Hey, guys! Sorry about the mix up. Something went wrong with the documents, and they got mixed up. I'm sure its my fault, though I don't know exactly what happened. Ah well, sorry for the mix up. Please read and enjoy!

FATE: The Next Life

Realizing

"hey sweetie" Claire beamed as she walked through the door. "Hey. I thought you were suppose to being going to see that fortune guy with Megan?" Thomas asked, glancing over at her from the couch. "I did, but the weirdest thing happened" She explained, still bewildered as she sat her bags on the ground.

"What?" Thomas asked curiously, turning to face her. "Are you drinking from the carton, again?" Claire questioned, ignoring his question. "Damn. You caught me" he sighed playfully, setting the carton of orange juice down.

"Honestly, Thomas. Would it kill you to get a glass?" She teased, in disapproval. "Yes, yes it would" he teased, flashing her a smile. Claire shook her head, agrivateed. "your impossible" she sighed, taking the carton from him.

"Your turning into my dad, you do relieve that?" She questioned, makeing her way back to the fridge. "And your turning into my mum, can I have my orange juice back?" he teased, glancing at her from the back of the couch.

"Sure" Claire agreed, pulling out a glass. He smiled and turned back around. "So, what did the 'psychic' tell you?" he questioned curiously.

"Well, he asked me about the baby..." Claire began, as if trying to remember. "He knew about the baby?" Thomas questioned in confusion.

"Yeah. But then he wouldn't tell me anything else. He just gave me back my money and told us to leave" she finished, taking a seat beside him and setting the glass back on the table. "What do you think that means?"

"It means the guy was crazy" Thomas explained simply. "Don't let it worry you. They're all fakes" he added with a shrug, tapping her hand. "Your probably right" She agreed after a moment, a smile crossing her face.

"Of course I'm right. I'm-" he began with a grin. "Always right" she finished with him, rolling her eyes sarcastically. " I am always right." he insisted playfully. "Of course you are" she teased, still not convinced.

"I am! I should be the psychic" he continued, determined to convince her. "Oh yeah? Prove it" She suggested playfully. "Ok, as me a question" He suggested. "Ok...what did I...have for lunch?" she asked, thoughtfully.

"Hmm..." he pretended to think, leaning in close until they're lips touched just barely. "Peanut butter and jelly..." he began, giving her a second kiss, "and a dieted coke" he finished with a grin.

"My god, how did you know that?" She gasped sarchasticly. "Because its always peanut butter with you" he explained, leaning back agenst the couch. "yeah, and its always orange juice with you" She muttered playfully.

"It sure is" he ginned, reaching for the glass. Before he could grab it, Claire picking it up and slowly took a sip, keeping her eyes on him the whole time. "Your evil, you know that?" He questioned teasingly.

Claire finished the sip before speaking. "I know" she grinned in reply, twirling the class in her hand. He glanced at the glass, then up at her before leaping onto of her in attempt to snatch it out of her hand. The two began laughing playfully, before stopping to kiss.

The Beach:

"Man, its been so long since I got a decent tan" Shannon sighed, laying back on her towel. "And to think ,you lived on a beach for a whole year" Charlie teased. "I know...you'd think after a while it would just come naturly" she sighed, pulling her sun glasses down.

"I don't tan" Claire announced, to no one imparticular. "I just get sun burn, and then freckles, and then I turn white again" She continued simply, stareing down at her bare legs reaching out from the shade of the big beach umbrella.

"Aw, poor girl" Charlie teased from beside her. "So how's Kate doing?" Boone questioned curiously. "Still mopping" Charlie answered bluntly. "Charlie!" Claire scolded, giving him a nudge on the shoulder.

"Well she is!" he exclaimed in his defense. "I know...but that's so mean" Claire pouted childishly. "The truth hurts" Charlie murmured in reply, holding up his soda can as if makeing a toast. Claire snatched it out of his hand before he could take a sip.

"Hey!" he protested, in a delayed reaction. Claire flashed him a smile before taking a sip. "Very cute" He muttered sarchasticly, fakeing a grin. Claire ignored his comment and continued to down the soda.

Shannon was trying not to laugh as she watched Charlie's fake smile fade to determinations. "Give me that" he took a grab at it. Claire smoothly moved it out of his reach. Her gave a little aggravated growl, then tried for it again, nearly leaping on top of her. She passed the can up to Sayid, who was sitting in a chair behind her.

