Lireal Goldenhand: Yes! I love childish conversations! That's where half my ideas come from!
P.S. I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE Monty Python.
Alatarial10: Going against the grain, classic. I'm glad someone else use's the old terms. You simply must let me know about these spoilers! I got to lost media, but normally I only look at the pics..tee hee. Claire should be having the baby soon, but I want to use the pregnancy time to its full existent, because me and my friends have some hilarious ideas for it.
Tara812: Loved the e-mail! Keep up the reading, I'll keep up the wrighting.
FATE: The Next Life
Closer To Home
Claire walked down the steps, her hair a tousled mess. She held the rail, still unable to open her eyes fully as she got little sleep the night before. Charlie sat in an arm chair, one leg crossed over his lap, reading. Claire smiled as she made her way over, tilting her head to see the title.
"Baby names?" She asked with a smile, glancing over at him as she pushed some of her hair out of the way. "Yeah. Wanted to get a head start" he explained, a little embarrassed.
"Aw" She teased, her fingers idly playing with his hair. He slid an arm around her waist, pulling her onto his lap.
"What letter are we on?"
"G"
"I like G's" Claire grinned, looking down at the page. "Me too" he replied, flashing her a quick smile. Claire continued to play with the stubby hairs on the back of his head as she read down the list.
"Gabriel" She pointed out with a smile. "Gabriel Pace" Charlie said aloud, seeing if it had a 'ring' to it. "Gabriel Rennet Pace" Claire corrected shamelessly. "Rennet?"
"Its my mom's name. She'll kill me if I don't put it in there" Claire explained with a laugh. "I like it" Charlie reassured, flashing her another smile before tunning his attention back to the page. His eyes continued to scan downwards until they found another suitable name. Geniveive.
He pointed to it, glancing up at Claire.. "Geniveive. We could call her Geni for short, like your guitar" Claire suggested, mildly amused. "Yep. Geniveive Michelle" he mused. Claire opened her mouth to speak.
"She'll kill me if we don't put it in there" he assured. "Fair enough" Claire gave in, as if she were going to fight it any ways.
She laid her head agenst his, placing a tiny kiss on his forehead. Charlie grinned to himself, unable to contain it. "Hungry?" He turned to her out of no where, his husband-slash-fatherly instincts kicking in.
"Charlie, I'm Pregnet with twins. I'm always hungry" Claire reminded him.
"I can take a hint" he said in reply, and slid out from under her. She plopped back into the chair, barely disturbed. Smiling as she watched him head into the kitchen.
Sayid sat up in his bed, the pale green sheet draped across him. His eyes slowly faded open, startled by the faint knock at his door. He sat up, listening for the sound. For a moment, it was silent, and he thought it might have been in his head. But then it came again. He tossed the blanket off and staggered to the door, pushing the black curls out of his face as he fumbled with the many locks.
He opened the door to see a young women whom at first he didn't recognize. "Shannon?" he questioned in slight confusion as he got a better look at her face. It was one he could never forget.
"Hi" She replied shyly, her voice a little raw. She tried to be pleasant, but he could see she was upset.
"Please, come in" he offered, quickly moving out of the door way so she could enter. She wondered inside, hugging herself to keep warm as he shut the door behind her. "Its great to see you again" he noted with a smile. "Yeah, you two" she replied, her own smile little, but real.
"Not to be rude, but may I ask what brings you here?" he questioned in concern as he leaned back agenst the closed doorl, arms crossed across his chest. She hesitated for a moment. "Boone kicked me out" She answered, a little embarrassed.
"When?"
"About a week ago" She replied softly. "And why was this?" he questioned.
"I don't know. Just an argument gone to far I guess" She explained in exhaustion. She was tired of being angry at Eve, at Boone, at any one.
"Have you talked to him since then?" he asked, pushing off the wall.
She hesitated once again as she sat down on the bed. "Yes....but that only made things worse" She explained bitterly, looking down at her hands. Her arms were to pale. She could trace her own vains if she tried.
"I don't know what to do anymore..." She sighed, letting her head drop agenst one hand, the other resting on her bare knee. She felt the thin mattress sink slightly as Sayid sat down beside her.
"Give him time, and then apologize" he suggested in an emotionless tone.
"I can't just apologize" she protested, rolling her slightly misted eyes.
"Why not?"
