Author's note: I love the beginning of this chapter in case anyone cares. I love the scene with Mr. Echo and Charlie. If you like this story, you should check out "The Greatest Drug". Feedback is welcome and adored!

Chapter 3: First Impressions.

Charlie spent most of his morning lying down with one arm over his head the other draped around his stomach. He remained in the same spot, stagnant. He hadn't blinked in ten minutes, not since Libby stopped by his tent. It was then he realized the full implications of the events that transpired the day before.

Jack and Locke double teamed him with lectures, but he stopped listening twenty minutes into it. His thoughts remained mostly on Aaron and Claire. It didn't take long for the rest of the camp to hear something was up. By dusk the secret was out. People avoided Charlie. Fear of the unknown, the "Others" and the future were too much for most of them. But, by morning, people started to stop by.

Jin brought Charlie a freshly caught fish and bowed to him. Charlie found this behavior curious but it was Jin and they had never really understood each other.

Sun hugged him and whispered she forgave him, the true meaning of this would have shaken Charlie to his core, but the fish was flopping in his hands and distracted him.

Both Rose and Bernard stopped by gave him a pat on the shoulder and continued on their way.

The morning had been filled with those sorts of interactions, but it was Libby that made everything sink in. Glassy, teary eyed, she embraced him and said, "I just wish I got to know you better." She ran off just as quickly.

Why would she say that?

He remained in the same state, laying down, thinking.

It hit him like a bolt of lightening. Jack stood out side of his tent; he swallowed and woefully whispered, "Charlie, I think we should start to head up."

Charlie emerged, terrified, "Jack, why does Libby think I'm going to die?"

Jack looked towards the ocean, avoiding eye contact, "Charlie, I won't let anything happen to you."

Locke had emerged from the jungle, frowning, and said, "Don't promise something like that, Jack."

Charlie's throat closed in, panic filled his voice and like a child he asked, "Do you think I'm going to die?"

Jack didn't answer but turned further away. Locke kicked the sand.

Suddenly it was hard to breathe, Charlie's eyes stung. "Oh crap."

He was barely holding it together when Kate sprinted across the beach and threw her arms around him. She buried her head in his chest weeping, "Do you remember when you, me, and Jack went to find the front of the plane and the monster attacked us?"

"Uh huh." Charlie's eyes were wide and horrified.

"Good times," She sniffed, "Well, not so good, I mean the pilot died and we could have been killed but still, it was us, you know. I'll never forget it." She looked up at him bravely and started to cry again.

Sawyer's Southern draw rang out, "Oh come on, Freckles. They're not going to kill him."

Both Kate and Charlie looked over hopefully. Sawyer shook his head, "No, he has a debt to pay off. Once he does that, then they'll kill him."

Venomous eye daggers shot at Sawyer and he retreated.

Mr. Echo walked over the Charlie with a bible in hand. "I will pray for your soul."

Charlie called after Mr. Echo and trotted towards him, he scratched at his head and pushed the hair from his face, "Um, will you hear my confession?"

An understanding smile crossed the priest's face, "Certainly, my son."

They walked into the jungle for some privacy.

Forty five minutes later, Kate had managed to compose herself, Locke started to pace and Jack continued to watch the water beat onto the shore.

Kate rubbed her arms, "it's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Sex, drugs and rock and roll. It's a lifestyle not just a cliché." Locke muttered.

Finally Mr. Echo left the jungle with Charlie following behind calling out, "Oh wait! I forgot some things!"

MR. Echo turned around sharply, "You're FORGIVEN! I forgive you; God forgives you, EVERYONE FORGIVES YOU! Just please stop telling me about your deviant behavior!" Charlie shrunk back and headed towards Jack and the rest.

Charlie led the way but the walk was silent, save for a few sniffles from Kate. Locke carried the golf clubs for reasons he wasn't sure of. Doom and demise lingered in everyone's mind. The morning was bright and breezy, but with always the chance of a mysterious flash downpour. The walk seemed longer then last time, solemn.

