Obsession

Okay, here's the second part! I've promised myself to keep up with this story, so I hope I keep to it. And reviews will help motivate me, because I'll feel bad if people are reviewing, and I don't give them anything for long stretches of time. I hope there's still EClairians out there! So, show me there are by reviewing!

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After that brief encounter, Ethan could never catch Claire alone. Charlie followed her around like a sick puppy dog, never wanting to leave its master's side. Ethan was starting to get discouraged that he would never get to talk to her, when she actually came and found him. Ethan was still in a daze that she had actually left the beach, for this place. When he had heard that the move had something to do with Charlie, it didn't surprise him. He hardly even saw her anymore, and that pained his heart. He wanted to talk to Goodwin, because his friend always knew what to do around girls. Goodwin was always good at giving advice, and helping him along. But Goodwin was on the other side of the island, and Ethan was all alone.

He had volunteered to get water from the caves for the beach people, hoping that he could at least get a glimpse of her. So he was surprised when Claire walked over to him, alone, and kneeled down next to him.

"Hey again." Claire greeted, the smile that haunted Ethan's dreams on her face.

"Hey." Ethan answered, already getting nervous. He could feel his palms getting sweaty, and he was sure that if he said more than one word, he would start stuttering.

"Sorry 'bout before. I don't think we ever got introduced. I'm Claire." She stuck out her hand, and Ethan's insecurities melted away for those precious seconds. He calmly, trying to be cool and suave, slid his hand in hers. And the physical contact was like a bolt of electricity up his arm, and to his heart.

"Ethan."

She smiled warmly at him, and said, "Nice to meet you."

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The days passed, but then just seeing her wasn't enough. He wanted so badly just to touch her hand, brush away some loose strands of hair. He wanted to free her from the tyrannical rule of Charlie. And suddenly, just seeing her and saying a few words was not enough. He didn't care that if he touched her, she would float away; he would just have to hold on tighter. Never put her in a cage, but make sure she never left him. He wanted to watch her sleep, peacefully dreaming. And he liked to dream that she may be dreaming of him.

So he sat there, late at night when no one was stirring, watching her sleep. The cold, dank air of the cave was no place for his princess to breathe, especially for the baby. She smiled faintly in her sleep, and Ethan let out a dreamy sigh. Her tank top was slightly pushed up, just enough for her belly to stick out. The sudden urge to need to touch her overpowered him, as he reached out a finger to brush lightly against her red lips, dried and chapped but still beautiful and lush in his eyes. The slight pressure made its way into her dream, and her overactive imagination made it into somebody covering her mouth. She twitched as the baby made a violent kick, almost sensing her nightmare fear.

Ethan half-smiled, his eyes in a trance, as he reached out to tenderly stroke her belly. In her dream, his cold hand seemed like a needle, and she thought she was getting attacked. She bolted up, screaming with tears streaming down her cheeks. He jumped back and melted into the shadows, shocked and saddened that she was afraid of him. He wanted to give her a hug and comfort her, but he couldn't explain why he was here and not at the beach. He snuck his way back to the beach, as he heard they wanted to make a search party and put up a sentry, with a heavy heart.

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I hope that was okay, and you guys didn't have to wait too long. I think some of the wording was forced, because it didn't feel right. Another way to look at the part in "Raised By Another".