Okay, I'm back with the next chapter. I hope that you all enjoy.
Romen
Disclaimer: Nothing.
Chapter Three
Betrayal
"Jack."
The doctor internally groaned, forcing his eyelids open. He had been sorting through the last of the antibiotics and must have started dozing off. He turned his heavy head to the side as Sayid came towards him, his eyes wide. "Yeah?"
"I can't find Shannon." He let his arms drop at his side in exasperation.
Jack covered his eyes with his hand, his head feeling like it was about to split in half. "Did you look around the beach?"
"Yes, and she wasn't there. I asked everyone if they had seen her. No one has. I came back to search the caves, and she wasn't here either. I don't know where she can have gotten to."
"Look, Sayid, it's entirely possible that you missed her." Jack began going through the medicine once again. "You could have accidentally passed her."
"Then why is she avoiding me?" Sayid ran a hand through his dark hair, heaving a sigh. "I'm worried about her, Jack. With Boone gone...I just don't know."
"Now isn't this sweet? You two holding some kind of a pity-party?"
Jack frowned, glancing up at the last person he wanted to see. "What do you want, Sawyer?"
The redneck cocked his head to the side. "I'm insulted, doc. What makes you think that I want something from you? Can't a man just have a friendly conversation?"
The doctor set the medicine bottle down, pushing back his chair and standing. "I'm not in the mood for your games, Sawyer, so just tell me what you need and leave."
He shook his head, looking down for a moment. "I was just wonderin' if you were missing anything."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Sawyer shrugged. "You know...any important items. Medicine, batteries, keys..." His voice trailed off.
Jack put one hand instinctively to his neck. Truth be told, the key wasn't there. It must have slipped off while he was tending to Boone. Still, he wasn't going to let Sawyer know this. Most likely he was just tying to annoy him. However, he could be telling the truth...
"I appreciate your concern, but it seems that I haven't lost anything." He sat back down. "How have your headaches been?"
"Fine, fine, no headaches here. Hey, have you noticed anyone snooping around important places?" Sawyer's eyes glinted maliciously.
"No, I haven't. Do you need anything?"
"Don't worry, doc, I'm leaving. Just keep one eye open." He turned on his heel, then stopped. "You know, I've been noticing some...strange things lately."
Jack chewed on the side of his cheek for a second, trying to contain his frustration. "What kind of strange things?"
Sawyer shrugged. "Just people, with guns."
"Guns?" Sayid leaned forward, as if making sure he had heard right. "Where would they have gotten guns?"
"I don't know, unless they somehow found their way to that indestructible case out in the jungle. I'm not saying that we should jump to any conclusions but- that's the only place that they could have come from. You all have a nice day." He smiled innocently before walking off, whistling.
"He's lying," Sayid said the moment that he was out of earshot. "Why should we believe him? It isn't as if he has told the truth before."
Jack heaved a sigh, shutting his eyes. "The key's gone."
"What?"
"The key to the haliburton is gone." He stood, turning to face him. "It's entirely possible that someone who knew where the suitcase was found the key and broke into it. And you're right; Sawyer hasn't always been the most reliable source, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."
Sayid cocked his head to the side. "What are you going to do?"
"Wait here." The doctor pitted on his heel, hurrying from the caves and out into the sunlight.
(Space)
"Jin."
He paused, one hand reaching towards the axe. Should he respond? He decided not to, lifting the heavy tool and resting the handle on his shoulder, looking down as he pretended to have not heard her.
"Jin!" Sun repeated, stepping in front of him, her eyes wide. She suddenly adverted her sight, glancing away.
"What now?" Jin asked, his voice harsh. "Tell me and get it over with."
Sun took a deep breath, those dark orbs finding his. "Kamsahamnida."
He blinked, his brow furrowed. "What?"
"I just wanted to thank you for helping yesterday. Kate told me how you were there for Charlie. You helped him through that, and you were also a big help to Jack."
"De, well..." He turned away awkwardly, continuing his walk down the beach. "How is the baby doing? Is everything all right?"
"Yes, everything is fine. It is very healthy. Jin, please, wait." She put one hand on his shoulder. "I just wanted to ask..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes weak and fearful.
Jin blinked. He wanted her to say it, he needed her to say it. "What?"
She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, then closed it. "I just wanted to say- good luck on the raft." She walked away, one hand tucked under her chin.
(Space)
"Wow, Shannon, this is nice." Dan smiled, leaning forward. "What do you want?"
"Dad! Can't I just prepare dinner for the family once in a while?" She brought the pan over, pulling off the cover. "Voilla! Lasagna, your favorite, Sabrina."
Sabrina grinned. "Thank you, Shannon."
Shannon took her seat at the table, beginning to serve herself. She watched as everyone eyed her hesitantly.
"What? I'm hungry!" She grinned, laughing. "What are you all waiting for? Is my cooking really that bad?"
She watched as they began to pass around the different trays. She took a deep breath, waiting until they were all eating before coming right to the point.
"We recently got midterms, and I wanted to show you mine. Right here at the table." She pulled a small piece of paper from her pocket, biting down on her lip as she handed it to her dad. He observed it, nodding before he handed it to Sabrina. Her eyes grew wide.
"Shannon, B's and A's. There's no D's on here! How did"-
Shannon could feel herself glowing. "All of my teachers said that I've been working much harder, and that if I keep it up, I may be making these kinds of grades for the rest of the year."
"Good job, Shannon." Boone patted her on the shoulder, flashing her a genuine smile. "It looks like you're turning over a new leaf."
"This better not be a passing thing," Dan muttered, jabbing at his food with his fork. "I want to see this grade point average at the end of the semester."
"Don't worry, Dad, I can do it!" She paused, taking a sip of her water. "In fact, Mr. Sanders has really been impressed with my writing. So were the judges."
Silence.
"The judges?" Sabrina stuttered.
Shannon nodded. "I wrote an essay for my English class. Mr. Sanders thought it was good enough for publishing, but I didn't think I was at that level yet. Still, I wanted to do something with it. I submitted it into a teen writing contest and made third place."
"Oh, wow." Sabrina grimaced, patting at her stiff hair. "I hope you didn't write anything bad about us in there."
Shannon's face fell. "It was fictional."
"Still, I don't want a scandal. That could be bad for the business. Next time let us take a look at your writing."
Shannon frowned. "All right. I made it into third place, and the first three runners up get to travel to a writing conference in New York City as the prize. There's going to be all kinds of famous authors there. I'm really excited about sitting down and getting some advice from professionals. Mr. Sanders thinks I would so benefit from it."
"It's too bad that you can't go," Sabrina replied a clipped voice.
"What do you mean I can't go?" Shannon's eyes found her father. "Dad?"
"Sabrina's right, honey."
"I'll be with the group, it's not like I'll be getting into any trouble. What, don't you trust me?"
"It's not just that, Shannon." He sighed. "We really don't have the money for this kind of thing."
"Bull! You're married to, like, millionaire!" She stopped, shutting her mouth and smiling sweetly. "I'm sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me. I really don't think you understand how much this means to me. I could learn a lot from this. Can't I go, pleeeeeaaaaase?"
Dan shook his head. "I'm sorry Shannon, but we're just not financially able."
"I hate you!" Shannon stood, her chair screeching as it was pushed back from the table. "The only time that I ever ask if I can do something that would help me academically you say no. You're ruining my life!"
She stormed off, not even waiting to hear if they protested.
"Shannon."
She looked up, catching the key as Sawyer tossed it to her, grinning.
"Hook, line, and sinker."
TBC...
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