Charlie leered up at him angrily. "Aw, you bastard" He growled sacracsticly. His attention was turned to a giggling Claire who still laid beneath him. "What are you laughing at?" he questioned, turning his gaze down to her.

Claire didn't respond, but let out a quick snicker, her eyes still on Sayid. Charlie gave her a confused look before glancing back up to see Sayid finishing off the can. Charlie quickly snatched it out of his hand, as Claire and Shannon burst into laughter.

He continued to sit on top of Claire, triumphantly taking a sip, or atleast trying. He glared at the empty can in his hand. The group went silent, except Claire who was still giving the accessional squeak of laughter.

"Bastards" Charlie murmured, with a good natured smile as he chucked the empty soda can at the trash bucket. He turned back to Claire, who had finly gained control over herself. "I love you" She smiled sweetly, a smile that could get her away with murder.

"You better" he grumbled before leaning down to kiss her. "Ew!" Ben's voice rung out from Locke's lap. The whole group couldn't help but laugh.

"So Shannon, when are you guys suppose to be going back?" Claire questioned curiously, feeling obligated to change the subject. "Well, actually..." She began, flashing Sayid a grin, "We decided to move here"

"That's great!" Claire exclaimed, leaning over to give her a hug. "Yeah...great..." Charlie grumble sacracsticly. "Oh shut up. You love me" Shannon grinned sarcastically over Claire's shoulder. Charlie faked a smile in return.

"Oh come on. Your just worried I might steal your girl" Shannon continued to tease. "Oh, that's alright. I'm sure if that ever happened, Sayid would be here to comfort me" Charlie sighed sacracsticly, tapping Sayid on the shoulder.

"I highly doubt that" Sayid assured with a playfully grin. Charlie pouted as if hurt. "Its ok, Charlie. I'm here for you" Boone assured, patting him on the shoulder. "Thank you" Charlie nodded, trying not to laugh.

"I always knew you were gay" Shannon teased at her brother. "You're the one who stole Charlie's girl friend, you home wrecker!" He replied accusingly. Shannon shrugged and smiled innocently. "Excuse me. Don't I have any say in this?" Claire spoke up defensively.

For a moment the group fell silent. "No" they all answered at once, before bursting into laughter.

At The House:

It was almost afternoon when Charlie and Claire came home, each carrying one of the twins as Ben wondered infront of them. "You think they're tired?" Charlie questioned sarchasticly, indicating to Gabby, who was passed out on his shoulder.

"I think we should get them to bed before they wake up" Claire corrected with a smile as she quietly shut the door. Charlie nodded, and headed for the stairs. The lights were mildly flickering as usual as they reached the top of the steps.

Dina, the kitten who Shannon had dropped off with them two weeks ago, sat before the closed bath room door, hair standing up as if afraid. She began batting at the door, as cats often do.

"She is so cute" Claire grinned as she wondered down the hall way. "I think she's mentally ill" Charlie disagreed, eyeing the kitten strangely as she continued to bat at the bottom of the door. "Aw, she's just playing" Claire defended, as she pushed open the door the girls room.

"Yeah...with what, exactly?" Charlie questioned curiously, giving one last glance before fallowing Claire into the room. "Use your imagination" Claire answered with a smile, lowering a sleeping Geni into her crib. "Uh...how about, your cats insane and its playing with thin air" Charlie suggested playfully, rasing an eye brow in her direction as he lowered Gabby into the crib.

"You're the only person I know who would make fun of a innocent little kitten" Claire teased as she headed back to the door. "Innocent, right. That's why she attacks me in the middle of the night" Charlie noted sarcastically.

"No she dosent" Claire shook her head skeptically. "Oh? And I suppose you call her clawing my face off 'playing', then?" He questioned sarcastically. Claire opened her mouth to reply when she heard a loud thump down the hall.

Dina had been meowing and fussing with the door, and it looked as if something had grabbed her paw from inside the bathroom, witch made her fall on her side and was pulled into the door. Both Charlie and Claire both stopped, stareing in confusion as she quickly got lose and booked in their direction.

She stopped at Claire's feet, pressing herself agenst her legs. "That was weird" Charlie noted casually, still stareing down the hall. "It looked like something grabbed her" Claire explained as she picked dina up off the floor and cradled her in her arms.

As if the incident were not disturbing enough, slowly, the door began to open. "Charlie..." Claire gasped softly, grabbing onto his arm. "Guys?" Kate questioned, peeking out from her bed room door. Both jumped, and Dina nearly flew out of Claire's arms.

