Chapter 9- Sweet Dreams

Shannon stepped outside the muggy Manhattan heat was making it harder for her to breathe by the second. Shannon tilted her head back and struggled to fill her lungs with air. She paused momentarily and rested her back against the brick wall. She glanced towards the door hoping that Boone would assume, his regular hero role, and meet her outside, but he didn't come.

Shannon balled her fists in anger. She hated Isabella, she hated her so much.

Her lungs started to close up, and her world was starting to get dizzy. The city lights started to mix together, as she continued to walk.

Shannon started to wheeze, but she ignored the signals her lungs were giving for her to turn around. She didn't want Isabella to see her like this, weak and in need of saving by Boone. She didn't need him.

Shannon bumped into some New Yorker's passing by.

"Are you high? Watch where the hell you're going!" Some rude child yelled.

She opened her mouth to insult the child, but her lungs were starting to burn. Shannon walked farther, until she collapsed into a side alley.

"H…Help," She tried to say.

She couldn't see anyone anymore, because everything was going black.

Shannon clutched for her lungs, and she tried to scream out for help. But no one could see her. "H…Help, B…Boone," She choked out.

Tears started to stream down Shannon's reddened face.

"I'm going after her," Boone said standing up.

Isabella was looking down at him worried, she held a cloth in her hand, and a bottle of peroxide. "You have a nasty cut on your leg let me clean you up."

"She was too mad," Boone said in a daze.

"You both were, calm down so I can clean you up,"

"I can't…I have to go after her. What if she has an asthma attack, her asthma is really bad…."

"Claire went after her," Isabella said placing her hands on Boone's shoulders in order to calm him.

"Claire doesn't have her inhalers, she needs me…"

"Boone listen to me…"

"She'll die without them."

"Boone! She was fine when she walked out."

"Her attacks come without warning, and she doesn't know Manhattan what if she gets lost…"

"There are thousands of taxis to take her home,"

"That's not good enough," Boone ran up the stairs towards his room.

Isabella crossed her arms, "Boone, come back here."

"I'm going after her,"

Charlie came into the room with Aaron in his hand, and worry stretched across his face, "You stay here, I'll go with him."

Isabella placed her hand to her forehead, "This dinner is a disaster, and it's all her fault." She walked around Charlie, "I'm throwing away all of the food."

"No, don't do that. Your baked ziti is pretty good…excellent I would say. Sorry about that, back to the matter at hand…"

Boone ran back downstairs with Shannon's asthma inhalers in hand.

"You're scaring me," Isabella said to him.

"I'm sorry, but she's my sister and I got to take care of her."

"Even when she treats you like shit! And me too."

Boone clenched his jaw, "Izzy…"

She raised her hands, and tears were in her eyes, "Everything was working out perfectly until she came along."

"I love you, but I…"
"Just go," Isabella said turning away from him.

Without hesitating Boone ran after Shannon.

Jack shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked back towards his loft. Manhattan was nice so far, definitely different from L.A. but nice. He looked up at the sky, not a star in the sky, but instead towering skyscrapers. Manhattan was full of interesting people, so far he hadn't met anyone he cared to remember except for her. Kate, the bartender down at the bar he frequented two blocks away from his place. She was beautiful, and reserved, and there was something about her that made him want to get to know her better. Usually he wasn't the type to chase after women, but he needed someone to show him around the city, and Kate seemed like the perfect candidate.

Jack turned to look down the alley. It was just a habit for him, coming from L.A. he always expected someone to be in there. His eyebrows furrowed low over his eyes, when he saw what appeared to be a women slumped against the brick building.

Taking charge as usual he ran towards her. Jack bent down to check for her pulse, he found it with ease, but it was weak. He then checked to see if she was still breathing. Check, but her breathing was very strained.

Jack pulled out his cell phone, and called 911 first, and then tried to talk to her. He gently squeezed her hand.

Her eyes fluttered open. They widened, and she tried to signal that she couldn't breathe.

