He is Risen (Interlude)
He is Risen
Author: Falafel
Title: He is Risen
Synopsis: Three part fic. A month after Charlie's death, Desmond and Locke revisit the Looking Glass station and make a chilling discovery.
Characters: Desmond, Charlie, Locke, Claire and B-Team.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Lost.
Warnings: Dark themes and scary moments.
Link: Chapter One Chapter Two
Authors Notes: This chapter was intended to be the end of the story. Part of me wants it to be the end because I don't really wish to abuse Charlie and Claire anymore (poor lambs!) But Pace has encouraged me to write an action finale that pays off my Jacob mythology. I have got ideas, but it may take me a while to finish as other work is taking over. So lets call this a temporary ending and say CC will be fine...for a while...
Interlude
The morning light was just beginning to dawn as Desmond led Charlie back to camp. As they walked Desmond told Charlie all that he knew of his relationship with Claire. How the two of them had met following their plane crash and formed a close bond. How Charlie had spent three months caring for the girl and her newborn child. How he had been willing to sacrifice his life so that they might be rescued from the island. As he spoke Charlie simply shook his head in confusion. Nothing that Desmond was describing seemed familiar to him.
Desmond mentioned some more of Charlie’s friends along with significant events in the camp. Charlie couldn’t recall any of them. Desmond then asked if he remembered who had taken him and where he had been for the last month. He received the same blank response. As the questioning wore on Charlie became increasingly huffy and sullen until he would only answer in grunts. When Desmond had found him Charlie had been overwhelmed with panic and emotion. Now he was yawning and leaning into Desmond’s shoulder. In a weary voice Charlie thanked the Scotsman for saving his life. Desmond raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Charlie at least remembered him and perhaps the nature of their relationship.
Desmond supposed it was obvious what had happened. Charlie knew too much so the black smoke had been sent to wipe his memory. It could have been worse. Charlie had not been killed. Desmond hadn’t been forced to watch him die for the second time. It seemed that Jacob was unaware of what Charlie had told him before he was stunned into amnesia. He tried to focus on the positives. Charlie’s friends would be happy to see him alive whether he remembered them or not, though he was still nervous about bringing Charlie back to them.
The beach was silent when they returned. The sun was low in the sky and nobody had crawled out from their shelters yet. Desmond stood considering for a moment. Then he led Charlie over to Hurley’s tent.
“Wait here, okay?” he instructed.
Desmond turned and slipped through the tent flaps. Hurley was laying on his back, snoring gently, his hair hanging over his face in fuzzy black curtains. Desmond knelt beside him and shook his shoulder.
“Wha…dude…” Hurley moaned, rubbing his eyes. “Desmond…is that you? What the hell, man…it’s like seriously early.”
“I need to talk to you,” he insisted.
“Aw crap…” Hurley grumbled, hauling himself into a sitting position. “Don’t tell me your super powers came back.”
Desmond swallowed. “It’s…it’s about Charlie.”
He watched as Hurley winced and frowned, the corners of his mouth curving down. “What about him?” he asked, heavily.
Desmond raised his hands. “Don’t freak out, alright?”
Hurley’s eyes widened. “Dude…too late. I’m totally freaked.”
Desmond sighed. “Well, can you at least promise to keep your voice down?” Hurley nodded slowly, so Desmond turned back to the entrance of the tent and called, “Okay brother, you can come inside now…”
Charlie slipped through the tent flaps and stood nervously before them.
“DUUUUDDDEEE…” Hurley hollered.
Desmond quickly slapped a hand over his mouth.
“Hurley for Godsake!” he hissed. “I just asked you to be quiet. You’re gonna wake up the whole camp. Get a grip, man!”
Charlie lingered in the entrance, looking uncertain. It was clear from his expression he didn’t recognise his old pal Hurley.
“It’s alright,” Desmond encouraged. “He’s a friend.”
Desmond beckoned Charlie to sit beside them. As Charlie knelt down Hurley reached out and clasped his arm as if needing to reassure himself that he wasn’t seeing ghosts. Desmond took his hand away from Hurley’s mouth and the Californian sat whispering “Oh man, oh man, oh man…” as he stared at Charlie. That was all he could say for a while. Then he noticed Charlie wasn’t responding.
“Dude, what’s wrong with him?” he asked, his face pinching with concern. “Is he like brain damaged or something? Can he even talk?!”
