An excellent story written by Nandini.
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with anybody.
Chapter 1
Luis wandered miserably through the streets of Harmony, thoughts and questions playing through his mind, endless and tormenting. It had been three days since her funeral, and even now the knowledge that she was gone forever hadn't fully sunk in. He was lonely and depressed, he couldn't think about anything but Sheridan. Every part of his being ached to be with her, see her smile, feel her touch. He had never hurt so badly in all his life. He wanted her back, as impossibe as that was.
So what if they came from two different worlds, they could have found happiness together. They had found happiness together. The most wonderful and special kind of happiness, only, it was shattered to soon and without warning. His hands clenched into fist at his sides. So many things he wanted to say to her and now he would never get another chance to say them.
He hadn't slept but a few hours since the night of her death. Everytime he closed his eyes he saw her body covered in blood, lying lifeless on the floor. He blamed himself for her death, for not protecting her better. If only he had gotten back to the cottage sooner, he might have been able to save her. He should have never even left her in the first place. Damn him. Damn everything. Raking his hand angrily through his hair, Luis let out a frustrated breath as he turned a corner, and walked on. It was dark outside and cold but he didn't notice. His mind was too numb with pain to notice anything but the void in his heart. Without her, he felt dead inside and everything around him felt dead. He knew his broken heart would never heal. Why hadn't he realized until it was too late how much he needed her.
Unconsciously, he ended up in front of the Harmony Police station and he remembered the night he'd arrested her. It was amazing how vividly he remembered every moment they had ever spent together. It seemed everywhere he went memories of Sheridan flooded his mind. Tears stung eyes and he didn't bother to fight them back. "Oh God, Sheridan, how am I ever going to live without you."
He remained outside for a long while, reliving moments with Sheridan he would cherish forever. The loud sound of a passing motorcycle brought him out of his reverie. Glancing at his watch, he realized he had been walking for the past 3 hours and it was now close to midnight. His body chilled to the bone from the freezing cold wind, he went inside. He poured himself a cup of hot coffee then went to his desk, settling tiredly into his chair. He leaned back and closed his eyes, his body felt exhausted yet his mind seemed restless.
"I thought I told you to take a few days off and take it easy."
Luis opened his eyes slowly to glance up at Sam standing in front of his desk. He didn't answer, suddenly feeling to weak to even speak.
Sam studied Luis' bloodshot eyes and unshaven face. "You look like you haven't slept in days, Luis," Sam said concerned.
"I haven't," Luis replied finally before dropping his gaze back down to stare blankly at his coffee. "I can't sleep."
"I've been trying to reach you for hours. Where have you been?"
"Walking," he replied and reached for his cup of coffee and brought it to his lips, his movements slow and tired. He took a long sip of the coffee then asked, "Why were you trying to reach me?"
"Not me actually. Agent Freeman was here to see you but no one seemed to know where you were. He couldn't wait long so he left."
"What did he want?" Luis asked, his voice holding no interest to hear an answer.
"He came to give you this," he said and handed Luis a big yellow envelope.
Luis held the envolope in his hand not bothering to look inside. "What's this?"
"Open it."
Tearing the top of the envelope open, he pulled out it's contents, then studied it, his brows furrowed. "It's a ticket to Jamaica," he stated confused, then looked up at Sam.
"It's for you. After everything you went through, Agent Freeman thought you could use some time away. He also made reservation for you to stay at a hotel. All the information is inside," Sam explained. When Luis didn't respond, he added, "I think you should take it."
Sticking the ticket back inside the envolope, Luis flung it down on the desk towards Sam. "I don't want it."
"It might help you take you mind off of what happened."
"It won't," Luis replied tightly. "Nothing is going to take my mind off of what happened."
"Luis, as a friend and your boss, I'm telling you to take this trip. Just for a few days, to think and clear your mind. You're only causing yourself more pain by staying her and blaming yourself for her death."
He was right. He felt enclosed, trapped by pain, guilt, and regret. He did need to get away from Harmony, as far away as he possibly could.
