Thanks to a.k.a.-ashley, smilez4eva, Writing Squirrel, nica, xeledhwenx, and Charley&Clairefor the reviews!

Disclaimer: None of the characters in this story are my own creation.


Move On

"Jack! Jack, please help me! Jack! Where are you?"

Jack's eyes snapped open and he sat up quickly. What happened now? He thought. Where's Kate? Did she go into the jungle alone? He hurriedly moved to get up, pushing aside the soft sheets and bedding. Sheets? On the island? He sank back down as he suddenly recalled the events of the day before. He had only been dreaming the island, apparently, but it definitely felt real to him. He had been fully expecting to wake up in the caves that had now become as familiar to him as his own bed.

Not that he was even in his own bed now. His mother had refused to allow him to go home to his apartment – she had insisted that she stay in the guest room. At first, it was because she wanted to take care of him. After hearing the fate of his father, however, it seemed more like Jack was going to have to take care of his mom.

Lying back down, Jack closed his eyes and tried to force his mind to consider his job or his mother or Lorraine. All his thoughts kept coming back to just one person: Kate.

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"Jack. Oh, Jack, I'm so glad you're here, I need this now, I need you…"

"Whoa, lady. Who the hell is Jack?"

"What?" It was Kate's turn to sit up in surprise. Glancing around rapidly, she saw that she was on a hard couch in a small, dank room that, from the sound of it, was located somewhere near central L.A. Blankly, she gazed over at the disgruntled-looking man looking at her with a mix of annoyance and amusement.

"The name's Darvey and, uh, in case you don't recall, I told ya that ya could sleep in this here shack if ya was quiet and not a disruption to me. Somehow, I'm thinking that you makin' out with some imaginary dude isn't bein' quiet and/or non-disruptive. Comprende?"

Kate blushed a deep scarlet as she nodded consent. Turning her back to him, she once again laid down and tried to get comfortable on the couch. She could still hear Darvey chuckling to himself as he nodded off. No matter what she tried, she could not fall asleep again.

Yes, she had dreamed of Jack. Crazy as it seemed, she could not get him out of her mind or her heart. She should have been able to dismiss it by now if it was all just in her head. But he had felt the connection, too, hadn't he? Leaving him had been hard for her, now she knew she wouldn't get the chance to say a real goodbye.

Sighing, Kate once again reminded herself that it had all been a dream. A nightmare, even. Try as she might, though, the feelings would not erase. She knew she had lost it. What other explanation could there be? Kate could not understand the fact that she felt no need for food, shelter, or safety if only she could once more be held in Jack's arms.

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"You came!"

Charlie smiled, but was taken aback at the surprise and delight in Claire's voice. "You seriously thought I might have abandoned you? Poppycock. I would never."

"I'm sorry if I insulted you, Charlie. I've just been, well, more than a little scared lately."

"No problem. I could definitely see why."

"Well, I actually did get good news today. Nurse Branson said that she doesn't think the baby's coming for at least two week, so they may let me out within the next day or too."

"That's great, Claire. I'm very happy for you."

"There is one favor I have to ask, though. If this is too intrusive, please tell me and I'll understand. Do you think I could stay at your place for a little after I'm released? Just until I find my own apartment and locate that couple who wanted to adopt the baby so I can afford the rent."

"Of course, but don't you want to go back home to Australia?"

"Actually, no. There's nothing for me there anymore. And I can't face anyone I knew there again, not after everything that happened."

"Now it's my turn to be intrusive. May I ask what happened?"

"It's a long story."

"We have all day."

Claire spent the rest of the day telling Charlie about her life in Australia. Towards the end of it, she finally began to realize why she liked this man so much. He looked at her like she was the most important person in the world and he seemed to hang on her every word. No one had ever shown her that much respect before. Even if she really had never met him before yesterday, Claire had a strong feeling that she and Charlie shared a special bond.

Both Charlie and Claire were disappointed when, at exactly 8:00, the nurse came in to Claire's room. "Visiting hours are over. I'm sorry, sir, but you must leave."

Claire smiled sweetly and looked pleadingly up at Nurse Branson, who was her favorite member of the hospital staff. "Please, Nurse. Can't he stay just a little longer?"

"Claire, you'll have plenty of time with your boyfriend tomorrow, darling. It's against the rules, though I don't see why unmarried couples can't stay together in hospitals. It's not right to the father."

Both blushed at the nurse's assumption. Claire opened her mouth to clarify when Dr. Rom leaned into the doorway. "Is there a problem, here? Visiting hours are officially over at this point."

Nodding at the doctor, Charlie turned back to Claire. "The doc says that our time is up. But, I promise, I'll be back tomorrow and we'll work it all out."

He turned to leave, but Claire caught his hand. Looking into his eyes, she said softly, "Thank you, Charlie. We both thank you with all our hearts."

Charlie slowly leaned down and kissed Claire's hand softly. The doctor cleared his throat. Looking up, Charlie managed a smile again and tried to retain a clam demeanor while leaving the room escorted by Nurse Branson. As he walked out of the hospital toward the old motel he was staying in, he marveled at how much Claire had come to mean to him. Silently, he vowed that he would never let any harm befall her or her still unborn child.

In the hospital, Claire leaned back against the soft bed. Her eyes were about to close when her doctor entered the room and stood over her. "Claire, I regret to inform you that I have further researched your case and I believe that it is crucial for me to keep you here at least until the baby is born."

"But, Doctor…"

"No buts, Claire. You want the child to be safe, don't you?"

"Yes. More than anything."

"Good. Then I suggest you follow my orders." Briskly, he turned to leave.

"Doctor! I have one more question. I'm sorry, but I never quite got your name."

Slowly, he turned back and stared hard at Claire. "My name is Dr. Rom." Claire began to feel a chill creep down her spine for reasons she couldn't understand. The doctor moved closer to her. "Dr. Ethan Rom."

Claire gasped. She was paralyzed with fear. She finally choked out, "Ethan? Not…"

"I'm here for you, Claire."

He stepped still closer. Claire released a bloodcurdling cream. "Charlie!!"


This was a relatively short chapter, but it's setting up for the next one, which is going to be a lot longer. Let me know what you thought! Also, please tell me if you want to hear more about any of the other characters. I'm still trying to decide whether it would be useful to keep them in the story. Tell me in your review!