Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters I write about. They belong to JER and NBC’s Passions.

Sheridan walked to her bed and crawled in. She had just drifted to sleep when her dream set in. Startled at her thoughts she quickly awoke. She sat up in put her head in her hands.

"Why am I having dreams like this?"

She decided not to try and sleep again, but to go for a walk instead. She grabbed her coat and some shoes and headed out the door. She didn’t know where she was going. She just walked.

Luis was sitting in his kitchen paying some bills. His head started to feel heavy, so he rested it on the table for a moment. Before he knew it he drifted to sleep. He did not sleep for long though, because a dream forced him to wake.

"What’s wrong with me?"

He tried to continue with the bills, but his mind kept wandering. He grabbed his coat and walked out the door.

Sheridan walked through the park. She couldn’t get her mind of her dream.

"What’ happening to me?"

She climbed up on a park bench and paced back and forth. She didn’t even notice Luis walk up to her.

Luis just wandered around Harmony. He ended up at the park. He quickly noticed he wasn’t alone though.

"Who else would be out at this hour?"

He walked closer to find out.

"What is she doing here??"

He walked up to her and grabbed her leg.

"Ahhh!!!" she screamed and whipped around. She nearly fell off the bench but he steadied her. "Luis?!? You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that!"

"Sorry Sheridan. I didn’t mean to startle you."

"What did you think would happen if you just came and grabbed at me? It’s 2 in the morning! What are you doing here?" she jumped off the bench so they were standing eye to eye.

"What am I doing out here? What are you doing out here? You shouldn’t be walking around town alone this late"

"I couldn’t sleep"

"Me either"

"Is something bothering you Luis?" They both sat down on the bench.

"No" he noticed that she was in her pajamas and not normal clothes. Her hair was tousled and she didn’t have make up on, but she still took his breath away. "Do you always go walking around town like that?"

Embarrassed she looked away from him and pulled her coat around herself.

He gently reached for her face and turned it back towards him. "I like the new look"

She blushed and gave him a shy little smile.

"Well why don’t I walk you home? You really shouldn’t be out alone this late"

"I’m not ready to go home. I still want to walk some more"

"Well you aren’t getting any where sitting here" He got up and started walking away "Come on"

"What?" she was confused.

"You want to walk right?" she nodded "Well then lets go"

"You’re going to come with me?"

"I can’t let you go off on your own. I don’t want to be responsible for anything happening to you"

Touched by his words Sheridan got up and the started wandering together. They walked silently for almost an hour. They finally reached the beach before realizing they had no where else to go. They looked out at the ocean and were in awe of its beauty. The moon was glistening on the water and the sky was full of stars.

"Wow" Sheridan gasped and sat down on the beach. "This is beautiful"

Luis wasn’t looking at his surrounding but directly at Sheridan "Tell me about it"

He sat down next to her.

"So why couldn’t you sleep tonight anyway?" Her question caught him off guard.

"Ummm…ahhhh"

"So there is something bothering you"

"Not really, my dreams just have been unsettling"

"Really?" She looked away and bit the corner of her lip. "I’ve been having the same problem"

"All my dreams are about the same pers…" his voice trailed off.

"Mine too" they starred deep into each other’s eyes.

"Luis, look" she pointed to the sun rising. They had spent the whole night together, hardly talking but understanding each other. They moved closer to each other and he put his arm around her as the sun rose upon them.

 Realizing they had a full day ahead of them, Sheridan and Luis reluctantly left the beach. They both needed to go home and change, they had a full day ahead of them at the youth center.

"Well, I’ll see you later Luis" she looked at him with saddened wide eyes. She didn’t want to leave him. There was so much to be said.

"Yeah, I’ll bring in some breakfast for us"

"Okay, bye"

"Bye Sheridan" he hated to see her go, but it wouldn’t be for long. They had a long day ahead of them.

Sheridan walked home smiling. She was exhausted but she had a full day ahead. She promised Luis she would help with some finance stuff at the youth center. She returned home to shower, change, and try and put herself back together. Before she knew it she was ready and headed back out the door.

Luis too had gone home to recollect himself. He showered, changed and was about to throw the clothes he had worn last night in the hamper when he stopped for a moment. He brought his sweater closer to his face. He could smell her on his clothes. He took in a deep breath before coming back to reality. He remembered his promise to bring Sheridan breakfast so he threw his clothes and left his room.

Sheridan had arrived at the youth center first. She walked in unsure of how to act when she saw Luis again.

"Luis?" she called out, but no one answered. She walked in his office to see if he was there. "Hmm. He must not be here yet" She sat down on his office couch and laid her head back for a moment. It didn’t take her long to close her eyes and drift to sleep. Her mind drifted back to the night she had just spent with Luis.

"Luis…" she mumbled in her sleep. Little did she know Luis had just walked in the door.

"Hi Sheridan"

Sheridan’s eyes popped open "Luis"

"You said that already" he flashed her a smile. "I brought breakfast"

She saw that he carried in a basket. "When you said you were going to bring in breakfast I didn’t expect you to make it too"

Luis just smiled at her. He liked it when he shocked her.

They had finished breakfast and we trying to get down to work. But it wasn’t going all that well. There thoughts were on each other and they were both fighting their exhaustion. Sheridan couldn’t even keep her head up any more it was lying on the desk while they discussed the financial problems.

"Sheridan, I think we need about $10,000 more dollars in donations for the center next year"

"Who haven’t we tried yet?"

"Well there’s …" by the time he finished the list of people he could tell Sheridan was half asleep. "So Sheridan what do you think?"

"Umm…sure Luis…okay"

"Uh huh. Hey Sheridan I think you should come to the center tomorrow wearing a bunny costume"

"Sure Luis, I’ll do that" he couldn’t help but smile. "Sheridan, why don’t you go take a nap on the couch?"

