luis was just being hauled off to jail...before he went through the door...he turned around to get one last look at sheridan...there was sadness in the eyes that looked back...whats done is done...and she was the one who did this to him...what would his family think...what about his reputation...suddenly luis was pulled from his thoughts..."we meet again miss crane..." it was roger at the entrance of the station...he pointed a gun to sheridan..luis flinched...but he was in cuffs and officer maria wouldn't let him go...everyone was silent..."don't waste your time officer...i'm not here for you..." "and why not...i am now witness to you also...and all these people here...what now you'll kill everyone in this room..." luis had to think fast...sheridan looked at him...this time there was no fear...she only had guilt...' 'i deserve to just die...' she thought...even now...after having him arrested luis was still trying to rescue her..."well...it is apparent that you all don't know...but ms. crane here holds more information than a mere witness...and she doesn't even know it...but i can't risk her remembering...je suis desole chere..." a shot was fired...the police tried to tackle him...but he got away...luis rushed to sheridan's side...she was was on the ground...she was breathing hard...from both shock and pain...luis tried to cradle her head..."get these off me!!!" ...maria came and took the cuffs off..."sheridan....somebody call an ambulance.." "i guess you were wrong luis...i'm not safer here in the states..." she coughed...she was shot in the stomach..."don't try to talk sheridan..." luis trembled..."i'm so sorry luis..."she choked..."i guess this time you can't save me..." "don't say that..you're gonna make it..."luis kissed her forehead..."listen..."she pleaded to maria...if i die..i don't want luis to be responsible..listen it's all...a mistake...luis really tried to save my life...isn't there anything you can do..." during this time luis took off his shirt and tried to apply pressure on the wound..."you know something luis..." "sheridan stop it..." "no luis...please...i need you to hear this..." luis didn't stop her..."you know...no matter how i've treated you the last couple of hours...you've been so good to me...you know the times...we spent together...you made me very happy...even if it was all a lie...you made me happier then i ever thought i could be..." "sheridan what do you mean it was all a lie...i did...and i do like you...and you've made me happy too..." "luis please...i'm dying here...at least give me the courtesy of being honest..." he gave her one of those you're-so-stubborn looks..."sheridan i'm telling you the truth...what did i do to make you leave harmony..." "all right luis...i guess i should give you that much...that night at the warf..." "when i kissed you..." they both had a flashback 'sheridan walked onto the pier and was suddenly enveloped in luis' arms...he welcomed her with a roguh, almost desparate kiss' "yes...and i went back later on that night...to surprise you...only you were the one who surprised me..." she looked away...remembering the hurt...the knife that went through her heart... "but sheridan i didn't go..." he was interrupted by maria..."here i found a testimonial to disregard the whole complaint all I need is sheridan's signiture" "I thought that you said I couldn't take it back" sheridan was pigheaded even with a bullet through her "well that was before you got shot this was a very serious charge and you a dying person wishes to" she stopped when luis stared at her the ambulance sirens grew louder and within a minute the paramedics were there "luis i'm so cold" she was getting delirious she had lost a lot of blood "just do me one last favor..." she looked up without really seeing him..."just, even for pretend, say that you...love me..." too late she went into unconsciousness...the paramedics were about to take her away...but wouldn't let luis into the ambulance... "he's her fiancee..." officer maria put in...and smiled at luis as they drove off to the hospital...luis leaned close to sheridan's ear and whispered..."i love you..."

they pulled into the hospital luis didn't know what to do...he folled them as far as he could...but she had to undergo emergency operation...luis was still shook up...for 20 minutes he watched as life slowly drained from her body....she couldn't leave him...she just couldn't... luis paced in the waiting room...he couldn't stand this agony...he had to do something...'i have to call sam'"sam...."his voice was gravelly... "luis are you okay...man i could just...i warned you about those cranesluis..." "sam please don't...""luis what's worng?""it's sheridan..." "what did she do now..." "she's...she dying sam..." luis' voice broke..."i don't know what i'm gonna do...sam i don't know what to do...she's there in the emergency room now..." "okay luis...just calm down buddy...ummm...how did this happen...are you still in jail..." "no...sheridan signed an official cancelation form...it was that roger guy...god sam....i love her..." 'i love her' he repeated it to himself in disblief"you love her...but after all that she's done to you..." "you don't understand sam...she thinks that i did something to her...when she got shot...she was about to tell me why she left harmony...she said she went back to the warf...remember the night i was staking out that drug dealer..." "yeah i remember...you told me you kissed her..." "i did..." he had a flashback of it again..."but she said that she went back to the warf...to surprise me...only i surprised her...but i didn't return to the pier that night sam....i was too busy booking that guy....maybe i'm crazy...but my insticts tell me that julian did something..." weariness was catching onto him...and sam heard it in his voice... "i'll look into it buddy...and i'm sure sheridan's gonna be okay...she's a tough woman...if anyone could battle with death it'd be her..." luis chuckled "that's right...it's sheridan for you...she'd probably annoy the hell out of him...if there was i time i wished she were pigheaded it would be now...." "okay buddy...try to get some rest...she'll probably be in surgery for a while....""bye sam...." luis was alone in the waiting room...you'd figure there'd be more people...but it was getting to be late...the flight and that whole ordealed weighed down on luis...andfinally his eyes could no longer resist sleep.... "sir..." a doctor, who clearly just came from the o.r., shook luis "i regret to have to inform you this...but you're fiancee....""no..." luis murmured "you're fiancee...didn't make it through the operation...i'm very sorry" with that he left... "no this has to be a nightmare...please...let this be a nightmare..." but a stretcher from the room that sheridan was in rolled by him... "wait!!!" he stopped the orderlies...he pulled back the sheets...and there she was...the woman he loved...colorless...breathless...she had lost the battle...

