Sayid sat down next to Shannon, who did not look up from her sunbathing. "You know," he said, staring out to sea, "I think we might still have a chance of getting off this island."
"Not a chance." Shannon sighed, still not looking at him.
Sayid nodded. "You know," he repeated, "I think your brother Boone and Locke are really hunting when they go out."
"He's my stepbrother," corrected Shannon, "and not a chance."
Sayid glanced over at her. "You know," he said, "I think you're very beautiful."
Shannon looked at him now, lowering her sunglasses to better study him: the dark skin, dark eyes, dark hair; he was irrefutably handsome. And yet there was more to it than that. He was kind; he was smart; and he liked her. She smiled. "Thank you," she said.
He turned to look at her, and he smiled at her, too. "You're welcome." he said.