Lostlorenzo: Glad you liked the chapter. I watched lord of the rings the other night, too. But I only watch the parts with the hobbits, as usual. It finally stopped snowing down here, or up here, depending on where you live, I live in Maryland, so I'm going to assume its down, because to me its hell, and you don't get much farther down then that. Glad you liked the chapter. It makes me very happy to know I'm makeing people laugh. It's the best thing, really. And yes, the insanity is kicking in. Its only been a few days and I'm already having lost withdraws. Witch is why, you'll be glad to know, I'm working on another shorter fic while doing this one. I've already almost got one chapter done!

Fate: The Next Life

Bloody Rock God

Air port, a week later:

"Man, where the hell all they? We've been here for almost an hour!" Liam exclaimed angrily, pacing back and forth infront of the benches. "They'll be here. Their always late" Charlie reminded him, assuringly.

"Yeah, sit down before you hurt yourself" Michelle suggested, in a motherly. Liam sighed loudly as he sat down beside her. "I hate airports" he noted, tiredly. "Doesn't every body?" Michelle questioned sarchasticly.

"Hey, as long as I'm not on a plane I'm fine" Charlie replied optamisticly. "Shut up, Charlie" Liam snapped, playfully. "Hey, is that them?" Michelle questioned, squinting off into the distance.

A tall, thin, dark haired man with sun glasses walked with his arm around an attractive young women. Beside the two walked a shorter, fuller man with his hands shoved in his pockets, who tripped as they approached.

"Yep, that's them" Charlie confirmed with a smile. "Finally!" Liam exclaimed, standing up quickly and makeing his way over to them. "Wake up, luv. They're here" Charlie explained, nudging Claire's legs, witch were stretched across his lap. She lifted her head up from the balled-up hoodie she'd been using as a pillow, looking around in confusion for a moment before sitting up.

"Liam! Look at you! Your practically an old man!" Dave exclaimed, giving his friend a great big hug. "Look who's talking" Liam teased in reply. "Are you kidding? I'm young as ever. Unlike this chubby bastard" Dave joked, indicating to the man beside him.

"I'll have you know I'm 'pleasantly plump'" Tommy corrected sarchasticly. "Right...oh, Liam, you know Lilith" Dave gestured to the dark-haired young women beside him. "Yes, I do, and of course, you know Michelle" Liam replied, turning to his wife.

"Who looks beautiful as ever" Dave complemented, giving her a hug. "Although, I must say you have gained a bit" Tommy added, teasingly, indicating to her rounded stomach. "Yes well, that's not my fault..." She replied, shooting Liam an accusing glance.

"Congradlations. I'm surprise Liam can still have children with all the tight leather pants he used to wear" Dave noted, teasingly. "I know. It was my form of birth control for many years...apparently its not as reliable as we thought" Liam sighed, sarchasticly.

"How many kids is that now?" Tommy questioned curiously. "This one will make it two. Its sad, the little bugger beat me by one" Liam explained. "The little bugger as in Charlie? He has kids now?" Dave questioned in shock.

"Yep. Three, and a wife to match" Liam confirmed proudly. "God, damn...what is the world coming too?" Tommy noted, sacracsticly. "Apparently its coming to and end what with all the little Pace's running about" Dave answered jokenly. "Look, here comes one now"

"Sorry I'm late boys, some one didn't want to wake up" Charlie explained, shoot Claire an accusing glance. "Charlie?" Dave questioned, eyeing him in shock. "Fraid so" Charlie replied, modestly. "My god, look at you! Your all grown up!" he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Charlie.

"And what's this I hear about you having kids?" Tommy questioned from beside him. "Yep. And a wife, too." Charlie explained, putting his arm around Claire. "Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Claire" He explained, proudly.

"Well, I don't believe this" Dave noted, in amazement. "What is a beautifully girl like you doing with a scrawny little bloke like this?" Tommy questioned, teasingly. "I have no idea" Claire replied, sacracsticly, flashing Charlie a smile.

