Deja Vu

It was dark out. The jungle around them was pitch black. The wind blew through the leaves, causing the whole wall of foliage around them to sway in the wind. They stood around the great big gray mass in the middle of the dug up ground, each and every survivor. All of them starring on in confusion as they waited for Jack, Kate and Locke to give the ok.
Claire hugged her baby close to her, doing her best to keep him warm as another chilling wind blew past. Charlie arm was around her shoulder, protecting her as always. He glanced at her and smiled, doing his best to comfort her although he was just as scared as the rest of them. Locke appeared at the top of the hatch, catching all of their attention.
"We've managed to get the hatch open. The path way is narrow, and the later is broken. There is only one way to tell what's inside. Jack, Kate, and I have volunteered to be the ones to do so. Danielle has supplied us with a set of four radios that we can use to communicate. Each of us will be taking one down with us, and one will remain here with Sayid " Locke began, his voice booming over the crowd, witch was completely silent.
Charlie tightened his arm around Claire, both of them cringing at the sound of the French women's name. "There is no doubt that going down there will be dangerous, and there is a very good chance that we won't come back" Locke continued, though he didn't seem nervous at all. If anything he seemed happy.
"Boone, Boone listen to me" Claire insisted, leaning over him beside Shannon. Boone rolled his head to face her and tried to open his eyes as much as he could. "Boone, where is Aaron?" Claire questioned, the worry pouring over her. She waited patiently as Boone struggled to speak. "I...I don't know" He explained, his voice hoarse and quiet, barely audible.
"How can you not know? You were supposed to be watching him!" Claire exclaimed in a panic, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "Claire, calm down" Shannon insisted, determined to do anything possible to help her brother. "No, not until I know where Aaron is!" Claire insisted, the fear weighing down on her hard.
"I need both of you two to move, now" Jack instructed, moving around to their side of the booth. The girls moved back obediently, giving the doctor room to do his work. Shannon moved around to the front of the table, keeping her eyes on her brother. Claire walked away, unable to look at him any longer. It was to much to face. He was literally covered in blood. The thought of him surviving was very unlikely. And on top of all this, her baby was missing. It was all to much.
She felt Charlie's arms fold around her, doing his best to comfort her though the effort seemed hopeless. Breaking down, Claire buried her face into his shirt and let the tears roll down.

"They've been down there for half an hour" Claire noted, her expression blank as she sat on a rather large rock, gently rocking Aaron, who laid on her lap. "Well, it shouldn't be much longer then" Charlie replied optimistically, keeping a smile as he kept his arm around her. Claire didn't say anything.
Locke, Jack, and Kate had disappeared into the hatch a half an hour ago. At first it seemed fine, they described what they were seeing, witch was mostly just the tunnel continuing, but about ten minutes ago they stopped talking. The whole island was beginning to worry. "What if they don't come back, Charlie?" Claire questioned after a moment, turning to him in a look of worry.
"They will" Charlie assured, looking her straight in the eye. He seemed so sure, Claire couldn't help but believe him. She nodded, as if she agreed, though she was still unsure. She looked down at Aaron, who had been starring up at her the whole time. His big blue eyes wide and curious. He had no idea what was going on. But then again, neither did the rest of them.
Then, out of no where came a crackling sound, like static on a radio. It caught all of their attention immediately. It was coming from the radio in Sayid's hand. "Sayid?" a voice questioned, distorted slightly by all the static. "Kate, is that you?" He questioned, rising to his feet as he held the radio to his ear. "Where are you?" He continued, unable to hear nothing but the loud scratchy sounds.
"I don't know. We reached the bottom. It looks empty" Kate explained, fear trembling in her voice as it broke and screeched through the speaker. "Ok, just keep moving. Tell me what you see" Sayid instructed, keeping calm as he gradually moved to the center of the circle witch the castaways had formed.
For a moment it was silent on the other end, nothing but static. Every one listened closely, trying to locate some sign of life beneath the harsh, crackling machine. "Kate, can you hear me?" Sayid questioned, growing worried with the silence.
"What the hell is that?" They heard a different voice mutter, so soft they could barely hear. "Jack, is that you?" Sayid continued, trying to get their attention. But all they heard was a low, and gentle laugh through the crackling static.
"Kate? Are you there?" Sayid questioned, trying to grab their attention. "I'm here" Kate explained, her voice relatively blank. Sayid nodded, slightly relieve. "Ok. Tell me what you see" He instructed, remained very calm. The castaways listened closely, desperately awaiting her response. For a moment it was silent. They could hear the crackling of their breath breaking trough the speaker, but that was all.
"What do you see?" Sayid repeated, not sure if they had heard him before. Then, Locke's voice came through loud and clear, with just a hint of a laugh as he answered the question. "Fate"

The sound startled them all. They turned to see a radio sitting on the counter, where the loud crackling was coming from. "Has that thing been on the whole time?" The Arabic man questioned, looking over at it in confusion. "No" Kate replied from her station opposite of Jack, doing her best to assist in his makeshift operation.

