Juliet was finally done for the day. She'd typed up her reports, and the cell cultures she'd started would need another forty-eight hours to grow before she could do anything relevant with them. Glancing up at the clock on the wall and seeing that it was just hitting four, she stretched and decided to leave the lab an hour early. Gathering her things together, including copies of her reports to give to Ben, she turned off the lights and walked out the door, locking it behind her.

She made her way across the village, never failing to admire its neat lines and cheerful colors. There was a hint of Levittown to the design, and for some reason, this appealed to her; it was a reminder of days past and man's impetus to create utopia.

She walked lightly down the path that led to Ben's house, wondering if he were home, and if she could perhaps drop her reports off to him now. People smiled and acknowledged her along the way, and she returned the gesture, marveling over the change of mood she felt. On this warm afternoon, with the sun shining, and the smell of sweet greenery in the air, it was possible to believe that she really did live in Utopia.

She made her way up the steps and onto Ben's front porch. It was foolish to think he might be home—Ben worked longer and harder than anyone on the island; he seemed to be everywhere at once—but just in case, she knocked on the door and prepared to leave her reports in his mailbox in case he didn't answer.

But suddenly, the door flew open, and there he was, wiping his hands on a dish towel.

"Well hello, Juliet," he said, looking very pleased to see her. "What can I do for you?"

"Um, hello," she stammered. "I didn't think you'd be home…I just came to bring you my latest lab reports."

"Oh, wonderful!" he cried. "Please, do come in."

Ben ushered her inside before she could refuse, not that she wanted to refuse, but she'd never seen into the personal, private life of Benjamin Linus before, and suddenly she found herself surrounded by it.

His house was neat and tidy, almost to the point of fastidiousness. His living area was to her left. It had plenty of seating, which led her to wonder if Ben was someone who regularly entertained in his home, or if the extra seats were a necessity for meetings and island business. There were several paperbacks on the coffee table, and she was struck by a sudden urge to walk over and check their titles. She knew Ben liked to read, but what he liked to read was still a mystery to her.

There were pictures of Ben and his daughter Alex on the walls. Juliet hadn't really had a chance to meet the girl, but she'd caught glimpses of her here and there throughout the community. She had a hard time picturing Ben as a father, and was fiercely curious at to what his child would be like.

There was a piano in the corner of the room. Juliet had been a proficient piano player in her youth. She wondered how much she still remembered, and whether it was Ben's or Alex's…or both?

Her eyes followed the lines of the walls from left to right. To the right was Ben's kitchen, Ben's office, and also Ben. He was quietly standing, waiting patiently for her to finish looking around, his expression amused.

"I'm sorry," she said, coming back to reality. "It's always interesting seeing the inside of someone's home for the first time." Especially yours.

"Understandable," he replied amiably, turning and reaching into the cupboard behind him. "I look forward to returning the favor someday. Please, have a seat. Set those reports on the table."

She did as he requested, taking care to arrange the pile in an orderly fashion. When she looked back up, Ben was approaching the table with a bottle of pinot noir and two wine glasses in his hands. "Would you care for a drink?" he asked, shaking the bottle slightly in an obvious attempt to tantalize her. Juliet smirked and nodded.

Ben cheerfully uncorked the bottle, poured her a generous glass and handed it to her with a small flourish. He then poured himself a glass, re-corked the wine, and turned his full attention on her. Juliet took a small sip, savoring the flavor for a moment before taking another, aware the entire time that Ben's eyes were on her.

"How is it?" he prodded.

"Excellent," she smiled. "Thank you."

Ben took a sip from his own glass. "I agree."

For a moment, they were silent. Ben was studying her face again, those eyes of his unblinking in their intensity. Juliet cleared her throat.

"So, Ben, what has you home at four PM on a Wednesday?"

"Well, Juliet, if you can believe it, Alex and I are having a family dinner tonight, and I'm making a lasagna." He gestured to the counter behind him, and Juliet could see a box of pasta and a jar of sauce sitting in what she presumed was to be the lasagna pan. "You're welcome to join us, if you like."

"No, thank you," Juliet shook her head. "I couldn't intrude."

