Chapter 21- Boone the Manny, Part 2

Claire laughed as Charlie swung into the parking space nearly crashing into the car beside them in the process. "What's the rush?"

"We have reservations!" Charlie opened the door and then stepped outside.

Claire watched him with an interested expression. She glanced down at the keys which were still in the ignition, and then at the radio which was still pouring out the latest vocals from Driveshaft. "Charlie,"

"Love, we're already late," Charlie ushered as he rushed to her door to open it. "What's wrong? Do I have spinach in my teeth or is my hair sticking up?" Charlie's mouth widened, "Did I wear the wrong tie?"

"No, you're fine, and for the record you look very handsome," Claire chirped. She leaned forward to take the key out of the ignition and then handed it to Charlie. "You just forgot to turn off the car,"

"Ohh, good thing you remembered," Charlie walked back over to the drivers door to close it and then rejoined Claire.

Once Claire was out of the car Charlie closed the door behind her, and then looked back at her in admiration. "What?" She asked with a smile.

"You look gorgeous, that's all." Charlie's cheeks grew red as Claire leaned forward to kiss him. "I hope your hungry,"

Claire looked around at the restaurant. She raised an eyebrow and then playfully hit Charlie, "What is this place,"

Charlie squinted at the sign, "Um…The Fritz,"

"It looks expensive," She replied observantly. "Charlie…"

"It's just dinner Claire,"

"If a plate of shrimp costs 65 dollars then we're not eating here, after all you spoil me way to much. First you by me the dress, and then you take me to get my hair done…"

"Shh," Charlie said wrapping his arm around Claire's waist. "Today is all about you. I don't care how much money I spend as long as you have fun tonight. Besides once Driveshaft gets their bloody act together, I'll be an even richer man."

Claire sighed, "You know I don't care about the money,"

"I know," Charlie said looking down at his black Dockers. He wrapped an arm around Claire as a cold breeze blew past, and opened the golden handles to the door of the Fritz for her. "So have you put much thought into what you want to do for Christmas?"

Claire bit her lip in thought, "I haven't really thought about Christmas,"

"What do you think about Switzerland?"

"What!" Claire asked in shock.

Charlie nodded, "Somewhere nice and exotic, where there are slopes, snow, Swiss maids," He chuckled as he waited for Claire to respond.

"Switzerland?" Claire repeated still in awe.

"Hey, everyone needs a break from bloody Manhattan. Just think about it okay."

Claire nodded, "But what about Aaron?"

Charlie shivered at the thought of having to ask Shannon to watch Aaron again. "Um…maybe the doctor or Boone could watch him."

"Charlie, I can't just dump Aaron on people that we've just met this summer,"

"I know I was kidding," Charlie said. "Turniphead will come with us. As far as I see it, this family travels together everywhere, so we're not leaving him behind."

"I'll think about it," Claire said ruffling Charlie's uncombed hair. "Do you think Shannon and Boone would like to go as well?"

"Boone maybe, but Shannon might have some child's soul to steal in order to keep her youth. She reminds me of the little girl in the exorcist, you know the wicked one that walked down the stairs backwards, and floated in the air."

"She's not that bad!" Claire exclaimed through a fit of laughter.

Charlie shivered, "She terrifies me."

A waiter approached them in a stiff black jacket and a tie which was tied so tightly around his neck it seemed as if it was difficult for him to breathe.

"Reservations under Littleton," Charlie said.

Claire smiled to herself at the notion of Charlie putting the reservations under her name. She looked down at the marble floors and soft blonde curl cascaded down her cheek. Charlie was so perfect in her eyes, even though he thought he had too many flaws to count. Claire looked back at Charlie who was scanning over the menu. "When does the party for Driveshaft start again?" Claire asked.

"Oh at…" Charlie looked down at his watch. "Ten"

"Late party, we can't stay all night though because Aaron is with Shannon, and I promised her we would come back at a decent time." Claire commented.

"Yes, I know." Charlie focused his attention on a waiter approaching them. "I have a surprise for you here, so the waiters going to seat you Claire,"

"What?"

Charlie turned around to head towards the door and then turned around suddenly when he realized the waiter had stopped to help out a customer. "Actually the waiter is taking too long, let's get you situated, okay love," He looked around for the table he had reserved and guided Claire towards a table in the corner. The table was covered with a light blue silk tablecloth, and candles which were situated on top next to a fresh bouquet of flowers.

