Guarding Sheridan Ch 1

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Subject: Guarding Sheridan Ch 1 - 10
Posted By: OKDeanna - ezOP
Posts: 295
Posted At: (8/21/03 7:49 pm)
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This story was my first Shuis fan fiction, written back in May/June 2000. My writing has changed a lot since then. :-)

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Guarding Sheridan

Author: Deanna (OKDeanna)
Email: asjfan@cox.net

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Chapter One

"You've gone to far this time, Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald!"

Luis looked up and found himself staring into Sheridan Crane's angry blue eyes. "What the hell are you yelling about?"

"I'm talking about you telling my bodyguard, I'm not to leave town. Just who do you think you are?"

Luis slammed the file cabinet door shut then turned to fully face her. The fact that she was alone did not go unnoticed by him. "Just where is your bodyguard?"

Sheridan averted her gaze. "I... I left him back at the cottage."

"What?!" Luis yelled! Of all the stupid, idiotic..."Are you insane? Or do you really have a death wish!"

"Save your breath, Officer! I'm not interested in your opinion! I just came here to tell you to quit trying to run my life!"

"Well someone needs to. You obviously-" Luis stopped when he caught Sam's gaze through his office window. Sam waved him to come in. Luis nodded then looked back at Sheridan. "You stay put!"

"Don't give me orders Luis!"

"Sheridan, you make one move outside that door, alone, and I swear I'll put you in that jail cell!" Luis turned with that and marched straight into Sam's office.

Sam was out of his chair and closing the door, the minute Luis stepped inside. "What the hell is going on now, Luis? I could hear you two yelling about something all the way in here."

"Sheridan snuck out without her bodyguard!" Again, Luis thought irritably.

"What? Doesn't that woman ever listen?"

"No, that's why I want you to let me guard her."

"Are you crazy! Luis, you can't. You promised Julian that you'd -"

"I know what I promised Julian, Sam. But Sheridan's life is in danger and it's apparent she isn't going to protect herself."

"Luis, you break your word to Julian and you go back to jail."

"Sam, he'll just have to deal with it. This is a police matter. If you assign me to guard her, there is nothing Julian or Sheridan can do. Because either I guard her or I put her in jail."

"You really care about her, don't you Luis? You have to if you're willing to risk your career for her."

"Sam, don't start that again. I'm just doing my job!"

"Whatever you say, Luis. Look I'll assign you to be her bodyguard until we can find someone else. Someone she can't shake at the drop of a hat."

"Alright, I can live with that."

"The question is can Sheridan."

Luis grinned. "She's gonna be furious, but this time she's got no choice."

Luis walked out of Sam's office just as Mike came in the door. "Luis, I can't find-"

"She's here, but I'm afraid Ms. Crane will no longer be needing your services."

"What?" Sheridan asked clearly confused. "I thought you said I had to have a bodyguard or you'd put me in jail."

"I did and you do. You've already been assigned someone else. Someone that isn't going to let you out of his sight!" He said with a pointed look at Mike.

"Oh?" Sheridan asked. "And who would that be, Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald?"

"Me."

"Excuse me? I must be hearing things, I thought you just said you."

"I did."

"You're insane! I'm not going to let you-."

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice." Luis said cutting her off. "Because either I'm your bodyguard or you go to jail."

Sheridan glared at him. "You can't do that."

"I'm afraid he can." Sam interjected. "He already cleared it with me. We can't-"

"Well, he didn't clear it with me!"

"Sheridan." Luis said trying to get a reign on his temper. It wasn't easy. "You life is at stake and you don't seem to care. But I do. I'm not about to let you put the lives of innocent people in danger just so you can spite me."

"You give yourself to much credit!"

"Do I? Did you or did you not just slip out on your bodyguard to come yell at me?"

"I... I-"

Luis didn't let her finish whatever she was going to say. "It's already settled. I'm your new guard. And Sheridan, if you try to slip by me the way you did Mike tonight, you'll find yourself wearing a pair of handcuffs."

Chapter Two

Luis had insisted they stop off at his house first so that he could get his suitcase and tell Pilar of his plans. Sheridan had been shocked when Pilar said she agreed with Luis, saying that she thought it was the right thing to do. She'd thought for sure, Pilar would see things her way. She & Pilar continued talking while Luis went to pack his suitcase then when he was done, they said their goodbyes and left for her cottage.