the orderlies gave gave him a sympathetic look...."we have to take her to the morgue now..." "luis i'm so sorry..." it was officer maria...she had gotten off her shift... "how did this happen...i...i..." "it's okay..." she patted him on the back...and left him alone... he decided to call sam...he couldn't go back to harmony...not just yet...sam didn't answer the phone...he must have gone home already...it was a good thing...he didn't really want to talk to anyone right now anyway... "sam...i'm gonna need a couple more days...tell mama that i'll be home soon...i just need a little bit more time..." he hung up...and walked out of the hospital.... he needed a place to stay...but where...it didn't matter....he rented a car...he'd decided to drive home...after a few hours he decided to stop...he was in the middle of nowhere...woods and shrubbery were all there was....he saw a small beaten path in the middle of the woods...he remembered the cabin in new mexico...without even thinking he drove through... to his surprise there was a cabin at the end of the road...when he got out of the car...the path he had come through vanished...as though it was swallowed up by the trees...the cabin seemed unoccupied...it was a pretty homely place...though dust covered everything...it must have been at one time a great lovers' getaway....he dust off the bed and fell in a heap oflonliness... he found himself standing over a grave...it was cold and dark...but he saw that he was clearly in harmony cementery.... "love should be able to defy death..." he felt the warmth of the voice...he turned around...she was dressed in white....and she walked away from him... "wait!!!...sheridan!!!" suddenly he awoke...he broke into a cold sweat...he lit a candle....the cabin was musty...but there were provisions and some wine....after he had eaten...he laid back in the bed.... and awaited....for her her to haunt his dreams....

back in harmony... sam walked nervously to the crane mansion....but he turned and saw ivy walking towards the gardens.... "oh sam...you startled me..." she wasn't her flirtatious self....she seemed more occupied by other things...."listen...ivy i need to talk to you..." "now really isn't a good time sam..." she looked down..."are you okay...ivy...?" "no i'm not...." she sobbed...."oh sam...." she threw her arms around him and wept...they were far into the garden now....where no one could see them... "ivy...what wrong?" he tensed...'damn...i'm not suppose to care for heranymore' ivy sensed his uncomfort, and for once...backed away from him....she turned away from him...."i'm so unhappy sam....my children have grown up without me....my husband...if you can call him that...is probably having a rendevous with some bimbo...i have no friends...sheridan and pilar....but sheridan's gone now...""that's what i came here to talk to you about...." "about my friends?" she wiped away her tears.... "no...sheridan....to be more specific...sheridan and luis...." "oh....sam i wish i could help you....but...." "listen..." he turned her to face him..."sheridan was shot...." ivy gasped..."yes...and luis is so destroyed right now...ivy please...luis admitted to me that he loves her..." "she really loves him too you know..." she looked down...still in shock.... "did julian....have anything to do with her leaving harmony...?" her turning away gave him the answer...."what did he do....?" "please sam...don't to betray....julian..."she thought a moment...."i don't know how you'll cover this up...i'll give you the information...if you make sure no one knows it came from me...""ok..." sam looked on with intrigue "well alistar and julian paid off an imposter...." "so that's who sheridan saw at the warf..." "how did you know...it doesn't matter...well he said some awful things....he being luis....said that he intended to use her...and that's what overheard..." "no wonder why she's been so angry with him....i've got to get this to luid right away...." he was about to walk away "oh sam..." he looked back "it's good to know you still believe in true love...." it wasn't suductive...it was almost a sad acceptance.... something in sam stirred as he walked away from the gardens and he saw her sillouette against the moonlight...."yes i do ivy...i do...."

luis once again fell into the darkness....he heard laughter....he was in a midnight garden....the moon shone down....making the leaves turn into glassy mirrors...a light fragrance of vanilla filled the air...he saw a sudden movement...and a laughter again... "luis..." he heard her whisper...though it was more like the wind...."luis..." "sheridan please don't torture me this way..." "luis..." this time she was by him...she gave him a smile...."do you like this place....?" "it's wonderful..." he couldn't help but stare at her....she wore a flowing red dress....her hair had little vanilla flowers on them.... she caught him looking her up and down..."you know how my favorite color is red..."she giggled..."this is my favorite place...i used to go here when i was all the time...i guess when i reached adulthood...the power to bring this place to life left me along with my childhood...let's dance...." she was suddenly in his arms...and they swayed along with the branches of the trees....they stood there awhile like that... he was again jolted from his sleep...he was thrown into a convolsion of anger...what was this...some trickery...what kind of torment was this.... finally he calmed...he took another bottle of wine...hoping that if would lead him to the doorway....where sheridan awaited on the other side....and soon it did.... this time...he found himself in an old castle...the flickering candle lights eluminated the anciet corridors...upon a wall was a portrait...it was clearly sheridan... "you mustn't linger in hallways my love...." she startled him...."come on lets go back to bed...." "no!!!" this whole charade was drying him mad..."i can't take this anymore...." he ran....kept running....until he was outside the mansion....there stood before a cliff..."sheridan...you don't know how mugh it hurts not to be with you...to have you one second...then you disappear..." she watched him...he took a look at her...and started to decend into a bottomless pit of despair.... he awoke...yet again....was he dreaming...no...he was back at the musty cabin...sheridan's face hovered over his own...as she lightly brushed stokes from his hair...."no!!! not again!!! argghhhh!!!" "hush....it'll be okay luis...it's only a dream....we've just traveled through lifetimes together...shhh....i love you luis...we have to go back now...back to our own time...." she kissed his brow...then lightly on the lips...."wake up...luis....wake up...." her voice trailed off...luis opened his eyes...only to be blinded by the bright hospital lights.... "ahh...officer lopez-fizgerald...we thought we'd have to check you into the hospital too...i'm dr. lambert...i operated on your fiancee...even though the next 48 hours are critical...she made it through surgery...she's a very tough woman...and if you need anything...just have me paged...." it took a while for it to all sink it... by now the dreams became vague...the way all dreams become...when one's awaken...."could you please tell me which room sheridan's in...." "she's room 147...you know you're a very lucky man...she must love you very much...she kept saying you're name...." luis found his way...there he sat beside her....she was still sedated... he pulled up a chair beside her bed...luis took a deep sigh..."well sheridan...you helped me escape from my nightmare...now it's my turn to wake you up...." with that he kissed her hand....and fell asleep

