We now bring you back to the next exciting half of Chapter Twelve! Enjoy!

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Chapter Twelve: Hearts and Minds (Part Two)

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She wasn't sure what was more amusing; the fact that Sawyer was swinging upside down helplessly or that Walt was standing a few feet away, his facial expression one of pure amusement while he held a long stick in his hand. He started to lift it again and Sawyer immediately cursed at him.

"Now, now, that's no way to talk to a kid." Faith chuckled as she and Kate cleared the trees. She signaled at Walt to lower his makeshift weapon. "What are you doing all the way up there Sawyer? Just hanging around?"

Kate lifted a hand to cover her mouth as she laughed at the bad joke.

"Get me the hell down from here!" Sawyer snarled. "What kind of crazy loon sets up traps where anybody can just step on them?"

"The kind of crazy loon hoping to catch an 'anybody' that's who." Faith smirked. She nudged her head at Walt. "I appreciate the help Walt."

He nodded shooting one more look at Sawyer and tossed the stick to the ground. "No problem, it was fun."

"Fun!" Sawyer yelled. "This ain't fun! Get me down, damn it!"

"Such language." Faith laughed. She looked over at Kate. "Make sure Walt gets back to the beach okay?"

Kate nodded slowly. "You gonna be alright with Mr. Manners here?"

"I think we'll be fine." Faith watched Sawyer as he continued to swing. She glanced back at Kate for only a split second. "I don't like saying thank you, it makes me feel weak when I have to depend on other people but…" She shrugged, "Thanks."

Kate nodded. "I'll see what I can do about that favor."

Faith waited until the two had completely disappeared from view before she cleared her throat and approached Sawyer. "Gee Sawyer, your face is turning all red."

"Then cut me the hell down!"

She smiled as she slid her jackal from the belt and reached out to grab his shirt and steady him. "Cut me the hell down what?"

He was twisted to where he faced her and Sawyer glared as hard as he could. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Were you kidding me earlier?" He didn't respond immediately and she nodded releasing him. "I didn't think so. Well seeing as how I have your attention now and you're not going anywhere, I guess it'd be the perfect time to have a little talk don't you think?"

"Hell, not like I have much choice." Sawyer snorted, "Fine! Make it quick!"

"Not a problem." She adjusted the jackal handle firmly in her hand as she gazed at him. "You've been hoarding everything since we got here, everybody knows that but what we don't know exactly is what all you've been hoarding. Your tent didn't have much in it and what it did have, I already took and hid." Faith ignored his angry expression that flashed quickly across his face. "So that means you must be hiding everything else in a secret stash."

"What's your point? You got me strung up here like some damn animal because you want my smokes, is that it?"

"No but it's an idea." She shrugged. "Got any weapons?"

"Hell no. The only one I had was the marshal's gun and the Dream Team took the clip, leaving me the empty gun. I found the marshal's briefcase and thought there might be something in it but I couldn't get the damn thing open and now Jack's got a hold of it."

Faith nodded. "Alright then."

"We done playing twenty questions now? Cut me down!"

"Cut me down what?"

"Cut me down please!"

Faith reacted immediately, spinning on her heel to approach a nearby tree and she locked her eyes on him, smirking as the jackal cut cleanly through the rope tied there. Sawyer cursed loudly as he fell onto his back with a loud thud and he didn't move as she ventured back in his direction.

She remained standing over him, watching as he grunted and rubbed at the back of his head. "All you had to do was ask nicely."

"Very funny." Sawyer grumbled as he sat up. He eyed her as she kneeled down on her haunches to squat eye-level with him. "If you wanted me tied up sweetheart, you didn't have to set a trap." He flashed her a sly grin. "I would have volunteered."

"Tempting but I'll have to pass on that for now." Faith smirked. She paused to slide her jackal snugly back into the belt loop on her backside. "I have a strictly business proposition for you instead."

"Ah, this should be interesting."

"I'm thinking about going after the Frenchwoman to see if I can get any information about Claire and maybe some weapons. Since you're the man with the stash besides a lot of the medical supplies, if there's anything that can be useful to me, I want it."

"You think I'm just gonna hand it over? What's in it for me?" Sawyer questioned. "I do believe you said strictly business and to me, that takes out all the fun of it. Not a very tempting offer."

"Kate's fetching me some things from Jack and the caves, medicine, etc. I don't foresee having to use any of it but you never know." Faith explained. "Whatever she gets me, it's yours to keep when I'm done. That'll include anything I manage to get from Danielle's."