They arrived at the cottage thirty minutes later. As soon as they did, Luis checked to make sure the place was safe, put his things in the guestroom, then told her she wasn't to leave that he was going to take a quick shower. Thinking of Luis in her shower was more than Sheridan could handle.

She heard him turn on the water and an image of Luis standing under the spray popped into her mind causing her pulse to race. Then just as quick as it had come the image was gone. She shook her head in confusion. Why had Luis taken it upon himself to protect her? It didn't make sense. Of course, nothing with Luis ever made sense.

Sheridan glanced at the front door. Maybe a walk around the grounds would help clear her head. She walked toward the door, not hearing the shower stop or the bathroom door open behind her. She was just about to walk outside when something cold and metal slid against her wrist. She heard a click and looked down to see a pair of handcuffs dangling from her wrist. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"

"I'm doing what I warned you I would do." Luis said taking the other cuff and putting it on his wrist. "Now I know you won't be sneaking out on me tonight. Because the minute you move I'm gonna know."

"Luis, you take these off me right now! You have no right to treat me this way!"

"No right? Sheridan, I'm your bodyguard. I'm supposed to go wherever you go and this way," he said raising his left hand, causing her to raise her right one. "I know you won't be going anywhere without me."

"Luis, I'm warning you-"

"You're warning me? Just what the hell do you think you're gonna do, Sheridan? I'm the one that has the key and I'm not taking these off until I know I can trust you not to leave when my back is turned."

Sheridan gave him an icy glare. "Like I'm supposed to trust you?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Do you think I'm here because I want to be? I don't think so. The only reason I'm here is because someone is trying to kill you. Something you seem to keep forgetting."

"Not this again. I am perfectly safe walking around on my family's property! I don't need you to come hold my hand."

"No, but you may need me to stop a bullet!" Luis yelled furiously.

Sheridan mouth fell open in surprise. "You would take a bullet for me?"

Luis turned and started walking away causing Sheridan to trail behind him. "Luis, would you take a bullet for me?"

Luis turned suddenly causing Sheridan to smack up against his chest. "Yes, " he said never taking his eyes off her face. "I'd take a bullet for you."

"Why?" Sheridan asked searching his eyes.

"Because I'm a cop," Luis said backing away from her, as much as he could anyway given the circumstances. "and it's my job to save lives. Now I hope you're done with your questions because I'm ready for bed."

"Bed?" Sheridan asked with a pointed look at her new bracelet. "Just where do you plan on sleeping?"

Luis gave a small chuckle. "Well, since at the moment, we're a package deal, I guess I plan on sleeping with you."

"Over my dead body."

"That" Luis said grabbing her by the wrist and leading her toward the bedroom. "is exactly what I'm trying to avoid."

Chapter Three

Sheridan couldn't sleep. She'd been staring at the ceiling for the last half hour. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't get the man laying next to her out of her mind. When they'd gotten into bed, Luis suggested they sleep on their back so that he would be in the position to grab his gun off the night stand if need be. Sheridan reluctantly agreed. Now she wished she hadn't. She wanted to lay on her stomach, but given the fact that she was attached to Luis that wasn't possible.

She glanced at the nightstand just on the other side of Luis where he had placed his gun and keys. There was another small key off to the side and she was sure it was small enough to fit the cuffs. Maybe if she uncuffed herself she could get some sleep. Sheridan looked at Luis. She was positive that he was asleep. She wasn't going to sneak off in the middle of the night. She was too tired for that. No she just wanted to get some sleep, but first she had to get that key.

Sheridan rolled closer to Luis, making sure to keep an eye out for any sign that he was waking up. Since he didn't move, she figured it was safe. She placed her free hand on the other side of Luis, then placed her left leg between his making sure not to touch him. She moved her right leg over next, then raised herself up over his sleeping form. She was careful not to put her weight on him for fear he would wake. She used her right hand, the one attached to Luis, to hold herself up so that she could reach for the key with her left. She was almost in a position to grab it when Luis suddenly pulled his arm back, causing her body to fall against his. She looked down and found herself staring into his alert brown eyes. "You're awake."

