Disclaimer: this is my 20th chapter anniversary! So in honor of the success on my first fanfic, I plan to make this one special. 20 pages. Also, this one has more of a fan fiction type feel. I still wrote in complete sentences, but put a little more narrator expressions into it. If you catch any differences, let me know what you prefer. Thanks kids. P.S. Don't hate me for this!
Alatariel10: I want to give you a special thanks for the extra impute. The best part of righting is knowing what your reader's think. Sorry to keep you in suspense for so long, I know how that kind of thing can drive a person crazy. I really wish I had more free time so I could update faster. But hey, winter break is on its way and its cold out side so there's not much to do but write. There's something to look forward too! Oh, and thanks for giving me a review on the chapter that got left out. Wow, this thing is getting long. Alright then, thanks again.
FATE
The Perfect Moment
Charlie leaned back agenst the rocks, letting the breeze from the ocean hit him head on. He smiled
down at Claire who was curled up before him, using his leg as a pillow. She'd been sleeping for
about an hour. Their little dance must have warn her out. He, on the other hand was wide awake.
He felt alive, and energetic. He wanted to do something, anything. Run, jump, do a few
cartwheels before he broke something. And yet he was perfectly content with sitting still, unable
to move because he didn't want to wake her up. He rest his right hand on his thigh, the other
playing with the strands of her hair that hung over her face. Never in his life would he have ever
imagined being able to do this. Sitting still with the most beautiful women in the world sleeping
before him. "Dude" a voice whispered softly from behind him. It could be no one else but hurly.
Charlie turned to look at him over the rocks, moving as little as possible. "Its getting cold dude.
You want a blanket?" he offered, holding out one of the blue airline blankets to him. "Sure"
Charlie nodded softly, reaching out for it. Claire sat up, her eyes half closed. The messy bun on
her head falling to one side. "Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to wake you" Hurly apologized, still
whispering. "No, no its alright. I've been awake" she explained but was cut off by a yawn. "Ok,
well. Here" he said, once again handing him the blanket. Charlie took it over the rocks, and
plopped it in his lap. "Alright. Guess I'll leave you two alone" he said, standing up again. He
walked off as Charlie began unfolding the blanket in his lap. Claire stretched and pulled the rubber
band out of her hair, seeing that it had mostly fallen out anyways. "Were you really awake?" he
asked, glancing up at her as he continued to unfold the blanket. "Yep" she answered, pulling her
skirt back down so that it covered her knees. It had ben blown up past her hip while she was
laying there. Charlie had tried to ignore it for some time. She pulled the shirt back up to cover her
bare shoulder, growing rather cold. Charlie opened up the blanket and wrapped him around
himself first, then pulled her into his arms, wrapping it around her. She rested her head agenst his
shoulder, pulling the blanket over her legs. She felt warm instantly, feeling the heat wave off his
body as she laid agenst him. His arms remained around her, hand gently moving up and down her
arm to help warm her. Back at the tent, a loud burst of laughter broke out. Charlie shook his
head. "Who was the genius who thought of giving them alcohol?" he asked, slightly annoyed that
they had the temporarily ruin the moment. "Well, you were the one who told Jack that if you
squished up a bunch of grape with water and let them sit for a while it would turn into whine" she
said accusingly, resting her hand on his chest beneath the blanket. "oh, right" he recalled. "You
should smack me in the face for that" he suggested. "How about I smack your ass instead?" she
joked teasingly. "That'll work" he agreed with a grin. The noise from the tents had died down as
did the lights coming from the fires. Charlie looked across the rock. Only the big fire remained
and everyone seemed to be going to bed. Expect for Jack and Kate that is, who were staggering
hand in hand to the water. They began kissing wildly and Kate jumped up, wrapping her legs
around his waist. Unable to keep his balance by himself, let along with her on top of him, he
stumbled around and both of them fell into the shallow water. "They must be cold" Claire noted, as
they watched the two roll around in the water. Charlie laughed. It was like a car accident, it was
brutal, but you couldn't keep your eyes off it. Not to mention he was extremely jealous. Not of
rolling around in the water of corse, but of being able to do...what they were doing. He'd been
thinking about it even since Sowyer and him had they're little talk, and that was almost four
months ago. It seemed kind of silly that they'd be inseparable for the last year while being stuck on
the island, and he was still to shy to say anything. There had been so many times when they were
kissing or sleeping side by side when he wanted to say something, do something to make a move.
But stopped himself. The last thing he wanted to do was rush her. He assumed that is she wanted
to, when she was ready she'd let him know. Completely unaware that she was thinking the exact
same thing. So he remained in silent torture as she gave him another soft kiss good night and
nuzzled agenst his neck.
