Kali looked down at the wooden planks underneath her knees, stained with her own blood, as her vision blurred. It was impossible. How could an island have the ability to bring someone back to life? To keep them alive? But after everything she had seen…what other explanation was there? Kali's eyes flickered back over to her brother, who also seemed to be having a hard time processing what had just happened. Just as Kali opened her mouth, a strange humming sound began to echo all around them. The sound seemed to vibrate through their bodies, like nothing Kali had ever heard before. She slammed her hands over her ears, which felt like they were about to burst. Suddenly, the sky above them started to glow an unearthly colour, so bright it burnt her eyes. The humming got louder and louder, as Kali felt Sawyer's arms pull her closer, his hands trembling. The light went as far as the eye could see, completely engulfing the entire island, maybe even further. Then, just as quickly as it was there…the light vanished. The humming faded away soon after, leaving the group on the docks shaken, even Ben appeared shocked by what he had seen. The light clearly had nothing to do with the Other's.

"Ken?" Kali called out, confused when she saw her brother wasn't where he had sat just seconds ago.

"Ken?!" Kali cried, her eyes darting around the docks, but she could find no sign of him.

"Where did he go? Did you see it?" Ben insisted, turning to Tom, with a rare, panicked expression on his face.

"He can't have just vanished, Ben. Maybe he jumped in the water—" Tom began, but Ben cut him off.

"Well, I don't see him in the water, do you?!" Ben hissed, gesturing to the rocky waves that beat against the docks.

"We'll send out a boat. He won't have gotten far. You got them, that's what you wanted, right?" Tom muttered.

"You really don't see the problem with having that freak loose on our island?" Ben scoffed, as Kali grit her teeth.

"You probably shouldn't have brought him here then" Kali pointed out, as Ben's head snapped towards her.

"I think I've heard enough out of you for today" Ben mumbled, before grabbing Tom's gun and striking Kali in the face with it.

She fell back from the impact, flopping in Sawyer's arms as blackness overcame her for the second time that day. She just hoped she would wake up.


2001

Desmond sat down at the cheapest bar he could find in the new town and began to drink from his beer bottle. He ran a hand over his tired face, wondering for the hundredth time that day what the hell was happening to him. He had been in 2004…no, 1996? And then there was a bright flash and he was flung into 2001. Maybe it was all just one big hallucination. Was his life really flashing before his eyes? Desmond dropped his head onto the sticky bar counter, hitting it once against the wooden surface for good measure.

"You're eighteen, huh? Sure, and I'm the Queen of England" The bartender who served him muttered, a few metres away.

"Well I must say you're looking pretty good for your age, your Majesty" A strangely familiar voice joked, as Desmond's head snapped up.

A pretty brunette was leaning against the bar, grabbing a flimsy card that the bartender shoved her way. She had a large rucksack over one shoulder, and bright blue eyes, a mischievous glint behind them. Desmond knew he had seen her before…he just couldn't remember where.

"Come back in a few years with a real I.D, kid" The bartender rolled his eyes.

"Fine, fine. I give up. Can I just have a lemonade?" She sighed, jumping onto a nearby barstool.

"I'm getting too old for this shit" The bartender replied, turning away to get her drink.

The young girl quickly felt eyes on her and turned towards the man who had been sitting face down at the bar when she arrived. His mouth hung slightly agape as he openly continued to stare at her, causing her to quirk an eyebrow.

"Uh, hello? Earth to drunk guy, you alright?" The brunette frowned, as Desmond blinked a couple of times, his eyes flickering away for a moment.

"Sorry, it's just…have we met?" Desmond asked, as the girl tilted her head.

"Well, that's certainly a more original pickup line than I'm used to" The girl chuckled, as the bartender brought over her drink.

"That'll be four quid" The bartender exclaimed, as she gave him a look of disbelief.

"That's daylight robbery!" She complained, reluctantly pulling five pounds out of her pocket.

"Welcome to the new millennium" The bartender shrugged, as she held out the note.

Just as the bartender reached out to grab the fiver, the girl pulled away a little, causing the bartender to grunt. He reached over a little further, but she simply pulled away further, a smug grin growing on her face.

"Seriously?" The bartender grumbled.

"What? Take it" She smirked, shoving the note in front of his face.