"Ok Luis, thanks" but she didn’t move an inch. He got up and gently lifted he from her chair, being careful not to wake her. He placed her on the couch and went back to work.

He had been working for about ten minutes when he heard Sheridan talking.

"Luis…I…"

"Sheridan?" he got up and looked at her. She was still sleeping.

"Luis…I…love…" he stood there waiting, hoping.

"You…"

Had he just heard her right? She loved him? This made his inside warm and his body tingle. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. He returned to his desk happier than ever.

An hour later Sheridan finally woke up. She looked over and glanced at Luis. He had fallen asleep working on the books. She smiled and walked over to him. She gently play with his hair, careful not to wake him up.

"I love you…" he whispered softly.

She jumped back. "Luis what did you say?" But there wasn’t any answer. She moved closer to him again and lightly touched his face. He crinkled his nose, but was still sleeping. She giggled at him. She knelt down beside his chair and looked up at his gorgeous face.

"Luis, who do you love?" she was trying to get him to finish his sentence. "Luis?"

"I Love you…Shhh…Crane"

Sheridan smiled from ear to ear. She wanted to let him sleep but couldn’t. She reached over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Luis?" she said sweetly.

His head popped up off his desk and he shook his head to wake himself up. He turned to see Sheridan standing next to him, but before he could say anything she bent down and kissed him. Shocked Luis stood up and backed away.

"Sheridan, what…?"

"Luis did you know you talk in your sleep?"

"Huh?"

"You talk in your sleep. You must have been having a really good dream" she smiled at him and he finally realized what she was talking about. Two could play at this game.

"No Sheridan, I didn’t know that. My dream couldn’t be as good as the one you had earlier" he flashed her a playful smile.

"Excuse me?"

"You talk in your sleep too" they moved closer to one another and kissed again. This time no one pulled away.

They sat on the couch holding each other. Arms wrapped in arms, head rested on head.

"Luis?" Sheridan said sweetly "What are we doing?"

"I’m not sure" they sat there in each other’s arms with questions floating in their minds. They had just shared their first real kiss, but they weren’t sure where to go from there.

"Luis?" they looked deep into each other’s eyes.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think we’re crazy?"

"Maybe a little" he smiled at her. She could tell he was trying to be playful.

"Luis, I’m trying to be serious" she broke away from him and stood up. "We are going to have to go through so much. Hank, Beth, my family and yours don’t want us to be together. Do you think we’re crazy?"

Luis stood up. They were facing each other and Luis took her hands in his.

"No Sheridan, I don’t think we’re crazy"

"But Luis how can you say that? We can’t even admit to each other how we really feel"

"What are you talking about? I thought we already did that"

"No, we didn’t. We were both dreaming. We aren’t in our fantasy worlds anymore. This is reality. And in reality I don’t think I am ready to say those words to you"

"Sheridan, I…"

"No Luis, I know you don’t want to hurt me and I don’t want to hurt you either, but I don’t think you are ready to say those words to me either"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because, we have been sitting here together for a long time and they haven’t come up again. How can we overcome everything that is ahead for us if we can’t even be honest with each other?"

"Do you want me to be honest with you?"

"Yes"

"You’re right, I’m not ready"

"Then I guess we better just come back to reality and realize that its just not possible"

She went to get her purse from his desk.

"Sheridan, what are you doing?"

"I’m leaving"

"No you’re not"

And with that Luis walked over to the door and inserted the key. He turned the handle to make sure it was lock and walked back to his desk and sat down with a smug look on his face.

"Luis, what do you think you’re doing?"

"You’re not leaving until we figure out what this thing between us is"

"Luis, give me the key to the door"

"No not until we talk more"

"Luis, give ME the KEY!"

"Ok if you want it come and get it"

Luis took the key and put it in his pants pocket. He was smiled from ear to ear. Sheridan looked furious, and that only made him happier. He loved to get under her skin.

"How old are you again Luis? Come on let me out"

"You know what you have to do if you want to leave. We can either talk or you can come get the key yourself"

He was now standing with his arms raised above his head, making it easy for Sheridan to retrieve the key if she so wished. Sheridan was irate. She threw her purse on the couch and walked over to the desk.

"So what I’m a hostage now?"

"Yeah that’s pretty much the idea"

"Great" she sat down on one side of the desk and he sat on the other. "So you want to talk?"

"Yes I do Sheridan"

"Fine, talk"

But no talking was ever done they just sat there. It had turned into a staring contest. Sheridan sat with her head resting on her hands, with a look of disgust on her face. Luis was leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head. He had a look of smugness on his face. Yet neither one of them were going to talk. They didn’t want to lose the face off.

"Ahhhh…" Sheridan stood up and slapped her hands on the desk. She left her hands remaining on the desk and leaned over towards Luis. "Luis this is INSANE!"

"Is it?" he stood up too, put his hands on the desk and leaned towards her.

Their heads were inches apart. They didn’t even have time to resist it. They kissed again. But it didn’t last long. Sheridan pulled away from Luis.

"Oh my god! What are we doing?" She turned her back to him.

"Didn’t you like it?" he asked with a hint of disappointment as he walked around the desk towards her. She could feel him getting closer to her.

"What do you think Luis?" she turned around to him and began to kiss him intensely. Her hands were in his hair and his on her back holding her close to him.

"Sher…we…still…" she pulled him back into the kiss. He pulled back just enough to get out some more words, but they were still holding each other. "Talk…We need to talk"

"Shut up Luis!" she pulled him back to her and continued to kiss him. He picked her and gently sat her on his desk and back away from her.

"Talk…ok…yeah, sure" Sheridan sat there, longing to kiss him again.

"Okay we are either fighting or kissing. I don’t understand us"

"Maybe we could try that kissing thing again, maybe it would clear some things up" he flashed her a ‘get serious’ look. "Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry"

"What now? We obviously like each other. Right?" he looked at her for reassurance.

