A/N: WOW! An update? Seriously? Yes, an update has finally arrived boys and girls. I'm BACK! Okay, I was always here (I had a CSI story going for a bit) but I'm finally able to focus on Tabula Rasa again and give it the affection it deserves. I apologize for the delay but college and real life has kept me extremely busy, not to mention I had SEVERE writer's block when it came to this chapter. I finally had to just sit down, block out everything else and churn something out. Hopefully you'll enjoy what has evolved. I am now working on chapter forty-six. Hopefully it will not take me several months to finish it this time. I'm also not sure what chapter the story is ending on but so far, it's still fifty. We shall see. For now, enjoy (I apologize for any errors but I was in a rush to post this) and please please PLEASE leave me some feedback and let me know you're still with me!

Thanks!

Chapter Forty-Five: Enter 77

"They're back! Kate and Sawyer! They're back!"

Throwing on a shirt and quickly shoving on her jeans, Faith stumbled out of the tent and blinked rapidly against the bright morning rays of the sun. She shielded her eyes in order to see the large group of the camp had appeared on the beach to surround Kate and Sawyer.

"If you've come to give me that kiss Fire Cracker, you're a little late."

She rolled her eyes and continued to scan the beach. "Where's the Doc?" She watched as Sawyer glanced uneasily towards Kate who was busy talking to Rose and Claire. "Sawyer, where is Jack?"

"He volunteered to stay behind."

"So you just left him?"

His eyes flashed darkly at hearing the disbelieving tone in her voice. "It was either that or stay locked up in a cage pressing a button for a damn fish biscuit." At her confused look, he shook his head. "Don't ask. Look, we didn't have a choice. The place they took us, it's a facility of some kind and not only do they have a ton of people but they have twice as many guns. We couldn't take the chance."

"Alright, how long until we go back for him?"

"Did you miss the part where they have a lot of guns?"

"Did you miss the part where you left behind the only doctor we have with a group of people that killed some of us?" She slapped her hands onto her hips. "I don't know what you did to get away or what Jack did to help you but I do know we're not just going to leave him there."

"Well, I wish you the best of luck Fire Cracker but the last thing I'm gonna do is volunteer again to walk off into the jungle and end up some science experiment… again."

"You're something else Sawyer."

"Ain't the first time I've heard that, trust me."

"I'm pretty sure that wasn't a compliment." Kate retorted softly as she approached them. She shot Sawyer an indescribable look before she focused her attention on Faith. "If you're going, I'm coming with you."

"Good. We'll leave tonight."

"Have you two completely lost your minds?"

"Let me go change and grab some supplies." They ignored Sawyer glancing between them with his eyebrows furrowed. "I can be ready in the next hour."

"Even better."

"You can't be… Hey!" Sawyer threw up his hands as Kate moved between them to head up the beach and he shifted his attention back to Faith with narrowed eyes. "You don't know what you're walking into; they're not defenseless over there. They've got technology and weapons, not to mention a connection to the outside world."

"And what's the alternative Sawyer? Ignore the fact that Jack is gone? Should we turn into the rest of these people, living in fear and hoping that we're not next as long as we keep to ourselves and look the other way?" Faith focused momentarily on Claire and Aaron, the baby snuggling close to his mother as he played with the long strands of her hair. "I'm not going to be that person. I can't live like that."

"So going in with guns blazing is the only option you have left?"

"I'm always open to suggestions but I'm not going stay here while one of ours is being held against his will. No way."

"You're talking about a suicide mission John Wayne."

She brought her eyes back to his. "Maybe it is but let me ask you something, if it was Kate, would you be still saying all this shit to me?"

"So this isn't really about doing what's right, it's about bringing your lover back in one piece."

"You really are something else."

"That ain't a no."

"Did that hurt?"

"What?" He flinched as Faith slapped him hard upside the head. "Hey! Ow!"

"That ain't a no."

Rolling his eyes, he rubbed at the side of his head. "You can joke all you want but the facts don't change. This is a dangerous decision you're making Faith."

"And what decision is that?" They both shifted to see Sayid. He was shirtless holding two mangos in his hand and glancing between them curiously. "Welcome back Sawyer."

"It's good to be back."

"You'll have to share that story with me later." Sayid directed his attention to Faith. "Good morning." He handed her a mango and kissed her softly on the cheek. "I see you found my shirt."

She ignored Sawyer looking at her curiously. "Uh, yeah, sorry. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."

"It's not a problem." He nodded at Sawyer again. "I'm going to go shower. I'll find you when I'm done."

Sawyer chuckled as Sayid walked away from them and he cocked an eyebrow. "Muhammad sure does get around on this island doesn't he?"

"Yeah, well, so does your girlfriend."

"Oh burn! There's no recovering from that Dude."

Sawyer rolled his eyes as Hurley went walking by them. "You sound awful tense about that Fire Cracker."

