The same day Richard and Kate walked back to the village, and slept in until nearly late afternoon…Locke had been waiting. Around dusk Richard who was freshly dressed in a cranberry colored shirt and dark slacks came down the front steps of the porch and spotted Locke right away. Strolling over, Locke tried his hardest to sound casual.

"Where's Kate?"

"She's inside showering."

Locke's eyes then fixed on Richard.

"And last night?"

Richard just stared at him with his dark eyes.

"Let's just say we came to an agreement with Jacob."

Locke's eyes widened as he stepped a foot closer.

"You went back to the cabin?"

"Yes…"

"With Kate?"

"Of course, she was very upset."

"Did she hear him?"

"No…but this time I got the answers I wanted to know. He told me we couldn't leave the island and that Kate would be perfectly fine during the pregnancy."

"Jacob said this?"

Richard nodded as Locke looked him over with untrusting eyes.

"Richard, Jacob talks a great deal to me…and last night when we were in the cabin he seemed very stubborn on the subject with Kate."

"That's when I took her out there and talked with him again. I was scared Locke…that's my wife we're talking about."

"And what did he say?"

"He said that Kate would be fine…that there was nothing to worry about."

"Does this mean all the women?"

"I'm not sure…but as of right now Kate and I are putting our fate in Jacob's hands. Which is something I don't usually do. In fact…I believe all the years of Ben being our leader caused this fear of the pregnancies much worse. I think we should move back to our camps in the jungles for a while…might be for the best."

Locke folded his arms. Just this early morning he had gone to the cabin to try and speak with Jacob. Believe it or not he was worried about his friends and wanted to know if there really wasn't anything he could do. Jacob's voice simply said this was Richard and Kate's business and that he would take care of them as always. Now looking at the calm expression on Richard's face, Locke could only believe it.

"I think you might be right Richard. I'll speak with the others later on tonight. Now what are you're plans with the pregnancy."

"I don't think I follow you?"

"Are you going to tell everyone? I mean this news would be very interesting for everyone. The only young ones we got are the children from the flight four years ago…since then nothing."

"I think we're going to wait. It's still early and as you know Kate has a history of miscarriages. I'll watch her closely and when the times comes we'll tell everyone. Until then I would like to keep it just between us."

Locke nodded.

"I completely understand."

"Good."

"You're not worried?"

Richard sighed.

"I'm scared to death really…but after what I heard last night…I need to take a chance."

"Even with you're wife. From the looks of it Richard Kate is one in a million…and you've lived a very long life."

Richard's eyes became serious.

"I'll do anything to protect her…anything."

"Even sacrifice?"

"Sacrifice of what?"

"Oh I think you know…"

Before Locke could finish, Kate came walking down the front steps in a sundress, her hair tied back tight. Her face now refreshed and beautiful.

"Richard?"

Richard turned as Kate walked over, barefooted. Taking Richard's arm she looked at Locke and gave a strained smile.

"Hi John."

"Hello Kate."

Just then one of the others who had a riffle swung over their shoulder called out to Locke. Turning he half smiled.

"Excuse me."

Walking away, Richard and Kate watched him. Kate glanced down at Richard's wrist watch and saw it was nearly sunset.

"I still feel exhausted."

Kate softly said. Richard put his arm around Kate, drawing her in closer and rubbing the her side. Still watching Richard, he sighed.

"Kate, promise me you won't say a word of what we did last night to anyone…not even Locke."

Kate looked up at him.

"Of course."

Nodding, Richard looked up at the sky.

"Come on, let's get some fresh air."

Walking with him, Kate had the more uneasy feeling she ever felt in the pit of her stomach. Something was wrong, she could see it was worrying Richard. Instead of saying anything she simply walked with him.

"We're leaving the village soon?"

Kate asked as Richard looked down at her as they walked.

"Yes…soon in fact."

"You don't much like it here."

Richard shrugged.

"It's our home…but I think it's better when we just live without the modern devices Ben often made us have. Anyways I like it the other way…makes me feel more alive when I wake up in the beach or jungle."