“Yeah, I can talk!” Charlie snapped, yanking his arm from Hurley’s grasp. “There’s nothing wrong with my brain,” he muttered.
Desmond described to Hurley how he had found Charlie in the jungle. How they had been attacked by the black smoke, how there had been a flash of white light and since then Charlie couldn’t remember anything.
“Whoa man…this is heavy stuff…” Hurley remarked, shaking his head. “Better get Sayid. He’ll know what to do.”
Desmond nodded and stood up to leave the tent. Charlie rose to follow him, but Desmond told him to stay with Hurley, promising that he would be back soon. Charlie didn’t seem very happy about the situation, but did as he was asked. Desmond hurried over to Sayid’s lean to and woke him up. As soon as Sayid had gotten his bearings Desmond began telling him about Charlie’s return. As with Hurley he left out his knowledge of Jacob and the temple.
Sayid blinked. “I don’t believe it.”
“I’m not lying to you, brother,” said Desmond.
“I can see that,” said Sayid, who was acutely skilled in perceiving the truth in any given situation. “I just don’t believe it. It’s not possible.”
“Come and see for yourself,” he suggested.
Desmond led Sayid over to Hurley’s shelter. As the two men approached they heard the sound of music coming from inside the tent. Desmond remembered that Claire had allowed Hurley to keep Charlie’s guitar as a memento. They stepped through the tent flaps to see the battered instrument in Charlie’s lap, his fingers twanging against its remaining strings. Sayid’s jaw fell open and he sank to his knees. Hurley was fully awake now and grinning from ear to ear.
“Check this out!” he said, brightly. “Charlie remembers how to play guitar! He was just strumming a Kinks song. How awesome is that?!”
Desmond looked sideways at Sayid. “Well?”
Sayid opened and closed his mouth a few times. This appeared to be one of those rare occasions when he was completely stumped.
“Give me a moment…” he said at last.
Charlie was still plucking idly at his instrument. Desmond reached out to muffle the strings, but Hurley slapped his hand away.
“Let him play, dude! It’s good therapy for him. Play us another song, Charlie. I know! Play ‘You All Everybody!’ Heh heh!”
Charlie frowned and shrugged his shoulders.
“What?!” Hurley spluttered. “You don’t remember? Dude, that was like your big hit song. It went like ‘You all everybody…acting like those stupid people wearing their stupid clothes.’ Man, you used to sing it all the time. You kind of…did our brains in with it after a while. You gotta remember!”
Charlie thought for a moment and then began strumming a rhythm experimentally. It turned out to be ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis.
“Oh cool, man! I love this song too.” Hurley immediately started singing the wrong words in the wrong place. Charlie jumped forward several bars trying to keep in time with these sporadic vocals. At this point, Sayid stopped trying to make sense of the situation and simply began to laugh.
Desmond was still nervous about waking the camp. They were going to be shocked and overwhelmed by this sudden sight of Charlie if they weren’t prepared for it. He darted outside the tent and almost ran headlong into Jin. The Korean man lived in the neighbouring tent. It seemed that he had wandered over to investigate the music and the voices which had disturbed his rest.
Jin glanced over Desmond’s shoulder. His eyes immediately widened and he barged his way passed. Charlie flinched and held up his guitar defensively as the fisherman knelt before him and threw his arms around his shoulders. Jin laughed heartily and slapped Charlie’s back, delighted to see him. Then he turned to face the others who were gathered inside the shelter.
“Claire!” Jin said, excitedly. “Claire!!”
“No, no, Jin…not yet!” said Desmond. “Don’t tell Claire just yet. He doesn’t even remember her. You’re just gonna upset the girl…”
“Yes, yes!” said Jin, nodding his head. “I get Claire!”
Before they could clear up their misunderstanding, Jin dashed from the tent like a speeding bullet. Desmond and Sayid shared looks of concern and stepped outside the shelter. Jin was tearing across the beach towards Claire’s tent. As he ran he caught the attention of Jack who was standing in the kitchen pouring cereal into a coconut shell. The doctor put down his breakfast and marched towards Desmond and Sayid with a wary look of suspicion on his face.
“What’s going on here?” asked Jack, a curious smile teasing his lips. “What are you guys hiding in Hurley’s tent this time?
Desmond sighed. It seemed there was no chance of a tentative reintroduction to the camp. He stood aside and allowed Jack to step into the shelter. Then he looked ahead to see Jin ushering Claire across the beach.
