Title: Unknown

Rating: K+ (may go up)

Pairing: Jack / Charlie

Summary: Charlie gives into temptation. Can Jack pull him back for the edge of breakdown? Jack / Charlie Slash.

Chapter: Two

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Lost". They were created by JJ Abrams and Damon Lindelof and they belong to them, Touchstone, and ABC.

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A silence followed. Long and drawn out. Their eyes connected. For an unknown period of time they just stared.

Charlie's eyes were still wide with shock, while he shivered slightly, partly from fear and partly from the cold. Jack held Charlie in a steady gaze. His face set, eyes hard, almost unforgiving.

"Well?" Jack asked, breaking the silence.

Charlie was silent, but he lowered his head, staring at the bag in his hand. His shivering increased.

Jack pressed on, "Have you had enough?" His voice was almost a shout. Anger seemed to surround Jack. His whole personage changed, teeth whitened against a blood red face, eyes clear and blue to the reddened eyes, hands clasped in fists by the side.

Charlie shook hard from fear, but managed to nod his head.

At this Jack reached over and forcefully removed the bag from Charlie's hand. He looked at it, pushing the powder around with his fingers. Stopping himself, Jack looked straight at Charlie, "I thought you stopped."

Charlie nodded in affirmation, as he felt tears well in his eyes and fall down his face. Jack looked at him for a brief moment, then away as he flung the bag into the fire. Two sets of eyes watched as it burnt red and slowly turned to ash.

The silence was deafening as they continued to stare at the fire. It burned just as bright as moments before, but Charlie swore it was getting brighter. He blinked, and turned away, curling his body from the flames.

Jack never moved, preferring to look into the flames. It hurt that Charlie was taking the drugs again. Hurt so much that Jack himself was shaking. A lone tear felt from his left eye.

But he pulled himself together and hid his emotions, like he did so often around Charlie. In his heart Jack knew there was more than friendship between him and Charlie. His strict upbringing prevented him from believing it.

Jack looked at Charlie's back, Charlie needed him now. So Jack would help him. He nodded to himself, "Charlie… Charlie, Look at me."

Charlie looked at him.

"I'm going to help you." Jack held Charlie's face as he spoke, looking directly in his eyes, "You will beat this."

Charlie just stared at him. His spoke volumes, the emotion there was strong, but Jack could not read it. Eventually Charlie just broke down and cried in Jack's arms. He cried himself to sleep, comfortable and content in Jack's arms.

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Day dawned bright an early for the two men. Jack's red-rimmed eyes watched the area surrounding then. In his arms slept Charlie. His pale skin shone out against Jack's dirty, tanned arms.

The sun shone over Charlie's eyes, waking him from his slumber. He shifted slightly, moving to a more comfortable position, before freezing. A light seemed to enter his eyes as he realised where he was, and remembered how he got there. Almost instantly his shivering and headaches started.

"Calm yourself," Jack said quietly, tightening his grip on Charlie.

Charlie closed his eyes and tried to relax. His symptoms only got worse. "I can't," he stuttered out.

"Just close your eyes," he put his hand over Charlie's forehead, "and lie back on me." He gently pushed Charlie's head back. "Just relax."

Charlie did as he was told. Ever so slowly, he relaxed, breathing deeply to let the stress out. He felt like he was floating, letting himself go. He hardly noticed as the effects of withdrawal slowly faded.

Jack watched. He smiled lightly to himself, seeing Charlie relax. The stress lines in his face faded to reveal Charlie. The true Charlie. Jack smiled at the beauty present. He shook himself. He couldn't think that way, not about another man, and certainly not about Charlie.

Jack allowed Charlie to relax in his arms for a bit longer. Both secretly enjoying the comfort of each other. Eventually their quiet relaxation was broken as the island woke for the day ahead. Birds sang and took off into the sky.

Jack sighed, "We should go."

Charlie nodded, pulling away from Jack. He stood quickly, and fell back. Blood rushed to his head, and he passed out. Jack stared at him. Slowly he pulled him into recovery position, and waited.

Within a couple of minutes, Charlie groaned as he woke up. His eyes fluttered open. Immediately he tried to sit. Jack stopped him, "Don't." His hand pushed Charlie back down, "You could faint again."

Charlie half nodded, and laid his head down again.

"It's probably the withdrawal." Jack explained, "I think you should consider staying here for a few days…" Jack trailed off as Charlie widened his eyes at him, "Just for a bit."

Slowly Charlie dragged himself up to look Jack in the eye, "You want me out of the way? Don't you?!" His voice rose a fraction in anger, "Is that it?"

"No." Jack shook his head sadly, "I just think this is going to be hard. Quitting isn't easy. It will probably be easier on you without the rest of the camp looking on and asking questions."

Charlie just nodded, "So you're going to leave me out here? Alone?" There was a hint of fear in his voice.

Impulsively Jack pulled Charlie to him in a hug, "Of course not!" He said, a little too strongly, "I'll be here with you."

Charlie closed his eyes tight, "You can't. The others need you more."

