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 26-Flight

One hour passed before Izzi heard someone approaching the cage. It was difficult to see who it was in the dark, but as the person came closer she was able to make them out.

"Isabel!" Izzi whispered.

Isabel rushed up to the cage door and pulled a string of keys from her pocket.

"We have to hurry." She said while looking for the right key, "They will be coming for you soon." Isabel found the key quickly and unlocked the door, pulling the cage open. "Come on!"

Izzi looked at Ben. They had just made peace with the fact that they were going to die and now they were being given a chance to escape.

"Ben?" Isabel asked seeing the puzzled expression on her brother's face. It almost looked like he was fighting some inner battle behind his eyes. Maybe he was.

"He doesn't want to leave the island." Izzi told her.

Isabel walked into the cage and went right up to Ben.

"Look at me." She ordered and he looked at her. "For you both to die would be a waste. Now I know more then anyone what this island means to you. But right now you need to think about your family. Are you going to let Izzi die because you don't think you are strong enough to leave here?"

Ben looked at Izzi, his eyes piercing hers.

"I'm sorry Izelle." He said quietly looking down. "I should never have asked this of you."

Izzi went to him and put a finger under his chin forcing his to look at her, "You never asked me to do anything Ben. I chose this because I love you."

"You love me enough to die for me, but I can't let that happen." Ben said as he took her hand, "Let's go."

"Really?" Izzi asked shocked.

"Yes, really."

Izzi kissed him as she jumped into his arms hugging him tightly. "Thank you Ben."

"We have to go, now!" Isabel chimed pushing them out the door.

They ran together to the edge of the jungle to get some cover.

As they crouched in the foliage Isabel pushed as large bag Ben's way.

"Here." She said to him.

"What is this?" he asked.

"Things you might find useful in your new life. Keep it close, don't lose it."

"How did you know?" he questioned.

"About the boat?" she smirked, "Izzi told me."

Ben looked at her accusingly, "I asked you not to tell anyone where you hid the boat Izelle."

Izzi rolled her eyes, "First of all, you didn't ask me, you told me, which was your first mistake. Besides, I knew Isabel wouldn't tell anyone."

"You both should leave now." Isabel said quietly.

"What? You're not coming with us?" Izzi asked.

"No, I am staying behind." She answered bravely.

"Isabel, are you certain?" Ben asked watching his sister closely.

"I am; someone needs to stay here and keep an eye on things."

"But they'll know you let us out of the cage." Izzi said.

"No, they won't. They will think Alex did it."

"Why will they think that?" Ben asked.

"Because she is the one who slipped the tranquilizers into Tom's drink and stole the keys."

"Oh no." Izzi said worried for Alex, "What will they do to her?"

Isabel smiled, "They won't do anything because she is going with you."

Ben shook his head, "After what she learned yesterday she will refuse."

"Come now Ben, you know your own daughter better than that."

"Do I?" he asked.

"She took the keys today Ben and she is waiting for you near the dock. She's ready to go."

Izzi stood up and faced Isabel, "Thank you Isabel, for everything. I'm going to miss you." She said as she hugged her sister-in-law.

"I'll miss you as well Izzi. If anything you made life around here interesting."

Izzi smiled and stepped away so Ben could say goodbye to his sister. She knew this would be it. There would be no coming back to the island.

The siblings hugged each other tightly in a show of emotion Izzi had never seen from the both of them. Ben whispered something into Isabel's ear that Izzi couldn't hear and Isabel nodded in response.

"Now get going, they may already be on their way." Isabel said pushing them on.

Ben turned and began jogging for the dock.

"Goodbye." Izzi called to Isabel as she turned and followed him.

Within twenty minutes they had reached the dock. They tried to stay out of sight as they looked for Alex.

"Dad!" they heard as she emerged from her hiding spot.

"Alex!" he exclaimed, still a little surprised she was actually there.

"Alex I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did. I should have told you a long time ago." Ben said as he pulled her close.

"Yes, you should have. But Aunt Isabel explained that you were trying to protect me and I believe her." She said hugging him back.

Izzi smiled at the exchange as Alex left her father to hug Izzi.

Izzi looked down at her, "You ready to go?" she asked.

Alex nodded.

"Good." Ben said from behind them, "Let's get moving." He said as he began walking.

Izzi chuckled as she watched him go then whispered to Alex, "How long do you think it will take him to realize he doesn't know where the boat is?"

Alex laughed, "He'll never admit it. Hey Izzi?" she asked suddenly serious.

"What's up? We should catch up with your dad."

"I know, but I wanted to give you this." She said handing Izzi something heavy wrapped in a towel.

Izzi unwrapped it and was faced with a handgun.

"I thought we might need it. Just in case." Alex said quickly.

Izzi took a deep breath. "You're right, we might. Good thinking." She said a little shakily as she hooked the gun in the waistband of her jeans.

"We're really leaving aren't we?" Alex asked and they began walking in the direction Ben had gone.

"Yes," Izzi answered, "We really are."