I'm very sorry over not letting Christian join us on the trek back, and I was surprised no one cared that Sawyer wasn't coming back. I thought that would've pulled on a few heartstrings. Anyway, here is the new chapter for Confessional.

Chapter Six

The trek back was silent. Jack and Kate led the group while Charlie and Claire remained in the middle. Locke and Sayid brought up the rear.

The silence was deafening and all that was heard was the sound of birds and the soft breeze wafting through the leaves.

Charlie, who kept his promise, was carrying a silent, dazed Claire. He looked down at her to see her looking off into the jungle. The look reminded Charlie of the night she was staring far off at the fire, the night he promised he wouldn't leave her.

"I'm sorry," he said roughly. Claire kept looking off into the distance. "I wish I could bring him back Claire." She looked up at him.

"You tried, that's all that mattered, " Claire said. "You tried to save us, twice. And you almost lost your life for us." Her soft fingers grazed over the purplish scars on his neck.

"I'm alright Claire," Charlie said picking up on the sadness ebbing from her voice. She leaned her head on his chest.

"You know, they brought me to where you were hanging?" Claire asked. Charlie looked down at her. "They made me sit there as they hung you in the tree. I screamed and cried but they didn't listen to me. I thought you were dead." Her voiced cracked and she closed her eyes.

"Sh, it's okay. I'm fine, alive and well," Charlie said. Claire nodded and leaned onto Charlie. A few minutes later, Claire had fallen asleep against him. He kissed her head and kept on walking.

They soon came upon the caves. Everyone was excited to see Claire but also worried about her.

Charlie carried her to his cave and laid her down on his bed. She roused a little as he stood.

"Charlie," she said softly.

"It's okay," he said bending down to her. "I'm here, I'm not going to leave. I just need to get Jack. He needs to check you out before anything else. I'll be right back," Charlie said. Claire nodded and closed her eyes. Charlie walked out to the open area to see everyone surrounding the cave.

"Can we give Claire some privacy? She's been through a whole lot," Charlie explained. "Jack, you want to examine her?"

"Yeah," Jack said coming forward with his bag. He patted Charlie's shoulder and they walked in.

Jack sat in front of Claire who opened her eyes. Charlie felt uncomfortable, like he shouldn't be there.

"I'll just wait out here," Charlie said. He turned to leave when he heard the most wonderful thing.

"Charlie, don't leave me," Claire said frightened. Charlie turned and smiled and nodded. He walked over and sat next to her and held her hand. Jack looked at the two then began examining her.

"Well Claire, you're just fine. You're going to be okay, did your delivery go well?" Jack asked knowing he was hitting a tender spot.

"Yeah, good. Ethan measured him, weighed him, did everything. I can tell you it all," Claire said.

"Yes, please," Jack said pulling a pen and pad out of his bag.

"He was born two days ago, which would be February 7. He weighed 6lbs. 8 oz and was 20 inches long. Do you need anything else?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, what was his name?" Jack asked.

"Christian Patrick Littleton," Claire said. Jack nodded and left. Claire sighed and leaned back onto Charlie who was surprised by the action.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Can I ask you something?" Claire asked.

"Of course, anything," Charlie said.

"When you said you would be my friend and I basically told you no. I'm sorry and I was just wondering…" she said trailing off.

"What?" Charlie asked.

"Can I be your friend?" Claire asked. Charlie looked down at her and smiled. "I really need one right now."

"Of course," Charlie said. "I could use one too." Claire smiled.

"Is that all?" Charlie asked. Claire's smile dropped and she shook her head.

"No," Claire said. "I miss him."

" I know love. I bet he was the most beautiful baby in the world," Charlie said. Claire smiled.

"He was," Claire said. She then broke down. She buried her face in her arms and cried.

"Claire, come here," Charlie said. He pulled her into his arms and onto his lap. She cried into his chest and Charlie rocked back and forth soothing her. He rubbed her back and smoothed her hair.

"Why Charlie?! Why does this always happen to me?!" she screamed in emotional pain.

"Claire, I don't know. I wish I could make it all better but I can't," Charlie replied. "We all have to deal with hardships in our life. I wish I could find Christian, make you feel better and find a way off this bloody island." Charlie couldn't believe to hear his own voice cracking.

They sat in tears for almost an hour before Claire cried herself to sleep in Charlie's arms. He placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket and just watched her as she slept.

"Hey," Kate said. Charlie turned to see Kate there with two plates of food. "Thought you guys might be hungry."

"Thanks," Charlie said taking the food.

"Everyone's glad Claire is back. But people are worried about Sawyer and Christian," Kate said.

"Yeah, I know," Charlie said. Kate hugged him and then left. Charlie awoke Claire even though he didn't want to but she needed to eat.

They ate in silence and then Claire fell asleep again. Charlie knew she was exhausted so he left her. He just sat there and watched her.

Out in the caves, everyone was enjoying dinner. Jack walked over and sat next to Kate at the fire.

"How are they?" Jack asked.

"Good, Claire's asleep," Kate said.

Jack nodded. "She needs rest. She's been through so much this past week." Kate nodded and they sat there. Suddenly, a rustle in the leaves made them look up.

"What was that?" Kate asked. They all watched the foliage to see a limping Sawyer appear.

"Sawyer!" Jack said as he and Kate jumped up. They went over to help him and Kate hugged him.

"Whoa! Freckles is even excited to see me, I must have done something right," Sawyer said. Kate noticed he was holding something close to him.

"Where's Claire?" he asked.

"In the caves resting, why? What's this?" Jack asked. Kate pulled back the blanket and smiled and laughed softly.

Jack flashed them both smiled. "Because this will make them mighty darned happy," Sawyer said.

"Charlie!" Jack yelled as he awaited Charlie to see what Sawyer had.

……

So anyone want to take a guess at what Sawyer has? I know… anyway, did everyone see the preview for Lost next week? I hope Charlie doesn't get too hurt!

REVIEW RESPONSES

Esmarelda Gamgee- Thanks so much for your review. I know, who doesn't love a good Charlie and Claire fic?

Troublesometwin2- Thanks for the review!

Allison- I know! Go Charlie! I hope he does it in for real! Thanks for the review!

Aurorasmist- I'm sorry for the horrible ending, but stories do that sometimes. Hope this ending was better for you. Thanks for the review!

MusicMonkey88- Oh Mrs. Monaghan! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry! I know nothing can replace the first child, and Charlie and Claire are together, so as long as that makes you happy! Thanks!

Until next time,

Bloomy Angel