"Hey Claire" Shannon said in a sing-song voice as she walked over to the rocks. Claire looked up,
blinking agenst the sun as it hit her eyes. "Hi" she muttered softly from underneath the blankets.
Shannon sat on the rocks above her with a sweet little smile. "You look tired" She note
suggestively, watching as Claire tried to untangle herself from the blankets. "I am. I just woke up"
she replied, a bit moody as she threw the blanket across the sand in frustration. "Where's Charlie?"
Shannon asked with a smirk. "I don't know. I just woke up, remember?" Claire snapped. It was
very early, and Claire wasn't in the mood to liston to Shannon's crap or any one else's. She
stagged to her feet, holding onto the rock for support. Normally she handled Shannon and Kate and
all the other's teasing pretty well. After all, they were just trying to help. But they truly only made
things worse. The more that talked about sex, the more she thought about it. And the more she
thought about it, the more she wanted it. And yet, Charlie remained clueless. Not that she hadn't
dropped hints. She'd been trying despretly to let him know what she was feeling, but he didn't seem
to get it. She was begging to think he didn't want it. "Right." Shannon sighed. "So, did you have
fun last night?" she asked. She wasn't trying to be perverted, atleast, not at the moment. "Yeah,
actually. Did you?" Claire asked, feeling bad about snapping at her. "Yeah. Got to hang out with
my buddy some more" she said with a smile, referring to Ben. "He's acting more and more like
Charlie every day" She added. Claire nodded, she'd noticed it to. It was no surprise seeing that Ben
spent most of his time around Charlie. "Yeah" She beamed, looking around the island. Where is
Charlie?
"Hey, dude" Hurly said, carrying a milk jug full of water back from the jungle. Charlie was sitting at
the edge of the thicket, leaning back agenst a skinny tree. He'd left sometime before sunrise, after
yet another restless night. He hadn't slept in three days, unable to convince himself to think of
anything except Claire. Its just one addiction after another with you, isn't it? He asked himself as he
laid back agenst the tree trunk with his eyes closed, trying to nap. He was startled out of his
thoughts when he heard Hurly speak. "Hey" he said back after a short delay, turning to see who it
was, even if Hurly was the only guy on the island who used 'dude' in every sentence. "Whatcha
doing?" Hurly asked, setting the jug down on the sand as he took a seat beside him. "Thinking"
Charlie explained, letting his head fall back agenst the bark. "Cool" Hurly nodded, failing at starting
up conversation. "You?" Charlie asked, offering his assistance. "Just getting some water. Had to
walk a freaking half mile to get it to. They need to get that shit fixed" Hurly complained. "Atleast
you don't get attacked every time you cross the border" Charlie retorted. "Yeah. That must suck"
Hurly shrugged with a laugh. "How are those bruises doing, anyway?" He asked as he twisted the
cap off the jug. "None existent" Charlie replied. Hurly stopped what he was doing to give him a
funny look. "What? You mean like...healed?" Charlie nodded in response. "Woo" Hurly sighed,
slightly impressed. "Yeah, well. Being in a band and all, you deal with a lot of bumps and bruises
from mashing and such. Your boddie kind of goes numb to it after a while and next thing you know,
they're gone" Charlie explained with elaborate hand motions. "Awesome" Hurly replied, impressed
though a little freaked out. This Charlie kid was kind of weird at times, but hey, aren't we all? He
tried to think of something else to say. Something that could get his interest. "How's Claire?" He
asked, assuming a guy always wants to talk about his girlfriend. Forbidden, he thought. "Good, I
suppose. She was asleep last time I checked" He answered instead. No use shoving problems on
other people, they've all got enough stress as it is. Besides, this was personal. "Lucky her" Hurly
huffed. "Why's that?" Charlie asked, sitting up straight. "Cause I happen to live next to the love
birds" he replied, giving an nod towards Where Jack and Kate were standing by their tent, hugging
and kissing. "Yeah, I know. Some one needs to turn a bloody hose on them" Charlie agreed. They
both laughed. "Charlie" Some one said his name. He looked up and saw Sun walking over with Ben
beside her. He spotted Charlie on the ground and made a running tackle into him. "Yeah?" Charlie
asked, looking up at her as he settled Ben into his lap. "Jack want's to talk to you" She explained.
"Alright" he replied, Setting Ben aside as he stood up and brushed the sand off his cloths. "Uh, hey,
do you mind-" he began to ask. "No, not at all dude" Hurly replied cheerfully. "Thanks, man"
Charlie said appreciatively and Headed off to where Jack now stood by himself.
