Chapter 7- Here Comes Trouble

A/N from Missy- Hello All. It feels like forever since I wrote… It probably has been though. Annie always leaves me with a great start... anyway, I hope you like this chapter that was written solely by me.

"Claire," Shane said trying to restrain himself from beating the crap out of Ian, "is that the douche bag?"

Claire was hesitant of answering. "That's all I needed to know," Shane said before he got up and started walking around the crowded tables. "Shane! Shane, wait!" Claire ran to try to stop him, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him to face her. "Seriously, Shane, Calm down. It's over. I don't need you defending my battles. Big girl… right here," she said, pointing to herself.

"Claire, he tried to fuck with my girlfriend. That's not gunna fly with me. Don't worry… I'll be fine. Him? Eh, we'll see." His expression made it clear he wants this fight right now more than anything. Oh God, Claire thought.

Claire called Eve for backup. "Hey, Eve! Uh, I need some help." What's up? "Well… see, Ian kind of showed up at Common Grounds while Shane and I were here, and I think you know where this is going." Dammit! "I know. I don't like the idea of Shane fighting." Oh. No it's not that. I'm missing one hell of a fight and as much as I hate to say it, Common Grounds has the best coffee around. I don't want to get kicked out. Claire could hear the sadness in her voice. "Eve! What about Shane?" He'll be fine. Just try to convince him to take the fight out of Common Grounds and to hold off for about twenty minutes. That gives me enough time to get there. "You're no help," Claire said before she hung up.

By the time she got off the phone with Eve, Shane had already gotten to the group of guys surrounding Ian. She had to work fast if she wanted to get to Shane before he started something that she alone could definitely not end.

She pushed past people who gave her dirty looks and went back to their gossip sessions. By the time she got to the group of guys, Shane was already in the center, talking to Ian. She was looking for a way to get in the middle to possibly stop Shane, but there was no way in. She was about to give up and go sit down when she felt a guy slap her ass.

"Hey, hunny. Can I do something for you?" He asked suggestively.

Claire rolled her eyes and played along. "Yeah, you can actually. Can you help me get in the middle of this?" Putting that seductive smile on and having to look at his expecting expression made her want to gag.

"Your gunna have to repay me," he said with a wink.

Gag. "Of course," she returned the wink.

He got her through the group of guys, his hand barely ever leaving her ass. Once she was next to Shane and Ian, she slapped the guys hand away, "Dick," she said under her breath. "Excuse me," he said. Claire rolled her eyes and looked away.

Shane was actually playing like they were two guys talking in a locker room. Not for long, Claire thought before she tried to get Shane's attention.

"Hey. Shane. We've got to go… like now."

"No wait, Ian was just about to tell me how he got with some girl at the dead girl's dance," he said keeping his eyes on Ian. "Tell me. Who was this hot chick?" Shane was starting to get pissed and Ian could tell.

You could tell Ian was intimidated, but he figured with all his friends around him, he'd be fine. "That one. It looks like you've got a tough one with you. She's a lot of fun. She put up a fight, but don't worry, I controlled her. I'm surprised you're her type. Whatever… not my girl… yet," he said getting up. Shane wasn't cool with any of this, and Ian was for sure not leaving without Shane's fist making contact with him.

Shane punched him square in the jaw, sending him stumbling back into his friends. Shane took three steps forward and gave him a black eye. He was about to go for another punch when Claire finally reacted and grabbed the arm he cocked back. "Shane stop! Fight him all you want, out of here. I don't want to get kicked out, and I know Eve sure as hell doesn't want to either. Let's go." She had to tug on his arm a few times to get him to turn away from Ian and start heading for the door.

They had forgotten all about Ian's groupies. "Shit," Shane muttered. Two guys came at Shane. He pushed Claire aside and hit one after the other, but not before the second one got a throw in. Things were about to get really bad when Oliver came out.

"Get out. All of you," He said in his stern voice. "Shane and Claire, leave first. I don't want a fight inside or outside my store… now."

Before Shane had time to take one step toward the door, he heard Ian yell, "We'll finish this some other time."

"No, you won't." Oliver said, proceeding to push Ian and his friends out of his way to go back behind the counter. Oliver's stare was hard and pissed as he watched Shane and Claire, waiting for their exit.

Shane grabbed Claire and started pulling her out, never taking his eyes off Ian, who was rubbing his jaw, until they were out the door. Shane turned to Claire when they were clear of Common Grounds and sure that Ian and his group went in the opposite direction. "Hey, you okay?"

"Seeing as though I wasn't the one who was looking for a fight, yeah I'm fine, but I should be asking you the same question." She kept walking and refused to make eye contact with him.

Shane stopped her and turned her toward him. "Claire, I'm sorry, but he was asking for it. I'm actually surprised I could handle that much of his story. Fucking douche bag. Trust me, if you heard how he was talking about you, little Saint Claire would have hit him too."

Claire had to smile at that. "Whatever. Just stop looking for fights. I mean… I don't think we have enough band aids to last another week," she said, running her fingers along the small cut on his cheek.

"Yeah, of course those morons have a huge-ass ring for their accomplishment of finally getting their GPA up to a 1.4." He grabbed her hand and moved it from his face.

"Hey! It's a hard thing to do! I mean they must have to study the wrong answers to do that bad. Just think of all the time they put into those grades."

They both started laughing. "You know, Eve's going to be mad she missed out on the fight."

Just as Claire said that, they saw Eve's monster car drove by with Eve in the driver's seat looking excited. They were watching as Eve's car made a sudden stop, shifted into reverse, and backed up to where they were standing. "Shit. I missed it didn't I?" She said disappointed.

Claire nodded and Shane just shook his head. "Not one word, Fido," Eve said to Shane in a warning tone. Shane just lifted his hands as if he didn't have anything to say. Right.

A few minutes later Eve asked Claire, "So are we allowed back there, or did dumbass over here screw everything up?"

"Shut up! I bet they wouldn't let you take one step in there if they were allowed, but they're not because that's against the law, tiny-gothic-mime. Oh wait! That would require you not talking. I've got to think of a new one." Eve was about to say something but Shane cut her off, "Wait! Just give me some time! I've got to think about this!"

Claire was finding great amusement in this, "No, I'm pretty sure we're allowed back, but you might want to check first."

When they got home, Claire took her backpack to the kitchen table and sat on the couch to watch whatever show Eve was already hooked to. Shane came down to sit next to her, "I've got it!" Claire silenced him by kissing him. When they broke apart, Shane turned to Eve, "I'll tell you later." He went back to kissing Claire and barely heard Eve's whatever, as he carried Claire up the stairs to her room.

A/N from Missy- Well, that's it! I wrote all of this alone, so I'm proud of myself. I hope you like it. (: Review for my sanity! I'll bet that if we get a lot of reviews, Annie will write faster and have a killer chapter… wink wink
;D