|
OKDeanna's Passions Fan Fiction Forum > Luis & Sheridan Stories > Chapter Sixteen - Twenty *Final Chapters* |
|
| << Prev Topic | Next Topic >> |
|
Subject:
Chapter Sixteen - Twenty *Final Chapters* Posted By: OKDeanna - ezOP Posts: 230 Posted At: (10/13/02 11:43 am) Reply |
|
Chapter Sixteen The walk back to the cottage was filled with a tense silence and the sudden disappearance of the moon behind a dark thundercloud almost seemed like a warning, a warning that there was more to what happened tonight than met the eye. Sheridan knew her brother - and Jake - well enough to know that their sudden change in attitude was not something she should just shrug off. They were up to something. She was sure of it. She knew they wanted her to believe they were happy for her, but she'd been around her brother long enough to know that he was only happy for her when it benefited him. She'd tried to give him the benefit of the doubt on more than one occasion since she'd come back to Harmony, but his bringing Jake here, when he knew how she felt about him, told her he didn't give a damn about her or how she felt. Which shouldn't have surprised her in the least but somehow did. She shook her head then glanced out of the corner of her eye at the man standing beside her. He hadn't said two words since they'd told Julian and Jake goodnight yet his silence told her more than his words could have. And she had no idea what to say to make it any better. She'd dropped a bomb on him tonight. One that could have been avoided. She stopped just in front of the entrance to the gazebo then took a deep breath and slowly turned to face him. "I’m sorry I didn't tell you about Jake." "Why didn't you?" He asked, his voice low and filled with hurt. He still hadn't turned to face her and she wondered if it was because he couldn't bring himself to look at her. She knew he'd told her brother that they were in love, but even though she knew he meant it, she also knew it wasn't going to be easy to work through the problems they had. Too much hurt laid between them and her former marriage had just added even more. She sighed then turned and walked up the steps to the gazebo. "My marriage to Jake is not a subject I like to think about much less talk about." She shook her head, the memories barreling through her mind before she could even sort through them all. "When I first met him, he seemed so wonderful - the man of my dreams. I thought he felt the same way I did, but we hadn't been married two weeks when I caught him in a lie. He'd told me he had to go out of town on business, but one of my friends saw him across town on the same night he was supposed to be in Los Angeles - with another woman I might add." "I confronted him about it when he got home from his trip, but he's so smooth with words and I had no clue what I was up against back then. Because of that I let him convince me that my friend was seeing things. I mean why would he lie to me about going on a trip? It didn't make sense, but then looking back I realize nothing about our courtship or our marriage ever made since. Not until I learned the truth." She laughed, but the sound was so bitter she shivered. "We'd been married eighteen months when I accidentally walked in on him arguing with my father. The only thing I heard - and believe me it was enough - was him accusing my father of backing out of their deal and that if he didn't deliver on the job he'd promised him then he saw no reason why he should stay married to me." She closed her eyes as the scene replayed in her mind then quickly shook her head and forced it back out again. "My father tried to explain it away, saying I misunderstood what Jake had said, but I knew I hadn't. I knew more about Jake by then. I knew enough about him to know that he never did anything without a reason and since I'd already come to the conclusion that he didn't really love me, his marrying me because my father promised him a job made complete sense to me." She opened her eyes again then drew in another deep breath and forced herself to meet the unreadable brown eyes of the man standing a few feet in front of her. "I filed for a divorce the next day and met Jean Luc, yet another mistake in a long line of mistakes, 8 months later." "Is that how you see me too?" Luis asked his voice holding more emotion than his eyes would allow her to see. "Just another mistake?" "No!" She replied taking a step toward him, gripping the dark material covering his upper arms in her hands in an effort to keep him from turning away from her. "I don't see you as a mistake. I'll admit I did once because I thought…well you know what I thought. But I was wrong. You're so far from a mistake. You're everything. You mean more to me than I even knew was possible. I love you, Luis, and I know without a doubt that you love me too. You don't care about my money or what my family can do for you. You love me, me, and I know that now. I know that with everything I have inside me." He searched her eyes and he must have realized she spoke the truth because he suddenly broke out into a wide smile and raised a hand to her cheek. "You know your brother isn't going to just sit back and accept us, don't you? I don't care what he said. There is no way he's just going to give into the idea of you and me. You know he hates it. He can't stand it. I know the reason he and your father want us kept apart, they fear I'll find out what really happened to my father, but I swear to god that isn't the reason I want to be with you. I love you, Sheridan. I love you with all of my heart. And being with you has nothing to do with whatever happened to my father or my belief that your family was involved. I hope you know that." "I do." She whispered leaning her face into his touch. "I know you love me and I know what we have between us has nothing to do with your wanting to find out what happened to your father. I know it's about you and me. I know that. But I want you to know that I will do anything I can to help you find out what really did happen." Luis shook his head. "You'd better not let Julian or your father hear you say that. They'll probably disown you." "I don't care." She said framing his face in her hands. "I've waited my whole life to find a man like you and I hate that you have so many unanswered questions about your father, questions that my family can answer but won't. If they disown me because I want to help you find those answers then so be it. I'll still be the richest woman in the world, because I'll have you." She paused a second then slowly drew in a breath. "I will have you, right?" Luis smiled. "Do you really want me?" "Do you really have to ask me that?" She arched a brow. "I thought that question was a no-brainer." "A no-brainer, huh?" He asked wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer, their faces just inches a part. "Would it also be a no-brainer if I told you I'm going to kiss you now?" She nodded. "Yes it would." "Okay then I won't tell you." * * * * * Luis