"Yes, I've been awake. I just wanted to see how far you'd go and now I know. Did you really think I'd put the key where you could reach it? How dumb do you think I am?"

Sheridan glanced at the key on the table. "That isn't the key to the handcuffs?"

"Nope. The real key is safe and sound and out of your reach."

"Ooh, she said struggling to free herself from his grip. You are the most infuriating man!"

"Well, I guess that makes us the perfect pair" Luis said flipping her over onto her back. "because you've got to be the most infuriating woman I've ever met"

Sheridan looked up into Luis' dark eyes. They crackled with an intensity that left her breathless. And intensity she knew had nothing to do with the argument they were having and everything to do with the position they were in. Something electric passed between them and Sheridan was not at all surprised when Luis leaned down and touched his lips to hers.

The kiss was gentle at first, then grew more urgent with each passing second. She parted her lips and Luis slipped his tongue inside causing tiny shockwaves to course through her body. Sheridan returned his kiss with a hunger she didn't know she possessed. Right now, the only thing she did know for sure was that she never wanted the kiss to end.

Chapter Four

The moment he touched his lips to Sheridan's, Luis knew he was lost. It was like he was drowning and Sheridan was the life boat he clung to. His mind reeled and his body kicked into to overdrive. He knew he should break the kiss before things went any further, but he couldn't seem to find the strength to pull away.

When Sheridan parted her lips, Luis thought he'd died and gone to heaven. Slipping his tongue inside, he explored her mouth with a determined thoroughness. He wanted her. He needed her. He wanted to make love to her and that's when he knew he had to stop.

Raising his head, he gazed into her passion filled eyes. Luis lowered his forehead to rest against hers as they both tried to catch their breath. "Sheridan, " Luis said after a few moments. "I... I didn't mean for that to happen."

"I know." She said raising her hand to touch his face. "I didn't either, but I'm not sorry that it happened."

Luis raised his head and smiled. "Neither am I. In fact, if we don't stop now, I may lose control. "

"Well, if you do, you won't be the only one." And then she kissed him. Their was an urgency in her kiss that told him she wanted him just as badly as he wanted her. He grabbed her hands and placed them above her head. The clink of metal hitting metal sliced through his passion filled brain and brought him back to earth.

He raised his head and gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Sheridan, but we can't do this."

"Why not? I thought we were doing pretty good."

Too good, Luis thought. "Sheridan, we have to be on guard at all times. We can't do that if we-"

Sheridan didn't let him finished. She pulled her arms free and pushed him off her. "Luis, uncuff me now."

Luis set up and flipped on the bedside lamp then turned to look at her. Her face was flushed and her eyes held barely hidden anger. "Promise you won't leave the cabin without me?"

"Yes, now uncuff me."

Luis grabbed the key off the table beside him and unlocked the cuffs. When he looked back at Sheridan her eyes blazed in fury. "That was the right key the whole time?"

"Yes, I had to have it in arms reach in case something happened and I had to uncuff you so you could get away."

"Ooh, she said pushing him backwards and jumping out of the bed. "You knew I wasn't going to escape! I think you cuffed me just so you could try and seduce me!"

"Seduce you! Sheridan you're the one that climbed on top of me remember!"

"Only to get the key so I could get some sleep!" She yelled furiously. "You're the one that kissed me!"

"Yeah well, you didn't seem to mind a second ago! In fact, you kissed me the second time!" Luis ran a hand through his hair. That last kiss had shaken him more than he was willing to admit. In fact, even now standing there looking like she wanted to kill him , he was finding it damn hard to keep his hands off of her. The see-through pale blue gown didn't help any either.

As if she read his thoughts, Sheridan looked down and turned beet red. Then she ran for the safety of the bathroom. Once she shut the door, Luis fell back against the bed, wishing to god he had kept his hands to himself. Because now that he knew Sheridan wanted him just as much as he wanted her it was going to make it damn near impossible to fight the attraction between them.

Chapter Five

Sheridan shut the bathroom door then leaned back against it, fighting for control of her emotions. She'd seen how much Luis wanted her and god help her but she wanted him too. If he hadn't broke that last kiss..., but he had. And now she was left remembering it and wanting more.

