By Alana.
NOTES: This takes place about one month in the future. Sheridan and Luis have discovered Sheridan's past. The body under the sheet was Martin Fitzgerald (Luis' father). Julian was taken into police custody but Allister could not be found. They also found the Luis mask in Julian's office, but didn't connect it with the incident at the wharf.
*****
Sheridan lay in bed. It had only been two days since she and Luis had found out the truth about her past. He was angry with her.
"Of course he is," she grumbled to herself. "I killed his father." Luis had tried to be supportive, and tried to tell her it wasn't her fault. But she knew he thought it was. Deep inside, behind all the comforting words, he hated her.
"Sheridan?" called a voice from the other side of her door.
"Who is it?" Sheridan choked out. Her throat was hoarse from crying.
"It's me," Pilar said, as she entered the room. "How are you Sheridan?" she asked as she sat beside the bed.
"I'm so sorry Pilar," Sheridan cried out as Pilar wrapped her arms around her. "I'm so sorry."
"Shh," Pilar comforted, stroking her hair. "It's all right."
"How can you say that?" Sheridan asked, pulling away. She stood from her bed, separating herself from Pilar. She couldn't bear to be near her. How Pilar could stand her was beyond Sheridan. She had killed her husband, yet here she was, trying to comfort her.
"It wasn't your fault Sheridan," Pilar explained. "And I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault."
"Try telling that to Luis," she muttered.
"Luis is a stubborn man," Pilar agreed. "But he is also a good man. He cares about you Sheridan."
"No," said Sheridan, shaking her head. "He hates me."
"Sheridan, he doesn't hate you. He's upset, but he'll come around." Pilar said as she pulled Sheridan into her arms. "Just give him time," she whispered before leaving the room.
*****
"How is she?" Luis asked, as his mother exited Sheridan's room.
"Upset, as should be expected," she replied. "Luis," she started. "It wasn't her fault. What happened to your father, Sheridan isn't to blame. She was a little girl. It's Allister and Julian who are behind this."
"I know Mama, but-"
"No buts," Pilar interrupted. "She needs you to forgive her, Luis. I'm worried she won't pull through."
"Sheridan's a strong woman," Luis answered. "She'll pull through."
"She thinks you hate her."
"I don't hate her," he whispered. God, how he didn't hate her.
"Then tell her, son. She needs to hear you say it."
"Alright," he nodded. Pilar smiled them gave her son a hug.
"I love you Luis," she whispered.
"I love you too Mama."
*****
"Sheridan?" Luis called as her entered her bedroom. "Can I talk to you?" Sheridan looked up from her seat on the bed.
"I guess," she whispered, worried about what he had to say. He took a seat on the bed next to her.
"Sheridan-" he started, but she cut him off.
"Luis, I know you hate me. Please, just don't yell at me. I can't take it right now."
"I'm not going to yell at you Sheridan," he assured her. "And I don't hate you."
"Yes you do," she argued. "I killed your father, you have the right to hate me. I hate me too."
"Sheridan, that wasn't your fault."
"Yes it was, I killed him."
"You were a little girl, your father tricked you. It wasn't your fault." She turned away. He cupped her face in his hand, turning her gaze to meet his. "Sheridan, I don't hate you."
She met his gaze. Slowly he leaned closer towards her mouth. He didn't say a word as he placed a tender kiss on her lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as the kiss grew more passionate.
Before she knew what was happening, they were lying on the bed. His mouth had left hers and was now tracing kisses along her neck. She almost lost herself in him, when she finally came back to reality.
"Stop," she whispered pushing him away.
"I'm sorry," Luis replied, always the gentlemen. He noticed the tears streaming down Sheridan's beautiful face. "What's wrong?"
"I promised myself I wouldn't fall for it again," she answered.
"Fall for what?" he asked, confused.
"You!" she cried as she flashed back to that night at the wharf.
"�I intend to use that spoiled princess for my own ends�" He had been so cruel. He was just using her. Like everyone used her.
"What are you talking about Sheridan?" Luis asked, very confused at her behavior.
