Hey! So, I just read the latest installment of The Morganville Vampires. Hehe. Shane…. *heart* Oh my god. So, anyways. This story is sort of following along the same plot line of SuperBabyB's story "Goth Has It's Perks" She told me that I could take her story and do what I want with it. So, I did. I DO give credit to her, one-hundred percent. Of course, I did change it, a little bit. Claire isn't Goth, and didn't lose her parents. The story is up to date with the books, and will continue to be. The reason she gave me her story was because she couldn't keep up with her life AND with her story. I understand her case completely. So, yes, she can sing. And, she IS with Shane (Thank god).
Chapter 1: Fireworks.
"Shane! Get your lazy ass down stairs!" The frustrated brunette yelled from the bottom of the stair case.
"I'm coming! Do you want me to get paint on my good clothes?" He called back. Claire rolled her eyes.
"Please. You don't own good clothes. Now, come help me. I can't do it on my own!" She whined. Shane came plopping down the stairs wearing a blue t-shirt and some banged up jeans. Claire licked her lips at the sight of him. It didn't matter what he wore, he made it look damn good. They were painting the Glass House. It had always needed it, but, the motivation of the fact that bullet holes lined their walls but it into motion. So, when Shane got off work a few days ago, he filled in the holes and Claire picked out a new color for the walls. They had most of it painted and had half a wall to go. Claire was grateful that it was the top half that was done. She had to do most of it on her own, what with Shane, Michael and Eve working all the time trying to make up for what was lost. Claire was now focused on school and painting.
Chem was starting to look like the better choice.
"I like that blue smeared in your hair. It becomes you." He said sarcastically. He wrapped one strong arm around her waist. She rolled her eyes and clasped her arms around his neck. She didn't want Shane to know she was still distraught. She still woke up in the middle of the night, sobbing from nightmares of what Magnus did to her.
"What do you want?" She asked him knowingly.
"To not have to paint," He began, not even wasting the time of arguing with her, assuring her he wanted nothing. "Oh, and some food would be nice." He smiled down at her. She smiled back up at him.
"Well, you should get on that. You gonna keep me waiting long, honey?" Her eyes sparkled at him and he snorted.
"No one has let me back in the kitchen since the 'incident'" He air-quoted his words. Claire playfully slapped his shoulder.
"You nearly burned the house down! Can you blame anyone?" She laughed. About a month earlier, Shane had forgotten that he had food cooking. He was home alone and fell asleep. Eve had been the unlucky one, coming home from work to find the entire house engulfed in smoke.
"Everyone knows I can't cook. And, you people leave the house without leaving me anything to eat, that's not my fault. I'm a big guy, I need to eat." He simply stated. "But, seriously, I don't want to paint. It's my day off. Let's eat, then go back to bed." He waggled his eyebrows at her. She rolled her eyes.
"Tempting, but, I want to get it done. It's half a wall. I don't even have to use a ladder. I could have waited to do the stairs. That would have been fun for you to help with." Claire shuddered at the memory. Shane bent down to kiss her lips, trying to convince her that bed was much more rewarding that painting a wall. "Come on. Let's just get this done, then, I need to shower. Because, I need to be rid of this blue. I think brown is a much more fitting color on me, don't you?" She batted her eye lashes at him. He groaned.
"Can I at least shower with you?" He brushed a strand of blue hair out of her face.
"Sure. But, you have to help me wash this out of my hair." She turned out of his arms and walked to where her paint and brushes laid. She wasn't an artist. Science was much more her thing. He followed her, picking up a roller and starting on the opposite side of the wall.
"I wish we had more us time. This sucks ass." Shane said, looking sideways at her. She was standing on her tippy-toes trying to reach the top of where she had yet to paint. She made a frustrated sound in the back of her throat.
"Being short sucks ass. And, I know. It's really hard trying to keep up with everything. I have three assignments due on Monday and I've barely even started. Not to mention, I'm worried that Myrin is going to try to hack me up and use my brain as Morganville's mainframe. Then, I have my parents constantly hammering down on me, asking me when they can come back. And, to top it all off, I have to deal with the aftermath of Michael and Eve eloping. Amelie's giving me some serious hell." Claire huffed in frustration and threw her roller on the plastic tarp. She sat on the plastic covered couch and dropped her head into her hands. Shane sat the roller back in the pan and went to wrap his arm around her waist and pull her closer to him on the couch.