"Right. Would I still be here if I didn’t like you?" they both smiled.

"Well actually you would, I locked the door remember?"

"How could I forget. Which reminds me, can I have a bathroom break warden?"

"Do you promise to return to your cell?" he joked.

"Yeah I promise"

He opened the door and let her out. He couldn’t help but stare as she walked away. He flopped back on the couch and started humming. He didn’t know what the future was going to bring, but he was happy living in the moment.

Sheridan really didn’t need to use the restroom, but if she stayed in that room with him she was going to burst.

"Get a hold of yourself Sheridan!" she splashed some cold water on her face. "He is still the arrogant, stubborn man he has always been" but that didn’t help, those were some of his qualities she liked best in him. "Okay, time to go back" she took a couple of deep breaths and walked back to the office.

As she walked down the hall she could here him humming. She walked back into the office.

"What’s got you happy Luis?"

"I’m not sure, but there is this beautiful woman who I can’t get off my mind"

"Anyone I know?"

"You’re hilarious" she sat down next to him on the couch. "Do you want to go out to dinner or something tonight?"

"You mean you are going to let me out of the room?"

"Wow you came back with a mouth full of zingers"

"I’m sorry. I would love to go out with you tonight"

"Good. Now if you’ll excuse me. I have to get some things ready for tonight"

"Luis, what are you up to?"

"I’ll pick you up at your cottage okay?"

"You’re not going to tell me are you?"

"I’ll see you at around 8?"

"What do you have planned for tonight?"

"Bye Sheridan…see you soon"

With that Luis was gone leaving Sheridan wondering what was in store for them tonight. She hated how he got to her. No other guy had made her feel this way. She grabbed her purse and headed home.

Sheridan walked in her cottage and flopped down in a chair. She had so many thoughts going through her mind. All the thoughts were of Luis. She couldn’t believe how he was acting this afternoon and she was still shocked that he had locked them in his office. She wondered what he had in store for them tonight. She walked into her room and rummaged through her closet. She wanted to look terrific for Luis, but she had no idea what they were going to do. She decided to give Luis a call and try and get some information out of him.

Luis had gotten home and packed all the stuff that was needed for tonight. Sheridan was sure in for a surprise. He didn’t know how she was going to react to what he planned, but he didn’t care. He got to be with her for a second night in a row. He was busy getting dressed when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi Luis"

"Sheridan, you know I am not going to tell you where we are going"

"That’s not why I called" she was shocked that he read her thoughts. "I was just wondering what I should wear"

"Wear something comfortable and warm"

"That helps" she said sarcastically.

"Well, you could always wear what you did last night"

"Luis, I wore pajamas last night"

"I thought you looked good"

"I can see you aren’t going to be any help"

"I aim to please, but I need to finish some things so I’ll see you soon"

"Bye"

Sheridan hung up the phone. What in the world were they going to do? She picked out some nice pants and a sweater and finished getting dressed. By the time she had finished her hair and make up there was a knock at the door. She wanted to run to the door and open it, but she made herself count to ten and then walk over to the door.

"Hi Luis"

"Wow, you look beautiful"

"Thank you, so where are we going?"

"Wouldn’t you like to know?"

"You’re still not going to tell me?"

"Are you ready to go?"

"Okay, stop answering my questions with questions"

Luis had to hold back a smile. "Sorry, lets go then"

"Okay"

They got into his car and started driving. Sheridan noticed there was something in the backseat, but it was covered with a sheet.

"Now Sheridan, you wouldn’t be trying to peak would you?"

She hadn’t noticed he was watching her so closely. "Of coarse not" she smiled a guilty grin at him. The car soon pulled to a stop.

"Luis, we’re back at the beach?"

"Yep, have you figured out the surprise yet?"

"No!"

"Good, could you please carry this bag over there. No peaking though"

"Sure. You sure brought a lot of stuff with you"

"It’s all needed"

"Luis, I can’t take it anymore! Please tell me what you are up to"

"Okay, I guess I have to tell you some time"

"Yes and now would be nice"

"Well I figured after last night and this afternoon we were probably both tired. So I decided we needed something different. I thought a campfire was just what we needed"

"A campfire?" she thought of snuggling up next to Luis all night. "I think that is a perfect idea"

After they had finished the food Luis had brought for them, they sat next to each other roasting marshmallows.

"This is perfect Luis. Thank you" she rested her head on his shoulder. He didn’t reply, but sweetly kissed her on the forehead. They sat talking for a while when fog started rolling in.

"Sheridan, maybe we should go, before the fog sets in"

"Not yet. I love the fog. I feel like I am walking in the clouds" with that she stood up, playfully kicked at the fog and twirled around. Luis couldn’t help but just sit and watch her play in the fog. He couldn’t help to think that it fit that she should be dancing in the clouds. She was his angel.

The fog continued to roll in and it was getting very dense.

"Sheridan I really think we should leave now. It’s getting harder and harder to see now"

"Luis, just a few more minutes?"

He could tell it was useless fighting with her. She was never going to want to leave. So he walked over to her and picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"Luis, what are you doing? Put me down"

"We need to leave. We are not going to be able to see the road as it is"

"Well then why do we have to leave? We can just stay here until the fog lifts"

"This is why, I am carrying you to the car. I knew you wouldn’t leave"

"Alright put me down Luis. I’ll walk to the car"

"You promise?"

"Yes, scouts honor"

He gently placed her back on the ground. But as soon as her feet touched the sand she started to run the other direction. He was ready for this though and he went after her. He tackled her and they fell to the sand together. They rolled around for a bit Luis was struggling to get Sheridan to cooperate. Finally he had her pinned under him and had her arms stuck over her head.

