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Chapter Text

I was intrigued by the episode, "The Other Woman." I can't be the only one that wanted to see Ben have a romance, can I? What if it had been Ben instead of Goodwin who'd come to the lab looking for gauze? This will probably get naughty in later chapters. ~Coffee

...

She'd been with them for a month, a whole month, and despite weeks upon weeks of sleepless nights, endless tests, and the weight of the entire community watching her, waiting for her to find the piece that would solve the puzzle of their fertility issues, with their hopeful glances and hushed, reverent conversations when her back was turned…she'd failed. Miserably.

For a month, a whole month, she'd spent almost every day with Henrietta, holding her hand, and telling her not to be afraid; she was a fertility specialist. She was going to make it all right. Henrietta had believed her, trusted her. Henrietta had good hands, strong hands that looked more than capable of raising a child: motherly hands.

Not anymore.

A fresh wave of grief hit Juliet. She'd been sitting on the floor and crying for nearly an hour now, unable to get up and go about her work. They'd lost Henrietta that morning, and Juliet hadn't shed a single tear in front of the friends and family she's had to inform of her death. They'd all looked at her differently that day. Harper had been right. She was no longer their "celebrity."

Of course, no one had come right out and said it, but she could feel the shift in their gazes. This magical woman who'd somehow managed to impregnate a male rodent was apparently incapable of figuring out how to get a perfectly healthy woman through her second trimester on this godforsaken island. She was a hack, and Henrietta had paid the price of her incompetence. It was only a matter of time before they came after her with pitchforks.

And no one understood the worst part, which was that Juliet actually HAD thought she could do this. She'd been so confident, so sure. Henrietta became more of a friend than her patient. Juliet had let her walls down, let the poor scared pregnant woman into her heart, because deep down she had been sure that Henrietta would be fine, that she, Juliet, would MAKE her be fine.

Obviously, she'd been wrong.

She brushed her tears away with the back of her hand and choked out another sob. She should be getting back to work, reviewing the data, figuring out what went wrong, and doing everything she could to prevent it from happening again, but her heart was too heavy with sorrow. She hadn't even been able to perform the autopsy. In fact, when Ethan had suggested it, she'd had to swallow back a mouthful of sour bile at the thought of cutting open the woman she'd allowed to die. She requested that he do the procedure, citing the point that she was a fertility doctor, and not a surgeon. Even so, she'd been forced to observe and assist in order to compile more data...data that would supposedly prevent this from all reoccurring. Even now, the autopsy report was sitting on her desk, and she couldn't bring herself to look at it.

It was all so hopeless. She curled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in her hands. Maybe she could resign, leave early and get back to the one success she had to cling to. Rachel…

There was a crashing sound in the pharmacy.

Juliet quickly brushed the tears off her face and pulled herself together. It wouldn't do for anyone to see her like this. She stood on shaking legs and went to investigate.

Coming through the door, she called out to the figure wedged between the shelves of medical supplies.

"You okay?" Her tone was a bit more acidic than she'd intended it to be.

The figure turned, and to Juliet's surprise and horror, it was none other than Ben Linus.

"Uh, I was just looking for the gauze," he muttered a little sheepishly. "I didn't know anybody was here." His eyes, always blue, always piercing, took in her appearance, no doubt noting her puffy red eyes and swollen nose.

Dammit, she thought. Of all the people to show up right now, the last one she wanted to see was Benjamin Linus. He was the one who'd made the biggest effort to bring her here, to make her feel comfortable, and to encourage her. She met his gaze tiredly, bracing herself to read disappointment there. Instead, he just looked bewildered.

She strode towards him, wondering what the gauze was for, and noted his apprehension at her approach. Her gaze moved down over his forearm to see the nasty burn that had taken up residence there.

"How'd you manage that?" she asked coolly, pretending not to notice how intently Ben was studying her.

"I was over at the power station and accidentally pressed it up against a transformer," he replied evenly, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Take a seat, let me take a look at it," she sighed, motioning to a nearby stool. Ben quickly complied, holding out his arm for her perusal. She held his wrist and gently examined the wound, lightly palpating its edges. Ben said nothing, but he was watching her intently. She moved to find a bandage and some antiseptic. Ben didn't flinch as she moved back in front of him and began cleaning the burn.

"I heard we lost Henrietta this morning," he said quietly, watching for her reaction. Juliet tried to hold on to her composure, but the wave of grief hit her again, and she could feel her face squeeze up in an effort not to cry. She could not cry in front of Ben. He was always calm and controlled. The others watched him and whispered about him in the same reverent tones they'd used to use about her, but Juliet had a sneaking suspicion that in Ben's case, those whispers were justified. He was their leader, and they followed him with a sense of awe that Juliet with her brief celebrity status had never managed to achieve. She sniffled pathetically as she methodically placed a pad of gauze onto the clean wound and began taping the edges to his skin with surgical tape, hating her weakness.

"Hey, it's okay," he said soothingly, trying to catch her gaze with a sympathetic expression. "It's not your fault."

"Pregnant women are dying on this island," she said, looking only at his arm and nowhere else. "I was brought here to help fix that…" she looked up into his face, her eyes starting to tear up again. "So whose fault is it?"

Ben's face was sad.

"Believe me," he murmured. "No one expects you to fix it overnight."

Juliet managed not to scoff. I should have been able to. There was a brief pause.

"Do you have anyone to talk to?" he queried gently. "Any friends here?" She shook her head just enough to indicate the negative and said nothing. His burn was almost completely dressed. "Maybe Harper?" he suggested.

This time she did scoff, openly.

"Harper hates me," she said matter-of-factly. "We only talk because we have to. I get the feeling that she's a mean and spiteful person."

She looked up in time to catch the ghost of a smile on Ben's lips, as though he couldn't say it, but he agreed with her. She felt a small sense of relief, realizing that it probably wasn't smart to trash a fellow employee in front of the boss. "I'm sorry," she added, chagrined.

"No, please, don't apologize," he responded quickly. "Your frankness is refreshing." Again, he gave her that soft, coaxing smile. She returned it with a small one of her own as she taped the last edge of gauze.

"Okay, well, you're all set," she said, moving to return the remaining supplies to their proper locations.

"Thank you," he replied while observing her handiwork. She heard him stand up behind her as she rearranged the cabinet in front of her, but she didn't realize he had moved closer until he spoke again.

"Juliet," he cleared his throat, and she turned around in surprise. He was only a few feet away, and she was struck again by the intensity of his expression. "If you need to talk, I'm around, and I'm an excellent listener," he smiled at her again, the same earnest, sweet smile he'd given her the day he'd presented her with her house, and Juliet found herself grinning back at him.

"Thank you," she replied.

He nodded courteously and turned to leave, making his way to the door. Unbidden, Juliet's eyes followed him. He paused with his hand on the door handle and looked up at her.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, trying to make it sound like a statement, but the result was more of a request. He looked at her hopefully, and Juliet smiled and nodded at him. Ben grinned one of his rare, full smiles and then he left.

Juliet went back to her lab no longer feeling alone.

...

It was the beginning of a strange sort of friendship.

True to his word, Ben did come to see her in the lab the next day, and he brought her a chocolate bar along with a few words of encouragement, both of which she appreciated greatly.

The day after, he caught up to her in the cafeteria line and asked her to sit with him for lunch, and she quickly said 'yes,' which seemed to please him immeasurably. She hated having her lunch at the cafeteria. She always sat alone while the other residents sat together and pointed her out to each other when they thought she wasn't looking. Usually she simply brought a sandwich to the lab and ate there, but she'd forgotten to make one that morning, and frankly, she was getting tired of eating sandwiches. Alone.

Lunch with Ben was different. As the two of them sat and ate, people actually approached their table to say hello. Ben was quick to introduce Juliet to anyone she hadn't met yet, and he kept the conversation between them light and witty. She couldn't help but notice, however, that they were being observed with sidelong glances that were curious and speculative.

"Do they always watch you like that?" she asked, scooping the last of her stew into her mouth. It was rich and delicious.

"Yes," he replied, without looking around to see what she was talking about.

"You're like the most popular boy in school," she'd teased, earning herself a chuckle from across the table.

But the analogy wasn't far off. The more time she spent with Ben in the following week, the more comfortable the others seemed with her. People began approaching her whenever they saw her, saying hello, or asking for a small bit of medical advice. They started to wave instead of whisper.

For the first time on the island, she began to feel at home.

Chapter Text

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?"

"Fourteen."

"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.

Chapter Text

He found her in the lab the next morning.

She looked up as he came through the door, and instantly a thousand apologies flooded into her mouth. She'd been up for a significant portion of the evening before, berating herself for making such a thoughtless comment, for upsetting him the way she obviously had. The look on his face had cut her deeply, and she wondered what could have happened to him to make him react so badly to what she'd meant to be an innocent joke.

"Ben, I…" she rose off her lab stool to address him properly, reaching out her hands in a gesture of supplication, but as he approached her, he took up both of her hands in a gesture that clearly meant she should stop.

"Juliet," he said kindly. "I owe you an apology."

"For what?" she asked, her eyes widened in surprise.

"I didn't mean to react the way I did last night…" he sat down on the lab stool next to hers, and gestured for her to resume her seat as well. Then he proceeded to tell her, in short clipped sentences, about his own abusive, alcoholic father. He was sparse with the details, but Juliet was more than capable of filling in the blanks. She knew what it was like to come from a broken home.

"Where is he now?" she asked when Ben had finished.

"Dead," he replied briefly. There was a hint of satisfaction in his tone that disturbed her, but then again, she'd wished for her ex-husband to be hit by a bus…and then it had happened.

"I'm sorry Ben," she apologized, placing a comforting hand on his forearm. Ben stared at the point of contact for moment, his eyes gleaming, before sliding his arm out of her grasp and catching her hand in his.

"I don't need your pity, Juliet," he said evenly, looking up at her. "I just need you to understand…the thought of being like him, acting the way he did…"

"I do." She replied, meeting his gaze. "I do understand."

"Good," he said, giving her hand a squeeze before letting it go and rising to his feet. "I have business to attend to. I'll see you later."

"Okay," she said, getting to her feet as well. He lingered for a moment, studying her face, before saying 'goodbye' and walking out the door. She watched him leave and caught a glimpse of his expression through the window.

He looked triumphant.

…

After that incident, Ben became more or less a constant fixture in her day-to-day experiences on the island. She would see him in the cafeteria, cross paths with him as they left their houses for work in the morning. Sometimes he would be waiting for her after work on the bench outside the lab, book in hand, and offer to walk with her the few yards to her house. He was pleasant, attentive, and always happy to see her. She felt flattered and special in response, especially when she noticed some of the mildly envious looks from certain female members of the community.

It wasn't that she hadn't realized that Ben was an attractive, high-status member of this little society, but the time they spent together was always friendly—just friendly. Her conversations with Ben were humorous, not flirtatious. He rarely attempted to intrude on her personal space, or make physical contact with her the way a potential lover would. He was simply Ben, and she was grateful to have his friendship in her life.

In the meantime, any inclinations towards dating and/or excessive socializing were usually consumed by work. Henrietta's death still haunted her, and she was determined to solve the fertility issue on this island before her six months was up, and she was already two weeks into month number two. She had more data than she knew what to do with, and yet she hadn't been able to crack it, to see the underlying trend that would render a solution, and she was beginning to feel frustrated.

…

It was eight p.m. already, and Juliet was exhausted, but she reminded herself that if she didn't start these cultures now, she was going to have to be in here over the weekend to process them instead of doing it first thing Monday morning. It was Friday, and she'd put in nearly eighty hours this week, working straight through the previous weekend, certain she was about to have a breakthrough, and yet she still had nothing but questions, and more questions meant more tests, which meant more time right here in the lab.

She sighed and resolutely straightened the seams of her lab coat. Grabbing the still-cold discs of growth medium, she resignedly began smearing the discs with the cellular solutions she'd spent the afternoon preparing, tediously labeling each disc as she went along. She was about halfway through when she heard a tentative knock, and the sound of the door opening.

It was Ben. He was carrying a covered tray, and it smelled good. Her stomach grumbled in response as he approached, but he had the good manners to pretend that he didn't hear it.

"Burning the midnight oil?" he quipped, setting the tray down a safe distance away from her work.

"Bringing me my bread and water?" she shot back, finishing her label before turning to give him her full attention.

"Well, I figured I ought to reward your self-incarceration…I mean, dedication. I'm surprised to find you haven't chained yourself to the table," He grinned at her, an expression she'd noticed he rarely shared with anyone else. "Come over here and eat your dinner."

He pulled the cover off of the tray, revealing a plate of chicken and dumplings, a bowl of salad tossed with some kind of vinaigrette, and a bottled water.

"What, no dessert?" she teased, trying not to look at the meal longingly. Ben quirked an eyebrow at her and proceeded to produce a chocolate bar from a pocket in his shoulder bag. He placed it daintily on the tray. There.

Juliet laughed and put her head in her hands. "You're spoiling me," she chuckled, looking up at him peevishly.

"Not at all," he replied, taking a seat.

"Ben, it's not that I don't appreciate this, but I have to finish these cultures tonight," she protested, gesturing to the cylinders of growth medium in front of her.

"Eat your dinner first, and then I'll help you finish them," he responded logically.

"Can you do that?" she asked, dubiously.

"Well, I may not be a brilliant scientist, Juliet," he replied acerbically. "But I am capable of holding a pen and writing out a label."

"That's good to know."

With her last line of objection defeated, she shifted her chair closer to him and to the tray and began to inhale the meal voraciously.

"Ben, this is amazing," she said around a mouthful. "Thank you."

She saw the corners of his eyes crinkle in pleasure at her words. The tips of his ears turned pink. Compliments were never wasted on Ben. She could tell that he cherished every one.

"Did you make this?" she queried, opening the water bottle and taking a swig.

"Yes, and if you don't slow down, you're going to choke on it," he snorted.

"Sorry," she said. "But I'm starving. Have you eaten already?" She was loading her fork with vegetables.

"Yes, but I saved dessert," he pulled another chocolate bar from his bag. She grinned at him and proceeded to wolf down the rest of her meal, doing her best to satiate her hunger and enjoy the food at the same time. When she was finished, she pushed the tray away, pulled her used napkin from her lap to set on top of it, and picked up her chocolate bar with nimble fingers.

"Here's to your culinary expertise, Ben," she tapped her candy bar lightly against his in a mock toast before opening the wrapper. "Please, never hesitate to cook for me again."

Ben smiled as they ceremoniously bit into their chocolate together.

"Had I known you were incapable of feeding yourself, I would have arranged for you to have a chef to make use of that well-stocked fridge," he teased.

"Please," Juliet said, growing serious, the levity of the moment gone. "You've done enough for me already. It's my turn to hold up the bargain."

She set her half-eaten chocolate down and turned back to her cell cultures. Ben followed, situating himself next to her, poised to take action. Juliet resumed applying her cell solutions to the discs of growth medium, handing each one to Ben when she was finished and telling him what to label them. With his help, the work that might have taken her another hour only took them twenty-fives. They left the lab together at 8:45.

"Oh, fresh air!" Juliet breathed once they were outdoors. "I remember this."

Ben chuckled as they walked together along the lighted path to her house.

"I certainly hope that you sleep in tomorrow. You've earned it," he commented lightly. Juliet smiled, but made no response. In her mind, she'd earn extra rest when she finally figured out how to get a pregnant woman to carry her child to term on this island. They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence.

When they reached her house, Juliet stepped up onto the porch and unlocked her door. She turned back to Ben and was surprised to see that he hadn't followed her, but was waiting down on the ground.

"Would you like to come in for a nightcap?" She asked. "I know I've got a bottle of something somewhere. It's the least I can do in return for the food and all your help tonight."

"Tempting offer," Ben replied. "But I need to get home to Alex. Goodnight, Juliet." He took a step up, clasped her left hand in his right one and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "Sweet dreams." He relinquished her hand with a squeeze and a smile, then turned and began to make his way to his own house.

"Goodnight Ben!" she called after him. "Thank you!"

She went inside, wondering what on earth had possessed him to kiss her hand like that, and even more perplexing, why had her heart had skipped a beat when he'd done it?

Chapter Text

Juliet knew she'd truly been accepted on the island when she received her invitation to join the book club. Granted, it was Ben who had officially issued her the invitation, and he was already her friend, but she was looking forward to having a place in their little literary society.

Up until this point, she'd almost been afraid to socialize, afraid of how many among this small community still blamed her for Henrietta's death, and although Ben had repeatedly assured her that no one on the island held such a grudge against her, Juliet couldn't help but think that some of them must. She sincerely hoped this event would be more pleasurable than disastrous.

And it did have plenty of potential to be disastrous.

Unfortunately, the next meeting of the book club was to be hosted by Harper, the island's resident psychiatrist, and Juliet's weekly sessions with the woman were still distinctly unpleasant. In each weekly session, Juliet dutifully answered the questions Harper posed to her, ignored the snide, double entendre-d comments Harper slid into her responses, and got the hell out of the office as soon as her thirty minutes were up. Harper seemed to have it in for her, and Juliet had yet to figure out why. She'd asked Ben about it, but he'd only shaken his head and told her, "Harper is a very complicated woman."

Speaking of Ben, he'd been acting a little strangely as of late. Their conversations had taken on a stiff, forced quality that hadn't been there before, as though he were thinking over every word he said to her before he said it. He was anxious and fidgety. One afternoon, they'd taken a short stroll out to the tree line and back, and in the midst of their conversation, Juliet had casually linked her arm with his, and Ben had practically flinched at her touch. She'd taken her arm back quickly, wondering where fun, dinner-making, hand-kissing Ben had gone.