sheridan awoke...and looked over to find luis slumped in a chair beside her...she tried to shift slightly but suddenly she felt a pang of pain come from the bullet wound...she couldn't help but scream which caused luis to jolt up in surprise... "sheridan!!! are you okay...." he tassled his hair not knowing what to do "should i get the doctor....?" "no....no...i'm okay really...." she shut her eyes tight...then took a deep breath...."i'm fine..." luis couldn't help but just look at her..."you know..."he gave a little chuckle..."we've been together in so many of these near death thing...they could make a tv show out of us...." "yeah...." she was wide awake...and fully aware of everything...including the fact that luis didn't love her "except in tv shows the couple would wind up together..." she whispered"what was that...?" "i said....yeah....i mean we even have the whole totally opposite partnership thing going on..." she gave an unenthusiastic laugh.... "so you made it through the night..." dr. lambert entered the room.... "that is a wonderful sign....now we'll just wait on you're progress in the next couple of days and we'll be able to release you..." "that'd be great...the sooner she gets better...the sooner we can go back to harmony...." luis added...but looked nervously back at sheridan to burst in outrage..."luis...you have to go back to harmony...what about your job....your family...." she was calm.... luis took the advantage while he could, before sheridan started yelling..."doc...you mind leaving us alone...." "i absolutely understand...." he went into the next patient's room "sheridan...i'm not leaving you...look...just look at what happened to you..." "yes...can see....i feel what happened to me...but luis...no matter where i am you can't just keep pulling the bodyguard act you know....you have a life to go back to....and i'm not even suppose to be a part of that life...." she trailed off... 'yes you are' he thought "look sheridan...i will never forgive myself if anything happened to you...please...at least just consider going back to harmony with me...please" "luis give me one good reason...just one...why i should go back..." she looked at him...the room's temperature seemed to jump 20 degrees.... just then they were interrupted by officer maria..."officer lopez-fitzgerald....we got a call from your captain...he says he has very urgent news....he's sure you'll want to hear" "okay...." he looked back at sheridan as he followed maria out "don't go anywhere..." "i don't see how i can..." she gave a derogatory glance...which he smiled at...sheridan at least was back to her old self....

luis got to the boston police station...'i wonder what's so urgent that sam wanted to talk about...' "hey rodrigez...can you put sam on..." luis could feel the anxiousness in every nerve in his body...sam had to have found out why sheridan left...sam had to have the answers....he wasn't going to loose sheridan again... "luis...i have news that i know you'll want to hear....i just found out personally from ivy...." he was interrupted by grace bursting into the police station crying.... "hold on luis...grace what is it....?" "oh sam it's horrible..." she was crying in his arms...."ivy...she's in the hospital..." "what!" sam pushed her away...realizing what he had just done he pulled her back into his hold...'ivy...'..."grace tell me what happened..." "she was just at the store...she said she wanted me to give you this locket...and when she got out....before she even got to her car....it blew up....she was thrown back a couple of yards....." 'oh no ivy...' "what locket..." grace drew the locket that was ivy's most prized possesion..."she said that she gave up...she said that she didn't have a right to it...." sam took the locket in his hand..... :::::flashes back::::::: "oh sam it's beautiful...i'll never take it off....never....because it's the sybol of our love..." "sam...? you looked like you were somewhere else...." "if it was a bomb...i have to look into it....i'll go to the hospital and see if ivy can give me any information...." "okay sam i'll be over there later on...i just have to see that the one of the girls can look after things...." she looked back at sam...having an uncomfortable feeling as she watched him clench onto the locket.... "luis....something's come up....i can't tell you everything now...." "i understand...okay buddy...i have to go back and check on sheridan anyway...." at the hospital.... sam came upon ivy....she wasn't moving...for a minute his heart skipped a beat....no she wasn't dead....her arm had third degree burns....and she had a bandage around her head....which told him that she had been very lucky....to escape with a concusion "sam...." she muttered in her sleep.... "ivy...?" he stepped closer to her....and when he was right beside her she opened her eyes.... "i knew you'd come for me sam..." she threw her arms around him and kissed him....and for once...sam didn't push her away....she ended the kiss and laid her head back down on the pillow....she closed her eyes and was immidiately asleep... "ahhh....i'm so glad yoo're here captain bennett...." julian came into the room "you see i have certain matter i wish to discuss with you....this should teach ivy a lesson...crane affairs aren't to be revealed just to anyone...." "what are you talking about julian...." sam felt the blood rise to his face "oh...i know that you and my wife talked about my sister's relationship with officer lopez-fitzgerald....and quite frankly....we were only looking out for sheridan's best interest...." "you so of a b*tch....you did this to her...." he pointed to ivy... "oh i would never kill my wife....teach her a lesson yes....and if you don't watch out..." "are you threatening my julian...." "oh no...but do take my advice.....don't let on what you know...or else you will suffer consequences...." with that he left sam....in his thoughts....he knew the cranes were capable of anything....could he let them tear apart another relationship....

hey everybody....sorry i haven't been on a while....anyway...let me get on with the writing..... disclaimers: nbc and whoever has rights to passions are the owners of the characters and storylines...as always...they present the clay...i mold it... sam slowly walked out of the hospital room...ivy was asleep again....what kind of sadistic people were the cranes....they caused suffering even to they're own family.... his cell phone began to ring.... "sam here...." "hey sam...." it was luis..."what is it...did you find out about the night sheridan was talking about....?" he looked around him and saw julian...trying to hide behind a newspaper...."look luis...i can't talk right now...." "sam what's wrong....." luis' cop instincts took over "is there someone there...did something happen...sam tell me...just give a yes or no..." "yes..." "okay...the cranes have something to do with it..." "uh huh..." he tried to seemed inconspicuous "okay....did they threaten you....?" "yup..." "okay....well we do have to talk about this....but not now...don't worry sam we'll find a way....i have to get back to sheridan....i can't stand the fact that the cranes think they have control of everything...." "i know...i'll talk to you soon..." sam was sure julian didn't notice who he was talking to....he had to get home....to grace to make sure she was alright.... at the bennett house.... the kitchen window was open as sam walked by....he heard grace laughing....in a laughter he never heard before...almost a chackle....so he proceeded with caution...and stopped by the window.... "oh alistar....i think that you and i make a great team...i keep the police chief of your back...while i play the wholesome house wife....and they all think that i'm just being my usual polite self when i accept invitations to your house....ha....they don't know that that's how we exchange information...." sam couldn't believe his ears....this wasn't the grace he knew...no this had to be a dream... "well i was there to keep him and ivy apart right...." "yes my dear you were.....if he hadn't fallen for you...no doubt him and ivy would have pursued each other....she would have divorced julian....if sam hadn't married you..." "haha....and i'm definetely putting the flames of their love out before it even has a chance to spark..." "good job today....we needed a way for him to go to the hospital so that julian could pull the gun on him.....so to speak....but if he does...we will...." grace laughed....sam backed away from the wall....no this couldn't be....he walked away slowly...no this all had to be a nightmare......

