Lost Lorenzo: Glad you liked the new story. I've been having alot of fun righting it so far, exspecialy the kiss. Charlie is so danm cute. I'm really excited about the next epoisode. My friend said that if Charlie and Claire don't atleast kiss she's gonna jump in the TV and smack him. But even if they don't, they episode is sure to have alot of Charlie and Claire involded, and thats good enough for me, all though a kiss would be awsome. I was a bit upset at the last episode because they wern't in it, witch makes it even easyer to get annoyed with Kate. Notice, she's not in the story. I think i just might take you up on your "kate died in a flash back" idea. As for FATE, i have to clear something up. The last chapter i posted was infact the last chapter. But don't worry, they'er will be a prequill. I wanted to right those chapters out in full but i have a verry, verry busy time ahead of me so i didn't think i'd be able to finish. But don't worry, in a week or so another addition to the FATE series will be popping up. I can garentee that. I know its disapointing, but atleasy you have this one untill i can get the next addition started.
Also, for any one who's reading, i don't have spell check. I am in need of a bata, badly. Anyone who's willing, let me know.
The Last Thing
Charlie opened his front door, a tired look on his face. His hair was a slept-in mess, bangs over his eyes, little hairs poking out from behind his ears. Eyes half closed, shirt unbuttoned, black sweat pants, bare foot. Claire couldn't help but smile.
"Hey. Took me a while to track you down" She explained, holding back a laugh. "Hey" He smiled, slowly comeing awake. "I need to ask you another favor" She began, stepping into the aparment without permission. "Thomas invited me, well us, to luch at the house" She explained, hopefully. "Skyler will defenetly be there"
"Uh...yeah, sure. I'd love to help you out" He explained, scratching the back of his head. "I need to shower first, but-"
Claire threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Charlie!" She beamed, squeezing him effectionetly. Charlie felt her press agenst his bare skin where his shirt was open and felt a chill go through him. "Your welcome" He replied, pulling back quickly, but smileing so she didn't suspect anything.
"Well, i'll go take a shower real quick, then we can go" He explained, slowly backing towards the bath room. "Take your time" Claire replied, and took at seat on his couch. The placy wasn't as nearly as messy as she expected. Actualy, it was pritty empty. The only thing in the room was a tv, the couch, and a coffe table with chinease food, still in the box.
Growing curiouser, she looked behind her. His guitar sat in the corner, and that was about it. She turned back, folding her hands in her lap, trying to find something to keep herself occupied. She looked up at the ceailing, that was stained yellow from smoke and had black spots in the corners from water damage. A crack ran around its self and kind of looked like Astriala. Claire laid down on the couch and tried to concentrate on that.
It seemes like only seconds had pased, when she was awoken by the sound of the opening bath room door. She looked up just intime to see Charlie walk out, in nothing but a towel. Oh, god...
"Hey" He grined shly, running his hand through his matted wet hair. "did you fall asleep?" Claire blinked, trying to catch the breath she'd lost when he smiled at her. "Uh...yeah, as i think so" She replied in a delay, sitting up once again.
"I thought so. That couch dose something to you" He explained, kneeling down beside the couch. Claire peeked over to the side to see what he was doing and found that there was a duffle bag full of cloths behind the couch she'd looked over before.
"Why are all your cloths in a bag?" She questioned, curiously. "I just moved in a few days ago. Haven't really unpacked" He explained, casualy as he contenuied to dig through the bag. "Oh. Well, i'd love to help you unpack later on if you want" She offered sweetly.
Charlie looked up at her and smiled once again. "I'd like that" He replied, before standing up with his balled up cloths in hand. Claire watched him unconchously as he brushed his hand through his hair once again. "Uh, my bed room door dosen't really open, so would you mind just turning around real quick" He explained, aqwardly.
"Oh! of course" Claire smiled to hide her embarassment and quickly turnned around. She could only stare at her hands in her lap before the overbearing curiostiy took hold of her, forceing her to turn around. He had already pulled up his geans and was now buttoning them with his back to her. The sun had just started to shine in thruogh the winodw, and it reflected off the little drolets of water still clinging to his skin.