"I already told you I don't have any weapons that would help you sweetheart." He grinned. "Besides, who knows if anything is worth having from that woman? She's been here for sixteen years. Everything's probably expired or collecting dust by now."

"And yet according to Sayid, she has battery power for lights." Faith shrugged and looked as if she was lost in her thoughts for a minute. "She had a crossbow. I'd love to get my hands on that thing."

"You mean my crossbow?"

"No, I mean my crossbow."

"You said I'd get anything from Danielle's. That includes the crossbow."

"You haven't given me anything or agreed to help me. Besides, what use is a crossbow to you?"

"You're right." Sawyer chuckled. He watched as she stood up and offered her hand, which he took. If he was surprised by the strength she used to help him to his feet, it didn't register on his face. "I doubt the good Doc would find it very funny if he woke up with an arrow in his ass."

"You have a point but it'd be funny."

"You don't like Jack very much do you?"

"Do you?"

Sawyer didn't answer either way and stared at her for a minute. "So what's the plan?"

"Easy. Finders, keepers, that should be right up your alley." Faith turned away from him. "I think it's time we found a couple weapons to use."

"You act as if I'm going along on this little trip of yours." He didn't follow her right away, standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"Why not? Gonna miss your favorite TV show or something?"

"You got me there, Fire Cracker." Sawyer smirked. "But if this goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming it all on you."

"Ain't that a typical male?" Faith turned back and started headed through the forest.

He snorted but said nothing as he moved to follow her.

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Sayid was concentrating so hard with the compass in his hand that he hadn't noticed her standing there. Faith cleared her throat and waited as he glanced over his shoulder, his free hand momentarily fingering the knife hanging on his belt.

"Faith, I didn't hear you approach."

"I know." She shrugged as she came closer. "That was the point."

"Perhaps you were a soldier in a past life."

Faith smirked and motioned at the compass. "Where'd you get that?"

"Locke gave it to me this afternoon."

She frowned, "Was he with Boone?"

"Nope." Sayid glanced back down at the papers and maps lying scattered at his feet. "Said Boone was hunting by himself and that he was taking the day off." He glanced back towards her. "Is something wrong?"

Faith shook her head. "Nah but we all know Boone couldn't catch anything even if he had a t-bone steak and honey."

The former soldier smirked and glanced back down at the maps. "I can't make head or tails of these maps I took from Danielle. Everything is in French and it seems the words are repeating in certain sections. The coordinates are fuzzy as well, especially when the only compass I have doesn't even point North."

"Why would Locke give you a screwed up compass?"

"Good question but an even better one is how does Locke find his way around the island without one?" His dark eyes found hers again. "You've been hunting with him since we landed, you would know, correct?"

"We never used a compass, first time I've seen that." She nodded towards his hand.

"Interesting. I'm discovering that there is a lot about Locke that is hard to explain."

"Everyone seems to have their secrets." Faith came closer and glanced down at the maps. "Which one of these babies is mine?"

"This one." Sayid reached into his back pocket and extended a fold up sheet of paper towards her. "I still think you're making a mistake."

"It's not the first time I've heard that." She opened the paper and glanced over the details. "This will work, I appreciate it." She was quick to fold it back up and place it into her own back pocket.

"If you will wait a couple of days, I'll go with you."

"No need," Faith flashed him a small smile and was surprised how uncomfortable the action felt. It was as if she felt the need to comfort or reassure him. The very idea alone bothered her. "I already have a travel buddy that's gonna be tons of fun to drag along and maybe even use as a human shield if necessary."

"Who?"

"Sawyer."

"You must be joking."

"Nope. See?" She pointed at herself. "Serious face."

"I'm not going to ask how you talked him into going, not even sure I want to know but there's an old saying about making deals with the Devil."

"Yeah, make sure you throw in a crossbow with the deal."

Sayid looked puzzled but shook his head. "Be careful. I'm not sure he can be trusted."

Faith nodded. "I can look after myself but I appreciate the concern." The uncomfortable feeling began to creep back up her spine. "I need to get going. Thanks again." She gritted her teeth. How many times was she going to say that today? How many times did she actual mean it?

She turned away. "Good luck on your maps." Faith paused and glanced at them from over her shoulder, "That Shannon girl, she speaks French right?"

"Yes, she does."

"I'm no expert, hell I didn't even pass high school cause I dropped out, but I'd bet money that if anyone can help you translate your maps, it'd be the rich girl."

He smirked at her phrasing but nodded. "Good idea."

"Eh," Faith shrugged, "I get one every now and then."