"Alright, boys. We better get going" Liam suggested, putting his arm around Michelle. "Good idea" Dave agreed, picking up his bags. The group made they're way out.

Back at the house:

"So tell me Charlie, where did you find this girl" Tommy questioned, curiously. "I meet her on the island" Charlie explained casually. "The one you were stranded on?" Tommy questioned, raising an eye brow. "That's the one" Charlie confirmed.

"Finding love on a deserted island, how romantic" Tommy mused, sacracsticly. "Yeah, I guess you could say that" Charlie grinned, in reply. "Well, she is just adorable. You've really outdone yourself" He complimented, glancing out into the living room where Claire was introducing the others to Shannon, who had took up the offer to baby sit and Sayid, who was dragged along so she wouldn't have to be the only adult in a 'creepy' house.

"I know. She's perfect" Charlie mused, stareing out at Claire, who was laughing about something. Tommy smiled, patting him on the shoulder before heading back out into the living room. "And this, is Tommy" Liam explained, giving the introduction as he interred the room.

"Hi, I'm Shannon" Shannon explained, holding out her hand. "Why hello" Tommy replied with a grin, reluctantly Shaking her hand. "And, this is my boyfriend, Sayid" She explained, gesturing to the man beside her. "Oh...nice to meet you" Tommy added, shaking his hand as well.

"Where are the kids?" Claire questioned, curiously. "They're upstairs with Jack and Kate." Shannon explained brightly. "If Jack and Kate are capable of watching three kids, why are you here?" Charlie questioned, playfully.

"Because your wife invited me" Shannon answered smartly, crossing her arms. "Really? Looks to me like your hear to make out on my couch" Charlie shoot back, accusingly. Shannon jaw dropped, as if offended. "Alright you two, break it up" Claire suggested in a motherly tone. "Come on, sweety. Lets go upstairs and check on the kids" She added, pulling Charlie with her by the caller of he jacket. He shrugged, and fallowed her obediently upstairs.

"Hey guys" Kate greeted, looking up at the two from one of the Geni, who sat on her lap. "Hey" Claire replied, sitting down on the bed beside her. "Have fun at the airport?" Jack questioned sarchasticly from his spot by the window, the other twin cradled in his arms.

"Well, it didn't end in us getting stuck on an island for another year, so I guess it went better than my last visit to the airport" Charlie replied sacracsticly. Claire laid back on the bed, tiredly, finding Ben sitting close to her head. "Hi mum" he grinned, playfully.

"Hi, sweetie" She replied exhaustedly, eyes cloths. "Claire, I can't believe you. You slept the whole drive to the air port, the entire time we were there and the whole drive back, and your still wanting to go to bed!" Charlie exclaimed in amazement.

"Yeah, well if three children came out of your vagina in the last two years you'd be tired too." Claire explained. "Uh, Charlie, just to let you know, that's a child I won't be delivering" Jack added, teasingly. "Jack, Kate. Do you mind watching them for a few more hours, I think I'm gonna take a nap" Claire explained, sleepily.

"My god...and what about me, they're father? Don't I get to watch them?" Charlie questioned defensively. "You have to watch your company...besides, its your fault I'm tired to begin with" Claire replied as she headed for the door.

"Fair enough" Charlie sighed, shrugging as he fallowed her out the door. Claire headed into the bed room, and Charlie went back down stairs. "Hey, Charlie. Were gonna go" Shannon explained, getting her things together as he walked down the stairs.

"Oh, alright" Charlie replied, casually. "I'll see you guys later. I've got an interview this after noon, wish me luck!" She explained, giving Charlie a quick hug before heading out the door.

Sayid shook his head as watched her pass by before fallowing her out and pulling the door shut behind him. "Yeah, were gonna head out too, help these guys move in" Liam explained,"You can come if you like"

"Nah, that's alright. I think I'm gonna stay hear, take the kids off Jack and Kate's hands for a little while" Charlie replied simply. "Alright, see you later" Liam shrugged, and gave his brother a hug before heading out.