"Yeah me too."

Crossing the fences, which were now disabled, Kate raised an eyebrow.

"How come when these things worked…that black smoke couldn't get through?"

"Huh?"

"The monster…I saw it myself, is it because there's some force field?"

Richard looked up at the fences as they past through before dryly laughing.

"These things were build years ago…I think mainly to keep us out. Of course they don't work…not on me at least."

"What about the monster then?"

"I don't know. I've past through it many times when it was walking…even saw anything like that."

"Do you know the smoke monster is? I mean it doesn't bother us anyone."

"It's part of the island."

"Like Jacob?"

Richard smiled.

"Sort of…come on."

The rest of the walk was in silence. Right away the sun started to set they reached their favorite spot up on the high hill that over looked the valley. Sitting down in the tall grass Kate laid back looking at the sky.

"You scared?"

Richard gazed out at the view before laying back himself. Both stared up at the beautiful colored sky as stars began to twinkle out above them. Richard sighed deeply before putting his hands behind his head.

"Yeah…I am."

"I'm scared too."

Richard looked over at Kate before reaching over and taking one of her hands.

"Richard?"

"Yeah?"

"Please tell me everything I need to know. You can't leave me in the dark…not if you love me."

"What do you wanna know?"

"Everything."

"Everything?"

"Yes…starting with how many years you've been on this island."

Richard stared over at Kate as the two of them laid together in the grass. Taking a deep breath he began.

Five months later

"Jesus just kill me now!"

Kate moaned as she kneeled down in the sand near the bushes throwing up. Her back arching, she began to dry heave as she vomited again and began to gag. Richard meanwhile knelt beside her gently rubbing her back with a more then worried look on his face.

"This isn't normal…"

Richard said before Kate wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Spitting, she sat up as her hair clung to her skin. Richard right away felt her neck and knew she was running a fever. Her color was off, and she looked completely horrible and drained.

"Richard…I need…to lay…down…"

Richard quickly stood up before scooping her up in his arms. Carrying her to their tent, he noticed a few worried looks come from the others…most of all Locke.

They were camped out on one of the beaches now. Richard had hoped the sea air would make Kate's never ending morning sickness and nausea. A good number of their people did have some background in some special trait. Luckily for Richard he had some understanding of the medical world along with three or four of their friends. The news of Kate's pregnancy stayed a secret until Kate safely past the 100th day mark in her pregnancy. Going through her second trimester smoothly at first, Richard truly thought everything was going to be okay. Breaking the news, everyone was amazed and more then happy for them. Richard had been here long before them and had taken good care of them all whenever their leader was making the right decisions or not. For the most part, he head seen them out through Ben, and now into a much more understanding leader in Locke. Their people trusted Richard and never questioned him simply because they all knew power and control were the least of his interests. All he really cared about was the island…and now his wife.

There were questions at first, but all Richard told them was that he really didn't know of pregnancies were safe yet. That Jacob had told him those troubles were all part of the past and to wait and see after Kate gave birth. He reassured everyone that Kate would be perfectly fine and that he was trusting Jacob completely. But Locke on the other hand could read right through his lies.

The morning sickness was something that began before Kate even reached her second month. From five in the morning, to almost ten Kate would be retching away as Richard sat behind her holding her hair and trying his hardest to sooth her. At first it seemed perfectly normal until Kate began getting so drained from it, that Richard began to worry.

Anytime he went to the cabin to speak with Jacob he would get the same reply.

"She'll be fine. Put you're trust in me."

And whenever Locke would ask, privately whenever Richard had left Jacob's voice would laugh and tell Locke not to worry about his two friends.

Richard kept trying to remember Jacob's promise to them whenever Kate seemed miserable laying against him before turning her head and throwing up again. He hated to see her in so much pain.

But by the afternoon she seemed fine. She was walking around with everyone else and in a great mood. Once the news of the pregnancy was out, Kate had her good days and bad ones. Whenever she was doing mad she either stayed inside or tried her hardest from the others. She didn't want them to worry. Instead it was just Richard and her.

