1Disclaimer: As it's needed. I do not own any of the characters from Lost. That's Mr. J.J. Abram's department. I just happen to be a fan and this fic is not intended to offend anyone. That said, this is AU, not following the Lost scripts at all. With the exception of minor bits.

Author's Note: I couldn't tell you why I decided to write about this pairing. I guess I found them a sweet match. Him the protector, she the innocent. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and please review after you read, let me know how you like it! Thank you. Rated M for things that might come later.

You Found Me

Chapter 1

He sat staring at her from afar. Back against the large palm tree, face set in a determined

demeanor. Startling blue eyes set on her. The pupils going in and out of focus as he tried to reason it all in his mind. When did it all begin? When did he leave behind his feelings for Shannon and find himself infatuated with a new muse? Perhaps it was when she had fallen into his arms that day. She had been having a dizzy spell, and as luck would have it...he had been walking down the beach just as she looked like she was about to fall. His arms had shot out immediately, without him even thinking about it, and she was there. In his arms. He remembered looking into her face as her eyes were closed and her lips were parted ever so slightly. She looked as if she was sleeping. Yes, that had been the moment he had fallen in love with Claire Littleton.

It was unconventional. He knew that. He was supposed to be the cool and confident Boone, the overprotective step brother of Shannon. He had been placed in that role long ago and wasn't sure if he could ever leave it. Not until now, of course. She had changed him without realizing it. She was sweet, innocent...kind. And she had the face of an angel. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it before. Maybe he had and couldn't admit to it until now. She represented everything that was good in the world...what was left of his hope.

He had lost a lot of hope since Shannon. She had used and abused him. Took him for granted and he just as well assumed to cover himself with a shell of indifference to anything else that would happen to him. When he first found himself on this island, he figured this was his end. He wasn't going to fight for himself anymore. That day Claire fell into his arms though, he knew everything had changed. He had lifted her in his arms and carried her to Jack right away. He even stayed there all night as she slept, just watching her chest move up and down softly. He couldn't explain why he did it, but he found peace in the act.

He was sure to disappear that morning though, before she woke up. He didn't wish to scare her. He did better watching from afar most of the time anyway. He did watch as she woke up though, to find Charlie there. He had come with her baby. Claire trusted Charlie, obviously. Trusted him enough that he took care of her baby whilst she was ill or having some alone time. He wondered for an instant if she loved Charlie. If that he, Boone, would always have to remain in the shadows, just watching and coming around when needed.

As days went by, he held his tongue around everyone, just following Locke into the jungle during the day to hunt and returning at night to sit at the fire and watch the others, especially her, until he was too tired to keep his eyes open any longer. He would then crawl into his little corner of the caves and rest himself only to repeat the whole routine the next day. Today he had given himself a break though, he had decided to relax for once. To try and clear his mind...maybe even get up the courage to talk to her.

She was playing with her son, Kaleb (A K name, after the person that delivered him, Kate), and Boone could hear him giggling at his mother's antics. He used to be scared of the whole responsibility of children thing. Not anymore though, he realized that he had been taking care of Shannon his whole life, why would a child be any different? And he liked seeing the love reflected in Claire's eyes as she gazed upon her son. It made him smile, that genuine smile that he didn't offer too many people. Though she never saw it.

Boone laid his head back against the trunk of the tree and closed his eyes for a moment. The ocean breeze wafted up to play across his structured features and he felt content. Scenarios kept filling his mind though as he wondered how he might live on this island while having to see her around...her not looking at him like she did Charlie.

"Boone?" A soft voice came from his right and his eyes shot open to look at Claire.

He would have known it was her without looking though, he could seek out her voice from anywhere. He blinked and offered her a soft smile.

"Hi...Claire." He was confused, what did she want with him? He wasn't good enough for her.

"I wanted to bring Kaleb round, I wanted him to meet the man who helped Locke build his own little crib here." She smiled warmly and took a seat next to Boone, so close their shoulders were touching and he felt his blood pump.

"Well it's good to meet him. Haven't gotten a chance to say my hellos yet...Kaleb is very popular around here."

"Oh he is, he has a lovely family here, don't you, Kaleb?" Claire chortled to the infant.

Boone watched the baby in her arms and couldn't wipe that smile off of his face. Perfect. Though, next thing they knew, Kaleb started to cry and he balled his tiny fists up in frustration. Claire tried to rock him and soothe him with kind words and kisses, but he didn't stop.

"Would you like to give it a go?" She asked with a smirk and met Boone's eyes.

Boone was taken aback. He didn't know anything about babies...but that look on her face and the cry of the child made him nod involuntarily. Claire gently slid the baby into Boone's arms.

"Mind his head..."

Boone nodded and swallowed hard, then used one arm to cradle the infant as his free hand started to stroke at the baby's tender cheek. Kaleb blinked bright blue eyes at the man holding him then grabbed at the index finger stroking his face, gripping onto it and sticking the end in his mouth to suck at. Boone's face lit up, he had never experienced anything like it before. Kaleb had become silent again and looked quite happy, gripping at Boone's finger and Boone couldn't help feeling accomplished. To have another tiny life rely on you was...scary and incredible at the same time. Claire was looking on, grinning from ear to ear.

"He likes you. He's only done that finger trick with me." She informed him and nodded as if verifying her point.

Boone looked over at her and grinned, "Really?"

"Really. You're a natural."

"Ha, wouldn't go that far quite yet. I'm really glad you brought him over here though."

"Me too...though I have to admit I have some other ulterior motives."

Boone chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "And what are those?"

"I need help building a little curtain...a bit of a separation for me and Kaleb. You know...babies' get hungry and all that."

She didn't need to say anymore, of course he could understand she wanted some privacy whilst breast feeding.

"I'll help. After some dinner tonight?"

Claire nodded with a grateful grin. "Sounds good. In fact, you should join us at dinner."

"Oh, well...I need to go find some materials for your curtain, but I'll get around to eating something."

Claire nodded and Boone couldn't help staring at her for a moment, quickly looking away when she looked back toward him. Why had she asked him of all people? Charlie, Jack, Locke...they all would have helped her in a heartbeat. He wouldn't question it though, he would take all the time with her he could get. He was getting quite fond of Kaleb as well.

More to come...the next chapter will be from Claire's perspective, if you all want me to continue that is. :)