Disclaimer: this is the last time I can say it for this chapter, so I don't own lost.(duh) and yes, chapter three-O is the last, but there will defiantly be a sequel, so keep your eyes open.
OK! I finally got my mail back!
Alatarial10: I was so shocked about the last episode! AH! But yeah, that's for keeping up the reviews cause its been hard to write without the feed back. And sorry about the long wait, but this next chapters going out with a bang!
Tara812: Thanks.
Katelyn-black: Aw, thank you. I really am sorry about the spelling, though. I just don't seem to have a brain, even with spell check. But I think I'm getting better. I hope...
FATE
Almost Every Day
The sun had come up, after a long, restless night for many of the survivors. Hurley sat by the fire,
preparing his breakfast. He was ready to dig in before being distracted by the cheerful humming
coming from behind him. He turned to see Charlie grinning as he walked past, humming aloud.
"Dude, what's going on?" Hurly questioned, turning to face him. Charlie looked around in
confusion, assuming he was talking to some one else. "You man" Hurly assured, makeing it clear
that he was talking to him. "Nothing..." he shrugged, no quite getting it. "What are you
all...'hummy' about?" Hurly asked, as Charlie took a seat down beside him. The grin widened on
his face. "Wait, don't tell me" Hurly decided, stopping before he opened his mouth. "Hungry?" he
questioned, offering up plate. "No thanks" Charlie said, waving it away. "Suit yourself" he
shrugged in response, and dug in. Their awkward silence was put to a quick stop when Claire
approached with Ben crooked on her hip, head resting on her shoulder with a thumb in his mouth.
"Damn it, Charlie" she sighed, standing before him. "What? What I do?" he questioned quickly as
he looked up, talking fast when nervous. "You like see food" she explained, although it didn't tell
him much. "I'm sorry...." he apologized, rather knowing why or not. But it showed clearly in his
expression that he had no clue what she was talking about. "Now I'm going to be craving it because
you passed it on to our kids!" she clarified accusingly. "And that's bad because...?" he questioned teasingly, knowing he'd have to cut it out soon or she'd throw something at him like pregnet woman were known to do. "Because, I hate sea food!" she explained. He mouthed a 'oh' as the point became clear. "Sorry, luv" he apologized again, leaning up to kiss her forehead. "You better be" she grumbled. "Oh, hi Hurly" she grinned, looking over at the man who was watching their flirtations with a weary look of sickness. "Hi.." he muttered before turning back to his food. He looked up again when he noticed the little hand reaching out infront of his face. "What? This?" he asked, pointing a Spoork at his plate. Ben continued to reach for the plate. "Get your own" Claire teased, shifting him on her hip. He squealed in protest, though his smile remained. "Here, go get some from Locke" she told him, lowering him to his feet. With that he wondered over to the man sitting at the table covered in dead things. "Are you sure its safe for him to be over there?" Hurly questioned, raising an eye brow over at Locke, who was digging the insides out of a boar as they spoke. "Of chorse, he's harmless...unless you're dinner" Claire explained, taking a seat between the two. "Speaking of witch, I'm hungry" she announced, turning to Charlie. "Of course you are" he grinned sarcastically, and pulled himself off the log. "Thank you, hunny" she said sweetly, smiling up at him. "no problem babe" he grinned, patting her cheek. "Hunny and babe. There goes the breakfast" Hurly murmured in disgust. "Aw, someone jealous. You want a nick name to?" Charlie teased. "No thank you" Hurly confirmed. "Lets see, sweety, sugar, doll...muffin" Charlie continued, ignoring his protest as he rambled off any pet name that popped into his head. "Dude, come on..." Hurly protested, holding his stomach sarcastically as if he were going to barf. "Alright, alright I'm going" Charlie assured, and began heading off. "By muffin" he added quickly, before he busted out laughing. "Dude!" Hurly snapped again, looking up at him angrily. "Sorry, mate. Couldn't help it" he apologized, whipping his eye with the back of his hand. He'd laughed so hard it had began to water. "Get out of here before I have to get up" Hurly threatened sarcastically. Charlie shoved his hands into his pockets as he wondered off to find Claire something that hadn't been mutilated by Locke, who was currently being occupied with his new company. Instead of speaking up, Ben stood at his side and waited to be noticed. It wasn't long before Locke looked down and gave him a surprised grin. "Well hello" he greeted. "Hi" Ben said shyly in returned, fingers curled in his mouth. "Hungry?" Locke questioned, indicating to the food. Ben nodded, a grin crossing his face. "Not a man of many words are we?" Locke questioned as he began preparing him a plate. Ben shook his head in response as he climbed up onto the chair close by. "Hmm, must get it from your mother" he noted, glancing over at Claire who was contentiously looking back at the two over her shoulder while she listened to Hurly talk. Ben shrugged plainly. "Well, here you go" Locke smiled as he hand him the plate. Ben grinned down at the food, balancing the plate on both hands as he wiggled his way out of the chair. "Careful" Locke warned playful, brushing a hand through his fluffy blond hair before sending him back to his mom. He returned around the same time as Charlie, who carried an arm full of fruit. Claire's smile flashed at the sight of food, and she quickly reached for a loan peach, accompanied by two apples. "Your welcome" he teased bitterly as he sat down beside her. She ignored his comment, biting into the hand sized piece of fruit. Ben reached up into the bundle witch Charlie still cradled and took one of the apples. "Well, your gean pool's just flooding with manners isn't it?" he muttered sarcastically, watching as Ben wondered off without the slightest regards. "Guess so.." she shrugged innocently, before sinking her teeth into another section of the peach. Charlie nudged her shoulder playfully before turning his attention to the apple left in his hand. He lifted it to his mouth, ready to bite down when he was interrupted. He turned, along with the others to see Sayid emerge from the woods. He held onto to the tree once makeing it there, letting out an unsteady, raspy breath. "Dude you alright?" Hurly questioned casually, looking back over his shoulder. "Shannon trapped in a cave" he explained, his voice shaky and raspy. "Oh my god.." Claire gasped, finally tacking the peach out of her mouth. "What happened?" Charlie added, stumbling to his feet. "We were out looking for Boone, and we decided to stop and rest for the night....pick up the trail in the morning....and when I woke up she was gone..." he began, still clinging to the tree. His chest felt as if it were going to cave in, and his heart pounded wildly. "Here, sit down" Claire suggested, helping over to the log and setting him in her place. "I went after her in the caves, but it fell in..and now she's trapped" he finished breathlessly, bowing his head as he tried to calm himself and regain a proper breathing pattern. "How do you know she was in there?" Charlie questioned, trying to sound as sincere as possible. "Because she left this" Sayid answered, pulling the folded paper out of his pocket. He opened it in a sweaty palm and held it out for them to read. "I don't know what it means, but it was a translation-" Sayid began to elaborate, but was cut off. "I's a song" Charlie noted, stareing down at the paper. "What?" sayid questioned, looking up at him with confusion. "Its as song. I know it, one of the best" Charlie explained, pointing frantically at the paper. "So, what dose that have to do with us finding Shannon?" Hurly questioned, not catching on. "They're directions. It's like a code, telling us where to go" Charlie declared. "What's going on?" Jack questioned, appearing over them. "Shannon's trapped in a cave" Sayid answered, looking up at him. "Are you going to get her?" Michael asked, standing close behind. "Yes, of