"After what happened, I promised myself that I wouldn't let your good looks and charms get to me. I promised I wouldn't fall for you. Not again."
"What are you getting at?" he asked, trying to hide the smile on his face. She thought he was good looking. And charming.
"I heard you on the wharf that night," she said bitterly, tears now falling freely down her face. "I heard what you said."
"The wharf?" he asked, confused.
"After you called me I went down to the wharf, to surprise you," she said, feeling foolish. "But I saw you there, on the phone. You said how I was a spoiled princess, and that you were just using me."
"Sheridan, I don't-"
"Don't play dumb, Luis. I thought you were different. But you're just like all the rest."
"Sheridan, I never said that. You know I wouldn't do something like that!"
She shook her head. She didn't know anything anymore. She had to admit, when she saw him on the wharf he didn't seem like himself. But she had seem him and heard him. And she trusted her senses. They were the only things that hadn't let her down.
"I saw you, Luis. And I heard you."
"Maybe you made a mistake. I mean. It could have been anyone-"
"It was you."
"No, Sheridan, it wasn't!"
"So what, it was your evil twin? Or maybe a hired imposter-" she stopped. "Oh God," she whispered as she put it together. "The mask in Julian's office!"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"The mask looked just like you, Luis," she explained. "Down at the wharf� it wasn't you." She felt stupid. Here she was screaming at Luis, and he was innocent all along. She should have known. Julian and Allister had fooled her. They had played her again.
"Of course it wasn't," he said reaching for her hand. She shivered, then immediately relaxed. He didn't miss the effect his touch had on her. How could he, when he was effected in the same way?
Sheridan's heart was pounding as he kissed her again. Slowly at first, then gradually their passion increased. Bottled emotions, once held captive, where allowed to run wild. Built up passion was released as they got lost in each other's embrace.
*****
Sheridan stood in her living room, alone. Luis was still asleep in her bed.
She smiled at the last thought. She and Luis had made love, and for the first time in Sheridan's life, she felt loved for who she was, not for her name or her money. If anything those would have prevented a relationship with Luis. She thought back to the incident at the wharf.
"I should have known," she whispered to herself. Luis would never use her. He wouldn't use anyone. Even if he hated her family, he couldn't use someone's name to his benefit. If he didn't do the work himself, he didn't deserve the benefits.
"Well he certainly did the work," she said to herself, a sly grin on her face. And she had provided his benefits.
"What work?" Luis asked from behind her.
"What? Oh, Luis. You scared me," she said as he came to stand beside her.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked. He was worried that she regretted what they had done, because he certainly didn't.
"I couldn't sleep," she answered truthfully. She was too excited to sleep. She'd never felt this way before. So complete. So loved.
"Not worn out yet?" he asked slyly. She grinned then turned around. What if he thought it was a mistake? She couldn't bear the thought of losing him, not after she had finally been with him.
"Listen Sheridan-" he began. Oh no, she thought. This is it. He's going to tell me it was a mistake, that it never should have happened. Well he can't. Not if I beat him to it.
"You think it was a mistake, don't you? Well I do too," she said in a rush. What am I saying? She thought to herself.
"You thought it was a mistake?" Luis asked, his heart sinking.
"Didn't you?" Sheridan asked. What had she done?
"No," he answered truthfully. "This has been the most amazing night of my life."
"Oh, how romantic," called a voice from the doorway.
"Julian!" Sheridan cried. She grasped Luis for support.
"What are you doing here, Crane?" Luis asked, his voice angry and bitter. "Thought you were supposed to be down at the station."
"Yes, well, funny thing," Julian drawled. "Since I myself didn't do anything, at least nothing that can be proven, they let me go."
"What do you want Julian?" Sheridan hissed. She had never been close to her brother, but now she hated him.
"It's not I that wants anything, dear sister," he said moving from the door, as two figures armed with guns, entered the cottage. "It's your old friends who have a bone to pick. You remember Roger and Pierre, don't you Sheridan?"
"We've been looking for you," Roger whispered as he aimed his gun behind Sheridan's head.
"Luis!" she cried. He moved towards her.
