A/N: This is my second fanfic here and it is an experiment of mine. It takes place at the beginning of season three, therefore anything from Season 1 and Season 2 are fair game for spoilers. I usually like to write one-shots but decided to change it up a bit with this story. I'm not quite sure how it will turn out but I hope for the best and really hope that you enjoy it. Please Read and REVIEW. As always, constructive criticism is welcomed.
Rating: K+ for now but that may change later.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Lost or any of its characters. They belong to J.J, ABC, etc…
Pairing: Jack/Kate, slight Sawyer/Kate, Sun/Jin, Charlie/Claire/Desmond and possibly other pairings….I'll let you know when the time comes.
Summary: Separated by recent events, the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 will learn that the plane crash was nothing compared to what lies ahead of them. New doors are opened and secrets revealed that lead them to wonder who to keep closer: their friends or their enemies. And how can they tell the difference?
"Losing My Religion"
Chapter 1
"Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking"
- H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)
It's a wonder that it's still there. After the storm last night he thought that there would be torn pieces of wood and bamboo where it once stood. After all, it's the product of a priest and ex-heroine addict rock star: not exactly contractors.
Despite their lack of knowledge of construction and the monstrous hurricane-like storm, there it is; each knot still in tact, each piece of wood still firmly supported by the ground. They got pretty far within the last few weeks. Another day or two and it would have been completed.
This is the first time he's seen it since they've buried him, three days ago. He can still feel the weight of Claire's palm pressed into my own, as they stood by his grave. She's been his strength ever since Desmond came staggering out of the jungle with his body limp in his arms.
Locke was the only one to speak at his funeral saying words that sounded like they came out of a poet's memoir: kind, honorable, trustworthy were among the few. It was what everyone had expected, yet for some odd reason Charlie felt no comfort from his efforts, not even now as he stands before the last unfinished work of a man who was indeed kind, honorable, and trustworthy.
He slightly turns his head in acknowledgement to Desmond's presence beside him. The man mirrors Charlie's silent stance and draws his attention to the Church, or what would have been had it been finished.
"Still standing," He comments.
"Yea," Charlie replies, still slightly baffled at the fact himself.
"Well, somebody upstairs must have been keeping an eye on it," Desmond says, referring to the heavens above, "Because it seems like it's the only thing here still in one piece, brother."
"Yea," Charlie repeats, his gaze quickly reflecting over the broken trees scattered across the beach along with some of their belongings that got caught in the storm.
"I didn't know him very well, Eko, that is," Desmond says breaking the brief silence, "But I hear that he was a great man."
"He was." Charlie says, his gaze still fixed on the unfinished Church, yet curious as to what Desmond wants. If it's conversation, Charlie sure wasn't going to give it to him.
"Claire told me that you and Eko were building this together," Desmond comments, "a church, right?"
At the mention of Claire's name Charlie turns his full attention to the man standing beside him. Only having known him for a short time, Charlie is very cautious about Desmond and knowing that he spent enough time with Claire to come by this information does not put his mind at ease.
Desmond takes in the man's cold stare and knew that he hit a nerve. As it was not in his initial intention he continues. "I thought if you wanted, I could help you finish it….for him. I know how hard it is to lose someone, brother, and experience has taught me to-"
"If I needed or wanted your assistance, brother, I would have asked." Charlie snaps back.
There is a brief moment of silence before either speaks, and Charlie turns his focus back to the Church, assuming that Desmond would take a hint and leave.
"I was just offering to help." Desmond attempts, "Closure is hard to find in these situations, brother."
Charlie continues to ignore him.
"They're worried about you," Desmond continues, "They think you're going to do something to hurt yourself."
Charlie looks him dead in the eye, attempting to see what it is that he knows. Somebody must have told him about his past heroine addiction and thought that after Eko's death that he might not be able to handle it.
His gaze searches the beach and falls on Locke sitting down staring at the tide.
"If Locke was so concerned about me," Charlie replies, "He wouldn't have sent a messenger."
"As you know, brother, John's mobility hasn't been the same." Desmond says. "But he-"
"HELP!' a voice is heard coming from the jungle.
"Did you hear that?" Charlie asks.
"HELP, SOMEBODY!" a voice shouts again, louder than its first attempt.
The two men turn towards where the voice seemed to be coming from.
"SOMEBODY!" it shouts, as there is shifting among the outer-skirts of the jungle.
Hurley staggers onto the beach panting, and immediately people are at his side, among them Charlie and Desmond.
"Hurley, what happened?" Charlie questions with panic in his eyes.
"They- they took them." Hurley pants. "The others…they took Kate, Jack, and Sawyer. Michael set us up man…he, he let us straight to them.
"What's going on?" Locke yells, still sitting in the same spot. Using his upper arm strength he attempts to drag himself over to where everyone has surrounded Hurley, making the man barely visible through the crowd of people. "Hurley, is that you!"
"Yea, John!" Desmond says, walking towards Locke. "It's Hurley."
Charlie hands Hurley a water bottle as the man sits on the ground trying to catch his breath.
"We have to go back for them," Hurley states, taking a sip of the water.
"Apparently, they took you're friends, brother." Desmond informs Locke.
Locke spreads his gaze over the people before him, their eyes, though set with panic and fear, focused on him. Sun, Jin, and Sayid had yet to return to their side of the island and now without the return of Jack, Locke found himself to be the one who everyone was turning too.
"So it begins," Locke says, quietly to nobody in particular. Yet, Desmond looks at him and understands what he is talking about.
Charlie watches the exchange and he too comprehends what is going on. Indeed, it is the beginning.
"The beginning of the end." He mutters.
A/N- So what do you think. Curious about what happened to the boat that Sun, Jin, and Sayid were on. How about Jack, Kate, and Sawyer; or do you want to find out about Locke's inability to walk. If you do than PLEASE REVIEW. Anyway, hope you enjoyed.