Here it is. What you've all been wating for. Hope you enjoy!

Survival

A month went by.

It was a nice breezy and sunny day. Normal for some days on the island. After what happened the remaining survivors felt free to come out and live life again.

Claire and Charlie sat with Christopher who was nearly a year old, in the surf of the beach. He loved playing in the water a joy he obviously got from his mother. Both of their attentions was focused on him trying his hardest to chase the water back out into the ocean and then run away when it came back in.

Slowly Claire looked around for once liking her current residence. As she scanned the tree line she felt suddenly sad. Jack walked out onto the beach.

"He's been through so much." She blurted out in her own thought.

Charlie looked over grabbing a hold of Christopher.

"More then I can imagine." She continued watching Jack walk over to Sayid's tent.

"Yeah. Surprised he hasn't ended it." Charlie remarked catching a questioning look from Claire.

She passed off his comment about Jack's suicide.

"I mean he killed for her. He killed for us." She exclaimed looking back to Charlie with a sorrow filled look.

Charlie smiled trying to make her feel better. She did feel better with his smile, but she slowly turned back to Jack just watching him.

"Do you really think he is dead though?" Charlie questioned.

Claire looked back in a somewhat offended way.

"I mean I shot him four or five times and he still came back." He tried to explain not liking the stare he was getting.

Claire again looked away shaking her head.

"No he's dead. Jack made sure of that. He wouldn't let us live in fear. And he wasn't about to let Kate suffer anymore." Claire said lowering.

"Still with him gone I'm scared of what's going to happen." Claire whispered softly.

Charlie rested his hand on her arm making her turn back.

"I love you Claire and I won't let anything happen to you." Charlie smiled.

Again she melted and with a sigh she leaned in pressing her forehead to Charlie's.

"I love you too." She smiled as she kissed him.

Kissing her back he wrapped his arms around her squishing Christopher between them. Quickly the baby became fussy being smothered between them.

"Sorry there buddy." Charlie laughed brushing sand from his handmade clothes.

Claire laughed along with him for no reason to herself. She just felt good and wanted to laugh. Looking up to her Charlie again leaned in kissing her. This time making sure Christopher could breath. But the kiss was suddenly interrupted by a commotion around them. People were running up behind them and down into the surf. Water came splashing up on them drenching Christopher who began to cry.

"Watch it!" Claire warned pulling Christopher to her.

"What the hell-" Charlie stopped as he looked out to see what all the commotion was about.

He was stunned and in near shock to see a huge cruise like ship off in the horizon and a small lifeboat heading towards the island.

"No bloody way…' Charlie said standing up.

He walked a couple feet into the water entranced with this sight along with the ten other people in the water along with him. Rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing anything he blinked still seeing it. The others were in the same state as him. All confused and excited at the same time.

"Do you see that?" He asked pointing out to the ship as he turned back to Claire.

"I do, but what is it?" Claire asked as she picked up a fussy Christopher as she stood.

"It's a boat! It's a rescue boat!" Charlie exclaimed wrapping his arm around Claire.

"Oh my god it is!" Claire yelled.

Charlie turned to Claire, but looked back to see Jack and Sayid completely unaware. Claire turned to see what he was looking at. She couldn't believe those two didn't see what they were seeing.

"Jack!" She yelled trying to get his attention.

Still he didn't hear them. Charlie pulled away and made a mad dash up the beach. Running as fast as he could he was out of breath by the time he reached Sayid's tent. Taking a deep breath he walked over and stood in front of Jack who was pouring over Danielle's maps.

"We won't need those anymore." Charlie breathed.

Jack looked up to him with his brow furrowed.

"And why not?" Jack asked catching a snickering grin from Sayid.

A smile grew from ear to ear on Charlie's face.

"What?" Jack asked confused by the whole situation.

"There's a boat!" Charlie announced not being able to contain his excitement anymore.

"A what?" Sayid asked now with Jack.

"There a boat! A rescue boat coming to shore!" Charlie exclaimed with a bigger smile.

Jack shook his head standing up with Sayid.

"This isn't something you joke around with Charlie." Jack warned.

"I'm not look." Charlie said pointing towards the ocean.

