Summary: Boone and Claire figure out their relationship.

Characters: Boone, Claire.

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

Thanks to addictedtowriting09, TotallyLost, Mony19 and Saraiyu for your great reviews, they mean so much. :)

Boone stared loving down at Shannon, who was sleeping peacefully on the cave floor in front of him. She turned in her sleep, her back facing him now. He raked his fingers through her soft blonde locks and sighed.

"Boone."

He glanced up to see Claire standing a few metres away, gesturing for him to come to her. He pushed himself up with his palms and carefully placed a blanket over his sister before creeping across to Claire.

"Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be at the beach," Boone asked quietly, leading Claire outside the cave.

"Is Shannon okay?" Claire asked concernedly, glancing over his shoulder at the resting girl. Boone gazed into her eyes, as if to see her sincerity.

"Shan will be fine, she's a fighter," Boone replied, slight admiration tinging her tone. "But you didn't answer my question." Claire looked up at him swiftly, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth. Boone watched her and moaned inwardly.

"I-moved-to-the-caves-with-Charlie," she blurted out, glancing guiltily over Boone's shoulder again. Boone's mouth opened to make the perfect 'O' and in any other circumstance, Claire would've giggled, but she just fidgeted with her thumbs.

"Why?" he asked softly, just barely audible.

"Charlie asked me to. It's probably for the best anyway. No sun, close to medical 'facilities'," Claire explained, a silent plea in her voice. Boone nodded in understanding, a shaky smile on his lips. "You should move up here too," she added, rubbing her hand over his stubbly cheek. Boone swallowed loudly, placing his hand over hers.

"Claire," he rasped, staring down at her rapidly moving mouth.

Their lips met in a kiss, and Boone pulled her flush against him. For a long moment they melded into one another, taking comfort in each others bodies.

But after several long seconds, they drew back from each other awkwardly. Claire looked up at Boone and they started laughing ironically.

When she calmed down enough to speak, Claire said, "I felt-"

"Nothing," Boone finished, beaming down at Claire who was grinning back.

"You're cute, but in a brotherly way. I think," Claire added, stepping back to leave a respectful distance between them.

"Friends?" Boone offered, sticking out his hand. Claire's grin widened as she took it.

"Friends," she agreed, dropping his hand and engulfing him in a hug. Boone returned it, rubbing her back.

As they walked back into the caves, a silent understanding formed between the two of them. And later that night, while Claire and Charlie unpacked Claire's things and Boone and Shannon whispered silently in the corner, they glanced up at each other, sharing a secret glance. A secret glance that told the other everything they secretly needed to hear.

I love you.

Fin