Charlie watched as the group filed out the front door before heading back upstairs. He wondered into the bed room and collapsed down onto the mattress beside Claire. "Welcome to the dark side" She grinned sleepily, laying her hand on his chest as she rolled over to face him.

"I can't believe its not even noon and I'm exhausted. I haven't even done anything! I mean, there was I time when could go days without sleep and still be fine" Charlie exclaimed, running her hand back and forth across her arm.

"Less talk, more sleep" Claire muttered tiredly, laying her head on his shoulder. "Oh, I see how it is. I'm to be seen and not heard...I feel so unloved" Charlie went on, sarcastically, a smirk across his face.

"I do love you, and I'll prove it a soon as I get a couple hours of sleep" Claire assured, giving him a kiss on his temple and snuggling close before laying her head back down on his shoulder. "Well...that sounds promising" Charlie grinned suggestively, placing a kiss on the top of her head before closing his eyes as well.

Back Stage, a week later:

Charlie sat in his chair, facing the mirror. "Are you ok?" Claire asked from over his shoulder, gently rubbing his shoulders. "Nervous" he replied, unenthusiastically. "But you've done this a million times!" She remained, reassuringly.

"I know...it never gets any easier" Charlie sighed, still not convinced. "I'm sure you'll be amazing..." Claire assured, "just like you are at everything else." Claire smiled, and placed a kiss on his neck. "Thank you, luv" Charlie grinned, pulling her arm around his shoulder as he turned his head to kiss her.

"Hey, you almost ready?" Liam questioned, from the door way. "Ready as I'll ever be" Charlie replied, pushing himself out of the chair. "Alright. We've got about twenty minutes" Liam explained before shutting the door once again.

"Hmm..what could we possibly do for the next twenty minutes?" Charlie mused sarchasticly, wrapping his arms around Claire's waist. Claire grinned, running her fingers through his hair as she pulled his head to hers.

"Are you still nervous?" She questioned playfully after breaking of a long kiss. "Not at all" he assured with a grin, before going in for a second kiss. "Charlie-" Liam's voice sounded from the door way once again.

"Yes?" Charlie looked up, quickly. "Just wanted to say good luck" Liam explained, with a grin. "You too" Charlie replied, assuringly. Lima nodded and closed the door. Charlie turned his attention back to Claire, running his hand down the side of her cheek before pressing his lips to hers for a third time.

"Oh, and Charlie-" Liam's voice sounded from the door, for a third time. "What?" Charlie questioned, turning to him in aggravation. "Nothing, I'm just fucking with you" Liam explained, jokenly. "You ass whole" Charlie muttered good naturally, shaking his head.

"Love you two, man" Liam grinned playfully. "Yeah, you open that door again and I'm gonna kick your ass" Charlie threatened, sarcastically. "Sure you will" Liam teased one last time before shutting the door.

"I'm locking him out" Charlie explained, walking over to the door and messing with the lock. Claire took a seat on the couch patiently, trying not to laugh. Charlie returned to her with a playful grin. "Anyways..." he sighed, in a where-were-we-? type of way before crawling on top of her.

After about twenty minutes of what we'll call 'warming up', Charlie headed out on stage. Claire made her way back to the public section of the club and found Kate, Shannon, Sun and Michelle together at a table.

"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to join us" Kate announced sarcastically as Claire sat down. "And what have you been up to, missy?" Shannon questioned, raising an eye brow suggestively.

"Just helping Charlie get over his stage fright" Claire replied innocently. "Well, you know what they say. The best way to get over something is to get under someone else" Michelle noted, teasingly. "Shut up" Claire rolled her eyes in denial.