smiled as he touched his lips to Sheridan's. He knew they had a lot of things to work out still, but just hearing her say how much she loved him and knowing that she meant it told him that everything between them would work out. As long as they loved and trusted each other then everything would be just fine. Doubts about her ability to trust in him penetrated his brain and he quickly pulled out of the kiss to look at her. Her eyes were closed, but once they opened a thousand and one questions flashed through them, including the one she asked. "Why did you pull away?" He closed his eyes then shook his head and dropped his arms from around her waist. When he opened his eyes again, he found her arms had replaced his own around her waist. "I was just thinking about what happened the night you said you saw and heard me down at the wharf and how you really believed it was me for so long. I have no answers about what happened that night, Sheridan. It wasn't me though, but I have no proof of that. I wouldn't even know where to begin to search for it either. I mean how could you have seen and heard me when I wasn't there? Unless I have a twin walking around Harmony you couldn't have yet you said I was there and I wasn't." "I believe you, Luis. If you say you weren't there then you weren't there." He shook his head again. "But WHY do you believe me? Is it because you trust me? Trust me enough to know I never said those things you heard? Or is it because you just want to forget it happened?" "Why are you asking me this?" She questioned arching a brow. "I thought we discussed this and you understood that my reaction about that night stemmed from my inability to trust my own judgment." Luis stared at her a second then raised his head and let his eyes focus on the dark clouds forming in the sky above them. "We did discuss it and I do understand part of where you are coming from, but at the same time I have to wonder what would happen the next time you think you see me somewhere I couldn't have been. How would you react then? Would you believe me and trust me when I tell you I wasn't there?" He turned back to face her and he wasn't at all surprised to see the doubts in her eyes again. "I guess you see my point now. Even though you say you know it wasn't me, a part of you still doesn't believe me, right? Without positive proof that I wasn't there, you're still deep down going to think I was there, aren't you?" "Luis -" "A relationship can't survive without trust, Sheridan. It's the very foundation a relationship is made on." He shook his head. "How can you expect us to have any kind of relationship when you still don't trust what I'm telling you? I know you love me, but like I told you when I moved out of the cottage, sometimes love just isn't enough." She sucked in a sharp breath then raised a hand to her throat. "So what are you saying?" "I don't know what I'm saying." Luis replied raising a hand to run it over his face. "I just…I feel like I'm trapped in some alternate reality or something. I mean ever since you told me the reason you left for Paris all those months ago and the reason you shut me out for so long, I keep going back over everything that's happened between us. Outside of that one night, I never gave you a reason to doubt me. To doubt the kind of person I am yet you did. And tonight I found out that while I thought I knew you, there were things about you that I didn't know. You were married, Sheridan, and you never thought to even mention that to me." "Trust is a two way street and I placed my trust in you without having one shred of doubt inside of me, but you couldn't do the same for me. And then tonight I find out you kept something from me and it has me wondering about what else you haven't told me. I mean if you could leave out the fact that you were once married…" His voice trailed off and he let out a frustrated sigh. "I have no idea what I'm saying right now or what any of it even means. I just know that it hurts to know that all these months you accused me of not being honest with you and here I find out you kept something as important as having been married before a secret from me." He looked at her then and took a deep breath when he saw her eyes were filled with tears. "I think I should go. I don't think us talking about this any more tonight is such a good idea. I need time to process what happened tonight and see how I feel about it all. I'm sure you do too." She nodded and he prayed she understood where he was coming from, even if he didn't understand himself. "Luis, do you…do you believe I love you?" "I know you love me, Sheridan. I have no doubts about that." He smiled ruefully. "But love can't survive without trust and unfortunately the trust we have between us right now isn't strong enough to stand on its own let alone to hold the foundation needed for building a relationship." He stepped closer to her then lightly touched her face with the back of her hand. "I love you and that's why I don't want us to just brush these things aside. Somehow we have to figure out a way to deal with them, because that's the only way a relationship between us will work." She nodded again then reached up and covered his hand with her own. "I understand and you're right. We need to figure out how to deal with them, me more so than you I know. I promise you I'll figure it out, Luis. I promise you that I won't ignore what my heart tells me again." Luis leaned in to brush a kiss across her lips then slowly removed his hand from her cheek and placed it in the pocket of his jeans so as not to reach out and pull her into his arms the way he wanted to. "I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Sheridan." "Goodnight Luis." She whispered, her voice so low he barely made out the words. "I love you." He smiled then glanced at her over his shoulder. "I love you too, Sheridan." * * * * * Sheridan smiled as she watched Luis walk away then rubbed her arms up and down as another shiver passed up her spine. Glancing up toward the sky, she frowned when she noticed the clouds were getting darker. It was really fixing to storm, she thought making her way out of the gazebo toward her cottage. She thought she heard a rustling noise in the rose bushes as she passed by them, but when she looked she didn't see anything. She stood there for a second though, staring into the darkness feeling as if someone was there, then almost jumped out of her skin when one of the guard dogs came out from the bushes. At least, now she knew she wasn't imagining the feeling that she wasn't alone. She shook her head as she watched the dog trot off as if she wasn't even there then quickly closed the distance between where she stood and the front door to her cottage. As she opened the door, she prayed tomorrow would be a lot better than today had been and maybe if she was lucky she would find the answers to the questions she knew would haunt her dreams tonight. Chapter Seventeen The sunlight streaming in through a crack in her curtains