corse" Sayid replied. "Then I'm coming with you" Jack confirmed. "Me two" Michael added. "Fine with me. Lets get out supplies and go" Sayid suggested, not wanting to waste another second. "Locke, you coming?" Jack called a few moments later as he adjusted his back pack. "Think I'll stay here and keep the peace if its alright with you" he called back. Jack nodded, understanding. "Is every one ready?" Sayid questioned, pulling his back pack onto his shoulders. "I am" Jack confirmed. "Yeah, me two" Michael added, moving up beside him. "Charlie?" Sayid questioned, turning to look down at him. "What?" he asked shortly, looking back up. "Are you ready?" Sayid asked impatiently. "What, you want me to go?" Charlie asked in disbelief, pointing a finger at his own chest. "Yes" Sayid replied demandingly. "Why?" Charlie questioned as pushed himself to his feat. "Because you're the only one who knows what this means" Sayid explained, tapping the paper in his hand. "Is it alright with you?" Charlie asked, turning to Claire. "I think I can manage" she assured, squinting up at him with a magnetic smile. He didn't want to leave that smile, but alas.... he leaned down and gave her a quick peck before heading off with the rest of the group. Claire watched as they marched into the jungle one by one. She was so busy stareing after them, even after they'd disappeared from her vision, that she hadn't noticed Locke sitting down next to her. "How you feeling?" he questioned, grabbing her attention. She turned quickly, startled by his presence. She looked down after a moment, a little embarrassed for being so jumpy. "Good" she explained with a bright smile. "And the baby?" he questioned, giving and indicating nod at the place on her stomach where one hand constantly rested. "Babies" she corrected unconsciously. A questionable look showed that he didn't know what she was talking about. "Oh! Twins" she explained, again feeling a little silly. "Oh...well" he exclaimed, looking away for a moment with surprised amusement. He gave a little chuckle before turning back. "Yep. Just our luck" she sighed sarcastically, patting her stomach as she stared down it. The babies weren't even born yet and she already couldn't take her eyes off them. "Wonder if they'll be as miracles as the first.." he mushed, looking out at the little boy who was wondering around the potted garden outside Suns tent trying to catch a butterfly with his free hand, the other clutching a half eaten apple. "Yeah, he's pretty awesome" Claire grinned, beaming at the compliment, even if it wasn't directed at her personally. "Not to mention a child prodigy" Locke added. Claire turned to him quickly, her curly pigtails flipping over her shoulder as she raised an eye brow at him in confusion. "Oh, you haven't heard the news?" he questioned, reading her expression. He pulled the rolled up news paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Jack found it about a day ago, hasn't been able to quite figure it out" He explained as she her eyes ran over the pages with a look of shock. "Between you and me, I think he's a little slow" he added conspicuously, with a jokers grin. "Where did he....this is impossible" she exclaimed in a daze as she stared in aw at the paper, unable to believe her own eyes. "Oh? Look at the date" he suggested, pointing at the number at the top of the page. Claire squinted at it for a moment before catching on. "That's Ben's birthday" she explained. "It sure is. 'The day the obituary's were swept clean'...well, except us of course" he announced as if reading a head line to a new action thriller. Claire gave a confused glance before flipping to the obituaries. "But that doesn't make since, people die every day" she exclaimed in disbelief. "Almost...every day" he corrected with a wistful smile.
Kate lifted her head off her entangled hands, witch was the only thing separating her head from the moist soil beneath her. She pushed off the ground with her elbows, trying to remember where she was. The edges of her arm as well as the entire side of her body that she'd been laying on and then some. se sat up the rest of the way, holding the heavy sleeve of a soiled, and slightly wet flannel shirt witch was the only thing covering her. Her eyes trailed over to sowyer, who was laying on his back with his hand behind his head, propped back agenst a pare of balled up jeans he was using as a pillow. He was completely naked, bare for all to see. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing but a airy squeak escaped as she sat stareing with her jaw dropped. "Shit" she muttered to herself, eyes wide with shock. What did you do Kate? What the hell did you do? "Morning sunshine" Sowyer grinned sleepily as he looked over at her. Kate gave a shriek, startled to see him a wake. He couldn't help but laugh as she continued to stare wide eyed, panting in recovery. While still clutching the shirt to her chest, she felt around the dirt for her cloths and spotted a pare of wrinkled geans with the black underwear thrown over top of them and quickly snatched them up. Sowyer watched with a smirk as she pulled the little black panties over her legs and under the shirt. "Where's the fire freckles?" he questioned playfully, eyeing her as she stood, strugling to pull on the geans on while keeping the rest of her body covered. She ignored him, to frustrated with the zipper of her pants to respond to his comments, witch's annoying air had all but returned. She wondered what had been going through her head the night before as she turned her back to him, tossing the shirt over her shoulder so she could use both hands to button her jeans. "I'm talking to you" He exclaimed, a little hurt by her lack off attention. "Just...don't right now, ok?" she pleaded, glancing over at him as she located her braw and knelt down to get it. "Don't what?" he questioned, pretending to be clueless. For once, she didn't believe him. "I don't know. Get dressed" she instructed. "Why? We've got all morning before someone realizes were missing..." he reminded her suggestively, wiggling his eye brows. She glanced back at him in disgust as she hooked the snap of her bra and twisted it around her back before sliding her arms into the straps. Last night, he was charming. Now, he was repulsing. She forced herself to look away from him, fighting the erg to either slap him or vomit. "Come on, freckles. Don't you wanna cuddle or something?" he questioned a little bitterly. Her sudden change of heart wasn't exactly pleasing. "Sowyer, I'm gonna ask you one last time. Get dressed" she snapped, turning back to face him as she buttoned his shirt over her bare stomach. "And why's that?" he asked skeptically, sitting up and slowly reaching for the balled up pants behind him. "Because I'm leaving, and so are you. Because Jack is not finding out about this, and neither is any one else" she demand, shooting him a threatening look as she slipped on her shoes. "Is that so? And what if I just went and told him myself?" he questioned teasingly as he pulled the baggy, wrinkled geans on. Don't wanna play nice? Fine. Two can play that game. "Sowyer...don't" she begged, straightening up as she stared at him with pleading eyes. "Oh, but freckles, this is way to tempting" he grinned, knowing he'd hit a weak spot. "Please" she sobbed, looking helpless. He wasn't buying it. "How's about we make a deal?" he offered, leaning back agenst the rocks after pulling his wife beater on. "I'm listening" she spoke, indicating for him to continue. "We'll have a little race. And who ever makes it back to the beach wins" He suggested with a grin. "This is a game to you?" she question in outrage. "Hell yeah! Don't pretend like last night was something meaning full to you cause we both know that's shit. Now your just trying to save your ass, and me, I'm just getting my pay back" he answered simply. "Pay back for what?" she questioned skeptically. "For being used, freckles. For being your jealous maker" he answered bitterly. Kate shook her head, denying her guilt. "Fine. Your on" she agreed, and put out a hand to shake on it. He took it firmly and gave it a hard shake before pulling her to the ground, getting his head start as he ran off into the trees.