"You wanted to see me?" Charlie asked, hopping up onto the table inside jack's tent. "Yeah" Jack
said in the doctor voice. Oh, god what now? Charlie thought, sensing Jack's serious tone. "I wanted
to see how those scars were doing. I asked Claire about it, she said she didn't know" Jack
explained, dropping a little hint. "I suppose she wouldn't..." Charlie muttered to him self, reminded
of the exact thing Jack intended for him to think about. "What was that?" Jack asked, pretending to
not catch the phrase. "Nothing" Charlie replied quickly, before Jack could even finish the sentence.
"Well?" Jack asked impatiently, referring to his original question. "Oh, uh. They're gone actually"
Charlie answered. "Gone?" Jack looked up from his clip board. Yes, he had adopted a clip board
which he used to wright down all the medical notes down. "Yeah. I heal fast, being a rock star and
all, you know" he explained. "No, I don't know" Jack confirmed, stareing at him strangely. "Oh,
well you see in the music business you deal with a lot of bumps and bruises from mossing and su-"
he started to elaborate, just as he'd done with Hurly, but realized that Jack was not paying
attention. Instead, he seemed to be looking at something outside. Charlie tilted his head see out
from the little crack left open by the flap of the door. He realized what Jack was so fascinated by,
and she stood out by the water about calve deep, wearing little more then bra and underwear. "Uh,
Jack?" he said, trying to regain his attention. "Yeah, yeah. I herd you" Jack assured, without taking
his eyes off her. "Right...." Charlie said skeptically with a roll of his eyes, before hopping down
from the table.
Seeing that the tent had two exits, he decided to take the back one, as to not disturb Jack from
his...ahem, day dreaming.
"What are you thinking about?" Shannon asked with a sneaky smile, indicating to Claire's dazed
expression. Claire smile widened, but she pretended to ignore her. "Hmm, let me guess" Shannon
continued, since Claire wasn't playing along. " He's got blondish-brown hair, intense blue eyes, a
smile that makes you want to melt-" Shannon teased, leaning back on her elbow's. "Shut up" Claire
rolled her eyes and gave her a smack on the arm. "Lets see, what else?" Shannon continued. "He's
about five seven, dresses like a VH1 reject, firm build-" she listed with a hint of sarcasm. "Don't
forget a great ass" Kate added, plopping down on the rocks between them. Claire shook her head,
pretending not to liston. "Oh come on! You can't say you haven't notice" Kate persisted playfully,
watching Claire's reaction. "Well..." Claire said suggestively. The two girls burst into laughter.
"Aww, Claire" Kate said sarchasticly in a sing-song voice. "Excuse me. I'm not the one who gave t
that wonderful- sex -on- the -beach- for- two- hours -straight- for- all -eyes- performance last night,
thank you very much" Claire retorted accusingly. Kate pretended to look shocked and offended.
"Fair enough" she shrugged after a moment. "Wow. So Claire dose have a little bit of dirt on her
mind" Shannon teased, pretending to sound surprised. "Well, of corse. I mean, after all I'm not a
virgin you know" Claire said in her defense. "Could of fooled me" Kate snorted. "Oh yeah. And I
guess the fact that you first meet me with my big round oversized belly didn't give you a clue?"
Claire teased skeptically. "Hey, artificial insemination is all the rage these days" Kate retorted before
sucking on her bright pink straw that stuck out of a coconut. "Fair enough" Claire shrugged, and
nodded in agreement. "Well, its good to see you've warmed up to the whole situation" Shannon
inquired, laying on her side as she traced the lines of the rock with one glossy painted nail. "What
situation?" Claire asked, looking up suddenly. "The sex" Shannon replied, sitting up straight with a
confronting look. "Oh, don't tell me your still all...blah" Shannon said in a whiny, childish voice.
"Well, I guess the thought has crossed my mind" Claire confessed with embarrassment. The two jaws
dropped. "When?!" Kate gasped dramatically. "We haven't done anything yet" Claire explained
quickly. "I know, I know. But when are you going to?" Kate corrected herself. Claire shrugged as her
cheeks turned bright red. "Tonight?" Shannon questioned enthusiastically with a huge grin after
exchanging a quick glance with Kate. "I guess..." Claire said in an agreeable fashion. The two let out
a high pitch squill of excitement that made heads turn all the way across the beach. "Oh my god! This
is exiting!" Shannon was babbling, flapping her hands wildly. "Keep it down" Claire scolded in
whisper, reminding them to use their 'in door voices'. "Sorry" Shannon apologized, trying to hold in
her smile as she calmed herself down. "Wow, this is great. We have to help!" Kate suggested, more
like insisted. "Ok..." Claire replied, not to sure that was such a good idea. She stared off at the ocean
as the two began discussing what she'd wear, how she'd do her hair, where they should be and so on,
adding in random squeals after every ingenuous idea. Oh god, why did I tell them?
