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Chapter Fifteen: Outlaws

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"Your time has come."

Faith blinked against the light that exploded into her eyes. She sat up, the white sheets bunching around her waist as she slowly gazed around the bare hospital room. She tore the IV quickly from her hand and swung her legs free of the sheets, the floor cold against the warm contrast of her feet. At that moment it was almost as if every single hair on her body stood up at attention but she ignored the sensations crawling up her spine as she inched her way towards the door. Carefully she leaned past the doorframe to check the hallway for any signs of danger.

"There are no answers here."

Faith jumped and fell back against the door, her narrowed eyes staring at the image of Buffy in the hallway. "Damn B! You shouldn't lurk around like that; you almost scared me to death."

Buffy smiled. "Come on, it's time."

"Time for what?" Faith frowned as Buffy began to make her way down the hall. "Time for what B? What's the sitch?"

"I need to show you something."

Faith kept her pace slow, staying a few steps behind Buffy as the blonde slayer continued to lead her. They passed door after door, each one locked with the rooms dark, and they made their way to the door located at the end.

She peered over Buffy's shoulder, the occupants of the room not very clear but there were movements. "Buffy, I don't think…"

A scream broke through the silence and Faith sprinted forward. She kept running and the hall continued to extend, the door moving farther and farther away. Faith forced her legs to stop when she found herself coming up behind Buffy who was still standing in the same place she had just left her.

"I have to say B, this is not my idea of a good time."

"She was chosen."

Faith blinked and found herself standing directly in front of the door with Buffy beside her. The images of the room were suddenly clear, men and woman all standing around with scrubs and hospital masks.

A young girl lay on the table in the middle with her arms and legs strapped down. She struggled against her bonds, her screams echoing through the room but the people ignored her, continuing to move about like machines.

"Who is that? I can't see her face." Faith pushed on the doors but nothing happened. "B, what the hell is going on? She's in trouble." She beat on the doors and again, no one reacted. No one even seemed to notice. Instantly Faith backed up several steps, focusing in on the door. "One way or another I'm getting in there."

Buffy turned away from the door. "She was chosen just like you were. She has a purpose here, and now, so do you."

"Like me how?"

"It's time Faith." Buffy looked towards the operating room. "They need more. It's never enough. It's time; your time, your destiny."

Faith glanced again into the room and immediately took another step back; the girl was no longer screaming, her face visible.

"To be chosen is to live."

Faith looked away from the mirror image of herself lying on the table.

"To be chosen is to die."

"This isn't real." Faith looked down and tore the hospital bracelet free from her wrist. "And you don't know a damn thing about me."

When she glanced back up, Buffy was gone. Instead, the image of a large boar stood in the slayer's place, yellow eyes glowing and intently fixed on Faith.

"Don't worry Faith." The boar spoke in a little girl's voice. "All you have to do is remember."

"Remember what?"

"4 8 15 16 23 42."

Faith's eyes shot open, and the first thing she saw was the night sky filled with stars. Letting out a long breath of air, she forced herself to relax her grip on the handle of the Jackal. "That had to be the most random thing that I-"

A high-pitched squeal from a boar exploded behind her and Faith leapt to her feet. She watched wide-eyed as the boar rushed by where she stood, a blue tarp hooked to one of its tusks.

"Come back here you son of a bitch!"

Sawyer ran past following at a fast pace, and she stood there dumbfounded until both had disappeared into the darkness of the jungle.

"I stand corrected."

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She couldn't remember ever laughing this much before and each time she tried to calm down and talk, the laughter just came back out. Sawyer continued to stare at her with the typical less-than-amused expression on his face, his hands on his hips.

"Sorry. I just…" Faith motioned to his clothes. "It looks like you lost a major fight with a badass mud puddle."

Kate laughed as well, shaking her head, and she leaned up against an airplane piece that made up part of his tent. "Are you really sure that a boar did all of this?"

"Well, it just makes my day that I could amuse the both of you." He shifted to start going through his things and smiling, they continued to watch him. "Last night, he wrecked my tent. This morning, when I went to get my tent back, he attacks me from behind, runs off into the jungle like a coward."

