A surprising fic by Liz.
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with anybody.
Chapter 1
Luis sat silently on the couch, solemnly watching Theresa decorate the 6-foot pine tree standing in their living room.
"Can you put the star on top for me Luis?" Theresa asked him, trying to untangle herself from the golden garland she had managed to wrap around her waist. "Luis?" She called out again; he was obviously lost in thought.
"Sorry sis, did you say something?" Luis looked up, tired, at Theresa.
She sighed, "I asked if you could put the star on top up the tree� I can�t reach it." She held out the star to him. She watched him carefully as he took it. He moved so slowly, so tired. He hadn�t slept much at all the past few weeks. Sheridan�s death had affected him more than anyone could ever imagine. He still pulled that same brown sweater on every day, saying it couldn�t be washed that he could still smell her. He went to her grave every morning and placed a single red rose on the tombstone, then he would sit on a nearby bench, and cry. He was falling apart. He hadn�t been to work since her death. He didn�t care; he didn�t want to care.
"There," He said, sitting back down on the couch, and pulling a pillow up under his chin.
"How�s it look?" Theresa asked, trying to sound cheerful.
Luis raised his eyebrows and sighed, "It�s beautiful," he said softly.
Theresa knew all too well what he was thinking- that Sheridan should be there with him to see that tree; that it should have been their tree he was decorating, not hers. Theresa�s thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door; "I�ll get it!" She hurried to the wooden door and looked outside.
"Hello," Theresa looked strangely at the thin; gray headed man standing before her. He was wearing a long, black leather trench coat.
"Is Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald here, may I speak with him please?" The man spoke up clearly, with a heavy tone.
"Just a moment," Theresa went back to the living room, "Luis, someone�s at the door. They want to talk to you."
"Who is it?" He asked sounding a bit annoyed.
"I�m not sure." Theresa shrugged, "He didn�t say."
Luis groaned as he stood up. Sluggishly, he made his way to the door.
"Agent Freeman?" Luis questioned as he looked outside, "Come in?" He gestured for the man to come inside, and he did.
"How are you doing Luis?" Hal asked softly.
"I could be better," Luis shut the door and led him into the living room, offering him a seat on the couch, while he took a nearby chair for himself. "So what brings you by?"
"We�ve got them Luis. We have Roger and Pierre in custody," He looked up at Luis. He noticed the dark circles around his blood shot eyes. "We knew they would start up their drug ring again once Ms. Crane was out of their way. So, we waited. We watched them, until one day, we were lucky enough to catch them off guard. We sent someone undercover to meet Roger and Pierre, and once they got there, they were arrested."
"Well, that�s great." Luis said, a little less than enthused. "Why did you have to come to tell me this?"
"That isn�t the only reason I came Luis," Agent Freeman spoke slowly. How was he supposed to ask this of him? After everything that he had been through, and now this. "We need you to testify against them in court. You are a key witness; you�ve seen what they will do to get to anyone who stands in their way. We need you to describe some of the attempts on Ms. Crane�s life."
Luis looked up in disbelief. How could he expect him to follow through with this? "Are you insane? I can�t do that!" Luis stood up and propped himself on the mantel of the fireplace, "I just can�t relieve all of that. I don�t think I could handle it."
"It�s the only way they�ll get what they deserve," Hal was pleading with him, "Without you, we have no case against them, at least not one that will keep them locked up for good."
Luis sighed, he knew Hal was right, he just didn�t want to be part of it. He was too afraid of falling apart on the stand, reliving all those memories of the times he shared with Sheridan, "You�ve got a point."
"Well, I hope this means you are agreeing to help?"
"I guess so."
"Good. The trial begins the day before Christmas. I�ll come by and pick you up." Agent Freeman walked toward the door, but before leaving he turned around to say, "You won�t regret this Luis. I promise." And with that, he left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luis stood in front of the mirror, striating his tie. He sighed heavily. He had been dreading this day since Agent Freeman came over. The thought of having to face those bastards! The once that had taken Sheridan away from him. "At least I�ll be helping to put them where they belong," He thought as he left the bathroom of the courthouse and headed out to take his seat in the courtroom.
"Yes, he�s here�. The next witness, well that wonderful! No, no he doesn�t know anything� wait, here he comes, I�ve got to go." Agent Freeman hung up his phone as soon as Luis sat down next to him.
"How much longer before I get called?" He asked impatiently.
"I�m not sure Luis, you�ll just have to be patient. It�s almost over." Luis noticed the small smile that crept across Hal�s lips as he spoke, "They are about to be finished."
"Please rise," the officer called out as the judge took his place on the bench, "as Judge Wernar presides."
Everyone in the courtroom stood.
"You may be seated," the Judge Wernar called out, and everyone sat. "Prosecution, you may now call your next witness."
Luis reached up to straighten his tie again, he knew it was about to be his turn.
"Your honor, the Prosecution calls Ms. Sheridan Crane to the stand."
