Chapter 20: Shopping Escapade

It had been a few weeks since Jack and Sawyer had been 'lost' in the Australian Outback. Both had left the experience without scars. Jack's poison ivy cleared up, only after passing it on to Kate, and Sawyer's ankle was completely healed as well, neither of them had eaten chicken either. Much to everyone's pleasure Jack and Sawyer were both beginning to get along. Shannon on the other hand, swore that she was getting bigger and often complained about her size, but everyone would just laugh, herself included. Kate and Claire continuously reminded her of how big they had gotten. Shannon and Kate had been spending a lot of time together, talking about life and how it had changed so much since the island. Shannon would often find herself wishing that she was back on the island… where everything had been good… where she had finally felt loved… Charlie and Claire had left Australia to pursue the possibility of a Driveshaft tour. Charlie told Clair that she could stay in Australia with the kids and not be bothered with any of the business of L.A., but Claire refused and decided that the family deserved a vacation. So the entire Pace's packed up and headed out to Los Angeles. Life was going on as normal as ever… well as normal as it could go…

"God, this is the stupidest thing I have ever done," mumbled Sawyer plopping down on a bench outside the fitting room of the department store. Shannon and Kate had decided it would be a great day for a shopping spree. Since it was finally time for Christian's cast to come off, Jack had taken the boys to the hospital and encouraged the girls to go out. Sawyer would have been perfectly happy to stay home, was dragged along only because they were having their attic re-insulated, and Sawyer would only get in the way.

"How does this look?" asked Kate turning around in the mirror to get a complete view of herself. She was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and black satin tank top.

"Good," said Shannon who was sitting down across form Sawyer, "But maybe you should go with the midnight blue tank. It would bring out your eyes."

"Good idea," said Kate who grabbed the other shirt and went back into the changing room to try it on.

Sawyer sighed loudly and laid his head back on the wall and closed his eyes. Shannon got up and walked past him to 'look' at some shirts next to him. She walked back to her seat making sure to step on his foot.

"Shit!" yelled Sawyer sitting up again. "You did that on purpose!"

"Me?" asked Shannon innocently, "I surely did not."

"Did too"

"Did not"

"Did too"

"Did not"

"Will you two please shut up?"

Shannon and Sawyer looked around to find Kate looking over the door at them, and annoyed look on her face.

"You two act like children!" laughed Kate even though she was trying to sound strict.

"She stepped on my foot," said Sawyer pointing at Shannon.

"Tell it to someone who cares," replied Kate as her head disappeared back into the changing room. Sawyer look annoyed as he glared at Shannon who was doing nothing to contain her laughter. "By the way," said Kate leaving the changing room," I think I'll get the blue shirt like you said, Shannon."

"Oh good," said Shannon, "I was hoping that I should find some new maternity clothes, you know, just so I can have something of my own…"

"Okay, you should probably get some shorts. It's gonna get hot." Said Kate as she and Shannon began to walk towards the maternity section. They walked over to the rack of clothes and began to go through them.

"What do you think of this?" asked Shannon holding up a light pink shirt.

"Pretty," said Kate as Sawyer walked around behind them. "What do you think, Sawyer?"

"Whatever," replied Sawyer, clearly not enjoying himself anymore, "How long till you chicks will be read to go?"

"Never," replied Shannon continuing to look through all of the clothes.

"Women, I swear to God," mumbled Sawyer.

"This is why he will never get married," murmured Kate under her breath to Shannon who burst out laughing.

"Okay, I know you said something about me," said Sawyer getting annoyed with both Shannon and Kate.

"Feeling guilty?" asked Kate. "Should we be talking about you?"

"Stop shitting me," said Sawyer getting aggravated.

"I'm not shitting you," said Kate, "You did not have to come. You could have gone with Jack and the boys."

"You know what Freckles," said Sawyer, "I am really regretting my decision."

"Guys," said Shannon softly, her voice breaking.

"One second Shan," said Kate waving a hand in her direction, "I am too busy yelling at this jack-ass."

"Jackass!" said Sawyer. "Let's not start with the name calling."

"KATE!" yelled Shannon, holding her stomach.

"What?" asked Kate turning around, surprised by Shannon's yell.

"There is something wrong," moaned Shannon.

"Did your water break?" asked Kate going over to Shannon.

"No, but…", Shannon bit her lower lip in pain, "There is a sharp pain in my stomach."

"Oh God, I think you are having contractions," said Kate as Hannon sank to the ground holding her stomach, "Sawyer, go get help."

