A/N: I need feedback people! Cause... well... I'd just like it. Thanks to everyone that has been faithful (no pun intended) to this story so far. I do apologize for the lack of updates but college is teh DEVIL and I am a slave. Trying to graduate in one year so I'm a bit buried under piles of crap. Thankfully summer is in two weeks and I have that time off for ONCE so I will be updating like NO tomorrow. It's my goal to be caught up with Season Two by at least July but I can't do that (you know, pesky motivation, ideas, etc) if you don't REVIEW.

So yeah, let me know you're still around cause does let me know saved my story, etc and I know 60 of you just maybe might have the time to leave me a word or two... Cause I adore you and I'd love that. Makes my days a bit brighter and me more motivated to write because believe me, last time it was thin and I had to literally push myself to update this chapter. I apologize if it comes across or you see errors because of that. Just too tired to fix.

SO COME ON, who else updates with this long of a chapter or longer EVERY TIME I UPDATE. So yeah...Enjoy, review, and have a good one until next time!

Chapter Fourteen: Homecoming

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"I don't know any Ethan. Um ... I don't -- I don't remember. I don't remember any of this." Claire sat wide-eyed, her hair tangled and her skin was covered with dirt, sweat, and scratches. She glanced between Charlie and Jack, confusion still clear as day on her face.

Faith turned away from them and glanced over at Locke. "You said you found her in the woods?"

"Yep, completely alone."

She shifted to study the Claire again more closely. "A woman who's that pregnant, there's no way she would have been able to get away by herself."

"You think she escaped somehow?" Boone raised his head. "Maybe she was able to sneak away while they weren't looking?"

"And somehow she just managed to come all the way back here… with no memory?" Faith's lips twisted. "It doesn't add up."

"I don't understand how she can't remember, not even Ethan. She was gone for almost two weeks!" Boone argued, "How do you not remember something like that?"

Faith watched Claire continue to shake her head as she began to mutter her answers. "Maybe she doesn't want to remember."

Someone sighed and she looked at Locke to find him studying her.

"He could be out there right now."

"Then he's not as smart as you think he is."

Locke shook his head and returned his attention to the fire in front of him. "You're planning something aren't you?"

She was aware of Boone tilting his head to look at her but she ignored him, eyes focused intently on Locke. "Afraid I'm gonna beat you to the kill?"

"Whoa, no one said anything about killing." Boone stuttered. "We don't even know-"

"Shut up." Faith stepped closer to Locke. "Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe this hatch has something to do with Ethan, with these Others Danielle mentioned? Maybe you're so worried at the moment because somewhere deep inside you're blaming yourself for what happened to Claire."

"Does it work?" Locke spoke softly. "Pretending that you don't care about anyone but yourself?"

"Break me off a switch son, I think those are fighting words." Faith smirked. "Didn't know you had it in you Locke, you're always trying so hard to show people that softer side of you. I think you lied to us about working for a box company, sounds more to me like you worked for Hallmark. By all means, give me more advice that's gonna change my life. I'm dying to hear it."

"Faith, come on, back off. We're all stretched thin at the moment." Boone stepped closer to her. "There's no reason to-"

"I thought I told you to shut up." Faith glared at him. "What are you, his lap dog now? He says jump and you say how high, is that it? It's touching really, the both of you. Let me guess…." She swung her gaze back to Locke. "It's because he's like a son to you."

Locke stood from his seat. "I'm not gonna fight you."

"Believe me, it wouldn't be much of a fight."

"You're angry, it's understandable." Locke tried to reason. "Something is obviously very wrong, we're no closer to figuring it out than before she was taken, but that's no reason for us to attack each other."

"Not yet though right?" Her eyes flashed dangerously against the glow of the fire. "Not until you figure out what kind of advantage you've got with your new secret hide out." She snorted. "I changed my mind. I want in on your game plan."

"Why change your mind?"

"Because if there is something useful inside, I want to know about it before Jack or Sawyer do." Faith shrugged. "If you need the help like you say, it won't be that big of a deal."

"Fine." Locke nodded. "After all, you've kept your word about being quiet about it so far, but I don't believe you. I think you want to help because you want to get to the bottom of what happened to Claire just as fast as we do and just maybe that answer is in that hatch."