"What was that? You promised to walk to the car with me"

"Yeah well I was never a scout, my scouts honor means nothing"

"I should have known there was a catch. Well you’re coming with me this time"

He felt his handcuffs in his back pocket. He hadn’t realized he put them there before he left tonight. It was just habit. He grabbed them out of his pocket. He slapped one on Sheridan’s right wrist, stood her up and slapped the other one on his own left wrist.

"There, now come on"

"You’re making a habit of locking me up"

"Well if you weren’t so stubborn I wouldn’t have to"

"I’m the stubborn one?"

They picked up all their stuff and walked back to the car handcuffed together.

"So okay, we’re at the car now, you can uncuff us" Luis fished around in his pocket for the keys but wasn’t having any luck.

"Umm Sheridan?"

"What?" she asked not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"I can’t find the keys"

"WHAT!?! You lost them?"

"They must have fallen out when we were in the sand"

"You better be kidding Luis or these better be magic cuffs"

"I wish I were, because the car keys are gone too"

"You mean we’re going to have to walk around Harmony handcuffed together?"

"Unless they taught you to hot wire a car in boarding school"

"And I suppose finding them in this fog is no use either?"

"Do you have a metal detector in your pocket?"

"Okay, okay, okay. Lets not fight. Do you have an extra key at your house?"

"Yes, but everyone is home at my house. Do you want them to see us like this?"

"It does look pretty ridiculous huh?"

"I’d never hear the end of it"

"Okay, well we can go stay at my cottage for the night and go get the keys when everyone is gone from your house in the morning. I’m really tired anyway"

"Sheridan, you do realize that we would be stuck together the whole night, right?"

"There are worse things"

She smiled at him and grasped his hand. Their fingers were entwined as they walked off to Sheridan’s cottage.

Luckily no one had seen them on their walk to Sheridan’s cottage. Something like this wasn’t that easy to hide. They walked into her home and she burst into laughter.

"Care to share what’s so funny?"

"I still can’t believe I am coming home handcuffed to you"

"Yeah, okay. I’m beginning to think that you aren’t ever going to let me forget about this"

"That’s my current plan"

"Great"

"I need something to drink. Do you want…Oh wait you have to come with me"

"Man, I am never going to live this down"

They went and got their drinks and sat on the couch together. After they had chatted about the predicaments they had gotten into today, Sheridan got up and pulled at Luis.

"Come on Luis, I’m tired"

"Where do you think your going?"

"To bed"

"Oh no! We are sleeping right here. You can have the couch and I’ll sleep next to you on the floor"

"Why? My bed is big enough for the both of us and it isn’t like we haven’t shared a bed before"

"It’s different this time"

"Yeah, we’ll be fully clothed this time"

"You know that’s not what I meant"

"I know, but you can have your half of the bed and I can have mine. Neither of us is going to be comfortable out here"

"I’m not going to win this fight, am I?"

"No, come on"

They walked into the bedroom, both a little nervous. They turned down the bed, but Luis had one more thing to do before they got into bed.

"Sheridan, before we go to our neutral sides of the bed, there is something I gave to do"

"What’s that Luis?"

"I haven’t gotten to kiss you good night yet" she smiled and turned towards him. Luis pulled her in for a passionate kiss. Sheridan started to tug at Luis shirt, but he stopped her.

"We can’t, not like this" he jingled the handcuffs on their wrists.

"You’re right" she took a couple of deep breaths. "Lets just go to sleep"

They got into bed and both laid on their backs and stared up at the ceiling. Both had their eyes wide open and neither really wanted to sleep.

"Luis?" she whispered just in case he was asleep already.

"Yeah?"

"I can’t sleep on my back"

He slid over towards her and she climbed over him. She paused as she was on top of him to say thank you. They were now on their sides facing each other. He pushed the hair out of her face and she smiled.

"At the risk of sounding like an idiot I have something to tell you"

"What?"

"You’re my rose"

"Huh?"

"You have put the color back into my life like the rose"

She held back tears. That was the sweetest thing anyone had said to her. They drifted off to sleep holding hands, feeling like one person.

They had tossed and turned for most of the night. Not getting comfortable until they found each other. Their subconscious gave way to their need to stay on opposite sides of the bed. They had found their way into each other’s arms. Luis had his arms around her not willing to let go. Sheridan overlapped his arms with hers making sure to keep him close. They awoke together, but startled that they were so close.

"Sheridan, I’m sorry" he let go of her.

"I’m not" they smiled at each other and the tension between them grew.

"What do you say we go and get out of these cuffs?"

"That might be a good idea. You have to be getting sick of me by now. You have spent almost two whole days with a Crane"

"I thought you’d be ready to kill me by now"

They took Sheridan’s car to Luis’s house. There were a lot of people out and about and they still didn’t want to be seen stuck together. Sheridan drove slow the whole way there, she wanted to extend their time with one another as much as possible.

"Sheridan?"

"Yeah Luis?"

"I’m going to have to arrest you again"

"What? Why?"

"For driving too slow. We are barely crawling here. What’s with you?"

"With me? Nothing. I guess I was just daydreaming"

"At least is your car, not mine"

When they finally reached Luis’s house and climbed out of the car Sheridan let out a big sigh. She was disappointed that she couldn’t have stretched this out any longer. She shuffled her feet as he nearly dragged her inside.

"Hello? Anybody home? Mama? Good, I think the coast is clear. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?"

"Yeah"

Luis knew that something was bothering her and was a little hurt by the fact she wouldn’t talk to him. He got the extra key out of a drawer in the kitchen. He was about to unlock her when she reached over and snatched the key from his hand. He was stunned.

"What, I’m not unlocking us fast enough for you?"

"No" but that is all she would say.

"Sheridan now I know something is bothering you. What is it?"

"I…ah…"

"Just tell me"

"Luis, I’m afraid"

"Afraid? Of what?"

"That after you unlock us, that’s going to be the end"

"The end of what?"

"Us"

"Us? You think just because stuck together we are never going to see each other again?"