"I'm tense about a lot of things but your love life isn't one of them." Faith tossed him the mango in her hand. "There you go; compliments of the chef." She glanced over her shoulder at the group of tents set up on the beach before she looked at him again. "In case we don't see each other after this, it was nice trading insults with you."

"You're not going all sentimental on me are you Fire Cracker?"

"Me? Sentimental?" She smirked. "And for the last time Cooter, don't call me Fire Cracker."

&&&&&&&&&&&

She took her time walking up the beach to Ana-Lucia's tent and when she arrived, she was surprised to see Locke there already talking to the recovering woman. At seeing her approach, Locke stood up and faced her.

"Where's Eko?"

"He's dead."

She blinked at the news, Ana-Lucia looking between them. "How did he die?"

"The island decided it was time."

"The island decided?"

"He says the smoke creature killed him." Ana-Lucia blurted out. "It grabbed him and it just... It just killed him." She looked away. "This place is fucking insane man."

Faith never took her eyes off Locke. "I'm starting to wonder if it's the island or if it's the people here that are insane."

"I doubt there's one simple answer to that." Locke answered. "I hear you're putting a group together to go rescue Jack. Are you sure that's the smartest thing to do right now?"

"Look at you, trying to make it sound like you're not interested in coming Locke."

"I'm only trying to look out for you."

"I'm touched." She shifted to gaze down at Ana-Lucia. "How are you feeling? You should probably be laying down or something."

Ana-Lucia rose to her feet. "Actually, I've never felt better. There been no way to tell I was shot a few days ago if not for the scar left behind in the middle of my chest." She smirked. "Locke says I can thank this piece of shit island."

"Well, if you're better, feel up for taking a little trip?"

"You're serious aren't you? You're really going to go over to the Other's base camp to get Jack back."

Faith nodded. "I'd appreciate the help but if not, I'm just fine with doing it alone."

"That's not going to happen."

She glanced over at Locke as Ana-Lucia nodded. "Goodie." She turned away. "We're leaving within the hour for those that want to come and if you have any weapons, I suggest bringing them." She smirked. "Something tells me they're not going to be happy to see us."

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

Holding up the back of the line, Faith kept a steady pace as she studied the group. Ana-Lucia was beside her with Kate and Sayid covering the middle holding torches. It wasn't surprising that Locke was in the front but she couldn't help but continuously watch Danielle as she walked beside him.

Kate had obviously told Danielle that it was possible the Others had her daughter in order to motivate her to come and show them quicker routes on the island. The French woman did her usual of keeping her mouth quiet but her eyes alert.

Faith adjusted the strap connected to the crossbow positioned across her back as they continued. The one given to her before had been left behind on the boat the Others took. Just another thing to hit someone in the face about, she'd make sure of it. The urge to fight had grown more stronger over the last couple of days. If she didn't put her fist through something soon...

"You're smirking."

She blinked and glanced over at Ana-Lucia. "Huh?"

"You were smirking. There something funny?"

"Actually, I was just thinking about what a dysfunctional A-Team we'd make." She looked forward again, eyes darting between Sayid and Kate talking quietly over a map Sayid held in his right hand.

"How long do you think we'll have to walk?" Ana-Lucia whispered. "No one seems to be exactly sure of what direction we're supposed to be heading."

Sayid glanced over his shoulder at them. "According to Locke, as long as we keep heading north on a bearing of 305, we should find something."

"I don't remember inviting you into this conversation." Faith grinned at him.

"My apologies. I couldn't help but overhear the question." He smiled back. "Mind if I walk beside you a while?"

Faith ignored Kate and Ana-Lucia both smiling at that and rolled her eyes. "Sure but I get the map." He traded places with Ana-Lucia and handed her the map. "Where's the Wal-Mart?"

Sayid chuckled. "Right next to the Starbucks."

"Holy shit ladies and gentlemen, he made a joke."

Kate and Ana-Lucia both chuckled at that, Locke even smiling and it wasn't surprising that Danielle simply kept going at a determined stride.

"Remind me again why we're following the directions written on some stick?"

Locke twirled the staff that used to belong to Eko in his hand. "You just have to trust me."

"It's a stick."

"I can't say I disagree with her logic." Sayid agreed. "How do we know we're even going in the right direction? I suggest we stop, make camp and rethink our plan."

Danielle stopped short and turned to face them as they stopped as well. "We should keep going."

"Good plan Rambo." Faith pumped her fist. "Go until we can't go anymore and die of exhaustion."

"It was you that was adamant about gaining as much ground as possible." Locke commented. "Are you not as motivated to rescue Jack as you were before we left the beach?"

"Sometimes I just want to punch your lights out." She itched to move towards him and as if he knew, Sayid's hand lowered onto her shoulder and squeezed.

Kate glanced between them nervously. "How about we just go a little more and then make camp?"

