Rating: G

Disclaimer: I do not own Lost. Duh.

Author's Note: Okay, well, I won't experiment with all that stuff from the last chapter again. Haha. That's all it was, really—experimenting. And now I know, it's not my thing or yours, so it will no longer come into this story. (It wasn't really going to play a big part; it was just kind of a spur-of-the-moment idea.) Okay, well, on with the chapter.

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Chapter Nine—Forever Thankful

Charlie stared at the fire. He couldn't believe he let her go again. He couldn't believe he wasn't strong enough again. Basically, he couldn't believe any of this. Was it some kind of punishment for the whole heroine thing? Because, if so, whoever was punishing him should know that he had proudly kicked drugs, and the only experiences Charlie had with drugs anymore were temptations, which he very much did not give in to.

Rose sat down next to him, but he didn't look up to see if it was she. He could feel the ground vibrate when she gently sat down like she always did. Charlie would bet anything a sweet smile was creeping across her face.

"Hello, darling," came her sweet voice, and now Charlie knew for certain it was Rose.

"Hey, Rose," Charlie answered, still not looking at her.

"I understand you're having Claire problems."

"Yeah. I went to rescue her, but they took Boone, and Claire's gone," Charlie whispered, and could feel his face turn hot. Slapping himself lightly, he fought the tears away before anyone could notice, but fortunately, Rose did.

"You know, sweetie," she said, "There's no shame in crying. No one's going to look down on you for it."

"But I have to be strong," Charlie stated, finally looking at the person he was speaking to. "I have to be strong for her, Rose."

"Charlie," she said, and put a soft hand on his shoulder. "Claire understands. If she was in your position, she'd be doing the exact same thing."

"No, she wouldn't," Charlie rumbled. "She'd be thinking of a way to help me."

"And who says you aren't?" Rose questioned. "But, we need to leave the idea-making for the morning, when your head is clear. But, you know, if you don't let out your feelings sometime, they're going to explode. Do you want that to happen?"

"Of course not!" Charlie responded. "I suppose I should cry. But, the feeling is gone. I mean, it's there, but it's not as strong as it was."

Rose nodded and rocked on her feet. "Claire's beautiful, isn't she? I mean, that golden hair of hers, and those blue eyes! Now, I would hurt someone fore eyes like those. And her accent…isn't it to die for?"

"Yes, it is," Charlie answered, and a tear rolled down his cheek. He felt his face growing hot, and so he buried it in his knees and cried for a good twenty minutes. When he got up again, Rose was wrapped up with Bernard, and although her eyes were closed, that sweet smile was on her face once again.

Charlie looked at her from afar, and she opened her eyes. After winking at him, he waved and nodded. Rose went back to sleep then, and Charlie went over to his makeshift bed.

Now he understood what Rose was doing—talking about how beautiful Claire was. And he was forever thankful.

All he had to do at the present moment was sleep, but at the crack of dawn, he'd be speaking intensely with Jack, Locke, and Sayid.

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So…what'd you guys think this time? Haha. Thanks so much to the reviewers of Chapter 8!

DarkDizzyMerryGoRound I know; I cannot WAIT for that episode, too! I hope you liked this chapter!

16aqua Thanks so much for taking an interest in my fanfic! I hope you liked this chapter!