"Well I know we’ll see each other at the youth center, but…"

"But what?"

"But… Luis this has been the best nights and day of my life. I don’t want it to end. I’m afraid that when it does I’m not going to get to be alone with you again"

"So that’s what’s bothering you. Well I have news for you. If you think that I’m going to let you out of my sight after this you’re sorely mistaken. These past hours have been like a piece of heaven"

They both smiled and he held out his hand. Reluctantly she gave him the key. Instead of trying to unlock her first this time he unlocked himself and then moved to her. Both of them rubbed their wrist after they were free and then looked up at each other. They got caught in each other’s gaze. Now that they were free from one another, instead of moving farther apart, they moved closer. And again passion took over their bodies as they kissed.

"See you had nothing to be afraid of Sheridan. I’m not letting go of you that easily"

"Okay, maybe I was being a little foolish"

"I’d say. What are you doing today?"

"I don’t have anything planned. Why, what did you have in mind?"

"Well I have the day off and had planned to spend it fixing things around the house, but nothing has to be done today. Do you want to do something this afternoon?"

"I’d love to"

"So we’ll go pick up my car from the beach and then you can go home for awhile. Then I’ll pick you up again around one"

"Sounds like a plan. Do you have anything in mind for this afternoon?"

"Nope, but I can’t wait to spend it with you"

"Nice answer" she kissed him quickly and grabbed her purse. "Lets go"

The arrived at the beach and Luis kissed Sheridan on the cheek. Sheridan drove off leaving Luis with his car. She drove to her cottage and walked in not really paying attention to anything else. Her dreams were taking over her body. She walked into her bedroom; it was just as they left it. She laid down on the bed and took everything in. She was so happy that she got to spend all that time with Luis, and she got to spend today with him too. Nothing could ruin this moment. She remained there staring at the ceiling thinking happy thoughts.

Before Luis got in his car to go home, he decided he better at least go take a look for his lost keys. He walked down the beach remembering what had happened last night. He remembered her dancing around in the fog and the face she made when he handcuffed them together. He walked to the spot where they had built the fire and walked around it for a couple of minutes. Finally he spotted his lost keys, picked them up and proceeded to go home. By the time he got home it was already noon so he hurried and took a shower. He quickly got ready and headed to go pick up Sheridan.

Sheridan was still lying in bed when there was a knock on the door. She quickly returned to reality and looked at the clock. It was almost one. She groaned and went to open the door, ashamed that she hadn’t gotten ready yet. She reluctantly opened the door. When Luis saw her he gave a very confused look.

"Yeah, yeah, I know I am running a little behind"

"It’s okay" he walked in and on the way to the couch he kissed her on the cheek. "I can wait"

"I’m going to jump in the shower. I’ll try and hurry"

"Take your time, we have all day"

Sheridan got ready as quickly as she could but it still took her quite awhile. Luis sat on the couch and started to imagine what they were going to do today. He soon drifted off to sleep. Sheridan was finally ready and she walked out to meet Luis.

"I’m ready" she walked over and noticed he was asleep. "He looks so peaceful, to bad I have to ruin it" she walked over and sat next to him. She gently kissed him to get him to wake up. "Wake up sleepy head"

"Hmmm. Good way to wake up. Are you ready?"

"MmHmm. Lets go" they left the cottage and got into the car.

"I thought we could just drive and when we see something interesting we can stop"

"Sounds good" they were half way to Castleton when they came across a little playground. "Luis, lets stop here"

"Here?"

"Why not? Don’t you like to play on the swings once and awhile?"

"Yes but I didn’t think…"

"Haven’t you learned not to stereotype me yet?"

They got out of the car and as Sheridan passed Luis on the way to the playground she playfully hit him.

"You’re it" she giggled.

"What?"

"What do you mean what? You’re it"

She ran away from him and around the playground. She climbed up the slide and he followed, trying to catch her. They circled the playground. Both tired they finally stopped on opposite sides of a teeter-totter. Luis pulled it down so it was even, and they both climbed on. They each took their turn pushing off the ground.

"Luis, I love spending time with you"

"Every minute I spend with you Sheridan makes me happier"

They remained on the teeter-totter for a little while. They chatted about anything and everything. At one point in the conversation Luis decided he had enough and stopped pushing up, leaving Sheridan stranded at the top. He just sat there smiling.

"Luis, are you going to let me down?"

"Not until you answer a question"

"I have been answering your questions all day. Why do you have to strand me for this one?"

"It’s a special question"

"Well…"

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

"You’re keeping me up here for that? I thought you would be more creative"

"Do you want to come down?"

"Sorry, yes I would love to go for a walk with you"

He stood up slowly not letting her drop to the ground. He walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulder. She rested her head on his shoulder and they headed down the road towards Castleton. They reached the edge of Castleton and noticed all the children out at the local school. The children were all playing games and it looked like they were having a mini-carnival.

"Wait here"

"Luis, where are you going?"

"Just wait here, I’ll be right back"

Luis disappeared into the school playground and came back carrying something. He had gotten some cotton candy from the carnival for them to share. He continued to amaze her. He always thought of something sweet or different to do. They continued to walk through town, his arms still holding her close to him. They fed each other the cotton candy and giggled as the smeared it on each other’s faces. They decided to turn back and head back for the car when they passed a little newsstand. They both stopped dead in their tracks when they saw the headlines on one of the tabloids. They moved closer to get a closer view. The headline said Heiress of the Crane Empire Caught Slumming With Local Harmony Cop. Then there was a picture of them from the night before rolling in the sand. The caption under the picture read: Sheridan Crane Has A New Boy Toy. Luis had a look of disgust on his face and he grabbed her arm and led her in the direction of the car.

"Luis?"

But he didn’t answer. She had a hard time keeping up with him he was walking so fast.

