Boyd

She saw no reason to breach the professional distance set up between herself and everyone else. Her priority was the health of the Actives and she rarely found a reason to interact with anyone else. She watched, of course, especially Topher. But to engage in social conversation was a skill unknown to her.

As far as Claire could remember, no one in the Dollhouse referred to her by her first name. Everyone from Topher to Adelle called her Dr. Saunders. She knew her name was Claire but she never used it. So when Mr. Langton suggested she start calling him Boyd, she felt at a loss. She didn't know what to think or how to respond.

Slowly she grew accustomed to the informality. Then she spoke his first name aloud in another person's presence. Claire never did that before yet it simply slipped out when she was around Topher.

"Boyd?" he echoed with an amused noise. "What, are you guys buddies now?" He didn't wait for a response before going on: "Of course you are. You both disapprove of everything. You're going to get married and have scowly babies."

"Don't be an idiot," Claire retorted. She didn't like how humorous Topher found the situation. Why shouldn't she have a friend? Though the idea of it being more than that was ridiculous. No one would ever think of her that way. Especially not a man like Boyd.

You're ugly. You're disgusting. All you can hope for now is pity. She didn't get pity from Boyd. She got a strong man with a pleasant smile who confided in her. Claire felt less shattered when he was around.

She pulled up the file and saw the truth. She was nothing more than a broken Doll. It hurt her but Boyd was still there. He didn't see her differently. In his eyes she was still Claire Saunders. As broken and scarred as she was, that was who she wanted to be. If she got rid of her scars, if she were to wipe away the truth, it would be like dying. She didn't want to die.

Boyd looked into her eyes and called her Claire. Claire. Her first name heard from another person's lips. It was so wonderful, and completely hers.

"I didn't think I would see you again," Boyd remarked quietly. She stood on the front porch leading to his house fighting through the fear. She wanted to prove to herself she was stronger than Topher's program.

"I didn't have anywhere else to go," she answered. "I just… couldn't stay there. Not any longer."

"I understand," he nodded. His lips moved into a smile. "Would you like to come inside?"

She did, and was pleased that Boyd would help take off her lab coat. Moving farther inside revealed that his house was very nice. Very big for just one person. Claire hesitated but Boyd took her by the hand and led her onward. He gave her a tour, escorting her like a gentleman. His hand was strong and calloused against her skin.

"Do you have any plans now that you've left?" Boyd asked her when the tour was over.

"No." Claire shook her head. "All I know is that I want to decide for myself who I will be. I don't want to follow a program."

"You're stronger than any program, Claire," Boyd assured her, reaching up his hand to brush over her scarred cheek. That touch and the way his dark eyes looked at her made Claire shiver. No one ever looked at her that way before.

They were drawing close and Boyd's mouth pressed up against hers. Claire's first kiss. Her eyes fluttered close as her unsure hands rested lightly against his sides. To think that she almost gave this away to Topher, of all people. She'd been so broken and desperately lonely then. When Boyd kissed her those feelings went away.

"Make love to me, Boyd," she whispered against his lips. Gently he pulled away from her, his eyes studying her uncertainly.

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

"Yes." She slowly ran her hands up to rest against his chest. Claire felt him tremble at her touch. It amazed her that she of all people could have that power over a man like Boyd. "I've never been with anyone before," she mentioned.

Boyd took her into the bedroom. Claire saw naked male bodies all the time in the Dollhouse so she didn't bat an eye when Boyd unclothed himself. He undressed her as well and gently pushed her down on the bed. His eyes were intense and his body was powerful as he moved against her. Claire was suddenly grateful for her scars as his fingers and lips brushed over them.

To Alpha, she was a victim. To the Actives, she was a doctor. To Adelle, she was a broken doll. To Topher, she was god-knows-what. But to Boyd, she was simply Claire.

Boyd drifted off to sleep afterward but Claire stayed awake. Her body was used to keeping unusual hours. Quietly she slid out of bed, pulling on Boyd's shirt to wander around the house. It was so quiet here. So different from the Dollhouse. But she never felt more safe.

"Claire." She turned at her name to see Boyd there. He laced his arms around her waist, holding her gently. "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking I would like to stay here," she answered, "if you would have me." He turned her in his arms so their eyes would meet. He hadn't bothered to dress and Claire's breath hitched up a little in anticipation.

Boyd cupped her face in his hands and gave her a deep, penetrating kiss. Claire's arms moved around his neck and he carried her back over to the bed. She welcomed him back inside her, aching for his touches.

"Boyd," she called out breathlessly.

"Claire," he answered back. She loved her name now. She loved everything about herself when she was in Boyd's arms. She finally felt like everything was going to be okay.

She could stay here and be Claire Saunders, and with Boyd's help she would slowly become real.