She turned back quickly, blushing as she tried to erease the thought from her mind. When she turned back again he was pulling down his shirt. "Ready?" He questioned, looking up with a smile. "Yeah" Claire replied quickly, and hopped off the couch. Charlie gave her a curiously look before shrugging and fallowing her out the door.
CLIARE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR at Thomas's house. "You know, you never did tell me why you and him hooked up" Charlie noted, playfully as they stood outside the door. "Honestly, i can't remeber" She replied, with a smile. After a short silence the door opened.
"Oh, hello" Thomas's fiance opened the door with a look of suprise. "Are you looking for thomas?"
Claire blinked. "Yes. He left a message on my answering maschine inviting us to lunch" Claire explained, hopeing it might ring a bell. "Oh...well, Thomas just left" Eaden explained simply, looking mildly confused. "Your kidding?" Claire replied hopefully. "Nope. Had to take Skyler to the docters" She confirmed.
"The docters? Why, whats wrong?" Claire questioned, suddenly concerned. "Well, i don't know exactly, but he was running a fever" Eaden answered, plainly. "I'm sure he's alright"
"Alright...Well, tell Thomas i stopped by" Claire sighed, trying to hide her disapointment. "I will. Talk to you later" Eaden replied before closeing the door. "This hasn't been a good week, has it?" Charlie questioned sarcasticly. "No, it hasn't..." Claire replied, in agrement.
"Well come on. You can help me unpack. That'll cheere you up" He sugested, jokenly. "Oh. thanks" Claire muttered sarcasticly, and fallowed him back to the car.
CLIARE SAT ON THE FLOOR of Charlie's apartment. "Hm, that didn't take long" Claire noted, in suprise. "Yeah. i don't really own alot of stuff" Charlie replied modestly, running his fingers through his hair. "Well, i'll give you one thing, atleast you know how to dress" He complmented casualy, takeing a bite from her little box of rice.
"Yeah, well your lucky you've only seen me in public" He replied, modestly, blushing a little at the compliment. "Why? What do you wear outside of public?" Claire asked curiously. "Nothing" He answered smilpy, a playfull grin across his face. Claire couldn't help but laugh.
"What? you don't ever walk around the house naked?" He questioned sarcasticly. "No" Claire replied, as if the answer should have been obvious. "Well you should"
"Why?" Claire asked, raising an eye brow. "Because, if i looked as good as you i'd be naked all the time" Charlie replied playfully, though his words had a hint of seriousness to them. Claire blushed and quickly tried to hide it by looking away. She searched the room for anything to spark a conversation, one that wasn't about nudity.
"Your guitars looking good" She noticed, commenting on the first thing she saw. "Thanks, she love's compliments" Charlie replied sarcasticly. "She?" Claire raised an eye brow, holding her chop sticks in mid air. "Yes, She." Charlie confirmed, proundly. "Dose she have a name?" Claire questioned, teasingly.
"Windy" He answered simply. Claire let out a sniker. "What? The Association, they were awsome" Charlie defended, playfully. "Its not that" Claire explained, still laughing slightly. "What is it then?" He asked curiously. "You named your guitar!" She replied, as if it should be obvious.
"What? you've never named anything?" Charlie questioned sarcasticly. "Just some gold fish when i was six" She replied, honestly. "What did you name them?" he asked, curiousy.
"What?"
"What did you name them?" He insisted, a playfully grin across his face. Claire sighed, and explained with embarasment:"Paul, Jhon, George and Ringo."
"Your kidding?" Charlie gasped. "...no, why?" She asked in reply, eyeing him strangely. "Because thats what i named my gold fish" He explained, matter-of-factly.
"What? Seriously?"
"Friad so"
"Well, its a small world" Claire shook her head, and reached foor the packet of soy socuce. "And aparently theres alot of beatles fans" Charlie agreed, before takeing a bite of her rice. "hey-" Claire pulled the box back difensivly. "What? Its my food" He reminded. "fine" Claire gave in and let him have a bite. For a moment the two ate in silence.