"And that means war?"

"Damn right it does." He nodded at Faith and made a sound in the back of his throat. Sawyer bent down to retrieve his gun, and he checked the clip to make sure it was fully loaded. "Now it's personal."

Faith dramatically rolled her eyes making Kate laugh again. "Why don't you just let me…"

"No, this is my fight!" He snapped. "Mr. Boar started it, I'm gonna finish it." Sawyer stuck the gun into the back of his pants and stalked past them heading for the woods. "I'm gonna finish it and then I'm gonna eat him! You hear me, I'm gonna EAT you!"

Smiling, they watched him disappear past the trees.

"Someone should go after him. Make sure he doesn't mistake himself for a boar and shoot his foot off."

Faith nodded. "Yeah… Someone should." She turned towards Kate with a bored expression. "Paper, rock, scissors?"

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Charlie and Hurley both grunted loudly as they dropped Ethan's wrapped body on the ground. For a minute they stared at it then Charlie turned and scooped up the shovel by his feet.

"I'm serious Hurley, you don't have to help me."

"I'm just worried that-"

"I'm fine." Charlie interrupted. "I can do this. I can bury Ethan."

"Yeah," Hurley continued to stare at the body, "Until he rises from the dead." He glanced over to see Faith standing just a few feet away, her eyes watching Charlie as he began to dig. Hurley's grip on his own shovel tightened and he cleared his throat. "Dude, you shouldn't sneak up on people like that."

"Sorry," She shrugged and crossed her arms, her attention still on Charlie. "Everything alright there Charlie?"

"I said I'm fine." He finally paused and glanced up to see both of them staring at him. "I'm fine."

"Suit yourself." Faith grinned over at Hurley. "Don't worry about Ethan, Hurley." She glanced back down at the man's body. "He's not coming back." She turned to make her way back up the beach. "And that's unfortunate for me. I could really use the work out right about now."

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Faith shoved back the tent flap to peer inside and she cocked her head at the sight of Sayid sitting Indian style. He had the maps he had taken from Danielle spread in every direction and was focused intently on the one presently in his hand. Faith hesitated at the sight of Shannon sitting next to him, the younger woman immediately looking up.

"Are you going to stand there all day or are you coming in?" Sayid didn't raise his head and he switched his attention to another map.

She snorted and entered, aware of Shannon continuing to stare at her. "Any luck so far?"

"I'm starting to recognize certain areas but nothing is solid yet as to location." Sayid glanced up. "One thing I do know, this island is a lot bigger than we originally thought."

"Surprise, surprise." Faith shifted on her feet then grabbed the tent flap again. "Look, I need to talk to you alone but it can wait."

"If you're sure…"

"Yeah…" Faith ducked back out of the tent but stopped at the sound of Shannon calling her name. She turned around just in time to see the woman exiting the tent, her arms already crossed against her chest.

"I've been wanting to talk to you."

"Isn't that what you're doing?"

"Listen," Shannon rolled her eyes, "I want to know what's going on with Boone."

"How should I know?" Faith imitated Shannon's eye roll but she followed it up with a sly smile. "He's not my puppy dog, he's yours. I don't keep tabs on him and frankly, I really don't think you should either."

"Boone's been acting really weird lately Faith and I figured you would know why. He disappears for days with Locke, doesn't talk to me about anything, and ignores my questions. It's like, it's like he doesn't even want to be around me anymore."

"I don't know the past between you two," Faith shrugged, "I don't know what you feel for him, but from what I've seen, Boone cares a little bit too much for you and you use that to get the things you want from him. Now he's off doing his own thing, helping others, and all I can figure is seeing that the attention you once had is gone, you're getting a bit upset about it."

"You don't know a damn thing about me. How dare you say-"

Faith chuckled. "I have eyes Shannon and I'm not slow. Look, all I can tell you is that your brother is fine. He's doing his best to prove what kind of a man he is so just leave it alone."

"It's because of Sayid. Because of you. Isn't it?"

