Juliet chose her outfit carefully the next morning and put on light dusting of makeup before walking to the lab. Ben said he would bring her lunch at 12:30, and she found herself looking at the clock all morning in anticipation. What would he say to her? What would she say to him? She was useless at work, imagining their next encounter and squealing to herself every few minutes. It was too much fun to think about Ben, and not at all fun reviewing her research.

At 12:30 on the dot, the door opened and his voice sounded throughout the room. "Juliet?"

"Back here!" she called from the pharmacy and supply shelves. She heard Ben set something down and his footsteps as he came back to find her.

"Hi," he beamed as he approached her. He was in khakis and a pale lavender button-down shirt; he looked good enough to eat. Her heart contracted with excitement.

"Hi," she grinned back at him. "How's it going?" It was a rhetorical question because she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss before he could answer. He responded immediately and pulled her into an embrace, kissing her back passionately for all he was worth. Juliet made a sound of approval and moved them a little deeper into the shelves for privacy. Ben broke their kiss for a moment to remove his glasses with his bandaged hand and set them on the shelf next to him.

"Oh! How is…" Juliet began, but Ben pulled her back into his embrace and continued their kiss, making Juliet laugh as she pressed her mouth to his.

Ben cupped her face with one hand and wrapped the other solidly around her waist. He held her tightly against him and plundered her mouth without hesitation—a man on a mission. The hand that cupped her face moved into her hair and fisted it gently. He used her hair as leverage to tilt her head to the side and move his mouth over her jaw and down the side of her neck.

"Ben!" she giggled as he made his way down to her collarbone and back up to her mouth.

"I've been thinking about you all day," he murmured into her ear, then kissed her again. "I told Alex she's grounded forever," he teased. Juliet laughed.

"But now she'll never leave the house!" she pointed out pragmatically.

"Oh, you're right," Ben frowned. "I hadn't thought of that."

"Guess you're coming to my place tonight?" she grinned.

"I'd love to," Ben beamed. "I could make that pea soup we discussed."

"Perfect," she sighed, kissing him softly again. "Wait! You're injured, though!"

"Not so much," Ben looked down at his hand. "Besides, you gave me the 'good' drugs, remember?"

"Right," she smiled. "But I'll do all the chopping and whatnot. You need to heal."

"Fortunately, that's not so much of an issue here," Ben reminded her.

"Even so," she looked at his mouth hopefully. "I can help."

"If you insist," Ben sighed ruefully. He looked into her eyes and grinned adorably. "You look lovely today."

She responded by kissing him again.

A few hot moments later, they regretfully disengaged to return to the front of the lab and eat lunch together.

Ben was clearly close to giddy in her presence. He pulled out a chair for her at one of the lab tables with a flourish and motioned for her to sit. Picking up the backpack he set down when he entered, Ben unpacked their lunch—fat homemade ham sandwiches with cheese and pecan pie. Juliet procured some napkins, and let her hand run across Ben's shoulders when she handed him some of them. He caught her hand on the other side and pressed it quickly to his mouth.

"This looks too good. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for bringing it," she sighed, sitting down across the table from him.

"You know it's my pleasure, Juliet," he chided gently. "You don't have to keep thanking me."

"I suppose I'm just not used to it," she took a big bite of her food and chewed thoughtfully. "I pretty much take care of myself—and Rachel."

"Yes, your sister," Ben nodded. "Tell me about her."

Juliet told him about Rachel, how close they were, how devastating the cancer was, the miracle of Rachel's pregnancy, how excited and hopeful she was for the baby to come.

"I can't even tell you how much I've missed her while I've been here. I'm looking forward to seeing her in a couple months," she smiled.

"I'm sure you are," Ben nodded. "But what will you do if your research isn't complete in the next two months? After all, Colleen is entering her second trimester," his eyes searched hers, his face tight.

"I wanted to talk to you about that—Do you think Mittelos would continue my research grant here after Rachel's baby is born? I know it's a lot to ask, but I was thinking I would go home for three months for the birth and to take care of her and the baby after, then come back here and pick up again? What do you think?" Juliet looked at him hopefully.

"It will be up to Richard. I'll contact him this afternoon to see what he thinks," Ben smiled. "I'm delighted to think you'll be staying with us a little bit longer, Juliet!"

