A/N: Okay, so this chapter gets a little dark…

"I still don't understand why we're doing this," complained Jack. Ralph had dragged him out of bed early in the morning to climb the rocky hill that loomed over the camp.

"I just want to see the top, I bet the view is incredible from up there," Ralph answered happily, "Plus it helps to clear your mind."

"What does your mind need clearing of? Please don't tell me you are rethinking this thing between the two of us." Jack said this as a joke, but Ralph could tell that Jack was still a little worried that he would change his mind again. Ralph stopped walking and turned around to face the red head.

"I told you last night that I wouldn't do that to you again," Ralph reminded him. Jack smiled and took his hands.

"I know, it's just that I like you so much and I…I just don't want to lose you after I've waited so long for this to happen," he said. Ralph smiled. He liked this side of Jack. It was nice a lot less intimidating than his intense, dominating chief side.

"You're not going to. Now come on, let's get to the top so I can stop hearing your whining." Jack elbowed his arm.

"Hey! It isn't my fault you woke me up before the sun had even risen," said Jack.

"Sorry! I just couldn't sleep and I didn't want to wait for the sun. Plus, I just thought that you might maybe want to spend some time with me," Ralph joked.

"Oh please, don't make me sound like a villain here," Jack responded. He paused for a second before asking; "How was sleeping in the other cave last night?" Ralph felt his stomach tighten a little.

"It was fine, thanks for asking," answered Ralph. He had told Jack the night before that he didn't think that them sleeping in the same cave now that they were "more than friends" was appropriate. He did believe that to an extent, but Roger's threats were the real reason he had chosen to sleep with the other boys.

He probably thinks I'm still not comfortable with this relationship. Damn you Roger.

For a moment Ralph had considered telling Jack what Roger had done, but he ultimately decided that involving Jack would be a bad idea. I'm not going to let someone solve all my problems for me, I'm not some helpless idiot.

"That's good," Jack commented. There was an awkward silence as the two of them continued climbing. Finally Jack spoke up. "Listen, Ralph, I don't want you to think I'm mad or anything. I totally respect your decision."

"Thank you, Jack." Ralph meant this. He was so appreciative of how patient and supportive Jack had been throughout the whole process.

"You don't have to thank me for letting you make choices, Ralph. Hey, would you look at that, we're at the top."

"Really?" Ralph squealed excitedly. He climbed up behind Jack to reach the summit. He did a full turn to take in all the sights. From there you could see the entire island and the blue ocean stretching as far as the eye could see in all directions. Jack watched Ralph take it all in. "It's so beautiful!"

"Yeah, it is," said Jack, who was still looking at Ralph.

"Have you ever thought of making a fire up here? Ships would be able to see it for miles," suggested Ralph. Jack smiled, feeling as if he was in the presence of the old Ralph.

"Yeah we have, but it's a lot of work to carry wood all the way up here."

"That's true," muttered Ralph quietly. Jack could tell Ralph was already trying to come up with a solution to the problem in his head.

"You're right about it being high up though, I think I can see Sam and Maurice making out from here," jested Jack in an attempt to win back Ralph's attention. It worked, he laughed.

"That was the most awkward experience of my entire life."

"There I was thinking I was going to have to protect you from some gigantic boar, and then it turns out to be two of our friends rolling around in the bushes," recounted Jack. Both of them erupted into a burst of laughter. "I don't think I will ever forget the look on their faces."

"I feel kind of bad that we ran off before we could talk to them," Ralph said as he recovered from his laughing fit, he suddenly felt a twinge of guilt in his stomach.

"I think they might have been too shocked to carry out a conversation."

"Yeah, I would have been too if I was them, being caught kissing out in the middle of the woods is more than a bit embarrassing," Ralph agreed. He found himself imagining what he would have done if someone had discovered him and Jack doing the same.

"Speaking of kissing," said Jack mischievously, "I never got a chance to do that with you last night."

"Yeah, I guess you didn't," responded Ralph, mimicking Jack's tone. Jack took a step towards him and wrapped his arms around his back, pulling their bodies together. Jack looked into Ralph's eyes for a few moments before he brought their lips together. It wasn't rough and passionate like their last romantic encounter, it was gentle, it was…nice.

Even after their lips separated, they remained in each other's embrace. Ralph had his head pressed against the front of Jack's shoulder with his face turned outwards so he could see the sparkling ocean in the distance. It felt like he was in movie, he was almost certain it couldn't be real. Standing on the summit of a beautiful mountain with the ocean breeze circulating around him in the arms of his…something. He didn't want to move away from Jack but he knew that they couldn't stay there all day so he reluctantly pulled away.

"I liked that," he said softly.

"So did I," Jack agreed, "Promise you won't stop talking to me for days?"

"Promise."

"What are we going to do?" Maurice was pacing back and forth and holding his head with both of his hands. Sam was leaning against a rock a few feet away. He looked and felt like he was going to be sick. "What if Jack makes us leave the group?"

"I don't think he would do that, Ralph wouldn't let him," Sam assured him.

"Ralph isn't the leader anymore, Sam. He has no power over Jack." Maurice finally stopped pacing and settled on the rock next to Sam, although he didn't appear any less distressed. "I don't know what to do."

"We'll figure it out…I can talk to Ralph." Sam was trying to stay calm, but seeing Maurice in such a panic was not helping him keep his nerves under control. It had never occurred to him how serious their situation could be, he had just been embarrassed from being caught.

"You can try, but I don't think it will do any good. I'm going to look for Jack and tell him it was all a misunderstanding."