“Christ Jin…what’s going on?” she muttered, crankily.
“Come! Come!” Jin enthused. “Surprise!”
Desmond rushed over to Claire and Jin, thinking that this surprise would be too much for the Aussie lass and wanting to forewarn her.
“Claire, listen to me!” he called out. “Something has happened. I don’t know how, I don’t know why…it’s a miracle, sister!”
Claire frowned at him and then her eyes were caught by something over his shoulder. Desmond turned and saw that Jack had brought Charlie out of the tent. Hurley followed them with a hand resting on Charlie’s back. It appeared the doctor needed to look at Charlie in the light. It seemed the sight of this man alive and well was blinding his logic. He was shaking his head in disbelief.
Desmond turned back to Claire. He had been expecting her to scream or collapse or burst into tears. But Claire didn’t do any of these things. Instead she did something that she hadn’t done in over a month. She smiled.
Then she took a step forwards...
“Claire, wait…” said Desmond. “I have to tell you…Charlie doesn’t remember you. He doesn’t remember anything! I’m sorry, but…”
Claire flinched. “He’s lost his memory?”
Desmond nodded, solemnly. “Otherwise he seems fine…”
They glanced back at Charlie and the crowd that was swiftly gathering around him. Hurley, unable to contain himself any longer, was yelling at the top of his lungs that Charlie was back. That Charlie was alive. Sun, Kate, Sawyer, Rose and Bernard were all out of their tents now and hurrying over to greet him. They were staring at Charlie wide eyed and open mouthed, reaching out to touch him, squeezing his shoulders and ruffling his hair. It seemed like they could scarcely believe he was real. Charlie was beginning to look very nervous and intimidated by all the attention. Desmond thought it was time he rescued him from it.
Claire caught hold of his arm, halting him.
“I’ll handle this,” she said, firmly.
It was then Desmond realised that Claire was the one person who knew what Charlie was going through. He had heard about how she had been abducted by the Others and had returned to the camp with amnesia. Desmond decided to hang back. Claire was the authority in this situation. He was impressed to see her behaving so maturely. She had taken this news of Charlie’s memory loss in her stride. Just seeing Charlie alive seemed to have strengthened her.
“Everyone just back off him!” Claire demanded, marching up to the huddle. “Charlie doesn’t remember you people, alright? So he doesn’t want you all gawking at him and crowding in around him. Lay off!”
The people parted and stepped back immediately. Charlie breathed a sigh of relief and then turned his head to look at Claire. Once again there was no recognition in his face, but his eyes still lit up when he saw her. It was like watching somebody falling in love at first sight. Charlie smiled at her, bashfully, his mouth contorting as he struggled to find the appropriate greeting.
“Thanks Miss…thank you…err…do I know you then?”
She smiled back, her face tensing and flushing.
“I’m Claire,” she told him, helpfully.
“Right.” He offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Charlie realised that he was still covered in dirt. He tried to retract his hand, but Claire reached out and clasped it between her palms.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” she replied, softly.
Jack gestured for the others to move off and allow them their reunion. There would be plenty of time for them all to talk to Charlie later. Claire kept hold of Charlie’s hand and led him towards their tent. Desmond followed at a distance, old instincts telling him to stay in close proximity to Charlie.
“Desmond says…we’re friends…” Charlie faltered.
She raised an eyebrow coyly. “A little more than friends actually.”
Charlie blushed and bit back a smile. Claire giggled and told him not to worry about it. She said that she had forgotten him once too.
“Your things are over in my tent. Your clothes, your notebooks, your ring…we can go through them together. They might help you to remember. Or if you just want to have a lie down I’ll make sure nobody bothers you.”
Charlie nodded. He seemed to trust her instinctively. They entered her tent together, passing by Aaron’s cot as they went. Charlie halted his steps and glanced down at the infant. Desmond suddenly heard a happy squealing from inside the cradle. The baby was jiggling his legs and holding up his arms. Claire let her composure slip and gave way to tears of happiness.
“Oh God…he remembers you…” she stammered. “Charlie, he’s missed you so much! We both have...” She quickly sat Charlie down on the mattress and lifted Aaron from his crib. “I think he’d like to say hello.”
