/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Three

As Kate disappeared through the encampment, Jack threw his stick into the brush and placing his pocketknife into his pocket before heading out to look for Charlie. Why did everybody have to come to him for every little disaster? He didn't mind, but he particularly didn't like being the big commander-in-chief of the island.

As Jack walked the beach line, he caught a figure standing at the edge of the water, staring at nothing in particular and letting the water break against their legs. As Jack approached, he wondered why people would let their clothes get degraded when it was the only pair they had until they were rescued.

As he got closer, Jack saw that it was Charlie, the guy he was looking for. That could be a good or bad thing, considering the circumstances. Charlie needed somebody to talk to, but Jack wasn't qualified as a therapist, but it sure looked like he was learning fast while he was on this island.

Jack stood quietly next to Charlie, observing the down and depressed guy. He didn't know what was wrong, but Jack hoped he could help the guy. Like the saying went, one bad apple ruined the lot.

"I bet Kate sent you over here to see what was wrong with me, didn't she?" Charlie asked, startlingly Jack.

"Well...yes," Jack said carefully, "but truth to the matter is, we're both worried about you and maybe if you'll talk about it, it'll help you and won't make everybody worried, also."

"You wouldn't understand, nobody does," Charlie stated.

"You don't know that. Hey, we're both young men here, at the prime of our lives, I'm sure we both have had the same experiences," Jack said.

"Nobody's had the same experiences as I have. Not many know what it's like to be famous and in a great band," Charlie commented.

"Maybe not, but you're still human, aren't you? All humans have the same things going against them and if you talk about your problems, there will be at least one person bound to understand what you're going through. Believe me, I know," Jack said.

"I don't really wanna talk about it," Charlie said.

"Why, you wanna build up your anger and self pity until one more thing becomes one more too much? That's not the way to be, dude," Jack exclaimed.

"You're just looking at me as another patient—just one more person to help save and will pass out your life and will never see again," Charlie stated.

Jack gritted his teeth. This was going to be harder than it looked, it always happened liked that, nobody he ever tried to help made life simple for him. Sometimes he wondered why he got into doctoring, he got so frustrated sometimes. Maybe it was because of the outcomes. The outcomes were always so well worth it because you sweated and went nuts to get there and went it came, it was always a relief and happy.

"That's really not true. I like you as a person, Charlie. I think it would be cool if we could be friends or something that'll come out of this. You know what I mean?" Jack said.

Charlie nodded. "I guess so."

"So are you going to tell me what's bugging you to insanity?" Jack asked.

Charlie smiled slightly at Jack's attempt to be funny and Jack couldn't help but smile back. That was a start for sure, if Charlie could smile. Maybe Jack wasn't so bad as a therapist even though he didn't have the degree for it.

"Well, it's kind of about Shannon," Charlie said.

Jack inwardly groaned. Everybody was worrying and carrying on about everybody else on this island. It was like they couldn't get enough drama to satisfy themselves. What did he ever get himself into?

"Yeah, what about Shannon?" Jack asked.

"Well, earlier she came to me and asked if I knew how to fish and I told her that I used to fish with my grandpa back in the day. She then said if I'd help her fish. Well, it ended up that I went fishing by myself with just Hurley and we had ourselves a blast," Charlie began.

Jack nodded to show that he was listening. He hoped this long, drawn out story coming from Charlie didn't end in something really stupid.

"Well, I managed to catch this huge fish," Charlie continued, gesturing with his hands, "and then I went back to shore and when I saw Shannon, I went up to her and gave her the fish and I felt really proud when she praised me."

"Don't we all when someone does that?" Jack inquired.

"Yeah, but I'm not finished yet. Then Shannon calls her brother Boone over and tells him about the fish I caught her and then Boone says 'Why are you taking stuff from this poor guy?' and he takes the fish out of her hands and hands it to me and walks off. Then Shannon takes the fish out of my hands and follows after her brother saying, 'Aren't you proud of the fish that I caught?' I know I caught that fish and she just ignored me and acted like I was inferior when her brother was around," Charlie finished.

Jack sighed. "I wouldn't worry about her, Charlie. She's a rich snob who doesn't think about anybody but herself. You'll do good to not being around her."

"But she humiliated me in front of her brother!" Charlie exclaimed.

"But she doesn't have anything better to do than get a tan and get jealous at other people who work to make an honest living. She's just jealous that you can catch a fish and she can't," Jack pointed out.

"But I have to be around her until we get rescued. What do I do about her then?" Charlie asked.

"Just try not to take too much crap from her because nobody needs that. She'll learn sooner or later that life isn't all peaches and cream and that she'll have to do SOME work around here to earn her keep," Jack stated firmly.

"OK, if you say so," Charlie said before walking away. After walking a little ways off, Charlie turned back around to face Jack. "Thanks for talking with me. I know you didn't want to do this, but you wanted me to feel better and I appreciate your caring. I didn't really want to talk to you, either, but I feel better now."

Jack gave a wide smile. "Oh, it was no problem. Listen; if you ever need an ear to talk to, you can always count on me. I wouldn't mind being in your company. Friends are the best medicine."

Charlie nodded and smiled back. "I'll consider that the next time I feel like talking." He turned and continued on his solo walk.

Jack watched him disappear into the distance before turning around and heading back towards his medical tent. His mission was accomplished and he felt exhilarated from the experience. So not everything was that down and depressed on this island. There was still room for a ray of hope.