"There is no-"

Jack stopped and starred out into the ocean. There it was coming off the horizon. Sure enough a boat. Two actually.

"Holy…." Jack whispered in shock.

"There's no way." Sayid said as he stood next to Jack.

Without another word Jack, with Sayid and Charlie in tow went running out onto the beach. He suddenly stopped in the middle of the sand and just stood there. Brining his hand to his forehead he blocked the sun out of his eyes trying to get a better look. There were in fact two boats. A huge medic ship from the way it looked and a much smaller motorized lifeboat.

Jack couldn't believe what he was seeing. After nearly a year they now decide to show up. He turned back to Sayid.

"Get a signal fire going. Get it as high as you can. Then gather everyone and tell them to get only what they came with." Jack instructed heading off towards the caves.

"Where are you going?" Sayid questioned.

"To the caves to get everyone else." Jack smiled as he turned and disappeared into the jungle.

Within minutes Jack was at the caves. He burst in gasping for air getting strange and worried looks from Hurley, Sun and a few others who were there.

"Jack what's wrong?" Sun asked as she rushed over to him.

He shook his head trying to make out the words.

"Ther…there's a boat." He finally got out with a cough.

All was silent. Everyone exchanged looks and then looked back to Jack.

"Dude no way! Are you serious?" Hurley asked.

"Yeah.' Jack said nodding his head.

"There's a lifeboat coming towards the shore. It from a huge medic boat." He exclaimed.

There was an immediate uproar as they began to gather things.

"Only bring what you came with." Jack said walking through the caves.

"And then go to the beach. Sayid's getting a signal fire going." Jack announced walking over to his things.

Hurley stopped as he walked over to Sun who seemed somewhat sad.

"Dude we're finally getting off this hell hole." He laughed.

"Yes back to a normal life." Sun whispered lowering her head.

"Hey don't worry we'll all remain friends and you'll be fine without Jin. I'll make sure of that." Hurley smiled.

Sun looked up feeling good with his words.

"Thank you Hurley." She smiled.

Without a word Hurley embraced her picking her a foot off the ground.

Jack looked back smiling. He had never seen any off them so happy, but he too worried what would become of all of them now. Shaking his head he pushed the thought away as he went through his things. Suddenly Locke came in and stopped at the commotion.

"What's all this about?" He asked Jack with a laugh.

"There's a boat." Jack replied.

"You're kidding?" Locke asked.

"Nope." Jack grinned putting what he wanted to keep in his backpack.

Locke stood there looking around at all of them quickly gathering everything and some of them running out towards the way to the beach. He felt kinda saddened that he had to leave this place, but he himself had to admit it was becoming dangerous.

"Knew it would come some time." He sighed walking over to his things.

Everyone was up and out of there quickly. Jack was so in-trawled with the thought of them finally getting off that he didn't realize all of them had left. When he did turn back he was stopped by a backpack that lay on the ground next to the cot. Putting down his own backpack he just stood there.

"Jack." Locke called.

Jack turned.

"Come on." Locke said waving him towards the trail.

"I'll be along in awhile there's something I forgot." Jack said.

"Well don't be long or we'll leave without you." Locke joked headed off down the trail.

Jack looked away with a chuckle. He was now the only one in the caves. Looking around they seemed empty. Only a few medical supplies and blankets here and there were left. Sighing at the thought of the boat again Jack looked over to the cot. He almost forgot the reason he was standing there.

Slowly he pulled away and walked off down the other trail towards the graves where the rest of them were buried. He was heading off towards the reason why he was alive that day. The reason why he was able to leave that island.

Trudging through the jungle down the trail. He watched the ground as his feet walked over it. He had to admit he was going to miss just walking out into the middle of nowhere whenever he couldn't take it. Being in a daze he hardly realized where he was so fast. Looking up he saw the rows of misshapen crosses. They were all marked with small pieces of paper stating their names.

Glancing to each one he read the names to himself. Shannon. Boone. Walt. Michael. Joanna. Rose. Shelly. Daniel. And then he came to the marshal's, which was simply marked "The Marshal." It was funny that he was only one of the survivors that he didn't know by name.

