Chapter 5: I don't want today to go away...

Claire ran into the house with Craig following her. This was going to end badly but what could she do about it? She had to get this done right for Amelie and Myrnin. Well she didn't have to. She ran into the kitchen where everyone was gathered.

"Hey guys! I'm home!" Claire ran up to Shane and kissed him on the lips, Eve smiled and Michael waved hello.

Craig walked in and the air stood still, Shane looked at Claire with his suspicious eyes. Craig sat down next to Shane in a friend like way. Shane relaxed a bit knowing that Claire loved him.

"Craig and I met up on my way home from Myrnin's, he was closing Oliver's. So I invited him over as a peace between us three. I know he's your friend, he can be mine as well and you don't have to worry" Claire smiled at Shane who graciously smiled back. She knew he appreciated it. She didn't know why she didn't tell him the truth but it was probably best that she didn't. It was probably safer for him to believe Craig was average.

"Thanks Jail Bait" Shane kissed Claire passionately. The tastes of his lips were familiar and warm as if they had never left her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and twisted her fingers through his hair.

The happy friends sat and each ate a bowl of chili with a can of coca-cola. They smiled and they laughed. Claire had forgotten all about how she was suppose to be watching Craig. He told them stories about all over the world, and then finally why he'd come to Morganville. The truth is a scary thing, and Claire now made a fatal connection.

"My mom's side of the family is from here. During the witch trials in the 1600's a member of my family was burned, she had two children and one moved away to North Dakota, where my mother is from, and the other stayed here. I'm trying to find my family tree and where it goes, but all the clues ended whenever I got to Morganville. I don't know why though" Craig spoke softly and sincerely, he was telling the truth, Claire could tell. Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

Claire smiled lightly, "I was told a story at work today of those witch trials and Esperanza who was burned at the stake being accused of being a witch" Craig's eyes went wide, "What do you do for a work?" he asked like a needy child.

"Umm I'm not actually aloud to talk about where I work" She sighed lightly she probably shouldn't have brought up the story.

"Esperanza is my ancestor…" Craig looked at Claire with an intense gaze. He didn't take his eyes off of her. Suddenly Shane stood up and walked into the living room.

He returned and smiled, "Hey Craig dude, I'm sorry but it's late we all have to get to bed soon." Claire smiled at Shane for saving her from an awkward situation.

"Dude its fine I understand, Hey Claire do you think we can meet some time to talk about Esperanza?" He looked desperate she felt bad for Craig. She looked down toward the silver object dangling around his neck. She couldn't cross lines right now with Shane being so suspicious of Claire, but only Claire.

"Sorry Craig, that's all I know, my boss wouldn't tell me anymore" She smiled lightly and waved Craig off and then grabbed Shane's hand.

"Hey Jail Bait, I feel like it hasn't been just you and I in a long time. How have you been?" He kissed her picking her up in the process and laying her down on the couch. Michael and Eve giggled up the stairs like little girls and then slammed the door making a point. Shane looked at Claire; she smiled and kissed her love.

"Well I've been very lonely and very, very cold" She grabbed Shane closer and smiled as she kissed him. The corner of their mouths showed, they were both smiling.

"Let's go to my room and watch some TV" Shane grabbed Claire's hand and dragged her to his room. This was a first; he'd never been the one to want to go to the room so quickly. He jumped onto the bed and smiled as he pat the spot next to him. Claire followed and dived onto the bed, but she jumped to far and Pushed Shane off the other edge of the bed. Shane fell to the floor, his face in a complete shocked state, he landed with a huge thud. Michael and Even soon after walked in and looked at the two young kids, Claire was on the bed looking over the other side while Shane was attempting to get off the floor, one arm on the bed the other wasn't visible. His eyes peered over the bed.

"What the hell happened?" Eve and Michael said in unison.

"I went to jump on the bed and I pushed Shane off by accident" Claire's face turned bright red as she turned back around to help Shane up off the ground.

"Oh okay, we thought you guys were having wild sex" Eve said with a straight face then a wink at the end. She smiled lightly and took Michael's hand and led him out of the room. He closed the door behind him.

"Nice one Jail Bait!" Shane laughed; he jumped onto the bed and started to tickle Claire.

"Hey! Not fair!" Claire kissed Shane instead of doing anything else. She laid down in slow steady pass, Shane followed where her body went. He put one had by her head and one was now wrapped around Claire's waist. Claire's eyelashes flickered she moved her head to Shane's neck and kissed him. She looked at the man she was in love with. He was perfect; Claire smiled at Shane and continued kissing him.

The next morning Claire awoke cuddled next to Shane. Her arms close to her body her face tucked away into his chest. His arm was around her back and his eyes were closed gently as she had his head rested on her.

She smiled as she curled herself tighter against Shane. She finally felt at peace, no fighting, no work, just pure bliss. She finally forgot about Craig.