Chapter 10
"Thank you Uncle Tommy. I really appreciate this." Shawn shook his uncle's hand earnestly. "I know that things have been rough between the two of us lately, but this is a great thing you're doing for me. I won't forget it."
Tom smiled warmly at his nephew. He had been looking for a way to mend the rift between them for some time, and Shawn himself had dropped the answer in his lap. "Well if it's that important to you Shawn, I'm happy to help. Claire, it's nice to meet you."
"Mr. Baldwin." Claire gave an uncertain smile as she shook Tom's hand firmly.
"Well, you can stay in the guest room. Why don't I get my son to show you the way. Kyle!"
Shawn's cousin ambled down the stairs and looked inquiringly at the scene before him. He hadn't seen his once-favorite cousin is quite some time, since the two of them had had a falling out about Shawn's devotion to Jordan Collier.
"Hey coz, it's good to see you." The two boys hugged briefly.
"It's good to see you too man. It's been too long."
"Look, Kyle," said Tom, "This is Claire. She's looking for a place to stay for awhile, and I told Shawn she can take the guest room. Could you show her up there while I have a word with your cousin?"
Quickly erasing the puzzled expression on his face, Kyle adopted his usual easygoing grin. "Sure Dad. Shawn, I'll see you around."
"Yeah, see you."
Claire gave Shawn a quick smile as she turned to follow Kyle, but Shawn grabbed her arm to stop her going. "Look, you'll be good here, and I'll be back soon to check up. Just – uh, well, 'bye."
"Don't worry Shawn, I think I'll manage." Claire gave what she thought was an encouraging smile. "I'll see you soon." She squeezed his hand and followed Kyle out of the kitchen.
"So not that I don't appreciate your ambush tactics, but are you going to tell me what this is all about?" Tom fixed Shawn with a concerned stare. "What kind of trouble is this girl in?"
"I know, I'm sorry I just sprung that on you, but I didn't know where else to take her. She was going to run, and I knew it would be better for her if she stayed here."
"Better for her or better for you?" Shawn opened his mouth, but found no response. "Don't worry about it, just tell me what she's running from. Did she do something illegal?"
"No, no Uncle Tommy, it's nothing like that. Look," he passed his hand over his face, exasperated, "she got into some trouble with Jordan, and she needs to be away from him for awhile."
"Trouble with Jordan Collier?" Tom couldn't resist the jab. "But I thought he was some sort of holy man, the hope for the future of humanity." He had long disagreed with his nephew over the motives Jordan Collier had for opening the 4400 Center and representing the movement as he did. Tom didn't share Shawn's blind faith in Jordan's vision for a better future.
Shawn didn't take the bait as Tom expected him to; he only shook his head, looking troubled. "Please don't do that. I don't really know what's going on, but I do know that Claire could use some looking after for awhile, and there's no one else I would rather have on the job than you Uncle Tommy."
The words almost brought tears to Tom's eyes; it had been so long since he and Shawn had been able to speak freely and honestly with one another. It touched him to know that his nephew still trusted him. "Well in that case, I'm happy to take the job."
"Thank you."
"Well as long as it means we'll be seeing more of you. Kyle and I miss seeing your face around here."
"I can promise you that."
"Good."
"Look, I've got to get back to the Center, work to do, you know?" Shawn motioned toward the door.
"Shawn, is there anything I can do to help there? I mean, if there are problems with Collier…"
"No, don't worry about it. I've got it under control. Thanks though. Thanks so much Uncle Tommy." The two embraced before Shawn headed back to the Center, back to Jordan's inevitable displeasure at finding Claire missing.
"So are you in trouble with the law?" Kyle asked half-playfully as they walked up the stairs toward the guest room.
"Not this time around." Kyle chuckled.
"You're a 4400 then?"
"Could you tell by the way I have it tattooed on my forehead?"
"Yeah, call it a sixth sense." Claire smiled. The two got along instantly. Kyle's easygoing nature was such a relief after being surrounded by the pressures of the 4400. "Well, this is it." He gestured to an open door at the end of the hall, the guest room. "The bathroom's down that way, and there's my room and my dad's. You've seen the kitchen, and you're free to eat whatever's in there, although I can't guarantee the expiration dates haven't passed. You've stumbled into quite the bachelor pad here."
"I wouldn't worry," Claire reassured him as she peered into the floral decorated guest room. "I've lived in much worse." She stepped into the room with her duffel, but Kyle hesitated at the door before leaving her.
"So, are you and Shawn…Are you dating my cousin? Is that why he brought you here?"
Claire smiled. "He's just doing a favor for a friend is all."
"Oh, right." Kyle didn't seem entirely convinced. "Well, I'll be down the hall if you need anything."
"Thanks Kyle."