"Hey, I didn't know you guys were home...what's wrong?" Kate questioned, noticing the frightened look on Claire's face. "There is something horribly wrong with this house" Claire explained softly.

Kate continued to stare at them in confusion. "The door came open by itself" Charlie explained casually. "Yeah, after something behind it attached our cat!" Claire exclaimed defensively. "What?" Kate questioned in confusion, makeing her way over to them.

"Maybe her paw just got stuck" Charlie suggested, putting his arm around Claire. "Come on, luv. There's nothing down there" He assured, trying his best to comfort her. At that note, the hall went black.

Charlie wenched as he felt Claire's hand grip onto his arm. The lights returned in moments, leaving the three gathered at the end of the hall. "Maybe we should go down stairs" Charlie suggested quickly. The two nodded and quickly made their way down the hall.

Downstairs:

Charlie was watching Claire as she paced bare foot around the living room, Ben asleep on her shoulder. "Maybe you should sit down, Luv" he suggested, slightly concerned. Claire stopped in her tracks, not realizing she'd been moving."no, I'm alright. I think I'm gonna get something to drink" She explained, and headed into the kitchen.

She wondered into the kitchen, shifting Ben to one side as she opened the fridge. "Mum?" He looked up, sleepily. "Yeah, sweetie?" She asked with a smile, strugling to hold him and the jug of water at the same time.

"Can I have some orange juice?" He questioned in his soft little voice. "Sure" Claire smiled, giving him a kiss on the forehead before setting him down on the counter. "Did you have fun at the beach?" She questioned as she pulled out the carton of orange juice.

"Yeah..." he answered casualty, swigging his feet back and forth. "That's good" She smiled, setting the carton down beside him before turning to the cabinet to get a glass. A buzzing sounded from upstairs, the lights could be sceen flickering from the top of the steps in the dinning room.

"Mum, what's wrong with our lights?" He questioned curiously. "I have no idea-" She began, stopping when she turned to see him pick up the carton with both hands, about to drink. "Ben, don't drink out of there" She instructed, pulling it out of his hands.

"God, your just like your father" She explained, setting it down on the counter once again. It took a moment for her to realize what she'd just said. Her jaw dropped, surprised at herself. Ben was giggling, not at all noticering her expression.

"Hey Claire" Charlie smiled at her as he entered the kitchen. "...hey" She smiled back after a moment, shaking the thought out of her head. "What are you doing in here?" She questioned curiously, begging to pour a glass.

"Didn't want to sit around with the bitter silence. Its bloody depressing" he explained, glancing at Kate over his shoulder. "Charlie, that's horrible" Claire scolded, shooting him a look. He shrugged, and leaned back in his chair unfazed.

"Here you go, sweety" She turned to Ben, smiling as she handed him the glass. "What's wrong with Kate?" Ben questioned curiously, before taking a sip. Claire hesitated, glancing over at Charlie, who's expiration told her he was just as lost as she was. "...I don't know." Claire shrugged, not knowing what else to say. "Why don't you ask her?" she suggested brightly.

"Ok" Ben shrugged, agreeing with out a fight. With great balance, he managed to hop of the counter while juggling a sippy cup, and wonder on into the living room.

"You think it's a good idea for him to learn about mid life crisis at his fragile age?" Charlie questioned sacracsticly, putting his arm around Claire's waist as she stood beside him. "I don't think she'll tell him much." Claire explained, running her fingers through his hair.

"Besides, it might cheer her up"

"Aunt Kate?" Ben questioned, standing infront of her on the couch, a sippy cup of orange juice in hand. "Yes?" She looked up with a smile. "Are you ok?" He questioned, in his innocent little voice. Looking up at her with big blue eyes.

Kate hesitated for a moment. "Yeah.. I'm fine" She assured brightly, forcing a big smile. No use letting out all your problems one year old. "Ok" he shrugged, and began to wonder off. Then he stopped a few feet away, at the end of the couch.

"Aunt Kate?" he turned to her, setting his drink on the table. "Yes?" She looked up once again. Without a word, he climbed up on the couch and threw his arms around her, as far as they could reach. Kate hugged him back, a tear rolling down her cheek as she held him.

it was a long time before she pulled away. "Thank you" She sniffed, smiling through her tears. "Your welcome" Ben replied simply, as if she weren't crying at all. Kate laughed a little, whipping her eyes with the back of her hand.

The door came open, raveling the re-blonded Shannon, with a smile on her face as she burst into the room, no invite needed.