"Believe what you want old man. I got my reasons; you got yours. That makes us pretty even on the truth meter, wouldn't you think?"

He stared at her a few minutes before nodding again. "Okay then, it's a deal, but first we take care of our biggest problem."

The three of them all looked at Claire.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Ethan infiltrated us. Whoever he is and wherever he comes from, he's intelligent. Who's to say he didn't even send Claire?"

Faith couldn't stop the laugh that escaped from her mouth. "You really believe that Sayid?" She gazed at him with an amused smile. "Granted, Ethan was good but good enough to bring Claire over to the dark side on just reason alone? He's the one who kidnapped her and almost killed Charlie."

"Damn right mate," Charlie snarled, "You're off your head if you think-"

"Shush." Faith rolled her eyes. "You're not helping."

Jack nodded from beside Sayid. "I think it's a stretch but we just don't know what's going on. At the moment, she doesn't remember anything."

"And the chances of that memory returning?" Locke spoke up from his position next to Faith.

"I don't know." Jack shrugged, "This type of amnesia is, well, it's almost never documented and we don't even know what happened to give her memory loss in the first place."

Charlie let out another growl of frustration and threw his hands up. "Fine. You all just stand here and talk about Claire as if she's the enemy. Me on the other hand, I'm gonna go talk to her and see if she's okay. After all, she just survived major trauma and a kidnapping."

"Charlie…"

He stalked off and Faith put out her hand to stop Jack as he began to go after him.

"Let him go."

"But he's-"

"What? Angry? Upset? Confused? Do I need to go on?" Faith lowered her hand. "He'll be fine, for now we need to concentrate on the rest of us."

Sayid's eyebrows lifted. "Meaning?"

"Meaning we need to do all we can to make sure what happened to Claire doesn't happen to the rest of us."

"Then we need a plan."

She nodded at Locke. "That we do." Faith looked back in the direction Charlie had disappeared. "I'm gonna head on after Charlie and see if he's okay."

"I thought you said it was best we leave him alone for a while." Jack frowned.

"The term we would mean you three." She smirked as she turned away. "I have a feeling he'll be okay with me tagging along." Faith began to make her way up the trail. "I'm not the one that's treating Claire as the perpetrator and not the victim."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Charlie, wait up!"

He seemed to hesitate but nodded and waited as Faith jogged the short distance to where he was standing. "What now? More theories on how Claire's evil?"

"I never said that and believe me, I know evil, and she's far from it."

"I just don't see how they can stand there and say those things!" Charlie glared "Claire is…"

"Yeah, I know, the world, your sun, all that mushy stuff." Faith waved her hand nonchalantly. "Listen, they're not out to gang up on her; they're just like you, confused and worried."

"They got a messed up way of showing it." He turned to keep walking and immediately she followed. "So what'd they decide?"

"They're not sure yet." She shrugged from beside him. "We're gonna do all we can to make sure it doesn't happen again though. She'll be fine."

"Since when do you care?" Charlie stopped again and glared at her. "Have you even spoken to Claire since we crashed here? Do you know anything about her, about me?"

"You were in that awful British band." Faith kept her facial expression serious.

"Just forget it…"

"I'm kidding, I tend to do that." She smirked. "And yes, I spoke to her. Maybe it wasn't a twenty-questionnaire type conversation but I did speak to her. I'm not gonna apologize for being a anti-social butterfly, but I will say that what happened to Claire was horrible." She paused as she caught sight of Jin's husband ahead of them, a fish net on his back. "I've never spoken to him though. Should I feel bad about that too?"

Charlie shot her a look and couldn't stop from smiling. "He doesn't speak English."

"Yeah, he does."

"Are you bloody serious? I thought he-"

"No, I'm lying, sorry." Faith laughed. "I couldn't help myself."

He rolled his eyes. "Great, another bloody comedian in the midst." He paused to cup his mouth with his hands. "Jin! Hey, Jin!"

Faith shook her head, still smiling as the Korean man turned at the sound of his name and they approached him.

"Hey, are you heading back to the caves? Annyong?"

Faith frowned at him but Jin nodded and smiled at them.

Charlie shrugged at the look Faith shot him. "I occasionally listen in to other people's conversation."

