Sorry I'm Late {BEN}

[Richard Alpert]

The Roosevelt always reminded him of days passed. Which, to him, it was an eternity, and yet, the Roosevelt always stayed the same. Richard felt a breath escape his lungs in a sigh, one of preperation as he moved to adjust his tie.

Daniel Avery, the unknowing lawyer, had lead Richard right to Ben. However, Richard had not wavered, hadn't lead Daniel to Alex or even the location of the Island. It wasn't that easy, and something told Richard that Daniel knew it. However, knowing or not, Daniel had let it slip, and Richard was thankful, though partly surprised. They were holding Ben in the same hotel as the survivors. No doubt to keep the fact that he wasn't on the plane a secret.

Richard entered the lobby, walking to the desk with a smile. "Hi." He smiled and the woman smiled back, a little more cheery than normal. "May I help you, sir?" He noticed she stared at him a little longer, and he realised that he still had his sunglasses on.

"Ah," Richard said with a slight laugh, moving to take the glasses off. "Sometimes I don't even notice. I'm Daniel Avery, I'm a lawyer with Oceanic Airlines. I've just flown in from out of the country, and I havn't been briefed as to where the survivors are, do you think you could help me with that?"

The woman looked at him, almost pausing for a moment. "How do I know you're a lawyer?"

Richard's smile widened slightly, and he felt himself laugh slightly. The woman was at least smart. However, was she gullable? "Well, I don't know--" Richard peered at the woman's name. "Rebecca. However, what I do know, is that you're a very bright young woman. Why don't you take my card," Richard reached into his suit pocket, pulling out Daniel's card and handing it to the young woman, "and call me if you're willing to join my staff."

The woman's laughed shyly, and looked down, which only made Richard smile more. "Now," Richard said, watching the girl. "How about that floor number?"

Sooner than he could even blink, the woman wrote the floor number down on a peice of paper. "Don't tell anyone that I gave this to you. We're not supposed to let people know."

"It's our secret, Rebecca."

Richard moved off towards the elevator, and glanced at the number the woman had wrote down on the slip of paper. He wondered what floor they would have Ben on, and he told himself he'd try the floor above and the floor below.

The first choice was the right one as the elevator opened onto the 23rd floor. There was a turn, and Richard moved slower than before, seeing hardly any cameras, which amused him slightly. Peering around the corner, he saw the door that he was sure was Ben's. It was manned by only one guard, one that Richard knew he could easily take out. Taking a second glance to see if anyone was around, Richard moved from behind the corner to walk to the man.

"Hi, I'm Doctor Richard Alpert. I've been sent to check on the health of Benjamin Linus?"

"I wasn't told of any visitors."

"Believe me. Check your papers, I'm on the list."

"The papers are inside. You'll have to stay out here."

"Of course." Richard told the man, nodding surely as he watched the man turn around. It was the last mistake he'd make. Richard moved swiftly and silently, his hands moving on either side of his head. His head made a swift crack, and Richard caught his body before he thudded to the ground.

The door clicked open, and Richard pushed it open with his toe, dragging the dead guard into the room. He moved, clicking the door shut behind him silently. Checking the man's pulse to make sure he was dead, he grabbed the keys to the handcuffs from the man's pocket. He also removed the man's shoulder holster, to put it on his own. He looked at Ben before moving to the man to unlock the handcuffs.

"Sorry I'm late. And I have Alex; she just got back. She didn't take as well to travel as I hope she would have, but she's fine now. She was getting some sleep when I left."

He didn't want to alarm Ben with the possibily that Ana-Lucia was alive, but keeping it from him would be even worse. "That Lawyer came to see me today."

[ben]

If he hadn't of known any better, he'd have thought that the plan was taking it's time. Drawing a deep and impatient breath, Ben rolled his eyes over to see out the window. Being handcuffed to the bed wasn't a very delightful experience, but at least his enemies knew he was still restricted to his room - or so the plan had to assume. He had to admit, the plan was working out pretty perfectly. Having been talked to by Mr. Avery, and letting Widmore know he was captured was a good thing. It would mean that Widmore would get comfortable with the idea what Ben was at his disposal - which wasn't ever going to be the case. At all. On the other hand, if their plans had turned for the worst - Ben's frantic mind would yet again have to clean up all the mess to save himself, his daughter and the island. But this bed was where he wanted to be.