"Luis please talk to me. Please tell me what you are thinking"

He still didn’t answer. He didn’t open his mouth until they were completely out of Castleton and nearing the car. Sheridan was furious that he would talk to her and stopped walking. He tugged at her arm, but she wouldn’t budge.

"Luis, I am not moving until you talk to me"

"Then I’ll leave without you"

"You wouldn’t"

"Wouldn’t I?"

"We need to talk about this"

"Talk about what? The fact that I am your new boy toy?!?"

"You aren’t my boy toy!"

"Well that’s not what the whole world is going to think"

"Who cares what everyone else thinks"

"You don’t get it do you?"

"Get what?"

"That this doesn’t just affect us. My whole family is going to have to deal with it. Your whole family is going to have to deal with it. It is going to affect my job and the youth center. It’s going to ruin my whole life!" he started to walk away from her.

"What I wouldn’t give for a pair of handcuffs right now"

"Sheridan this isn’t a joke, be serious!"

"I am! Stop walking away from me. Would you listen to yourself. You are blowing this way out of proportion!"

"Am I????"

"YES!"

"You just don’t understand!" and with that he got in the car and started the engine. She stayed outside, but realizing he would leave without her, she got in the car and slammed the door. They drove the whole way back to Sheridan’s cottage without saying a word.

They finally reached Sheridan’s cottage. Neither one of them had said a word since they got into the car. Sheridan just stared out of the window and Luis kept his focused on the road. Both were really frightened that this would be there last moment together. Luis pulled the car to a stop and they just sat there. Luis half hoped that she would just get out of the car without saying a word. Sheridan being the person she is though wasn’t going to let Luis off the hook that easily.

"Luis, I’m not leaving until we talk. I will sit her forever if that’s what it’s going to take. Look, I know your upset…"

"Upset?"

"Ok furious, irate, and probably confused, but we can get through this"

"I’m not so sure. I can’t be know as your boy…well Mr. Sheridan Crane"

"I’m not asking you to be"

"And I know that what other people think shouldn’t matter, but it does when it affects my family. Mama could lose her job over this"

Sheridan began to cry when he said this because she knew it could happen. Her father and Julian weren’t going to be very happy when they saw the article and they would probably fire Pilar. Sheridan leaned over to Luis and kissed him on the cheek.

"I’m sorry Luis. I didn’t mean for it to happen like this"

Before he could say anything she had gotten out of the car and shut the door. Tears welled up in his eyes as he saw her walk into her cottage. "I’m sorry too" he whispered as he whipped his eyes and headed for his house. He knew he would regret this in the morning but he thought it was the only thing that he could do. When he got to his house he headed straight to his room. He buried his head in his pillows and let out a deep sigh. He couldn’t take the silence anymore though so he reached over and turned on the radio.

Oh, and every time I’m close to you

There’s so much I can’t say

And you just walk away

And I forgot to tell you

I love you

Sheridan walked into her cottage just in time. She couldn’t let Luis see how much this devastated her. She closed the door and leaned back against it for support. Her legs were so weak though and she slid to the floor. She hugged her legs and buried her head in her knees. She sat there sobbing screaming at herself.

"How could I let this happen to me again? How could I be so naïve? I let him get to me and look what happens. I end up right where I always do!"

She stood reached for a vase that was near and threw it across the room. She didn’t know which feeling was worse, the feeling of loss she felt towards Luis or the feeling of fury at herself for letting herself fall in love again. "Calm down Sheridan" she said trying to get a hold of herself. She walked over the radio and turned it on. She sat on the couch hoping the music would relax her.

And the night’s too long and cold

Here without you

I grieve in my condition

For I can not find the words to say

I need you so

They were both started when they heard the song. How could this song know exactly how they were feeling? Both laid in their separate spots in tears, both filled with regret. They both whispered into the darkness "I should have told him/her how I felt." Both cried themselves to sleep with nothing to comfort them, not even their dreams.

Sheridan tossed and turned while she slept. She was having an awful dream.

~*~Dream~*~

Sheridan walked in a huge church. There was a wedding going on. She slipped in the back behind the guests trying to figure out who was getting married. Who ever it was though was very popular, there were hundreds of guests. She listened as the priest spoke.

"If anyone one should disapprove of this marriage speak now or forever hold your peace" the priest paused. He continued when there was silence. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride" The couple kissed. "May I now present Mr. and Mrs. Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald"

"Who did Luis marry?" Sheridan whispered to herself. She wondered if it was her. The couple got closer and closer as they walked down the aisle. She was horrified when she could finally make out the faces.

~*~

"NOOOOO!" Sheridan screamed as she woke herself up. "Luis can’t marry Beth" she began to cry. She looked at the clock it was already 5 am. There was no use trying to go back to sleep now, she had to be at the youth center at 7. She wiped her tears and headed for the shower.

Luis was having trouble sleeping too. His dreams weren’t pleasant tonight either.

~*~Dream~*~

Luis was working in his office at the youth center. He was busy filing papers when Sheridan walked.

"Hi Luis"

"Sheridan, um…hi. How are you?" he stopped what he was doing and walked over to her.

"I’m fine. I just came to say goodbye"

"Goodbye?"

"Yeah Luis, don’t you remember? I told you I was leaving for Paris today"

"You what? What about your community service?"

"Luis are you feeling okay? You know I finished that last week"

"Oh right…" He was still really confused. "So um are you going on vacation?"

"No Luis, I’m moving back there. There isn’t anything here for me"

~*~

Luis woke up. His heart was breaking. He didn’t want to see Sheridan leave, ever. He rolled over and checked the clock. It was 5 am, he might as well get up. He got ready and headed out the door. There was still an hour before he had to be at the youth center, so he just wandered through Harmony. It was still dark, the sun hadn’t come up yet. He walked over to the fountain that was in the middle of downtown. He sat on the ledge and listened to the water flow. It was peaceful there.

