As Maddy retraced her steps from that morning, her mind was whirling with Kate and Sawyer's arguments. She didn't know what she wanted anymore or even remember why. She still admired Sayid, definitely. No matter how much Sawyer put down Sayid, she saw the real truth about him. He had a brain, he had confidence, he had a plan, he had self control. She could learn a lot from him.

But Kate and Sawyer. It was funny how a person's perspective changed when you were inside a situation instead of on the outside looking in. They weren't as smart as Sayid, but there was something trustworthy about them; even Sawyer had proven something to her.

Maddy didn't know what to do.

It took her hours, but she finally caught up with Sayid. He was roasting some animal (she didn't want to think what) over a small campfire.

"Hi," she said. "I'm back."

Sayid looked up. He didn't act startled, even though she could tell from his eyes that he was. This only increased how much she was impressed with him.

"I can see that," Sayid said. "Well, sit down. I think there will be enough meat for the both of us."

"Thank you," Maddy said.

They didn't speak while the animal was cooking, nor while they were eating it. Only after the bones were buried and wood collected to keep the fire burning all night did they sit down for a talk.

"What did Kate say?" Sayid asked without preamble.

Maddy hesitated, then said, "She said she would protect me. She said I shouldn't go with you. She's worried about you but thinks you'll probably be all right."

Sayid nodded. That did sound like Kate. And she had found him after all this time. A deal was a deal. "All right," he said. "You can come with me. But you cannot make yourself a burden. If you are suffering, you must do it in silence. I will not carry you emotionally or physically. Now give me the compass."

Maddy handed it to him wordlessly.

"Good. Now, here is the plan. We'll stay here tonight, taking turns stoking the fire. Tomorrow morning we will move out before dawn so we can get as much walking done before it gets too hot. Is that acceptable?"

Maddy looked at Sayid and tears welled up in her eyes. He was going to let her do this. He was incredible. And she was intruding. What right did she have?

She took a deep breath. "I changed my mind," she said. "I'm not going with you."

Feeling an odd stab of disappointment, Sayid asked, gentlemanly, "Must I give you your compass back?"

"No, you keep it. You need it more than I do. It's not hard to find dirty laundry. Just follow the smell," Maddy said.

Sayid laughed. "You're really doing to help do the camp's laundry?"

"Of course not," Maddy said, laughing with him.

"Fine. You will stay here tonight. It's too dangerous to try to make your way back in the dark. You will take the first watch. Wake me at midnight," Sayid said. He tucked himself into a blanket without saying another word.

They traded places at midnight. Sayid watched Maddy as she slept.

Sayid woke Maddy early. They ate some fruit and packed up the camp making sure that the fire was completely dead and no embers were left burning.

"So," Sayid said.

"So," Maddy echoed. "I guess this is the end of the line for me."

"Yes."

"Okay, then, I'll be seeing you. Good luck, Sayid. Oh, by the way, if you lose my compass, I'll kill you myself," Maddy said.

"I'll remember that," Sayid said.

There seemed to be no reason for them to keep standing there, but Sayid seemed unwilling to walk away just yet.

"Good luck to you, Maddy—Madison. You've done an amazing thing here. You should proud of yourself," he said finally. "Thank you."

Maddy smiled at Sayid and then they both knew it was time to go.