AN

Ok sorry guys that this chapter took weeks in coming. A mix of writers block, internet failure and forgetfulness can be blamed. Anyway thanks again to my non existent reviewers and of course my beta.

Please please tell me what you think, because I have no idea if you are enjoying this etc.

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own any of the characters, quotes or plotlines you may recognise from the TV show 'Lost'.


Chapter 15

Running; Alexa was running. She sprinted through the jungle, her heart beating fast and adrenaline pumping. She didn't know what she was running from, but she was pretty certain she didn't want it to find her. She was afraid of it; no she was more than afraid; she was terrified. It wasn't irrational, but she didn't know why she was afraid or even what she was running from.

To her left there was rustling and then she was no longer running. It was dark but in front her she could still see a black rock. It was tall and ominous, and Alexa shrunk back, she was afraid of it as well, but as she turned she realised she was more afraid of what ever it was that was lurking in the jungle behind her. Why had she stopped running? Why could she not seem to move from this place?

The rustling to the left grew, and from deep within the undergrowth came two figures. The darkness shadowed their features making them indistinguishable; but whoever they were Alexa knew she had met them before, and she was afraid. They drew closer and Alexa found herself drawing closer to the black rock. Her breathing came in short gasps as her fear overwhelmed her. The figures moved closer. Closer.

"We will come for you Alexa." Said one of them.

"Make no mistake." Finished the other.

"We will come. And you will show us."

"You will"

The sounds of laughter echoed throughout the jungle and Alexa opened her mouth to scream……

Alexa jerked violently awake, visibly shaking with fear. She immediately assumed it was her dreams which had caused to awake, but she quickly heard the shouts, and running feet from all around her. She struggled to focus her sleep-clouded brain on the people around her, and it wasn't until someone very nearly stepped on her, that she decided to find out what was going on.

"Excuse me" She questioned the man who was sprawled in the sand after tripping over her. He was not someone she instantly recognised "Can you tell me what's going on?"

"It's Claire" he said to her as he pulled himself up.

"Claire?" She asked confused. To be honest Alexa hadn't thought about Claire for a long time. It seemed selfish now she looked back on it, but then again she had many other things on her mind. Not really an excuse; true, but…

"Yes the pregnant girl."

"I know who she is thanks." Alexa interrupted.

"She's back. Back from wherever it is she was." He finished irritated. The man then abruptly turned and worked away.

"Thanks for the help." She shouted at his retreating back. This was certainly not something she had been expecting. Claire had been gone a while now, and however much Charlie had tried to convince her that she was fine and on her way back, Alexa couldn't help but believe that the girl was dead. To find that she was still ok, and had found her way back to camp, was heartening. Although as Alexa thought about it, she hadn't bothered to ask what sort of state Claire was in.

She stood up, and followed the people heading towards the caves, intent on finding out what had happened and if Claire was ok. As she arrived at the caves it became evident that she was not the only one to have this idea, as people crowded round Jack who, it seemed, was trying to diffuse the situation. Alexa didn't really want to attempt to push into the crowd, so she sat down and decided to wait till most of the people had left and then ask Jack herself what was going on.

As she sat and waited a familiar presence moved and sat down at her side. She turned and faced him just before he spoke.

"Seems it's not only me who made this little trip, to find out what all the fuss was about." Sawyer said before he swiftly wrapped his arms around her waist.

"So it seems." She said as she made herself comfortable in Sawyer's arms. "You found out what's going on yet?"

"Not so far. All the Doc'll tell me is that Claire's back." He said

"Well I coulda told you that." Alexa said as she stifled a yawn. It seemed that her new set of dreams were as exhausting as the old ones, and Alexa resisted the urge to sigh. She thought she had got past the stage of no sleep, but apparently not. It also seemed Sawyer had noticed her fatigue as he looked suspiciously at her, before wrapping his arms tighter round her. Alexa was glad that he didn't ask her about it, because she knew that she wouldn't be able to not tell him, and she didn't feel like reliving the dream just yet.

A few minutes later, Jack finally noticed them and made his way over. Sayid followed behind, leaving Charlie with a distraught Claire. Now that the crowd had thinned and dispersed it was easier to see the girl, and from what Alexa could see she looked upset but also confused. Jack looked in disgust at Sawyer before turning his eyes towards Alexa, although she didn't miss the look of contempt in his eyes.

