Shane's POV

Shane did notice that Claire was acting strange, he had in fact noticed from the beginning since living in Morganville caused you to develop a radar to detect when something wasn't quite right. However, he figured that if it was something serious she would have told him or if she didn't want him to know- especially if it's a girl thing- then he would probably never find out. And besides if that's the case she will probably tell Eve when they are alone.

Despite this, it didn't stop Shane from eyeing Claire as they ate their dinner, trying to spot anything else in the still rather blank look on her face. She didn't speak much either, only to answer anyone who addressed her with one worded replies and sometimes just nods. When they had finally finished eating Shane stood up to pick up the plates as it was his turn to wash up and when he leaned over to grab Eve's he caught her eyes and tried to communicate something over to her with his own. Please talk to her. He flicked his eyes over to Claire just to make sure she understood and Eve nodded slightly. For Shane that was a relief because although he might be Claire's boyfriend, Eve had talents when it came getting something out of someone, whether by torturing them with her endless babbling or through clever threats.

With all the plates in his hands he turned and headed for the kitchen. Behind him he heard Eve persuade Claire to go upstairs with her, with the excuse that she needed an opinion on a new skirt she'd bought.

As Shane waited for the kitchen sink to fill the door opened and Michael appeared. "Effective." He said casually as he headed to the fridge.

"What is?" Shane asked as he grabbed the first plate and began to feebly 'wash' it.

"Handing Claire over to the wrath of Eve. Slightly cruel but still like I said effective."

"You know that's your girlfriend you're talking about there and I'm sure there would be more cruelty if she knew you said that." Shane pointed out. "And besides, I figured it might be a girl issue that's got her looking almost like a ghost and obviously she will only talk to Eve about that stuff."

Michael shrugged. "Whatever, guess we'll find out when they come back down." He headed for the door before pausing and looking back. "By the way, holding the plates under the water doesn't actually count as washing them."

Yet again the conversation ended in more curses and middle fingers flying.

Shane was finished in the kitchen just five minutes later as despite Michael's comment on his cleaning technique he made no effort to change it. He'd just made it to the couch when the girls came downstairs. Claire went straight to the kitchen while Eve rushed over to Shane and spoke in a hushed voice. "I've got nothing. She said she was fine and didn't really seem like she had anything to say. Although she is still being quite vague."

"Either that or you've lost your touch. It's probably nothing, if it was serious she would have told you us by now." Shane whispered back.

Right at that moment Claire came back into the living room and Eve hurried away to find Michael. Shane caught his girlfriend's eye and patted the space beside him. She smiled and dropped down next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. As he wrapped his arms around her he murmured in her ear. "So are you still being all quiet?"

"Maybe." Answered Claire simply.

"Why?"

"Just being I'm being quiet doesn't mean there's anything wrong Shane." She tried to point out.

Shane replied with a smile. "I didn't ask whether there was something wrong. I just asked why you were being quiet. So clearly by the fact that you assume that's what I mean there is actually something wrong."

Lifting her head and looking up at him Claire shook her heard. "I'm fine Shane, and since I've just had to endure an interrogation from Eve you're clearly the one assuming."

"Busted." Shane admitted as he lifted his hands in surrender. "Alright fine, if you're sure."

After ten minutes cuddled up together Michael and Eve appeared. Eve was holding a DVD in one hand and popcorn in the other with her usual smile on her face. "It's friday night which means it's movie night. We voted for 28 Days Later."

"Where's our vote?" Asked Shane.

Eve shrugged. "Votes closed."

There was no point arguing with Eve, it just ended with wrecked eardrums so they both accepted the film choice despite Claire's dislike towards horror movies and soon they were all squashed on to the couch together grabbing handfuls of popcorn as the starting credits began...

Shane's eyes open to find the room in almost silence. Looking around him he Eve and Michael fast asleep- sprawled across each other- and Claire also asleep against him. Looking at the TV he saw the main menu of the film they'd been watching. He remembered watching the film about three quarters of the way through to where everything started to kick off but he couldn't remember watching anymore so presumed that he must have fallen asleep at this time.

He looked down at Claire again, who was now laid with her back to him with his arms around her waist. It was nice to see her asleep as it was the first time since she'd got back from work that he'd seen her look anywhere near peaceful. Her breathing was soft and steady and her face was relaxed with the slight inkling of a smile.

He couldn't help the look that flashed across his face as he watched her, one that he knew was way more soppy than he'd like to admit. And like he always did when Claire was either fast asleep or about to be he leant down to kiss her shoulder... only to stop when he noticed something at the edge of her shirt collar. Confused as to what it was as he was sure it had never been there before he removed an arm from around Claire's waist and gently pulled down the corner of the shirt to get a better look.

With her shoulder in full view Shane felt the possible signs of a heart attack as his eyes widened. Because stretched across the left side of her back was nothing other than a tattoo.