Disclaimer: Lost and its characters belong to J.J. Abrams and ABC Television.

Genre: Romance/Drama/Songfic

Summary: James Ford and Ana-Lucia Cortez come from two completely different worlds but this fact can't stop them from experiencing real love and passion. SANA!!!

Note: Please listen the songs from this fic as they are very important to the story.

Let me know what you think. Reviews are always welcome!

This is an English version to my story "La Pasión" originally in Portuguese. Special thanks to my friend doublell that is working on this translation with me. I couldn't do it without her help. Thank you so much amiga.

La Pasión

Chapter 1- One more day

The first thing that Ana-Lucia Cortez does early every morning when she wakes up is turn on the radio in her bedroom that is strategically placed on a stool beside her bed. Her younger brother with whom she shares the bedroom is used to it and doesn't wake up even when the noisy horns of the merengue's songs play loudly on the local radio station.

After she turns on the radio and gets in tune with the music she feels that the day is really starting. She gets up, stretches, takes a quick cold shower, prepares the breakfast for the family, feeds the dog and goes to work. The first of two jobs but the job that she loves the most: dancing. Ana-Lucia is a dance teacher at the "Austen Dance School". Latin rhythms, contemporary, fast rhythms, ballads, except for classical ballet she likes to teach almost everything.

James Sawyer Ford is totally the opposite of Ana-Lucia Cortez. He hates getting up early in the morning. James curses humanity about this habit. Music on the radio when he wakes up? No way! The mere sound of a pin falling on the floor irritates him. However, in the last two months he's needed to wake up early. His father, Anthony Ford, the rich businessman of a powerful automobile industry died of a heart attack. Sawyer, his only son, had to accept control of the industry although he hates to work there. Sawyer loves literature, philosophy and the arts, the disciplines that he graduated in with honours from Harvard.

The bureaucracy of this industry is a necessity because this income maintains The Ford Empire and allows Sawyer to live his luxurious lifestyle. His ritual for waking is very different than Ana-Lucia. He gets out of bed cursing for having to get up so early. He takes a hot bath, eats a delicious breakfast made by Mrs. Adams and later dresses impeccably in his expensive suits and drives to the factory in his silver Ferrari.

Ana-Lucia doesn't have a car. If one day she wanted to have a car like Sawyer's she would have to save her money from both jobs for 20 years. Anadoesn't care about cars. A few weeks ago she won a beautiful bicycle in a raffle from her neighborhood church. Winning this bike has made her life easier because she uses the bike to goalmost everywhere including the dance academy. The only place that she can't go with her bike is The Ford Industry on the other side of the town where she works the night shift.

Ana leaves the factory after midnight and takes the last bus to her home in the latin district praying to arrive there safely because of the danger and violence that occurs in that area of Los Angeles.

Sawyer arrives early at the factory, by 8 am, but he leaves two hours later leaving the boring work, as he used to say, in the hands of his General Manager John Locke. John Locke is the most devoted and intelligent man that Sawyer has ever known. Locke was the right-hand man of Sawyer's father since the beginning of the industry and it was because of Locke that the industry still exists today. Locke's loyalty, advice and sound investments over the years have always benefited the factory.

The only thing that Locke and Anthony Ford didn't agree on was the treatment of the employees. Anthony Ford prospered in business exploiting the minorities and immigrants. He paid unfair salaries and failed to provide safe working conditions for his employees in the factory.

Anthony's son Sawyer had no knowledge about these unjust conditions because he was never interested in the family business before his father died. John Locke tried to discuss these issues with Sawyer when he took control of the factory but Sawyer was more interested in his personal life.

One hot July morning Sawyer arrived at the factory and sat in the president's chair in the boardroom yawning. The night before he'd had fun partying and cheating on his fiancée with pretty women that he'd met at the night clubs in LA. Sawyer promised himself that when he married his fiancée Shannon that he would be faithful to her but until then…

"Don't you agree, Mr. Ford?"- asked Hugo Reyes, the factory accountant.

Everybody around the rectangular table in the boardroom waited anxiously to hear Sawyer's response. Sawyer rested his head on the back of his chair but had no idea what they were talking about.

"Sorry gentlemen, what were we talking about?" Asked Sawyer.

John Locke shook his head. Anthony Ford never cared about his employees but he always cared about his business affairs. James, his son, was more interested about his expensive shampoo for his beautiful blond hair than the total net profits that the factory produced in the last quarter.

"We were talking about profits and dividends from the industry for the last quarter James." Said Locke.

"Oh yes profits! That is the good part isn't it John? Well, if you really want to know my opinion then everything is going great. Everybody is getting paid and the business is prospering! Keep up the good work! For now, this meeting is adjourned gentlemen. Excellent job everyone!" Sawyer commented.

The shareholders and senior executives of the industry were angry and disappointed. James Sawyer Ford should never have accepted the control of his father's business. He was terrible at business.

Hugo Reyes shook his head and whispered to another executive: - "This guy is an idiot!"

Sawyer left the boardroom and went to his luxurious penthouse office. John Locke followed him.