The static hissed through the room, growing louder, as if it were trying to grab their attention. The room fell silent, all of them focussed on the little black boom box that sat before them. Then, a shock to them all, a voice came through. One soft, and indistinguishable. It spoke one simple word before fading back into static. "Four". Plain and clear. The group looked on in shock.

"What the hell?" Sawyer spoke up, rising from his seat on one of the tables in confusion. "Shhh" Kate instructed, shooting him an aggravated look. He went silent, as well as the rest of them. Waiting for the static to speak once again. "Eight" the voice continued in a gentle monotone. A whisper that was neither male of female.

"Oh god" Hurly muttered, eyes wide with terror as he listened to the radio relay its eerie message. Every one was watching. Even Boone. All awaiting the next sound as if it had put them into a trance. "Fifteen" The voice murmured over the crackling static, putting poor Hurly on edge.
"This can't be happening" He muttered, terrified by what he was hearing. "No, no, this can't be happening" He repeated, fear rushing through him. "Shhh" Locke insisted, keeping his eyes glued to the little black stereo.
"Sixteen"
"What, is this some kind of joke?" Sawyer questioned, the first to stand up in the group. "Shh" Sayid instructed, trying to hear through all the static. Sawyer ignored him and snatched the radio out of his hand. "Come on, Kate. This ain't funny" Sawyer explained in annoyance, receiving nothing but static in reply.

"We have to pull them back" Sayid explained, making his way up to the top of the hatch. Those who had gone down had tied rope around their waist so that if they came upon some kind of danger, they would be pulled back. A few more men followed him and they carefully began pulling on the rope, leaving the radio in Sawyer's hand.

"twenty three"

"Uh, Guys, what am I supposed to do with this?" Sawyer questioned, calling up to the men on top of the hatch. "Just hold it" Sayid instructed, keeping his concentration on the rope as him and the others continued to pull.
"Fourty two"

The room went black. The lights hand disappeared once again, finally captivating their attention on something other than the eerie stereo. "Oh, god. Boone" Shannon cried, quickly moving to his side. "Stay with us" Jack instructed, hearing a breathless gasp escape his lips. Shannon felt around until she found his hand and squeezed it tight.

"Why is he shaking?" She questioned, her voice quivering with fear. "He's going into shock" Jack explained in a cold medical tone. "Well do something!" Shannon insisted, determined to save her brother. "I can't see!" Jack replied in aggravation. "Here" Kate offered, pulling Sawyer's lighter from her pocket and holding it over the table where Boone laid, convulsing.

"That doesn't help much" Jack explained with a sigh. "Look around. See if you can find some flash lights" Kate instated to the other's, continuing to hold the only source of light over the table. "Hold on, Boone. Please hold on" Shannon's voice creaked as she held his hand tight, tears rolling down her cheeks. At that moment, it started up again.
"Four"
"How long is that damn rope, any ways?" Sawyer questioned, gazing up at the top of the hatch as the radio continued to crackle in his hand. It seemed as though they'd been pulling that rope forever. "It they're almost out" Sayid called back, continued to tug at the heavy rope along with the others.

"Eight"

"Well hurry up, this things starting to freak me out" Sawyer replied in annoyance, pacing back and forth with the radio in hand. The rest of the group remained silent, all starring up at the men on top of the hatch, awaiting to see their friends emerge from the top.

"Fiffteen"
Aaron began to fuss. His little cries breaking the silence as the rose trough his little lungs. "Shh" Claire cooed, holding him closer to her and doing her best to calm him. He was scared, just like the rest of them. Probably more so. Somehow, he knew what was coming, and he wasn't the only one.

"Sixteen"

Across from them, on the opposite side of the circle, Vincent began to bark. The sound boomed through the silence repeatedly, startling those around him. Walt tried his best to calm him as Claire did with Aaron, but it was no use. The two continued loudly, warning them all of what was coming.

"Twentythree"

"Oh God" Sayid gasped, his voice floating from the top of the hatch, catching their attention. "What?" Sawyer questioned, growing more and more aggravated with the whole thing. The rest of the group watched as well, waiting for his response. For a moment Sayid said nothing, he simply held up the end of the rope where the loop that had been tied around their waist remained. "They're gone."