Chapter 2
�Your honor, the Prosecution calls Ms. Sheridan Crane to the stand.�
Small gasps were heard throughout the courtroom, and Luis was probably the most shocked of all.
�Sh- Sheridan?� He started looking around. The wooden double doors in the back of the courtroom began to swing open. Luis spun around. Two uniformed officers, on opening each door strode in. A beautiful blond walking in between them. It was most definitely Sheridan, and she was obviously alive.
Luis was breathless, and speechless. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he had tiny beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. He had already begun to stand up, when a strong hand on his shoulder pulled him back down into his seat.
�Luis,� Agent Freeman whispered, �She doesn�t know you are here.�
Luis sat back down and eyed Freeman harshly; �She�s alive? What do you mean she doesn�t know I�m here? Have you been hiding her? From me? How could you?�
Agent Freeman started to speak as the judge called for order in the court.
�Order! Please!� He slammed his hammer on his desk, trying to stop this whispers and gasps going on while Sheridan had been taking her oath. �Ms. Crane, please take your seat.�
Sheridan climbed up on the bench and sat down where she was instructed. She was scared out of her mind. Everyone here thought she was dead, but here she was, in front of hundreds of people, about to send two people to jail for the rest of their lives.
Luis looked at her; she was shaking like a leaf. �She needs me�� he whispered to Agent Freeman, �She�s horrified. Just look at her!� He turned to Freeman angrily, clutching his fists together, and lowering his voice to an angry whisper, he asked, �What the hell did you do to her?�
�Sh�� Agent Freeman whispered to him, and notioned for him to listen to Sheridan.
Luis once again looked at her. The last time he had seen her, she was lying in a casket. He had held her lifeless body in his arms, seen her blood. How could it be possible that she was sitting there before his very eyes? He looked her over. Her dark gray skirt and mint green fleece sweater made her blue eyes sparkle. Her hair curling towards her face made her cheeks glow. He could tell by looking at her flushed cheeks that she was a nervous wreck.
Sheridan sat there twiddling her fingers, patiently waiting to be questioned. She didn�t know what they would ask, but she knew she would soon have to explain to everyone just how she ended up alive. She raised her eyes from the floor and slowly started looking around the full courtroom. On the very first row of seats behind the prosecution�s table, she found Agent Freeman with his arm on a man�s shoulder. The man had his face buried in his hands, but his haircut made her heart pound. He here was just like Luis�s. The man raised his face, and their eyes locked. It was Luis.
Luis swallowed hard the moment his eyes connected with Sheridan�s. He could see tiny tears welling up in her eyes. He wanted so badly just to run to her, and hold her, never again to let her go.
Sheridan opened her mouth as if she were about to say something to Luis when the prosecution attorney started, �First I am going to ask you a few simple questions to calm your nerves. Just relax Ms. Crane, and everything will be just fine.� The attorney smiled, and spoke very nicely.
Sheridan was glad; she couldn�t handle it if some wild attorney came in here attacking her for the proper answers. She finally let go of Luis�s stare, and faced the attorney.
�Can you please state your name?�
�Sheridan Crane.�
�Your honor, I object!� The defense attorney stood, �This woman was pronounced dead over a month ago, how is it possible that she is a witness in this case?�
The judge turned to the prosecution, �He does have a point, Sheridan Crane was pronounced dead.�
�If I could have just a moment, your honor,� The attorney spoke gently, and turned back to Sheridan, �Ms. Crane, could you please tell the court exactly how it is that you are alive and with us today?�
�Yes sir,� Sheridan straightened in her chair, and drew in a deep breath. At first, she didn�t think she had the strength to go through with it, then she looked up into Luis�s dark brown eyes.
Luis saw the fear in her eyes, he caught her gaze and nodded lightly, signaling to her that everything would be just fine, to go on.
Sheridan received his signal and began her story, �Well, your honor, this whole thing, my death, well it was just one giant set up. There were very few people involved, besides the FBI�� Luis turned to Agent Freeman, he was about to start questioning him, and Hal knew it. He held up a finger, and whispered, �Just listen Luis��
��Infact, I didn�t even know about it until just a few hours before it happened. You see, Agent Hal Freeman, of the FBI, assigned Officer Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald to be my permanent 24-hour bodyguard, to protect me from the drug cartel. They had a hit out on me. After a while, it was decided that there needed to be another bodyguard, so Luis chose his best friend, Hank Bennett to be it. When he chose Hank, the FBI ran a background check on him��
�Do you know what kind of information they found on Hank Bennett?� the attorney asked.
�No, nothing other than he used to work for the FBI.�
�Carry on��
�Well, what they had found, it must have been interesting enough for the drug cartel to hold over his head. The FBI knew that if they let a man with that kind of a past work that close to me, the drug cartel would threaten him with his past, so they made Hank a deal. If he would work for them and help them capture the drug dealers, then whatever they had on his record would be erased. Hank agreed. The drug cartel didn�t know anything about this deal, so they hired Hank to become their new hit man by blackmailing him with the information that they had on his past.
