I'm done healing... {Claire}

[Charlie Pace]

"My name's--darling, get down. Here, get down and lemme talk the woman, alright?"

Charlie set Megan down, placing his hand on the top of her head. Charlie wore the hoodie that he wore the night he had came into the hospital and blood still laid on it. "Stay close, love." he told Megan before looking at the Nurse. "Charles Edward Pace. I was admitted two days ago. I want to discharge myself."

"Sir, you're going to have to wait for your doctor--"

Charlie brought both hands up, pressing them on the counter. Liam didn't want him to leave, and Charlie was sure that he had some hand in why it was so god damned hard to get out of the sodding place. "Look. I watch ER, alright? I want to discharge myself against medical advice. I can do that, I know I can, so give me the papers, whatever I need to sign, and lemme go before I get seriously pissed off. I know my brother said I'm a medical risk, or whatever, but I'm not. I'm fine, I just want to go home and get a decent's night sleep. And I want to give my neice her christmas presents. Are you going to deny me that? 'Cause that'd be very, very rude."

Charlie was too busy with the Nurse to realise that Megan had ran off towards Claire smiling. "Uncle Charlie! Uncle Charlie! BABY!"

Charlie turned to see Claire, Aaron, and a smiling Megan who nearly climbed up Claire to get to Aaron. She looked up at Claire, frowning confused.

"She's sad." Megan said, pointing to Claire. She looked at Charlie, clapping her hands with a smile. "Sing! Sing! La la laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" she said in singsong, jumping around pretending to play a mini guitar. "You ball evey-botty! You--You BALLLLLLLLLL!"

"Oookay," Charlie said, shaking his head. "Daddy is going to stop giving you candy. You are waaay to bloody hyper."

[claire littleton.]

It was obvious to anyone from the island where Claire’s thought process laid as they were headed home to the modern day life they’d been missing for the past three months, apparently dead. While most rejoiced and shared plenty of excitement and talks of their plans when they returned home, Claire’s thoughts didn’t even posses the smallest inkling of happiness. Charlie had saved them all. Charlie was the soul reason each and every one of them was going home. Sure with out him doing what he did, there would still be a freighter, BUT they wouldn’t have the slightest where the island was for some reason Daniel had –tried- to explain to her.

What these people didn’t know is that Claire knew what they were thinking. She was deeply depressed. Obviously. Claire knew the looks in their eyes, and surprisingly, she’d heard the hushed conversations. Even the way Jack talked to her… She couldn’t tell them , they’d think she was crazy, completely insane. She couldn’t even mention it to Kate because… Well because Kate was now being held for murder. Hurley… Claire didn’t want to upset Hurley anymore then he had already been, and well, Sun… Sun was pregnant, and she had her own problems to worry about now that she was home, insane check ups to see the baby was okay and all that jazz, not to mention they all had to figure out what they were going to do now that they were home.

The question that some would wonder would be what exactly had lead a distraught looking(And feeling) Claire to the front steps of Saint Sebastian’s hospital. Her heart had been pounding like crazy as she traveled the side walk getting all sorts of glances from everyone. They knew who she was, these people that Claire had never met knew who she was. They knew everything about her and her ‘heroic’ story of how she gave birth to her son on the island, and survived and kept him alive. It was incredible the things people’s minds would believe. Some paper had actually published this entire seven page special article on the Oceanic survivors. It went into deep detail how Claire had to save her new born baby from a wild boar only mere hours after Aaron’s birth.

Stumbling lightly Claire caught her balance and held Aaron tightly to her chest, his coos of happiness bounced off her. He’d gotten big, it was something she hadn’t noticed on the island, but now that Claire had gotten a chance to step back and look at everything, she’d noticed he was getting big, and his face was becoming more defined, he was growing mentally as well. Sure he was only a few months old, Claire could tell he was going to be a brilliant boy. Despite how huge these thoughts were in their selves, Claire was faced with something much more. Something that couldn’t even register with her. There had been many times in the past two days where she thought she had went insane. Charlie couldn’t be alive… And that was the pure reason it had taken her two full days to get up the nerve to go to the hospital. A huge part of her knew it was going to be a let down, Charlie wouldn’t be here, and she would in fact be going insane. But something more tugged at her. Something more knew the truth.

What if Charlie was alive? The pure thought sent hope bursting through her, and a shiver that ran up her spine. How would he be alive? Where was he when they were all on the freighter? How did he get back home, and why, why didn’t he come see them all? Not only that… But why were the papers, tabloids and news all saying he overdosed, and playing it up that he WASN’T one of the Oceanic Survivors? How did that even work? How could he of overdosed on the island, and even more so… Why? Charlie was clean, he’d stopped it all… All of those reasons were why Claire thought she was going insane, losing her grip and would soon be shipped off to an old folks home.

If that was the case… no, it couldn’t be the case. Claire would not tell anyone about this, or her delusions of seeing Charlie virtually everywhere. Aaron would be put up in Foster care or something beyond her control, and after losing Charlie, Claire would not lose the only solid thing she loved that was left. An abrupt siren interrupted her thoughts- her head snapping to the street where a loud ambulance turned into the drive way and headed around back going more then 90 miles per hour. Aaron let out a cry of excitement as his arms flailed wildly in the air , a huge smile on his face. He was still toothless, and no sign of teeth. Usually the sight made Claire laugh, but not today. Or not any time for the past three days.