"This isn't a playground Kate, we don't need a mediator."

"I'm just trying to suggest..."

Faith shrugged off Sayid's hand. "Let's go."

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

It was the sound of a twig snapping that woke her. Her eyes snapped open but she remained lying on her back, arms folded onto her stomach. Her fingers drifted to her belt where the Jackal laid in wait. The morning sun was just rising, a light fog covering the forest. The sound of her heart beat pounding steadily filled her head.

"Faith!"

She sat up at hearing the familiar voice and narrowed her eyes at the little girl in the white dress standing at her feet. The conduit motioned her to follow and she sighed as it said nothing before it turned and ran into the forest. "I freaking hate it when it does that."

With a sigh, she rose to her feet and glanced around to see the group still sleeping. Her eyes lingered on Sayid and she looked away quickly with a frown. Danielle was missing. "She's probably somewhere whittling a grenade launcher out of sticks."

"Did you just see that?"

Faith's head snapped right to see Ana-Lucia sitting on a log by the fire that had long burned out. "Did you?"

Ana-Lucia smirked. "I asked you first." She rose to her feet. "You ready?"

"I'm pretty sure it was my name that was annoyingly called. Go back to sleep."

"I saw her. That means I tag along."

"It."

Ana-Lucia frowned. "What?"

"It; it's not a she or a he, it's an it, a conduit actually." Faith moved forward and as she expected Ana-Lucia followed, the bushes closing behind them.

"Isn't that a tube?"

Faith chuckled in amusement. "Funny you should say that." She cleared her throat. "Conduit, a connection between the higher powers and our tiny little world. It's been stalking me since we arrived here."

"Excuse me for being skeptic but why would a conduit for good be stalking you?"

Faith stopped and turned to face Ana-Lucia. "I'm a vampire slayer."

"Okay, now I know there's no way you're not jerking me around."

"I'm a vampire slayer. I was chosen when I was sixteen to fight vampires, demons, you name it because some high power got bored and decided it didn't want to do so much work anymore. About a year ago, a witch did a spell that helped activate sleeping slayer potentials all over the world to fight evil that had grown too big for its britches. You're one of those potentials."

"You sound fucking insane."

"I wish I was." Faith remarked dryly. "I wish this was all a dream and I was back in Boston with a mother who didn't drink herself to death and a father who cared enough to stick around but unfortunately this is the real world and if wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak."

"What the hell do horses and steak have to do with each other?"

"You've been having the dreams haven't you?" Faith crossed her arms over her chest. "You've been living lives that aren't yours; fighting demons and fucked up villains with bad teeth night after night. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don't."

"How did-"

"You survive things that kill a normal human, you heal faster too; you're stronger and faster in general than anyone you've ever known and somewhere deep inside, you've always known you're different from everyone else. You're a potential slayer. That's how you survived being shot not once but several times in your life. It's the reason why The First wants you to suffer before you die, why it taunted you about your child, and it's the reason the conduit allowed you to see it."

Ana-Lucia still seemed uncertain but she nodded slowly. "Guess it's a good thing there aren't vampires on this island cause I'd have no clue what to do."

"Sharp end goes into the heart." Faith smirked. "And never leave your mouth open, the ash after-taste stays with you for days."

"How can you be so cool about all of this?"

"Because she knows it's her destiny."

Faith and Ana-Lucia both turned to see the conduit standing a few feet away, her hands clasped together in front of her.

"If you're both quite done with chit-chatting, I wish to show you something."

"And the creepy factor goes up a notch." Faith sighed. "Unless it includes a hot tub and a beer, I'm not sure I want to know."

The conduit smirked. "As always your humor is appreciated but time is of the essence Faith. Must I remind you again of the mission?"

"Yeah, thanks, that'd be good." Faith rolled her eyes and watched as the little girl chuckled before turning away. They had no choice but to follow and after a few minutes, both cleared an area of trees to find the conduit had vanished.

"Does she do that a lot?"

"It."

Ana-Lucia was the one to roll her eyes this time. "Does it do that a lot?"

"Actually, it tends to be a bit more annoying..." Faith paused at the sound of what sounded like a bell breaking the silence of the forest. "Did you hear that?"

"It's a bell." Ana-Lucia glanced around. "It's-"

"This way." Faith moved forward with Ana-Lucia right behind her, both of them shoving through more trees.

They both paused at the sight of the cow standing mere feet away from them. Directly behind it was an old house, a large satellite disc on the top of it. There was a wooden fence around the property, a horse and chickens inside its perimeter.

Faith shoved Ana-Lucia back into the safe coverage of the forest just as the bell ran again and a man stepped out from the doorway of the house. He was wearing a Dharma jumpsuit, a patch covering one eye and he glanced around as he ran the metal triangle in his hand.

She couldn't help but grin as she looked over at Ana-Lucia. "I call dibs on the chickens."

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