As he looked away he spotted her. Walking closer he came to the clearing beach. There she stood in the surf looking out into the ocean in a thought filled daze. Her hair being whisked away in the wind. As he walked closer he remarked to himself how she looked to be shrinking in his shirt and her bare legs only covered by small thigh length shorts seemed to blend in with the dark sand. She looked so peaceful standing there holding a small bouquet of exotic flowers. He hated to ruin the moment.

"No matter how many times I see you stand in the sand like that…" He began.

She turned back greeting him with a smile.

"I never tire of it." He smiled as he came next to her.

She said nothing as he stood in front of her obviously looking her over.

"How we doing?" He asked trying to keep a strait face as he pretended to examine her face.

"Good. Better then yesterday." She laughed.

Jack looked away and was caught by the sight of the bandage on her chest. It reminded him of what he did in order to save her. It haunted him. But still he tried his best not to blame himself.

She looked away knowing what he was thinking. He knew why she looked away and he pulled back from it.

"There's a boat." He whispered.

She laughed the comment off.

"Don't kid around Jack." She laughed.

"No I'm serious Kate." He repeated.

Kate's eyes shot up to his. She was uncertain if he was making this up or not and he could see it in her eyes.

"Have I ever lied to you?" He asked looking her in the eyes.

She shook her head.

"Then why would I start now?" He asked.

"You are serious there is a boat." She exclaimed actually believing him.

He shook his head with a great big smile on his face. Kate looked back out to the ocean.

"There was a life boat heading towards shore. Should be there by now." Jack announced.

She remained silent in thought. They were finally getting rescued. After nine months they were getting rescued. She didn't know how to feel. She was left confused. Dwelling on what would happen now. Where would she go? Would she end up back in prison or had they forgotten about her?

Jack knew she was questioning the whole like he had. But she had nothing to worry about he wasn't going to let her be afraid to go home.

Gently he wrapped his arm around her holding her close. Turning around he began to lead her towards the trail to the caves.

"Let's go home." He whispered resting his lips to her forehead.

"But this is home." She said looking towards the graves.

"I know." Jack agreed knowing she was as terrified as he was inside not knowing what would happen.

Walking silently past the graves, Kate outstretched her hand laying the flowers upon one of the graves. As she turned back she nuzzled her face into Jack chest as they walked on. To satisfy his own curiosity Jack looked over his should to see whose grave she left the flower upon. Seeing them he looked up to the cross seeing "Sawyer" written on the small piece of paper.

They went back to the caves and gathered their things. Before heading to the beach they stopped and took one last look at the caves. Taking in one more breath of their lives from the last nine months they headed down the trail on their last walk to the beach.

Sayid stood on the beach with the manifest in one hand and his things in another. He looked over each person standing on the beach checking his or her name off the manifest. Everyone who had survived was there. Looking up he was more then happy to see a man get off one of the lifeboats and come over to him.

"Hi I'm David Cury from the United States Navy. I'm guessing you're the survivors of Flight 815." David Cury a man dressed in a waterproof suit introduced to Sayid holding his hand out as he looked around to the others.

"You are absolutely right." Sayid said shaking the man's hand.

"You don't know how long we've been waiting for someone." Sayid joked.

"Nine months a week and two days." David smiled looking back to Sayid.

"It has been long." Sayid smiled back.

"Are these all the survivors?" David asked looking to each and every one of them.

Sayid looked back seeing who was there.

"No there are two we're waiting on." Sayid replied referring to Jack and Kate.

"Ok…" David said writing something down on a clipboard he had.

"Now we need all of you to gather on these two life boats. We're going to take you all back to the U.S.S. Seattle and sort everything out there, but I'm going to take roll before we leave make sure we leave no one behind." David announced to everyone as he asked for the manifest.

Kate seemed to hold her breath as her and Jack walked out onto the beach. They emerged unnoticed as they walked up watching everyone get onto the boats. The stood behind Charlie and Claire waiting quietly to be called upon.

Claire and Charlie were next in line.

"Name?" One of the men asked.

"Claire Littleton." She smiled holding Christopher tightly.

"Says here you're eight and a half months pregnant." The man said looking up to see Christopher.

"Well not anymore. Now I'm a mother of eight and a half months." Claire smiled.

The man smiled as he looked to Charlie.