"Because, I don't want him to control me. After all this time he still thinks I'm useless" She explained, letting out a sob.
"Listen to me. Boone is going through everything you are. Maybe more than you know. I know, its hard to be around someone who thinks they know best, but he's only trying to help. And rather he's doing a good job showing it or not, he loves you" Sayid assured in a gentle tone, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Shannon nodded, unable to speak as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She pulled herself closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder as she sobbed helplessly. He laid his head agenst hers, gently rubbing her arm.
"Your right. Your always right" Shannon sighed after a moment, once she'd let enough tears out to contain herself. "Not always" he assured, turning to her with a hint of a smile.
"Thank you so much"
"Your welcome"
Sawyer sat up in the hotel bed, glancing around aimlessly. The harsh, unfiltered light shined in through the window beside his head. He rolled away from it, expecting to see Kate in bed beside him. A look of surprise came to him when he realized she wasn't there. He sat up, and looked around the room. She was no where to be sceen. He could here no water running in the bath room to indicate that he was there. He continued to look confused as he searched the room once again. Her bags were gone.
Quickly, he scrambled out of bed, throwing the blankets aside and hurriedly pulling on his geans. He rushed outside, hoping to spot her somewhere. No sight of Kate, or his truck for that matter.
"Fuck" he exclaimed aloud, alarming the elderly couple witch happened to be walking by. "I can't believe this. That bitch stole my truck!" he continued, ignoring there offended looks. He stormed into the lobby, waiting impatiently at the front desk.
"Can I help you, sir?" A polite southern man asked from the other side of the desk. "Yeah. That bitch stole my truck!" he explained in aggravation. "Your truck is missing?" The man asked, trying to clarify.
"Yes its missing. And I know who took it!" He assured, slamming an aggressive fist agenst the counter. " Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to calm down and tell me the name of the suspect"
"Gladly. Kate"
"Kate...?"
"I don't know her last name!" he explained angrily. "We were sharing a hotel room" he added, hoping it could be of some help. "I'll call the police right away" the man assured.
"Thank you" Sawyer grumbled sarcastically before storming away.
Jack staggered down the hall in search of the bath room. After staying in the house for the past five days, he was starting to get to know his way around. But it was to early in the morning to remember. Fortunately, he managed to find the door without evan opening his eyes. Unfortunately, it was locked. Sounds of retching could be heard from the inside.
Poor Claire, he thought as he waited patiently outside the door. After a moment or so, the gagging stopped. The toilet flushed, and the door came open. Jack was surprised to see Charlie standing in the door way.
"Oh" He uttered aloud, a slightly confused look on his face.
"Hey man" Charlie tried to sound cheery, though his voice was still raw. "You feeling ok?" Jack questioned, already guessing the answer. "Not particularly" he sighed, brushing a hand through his hair.
"Didn't think so" Jack muttered, indicating to the sounds he had just heard. "Yeah...I think its from watching Claire eat..." Charlie explained, holding his stomach as if he could get sick again any moment now.
"Eat what?"
"Uh, peanut butter, Ritz crackers, cornflakes, and soy sauce." Charlie answered skeptically, his face growing a little pale at the thought. "Oh...well...good luck with that" Jack shrugged, unable to help him. He gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before makeing his way into the bath room.
"Hey, peanut. Its almost ten" Charlie called from the door way. Ben made no attempt to move. "Come on, bud. Breakfast is ready" he continued the attempt.
"Alright. But I don't want what moms having" he sighed, climbing out of bed.
"I know. No one dose" Charlie assured with a grin. He waited for Ben to slowly make his way to the door before heading down stairs with him.
"Morning sweety" Claire ginned as Ben climbed into the chair across from her. "What are you eating?" he asked in reply, rasing an eye brow as he stared at her plate in disgust.
"Oh. Um...Charlie?" She turned to Charlie, to embarrassed to explain. "Leave your mum alone. Your sisters are weird, they like strange foods. She can't help it. Besides, she's pregnet, there for she can eat what ever she wants" Charlie explained, going to pull the relatively empty plate off the table. Claire kept the smile, but gently placed her hand on the plate, holding it down.
Charlie gave a weak smile and let it go, giving Bin a bowl of cereal. "Morning all" Jack greeted as he entered the kitchen, now fully awake.