hit Sheridan in the face almost as if it were trying to annoy her. If the was the case, it was definitely succeeding, she thought pulling back the covers and slowly climbing out of bed. She wasn't sure how much sleep she'd gotten the night before, but she knew it hadn't been more than four hours. She hadn't even fallen asleep until sometime after three and it was just now, she tossed a quick glance at the clock on her bedside table then frowned. Seven-thirty. She hadn't even gotten four hours sleep, she thought irritably. A yawn escaped her throat and she wondered if even the shower she planned on taking would wake her up. She was so tired, but she didn't want to sleep any later. She wanted to hurry up and get over to the main house before Ivy left. She wanted to check with her and see if she knew anything about what Julian was up to hiring Jake. She also wanted to find out if Ivy thought Julian was serious in saying he wouldn't try to interfere with her and Luis. Then again at this point, she wasn't sure there was anything really to interfere with. She'd really screwed up in not trusting him, but even though she knew that she also knew she had a damn good reason for it. He kept saying he wasn't at the wharf that night she said she saw him there and as much as she told herself she believed him, there was still a small part of her that questioned his honesty. But at the same time she knew he wasn't lying. Her frown deepened. How could she know he wasn't lying yet a part of her still be so sure she saw him there? It didn't make any sense. He couldn't be some place he wasn't and he said he wasn't yet she saw him there. Luis had said something about having a twin and if she didn't know there was only one Luis, she would have said that explanation made perfect sense. She shook her head then walked into the bathroom to get her water ready. She really hoped Ivy could shed some light on what Julian was up to because she knew him well enough to know that his bringing Jake to Harmony was more than just business. He'd asked her several times since she'd been home if she'd talked to Jake and she'd repeatedly told him no. That she had no desire to see, talk, or even think about Jake again. He was out of her life and their divorce was one of the smartest things she'd ever done. Julian hadn't agreed of course, but she hadn't thought he would stoop so low as to actually bring Jake here and force her to see him again. Although she didn't know why it should come as any big surprise. He'd never cared about her feelings. He was just like father. The only time either of them paid any attention to her was when they thought something she was doing would harm the family - like getting involved with Luis. She had always thought Luis was crazy for thinking that her father or brother could have been involved with whatever happened to his father, but she wasn't so sure anymore. Julian and Alistair were known for their ruthlessness in business and they were like pit bulls with protecting the Crane name. If they did have something to do with Martin's disappearance then there was no telling what they would do to stop it. She knew Luis had been semi-joking when he told her not to let Julian or Alistair hear her say she would help him find out the truth because they might disown her, but she knew there was a very good possibility that they would do exactly that. Not that she cared very much. She loved her family, dearly, but she could live without the secrets, manipulations, and yes even the money. If she had Luis love then she would be just fine. Only trouble was she wasn't at all sure if she had Luis. She knew she had his love, but she also knew there was a wall between them, a wall that she'd put there. Shaking her head at herself, Sheridan reached into the shower and turned on the sprayer then when the water was the right temperature, she undressed and quickly stepped under the steady stream cascading down from the silver toned showerhead. She tilted her face toward the water and wished that the water could wash away all her problems. She knew it couldn't of course, but it didn't stop her from wishing it could. Twenty minutes later, dressed in a pair of comfortable faded blue jeans and a multi-colored top, Sheridan emerged from the cottage and began the walk up toward the main house. She frowned when she saw Jake's motorcycle parked in the drive way and almost turned to walk back to the cottage, but then she realized now would be the perfect time for her to find out if her brother was on the up and up about his reasons for hiring Jake. They weren't expecting her after all. She smiled then quickened her steps and once she reached the main house, she slowly opened the door and stepped inside. She didn't hear anyone talking, but then again if they were in Julian's study toward the back of the house she wouldn't. Drawing in a deep breath, she made her way toward her brother's "office." She knew he would be furious with her if he caught her eavesdropping, but she also knew that if he was up to something with Jake, eavesdropping was the only way she would find out what it was. She could hear voices coming from Julian's study and the minute she heard the voice of her ex-husband she frowned. "Julian, I don't know about this. I mean what if Sheridan finds out what you're up to?" He shook his head. "It's obvious she loves this Luis guy and you can't expect her to just fall back into my arms again, especially not considering how she feels about me." "And you don't think you can change her mind?" Julian asked making a slight tsking sound. "You know I thought you were better than that Jake. I mean if you can't convince my love starved sister that she was wrong about you then I don't really see any point to keeping you on our payroll any longer. It's not like you've been that helpful with the jobs you've taken on recently. The last job we paid you for certainly didn't go very well, did it?" She heard Jake mutter something under his breath, but she couldn’t make out what it was. "You paid me to get her away from him and I did. It's not my fault you two couldn't manage to keep them apart. I did what I was hired to do. I played the role you hired me to play." "And now we're paying you to play it again." Sheridan heard a drawer open and close, but she didn't dare move from her place against the wall to see what he got out. The last thing she needed was to get caught now. What role had Julian hired Jake to play? She frowned then pressed her head back against the wall and continued to listen. "I still don't think this is such a good idea I mean it was fine when Sheridan had no idea I was in town, but now that she's seen me and now that Luis knows who I am, I'm not sure my wearing this is very smart. If either of them figures it out -" "They won't." Julian stated authoritatively. "If you do your job then they will never know. How could they? It's not like they'll ever see your face." Julian laughed suddenly and Sheridan shivered at the sound. He