A/N: Thanks for the nice reviews. I don't own LOST.

Charlie had heard the rumors that Claire was pregnant and had collapsed in the middle of the hall. He didn't know what was true or if she had been taken to the hospital or anything. He was heading towards the office to see if she was still there when he saw Kate moving fast. Rushing to catch up with her, he tried to get some information.

"Hey, what's going on with Claire? Have you heard anything?"

"No, I haven't Charlie. I'll let you know if I do. Okay?"

"Okay, I just want to help, you know. If I can."

"We don't need any help right now, Charlie. But thanks."

He moved over to one of the benches and planted himself as Kate moved into the nurse's office. No one would tell him anything. It wasn't like he was just trying to pry into other people's business. He genuinely was worried that something might be wrong with Claire. The very idea that something might be bad made his stomach turn to rocks. He thought he heard voices coming from the door.

When the door opened, Kate and Claire came walking out together. They were heading for the exit to the school. A few kids stopped to stare, but Claire tried to ignore them. News spread fast at Oceanic High.

Charlie jumped up and walked over to them, "Claire, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Charlie. Please leave me alone."

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay?"

"Charlie, please." She said, turning to walk towards the front door.

Kate gave Charlie a sympathetic glance as they continued towards the front door in a hurry, leaving Charlie standing still behind them. When the metal door clamped shut, but Charlie remained sitting Jin rushed to his side saying something in Korean and holding up Claire's backpack.

"Is that hers?" he asked and Jin nodded quickly.

They rushed towards the door and pushed the metal open. Kate and Claire were walking towards the side lot where Claire's car was parked.

"Claire!" Charlie yelled, "Claire, wait!"

He scrambled down the front stairs and across the parking lot, holding her backpack high for everyone to see. Jin followed a few paces behind, watching more carefully for cars. Charlie jumped out of the way just in time as one car nearly slammed into him.

Claire and Kate stood and waited for him to catch up. When he did he was out of breath but offered the backpack as a peace offering.

"Jin saw that you forgot your backpack. So I made sure you didn't forget it."

Claire smiled and reached out to get it, "Thanks, Charlie." She moved in closer and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Grinning like an idiot, he stood back as they got inside the car and pulled out. Claire raised her hand good bye from the passenger seat as they pulled away.

Jin was standing behind him when he turned around. He gave him "the nod" with a big smile. Charlie couldn't help but laugh. Then he realized he had left his own bag on the bench inside the office.

"Great." He mumbled as he hurried back across the parking lot and up the stairs. When he got inside, Desmond was picking up the bag and looking at it.

"Oh! Mr. Hume!" he cried out, "That's my bag. Sorry."

"I know it's your bag, Charlie," Desmond said with a bag, "I was just about to come find you to bring it to you. You need to be more careful about leaving it about like that. Someone could steal it."

"Yes, Mr. Hume, of course."

"I also wanted to tell you how great you sounded at the talent show. That was quite a great song you did. Do you play the guitar?"

"Just a bit." Charlie lied.

"Well, I was going to tell you, I know a band that's going on tour to open for Drive Shaft this summer. They just lost their guitarist. I was thinking, you know, if you were interested, brother, I could give 'em a ring."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course. You've got talent, Charlie, you've got to follow your path, right? The tour is worldwide too. They start in Australia at the beginning of the summer."

"Wow, that would be really amazing, Mr. Hume. If you think I'm really on their level."

"It's settled then. I'll give them a call and let you know what they say."

"That would be really fantastic. Thank you."

"Anytime, Charlie. And be a little more careful crossing the parking lot, next time. Okay?"

"Right," he said quickly before taking back off towards the door. He was going to have to go home and practice. If he got an audition, he wouldn't want to blow that.

"I thought I made it clear," Ms. Hawking said as she walked up to Desmond.

"I chose to ignore you," he said, looking at the door as it closed.

"Are you going to take my son?"

Desmond turned to look at her, "No. Not now."

"Just be sure you're doing the right thing, Desmond."

"For the first time, I know I am." He smiled at her and knew that this was what he was supposed to do. The others, they were only a matter of time.