Disclaimer: I own nothing. All characters and stories belong to NBC and Dick Wolf.

A/N: This is a twist on Aftershock. What if Jack went to see Claire instead of going to the bar? What if Jack proposed to Claire? What would happen? Remember all the allusions to the engagement ring i made from the story Never? That's what this is somewhat building off of. Just no Claire Kincaid death. She lives! Muwah! Read on to find out. Please review. Thanks. Love, Lawabidingchild.

Stay With Me

Claire and Jack parted ways after an execution. Jack wanted to go back to the office, but Claire wanted to go home. They agreed to meet up later. They needed to take some time for themselves. She didn't want to see anymore things that have to do with crime for at least a day. The execution was just too trying on her.

Claire wanted to go out for a jog to clear her head. She believed that the jog would rid her head of any images that were sustained during the day. She couldn't hold anything together. An adorable man that jogged up next to her didn't seem that important. She wasn't even interested. She had a man. She had too much on her mind.

Jack was in the office. He couldn't focus on his work. It was too much. There was too much to think about. Too much to ponder, too much to say, and too much to love. Claire was waiting for him later. He decided to just say screw it to working and take off early.

Claire met up with her stepfather to discuss quitting law and doing something else. He tries to talk her out of it and to give it another chance. She decides to go see Van Buren for awhile. Maybe talking to her will help her clear her head.

Jack drives around for awhile on his bike. He stops in front of a bar and looks at it. He debates entering it. He decides against it, remembering what he went through with his father. He leaves the bar alone and decides to stop at home.

Claire and Van Buren talk. Their chat was meaningful. Claire talked about what she saw and about maybe quitting all together. Van Buren advises against it also, so she leaves. She wonders what Jack would think about this. She decides to go home and call him.

Jack arrived at his apartment. He rushed in with his helmet and briefcase in tow. He needed to stop by just to drop up his briefcase and pick up a little box. It was something he planned on giving to Claire. He rushed in and plopped his briefcase next to his desk and pocketed the box he left on top of his dresser. Then he rushed back to his bike, hoping he could arrive at her apartment in time to catch her.

Claire was fumbling around in her purse for her keys. She couldn't believe that after all that, she couldn't find the keys that she needed to enter that apartment in front of her. She kept pushing around pretty useless artifacts in her purse to finally get to the treasure she was seeking. She pulled them out and fumbled with the lock, only to be stopped. "Claire!" called out a familiar male voice.

"Jack?" she asked tentatively, peering over her shoulder at the gentleman. "I wasn't expecting you until tonight. What's wrong?"

Jack smiled. He placed a hand on her shoulder and stepped next to her while she unlocked her building door. "Just couldn't wait," he whispered. She smiled sweetly. He returned her smile with a light peck on the lips. Once they were inside, she took her hand in his, knowing that the woman next door had her eye on him.

When they reached Claire's apartment, that woman was waiting outside the apartment door right next door. Claire shot her a look, and she scurried back inside, noticing the hand in hand claim she had over Jack. The two of them sidled into Claire's apartment, Jack unaware of the interaction between the two women. His mind was elsewhere. He was thinking of the diamond ring in his pocket. He pulled Claire to her couch eagerly and sat her down right next to him, pulling her into a one-armed holding stance. "What's the rush, Jack? What's got you so eager?"

He looked into her eyes, brushed her forehead with his thumb, and kissed the tip of it. He searched her face lovingly. He felt her snuggle deeper into his touch, feeling every single curve of her body mold into him. He nuzzled her head and she purred like a kitten. "I just love you, Claire. That's all."

"Yeah, right," she sighed, rolling her eyes. "I know you, Jack. Give me one reason not to think something's up?" Her eyes were pleading for an answer to her question.

It was then he pulled out what he had from his pocket. The velvet jewelry box felt like heaven between his fingertips. He knew what he was about to do. She had no clue about the box in his hand. But then she looked down. "What's the occasion? Forget our anniversary again?" She chuckled playfully.

Jack smiled. "No, Claire. I did not."

Claire's expression changed to a little worry. Was he leaving long-term? Was this a good-bye present? Did something dire happen? Anything could have been in that jewelry box. Anything.

Jack smiled and held on to it as tightly as he held on to her. Claire was in an unsettled state and he was about to answer all these questions. "I've had two wives and two long-term relationships with women. I've fallen out of love with these women the minute things started to get more and more serious. I've never been ready. They were just excuses to spend more time with people I was affectionate towards. But you…you're different. Claire…understand that I mean it when I say I love you. I love you so much that I miss you when you're not in my arms. When we dispute on views, I feel like we've argued about something much different than that. We have different understandings, different values, and different views on the world. Yet you're perfect in every which way. I could tell you I love you every time I breathe and never get tired of saying those words. I love you so, so much, Claire Samantha Kincaid. I love you that much and I wanted to ask you if you'd like to become the next-and final-Mrs. McCoy." He got down on one knee, assuming the signature marriage proposal stance, and opened the box, revealing a simple, princess cut diamond ring on white-gold. "Will you marry me, Claire?"

Claire returned his gaze, stunned. She could not believe that the man she'd been in love with for nearly two years was finally asking the question. She was speechless. His eyes stared back at her, pleading. Her eyes smiled and welded with tears. "Yes," she managed to whisper. Tears spilled from her eyes and she kissed him fiercely. "Yes," she repeated, holding him tightly to her frame.

Jack pushed her back slightly. He slipped the diamond ring onto her slim finger. When he managed to pull himself back up onto the couch, she was kissing him again. Then Claire hoisted herself on Jack's lap. "Is this what you were talking about?" she asked, snuggling into his arms.

Jack sighed and pulled her closer.