Morning dawned, and the light seemed to chase away the shadowy vulnerability of the night before. Sayid awoke first and gently removed his arm from under Shannon's head, replacing it with his rolled up blanket. He had about a half an hour of tranquil contemplation before the rest of the camp stirred to life. Since there were currently no dead bodies or abductions to deal with the day promised to be relatively quiet, and the survivors were eager to enjoy that peace while it lasted.
Locke was fond of telling people that they all got new lives on this island. Perhaps the survivors were finally beginning to feel the freedom of giving up their pasts, because despite the dangers they faced people seemed lighter somehow. Almost everyone has something in their history that weighs them down- but very few ever have the opportunity to disperse their ghosts in such an efficient fashion.
Shannon, at any rate, was beginning to feel less and less like her old self. It was a nice feeling- being constantly bitchy had its satisfying aspects but it was also oppressive. Maybe it was time to let go of the prickly protective barriers she had been building up around herself for so long.
Her newfound sense of peace wasn't enough to encourage her to go trekking through the woods in search of boars, as Boone seemed so fond of doing. But it was enough for her to go over to where Claire was lounging, sit down, and ask conversationally how she was doing.
Claire looked slightly astonished at such a display of friendly interest, but she was perhaps the nicest person on the island and recovered quickly. She replied that she felt very, very fat and Shannon laughed.
The two girls feel into easy conversation, the sort of half chatting/half-informative talking that girls use to get to know someone they hope will be their friend, like a college roommate or a new neighbor. Claire learned Shannon had been Prom Queen and an All-State track star at her elite private school back in the states, Shannon learned that Claire had been a college student who dropped out to experience life and that the baby's father was a first class jerk. Knowing that Claire had such an evil ex inspired Shannon's sympathy- Shannon knew what it was like to date the wrong guys.
Jack came over to check on Claire and Shannon, who if she respected nothing else respected the personal privacy of others who did the same, wandered down the beach. She saw Hurley going towards the ocean with two roughly fashioned fishing rods and called after him.
If Claire had been surprised by Shannon's friendliness, Hurley was shocked. He couldn't recall that Shannon had ever really spoken to him before. He paused, allowing the blond girl to catch up. She jogged over and asked if he was going fishing.
Hurley glanced at the rods he was holding and answered slowly that he had was planning on it. Shannon looked up at him and asked "Can I come?"
When Hurley didn't respond immediately Shannon's expression became slightly defiant, but the large man then said in an easygoing tone "Sure, why not?" Shannon followed him into the water.
Shannon had been fishing before. Granted, the equipment had then been top of the line, but she figured the basic principles were the same. Wait till you had a bite and then tug. Shannon knew how to cast a line for the same reason she knew how to swing a driver- on the rare occasion her father had decided to spend some time with his daughter he would take her golfing or fishing. Shannon preferred fishing- it required less conversation and she had a soft spot for the lake cabin.
The day passed without significant incident- Hurley was entertaining company without constantly chattering. Shannon caught two small fish and when the day grew late she followed Hurley back to the camp. She noticed Sayid watching her approach and she held up her catch, smiling wryly. He smiled back and met her on the beach.
Sayid eyed the fish and looked back at Shannon. He didn't comment on her unusual productivity- Shannon had known he wouldn't, and liked him the better for it. Rather he just said "I see you've been busy."
Shannon lifted an eyebrow and said with some mischief "I'm a provider now. And..." she paused for dramatic effect "I'm going to cook us dinner." Sayid's fleeting expression of scepticism only made Shannon grin.
The fish was a little scorched when she finished with it but it was quite edible. While they ate Sayid told Shannon about the latest Jack/Sawyer feud. Apparently Jack had discovered that Sawyer had the plane's alcohol and had attempted to confiscate it for medical use. Sawyer, of course, had refused, and the ensuing battle had ended in the typical fashion- with Kate stepping in and yelling at everyone involved. Whenever Shannon had tried that at home it hadn't worked- she thought vaguely that Kate's voice must possess more authority.
Sayid leaned back, enjoying the brilliant sunset and the sense of tranquility that overcame them all at twilight. They were part of a new world, one that was both savage and beautiful. Here on the island it was possible to live life as it ought to be lived- full of risk and emotion and appreciation for every day.
For Sayid, it was an opportunity to find peace. He had been at war all his life- against rebels, against his government, and most of all against himself. He knew more then most about inner-turmoil. He had killed men, watched them die alongside his friends on the battlefields. He had served corruption and fought on both sided of justice. Sayid was still a soldier, he always would be. But he was tired of battling mankind and tired of battling himself. He was willing to fight still, but against a different enemy, for a different reason. If necessary Sayid would fight the island, and he would do so to keep himself and his friends alive.
Sayid was a reserved man, by nature but also by necessity. At first he had been protecting others by his lack of attachment- the love an Iraqi soldier was dangerous to possess, as too many families in the region knew all too well. Later, as violence, discipline, and personal brilliance took their toll on his personality, he remained aloof to protect himself. Even Nadia, who was so brave and smart and strong, had never had a place in his inner heart. Nadia had been a friend and a much need wake-up call to his conscience, but she had not breached his defenses.
To Sayid the outside world was a place where the ghosts of days before had always overshadowed the possibilities of the days to come. The potential life held on this island was never lost to him. His attempts towards rescue were sincere, for he knew as long as stayed everyone was in constant danger, but on evenings like this he was almost grateful for the crash that had stranded him so far from his old life.
Noticing that Shannon was gazing at him curiously he abandoned his reflections, and his eyes lost their distant expression. Shannon, struck suddenly by an unusual surge of affection, scooted up to lean against his shoulder. Together they watched the last ray of sunlight disappear into the horizon, and as the shadows around them darkened Sayid bent his head to rest his cheek against Shannon's bright hair.