"And you somehow managed to figure out the word for cave?"

"Yeah…" He frowned, "At least I think so." Shrugging, Charlie started to walk again, Jin joining them as they made their way back to the caves. He began to ramble at Jin who randomly glanced at him with a confused look in his face that went unnoticed by Charlie.

Faith shook her head and chuckled, shoving her hands into her pockets as she listened. The loud, whooshing sound of something broke the stillness of the forest around them and she paused at the very same moment as Jin, Charlie continuing to talk to himself.

The sound began to increase before Charlie noticed they had stopped and he paused on the path. "What is it? What's going on?"

"Shut up." Faith snapped looking around.

"What's that?" Charlie turned in a quick circle. "Seriously, what is that?"

It went quiet and her eyes narrowed. "I think we should-"

There was no time to react, a round stone coming out of nowhere and Jin cried out as it hit him directly in the chest. He fell to the ground unconscious and Faith squatted down to check his pulse.

"Get down." She ordered. "He's okay but-"

"We're not alone."

"Really Genius? How'd you figure-" Faith cut off the rest of her sentence as she looked towards Charlie and caught sight of the man standing ahead of them on the path. She stood up immediately. "Get behind me."

"Are you bloody insane?"

"Yes. I'm also guessing that's Ethan." Faith kept her eyes on the man, a slingshot in his hand. Ethan was staring at Charlie but she knew that he was more than aware of her as well. She cursed under her breath as she realized she had left her bag at the caves, her knife still in it. "Get the hell behind me."

"We should go get-"

"You're not going anywhere." Ethan stepped forward, his eyes still on Charlie. "I want her back."

"Well, I want world peace and a chocolate bar," Faith snapped, "But like the good song says, you don't always get what you want."

"This doesn't involve you!" Ethan stalked towards them. "I want her back Charlie!"

Faith frowned stepping forward and she tried to ignore Charlie as he began to panic. "That is not helping!" She shoved him behind her and Charlie scrambled backwards looking for a heavy object.

"What did you do?" Charlie shrieked as he picked up a large stick. "What'd you do to Claire?"

"Charlie, don't!"

He was like a man possessed, rushing past Faith before she could stop him and as he made the move to strike Ethan, the man calmly reached out to grab his wrist, immobilizing him completely. He dropped his slingshot as his other hand twisted Charlie's wrist and it caused the weaker man to drop the stick at their feet.

As he lifted his hand to grab Charlie's neck, the movement was stalled; Faith's lightning fast reactions stopping him.

"Sorry to interrupt the party," She thrust her fist forward and connected a solid strike to Ethan's face, the man immediately releasing Charlie and stumbling back, "But not asking others to play too is just plain rude."

Charlie was quick to scoot away on his hands and feet, staring wide-eyed as she took a position in front of him and Jin.

Ethan rubbed at his face; a sneer contorted his usually calm features. "I already told you, this matter does not concern you."

"Well it looks like it does now." She cracked her knuckles at the same time as her neck. "Which is bad for you but good for me."

Ethan straightened, hands falling to his side. "I want her back. I'll have her back. You'll bring her to me by sundown tomorrow or I swear to you that I'll kill one of them for every day she's still gone." He slid his gaze over to Charlie still staring at them, panic still gripping him. "And I'll save him for last."

"Aw boo, I thought you were gonna save that honor for me." Faith smirked. "I don't think we were properly introduced the last time you tried to beat someone up."

"There's no need. I know what you are."

Faith eyes narrowed. "Wanna run that by me again?"

"We're not ready for you yet but we will be." He smiled, the expression chilling. "As soon as we have Claire."

"I hate to break it to you but that's not going to happen. Sounds to me like you have mother or girlfriend issues, maybe it's time for you to take more meds."

Ethan's eyes flared in anger and he swung his fist. She caught it easily with one hand; eyes connected to his as she stood perfectly still and twisted his fingers back, the cracking of his bones breaking the sudden silent jungle. He failed to show any sign of emotion and she stepped back as he swung his other arm towards her.

Faith let him go with a kick to the chest and Ethan stumbled back again, hands and broken fingers dangling loosely at his side.

"In case you didn't figure that out, that'd be a no." She watched as he charged her again. "Guess not."