back at the boston hospital....2 days had gone by....luis stayed at a nearby hotel....he hadn't been about to talk to sheridan because everytime he was there she was asleep...or he thought...she didn't want to talk to him now....luis came later in the afternoon to see how sheridan was.... luis walked into the hospital room...just as sheridan was doing the last bottom on her jacket... "oh damn..." she muttered....and looked up at luis with a forced smile on her face...."luis....i...ahh...." "you were going to leave again....don't you understand how much danger you're in....i mean roger and jean pierre are still out there..." "look luis i'm fine...the bullet only scraped me..." "only scrap you!!! sheridan they had to take to the o.r. to remove the bullet..." "okay...but the nurse said i was okay...and they even let me check myself out...." "sheridan...look..."he aproached her and grab her firmly by the shoulders...."would you just stop this....by this time i would think that you would know that i was right....and you're wrong!!!" sheridan's eyes blazed with fury "i was wrong!....yeah well let me tell you something luis...you kinapped me...and we've gone through all this trouble...and i still got shot..." "yeah well whose fault is that...if you hadn't gotten me arrested i could have stopped..." "ha!" "yes...so why don't you just admit that i've saved your behind whenever i told you that you were in danger...i've gone to great lengths to save you...though god knows you're the one who keeps putting yourself in the line of fire..." "oh...you..." sheridan pulled away from him "oh yes...mr. savoir....you have saved my life....wait a minute...." she looked directly at him...but seemed more to be talking to herself...."you've always been there....you were there in new mexico in the mudslide...you were there new years eve...you were there in paris....in all the times i was almost killed...you were at the police station...." she turned away from him to ponder it some more.... "that's right and i've been there to save you everytime...except when i was in cuffs...you i don't even know why i bother...you're so...." "that's it...." she stared at him "you've always been there...it's your fault...you know everytime you're around...something bad happens to me..." she went and grabbed her purse from the bed..."you know what i think luis...it's bad karma....i mean...you detest me...and everytime you're around...you're hatred of the cranes causes all these bad things to happen to me..." "karme?...atmosphere?..what are you talking about....?" "it's true luis...analyze it...everytime my life's been in danger it was because you were there....telling me how much you hated me..." "that's not true....what about the time they shot at you from the balcony...and i wasn't even there when they held you at gunpoint..." "yes...and both times i managed to escape death by myself...thank you very much....so with no further adieu...so long..." she gave him a hand salute and walked out the door... luis was imidiately caught up to her...."i am not gonna let you walk out of my life again..."

luis had sheridan pinned to the wall when he noticed that everyone was staring at them....he eased off..."we have to talk...but not here...he grabbed her arm..." "luis no!...no!....you are not going to pull you're cave man act on me....you can't just club me over the head and drag me to your...." she was yelling while trying to pull away....and luis put his mouth over hers and kissed her...sheridan struggled against him...she started backing her out of the door.... "that man looked like he was harrassing ms. crane...." one of the orderlies told the receptionist.... "no...those two are crazy about each other...he came here everyday just to watch her seep...and she must be just as crazy about him....can't you just see the chemistry in those two....she's lucky..." "really?" "yeah..their relationship is straight out of romance novel...if i had a man near me like that...i'd be the one clubbing him over the head and dragging him to my cave..." the both laughed.... once outside luis pulled away from the kiss...sheridan was in shock as she just ran her hand across her lips....luis lead her to the car...and once inside she was back to reality.... "you....agghhh...." she started pounding his chest...seeing as it did no good....she crossed her arms over his chest and turned to the open window....a police car was right next to them and the officer turned to look at them.... "gee...sheridan...i know you want me baby...but you'll just have to wait till we get to the hotel room to rip off my clothes...." sheridans mouth dropped open....and luis started the engine...and luis took the opportunity to kiss her again... once they were on the road.... "oh luis i could kill you!..." luis was in a playful mood..."you better be careful sheridan..." he gave her a mischievous grin..."you might just be the one in the cuffs...." sorry to make this short but i have to go somewhere....

sheridan gave him the same astounded look and turn her gaze outside the window...the wind was hitting her face...but it felt good...it kept her guard up...she was alone...in a car with luis...and she could feel him staring at her every once in a while because a cold sweat ran through her body.... "look sheridan...we're gonna clear up a lot of things..." "what's there to clear up...." "why you left harmony...and don't give me that "you already know" speech...." "luis why do you keep dragging this on...i swear...it's amazing..." "what's amazing..."luis' frustration was already surfacing... "i mean...after we've been through all of this....you still keep playing this masquerade...i've seen the true you luis and i want you to just stop playing me for i fool...." "playing you for a fool...? the true me...sheridan i don't know what going on in that crazy stubborn head of your...." "here we go again...just shut up luis!" she snapped..."you know if you're not willing to tell the truth to my face that's fine!..." she turned away from him again... "sheridan....you are so..." she covered her ears with her hands "dom dom...dom dido di dom...." seeing as there was no use...luis slammed his hand on the steering wheel and turned the radio up till it was blasting....sheridan uncovered her ears... the dj on the radio was just annoucing the next song..."well here's for all you lovers having problems...reo speedwagon...'keep on loving you'..." sheridans eyes widened and so did luis'..but niether made an attempt to change the station because it would mean that the song affected them...which neither wanted to show the other...

You should have seen by the look in my eyes, baby There was somethin' missin' You should have known by the tone of my voice, maybe But you didn't listen You played dead, but you never bled Instead you laid still in the grass all coiled up and hissin'

And though I know all about those men Still I don't remember Cause it was us, baby, way before then, and we're still together. And I meant, every word I said When I said that I loved you I meant that I loved you forever both sighed and tried to control the urge to turn to each other...