A misunderstanding? What are you going to tell him? That we were trying to give each other CPR at the same time?

"Ok," said Sam in an unsure tone. Maurice got of the rock and was about to leave when Jack entered the clearing where they had been talking.

"Hey guys, I hope I'm interrupting you again," he said with a grin on his face. Both Sam and Maurice stayed exactly where they were and neither said a word. "Relax, I'm not here to punish you or anything. I wanted to say sorry on behalf of Ralph and myself for taking off before talking with you guys last night. Your secret is safe with us," he assured them. The confused look on Sam and Maurice's faces became even more prevalent.

"Wait…you're okay with this?" Jack was almost offended by the shocked tone of Maurice's voice. But he couldn't blame him, he knew he hadn't exactly established a reputation of being an overly tolerant ruler.

"Of course I am, I don't care who you are kissing, as long as it isn't me." With that, Jack turned and started to make his way back to the camp, leaving the two other boys standing in astonishment.

Roger was leaning against a palm tree, his arms were crossed and his face was twisted into a dark scowl. He was facing in the direction of the beach where Ralph and Eric had been talking and laughing for quite some time. He had been watching them since they had arrived.

Their happiness was making Roger unhappy. With the exception of Jack, Roger was not fond of anyone on the island, and Ralph was without a doubt the person he disliked the most. Seeing him smiling and laughing was making him sick.

The thing Roger hated most about Ralph didn't necessarily have to do with the boy himself. It was the effect that he had on Jack that Roger truly despised. Jack was the only person on the island that Roger wanted to talk to and be around, the only person that he cared about. But whenever Ralph was around, all of Jack's attention was diverted from him to the fair haired boy. Ralph could do no wrong in Jack's eyes.

Roger could understand why Jack was so taken by Ralph. There was of course his appearance; his tanned, slender body, his golden hair, his soft features, his flawless smile. He oozed innocence, but he was still intelligent and strong willed. He was friendly and funny and perfect.

I could never compete with him.

Roger had thought he had finally been rid of Ralph when Jack had left his tribe to start his own, but now he was back, and ruining everything all over again. Roger could feel the gap that had been growing between him and Jack since Ralph had become part of their tribe. He had to do something about it.

Before he even had decided what his course of action would be, Roger found himself closing in on Ralph and Eric. He soon was looming over the two of them, their startled faces peering up at him. "Take a walk, Eric," he hissed, "I need to talk to Ralph alone."

Eric looked at Ralph and gave him a one armed hug before he quickly took his leave. Roger watched him scurry away, and when he was satisfied he took Eric's place next to Ralph. He didn't say anything, wanting to force Ralph to speak first. His wish was granted.

"What?" Ralph asked harshly, his eyes fixed on the ocean in front of him.

"It isn't polite to not look at someone when you're speaking to them," Roger scolded in a sarcastic tone.

"Something tells me you aren't here to instruct me on manners." Ralph continued to point his gaze towards the water. Roger was not used to having his orders disobeyed.

"You must know that it is also impolite to use a rude tone with-"

"What the hell is your problem with me?" Ralph's sudden shift in attitude surprised even Roger. Ralph's face was turned towards him now. He could see his vivid blue eyes and the light freckles that went across his nose. His beauty infuriated Roger.

"It doesn't matter. I just don't like you," Roger snarled. Much to his surprise, Ralph put his hand on his shoulder.

"Roger, I'm sorry for…whatever I did to offend you so much. I…can't remember what it was, but I want you know that I am really, really, sorry." Ralph's voice was soft and filled with genuine sincerity. Ralph saw a quick flash of anger pulse through Roger's eye, but it was immediately replaced with something different…a mischievous, planning look that scared him much more.

"Is this what Jack sees in you? Is this the act you use on him? The sweet little boy who cares about everyone?" Roger's current eerie demeanor was even more unsettling to Ralph than his usual persona. He felt his entire body stiffen and his heart beat start to speed up.

"What? Jack and I…"

"Please. I know there's something between you and Jack…or at least him and you. It was the same way before your…incident," Roger said in a low but menacing voice, "You just can't help yourself can you? You have to control him?"

"What? No, I like Jack-" Ralph was beyond confused at this point, and Roger's actions were starting to make him panic.

"Of course you do. I like him too. And Jack…he loves you. I can see why." Ralph felt Roger's hand slowly stroke his left cheek. Ralph couldn't move, fear had completely consumed his body.

Suddenly one of Roger's arms was around his back. Roger then violently pulled Ralph against him and moments later he felt Roger's lips against his own.

Realization suddenly snapped into Ralph's mind and he gained control of his body. Ralph slammed both of his hands into Roger's chest, sending the larger boy backwards and onto his back. Ralph stood quickly, but as soon as he was on his feet; a powerful kick from Roger sent him back onto the ground.

Roger was on him in a second. Ralph tried to scream but Roger covered his mouth with his hand. Ralph was completely powerless and unable to move under the other boy's weight. All he could do was peer into the other boy's eyes.

"You stay away from Jack…or this happens again," threatened Roger. He took his hand away from Ralph's mouth. Ralph thought that he was going to let him go but he then put his hand against Ralph's throat. He pushed down hard. Ralph's breathing was entirely restricted. When he opened his mouth to gasp for air, Roger's lips were upon him again.

Ralph began struggling under Roger. He tried as hard as he could to escape, but Roger used his free hand to hold Ralph's down. Ralph head felt like it was swelling, his chest stung. He tried to inhale but all he could feel was Roger's lips against his own. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. His vision started to get blurry…and then everything went black.