Thanks to everyone who's reviewed for chapter 12. Did anyone watch I Love the '90's: Part Deux? Dom was great on there. Anyway, thanks to everyone who is also reading 'Breathing'. And what did everyone think of Claire coming back? squeals Here's chapter 13.

Chapter 13: Old Habits Are Hard To Kick

Two weeks had passed and no sign of Aidan. Claire and Charlie were starting to lose hope that they would never see Aidan again. Claire was still in deep depression, it reminded her of being in depression after Boone and Locke found her in the jungle that night. Charlie was in his own depression, fighting off the withdrawal symptoms that had returned from almost a year of being clean.

It was the middle of March now and fall was starting to make its appearance in Sydney. Claire was worried to death if Aidan was cold, hungry, freezing in this cool air.

Claire was spending more time with Kate or with Karen and not at home with Charlie. She was still hurting from being lied to. She felt stupid for not forgiving him, but every time she went to go forgive him, something pulled her back.

Charlie was worried about Claire. He had never seen her like this before. She hadn't talked to him in forever, but Kate assured him she was fine. Charlie didn't believe it.

From his spot on the bed he looked at the wall calendar Claire had put up. The date was circled. Aidan turned nine months old today. Charlie frowned and sat up. He needed to get out of the house.

At Liam and Karen's...

"How you feeling today Claire?" Karen asked.

"Not so good, it's March 19. Aidan would have been nine months old today," Claire explained running a finger around the rim of her coffee mug.

"Have you talked to Charlie?" Karen asked. Claire shook her head. Karen sighed. "You know, he's suffering too. It's not just you Claire. You two need to sympathize together or your marriage is going to go down the drain. How do you think he feels?"

Claire looked at her sister-in-law. "How do you think I feel Karen?" she asked having enough of people trying to help her with her problems. "It's bad enough that my son is gone, my husband lied to me, and now he and I have to suffer through depression. It's not fun and games Karen."

"Look, I'm not trying to start a fight with you Claire, but have you seen him lately?" Karen asked. "He looks miserable. He is dealing with the same issues you are. You should go home and see him." Claire looked at the table. She nodded. "Good."

Claire took a breath and then felt tightness in her chest. She tried to breathe deep but she couldn't catch her breath. She put a hand on her chest and winced.

"Claire what's wrong?" Karen asked concerned rushing to her side. Claire felt her heart beating a mile a minute and he arm started tingling. She fell out of the chair and into Karen's arms.

"Claire! Talk to me! What is it?!" Karen asked freaking out.

"I...I can't breathe," Claire said trying to take deep breaths. Karen noticed sweat appearing on Claire's forehead. Her hands were shaking violently.

"Are you having a heart attack?" Karen asked. Claire tried to shrug but winced at the smothering sensation in her chest. "I'm calling 911."

"No!" Claire choked. She was starting to breathe easier now and the tingling and shaking went away. "It's going away." Karen sat next to her.

"Are you sure? You want me to call Charlie?" Karen asked. Claire shook her head as her breathing returned to normal.

"No, I'm fine. But I think I'm going to go home, rest, maybe take a nap," Claire said. Karen nodded.

"Okay, but if you need anything, call me. Okay?" Karen requested.

"Okay, I will," Claire said as Karen helped her stand. They hugged and Claire left.

Back at Charlie and Claire's...

Charlie returned home after almost having a craving with Liam. If Liam knew he was having these thoughts he would surely put him in a treatment center. Charlie knew that he wasn't going to take anything, he just had to tell his one part of his brain he didn't need them anymore.

Charlie walked to the bedroom and threw his jacket down on the bed. He then walked over to his dresser and went through his drawers. He pulled out clothes to take a shower when his hand ran over a small book. He pulled it out and saw it was Claire's diary from the island. He smiled and opened to his favorite page. He read over the few lines he loved...

'I realized I like Charlie...He's so sweet and adorable...In this scary place, he takes me to a place where I feel safe.'

Charlie smiled and then it fell. He knew that Claire wasn't feeling that way now. He put the diary back and then looked at himself in the mirror and then down at his hand that spelt out LOVE. He sure as hell didn't feel like a husband or father right about now. He felt as though he had no one.

Charlie walked over to the phone and picked it up. He pressed the talk button and started to dial the number where he and Liam use to get their stash from when they were in Australia. His finger hesitated over the last number, he started to press it when he heard the front door open, it was Claire. He turned the phone off and put it down. He went into the bathroom and proceeded to get in the shower.

Claire yawned and went through the mail on the counter in the kitchen. It was the usual junk mail aside from one bill. She threw the mail down and placed her hands on the counter and took deep breaths.