"I won't let anyone hurt you. Ever. I promise." She smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder. They sat in the much needed quiet for quite some time.
"What time is it?" Claire asked after about thirty minutes. Shane had stretched out on the crinkly couch, and Claire couldn't wait to rip the plastic off.
"Mm, I think it's around seven. Why? Have something pressing to do?" Shane lazily played with a piece of her hair, Claire was surprised that he was able to find a piece without paint on it. Claire relaxed back into his arms.
"No, not really. I was just wondering. I need to make dinner and finish that. I'll be glad when it's done. Help me real quick? It'll only take two seconds. Look, we only have, like, five more feet of wall to do, and we're done." Claire interlaced their fingers and tugged on them.
"Sure. Two seconds. Then, you feed me." He agreed reluctantly and Claire laughed.
"Deal." She hopped up off the couch and resumed painting. All until Shane came up behind her and "accidentally" splattered her with paint. "Ass!" She yelled. She ran the paintbrush across his chest, leaving a deep blue trail. He looked in shock at her for a moment before they both busted out laughing. They ended up having a full-fledged paint fight in the middle of the living room. Claire had her paintbrush held up, ready to strike again. Her face hurt from how much she was smiling. Before she could defend herself, Shane moved forward in one swift motion and trapped her in his arms. He made her brush fall to the floor.
"Truce? I'd wave a white flag, but, I don't think we own anything that's not covered in blue." He laughed in her ear. Claire shivered as his warm breath washed over her. She giggled.
"Truce." She said, pulling away to finish.
As they were finishing the very last patches on the wall, the door opened, revealing a very tired looking Michael. His eyes widened at the sight of his living room. It was dark out.
"It's all on the plastic, promise." Claire reassured him, standing up. Michael raised an eyebrow at her, taking in her and Shane's rather blue appearances'. "And, us. But, we're done and going to shower. I'll make you food when I come back down.
"Okay, tacos?" He asked, chuckling under his breath.
"Yes, tacos. If we have the stuff, I'll make sugar cookies too." Claire said, reaching for Shane's hand, pulling him to the stairs.
"Oh, yeah. I talked to Eve. She'll be home early. In time for dinner, I hope." He added before sitting down in his plastic chair.
"Okay. Be down in a minute." Claire and Shane raced to the top of the steps, laughing all the way. Claire stared up at him in the light of the bathroom and ran her fingers through his hair. "You need a hair cut, seriously." He laughed and pushed her up against the counter. He captured her lips and pushed the door closed behind them. They stripped each other and Claire turned on the water, testing it's temperature. Shane stood back and watched her with admiration. She got in, waiting on him. She peeked her head out the curtain.
"What?" He asked, crossing his arms.
"Get in. Now." She demanded. She hadn't had anytime with him in what felt like forever, and she needed him. He smirked.
"Feisty. Did I ever tell you that I have a thing for controlling women?" He asked, getting in the shower with her. He pulled her under the warm water. His hands roamed over her body, causing her to whimper. He threw her hair to the side, kissing her neck.
"Really? I thought you liked my school-girl attitude." Claire said, closing her eyes and taking her bottom lip in between her teeth. Shane's hands fluttered over her breasts, which were aching to be touched, and she let out a small moan. Shane grinned evilly. "Shane, I need to wash this out of my hair. Hold on." She used all her strength to slip out of his hold and lather her hair in shampoo. She turned to face him and glare.
"Let me help." He said, turning her around again. His hands replaced hers and he massaged the fruity shampoo into her scalp. "So," He began. "Next week is our one-year anniversary." He stated simply. Claire grinned mischievously.
"Oh, really? Must've slipped my mind.." She said and backed into him so she could rinse the shampoo out of her hair. She felt his erection against her lower back.
"I hope it didn't. I have plans, so, don't make any. It's a surprise, so, don't ask." He said, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. She groaned.
"I hate surprises." She said and pulled away to grab his shampoo bottle that sat next to hers. She threw it underhanded to him and he caught it with ease. He rubbed it in his hair.
