Sorry for the long wait. I ran short on time this summer finishing my summer assignments and then I started my job at the Renaissance Festival. But here I am the day before school starts updating finally! Hope you guys like this chapter, mostly Claire is in it because she's the one who faces the problem. The next chapter will be all about Charlie.

Chapter Four: A New Intern

"Did you hear?" Kate asked coming to Claire's office. Claire turned away from her computer.

"That my husband got fired?" Claire asked solemnly.

"I heard about it. Sawyer told me. I'm really sorry Claire. If we can do anything to help," Kate offered. Claire put her hand up; she wasn't looking for hand-outs.

"No, it's okay. We're going to manage. Charlie's out looking for a job and he should find one soon," Claire replied. "So, what news do you have?"

"Tarin is hiring new interns today. And each associate gets one to work under them. So, you and I get interns," Kate said.

"That should be fun; I've never been a boss to anyone before. Well, maybe the kids and Charlie sometimes but that's about it," Claire said. Kate laughed. "At least I still have my sense of humor."

"You probably just attained that from Charlie," Kate said. "After all you two have been married four years."

"Together for five though!" Claire yelled out the doorway as Kate walked back to her office.

Claire went back to work and soon it was interrupted again with a knock on the door. Claire looked up to see her manager standing there with a guy.

"Claire," Joann said. "I assume you heard about the interns?"

"Yes, I have," Claire said standing. "Is this one mine?" Joann smiled.

"Yes, he is. Claire this is Scott Richards. Scott this is Claire Pace, one of our highly qualified publishers," Joann said.

"Nice to meet you," Claire replied shaking his hand. Scott smiled.

"Nice to meet you too," he said. Scott had dark brown almost black hair. He had deep green eyes and was about six feet tall. His Australian accent was really heavy as well.

"I'll leave you two to talk and get to know each other. I'm going to send Kate her intern," Joann said.

"Give her someone really mean and nasty," Claire joked. She sat back down and looked up at Scott. "Have a seat."

"Thanks," he said sitting in her other chair. "So, who's Kate?"

"Oh, my best friend. Her name is Kate Ford; she's really nice and very funny. You should love her," Claire said. "So, tell me about yourself. I'd like to get to know you before working with you."

"Well I'm 29 and I live about four blocks from here. My whole family lives here in Sydney. I graduated from Sydney University (anyone know if that's a real college?) about seven years ago. That's about it. I'm not really interesting. What about you?" Scott asked.

"Well I'm 26 going to be 27 in a month and a half. I was born here in Sydney as an only child. My dad lives close by here and he's really great. My mum on the other hand wouldn't want to do anything with me. I don't know where she is," Claire explained.

"Oh, why not?" Scott asked.

"It's a long story, has to deal with my oldest son," Claire replied. "I got pregnant by my ex boyfriend and…it's just a long story I don't want to get into."

"So, your oldest son? How many do you have?" he asked.

"I have three kids, two boys and a girl," Claire explained. She picked up their picture off her desk and showed Scott. "Aidan is the oldest and thankfully he looks like me. Camille is next and she looks like her daddy, though she does have some of my features, and the little one is Ben. He was only three weeks old when we had this picture done."

"Wow, you've been busy," Scott said. He noticed her engagement ring and wedding ring on her finger. "So you're married now?"

"Yeah to a wonderful man. His name is Charlie and he means the world to me. We were big opposites when we met and who would have thought we'd be together. We met in the most unlikely place and it just became a story book romance," Claire explained.

"You really love him don't you?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, tons. We've been married for four years and we're still going strong. We've run into a little bit of trouble right now but we'll get through it," Claire replied.

"Fighting?" Scott asked.

"No, Charlie lost his job. But its okay, we're going to get through it," Claire said smiling. "So, let's get you started on work."

Claire gave him some work to do and as he did it in the other desk in her office Claire got back to work on her job. As soon as she pulled up to the computer, her phone rang.

"Hello Claire Pace how may I help you?" she asked into the phone.

"Well don't you sound all professional today. Usually all I get is a hello," Charlie said. Claire giggled.

"What are you doing calling here Charlie?" she asked. Scott looked at her and decided to listen in.

"Figured I'd say hello to my wife. What you up too?" Charlie asked.

"Oh pretty much nothing right now. We hired interns today and I have one working under me. He's really nice," Claire said.

"What's his name?" Charlie asked. Claire could hear a hint of jealousy in his voice, something that was common when Claire was with a new guy.

"Charlie, stop it," She said. "His name is Scott Richards. Don't be jealous." Scott smiled to himself.

"Okay, just wondering if I could pick you up. Kate drove this morning didn't she?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah, you can pick me up. What time are you coming by?" Claire asked.

"Around three thirty," Charlie replied. "Then you and I can have fun because your dad gets the kids tonight doesn't he?"

"Yeah, I can't wait," Claire said.

"Neither can I, Aidan is begging for some food so I'll let you go," Charlie said.

"Yes, please feed our babies," Claire said.

"I will. I love you," Charlie said.

"I love you too," Claire replied. "Bye."

"Bye," Charlie said and then hung up. Claire turned back around to her computer and continued working waiting for 3:30 to come.

Later that day…

Charlie walked down the hallway to Claire's office and passed Kate's on the way. They waved at each other because Kate was on the phone, it sounded like with Sawyer so Charlie let them be.

Charlie walked down to Claire's office to see she wasn't in there. He shrugged and sat in her seat to wait for her.

Claire came in a few seconds later and smiled. "Hi," she said walking over to him. Charlie opened his arms and Claire sat on his lap and kissed him.

"I missed you today," Charlie said. Claire continued kissing him. "Save some for later love."

"Can't help it, it's been almost a month since we've been alone without the kids," Claire said. Charlie smiled and wrapped his arms around her tightly as they kissed.

Scott walked in to see them kissing. He frowned and walked back out; he had really started to like Claire and hearing she was married made him mad. He could never ask her out now.

"So, where the kids happy to go over to dad's?" Claire asked.

"Yeah, they were so excited to go see grandpa," Charlie said. "Guess what?"

"What?" Claire asked.

"My mum called me today and she said her and my dad are finally moving down here," Charlie said.

"Yay! Now the kids get both sets of grandparents living close to them," Claire said. Charlie smiled. He ran his hand down her leg.

"So, where's this Scott person?" Charlie asked looking in the hallway. Claire pulled his face over to look at hers.

"Don't worry about him, today's suppose to be about us," Claire said. Charlie smiled.

"You're right, I say we go now and have fun," Charlie said. Claire nodded and hopped off his lap. Charlie helped her close up her office and they went out to have some fun.

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Uh oh, looks like Scott is trouble. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Updates will now be sporadic because school is starting for me. Plus I work on the weekends so I'll update when I can.

REVIEW RESPONSES

Moodys-rejected-heart: I know it does suck. I don't know from experience but I would hate to be in that position. It will get better though, I promise. Thanks for the review!

Tari5: I know what you mean, that's me. I'm not a sports girl; I'm surprised my mom supports me writing and stuff. Shocking! Thanks for the review!

Jesi0546: I know he's a BLOODY ROCK GOD! But he did get laid off, but it will get better! Thanks for the review!

Hekate-Trivia: Did you read chapter two? That's where Jannie comes in, hope I unconfused you. Thanks for the review!

CharlieandClaire: I know, poor Charlie and Claire. Don't worry though it'll get better. Thanks for the review!

Until next time,

Lost Hobbit