A/N: Woot, in two weeks my house should be back to normal with new carpet, walls, wood floors, cabinets and furniture! Floods are NEVER fun people. Please make sure you have insurance. (coughs) And now that I've successully pluged State Farm, here is an update for you. I am leaving while they finish remolding in order to stay out of the way so I will be in Texas visiting relatives for two weeks. I will update as soon as I get back but until then, enjoy this chapter, LEAVE ME SOME REVIEWS especially you lurkers- I know you're out there hehe, and have a great two weeks! Mwah!

Random: Would you rather see another Faith crossover from me or an original story with Faith? Just curious:)

Piper

Chapter Twenty-Eight: What Kate Did
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"How's he doing?"

Jack looked up to see Faith in the doorway. "His fever is up again." He cleared his throat as he leaned over to check Sawyer's bandages. "I'm not sure if the medicine I gave him is actually helping, but I think when he gets some food, he might improve."

"What'd ya need?"

"Nothing. Kate went down the beach to get some fresh fruit." Satisfied the bandages were okay, Jack moved away and without glancing at her again, he walked towards the kitchen. "She should be back any minute."

Faith threw another look at Sawyer before she followed. "Are you mad at me? I feel this whole tension vibe thing going on."

"What? No, why would you think that?"

"Maybe cause you're hardly looking at me when I talk to you." She placed her hands on the counter as she stared at him. "What's up?"

"What's up Faith is that almost a day ago, I saw you lose control and shove a man twice your size into a wall." He duplicated her actions on the counter opposite her. "Want to explain to me what that was about?"

"I lost my temper. Bad things happen."

"That's not good enough and you know it. There's something you're not telling me."

"You're right Jack, there is. I'm actually a vampire slayer that has enhanced speed, strength and flexibility and it was just my damn luck that I got stuck on the one plane that would crash with me on it."

He stared at her in complete silence for several minutes before he frowned, his eyes flashing in anger. "Quit playing games every time I ask you a question. I want the truth Faith!"

"Jack?"

They both turned to see Locke standing by the entrance to the dome, the older man gazing in curiosity between the two of them.

"Is everything okay?"

"Five by five Locke." Faith shoved away from the counter. "Jack and I were just talking. What'd ya need?"

"The funeral is about to start. Are you coming?"

"Yeah, how about you Doc?"

"I'll be right behind you as soon as Kate gets back."

&&&&&&&&&&

"All I know is that I loved her and a part of me will never forget her." Sayid swallowed hard and turned away from the grave, no one making the move to stop him. One by one they came up to the grave, showing their respects as they put fistfuls of dirt on top of Shannon's covered body.

Faith remained standing where she was as Locke approached to throw in dirt, and she glanced around, noticing that only a few people from the tail end had come to the funeral. Her eyebrows rose at the sight of Rose holding an older man's hand and the woman caught her eye, smiling. So Bernard was alive after all.

Her gaze shifted to a lanky blonde woman with puffy eyes that stood behind them. Beside her was Eko. Faith studied him a few minutes before turning her attention back in the direction Sayid had walked off.

"He just needs some time alone." Locke mentioned as he watched her. "Are you coming back to the hatch?"

"Not right now." Faith looked over to see Jack already heading back that way. "I'll meet up with you later. Keep an eye on things."

He looked as if he was going to say something else but nodded and left her standing there.

Faith glanced one final time at the grave. There wasn't anything she could say that would change what had happened… or what would in the future.

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It didn't surprise her that she couldn't find Sayid. She imagined in his place, she wouldn't want to be found either. Faith stuck her thumbs into her belt loops as she stared at the incoming waves. She let her gaze sweep the vast ocean before looking left and right down the beach.

Though an usual silence had settled over the camp, people still moved about as if they hadn't buried a young girl less than two hours ago.

Faith paused at spotting someone she had never seen before. Automatically she knew it had to be Ana-Lucia. She was young looking in a black tank top and jeans, a mess of black hair pulled back in a low ponytail, and she was currently busy making herself a tent. She was alone and by the looks at it, no one was making the attempt to help or befriend her anytime soon.

Faith kept her eyes locked on the other woman as she approached, not saying anything even after she stopped a mere foot away from her. At first, it seemed Ana-Lucia was going to ignore her but then she lowered the rock in her hand and glanced up, a lock of hair in her eyes.

"Can I help you with something?"

"No." Faith's reply was flat. "I just wanted to see what you looked like."

"Well, you've seen me."

"That I have."

"Is there anything else you wanted?" Ana-Lucia looked away and continued hitting the wooden stake into the ground so it would hold her tarp into place. Satisfied it would stay, Ana-Lucia tossed the rock aside and glanced up again. "Well?"

The spot Faith had been standing in was empty.

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The small beach area was beautiful and secluded. There were hardly any telltale signs humans had been there except for the one set of footprints she followed. Faith made her way down the beach until she came up behind Sayid. He didn't move but remained sitting there and staring out at the ocean.

