"Juliet?" You hear Claire's hesitant voice speak. It's almost as if she is frightened by you, and it makes you feel somewhat better.
You turn to face her, and nod in response.
"I just wondered, I want to join the search, but…" She motions to the sleeping baby in her arms.
Ah so they were going to leave Claire and the baby here to guard you. That seemed a bit foolish, honestly if you were a danger why leave a girl and a baby here, with no defence against whatever it is they think you've done to Jack?
"I wondered, since you're staying here, if you could keep an eye on him, just until tomorrow."
You stepped back, shocked. You hadn't expected that.
"If you don't want to,.." Claire rushes to say, regretting instantly that she had boldly asked you this favour "I just thought.."
"Thought what?" You need to know.
"Like I said, since you were staying, and they need as many people out there in the search, if it's a hassle, forget I asked."
You're speechless for a few seconds
"Ok forget it." She shrugs, and turns to walk away.
"Wait. I was just surprised, that you'd trust me." You protest.
"I do." Claire affirms.
"Why?"
"You helped us, we wouldn't be here without you. And I saw you, looking at Aaron, the other night when you though no one was watching. I saw the way you looked at him. I saw you pick him up as he cried, rocking him in your arms, and how he settled so peacefully. He likes you. That's good enough for me."
You hadn't thought anyone was watching you that night, as you smiled at the baby, picking him up. You had ached for weeks to hold that baby. You closed your eyes, held him close stroking his back, inhaling the sweet smell of baby skin. You closed your eyes and thought about your nephew, Julian. You longed to have been able to hold him as a baby. And a tear slid down your cheek, which you hastily wiped away.
You wanted them to trust you, and being nice to babies was a good start. But you would have died if they had seen you standing there , crying, singing to that baby. They would have seen straight into your soul. Not just this nice pretence, this act of a caring Juliet. That would have been fine. But they would have seen your pain, your grief, your hopes. Your true self. It frightened you unimaginably.
"I'd love to watch him Claire." You reached out as she placed the child in your arms, kissing him on the head.
"Mummy will be back soon." She told him.
He smiled and wrapped his tiny fingers around your index finger. You told yourself that gesture was merely a reflex in babies. Still, it made you feel special in that moment.
"See he likes you. He's not even a bit sad to see mummy go, are you?" Claire sounded almost disappointed that her baby wasn't making more of a fuss at the prospect of Claire leaving. He settled so peacefully in your arms, as if he belonged there. And you felt that great enormous hole in her heart grow just a little smaller as Claire called out thanks and set off with Kate, Sayid, and Charlie on the search.
Charlie watched on hesitantly, but Claire silenced him with an icy look. Aaron was her baby, and she would be the one to decide where he was safe. He was safer on the beach with Juliet than off in the jungle on a search for Jack.
They were the last group to leave, and just as they were almost out of earshot, Juliet heard Kate mumble some excuse, about how it would be better if she caught up with another team, and then Kate turned, and walked away alone.
You watch as Kate heads along the beach. Curiosity getting the better of you, you round up some things for the baby, and follow silently behind her.
Kate remained unaware she being followed. She didn't glance once back over her shoulder. After all who would follow her? They were all occupied, searching for Jack. All but Juliet, the useless babysitter. Why wasn't Kate searching for Jack too? You pictured she would have been the first in line. It was stupid and thoughtless for Kate to go marching off alone, unprepared, in her quest to save Jack. Something wasn't adding up.
You watch as Kate makes her way along the rocky shore, and disappears from sight. A cave, you realise. It was well hidden. If you hadn't seen Kate go in, you wouldn't have been able to find it.
You enter the cool dark cave, the baby soundly sleeping in your arms. Sunlight shining through a crack in the ceiling....