Sheridan was ready and still had a lot of time before she had to be anywhere. She couldn’t just sit there though, her mind kept going back to Luis. She got up and headed out her door. She wandered the streets of Harmony. She walked up to the youth center and tried the door. It was still locked, Luis hadn’t arrived yet. She continued to walk in the dark. She was looking down at her feet as she walked. She noticed a penny on the ground and picked it up hoping her luck would change. She continued to walk.

Luis stood up ready to head to the youth center, but there was something he had to do first. He took a quarter out of his pocket, threw it in the fountain and made a wish for a better day. When he looked he noticed the sun rising. He watched it as the sun crept above the horizon. Then he noticed her.

Sheridan had noticed the sun was started to rise and walked towards the light. Hoping that the rays would energize her for the day ahead. As the sun made it over the horizon she looked at her watch time to go to work. She turned and saw him staring at her. They walked closer to each other and stopped when they were within talking distance, trying not to get too close.

"Hi"

"Hi…"

"You’re up early Sheridan"

"So are you"

"How are you?"

"Fine…You?"

"Fine" the conversation was going nowhere fast. They started walking to the youth center together. When they got there Luis unlocked the door and they walked inside.

"What do you need me to do today Luis?"

"Um…I haven’t thought about it yet. I’ll have to look and see what has to be done today"

"Okay. Well…umm…while you do that why don’t I go get us some coffee"

"That’d be great. Thank you"

"I’ll see you in a couple of minutes"

Sheridan left for the book café as Luis went to his office. He sat down at his desk trying to get some work done, but as soon as he started his mind wandered. He started to daydream about Sheridan. She looked so beautiful this morning and he was so happy she showed up. He was afraid she wouldn’t come after last night. Before long he was staring at the bookcase with a huge grin on his face. He didn’t even notice Sheridan come back with the coffee.

"What are you smiling about Luis?"

"Huh?" he snapped back to reality.

"Here’s your coffee"

"Oh thanks"

"What were you thinking about? You looked really happy"

"I was thinking about you"

"I wouldn’t think you would have a smile on your face if you were thinking of me, apparently I ruined your life"

"Sheridan I’m sorry. I said some things I didn’t mean last night"

"Yeah? Like what?"

"You’re not going to let me off easy are you? Ok, well you didn’t ruin my life. You make my life better"

"What?"

"Last night shouldn’t have happened like that. I was just upset and I let my anger get the best of me"

"Luis, it wasn’t all your fault. I shouldn’t…"

"No, it was my fault. You were willing to try and I wasn’t. I gave up too easily"

"What are you saying?"

"I don’t want to give up on us"

"Luis there isn’t an us"

"But there could be. I want there to be"

"No Luis. I can’t"

"Sheridan, what do you mean?"

"I was crushed when you left last night. I can’t go through that again. That was the worst feeling I have ever had"

"I’m sorry I hurt you but can’t we…?"

Sheridan saw the pain in Luis’s eyes and could feel tears beginning in her own. She didn’t want to hurt him, but it would be better for everyone if they ended it now. As she thought about it more and more she cried harder. Luis sat Sheridan down, sat down next to her and took her hands in his.

"Sheridan please don’t cry"

"Luis, we can’t" she stood up to leave and started to walk out the door. As she opened the door Luis had one more thing to say.

"Sheridan wait!" she turned to him but didn’t say anything. She just looked at him with her eyes wide, but red from the crying.

"Sheridan don’t go. I…" there was a long pause and seeing that Luis wasn’t going to finish what he was saying, she started to leave again.

"Stop! I love you" she stopped and tried to grasp what she just heard.

"Excuse me?" Sheridan said still stunned from his words.

"Don’t go, I need you"

"That’s not what you said"

"So you heard"

"Yeah. Did you mean it?" There was a pause while Luis thought of what say, but Sheridan took that as a bad sign. "Luis, haven’t we said enough things we didn’t mean lately?" She walked out the door and left the youth center.

Luis walked around his office trying to gather himself. What had he just done? Why couldn’t he just admit to her how he felt? He hated to hurt her, but for some reason he couldn’t say he loved her to her face yet. He had made a mistake blurting it out to try and get her to stay, but it was the only thing he could think of. He kept wondering what he was still standing there for he had to go find Sheridan. He grabbed his coat and ran for the door. He opened it and was shocked at what he saw.

"What took you so long Luis?" Sheridan was sitting right outside the door.

"You didn’t leave?"

"I was going to, but you’re not getting rid of me that easily" he sat down next to her and she leaned over and put her head on his shoulder.

"I didn’t mean to hurt you"

"I know. I’m sorry I lied to you"

"What are you talking about?"

"When I said there couldn’t be an us"

"Yeah, well I haven’t been the easiest person to get along with lately"

"Luis what are we going to do? We can’t seem to figure out how to be together, but it kills me to be apart from you. What does that leave?"

"Your guess is as good as mine"

The sun had faded and clouds rolled in. It was starting to sprinkle. They didn’t move from their position. It started to pour and they both stood up.

"Come on Sheridan, let’s go inside"

"Luis, dance with me"

"Sheridan, there’s no music, not to mention it’s pouring"

"You’re already soaked, what does it matter? Please?" He took her in his arms and they swayed to the beat of their hearts.

"Why is this so important to you?"

"They’re crying for us Luis"

"What? Who?"

"The angels, they feel our pain" They continued to dance until Sheridan started to sneeze.

"Okay, angels or no angels we are going in before you get sick"

They walked inside and Luis went and got some blankets out of the storeroom for them. Sheridan put the blanket around her but she was shivering. Luis left her again and returned with some extra clothes he kept in his locker.

"Here put these on" he handed her a sweatshirt and some shorts. "They might be big, but they are dry" he had already put on a t-shirt and another pair of shorts.

