"What are you doing?" Rose's gaze was as matter-of-fact as her tone.

"I'm working on the raft," Clarence said, pretending not to understand her meaning.

"Don't do that. Don't play ignorant. What are you doing? You and Samantha?"

"We aren't doing anything—"

But she cut him off. "Clarence, we all know. Something's going on with the two of you."

"What do you mean? Everyone knows?" he asked, looking around, as if he expected Cal to be watching. But no. Cal and Jack were gathering firewood. Samantha was working on a fishing net; he had been teaching her to tie knots.

"Yes, Cal knows. If he were in a better state of mind, he would've figured it out sooner, but luckily for you, he only realize it a few days ago," Rose said. "You haven't exactly tried to hide it."

"There's nothing to hide," he insisted stubbornly. "She's my friend. Is there something wrong with that? We're friends, aren't we?"

"We are," she agreed. "But you aren't in love with me, nor am I with you."

"Did she say that?" Clarence's eyes lit up with hope. "She said she's—" He stopped himself. "Why would you say that?"

Rose sighed. "Clarence, we know," she said, emphasizing each word. "The best thing you can do is just be honest. You'll only hurt yourselves and the group if you keep pretending nothing's happening."

"Don't you mean we'll hurt Cal?" he scoffed. "If he can be hurt."

"No, I meant what I said. We have to stick together if we want to survive. We'd be vulnerable on our own even if no-one was hiding in the woods and trying to steal out supplies."

Clarence looked at the ground. "She's married. I don't know what I was thinking, what I expected."

"You weren't thinking. You were feeling," Rose said. "You trusted what your felt. I understand that. I've done it. And it puts you up against a very difficult choice: do you keep trusting the way you feel or do you go back to doing what's expected of you, what's supposed to be the safe path?" She smiled slightly, shaking her head. "I had three chances to make my choice," she went on. "Three moments to turn back, but I didn't. I tried. I couldn't." For the first time in years, she remembered being lowered in the boat, Jack gazing down at her, tears glistening in his eyes. He kept his mouth steady, holding back the sorrow as best he could. There was love there, in his gaze, and relief that at least she would be safe. She didn't even know what Cal's expression had been; she hadn't noticed him at all.

"Are you saying I should be with her?" he asked.

"I'm saying you have to do what's right for you, what makes you happy, and not everyone gets three chances. But that means you have to be honest. Don't keep sneaking around. Yes, she's married. That's just something you two have to deal with."

"She's afraid," Clarence said.

"Of Cal?"

"I guess. She didn't say it that way. It's more like she's afraid to disturb things, no matter how unhappy she is. She wants me," he added. "I know that much."

"Fight for her, if you really love her."

"You think that'll work?"

Rose shrugged. "It's how Jack got me."

…

They were turning to head back when Jack could take it no longer. "Have you talked to her?" he asked.

"No." Cal avoided looking at him and kept walking.

"Don't you think you should?"

"Why? I already know what she'll say. At least Rose had the decency to make the first move. She decided how things would go."

"I think you did," Jack replied.

"I was supposed to just ignore that—"

"It doesn't matter," Jack said. "It's over. Don't bring it up again. We're talking about you and Samantha, what you're going to do about the situation you're in right now."

"What would you do?" Cal asked.

"Seriously?" Jack gave him a surprised look. "You wanna know how I'd handle it?"

"I know this would never happen to you," Cal said sarcastically. "Your marriage is perfect after all, but if it wasn't. If you and Rose weren't fairy tale lovers, and this was you, what would you do?"

"I don't know," Jack answered. "I never thought much about it."

"Of course not."

"I guess I'd ask myself what I wanted," Jack said slowly. "Figure out if I wanted her, or if I should just let her go. If we'd both be happier that way. If I still loved her—if I thought she could still love me—I'd fight for her. I wouldn't try to murder anyone, especially not her," he added. Cal chuckled drily. "But I'd try to make things right between us," Jack went on. "To make her happy again. To us both happy."

