Chuck was gone. How could he be gone just like that? But he was. I kept myself back for as long as I could, but then I couldn't watch any longer, I had to help him. I came up behind Herc and wrapped my arms around his torso, kissing the back of his head lightly. To an onlooker, they'd only see the hug, just as they had a few nights ago. We were simply good friends to the spectator, but it meant a lot more to me.

I felt his body trembling, but no tears were shed.

After Raleigh was seen alive, everyone seemed to forget about Chuck and even Herc began to make arrangements for press conferences and addresses to the leaders of the world.

I knew he was hurting. He had to be. I couldn't even imagine how he felt. But he just continued on as if everything was normal.

'Herc,' I said, concern painting my voice, 'why don't you take a break.'

'I can't, there's too much to do.' He said, not lifting his eyes from the papers in front of him.

'Okay, will you walk me home then? I don't really feel like walking back alone.' I knew it was a terrible excuse, but I hoped it would work.

'Fine, I'll walk you home.' He said, a slight edge in his voice.

When we returned to my room, he stayed outside at first, before moving inside and filling a glass with water. He turned and looked at me, his eyes found mine and then he melted. The glass fell to the ground and shattered while he himself crumpled over. I ran to him and put my arms around his back, he hugged me back and his body wretched with the force of the tears that were now spilling down his face and, by extension, my back. I allowed one hand to gently stroke his head whilst I made soothing hushing noises.

A few hours later and I'd managed to get him across to the bed, he had his head resting on my lap and I was still stroking his head, however I stopped the hushing noises when he fell asleep. People had come in looking for him, but all had quickly retreated when they saw the state he was in. That was, until Raleigh stormed into the room. At first he looked at Herc, but then he redirected his attention to me.

'They found him.' He said, and I allowed the confusion I felt to play out on my face. 'Chuck,' he continued, 'Pentecost put him in a pod. He's alive.' My mouth fell open.

'Is he alright?' I asked, fearing the worst.

'He's fine, his pod was projected farther out to sea that the rest of us, which is why we didn't see him on the radar. But he's back, he's alive, and he wants to see Herc.' I looked down at his sleeping form and woke him gently. His eyes flickered open and I told him someone was here to see him, at first he assumed it was Raleigh, but then I told him he would have to go down to the Shatterdome. We walked down together, hand in hand and stood where Striker Eureka used to sleep. Then we saw him, it was like a scene from an old action movie, Chuck dramatically entered the Shatterdome with his helmet under his arm. He looked like a hero… until he saw his Dad. Once he saw Herc, he dropped the helmet and ran across the Shatterdome towards us. Herc also ran, however, he didn't drop my hand and so I was pulled across the room with him. When they met I was afraid there would be a terrible anti-climax as they would just shake hands, however both men paused and looked each other up and down, before sharing a long embrace and a string of chuckles. After this, Chuck turned to me and said, 'thanks for taking care of him. He really likes you, you know. I've seen it. He's completely head over heels for you. Treat him right.' Chuck said, with an unfamiliar sincerity in his voice.

'I will.' I said. He seemed to find this was a satisfactory response and gave me a hug.

'Well, I better go get checked out. The doctors requested me four times, but I had to see you guys. I'll call round later.'

After Chuck left, I was alone with Herc and his tremendous grin. 'You're gonna take care of me?' Herc asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

'Of course I am.' I replied.

'That's not what I meant.' He said with a huge smile and once again took my hand, dragging me across the Shatterdome, down the corridor and into my room.

'I can do that too.' I replied, with a light tone, before slamming the door with the pressure of my back against it, which was caused by the pressure of Herc's front against me.

'This is it.' I thought, 'the single greatest thing that'll ever happen to you.' Enjoy.