sounded so much like their father. How could he be so cruel? How could he intentionally set out to break her heart? And how had they done it? The only thing that split her and Luis apart was… Sheridan raised a hand to her cover her gasp and prayed Julian nor Jake had heard the sound then just to make sure she quickly backed away from the door and rounded the corner. She heard the creak of what sounded like the door to Julian's study and quickly raced into the living room and up the stairs to the second floor. Just as she reached the top landing, she saw Julian and Jake walk out of the living room and into the foyer. "Must have been one of the maids." Julian muttered as he turned and walked back into the living room. "Are you sure?" Jake asked still not moving from his spot in the foyer. "I could have sworn I…" He shook his head then sighed and turned back around. "No way could I have just smelled your sister's perfume. I mean she's probably at the cottage still waiting on Luis to show up. They did make plans to meet today. It's a good thing you had me follow them last night, Julian. If you hadn't you might not have been able to find out Sheridan plans to help Luis find out what happened to his father." Jake laughed and Sheridan held her breath as he asked the question she herself now wanted to know. "Just what did happen to his father anyway? I mean what did -" "Jake," Julian warned, his voice suddenly cold as ice. "If I were you I would worry less about what happened to Luis' father and more about putting that mask you're holding on and playing the part of Sheridan's Latin lover." Sheridan swallowed hard then slowly descended the stairs just enough so she could peek into the living room. When she did and she saw what Jake held in his hands, she had to bit her tongue to keep her temper in check. Of all the things Jake had done to her, this had to be the worst and to think that he was acting on her brother and father's orders… Damn them, she thought narrowing her eyes as her fingers curled around the wooden railing on the stairs, damn them to hell. * * * * * Luis lifted a hand to run it over his face then lowered it a second later to pick up his cup of coffee and bring it to his lips, taking a healthy sip of the hot liquid before setting the mug back onto the kitchen table and closing his eyes as he rested the back of his head against the chair he was sitting on. He hadn't slept a wink last night. Thoughts of everything Sheridan had told him kept invading his dreams and waking him up, making him ask a million questions he had no clue on earth how to get answers to. The thing that bugged him the most was how Sheridan could have sounded so sure she saw and heard him on the wharf that night when he'd left right after their kiss because he had to get back to the station. He hadn't remembered that when she first accused him of it, but after he'd bumped into Jake at the wharf a few days ago, his mind had been recalling the day with startling clarity. He remembered watching Sheridan leave after their kiss and then turning to go himself. He'd been so lost in thought about Sheridan and the kiss they'd shared that he'd bumped right into Jake. He seemed really nervous about running into him and Luis had to wonder if he somehow hadn't seen that kiss he and Sheridan had shared. Could he have been there spying on Sheridan? That was the only thing that made any sense. Why else would he have been on the wharf that night? And why else would he have been so nervous about running into him? And what had been in that bag he was carrying anyway? If he hadn't gotten called into the station, Luis would have questioned him about it further, but he had gotten called into the station and shortly thereafter is when Sheridan must have returned to the wharf and…and what? Seen and heard him when there was no way he could have been there? That slap she had given him the next day at the youth center had held far too much anger and hurt to be the result of her imagination. But what else could it have been? There was no way she could have seen him at the wharf when she said she did because he'd been at the station filling out his report about the drug bust that - "Mijo?" His mother asked as she pushed open the kitchen doorway and her dark eyes roamed over his haggard appearance. "Is everything alright? You look…" "Like hell?" He finished for her arching a brow then smiling sheepishly when she gave him a reproachful look. "Sorry Mama. I didn't sleep well last night." She nodded then looked at him, worry filling her eyes and brow. "I can tell you did not sleep well last night. Is something wrong? Did something happen with Sheridan?" He shook his head. "Am I that obvious?" His mother merely smiled. "I have seen the way you two are together. I am not blind. I know there is something between you. The only time I have ever seen you this way is when it has something to do with Sheridan or with your father and brother." He nodded then reached for his coffee and took another sip of it. "I found out something about Sheridan last night, Mama. Something she'd kept from me and I'm not sure exactly how to react to it. I mean she told me she couldn't trust me because of something she thought she heard me say that I really didn't say and now I find out that there are things she's been keeping from me. Important things. Things she should have told me, but didn't." His mother remained quiet and as he lowered his mug back to the table, he sighed. "I found out she was married. Turns out I know her husband. Well sort of. He was in the pool hall the other night and we played a few games, talked about Sheridan. He never let on to me that he knew her and last night when I found out he was her ex-husband, I felt like the biggest fool alive. How could I have not been suspicious of him? How could I have not realized he was a little too interested in my relationship with Sheridan?" He shook his head again and got up from the table to put his mug of coffee in the sink behind him then turned back around and leaned against the counter. "That night in the pool hall wasn't the first time I'd seen him either. I saw him a few months back down at the wharf and then the other night when I ran into him there again and I remembered running into him before that night at the pool hall, he said I was mistaken. But I know I wasn't. I know I wasn't. Which leads me to believe that he knew who I was in the pool hall that night before I ever mentioned Sheridan's name and that makes me very suspicious." "Do you think he is up to something where Sheridan is concerned?" His mother asked her brows once again creasing in worry. Luis nodded. "Yeah I do, Mama. I just don't know what. I was up all night trying to figure this thing out, what reason he could possibly have for lying to me about us having run into each other before and the only thing I can come up with is that he has something to hide. I think he may have been at the wharf that night spying on Sheridan and I. I haven't had the