Charlie walked along the beach aimlessly with his hands shoved in his pocket. he stared at his bare
feet as they shuffled through the sand. Remembering his little tattoo, and how drunk he'd been when
Liam talked him into getting it. "Come on man, chicks love tattoos" Liam was insisting, grabbing
onto his shoulders and shaking him. "That's not the point" Charlie protested, remaining calm
despite the high amount of alcohol in his system. "Come on. What are you afraid of?" Liam tried to
convince, letting go of him. Thank god, Charlie though, all that shaking was makeing me sick. "Well
first of all, tattoos are known to hurt like hell!" Charlie snapped in response. "It's on your foot for
Christ sake! You won't feel a thing, I promise" Liam complied persistently. "Yeah...right" Charlie
muttered skeptically, taking a sip out of the brown bottle in his hand. "Fine. If you want to act like a
bitch about it, go right ahead!" Liam snapped defensively, and began walking ahead of him. "Liam,
wait" Charlie called after him, begging to feel bad. Why am I being such an ass? He thought as he
ran to catch up with him. He layied his hand on Liam's shoulder and turned him around. "Fine, I'll get
the tattoo" He sighed in surrenders. "Great! Fantastic! Lets go!" Liam grinned with enthusiasm. He
pulled his arm around Charlie shoulder and began walking with him unsteadily down the puddled
sidewalk.
"Hey, Charlie!" a voice called, snapping him out of his daze. "Huh?" he asked, looking around for the
owner of the choice. He made a complete circle before he realized where it had came from. "Over
hear" Sayid smiled, giving him a clue. "Right" Charlie said, brushing a hand trough his hair as he
walked over. "How may I help you?" he asked cheerfully, shoving his hand back in his pocket. "I'm
trying to clear some of this wreckage out of the plain. If your not busy I could use a hand" He
explained, lifting out a large piece of metal as he spoke. "No, not at all. I'd be glad to help" Charlie
offered, and began doing the same.
Claire pulled her hair up into a messy bun as she trudged in her flip flops through the forest. I don't
give a damn what I'm wearing, she thought as she walked quicky, towel hung over her arm. But I
know one things for sure, I'll be clean. She made her way to the tall rectangular shaped box
located a little while into the woods. It was a shower, made from some access shrapnel and four
bamboo sticks. A tube ran up the inside of a hollowed out tree trunk and came out through a little tin
jar with wholes poked in the flat side creating a spicate. The tube ran back a while to the creek where
they first discovered fresh water. The guys had some how managed to get the water heated, witch was
a mystery to her. All that mattered was that it was a little warm shower with a little plastic door nice
and privet in the back of the woods. Unlike Shannon and Kate, she wasn't comfortable with bathing in
her underwear on the beach for every one to see. She tossed to towel over a branch close by and
began undressing. She kicked her cloths into a little pile and slipped inside the cramped little box, and
slid the curtain shut behind her. The shower also had a square slab of steal witch served as a floor so
that you didn't have to stand in mud as you showered. The steal was icy agenst her bare feet and a
little breeze blue by that sent a chill through her body. She hurried to turn the water on. It came down
relatively warm, and she soon adjusted to the temperature. Once comfortable, she began washing.
Thinking about how much she missed baths. Nice, long warm bubble baths at the end of every day.
With scented candles and soft music, dim lights. Relaxing.
Snap! A branch broke some where near by. Claire looked up, startled by the sound. A few soft foot
steps fallowed. "Hello?" she said softly, looked around the forest with a brush of paranoia. The steps
stopped. The woods fell silent except for her own heightened breathing. Quickly, she turned the water
off and reached her arm out over to the branch, just barley able to grab her towel and pull it off. She
wrapped it around herself and tucked the top in to keep it there. Another foot step. "Hello?" she called,
stepping out of the shower. Locke appeared from the trees. He stopped in his tracks when he was he
and quickly averted his eyes and turned his back to her. "Sorry" he said in apology, keeping his eyes
shut tight. Claire gave a breath of relief. "No, no. Its alright" she assured, sounding a little choked up.
"Are you alright?" he asked, without facing her. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just, got a little scared for a
moment" she explained breathlessly as she picked up her cloths. "Why's that?" he questioned, waiting
patently. "Herd you coming. Got paranoid, I guess" she shrugged, pulling her pants on leg by leg. "I
see" he nodded his head in understanding. "So, what are you doing out here?" she asked as she
struggled to snap her bra. "Same thing you are" he answered casually. "Oh, yeah. Well I was pretty
much finished" she lied. She'd been in for no more then a minute, but after hearing those foot steps,
even if they were from Locke, she wouldn't be able to stand being out in the woods alone. Especially
not naked. "I guessed as much" Locke noted, sensing her nervous behavior. She had pulled her
oversized shirt on half way when another branch broke. She stopped abruptly and Locke turned
instinctively, paying on attention to her. She quickly pulled the shirt down the rest of the way. Another
snap, and a couple footsteps. "Did you hear that?" she said softly, her lower lip started to tremble.
