Disclaimer: I do not own Lost or any of it's characters (obviously or this story wouldn't have happened! stupid Shoone killers!)
Author's Note: Okay, another update just because I'm feeling nice. This chapter is actually where I ended this part of the story (I had originally intended to have everything up to now as one big chapter and from after this part be the next one) and I am wondering whether I should end it here and start a new story or just continue. Let me know what you think…
They made their way back to the camp as quickly as they could, hoping desperately that no-one would notice their disappearance. When they were just out of sight of the others, they split up so they could enter from different ends, thereby reducing the evidence that they had spent the night together. Boone wandered off to the left, intending to enter from the rear of the camp, and so Shannon headed towards the forward end of the clearing. With any luck, I might run into Sayid so we can finally talk. She thought. She did not realise that her thoughts were about to become literal.
She was marching through a patch of low scrub, wondering how she was going to break the news to Sayid when she ran headlong into him, sending her toppling to the ground.
"Sorry." She muttered, not realising who it was. It wasn't until she saw the dark skinned hand in front of her that it became clear. She glanced quickly into his depthless eyes, slightly nervous, her mouth gone dry. Shaking, she took the hand he offered and rose, readjusting her skirt as she did so.
"Um, I need to talk to you." She mumbled. Why do I have to get scared now? She wondered miserably. Sayid did not respond, just continued to watch her with his calm eyes. "It's about what I told you, that night." She stopped and took a deep, steadying breath in a futile attempt to calm her nerves. "I can't be with you any more." Yeah, way to let him down gently. "It's not that I don't like you, 'cause I do. It's just that, I'm in love with someone else. But if everyone knew about it, they'd probably have us crucified or something cause, well, everyone thinks that this person and I are, related." Gee, I wonder if he can guess who you're talking about? "The truth is, I'm in love with Boone. I know I told you I wasn't, but I guess I was in denial. I'm really sorry that I'm doing this, but I've been in love with him for a long time, I just never realised it until he died. And, when he came back, I couldn't deny how I felt for him and we kind of, got together. So, and I am sorry, but we can't be together any more." She finished lamely, her head drooping.
Sayid watched her in silence for a full minute before he responded, "That is your idea of letting me down gently?" he asked with a slight smile.
Shannon's head snapped up again and she stared at him in utter confusion. "What do you mean, "letting you down gently"?" Sayid placed a hand gently on her shoulder and locked her gaze on him.
"Shannon, I already knew about all this. I saw you and Boone last night, I heard what you said. And, I have come to accept that you are meant to be together."
Shannon couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You mean," she began shakily, "you aren't mad? You're just going to let me go, just like that?"
Sayid gave her a calm-eyed smile. "I have accepted that you do not feel for me the way I feel for you, and that there is nothing I can do about it. You are free to be with Boone, and you have my blessing. Just make sure you explain to the others that you aren't related before you go expressing your feelings."
Shannon still could not believe it. He had heard them. He already knew. She moved forward and hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around his torso and pressing her face into his chest.
"I'm sorry." She mumbled, once again on the verge of tears.
"I know." Sayid replied, gently patting the top of her head. "It's alright."
Eventually, Shannon let go of him and backed away, tears starting to spill down her face. She gave him a final smile before turning and heading off to find Boone. She had not gone ten paces before she broke into a full run, desperate to find him and hold him as tight as she could. She found him at the back of the camp, packing their bedding once again whilst talking with Claire and Charlie who were nearby. He spotted her as she came hurtling towards him, tears now running freely, a huge smile on her face. In seconds, she collided with him, wrapping her arms around him and crushing her lips against his, forgetting completely that they were surrounded by the other survivors. After what seemed like an age where they remained connected and the rest of the camp just stared in shock, they broke apart and realised that they were being watched. Laughing nervously, they linked hands and Boone exclaimed to the group, "I guess we have some explaining to do."