"James, we need to talk!" Locke sternly stated. "This isn't a good time John, I have something I really need to do!" Sawyer said.

"Something more important than talking with me about urgent business from the factory?" John Locke asked.

"Yes!"- Said Sawyer leaving Locke behind.

Sawyer greeted his secretary Mrs. Henderson on his way to his office when she called to him.

"Mr. Ford!" Called Mrs. Henderson. "Yes?" Said Sawyer. "Ms. Rutherford is waiting for you in your office." She told him.

"Thank you Mrs. Henderson" Said Sawyer a little annoyed.

Shannon had a terrible habit of surprising him like that. He put on a fake smile and opened the door. His beautiful fiancee was sitting on the sofa. He walked over to her and held her in his arms.

"Hi baby, I missed you" Shannon said.

"Why are you here so early honey?" Sawyer asked while getting a cigarette from his pocket.

Shannon took the cigarette from his mouth and Sawyer frowned.

"Oh James don't look at me this way! You know that smoking is not healthy and I want to have you healthy and with me forever!" Shannon whined.

She hugged him and gave him a little kiss on his neck.

"Alright tell me my dear you just came here because you missed me or is there something else?" Said Sawyer.

"I really missed you, baby, but I came here today because I want to ask you a favor!" Shannon said.

"How can I help you princess?" he said, caressing Shannon's slender legs. "Whatever you want…name it."

"I want you to give my brother, Boone, a job here at the factory. He's just graduated in engineering production and you know how my dad is. Even with my family's money, old Adam Rutherford still insists that his children need to work like everyone else. So I need to get a job for myself soon, too." Explained Shannon.

"Do you want to be my new secretary?" He asked mischievously.

"Mmm, it would be fun to bring you coffee everyday, Mr. Ford, but I didn't spend the last 8 years studying ballet to become a secretary. I want to get a job at a dance academy here in LA." She said.

"Dance academy? Really sounds perfect for you!" She smiled sensually and pulled him close to her interlacing her long legs with his.

"So, will you think about something for my brother?" Sawyer thought for few seconds. Boone was more irresponsible than even himself but for Shannon, he'd take the risk.

"You win baby. Send the momma's boy here tomorrow morning because today's work is done." Stated Sawyer.

"Really?" Shannon said.

"Oh, yeah, I just decided I need to enjoy the day!" Said Sawyer.

"You are bad!" She said. "And you still love me!" Sawyer said.

"Come here naughty!" Shannon whispered kissing him.

Mrs. Henderson came into the room and saw her boss kissing his fiancée on the couch. She shook her head and left the office thinking that if James Ford kept running the factory like this then everybody would be in trouble soon.

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"Ok everybody, lets take it from the beginning! Lots of energy! 5, 6, 7, 8! Now!"

The unmistakable sound of a salsa played in the dance academy followed by a rhythmic voice. Katherine Austen could be heard from within the academy while Ana-Lucia parked her bicycle in front of the building

Ana entered the academy and said hello to the doorman Bernard. When Katherine saw her she gave her a beautiful smile.

"Good morning, Ana!" Kate asked. "Good morning Kate. How are they doing?" Ana asked watching the excited seniors dance the salsa.

"They're great. Getting better every day." Praised Kate.

"I think that you are doing a wonderful job with them." Ana-Lucia said.

Katherine Austen was a young woman. She was 26 years old. Kate worked hard to become independent and have nice things in her life like her dance academy.

Kate left her mother's house when she was 18 years old finally escaping the abuses committed against her by her stepfather. Kate's real father died when she was a little girl. Kate was sick of her stepdad Wayne's abuse and she never had her mother's support regarding him.

Because of this, Kate left everything behind and followed her dream - to dance. She worked many jobs as a nanny, a waitress, and a cook. She worked hard to pay for her dance classes and saved her money to open her own dance academy.

At first, she taught the classes alone but then one day she found Ana-Lucia. Ana was at the front of Kate's academy watching seemingly very interested. Kate had a good feeling about Ana.

"Do you want join us?" Kate asked. Ana-Lucia said yes and Kate asked if she knew how to dance. Kate was very surprised when Ana showed her what she could do.

After this introduction, Ana started teaching dance at Kate's academy. Little by little the modest little Austen Academy started to gain recognition.

Kate was unlike other dance instructors. She loved helping people and enjoyed teaching the seniors how to dance. So much so, that she didn't charge them as most of them couldn't afford to pay the tuition.

Even so, the business was doing well. Kate felt bad because she couldn't afford to pay Ana-Lucia the salary that she so greatly deserved. Kate hoped to be able pay her better one day. Ana was an excellent dancer, the best that Kate had ever seen. Ana-Lucia has dancing in her blood.

"You look so tired my friend." said Kate when Ana started stretching to get ready for the next class.

"I worked until three in the morning last night and when I arrived home Tony was alone and I had to go and look for my mother again." Ana said.

"She was in the pub again?" Said Kate.

"She goes to the pub every day Kate. I don't know what to do anymore." Ana said.

