Shannon sat in a clearing all by herself. Silent tears of fury were trailing down her face, and she didn't even care that she had gotten her shoes dirty. She was so angry, so hurt. Her brother and her…They had been different. She remembered the time when they went on vacation. Shannon had fallen and hurt her leg, and Boone had stayed with her for the whole two weeks. She loved the way that he made her feel, but at the same time, he could make her feel worthless. He had a way of doing that, and Shannon hated that more than anything. She looked up when she heard the trees rustling. A figure stepped into the clearing. Sayid.
"Come to laugh at the Princess crying?" She asked, a dry laugh forming in her throat.
Sayid moved closer to her, and took a seat next to her. She noticed the warmth radiating from his body, and couldn't help but feel a pang of longing run through her body. She shook it off, and stared at the man. She had to remind herself that was what he was. He wasn't a silly boy who had pockets full of cash. No, Sayid was different.
"I didn't come to do anything. I came to make sure you were okay." He said, with a short sigh. "Shannon, running off into the woods wasn't a good idea. The whole camp is worried about you." He said.
Shannon laughed. "Why should they care. None of them have bothered to talk to me. Except you. And all you needed me for was to translate those maps." She said.
Sayid chose to ignore this comment and plunged on. "We should be getting back."
Shannon shook her head. "I can't go back there." She wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "They'll know. They can sense weakness."
"Your scared, aren't you?" He said. "You are scared of being the weak one." He shook his head. "Why Shannon?"
The blonde shrugged. "I never used to be like this. But then my mom died, and my father married Boones dad." She laughed. "You don't know what it's like living with the Golden Child. Everyone loved him. He excelled at everything. I used to sit and try to think of ways to be better than him. Eventually I gave up. But I don't like emotion." She said. "I can't believe I'm telling you this."
"Why? I don't mind. I have a good ear." Sayid said with a smile.
Shannon returned the smile. It was good to smile. She missed simple things like that. She ran a hand through her hair. She couldn't begin to imagine what she looked like. Sayid hair dropped into his face, and she reached out a hand to brush it back. She thought better of it, and returned to hand to her side. She looked at him, not knowing what to say.
"They really are worried about you." He said softly, standing up and brushing dust off his trousers.
Shannon sighed. "I used to wish that I could live on a deserted island." She said with a small smile. "I always imagined that it would be me and Boone. And the man of my dreams, and we would live forever with the sun always shining, and the beach beautiful. Like the one we're on now." She laughed to herself. "I used to imagine a lot of things."
Sayid offered his hand to the young woman. She took it gratefully. He pulled her to her feet, and Shannon couldn't help but noticed the strength, and the way that his hazels eyes gleamed when she smiled at him in thanks.
Boone walked over to Jack. "I'm going to find her." He said simply.
Jack shook his head. "Sayid already went to find her. He said that he'd know where to find her." He said, taking a drink from his water bottles.
Boones eyes seemed to flash, and he glanced over to the woods. That man…he was in there with his sister. The sister that he hated and loved at the same time. The sister that had stole his heart and broken it.
Jack sensed a change in the man, and looked to him. "You okay?" He asked. When the question was left unanswered, he sighed. "Listen Boone. Sayid's a good tracker. He'll find her, and bring her back safely." He said.
Boone looked at the doctor. "You think her safety is what I'm worried about." He raised an eyebrow. "I'm guessing you haven't seen the way he looks at her."
Jack looked over to the woods nervously, and was relieved to see Shannon and Sayid emerge from the trees. Shannon was talking animatedly, and Sayid was smiling in amusement. Boone followed the line of Jacks eyes and stormed over to the couple.
Shannon stopped talking when she saw her brother. She removed her hand from Sayid's shoulder, and gazed at the sand.
"Where the hell have you been?" Boone asked.
Shannon looked to him. "In the woods. I was walking. Sayid found me, and we came back. Nothing happened." She said. "Besides, you and Locke go out there every day, and I don't say anything."
"That's not the point Shannon." He said, grabbing her arm. He turned to Sayid. "Why don't you go find something else to do. Something that doesn't involve my sister."
Shannon grabbed her arm away from Boone's. "Don't talk to him like that!" She said, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.
Sayid held up his hands. "Don't worry Boone." He turned to Shannon. "I had a nice time, talking with you." He said, and then he walked down the beach and over to Jack, who was looking questioningly at Boone and Shannon.
Shannon rounded on Boone. "What the hell is your problem."
Boone shook his head. "I'm just looking out for you."
Shannon gave a dry laugh. "Yeah…well, it's getting old." She said, before turning on her heel, and stalking off to the other end of the beach, leaving Boone alone, and very stung.