Man Troubles

Chapter 1:
The ladies of Harmony sat in the youth center gym all were deep in thought. All were contemplating the various men in their lives (or not in their lives). It was only a few hours until the dance, and they were alldressed up for the event, and they had decorated the gym beautifully, but noneof them felt really festive. Charity sat with her hands on her facethinking about how she was a jinx to Miquel. Kay was also thinking about Miguel, but about how she could convince him that she was the girl for him. Simmone and Whitney were each thinking about Chad. Theresa looked truly crushed asshe envisioned Ethan and Gwen at the altar, Gwen wearing the ring that shehad been so certain fate had put on her finger forever. Finally Sheridansat on the end of the stage looking off into space, but seeing Luis's smilingface in her mind. A soft smile came to her face when she thought about thesteamy tango they had done. The incredible way it had felt to be so close toLuis, and the way he had looked at her when he had saved her(yet again) fromthe thin ice at the pond. But as quickly as the smile had come to her faceit slipped away as her thoughts turned to Julian, and how he had commendedher for "playing god" with three peoples lives. She couldn't bare to thinkthat she could hurt Luis. But the harder she tried to stay away from him,the more she wanted him. Sheridan let out a deep sigh as she came back to reality. Sheridan looked around at the sad look on all the girl's faces andthought to herself, "I have got to do something about this!" "Man troubles!" she announced to them. The girls all snapped out oftheir melancholy to look at Sheridan."What?" said Kay. "You heard me, man troubles. I am willing to bet good money, that weare all thinking about certain guys right now." "Am I right?" Sheridanquestioned. The girls looked at each other and nodded in unison. Sheridan sighed, "Well, this is no way to spend Valentine's day, weneed to work off some steam," she said. "What did you have in mind?" said a skeptical Theresa. "Well um.." Sheridan looked around the gym and her eyes stopped onthe sound system that had been set up for tonight's dance. A sly smile spreadacross her lips."I've got it!" Sheridan said.
To be continued...

Chapter 2: The Girls Work Off Some Steam
"I've got it!" said an excited Sheridan. "I know just how we can all work off some steam." "What!" said the girl in unison, their interest was peaked. Sheridan walked over to the stereo and sound system. "How do you girls feel about a little Karaoke?" "You're not serious are you?" said Simmone. "I certainly am," Sheridan smiled as she grabbed the microphones that were attached to the speakers. "Sometimes you just need to let loose!" The girls laughed as Sheridan handed them microphones. "But what if someone walks in on us," said a shy Charity. "Well I'll take care of that," said Sheridan. She walked to the gym doors, shut them and locked them. Then she pulled the shade down over the window so nobody could see inside. "Ok now. No more excuses. So who wants to go first?" Sheridan asked smiling.

********IN LUIS'S OFFICE******

Luis was hunched over a pile of documents that had to be filled out to get funding for the center, looking perplexed and annoyed. He had wanted to cancel the dance after Miguel and charity's accident but Sheridan had insisted that they still have it. She had said it would lift everyone's spirits and that she would do all the planning and had enlisted some of the girls to aid her. "That woman is so incredibly stubborn!" Luis thought to himself. But he couldn't help smiling to himself even as he thought it. Just then Miguel, Reese, and Chad walked into the office. "Hey bro! What are you looking so happy about," said Miguel. "Huh um..nothing.paperwork" stammered Luis. Miguel looked over Luis's shoulder at what he was doing and smiled. Luis looked down at his paperwork and became wide-eyed. He had, without even realizing it, started spelling out S-H-E-R-I- on his paperwork. He quickly crumbled it up, but Miguel had already seen, and Luis's cheeks colored slightly. "Uh-huh. Right," chuckled Miguel. "Well, what are you guys doing her anyway. The dance doesn't start for a couple more hours," said Luis. "We just wanted to see if the girl's needed any help," said Reese. "I think they are in the gym," said Luis. Just then Ethan Crane walks into the office and is surprised to see everyone there."Hi everyone," said Ethan. "Hey Ethan," said Miguel. "What's up?" "Well, I just came by to pick up Sheridan's car. I kind of totaled mine (Luis rolls his eyes) and Sheridan said I could use her car for a couple of days." "Do you know where she is?" "Yah, we were just gonna go see if they needed some he-" Just then they hear loud music start playing from the gym. "what the heck is that?" said Reese.
To Be Continued...

