Author's notes: Thanks to Gin (Disco Inferno) for my one and only review (I'm not counting that pathetic flame), and for being the world's best beta!

I noticed I had 40 hits for chapter one, and I'm one one person's alert list. Please, if you're reading my fic, leave a comment. It's not that bad, is it? I'm not usually so review obsessed, but a little love never hurt anyone!

Chapter Two

The bright sun streaming in through the tent woke Jeanie up from a dream she'd been having. She'd dreamt that she was back at home, at the barracks, in their own bed. She missed being at home; she missed simple luxuries like being able to take a shower.

She turned to snuggle into Richard, but he wasn't there. Obviously already up and making breakfast.

Jeanie pulled on her clothes, grabbed her dagger and headed out of the tent.

Everyone was up, cooking, washing, eating etc. There was Richard, talking to Aldo. He looked tired; she knew he hadn't slept well last night, that he'd been worrying about Ben and what had happened with Sheppard.

Slowly, she walked over to him, the smell of coffee catching her nose.

"What time is it?" she yawned.

"Just after seven," he replied, handing her a plastic cup of coffee. "Did you sleep ok?"

"Like a baby, as always, but I know you didn't. You're still worrying about Ben, aren't you?" she asked, placing her hand reassuringly on his arm.

"I know it's only been a day, but I'm scared something has gone wrong. I...I don't quite trust Ben's decision-making at the moment and fear he might have rushed into this confrontation. What ever happened with Locke and Jacob has got him spooked and I think that's making him a little reckless," he explained, the frustration obvious in his voice.

In many ways, it was harder for Richard to accept Ben's decision. He'd been here before Ben was leader, before Ben was even born. Jeanie had grown up on the same camp as Ben, they'd become so close eventually that he was almost like a brother. It was easier for her to put all her faith in him, but then again, Jeanie always like to see the best in everyone.

"We should make it to the Temple tonight, if nothing happens," she mused, breaking the tense silence that had built between them.

"Um-huh," Richard replied, taking another long sip of coffee.

Jeanie knew he wouldn't be able to rest until they reached the Temple, until he knew what had happened with Ben.

"Let's get going then," she said brightly, knowing it was best to just press on.

After a quick breakfast, they were all packed up and ready to leave again, but unfortunately, the sun was just beginning to get hot.

The group walked in silence for hours, only stopping for the occasional drink of water. The plan was to move as quickly as possible, so that they'd make it to the Temple before nightfall and could set up camp there.

Jeanie was content walking in silence, happy to take in her surroundings. It had been far too long since she'd gone walking in the jungle. However, she was worried about Richard; he was consumed with thoughts of Ben. In fact, the air was so full of tension and confusion that it was giving her a headache.

"You know, if you talked about it, I could help," she suggested.

"And you know, I hate you reading my mind," he snapped. "I'm sorry, Jeanie. I just keep replying everything that happened before we left camp. What did Ben mean when he said something had happened to Locke? What had Jacob said to them?"

"If it helps any, I didn't pick up anything odd from him. Well odder than usual. He's scared, that's for sure, but we have to do as he asked and let Ben deal with it in his own way."

"I'm not sure I can, I'm not sure if I trust Ben anymore. You know I didn't agree with what he did with Juliet, and you know he lost the tape with her message on it."

"Yeah, I know all that. I also know Tom was getting itchy feet before he left to go to the beach, but there's not much we can do now," insisted Jeanie. "All we can do is keep putting our faith in him.

"But what if something happens out there, with Sheppard and the saviours? He knew he was out numbered when he left, and he's got to assume they're armed. I can't follow his logic; does he want to get himself killed? Because I can't see Sheppard backing down if they're all with him."

"Richard, calm down, Ben knows what he's doing. He always has a plan, he just some times doesn't let us know about it before hand," she reassured, worried about how fast his thoughts were going and secretly scared herself that Ben was losing it and putting all their lives in danger.

Before Richard could reply, there was a scream from behind them, and they both whipped round to see what had happened. Jayne was suspended six foot in the air in what appeared to be fishing net.

"Damn it!" cursed Richard, "I forgot about Rousseau's traps."

"Hold still. I'll have you out in a minute," said Jeanie, taking her dagger from where it was strapped to her leg and began cutting at the ropes.

Jayne tumbled to the floor, muttering her thanks. After she'd gotten to her feet and dusted herself off, they were on their way again.

"I told you this was useful," Jeanie grinned, twirling the dagger so that it's blade flashed in the hot sun, before slipping it back in it's holder.

