The antisipated new chapter is here. lol. Sorry it's taking so long. School. Here's it is. Hope you enjoy.

Coming Back

Standing there three were in utter less shock. There Claire stood much skinnier then when they last saw her. Her appearance was exhausted and worn out. Wearing the same clothes she stood quiet in front of them cradling a small nude infant in her arms.

"Hi Charlie.' She nearly whispered. Her voice sent chills down Kate and Jack's spines. Only bringing joy to Charlie. She was alive after all this time. It was a miracle that she survived this long. But the bigger question was whose body had they found.

Jack looked her over questioning everything he had learned in medical school.

"How did you-" Jack began not knowing what exactly to say to this situation. Claire looked up from the baby in her arms.

"It just happened." Claire said referring to the birth of the baby.

"I don't remember much of anything." Claire smiled looking back to the baby.

"What about Ethan?" Jack hesitated to ask.

Claire was quiet before she answered.

"One day he left me after the baby was born and I got up with the baby and left." Claire began.

"I've been trying to find you ever since." She explained.

"And you raised this little bugger here all by yourself?" Charlie asked looking over the child with such adore.

"Yeah." Claire smiled as she looked away from the baby to Charlie. Barely being able to pull her eyes away from him.

"What's his name?" Kate asked coming next to her and Charlie.

"Christopher." Claire smiled.

She looked over for Charlie quiet just looking over him and Christopher.

"Pace. Christopher Pace.' She smiled as Charlie looked up from Christopher with an even wider smile on his face.

Charlie looked down to Christopher as him and Kate became quickly attached. Jack still stood behind the four in shock of how this could be possible.

"This is just…amazing." Jack stuttered at a loss of words. Claire looked up from Christopher.

"It is amazing. Miracles happen even in tragedy." Claire said looking to Jack with no emotion on her face or words as she quickly looked back to Christopher.

Kate heard what she said. It chilled her bones as it did Jack. Looking back she saw a kind of awkwardness about him.

After that they headed back to the caves. All had butterflies in their stomach knowing there'd be questions to answer. Charlie stuck close to Claire and Christopher as Jack and Kate lagged behind. The two were quiet as they walked behind in to the caves. No one was there yet. They were all still out like they were earlier.

Jack and Charlie made Claire and Christopher as comfortable as possible. They were going to ask Michael later if he could build some kind of crib for the baby. In the meantime Claire was perfectly used to sleeping with the baby in her arms. Settling down with the baby, Claire tried not to snicker as Charlie became restless making her at ease.

"Sit down Charlie." She smiled.

He stopped and slowly sat down next to her.

"Would you like to hold him?' Claire asked.

"Uh. I don't think so. I've never been good with the little ones. " Charlie explained feeling nervous.

"Oh it's not hard." Claire said trying to persuade him to hold Christopher.

"Here." She began as she lifted Christopher up and began to hand him over to Charlie.

"Just hold him gently.' She instructed slowly lowering him into Charlie's arms.

"Cradle his head.' She said taking a hold of his hand and resting it under the baby's head.

Instantly it felt right with Charlie. To be holding this miracle in his arms. Just looking at this small life in his arms brought tears to his eyes. He looked up to Claire with a smile of satisfaction.

"He's not crying." Charlie announced.

"Well he likes you Charlie." Claire smiled remembering how much she really liked Charlie and how much she missed him.

Leaning in she left a small kiss on his cheek. Charlie looked over at her confused.

"What was that for?' He asked with a smile.

"I missed you Charlie." She smiled.

"I missed you too love. More then you'll ever know." He smiled. Sitting there he sighed feeling happier then he could ever be.

Standing over where the cot lay, Kate and Jack watched the two bond again.

"They're so happy." Kate smiled.

"Yeah it's amazing she lived this long on her own. With that baby too no less." Jack stated.

"You think she's telling the truth about Ethan?" Jack asked turning to Kate. She turned back to him with question on her face.

"I don't think she's lying if that's what you mean." Kate answered as she turned away making up the cot.

"I didn't say she was lying. But I just think there's more to the story. Something she's not telling us." Jack said looked over to her.

Kate knew what he meant by that. She just pretended not to hear him as she went about her business.

"So how are you holding up?" Jack asked changing the subject.

Kate continued what she was doing.

"Better than I have been.' She answered.

