Redemption- a fanfic

[xgirl30]

Here are the first few chapters of the sequel to Reconnaissance.

Category: action, adventure,drama
Rating: PG to PG-13
Spoilers: Some spoilers for "Further instructions" . If you don't want to know the fate of Desmond and Locke don't read any further until after Oct. 18th.
Disclaimer: All Lost characters are the property of ABC and their creators. I derive no profit from this and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: this is a sequel to "Reconnaissance". You don't have to read that story first to understand this but it helps.

Chapter 1

Early morning, Others camp

Ben Linus sat at the table in his residence eating his breakfast. He reached for the French press pot and poured himself a cup of coffee. The hand holding the cup shook slightly and it took all his concentration to steady it. The tingling in his fingers and toes was getting worse lately too. Ben put that thought out of his mind. He didn't have time to focus on his physical frailties or grim prognosis at the moment. There were more important things to worry about. Nibbling distractedly on a piece of toast he thought about Kelvin and what he had sent him to do. He liked the former intelligence agent but wasn't sure if he completely trusted him. Hopefully he would be successful in infiltrating the survivors camp and bringing John Locke back with him. Ben glanced at the clock. It was almost time to meet with Juliet. He had mixed feelings about that. They had been much more than friends once. Now they were colleagues only and their relationship was strained but pleasant. Ben couldn't help but be a little jealous of how she was treating Jack. Making him homemade soup and juicy cheeseburgers and spending, in Ben's opinion anyway too much time with Jack. “I've been diagnosed with a serious tumor on my spine and she can't even be bothered to ask how I'm feeling or how I'm handling it.” he thought bitterly. Finishing his coffee Ben stood and cleared the table. It was time to get on with his day.

In the jungle, mid-morning

Locke and Kelvin walked through the jungle on their way to the camp of the Others. So far everything was going according to plan. Kelvin kept his senses tuned to everything around him. There was no one around and it didn't appear they were being followed. He thought about what would happen when they arrived. Ben hadn't told him what he had in mind for Locke but Kelvin could imagine it was more than just tea and a nice conversation. He hoped they weren't planning to hurt Locke or experiment on him.

A ways back Desmond and Danielle arrived at the abandoned bunker. There were more footprints but no sign of Locke or Kelvin. “I think we bloody missed them again.” Desmond said. “Do we even have a chance to catch up to them?” Danielle asked. Desmond thought about this. “Possibly.” he replied. “Even if we don't we can keep following their tracks. That might be better anyway.” He remembered what had happened the last time he had followed Kelvin. He certainly didn't want a repeat of that. Keeping their distance would definitely be the most prudent thing. They stopped for a short break then continued on following the tracks through the jungle. They had been walking for a while when Desmond heard the faint sound of voices ahead of them. “Do you really know where the Others' camp is?” A voice that sounded like Locke said. “Have a little faith, John. I wouldn't lead you on a wild goose chase.” Desmond shivered. That could only have been Kelvin. He'd know that deep voice anywhere. “Is that them?” Danielle asked. Desmond nodded. “Yes it is.” Danielle looked at him. “Why don't we ask to join them?” Desmond didn't like that idea at all. “I don't think that would be a good idea.” he replied. “I don't think they would welcome the company.” He knew Kelvin wouldn't. “We can keep following them from a distance. I think that would be safer.” Danielle didn't like this but she accepted it. “I thought they were your friends?” “They are.” Desmond answered. “It's kind of complicated. I was told to go back to the beach and not say I met this friend in the jungle. He would not be pleased if I showed up now, even if it was for a good reason.” They continued walking, keeping a safe distance from the other two. Desmond hoped Kelvin would be distracted talking to Locke and would not be aware they were being followed.

Others camp, Hydra station

Ben and Juliet stood at the observation window watching Jack Shepard pace angrily in his containment room. The TV was showing a tape of cartoons (Space Ghost and Sponge Bob) although Jack wasn't paying much attention to it. “He still isn't very cooperative.” Juliet said. “Give him time. He'll come to see things our way soon enough.” Juliet turned to Ben. “Maybe having another of his friends held captive will help change his mind. If Kelvin is successful, that is.” Ben didn't like the edge in her voice when she said this last. “He will be, don't you worry.” He couldn't keep the edge out of his own voice. “Why don't you care about me anymore?” he wanted to ask, but didn't. “I don't quite trust this Kelvin.” Juliet said. “What do you actually know about him?” Ben looked at her. “Enough. I know he was with the CIA and was an intelligence officer for the army. He was also an employee of the Dharma Initiative, though not a high ranking one. I trust him to do the mission I sent him on.” Juliet looked at Jack. He was sitting on the bunk staring sullenly at the TV. Ben didn't like the look currently on Juliet's face. He sincerely hoped she wasn't developing feelings for the doctor. Ben stared at the glass in front of him. His back was beginning to hurt but he forced the feeling from his mind. He absolutely could not show weakness now. “You think Danny will get over losing Colleen?” Juliet asked. “I think he will in time. It's hard to lose someone you love. Especially like that.” Juliet nodded. “You didn't seem too upset about it.” Ben looked at her. “Just because I didn't show it doesn't mean I wasn't moved. There is a time and a place for things like that.” He wondered how upset Juliet would be if he died. “I'll have to have a talk with him. I don't want him roughing Sawyer up too much yet.” They walked out of the viewing room.

