Disclaimer - We still don't own LOST guys.

Clear blue water slid underneath the hull of the ship. The ocean sparkled, reflecting the golden sunset; a water color painting in the clouds. Claire stood on deck, looking out at the seemingly endless ocean. It was beautiful, the sky, she thought serenely. She was leaning against the railing, a light salt-scented breeze whipping through her curly blonde hair. Her fist tightened around the folder she was holding; the folder Desmond had given her. She frowned. I'm not ready.

Claire hadn't opened it yet; she was too afraid of what she would find. The paper was smooth in her hand, just an object, a thing. Everything around her was peaceful and full of life, yet Claire felt exactly the opposite inside. Her stomach churned- and not because of the waves.

"Hi," said a cheerful voice approaching her. Claire turned her head, it was Penny. Claire smiled. She tucked her hair behind her ears and put her back to the ocean.

"Hello," she said back, "It's beautiful, isn't it?" She said, nodding at the sea. They were quite a few miles off the coast of North America, in the Pacific Ocean headed to the Panama Canal, where they would cross into the Atlantic and then head for England. They all knew it would take longer, but they had all agreed...no more planes.

"Yeah, it is," Penny replied. She folded her hands over the rail and stared at the ocean. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she was casually dressed. Jeans and a t-shirt, just like everyone else.

They hadn't had much time to pack; Desmond had put pressure on them for time. It didn't really matter to Claire, she didn't have much to begin; just some spare clothes of Kate's that were a size too big on her. Sawyer had taken some of Jack's old things. Claire had made sure that Aaron had plenty of clothes, toys, and books.

"What do you have there?" Penney asked, looking down at the folder. She seemed interested, but not nosy.

"Nothing, it's nothing." Claire smiled politely. The sound of laughter caused both her and Penny to turn their heads. Aaron and Charlie, Penny's son were chasing each other on deck, playing pirates. Claire and Penny laughed as Charlie tired to keep up with Aaron.

"Wait for me!" He cried loudly. Aaron stopped and waited for Charlie. Just when Charlie got close, Aaron started running again.

"Hey, no fair!" Charlie called loudly. He toddled after Aaron unsteadily. It made Claire happy, that Aaron had a friend to play with. She was glad. He wasn't alone.

"They're so cute together," Penny noted, laughing to herself, "they seem like best friends already."

"Yeah," Claire smiled, "they do." Aaron came toddling up to Claire and held up his arms.

"I'm tired," he yawned sleepily. Claire picked Aaron up and propped him up on her hip. She hugged him close, still amazed that he was hers.

"I think it's time for your nap, turnip head" she said lovingly.

Aaron held Claire's hand as they walked below deck. They had only been on Desmond's boat for a week, and yet it felt like home. The living space was open, and not at all cramped or uncomfortable. In the living area, Sawyer and Kate were on the couch, watching TV. They seemed happy together, both knew what the other was going through in the loss of the person they loved. Sawyer didn't have Juliet, Kate didn't have Jack, but they did have each other. It made Claire feel guilty, that she had a chance to get Charlie back.

Aaron yawned again loudly, stifling the sound with his hand.

"Can I watch TV?" He asked looking up at Claire. His expression seemed so sweet, Claire almost couldn't resist.

"Maybe later, Aaron," Claire told him, "Kate told me that you watch TV a little too much." They went on down the hall until they reached the sleeping berths. "Okay, Aaron, time for a little nap." Claire lay him down on his bed and tucked him in gently.

"I don't wanna go bed" said a voice. Claire turned, Penny was carrying Charlie to his bed.

"I know, love," Penny said kindly, "But if you don't, I'm afraid you'll be too tired for ice cream tonight" She set him down carefully and covered him with blankets. Charlie stared at her for a while, making his decision.

"Okay, I go a bed." Charlie said, through a wide yawn. Penny and Claire both got up to leave. Claire didn't want to leave her son, but she knew staying would only keep him awake longer.

"Nighty-night," she said to Aaron, "I love you" Penny shut the door behind her and Claire. Inside the room, Claire heard the shifting of blankets and the sound of feet.

"Are you going to bed?" Aaron asked Charlie in a whisper.

"Uh-uh" Charlie replied. They laughed quietly to each other, convinced they were being sneaky. Outside, Claire and Penny giggled.

"You two had better be in your beds when I come in to check on you later." Penny called out. The two boys went silent.

Sawyer and Kate were in the kitchen now, preparing dinner. The room was filled with a fragrant aroma, making Claire feel safe.

"Do you two need any help?" she asked politely. Sawyer and Kate looked up. They were laughing, Sawyer had food all over his shirt, and Kate was no different.

"No, I think we're fine." Sawyer grinned, taking in the mess. "If we need anything, w'ell holler."

"Okay." Claire said and walked away quietly. Penny stayed behind and set the table. She struck up a conversation with Kate and Sawyer.

Claire walked up on deck, looking for something to do. She noticed that the folder was still clenched in her fist. She looked down at it, resting in her shaking hands and sighed. Slowly, she opened the folder up.

In it, were a few family photos of Charlie, a note addressed to Claire, and something heavy. Claire shook it out, and Charlie's ring fell into her palm. It was cold, and too large for any of Claire's fingers.

"He wanted Aaron to have it." said a voice from behind Claire. Desmond walked up. "Charlie, he wanted Aaron to have the ring, said it was a family heirloom, passed down from father to son." Tears came to Claire's eyes.

"He knew didn't he?" she asked quietly, "He knew when he swam down to that hatch that he would-" her voice broke.

"Aye, he did," Desmond said uncomfortably, "He did it for you. I had a vision. He swan down to the hatch, because I saw that him doing so would get you, and your boy rescued."

"Well, it didn't exactly turn out that way." She said pensively. Desmond shifted his weight uncomfortably. After a while, he spoke

"I just came to say that I anchored the ship, we won't be moving forward for a while."

"Okay," Claire said quietly. She turned the note over in her hands. It was labeled Greatest Hits in Charlie's bold, sloppy handwriting.

"Well, I'll just leave you to it then," Desmond said nervously and walked away. Claire took a deep breath. She waited until she couldn't here Desmond's footfalls anymore before she gently unfolded it. Her eyes moved back and forth as she read every line. It was a list of Charlie's greatest moments in his life:

#5 - The First Time I Heard Myself On the Radio
#4 - Dad Teaching Me To Swim at Butlins
#3 - The Christmas Liam Gave Me the Ring
#2 - Woman Outside Covent Garden Calls Me a Hero
#1 - The Night I Met You

Tears sprang to Claire's eyes as she read the last line. She covered her mouth with her hand, and shook silently. Charlie had given up everything to get her and her baby saved, everything. Claire folded the note gently, taking extra care not to crease it. She put the note and the ring in her back pocket. Both, she would save forever, whether Charlie got recused or not.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash from below-deck. It was followed by a scream, and a desperate plea for help.