Faith blocked the hit she knew was coming from the left and landed a firm punch on Ethan's ribs. He only grunted and launched himself towards her again but she twisted at the last second, grabbing the injured hand, and shifted her weight to flip Ethan cleanly over her right shoulder. Faith twisted his entire arm as she squatted down to place her knee on his back, a smile creeping over her features.

"Now this is a familiar feeling for me, I really must thank you for the exercise, been kinda slacking lately."

"You can't stop what is happening." Ethan hissed trying to roll from his facedown position on the grass. "Not you… not them…"

Faith twisted his arm and wrist but when he didn't respond, it caused her to cock her head, a frown appearing on her face. "What are you on?"

"I want her back!" Ethan hissed not even flinching as his arm continued to bend back. "I will kill every one of them!"

"Promises, promises." Faith leaned down closer to him. "What are you on? Steroids? That it?" She paused, "Maybe you should come back with us, meet this one guy, Sayid? And answer a few questions, I'm sure it'd be a lovely conversation." She chuckled, "He quite good at torturing people. Back in the day, he'd be a man after my own heart."

"You can't stop us." Ethan shifted again, his free hand helping him.

"Kill him Faith!"

She was distracted by Charlie's loud voice, turning her head to glare at him and it gave Ethan the leverage he needed. He rolled to his side, jerking his arm back at the same moment he kicked at her legs. She fell but flipped herself up to her feet, fists up and clenched in front of her.

"I hate to break it to you Sunshine but this could go on all night."

"Even with super human strength, I'd outlast you." Ethan promised. "I'm more advanced, faster, and I know this island, you don't. In the end, no one can keep her from me, not even a Chosen One."

"What did you just say?" Faith's hands slightly lowered. "Repeat that!"

Ethan kept his eyes on hers as he backed up, now cradling his injured hand to his chest. "You can't protect them all Slayer, some of them will die and if you don't bring Claire to me, it'll be their blood on your hands."

She took a step forward. "We're not done talking."

"Sundown tomorrow or the first one dies."

Faith made another move to follow but the sound of Jin groaning stopped her. She glanced back at Charlie to find him beside Jin, his eyes meeting hers. Panic and shock was still clear as day on his face and she knew without a doubt there'd be no way he would be able to take Jin back to the caves by himself.

Sighing, she glanced back up the path only to find Ethan gone.

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"What the hell were you thinking?" Jack shouted, "You could have been seriously injured or killed!"

"Who the hell do you think you're"

"But she wasn't!" Charlie interrupted. "She stood up to that man and almost snapped his bloody wrist off. If she hadn't been there, who knows what would have happened!"

Jack shifted his annoyed gaze back to Faith. "You mind explaining to me exactly what you were thinking?"

"Better yet," Locke stared at her as well, "Maybe you'd like to explain to us how you managed to break his fingers so easily? I think we all know what happened when Jack went up against him last time."

"He threatened to kill people!" Jack hissed. "This John Wayne attitude of yours is only going to make matters worse."

"Oh, what's the matter Jack?" Faith taunted. "You just mad I managed to kick his ass and you only managed to hand him yours? Get off my back, I did what I had to do and I'm not making apologies for that."

"Bloody shouldn't have to." Charlie muttered. "I'm certainly not gonna question it."

Locke continued to stare at her. "Well?"

Faith sighed and crossed her arms against her chest. "Self-defense class."

"Try the truth."

"Try shutting the hell up."

"Stop, this isn't helping." Locke stepped in between Jack and Faith. "We have to figure something out before sundown tomorrow."

"We can track him."

"No." Locke shook his head. "So we say Faith… got lucky… He bested your physically Jack and he hung Charlie from a tree. If we go after him unarmed and not ready, who knows what will happen, we don't even know how many others like him there are." He glanced between them. "We're gonna have to start thinking defense."

"And what do you have in mind John?"

"We tell everyone what's going on and set up posts all along the beach and the caves. We'll all take turns keeping watch, set up some traps as well."

Faith cleared her throat. "I've already set up a couple."

Locke glanced back at her and smiled. "Then I'd say it's maybe time to start setting up the rest."

Jack let out a sigh but nodded. "I'm gonna head back to the caves and check on Jin again before we get started."

