A/N: Thanks everyone for the reviews! I just read yesterday an interview with the Lost cast and Matthew Fox pretty much confirmed that Claire IS Jack's sister! I'm very excited about that!
Chapter 9: The Flame
Claire was now sitting on the beach staring at the ocean. She held Aaron close to her. After finding out that morning about her father and Jack, she needed to get away from everyone.
God, why is this happening? I was lied to my whole life.
"Claire?" Charlie asked walking over. He brought Aaron's crib with him and sat down next to her. He could tell she had been crying. "Please talk to me."
She looked over at him. "He lied to me Charlie. My dad lied to me. Mum was right about him."
"Let me put Aaron in his crib." He offered. Claire nodded and helped Charlie put him down. Charlie sat back down and brushed her hair from her face.
"She told me dad was a liar and bad." Claire continued. "But I always hoped he would come back for me. Take me home. He never came."
Charlie couldn't stand to see her crying like this. He had no idea how to help.
She continued, "I'm just the secret child he couldn't tell his real family about."
December 1988
Claire had never been to the airport before. Everything was huge, but that was expected of a 4 year old. She thought planes were cool how they could take people to far away places. Claire grabbed on tighter to her dad's hand and her stuffed bear as the reached the gate.
"You can't go with us daddy?" Claire asked him. She wanted him to stay with her.
He knelt down to her height. "I'm sorry angel. I wish I could. I got you and mom a nice house."
Tears came to the little girl's eyes. "But I want you there." She hugged him.
"I'm going to miss you too kiddo. I love you." Tears formed in his eyes too.
"I love you too daddy."
He reached for her bear. "Claire, remember anytime you want to talk to me or need a hug just talk to him and I'll hear it. Ok."
"Ok. I'll talk to Jack-Jack." Claire hugged her bear close. She came up with its name all by herself.
"Claire." Her mom said. "We need to get on the plane."
Claire walked over to her mom and waved at her dad.
"Goodbye Chris." Claire's mother said, feeling guilty about everything that had happened in the last 4 years.
"Goodbye Lindsey."
Present
"I don't belong." Claire whispered.
Charlie drew her close in a hug. "Don't say that. That is not true. You belong with us Claire. Aaron, me, and Jack."
She looked at him confused. "Jack will just reject me just like dad."
"No he won't Claire. He'd be bloody thrilled to know you're his sister. He'll gain you and Aaron. Jack always has looked out for you and the baby the whole time we've been here. I would be ecstatic if he was my big brother. Jack's risked his life for us. He's right now with the same bloody people that had you. You're both family. That's what matters."
Claire looked into his eyes and finally understood what he meant. "He'll love us?"
Charlie smiled. "I know it." He kissed her forehead.
A smile came back on Claire's face. "Thank you Charlie."
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Claire suddenly felt heat. Lots of heat. She opened her eyes and was surrounded by a ring of flames. Fear took over and she started to count. "1...2...3...4...5"
"Claire!" It was Jack's voice.
She looked towards the direction. It was northwest. "Jack!" She screamed. The flames were thick, but she could see him threw it.
"You have to help us! Only YOU can!"
"How?" She pleaded.
"Ask about the guns." He had started to seem bruised, like he was in a fight.
"Where are you Jack?"
"The Flame."
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Her eyes shot open. It was another vision. Charlie and Aaron were sound asleep. It dawned on her what to do. She got up quietly and found Locke still awake by the fire.
"Locke?" She asked sitting down.
"What is it Claire?" He worried. Vincent was sitting next to him.
"I need you to teach me how to shoot a gun."
His eyes widened. "Claire, I don't..."
"I need to find my brother. I had another dream." She pushed her hair behind her ears.
"A vision?" Locke asked.
She nodded. "Jack told me has was at The Flame."
Shock hit Locke's face. "Are you sure that's what Jack said."
"You know where it is!" Claire eyes were wide.
"Yes I do."