The man's reflexes were too slow and just as he was about to grab the money, she pulled her hand away again, laughing a little at his angry expression.

"Okay, okay. Here, you can have it this time" The brunette stated, putting the note on the table.

A second later, she blew against the counter, as the fiver blew onto the floor before the bartender could reach it. She laughed louder as she saw a vein was now protruding from his neck, his whole face growing red.

"Out! Now!" The bartender shouted, raising his hand towards the door.

"Now, now. Mind your blood pressure, mate" She grinned, jumping off the barstool, nonetheless, taking her rucksack with her.

Desmond watched the girl leave, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia, and before he knew it, he was following her. A frown grew on his face when he watched the brunette jog across the road, meeting a hooded figure. Desmond watched as the other person pressed some money into the girl's palm, before rushing off down the road towards a white van. A sigh left his lips when he saw the hooded figure join a man who was packing crates of alcohol into the van, a realisation hitting him. The girl had been distracting the bartender while the others had stolen the alcohol from the back. Not a bad plan really, but dangerous for the young girl.

"What if he remembers your face?" Desmond piped up, watching as the girl flinched out of her skin after he had crossed the road to approach her.

"What?" She frowned.

"The bartender. What if he realises you had something to do with his stock going missing, remembers your face?" Desmond pushed, making her scoff.

"Well, aren't you an observant drunk" She muttered, before turning on her heel, clearly trying to get away from the situation.

"I doubt those guys would care much. People like that, they'll throw you under the bus—" Desmond insisted, but she cut him off quickly.

"Look, it's none of your business, mate. So do me a favour…fuck off" She exclaimed, before turning away again, picking up her pace as she rushed over a busy road.

"I'm just trying to—" Desmond began, chasing after her, as the girl whipped around, irritation clear on her face.

"Look out!" The brunette suddenly cried, as bright lights obscured his vision.

Desmond stayed frozen to the spot as he saw a car racing towards him, his feet refusing to move. Before he knew what was happening, an arm was going around his waist, as he was flung onto his back, hitting the concrete with a thud. He watched with blurred vision as the car sped away, not seeming to care they had almost hit someone.

"Get a license, asshole!" The girl cried, as Desmond realised it was her who had pushed him out of the way.

The pair untangled themselves from each other, as the girl let out a hiss, looking down at her arm. Her sleeve was ripped, stained with blood as she must have cut herself when she landed on the ground. Desmond reached out to try to stem the bleeding, grimacing as the red substance dripped down his fingers.

"Are you alright?" Desmond gaped, as the girl nodded.

"It's just a scratch" The brunette mumbled, shrugging his hands away, as she slowly pushed herself to her feet.

"No one ever taught you how to cross a road, huh?" She joked, brushing off the dirt that covered her trousers.

"Guess not" Desmond laughed, standing upright.

"Ah shit…" She trailed off, looking down at her rucksack on the ground, the contents littered over the road.

Desmond's forehead wrinkled as he saw the number of things she had in her bag. Clothes, toothbrush, food, even a few books. It didn't take Desmond long to realise that was probably all she had, and why she would be carrying it around with her. She was homeless.

"Here, let me" Desmond spoke up, quickly helping her to gather her things up, shoving them into her large rucksack.

"You should get that cut looked at" Desmond advised, seeing that her arm was still bleeding.

"I can handle it. Dealt with a lot worse" She shrugged, swinging her rucksack back over her shoulder.

"There's a store over there. We'll grab you a first aid kit. C'mon, give me peace of mind" Desmond exclaimed.

"If you insist…?" The girl trailed off, looking for a name.

"Desmond. And you?" He asked, as the girl bit her lip, looking conflicted.

"My name's Kali" She admitted, as Desmond felt another strange sense of nostalgia.

"It's good to meet you, Kali" Desmond grinned, holding out his hand for her to take.

The sense of déjà vu only got stronger as their hands touched. He knew he had seen this girl before. A flash of lightning above their heads had them pulling away and rushing towards the store. Strangely, no thunder or rain followed. Just one singular flash of light.


Desmond couldn't help but laugh as he saw Kali tuck into the burger he had bought for her, looking like she hadn't eaten in days. She was very thin, her collarbones far too prominent. Kali seemed to realise how fast she was eating and slowed down, wiping at her mouth.