"Shannon!" Ben cried, diving of the couch and running to her. "Hey, buddy!" She squealed, kneeling down to give him a hug. "Did you miss me?" She questioned playfully.

"I just saw you an hour ago" He explained sarcastically. "Aww, your turning into your dad, you know that?" Shannon teased, playing with his duck fluff hair. "That's what mum says" he explained casually.

Shannon flashed him a smile and stood, just as Charlie and Claire made they're way in. "Oh look, the bitch is back" Charlie teased, with a Cheshire grin. "Did I say bitch? I meant blond" He then covered sarcastically, before Claire could scold him.

"You know Charlie, only homosexuals quote Elton John" Shannon noted teasingly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Hmm, very funny" Charlie grinned sacracsticly, scratching the back of his head. "So, how many brain cells did you bleach out today?" he questioned, teasingly.

Shannon opened her mouth to contradict him. "Alright, you too." Claire chimed in, playing the referee as usual. "I came to tell you, me and Sayid got our apartment" She explained, deciding to take her advice and ignore Charlie's comment.

"Wow, is it nice?" Claire questioned, mildly interested. "Of course its nice, I picked it out" Shannon explained conceitedly. "Oh, of course. Shannon is god" Charlie murmured sarcastically form the door way. Shannon gave a gasp, as if offended.

"Claire, could you please get your women to shut up?" Shannon asked, teasingly, crossing her arms once again. Charlie made a mimicking face, mouthing her words. "Shut up, women" Claire instructed, teasingly.

"Well...guess that makes up lesbians" Charlie grinned playfully. Claire simply rolled her eyes. "I told you only homosexuals quote Elton John" Shannon sighed, with a shrug. "You have something agenst Lesbians, Shannon?" Charlie questioned sarcastically.

Shannon shook her head, trying not to laugh. "Because, I think its time you excepted us" he continued, pretending to get emotional as he pulled his arm around Claire. "Oh, get off" Claire groaned, pushing him away playfully.

"Humph. Some life partner you are" Charlie grumbled sarchasticly, pretending to be offended. "You gonna find one better?" She questioned septically, raising an eye brow at him. "Well, Boone did offer..." Charlie answered with a shrug.

"Ew...mental image" Shannon uttered, holding her temples. "Yes...my work here is done" Charlie grinned with triumph. Claire smacked him across the chest playfully, before heading to the couch. "So, what dose your apartment look like?" Kate questioned, finally chiming in.

"Empty" Shannon sighed, plopping down in the chair before her. "I was hoping you two would come over and help me decorate" she added hopefully. "What? Now?" Claire questioned curiously.

"Yeah, I already talked to Michelle and Sun. They're in for it. I thought it could be like a little girls night in type of thing" Shannon explained, trying to hide the excitement in her voice. Claire turned to Kate.

"I don't know..." She sighed, stareing down at the floor. "Oh, come on! You have to come. It won't be any fun without you" Shannon exclaimed, trying hard to convince her. "Please?" She added, with pleading eyes.

Kate hesitated for a while. "Ok..." She sighed, giving in. "Great" Shannon grinned. "Come on, I gotta go pick the girls up" Shannon explained excitedly, hoping out of the chair. "Oh, sure...leave me to be the single parent for the day" Charlie murmured from his spot at the door way. "I'm sure you can handle it" Claire assured.

"Fine..." he sighed, in serenader. "Good" She grinned, giving him a quick peck before heading for the door. "But you washing the dishes" he called after them as they began to wonder out.

"Yeah, right" Claire exclaimed sarcastically before the door swung shut behind her.

The car:

the girls had been giggling and gossiping in Shannon's Shinny silver little sports car for the past hour, after picking up Sun and Michelle, who had Claire squeezed into the right corner. Kate sat up front with Shannon, who was driving, stareing out the window quietly.

"So, how big is it?" Claire questioned curiously, leaning forward as best she could. "How big is what?" Shannon questioned in confusion, giving her a strange glance in the rear view mirror.

"The apartment!" Claire explained. "Oh...its pretty big" Shannon explained, simply. "How far is it? We've been in this car for over an hour" Michelle explained, unenthusiastically.

"Were almost there" Shannon assured, with a sly grin. "We better be" Michelle murmured, slouching back in her seat.

"So, Claire, how's my kitty doing?" Shannon questioned brightly, changing the subject."Good" Claire nodded, with a smile, "though her and Charlie don't exactly get along."

