Claire leaned on Charlie, and they watched the rain drip from the roof of the caves. They sat there for a long time, with Claire nestled against Charlie's chest like a blanket. Charlie shifted slightly and a snore erupted from sleeping Claire. He giggled and stopped in mid-move. He sat there, not wanting to move her. After a while, he pulled his sharpie and tape out of his pocket. He taped his thumb and wrote the word Claire across his fingers.
Jack walked up to them from the edge of the caves and looked at Charlie fingers. "That's subtle."
Charlie pointed at Claire, asleep in his lap, and whispered, "She's sleeping."
Jack laughed and stood up, "Well, I hope you two are happy together." Charlie smiled at him and leaned his head against the cave wall. His eyes shut and soon he was asleep also.
Charlie woke up the next morning and Claire was already up. She was walking around the perimeter of the caves, holding Aaron; she looked worried. Charlie jumped up quickly and walked over to her, "What's wrong? You look troubled."
Claire looked at him, "Oh, it's nothing."
Charlie tilted his head, and said in a mock-stern voice, "Claire."
She shook her head from side to side undecidedly and finally said, "You'll think it's stupid…"
Charlie gave her a serious look, "Try me."
Claire nodded, "Okay, well, I was just thinking. Charlie, what we have…it isn't just the island right. Us being thrown together, complete strangers. It is real…right?"
Charlie looked shocked. He couldn't believe what she was saying. Here he was, not even capable of imagining that he didn't love her, and she was wondering if it was just stress. He would go to the end of the world for her. It wasn't the island that brought them together; it was fate. If only he could show her that.
"Claire, are you saying that you don't think that we're supposed to be together?"
Claire looked back at him, her eyes showing her sadness, "No! I'm just wondering if you'll still be there if…when we get off."
"Yes. I will. For you and Aaron." Charlie answered, thinking about his dream. Upon saying Aaron's name, Charlie took him and walked into the jungle again, leaving Claire to look at him, tears brimming in her eyes. Charlie found a large tree that had fallen and took a seat on it. He looked at Aaron, "So, I think it's time for another one of our heart to hearts, little guy."
Aaron stared up at him, and Charlie smiled, "Your mom wants to know if I'll stay with you guys when we get off the island. I will." Aaron closed his eyes calmly and Charlie grinned, "So, what do you think? Would you like me to be your daddy?" Aaron opened his eyes widely and cooed before falling asleep in Charlie's arms.
Charlie walked back into the caves with Aaron, a plan in his mind. He walked up to Kate, "Could you take Aaron for a while?" Ignoring her protests, he ran up to Claire, "I have something to tell you Claire." Her eyes were puffy and she nodded solemnly.
Charlie led her into the forest and bit his lip, "I wanted to tell you that I love you, and that I'll always be there for you. I know you are worried about our future after the island, after all of this is over, and I want to reassure you. But I'm not sure how." He got down on his knee and pulled one of the pieces of tape off his finger; "I know it's not a ring, but…"
She took it with a smile and slipped it on her finger, "Yes."