Chapter 3: Karaoke and I Spy
*I do not own any of the characters I write about sorry if i sent this twice, i'm not sure if it worked the first time. :) "What the heck is that?" said Reese. Loud Music had begun playing from the gym. "Sounds like music. Maybe the girls are checking the sound system before the dance," said Miguel. "Nah, I just checked the whole system this morning, said Chad. "It was good to go.""Well, it sounds like the girls just want to have fun," said Ethan. "HUH?" responded the guys. "I meant, the song, it sounds like Girls Just Want to Have Fun," explained Ethan."Yah! Ethan's right," said Miguel. "We have got to check this out!" The guys excitedly file out of Luis's office to see what the girls are up to in the gym, but Luis stays behind. "Aren't you coming bro?" said Miguel. "You must be a little curious about what Sheridan and the girls are doing in there." Luis was totally interested, but he didn't want to let on to his brother. "Well…maybe just to make sure everything is ok with the stereo and keep an eye on you guys," said Luis trying to sound authoritative. And like a lighting bolt he was up and falling his brother to the gym. "Hey, the doors are locked. And the shade is pulled down," said a disappointed Reese."I guess they must want privacy," said Ethan. "Oh Man!" said Miguel. He looks at the nearby equipment closet. "Hey Luis, doesn't the equipment closet have another door that opens into the gym?" "Well, yah it does….but I dunno if we should-" but Luis didn't get to finish his sentence as the guys scrambled into the equipment closet. "Well if you can't beat em' join em' said Luis to himself as he followed them inside.********BACK IN THE GYM*********** "So who wants to sing first?" asked Sheridan. The girls all looked at each other, but nobody wanted to be the first to go. "Hmmm….Well in that case, I guess we should all do one together," Sheridan said. "And I know the perfect song!" Sheridan walks over to the sound system and finds the song she wants. She chooses Girls just want to have fun! by Cyndi Lauper: I come home in the morning light My mother says when you gonna live your life right Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate onesAnd girls they want to have fun Oh girls just want to have funThe phone rings in the middle of the night My father yells what you gonna do with your life Oh daddy dear you know you're still number oneBut girls they want to have fun Oh girls just want to have--That's all they really want Some fun When the working day is doneGirls-- they want to have fun Oh girls just want to have funSome boys take a beautiful girl And hide her away from the rest of the world I want to be the one to walk in the sunOh girls they want to have fun Oh girls just want to have That's all they really wantSome fun When the working day is doneGirls--they want to have fun Oh girls just want to have fun,They want to have fun,They want to have fun... The girls are having a fabulous time dancing and singing to the song. Little do they know they have an audience….********IN THE EQUIPMENT CLOSET********** The guys are huddled around the small windows in the equipment closet watching the girls karaoke to Girls just want to have fun. "HAHA…They are so funny," said Miguel. He watches as Kay and Simmone sing along with the song while looping arms and swing each other around, but notices that Charity seems a little timid and is standing off the side. That is until Sheridan grabs her hands and pulls her into the mic with her. Charity laughs and starts to get into it. "Wow, Sheridan really does fit in here," comments Reese. "Yah, she really does," agrees Miguel, looking up at Luis. Luis can't help but smile as he watches Sheridan and the rest of the girls dancing and laughing. They have all linked arms now and are doing an interesting version of the can-can. "Sheridan really does care about these kids," Luis thinks to himself. Meanwhile Ethan watches with amusement as Theresa and Whitney dance around the room together. He realizes he is thinking about how beautiful and happy Theresa looks, and shakes his head as he remembers he is supposed to pick up Gwen, his fiancée, shortly. Miguel looks at Charity happily. He loves to see her having fun, and not worrying about the premonitions she had been having lately. The guys are all so mesmerized and lost in their thoughts watching that they fail to notice they are leaning against the closet doors more and more. Suddenly the doors give way and Luis, Miguel, Reese, Chad, and Ethan come tumbling out of the closet in a huge heap on the gym floor! The girls are startled and scream. They are shocked at the heap of guys on the floor."Luis!" says Sheridan."Miguel, Reese!" Charity and Kay say in unison. "Chad!" Simmone says."Ethan?!" Theresa says. The guys stumble to their feet, they are all completely embarrassed. "Uh…Hi girls. We just wanted to make sure everything was ok in here," said Miguel.The girls are all smiling now at the clearly guilty group of spies. "You mean you weren't spying on us?" said Sheridan jokingly. "NO!…of course not…never…uh-huh.." the guys all stammer. "Hmmm..I don't know ladies, do you believe them?" Sheridan said slyly. The girls all shake their heads no. "I think they need to be punished," said Simmone teasingly. "What did you have in mind," asked Miguel. "I think these would-be spies need to take you girls out for a nice dinner before the dance," said Sheridan. "On them of course." "Hmmm¦that's pretty harsh, but I think we can manage that," said Miguel laughing.They all laughed at the situation