The jungle air was thick and humid. Steam literly emerged from the ground, soaking up every drop of moisture on the leaves. Jack's eyes became blurry from the sweat dripping down on them from his forehead, and he had to squint as he pushed his way through the leaves. The others were blurry to him. Still visible and recognizable, but distorted. Like a picture being screeched from different ends. He wiped the moisture away with the back of his hand, witch did no good, and blinked agenst the light infront of him that shot in through an opening in the trees. "How much longer?" Michael questioned, using his whole arm to shield his eyes from the suns reflection. "Were almost at the caves" Sayid explained in a mono-tone voice. His mind was far away from the hot sun and sweaty air. It was in a sea off worry for Shannon, and he's own guilt for dragging her out there and letting her slip away. He should have turned back as soon as she started talking to the darkness. Now that he was snapped back to reality, he felt the need to keep up the professional conversation. Anything to keep his mind clear. Emotions were the last thing he needed in order to save Shannon. "So this song? What is it?" he asked turning to Charlie who was the most predictable candidate in the talking department. He could recall many times when the poor kid had rambled onto him about relatively anything that came to his mind, witch was a flighty and frantic one at that. "Oh, its called "windmills of your mind", Dusty Springfield, you know. One of those metaphoric druggie songs from the seventies" He explained, already out putting more information than needed. He realized this and felt a little embarrassed, ready to here a long awkward silence. But instead, Sayid gave him an appreciative smile, almost like a thank-you. He didn't know what he was being thanked for, but it was better then a rolled eye or even worse, a fake smile. "You know it by heart?" Sayid asked, slowing his pace a little so the two could walk side by side. "Yeah. All in here" he assured, tapping his temple with his middle and pointer finger. "Know the chords two...not that it would really come in handy" he explained, quickly stopping himself before he went on a bragging streak. "You never know" Sayid shrugged optimistically. A curious look crossed his face as Charlie wondered why someone was suddenly being so open. Obviously, after spending a year with the people they'd mostly warmed up to him and many even found his charms amusing, but a bright conversation with some one other than Claire was a rare occasion. Especially coming from some one who was on rampage to save his new found love. "Do you think Shannon knew it too?" Sayid asked, not really depending on him to know the answer. "Its possible. I mean, I don't know what she listens too but the first time I heard it was in my elementary school music class so I guess, you never know" he explained his answer to the fullest. Sayid smiled that 'thank you' again before turning ahead. "Were here" Jack announced, pushing past the three. "Master of the obvious" Charlie grumbled teasingly as he twisted open his watter bottle, the only piece of luggage on him other than a flash light. Both had ben shoved into the pocket of his hoodie, with was tied around his waist. "Ok, so were here. How do we get in?" Sayid questioned, turning back to the three. "We could make a tunnel in, but that would take time" Michael suggested. "Time we don't have" Sayid confirmed. "Charlie, can you find us a way in?" he questioned, turning to him. "I can try" he said skeptically, a little nervous under the sudden pressure. "Please do" Sayid said, crossing his arms as he waited for a response. It would be a lot easer to think if you gits weren't watching me like starving vaulters. How is a man suppose to concentrate when my bleeding heads going in circles....circles...that's it! "Circles" he exclaimed with a snap, echoing his thoughts. "What about them?" Jack asked, looking at him skeptically. "The caves, they all lead to the same place. Like a big freaking circle!" he explained as he laughed, grinning with accomplishment. The three exclaimed glances, deciding rather or not to trust him. "I hope your right..." Michael sighed, shifting his book bag before heading into the caves. Jack fallowed, then Sayid and finally Charlie. For a while they walked In silence, hearing their foot steps echo through the walls along with a timely dripping in the distance. Charlie's eyes wondered about the walls, watching the shapes of their shadows twist and bend to the curves of the walls as their flash lights danced across them. A smile crossed his face as the image sparked a memory in his mind. "What are you smiling for?" Sayid asked in a curious whisper. "The walls. They remind me of these little Halloween lamps. You light a candle, and then place the shade over top, with pictures cut out of it, and they reflect on the walls. Me and my brother used to sit in a tent in our back yard every Halloween with that thing on. And every year he'd try to scare the shit out of me" Charlie explained, not realizing how he was rambling on as his dazed eyes shifted with the lights. Sayid smiled at the image created by his description. "What dose it remind you of?" Charlie asked, snapping out of the dream land. Sayid thought for a moment. "When I was a solider, the room that I slept in use to be a cell. It had bars on the windows, even to the hall way. So at night, they'd leave lines on the floor from the light outside, and I could see the shadow of every one who passed" he explains. He could see the hall clearly in his mind, even hear the foot steps. "What about you Jack?" Charlie asked, turning too the two up ahead who'd been silent the whole time. "Huh?" Jack asked , clueless, as he looked back over his shoulder. "What dose the cave remind you of?" he explained. "A very dark, very small and airless closet with a locked door. The kind with those little panels, so when kids play hide and steak you could watch the other person while they look for you" Jack began, at first he had meant to keep it simple. And expression of his claustrophobia. But it sparked a memory in him two, and something urged him to continue. "Of course, they'd always find you because after a while you'd start laughing." he added quickly. "Yeah, well who ever were playing with, I sure as hell hope we don't get caught" Michael confirmed, bringing the conversation to a screeching halt. But the thought of being trapped in a closet, or the thought of a closet alone brought a vison back from Jack's dream. The static man with the paper. An image he hadn't thought about since he was ten. And the image, till this day, made him want to run to his mommy. It was at that moment then a faint buzz sounded from the flash light in his hand before it flickered and fadded out. "The batteries are dead, I have a few sparse" Sayid explained, and began digging in his bag. The others stopped, waiting for the light to be fixed. Jack gave him the flash light, unable to focus properly. The thought the issue with his vision was from the heat, but now he was begging to worry it was something else. He shut his eyes, squeezing the bridge of his nose between pointer and thumb to release some of the tension. But when they opened again, he only felt dizzy. Something moved in the distance, witch caught his surprise. "Woo" he muttered out loud as he jumped back agenst the wall, startled. "What?" Sayid questioned, looking up from the light. "Oh, nothing. One of you just moved. My eyes are kind of watering, so it made me jump" Jack explained in a reasonable logical manner....or so he thought. "I didn't move" Michael confirmed. "Me neither" Charlie added, both looking a little paranoid. "Don't worry about it. Probably just the light playing tricks or something" Jack assured them, waving the problem away. Sayid handed him the light and they continued on.