A few of Kate's friends had taken her around the old medical stations and showed her different things she could use for the baby. Thinking of Claire and Aaron, Kate felt very overwhelmed. Somehow on the island everything seemed so different.

One day while sitting around in the grass, fixing some torn clothes, Kate, Mercedes, and Cindy. Two women she had grown very close with. It was a beautiful sunny day and for once Kat was feeling better.

"Are you nervous?"

Kate looked up.

"Huh?"

"About the baby?"

Kate smiled while shrugging.

"Yeah I guess a little."

"Are you scared, I mean…you do know what happens to pregnant women in the island."

Kate slowly nodded, her eyes troubled.

"Yeah, a little bit. But Richard and I were told that was over…that nothing would happen.'

"From Jacob?"

Kate knew she needed to say as little as possible.

"Yes…that's what he told Locke and Richard."

"Well I think it's exciting, I mean most of all you and Richard…he's been with us since I was a child."

Kate smiled at Mercedes.

"Yeah, we feel really lucky."

"Of course you are…everyone thinks Richard is handsome…and mysterious."

Kate blushed.

"I guess that's what attracted me to him in the first place."

"You know…he really should be the leader. I mean I have nothing against Locke. But Ben was horrible."

"Come on Cindy."

"But it's true. Richard is the only one who really cares about us…and the fact he's such a big part of the island. I mean you never have the second guess him."

Kate kept sewing the clothes as the two women went back and forth.

"Kate?"

Kate looked up, half listening.

"Yeah?"

"When you were first brought to our camp…after you washed up on shore…they did you had a miscarriage. Was that true?"

"Cindy!"

Kate smiled.

"No, it's okay. Yes I was pregnant."

"How far along were you?"

"Not very far…the father…well at far as I know left the island."

"Were you married?"

Kate shook her head.

"And he just left you?"

"What choice did he have. Anyways…there were more then enough signs to show we weren't supposed to be together."

"You know…there was a rumor that Richard had a child."

"Shhhh! Cindy!"

Kate's eyes went to them, now very interested.

"Huh?"

"Don't listen to her, she's new and stupid."

"I've been here four years Mercedes…word does get around."

"What about this?"

Mercedes looked at Kate and sighed.

"I think we all know Richard is special. When I first came to the island when I was seventeen Richard looked exactly the same he does now. It's something we just don't question."

Kate thought back at that night on the hill when Richard told her everything and sighed as Mercedes went on.

"I guess Richard was here back even in the 1970's. With the same group who first came here in the early 50's. Our people had a woman leader back then…I don't remember her name but I know she left the island. This was back when we were separate from the Dharma people. I guess the woman was involved with a very powerful man who at one point was our leader as well…he was vanished."

"Why?"

"Who knows, long before our time. Anyways…this woman had a very brief affair with Richard and ended up pregnant. She left the island before giving birth and was never seen or heard from again."

"And everyone thought Richard was the father?"

Mercedes shrugged.

"There were rumors, and I guess Richard got very upset when she left. Since then he distanced himself…until you came. I've never seen Richard so happy. I really think the island is giving him a second chance. If this baby is okay…I think it's going to be special."

Kate tried to smile.

"You think so?"

"Yeah, look at it's father."

Kate smiled, this was a very interesting story. But she didn't know if it was true. Richard as special as he was…still was a man. It wouldn't surprise her if he had past relationships. But from the sound of it…Richard really hadn't been this happy until Kate came along. Feeling strange about the whole thing, Kate decided not to bring it up. Yes they pretty much knew everything about each other…but still his past was his past.

He never judged her for going back and forth between Jack, Sawyer, and Desmond.

So she didn't say anything. Shortly after, Kate saw Richard talking with Locke beneath one of the tents and smiled. Looking down at herself, she did count herself lucky.