"Let's hope!" she gestured to their lunch. "I seem to have a good thing going here."

Ben chuckled.

"I'd be flattered to think my cooking could lure you back to the Island," he smiled.

"Your cooking and your cute butt in those khakis," she teased slyly.

"Juliet!" Ben immediately blushed and looked down at the table to compose himself.

"Come on, Ben—surely you've noticed how the women here look at you! You're in high demand!" she added, surprised by his bashfulness.

"Yes, well," he blustered. "That doesn't mean I'm available or interested," he looked up at her earnestly. "In them or anyone else," he took her hand lightly across the table, and she clasped it back. They locked eyes and smiled adoringly at each other.

"Well, that's a nice change for me," Juliet sighed. "My ex-husband was a serial philanderer."

"Unacceptable," Ben shook his head.

"Agreed," she nodded. "But, um, he's no longer with us. I don't have to worry about him anymore."

"No, you certainly don't," Ben scoffed. Juliet smirked. They exchanged knowing glances.

Together, they finished their food and Ben repacked all of the containers in his backpack.

"So, um, tonight?" Juliet asked, draping her arms on his shoulders.

"Yes, tonight," he nodded, wrapping his arms around her waist. "What time?"

"Five-thirty?"

"Perfect. I'll bring the ingredients."

"Good, I'll provide the man power," Juliet smiled.

"Will I get to see your infamous ice cream spoon?" he teased.

"Oh my god!" she cringed and pushed him away playfully. "Forget I told you about that!"

"Don't worry," he pulled her back to him and whispered in her ear. "I won't look next to the fridge."

She giggled helplessly in his arms and pulled him close for a kiss.

"You have to go now," she sighed. "I have work to do before you come over."

"Ah," Ben smiled. "Very well. I'll see you later."

Juliet left the lab early and walked home quickly. Her house wasn't in order for company and she needed to do some tidying before Ben came over. She vacuumed and straightened, making extra sure to clean her bathroom. Around five o'clock, she deemed her residence acceptable and decided to change out of her sweaty work clothes.

In her closet were a few sundresses. She changed into a longer one—crisp, blue cotton with short flowing sleeves. She left her hair down, touched up her makeup, and added a hint of perfume. In the living room, she picked out a CD of her favorite Puccini arias and set it to the perfect volume. When Ben knocked on the door at exactly 5:30, she was excited and practically pacing the house in anticipation.

"Come in!" she beamed at him, holding the doorway open. Ben was holding a large soup pot filled with supplies.

"Hello again," Ben smiled, then cast a surreptitious glance around the small neighborhood before crossing her threshold. Juliet closed the door behind him as he made a beeline for the kitchen.

"Are there spies out there?" she teased.

"Always," Ben groaned. "I was trying to be discreet, but I'm certain Alex told someone—or several someones—about our date last night, and I've felt the curious looks everywhere I go today," he set the soup pot of cooking supplies down on her kitchen counter and turned to face her. "The gossip mill in this place is just awful!"

"Terrible," she agreed soothingly.

Ben looked her up and down.

"My goodness, you look beautiful," he said, stunned. "I've been in the village all day, and I didn't think to change," he looked down at his unwrinkled, spotless shirt and khakis.

"You look good to me too," Juliet smiled, moving closer.

"And your hair," Ben cupped her face and tucked the front strands behind her ears. "My mother had beautiful blonde hair, just like yours."

"Oh really?" Juliet leaned her forehead against his. "What was she like?"

"I never knew," Ben sighed and held her close. "She died when I was born."

"I'm so sorry," Juliet murmured. No mother, and a drunk abusive father. Sympathy rippled through her and she held Ben back fiercely. Neither of them spoke for a moment—it was enough just to be close.

"You smell lovely, too," he broke the silence and whispered in her ear.

"Thank you," she blushed slightly.

"How was the rest of your day?" he asked into the side of her neck.

"Good," she whispered. "How was yours?"

"Tedious and mostly uneventful," he sighed. "I thought about you a lot," he confessed shyly, pressing a quick, sweet kiss to her lips.

"Oh, same here," Juliet grinned, kissing him back. "I'm embarrassed at how unproductive I was."

Ben chuckled knowingly.

"Should we start cooking?" he nodded towards the kitchen. "The soup will need some time to simmer."