Claire took a deep breath as she made her way through the LA crowd and up the final stairs to the hospital. As she pushed through the doors, the creepily sterile smell of the hospital washed over her as her eyes instantly darted to the pathetically fake plants that decorated the sitting area. The more Claire pushed through into the hospital the more her heart began to thump against her rib cage. Was she insane, or was something terribly wrong? The moment of truth would quickly approach. “Hello-“ Claire began unsure of herself. “Can you please direct me to Charlie Pace’s room?” She asked, her features twisted in eternal turmoil.

Claire watched as the pudgy woman looked at her, the woman wanted to laugh at her. Claire knew it. “Oh-Darling, we’re sorry, Mr. Pace is not allowing visitors” she paused and looked Claire up and down, “Unless you’re family , or on this list.” She pointed down at the bleached paper in front of her which clearly had been tossed around and had a coffee or two sat on top of it. Claire bit down on her lip, her heart broke lightly as the words slowly found themselves crumbling out of her mouth. “I’m his girlfriend.” Claire said hoisting a little higher and keeping eye contact with the woman. Betty – as the name tag nicely pointed out didn’t really look amused anymore either. As her eyebrow arched, Claire watched on praying to god they’d let her in. It hadn’t registered to her that Charlie was anymore then an amazing friend, and a human being. That’s all he was on the island.. Well, so he was a little bit more then just a friend, but he was a normal person, the rock star persona hadn’t crash landed as well, just the heroin addict and amazing guy. The heroin addict however had been left with all of their problems at the beginning.

“Hold on one moment.” Betty said, acid slowly filling her glare as she picked up the phone. Claire couldn’t do more but nod, as the woman began speaking on the phone. “Excuse me, I’ll be back, I just need to use the washroom.” Claire commented before the woman could pick up the phone. Yeah, like hell she was going to let Claire in. Quickly Claire darted down the hallway as Aaron found it necessary to hold on to her hair with the death grip from hell. Thankfully Claire had made it into an elevator before Betty could remove her pudgy little ass from her comfy swivel chair, Claire’s fingers were already tracing over the floors, searching for what floor Charlie would be on.

In so many ways, it felt like a high speed chase, like herself and Aaron were going to be pushed to the wall any second and hand cuffed, police brandishing guns in their – well, her face. Obviously it was nothing like that, but Claire was feeling it. Her only guess was Recovery. Although it had a much fancier room, Claire translated it into simple words. Pressing 11, she crossed her fingers eagerly awaiting. What if she missed him? Betty did say he was checking out. But then again, what if he wasn’t real and Claire was actually making this all up in her mind? The thought scared her to death. Biting down lightly on her lip she placed a kiss on Aaron’s forehead. “I hope your mummy isn’t insane.” She told him quietly, thanking god the elevator was empty.

“Uncle Charlie!” Claire’s eyes shot open as she heard the faint yell of a child. It was that moment when it felt like Claire’s heart would burst. Any second now. Aaron cooed again as he squirmed, his hands pressing up against her face. Without realizing , Claire was almost running toward the sound but thankfully she caught herself and slowed down. The last thing she needed was to look completely insane, although, she wouldn’t deny she found herself thinking the possibility of her being insane was becoming more and more real. Wrapping her arms tighter around Aaron she walked around the corner, her heart dropping to her knees. Charlie Pace. The man that had died saving them. Was right in front of her. Not to mention a little girl who seemed to be hopped up on sugar.

Before Claire knew it the girl was by her legs looking up at Aaron, excitedly yelling “Uncle Charlie!” Maybe it was the fact she was so confused? Or maybe she was so frazzled? Or happy? Or heartbroken? Or incredibly… insane. All of these emotions played out in her mind, and probably on her face as well. “BABY!” Claire’s eyes hadn’t left Charlie’s face as she stood there in the middle of the hall, this little girl with some relation standing at her feet commenting on herself and Aaron. “Charlie?” Claire questioned, waiting for him to fly to her face and state how he wasn’t really here, he was dead, and she was delusional, and would soon end up in a mental hospital. “You… You’re alive… How?” Why hadn’t Claire ran towards him and wrapped her arms around him? Began crying in excitement and happiness? The fact that he wasn’t there, and would be hugging the air crossed her mind, not only did she not was to seem insane… She wanted him to be there… Him to be real. And if Charlie Pace, the man in front of her wasn’t really there… Then she didn’t want this delusion to end. Never.

[Charlie Pace]

"I want a baby, Uncle Charlie! Can I have the baby?"

"No, love, you can't have the baby." Charlie said with a slight laugh. "This woman has the baby. Tell you what, why don't you ask your daddy about having a baby in like, five years? Give him something to go mental about." Charlie looked up from Megan as he heard his name said. His mind searched for a name, until she spoke again. He found himself picking up Megan with a frown. Why was he alive? Why WAS he alive? Though, as he held Megan in his arms, he realised why he was. He took in a breath as Megan looked at him, confused as to what Claire had said. "What's 'live, Charlie?"