She'd almost forgotten about Ethan and his insane attack on her and Charlie until now. Her hands
trembled at her side. "Yeah, I herd it" Locke answered, looking around the woods in alert. He moved
closer to Claire, standing almost back to back so that they were prepared from all angles. A few more
slowly passed footsteps before a shadowy figure appeared over head on a small rise in the ground. The
sunlight beaming in through the trees formed an sinister red glow around the black figure, who's hands dangled at his side. Locke placed a protective arm around Claries shoulders, reassuring her that she'd
be alright. He kept his eyes fixed on the faceless man. He took a small step backwards, the man didn't
move. The silence was immensely unbearable. A few more small steps before Locke took a deep breath
and said in a short, hushed voice "run."
Charlie was busy helping Sayid clear out the fusel lodge. He wipe a bead of sweat off his forehead with
the back of his hand before picking up another piece of shrapnel and tossing it to Michael, who then
tossed it to Sowyer, who tossed it to Jack, who tossed it to Jin, who was on the outside of the plain.
Then it went to Sayid, who finished the line. This system had been repeated over and over and over
through out the after noon. They had managed to dig deep into the fuselodge and were towards the
other opening. The inside was charred black and extremely dark except for a few sharp yellow lights
shining in through the small oval windows where the glass had been broken. But the light gaze little
ease to their eyes and the heat was getting trapped inside. But Charlie felt fine. It gave him time to think
some more and he was getting work done, witch he hadn't done in a while. He tossed another piece to
Michael without even looking up. As he leaned over to pick up the next piece her herd it clank to the
floor. Confused, he looked up. There in the sliver of light let in by a window he was the shrapnel lying
on the littered ground. Where the hell did Michael go? He thought, looking out into the darkness. It
seemed that every one else had disappeared in a matter of seconds. Curious, he stepped over the
discarded scrap of metal. and made his way out. Once he reached the opening, he hand to shield his
eyes from the bright sun. he turned his back in the opposite direction and squinted off in the direction
that every one seemed to be herding. They gathered around the edge of the forest. He walked over,
letting his arm drop to his side as he went. His cloths were covered in ash, as was the rest of him. The
other men were pretty charred up as well. He pushed his way through the crowd until he found Locke and Claire at the center. Locke was hunched over, holding onto his knees as he tried to regain his
breath. Claire had slid into the sand and now knelt on the ground. Charlie fell to her side. "Claire? Are
you alright?" he asked, cupping his hands around either side of her face. "Yeah" she coughed
breathlessly. "What happened?" he asked with a look of worry. "We saw him" Locke replied before
Claire could speak. Charlie turned his attention to him, as did every one else. "Saw who?" Kate asked
from the crowd. "Ethan" Locke answered breathlessly. "Oh god!" Charlie sighed, wrapping his arms
around her. "I'm alright" she assured, talking into his ear as she spoke, beginning to regain her breath.
Charlie wasn't convinced. She obviously wasn't hurt, atleast not physically, but the worry was
overwhelming. He pulled her closer, burring his face into her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around
his back, hands clinging to his sooty shirt.
Later that night, when the crowd had settled down, Claire passed back and forth in their tent. "Are you
sure your alright?" Charlie asked, getting slightly dizzy as he watched her move back and forth. "Yeah,
I'm just...thinking" she shrugged, tucking her arms into her oversized sleeves. She was still wearing his
shirt, the one he'd been wearing when the plain crashed. The front of it was covered in soot and dust
from when he had hugged her earlier. He gave her a skeptical look, witch soon turned into a smile. He
tugged at her leg as she passed him for the fiftieth time, pulling her onto his lap. "I love you" he said,
smiling up at her as she sat with her legs curled over his lap, her bum resting on his thigh. She smiled
brightly as her cheeks went red. "I love you" she replied, leaning her head agenst his. He rubbed his
nose agenst hers before lifting his head up to meet hers in a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his
neck, pulling him closer. He copied to motion, wrapping his right arm as far as he could around her,
gripping her side near the small of her back. His breath got caught in his throat as he began kissing her
neck. He felt her hands grip his shoulder. It became harder to breath. At first he thought it was simply
the heat of the moment, but he soon became aware that it was more than that he was nervous. His eyes
opened for a moment, involuntarily. Quickly, he shut them, trying to clear his mind, keep focused on the
wonderful thing that was going on around him. He'd never been nervous in these situations. Never.
Then again, most of the girls he'd messed around with back then were badges. If he didn't do well, then
it wouldn't matter because he'd probably never see them again. Also, normally he was to high to care.