Faith didn't say anything and she ignored the look he gave her before he took off.

Locke scratched at the back of his head. "I don't suppose you're going to change that story about self-defense class are you?"

"What Locke, you suddenly don't have the answer to everything?" She grinned to let him know she was joking. "Find Boone and get started, I'll join you in a few minutes."

Locke nodded in agreement and took off the opposite direction as Jack.

She shifted her gaze to find Charlie still standing there and staring at her. "What?"

"I didn't thank you earlier… for what you did."

She shrugged moving her weight from side to side uncomfortably. "No big thing, it's five by five Charlie."

"No, really." He shook his head. "You saved me but you also promised that Claire would be safe, that means a lot to me."

Faith nodded looking away.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You're going to anyway." She muttered. "Shoot."

"Ethan… He called you Slayer?" Charlie frowned. "What the bloody hell does that mean?"

Faith stared at him directly in the face. "I don't know."

"I think you do but it's okay." Charlie shrugged. "The only thing I care about is making sure that Claire is safe, nothing else matters for right now." He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie, "Besides, we all have secrets don't we?"

"Yes, we do."

"I won't tell anyone."

"Tell them what?"

He paused, thinking for a moment, then chuckled. "My thoughts exactly."

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"Okay! Trip it!"

Faith stepped back as she watched Boone trip the wire they had set up with a huge stick, and the wire snapped, a large trash bag falling to land solidly on the ground.

"Not bad."

Faith nodded at Sayid's statement. "It'll do for now." She glanced around. "With the three I ended up setting up, that should have us at a total of seven around the perimeter."

"I've taken the time to set up fires at every twenty-meters."

"That's smart." She agreed. "Rotating shifts with volunteers should do just nicely."

"I'll take a shift."

Faith glanced over at Boone. "Of course you will."

Locke slapped a hand down on her shoulder and nodded at Boone. "That's an excellent idea Boone." He squeezed her shoulder before turning away. "We can use all the help we can get."

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Faith cast a long glance over the beach, the night sky lit up by the glowing torches scattered all around them. Her hair shifting over her face as the wind picked up, but she stayed still, arms crossed. She caught sight of Sayid standing guard further down, his stance frozen as well. Boone was sitting down in the other direction, a long spear in his hand and she couldn't help but snort.

"Are you sure you don't want another weapon?"

Faith glanced over her shoulder at Locke standing there with a bulky stick clutched in his hands. "I'm content with what I have." She tapped her Jackal on her belt. "Never leave home without it. Well… most of the time anyway."

He nodded as he moved forward to take a spot beside her and survey the beach. "I doubt anyone's going to get any sleep tonight."

"Do you blame them?"

"No." Locke shook his head. "There's only one person I could see sleeping through something like this."

"Sawyer?"

He chuckled. "No, I was thinking of someone more feminine."

Faith shifted to glare at him. "Just because I don't blink a lot of stuff that goes down on this island doesn't mean-" She stopped clearing her throat as she looked away. "Don't try to trick me."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Locke shrugged. "Just wanted you to admit that you do indeed care. It's not always a bad thing."

"Aw, are you giving me more fatherly advice?"

"Just advice, that's all." He continued to study her. "I'm sensing some tension between you and Jack."

Her lips twisted. "Is it that obvious?"

"He's just trying to help. Jack –"

"Can't help but be concerned about any and everything, I know." Faith interrupted him. "I knew someone like him a long time ago and that kind of compassion can get you killed or worse."

"There's something worse then death?"

She swung her eyes back to his, expression serious. "Yes."

"I'm here for you if you ever need to talk."

"That's touching, really." The rest of her sentence dwindled away and she glared out at the ocean. "I should have killed him."

"Is that what you really think?"

"I'm sorry Locke if I don't see this ending with nice conversations over tea and dumplings. Ethan meant what he said, he'll kill whoever he needs to in order to get to Claire."

"That's not going to happen." Locke glanced around. "We've seen to it."

"You don't know that." Faith stepped away. "I'm gonna pat- take a walk." She cleared her throat. "Catch up with you later."

He nodded and she turned away, no other words needing to be said.