And I'm gonna keep on lovin' you Cause it's the only thing I wanna do I don't wanna sleep, I just wanna keep on lovin' you. Baby, I'm gonna keep on lovin' you Cause it's the only thing I wanna do I don't wanna sleep, I just wanna keep on lovin' you.

by the time the song was over there was an uncomfortable heat in the air... "oh..damn...i must have taken a wrong turn 20 miles back..." sheridan took that as an ice breaker..."well maybe we can turn around..." "no...i have no idea where we are..." with that sheridan burst out laughing...."what is so funny?" "you....you're one of the few guys to admit when they do something wrong..." "yeah...well i did...and know we're gonna have to just find another hotel..." but just as he said that they came to a dead end... "oh great..." luis rested his head on the steering wheel.... "look luis..you're pretty tired...i should drive..." "you can't drive...at least not with that injury..." "well you can't drive either...with our luck together...we'll crash..." "gee thanks...ms. driver of the year...." she gave him an artificial smile "well there's a dirt road over there...maybe it leads somewhere..." "wierd..." luis uttered as the went through the path... "what's wierd...." sheridan was admiring the romance of it all...middle of the night, deserted road, forest path...too bad luis didn't feel the same way... "i just had one of those...deja...whatever...when you feel like something's happened before..." "oh deja vous...you're right...something feels familiar about this place...maybe new mexico..." when luis stared at her she realized she had said it out loud and slapped a hand on her mouth....and turned away with her face all red.... they arrived at a cabin.... "looks abandoned....." luis stretched out and yawned.... sheridan yawned too..."i'm beat...i'm sure the owners won't mind if we use it just for the night.... "yeah...." luis gently pushed her in front of him...once inside the two found that it cozy...yet long uninhabited... "well there's sleeping bags and a blankets....you set them up i'll build the fire...." "okay...." a while later the fire was already made....but the debate was the sleeping arrangements... "well...ummm...it's not like we haven't sleep together before..." luis said nervously.... "well...besides we're adults here...." she took a deep breathe as she laid down...and luis beside her.... after minutes of uncomfortableness...with their backs to each other....they both fell asleep... luis began to dream...it was the police station....roger pulled a gun...and a shot...sheridan...but everyone was crowind in...he couldn't get to her...finally he did...but by then she was dead..."no sheridan...no...." she felt him stirring...and sat up...she watched him...just like the night of new years eve...he was dreaming about his father..."no...no...." "luis..wake up..." her head was right above his....when he opened his eyes.... "sheridan?" he cupped her face to make sure it was really her....and pulled her mouth to his....at that moment sheridan lost her hold on her balance...and fell into him...

the kiss intoxicated both of them....luis rolled over gently...but the kiss brought sheridan the memory of the wharf.... "stop!" she quickly pulled away from him....and was suddenly siezed with pain from the bullet wound... "sheridan...are you okay?" he was afraid to get close to her... "i'm just fine..." she stood up and went to the dining area...she sat down on one of the chair....she undid the middle buttons of the polo shirt she was wearing as a nightgown (curtesy of luis)..."aghhh..." the bandage was beging to soak with blood..." "don't need help my butt....." luis got up...he had on his jeans (we all know how good luis looks with his shirt off...lol) and walked to the car...sheridan's eyes paniced for a moment when she saw luis walk out the door... "let me add another layer of bandage...the blood's probably just seeping through the stitches and need to clot up a bit..." he started towards her but she was fully aware of what his touch did to her "no!..i can do it..." she took the first aid kit from him...and found some pain killers/sleep aids...which she took immediately... while sheridan struggled with the binding...luis rebuilt the fire...and when he was done and she was still straining...he came and toook over..."but..i..." she began to protest... "you know something sheridan...some people would run out of a burning building...but you...you'd run in...and run out...just to make the point that you could do it without my help..." luis was finished a second later he helped to lay down on the blankets...she gave him a sarcastic smile..."oh no luis...i'd run into a burning building just so you could save me...i just love when you wisk me away with those strong steel arms of yours..superman.." she burst out laughing... "ha ha...very funny..." he took his place beside her.... "oh luis...take a joke..." the medication was starting to set in...to luis' surprise sheridan scooted over and put her head on his shoulder....she started dancing her fingers on his chest and giggling... she looked up at him...her hand went behind his head and pulled it down to meet her lips...this time she didn't push him away....instead she turned so that his upper body was on top of her....luis started trailing kisses from behind her ear down her neck... he looked up..only to find she was asleep...."great...some casinova i am..." he pulled her into his arms...and felt her automatically cuddle up to him...."night louis..." he kissed her lips lightly...it felt good...it felt right...to have sheridan in his arms...as he closed his eyes...

sheridan gave him the same astounded look and turn her gaze outside the window...the wind was hitting her face...but it felt good...it kept her guard up...she was alone...in a car with luis...and she could feel him staring at her every once in a while because a cold sweat ran through her body.... "look sheridan...we're gonna clear up a lot of things..." "what's there to clear up...." "why you left harmony...and don't give me that "you already know" speech...." "luis why do you keep dragging this on...i swear...it's amazing..." "what's amazing..."luis' frustration was already surfacing... "i mean...after we've been through all of this....you still keep playing this masquerade...i've seen the true you luis and i want you to just stop playing me for i fool...." "playing you for a fool...? the true me...sheridan i don't know what going on in that crazy stubborn head of your...." "here we go again...just shut up luis!" she snapped..."you know if you're not willing to tell the truth to my face that's fine!..." she turned away from him again... "sheridan....you are so..." she covered her ears with her hands "dom dom...dom dido di dom...." seeing as there was no use...luis slammed his hand on the steering wheel and turned the radio up till it was blasting....sheridan uncovered her ears... the dj on the radio was just annoucing the next song..."well here's for all you lovers having problems...reo speedwagon...'keep on loving you'..." sheridans eyes widened and so did luis'..but niether made an attempt to change the station because it would mean that the song affected them...which neither wanted to show the other...