"Aw, its taking after me" Shannon beamed sarcastically. Claire's jaw dropped as if offended. "Just kidding Claire, you know I love Charlie" She assured, smiling at her through the rear view mirror. "You better" Claire mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

Kate remained silent the whole time, stareing out the window with a sad expression across her face. Shannon glanced over at her solemnly, trying hard to find something to say. At that moment, the car pulled to a stop before the curb.

"Uh, Shannon, please tell me this isn't where you live" Sun noted in confusion as she stared out her window. "Yeah, what's going on?" Kate questioned, turning to Shannon, who smiled slightly. Kate glanced back out her window at the crowded club just across the side walk. "Shannon..." She gasped in disapproval.

"Sorry, but it's the only way I could get you guys out of the house" Shannon shrugged innocently. "Oh, great idea. Shove us poor pregnet woman into the land of liquor" Michelle exclaimed bitterly. "Ok, look. None of us will drink. I just think its time we had some fun" Shannon explained persistently. The girl exchanged a few uncertain glances with each other. "Oh, come. Were already here, we might as well" Shannon insisted, with pleading eyes.

"Alright" the girls sighed, and began loading out of the car. They wondered inside one by one and fallowed Shannon to a table. They had to pull up a couple chairs, but managed to squeeze around. A young man came over to them after a few moments.

"How are you laddies tonight?" The weightier asked, flashing them a suave smile. "We're great" Shannon grinned up at him. "Wonderful. Can I get you anything?" he questioned enthusiastically. "Hmm...I'll have an ice tea" Shannon ordered first, pretending to scan the menus. "Me two" Sun added, with a smile.

"Lemon water" Claire explained, stareing down at the untangles wrapped in a napkin on the table cloth before her. "I'll have a spright" Michelle explained, unenthused. "God, I miss alcohol" She added with a pout.

"Six more months" Claire reminded, rubbing her shoulder sympathetically. "And you, miss?" The weightier asked, turning to Kate. "Oh, I'll have a coke" She answered in a delay. "Coming right up" He flashed them another handsome smile before heading off.

"Wow, he's cute" Shannon announced, once he was out of listening distance. "Aren't you already kind of seeing some one?" Claire reminded her, teasingly. "Doesn't mean I can't look" Shannon shrugged, folding her menu.

'Yeah, Claire. We don't all have to stair at our forks and blush" Michelle teased, giving her a playful nudge. "I wasn't blushing" Claire explained defensively, brushing a strand of hair back behind her ear. "Your blushing now, Claire" Shannon corrected, teasingly.

"Oh please..." Claire scoffed skeptically. "I'll be right back" Kate announced, pushing out of her seat and headed towards the bath room. "And she's off..." Michelle sighed, leaning back in her chair. "This is gonna be a long night" Shannon added, with the same disappointments.

"Maybe one of us should go talk to her?" Sun suggested optimistically. All eyes fell on Claire. "What...me?" She questioned innocently. "You're the best candidate. If I talked to her I'd end up yelling" Shannon explained. "As would I" Michelle chimed in.

"Fine" Claire sighed, and pushed out of her chair.

at the house:

"Night dad" Ben said softly, snuggling agenst his pillow. "Night. Lights on or off?" Charlie questioned from the side of the bed. "On" Ben answered quickly. "Ok" Charlie smiled, brushing his hair back. "Good night" He leaned over and gave Ben a kiss on the forehead before climbing to his feet. He stood just outside the door for a while, watching as Ben shifted off to sleep. A warm smile across his face.

"How do you do it, Charlie?" A stargazing voice sounded from the end of the hall. Charlie jumped at the sound, and spun about quickly. "Jack?" He questioned in confusion, squinting at the man at the end of the hall.

"How do you love a child who isn't yours?" Jack questioned, walking forward. Charlie's eyes lowered to the floor, hands shoved in his pockets. Jack stood patiently, waiting for an answer. Charlie pulled the door shut slowly. "I'm gonna tell you something I haven't told a lot of people, Jack" Charlie began, raising his eyes once again.

"I haven't even told Claire..." he added, a little uncomfortably, brushing a hand through his hair. Jack crossed his arms, ready to listen.

"My dad left my mum after Liam was born, when he was only two weeks old. My mum had to raise him on her own. Then, when he turned four, my dad came back and got her knocked up again. That time, he didn't even stick around until I was born." Charlie began, speaking slowly. Replaying the memory in his head as if he'd sceen it himself.