Her lips still burned from where he'd kissed her and her body still ached for his touch. She glanced at herself in the mirror and wasn't surprised by what she saw. Her lips were swollen from Luis' kisses and her cheeks were flushed. If his kisses could do this to her then she could only imagine what she would have looked like had they actually made love.

Sheridan walked toward the shower and flipped the water on cold. Then she threw off her gown and stepped under the spray. She needed to cool down and fast. If she didn't she was going to go out there and make sure Luis lost control. She knew he was right about stopping them, but it didn't keep her from wanting him or wishing things hadn't ended quite so soon.

No man had a right to be that sexy, she thought as she remembered how he'd looked lying on the bed in only a pair of faded blue jeans. What was he doing now? She wondered if he was remembering their kiss the way she was. She'd seen the way his eyes darkened when he realized her gown was see-through. Maybe she should have stayed. Maybe if she hadn't left so hastily, he would have changed his mind and taken her into his arms. Maybe then he would have made love to her.

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Luis heard the shower come on and groaned in agony. She was trying to kill him. He pictured her throwing off her gown and stepping under the spray. He had gotten a pretty good glimpse of her body before and he knew what she would look like naked. He pictured the water running sensuously down her body. His hands itched to follow it's path. Damn, he thought covering his eyes with his arm, if he didn't get out of this room, he was going to break down that damn door and show her a seduction she'd never forget.

Luis got up and walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Instead of drinking it, he poured it over his head hoping it would cool his rising temperature. The water ran down his back and over his chest and he was reminded of the image he'd gotten of Sheridan standing under the spray.

Luis didn't realize he had walked back into the bedroom until he reached for the knob of the bathroom door. He stopped himself when he his palm covered the ice cold knob. What the hell was he doing? Just as he stepped back from the door, the shower stopped. He heard a rustle of clothes and then quiet. He realized she'd be coming out any second so he jumped back into the bed and rolled over to face the hallway. When she opened the door and came out, she softly called his name. He pretended not to hear her.

He felt the mattress shift as she sat down and he almost jumped out of his skin when she touched him. He turned over and saw she was only wearing a white T-shirt. He groaned. "Dammit Sheridan, you're going to kill me."

Then he did the only thing he could under the circumstances. He grabbed her, pushed her onto her back, and then he kissed her. She didn't pull away. In fact, she matched him with a fire that sent them both up in flames. He only prayed they didn't get burned.

Chapter Six

Sheridan woke the next morning and found herself looking into Luis' dark brown eyes. Memories of the night before flooded her brain and left her wondering if she'd dreamed it. One look at Luis' wide smile told her she hadn't. "Good morning, Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald."

"Morning, Ms. Crane." Luis leaned over and gave her a light kiss on the lips. Her body came to life instantly. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like an angel once I finally got to sleep." She sent him a secret smile. A smile between lovers. "How did you sleep?"

Luis smiled. "Okay, I kept dreaming about you... and about last night."

Sheridan hoped he didn't regret it, because there is no way she ever could. It had been wonderful, magnificent, it had been... explosive. "Luis, you don't-"

"No, I don't" he said answering her question before she could even say it. "Last night was not what I had planned, but there is no way I could regret what happened between us. I'd be lying if I said I did."

"Good, because I don't regret it either. In fact," she said scooting closer to him and putting her arms around him. "I'd like a repeat performance."

Luis gave a small chuckle. "There is nothing I'd like better than to repeat last night, but..."

Sheridan pulled back to look at him and wasn't surprised when he averted his gaze. "You don't regret it, but you think it was a mistake? Is that it?"

"Dammit Sheridan," Luis said pulling away from her and getting out of the bed. "don't go putting words in my mouth."

"But you do think it was a mistake, don't you?" Sheridan said sitting up, holding the sheet to her chest.

"I don't think it was a mistake for us to make love, but I do think it was a mistake to make love last night. It's going to make things harder on both of us now."

"What do you mean 'make things harder'."

Luis pulled on his jeans and zipped them up, leaving the button at the top undone. The man was too sexy for her own good. "I mean that we can't do this while we're trying to keep you alive. Getting involved would only complicate the situation."