"You know, I did save your life…probably deserve a little more than a trip to McDonald's" Kali teased, grabbing her shake, and taking a sip.

"Aye. KFC would have been a better choice?" Desmond replied, making her giggle.

"Sorry about telling you to fuck off earlier, man. I thought you were gonna' snitch on me" Kali admitted, as Desmond shrugged it off.

"No problem. I guess I did come over a tad condescending" Desmond pointed out.

"Trust me, I didn't expect stealing from cheap ass bars was gonna' become my only source of income when I was a kid" Kali pointed out.

"There must be better jobs out there" Desmond suggested, making her scoff.

"Not when you have a criminal record" Kali mumbled.

"Well, here's to being unemployed" Desmond exclaimed, as the two clinked their shakes together.

"How British of us" Kali joked.

"How come you don't have a job then? They don't like your accent much round here?" Kali questioned.

"Something like that" Desmond sighed.

"Then why are you sticking round here?" Kali frowned, as Desmond pulled a booklet out of his jacket.

"International Open Ocean Racing Association? Jesus, talk about pretentious. You're not thinking of joining this, are you?" Kali asked, as Desmond nodded.

"I'm gonna win it. From this man" Desmond told her, turning the booklet over, pointing to a bald white man.

"What, your ex or something?" Kali teased, as Desmond shook his head, fondly.

"Close. The father of my ex" Desmond admitted, as Kali quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh, a Romeo and Juliet kind of situation then?" Kali guessed.

"Not anymore…I blew it" Desmond muttered, with downcast eyes.

"So, that's it, huh? You're just giving up on this chick?" Kali questioned.

"She thinks I've given up on her already" Desmond sighed, playing with the chips in front of him.

"Then why all this? Why try to win the race from her father?" Kali pointed out.

"To prove a point I guess" Desmond shrugged.

"You don't strike me as a coward, Desmond" Kali exclaimed, as his eyes snapped up to hers.

All of a sudden, he felt himself transported back to the island…that's where he knew her! She had said those words to him before. Maybe even more than once.

"I…I do know you. The island…the button, do you remember it?!" Desmond inquired, as Kali's forehead wrinkled.

"Is that like a gameshow or something?" Kali replied.

"We've met before" Desmond insisted.

"Oh, yeah? Where?" Kali pushed, raising an eyebrow.

"2004" Desmond stated, as Kali gave him a look of disbelief.

"Oh, man. You must have hit your head earlier. How many fingers am I holding up?" Kali asked, raising two fingers, which Desmond brushed away from his face.

"I've not got a concussion. And I'm not crazy! I remember it, I know it's real…it must be" Desmond went on.

"Oh yeah, you seem…totally balanced" Kali scoffed, sarcastically.

"Wait, what did you mean anyway? You said I didn't strike you as a coward?" Desmond queried, wondering why she had said it.

"You're running away from this woman" Kali pointed out, making Desmond huff.

"Her father won't let me anywhere near her" Desmond retorted.

"Well, fuck him. Not literally, I mean. But who the hell cares, Des? If you love this woman, then stop trying to win some stupid boat race, go find and tell her how you feel before it's too late!" Kali exclaimed.

"She's getting married" Desmond told her.

"Then it sounds like you better get your running shoes on" Kali insisted, as a smile grew on Desmond's face.

"…You really think she'd take me back?" Desmond frowned.

"If she loves you as much as you love her, she'll already be waiting for you to come back" Kali suggested.

"And if she rejects me?" Desmond sighed.

"Then at least you'll know you did everything you could" Kali shrugged, as Desmond gave her a look.

"How did someone who's not even the legal drinking age get to be so wise?" Desmond scoffed.

"Because I'm not the legal drinking age…I've still got some brain cells" Kali joked, as they both laughed.

"Maybe you should use them. Go to college" Desmond told her, as Kali shook her head.

"I barely passed my GCSE's mate. And don't forget about the criminal record—" Kali began, but he cut her off.

"Have you actually tried?" He pointed out.

"What's the point? They'll take one look at me and see a deadbeat" Kali insisted, as Desmond gave her a look.

"Well, I'd say you're a shoe-in at being an inspirational speaker" Desmond teased, making her smile.