chance to tell Sheridan that he was in Harmony a few months ago, but I plan to. In fact, I plan to go over there and talk to her about things." "Mijo? It sounds like there is more that you plan to talk to her about." He drew in a deep breath then looked at her. "There is, Mama. I made a decision regarding my relationship with her and…and I'm not sure how she'll react to it. I know she'll be upset, but…but I think when she thinks about it she'll see that I'm right." He shook his head then pushed himself off the counter and placed a kiss against his mother's cheek. "I think I'm going to head over there and talk to her now. I was going to wait until after my shift, but I don't think I'll be able to concentrate at work until we get things settled between us. I'll see you later." Luis gave her another kiss on the cheek then turned and walked out the back door. He really had no idea how Sheridan was going to react to the decision he made, but under the circumstance he made the only one he could. He just hoped she understood. Chapter Eighteen Sheridan opened the door to her cottage and the moment she stepped inside the place she'd always felt so at home in, she let the tears that had been threatening fall. How could her brother and father be so cruel? So heartless? She knew they didn't approve of Luis and her being involved, but to intentionally set out to break her heart? Using her past mistakes and her fear of never finding a man to love her for her against her? And Jake! She knew he never loved her, but she hadn't believed him capable of something so unscrupulous. His wearing a mask was nothing new, considering he'd worn one throughout their entire marriage, but wearing a mask of Luis' face and setting out to destroy the love she'd finally found…that was worse than anything else he'd ever done. Ever could do. She closed her front door then walked down the steps and all but fell onto the couch. She had accused Luis of using her, of lying to her, and every time he denied it she hadn't believed him when the entire time he'd been telling her the truth. She really hadn't seen him on the wharf that night. She really hadn't heard him call her a spoiled princess. He really hadn't said he was only using her. But she had seen someone that night and she had heard someone say those things. And now she knew exactly who that someone was and who was behind their breaking her heart that night and ultimately tearing the relationship she and Luis were just beginning to build apart. Now all she had to do was figure out what she was going to do about it. She knew she had to tell Luis what she'd found out, he above all people had a right to know, and she planned to, just as soon as she figured out how to do it. How could she look him in the eye and admit that her own family had driven a wedge between them? That her own family had been responsible for the heartbreak she had accused him of? Sheridan reached up and wiped away her tears then shook her head as she thought about all the pain that one night had caused her and Luis. All the miscommunication and mistrust. All the pain and heartache. It had all been a setup, a setup that made her feel like the biggest fool alive, because it had worked. Down to the last detail. While she had grown closer to Luis since that night, there had still been that question in the back of her mind about what she heard on the wharf. Her father and brother had certainly thought things through and they'd obviously hired the best man for the job. After all, Jake was a pro at pretending to be someone he wasn't. She'd always thought he was a businessman like her father and brother, but she'd been wrong. He was just as crooked as Jean Luc had been and just as smooth. Both of them had cheated on her. Lied to her. Used her. Both of them had broken her heart. Yet neither of them had given her an ounce of the love that Luis had. And she'd almost thrown it all away. How could she have been so blind? Maybe his words at times contradicted his actions, but his actions had always shown that he cared about her. That he loved her. Always. He chased her to Paris on a gut instinct. Protected her when she didn't even know she was in danger. Risked his life more times than she could count to save her own and yet she had still accused him of using her. When the only thing he'd ever done was be the man she'd always dreamed of meeting. She glanced at the phone sitting on the table a few feet away from her, wondering if she should call Luis and ask him to come over. She knew he probably had to work today, but he said he would stop by and she couldn't help but hope he did it before his shift instead of after. She had to tell him - The sudden ringing of the doorbell cut of her thoughts and after pulling in a deep breath, she got to her feet and walked toward the door. She gasped as she pulled it open and saw the man standing there. "Luis." "Hey. Can I…can I come in?" He asked motioning with his hand. "There's…there's something I need to talk to you about." She started to tell him there was something she wanted to tell him too, but stopped when she saw how serious he seemed to be. She stepped back to allow him room to enter then closed her eyes and finally found her voice again. "It sounds as if it's pretty serious." "It is." He replied the odd tone in his voice causing her to quickly close the door and turn around to face him. "I made a decision last night. About us." "A decision?" She asked arching a brow, her heart racing in her chest. "What…what kind of decision?" "The kind that changes everything." He said his eyes staring into hers intently, almost making her shiver under the sheer intensity of his gaze. She drew in another deep breath then nodded and crossed to the couch. "Okay, Luis, I'm listening. What's your decision? What did you decide about us?" He closed his eyes as if looking inside of himself for strength then let out a deep breath and sat in the chair next to the couch. "I decided that -" A loud shrill cut off his words and Sheridan sent him an apologetic look. "I need to get that. I’m expecting a phone call." "Sheridan I think you should let the machine get it. This is important and it can't really wait." She glanced at the phone as it rang again then back at the man currently begging her with his eyes not to answer it. "Okay, Luis. I won't answer the phone. You can finish what you were going to say." He nodded. "Last night I made a decision about us, about our relationship, and the decision I made is -" "Sheridan?" A hesitant voice called out over the answering machine. "Are you there? It's Pilar. I need to speak with you. Luis is on his way over there and he forgot his cellphone. The station just called him on it and they need him to come in earlier, something about some missing paperwork on a case or something. It sounded important. If he does arrive soon please tell him. Thanks and I will speak with you later." Sheridan glanced at Luis. "I guess you have to leave." "Yeah," He shook his head then slowly