Charlie walked in a daze through the jungle. He didn't know where he was going. All he could see was Claire's back walking away from, and all he could feel were the baggies of heroin in his pocket. If he'd just hide the statue better; if Claire hadn't found it; if he hadn't taken the statue in the first place. He knew where to find the drugs if he ever needed, so why did he take it?

A hand clamped down on his shoulder. He whirled around, eyes wide and crazy. "BLOODY HELL, Locke! Are you trying to stop my heart?"

Locke's calm face didn't waver. "Are you off to get more drugs?"

Charlie blinked, his voice strained. "How do you know about the drugs?"

"Well, it was only a matter of time," Locke replied, casually. He nodded his head absently. "Sayid said you two came across the plane with the cargo of heroin. Either you took some drugs while you were there, or you're going for some more. "

Charlie squinted his eyes in anger, and pointed an accusing finger at Locke. "You knew about the heroin! You knew and didn't warn me! You're a bloody bastard, Locke!"

"If I'm a bastard then Jack is one too. He knew what the plane held as well."

Vile shot it's way into Charlie throat, but he swallowed it before it reached his mouth. "What?" he choked out.

"Charlie, do you have the drugs on you?"

Without even realizing it, Charlie pulled the baggies from his pocket. Locke eyed them with mild interest. "Why did you take the drugs, Charlie?"

The rock star stared at him in shock. "I'm an ADICT! Why would I NOT take them?"

"Because you know better. Listen, son. Were you happy when you were using?"

"No," Charlie replied in a very small voice.

Locke nodded, satisfied with the answer. "Are you happy now that you're clean?"

"Of course, I am. I have Claire and the baby. I'm happy being with them."

"Then why did you take the drugs?"

Desperation and confusion drowned Charlie's face. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, wanting more than ever for a fix. "Because…I need it. I haven't taken any yet, but Locke, I need it. Claire knows, and she doesn't want me around her and Aaron anymore. I can't do this. I want a bleeding fix right now!"

"Go ahead and take some then to make you better. I'm not going to judge you."

Charlie stared wide-eyed at Locke's indifferent tone. Was this the same man that had helped him get clean? "Who are you, man? Are you insane? One day you're helping me quit then the next you're telling me to just get high."

"That is what you want, isn't it?"

"I-" Charlie felt his fingers twitching against the baggies. "I don't want it. I need it."

"What do you want?"

"I want Claire." It spilled out of him so fast, Charlie surprised his own self with what he had said. It felt different admitting it out loud. It felt REAL, and he wanted to say it again.

"Do you remember what I told you when you found your guitar?"

"You told me I had to give something to get something."

"That's right. You gave your drugs to me to get your guitar back. The thing is, now you've taken the drugs but at a much higher price."

"What if I give the drugs back? Will Claire take me back?"

"I don't know what the Island has in store, Charlie. You can keep the drugs or get rid of them. It's your choice."

Charlie held out the drugs. "Take them."

Locke shook his head. "I can't."

"What?" Charlie's shout echoed through the jungle. "You did it before, why not now?"

"Instead of giving me the drugs, why not just get rid of them yourself?"

"Because-" Charlie's mouth hung open, an answer dying at his lips.

Locke started to walk away. "It's your choice." And with that, Charlie was left alone for the second time that day.