"So exactly how many are there?" Boone questioned, walking side by side with the stranger who'd helped him after he almost tumbled off the cliff the afternoon before. "Ten" the man confirmed. He had only spoken in a pattern of short word answers, and didn't bother to explain anything unless Boone pressured him two. "How about on your side?" he asked, curiously. "40 something" Boone answered, "guess we got the better end of the deal." the man was silent as he walked ahead a little. "So were you on the plane with any one...what was it again?" Boone questioned, he'd known the man for less than a few hours and already he'd forgotten his name. "Thomas" the man confirmed, "and no. I was alone" he answered with a hint of remorse. Boone couldn't help but wonder why this man was so miserable. But then again, life on the beach was safe, and homey and pretty much a decent place to live. At times it seemed even better than home. Who knows how the conditions were on the other side of the mountain, where his new companion was leaving him. "What about the rest of the survivors?" he asked, hoping he could help reunite atleast some one. "Most of them where alone on the plain two, except Henry" Thomas explained. "Who was he with?" Boone questioned. No one he knew of on this island had ever spoken of a Henry, but in all the months spent there he still hadn't had a decent conversation with every one. "His wife, Rose" Thomas answered, an estranged sadness with his tone. Rose. That sparked the memory. "That's great!" Boone exclaimed, over-joyed with being able to unite someone after all. "What?" Thomas questioned in a little shock, not understanding how a man who lost his wife was something to celebrate. "She's alive. Rose, she's back on the island!" Boone explained excitedly. "No way! Are you sure?" Thomas questioned, a grin crossing his face. "Positive. She has the wedding wring and every thing!" Boone assured. They both laughed a little, sharing the enthralling feel of bringing two people back together. "Wow..I guess there is hope on this island after all" Thomas shrugged poetical. "I guess so" Boone agreed. The excitement faded down as they continued to walk silently.
Sun was kneeling in the sand as she watered the little garden that surrounded her tent. The sun shined brightly as she piddle with the leaves, humming to herself. "Whatcha doing?" Walt questioned, standing behind her, trusty side kick at his side. "Gardening" She explained, thinking for a moment to remember the term. Her English was good for the most part, but there were still a many words she hadn't learned. "I know that, but why are you doing it?"he clarified curiously. She considered her answer for a moment. "Its calming. Helps me relax" She explained musingly as she fiddled. "From what?" he questioned, sitting down on one of the empty pots that had ben turned upside down. She thought for a moment. Obviously, the truth would not withstand. Can't drop your marital issues on a ten year old, he's heard enough about that. She opened her mouth, ready to go with what ever came out but he interrupted. "Where's Jin?" he asked. She could see he was peeking inside the tent. "He's at the other end of the beach...fishing" she explained, makeing it seem as normal as anything. "Did you two had a fight last night?" he asked curiously, turning back to her. She hesitated once again. "...yes" she answered shortly. "Why?" was the next question. "We just got tired of each other, I suppose. Being here on the island made us realize that we wanted different things." She explained, leaving out every detail she could. "Oh, I see. Dose that mean your like...single, now?" he asked curiously. The question caught Sun a little off gard. "I suppose...yes" she answered. "That's cool" he murmured, kicking the sand. "Maybe you and my dad could date" he suggested out of no where. This really caught her by surprise. So much she almost choked on the air. "Well, I would got that far..." She explained, trying to get the idea out of his head before he went any farther. "Yeah, I thought you'd say that" he shrugged, hands tucked in the pockets of his cargo shorts. "Well, I'm gonna go play catch. Come on, Vincent" he said, and with that the two headed off. Sun shook her head with wonder as she went back to tending her plants. Date your father? What kind of an idea is that? She thought, laughing to herself. Unaware that the same thoughtful suggestion would be teasing at her for a long time.
Claire was had moved out of the sun to the shade of the shadow cast by the plane as she leaned back agenst it. Today, was hot. That's all she could make of it. The fact that she was going to be spending it without Charlie made it seem like a dream. Not a good one, mind you. But a daze. She floated around, not recalling a single moment. She was pulled out of this dreamy state when Ben curled up in her lap without warning, snuggling his head agenst her chest. He'd grown out of snuggling a while back or so she thought. "Hey, sweetie. You ok?" she questioned, smoothing her hand over his thin, fluffy hair. "Where's Charlie?" he asked sleepily, voice muffled agenst her shirt. "He's looking for Shannon, with the rest of the guys. He'll be back soon" she assured him with a smile. He gave a little disappointed sigh, and snuggled in closer, falling asleep in his mother's lap for the first time in months. Claire had missed the affectionate feel of being able to cradle him, but gave in. After all, he couldn't sleep with mom for ever. But if he wanted to do it now, she couldn't help but embrace him. She sat, brushing his hair gently through her fingers, wondering how much longer it would be before Charlie would come back and hold her the same way.
"Did you just here that?" Jack asked, eyes darting frantically. "Here what?" Michael questioned, giving him a concerned look. Jack shook his head, trying to knock the since back in. But all it did was fling sweat beads. "Nothing" he sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose. "You feeling ok, man?" Michael questioned in a worried tone. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine" Jack assured with a nod, fallowed by a raspy sigh as he blinked his eyes open once again. But it was a lie. He'd been seeing moving shadows, and hearing scratch cackles since they'd started walking. And the darkness that surrounded them outside the circle of the flash lights didn't make it any easier. Right now he'd kill to be back on the beach, with the bright sun makeing every thing clear. Instead of in this stuffy, cramped, humid, miserable little tunnel that was closing in around him. He couldn't wait until they reached the water. And with that thought, ta da! It was there. One by one, they eased their way into the water, which was almost room temperature. But still a relief from the thick steamy air. Charlie's fingers dragged along the bumpy walls as he walked, trailing a hand beside him. The other loosely holding out his flash light. A yawn escaped his lips, his exhaustion sinking in. Sayid bit the thin light between his teeth as he walked, using both hands to pull his mattered black curls back in a pony tail as best he could. Michael observed Jack out of the corner of his eye. Watching his eyes flicker around in a paranoid manner. This was not healthy behavior, exspeicaly for the doctor. Sayid was now leading the way, Jack close behind. Michael trailed back to where Charlie still wondered at his own pace, taking in the scenery. "Hey, man. You think Jack's ok?" Michael questioned in a raspy whisper, leaning in so the others ahead wouldn't hear. Charlie looked over, taking a look at him. He hadn't been paying attention before. But now it was clear that something had gotten into him from the paranoid looks, excessive breathing and the hand that he hid under the watter, that was twitching so fast it made its own rings. "I think he's makeing heroin withdraws look like a walk in the park" Charlie whispered in return. Michael went to say something else, but Jack interrupted. "What are you girls whispering about back there?" Jack called with a clumsy, breathless laugh as he looked back over his shoulder. "Just complimenting the view" Charlie joked sarcastically. "No offense, Charlie, but sometimes...if you weren't with Claire...I'd swear you were gay" Jack teased, pausing between every couple of words to take in more air. "Uh...none taken" Charlie assured, eyeing him with concern. It was only moments before Jack's behavior turned grim as he stumbled forward. At first, it looked like he had tripped, after all he'd been walking like a drunk for the past hour, it was a wonder he could keep his balance. But as he slid under the dusty green water, and didn't come back up, that the panic sat in. Sayid turned quickly in an parade of splashes, moving with the others to pull him out of the water. Yellow-tented beads dripped from his head as they pulled him up. His unconscious head bowled, letting the moister leak off it and spill back into the pool it came from. The white shirt now soaked, and clinging to his limp, lifeless body. They leaned him back agenst the wall, his arms flung over Sayid's shoulder on left and Michael on the right. Charlie stood close by, with extra support. His head rolled back agenst the shiny rocks. His flash light bobbed in the water. "You guys go ahead" Michael suggested, shifting under the wight of Jacks still arm. "Are you sure?" Sayid asked, looking over at him. "Yeah. Go on, I'll stay here with him" he assured urgently. Sayid nodded in agreement and lifted the motionless arm over his head, sliding out from under it. Charlie eases him over so that Michael could support all his wight with only the none arm lugged over his shoulder before moving up with Sayid. The two continued their journey.