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The forest was unusually quiet and for the first time, she didn't like it. The sky was beginning to turn shades of pink and orange from the sun slowly creeping its way up past the see but she continued to walk. Countless hours had flown by, the entire time she made her way back and forth from the beach to the caves.

Caves. Beach. Repeat. Caves. Beach.

Halfway to the caves, Faith took a few more steps then stopped. Her hand drifted to her knife, eyes narrowing as the sound of a branch snapping broke through the silence. She slid the knife free, lowering her hand to her side, and she waited.

Another twig snapped even closer this time and she turned to find the pregnant woman.

Claire instantly reeled backwards at the sight of the weapon.

"What are you doing out here so far from the caves?" Faith spat. She shifted to position the knife at her back. "Where's your bodyguard?"

"Charlie's asleep." Claire stuttered as she cleared her throat. "I needed to pee."

Faith grunted but nodded. "Go ahead." She motioned to the trees beside them. "I'll keep watch."

Claire nodded back slinking away immediately and Faith turned her back to her to scan the woods. She crossed her arms, legs spread, and waited.

"Charlie…" Claire cleared her throat from behind Faith. "Charlie says I can trust you."

Faith stayed where she was. "And what do you think?"

"I don't… I don't remember you." The leaves and branches rustled around from her position as she continued her business. "I don't remember a lot of things. I remember peanut butter though." Claire let out a dry laugh as she finally reemerged and approached Faith. "Not sure why but I do."

"So no luck huh?" Faith studied the woman and turned to face her. "Two weeks gone from your life and you have no clue."

Claire shook her head. "I don't know… but I do know that whatever it is, it's made people hate me."

"Hate you?"

"Everyone looks at me funny. Charlie says it's nothing but…" Claire shrugged. "I see it in their faces. They look at me like…"

"Like what?" Faith prodded.

"Like I'm the enemy."

Faith snorted pausing to glance around again and she paused as she noticed the branches shifted. "I think you're the very last thing we need to worry about." She slid out her knife again and quickly grabbed Claire's arm. "Go back to the caves."

"What's going-"

"What is with you people and asking questions?" Faith jerked Claire behind her. "Go back as fast as you can. Now." She didn't move as Claire disappeared down the path but just waited as the trees shifted again and her grip tightened around her weapon.

The branches were pushed aside and it surprised her to see the Frenchwoman emerge.

"Back for more?" Faith cocked an eyebrow. "I would have figured torturing one innocent person a month was enough for you French people."

Danielle kept her rifle by her side, her face registering no emotion as she came to a stop in front of Faith. "They want the girl."

Faith crossed her arms, carefully resting the knife flat against her forearm. "Who are they?"

"The others." Danielle glanced around. "The others like you."

"What the hell does that mean?" She took a step forward making note that the Frenchwoman refused to move at all. Faith positioned the knife at her hip once again, not once taking her eyes off Danielle. "What all do you know?"

"The dark haired one, the one that comes for Claire. It won't be easy. They do things to them."

"Like what?"

Danielle's eyes followed Faith's every movement. "You're like them but you're not. You came with the others, the ones Sayid told me of."

"Trust me, no one is like me." Faith scoffed. "But yeah, like he told you before, I was on the plane too. Tell me what I want to know. What does that mean, like me?"

Danielle un-expectantly turned away back towards the direction she had come. "If you kill him, you'll never find answers you're looking for."

"You seem to know a lot more answers then you're willing to share. It's almost as if you have a hidden agenda in all of this. Maybe something to do with Alex." Faith watched her pause. "Then again, I could be wrong."

Danielle turned her head but didn't move. "If they take her, you'll never see her again. The others are dangerous and they won't stop until they get what they want."

"What can I say, I'm a girl that lives for challenges." She shrugged. "Should I tell Sayid you said hello?"

"In time he'll tell you what you wish to know, but at first, he'll lie. They always do."

Just as suddenly as she had appeared, Danielle was gone.

Faith let out a huge sigh. "Guess that's a no then." She made a move to head towards the cave when the sight of something familiar on the ground caught her attention where Danielle had been standing. Just inches from the trees, a crossbow had been placed on the ground.

Faith smirked as she bent down to scoop it up and the expression turned into a full-blown smile as she ran a hand down the length towards the taunt strings.

