Disclaimer: I make no profit from this. Ben and all of the other Lost characters do not belong to me. Helena, however, is mine.

A/N-This is set in season 3 after "The Man Behind the Curtain"

Chapter 10-Return

Helena felt better the next day after Mikhail had found some food for the both of them. She didn't like having to rely on him but he was really her only option and she was grateful.

"Thank you." She told him one night as they were sitting outside the cabin. It was a beautiful night and for once Helena's horrible situation wasn't the foremost thing on her mind. She was able to relax, if just a little, with Mikhail beside her.

"For what?" he asked turning his gaze to her.

"For everything." Helena answered looking up at the stars through the trees. "For untying me, finding me food, for not shooting me." Helena smiled.

Mikhail laughed, "You're welcome Helena. Thank you for telling me the information I needed to know and helping me speak with Jacob."

"Have you decided what you are going to do now?" she asked him.

"I need time to consider everything. I don't believe I can follow Ben's path any longer. His is no longer the right way. What about you Helena? Are you ready to cut your own way on this island?"

"Knowing what I know about this place, this island terrifies me. I doubt I could survive one night alone out there. Not to mention the war brewing between your people and the ones who crashed on the plane. And when you throw DHARMA into the mix; this is not a safe place to be right now."

"DHARMA? What do you mean?"

"The woman you helped in the jungle, who fell from the helicopter. The people on her ship are most likely DHARMA. They're on their way."

"Do you know what they plan?" Mikhail asked intently.

"No, I don't. But I doubt it's good."

Mikhail was silent for a few moments as he watched her. His inspection was beginning to make her self-conscious when he turned away.

"I will have to leave soon." He said, "Before Ben returns. Will you remain here or will you come with me?"

"You want me to come with you?" Helena asked surprised.

"Yes." He answered simply.

"Why?"

Mikhail looked out into the jungle, a puzzled look on his face, "I don't know yet."

Helena was about to say something in reply when they heard a noise in the jungle. Leaves continued to rustle as Mikhail leapt up.

"It is Benjamin. We must leave." He said reaching down to help her up.

Once Helena was standing he turned and began to hurry away from the noise into the jungle.

Helena did not move from her spot.

Mikhail noticed she wasn't behind him and stopped.

"What are you doing?" he whispered to her.

Helena shook her head, "I'm sorry."

Mikhail looked shocked that she was picking Ben over him. But within seconds his look of hurt was replaced with indifference.

"Very well. Goodbye Helena."

Then he was gone. Helena had to admit she wasn't happy to see him go.

Helena turned toward to noise and began to move towards it. Not once did she doubt that it wasn't Ben. She had faith in Mikhail to be aware of everything around him.

"Ben?" she called.

At his name he stumbled out into the jungle.

"Helena." He rasped falling to his knees.

Helena ran to him and helped him up. He could barely walk and was covered in dried blood. She used all of her strength to drag him to the cabin.

Once inside she lost her footing and they both fell to the dusty cot Helena meant for Ben.

Ben groaned in pain as Helena scrambled off of him.

"I'm sorry Ben! My God, what happened to you?" she said really looking at him.

"I had a talk with Jack." He wheezed.

"It must not have gone very well." Helena said as she went to the pail of water Mikhail had brought in. She grabbed a rag and wet it.

"DHARMA is coming. I tried to warn him but he wouldn't listen."

"I figured. Jack's been bullheaded and self-righteous since the first episode." She said as she kneeled next to Ben and began to wash the blood off of his face.

"You look horrible." She said as he watched her closely.

Helena continued in silence with Ben never taking his eyes from her.

Suddenly his hand shot up and grabbed her wrist, gripping it painfully.

"Ben, what's wrong?" she asked, panicked.

He glared at her through hooded eyes, "Who untied you?"