Claire gently placed Aaron into Charlie’s arms. Charlie smiled and cradled the baby close to his chest. Aaron was smiling and gurgling as he reached for Charlie’s nose, his ears, his lower lip…anything he could grab hold of to pull Charlie nearer and make sure he didn’t go away again.
“Heeey big guy!” Charlie murmured, smiling.
Claire’s eyes widened. “You remember him, don’t you?”
Charlie looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded. Claire gasped, wonderingly. She reached beneath her bed and pulled out the stuffed box that she kept under there. This was her collection of Charlie’s things. Claire started to show him each of the artefacts in turn - the silver DS ring, the list of favourite memories, the empty peanut butter jar. Charlie sat frowning as Claire displayed these relics from his forgotten life. When she looked for his reaction he would smile and nod. Desmond had the feeling that Charlie didn’t really remember at all. He was just feigning recognition because it made this pretty girl so happy to think she was helping him.
Desmond stood watching Charlie for a while. Claire was nestled close to him. Aaron was tucked up in his arms. In spite of his confusion, Charlie seemed very contented. Desmond considered what Locke had told him about Charlie’s problems - his drug addiction, his insecurities, his restlessness. Desmond wondered whether it was really such a bad thing that Charlie didn’t remember his old life. It seemed those memories had always crippled him and held him back. Maybe it was better that he was free of them. Charlie had been wiped clean. He was brand new. He was fresh and pure as the baby that he held. After all he had suffered and sacrificed maybe this was Charlie’s reward. The island had restored his innocence.
Claire lifted her head and noticed Desmond was still hovering around their tent. She sighed and flashed him her sweetest ‘go away’ smile. Desmond nodded, reluctantly turning his back. He wandered past the kitchen hut. He saw that Hurley had the group congregated there and appeared to be telling them the comic book version of Charlie’s survival. He described how Charlie had swum out of the Looking Glass station, then tunnelled his way through the island and done battle with the monster in the jungle before returning to their camp. Desmond smiled. He hadn’t seen Hurley so cheerful and animated in a long while. It seemed Charlie might now have topped even the Flash as Hurley’s own personal hero.
Desmond found that his weariness was overwhelming him. He decided to return to his shelter and take some rest. Desmond was just making his way over to his tent when he was halted by a soft voice in his ear.
“Nice to see the family back together,” said the voice.
Desmond raised his head to see Locke standing with his arms folded, his keen eyes watching the scene in Claire’s shelter. The old hunter hadn’t joined the group in their celebration over Charlie’s return. Locke seldom mingled with his fellow castaways these days. After witnessing his murder of Naomi and threats to shoot Jack they had all become extremely wary of him. When they realised that Locke had been right to warn them against the people arriving on the boat, he had been accepted back into the camp, though he remained an outsider.
Locke smiled warmly. “You know, those three have been ripped apart so many times, but whenever they return to each other, it feels like nothing has changed. I guess that the island has further plans for them…”
Desmond felt a shiver pass through him. He knew in his heart that Locke was right. The black smoke hadn’t spared Charlie out of kindness. If Jacob had allowed him to live, it must mean he still thought he could use Charlie as part of his plan. Desmond realised he was going to have to keeper a closer watch on Charlie than ever now. If Charlie really did remember Aaron it might not be such a good thing. Jacob might have ways of forcing Charlie to deliver the baby to him, though Desmond knew Charlie would never do so willingly.
He glanced suspiciously at Locke, who was still smiling pleasantly as he watched the young couple and the baby in their tent. Desmond had the feeling that Locke didn’t mean any harm to them, yet it seemed that Locke had never meant to hurt his friend Boone either. For all his wisdom there was a sense of naivety about Locke. Desmond remembered how Charlie had referred to him as Jacob’s servant and warned him not to tell Locke about Jacob’s plans. Desmond thought it best that Locke was kept at a distance from them.
“The island isn’t gonna mess with them again,” Desmond said firmly. “They’ve been through enough already. Whatever the island might want from them is not important. Their family is what’s important.” Desmond nodded to himself, feeling a new sense of purpose growing in him. “You said I was appointed their protector. I intend to do a better job this time…you got that?”
Locke frowned. “Are you threatening me, Desmond?”
Desmond’s smile stayed in its place, though his eyes widened ever so slightly. “Only if you make me, boxman…”
With that, Desmond turned from Locke and strode over the kitchen hut to make breakfast. He felt the need to remain alert and vigilant, now that he had been given this new calling. Now he had something to save...