"…I wouldn't even have the guts to walk through the doors of a college. I'm sick of people looking down at me" Kali mumbled.

"Well, I could go with you?" Desmond offered, as Kali's eyes went wide.

"Oh, great. Turning up at college with my sugar daddy would definitely make a good impression" Kali giggled, making Desmond shake his head, fondly.

"Just think about it, yeah?" Desmond pushed, as Kali nodded, after a few moments.

"Maybe. I'm off to the ladies. Don't eat my fries" Kali warned him, raising a finger in the air, as Desmond held his hands up in mock defence.

Only a minute later, Desmond saw someone sit opposite him out of his peripheral vision, his eyes going wide when he saw it wasn't Kali. Instead, the white-haired woman who had warned him against marrying Penny in 1996 sat opposite him.

"Trying to change things yet again, Desmond? I thought you would have learnt by now" The woman murmured.

"H-how…have you been following me?" Desmond gaped, as the woman laughed.

"Is that really your most pressing question? I suggest you leave before she gets back" The woman informed him.

"I listened to you once before. I won't make the same mistake twice" Desmond spat out; his hands balled into fists.

"Must you insist on making things difficult? Kali will not be going to college for some time. She is to continue on the course that was made for her" The woman insisted.

"And what course would that be?" Desmond frowned.

"In a few months from now, she will meet a man called Billy. He's the one who helps her get into college and eventually into nursing school. A little later down the line, he breaks her heart, chooses her brother over her. Billy Kingston must be on Flight 815. He has to reunite with her and…well, I shouldn't tell you the rest on a full stomach…" The mysterious woman trailed off.

"And what about her? She has to spend the next few months homeless, committing petty crimes just to stay alive?" Desmond pushed.

"We all have our crosses to bear, Desmond. Some more than others" The woman replied.

"I could warn her. I could tell her not to get onto the flight!" Desmond exclaimed, as the white-haired woman raised an eyebrow.

"You could try. But for whatever reason, something other than fate seems to want that young girl on the island. I doubt it would make any difference" The woman explained.

"Hey, who's stolen my seat?" Kali's voice boomed, having just arrived back from the toilets.

"C'mon, we're leaving" Desmond announced, quickly grabbing Kali's hand and all but dragging her away.

"You can't change things, Desmond! No one can!" The white-haired woman called after them, making Kali frown.

"You attract a lot of weird people, you know that" Kali murmured, as Desmond's lips twitched into a smile despite himself.

Kali looked down at their joined hands with a grin, feeling herself flush as Desmond didn't pull away even when they were outside. Maybe this guy was going to stick by her.


A few days later, and Desmond was nervously twiddling his fingers together as he travelled into the city by train. Kali had an interview at a local college and as promised, he was going to meet her. He looked up at the electronic clock above the carriage doors, a frown growing on his forehead when he saw the incorrect time.

1:74.

Why did those numbers mean something to him? He rubbed at his eyes, his frown deepening when he saw the numbers were now 1:24. Maybe he really was losing it. A sharp cry caught Desmond's attention as he saw a woman clutching at her arm, falling to her knee's, a young boy grabbing onto her skirt.

"Mummy? Mummy, what's wrong?!" The child cried, as the woman collapsed onto the floor.

Cries of panic erupted from around him, as a crowd formed around the woman. A blond man jumped into action, placing his fingers against the woman's neck, his mouth going slack.

"I…I don't think she's breathing. Does anyone know CPR?" The blond man exclaimed, as Desmond took a step forward.

"I did a course a few years ago…" Desmond trailed off, crouching down in front of the woman, pulling her onto her back.

"Do something, man!" The blond insisted, as Desmond placed his hands over her chest, pressing down, hard.

Two hours later, Desmond was racing towards the college doors, his breath coming out in short puffs. The woman had made a miraculous recovery soon after a quarter to two…exactly the time he was supposed to meet Kali at the gates. A flurry of familiar brunette hair walking in the other direction had Desmond pushing his aching legs harder, calling out Kali's name.

"Wait! Wait a second!" Desmond cried, as the brunette whipped around, an angry look in her eyes.

"If you weren't gonna' come, why the fuck didn't you just say?" Kali retorted.

"There was an incident on—" Desmond began, but she cut him off.