***************************************************
The taxi gave Luis a jolt as it drove over a big pothole on the road. Luis opened his eyes and realized he must have dozed off. He glanced at his watch, realizing they had been driving for the past two and half hours. Yawning, he sat up straight and stretched his back. As he looked around him, he saw that they seemed to have left the busy city traffic and now were travely down some dirt road that didn't appear to lead anywhere but further into the wilderness surrounding them. He peered out the window seeing nothing but an endless stretch of trees and a distant view of the ocean ahead.
"How much longer until we get to the hotel?" He asked the driver.
The driver glanced at him in the rear view mirror. "About another half hour. "
"So where is this place anyway?"
The driver laughed. "Pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I've only driven there once before myself, about 4 years ago, but it's a beautiful place."
Luis leaned back against the back seat turning his gaze back to the passing scenery. Miles of paradise surounded him from all sides, beautiful scenery, each more enchanting then the one before, came and passed but Luis's thoughts were a million miles away. He couldn't concentrate on anything but the woman he lost. Strangely though, something inside him was silently bubbling with anticipation. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a closesness to Sheridan since arriving at the airport. His instinct was telling him something but he didn't know what yet.
It was another long 30 minutes before they finally neared their destination. Luis spotted the solitary hotel in the distance, sheltered by towering coconut trees that rose up on both sides and the ocean that stretched in the background. It was set in the middle of nowhere just like the driver said, no sight of civilization as far as his eyes could travel. Perfect for someone who wanted to get away from the rest of the world.
It was late afternoon as the taxi pulled up in front of the two story building. Luis paid the driver then stepped out of the car, a small travel bag in hand. He was met by a warm breeze and even though the trees were too dense to see past them, he could hear the crashing of waves just beyond the building. The hotel was even more beautiful up close with pale white walls half hidden by flowering vines. He observed that it was a very old hotel and not very big. As he walked up the huge marble steps, he stopped at the massive wooden doors to study the deep exotic carvings on its surface. Stepping through the doors, he saw that the inside was small just as he expected but even more beautiful than the outside.
After checking in at the reception desk, the bellhop took his bag and led him up an enormous staircase and through a short corridor then down another longer one. From the second floor Luis could see that the building was in the shape of a squared horse shoe. From the tall windows that lined the left side of the corridor he could see the enchanting garden below, bursting with color and exotice plants, in the center of the hotel. A fountain stood in the tiled area in the middle of the garden, along with chairs and tables.
His room was the last one on the left wing of the building. The room was elegant and comfortable. Once alone, he grabbed a T-shirt and a pair of shorts from his bag and headed for the bathroom.
After a long hot shower he dropped onto the bed and closed his eyes. He should get some rest he thought but, after sleeping almost the entire flight and most of the drive to the hotel, he was wide awake. A warm breeze was still blowing through the open frence doors, and the sound of gentle waves on the beach below his room seemed to be calling his name. Getting out of bed and slipped through the french doors out onto the balcony. The sun was beginning to descend towards the ocean, coloring the sky with dark shades of yellow that mingled with the blue. Through the tall coconut trees that rose high in front of his room he could see only glimpses of the beach below. He inhaled a long deep breath of fresh air as he stepped up to the iron railing of the balcony. Closing his eyes, he let the sweet memories of Sheridan play through his mind. There was something strange about this place, a feeling he got that he still hadn't figured out. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze fell on a woman on the beach. It wasn't her short blond hair or her unmistakable physique that instantly grabbed his attention, it was something more. Something that made his heart beat out of control. Her back was turned to him but something was urging him to look at her face. He squinted his eyes against the glaring sun and struggled to get a better look. Then she turned her face to the side and his heart stopped beating. It was her. It was Sheridan.
Chapter 3
Luis didn't bother putting shoes on as he raced out of the room and headed towards the beach. Minutes later he stood on the exact spot he had seen her, only she was nowhere in sight. Out of breath from running, he looked around him, his gaze searching for her but there was no one on the deserted beach but him. With an angry sigh, Luis forced himself to stop what he was doing. 'It couldn't have been her,' he told himself silently. 'She's dead Luis, you were just imagining her again.'
