The group continues their trip home as Hurley chats with Walt and agonizes over what to tell Alex.

Sun and Hurley each did double takes as they saw who climbed out of the canoe. Besides the four men who set out early that morning, there were two figures who might have just walked off the set of an old jungle movie. They were hoping to see Walt, but the one figure that might have been him was too tall and sported an enormous Afro and a brief animal skin. The figure next to him was wearing a similar skin, but in addition had a matching top and was obviously female. Upon closer inspection, the male had Walt's facial features. Upon closer inspection, the female had features that Hurley in particular found eerily familiar.

Within seconds, Walt, Sun, and Hurley converged. Sun gave Walt a big hug, while Hurley and Walt exchanged high fives. Alex hung back, and more slowly came forward Walt then performed the introduction.

"Sun, Hurley, this is Alex. I never would have made it out of those mines if it wasn't for her."

Alex recognized the names from having been informed of the Others' discoveries months ago, and immediately replied, "Walt is being modest and only telling part of the story. I would still be down there if it weren't for him."

While Sun fussed over Alex for several seconds, Hurley realized it was his turn to try to help bring Walt back to normal. It was in Hurley's nature to be kind and helpful, though he wasn't always sure of the right thing to say.

"Modest? So what happened to you, Dude? Lose your shirt gambling on backgammon?"

Hurley gulped as Walt's face initially went blank from shock. Then Walt started laughing.

"Not quite. But I had to get out of there so I can collect on the eighty-three thousand dollars you owe me."

Hurley was relieved to see Walt take the joke so well. "You'll get it. It's just that I didn't bring much cash on the flight, and there's a serious shortage of ATM's on this island. Then you can buy yourself some better clothes and get a haircut!"

Now Walt was playing along. "What's wrong with this? Alex made this loincloth out of genuine boarskin. It's really comfortable. If you ask her nicely, I'm sure she'll make one for …"

Hurley interrupted while starting to laugh. "No thanks, dude. That looks a lot better on you than it would on me."

Walt continued, "And Alex says this hairstyle suits me just fine. It also provides a built-in pillow."

Hurley turned serious for a moment. "This Alex, you know she looks just like the French woman Danielle, only twenty-five or thirty years younger. I think Alex is her long-lost daughter."

"I think so too. Her story fits in. She says the Others told her that her parents died when she was a baby. She's been living with them her whole life, sixteen years and some months."

"Don't let her know yet, but Danielle is still around, and I have a means of contacting her. I'll let you know when the time comes."

Meanwhile, Michael, Sawyer, Jin, and Sayid were cleaning themselves off after getting off the canoe soaking wet from the high waves. On this occasion it had turned out that Walt and Alex had worn the much more appropriate attire. The four men wound up peeling off their shirts, wringing them out, and hanging them up to dry on tree branches. Shoes and socks also had to be removed, but pants stayed on due to Alex's presence. Sun giggled at the displays of masculinity, and then at an opportune moment ran up to him and hugged and kissed him. Jin didn't let go for a good minute.

Michael took the opportunity to pal around some with Walt. "You think you're hot stuff, but your old man still has bigger muscles than you." Father and son took turns feeling each other's biceps. Michael was speaking the truth, but at the rate Walt was growing, how long would it be for him to catch up? They would have to see Jack about that.

Having been forced to travel light, there was a severe lack of fresh clothes, but under the circumstances that was not an issue. Much more important was food and water, and the group, now numbering eight, enjoyed an island evening meal. The sun set, and it was time for bed. Their shelter consisted of some tarps that they had to carry in, with enough ropes and stakes to keep in it place.

Walt had trouble sleeping. He was not used to having a blanket covering him. Even though the night air outside was significantly cooler than the perpetually hot air in the mines, he would have preferred sleeping on top, but squirming out would have disturbed his neighbors, Michael on one side and Alex on the other. As a compromise Walt gently pushed the covering to waist level. It also felt strange to have so much freedom of movement. An hour after sunset, Walt could tell Michael was asleep, but Alex also seemed to be suffering a bit of insomnia.

"Alex, I know it's weird, but I can't sleep like this. I'd think I'd do better tied to the four stakes at the corners of this shelter."

"Come on Walt, you have to do this. You can relax. Think that you're too tired to stay awake. Maybe this will help."

Alex rubbed Walt's forehead, and scratched his head while running her fingers through his hair. It did seem to have a relaxing effect, and Walt soon closed his eyes. Alex gave him reassuring pats on his chest and stomach, whispering , "Good night, Walt."

Morning came, and the group quickly had breakfast and broke camp. The men's shirts had dried overnight, and Michael offered Walt his, but Walt adamantly refused. Michael felt it best to go along with his son's wishes in this case.

Since it was still easier to transport supplies in the canoe, it would still be used. Walt desperately wanted to ride in his father's creation, so Sawyer wound up walking along the shore with Sun, Hurley, and Alex. With his arm injuries, Sawyer didn't mind giving up his place on the canoe to Walt at all. On the other hand, Walt was eager to apply his muscles to an activity other than slave labor. It was like he was showing off, and happy to be farther away from those dreadful mines with each stroke of the paddle.

The current was more favorable for the homeward trip. Hurley was walking as fast as he could, wondering what he should say to Alex regarding Danielle. He was afraid of raising her hopes too high. Not being sure of what to say, he remained silent most of the way. Alex related the details of her life to Sun, who translated for Jin. Near the end of the day, Hurley spotted what he knew he had to face: a large tree by a bend in a river that came near the shore.

"Hey dudes, I've got to stop here."