Chapter 4, part 2

Both Boone and Claire were relieved when Shannon arrived, a couple of minutes too late. The last hour had been almost unbearable and they hadn't spoken a word to each other and they had also carefully avoided to get too close. It was like they were back in time, like those hours of fun hadn't happen and that it was still morning.

When Shannon knocked on the door (Boone had already let her through), they almost ran toward it.

"Hi!" Shannon said, sounding happy to meet her brother.

Then she saw Claire.

"Claire?" She sounded more than surprised. Her expression showing that she was shocked.

"Hi Shannon," Claire said, smiling wryly.

"What are you doing here?" Shannon asked, still a little shocked.

"She needed a place to stay," Boone replied dryly.

He was so not in the mood for this. He wanted to go to bed, sleep and forget that this day had ever happened. But a part of him didn't want to forget it. No matter how bad things had gone the last hour, he had had a great time until then. There was something about him and Claire together, when they had fun they really had fun and when they argued, they argued.

Shannon glanced at Boone and Claire, feeling the tension between them.

This could be fun, she thought.

Clearly something had happened, making both of them unnerved.

"So what's for dinner?" She said, moving towards the kitchen.

"Fish." Boone followed his sister.

"You've done this together?"

Shannon was impressed. On Boones kitchen table there was salmon, cooked potatoes and a sauce that smelled delicious.

"Umm... Yeah," Boone said, sharing a secretive smile with Claire.

Claire couldn't help but laugh.

"He's lying!"

Claire shared a look with Boone. Both of them were beginning to let their guards down.

"The only thing I did was to slow him down!" Claire's eyes were now sparkling with joy.

"Bad cook?" Shannon asked.

Like she cared! What were Claire's intentions for coming here? Couldn't she have gone to that weird Charlie? Didn't they have a thing for each other on the Island?

Damn it! Why did she have to think about the Island? The only thing she had thought about since she had gotten home was Sayid. She even missed him and she never missed anybody.

Claire nodded.

"The worst."

Her voice brought Shannon back to reality again.

To their surprised, all three of them enjoyed the dinner. They talked, teased and laughed for more than an hour. They discussed the other islanders most, which was fun cause they never gotten the opportunity to do that with anybody before.

They all agreed that Jack has been the most helpful one. Boone adding that all women had soft spots for doctors.

Shannon admitted that she had found Charlie being weird. When Claire protested, Shannon said that it must be a non- American thing. Shannon was certain that everyone who said "Bloody Hell" and "Bullocks" must be crazy.

So it went on and no matter who they talked about Shannon managed to comment on something. At first Claire was surprised by this but then she realised that that was just Shannon's way and that she didn't mean any harm with it.

When they had finished the dessert (which was unexpectedly good), Shannon asked Boone if she could talk with him in private so they went into the bedroom Boone used, leaving Claire to take care of the dishes.

"What the hell are you doing?" Shannon asked dryly.

Boone looked at her. She didn't look happy.

"What are you talking about?" Boone replied dubiously.

She narrowed her eyes and frowned her pretty forehead.

"Claire! Why do you let her stay here?"

"Because I want her too," Boone said, calmly.

He went on.

"Besides, she needs my help."
Shannon snorted, obviously not happy by his answer.

"Are you trying to act all hero-y again?" She laughed scornfully.

"No. I'm just helping someone I care about," Boone exhaled, trying to ignore her.

"Do you care about her like you care about me?" she asked, seductively, moving closer.

"Stop it," he said, unnerved.

But Shannon didn't. Slowly she put her lips over his, kissing him softly. Teasing him.

Of course this was the moment Claire entered the room.

"Where are the plates supposed to be?" she asked, her voice fading away on the last words when she saw what they were doing.

Boone pushed away Shannon. If he had felt something about Shannon a couple of minutes ago the feelings were long gone now. He was over her. Sick and tired of her using him to get what she needed at the time. If she had feelings for him, she only choose to show them when she could get something out of it.

Boone looked at Claire, unwilling to let her go out of his sight. He was truly embarrassed by what had happened.

"Claire" he said her name no louder than a whisper.

"Sorry," she mumbled, her face getting paler. She turned around quickly and walked out of the door: chocked.

"I suggest you go now, Shannon," Boone said fiercely, going after Claire.

"Claire," he shouted desperately.

"Out here," her voice came from the balcony.

He walked out to find her sitting in his chair, her arms wrapped around her. She had a distant look on her face.

Boone wondered why she always reacted so emotionally. Perhaps it was a pregnant thing or did she feel as much for him like he did for her?

She stood up, almost in slow motion.

He grabbed her arm, gently.

"Hey. You wanna talk about it?" He spoke haltingly.

He could see her hesitating, searching for words.
"You kissed your sister!" She said incredulously, like she didn't believe what she had seen.

She avoided looking at him, sickened by his action.

"Shannon is my step-sisterp." He begun, it was important to him for her to knowing this.

"I've had this crush on her since I was twelve." He spoke tightly, to make sure that she'd listen.

He went on.

"I don't feel anything for her anymore. She kissed me."

Claire met his gaze, a flicker of relief passing over her face. She trusted him.

"I believe you," she said, truthfully.

"You do?" he asked, looking down at the floor, his voice filled with emotion.

Their eyes met again and the silence spoke volumes.

Even though Claire still was chocked by the events earlier, she didn't want to say goodnight to Boone. She wanted him to kiss her, to tell her that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

But he didn't.

"I think I should get some sleep," she said, fighting the urge to kiss him.

Boone nodded.

"Good night, Claire" he said, softly.

"Good night."

She walked away, using all her strength to resist going back to him.

Turn around, Boone thought when Claire disappeared out of his sight.

Please, turn around.

He needed her to make the first move. If he did it, he would betray her trust, not accepting her plead to take it slow.

All day they had played this game with each other and somehow it had made him wanting her more.

Boone stood like frozen when he heard the sounds of footsteps and there she was, Claire, with her hair in a ponytail, wearing a pyjama with ducks on.

Boone held his breath; she was more beautiful than ever before. Her pyjama fell gently on her body, showing her pregnant – but beautiful – figure. Her face was newly washed and showed her natural beauty.

She was breathtaking.

"Forgot something?" He asked with a low voice. A lover's voice.

Claire reached our and touched her fingertips to his lips.

"A kiss?" she whispered.

Moving closer so that her lips were only a fingers width from his.

His heart pounded.

"If that's okay with you?" She asked, tenderly.

"Oh yeah" He said.

His mouth closed over hers, his lips soft and careful. He kissed the centre of her mouth first, gently. Slowly he grew more and more eager.

One of her hands stroked his arm so gently that it made him burst into goose bumps.

She gave into the kiss, opening her mouth, inviting him.

She gave him one last, deep kiss, and then moved away.

"Sweet dreams," She smiled seductively but her voice didn't sound normal.

What was wrong?

His eyes snapped open, and Claire disappeared. He was not outside anymore; instead he was lying on his back, his legs tangled in a blanket.

Boone cursed, sitting upright, realising that he had been dreaming it all. She hadn't come to him. She hadn't kissed him.