An excellent fanfic by Misty
Author's Note: Well, I decided to take a crack at a fanfic of my own. I've been working on this for a couple of days, and finally got the final touches put on. I hope you guys will enjoy it! This is a bit different than the Sheridan and Luis you know, so be prepared.
Chapter One
SHERIDAN Crane's mouth dropped open and she stared at her father in disbelief. Stuttering, she finally managed to choke out her words. "You-you can't be serious," she said, inserting a short, strained laugh.
Alistair Crane focused his steely gray-blue eyes on his daughter, his face stone. "I am entirely serious."
Her mouth remained open and she shook her head. "No. I-I just can't agree to go along with it. Absolutely not."
Heaving a sigh, Alistair stood up from the leather chair behind his mahogany desk. He took short steps, walking to either end of the desk in a short, pacing manner. Finally, hands clasped, he stopped walking and turned to look at Sheridan again. Her cheeks had begun to redden with fury, enhancing her blonde curls and piercing blue eyes. "Think about it, darling," he began. "This merger could be the key to expanding Crane Industries even farther. Bigger business opportunities await us, my dear. Never turn them down when they look you straight in the face."
Still defiant, Sheridan closed her eyes for a moment, making a feeble attempt at collecting her thoughts. "Father, I have helped you with your business any way at all possible for five years. But this...this is a bit too extreme for me. Marrying a complete stranger..." she trailed off, shaking her head slightly, "marrying a complete stranger is just something I never wanted to do."
The hot-tempered patriarch could barely keep himself from rolling his eyes at his daughter's pitiful example. "Sheridan, darling, I know you always wanted to marry for love. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us. This union would be Crane Industries merging with the second-largest corporation in the world. The combination would be an unstoppable one." With raised brows, he added, "Martin's son is quite the charmer, and very handsome as well."
Sheridan rested her elbow on Alistair's desk and put her head in her hand miserably. "All the more reason for him to have 'a little on the side' as soon as we're married. I don't want that in a marriage."
Alistair stepped around the desk to Sheridan, cupping her face in his hands. "My dear, I only want for you to be happy." He paused, lowering his voice. "We are going to completely take over Fitzgerald Manufacturing to the point where Martin could not possibly salvage enough of his company to keep going. Then, as soon as that has been accomplished, you can get a divorce and be free to live out your life with love and happiness." He looked her straight in the eyes. "But in order for any of this to be achieved, I need your help. I need you to complete this merger with Martin's son."
She stared at him for a long time before finally sighing softly in consent. "Fine. But only because I love you, Father."
Alistair smiled brilliantly. "I love you too, Sheridan dear. Now, are you ready to meet your fianc�?"
"Do I have a choice?"
He ignored her question. "You may come in, Martin," he called. The door to Alistair's study slowly opened, and a tall, older man with dark hair and tanned skin stepped into the room. Sheridan's felt her heart stop as she took in the appearance of the man who stepped in behind Martin Fitzgerald. He had the same dark hair and bronzed skin as his father, along with deep brown eyes. She couldn't stop her gaze from traveling down his body, taking in his obviously well built body covered by a business suit, from his square shoulders and wide chest all the way down past his narrow hips and to his feet. It was a quick glance, but in that moment, Sheridan took in more than she had ever known a simple glimpse of something could hold. He was gorgeous.
She quickly rose from her chair and turned to face the two men standing in front of her. The most beautiful smile she could produce came upon her lips and she took a step forward. Martin took her hand gently in his, shaking it. He gave her a kind smile, the kind she had never seen on a business tycoon's face before.
Then his son moved towards her. He took her hand and placed a soft kiss on the top of it. His lips merely brushed her skin, but Sheridan felt warmth where they had been as soon as he removed them. She snatched her hand back quickly, startled by the sensation. Then a sweet smile replaced the surprised expression that had gone across her features as quickly as it had come.
She couldn't help but wonder if this arrangement wouldn't be so bad after all.
To Be Continued...