"So, whats your favoite song?" Charlie questioned with a mouthfull of food. "What?" Claire looked up, unable to understand him. "The Beatles, Whats your favorite song?" He repeated persistantly. "Oh. Um...i don't really know. I love all of them" Claire explained, blushing on spot, exspecialy when Charlie smiled at her. God, he really is adorable...
"Why? Whats your favoire?" She asked curiously, shakeing the thought from her mind. "Strawberry feilds forever" He explained, without delay. "Hints the tattoo"
Claire tilted her head, re reading the line across his bicep that read "living is easy with eyes closed", not that she hadn't read it before. She'd first read it on the island when he walked around in that blue striped shirt with the sleves ripped off, then again when he was getting dresses...
"When did you get it?" She asked, shakeing the idea form her head once again. "Umm...when i was eightteen" He answered in a delay, leaning back on his elbows. "Wow, you were pritty young" Claire noted. "Yeah, not to bright at the time either" He added, playfully.
"Yeah, well...atleast you wern't pregnet" Claire reminded. "Good point" Charlie replied with a laugh. Cliare began to stare at the floor, distantly. Another moment of silence passed over them.
"Are you thinking about Skyler?" He questioned sympatheticly. "Yeah" Claire nodded, admittingly. "Sorry"
"Don't be" He insisted, sliding closer to her. She had to keep herself from jumping his he laid his hand over hers. "I'm worried about him too" Charlie explained, comfortingly. Claire smiled mildly. "Thank you" She replied aprechitivly after a moment, her voice more serious than she had meant it to be. When she looked up at him, his eyes meet heres imidiatly, captivating her and for a moment she couln't breath. She forced herself to look away.
"Your welcome" He replied with a warm smile. Claire couldn't help but smile back. He becauem awear of his hand that still remained on top of hers and moved it self conchously. Claire's eyes drifted over to the table where an armlarm clock sat.
"Oh my god. Its almost ten o'clock" She exclaimed in suprise. "Really?" Charlie questioned in disbeleif, takeing a look for himself. "I've got to get home. Leo's gonna be pissed" She explained, pulling herslef off the floor and looking for her coat. "Im sorry, rushing out like this and all"
"It's Alright. I understand" He assured, with a smile, opening the door for her. "What are you looking for?" He asked, watching her conteniue to look around the room in flustration. "My coat" She answered, sheepishly. "Its over there" He explained helpfully, pointing to her coat witch laid across the couch.
"oh. right" She blushed as she picked it up and pulled it on before heading to the door. She stopped at the door way, inches away from Charlie and looked up at him, his eyes meeting hers once again. "Thank you, Charlie" She repeated, aprechativly.
"...for what?" He asked, slightly confused. "For cheering me up, for helping me. For the chinese food" She explained, playfully. "Your very welcome." He replied with a grin. "Good night, Claire"
"Good night, Charlie"
She had to use all her strength to keep herself from leaning up and kissing him once again. Instead, she gave him one last smile and slipped out the door.
CLAIRE WALKED INTO THE HOUSE a half an hour later, to find Leo on the couch, wide awake. "She's home" He explained, turrning his head in the direction of her room. Claire glanced at him in confusion as she pulled the door shut behind her. "Oh, hey Claire. I'm barrowing some of your cloths" Shannon explained, poking her head out through the door way.
"Thats fine" Claire replied, simply, pulling off her coat. "So, where have you been, missy?" Leo questioned in a fatherly manor. "I was with Charlie" She explained, casualy. "Doing what?" Leo asked curiously. "Talking. Eating Chinese food" She answered, takeing a seat on the couch near by.
"Did he kiss you again?" Leo asked, teasingly. "No" Claire replied, shortly. "Wait, Charlie kissed you?" Shannon asked in confusion, pooking her head out through the door again. "Yeah. We were trying to piss off Thomas" Claire explained. "Oh" Shannon nodded, simply, "Was he a good kisser?"
Claire rolled her eyes and headed into the kitchen, hearing Leo wisper "yes". She decided to ignore it. "Well, what about Skyler? did you see him?" Shannon asked, curiously. "No, Thomas had to take him to the doctors" Claire answered bitterly. "Is he alright?" Leo questioned in concern. "I have no idea" Claire replied, sadly. "Aw. I'm sure he's fine" Shannon comforted, giving her a little pat on the back.
