Juliet entered the cafeteria with hesitation. She had no problem eating alone, but she didn't feel like dealing with the overt advances of the men trying to join her. It had only been a few days without her usual lunch partner, and she already had to turn away multiple creeps. When she saw Amy in line she felt a huge sense of relief.
"Hey Amy!"
"Hey Juliet. How are you? You want to join me for lunch?"
"I'd love to!," she said without hesitation.
They both got their food and settled down at a table tucked away from main part of the loud cafeteria.
At that very moment, neither woman could have predicted just how intwined their destinies were or the strange turn of events that would one day take place between them. Amy would have laughed if she knew she would eventually end up with Horace. And she would have been shocked to find out Juliet was in fact a doctor, the same doctor that would deliver her only son, Ethan. Right now Amy's ethics were still unmuddied by life. There would be no way to predict that her own son would one day convince her to join the same group that killed her first husband and most of the community she found herself a part of now. And you could knock her over with a feather if you told her that eventually her son would also help recruit this same woman to the island in the future…her past.
Juliet would eventually discover that the Amy she knew now was in fact the woman she already knew before as Amelia, the mother of Ethan. By the time this knowledge would come she'd be too overwhelmed by the realization that she had helped deliver the man that would help bring her to this God-forsaken place. She'd only have a short time to consider how this woman had tried to look after her when she first came to the island; always checking in and mothering her. It would be hard to reconcile those fond memories with the thought that she must have known her from her past…known she'd somehow end up here. She would never have time to fully comprehend her relationship with this woman because fate would intervene first.
As for Amy, she'd never know Juliet's true fate either. After her son died she suffered a mental break down and was taken to the temple. The only bit she'd ever learn before succumbing to a massive stroke, is a rumor from Richard about flashes and time travel…news delivered by the miraculous John Locke. She'd never find out what actually caused her friend to disappear from the island all those years before or what happened shortly after.
None of this was evident now. And so the two amicable acquaintances had a very normal, casual lunch; completely oblivious to the cruel fate that awaited them both.
"So how are you doing?," Juliet enquired.
"I'm doing well. Staying busy. It helps keep me sane, you know?"
"That's good. I'm glad."
Juliet smiled, feeling sorry for the grieving woman in front of her. She made a mental note to check in on her more often. If she was going to be stuck here, she might as well make some actual friends. It was nice to be in another woman's company. And it was even more refreshing that there was no animosity between them, unlike her more recent relationships with women. It was the closest thing she had experienced to what it was like with her sister and she craved it.
Amy gave her a mischievous look before questioning, "why didn't you tell me you and James were together now?"
Juliet was speechless. Then it quickly dawned on her that the Dharma rumor mill must have been busy last night. She quickly considered if she should keep up the lie for her own sake or come clean. She also calculated how much she was willing to share with this woman. Again thinking of her like her sister, she decided on the truth.
"Well we're not."
"Oh really? I heard…well someone mentioned you seemed awfully close yesterday."
Juliet knew the someone had to be Horace. She thought that for someone so insistent on secrecy he sure was a blabber mouth. She made another mental note to never tell him anything in confidence.
"Well…I guess we were. I was having a bad day and he just comforted me. Honestly, we're just good friends. I don't think he even thinks of me that way. It's not something I think about."
Amy wasn't buying it. She'd seen the two of them together. When they first met those months ago she had assumed they were a couple. Why else would a beautiful woman like her be on a ship with a bunch of idiots? Finding a little joy in match-making she pushed for more information.
"Well that's a lie! I think you'd make a great couple!"
Hearing the words out loud that she had only been secretly thinking lately made her turn a bright shade of red. There was no hiding it on her fair skin. Amy smiled with satisfaction.
"See, I knew it!"
"I didn't say anything," Juliet protested.
"You didn't have to."
Juliet shook her head before giving in to the conversation, "well, maybe I've thought about it, but I don't know…it's just…complicated. There's history and I'm pretty sure he's still in love with someone else."
"Well, is she here? No! Who cares. I say go for it!"
Juliet rolled her eyes and continued, "Let's talk about something else!"
Amy grinned at her still happily considering the couple.
"Alright."