Chapter 4: A Simple Dance
The whole bunch of them continue to laugh as the girls teased the guys about their not so graceful entrance into the gym and the guys teased the girls about their dance moves. "Well, I guess we should be going if we want to eat and make it back in time for the dance," Reese said. "Yah, he's right," said Miguel taking Charity's hand. Kay glared at the two of them from behind. "Well actually, said Theresa, I need to go home and get some things before the dance. I promised mama that I would help her bring in the desserts." "I can take you home Theresa," said Ethan. "That is as soon as I get Sheridan's keys. I'm going that way any how." Luis narrows his eyes at Ethan, but figures the guy is engaged now so what would be the big deal."Is that ok with you Luis?" Theresa asked. "Yah, fine. Just be careful." Sheridan gives Ethan her keys and everyone but Luis and Sheridan starts to leave the gym."Hey, are you two coming with?" asked Miguel. "Oh no. I want to stay and add some finishing touches before the dance," said Sheridan. But you guys go and have a wonderful time! Oh, and thanks for all your help girls, and for blowing off some steam with me!" The girls laugh and smile at her."Well, how about you Luis? You up for dinner?" asked Miguel. "No thanks bro. I already ate and I really should try and get some more paperwork done before the dance. But you kids have a great time!" said Luis. Everyone leaves except Sheridan and Luis who are left standing alone in the gym. They turn to face each other. Sheridan suddenly feels a little nervous being alone with Luis and flashes him a shy smile. Luis smiles back and feels his stomach do that flip-flop thing. He notices how beautiful Sheridan looks in her short red dress (for v-day) and little red flower barrettes in her silky blond hair. Sheridan is also noticing how handsome Luis looks in his suit and tie. There is an uncomfortable moment of silence as they both stand there looking at each other.Sheridan finally breaks the silence. "Well I guess I'll go finish putting up the decorations," said Sheridan. She starts to walk away. "Sheridan, Wait!" said Luis. Sheridan spins around back towards Luis. "Yes Luis?" she asked. "I… just wanted to tell you… (He takes a step closer to her)…. that I… "What Luis?" Sheridan said. Luis suddenly realizes what he was about to say to Sheridan and chickens out. "Uh…. I just wanted to say thanks for putting this whole dance together, and for cheering the girls up about their boy problems. I think it meant a lot to them." "Oh, well you're welcome," said a slightly disappointed Sheridan. She had the feeling Luis wanted to say something else. "The girls are terrific, they really cheered me up," Sheridan replied. "Oh? Did you need cheering up?" asked Luis. "Well, I mean….yes…. errr…no," stammered Sheridan. Luis's dark brown eyes are staring intensely into Sheridan's. She wonders if he can see right into her soul. "I just meant that I had fun with the girls today…..that's all," Sheridan said, still unable to brake her gaze into Luis' eyes. "Oh. Yah, of course that's what you meant," said Luis coming back to reality. He takes a step back and looks away from Sheridan towards his office, breaking their intense gaze into each other's eyes. "Well I guess I better get to that paperwork," he said. Luis starts to walk back to his office, but suddenly music begins to play from the stereo again. Luis and Sheridan both whirl around towards the stereo, which has started to play Madonna's, Crazy For You. "Oh, it must be on some kind of timer or something, said Sheridan. I'll go turn it off." "Wait Sheridan!" said Luis. Sheridan turns towards him looking surprised. Luis reaches out his hand to her. "May I have this dance?" he asked her.

