Chapter 3- Growing Closer

Hey guys, I would like start off by saying I am very proud of this chapter. It is very… well, you'll find out. I think you'll enjoy it. At least I hope. Whatever writer's block I had is gone. Thank goodness. And I went with the first version this time since it was the only version I made. I'm in a great mood. I'm listening to Evanescence and watching "Whose Line is it Anyway?" Well, here's chapter three…

"That was cheating." Charlie said chasing after Claire. They were headed towards their clothes. Charlie could hear Claire giggling. She stopped abruptly in front of her and Charlie's clothes. Before she could put on her clothes, Charlie came up behind her and threw her over his shoulder. He turned and headed back to the ocean.

"What are you doing?" She asked giggling furiously.

"It's my turn to retaliate." He said reaching the ocean. He kept walking until he was waist high in the water. He moved Claire, so one arm was holding her knees and the other was wrapped around her back. "Any last words, luv?"

"Charlie, let's call a truce." She said looking down at the water.

"Oh, so you don't want to go in the water any more?"

"No." She said giggling. Charlie tightened his grip on her. Claire thought she had won and smiled up at him. Charlie smiled down at her, and then threw her into the water. Claire emerged from the water seconds later. She wiped the water off of her face. "That was cruel." She said swimming towards him.

"You're right luv, but you deserved it." He was still waist high in the water. He put out his hand. "Let's go get dry and relieve Sun of baby sitting duty."

"Alright." She said taking his hand. They walked to where their clothes, still laid. They grabbed their clothes and headed towards Claire's tent. Sun stood as she saw them approaching. She could see they were laughing and holding hands. She smiled and looked down at Aaron, who was still asleep.

"Hi Sun." Charlie said smiling. Claire let go of Charlie's hand and walked inside the tent to see her son still asleep.

"Thank you for watching him." Claire said walking up next to her.

"It was no problem. He's an angel."

"Yeah." Claire said proudly.

"I'm going to leave you two to talk." Sun said giving Charlie a hinting look. Then she walked away leaving foot prints in the sand.

"Talk about what?" Claire asked laughing, but expecting an answer from Charlie.

"Don't look at me." Charlie said putting up his hands in defense. Claire crossed her arms, still expecting an answer. "She said it." Charlie whined.

"Okay, well I need to change." She said grabbing a pair of shorts and a shirt out of her bag.

"Why not just put your clothes over that lovely swimsuit?" Charlie asked lifting his eyebrows for emphasis.

"It's wet." Claire said shaking her head.

"Yes, but having wet clothes is better than searching all day for a place to change." Charlie said sliding on his shorts and then his shirt.

"You're right." She said sliding on her shorts.

"Yeah well… you hungry?" Charlie asked looking around.

"Yes." She said slipping her shirt on.

"Okay, what do you prefer?" He asked rubbing his hands together.

"It doesn't matter." She said picking up Aaron. He opened his eyes, but they slid closed again when he saw Claire's face.

"Okay, I'll find something." Charlie said walking away.

"Wait, we're coming with you." Claire said walking quickly to catch up.

"Can't get enough of me, huh luv?" Charlie said sliding his hand behind her back.

"Right." She said smiling.

When they reached the jungle. Claire seemed a little uneasy.

"Claire, you don't have to come." Charlie said understanding perfectly what she was feeling.

"No, I'm okay." Charlie looked at her in disbelief. "Really Charlie, I'm fine." Charlie knew she wasn't, but went along with it anyway. They looked around for fruit, and eventually found some bananas. Charlie climbed up the tree and picked a few. Meanwhile, Claire was holding Aaron, watching Charlie. Charlie fumbled on the branch, but managed to regain his balance. "Are you okay?" Claire yelled up to him. Charlie looked down at her with a smile.

"Don't worry, luv." He said letting out a small laugh. Claire sighed and turned around.

"Oh my God." She whispered.

"Claire are you okay?" Charlie whispered to her. He had something covering his eyes and couldn't see her, but he knew she was close.

"Yeah, are you?"

"I'm fine, luv." Charlie was silent for a second. "Claire, I won't let any thing happen to you."

"What do they want Charlie?"

"I don't know, but don't worry. We'll get free some how."

Charlie was silent to hear what Ethan was saying. The only words he could make out were, "Hang him."

He felt hands grab his arms. He fought them, kicked as hard as he could.

"Charlie what's going on?" Claire yelled to him.

"You're insane." Charlie yelled to Ethan. Ethan looked over at Claire and walked over to her. He took off her blindfold. Claire looked at him and then at Charlie as they out the noose around his neck. Then he was hung. Claire screamed out for him as he kicked and tried to use his hands to take off the noose. Slowly the life drained out of him and all Claire could hear was the sound off her own sobs.

Charlie climbed down carefully and walked up behind her. "Claire?" He asked looking at her and then where her eyes stared at.

"I remember that tree." She said with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Charlie realized where they were.

"Let's go, Claire." He said putting his hand on her back.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked turning to look at him. "Why didn't you tell me that they hung you?"

"I thought it was something best forgotten." He said looking at the ground and then back at her. "Claire, please don't be mad."

"I'm not." She said gently. A rustle came through the bushes. "What was that?" Claire asked turning quickly. Charlie walked slowly towards the bushes. Before he could reach them, Locke, Jack, and Kate emerged from them.

"Where have you been?" Charlie asked the group. They exchanged looks and Claire walked up next to Charlie.

"We were doing some exploring." Locke lied.

"What are you two doing out here?" Jack asked with a drop of sweat sliding down his face.

"We came to get food." Charlie said holding up the bananas.

"You shouldn't be out here alone." Locke advised walking away.

"We were just headed back." Charlie said as Jack and Kate passed him and Claire. They were following Locke, but weren't headed towards camp. He wondered where they were going, as did Claire.

"Let's go, luv." He said looking over at her, with his hand still lying on her back.

When they got back, Charlie and Claire sat on the beach and looked out at the ocean. It was dark out and the stars were shining bright. Aaron was asleep in his cradle next to Claire. Charlie and Claire were silent while they each ate a banana. As the night went on, Claire grew tired. She looked at Charlie who was deep in thought. She thought for a second, closed her eyes, and laid her head on his shoulder. Charlie was taken by surprise, but never moved. When he was sure Claire was asleep, he kissed the top of her head.

Aww… lol. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to review.

Thanks to these people for reviewing chapter two:

goblin monkey

Thanks so much.

jesi0546

(hugs back) I'm glad you liked it.

WereKid

I love CC! They are awesome! Thanks for the review!

TotallyLost

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing.

Tari5

Here's your update! Would you like anything else? sighs I bet you say a CC kiss… Why do I even ask?

Mony19

I totally agree! CC rock! Thanks for reviewing!

moodys-rejected-heart

Well… just read and find out! LOL! I'm evil!

charlieclaire4ever

Here's your update! Thanks for the review!

Beth95

Oh yes… I enjoyed writing that chapter, just because Charlie is shirtless. I'll think of more reasons for him to be too… (ponders)

CharlieandClaire

YAY! Glad you reviewed! (laughs)