TITLE: Love's Fortune
RATING: PG-13
SUMMARY: Sequel to Rescue Me/Hold Me. Sayid takes Shannon on the perfect first date, but will her desire to do something for him coupled with her lingering doubts about their relationship end their chances of happiness.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters from Lost and am not making a profit. If they were mine, then there would be more Shayid moments.
AUTHORS' NOTE: This story picks up after my two post-island fics Rescue Me/Hold Me. As always thanks to mrstater who helped clear up the vague parts and helped me to add some much needed detail.
Chapter One
Shannon stood in front of the full-length mirror in her hotel room struggling to decide if this was the right dress to wear for dinner. She had bought so many new clothes when shopping with Sayid, and this was the only dress she hadn't modeled for him. She tugged at the hemline trying to make it longer. Finally she gave up, and simply decided that she wasn't meant to wear dresses at the length everyone else did. It wasn't really her fault anyway. On the display, the dress had fallen inches from where it did on her. Designers really needed to start creating clothes for people with long legs. Then again, the thought of the look on Sayid's face, made her question that thought.
She took a few steps back so she could view the dress with the shoes she had bought. They weren't really that comfortable, but the fact that they were so cute made up for the pain she knew would come in the morning. She bit her lip and wondered what Sayid would think. Then she rolled her eyes because she knew he wouldn't really care. She decided that he would tell her she looked beautiful even if she was wearing a trash bag. Still, after months of wearing the same clothes, she was excited to show him something different. The black dress was simple, but it clung to every inch of her. Satisfied with her choice of clothing, she walked into the bathroom to do her makeup. She ignored the rejected clothing that covered every inch of her room. She had just wanted to look perfect, she thought defensively.
She collected all her makeup and got to work. She hadn't worn much since her supply had run out on the island, so she knew she would keep it simple. She worked slowly trying to concentrate only on the makeup, instead of the reason why she was putting the make up on. Once she was all ready, she would be going on her first real date with Sayid. She didn't know why thinking about it caused butterflies. They had spent all day in bed together talking or sleeping. He had taken care of her during her hangover, which still made her smile. She couldn't remember the last time someone took care of her when she was sick. He had wanted to cancel the plans he had made so that she could continue to recover, but she was feeling much better. Her stomach rumbled as if to remind her that all she had eaten all day was some toast and jell-o. She hoped wherever they were going had good food, something she normally didn't think about. Then again a lot of her thoughts and feelings were different ever since she had meet Sayid.
A part of her still couldn't believe that they had spent the whole day together without leaving his hotel room, and they still hadn't had sex yet. Shannon thought she was ready for that step, but she wasn't sure how she should voice it. Part of her, however, still feared taking that step would ruin the relationship they had built. They had come to the decision earlier that they both needed to stop expecting the worst. They both wanted to be with each other, and they needed to stop worrying about what life off the island would do to them. She knew that would be easier said then done.
She sighed as she decided she wanted to try a different hairstyle. She refused to look at a clock because she already knew she was running late. It didn't matter, Sayid would wait. A knock at the door startled her, causing her to drop her butterfly clip. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized that it had to be Sayid at the door. She quickly glanced at her watch and realized that she was forty-five minutes late for their meeting. She figured that he didn't use his key because he wanted to make sure she was dressed before he entered.
On her way to the door, she collected the clothes, throwing them into one big pile instead of the multiple little ones that littered the floor. Finally she gave up. It was time that Sayid saw this side of her, the side she was able to hide on the island. While she was anal most of the time, when it came to selecting an outfit, all rules went out the window. Normally that was how she unwound after a rough date, placing everything back in its correct place.
With a dramatic sigh she flung the door open. All her nervousness fell away as she looked at Sayid. He was dressed in gray pants, light blue button down shirt and gray jacket. She was happy to see that he hadn't shaved off his beard. It had been one of the things they had discussed while lying in his bed, and she had admitted that she thought it made him look sexy. At that moment she no longer missed those tank tops he always wore. She didn't think that she had ever seen him looking more amazing that he did at that moment. He stood in the doorway, with one hand behind his back, and Shannon felt naked under his gaze. She knew she had picked the right dress by the way his eyes had darkened with desire.
He stepped inside, and looked around the room. Wisely, he ignored the mess around him. He handed her the flowers he had held behind his back. As she took them, she realized that he had gotten her, her favorite flowers: yellow tulips.
"You remembered," she said softly, her eyes filling with tears.
He reached out and caressed her cheek. "I remember everything."
She drew the bouquet up to her nose and inhaled the sweet smell. She remembered when Sayid had given her a mixture of jungle flowers on one of their island dates, and how he had apologized for them not being roses. That was when she told him that she didn't really like roses that much. He had thought she was humoring him, but it was mostly the truth. She did think roses were pretty; it was just that her father used to give them to her for her birthday, and in all honestly it felt creepy to get the same flowers from a guy she was dating. She still couldn't believe that he remembered.
