The Jungle was humid and moist as the girls ran through, they had no idea what direction they were running, all the knew was the couldn't stop. Even though Aaron was in the sling, Kate still clung to him for dear life. Claire was running as fast as she could but still remained a few feet behind Kate, she slipped on the damped leaves on the jungle floor, crying out in pain at Kate.

Kate stopped, catching her breath and peeing down at Aaron. She looked around, they had been running long enough that they were hopefully safe. Kate surveyed the surroundings, nothing at all looked familiar. She kneeled down next to Claire and peered at her ankle. Claire was gently rubbing it and wincing a little.

"You all right?"

"Yeah, think I just twisted it a little, that's it." Kate helped her to a stand and Claire rubbed her bottom. "My Bum got the best of that fall." She said with a pained smile.

"We need to find somewhere to hide it out for a little bit, until I figure out where the hell we are."

Claire nodded in agreement. She leaned into Kate peering down at Aaron, who was awake, eyes wide, trying to figure out what had just happened. They both surveyed the surroundings, and Kate listen carefully. She could hear the rustling of small animals in the greenery surrounding them, and the gentle coos from Aaron. Her heart beat fast as she realized that they truly weren't anywhere familiar. And since Kate had trekked the jungle many times, she would know.

"We should find higher ground." Kate suggested. "Maybe then we can pinpoint where exactly we are and find our way back to the back or the Hatch."

"But wouldn't we get spotted on higher ground?" Claire asked.

"Not if we play it safe." Kate replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Now we just need to FIND higher ground."

She was wary of any sort of pathway they would come across, because she had a strong feeling it would lead them to the Others. She didn't want to say anything to Claire, but she had a feeling they were already on their territory.

"Wouldn't it be safer to just wait it out? Maybe just stay here?" Claire suggested.

Kate shook her head. They both knew soon enough Locke would come looking for them, and Kate had a feeling that Jack would launch his own search party as well. But they had a clear disadvantage, they didn't know the area at all. And there was a high possibility that someone else did, and that someone else or perhaps group of somebodies could be eyeing them right now.

"I don't think its safe for us to just wait anywhere." Kate sighed. "And if we make any sort of signal or fire...we'd be found by the Others long before Locke or Jack or anyone."

"This makes me wish...of all things, that Rousseau would pop up right about now."

"No kidding, might be nice to actually be HAPPY to run in with her for once."

"So, where do we go from here?" Claire asked.

"Anywhere." Kate replied.

------------------------------------------

John Locke nervously waited by the entrance to the hatch. Claire had been gone with Kate for some time now...he couldn't help but worry.

"She's in good hands." Jack said, he was getting rather annoyed of Locke merely standing there, and when he wasn't standing, he was pacing, getting on Jack's last nerve.

"It shouldn't take this long to merely pick fruit and get some fresh air." Locke replied. "There's forces that even Kate can't stand up against out there."

Jack hated to admit Locke might be right.

"I'm going to find them." Locke said, grabbing his bag, stuffing it with some necessities.

"I'm going to." Jack stated. Locke stopped and looked up at him.

"Everything's under control in here." Jack continued. "Ana's here, Sayid is here...we'll grab a couple of other people from the beach and make two teams."

Locke nodded. "Get Jin, maybe Sawyer...Hurley?"

"I'll go." Sayid spoke up. "Jin won't leave Sun right now."

Everyone peered back at Ana who was sitting on the couch, tinkering with something as usual. "What?" She said, looking up at them. "I've got it under control in here."

At this point Jack couldn't care less if she excessively kicked "Henry" in the balls or not.

Sayid and Jack got some things together then headed to the beach to recruit anyone else willing to join them. Sawyer reluctantly agreed to go, as Jack awakened him from a nap. He'd just have trouble trying to fall back asleep again. Jack, Sawyer and Sayid armed themselves with guns while Locke being his typical self, trusted in his knife. They realized they really didn't need more then the four of them, so they started off, taking torches with them since the sun was starting to set.

-------------------------------------------

"I'm freezing." Claire softly stated, folding her arms and rubbing her hands over sides. Kate stopped, positioned the baby sling just right and slid off the thin long sleeved button up she generally carried with her. She handed it to Claire, who shook her head. She motioned to Aaron who was sound asleep again, rock to sleep from kate walking, his belly full from a recent stop so he could nurse.

"He needs it more." Claire said, a small smile friendly smile creeping across her lips.

Kate smiled back and stopped, tucking the shirt around Aaron. Claire was rather happy she was with Kate, Aaron was always calm and comfortable around her. He had been since the day she delivered him. It made Kate happy in return, caring for the sweet little boy who never failed to give her large, drooly smiles that made her feel wonderful inside. Claire considered Kate an Aunt to him, and she knew he felt safe and comfortable snuggled up close to Kate's body.

"Maybe we should stop now." Kate suggested. They had been walking for a while now and it just seemed as if they were going in circles. She stopped in front of a little spot where some trees curved into eachother, making a small shelter almost as vines and small plants grew over them, making it the perfect place to hide out. Claire nodded as she saw the natural shelter. Kate held Aaron close and crouched into the little area, Claire quickly followed.

"What now?" Claire asked.

"We wait it out for a bit." Kate solemnly replied. She looked over at Claire who was shivering, her teeth chattering. Kate snuggled up next to her, hoping to help keep her warm. Kate hadn't even stopped to realize how cold she was as well. And sitting close to Claire at that moment, she felt warm and secure, as did Claire, even if only for a few moments.