She appeared to be having an asthma attack. "You're going to be fine,"

"B…Boone,"

"Listen to me, just try to remain calm." He squeezed her hand harder, he wasn't going to let anything happen to her.

"Shannon!"

Jack looked around for the bewildered screams.

"Where are you! I'm not mad anymore!" Boone yelled

Jack scowled. Manhattan was definitely full of lunatics. He watched as a young man with dark brown hair, stopped by the alley way looking around in desperation. He placed his hands on his knees, and then struggled to breathe.

The woman let go of Jack's hands, and started to struggle.

Jack diverted his attention back towards her with wide eyes, "No, you listen to me…you have to stay calm."

Shannon started to shake her head. He couldn't see her! Boone couldn't see her. She tried to scream but she couldn't.

"Shannon!" Boone yelled again.

"Calm your ass down, There ain't no Shannon around here" Some woman said walking by Boone in disapproval.

"Are you looking for her?" Jack asked with wide eyes, as Shannon started to close her eyes.

Boone turned to Jack with swiftness. "Shannon! Oh God," He pushed Jack out of the way.

"Don't startle her, she needs to remain calm until…"

"Move! I have her inhalers!" Boone crouched down on the ground next to Shannon. With shaky hands he brought the inhaler to her lips. She wasn't responding to him..

Boone cupped Shannon's chin in his hand, and then used his fingers to pry open her lips. "Shannon, c'mon,"

After what seemed like forever, Shannon opened her eyes.

Boone stared back at her, in hope, and then wrapped his arms around her.

Shannon still felt weak, but she placed her chin on top of Boone's shoulder and hugged him back.

"The ambulance is on it's way, It might be smart to go to the hospital, and make sure everything is okay," Jack said concerned.

Boone nodded, "She's fine,"

"Are you sure?" Jack asked.

Shannon nodded as well.

Jack stood there for a while still not sure if he should leave or not.

"We're fine," Boone repeated.

Jack nodded, "If you need anything…I should introduce myself, my name is Jack Shepard, and I'm a doctor…I'm not trying to impress you, I'm just trying to let you know that I am available…"

"That's really nice of you," Boone said obviously wanting to be alone with Shannon.

"Okay, take care of yourself," Jack said to Shannon and then walked inside.

Boone placed his hands on Shannon's shoulders, "You scared me to death,"

"Why did you come after me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Boone asked in surprise.

Shannon hugged Boone once again, "I love you so much."

A smile crept across Boone's face and he kissed her on the forehead.

"I'm going to take that back in the morning though," She replied.

"I know, you'll hate me then."

"Hey there pretty lady, whatcha doin later tonight?" A heavy guy with a protruding beer belly asked Kate as she mixed his drink.

Kate scowled, She focused her attention on the Yankees game in the back ground and not on him. Soon enough she would be finished with this shift, and then she could go home. She sighed, the thought of taking the subway all the way back to Brooklyn drained her.

"Hey sexy mama,"

Kate glanced down the bar, where another guy. Who was definitely more attractive than the "beer belly" in front of her, was staring back at her with a wide smile, and flashing her his dimples confidently. "Can I help you?" She asked handing the "beer belly" his tonic with lemon.

"Yeah, you look familiar, doll."

Kate sighed. She was beyond tired of this job. If she wasn't a step away from losing her apartment then she wouldn't be working here.

"C'mon o'er here, I'm not poison or nothing."

Kate scowled. Handsome, but seemed like every other guy in this bar. "What would you like?" She asked with a cold tone.

"Aww damn, what do I got to do to get some nicer service."

"Your out of the luck, Carmel isn't coming in until three," Kate said.

He chuckled, and the lit a cigarette, "Carmel…well hot damn, I wish I got her. So what's your name? Vanilla cream?"

Kate groaned. She was a step away from slugging this guy in the face.

"By the way I'm Sawyer what's your name…toots."

"What would you like?" Kate repeated more forcefully.

"Am I goin' to have to complain to the manager about the bad service I'm getting?"