Shannon felt guilty for taking so long to dress. He had gone out of his way to prepare a special date and she had ruined it.
"I'm sorry I took so long."
Sayid smiled at her. "I also remembered that you told me how long it took you to get ready. Our reservation is not for another thirty minutes."
She hit him lightly on the shoulder. "That wasn't very nice. Although it was smart." She grabbed her purse. "I'm ready to go."
"Not yet," Sayid said reaching out to stop her.
Shannon frowned. Was she not dressed properly? Was he changing his mind?
He leaned forward to brush his lips against hers. "I have not told you how beautiful you look."
"Worth the wait?"
"Always."
He held out his hand, and Shannon intertwined her fingers with his. The butterflies grew with each step, as she realized she had no idea where they were going, but willing to put all her trust in him.
They walked to the restaurant, Sayid ignoring her persistent questioning about where they were headed. She knew that she sounded like the annoying child in the backseat of a car asking if they were there yet, but she didn't care. A part of her waited for Sayid to snap at her, and force her back to the hotel, but after each question he would just smile at her. She realized that he was enjoying torturing her.
She sighed again, hoping to annoy him enough to get him to spill where he was taking her. Although, she also was enjoying the fact that he wanted to surprise her. He had tried on the island a few times, and while he had succeeded the first time, it was difficult to keep up the surprises while on an island. There were only so many things they could do for entertainment. Shannon wasn't used to being with a guy who wanted to surprise her. Normally for a date, she was lucky if she was even taken out to a real restaurant. A typical date for her involved a bar, plenty of alcohol, and feelings of humiliation afterwards. She was determined that this would put all other dates to shame, and was off to a great start.
Sayid stopped suddenly. "You can stop asking now. We are here."
She looked up at the restaurant they had stopped in front of, and tears welled up in her eyes. She had told him yesterday that she had always wanted to go to this Chinese restaurant, and she couldn't believe that he had made reservations for them. She hadn't told him that she had bugged her father, Sabrina, and Boone to take her there, hadn't told them that they all refused because they were afraid that she would embarrass them, which she frequently did as a teenager to get back at them for all the wrongs she felt they had committed. It was the last time she had asked her father for anything, and she hated that he wouldn't do it because he was ashamed of the way she acted. She knew she had been wrong then. She had done everything possible to rebel against her father and Sabrina, but it had been the only way she could get control of her life. If only she would have had the chance to do something differently.
Sayid eyed her, concerned. "Should I have checked with you first?"
She shook her head. "It's perfect."
He took her hand and pulled her gently towards the door. They didn't have to wait long, and were taken to a secluded table in the back.
They didn't talk as they perused their menus. Shannon wasn't sure what she should get. She was starving, but eating in front of a date was never a good idea. She had gone on countless dates where she had ordered just a salad so they would think that she was the perfect woman. But this was Sayid, not a random date. She didn't think he would care what she ate. He had never questioned her eating habits on the island, even after she had let it slip that she had suffered on and off from an eating disorder. She glanced through the menu until she found something that she liked, she decided that she was hungry and she wanted to eat.
Shannon closed her menu and glanced around the restaurant. It was much different from the other restaurants she had been in. The décor was authentic or at least what she assumed to be authentic. She examined the photographs on the wall. She would love to visit China one day, but doubted that she ever would. She never wanted to fly again.
"I'm glad that we get to sit at tables," she said with a smile. "You always see Chinese restaurants in the movies where they sit on the floor."
Sayid nodded. "It is nice not having to sit on the ground when eating. At least we know the food will be better than when we were on the island."
Shannon rolled her eyes. "I am so sick of boar meat and fruit. I can't wait to eat some real food." She picked up the chopsticks that rested on her napkin. "I've never been very good with these."
"Neither have I."
She giggled. "I guess that means we'll have to use our fingers."
"Or break down and ask for proper utensils."
The waiter interrupted to take their order. Shannon and Sayid talked about everything and anything as they waited for their food to arrive. They didn't stop talking once their food arrived, and continued as they ate.
Shannon bit her lip in concentration as she tried to use the chopsticks. Every time she thought she was going to be able to pick up her food, the chopsticks slipped and her food fell back to the plate. Sayid started laughing at her unsuccessful attempt to eat.
Glaring at him, she said, "And you think you could do better?"
Grinning, he picked up one of his chopsticks and speared his food.
"That's cheating."
"At least I am eating."
He had a point. Shannon held the chopstick as Sayid had, and just as the waiter returned to check on them, she shoved it through her chicken. The waiter looked at her as if she was crazy, causing both her and Sayid to laugh. Clicking his tongue at her, the waiter took her chopsticks from her. He placed a little piece of paper between them, rubber-banded them together, and demonstrated how to use them before handing them back to her. When the waiter walked away, Shannon and Sayid couldn't contain their laugher, and for a few minutes they were unable to eat. Once they calmed themselves down, they were able to resume their earlier conversation.
