As You Like It
Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight: Admit It
Claire sat on the edge of a rock in the caves, her hands dangled to the floor in front of her. Charlie was supposed to meet her what seemed like hours ago and here she was, stood up. What else was new?
You okay? Someone asked from nearby.
Looking up, Claire saw Jack approaching her.
Claire lied, I'm just waiting for Charlie. Jack said and nodded.
Claire was beginning to get the sick feeling that everyone else knew something she didn't, and any moment now someone would walk by her laughing.
Are you sure you're okay? Jack asked, studying her.
She figured with the way she had been sitting it would be obvious to anyone who asked she was lying about being . Claire was never . Even without the baby she was still nicknamed that pregnant girl- she wasn't even a girl! She couldn't of been any older than Shannon, who claimed she was twenty but those who had seen the passenger manifest knew differently. When she finally saw that she could find a friend in Charlie, Claire thought that things were turning around, but now even Charlie seemed distracted by other island activities(or maybe people). Claire sighed.
Have you ever liked someone that didn't like you back? She asked.
Claire felt like a child asking the question. Lord knew Jack had more important problems to deal with.
Actually it was the other way around, Jack admitted
She looked up at him as he sat down beside her, surprised at what he had said.
Sort of, he added quickly.
'Sort of'? Claire repeated.
Jack forced a smile.
Long story, and obviously not wanting to tell it, Jack changed the subject, what's on your mind?
Claire shrugged.
I don't know, she lied, it's just..well, Charlie and I are close, right?I guess so, Jack said, nodding in agreement.
So it wouldn't seem to weird for me to..have feelings for him? Claire cringed as she confessed the last part.
She expected Jack to laugh but he just shook his head. This was going better than she thought it would. Maybe it wasn't so hard to talk to others if only she made more of an effort.
I don't think so, Jack said with a smile.
Claire smiled back at his efforts. She didn't say anymore so she supposed Jack took that as a cue to leave.
You sure you're going to be okay? He asked as he stood up.
Claire nodded.
Oh, and Claire?
Claire looked up at her name.
I wouldn't be so sure yet about the liking you back thing, Jack said with a wink and then smile as he walked away.
In the Jungle
Sun shone through the jungle trees as Locke headed to nowhere. The hatch seemed pretty useless to him, as much as he didn't want to admit it, so he took it upon himself to do some exploring. Of course all that were found were a few mountain trails that led to the same clearing.
Out of nowhere Boone stepped out of a path, causing Locke to stop in surprise. Boone was almost unrecognizable: he was deathly pale and sweating, as if he had just run a marathon underground. He had lost a great deal of weight in the past few months and looked..well..sick.
Boone stuttered in a tone that he would never normally use.
Locke said slowly.
He thought it best not to make it obvious that anything was out of the ordinary, just in case Boone decided to lash out and happened to be armed.
I'm just going- Boone waved behind him, over there.
Locke nodded as if he knew exactly what Boone was talking about. As he nodded he reached behind him for a fallen tree branch. Taking it in his hands, Locke swung his arm around with a swift force, causing the stick to collide with the side of Boone's head and knocking him out.
Back in the caves
And here I thought you forgot about me, Charlie said with a smile as he approached Claire.
Claire just shrugged. He had finally found her sitting up against a wall sitting near a group of people he didn't know and he was sure Claire didn't as well.
You okay? He asked, sitting down next to her.
He followed Claire's eyes as they led to Jack, who was standing by himself on the other side of the caves.
Hold on, Charlie said to Claire and stood up, giving her a pat on the leg as he did.
Just as he stood up Jack ducked to enter his own cave, and Charlie had to jog to catch him before he disappeared into it.
He called, running up to him.
His attention caught, Jack turned around and waited for Charlie to meet up with him.
What's up? Jack asked in his normal tone- trying not to show his overall worry for the general population of the castaways and failing miserably.
Did you say something to Claire? Charlie inquired accusingly.
Jack said, shaking his head.
Charlie studied him, looking for symptoms of lying. He sighed when he found none. If Jack was lying, he had a mean poker face.
he muttered and sulked as he walked back to Claire.
