Sawyer could tell Juliet wasn't happy. She hardly smiled and reacted absently whenever someone tried to talk to her. He knew she had compromised in a difficult way and it was obviously wearing on her. But that would pass (or so he told himself). He had stopped letting himself dwell on the happiest scenario, the one that had been stuck in his head for so many weeks after their Hydra visit (They would both get off alive (they would all get off alive) and Juliet wouldn't have to make a choice. She could have him and she could have her sister. He would give her the ring. He would ask Miles to be his best man. They would share holidays with Jin and his family. And fuck, fuck. Just don't think about it). What was important was that they would both be safe, as long as they stayed on the island.

They made love every night. It was an easy way to forget. Forget about the island, forget about Rachel, forget about the fact that their friends might be gone soon (or dead?), forget about the fact that having sex like this would probably be off limits for a very long time with birth control running out. But apart from physical communication, she kept to herself. And he let her. He took on whatever chore was available. He and Frank took care of water supplies, he went hunting with Jin, he fixed up their tent nicely. Anything to keep himself busy. He thought about giving her the ring. But it seemed to be a gesture of reconciliation instead of love at this point. Besides, no way could they ever get married on this island anyway. Please, let this storm pass fast was the main thought running through his head.

A visitor came to the beach about a week after their return from Richard's camp. He introduced himself as Pete and explained he came to deliver a message from Richard himself. He asked for James and handed him a folded piece of paper. It read:

James. I might be able to help you. Meet me at the Statue two days from now at midday. Bring the pilot, Hugo, Jack and Sun. Do not bring any others. Do not let Claire follow you. She is to stay at your camp with the rest of your people. Richard.

Pete didn't waste any time hanging at their camp. His job was to deliver the message and he pretty much left immediately after handing Sawyer the note. Only Jin, Sun and Jack were at camp at that particular hour and Sawyer shared the content of the note with them. Questions about how Richard was able to help them (or why) and about what was going with Claire (everybody knew something was up with her, but no one had managed to get anything out of her) were shared but not answered.

The likeliest conclusion was to follow Richard's request, but Sawyer was reluctant to go. He didn't want to do anything to create more distance between him and Juliet. Or add fuel to her doubt. Jin was not keen on being separated from Sun for a few days. Surely they could persuade Kate to go instead? Or Miles? But Sun noticed how everyone Richard was asking for had been on the Ajira flight. James was probably the person Richard trusted most, which could be an explanation for why he'd addressed him and not anyone else. The only one that should logically be included here was Kate. They couldn't figure out why she wasn't.

They agreed to not share the content of the message with anyone else just yet. But Sawyer broke that agreement that same evening, as Jin knew he would.

"I thought we were going to lead a safe and simple life here James." Juliet commented, looking at him with tired eyes. Was there a hint of cynicism in her voice?

"We are." He confirmed. "But I get the feeling he won't help the others unless I'm there."

"Fine." She stated dryly. "Just don't get killed while playing hero."

"Jules, I know the island like my back pocket."

"No you don't." Her voice had a sharp edge to it this time. "You know the 1970s version of this island like your back pocket. It's not the same thing. And don't even remind me of all the times you got yourself into serious trouble back then." And with that she turned her back to him, pretending to go to sleep.

Clearly, the storm was far from over.

Eight days earlier, Richard's camp

"You can't leave."

"Why not?"

"You know why. It's too risky." Richard was leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees, face close to Claire's. It was the middle of the night and the camp was quiet. "He's using you Claire" he continued. "Don't you know the danger you would be putting us all in?" He stared right at her without blinking, as if trying to penetrate her mind with his words.

Claire looked down. "I just want to be with my son" she whispered.

"You made a mistake once that cannot be undone. I'm sorry."

Claire sniffed. "I thought he was my father."

Richard sighed. He placed a hand on her left shoulder. "I know it's painful to be separated from the ones you love. But some things are irreversible." He removed his hand but kept his eyes on her. She still had her eyes pointed at the ground.

"You shouldn't have lied to them Claire. You know they're not all candidates. Not everybody comes here by the hand of Jacob. Sometimes other people interfere, even though they shouldn't." Richard now whispered. It was pitch black outside. There was hardly any moonlight. The oil lamp in his tent was their only source of light.

"I didn't want to scare them."

