Disclaimer: Don't own. This one was quicker and it's shorter than the last one. I don't know how long until the next one, but I'll try real hard to get it up soon. (I don't know how many more chapters either. I won't know until it's over… I guess. XD)

And reviews motivate me greatly.

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Roger didn't have the epiphany that Jack had. Branding Ralph was just stage one of his multi-stage plan that he was currently trying to work out. He looked out at the waves, sitting back against the cave wall where the waves wouldn't reach him. He smiled.

Whenever Ralph walked anywhere, for the rest of his life, whether they were rescued or not, the boys from the island would know what happened to Ralph. Ralph was always going to have Roger's mark on him, and although he didn't tell, and he knew Ralph wouldn't, the boys knew that was his sign of having some involvement, sexually, with Roger. Ralph's involvement may only have been a forced kiss and a bit of mixed blood, but the boys didn't know that.

For all they were concerned, Roger though, Ralph was his new plaything.

He watched the waves crash a bit, and his spirits dropped slightly. His eyes fell to the spot he found Eric sleeping not long before. He sort of felt bad for what he did for Eric. Without Eric, he was now forced into complete solitude and unable to get his accessed anger out on anyone, though at the current moment he had none.

Between Ralph and Eric, his pent up anger got unleashed.

Roger nuzzled his back against the cave, his hair falling over his eyes. He knew Eric would live. He knew everything about Eric. Well, okay. He didn't know every detail of Eric's childhood, but what mattered on the island was not memories, it was the way to get one boy to do your bidding. Roger knew Eric was a sucker for a nice, seemingly meaningful kiss.

And just before Eric was completely unconscious, Roger had kissed Eric. That was enough for Eric to keep fighting to live. Besides, Roger only wanted Eric to serve as a warning. "You mess with Roger, and you'll get the double sided spear." He said out loud, smirking to himself.

Then he got angry. Why did he have to go and hurt Eric like that? He didn't need to do anything to Eric, but he was just so angry at Jack. It wasn't fair. After all Roger had done for Jack, Jack ditched him for a pretty blonde face with a boxer build. Roger knew what he looked like when he flexed his muscles, and he thought about it with his eyes closed. He had muscles, but they weren't like a boxer's.

He wasn't like Ralph.

His confidence fell and he wallowed in his depression again. Jack was sure to hate him, but he didn't really feel bad about that. Jack wasn't the guy he thought he was. Jack went soft when he didn't kill Ralph. He was always mixing pleasure with business. But Eric… Eric would need time but Eric would come back to Roger. Roger didn't want to wait. Deep in his mind he wanted Eric to be with him now. To tell him, 'It's okay, Roger. Jack doesn't know what he's missing.'

He sank lower, trying to force his mind on something else, but when his eyes were closed, all he could see was the stupid way Eric smiled after a kiss, his eyes begging for more, but his mouth stayed silent, never asking. He was lonely without Eric. "Stop that." He said to himself. "You don't need anything. You don't need anybody. You never did before and you never will."

He thought about sneaking back to see Eric, he knew the other boys had found him by now and that stupid brother of his was probably nursing him back to health. Roger smirked.

He would give Jack credit. When Jack let Roger take Eric off into the woods, he was definitely giving Roger the better twin. True, Eric liked boys, but he didn't act like such a poof. He didn't go around crying all the time, like Sam did.

Roger decided he would sneak back and see Eric… but not just yet. He had to wait for the perfect moment.

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Ralph wanted out. He was able to move about, and he was getting restless in the cave. They'd already moved Eric to the hut, but Jack insisted Ralph stay in the cave, unmoving. He said something about how he didn't want Ralph to tear open the wound anymore, but Ralph wasn't listening.

He needed to get out for some fresh air.

"Ralph, please." Jack said. He was still behaving strangely. He had for about two nights, now, ever sense their talk. Like he was being super thoughtful for Ralph's well being. Ralph didn't like being babied.

"Jack…" Ralph said, smiling innocently. "All I want to do is get a drink. You can come with me, if you want."

Jack thought about it, but Ralph started to stand, using the wall for support. It wasn't that he was still in a lot of pain, just sitting there, the wound had scabbed by now, but it was so long, over different muscles, that if he moved his torso the wrong way, it felt like hot knives were being stabbed into the wounds.

Jack walked over to Ralph and grabbed his arm, keeping him steady. "Easy, Ralph. It's not a race."

Ralph laughed. "For God's sakes, Jack. You're not my mother."

Jack blushed and stepped away, but Ralph walked over to him, putting his arms on his shoulders, putting there foreheads together. "I understand your concern, but I'm fine." Ralph smiled, his eyes shutting halfway. Ralph had that dreamy absent look on his face that he always got before they kissed. Jack blushed a little more and Ralph leaned forward and kissed Jack.

Jack was so use to being the dominate one that whenever Ralph made any move at all on him, he got nervous. He wasn't use to being treated in such a way, and now that they had the cave to themselves, they were free to kiss whenever without Sam watching.

And Sam always did.