"Thank you" she left and retuned wearing his clothes. He was right they were a little big. The sweatshirt was so big that you could hardly tell she had the shorts on.

"We aren’t going to get any work done today, we might as well go"

She wasn’t going to argue, she couldn’t get warm. Seeing as they had both walked this morning Luis called a cab to come pick them up. They got into the cab and on the way to Sheridan’s cottage Luis notice that Sheridan didn’t look too well. The plan was to have the driver drop Sheridan off first and then bring Luis home, but he wanted to make sure she was all right. He could always call for another cab later. They barely made it into her cottage before she collapsed into his arms.

"Whoa Sheridan. Are you okay?"

"I don’t feel very well" Luis felt her forehead.

"You’re burning up. Come on lets get you in bed"

Luis steadied her and walked her into her room. he helped her into bed and tucked her in. He then kissed her forehead.

"I’ll be right back"

He walked into her bathroom and searched for a washcloth. He also looked for some Tylenol in her medicine cabinet. Then he went into the kitchen and got a bowl and glass of cold water. He then returned to Sheridan. She looked awful. She was tossing and turning and sweat was running down her face. She had kicked off her covers and was shivering. He put all his stuff on her bed stand and sat on the bed next to her.

"Come here Sheridan" he placed a pillow on his lap and she placed her head there. He pulled the covers back over her.

"Here take these" he handed her the Tylenol and the glass of water.

"Thank you Luis"

"Shhh. Try and get some sleep" he dipped the washcloth in the bowl of water, wrung it out, and placed it on her forehead.

"Luis, are you going to leave?"

"I’m not going anywhere" he locked her hand in his and brought it to his mouth and kissed it gently. She finally fell asleep and while she slept Luis kept changing the washcloth on her head until she was cool.

Sheridan woke up the next morning still lying on Luis’ lap. She looked up at him. He had fallen asleep sitting up and holding her. She felt much better thanks to him. She sat up trying not to wake him. She just stared at him thinking of how sweet he was to stay and take care of her.

"Luis?" she whispered, but he didn’t move. "Good you’re asleep. I know that you aren’t ready to say this to me and I don’t know if you are ready to hear it, but I love you. You’re the most amazing person I have ever met. God this easy to say when you are sleeping" she kissed his cheek and left the room, leaving him sleeping. As soon as she left the room Luis opened his eyes and smiled.

Sheridan went into the kitchen. She was really thirsty so she got a glass of orange juice. She sat at the table thinking about how great Luis was and what they could do to make this work out between them. It was thing she wanted most in the world. They had spent the last couple of days together and had already been through what happens to most couples in months. They hadn’t even told anyone they were together yet, but were they together? Things were very complicated with them. She heard Luis coming into the room.

"Good morning Luis"

"Morning Sheridan, you look much better" he walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. He sat across the table from her.

"Thanks to you. Do you want anything, coffee juice?"

"Coffee would be great, but I’ll make it. You still need to rest"

"Luis, I feel a lot better. I am perfectly capable of making coffee. It’s the least I can do for you"

"Alright, whatever you say" he watched her as she got up to make his coffee.

"What?" she noticed that he wasn’t taking his eyes off her. He had a smug grin across his face.

"What, what?" he was a little confused.

"What is that smug look for?"

"Do I have a smug look on my face?"

"Yes"

"Maybe I had good dreams last night"

"Maybe? Luis what is going on with you?"

"Okay, so maybe I heard you this morning"

"You heard me…this morning???" she took a deep breath trying to keep calm.

"Mmm Hmm"

"Luis…I…I…" she fumbled for words.

"Sheridan you don’t have to be embarrassed. I feel the same way about you"

"You do Luis?"

"Of coarse. You are the most amazing person I have ever met too"

"Amazing…right…I said you were amazing and you are. Did you hear anything else I said?"

"Was there more?"

"No" she blurted out.

"I think there was. What aren’t you telling me?"

"Umm…well…I was just rambling on about how great you were to stay with me last night"

"You thought I would leave you alone like that?" she brought over his cup of coffee. He could tell she was holding something back. "Thanks" she retuned to the other side of the table. "What aren’t you telling me? Did you really think I would leave you?"

"Well…no…but we haven’t been getting along the greatest and…"

"And nothing. Just because we don’t know exactly what is going on between us doesn’t mean I don’t care about you"

"Luis, I … I …uh…care about you too" ‘why am I being such a chicken?’ "but what is going on between us? What are we doing?"

"I guess we do need to figure this out"

"Yeah we do. Will you answer one question for me Luis?"

"I’ll try"

"Do you think we have any hope of having a future together? Even the slightest possibility? I mean because if you don’t, as much as I hate to say it, we need to end it before we get in any deeper"

"More than anything I want this to work"

"But do you think it could? We will have so much more to overcome. I mean we haven’t even told anyone yet and look at what we have been through"

"I know it won’t be easy but I don’t see why it can’t happen. If we trust each other and believe in our love for each other then there isn’t anything we can’t do"

"Luis do you really thin…love? Did you say love?"

"Yeah, I guess I did. The truth always comes out eventually right?"

"Right…"

Luis got up from his chair and walked over to Sheridan. He took her hands and guided her up. They couldn’t take their eyes off each other.

"Sheridan, I know it was taken me a long time to say this, but last night when you were asleep, I just watched you. I thought of how perfect it was, me holding you and I never wanted to lose that feeling. Something just clicks when I am with you and we connect. Last night I figured out that I was being so dense trying to deny how I felt about you, because I have felt this way for some time now. What I am trying to get at is I love you"

"Luis I love you too. I wanted to tell you so many times, but I was just scared at how you would react"

"Shhh"

Luis pulled her towards him. They kissed passionately unleashing all the bottled up feelings they had inside. They explored each other like they never had anyone else. They had an intense hunger for each other that will last.

THE END or is it the beginning?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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