But this time, Claire wasn't alone. Sometime between leaving Claire and interrogating Jack Shannon had entered the caves, and the scene between the two females didn't look pretty. In fact, it spelled out cat-fight. The group Claire was sitting near looked completely drawn into the argument.
I didn't steal your boyfriend! Shannon cried drastically.
Then what's going on? Claire exclaimed, eyes full of tears.
She looked stressed out, exhausted, and a million other things Claire definitely wasn't just a few minutes ago. Out of nowhere Claire's hand shot out and slapped Shannon across the face. The caves grew deathly silent and everyone's eyes were either on Shannon(who stood shocked with a hand to her face, glaring at Claire in fury), or Claire(who was sending a similar death glare towards Shannon. Charlie was sure that Shannon was going to lash out at Claire, but instead she swirled around on her heal and stormed off, heading right towards Charlie.
I hope you're happy, Shannon muttered as she stalked by, why don't you tell your girlfriend to grow up?
Charlie heard Jack ask Shannon if he was okay and he wasn't sure what Jack received in response and at the moment, didn't really care: the term was still processing through his brain. Claire as a friend, yes, but girlfriend? They had only kissed once and that was really just a pity peck.
Now that he thought about it he and Claire were just like Jack and Kate, except that for months Jack and Kate were both blind regarding their relationship and at least one of them saw what was developing between them. He supposed either Jack or Kate did as well, if one of them would bulk up and admit it. Eventually the people of the caves went back to what they had been doing and Jack shook off whatever it was Shannon had said to him and went into his cave. Claire leaned against the wall next to her, her arms crossed, obviously crying. Taking in a deep breath, Charlie walked up to her.
What was that all about? He asked as unforcefully as he could.
Go away, Claire muttered, laying her head against the wall.
Charlie frowned in confusion and frustration.
What's wrong, Claire? He asked softly.
Claire sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes as she prepared for her outburst.
You're just so clueless!
Charlie felt taken aback. He didn't even know what she was talking about, why accuse him of being clueless? He mentally kicked himself, realizing that that was her point.
What am I clueless about? He asked calmly.
Claire exclaimed. And you- she calmed down and turned to the ground.
Was she saying what he thought she was saying?
What are you saying? Charlie said, making sure to confirm his theories before jumping to conclusions.
I like you! Claire cried, spinning around to face Charlie.
Her face was streaked with tears like she had just come out of some emotional breakdown. Wow, maybe he really was clueless. He realized she(and about five other castaways) was waiting for him to say something.
Charlie stuttered, Claire cried, incredulous.
Charlie cleared his throat.
And I..um..I like you to, he forced a smile that Claire saw right through.
You're just saying that, she said, rolling her eyes.
I'm not! Charlie swore. Look, I'm just..confussed..
Charlie stopped abruptly as his attention turned to the person who just stepped into the caves. Now, Charlie was sure he didn't know this person, and not only was he sure he didn't know this person, he was sure that he had never even seen this person before. For the second time that day the caves grew silent. Jack stepped back out in curiosity, and everyone turned to get a look at the newcomer.
The newcomer was fairly young, maybe in his twenties, with sandy brown hair that grew just past his ears. He was wearing torn kaki shorts and a long and sweaty gray t-shirt. In all truth, Charlie thought that he was looking at a younger version of Locke.
Jack was the first to take action, stepping slowly towards the boy, as if afraid he'd pull a weapon for attack. He was soon face to face with the newcomer, and everyone was craining his neck to see what would happen next. Finally the boy spoke:
Who the hell are you?
St. Sebastian Hospital, 2001
Jack was quiet as he helped his father with the post-surgery cleanup. The surgery had begun around ten A.M. It was now almost eight P.M., and Jack was exhausted. Before he knew the surgery would take so long, Jack had planned a dinner date with Sarah and had to get an assistant to call his wife and break the bad news.
You want to get something to eat? His father asked him after working nearly forty-five minutes in silence.
Jack looked up in surprised. As father and son they weren't very close, and Christian hardly ever offered to do anything that didn't involve dissecting someone for dozens of hours.
Jack shrugged, though he felt a little guilty about leaving Sarah behind.
But he was starving, so surely she'd understand?
Sarah can come to, if you want, Christian offered.
Okay, now something was definitely wrong. Either that, or his father wanted something. He was worse than a teenager trying to talk their way into getting the car for the night.
