Here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed the last one. Ideas are welcome. I'm still trying to come up with an actual plotline.

As You Wish

Chapter 2:

Richard held Alex close to his side to shield her. He wasn't sure if she were conscious or not. She kept her eyes closed and her face was pressed into his chest.

Alex had never fainted in her life as far as he'd ever seen.

The smoke monster closed in around them and Richard stared at it. Daring it to come closer.

He knew it wouldn't kill him. But it might kill Alex. That was why he practically covered her body with his. It wanted Alex, Richard didn't know why but it wanted her badly.

"Rich-ard?"Alex's voice was filled with terror.

"It can't hurt you, I promise," his voice was soothing but he knew the girl wouldn't relax.

The smoke monster closed in tighter around him and managed to strike at Alex.

She screamed and held onto Richard.

Richard was furious and held on tighter.

Seeing that it couldn't get closer to Alex the smoke monster recoiled and disappeared into the ground.

Alex collapsed at Richard's feet, sobbing.

Richard knelt down and lifted her up, noticing the bloody gash left by the smoke monster on her shoulder and her scratched hands as if she had been running for her life.

"What happened?" he prodded her gently. If someone tried to hurt her, he'd kill them! Richard couldn't help her feelings for the young woman. He had secretly found himself falling in love with her. It was all he could do to keep his feelings bottled up inside him.

More tears sprung into Alex's eyes and she flung her arms around his neck, shaking. "Oh, Richard!" she started sobbing again. She held onto him as if for dear life.

"Ssshh," Richard cooed, placing the slightest of kisses on the top of her head. It seemed to calm her down.

"It was Keamy. He was after me, and then the smoke monster-," Alex broke off.

"Sssh, hey, I want let either of them hurt you. Do you hear me?" Richard promised whole-heartedly, stroking her curly dark head.

"I'm supposed to die, Richard. I know it. It's only a matter of time." Alex gripped his shirt tightly.

"Not on my watch." Richard's voice was firm.

Alex seemed to calm down a little at a time until all she did was tremble slightly.

"Let's get you home, Alex," Richard took her hand, "Your father is most likely very worried about you."

"No!" Alex panicked, "I can't go back," she pulled back but he held firm.

Richard's heart went out to her. Benjamin Linus kept her on a tight string. He didn't blame Alex for not ever going back. The man treated her more like a prisoner than a daughter.

"It's for the best, Alex."

No, please, I beg of you. Don't take me back there. Anywhere but there!"

Richard sighed and looked into her eyes. "As you wish."

Update if you want an update.e had kille