"Me?" Faith frowned. "Why would-"

"Even before the crash, in the plane, Boone had his eye on you. Then we crash and he's all of the sudden a macho man? It's to impress you," Shannon snapped, "And it's bullshit. In a way though it's funny. He's ignoring me because I took an interest in something other than him and now he thinks his best attempt at revenge is showing interest in you."

"Wow, here I was thinking time on the island would give you a chance to grow and become a better person." Faith remarked dryly, "Honestly, I'm shocked."

"Keep away my brother."

"I do believe you just threatened me."

"Shannon…" Sayid stepped out of the tent and moved around the blonde slowly. "Please go back inside the tent and let me talk to Faith a second."

She nodded but shot Faith another look. "I mean it."

Faith smiled sweetly. "I know you do." She waited until Shannon was back in the tent before looking at Sayid. "I seriously don't get what you see in her."

"Faith, please." He motioned her further away from the tent. "The last thing we need is for there to be even more problems amongst us. There could be others like Ethan waiting out there for us to make the wrong move and I don't know about you but I would rather not have to worry about watching my back as well as what is ahead of me."

"Truce, honest." She raised her hands and glanced over her shoulder towards Hurley and Charlie. "I've been meaning to talk to you about Charlie."

"What about him?"

Faith's eyes connected with Sayid's. "He killed Ethan. Now while that may seem like justice and no big thing to some people, I'm betting a whole bunch of mangos he's never killed anyone before. It's bound to be giving him some pretty nasty thoughts right about now, wouldn't you say?"

Sayid looked past her and nodded. "I'll see what I can do later but my top priority is figuring out exactly what is on this island using the maps."

"Good luck with that." Faith smirked. "Just don't let yourself get too distracted."

He chuckled but nodded. "I'll try my best."

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"Nice of you to join us."

Faith shrugged as she sat down her bag and the crossbow. "I didn't see any reason I needed to hurry Locke." She glanced over at the hatch. "Not like this thing was going anywhere."

"Did anyone see you?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Everyone's busy doing his or her own thing pretty much, way too busy to be concerned about…." Faith paused and shot Boone a narrowed look. "You need to handle business with your sister."

Boone dropped the ax in his hand, wiping his face across his arm to clean off the sweat. "What does that mean?"

"Hell Boone, it's not a cryptic message, it means what it means." She ignored Locke completely and stared at the younger man. "She's been asking questions, about you, about Locke and what you're doing. We don't need that right now."

"But she-"

"Faith is right." Locke nodded. He wiped his hands on his pants and stood up. "Shannon could be a problem. If she goes to Jack with-"

"With what?" Boone demanded. "Suspicions? Ideas? And since when did you become so worried about Jack, Locke? Last time I checked, we hadn't elected a leader."

"Doesn't mean he didn't volunteer to be sheriff though." Faith grunted. "Jack is curious by nature, he does what he thinks is right regardless of what it costs him. Those types of people are dangerous." She shrugged, "I'm not saying he's wrong or right but your little secret won't be so little if Jack or Shannon finds out about this place."

"That's why we're not going to say anything." Locke commanded.

"And why not?" Boone questioned. "We've unburied it, all we have to do is take off the door and see what's down there."

"And let me guess, you're gonna volunteer to do that too right?" Faith glanced back at the hatch, eyes taking in the sight of the carefully built metal covering, the top curved and the base of it wide and round. "Besides, you two haven't had any luck so far with the door. What makes you think you're gonna be able to get into it at all?"

"Until we do, we keep this between us." Locke glanced down at the hatch door as well. "If we can't get in it, there's no reason to get people's suspicions or hopes up about what we found. If we have to bury it again, we will."

Faith raised her head to watch him and she didn't stop even as he lifted his head again and their eyes locked. No other words were said but she knew without a doubt he got her message loud and clear. There was no need to worry about Jack; there was enough suspicion in Faith's eyes to make up for the doctor's absence.

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"You don't trust me anymore."

"What makes you think that?" Faith continued to lead them and she glanced over her shoulder at Locke. "There a reason why I shouldn't?"