"It, uh," Charlie said slowly, wondering why it felt like he knew the woman standing in front of him, however, her name came up a blank. "It means, darling," he told her, shifting her slightly in his arms. "It means that I can go play hopscotch with you for one more day. Now," he moved, setting her down as he bent down to her eye level. "Why don't you go into my room and draw me a pretty picture? I'll let you hang it in any room in my house, alright?"

Charlie placed a kiss on the top of Megan's head and watched as the girl skipped off to the hospital room. A smile spread slightly on his face; if anything, SHE was the reason he was alive.

"Ahem. Mr. Pace."

Charlie looked over at the nurse, who held papers in her hand. "Sign these, Mr. Pace."

"Oh, right. Brilliant."

Charlie moved, picking up the pen as he signed the papers that the nurse held. He glanced back, seeing Claire still standing there. "Uh, thank you." he told the nurse, and turned around. "Look, I uh," he started, bringing a hand up to scratch at the back of his neck. "She doesn't know. So, uh," he pursed his lips for a moment before nodding. "So let's just keep that between us. She thinks we were at the North Pole and I got a cold." He still searched and wracked his brain for any sign that he'd remember who she was, however, nothing was coming. Her voice, however...her voice sounded oddly familer, like something he had heard in a dream, and he felt goosebumps trail up his arms. He shivered slightly at the feeling; it almost felt like his stomach was being twisted and turned in a thousand different directions. The baby she held in her hands was cute, and slightly familer, however, he figured that all babies looked the same. "So." he said, taking in a breath. "Are you one of Karen and Liam's mates?" he asked, and then noticed that all of the blood seemed to rush from her face. His brows narrowed slightly in concern. "Are you alright, Miss...?" Way to be an ass, Charlie, he thought silently. He probably had met this woman and he didn't even know it.

Sodding junkie...

[claire littleton.]

This was flawed horribly, if this was her mind acting up and the reason she’d soon be in a mental hospital, then… why didn’t Charlie seem to recognize her or Aaron. He hadn’t even called him a turnip yet… It was impossible for Claire to focus on the little girls words as the seconds slurred by. Seeing him again alive was something… unbelievable. The feelings that pulsed through her were unknown, and she was unsure of each and every one. A mixed cocktail of happiness was among those obviously, but it was weighed down by hope and all of these other feelings. AND who was this little girl? Claire had almost been ignoring her while she pranced around and jumped up and down talking about how she looked sad and how she wanted the baby. Claire’s eyes glued to Charlie’s as he picked up Megan, trying to explain to her what alive meant. Her accent was Austrialian, and Claire knew that first hand, so… Charlie couldn’t be her father, could he? Not to mention the fact he hadn’t ever once said anything about a child on the island- then again, he was a celebrity, and he was in DriveShaft and as much as Claire Littleton didn’t want to think of it. Charlie probably had been a new age Gene Simmons, so who was really to say there was no little carbon copies of him running around?

I’ll let you hang it in any room in my house, alright? Claire doubted now the little girl was his, he could of said s many other things, but he said -my- house, not our home, our house or anything likewise. Aaron moved slightly in her arms and looked up at his mom with a toothless grin, the squeal that came from his mouth however, was an excitable squeal. Claire looked down sadly and almost on the brink of tears as she placed a kiss on his head. “You see him too. it’s not just me.” Her voice came out as an unsteady whisper, She wasn’t insane. For a moment Claire shut her eyes giving herself one last chance to wake up, or something. Reluctantly Claire forced her eyes opened and just in time to see Charlie walk a little closer to her. That's when her heart began to beat faster , her palms clam up slightly, and her stomach sink. A cold feeling washed over her as she felt the moment continue on. Charlie was in front of her, but was worlds away. Why didn't he remember her?

Claire held Aaron tight against her chest, he was her only thread of reality as she stood there, her heart breaking down before the two yet again. When Charlie had died, Claire lost a piece of herself, a large piece at that, and now, it was happening all over again, the loss being stronger then ever. While Charlie seemed to be alive, something was strange, he didn't remember them. He wasn't on the island, and he wasn't dead. Mentally, Claire heard the pieces of her heart shatter as she looked on, he was going on about the north pole, the little girl didn't know what happened.... The little girl, whos ever she was didn't know Charlie had drowned, and apparently... Neither did he. Unconciously Claire's lips quivered, her teeth slowly bit down attempting to stop it, but it was already too late as she felt tears begin to form and sit on the brim of her eye. "Karen and Liam? N-no." She asked, her voice unsteady and confused all the same, while she'd heard of Liam, that by no means was how the blonde knew Charlie.. "Y-y-y-ou don't remember... B-b-ut, you're alive..." How was this possible!? Biting down a little harder on her lip she shut her eyes and raised a hand to her forehead wondering what to do next. She loved the man in front of her, yet... He had no idea.

