Abi x
Jack was frozen with utter fear, it was now that he understood what Ethan had done, he had induced Claire into labour. "Help me Jack!" Claire screamed, bringing the doctor back to the real world. Jack slowly laid Charlie on his side and grabbed his bag. He took out a couple of towels, one was damp and he placed it over Claire's forehead.
"Finally."Jack looked up to see Ethan leaning at the door, looking quiet happy with himself. "What did you give her?" Jack asked calmly, Ethan shut the door and threw several blankets and cushions at Jack.
"I take it you'll want these" Ethan ignored the previous question. He bent down to Jacks level. "How long doc?" he asked causally.
Jack shook his head and thought for a second, it had been a long time since he had been shown the basics of midwifery. "5, 10 minutes, it's had to tell" he finally said looking to Claire. "I can't tell unless I know what you gave her" he pressed the question again.
"Never mind what I gave her" cried Ethan standing to full height, "You better get on Doc" he said in quiet a patronising voice, "I'll be back soon" he sauntered to the door and out of it.
Jack exhaled loudly, how could that man have the nerve he thought to himself. But there was no time to linger of his thoughts, he had a job to do and now two, soon to be three patients to look after. He took one of the cushions and placed it around Claire's back as a support. Claire grabbed Jacks hand and squeezed it as a contraction came.
"Just breath slowly and deeply" Jack reassured her. He took a blanket and covered her with it for a little dignity with the birth. As he grabbed another to place over her Claire stopped him.
"Give them to Charlie" she gasped, "He needs them" Jack looked at Claire, beads of sweat where now forming on her forehead, she look exhausted. He then looked to Charlie, his face still pale and his breathing un natural and laboured. Claire was right he supposed. Charlie was showing severe signs of hypothermia, if he wasn't warmed up soon he wasn't going to stand a chance. Jack put the blanket over Charlie and tucked it around him, he made now movement or sound. Jack then turned quickly back to Claire, another contraction was coming, the birth was close. Claire was shaking with fear.
"Just relax a little Claire" Jack said firmly as he prepared everything for the birth.
"It's easy for you to say" she shrieked, "Your not the one having a bloody baby" she breathed loudly, her hands were clamped in a fists at her side, she was bracing herself for what was coming.
"I want you to push for me Claire" Jack said slowly. Claire screamed, the sound echoed in the chamber, she wished it could all be over right now. Jack reassured her as she took a deep breath and pushed.
"I'm with you Claire" he was cut off as she screamed again, he smiled, the head was out and he carefully cleaned out its mouth and nose as he told Claire to push again. As she shrieked again, something moved beside Jack, Charlie was regaining consciousness. This was the last thing Jack wanted right now. He ignored Charlie and returned his attention to Claire, the sooner this was over the better.
"Jack it hurts" Claire howled in pain.
"Your half way there" Jack cried, "Just a bit more of a push, your nearly there" Claire inhaled and prepared herself for one final effort. Jack readied himself and nodded to her. She screeched, Claire wondered if half the island would have heard her by now as she drifted off into her own thoughts. She suddenly came to as a gentle hand patted her cheek.
"Claire well done" Jack sighed, there was the sound of a baby crying. Jack cut the cord and placed the baby in a towel.
"Well done" he said again "You have a gorgeous baby boy" he handed the tiny baby into Claire's arms. Claire smiled with glee, it was over, all over.
Jack turned his sudden attention to Charlie who seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness. Jack lifted him slowly up by the shoulders and propped him gently against the wall, steadying him. "Charlie, speak to me" Charlie's eyes slowly opened and he tried to focus on Jack but seemed to fail.
"Jack?" he whispered weakly as he began to shake, "where the bloody hell am I"
Jack smiled hearing Charlie swear as he would normally. "I don't know Charlie" Jack replied, "Ethan's kidnapped us all"
"All?" Charlie furrowed his brow in thought, Jack mirrored the face. Maybe Charlie was suffering from some short term memory laps, surely Charlie could remember what had just happened. "Claire's here" Jack said clearly. Claire touched Charlie lightly on his arm and he turned his head slowly to see Claire clutching her tiny baby.
"Your alive" Charlie's face seemed muddled. He tried to sit up more but grimaced in pain and reached for his chest. He slid slowly down to the floor.
"Let me see" Jack cried pushing Charlie over onto his back as he moaned in pain. Jack lifted Charlie's shirt, to find a number of large bruises on his chest. He slowly felt across them.
"I think you have a couple of broken ribs" Jack said sheepishly, "I'm sorry that was my fault, I must have done it during CPR"
Charlie remained on the floor clutching his chest tightly in pain.
"All done are we" Ethan was back, he must have come in without them noticing. Jack stood up and faced him.
"Yes we are" Jack cried firmly, "now will you let us go"
"Not so fast doc" Ethan laughed, "Your not going anywhere" Jack stepped closer in anger. "If your don't let us out in"
"Just calm down Jack, It won't do you any favours" Ethan's hand came from around his back to reveal a gun. Jack suddenly tensed as the black object was pointed towards him. "I have one child" Ethan laughed, looking at Claire's child "And now Mr Hero Jack we're going to fetch the other one" Jack remained still and silent, he was powerless, one touch of the trigger and he'd be a dead man. Ethan laughed for a second and before Jack realised what had happened brought the gun down to Jacks head and everything turned black.