A/N: Um, read and review? And remember that italics relate to FLASHBACKS! Thanks and enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Whole Truth
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The blow came faster than she expected. Sayid's elbow banged roughly into her knee seconds before the punch to her chest sent her stumbling back. Faith rubbed the spot and winced, her eyes meeting his to find them full of amusement and something she knew without a doubt had moments before shown in hers, satisfaction. She brought her clenched fists back up and ignored the sweat that slid slowly down between her shoulder blades.

Sayid merely rolled his neck and kept his eyes fixed to hers, his own hands waiting for the next strike.

Faith leapt forward to block the next jab with a solid punch to his groin. As he reeled back she twisted and the spin kick that struck against the back of his knees knocked him completely off his feet.

"Another point for me!" She took a step back, watching as Sayid climbed slowly to his feet and let out a small grunt. "Is this where you call a time out again?"

"I never called a time out, I only…"

"Cried Uncle because you needed a breather?" Faith cracked a grin and placed her hands on her hips. "Sayid, I really appreciate you letting me blow off steam like this but if you get tired, you just have to say so."

"I told you I'm not tired," Sayid shook his head. "You are, and in some joking way this pains me to say so, stronger and faster than I am."

"It comes with the package."

"I'm still not sure I understand everything you've told me." He ran his hands through the loose strands of his hair. "But with all that's been going on with this island and these Others, I'm willing to go with just about anything now."

"Well, I'm glad. Not about the Others or the strange coincidences... I just understand how it can be hard to…" Her gaze shifted past him towards the trees, the limbs and bushes shifting even though there was no breeze, "Open your mind about things."

"Faith?"

She took a few steps forward, her eyes glued to the image that shimmered amongst the trees. "Do you see that?"

"See what?" Sayid moved to stand beside her. "I don't see anything."

"I do."

"What is it? What do you see?"

"Me." Faith blinked and the image disappeared. "It was me."

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"His story hasn't changed."

"Maybe he has it memorized good enough."

"Or maybe you just need more time with him." Locke glanced over at Faith who was lying sprawled out on the couch, her gaze directed straight up at the ceiling. "What do you think Faith?"

Both Jack and Ana turned their direction towards her when she didn't answer.

"Faith?"

She blinked quickly, rubbing at her chin as she sat up against the cushions. "He's lying."

"You seem pretty certain about that." Ana crossed her arms over her chest from her slouch against the bookshelf and stared at Faith. "Or maybe you want him to be lying."

"Hey, don't take it out on me if the man's repeato boy and you can't make him change his tune." Faith glared back then stood up. "Maybe Sayid should–"

"No." Jack shook his head as he began to fix his bag. "Absolutely not, Sayid needs to stay away until we figure out exactly what we're dealing with here."

"And then what? Slap his wrist and send him on his merry way? We both know that's not going to happen." Faith glanced over at Ana. "Are you done with him?"

"For today. I thought I'd let him sit in there and stew over what we talked about."

"Wow, a therapist and a cop, quite the combo special we've got in our midst."

"Faith." Jack's voice was stern but she didn't remove her gaze from Ana's, catching sight of something flittering across the woman's eyes before it disappeared just as quickly.

"Fine, alright." Faith raised her hands in mock surrender. "Let me get a few words in with Mr. Personality and I'll get out of everyone's hair."

Jack and Ana exchanged a look, the action not going unnoticed by Faith.

She cocked an eyebrow. "Is there a problem with that suggestion that I should know about?"

Jack shook his head. "No, no problem."

"Good." Faith smiled brightly. "I didn't think so."

He looked like he was going to argue then motioned at Locke. "Locke, can I speak with you for a second in private?"

"Sure thing Jack." Locke shot Faith a look as if giving a silent warning to play nice then followed Jack who was already making his way towards the dome.

She waited until they had both disappeared before turning her attention back onto Ana who had remained where she was, her gaze not wavering from Faith in the slightest.

"In my line of work I'm always figuring people out, watching and listening for anything that will tell me exactly what they're all about but you…" Ana snorted with a shake of her head, "I can't even get a grip on who you are."

"I'm told it's part of my charm."

"Do you always do that? Let people in and then shut them out? Is it some elaborate plan, like the one you had with Sawyer?"

"Let you in?" Faith crossed her own arms to echo Ana's stance and frowned, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "I don't seem to remember us ever being chummy or ever taking long windy walks together at sunset."

"So that thing with Claire and me tagging along, that was just some backup plan to what? Keep on eye on me?"

"I told you, I needed an extra gun and you were it."

"I wasn't your first choice I'm sure."

"Of course not." Faith smirked as she moved away from the couch. "But we both know you can shoot so there was no need to waste time worrying about that now was there?" She made her way over towards the armory door, ignoring the fact that Ana had pushed away from the bookshelf and followed.

