More thanks toa.k.a.-ashley, Evermore, Writing Squirrel, Oreata, kate and jack, MusicMonkey88, YellyBelly, xeledhwenx, hurley is da man, charlie is hot, and smilez4eva for their reviews!

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

From this chapter on, this story will contain information from "Whatever the Case May Be" coupled with my own speculation.

By the way, this chapter is going to be written from the point of view of different characters.


A Revelation and An Escape

Deborah Shepard woke up abruptly at exactly 7 AM, as she had for the past ten years. She prided herself upon being a punctual woman and she was not about to break this habit now. She stretched, donned her robe, and got out of bed, pointedly ignoring the empty space that was once her husband's. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and walked down the hall, slowing as she approached her son's room. Even now that he was a full-grown man, she still checked in on him every morning. She still wasn't sure if she did this for her own security or for his.

This morning, however, Deborah stopped at the door of her new guest. She still was uncomfortable with the idea of having a known convict in her house. Quietly, she pushed open the door to reveal sunlight shining in on an empty bed. Deborah released her breath in a soft hiss. Praying that she was jumping to the wrong conclusion, she walked on and opened Jack's door. "My good Lord," she gasped, looking in.

Jack lay with his arms still tight around Kate's body. Still half-asleep, he softly stroked her hair. Deborah closed her eyes and turned away, not bothering to close the door behind her. She hurriedly walked down the stairs and made herself a large cup of coffee. My son is in love with a convict.

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Charlie quickly removed his hand from Claire's as another doctor approached their area of the ward. "Ms. Danielle Rousseau?"

"Yes?"

"Please come with me."

Danielle rose and followed the male nurse. She looked back to see Charlie outlining the plan of their escape. She had actually considered going with them, but was now reconsidering. They fit so well together, she thought that they might have some chance at happiness. Just the way that they were looking into each other's eyes, she knew that she would be a third wheel.

More importantly, however, she wasn't completely sure that she even wanted to escape. After all, she thought. Where would I even go? There is no place for me anymore.

She snapped out of her reflections and looked around her. She was in the one on one conference room, sitting across a table from Dr. Ethan Rom.

"Hello, Danielle. It's about time you and I had a little chat."

She didn't respond.

"Come now, Danielle, be civil for once. Cooperate. Tell me, what is happening with your new friend, Claire?"

She glanced up at him momentarily, then lowered her head and sat in sullen silence.

"You are testing my patience. Do you need me to make you talk again?"

"No, please!" she whimpered.

"Then please enlighten me as to what you've learned."

"Nothing of importance, Dr. Rom."

"You better be telling me the truth. That is, if you ever want to see your child again…"

"Nothing. I swear it!"

"Good. You may go. And remember, as always, Danielle, that dreams are just dreams."

She nodded and slowly left the room. By now, Danielle was grey and shaking. She found that she almost always was by the end of her encounters with Dr. Rom.

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Ethan smiled as Danielle closed the door behind him. With most patients, it was his utmost goal to bring them to a level of calmness and stability. This patient, however, he liked to keep off balance. He had his own reasons for doing this.

He leaned forward and looked out suspiciously at Dr. Howard. He had a bad feeling about that man today. He made a mental note to observe that doctor more closely. He had come so far- he was not going to let anyone get in his way now.

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Deborah took a deep breath as Jack entered the kitchen. He was alone. "Where's Kate?"

"She's in the shower."

"Good. I need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Don't act all innocent with me, Jack. Her bed was empty last night. What the hell is going on with you two?"

"Mom! That's our business, not yours."

"So, it's not my business if my son is sleeping with a convict? It's not Lorraine's business if her boyfriend is cheating on her?!"

Jack winced at the mention of Lorraine. Apparently, he had managed to forget about her up until this point. Deborah shook her head, disappointed. "How could you hurt her like this?"

"Mom…"

Both looked up and forced a smile as Kate entered the room. "Um, excuse me. Am I interrupting something? Because, I can go do something else…"

Jack responded, "No, don't worry about it. That conversation was over." He turned and looked at Deborah meaningfully.

The three fell quiet as they sat around the kitchen table for breakfast. Finally, Deborah couldn't stand it. She slammed her mug down hard on the table and looked at Kate. "Okay, listen. This whole 'dream' thing may be enough of an explanation for my son, but it's not for me. I will not allow you to stay in my home a moment longer unless I know what crime you committed."

Jack rose angrily. "Mom, that's enough. I told you that I knew what I was doing. If you don't want her here, I'll take her to my apartment, I…"

Kate softly interrupted. "No, Jack. She's right. Neither of you have any idea who I am or what I did."

Jack looked at her in shock. Kate had never been forthcoming, he didn't understand why now… Suddenly, his eyes fell on a half-folded newspaper. Its headline read, "Killer Involved in Local Bank Robbery Finally Apprehended". Jack's eyes grew troubled as the realization of just how bad Kate's crime was began to hit him. He sincerely hoped that she had a good explanation.

He and Deborah listened silently as Kate proceeded to tell them what had happened three years ago.

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"Danielle, it's time. Let's go!" Claire whispered excitedly. Danielle gave her a blank look and remained seated. "Come on!"

"I'm not going."

"Well, why ever not?"

"I have my reasons. Good luck to you, Claire Littleton. It is my sincere wish that things work out as they should."

Claire was taken aback by this comment. She paused to consider Danielle's meaning, but Charlie grabbed her arm. "Claire, we have practically no time. We have to go!"

"Goodbye, Danielle. I'm sorry I couldn't help you."

"Perhaps you have, dear. Perhaps you have."

Claire didn't hear this comment, as Charlie was hurriedly seating her in a wheelchair and wheeling her out of the psych ward.

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Danielle thoughtfully looked out the window as Charlie and Claire emerged from the hospital and began quickly walking away. She glanced back at Ethan, who was in turn watching her thoughtfully. She turned her head until all she saw was the blank, white wall. Sighing, she realized that she had a choice to make. Again.


Sorry for the short chapter tonight and for it being up a half hour late, I'm swamped with stuff. However, I promise that next chap will be much longer. I've got lots of stuff planned!

Please keep reviewing! Also, let me know if anyone remembers off-hand the name of Danielle's child. I can find it myself, but if any of you know it would save me some work.

Next chapter: Charlie and Claire run into some old friends and Deborah takes thing into her own hands…