For Claire/Charlie fans only :)

Disclaimer: I love this new show. Its obviously not mine. If it was.. Well I wouldn't be here writing fanfics about it that's for sure.

A/N: this fic meets my dysfunctional brain's odd needs. Hope you enjoy but if you don't, then, well my day certainly wont be affected. If you like it or want to leave a comment, please, please do so. Via the fantastic lil button at the bottom of the screen. Reviews more than welcome...

Summary: This wrote itself. Nothing really adventurous or thrilling happens here, but what does go one is enough for me :D .

Despite Claire's wishes, dawn came all too soon. The pale light of morning replaced the moonlight, and slowly the orange sun inched over the clipped blue horizon, finding the two lying comfortably side by side. Charlie woke first, and lie peacefully for a few moments, thinking how good it felt to wake up next to this girl. He recalled waking up to strangers after a long night full of activities he had not indulged in with Claire, and still he had never reached this feeling of fulfilment. It shocked him that this emotion could grasp him after just holding her for half the night.

"Charlie?" Claire asked as she opened her eyes and rolled over to face him.

"Hm?"

"Does it have to be morning already?"

"I know it. You didn't get a lot of sleep, with waking up in the night and all...I shouldn't have kept you up so late talking.."

She shook her head, blonde waves falling over her shoulders."That's not what I meant."

Charlie smiled. He had silently hoped she had meant she wanted to lie longer in his arms. And she had.

"Ironic." He mumbled.

"What?" Claire asked.

"You and I are on a tropical island, sleeping on the beach, and we still have to get up at the crack of dawn to do..nothing."

Claire laughed softly.

He loved her laugh. It captured Claire, stubbornly independent Claire, pleading for friendship Claire, insecure Claire, alone Claire. She was a smart girl and she was starting to realize that what was holding her up was her false sense of security. A failing sense of safety. So far Charlie was the only one who knew this, or at least, acknowledged it liked her enough to help. He was acting as her support beam. It wasn't needed at first, but now as day after day went by and her baby grew inside of her, her walls were caving in, and he was needed. He knew this, she knew this. Sometimes she thought that the doctor Jack knew this, and she had proved to Charlie her acceptance and gratitude last night.

Claire sat up and Charlie let her go slowly. "I think they need more water down here this morning. Who better than us to get it from the caves."

"I cant think of several. You should rest." Charlie countered.

"But I need to go to the caves anyway today to see Jack." She held up one of her hands as a reminder. The cloth Charlie had so gently wrapped was still in place over the four bloody marks on her palms.

"Guess you're right." He admitted. "I'm coming too." He stood up and brushed sand from his body, and Claire followed suit. They walked to the path to the caves that had been beaten down by feet through the jungle. Talking occasionally, they trekked through the narrow trail in single file. Claire was sure they would be reaching their destination any second. Only, it didn't come. Charlie looked around nervously and they continued for several more minutes before Claire became slightly dizzy and stopped. Charlie looked back at her.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Just my head, I'm a bit dizzy lately, nothing really. Give me a minute, I'll be fine."

"Alright." and with that he sat down next to her. She put her head in her hands and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Then she cleared her throat quietly and stood back up, her hand going to the small of her back.

"There. All better."

"Umm, Claire..." Charlie started, looking around. " I was wondering if maybe we haven't passed where we were supposed to-"

"Oh!" She exclaimed, her hand going to her stomach.

"What it it?" Charlie asked.

"The baby... He kicked." She smiled up at him.

Charlie sighed almost inaudibly, relieved. He had thought that she was feeling contraction pains and there they were, lost. No, he corrected himself, they weren't lost, just a tad bit off the beaten path.

"What's it feel like? To have something kicking inside of you?" He asked.

"You accustomed to cafeteria food?" She joked.

Taking his hand, she guided it to her belly, where the child was still kicking inside of her. A grin lit up across his face.

"It's.." Claire explained. "Just, weird."

"That's amazing." Charlie said in almost a whisper, his hand still pressed to her.

"Anyway. What were you saying?" She asked.

'Oh, nothing.. I was wondering if we weren't .."

"A smidgen off course?" she finished for him

"Yea, that's it."

"Can't really say we're lost...We're already so hopelessly lost just by being here... Kind of confusing to be lost within being lost.." She mused. Charlie nodded, looking around. Suddenly a roll of thunder overhead announced the oncoming of a drenching rain. Instantly water began to pour in buckets from the sky, the drops splattering on leaves and their heads, soaking them within seconds.

"Shit." Charlie cursed.

"Well this certainly complicates things." Claire announced.

We might get truly lost if we try to go wandering back in this." She said.

"Why not wait it out?" Charlie suggested.

Claire silently gave her consent by sitting on a rock and folding her arms loosely. Charlie tossed up the hood to his blue sweatshirt and glanced at the sky uncertainly.

"Could last for minutes, could last for hours. The weather's so unpredictable here." He said. Claire wondered briefly what would happen if while they were out here they were rescued. Surely somebody would notice? She was sure of it... and the rain pounded on.

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day
For love may come and tap you on the shoulder some starless night
Just in case you feel you want to hold her
You'll have a pocketful of starlight." Claire sang softly through the rain and Charlie sang the chorus along with her. And in just one moment, despite all circumstances, they fell for eachother.

TBC

A/N.. Somehow the corny ending just seemed to be suiting :)) hoped you liked! Chap 4 on the way needs reviews to be encouraged though!