You should have seen by the look in my eyes, baby
There was somethin' missin'
You should have known by the tone of my voice, maybe
But you didn't listen
You played dead, but you never bled
Instead you laid still in the grass all coiled up and hissin'

And though I know all about those men
Still I don't remember
Cause it was us, baby, way before then, and we're still together.
And I meant, every word I said
When I said that I loved you I meant that I loved you forever

both sighed and tried to control the urge to turn to each other...

And I'm gonna keep on lovin' you
Cause it's the only thing I wanna do
I don't wanna sleep, I just wanna keep on lovin' you.
Baby, I'm gonna keep on lovin' you
Cause it's the only thing I wanna do
I don't wanna sleep, I just wanna keep on lovin' you.

by the time the song was over there was an uncomfortable heat in the air... "oh..damn...i must have taken a wrong turn 20 miles back..." sheridan took that as an ice breaker..."well maybe we can turn around..." "no...i have no idea where we are..." with that sheridan burst out laughing...."what is so funny?" "you....you're one of the few guys to admit when they do something wrong..." "yeah...well i did...and know we're gonna have to just find another hotel..." but just as he said that they came to a dead end... "oh great..." luis rested his head on the steering wheel.... "look luis..you're pretty tired...i should drive..." "you can't drive...at least not with that injury..." "well you can't drive either...with our luck together...we'll crash..." "gee thanks...ms. driver of the year...." she gave him an artificial smile "well there's a dirt road over there...maybe it leads somewhere..." "wierd..." luis uttered as the went through the path... "what's wierd...." sheridan was admiring the romance of it all...middle of the night, deserted road, forest path...too bad luis didn't feel the same way... "i just had one of those...deja...whatever...when you feel like something's happened before..." "oh deja vous...you're right...something feels familiar about this place...maybe new mexico..." when luis stared at her she realized she had said it out loud and slapped a hand on her mouth....and turned away with her face all red.... they arrived at a cabin.... "looks abandoned....." luis stretched out and yawned.... sheridan yawned too..."i'm beat...i'm sure the owners won't mind if we use it just for the night.... "yeah...." luis gently pushed her in front of him...once inside the two found that it cozy...yet long uninhabited... "well there's sleeping bags and a blankets....you set them up i'll build the fire...." "okay...." a while later the fire was already made....but the debate was the sleeping arrangements... "well...ummm...it's not like we haven't sleep together before..." luis said nervously.... "well...besides we're adults here...." she took a deep breathe as she laid down...and luis beside her.... after minutes of uncomfortableness...with their backs to each other....they both fell asleep... luis began to dream...it was the police station....roger pulled a gun...and a shot...sheridan...but everyone was crowind in...he couldn't get to her...finally he did...but by then she was dead..."no sheridan...no...." she felt him stirring...and sat up...she watched him...just like the night of new years eve...he was dreaming about his father..."no...no...." "luis..wake up..." her head was right above his....when he opened his eyes.... "sheridan?" he cupped her face to make sure it was really her....and pulled her mouth to his....at that moment sheridan lost her hold on her balance...and fell into him...

when sheridan awoke she smelled the aroma of coffe in the air....she stretched her arms... "well mornin' sleepy head...cup of coffee?" "you're amazing luis...you're like davie crockett or macgyver or something...geez...how'd you make coffee..." "elmentary my dear sheridan...there's a gas stove...got some water from the lake...boiled it added coffe from my "survival" kit"....she sat beside his and drank some coffee....but frowned as she noticed her reflection in the black liquid... "sheridan we really have to talk..." 'oh not again...'..."hey luis you look pretty cleaned up...is there a shower around here...." "no there's a lake in the back..."...he was disappointed...he already sensed the avoidance of the subject in her voice..."look sheridan this is very impportant...please..." she'd never heard him sound so desparate before...."okay...tell you what...just stand gaurd while i wash up...and you can do the talking..." luis followed her out carring a towel and her clothes for her...luis leaned against a tree...sheridan realised she couldn't go into the water...not with her wound...so she'd have to risk luis getting full veiw of her..."okay luis start talking...." "ummm...." it was hard for him to concentrate...knowing that she was naked...just a few feet away...."yeah...look you remember when you got shot..." "geez...how can i forget..." "no...i mean way after...like when you were going under...." "no not really...." but she remembered him being there for her... "well you said something to me....you told me why you left..." "i did?!" she was done...and began putting on her clothes...when the shock caused her to lose her balance...."agghhh..." luis turned around...but she had managed to catch her fall...."oh....ummmm....." luis couldn't help but drop his jaw at the sight of her perfect body.... they both had a flashback of the youth center...when sheridan walked in on him...sheridan couldn't help but get back at luis for his arrogance..."i'm find luis...did you want something..." he turned away quickly red-faced...as a smirk made it's way acrosss sheridan 's face.... "as i....ahh...was saying....you said you left harmony...because of what i said to you at the wharf..." sheridan suddenly felt chills run down her....she felt her insides twist...no why did they have to keep bringing this up...."great...now we have it all settled....now we can go home...and go our separate ways...." she gave him a forced smile.... "look sheridan..." he grabbed her arm as her went past him..."it wasn't me..." "my god luis!!! you are so incredible..." she gave him a hard shove..."and i actually thought that you were finally man enough to admit what a two faced liar you are!" "just hear me out...." "hear you out?!...i think i've heard plenty enough that night...." she started walking about from him... "you're brother an father hired an imposter..."

she stopped on her tracks..."you can't lie yourself out of this one luis...i cannot believe my father and brother would go to such low extremes"...she started walking again...but stopped and turned around...."wait a minute...okay so i can imagine it....but why would they..." "they've been set on having us apart ever since the begining...." "luis...i don't know what to say....i'm so sorry...." she walked towards him....the hell she put him though..."all this time..." she looked down.....she cpould feel the stinging of tears in her eyes.... he placed a hand under her chin..."sheridan...none of this was you're fault...you didn't know...if anything i should be sorry...i mean...no wonder why you've been so angry....it did seem like i turned out like all those guys...." "but still...." she laid her head on his shoulder...."what are we gonna do?"