Boone and Shannon stepped back into the loft. Her arm was wrapped around his neck, and his hand was wrapped around her lower waist.

Claire, Isabella, and Charlie were sitting in the den. Claire looked up relieved.

"Are you okay Shannon?" Claire asked in concern.

Shannon nodded. She could feel Isabella's jealous eyes on her. In order to dig the knife deeper into Isabella's back, she rested her head against Boone's shoulder. "I almost died."

Claire's mouth dropped open, "Oh my, well I'm glad Boone was there. What happened?"

"I have bad asthma, and lucky me just had an attack."

Boone sat Shannon down in a seat.

"Thanks Boone," She said.

He nodded. "Stay there, I'm going to make you some tea."

"I'll do it,"

Boone rested his hands on her shoulder, "No, I got it."

She smiled as she watched him walk away. Placing her hand against her cheek she tried to cover the obvious look of love that was haunting her face.

A few minutes later Boone returned with some tea for her.

She thanked him, and then watched as Isabella led Boone upstairs to talk.

"She seems like quite the firecracker," Claire commented taking Aaron from Charlie.

Shannon glanced at Claire but kept her mouth shut.

Claire glanced at Charlie who was starting to doze off.

"Hey Charlie," Claire whispered.

Shannon glanced at Charlie.

"Doesn't he look so cute sleeping, I wonder what he's dreaming about. Wouldn't I bethe luckiest woman in the world if it was me?" Claire leaned close to Charlie and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

Charlie smiled, "I was awake the whole time."

"Bloody liar," Claire teased.

Shannon thought Claire and Charlie were a cute couple. She rested her head against the couch. Would she and Boone ever have something like that? Probably not, because she lacked the characteristics needed to be nice.

"Shannon by the way, where was the guy you were trying to impress? Seth, I believe."

"Oh, he must've went out."

"So nonchalant for the guy that's stolen your heart." Claire joked.

"I had a long day that's it," Shannon said getting up.

"Do you need any help upstairs?" Claire asked.

"Um…I should be fine, thanks for everything though Claire,"

Claire hugged Shannon.

Shannon was shocked, she wasn't used to hugs.

Claire smiled back at her warmly, "See you later,"

"Okay, bye," Shannon said still slightly shocked.

Charlie gave her a nod, "Night,"

She closed the door behind them, and then headed upstairs. On the way up she glanced at Boone's door. It was closed. She sighed, that slut Isabella was probably up to no good.

Shannon opened the door to the guest room, she was surprised to find Boone sitting on her bed. The lights were off, and he was looking out.

"Hey," Shannon whispered.

Boone gave her a small smile, and then flipped on the lights. "Don't scare me like that ever again."

Her cheeks flushed, "Why are you in here? You have an easy catch waiting for you in your room."

Boone ignored Shannon's comment.

"I think I'm a little harder to get…you'll have to work harder."

Boone ran his hands through his hair, "I don't know what to do."

Shannon closed the door behind her and then sat down next to Boone.

He stared back at her.

Shannon ran her hands along his cheek, "What's wrong,"

Boone closed his eyes.

Shannon leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek, "Kiss me,"

"She's right nex…"

Shannon silenced his words with a kiss on his lips. Boone accepted the kiss without hesitation. A couple of seconds later he pulled away. His forehead resting against Shannon's their noses touching one another's and lips inches still apart.

"I'm going to ask her to marry me," He said.

Shannon ignored his words. She kissed him once more.

Boone kissed her back, he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Shannon pushed him backwards on the bed, but Boone sat up.

"No, did you hear what I said."

"No," Shannon lied stubbornly.

"Isabella is going to marry me."

"No she's not,"

"I'm going to ask her,"

"Don't be stupid."

"How am I being stupid?"

Shannon shrugged, "Because you have me,"

"And I always will, but not like this, not anymore."

"Do you know how many times you've said that?"

"A couple but I mean it this time."

"Did you buy a ring yet?" Shannon asked curiously.