Boone and Thomas pushed through the last of the trees, meeting up with the small circle of faces crowded around in the dusty fog on the other side of the mountains. Fadded articles of clothing hung from cloths lines that criss-crossed the barrier trees, a few shanties sat up agenst the wall of the mountain serving as a shelter for the small group of curious looks that greeted him. "Group, this is Boone. He's a survivor from the other edge of the island" Thomas announced. Boone couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under the prying gazes. His eyes trailed across each new, unfamiliar face until they feel upon one witch disturbed him the most. A girl about his age lieing on a cot, her head slightly turned in his direction. Her eyes were closed, the lids the color of bruises. Her skin was a translucent white, every pour clearly defined like grey centers in her pasty skin. The elbows of her arm and finger tips held the same darkened tint as her eye lids, and her lips were a crispy shade of white. Her stringy brown hair trailed in a mildly tangled trail down her back. A dusty green blanket dropped across the rest of her body. Thomas watched Boone's expression as he stared on at the poor girl with a horrified stare. Jaw-dropped and all. "What happened to her?" he asked in a whisper, unable to remove his eyes. "We don't know. She just got really sick. We don't know what's wrong with her" Thomas explained mournfully. "We have a doctor back at the caves" Boone explained hurriedly, quickly snapping his attention to Thomas. "Lets go" he exclaimed. Quickly, the two moved over to the spot where she laid. They rolled her limp, lifelessly body onto her back and tucked the blanket around the cot. By lifting it of the x-shaped bars of wood, they could carry it like a scratcher. They piled the need items around her for the journey back to the island. Boone gathered up some food, shoving it into the book bag Thomas had tossed him. "Hey, you Henry?" he asked, looking up at the middle aged man sitting before him. The man nodded, looking a little confused. "Well come on, your going with us" he instructed, swinging the bag onto his back. "Why?" the man asked with bewilderment. "Because, your wife's waiting for you"
Sowyer was moving quick, dodging every tree in his path. The feeling was enthralling. His heart pounded as he railed between the trees. He was winning and he new it. He couldn't even here Kate's feet pounding in the distance behind him. He'd gotten a head start and them WHAM! Lost her right behind him. Then again, he'd barley nudged her down. And he had herd her behind him when they chase had began. He slowly down until his feet both lay flat on the dirt, and looked around. No sign of Kate anywhere. A little worry came over him as he wondered where she might of disappeared off to. He spun in an unaimed circle, looking all around to make sure she wasn't hiding in any corners. And just as his back was turned, she made her move. Nudging into him and giving him a hard shove into the leaves before railing down the path he'd been head. He tumbling forward, feet flying over his head at least three times as he rolled down the leave-covered hill until finly his back slammed onto the hard ground. His head fell back hard agenst the firm soil and he squinted agenst the sudden tension that ran through his head. "God, damn it freckles" he cursed to himself, feeling the back of his skull for the bruise it had undoubtably made as he sat up. Kate laughed with pride as she pounded through the trees, but stopped when she spotted Boone, Accompanied by two strangers carrying a large object slowly through the trees. The surprise gave a shock to her head that caused her to lose her footing, and she slid down into the leafy mud before them. "Kate!" Boone called with sunrise, quickly lowering his end of the stretched and running to her aid. She replied with only a grumble as he helped her up. She dusted the dirt of the palms of her hands. Then, she realized it wasn't her cloths she was wearing and rubbed the rest off on her shirt. "What are you doing out here?" he questioned curiously, catching her attention. She looked over the two strangers who stared back in confusion, and the girl in the stretcher which was lieing on the ground. "I could ask you the same thing" she said a little skeptically, blowing a lose strand out of her face. "Oh, right. This is Thomas and Henry, Roses husband. They survivors from the plain crash. They'd been living on the other side of the mountain this whole time" he explained brightly, the whole situation still amazed him. "Oh great. If life here hasn't gotten any more historical, now we've got manifest destiny on our hands" Sowyer chimed in with a bitter grumble, rubbing the back of his head as he emerged from the trees. "Oh, and nice try freckles" he added sarchasticly. Kate turned to him for only moments before turning back and beating feat. "Shit!" Sowyer cursed freely, flying after her. The three watched in confusion as the two railed off into the trees. "Why are they running?" Thomas questioned. "I have no idea" Boone assured him.
