A/N: As it stands this is the last chapter I have completed. I leave you at a bit of a cliffhanger but I'm sure with some words of enouragement (especially from those of you I haven't heard from in a while... Are you even reading this?) that I'll get 38 posted MUCH sooner than I expect. As for the rest of you, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your reviews, you rock my world and enjoy.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Dave
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"Do you ever wonder what's on the other side?"

"I guess it all depends on where you go."

"Do you ever wonder where you're gonna go?"

"I don't have time to think about that. I'm not finished yet. It feels like I'm never finished."

"You have a job to do, something very important." They stared into the open grave, the wood marker positioned there with no name on it. Ana stepped backwards. "You have a purpose here, just like everyone else."

Faith's gaze lingered on the grave then turned her head, catching sight of five other graves. "There aren't any names on these graves. But the numbers, there's six of them." She looked up to see Ana standing at the head of the grave. "Danielle told me once they meant death. Is that all they mean?"

Ana trailed her finger along the top of marker, eyes cast downward as she began to hum softly under her breath.

"There has to be more," Faith persisted. "Answer me!"

"You're asking all the wrong questions." Ana looked back up again, a small smile on her lips. "Looking in all the wrong places. You are a little girl lost, lost in the sea and hidden far, far away."

Faith pointed at the grave in front of her, the number sixteen carved into the bottom where the wood met the earth. "Who's grave is this?"

"This one's mine." Ana smiled even wider then pointed to the one located at the very end, a forty-two craved deep into the wood. "And that one is yours."

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"Any nausea? Vomiting?" Jack tilted her head up and shined the light randomly into both of her eyes. "Periods of lucidness?"

She cocked an eyebrow as he stepped back, clicking the penlight off. "Shouldn't I be having those?"

"Just checking to see what you'd say, can't be too careful."

"I'm fine Jack."

"What about your sleeping pattern? Any nightmares?"

"I told you I'm fine." Faith jumped off the kitchen counter and readjusted her shirt. "But the first sign of an extra tail or something though and..."

"I'm not joking."

"You, Jack Sheppard, make a joke? You serious?"

"Faith, we still don't have a clue what was in that needle or what it does." He crossed his arms as he stared down at her. His tone and serious facial expression almost made her flinch in discomfort. "If anything and I mean anything changes, you come see me right away."

"Will do Doc." She glanced past him, spotting Ana-Lucia coming their way. They exchanged a short nod and Faith turned her attention back to Jack, motioning towards the bunk beds. "I think I'll go check on Locke."

"I mean it Faith, first sign of anything…"

"First sign of what?" She flashed him a wide grin and walked away.

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"How ya feeling Champ?"

Locke grunted and lifted up a crutch with one hand. "Jack says it's a hairline fracture. It might be an entire six weeks until I'm walking without these things."

"You'll survive."

He motioned to her arm. "And you?"

"Nothing to worry about. Just another battle wound to add to the collection."

"Any clue on who we're dealing with or what was in the needle?"

"Well whoever she was, she gave me a run for my money." Faith scratched at the back of her neck, "She was strong Locke, fast too. She was like…"

"Like you."

"My thoughts exactly and I'll bet you anything that Henry knows the answers to my questions. Maybe I'll just throw him around a bit and see what spills out."

"Henry could have done something," Locke argued, "He could have ran when you had the door open or he could have taken off with that woman but he didn't. He stayed and he helped."

"And that means he's trustworthy now? His name isn't even Henry! That man in there stayed because he thought he had a solid story. Hell, he probably had some plan worked out with that woman!"

"I'm just–"

"I know what you're doing, and so does he." She sneered down at him, "He knows you'll stick up for him! You still cling to this ignorant hope that the island and the people on it are part of a greater good! They're the enemy Locke, you do still remember what that word means right?"

Any response he had was lost from the sound of a gun going off. Faith sprinted from the room, heading straight for the source, and she skidded to a halt as she caught sight of Jack shoving Sayid from the armory.

