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 26

Mel woke slowly to a pounding headache. She opened her eyes and they tried to adjust to the dark room.

She looked around and realized she was still in the shack Ben had taken her to. It was empty except for her. She moved slightly and felt rope dig into her wrists.

She cursed. Ben must have tied her up and left her here alone. Well, not really alone, but she didn't want to think about what she had seen earlier.

She tested the ropes that bound her. They were tied tightly. She would have to think of something fast. She didn't have much time.

Desmond noticed Ben as he walked back into the village. He walked over to Sayid, who was nearby.

"You saw Ben drag Mel off right, brutha?" he asked.

Sayid nodded, "Yes."

"You didn't see her come back did you?"

"No. What is your point Desmond?"

"What do you think he has done to her?"

Sayid shook his head, "I can imagine, but honestly, I don't really care. She is one of them."

"Are you sure?" Desmond asked, questioning his own thoughts about Mel.

"I am. Desmond, before you go worrying about Mel, remember something. She was the one who held a gun on Ben in the first place." Sayid finished and walked away from Desmond.

Mel screamed in pain as she pulled hard against the bonds at her wrists. She had been working non-stop to free herself from the shack. It was beginning to get dark and she really didn't want to be around then.

She couldn't explain what she had seen when Ben was thrown up against the wall hours before. When she had looked back at the chair she had seen a man sitting there staring at Ben. Before she could even look away he had vanished. She had asked Ben who or what it was but he wouldn't answer her. He was so furious by then that he knocked her out with the gun and tied her up.

Mel pulled at the ropes again as she felt warm blood flowing from the cuts on her wrists. Finally, the ropes came free and she was able to bring her arms in front of her. She untied the ropes around her ankles and stood shakily.

Without looking towards the empty chair she ran for the door. But when she tried to yank open the door it wouldn't budge. She pulled it frantically but got nothing. She took a chance glance behind her and saw the man in the chair. He slowly turned his head and looked her direction.

"No!" she screamed. She didn't know what was going on but she was truly scared of what would happen if she stayed there.

"Help!" she screamed banging on the door. "Somebody please help me!"

Suddenly the whole shack began to shake. Jars started falling off of shelves and things went flying across the room. A jar filled with some kind of red liquid flew at Mel and crashed against her side covering her with what she found to be blood.

"No." she pleaded. "Ben, please!"

She continued to pound on the door uselessly. Finally the shaking stopped and she sank to the floor. She took one last look at the man in the chair and the name "Jacob" flashed into her mind. Then she closed her eyes and everything went black.

When Mel woke next she was being carried. She opened her eyes and saw Richard.

"Good, you're awake." he smiled down at her.

"What happened?" she asked.

"We found you passed out in the jungle. You were covered in blood but thankfully it wasn't yours."

Mel wondered how she had gotten outside of Jacob's cabin but didn't ask.

"Who is we?"

"Me." Zoe said as she stepped into Mel's range of view.

"Hi." Mel said.

"I'm sorry I didn't help when I saw Ben taking you away. Look what he has done to you."

"No, no. I'm glad you didn't. Who knows what he would have done if you confronted him. I did and got left for dead in the jungle."

"So Ben did this to you?" Richard asked.

"In a round about way, yes. Where is he?"

"He came back to the village." Richard answered.

"Where are we going?"

"To the village." Zoe said while smiling cynically. "I think we both have some unfinished business there."

When Mel, Richard and Zoe reached the village Mel asked to stop just outside it.

She turned to Richard, "Thank you for your help Richard but I'm just not ready to face him yet. I'll lie low in Ethan's house for a little while. Please don't tell him I'm here. I need to figure out how to deal with this."

Richard nodded and smile in understanding, "I won't say anything. But I wouldn't worry too much. Jack gave Ben some information that should keep him occupied." He finished as he left for the village.

Mel turned to Zoe, "Thanks Zoe, for everything."