( Chapter Three )
Author: Falafel
Title: He is Risen
Synopsis: Three part fic. A month after Charlie's death, Desmond and Locke revisit the Looking Glass station and make a chilling discovery.
Characters: Desmond, Charlie, Locke, Claire and B-Team.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Lost.
Warnings: Dark themes and scary moments.
Link: Chapter One Chapter Two
Authors Notes: This chapter was intended to be the end of the story. Part of me wants it to be the end because I don't really wish to abuse Charlie and Claire anymore (poor lambs!) But Pace has encouraged me to write an action finale that pays off my Jacob mythology. I have got ideas, but it may take me a while to finish as other work is taking over. So lets call this a temporary ending and say CC will be fine...for a while...
Interlude
The morning light was just beginning to dawn as Desmond led Charlie back to camp. As they walked Desmond told Charlie all that he knew of his relationship with Claire. How the two of them had met following their plane crash and formed a close bond. How Charlie had spent three months caring for the girl and her newborn child. How he had been willing to sacrifice his life so that they might be rescued from the island. As he spoke Charlie simply shook his head in confusion. Nothing that Desmond was describing seemed familiar to him.
Desmond mentioned some more of Charlie’s friends along with significant events in the camp. Charlie couldn’t recall any of them. Desmond then asked if he remembered who had taken him and where he had been for the last month. He received the same blank response. As the questioning wore on Charlie became increasingly huffy and sullen until he would only answer in grunts. When Desmond had found him Charlie had been overwhelmed with panic and emotion. Now he was yawning and leaning into Desmond’s shoulder. In a weary voice Charlie thanked the Scotsman for saving his life. Desmond raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Charlie at least remembered him and perhaps the nature of their relationship.
Desmond supposed it was obvious what had happened. Charlie knew too much so the black smoke had been sent to wipe his memory. It could have been worse. Charlie had not been killed. Desmond hadn’t been forced to watch him die for the second time. It seemed that Jacob was unaware of what Charlie had told him before he was stunned into amnesia. He tried to focus on the positives. Charlie’s friends would be happy to see him alive whether he remembered them or not, though he was still nervous about bringing Charlie back to them.
The beach was silent when they returned. The sun was low in the sky and nobody had crawled out from their shelters yet. Desmond stood considering for a moment. Then he led Charlie over to Hurley’s tent.
“Wait here, okay?” he instructed.
Desmond turned and slipped through the tent flaps. Hurley was laying on his back, snoring gently, his hair hanging over his face in fuzzy black curtains. Desmond knelt beside him and shook his shoulder.
“Wha…dude…” Hurley moaned, rubbing his eyes. “Desmond…is that you? What the hell, man…it’s like seriously early.”
“I need to talk to you,” he insisted.
“Aw crap…” Hurley grumbled, hauling himself into a sitting position. “Don’t tell me your super powers came back.”
Desmond swallowed. “It’s…it’s about Charlie.”
He watched as Hurley winced and frowned, the corners of his mouth curving down. “What about him?” he asked, heavily.
Desmond raised his hands. “Don’t freak out, alright?”
Hurley’s eyes widened. “Dude…too late. I’m totally freaked.”
Desmond sighed. “Well, can you at least promise to keep your voice down?” Hurley nodded slowly, so Desmond turned back to the entrance of the tent and called, “Okay brother, you can come inside now…”
Charlie slipped through the tent flaps and stood nervously before them.
“DUUUUDDDEEE…” Hurley hollered.
Desmond quickly slapped a hand over his mouth.
“Hurley for Godsake!” he hissed. “I just asked you to be quiet. You’re gonna wake up the whole camp. Get a grip, man!”
Charlie lingered in the entrance, looking uncertain. It was clear from his expression he didn’t recognise his old pal Hurley.
“It’s alright,” Desmond encouraged. “He’s a friend.”
Desmond beckoned Charlie to sit beside them. As Charlie knelt down Hurley reached out and clasped his arm as if needing to reassure himself that he wasn’t seeing ghosts. Desmond took his hand away from Hurley’s mouth and the Californian sat whispering “Oh man, oh man, oh man…” as he stared at Charlie. That was all he could say for a while. Then he noticed Charlie wasn’t responding.
“Dude, what’s wrong with him?” he asked, his face pinching with concern. “Is he like brain damaged or something? Can he even talk?!”
