THE LOST BRIDE

Disclaimer: I don't own Lost (though if I did, Charlie would still be alive) or the Princess Bride.

After Kate's trial, she spent most of her time at home typing something at the computer. Now and again, she'd shed a few tears, because it brought back so many memories. For what she typed concerned several peoples she was once best friends with.

"Mommy?"

Kate turned around and saw Aaron standing there. She had started to get used to being called mommy, despite the fact that she wasn't't really Aaron's mother. She never told it to Aaron. Nor did she tell Aaron about his real mother or father (especially since she knew nothing about Aaron's real father) or the man who could've been Aaron's father.

"Hi, sweetie," she said to him.

"Am I bothering you?"

"No. Mommy's just writing something just for the he…heck of it. You know what? It's a story about some people who thought you were very special."

Although his face remained blank, she could tell he was interested.

"Would you read it to me?"

"Sure."

And with that, she lifted Aaron and placed him on her lap as she begun reading.

"The Princess Bride."

'Claire was raised on a small farm on an enchanted island. Her favorite pastimes were riding her horse and tormenting the farm boy who worked there. His name was Charlie, but she never called him that.

Nothing gave Claire more pleasure than ordering Charlie around. She would come up to him and say: "Farm boy! Polish my horse's saddle. I want to see my face shining in it by morning."

"As you wish," was all he ever said to her.

The next day, she would go to him and say "Farm boy! Fill these with water. Please."

"As you wish."

That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying 'as you wish', he was really saying 'I love you.' It was even more amazing the day she realized she truly loved him back.

"Mommy!"

"What?" Kate asked incredulously. "You don't like it?"

"This isn't a kissing story, is it?"

"Oh, now. Just you wait. It's gonna get real good."

She went back to reading it. "Now…"

'Charlie had no money for marriage, so he packed his few belongings to leave to find his fortune. It was an emotional day for Claire.

"Charlie," Claire spoke between sobs as she embraced him, afraid to let him go, "I might never see you again."

"Don't worry," he whispered. "You will."

"What if something happens to you?"

Charlie pulled away and looked her in the eye. "Hear me. I will always come for you."

She shook her head. She didn't't believe him. "How can you be sure?"

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey. True love. How often does this happen?"

Despite the tears in her eyes, she managed to smile back. And with that, Charlie went to his boat. Claire didn't't move from that spot and her eyes stayed on him until he was no where in sight.

But Charlie never reached his destination. His ship was attacked by the Dread Pirate Sayid, who never left captives alive. When Claire got the news that Charlie was murdered, she went in her room and shut the door. For five days, neither eating or sleeping.

"I shall never love again," she swore.