"Not at all!" Ben cried. "In fact, I would welcome the company. Alex hasn't been very happy with me as of late. We're barely on speaking terms."

"How old is she?"

"Sixteen."

"Ah," Juliet took another sip of wine. "Such a lovely age."

"You have no idea," Ben scoffed. "She has this boyfriend Karl. I've been informed that they're in love," he rolled his eyes. Juliet groaned in sympathy.

"Well, as delightful as your impending family dinner sounds," she quipped. "I'm afraid I must decline your invitation."

Ben nodded in acceptance.

"I can't say that I blame you," he grimaced. "I'd decline the invitation too if I wasn't the one doing the cooking."

"But…another time? Maybe?" Juliet made this offer hesitantly. There was something about Ben that both intrigued and unnerved her. He was so…intense. But he was also one of the few people here that she'd made a real connection to, and she'd be a fool to reject his offer of friendship.

Ben's face lit up at her offer to share a meal, and Juliet was flattered that someone would be so joyous at the mere prospect of spending time with her.

"Of course," he responded. "That would be lovely. Cheers." He raised his glass to clink it against hers, and they both drank. Ben started to say something else, but the front door suddenly burst open.

"Hello Alex," Ben called out to his daughter as she flew through the door, slamming it behind her and chucking her backpack onto the couch. She whirled around and froze in surprise at the sight of Juliet. "Come meet Dr. Burke," Ben intoned with a gesture.

Alex, looking chagrined, came over to shake Juliet's hand.

"Nice to meet you," she said, looking from Juliet to her father and back again. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Same here," Juliet replied, giving Alex her warmest smile. "Rough day?" she asked with a significant glance from the door to the couch.

"Uh, yeah, you could say that," Alex replied, shooting a dagger-filled look at Ben, whose expression did not change. Alex's gaze fell to the bottle of wine and the two half-filled glasses on the table. "Am I interrupting something?" she asked slyly, looking over at Juliet.

"Not at all," Juliet replied. "I brought over some reports and your dad offered me a post-work drink."

"I'm just about to start dinner," Ben said, standing up and moving into the kitchen area. "Perhaps you could keep Juliet company while I cook."

"I can't. I have homework to do," Alex told him flatly. Ben locked eyes with his daughter, and Juliet could see that her impertinence was angering him. She interjected before he could reply.

"That's okay, I should be going anyway," she stood up and gave Alex a conciliatory pat on the shoulder. "Maybe another time?" she asked, her expression understanding and a tad rueful.

"Yeah, sure," Alex replied with a small smile. "It was nice to meet you."

"Same here."

Alex walked back over to the couch and snatched up her book bag, heading for what Juliet assumed was her bedroom.

"Dinner's in an hour!" Ben called after her, but the only response he received was the sound of Alex's door closing shut. He sighed and braced his hands on the countertop.

"I'm sorry about that," he said to Juliet. "She's not usually so rude."

"That's okay," she replied, gesturing to Alex's bedroom with her wineglass. "At least she didn't slam the door that time."

"Yes, thank goodness for small miracles," Ben muttered sarcastically, shaking his head. Juliet smiled and finished her wine.

"It's a tough age," she murmured. "I remember. Everything was so intense." She looked up at Ben who was listening with great interest. "She'll even out in a couple of years. You just have to hang on."

"I intend to do just that," he replied ruefully. "Although it may drive me insane in the process."

"Well," Juliet chuckled. "You could always take up drinking." She was teasing of course, shaking her empty wine glass in the same enticing manner he'd used on the wine bottle earlier, but she was shocked to see his face suddenly contort with anger. He broke their eye contact and directed his gaze down at the countertop and said nothing. Juliet was appalled. "Ben, I didn't mean…"

"It's fine," he interrupted her, looking back up with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I should really get started with dinner. Please, go enjoy your evening."

Taking the hint, Juliet set her glass down on the table, gathered her things together, and made her way to the door. She opened it and paused with her hand on the doorknob.

"Goodnight, Ben."

"Goodnight, Juliet."

He didn't look up from the pot he was filling with water in the sink.

Juliet left the house quickly, mortified, wondering what it was that she'd inadvertently stepped into, and hoping she hadn't just lost her only friend.