Sorry for the long wait! I've got a lot of things to do (which I don't wanna do)!

Here's chapter 15. I hope it was worth the wait! Pls r&r!

Oh and Rosa Louise – thanx for the memo! I changed chapter 7! Kate was frowning! Soz for the mistake!

Enjoy

Ps Thanx for all the reviews! Keep them coming pls!

xXx Tiana

Libby had seen how abruptly Jack's smile had disappeared. His face was now straight, almost oozing with anger, intended for Locke. Nevertheless, Libby couldn't help but feel guilty, as if she were a naughty child being confronted by a teacher.

It was funny how she now thought of Jack as their leader, whereas for the first 48 or so, it was Ana Lucia who led the. But now I wouldn't do a thing for her she thought. Libby wasn't one to judge, or hate, but that girl deserved it, or so she believed.

As Libby continued to look back and forth between the men in front of her, she decided that she didn't want to be there any longer.

'Um. Is it 'k if I go now? It's just that I told Hurley that I'd…' Libby trailed off, not wanting to show how desperately she was uncomfortable in the situation before her.

Jack stood leaning against the chair that was placed before the computer. He had his arms crossed and was looking at Locke. He now arched one of his eyebrows at him in a 'is it?' kind of way, indicating to Libby's question.

Neither of the men had turned to look at her. But Libby knew that they both had heard her. She had seen the exchange of looks between them.

'Yeah. Sure, I'll talk to you later.' Locke had responded, not looking at her still. Libby didn't want to talk to Locke again, she didn't want to be involved, but now was so not the time to tell him.

After Libby nodded, which Jack had noticed was very reluctantly done, she left almost in a run.

'So?' Jack asked after a break.

'You know, Jack. After everything that has happened, I think that we should reconsider our positions on this island, don't you?' Locke replied. Jack wasn't sure whether he was answering the question or not, but either way, he was intrigued.

'Reconsider our positions? What does that mean?' Jack asked tiredly. He seriously couldn't remember the last time he had slept, and he had a feeling that it would be long before he would once again.

'Well, look at what had happened a few hours ago. Before the other survivors had joined us, I don't think that anyone could have thought that that would ever happen. But the bringing of the two camps has created an uncertainty upon us all.'

'Has it? Has it created an uncertainty upon you? Cos it sure had hell hasn't created one upon me yet!' Jack was angry at the way that Locke was talking. He was so calm, as if he wasn't filling him in all with everything. He's hiding something, like always.

'Honestly, after this morning, yes it has. Before, it was us against them, The Others, but now it's almost us against ourselves.'

Jack shook his head. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was he actually seriously? He took a breath and stood up straighter, yet still leaning against the chair.

'So what do you propose to do about it?' Jack didn't want to change a thing, but he wanted to get to the bottom of what Locke was up to, and this seemed the only way to do that.

Locke knew how Jack felt about the subject. He thinks that everyone is safe here with each other. But he had asked, so he told him.

'I think that we should split our camp into two once again.' Jack had opened his mouth to protest, but Locke put up a hand and carried on quickly. 'Hear me out Jack. It doesn't have to be as it was; us here and those from the tail section there. But those who want to stay can stay, and others can move along.'

'Incase you have forgotten, John, we already have that. Some of us are at the caves, while the others are still at the beach.' Jack was going to carry on, to tell him how ridiculous he found this idea, when Locke started again.

'I didn't mean it like that. Now, we are just scattered about. You're still the leader of us all. But if we split up properly, into two camps, they will have another leader, another person to look after them. They won't come back here unless necessity occurs.'

Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was literally taken aback. Two camps. No connection between us. This, among some faint other things, was going through his mind. After what seemed like a couple of minutes, Jack opened his mouth to speak once again. This time he was going to stick to he point.

'And you think that this will help?'

Locke looked taken aback with the calmness in Jack's voice. He had expected him to lash out. He seems as if he likes the idea.

'Yes I do.' He simply replied.

'You're out of your mind, John.' Jack put it simply.

'Why?' Locke queried. He should've known better than to think that Jack would've liked the idea.

'Why? Because it would do more harm than good, that's why!' Jack was close to shouting now. The only thing keeping him from doing so was the wave of fatigue each time he was overcome with such an emotion.

'Would it really? Think about it Jack. Two camps. That'll be more rations for each group. More water, more everything. And less pressure on you.' Locke had emphasised the last word with a strain, trying to convince the younger man to see things his way.

'Yeah, and more danger. Locke, if we were spread out, they would have more chance of attacking us. And what if the other camp wants to come and visit us or something? If we see anyone else, we think attack, cos that's what it has come to. But if it's one of us, then what? Do you really think that we will stop to think about the possibility?' Jack questioned Locke with all the might he had left. There is no way in hell I'm gonna let this happen.