"No, they don't. You need me Charlie." He pulled back to look him in the eye. "I'm staying with you."

Charlie smiled slightly, "You mean it?"

"Yes."

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It was about midday. Charlie lay curled in the two blankets shivering constantly. Jack watched him like a hawk, waiting for any change or complication. Inside Charlie cried. Hidden in the folds of the blanket, he held a bag. A part of him wished Jack would leave so he could take it; another wished Jack would find it and take it away.

However, fate, it seems, was against Charlie. Jack pulled himself up. "I need to go to the caves Charlie." Charlie stared at him desperately. "I won't be long. I'm just going to explain to the others where we are and grab some supplies."

"n-n-n-no," Charlie stuttered, "They can't know."

Jack nodded slightly and smiled at him, "All I'm going to say is you hurt your leg and I think it would be better if you stayed in one place. I should be able to get the others to leave it."

Charlie looked unconvinced, but agreed anyway. He watched silently as Jack walked off into the woods.

Once he was certain Jack was gone, he pulled the bag out and pushed the powder around within the bag. He could take some, just one sniff and it would all go – the shivering, the pains, everything. But then… could he disappoint Jack so?

Closing his eyes, Charlie could feel Jack's arms around him again; hear the caring words he whispered… He knew he couldn't do it. Jack would know as soon as he returned anyway, and Charlie wanted Jacks respect. He needed Jack's respect.

It was more than that though, he wanted Jack. Not just his company, but the whole of him. His heart, soul and mind. Charlie had accepted a long time ago that he was gay, but never before had felt such a, such a, connection with one man. Yes, Charlie knew what this meant. He had known for a while. He loved Jack, but could Jack love him? He didn't know.

Charlie squeezed the bag. Anger filled him. This powder, he rolled it in his fingers, controlled his life. Without really thinking Charlie took the bag and flung it into the fire. He breathed deeply. The pain of the withdrawal was as strong as ever, but the relief that filled him was stronger. Smiling, Charlie lay down and closed his eyes. Sleep came easy to him, even in the heat of midday.

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Jack calmly entered the caves area, only to be surprised by the attention he got. It seemed they had all noticed his long disappearance. As quickly as possible he calmed them. He told them Charlie was hurt and he had stayed with him because it was easier than trying to move him.

Pushing past to where his stuff lay, he found Kate. She sat quietly, her arms hugged one knee to her, her chin resting on it. "I don't believe you."

Jack stared at her, then looked round to make sure no-one was listening, "What do you mean?"

She pulled herself up to look him in the eye, "If Charlie was hurt, you'd bring him here. The supplies are here, and you could use the help to look after him." She paused, taking in his dishevelled condition. "You're hiding something from them," she gestured to the crowd outside, "I want to know what."

"It's none of your business." He answered smartly, walking to his bags and selecting what he needed to help Charlie.

"It may not be mine, but it is Claire's." Her voice was steady, but Jack could hear and undertone of it, of what? He didn't know.

Jack finished filling his backpack with sufficient supplies and turned to look at Kate. "Patient-Doctor confidentiality" was all he said.

Kate pushed him hard, "I don't care!" She almost shouted, attracting everyone's attention.

Jack held her gaze, challenging her to challenge him once more. She backed down as Locke, Hurley and Michael approached.

"Problem?" Michael asked, looking form Jack to Kate.

"No," Jack replied quietly. Michael looked at Kate. She just nodded.

Jack raised his voice so everyone could hear, "Yesterday Charlie was hurt. I found him in the woods. It is better for him that he heals there. I will be staying with him." He paused, considering his words, "It you need me; Kate will find me." He nodded the Kate, took her arm and led her to the waterfall.

Once out of each shot, their voices masked by the sound of water he spoke to her, "What I'm about to tell is completely secret. Tell anyone, even Claire, and there will be consequences."

Kate could feel the threat in his voice. She knew he was serious. "I won't tell a soul Jack. I swear."

He nodded, and started to fill his water bottles. "Charlie's in trouble Kate. His withdrawal is worse than ever."

She started at him, "H-He's been fine…"

Jack nodded, "I think not." His eyes were serious, "Charlie's been hiding just how bad it is. It's catching up on him. That's why I need to take the time to heal him. Make sure he is over this once and for all."

"Oh," she sighed, "What do I tell Claire?"

"What I told everyone else. If she needs details," Jack though for a moment, "He fell and got a branch stuck in his leg. It should give me enough time to heal Charlie."

Kate nodded; she knew there was more to this. Jack was protecting Charlie, and not just because he was a doctor. Kate could see it, and had been able to for some time, Jack loved Charlie. More than either knew.

Jack stood, "I'll be four miles east from this spot." He left.

Kate walked to the spot, and marked it with her jacket. She looked around, memorising the spot in relation to everything, then she took of towards the beach. She needed to find Claire before someone else did.

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That took a while, but it is finally up. I won't make any promises of updateing soon, but will try my best. Thanks to all those who reviewd.

xx