"Wicked. Santa came early this year."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Scott Jackson worked for an internet company in Santa Cruz. He won a sales prize - two-week Australian vacation, all expenses paid."

Faith glanced up from the freshly dug grave and surveyed the small crowd that had gathered. Hurley continued to say a few words, a few people chiming in, and she waited until the first collection of dirt fell onto the covered body.

"They say he came from the sea. Snapped Scott's neck without us even hearing."

She looked over to see Charlie beside her. "Anyone see him?"

Charlie shook his head. "Everybody was so bloody occupied with Walt's dog triggering one of the traps that they didn't even hear him."

She continued to watch them cover the grave. "Ethan has the advantage here. He's going to be able to get around unnoticed, do things that you and I can't-"

"Like kill people."

"I never said that." Faith turned away and immediately Charlie followed. "He's just better."

"We have to do something. Maybe the two of us can-"

"You and I aren't going to do anything." Faith shook her head. "You are gonna go find Claire and talk about… whatever it is you talk about and I'm going to see what I can do."

"That's not exactly fair you know."

She halted her steps and whirled around to face him. "Neither is having your neck snapped in the middle of the night but I guess every now and then we all draw the short stick."

"Where'd you get the bow?" Charlie motioned down at the crossbow in her hand. "That part of the plan too?"

"There is no plan and even if there was, I don't like to share." Faith shook her head. "Seriously Charlie, the best thing for you to do right now is find Claire and do that whole comfort thing you seem to be good at… Better yet," She snapped her fingers quickly, "Find Locke and have him give her a Buddha like speech, he's great at those; they're good for moral."

Faith ground her teeth as she began to move but still Charlie followed.

"I want to help you."

"I already told you how I want you to help me."

"One way or another, I'm going to be involved in this!" Charlie stopped in his tracks as Faith continued down the beach. "One way or another!"

Faith shoved aside some branches and entered the forest again. "I know."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The crowd had already gathered by the time she reached the caves and Faith said nothing as she slid in beside Sayid. He nodded at her, his attention going momentarily to the crossbow still on her back but he said nothing. His gaze lingered on her face for a minute then shifted back to Charlie.

"If we want to capture Ethan, we have to ensnare him, and the only way to do that is by giving him what he wants."

"You want to give him Claire! That's bloody insane!"

"Ah," Faith nodded, "The old bait trick. It's risky but it could work."

"I agree." Sayid spoke again. "We draw him out, corner him, and then we'll get some answers."

"I'll do it."

They all shifted to see Claire behind Charlie.

"If it helps to stop him from hurting someone else, I'll do it."

The group seemed to relax and broke off as Charlie began to talk quietly with Claire.

"Where'd you get that?"

Faith glanced up to see Jack staring at her crossbow. "Oh, this old thing?" She lifted it up. "Garage sale." She nudged her head at him. "Nice guns." She smiled. "Bad hiding spot."

"If you knew where the guns were, why didn't you take one yourself?"

"Not a fan of guns." Faith shrugged and glanced at Locke. "Charlie's gonna want a gun and then that leaves you with an extra."

"She's right." Locke nodded. "We're gonna need all the fire power we can get Jack."

The doctor placed his hands on his hips and let out a huge sigh but finally nodded. "Alright, I guess we don't have any other choice then." Jack looked at all of them slowly. "Let's go over the plan one more time."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Did we really have to bring Mr. Sarcasm?"

Kate smirked as she flattened herself against a tree near Faith and surveyed the area around them. "Sawyer was the only one they could think of and he had an extra gun. As far as I can see, it worked out for the best."

"Nothing works out for the best." Faith grumbled. She kept her eyes on Claire's figure in the path ahead of them. The skies above them had grown dark and she grunted as heavy raindrops began to fall. "See?"

"Do you think we can really take this guy alive?"

"I plan on it."

"With that handy crossbow?"

Faith slid her eyes for a moment to Kate's and was greeted by a smirk on the other convict's face. "With my fist."

Kate shook her head. "You heard Sayid, we have to stay in our spots until the signal."

"Yeah," Faith locked her gaze on Claire again, "Sayid loves his positions." She didn't look at Kate. "Not that I know any of them." She blinked against the now heavy ran and gazed around. "I'd give anything to be at the Correctional Facility right about now." Faith paused, "Can't believe I just said that."