"Good morning" Claire smiled up from her plate as he took a seat. "What are you having?" Charlie questioned, glancing over his shoulder from the counter.
"Uhh....what ever your having" Jack answered nonchalantly. "Are you kidding?" Charlie questioned with amusement as he turned around.
"What? Your not eating?" Jack questioned sarcastically. His smile fadded when he realized Charlie's expression did not waver.
"Your not eating?" he repeated, this time concerned. "I'm not hungry" Charlie replied simply. "Can I speak to you in the living room for a minute?" Jack suggested, pulling up from his chair. Charlie sighed and fallowed him out of the kitchen.
"I'm worried about you" Jack noted, cutting straight to the point. "Why?" Charlie questioned in confusion. "Your getting sick, and your not eating" Jack explained. "I told you, I'm not hungry" Charlie repeated defensively.
"That's not my point" Jack insisted, keeping his medical tone, witch at the moment, Charlie was begging to loath.
"What is the point, Jack?" Charlie questioned aggressively. " I think your sick, and I think you should see a doctor" Jack explained calmly.
"I just saw a doctor! I'm looking at one right now!" Charlie exclaimed in aggravation. "I mean a specialists" Jack corrected. "No. No way. I've got a family to take care of" Charlie confirmed shamelessly.
"I'm sure Claire and Ben will survive if you get help. I thought that's why I was here" Jack persisted, not allowing himself to lose his temper. Charlie was makeing no such attempt.
"Your hear because you're my fried. I'm helping you, not the other way around! And you know what else? Maybe my family can survive with out me, but I can't survive without them. So maybe you should think twice before giving your bleeding diagnosis!" Charlie explained bitterly, his temper flared.
His attitude only made Jack's concern worse, but it was no use trying to convince him. Charlie was more stubborn now than he'd ever been on the island. He'd have to find another way.
"Alright. Sorry. I'm just..I'm just trying to look out for you" Jack explained apologetically. Charlie's anger dropped instantly. "I know. I understand" he assured, giving a week smile. Jack nodded, smiling as well.
"Thank's again, for letting me stay with you" Shannon smiled aprecativly at Sayid across the table. "Please. It's a privilege" He assured with his own since of gratitude.
"Well, I'm thanking you any ways" She insisted, glancing up at him from her plate. He smiled to himself, taking another bite of his food. He'd missed her a lot. He remembered searching the air port for her to say good bye, even to find out where she'd be. But she disappeared, and he'd thought he'd never see her again. But now, there she was, sitting right infront of him, although, her appearance hand gravely changed.
"So, who did your hair?" He questioned, gesturing with his fork.
"Oh. Eve, she's a friend...was a friend" Shannon explained, a little embarrassed. "Well, tell Eve I liked it better blond" He assured, with a playful smile.
"You did?"
"Of course"
Shannon blushed helplessly, looking down at her plate. Normally, she could take a compliment with her head held high. But this was more than just some cheesy pick up line to get in her pants. He meant it.
Kate fiddled in her seat, unable to keep calm. Not only was being on a plane working her nerves, but she now had to face Jack, and tell him everything she'd done. It wouldn't be easy. In fact, it would probably be the hardest thing to do in the world. The cop at her side, whom she'd turned herself into remained quiet the whole time.
Never looking her in the eye. He was a sweet man, from what she could tell. She'd fallen apart in the police station, and unwillingly spilled her guts. Instead of sending her straight to the cell, he gave her a second chance. Not only that, he was allowing her to go to Australia and patch things up with Jack. Or, atleast try.
Claire opened the door to a young women whom she didn't recognize. "Hello?" She asked sweetly. "Hi. Is Charlie home?" the women asked in reply.
"Yes, but he's in the shower right now" Claire explained, little curious of who she was. "Oh. Well, I'm Nicky. Me and Charlie are old friends. You must be Claire" the women explained, shaking her hand.
"Oh! Well, please, come in. I'll let him know you're here" Claire suggested, moving away from the door so Nicky could enter. She came in and took a seat on the couch, opposite of Jack. Claire wondered up the stairs to go get Charlie.
"Hi, I'm Nicky" She introduced herself, reaching out an arm to shake his hand. "Jack" he said in reply, fakeing a smile as he shook back, noticing the little red dots on the inside of her elbo.
