1Author's Note: Thank you so much to my reviewers! You are what keeps me writing. This chapter is from Claire's perspective, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 2

She watched as he walked away. His body moved in such an effortless manner. A tall and lanky form walking off into the jungle as she looked on. He didn't look like he was afraid of anything, but sometimes she could see it in his eyes. The same fear that they all shared, that they would never be rescued. It made her feel a bit better though, knowing he was scared too. She had figured he didn't worry about any of the same things the rest of them did. He looked like a hero, hunting, building, and catching damsels in distress.

Yes, Claire remembered that it was Boone that had caught her that day. She could still recall the feeling of strong arms around her tiny form as she lost consciousness. He has stayed with her too...though she didn't remember that, Jack had told. She wouldn't forget that kindness either. She only wished there was something that she could do to show him that she appreciated all his help, but she just as well assumed that he didn't want the recognition. He hadn't told her that he had been around, he hadn't stayed until she woke up.

Claire was brought back to attention by Kaleb who started to grab at her long strands of hair. "Oi. Time for dinner, yeah?" She smiled at the baby and pulled herself up from the ground and headed for the camp fire.

Charlie was waiting for her and Kaleb, and he pat a seat next to him as Claire started to approach. She sat down and Kate immediately came over to ask if she could play with Kaleb whilst Claire ate. Claire handed him over and watched as Kate walked over to Jack with Kaleb in arms and sighed softly. Charlie raised an eyebrow and placed a hand on her knee gently.

"What's on your mind?"

"Oh...nothing. I'm just happy that everyone is enjoying Kaleb so much."

Charlie eyed her for a moment, knowing that wasn't it, but didn't press the issue.

And he was quite right. That wasn't it. Claire was still thinking about Boone. How he acted so secretive at times, like he was holding back. What did he have to fear out here? They all were exposed, there was no reason to hide. She continued to dwell on it during dinner until she was nearly finished with her fish. Boone appeared suddenly from the jungle, a bunch of bamboo slung over his right shoulder as he carried some tools Locke had managed to make in the other hand. Her eyes followed him closely, but he didn't look over. She didn't know why, but that made her stomach fall a bit, as if she had just lost something dear to her.

Claire finished up her meal and slipped away from the group without anyone noticing, heading for the caves. As she entered, she came to rest her eyes on Boone. He was already trying to set something up for her. She smiled softly as she approached, ever so silently. He didn't notice her at all. It gave her a chance to admire him from behind as he started to work on cutting off unneeded parts of the bamboo. The muscles in his arms tightening and loosening as he worked. He had a strong back as well. She could see that as his shirt clung to him when he moved around. Once he had set down the knife she came up behind him and gently tapped his shoulder.

Boone whirled around, almost colliding with the girl, which would have sent them straight to the floor. Luckily, he balanced himself out enough to catch himself. Claire put her index finger to her bottom lip and smiled a bit. "Sorry if I startled you."

"No, no. It's all right. Just thought you were still eating." He smiled in return and ran his hand back through his dark hair, eyes moving to the floor.

Again, he wasn't looking at her. And again, it made her feel a bit disappointed. "Boone..." She took a step closer. He stiffened.

"Yeah?" He said softly and finally looked up to meet her eyes.

"You...haven't eaten anything. Do you want me to go and fetch you something? You know you don't have to do this right now."

"Oh...it's fine. Really. I want to do it." He offered.

Claire nodded and bit at her lower lip, "Well I really appreciate it."

Boone waved this off as if it were nothing at all. "You can help a bit if you'd like though. Unless Kaleb needs you."

"He's with Kate. I'd love to help. Just tell me what to do." She bounced back and forth on the heels of her feet and rubbed her hands together.

Boone chuckled a bit at the action and nodded at two of the bamboo poles. "Just hold those up straight for me while I connect them to the cave wall there. We'll do one at a time."

Claire nodded and got one in place, staying as still as she could. Boone moved about, bending some wire hooks here and there, then stringing a cord through the hooks and connecting them to the pole. One down, Claire moved to the other side and held up the other pole for him as he worked. Her hip rested against the cave wall and as Boone came around he stood right behind her, his arm encircled around her to get to the top of the pole. She closed her eyes for a moment and took in his scent. He smelled of the jungle, like the fresh air. The heat his body gave off as it was so close to hers made her take a deep breath and she didn't break out of her revelry until Boone made a sort of irritated noise.

Claire's eyes shot open again, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, I got this hook stuck in your hair. Just...hold still."

Boone gently maneuvered the hook around, getting it out of her curly blond locks. His fingers lingered in her hair for a moment afterwards, gently straightening out the tangle he had made with the hook by accident. Claire relaxed at the touch, it was comforting...she hadn't been touched like that in such a long time. Soon he stepped back though and cleared his throat a bit.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to get that caught in your hair and all..." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and then looked at the floor, noting a spare blanket.

"Oh...here's your curtain."

Boone picked up the blanket and threw it over the cord. He then pulled on the cord a bit to make sure it was secure. It worked. Claire watched him and then turned her attention to their project with a grin.

"It looks wonderful! Thank you. This should work out really well."

Boone nodded a bit bashfully and then straightened up his form.

"Well if you don't need anything else..."

"I don't, but...Boone? I really do appreciate it." She made her way toward him and stood up on her tip toes to kiss his cheek.

As she backed down again she thought she caught the hint of a flush coming from his face, but it wasn't there when she tried to look for it a second time. Boone was just staring at her, a mixture of confusion and elation on his face. She took his hand, a bit surprised at the rough texture of it, but she gave it a squeeze anyway. She kind of liked the rough texture of it really, it added to the fact that he was so strong, yet those same strong hands could be so gentle with her son.

"Anytime. I mean anytime you need anything...just let me know." He said softly.

She nodded and they parted. Again she was left watching his form walk away. This time it was slower though, as if he didn't really want to go away. When he turned the corner and was gone though, she felt his presence linger. And the feeling of his presence made her feel...safe.

Chapter 3 to come soon!