�Agent Freeman came to my cottage on night, and told Luis that I was considered safe by the FBI, and that they had to go to Washington right then to take care of the paper work. Freeman carried me into the kitchen, where he explained to me what I am explaining to you now. He said that Hank would shoot me that night, but not to worry. That it would only be like a tranquilizer, that it wouldn�t actually kill me only makes me appear to be dead. So that night, after Luis and Hal left, Hank shot me, and Pierre was there with him, telling him to make sure I was dead. I woke up about a week later in a hospital. The FBI told me that they had traded my casket with an empty one when they had put it in the Hurst. That I was actually lying in the casket at my own funeral. They told me that they had caught Roger and Pierre and that I would be able to return back to Harmony after their trial.�
�Can you identify that man,� the attorney pointed towards Pierre, �as the man that accompanied Hank on the night of your murder?�
�Yes� that is him, that is the man that ordered me dead.� Sheridan stated tearfully.
�No further questions you honor.� The attorney went back to his seat.
�Defense?� Their attorney was stunned. He had no idea how to recover, so he simply stated, �No questions your honor.�
�Very well,� The judge stood, �We shall resume in the morning, and then we can return for the Prosecution to call their last witness.� The judge hammered his desk signaling the beginning of the recess.
Luis immediately locked eyes with Sheridan. Two cops were already at her side, as the media cameras began to flood around her with questions while they tried to scramble their way out of the door.
�Sheridan!� Luis tried to squeeze his way through the crowd to get to her, but he failed. He stood on the tips of his toes, watching as he saw her hair go out the door in front of him, and he heard her cry out to him, �Luis!�
Luis was still stuck in the courtroom as he saw the black government owned limousine pull away with Sheridan held safely inside. He spun around to face Agent Freeman; �I want to see her! I have to see her, now!�
The courtroom had emptied out some a few moments later, �Follow me Luis,� Agent Freeman took Luis out to the car, and carried him out of Harmony. They had driven over an hour when they reached the hospital in the small town Luis didn�t realize existed.
Chapter 3
�We�re outside the building now.� Luis sat silently as he listened to Agent Freeman on his cell phone. He was still furious at the man for not telling him that Sheridan was alive.
�Where the hell are we? And what are we doing here?� Luis questioned immediately after Agent Freeman hung up his phone.
�Just follow me Luis,� Agent Freeman said softly while getting out of the car.
Luis followed him into the building, down a long hall, and into an elevator. A strange feeling overcame him as the elevator began to move. �She�s here, isn�t she?� He whispered to Agent Freeman.
Hal opened his mouth like he was about to speak just as the elevator doors opened.
Luis stepped out of the elevator into a small white hall with three doors: one on the left, one on the right, and one straight ahead, at the end of the hall.
�Go to the last one Luis,� Agent Freeman instructed, �Go in there.�
Luis walked to the furthest door. With each step, the feeling in his stomach grew. His palms were sweating and his throat was dry. He placed his hand on the knob, then turned back to Agent Freeman, �Hal?�
�Just go Luis,� he smiled, and went into the door on the right.
Luis slowly turned the knob and carefully pushed open the door, not making a sound. He stood inside the small room, stunned and breathless, not noticing anything inside the small white room, except what lay on the bed.
Sheridan lay on the bed with her back to Luis, crying. She hadn�t heard him come in. Luis took another step in the room and let the door swing shut behind him, causing Sheridan to turn to him and face him.
�Luis�� she whispered as she slowly sat up.
�Sheridan,� This was when he noticed her tears, �You�re crying� why?� He asked softly as he walked toward the bed.
�They wouldn�t let me see you at the courthouse today�� She answered as she watched him sit down next to her.
�I tried to get to you� there were just too many people there,� He said slowly, never taking his eyes off hers.
�I know�� She whispered.
�You- you�re alive�� He gently lifted his hand to her cheek. She choked back her tears as she shook her head yes, and gently titled her face into the palm of his hand.
Luis leaned in and placed a small kiss where a tear had been. Her skin tasted so salty; she was real.
Sheridan gasped at the feel of his lips; she had missed him so much. She had longed to see him, but they wouldn�t let her. They had kept her locked up in this building the whole time. She gently pulled away from him, �Luis� they won�t let me go home until Roger and Pierre�s trials are through.�
�Then I�ll come see you everyday until then,� He smiled, still caressing her face with his hand.
She smiled through her tears.
Suddenly the door opened, and Agent Freeman walked in, �We had better go if we plan on making it for the rest of the trial. You can both ride with me, and if all goes as planned, Luis may be able to take you home tonight Ms. Crane.�
Luis stood up and wrapped his arms around Sheridan, �I hope so�� he whispered in her ear, �I have a surprise for you.�
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan held tightly on to Luis�s hand as he followed Agent Freeman into the courtroom. They had made it just in time for Judge Werner to make his entrance.
�I believe we left off just as the Prosecution was going to call their last witness?� The judge stated, �You may call them now.�
Luis sat up in his chair, he was ready to put those drug lords behind bars; he was ready to be with Sheridan.