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he turned towards the water and stared at the sun that had slowly begun to disappear in the ocean horizon. The sand felt cool under his feet as he walked to the edge of the water. He drew a long steadying breath. "I wish you were really here Sheridan," he said quietly.
"I am here, Luis," a soft voice sounded from behind him.
Startled, he spun around and was frozen to the spot as his eyes connected with Sheridan's. She wore a white bikini top with a blue flowered sorang and the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. "Sheridan..." he barely heard his own voice whisper.
"You're here," he heard her say, a glimmer of surprise in her voice.
Luis rubbed his eyes and focused his gaze again on the woman standing just a few feet away from him. He couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't believe his eyes. "Oh God, I'm losing my mind," he muttered, his eyes still intently fixed on hers. "I'm imagining you again. Just like I did on the wharf that night."
She watched the suprise fade from his face and he watched her now with disbelief in his eyes. "You're not imagining me Luis, and you didn't imagine me on the wharf either." She took slow steps as she spoke, closing the distance between them. "I'm really here. I'm alive," she told him softly but still saw the uncertainty on his face. He didn't make any move to touch her, instead he took a small step back.
Even as a familiar shiver ran down his spine reminding him of how just the mere sound of her voice affected him, Luis shook his head, afraid to believe what he was seeing was anything but his eyes playing a cruel trick on him. He stared silently at her. "But, how?" he asked finally, his voice confused and unsure. "I held you in my arms Sheridan, I saw the blood...I was at your funeral."
"I know," she whispered, her body craving for his embrace. Lifting a hand to touch his face, she heard his sharp intake of breath as she smoothed her palm against his jaw.
His questioning eyes searched her face. "How is this possible Sheridan?"
"I'll explain everything later, Luis," she said softly, her voice pleading. "Right now, I just need to feel your arms around me."
His eyes were soft as he moved closer to her. She felt his arm circle her waist, sparking a familiar fire as he pulled her against him. With his other hand he cupped her face and brushed his lips gently against hers before taking her mouth hungrily. His tongue slid into her mouth for a kiss so deep and so intense, she forgot everything else but the wonderful feelings that rippled through her. She didn't know when the kiss finally ended, but when it did she found herself trembling and gasping for air.
***
After a long walk on the beach and the revealing conversation that followed, Luis discovered that the FBI had faked her death to throw off the drug cartel, only Sheridan wasn't aware of the plan until it was to0 late to be given a choice to either go with their plan or not. She was still in the dark herself when it came to the details, but did her best to explain everything to him. She explained that Agent Freeman thought it would be best not to tell Luis about the plan until after the funeral. But the most shocking news Luis recieved was that the hitman who pulled the trigger was none other than his best buddy. Hank, along with Eve were in on the plan the whole time.
Things that didn't quite make sense before made perfect sense now. The FBI's sudden decision to relieve him of his duty as Sheridan's body guard, then their urgent request that he go to Washington that very night to officially close the case. Then, Hank leaving Sheridan at the cottage when Luis had grilled him to not leave her alone under any circumstances...seeing Sheridan on the wharf that night after the murder....had he not been so grief-stricken over her death, he probably would have been suspicious of the things that were happening.
And, although, words could never describe how he felt having Sheridan back, a part of him couldn't help being angry for being decieved and put through hell, the last few days were the worst times of his life. He had thought he was coming here to spend a miserable week grieving over the loss of the woman he loved only to find out she wasn't dead and the people he knew and trusted hid the truth from him. But, he couldn't hold a grudge even if he wanted to, the only thing that mattered was that Sheridan was alive.
***
Later they ate a quiet dinner in the moonlight garden. Golden colored lanterns illuminated the garden with a romantic glow while the sweet scent of exotic flowers and the ocean breeze filled the air around them. With all the beauty surrounding them, to Luis, Sheridan was the loveliest thing is sight. He still couldn't believe she was there with him, talking to him, touching him.