"Forty-two"

"Come on, Boone. Stay with us" Jack instructed, doing his best to keep him conscious. Boone's head rolled from side to side, his eyes barely open as he tried to speak. "Please" He muttered, his voice raw and hoarse. "Shh, Don't try to speak" Jack instructed, holding his other hand. Shannon gripped the other, holding onto it with both hands as tears poured down her eyes.

"Please, let me go" Boone whispered, his words barely audible. His eyes were on Shannon. She looked away. "No, don't listen to him" She instead, turning to Jack demandingly. "Shan-" Boone murmured, trying once again to speak. "Don't listen to him. You have to save him!" She repeated desperately, her voice cracking through the tears that poured down her cheeks.

Thunder cracked outside. "There's nothing I can do" Jack explained, his voice shaking with regret. "No, you have to do something" Shannon demanded, refusing to let go. Jack looked back at her apologetically, knowing there was nothing he could do to save him. "No!" Shannon cried, the emotion waving over her.

"Shan?" Boone whispered, trying to get her attention. She turned to him slowly, meeting eyes with him. "I love you" he whispered, looking her straight in the eye. "I know" Shannon nodded, tears rushing down her cheeks. And with that, he was gone. Shannon continued to hold his hand as she lowered herself into the seat of the both, looking over his lifeless expression.

Charlie watched with a blank expression, keeping his arm around Claire. After a moment, he felt her move, carefully removing herself from beneath his arm and walking over to the bald man who sat in a chair a few feet away. "What's happening?" She questioned, kneeling down before him. Her back was to the only light in the room, witch was the lighter Kate held over the table, making it hard for her to see.

"We made a mistake, back there, in the jungle. We never should have gone down" Locke explained, his voice breaking through the silence. Strangely, no one else really seemed to notice. Except Charlie of course, who remained close by, keeping his eyes on Claire. She nodded, seeming to understand.

"Its all my fault. I thought we were getting a second chance." Locke continued, his voice a low whisper in the dark. "What's going to happen?" Claire questioned, her voice empty, emotionless. Locke shook his head. "I don't know" He replied honestly, a hint of a sigh following his voice.
Charlie continued to watch what he could make of the two in confusion. Wondering how it all made since.

The group remained silent, none of them knowing what to say. The hero's were gone. Disappeared into thin air. None of it made any since. What could have possibly been in that hatch that could have just made them disappear without a trace? It didn't seem possible. Then again, none of this did. They had disappeared down there, all three of them gone. And now they were supposed to go down after them.

One by one, they dropped into the little black square, each disappearing into the darkness below. It was terrifying. But what else could they do? They could either drop down and take their chances inside the hatch, or they could stay and wait for the others to find them. Neither option was very promising. But comparing the two, the hatch seemed a whole lot more safe.

The numbers continued to repeat themselves through the only radio they had left, witch laid on the ground beside the hatch. Charlie glanced down at the little black radio that laid alone one the ground, the numbers flowing out of it on a continuous loop. "four, eight, fifteen, sixteen, twenty-three, forty-two" with every step the numbers continued. Growing closer and closer to the hat.
"Charlie?" Claire's voice creaked softly from behind him. He could barely hear her over Aaron's cries. Charlie turned back, frowning slightly at the sight of tears on her cheeks. "I'm scared" She explained, looking up at him in hopes of finding some way to cope with it all. After all, he'd helped her through so much already.
"I know" He nodded, turning to face her completely. He moved beside her and put his arm around her shoulder, it was all he could do to comfort her. She leaned into him, wanting to stay close as she possibly can. She didn't want to go in. To disappear into that dark little whole, knowing very well she may never come back out. But what choice did they have?
They moved closer. Only two people stood between them and the opening of the hatch. Claire glanced up at Charlie, her big blue eyes wide with fear. He smiled slightly, doing his best to comfort her. "Were going to be fine, Claire" He assured, looking her straight in the eye. "Every thing will be fine, I promise" He added, insistently, lifting his hand to the side of her cheek.
Claire nodded, and leaned into his arms, letting them wrap around her as tight as they possibly could. After a moment, knowing very well it was their turn, she looked up at him, afraid that it may be the last time she ever saw his face. "I love you, Claire" He explained, looking deep into her eyes.
"I know" She nodded, trying her best to keep from crying. "I love you, too" She explained, and leaned up to kiss him. It was the first time she'd ever done so, and now it may be the last. the thought was to much to bare. Their lips broke after a moment, and it was time to face her fears. "I'll be right behind you" Charlie assured, kissing her once more before he let his arms drop from around her. Claire nodded, and turned to face the opening of the hatch.
"Four, Eight, fifteen, sixteen, twenty-three, forty-two"

Charlie eyes opened once again, the lights were now flashing franticly. Blinking on and off at all different levels, making almost a strobe light effect. "Claire" Charlie spoke up, garbing her attention. She turned to face him. "I think...I think I know what's happening" He explained, his voice shaking slightly. Claire stared back at him, slightly confused, but said nothing.