"I should have known better to actually trust someone to keep their word. There's only one person I can depend on…and that's me!" Kali spat out, spinning around to walk away.

"Kali, I can explain, alright? Maybe we can reschedule?" Desmond suggested, hearing her scoff.

"I still went to the stupid interview and it went exactly how I knew it would. They didn't want me, surprise, surprise" Kali muttered, as Desmond rushed in front of her.

"What? Why not?" Desmond frowned.

"Some anonymous source told them some…things from my past. About my brother. They didn't want the bad publicity. I don't know why I let you talk me into this, I looked like a bloody idiot!" Kali insisted, as Desmond let out a long sigh.

"There will be other colleges—" Desmond started, but she cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"No! I'm done, okay? People like me, we don't go to colleges, get good jobs…it's a goddamn pipe dream" Kali shook her head.

"You're meant for more than this, Kali. I know you are" Desmond insisted.

"You don't know me at all, Desmond. You just feel sorry for me! I'm better off on my own. Always have been" Kali murmured, shoving past him roughly.

"Kali!" Desmond called after her, flinching when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm glad you stayed to help that woman, Desmond. It made things far simpler" The same white-haired woman from before smiled, as Desmond shrugged her hand away.

"You knew that was going to happen?" Desmond gaped, as she nodded.

"If you hadn't stopped to help her, the interviewer would have been struck by a car on his way to work. And if you somehow managed to stop that, a fire would have started on the campus… as I told you before. Fate has a way of course-correcting" The woman explained, as Desmond heard metal creaking from above him.

Before he had time to react, a metal sign with the college's initials on it, came hurtling towards him, as everything went black for a moment. When his eyes shot back open, the sun was blinding him, as he felt a chill go through his body. He shot upright, with a look of horror, taking in the jungle around him, realising where he was. Back on the island.

No.


Kali's eyes opened slowly, her vision a blurred mess, as she tried to take in her surroundings. It was dark, an eery green colour to the room, reminding her of a dungeon. She gulped, feeling her ears pop, wondering for a moment whether she was underground. A sharp pain in her arm had her eyes flickering down, finding a blond attempting to take her blood. She heard the woman curse under her breath, missing her vein, and from the look of her other arm, it wasn't the first time she had missed. Rope covered her wrists and ankles, binding her to the wooden chair she was sitting on.

"I'd offer to help, but I seem to be a little tied up" Kali scoffed, ushering to the rope around her wrists, making the blond jump.

"Oh, I didn't expect you to wake up yet…would you like some painkillers?" The blonde frowned, her eyes darting from Kali's face down to her neck and back up again.

"Feeling a little guilty considering your boss slit my throat and all?" Kali spat out, making the other woman tense.

"He really did…that?" She questioned, ushering over to the wound still evident on Kali's neck.

"Well, I didn't do it to myself, sweetheart" Kali huffed.

"I'm sorry. We never knew that's what he was planning" The blonde sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Where's Sawyer? My friends?" Kali asked, realising they were nowhere to be seen.

"They're okay. Ben wants you all kept separate for now" The woman explained.

"…What's your name?" Kali asked, licking her dry lips.

"Juliet. I, uh…I knew your brother. Well, I suppose I thought I did" Juliet mumbled.

"Poor you" Kali muttered, as Juliet's lips twitched into a smile.

"They told me you're a nurse" Juliet stated.

"Student nurse. And seeing as you clearly know how to take blood, but seem to have little experience, I'm going to guess…doctor?" Kali suggested.

"Fertility doctor" Juliet nodded.

"You actually seem to be telling the truth. You sure your boss is gonna' be happy with that?" Kali frowned.

"Ben isn't my boss. We don't have a hierarchy here—" Juliet began, as a large metal door to the room was ripped open.

"I need to speak to the girl" Ben announced, his beady eyes on Kali alone.

"She has a name, dick" Kali rolled her eyes.

"I haven't got a blood sample yet" Juliet retorted, as Ben's lips tensed.

"Now, Juliet" Ben insisted.

"Sounds like your leash is being pulled" Kali stated, raising an eyebrow.

Juliet found her lips twitching into a surprising smile, remembering how Kali's brother had said the exact same words to her not long ago. The siblings were more alike than she had expected. Ben had told them that Ken had disappeared, but what did that mean? Juliet wouldn't put it past Ben killing the other man out of nothing more than spite. With a sigh, the blonde gathered her things, giving Kali a quick reassuring smile before leaving the room.