But no it was different. He was right there, head on in the situation. And he'd see her again. If he could,
he'd see her every single day for the rest of his life. He'd spent so much time thinking about her. What
she'd be like, how amazing she'd be. He never once considered what she might think of him, witch
mattered a hell of a lot. A wave of panic crashed over him. He stopped, breathing heavily. Shocked, and
a little confused. He was sweating like crazy. He opened his eyes and meet Claire's right away. Big,
round blue eyes stareing back at him with a look of worry. Dear god, don't make her worry. Don't upset
her. He scolded himself. He though quickly. Say something, anything. But he couldn't speak. He could
barely even breath. So instead he smiled up at her. His only way of letting her no nothing was wrong.
Claire smiled back to reassure him, though she didn't exactly feel like smiling. Why did he stop? She
asked herself as she stared back at him, biting her lower lip. She was beautiful, Charlie was thinking as
he stared back at her. He could breath again. He felt his chest move in and out slowly. He didn't feel
panicked any more, atleast for the time being. What is wrong with you? Why are you freaking out? He
cursed himself, leaning back on the palm of his hand so that he didn't fall over completely. He tried to
shut out his thought, focus on his breathing. Focus on her. His eyes met Claire's once again, and it
almost made him melt. Why did you stop?
She looked away, closing her eyes as she tilted her head as she struggled to untie the string that had been
holding heir hair up. She shifted on his lap, looking over at the other side of the room, away from him.
Now she felt uncomfortable. It wasn't the right time, he decided, tapping his fingers agenst the floor. That's why you panicked, it wasn't a good moment. He smiled, feeling a little relived now that he'd
come up with an reasonable excuse. He lifted his hand and brushed the side of her cheek. She jumped a
little at the touch, then turned to him, blushing. She slid her hand inside his and held it gently. A smile
moved across her face. "What do you want, more than anything right now" he asked, feeling obligated
to break the silence. He didn't want her to feel rejected, under any circumstances. She made an
expression that showed she was thinking. Her eyes trailed down to her shirt and his. Both covered in ash
and soot. "A bath" she answered with a smile. He smiled back, and pulled his arm around her shoulder.
Shifting her so that her back was some what agenst him. She snuggled agenst him, resting her head on
his shoulder, her arms entwined at her chest beneath the extra-long sleeves that dangled way past her
fingertips. She closed her eyes, excused from the long run he was forced to endure early that after noon.
She fell asleep in less then a minuet, as Charlie sat with her in his arms, wide awake for the forth night in
a row.
Claire opened her eyes to a bright light and quickly shut them again. She shifted, warm beneath the air
line blanket, and rolled onto her back. It was morning, and the sun was shining in through the thin white
tarp. She laid the back of her arm across her eyes to shield them from the light as she laid on her back.
Slowly, they adjusted. She stared at the ceiling for a moment before she became fully awake and sat up.
Charlie was gone once again. She slid out from under the blankets and slowly rose to her feet. She
walked out side as scratching the back of her head. Her hair felt heavy and tangled after sleeping on it all
night. Soon, she'd have to barrow a brush from someone. She yawned as soon as stepped outside. The
sand was hot after being baked beneath the sun for the last couple of hours. The men were at it again,
hauling the last bit of junk out of the fuselodge. Claire made her way to the opening and leaned agenst
the edge, squinting to see inside. It was dark, and the moving figures were hard to make out. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around. "Looking for something?" Sayid asked politely. "I was looking
for Charlie" she explained, acting slightly nervous. Her hand clung to a thick lock of hair that hung over
her shoulder. "Well, you won't find him in their" Sayid told her, taking the next load from Jin without
even looking at what he was doing. "Charlie's not in there?" she asked, sound a little confused. "Nope"
Sayid replied, turning away from her for a moment as he carried the load over to the huge pile built up
right outside the opening. He dropped a small piece and Claire picked it up, fallowing behind him. "Do
you know where he is?" she asked softly, stopping behind him so as not to get in his way. He shoved the
small stack of metal on top of the pile and turned to her, dusting his hands. She held out the little scrap for
him to take. "No, I'm sorry" he said sincerely, and took the scrap from her lose grip. He tossed it into the
pile over his shoulder and continued forward. Back over to Jin, to get yet another load of twisted metal.
Claire watched him walk away, slightly disappointed. "You might want to stand some where else. Lots of
little scraps every where, not a good place to be bare foot" Sayid suggested as Jin tossed him the next
stack. "Right" Claire said, feeling a little studied. She brushed back a piece of her hair and walked
carefully away. She spotted Kate infront of her tent, pinning up cloths. "Hey, have you sceen Charlie?"