he just smiled...."i don't know....i really don't know...for starters....how about...just being here....i've missed you so much sheridan...." they laid down on the grass....everything was calm....they were comfotable in each others arms "really....but you've seemed to have hated every mintue you spent with me...." "no...i love spending every minute with you....because i knew...that somewhere...the woman that fed me lobster, had ice cream in the dean of winter with me, and beat mac at darts...." they both laughed...."i knew that you were somewhere behind the wall...i knew that something must have happened....and i just couldn't let you get away....not when i thought you could be "the one"... "thought?....what about now?" "well now.....now i know...." he smiled as he pulled her in for a passionate kiss....

it was noon before they got up from their picnic... "so what are we gonna do now luis...?" she she leaned her head back and looked at the trees..."why doesn it seem like when you've built a foundation it always gets torn down..." "what do you mean..." he wasn't even thinking about the future...just being with her...he brushed back strands of her hair... "like when we first met...we hated each other...then i started to fall in love with you...but everything got ruined...and now...i'm in heaven again and someone's probably gonna jolt me from this dream..." "no...i won't let that happen..." he smiled at her...it seemed like they'd always been like this..."tell me...when did you first realize you loved me...?"he gave her a sheepish smile "okay don juan...so i felt your latin-irish charm..." "the first time you laid eyes on me..." "don't flatter yourself...it wasn't until we were about to leave new mexico that i started to feel something for you..." "could it have because we slept together...." he was in a very playful mood... "luis stop it...come on...we need to start thinking up a plan...i mean...i don't know what i'd do if i didn't have you in my life..." "well i've already got a plan a b and c..."

"really?" "yup...plan a...drive back to harmony tell everyone that we're madly in love...and..." "and...?" she had a hopeful smile... "and i realized that that plan wouldn't work...too many complications...my family your family...first we had to straighten things out...." "plan b...tell your family that they can't keep us apart...find some incriminating evidence and have your family locked away...then tell evryone we love each...but that plan doesn't work either.." "why...?" "because i won't make you give up your family....if i could bring down your father and brother...i'll make sure that they really deserve it...and not just because i want you..." "so what's plan c?" by now there was hopelessness in her voice "well...i don't like it either...but it's the only choice we have...i spoke to sam this morning...looks like he has his own problems with the cranes...but he said that julian was the reason ivy was in the hospital..."

"ivy's in the hospital..." she had gotten close to her... "yeah...and if their willing to go through such lengths...there must be a huge skeleton in their closet...." distress kept into sheridan's eyes..."i don't want to cause you any pain...so if there's anyway around this whole thing...sam and i will find it...so hey don't worry okay" "no luis...my brother and father are horrible people...whatever happens it'll be their own doing..." "well... we'll go back to harmony...the press had that you were shot...tina has said that she'll say that you never made the complaint at all...that way we can go back to our normal lives...but we have to pretend that we still hate each others guts..."

"that won't be too hard...." she smiled at him as she stood up and headed for the cabin... "what's that suppose to mean...?" he followed her in and caught her at the door... she laughed..."why luis you almost sound uncertain of yourself..." his faced turned red..."oh luis...." she looked at him lovingly as she cupped his face..."i only meant that it'll be easy...because it's what i've been doing all along...pretending to hate you...when all i wanted to do was throw myself at you..." she wasn't embarassed to say it...because she knew luis felt the same way.... luis gave her an ear to ear grin and picked her up..."well then...on to plan d..." "i didn't know there was a plan d...well what is it this time...eloping?" "this is..." he lowered her on the blankets and met her lips for a long awaited first kiss...

sheridan and luis are in the car they're in the outskirts of harmony... "geez...i don't know if i can go through with this luis..." sheridan said nervously..."my father and brother are bound to find out that i know..." "we'll be fine...don't worry...sam and i have to talk...but in the mean time things just have to lay low..." he had his arms around her...and took the in the last few moments of cuddling with her just as they passed the sign that said "welcome to harmony"...they gave each other a long hard kiss...one to last them for however long it would be till their next one.... they pulled into the crane mansion driveway...pilar and julian were waiting outside (the guards called they main house to say the were coming) "okay sweetheart time for your closeup..." luis whispered into her ear as they made their way to the house...

"sheridan...my dear we heard about everything...are you okay?" julian undoubtedly didn't care as he paid more attention to the swishing of his brandy against the glass than her answer... sheridan took a deep swallow...and couldn't seem to come up with words until luis gave her a stern look..."yea when...i've been better..." luis smiled...sheridan sounded like her arrogant self... "oh i can understand...let me get you something to eat you're probably exhuasted you should go the cabin..." pilar was about to take sheridan's hand to lead her to the cabin 'sheridan does look drowsy...and that bullet wound hasn't had time to heal yet'...instead he blurted..."no mama...i won't let you do such a thing!!!...sheridan can handle herself...having yelled at me all the way...i'm sure she can make it to the cabin by herself..." he could see the hurt that flashed in sheridan's eyes

"i'm going to let father know that you're home safe and sound" julian left satisfied...knowing that nothing came out...by sheridan's tone and the fact that luis still hated her... "i'll take her to the cabin mama..." "besides pilar...i'm not hungry...i just want to get some sleep" "okay...you're sure..." pilar called over her shoulder... they both nodded...luis lead sheridan to her cottage and closed the door behind them... "come on into bed with you..." he picked her up...and took her to the bedroom...and laid her on the covers..."you know only said that because your brother was there..." "i know..." she smiled at him... "i better talk to sam..." he gave her a quick kiss...knowing if it was anymore than that he would have stayed...

at the police station...

"hey luis...good i'm so glad you're here...there's so much i have to tell you..." he took luis into the interogation room... "hey sam...so how are we gonna deal with this...?" "honestly luis...i don't know...but we have a lot more to deal with then i thought...the cranes have people doing their inside work..." "what do you mean...here in the police department...?!" "no..." sam was quiet for a moment..."grace...is working for the cranes..." "what?!"...luis was in absolute shock... "yeah...turns out she's been working with them for years now...she has acess to the police department...influences over this whole town..." he looked away in deep thought... "i'm sorry sam...god...what are we gonna do...?" "only one way that we'll be able to live our lives...and that's to bring down the crane empire...which is gonna be nearly impossible not to mention fatal..."

