The campfire blazed, and the whole camp stood in a circle around the climbing flames. Today was the day that it had happened. Today, four years ago, their lives had been turned upside down. Four years ago they had all been completely different people.

Shannon had been ignorant and moody, and even those words were an understatement. She had hated dirt, and work. Above all, she had hated children. They way that they clung to people, and their sticky hands making a mess out of everything they touched. But now, she was stronger, tougher; physically and mentally. The heat and smoke from the fire was making her feel dizzy and she sat down on a pile of logs. Claire was speaking about fate, and the people they had become since the crash.

The ceremony ended with a prayer, and by the time the crowd dispersed, Shannon had silent tears running down her face. She was almost9 months pregnant now. She was scared, but for the first time she wasn't alone. Sayid put his arm around her and pulled her to her feet.

When they were both settled down in their hut, in the makeshift bed, he turned to her. "What is wrong?" He asked her.

Shannon scooted closer to him, and laid her head on his chest. "I'm so scared." She whispered. "I'm scared for the baby, and what's going to happen to us." She said, tears welling in her eyes once more.

Sayid sighed and rubbed her back soothingly. "Don't cry Shannon. Things will be fine. We have Jack to help with the baby. Besides, we know now what to expect. Claire's birth went well. Didn't it? And the other women who have birthed since the crash." He asked.

Shannon nodded. She rolled over on her back and settled her hands over her stomach. "I'm huge." She said with a sigh. "Thank God Claire kept all those clothes she wore when she was pregnant." She said.

Sayid laughed, and rested his hand on her own. "You look beautiful." He murmured. "You always look beautiful."

Shannon rolled her eyes. "We are quite a couple, aren't we." She smiled. "No-one saw us coming. Even I didn't see this one." She said.

Sayid smiled. "I remember the first time we showed our relationship in the open. Boone was furious."

Shannon groaned. "But in the end he was happy for us. And you two get along fine now, don't you?" She said with a smile.

"We should get to sleep." Sayid said.

Shannon rolled onto her side, and snuggled closer to Sayid. "I love you." She whispered.


Shannon awoke with a start, sweat trickling down her back. She thought she had heard something. A crash of some sort. She looked around the dark hut, and after a few minutes settled back down amongst the old airplane blankets. She grasped in the dark for Sayid's hand and closed her eyes, trying to settle her breathing. She was about to doze off once more, when she heard it again. She shook Sayid violently. "Wake up!" She hissed.

Sayid opened his eyes lazily. "What's wrong?" He asked, sitting up when he saw the panicked look on her face.

"I heard something." She said. "It was coming from outside." She said, pointing to the cloth covered doorway.

Sayid was about to say something when a shrill scream pierced the air. He bolted over to the doorway, and out onto the beach. Shannon followed at a much slower rate. People were assembled all over the beach, curious and tired. Jack, Charlie, and Sayid were hunched over a figure on the ground.

Shannon walked over to Claire, who was holding Aiden tightly. "What's going on?" She asked with a yawn.

Claire shrugged. "Charlie heard the commotion out here and left." She said with a yawn of her own.

Shannon sighed and leaned against the hut behind her. Claire put an arm around her friend and smiled. "I know how you must be feeling. About the baby. But I did it. And your a lot stronger than I ever was." She said with a small smile.

Shannon was about to respond when Jack walked over, dark circles outlining his once brilliant eyes.

Claire smiled sympathetically. "What happened?" She asked, moving Aiden up on her hip.

Jack smiled, and looked over to the crowd on the beach. "A woman, Karen, was out here. She said something about going for a walk. Someone attacked her." He sighed. "She had bruising on her neck and back, and I'm pretty sure she sprained her wrist."

Shannon nodded. "I know her. We used to do laundry duty together." She said. "Where is she now?"

Jack sighed. "Sayid and Charlie took her to her hut. I just wanted to tell you ladies that it's probably safer if you stayed together, and went back inside."

Claire nodded. "Can I get you anything?" She asked, putting a hand on the mans shoulder.

Jack shook his head. "I'll see you two tomorrow."

Claire smiled at the retreating man. "Never been the same since Kate chose Sawyer. He really liked her." She sighed. "Well, C'mon." She said, guiding Shannon back to her hut.


Sayid and Charlie settled Karen down in her small hut. She opened her eyes slowly and groaned. She reached up and brushed a strand of flaming red hair from her green eyes.

Charlie smiled weakly. "Do you need water?" He asked, pulling a bottle from a basket near the bed,

Karen nodded. "My wrist hurts." She said weakly.

Sayid nodded. "You fell on it. It was sprained." He said, taking the woman's hand in his own so that he could inspect it.

Karen sighed. "I just remember someone behind me. They kicked my feet out from underneath me, and I fell to the ground. By the time that I looked up they were already gone." She said irritably.

Sayid smiled softly. "This is very peculiar, there haven't been any incidents like this in more than a year. Why would they target you?" He asked.

Karen shook her head. "I'm thirty two, and I was all alone on that plane." She said, "I keep to myself, and I try not to get involved. It's worked so far. People only talk to me when nesacery."

"Why were you out there?" Charlie asked.

Karen paused. "I was outside, because…" She sighed. "I was bored and alone. I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk." She said quickly.

Sayid looked to Charlie, not believing the woman's rushed story. He didn't press her. She would talk on her own time.

"Well," Sayid said, "I think you will be fine." He said, "Charlie and I will be going now so you can rest." He said, standing up to leave.

Karen reached out and stopped him. "Please. Will you stay with me for tonight. I don't want to be alone." She whispered.

Sayid turned to Charlie. "Tell Shannon that I will be back soon. Take her to Boone's hut. I don't want her being alone tonight."

Charlie nodded. "Night, mate."