"You're going to like this one. I promise." He smiled at her. She huffed and turned her back to him. "Don't be that way!" He said, wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her close. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his slick waist. He bent down to kiss her and she gratefully took it. They deepened the kiss and Shane picked up Claire and lowered her onto him. She moaned. He held her under her thighs, keeping them apart so he could have full access.
"Oh, god. I missed this." She said as their bodies moved in unison. "I missed you." She whimpered. She hid her face in his neck and heard his heart beating fast. She pressed her lips to his collar bone and was rewarded with Shane thrusting faster than before.
"God, Claire. I missed you too." He pressed his lips against hers greedily. She let out a loud moan as he hit her g-spot. She bit her lip to keep from screaming.
"Damn it. Shane. Ah. There." Her voice came out more high pitched than usual. He shoved into her roughly and she dug her nails into his back in approval. "Deeper, baby." She moaned out.
"I'll do my best." He smirked. The look on her face was one of pure bliss, and he loved it. He loved her. He pulled back and thrust upwards, filling her to the hilt and she cried out. Realizing she couldn't contain it anymore, Claire gave up and starting screaming.
"Shane! Oh my god! I love you! Keep going, right there!" Shane was beginning to feel the coiling tighten in his stomach like Claire.
"I love you too. Baby, look at me." He forced her to look into his eyes. He wanted to watch her come undone. She opened her eyes and they locked gazes. The now cold water was hitting them, stinging their faces as they both came undone, shuddering. Shane pressed his forehead to hers. He pulled back when Claire started shaking. "What's wrong?" He asked gently.
"I-I'm c-cold. T-the water.." Shane reached around and turned the water off, then, quickly grabbed her towel that hung by the shower.
"Sorry, sweetheart." He said, affectionately rubbing her back through her towel. She grinned and wrapped her arms around him.
"It's okay. We probably needed it anyways. I need to go cook, though, before I die from starvation." She grinned up at him and he rolled his eyes.
"Want to get dressed first? Not that I don't appreciate the view and all, but, I'd rather keep you too myself." He smirked at her.
"Michael's more romantic than you are. Do you honestly blame me for wanting him?" She poked him playfully.
"Please, you take spontaneous over romantic any day." He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned down to inhale her sent.
"Maybe. But, you're neither." She quipped, stepping back out of his reach.
"I am too! You're a liar. I'm very spontaneous. Romantic isn't my thing. You should have realized that a year ago." He wrapped a towel around his waist and pulled Claire into the hallway, towards her room, which they practically shared.
"I did. But, I fell for you anyways. Sad, right?" She laughed.
"Very." He said, pulling her into the room. He locked the door behind him and pushed her up against it. His lips trailed down her wet skin. Her breathing quickened.
"I need to get dressed. Don't you want to eat?" She asked him, pushing lightly on his chest. He sighed.
"Fine. But, we'll continue this later." He pushed off the door, away from her. "Do I have underwear in here?" He asked, walking to her dresser. She nodded.
"Top drawer, on the right." She walked to stand beside him and pulled open the top drawer. She had neatly folded and placed the things in rows. You could obviously tell the difference between her things, and Shane's. She pulled out a pink, lacy bra and underwear set. Shane watched patiently as she walked to the bed and started to take her towel off, but, stopped, because she knew he was watching.
"Hey! Don't stop! I was really getting into it." He said, a look of disappointment on his face.
"Perv." She said, shaking her head. "Get dressed. Now, please." He turned and pulled on his underwear. She did the same, dropping her towel. She walked to her closet, which was also neatly organized. Shane's things hung on the right side, hers on the left. She got a pair of jean shorts out and a light blue tank top. Shane walked beside her, getting a pair of dark jeans and a black t-shirt. They dressed and headed downstairs, where Michael and Eve sat staring at the T.V. screen.
"'Bout time. I thought we were going to have to eat at midnight." Michael said, rolling his eyes. Eve grinned, waiting patiently to unleash her ammo. She'd arrived home just in time to hear the end of their little fiasco. Michael, unfortunately, had to listen to all of it.
"Yeah, yeah. You want tacos, or not?" Claire huffed, throwing her hand up as she walked by. "Oh, and, you all can take the plastic up. I'm done now." She said, disappearing into the kitchen. As she was pulling the hamburger out of the refrigerator, Eve walked into the kitchen.
