Title: Losing Voice (3 of ?)

Pairing: Claire/Charlie

Spoilers: All eps are fair game, but no precise spoilers… I don't think.

Summary: Claire has something in mind.

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, guys!

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Chapter 3

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Claire reached into her things by her bed for a small object and took Charlie's hand, leading him away from the caves. The light from various lit fires seeped through the trees and they could find their way through the night without too much trouble.

"You're odd, Claire."

She laughed, shrugging, and glanced back at him, "This isn't a special occasion? 'Cause that's what I kept it for…"

"I suppose it is," he nodded, smiling.

They reached the lagoon and Claire reached into her pants' pocket for a small recipient about the size of a pill bottle. She looked the container she held in her hand while Charlie, preoccupied with other things, looked down at his clothes.

"How are we… What should I…?" He questioned, stuttering slightly.

Claire's head snapped up at his way of behaving, "I don't mind…" She pulled on the hem of her shirt that covered her protruding belly. "Do you?"

"No," she shook his head, acting as if it wasn't a big deal and that he hadn't thought of anything else. "My clothes need a wash anyway."

Claire slipped out of her shoes and entered the water. Charlie looked around, hesitating for a moment, before doing the same and following after her.

Surrounded by dark looking, but relatively warm water, Claire felt her stomach tighten as her imagination ran wild. It was almost as if she was scaring herself because of the obscurity of the surroundings. She only felt safe when Charlie was close.

The sand under her feet was light and soft as she moved further away from the bank until she could barely set foot at the bottom without going under. She let herself go under with a splash and came up a second later. Her clothes and hair soaked, rivulets of water tickled and streamed down her skin. She looked at Charlie who dove forward and couldn't help the giggle escaping her lips, knowing that he was swimming towards her. She squealed when he caught her foot, protesting, and urged him to come up.

Charlie broke the water's surface, taking a breath and smiled mischievously. "Couldn't resist."

He moved his dripping hair out of his eyes, and ducked a bit, kissing the water's surface with his chin. "What now?"

"I think we should go over there," she pointed and Charlie nodded, holding back from shouting how happy he felt at that very moment. Swimming with Claire. Just the two of them alone together. He never thought he'd meet someone so utterly pure and nothing short of fun like Claire.

They swam to the other side of the lagoon where the waterfalls were and Claire brought her hand up from under the water, uncapping the small recipient.

"You first," Charlie muttered over the noise from the waterfall.

"It was my idea and I say you're first." She replied, headstrong.

Seeing the glint in her eye, Charlie couldn't dare squabble with her and acted accordingly.
She tipped the minuscule container in her hand, keeping about half of the viscous opaque substance untouched and replaced the cap on it. "Here," she handed it to Charlie, "hold this for me, please."

Charlie lowered himself like before – a little more than before since it wasn't as deep there - his chin touched the water's surface and Claire rubbed her hands together, lathering the shampoo between her palms.
A travel-size shampoo bottle… Who would have thought that she'd be that happy to have packed it? She was leaving for L.A. for a few weeks to have her baby there then leave, and had seriously thought of getting all new stuff when she'd arrive in the States, but changed her mind at the last minute, thinking just a small amount could be useful for the first couple of days.

The bubbly froth covering her hands emanated a scent that reminded her of home.
She tiptoed in the sand as Charlie turned his back at her and she laced her fingers through his hair, working the shampoo in. He tried to hold back his body from shaking with the shockwaves her delicate fingers were causing him. Goosebumps formed on the skin of his neck while a shiver coursed up his spine and made him jolt.

"That feels nice." He managed not to sound too affected by the gentle caressing he was receiving, but he honestly thought he could have died of ecstasy at that very moment.

"I bet it does. You were in need of a good shampooing." Good-humoredly, she ruffled his hair.

"You're probably right," he said with embarrassment.

"I'm pulling your leg, Charlie."

"It's still true."

After a few minutes, she spoke again, "'kay, I think you're good to rinse."

Charlie straightened and turned, shaking his head, small bottle in hand.

"No?" She furrowed her brow.

He emptied the contents of the bottle in his hand and threw it as far as he could towards the water's edge. Slowly, careful not to put shampoo in her eyes, Charlie lathered the top of Claire's head.

She smiled, glancing up at him, watching him work on her thick tresses. "I'd say you have your work cut out for you."

"I don't mind."

She reached up and helped him, her hands casually brushing against his. He stepped forward and she playfully took her foamy right hand and rubbed it over his cheek and short beard.

Charlie licked his lips, a twinkle in his eye, but hindered back.

Simply taking her hand in his, he lead her to the waterfall and they both stood under to get rid of the shampoo.

They moved away from the waterfall and Claire spoke up, "That was great."

"Yeah, it was." Charlie grinned.

Claire dipped back, but struggled forward a second later. "Can't lay on my back with this baby, I'll drown!"

"I'll hold you." Charlie motioned her to come in the more shallow area and offered his support.

Claire dipped back again and was held by Charlie. She gazed up at the starry sky. "We never have time to appreciate our the beauty of life… It's breathtaking," she commented.

"It certainly is." Charlie stared down at Claire.

She quirked an eyebrow, "You're not even looking at the stars."

"Don't need to… I see their reflection in your eyes."

Rendered speechless, Claire blushed.

TBC…