"Yes," she agreed. "Let's do it."

It took only a few minutes for Juliet to chop up an onion, a carrot and some celery. Ben sautéed the vegetables together in the soup pot on the stove, and Juliet cut up some small pieces of ham and added the ham bone to the pot. Ben added seasonings and chicken broth, and once the mixture came to a boil, Ben added dried peas.

"And now, we wait," he grinned, covering the pot with the lid after giving it a final stir.

"Would you like wine?" Juliet asked, moving to the refrigerator. "I also have cheese and good crackers."

"Sounds delightful," Ben smiled.

Juliet prepared their appetizer and poured two glasses of white wine.

"Let's sit on the couch," she suggested, nodding towards the living room. Ben helpfully picked up the plate of cut cheese slices and crackers. Juliet took their wine and set it on the coffee table. Ben followed. They sat down together comfortably. Juliet leaned against Ben's chest. He put one arm around her, and together, they listened to the aria currently playing over the speakers.

"These are all Puccini?" Ben asked, motioning to the speakers with his wine glass. Juliet nodded against him, slightly impressed. "They're lovely."

"Aren't they?" Juliet sighed in agreement. She sat up and looked at Ben curiously. "It must have been so strange growing up on this island—no access to current media. No modern tv shows or music. No idea what other kids your age were interested in." Lonely.

"It was certainly different," Ben agreed. "It took me some time to catch up once I was an adult. Fortunately, I was a curious child, and I liked to read. I was also surrounded by some excellent scientific minds working here over the years. The school here was very good…I've learned a little bit about everything, really."

"A true Renaissance man," Juliet complimented him. "I bet you were the cutest little nerd," she teased him lightly.

"Hardly," Ben shook his head and took another sip of wine. "But I was absolutely fascinated with this island. I couldn't know enough about it. I've explored every inch of it, yet it still surprises me daily."

"It is a magical place," Juliet agreed. "I just wish I knew more about why the pregnant women here are dying."

"I know," Ben sobered. "You'll get there, I'm certain of it."

"Well, that makes one of us," she groaned. "But speaking of which, were you able to speak to Richard today? What did he think about my coming back?" she looked over at Ben hopefully.

"I did. He seemed to like the idea, but he will have to speak to Jacob about it first," Ben smiled back at her.

Juliet frowned. She had heard of the mysterious leader, but she didn't know much about him.

"What does Jacob do, exactly?" she asked, pulling out of Ben's embrace and facing him on the couch.

"He's the head of Mittelos, the man in charge," Ben sipped his wine again. "He knows more about this island than anyone. Has been here longer than any of us."

"So he's a scientist? A doctor?" Juliet didn't understand why he was being so vague. She looked over at Ben, who appeared displeased with her line of questioning. "Does he own the Island?"

"Something like that, yes," Ben replied quickly. "He…understands the Island. In ways neither Richard or I can comprehend. We can only trust his judgment."

This was clearly not a topic Ben wanted to discuss, and Juliet didn't have the faintest understanding why. Seeing her frustration, Ben added.

"Jacob is more like a native. He's…somewhat eccentric."

"Okay," Juliet half-accepted this half-explanation. "So he lives here."

"Most of the time, yes," Ben finished his glass of wine and held it up to her. "May I please have another?"

"Will I ever meet Jacob?" Juliet quickly fetched the open bottle from the refrigerator and returned to the couch to pour Ben another glass.

"Highly unlikely," Ben answered, clearly wishing she would change the subject. "He communicates mostly through Richard."

"Then how will he make an informed decision about whether I can return here in a few months?" she queried, not dropping the matter. "Does he know anything about my research?" She set the bottle of wine on the coffee table.

"Yes, Juliet, of course!" Ben was exasperated. "Trust me, Jacob knows what he's doing. He's very much aware of who's here on the Island and what they do—your work is no exception."

Juliet mulled this over, swirling her wine glass.

"I don't mean to be rude," she sighed, finally. "But I'm accustomed to having my work dismissed, plagiarized, or outright stolen by my ex-husband. It worries me not to know exactly who I'm working for and what their motives are."