Claire asked, squinting up at her. Claire stepped down from the box she'd been using to give her some
extra height and looked back at Claire. She hadn't caught the question. Before she could ask her to repeat,
she noticed a little brownish mark on the side of Claire's neck and felt obligated to comment. "Well, what
have you been up to?" Kate inquired suggestively as she crossed her arms. Claire blinked in response,
confused. She became aware of what Kate was looking at and quickly covered it up with her hand. "Have
you sceen Charlie?" she asked, cutting straight to the subject. "Not since this morning" Kate answered,
leaning down to pick up her basket of cloths. "Well, where was he when you saw him this morning?"
Claire asked, sounding a little desperate. "The jungle, I think" Kate said, stopping from her daily chores
momentarily to try and remember. "Haven't herd from it since" she added with a little shrug, then went back to work. Claire nodded and walked away, disappointed on once again. Why dose he keep running off
like this? Just once, I'd like to wake up next to him instead of having to go out looking for him day after
day! She thought to her self as she wondered aimlessly, straight into another person. "Oh, sorry" she
apologized with a little delay, looking up at Boone standing before her. "No hard feeling's" he said with a
smile. "Have you seen Charlie?" she asked, pulling the lock of hair back over her shoulder to cover up the
hickey that stood out brilliantly on her pale neck. "No, sorry" he said with a little shrug. "Thanks" she said
appreciatively, squinting back at him. He gave her another sorry smile and continued going, a water bottle
in each hand. Once he'd moved, she noticed Locke a few feet away. He was walking from the trees with
his latest kill thrown over his shoulder. "Hey, Locke, have you sceen-" she began to ask the question for
witch seemed like the thousandth time today. "Charlie?" he finished, looking over at her. "Yeah" she
nodded, with a hopeful smile. "Yeah, I just talked to him a little ways back" He explained, unloading the
beast onto a wooden table outside his tent, witch resided only a few feet from the jungle. "Oh, great.
Where?" she asked, excited by the new ray of hope. "A little while in" he explained, but his face turned a
bit dark, like something was worrying him. "Something wrong?" Claire asked with complete concern. "I
know its none of my business to tell you what to do, but uh...I think I'd be a better idea if you stayed away
from the jungle" Locke explained as sensitively as possible. Claire nodded, understanding completely. She
caused nothing but trouble every time she stepped into that place, and she wasn't about to make the
situation worse for herself or any one else, exspeicaly since the even of yesterday. She'd just have to wait
until Charlie got back, rather she liked it or not. She began to turn and walk away when Locke spoke.
"You can help me out hear, if you like" he said in an inviting tone. She wasn't much for handling meat,
exspeicaly when still attached to the dead creature, but Locke was a nice, spiritual man. A wise man, at
that. And she could use some advice. "Sure" she said cheerfully, and made her way back over.
"Thanks. You'd be surprised how many of these brave, strapping young men squill at the sight of a dead animal" Locke said conspicuously as he began untying the boars feet. Claire giggled, she couldn't imaged
any of the guys on the beach squealing, though she'd heard the women do it may times. "So, were
you...with anybody...before the crash?" Claire asked, nervously as she followed Locke's unspoken
instructions. When working, he communicated mostly through a system of pointing, waving and other
hand gestures. He thought for a moment. "No" he answered finally, sounding as if he'd just made a
decision. Claire decided not to comment on it and continued serving her position as the meat rack. "Why
do you ask?" he questioned, seeing that she didn't respond. "No reason" she answered after a moment. She
sighed uncomfortably. Things were beginning to get awkward when Kate popped up behind her. "Hey,
Claire" She said, her words startling her. Before Claire could return the greeting Kate took hold of her arm.
"Come with me" she said in an orderly fashion, and began pulling her away. Locke made no attempt to
protest, neither did Claire, although she was a little confused.
"Where are we going?" she asked in a quiet voice as she allowed Kate to drag her through the sand. They
came to Kate's tent, witch answered her question as she was dragged inside. Kate let go of her arm and
continued to cross both over her chest as she lead agenst the beam. Shannon was sitting on a table. "So,
how did it go?" Shannon asked, unable to contain her excitement. "How did what-" Claire began to ask,
then it dawned upon her. "It didn't" she replied shortly. "What do you mean?" Shannon asked as her tone
turned shrill. "Nothing...happened" Claire said un enthusiastically. "What?!" Shannon quilled with out rage.
"I thought you said she had a hickey!" She continued, turning to Kate in a scolding manor. "She dose!"
Kate argued in her defense, gesturing towards Claire's neck where the small spot remained exposed. Claire
looked away uncomfortably. "So wait, what all happened?" Shannon interrogated, turning back to Claire.