"What are you two doing here? Need something else to steal?" He asked disdainfully. Alexa caught Sayid's eye and was glad to see that, although it seemed he shared Jack's opinion of Sawyer, he wasn't pleased that Jack had extended the insult to Alexa. Alexa let Sawyer answer, knowing he would get much more enjoyment out of annoying Jack than she would.

"Oh come on now Doc. Is that really how you should be treating us? Working together remember?" he said, his voice laced with mocking. Alexa kept her face deliberately passive at Sawyer's none too subtle insult and she saw Jack curb his retort and decide to address Alexa rather than argue with Sawyer.

"If you've come to find out what's happening. Then you can hear the same thing I told everyone else. Yes Claire is back, and no we don't know what happened." Jack told them tiredly. Alexa got the meaning behind Jack's words, as the doctor looked over at Claire sadly.

"She doesn't remember?" She asked incredulously.

"Nope. Nothing. Not what happened, nor any of us. She doesn't even remember Charlie" he replied. Alexa suddenly understood the sad look on Charlie's face, and felt some sympathy for the man she had labelled unstable. She knew he and Claire had been close, and it now seemed he would have to start all over again. In some circumstances a fresh start may be good - her mind conjured an image of Boone - but in many it wasn't the case.

When Alexa had set out, she had had the intention of talking to Claire. Of seeing if she was ok, but if Alexa was truly honest many of her reasons were selfish. She wanted to ask Claire about what happened, so that Alexa could see if there was any true basis for her fears, or whether it was just paranoia. Since the days had drawn on Alexa had found her paranoia slowly increasing, and the recent set of dreams certainly hadn't helped. Alexa admitted she was afraid, but she just wished she knew what it was she was afraid of, and had assurance that it was not only her own imagination.

"Deep in thought there Lex?" A voice interrupted. It was only as Sawyer's voice brought her out of her reverie that she noticed that Jack and Sayid had left, and that Charlie was preparing to leave with the Korean man.

"Just wondering what happened." She said her voice serious.

"Think they all are Lex." Sawyer replied.

Alexa tried to shake her mind off her thoughts as she allowed Sawyer to lead her back to the beach, talking and laughing as they went.

Alexa was oblivious to those around her as she lay on the beach with Sawyer, it wasn't until she heard worried voices behind her that she sat up and looked around. The voices belonged to Jack and Charlie, and Alexa was intrigued to see Locke and Sayid join their conversation as well. That certainly wasn't a group that she generally saw. Her curiosity was peaked even more when all four of them suddenly turned to stare at her, and then realising she was looking back at them tried to hide it and act nonchalant. Alexa, as paranoid as normal pulled herself up, and moved over determined to find out what they were saying.

Never one to really beat around the bush Alexa just went straight out and asked them:

"Ok guys what's going on?" She asked seriously, all laughter gone from her voice.

"Nothing. Nothing's going on. Why would you think that? That's a stupid idea." Charlie answered his voice an octave higher than normal and trembling with nerves. Alexa didn't even deem Charlie's reply worthy as a response, so she just raised her eyebrows in doubt, and waited for someone else to speak. Finally it was Sayid that spoke:

"I do not think we can keep this from her. She is bound to find out one way or another." He said to them.

"I agree. Its better she know what she's up against." Locke said.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this?" Alexa said sarcastically.

"You did ask." Sayid said logically. Alexa merely frowned at him; the seriousness of the situation was obvious even to her, when she was in the dark about it. It was Jack who began to explain:

"Charlie saw Ethan again in the jungle." Jack paused and looked at Alexa expectantly as if he wanted her to speak or object. When she made no sound, Jack continued: "He told him some things about Claire." Jack paused once again, and by this time Alexa was annoyed that he wasn't getting to the point.

"Get to the point Jack." She said.

"He mentioned you Alexa. Ethan mentioned you." Jack finished. From the tone in Jack's voice Alexa knew there was more to this, Ethan didn't only mention her he said something that worried him.

"Along with Claire." Sayid added "He told Charlie, that if he didn't bring Claire back then he would kill one of the survivors everyday." That revelation on its own was enough to increase Alexa's fear and when Sayid continued Alexa found her breathing coming in shorter gasps than before. "Ethan also told Charlie, to pass on a message to you. He wanted you to know that……" Sayid was cut off by another voice.

