a/n: Sorry about the kinda long wait... I'll try to update more often in the future. like twice a year or something ;)

And now... the long-awaited Chapter Three!

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Found

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Up and Upset

Jack awoke to the sound of muffled voices. For a moment he thought he was back home, the mattress he was laying on was unbelievable soft. Suddenly he heard the screeching of a bird and the memories came flooding back to him like a punch in the gut.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, but realizing it was a bad idea he closed them again, groaning.

"He's awake – Gareth, could you go and fetch some water?"

The voice he'd earlier mistaken for Kate's spoke up and he tried opening his eyes once more to see the mysterious woman.

She sat down beside him; he squinted and tried to ignore his pounding headache as the picture of her slowly swam into focus.

She was remarkable like Kate in looks as well, or more like Kate had looked like before the weeks of hardship and now sickness had left their mark on her face.

Her hair was almost exactly the same as Kate but with a hint of gold.

"Don't try to sit up", she said, just as Jack struggled to do just that.

"Who are you – and where am I?" he said, still trying to get up. Too weak to struggle against her, he fell back on the soft mattress, exhausted.

She frowned. "My name is Mary. And as to where we are, I… I don't know if I can tell you that", she said, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry, it's just... I'll explain later."

"Later?" Jack sat bolt upright, ignoring the pain that flashed through his body. "But I've got to get back! Kate could – she could be dead by now!"

"What's wrong with her?"

"I – I don't really know", Jack admitted, fighting back the overwhelming feeling of helplessness this brought. "Fever, can't keep food down, coughing, aching all over. We've all been sick, of course, but this is something different. The first one who got it is dead –" his voice broke, and Mary put a hand on his shoulder. Then the tent flap opened, and Mary spun around to face the man that came in.

"This is exactly what I've been trying to tell them!" she said. "This man's friend Kate has got the Island fever – she'll die if we don't do anything!" She turned back to Jack. "The council is strictly against any kind of contact with the Others – your people, I mean. I've been trying to convince them that it is the only right thing to do – I hope they will see reason now. Gareth, I must speak to Father. Will you..?"

"I'll stay with..?"

"Jack."

"Right, Jack. Mary, you go give those old lackwits an earful."

Mary gave them both a radiant smile, and disappeared. Gareth sat down next to Jack.

"You better lie down again", he said, "you look like… well, not good anyways."

"But Kate – I have to –"

Gareth shrugged. "If Mary can convince the Council, we'll fly to your friend and have her well in no time at all. If not – well, then there's nothing you can do anyway."

"But –"

"Really. End of discussion." He pushed Jack down on the mattress, and Jack was too tired to protest.

x

He woke up again when Mary came back.

"I've never been this angry with Father", she said in a tight voice. "They won't listen to reason at all – they'd be happy to watch the poor woman die, knowing we'll stay secret and safe."

Jack's head spun, and he tried to say something, but Mary continued – "But I've got my medical kit – it's all I need – and I will do what they're too stuck up to do. We have to leave immediately."

Gareth gave Jack a hand, and he struggled to his feet. It was almost impossible to stay upright without leaning heavily on Gareth.

"I – I'm not sure I can walk", he admitted, feeling more pathetic than ever.

Mary gave him another bright smile.

"That's fine. We won't walk."

Gareth laughed at Jack's apparent confusion. "We'll fly!"

x

TBC, really :)