[Charlie Pace]

For a breif second, Charlie wondered if the woman standing before him was a stalker. Charlie and Liam had both had stalkers when DriveShaft had been in it's prime, one had even gotten arrested for trying to get into the room. However, it hadn't gotten strange. However, the woman held a baby. A baby who was smiling and cooing wildly, and it made him smile slightly though he wasn't sure why. Charlie hadn't really liked babies (Megan being the only exception). Charlie's brows narrowed slightly as he heard her say that she wasn't Liam or Karen's friend. "Then...not to be rude, Miss, but I know for a fact my brother didn't allow anyone up. He's got issues, and if he sees you talking to me--" he cut himself off as he heard her say that she didn't remember. And that he was alive.

"Miss, do I know you?" he asked, the nagging feeling spreading through his body, until his eyes widened slightly. "Bloody hell!" he said, pointing a finger. "I-I know you! I saw you in the paper! You--You were on that Oceanic flight, yeah?" he asked, and then shook his head. "Bloody hell." he said again. "I-I can't believe you all are alive after what happened. I remember Liam--" Charlie's eyes widened again as if thinking of something. "Hold that thought."

Charlie moved from the hallway, entering the room. He grabbed his hospital bag, digging through until he found a pack of cigarettes. "Oh, lovely." he whispered, thanking every star he had that Liam hadn't snatched them away. He looked at Karen. "Karen. Smoke Break. Don't argue. Ta." he told her as he exited.

He moved back to the hallway, still seeing Claire standing there. His hands shook slightly as he could feel the methadone starting to slowly wear off. "You know," he started, his speech more quick as he came back up onto Claire and Aaron. "I was supposed to be on that plane. Yeah, I, uh...they wouldn't let me on, so I missed it."

Why was he so chatty with this woman? Charlie had always been eager to meet new people, however...Charlie couldn't understand why he felt like he needed to talk to her. He stuffed the cigarette pack into his back pocket. "Look, I, uh...I know we just met and everythin', but if I don't have a smoke now, I think I may snap. So, um...yeah."

It was an invitation, one that Charlie didn't understand why he did. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he moved, pressing the button to the elevator, and then noticed he was staring. "I, uh...sorry. You just seem really familer. And not just from the pictures. They say everyone has a twin, yeah?"

[claire littleton.]

How was he alive, and HOW was he off the island, and WHY did he have no memory. These were the festering questions that raped every cell in her brain. The way Charlie looked at her so confused, so unsure… It killed. It killed to know their relationship was nothing but a memory, and well, even their friendship. After falsely dying, Claire knew Charlie wouldn’t be one to fake this all up… He wouldn’t have it in him, and that also would explain why the news articles were saying different.

Liam, Liam would understand… Surely Liam would remember how Charlie got on Flight 815, she could then base her story off of that… Even if Charlie hadn’t remembered… No, she’d look bonkers. Some insane mother wanting an autograph. “Charlie… We were-“ She cut herself off unable to let the words slip so freely out of her mouth. As she looked on at him it felt so wrong for her to be here, talking to him. He didn’t remember her and it killed her. Then he opened his mouth and it just seemed to get better. “Yea , I am but –“ You are too…. Claire’s face had fallen as she looked on, her eyes traveling to the ground. To look on at Charlie and know everything that had happened was only known by her sent an odd feeling.

This feeling was only deepened by the current situation. He’d DIED, yet here he was. Nodding, she held back tears as Charlie moved to the room. She wanted answers. She wanted something to cling onto that would insure she wasn’t insane because despite how much she could battle back and forth and reason with herself why or why she wasn’t insane… None of it mattered until there was the slightest grain of evidence that could put her on either side of the fence, and right now as confusion and pain over took her, she just wanted to know what side she was on. Insanity or not.

Claire blinked knowing already her eyes looked slightly glazed, she needed to get out of here, and as much as she didn’t want to leave Charlie here so unresolved , so clueless (As she was herself) It felt like there was nothing more she could say. Maybe she could bolt right now? As her thoughts continued Aaron’s hand smacked it’s self right against her cheek causing her look up just in time to see Charlie back again. “Charlie… you –were- on that plane.” The hurt was present in her eyes, and the tears as well. Her voice was unsteady and a higher pitch then she would of liked. Time to go out on a limb and look insane, but she couldn’t help it. “Y-y-ou were there when it crashed. You were there when we salvaged everything,-“ It had came a little early, but already a tear had slipped out, speeding up unintentionally she continued, “You were there when I was pregnant. You brought me invisible peanut butter so I’d go to the caves… Y-y-you…” Claire stopped as frustration over took her.

She needed him to remember. Had she created Charlie completely in her mind, Claire had seen movies where people had done it, but surely she wasn’t partaking in her own crappy horror movie… Plus, plus Jack and Kate had mentioned him on the freighter… No, Charlie was real, and everything he’d done was real. Slowly she shook her head looking delusional and frantic as the tears began to spill faster, this was one of the hardest things. “C-… I need to go.” And with that, she spun quickly and bolted for the elevator.

