Summary: Boone goes to check up on Claire.
Characters: Claire, Boone.
Pairings: Claire/Boone friendship.
Distribution: lost-forum
Disclaimer: Don't own them, don't sue.
Feedback: Completely necessary if you want the next part.

AN: I'd like to thank CriesofCapricorn, Mony19 and Saraiyu for reviewing White Rabbit, it was great. :) I'm aiming to have a chapter up a day and I'll do my best to keep to that. Enjoy.

Claire sunk down into her plane seat and closed her eyes, letting the hot sunlight wash over her. It was loud at the beach today, the oceans crash and people's chatter filling her ears. She simply relaxed back into her seat and let her senses go. It was a meditation technique she'd read about as a teen and she tried to do it as often as possible to keep a level head about her.

In. Out. In. Out.

Time trickled by around her, but Claire payed no attention to the voices.

In. Out. In. Out.

"Claire! Claire!"

Claire snapped out of her trance and their eyes met in an instant.

"Boone," she gasped, letting out a breath of relief. "What's wrong?" A rosy blush filled his stubble covered cheek and he averted his eyes to the sand.

"I saw you, here. And I thought maybe you'd like some company," Boone admitted, slumping down in the seat beside her. She smiled softly at him.

"How are you?" she asked politely as she reached across him for her fisherman's hat. She pulled it crookedly on her head and he reached up to correct it for her.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? After all, you were the one who fainted yesterday," Boone pointed out forcefully. Claire's smile widened at his concern.

"Clean bill of health. Jack gave me a few extra water bottles, I'll be fine," Claire insisted, "plus, I got this nifty hat to protect me from the evil UV rays." Boone let out a short laugh, but almost instantly sobered up. Claire frowned slightly. "What's wrong Boone? It's as if you won't let yourself be happy." Boone sighed again, but this time it was a heavy one, full with regret.

"You could've died Claire. You could've died because I stole the water," Boone whispered, as if saying it too loud would make it more true. Claire's eyes filled with pity for the young man in front of her as she reached over to rake her fingers through his hair.

"But I didn't. And you did try to help me. Boone, you're a good man," Claire urged softly in his ear. A moment later, she felt his body shake with silent sobs and she pulled him onto her bulging lap. She whispered reassurances in his ear as he rode out his grief. Soon, his sobs subsided and he pulled himself off her, no longer able to meet her eye.

"Sorry, I guess I needed to get that out," he said hoarsely. Claire smiled sympathetically at him. "I should go."

"Or, you should walk me over to Hurley to get some lunch," Claire suggested sweetly, thrusting her hand out to him. Boone smiled ever-so-slightly and pulled himself to his feet. He grabbed her hand and gently helped her up.

As they started down the beach, Boone turned to Claire and said, "so, did anyone tell you about the time Sawyer shot a polar bear?"