"So you're, like, in love and stuff," Claire said, walking past her brothers and the breakfast table.

Nate paused with a raised forkful of runny egg.  "Oh, Jesus."

"What?"  She stood at the open refrigerator, her face freon-bright.  "I wasn't talking to you."

David reached out very slowly, dipped a finger into his fresh coffee and then yanked it back, wincing.  "Ow.  Damn.  I'm awake."

"You guys suck."  She took a block of cheddar cheese out and rummaged for a knife.  "I'm not like the kid sister from the sitcoms, you know.  I never followed you around, or tied your shoelaces together.  I'm a person, not Stephanie fucking Tanner."

"I liked Stephanie," Nate said.  David spluttered on his orange juice. "What?  D.J. was a show-off, and the twins were annoying.  No one ever paid attention to Stephanie.  She'd totally put out."

Claire retched convincingly into the sink and turned back to slice the cheese.  "The point is, I'm entitled to a little brotherly advice.  As back pay.  For not bothering you."

Nate coughed.  "Bothered the hell out of me when you were smoking--"

"Like I said, I was talking to Dave."

David sighed.  "I'm eating here."

"It's a legitimate question," Claire said, opening a box of crackers. "You're in love.  With your sex cop."

It was Nate's turn to choke.  "Sex cop," he managed between chuckles. "You should be a writer, Claire.  You really know how to turn a phrase."

She ignored him.  "So, spill it.  Tell me everything."

"Claire!"  David sipped his coffee.  "We're not together.  Exactly. Right now."

"So?"  She leaned against the counter, nibbling a Triscuit.  "That doesn't mean you don't--"

He set his mug down hard. "It means I don't want to talk about it."

"You could ask me," Nate said.  "I've been in love."

Claire shook her head.  "It doesn't count if you were drunk."

"Or in Mexico," David put in, brightening.

"Or you've forgotten her name."

"Or she never knew yours."

"Okay!"  Nate held his hands up.  "I was being sincere.  I am.  You know. In love."

Claire folded her arms.  "So how did you know?"

He smirked.  "I just did."

"Oh, thanks."  She popped some cheese into her mouth and said something unintelligible.

"What?"

"I'm not stupid!  People come here when someone's dead, and we're always talking about their loved ones.  I'm not dumb or crazy for wanting to get what it's like."

"What what's like?"

They looked up as Ruth appeared in the doorway.  "Nothing," Claire said.

"Oh."  She filled her water glass at the sink.  "If it's none of my business, that's fine."

Nate grinned.  "Claire wants to know what it's like to be in *love*."

"I don't--"

"It's like dying," Ruth said calmly, and walked back into the hall.

They stared at each other silently.  Then David pushed his chair back and stood.  "Well, there you have it."

"Yeah."  Nate stood up too.  "Aren't you late for school?"

Claire turned her back on them.  "I hate everyone."