"So how do you and Charlie know each other?" He asked, after an awkward moment. "From the band, I guess." She answered simply. "You used to work with him?" Jack questioned curiously.
"You could say that" was her answer.
"Nick!" Charlie called, half way down the stairs, his hair still wet from the shower. "Hey!" She grinned, hopping up from her seat to meet him. They gave each other a big hug.
"Oh. This is Claire, my wife. And Jack and...where's Ben?" Charlie asked, turning to Claire. "He's in his room. I'll go get him" Claire suggested brightly, before heading back up stairs.
The two continued to talk amongst themselves, not even seeming to notice when Jack climbed off the couch and headed up stairs, uncomfortably. He ran into Claire in the hall.
"Jack" she smiled, looking surprised. "Hey....I was just letting those two talk amongst themselves"Jack told, feeling obligated to explain.
"Oh...alright" Claire nodded, still maintaining a pretty smile. Jack nodded in return and went off to his room.
"Do you think I should call him?" Shannon asked, turning to Sayid.
"I think it's a little late to be having such an important conversation" Sayid explained patently.
"Yeah...your probably right" She sighed, shoving the little cell phone back in her pocket.
She sighed, pushing the back of her head agenst the wall. "Maybe relaxing would help" Sayid suggested. "You know, that's not a bad idea" She agreed, sitting up suddenly, her mood completely changed. "Do you mind if I take a shower?"
"....no..."
"Great" Shannon grinned, and pushed herself off the chair, heading towards the bath room door. Sayid sat in confusion for a while, then shook his head. No use.....
Claire had ben laying awake for the past hour. Ben was in bed, most likely asleep, as well as Jack down the hall. Charlie had be awake, talking to the girl down stairs since she arrived this afternoon. Claire didn't know why this fact was keeping her awake, but for some reason, she couldn't seem to sleep. Perhaps it was simply because it had been so long since she'd slept alone, let alone without Charlie. At that moment, the bed sunk beside her as he slid beneath the blankets.
"Its about time" Claire grinned, turning to face him. "Oh hey, I thought you were asleep" he explained, a grin crossing his face as well.
"You really think I could sleep without you?" She questioned sarcastically, raising an eye brow.
"Guess not" He replied, and leaned in to give her a kiss. He pulled his arms around her, as usual. Letting her head rest on his shoulder. She carefully hugged him back, fully aware of the bandages, and ran her hand up and down his back.
There was something different about him, and as her hand moved along the back of his shirt, she realized what it was. He was way to thin. She could almost feel his spine through the thin cotton of his T-shirt. He had always been thin, but never like this. Her eyes opened in confusion as she tried to remember the last time she saw him eat.
"I love you" he whispered close to her ear, breaking her train of thought.
"I love you" She said in return, and tried to go back to sleep.
"Excuse me" Kate said, trying to grab the attention of the women behind the front desk of the hotel. "Yes?" The women asked in a sweet voice, looking up from her papers.
"Hello. I'm looking for Jack Sheppard." Kate explained in a polite voice, witch did not suit her one bit.
"One moment please" the women replied, and went over to her computer. She gave to officer beside her a week smile, to witch he gave no return.
"I'm sorry, Ms., There seems to be no 'Jack Sheppard' staying in this hotel" The women explained as she reappeared before them. "Are you sure?" Kate questioned in disbelief.
"Very sure" the women nodded. "Alright...well, thank you" Kate said with a smile and turned on her heels. "Dose this mean your giving up?" the officer asked from beside her.
"No" Was her only answer.
Sayid sat in his bed, on top of the blankets. The only light in the little bed room was the one coming form the tiny lamp on his night stand as he read the paper in his hand. A smile grew across his face as he looked over the wrighting again and again. He heard the door open, and quickly slipped them into the draw of the night stand, looking up just in time to see Shannon enter the room.
Her hair was still wet from the shower, and she wore nothing but a baggy T-shirt, that barley covered any part her legs. He tried not to notice as she made her way over to the bed and laid down beside him without a word.
"I do have a guest room, you know" he explained in mild amused.
"I know" She answered softly, and snugged up beside him. For a moment, he looked surprised and confused. He couldn't help but melt agenst her as she laid her head on his chest. He pulled an arm around her, reaching with the other to turn out the light. And there, they slept. Just as they would have if they were on the island. And he'd never felt closer to home.
