The Heart Brings You Back

Summary: Sequel to Look After You. How will everyone react when they find out that Charlie is indeed alive?

Chapter One

Claire awoke the next morning, the feeling of warmth had disappeared. She turned over and attempted to place her arm around Charlie, but found that he wasn't there. She bolted upright immediately, scanning the room for the brooding face that brought the worlds biggest smile to her face. Her eyes came up empty, and found that he was indeed not in her room. Had she dreamt he was alive? Was it all a dream, just a realm of her imagination. Just her wanting him to be there so bad, that her mind actually let her believe it, even if only for a night. She felt the hot tears hit the back of her eyelids, before wiping them away. There was no way last night had been a dream, it was too real. The emotions, the love making, all of it was just too real.

She pulled back her blankets, before sliding half-way out of bed. She stretched her arms, before standing up. She started for her bedroom door, when she heard a familiar voice. A warm smile crossed her lips, as she quietly made her way out of her bedroom, and stood just outside of Aaron's room.

Claire watched as Charlie gently rocked Aaron back and forth, speaking baby talk to him. He laughed every time that Aaron flashed a toothless smile at him.

"Okay buddy, let's put you back in your crib," Charlie said, as he slid Aaron back into his crib.

He watched him a little while longer, and listened as Aaron gurgled, and babbled a bit.

"I missed you little man," Charlie smiled at him.

He looked around the tiny room, when his eye caught the small ring that sat on the dresser in the corner of the room. He walked over toward it, ran his fingers a crossed it, and smiled softly.

"I'm guessing you want it back?" Claire asked, finally making her presence known.

"Nope, it's were it belongs. I promised Liam that I'd keep it in the family. You and Aaron are the closest thing I have to family now, and I like it that way," He smiled, hoping he hadn't woken her.

"Charlie..." Claire started before Charlie interrupted her.

"I mean it Claire, you and turnip-head mean the world to me. I don't know what I'd do without you two," Charlie said, as he walked toward her, letting his arms wrap around her waist.

"You mean the world to us too," she smiled, before kissing his lips tenderly.

"Good, wouldn't have it any other way," Charlie smiled, as he followed Claire out of Aaron's room.

"So, what would you like for breakfast?" Claire asked, opening the fridge in the kitchen.

"Uh, what do you have?" Charlie asked, slightly taken aback by how much this felt like home.

"Well, altogether, we have pretty much anything you can think of. I on the other hand have some eggs and bacon?" Claire smiled at him.

"Sounds fine to me. So I've gotta ask, how'd you get such a nice place?" Charlie grinned.

"Well, Des told everyone about your warning about the freigther people, and well when me and Hurley thought you were dead...Well ummm... we knew that if you didn't believe them that we shouldn't either," Claire said, as she dug in the fridge for the rest of her eggs and bacon.

"So, what you just went off into the jungle to hide out in the barracks?" Charlie asked, slightly confused.

"Not exactly, the camp divided off into two groups, those who believed you and Locke, and then those who believed Jack," Claire explained.

"You went off with Locke?" Charlie asked, still not real fond of him.

"Yeah, I mean, it was either go with Locke or go with Jack and be with the frieghter people. I didn't really see a choice, if you didn't trust them then why should I?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, okay I mean, I see that you didn't have a choice," Charlie said, still stunned that she just went off with Locke like that.

"Oh ummmm...if you don't want anyone to know that your alive, you might want to hide," Claire explained.

"Uh...why?" Charlie asked, giving her a confused look.

"Well, since we've been here in the barracks, Hurley and I have eaten breakfast together. Then he sings a song to Aaron," Claire explained a little bit better.

"Oh, well I mean, I guess I can't keep it hidden forever. Is Des here too?" Charlie asked, secretly hoping he wasn't.

"No, he stayed with Jack. I think he wanted to find out why that Namoi chick had a picture of him and Penny?" she answered in a questioning tone.

"Oh okay, well when does Hurley usually show up?" Charlie asked, as he lent his head forward on his hand.

"He should be here anytime now," Claire said, as she flipped her eggs and bacon.

As if on cue, Aaron started to fuss from his bedroom. Claire sighed lightly, and Charlie realized for the first time since last night how tired and worn down Claire looked.

"I got him," Charlie said, before she had a chance to move.

He slid off the chair, and headed down the hall toward Aaron's room. Claire smiled when she heard Charlie humming the tone to 'You All, Everybody' to her son. Soon enough Aaron settled down, and Charlie emerged from the bedroom, with Aaron cradled in his arms.

"I think he missed me, and my ablitiy to hum him to sleep," Charlie smiled.

"Oh I know he missed you, but your humming ablitiy that, I'm not quite as sure about," Claire smiled, as Charlie faked being her by her words.

"Are you trying to say that I can't hum?" Charlie asked, as he slid down into the rocking chair, all ready to rock Aaron back to sleep.

"Charlie, have you heard yourself hum?" Claire asked.

"Uh, no, but I just always assumed it was as good as my singing," Charlie smiled, knowing she'd take another hit at him.

"Hmmmm, yeah your humming might be just a tad better than your singing," Claire smiled, knowing Charlie had sit it up for her to take another hit at him.

"Are you trying to say I can't sing?" Charlie asked, as the front door swung open.

Charlie watched as Hurley's mouth fell open and his eyes bugged out.

"Dude," Hurley said, before he fell to the ground.

"Do I have that effect on everyone?" Charlie asked, trying to see Hurley from where he was sitting.