"I've had it for a while, I've just been waiting for the right time to ask her…"

The door opened and Boone and Shannon quickly pulled away from each other. "Are you Shannon Rutherford?" Isabella asked.

Shannon wrinkled her nose, "Are you some kind of idiot?"

Isabella handed her the phone, "It's for you…Boone I think I'm going to head home,"

I'll drive you," He offered.

Shannon scowled. She wanted to finish where Boone and her had left off. Shannon picked up the phone, "Hello?"

Shannon, what are you doing in New York?"

Shannon's mouth dropped open. How did Boone's mom find out that she was living with him?

Isabella smiled back at Shannon spitefully, before she closed the door behind her.

That bitch! Shannon thought angrily.

"Boone is finally happy, and I will be damned if you come back into his life to ruin his happiness." Elizabeth Carlisle warned.

"Boone is 24…"

"And you're 21, he can not take care of you for the rest of his life. Boone is too easily led by you, and I will be damned if I sit back and watch you take him down with your wayward ways. Find another love interest, just stay away from him. He's found happiness with Isabella..."

"I was never in love with him, why are you bothering me you crazy bi…"

"Don't make me go to New York and make you leave. My son nearly died because of you. He just got out of AAA meetings, and you will not, listen to me you will not…"

Shannon clicked off the phone and then tossed it across the room. She flopped backwards on her bed, and stared up at the ceiling. Everything was working against bringing her and Boone together.

Sawyer glanced down at the wallet next to him. It definitely wasn't his. Well, well, he had found some candy. He smiled to himself as he opened the wallet. Jack Shepard. Sawyer ignored Jack's ID, and Hospital Identification card, and went straight for the cash. Sawyer fished out two twenty dollar bills. The tempting bartender came back towards him with his Jack Daniels. She placed the cold beer down in front of him.

"Wanna sip baby doll?"

Kate rolled her eyes, "I have my own water,"

"What's a sweet looking girl like you doing at a seedy place like this?"

Kate fielded his question, "The Yankees are doing a good job."

"You don't know nothin' about baseball," He said twisting off the cap and then taking a long swig.

Kate watched in disgust as a trickle of beer slid down his chin. She slid a napkin his way.

Sawyer smiled, and pushed the napkin back towards her. He then used the back of his hand to wipe at his chin.

"I know more about baseball than you think,"

"Hardcore fan?" Sawyer asked.

"I don't have time to be a hardcore anything."

"What about boyfriends, do you have a special fellow keeping you warm at night."

Kate scowled, "I have a job to get back too,"

"Me too, I'm driving damn taxis around this damn city, there has to be some other way. Is this place hiring toots?"

Kate left Sawyer, and then turned around to look back at him. "That's not your wallet."

"Whatcha talking about?"

Kate took the wallet from him.

"Hey there sticky fingers, gimme that back."

"It's not yours, I saw someone else with it earlier." Kate opened the wallet. "His name is Jack Shepard."

"That's me," Sawyer lied.

"Really nice, the only difference is he is a doctor, and you're…"

Sawyer smirked, "A taxi driver, thanks for putting me in my place doll."

"I didn't mean…"

"You can make it up to me, by coming by my place tonight."

"Are you kidding," Kate groaned.

Sawyer shook his head, "You're one of the foxiest ladies I have rested eyes on this far, I am as serious as a heart attack baby,"

"You really want me to come home with you?" Kate asked.

Sawyer nodded, "Yeah doll, If you want a fun time then I'm your man."

Kate filled up a glass of beer, "Why do you want me to go home with you? So we can talk…"

"Our bodies can talk." Sawyer said.

Kate threw the beer in Sawyer's face. "Don't you ever talk to me like that again."

He stared back at her in surprise first and then smiled.

Kate tossed a towel at him. "Guys don't talk to me any old way."

Sawyer wiped at his face with the towel, "I could get you fired."

Kate crossed her arms, She needed this job. If only she could control herself sometimes.

