A/n: For the record, I pretty much loathe Juliet, and Jack/Juliet as a pairing. I am convinced that she is a double agent and will absolutely screw the Losties over when the time comes. This little snap-shot reflects that opinion a little bit.

Trust

(Juliet. Mentions of Jack and Ben.)

The moment I come into their camp, I am uncomfortable. I don't belong, and it's painfully obvious by the reception I receive versus the one he receives.

They embrace Jack like only friends and family do. They've missed him. Smiles, handshakes, pats on the back, laughter, hugs. They're so glad to see him, to have him back.

I stand back, allowing them their reunion. Slowly, the eyes turn to me. Some are confused (what is she doing here?), some are curious (who is that? Where did she come from?), many are angry or accusing (she's one of them! How could he bring her here?!) and all of them are untrusting.

I won't lie: it's intensely unnerving.

The days start to go by and though I try my best to be friendly and helpful, still no one seems to be able to trust me. Part of me doesn't blame them. After all they've been through, they're right to be so wary. Another part of me is frustrated. Can't they just let their guards down a little to let me in? Can't they let me be a part of the evening gatherings around the camp fire? Even let me build my shelter close enough to everyone else to feel safe?

Still they keep their distance. They want nothing to do with me, and they really believe I am here to do more harm than anything.

Except Jack.

Despite everything I have put him through – the kidnapping, the captivity, the manipulation – he manages to somehow push it aside enough to be civil to me. He talks to me, connects with me. He brings me food so I don't have to face the accusing and untrusting eyes. He smiles and laughs with me, and somehow, somehow, he seems to actually trust me.

I don't understand how he could. And as much as I like that he does, I wish he didn't.

When I leave my messages for Ben, I only feel guilty because of Jack. Though I keep up my pretense of being helpful, it would be just another lie to say that it isn't always in the back of my mind that I'm betraying them. I am betraying Jack. It's times like these that I have to remind myself that all I do will lead to me getting off this cursed island to finally someday reunite with my sister.

I have spent too many years learning how to control my emotions and show exactly the emotion I want to show, and believably, too. Concern, happiness, guilt, anger, indifference, or a complicated mix of any number of different emotions. Whatever the situation calls for. My real emotions stay buried deep – deep enough no one can even read my real thoughts emotions through my eyes, though I have learned to read theirs.

Ben has taught me well of these things, whether he knows it or not.

Jack doesn't know it, but I am manipulating him. I manipulate him as Ben has for so long manipulated me and so many others. Something else Ben has taught me is to have ample amounts of patience. I can wait for my moment. Eventually, I will gain the upper hand. I'll get the best of Ben and get out of here. I'll never, ever look back.

When I speak to Jack, there is always a note of guilt there.

Because he trusts me, and he really shouldn't.

A/n: Ya... we'll see what really happens with Juliet. I'm hoping she's next on the character chopping block. Thanks for reading - reviews are like oxygen. :D