"So two weeks after I was born, my mom kissed us both good night, went up to the bath room, and killed herself...leaving me and Liam to go live with our dead beat father" he added, in a low, dimmed voice. He was speaking in a tone that Jack had never heard him speak in before. Even with all the awful things he'd been through on the island. It left him feeling uneasy.

He said nothing, trying to remain respectful, but Charlie could tell my his expression that he didn't get why he was being told this. "What I'm trying to say is I know what its like growing up with no one you can depend on. I didn't want that for Ben, or Claire for that matter" Charlie finished, with a sigh.

"So the whole thing with Thomas never bothered you?" Jack questioned curiously. "Of course it did. It still dose" Charlie explained bluntly.

"He called here just the other day. It tears me apart every time he's brought up. But I deal with it, because I love Claire to much to ever let that get in the way" Charlie continued, makeing deep eye contact.

Jack stared down at the floor. "You must think I'm an idiot" he noted after a moment. "I don't think you're an idiot, Jack. I just think you let things get the best of you, and lost it" Charlie explained plainly. "Any advice?" Jack questioned with a hint of a smile.

"Yeah. Don't lose it again" Charlie answered simply. Jack nodded solemnly. Nothing more needed to be said.

"Kate?" Claire questioned as she wondered into the bath room. Kate stood at the wall opposite of her, a hand over her face. "I miss him so much" Kate choked out, trying to hide her tears. "Kate...you can't keep doing this to yourself" Claire insisted, makeing her way over.

"I can't help it! I can't stop thinking about him" Kate exclaimed irrationally, tears pouring down her cheeks. "Maybe that's because your not suppose to" Claire noted softly. "Oh? And what am I suppose to do, Claire? Just sit around and wait for him to come back?"

"Well sitting around and crying isn't going to do you any good" Claire protested. "If you want Jack back, go get him"

"Its not that easy, Claire-" Kate began to explained. "Yes it is. You're the only one who's makeing it difficult" Claire corrected firmly. "Excuse me? He left me, remember? I have no idea where he is. How the hell am I suppose to find him?" Kate questioned, defensively.

"I don't know! Maybe you could look!" Claire exclaimed, letting her aggravation get the best of her. "What is that suppose to mean?" Kate questioned skeptically, crossing her arms.

"It means that Jack's been gone for almost a week and you've done nothing but sit around and mope. He's not going to just drop at our door step. You have to let him know you want him back" Claire explained persistently.

"So what? I'm suppose to go out and find him, cry on his shoulder and beg him to come back? After he left me, at that! You know what? Maybe I don't want him back. Maybe I'd be better off without him!" Kate began to rant, pacing back and forth before the stalls.

"Do you hear yourself?" Claire questioned, stareing her down as she held her at arms length. "Kate, I love you, you know that. But you're the one at fault here"

"Me? What did I do!" Kate questioned defensively. "You cheated on him, with a man he hates at that." Claire reminded. Kate's eyes lowered to the floor.

"Its not your job to forgive him. He needs to forgive you. He won't be able to do that until you let him" Claire explained, her voice lowering once again. Kate nodded in agreement after a moment, another tear rolling down her cheek. Claire pulled her arms around her, comforting her as best she could.

"Come on, lets go" Kate suggested after a moment, once she'd gained control of herself. She wiped her eyes, and the two headed out. They could hear the girls at the table laughing all the way across the room, witch brought a smile to their face.

Its so strange how people can know what exactly is going on, and still have nerve to go along with their life happily. Then again, Shannon was not exactly the type to be aware of other peoples emotions, try as she might. Kate and Claire returned as if nothing had happened, no resolution had been made. "You guys just missed it! Shannon totally grabbed the waiter's butt!" Michelle explained through her laughter.

"Aww, I'm telling" Kate teased playfully, smiling for the first time in days. No one made a note of it, but Claire couldn't help but smile, knowing she'd finally gotten through. "Excuse me. Girls night out is suppose to be confidential" Shannon contradicted, slightly.

"Exactly. Because were not at a club, were decorating" Michelle added, trying not to laugh. "You two are terrible" Claire noted, shaking her head. "Hey, what they don't know can't hurt them" Shannon shrugged, crossing her legs as she leaned back in her chair.

"Well, if were lieing to the boys, we might as well make it interesting" Michelle suggested, sliding out of her chair as music seemed to grow louder. "I don't like the sound of that..." Claire noted, as the rest of the girls rose to they're feet.

"Come on, blondie. Don't be a chicken" Shannon insisted, pulling Claire up by the arm and dragging her out onto the dance floor.