"Well, they're about to come on stage" Kate noted. "Guess we better go" Shannon added, sliding out of her seat just as everyone else. Everyone except Claire. "Go where?" She questioned in confusion. "Come on, we didn't come here to have you sit around" Shannon explained, pulling her up by the arm and nearly dragging her out onto the dance floor, witch was closest to the stage.

"Oh, god. You can't be serious" Claire muttered, rolling her eyes. "She's as serious as she'll ever be" Kate explained, sarchasticly. The crowed cheered in an uproar as the band came on stage, Shannon's voice easily topping the rest.

Claire couldn't help but laugh at her, along with the rest of the group. But her attention was soon swayed to Charlie, who flashed a beautiful smile over at his brother as they began to play. The bright red stage lights shifting around them. Claire found her self bobbing to the music in no time, unable to take her eyes off Charlie.

"You boy's looking pretty good up there" Shannon noted teasingly after noticering the dazed expression on Claire's face. "What?" Claire questioned, unable to hear her over the loud music and roar of the crowd. "I said your boy's looking pretty good up there!" Shannon repeated, much louder than before.

Claire understood perfectly that time, and blushed slightly. When her eyes turned back to the stage they meet up with Charlie. He flashed her a smile and winked in her direction. Claire quickly looked away, blushing wildly.

"I think the base player likes you" Kate teased, leaning over Claire's shoulder. "Yeah, maybe you should go meet him back stage" Shannon added, playfully. Claire shook her head, trying to hide her embarrassment. But it wasn't from the girl's teasing, it was from the look her gave her.

After the show the girls headed back stage. "Man, you guys were great" Kate complimented, makeing her way over to the group. "Yeah. And you looked good, too" Shannon added, bluntly.

"Well, I try" Liam replied conceitedly. "Sometimes he tries to hard" Michelle explained, skeptically. "Are you calling me metro-sexual?" Liam questioned as if offended. "...yeah" Michelle replied, bluntly. "Fair enough" Liam shrugged, before leaning over to give her a kiss.

"Well, the rest of you guys were good to" Kate assured, sweetly. "Speaking of witch, where did Charlie run off to?" she added after realizing he was not among them. "Probably to where ever Claire disappeared too. You know how inseparable they are" Shannon replied skeptically.

Charlie had indeed escaped down the hall to his dressing room, where Claire just happened to be. "There you are" he grinned, closing the door behind him. "Hey" She smiled, innocently. "And why aren't you out there with all my other fans?" He questioned playfully, raising an eye brow.

"Because..." She began, makeing her way over to him. "I wanted you to myself" Claire explained, sliding her hand between his arm and his side to lock the door. "Well, I can't argue with that" Charlie replied, a bit shaky after hearing the lock click.

Claire smiled before leaning up to kiss him. She cupped her hands around his neck, running the tips of her fingers through the hair at the back of his head. His arms slid around her waist, pulling her as close to him as he possibly could. When their lips broke apart, he was breastless.

She felt him shiver slightly as her hand slowly moved up his chest. "Are you alright?" She questioned playfully, leaning in close to his ear. "nervous" he explained, sarcastically. "But you've done this a million times" She reminded, realizing they were repeating an earlier conversation.

"I know... it never gets any easier" he replied with a smile before leaning in to kiss her once again.

Dressing room, again, later:

Charlie and Claire both laid on the couch, covered only by a blanket. Their cloths had been randomly scattered across the floor. Claire had drifted off to sleep after their previous 'activities', but was now brought back awake as he began to kiss her neck.

"You know, you guys really were good" Claire explained, sleepily. "Oh, your just saying that because you want to get into my pants" Charlie replied, sarchasticly, running his hand over her bare shoulder. "Your not wearing pants!" Claire reminded, turning her head to look at him over her shoulder.

"Oh, right..." Charlie muttered, casually, after lifting the blanket and pretending to check. "Besides, if I want to get into your pants I don't really need a line" Claire continued, teasingly. "Are you saying I'm easy?" Charlie questioned suspiciously.