Sam I don't know how we're going to bring down the cranes luis thought about Sheridan. It was going to be very hard on her he didn't want to put her in the middle of all of this though she told him that whatever happened would be their own doing he knew that she stilled cared for her family, but I also have to worry about protecting her from the drug cartel they aren't about to give up now. I know that you love Sheridan luis, but you have to be prepared for whatever happens. Sam commiserated with luis he loved ivy and maybe all this time he still did.

Sam what are you trying to say? luis was worried All I'm saying luis is that everything we're dealing with is unexpected and you shouldn't be caught off guard if Sheridan decides to side with her family. Sam, I'm not going to make Sheridan choose between her family and myself I want her to believe me, but I'm not dragging her through the mud I've already explained to her that I'm going to be doing some investigation, but I won't have her helping me. Well luis I think you'd better go home you haven't seen your family in a while the cranes may have connections but I have a few tricks up my sleeve also. Let's just say I've made a phone call that could get us a man on the inside at the same time having sheridan protected.

That's great Sam let me know the minute anything turns up. Luis went home his mom was still working and Miguel and Theresa were at school he needed some sleep badly he drifted off with thoughts of Sheridan occupying his mind. When he awoke it was eight later that night he knew had a lot to take care of maybe not at the station, but everything was probably a wreck at the youth center. Sheridan sat up in her bed she missed luis already. So much had happened at the cabin, but there was still so many things between them she needed to see luis she called his house and when no one answered she figured that he was at the youth center.

It was 11 o'clock by the time luis finished making all the small repairs the painting would have to wait till the next day he had just come out of the locker room showered with only his jeans on when he saw her standing at the doorway she had on a button up sweater and a skirt both blue to compliment her eyes. Sheridan he took at deep breath at the sight of her. What are you doing here? Do you know how late it is?Did you bring a guard with you? No luis I didn't bring a guard. You're not still seriously thinking I need one not here in harmony? She put her purse down and smiled as she eyed luis. Sheridan how many times do I have to tell you you're life is in danger and I can't risk losing you and he trailed off as she walked towards him.

Perhaps you'd like to apply for the position of bodyguard she gave him a teasing smile. Sheridan, I just worry about you. She was right next to him and bit her bottom lip and turned away. Well I could hire someone to guard me I suppose maybe even that cute one mike yes he used to hit on me. I'm sure he'll guard me with his...before she could continue luis had her around the waist and she gasped he twirled her around and was met with a content smile on her face.

I don't want anybody guarding your body but me. He noticed that his actions had undone the top two bottoms of her sweater revealing the swell of her breasts. Ummm Sheridan we can't do this. She was fully aware that the building was empty he was being very conservative she wanted to unleash luis make him let go of this proper servant of the law attitude. What can't we do luis? She asked innocently. Sheridan you should...luis was getting uneasy she was doing this on purpose seducing him the room temperature was increasing fast. I should what she backed him into a wall you know what I really should do. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down.

She kissed him slowly, but it was luis who deepened the kiss the woman drove him into fits of anger now she was driving him into raw passion his hands found their way to her stomach and started undoing the buttons of her sweater from the bottom. When only one button connected her shirt together she pulled away from him. Luis you're right we shouldn't do this here she said in a husky voice she turned away from him and pretended to replace her shirt...

Luis came up behind her and picked her up..."you're right we shouldn't do this here..." he took her into his office and laid her on the couch...luis knew he shouldn't do this...he looked at the bandaging on her stomach..."luis...i'm fine it's been over a week now..." to show him just how okay she was...she turned him over so that she was on top...just then they heard hanks voice boom through the empty building...

they scrambed to their feet....luis hurriedly helped sheridan rebutton her shirt....as he straightened himself out....sheridan turned away to fix herself when hank came into the office... "hey...buddy...." hank looked at them suspiciously..."hey sheridan...i heard all about the shooting in the news...are you okay..." "yea i'm fine..." she gave hank a big smile and hug...from the corner of her eye...she saw luis' jaw tighten... "what were you guys doing at the boston police station anyway...the news never said..."

"i wanted to make sure that the drug cartel didn't follow us...so i needed to check with the authorities...if they knew of anything..." "yea...well so how are you sheridan...?" "well fine...no thanks to luis..." even though she was thinking about how witty he was for coming up with the excuse just that second... "i see you guys are still argueing...." just then beth came into the office with some coffee and pizza... "hey i didn't know you guys were here.....well here you go luis...dinner just as i had promised earlier...."

sheridan's eyes darted to luis'....so luis and beth had already planned dinner.... "thanks beth....you shouldn't have...." luis smiled....but gave sheridan an apologetic look... "hey you know...we should all go on a double date...to welcome sheridan home..." "ummm...well...." sheridan...was still mad about beth being chummy with luis..."why not..." she smiled at hank and gave him a quick kis....just to let luis know...two could play the jealousy game... "okay so how about tomorrow night..." beth couldn't hardly hide her joy at luis being hers...and showing it to sheridan "well it's kind of late...so i'd better go home..." sheridan smiled at all of them "oh no you don't...listen sheridan...your life is still very much in danger..." luis grabbed her arm...

"look luis...i can take care of myself..." and she whispered angrily..."besides don't you have other people to take care of"...and she stared at the direction of beth... "sheridan don't do this....you know how i feel about you..." they were caught in a sweet moment when hank noticed it and came in... "i'll take sheridan home..." he took sheridan in his arms...luis could she her discomfort....but couldn't really do anything....

when hank left her...alone...sheridan didn't know what to think...she couldn't go on like this...and luis' couldn't either...if he truely did love her....suddenly she started to think maybe luis only said he loved her out of guilt that she almost died....just then she was pulled from her thoughts....by a knock on the door... "hank...i'll be ok...contrary to what luis might think...." she opened the door and was instantly caught in a passionate kiss...

a while later...luis and sheridan laid in her bed... "luis...i don't think i can take all this...you and beth being together...." "don't worry...everything's gonna be okay....just have a little patience...sam is working on a plan...we'll be together soon..." "but i don't know how i'll deal with tomorrow night....you and beth...her giving you gogo eyes..." "how do you think i'll feel about you and hank...tonight i just wanted to rip his arm off of you...but whatever happens...we'll deal with it together..." "you do know...that if beth tries anything on you...that you'll regret it right..."she gave him a seductive smile...

To Be Continued...

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