Ralph managed to get Jack against a wall. Jack grunted, with hitting it, and Ralph grinned. Ralph's hand moved up Jack's neck, and to his chin, tilting it upward, making the kiss deeper.

Jack groaned and Ralph felt his hands snake around his waist, pulling the younger boy closer.

"Jack and Ralph, I swear to God if I walk in there and you're doing something you shouldn't I'll beat you both!" Maurice yelled and he and Robert giggled.

Ralph moved away, and Jack groaned, similar to the way Maurice did when Sam came to the door. "What do you want, Maurice?"

Maurice moved the pig skin door to one side and walked in, Robert behind him. "You groan loudly, Jack. I'm sure Roger heard it… wherever he's hiding."

Jack blushed slightly and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, over exaggerating how the kiss had been, with a grin. Had it been a week ago, Maurice would have been yelled at for such words toward the Chief, but Ralph had really settled Jack down. "What do you want?"

"Well I just wanted to say, I've personal checked everywhere for our sadistic best friend." His eyes fell to Ralph's chest and Ralph looked away, blushing. "And we can't find him. He must have a really good hide out on the island."

"How's Eric doing?" Jack said, looking at Ralph. He grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer, but turning him a little so his wound was out of Maurice's eye sight.

Maurice watched Jack turn him, but he wanted a good look at it. He wanted to know what Roger had done to Ralph, but he didn't even tell Jack. If he wouldn't tell Jack, he wouldn't tell anyone.

Maurice's eyes fell back on Jack. "He's doing better… I mean. He woke up for a little while today but he just rambled on saying things like, 'Where are you? What's wrong with your eyes?' Over and over again. Sam kept saying, 'I'm here, Eric, I'm here.' But that just made Eric angry. He thrashed around a bit and Bill had to help Sam hold him down. 'Where are you? Where are you?'" Maurice threw his hands in the air, waving them around, imitating Eric.

"So he's no help, yet. He better hurry up and get better before Roger comes back to camp and finishes him off." Jack looked at Ralph. Ralph was still looking down, but had put one of his hands on the one Jack had put on his arm. Jack smiled.

"What do you mean, Chief?" Robert asked.

Jack looked at Robert, his smile fading. "I mean… once Eric gets better he'll lead us right to Roger. I know Eric knows where Roger's hiding. Even if he won't tell us, he'll sneak away in the night and we'll follow him."

"What makes you so sure?" Maurice said.

"I just know." Jack's hand brushed away something on Ralph's shoulder that wasn't really there, just an excuse to touch him, really. They stood in silence for a few seconds before Maurice grinned.

"Fine, fine. We'll let you get back to your steaming snogging session." Ralph opened his mouth to object but Jack grinned.

"About time."

"But I want to go out, Jack." Ralph protested.

"Go out?" Jack played. "You think I'm just kissing you without commitment?"

"Don't be stupid. I want to go to the river." Ralph grinned.

Jack shook his head, his hair flying everywhere. "But Roger… He's still out there. What if he comes back for you?"

Robert looked down, blushing. "If you want me and Maurice to go with you, we will Chief. I know you could take on Roger alone, but… we'll go if you want us too."

Jack frowned and looked at Ralph.

"See. They're my body guards." Ralph smiled.

Jack grinned. "What does that make me?"

"Jack Merridew: king of the island, slaughterer of the pigs, the best fighter the likes of this island's ever seen!" Ralph threw his arms around, exaggerating every word. Maurice and Robert giggled.

Jack grinned, obviously liking the complement, even if it was meant to pick on him and said, "Fine, let's go."

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Eric had fallen back to sleep, thank God. Sam was exhausted from trying to keep his brother still, but he still had enough energy to cry. It wasn't fair. Sam always loved his brother, and Eric always loved him back. Love thy brother! It was what they were always taught. But this stupid island was changing everything. Sam never felt so alone before.

He laid down next to Eric, his brother's hand was twitching slightly and Sam put his hand over it, and it stopped. A small frown went across Eric's face. "Sammy? Where's mama?"

Sam sniffled. "Mama's at home Eric. We're all alone here. It's just us…"

Eric shook his head. "Not alone. Where is he, Sammy?" Sam frowned; his family hadn't called him Sammy since he was six. "Can't you get him for me?" His voice died down and he rolled over, facing his brother and sighed.

Sam watched. Eric coughed slightly, but no blood came out. His eyes remained closed, but his hand tightened around Sam's. "Remember the time we got lost?" Sam looked confused; he couldn't remember ever being lost. "Lost on an island." Eric smiled.

Sam felt tears choke in his throat. He didn't say anything.

"I remember. I got hurt on the island a lot because I did stupid things. I was punished. Bad, Eric, Bad." Eric made an effort to slap himself. Sam caught his hand and brought it down.

"Eric, stop. Go to sleep."

"I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have told him. I knew it was a lie. I told him 'cause I liked him." He rolled back onto his back, trying to pull his arms from Sam's grasp. "Where is he? I have to apologize."

"Bill! He's doing it again!" Sam yelled looking out the hut's door.