"That is enough Sayid!"

"He's lying!" Sayid pushed back at Jack. "He found that man alive! He found him and he broke his neck! I am telling you that he is lying!"

"You need to calm down right now!"

"Enough!" Faith pushed her way between them, shoving both back several steps and she kept her hands up. "You boys wanna play who can yell the loudest then take it outside! This is exactly what he wants so knock it off!" She pointed at Sayid as he opened his mouth to respond, "Before I lose my cool. Go."

"Faith, you-"

"GO!"

Sayid shot another glare at Jack but nodded, his heavy footsteps carrying him down the hallway.

Faith ran her hands over her hair as Jack moved past her and she glanced over at Ana as the woman stepped out of the armory. "He dead?"

"Not even hurt."

"Good. Don't close it yet."

"What?" Ana stopped midway, hand on the door. "Faith, Sayid just tried to kill him. That last thing we need-"

"I said don't close it."

They both stared at each other for a minute before Ana motioned over her shoulder. "Be my guest, but he's not talking anymore."

"Then you're not pushing the right buttons." Faith stepped into the doorway and she looked down at the man now tied to the floor, his gaze not wavering from the concrete at his feet. She moved forward a couple steps, crossing her arms as Ana took her place in the doorway and echoed her stance.

"Ana tells me you're giving everyone the silent treatment. Fine with me because I'm feeling awfully chatty myself." She studied him. "Henry…. And can I call you Henry still or would you like another fake name instead?" He didn't answer so she chuckled and continued. "Henry, it's safe to say that Sayid's a little upset with you. Okay, so really he's pissed as hell. The man's got a one-track mind now; he's fixated on ending your stay here the painful way." Faith shrugged. "Can't say I blame him, you killed the woman he loved."

"I didn't kill anyone." His eyes rose slowly from the floor, lingering on Ana. "I didn't put a gun in Ana-Lucia's hand and make her pull the trigger."

"No. You waited until the cover of darkness to attack her camp, kidnapped innocent people, took them away and left the rest in fear." Faith crouched down in front of him. "So she did what she had to do, she tried to protect who was left, cross over into your territory in order to keep them safe and because of the fear you left behind she shot an innocent woman by accident."

"They're not innocents!" He hissed. "We took the ones who were innocent! We took them and now they're safe, away from murderers like Ana, away from murderers like you. I am one of the good guys."

"Right," Faith snorted, "Because good guys kidnap children and snap the necks of men who just want to go back home."

"I didn't kill that man! How many times do I have to tell you people that?"

"Until you stop lying."

He began to gasp for air as she wrapped her fingers around his neck. His panicked eyes darted to Ana but she stayed still in the doorway, a blank look on her face that almost bordered on boredom.

"And until you stop lying and tell me what I want to know, you and I are going to have a little fun." She applied more pressure, her thumb digging into his windpipe. "I want to know exactly who that woman was and what she stuck me with." Faith paused as her hand twitched, her grip loosening. She blinked and Ana took a step forward the moment Faith lowered herself to one knee.

"Faith, are you okay?"

"Stay back." Faith squeezed Henry's neck again then released him, "Now are you going to give me answers or is this the part where I rearrange your face?"

"She doesn't have a name, not anymore. She came to us for help and we took her in."

"Took her in?" Faith resisted grabbing him again and stood up, "You call what you did helping her? Kidnapping an innocent person and torturing her is help?"

"She wasn't always innocent!" Henry glared up at her, a sneer on his face. "But she's one of us now and we're good people."

"Oh yeah? Then why'd she leave you behind?"

"It's not time for me yet!" He cleared his throat. "It was just to make you see, make you see your purpose here, your purpose with us."

"I don't have a purpose with you! I'm not joining your little gang, and this isn't some kind of game you can play! You can't mess with people's lives, deciding who's bad and who's good based on your own sick, twisted beliefs."

"You'll see. You'll know why you're important, why you're all important."