“Yeah, I can talk!” Charlie snapped, yanking his arm from Hurley’s grasp. “There’s nothing wrong with my brain,” he muttered.
Desmond described to Hurley how he had found Charlie in the jungle. How they had been attacked by the black smoke, how there had been a flash of white light and since then Charlie couldn’t remember anything.
“Whoa man…this is heavy stuff…” Hurley remarked, shaking his head. “Better get Sayid. He’ll know what to do.”
Desmond nodded and stood up to leave the tent. Charlie rose to follow him, but Desmond told him to stay with Hurley, promising that he would be back soon. Charlie didn’t seem very happy about the situation, but did as he was asked. Desmond hurried over to Sayid’s lean to and woke him up. As soon as Sayid had gotten his bearings Desmond began telling him about Charlie’s return. As with Hurley he left out his knowledge of Jacob and the temple.
Sayid blinked. “I don’t believe it.”
“I’m not lying to you, brother,” said Desmond.
“I can see that,” said Sayid, who was acutely skilled in perceiving the truth in any given situation. “I just don’t believe it. It’s not possible.”
“Come and see for yourself,” he suggested.
Desmond led Sayid over to Hurley’s shelter. As the two men approached they heard the sound of music coming from inside the tent. Desmond remembered that Claire had allowed Hurley to keep Charlie’s guitar as a memento. They stepped through the tent flaps to see the battered instrument in Charlie’s lap, his fingers twanging against its remaining strings. Sayid’s jaw fell open and he sank to his knees. Hurley was fully awake now and grinning from ear to ear.
“Check this out!” he said, brightly. “Charlie remembers how to play guitar! He was just strumming a Kinks song. How awesome is that?!”
Desmond looked sideways at Sayid. “Well?”
Sayid opened and closed his mouth a few times. This appeared to be one of those rare occasions when he was completely stumped.
“Give me a moment…” he said at last.
Charlie was still plucking idly at his instrument. Desmond reached out to muffle the strings, but Hurley slapped his hand away.
“Let him play, dude! It’s good therapy for him. Play us another song, Charlie. I know! Play ‘You All Everybody!’ Heh heh!”
Charlie frowned and shrugged his shoulders.
“What?!” Hurley spluttered. “You don’t remember? Dude, that was like your big hit song. It went like ‘You all everybody…acting like those stupid people wearing their stupid clothes.’ Man, you used to sing it all the time. You kind of…did our brains in with it after a while. You gotta remember!”
Charlie thought for a moment and then began strumming a rhythm experimentally. It turned out to be ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis.
“Oh cool, man! I love this song too.” Hurley immediately started singing the wrong words in the wrong place. Charlie jumped forward several bars trying to keep in time with these sporadic vocals. At this point, Sayid stopped trying to make sense of the situation and simply began to laugh.
Desmond was still nervous about waking the camp. They were going to be shocked and overwhelmed by this sudden sight of Charlie if they weren’t prepared for it. He darted outside the tent and almost ran headlong into Jin. The Korean man lived in the neighbouring tent. It seemed that he had wandered over to investigate the music and the voices which had disturbed his rest.
Jin glanced over Desmond’s shoulder. His eyes immediately widened and he barged his way passed. Charlie flinched and held up his guitar defensively as the fisherman knelt before him and threw his arms around his shoulders. Jin laughed heartily and slapped Charlie’s back, delighted to see him. Then he turned to face the others who were gathered inside the shelter.
“Claire!” Jin said, excitedly. “Claire!!”
“No, no, Jin…not yet!” said Desmond. “Don’t tell Claire just yet. He doesn’t even remember her. You’re just gonna upset the girl…”
“Yes, yes!” said Jin, nodding his head. “I get Claire!”
Before they could clear up their misunderstanding, Jin dashed from the tent like a speeding bullet. Desmond and Sayid shared looks of concern and stepped outside the shelter. Jin was tearing across the beach towards Claire’s tent. As he ran he caught the attention of Jack who was standing in the kitchen pouring cereal into a coconut shell. The doctor put down his breakfast and marched towards Desmond and Sayid with a wary look of suspicion on his face.
“What’s going on here?” asked Jack, a curious smile teasing his lips. “What are you guys hiding in Hurley’s tent this time?
Desmond sighed. It seemed there was no chance of a tentative reintroduction to the camp. He stood aside and allowed Jack to step into the shelter. Then he looked ahead to see Jin ushering Claire across the beach.
