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

A/N-This is set in season 3 as the Others leave the Hydra to go back to their "home". Some things from the TV show may stay the same, some may not.

Chapter 11-Words

"I still don't understand Izzi. If Ben kidnapped you, why do you stay here? Why did you marry him?" Jack asked.

Izzi and Jack were walking around the courtyard. Since she'd told Jack that Ben had kidnapped her he had been asking questions non stop.

Izzi sighed and glanced at the gazebo a few yards away, "It's complicated Jack. When I was first brought here it was under false pretenses. I didn't even know it was an island until three months after my arrival. And then, when I did find out about the island and about everything else, well, I was in love with him by then."

"With Ben?"

"Yes with Ben, who else?"

"But he kidnapped you, lied to you, and he forces you to stay here. How can you just accept that?"

"It wasn't easy." Izzi said smiling to herself. "It was a long time before I could even look at Ben without wanting to kill him. And I still have those moments, even now. It wasn't instant."

"Did you ever try to get away?" Jack asked as he watched Izzi sit on the ground in the middle of a field. He looked around skeptically before he sat down next to her.

"I've lost count of the number of times I was able to get away from them. When I look back it almost seems like it was too easy. You see that fence Jack?" Izzi asked.

"You mean those pylons sticking out of the ground?" he said pointing to the security fence they were facing.

"Yes, those. Every time I ran away I would get to this fence. And every time I couldn't bring myself to go through it. Ben told me that the fence would kill me if I walked in between the pylons. I guess I was too much of a coward to really find out."

"So you stopped trying to escape?"

Izzi rolled her eyes, "No, I kept trying. So much that they threw me in a cell to keep me here."

"They locked you up?" Jack asked.

"Oh yeah, for months. I couldn't truly accept that I was stuck here. Deep down I knew it was true, but my mind wouldn't accept my fate. Of course I was fighting Ben at the same time."

"But you loved him."

"Yes, but what he did to me was horrible. Unforgivable."

"Yet, you still forgave him and even married him."

"I married Ben, but I never forgave him for what he did. Love is a funny thing Jack. It can make you agree to things even if you shouldn't"

"I don't understand you at all Izzi."

"I know, not many would after hearing my story. Izzi glanced at the watch around her wrist, "Come on, we should get back. You'll have plenty of time to grill me for more answers tomorrow."

Izzi waited patiently in Juliet's living room.

"I must be special to deserve a house call." Juliet said sarcastically as she walked into the room.

"You don't deserve anything. You know I'm only here because I don't trust you around Ben."

"Jack is the one who cut his kidney, yet you still blame me."

"I blame you for a lot more than that. But that isn't why I am here. Tom said you asked to speak to me?" Izzi said sitting down on an arm chair.

"Nearly a week ago."

"I've been busy."

"Right." Juliet said as she rolled her eyes and took a seat herself.

"I wish Jack could see how you really are, not just how you act in front of him. Maybe he wouldn't be pining for you so."

"Jealous Izzi?"

"Why should I be jealous of you? Ben chose me."

"You're right Izzi," Juliet smirked, "Ben chose you."

"What do you want Juliet?"

"A chance to explain myself."

Izzi stared at her, "Explain yourself for what? For asking Jack to kill Ben? You mean you have a reason other than being a raging bitch?"

Juliet smiled, "There is a bit more to me then that Izzi. Not that you ever took the time to find out."

"Are you serious? What makes you think I would ever want to get to know you more? You certainly didn't welcome me with open arms when I got here."

"You're still dwelling on that? When are you going to get over the library? It's been years."

"Are you trying to piss me off or do you have something worthwhile to tell me?"

"Fine, I'll tell you why I asked Jack to kill Ben. I saw an opportunity and I decided to take it. It hurt when Ben divorced me so he could bring you to the island. I was in love and I never saw it coming. I never saw any signs that could lead to him not wanting me. It's something I never got over. So when Ben told me he was going to convince Jack to do the operation I saw my chance. I knew Jack didn't trust Ben so I gave him the idea of letting Ben die on the table. No one would have ever known if Jack hadn't opened his mouth."

Izzi looked away from Juliet and out one of the windows in the living room. "So, you did all of that because you are still in love with Ben and you are still hurt after how your marriage ended?"