"How did you find me?"

"Eh, it was easy." She lied as she slipped off her bag and took a seat next to him. For a long time, neither said anything and merely watched the coming and going of the tide.

"I brought Shannon here the night of your accident, the very night Boone died."

"It wasn't your fault Sayid, there was nothing you could have done."

He nodded and went quiet again for a few minutes. "I wanted to kill her."

Faith kept her gaze forward, not needing to ask whom he was talking about now. "What stopped you?"

"I realized no matter how dead I feel inside now, she's felt that way for a long time."

She slanted her gaze to study his side profile. "What's her story?"

"She used to be a cop."

"Yuck. Used to be?"

"Something happened, she would not tell me what exactly, but she did ask me to end her life. It was almost as if she was begging me and I could not bring myself to do it."

"You're a stronger person than me then. In your situation, I'm not sure I would have walked away."

"No, I'm not." Sayid answered finally looking at her. "We both know that."

Faith kept her gaze even with his. "What can I do to help?"

"Nothing."

They both faced forward again watching the waves.

"Did you feel this way when Boone died? Empty inside?"

The question took her by surprise. "I didn't love him."

"No, but-"

"But empty, yeah, maybe. No matter what happens it's always hard when something you grow accustomed to is no longer there. Once you got to know them, he was a great person and so was she."

"Thank you Faith."

She turned her eyes to his once again. "What for?"

"So far everyone has shown me nothing but pity, saying their sorry when it's only because they don't know what else to say but you, you didn't even attempt to mask it."

"I wouldn't know where to start Sayid. The only thing I can tell you is you have to work through it and use it. A friend once taught me giving up isn't an option, pain can be your ally if you let it but you have to embrace it and then move on."

"It seems you are very wise for your age Faith."

"Actually my friend was wise beyond his but what can I say, I'm an old soul."

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Faith stopped directly in the doorway at the sight of Michael sitting in front of the computer, Locke leaning over his shoulder. "What's going on? You guys looking at porn?"

Locke barely suppressed his smile as he shook his head. "I showed Michael the video and I'm telling him how the computer works."

"Ah," She nodded slowly and flashed Michael a sympathetic grin. "Welcome to your new career." Faith turned and kept going, flinging her backpack onto the counter as she entered the kitchen. She hesitated as she turned on the faucet and stuck her hands under the running water. "How long have you been sitting there?"

"Not long." Eko replied from the table. He watched her as she turned off the water and dried her hands, noticing she barely paid him any attention while moving around and gathering a few things to eat. "I do not wish to be on unfriendly terms with you."

Faith straightened and shut the refrigerator door with a flick of her finger. "Why's that?"

"Because I am not your enemy," Eko answered. "Nor do I wish to be."

"You didn't shoot and kill one of us so I don't think you need to worry about that for now."

"Ana-Lucia-"

"Made a mistake, I know." She nodded as she stepped around the counter. "We all make mistakes, I'm the last person who should be pointing fingers."

"You carry a heavy load on your shoulders. Does all of it belong to you?"

"What are you, a shrink?" Faith slid into the seat across from him, eying him as she sat down the water bottle and bowl of cereal onto the table.

"I am a priest."

"Oooh, okay. I get you now."

"Do you?"

"Of course." She smirked as she dipped her spoon into the bowl. "You're into forgiveness and the cleansing of sin. Let me guess, you're willing and ready to hear me confess my deepest, darkest sins."

"I take it you are not a very religious person."

"It depends on what day you ask me."

"A confession must be made with an honest heart. It is not enough to ask for God's forgiveness if you do not truly mean it."

"Agreed, especially if you're just going to do it again but surprise, tons of people do anyway." Faith lifted up the spoon, pausing right at her mouth. "That's religion for you, for a small fee you too can blissfully pretend everything's alright and it's all because you felt really bad about whatever it is you've done… but more than likely plan to do again the next day." She stuck the spoon into her mouth then sat back as she placed it back into the bowl and chewed thoughtfully on her cereal. "You don't look like a priest."

"I have not always been one."

"So what'd you do before taking people's money in exchange for holy reassurance?"

No emotion flickered across his face and Faith almost stomped her foot in exasperation. What exactly did it take to make this man upset? She sighed and stuck another spoonful of cereal into her mouth just as Locke slid into the booth beside her.

"Hello again."

She swallowed quickly and tore her gaze away from Eko to stare at him. "Where's Kate? I thought she was supposed to be down here looking after Sawyer."

"I don't know. When Jack and I came back, the alarm was going off and Sawyer was in the floor. No Kate."

"He alright?"

Locke nodded still looking at Eko. "He's fine." He cleared his throat as he noticed the man holding something between his hands. "What's that?"

"I have something to show you." Eko smiled. "But before I do, I want to tell you a story. Do you know of a biblical man named Josiah?"