"Let me take a look real quick." Jack said gently touching her arm.

She stopped and turned around. He brought his hand slowly to her face. Examining the healing scratches and bruises. Kate tried hard not to look him in the eyes, but she couldn't help it. He looked from what he was doing. "What?' He asked of her constant stare.

"Nothing." She answered with a smile. He got that hiding smile as he looked away. Now she became curious.

"What?' She asked.

"Nothing." Jack answered trying to pull off being discrete. Kate was silent with as smile as she watched him check over the rest of her.

"So do I check out?" She asked.

"You're go-" Jack started.

"Claire?" Locke's voice questioned.

Jack looked over towards it. Locke had just walked in with Michael and Walt behind him.

"I have to be seeing things." Michael said as the three walked cautiously over to Claire and Charlie.

"I don't think we are Michael." Locke answered as he secured his knife.

"I thought you died." Walt announced walking over to Claire.

"Walt." Michael called. He stopped and looked back to his father. "That was rude.' He scolded him.

"Well I did." Walt pouted as he got up and walked away.

Locke came over and kneeled before Claire, Charlie and the baby.

"How did you? Where did you?' Locke stuttered in speechlessness.

"She came walking out of the brush along the northeast trail." Jack answered as him and Kate walked up towards the group.

Locke looked up to them still with question on his face.

"Michael. I was wondering if you had any material to build a crib of some sort?" Jack asked.

"Yeah sure man. Come on." He answered walking towards the entrance where he came in.

"I'll be back later." Jack announced to Kate.

She shook her head in acknowledgement as she turned back to Claire and the others. Soon everyone would come back and find out.

Night came. Most everyone knew about Claire by the time everyone settled down for the night. Only a few on the beach who never came to the caves didn't know. Those who had made their way to the caves for the night sat around the fire. All asking Claire questions.

She didn't mind. Kate sat across from her and Charlie who still held Christopher in his arms. He had really taken to him. Kate was entranced with watching them. It was just so sweet seeing him happy again.

Locke and Sayid made her something to eat seeing she had been living on mostly fruit for the last six months she needed something to eat. Soon after most had settled down Jack and Michael came walking in carrying a beautifully made crib.

It was made out of strong bamboo and left over cushions from the plane. Brining it over next to where Charlie set up a place for Claire to sleep the two set it down. Claire loved it. It was so beautiful to her and it also took the load of carrying the baby around.

Setting up the crib for the baby Jack walked over to a dazed Kate. Sitting in front of the fire for a long time can make you space out. Standing over her she still didn't notice him. Turning around he picked up a blanket. Coming back over to her, he gently draped the blanket over her.

Feeling the sudden warmth she looked over to see Jack. She smiled as she looked away.

"Nice crib." Kate smiled looking over to Claire and Charlie. They were tucking Christopher into the crib and standing over watching him sleep.

"Thanks." Jack sighed looking back over to her. She slowly turned and looked back to him as Charlie and Claire sat down.

"You're welcome.' She smiled as they stared into each other's eyes.

The next day came around slowly. For the first time in a week Kate woke up around the others. Opening her eyes she sat up. Everyone lay asleep around her. Even Jack who lay a few feet from her lie asleep.

Sitting there she let herself wake up. Suddenly Christopher started to wine and then cry. Kate waited for Claire or Charlie to wake up, but they didn't stir. She knew she couldn't let him cry so she got up.

Walking cautiously over to the crib she looked back to see if they were awake. Getting over to him she bent over the crib.

"Shhh." She whispered trying to calm him by gently rubbing his cheek.

"It's ok." She said trying to think of what to do.

"Kate?' Claire's voice came from behind her. She quickly turned around.

"I woke up and he was crying." Kate explained.

"Oh he's probably hungry." Claire said getting up.

His crying became louder. Soon everyone else got up. Charlie and Jack awoke quickly with the crying.

"Here hand him to me." Claire asked.

Kate hesitated, but turned around. Bending over the crib she picked him up in her arms. A sudden feeling came over her. She had never held a baby in her arms before. Looking down a smile came to her face.

"Hi." Kate smiled as Christopher began to calm down. Slowly she walked over to Claire. Handing him to her she felt detached not holding him.

"He likes you." Claire smiled as she turned to Charlie.

"He likes me too." Charlie smiled.