For now.

Snapping his head over to the door, Ben watched at Richard had the guard in his arms - lowering him down gently not to disturb the peace on this floor, not to arouse suspicion. Ben's wide eyes didn't show any sign of happiness, anger or fear. He just looked blank, his uniform expression to any one. Blinking slowly, the minimal movement of his shaking head showed that Ben wasn't particularly impressed with the lack of punctuality from Richard. "At least you're both off the Island," he answered as he lifted the handcuffs off the metallic bedpost as Richard unlocked them. Flicking the handcuffs to the ground, he rubbed his red wrists as he threw his legs over the side of the bed and allowed himself to stand making his way around the room to pick up some of his belongings that weren't taken as evidence.

"They don't know of Alex?" Ben wanted to double check, glancing at Richard before continuing on the bedroom hunt for his belongings. "Who's watching her?" he almost demanded in the urgency of getting out of the hotel. They had little time to waste, and if Widmore got to Alex before Ben could reach her - that could throw a massive spanner in the works of Ben's plans. After retrieving all his things, Ben stood besides Richard and narrowed his eyes.

"... and what did you say to him?" he asked, implying that a conversation between the Laywer and Richard would have been rather suspicious. Mr Avery was rather smart, he knew things were going on. Far too smart for his own good. However, it surprised Ben not, that Widmore would get someone like Mr. Daniel Avery to do his dirty work. In some ways, Ben and Widmore were one in the same - but even Ben hated to admit it.

"Come on, walk and talk at the same time, Richard." he instructed as he stepped over the dead guard on the ground - pulling the pistol from his belt and moved to opened the door, peeking his head around the corner of the door to see the hallway was still save. It wasn't going to be an easy thing to do to escape, but Ben wasn't short of jumping off the roof if it meant he could escape. "The back entrance? Was it guarded?" he asked, tucking the gun into the back of his trousers before he closed the door of the room and looked back at Richard.

[Richard Alpert]

"I think I have it covered. One of my staff members got very ill this morning after not alerting me that she had woken up." Richard said seriously, walking to the door with Ben. "She's at Saint Sebastian's right now in intensive care. The others know to leave Alex be." His voice held little sarcasm, and total seriousness.

Richard's seriousness of the situation, of Alex's safety, was something that he took pride in. However, when Ben narrowed his eyes, asking what Richard told Daniel, Richard felt one shoulder lift up in a slight, almost unnoticable shrug. "He did most of the talking. I told him what I did at Middelos, and that I had met you only briefly. We introduced ourselves, exchanged ideas, and went our seperate ways. I'm sure he expects something, he's a smart man. However, he doesn't expect me." No one did. The staff of Middelos didn't know of Richard's...condition. Hardly anyone really did, beside Ben and Alex and the Others. And even the Others, they didn't know the truth.

"There's a car waiting at the back entrence for us." Richard told Ben, peering out of the doorway and exiting. "And I believe I have this covered as well. Once they find the poor sap that was guarding you, they'll find out from a pretty young receptionist named Rebecca that a man, Daniel Avery, had requested the floor numbers for the Oceanic Survivors. That, or she'll raise suspicion when she calls Mr. Avery for a job interview. Either way, he's taking the fall."

As they walked quickly to the stairs, Richard chose the moment as the best time. Well, the only time. "He mentioned something to me when I came back from checking on Alex. Well, he didn't actually mention it outright, but he was leaving a message on a cellphone. I merely wondered who he was talking to, and he told me outright; his old girlfriend. Ana-Lucia Cortez."

Richard didn't find himself shocked most times, because everything he heard he had usually experienced, or understood. Like when Ben had told him he saw his mother. Or when Ben was an active participant in the Purge. It hadn't surprised Richard because he had expected it. However, the little tidbit of seemingly random information that Daniel had confessed to? It surprised him.