"I know. I'm just worrid" She explained with a shrug. "Its alright" Shannon assdured, sympatheticly. "So, what do you think? The black one, or the red one?" Claire rolled her eyes and headed for her room. "Hey! Your my secritary, your supose to help me with this!" Shannon demanded. Claire let out a sarcastic laugh before shutting her door.
"Your fired!" Shannon exclaimed sarcasticly. "Red or black?" She turned to leo. "Red" He answered, simply. "I'm wearing the black" She confirmed, heading towards the front door. "Good. the red one makes you look fat" He explained teasingly.
CHARLIE WALKED INTO THE little dinner, and spotted his brother at a booth in the corner. "Liam" He called as he made its way over. Liam hoped up to meet him. "Baby brother!" He exclaimed, throwing his arms around him. "Where have you been? I called two days ago!"
Charlie fallowed him back the booth. "I've been busy, i guess" Charlie replied with a shrug. "Busy with what?" Liam asked curiously. "Helping a friend" he answered simply. "What friend would that be?"
"Claire."Charlie replied. "Oh...so its a girl friend" Liam noted teasingly. "Yes, a friend who is a girl." Charlie confirmed innocently. "And what were you helping this friend with?" Liam questioned, curiously. "She has a kid, her ex is trying to win custedy" Charlie answered plainly.
"She has kids?" Liam raised an eye brow. "She has a kid" Charlie corrected. "Since when did you start likeing girls witch kids?" Liam questioned teasingly. "Who said i liked her?" Charlie asked in reply.
"Come on, Charlie. I know you. You fall in love with almost every girl you see" Liam reminded, playfully. "I do not" Charlie grumbled defensivly. "Right..." Liam rolled his eyes sarcasticly, "So you don't like her then?"
"Well...i didn't say that..."
"I knew it" Liam grinned trumphently. "So this Claire girl, what's she like?"
"Perfect" was Charlie's answer. Liam rolled his eyes. "A little detail would be nice" He explained insistently. "Well, she has blond hair, big blue eyes, an amazing smile. She's really sweet" Charlie explained, a distant smile across his face. "Have you slept with her yet?" Liam broke the moment.
"NO" Charlie replied defensivly. "I was just asking...have you kissed her?" Liam contenuied curiously. "No...well, once. But that dosen't really count" Charlie explained. "Why dosen't it count?" Liam asked in confusion. "Well, i was pretending to be her date when she was talking to her ex, so she wouldn't have to do it alone, and we kissed to make him jelous" Charlie explained as if it were nothing.
"Was it good?"
"It was amazeing" was the answer. "Your hopeless" Liam notted, sympatheticly, reaching across the table to pat him on the shoulder. "i know" Charlie replied with a sigh. "So, dose she like you?"
"I have no idea" Charlie replied with a shrug. "Well, perhaps you should ask" Liam sugested simply. "ask? I'm not going to ask her" Charlie assured, skepticaly. "Why not?"
"because...she has enough going on in her life right now. I don't think she's looking for a boyfriend" Charlie explained. "You don't know that" Liam reminded. "Well i can guess. Besides...i'm not her type" Charlie assured with a sign. "Why whats her type?" Liam asked curiously.
"Well from the look of her ex she has a thing for real ass wholes" Charlie explained, bitterly. "You sure your not her type?" Liam teased.
"Shut up"
"Well, i'm sorry man. I wish i could help you" Liam sighed, sympatheticly. "Its alright. I'll live" Charlie assured. "I hope"
CLAIRE SAT ON THE COUCH, stareing at the phone when Leo walked in. "He still hasn't called has he?"
"Its been three days! What if he's really sick?" Claire questioned worriedly. "I'm sure if Skyler was really sick Thomas would call. His fiance probly just forgot to tell him that you were there." Leo tried to comfort, takeing a seat beside her. Claire didn't reply.
"Come on, sweety. You can't just sit by the phone all day" Shannon insisted, leaning over the back of the couch. "Why not?" Claire grumbled childishly. "Come on, i've got an idea" Shannno sugested pulling her up. "Oh, no. I'm not doing any of your ideas" Claire confirmed.