"You can relax around me, you know," she snapped the next evening as they shared their traditional post-work drink on her front porch. "I wish you'd tell me why you're so tense."

"It's just stress, Juliet," he'd bit back tersely. "I do run this entire island, you know. I'm sorry if I'm being rude."

Then he'd given her one of those smile: the slightly creepy ones that were meant to placate and didn't quite reach his eyes. She hated those smiles.

In fact, she might have given up on Ben all together if it weren't for those moments when he would make her laugh with his razor sharp witticisms, or make her think with his powerful insights. Ben was too interesting and too stimulating for her to ignore, so she held on, ignoring those moments of tension, and cherishing their moments of levity, and when it came to book club, Ben was so enthusiastic at the prospect of her joining that Juliet couldn't help but oblige him. He even loaned her his copy of the current book: Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind.

It was an interesting book—she'd only ever seen the movie—but what made it fascinating were the notes Ben had made in the margins. He'd taken great care to underline the choicest, most well-written bits of imagery and plot. In the margins, he cross-referenced the philosophical ponderings of Scarlett O'Hara to those of Nietzsche and Hegel. He'd made notes of certain relevant historical information, dates and names of the battles and generals of the Civil War, and she'd enjoyed reading the novel, if only so that she could enjoy his private insights on it.

She brought the book with her to Harper's house on the day of the meeting. She was coming from the lab and hadn't had a chance to change out of her work clothes. She didn't know if a pencil skirt and heels were acceptable book club attire, but it was either she wear them now, or she'd be rude and arrive late after she changed. Not wanting to give Harper any more of a reason to despise her, Juliet decided to be on time, heels be damned.

She stepped up onto Harper's porch and knocked lightly on the front door. She could hear voices coming from inside and hoped that Ben was already here so she'd have at least one friendly face to talk to, and maybe someone to sit with.

To her surprise, it wasn't Harper who answered the door, but her husband, Goodwin.

"Well hello Juliet!" he greeted her, his ruggedly handsome face breaking into a smile. "What a pleasure to see you here!" He ushered her inside, resting his hand in the small of her back as she passed through the door. She turned back to look at him, surprised by the contact, and noticed him observing her outfit.

"No need to dress up on our account," he teased.

"Yes, well, I came straight from the lab," she smiled at his easy-going nature.

"Well, you look lovely."

She blushed at the compliment as he directed her into the living room. "We're still waiting on a few people. Make yourself at home. Can I get you something to drink?"

"No I'm fine, thank you."

Juliet scanned the room as Goodwin said, "Let me know if you change your mind."

She nodded at him, and he gave her a wink. She shook her head at him in mock disapproval as he left her side to go answer another knock at the door.

She turned around to scan the room again and caught Harper glaring at her from her seat. Her eyes shifted significantly to Goodwin and back, her expression sour.

Juliet gave Harper a wan smile in greeting, and wondered how someone so unpleasant had managed to marry someone as good-natured as Goodwin.

She scanned the living room again for a place to sit. Harper had arranged her couch, a loveseat, a recliner, and what appeared to be every chair from her dining room table in a big circle around her coffee table. Ben was occupying one half of the loveseat, but the cushion next to him was open. She made a beeline for it.

"This seat taken?" she asked. He looked up at her and the corners of his eyes crinkled.

"Not at all. Please…" he gestured for her to sit down.

"Thank you for loaning me this," Juliet smiled and handed him his copy of Gone With the Wind as she took her seat.

"You're welcome," he replied. "Do you know everyone here?"

She didn't, but Ben was quick to remedy that. Going around the circle, he introduced Juliet to each person. He started with the people on the couch. Amelia was an older woman who served as a teacher to the island's younger residents. Amelia reached over and clasped Juliet's hands warmly in welcome. Next to Amelia was Adam, a pompous older man who barely looked up from his book and muttered his hello at her. Next to Adam was Bea, who gave Juliet a polite smile of welcome, then quickly resumed her quiet conversation with Harper, who was sitting by herself in the recliner.

"Harper and Goodwin, of course, you know already…"

At the mention of Goodwin, Juliet turned in her seat to see where the man had gone.

He was standing at the counter in the kitchen, fixing a tray of drinks and one of snacks. Apparently he'd been paying attention because he caught her eye instantly and gave her a jaunty wave. She smiled and gave him a small wave back.

"And of course, we're still waiting for Tom…"

Juliet smiled at that. Tom was always kind to her. She looked forward to his arrival; it would be good to see him

Suddenly a platter of fruit and cheese appeared between her and Ben. Juliet looked up to see Goodwin standing behind the loveseat, grinning down at her.

"Bite to eat?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her enticingly.

"Please," she replied. He produced a small stack of cocktail napkins with a flourish, using his other hand to balance the platter. Juliet selected a cluster of grapes and slid them onto her napkin.

"Thank you."

"You must be famished, coming straight from work and all," Goodwin said sympathetically.

"Yes, well, Juliet often puts her duties before basic needs," Ben interjected tersely.

"Is that so?" Goodwin looked from Ben back to Juliet. "Well, no worries; I've got plenty of cheese and fruit, and a plate of crackers over there too, so eat up. And please," he leaned in as though to whisper a secret in her ear. "Let me know if you ever need me to bring you something from the cafeteria. I pass by the lab every day for lunch."

"Thank you, Goodwin," Ben interjected again, smiling, but not really smiling. "Now if you don't mind, I'd very much like a napkin."

Slightly chagrined, Goodwin offered Ben his pick of the fruit plate and then went on to serve the others. Juliet glanced at Ben out of the corner of her eye as she ate her grapes, wondering why he was so annoyed with their host.

"Oh, these are good, aren't they?" Amelia asked, interrupting her thoughts. She had also taken a cluster of grapes. Juliet nodded and held up what remained of her cluster in conformation. She turned to Ben to see what he'd taken for fruit, but all he had left on his cocktail napkin was a single orange rind.

"Are you okay?" she murmured, lowering her voice so that no one else would hear.

"Of course. I'm fine," Ben muttered back, offering her that half-smile that she hated. She was about to call him on his insincerity when a glass of red wine appeared between them.

"Here you are, Ben."

Goodwin was handing out the drinks. Juliet shot a glance over at Harper and wondered why she wasn't helping her husband with any of this…after all, she was supposed to be the hostess; she had picked the book.

Harper had paused her conversation with Bea, and to Juliet's discomfort, the two of them were watching her carefully.

"Juliet," Goodwin had her attention again. "I know you said you didn't want anything to drink, but you're welcome to rethink that decision."

Juliet smirked. A glass of wine might be really good at this moment.

"I think I will," she nodded. "I'll have whatever Ben's having, if that's okay."

"Coming right up," Goodwin replied cheerfully. He handed out the rest of the drinks, not even looking at Harper as he handed her glass to her, and went to pour Juliet a glass of wine. Juliet looked over at Ben.

"How is it?" she asked, nodding at his glass.

"Nice. You'll like it," he replied evenly.

"You would know," she smiled, trying to get him to lighten up. And it was true. Ben nodded in acknowledgement, looking pleased.

"Is it just me," she whispered, looking over her shoulder to make sure Goodwin wasn't right behind them. "Or does it seem like he and Harper are in a fight?"

"They're always in a fight," Ben whispered back, a hint of conspiracy in his voice.

"That's too bad," she sighed as Goodwin approached with her wine. She knew what it was like to be unhappily married. No wonder Harper was so annoyed all the time. Goodwin presented her wineglass with a flourish, holding her gaze for just a moment longer than was necessary, and Juliet had the sudden realization that his flirting might not be quite so friendly after all; maybe he was doing it on purpose…especially since he was doing it right in front of his wife.

She looked away from him hastily and said "thank you" into her wineglass. Goodwin was a handsome man, but as attractive as she found him, she wasn't interested in being anyone's affair. Her ex-husband had taught her just how painful adultery was, and as much as she disliked Harper, she wouldn't do that to another woman.

The front door opened and closed loudly, and Tom suddenly bounded into the room, calling out, "Sorry! Sorry I'm late everyone!"

"It's about time," Adam grumbled.

"I know, I know. I got too caught up in my work!"

Juliet smiled up at him in understanding, grateful for Tom's positive presence filling the room. He went around, greeting everyone, his eyes finally resting on her.

"Hello, Julie," he grinned, using his nickname for her. "Nice to see you're still alive."

She chuckled at that and accepted Tom's brief kiss on her cheek. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and moved on.

"Ben," he nodded in greeting, shaking Ben's free hand before looking around for a place to sit. The only seats left were on Harper's fancy dinning room chairs. Tom grimaced as he sat down on one and looked back at Juliet.

"I know I'm late, but you're the newbie…how'd you get the comfy seat?" he winked at her.

"Ben saved it for her," Amelia piped up knowingly.

"Oh?" Tom grinned. He and Amelia exchanged a look. "That was awfully nice of him."

Juliet looked over at Ben for confirmation, but he said nothing and sipped at his wine. The tips of his ears were pink.

Suddenly Harper clapped her hands authoritatively and called them together.

"So, what did everyone think of Gone With the Wind?"

Adam instantly launched into a bitter diatribe regarding the unlikability of Scarlett O'Hara, which Bea seemed to find offensive. She argued in favor of Scarlett, exclaiming that her actions were admirable and the direct result of the sexism at work in 19th century America. As they got into it, Juliet leaned over and nudged Ben with her elbow.

"Did you really save this seat for me?" she whispered.

"Yes, " he whispered back, attempting to sound nonchalant.

"Oh?" she mimicked Tom. "That was awfully nice of you." She grinned at him and patted his knee affectionately. "Thank you…I was hoping we'd be able to sit together."

"Really?" he asked sharply, studying her face for a sign that she was teasing.

"Yes, of course," she whispered back, affecting his slightly careless tone. His eyes crinkled at that. For the first time since she'd sat down, he reclined against the back of the couch. She did the same, taking her first sip of her wine, and watching the fireworks explode in front of her.

Harper had jumped in between Adam and Bea, and was playing devil's advocate to them both.

"Of course, I can't throw my full support behind a woman who spends most of her time trying to steal other people's husbands," she was saying-and Juliet couldn't help but wonder if that last comment was for her benefit.-"But then again, you have to admire the woman's cunning."

"'A woman's face is her work of fiction,'" Ben quoted sagely from the corner.

"Exactly," Adam threw in smugly. He shot Ben a satisfied look that annoyed Juliet greatly.

"That's certainly true in Scarlett's case," Amelia retorted. "But I don't think that's true of all women, Adam." Her gaze fell to Juliet meaningfully.

"Yeah, Ben," Juliet scowled. "Besides, just what did Oscar Wilde know about women?"

"Touché!" Goodwin piped in, raising his glass in Juliet's direction. Juliet felt Ben tense in annoyance beside her.

"Enough about Scarlett," Tom cut in. "One thing I both loved and hated about this book was how easy it was for me to embrace the racist ideals of the South without even realizing it…"

Juliet listened quietly as the debate went on, sipping slowly on her wine. She was about halfway through it when Goodwin stood up and refilled her glass with the recently opened bottle he'd brought over to the coffee table. He proceeded to refill everyone else's glass as well, and normally Juliet didn't mind having a second glass, but she hadn't exactly eaten much that day, and the prospect of finishing another whole glass was a little daunting.

"You might have to carry me out of here," she muttered to the man beside her. Ben smirked. She took another sip and winced. The bottle had been open for too long, and the resulting oxidation gave the wine a slightly sour and metallic aftertaste.

"Something wrong?" Ben asked as Tom and Adam hotly contested the role of Carpetbaggers in the Reconstruction.

"You don't taste that?" she whispered. "It's been breathing for a bit too long."

Ben took a sip from his glass and nodded in agreement.

"What a shame," he sighed.

"This is why I always make you bring the wine," she grumbled, taking another sip before setting her glass on the coffee table. "Like that cabernet we had after work last Thursday…now that was a wine that could breathe…"

"But I was rooting for the Klan!" Harper was yelling. "I wanted them to "clean out" those woods!"

"That's the most Machiavellian thing I've ever heard!" Adam shouted back. "It's beyond, Machiavelli! It's…Hegelian!" He said this with a hopeful eye on Ben. Juliet snorted. Name-dropping a philosopher that Ben liked: it was such a sycophantic gesture, such a sad attempt to suck up. She had to jump in.

"How is that exactly, Adam? The entire concept of The Klan completely defies the logic of Hegel's Master/Slave Dialectic! How can that scene possibly be Hegelian when the "slaves" are still being terrorized by their former masters? At what point there do the slaves become the master?"

Adam was speechless for a moment. Ben raised his wineglass in admiration.

"Well put, Juliet." He took a sip.

Adam glared at her furiously.

"You know," Amelia began, breaking the silence. "We haven't even had a chance to talk about Rhett Butler. You hated Scarlett so much, Adam; what about her male counterpart?"

And they were off again. Ben nudged Juliet with his elbow.

"I see you read my annotations," he smirked.

"Yes, they were the best part," she assured him sincerely. Ben's eyebrows jumped in surprise.

"Thank you," he said, looking truly flattered.

"Thank you for loaning me your copy."

"The thing I love about Rhett," Harper sighed longingly, which caught Juliet's attention immediately because Harper didn't seem like someone who was capable of sighing longingly. "is how much he cares. I love how well he understands her, even when she doesn't understand herself."

Goodwin rolled his eyes and snorted at his wife derisively.

"If he understands her so well, how come he leaves her just when she realizes that she really does love him back?" he asked snidely.

"Maybe it's because, in that moment, she's too good to be true," Harper retorted. "He's waited for her to come around for so long, and in the meantime, they've hurt each other so badly, he can't really accept that she actually does love him!"

Juliet and Ben shared an uneasy glance. The undercurrents of this conversation were growing uncomfortable.

"Or maybe," Goodwin muttered. "He's really just sick of her crap."

Even Tom winced at that one, and the meeting went downhill from there. Harper grew sullen and silent. Goodwin pretended nothing was amiss and busied himself playing host and refilling the drinks and snack trays. Bea and Adam picked up where Harper and Goodwin's disagreement had left off, and neither of them were particularly pleasant to each other in the course of their debate. Amelia and Tom attempted to soften the discussion by trying to throw some positive commentary into the mix, but they were largely unsuccessful at shifting the mood.

Juliet turned to Ben and muttered under her breath.

"Was this was what you had in mind when you invited me to join the Book Club?"

"Not exactly," he replied, his lips thinned in displeasure.

"Any chance we can make a discreet getaway?"

He nodded affirmatively, his eyes on the scene before them. Bea was delivering a particularly cutting remark to Adam, all pretense of discussing the novel aside. Adam was about to say something cruel in response--Juliet could see it in his expression--when Ben suddenly stood up.

"That's enough," he said curtly, with a calm that was almost menacing. Everyone froze. Juliet was suddenly reminded that Ben was the leader here; everyone in this room answered to him…including herself.

There was a moment of silence as Ben allowed everyone in the room to feel the weight of his displeasure. Juliet glanced around discreetly at the expressions on people's faces. She caught flashes of guilt and remorse, and a hint of shock for good measure. No one looked at each other. Adam especially had the good sense to look ashamed of himself; Tom simply stared at the floor.

Ben looked down at her and held out his hand. She took it without hesitation and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Still holding her hand, Ben turned to face Harper and Goodwin.

"Thank you both for hosting this event. Unfortunately, Juliet and I have to leave now," his tone was perfectly normal and polite…as though the events of the last minute hadn't happened at all. "Harper, I enjoyed your book selection—it's one of my favorites."

"Um, thank you Ben," Harper replied, rising to her feet as though she were coming out of a coma. "Thank you both for coming." Ben gave her a pleasant nod.

"Have a good afternoon everyone," he said, addressing the rest of the room. The others murmured similar sentiments back to him, but Ben was already moving towards the front door with Juliet in tow. She turned back and gave a small wave, mouthing "goodbye." Tom and Amelia each gave her a small wave in return.

Ben opened the front door and let go of her hand to wave her through first. She stepped out onto the porch, and he followed, closing the door behind them.

There was a moment of silence as Ben stared out over the village and Juliet stared at Ben, trying to read his inscrutable expression.

"So," she said after a moment. "About that discreet getaway…"

"I'm sorry about that, Juliet," Ben sighed. "but I have little patience for such childish behavior."

He started down the porch steps and she followed a step behind him. Harper's driveway was covered with some kind of white gravel. Juliet had teetered over it easily enough on her heels when she'd come in, but walking out and trying to keep up with Ben at the same time was a bit more challenging. Without a word, Ben backed up a step and offered her his arm, which she grabbed gratefully.

"I know you're used to a corporate dress code in your workplace," he teased as he led her down the driveway. "But you might consider an alternative style of footwear out here."

"Noted," Juliet replied tersely.

They made it to the pavement without incident.

"Thanks," she said, releasing her death grip on Ben's arm and linking elbows with him instead. He didn't protest the contact, and they strolled along together, each one pondering their own thoughts.

"I really wish this hadn't been your introduction to the book group," Ben said after a moment of quiet. "They usually make a better first impression."

"That's okay," Juliet sighed. "I had fun until Harper and Goodwin started to fight."

"Do you think you'll come back?"