“Christ Jin…what’s going on?” she muttered, crankily.
“Come! Come!” Jin enthused. “Surprise!”
Desmond rushed over to Claire and Jin, thinking that this surprise would be too much for the Aussie lass and wanting to forewarn her.
“Claire, listen to me!” he called out. “Something has happened. I don’t know how, I don’t know why…it’s a miracle, sister!”
Claire frowned at him and then her eyes were caught by something over his shoulder. Desmond turned and saw that Jack had brought Charlie out of the tent. Hurley followed them with a hand resting on Charlie’s back. It appeared the doctor needed to look at Charlie in the light. It seemed the sight of this man alive and well was blinding his logic. He was shaking his head in disbelief.
Desmond turned back to Claire. He had been expecting her to scream or collapse or burst into tears. But Claire didn’t do any of these things. Instead she did something that she hadn’t done in over a month. She smiled.
Then she took a step forwards...
“Claire, wait…” said Desmond. “I have to tell you…Charlie doesn’t remember you. He doesn’t remember anything! I’m sorry, but…”
Claire flinched. “He’s lost his memory?”
Desmond nodded, solemnly. “Otherwise he seems fine…”
They glanced back at Charlie and the crowd that was swiftly gathering around him. Hurley, unable to contain himself any longer, was yelling at the top of his lungs that Charlie was back. That Charlie was alive. Sun, Kate, Sawyer, Rose and Bernard were all out of their tents now and hurrying over to greet him. They were staring at Charlie wide eyed and open mouthed, reaching out to touch him, squeezing his shoulders and ruffling his hair. It seemed like they could scarcely believe he was real. Charlie was beginning to look very nervous and intimidated by all the attention. Desmond thought it was time he rescued him from it.
Claire caught hold of his arm, halting him.
“I’ll handle this,” she said, firmly.
It was then Desmond realised that Claire was the one person who knew what Charlie was going through. He had heard about how she had been abducted by the Others and had returned to the camp with amnesia. Desmond decided to hang back. Claire was the authority in this situation. He was impressed to see her behaving so maturely. She had taken this news of Charlie’s memory loss in her stride. Just seeing Charlie alive seemed to have strengthened her.
“Everyone just back off him!” Claire demanded, marching up to the huddle. “Charlie doesn’t remember you people, alright? So he doesn’t want you all gawking at him and crowding in around him. Lay off!”
The people parted and stepped back immediately. Charlie breathed a sigh of relief and then turned his head to look at Claire. Once again there was no recognition in his face, but his eyes still lit up when he saw her. It was like watching somebody falling in love at first sight. Charlie smiled at her, bashfully, his mouth contorting as he struggled to find the appropriate greeting.
“Thanks Miss…thank you…err…do I know you then?”
She smiled back, her face tensing and flushing.
“I’m Claire,” she told him, helpfully.
“Right.” He offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Charlie realised that he was still covered in dirt. He tried to retract his hand, but Claire reached out and clasped it between her palms.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” she replied, softly.
Jack gestured for the others to move off and allow them their reunion. There would be plenty of time for them all to talk to Charlie later. Claire kept hold of Charlie’s hand and led him towards their tent. Desmond followed at a distance, old instincts telling him to stay in close proximity to Charlie.
“Desmond says…we’re friends…” Charlie faltered.
She raised an eyebrow coyly. “A little more than friends actually.”
Charlie blushed and bit back a smile. Claire giggled and told him not to worry about it. She said that she had forgotten him once too.
“Your things are over in my tent. Your clothes, your notebooks, your ring…we can go through them together. They might help you to remember. Or if you just want to have a lie down I’ll make sure nobody bothers you.”
Charlie nodded. He seemed to trust her instinctively. They entered her tent together, passing by Aaron’s cot as they went. Charlie halted his steps and glanced down at the infant. Desmond suddenly heard a happy squealing from inside the cradle. The baby was jiggling his legs and holding up his arms. Claire let her composure slip and gave way to tears of happiness.
“Oh God…he remembers you…” she stammered. “Charlie, he’s missed you so much! We both have...” She quickly sat Charlie down on the mattress and lifted Aaron from his crib. “I think he’d like to say hello.”
Claire gently placed Aaron into Charlie’s arms. Charlie smiled and cradled the baby close to his chest. Aaron was smiling and gurgling as he reached for Charlie’s nose, his ears, his lower lip…anything he could grab hold of to pull Charlie nearer and make sure he didn’t go away again.
