Chapter Three: A Minor Setback

She stood motionless in the center of the hotel lobby; as if her strappy white high heels were glued to the floor. Nothing could penetrate her stillness, not even the world could shake her off. All because of one factor: Claire was angry with a rage that was burning in the pit of her stomach.

Her hands were fists tightly clenched hanging by her sides. Her face was red as a tomato and her pulse was beating double time in her chest. Through all that anger and frustration, she was thinking of only one person: Aaron. Why was she pretending that everything was alright when it wasn't? Why was she shielding her face? To hide her true emotions from anyone who didn't understand? Claire knew deep down, she would never have the answers. Lying to herself was not going to help a thing. She needed to confess the truth. She had to.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," she finally said, breaking the silence.

"What?" Jack asked, confused. He honestly didn't understand. This news…she had to know. Now. It had to be alone so everyone (especially Charlie) wouldn't freak out. Claire had to deal with what Jack thought she had soon, otherwise it would be too late.

Claire stood up straight, unraveled her tightly clenched hands and walked towards Jack. She stopped inches away from his face, trying to intimidate him, but her plan didn't seem to work. She knew that her half brother was stubborn beyond belief, and that she, although she tried, could never pass off as menacing. Insane? Most definitely. Scary? No.

"You heard me. Whatever you have to say, it can be said here. Charlie and my mother have a right to know what is wrong with me." Claire leaned close and murmured something unintelligible into Jack's ear. He smirked and mock punched Claire's bare shoulder.

"Not yet he isn't."

"I feel otherwise," she responded confidently, staring up at her sibling.

"Okay, but don't blame me it all ends badly." Claire ignored his statement, imposing a question instead.

"So, are you going to tell me or are we going to keep standing here getting odd looks?"

Before answering her question, Jack dug through his front pocket of his blue suit and pulled out a small card.

"What's that?" she whispered once more, staring down at the rectangle baring the words, 'Jack Sheppard, Surgeon. St. Sebastian Hospital, Los Angeles'.

"Here," Jack folded the card in half and placed it in the palm of her hand. He curled Claire's fingers over it, staring at her gravely. "This is where I'll be working at. I would like it if you came to see me, preferably sometime next week. No more questions. We're holding up your wedding… People are getting annoyed."

"Jack. Please, I have to know."

"If you absolutely have to, then you'll come."

Claire was speechless. After all the trouble this man had put her through these last twenty minutes, that's all he had to say? As Jack made his way towards the door, Charlie said something that would stay in her mind for quite awhile.

"Are you going to tell us? Or do you plan on letting us stand around like a bunch of idiots?"

"I don't need your input, Charlie!" Jack yelled spinning around, his finger pointing at Charlie's chest. Charlie clenched his teeth, took a slow step backwards and narrowed his eyes. Jack turned on his heel, leaving the room silent.

"What the hell was that all about?" Lindsey muttered, breaking the silence.

Claire turned around, facing her startled audience. She avoided Charlie's wondering gaze and her mother's easing panic.

"Did he tell you anything?" Charlie asked urgently, crossing his arms in the process. His eyebrows were beginning to knit together.

"No... Not exactly."

"Then what did he tell you?" Claire waved the folded card in Charlie's face hoping that he would understand. His worried face shifted into one of confusion. "I don't understand."

"Neither do I. He told me to come see him next week."

"Is that even necessary? I mean he could have told you right here."

"Charlie, if he wants me to come and see him at a hospital then I think it's a little more serious."

Their audience had dispersed and was laughing and jesting behind the tense couple. Charlie took a few seconds to collecting his thoughts, his eyes staring off into space. The last thing he wanted was for Claire to be sick, especially when they had Aaron to take care of... or so he thought.

Charlie inclined his head towards the ground. When finally looked up he said in one breath, "Then I want to be there."

"What?"

"When you go and see Jack I want to be there. I want to be there to hear everything."

"Of course. I was going to force you to come anyway," she smiled.

"You were?" he laughed, feeling his nerves starting to kick in.

"No, Charlie. I was lying. What did you expect me to do?" Claire leaned against Charlie and pressed her lips to his cheek. "I love you," she whispered as their foreheads touched another.

"I love you too, Claire."