Sorry I haven't updated in the past few days. But without further adieu, here is the new chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it!

Chapter One

Claire didn't want to open her eyes. If she did, she would see the same old tarp over her head, on the same old beach, as she laid on the same old blanket.

Aaron's cries could be heard, now Claire knew she had to get up. She opened her eyes, what she saw looked unfamiliar to her. Aaron's cries had subsided, but by who?

Claire sat up and looked around. She was on a bed in a room. It then hit her. She was on the boat that was taking them back to LA from the island.

"Good morning." Claire looked to her left and saw Charlie sitting there holding Aaron. "Sleep alright?"

"Yeah, I slept fine. You?" Claire asked smiling.

"Like a baby," Charlie said. "I think Aaron is hungry, he keeps gnawing at my finger like crazy."

"Aww," Claire said walking over to them. Charlie handed her Aaron very carefully. Claire sat on the bed and starting nursing Aaron. Charlie, still hadn't become that comfortable sitting with Claire while she did that, so he excused himself to take a shower.

Claire and Charlie's relationship hadn't changed that much. They still remained the best of friends, but no signs of a romantic relationship were around.

Charlie had remained faithful to taking care of Claire and Aaron. Claire was also there for Charlie by helping him with needs and getting his shelter together.

They had been rescued from the island the day before. After the first raft went under, they all lost hope that they would never be rescued. Three months later, a passing ship, not just a ship, but a cruise ship rescued them all.

All of them loved living back with all their luxuries. Claire was never so thankful as when she stepped on the ship and took a nice long shower.

The boat was still two days away from returning to LA, so the castaways were enjoying their last days together as friends.

Claire on the other hand, didn't know what to do when they got to LA. She had no money, no place to stay, and how was she going to take care of Aaron?

It really scared her because she didn't have a plan with her life. She then remembered what Charlie had told her. When they were still on the island, Charlie had promised her that she and Aaron could stay with him in LA for awhile.

Claire didn't want to impose on Charlie, but she didn't know where else to go. And she definitely wasn't going to get back on a plane and fly home to Sydney.

Later…

Claire walked up onto deck and spotted Shannon standing by the railing. She was leaning on it and held something in her hands. Claire leaned on the railing next to her.

"Hey," Claire said. Shannon looked briefly at Claire and then turned back to the picture. Claire looked at it and saw it was a picture of her and Boone. "When was that taken?"

"Last year," Shannon said. "When we were both home for the summer."

"You still miss him a lot huh?" Claire asked. Shannon nodded.

"Yeah, and now, I have to tell his mother that he's dead. How am I going to do that? She already hates me," Shannon asked.

"Just explain to her what happened. Maybe Jack can help. He knows what Boone died of exactly," Claire suggested.

Shannon looked at Claire. "Where's Aaron?"

"Napping with Charlie," Claire said. Shannon looked at her for a minute.

"He loves you, you know," Shannon said. Claire smiled.

"Yeah, I know," Claire said. "I've been trying to decide if I want to live with him when we get to LA."

"Did he offer it?" Shannon asked.

"Yeah," Claire said.

"I'd take him up on it. He really loves you Claire, anyone can see that. All he want's is to be loved back," Shannon said. "Do you love him?"

Claire thought about it a minute. "Yeah, I guess I do. I just don't know what love really is. I've never been in love."

"Neither have I," Shannon said.

"Sooner or later, we both will be," Claire said. Shannon smiled. She placed the picture in her pocket.

"Yeah, we will be," Shannon said.

Later…

Claire opened the door to her room. Charlie was lying on the bed. He was still sleeping heavily. One arm draped over his stomach, the other above his head. Claire smiled at him and looked over at Aaron.

Aaron slept peacefully wrapped in his blue blanket. Claire ran her finger down his cheek to his chin. Claire yawned and looked over at Charlie.

Claire smirked softly and went to the other side of the bed. She slid on carefully and scooted over to Charlie. Claire lay next to him and then snuggled in to his body. She laid her head on his shoulder and placed her arm on top of his on his stomach.

Claire was surprised when she felt his other arm slide around her waist and hold her in that position. Claire smiled and fell asleep.

At dinner…

Claire gave Aaron a toy to play with while she ate her dinner with Charlie. They were eating in silence until Charlie looked up at her.

"So, have you made a decision of what you're going to do when we get to LA in two days?" Charlie asked.

Claire sighed. "I have thought about it a lot. And well, I've made my decision."

"And?" Charlie asked.

"I think Aaron and I will stay with you for awhile in your apartment in LA," Claire said. Charlie smiled. He leaned over the table and hugged Claire.

"Thank you! This is going to be so much fun!" Charlie said. Claire giggled.

"Well, I'm glad. I really hope it will be fun," Claire said. "But of course it will only be until I can support myself and Aaron."

"Okay, that's fine. Just take your time," Charlie said. Claire smiled.

"How big is your apartment?" Claire asked.

"Well, it's only got two bedrooms, so Aaron will have to share with you," Charlie said.

"That is fine," Claire said. "He is my son after all." Charlie laughed.

"This is going to be fun, I promise you," Charlie said.

"I sure hope so," Claire said smiling. "I sure hope so."

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Okay, sorry if it's a little short. I started out wanting to write a lot and then I hit a kind of writer's block. Sorry. More next time, I promise!

REVIEW RESPONSES

Hekate-Trivia: I see you changed your penname too! I like it! Thanks for the review!

Moodys-rejected-heart: Thanks, I really love that song. Thanks for the review!

Gamechamp85: Thanks for the review!

CharlieandClaire: You can change your penname on the settings page. I was kind of tired of Bloomy Angel, so I changed it. Lol. Thanks for the review!

Until next time,

Lost Hobbit