"Try it," Roger said. "And I kill your girl." Luis stopped in his tracks as Pierre took his place behind Luis, his gun aimed for his heart.
"How you going to explain all this, Julian?" Luis asked. "Two corpses on your property?"
"What's to explain? The drug cartel managed to track Sheridan down, and ambushed the cottage in the middle of the night. Her faithful bodyguard took a fatal bullet for her, but, alas, she was shot shortly after."
"You're a monster!" Sheridan spat.
"Oh, sister, dear. I'm hurt."
"I'm going to enjoy killing you Crane," Roger said to Sheridan, as he cocked his gun.
"Wait," said Julian. "Let them face each other. Let him watch."
"Luis," Sheridan cried. He looked her in the eye, then gestured to his gun, on the table. She nodded slightly in confirmation.
"Bonjour, mon ami," Roger said, pulling the trigger.
Luis pulled Sheridan to the ground with him. The bullet, intended for Sheridan, lodged itself into Pierre, killing him instantly. Luis grabbed the gun from Pierre's now limp grasp and took aim at Roger, while Roger did the same.
There they stood, neither moving, guns at each other's heads. Sheridan stood slowly, grabbing the gun Luis had pointed out earlier, unnoticed by her brother.
"Well, well," Julian said, surprised at the rather unexpected turn of events. "I believe this is what they call a stalemate."
"No, Julian," Sheridan said aiming the gun at her brother. "This is what they call checkmate."
*****
"You won't get away with this," Julian babbled as Sam led him into the back of his swat car.
"You know Julian," Sam said. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this." He slammed the door on a still grumbling Julian.
"Are you guys alright?" Sam asked Sheridan and Luis.
"We're fine," Luis assured.
"Good. Sheridan, we're going to have to close of the area. Do you have somewhere else to stay? With Ethan maybe?"
"No," Sheridan objected. "I don't want to be in that house."
"She can stay with me," Luis suggested.
"That's probably best," Sam agreed. "You could still be in danger."
"Great," Sheridan whispered sarcastically.
*****
"Can I come in?" Luis asked. Sheridan was changing in his room.
"Ya," she whispered.
He entered the room, wearing only his sweats. She watched him move towards the closet, his muscles rippling with every move, mesmerizing her. He turned around and she realized she was staring. Embarrassed, she turned away.
"Um, you can sleep in here," Luis said, gesturing to his bed. "I can sleep on the couch."
"No, it's your house," Sheridan objected.
"I can't have a lady sleeping on my couch," he said, ending her objections.
"Well, who said I had to sleep on the couch?" He turned to her, a strange look on her face.
"What do you mean?" he asked. He had an idea, but wanted to hear it from her.
"Well," she explained, feeling embarrassed. "I mean, we�ve already slept together. Why not actually sleep together?"
"I thought you said it was a mistake," Luis said silently, turning away to hide the hurt look on his face.
"That's not what I meant," she said, then changed her mind. "Well, I meant to say that, but I didn't mean it."
"I don't follow."
"I was just afraid that you thought it was a mistake. And I couldn't bear to hear you say it. Luis, being with you, it's like nothing I've ever felt before."
"I know the feeling," he whispered, turning towards her.
"I just didn't want to get hurt again," she almost whispered.
"Hey," he said gently, lifting her face to his. "I would never hurt you." Once again their lips met in a fire of passion. Slowly her lips moved away from his, moving down his neck and across his chest.
"Wait," Luis said, remembering where they were. "My family is sleeping down the hall."
"We can be quiet," she said slyly, continuing her exploring.
"Sheridan," he said reluctantly, gently pulling her away.
"Fine," she pouted. "Spoil my fun."
Luis smiled and pulled her onto the bed with him. She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. They lay silent for a few minutes before Sheridan started to drift.
"I love you Sheridan Crane," Luis whispered to the drowsy woman in his arms.
"I love you too officer," Sheridan replied, her face plastered with the largest smile she'd worn in all her 26 years. There she was, drifting to sleep in the arms of the man she loved, and who loved her in return. She sighed happily.
So this is heaven.