Charlie led everyone through the clearing and to the mountain. All eyes followed the steep slope. Jack swallowed. "You ran up that?"

"Uh huh."

At the peak stood twenty men, weapons in hand, but not pointing at the new comers. Jack, Locke and Kate subconsciously formed a triangle around Charlie as people started to walk down the mountain. The first face that became identifiable was Beth, whose hair was pulled back. She waved to Charlie.

"Hey, you made it!"

Charlie blinked, "Um, yeah, why wouldn't I?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, maybe you thought we might kill you."

One balding man, bouncing on his toes said, "Can I have the golf clubs now?"

Now that the "Others" were seen in daylight, they seemed less threatening. Locke handed the clubs to the bald man . The man dashed down the hill with three others, calling back, "Thanks, we'll bring them back in a few hours."

Beth stared at Jack, Kate and Locke, "I'm taking Charlie now. Are you heading back or staying here?"

Jack spoke before the rest could, "we'll wait."

"Um ok, it's going to be a while; you need a book, or something?"

Amy had pushed her way through the masses and stated there was a plant which they used as a component for the medicine for the Sickness. She asked if anyone was interested in taking a nature hike. The matter would be discussed and argued by Jack and Locke for a while and Charlie took it as his cue to leave. He followed Beth up the hill, slower then he would have liked, his muscles were still sore from yesterday.

"How's Claire?" Beth asked at the half way point.

"Jack says she's fine." Charlie's eyes focused on his footing.

Beth turned her head, "But you didn't see her?"

"No, she still won't talk to me."

Sympathy washed over her, which quickly faded as a smirk, "Bummer. You have to wait so long for the make up sex."

Charlie's voice cracked, "What?"

"Sure, you know, after the fight comes the wild hot make up sex, right?"

Charlie scratched the back of his head, "Claire and I, we, um, never…"

Her smirk got bigger, "Oh, couldn't seal the deal huh?" A mix of horror, shame and pride played out on his face, making Beth laugh, "So how far did you get?"

Charlie shook his head, "I don't snog and tell."

"Ewe, snogging just sounds dirty." She squinted up her nose.

He laughed, "It means kissing."

She stood by her statement, that it still sounded dirty. They arrived at the top of the valley and looked down. He hadn't noticed the village or all the people yesterday; he didn't notice buildings or the tree platforms in his panic. Looking it over, it was a blend of a Polynesian village and modern architecture. Anything that could have been made with natural items formed a pleasant living environment. The rest of the area was made of modern buildings with the Dharma logo painted on it. The next thing he noticed was the people, more people in one location he had seen in a months.

He swallowed.

"Come on." She guided him and pointed out the buildings, told him what their purposes were, who lived where. It was all too overwhelming for him. Too many faces, too many things familiar and yet not and his head was starting to hurt. She led him into a building Dharma build. They walked down a long corridor until they came to a door, double locked and dusty. Clearly no one had opened the door in a long time. Beth took out a key, unlocked the door and shoved it with her shoulder to open it.

The room was empty save a few chairs and a large object against the back wall. Charlie's stomach begin to tingle, it was like seeing an old friend after years of separation. In fact, it was exactly like that. The piano looked like his, but this one was black. He seemed to float over to it, his fingers quivering with excitement. He touched middle C, cold white ivory against his finger tips. The note rang out sour.

He looked at Beth, "It's out of tune."

"I would imagine so; it hasn't been played for 15 years." She pointed to a box next to the piano, "There are some tools in there."

It was a fine instrument and Charlie cursed the fact that someone would let it get so out of shape, so forgotten. He instantly started to work on tuning it. Beth had left and he didn't notice. Three hours later it was starting to come together when a knock distracted him.

"Charlie, there are few people I want you to meet." Beth called out.