"You keep reminding me of that as if I don't know, as if I don't remember every time I stop and think." Ana stopped directly behind Faith, hands on her hips. "You think I wanted this for myself? That I wanted everyone here to hate me and treat me like I'm a damn leper? You have no idea what I'm going through but you sure as hell love talking about it."

Faith turned sharply on her heel, glaring at Ana as they stood now face to face. "I am this close to knocking you into next week and you know why I don't? Because of the fact that I know exactly what you're going through and I know exactly what it feels like to think you've only got yourself in the long run."

"And how is that?"

Faith pointed at her own chest. "I killed a man before in cold blood, I touched his wound and I felt the blood on my own fingers and do you know what I told myself?" She laughed dryly. "I told myself that it was okay, that I was balancing out the scale and that no one was going to worry about one less dead beat in the world, but I was wrong. When you take justice into your own hands, there's a price to pay and sometimes that price is less than pleasant but you have to deal with it the best you can because if you won't do it, who will?"

"And if you can't?"

"Then it's best you make peace with whatever God you follow because if you can't forgive yourself and move on, neither will anyone else."

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The latch to the door shut with a soft click behind her. He was sitting where he always was on the cot, his eyes already locked on hers and filled with secrets she knew he would never part with. Not that it mattered. He could keep all his filthy secrets, as long as they weren't what she wanted to know.

"I thought I heard shouting. What's wrong? Did Ana upset you about something?"

"Been reading Dr. Phil books have you?" She moved to lean against the empty gun racks. "Or is playing mind games something you read from the Dharma handbook?" Faith snorted, "Save it for the tourists. I'm not some amateur, you're playing with a real professional now."

"And the rest of these people? Ana? Jack?" Henry shifted to lean against the wall. "What are they?"

"You tell me, you seem to know more about them than I do."

"How sad." The corners of his lips upturned for a split second before pressing flat again. "You've been living side by side with these people, helping them and learning about their lives, and yet you don't know a single thing about them. Of course," He let out a dry laugh, "They don't really know a single thing about you now they do?"

"And what, you do?"

"Maybe." He smirked again. "Maybe not. After all, I'm just a simple man from Minnesota who recently lost his wife and everything he called home."

"Oh right, your wife. Jennifer was it?" Faith pushed away from the gun rack and moved to stand in front of him. "Surprised I even remembered that. You know, it's a funny thing about lies, they tend to all blend into one big mess after a while."

"It's not a lie. Jennifer is real."

"Was real you mean? Just like this Henry Gale was real?" Quickly she crouched down and reached out to grab his wrist, squeezing as hard as she could. Faith watched in satisfaction as he winced against the sudden pain. "You're real, you breathe, you bleed," She squeezed again and he let out a small grunt, "You feel pain."

"I already told you. You won't find out what you want this way." Henry wheezed, "My name is Henry Gale, I'm from Minnesota! I was flying here and…"

Faith rolled her eyes and released him, the shove so hard that he hit the wall and Henry automatically clutched his hand to his chest as he eyed her. "Most people when I do things like that, they look at me and I see fear, they can't hide it no matter how hard they try. Your brain remembers, it won't let that pain go and I'm the trigger that sets it off but you…" She leaned closer to him. "I don't see it."

"And you won't." He spat with a shake of his head. "You won't see anything until it's too late, no one ever does."

"What does that mean?"

"You already know the answer to that!" Henry shifted further away from her. "You're looking for your answers in all the wrong places Faith. I don't know anything; I'm just a pawn in this big game, a piece that waits to be told where to move. I do what's necessary in order to survive and protect my own. You of all people can understand to that."

"Don't you even dare compare us. We're nothing alike, nothing!"

He smiled again, this time the expression more eerie and deliberate. "Sure we're not. Besides, even if I did have the answers to your questions, I wouldn't tell you. That's something we both already know."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Faith popped her knuckles, straightening back up. "You'd be amazed at what a person will say with the right amount of pressure."

"Faith?" The knock on the door interrupted them. "I need to talk to you!"

"Guess we'll have to continue this conversation later."

"I guess so." Henry nodded. "I look forward to it."

Faith turned to the door, knocking to signal she was ready and the lock clicking open echoed through the armory.

"I've seen it."

"What?" She glanced over her shoulder, eyebrows furrowed. "Seen what?"

"You. The bright light and the faces that have long been dead. Evil." Henry smiled. "It's here, around you, in the air. You've seen it before too. I know you have; it knows your name. It always knows your name."

"It must have happened after the last scheduled check." Dr. Hamilton escorted Faith down the white halls. "The nurses take turns in checking each patient every hour but there's a space of time for break during one and three am. Most patients are heavily sedated and asleep by that time."

They turned the corner together, Faith continuing to remain silent. The doctor stopped in front of double doors and turned to face her. "Time of death was noted at 1:08."

"And the cause of death?"

