Disclaimer: I make no profit from this. The Lost characters and universe do not belong to me.
A/N: This story started out as an RP on a forum I visit. This is the part that I wrote for the RP. Yes the plot jumps around and yes it is full of drama like a soap opera, but that is why I love it. Credit also goes to my fellow writers; tigerlilly, benlinusisagoodguy, and fearandloathin for their input and genius characters.
Chapter 25
Mel watched without emotion as Jack and Ben knelt at Sophie's side. The blood was spreading quickly.
'Stupid girl'. Mel thought to herself. They hadn't been in the village more than ten minutes before Sophie emerged from the jungle with a gun at her head. Mel didn't know where she went after the tower and she didn't care. She did care that she had led one of the men from the freighter right to them. And then she had gotten herself shot trying to run to Ben. Mel had to fight to urge to roll her eyes.
She shook her head in disbelief and walked over to the man Sayid had tied up. She saw Sayid was ready to use his interrogation techniques on him.
"Hold on Sayid." she said motioning for him to join her.
"What is it Mel?" he asked.
"Look at that guy. Do you really think he is going to respond to you beating him? He looks meaner than you."
"We have to try. We must know who he is." Sayid pushed.
"I've got a pretty good idea who they are. Look, head over there for a few minutes and let me talk to him."
"I don't" Sayid began.
"Yeah, yeah, you don't trust me. You're going to have to deal with that, over there." Mel said pointing away from the man.
Sayid huffed and walked away.
Mel looked around to make sure that no one was close before she walked over to the man and knelt down to meet his eyes.
"Hi." she said with a smile. "What's your name?"
The man didn't answer her, he only glared back.
"Fair enough." Mel shrugged, "I'm Mel."
When he still didn't reply she went on, "I don't think I can speak for everyone one else," she said waving her hand towards the group who were still focused on Sophie, "But I just want to say thank you for shooting her. You just made my life a lot easier."
The man finally acted like he registered what she was saying. He raised his head and looked at her quizzically, "What?"
Mel winked at him, "You heard me."
Mel stayed with the prisoner while nearly everyone else went to the village. Sayid stayed behind and watched her from a distance.
Finally the man spoke, "What are you playing at?" he asked roughly.
Mel shrugged, "I'm not playing at anything." she said as she sat down in front of him. "Now, let's talk about the Dharma Initiative."
Mel punched the man in the face, hard.
"What was that for?" he exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, but I had to make this interrogation look real."
"I told you what you wanted to know!"
"You did. Thank you." Mel said as she turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" he asked as blood dripped down his face.
"Not far. Just to the village." Mel answered without turning back. She walked quickly. She knew she looked determined and she was. She needed to talk to Ben and get some answers. According to what the man had just told her, Ben may have killed them all.
Mel shoved open the door to Ben's room. She saw him sitting next to Sophie as she slept.
"So she's not dead then." Mel quipped.
Ben jumped when the door collided with the wall. "Mel, quiet. Sophie is sleeping." He said as he turned towards her.
"Get up." Mel said.
"What?" he asked.
Mel didn't bother to lower her voice, "Get up now!"
Ben didn't move, "What has gotten into you Mel? I'm not going anywhere."
Mel reached behind her back and pulled a gun out of the waistband of her jeans. She pointed it at Sophie.
Ben tried not to look panicked, "Where did you get that?"
"From our new friend. It seems Sayid didn't search him well enough. Now get up and walk out that door or I will shoot her."
"You won't."
Mel looked straight into Ben's eyes, "Won't I?" she challenged.
Ben looked from Mel to the gun and then to the still sleeping Sophie. He lowered his head, "Very well."
"Good. Now stand up and walk."
Mel led Ben at gunpoint to the courtyard of the village.
When she told him to stop he turned around, "What is this about Mel? Not another one of your tantrums I hope. I..."
He wasn't able to continue because Mel backhanded him with the gun still in her hand. He fell to the ground but remained conscious.
"What have you done?" she screamed at him as she lost her composure.
"What?" he struggled while looking up at her.
"You fool! Did you not think there would be repercussions for you actions?"
Ben pulled himself to his feet, "I don't know what you are talking about."
"So many lies. I don't know how you keep them all together." Mel said pointing the gun at Ben once more. "Did you think you could keep this from me forever?"
Ben grew frustrated, "Keep what from you?" she yelled at her.
"The prisoner told me a story Ben. Would you like to hear it?" Mel asked as she noticed the survivors coming out of the houses to see what was going on.
Ben froze, "No."
"He told me that many years ago the Dharma Initiative worked on this island. He said that you came to the island with your father. Then he told me something I didn't believe at first but the more I thought about it the more it made sense."
"Mel, do not do this." Ben warned her.
She ignored him, "He told me that all of those people died. More than that Ben, they were murdered. And you are the one who killed them. Now they are back to settle the score. All because you decided to play God."
Ben looked around as the survivors moved closer, "Mel, please."
She moved close to him to whisper into his ear, "I know I told you I would help you Ben, but you've put everyone in danger. They are going to kill everyone on the island. It won't be long before they find out about the Hydra and William will be in danger. I need to save him."
Ben nodded, "I understand Mel. I am sorry."
"What are you sorry for?" she asked looking up at him puzzled.
"For this." he said as he ripped the gun out of her hands. He shoved the gun to her head as his free arm wrapped around her neck and began to drag her backwards towards the jungle.
Mel forced herself to stay calm as Ben drug her through the jungle. She knew she had pushed him to the edge she just never expected him to snap like this.
She was thankful that no one from the village had come after them. She knew that Ben would have shot them if they tried.
"Ben, where are we going?" she asked him, trying to ignore the gun he held against her head.
"Be quiet Mel. I'm quite done being patient with you."
Mel noticed a small movement in the bushes to the right of her. Ben was facing the other way and hadn't seen it. Zoe poked her head out of the brush and Mel's eyes got wide. She shook her head at Zoe telling her not to try to help her. It would be too dangerous.
Zoe looked conflicted, but then nodded sadly and sunk back into the trees.
Ben and Mel moved quickly through the jungle and didn't stop until they came to a run down old shack.
"What is this place?" Mel asked feeling uneasy.
Ben shoved her in front of him and aimed the gun at her back. "Move." he ordered. "Get inside."
Mel didn't think it was a good idea to go inside the shack but she didn't really have a choice so she opened to door and stepped inside.
When they were both inside Ben slammed the door behind him, his anger still hadn't abated.
"Jacob!" he called.
"Who is Jacob?" Mel asked.
"Shut up!' he yelled at her, waving the gun.
Ben turned and looked at an empty chair. He began talking to it, "Jacob, there you are. I know I shouldn't have brought her here but she has to understand."
Ben was quiet for a moment as if he was listening to something. Mel took a step closer.
Ben shook his head, "No, you have to show her! She has to see!" he cried.
Mel watched Ben carefully, convinced he had gone off the deep end.
"Ben?" she asked moving even closer. "Who are you talking to?"
Ben ignored her, still lost in his conversation with the chair. "Tell her now!" he demanded of the chair. Suddenly Ben was thrown back and collided violently with the wall.
Mel looked from him to the chair, "Oh my God."