Hello everyone! I'm back with chapter nine! I personally love this chapter. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do. So here we go!

Chapter Nine: Hearts and Minds

A week later

Claire was getting ready for her date with Charlie. She was excited because Charlie said he had a surprise to tell her.

Claire searched through her closet for the perfect outfit. She finally decided on skirt and nice shirt. She quickly got dressed and sang along to the stereo blasting from the living room.

Kate and Shannon had already gone on their own dates with Jack and Sawyer so Claire was alone in the apartment, with the exception of Boone downstairs in the main house with his girlfriend Hannah.

Claire danced around the room singing along to the new song that started playing.

'How do I, get through one night without you?

If I had to live without you, what kind of life would that be?

Oh I, I need you in my arms, need you to hold,

You're my world, my heart, my soul.

If you ever leave, baby you would take away anything,

Good in my life, and tell me now

How do I live without you?

I want to know.

How do I breathe without you?

If you ever go.

How do I ever, ever survive?

How do I?

How do I?

Oh, how do I live?'

Meanwhile, Charlie was walking up the stairs to the girls place.

"Claire?" he called. Claire couldn't hear him because the radio was up so loud. Charlie walked up the rest of the step and placed his jacket on the couch. He saw light streaming down the hallway and saw it led to Claire's room.

Charlie walked down the hall and to Claire's room. He leaned against the doorframe peeking into the room as he watched Claire sing. He had never heard her sing before and wanted to keep listening.

'Without you, there'd be no sun in my sky,

There'd be no love in my life,

There'd be no world left for me,

And I, well baby I don't know what I would do,

I'd be lost if I lost you.

If you ever leave, baby you would take away everything,

Real in my life, and tell me now

How do I live without you?

I want to know.

How do I breathe without you?

If you ever go.

How do I ever, ever survive?

How do I?

How do I?

Oh how do I live?'

Charlie smiled at the harmony of her voice, he didn't want to disturb her so he left her be and watched her.

'Please tell me baby,

How do I go on?

If you ever leave, baby you would take away everything,

Need you with me.

Baby don't you know that you're everything, good in my life.

And tell me now.

How do I live without you?

I want to know.

How do I breathe without you?

If you ever go.

How do I ever, ever survive?

How do I?

How do I?

Oh, how do I live?'

Charlie stepped into her room and wrapped his arms around her. Claire stiffened. Charlie placed his mouth next to her ear.

"Shh, it's just me," Charlie whispered. Claire smiled and Charlie kissed her cheek. "How are you today?"

"Charlie, you just saw me like three hours ago," Claire said.

"That's a long time," Charlie said kissing her softly. Claire smiled and snuggled into his chest.

"I loved how you sang," Charlie said. Claire looked up at him.

"You heard me?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, you were great," Charlie said. "We should start a band, like Sonny and Cher." Claire giggled.

"You're a piece of work Charlie Pace," Claire said. Charlie smiled and kissed her.

"Ready to go?" he asked. Claire nodded and grabbed his black hoodie to put on. They walked out the door and to Charlie's car.

"Hey, you two just leaving?" The couple turned to see Sawyer and Shannon pulling up.

"Yeah, why are you two home so early?" Charlie asked.

"Taking care of some business," Sawyer said.

"Careful, Boone's home," Claire warned Shannon.

"Okay, have fun you two," Shannon said. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

At the restaurant…

"So, what's the secret you wanted to tell me?" Claire asked.

"Well, I got you something," Charlie said. Claire looked at him.

"Charlie, you didn't have to get me anything," Claire said.

"Yeah, but it's something you've wanted forever," Charlie said. "But, it's in the car; I'll give it to you when we leave."

"Okay, but you really didn't have to give me anything," Claire replied. Charlie winked at her and they continued eating.

Later…

Charlie and Claire were taking a walk along the boardwalk overlooking the beach. Charlie had hidden the secret present in his jacket pocket.

Charlie wrapped his arm around Claire and they walked down the boardwalk some more.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Charlie asked.

"Well, I have to work tomorrow morning, but other than that I'm free. You?" Claire asked. Charlie smiled.

"Well, I guess tomorrow morning, I'll come hang out at the diner until you get off. And then we'll see what goes on from there," Charlie said.

"How about we stay in, spend some time together alone," Claire said leaning up and placing soft kisses on his neck. Charlie smiled.

"Sounds like a plan," Charlie said. "Let's sit; I want to give you your present now."

"Okay," Claire said. They sat on a nearby bench.

"Now Claire, I remember the day you told me this story. About a certain item you have wanted for so long," Charlie said.

"Yes, the music box," Claire said. Charlie smiled and reached into his pocket. Claire's mouth dropped. "Oh Charlie, you didn't!"

"I did," Charlie said. He pulled it out. Claire felt tears rush to her eyes. She fingered it and then looked up at Charlie.

"Charlie," she whispered. She flung herself into his arms and kissed him long and passionately. "Thank you."

"No problem," Charlie said.

"This was so expensive, what did you buy it with?" Claire asked.

"The money from my savings for my shop," Charlie replied.

"You didn't have to spend that money on me," Claire replied.

"I wanted to," Charlie said. He looked into her eyes and ran a finger down her cheek. "I love you Claire."

"What?" she asked to make sure she was hearing right. Charlie smiled.

"I love you Claire," Charlie said. Claire laughed out loud and threw her arms around Charlie.

"Charlie, I love you too," she said. Charlie kissed her.

"I'm so happy to hear that," he said. Claire smiled and snuggled into Charlie. She lifted the top of her music box as it started playing the song.

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away," She heard Charlie sing. Claire smiled as Charlie wrapped an arm around her. They sat and watched the people walk by listening to their song.

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There you have it; they finally said I love you! Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. But I regret to inform you, Claire will not be getting pregnant in this story. Sorry. But, I still hope you guys are enjoying my story. Thanks for the reviews for chapter eight.

Song: 'How Do I Live?' by LeAnn Rimes

Until next time,

Bloomy Angel