"Suffocation, Ms. Stevens escaped her restraints and made a noose out of her bed lining."

"What can I do?"

Dr. Hamilton motioned her through the Morgue doors. "She left behind a box of personal belongings and I assumed you wanted to see the body. Seeing that she has no parents or close relatives in Australia, she is to be given a government issued funeral." He approached a gurney, Faith right behind him. "If you have any objections however, you are more than welcome to sign a few papers and…"

"No, that's fine." Faith gazed down at the redheaded woman who was covered up to her neck in a white sheet, her eyes closed against the harsh glare of the Morgue lights. "I'll take her things."

"Okay. I'll need you to sign a couple papers to be able to release them to you." Dr. Hamilton cleared his throat. "If you'd like, I'll give you a few minutes alone."

"Yeah, thanks."

The door shut behind him seconds later and Faith continued to gaze down at the body of Rebecca Stevens.

"You feel like you failed her."

She closed her eyes, fingers tightening around the picture in her pocket. "You're not real."

"Keep telling yourself that and maybe one day you'll believe it. I'm real little girl, I'm in every dark corner and under every bed and I'll remain there until the end of time."

Faith turned her head to glare at the image beside her, gazing into the face of the same woman lying on the gurney. "It doesn't matter what you are. Truth is there'll always be people like me making sure you stay in that dark corner so you never see the light of day. Always."

"I'll admit your kind is a very big problem for me." The First chuckled. "But that gives me meaning, a reason to exist. It gives you a reason to exist. You can't get rid of me Faith, not you, not your precious Buffy or her pathetic side kicks. I am the first evil, eternal and I'll be here to remind you of that until your very last breath. That's the truth."

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"What's up? You sound panicked."

"Not panicked, just annoyed." Locke ran a hand over his head, letting out a long sigh. He glanced over his shoulder to see Ana in the laundry room then focused back on Faith. "Jack's worried."

"And what else is new?"

"Jack's worried about you."

She snorted and the blank look on her face made him chuckle.

"He thinks you're too involved with our little problem."

"We both know Jack thinks too much. I can't concern myself with him right now, there's something else at work here, something bigger than Henry."

"What'd he say?" Locke's gaze drifted past her to the armory door. "Did he tell you something?"

"Only what he wanted to. He knows a lot more then he's letting on but he won't tell us anything until he's good and ready, until it's time."

"You think he's planning something?"

"No." Faith shook her head, "Henry's part of a plan. He's just an ant."

"So what do we do?"

"Whatever it is," Ana spoke up as she returned; "You're not doing it without me."

Faith kept her eyes on Locke. "We'll talk later." He nodded and she quickly moved past him to head towards the back exit. She rolled her eyes at hearing the footsteps that followed her.

"Faith! Faith, wait."

She turned the corner and stopped abruptly as she almost ran straight into Libby who held a laundry basket in her hands, glass jars filled with food positioned haphazardly on top.

Libby took a step back in surprise, the jars sliding from the abrupt stop, and Faith shifted quickly to grab one right before it crashed to the ground. Another jar suddenly shifted and rolled but before she could switch hands, another person caught it first. Faith straightened, her eyes locked on Ana-Lucia's.

"Wow." Libby let out a small giggle. "That was amazing."

"Yeah," Faith smirked as she set the jar carefully on top of the basket again. "We practice in our spare time."

Ana chuckled, giving Libby the other jar back and she surveyed the basket. "Taking up collections?"

"Yeah, what's going on?" Faith questioned. "Don't take this the wrong way but in a battle with this much food, my money wouldn't be on you."

"It's not… It's not just for me." Libby licked her lips and cleared her throat. "Hurley and I…"

"Enough said." Faith edged around her, still eying the food. "Have fun with that."

"Faith, I need to talk to you."

"Not now Ana-Lucia." She kept going and Ana's yelling was stopped as the hatch door slammed shut firmly behind her.

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"Blackberry or strawberry jam?"

She didn't answer, keeping her eyes glued to the trees but nothing changed. Sighing, she plopped down onto the grass and crossed her legs at the ankles.

"You got something against jam I don't know about?" Sawyer tossed both of the cans by her feet. He paused and seeing how she wasn't going to answer squatted down beside her. "You hear the news?"

"I didn't get any memos so I'm afraid I'm in the dark." Faith paused, "Or maybe then again I've always been in the dark."

Sawyer squinted and frowned as he leaned forward. "You alright?"

"Five by five." She chuckled. "You know, I've always said that, even if I was lying my ass off and before it was enough." She surveyed the trees. "But now it just sounds so stupid."

"What are you looking for?" He shifted back and glanced at the trees as well. "I hate to break it to you but if you're waiting on them to change colors…"

"There's something out there."

"Like an Other?" Sawyer looked again, starting to stand up but she grabbed his arm.