"Sure. Tom and Amelia were nice. Bea seems like she'd be fun to debate with…" She trailed off for a moment before adding slyly, "Adam is a bit of a suck-up, though."

Ben chuckled and nodded.

"It's true," he sighed ruefully. He reached down and caught her hand, giving it a small squeeze. "Come on," he said, his face breaking into a real smile. 'I'll walk you home."

Chapter Text

It was exactly the first day of her third month on the island when Juliet made her first major breakthrough.

She knew that the radiation levels on the island were abnormal, and up until this point, she'd assumed that the radiation was the primary cause of the death of the pregnant women on the island, much in the way that overexposure to radiation gave people cancer and made them sick. She'd assumed that the added stress of a pregnancy on the body's immune system was what tipped the balance unfavorably for these poor women...but she'd been wrong.

In the last month, Juliet had been using some of her own genetic material to serve as a kind of control group to measure against the samples she'd taken from the women on the island. She'd postulated that, when grown in the lab, her cells would replicate at healthier rates, due to the fact that she hadn't been on the island for very long. Yet to her surprise, the other cell samples were out-performing hers in terms of growth.

She'd dismissed her first batch of test results, thinking that she may have screwed up some where along the way, took new samples, and repeated the experiment again. The results were the same. Juliet was perplexed, but she'd continued with the experiment, drawing it out until she had trackable data spanning a month's worth of time. According to the results, the women on the island were in better, healthier shape than she was. What the hell?

Then it had occurred to her: Hormesis.

Exposure to the island had stimulated every natural defense in this community, which explained why its inhabitants rarely got sick. For a woman to carry a child to term meant that, for nine month, she was required to carry and nourish a cell mass that was only genetically half hers. The deaths of pregnant women on this island were not the result of radiation poisoning, but instead the result of an autoimmune disorder.

Juliet braced her hands on her desk, her mind racing off into a million different directions. Autoimmune diseases were treatable, and even then, the treatment would only have to be administered during the woman's gestation period…

She spent the rest of the morning tearing through her notes and cross-checking her data. She was going to need to talk to Ethan about immunosuppressant therapy, and she would need to have test animals for clinical trials. Her desk was covered in papers, and she'd laid several of her journals open on the floor surrounding her. Her heart was racing. She couldn't wait to speak to Ben…

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" she called, wondering if Ben had somehow managed to telepathically infer that she wanted to see him.

But the person that came through the door wasn't Ben…it was Alex.

"Um…hi," she said hesitantly, surveying the chaos surrounding her. "Is this a bad time?"

"No! Not at all," Juliet smiled. "This is a great time. Please come in!" She motioned Alex forward cajolingly.

"You look busy."

"I am, but not too busy for you."

Juliet stood up and extracted herself from her circle of madness. She pulled up a stool for Alex and one for herself. Alex sat down carefully. It was clear she had something on her mind. Juliet sat down too, smiling at her invitingly.

"What can I do for you Alex?"

The young woman was nervous. Juliet watched her take a deep breath and marshal her forces before she looked up at Juliet.

"I have to ask you something," she said shyly.

"Okay," Juliet smiled and waited.

"Do you like my dad?"

"Well, yes, we're friends," Juliet replied, taken aback. What was this about? "Why do you ask?"

"It's just that…he talks about you a lot. I think he really likes you…like, really likes you."

"Do you mean…romantically?" Juliet asked, perplexed.

"Yes," Alex nodded.

"Okay…" Juliet wasn't sure how to respond to this information. "What made you want to come share this with me?" she asked. Alex blushed and looked down.

"It's just that…he isn't always happy, my dad, and when he talks about you, he gets happy…and trust me, I've never seen him act that way about anyone before. It's a first," she smiled.

"Well, I, um…" Juliet wasn't sure what to say, or more pressingly, what Alex wanted her to say.

"Look," the thirteen-year-old's tone suddenly grew mature for her years. "I'm not saying you guys have to get married or anything, but if you like him too, you should maybe…date, or something. And if you don't like him that way, then just…be nice to him?"

Her gaze faltered for a second, and she looked down at the floor.

"Don't get me wrong," she added. "He's not my favorite person right now. He's been a total jerk about me and Karl, but…" she trailed off and looked up at Juliet. "He's my dad, you know?"

Juliet nodded. "I know."

"And he really cares about you."

Juliet nodded again. "Okay."

"And, he doesn't really date, but he could be a really good boyfriend."

Juliet chuckled and nodded again. "Fair enough."

"And I just thought…you should know," Alex trailed off quietly.

"I appreciate that," Juliet replied, wondering just how she was going to deal with this information. She was suddenly very grateful to Alex. By coming to her, Alex had given her the heads up she needed before she accidentally did something stupid and hurt Ben's feelings, and Ben was definitely some that she didn't want to hurt.

They were both quiet for a moment before Alex stood up and started to move her chair back to its original location. Juliet did the same.

"Um," Alex began when they were done. "Please don't tell him that I was here and I told you this. I think he'd be a little mad."

Juliet nodded and held out an arm to the young woman. Alex stepped closer and Juliet pulled her into an affectionate embrace.

"Thank you for coming to me with this," she said to the top of Alex's head. "Your dad is a lucky man to have a daughter who cares about him the way you do."

"Thanks," Alex's reply was muffled by Juliet's collarbone. She squeezed Juliet tightly before stepping back.

"I think Karl's pretty lucky too," Juliet added with a wink. Alex blushed and mumbled "Thanks" again.

Juliet walked Alex the few steps to the door.

"I'm sure I'll see you later," she smiled warmly.

"Yeah," Alex nodded smiling back. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Juliet replied. "And thank you."

Alex nodded once and went through the door, closing it lightly behind her.

Juliet took a deep breath and let it out slowly. What a day!

She looked over at her desk and could see why Alex had been so hesitant to disturb her. What a mess. She walked over and began to reorganize the chaos, letting her hands do the work while her mind attempted to reconcile her life.

I'll have to find Ethan in a bit and ask him about getting those testing supplies. I should start the trials as soon as possible, and I need to update Ben on my progress…but Ben has a crush on me…Wow, what am I going to do about that?

She put her lab journals back into chronological order while simultaneously reflecting on her past interactions with Benjamin Linus. Sure, they had a great rapport, and he always seemed happy to spend time with her…and he was certainly physically attractive, and most of the time she found him endearing…

But then again, he'd never really made a move to let her know how he felt. Every touch, every compliment had been friendly…except the night he'd kissed her hand. She thought about that moment, replaying it over and over in her mind. He brought her dinner, helped her with her work, then kissed her hand, and when he did it, her heart had definitely jumped…there was definitely something like attraction between the two of them.

Juliet re-organized the few research articles she had on autoimmune diseases into a binder and began to imagine what it might be like to have a relationship with Ben. He was usually so reserved, almost shy with her. What would it be like to really flirt with him? What would it be like to hold his hand as his girlfriend and let him kiss her?

Juliet accidentally dropped the binder on the floor at that thought. It was almost uncomfortable to contemplate…not repulsive uncomfortable, but just a little tantalizingly weird.

She shook her head to clear her mind. All of this was irrelevant until her work was done.

She picked up the last four papers and put the remains into some semblance of order. Right now, she had to work, she told herself. She had to go find Ethan or Richard and start making arrangements to test her new hypothesis. She'd think about whatever was going to happen between her and Ben later.

Her stomach grumbled. It was lunchtime. She knew Ethan always had his lunch in the cafeteria. When he wasn't being their doctor, he was always working odd jobs around the island. If she didn't catch him at lunch, she probably wouldn't be able to catch up with him for weeks. She looked up at the clock. The cafeteria served lunch to all the island workers from twelve to one, and it was twelve-forty now. If she was quick, she could make it, and also get food.

She reached the cafeteria at twelve forty-five, just in time to snag a sandwich and a bag of chips. She looked around the gradually emptying room, but Ethan didn't appear to be there. She walked into the tables, her eyes darting from face to face, but she was right; he wasn't there. Damn.

"Juliet?" and distinctive voice called out. Juliet turned, surprised to see Ben sitting at a table by himself. He was reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and she'd somehow managed to walk right by him without seeing him. "Are you looking for me?" His expression was hopeful.

"Um…no," she said a little too bluntly. His face fell slightly. "I mean, not that it's not good to see you, Ben," she stammered, trying to recover. "I was just looking, and…I mean, it's good to see you…but I was just…"

Oh my God, is this how it's going to be from now on? She thought, feeling ridiculous. You're just going to babble at him like an idiot? Get a grip, Juliet!

She stopped trying to talk and just walked over and sat down next to him instead.

"I was looking for Ethan," she said, turning to face him. "Because I think I'm onto something in the lab, and I need him for a consult and to help me set up some experiments."

Good girl.

"Juliet, that's wonderful!" Ben's face broke into a smile, her favorite smile: the one that made his eyes crinkle. She loved that smile because it was so rare, and to elicit one took something really special. How many more times had she been the recipient of this smile than the others?

"Well?" he prodded her, breaking her out of her reverie.

"Well…?" she repeated uncertainly.

"Are you going to give me the details, or do I have to beg?" Ben chuckled and made a gesture of exasperation with his hands.

"Oh! Right…"

She started to fill him in on her journey of discovery, telling him about how she'd thrown out her original results and started the new batch of cultures…

"Was that the night I brought you dinner?" he interjected.

"Yes! Exactly. I started the new batch that night. That's why I was there so late," she nodded.

"And that was the batch that led you to your brilliant discovery?"

"Yes, well, I'm not sure if I'm actually right yet, but we'll see," she shrugged.

"I helped label those cultures, you know," his tone was serious, but his face was mocking her.

"Yes, I remember," she chuckled. She filled him in on the rest of the story and her new theory about the over-active immune systems of the women on the island. When she was done, he leaned back in his chair and studied her intently.

"That's brilliant," he told her, his expression akin to awe. "You're brilliant."

"Stop," she grinned, then looked down at the table to hide her blush.

"Juliet, I'm serious!" he cried, reaching forward to take her hand and squeeze it in triumph. "You should celebrate."

"I am celebrating." She gently disengaged her hand from his because something about the contact was making it hard for her to breathe. She picked up her sandwich instead. "See? I'm eating lunch today." She took a bite and grinned victoriously before chewing and swallowing.

Ben shook his head at her in mild disapproval, but stayed quiet while she ate. Juliet could feel his gaze on her when she wasn't looking. She pretended like she didn't notice, and went on eating. The silence weighed on her, but she wasn't sure what to say, so instead, she ate, and waited for a cue from Ben.

"Ethan is out at The Staff today…he won't be back until much later this evening, but I can be sure he comes to see you in the lab first thing tomorrow morning," Ben said eventually.

"That would be perfect," she said, finishing up her food. "Thank you, Ben."

More silence.

Juliet looked around to see where she could put her tray, but Ben suddenly rose and took her tray to the waste receptacle to clear it, then added it to the stack on the sideboard.

"Come on," he called, looking back at her, Les Miserables under his arm. "I'll walk you back to the lab."

He stood, smiling and expectant, waiting for her by the door. She rose and joined him. He opened the door for her, and they walked out into the sunshine together.

Somehow walking side-by-side was even more awkward for Juliet than sitting next to one another. It was a beautiful day, and she couldn't appreciate it because she was wondering what Ben was thinking, and what he was feeling, and if he was ever going to tell her what he was thinking and feeling.

His hand brushed hers as they walked, and she practically jumped, wondering if it was an accident, or if he'd done it on purpose. Then she realized he'd done the exact same thing to her weeks before, only she'd been the one making contact with him, and he'd been the one jumping. How long had they been dancing this dance? And for how long had she been an oblivious partner?

She could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks, but Ben didn't seem to notice anything…but then, of course, Ben had the best poker face of anyone she'd ever known. She glanced down at his offending hand. Ben had very nice hands. His nails were clipped and clean with fingers that were nicely shaped. They were strong hands, capable hands, and they were slightly calloused on the palms. Juliet had a sudden urge to slide her hand into Ben's, but then, that would be crossing the "friend" line: very few "friends" held hands as they walked together, but she was tempted to do it anyway, just to see how he'd respond.

But this is Ben! Her brain protested. Should she be thinking about things like this with Ben?

Well, maybe, she thought, because according to Alex at least, he was thinking those sorts of things about her.

"You're awfully quiet," he commented lightly. "Is everything alright?"

"Um, yes," she lied unconvincingly. "I'm just thinking of all the work I need to do, and the materials I need to ask Ethan about, and…everything else."

Silence.

"You know, you don't have to do this alone Juliet. I'm here to help you, if you need me."

If you need me…

They had arrived at the infirmary already. She looked up at the door leading to her lab with sudden apprehension, realizing that he was right. She dreaded spending the whole afternoon in there, by herself, with all the pressure, and nothing to do but work on this new idea and pray that it would succeed. She had a thought and looked over at Ben.

"I need you," she said simply. His face brightened. "It's too much to be in there, alone with my thoughts-especially at this stage in the game. I need someone to bounce ideas off of for an hour or two. Can you come around noon tomorrow? After I've had a chance to consult with Ethan?"

Ben nodded, his face difficult to read, but he seemed pleased.

"It's a date," he said, his eyes never leaving her face.

"It's a date," she echoed, returning his gaze.

Then she turned and went inside.

Chapter Text

I know the timeline for this scene is slightly off, but I couldn't resist.

…

Juliet dressed carefully the next morning for work, very conscious of the fact that Ben would be in later to see her. She slid into a ruched blouse, which was patterned in a shade of green that matched her eyes exactly. She paired it with a pair of white tissue linen pants that flowed when she moved. The blouse, she noticed, was cut just low enough to be attractive, but not so low as to make it look like she was trying. She felt soft and feminine. She wore her hair mostly down in the wild ringlets she knew Ben liked—she'd felt his eyes move over her hair more than once—and was sure to dust a trace of makeup on her face.

She felt good. She felt ready to face the day, which was good, because not only did she have to talk to Ethan and see Ben…today was the day of her weekly session with Harper. Ugh.

She added a spritz of perfume to the pulse point on her wrist—it was crisp and floral—and made her way to the lab.

Ethan was there, waiting for her. Juliet took him through the proposals she'd written up the day before, and he was enthusiastic. Of course, Ethan was always positive, but he seemed especially intrigued by her hypothesis, making Juliet feel like she was really on to something. Ethan was a phenomenal doctor, and if he was excited, then she could be too.

Ethan left with her lists, promising to make the arrangements and get the materials to her as soon as possible. That left her with little to do for the next few hours besides put together a sampling of slides for Ben to view when he arrived.

Ben…

She tried not to think about it too hard, because her mind was already going in a million directions, wondering where this situation would lead. One of them was going to have to make a move or say something eventually...would it be her or Ben? When would it happen? How? She didn't know, and she was going to go insane trying to think about it.

The morning sun was beating in through the windows, and Juliet felt a little warm in her crisp white lab coat, but she kept it on and persevered…she'd told Ben she needed someone to bounce ideas off of, so she'd better have a couple to discuss with him when he got there. She grabbed a pen, and a clean piece of paper and began to make a list. The more she listed, the more she thought of…there were so many unanswered questions!

She was rereading some material Ethan had left her on autoimmune diseases when the door finally opened. She took a deep breath and turned to see whom it was.

Ben. Of course. At noon on the dot. She took a deep breath.

He was dressed in his usual-khakis and a button-down shirt-but Juliet had to admire the fact that there wasn't a wrinkle on him. Ben could hike through the jungle for hours and still look put together, while Juliet would only look bedraggled. He'd shaved recently, and Juliet caught a hint of aftershave as he put down his messenger bag, pulled up a chair and sat down next to her.

"Hello," he smiled.

"Hi," she smiled back. "Thank you for coming."

"It's my pleasure. Have you had lunch?"

"Um…no" she replied, confused by the non-sequitur.

"Figures," he snorted, reaching into his bag and materializing a neatly wrapped sandwich and a few napkins. "I was just in the cafeteria. It's only peanut butter and jelly, but I asked the chef to use the crunchy peanut butter." He handed it to her. She took it. Their fingers touched briefly, and Juliet's heart jumped.

"I'm getting the impression that you think I can't feed myself, Ben," she sighed.

"Nonsense," he chortled. "I only think that you can't feed yourself properly."

She smirked and he looked pleased.

"Besides," he added wickedly. "If you die of starvation, I have no idea what I'd do with all of this." He gestured widely to the lab around them. Then he paused as though in thought. "But I'd keep your CD collection."

She laughed, then scowled at him in mock outrage and unwrapped her sandwich.

"I guess I'd better not starve then…I really like my CDs."

She gave him a copy of her research proposal to read while she ate, which he did, quietly and intently, nodding to himself as he turned the pages.

"What did Ethan think when he saw this?" Ben asked when he got to the last page.

"He seemed enthusiastic." She gathered her sandwich wrappings in a neat pile.

"He's not the only one." Ben said meaningfully as he set her proposal down on the counter.

"Thanks," Juliet tried not to blush. "And thank you for lunch," she added as she threw the remains in the trash. "You're very thoughtful, Ben…I appreciate it." She glanced up as him to see how he took the compliment, and was rewarded by the sight of the crinkles at the corners of his eyes and the slight pink tinge at the tips of his ears. God, he was adorable.

"You're welcome," he said, his eyes moving over her face intently.

Silence.

"Uh," she cleared her throat. "I have some slides I want to show you."