"Hey, don't worry about it. Some of us have got to stick together right?" she said smiling sadly.

"Are you okay?" Mel asked.

Zoe shook her head, "With Charlie gone I wasn't sure if I could go on and then Juliet and Ben told me I was pregnant."

"What? You're pregnant?" Mel exclaimed.

Zoe nodded, "I can't believe it."

"Congratulations Zoe. Maybe William will have a new friend to play with soon. Don't worry too much; I think this island has a way of working things out for the good ones."

"What about you?" Zoe asked, "You're not a bad person yet you keep having to deal with all of this crap. Ben just tried to kill you!"

"If Ben had wanted to kill me he easily could have. I do wish I could figure out why I am here. I feel like I am needed but I don't know why. And I can't figure out Ben to save my life. One minute he tells me he needs me and the next he ties me up in the jungle."

"He tied you up?" Zoe asked.

"Yeah, but I was able to get free. Listen, all I'm saying is don't give up yet. You're a fighter, so get out there and fight."

Zoe nodded, "Thanks Mel."

Mel looked toward the village, "Are you coming?"

"No, not right now at least. I just want to hang out by myself for a while. Try to wrap my head around everything that is happening."

"Okay, be safe?" Mel said turning towards the village.

"I will." Zoe called before she was out of sight.

Mel was able to sneak to Ethan's old house without being seen. Once she got inside she shut the door behind her and took and deep breath.

She looked around her; nothing had changed since she had last been there. Memories of her months spent with Ethan came flooding back to her.

What had happened to her life? Only seven months ago she had been happy and in love. Now she was stuck on an island and fighting for her life. The only good thing that had come out of everything was William. She prayed he was still safe at the Hydra.

After taking a hot shower to wash off the blood from Jacob's cabin Mel sat at the kitchen table and put her head in her hands. She had to figure out what she was going to do about Dharma and Ben.

From the table Mel heard a knock on the door. She stood and walked to it and slowly turned the handle. When she pulled it open she came face to face with Ben.

She took a wary step backwards, "I don't want any trouble Ben."

"You got away from Jacob's cabin." he said.

"No. I'm not sure what happened." she answered watching him carefully.

Ben walked inside and sat down on the couch. Mel was confused by his behavior.

"Come sit with me, please." Ben said.

Mel shut the door and sat on the couch across from Ben. "What is going on?"

Ben took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, "I'm sorry for abandoning you to be with Sophie. It was a foolish, selfish decision and I am finding myself regretting it."

Mel was shocked, "What? Ben, tell me what has happened."

"Sophie was never pregnant. She lied about it all." he said looking away.

Mel could tell Ben was truly upset. Sophie's betrayal had really hurt him.

"I'm sorry that happened Ben."

"Do you ever think you could find a way to forgive me? Maybe we could start over." Ben asked hopefully.

"Like as a couple? You can't be serious."

"I am very serious Mel. I'm only saying what you have been telling me all along. Sophie was wrong for me; you have always been the one."

Mel shook her head, angry and sad at the same time, "You'll never going to be able to choose between us will you?"

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean Ben, is that you are a fair weather partner. You stick around while everything is good but when it gets bad you run. You've been running back and forth between me and Sophie. All this time you have been with Sophie you have been stringing me along. You tell me you need me and that I am the only one you trust. But in truth you just wanted to keep me close in case things went sour with Sophie."

"That not true." Ben defended.

Mel smiled sadly at him, "Enough lies Ben. I can't even figure you out anymore. Have you forgotten that you tried to kill me recently?"

"In all fairness you tried to kill me first."

"All I wanted was answers Ben. Did you really think I would shoot you?"

"No, because you love me Mel. I know you do."

"I doesn't matter if I love you Ben. Right now it's not enough. Maybe after we get through everything with the island, if we do, we can try again. If you haven't gone back to Sophie by then of course."

"I won't." Ben claimed as he stood.

"Never say never Ben. You'll always regret it."