Walking away from Charlie she bumped into Jack.

"That was the single weirdest thing I've seen." Jack said.

"What?' Kate asked with a laugh.

"You holding a baby." Jack said.

"Really?" Kate asked with a smile.

"It was beautiful though. Never seen you in that way before." Jack said being honest. Kate said nothing.

She never knew Jack felt like that. It was weirder seeing him show his true feelings.

After having something to eat Jack and Kate headed to the beach to check on the others. Walking through the clearing Jack spotted Sayid talking to Shannon of with the others. Shannon seemed to be distant from what Sayid was saying.

"I'll be back." Kate said as she walked off over to where Michael was building things for every one.

She walked past the others and down the beach nearly getting knocked over by Walt chasing after Vincent.

Jack stood where she left him watching after her.

"What are making today?" He heard Kate ask Michael.

"Don't know yet." Michael answered.

Looking away he saw Sawyer over in his tent. He stood there watching Kate from afar as Jack himself was.

"Jack." He heard from behind. Slowly Jack looked back.

"Sayid." Jack said seeing who it was.

"You need to let it go." Sayid said motioning to Sawyer with his eyes. Jack was silent. He didn't wanna say anything.

"How is she?' Sayid asked. Jack looked back to Kate.

"Good." Jack said not turning from her.

"I meant Claire." Sayid laughed. Jack heard this and turned back to Sayid.

"She's good. The baby's good." Jack said.

"I just don't know how it's gonn-" Jack started before he was interrupted.

"Jack!" Michael screamed from behind him.

Quickly Jack turned around. He breath left his body as he saw Kate lying in the sand at Michael's feet. He quickly ran with Sayid behind him. He didn't seem to run fast enough as it seemed he would never reach her.

Coming to her he fell to his knees. Quickly images of her lying in that ditch a week ago came flashing before his eyes.

"Kate." He called as he gently tapped her cheek.

"What happened?' Sayid asked.

"She said she was a little dizzy and then she just fell." Michael explained with panic in his voice.

"Kate. Sweetheart wake up." Jack said as he tapped her face harder. His heart began to sink until he saw her eyes open.

"Kate." He whispered as her eyes started to focus.

She looked up to him and gave him a quick smile as she closed her eyes again becoming limp in his arms again.

"Kate." He called again trying to wake her again.

She didn't move. She just lay there.

"We have to get her back to the caves." Jack said with a panic as he picked her up in his arms.

"Jack hold on.' Sayid said coming after him.

"Yeah wait up." Michael called after them.

As Jack walked by with the help of Sayid and Michael he looked over to Sawyer who stood watching after them. He had look of shock on his after seeing Kate collapse. Jack passed it off as guilt as he watched him walk back into his tent. He didn't care his main concern was Kate who lay in his arms.

They rushed into the caves creating a commotion as everyone saw Kate in his arms.

"What happened?" Charlie asked getting up from next to Claire.

"She fainted." Michael announced.

"Is she all right?" Claire asked.

"I don't know." Jack answered as he lay her down on the cot.

Kneeling down he looked her over. Checking for new cuts and bruises.

"She looks ok." Jack breathed checking the back of her head. "Kate.' He said called again.

"I don't think she's gonna wake up anytime soon." Sayid announced.

"Yeah she hit her head pretty hard when she fell.' Michael said.

"She'll wake up." Jack said trying to lie to himself.

"Jack…" Michael started.

"Don't." Sayid warned.

"It won't change.' Sayid explained of Jack's stubborn ness.

"Kate." Jack said close to her face tapping the side of her face again.

"Kate. Kate. Kate.' His voice echoed through everyone ears as they watched him try to wake her.

Nearly two hours went by. Sayid went back to the beach and Michael left and came back with Walt. The only other people there were Jin and Sun. And Claire and Charlie sat where they had when Jack had come in watching him.

He sat with his legs bent to his chest not even a foot away from Kate watching her. She hadn't moved or made a noise sense he brought her there. He was slowly beginning to worry.

"He hasn't moved since he sat down." Claire said breaking the silence.

"Yeah he'll be like that till she wakes up.' Charlie said.

"I've got a question.' Claire announced. Charlie turned to her.

"She seemed a little beat up when I saw her. Something happen to her?" Claire asked.