Chapter 2

In the jungle

Kelvin and Locke were getting close to the encampment where the Others had Jack, Kate and Sawyer. (They were still a good distance from where they lived, but that wasn't where he had been told to bring Locke.) Kelvin wondered if there were sentries stationed anywhere in the jungle. If he was in charge he would definitely have lookouts stationed in the area leading to their base. So far he hadn't seen anybody. He was actually glad of this. Ben's people were loyal but most of them didn't have any military training or intelligence training. Kelvin didn't like security being left to a bunch of wanna bes and weekend warriors. Some of them also had a propensity for being trigger happy. “It's not much farther now.” he told Locke. The sun was getting low in the sky. Hopefully they would arrive at the camp by dark. He would suggest to Locke that they do some sneaking and peeking under cover of night. Once they were inside it would be out of his hands. “You sure this is where they're being held?” Locke asked. “This appears to be the Others' base of operations. I'm not exactly sure where in there your friends are being held.” Locke nodded. “Did you happen to notice what kind of weapons they had?” Locke asked. “One of our group was captured by them a while ago when he went looking for his son. He said the group was pretty primitive.” Kelvin looked at Locke. He was talking about Michael. The young father hadn't seen the Others' real base and had been only given certain information. Kelvin still didn't understand why they gave up Walt so easily. He sounded like a good bargaining chip. “They did seem kind of raggedy, but I wouldn't underestimate them.” He paused. “I didn't see any weapons except for a couple guns.” Locke looked like he was thinking about this. “I hope you're right.” He turned to Kelvin. “I still don't like being here almost unarmed.” Just then a sound could be heard through the trees. Someone was coming. Kelvin gestured for Locke to get back and they both slipped behind a nearby grouping of trees. Several of Ben's people stepped into the clearing. So he had sent watchmen after all. Kelvin didn't recognize any of the men except that they were Others. Probably low level grunts. His closest associates like Tom and Danny Pickett would never get sent on sentry duty. (Good thing too. Pickett was known to have a short fuse and to be trigger happy.) “Let's go this way.” Kelvin suggested. “See if we can evade them.” They walked deeper into the jungle going parallel to their original path. Hopefully they hadn't been seen.

A short while later they turned and went north, the direction of the camp. “I think we lost them.” Kelvin said to Locke. They hadn't seen hide nor hair of the sentries since they had changed paths. “Here we are.” They stepped out of the shelter of the trees to see the settlement in the distance. “We should probably wait until full dark before we go any farther. I don't know how many more of our friends are out there waiting for trespassers.” Kelvin told Locke. “They're not my friends.” Locke said. Kelvin nodded. “Mine either.” They hunkered down to wait. Kelvin turned at the sound of a branch breaking behind them. He wished he had more than a pocket knife to defend himself with. “Hold it right there.” a voice said. Several more of Ben's goon squad stood there armed with semi-automatic rifles, Kalashnikov if Kelvin wasn't mistaken. The question of where Ben's group had gotten Russian sub machine guns was pushed to the back of his mind by his irritation at being caught like a fish in a barrel. “We don't want any trouble.” Locke said. He stood slowly. Kelvin followed suit. “We're not armed.” He held out his empty hands. “You can put the guns down.” He wanted to bark “Do you know who I am?” but knew it probably wouldn't do much good. He didn't know any of these men either. The Others held their guns level but loosened their fingers on the triggers. Locke looked at Kelvin as if to say “They only had several guns, huh?” Kelvin shrugged back. He had a “so shoot me” look on his face. “You two are coming with us.” one of the men said. “ I guess we don't have much of a choice.” Locke didn't look happy but he knew he was outnumbered and out gunned. One of the Others bound their wrists while the other two stood guard. “I'm sorry” Kelvin mouthed to Locke as they were led away. He actually wasn't too upset by this latest development. Once they arrived and were brought to someone in charge he would be released. He hoped these goons got their asses handed to them for capturing one of their own. Locke would be kept in custody, unfortunately. Kelvin glowered under the hood that had been roughly put over his head. His expression changed to a smile as he imagined what he would do to these inept guards if he ever got to interrogate them. Even though he couldn't see he had a rough idea of where they were going as they were prodded along. He hoped Locke was doing okay.