[Charlie Pace]

Of course, it had been all over the papers when the Oceanic Flight had gone missing. And moreso, it had been all over the papers that he had missed that flight. He had remember calling Liam, bitching and pissing and moaning that he hadn't gotten on the flight to go home...he hadn't died.

Whomever she was, whatever she was saying...well, it obveiously wasn't true. Charlie hadn't been on Oceanic Flight 815, he had been on the next flight out and back in LA when he had heard the news of the missing airplane. But this woman was insisting that he had been on that flight. "Maybe, um...maybe you've mistook me for, you know...someone else?"

He saw the tears in her eyes, and he felt his mouth open slightly. "Look, miss, I--" However, he watched as she bolted towards the elevator. Charlie wondered if he was crazy, but something--something inside of him told him that even if this woman was completely mad--she meant well. Charlie wondered if this was how people got stalkers? Or if this was how people died. Maybe she was waiting to bring him back to her cabin in the woods and tie him to a bed.

Charlie arched an eyebrow as he smirked slightly. She was pretty enough, maybe being tied to the bed wouldn't be THAT bad...wait. Didn't that guy get his feet broken? Okay, feet broken was not good.

However, she had a baby. Would she really put the baby in harms way? And why was he caring so much? Did dying really make him care about every little person that crossed his path?

Charlie felt himself heading towards the elevator and Claire. "Look, I, uh--" he told her, moving to take her shoulder. "I'm sorry for mentioning the crash. I--I'm not really thinkin' that well right now." Charlie looked down at the pristine white floors of the hospital, and then back up at Claire. "Look, um...I don't usually do this, but, um...I'm actually *really* hungry for the first time in...well, a long time. So, um...if--if you know--you'd wanna--" Charlie felt a nervous laugh cross his lips as he brought a shaky hand up to scratch at his cheek. "You know, my sister-in-law is great with children."

God, Charlie, he thought to himself silently. Could you be more creepy? You don't even KNOW her.

[claire littleton.]

She didn’t know what hurt more. Was it the fact that Charlie was alive and completely oblivious to her existence, or the fact she could stand right in front of him, look into his eyes and notice the emptiness, and the confusion from a random stranger spouting off all this so called nonsense of him being apparently deceased? Claire blinked as she tried to fight back the burning sensation of her eyeballs. How was it possible for Charlie to remember nothing? How was it possible for him to be alive? Her head and her heart hurt together as Aaron screamed out his arms reaching for Charlie.

The elevator, thank god for the metal death trap. Finally she felt her tears shedding quicker then before as she leaned her forehead against the wall debating her next move. Charlie’s words still echoed in her head. He was supposed to be dead, it wasn’t possible for him to be here… Was Claire happy he wasn’t dead? Yes, obviously. It had spared her a little heartbreak, and it made her have some hope that she hadn’t bargained for… But the fact he hadn’t remembered anything… That was the part that hurt.

All their conversations, moments and memories were only apart of a one man band now. They only came to life in her mind and now that’s how it would be. Claire caught herself as she left a sob escape her lips, Aaron’s hands met her half way and tugged on her hair lightly as if trying to distract her. She needed so much more right now. His voice came again, and she felt his hand on her shoulder- Biting her lip she straightened up slowly unsure of how to face him.

I’m sorry for mentioning the crash. … It wasn’t the bloody crash that had her so upset! It was the fact that he WAS on the plane. He was in the bathroom doing Heroin when it went down, and that stuck in her mind. Claire knew that, he’d told her. “You… You were there.” She said weakly. “You were in the bathroom doing heroin when the plane was going down.” Her tone had taken a much more serious edge to it. She wanted him to get the message, and believe her. For a moment she wondered what she would do in this situation, if she had a random stranger come up to her saying she died… In a plane crash.. When she had no recollection? Claire knew it wouldn’t fly and she’d react the same way she had with the pshycic about Aaron… The exact same way. She was defeated.

Sighing she slowly turned around and took a deep breath, he wouldn’t believe her. Even if he didn’t remember, just being in his company made her feel a little less hopeless… A little less worthless. And for a bit, she could keep up that illusion… Surely for twenty minutes, right? She wondered. She prayed it would work. Claire’s eyes connected with his as she slowly nodded, her mind fighting with her actions knowing it wouldn’t be a good idea in the end, knowing she wouldn’t be able being with a memoriless Charlie for ten minutes, let along longer. She was an unlit bomb , and he was the even growing match only getting closer and closer to her fuse.

Eventually…. She felt herself nodded and swallowing the large lump in her throat.

[Charlie Pace]

Charlie's brows only furrowed further as Claire mentioned the Heroin and being in a plane. Was she somehow getting things confused? Or had she been on a plane with him at some point and saw him move off to the bathroom? "Look, I uh, I--" he felt his tongue grow thick. This was the first step. Admitting you had a problem. Of course he could admit it to Liam and to Karen, because of course, they both had know. But to a perfect stranger..."I uh," Charlie found himself saying as he realised he had trailed off, plunging the two into silence until Charlie's voice peirced it. He moved his sleeves over his hands, wrapping them around his stomach slightly. "I don't know about any plane or anything, but, um...yeah. You're right about the Heroin bit." He wondered if she had read about what had happened. "It's been in all the bloody papers, I uh, two days ago, I overdo--"

"CHARLEH!"