"Is this us?" Claire asked in surprise.

Charlie nodded eagerly as he held out Claire's chair for her, and then drummed his hands on the table. "I'll be right back,"

"Okay, I'll call Shannon and Boone, just to check on how everything is going." Claire reached in her purse for her cell phone, and dialed in Shannon's number. After the third ring Shannon's voice message came on, "I'm either shopping, sleeping, or partying, leave a message if you got something important to say, if you don't, then don't bother. Ciao,"

Claire's eyes widened in surprise. Just when she was about to end the call Shannon picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Shannon, its Claire,"

"Hey," Shannon said a lot nicer than she had on her messages.

"I was just calling to check up on Aaron, he's not giving you too much trouble is he?" She smiled.

"Oh um…he's being an angel."

Claire thought she picked up a little sarcasm in Shannon's voice, but she decided to look past it. "Thanks again Shannon for watching him."

"Actually my brother has him now, Boone would make a better mother than me." Shannon laughed.

"Hmm," Claire replied in thought. "I think he would be a great dad, you're brother is really kind." She turned around to see if Charlie was coming back, but when she didn't see him, Claire turned back around. The restaurant was located on the wharf and she could see people strolling past on the boardwalk. "We'll Charlie and I will be back soon,"

"Okay, enjoy your night out,"

"Thanks Shannon, bye,"

Shannon tossed her phone down onto Boone's bed. She had just stepped out of the shower and her hair was soaking wet. Shannon bent forward to fluff her damp hair as she reached for a blow dryer. The door opened slightly and Boone stepped in with Aaron cradled tightly in his hands. Shannon looked up.

Boone bit his lip as he looked back at Shannon in a yellow tank top and a pair of Victoria Secret panties. He tried to shift his eyes away from her hazel stare but he was too entranced. Shannon half-smirked back at him. Boone's mouth slowly dropped open, because he recognized that half-smirk, because it was his. His cheeks flushed a shade of crimson as he realized how glad he was that Shannon was here. Boone shook his head, what the hell was wrong with him?

Shannon flipped her long blonde hair out off of her shoulder, "I think it's time for some highlights," She said superficially.

"Your hair looks perfect to me," Boone said reaching for Aaron's hand as Aaron tugged on his dark brown hair. "So, am I watching Aaron for the rest of the night or are you going to help me out?"

"I'll help," Shannon said with a sigh. She snatched up her blow dryer and then turned it on. "Just sit the kid on the bed,"

"Sit him on the bed?" Boone asked appalled.

Shannon nodded and then pointed towards the four poster bed high above the floor, "I'll watch the kid,"

Boone sat down on the bed with Aaron in his arms, "I'll just wait until you finish blow drying your hair," He focused back on Aaron and made a series of funny faces in his direction.

Aaron cooed.

Boone smiled, "Kids are adorable,"

Shannon turned around to glance at Boone. Kids weren't adorable, but Boone was. She turned off the blow dryer and rested it on the press, "Okay, hand the kid over here,"

Boone looked up in surprise, "You're actually offering to watch him?"

"Don't be so shocked before I change my mind. Hand me the kid, and you go ahead and make dinner. I am so hungry," Shannon reached out for Aaron, but Boone pointed down to her long and sexy bare legs, "You want to put on some pants?"

"What's wrong with my panties?"

Boone looked away from her long, shapely, tanned legs quickly. "Nothing,"

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" Shannon asked in a low voice as she walked closer to Boone and then lowered herself into his lap. She felt Boone stiffen underneath her, and she couldn't help but to laugh. A sneaky smile formed along her features, "Let's play,"

"What?"

Shannon ran her hands through Boone's hair, "I want to do you,"

"God Shannon," Boone looked down at the baby as if Aaron could understand the words coming out of Shannon's mouth.

Shannon kissed Boone's cheek, "He can't understand us, so who cares,"

Boone looked down. "No, you're not doing this, not now."

"Stop what,"

"Sex," Boone whispered back.

Shannon sighed, "Why? Isn't it obvious by now that you don't want to be with Isabella. All she ever does is complain, and try to walk around looking cute, don't you get tired of that."

"And you think you're any different," Boone pointed out.

"Fine," Shannon growled standing up, "Could you get me a pair of your sweatpants?"

"Sure," Boone stood up with the baby and then disappeared out of the room.