The look on Ben's face didn't surprise him, however. As the floors of the stairwell passed, getting lower and lower and lower, Richard nodded slightly. "That's exactly what I thought. So, I did a little research. According to the Oceanic records, she missed Flight 815, and was on the next flight to Los Angeles."

There were things that Richard didn't know. He didn't claim to hold all the strings, didn't claim to be hand in hand with Jacob; he didn't want to be. There was power that Richard didn't want to touch, even after everything Richard had been through, had experienced.

[ben]

Ben was at least satisfied with his friend's efforts to plan it all out. To organize it all and pull it off. Needless to say, Ben was happy with Richard. Extremely happy. Nodding as he listened to Richard as they descended down the back stairs of the building, turning each corner and almost running down each flight, Ben listened with all the detail that was given. He skipped over any idle chat about his daughter, she was in the hospital. That was going to be the next stop without question.

As Richard continued talking about Daniel Avery, Ben rarely looked back to see the other man as both of them continued down the flights of stairs. "... he is a smart man, but he will not be getting in our way, thanks to you." Ben stopped, smiled slyly before continuing down the stairs. Daniel would take any of the information - or lack of information, Ben had given with the meeting they had just two days ago. This was going swimmingly, what more could Ben ask for? Stopping once more, Ben turned around and narrowed his eyes at Richard, it wasn't because hearing Ana-Lucia's name was a bad thing. If this Daniel had any connection with her - they could use it to their advantage. Advantage indeed. Turning around, and mumbling something under his breath about useful information, he continued down the stairs. There was going to be a time to discuss this useful information, how they could use it against their enemies and get what they want. Ben could succeed. And that pleased him greatly.

Reaching the bottom flight of stairs, Ben stopped at the double doors. Calming his breath, "We're getting Alex," he instructed before drawing one large breath as he pushed open the bar on the door and looked for the car. Whipping his head around to make sure there wasn't anyone watching them exit out the back door of the Hotel - suspiciously, Ben opened the door and got in. Watching Richard follow behind. The sooner they could get out the sooner Ben could get to Alex and away from prying eyes and questioning hands.

[Richard Alpert]

Thankfully, the car was just as he had left it, without tampering or people around. Ben spoke of Alex, and Richard nodded, moving into the driver's seat. He pulled out and drove towards Middelos.

The Los Angeles devision of Middelos Bioscience was made up of two buildings with an armed guard stationed at the entrence. The first building was used for the offices, the research areas; the second building were the labs. The security around the labs was tight, and even the offices, they had manned guards. It looked more like a compound than a research company.

Richard turned the car to the guard station, seeing the guard come out to greet the side of his car.

"Doctor Alpert, there's been some...developments."

"Can it wait?"

"Saint Sebastian's called. Veronica Harris died an hour ago."

Richard glanced at Ben, and then back at the guard. "When her family calls, tell them my condolances, and that Middelos will cover all funeral costs. If they wish to have an explanation, transfer the call to Brenda and she'll contact me."

"Your passenger's name, Doctor Alpert?"

"Henry Gale."

The car was waved pass, and Richard drove to park the car by the second building. He parked and got out, adjusting his tie as he looked over at Ben. He didn't bother asking if Ben had spoken to Jacob before he left; Richard hadn't even had a chance, and it worried him. Richard knew they weren't supposed to leave the Island. "Ben" Richard said after a moment as they entered the stark white building. "It was incredibly hard to get Alex off the Island. I just want you to know that." Richard knew that Jacob had something to do with that. "He didn't want her to leave."

[ben]

Ben's eyes had been staring blankly out the window as each building passed over and over again, however as they approached the hospital, Ben shifted in his seat. It didn't interest him with the idle chat from the guard to Richard. But right on cue, Ben gave the guard a curt smile and wave as his alias name was mentioned and when the ok was given, they drove through the gates. Getting out of the vehicle and walking toward the building, Ben's heart felt like it was going to fall out of his chest. He didn't know the condition of his daughter, however the last time he saw her, she had been shot.