"Ana, you need rest. I wish I could pay you better, then you wouldn't need to work in that awful factory!" Said Kate.

"Hey, don't worry about it! The salary that you pay me is enough. Besides, I love to dance, it makes me forget working at that terrible factory. Anyway, I really need to work there to support my family." Said Ana.

"I know, but don't work too hard. That neighborhood is very dangerous and you go home alone late every night on the bus." Kate said in a worried tone.

"I'll try".- Ana-Lucia promised.

The music ended and Kate and Ana-Lucia clapped for the excited seniors group.

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What a bad day Sawyer thought. It could only be his punishment because he didn't spend enough time at the factory that day.

He was on his private yaught sailing with Shannon when he received an urgent phone call from John Locke. Locke stated that an employee named Michael Dawson had been severely hurt in an accident with a machine at the factory.

Sawyer left the boat to take care of the problem.

Sawyer ensured that Michael Dawson had excellent emergency care and paid for all of his medical expenses.

The bureaucracy was far from finished. Because of the accident Locke informed Sawyer that the Workers Union wanted to send an inspector to investigate the factory and discover the cause of the accident.

The factory was full of safety violations and substandard working conditions and Sawyer needed to take care of these issues before the inspection.

Sawyer finished the paperwork just after midnight. He was exhausted. For the first time in two months he had really worked hard at the factory.

Yawning, he turned off the computer and massaged his temples to sooth his headache and left the office.

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"I'm going now Ana-Lucia. Are you coming with me?" Asked Sun.

Ana looked over at her Korean friend Sun. Ana was so tired, it was almost 1 am and she was still working at the factory.

"No, not yet Sun. I still need to check something out here." Said Ana.

"But you can do this tomorrow, it's so late! I don't understand why you work so hard for this damn company. The boss doesn't care about his employees and you know it!" Said a frustrated Sun.

"Even so, I like to do my best no matter what. You know Sun, I know that those bastards don't care about us but someday I'll leave this awful factory, you'll see."
Said Ana.

Sun smiled. "Ok, but promise me that you'll go home in twenty minutes!"

"I promise" Ana said.

Sun left her friend alone and Ana-Lucia continued with her work. This time, she didn't work more than the 20 minutes that she'd promised Sun.

Ana-Lucia finished checking the pulleys then changed her clothes and left the factory. She walked the three blocks in darkness to the bus stop and waited for the last bus to Los Canales.

The bus took more than an hour to arrive and when it finally arrived it had just three passengers on it, an old lady and a couple. All of them left the bus before Ana-Lucia. She would stay on the bus until the last stop.

Ana-Lucia was so exhausted that she closed her eyes and fell sleep.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Nooooooooooo!" Sawyer screamed kicking the tire of his Ferrari. The engine had stopped and he was standing in front of a garbage dump in one of the worst neighborhoods in LA.

He tried to call a tow truck but the battery in his cell phone was failing.

What good is to be rich now only to be attacked and killed?

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The bus driver was driving very slowly and was in the wrong neighborhood. Ana awoke and noticed her strange surroundings.

"What's happening? Why are we here?" She asked, worried.

"Calm down, baby. We are just taking a little detour. I promise to drive you home soon, princess." Said the bus driver.

The driver parked the bus in front of a garbage dump and stood up out of his chair and walked slowly toward Ana-Lucia. She leapt from her chair and began to walk backward.

"Be a nice girl and I promise that I will gentle!" Said the bus driver.

"Stay away from me!" Ana screamed.

The man was filthy and disgusting.

"Come to papa, baby, I've wanted you since the first time I saw you on my bus." Said the driver.

He pushed her against a seat inside the bus and Ana-Lucia could smell the alcohol on his breath. He covered her mouth with his dirty hand.

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Sawyer was still cursing his bad luck when he heard a woman's screams coming from nearby. It was startling. He contemplated going to see what was happening but he didn't want his car stolen. Besides, how could he help someone disarmed?

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The driver pushed Ana-Lucia on the seat of the bus. He tore open the buttons on her blouse exposing her bra. Ana pushed him away as he touched her breasts. Furious, she kicked him in the groin and poked a finger in his eye.

The driver's eye started to bleed and he yelled out in pain. He started to chase Ana when he saw that she was running away from the bus.

Ana-Lucia ran faster, cold sweat dripping of off her body. The driver almost raped her and if she didn't run faster he still might.

"Hey kitten! Come back here! We haven't finished yet. I would have been nice but you want to make things more difficult." Yelled the bus driver.

Ana-Lucia became desperate. The man was getting closer and there was no place for her to hide. The garbage dump was locked.

He grabbed Ana on her thighs as she was trying to climb the fence.

The driver didn't have time to hurt Ana because another man came from out of nowhere and hit the bus driver on the head with a carjack.

The bus driver fell to the ground, unconscious. Ana-Lucia breathed deeply, feeling a great relief.

"Are you okay, lady?" Said the man.

Ana-Lucia was so scared that she ran into her savior's arms and started to cry.

The man hugged her and said in a low voice:

"Calm down. Everything is going to be ok. I'm going to help you, miss."

To be continued…