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There was hardly anyone in the cave when she went back for her bag and Faith made sure she kept her head down as she gathered some supplies. She was filling up her water bottle when a shadow blocked her lighting and she glanced up to see Walt's dad staring down at her.

"I want you and Locke to stay away from my son."

Faith cocked an eyebrow as she stood up, twisting the cap shut on the now full bottle. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, stay away from Walt." Michael repeated. "I don't have anything against you Faith, but you have no business involving Walt in any of your little hunting schemes."

"He helped me," She shrugged as she thrust the bottle into her bag. "He was bored, felt useless and I gave him a small task to keep him happy while his father ignored him so he could play golf."

"You have no right to tell me how to raise my child."

"And you have no right to tell me what to do." Faith zipped her bag shut. "I guess that makes us pretty even doesn't it Michael?"

"Now wait a damn minute…"

"No, you wait a damn minute." She interrupted him loudly. "I never knew my father. I never saw a single picture or got a single birthday card. Hell, I never even learned his name. All I had was an alcoholic mother who abused me because she couldn't keep a man between her legs and she died before I turned sixteen without telling me even one time that she loved me. For the longest time I pitied myself but then I started seeing kids like Walt. Kids who had someone in their lives who they could see and touch but in the end, who weren't really there. You see, with no one to blame, I couldn't put a face on my anger and I turned to other things but when you have that you start to resent them. No matter what they did, they were a constant reminder of what you could never have but still saw every waking moment in your life. Anger can make you do stupid things Michael. I'd make the most of the time you have with Walt or you'll find yourself with no one to blame but yourself."

Faith slung her bag onto her back and left him standing there in a daze. Her chest felt like someone had placed heavy blocks there and she had to blink several times to clear her eyes. No. There were no tears, there hadn't been for a long time, but the sensation of something unexplainable burned her eyes.

She growled, narrowly avoiding colliding with Sun and Jin as they passed, and Faith nodded a silent hello as her eyes met Sun's. Sun nodded back, speaking softly in Korean to Jin, and they disappeared from her sight.

Faith hesitated as she shifted her weight. Pausing, she slid the bag back to the ground and zipped it open, shifting the items inside. She grinned as her eyes fell on the sight of a collection of medicine bottles and a few bandages. So Kate had been able to weasel supplies out of Jack after all.

"Going somewhere?"

She quickly zipped her bag again and stood up. "Do I need a permission slip before I can go on a field trip?"

Locke seemed slightly taken back by the cold tone in her voice but smiled. "I haven't been able to talk to you lately. How are things?"

"You talked to me earlier today or do you not remember that?"

This time, he frowned. "We didn't really talk about you Faith. I hear you're going back out there to find the Frenchwoman."

"News around here travels fast."

"It usually does when you're going out there with someone no one here trusts."

Faith's face replicated his frown. "There was time people didn't know what to think about you and all your knives either Locke but you see how fast it took for them to get over that when they found out you had something to offer. I found a use for Sawyer and I'm taking it."

"And what use exactly did you find for James?"

"I'm surprised you're even concerning yourself with that Locke. Seems to me you're a little too preoccupied with your own secrets as it stands." She shrugged as she readjusted her backpack. "I hear you left Boone out there by himself."

"He needed the time alone to sort things out."

"And yet you told people he was hunting."

Locke nodded. "He is; for what, only he can find that out."

"You really should think about a career in fortune cookies Locke. You're full of nonsense sayings that are usually found on the inside of bathroom stalls." Faith glanced past him to notice Sawyer standing at the entrance of the cave. "I gotta split."

"Be careful."

"I'm touched." She studied him closely. "For your sake, I hope Boone's okay."

"Sometimes the only thing you can do is trust someone."

"I trust me, that's enough."

"And James?"

Faith snorted. "His name is Sawyer, John."

"Faith…" He ignored the look that crossed her face as he rested a hand comfortably on her shoulder. "I strongly believe we're here for a reason, and when we find out what that is, I'm gonna need you on my side."

"Until you can point out the enemy, this isn't a war. But I can agree with you on one thing, we're here and we're not alone. I intend to find out exactly who else is out there and why they took Claire."

"I know you're worried and upset that she…"

"You don't know anything about me." She shrugged off his hand.

"Looks to me like you intend to keep it that way."

"We all have secrets Locke." Faith stepped away from him. "When you start coming clean about yours, maybe then we'll talk. As for now, I'd watch what I did more carefully. Jack and the others are starting to get suspicious of you again, especially with the compass crap you pulled earlier." She smirked. "If I were you, I'd maybe rethink those speeches you love telling so much about trust."

