CHAPTER TWO: I need you to know

One moment he was his happy and weird self, the next he was grumpy and telling her to let him go once he passed. And they hadn't even discussed in what stage in their relationship was at. Claire stroked Aaron's cheek and a faint smile spread over her face. She was worried about Charlie, that was one sure thing, yet a part of her doubted the fact that he was going to die soon on the island. Taking a blanket, she put it over Aaron's crib to secure him from the cool breezes that the night brought.

"Claire…" She suddenly heard a voice and she turned her head and met Sun's face and Claire quickly looked down at her son again. "Claire, I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to be, you didn't mean to faint." Claire said, sighing. She was still upset about the fact that no one had taken notice of Aaron crying. "But do tell me, why would a pregnant woman offer to take care of a baby in the middle of the desert?"

Sun looked at Claire, she had never seen her like this. It seemed like she was somewhat tense and as Claire's friend, Sun wanted to be there for her. "I thought I could handle it. Is everything alright? You seem a little bit uptight."

"Everything's fine, Sun. Except that no one took notice in my son crying his bloody lungs out!" Claire said raising her voice and Sun backed away, retreating to her own tent.

Sighing, Claire decided to get some sleep. Sun was right, she was tense. And she was worried about Charlie; she didn't want anything to happen to him.

Charlie was sitting by the shore. Everyone's fires were burning out, yet he was sitting there. He hadn't slept much lately – all he could think of was him dying. When? Where? Why? He thought about what he would be leaving behind. Claire and Aaron – his family. If he was dying, he might as well use the family word. Charlie wouldn't be able to get another kind of family than them. Swallowing, he could feel his eyes tearing up as they often did at night time when he thought about Claire and when no one else noticed.

The next morning, Claire had slept in – mostly because Aaron had too. She held him tight to her chest, half-running through the camp, frantically looking for Charlie. "Have you seen Charlie?" She finally asked Hurley and he could hear the worry in her voice.

"No, well… uh, I kinda did. He took off with Desmond a few hours ago." Hurley answered, searching her face for answers.

"With Desmond? Where were they going?" Claire asked him, rocking Aaron. She was hurt by the fact that Charlie hadn't told her anything about it. He hadn't even said goodbye and that made her heart sink.

Hurley shrugged. "I don't know, they didn't tell anyone." He said and Claire nodded, continuing to walk, still holding Aaron and she suddenly stopped, sighing.

"I'm sorry, Claire…" Claire spun around as she heard Kate's voice and her heart started beating faster – had something happened to Charlie?! "Claire, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, what are you sorry about?" Claire asked, swallowing and she breathed deeply, trying to calm down. She had probably just overreacted.

Kate looked suspicious at Claire. "About yesterday… that no one took notice of Aaron?"

"Oh," Claire started, breathing out in relief. "It's fine, no biggie." She said, not really meaning it since she was still upset about it but all she wanted right now was to find Charlie. Claire needed him to know how she felt, desperately.

"Hey…" Kate said, trying to get her attention. "Are you okay? If you're not I can take Aaron for a while." She offered.

Claire shook her head. If anyone would be babysitting Aaron it was Charlie. "No, I'm fine. It's nothing, I'm just looking for someone." She said distantly and started walking away.

After interacting with Claire, Kate was worried about her. She decided to talk to Jack, unless he was busy with Juliet as he always was nowadays. When she finally found him – with Juliet – she forced a small smile.

"Jack, can I talk to you?" Kate asked him sweetly. "In private."

Jack looked at Juliet and then at Kate. "I don't think it's that private, now is it?"

"No, Jack, it is. I don't want to discuss someone else between six eyes." Kate said firmly and Juliet got the hint and she left. "I'm worried about Claire."

He looked at Kate. "Why are you worried about her, Kate?" Jack simply asked.

Kate crossed her arms, sighing as she felt as if Jack didn't want her there. "She seemed so distant today." She answered, looking at Jack.

Jack shrugged. "Maybe she's just tired." He said.

"She said she was looking for someone…" Kate started, almost sounding desperate. "Maybe you could talk to her. I mean, you are the doctor."

"If it brings peace to your mind, Kate, I'll talk to her." He said, giving in and he gave her a small smile before walking away from her.

He kept his promise. Jack felt like he had to even if Kate had somewhat hurt him to an extent. Before walking up to Claire, he decided to observe her for a while – just to see if Kate had felt worried for a reason. And she sure had. Jack got the feeling that Claire was tense and worried by just looking at her.

Claire kept walking back and forth in her tent. Aaron was sleeping and Charlie wasn't back yet. She finally sat down, trying to relax but she couldn't. She would at least have wanted a goodbye (not a permanent one unless it had been necessary) and one of Charlie's "I'll be back, nothing will happen".

"Claire?" Jack asked, approaching her and she rose, clearly uptight. "Can I talk to you?"

Claire nodded, sitting down again. "Yeah, sure… is everything okay?" She asked.

"That's what I wanted to ask you, actually." Jack said, sitting down next to her. "Kate said she was worried about you. And I am too."

She smiled faintly. "That's very sweet of you, but I'm fine." Claire said, looking down.

"I'm not saying you're lying but…" Jack started but he stopped as Claire rose, staring straight forward and started walking slowly. "Claire?" He asked, trying to get her attention. As he rose he saw what Claire was seeing – Desmond coming out from the jungle, carrying Charlie over his shoulder.