The other side of the world (Bondi Rescue Fanfic)

Chapter 12 - Thanks for worrying

It was very late when Shannon had got in so she tried to be as quiet as possible. As she crept through the hall and through the living room to get to the kitchen, she noticed the television was still on. Suddenly Darren's head popped up from the couch looking very sleepy and he gave her a thumbs up

"Why are you not in bed?" asked Shannon

"We were waiting up for you to make sure you were safe" he replied

"We?" said Shannon

Darren pointed to the other side of the couch where Rachel was curled up, fast asleep.

"Aww thanks for worrying but I'm pretty sure he isn't a serial killer" Shannon laughed

"I said that but you know how she worries about you" he replied "I'm glad you obviously had a good time though, he does seem like a good guy"

"I think he might be you know" sighed Shannon

Rachel woke up at this point and stretched out on the couch

"You can relax now, the wanderer has returned" said Darren

"Sorry I'm so late, I didn't know you were waiting up for me or I would have come home sooner" said Shannon

"Don't be daft" said Rachel, yawning "It was my choice to wait for you and you look like you have had a good time anyway" she smiled.

"Yeah I did" Shannon smiled back "But I'll tell you about it tomorrow. Now get to bed both of you and get a proper sleep"

They all said goodnight and Shannon went into her bedroom and flopped backwards onto her bed. It was all very well this gorgeous Australian lifeguard kissing her but she couldn't help thinking about what it all meant. I wonder if men worry about this stuff as much as women do she thought to herself.

The next morning Shannon had slept in quite late so when she got into the kitchen she found a note from Rachel to say they had gone to a rehearsal and wouldn't be back till that evening.

Shannon made herself a cup of tea and thought about what she could do with her afternoon. She could go to the beach but she was sure Kailan was working and didn't want to look like she was stalking him.

She decided to do some shopping as supplies in the house were running low so she got dressed pulled a comb through her hair and jumped in the jeep and drove to the supermarket. She managed to get everything they needed and headed back to the house wondering if she would be able to have a subtle look at the beach and see who was around. As she neared the lifeguard tower she noticed a lot of people had gathered by the side of the road and were pointing towards the water and with curiosity getting the better of her she pulled in to a space and got out of the car. Walking over to the large group of people she heard some of them muttering about a shark.

"What's going on" she asked a young girl who had moved aside to let her into a gap

"Oh it's awful, a swimmer was attacked by a shark and one of the lifeguards went to help and got attacked too and now nobody can find them"

Shannon felt sick to her stomach and searched the beach for anyone that she recognised but it seemed most of the lifeguards were out on the jetski or driving the rhinos at the far end of the beach. She saw Hoppo stood at the shore but she couldn't tell who else was there from this far away. Time passed and the crowd soon got bored and started to wander off but Shannon stayed glued to the spot still hoping to see someone, anyone.

The jetski had come in and Shannon could see Deano and Yatesy jump off shaking their heads at Hoppo who was talking into his radio. A helicopter had appeared and was circling the water slowly, then Shannon saw one of the Rhino's driving back up to the lifeguard tower and as it passed right by where she was stood she saw that it was Maxi and Jesse. Maxi looked up as they got out and spotted Shannon and acknowledged her with a half hearted wave as he walked towards the lifeguard tower steps and put his arm around an obviously upset Jesse.

"Hey Shannon" said an Australian accent behind her

Shannon turned around to see Whippet running onto the beach but he stopped when he saw her.

"You ok? You look like you're gonna be sick" he asked

"Have you heard anything about this shark attack?" she asked shakily.

"Yeah I came in early to see if I could help but not sure what's going on" he explained "I better go and find out where I'm needed but I'll give you a shout when I know ok" and then he was gone.

Shannon noticed more lifeguards return to the beach and then the helicopter disappeared too. Just as she had convinced herself that Kailan must be the missing lifeguard, another rhino came driving up the beach towards the tower and Shannon could see there was only one person in it. Shannon strained to see who was driving but as they got nearer to her, the figure driving leaned out of the side of the vehicle and waved before stopping and getting out. Before she even knew what she was doing, Shannon was running down the beach and flung her arms around his waist as she finally reached a slightly bemused Kailan.

"Hey, you ok?" he asked

"I thought it was you they were looking for" she replied as she buried her face in his shirt.

"And you were really that worried?" he asked, sounding surprised as he hugged her back tightly and kissed her on the top of her head.

Shannon released her hold and stood back to look at him.

"Of course I was worried" she replied, now a little embarrassed "I kept seeing more and more lifeguards coming back, but not you so I just thought...."

"I'm sorry, if I'd known you were here and were so worried I'd have got the lads to tell you I was ok" he said as he took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"I saw Jesse too and he looked upset so I guess I just thought the worst outcome" She said quietly

"Awww you goose" he laughed

"So who is missing then?" she asked

"His name is James and he was visiting us from America to get more experience" Kailan explained "Him and Jesse have become quite good mates while he's been here so yeah he was probably quite worried about him. They are both a bit battered and bruised but ok though, he'd managed to get himself and the swimmer away and towards the rocks further down the beach" he continued

"Well at least they are both ok" Shannon sighed

"Are you ok now?" Kailan asked her now rubbing her shoulder

"Apart from being really embarrassed yeah I'm fine. I'd better let you get back to work anyway" she said quietly and she turned to walk back to the jeep.

" Shannon" Kailan shouted after her so she turned back towards him and stopped. "Thank you for worrying, can I stop by when I finish here?"

Shannon smiled and nodded, maybe she hadn't made a total idiot out of herself after all.