"No, not exactly..." Claire replied, cautiously. An innocent smile crossing her face. "You think I'm a whore, don't you? Your own personal little tramp?" Charlie questioned, parenting to be offered. Claire considered this for a moment. "Yeah, pretty much" She answered with a nod, smiling sweetly.

"Ok, just makeing sure" Charlie replied, casually, before leaning down to kiss her. "You are so adorable" Claire exclaimed admiringly as she looked up at him. "Why, thank you" he grinned, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I wonder how many of those girls out there were thinking the same thing as me..." she mused, taking his hand in hers and playing with his ring.

"What, 'man, I'd like to tap that ass'?" He questioned, playfully. Claire couldn't help but laugh. "No, that's not what I was thinking" Claire assured. "Well, it might have been worded nicer, but same general concept right?"

"No!" Claire exclaimed innocently, propping herself up on her elbows. Charlie sat up, eyeing her questionable. "Your lieing" He noted, playfully. "I am not!" She confirmed, looking as if she were offended. "Don't try to deny it. I know what you were thinking" he insisted accusingly.

"How?" Claire questioned, raising an eye brow. "Because, I'm not the only one who has a look" he explained. "Oh, please." Claire scoffed. A grin crossed Charlie's face. "I do not have a look" Claire confirmed, skeptically.

"Yes you do" He insisted, teasingly. "Your cheeks turn red, you get that little innocent smile.." He began, running his hand down the side of her cheek. Claire rolled her eyes, half in disbelief, half in embarrassment. "You refuse to look me in the eye, even though your eyes get that little blue flash that tells me exactly what your thinking" He continued admiringly.

Claire was indeed blushing, and she covered her face with both hands in an embarrassed attempt to hide it. "And I can look at you and think, even in a room swarming with attractive young women, that there will never be a women as beautiful, and adorable, and sweet as you" Charlie added, looking down at her admiringly.

"Your horrible!" Claire exclaimed playfully, still hiding behind her hands in embarrassment. Charlie took both of her hands and gently lowered them before pressing his forehead agenst hers. "I love you, Claire" he explained, brushing the her hair away from her face.

"I love you, too, Charlie" She replied, before biting her lip nervously. A light smile crossed his face before he leaned down to kiss her once again. A knock at the door brought his head back up in a paranoid manner.

"Hey, Charlie. You in there?" Liam voice asked from the other side of the door. "Yeah" Charlie called back in response. "We're leaving soon. Get dressed" Was Liam's reply. Both Charlie and Claire waited until the sound of his foot steps faded before bursting into laughter.

"Hey, you guys. How did it go?" Jack questioned as Kate, Claire and Charlie walked inside. "Good" Charlie replied, modestly. "they were great" Kate corrected, sweetly. "Not that I could hear over Shannon's loud mouth" She added bitterly, going over to give Jack a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi sweety" She grinned at Gabby, who Jack happened to be holding. "Your girls are very good listener" Locke explained from the couch were he held the other girl. "And Ben, too. Unlike some people" He shoot an accusing glance over at Jack.

"Well, you were boring them" Jack replied defensively. "What child wants to hear about hunting stories?" He added, sarcastically. "What one year old wants to hear about operating stories?" Locke retorted, raising an eye brow. "Well, I hade to break it to you blokes but when it comes to story telling, I win. Right peanut?" Charlie questioned, lifting the boy of the couch into his arms.

"Right!" Ben replied with a grin. "Well, I think I'm gonna get dinner started" Claire announced, heading into the kitchen. "Oh, I'll help!" Kate offered excitingly. "Yeah, right. If what you mean by help is eating when I'm not looking" Claire replied skeptically.

"Well, I'm pregnet! Give me a break" Kate defended, makeing no attempt to deny it. "Fine, you can help" Claire agreed, rolling her eyes. "Yay!" Kate exclaimed happily and fallowed her into the kitchen. "Man, did pregnancy ever make Claire that crazy?" Jack questioned, taking a seat on the couch.