�The Prosecution would like to call Hank Bennett.�
�Hank?� Luis looked at Agent Freeman questioningly, �I thought they were supposed to call me?�
�They were, but since the truth about Sheridan�s �death� has come out, everyone agreed that Hank would do much more damage to them than you could,� Agent Freeman whispered as Hank was taking the stand.
�Hank Bennett,� the attorney started, �What can you tell us about these men?�
�Well,� Hank sat upright, �They hired me to kill Ms. Crane.�
�And, because you were working undercover with the FBI, alongside Ms. Crane, you agreed, am I correct?�
�Yes sir.�
Luis sat, holding tight to Sheridan�s trembling fingers, as they both listened to Hank give his testimony. Everything was coming together splendidly and the trail was just about to end. Everyone had finished their questionings, and the judge had stepped out for a brief recess.
�Hey!� Hank walked over to where Sheridan and Luis were sitting, �How are you guys feeling?�
�Much better now,� Luis said, smiling at Sheridan, �Although I wish the two of you would have told me about this sooner��
�Luis, we couldn�t� it wouldn�t have worked the same�� Sheridan pleaded.
�And I know you buddy,� Hank said, �You wouldn�t have let her out of your site for one second� you would have had to been with her at all times� there�s no way this could have went down like it did if you would have been involved.�
Luis sighed, �Yea, I guess you�re right.�
�There�s another reason I didn�t tell you either Luis�� Sheridan looked into his eyes.
�Why?�
�For us� now that this is over, you�re no longer my bodyguard. When Hank first told me about this whole plan, the first thing I thought of, was when you threw your badge away. Now, there�s no risk against your career if we are together�� she smiled.
�You�re absolutely right,� He whispered and kissed her.
�All rise�� Hank sat down on the other side of Luis as the judge came back into the courtroom.
�I have made a decision in this case�� The judge opened up a small folder laying on his bench, �The court finds the defendants, guilty of all drug charges, and a charge of attempted murder, on the life of Mrs. Sheridan Crane. As well as the guilty to the charge of the murder of Jean Luc. A later hearing date shall be set for their punishment, jail time, bond possibilities, etc. Until then, they are to be kept in the Harmony prison.�
Sheridan let out a long sigh of relief, it was finally over, and she was finally safe. She closed her eyes and leaned her head on Luis�s shoulder.
�Are you OK?� He whispered.
She raised her head and looked into his eyes, �I am fine. But you know what would make me a lot better since all of this is over?�
�What�s that?� He asked.
�If you could just take me home,� She smiled.
Luis grinned, �Not yet� I have somewhere I need to take you first�� He stood up and extended his hand, �Follow me�� Sheridan took his hand and followed him out to the car.
Chapter 4
Sheridan sat in the car, never letting go of Luis�s hand and leaning on his shoulder as he drove. She was afraid to let him go, afraid that if she did, she would never see him again; and after all that happened those past few weeks, she wasn�t about to take any chances.
Luis kept stealing glances down at her as she lay on his arm. He had missed her being so close to him, and there was no way that he was ever going to let them be apart again. He finally pulled the car to a stop.
�The cemetery?� Sheridan asked as she looked out the window, �What are we doing here?�
�You�ll see�� he grinned as he got out of the car and went around to her side to open the door for Sheridan. He grabbed hold of her hand once more, and led her over to her headstone.
�Luis� I don�t understand� why would you bring me to my grave?� She stood looking at it, and felt a tiny knot growing in her stomach.
�Every morning since I thought you were dead, I have came here. I�ve talked to you for hours. Sometimes I would just come and sit on that bench over there,� he said pointing to a new by cement pew. Luis then walked over to the headstone and picked up a small black velvet box that had a tiny red bow on top, �This morning, I even brought your Christmas present over here.�
�Oh, Luis�� Sheridan choked back her tears, �I�m sorry I�ve caused you so much pain.�
Luis fought his own tears, �That doesn�t matter now. All that matters is that you�re here with me.� He took a step closer to her and extended the black box, �And I thought you should get your Christmas present from me, I wanted you to have it anyway.�
Sheridan took the tiny box and slowly opened up. Inside she saw the most beautiful silver ring. It looked a bit antique, and it had a sparkling purple gem in the center, surrounded by several small, white diamonds. �Oh Luis�� now she let the tears fall, �It�s the most beautiful thing I�ve ever seen! Where did you find this?�
�Well,� He moved closer to her, and took the ring out of the box; �My grandmother gave it to me when I was a little boy. She told me that I was supposed to give it to the woman that stole my heart,� He looked up into her eyes, �That woman� Sheridan, that woman who stole my heart� is you�� he whispered as he slipped the ring on her finger.
Sheridan let the tears flow freely down her cheeks as she pulled Luis into her arms and kissed him, �You�ve stolen my heart too Luis and I don�t ever want it back��
�Good,� he smiled, �because I don�t plan on returning it.�
Luis slowly pulled away and walked over to the headstone, picking up the small, single, red rose that lay on top.
