The Replacement

Allabelle: glad you liked it. I defiantly wanted Claire to be involved in the story, even if she has bugged me slightly in recent episodes. She's still one of my favorites. Witch is why its so hard to decide who Charlie will end up with in the end.

Lostlorenzo: Of course Sawyer was the instigator. Its his job. Causing problems. And of course Claire is jealous. Who could blame her? But I agree, I would love to be Elise. And like you said, I'm pretty torn. I can't decide who he'll end up with. oh well, I'll figure it out sooner or later.

It was the next morning. Elise was still asleep in the little pile of blankets her and Charlie had made into a bed. Charlie had woken up early and, unable to go back to sleep, decided to take a walk.

He wondered on the edge of the water in his bare feet, hands shoved into the pockets of his rolled up jeans, thinking about the last few days. He didn't feel bad about what he'd done. It was all just a big misunderstanding. He wasn't angry or vengefully. Well, maybe a bit towards Locke, but for the most part he'd moved on.

He'd gotten used to the idea of the island ignoring him, pretending like he didn't exist. All except Elise of course. He heard foot steps approaching and he looked up, surprised to see Claire.

"Hey" She greeted, sounding a little nervous. For a long time, Charlie simply stared back in confusion, wondering why anyone, especially Claire, would be walking up to him. "Hey" He replied in a quiet voice, wondering if he was about to be yelled at again.

"I heard you moved out into the jungle" She noted, biting her bottom lip. "Yeah, thought It would be a good idea" He replied with a nod, avoiding eye contact. "Why'd you come back?" She questioned, not wanting it to sound as accusing as it did when it came out. Charlie looked up, trying to hide the sudden change in his expression.

"Its storming off and on, we needed to get some supplies to make a tent" He explained, his voice shaking. He'd been better. He'd felt better. He was gonna mind his own business and they could all mind theirs. So why did she have to come and interrogate him?

"We?" Claire questioned, trying to cover up the jealously in her voice. "Yeah, me and Elly" He confirmed, giving an indicating glance over to where Elly slept. "Oh" Claire nodded, looking down at the sand. "Well, if you need supplies, your welcome to take some stuff from our tent" Claire offered after a moment, looking up at him once again.

Once again, Charlie was confused. "I'm not gonna take anything from your tent Claire" He confirmed, simply. "Why not? I mean, you built it. You lived in it. I think your entitled to get some of it" Claire insisted. "I don't need it" He assured, and began to walk again. "Charlie, your living out in the jungle, miles away from us. Your gonna need shelter!" She concluded persistently, walking after him.

"I don't need anything from you, alright?" Charlie snapped in aggravation. Claire stopped in her tracks, a look of surprise on her face. "Not any more" He added, shaking his head as he walked away.

to be contenuied...