getting back to his feet. "I'm sorry. I thought I'd have more time -" "It's okay. It's your job and I know how important that is to you." She smiled then got to her feet and followed him to the door. "But before you go, can't you tell me what you decided? I mean I am not very good at being patient, you know?" He laughed, but the sound was strangled. "I think it would be better if we just talked later when we can have more time." He shook his head again then sent her a quick smile. "I really have to go now." He turned then and pulled open the door and as he did, she wasn't sure who was more surprised - the man holding open the door or the one standing on the other side of it. * * * * * Luis stared at the man in front of him, not believing his eyes, but knowing what he was seeing was definitely not his imagination and he definitely was not looking into a mirror. But how was it possible? How was it possible that he was standing outside the door to Sheridan's cottage yet he was also standing inside of it, gripping the doorknob with his hand? "What the hell is going on here?" He asked staring into eyes that looked far too much like his own. "Who the hell are you?" "I was just about to ask you the same question." The man replied straightening his height as he stared at him with the same expression on his face that he knew was on his own. The man not only had his face, but also his voice? Luis shook his head then took a step forward, blocking the man from walking out the front door and forcing him to take a step back into the cottage. "I want to know who you are and I want to know right now." The man took another step back into the cottage and Luis quickly walked inside, not taking his eyes off the man even for an instant. "Who the hell are you?" "I think the better question would be who the hell are YOU?" He narrowed his eyes and Luis' temper rose a notch. "Impersonating an officer of the law is a federal offense, punishable by up to -" That was as far as he got before Luis stepped forward and grabbed him by the color of the police uniform he wore. "I'm glad you know the law so well. It will make my job much easier when I place the cuffs on you and read you your rights. Now why don't you tell me who you are and what you are doing with my face?" The man swallowed hard then glanced at Sheridan for help. "Sheridan, do something." "What do you want me to do?" She asked arching her brow as she looked back and forth between them. "Call the police?" Luis frowned at the calmness he heard in Sheridan's voice and as he met her eyes, he only grew more confused than he already was. "What the hell is going on here, Sheridan? Who is this guy?" "What do you mean who am I?" The man he was holding asked. "She knows who I am!" Sheridan smiled at that. "You are so right. I know exactly who you are. I know exactly who both of you are actually." "You do?" Luis asked arching a brow at her. She nodded then took a step forward. "Oh yes. I have the answers to a lot of questions now and I should really introduce you to the man that broke my heart all those months ago. The man that called me a spoiled princess and said he was only using me for his own ends." She took another step forward then stopped. "But I don't think you really need an introduction. After all, you've already met." Her eyes narrowed on the man in his grip and then before he could so much as blink, she reached up her hand and dug her nails into the man's skin. Only it wasn't skin she pulled off. No, what she pulled off was a mask. A mask of his face. A mask that no longer hid the face of the man pretending to be him. "You." Chapter Nineteen Game over, Sheridan thought as she watched Jake squirm beneath Luis' hold. She smiled at the sight. It felt good to be able to expose Jake for the liar she knew him to be. She hadn't been able to do that during their marriage because he'd always been so slick and so smooth, but he'd made a big mistake this time. One that was definitely going to cost him. Her smile widened when she saw how pale Jake looked - and how scared. "What's the matter, Jake? Did I ruin your little plan? The plan you hatched with my father and brother? Oh I know, I bet you're worried you're not going to get paid now. Is that it? Well news flash for you, you're still going to get paid. Just not in the way you thought." "Sher -" "I don't want to hear it." She said cutting him off and narrowing her eyes on him. "I know everything, Jake. I know exactly what you, my brother, and my father planned to do to me and Luis today." "I didn't have a choice." He replied his eyes begging her to understand while he still struggled against the hold Luis had on him. "They threatened me, Sheridan. They -" She laughed. She couldn't help it. "Threatened you with what? Oh wait, I did hear Julian threaten you." She nodded. "I remember now. He threatened not to pay your fee if you didn't do what he hired you to do. Yeah, I totally understand why you had no choice to come here and pretend to be Luis." He looked completely taken aback. "Not used to getting caught, are you Jake? Don't worry I'm sure you're not alone. I mean I'm sure Julian will be just as surprised as you are. I only wish I could see my father's face when he finds out his plan didn't work." She took a deep breath then finally turned her eyes back toward Luis. "I know you're really confused right now and I will explain everything." "That would be a good idea." Luis replied with a nod. "I'm definitely going to need to know all the facts for my arrest report." "Arrest! You can't arrest me!" "And why not?" Luis asked arching a brow, his eyes dark with anger. "Did you or did you not just impersonate an officer of the Harmony Police Department? I mean you said so yourself that impersonating an officer of the law is a federal offense, punish -" "Look this isn't -" "This isn't what?" Sheridan asked cutting Jake off before he could finish his sentence. "This isn't how the plan was supposed to go?" She shrugged. "Plans change, Jake. You should have learned that lesson by now." Jake struggled in Luis' grip again, but Luis didn’t loosen his hold. He merely turned Jake around and pulled his arm up high on his back and reached for the handcuffs dangling from the belt on his waist. Jake let out a string of curses that normally would have made her blush but this time only made her smile. Luis had the same smile on his face. "What's the matter, buddy? Feeling a little pain? I would say I'm sorry, but I never saw much need for lies." Sheridan watched as Luis cuffed Jake then gasped as she caught sight of the man standing in the doorway to her cottage. "Julian." * * * * * Luis turned the moment the name crossed Sheridan's lips and couldn't stop the smile that crossed his face when he saw what looked a lot like fear lurking in Julian's dark eyes. "It looks like you arrived just in time, Julian. You definitely saved me a trip up to the main house." "Why?" He asked staring at the man he had be the arm. "What's going on? Jake, what are