"Just a feeling I get." Locke shrugged. "I haven't seen much of you other than at the hatch."

"I'm touched you missed me Dad, I can't tell you how much."

"Faith…"

She paused lifting up her hand. "Wait, hear that?"

Locke nodded and grinned as he stepped around her to push through the bushes to their left. Quickly, Faith followed and she couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Sawyer and Kate.

"Morning!"

Faith chuckled at the ground around the two survivors, items thrown in all directions. "Did you two just get into a brawl and I missed it? Please tell me I didn't miss it."

"That damn boar!" Sawyer grumbled as he took a seat in front of Locke. "It came through in the middle of the night and wrecked all of my things!"

"It didn't touch any of mine." Kate shrugged with a smile. "Guess it doesn't like your scent Sawyer."

"What scent?"

"That overwhelming one of too much man's cologne," Faith grunted taking a seat on the log beside Locke. She crossed her arms watching Sawyer dig around his ruined things. "Looks like it used your shirt for a pit stop too."

"Ah, you son of a- Oh!"

Faith chuckled and looked over at Locke who was busy munching on a starfuit. "I don't think that'll ever get old."

"What are you two doing out this far?"

She directed her attention back to Kate. "We're looking for salvage, fruit, boar, that sort of thing."

"Just make sure it ain't my boar." Sawyer snarled. "Him and I got a date," He shook the gun in his hand, "a date with destiny."

"Just as I thought." Faith stood up and stretched her arms. "Sawyer's gone off the deep end and completely lost it."

"I haven't lost anything! That boar, it's personal I tell you! It's like he's stalking me! I'm even starting to see him in my dreams."

She paused her stretching immediately. "As what? A talking boar?"

"Sometimes."

Kate and Locke both laughed but Faith's remained somber and Sawyer noticed right away.

"What's the matter Fire Cracker? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Nope, no ghost." She ignored Locke and Kate now looking at her as well. "And don't call me that anymore, my mother used to and I hate it."

Sawyer grinned shaking his head. "Well, you're just taking the fun out of everything aren't you?"

"I'm sure you'll survive and find something else to entertain you."

"Speaking of which, where'd you find that crossbow? I must have walked right past that store on the way."

"It was a gift." Faith grinned widely. "Can't say the French never gave me nothing."

"Ah, the Frenchwoman." Kate nodded. "I'm not sure I trust her from what Sayid has told me."

"That doesn't surprise me much." Faith shrugged. "I think I'm gonna head back into camp."

"Sure you don't want any coffee before you go?" Locke lifted his thermos. "I found some in salvage from the plane the other day."

"Nope, it makes me all jittery. Steady hands come mandatory with a girl like me." She saluted them with her fingers. "Be careful." Faith shifted her bag and the crossbow onto her back. "Try not to have too much fun without me."

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"I was thinking maybe you could say a few things to him." Hurely pleaded. "Maybe just a few things."

"About what?"

Hurley yelped as he spun around from Sayid's tent to find Faith behind him. "Dude! What did I say about the sneakiness!"

She chuckled as she patted him on the back and looked over at Sayid coming out of his tent. "Don't you ever leave that thing?" Faith glanced between them. "What's up? What…or who I should say, are we talking about?"

"It seems Hurley has noticed just like you that Charlie is acting strange."

Faith nodded. "So what's the plan?"

"I'll talk to him…" Sayid looked down the beach to where Charlie was sitting. "I figured it might come across better if I did."

She snorted but shrugged. "Five by five with me. Hurley and I will just find a way to pass the time instead."

"Yeah," Hurley nodded. "We'll just-" He paused, gaze swinging over to Faith's quickly. "We will?"

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Faith tossed the empty bottle over her shoulder, continuing to dig through the pile. She bit at her bottom lip, squinting as she looked over another bottle. Finding that it wasn't what she was looking for she tossed the container over her shoulder as well.

