Tears burned Desmond’s eyes as he watched Charlie slowly fade away, the boy’s serene smile, telling him that he had accepted his destiny, burning into his memory. He placed his hand against the glass, where Charlie’s was and nearly cried out in panic as the water pushed Charlie back towards the blown porthole. Looking at the small opening, Desmond could see that Charlie maybe able to fit through. If he could somehow get to Charlie…get him back up into the boat…maybe it wouldn’t be too late. Maybe he could bring him back and the young musician can move on with his life, right along with Claire and the adorable Aaron.
Not wasting anymore time, Desmond dove back into the moon pool and swam as fast as he could. There really was no time to waste if he was going to save Charlie. Kicking out of the Looking Glass, Desmond swam up to the open port window and reached in, groping for what ever he could get a hold on. He cursed as all he came up with was empty water, but then clothe surrounded his fingers and he grabbed on and pulled until he could get the young musician out of the window and into his arms.
His lungs beginning to burn, Desmond kicked for the surface with all of his might, following the cord back up to the boat, praying that it wasn’t too late. That he could save the heroic young man that gave his life for his friends.
He bursts to the surface, breathing in plenty of oxygen as he lifted the still body in his arms into the boat and climbed in after. He quickly checked for a pulse and any signs of life, which he already knew there would be none. Charlie had been underwater for a while, it may already be too late…but Desmond had to try. He wouldn’t be able to look Claire in the face again if he didn’t.
Searching through his memories, he searched for the CPR instructions that he had learned while he was in the military. Quickly, yet gently, Desmond tilted Charlie’s head back, hating the pallid color of his skin. He pressed his mouth over Charlie’s and blew air into his lungs two times and checked for any response. Unfortunately there was none. Charlie was still unresponsive. Cursing, Desmond placed his hands over one another and pushed down on Charlie’s chest in thirty quick successions. Stopping, he frowned down at Charlie’s still face. He breathed into Charlie’s mouth again, the thought of Claire’s wail of grief haunting him. He couldn’t give up…not yet…he’ll keep up with the breathing and the pumping until Charlie was back with him. He didn’t care how long it would take…he didn’t care if he was out there forever. He refused to give up on Charlie. He refused to let fate win.
A slight twitch of the hand was the first sign of a response. Then there was choking coughs and water spilling up from Charlie’s lips, leaving his lungs, making room for fresh, life giving oxygen. Desmond moved quickly and turned Charlie on the side so the water he coughed up would spill out into the boat. Blue eyes blinked open, full of surprise.
“Desmond?” Charlie asked, his voice raspy, his mind reeling from the fact that he was in a dry boat instead of floating in the water, his life being drained from him by the cold salty ocean. He had been at peace. He had said his good-byes and he had been ready…but now…now here he was alive again, Desmond staring down at him with warm, relieved eyes.
“I couldn’t do it brotha. I couldn’t let you go. I had to save you. The girl and wee Aaron needs you,” Desmond explained, helping Charlie sit up.
“But the helicopter…I had to die for it to happen. Remember?” Charlie stared at Desmond in disbelief, inwardly cursing him. Why couldn’t he let him die? Now everything was ruined. Now there would be no rescue for the ones he loved and he was going to have to live with that guilt.
Desmond placed a hand on Charlie’s shoulder, giving it a supportive squeeze. “But you did die, brotha. You weren’t breathing and your heart had stopped. The visions are gone. I do believe that we’ve made it Charlie. We’ve beaten the universe. We’re both free now.”
“It can’t be that easy, mate,” Charlie shook his head, refusing to believe that the universe was done with him. After all this time, he had gotten used to the attempts on his life by the sodding island and it’s inhabitants.
“It is Charlie. You died. You’ve made your peace with the universe and now you have a second chance.”
Charlie sat there, staring at the man who had been his partner through this whole ordeal and felt the hope that was so clear in Desmond’s eyes. Could it really be true? Was his death sentence finally cancelled? He bloody well hoped so, because he couldn’t go through it again. The knowledge that he was going to die had taken a great toll on him. There were times when he wanted to do himself in, just to get it over with. He had been filled with peace when Desmond said that it would be getting rescue for Claire and Aaron that he would finally die…when it would finally end. That he could give what was left of his messed up life to the woman and baby he loved…it was the greatest way to go. And he had done just that. He had sacrificed it all and yet, he was still here. Thanks to Desmond.
“I…I don’t know what to say Des…I mean…it’s been so long…”
“That it has brotha. But trust me. It’s over. You can go home. Fate has lost. You can go be with your lass, now.”
A smile…small, but there lit up Charlie’s face. He was beginning to feel the weight of death lift from his shoulders. It was true. He could see it in Desmond’s face and feel it in the air. It was over. He was going to live. So much for bloody fate. He had beaten it! Death was no longer in his immediate future and he had a lifetime with Claire to prepare for. Grateful, he hugged Desmond, thankful that this was over and sure that this was going to be a friendship that he’ll have for a lifetime. Long after they were off the bloody island.
“Thank you, mate. For everything…especially for not giving up on me,” Charlie pulled away, blinking back happy tears. He didn’t want to get emotional, not in front of Desmond, but some things couldn’t be helped.
“Don’t mention it, brotha…. sometimes….argh!” Desmond fell back against the boat as the familiar headache hit him. A bloody migraine that always accompanied his visions. He squinted his eyes and looked up at Charlie, who was hovering over him, his blue eyes dark with concern and what looked to be resigned hopelessness.
“Another vision?”
Desmond just nodded, taking in deep breaths as the headache began to fade. “Yeah. Another vision. Thought the bloody things were over…”
“So…when do I die again, Des. It’s ok. I was kind of expecting it…” Charlie sat back down, staring out into the ocean. Desmond could have laughed if the situation for the subject of his visions wasn’t in danger.
“No brotha. Not you. Not this time. It’s Kate. She’s going to die tomorrow if nothing’s done to prevent it…” Desmond reached for the oar, paddling back to the shore.
Charlie felt guilty over the rush of relief that Desmond’s visions were now of Kate than of him. Kate had been one of the first friends he had made on the island. She had helped him get Claire’s diary back and had helped Jack find him during the Ethan episode. He didn’t want her to die. “What do you need me to do, Des?”
The question took Desmond by surprise. He looked at Charlie in disbelief. “What? Charlie, you don’t have to do anything. It’s over for you. You’ve beaten fate. It’s time for you to relax. Concentrate on Claire…”
“Kate’s one of my friends mate. If she’s in danger, I want to help prevent it. Besides, we make a good team, you and I. How about it? We kick fate in the teeth again? You and me?” Charlie’s smile was teasing and had a genuine affection. Desmond couldn’t help but to give in.
“Alright. Fine mate. We’ll fight fate together,” Desmond gave in, shaking Charlie’s offered hand. “We’ll beat fate once again.”
Charlie laughed and smiled, happy that his own personal ordeal was over and he had made a friend out of Desmond. As they approached the shore, Charlie knew that this was the start of an enormous adventure and he couldn’t wait.