"Oh, please," he shifted back slightly, moving just far enough away that she could access the microscope, but not so far away that Juliet wasn't acutely aware of his proximity. Se could feel his eyes on her as her suddenly clumsy fingers fixed one of the slides she'd prepared to the stage of the microscope. She looked into the eyepieces and adjusted the focus, making sure the lighting and the clarity of the image were sufficient.

Speaking of focus, Ben's eyes were still on her.

She sat back down and looked over at him. His expression was both admiring and adoring. She wondered if he knew that she could see it. She leaned an elbow on the counter and rested her chin lightly on the knuckles of her hand and gazed back at him. Softly, she began to review with him what she'd seen in her samples: lowered white blood cell counts, immune system attacking the fetus, and reminded him that she was still uncertain of the cause. Ben didn't blink as he took it all in. His gaze traveled down her face and landed on her mouth as she spoke.

"May I?" he finally asked, indicating the microscope.

"Sure."

Juliet stood and moved out of the way so that Ben could get in front of the equipment. He rose and lightly placed his hands on either side of the microscope, inadvertently covering the pinky and ring finger of her left hand with the pinky and ring finger of his right hand.

Juliet stiffened, uncertain of how to respond. She was acutely, painfully aware of the touch of his hand, waiting for him to realize his mistake, waiting for him to flinch and pull his hand away, apologizing, pretending the touch didn't thrill him as much as it did her…but he didn't do it.

Without looking up from the microscope, Ben slowly, deliberately, slid his hand the rest of the way over the top of hers. Her heart began to race, and just when she couldn't stand the tension another minute, Ben upped the stakes, gently sliding the pad of his thumb down the length of her pinky finger and back.

"Ben," she hissed.

His head snapped up, lightning quick, his gaze locking with hers, burning with new knowledge, yet tinged with a hint of desperation.

Oh please, his eyes seemed to beg. Please, please, please…

The door opened.

"Hey Juliet!" called a cheerful voice.

Juliet jumped away from Ben as though she'd been burned. Goodwin bounded into the lab, but stopped short when he saw that Ben was there. Ben turned to look, and Juliet could see every line of his frame stiffen.

"Oh Ben…I didn't know you were here," Goodwin covered smoothly. It was clear that he was disappointed not to find Juliet alone. "Ethan's out sick,"—That's a lie Juliet thought—"and I have an extra egg salad on rye…I was just checking to see if Juliet wants it." Goodwin looked at her hopefully, but she frowned and shook her head. It was a flimsy pretext to stop by and see her, and she was infinitely glad that Ben was here to drive Goodwin and his flirting away.

"No, I already ate," she said coolly. "Besides, I have an appointment with your wife in ten minutes."

It was actually in thirty minutes, but she wanted him to leave. Now.

"Oh, great," Goodwin sobered slightly. "Tell her I said hello."

Juliet smirked. I bet she'd love that.

"Oh, will do," she said placidly, noting that Ben had not moved a muscle during the entire exchange.

"Ben?" Goodwin called out. Ben looked up sharply as Goodwin held up the sandwich bag in offering.

"No, I'm fine," he replied politely, if tightly. Goodwin nodded, grinning wanly, and finally took the hint. He left without another word.

Ben stared after him, his posture still tense and threatening. Then, without a glance at her, he turned and stared coldly back into the microscope.

Silence. Again. Dammit.

Juliet was at a loss. Everything had been going so well, and now it was all wrong. She hated Goodwin in that moment. Hated him.

"I think he likes you," Ben commented flatly, without looking up.

"Great," Juliet snapped sarcastically, sitting back down next to him gracelessly. "That's just what I need…another relationship with another cheating spouse."

"You never know…you two might hit it off." There was an edge to Ben's voice that was downright nasty.

"Maybe we would," Juliet shot back viciously. "I mean, it's all fun and games, right? Until one of you gets hit by a bus."

"Why was he here, Juliet?" Ben looked up at her, his expression blank and hard.

"How the hell should I know, Ben?" she cried, frustrated. "It's not like I asked him to show up!"

"He brought you a sandwich."

"So what!" she fumed. Standing, she crossed behind Ben to gather up her proposal and an armful of her labs she'd pulled out for him to peruse. Walking behind him again, she transferred them to the other side of her workspace, dropped them loudly onto the countertop, and began to rearrange them onto the shelves. "And besides," she added cuttingly. "It was egg salad. Who brings a girl an egg salad sandwich in ninety degree weather?"

"Oh," Ben replied acidly. "You wanted something different?"

"Yes," she snarled, shooting him a furious glance. "And it had crunchy peanut butter on it."

Ben seemed shocked into silence. Ha, take that! She thought meanly as she shoved her reports into their proper locations. When she was done with the first batch, she moved to get the rest. Ben reached out and caught her by the wrist. She paused for a moment, looking at the floor.

"I…I don't like the way he looks at you," Ben said quietly, as though the admission cost him a great deal of pride. Juliet sighed and sat back down next to him.

"Well, in case you haven't realized," she replied softly. "That makes two of us."

"Ah."

Ben let go of her wrist and placed his hands on his knees, seeming at a loss. Juliet was unnerved by his jealous behavior, and didn't know what to say either. She'd never seen Ben so…unhinged.

She looked up at the clock. Hell. Harper was expecting her in fifteen minutes. She stood up and gathered the rest of her papers.

"I have to go, Ben," she said sourly, not looking at him as she put her work away. "Harper's waiting."

Ben stood hurriedly.

"I'll walk with you."

Juliet made no reply, but said nothing as Ben held the door open for her on the way out.

They walked in silence. Again, that heavy silence. Juliet snuck a glance at Ben's face, but his expression was carefully neutral. She looked down at the path in front of her, allowing her mind to drift back to the moments before Goodwin had entered the scene. What had Ben been thinking when he deliberately allowed his hand to drift over hers? She recalled the sensation of his fingers brushing hers, and shivered pleasurably. She looked over at him again, frustrated. Would such a moment ever happen between the two of them again?

His hands were in his pockets as he walked. He must have known she was looking at him, but he did not return her gaze. Juliet looked back at the path, trying not to roll her eyes. Maybe he was angry with her, maybe he was embarrassed by his overreaction, but whatever the cause, they clearly weren't going to talk about it now and clear the air between them, so she had no choice but to let it go. She crossed her arms across her chest and walked slightly ahead of him the last few steps to Harper's office.

"Thanks Ben," she said tightly. "I'll see you later."

She turned and walked up the steps, not waiting for his reply. Her hand was on the doorknob when she heard Ben call out behind her.

"Juliet, wait…"

She turned back to look at him. His face was agitated, but determined. He looked at her intently.

"Have dinner with me tonight," he practically blurted.

Juliet's eyebrows raised in surprise, then quirked with suspicion.

"Is that a request, or a command?" she queried tartly.

"Please," he added as an afterthought. That look was back in his eyes, the same look she'd seen on him just before Goodwin came through the door…Oh please, please, please.

"Fine," she replied coolly, though her heart was beating fantastically hard inside her chest. "What time?"

"6:30." Ben was looking at her slightly in disbelief.

"At your place?" she asked. He nodded. "What should I bring?"

"Just yourself."

She nodded in assent.

"I'll see you at 6:30."

"Excellent," his whole face lit up. "It's a date."

"It's a date?" Juliet looked at him significantly, wanting to be on the same page with him at last. He looked at her, taken aback. Come on, Ben, she thought. Just say 'yes.'

Ben squared his shoulders.

"It's a date," he confirmed, returning her significant look, waiting.

Juliet resisted the urge to squeal like a teenager. Instead she smiled at Ben warmly, excitedly.

"It's a date," she nodded.

Then, with a sense of déjà vu, she turned and went inside.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

They both jumped, startled from the intimate cocoon they'd created together.

"Is the pie done already?" Juliet frowned, looking for a clock.

"No," Ben sighed. "I set the timer for just a few minutes so I could check on it." He rose reluctantly to go turn it off.

"Bad plan, Ben," Juliet deadpanned. Then she sighed, acknowledging the loss of the moment, and followed him into the kitchen. She stood in front of the sink and leaned her back against the countertop, watching as Ben grabbed a mitt and used it to open the oven door. At once, the mouth-watering smell of caramelized brown sugar and warm pecans wafted into the air.

"If that tastes half as good as it smells," Juliet sighed. "I might not be able to share."

Ben laughed as he reset the timer.

"I might like to see that," he grinned, his eyes resting on her slender waistline. "I mean, where would you put it all?"

"My hips," she groaned, rolling her eyes. "How much longer?" she inclined her head towards the stove.

"Another ten minutes, give or take," he replied.

"Good," she nodded. "May I use your bathroom?"

"Of course," he gestured down the hall.

Behind the safety of the closed bathroom door, Juliet reminded herself to breathe. So much had happened this evening, and she needed a moment to process alone without Ben's eyes on her.

She used the toilet, washed her hands, then braced them on the counter and looked up at her reflection in the mirror. Ben almost kissed me, she thought, watching a swift, secret smile pass across her face in the mirror. She felt giddy.

Taking a few breaths to calm herself, Juliet smoothed her hair, and took in her surroundings. Ben's bathroom was as neat as the rest of his house. The towels were crisply folded and evenly draped over their bars. There wasn't a single smudge on the mirror, not a hair in the sink…how did anyone manage to be so clean? Had he scoured the whole house before her arrival?

Juliet thought guiltily of her own house. When she'd arrived, it had been just as spotless as Ben's, and while she certainly hadn't trashed the place by any means, it was definitely a bit more 'lived in' now. She scoffed and shook her head. She'd have to be sure to straighten up a bit if Ben ever came over-the thought of him in her bathroom made her cringe with embarrassment.

Smoothing her hair down again, she left the bathroom and rejoined Ben in the kitchen. He was just taking the pie out of the oven. The entire house smelled like heaven.

"There you are!" he called over his shoulder. "Just in time."

Juliet moved to stand beside him, and they looked down at the pecan pie together.

"Wow Ben, this is a masterpiece of epicurean engineering," she grinned. Ben glanced down at the floor, his expression sheepish.

"Oh please…" he scoffed, but she cut him off.

"I'm serious!" she whispered in mock reverent tones, nudging him with her shoulder, enjoying his bashful response "Not a pecan out of place, perfectly caramelized on the top, crust golden brown…I'm not sure if I should eat it or worship it!"

"Oh, enough already!" Ben snorted. He was blushing furiously as he pulled open a drawer and pulled dessert forks out for both of them. "Put these on the table."

Juliet complied, watching him as he went to the freezer and pulled out a carton of vanilla ice cream and two small plates. He set them next to the pie.

"Seriously? You've chilled the dessert plates?"

Ben didn't answer, but Juliet could see he was shaking his head at her as he donned an oven mitt to cut the still-warm pie. He put a slice on each of the dessert plates, along with a scoop of ice cream. He put the ice cream carton back in the freezer, and then brought their dessert over to the table.

"I don't know about this Ben," she was still teasing him. "Usually I eat my ice cream straight out of the carton…"

"If you continue to mock me," he intoned, standing next to her, holding her plate. "Then you won't have any dessert at all."

"No!" she cried clutching at his forearm in false panic, trying not to laugh. "I promise I'll be good!"

He set her plate in front of her, and took his seat with his own plate in front of him.

"Be careful, it's still hot," he warned her. His face was stern, but his eyes were full of amusement. Juliet loaded her fork with a bite of pie and a dollop of ice cream and took her first bite, aware that Ben was watching her every move. The flavor was bliss, pure bliss. She closed her eyes and shook her head in appreciation.

"How is it?" Ben asked smugly.

"Divine," she sighed. "Too good for words. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he sighed.

They ate quietly, but their gazes kept meeting and then breaking away, like shy teenagers. Juliet wondered if he would try to kiss her again this evening, or if maybe she'd have a chance to kiss him, short of just leaping over the table and attacking his face…not that she thought he'd mind.

Suddenly, she was nervous. Her stomach was churning, and her heart felt like to was trying to break through her ribs. She looked down at her plate, embarrassed by her sudden shyness, hoping Ben wasn't reading her mind…though he probably was.

"We should do these dishes after dessert," she muttered.

"What? Why?" Ben was baffled.

"Well," she smiled weakly at him. "I didn't sing for my supper, and you've seen how poorly I play the piano, but dishes…dishes I at least can do."

She ate her last bite of pie and stood, collecting her plate and fork, and carried them to the sink where the rest of the dishes were soaking. She slid her dishes in, then when back to the table to offer to collect Ben's.

He silently handed them up to her, and she pretended not to notice his too intense gaze. She could see his mind working behind those eyes, see him trying to figure out what had her acting so spooked all of a sudden. She felt guilty for a moment, wishing she could tell him, but unsure of how to say it all without revealing what a head case she was.

She went back to the sink with his plate and slid it in to soak with the others. She heard Ben get up and move about behind her, but she kept her eyes focused on the task at hand. Ben suddenly appeared next to her, holding their two wine glasses, which he must had retrieved from the top of the piano. There was a swallow or two of wine left in each of them. Ben handed her the glass with the lipstick prints at the top, then proceeded to drink the remainders of his glass, motioning for her to do the same. She did and set the glass on the sideboard. She'd wash it last, since it was too delicate to be in the sink with the other, heavier dishes. Ben set his glass next to hers and said nothing as he watched her rinse out the sponge and pour a stripe of detergent across the top of it. Without a word, he reaching into a nearby drawer and pulled out a fresh dishtowel. He ran the material through his hands and looked at her expectantly.

She started with their dinner plates, scrubbed, rinsed them, and handed them to Ben to dry. Ben buffed the plates with his towel, and then flung the towel casually over his shoulder as he went to put the plates back into their proper cabinets. Somewhere along the way, he rolled up his sleeves a bit more securely, and Juliet couldn't help but notice the he had nice, solid-looking forearms.

She handed him the dripping clean serving plate with a small smile, which he reciprocated, deftly manipulating the heavy dish in his hands, towel swirling across its surface. He put the dish away, then came back to stand next to her at the sink.

"Juliet," he finally spoke, his voice soft and coaxing. "Is something on your mind?"

She braced her hands on the counter and sighed.

"Yes," she replied resignedly. "But it's silly."

"Silly?" he leaned against the counter, mimicking her body language. "How so?"

"It's just that…" she started to say, but made the mistake of looking over at those too-intense blue eyes and lost her nerve. She picked up the sponge and started to clean a fork a bit too vigorously.

"It's just that…" Ben prodded.

"Your bathroom is really clean," she blurted, gesturing down the hallway with the half-cleaned fork.

"My bathroom…what?"

"Yes, you heard me," she barreled on, scrubbing at the fork again in a vain attempt to deal with her anxiety and avoid his gaze. "Your bathroom is freakishly clean, and so is the rest of your house, and you cook exceptionally well, play the piano like a virtuoso, and you notice things, like, not just things about me, but about everything…nothing seems to get by you," she was babbling now, and she couldn't seem to stop. She rinsed the now very clean fork and handed it to him. He took it automatically, seeming uncertain of what else to do. "So, I can't help wondering when is he going to figure it out?"

"Figure what out?" Ben asked calmly.

"That I'm a mess!" she muttered at him. He looked shocked for a moment, but then a small smile began to creep across his face.

"Oh, is that all?" he chuckled, infuriating her.

"Don't you dare laugh at me! I'm serious!

"Really?" Ben looked amused. He was finding her breakdown amusing.

She nodded over to the refrigerator and pointed at it accusingly. "I was serious when I told you that I eat my ice cream straight from the carton! And I use the same spoon for it over and over again, and I don't even wash it! Sometimes, I don't even rinse it! I keep it right next to the fridge, like a ritual or something…"

Oh, she had really lost it now, but he was just standing there, not saying a word, listening attentively, which only drove her need to shock him to greater heights.

"Sometimes I let the ice cream sit out for too long until it's practically soup, and then I put it back in the freezer, and it gets those yucky ice crystals all over it, and the texture gets all grainy, but I'll eat it anyway!" she hissed. Under her glare, Ben's composure finally cracked, but instead of yelling at her or making a cutting remark, he simply started laughing.

"Oh, that's disgusting!" he snorted, his expression tight with repressed mirth. "I mean, really, Juliet, for shame!"

He turned back to the sink, picking up the sponge she'd dropped in there, and proceeded to start scrubbing another fork. His lack of a response gave Juliet a chance to calm down for a minute. She walked over to him and leaned forward, putting her elbows on the counter and her head in her hands.

"I'm serious, Ben. I'm afraid...so afraid…of disappointing everyone…especially you, especially now that I'm…I mean, we're…" she trailed off and looked up at him pleadingly. He caught her eye and looked down at her not unkindly.

"One step at a time," he said softly. "You've put the whole world on your shoulders here, Juliet, and you don't have to carry the burden alone. You're one of us now…let us in, let us help you. We're a family here, and we welcome you to be a part of it…and as far as disappointing me…" He dried his hands briefly on the dishtowel, then used one to cup her face gently. "That's nothing you need to worry about. You're assuming you are the only one here with concerns. I'm a single dad...I have a teenage daughter," he chuckled. "Believe me, my life is far from perfect. Now," he handed her the dishtowel. "Let's switch. I'll wash: you dry. It'll give you a chance to see where I keep the ice cream bowls…you know, in case you ever feel like using them," he quipped. She laughed and stood up, taking a deep breath.

"I didn't mean to loose it like that. I'm sorry," she apologized, bumping him affectionately with her shoulder. He handed her one of their dessert plates. "Thank you for being so…calm."

