I just remembered this morning about the implant the Others put in Claire that made her sick before. I had pretty much forgotten about that until now. You don't think that could be what does her in?

Personally I don't. I don't think its a connection to Jack.

That's a really good thought L*H. It might be the ultimate reason she can't leave the island. Maybe Jack can't operate on her to "save" her so she has to stay and that is why Jack has difficulty seeing Aaron.

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See, I wasn't even thinking of Jack. I think we get stuck on an idea and have trouble coming up with better theories sometimes. The implant thing is likely not going to play another role in the story, I just had forgotten that she already had a health concern on the island. No one ever dies of an illness, partly because of the character of the island but also maybe because it is less dramatic. It would almost be refreshing for her to get sick and die rather than be shot in the back when you least (or most?) expect it. Claire's fate may have been sealed on the day she was dropped onto the island as a pregnant woman.

Or she gets thrown off the helicopter by a desperate Kate who knows if she returns to civilization with a baby, the juries will go easier on her. I can see it now...

Here's my thoughts, Kate has been banish by Locke so just as she leaving Sawyer/James place she runs into Claire and Claire decides to go with Kate. Hugo overhears Kate from her talk with Sawyer he joins them. They get back to beach and possible second helicopter has been send by the freighter that'll carry more people. So Kate, Jack, Claire, Aaron, Hugo and 2 others I hadn't figure out yet. On the way to the freighter they run into trouble and Claire and one of the other 2 gets knock out of chopper, but Kate is able to grab Aaron at last second or is holding on to Aaron.
I'm basing this upon what Jack had said in court that there were 8 but only 6 makes it back.
I'm going to mosey on back into my little corner now, hope I hadn't confuse some withn my thinking.

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Standing in the ocean with the sun burning low in the west
Like a fire in the cavernous darkness at the heart of the beast
With my beliefs and possessions, stopped at the frontier in my chest
At the edge of my country, my back to the sea, looking east

Then why would Hurley say "I'm sorry I went with Locke" when they get off the island. I think Hurley going with them is gonna be last secound.

Also I don't think its gonna be simple as another helicopter comming back after what happens to Desmond and Sayid.

Nice theory otherwise.

LookingEast - I like the scenario with all of them going with Kate instead of staying with Locke. That is a very plausible plot! Great thoughts.

Hurley didn't say, "I'm sorry I went with Locke when I got off the island." Hurley only said he was,"Sorry he went with Locke." Just because he first chose to go with Locke, doesn't mean he had to stay with Locke. But as sensitive as Hurley is, he is probably worried that by choosing to go with Locke Jack feels betrayed by Hurley. So Hurley seizes the day (carpe diem) and apologizes for making a bad decision.

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I think that because Hurley was with Locke, something bad is going to happen. Maybe it is Hurley who is responsible for Claire's death as well as countless others on the island. If by being with Locke somehow leads to his accidentally putting many in harm's way, he would definitely feel responsible. Or maybe it doesn't go as far as death, but just causes Jack a lot more trouble in the long run. I don't know what it could be yet but maybe there is a conflict between the two sides (Beachies vs. Townies) and things go badly from there. Being on Locke's side might mean facing off with Jack.

What happened to Des and Sayid?

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Baby I am tied to a tree in a jungle of mystery. I just got tortured by a damned spinal surgeon and a genuine Iraqi. 'Course I'm serious.