Jack’s health is seriously compromised and Kate and Juliet must learn to work together in order to save him. Also, something goes wrong as Sawyer, Claire, Aaron and Miles continue their trek away from Locke’s camp and back to the beach.

Jack tries to discover the identity of a body that has washed ashore. Meanwhile, Locke’s camp is attacked by Ben’s adversaries.

The narrative of the episode primarily focuses upon Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau, Jr.). Between the events of the second season finale, “Live Together, Die Alone”, and this episode, he becomes a spy on the freighter Kahana at the behest of Benjamin Linus (Michael Emerson).

The beginning of the episode shows two concurrent storylines. One storyline is set at the Barracks, the former home of the Others. During a community meeting, Ben confirms to several members of John Locke’s (Terry O’Quinn) faction that Michael is his spy. The second storyline is set on the Kahana. Sayid Jarrah (Naveen Andrews) confronts Michael about his purpose on the freighter.

The episode’s narrative is then shown in a continuous flashback. Michael has returned to Manhattan, New York City, and has become estranged from his son Walt (Malcolm David Kelley). He tries to commit suicide several times; he is unsuccessful, and is told by Tom (M.C. Gainey) that the Island will not allow him to kill himself. Tom gives Michael an assignment: he is to infiltrate the Kahana, owned by Charles Widmore (Alan Dale), who faked the wreckage that was found in the Sunda Trench, and kill any members on board. He is given a bomb to achieve this purpose. Michael attempts to detonate the bomb; it does not explode, and was used to show Michael that Ben does not wish the death of the unknowing crew members.

Appalled that Michael is working for Ben, Sayid turns him over to the captain of the freighter, Gault (Grant Bowler). The end of the episode focuses upon Danielle Rousseau (Mira Furlan), her daughter Alex (Tania Raymonde), and Alex’s boyfriend Karl (Blake Bashoff) travelling towards the “Temple”, a sanctuary used by the Others. Along the way, they are attacked, and both Karl and Rousseau are shot. To avoid being shot herself, Alex calls out to the shooter or shooters, who are not identified, that she is Ben’s daughter.

Juliet is forced to reveal some startling news to Jin when Sun threatens to move to Locke’s camp. Meanwhile, Sayid and Desmond begin to get an idea of the freighter crew’s mission when they meet the ship’s Captain. Another of the Oceanic Six survivor and the ‘insider’ on the ship that Ben mentioned earlier in the season are revealed.

In flashbacks, Juliet is waiting in a waiting room. Harper, a therapist, arrives, and begins discussing with her why Juliet is the center of attention, and why that makes Juliet uncomfortable. Suddenly, Tom appears, and wants to take her to Ben.

On Island
Sun is helping Juliet set up her tent when Jack approaches, asking if Juliet knows where Charlotte or Faraday are. Although Juliet doesn’t know, Jin overhears them and comments, through Sun’s translation, that he saw them leave together. Jack asks why Jin didn’t say anything. Jin responds that he thought they were friends. Jack takes the lead and tells everyone to fan out and shout for him if anyone finds a track.

Juliet is walking through the jungle and suddenly hears the whispers. She looks around and finds Harper standing behind her, who informs her that Ben has a message for her: Daniel and Charlotte are heading towards the Tempest, and Juliet has to prevent them, using deadly force if necessary. If they figure out how to ‘deploy the gas’ everyone is going to die. As Juliet’s asks why Harper doesn’t stop them herself, Harper answers that it is Ben’s wish that Juliet does it, and although Ben is a prisoner he’s exactly where he wants to be. Harper says that Juliet must kill Daniel and Charlotte. The conversation is interrupted by Jack who pointing his gun at Harper and demanding to know who she is. She says she is an old friend of Juliet’s and she was telling her where the people they are looking for are headed and that Jack with his gun should go there too. Then she suddenly disappears. After a bit of vainly looking around Juliet conveys what she has been told. Jack: “The Tempest”? Juliet: “It’s safer for you if I don’t talk about it.” Jack: “No, talk about it please.” Juliet: “It’s an electrical station that powers the island.” Jack: “Why would they go there? He confronts her: “If there’s something you need to tell me, now is the time to do it.” Juliet is almost crying: “What I need from you is to help me, you must help me.” She then walks away.

Daniel and Charlotte are pausing near a stream in the jungle. Daniel has doubts about something: “What happens if I…. if I can’t do it”? Charlotte makes Dan look her in the face. She says she is convinced that he can do it and that they should get going. Daniel seems convinced. Then suddenly Kate shows up. Charlotte draws her pistol but Daniel assures her that Kate poses no threat. Kate tells them about Miles, that Locke has him but that he is fine. After Kate asks what they are doing out there in the jungle, Charlotte tells a lie about a sat-phone running out of juice and that they volunteered to get some fresh batteries from the packs they threw out of the chopper. Kate gets suspicious and wants to know what is in Daniel’s bag? After discovering it’s an gas mask, Kate is knocked unconscious by Charlotte.

Ben is still taunting Locke. He says there will a revolution if Locke followers will find out that Locke doesn’t have a plan. Locke inquires if Ben has a plan himself?

- Ben: “I always have a plan”

- Locke: “Does it involve you raising 3.2 million dollars”?

- Ben: “We have a common enemy.”

- Claire: “We have to find out who these people are!”

An alarm is sounding, Daniel is dressed in a hazard suit and working on a computer. Juliet pulls a gun: “Whatever he is doing, tell him to stop!” Charlotte (also in a hazard suit): “If you want to stop this, you have to shoot us both!”