"I think this is our chance to change every thing" He explained, knowing very well he wasn't making any since. "I don't understand" Claire replied, giving him a confused look. "Locke, you said we made a mistake going down the hatch, right?" Charlie questioned, turning to the bald man, who nodded in reply. "And that's how we all got to where we are now, right?" Charlie questioned, trying to make things clear. Locke nodded again.

"The reason all of this is happening is because the hatch was never meant to be opened. We were supposed to stay on the island." Charlie explained. The room was silent for a moment. "You mean, we're supposed to go back?" Claire questioned, not quite understanding what he was trying to say. Charlie nodded.

"How?" Shannon spoke up, catching them all by surprise. "How can we go back?" She asked, her voice trembling. "I don't know" Charlie answered honestly, wishing he could say differently. The thunder boomed outside and lightning flashed outside the window. "We don't have to do anything" Locke explained, speaking up over the still-crackling static.

"All we have to do is stay right here" He explained. Right as his sentence ended, thunder boomed again. The glass windows shook in the wind. The lights flashed of and on franticly, accompanied by blinding flashes of lighting. Claire moved to where Charlie stood, pulling her arms around him. " Charlie, I'm scared" She explained, burying her head in his chest. She didn't want to see what happened next.

"Its ok" He assured, laying his chin on top of her head as he held his arms around her, tight as he possibly could. "Every things going to be fine" He explained comforting, closing his eyes as well. he felt her grip the back of his shirt. Knowing what ever it was, it was getting closer. Lightning flashed. Thunder cracked. The wind howled past, and they heard the sound of shattering glass as the windows broke. Then it all fell silent, except for the sound of the radio, repeating its dreaded numbers.

"Four... Eight... Fifteen... Sixteen... twenty-three... forty-two"

Charlie opened his eyes to see nothing but sand before him. Slowly, he lifted his head of the ground of the beach, sitting up in confusion. He looked around the slightly darkened beach where the rain poured down gently around him and all the survivors around him. All of them smiling, hugging, kissing, laughing, running through the rain happily as though they weren't on a beach that was covered in plain wreckage.

Kate had her arms around Jack, a smile on her face although tears streaked her eyes. He was smiling as well. After a moment, she moved away from him and turned to hug Sawyer as well. He looked surprised at first, then a smile slowly crossed his face. Walt sat in the sand, hugging Vincent, who was panting happily. Michele stood beside them, looking down with a smile.

Jin and Sun were off some distance, holding each other and kissing passionately. Shannon had her arms around Boone, tears streaking her eyes as she hugged him and laughed at the same time. Boone seemed to have been crying as well. Not a scratch was on him. Sayid stood close by, watching with a smile. Hurly sat alone in the sand, laughing like a mad man and cheering at the top of his lungs.

At first, he thought he was dreaming. Then out of no where, he heard a baby cry. He turned around, looking over his shoulder, and saw Claire in the distance, holding Aaron in her arms. Slowly, he pushed himself to his feet and made his way over to her. A smile crossed her face as she saw him coming, looking up from the baby in her arms.

He pulled his arms around her waist, keeping enough space so that Aaron was in no way smothered. He looked down at the baby who smiled back up at him momentarily before looking up to meet eyes with Claire, who couldn't stop smiling. "I love you" He whispered, so softly she could barely here it.

"I know" She replied, playfully, before gently closing her eyes. She leaned up and kissed him, and it was fire works all over again. They both had spent so many nights dreaming of this very moment. Only now, it wasn't a dream, it was a reality. They're lips parted once again and Claire gazed up at him with a smile.

"You know, this feels very familiar" She noted playfully, her cheeks turning slightly red. "I know" He nodded in agreement, the smile growing on his face as well. "Deja vu" He explained, laughing slightly before he leaned down to kiss her once again.

The End

Well, there you have it. A nice, happy ending. I hope you all liked it. And I hope it all finaly makes since.