"Yes." Juliet said quietly.

Izzi began to laugh, "Do you really expect me to believe all of that? You never were a good liar Juliet. I don't believe for a second that you are still pining for Ben. Do I think you hate him? Yes, almost as much as you hate me, but you don't love him. I'm not even sure if you ever did."

"Izzi, no." Juliet began to argue but Izzi cut her off.

"You just wanted something to fall back on if things ever went bad. In case Ben decides that you really do deserve to be punished for what you did to Pickett. I'm the last person you should be coming to for that. I've already spared your life once; I don't think I would bother again. When you decide to tell me the truth about your motives let me know, until then don't waste my time." Izzi finished as she stood up and walked out of Juliet's house.

Izzi was exhausted. It felt like all she had been doing this week was talking and discussing and explaining every thing she'd ever done.

Jack asked to see her every day. His questions were endless. He wanted to know everything about how she had gotten to the island and why she stayed. No matter what she told him he couldn't process it and he would find another way to ask her the same questions.

Izzi had been talking to Alex quite a bit. She was pretty upset about Karl and refused to talk to her father any more then saying "Hello" and "Goodnight". Alex was heartbroken that Karl was gone. Izzi tried to explain that it was a good thing. That if he had been recaptured Ben might not have been lenient a second time around. Alex cried telling Izzi that she loved Karl and it wasn't fair that they were being kept apart. Izzi, who had been kept in the dark about why Ben didn't approve of Karl could only say that maybe Ben would come around with time.

"Will you talk to him Izzi? See if he will change his mind?" Alex had asked her with tears in her eyes.

Izzi couldn't deny her. Alex had been there for her when she needed her. "I will try Alex."

After that Alex had begun to feel better. She knew if anyone could go head to head with Ben, it was Izzi.

The other person Izzi had been talking to was Ben's sister, Isabel. Next to Alex, Isabel was Izzi's closest friend on the island. Work took Isabel away from the village often, but since Ben had gotten home she had stayed close.

"What's bothering you Izzi? You haven't been acting like yourself lately." Isabel asked one day as she watched Izzi folding the laundry she had just taken out of the dryer.

Izzi paused and glanced at Isabel who was watching her curiously.

"You won't laugh if I tell you?" she asked.

Isabel thought for a moment, "Of course I won't."

Izzi shook her head and continued to fold thinking how similar Isabel and Ben really were. "Something doesn't feel right. I feel like something bad is coming."

"You feel like something bad is coming?"

"That is what I just said Isabel."

"Do you think it has to do with Ben?" she asked ignoring Izzi's sarcasm.

"I don't know. I don't remember feeling this apprehensive before. It's like I'm waiting for a huge storm to break."

"I won't be leaving for another few weeks; I will keep my eyes open."

"Thanks Isabel."

"Izelle, I don't see why you can't simply drop the subject." Ben said as he watched her getting ready for bed.

Izzi glared at his reflection in the mirror. He was sitting on their bed looking obstinate. The man could look stubborn without even trying.

"I won't drop it Ben. I think it is ridiculous. What could Karl have possibly done to deserve that kind of treatment? You should have seen Alex when she was telling me about it. She was scared Ben and you know she isn't scared easily."

"He isn't suitable for her."

"Why not Ben? He grew up here just like you did. Why are you so against him?"

"Because he isn't who she is supposed to be with!" Ben nearly yelled.

Wide eyed, Izzi turned to look at Ben. Ben rarely yelled. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she had heard him even raise his voice.

"Please Izelle; do not fight me on this."

Izzi really looked at Ben. He was wearing his blue and white striped pajamas that she loved him in. He looked tired. Izzi was tired too. She was tired of explaining herself, tired of worrying, and for once tired of fighting with Ben.

"Okay Ben, I'll support you with this one. But I need to know that one day you will tell me your reasons for keeping them apart."

"When I can Izelle, I will tell you."

"Thank you." She said as she turned off the light and climbed into bed next to him. She looked up at him looking down on her and smiled.

"Goodnight Ben." She whispered reaching for his hand.

She felt him press his lips to the back of her hand, "Sweet Dreams Izelle."