"Claire you need to get out of the house, rather you like it or not" Shannon replied firmly, hands on her hips. Claire turned to Leo for help. "She dose have a point" Leo explained. Oh great, they've both turned agenst me...
"But-"
"Come on. Lets get you out of those sweat pants" Shannon insted, garbbing Claire's arm and hauling her into the bed room. "We need to do something with her hair too" Leo added, fallowing them in.
"What's wrong with my hair?" Claire questioned, defensivly as Shannon pushed her down into the chair. "Well, hunny, a brush wouldn't kill you" Shannon teased, opening up the closet.
"I brush my hair!"
"Well it dosen't look like it" Leo explained, teasingly, pulling a hair brush off her dresser. Claire growled in anoyence as he began to pull the brush through her long, culy hair. "See? tangles" He noted, playfully. Claire rolled her eyes. "Skirt or pants?" Shannon questioned, now inside the closet.
"Why don't i just go naked?" Claire questioned sarcasticly. "Skirt it is" Shannon confirmed with a sigh. "You know, it would help is you coperated once and a while" Leo added, still messing with her hair. "Up or down, Shan?"
"I'm not cooperating and i'm not going" Claire confirmed with a pout, crossing her arms over her chest. Shannon poked her head out of the side of the closet. "Up...no, maybe down...or up, she always wears it down. Put it up. Oh, how bout those little bun things?"
"One on each side?"
"Yeah, those!" Shannon exclaimed before going back into the closet. "Your the boss" Leo shrugged, and went to work. "Did you not just hear me?" Claire questioned, defensicly, turning to face him. "Hush, sweety" Leo replied, cupping her chin and turning her head forward.
"Hey, Claire, where is that little blue skirt?" Shannon questioned. "Oh, the panel one? With that little string belt?" Leo asked, curiously. "Yeah, thats the one i was looking for" Shannon explained. "I think i saw it in there yesterday" Leo explained.
"Why were you in my closet yesterday?" Claire raised and eye brow in his direction. "Putting back the dress Shan barrowed, now turn around" Leo explained. Claire rolled her eyes and faced forward once again.
"Leo, i can't find it. Get in here and help me" Shannon insted from inside the closet. Leo sighed and got up. "Man, its like a jungle in here" he exclaimed, disapearing behind the door. "Is that it?"
"where?"
"Over there, in the corner"
"I dunno, i can't see it"
"i'll try to get over there"
"good idea"
"Ow, danmit"
"what?"
"my foots stuck"
"what?"
"Danmit, Shan, help me out"
"Ok, ok. sorry. here-"
A loud crash, and Leo falls out onto the floor. "Are you ok?" Shannon questioned from inside. "Yep. I'm out of the closet" Leo assured. "We know" Shannon reminded teasingly. "Hey Shan..."Leo questioned, sitting up. "What?"
"Where's Claire?"
The two headed out into the living room, no sign of Claire. "You don't think she left do you?" Shannon questioned. "No, she's here. Claire!" He called, looking in the kitchen. "Claire"
"Go away" She exclaimed from behind the locked bathroom door. "Claire, open the door" Leo insted. "No, i told you i'm not going, you can't make me"
Leo and Shannon exchanged a glance.
CLAIRE WALKED INTO the club, Leo and Shannon on either side pulling her in. "I can't belive this" she grubmled, arms crossed over her chest. "Stop pouting" Shannon scolded, pulling her into the crowd. "Well, i don't want to be here" Claire reminded threw gritted teeth.
"Oh grow up" shannon muttered smartly and gave her a playfull shove into the crowd of people danceing. Claire looked to either side in mild discuss as the people grinded agenst each other like dogs in heat. And from the way Shan began danceing with some random guy, it was mateing sesion.
Claire stood awkwardly, arms crossed, refuseing to move. "Hey Claire" Shan called, grabbing her attention as she leaned back angenst her new found friend, his arms around her waist. Claire looked up skepticly. "Is that Charlie?"
Claire looked in the direction Shannon had been looking and was suprised to see that was the direction of the stage where the band played, and sure enough, there stood Charlie playing guitar.