Shannon looked after him thoughtfully. Boone was in love with her, and it was completely obvious. His wedding with Isabella was definitely not happening, and she had no doubt in her mind about that. A few minutes later Boone returned with a pair of gray pants, "Here you go,"

"Where is the baby?"

"Sleep,"

"Already!" Shannon exclaimed.

"Surprisingly yes, he was starting to get sleepy when I brought him in here to see you." Boone stretched out his arms tiredly and then yawned, "Speaking of sleepy, I think I'm about to turn in as well,"

"What if it wakes up?" Shannon asked with wide eyes.

"It?"

"The baby!" Shannon exclaimed.

"You'll be fine," Boone yawned once more and then turned around to head out of the room. Shannon walked quickly behind him. He paused and then turned around to face her. "Yes Shannon," He sighed.

Shannon pouted, "Boone,"

"What,"

"That kid does not like me, but he likes you…so can you please, stay up."

"I'm tired,"

"Boone! You can sleep all day tomorrow, just stay up a little longer. Besides Charlie and Claire don't exactly strike me as the type to stay out all night. They'll probably be back in an hour,"

"Fine," Boone gave in reluctantly.

Shannon pulled him into a hug, "Thanks,"

He stared back at her awkwardly not sure how to react to the hug. "Are you hungry?"

Shannon nodded, "What's for dinner,"

"I was thinking Chinese,"

"I was thinking Boone,"

"Shannon,"

"Boone,"

He narrowed his eyes at her, and then scowled slightly. Shannon was impossible. "How about spaghetti?"

"You making?" Shannon asked with a wide smile.

"With your help," He circled his hands gently around her wrist and led her downstairs. Surprisingly Shannon followed behind him without any arguments. They entered the kitchen and Boone pulled the ground beef out of the refrigerator. "I'm going to season the meat, and while I do that would you mind chopping an onion,"

"And smell like the damn onion? You got to be kidding me, you chop the onion I'll season the meat…or at least try to." Shannon leaned forward to take the ground beef out of Boone's hand, "Thanks again for helping me out,"

Boone waited for her to smile wickedly and claim to be kidding, but instead she stared back at him sincerely waiting for his reply. "Um…you're welcome?"

Claire turned around in her seat once more. Charlie had been gone for a long time and she was starting to get worried. She watched in awe as Charlie entered through the doors with his guitar in hand. Claire's mouth dropped as she watched him. "Charlie, what on earth?" She whispered.

The waiter stopped him. "Excuse me sir, but you can't bring that in here,"

"Oh, I'll be really quick," Charlie said as he tried to brush past the waiter.

"I'm sorry but…"

Charlie tried to get past the waiter again, but the waiter blocked him. Charlie looked past him and at Claire, "I wrote a song for her, just let me sing it to her really quick, and then I'll be out of your hair."

"Rules are…"

"Bloody useless," Charlie filled in. "C'mon look at her, could you honestly deny me the chance to display my affections for her in public," Charlie scowled at how incredibly sappy that sounded, "I can sing really fast, and besides I'm sure everyone else will enjoy it."

"I'm sorry,"

Charlie tapped the shoulder of a man passing by with a toupee tossed over his balding head. "You know me right. I'm Charlie Pace from Driveshaft, tell this guy about me, because he obviously has no idea,"

The man with the toupee cleared his throat, "I have never heard of Driveshaft in my life, or of you Charlie Pace."

"What, c'mon!" Charlie exclaimed.

The man shook his head once again, "Never,"

Charlie looked down in defeat, and then shifted his eyes back to Claire who looked back at him with her gorgeous, entrancing, blue eyes. Nodding to himself, he formulated an alternate route to duck past the waiter. "Fine, this is bullocks," He complained.

"I apologize once again,"

With no warning Charlie, who was short enough, dodged past the waiter. Doing a series of quick moves on the dress shoes Claire forced him to wear. He accidentally knocked the waiter down in the process as he brushed past. "Sorry," Charlie commented as he dashed towards a shocked Claire. Once he reached her he dropped down onto his knees.

"Charlie!" Claire exclaimed.

"I wrote you a song, and I'm performing it here, and they're not stopping me."

"Charlie…"

Charlie brought Claire's hand to his lips, and delivered a soft kiss on her hand. "We're going to get kicked out, I just know it,"

"Okay, then go ahead and put your guitar back in the car, you can sing to me later…"

Charlie shook his head, "Now,"

"Later," Claire said with a giggle.