Entering the building, Ben walked alongside Richard as he spoke about the Island and referring to Jacob. "I know," Ben answered swiftly, "He's never wanted her off the island, and she may very well not be allowed back on, but as long as she's alive, I don't care what Jacob thinks." Ben spoke quickly and right to the point as the rounded another corner and toward the lifts.

"Do you have an apartment we can take her?" he asked as he pushed the elevator button. If anything, Alex would be save in an apartment which Widmore wouldn't know about. There was always one mission which Ben tried to uphold, and that was the safety of his daughter, for she was the only thing he loved more.

[Richard Alpert]

Richard felt his teeth grit at the mention of Jacob. Richard had spoken to Jacob, Jacob's true self, and that memory was imprinted on his brain for the rest of his days. "He's going to try to get her back. By any means." His hold...it was so strong.

As the elevator came up to view, Richard pressed the button, glancing at a woman as she passed by. Ben spoke of an apartment, and his attention was soon back to the man. "I'll set it up. We can take her now if you wish."

Alex would be thrust in an entirely different world, being here in Los Angeles. The Island was so different from the wild and crazy surroundings of Los Angeles. "Widmore won't find your daughter, Ben. Sooner or later, he'll mess up. He'll want it too much, and she'll be completely and utterly out of his grip. He doesn't have patience to wait it out, to plan things."

He remembered when he had first met Ben, the small boy in the middle of the woods, looking for a way out. Ben had the patience of a saint, Richard knew, and he had told him that he needed to wait. It seemed so long ago, Richard thought as he watched the elevator doors open and he entered. "You, however, do. That is something that he envies. And the simple fact that he picks people to work for him that couldn't find a needle in a haystack if it was as big as a tree branch."

[ben]

Of course, with everything that Jacob could do, he would in fact try and take Alex back to the Island. But, she wasn't going to go anywhere without Ben by her side. That was just how it was going to be, whether Jacob liked it or not. "I understand that, Richard." Ben replied to him referring to how Jacob at all costs will bring Alex back to the island. "But that is never going to happen, without me."

As the elevator rose and the doors opened, Ben stepped inside standing with his hands behind his back as he watched the doors close again. "The sooner we can get Alex away from everyone, the better it will be for her." Ben agreed that taking Alex was going to be one of the better ideas for what was installed. He knew that she wouldn't have been at all ready for the wide world of Los Angeles, but she'd get used to it pretty quickly. It was probably a good idea for Ben to perhaps talk to her about what's going on. If he was to keep her safe and away from his enemies, she'll have to know to be restricted from doing something foolish.

He listened to Richard give his views on Widmore, sure everyone had their own opinion, and Ben respected Richard's outlook on life and the matter. After all, he's been around much longer than Ben had been. Turning his eyes upward to watch the numbers click over, Ben continued to listen to Richard, "If Widmore he was smart, he'd already know he's lost the game."

Of course he had to smile when Richard mentioned about his own cunning personality, having patience in amidst all the drama that is involved with the Island. "Thank you, Richard." Ben replied with a small smile, turning his head - having a 'moment'. When the elevator door dinged and the doors opened, Ben stepped out and glanced up and down the hall way. "Which way?" he asked.

[Richard Alpert]

Richard was tempted to mention to Ben that it was his funeral, but Alex was his daughter. Well, techincally not HIS, pe rse, however, he raised her and loved her as a child, and that was enough. The one way to a man's heart (or his empire, Richard thought silently) was through his children. Richard's apartment was barely used, had been his for longer than he could remember, and no one asked questions. It was the perfect spot.

As the elevator dinged, and Ben spoke of Widmore, Richard felt himself nodding in responce. "Let him think he has the upper hand. Men with more power than they can handle always make mistakes that cost them everything." Richard had seen it more times in the last century than he could count.

Ben thanked Richard, and a small sliver of a smirk crossed on his face before he stepped out of the elevator, motioning with his arm to the right. The research rooms were vast, numbered in increasing numbers. He came upon twenty three and reached into pocket, pulling out a card to swipe into the card reader. The room was darkly dimmed, only a soft glow of light coming from the lamp-globe ahead, however, Richard could see that Alex's eyes were closed. There was a small amount of blood on the bandage on her head, and thankfully, the nosebleed had stopped.