"Getting involved? Luis, we already are involved. Or was I just dreaming about last night?"

Luis gave her a devilish grin. "You weren't dreaming and you know it. " Then he stopped smiling and said, "these drug cartels mean business and if I'm not totally focused on your safety then something could go wrong."

"Something could go wrong, as in, they could kill me?" Sheridan shook her head. "Luis, I hardly think us making love is going to have an effect on your ability to protect me."

"I can't take that chance Sheridan and are you honestly telling me that you can?"

Sheridan looked in his eyes and remembered the way he looked at her last night. What happened between them had been incredible, there was no denying that. But what if Luis was right? What if his mind wasn't on the drug cartel when they chose to come after her again? She couldn't take that chance any more than he could, After all the trouble Luis had gone through to keep her alive, she wasn't about to let him down by getting herself killed. "Alright, I understand."

Sheridan threw back the covers, pulled on the T-shirt that Luis took off of her last night, and without looking at him escaped to the bathroom. She knew in her heart that Luis was right. Last night had been a mistake, a glorious wondrous mistake. She certainly wouldn't mind repeating it, but she knew it would have to be after her life was no longer in danger.

Sheridan glanced in the mirror and was shocked by what she saw. "No," she whispered looking at the reflection in the mirror. "It couldn't be." But it was, she thought, she knew it as sure as she knew her own name. There reflected in the mirror was the look of a woman in love.

Chapter Seven

Something was wrong, Luis thought as he watched Sheridan tear through another kitchen cabinet 'looking for something'. He'd noticed earlier when she came out of the bathroom that she seemed preoccupied. There had been something in her eyes when she looked at him. Something he'd never seen before. But then it was gone before he even had a chance to figure out what it was. He'd thought it had to do with last night, but now he wasn't so sure.

Luis shook his head , then got up to fix himself another cup of coffee. Just as he reached for the pot, he heard the sound of breaking glass. He turned to see Sheridan reaching down to pick up a piece of broken plate. "Sheridan, be care-"

"Ow!" She screamed grabbing her right hand.

Luis grabbed a towel out of the cabinet and reached down to wrap it around her hand. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Sheridan didn't answer. She just kept staring at the blood on her hand. It was almost as if she were seeing something else. "Sheridan, answer me. Are you okay?"

She still didn't answer. He touched her shoulder and she jumped backwards about ten feet. "What the hell is the matter with you?"

"I... I don't know. I just saw the blood and..." Luis watched in horror as Sheridan started to collapse. He barely caught her before she hit the ground.

"Sheridan?" he said lightly slapping her face. "Sheridan, can you hear me?"

She didn't respond. "Dammit Sheridan, wake up. You're starting to scare me."

After a few more terrifying seconds, Sheridan slowly opened her eyes. "Wh... what happened?"

"You fainted." Luis said as he picked her up and carried her to the couch in the living room. He laid her down, then knelt beside her on the floor. "Are you feeling okay now? You still look a little pale. Maybe we should call a doctor."

Sheridan shook her head. "I 'm fine. I... I don't know what happened."

"I don't know either, but I hope to god it doesn't happened again. I think you shaved ten years off my life."

Sheridan gave him a bright smile, then raised her hand to touch his cheek. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

That look was back in her eyes again. The one he couldn't quite name. "Sher-"

"Luis-" she said speaking at the same time he did.

Luis gave an uncomfortable laugh. "You go first."

"I... I just wanted to say thank you for worrying about me."

Luis looked in her eyes and felt himself drowning. He leaned toward her and then the doorbell rang. Perfect timing, he thought. Another minute and he would have kissed her again.

Sheridan started to get up and Luis waved her back down. "I'll get it."

Luis opened the door and found himself face to face with... Julian Crane.

Chapter Eight

Sheridan couldn't see who was at the door, but judging from the way Luis tensed up it wasn't someone he liked very much. "Luis, who's here?"

Luis stepped back from the door and in walked her brother. Damn Julian and his bad timing. Another few minutes and Luis would have kissed her. "What are you doing here, Julian?"

"I think the better question is what is Luis doing here?" Julian said with a pointed look at Luis, who merely glared at him.

Something was going on between the two of them, but she had no idea what it was. And she doubted either one of them would tell her. "Julian, Luis is here because..."