"Do you know what happened to Ralph? I heard he was just removed from the island. No explanation of why he was banned or anything."
She tried to play dumb, but knew that Amy was privy to more information than most. Feeling happy with Juliet's little secret, she decided to entrust her.
"Well, he was caught sharing information with one of the hostiles. They caught them both at one of the stations. Luckily, they were able to capture them both before the hostile returned. Apparently he had given him some schematics for some of our experimental technology."
Juliet considered this knew information before replying, "what kind of technology?"
"Oh I don't know. I'm not sure what he would have done with it anyways. Those hostiles are so barbaric. He probably wouldn't know what to do with it even if he had it. And thankfully he won't remember any of it."
Still playing dumb (and yet fully understanding her) she replied, "Oh, why's that?"
Amy now feeling like she had given up too much information backpedaled, "Oh, let's just say Horace has ways to make him forget."
Juliet was scared to think of the future ramifications behind this betrayal. Was this something significant that gave Charles some sort of advantage? She knew Ben would be a big part of the purge in the future, but it made her wonder how many Dharma Initiative members sold themselves out to the Others.
"Well thank goodness it's all under control," she smiled at her innocently, sounding way too convincing.
They carried on gossiping about far less important information for the rest of their lunch. On the other side of the island James was learning some of the same information as Horace had called him into a secret meeting at one of the distant stations. When he got there he was annoyed to find Phil and Radzinski. He hated these guys and was not happy to find out they were a part of Horace's inner circle. They stood outside the station, seated on top of a large hill.
"Now Jim, it will be important for you to listen carefully," Horace instructed in his usual condescending tone. He may have given him a promotion, but he clearly still thought he was a moron.
"Alright boss."
Radzinski and Phil were watching them from a close distance and rolling their eyes with disapproval. Radzinski came over to interject.
"Are you sure about him Horace? He's not even really one of us."
"Yes I'm sure. Now listen all of you. We've experienced a complete subversion from one of our own. Room 23 should pretty well take care of the hostile, but I need your promise to ensure this won't happen again. From now on I need all of your help to keep better tabs on our people. Anything out of the ordinary you report back to me immediately."
They all agreed with nods and grunts. James still wasn't sure what they were doing here.
"Now this station should remain our utmost importance. The chemicals here need to be kept in close supervision at all times."
"Listen, I've got all my guys on a tight leash up here Horace," Radzinski insisted.
"Even still. Jim, do you think you can move some of your guys around so we can keep a closer eye?"
"Sure thing boss."
"Phil, you help him. Whatever he asks for you do it. You got it?"
Phil looked none too pleased at this request. He eyed Jim with anger before begrudgingly answering Horace.
"Whatever you say."
"Alright then. It's agreed. Tomorrow we'll return the hostile. Phil you know the protocol. James we'll meet at the dock in the morning. Bring one of your guys. Oh and Jim…"
Jim waited for the further instructions.
" Yeah boss?"
"I know we talked about this, but all this information should be held in confidence."
"Yeah I got it."
"If you can remind Juliet of the same…"
Phil interrupted him, "YOU TOLD HER! Great now the whole world is gonna know what we're doing over there!"
Radzinski added on, "Horace what in the hell were you thinking?"
James interrupted them both, "Cool your jets Bert and Ernie. Juliet isn't gonna say shit!"
"He's just saying that cause he's screwing the bitch," Phil nagged.
James didn't even attempt to correct them. Instead he lunged forward to punch him in the face before Horace intervened.
"Fellas, fellas! Calm down. If you trust her Jim then I trust her. And Phil apologize to Jim!"
He once again begrudgingly spit out a "sorry" before turning to walk back and wait for Radzinski in their Jeep. Radzinski gave them both a look of disgust before turning to leave also.
"You'll get used to them. They're both just blowhards. They're really harmless."
James doubted that. All his years as a conman told him neither of those men could be trusted with a ten foot pole. He thought Horace really did have the worst judge of character ever. It suddenly made him a little insecure to think that might be the reason he ended up with this job.
"I'll see you in the morning then!"
They both returned to their own vehicle and headed back for the Staff. He thought about all the implications of what he just learned. He hoped Juliet wasn't working late because he'd have a lot to share with her tonight.