"It's starting to come back to life." Charlie wiped the sweat from his face.

"Great! Now I hand picked a few children who could use some enrichment." She leaned in, "They're the best we have."

Charlie nodded. The butterflies in his stomach returned, he was going to meet his new students. On the other side of the door stood ten children ranging in ages from eight to twelve, wide eyed, staring at him.

"Um Hi?" Charlie felt uncomfortable all of a sudden.

The children started to giggle.

He looked at Beth for some explanation, "it's either your accent or your stupid hair."

He frowned, "I don't have stupid hair."

"Yes, you do. They could be laughing at your big ears too."

The children roared with laugher and she even giggled a little. Charlie's frown grew, "you're enjoying this, aren't you?"

She started to walk away, "You need to meet with my dad in an hour. Get to know the kids."

The kids came into the room one by one, but one child hung out by the door. He was much younger then all the others, Charlie looked at the child with questioning eyes, "You wanna come in?"

The young boy shook his head and hung in the door frame, his black shaggy hair made him look pale.

Travis, the child from the tree called out to the little boy, "Daniel, you're not supposed to be here, Miss Beth will be mad at you."

Charlie knelt down in front of Daniel, "So you want to stick around and listen to the music?"

The little boy nodded and looked down at his shoes but one of the children called out, "But, Miss Beth!"

Charlie looked at the little boy and looked back at the other children, "Don't you worry about Miss Beth, I'll handle her. If you want to stick around, you just go right ahead."

Charlie patted Daniel on his head and walked back to the piano to start his introductions.

An hour later, Beth came back in and ushered the children out. When Charlie questioned about Daniel, she told him his story. Daniel's mother died shortly after his birth, and his dad recently passed away. The entire community has been looking out for the three year old because he doesn't have a family. He keeps sneaking out of his child care group and is too young for school.

"He can stay with me while I give lessons." Charlie volunteered.

She shook her head, "You don't need to do that."

"It's really no problem." The boy reminded Charlie of himself back when he was young and innocent, before life jaded him, before his brother betrayed him.

They walked to Beth's dad's office. She patted Charlie on the back and said good luck to him.

The office was dark except for a few candles to give light. The desk was green and metal, but the bookshelves that lined the walls were a rich chestnut. The man sat in his large comfortable chair, eyeing the newcomer.

"Sit down, Charlie."

"Yes, sir."

Silence. Silence. Charlie's knee started to tap. "Sir, I just realized I don't know your name. Sawyer called you Zeke, but since Sawyer's been wrong with everyone's names, I wouldn't take it seriously."

The old man grumbled and leaned in, "Sawyer's your burden to bear. My name is Jacob. Let me tell you about some ground rules around here. Nothing comes for free, as my middle daughter neglected to tell you."

Charlie added, "It doesn't matter if she would have told me or not, I still would have done everything the same way."

Jacob sat back in his chair, the corners of his lips moving up, but it was hidden by his bushy and unkempt beard. "For everything you get you must pay in an equal amount. Payment is based off of a barter and trading system. Currently you are in debt for the cost of two lives, not the medicine needed to save them. You will work here for five hours day five days a week. If you request any other items, some form of labor or skills will need to be exchanged. Any questions?"

Charlie nodded.

"And obviously you must not speak of details or aspects of life in this village to your fellow survivors. There will be questions, but you must not answer. If you can not fulfill this aspect of your duty, we will have to collect your debt some other way."

"I understand."

"You will come by at the end of the day and meet with me and we will discuss your progress."

Charlie stood up from his chair, shook Jacob's hand and left.

Jack, Kate and Locke were waiting for him, plants in hand and filled with questions. Charlie dodged the questions or remained silent. Returning to camp, he felt all eyes on him. He was a new form of an outcast. One with a secret knowledge and power and he refused to share it. This was a new form of isolation, not self selected or even justified but he had an aura of mystery and that made him dangerous.