"It's fine," he replied with a small smile. "I only ask that in the future, you do the same for me."

"Oh? Are you planning on having a meltdown at some point soon?" she laughed as she put the plate away.

"One never knows," he sighed, continuing to wash.

Juliet continued to dry, asking Ben occasionally for directions to the proper cupboard as she put things away. With her fears allayed, she was suddenly able to focus on how adorable she found Ben when he was elbow deep in dirty dishwater. He seemed to feel her eyes on him, looking up and catching her gaze on purpose, making her blush and look away, both thrilled and ashamed for being caught staring.

Finally, he grabbed their last two wineglasses and put them in the sink. She heard him make a small grunt of dismay as she was putting the baking tray away under the oven.

"What's wrong?" she called to him over her shoulder.

"Nothing, would you mind rolling up my sleeve for me?"

"Sure," Juliet smiled and moved to his side. This was a common problem she'd faced many a time while doing the dishes by hand on this island. In one hand, Ben was holding a soapy, wet wineglass, his other hand was held up above the waterline, still holding the sponge, sleeve dangling at the wrist.

She slid one arm between his elbow and ribcage, the other on the opposite side of his straightened arm. She was aware that she was standing just a bit closer to him than she needed to be, but she didn't care. Slowly, she peeled back his sleeve and folded it by increments up the length of his arm. She heard a hitch in his breathing, and saw the hand that held the wineglass twitch in response to her ministrations.

"Above or below the elbow?" she leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"Um, above," Ben stuttered, seeming uncertain of how to deal with her blatant flirtation. She complied, turning his sleeve up and over his elbow, making sure to brush her fingers over it as she did so. Next to her, Ben twitched ever-so-slightly. She smiled and looked into his face.

His expression was openly adoring.

"Thank you," he murmured, his eyes moving down her face to focus on her mouth. His expression took on the look she'd seen earlier in the lab. Oh please…please, please, please…

She reached up and slid one of her hands along the side of his face, cupping his jawline, smoothing the pad of her thumb over his cheekbone. His eyes closed blissfully, but he didn't move, as though he was afraid she'd stop if he did. He was still holding the wineglass and the sponge. She slid her other hand up the back of his neck and into his hair. It was soft under her fingers, and the hissing sound he made as he exhaled let her know that she was doing something right. She swirled her fingers through the softness, and slowly, ever so slowly, began to pull his face towards hers.

She'd barely registered the feel of his lips against hers when she heard the snapping sound.

Jumping back, she looked at Ben's face in horror, trying to see what had happened. His eyes were still closed, but his expression was one of pain, rather than one of joy. Her gaze trailed down his arms, where in one hand, he was still holding a sponge, but in the other, holding the remains of a shattered wineglass.

"Oh Ben!" she cried, cupping his hand, gently trying to pry it open. "What happened?" She pulled the trashcan out from under the sink and held his hand over it.

"I…um…squeezed it a bit too hard, I'm afraid," he chuckled ruefully. He opened his hand and allowed a few bits of glass to drop into the trash. Juliet turned his hand over, palm up, and was horrified to see a thin stream of blood dripping from the meaty base of his thumb. A chunk of glass was embedded in his flesh.

"Oh, this is going to need stitches," she shook her head, suddenly becoming a doctor. "We're going to have to go to the infirmary."

Ben nodded, but said nothing.

She reached into the same drawer she'd seen Ben pull a fresh dishtowel from earlier, and grabbed another one to wrap his hand in. She made sure it was a darker color so that his blood wouldn't make a noticeable stain.

"Hold on," he said. Juliet watched, horrified, as he deftly pulled the shard of glass from his hand.

"Wait, stop!" she touched his arm, but he was too quick for her.

"It's all right," he said numbly, walking over to the trash and dropping the glass in. "It wasn't in there too deeply."

She sighed and shook her head at him, reaching over and wrapping his hand more securely in the towel. Without the glass to block the flow, the wound was bleeding freely.

"Let's go," she said. "Keep applying pressure."

Together, they walked out of the house, into the dark, and made their way along the lighted path to the infirmary building. They didn't speak, but Ben was holding his hand tightly, his lips pursed into a thin line. Juliet walked hesitantly beside him, feeling guilty and concerned all at once. She shouldn't have tried kiss him while he was holding that fragile glass. That had been foolish.

She looked over at Ben, searching his face for some insight into what he was thinking. He was looking at the ground, lost in thought or shock…she couldn't tell. She wanted to say something, to apologize, or something, but it didn't seem like a good time.

They reached the infirmary quickly, and Juliet ushered Ben inside.

"Rinse out the cut as best as you can," she said, directing him towards the sink. "Make sure there's no more glass in it."

"Of course," Ben went straight to the sink and followed her instructions. Juliet went to the supply shelf and found a sterile suture kit. While Ben was still rinsing, she set up a small station, draping a clean towel over the counter and bringing over a lab light. Running back to the supply shelf, she grabbed a syringe of lidocaine, rubber gloves, and a few extra sterile towels. She heard the running water stop and turned to see how Ben was getting along.

"Come over here," she said, motioning to her station and sliding her hands into the gloves.

"It's still bleeding," Ben said, cradling his hand. He sat down on a stool and laid his arm across the counter for her inspection.

"I'll bet. There are a lot of capillaries in that section of your hand," she gently patted the blood away with the extra towels and examined his wound under the bright lamp. "This doesn't look too deep, though." She reached for the lidocaine and prepped the needle. "You might want to look away for this part," she said, looking up at him as she bent over his hand.

"It's all right," he sighed. "Just do what you need to do."

Juliet carefully, precisely injected the numbing agent into Ben's bleeding hand. He didn't even flinch.

"How does that feel?" she asked. "Are you numb?"

He nodded, but said nothing.

"Okay…here we go."

She threaded the curved suturing needle and used a pair of tweezers to manipulate it into making several tiny stitches along Ben's sliced incision, pausing occasionally to wipe away the blood with a gauze pad. Five stitches later, she tied a knot and cut the thread. There was still a bit of bleeding around the cut, so she applied pressure on top of the stitches with another gauze pad while simultaneously holding Ben's hand.

"I'm really sorry about this," she said, looking up from his hand to study his face.

"There's nothing to apologize for," he replied evenly. "This was clearly an accident."

"But still," she reached out with her free hand and sandwiched his injured one between her own. "I didn't think…I mean, I didn't want our date to end like this, exactly."

"Oh? How did you see it ending?" Ben queried, raising an eyebrow. Juliet blushed, but couldn't formulate a proper response, so she simply proceeded to adhere a bandage over Ben's stitches.

"The lidocaine is going to wear off in a few hours," she told him, standing and disposing of the remnants of her suture kit. She left the room for a moment to dig around in the pharmacy and came back with a bottle of painkillers. "Take these if you need them."

"I'll do that," Ben said, watching her carefully. "Do you think it will hurt much?"

"Given the location, I'd have to say yes," Juliet replied, still not meeting his eyes. "That part of your hand is especially vulnerable…it's nearly impossible to use your thumb without affecting it. Again, read the label and take two if you're in pain."

"Thank you, Juliet; I will." Ben replied. He opened is mouth as if to say something more, but seemed to decide against it and simply took the bottle she was proffering.

"Come on," she sighed. "I'll walk you back."

They strolled along the path towards Ben's house in complete silence. Ben walked next to her, and he didn't seem to be in a hurry to go back, but his expression was inscrutable. Juliet glanced at him repeatedly, wishing he'd tell her what he was thinking, but he pretended not to notice her heavy glances.

"Does your hand hurt?" she finally asked.

"No," he replied, looking straight ahead.

"Are you sure?" she wheedled.

"Yes."

"Because if it does," she went on, pretending not to notice his terse one-word answers. "I won't think any less of you for taking a dose of the pills I gave you…I made sure they were the good kind."

"Oh?" he scoffed, which Juliet took as a good sign.

"Oh yeah," she raised her eyebrows at him and nodded knowingly. "The good stuff."

She heard him chuckle under his breath and watched him shake his head in mock disapproval.

"Thank you," he muttered with a touch of ire.

"Oh," she grinned. "You are most welcome."

Ben's uninjured right hand was hanging somewhat stiffly at his side, and Juliet, now that crisis seemed to be past and mindful of the tantalizing almost kiss she and Ben had nearly shared not so long before, decidedly to boldly go and slip her left hand into that right one. And so she did—sliding her fingers down his wrist, over his palm, and lacing her fingers with his, squeezing lightly.

Ben stopped suddenly, and Juliet stumbled slightly in an effort to stop with him. She gripped his hand tighter, and he pulled her back towards him reflexively.

"What are you doing?" he asked, staring at their linked hands as she straightened. His eyes were suspicious, but he didn't let go.

"Well Ben," she sighed with a measure of exaggerated patience. "I was attempting to hold your hand, if that's okay with you."

"Well yes, Juliet," he snapped back in annoyance. "That part I managed to comprehend, but what I don't understand is why you're doing it."

"Well, I," she stuttered, taken aback. "I was just…I mean, do you not want me to hold your hand?"

"Oh, of course I do," he sighed as though she were a very silly girl. "But I didn't think you would want to, considering the fact that I just bled copiously all over the both of us, and you had to sew pieces of my flesh back together. A bit of a mood killer, wouldn't you agree?" he sent a swift, searching glance over her face and looked away.

She grinned and squeezed his hand reassuringly, pulling herself a little closer to him. Ben looked back at her, startled.

"It was maybe a little bit of a mood killer," she smiled. "Probably a whole lot more for you than for me," she sent a significant glance at his injured hand, then looked back to his face and smiled. "But it's going to make for a really excellent first date story," she chuckled peevishly, and was relieved to see him smile in response. She playfully pulled him a little bit further along the path to a slightly more secluded location, almost giggling. Ben's expression was curious, then surprised as Juliet pulled him to her and slid her arms around his waist.

"And just think," she murmured into his ear as Ben's arms hesitantly wrapped themselves around her shoulders. "Of what Tom's face will look like when we tell him that after I stitched you up, we made out on the pathway behind his house…"

"We what?" he started, but she cut him off and gently brushed her mouth against his with slow deliberation.

"Juliet…" he gasped and she did it again until he gripped her shoulders and started to kiss her back, desperately, with an aching sweetness that gave her goose bumps in the cooling night air. They broke apart for a moment to breathe before Ben wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her slender form back against him, clutching her as though he were afraid she would disappear. She rested her chin on his shoulder and her hands found purchase on his shoulder blades. She leaned in and just allowed herself to be held.

"You should be warned…I'm not very experienced with this sort of thing," he whispered into her ear, the darkness and seclusion making his admission safe to speak aloud.

"Could've fooled me," she whispered running her thumbs back and forth over his shoulders and neck. "But don't worry, you'll learn."

As she spoke, she slid her hand up the back of his neck and into his hairline. He sighed blissfully and repeated the gesture on her, sliding one hand into her hair and then another through its silken weight. He pressed his lips gently to the sensitive spot on her neck and Juliet gasped, then giggled in embarrassment at how loud it was in the quiet night, suddenly aware that anyone could potentially come along the path and see them.

Ben chuckled with her and pulled back in acknowledgement of the need for them to move along. He took her hand, brought it to his lips briefly and then didn't let go as he started down the path once more. Juliet followed him, sending secret messages conveyed by the squeezing of his hand and receiving them back in return.

They were both very pleased with themselves when they arrived back to Ben's house and stood facing one another on the porch.

"Would you like to come back inside?" he asked he hopefully and without a hint of the suggestiveness that would usually accompany such a suggestion. "There's still practically a whole pecan pie in there."

Juliet laughed and shook her head regretfully. "I'm afraid I'll have to pass for now," she sighed. "But, should you feel at all inclined to bring a piece to the lab for me…at maybe around 12:30?" she hinted. "I'd be more than happy to oblige you."

"Very well," he nodded, looking pleased. "I'll see you then."

"Okay," she nodded. There was a pause. "Well, um, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

"I hope your hand feels better tomorrow."

"Oh," Ben looked down as though he'd completely forgotten his hand. "Thank you."

"Yeah…well…" she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Goodnight."

As though he suddenly realized why she was lingering, Ben whispered, "goodnight" before leaning in and giving Juliet a kiss that much more than a peck on the lips. His mouth moved against hers slowly, and then a little more insistently. Juliet answered his efforts enthusiastically, and when she moved her lips to plant a kiss to the side of his throat, Ben made a strangled sound she'd never heard before and was shocked when he backed her up against the nearest post holding up the roof over his porch.

"Ben!" she gasped in surprise.

"Too much?" he looked up at her, suddenly uneasy.

"No," she shook her head and grinned at him wickedly. Ben started to grin in return, but she kissed him before he could complete it. With her back to the post, the slight difference in their heights was negligible, and Ben used it to his full advantage, allowing his hands to roam down her sides, over her hips, and back up. Juliet explored his chest and stomach with her hands, finding to her delight that, while Ben had the illusion of being slight, he was solid and wiry under his starched shirt. She was about to explore further when a soft ahem caused them to jump away from each other somewhat guiltily.

Alex surveyed the scene before her, her expression a mix of amusement and annoyance. She looked over at her father as she strolled up the steps and to the front door of the house.

"I'm home," she casually called out to him as she passed by. "Goodnight dad," she smirked as she went inside and closed the door behind her.

Ben and Juliet exchanged an awkward glance, then both laughed and blushed in embarrassment.

"I guess we should call it a night," she sighed.

"Until tomorrow?" he asked, taking her hand. She nodded, and he planted a soft kiss on her knuckles. "Goodnight, Juliet."

"Goodnight, Ben."

Chapter Text

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.

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

It was Thursday. It was Thursday, and Ben was coming to spend the night at her house on Saturday. Every time she remembered that, a thrill went through her.

She spent the morning carefully calculating weights and dosages of certain immunosuppressant drugs she wanted to trial on Colleen. Stoichiometry was never her strong suit, but she successfully worked through the problems in bits and pieces. When she completed her calculations and recorded the results, there was very little for her to do. This was the nature of science—it was feast or famine. The necessary medication would come in next week on the sub, trials on Colleen would start the week after.

Juliet sat down at one of the lab tables with a fresh cup of tea and a fresh sheet of paper. She was going to list all the things she needed to do before Ben came over on Saturday—a plan of attack. Hopefully this would quiet her excited mind. She was going to scour her house first, obviously, and she listed the tedious activities required to accomplish that mission. Then she considered supplies—food, wine, toilet paper, etc. She would have to do laundry also—fresh sheets for the bed, matching bra and underwear for her, clean towels for morning showers. And speaking of showers, she would need to take an everything shower on Saturday, before Ben arrived to make dinner.

When she was reasonably certain she had thought of everything, she rested her chin in one hand and tried to imagine how the weekend would play out. She imagined Ben at her door Saturday afternoon, perfectly dressed and groomed and wholesomely carrying their pizza supplies. She fantasized about pulling him into the house and scandalously revealing to him behind the closed door that she was completely nude under her bathrobe. She imagined him dropping everything he was carrying and gawking at her in surprise, his blue eyes bulging.

What would he do then? She wondered. Would he be shy and bashful? Approach her slowly, like an easily startled fawn? Stand frozen in place? Rip off his glasses and come at her like a starving animal?

She gleefully thought about the last one. Ben was always so calm and collected and in control. She wanted to see him wild and undone. She thought about him bending her over the side of her mattress and pounding into her, pulling her hair and grunting like a beast. She imagined him completely lost in his own pleasure. The image made her cheeks flush and the space between her legs clamp in anticipation. She smiled to herself and took a deep breath.

A glance at the clock told her it was almost noon. Ben said he would come by for lunch. What would it be like to see him, now that they had this plan in place to spend a night together? She was suddenly nervous. She looked over at the plumeria blooms he brought the day before, and another wave of anticipation rolled over her. She hadn’t felt like this since the beginning of dating her ex-husband: she was excited and giddy and ridiculous.

She used the bathroom and checked her appearance before Ben’s arrival. Then she hid her to-do list in her bag so he wouldn’t see it. She was double-checking her math from that morning when Ben came through the door, looking immaculate, as always.

“Hi,” he said happily, walking towards her. “How are you?” He took off his backpack and set it on a lab table.

“Great,” she grinned, standing and reaching for him. He eagerly entered her embrace and kissed her, hard.

“Been thinking about you all morning,” he murmured in her ear when they came up for air.

“Same here,” she whispered into his neck. “Very dirty thoughts,” she added coyly.

“Really?” his tone was pleased. “Any you’d care to share?” He stepped back to study her face.

“Well,” she sighed thoughtfully. “I was wondering what your reaction would be if I answered the door naked on Saturday.”

“Oh my,” Ben gasped in delight, then chuckled. “Honestly, Juliet, I might faint.”

“Oh, really?” she laughed, but a note of uncertainty crept into her tone. He picked up on it immediately.

“But once you revived me, I’d have no choice but to touch you, of course,” he assured her, his eyes crinkling.

“Yeah?” she asked.  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed her forehead against his.

“Most definitely,” he grinned.

“I’d try to touch you back,” she warned him, smirking.

“I’d want nothing less,” he nodded in acceptance. “But honestly, I hope you are wearing clothing when I arrive on Saturday—I want to take it off you myself.”

“Uh, really?” she pulled back and studied his face in surprise.

“Yes, Juliet,” he nodded, eyes mischievous, knowing exactly what he was suggesting. “Answer the door fully clothed on Saturday, please, so I can have the pleasure of stripping you naked when I have my way with you.”