"Hey man" Michael said softly, talking to Jack as his eyes flickered open. "What happened?" he asked sleepily, leaning back agenst the rock. "You passed out, man" Michael explained plainly, rubbing his own shoulder. Jack sighed, and looked around. He didn't remember passing out, or much before that. Slowly it came back to him. "Where's Sayid and Charlie?" he asked, realizing that they had disappeared. "I told them to go ahead" Michael answered shortly. Jack let his eye lids slide shut. The heat had returned with his consciousness, and the water did nothing to sooth him now. He wouldn't be surprised if it started to boil. His head was swarming and he felt like he could drop all over again. And Michael must have sceen it in his face because he gave him a comforting pat on the back along with a "hang in there." Jack smiled faintly to show he was managing. That's when the laugh sounded again. You hoped after passing out your mind would go back to normal, but apparently you were wrong. He thought to himself. "Did you here that?" he was surprised to here Michael ask. Woo, maybe your not crazy. "Yeah I heard it" he answered hoarsely. Their eyes shifted around as the screechy laughter echoed through the walls around them. The sound made the water shake and the walls rumble, witch made Jacks skull crack, or atleast, that's how it felt. His eyes rolled shut. "Stay with me, man" Michael ordered worriedly. Jack forced himself to open them again. And the vision infront of him was rearing sideways. The image of TV static man standing in the shadow over in the corner across from him. "Oh god..." he sniffed, not crying, just miserable. "What?" Michael asked with concern. He watched in confusion, and a little fright as Jack held a hand across his head, mumbling softly to himself. "Jack, listen to me. Stay with me. Jack" he called, keeping calm ass he held Jacks face between his hands, forcing the man to look up at him. Jack squeezed his eyes shut, and opened them again. It was gone. He panted with relief, leaning his head back agenst the rock and slowly turning it to the side. BAM! There it was again, stareing back at him with its eyeless face, the scratching laughter colliding with the harsh sound that a static tv would make. He was surprised when Michael flinched, not at the image, but at its sound. "We gotta get out of here" Michael suggested in a panic. He began to move forward, makeing aloud plash as he went. "No!" Jack called, quickly going to grab his arm. He only managed to catch a hold of the sleeve of his shirt, but still managed to grip onto it and pull the man back. "I'm not leaving" Jack assured him, his voice estranged and tired. It sounded as his through were raw and his vocal chords hand been de-tuned. For a moment, Michael looked ready to argue, but quickly gave in. "Why?" He questioned. "Because, it'll help us" Jack assured him. "Look, man. I don't know what your on, but what ever makeing that noise is not our tour guide!" Michael confirmed, point a finger at the direction they had came down the cave. "Shh" Jack instructed quickly, eyes moving around the room. "I don't here it-" Michael tried to explain, but was only shushed again. "Sayid...?" they heard a faint voice ask weakly. It was Shannon, no doubt. "Sayid!" She screamed again, her voice echoing all around them. "SOMEBODY HELP!" She bellowed through the walls. "My god..." was all Michael could say.
"Aw, DAMN IT!" Sowyer hollered angrily as he hugged the tree, stareing at the prideful Kate, who had just barely beat him. "Don't be such a sour loser" She teased, taking the opportunity to gloat to full advantage. She could enjoy nothing more then makeing him feel low, after all it was a lowly trick to begin with. Even if it was a load of fun. For a moment she realized just how much she'd enjoyed the little jungle tag game. Quickly, she shook it out of her head. He didn't respond, just stared back at her angrily. Oh, don't give me that look" she sighed, crossing her arms. "You deserved it" she added, with no remorse. "Don't mean you got to brag about it" he snapped, looking up at her as he rest his knuckles on his knees, trying to catch his breath. "Oh, you mean like this...?" she asked teasingly, and then began doing her little victory dance. Wiggling her hips as she moved in a circle. "I beat you a beat you!" She teased in a sing-song voice, breaking down into a cabbage patch. The whole performance was relatively adorable. And he found himself smiling as he watched her, leaning agenst the tree. "Vary funny" he noted sarcastically. She stopped short when she spotted Boone and the others walking out from the woods. He was walking forward, holding the handles of the stretched on his shoulders. Sowyer, turned quickly and moved out of his way. "Where's Jack?" He asked urgently, not longer worried about what they were doing. "Haven't sceen him. Just got back" Kate explained with a shrug. "Stay here, you guys. I'll go find him" Boone instructed, turning back to the others after lowering the stretcher. They made no attempt to argue, and he hurried off. The four stared at each other awkwardly, not knowing what to think. The silence was unbearable. "Alright, what the hell is going on here?" Sowyer questioned, having no choice but to break it.
"Here it is" Sayid explained, gesturing towards the large black crevasse in the wall of the cave. "And you saw something moving in there right?" Charlie questioned, makeing sure. "Definitely" Sayid confirmed. Charlie took in a deep breath and let it out as he stared into the cave, and shifted his book bag. "Well then, after you" he grinned, makeing a gesture towards the opening. Sayid smile at the joke and headed in. Both of Charlie's hands trailed along the walls, the flash light tucked in his pocket. The walls were slimy and moist, water had clearly been splashed around in there. "So what exactly did you see?" Charlie questioned, taking the place in. "A shadow" Sayid answered shortly, not knowing how else to describe it. "Like a humane shadow?" Charlie questioned, trying to get the exact idea. "I sure hope so" Sayid answered. "Well...what else could it have been?" Charlie asked skeptically with a little shrug. "Anything. Bats, crocodiles....polar bears" Sayid answered. "Thanks. Very reassuring" Charlie muttered sarcastically. Sayid smiled. If anyone could lighten a situation, it was Charlie. And he did it without effort. But he had another unfortunate dependancy up his sleeve: panic. Witch he went railing into at the slightest shutter of the walls under his finger tips when the cave shook. It was from a high pitched, screeching sound. "Holly shit, what is that?" he yelled freely, his arms tense as they pushed agenst the narrow walls of the cave. "Shh!" Sayid motioned with his finger. "What do you mean "Shh!" if anything bringing these walls down its that!" Charlie continued stressfully. The sweat poured down his head. "Charlie!" Sayid snapped, grabbing a hold of his shoulders. "Just stop" He added, stareing him dead in the eye. Charlie went silent, but still looked spooked. "Sayid...?" A voice called echoed from no where. He looked over quickly, a part of him longing to see her standing right behind him. But of course, there was no Shannon in sight. "That's here, isn't it?" Charlie asked, not expecting an answer. "SAYID!" She called again, a lout louder. Her voice was railing over the high pitched hum of what ever was makeing the walls quake around them. "Charlie, where is she?" Sayid questioned, turning back to him. "How the hell should I know?!" Charlie responded bluntly. "SOMEBODY HELP!" Shannon's voice cracked around them. "CHARLIE! Look at you paper! The song is a map, remember? Now tell me where she is!" Sayid demanded, shaking him violently. The memory came flooding back to him. Like a tunnel that you fallow to a tunnel of its own, down a hallow to a cavern where the sun has never shown..."There!" He pointed a confident finger across Sayid's shoulder. Quickly the two began running through the water best they could. The splashes whaled as they smacked hard agenst the walls.
"Claire!" Boone called, running up to her at fool speed. She looked up, surprised to see him. "Where's Jack?" he asked hurriedly. "He went to the caves-" She began to explained. "What? Why?" He continued, not allowing her to explained. "He went to find Shannon..." She explained, bowing her head, "with the rest of the guys." Boone's eyes went wide. "DAMMIT!" he cursed angrily, pounding both fist agenst the wall of a tent. The plastic just gave a lazy flap and glided back into place. "Is some one hurt?" She questioned, stareing at him from behind. "Yeah. I found other servers, they've been living on the other side of the cave. One of them is sick" He explained.