"Are you sure we should be doing this? I mean, why not wait and ask Jack if –"

"Jack's busy..." Faith muttered. "Saving a cat from a burning tree or something. It'd just be a waste of time." She glanced over her shoulder to see Hurley looking back and forth between her and the entrance of the cave. "Keep your eyes open and let me know if you see him."

"I don't feel good about this."

"I'm only borrowing…." Faith paused as she found another bottle and lifted it to see the label. "Bingo."

"Uh, Faith…"

"What Hurley?" She looked over at him again and froze at the sight of Jack standing there.

He was sweaty and dirty, a bundle of logs in his arms. "What are you doing?" Jack frowned as he dropped the wood at his feet. "Something I can help you with?"

"Well aren't you sweet but no." Faith turned away and continued to read the bottle. "I think I found what I need all on my own."

"Hey, I'm gonna just…take off…" Hurley muttered and he didn't wait for answer before almost running away down the path.

Jack wiped his hands on his pants and approached, tilting his head to get a view of the bottle in her hand. "That's Doxepin, it's mainly for anxiety and depression."

"Thanks for that but I can read."

"Is there something you need to talk about?"

"I don't know Jack." Faith stood up to come face to face with him. "Is there?"

"We never did really talk about Ethan, about what you did and Charlie of course." Jack's gaze went momentarily to the bottle still in her hand. "Is that for you?"

She ignored him for the most part and raised the bottle, shaking it. "Does this help with sleeping?"

"It's been known to," Jack nodded. "But I might have something else that would help better if that's what you're looking for." He extended his hand. "Let me help you."

"You remind me of someone I used to know." Faith smirked tossing the bottle from hand to hand. "She always wanted to help every single person she came across, no matter how many times they spat in her face. It didn't take her long to grow thick skinned and learn from her mistakes though."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to help you Faith. I'm a doctor, it's what I do, and seeing as how you're going through my things and the medicine, I'd say it's kind of my business too."

Faith cocked an eyebrow but shrugged. "I'm having problems sleeping. I'll get to sleep and then I'll have dreams. They're getting more vivid each day and I'm not sure why."

"Maybe you're having them for a reason." Jack muttered. He stepped around her and knelt down, going through his things. "Ever think of that?"

"That's how the story goes." Faith tossed her bottle down beside his feet. "But it's throwing me off, making me slower and I can't keep on top of things if that's the case."

"Who says you have to?" Jack stood up again, this time with a bottle in his hand. "You're not alone here Faith; there's people here that want to help you."

"Believe me, I'm aware of it." She motioned to his hand. "What cha got for me?"

"Someone had a bottle of Lunesta on the plane." He shook the bottle. "There's no guarantee this is going to help you, especially when it concerns dreams vivid enough to wake you, but I can give you one." Jack saw the look she gave him and chuckled. "Sorry but my conscience wouldn't allow me to give you the whole bottle."

"Why? Think I'm a bit unstable do you?"

Jack's facial expression grew serious but he shook his head. "Not at all Faith but I'm not sure I trust Locke at this point and seeing as how you're stuck at the hip with him…"

"I'm automatically guilty by association. Great, thanks." She extended her hand. "Can I?"

He continued to stare at her but after a few minutes nodded and took out one pill. "Take this when you're going to sleep with a full glass of water. You should sleep a full eight hours with just one dose. If it helps, come back and see me."

"Wicked great Jack, you're a life saver, no pun intended." Faith stuck the pill into her jeans pocket and grinned. "Look at us getting along all nice like, pretty soon people might start talking." She turned to head back to the beach when his voice stopped her.

"They're already talking or haven't you heard?"

Faith glanced back at Jack. "Yeah, it's getting a little boring hearing all this love triangle stuff with you, Kate, and Sawyer. If I were you, it'd bother me, especially seeing as how she's out there with Sawyer right now and has been since yesterday afternoon." Faith smirked. "But don't worry about a thing Doc, the good guy always wins in the end."

She continued down the path, fingers stroking her jeans where the collection of pills rested comfortably. No, there would be no eight hours of restful peace for her tonight. The pills she took would serve a different purpose. She only hoped she wasn't too late.