As the last of the guests retired to their rooms, only Sheridan and Luis remained in the garden. Luis gazed at her from across the table and felt joy fill every corner of his heart and saw the same joy shine in her eyes. Yet, there was a deep sadness there too. She hadn't said much during their meal, and now she seemed to have grown even more silent. Luis sensed something was wrong, there was something she wasn't telling him.
Seeing her dazed expression, he covered her hand with his on the table, gently carressing his fingers over her skin. "What's wrong?" he asked in a soothing voice.
Sheridan met his gaze, but hesitated a moment before speaking. She took a shaky breath, fighting the tears that burned her eyes. "Luis, I'm leaving tomorrow."
A sudden sadness tore through him. "What do you mean you're leaving? where are you going?" His voice sounded worried.
"I don't even know where I'm going," she answered ruefully. "After my death was faked, the FBI planned to make me disappear until Roger and Pierre are caught. But, I told Agent Freeman I couldn't leave without seeing you."
"So he arranged for me to come here and see you," he said in a low voice. Sheridan nodded silently. Luis had already gathered that much but, he just hadn't expected on losing her so soon.
"I don't want to leave. I refuse to lose you again."
"No, you have to go," he said with a sudden sterness in his voice that suprised her. "You have to do what the FBI wants."
"But-"
"No buts Sheridan. As angry as I felt at the FBI for letting me think you were dead, I can see now that it was necessary. Roger and Pierre were not going to give up until you were dead. It was the only way the FBI could ensure your safety" He hated that his words sounded insensitive but he had to make her understand how serious the situation was. "You won't be in danger as long as Roger and Pierre think they succeeded in having you killed. You won't have to look over your shoulder anymore."
"I don't care about that."
"Well I do," he said firmly. "Do you have any idea what I went through when I thought you died. I never want to feel like that again." He reached over the small table to cup her face.
Sheridan rubbed her cheek against his palm as tears pooled out of her eyes. "I just don't want to be apart from you," she said in a tearful voice that broke his heart. Luis had to force his voice to sound strong and tell her to continue with the FBI's plans to make her dissappear, even though his heart ached to tell her not to leave him again. "I don't want to be apart from you either, Sheridan, but you have to do as the FBI asks.
"Luis..."
"This isn't goodbye forever. It won't be long before Roger and Pierre are caught and put behind bars. We'll be together again soon, " Luis told her, although, he had no idea when they would see eachother again.
She broke their gaze and looked down as more tears fell from her eyes. "And, what if it takes months or worst, years. "She argued. "Could you wait for me that long?"
"I don't care how long it takes. I'll wait for you. Don't you know how much you mean to me."
Looking up, she met his gaze as he wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. " I never realized how empty my life was until I met you...when I'm with you, I feel complete."
"Oh Luis," she whispered through her tears.
"I love you Sheridan."
"I love you too."
He leaned forward and kissed her lips tenderly then drew back to look at her. It amazed him how effortlessly the words had flowed out of his mouth.
"Why did it take you so long to say it?" she asked him softly.
"Because I'm an idiot. Even though I didn't want to admit I was in love with you, I felt it from the moment we met."
"I felt it too," she murmured before placing a sweet kiss on his mouth.
Chapter 3
Several lights around the building flickered off, leaving only a few remaining lanterns still burning to light the garden. The moon seemed to have disappeared and gone into hiding somewhere. Surrounded by sudden darkness they realized how late it was. Luis gazed at Sheridan in the dim light of the lantern on their table as a light drizzle began to fall. Sheridan closed her eyes, sighing as the tiny rain drops cooled her warm skin. When she opened her eyes again she found Luis leaned back lazily in his chair watching her through dark eyes. "I wish this night could last forever," Sheridan said softly. "Me too, but in just a few hours it's going to be morning" he replied, his voice low and silky, then asked,"What time is your flight tomorrow?"