She was now getting a stomach, which showed perfectly underneath her shirts. Just a week ago Richard had taken her to one of the old medical labs and did an ultrasound. He really wasn't completely clear on what he was doing…Juliet had been the expert. But he tried his best and as the two nervous sat in the damp dark watching the screen, it lit up and showed their baby.

"Lift your shirt up…this is going to be cold."

Kate did so as Richard moved the paddle around.

"Do these machines still work."

"It's only been a couple of years…should."

Kate looked over at Richard.

"You know a lot about this stuff?"

Richard turned a dial to adjust to screen as it began lighting up, showing fuzzy images.

"Somewhat…God knows Ben tried his hardest to make us scientist."

Just then a thumping filled the room. Richard moved the paddle a little more until the screen fully lit up.

Kate sat forward, her eyes big.

"Is that our baby?"

Richard moved the paddle before looking at the screen and smiling.

"Yep, that's it."

"Does it look okay? Does it look healthy?"

Kate was nearly on the edge of her seat. Richard grinned, feeling his own heart become suddenly very overwhelmed. Still smiling he closely looked as Kate's eyes filled with tears.

"That's our baby Richard…that's it?"

Kate couldn't believe it. She remembered being in Los Angeles alone while getting her ultrasound done for Sydney. She remembered sitting up looking at the screen in amazement. Looking at the tiny little thing that was growing inside of her and still being completely in awe. She remembered wishing so badly for Desmond to be there, holding her hand and looking at the screen at the baby they made together.

Richard turned, still smiling before leaning over and kissing her.

The baby seemed fine.

When Richard asked if they should check the sex Kate shook her head.

"No, let's find out when it comes."

Richard kissed her again, agreeing that was a good idea.

Somehow this was different. Richard had been by her side the entire time. As scared as she was, somehow looking at Richard's face made it better. Knowing his baby was growing inside of her made her feel proud. This baby was going to be special…she knew it.

From Kate's blood work, and how the baby looked everything seemed perfectly fine. That night Locke informed Richard that Jacob wanted to speak with him. Once at the cabin Jacob told Richard that he could no longer use the old Dharma medical supplies. That all of those tests and charts were works of Ben who didn't let the island set nature's course. Worried by this Richard told Jacob that he was just worried about Kate. That she had been really sick lately and he just wanted to see if the baby was okay.

Jacob told him to let the island take care of it. That if he kept using modern practices it may in fact harm the baby. Not fully understanding, Richard walked back to their tent angry and confused. Locke meanwhile didn't say a thing.

When he heard their tent Kate was sitting up looking at the ultrasound photo Richard had printed out for her at the station. Kate stared at the blurry image with such a deep look in her eye as she gently rubbed her stomach humming. Richard stood in the doorway smiling

He would take care of her, no matter what happened.

That night Richard crawled into bed and placed his hand against Kate's stomach. Kate swore she had felt movement earlier.

"It's too early Kate."

Richard smiled, but Kate kept his hand there.

"Shhhh, just wait…you'll feel it."

So they waited until for a brief moment Richard did indeed think he felt something. Smiling, he kissed her and told her he couldn't wait to see their baby. Kate was his soul mate now and he would do anything to be with her, time or no time. She now knew all his secrets. His past, and his purpose he served here.

Now slowly entering Kate's sixth month, Richard laid her on their bed inside their tent and felt her face.

She was burning up.

Sitting beside her, he made her drink water before she began to gag again. Feeling horrible cramps, she snapped her eyes shut and cried out as Richard held her, gently rocking her back and forth. If this didn't end he would get Jacob, he didn't care what he would say.

Finally Kate's cries broke away as she slowly fell asleep. Richard held her, his hands at her stomach before he felt something.

A kick?

Raising an eyebrow, Richard felt again.

Nothing.

Sighing, he felt her head again and the fever was burning up.

"Come on Kate…"

Kate mumbled, turning over.

"No…"

Richard lifted her again and brought her back out. Mostly everyone was going about their business. But still there were plenty who were watching with worried faces. Richard brought Kate towards the surf and began walking in the water as Kate laid her head against his chest.