'I admit, that could be a possibility. But after a while, we will be trained to know who's who, and who to attack, and when. We can set up activities to make sure that people take the right actions. God knows that people around here would do anything for a bit of entertainment.' Jack frowned at this. A bit of entertainment? Getting attack a bit of entertainment? I'd rather be bored.

Locke carried on regardless. 'We will find an appropriate place so that we all have the equal amount of food, water and other supplies. We can set up times, say once a week, when they can visit us, or vice versa. '

Once he had finished, Locke finally looked at Jack, who was standing, chuckling, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Locke was getting annoyed.

'It's in the best interest of all of us survivors, Jack.' Locke finished with.

Jack stopped looking at the ground as he had being doing and looked straight into Locke's eyes. Jack was startled, yet not that surprised with the amount of determination there was in Locke's eyes. It's not going to happen Jack assured himself to keep him on track.

'No.' was all that he said.

The single syllable knocked Locke back. He knew that he would object, but he always thought he would be able to convince him otherwise. Now he wasn't too sure.

'Why not Jack?'

'Because it is too dangerous. Sure, splitting us up would help the rationing, but in the end, we'll have the same problems. And I'm the only doctor here. What if they get injured? Who's gonna help them? It's not going to work John. We are fine as it is.'

Locke considered what Jack had said. It seemed to be the end of the conversation, but both of them knew that it wouldn't end there.

'But it's not entirely your decision is it Jack?'

'What?' Jack was amazed at the statement from Locke.

'There are almost 50 people here on this island who survived the crash. You cannot speak for them all. you can not possibly know what is best for them all, or what they think about it.' Locke paused to let the words settle in. He then continued. 'If you weren't the only doctor, you wouldn't be leader of the group. But would you have actually became the leader if it came to choice?'

Jack stood dumbfounded. After what seemed like an eternity, Jack replied.

'But it didn't come to choice, John. And I'm not the leader. I'm just the doctor here, and everyone turns to me for help, which I give. And yes, I do know that everyone will agree with me. Because no one will want to be alone. Not on this island.'

The words hit Locke like hard ice. His patience was running out.

'But we won't know for sure unless we do ask them.' Locke protested.

'That's not going to happen.'

'Why not?'

'Cos I say so. Like you said, they've made me their leader. So I'll decide what happens. And this meeting, or whatever, will certainly not, alright?'

Locke stared back at Jack with cold eyes. Jack was now standing up straight. Oblivious to the both of them, the hatch had become quieter. It wasn't because they had stopped talking. It was because the water had been switched off. But neither of them had noticed.

'Well, maybe we should ask them that as well, don't you?'

'What?'

'Well, maybe we should elect another leader. Someone who wants the job. Or two even, if they agree on the splitting of the camp. And maybe someone who won't put priority on some while put aside others.'

Jack stood in shock. What is that supposed to mean? He thought. But he ignored the urge to ask him, knowing that he wouldn't come out the winner.

'Tell me, John.' Jack put extra emphasis on the name. 'Is that what this all about? Do you want to be the leader of us all? Is this what the island wants?' Jack mocked. He was getting as pissed off as he could with the man.

'If it's what the island wants, it's what the island will get. And it'll make sure that nothing will stand in its way to get it.' Locke replied, choosing to ignore the sarcastic remark by Jack. The tone of his voice triggered something in him.

'You mean me? Are you threatening me?' Jack said forcefully, now gliding over to Locke.

'If that's what you think.' Locke said, not backing away from Jack, nor showing any fear. He's not going to do anything from me. Someone will stop him. Of course, Locke knew how true that was.

Kate came out of the corridor where she was standing, a little out of view from Jack, but perfect enough so that Locke could've, and had, seen her.

Jack was now almost in Locke's face.

'Jack!' Kate shouted across the room. Jack didn't turn to face her; he didn't even show any surprise to her being there. He just simply ignored her.

'Jack. Please.' Kate had moved from her place and jogged over to where Jack was. She put her hand forward and grabbed Jack by the arm. That made him stop.

Locke looked at Kate for a brief moment, and then at how she stood by his side. She's got his back he thought. So he said what he knew he had to say.

'What will happen will happen. And no one will be able to stop it. Not you or her. Not anyone.' Locke stared into Jacks eyes for a millisecond, and though that he saw a flicker of belief. But it was gone before it had come. Locke turned around and walked out.

Jack and Kate stared after him as he left the hatch. After a minute, the silence was broken.

'What was that about, Jack?'

But Jack's mind was preoccupied by another question going through his head. Where does Sawyer fit into all of this?

What did you think of that then? Soz for the wait again! But please R&R!

So what has Sawyer got to do with it?

And what will the camp decide to do? Keep the camp as it is?

Or split? And will Locke become leader?

What will happen to Jack if he does?

Lolz. A lot of questions left to be answer. They will be answered soooon!

Xxx Tiana