A short time later there was the sound of a key in a lock and a door being opened. The bag was yanked off his head and he was shoved inside a small room. He assumed Locke was being taken somewhere similar. The door was closed and he was left alone. “If someone doesn't come soon and untie me heads are going to roll.” he thought.

Chapter 3

Out in the jungle, Desmond and Danielle ducked behind some trees as they heard the sound of someone approaching. “I think we're getting close.” Desmond said. They watched as several Others with guns stepped out of the trees. “Where do you think Locke and your friend went?” Danielle asked. Desmond wasn't completely sure since the footprints veered off near here. “They probably took a roundabout way to avoid them” He gestured to the Others. “I think we should do the same.” Danielle nodded. They slipped silently deeper into the jungle. They continued walking for a while, keeping to this same circuitous path. There didn't seem to be any sign of the sentries. Maybe they had lost them, if they could be so lucky. "Halt right there.” Desmond and Danielle turned. Several men stood blocking their path. There was a clicking sound as they cocked their rifles. "We don't want any trouble, mates." Desmond said."What are you doing out here?" one of them asked. "You're kind of far from your camp." Desmond thought for a moment. "We were out hunting. We got a little lost." He put an innocent look on his face. "Is that so?" the guard replied. He turned to his companions. "Bind their hands. They're coming with us." "Is that really necessary?" Desmond asked. "I'm afraid it is." the man replied. "You can't do this." Danielle protested. "You're mistaken there little lady. We certainly can." the man paused. "You're on our side of the island now." Desmond and Danielle looked at each other. He hadn't wanted anything like this to happen. "Hey. Easy, brutha." Desmond said as his hands were yanked roughly behind his back and tied. He saw they were doing the same to Danielle moments before a bag was pulled over his head. "Let's move it out." one of the men said. Desmond felt himself being shoved forward. He was angry but there was nothing much he could do about it at the moment.

In the camp Ben stood listening to the sentries give their report. "We caught two interlopers out in the jungle." The leader, a man named Adams said. "A bald guy and a big guy wearing glasses." Ben nodded. "Were they middle aged men or younger?" he asked. "I'd say middle aged." Adams replied. "The bald fellow looked like the older of the two." Ben thought about this. The bald man had to be John Locke. He had a pretty good idea who his companion was, and if he was right was sure he'd be fit to be tied by now. Why he hadn't just brought Locke to them was a puzzle But Ben wasn't too worried about it. Kelvin was known for his unconventional methods. "Thank you. You've done well" Ben said, dismissing the guards. As soon as they left he went to deal with the new prisoners, stopping to get Tom and Juliet on the way.

In his cell Kelvin sat and stewed. How dare they leave him in here like this. He looked up at the sound of a key in the lock. "On your feet." a voice said. Kelvin stood and glared in its general direction. Danny Pickett stepped into the room. "Well, it's about time." Kelvin said. "Did I say you could speak?" Pickett growled. "Danny, for God's sake it's me, Kelvin. You can cut the tough guy crap." You never were any good at it he added silently to himself. Kelvin knew the other man had just lost his wife but he still felt like slugging him. Pickett looked more closely at Kelvin. "Would you untie me already?" Kelvin growled. Pickett did so. "I didn't recognize you right away." he said. "Why the hell were you skulking around in the jungle? You should have brought your prisoner straight here." Kelvin rubbed his wrists. They were slightly red and raw from being tied. "Don't tell me what I should do or how to do my job. I was a spook for over ten years. I know what I'm doing." Pickett had a slightly different opinion but knew better than to voice it. "I'm sorry about Colleen." Kelvin said, softening his tone a bit. "I can only imagine how hard it is to lose someone like that." Pickett's hands were balled into fists. "They'll pay for what they did to her." he said. He gestured for Kelvin to follow him and they left the cell. Kelvin was very glad to get out of there. He hoped Locke was okay.

Comments

[trillianastra.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I really like your stories xgirl. Particularly the desmond-danielle pairing.

Please post some more stories soon.

[xgirl30]

Glad you liked it.
I have more chapters done on this story. (I'll have to post them here when I get time. They're on my website now. http://www.geocities.com/xgirl302003/redemption