"Something else." Faith turned her head to lock eyes with him. "What news?"

"You can't switch the subject like that Fire Cracker, is there something out there or not? Ow! Not so rough on the goods!" Sawyer took a seat, sprawling his legs out in front of him and she let go of his arm. "You got a grip on you girl."

"Get on with it."

"Hey now, don't rush me." He rubbed his arm. "But it looks like there might be a need for Jack to get more in touch with his feminine side and throw a baby shower, Sun found out she's pregnant today."

"Is that why I get free jam?"

"Nah, that's cause I like ya."

Faith smirked and returned her attention back to the trees. "And suddenly the world has become a brighter place."

"Damn right, should feel awful lucky. I don't say that to too many people on this crap hole island."

"Well, not too many that'll buy it anyway."

Sawyer chuckled still focused on the side of her face. "You sure you're alright? Can't have my partner in crime getting all sick on me."

"Is that what I am? A partner in crime?" She snorted. "Your side kick?"

Sawyer grinned slowly with a lazy shrug. "You got something else in mind Fire Cracker? I'm all ears."

"You're something alright." Faith rolled her eyes, socking him in the shoulder and she grinned when he winced. "And good for Sun and Jin, at least someone deserves to be happy on this crap hole island."

"That's the spirit."

"This a group meeting or can any bloke join?"

They both glanced over to see Charlie approaching from the side.

"Guess you heard about Sun."

Faith nodded. "Sawyer here was just filling me in."

"I still feel guilty." Charlie rubbed at the ring on his index finger and shifted uneasily on his feet. "About what…"

"We agreed to never speak about that again." Sawyer glared. "Maybe that's why you've always been the average Joe selling copy machines instead Tattoo. You ain't cut out for this and you never will be."

"No one's cut out for this, you just fall into it." Faith punched Sawyer on the arm again then gazed at Charlie. "What brings you to our 'not so secret and not really a meeting' meeting?"

"I need a gun."

Faith and Sawyer exchanged a look. "For what?"

"Sayid and Ana are going out to find Henry's balloon."

"What?" Faith leapt to her feet, Sawyer remaining where he was. "When?"

"Sayid and Ana are going out to find Henry's balloon. The man drew Ana a map, told her where it was and everything. I'm kinda surprised Sayid's coming along, I figured she'd do it lone ranger style."

The phone rang three times before anyone picked it up. Faith cleared her throat and glanced around the deserted street.

"Hello?"

"Willow, hey, it's Faith."

"Faith, we've been trying to reach you for days!"

"I've never been good at holding onto cell phones, they're kinda like dog collars for people who like bills. Listen, I've run into a snag." Faith shifted closer to the phone booth. "The girl you told me about, I found her."

"What's the snag?"

"She's dead. That's what."

The witch was quiet for a second then she cleared her own throat. "It found you didn't it?"

"Not before it found her. What'd do we do?"

"We can't meet up, we're too spread out as it is. Buffy and Dawn are still in Italy, and Xander's somewhere deep in the Congo."

"And you and Kennedy? You stayin' put?"

"For now. As far as I can tell, all it has is a fancy light show and taunts but there's no telling what it's planning. If it's anything like last time, it's something big." Willow went quiet again. "I'll contact Giles, see if he knows anything but we should stay separated until we figure things out."

"No worries there. I'll finish up here and then I'll disappear."

"Faith, you don't have to-"

She clutched the phone tighter. "It's the only choice we got. It's safer this way."

"You don't have to go lone ranger on this! We can help you."

"We're done talking about this Willow. Do what you can but look after yourself."

Willow sighed but it was evident the fight had gone out of her. "Fine."

"Okay then. Uh, good luck or whatever."

"You too Faith, and…. Happy hunting."

Charlie's voice broke into her thoughts. "I'm going with them. That's why I need fire power to back me up."

"Decision ain't up to me. Talk to the man with all the guns."

Sawyer watched as she turned away and started walking briskly back down the hill. "And what about you?"

"There's something else I need to take care of."

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She met Ana-Lucia leaving the hatch head on, both stopping in the hallway. "I hear you're going on a secret mission and you're taking playmates with you."

"I needed an extra gun and Sayid is it." Ana shrugged and shot her a slanted grin. "If I don't return, then you know why."

"Henry drew you a map?"

"Yeah. We're gonna find out once and for all if he's telling the truth."

Faith nodded and reached behind her, pulling out the slim black 9mm that rested in her belt. "You might need this."

"No." Ana took a step back, shaking her head, "No guns this time."

Faith's hand lowered. "Jack and Locke know you're going all Rambo?"

"I don't want them involved yet, not until we know what the truth really is."

"Fair enough. Shall I wish you luck?"

Ana turned away. "Not sure it'll do me any good."

"Suit yourself." Faith stayed there, gun hanging by her side. "Happy hunting."

TBC...