"How about this baby, you either go on a date with me or lose your job, what's it gonna be sexy mama?"

Jack turned his radio on low, and got ready to retire for the night. He had to pick up an early shift in the morning. He pulled off his shirt, and then neatly folded it on top of his draw. As he turned off the light, he couldn't help but think about the night he had. First, he saw Kate, well actually he had seen her many times before but this was the first time he had talked to her. She had so many customers each day, she probably didn't even remember him. Jack sighed. Who was he kidding. Had it been that long since he met a special women that he was fantasizing about Kate when he knew nothing about her. Except for the fact that she had the most beautiful smile he had seen in New York so far. Tomorrow he was going to stop by the bar again, not because of her, but just because he had grown accustomed to spending his nights inside with Leno on the tube, and a change was nice.

"Shepard, when are you going to get used to Manhattan," He said as he laid down on his bed. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he heard his doorbell go off.

Jack got up, and walked through his loft. He needed a smaller place, this was way too big for one person. Why again did he get this place? Right because it was close to the hospital, and he hated driving in the city, and taking the subway.

Jack had forgotten his shirt in the room. He would just talk through the door, because he felt inappropriate answering the door in his boxers.

"Yeah?" He asked as politely as he could.

"You left your wallet at O'Malley's and I just wanted to um…I can slide it under the door."

He immediately recognized her voice. It was the bartender Kate from the other night.

Jack opened the door, and smiled back at her. He was still standing behind the door, because he didn't want her first impression of him to be in boxers. Jack smiled back at her nervously. She seemed even more beautiful outside of work.

Jack then watched as the young man he had met earlier, stepped out of his loft which was three lofts down, with his arm around another woman with dark hair. Definitely not the same woman who had the asthma attack earlier.

Jack nodded at him, and the young man nodded back. He then focused back on Kate, who was standing there holding his wallet out to him.

"I didn't even realize I left it."

"Yeah, I saw it earlier sitting by some guy, and I picked it up before he got the chance to take it." Kate handed Jack his wallet.

"Thank you," He said speechless.

"You're welcome…well goodnight."

Jack didn't want her to leave just yet. It would be nice to get to know someone in Manhattan. Being alone wasn't something he liked to do, but that had become a regular activity for him here. "Um…would you like to come in."

She seemed to think it over.

The door opened down the hall, and the blonde that had the asthma attack earlier stepped out.

"Hey, have you seen the girly looking boy, that came out with the prostitute?" She asked.

Jack cleared his throat.

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Well thanks for the offer…Jack, but um…I have to catch a train."

Before Jack could say anything else. She walked away from him.

He stared after her with his heart in his throat.

"Hey, I'm talking to you." The blonde said.

Jack tiredly directed his eyes at her, "Excuse me?"

She seemed to realize that she was being rude, "I'm sorry if I ruined your chances for some action, but have you seen my brother?"

"He left,"

She scowled, "Damn that woman."

Jack watched as she stormed off.

She paused and then turned around to face him, "Shannon Rutherford by the way…you are."

Jack's thoughts were still occupied with Kate.

"Yohoo," Shannon said.

"Oh, um…Jack Shepard."

"Nice to meet you," With that Shannon disappeared back inside her loft.

Jack looked down the hall to where Kate had just exited seconds earlier. Maybe his barley there wardrobe scared her away…after all who went into strange people's apartments in Manhattan?

Jack sighed. Well at least he could be thankful for the fact that she had brought back his wallet. He closed the door behind him, and then opened up his wallet. Inside was his ID from Manhattan General Hospital, his license, which he didn't really use here, and some cash. He had one hundred dollars in there last time he checked. Jack counted his cash, now he had sixty dollars. She took his money.

(Hey guys thanks for the reviews! And don't worry Sayid is not going to come in this story! I don't care for Shayid that much…this, Shoone all the way, but it might take a while. and I hoped you guys liked Kate, Jack and Sawyer in this, I don't think I'm going to add anyone else. Until next update, Peace.)