"So, I hear you and Shane have been having tons of fun, lately." She winked and Claire rolled her eyes.
"You and Michael aren't exactly quiet, either. I wouldn't be talking." She laughed as she threw the meat into the pan and it started sizzling.
"Brat. I won't say anything during dinner, but, you owe me." She said, coming to stand by Claire. "Want me to make the rice?" Claire smiled.
"Yes."
Thirty minutes later, they all sat at the table, cracking jokes and passing around food. Claire, however, was staring towards the back door. She was worried for her parents, who hadn't called her in two days, and, that was strange. She figured she should call them, just in case. Of course, they could just be busy. After all, she had been planning a trip down there in the near future. She didn't want them back in Morganville, it still wasn't safe. Michael's voice was the one that pulled her out of her mind.
"What's wrong, Claire?" She stared down at her half eaten taco.
"Uh, nothing. Just tired, that's all. And, I'm not really hungry." She ran her fingers through her damp hair. Shane reached over and poked her shoulder.
"You were starving an hour ago. Ya know, when you were forcing me to paint?" He stuffed the rest of his fourth taco into his mouth. Claire rubbed her arms as she got a sudden chill.
"Um, yeah. I lost my appetite." She pushed her rice around her plate for a minute before standing. "I'm gonna go dump this. I'll take dish duty tonight. So, just leave them in the sink when you're done." She walked into the kitchen and dumped her rice and taco into the trash. She thought for a moment. She needed to do laundry. And, the dishes. She was too lazy to go downstairs though, so she settled for the dishes. She rinsed the dishes and sat them to the side. She was running the water in the sink when a stack of dishes were set beside her. A warm, inviting pair of arms wrapped around her torso, engulfing her in a tight embrace.
"So, want to tell me what's wrong?" Shane's husky voice whispered in her ear.
"Nothing is wrong, Shane. I'm just tired. And, frustrated. I need to do laundry and sweep, and mop. And, everything." Claire sighed and leaned into him as she began doing the dishes.
"Well, how about I take your mind off things?" She could practically hear his eyebrows raising.
"As much as I'd like that, I need to clean the house and do papers."
"We can clean. You're SOL with your papers, though. I quit writing papers in sixth grade." Eve's bright voice made Claire jump, then laugh. Eve sat her glass on the sink, next to the rest of the dishes. "Seriously, CB, you've been working too hard lately. You need to chill." Eve made a shooing motion at the two.
"No, it's fine. I can do it. You can go spend time with Michael. You are newly-weds after all." Claire smiled tiredly, continuing to wash the dishes.
"Uh, I don't care. You just saved the entire town, and died. That's kind of huge. So, go away. Go have sex, or something. I don't care. Relax." Between Eve shoving and Shane pulling, Claire left the kitchen and walked to the living room, trailing Shane behind her.
"We got booted. Mind if I play the piano?" Claire asked as Shane sat down next to Michael, taking a controller.
"No, not at all. I've missed you're playing, it's nice. Make's it feel more at home." Michael spoke, but, his eyes never left the screen where he was rapidly shooting zombies. Claire nodded and went to sit on the piano bench. She removed the key-cover and ran her fingers lightly over the keys.
"I missed you." She whispered to the piano. She lightly drummed the keys. She played the melody that she and Michael had been working on. It sounded good on it's own, but, sounded better with guitar. She drifted into another melody, one of the first ones she had ever played for Shane. She hummed lightly to the tune.
"Love of my life.." Her voice drifted lower.
"My soul mate.
You're my best friend
Part of me like breathing.
Now half of me is left.
I don't know anything at all.
Who am I to say you love me?
I don't know anything at all.
Who am I to say you need me?
Color me blue.
I'm lost in you.
Don't know why I'm still waiting.
Many moons have come and gone
Don't know why I'm still searching." She let out a breath and smiled at the memory of her playing for him.
"Don't know anything at all.
And, who am I to say, you love me?
I don't know anything at all.
Who am I to say you need me?" She hummed along again.
"Now you're a song I love to sing.
Never thought, it feels so free.
Now I know what's meant to be.
And, that's okay with me." She stopped playing and ran her hands over her forehead again.
