Summary: Sawyer had visited him earlier that afternoon, a smirk on his lips and a dark mark on his cheek. Takes place before Locke and Boone go searching for Vincent.

Characters: Boone, Sawyer, Jack.

Key: Normal, flashback, thoughts in flashback.

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: Gosh, I'm so sorry it took me so long to update but things have been extremely hectic recently and I haven't had time to write. I hope you enjoy this part.

Boone stood at the edge of the ocean, the salty, frigid water lapping at his bare feet. The sun had set an hour ago, but Locke insisted they go out to search for Vincent tonight. While Locke was gathering his gear, Boone decided to take a moment to collect his thoughts.

He was worried.

Sawyer had visited him earlier that afternoon, a smirk on his lips and a dark mark on his cheek.

"Well, well, pretty boy, you're just the kid I wanted to see," Sawyer drawled as he approached, his thumbs hanging limply from his jean loopholes. Boone scowled at the Southern man and went back to sharpening his knife.

"What do you want Sawyer? Got bored and decided to come make my life a living hell?" Boone snapped, already feeling testy because of Michael's recent behaviour towards Locke and himself. He hadn't thought it possible, but Sawyer's smirk seemed to widen.

"Just thought I'd come warn you before your face got beaten in with a stone, not that it wouldn't be damn amusing," Sawyer taunted. A moment later when that registered completely in Boone's mind, he glanced up with a confused look in his eye.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Boone asked, his fist clenching unintentionally at his side. Sawyer cocked an eyebrow.

"No need to cuss at me boy. Just wanted to tell you, that VH1 reject came by earlier and took off with your girlfriends diary. Hope she didn't write nothin' kinky," the Southern mocked. Several emotions raced through Boone as Sawyer slinked away; worry, shock and rage being the predominant of them. Boone sighed and slumped back down on the chair and continued sharpening his knife. A rebellious thought flashed through Boone's mind, Let him come. Let him try.

Boone sighed heavily and clenched his toes in the sand. Claire had been missing almost two weeks, and with each day he grew more fretful, wondering how she and her baby were, if they were still alive. Just that morning, before going out with Locke, he'd been to see Jack about Claire.

"Hey Jack!" Boone called out as he wandered towards the doctor, who was eating some sort of exotic fruit Kate had picked. Jack smiled hesitantly and greeted Boone with a nod. "I was wondering, how far along was Claire when the plane crashed?" Jack gave Boone a strange look, as if to say, why do you even care?

And suddenly, it hit Boone like a punch to the gut. No one, with the exception of Locke, knew that he and Claire were friends. She hadn't mentioned it to anybody and neither had he.

"Uh, why are you so interested?" Jack asked awkwardly. Boone blinked blankly and a hollow laugh escaped him.

"Oh, you know, just worried about the baby's safety, but I should go find Locke. I'll catch you around," Boone rambled lamely, suddenly desperate to escape the claustrophobic cave and breathe some fresh, salty air.

Boone shook the memory off and made a silent promise, right there in the water. When they found Claire, he wasn't going to let anything stop them from being friends. Hell, he'd go up to each and every islander and openly admit he loved Claire more then he'd ever loved his stepsister. Boone sighed again, but this time it was lighter, and he turned at the sound of Locke's call.

As he trudged back across the beach, he felt inexplicably renewed with strength, and he felt tonight, things would change forever.

Fin