"I still don't know what I want," Cal admitted. "If we weren't here, I'd know, but…"

"But maybe you just don't want to be alone?" Jack finished. "You like having someone to sleep next to, and it doesn't really matter who."

"Something like that." Cal let out a heavy breath. "I'm still jealous of you," he added, laughing.

"What?"

"You heard me. You got Rose when I couldn't. You kept her. You're happy. Even now." Cal shook his head. "I don't know how you do it."

"That's what you're jealous of?"

"I'm jealous of the way you can be satisfied," Cal replied, annoyed. "And the way you can get people to love you, to get them to keep loving you. She was ready to die with you!"

"It's not one-sided," Jack pointed out. "That's what you keep forgetting. I would've died with her too, if it came to that, if there was no other way. I wanted her to survive, to go on, even if I didn't. I valued her life more than mine, and she did the same. I still do."

"Love makes you selfless," Cal said, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, and it makes you selfish."

"I was already that," Cal said.

….

It all happened very quickly. Jack and Cal approached from one direction, and Clarence from the other, with Rose behind him. Clarence walked quickly, his steps filled with purpose; his gaze was fixed on Samantha, who watched him curiously. "Clarence—" she began before he cut her off with a kiss. He took her into his arms, kissing her passionately. She sank against him, almost relieved. Cal's eyes widened; he tried to speak but couldn't. He turned to Jack, as if for support. Jack didn't know how to respond. He looked past them all, to Rose, who wore an expression of disbelief that matched his own.

Cal went forward; Jack placed a hand on his arm. "Don't," he cautioned.

"You'd do nothing?" Cal demanded.

"Think first," Jack replied.

But Cal kept going. "Samantha!" he yelled angrily. They turned to face him. Samantha stayed close to Clarence, her hands on his shirt. He had one arm looped protectively around her. He met Cal's gaze, challenging him. No-one noticed Rose slip by and over to Jack, who instinctively pulled her closer. The whole scene was so familiar; it was almost a memory. Cal thought so as well, which only made his anger worse. He wasn't actually sure who he was seeing at that moment; it could have been Jack and Rose, running away again. They wore the same expressions. "What do you think you're doing?" Cal cried.

Samantha was at a loss for words. "I—I—" Her voice didn't sound like her own; her hands shook. But Clarence put his hands over them, and they stopped. What was she doing? It was a good question, and one she didn't quite know how to answer. Cal's eyes burned into her like hot coals. She had to force herself to look away. She tilted her head up and looked at Clarence. He wore a look of determination, and she wished she could borrow his confidence. "Does nothing scare you?" she asked softly.

"A lotta things scare me," he answered, glancing down at her. "When I think about living the rest of my life without you, that scares me." Samantha smiled slightly, lifted by his words.

"Have you forgotten you're my wife?" Cal said incredulously. "Or does that mean nothing to you?"

"You forgot," Samantha said. "I'm always aware of it."

"But you want him?" Cal scoffed. "You're going with him? Say it. Allow me that courtesy. You could have left a note. You could have prepared me for this repulsive sight," he went on. "At least Rose managed that—"

"Come on," Jack said, taking hold of Cal's arm. He held it firmly.

"I have a right to say that!" Cal yelled indignantly.

"Not that, you don't," Jack said, giving him a meaningful look.

Cal laughed. "Oh, I see. What can I say then?"

"Perhaps everyone should take a moment before they say anything," Rose suggested. She looked from Cal to Clarence and Samantha. "That way no-one says anything they'll regret later."

"Come on," Jack said, letting go of Cal's arm. "Let's go talk."

"I don't have anything to say to you," Cal grumbled.

"Sure you do," Jack replied, undaunted. "There's a lot you can say to me. It'll make you feel better."