Sawyer who was standing over them nodded quickly and ran off to kind some help. Kate sat Shannon on the floor, and tired to keep her calm. Moments later Sawyer returned with several store clerks, who told them an ambulance had been called. Shannon cried into Kate's shoulder…her baby had to be okay…it just had to…

Sawyer held Shannon's hand as they make their way to the hospital. Kate had sent Sawyer on with Shannon, so she could get the car and meet them there. Shannon screamed again as the pain swept through her body like a thousand knives. Her grip on Sawyer's hand tightened, but Sawyer said nothing. He looked down at her, feeling very uncomfortable and helpless in this situation. The EMT nest to him dabbed her forehead, wiping away the sweat. Shannon's water had not broken, but the pain seemed to be increasing.

Finally they pulled in to the Emergency Room doors and rushed Shannon inside. Sawyer let go of her hand as they carried her away. Sawyer caught Shannon's eye as she was carried away. He smiled at her and then turned away feeling lost… should he follow? Should he wait for Kate? Sawyer began to walk towards the door just as Kate ran up behind him breathing deeply.

"How is she?" asked Kate, out of breath.

"I don't know," said Sawyer.

Kate walked through the doors, Sawyer right behind her. They walked up to the front desk and filled out as much of Shannon's paper work as they could. They asked if they could see her, but the nurse told them that it would be several minutes until they would be able to and that they should go into the waiting room. Kate waked into the waiting room and sat down in the chair and put her face into her hands. She had had the boys early and they had been just fine...Shannon's baby would be okay. Everything would be fine...Kate prayed...Shannon had lost everything she loved in such a short time; she could not lose the baby as well...

"I'm sure the baby will be fine," said Sawyer trying to reassure Kate.

"I know," said Kate smiling slightly, "Premature babies are born all the time."

Sawyer nodded and turned on the television that was mounted on the wall above them. Sawyer began to channel surf until he landed on one with Charlie's face on it. He was smiling' Clair, Aaron, and Emma were standing in the background smiling. Liam, Charlie's brother, was also there. He and Charlie were waving to the crowd of fans.

In other new, it has been announced today that Driveshaft, the once popular British band, will be having a brief comeback tour. As you may know, the bassist Charlie Pace, was one of the many people that were on the flight 815…

"Haha," said Sawyer smiling.

Kate smiled also, as Sawyer began to channel surf again. Kate stood up and began to pace the room. She had been in this room so many times in the last couple of months. For good and bad reasons…this time it just had to be good…

Kate stopped in the middle of the floor, Sawyer looked up at her, puzzled by her odd behavior. She swayed slightly…she was beginning to feel dizzy…the room around her seemed to be spinning. Kate closed her eyes and collapsed onto the floor.

Kate opened her eyes…she was lying on a white bed…she was no longer in her clothes but a hospital gown. How did she get here? Kate sat up and found Shannon in the bed next to her and Sawyer sitting in the chair between the two beds. Shannon was dressed in her street clothes, looking perfectly happy. Shannon saw that Kate had sat up and smiled.

"How are you feeling?" asked Shannon.

"What?" asked Kate, feeling very confused. Ho was she feeling? She was not the one that had gone into premature labor. "You're the pregnant one, right? How are you doing?"

"God," said Shannon happily, "Still pregnant."

Kate sighed.

"What the hell happened to me?" asked Kate looking at the I.V. in her arm.

"You passed out," said Sawyer, "In the middle of the goddamn waiting room."

"What!" exclaimed Kate feeling even more confused. "I don't remember any of that …how did I get here?"

At that moment the doctor walked into the room. It was the same doctor that that delivered Boone and Christian. Kr. Michaels walked over to Kate and shook her hand.

"Hello Mrs. Shepard," said Dr. Michaels, "How are the boys doing?"

"Ok-ay," said Kate.

"Yes, I just saw Jack here a while ago, seems Christian was finally getting his cast off," said Dr. Michaels making small talk.

"Am I okay?" asked Kate, quickly getting to the point, "Can I go home?"

"Yes, of course," said Dr. Michaels, "But there are a few things we need to go over…well actually you know how these things go, don't you?"

"How what things go?" asked Kate looking around the room.

"How pregnancies go," said Dr. Michaels, as if Kate was joking around, "You do know, don't you?"

"Know what!" asked Kate becoming angry.

"That you're pregnant," said Dr. Michaels.

"Haha" said Kate rolling her eyes, "Very funny."

"I'm not joking, Mrs. Shepard," said Dr. Michaels very seriously.

"You're not?" asked Kate her mouth dropping open.

"Nope," said Dr. Michaels smiling, "You're going to have a baby…"

Author's Note: Sorry for the long time between updates. I promise to update quicker in the future. Lost Chick