you doing wearing a police uniform?" "He's doing what you hired him to do." Sheridan replied with a glare. "Or I should say he tried to do what you hired him to do." Julian swallowed hard, but otherwise appeared as clueless as he was trying to make them believe he was. "I have no idea what you are talking about, Sheridan. The only thing I hired Jake to do was work at Crane Industries. If he's done something else -" "She knows, Julian." Jake replied earning him an angry glare from the man still standing in the doorway. "She must have overheard us at the mansion this morning. I knew I smelled her perfume." Luis sat Jake down on the sofa then turned and made his way up the steps not stopping until he had Julian by the front of his overpriced suit. "You made a big mistake, Crane. One that'll put you behind bars." He reached behind him and got out his second pair of cuffs then forcefully pulled Julian down the steps, automatically turning him around as they reached the living room floor. "I knew I'd have another chance to cuff you. I knew you'd slip up one day, Julian, and you did. You slipped up big time. Hiring a man to impersonate an officer of the law?" Luis shook his head then smiled as he clicked one cuff in place. "I thought you were smarter than that." "There's been some kind of mistake. I have nothing to do with what's going on here. I don't know where you got the idea that I do." Julian struggled against the cuffs and Luis quickly yanked his other arm behind his back and slid the other cuff on over his wrist. He turned Julian around to face him then smiled when he saw a fresh patch of fear enter his eyes. "Game's over, Crane, and this time you lost." "I'll have your badge for this, Luis!" Julian warned his voice lacking the intensity the threat of his words implied. "Sheridan get on the phone and -" "I don't think so, Julian." Julian turned surprise and Luis just smiled. "What do you mean? Sheridan you -" "Luis is right, brother dear. The game is over. I know what you and father planned. I know all about how you hired Jake to tear us apart." Sheridan stepped closer then and before Luis could even register her intent, her right hand connected with Julian's cheek. "You bastard. I hope you rot in hell, you and father both." Julian's eyes grew wider with each word Sheridan spoke and Luis would have laughed had he not been so damn angry he could barely see straight. "You can't mean that. You can't -" "I can and I do." Sheridan replied pure hatred dripping from her voice. "You and father, not to mention Jake, have played me for a fool for the last time. As far as I am concerned, you made your beds and now you can lie in them." Luis pushed Julian onto the couch beside Jake then turned and walked toward the phone. "Oh they'll be lying in beds alright. The kind that are furnished in a nine by twelve jail cell." "Luis," Julian called from behind him. "Perhaps we can make some kind of deal." His hand paused in midreach for the receiver as his eyes swung toward Julian's. "What kind of deal could you possibly make me?" "The kind of deal you've dreamed of for years." He responded looking very much like the conniver he'd always known him to be. "You forget about what happened here today and I will tell you what I know about the night your father disappeared." Luis removed his hand from its hovered position over the phone then turned around and crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought you said you didn't know what happened the night my father disappeared?" Julian just smiled and turned slightly so his cuffed hands were visible to Luis. "There's only one way to find out for sure, Luis. The choice is yours. Forget about what happened today and find out what really happened that night…or send me to prison and lose all hope of ever finding out the truth." Luis drew in a deep breath, his arms falling to his sides as he crossed to the couch and pulled Julian up off it. He could see the sudden fear that lit the other man's eyes and Luis could have told him he was right to be afraid. "Let me get this straight. You now are saying you do know what happen to my father and that you'll only tell me if I uncuff you and forget that you participated in committing a crime. Is that right?" "I think you heard me just fine." Julian stated his face breaking out into a smile as his eyes cleared themselves of the fear that graced them moments before and had now been replaced with what looked to Luis like satisfaction. Cat-that-ate-the-canary satisfaction. Luis shook his head then narrowed his eyes. "You are really are pathetic. Do you really expect me to believe that after all this time you're just going to tell me the truth about that night? That after all this time you're just going to give up the secret you know I one day will find out? Sorry Julian, but I don't buy it." "And even if I did," Luis said tightening his grip on Julian's suit coat. "I would never break the oath I took. I'm a cop. I don't make deals to set criminals free. You are going to jail, Julian, and you may think I'll never find out what really happened to my father, but I will. I will find out exactly what happened that night and when I find the proof I need to prove you and your father had something to do with his disappearance-" "You will never find out what happened, Luis." Julian shook his head. "And you really are an idiot if you think I will ever spend one night in a jail cell. My lawyers will have me out before you can so much as blink. There is no way to prove I was responsible for what Jake did. No evidence." He opened his mouth to respond to that, but Sheridan's voice cut him off before he could so much as utter one word. "There may not be any evidence, but there is a witness. A witness that is more than willing to testify against you." Luis looked over at Sheridan and he knew without a doubt in his mind that she meant what she was saying. His heart hurt just thinking about the pain she must have gone through this morning when she learned what her father and brother had done. He couldn't say he was glad that she knew just how despicable they were now, but he really hated that it had taken her getting hurt to do it. "Sheridan no court is going to believe you. You're in love with a man that has said on more than one occasion how much he'd like to see me behind bars. No judge is going to convict me on your testimony." He shook his head then laughed. "Like I said I will never spend a night in a jail cell." "You may get out on bail, Julian, but you are going to jail." Luis threw him down onto the couch then turned and crossed toward the phone. "I think it's time I called Sam and let him know what is going on then we are all going to take a little trip. And you know what, Julian? This is one trip, I'm seriously going to enjoy taking. After all, when we reach our destination I'll get to place you behind bars." Right where you belong, Luis thought smiling as an image of him placing Julian Crane in a jail cell and watching with satisfaction