"Because she ditched her bodyguard. I've been assigned to protect her."

"What?!" Julian bellowed. "You can't do that. We had a deal-"

A deal? What deal could Luis and Julian possibly of had? "What are you talking about Julian?"

Luis glanced at her suddenly and she saw regret in his eyes. She knew that whatever happened between him and her brother, she wasn't going to like it. "Sheridan, I -"

"It's nothing for you to be concerned with Sheridan. This is between Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald and myself."

"I beg to differ Julian. Something tells me this has everything to do with me. In fact, if I had to venture a guess I'd say it had to do with your getting the charges against Luis dropped."

"Don't be ridiculous. I wouldn't-"

"You're right Sheridan. It does have something to do with the kidnapping charges against me being dropped." Luis said cutting Julian off.

"Dammit Luis, you gave me your word."

"Yes, I did." Luis said turning towards her brother. "And for the first time in my life, I'm going to break it."

"You know what this means don't you?"

"Yeah I know what it means." Luis said. "But I'm afraid you don't."

"Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on here!" Sheridan finally screamed when it became apparent that both men had forgotten she was there.

Luis turned and walked over to her. "Julian made me a deal. He told me he'd get the charges against me dropped, if... if I agreed to stay away from you. And since at the time you wanted nothing to do with me anyway..."

Sheridan looked into Luis eyes and saw the truth reflected there. "You agreed, didn't you."

"Yes, I agreed."

"You broke your word... for me? You're risking your career, your freedom for me? Why? Why would you do that Luis?"

"Because I... I don't want to see anything happen to you. It's my job to protect you."

"Your job. It's always about your job isn't? Well something tells me this time is anything, but about your job."

"Oh my god, Sheridan. What happened?" Julian asked grabbing her hand in fake concern. She noticed that it was still bleeding. "It looks like you need stitches. I think I should take you to the hospital."

Sheridan looked at the blood, then looked at Julian. Something clicked in her mind causing a shiver of recognition to course through her body. The intensity of it took her breath away. Dear god, she thought as images flashed through her mind, she remembered. She finally remembered what really happened the night Martin Fitzgerald disappeared.

Chapter Nine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Flashback ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An image formed in her mind, an image of a man. She'd seem him before... She didn't know where, but she knew he was a nice man. He always talked to her. Her father was yelling at him. The man was yelling back. She was on the stairs listening, but she should have been asleep. She must have made a noise because both men looked up at her. She was frightened. She'd never seen her father so angry before. But then the other man smiled and told her everything was okay. That they were just having a disagreement, that everything would be fine in the morning. But it wasn't fine, she thought remembering. It was never fine again. Because something else had happened that night. Something far worse than he could have imagined.

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Something had waken her. She could hear voices downstairs. She pulled back the covers and had just stood up when she heard someone yell out. She ran down the stairs and there in the foyer was her brother holding a gun on a man she didn't recognize. They were both angry, they kept yelling at each other. They sounded like her father and the nice man had earlier. The man kept asking Julian where his wife was. She thought he meant Ivy, but then she saw one of the maids come out of the living room. The woman was only half dressed. Sheridan didn't understand. Why didn't the woman have more clothes on? And where was Julian's shirt.

The man lunged at Julian and then she heard a loud noise, like a firecracker. It was so loud that she covered her ears. Then she looked down and saw the man fall to the floor. There was blood everywhere. That's when she screamed. Julian had seen her then. He dropped the gun and started toward her, but she ran. She was running so hard she fell and hit her head.

When she woke up, she was holding a bloody letter opener in her hand. Her father was standing over her and Julian was telling him she'd stabbed a man. That's when she saw the body on the floor. It was covered with a white sheet. Julian said he was dead. She heard Julian tell their father that she had hidden in the living room and jumped out as the man came around the corner. Julian said he saw her stab the man. Sheridan didn't remember, but Julian said she did so she must have. She was sure she didn't mean to hurt the man. She was sure she didn't mean to...

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"Sheridan. Come on, Sheridan wake up and look at me. Don't do this to me. Dammit Sheridan, open your eyes. Open your eyes and look at me."

Sheridan heard Luis calling her and tried to open her eyes. They felt heavy, they felt so heavy. "L... Luis." She said forcing her eyes open.