"Well, a little happened, but not what we were...anticipating" She explained in the most innocent terms
possible. "Well why did you stop!?" Shannon scolded, giving her a little shove. "I didn't" Claire retorter in
her defense. Shannon's expression dropped and she looked bewildered, caught of gaud. "...he stopped?" she asked in a high little voice, sounding confused. Claire nodded. Shannon mouthed the word 'oh', but no
sound came out. Kate remained angry. "This is it! I don't know what's wrong with you two, but its coming
to an end now" she said with a look of determination. Both Claire and Shannon looked over at her s
strangely. This can't be good.
It was very late when Charlie got back. The sun was beginning to go down, leaving the skies a dark grey.
He walked out of the woods in a bit of a stager. He'd gotten lost along the way, missing the right turn
atleast three times. He stopped when he saw Claire, standing out by the water. She wore a deep brown,
thin, wrinkled top with a thin, darker brown ribbon running around just below her bust line and another
broom skirt, similar to the one she had on earlier except this one stopped a little below her knees and was a
light shade of blue. The close waved and billowed back wards in the wind along with her hair, witch was
whipping about her rapidly. Her hair had been long when they'd crashed, coming down to small of her
back, now it was only a couple inches above her knees. She pushed a chunk of it back behind her ear as she
stood bare foot in the ankle deep water where the waves broke along the sand. He couldn't help but smile
as he made his way over to her. "Hey" he said, stopping next to her, hands kept snug inside his pockets.
"Hey!" she replied with a smile, happy to see him. "Where have you been?" Charlie looked down and gave
a little embarrassed laugh. "I got lost" her answered foolishly. Claire laughed. "So, what are you doing out
here by yourself?" he asked, pulling on the edges of his pants so that they didn't get soaked as the waves
rolled back. "Sinking" she replied, looking down at her feet. They were covered in sand. "How long have
you been sinking?" he asked playfully, pretending to worry about her mental stability. Any one was sane
beside him. "Not long. Just, waiting for you to get back" she answered, looking back up at him. "Aw, you
missed me?" he said in a sarcastic voice of a child. "Yeah" she replied, copying his behavior. He smiled and
leaned in for a kiss, only meant to last for a second. But instead their lips parted for only a second before she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him back in, smiling agenst his lips. He pulled his arms
around her waist and kissed her back as the water rolled in agenst their feet. The tide rose as the sun set
and sone the waves calves instead of their ankles. Charlie held his arms around her tighter, arching his back
so that he was just barley lifting her off her feet as the kiss continued. Every one had disappeared into their
tents. Because of the heat, the fires were mostly put out. Only the big signal one remained. Charlie waited
for a moment, preparing himself for another panic attack. He was surprised, but oh so relived when it
didn't. The perfect moment had come, and it didn't matter what they were wearing, even if his cloths were
covered in soot. It didn't matter how her hair looked, even if it was all over the place, and it didn't matter
where it happened, in the most senseless place in the world. Right by the roaring ocean. What mattered was
each other.
Claire woke up back inside the tent, where they had moved over night so that they weren't broad casting to
all. Unlike Jack and Kate, they had common decency. She kept her eyes almost closed, watching as the dim
candle light danced and flickered across her pillow. She smiled warmly as memories of just a few hours ago
resurface in her mind. She'd be remembering them for the rest of her life. She let her eyes close all they way,
lulled by the warmth from the blanket, and almost fell back to sleep when she felt and arm slide around her
waist. Charlie kissed her bare shoulder as she turned her head to see him. She smiled as she tightened her
arm over his, their fingers entwined. "Morning" he smiled back at her. Claire blushed slightly. "Its not
morning yet" she corrected, glaceing up at the ceiling, where no light beamed through. "I know...I couldn't
think of any thing else to say" he confessed playfully, returning to his weird form of humor. Claire giggled,
finding him completely amusing, as she had since the day she meet him. Back when he helped her with her
bags, joked with her, made her laugh, told her men were bloody useless. Not this one, she though as she
smiled back at him. Moving her hand slowly up his neck to the back of his head, running her fingers through his hair. He took in a deep breath as he shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable. "I love you" he said for
the second time, smiling warmly. But this time Claire didn't say it back. Instead, she leaned in and kissed
him. She pulled his arm around her waist, moving his hand softly agenst her back. The other rested at the
side of her face, just barley touching her cheek. "Claire" a voice spoke. Her eyes grew wide and their lips
parted. Seeing that his mouth was completely in use, the word couldn't have come from Charlie. Her heart s
sunk and a horrified expression arose as she recognized the voice. "Thomas?"
To be continued...
(Well, there we have it. Yes, I know, I'm evil. Deal with it. I'll get the next one up as soon as I can. Again, sorry to leave you hanging like that, but I just couldn't resist!)