Going knee high in the water, Richard sat down and brought Kate into the water in his arms. She moaned, but he held her there. Laying her head against his chest, her eyes fluttered open and looked as him. The water moved around them as Richard sat there holding her.

"Richard what are you doing?"

"I'm lowering you're fever…stay still."

"Richard we're getting all wet…"

"Shhhh…"

Everyone back on the beach decided to go about their way, even though most of the women simply shook their heads. It would just be a matter of time before Kate got worse and worse. They knew no matter who were the parents…pregnant women just didn't survive.

Emma, and Zach, the two youngest out of their people simply stood on the beach watching. They liked Richard, he had always been so nice to them and usually took them to the temple in the jungle. They felt sorry his wife was getting sick. They knew it was because she was going to have a baby…and if you had a baby on this island. You died.

Fifteen minutes later, Kate's color began to return. Her hair washed behind her shoulders back and forth by the tide. Finally she looked up at Richard.

"What's wrong?"

Richard, dripping wet held her tighter…knowing he had to do something.

After placing her in bed at their tent, Richard marched to the first medical station. There had to be something he could find to help her.

Instead…he found nothing. The medical station was wiped out. Everything was empty. Going to the second station, and then the third by nightfall Richard was outraged. Most of the medical equipment was gone. Marching to the cabin, Richard swung open the door and found Locke sitting in a rocking chair in complete silence.

"Where is everything?"

Locke looked up.

"What?"

"The medical equipment. I've just been to three different stations and there's nothing."

"Why are you looking for stuff like that?"

"Because Kate is sick…I need to know if she's okay."

"She's fine, last I saw you were putting her to bed."

"Damnit Locke stop! I need to know if something is wrong."

"Didn't Jacob tell you not to use modern devices. That it might harm the baby?"

Richard tried to keep breathing, he had never felt this angry before in his life.

"Locke, she's not doing good…I need to make sure she'll be okay.'

"Jacob told you to let the island do it's work…you should listen."

Richard stood in the doorway making fists, never before in his very long life had he wanted to kill someone.

At that exact moment Kate tossed and turned in their bed. Richard had blown out all the lanterns before leaving and she laid in darkness. Not able to sleep, Kate felt sick again and tried her hardest to control it. She had never felt so awful before in her entire life.

Some days were better then others, today had been horrible.

She thought of that day on the beach when she asked Desmond if he still loved Penny. Laying there, Kate rubbed her arms. She for some reason was freezing. Laying there, remembering all these awful memories tears escaped from her eyes.

She thought of Sydney and Aaron, and wished more then anything to see them right now.

"It can't be a dream…"

She softly said. Laying here, she truly didn't know if Jacob had been right. She was slowly going into her sixth month in the pregnancy and never before had she felt anything like this. Thinking back at everything, she thought of Richard and tried to shut her eyes. No matter what had happened, he had been there for her. Laying there she wondered if she would live…or the baby.

Thinking of Sydney, her eyes filled with tears. Would it be the same? Would this baby be okay? Would it be special like everyone else was saying? Of course it was. Every time she looked at Richard her heart seemed to swell. Knowing she was carrying his baby was more then enough for her to push on.

But would she survive?

Just then the opening of the tent was drawn back. It was night now.

It was late now, and the wind was blowing hard. Richard stood in the opening, his eyes tried.

Kate hiked herself up and looked up at him.

"What is it?"

Richard slowly shook his head.

"Nothing…how are you feeling?"

Kate shrugged.

"Better…"

Just then she stopped before her eyes lit up.

"Richard come here!"

Richard's sat down quickly on the edge before Kate quickly grabbed his hands and placed them on her stomach.

"Feel…"

Richard waited before he felt it. Right away his eyes widened before a big grin appeared on his face. Kate laughed through tears looking up at him in the darkness.

"That's our baby…it's kicking."

Richard laughed before putting his ear to her stomach and smiling, looking down at him Kate suddenly remembered Desmond doing the exact thing no more then four years ago. Her smile fading away, she sat in the darkness with Richard remembering Desmond.