Cal frowned deeply. Rose could see the lined etching themselves more firmly into his face. It was a shame, she thought. He could have been a rather handsome man, if he smiled. If he really smiled. She and Jack exchanged glances, both wondering how they had come to be referees in this fight. "Let's the three of us talk as well," Rose said calmly, going over to Clarence and Samantha. They cast wary glances at Cal. "Don't worry about him," she added.

"They should be—" Cal burst out, but a look from Rose silenced him. Swearing quietly, he allowed himself to be led away by Jack.

When they were out of sight, Rose motioned for them to sit down. "I didn't expect you to act so soon," she said.

Clarence laughed. "I didn't know I was going to do it," he said. "Until I saw her." He gazed affectionately at Samantha. She smiled again, everything else forgotten. She held his hands tightly, as if afraid to let go. Watching them, Rose was reminded again of Jack and herself.

"So, this is what you both want?" Rose asked. She looked closely at Samantha, but there was no trace of the doubts Clarence mentioned.

"Yes," Samantha said, a new confidence in her voice. "It's what I want. I love him—" She looked at Clarence, a light blush filling her cheeks. "Or, you rather."

"You mean that?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes."

Clarence leaned in to kiss her again, but Rose stopped them. "And this is real?" she asked. "Real enough to end a marriage?"

"What marriage?" Samantha said. "What Cal and I had isn't a marriage. It's a routine. I don't want to live in it anymore."

"You have to tell him that," Rose said. "It isn't fair not to tell him how you feel."

"Why is it up to me to be fair?" Samantha demanded. "He never was."

"But you loved him once, didn't you?" Rose said gently. "When you married him?"

"That was a long time ago," Samantha said.

"Even so, we're all stuck here together," Rose reminded her. "We have to get along. You can't escape each other, and we need everyone working together." Rose gave Clarence a look, signaling for him to agree.

He didn't want to. He didn't want either of them to have anything else to do with Cal. They could get along without him, couldn't they? But he knew it wasn't true, even as he thought it. There were too few of them for a feud to be sustainable, too many threats and too much work for them to turn against each other. "She's right," he said. "We have to make some kind of peace."

…

"What was that all about?" Cal demanded, once they were out of earshot. "No-one elected you my guardian!"

"Maybe you need one," Jack said calmly. "Maybe I decided to do it."

"I could find someone better."

Jack crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against a nearby tree. "Alright. Yell at me," he said. "I get it. Better than yelling at Samantha."

"I have a right—"

"To be angry," Jack said. "I'm not gonna argue with that. But you can just attack her."

"It was him I was planning to attack," Cal said sullenly. "How can she want him?"

"He's a good guy. Good-looking. He pays attention to her. Shows her how to do things," Jack replied.

Cal's voice dripped with scorn. "Do you want him too?"

"No," Jack said, chuckling. "I'm happy the way things are. I'm just answering your questions. You don't do any of that for her."

"I'm part of the group. I'm making an effort."

"I know," Jack said. "You're actually not that bad to be around now. It's pretty nice. And surprising."

"It's an honor to be tolerated by you."

"Don't be like that. I'm trying to be your friend."

"Maybe you shouldn't," Cal said.

"Maybe that's up to me. There's not much else to do. But that's not what we're here to talk about."

"I'm not going to share my feelings," Cal said.

"You have feelings?" Jack feigned shock. "When did you get them?"

Cal shot him an irritated look. "I've always had them."

"Then why do you act like you don't?" Jack asked.

"Do you question Rose like this?" Cal snapped.

"This isn't about her. Stop trying to bring her into it."

"No, you wouldn't like that," Cal said. "You don't want me telling that story."

"No, I don't," Jack agreed. "Telling it won't do any of us any good. It'll just make you look worse." He paused. "Don't be that guy again."

"What are you talking about?" Cal said defensively.

"You know what I'm talking about. It's not gonna help anything. It won't make you feel better."

"You don't know that," Cal argued.

"Fine," Jack said. "Do whatever you want. I don't care. You're obviously too stubborn to see reason."