Faith wavered on her feet again barely feeling Ana grab her shoulder with a firm hand. "What did she do to me?"

He smiled, his gaze once again drifting back to the concrete floor, and he said nothing.

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"You need to stop and think about this!"

Faith ignored the advice and kept walking, grabbing her bag from the counter as she passed by.

"Faith!"

"Stay with Locke and keep an eye on our guest."

"No, I'm coming with you." Ana followed her towards the exit. "What just happened back there? What'd he mean by what he said to you?" She pushed the door back before it could slam into her face and kept a brisk pace behind Faith as they walked away from the hatch. "Faith, you need to stop! Something happened back there, you could be sick!"

"Just go back Ana! You can't help me, this is something I have to do on my own."

"You really should listen to her, it's not safe out here for little girls."

Ana stumbled at hearing the voice and Faith lowered her bag slowly to the ground, both of them staring at the tall male figure standing in their path. He grinned at the both of them and shoved his hands casually into his pockets.

"You're dead!" Ana stuttered, "You're supposed to be dead!"

"That's the beauty of it, I am dead." He chuckled. "You shot me Ana-Lucia, remember?"

"You're dead!"

"Ana!" Faith grabbed her arm, shaking her gently. "Snap out of it. He's not real."

Ana blinked, chest heaving as she stared straight at the man. "I saw the body."

"And then what? You thought I'd just be gone?" The man threw his head back, laughter echoing around the forest. "I'm always around girl. Every time you kill someone, every time you spill blood on your hands, I see it."

Faith released Ana with a snarl. "Leave her out of this."

"What is he? You know what he is?"

"Of course she does," The man's form shifted, changing into the exact image of Faith in leather pants and a black tank top. "And now so do you, I am the First, eternal evil. There is no you without me, there is no life." The First smiled and flipped a lock of hair over it's shoulder, "You live because I wish it. Your life has meaning and loss because of me."

"Shut up."

The First ignored Faith completely, dark eyes focused on Ana-Lucia as the eerie smile remained. "I took your baby and I ate her soul."

"I said shut the hell up!" Ana made a move forward but Faith caught her arm and jerked her back again.

The First let out a chilling laugh, the sound echoing around them, "Don't worry Ana-Lucia, I won't be saving you for last, that privilege is solely Faith's."

"If you're done listening to yourself talk, you can get the hell out of here right now."

"Or what?" The replica directed it's attention to Faith, "It's not like you can hurt me. Not like you do others. Face it, they all die before you do, don't they? One by one while you watch, not able to do a single thing to help." It giggled. "Who should be next Faith? Jack? Sawyer? Your darling Locke? Or maybe I'll go for a funny man with love on his mind; I do enjoy breaking up happy couples. Beat you there." The First winked and disappeared, a bright light fading from where it had once stood.

"What was… What did it mean by that?"

"Hurley." Faith snatched up her bag, tossing it to Ana who caught it. "Go back to the hatch!"

"I'll go with you!"

"You'll only slow me down. Go, now!" She took off running at full speed into the trees, her heart already pumping and pure adrenaline rushing through her veins.

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Frantically scanning the beach again, Faith frowned at the sight of Sawyer tossing his things around as he cursed. "Sawyer, you seen Hurley?"

"Seen him? He destroyed my tent!" He kicked at the blue mat lying by his feet. "The man is out of his damn mind, talking all crazy to himself and-"

"Sawyer! Where'd he go?"

"Into the woods, probably gonna go jump his crazy ass off a cliff, how the hell should I know?" He bent down to grab a bag of Oreos from beside his chair. The bag was half-empty, the plastic crumpled. "I just got these damn things!" Sawyer glanced over to say something else to Faith but she was already gone.

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She kept running until the trees became a blur. A noise to her left made her stop, the sounds of someone talking catching her attention and she pushed past the bushes just in time to see Hurley walking with his back to her.

Faith frowned as she spotted something else in the distance as well. "Hurley!"

"No, go away!" He clutched at his head, shaking it. "You're not real, nothing here is real."