�What�s this?� Sheridan asked, as a small smile spread across her lips.
�Do you remember that story I told you? The one about my parents, and the roses?� He asked as he walked closer to her.
�Yes��
�Well, everyone morning when I came here, I would put one single rose on your headstone,� He now stood in front of her, holding the rose in his hands.
�Aw, Luis that�s so sweet�� She covered his hands with hers, �But why?�
�Because,� He shifted his hands so that she was holding the rose and his hands covered hers, �I�m not that good with words� I wanted you to be able to look down from heaven every day and know exactly how I feel about you�� he looked up into her eyes, �Exactly how much I want you� how much I need you� how much I�� he trailed off, afraid of what he was going to say.
�What Luis?� Sheridan inched closer to him, �What is it?�
Luis squeezed tighter on her hands, he wanted to say it; badly. He just didn�t know how. He wanted to tell her, but he was afraid. He was more than afraid, he was horrified, horrified that she wouldn�t say the same words back.
Sheridan could tell he was afraid, and she didn�t want him to be afraid of telling her anything, �Luis just say it� what ever it is, it�s not going to drive me away,� She looked deeply into his brown eyes, �I promise�� She whispered.
�Sheridan,� He lowered his eyes, for just a brief second, then lifted them back to hers, �I- I love you�� He finally choked out.
Sheridan felt her eyes swell up with tears, �Oh Luis�� She pulled him to her and kissed him, �I love you too�� She meant it, he meant it. It was the best feeling in the world. She had never been so happy in her life. She finally had a man that she loved with all her heart, and who she knew without a shadow of a doubt loved her in return.
�Luis,� She whispered as she pulled out of their kiss, �I want to go home now�� She whispered with a small smile.
Luis�s eyes sparkled, �If that�s what you want��
�More than anything,� She took his hand and led him to the car
Chapter 5
Luis stopped Sheridan just after she unlocked the door to her cottage. He slipped his strong arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Sheridan leaned into him. Luis took in the scent of her perfume, and placed a few small kisses along her neck. Sheridan let out a slight gasp as she inhaled sharply and turned to face Luis, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. Luis lifted her up in his arms, never once taking his eyes off hers, and carried her into the cottage. He stopped for a brief moment in the living room to though their jackets and keys down on the couch, and then he carried her into the bedroom. Neither of them had to ask if this was what they wanted, they could see it in the other�s eyes.
They took turns undressing each other; neither wanted to rush anything that was happening between them. They had expressed their love for each other in words just moments before they arrived back at the cottage, now they were going to show each other just how true their words were. When they made love, they joined not only their bodies, but also their souls. Each kiss had held nothing but pure and honest love, and each touch was a burning desire saying they were never going to let go. When they finally finished professing their love for one another, Sheridan fell fast asleep with Luis arms wrapped tightly around her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luis woke up with Sheridan still in his arms. He smiled as he looked down at her sleeping figure. She was so beautiful, and she was his, if he didn�t know it before, he discovered that last night when they made love for the first time. It was too beautiful to be described.
Luis rolled over and looked at the clock, they had slept late. He decided to get up and make her a small breakfast in bed, certainly not the eggs Benedict he had made last time, but something simple, like steak and eggs. He slowly got out of the bed, careful not to wake her up, and went into the kitchen.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Julian was sitting at his desk, drinking his few morning glasses of brandy when his phone rang, �Yes father.� He groaned, sure that Alistair was about to remind him of how he should deal with Ethan and Theresa, and make sure his son marries the right woman, Gwen.
�Julian, do you have any idea what is going on?�
�What are you talking about father?� Julian took a big sip of brandy.
�Sheridan�s alive!� he shouted angrily.
Julian spit his brandy across the room, �What? She�s alive?�
�Yes! And she is lying in bed with Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald right now!�
�This can�t be��
�Oh but it is Julian, and I suggest you fix it! NOW!� Alistair demanded as he hung up the phone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luis loaded up the breakfast try with everything he had cooked Sheridan. He started walking toward her bedroom when he heard a knock at the door. Luis went to the door, finding Julian standing there all smiles, �What do you want Crane?� Julian was disgusted at what he saw. There was the muscular Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald standing in front of him, wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer shorts. �I came to check on my sister. I heard she had indeed made it through this horrible incident.�
�Like you ever cared�� Luis growled, �She�s asleep right now,
I�ll tell her you came by,� Luis started to shut the door in his face.
Julian reached up and stopped the door from closing, �Actually Luis, that isn�t the only reason I came by�� Luis rolled his eyes, �Oh?�
�I know you�re up to something Luis.� Julian snarled.
�I don�t know what you�re talking about.�
�We had a deal, and I believe you broke it,� Julian took a step back, �Now you have two choices.�
�You can�t make me do anything�� Luis retorted.