"That they are coming. They are coming for you, and they will find you." It was Charlie's voice that spoke, but his normally lighter voice was suddenly dark and slightly menacing, and Alexa found herself revisiting her dreams.

There was so much that went unsaid in Ethan's message, and Alexa knew that none of the four around her truly understood the ramifications of his words. They didn't say anything other than 'they are coming' but Alexa knew that when they did, it wouldn't be good. That whatever they wanted from her would not be something she would want to give. There was also the fear of the unknown, the fear that rested in the shadows, until after dark where it taunted her, the fear of what she did not and could not know; that they would find her and they would eventually finish the job they started last time. That they would kill her.

She did not voice her fears to the group, and instead as they all looked at her expectantly she merely asked what precautions they were taking to stop Ethan from killing any of the other survivors. She knew that it wouldn't be her. No, Alexa's fate lay down a darker path.

So as she left the group and moved back to where she had been staying earlier, her mind was somewhat numb, and it seemed she was yet to truly process the idea of what was to come. The group had unanimously decided not to tell Claire of what was going on; which Alexa viewed at least partly as a mistake. Keeping her in the dark was never a good idea. On the other hand Claire did not have to live with this fear; fear of what was coming for her, but as Alexa thought about it; if Ethan got past the group's defences and killed someone, then there was the guilt of it being on her head. Alexa was tired and knew she should sleep, but she couldn't bring herself to willingly succumb to the darkness, and the dreams which it brought. Instead she resolved to stay awake. Defences included posting sentries at various points, so she could merely watch and wait.

"Hey there Lex. What ya doing?" A voice interrupted part way through her self imposed watch.

"Watching. Waiting." She answered mysteriously.

"No need to watch any longer Lex; I'm here." He joked.

"Get over yourself, I didn't mean I was watching for you." She laughed back. He merely raised an eyebrow as he sat down beside her.

"You just disappeared earlier Lex." He said to her.

"Yer I know. Sorry about that, there was just something I needed to hear." She answered.

"This got anything to do with why you are awake now whilst you should be sleeping, and whilst the good doc and his band of merry men are doing the same thing around the area." He asked.

"Too damn perceptive for your own good sometimes." She grumbled. He merely laughed.

"So you feel like filling me in. Or will you have to kill me if you do?" he asked mock serious.

"Can't really tell you about Jack; you'll have to ask him, but as for me guess I'm just scared." She answered truthfully. He looked at her inquisitively.

"Not exactly something I would expect from you Lex." He told her.

"Me neither." She said with a sigh "I hate being afraid. I'm used to paranoia, but true terror is not something I'm used to, and I can't say I like it." Sawyer once again looked at her. It seemed he must have read the sincerity in her tone, as he wrapped his arms around her offering his comfort and support before he spoke.

"We all get scared once in a while Lex." He told her.

"Even you?" she asked.

"Even me" he said with a laugh "What counts ain't that you're afraid, it's that you stand up and face what you're afraid of anyway." He told her.

"Whoa deep and philosophical advice from Sawyer. First sign of apocalypse." She said laughing. Still inside she knew what Sawyer said was right, it didn't matter that she was afraid, as long as she didn't let her fear control her, but that was easier said than done. How do you face an enemy that you don't know and who attacks in your sleep?

"Once in a lifetime opportunity Lex; take it while you can." Sawyer told her.

"Will do." She replied but her tone was once again melancholy.

"Now you're startin' to worry me. What happened to the Lex that had a snappy reply for every thing I said?" He asked.

"Probably hiding in a corner, behind all your philosophical advice." She told him.

"Oh there she is." He said as he brushed a strand of hair from her face, and she sunk further into his embrace seeking the comfort only he seemed to bring.

"Would you miss me if I left?" she asked after a while. He stopped stroking her hair and looked down at hair.

"What sort of a question is that?" he asked her.

"A serious one." She replied.

"Of course I would. We all would." He finished lamely.

"No but would you miss me more than you know…. Oh I dunno other people?" She asked him. She moved out of his arms to get a look at his face. She watched as he seemed to fight conflicting emotions.

"You really can't answer that can you?" she said angrily.

"Why is it as soon as I bring up anything to do with us, you balk and come up with as many ways as possible to avoid the question?" she asked him.

"I'd miss you more than I can put into words Lex." He whispered. His soft words immediately calmed her spirit, which was already on edge and she sunk once again back into his arms.