"I think we both no the answer to that" Charlie reminded, skeptically. Setting Ben on his lap as he took a seat in his chair. "Right. Like when she used to slide down the hall way in her socks" Jack noted, laughing at the memory. "No, she still dose that" Charlie explained shamelessly. All three had a good laugh.

"I don't like the sound of that" Kate noted between closed teeth as she stood Beside Claire. "What? Laughing?" Claire questioned, shooting Kate a look over her shoulder. "Exactly. Men only laugh about one thing" Kate confirmed conspiriously.

"I think the estrogen is going to your head. You must be having a girl" Claire noted, sarcastically. "Say what you like, but we both know full well that those boys have some dirty minds" Kate protested, persistently. "Well, I can't argue with that" Claire gave in, skeptically, glancing back at Charlie who winked at her from the other room.

Kate smiled triumphantly, and leaned her elbows on the counter, cradling her chin on her knuckles childishly. "So, what's for dinner?" She questioned brightly, changing the subject completely. "Pregnet women" Claire sighed, shacking her head sacracsticly.

Shannon and Sayid's house:

"I'm home!" Shannon announced as she barged in the doors. "How did it go?" Sayid questioned, looking up from the papers that had ben sprawled across the floor. "Great! They were awesome" She answered enthusiastically, taking a seat on the floor beside him. "You know, when Charlie's not being a little ass whole he's actually kind of cute" She added, musingly, laying her head on Sayid's shoulder.

"Are you trying to make me jealous?" Sayid questioned accusing, raising an eye brow at her. "...maybe" She replied, innocently, drawing circles with her finger in the fluffy white carpet. "Its working" he assured, giving her a playfully nudge.

Shannon giggled triumphantly and gave him a kiss on the cheek before abruptly hopping up of the floor. "Where are you going?" He questioned, slightly disappointed as his eyes fallowed her into the kitchen.

"I think its time we celebrate" Shannon replied, pulling a bottle of whine out of the fridge and bumping the door shut with her hip. An amused grin crossed Sayid's face as he watched her dance over to the cabinets and pull out two glances before returning to the living room and plopping back down on the floor.

"And what are we celebrating?" He questioned, curiously. Moving back momentarily as she pulled the cork from the bottle, letting the foamy white bubbles pour out like a volcano as she giggled in embarrassment. "We are celebrating because you are looking at the newest employee at Ralph Pucci International Design" Shannon explained proudly, holding up her glass.

"Your kidding?" he questioned, in disbelief. A wide grin growing across his face. "Fraid not" Shannon grinned, bubbling with excitement. "That's wonderful" he exclaimed, giving her a quick hug. "I know!" Shannon agreed, loudly, unable to control herself. Sayid couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, aren't you gonna toast me?" Shannon questioned, raising an eye brow in his direction. "Of course. To Shannon Ruthaford, the newest employee at Ralph Pucci International Design" Sayid cheered, holding up his glass. Shannon smiled happily, clinking her glass to his before taking a sip.

"Go me!" She added, indigently, giving a little excited gesture before setting her glass down. "Yes, I'm am very happy for you" Sayid assured, trying not laugh at her giddy behavior. "Me too..." She sighed happily, leaning back agenst him. She pulled his arm around her, idly running her fingers over his own. "Where's that brother of mine?" She questioned curiously, a sly grin slowly spreading across her face.

"He's out, on a date" Sayid answered, intrigued as he took notice of the suggestive grin. "So, its just me and you then?" She questioned, in a hinting tone. "Just me and you?" He confirmed, smiling before leaning down to kiss her. Shannon smiled as well once they're lips parted.

"Man. Today rocks" She grinned, before leaning in for a second kiss. And a third, and a forth, and so on...

The end

note: I may have spelled Shannon's last name wrong. If any one knows the correct spelling for it, please let me no so I can fix it in further chapters. Thanks!