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. I don't own "Pretty Woman" either.
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 Two

Shannon woke with a start, sticky with sweat and heart pounding. Her eyes darted around the room as she tried to figure out where she was. An arm was pressing down against her stomach and she felt as if she was suffocating. She didn't know who was touching her, and she needed to get out of the bed. Struggling to get out of the tangled mess of covers, she made her way to the bathroom. Closing the door behind her, she slid down to the floor, enjoying the feel of the cold tile against her body. She breathed heavily as she tried to calm herself down.

Drawing her knees to her chest, she counted to five. Once she felt better she allowed herself to think about what had just happened. She had been sleeping safely in Sayid's arms when it had all come crashing down around her. She kept repeating to herself that it had just been a dream, but in her heart she knew there was truth in the dream.

The night had started out so wonderfully, and she should have known that it would go down hill. They had spent a long time standing together on the beach admiring the way the moon hit against the water. Finally, they had walked back up to Sayid's room to watch some movies before ending their date. Shannon had been cold, so she had changed into some of his clothing. She tugged at the sleeves now, feeling as if she was wearing too much. They had only gotten through one movie before they had fallen asleep in his bed. Shannon had begged Sayid to let them watch Pretty Woman, and he had agreed. Every since waking from her dream she had regretted that decision.

She knew it was just a stupid dream, but it had felt so real, and she didn't know what to do. She stood shakily and went to the sink to get some water. She took small sips as she closed her eyes. She realized that it was a mistake as the images from her dream came rushing back.

It had started off innocently enough. She had been standing on a fire escape with Sayid, just like Julia Roberts and Richard Gere had been at the end of the movie. He had quoted the movie, saying, "So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?" and Shannon had spoken Vivian's line "She rescues him right back." As she had leaned in to kiss him, laughter came from further up the fire escape. She had broken away from Sayid to look up to find Boone laughing hysterically at the exchange. Suddenly, the fire escape gave way and she began falling. She reached for Sayid, and felt momentary relief as he held her hand tightly, but her fingers then slipped through his grasp. She had landed in the bed in the Sydney hotel room she had shared with her brother.

Shannon shivered at the memories, and wanted desperately to stop reliving the dream. She wanted it to end, wanted to forget every word that Boone had said to her, and just climb back into bed. But she couldn't now with his voice echoing in her mind. She sank back down to the ground trying to curl into a ball to stop the pain.

She hadn't been able to see Boone anymore in the dream, but as soon as she had landed she had heard his voice tormenting her with his words. He had told her that she was useless, worthless, and that Sayid only wanted her for sex because he knew she would be good. He'd throw her away afterwards. Boone had gone on and on about how she never did anything for Sayid, that she was just using him because she didn't want to be alone. Then she'd felt him climbing into the bed with her, and as she struggled to get away from him, she awoke.

She hated that there was truth in Boone's words. She didn't believe that Sayid was using her for sex, otherwise he would have pushed her harder. But she did think that he had done so much for her and she had done nothing for him. He had taken care of her, and then had planned the best date she had ever been on. Her eyes fell upon the ring on her finger. Why did he give it to her? She wasn't worth it. If she deserved it, wouldn't she have done something for him, or wouldn't she have not gotten drunk and have spent the day just being with him? What did Sayid see in her?

She stood again, drained of energy and walked listlessly back to bed. She had just pulled the covers back over her, when Sayid rolled over placing his arm around her waist. She moved out of his grasp, his touch reminding her of how worthless she was and how dirty she was inside.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"I'm hot," she said weakly.

She heard him sigh, and could feel his hand hovering above her as if he was deciding what he should do.

"You were thrashing in your sleep."

"It's none of your business. Just drop it," she said harshly.

Shannon immediately regretted her words. It was not Sayid's fault that she had allowed her bad dream to get to her. The bed heaved as Sayid rolled over so his back was against hers. He moved again so that there was space between them. She suddenly felt cold and alone, and she knew if she continued that she could ruin everything.

"I had a bad dream," she whimpered. Sayid didn't respond, and she thought at first that maybe he had fallen back asleep. But she knew he was simply waiting for her to continue. She didn't know what else to tell him. She couldn't tell him all the details. "It was just a stupid dream."

"If it was just a stupid dream, it would not have upset you so much."

Shannon hated when he sounded so wise. Sometimes it felt like he knew everything, and that he could do no wrong. She knew that wasn't the case. She had always thought that he was this pillar of strength but as he nursed her hangover, he had revealed that he too had been concerned about their relationship. He had suggested that they talk about their problems more often, but she wasn't sure if this was a good time.

She rolled over so that she was facing his back. She could make out the outline of his body in the darkness.

"I don't know how to tell you about it," she said softly, her voice catching.

He turned so that he was facing her again. He reached out to sweep her hair off her face. Even without any light, she knew his eyes were filled with concern. She had seen that look in his eyes so many times, that even though she felt so worthless at the moment, she still knew that he loved her no matter what.

"You never have to tell me anything you do not want to. Just remember that you can."

She opened her mouth to tell him, but stopped herself. How could she explain why Boone would have said those things to her without it leading to the revelation that she wasn't worth his love? Instead she decided that she would go a different route and maybe she would still be able to relieve some of the anxiety produced by the dream.

"What did you used to do to relax? You know before the island."

He ran his fingers down her arm, causing her to shiver. "I did not do much, I was typically moving. Working or searching, that was all I did."

"So there's nothing?" she asked discouraged.

"What is this about?"

She sighed deeply. "I want us to do something tomorrow, something you like. We've gone shopping, out to dinner, and watched movies – all things I picked."

"And I loved each of those things."

She snorted. "You didn't like shopping."

"I liked watching you. Shannon, we do not need to do anything different. I am content to simply be with you."

"But don't you see that's not enough. I want to find ways to surprise you."

"Everyday with you is a surprise."

She rolled her eyes, and turned again so her back was too him. Normally she would have liked his answer, but not now, not after that dream. He was content to let her use him like this, to just sit by and do all the romantic things and she didn't have to do anything. She wanted to do something for him. She wanted for once to prove to him that she was worth his affection. She closed her eyes tightly, she was tired of this discussion.

Sayid moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. He gently brushed his lips against the back of her head.

"I used to play football."

Her eyes shot open as she smiled. Finally, something for her to start with. She couldn't imagine him being the type of person who liked to watch football. He was much more active. Shannon had never really played before, but she couldn't imagine that it was that difficult. All you do is throw the ball back and forth. Suddenly, she remembered something from her time in France.

"Do you mean football or soccer?"

He chuckled. "Soccer."

That was much better. She had played soccer when she was younger, before it was considered too tomboyish. She had been pretty good then, and hoped that she had remembered some of the skills.

"Can we play tomorrow?" She asked. "And maybe have a picnic or something, whatever you'd like."

"If it will make you happy."

She snuggled closer to him. Nothing would make her happier than to plan a date entirely for him. She began to go through every conversation she had ever had with Sayid to think if he had ever mentioned anything else. She fell asleep with the perfect date in mind.

TBC...