�On the contrary, you will either leave this premises immediately and never set foot on my property again, or I will have you arrested for kidnapping my sister.�
�I�m not leaving, I don�t care what you do, you can�t make me leave here.� Luis once again started to close the door, when two uniformed officers stepped up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan reached up and rubbed her eyes, the events of last night were slowly coming back to her. She was at home, in her own bed. She had made love to Luis, he had said he loved her, then he proved it. She had fallen asleep with his arms around her. She rolled over to kiss him. �Luis?� She sat up; he wasn�t in bed. Where could he be? Why would he leave her now?
Just then the door to her room opened, and Luis walked in carrying a tray of breakfast food, �Good morning beautiful,� he said as he placed the tray over her lap.
�This looks delicious,� She smiled as she took a bite, �It�s a lot better than what you cooked last time.�
Luis just grinned, �You look delicious,� his whispered before he kissed her, hard. Sheridan broke the kiss, shocked. That kiss was unlike any of the others Luis had given her, she didn�t know how to explain it, but it was definitely different.
Sheridan watched Luis intensely as his eyes trailed over her body. �Want something?� She asked playfully.
�You�� He replied before kissing her again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The officers threw Luis down into a chair, and tied his hands behind his back.
�Thank you men, you may wait outside a few moments, there�s something I need to discuss with this man,� Julian said as he poured himself a glass of brandy, �So Luis, do you think Sheridan has woken up yet?�
�Go to hell!� Luis shouted as he tried to jerk himself free. Julian walked over to his desk and turned on a small stereo system; he watched Luis�s face when they heard two people speaking over the small system.
�Make love to me again Luis,� Sheridan whispered. All that could be heard was the shuffling of the bed covers as �Luis� positioned himself to fulfill Sheridan�s request.
Luis felt his stomach knot, �No�� he whispered as he searched Julian grinning face, �You didn�t!�
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan lay silently in her bed. Luis had gotten up to use the phone. He said he had to call and check in at the station. Why did she feel like something wasn�t right? She shouldn�t feel like that, she was in love. She had just made love to Luis, again. So why did she feel so awful?
She thought about their making love for the second time. Something just didn�t feel the same as it had before. Luis hadn�t been so romantic about it. He didn�t seem like he was using his heart instead of his body. It had almost felt as though he was only with her then for the physical pleasure. Sheridan sat up and pulled on her robe, she decided to go and talk to Luis about it. She wanted their �new� relationship to be open and honest, and she wanted to make sure that their making love was just that, love.
She slowly opened her door and listened to Luis on the phone. Something in his voice caught her by surprise.
�Yes, I am having the time of my life!� Luis laughed foolishly, �She�s such a fool! She actually believes that I really love her! Oh yes, we�ve slept together� she�s really good��
Sheridan felt the tears well up in her throat as she stepped into the living room, �You bastard!� She yelled, �Get out! Get out of my house! Get out of my life!� She let the tears flow freely, she didn�t want him to see how much he had hurt her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn�t control her tears, �I never want to see you again!� She screamed as she slammed the door behind him. She ran over to the couch and fell down, weeping with deep moans. �How could I have been so stupid?�
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luis clenched his fists, �Damn you Julian! You�re going to pay for this!� He had heard the whole situation. He didn�t know what bothered him the most, the fact that Sheridan had made love to that man, or the fact that she believed he had used her again. Now it was totally obvious to him what had happened. Julian chuckled as the other Luis entered the room, �Good job my boy,� Julian reached up and peeled the mask off the man�s face, �Here,� he handed him some cash, �Now, I never want to see you again, understand?�
�Yes sir,� the man took the money and left.
�Officers,� Julian called out, and the two men entered the room again, �Lock him away now, I never want to see this man on my property again.�
Luis snarled at Julian as he was drug out of the room and led to jail.
Chapter 6
Sheridan lay on her couch sobbing. She felt so confused. She didn�t understand what had happened at all. They were supposed to have started over, erased that one bad day, but it was happening all over again. She felt like her heart had been ripped out and ran over. She had given every bit of herself to Luis, only to have him tear her apart. She had made love to the man, not just once, but twice, and look what he had done! Sheridan slowly lifted her head, she thought she heard a knock at the door. She didn�t feel like having any visitors, but decided to answer it anyway. She stood up, wiped her eyes, and straitened her nightgown. She opened the door to find the last person she needed to see, Julian.
�Sheridan, what�s wrong?� Julian pretended to be sympathetic.
�Nothing you would understand,� She said coldly.
�Was it that Officer Lopez-the-Looser?� Sheridan just rolled her eyes; she didn�t feel like talking at all, much less to Julian.
�Don�t worry sister dear,� he said smugly, �I�ll handle it.� Julian walked out of her cottage smiling, knowing things would go according to plan.
Sheridan closed the door and decided to go take a shower, maybe it would help get her mind off things.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luis groaned as the two officers flung him down in a chair. �I want to use the phone!� he shouted, just as Sam Bennett walked in. �Sam, thank God you�re here! Let me out of here, will ya?�
�Luis, what happened?� Sam looked concerned.