"What, and let all these people miss out on my shameless plug for Driveshaft's new CD, and even more importantly, how bloody lucky I am to have you as my fiancé. No they got to know,"

A waiter tried to reach out for Charlie's arm, but Charlie already started to strum away on his guitar.

Claire watched in surprise as a group of waiters started to come over to them. "Charlie," Claire commented warning him as if he were a disobedient child, and then pausing to realize how cute the situation was.

Charlie started to sing a song, about how beautiful, she was inside and out, and how he was the luckiest man in New York to win her heart. He bobbed his head along with the soft rock and roll beat, and occasionally looked back at Claire with a warm smile. "Isn't she beautiful gentlemen," Charlie asked as he looked around at the waiters, who had now calmed down, and nodded back in Claire's direction.

Claire smiled, warmth had rushed to her cheeks as she stood up and then wrapped her arm around Charlie's neck. Claire planted a kiss on his lips and then hugged him. "I love you Charlie,"

Charlie turned around to look at the audience that had now gathered around them. They were smiling back at him, and giving him thumbs up. "Aren't I lucky," He said with a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

"So thanks for showing me around," Jack said with a smile as he walked Kate back towards his door.

"You're welcome," Kate replied as she looked around the hallways leading toward Jack's loft/apartment. She debated whether she should say goodnight or go in for a while, after all she had just slept at his place the other night.

Jack paused outside his door as did Kate. He looked around nervously and then he opened his mouth to speak. His mouth went dry when he noticed that Kate's beautiful green eyes were fixed on him. Jack swallowed uneasily. He watched as Kate reached for her purse. No, he didn't want her to go, after all they had such a great time tonight.

"So…" Kate said softly.

"So," Jack responded back with a smile.

Kate bit her lip as she looked outside one of the foggy windows adorned with a dark shade of maroon curtains. "I guess I should…"

"Are you thirsty?" Jack asked quickly.

Kate closed her mouth and then a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She watched as Jack wiped away beads of sweat that had formed along his hairline, and then she looked back at him hopefully. "Sure, do you have any lemonade?"

They both laughed.

Kate placed her hand to her forehead as Jack opened the door and then led her inside.

"Sorry the place isn't as clean as I would like but…"

"It's actually pretty clean for a man's house, I was impressed when you invited me over the other night at how neat it was."

"Really, I'm never here so maybe that's one of the reasons why it is so clean." Jack walked towards the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine. He thought better of it when he realized that Kate might think he was trying to seduce her. Jack smiled to himself, yeah right, the mention of his name and the word seduce in the same sentence, was quite funny actually.

"Wine is good," Kate replied sitting down at the island/bar.

Jack smiled to himself as he pulled the wine back out. He closed the refrigerator with his foot, grabbed two wine glasses from the cabinet, and then walked back over to Kate. "So, if I didn't steal you for the whole day how would you usually spend your days off?"

Kate thought it over, "Probably running in Central Park, then following that up with a swim at the YMCA, and then treating myself to a chocolate sundae." Kate grinned. "I like to workout and then treat myself,"

"Me too," Jack grinned.

Kate leaned forward placing her hands underneath her chin. There was something about Jack's nature that made her feel comfortable. They hadn't known each other for that long, but she liked him. Kate looked down as Jack placed the glasses down onto the formica counter. "So what is your routine when you're not saving the lives of the Upper East Side socialites?"

Jack chuckled, "That's an interesting way to phrase it."

"So tell me," Kate replied. As she looked back at Jack she couldn't help but to notice how handsome he was. She looked away, feeling silly for being interested in this guy she barely knew.

Jack poured some red wine into one of the glasses, "Well, I'm usually always at work so I have to settle for the punching bag."

Kate pouted, "Sad,"

"It does get the job done though, but I guess on rare occasions I do some cardio at the gym, and fit in some weights as well…maybe you could join me sometimes,"

Kate nodded. Even though she lived in Brooklyn she wouldn't mind taking the subway to see Jack in Manhattan. "Sure,"

Jack handed Kate's glass to her. His hands closed over hers and a brief second of awkwardness passed between them. Jack tried to pull away but something kept his hand there.

"You want the glass?" Kate teased.

"Oh no," Jack mentally kicked himself to let go of the glass. Kate did as well and the glass fell forwards. "Shit," Jack said with wide eyes as it fell onto Kate's shirt. He quickly rushed to the counter to grab some tissues, "I'm so sorry about that."