"How long were you there?"

"Long enough." Faith's eyes narrowed as she saw movement past Claire. "Show time."

Claire's high-pitched scream cut through the jungle and the woman turned and began running as she fast as she could down the path, Ethan's figure jumping out of the trees and immediately chasing after her.

Everyone reacted as well, exploding from their hiding places, but it was Jack who made the first move and he blindsided Ethan with a tackle. The two men began to struggle and Faith tossed the crossbow aside as she ran towards them.

The two men traded punches and kicks but Ethan clearly had the upper hand, snarling as he shoved Jack into a nearby tree and punched him twice in the face. He drew back his hand to do it again but Faith's fingers wrapped easily around his wrist and she jerked him backwards.

"Faith, no!"

She ignored Jack's cry of alarm and punched Ethan cleanly across the face, the force enough to make him stumble backwards several steps.

"Boys. You never do learn how to play fair." Faith shook her head. "Last time we met, I do believe I broke that pretty wrist of yours."

"Then it's time I repaid the favor!"

Faith ducked the arm she knew was coming, twisting to come up beside Ethan and she punched again, the blow landing solidly in the kidneys before she moved again and kicked Ethan in the ass. He went flying but was up seconds later.

"Another thing about you men," Faith laughed, "You're all big talkers! Well, that and you can't pay attention to more than one thing at once."

His reaction was cut short as Locke tackled him from the side and Faith extended her hand to Jack, pulling him from the jungle floor. The struggle didn't last very long and she barely had time to get out of the way to avoid Locke who crashed into Jack.

"You." Ethan pointed at her. "It is your turn to die."

"If I had a penny for every time I heard that." Faith moved forward at the same Ethan leapt and both went flying to the jungle floor. She scrambled to block the hands coming down and Faith grunted as Ethan managed to wrap his hands around her neck and slam her head into the ground.

"Hold your fire! Don't shoot!"

She saw starts only for a second then rammed her knee as hard as she could into his groin.

Ethan screamed and rolled away, Faith moving as well to jump back to her feet and she kicked the man firmly in the face causing him to land on his back, panting. Faith bent down and grabbed his shirt before yanking him up into a sitting position.

The rain continued to pour down on them as she stepped away, watching as Ethan remained where he was, hands on his knees. He lifted his head, his dark eyes on Faith but said nothing.

"Who are you?" Faith hissed. "Where'd you come from?"

Ethan started to shift his legs as if to stand.

"Unh-unh-unh, Jungle Boy. Not even for one second." Sawyer snarled cocking his gun and stepping up to stand beside Faith. "I think the lady asked you a question."

Everyone around them pointed their guns at him as well, no one moving.

"Answer me." Faith snarled again. "How'd you know that-"

The sound of gunshots was almost deafening and Faith jumped back as Ethan fell back into the dirt. His lifeless eyes stared back at her, his open mouth not telling her what she wanted to hear, and slowly she turned her head to see Charlie, the smoking gun held in his still raised hands.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Here."

Charlie blinked quickly, looking up to see Faith beside him, a water bottle dangling from her hands. He nodded as he took the bottle, gripping it firmly with his fingers and he glanced back out towards the cave entrance.

She took a swig from her own bottle and remained standing beside him. "Why'd you do it?"

"I had to make sure." Charlie whispered. "I had to make sure he wouldn't hurt her again."

"That's awfully noble of you especially for a girl you hardly know."

"I know enough and I know she didn't deserve…"

"I didn't say she did." Faith glared down at him. "But he could have given us answers."

"You and Jack, you both really think that." Charlie snorted as he raised his head to look at her. "Cause I don't."

"I have a way of making people want to talk. I needed to make him talk." She twisted to shove her bottle in her bag and shifted the crossbow onto her back. "I know you thought you were doing what was best but don't ever get in my way again Charlie. Next time, you'll get more than just a scolding from the good doctor and a slap on the wrist."

Faith took off before he had a chance to respond, spotting Claire making her way towards him, and she nodded at the girl before heading towards the path.

"I remember peanut butter." Claire's laugh echoed, following Faith as she went. "Why do I remember peanut butter?"

"It was imaginary peanut butter, actually."