She started forward again but a sharp pain made her stumble. "Hurley, you have to stop!"

"You're not real, all in my head. Dave is NOT here."

"Who's-" Faith rubbed at her head and winched at the queasy feeling that hit her stomach. "Hurley, you need to listen to me."

"No, I'm tired of everyone talking to me, telling me things! Telling me lies!" Hurley turned around and stared past her, "You're not real!"

Faith glanced over her shoulder but there was nothing there. She turned back just in time to see him taking off into the trees. "Hurley, wait!"

"What's going on?" Sayid pushed through the clearing, looking in the direction Hurley had fled. His dark eyes were concerned as he watched her. "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine. Hurley's in trouble and…" She blinked and rubbed at her head again as he moved forward to grab her arm. "I need to go."

"You're not alright, something is happening to you!"

Faith shoved at him, bringing her fists up to block his next advance.

"Don't do this Faith. Let's go back to the hatch and see what we can find out from Henry. Let's…"

"No, I have to go!" She swung at him and he stepped backwards to miss it. "I have to…" Faith cried out, grabbing her head with both hands and Sayid caught her when she fell.

She didn't fight him this time, her body convulsing as she continued to scream.

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"I need help!" Sayid burst into the hatch with Faith in his arms and Ana-Lucia immediately leapt up from the couch, her eyes wide.

"Holy crap, is she hurt?"

Jack ran towards them, alerted from the commotion, and Locke followed quickly behind on his crutches. "What happened?"

"I don't know, we were talking and she started shaking. I think it has something to do with the attack."

Jack felt her forehead. "She's burning up, we need to cool her down." He jumped when Faith reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"Clothes… stay on."

"Don't worry, Sawyer's not here." He cracked a small smile then looked at Sayid. "Get her in the shower, cold water. Ana, get some ice. I'll get my bag."

"I'll be fine, I just…" Faith licked her lips, blinking up at the ceiling as she was carried into the bathroom. "Put me down."

Sayid ignored her and flicked on the light with his elbow, moving forward to slide open the shower door with his foot. He slowly leaned her against the concrete wall and Faith collapsed, her shoulders shaking. He turned on the water nozzle and she jumped in shock as freezing water crashed down over her head.

Faith blinked against the water that flooded her eyes, reaching out blindly to grab Sayid's arms as he adjusted her into a more comfortable position on the floor.

"Faith?" He watched her eyes flutter shut and gently tapped the side of her face. "Faith, stay awake. Stay with me."

"I can't." She coughed up water, still shaking as she let go of him and her hands fell weakly into her lap. "I'm so tired, so… so hot and tired."

"Just hold on." He moved away when Jack returned, Locke and Ana lingering in the doorway. Jack bent down and grabbed her face, tilting her head up towards the light.

"Faith, can you hear me?" He felt her forehead again, "Her fever's still high," He pulled his bag closer, "I don't know if I have anything that'll work fast enough, I've never had a patient this hot before."

Faith blinked a few times before closing her eyes again, her mouth moving.

Locke leaned forward on his crutches as Jack shoved his bag away in frustration. "What's she saying?"

"I don't know; she's going into shock."

"Do something!"

"With what?" Jack glared at Sayid. "I don't have a damn clue what they did to her!"

"I know someone who does."

"He won't tell you anything." Locke shook his head. "We all know that."

Faith blinked again, crying out as she threw back her head and her spin arched. Her vision blurred then cleared, her eyes drifting past Jack's shoulder.

The lights in the bathroom began to burn brighter and she flinched as her eyes adjusted to the figure illuminated by the light.

"I saw you…" Faith whispered, her body finally ceasing from convulsing. "You're me."

A little, dark-haired child stood there in a torn dress, her hair in braided pigtails and she extended her tiny hand. The glow grew brighter each second that passed and Faith nodded in understanding, her own hand reaching forward.

Their fingers touched and the glow enveloped her, her mind fell until there was nothing else but the light.