Disclaimer: In Chapter One

A/N: I didn't originally start this chapter to be a filler, but that's sort of what it became. So sorry it's kinda boring. And really short. But I've got a plan for the next chapter so I'm hoping that I'll be able to get that one finished quickly and up and that it won't be as boring or so short. Oh, in case you're wondering, Romanze was composed by Beethoven.

Chapter Two

"So, have you got a place to stay?" Charlie asked, turning to Claire who was watching Thomas's retreating back. Her mind was still whirling, what with Thomas's little charade, the kiss, finally standing up to Thomas… But mainly because of the kiss.

Sure, she and Charlie and been very close these last 10 months but it wasn't until all these emotions were bubbling up through her did she realize that she had suppressed and hidden the truth about her feelings from Charlie and even herself. But, although she finally found the truth, she was more confused than ever! Did Charlie reciprocate these newly found feelings? Is that why he kissed her? Or was it just so he could help her with the Thomas problem? But even if that were so, hadn't he felt he same passion radiating between them? Because when he kissed he, it seemed real to Claire. She had felt it with every second the kiss had lasted, the pent-up passion, the bottled desire from the 10 long months on the island, even if she had been unaware of it while it was building up. But if Charlie did feel the same way about her that raised some more problems. Would they become a couple? Would he be Aaron's dad? Would she be willing to start up a new relationship when all fo her past ones were so painful?

"Claire?" Charlie said.

"Huh?" Claire replied, so tangled up in her thoughts she hadn't even refistered his question earlier.

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" he repeated.

"Oh…um, no," Claire admitted, a little embarrassed that no one cared enough to come for her after being dead 10 months.

"Well, you're wrong. Remember, I asked you ages ago," Charlie informed her.

"Oh, yeah," Claire said slowly, the memory resurfacing. "Yeah, you could stand for another haircut again," Claire teased him looking critically at his long bangs that hung in his eyes and hair that fell just below the nape of his neck.

"Yeah…well…maybe you need a haircut!" Charlie retorted defensively, not able to come up with a better comeback.

Claire snorted, "Oh, Charlie, what ever am I going to do with you?"

"Give me a haircut apparently," Charlie said sarcastically in an undertone.

"Ah!" Claire cried in indignation and lightly slapped him with that back of her hand that wasn't cradling Aaron. Charlie staggered backwards dramatically, making fun of Claire. She glared menacingly at him, trying not to let that smile tugging at the corner of her lips become too obvious. He returned her glare and they locked their gaze, trying to make the other the first to burst out laughing. It happened simultaneously though.

"C'mon, you gotta meet my brother! We're gonna stay with him," Charlie said, breaking away from Claire and leading her over to the man she had seen him hugging earlier.

"Claire, this is Liam, the biggest ponce you'll ever meet. And Liam, this is Claire," Charlie introduced.

After throwing a scathing look at Charlie, though the smile he tried to hide gave him away , he turned and gave Claire a cheeky wink and grin, the brotherly resemblance pulling through strong.

"Hello, Claire. Charlie's been here for a half an hour and for the past 25 minutes all he's talked about is you," Liam said, and Claire laughed lightly.

"Liam!" Charlie hissed at his brother.

"Oops!" Liam said and then leaned in to Claire, "Don't tell him I told you!" he whispered loud enough so that Charlie heard him.

"See, what did I tell you? Biggest ponce you'll ever meet," Charlie said, shaking his head exasperatly.

Claire combed out her wet tangled hair. It was late at night. Aaron had been bathed, fed, and was now asleep and content, so Claire had some time to sort out her thoughts.

Charlie introduced Claire to Liam's wife, Karen, as a friend. So is that what they were? Or had he just said that because he didn't know where Claire stood with everything? But what had she expected, 'This is my future wife, Claire."? But did he just want to be friends? If that were so, why did he kiss her, and why had she felt so much because of it?

There was a knock on her door and she turned and watched Charlie slip in through a small crack. Claire smiled at him and he walked over to her, but paused briefly to look down at Aaron and gently smooth down the duck fluff hair on his head.

"Just came to see if you needed anything," Charlie explained.

"Nope, everything's good."

"Okay, so you're comfortable? Do you want a glass of water? Anything to eat? Want me to sing a lullaby?"

Claire laughed. "Everything's fine, Charlie." He nodded and they lapsed into silence. Claire decided if there was ever a time, it was now. "Charlie, earlier today, with Thomas--"

"It was nothing, love. Just trying to help you out, I knew you didn't want to go with him, and I figured if I said I was your boyfriend he would back off. And we had to show him in words and actions. And I have to say, we really did show him!" Charlie explained in a quick, hasty rush.

"Oh," Claire explained, a little disappointed, well, very disappointed. "Well--um, thanks for helping me get away from him. And for letting me stay with you," Claire said, feeling that she had to say more than 'oh'

"Anything for a friend." Charlie said with a bright smile.

A friend.

"Well, I'm tired," Claire said, heaving a huge, fake yawn. She didn't really want Charlie around right now.

"Right. G'night, love," he said and slipped out of the room.

It was nothing! It hadn't felt like nothing! Was he really that good of an actor? And if that was acting, what else had been? All those little moments on the island that had her so over the moon for him? Had he been stringing her along all this time? But Claire knew that it was partly her fault for this too. She knew better than to trust a hot-blooded male!But she had been so happy just to be his friend before, couldn't she just settle for that now? She knew she couldn't really, not now that she had thought of him as more than that. But, obviously, that's all he wanted to be.

A friend.

But she really couldn't come forward with all of this to Charlie. She was living here because of him and if he got angry, and Claire knew he possessed a trait for hotheadedness (or was that acting too?) then she might be back with no where to stay. But, she couldn't keep it all inside either! She really needed a new journal, badly!

How could one little kiss (although it hadn't been all that little to Claire) completely change everything? But had Claire really expected to get married to Charlie, have him adopt Aaron, have lots more babies and lead well, basically the life Thomas had painted out for Claire and him. Although Claire denied it she secretly knew a small region of her mind had believed that.

A/N: I guess it wasn't as short as I was anticipating…but it was mainly just Claire thinking. I hope it wasn't to ramble-y, cuz I'm a huge rambler, and so I'm thinking that's mainly all this chapter was. And I hope it wasn't overly-dull. Oh well, no worries...I should have the next chapter out soon I hope!

Sorry I can't do adaquate review responses but I really gotta run and I want to get this up so thanks to everyone who reveiwed and CCLover4Ever, you're the greatest!