"I want Roger!" Eric yelled, his eyes opened, but they didn't look the same. They were glazed over, like he was drugged or something. Sam tried desperately to hold Eric down, but Eric started punching. "Get off me, Sam! I'm going back to Roger!" He rolled onto his stomach and tried to stand, halfway to his feet, his knees gave out and he fell back on the ground, passed out, looking peaceful again.

Bill rushed in, but seeing Eric sleeping, he smiled. "See, you calmed him down. Good Job, Sam." Bill grinned again and walked out.

Sam brought his knees to his chest and put his head down, wrapping his arms around his hands and started sobbing.

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Maurice and Robert walked in front of Jack and Ralph. Jack kept looking over at Ralph, like he expected him to pass out on every step. Ralph was walking weird, hunched over slightly, his arms around his stomach, but it was just a failed attempt to not tighten his muscles.

Ralph groaned and straightened himself up, but that hurt just as bad.

"Do you want to rest?" Jack whispered in his ear, taking Ralph's arm in his hand, pulling him to a stop, and spinning him to face him. His other hand quickly went to Ralph's other arm, so he had to look at Jack.

Ralph grinned, putting his hands around Jack's waist, putting their foreheads together, again. "Jack, I swear I'm fine."

Jack ran his hands up Ralph's arms and tilted his head, leaning in to kiss Ralph.

"Hey, you two! Can't you keep off each other for five minutes to get to the stream?" Maurice called, laughing. Robert wolf whistled at the two.

Jack grumbled and moved away, keeping his hand on Ralph's arm, and the two of them, again followed Maurice and Robert.

"I don't see why you should care. I mean, I am your Chief and I don't yell at you when I see you two kissing."

Maurice giggled and Robert blushed. "When have you ever seen us kiss, Jack? That is the point. When we do something, we don't do it in front of people."

Jack laughed, pulling Ralph closer, putting his arm around his waist. "Oh yeah? What about that night Sam found Eric? Right before Sam came you two were snogging… right in our cave!"

Robert blushed worse and Maurice was momentarily quiet, searching for words.

"Yeah? What now. Besides, I know you like it." Jack laughed as they reached the stream. Ralph walked over, quickly, and cupped some water in his hands and splashed his face, Jack stayed back, watching him, with a goofy grin on his face.

Maurice walked up to Jack and put his arm over his shoulder, grinning at him. "Why don't you join him?" Maurice said it quietly, so only he, Jack, and Robert could hear.

Jack blushed and looked at Maurice. He had a weird glint in his eyes, like an idea was forming.

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Roger couldn't stand being alone with the sound of waves, without Eric's soft breathing. He knew Eric was still alive, he could feel it, but he kept forcing himself to think he was dead, trying to confuse himself into going to check on him. It didn't take long. He poked his head out of the cave, gripping his spear tightly.

He knew nobody would be there. Only he and Eric knew about it, but still his heart speed went up slightly at stepping into Jack's land after branding his lover.

He scowled and started out, silently, through the woods to the camp. It wasn't a long walk, really, and Roger was the second best hunter on the island. Speed and agility came with the package. Once, he heard a group of boys laughing and talking and he noticed them to be Jack, Ralph, Maurice and Robert. He had to force himself to carry on to the camp, and not jump out and further attack Ralph.

Though he did think the scab up Ralph's chest looked good on him.

Roger made his way up to the camp and he stayed in the shadows, watching the surrounding area. He waited a few minutes, nobody seemed to be around. Four of the boys were at the river and he was sure the others wouldn't hang around Eric… well… besides Sam.

He crept out slowly, with the skill of a hunter, spear ready to fire. He walked toward the hut, hearing Eric's uneven breathing coming from inside. He slowly peaked his head in, and saw Sam curled up in a ball on the opposite side of the hut than Eric. When he saw Eric, his defense slipped, and he walked into the hut and got on his knees before him.

"They're not even taking care of you!" He whispered in outrage, running his hand over Eric's chest. Eric's breathing settled, like a junkie's would once they got their drug back in them. Eric groaned and forced his eyes open.

There was something over them, Roger noticed. Eric wasn't seeing normal; he was probably in a state of delirium.

"Sam?" He whispered. "Sammy?" He reached his hand up and Roger took it. "Where's Roger?"

Roger was surprised and he leaned his head over Eric, bringing Eric's hand up to his face. Maybe if he felt, he'd know he was Roger.

Eric did realize it was Roger and he closed his eyes and started making pained wheezing noises. Roger got scared. Why didn't he think of that? Waking up to ones attacker kneeling over you would send a delirious person into a fit. Roger tried to back away, but Eric kept his hand on Roger's cheek.

"I.. I.." Eric said through gasps for air. "I'm sorry. I…" His eyes closed tighter, trying to block something out. "…forgive me…"

Roger pulled Eric's hand away from his face and Eric started to calm down. His breathing became regular again and his eyes rested behind his eyelids.

"Get better, Eric. Rest now… I'll be back for you." He leaned over, and kissed Eric's forehead before leaving as quickly as he came.

Sam awoke seconds after Roger left. He rolled over and looked at his twin who was smiling, dreaming peacefully of better days.