Chapter 5: This Dance And All The Rest
Madonna's song, Crazy For You, has just started playing in the gym where Sheridan and Luis are. "May I have this dance?" Luis asked Sheridan, extending his hand to her. Sheridan smiles at him and takes his hand. Luis gently pulls her close to him and they begin to dance to the music:Swaying room as the music starts Strangers making the most of the darkTwo by two their bodies become one I see you through the smokey airCan't you feel the weight of my stare You're so close but still a world awayWhat I'm dying to say, is thatChorus: I'm crazy for youTouch me once and you'll know it's true I never wanted anyone like thisIt's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss I'm crazy for you, crazy for youTrying hard to control my heart I walk over to where you areEye to eye we need no words at all Slowly now we begin to moveEvery breath I'm deeper into you Soon we two are standing still in timeIf you read my mind, you'll see(chorus) I'm crazy for youTouch me once and you'll know it's true I never wanted anyone like thisIt's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss I'm crazy for you, crazy for youIt's all brand new, I'm crazy for you And you know it's trueI'm crazy, crazy for you Luis and Sheridan are staring into each other's eyes as the music plays in the background. Luis is thinking about how perfect it feels dancing with Sheridan in his arms. "It's like she's a perfect fit," he thinks to himself. He leans his face in a little closer to Sheridan's face to smell her perfume. She feels Luis lean in and her heart skips a beat. They are still transfixed on each other's eyes, almost as if they are trying to communicate without speaking. Sheridan realizes that she has never felt so secure and happy dancing with any man as she does right now. "God, why did he have to be so wonderful," she thinks to herself. Both of them are so into the music and each other that neither realize that Sheridan has slipped both her arms around Luis's neck and is resting her head on his shoulder. Luis in the meantime has both of his arms wrapped around Sheridan's waist. There isn't a smidge of light between the two as they continue to dance in each other's arms. Sheridan is so deep into the music and Luis's arms, that she doesn't realize that she has begun caressing Luis's cheek and neck with her hand. But Luis notices, as the feel of Sheridan's delicate fingers against his face and neck send bursts of electricity and the most wonderful chills he had ever felt through his entire body. The song comes to a finish and Sheridan opens her eyes and sees Luis's smiling face looking down into hers. Then she realizes that she is caressing Luis's face. She brings her head up. "Oh my gosh, I am sorry Luis. I didn't even realize I was doing that." She starts to pull away from Luis, a little embarrassed about the very sensual way she had been caressing him, but Luis holds her in his arms. "I didn't mind," he says. Sheridan looks up into his face and their eyes lock again. Her face is only a few inches away from his as they begin to lean in closer and closer, and right as their lips are about to touch. Hank walks in the door!

