OH SNAP! I've been bugging you about updating this one, and here I am very late to the party. Apologies!

I *love* this. Oh, how much I would have loved to have seen Juliet, Sawyer et al interacting with Young Ben back in the Dharma days. I also really feel like this could explain a lot about them recruiting her, having known her all along. I would love to have seen Ben's reaction to getting Sawyer's file and realizing the sleazy con man was Jim LaFleur.

I like Ben, too. Well, "like" is a strong word, but I am definitely fascinated by his character, and this seemed spot-on to me.

1973! Excellent year, I must say! ;-)

Oh, and Happy New Year!

So good! Can't wait for more! :)

Happy New Year to you, too.

Argh! Don't make me feel sorry for/like Ben--'cause you're doing kind of a good job of it...

You're right, Ethan is the wrong age (or the actor playing Ethan).

Good on all the other dates (possible to graduate High School at 16, etc.)!

Great story. Hoping you won't be too busy to continue this year...

awsome chapter! I loved the insight into Ben.

Just caught up again, and I'm still loving it! I liked this last chapter about Ben. I think you have a really good grasp on his character. Great job!

hi!!
really great chapter! I like the way you tried to understand Ben's childhood : betrayed, never loved the way a kid must be loved, beaten, alone. it macths well with the man he became.
it is ironical to see how destiny had played with him : he is the one responsible to get the woman he was in love as a kid and as a man, with another man.
For playing with Juliet's birthday, i would have bet she was 32-34) the first time she appeared on the show (Kate seems younger probably 26-28) but it doesn't matter ;)
have a great NYE and "Bonne Année"!

"Instead he had attempted to keep them away from one another. He had assigned her to Jack, and kept her interactions with Austin and Ford limited."

You know, I'd never thought about that! Wow. What an interesting interpretation, and so logical.

I totally loved this chapter! It was one of the best Little Ben/Juliet pieces I've read.

And srsly, WTF is up with Ethan's age? That crap on the show made NO sense. I like to tell myself that Ethan time-traveled a LOT and that's how he aged. Ha!

awsome story! The flashback was so cute. Hope you have a Merry Christmas too :)

oh my goodness an update!! i was so excited, i had a minor freak out when i saw this! and it was so great. loved the flashback. and i kind of feel bad for ben, which is very rare. can't wait for the ambush!


merry christmas :)

This is getting very suspenseful - okay, not a word but you know what I mean! I am so intrigued at the cryptic conversation between Richard and Ilana. James and Juliet's goodbye was so sweet and I loved your flashback when she told him about her situation. I can't wait till you have a chance to update this again :D

Whe! I'm on a bit of a reading spree today. I read the whole thing, start to finish. Now I have to wait, and you say you are a slow updater? Gr...

I thought all the Dharma flashbacks were really well placed and incorporated into the story so well. I think my favorite was the day James' parents died.

You are amazing with the Sawyer nicknames! I could probably list about 10 that were fantastic, but just off the top of my head, the one I got the best chuckle from was "Pinky and the Brain" re Locke and Ben. Funny!

Great chapter! I liked the flashback and the bit with Richard and Ilana. Update soon!

I think long chapters are fine, especially when there are two (different great stories) in the same day.

I don't think James was being controlling, just concerned, but Juliet probably has "Daddy" issues too, based on the men she has (previously) had relationships with. Wait, I'm totally reviewing the last chapter.

I'm starting to not like Ilana. I'm surprised Richard is such a lame duck. I guess he'll just have to slap Ilana later.

Whose clothes did James steal :-0

I guess after the reset there is a possibility of safely having a baby on the Island, and it beats the death alternative, but still, doesn't seem ideal.

I was reading this chapter (and the previous one) from Sawyer's POV and it's getting more frustrating by the minute!
Richard and Illana's plan makes no sense based on what we know thus far in the story.

Why do they need to lure him and Flocke anywhere when they have the numbers (more people and guns)? If they know where he is to send Juliet, then just go get him. Or is there some special place where Flocke is vunerable that he doesn't know about and has to cross willingly?

And no way is Ben going to trust Juliet after seeing her run off with James and even if he did, he's not calling the shots, Flocke is. And there is no way Flocke is going to trust her.

And Richard is basically blackmailing Juliet to do this, refusing to let her leave (again) and James should kick his ** or at least confront him. That's preferable to him feeling helpless while Juliet puts her and their baby's life in jeapordy.

Of course, I noticed that Juliet didn't mention to Richard that she is pregnant.

Hmm, I don't think a big chapter is bad! I have a minimum word count, too, and I hate it when I just barely brush it. I feel like I'm ripping people off. I loved this chapter! You really know how to get the action moving. I can't wait to see what happens next!