09: Kate x Claire
(set after "The End")
On a hot summer night, Kate and Claire sit waist-deep in the shallow end of their pool. To the east, the lights of Los Angeles dance like fireflies in the desert heat, while the western mountains rise shrouded in cool darkness. To the south lies the sea which binds them with unbreakable strands, because in that same ocean rests the Island which they can never forget.
Claire lowers herself down in the water, making her hair float like pale seaweed. "So, what was that question you wanted to ask me? You've been acting mysterious all evening."
Kate laughs, a little embarrassed. She doesn't know what to call this arrangement she and Claire have assembled, where every night they lie together face to face, lightly kissing or just sharing breath. Claire hasn't asked for more, and beyond that Kate won't go, not until Claire's ready. If ever.
It's sweet, though, to have someone fall asleep in her arms, even if they haven't yet made love, or even seen one another undressed. Even so, that's not what Kate's curious about. "Remember you told me you used to do tattoos?"
Claire looks up, interested. "Why, did you want one?"
"Not me. Scared of needles. The artists I've seen, though... they have ink, a lot of it. But you don't."
"I do have one. You want to see?" Before Kate can answer, Claire stands and drops her bikini bottom without missing a beat.
A sprinkle of stars curves around the globe of her bottom. Six cluster safely together, while the seventh and smallest appears to tumble from their midst.
"What does it mean?"
"The Pleiades," Claire says in a faraway voice, as if telling a story. "The constellation, you know? Seven sisters all, and six married gods. But one married a man, a bad one. She fell, and now she hides. It's why you only see six in the night sky, even though there are really seven."
Kate swallows, hard. It's almost as if she knew what was going to happen. She helps Claire adjust her swimsuit, then gathers her into her arms in the shallow water. "It's okay, honey. You may be a falling star, but I've caught you."