"When I got to her, she was bleeding from her head. As I started to get ready to take her back, she got worse." Richard said, his voice a near whisper. "She doesn't remember much--the travel hit her hard." Richard moved over to Alex's side, looking at the moniters as they beeped and clicked. "I believe that He has something to do with her wounds getting worse, but thankfully, they've stopped, though I doubt He's given up. She was awake and talking before I left, but I instructed everyone to let her sleep."

[ben]

Truth be told, Ben had sort of stopped listening to Richard as he casually joined in on the thoughts and insight into Widmore's mind. He was more interested in just getting to Alex, seeing what her state would be like and getting the hell back out of the hospital. Noting that Richard pointed to the right, Ben passed the other rooms with great vigor as he scanned through the windows into the insides of the rooms looking for his supposedly dead daughter. There were only two things that scared him when it came to his daughter. One, Alex being killed and two, learning that she wasn't his daughter.

After he had been carried off the island, he hadn't really had the time to think about her. As bad as that might have sounded, he was more caught up with trying to -yet again- save his own bacon. Now that he was out of that blasted room, his mind had been so caught up with worrying over his daughter, it was only until now - searching for her room - that he wondered if she remembered what he said before she was shot? Could she remember that he was trying to bluff his way out of her being shot, by admitting that she wasn't his daughter?

He hated to think what she'd do once she knew that she was removed from her mother, and taken to the camp. How would she react to that? Or, had she already known all along? Would all that destroy what little relationship they had left?

Stepping too far, Ben took two steps back and saw Alex in a room alone. Glancing back to see if Richard was still following, he waited for Richard to swipe his security card. Butting in first, Ben opened the door and slowly approached her bed. Her eyes were closed, but even as he looked at her, she seemed so much different. Older, she had been through something which no teenager should. Placing at tender hand on the seeping blood of her head bandage, he listened to what Richard had to say. Even though they were standing close together, Ben's attention to focus on what Richard had to say seemed to sway in his own mind.

"I'd assume traveling with a knock to the head wouldn't be kind on anyone," Ben replied dully, moving his hand down to grip hers. Was there any point moving her when she was hooked up to so many machines that seemed to be keeping her alive. But at what risk could he leave her? Widmore was on his way, there was no doubt in his mind, and sooner or later Alex would be the target, again. It was only a split second, but Ben had already made up his mind. The next thing to do, was to take Alex to a more safer place, however... with all the machines hooked up to her, they were keeping her alive to some extent. Perhaps moving her wouldn't be the best thing to do. But if she wasn't going to be moved, Widmore was pretty much on his way. He couldn't bear loosing her all over again.

Without saying anything, Ben started to unhook her from the heart monitor, the drip and all the other machines surrounding her.

[Richard Alpert]

Richard glanced over the chart to see Ben unhooking the machines that Alex had been attached to. He set the chart down at the side of the bed, and moved to the closet to take the wheelchair out. He moved, setting the footrests down, before he grabbed a duffle bag. Moving over to the large cabnet, he opened it, eyeing the vast medical supplies that were in it. Pulling various supplies out, Richard went over a mental list of what he would need, and double checked. Everything was in orrder, he told himself, and turned to Ben and Alex.

His apartment wasn't too far away from Mittelos, a short drive away and secluded, which would please both himself and Ben for the moment. Sliding his hands under her shoulders and legs, he liffted Alex up and placed her into the wheelchair. Letting Ben take the back of the wheelchair, he grabbed the duffelbag and tossed it over his shoulder before he lead the way out of the room.

The white hallways blended to bright Los Angeles sunlight as they exited the building, and moved to Richard's car. "Stay in the back with her," Richard told Ben as he helped get Alex into the car. "Keep her stable if she wakes up. We'll be there in five minutes."

Richard put the wheelchair in the truck and moved into the driver's seat, getting in and waiting for Ben to get in as well. He glanced in the rear view mirror to see that Ben was in before he started the car and drove off towards his apartment.