Soooooo sorry guys, but I got it up. once again, this is basically just filler, but I promise you action soon. I just finished writing a scene that is a huge part in the beginning events that lead to the climax. a scene im sure all of you will get frustrated with me for, but, its definitely just the beginning of all the action so be patient, I promise itll be worth it

The next day, Claire was perfectly content in spending all day in her boyfriend's bed and he held no objections. Eve and Michael didn't bother them either and Claire felt the most relaxed she had in days. She couldn't explain the carefree feeling she had in just laying in Shane's arms all day long, no interruptions, no worries, just intense relaxation and love between the them as they occasionally kissed, touched, whispered as if the quiet in the room were breakable, and laughed.

Claire didn't think she ever wanted to leave.

After what seemed like years, Shane excused himself and slipped out the door, only to come back minutes later with a tray holding two plates of cold pizza and cokes. Claire smiled as he set the tray on her legs and went back to shut the door, "Is this breakfast in bed?"

"Not quite," he sat down and shoved the pizza in his mouth, "technically, its lunch in bed."

Claire took a smaller bite of her pizza before asking, "What time is it anyway?"

Shane glanced at the clock, "Only about 1:30," he looked at Claire and smiled crookedly, "But we have all the time in the world."

Claire smiled back at the wishful thinking, and decided to give into it, just this once. They ate in comfortable silence and finally, Shane shoved the rest of the pizza in his mouth, "So, have anything you feel like doing today?"

Claire, who had managed a little more than half the pizza, deciding she'd eat more later, smacked him in the shoulder, "Don't talk with your mouth full, were you raised in a barn?"

Shane swallowed and grinned.

Uh oh.

He got on all fours and growled playfully, making Claire burst into a fit laughter. He tilted his head and raised his eyebrow at her mockery of his fierceness and tackled her, carefully, but playfully. He leaned over her as she lay flat on the bed, "You were saying?" he teased breathlessly.

"Not a thing." Claire laughed.

Shane grinned and pecked her lips before taking the tray of almost spilled food off the bed. He lay on his side next to her again and stared at her, "Is there something you'd like to do today?"

Claire shook her head, smiling softly, "No, I'm happy right here."

"Me too."

He draped an arm over her torso and buried his face in her neck, where they both fell asleep.

Even though Claire had been enjoying most of her days off, this bed rest thing was driving her nuts. She was ready to out, see her crazy boss, and try to fix this problem with Brandon. But the worst part, Claire believed, was all this spare, lonely time to ponder painfully at whether she should tell Shane what she knew about Brandon's motives. Although, she didn't have to remain in bed 24/7 now, seeing as how her bruising was healing nicely and she could finally eat a meal again.

Claire sighed, needing to get out of her room and aimlessly wandered downstairs to see her best friend sitting on the couch reading a clothing magazine. She raised her eyebrows at Eve's extravagant choice for an outfit today. The platform black leather spiked boots that were propped up on the coffee table, the fishnet leggings that led up to show the poufy mesh black skirt with a solid layer over top to show a skull pattern and a shirt that made Claire snort.

It was black, with bright red lettering: I'm not small, I'm bite sized. With blood splattering around it.

As Claire entered the living room, she said, "Isn't that a bit too literal for this town?"

Eve grinned and winked, "When have I ever cared?"

"Good point."

Eve moved over and patted the empty space beside her on the couch, which Claire took happily. She missed spending time with her crazy friend.

"Shane already leave for work?" Claire asked. She had slept unusually late today and wasn't sure when he was going back.

"Yep. I wasn't sure if he was just being his grumpy self, or if he was just grumpy because he had to wake up early."

Claire rolled her eyes, that sounded like her boyfriend. She sighed, "Do you want to do something today?" she practically whined.

Eve glanced sidelong at her skeptically, "C.B., are you up to something?"

"No, I just want out of this house for a while. Do you know how frustrating it is want to do something when you can't?"

Eve rolled her eyes, "Okay, so where are you getting at here?"

Claire almost felt a bit guilty, going as low as Eve's weakness, but she really needed an excuse to get out, "Let's go shopping. Innocent, fun, let-loose, shopping."

Eve glared, "Low blow, Claire Bear. You know the boys would totally kick my ass for that, right? I would kick my ass. Brandon is still out there, and you're still on bed rest."

"But I'm healing fine now, barely any bruising, I don't even need my medicine anymore!"

"Claire, even when the two weeks is up, I hate to break it to you, but I don't think you're going anywhere then either. Now, you know I'd stand by you if the boys were being unreasonable, but I agree this time."

"But, Eve—"

"I'm sorry, sister, but I can't lose you. Claire, we fell apart without you, Shane wouldn't sleep, and I mean at all, him and Michael got in a fight—" she pointed at the new dent in the wall, "can we not do that again?"

Claire hadn't realized, or even thought to ask, what had happened while she was gone.

"Look, I'll leave it alone for now, but once my bed rest is done, I'm getting out of this house. Eve, I might know how to get him."

"Your psycho boss, right? Shane is never going to go for that."

Claire sighed, oh she knew. "It doesn't mean I'm not going to try like hell." She got off the couch, walked up the stairs, stopped in her room to get her iPod, and wandered down the hall to push that little button behind the picture that led her to her quiet place.

She walked over to the old, springy Victorian couch and lay down, somewhat comfortably. Finding a good song and hitting play on her iPod, she closed her eyes. She only wanted to come up and think, but before she knew it, she was asleep.