"Yes, I understand," Ben nodded. "But that's something you don't have to worry about here—we're thrilled just to have you! Anything that comes from your research is yours alone. We're only concerned with getting any potential answers we can to the pregnancy issue," he took Juliet's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Don't be concerned about Jacob, please. It's a non-issue. Trust me."

He said it so convincingly. Trust me. His expression was nothing but patient. She set her wine glass down, feeling silly for being suspicious.

"Okay," she said finally. "If you say so."

Ben grinned immediately in approval, and a knot in Juliet's stomach untied itself.

"If anything," he quipped, sneaking her a sly glance. "You should worry about what might happen to your music collection while you're gone."

Juliet looked at him with faux outrage.

"What are you suggesting?" she huffed. "Thievery? Of my CDs?"

"Just a few," he chuckled innocently.

A sudden beeping filled the air.

"Oooh, the soup," Juliet groaned and touched her stomach. "Finally!"

They rose together and went into the kitchen. Juliet procured bowls and half a loaf of multigrain bread from the old-fashioned breadbox. She set up the dining table with silverware and the butterdish while Ben fussed with the soup, stirring and tasting. When he was satisfied, he grabbed the handles of the pot to move it to the dining table.

"Oh no!" Juliet stopped him. "Watch your hand! Don't put all that weight on your thumb," she shoo-ed him away from the stove, made sure it was turned off, and carried the pot of soup to the table.

"Thank you," he called after her, his expression rueful. "It's feeling much better though, you don't have to worry."

"Maybe I want to worry," she smiled at back at him, noticing his thrilled expression in response to her words.

"Well then," Ben cleared his throat, seeming at a loss. He approached the table and pulled out her chair. She thanked him and sat. He took his seat as well and began to ladle soup into their bowls. They ate together in easy silence, occasionally complimenting the food.

"Tell me about your books," Ben demanded when they were finished eating. He was standing in front of her bookcase with his glass of wine. "You have so many novels, and I haven't read half of them."

"Well, they're not quite as fancy as your books," she teased as she cleared the table and put the remaining soup in a container. "I'm a sucker for a best-selling thriller."

"I see," Ben sounded amused as he perused the shelves. "You seem to have a distinct appreciation for Stephen King."

"Like I said," she called from the kitchen. "If it's a thriller about something paranormal or weird, I've probably read it."

"And you were worried about fitting in here?" Ben chuckled almost to himself. Juliet approached him, wine in hand, and scoffed.

"Well, if the book club selections are any indication, my tastes are somewhat low-brow," she rolled her eyes. "I don't know if I'll ever be allowed to pick a book for the group, but I already know if I do, Adam is going to hate it."

Ben burst out with a rare peal of laughter, eyes crinkled up with mirth.

"Oh, oh my goodness," he gasped, removing his glasses, wiping his teary eyes and replacing them. "I can't wait to see it," he snickered. "Oh! It's too good!" he laughed again and Juliet joined him. "And you must act as though you believe whatever book you choose to be the highest form of literature. He'll have an apoplexy when you refuse to submit to his superior opinion."

"Done," Juliet giggled and wrapped her arm around Ben from the side. "You know, he'll be looking to you to back him up."

"I don't know why," Ben responded coolly as he turned and fondly embraced her. "It will be immediately obvious from the start that I share your opinion."

Juliet laughed, and squeezed him back. Ben took their wineglasses and set them down on top of the bookshelf, then kissed her suddenly, but gently.

"It's nice to be part of a team," he murmured in her ear. "So often the burden of responsibility is mine and mine alone."

"Yeah?" Juliet smiled. "Glad I can help. You need backup annoying Adam or anyone else, you just let me know," she snorted.

"Deal," Ben agreed. He leaned in and kissed her again. It started out light and affectionate, but Juliet grabbed his shirt lapels in both hands and pulled his mouth to hers passionately. Not to be outdone, Ben wrapped his arms around her and crushed her torso to his.

"Mmph, come back over here," Juliet pulled him in the direction of the couch, her heart racing.

Ben easily moved with her, backing Juliet up against the couch seats and lightly pushing her down onto the cushions. She looked up at him in surprise, and he followed her down without hesitation, his face dark with lust. He held himself above her at first, kissing her mouth and down her neck with abandon, and when she didn't protest, he slowly settled against her. One of his knees rested between her legs. One arm was around her and the other was at the nape of her neck, into her hair, exploring.