It still amazed Shannon that conversation would flow so easily between them. If she had ever thought she would be in a restaurant with someone like Sayid, she never would have believed it, and never would have thought that she would be having fun. It was times like this when she felt that the plane crash was meant to happen, otherwise she never would have met Sayid. She always felt guilty when she had that thought. People died because of the crash, and she was happy that she had found her soulmate.
Shannon shook her head to get those thoughts out of her head. She refused to feel depressed on her first real date with Sayid. She startled as the waiter placed the check along with some fortune cookies on the table all with the check. Sayid looked at it quickly, and paid the bill. She hadn't even realized that they had finished their meals; she had been too engrossed in spending the time with Sayid. They both reached for the same cookie and their fingers brushed against each other. Her breath caught. She never understood how the simplest touch from Sayid could cause more of a reaction then every other touch she had ever experienced. He smiled as he picked up the other cookie.
Shannon unwrapped her cookie and broke it apart. Before reading the fortune, she suddenly remembered the game she used to play with her friends.At the end of the fortune, the words "in bed" were added. She could remember the countless times they had laughed at what they came up with. It was one of the few positive memories she had from those friends.
Pulling the fortune out, Shannon started giggling as she read it.
Sayid looked at her questioningly.
"You have a lively family," she read, mentally adding the in bed, which caused her to giggle some more.
Looking confused, Sayid broke open his cookie and pulled out the fortune.
"What does it say?" Shannon asked.
"Your life will be a dashing and exciting adventure."
Shannon couldn't help herself. After adding in bed to that sentence, she started laughing harder. She placed her hand over her mouth and tried not to snort.
"I do not see what is funny," he said laughing at her laughter.
"Read it again," she said through her laughter. "But this time add the words in bed to the end."
He looked at her skeptically before picking up the fortune again.
"Your life will be a dashing and exciting adventure in bed."
As a slight blush crept up his face, Shannon couldn't control her laughter anymore. She was glad that they were in a secluded area or else everyone would be staring at her. Her body shook with laughter.
Shannon explained to Sayid where the in bed came from, and why she had him do it.
"I do not believe that my fortune is correct."
"We'll have to make it come true."
Realizing her words, it was her turn to blush. She hadn't meant to be so forward. Sayid looked at her closely, his dark eyes staring into her soul. Finally, he stood, and motioned for her to follow. They walked through the restaurant without saying a word.
As they stepped outside, Shannon couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. She hadn't meant to allude to sex as she did earlier. She hoped that he didn't expect anything from her tonight. She needed to get her jumbled thoughts organized before she took that step.
Without thinking about it, she led Sayid off the boardwalk and onto the beach. She slipped off her shoes and flexed her toes. She needed to find some cute, comfortable shoes, but she felt that was an oxymoron. She dug her toes into the sand, surprised by how comforting it felt. For months all she had felt was sand, and she had wanted desperately to get away from it. But now all she could think about was how much time she had spent on a beach with Sayid. She felt relaxed now, the butterflies were gone. It felt natural to be with him, standing in the sand with the water lapping in the distance.
"It feels like home," he whispered.
She shivered as she realized how he had read her mind. Sayid saw her, and assumed that she was cold. He slipped his coat off and gently draped it over her shoulders. She drew it closer, and breathed deeply. The coat held Sayid's smell, and she hoped that she never had to take it off. She slipped her hand inside the pockets and felt something hard. She pulled out a velvet box. Her heard skipped a beat as she thought about the possible contents of the box. She looked to Sayid for answers, but found that he was looking at the sand.
After a few seconds, he took the box from her, keeping her hand in his. He opened the box and showed her the ring nestled inside. She smiled as she realized that it was the ring she had been looking at in the store. Licking his lips, he slipped the ring on her finger.
"It's beautiful," she said softly.
"I saw you looking at it in the store."
Her smile faded. He had only bought it because he knew she had liked it. He didn't realize the meaning behind it. A promise ring meant that they were promising to be together, it was the first step before getting engaged. She didn't know if she should tell him or not. What if he really wasn't ready for that commitment? What if he had just wanted to give her something, and knew she would like this particular ring? How could she have been thinking about sex with him earlier when she didn't even know what he was thinking?
He intertwined his fingers with hers. "I hope you are not upset with me buying this. I know that it is a big step for us, Shannon. But I wanted you to know that I want to be with you." He brought her hand up to his lips, kissing it softly. "I promise that I will always be with you."
Her eyes filled with tears as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. He was hers, and she now had the ring to prove it. She didn't care if they stayed in that spot for the rest of the night. She was sure that they would eventually move to his room and continue the date that they had planned, but for now, she was happy to stand on the beach holding him close.
TBC…