Jack and Kate were paired as the original leaders of the group, with Kate slowly becoming the more practical leader amongst the group. Off to the side, Locke would take his chance to be the leader of the group, mostly through his hunting skills. He would have a run in with both Jack and Kate, especially when she defends a drug-withdrawing Charlie on the charge of murder. Charlie would become Jack's island assistant.
The first romantic relationship mentioned is a Sawyer-Shannon connection. This makes some sense because both characters have a back story of "using" other people for profit. There would be a kindred spirit between the two - - - just do enough to get by on looks or charm. It was described as Boone having a violent relationship with Sawyer; the two brawl over an unknown issue.
The second romantic relationship mentioned is a Sun and Michael flirtation. Sun is supposed to become an independent woman on the island, free of the control and Korean traditions of Jin. Since Sun speaks English and has herbal medical and nursing skills, she becomes a valuable member of the group. As such she takes care of Claire. In the mean time, since she could not have children, she may be drawn into the Michael-Walt family dynamic. The Michael-Sun pairing will have a negative impact on Jin and Michael, since Jin is still her husband. The guide indicated that Jin would have to get back his standing by learning English - - - so he turns to Walt for lessons.
The other pairing is one of practical problem solvers. Both Hurley and Sayid are described as problem solvers - - - men who have experience getting things done after evaluating the situation. They would be more likely to be neutral in the politics of group leadership, thereby enduring themselves to most everyone in the group. Hurley repo negotiating skills could turn him into a valuable mediator and mission leader, and Sayid has the drive to seek rescue, including taking the plane raft out to see to find help in the shipping lanes.
These initial pairings are quite different than in the actual show.
Instead of JACK and KATE, the first seasons have JACK andLOCKE in the leadership box.
Instead of SAWYER and SHANNON, it is SAWYER and KATE who get it on.
Instead of SUN caring for CLAIRE, it is CHARLIE.
Instead of SHANNON with SAWYER, there is a brief fling with SAYID, who retains his problem solving role.
There is only the brief SUN and MICHAEL flirtation which amounts to very little in the series.
WALT does not connect at all with JIN.
And BOONE winds up as LOCKE's handy assistant.
But the biggest change is HURLEY, as he is paired with no main character, in romance or skill set. His biggest contribution is humor and levity.