"Why'd you stop?" Eve asked, walking through the kitchen door. She had a large water stain on the front of her shirt. Claire looked up.
"I just did. I'm really tired. I'm gonna go write those papers. And, then make sugar cookies. Then, go to bed." Eve looked at her sympathetically.
"I'll make the sugar cookies, you sit on the couch and write the papers." Claire glanced at her anxiously.
"You make them taste funny." Eve rolled her eyes and pulled Claire up from her seat on the bench.
"I'll follow the recipe precisely." She pushed Claire towards the couch. Claire picked up her book bag by the stairs and walked to the place by Shane that wasn't taken by Michael. She pulled out her laptop and her chemistry book.
"Why don't you wait till some other time to write those? You have till Monday." Shane said, dramatically killing zombies.
"I'd rather just get them done. You never know when you're going to be called into work." She replied tapping her pocket where her phone was. She thought it was strange that no one had contacted her in at least two days. She figured for sure that Myrin would be calling her at any point in time. She began typing furiously, looking back into the book for references. Claire didn't know how long she had been typing, but, she had finally gotten it done, and, just in time. Eve burst though the door, carrying a plate of cream colored cookie.
"Sugar cookies, for my sweets!" She chippered out. Claire had to admit, they smelled delicious.
"Smells pretty good." Michael said, placing his controller back on the table. He stretched and reached for one when Eve sat them on the table. Claire focused her attention back on her laptop and saved the paper to her hard-drive. She pulled up one of her others that she had gotten most of the way through, and typed away at it vigorously. When she was done, she saved that one too, and closed her laptop. She pulled her hard-drive out and placed the cap on it. She placed all of her things back in her book bag. She zipped it and looked up to see her three roommates looking at her worriedly.
"What?" She asked, eyes wide.
"Nothing, just, uh. You finished those papers in less than an hour." Michael said, swallowing another cookie. Shane put his arm around her shoulder.
"Not all of them, just two. And one of them was mostly done anyways." Claire said, and she shrunk in her seat. She felt like a child the way they were staring at her disapprovingly. Michael sighed, knowing it would be pointless to argue. Claire had avoided really talking to them in the past month. All she did was barely eat and do homework at the house. And, paint, of course. Michael set her on that after hearing her sobbing one night in the bathroom. "I'm going to bed. Are you?" She asked Shane, looking up at him. She just wanted to sleep, to get a night of blackness, instead of constant nightmares.
"Yeah, sure. Let's go." He pulled her up and toward the steps. Claire mumbled goodnight to Michael and Eve, as did Shane. Claire walked to her room and heard Shane shut the door behind her. She walked to her dresser and pulled out a pair of shorts. She slid off her jean shorts and slipped on her others, not caring if he was watching. She pulled her hair up in a pony tail, wrapping it in a gray band from around her wrist, and crawled into bed, facing the wall on the far side of the bed. Shane turned off all of the lights and she felt him slide into the bed beside her. She shivered and hot tears slid down her cheeks. She let out a slight sob. Shane cautiously put a hand on her small hip. His thumb slipped under the lining of her tank top and rubbed her skin.
"Shane?" She whispered into the darkness through thick tears.
"Yes?" He asked worriedly.
"I'm sorry about that. It wont happen again. I promise. I shouldn't have made you listen to that." She wiped the new tears from her face.
"Claire, seriously? You think I mind you breaking down in front of me. I'm honestly relieved. You've been holding all that in for so long. Are you okay?" She rolled over, facing him. Their faces inches apart.
"Been better. Will you do me a favor?" She asked, leaning to him.
"Anything." He said. He pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Will you hold me, please? It's what I need right now." He nodded and pulled her closer, wrapping her into his arms. She buried her face in his neck and cried, long continuous sobs. Shane held her, kissing her head and whispering how much he loved her. She finally cried herself dry, and fell asleep. In her sleep, she heaved like she was sobbing. Shane just brushed hair out of her damp face and curled around her once more. He fell asleep just as quickly as she had.
Oh, did they have some talking to do tomorrow. She was going to tell him what was going on. He just couldn't stand to see her like this anymore.
So, what did you think? Hmm? Lemme know? Review, Review! Oh, the song was Who am I to say by Hope. Hope you enjoyed!
Love,
SceneBitch.