"Yeah. A little thing happened a week or so ago." Charlie began to explain. He saw the wanting to know in her eyes.

"Well Sawyer came in here a few days ago. He and Kate had had a little spat or something. Anyways he came in with blood on his hands. That made Jack blow up of course. So Jack went out looking for her. Found her in a ditch all beat up and near death." Charlie explained as the both looked back to Jack.

"So he thinks Sawyer did it?' Claire asked.

"Yeah. Jack and Kate have their thing. Sawyer thinks he can have Kate and Jack hates Sawyer. So Jack thinks he tried to kill her after what she did. It's a big mess." Charlie laughed.

"I know I've been gone for 6 months. But before what happened the way those two seemed to be I really don't think Sawyer would kill Kate." Claire put in. Charlie leaned in towards her.

"To tell you the truth no one does. We're just humor him. He doesn't see it any other way." Charlie whispered.

Claire looked back to Jack.

"He loves her." Claire whispered. Charlie laughed at thought. Everyone knew that, but no one said it. Claire comes back from six months in the jungle alone and says it out loud. It was the truth he loved her and she loved him it was hard to deny. He sat there with his head hung waiting for her to wake up.

"Jack." He heard her say. He thought by now he was loosing her mind. Looking up as he heard it again he saw her laying there looking at him.

"Kate." He said jumping up and walking over to her.

'Are you ok?" He asked kneeling next her.

"What happened?' She asked. "Michael said you fainted." Jack answered holding back his tears.

She said nothing as she lay down closing her eyes. Feeling good about knowing she was alright he got up and started walking off.

"Jack.' She called. He stopped and turned around. From the looked of plead on her face he knew what she wanted. He walked back over to her. Taking her hand he sat next to her.

"I'm not going anywhere." Jack assured her. She felt comforted knowing he was there. Closing her eyes she fell asleep quick. Shortly after he settled down next to her falling into sleep after her.

The sound of choking awoke everyone. Jack's eyes shot open to the horrific sound near him. Sitting up as he saw Charlie quickly rush over he turned. Kate was bent over the other side of the cot choking and gasping for air as she tried to vomit. She hadn't eaten since the say before so there was nothing to come up.

"Kate!" Jack gasped quickly getting up on the cot.

"She just woke up gasping for air. I don't know what happened." Charlie tried to explain.

"Get me some water!' Jack ordered.

As he got up Jack turned to Kate.

"Kate. Relax. We're gonna get through this.' Jack said resting his hand on her back. Charlie came running over to them.

"Here." He said as he gave Jack the water.

"Kate. Come here." Jack said as he pulled her towards him. She couldn't stop coughing as she sat back.

He put the bottle to her lips. She stopped long enough to take a sip. Quickly she spit it back out. He brought it to her lips again.

"You need to swallow this time." Jack said holding her head up. Taking sip she slowly swallowed this time.

After she coughed a little, but still a lot less than she had been.

"See you're doing better already." Jack laughed trying to make her feel better. He helped her take another sip.

Soon the coughing fit was over with only a little cough here and there. She leaned back in his arms resting against his chest. The two were silent as they sat there.

During the whole thing Sayid had made her way into the caves.

"Is she alright?" Sayid asked walking past Charlie.

"Jack will take care of her no doubt." Charlie said as he walked over towards where Locke was making food.

Sayid walked over Jack would was holding onto Kate.

Shannon wondered in after what happened. She was wondering where Boone was. Spotting Locke she quickly walked up to him knowing he would have an idea.

"Have you seen Boone?" She asked.

"No. I thought he was with you." Locke stated.

"I haven't seen him since yesterday. He walked off and hasn't been back since." Shannon said with worry on her voice.

"Maybe we should ask Sayid." Locke said leading her over to him.

"Is she gonna be ok?' Sayid asked.

"I hope so. I don't know what's wrong with her." Jack said rubbing his face. "Sayid." Shannon called from behind him.

He turned around.

"Yes. What's wrong?" He asked seeing the worry on her face.

"Boone. He's been gone for a day and hasn't come back." Shannon started.

"Have you seen him?" She asked.

"No. I'm sorry I haven't." Sayid answered as he began to think back to the caves they had found.

"What's going on?" Jack asked coming up behind them. Sayid turned to him.

"Boone's missing." He uttered sending a chill over them.