Charlie's head turned towards the sound of Megan's voice, and he smiled slightly, sadly, as she ran to him with a paper clutched in her hand. As she ran to him, he caught her, swinging her into the air. "What's up, Mae?"

"I made you picture." Megan said and held it out to him. Charlie's eyebrow arched. "It's you, and auntie and baby."

Charlie scoffed slightly, adjusting Megan on his hip. "Mae, you don't have an auntie." he told her simply. "And besides, you know you're the girl for me. Now, why don't you go and tell your daddy how you think I have a wife and baby. I'm sure he'd get a kick out of that." he told Megan as he set her down, but she didn't run back to Liam, but instead moved to Claire, tugging on her pants.

"Can I carry the baby?"

"Charlie?"

Another voice filled the hospital hallway, and Charlie looked back at Karen who stood in the doorway of the hospital room. "You know your brother doesn't want visitors up here," she told him with a slight frown, however, the woman had a baby...was America so bad that maybe the woman with the baby could be a baby-carrying heroin dealer? Karen thought not. She crossed her arms over her chest, watching Charlie.

Aaron let out a cry, reaching his fat baby arms towards Charlie, and Karen smirked slightly. "Looks like you have your youngest fan, Mr. Pace." she said sarcastically before glancing at Claire. "He does look rather hungry."

"I do?"

"The baby, Charlie." Karen felt her eyes roll, and she shook her head slightly, moving to gather Megan into her arms. "Cut from the same daft cloth, you boys are. Liam never listens to a word I say. Men, eh?" Karen said with a slight laugh.

"Baby looks like a turnip."

Megan's comment made a laugh escape Charlie's lips, though he tried to hide it with a cough. "Megan!" he said to the little girl. "Not nice. How does she know what a turnup is anyway?"

"Your brother teaches her the strangest things. Oh, and um, there's some sort of dancing fruit program on in Australia now. Megan can't stop watching it. I think if Liam hears the bloody theme song once more, he'll break the television."

[claire littleton.]

Claire looked on, what more could she do? Hopelessness over took her as she stood there watching him – Aaron still held close to her body. He seemed incredibly cheerful- He’d gotten to see Charlie again and had no idea what he was saying… He had no idea that Charlie didn’t remember him. Too make things worse – no matter how hard she tried, Claire was not going to be able to make Charlie understand that he’d been on the plane, or that when it went down he was in the bathroom doing heroin. Words clinging hopelessly to her dry tongue she watched on in silence. At this point, Claire had begun to wipe the tears away while more still threatened to spill.

It’s you , auntie and baby! The words hung around her head as she watched them – It was incredibly how out of place and uncomfortable she felt. Almost as if she was completely unwelcome in his life anymore… He was trying and Claire knew that, but what more could she do? There was nothing she could do to make his memories come back, and absolutely no thoughts that formed well explaining how he was alive. SHE didn’t even bloody well know. The thoughts had distracted her for a moment until she looked down and noticed the small girl pulling lightly at the bottom of her pants.

“I- oh..” Claire did the best to force a smile to her face as she knelt down eye level with the small girl. “Oh Sweetie-“ She began softly looking right into her eyes “I think he’s a little big for you to carry.” A forced laugh finished her words as she smiled at Megan. At this point, it had been hard to keep the tears from coming, but Claire was trying her best as the child nodded and giggled. As she took a deep breath Claire was yet again on her feet – but this time, Charlie was now talking to another woman… One Claire hadn’t noticed when she was talking with the little girl.

How awkward did she feel now? Very. Shifting uncomfortably, Claire’s eyes found the ground for a moment until she noticed Aaron’s sock was about to fall off – And that seemed like a perfect distraction as she adjusted and put it back on. You know your brother doesn’t want visitors up here… “I’m sorry. I’ll go.” Claire nodded in a rushed fashion as she hoisted Aaron up yet again as he decided to let an ear splitting cry attack her ear. “Ow… Aaron.” Claire said, her face scrunched in pain.

“Men.” She laughed awkwardly, ready to turn and leave – all eyes on her, well it felt awkward. Baby looks like a turnip… That alone made Claire freeze. How often had she caught Charlie calling him a turnip? Shutting her eyes for a moment she rubbed them pressing the tears back in.

[Charlie Pace]

"Charlie, c'mon. They're coming to give you meds soon--"

Wait, why was she leaving? Ignoring Karen's comments, Charlie heard the boy's cry, and he tilted his head as he watched Claire turn and leave. He wasn't sure why he wanted her to be there, why he just wanted to be in her presance, but Charlie knew that he did. He wanted to know more about her. "Oi! Oi, hey, n-no," Charlie said, catching up to the retreating Claire. He placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her. Claire turned around, and Aaron squirmed violently in her arms, so much so that he almost fell. Charlie reached out to stop Aaron's fall. He squirmed his way into Charlie's arms, and Charlie felt a slight surprised laugh escape his lips. Aaron smiled widely, a toothless grin that made Charlie smile. "Hi! Aren't you a happy boy?" he told the boy, who clapped his hands on Charlie's face, making Charlie laugh even more.