"Listen to me carefully now. If you stay with them and they decide to risk it… and in the very unlikely event that someone will come to this island… the only one leaving will be him. Do you understand that? It will not be you, or Kate, or any of them. It will be him. You don't want that on your conscience."

"Isn't there a way I can get off without him knowing?"

"There is always a way off this island. But it's not for you."

"You can't do this to me. You can't keep me here against my will." Claire's wasn't whispering anymore. Richard's eyes turned angry and he placed his hand firmly back on her shoulder.

"Control yourself." His voice was harsh and calm at the same time. She looked at him, frightened, and he softened his grip. "Now go back to bed and let me do my job."

Back at camp, the day after the note

Miles found Hurley sitting by Libby's grave. Hurley had made a habit out of coming here every couple of days, placing fresh flowers on her grave as well as Sayid's. He and Claire had also created a spot for Charlie. Even though Charlie's body was never recovered it was nice to have a place to 'visit' him.

"He man."

Hurley looked up.

"Flowers look nice."

"Thanks dude."

Miles stood next to Hurley, hesitant to sit down. The last time he'd sat down at this place he'd heard a young woman's voice muttering some inaudible words. It had freaked him out and he'd jumped up as if the ground had suddenly turned boiling hot. Hurley had told him he'd accidentally sat down on the grave of a woman named Nikki. She and her boyfriend had died under mysterious circumstances. Who knows, her spirit could still be around. Graveyards were definitely not Miles' thing.

"I was wondering something…" Hurley started, interrupting Miles' thoughts. "How did Locke get off the island? I don't think he ever told one of us." He looked at Miles, questioning. "Do you know? You were here right?"

"He fell into a well."

Hurley looked at him, puzzled. "Uh, what?"

"The Orchid. Only it wasn't the Orchid yet." Miles nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Can we leave this place? It freaks me out. Too many dead people."

Hurley lifted himself and wiped the sand of his hands. They started walking towards the ocean. "I thought that place was all about time travel. Not about leaving the island."

"I don't know man. I just know that he said that it all started at the Orchid and that he wanted to make it stop by going back there."

"Who?"

"John Locke. Weird dude. Bossy too."

"Huh. I guess it worked though."

"If you call getting stuck in the 70s 'worked'."

They heard footsteps behind them and looked up to see Sawyer approaching. "Hugo, can I talk to you for a sec?" Hurley nodded in response.

"What?" Miles questioned. "I'm not invited?"

"Don't worry Enos. I won't snap your new best buddy away for too long."

Miles raised his eyebrows. Your new best buddy? Was he being sarcastic? Ha! LaFleur was jealous! Miles smirked at him. Sawyer just shrugged his shoulders as if asking 'What?'.

Hurley turned to look at Miles. "Later dude" he said before following Sawyer back to their camp.

"You can just say you miss me!" Miles called after Sawyer.

By the end of the day, everyone except for Claire was informed about the note and of the upcoming trip. Miles had asked Sawyer what was up with all the secrecy and the little one on one get-together's. But the explanation that a large group gathering would attract the blonde girl's attention seemed fair. Miles also offered to come (since it was nice to actually have a hand in your own 'rescue'). Instead of simply forbidding him as he would have done in their Dharma days (being 'the boss' and all), Sawyer had sighed deeply. "Honestly bud, I wish you could. But I think we need to play this one by Richard's rules."

The deal was to set off the next morning before sunrise. Jin and Kate would keep a close eye on Claire.

And, as planned, they said their goodbyes quietly early morning and left when the sky at the horizon started turning purple.

They told Claire later that morning that the group had gone off to check for supplies at different Dharma stations. Any remaining Dharma food, soap or whatever other goods were welcome. She was obviously suspicious, but as everyone went about their day in the most usual way, she seemed to calm down and forget about the whole thing.

It was well past midday – Jin and Miles were fishing, every now and then trying to persuade Juliet to join them. Kate and Claire were a bit further off camp talking – when the most unexpected thing happened. A humming sound in the distance caught Juliet's attention first. Miles and Jin then turned their heads towards the sound as well. It was coming from the ocean and was slowly getting louder. Claire and Kate walked up them with questioning looks and squeezed eyebrows.

"What the hell is that?" Miles asked, not directed at anyone in particular. No one answered.