"Shh" Sayid whispered, holding at his arm. Charlie stopped to a halt, fallowing his gaze to the spot where the cave lead. It was alike a shock.. There was a whole room of its own. Fish netting ran along the walls around what looked like a small army base. There were brown wooden table over flowing with paper, tall green machines that looked like some kind of light or sound board. And agenst a wooden barrier was Shannon. A thick rope circled in criss crosses over her, and tears poured down her eyes. "What do you want with me!?" She was sobbing, screaming across the room at a figure unseen by the two. "Maybe we should let her go..." A women with a clearly distinct french accent suggested, unseen as well although it was clear enough who it was. "And what? Let her go back and tell them all!" The opposing voice protested forcefully. "I won't tell anyone, I swear. Just please let me go" Shannon broke in, a fresh glaze of tears streaking down her checks. A knife flew from the corner and spun rapidly through the air until it plunged into the wall only inches from her face. Her eyes squeezed shut, then popped back open in shock. "Shannon!" Sayid called out without thinking. Suddenly, all eyes where on them. The two stopped in there gaze like a dear in headlights as Ethan and Danielle stood infront of them. "Go!" Ethan called, and the two ran forward full force. Charlie's instinct was telling him to run, but his body wouldn't move. Danielle tackled him, with knife in hand. He closed his eyes tight, preparing to be stabbed as there was nothing he could do to stop her. His eyes opened with a haze of confusion when he felt nothing. "help him" Danielle whispered, so only he could hear as she sat up. He looked at her, still confused, then over at Sayid who had been tackled to the ground and was now strugling with Ethan as a knife stood only inches from his face. Danielle shoved her knife in his hand, and gave him a push in the right direction. He snapped out of confusion as he quickly went to his friends aid. Shannon watched all this in horror as she squirmed beneath the ties. "Help me!" She screamed to no one imparticular, fearing that her only rescuers were in grave danger. Danielle hurried over and cut the ropes. Shannon dropped to the ground panting, her skin still red from where they had cut into her. When she looked back up Danielle had disappeared from her side. Her focus turned back to the fight. Ethan was up again, and slammed Charlie into the wall of the cave, strugling to take the knife out of his grip. Sayid lay on the ground, holding his leg in pain. It was bleeding badly, and it appeared he couldn't move. Ethan dug his nails into the skin of Charlie's hand, doing anything to loosen his grip. The sound of bone cracking echoed through the cave as Ethan crushed his hand, as he had done with Claire's. the knife dropped from his grip, as Charlie let out a squeak. No other sound able to escape his throat. Ethan smirked as he reached for his knife. But in moments, Ethan was lieing on his back, holding the wound on his chest. Danielle kneeling over him. The knife had ben stabbed into his back, and pushed all the way through, right between the rib cage. His shirt was slowly being engulfed by thick black blood, witch covered his hands and the knife held not to high above it. His body quaked as he went into shock, eyes rolled back into his head. It was only moments before he was gone entirely. The group sat around, panting traumatically. Shannon quickly hurried to her feet, makeing the short distance over to Charlie and Sayid before dropping back to her knees. "Are you alright?" Sayid questioned with concern as he rest his hands on her shoulders. She nodded, to choked up to speak. She berried herself in his arms and cried freely with relief. Charlie pulled himself off the ground, rubbing the back of his head witch had been knocked agenst the wall. Looking any where but where the two were rejoicing in each others embrace, he became re-aware of all the large electronics in the room. "What the bloody hell is all this?" he questioned, turning his direction to Danielle. "A communication system" Danielle explained guiltily. "What kind of a communication system?" Sayid chimed in, suddenly paying attention. She sighed shamefully, and began. "I built it years ago. I finally found a way to contact the outer source, witch was when I left the distress signal that you heard. The only problem was before it could reach any farther than the ocean, Ethan came. He didn't want to leave the island, and he didn't want any one else to come and get him. So he took my son, and used him as a hostage agenst me. He'd kept him locked in this room after canceling my signal for ten years...." She broke into tears and her voiced cracked. "When you all came, he feared you may intrude with his stay. So he made plans to kill you." She added, drying her eyes with the back of her hand. "How did he plan to kill 46 people?" Shannon questioned, looking up from her spot on the ground. "One by one. The logical idea would go after the weak ones first..." she continued. "Claire.." Charlie mused throughly, now understanding her attack. "It was her or my son. All of you, or my son" she explained. "But Seeing you two together...the way she was with her child. I couldn't do it. So I did the only thing I could do..." she went silent again. "You failed porously, knowing we'd lock you away" Sayid concluded. She nodded in response. His eye trailed away from her over to the complicated machine. "Dose it still work?" He questioned hopefully. "Not at the moment...but your good with mechanics" she finished for him.
"How long has she been like this?" Sun questioned, looking up at one of the strange new men as she held a clump of plant in her palm. "Over a month" Thomas explained. Claire hadn't spoken a word to him, even when she noticed he was there. He looked so different now, at first she didn't recognize him. Until he spotted her, then it became clear. She hatted the look in his eyes more than anything in the world, it could be no one else. It was a look she had once fell in love with. Now she sat beside him as they looked over the sick girls motionless body and she wondered what had been going through her head. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing Rose and Henry over at the rocks, hugging each other tight. A blissful smile across her face as they rocked in each others arms. She couldn't help but smile at the heart warming sight, but at the same time it made her sad. She was worried about Charlie now. None of them had returned and nightfall was approaching fast.
"You alright?" Shannon asked, turning her gaze to Charlie, who sat beside her, both with their backs agenst the wall. "Yeah" he nodded, his voice raspy and distant. His fingers lay over the bridge of his nose as he pinched down right, trying to relieve some of the tension form his throbbing head. A smile came across her face that made him look at her with confusion. "I know why the brought you along" she bragged thoughtfully. "Oh?" he questioned, not really know himself. "Yep. Who else on this rock would know Dusty Springfield?" she explained, smiling wistfully. He smiled back, and even laughed a little. Hey look, no more head ach. "Its working!" Sayid announced to the general audience, witch quickly caught their attention. "Its working!" He exclaimed again, laughing with joy as he clutched the headphones to his ear. "Hello? This is a passenger from flight 180....yes, the crashed plane. We need rescue, fast" He explained. The others moved in close, listening on edge as he waited for response. "Yes, thank you! Thank you!" he exclaimed. Tears of joy rolled down his cheeks as he sat the head phones down. "Were going home" he confirmed, smiling at those around him. "AH!" Shannon squalled with joy, throwing her arms around Charlie's neck. "Well, what are we waiting for. Lets get back and tell the others" Charlie suggested, although his vocal chords were being crushed. They lifted themselves off the ground and began makeing their way back.