"Oh snap, let me out." Faith poked Locke's side. "Story time always puts me to sleep. Let me out."

"Are you sure you-"

"Let me out!"

She was still grumbling as she exited the kitchen and ventured towards the bedroom, her cereal in one hand and her water bottle in the other. She could hear Eko and Locke speaking softly at the table but blocked them out. Double the belief, double the fun or something like that. Her eyebrows rose at the sight of Sun sitting beside Sawyer.

The Korean woman looked up and smiled. "Hello Faith."

"Hey." Faith noticed Sawyer was sound asleep. "I can take over from here."

"Are you sure? I was waiting to see if Jack was going to come back but-"

"Yeah, I'm sure." She nodded. "Got nothing better else to do." She muttered as Sun escaped from the chair. "Go spend some time with Jin."

"Thank you Faith."

Sun left as she sat down still juggling her food and water. "Don't mention it."

Faith propped her feet up on the bed near Sawyer's legs, munching on her cereal as she watched him. It was amazing how much younger a person looked when they were asleep. Sawyer definitely looked less dangerous and moody. The thought made her snort. Yeah, right.

Sawyer mumbled something as he shifted between the sheets but she remained still in the chair choosing instead to shove another spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

"He's been doing that since yesterday."

She didn't glance over at Kate in the doorway and swallowed. "What's he's saying?"

"I don't know."

"Where were you earlier? Locke said you took off without telling anyone."

Kate stepped forward, eyes still glued on Sawyer. "I…" She took a step back. "This place is making me crazy Faith. I keep seeing things that aren't there, remembering details about my life that I wish I could never think of again."

"Details like why you were in marshal custody?"

She perched carefully on the edge of the bed by Sawyer's pillow. "His name was Wayne." Kate whispered. "For as long as I could remember I called him my stepfather and I hated him. I hated him for making my dad go away; I hated him for beating my mother and hitting on me all the time. I hated him so much that I eventually killed him." She reached out and stroked Sawyer's hair. "Because of him I realized I'd never be good, not in the way it matters. I hated him for all of that but nothing compared to the hate I felt the day I found out he was actually my real dad."

"Was this before or after you killed him?"

"After." Kate drew her hand back and it fell limply in her lap. "Every time I look at Sawyer, I see a bit of Wayne in him, in that darkness and it makes me sick. I'm attracted to it and yet it's the last thing in the world I want."

"And what about Jack?"

"I won't ever be good Faith," Kate looked up, her eyes somber. It was easy to see a part of her had died that day she killed her father and she had never fully recovered. "And I won't ever have anything good either."

"It's hard to get sleep around this joint with you two cackling like hens."

Both Kate and Faith turned their attention immediately to Sawyer, watching as he opened his eyes and looked around.

"Are we saved?"

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"Are you sure I shouldn't go get Jack?"

Faith shook her head, helping Kate as they pulled Sawyer off the bed and he swore under his breath.

"Easy!" He grumbled, "The arms need to stay attached ladies."

She shot Kate a look over his head. "So nice to have you back Sawyer."

"I bet." Sawyer stood up slowly, one arm around Kate's shoulders and a hand on Faith's arm. He looked between the two of them. "Which one of you missed me more?"

Faith rolled her eyes. "Take him outside Kate. I think his injury somehow cut off the flow of air to his brain."

Kate chuckled but nodded and slowly the two of them made their way through the hatch.

"Aw shucks Fire Cracker, you know you missed me."

She waved them on and turned, noticing the living area lights had been dimmed down. She slowly approached and Faith frowned at hearing the projector running. Eko and Locke were on the couch, both of them watching the screen, and she didn't have to look to know it was the orientation video.

"Haven't you guys watched this enough already?" She flopped down on the couch beside them. "Locke, you practically know it word for word now."

He shushed her. "Just watch."

Faith rolled her eyes but said nothing, propping her hand up on her open palm. It took her only a split second to realize more parts to the filmstrip had been added and she straightened as she stared at the man speaking on the screen.

"It does not matter who enters the code but the counter should be reset in a timely and orderly fashion. Along with this filmstrip, you have now received with your latest food drop a copy of the tape containing additional information for your assigned station guard. A video player will be provided later along with medical supplies." The man smiled but it was devoid of warmth.

"Once the station guard has viewed the tape, the video player must be destroyed. Please remember, this video should be viewed by the station guard and the station guard only to avoid a disturbance in your duty and improve overall performance."

He clasped his hands together as if it insinuated importance. "Do not, I repeat do not, attempt to watch the video or use the computer for any other purpose than with how you have been instructed. On behalf of the DeGroots, Alvar Hanso and all of us at the Dharma Initiative, thank you. Namaste. And good luck." He bowed and the screen darkened.

Faith's eyes met Locke's as she sat back, the film winding down and the screen turning pitch black. At the same time, both turned their attention back to her bag from where it was still sitting on the kitchen counter, the tape waiting inside.