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: Oh my GOD! TWO UPDATES IN ONE DAY! Something must be wrong with me…oh wait! There is! But none of you need to concern yourselves, it will not affect the story, except make me update more often because I really need some compliments to make me feel better! So please, be nice and leave a review at the end, even if it is just a few words, it will make my day!

Okay, straight into the next chapter! This is where I originally intended to start the new story, so it may seem like a chunk of time is missing. Just take it that it's the day after the last chapter and things will make sense…I hope…lol, since when do things make sense in my world?

Shannon woke to the sounds of people screaming. She opened her eyes slowly, still drowsy from sleep, and gazed around. The entire camp site was ablaze. People were running in every direction, shadowy forms moving erratically through the thick smoke billowing from the many fires that dotted the clearing. She stood up, the blanket that had been covering her falling to the ground and bursting instantly into flame. Shannon jumped away from it and was overcome by the smoke surrounding her. She fell to her knees, struggling to breathe through a sudden asthma attack. The smoke stung her eyes and the combined noise of screaming people and roaring fires deafened her. She tried to call for Boone, choking on his name as her throat tightened painfully. Then he was in front of her, appeared suddenly through the haze. She stared up at him in relief, knowing that she would be fine now. But her relief died as she realized that he was not the Boone she remembered. He was on fire. Flames were pouring from his eyes, licking their way across his shoulders, down his arms and curling around his fists. Shannon stared at him in horror, wondering how he could not realize that he was covered in a raging inferno. He met her gaze, watching her cough and struggle for breath on the ground before him, making no move to help her. This wasn't Boone. This wasn't the man she loved. He suddenly reached down to grab her and she screamed as the flames covering his hands seared her skin and began to spread up her arm and over her body. The being who looked like Boone didn't let go, just held onto her as the flames spread across both their bodies, enveloping them in a ball of fire. Shannon screamed louder and louder, trying desperately to twist free of the being's grip as she was burnt alive by the flames…

Shannon sat up, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. She was having another asthma attack, this time for real. People were crowded around her, whispering frantically. One face pressed close and she recognized it as Boone. He was normal again, she must have been dreaming. There was concern in his eyes, brilliant even in the near-darkness of night.

"Shannon?" he called her name as he realized she was awake. "Shannon, you're having an asthma attack. Just calm down, okay. Sun is bringing some herbs to help." Sure enough, the petite woman appeared moments later, carrying a bowl of strong smelling green goop. Kneeling beside Shannon's struggling form, she smeared the concoction across her chest and the girl felt instant relief as the eucalyptus began to clear her throat. She took a few deep breaths and lay back down while her heart-rate returned to normal. Most of the group crowded around began to move away, but four figures stayed close. Shannon studied each face, trying to figure out who they were in the dim light. There was Boone, frantically watching her, wanting desperately to hold her close to him but knowing she needed space to breathe. Claire and Charlie stood just behind him, both looking scared for her safety. Sun was on her other side, making sure the balm had worked properly. Next to Jack, she knew the most about medical treatments.

Feeling better, Shannon made to sit up, but Boone held her down, still looking worried. "I don't think you should be moving around just yet."

"Jesus, Boone! It was only an attack, I'm fine now!" she yelled at him. She hadn't meant to sound so angry, she was just shaken from the dream, it had seemed so real. Boone recoiled slightly, surprised by her outburst, looking hurt by her harshness. The sight of him so distressed quelled her anger instantly and she leaned forward to hug him tightly, brushing away his hands still resting on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry." She whispered to him, her face pressing close to his ear, the warmth from her breath making him shiver. "I was just scared, I'm sorry I yelled at you." Boone pulled back to look her in the eyes. Those eyes, always so cruel whenever she looked at him, making him feel dirty and wrong for the way he felt about her, were now gentle and soft, they made him want to fall into them and never come out. They sat there, each entranced by the other's gaze, and eventually Sun moved away, convinced Shannon would be fine. Claire crouched down and placed a hand gently on Shannon's shoulder, breaking the spell. She turned to face her friend, surprised that she was still there.

"Are you okay? You must have been having one pretty serious nightmare." Claire asked.

"I'm fine. I just got a bit worked up, that's all." Shannon had always been a very convincing liar. Except to Boone. He was watching her still, concern reflected in those brilliant eyes. Shannon tried to avoid his gaze as Claire and Charlie left, but as soon as they were out of earshot, he began his assault.

"What really happened?" he asked immediately. He never was very subtle.

"I told you, I had a nightmare, and it triggered an attack." Shannon replied, still not looking into his eyes, knowing she would be found out if she did.

"Shannon." He said sternly. Before she could stop herself, Shannon found herself captured again. Damn. "What really happened?" Boone asked again, slower this time. Shannon sighed in defeat and told him everything she had seen in her dream, every detail, every feeling. When she was done, he sat there, watching her with a mixture of concern and fear.

"I was on fire? And I grabbed you?" He asked after a while of stunned silence.

"Yes, but you weren't affected by the flames, you just seemed intent on holding on to me." Boone raised his gaze to stare off into the woods around them, lost in thought.

"Boone?" Shannon asked faintly after a while. He turned back to face her, his face breaking into a soft smile.

"It was just a dream. Don't worry about it Shan." He settled down next to her, wrapping one arm about her shoulders and pulling her close. Shannon came willingly, sinking into the warmth and comfort he provided. They lay back down, Shannon still in Boone's arms, and in minutes she was asleep again.