“Ben!” Juliet giggled with excitement, then paused in stunned silence, taking in his pleased, slightly smug expression. “Alright,” she finally grinned. “Full winter wardrobe it is—you’re good with boots, I’m guessing?”

“Of course,” he scoffed.

“Great,” she whispered and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “I was struggling to come up with an outfit to wear anyway.”

“Mmm, glad to be of assistance,” he countered and kissed her back. He fisted his hand gently in her hair and tilted her head to expose her throat. Wasting no time, he trailed several warm, soft kisses over the most sensitive areas and made her shiver. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled deeply, then groaned in frustration. “Two more days…it’s going to kill me.”

“Me too,” Juliet sighed, burying her nose in Ben’s recently shampooed hair. “There’s nothing to do in here until next week, and all I can think about is Saturday…”

Juliet realized Ben had backed her against the edge of a lab table while he devoured the tender flesh of her neck. He suddenly lifted her up and sat her on top of the table, moving himself between her legs.

“You have no idea, Juliet,” he growled. He pulled her chest against his and kissed his way along her collarbone and down into her cleavage. “I’ve spent every day of the last week trying to hide what the thought of you does to me from a ridiculous number of people!”

“You poor man,” Juliet crooned sympathetically, running her hands over his back.

“It doesn’t matter how many times I take care of the issue,” he admitted ruefully, pulling her hips towards him until her pelvis was flush against his. “It never seems to be enough.” His blue eyes bored into hers intensely. “I’m insatiable, and I want you every way possible,” he hissed.

"Yes!” Juliet breathed, fusing her mouth to his in response. She grabbed his shirt collar with both hands and pulled him to her passionately. Every part of her was on alert, every nerve anticipating his next move. She let go of his collar and hooked her fingers through his belt loops, grinding herself against him eagerly. Ben groaned into her mouth and pulled away.

“If you don’t stop that right now, I’m going to bend you over this table,” he warned, breathing heavily.

“Do it, please,” she groaned, half serious. She leaned in and nibbled his bottom lip. “I need you too—It’s going to kill me too!” she laughed and kissed him again.

“Dammit, Juliet! Don’t say that!” Ben chuckled in frustrated agony. “You’re taunting a desperate man!” Fisting his hands in her long, luscious hair, he used his standing position to his advantage and kissed her passionately. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited…how long I’ve wanted…” he hissed between planting fresh kisses on her mouth and jawline, never letting go of her hair and moving her head where he desired it.

She thrilled to his touch, returned his kisses with hot, hungry ones of her own. Her arms held him as tightly as possible, and when that wasn’t enough contact, she wrapped her legs around him as well, trapping him against her. Ben grunted and ground himself into the space between her legs, and she could feel he was hard through the stupid pants they were both still wearing. He leaned over her and pressed her back down against the table, one hand protecting the back of her head, the other one cupping her knee and bringing it up to hook over his hip. She was moving under him like an animal in heat, seeking any pressure or friction she could find. Her hands moved over his lower back. She gripped the base of his shirt and undershirt, pulled them up out of his belted waist, then used both hands to explore the freshly revealed expanse of smooth skin. Ben groaned in what sounded like agony, grabbed her wandering hands and forced them to her sides.

“We are not doing this here,” he growled, breathing like he just ran a marathon. He looked down at her in open lust. “We can’t do this here, Juliet,” he said again, more evenly, but he didn’t move, waiting for her response.

“You’re right,” she eventually groaned in protest and started to sit up.

The spell was broken. Ben moved off of her regretfully and helped her to her feet. She groaned again in frustration and stood on slightly shaky legs. They exchanged identical looks of misery, then started laughing together in solidarity. Juliet wrapped her arms around Ben again, and deftly tucked his shirt back into his pants. He held her close when she was finished and they calmed down together.

“I have some slightly bad news,” Ben murmured after a few moments, his chin on her shoulder. “Though, it might be good news, considering how we’ve been behaving,” he smirked.

“What is it?” Juliet lay her cheek against his, still holding him close.

“To ensure I’m free for our weekend, I’m going to be off-site later today and tomorrow, and likely won’t see you again until Saturday,” he sighed.

“Oh,” she laughed lightly. “Yes, that might be a little easier.” She swayed them gently back and forth. “But, I’ll miss youuuu,” she pretended to pout, and Ben chuckled affectionately.

“I’ll be thinking about you too,” he gave her a quick kiss. “I don’t really have a choice,” he smirked, then leaned in to kiss her again.

“Same here,” she muttered in between kisses.

After a moment, they broke apart, and Ben unpacked their lunch. They ate quietly together, sharing smiles and exchanging sweet glances. When they were done, Ben stood up to leave, and Juliet hugged him goodbye.

“What time Saturday?” she asked, still holding him close.

“Four-thirty?” Ben kissed the side of her neck.

“Mmm,” she agreed.

“Okay,” he nodded. “I’ll see you in two days.”

“Two days,” she repeated. “Okay.”

He kissed her one more time and left her alone in the lab.

Since her work was stalled for progress until the next week, Juliet spent the following twenty-four hours in her house, cleaning, daydreaming, and over-preparing for the weekend ahead. It was great fun anticipating Ben’s arrival, thinking of what he would say to her and later what he might do to her. Juliet played her music loudly while she worked and danced around like an idiot, making sure her curtains were closed.

The only thing bringing her down was the fact it was Friday, and that meant she had her weekly session with Harper, the Island’s resident psychiatrist. It was only thirty minutes, but it was thirty minutes of pure hell Juliet dreaded every week. Harper hated her for some reason, and even though this was work-related therapy, Harper never failed to ask Juliet a series of intensely personal questions during each session, which Juliet had to dodge or answer sparingly and as vaguely as possible.

Harper looked especially sour upon Juliet’s punctual arrival to her office and greeted her apathetically. Juliet took her usual seat and began the now-familiar routine of describing her week in the lab. Harper asked for a few basic details, but did not seem interested as she dutifully made notes on her legal pad. Juliet had the slightest feeling this session might be one of the easier ones when Harper suddenly focused in on her and smirked, “Tell me about your relationship with Ben.”

“What? Why?” Juliet sputtered.

“Well, you’re the talk of the Island,” Harper snorted. “Everyone knows you two have been spending time together outside of work.”

“Yes, exactly, outside of work,” Juliet frowned. “I don’t see why I need to discuss my personal life in here.”

“Hasn’t your personal life been affecting your work?” Harper asked, surprised.

“No,” Juliet replied bluntly.

“I mean, Ben has spent an awful lot of time in the lab with you lately,” Harper pointed out slyly, reminding Juliet that there were eyes everywhere on this damned island.

“We have lunch together,” Juliet responded coldly. "I update him on my work."

“And several dinners together as well, I heard,” Harper’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Yeah, that’s the outside of work part,” Juliet sighed in annoyance. “What’s your point, Harper?”

“Oh no point, really,” Harper cooed. “It’s just, we’re just all so glad to see his little obsession with you didn’t scare you away.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Juliet scowled.

“I mean he brought you here despite the fact that you were never on any of Jacob’s lists. He’s gone out of his way to make sure you have the best of everything, professionally and personally…” Harper began to list off, sounding almost jealous.

“He wants the pregnant women here to stop dying!” Juliet snapped. “That’s why he brought me here. He needs someone to fix that!”

“Of course, of course,” Harper waved her hands placatingly. “We all want the pregnancy issue here to be resolved. I’m only suggesting that some women might be uncomfortable with so much individual…attention from their boss.”

“Ben has never made me uncomfortable,” Juliet stated flatly.

“Well, I’m glad to hear it,” Harper smiled her crocodile smile. “We all want Ben to be happy.”

“Great,” Juliet muttered, looking at the clock.

“Have you considered what will happen when you leave the Island in month or so?” Harper asked casually, the implication being that Juliet’s relationship would be short-lived.  

“Actually, Mittelos BioScience has approved my return after I spend a few months home,” Juliet informed Harper. She was pleased to see the woman’s face tighten in anger at the news.

“You’ll be here with us a bit longer, then,” Harper swallowed. “Excellent.”

“Yep,” Juliet sighed, ruefully realizing that more time on the Island meant more sessions with Harper. “Can’t wait!”

“Well, that seems like a good place to end today,” Harper’s tone was clipped. Juliet thanked the universe and was on her feet immediately.

“Great, see you next week!” she called out to Harper as she practically ran out the door.

What the hell was that all about? Juliet fumed as she stomped back to her house. Why would Harper say Ben was obsessed with her? The word made her cringe for some reason. She thought about her interactions with Ben since she arrived. She always found him sincere, observant, and genuine. She didn’t like the implication that he gave her special treatment because he had feelings for her, or that he brought her here for any reason other than her work. She tried to think of a time where he manipulated her, offered her a quid pro quo, or made her feel uncomfortable with his attention, but came up with nothing. She remembered Alex coming to speak with her about Ben’s crush on her and smiled. Juliet might never have realized Ben’s attraction to her, if not for Alex. If Ben was obsessed with her, he had been awfully shy about it.

She felt better by the time she reached her door, but then recalled the day Ben first showed her the house. She remembered the flowers he held and the almost giddy way he bestowed the fully furnished, well-stocked cabin to her. He even included the music she liked and a number of other personal touches. At the time, Juliet thought it was all part of the over-the-top, super elite, boutique, corporate science experience—after being drugged unconscious and brought to this mysterious island in a submarine, everything else seemed normal at the time.

Juliet went inside and poured herself a glass of wine. Then, she sat down on her couch to think. Did it bother her that Ben had gone out of his way to learn so much about her before ever meeting her? Was that the “obsession” Harper was referring to? She took a drink and tried to recall if Ben had ever been anything more than polite and excited to show her the personalized accommodations or the state-of-the-art laboratory where she would work. Had he been trying to curry favor with her? To seduce her?

Juliet laughed into her glass. No, that was definitely not it.

She considered her first private moments with Ben, when he initially came into the lab with the wound on his arm and offered to be her friend. Was he somehow manipulating her then? She had been so grateful to have a friend here…

A terrible thought shot through her mind: had Ben maybe hurt himself to get her attention?

What the fuck? Juliet shook her head to clear it. What was she thinking? This was all ridiculous speculation based on some bullshit Harper said, she realized. Harper, who was clearly jealous of the attention Juliet was getting from Ben for whatever reason. Harper, whose own marriage was a mess and obviously couldn’t stand to see anyone else be happy. Ugh, Juliet scowled at herself. You let that witch get into your head. There was nothing wrong with Ben or the way he felt about her, she decided. Harper was a hag.

Juliet surveyed her surrounding area. She still had a few more things to do before Ben arrived. She recalled their extremely hot exchange from the day before and shivered in anticipation. She imagined Ben kissing her like that here, in her living room, and envisioned herself pulling him, laughing, down the short hallway to her bedroom. Everything was going to be great, Juliet decided. She had nothing to worry about.

She finished her wine and went to start another load of laundry.

Chapter Text

It was 4:15.

Juliet took one last look around her house to make sure everything was perfect and ready for Ben’s arrival. She was wearing a white linen sundress that hugged her waistline and draped beautifully over her smooth, moisturized legs. Her hair was down and in its naturally curly state. She felt beautiful and was positively giddy in anticipation.

Moving to the kitchen, she nursed a glass of cold white wine to soothe her nerves. She wondered if Ben would be calm and in control when he came through the door, or would he be nervous and taciturn that way he sometimes could be? She was prepared for anything.

His confident knock on the door at 4:31 was a good start.

When she opened it, he was holding a couple cloth grocery bags of food, a small overnight bag, and looked good enough to eat in a navy-striped shirt and charcoal gray khakis.

“Hi,” he grinned at her adorably.

“Hi,” she grinned back and pulled him inside where it was safe.

“Hey,” he greeted her again once the door was closed.

“Hey,” she giggled, taking the grocery bags and setting them on the kitchen counter.

“You look absolutely beautiful,” he sighed dreamily, looking her up and down as she approached him. He set his overnight bag on the floor.

“Have you always been this handsome?” she teased in response, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“Surprisingly, yes,” Ben quipped. His passionate kiss swallowed up her small laugh. “I missed you,” he grumbled, wrapping his arms around her waist and cradling her head against his shoulder. “I’ve let everyone know, in no uncertain terms, that if anyone interrupts us tonight, the Island better be on fire.”

Juliet laughed, then groaned, thinking of Harper’s words the day before.

“I’m sure they appreciated that,” she muttered in his ear.

“What do you mean?” he stepped back to study her face, detecting the significance in her tone.

“It’s nothing,” she was quick to assure him. “I just had my session with Harper yesterday, and she was more bitter than usual.”

“About what?” he sighed in annoyance, pulling her back into his embrace.

“She said she was glad your obsession with me hadn’t scared me away from starting a relationship with you, and implied you’ve been giving me special treatment because you like me.”

Ben stiffened immediately.

“What else did she say?” he asked, his tone dripping acid.

“Don’t worry about it,” she kissed him lightly. “She had me all pissed off over it yesterday, but it was so obvious that she’s jealous.”

“I’ll speak to her,” Ben growled.

“Oh, don’t bother,” she kissed him again. “You’ll only let her know she got under my skin.”

Ben sighed in frustration and Juliet knew this wouldn’t be their last conversation on the issue. He was still holding her close and she gave him an a affectionate squeeze.

“If it helps,” she added. “I think I’m obsessed with you too.”

Ben scoffed in disbelief, then laughed, then groaned.  

“I’m embarrassed to admit how foolish I’ve been the last few months,” he muttered. “Harper wasn’t far off in her assessment of my behavior.”

“Not foolish,” Juliet countered, cupping his face with both hands. “Adorable and thoughtful, and kind.” She kissed him sweetly. “You’re a special man, Benjamin Linus.”

“You think so?” he whispered into her neck. Something in his tone pulled at her heart.

“Definitely,” she rested her chin on his shoulder. “I know it, and Harper does too—that’s why she’s so jealous. She probably wants you all to herself,” Juliet added, laughing lightly.

“Well, she can’t have me,” Ben started placing small ticklish kisses down the side of her neck, over the strap of her dress, and around the curve of her bare shoulder. “I’m obsessed with someone else,” he chuckled against her skin. Juliet snickered and caught his lips with her own, and Ben immediately put his hands in her hair and held her mouth to his for a long while. Juliet was breathless when he finally released her, and very much reminded that he was spending the night.

“Do you want a glass of wine?” she fingered the shirt buttons on his chest.

“Please,” his voice was rough.

“You have to let go of me so I can pour it,” she smirked.

“Do I?” He turned her towards the kitchen counter and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She took a few steps forward, and he gracefully moved with her, keeping his arms encircled around her waist.

“You’re ridiculous,” she giggled, reaching for a clean wine glass and filling it carefully. Ben placed warm, sensuous kisses on the back of her neck and between her bare shoulder blades. “I’m trying to concentrate!” she hissed, recorking the bottle and moving it aside. Ben reached around her and took his glass of wine. She heard him drink behind her, then saw him set the half-empty glass next to the bottle of wine.

With two strong hands, he cupped her shoulders and rubbed the space between her shoulder blades with his thumbs. Juliet moaned quietly and stood very still. Ben gently moved from one side of her neck to the other with skillful fingers and she sighed blissfully. Ben’s hands moved down her back and over the bodice of her dress. She felt him trace the line of her zipper to the small of her back, and then grasp her waist with both hard hands. Her lower body was pressed against the counter, and much to Juliet’s hot delight, Ben placed one hand back between her shoulder blades and gently pressed her upper body down against the countertop.

“Ben,” she groaned, trying to convey the sudden rush of heat in her gut. He was pressed up against her, his legs framing hers. The hand on her back continued to hold her in place as his other hand moved down her waist and over the curve of her hip.

“This dress is very pretty,” Ben hummed in her ear. “I like it.”

“Yeah?” she smirked.

“Yes,” came his response. Juliet felt his hand run down the side of her leg. He suddenly pulled up the hem of her skirt and slid his fingers over the bare skin on the back of her thigh.

“Mmph!” Juliet exhaled in surprise. Ben slid his hand up her leg and gently cupped her ass over the lacy, light blue pair of panties she carefully picked out earlier.

“I like these too,” he chuckled behind her.

“Oh good,” she squeaked. He leaned against her, still running his thumb over her butt cheek.

“Are you hungry now? Should we start making dinner?” he placed a few more kisses between her shoulder blades.

“What? Um…no?” she tried to turn and see his expression, but he was still pressing her to the countertop.

“Then we should probably put these pizza supplies in the refrigerator,” he pointed out helpfully. With one last kiss to the back of her neck, he stood up straight and grabbed the grocery bags. Juliet watched in disbelief as he unloaded the bags into the fridge. When he was finished, her turned back to her, blue eyes sparkling.

“Come back over here,” she commanded, and Ben laughed in delight. Immediately he returned to her side and kissed her.

“Yes, Doctor Burke?” he teased, holding her tight around the waist. “Did you need something?”

“Mmhmm,” she nodded affirmatively. She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the couch. She turned and kissed him gently, then pushed him down on the middle cushion.

“Juliet!” he sounded both scandalized and immeasurably pleased. He sat up and reached for her. She pulled her skirt up to her knees and straddled him. He clutched at her hips and pulled forward until the space between her legs came in contact with the bulge between his. “Oh, my goodness!” he groaned and pushed against her.

