(AN: Please R&R. I want to know what you all think.)

Boring inventory. Again. Claudia frowned, checking items off on her check list. Suddenly, Claudia began to feel a lack of oxygen in her lungs. "Take a freaking breath dude!" She managed to call out. She felt the air come streaming back. "Thank you." It was slightly obnoxious having someone like Steve attached to you, but it was worth it. Anything was for him.

"Sorry." Claudia heard him running up behind her, still slightly panting. "I just wanted to take a run." She rolled her eyes at him. Jinx inwardly shrunk down. Once again, he was lying to her for the second time that day. Honestly, he needed to clear his head. It was filled with emotions for the girl in front of him. Ignoring them, he walked up to the shelf Claudia was checking.

"It still amazes me, some of these stuff ." He began to read a label of a silvery-looking pen. "Albert Bandura's pen..." He began to read out loud. "Gives the user clarity on their deepest feelings and desires." Claudia raised an eyebrow as she checked another item off her list. "And the downside?" Steve continued to read. "Exept the way you know about the feelings is thorugh a terrible nightmare." Claudia made a face of disgust. "That sucks. Like, big time."

Steve laughed her. It was amazing how only she could make him smile as much as he did around her. As she moved to the next items, Steve followed her with his eyes. The way how she moved, how she talked, he couldn't help but find her attractive. Not to mention, she was plain pretty.

"Yes?" She asked him, fake annoyance in her voice. "I know you're watching me." "I-I- Um..." He sputtered, afraid of what she might think. "Kidding, Jinksy. You're being more uptight than usual," she said, turning around to face him. "You've also been jumpy. Anything wrong?"

His mind flickered over a thousand and one problems. I can't sleep without nightmares, I can't eat without my stomach turning, I can't do anything without you on my mind. And I'm afraid I'm falling for you. But I'm gay, and you're... you. My other sister. My BFF. But what I wouldn't give to kiss you freely...

"Steve!" Claudia's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Dude! What was that?" Steve looked around for a second. "Uh... what was what?" The red-head sighed. "You've been staring into space for about a minute.." She crossed her arms as she considered her next words. "Yup." Placing her clip board on the rack, she grabbed his wrist and began to drag him in the direction of Artie's office. "Ya what? Where are we going?" He questioned suspiciously. "To go see anyone else. Probably Artie. Possibly Myka."

"... why?"

Claudia sighed again. "Because something's wrong! This isn't the first time you've spaced out during this week. I know you haven't been getting good sleep. I can feel it. I can feel your fear when you have nightmares. I can hear you tossing in your bed." She looked into his eyes and crossed her arms. "I know you, Steve. We are attached by an artifact! I feel what you feel. I'm even in the room right next to yours, Steve! I can tell something's wrong!" Tears began to well up in her eyes as she looked at him.

Her voice dropping, she whispered, "And I don't know how to help you."

Steve wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. "No, shhh, shh..." He hugged her tighter, attempting to give her some sort of comfort. "Look, nothing's wrong. I'm just going through a rough patch..." His voice trailed off as he attempted to think of some excuses. As he hugged her, he felt his heart flutter in his chest. He angrily shoved it aside, hating himself. It was his fault Claudia was on the verge of tears. It was because of him and his feelings that Claudia was worrying about him instead of herself. She didn't deserve him.

But no matter how much he hated him self at that instant, he couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of her warmth on him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his collarbone. Realizing he couldn't just push his feelings away, he brushed them into a dark corner. She deserved his attention right now, in a friend way. He had to continually remind him self the last part.

She was his best friend. His friend. His sister.

"Please Claudia, don't worry about me. It's nothing." Claudia let out a muffled sob, his chest slightly dampening her sounds. "For a human lie detector, you're pretty horrible at lying, she told him, only a slight string of humor in her voice, almost drowned out by the tones of sadness.

"Look, there is something," He began softly. She looked up at him expectantly. She could see her mascara what starting to run, and her eyes were red a slightly puffy. He placed a hand on the back of her head. He continued. "But it really is nothing important. It'll blow over soon. I'm sure." She placed her head back into her previous spot. "Promise?" She asked. He sighed.

"Promise."

"Good." He felt her smile. He felt his heart tear apart at the same time. He had lied, again, and this time, he had broken a promise. To her. Claudia.

Steve placed his hand under her chin and lifted it to look her in the eyes. "Now come one. Let's get ice cream." She supplied him another watery smile. Steve knew that even though they felt the other's pain, she wouldn't feel his heart break. That was an entirely different pain, the worst kind.

He grasped her hand in his, and pulled her toward the exit. "Two scoops." She laughed at him and leaned into him as they walked hand in hand. Much to his dismay, he felt the feelings he had brushed into he corner flutter back. He ignored them for Claudia. He looked at her and flashed her a smile. "With chocolate sauce."

He would ignore them forever, for her. It was worth it. Anything was.

(AN: I put a lot more Steve than Claudia in this. Do you think it should be full Steve, or half Steve and half Claudia? A really don't know. Please leave some feed back. The more I get, the better I can make the story.)