"And are you the father?" The man asked.

"Umm well no-" Charlie began.

"Yes he is. His name is Charlie Pace." Claire said finishing his statement.

Charlie looked over to her oddly. He was confused why she said that, but wasn't upset. He did consider himself Christopher's father in an odd way.

"Right along.' The man said leading them to the boat.

Charlie smiled as he wrapped his arm around Claire. He leaned over and kissed Claire then Christopher.

"My son." He said proudly getting a chuckle from Claire as they climbed on the boat.

Kate stood with a growing sickness in her stomach. They were next. She knew how it was going to go down. They would ask her name then

POW!

In comes the helicopters swarming in with the F.B.I and then they'd take her away and she'd never see Jack again.

"Kate are you ok?" Jack asked calling her from her daze.

She looked over to him, as she grew sicker.

"Yeah why?" She stuttered.

"You're really pale." He remarked cupping her face in his hands.

He felt her shake in his hands and he began to worry.

"Are you sure you're all right?" He asked looking her strait in the eyes.

"I'm fine Jack." She assured him.

He let go of her face and stood next to her. He knew she was afraid. Afraid of what was going to happen.

Slowly they approached the man taking names.

"Name?" He asked looking to Kate.

She turned from her daze.

"Kate. Kate Ryan." She smiled holding her breath as she waited for those helicopters.

The man scanned the list.

"Ah. Here we are. Kate Ryan." The man announced.

She stared at him question why he didn't break out the handcuffs.

"And you sir?" The man asked.

"Jack Sheppard." Jack stated.

"Ah Dr. Nice to see they had somebody to take care of them." The man smile checking Jack's name off the list.

Jack smiled back as he assorted a weary Kate towards the boat. Suddenly she began to stumble.

"Kate?" Jack questioned looking down at her.

"I'm fine Jack." She said brushing him off.

He listened to her again, but knew she was over whelming herself. As soon as he let in go she fell out of his arms to the ground.

"Kate." He called out catching her.

Everyone in the boats gasped wondering what was going on. Quickly the soldiers came up behind Jack.

"Is she all right?" David asked.

Jack quickly picked her up and helped her stand to her feet. She hadn't fainted, but she was on the verge.

"She's fine. Just weary from a wound from a couple of weeks ago." Jack explained holding onto Kate as tightly as he could.

"We'll have her looked at once we're on board." David assured Jack.

"Thanks." Jack said helping Kate onto the boat.

As they got into the boat the soldiers got on and readied to leave the shore.

The boats pulled away and everyone seemed to watch the island that had been their home for so long float away. Soon they all pulled away and talk amongst themselves. Jack sat with Kate sleeping in his arms thinking about what was going to happen. Looking down to her he smiled knowing it going to be ok for the both of them. Brushing her hair from her face he looked back for the first time seeing the island.

He was completely entranced with watching it. This place had become their home. He never thought they'd leave. He never thought this day would come.

The island was quite beautiful from the outside. He looked over the wreck on the beach and all the tents that everyone was so ready to vacate. Then he became alarmed as he saw someone come out onto the beach. He went to call out for the boat to turn back, but then he realized it wasn't one of the survivors. It was "him." Jack sat frozen trying to comprehend how he was alive. Locke had told him he was dead. That he watched him die.

Looking over to Locke who was completely unaware, anger grew within Jack. Glancing back to the island "he" still stood there on the edge of the jungle watching them. Watching them sail away never to return. Pushing it out he looked down to Kate who was still asleep. Good thing too. She had been through so much and still lived to be haunted by all of it.

Staring at her he made a vow to himself and to her. That he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. He would fight to any to see her happy. No matter what it took.

!READ!

This is the end sadly. But I am in the works for a sequeal. The first chapter will most likely be on the end of next week. It's going to be storngly about Kate and Jack and Charlie and Claire trying to get back into the swing of things. It's going to be called "Living After Seclusion" look for it around Friday. I will also have a new chapter on "Essence" up by tomorrow and will have another short story called "Hyperthermia". Hope you guys enjoyed this story, because i enjoyed writing it and hope all of you will continue reading my work and continue the journey with "Living After Seclusion". -: Sinorita :-