Author's notes: Again another chapter with only two reviews. Please if you're reading leave me some feedback.

Thanks to Gin for your unfaltering loyalty to me and being a awesome friend and beta! Love ya!

Angela: Thanks for your comments. It's a shame you didn't leave a contact e-mail so I could reply to you review. I guess I'll just have to do it here.

"You are a fairly good writer and this story has potential,but IMO your OC is a Mary Sue.I mean,her father beats her?She's also telepathic?She's a strong girl while being pretty?I don't think all those qualities make a "real" character."

I understand being a 'Mary Sue' isn't a good thing, and I do try to avoid that in my stories. However, I do feel your assumption about Jeanie is incorrect. Yes, her father beats her. So what? Wouldn't it be more disturbing is she had a perfect family life? Sometimes in life, those around you aren't nice people and it's how you deal with that that makes you who you are. Was Princess Lea from 'Star Wars' a Mary Sue because he father turned out to be Darth Vader? No, because in life - even when it's fictional- not everyone is nice. She's also telepathic, again so what? In LOST people have displayed odd powers. Is Locke a Mary Sue because he can heal from his injuries? Is Richard a Mary Sue because he doesn't age? No, because the island they're on gives them special abilities. She's a strong girl while being pretty? Is it now a crime to be strong and attractive? Angelina Jolie is both, would you say she is a Mary Sue? I don't think all those qualities make a "real" character. Then what does? Everyone has good and bad qualities, believe me Jeanie has her fair share of flaws. However, in fiction, when you're presenting your character, you're not going to list those flaws straight off the bat, are you?. She's the story's antagonist, therefore I've portrayed her in the best light, or else she wouldn't be endearing to the reader.

At the end of the day though, that is just your opinion, as I have mine. I thank you for your comments, and hope you'll consider reading the rest of the story.

Chapter Three

Jeanie was tired, and hot and thirsty. They'd been walking all day in the blazing sun, and her feet were aching. Surely, they must be near the Temple now. Her stomach rumbled as she hadn't eaten since breakfast and now she was starving.

Richard still hadn't said anything; he'd been brooding since Jayne had been caught in Rousseau's trap. She was worried about him, about his state of mind. She wasn't sure he'd handle it if something went wrong with Ben. She sighed; despite how much she wanted to help, and make it all better for him, there wasn't anything she could do.

She longed for the old days; she missed the peace and tranquility of back then. Things had been different since the crash, heck, even before then something had been going on. Ben had changed over the years, and because of that, their way of life had had to change. She hadn't minded Richard leaving the Island for days, even weeks, at a time; she'd been busy herself with her own work. However, she still fondly remembered when all this had been just that little bit easier. When the only thing to worry about was what color ribbon to wear in her hair.

Back then, Jeanie had played on her innocence, had liked her child-like face and had often used it to her advantage. She could get a lot using that doe-eyed look. No one really knew she wasn't like that on the inside. No one knew her real thoughts and desires. However, eventually people noticed her body, her large breasts. Signs that she was growing into a woman. Still, even as she passed fifteen, Jeanie liked to dress like a child. Besides, dungarees and her hair in braids were much easier for climbing trees.

Flashback

' Jeanie, come down from the tree. I know you're still sulking, but it's getting late. You've got to be back home soon,' called Richard.

Jeanie had run off pouting, because once again, he'd refused to take her with him. Jeanie had been creeping into the forest to see Richard at least once a week since she'd first met him. That was almost a year ago. Every time she asked him to let her go with him, but the answer was always the same.

'But I don't want to go home, you know I hate it there,' she sulked, sliding down from her favourite tree. 'I want to be with you.'

'And you know I can't let you yet, Jeanie. Despite the fact that you're still too young, it isn't time yet,' insisted Richard.

'I am so not too young, I turn sixteen in three whole weeks,' she protested, revealing a lot about her maturity.

Richard didn't reply. They were always having this same argument about her age. However, she knew what he was really thinking; she knew how much of a struggle it was for him to control his desire for her.

' Please, let me stay a little longer? It isn't even getting dark yet,' she begged. 'I'll read to you from my book.'

Jeanie often read to Richard. It was one of her favorite things to do and he liked it too. Mostly it was Shakespeare, but sometimes she told her own stories too.

Pushing her ribbon back on her head and brushing a lock of copper hair from her eyes, she began.

'Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, show me the steep and thorny way to heaven.
Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine, himself the primrose path of dalliance treads and recks not his own rede.'

Richard chuckled, noticing the hidden meaning of Jeanie's choice of quotes to read. She fancied herself to be a bit like Shakespeare's Ophelia and the line was an obvious reference to his insistence that she couldn't go with him yet.

'Bravo, bravo! When do you get the Oscar?' he teased, Jeanie scowled. 'Come on, don't sulk again, you'll get wrinkles.'

'Humph. Unlike you. Why don't you ever get any older?' she asked, he ignored her. 'And why do you never answer my questions, Richard?'

'I told you, all in time, love,' he replied, smiling at her and pushing a stray lock of hair from her eyes.

'And you know I could just read it from you mind,' she stated, brushing his hand away.

'Yes, but you wouldn't, because you know I hate it when you do that,' said Richard.

Again, Jeanie just pouted. After a few minutes, she broke her silence.

' It's not fair,' she complained, ' You never tell me anything, but you know everything about me. I told you all about my dad and how he beats me. I really opened up to you, Richard, why can't you do the same?'

' You know I want to, Jeanie, you don't need to be telepathic to know that, but you also know I can't yet. When I explain everything to you, you'll understand why I had to wait,' he explained, as he cupped her cheek with his hand.

Jeanie seemed satisfied, the attention obviously calming her. She laid her head on his shoulder, beginning to feel a little sleepy.

' Come on, let's you get you back before you fall asleep.'

Jeanie agreed, and they walked back through the jungle in relative silence, until they reached the Dharma barracks.

' Sleep well,' Richard said.

' You too,' she replied, lacing her arms around his back.

He hesitated, about to pull away, but then he tightened the embrace and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

End Flashback

"You know I'd do anything to help," Jeanie said suddenly, desperately wanting to make it all better for him.

"I know, love, but there's nothing you can do," sighed Richard. "I think I just have to take your advice, and let Ben get on with it. He knows what he's doing, even if we don't.'

"Exactly, besides we'll be at the Temple soon and then he'll catch us up and everything will be ok," she said, hoping beyond hope that she was right. That everything was going to work out.