They were getting very good at touching each other, Juliet thought absently as Ben kissed his way across the neckline of her dress. She pulled his face back to hers, fisting her hands in his hair, and kissing him senseless. Their tongues danced lightly against each other, and Ben ran his hands possessively over Juliet's arms and torso, carefully avoiding her breasts—much to Juliet's disappointment. She let her hands explore him freely in response. She felt the width of his shoulders and the strength of his arms under his neat button-down shirt. She wrapped her arms around him and ran her hands over his broad upper and lower back.

Ben moaned her name, still kissing her. He moved to give the sensitive part of her neck some light attention with his teeth, and made a sound of pleasure against her throat.

"You are so beautiful," he hissed into her collarbone. "Oh, Juliet," he returned his attention to her mouth. She reached up and undid the first two buttons of his shirt. Before he could say anything, she pressed hot open-mouthed kisses to the side of his throat. The move earned her a "Juliet!" moaned aloud.

It was too much fun. He was so eager and so responsive, yet so reserved and seemingly determined not to rush. She threw herself at his self-control, wishing he would unwind just a little more loosely, but each time he bore up under the waves of her affection. Finally, she moved beneath him provocatively, bringing one knee up to hook over his hip. He grunted in pleasure but refused to grind his pelvis against her. She moved under him again, and he suddenly gripped her hip so hard, she thought for sure there would be bruises.

"Juliet," he ground out warningly.

"Hmm?" she responded innocently.

He continued to kiss her, but held her hip in place. She stopped undulating her hips and drew her inner thigh up and down the side of his leg. The action pushed the hem of her dress almost up to her hip. Ben reached down automatically to quell the movement of her leg and let out a soft, "Oh!" as his fingers brushed over the soft bare skin of her outer thigh. He paused to look at her in surprise, assessing her level of consent. She grinned up at him and quirked an eyebrow.

Come on, Ben, she thought, pleadingly. Put your hand up my skirt.

Slowly, ever so slowly, his eye burning into hers, Ben slid his fingers over and up the length of her thigh. Then he cupped the side of her leg and repeated the journey with his thumb pointing the way to her hip. When he reached the hemline of her dress, he paused for the briefest moment, eyes still searching hers, before slipping his hand underneath the fabric.

Juliet let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and felt her eyes roll up into her head. Never had just a simple hand on her leg made her so hot, so needy. She felt Ben's eyes still on her, but couldn't handle the intensity of his dark gaze.

His hand was still moving. Up under her skirt, over the rest of her thigh, over the expanse where her leg joined her hip, and up to the waistline of her panties. They were basic and cotton, and she hadn't put them on thinking Ben was going to see them, but so be it. He paused there, his hand cupping her hip. She looked up at him and realized he was beaming down at her. She had just enough presence of mind to smile back before he slid his thumb under the fabric of her panties and pressed it into the divot of her hip.

Someone knocked on the door.

Rage like she had never known filled her body. No! Who the fuck is knocking right now?

Ben's face narrowed in similar anger.

"Don't answer," he muttered. Juliet nodded.

More knocking.

"Juliet? Is Ben in there? We have a bit of a situation!"

It was Tom's voice coming through the door.

"God dammit!" Ben hissed under his breath and got up carefully. "Stay right there," he commanded and strode to the door. Juliet was surprised it didn't come off the hinges, the way he ripped it open. "What is it?" he asked Tom in the coldest tone of voice a human could possibly achieve. There was a quick, hushed conversation between the two them, which ended in Ben practically snarling, "Very well, I'll be right there," and closing the door decidedly in Tom's face.

"What is it?" Juliet groaned, realizing he was about to leave. "It literally can't wait?"

"I'm afraid it can't," Ben was clearly furious and frustrated. "I don't believe this!"

"I know," she sighed, rising and moving to his side. "We were having so much fun," she carefully re-buttoned the top of his shirt and smoothed down his arms. "But duty calls, I guess."

She gave him a half-hearted smile. "You probably can't ground Tom…right?"

Ben smirked and pulled her into his arms.

"I'll come see you tomorrow at lunch?" he pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

"Yes," she nodded. "Sounds good."

Ben kissed her one more time and regretfully walked out the door.

Been updating some fics recently. Let me know if anyone is still reading this. :)