�Julian Crane is what happened, he had those stupid kidnapping charges reinstated!� Luis was angry; �You wouldn�t believe what all that sick bastard has done!�
�Whoa- buddy calm down, there�s not much I can do,� Sam sighed, �Let me call Sheridan and get her to come down here, then we�ll take it from there, all right.�
Sam picked up the phone and dialed Sheridan�s number, �Sheridan?�
�Yes?� Sheridan had just climbed out of the shower, �Who�s speaking?�
�It�s Chief Bennett, look can you come down to the station for a few minutes? It�s kind of important.�
Thinking that it had something do to with Roger and Pierre, Sheridan immediately agreed, �Sure Sam, I�ll be there in a few minutes.�
�Thanks!� Sam hung up the phone and turned back to Luis, �She said she would be here soon.�
Luis inhaled deeply, �I hope she�ll at least listen to me��
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan hurried to the station, she was happy to get out of that cottage, she was happy to get away from the thought of Luis. She walked into Sam�s office, looking for Sam, but instead, she saw Luis. Her heart stopped, part of her wanted to run out the door and cry, and the other part of her wanted to run to him and slap him, make him feel all of the pain he�d caused her.
Luis looked up at her eyes; he saw all the hurt and pain they held. He wanted so badly to make all of that go away. He didn�t know how to tell her what he knew, what all Julian did, and he was so afraid she wouldn�t believe him.
�Sheridan, you�re here, good�� Sam walked in and noticed the pain on her face, �Is something wrong?� He asked, looking back and forth between Sheridan and Luis.
�You mean you don�t know?� Sheridan asked Sam, while giving Luis an icy glare.
�Sheridan, I can explain�� Luis tried to sound calm, but knew it would be hard to make her listen.
�Like hell you can!� She shouted angrily, then turned to Sam, �Why did you call me here?�
�I needed your help to get the charges against Luis dropped. The ones where he kidnapped you from Paris��
�I won�t be doing any type of favors for that man!� She shouted, �He certainly didn�t do any for me!�
�Sam,� Luis raised his voice, �Can I please talk to Sheridan alone?�
�No- I don�t want to speak to him!� She yelled.
�Sheridan it�s important! Sam, please�� Luis looked at him helplessly.
�Just a few minutes Luis, that�s the best I can do,� Sam slowly walked out, leaving Sheridan and Luis alone to talk.
�This better be good,� She said heatedly, he had already hurt her so much; she didn�t want to listen to more lies.
�Sheridan, I know why you�re so upset,� he started.
�Oh really?� She cut him off sarcastically, �You should know!�
�Damn it! Sheridan, just listen to me will you!� He shouted, not to scare her, but to get her to listen, and it worked. Sheridan was shocked by his sudden outburst, and immediately got quiet.
�Sheridan, you�re not going to want to believe what I�m going to tell you, but you have to� all right? You just have to trust me, OK?� He looked her deep in the eyes; �I love you� you know that� I would never hurt you, or use you at all, never!� Sheridan was lost in his eyes, just looking at him made her whole body go weak, all she could do was nod in agreement with him, �Then- then why did I hear you say those awful things, again?� She asked tearfully.
�It wasn�t me��
�How? I saw you� We- we made love, again�� She whispered.
�No�� He looked at her, fighting his own tears. He didn�t know how to tell her that they hadn�t made love, that she had slept with someone else, �Sheridan, I need you to just listen to me very closely OK, just let me say what I need to before you say anything else, all right?�
She nodded.
Luis took a deep breath, this was so hard for him, he closed his eyes, �When I woke up, I got up and made you breakfast, steak and eggs. I was bringing them to you, when I heard a knock at the door. I went to go answer it, and Julian was there. He told me that if I didn�t leave, he would have me arrested. I told him that I wouldn�t leave you, ever, and there was nothing he could do to make me. He had two officers drag me to his office,� Luis sighed, �Sheridan, he had someone come in to the cottage and pretend to be me, they had a mask on, and they spoke just like I do��
�So that wasn�t you I heard?� He eyes started to light up a little, �You weren�t using me after all?�
�No, but�� Luis looked down at the floor.
�Oh Luis!� She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him weeping, �I�m sorry I ever doubted you! I should have known you could never say such horrible things about me!�
Luis held on to her tightly and ran his fingers through her hair, �Sheridan that�s not all�� he said slowly.
�What else is there?� She asked smiling.
Luis took a ragged breath, how was he supposed to say this? He grab on to her hands, and looked deep into her eyes, �The second time we made love� it� it wasn�t��
�Oh God�� Sheridan jerked her hands away and started shaking, she knew what he was going to say, that it wasn�t him. �No�� she whispered, �Damn Julian! Damn him!� She buried her face in her hands, �How could he?� How could I not know?� She started sobbing, and sat down in a nearby chair.