“Ben!” she giggled in anticipation and kissed him hard, taking full advantage of her position on top of him. She ground herself against him excitedly and ran her hands over his chest, then his arms. “I can’t believe this is finally happening,” she laughed in disbelief before kissing him again.

“You’re sure you want it to happen now?” his voice was rough and both of his hands were up her skirt and playing with the waistband of her lacy panties. “We have all night,” he reminded her and pressed a kiss to her collarbone. “I’m in no hurry.”

“I know, I know,” she moaned, clutching the back of his head to hold his mouth against her neck. “But I can’t take it anymore, okay?” She pulled away from him and clutched his shirt collar with both hands. His blue eyes burned into hers. “I’m going to need you to take off your clothes for me,” she grinned down at him. “Now, please,” she added softly.

“Alright,” Ben chuckled. “If you insist.”

He slid forward to the edge of his seat and encouraged Juliet to wrap her legs around him. Then, demonstrating core strength she didn’t know he possessed, he managed to stand up and walk them both to her bedroom. With Juliet still wrapped around him, he crawled onto the bed and pulled her up under him until her head was resting on the pillows. He lifted himself off her and turned around to take off his boots. They landed next to the bed with small thuds, and Ben quickly turned and resettled himself on top of her.

“Hi,” he smiled down at her.

“Hey,” she cooed back at him.

“I have to admit,” he murmured, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. “I’m a little nervous. I haven’t done this with someone I care about in a long time.”

“Oh yeah?” she pulled him down for a kiss. “That’s okay. Don’t be nervous—this is going to be so good!” she grinned up at him encouragingly.

“You seem so certain,” he sighed, kissing her lightly.

“I haven’t done this with anyone since my ex-husband,” Juliet confessed. “This experience will most definitely be better than that one, I’m sure.”

“Oh, so much better,” Ben agreed. “I’ll make it so much better, I promise,” he groaned and kissed her again. “Help me with this shirt,” he grunted, reaching one hand up to unbutton the collar. Once it was done, Juliet pulled his shirt and undershirt out of his waistband and pulled them up over his head. Ben slid out of one arm at a time and was suddenly, gloriously, bare-chested above her.

Juliet practically squealed in excitement and let her hands move over the flesh of his solid back and arms, then up over his shoulders and down the front of his slightly hairy chest.

 “You feel so good!” she growled and pulled him down on top of her. Ben laughed with pleasure at her response and settled his weight fully upon her. Juliet groaned underneath him and moved against him, seeking friction between her legs while he kissed her senseless. A second later, he deliberately pressed his knee there and she moaned happily. “You see!” she hissed. “So good!”

Ben laughed again. He sat back on his legs and pulled her into a sitting position against him. He kept his knee in just the right spot, and she groaned in approval. He wrapped his arms around her and began to slide the zipper on the back of her dress down to her waist. Juliet turned her face into his neck and began to lick and nibble at a little spot just below his ear. Ben lay her gently back down on the bed and slid the straps of her dress down over her arms, revealing her lacy blue bra that matched the panties she wore. His eyes burned.

Ben carefully pulled the dress down her waist, over her hips, and down her legs. She lifted herself up helpfully as he moved along her body. Once it was off, he carefully took the dress by the straps and draped it gently over the foot of the bed, before turning to feast his eyes on her in only her underwear.

He took in her slender form for a heated moment before he pressed his mouth to the inside of her smooth right calve and made her jump. He trailed his mouth up over her thigh, through the center of her stomach, and over her cleavage with hot kisses.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.

“Thank you,” she whispered back.

“Tell me what I should do with you,” he encouraged her. “Can I take this off?” he palmed her breast lightly through her bra.

“Yes, definitely,” she sat up and unhooked the back of her bra before Ben could reach it, but she let him be the one to take it off as she lay back down on the bed. He revealed her breasts eagerly, and immediately palmed them in his hands. He rolled the nipples between his fingers and was rewarded with her sharp gasp.

“Do that with me,” she laughed. “It feels amazing.”

Ben immediately complied, first with his fingers, then with his mouth. She felt her eyes roll back in her head and moaned loudly as he worked one nipple with his fingers and the other with his mouth. After a few minutes of this torture, she was practically thrashing beneath him and crying out in mindless pleasure. He gave her a moment of relief, moving from her chest to her mouth for a kiss, and she quickly reached down for his belt buckle.

Ben rolled to the side to allow her better access to his pants. Juliet deftly undid the buckle, the button, and then pulled his zipper down. She hesitated for the briefest second and met his gaze, passionate and adoring, before she reached inside his boxers and slid her hand over his erection.

“Juliet!” he hissed and gripped her arm as though to stop her.

“Shh,” she quieted him. “It’s alright—let me touch you, please! I want to!”

He let go of her arm and seemed to brace himself. She moved her hand over him lightly a few times, then gently freed him through the top of his boxers. “Let me take all this off,” Juliet motioned to his pants. She slid all his remaining clothing down his lower half and tossed it on the floor. She turned back to him, grinning, and noticed he was covering himself, looking extremely apprehensive.

“Don’t be shy,” she cooed, meeting his nervous eyes with her heated ones. She crawled up the length of his body until her face was hovering over his own. “Trust me, you have nothing to be shy about,” she leaned in and kissed him warmly.

“Thank you,” he breathed. Ben put his hands in her hair and brought her face down to his for another kiss. Juliet complied while simultaneously, wickedly, rubbing her panty-covered pussy against his stiff cock. “Oh!” he groaned. “You’re killing me!”

“Oh yeah?,” she teased, rocking on him mercilessly while he groaned and twitched beneath her. “Sounds like you’re okay with it.”

Ben sat up quickly and flipped her over so her back was on the mattress. He reared back and grabbed her underwear at the hips, yanking it down her thighs and over her toes. He settled back on top of her and slid his hand between her legs.

“Dammit,” he swore under his breath when he felt how decadently slick she was against his fingers. “Juliet!” he growled, finding her clit and stroking it gently. She immediately moaned and moved with him. This seemed to set him off, because he groaned and moved his head between her legs. He sucked her clit into his mouth and began to work on it the way he did to her nipple earlier.

“Ben!” she squealed with pleasured laughter. “You wild man! Don’t stop!” She had no chance to be self-conscious. He settled between her thighs, spreading them wide, and continued to use his mouth on her with no shortage of enthusiasm. “That’s so good,” she moaned when he started doing something wonderful with his tongue. “Fuck, please don’t stop, Ben!” The best part was he listened and continued to do exactly what was making her squeal. He hummed in pleasure whenever she made a sound, and she found herself massaging the top his head and grabbing at his hands, trying desperately to convey how good he was making her feel.

He settled into a simple rhythm that had her eventually half-crazed and grinding her pussy  against his face in a lust-fueled attempt to get off. He was teasing her and thoroughly enjoying himself, so she let him take the lead. He would increase his speed until she was trembling on the brink of orgasm, then slow down and purposefully pull her back from the ledge. He only did this a few times before she was begging him incoherently to let her come.

“God, Ben, please! Oh fuck! Augh!”

She tried to quiet herself, tried to exercise some semblance of control over how ridiculously loud she was being, but there was no helping it. She tried clamping her hands over her mouth, but Ben reached up and pried them away, scowling, making it clear he wanted to hear her. She tried again to beg him to let her come, but he only laughed wickedly against her and kept edging her until she thought she might cry.

“God-fucking-damn-it-Ben!” she keened. “Please! Ugh! I hate you!”

“Juliet!” he chuckled mischievously in response and kissed the inside of her thigh. The next moment, his mouth was back on her clit and working her into another frenzied state.

“Please, Ben, please! Oh, fuck! Please! Ben!” she sobbed. “Please don’t stop! I can’t do this anymore, you bastard! Ben, please! Please let me…oh god! Ben!” she cried in alarm, rolling her own nipples between her fingers, too far gone to care about anything except her impending orgasm. Ben wasn’t stopping. He was squeezing both her thighs in his hands. This is it! She realized. Oh my god!

The first clenching contractions hit her like a tsunami. Juliet thrashed like a wild animal as her pussy clamped open and shut, but Ben’s mouth never relinquished her clit. She grabbed his head and held it in place for a moment, crying and shivering, and not thinking about anything but her own pleasure as she shamelessly came and came in his face. Ben’s tongue did not stop moving until she finally collapsed against the bed and weakly pushed him away from her groin.

Ben only laughed at her again and proceeded to kiss his way up the naked length of her body.

“What did you do to me?” Juliet huffed as he settled to the side of her and watched her come back to herself.

“I’m not exactly sure,” he murmured, sounding a little surprised himself. “But I’d be happy to do it again anytime you want to figure it out.”

“Okay,” she moaned and rolled towards him. “Deal,” she smirked. She lay her head against his chest while her breathing slowed. “Seriously, though,” she continued in good humor, looking up at his face. “Do the other women here know you can do that?”

“Stop,” he scoffed, blushing.

“Is that why Harper is so jealous of me?” Juliet asked as though it were an epiphany.

“Juliet,” he chuckled.

“No, I get it now,” she scooted up and kissed him. “That poor woman…all those other poor women…”

Ben was red-faced, but laughing with her.

“Too bad for them,” Juliet sighed. “You’re all mine.” She cuddled into his chest and held him close.

“Am I?” he sounded surprised and looked down at her for confirmation.

“Oh yeah,” she pulled his face to hers for a sweet kiss, then nuzzled into his neck.

“Does that mean, you’re mine?” Ben asked, putting his arms around her.

“Yes,” Juliet confirmed, happily.

“I’d like that,” he smiled and rested his chin on top of her head.

“Good, because you’ve got that,” she giggled.

They lay together quietly for a few minutes, enjoying each other’s naked company.

“Hey,” she said softly, getting his attention. “What can I do for you now? What do you want?” she cupped his softened cock with one hand. “Just name it,” she whispered tantalizingly, and he twitched in response.

“I think we should go make dinner,” Ben smiled down at her. “I realize I just ate, but I’m still hungry,” he joked.

“Really?” she studied his face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” he leaned in and kissed her. “I promise I’ll let you do dirty things to me later,” he teased.

“Okay,” she agreed.

They parted briefly to locate their clothes. Ben put his boxers and white undershirt back on. Juliet found her lacy blue underwear and opted to pair it with Ben’s white, navy-striped shirt. Ben eyed her attire approvingly as they both stood to go into the kitchen. Juliet threw her arms around him and rubbed one silky calve against his hairy one.

“Shall we?” he grinned and kissed her. Juliet nodded and took his hand. They left the bedroom together.

Chapter Text

Being tormented and teased to an incredible orgasm had turned Juliet into a simpering, lustful fool. While Ben did his best to prepare their meal, Juliet touched him, held him, and kissed him as many times as she could manage while he stretched pizza dough over a greased sheet pan and spread a light layer of sauce over the dough. She sat on the counter and grabbed finger-fuls of shredded mozzarella to eat as he sprinkled it over the sauce. They playfully discussed suitable toppings between kisses and tender touches. Juliet openly stole the resulting slices of pepperoni and vegetables Ben was chopping for them until he playfully chopped the knife next to her fingers on the cutting board and made her squeal with laughter.

She perched on the counter and openly enjoyed her view of his broad back and cute butt as he slid their pizza into the preheated oven. He closed the oven door and caught her staring when he turned to face her.

“You’re looking at me,” he pointed out, self-conscious, but pleased.

“I definitely am,” she grinned. “Come over here so I can do something else to you."

Like a besotted moth to a flame, Ben moved across the kitchen and pressed his mouth to hers. She captured him, wrapping him up in her arms and legs and lips, and held him there at her leisure. She kissed his smooth jawline and inhaled just a hint of his aftershave. In his white undershirt and dark boxers, his warm flesh was easily accessible, and her hands dove freely under the fabric and moved exploratorily over his skin. She ruffled his hair, squeezed his rear end, kissed him repeatedly until they were both dizzy with lust, and still it wasn’t enough.

Fortunately, Ben couldn’t seem to get his fill of her either. He never tired of touching her, holding her, or kissing her breathless. And he was endlessly patient. He accepted everything she gave him like it was a precious gift, and he reciprocated double what he received—never asking for anything more than what she offered freely. He was attentive and responsive to an exquisite degree, and he thrilled her completely.

However, as usual, there one small thing bothering her—and it was ironic, really, because practically no straight woman had ever had this problem, ever, but—no matter how she tried to turn the focus of their pleasurable activities onto him, he reversed course and brought the focus back to her. Every time.

He did it earlier, in her bedroom, going down on her until she was literally begging him to come, and barely letting her touch him once. Then, he opted to cook her dinner instead of having an orgasm, something she didn’t know a man could physically do. Now, she was sitting on this countertop, grinding against an erection so rigid it could easily penetrate her through both his boxers and her lacy underwear, and he wouldn’t let her at it.

She tried to put her hands on him several times while he prepared the food, wrapping her arms around him from behind and letting her hands wander downward, but to no avail. It didn’t matter if he was going soft or if he had a length of concrete in his underwear, he would take her hands and move them, then distract her with stimulating touches and kisses to her own person. Even now, he was unbuttoning his shirt from her body and making an appetizer of her breasts, having learned earlier that she enjoyed this activity to no end. She took a deep breath and tried to focus.

“Ben,” she groaned, leaning back and away from him, rescuing her nipples from his intense attention. “How long does that need to cook?” She was talking about the pizza, the whole reason they were here in this stupid kitchen and not holed up in her bedroom.

“I should check it in about twenty minutes,” he looked at his watch. “I should set a timer.”

He left the warmth of her embrace far too quickly and easily for Juliet’s taste, and set a timer on the stove. Juliet took advantage of the moment to button Ben’s shirt up over her chest and jump down from the counter. Ben turned and moved towards her, and she reached for his hand.

“Come over here, handsome,” she cooed and lead him back to her trusty living room couch. She patted the middle cushion invitingly and Ben sat down dutifully. She was on him like a snake then, straddling his lap and pushing his shoulders back against the cushions. “We have twenty minutes,” she giggled at his startled face. “Let me touch you.”

“Juliet!” He chuckled. “My goodness!”

She didn’t give him time to protest. She leaned in and kissed him fiercely, which he liked and responded to immediately. Then, before he could get too comfortable, Juliet slid backwards down his body and down over his legs. Her knees pressed into the floor on either side of his feet, and her face was in his groin. It was a move worthy of the most talented exotic dancer. Ben’s mouth opened but no sound came out.

“Shhh,” she pre-emptively shushed him, smiling cheekily up into his stunned expression. She  pulled the waistband of his boxers down and freed his stiff cock, exposing him to the open air and finally allowing herself a detailed look at his excellent anatomy.

“Juliet!” he groaned hoarsely. “Wait!”

“It’s okay,” she soothed him. “Let me do this for you.” Her arms were draped over his thighs, and she wrapped her hands around his erection gently. Ben grabbed her wrists in a panic.

“You don’t have to—I don’t expect you to!” he babbled, his blue eyes wide behind his glasses.

“I know,” she slid one hand up over his stomach and rested it over his heart. He kept his hand around her wrist and pressed it against his chest. “But I really want to—don’t you want me to?” Juliet smiled up at him warmly, invitingly.

“Yes,” he sighed, his expression tortured.

“Then let me,” she whispered encouragingly. She stroked him gently with one hand, and he cautiously released her wrist. “Good!” she grinned and stroked him again, bringing her other hand back down to help. He stared in disbelief as she took him into her mouth and began to lick and suckle on him as if he were a delicious dessert.

“Juliet,” he gasped her name again. “Oh god! Oh!” His hands moved to her shoulders, then into her hair. He shuddered as she moved her tight mouth over him again and again. “Oh, it’s wonderful!” he groaned and thrashed slightly in time with her rhythm. “Argh! I don’t deserve this!” he cried, and while Juliet thought he meant it as a compliment, it revealed a dark glimpse into his mind that made her suddenly fiercely protective. You do deserve this. This and more, she thought defiantly. She spread his legs assertively and took him as deeply into her mouth as she could manage without choking. “Juliet!” he howled along with some other nonsense she couldn’t decipher. “Oh! I’m going to…” he started to say, fisting his hands in her hair and trying to gently pull her mouth off his cock. “Juliet!” he groaned in warning.

She held him near the back of her throat and swallowed his salty load as quickly as she could. This was no one’s favorite part of going down on a man, but the loud, pleasured noises he made, and the way his eyes rolled back into his skull helped make up for anything unpleasant she experienced. She released him gently from her mouth when he was finished and realized he was trembling.

“Hey,” she called softly, kissing her way up his shirt, over his stomach and chest. His trembling increased, and his face was pointed at the ceiling. “Ben?” She crawled back into his lap, straddling him and cupping his face in her hands. He had tears in his eyes.

“I’m fine,” he said quickly, wiping his eyes and replacing his glasses. “That was incredible,” he reassured her. He was still trembling, obviously affected.

Wordlessly, Juliet wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held him as closely as possible. She dropped soothing, comforting kisses against his neck and cradled his head on her shoulder. Eventually, he put his arms around her waist and held her tightly. His tremors stopped. He sat back against the couch and studied her patient face.

“Sometimes,” he hummed. “Sometimes, I don’t react well when good things happen to me. It’s like my body isn’t sure how to respond.”

“Why is that?” she whispered, making soothing strokes over his shoulders and down his arms. She already had some idea, but she wanted him to talk. He sighed and cupped her face with his hands.

“You are so beautiful,” he smiled suddenly. “You have no idea how just looking at you affects me.”