"My god, where are they?" Boone muttered angrily, sitting on the long just outside the jungle. "They'll be back" Claire assured him. It was the first time she'd spoken in the last hour. She'd been sitting in that same spot so quietly he'd forgotten she was there. "You don't know that" he protested sadly. "Yes, I do" she assured thoughtfully. "How?" he questioned skeptically, his voice creaking with the weight of all his built up emotion. "Because. I just do" she explained simply. "Claire?" a voice said from behind, that sent a shiver down her spine. She looked up to see the person she already knew was there. She didn't speak back, just simply waited for his response. "Can we talk please?" he asked innocently, looking sympathetic. It was just pathetic, no 'symp' included. He let here eyes trail to the empty space on her other side, and then back up to him. Boone got the idea that this conversation called for privacy, and took it on his own accord to leave. Thomas sat down beside her reluctantly, keeping a good distance incase she lashed out on him. "So where is he?" Thomas asked, cutting straight to the point. "Ben, is in the tent sleeping" she explained, giving strong infuses to his name. "That's not who I was talking about" he corrected, without even looking at her. Her eyes narrowed at him with a look of despise. "Oh, I see. So your not worried about the kid that your sperm created?" she questioned accusing. "Of course I am, Claire. But I'm more worried about you" he response, finally turning his head. "No your not! Your worried about Charlie, which is "him" by the way." she snapped back. It pushed her even more when he began chuckling to himself as he shook his head. "You haven't changed..." he said through his laughter, witch stopped short when the cold slap of a tiny but fierce hand whipped across his face. "Neither have you" reapplied bitterly, and walked back to her tent.
She had made it half way there when she harried the group emerging from the trees. "Charlie!" she called, turning to him with a smile. he rushed over when he saw her, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground in a bear hug before giving her a firm kiss on the mouth. "Well, you seem happy about somet-" She began to note. "Were going home!" He interrupted with a grin that spread from ear to ear. "What?" she questioned, eyes wide with disbelief. "WERE GOING HOME!" Jack hollered at the top of his lungs, announcing it again, loud enough so the whole island could hear. Chatter began to break out amongst the different groups as they merged from their tents. "Oh my god!" Claire squealed with excitement, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Shannon!" Boone called, makeing a leap for his sister. He caught her by surprise, giving her a great big hug around the shoulders. "Hey, bone head" she greeted with amusement, hugging him back. "Jack, theres a girl I found from the other side of the cave. She's sick" Boone explained from over Shannon shoulder. Jack nodded, and headed off after her. "Oh god, I was so worried you wouldn't come back" Shannon mused, still squeezing her arms around her brothers shoulders. "I know, me two" he explained with a little laugh. "So where is he?" he questioned, pulling away. "Who?" she asked, not having a clue what he was talking about. "Your boyfriend" Boone teased. Her eyes trailed over to where Sayid stood, being tackled by Hurly who was hugging every one along his path with excitement. A smile warmed on her face as she watched him, without even realizing it. "Go to him" Boone told her, catching her gaze. She snapped out of it after he spoke. "He's not my boyfriend" she assured Boone, a little late as she blushed. "I know. Go anyways" He insisted.
"So who is she?" Jack asked, looking at the women who Sun had been aiding with her organic plants. "I don't know. Didn't ask for a name" Kate answered, kneeling beside him. "So where did you go last night?" he questioned, out of no where. "I'm sorry?" she asked, pretending not to understand. "I know you left Kate, and I know he fallowed you" Jack said accusingly. Her eyes lowered in shame. I should of known I couldn't hide anything from you. "Kate, don't look so worried. I know, people get angry and need some space. I'm human you know" he grinned. A wave of relief brushed over her. He dosent know, thank god! "Are you?" she asked sweetly, looking deep into his eyes. How could he be this wonderful? So sweet and understanding and beautiful....god, Kate what did you do? But he just smiled back, leaning in to kiss her.
"So where are you going?" Michael asked, standing behind Sun. "I don't understand" she responded, looking back up. "When we get off the plane, where are you going?" he clarified. "I don't know. America, I suppose Although...I have no where to stay..." she explained plainly as she rose to her feet. "You do now" he said with a disarming smile that made her blush. "You know what your son asked me this morning?" she asked, knowing full well that he didn't. "No, what did he say?" Michael asked with interest. "He asked me if you and I would ever date" She answered with amusement. "Maybe we will..." Michael smiled suggestively, and that was all that needed to be said.
"Sayid?" Shannon said softly from the opening of his tent. "Yes?" he asked, as he rose back to his feet from where he had been kneeling before an open duffle bag. "I wanted to thank you for saving my life....again" She said softly with an appreciative, and strangely nervous air. "My pleasure" he replied with a smile. They stood very close together. So close that the tension in his eyes was intimidating. "Well, I guess that's all I had to say" she muttered so that he could barely here her before turning to make her retreat. "Shannon!" Sayid called from behind her. She turned back hesitantly. "I wanted to thank you" he smiled, catching her eyes in his gaze. "For....?" She asked in confusion, looking from side to side. He took a few steps forward, closing the space between them. "For solving my life" he replied in a whisper before leaning in to kiss her.
Claire and Charlie sat in their tent, preparing for the next morning when the rescue plain would arrive. "Were going to LA" Charlie was explaining to Ben, who sat on his knee. "Your gonna see all kinds of crazy people there like prostitutes and gays and lesbians and cross dressers....and the weirdest of all-" he was saying with a jockeying grin, talking more for his wife's amusement then to the interest of Ben, who had no idea what any of those things were. "I think he's already sceen that and called it daddy" She teased, glancing up at him from the suitcase. "Well I was going to say Arnold schwarzenegger the but I guess I do top him pretty good" Charlie joked with no shame. Claire laughed, and threw a balled up shirt at him playfully. "Hey, your suppose to be packing, not throwing" Charlie teased, pointing with the shirt. She shook her head and gave him a kiss in the cheek.
After they all packed, the group gathered around the fire for one last time. "I'm proposing a toast. To finding friends, in the least expected places" Jack announced, holding up an cup of water. "To new adventure" Kate added from his side. "To starting a family" Claire chimed in, beaming over at Charlie who stood to her left. "To going home with more than you came with" he grinned jokenly, indicating to the lovely trophy wife and son plus two in her stomach that he'd bee lugging back to his little place in LA if it still existed. A few laughs fallowed. "To saving a life" Sayid took up the next spot, glancing over at Shannon, who stood at his side. "To becoming something useful" She beamed to herself. "To a chance to be brave" Boone tipped his glace. "To hunting!" Locke said simple. A few laughs fallowed. "To eating what Locke hunts" Hurly added. Even more laughs erupted. "To makeing over a thousand dollars worth of crap" Sowyer grinned shamelessly, as atleast seven bags hung from him. "To being a father" Michael cheered, patting his sun on the head. "To having a dad" Walt replied, smiling up at him. "To a second chance" Sun said, taking up her turn. Jin was the last to speak, a small phrase of Korean. The group waited for Sun to Translate. "He says 'To Fate " she explained musingly. "To Fate" The group echoed, all holding their glaces up at once before taking a sip.
The End
Yes, it is the end, but don't fear or even worse, kill me. Because there will be a sequel that starts off right where this one left and it'll be up by the end of the week. Thank you for reading.