Chapter 5- Talk of Two
Hey guys, I'm back after updating Hearts Grow Fonder and putting out the sequel like I promised. I put on my profile that I was going to change my pen name, and that is going to happen very soon. I just got really bored of having the same one for awhile now and need a change. I'm not bored of CC though, that would never happen! I PROMISE! My new pen name will be changed to Waiting4october. This means I'm waiting for season 2. I watched the season finale last night and got depressed… I have to show how much I miss it in my name. SO, I'll probably end up changing it again like every week… LOL! Hope you like this chapter and I'll update Hearts Grow Fonder next. Enjoy!
Claire sat with her back against the cave wall, holding Aaron as he slept. Charlie too slept nearby on his side facing her, using his hoodie as a pillow. The events of earlier today had been playing through her mind, and as she sat there, she could only smile. The hard surface of the cave wall made her back begin to tighten. She pulled her back away from the hard rocks and sat up straight. Her attempt to stretch it failed and she sighed as she stood. She was careful not to wake Aaron while doing so, but the baby noticed the change. He let out a fuss and Claire tried her best to quiet him, so he wouldn't wake Charlie. After a few minutes, Aaron was quiet and his eyelids slid closed. Claire smiled at the sight and gently placed him in his cradle. She pulled his blanket over his sleeping figure and brushed her fingertips from his head to his chin. She stood up straight and placed her hands on her back. She heard Charlie stir in his sleep and turned to look at him.
"Claire." She heard someone say from behind her. It took her a moment to take her eyes off of Charlie, but eventually she turned to meet Jack's friendly eyes.
"Hi." She said crossing her arms and walking towards him.
"What are you doing up so late?" He asked walking with her away from where Charlie and Aaron slept.
"I'm not tired." She said watching her feet get farther away from her son with each step. She stopped and looked back at the cradle. Aaron's sleeping form laid there unmoved, and of course Charlie lay nearby. Jack followed her gaze until his eyes rested upon the two.
"How's Aaron… is he eating and sleeping normally?" Jack asked, obviously reaching doctor mode. Claire smiled at his tone.
"Yeah, he's good." She said nodding her head.
"And Charlie, how's the scar on his head?" Jack asked, pointing to his forehead for emphasis.
"Still black, but he hasn't complained." She noted smiling. Jack smiled with her.
"Something's changed about you." He said furrowing his eyebrows, but keeping a friendly smile.
"What do you mean?" She asked uncrossing her arms and shoving her hands into her back pockets.
"Well, when you came back, you were… distant. For a good reason of course, but now… it's like it was before." Jack said with a one sided smirk. Claire smiled and opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have brought it up." Jack said with a sense of regret creeping into his tone.
"No… really it's okay. It's just… I am remembering things bit by bit and it gets to be too much sometimes, but Charlie's helping me remember… he's very supportive." She said once again glancing over at Charlie's sleeping form.
"Yeah, you two were always together before Ethan took both of you." Jack said nodding his head and smiled when he saw Claire do so. "I'm glad to see some things never change." He said laughing. Claire blushed and laughed with him.
"Charlie has been amazing, and everything that I have remembered shows me how he's always been there." Claire said removing her hands from her pockets. "He brought Aaron back, and that is the best gift anyone has ever given me. The thing is Jack… Charlie and I kissed at the pond today and it felt perfect, like I am supposed to be here." She said brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You better watch it; you're begging to sound like Locke." He said chuckling to himself. Claire's grin grew.
"So why are you up Jack?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Locke, Kate, and I just got back from the jungle." Jack explained glancing over at Kate, sitting in front of the fire.
"What are you doing out there?" Claire asked furrowing her eyebrows.
"Oh… um, just exploring." He said avoiding looking into her eyes. Claire gave him a half smile.
"Well, I'm going to try to get some sleep." She said looking over at Aaron's cradle to make sure he was still there.
"Alright, see you tomorrow Claire." He said turning and walking in Kate's direction.
"Bye." She said also turning and walking away, but towards Charlie and Aaron. She reached where they lay and sat down next to Charlie, lifting his head and placing it on her lap. She pulled his fingers to her lips and kissed them gently as the other hand played with his hair. Claire looked at his fingers again.
"Ethan, where's Jack?" Charlie asks the man standing a short distance away. By this time Claire and Charlie's hands have parted and returned to their sides. Ethan remained where he stood and stared at Claire, which made her shift her weight from one foot to the other as she looked away from him. Charlie noticed Claire's fear and wrapped his arm around her protectively. Claire's eyes made contact with Ethan's and they widened with fear. Charlie removed his arm from around her and stepped in front of her, acting as a barrier between them.
"Claire, head back to the beach." He ordered, never taking his eyes off of Ethan.
"What about you?" She asked watching Ethan begin to walk towards him.
"Claire, please go." He said as Ethan grabbed hold of his shirt and pressed him against a tree. Claire let out a scream as Charlie's back slammed against the trunk. She quickly turned and ran towards the beach, only to be stopped moments later by a mysterious pair of hands. They dragged her toward Charlie, where he lay face down in the dirt. She watched as Ethan bound his hands and then applied a blindfold. Someone grabbed Claire's hands, pulling them together and binding them. She tried to get them loose, but someone grabbed her hands tightly, holding them still. She flinched and heard Charlie whisper her name.
"She's here Charlie, but no more hero tactics, if you want to stay alive." Ethan warned. Claire was lead forward by the hands that held her arms. Charlie was in front of her, also being urged forward by two pairs of mysterious hands. They were surrounded by men, but Charlie had a plan.
I know. I know… it's a little short, but I wanted you to think about it. Actually no, I just like being mean. The plan is the reason Claire was focused on Charlie's fingers. And if that doesn't give it away, then nothing will. SO, if you would please review, that would be greatly appreciated. I know sometimes you're just not in the mood… but I like them. Please… ok. I promise next chapter will be more exciting. AND there will be another kiss next chapter… so you have to keep reading…
Thanks to these people for reviewing chapter 4:
Lara Chubb of Deephollow- Ok… more kissing will come, just not in this chapter… but the next chapter… I'll just let you wait and see…
Mony19- I'm glad you enjoyed it.
RenaissanceGrrl- YAY! They KISSED! LOL! Glad you liked it.
Tari5- (thanks you for the chocolate) You don't have to bow… but thanks anyway.
Lost Hobbit- Well, I'll give you 2 flashbacks next chapter! I promise they won't overcome the story. I just want you to get a feel of what happened and why these are coming back so quickly.
CharliesHoodie- Here you go and thanks for inviting me as a staff member, I'm glad you thought of me. Love your stories by the way.
A Teenage Werewolf- Thanks so much… reviews like that keeps me going and loving it.
The Lady Luthien- (joins in on happy dance) Glad you enjoyed it.
redireas- I know they are perfect together.
FluffLover- Glad you liked and I will try to update my other story soon.
Beth95- You are very welcome.
CharlieandClaire - Thanks so much, hope you enjoyed this chapter.