"Yeah, apart from the time you tried to cut my throat with it," replied Richard, grimacing at the memory.

Flashback

For weeks, Jeanie had been watching Ben Linus' every move. She wanted to know if and when he was going to sneak out to see that Hostile again. However, he still hadn't left camp and she was beginning to get frustrated. She wanted to know who this man was that she'd seen flashes of in Ben's mind. She wanted answers.

The only thing that amused Jeanie now was sneaking off into the jungle to read. Her parents had become unbearable, even her mother was drinking now. Jeanie longed for an escape from this hell, for some excitement. She knew if Ben snuck out again, following him would be fun. However, Ben showed no sign of ever leaving the camp.

Maybe Jeanie would have to take things into her own hands. Find the Hostiles on her own. Find him on her own. Yes, that's what she'd do; she'd leave right now, take her dagger and go looking for them. Even if nothing happened, at least she'd be away from home for a few hours.

Sneaking out was nothing; she'd done it a million times already. Besides, if little Bennie had figured it out, it was no problem for her. She walked into the jungle, for about half an hour until she found the spot where she'd heard Ben talking to someone.

Jeanie closed her eyes, tried with all her might to use her ability. To sense someone, to read someone's thoughts, but there was nothing. The jungle was empty, silent, dead. She walked on in, the trees growing denser, the light becoming dark and the ground uneven. If she wasn't careful, she was going to get lost or, worse still, hurt.

The air around her was growing cold. 'How odd, it'd been such a warm day.' The trees sounded alive suddenly, full of whispers. Jeanie's heart raced, her hand clamped on the hilt of her dagger was sweaty. And then she caught it, the presence of someone else. Their thoughts, their mind. She tried to be as silent as possible, afraid her heart hammering in her chest would give her away. Very slowly, she concealed herself behind a tree as the footfall got closer.

' Ben? Is that you?' a man's voice called out. A deep voice, a husky voice. A sexy voice.

The hammering in Jeanie's heart grew harder, faster, as she linked the voice to the image of the man from Ben's mind. Nevertheless, she was scared. Would he find her? What would he do to her if he did?

' I know someone's there," called the voice. 'I know you're hiding and I want you to know I'm armed.'

He had a weapon! She was done for. Her only hope was making a run for it, but he was bound to notice the noise and movement. Then, slowly someone crept through the trees, and Jeanie caught sight of him. It was the man from Ben's mind. Same brown hair, dark eyes. Inviting eyes, eyes that almost asked you to come to him. Carefully, she crept after him, fragments of light catching strands of long red hair. Making them burn copper and golden for an instant.

He stopped, looked around. Jeanie slowed her pace, taking little baby steps so not to make any noise. However, her heart was still hammering in her chest, part fear, part excitement. She was close to him now, just inches. She could smell his skin, surely, he had noticed her presence behind him, yet he made no move. Jeanie took her dagger, and slowly, her hand shaking brought it to his throat.

In an instant, he had her arm and had whipped her over onto the floor. She caught his shock; he'd been expecting one of the Dharma people, an adult, and she was a little girl. She had dirt smudged on her face and one of her knee socks had fallen down to her ankles. Yet this wasn't all she was reading from his mind. He was taking her in all right, her small, but well formed body, her pert breasts. The same desire she got from any man that saw her, and then the same shame as he realized her age.

'Get up,' he ordered, his voice was a little huskier, giving away to her his true desires.

Jeanie struggled to her feet and dusted herself off. 'I'm sorry,' she said simply.

' What are you doing out here?' he asked, his face suddenly full of concern.

'Just walking,' she lied 'I'm lost.'

'Go back to where you came from, girl, it's not safe here for you,' he said and then turned to leave.

' Wait,' she called, ' I don't know my way back.'

'Alright, I'll take you back to just outside you camp, but you have to promise not to come out here again.'

'But I know you want to see me again,' she said cheekily, picking up his wanting to know her, touch her, hold her from his mind.

' I don't know what you're talking about,' he said but then faltered, a blush creeping to his face.

'Please, let me come back. I don't like it there; I want to be out here, free.'

' It isn't time for that yet,' he said, stopping her, holding her arms. His deep dark eyes meeting her emeralds green ones. 'But, just like I told Ben, one day I'll come back for you.'

'Promise?'

'Promise, but now you have to go home.'

'But I don't even know your name,' she insisted.

' It's Richard,' he told her.

Flashback