…

Stubborn though he was, Cal didn't renew his attack when he returned to camp. Samantha had already moved her things into Clarence's hut, and as Cal looked around the space they had shared, he realized nothing would get her back. It left him with a strange kind of loss; it wasn't her he missed, but rather, the presence of another person, just as Jack had said. He wondered if that hadn't been part of what held their marriage together. Having her around was almost like a habit. He didn't really need or want her; he simply was used to seeing her. Now that she was gone, he didn't know what to do. The balance had been thrown off. Jack and Rose were one faction, Clarence and Samantha were another. He was the odd one out, and he didn't like it.

…..

"Well," Rose said. Jack nodded silently. The day had been long. No-one spoke much, and they all seemed to be avoiding each other. Cal came to take his watch, but he said nothing.

They climbed into bed, determined to put the day's events aside, if only for a few hours. Rose settled against him, pitying Cal as she did so. It must be awful to be alone, especially there. Fear gripped her, and she held tightly to Jack, hoping fervently that nothing would happen to him.

…

They approached slowly, careful not to make a sound. Darkness lay over the camp like a blanket. The sky was empty; not even the stars twinkled overhead. The fire was dying, and Cal dozed, a gun in his hands. He never had a chance to react. The blow came from behind, sharp and fast. He crumpled, groaning thickly. Thomas took the gun. Smith hurried over to the supply hut. He picked the lock while Thomas kept watch. It was a more difficult task than they had anticipated, and when he finally got it open, he let out a triumphant cry.

"Are you crazy?" Thomas hissed. "You want to wake them all up?"

"So what? We've got guns of our own now."

"There's still no need to announce ourselves before we're ready," Thomas replied.

But Jack was already awake. He had been for some time. No matter what he did, he couldn't fall asleep. He lay and listened to the silence and tried not to think about the changes the day had brought. But the thoughts came anyway. How would the group work now? Would Cal withdraw again? What would happen if Clarence and Samantha's relationship didn't last? There was every reason to believe it would—hadn't he and Rose lasted?—but he couldn't help wondering.

He didn't know what time it was, but he sensed several hours had passed. Cal should have come and gotten him for his watch, but there was no sign of him. Jack slipped into his clothes, uneasiness creeping down his back. There's nothing to worry about, he told himself. Cal probably fell asleep. He'd done it before. But as Jack stepped outside, he knew there was more to it. He had no proof, just a feeling in the pit of his stomach. The air didn't feel right.

He walked slowly, gun drawn. He quickened his pace when he saw Cal lying on the ground. Jack threw another stick on the fire, attempting to create more light. He checked Cal's pulse. It was strong. As far as Jack could tell, he was just unconscious. In the dim light of the fire he could see the supply hut was open. As he moved toward it, he heard them returning, though they moved quietly. He slipped into the trees, now on full alert. They argued in loud whispers as they gathered supplied. Jack moved around them and into Clarence's hut, grateful he left it unlocked. He woke him with a firm shake.

"What—" Clarence began, but Jack held a hand over his mouth.

"Come on," Jack whispered. "Get your gun."

Clarence did was he was told. Together, they crept back outside. The odds, they believed, were in their favor. They weren't outnumbered, and they had the advantage of surprise. They sprang on them as they left the hut; their arms were full, and they couldn't get to their guns. Wrestling the intruders to the ground was easy. Food scattered. Smith punched wildly, missing Clarence each time. Clarence grabbed his collar and tried to pull him to his feet, but Smith dragged him back down, shoving him into the sand. Smith groped for his gun, but Clarence kicked it out of his hand. It flew down the beach, landing with a thud.

Jack struggled with Thomas. Trading blows, they rolled across the sand. The noise of the right woke the others. Samantha watched helplessly as Clarence tried to subdue Smith, finally wrapping him in a fishing net. Rose ran toward Jack, but the shot rang out before she reached him.