Juliet rose from the sand and put up one hand, a non-verbal way of asking Miles to be quiet. Then she noticed something: a small dot at the horizon. It was moving in the direction of the beach and slowly grew larger. A shiver went through her body. She just stood there, staring at the object approaching, and then mumbled "I think it's a boat." She felt her body move forwards, passed the two men, until the water touched her feet and ankles. "It's a boat!" she repeated, louder this time. An adrenaline rush hit her and her heart started beating fast. Her hands went to her mouth.

"It's a freaking boat!" Miles exclaim behind her. She heard Jin's laugh and then Claire's voice, sounding cautious: "We need to be careful. We don't know who that is."

They all remained glued to their spots, as in trance. By now they could actually see that it was indeed a small motor boat, very similar to the Zodiac Daniel had used back in the day when they were frantically transporting people to the cursed freighter.

Miles started waving his hands while yelling "He! He! Over here! Over heeeeeeere!" Juliet moved back a few steps until she was standing between Miles and Jin, and let the details of the scene evolving in front of her sink in. The boat was blue and orange, with a single person on board. What person, owning a motor boat, would in their right mind approach this island? What person could approach this island (given the mystery of Jacob)? The boat headed directly to them, and whoever was steering it had to be familiar with their beach camp.

Juliet grabbed Jin's lower arm and said without looking at him "Who is this person?" He didn't respond. When she did look at him a minute later, she could see recognition on his face. He quietly disentangled his arm from her hand and walked to the water line. The boat was only thirty meters off shore when she heard him scream "Desmond!"

Jin and Kate helped Desmond pull the boat onto the beach. Kate then hugged him, while Jin slapped his back. Juliet didn't know whether to laugh or cry and Miles was jumping around like a little kid on Christmas morning. Claire just stood there, staring at the reunion in front of her, still in shock from what had just happened. Kate, Desmond and Jin walked up to the three others and Desmond shook Miles' hand, followed by a hug for both ladies. He seemed excited to see them.

"I can't believe you are all still here." were the first words out of his mouth. He looked at Jin. "You've been here all this time?" Jin nodded. Desmond turned to Kate. "And you really came back! I can't believe it worked." His voice cracked a bit. "And Claire, Juliet…" Then he turned back to Jin and Kate. "Are there any more of you?"

"There are" Jin answered, and he mentioned all the people that had left earlier that day to meet up with Richard. He also told him about Sayid's and Ben's death. Desmond didn't even notice that the Korean had gone from no English to almost perfect English. The fact that he was now face to face with the people he had been hoping to find was just too overwhelming.

They'd all sat down near the boat. Juliet and Miles had fetched some water and fruits from the kitchen. Desmond shared his story. How he'd received a frantic phone call in the middle of the night from a man he'd never met. How this man turned out to be Hurley's dad. How he had found Eloise and had been surprised by her unexpected helpful response to his request to go back to the island. And they all listened quietly, never interfering or asking questions, just simply thanking whatever possible God for this development.

"We have to go get the others." Miles said after Desmond had finished. "They have to come back to the beach. We have to leave."

Everyone got up and went to their tent to quickly collect whatever items they wanted to bring with them, in case they would never see their beach camp again. Juliet, in a haze of suddenly revived hope of going home, grabbed some of her and James' belongings, as well as the pictures they'd discovered at their old house a few weeks back of them on a New Years Eve during their Dharma times. She searched for the ring, which he usually kept under his pillow in a black little sachet (she had promised him she wouldn't look and, so far, she hadn't) but it wasn't there. Maybe he had taken it with him?

They all gathered by the fire pit. "What if we take the boat to the Statue and meet them there?" Jin suggested. Juliet and Kate nodded in agreement.

"Let's first drop some of you guys off with Penny and then we can grab the second life boat and head out" Desmond replied. He too was excited to have discovered that his journey had proven to be successful.

"What are they doing at the Statue?" Claire asked. "There's nothing there." In his enthusiasm Jin had forgotten about the fact that Claire had been left in the dark. But before anyone could answer her and tell her they'd actually lied about their friends' mission, yet another visitor showed up at their camp, this time from the jungle side. Juliet looked up at the sound of breaking branches and stared straight into a pair of very familiar eyes. It was John Locke.

The bald man slowly walked up to their group. Claire had turned into a frozen statue. Miles' mouth was hanging half open. "I thought you died?" he managed to ask when Locke was close enough.

"I guess I didn't." The man smiled a mischievous smile.