Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 24: A bright and shiny light at the end of the tunnel

Juliet was frustrated, but rightfully so. She hadn't seen Cara for more than 2 weeks. Her mood was slowly starting to slip. She stifled a sob as she looked at a blood sample under the microscope. Sitting back on the stool, she glared at Ben as he came into the room.

"I've done what you've asked me to do Ben. Where's my baby?"

She could feel her voice beginning to crack, but she dared not show it in front of Ben.

"She's somewhere safe and being taken care of. I promise you'll get to see her soon."

But Juliet knew not to trust Ben's assurances, as they were frequently hollow and deceptive. Shaking her head, Juliet puts her hands on her hips.

"NO. She's been away from me too long. Bring her to me right NOW. I don't want her to forget about me. I'm her mother!"

Ben smirked at Juliet. She didn't like the way he was looking at her.

"What's so amusing Ben?"

Letting out a strange laugh, Ben reached for Juliet's hand.

"It's a secret. You'll know when the time is right. Where are we at with the Jacobson's?"

Juliet raised her head and then shook it.

"I'm not sure where to begin with Jessie. She's definitely having problems, but I'm having trouble finding the source of it."

Ben nodded, trying to understand what Juliet was conveying to him.

"There's someone who wants to see you Juliet. I'll send him in."

Juliet became confused as Ben opened up the door leading outside. She felt her jaw drop when a tall man with glasses and brown hair walked in.

"David?"

He looked just as confused as Juliet did and he stepped closer.

"Oh my god, Juliet. Where have you been?"

Ben looked Juliet straight in the eye and then excused himself.

"I'll give you two some privacy."

Waiting until she heard the door close and Ben was out of earshot, Juliet pulled David into a hug and held on tight.

"David, how did you get here? I don't understand."

David looked around warily, suspiciously.

"I don't know. I was knocked unconscious. Jessie is my sister. What the hell is this place Jules?"

Letting go of David, she looked deep into his eyes. David could see something there. Something familiar. He wasn't even sure if Juliet was aware of it yet.

"I can't explain it David. But this is where I've been for the past 8 years. All I've ever wanted to do is leave this godforsaken rock. This place has caused me more grief than joy."

Juliet started organizing things on the countertop. David shook his head. She did that when she was worried or anxious about something. He
took her hands in his to stop her from putting everything in its place.

"Is there something you want to tell me Jules? There's something you're not telling me."

Juliet had no idea what David was even talking about.

"I'm just tired David. Ben has me working long hours. I'll do everything in my power to help your sister. It's the least I can do. You helped me through everything with Hayley, and I helped my sister. I only wish I could've been there."

David smiled and gestured towards the electron microscope in front of Juliet.

"May I?"

Juliet scooted her stool over so that David could have a look. His eyes widened as he looked at the blood sample.

"What's going on here?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Juliet stared at the microscope.

"I run into that same anomaly every time I take a blood sample from a patient. I can't explain it."

David glanced up at Juliet and then to an unmarked tube sitting inside the centrifuge.

"What about this one? There's no name on it."

Shaking her head, Juliet after turning off the centrifuge picked up the tube of blood with a gloved hand.

"Where did this come from? I have labels on every one of these samples."

Furrowing his eyebrows, David took the tube from her and moved the microscope up a little.

"Is there another doctor on this island that could've taken this?"

Juliet's mind wandered back to Jack. But he didn't have access to any of this. Not on the beach at least.

"No. You and I are it David."

She'd missed David, but then her mind continued with another thought.

"You came here to support your sister didn't you David?"

David nodded and looked up from the microscope.

"Yes, but I wouldn't say the two of us chose to come here. We thought we were going to a large clinic up in Portland. I was told that was where you were at Juliet."

Juliet shook her head.

"That's just it David. I never got there. I think Ben brought you here to help me."

David gave a blank stare to Juliet for a brief few seconds.

"Wait you're not having problems are you?"

Juliet shook her head no.

"Actually, with my serum, I think I've corrected the problem here on the island. One of my theories is that the radiation on the island is causing them not to carry to term. But I haven't made that exact connection yet. Nine months ago I gave birth to a healthy little girl named Cara. Ben promised me I'd get her back. But I've been on this island long enough to know his word isn't worth much."

David sat back on the stool and tried to take in everything Juliet had just explained to him. She would tell him more of the story later.

To Be Continued...