as the cell door swung shut flashed in his mind, right where you belong. Chapter Twenty Sheridan shook her head as she unlocked the door to the cottage then cast a quick glance at the man behind her. He looked as shocked as she felt. "I can't believe they aren't going to do anything about Julian and Alistair! I mean he and my father hired Jake!" "But Sam is right." Luis said his anger at the situation clear in his amber colored eyes. "We can't prove they hired Jake and without Jake's corroboration, your testimony just isn't enough to convict." He ran a hand through his hair then closed the door behind them as they finally entered the cottage. "I should have realized Julian and Alistair would have paid Jake in cash and we can't prove the cash in Jake's accounts came from them either." She frowned then drew in a deep breath of air. "What about the bribery charge? Why can't they do anything about that? I mean we both heard him offer to tell you the truth about your father if you let him go and…" She paused when she saw the answer in his eyes. "And they once again can't do anything because Jake won't corroborate it and they can't take our word for it, right?" Luis nodded then ran both hands over his face and all but fell back onto her couch. "You know what the worst part about this is? Julian was right. He won't spend one night in jail. I'm sure Jake will get a hefty sum of money for keeping quiet about Julian and your father's role in what happened here tonight and on the wharf that night too. Bastards. Just toss around a few dollars and you can make the truth just disappear." Luis lowered his hand then turned his head toward her, his eyes shooting up at hers in surprise as the landed on the suitcases beside her. "Sheridan?" "I called Ivy while you were in Sam's office talking to him. I asked her to send a maid over to pack my things." She closed her eyes then blinked back the tears that suddenly threatened to fall. "I can't stay here, Luis. I can't stay here knowing my own family deliberately set out to break my heart." Luis stared at her for a second then slowly pushed himself to his feet and gently took her by the arms. "Tell me you're not leaving Harmony, Sheridan. Tell me you're not leaving me again." "No!" She answered, her hands rising up of their own volition to frame his face. "I'm not leaving Harmony. I'm not leaving you. I'm leaving this cottage. I'm leaving this property and when I go, I'm leaving the Crane money and name behind me." "Where do you plan to go?" He asked his voice and eyes still holding uncertainty. She smiled. "I am going to see if the Bennett's have a vacant room at their Bed and Breakfast and if they don't then I'm going to check into a hotel. I won't stay here. After today, I won't even step foot on this property again. I'm going to start over, Luis, and live my life the way I want to, without any interference from my so-called family. As of today, they are out of my life forever." "I'm sorry." He whispered pulling her close against his chest and wrapping his strong arms around her, making her feel more loved than she'd ever felt with her father or brother. "I know how much family means to you and I'm sorry you're having to go through this. If I could take the pain away I would." "I know you would." She said pulling back to stare up into his eyes. "I know you would because I know you love me. I hope you know I love you too and I hope that my starting over includes starting over with you. Do you think we can, Luis? Do you think we can put what happened behind us and move on?" Luis looked at her for a second, searching her eyes, then all of the sudden he broke out into one of the sexiest smiles she had ever seen him use. "I think that can be arranged. In fact, I have an idea on how we can start over." "You do?" "Yeah I do." H nodded. "I also think we should put your bags in the back of my police cruiser and then I think we should go down to the wharf." "The wharf? Why do you -" "Do you trust me?" He asked cutting off her question and staring at her intently. She smiled and without a second's hesitation answered, "With all of my heart." "Good." He replied the smile he'd given her a few seconds before firmly back in place. "Then let's get your bags and get you out of here. There's some place more important we need to be." * * * * * Luis helped Sheridan out of the cruiser then shut the door and quickly led them down to the wharf, stopping once they neared the spot he wanted. He turned toward her and he knew by the look in her eyes that she knew exactly where they now stood. He smiled. "This is the spot where I kissed you that night." "I know." She whispered softly. "But what are we doing here?" His smile widened at the question. "You said you wanted to start over. I figured this would be the best place to do it at." He watched her draw in a breath then took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I kissed you that night because I was afraid you were going to blow my cover." He smiled then shook his head. "At least that's what I told myself at the time. But the moment your lips touched mine, I knew it had nothing to do with my job and everything to do with my feelings for you. I think I knew even then that I was in love with you. I was just too damn stubborn to admit it." He watched as a tear slipped free from her eyes and automatically reached up to wipe it away. "That one night changed things between us and so will tonight. Your family chose this spot to tear us apart, but it didn't work and I can't think of a better place for us to start over than right here." He wiped another tear from her cheek then took a deep breath. "I know we can't erase what your family did, but we can start over." "How do…how do you suggest we do that?" "By recreating everything that happened that night here on the wharf and afterwards, only this time we're the ones writing the script." He smiled then leaned his head toward hers. "And I know exactly where we should start." "And where would that be, Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald?" She wrapped her arms around his neck as he tightened his hold around her waist. "Where else would we start?" He asked closing the rest of the distance between their lips. "We start with the kiss." Thank you for reading! Author of over 40 fan fiction stories, some of which include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
<< Prev Topic |
Next Topic >>
|
Replies
| The Twisted Truth: Prologue - Chapter Five | OKDeanna | 10/13/02 11:38 am |
| Chapter Six - Ten | OKDeanna | 10/13/02 11:40 am |
| Chapter Eleven - Fifteen | OKDeanna | 10/13/02 11:41 am |
| Chapter Sixteen - Twenty *Final Chapters* | OKDeanna | 10/13/02 11:43 am |
 Email This To a Friend Topic Commands Click to receive email notification of replies  Click to stop receiving email notification of replies |
|
- OKDeanna's Passions Fan Fiction Forum - Luis & Sheridan Stories - Deanna's Fan Fiction Stories -
Powered By ezboard® Ver. 7.32
Copyright ©1999-2007 ezboard, Inc.