He went silent and she took the moment to step around him and approach Sawyer. "What'd you find out?"

Sawyer glanced over her to see Locke watching them. "Problems?"

"Nothing I can't handle."

He nodded. "That briefcase I mentioned earlier? Seems Freckles might know what's in it a little more than she's letting on. Jack has the key to it around his neck and if it's weapons you're looking for, I'm betting that's where they'd be."

"It just has to be complicated doesn't it?"

"Would it be any fun if it wasn't?"

Faith smirked. "Drastic times call for drastic measures."

"Now you're speaking my language."

"Of course I am if it involves something in it for you." She glanced back to see Locke still watching them. "It's getting dark. It might be a better idea to leave tomorrow at first light."

"Tell me the truth Fire Cracker, are you wanting to find this Danielle chick because you want to add to your weapon collection or is it because you're looking for a fight?"

She didn't answer and he followed her out of the cave, chuckling as he walked close from behind.

"I can't quite figure you out Faith. Beautiful woman like you walking around with that pretty little knife and doing all you can to help even though you act like you could care less. Seems you do your best to alienate the very people you're trying to get to trust you. You weren't even here when everyone began to panic and now it seems you're trying to act like you're all up in arms about finding that missing pregnant lady. How many times did you ever talk to her? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to compensate for something wrong you did in the past."

"I hate to break it to you but it's pretty obvious that you don't know much."

"Ouch, did I hit a sore spot?"

Faith spun on her heels and Sawyer stopped inches away from colliding into her. He smirked down at her, dark eyes glittering in amusement. "Hate to disappoint you Casanova but you're far from hitting any type of spot with me."

"It suits you, the whole hero routine. Hell, you're even giving Jack a run for his money and I thought for sure the Doc was shoe in for the savoir award." He chuckled. "Looks like we got ourselves one hell of a girl scout who's doing her very best to earn all her merit badges."

Any retort she had was lost at the sight of Boone rushing past them and ignoring Sawyer, Faith moved quickly to follow him. She wasn't aware that Sawyer had followed as well until she had stopped at the entrance of the cave again and he moved to stand beside her. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Boone and Locke exchange heated blows then words and when the spat was over, Boone was looking in a daze at Locke, nodding as the older man clasped him on the shoulder.

She remained standing where she was as Locke rose to his feet to grab his backpack and seconds later passed them.

Locke paused by her side, shooting a warning look at Sawyer that seemed to soften as he glanced at her. "When you need me, I'll be waiting."

Faith didn't respond, her eyes glued to Boone who had taken his time to stand up from the cave floor. There was something different about him, a different look in his face and when he came closer to her, their eyes momentarily locked. A look of realization and relief echoed in his eyes, something else flickering there, and Faith blinked as the memory of Boone covered in blood flashed across her mind. It was gone just as quickly, and she found herself once again standing there alone with Sawyer.

"Change of plans."

"Repeat that Fire Cracker?"

"Change of plans Sawyer, you need a hearing aid?"

Faith glanced around at the inhabitants of the cave, all of them blissfully unaware of anything but their own survival, all of them trying their best to block out reality and make the best of it.

"I'm starting to think Ethan taking Claire is just the beginning of our problems."

"So you do know her name," Sawyer lifted his hands in a sign of mock surrender when he spotted the glare directed towards him, "Just a joke girl scout. Out of curiosity, what would these other problems be then?"

Faith didn't respond, unsure at that exact moment of the answer. She looked back at the cave then turned to begin heading back towards the beach.

Something was off, something dark that was brewing, and she didn't need a slayer advantage to be able to sense that. Her words had been the truest ever spoken by her own mouth in her entire life: in the days to come, something big would change every single person on the island and not for the better.

She wasn't sure she liked what the answer might be anymore. She had caught a glimpse of it at the waterfall, eyes falling on her own reflection in the clear water. At random moments, she didn't even recognize her own face and at other times, the realization was enough to turn her stomach to mush, the taste of blood and copper filling her mouth until she was overtaken by the overwhelming urge to vomit.

Where're you gonna go? Back out in that darkness? I once told you that you didn't have to. Remember? That it was your choice. Well, you chose. You thought that you could just touch it. That you'd be okay. Five by five, right, Faith? But it swallowed you whole.

She'd bide her time and wait. The new plan. She'd wait and she'd be ready. For now, she'd leave the darkness where it was until she was sure that she was ready.

Ready for war.