"I'm here." Luis said grabbing her hand. "I'm right here."

"Wh... where am I?"

She heard him take a deep breath. "You're at the hospital. Do you remember what happened?"

She shook her head no or she tried to anyway. "N...no."

"You fell and hit your head on the coffee table. You've been unconscious for the last eighteen hours."

Fell? Unconscious? "How did I fall?"

"You fainted again. When Julian grabbed your hand, you just looked at him and starting screaming. Then you pulled your arm away from him and the next thing we knew you were hitting the edge of the table. We tried to catch you, but it was already to late."

Julian. The gun. The man. The blood. She remembered. Oh god, she remembered. "Luis, I... I remember. I remember everything."

"What do you remember?" Luis asked looking into her eyes.

"I remember what happened. I was there Luis. I know what happened. Oh god, I know what happened."

Luis furrowed his brow in confusion. "You know what happened where, Sheridan? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the night your father disappeared. I'm talking about the night Julian... Oh god. I was there, Luis. I was there. I know what happened. I know what happened."

"Sheridan, calm down, you're getting hysterical on me. Let me go and get Dr. Russell."

"Noooo! Don't leave me. Don't leave me." Sheridan screamed. But it was already too late. Luis was going to get the doctor. Would they sedate her like they had when she was a child? Would they send her away again?

Chapter Ten

Luis' heart ached as he watched Dr. Russell give Sheridan the sedative. He wasn't sure what had happened with her tonight. She kept saying she remembered something, but Luis wasn't sure if it was caused by the head trauma she suffered or if she was actually remembering something that had happened to her. Something bad.

He knew it had something to do with Julian and that's why he made sure Julian wasn't aloud to see her. Julian was furious, but then Sam had walked up. After Luis told him about Sheridan's reaction to Julian tonight, Sam agreed that Julian wasn't to go near Sheridan.

Sam had tried to call Ivy, but she wasn't home. He'd also tried to call Ethan, but he seemed to be out of town somewhere. So the only person Sheridan had to watch out for her right now, was him.

"Luis, why don't you go home and get some sleep?" Dr. Russell said breaking into his thoughts. "There's nothing you can do here tonight. Sheridan will be out for awhile."

"No." He said his voice more rough than he intended. He sent Dr. Russell an apologetic smile. "I'm not leaving her alone."

"Luis, you need to rest. You've been here for almost twenty-four hours now. When was the last time you slept? Or ate for that matter?"

"I'm fine." Luis said as he continued to stare in the window. Just watching her breathe made him feel better. "I'm not leaving her."

"Okay, then how 'bout I get one of the orderlies to put another bed in Sheridan's room. That way you can get some sleep and be close to her at the same time. What do you think?"

Luis nodded. "That sounds good. Just as long as I can be with her in case she needs me."

"You really care for her, don't you Luis?"

Luis turned and looked at Dr. Russell. "Yeah, I guess I do."

"Have you told her?"

"Told her what?" Luis asked.

Dr. Russell just smiled. "Have you told her that you love her?"

Dr. Russell turned and left not waiting for a response. Not that he could have given her one. Luis turned back around to the window. He saw her lying there, looking so helpless and knots formed inside his stomach. It had been the same this morning, when he saw her hit her head on that table. When he'd noticed the gash on her head, he'd felt as if he was bleeding inside.

Luis remembered the all the moments he and Sheridan had shared. The laughter, the tears, the fights... He remembered how he always seemed to know when she was in danger. An image of them making love formed in his mind, he saw her smiling and looking at him with those sparkling blue eyes. Then he remembered the look in her eyes when she'd come out of the bathroom this morning. He hadn't recognized that look then, but he did now. Dear god, how could he not have known? How could he not have realized what that look meant?

Luis watched Sheridan take another breath and felt his heart constrict with emotion. He knew now what that emotion was. He knew what that emotion meant. He was in love with Sheridan Crane and he knew without a doubt that she was in love with him. They had a lot to talk about. "And we will talk about it," he said resting his palm against the window. "just as soon as she wakes up."

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Guarding Sheridan Ch 1 - 10	OKDeanna	8/21/03 7:49 pm
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