Chapter 6: Misunderstandings
"Hey Guys," bellowed Hank. Sheridan and Luis were so startled by Hank that they jumped about 15 feet away from each other. Sheridan tried to catch her breath and regain her composure and Luis shook himself back into reality. "Is everything o.k. in here?" asked Hank. "You guys both look kinda flushed. Don't tell me you were fighting again." "Uh...Hey hank. No, we weren't fighting," said Luis. He glanced at Sheridan. "We were just dancing to test the sound system. Luis raises his eyebrows at Sheridan. "Dancing, huh?" said Hank. "Well thanks for keeping my girl warm for me, but I'll do the rest of the dancing with my date, Ms. Crane, if you don't mind tonight," Hank said obnoxiously as he threw his arm around Sheridan's waist. Luis noticed that both of his fist's were clenched at the sight of Hank with his arm around Sheridan and had to work hard to unclench them. "Hank, we never really agreed to go the dance together," said Sheridan. She shifted uncomfortably in his grasp. "Well, of course I just figured the best looking girl in Harmony would want to go with the best looking guy in Harmony," said Hank as he flashed her his ego-inflated smile. "And that would be you?" said Luis a bit sarcastically. "Well naturally, pal! Besides it's not like some other guy asked you out, is it?" Hank said turning to Sheridan. "Well.no. No one else asked me," her voice trailed off as she glanced at Luis again. "That's because every body in this town knows that you and I are meant to be!" said Hank, squeezing Sheridan again. Hank looked over at Luis and noticed that he had a rather annoyed expression on his face. "Hey buddy, don't look so sore, I know what's bugging you, and I'm hear to tell you not to worry about it." "You know what's bothering me?" asked Luis doubtfully. "Yah! You're bummed because you see how happy Sheridan and I are, and you don't even have a date for the dance. Well don't worry about it, cuz I called Beth last night and told her that you would love to be her date for the dance tonight!""You did what!" asked Luis. "Hey now, no need to thank me. What are best buds for after all," said Hank. "Beth should be here any minute now." "I can't believe you did that," Luis started to say. But just then Beth walked into the gym."Hi everyone," said Beth smiling. Beth walked over to Luis and kissed him on his cheek. Sheridan bit her lower lip and looked away from the two as Beth kissed Luis. "Thanks for being my date tonight Luis," said Beth. "I was so excited when Hank told me you wanted me to be your date for the dance." "Oh. Well sure it's no problem," said Luis, not wanting to hurt Beth's feelings. "Well now! This is how it should always be," said Hank. "Me with my number one girl, and Luis with his number one girl." Hank and Beth were both smiling, but neither Luis nor Sheridan was. "Awwww. You two look so cute together," said Beth to Hank and Sheridan. "You guys make such a great couple." That was all Sheridan could take right now. She wanted to get away from Hank and from Beth, who had just taken Luis's hand in hers. "You know, I really need to go finish putting out the flowers at the entrance to the gym before the dance begins," said Sheridan, managing to slip out of Hank's grasp. "Flowers! Hey that reminds me," said Hank. "I got the local florist to donate a whole bunch of roses for the dance tonight. Come on Sheridan, you and I can go pick them up right now. Hank took Sheridan's hand and started leading her out the door. "But, we already have quite a few flowers Hank," said Sheridan. She really didn't want to go with him. "Nah! You can never have enough flowers," insisted Hank. "Besides it'll give you and I and Luis and Beth some alone time before the rest of the rugrats get here." "Well I guess we could but--," Sheridan said. But all she had time to do was look at Luis longingly as Hank whisked her out the door to his car.

Chapter 7: Sneak Attack

**********IN HANK'S CAR**************

Sheridan sat in the passenger seat of Hank's car, starring out the window thinking about the romantic dance she and Luis has just shared and trying not to listen to Hank. All Hank had done on the drive to the florist, and now on the way back to the youth center was ramble on about how Luis and Beth belonged together. What a cute couple they had made in high school, how everyone knew they were going to be married someday. She kept turning up the volume on radio to try and drown Hank out, until he finally asked her if she had a hearing problem. Oh well, Sheridan thought to herself. At least they were almost back to the youth center. She closed her eyes and thought about dancing with Luis again. She couldn't wait to see him again. Maybe there was more then friendship between them.

