Author's notes: Hey y'all, here's another chapter for everyone's enjoyment.

I'd like to thank Gin for her review and betaing for me; love ya hun. In addition, I'd like to thank Angela for her review, I'm pleased you liked the chapter.

Chapter Six

After the incident in the Temple, where Jeanie had fallen through a gap in the floor, their exploration of the ancient ruin went without problem. The majority of the antechambers and small side rooms were no longer safe, and were now inhabited by wildlife and over grown plants, so that they only needed to check out the main hall where the alter had once stood.

Gone were all traces of the Hostiles, and their worship, as they'd all moved to the Dharma barracks after the purge. The only indications that humans had ever used the ruin were the carvings on the wall, and the occasional table holding a wooden goblet or a used candle.

Outside of the Temple was pretty much the same. Nothing remained of the old canvas and wooden houses, where Richard had once lived before Ben became the leader. All that stood weathering the test of time were the giant Kapok trees flanking the temple and the adjoining forest.

"Well, that's that I guess," sighed Jeanie, "There's absolutely nothing left of the ruin. I suppose all we can do now is sit around camp waiting for Ben to return."

Richard had to chuckle despite her obvious dejection, "What did you expect to find? We haven't used the place in about twenty years."

"I know, I just hoped Ben had some other reason aside from our own protection for sending us here. I guess I wished it'd be like my childhood and that coming here would unveil some huge mystery to me," she replied.

"Look on the bright side, Jeanie, at least you got to remember all the good times we had here," Richard reassured.

"True," she agreed.

After their inspection of the Temple and surrounding area, it had started to get dark so the group decided to prepare dinner and settle down for the night. Again, Jeanie went to collect firewood - as the others cooked – this time being accompanied by Richard.

The couple walked through the forest, as the trees gradually grew denser and denser, collecting fallen branches and dried leaves as they walked and chatted.

"You know what being here has reminded me of most?" Jeanie asked, the fading sun making her hair glow a warm sienna colour and her eyes glisten. "That I love you."

"And you'd forgotten that before?" Richard asked, faking a look of hurt.

"No silly," she insisted. "It's just with work, and the crash and everything; I guess we've been kinda taking each other for granted."

"That's true," he conceded. "But we're together now, and we're alone."

Jeanie giggled and laced her fingers through his, as they took a seat on a fallen log.

"You know, I like your hair longer, like this," Richard commented, gently brushing a stray strand from her eyes.

"You're not the only one who likes longer hair," she commented, running her fingers through his short black hair. "Remember when I first met you, and you wore it down to your shoulders. God, I can remember thinking you were the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen."

"You can't have seen many other guys by comparison then," he chuckled, with a faint blush.

"Well, the only guy I really knew apart from Dad was Ben, and let's be honest; he isn't really a looker is he?" Jeanie said with a teasing smile.

Flashback

It was late afternoon, and for the first time in many weeks, Jeanie was at the Dharma barracks. Since giving her decision to Richard, she'd spent most of her time at the Temple with him, finding it an excellent place to be alone together, but also a hide-out from her father.

Jeanie's dad was the true definition of a monster; he hardly worked any more and spent his days drinking. On the rare occasion Jeanie was at home, he'd fire a torrent of abuse at her, which usually ended in him landing harsh blows of his fits across her face. It was useless going to her mum for help, as she was also too drunk and didn't even know what day of the week it was. Jeanie felt it best just to keep out of their way.

However, that afternoon, she had had nothing to do. Richard told her he had some important business to attend to, so Jeanie – not wanting to sit around the Temple on her own (she still felt awkward around the other Hostiles) – spent the afternoon sitting in the park.

Being out doors was always her refuge, and nothing calmed Jeanie more than sitting on the swings, in the sunshine, reading Hamlet.

As the sun began to set, Jeanie heard footfall approaching, and looked up to see Ben walking into the park. Since both agreeing to join the Hostiles, Jeanie and Ben had grown close, because they were the only members of Dharma that knew the true nature of the Island natives.

She smiled at him as he walked over, and dropped her copy of Hamlet to the grass below her feet, gesturing for him to take a seat on the swing besides her.

'Hey,' she said with a small smile. 'Tough day?'

Jeanie didn't need to be telepathic to know how miserable Ben was. There was perhaps only one man that made her father look less evil by comparison, and that was Ben's dad. The man was a complete bastard, and poor Ben didn't even have a mother to console him. Even if her own mother was a raging alcoholic, at least she was alive.

He looked up at her, his grey-blue eyes forlorn and sad, and gave her a weak smile in return.

'You could say that,' he replied, taking the swing besides her. 'It's my birthday next week and I'm dreading it.'

Jeanie pitted him; birthdays should be a happy occasion, but for Ben they always brought back memories of his mother's death. It didn't help matters that Ben's own father seemed to resent his son for his wife's death and made his life a living hell.

'It'll get better, you know?' reassured Jeanie. 'Once Richard has done what he has to, we can go to live in the camp besides the Temple. We'll never have to put up with our parents again.'

'That's easy for you to say; you won't have the burden of your mother's death hanging over you head forever, and besides you have Richard. I've got no one,' he sighed.

'That's not true,' insisted Jeanie, 'What about Annie?'

'Do you seriously think she'll want to know me after I've joined the Hostiles?' Ben asked.

Jeanie was lost for a response, he was right after all. Annie knew nothing of Ben's meeting with Richard or his subsequent decision to join the Island natives.

'You've still got me and Richard though,' she added, hoping the offer of friendship was enough to console him.

She caught a flash of jealousy in Ben's mind; it was resentment of her relationship with Richard and she had to look away.

'Who knows, maybe after we leave this God forsaken hell hole, maybe you'll meet someone too,' suggested Jeanie.

Ben said nothing, and just looked away from her again. His shoulders slumped down and his posture grew even more miserable. Jeanie felt terrible, wishing there was something she could do to make him feel better.

'I'm sorry,' Ben said finally, pushing his glasses back up his nose. 'I'm just unhappy thinking about next week.'

'I can understand that,' reassured Jeanie. 'So how about we do something special for your birthday? You know I see you almost like a brother, Ben, and you know I'm here if you ever need me.'

'Thanks, Jeanie,' he mumbled. 'You're the only friend I have around here if I'm honest, and I do appreciate that.'

Jeanie smiled at him; touched by the sentiment, and the thoughts she read from his mind. He meant every word he said, and needed her friendship maybe more than he let on.

End Flashback