Luis got up to comfort her, �Shhh,� he whispered as he wrapped a strong arm around her, �It�s going to be all right, we�ll make it through this��
�I�ll never be able to forgive myself,� she sobbed, �I knew something wasn�t right, I just� I had no idea what��
�Sheridan, calm down, it�s all right� no one has to know about this but us, OK?� He lifted her chin with his finger so that their eyes met, �No one��
Sheridan lifted her hand and brushed it against his cheek, �Thank you�� she whispered, and smiled through her tears, �Thank you so much.�
Luis gently kissed the palm of her hand and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her up into a giant hug, �Now, let�s get me out of this jail,� he said jokingly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan had signed all the papers stating that she and Luis had been living together for quite some time, and that she saw no reason for him to be held accountable for his actions, all the charges were dropped, at least for the time being.
�Now, until these charges are fully dropped, you�ll need to continue living together,� Sam said, questioning weather or not it was the right decision.
�I don�t think that will be too big of a problem,� Luis said smiling at Sheridan, �We should get going, it�s been quite a day, for both of us.�
�Yes it has,� Sheridan grabbed his hand, �Good night Sam, and thank you again, for everything.�
�Night Buddy!� Luis waved as he led Sheridan out to the car.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luis smiled as he slipped into bed next to Sheridan, who had fallen asleep as soon as she lay down. He wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her closer to him. He took in a deep breath, mesmerized at how good it felt to hold her in his arms again.
Sheridan let out a soft sigh as she rolled into Luis�s strong grasp, �Goodnight my love�� she whispered as she drifted off into a deep sleep.
Luis smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, �Goodnight��
Chapter 7
Sheridan slowly blinked her eyes open. She was still lying in Luis�s arms. She let a smile spread across her face. She had never felt this happy in her entire life. She looked over at her clock. It was late in the afternoon. They had been tired. All the things that had happened between them in the past few days; her return from the �dead�, the trial of Roger and Pierre, their admittance of their love, they had made love, then the impostor. Everything had definitely caught up with them.
Luis finally woke up and noticed Sheridan smiling at him, �Good morning beautiful.� He grinned and gave her a soft kiss.
�Good morning�� She wrapped her arms around him tightly and lay her head on his chest, �You know, we�ve slept awfully late.�
�Yes we have,� He held her tighter, �But I could stay like this forever.�
�Me too�� She smiled, �But we have plans today.�
�Oh we do?� This was something he hadn�t heard yet.
�Yep! We are going out for dinner tonight. We have a lot to celebrate; after all it is New Year�s Eve�� she planted a small kiss on his neck, �And I want to be in your arms at midnight,� she grinned.
�And we have to go out for that to happen?� He kissed her lips.
�No, but I think it would be fun. Besides, I want everyone to know we are in love,� she sat up, �Now, let�s go shower and get to the Sea Scape!�
�There�s no use in arguing with you, is there?� He asked sarcastically.
�Not a one�� She grinned and went into the bathroom to shower.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A few hours later, Sheridan and Luis arrived arm in arm at the Sea Scape resturant for their New Year�s dinner.
�Wine?� The waiter asked as he seated them.
�Yes, please,� Luis was pushing Sheridan�s chair under the table for her.
�Thank you,� Sheridan whispered.
Luis sat down across the table from her, and lifted his glass, �May I propose a toast?�
�Yes you may,� Sheridan grinned.
�To us, may this new year bring everything we�ve ever hoped for. May we be happier than we�ve ever been in our entire lives, and may we remain that way for many, many, many years to come.� He clinked his glass next to hers.
�To us,� She whispered as she took a sip of her wine. As they were finishing their meal, a familiar song began to play in the backround.
I imagine, your lips on mine.
And it takes my breath away�
Sheridan looked into Luis�s eyes, smiling, as she whispered, �They�re playing our song.�
Luis stood up, walked over to her, and pulled her chair out. He then extended his hand, �Would you give me the honor of sharing this dance?�
�I would love to,� she smiled as he led her out on to the dance floor and the wrapped their arms around each other.
I imagine what it would feel like to be the one,
In your arms and in your dreams.
Luis suddenly stopped dancing with her, and just stood there staring into her eyes before dropping down on one knee, as the music played behind him.
Sheridan gasped when she saw Luis bend down. She placed one trembling hand over her mouth, as Luis gently held the other.
�Sheridan Crane,� Luis�s voice was shaking, �I�ve never felt this way about anyone before in my life. I love you with every ounce of my heart. I have lived my life with out you, and I never want to go through that again.� He sighed heavily, he couldn�t believe he was doing this, it just felt so right, and it was definatly the right time, �Will you make me the happiest man on the face of the earth by saying you�ll be my wife?�
�Oh Luis!� Sheridan pulled him up off the floor and kissed him, �Yes� yes� I will marry you!� she whispered through her tears, �I will be yours forever��
They say we come from two completely different worlds,
But anyone can see that they�re wrong.
When I�m with you I feel blessed, safe and precious.
Luis shed his own tears as he kissed her, and they held each other tight as the music played at the clock stroke midnight, beginning the new year, and their new life�
Imagine if we fell in love,
What a gift it would be from above.
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