“I have some idea,” she smirked. He laughed lightly then sobered.  

“There are a lot of ugly things in my past,” he muttered, dropping his hands, his eyes distant. “Many ugly things and too few beautiful things.”

Juliet winced in empathy and continued to move her hands over him comfortingly.

“I used to think that I was made only for the ugly things,” Ben confessed thoughtfully to the ceiling.

“You’re not!” Juliet interjected.

“I know that now,” Ben sighed. “But I still have trouble accepting when beautiful things come into my life.”

“You said ‘I don’t deserve this’—is that how you really feel?” she asked him softly. Embarrassment flashed over Ben’s features in realization.

“I don’t need you to feel sorry for me,” he spat defensively, tensing under her hands. “I don’t want your pity, Juliet!”

“Ben!” she sat back in surprise, still straddling his lap. “I don’t! I’m not!” She searched his face, but his expression was hard and his eyes were narrowed.

“I’m aware of how pathetic you must find me in this moment,” he snapped. “Poor Ben!” he imitated her inner monologue. “So damaged he can’t even receive a blowjob without breaking down about it.”

She was about to respond when the timer on the stove began to go off. Juliet suddenly realized the house smelled amazing and her stomach was empty.

“Off, please,” Ben brusquely motioned for her to move from his lap.

“Let it burn,” she retorted, taking offense to his curt dismissal and refusing to move. “I’m not done talking about this with you,” she crossed her arms and stared down at him.

“Juliet, please,” he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose under his glasses. “At least let me turn off the alarm.”

“Fine,” she huffed after staring him down for a few seconds. She shifted her weight to the side and swung one leg off him.

He stood immediately, tucking himself away discreetly into his boxers, and moved into the kitchen. Juliet stood up too and watched him go, missing his warmth and the feel of him against her. He turned off the timer and opened the oven door to check on their food.

“It looks done in the middle, but I’m going to broil the top for a few minutes,” he announced, sounding like he was on a cooking show.

“Good,” Juliet approved, making her way to the counter and finding her abandoned glass of wine. She refilled it from the bottle and took a few healthy gulps. Ben was still facing the oven with his back to her. She picked up his wine glass and approached him cautiously. “Here,” she held it out to him. He turned and took it without looking at her, then drank from it deeply. She wondered if she should break the silence, or if she should let him have that responsibility. She waited, but he only stared at the oven, watching their pizza broil. “I’ll be right back,” she finally burst out, and he looked at her then, startled. Before he could respond, she turned tail and fled for the bathroom.

Behind the safety of the locked bathroom door, Juliet used the toilet and freshened herself up. Her lacy underwear were sodden in the crotch, and she wondered if he would even notice if she changed them. She decided he would, of course, but that he probably wouldn’t care. She rolled her eyes. This was not going well. She realized they were only maybe two hours into their weekend together, and already, they were in conflict.

What could she say to him? Juliet wondered. He said he didn’t want her to feel sorry for him, or pity him, but she couldn’t help but feel deeply sad at his inability to accept anything good happening to him. It made sense, given his history, she thought. She recalled his sweet response when she called him ‘special’. Had anyone ever called him that? She was afraid to ask.

Her parents’ divorce was brutal, but she still grew up being told she was loved and could be anything she wanted to be. She had Rachel to be her best friend and confidant. Her ex-husband Edmund had been wonderful to her, at first. She imagined her life without that love, without that support. She imagined Ben as a child, living on this remote island with his drunk, abusive father, and she shuddered. All that ugly in his life, and no beauty. It was no wonder why he thought he didn’t deserve love or affection. It was no wonder why he literally shook with emotion when someone made him a priority, or took care of his needs instead of their own. Plus, he had love to give, she knew. She thought of Alex and the care Ben took to raise her well. She thought of his dedication to the Island, to his people, and to Jacob.

She could easily love him, Juliet realized with a shock. It would be the greatest pleasure of her life thus far to give Ben as much love and kindness as he could possibly handle. She could fill up all his cold, hurt, empty places with light and affection. She would make his eyes crinkle in the corners the way they did when he was truly happy, show him daily that he was wonderful and he was hers. He would blossom with her, she knew, but none of that was going to happen if she couldn’t find a way to talk to him now.

She sat on the edge of her tub and hugged Ben’s shirt around her. It smelled like all the best Ben things: his soap, his deodorant, his aftershave, and the scent of his warm body. She tried to imagine how he was feeling, and what she would want someone to say to her in this situation. He had called himself ‘pathetic’ and ‘damaged’. She thought of the last time she felt that way. Ironically, she remembered the day Richard offered her this job on the Island, and how ashamed she was to tell him Edmund had her crushed under his thumb—‘pathetic’ and ‘damaged’ were apt descriptors for her prior to coming here.

Well, Juliet decided. No more of that bullshit. Ben was going to feel the strength of her affection, whether he felt he deserved it or not. He was someone who would never take her attention for granted, she knew. He cared for her, and he was loyal in a way her ex-husband could never be. They were going to talk through this, and she was going to make him feel better. They were going to eat some pizza, then she was going to drag him back to her bed. After all, he had promised to let her do dirty things to him later, and it was later.

She stood and smiled at herself in the mirror. She took a second to reapply her lipstick, then left the bathroom.

She made her way from the bedroom to change her underwear, deciding she wanted to be more comfortable. Ben had already seen the matching bra, and she wasn’t wearing it anymore anyways. She picked out a basic pair of cotton briefs—navy, to match the fine lines on his shirt—and swapped them with the light-blue lacy pair she wore. Looking around, she saw her white dress at the end of the bed, but noticed Ben’s pants were missing from the floor. She realized with some dismay that he had probably put them back on while she was in the bathroom. She shook her head. It didn’t matter—she could easily take them off again. Feeling refreshed, she practically bounded into the kitchen to see what Ben was doing with their dinner.

He observed her approach, but said nothing. He was wearing his charcoal khakis again, and his white t-shirt was neatly tucked into them. She could feel his eyes moving over her, assessing. She also saw their pizza was out of the oven, golden brown and de-panned on the cutting board. Ben was in the process of slicing it.

“That looks incredible,” Juliet crowed, and Ben smiled, pleased at the compliment. She let her hand brush lightly over his back as she went to the cupboards and pulled out two plates. She handed one to him and helped herself to a couple slices. She picked up her wineglass and took her food to the small dining table. Ben did likewise and followed. They settled down together and Juliet took an eager bite of her pizza. “Oh, wow,” she moaned appreciatively. “This is really terrible,” she joked, and Ben smirked.

“It’s not take-out, but it will have to suffice,” he grinned and dug into his meal.

“Oh, who needs take-out?” Juliet scoffed. “If anything, everyone else needs delivery—from us.”

Ben chuckled and the tips of his ears turned adorably pink. Juliet had the nearly irresistible urge to kiss them until they turned red, but she restrained herself. They still needed to talk, and she had a feeling Ben wouldn’t be receptive to such behaviors until they did.

In the interim, they seemed to have found a momentary truce, and even though they ate in silence, the silence wasn’t awkward. Juliet decided more wine would help the mood. She retrieved the open bottle from the counter and tipped the last of it into her glass.

“Don’t worry,” she said to Ben very seriously. “I have more.”

Ben smirked at her.

“Thank goodness,” he deadpanned. “My fear was legitimate.”

“Would you like white or red?” she called out, moving to the cupboards.

“Red, please,” he replied politely.

She pulled a bottle she knew he would like, opened it, and brought it back to the table.  She put it down in front of Ben and resumed her seat. While Ben poured his own glass, she finished her pizza and went to get more.

“Another slice while I’m up?” she asked him.

“Yes, thank you,” he chirped, following her with his eyes. She put a few slices on her plate and brought them over. He slid two onto his plate with nimble fingers. She sat down again and they continued eating.

“The cheese is all brown and bubbly—good call on that broiler time,” she complimented him around a mouthful.

“Thank you,” he said again, meeting her gaze shyly. She grinned over at him adoringly, and he looked down at his plate with a small smile.

When she was full, she sat back in her chair with a fresh glass of wine and patted her stomach through his dress shirt. She stretched her long, bare legs under the table and wiggled her toes, happily. Looking over, she caught Ben watching her. She crossed her legs towards him and put one arm over the back of her chair.

“You know,” she took a sip of wine thoughtfully. “If I gave you back this shirt, you’d be completely re-dressed.”

“Yes,” he grinned and caught her eye. “But you would be very undressed.”

“Hmm,” Juliet pretended to ponder this predicament.

“You’re welcome to keep wearing my shirt,” Ben offered her benevolently. “I’m fine in this,” he motioned to his tee.

“Really?” she asked again, innocently. “You don’t want me to take this off?”

Ben’s jaw dropped as he suddenly grasped the subtext to their conversation.

“Juliet,” he began warningly, his expression darkening.

“I mean, I’m surprised,” she continued, casually taking another sip from her glass. “I had the impression you liked me better without your shirt on.”

Ben looked to the ceiling for help.

“Plus,” she went on, sitting up and setting her wine on the table. “It’s so constricting at the collar,” she reached up and undid the top three buttons, watching his eyebrows shoot upwards and his pupils dilate. “That’s better,” she smirked and reached for her wine again.

Conflicting emotions played across his face, but eventually his practical side seemed to win out.

“We should probably discuss what happened earlier,” he sighed, sitting back in his chair. Juliet nodded on agreement and sat up straighter. “Where should I start?” he looked back up at the ceiling for guidance. “I’m sorry for lashing out at you…I wasn’t prepared for how I would feel, I mean…how I responded when…” he didn’t seem sure how to finish his thought.

“When I went down on you and rocked your world?” she supplied helpfully, grinning over at him suggestively.

“Well…yes,” Ben snorted, then groaned and covered his face with his hands. Juliet chuckled.

“Let’s have the rest of this conversation on the couch,” she proposed. “I want to sit with you while we talk.”

She picked up her wine and moved to the couch, looking back to be sure he was following her. He was. She set her glass down on a coaster on the coffee table, then settled on one of sofa with her legs up under her. Ben established himself next to her, holding his wineglass and crossing his legs towards her comfortably.

“Remember when we were in your kitchen on our first date, and I was kind of freaking out because you seemed to have it all together, and I was feeling like a mess and an imposter?” she asked suddenly, inspired.

“Yes,” he replied ruefully. “You told me about your strange ice cream practices then.”

“Yes, well,” she rolled her eyes at the reminder. “You let me say what I needed to say, and you talked me down. And then you said maybe one day, I could do the same for you,” she looked at him meaningfully. “Tell me about your weird ice cream spoon, Ben,” she intoned kindly.

He smirked at her and reached for her hand. She put hers into his instantly.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” he confessed with a deep sigh. “I don’t know how to let someone care for me, and I’m not so sure I’m worth caring about.”

Juliet pressed her lips together so she wouldn’t interrupt him, but she wanted to refute everything he was saying. She squeezed his hand tightly in encouragement instead.

“I never thought you would actually want me,” he mused, drinking his wine. “It’s never actually me they want—it’s always what I can do for them,” he looked at her in awe. “I think you’re the first person who’s ever truly cared for me, Juliet, and I’m terrified.”

“I can’t be the first person,” she chided him gently. “That’s impossible. You’re delightful!” she squeezed his hand again and watched him turn pink. “And if it’s true, it’s because other people are the worst, not you. It’s not your fault when other people treat you badly.”

“I’m not a saint,” he was quick to point out. “Some of the ugliest things in my life are things I’ve done myself—things I’m responsible for.”

“So you deserve to be punished forever? You never get to have love and feel worthy of it?” she frowned and shook her head in disagreement. They were both quiet for a moment. “Not to mention, you’re punishing me too,” she added slightly petulantly.

“Oh really?” he looked amused. “How so?”

“Not only do you feed me, you encourage me and you believe in me,” she pointed out. “You’ve been my best friend here. Am I just supposed to stop caring about you?”

Ben said nothing, but his expression was pleased.

“And am I just supposed to forget what you did to me a couple hours ago?” she changed tactics and he blushed furiously. “Are you seriously telling me you’re not going to do that to me ever again? What the hell? You’re a vicious tease, Benjamin Linus,” she leaned into him, muttering mutinously. He laughed outright and covered his face with his hands again.

“I don’t know how that happened,” he groaned. “I’m not very…I’m mean, it’s never gone that well…” he huffed in disbelief.

“it’s because we’re really good together,” Juliet hummed and put her face in his neck. “It’s because you’re good, and you deserve good things. You’re just going to have to suck it up and deal with it.”

Ben chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. He hugged her close and buried his nose in her hair.

“I can do that,” he sighed eventually. “Especially if you’re here.”

“Well, behold!” Juliet smirked. “Here I am!” she kissed him sweetly on the mouth, then moved her lips over the length of his jawline. “And we’re in my house, all alone, on a Saturday night,” she whispered hotly against his ear.

“You make excellent observations, Dr. Burke,” he intoned, fisting a hand in her hair and catching her mouth with his. He kissed her warmly, again and again, seemingly reveling in the fact that he could. Encouraged, Juliet crawled into his lap and straddled his legs, keeping her focus on his mouth and the joy she found there. She kissed him lovingly, unhurriedly. She moved over his cheeks and his forehead, raining butterfly kisses down on him as he held her close. She put her hands in his hair and tilted his head back until he met her eyes. She held his gaze adoringly, letting him see how much she cared for him before she pressed her mouth against his in sweet confirmation. Beneath her, Ben began to tremble again.

“Shhh,” she patted him down soothingly and continued to kiss him in between calming gestures. “Everything is wonderful,” she moved her hands over his back and held him against her. His head was on her shoulder, offering excellent access to the most sensitive part of his neck, and Juliet went after it with her lips and tongue. “You’re delicious,” she murmured as he groaned and shivered under her for a very different reason. “So responsive,” she purred and dragged her fingernails over his nipples through his thin shirt. He hissed in response and pulled her hips over his. “I love doing this to you,” she admitted, kissing him again. “It feels so good to touch you—I can tell how much you like it,” she giggled and he shook his head ruefully.

“I can’t hide anything from you,” he grumbled.

“Yes, you’re embarrassingly transparent in this area,” she teased him playfully, then leaned in to whisper, “but I like that.”

“Really?” he whispered back, his voice rough and pleading.

“Mmhmm,” she leaned her forehead against his and looked deeply into his cool blue eyes. “It’s the hottest thing in the world, seeing how much you want me.”

Ben’s eyes fluttered shut and he smiled to himself.

“Then let me show you some more,” he sighed emphatically. He lifted Juliet up slightly and rolled her onto her back. He followed her down and pressed her to the couch cushions with the length of his body.

“Oh, yes,” Juliet nodded as he covered her and settled his weight on her. “Yep, this is good,” she narrated approvingly to Ben’s soft laughter.

He kissed her passionately, cradling her face with one hand and leaning his weight on the other. She kissed him back excitedly. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again and again, giggling wildly, thrilled with his unrestrained enthusiasm. He buried his face in the curve of her throat and kissed the flesh on her chest exposed by the unbuttoned collar of his shirt. She brought her legs up and wrapped them around his hips. He reached down with one hand and slid it boldly, open-palmed, over her knee, up her thigh, and over the underwear covering her hip. He caught her eye and watched her face intently as he reached under the hem of his shirt and slid it up gently to cup her breast.

“Do you know what it does to me to see you walking around in my clothes?” he rumbled, still watching her as he tweaked her nipple. Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy.

“No,” she moaned. “Tell me,” she fisted her hands in his shirt as he continued to roll the tiny nub between his fingers. He paused for a moment, lifted himself off her, then reached down between them and unbuckled his belt. “Fuck,” Juliet grunted, the sight of it and sound of it making her clench and feel warmth between her legs.

He smiled to himself as he quickly unbuttoned his pants and pulled the zipper down. To Juliet’s surprise and delight, her grabbed her hand and slid it down into his boxers where he was fiercely, impressively hard.

“It does this to me,” Ben grumbled. “It gets me absolutely rock solid, and I can’t do anything except think about splitting you in half with it,” he ground out.

“Oh, Ben,” Juliet chuckled. “Yes!” she wrapped her hand around him and squeezed him experimentally. His dick was a warm metal pipe covered in the softest flesh. She stroked him carefully, and he shuddered. “How do you hide this in those pants?” she snickered.

“Not well at all,” he growled and kissed her. “And it happens constantly. I’m always at risk of being caught with it, or desperately trying to take care of it.”

Juliet laughed, still stroking him gently, teasingly.

“It’s not funny, you temptress,” he smirked. “I have people watching me constantly. I live with my teenage daughter!” This made Juliet groan. “Everyone’s going to think I’m a pervert,” he leaned in to kiss her again. “And it’s all your fault!”

“I’m sorry,” she laughed between kisses. “If only I could help!” she teased.

“Oh, you can help,” he grumbled, pulling open another button on her chest and kissing the skin beneath. “Let’s go to your bedroom.”

“Yeah?” she pulled her hand out of his pants and cradled him between her legs. “What’s in there?” she asked coyly.

“Let’s go find out,” Ben suggested, moving off her and standing up. He buttoned his pants for the moment and reached out for her.

“Is it a pony?” she giggled and let him pull her to her feet.

“No,” Ben sighed. “But it is something you can ride,” he intoned wickedly.

“Ha!” Juliet snorted with laughter and swayed against him. “Wow,” she looked at him, impressed. “Okay, then.”

She squeezed his hand, kissed him, then pulled him into her bedroom.