It's late, Jack pointed out, she probably already late, and besides, food bothers her late at night. Christian asked, sounding surprised. I didn't know that.
Jack nodded and went back to cleaning the surgical area. After three minutes of more silence, curiosity got the best of Jack.
Did you want something? He asked.
Christian looked up at him.
he replied.
Though he was pulling a straight face, Jack could easily sense that his father was lying. Instead of making a big deal of it, he just nodded it off.
Saw mom yesterday, Jack finally admitted, knowing that's what his father was wanting to hear.
Christian acted surprised at hearing this.
He said again. 'Mom'? So are you two exchanging Christmas cards yet? Jack said sarcastically, but really, it wasn't all that bad. We just talked. Took a while to get her convinced that I wasn't some scam artist, but after I mentioned you-You mentioned me? Christian interrupted with a trace of indignation in his voice.
Jack said with a face of confusion, Christian said quickly, I'd just prefer to be left out of your little reunion.
With practiced ease Christian took off his latex gloves and left the room, leaving Jack to wonder what that was supposed to mean.
Jack and Kate's cave, 2004
I thought you had it, Jack said, hands on his hips.
He was frustrated. Hell, they all were.
Dude, I gave it to you months ago! Hurley argued.
Look, do you have it? Charlie asked to Hurley, interrupting their long-lasting argument over who last had the passenger manifest.
Hurley shook his head.
Do you? Charlie asked next to Jack.
Jack shook his head as well. Charlie threw his hands up.
he muttered, just as frustrated as the other two.
Claire asked quickly from behind him. What's so bad about not knowing if he was on the plane or not?
She looked from Jack to Charlie to Hurley, who were all looking down innocently.
She asked, now sounding nervous. You don't think he was with Ethan do you?
Claire flinched slightly when she said the name. Though she knew nothing for sure about Ethan, she knew what he did to her and she knew he was bad. Finally Jack looked up at her.
We don't know, he admitted sympathetically.
Well we have to do something, Claire said impatiently, we can't just sit around to see if he's going to attack us. Interrogate him..do something.You're certainly cheery today, Charlie muttered under his breath.
Jack rolled his eyes.
She's right, he agreed, at least we can find out where he was- the rest of them watched him tentively, waiting for more answers and instruction. Jack breathed in deeply. And we'll go from there.
He let the breath out as the group broke up, but one survivor he hadn't known remained.
Did you need something? He asked Alex.
It was Alex's turn to roll her eyes.
You know you could just ask, she said pointy.
Ask what?Where he's from! Alex exclaimed.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
How would you know that? He inquired.
Alex crossed her arms and looked at him as if saying are you serious? Jack said, remembering, the psychic thing.'The psychic thing', Alex snorted.
So how's that going? Jack asked curiously.
Alex shrugged.
Pretty good, she said, but you can tell your dad that I don't give a damn who Sebastian is, I'd like to have one night's sleep where he's not interrogating me.Sounds like him, Jack laughed and then stopped.
Something wrong? Alex asked in concern.
St. Sebastian, Jack recalled quietly, that's where I worked.
Alex shrugged again.
He doesn't really give me much information, Alex said, he just keeps saying why isn't he here'..I mostly just hear him. Jack said and Alex nodded.
I'm weird, she said lightly.
Jack smiled.
I've seen weirder.
Alex offered a small smile back, cheeks turning red in embarrassment for having the subject brought up.
I hate to ruin the moment, Jack said after a short pause, but we've got to figure out who this guy is before a riot starts.Well, he wasn't on the plane, Alex said.
See something? Jack asked hopefully.
Alex said in a slightly deeper tone.
Jack looked at her in surprise and confusion.
How do you know then? He asked her, curious.
Because he was with me.
Author's note: Sorry that took so long to get out! I must've changed the story's ending three times, which effected this chapter Thanks SOOO much for all you guys who came back, and all you who are reviewing! You guys rock!
Coming up next, on As You Like It:
The Skate affair may not be over and what's the result of it? Not good, and big confessions come with it. And just in case I don't get all of that in next chapter, one of our survivors is in grave danger, but he/she/it doesn't realize it.
Thanks again!
Until next time..
+ October Sky