A sweet tingle ran through her the way he kept his eyes fixed on hers. "James Hullen, the agent who will be traveling with me, is going to pick me up at 6 in the morning."
"You should get some rest then. It's late."
"I have no intention of wasting the time we have left together on sleep," she replied quietly The slow smile he gave her made her heart flutter.
Luis lifted a hand to her mouth, running his fingertip across her parted lips then moved it softly down her throat. "What do you suggest we do then?"
Sheridan bit her bottom lip and watched Luis' gaze drop to her mouth. "Pick up where we left of six days ago," she said with a shy smile curving her lips.
Her heart began to pound harder as he stood up then held his hand out to her. When she slipped her suddenly trembling hands into his, he gently drew her to her feet and led her through the garden path to the hotel entrance.
As soon as they were inside his room, Luis kissed her again, pinning her back against the closed door. "Do you know what the best thing about this place is?" he asked against her lips.
"What?"
Luis slid his palms up her sides to her rib cage then slipped his hands beneath her bikini top to cup her bare breasts, his thumbs stroked the tight peaks, drawing a low moan from her lips. "There's no on here to interrupt us."
"Mmm...I'm glad," she murmured breathlessly. "I don't think I could bear another interruption."
"Neither can I."
Luis leaned down to kiss her neck and shoulders, her skin was damp and tasted like rain. He took her mouth agian, kissing her long and slow, while his hands expertly untied the knots on her bikini top. Tossing the material aside, he moved his hands to her waist to remove the sorang.
"Did you miss me?" Sheridan whispered into his mouth.
Luis looked into her eyes and laid a hand against her jaw, stroking her skin softly with his thumb. "You have no idea how much."
As urgent as his desire was, Luis wanted to go slow and savor every moment with her, every kiss, every touch and every word. He didn't want to think about the pain he would feel when she would leave in the morning, tonight he wanted to show her how much she meant to him and how much he loved her.
He made love to her that night with all the love and passion he felt inside of him. He took her to a place she'd never been to with anyone, he made her feel things she never felt before, and brought her ecstasy she never even knew existed.
***
Sheridan awoke before dawn to the sound of the wind rustling through the trees outside and the soothing sound of breaking waves. The breeze blowing in through the open French doors filled the room with a fresh scent of the sea and flowers. She lay still enjoying the feel of Luis' arms wrapped protectively around her, his skin warm against hers. Snuggling closer to him, she buried her face against his neck and closed her eyes. She stayed like that for a long while until the first glimpses of dawn peeked through the windows. Moving her head back on the pillow, she gazed at Luis' for a long silent moment through the early morning light and wondered how many sleepless nights she would have to spend yearning for him. She hated herself for fighting her feelings for him and trying to convince herself she wasn't in love with Luis. She regreted wasting so much of their time together in past fighting. But, no matter how much she tried to ignore her feelings for him, they were always there. On that thought she smiled. Dropping a soft kiss on his forehead, Sheridan gently lifted his arm from her waist the slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. Finding her clothes, she put them on quickly and left to go to her room to shower and dress. When she returned to Luis' room, she found him on the balcony, wearing a same black T-shirt and shorts from the day before.
Luis turned at the sound of the door shutting. He watched her place the suitcase in her hand next to the door and cross the room to join him on the balcony.
Sheridan stepped outside and into his waiting arms. Luis didn't say any thing as he pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly, neither one able to say words of goodbye. It tore him up inside as Sheridan clung to him and cried against his shoulder, her tears hot against his skin. Even when her sobs subsided she held on to him unable to let go. "I hate this," she whispered against his skin.
"I know."
"Ask me to stay Luis, and won't go."
He almost did but forced the words back. He could never jeopardize her safety for his own selfish reasons. He needed her but he would sacrifice anything to protect her. "I can't do that," he murmured softly, fighting the tears that burned his eyes, yet there was pain in his voice he just couldn't hide. "We'll get through this Sheridan. I promise."