"It's okay, I…"

"Can I get you another shirt to wear while I wash that for you?" Jack asked with guilt apparent on his voice.

"Oh um…sure," Kate stood up and waited for Jack.

He signaled for her to follow him upstairs to her room. Usually she would be nervous about spending so much time with a man she barely knew, but once again the shock of feeling completely comfortable with him hit her. "I never liked this shirt anyways." She added trying to lighten the mood.

Jack turned around to smile, "I'm really sorry about that,"

"It's okay," Kate replied keeping his gaze for a little longer.

Boone had ended up making dinner by himself while Shannon sat parked on the couch watching Desperate Housewives and doing her nails.

"Dinner is ready," He said.

Shannon sat up with a smile. "Thank you dear,"

Boone rolled his eyes, "I hope you know you're cooking for me tomorrow."

Shannon threw her head back and laughed, "Actually tomorrow I'm getting fresh highlights, indulging myself in a seaweed wrap, and then doing a little Christmas shopping."

Boone lowered himself down next to Shannon. "When did the grinch start doing Christmas shopping? And do you have the baby monitor near by?"

Shannon made a face as she grabbed the plate of spaghetti that Boone was holding out towards her. "Where's my drink?"

Boone raised an eyebrow, "There are sodas in the fridge, and is Aaron's baby monitor by you?"

Shannon crossed her legs and then turned up the volume of the television. She cleared her throat as Boone continued to babble in her ear, and then reached for the plate of food. Shannon glanced at Boone's hand which held two forks, she took one, and then held her hair back with one hand as she took a bite. Hmm, Boone wasn't too bad of cook, but she didn't expect any otherwise.

Boone placed down his plate and then stood up.

Shannon kicked her legs up onto the table, "Where are you going Booney Boy?"

He cringed at his latest nickname, "To make sure that Aaron the kid that Claire asked you to babysit is still alive."

Shannon reached behind her for Aaron's monitor. She quickly turned it off and then waved it in Boone's face. "Oh you mean this thing I turned off?"

"Shannon!" Boone yelled.

Shannon giggled wickedly, "The damn baby was crying in my ear, and I figured that if I turned this damn thing off then it would shut up…"

Boone turned to go towards the stairs in full "mommy alert"

Easily amused Shannon latched onto for his arm and then pulled him down onto her.

"Shannon!" He warned.

Shannon smiled, "Its okay the kid is fine. I was just kidding with you."

Boone sighed, "Well I'm going to go check on him anyways, because one of us has to be the responsible one."

As he tried to get up, Shannon pulled him back onto her, "Where are you going?"

"You know, to check on Aaron. Let go of me."

Shannon placed her hands on his cheeks and planted a kiss on his lips, "Stay for a little while," she purred. "And if you be a bad enough boy…then I'll pick you up something really nice for Christmas,"

Boone made a sickened face, "How about you just let me go?"

"I don't want too." Shannon said moving her lips down to his neck and tasting his heated skin. She loved how weak Boone was when it came to her. Shannon sighed as she felt him rest his chin on top of her head. There was no doubt in her mind that this wedding wasn't happening.

The door opened.

Boone was so lost in the feel of Shannon's mouth against his neck, and then his jaw, that he didn't have the chance to notice Isabella waltz in.

Isabella's mouth dropped open in shock when she saw Boone making out with the unidentifiable blonde. Her purse crashed to the floor, and Boone jumped up in full alert mode.

"Isabella!"

Shannon smiled as she twirled a strand of hair around her pinkie. She watched with a grin as Boone started to stutter and stumble all over his words. Shannon laughed, and then clamped her hand over her mouth when Boone passed her a dirty look.

"Who is she!" Isabella screamed.

Shannon stood up and then turned to Isabella with a daring expression. "Me? well I think we've met before." She added snidely.

Boone placed his head in his hands as Shannon wrapped her arm around him as if he was her girlfriend. "Get off of me," He muttered.

Isabella stared back at them speechlessly, "Boone, what the hell is going on here!"

(Thank you everyone for reviewing last chapter! I know it's been a while since I last updated, but I'm not abandoning this fic until I'm finished with it, or until you guys stop reading :) I have exams this week so I might not update for two weeks, but afterwards during winter break I plan on attempting to write a new chapter each week…after all since Shannon and Boone are both gone on "Lost" I have to get a Shoone fix somewhere…next chapter Sawyer will be back as well. Thanks again.)