For some reason, the young boy in his arms made him happy. And it wasn't just a fuzzy feeling that people got when they saw a baby, but it was a complete feeling...and Charlie didn't know why. He looked at Aaron, the boy making happy cooing noises now that Charlie finally held him. He broke from his thoughts however, looking at Claire. "Look, Liam's a prat who thinks that just 'cause people come up here, they must automatically be drug dealers. You, um...you don't hafta leave if you don't want to, but--" he adjusted Aaron in his arms. "I-I was just gonna go down to the cafateria, 'cause you know, they, uh...they said I need to eat. I'm not really hungry and I'll prolly throw it up later, but Um..." God, why was he so nervous? Usually this was like second nature to him, talking to girls... "Did you wanna join me? I-I mean if you gotta leave then--then I totally understand. You know, I mean, you don't even know me and here I am just chattin' you up like we know each other...and I got yer baby." Charlie rambled before Aaron's tiny, fat hand pressed up against his lips, and Charlie arched an eyebrow with a slight smile.

"You're gonna tell me when it's good to shut up, huh?" he asked Aaron in a baby voice. "That's good. At least someone is. Do you have a name, or am I just gonna call you Turnip?" Charlie asked, and winced with a smile as Aaron smacked his face happily. "Ow." he whispered with a slight chuckle. "You'll put out my eye."

Charlie looked from Aaron to Claire. "So, um...you goin' with me, then? I do tend to ramble, but I was uh, serious about, you know...the offer."

[claire littleton.]

No matter how awake she felt, no matter how there and real this all felt… Claire- Well, Claire was losing it. The constant battle was going on in her mind and she couldn’t pick a side. One moment, Charlie was real, he had to be. The next, this was all just a hallucination… All the stress had gotten to her and finally made her crack. None of it made sense no matter how she looked at it so there wasn’t any point in making up some elaborate story to explain to herself when she laid awake tonight in the Roosevelt staring at the window as the stars shone in, tears streaming down her face and quietly sobbing to herself at night.

That was when she would try and explain to her self how he was real. He had to be. She’d lie to herself for the sake of Aaron and her. For the sake of holding onto any pathetic thread of hope she could find. Everyone knew it was over though, and everyone knew she was breaking. Claire took a deep breath before her eyes reluctantly found his again. How long how it had felt since she’d looked into his eyes… Since she’d smelt the ocean imprint him with it’s scent. Yanked out of her thoughts Aaron screamed yet again as he continued to squirm. Did he have ants in his diaper? It seriously felt like it with the way he was doing everything imaginable to get out of her arms.

“Aaron-“ Claire began, somewhat exasperated, at this point she was doing everything in her power to hang onto her child for fear of him falling. There was no hiding the fact she was relieved as Charlie took him into his arms- instantly he began smiling and cooing. Subconsciously her eye brow raised as she watched the two, her attention once again turning to Charlie with a slightly sullen look on her face. “His name is Aaron.” She said stiffly wondering how to accept or deny his invitation to lunch. Everything was telling her to leave right now… Her heart was telling her different. Mind you, it wouldn’t be her heart under constant psycho analysis when she turned out to be crazy and having lunch with an invisible person. “I can’t stay for much longer…” Claire told him already planning her escape. “But I can join you for a drink.” What more could she say? She was cornered.

[Charlie Pace]

When Claire said his name, Aaron's name, Charlie looked at the boy in his arms, watching as he smiled widely, tapping happily at his chest with his baby fists. "Huh. Y'know, I thought it was something like that. You look like an Aaron." he told the boy, and smiled just as wide as Aaron's toothless grin as Claire said she'd go for a drink.

"Smashing!" Charlie said with a wide smile, moving towards the cafeteria with Aaron in his arms. He started humming unconciously, before frowning and shaking his head. "Y'ever have moments where you just can't get something out of your head? I've had this melody in my head ever since I woke up in the hospital. It's not even a song yet and I only started to put it down, but I can't really get the words right. Bloody annoyance is what it is." he told Claire as they walked towards the cafeteria. It came into sight, and Charlie shifted Aaron slightly in his arms. "But at least it's not like when I got that bandaid song stuck in Liam's head for like, five days straight. You know that, 'I am stuck on band-aid brands 'cause bandaid's stuck on me' or some nonsense? I heard it on the TV and it amused the hell out of me. He'd go to bed, right, and every time he woke up I'd start singin' it. I think he nearly throttled me by the fifth day." Charlie smirked slightly as they entered the Cafeteria.

He moved to the coffee and tea despensers, and moved, grabbing a styrofoam cup with a paper side handle, and he pushed the lever down to put some hot water into the cup. He moved, handing her the hot cup of water. "I don't know how you like it." he told her, and shifted Aaron in his arms once more to pour himself a cup of hot water and plop a tea-bag into the cup. He moved to the cashier, setting the cup down as he fished into his pocket for two bucks. The woman smiled, though Charlie could see what she was really thinking. That was him. That's the guy that tried to kill himself.