He drew back to look at her face. Wiping her tears, he cupped her face with in both hands and kissed her lips lovingly. The held eachother for as long as they could, until Agent Hullen knocked on the door and announced it was time to leave for the airport. Luis felt like he was dying inside but forced himself to be strong and let her go. His hands tentatively released her. The moment she stepped out of his arms, Luis felt an emptiness tear through him. He walked her to the door and kissed her again, then drew back to look into her eyes one last time. "I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered back. Sheridan touched his face and pressed a sweet kiss on his lips, then she was gone.
Running a hand through his hair, Luis walked to his bed and dropped back onto the mattress. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. The sheets still smelled of Sheridan's perfume. He didn't know how he was going to get through the next weeks without her, he only knew he had to. The waiting would be torture but he would wait for as long as it took.
***
Letting go of her that morning in Jamaica was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. The waiting was hard and going on with his life pretending Sheridan was dead, was even more difficult. He worked allot, more than he had to, trying to ease his longing through long hours or work. It was agony not knowing where Sheridan was or how she was. Agent Freeman assured him that Sheridan was safe, but that still didn't stop him from worrying about her. Not a day passed that he didn't think about her and miss her. He thought about finding her but always ended up deciding against it. He could never risk raising anyone's suspicions by trying to contact her. But now Five months had passed and Luis was beginning to lose hope that Roger and Pierre would ever be caught.
Another long two weeks went by then finally news of Roger and Pierre's arrest reached Harmony. Agent Freeman contacted Luis a few days later and informed him of Sheridan's return. It was the best news he had received in over five months. In just a couple days he would be holding her in his arms again.
For the first time in a long time, Luis slept peacefully that night. He woke up late in the morning and took a long hot shower afterwards. He was still in the shower when his phone began ringing in the bedroom. Wrapping a towel around his waist he went to his room and answered the phone in an annoyed voice, "Hello?"
"Did I catch you at a bad time, Luis?"
"Agent Freeman," Luis replied changing his tone. "Any news on when Sheridan's coming back?"
"I take it you're eager to see her," Hal Freeman replied with hint of amusement in his voice.
Luis chuckled. "More than eager."
"We'll you won't have to wait any longer Luis. She'll be there very soon."
"When exactly?"
"Actually her plane should be arriving in Harmony any moment."
Agent Freeman sure knew how to drop surprises on people, Luis thought with a grin, but this was best surprise he could have ever gotten. After agent Freeman gave Luis Sheridan's message of where she would be waiting for him, he rushed to the airport as fast as he could.
***
The airport was crowded with people as Luis made his way to the coffee shop where Sheridan was waiting for him. Only she wasn't there when he got there. Worried, his gaze searched for her among the hurrying crowds of people. Then, he spotted her at a nearby news stand reading a magazine. She had her back turned to him but there was no mistaking who the blond babe standing next to the magazine rack was. He recognized her the instant his gaze settled on her. Walking up behind her, he leaned close to whisper, " Welcome home."
Luis didn't have to see her face to know she was smiling. Tucking the magazine in her hand back on the rack, Sheridan turned around, her bright blue eyes connecting with his hazel ones. A second later his arms wrapped around her waist pulling her close to him for kiss. But before their lips even touched, Luis drew back suddenly in surprise, confusion crossing his features. Stepping back his gaze fell to her stomach that was big and round. His mouth fell open slightly as he stared at her bulging belly then looked back up at her face, his eyes questioning. "Sheridan you're...."
"Pregnant," she finished for him, a tearful smile on her face. "Are you happy?" she asked, her voice a little uncertain.
Luis cupped her face and brought his lips to hers and pressed a soft kiss on her mouth. "Yes, I'm happy. More happy then I've ever been in my whole life," he said against her lips. " I love you so much."
"I love you too," she said before he covered her mouth again with his. His kiss was hot and possessive and at the same time sweet and tender.
He stroked her cheek lovingly. "I hate that I wasn't there for you."
"You're here now."
"And, I won't ever let you go again," he said moving his hand down to place it on her stomach.
"You better not," Sheridan whispered as she leaned up and kissed him.
"I won't."
The End