch!"

"What else was I supposed to say? You would've..." Her voice faltered.

Jack scoffed. "I would've what? Made you stay? Well I damn well could. I have power here- power that no one else has. I can do whatever I want on this island and no one can change that. Not you. Not even Ralph." He was livid, pacing back and forth furiously.

"Jack," she started, but was automatically cut off.

"You want to go home, don't you? You want to leave, don't you? Don't you?"

"Well, yes-"

"But why?" He whirled around to face her. "Why, Lu? What is so important in the future that I can't get you here?"

She felt tears spring in her eyes. She refused to let them fall. "My parents."

He turned away, gripping a tree for support. "Forget them." His voice was low. Pained. Almost depressed. "They don't care. Mine sure as hell don't."

Lucy swallowed. She pitied him.

"Jack..." Gently, she touched his arm.

He wouldn't look at her. "You wanted to leave. Like my mother. You don't care."

"I do-"

"You don't!" He thundered, and Lucy realized he was crying. "You don't. You don't..."

She found herself wrapping her arms around his neck. After hesitating for a just moment, he returned the embrace, his face wet with tears.

"I care about you," she whispered. "I do. But I just-"

He immediately tore away, angry once more. "What now?"

"I don't belong here, Jack. You know that. And I really have to go!" She attempted to pry the gold watch from his hands. He pushed her back with more force than he intended to and she landed roughly on her bottom.

He dried his face rashly and straightened. "No," he sibilated. "You belong here. With me."

At that, he took off after the others, leaving Lucy crumpled on the forest floor, more hurt and confused then she'd ever been in her life. She would never belong in this place, never belong to Jack. She would make it home. No matter the cost.

A/N: And pretty please review! Remember... Jack is waiting ;)