Chapter 5

Boone and Locke sauntered out of the jungle as the sun started to set that day. A smile had been residing on Boone's face for the better part of the afternoon, but Locke had made no mention of it to him, just kept a secretive smile to himself as they hunted. No words had to be exchanged between the two at times, Locke could almost read the other's mind. He didn't have to talk to him, it was like having his own son. Boone nodded at Locke as he caught sight of Claire and started toward her. The older man setting off towards camp so as not to be in the way.

Boone snuck up behind her and placed a hand on her slender shoulder gently, causing the other to jolt. She knew it was him after a moment though, but said nothing. Boone's brow furrowed and he gently turned her to face him. She looked pained and that instinct immediately kicked in, making him want to hurt whomever had caused her to suffer. "What's wrong?"

Claire shook her head and looked down at the sand a moment, kicking it around as if it were her oppressor. "I've just been thinking about some things..."

"About some things involving us?"

"Yes." She looked up to meet his eyes, her own looking deeply into his, searching for something it seemed. He didn't know what to show her, how to show her that she shouldn't doubt anything.

"Did someone say something to you that might have swayed you?" He asked, trying not to sound too hurt. He had always been a bit weaker when it came to the opposite sex, when the female in question actually made him feel that sensation of being in love. He had let jealousy cloud his vision before but jealousy wasn't the issue at the moment, he was scared of losing what he had only started to gain last night.

Claire looked reluctant to say anything, Boone knew then for sure someone had spoken to her. Shannon. She probably just wanted to ruin this for him, to wreck any happiness he might have found because she thought he belonged to her. He didn't need to hear the confirmation from Claire that came only moments later, he could feel it burning under his skin. He could see it in Claire's eyes. Shannon had tried to scare her off.

"Listen, don't pay any attention to Shannon. She's just jealous because she knows you're one hundred times the person she is. You've got a good heart, Claire. Listen to it. If it's telling you that you shouldn't be with me, then I'll accept that. But if it's saying that you should...believe it." He placed his hands on her shoulders softly, getting her to sustain eye contact with him. Once she had nodded and given him a hint of a smile, he slowly ran his hands down her arms then brought them back to his sides.

"I'm going to go and help Locke with the campfire. I'll let you have some time to think, all right?"

Claire nodded and Boone shot her one of his charming smiles before running off toward the campfire, though once he was sure Claire was occupied with Sun and Kate he ran off in the other direction. To find Shannon. And he found her, she was washing her hair in the spring as he approached. At one time he might have found her stance oddly enticing, but now he just wanted to talk and get away as soon as possible.

"Shannon." He said, voice rough and unyielding as he leaned up against a rock to stare at her as she lifted her head up to look at him.

"Hello." She smiled, that innocent smile she used to get away with things when they were children.

"I assume you already know why I'm here. So I won't bother beating around the bush. Why did you try to terrorize Claire?"

Shannon went back to washing her hair, cool as could be. "I didn't terrorize her. Did she say that?"

"No. She wasn't going to tell me the two of you spoke, but I could see that someone had gotten to her and oh look...I knew who is was right away."He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her.

"I was only trying to warn her. I mean we all know you were in love with me. Does she know that...by the way? That you loved me? That you still do...hand me that towel." She nodded toward the pink towel to her right and Boone picked it up, tossing it at her. Whereas he wouldn't have dared to toss anything at her before. She caught it and wrapped her hair up in it, then faced him, staring at him just the same as he was her.

"Shannon, this isn't funny anymore. I'm not fooling around this time. Why can't you just let me go? I want Claire. I want to be with her."

Shannon searched his eyes and saw he wasn't playing this time, he was serious. "But...what about me?"

"What about you? Aren't you and Sayid together anyway?"

"Well...maybe. I haven't decided yet." She put her nose in the air a bit and it made Boone think she looked like a snobby princess. "You love me."

"Loved. Shannon...I'll always care for you. I just...well not in that way anymore. Ever again. You know it was a stupid mistake. I have a chance at something real here and if you're so cold as to ruin that, then you really are worse off than I thought. If you care for me, you'll let this go." He tried to make eye contact with her again, but she was refusing to return the glance. Moments passed and she said nothing, so Boone went to leave.

"I can't make you do anything, but I would appreciate it if you try to just accept this." With that he turned and left her there, making his way back to the campfire.

Once he had reached his destination, he found Claire was waiting for him. She smiled and jumped up from her seat, coming to meet him half way. They stopped walking as they came within inches of each other and Boone looked down at her with a softness in his eyes, a softness that no one else got to see but her.

"So I've been thinking and..." Claire started. Boone was leaning in towards her as if that would make the blow any less painful.

"And what did you conclude?"

"That I want to try this." She smiled and Boone didn't say a word, just wrapped an arm about her shoulders and hugged her to his side. His lips came down to the side of her head and he closed his eyes as he planted a kiss there. Everything was all right for the moment. Hopefully Shannon would heed his advice and Charlie...well Charlie was a different matter all together. Though neither would have ever gussed what was to come. Something that wouldn't involve another human being.