Charlie smiled back and he grabbed the cup, moving to sit down at one of the tables. He watched as Claire slid into the seat oppisite him. "Look, you don't have to--" he closed his eyes and took in a breath. "I know what you're thinking. And you don't have to be nice to me and stuff. Everyone around here, they--they dance and skirt around the fact that I almost died like I'm--I'm some sort of precious figurine that they can't touch for fear of breaking. I know what I did. I was sorta there." Charlie looked down at his steaming cup of tea. "Everyone's acting like it didn't happen, while all the while thinking 'he did it to himself. He's just a junkie that wanted to die'. And--And I'm not. I didn't want to die. If--if I wanted to die, I'd die for something much better than just another hit." Charlie took in a breath, wondering where his monologue had come from, and he blew on the rim of his tea before taking a sip. "I'm sorry, I just--I've had alot of time to think in the past three days and everyone still insists on looking at me with those fake smiles and reassurances that it wasn't my fault. These things happen. These things....these things don't just happen."

Charlie tried to silence himself with another sip of tea, and he shook his head, scoffing at himself. "I'm sorry. The--the withdrawls, I--I go through mood swings. I mean, I wanted to bash my brother's head on a rock and then two seconds later I was sobbing. It's, uh...you know, I'm just gonna stop talking for a bit."

"Y'know, I just realised that I don't even know your name. I'm uh...I'm Charlie, as I'm sure you've heard from the various people trying to shuffle me around. Charlie Pace."

[claire littleton.]

Claire watched Charlie and Aaron interact, it was breaking her heart – a fresh reminder of the island. Regardless, Charlie seemed excited enough about having a drink – Claire doubted she’d be able to handle lunch. When he began about the melody, she could only half relate – she wasn’t a musician by any means, nor did the young mother have any musical talent in her, but she did know what it was like having something stuck in your head, and being completely unable to get it out. For her, it was Charlie. Ever since he died… Even before he ‘died’.. Now it seemed like a reoccurring thought – the look on his face… Claire sighed lightly walking ever so behind him. The next bit however Claire had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

Claire laughed nervously, “I don’t know what you’re talking about with that..” she stated biting down on her lower lip , her eyes locked on Aaron and Charlie. Taking the cup from Charlie she nodded in thanks – she felt like an idiot , spilling the hot water slightly on her hand. She wasn’t paying attention, she was caught up in the moment, the sickening feeling in her stomach, and the inability to take her eyes off of him… them. If she blinked – she feared it would all go away, that she’d wake up in some padded room… Claire swore lightly under her breath as she waved her other hand hoping the cool air would make it better – and shake off the remainder of the hot water.

“Thank you..” Claire told him ignoring the pain of her hand as Charlie paid, and the two went to sit down. “I’m not being skirting or dancing around you Charlie..” You did die. Looking down into her tea Claire sighed.. She knew how precious he was – no matter how cliché it sounded. “Cha-“ She stopped, her words refusing to come out. An exasperated sigh over took the air as she frowned. Was it so hard to talk about because there were two different stories in the air? So hard because Claire knew the truth – yet couldn’t explain why Charlie was alive. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not fake. I’m not going to tell you it wasn’t your fault – because regardless, no matter what I tell you….” Claire paused taking a deep breath – her own words choking her. “Because you won’t believe it.” Maybe a little estranged or strangled, but the words finally came out. “Things do happen… We all know that all to well.”

Claire watched as Aaron tried to crawl across the table to get to her, a huge smile on his face – she could only smile back weakly as she extended her arms and took him placing a kiss onto his cheek. The mother pushed the hot tea away so it was completely out of his reach and there was no chance of spilling it all. “I understand.” Claire told him about the with drawls – only remembering when she used to hang out with the wrong people – surprisingly, she never had touched the drugs in her life. “I know who you are Charlie.” Claire tried to smile as she looked over at her tea- her eyes not daring to meet his at the moment. “I’m Claire… Claire Littleton.”

[Charlie Pace]

Charlie's eyebrows narrowed slightly as Claire spoke, speaking the words that he had wanted to hear. Someone being real with him. It was so refreshing to hear someone talk to him like that. He looked down at the table, and then back up at her as she said her name. "Claire." he said almost as if tasting the word on his tongue like a fine wine. His mouth spread into a smile slightly. "I like that." Claire. It sounded almost familer, and he wondered why.

He brought the cup up to his lips, sipping the tea slightly as his eyes watched her. She was beautiful, but she looked so sad...Charlie moved, setting his cup down as he tilted his head slightly. "If I ask you to do something for me, would you do it?"

Watching as he nodded, Charlie's eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "Smile." Charlie asked her, and then shook his head slightly. "But--but don't smile like you're just doing it to make me happy...think of something that's made you so happy you can't stand it."

As he watched her face shift from sadness slowly into happiness, Charlie felt his own lips twitch up into a smile, though it was a sad one and Charlie wasn't sure why. He didn't even know her, and yet, the sight of her smile made him more happy than he had felt in a long time.

"You're beautiful when you smile. Nothing should be so horrible that you can't shine like that."