“Heeey big guy!” Charlie murmured, smiling.
Claire’s eyes widened. “You remember him, don’t you?”
Charlie looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded. Claire gasped, wonderingly. She reached beneath her bed and pulled out the stuffed box that she kept under there. This was her collection of Charlie’s things. Claire started to show him each of the artefacts in turn - the silver DS ring, the list of favourite memories, the empty peanut butter jar. Charlie sat frowning as Claire displayed these relics from his forgotten life. When she looked for his reaction he would smile and nod. Desmond had the feeling that Charlie didn’t really remember at all. He was just feigning recognition because it made this pretty girl so happy to think she was helping him.
Desmond stood watching Charlie for a while. Claire was nestled close to him. Aaron was tucked up in his arms. In spite of his confusion, Charlie seemed very contented. Desmond considered what Locke had told him about Charlie’s problems - his drug addiction, his insecurities, his restlessness. Desmond wondered whether it was really such a bad thing that Charlie didn’t remember his old life. It seemed those memories had always crippled him and held him back. Maybe it was better that he was free of them. Charlie had been wiped clean. He was brand new. He was fresh and pure as the baby that he held. After all he had suffered and sacrificed maybe this was Charlie’s reward. The island had restored his innocence.
Claire lifted her head and noticed Desmond was still hovering around their tent. She sighed and flashed him her sweetest ‘go away’ smile. Desmond nodded, reluctantly turning his back. He wandered past the kitchen hut. He saw that Hurley had the group congregated there and appeared to be telling them the comic book version of Charlie’s survival. He described how Charlie had swum out of the Looking Glass station, then tunnelled his way through the island and done battle with the monster in the jungle before returning to their camp. Desmond smiled. He hadn’t seen Hurley so cheerful and animated in a long while. It seemed Charlie might now have topped even the Flash as Hurley’s own personal hero.
Desmond found that his weariness was overwhelming him. He decided to return to his shelter and take some rest. Desmond was just making his way over to his tent when he was halted by a soft voice in his ear.
“Nice to see the family back together,” said the voice.
Desmond raised his head to see Locke standing with his arms folded, his keen eyes watching the scene in Claire’s shelter. The old hunter hadn’t joined the group in their celebration over Charlie’s return. Locke seldom mingled with his fellow castaways these days. After witnessing his murder of Naomi and threats to shoot Jack they had all become extremely wary of him. When they realised that Locke had been right to warn them against the people arriving on the boat, he had been accepted back into the camp, though he remained an outsider.
Locke smiled warmly. “You know, those three have been ripped apart so many times, but whenever they return to each other, it feels like nothing has changed. I guess that the island has further plans for them…”
Desmond felt a shiver pass through him. He knew in his heart that Locke was right. The black smoke hadn’t spared Charlie out of kindness. If Jacob had allowed him to live, it must mean he still thought he could use Charlie as part of his plan. Desmond realised he was going to have to keeper a closer watch on Charlie than ever now. If Charlie really did remember Aaron it might not be such a good thing. Jacob might have ways of forcing Charlie to deliver the baby to him, though Desmond knew Charlie would never do so willingly.
He glanced suspiciously at Locke, who was still smiling pleasantly as he watched the young couple and the baby in their tent. Desmond had the feeling that Locke didn’t mean any harm to them, yet it seemed that Locke had never meant to hurt his friend Boone either. For all his wisdom there was a sense of naivety about Locke. Desmond remembered how Charlie had referred to him as Jacob’s servant and warned him not to tell Locke about Jacob’s plans. Desmond thought it best that Locke was kept at a distance from them.
“The island isn’t gonna mess with them again,” Desmond said firmly. “They’ve been through enough already. Whatever the island might want from them is not important. Their family is what’s important.” Desmond nodded to himself, feeling a new sense of purpose growing in him. “You said I was appointed their protector. I intend to do a better job this time…you got that?”
Locke frowned. “Are you threatening me, Desmond?”
Desmond’s smile stayed in its place, though his eyes widened ever so slightly. “Only if you make me, boxman…”
With that, Desmond turned from Locke and strode over the kitchen hut to make breakfast. He felt the need to remain alert and vigilant, now that he had been given this new calling. Now he had something to save...
( Chapter Three )