"You know what's crazy, a week ago, you and I were in exactly the opposite situation. I was the one locked up and you were the one coming in for visits" Ben smirked.

"Careful, Ben. I'd hate to have to wipe that smug smile off your face" Kali scowled, looking away.

"I'm starting to see why your group likes you so much…well, used to I suppose. Hugo has probably informed them of your past by now" Ben explained, the smirk still on his face.

"Cut the crap and just tell me what you want" Kali muttered.

"A boat ride" Ben stated, making her frown.

"What?" She questioned.

"I always think clearer in the sea breeze, don't you?" Ben grinned.


Kali felt tense as she, Ben and two other men sailed through the choppy waters, getting further and further away from the island. A bad feeling clawed away at Kali, as she rubbed at her arms, feeling a chill.

"What have you done with Sawyer?" Kali asked, making Ben sigh.

"So predictable…he's being well looked after," Ben told her.

"I want to see him" Kali insisted.

"All in good time" Ben replied, making Kali grit her teeth.

"And Jack and Kate? Juliet said you want us separated, why?" Kali frowned, as Ben gave her a thoughtful look.

"Why Jack?" Ben asked.

"What?" Kali retorted, sharply.

"You asked for him first. Well, after Sawyer of course" Ben murmured.

"He's my friend" Kali pointed out.

"Isn't Kate?" Ben responded, grating on Kali's nerves.

"Have I mentioned that I can't stand the sound of your voice?" Kali grumbled, slumping down in her seat.

"Teenagers. Always so dramatic" Ben muttered to himself.

"Why have you taken the two medically trained people from our group?" Kali piped up, a minute later.

"Excuse me?" Ben frowned.

"I'm young, not stupid. It's too much of a coincidence that you've taken both me and Jack, so why? Is someone sick?" Kali pushed; her eyes narrowed.

"Jack is Plan A. You are plan B" Ben exclaimed.

"What the fuck does that mean?" Kali asked, as Ben suddenly stood up.

"Let's slow down a little, Pickett. We're almost there" Ben announced, making her forehead wrinkle.

"What's going on?" Kali queried, not seeing anything distinguishable around.

"I imagine you're feeling rather indestructible right now…cocky even. What does someone have to fear when they can't die?" Ben went on.

"I have a feeling you're going to tell me" Kali murmured, her eyes darting around.

"Actually…I'm going to show you" Ben smirked.

Only a few seconds later, Kali felt pain shooting down her neck, causing her to brush over her wound. Her eyes widened when she saw blood coating her fingertips. Was the wound re-opening? She let out a cry when she felt a new pain radiating down her back, her spine feeling like it was on fire.

"W-what's happening?" Kali frowned, feeling her vision starting to blur.

"We're nearing the edge of the island's power" Ben stated.

"Stop—" Kali was cut off, as she felt something clawing its way up her throat.

She bent over, suddenly spewing up water, feeling her lungs burn as she desperately tried to catch her breath. Kali fell to her knees, pawing at her neck as blood started to drip down her chest. She looked up at Ben with wide eyes, letting out a cry.

"I suppose I should have mentioned before…if you ever leave the island, you won't just die. You'll feel all the deaths you've avoided all at once. I imagine it must be agony" Ben murmured, crouching down in front of her.

With all her strength, Kali spat out, her spit mixed with blood, splattering over Ben's face. With his lips turned up in a snarl, he wiped the blood away from his cheek, holding his hand up as Pickett stopped the boat.

"W-why…" Kali panted, her hands balled into fists.

"Why am I doing this? I wanted to show you what little power you have. I can kill you anytime I like. All it takes is one quick boat ride. You're not invincible, Kali. You're not important. You're not even a candidate" Ben smirked, ushering for Pickett to turn the boat around.

"The next two weeks are going to be very uncomfortable for you. Pickett, radio Juliet, tell her we're coming back…and to get the lab ready" Ben announced, hearing Kali audibly gulp.


Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I love Desmond, so expect more scenes with him coming up and especially more flashbacks! Sorry for the lack of Sawyer, but don't worry he'll be back very soon. Please leave a review:)