She heard the shower running and knew Charlie was in there. She didn't expect him to be home. She took her jacket off and hung it in the closet. She then sat herself down in front of the TV and turned on the Style network, something Shannon had turned her onto when she visited for the wedding.

About fifteen minutes later Charlie walked out of the bathroom in a towel. He saw Claire lying on the couch watching TV and smiled. He then turned to the bedroom and got dressed. He walked out into the living room and over to Claire. He got down in front of her and kissed her. Claire kissed him back for once.

"You okay?" Charlie asked. Claire nodded. "Are you still not talking to me?" Claire just stared through him. Charlie sighed and lifted her lower legs to sit on the couch. He placed her legs on his lap. "Love, you're going to have to talk to me someday."

Claire ignored him and watched TV. Charlie started massaging her lower leg and watched the TV. Claire started to feel like it was 100 degrees in the apartment. A choking sensation came over her and she couldn't breathe again. She sat up gasping for breath and she leaned over.

"Claire!" Charlie said grabbing her up to support her. She saw in his eyes fear and worry. He noticed her choking. "Claire, can you breathe?" She shook her head and then brought his hand to her chest. "My God, your heart is literally beating out of your chest. We got to get you to a hospital." He ran got shoes really quick and picked Claire up. He then drove like a madman to the hospital.

One hour later...

"Are you okay?" he asked. Claire nodded.

"I'm fine." She said. Charlie looked at her.

"Wow, words from you," he said. Claire looked at the blanket on the bed in the room of the hospital. "I'm sorry," Charlie said for his harsh words.

"Mrs. Pace, we've figured out what is wrong with you," the doctor said.

"And?" she asked.

"You had a panic attack, and you had one earlier today too," he said. Charlie looked at her worried.

"Will I be alright?" Claire asked.

"Yes, you'll be fine," he said.

"What causes them?" Charlie asked.

"Anything can, depression, a traumatic event, fights, fear, it can also be genetic, or drugs, and you don't take any of those," the doctor said. Charlie looked at Claire at the last one.

"Yeah, a lot of those things have happened to me in the past weeks," Claire said.

"It's okay, you're going to be fine, here's a pamphlet on panic attacks. It'll teach how to prevent another one when it comes along," he said. Charlie took the pamphlet. "You are good to go. Mr. Pace you can check her out and you two may go home."

"Thank you doctor," Charlie said. When the doctor left Claire looked at Charlie. She then grabbed his arm and started to sob as she held his hand to her face.

"Love, it's okay," Charlie said sitting next to her.

"Oh Charlie, I've been such a bitch to you!" she screamed. Charlie looked at her.

"No, you've just been mad. People get mad at other people it's normal," Charlie explained.

"But I've never been like this to you before!" she sobbed. Charlie held her in his arms.

"We've been through a lot these past few weeks. We lost our son; we've gotten in fights, practically paid each other no attention. It's been tough on both of us," Charlie said. Claire looked at him and kissed him.

"I'm sorry I lied to you," Charlie said. Claire looked at him.

"No, you were right, it's okay to lie. Just don't do it to me all the time and I won't do it to you all the time," Claire said. Charlie smiled. Claire then felt her hand that was holding Charlie's shaking, the thing was it wasn't her hand shaking.

"Charlie," she said looking at his hands. He pulled them away. She looked up at him. "No, you can't be doing it again."

"Oh love, I'm not!" he pleaded making her believe. "I would never do that to you. I've just been felt like doing it and I've tried to fight them but it's hard. I almost went to go get a fix today, but you came home and my priorities straightened. I love you Claire, and Aidan too and I would never do that to you two ever," he said. Claire smiled and kissed him.

"We can fight these things and find our son at the same time," Claire said. Charlie nodded.

"We can, you ready to go home?" Charlie asked. Claire nodded. "And I know the perfect way to celebrate our make-up."

"Oh you do, do you?" Claire asked. Charlie nodded and picked her up in his arms and carried her out of the hospital.

So what did you all think? Did I do alright with the make-up? I hope so! Thanks for the reviews everyone! Here are more responses.

REVIEW RESPONSES

MusicMonkey88- Thanks for the review, I'm glad I'm not killing you Mrs. Monaghan. Lol. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, they got back together!

DracoScrewer- I'm sorry you want to kill Claire. I love Claire. Anyways, what episodes did you miss of Lost? I wanted to make Claire and Charlie mean in that chapter because it gives it dramatic effect. Thanks for the review.

Dom-Monaghan-Fan01- Don't worry, Charlie didn't start up again. I would never make that happen. And Claire didn't suffer too long. Thanks for the review!

Esmarelda Gamgee- Thanks for the review!

Kat- Have no fear, he didn't go back to drugs. And yes I watched the Golden Globes, Dom and Orlando were very cute in their tuxes. Thanks for recommending my story! Thanks for the review!