"I'm sorry." She whispered back. "Its just….I'm afraid and its not just of whatever it is that might be after me, its more than that. I'm afraid of being alone again, I'm afraid of having to face everything on my own." She admitted.

"What do you mean whatever is after you?" he asked worried. Alexa flinched at her misstep; she had hoped to avoid telling him so as not to worry him.

"Those guys. You know the ones in the jungle, who you rescued me from, well I've been having dreams about how they're after me again. Of course at first I thought they perfectly natural, but then that French woman; Danielle she told me that they were after me. And now…now Charlie told me that Ethan sent a message to say that they are coming and that they're going to find me." She finished in a rush.

"You don't know they're coming Lex." He said soothingly.

"I know, but after what happened with Claire… and they already found me once." She said worriedly. She realised she was trembling, and wanted to shake herself for her own cowardice. This was pathetic. Sawyer was right there was no guarantee that there was anyone after her, but Alexa could still not shake the everlasting feeling of fear, mainly due to her dreams, and the thoughts that she never wanted to see the place of her dreams, or those evil malevolent faces again.

Sawyer made no reply, but his presence was comfort enough and she found that with him there she wasn't as afraid anymore. So she slowly allowed herself to be lulled to sleep, Sawyer's constant presence and the ever present sound of waves her last conscious knowledge.

"We're coming Alexa. We're coming for you."

Alexa started awake once again, realising that it was once again day, and having no memory of any dreams, except for a faint recollection of some threats. Also noting that Sawyer was no longer by her side, she looked around and caught sight of him holding a conversation with Jack and Kate. She wondered what they were talking about, but didn't feel the need to go over and find out. She saw Jack pass something to Sawyer and he nodded before walking off after Jack and Kate.

Alexa was now interested in what they were doing, as they all met Locke, Sayid and Claire by the edge of the jungle before heading off. Determined to find out what was going on, Alexa grabbed her bag and set off after them. As she pushed through the undergrowth in the direction she hoped they were headed, she stopped. She felt drops of rain hit her head and looked up. Sure enough the sky had become grey, and the rain began to pour.

"Just my luck." She mumbled angrily as the rained cam down heavier and soaked her within seconds. Alexa looked down and realised that not only was she wet, but the rain had washed away the tracks she was following, and as she turned back the way she would have followed back had also been washed away.

"This is just not my bloody day is it?" She shouted at the sky just before she tripped and hit her head hard against a tree on the ground. Then there was nothing only darkness and pain…

There was the sound of screams, of shouts and then of gunshots, then the feeling of arms holding her. Alexa came back to her senses to find her arms held behind her back by Sayid, who was shouting at Jack to help him. She stopped struggling immediately and took in the scene around her. It was still raining and a drenched Claire stood looking worriedly at her, directly in front of Alexa's feet lay the body of a man: Ethan. She saw the gunshot wounds and the blood, and then her eyes followed the body up to Charlie who stood shaking his hands still holding the trigger of a gun.

Alexa began to shake, not just from the cold but from the realisation she had no idea how she had got here. Her eyes turned to Sayid as he slowly released her, a suspicious look on his face, and then to Sawyer who stood apart and was staring at her in shock she looked down at herself and saw the rain, but then the blood. She stared in shock at the blood upon her shirt and then on her hands. What had she done?

"Oh god." She said, she felt her legs grow weak as she struggled to stand. She turned to Sayid pleading.

"What happened?" She asked, but no one would meet her eyes.

"Goddammit, what happened? What did I do? Please what did I do?" she asked them, nearly crying by this time. Finally Sayid replied.

"We don't know Alexa, you turned up here a few minutes ago, covered in blood and then you tried to jump in front of Charlie as he shot Ethan, that's why I was holding you back.." he said steadily. Alexa stared down at her hands and then looked once more at the people around her, they all had questioning glances.

"Tell us what happened Alexa." Jack demanded

"I don't know. God I don't know. I can't remember. I don't know how I got here, last thing I remember was being in the jungle and then I fell." She told them. They all looked at her sceptically.

"There's so much blood." She whispered before her legs finally caved and she fell to the ground. It was then that Jack rushed over.

"The blood Alexa. It's yours." He said. As he did so the acute pain in Alexa's back became more profound, and she found herself once again losing consciousness.

What did I do? What did I do...?


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