Author's Note:
Here is chapter three of Fires. A lot happens in this chapter, and I'll let you read it after I thank my reviewers.

Esmarelda Gamgee

Jillybean

Charlie'sPunkDrugAngel

CharlieLOVER

szhismine

Thank you VERY much. I love getting reviews. Remember to review this chapter too! Enjoy.

Fires

Chapter Three: Suspicions

They had managed to put the fire out, though not before it had caused some serious damage. It had apparently been started near Jack's things, and had destroyed some of the more handy medicines.

Jack was down on his hands and knees sorting through the mess, seeing what medical supplies were still somewhat intact and useable. While he knew the fire had destroyed some of his own things – clothing, for one – he had decided that this was more important for the time being.

"Jack," a voice said from behind him. He looked up from where he knelt at the person who had spoken.

"What, Boone?"

"Charlie was high at the time you and he had that argument, right?"

Jack sighed and looked at the ground, guilt stinging him slightly for revealing Charlie's secret. "Yeah. Why?"

"Well, he got pretty mad at you – what if he started the fire by your stuff?"

Jack paused and thought about it for a moment. "I dunno, I don't think Charlie would -"

"He was high, Jack. Who knows what he would have done."

"I… still. I don't know." Boone nodded his head and walked away, leaving Jack to his clean up.

-

Locke walked into camp, dragging a bloody boar carcass behind him. He dropped it immediately, his arms tired from the long haul… also because he noticed that part of the camp had been burned. He approached Jack with a questioning look on his face.

There was a short pause during which Jack just looked at him hopelessly. "What happened?" Locke queried, scanning the scorched area.

"I'm not exactly sure. I woke up last night and smelled smoke. One of us had to have started it. It couldn't have been an accident. I made sure all of the fires were out last night."

"Yeah… Whoever did this must have had access to a lighter, or matches."

Jack nodded his head before remembering to tell Locke something really important. "Charlie had more drugs, Locke."

There was a long pause. "I know."

It took a moment for this information to register in Jack's head. "What? You knew?"

"Yes. I found the box he got them from."

"Well, how come you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't find it until I went hunting. Sawyer had it, but I took it while he wasn't looking."

"Where'd you put it?"

"I hid it."

"Where?"

"Do you need it?" Jack stared at Locke impatiently for a moment, realizing that he had been backed into a corner.

-

Charlie sat by the campfire, along with Claire, Hurley, Shannon and Boone. The withdrawal had kicked in again – he had been right. Getting high was the dumbest thing he could have done.

He looked around at the people surrounding him. People. He didn't want to see them right now. Claire – well, Claire he could put up with. She understood what he was going through. Hurley and Shannon might as well have gone to hell, and Boone… Charlie's eyes narrowed. Boone. He had been acting weird lately, avoiding Charlie, almost like he was intoxicated or something. Every once in a while he would shoot him a strange glance, but Charlie wasn't sure what it meant.

As if in answer to his question, Boone spoke.Charlie knewhis companyhad been talking about something, but he hadn't been listening. "So, Charlie,"Boone said his name long and drawn out, almost mockingly.

Charlie looked at him expectantly, trying to keep his irritation hidden. Boone continued. "Who do you think started that fire?"

"I… don't know."

"Well, I do." Everyone around the fire stared at Boone. Had he started the fire? "You," he said. That small word struck more anger into Charlie than any other had before.

"What?" he yelled, standing up from the log he had been sitting on. Boone smirked, standing after him.

"You had the motivation, and," he paused. "As we all know, you weren't exactly thinking straight, were you, Dope-head?" That was more than Charlie could tolerate. He thrashed out with his fist, making contact with Boone's nose and face. As he pulled it back, he could see the fresh blood smeared across his knuckles. He smirked, knowing it was he who caused Boone to bleed.

Boone staggered backward, groaning and holding his face in his hands. He felt his nose and came to the realization that it was probably broken.

Jack, who had seen what hadhappened from a distance,rushed over to Boone, peelingthe other man'shand away from his face to see what damage had been done. "Somebody get me a towel or a shirt or something. I gotta wipe away the blood before I can see anything." Charlie smirked again, almost laughing but not quite. He turned around and, deciding it would be better to watch the commotion from a distance where no one could get mad at him, walked toward the 'lobby' of the caves, if you will.

As he leaned against one of the stone walls, he realized that he had been followed. Claire was approaching him. He tried to look nonchalant, flexing his fingers. He hoped it looked cool, when in reality, he was doing it because his fingers were sore from punching Boone.

"Charlie," Claire began when she stopped next to him. "I can't help but wonder… what Boone said… Charlie, did you really start that fire?"

Charlie was shocked at how nervous and uncomfortable she looked. He wondered if it was because of the question she was asking, or if she reallywas afraid of him. Charlie looked her into her eyes and said, "No."

She smiled and a look of relief came over her face. "Good." She smiled again, but then her smile faded. "Do you think it was Sawyer?"

-

Kate reached further into the bush, reaching for a large piece of fruit hanging just beyond her grasp. She heard footsteps coming toward her, and she recognized them as Jack's.

"Hey, Kate."

"Hey, Jack."

"I have to tell you something."

"Shoot."

Jack paused. "You know about the fight last night, right?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Well, yesterday, Boone suggested to me that Charlie started the fire. I didn't believe it until Boone told me about what happened by the campfire. He casually broughthis suspicionup – he didn't say anything rude – and Charlie just flipped out and punched him."

"So… you think it was Charlie?"

Jack nodded his head.

"But where would he have gotten a lighter?"

"Well, lots of people have them. If he can sneak up to my bed and light a fire, I think he can steal a lighter."

Charlie kneeled on the ground about ten feet away from where Jack and Kate were talking. He was well hidden – they would never even suspect he was there, and he wasn't about to jump out and announce his presence. In fact, he was going to do just the opposite. He turned and sprinted away. Not toward camp – no – they all hated him there. If Jack actually thought he would do something like that, then everyone else probably did too.

-

You are getting very sleepy... you are pushing the review button... Thank you for reading. Chapter four will be posted shortly!

- Setszuki