TITLE: What You Want Part I
AUTHOR: Jessie, The Princess of Purple
RATING: PG-13
TIMELINE: Completely A/U. No Aaron and no Island.
SUMMARY: Charlie wants to be famous. How far will he go to make that happen?
DISCLAIMERS: Charlie, Claire and Liam all belong to the creators of ABC's LOST.
FEEDBACK: Yes please? I need it to live!

Charlie slowly made his way across the party, pushing politely through the throng of people surrounding the blonde girl. He finally reached her just as she turned away from what looked like a middle aged business man with a wide smile on her face. She walked foreward as she turned and banged right into the waiting form of Charlie Pace.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," her sweet voice exclaimed,"I didn't see you there." His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he heard the heavy Australian accent carrying on her voice. He had expected her to be American.

"No, it's okay," Charlie said, deciding to turn his charm on high,"I was so blinded by your beauty that I couldn't see where I was going."

She blushed pink and smiled in happy embarassment, making him grin in return.

"I'm Charlie, by the way," he continued, offering his hand. She took it in hers and shook it gently.

"I'm Claire," she replied,"Nice to meet you."

"So, you're Australian?" Charlie asked,"Gotta say, I didn't see that coming."

"Born and raised," Claire replied, nodding for emphasis,"Well, until they shipped me here that is." Charlie heard an unexpected tone of bitterness in her last statement.

"Well," Charlie said, shaking off the surprise,"I'm glad they did. Now I can ask you to dance with me. I couldn't very well do that if you were over in Australia, now could I?"

Claire smiled, appreciating his forewardness. Most guys nearly wet themselves when they just looked at her. Charlie didn't even let on that he knew how famous she was. Almost everyone in the continent knew her name, and if he was at this party he had to know who she was. This intrigued her.

"No, you couldn't," Claire finally replied. Charlie offered his hand again.

"My lady," he said in a mock formal accent and voice,"Would you care to dance?"
She took it eagerly. "I would love to."

He grinned and pulled her out on the sparsely populated dance floor. A band called "Panic! At The Disco" was up on the stage, playing up a storm. The song sounded oddly like swing music, but could still be considered rock. (AN I love Panic, sorry if you don't. The song I'm thinking of is called "There's a Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought of It Yet." Whew.)

Charlie took the lead, putting his arm around Claire's slender waist and wrapping her small hand in his. They swayed to the music, enjoying a comfortable sclience. Every now and then Charlie would spin her around.

"So," Charlie began, their faces cheek to cheek as they danced,"Tell me about yourself."
He smiled to himself was he thought of how well it was going. The photographers who had been allowed into the party were snapping shots of him dancing with one of the most famous girls in the country, and consequently the world. Those photos would be soon showing up in tabloids and magazines all around the country. He caught a glimpse of Liam as they turned around. He was talking to a leggy brunette but paused long enough to throw Charlie a thumbs up sign.

"Well," Claire responded, pulling back to look at him,"I like music." She smiled widely. Charlie laughed.

"I should hope so," he replied,"Please continue."

"Umm...," Claire went on, wrinkling her nose attractively as she pondered,"I don't know what to say."

"Really?" Charlie said, once again taken aback," You'd think since you've got people asking you that left and right you'd have an answer by now." Claire shifted uncomfortably, embarassed by her notariety.

"I'm sorry," Charlie said immediately, noting Claire's change in presence,"I didn't mean to upset you."

Claire looked him in the eye. He looked so sincere and caring that she had to smile.

"It's alright," she replied, causing him to smile once again. The song finally ended and the two blondes stopped dancing. The band announced they were taking a break so Charlie boldly took Claire's hand and led her off the dance floor.

"Can I get you a drink?" he asked politely when they reached the edge of the floor. She nodded with gratitude. He bowed and kissed her hand softly before heading towards the bar. Claire felt her heart flutter in her chest as she rubbed the spot where he had brushed his lips and stared after him.

Charlie leaned against the bar as he waited for the drinks he had just ordered. He could still see Claire across the room. She had been approached by some people and was now chatting animatedly with them. Charlie smiled involuntarily. Just then, Liam came up next to him and waved his hand in front of Charlie's face.

"Hello?" he called out, teasing. Charlie turned his head to look at him. "How's it going?"

"This is going to be a piece of cake," Charlie replied, grinning,"She's eating it up. And did you see when we were dancing? I'll be on the front pages of the tabloids before you can say 'famous'."
Liam smirked. "I've gotta say little brother, I didn't think you'd have it in you, manipulating a sweet young thing like that," he said,"Brilliant plan though."

"Wasn't it?" Charlie agreed. They shared a chuckle before the bartender handed Charlie his drinks.

"Good luck then mate. You're our last hope," Liam said. He slapped Charlie on the shoulder and traipsed away after another hot girl who had just walked by. Charlie inhaled and squared his shoulders before walking back to Claire with Liam's words sounding in his head- "You're our last hope." Charlie didn't intend on letting him down.

TBC!
Dun dun dun dun! Be addicted, very addicted. Hopefully there'll be more early next week! ps- Short chapters is my way... Thanks to everyone/ the two people that reviewed the prologue! I really appreciate it.