***********************IN THE GYM***************

Beth was holding Luis's hand and talking about how excited she was about the dance and how happy she was that Hank and Sheridan were together. Luis was disagreeing with everything Beth was saying about Hank and Sheridan in his head, and thinking about how comfortable it had felt with Sheridan in his arms. It had felt like she belonged there, Luis thought to himself. He smiled to himself. Sheridan Crane always managed to surprise him. Beth noticed that Luis was hardly listening to her, and felt her frustration rising. Just then out of the corner of her eye she noticed Sheridan had returned to the youth center. She was carrying a huge pile of red roses towards the gym. Beth didn't want to hurt Sheridan but she wanted Luis for her own, and Hank had told her to make her move soon. She decided she had to do something drastic. Just as Sheridan entered the gym, Beth pulled Luis into a passionate kiss. Sheridan stopped dead in her tracks as she walked into the gym and saw Luis and Beth kissing. The smile slipped from her face and 3 dozen red roses fell from her hands to the gym floor as she starred wide-eyed at the two. Meanwhile Luis had broken away from Beth. "What the heck Beth?" he said, but then noticed Sheridan starring at them wide-eyed, a pile of red roses at her feet. She looked like someone had just knocked the wind out of her."Sheridan!" he exclaimed. "Oh, hi Sheridan," said Beth innocently. "I didn't even see you come in." "Sheridan, I can explain," stammered Luis, although he was still confused about what had possessed Beth to kiss him like that. "You don't have to explain Luis, It's pretty obvious….I mean….it's not like it's in any of my business anyway what you two do…" Sheridan said. She felt her cheeks getting red and bent down to pick up the flowers. "Uh…I'm really sorry I interrupted you two," she said gathering the roses together and trying to keep her composure. "Here, let me help you," said Luis. He went to help her pick up the roses. "NO!" said Sheridan a little to forcefully. But she couldn't bare to look Luis in the eyes, and she didn't want him to see the tears stinging at the corners of her own eyes. "I mean….I've got it under control." Sheridan said. She gathered the rest of the roses quickly and hurried out of the gym. Luis starred after her. He was about to follower her when he felt a hand takes his hand. He turned around to see Beth starring up at him smiling. "What the heck was that kiss all about!?" demanded Luis. "Oh. I was just trying to be romantic. I thought we were sharing a moment," said Beth. Luis starred at her. He considered Beth a friend, but he got the distinct feeling she wasn't being honest with him. "Beth, you and I are JUST friends," he said firmly. And with that he let go of her hand and exited the gym, leaving Beth standing by herself. Sheridan felt her hand shaking slightly as she added roses to entrance of the gym. She felt so stupid for thinking that Luis thought of her as more then a friend. It had been painfully obvious that Beth was the only woman on his mind tonight. "Good going Sheridan," she thought to herself. "Per usual, you totally misjudged the situation." She sighed deeply as a single tear fell from her eye onto a pedal of the rose she was holding.

Chapter 8: A Song Meant For You
Fortunately Sheridan didn't have much time to sulk about Luis and Beth, as the kids began to arrive for the dance. Miguel, Charity, Chad, Whitney, Simmone, Kay, Reese, Theresa and Ethan all came into the youth center together. "Hey Sheridan," Miguel said. "Hi everyone. Did you have a nice dinner?" She couldn't help but smile at how cute they all looked, especially Charity and Miguel who were arm in arm with each other."Yah, we had a great time," said Reese. "What are you doing back here Ethan?" asked Sheridan. "Well, it turns out Gwen wasn't feeling very well, and since I didn't have any other plans Theresa talked me into coming to the dance. Sheridan noticed that Theresa was smiling from ear to ear."Where's Luis?" asked Miguel. Sheridan looked down at her feet. "Uh I think that him and Beth are in the gym.""Great!" said Chad. "I'm gonna go get the music started so we can get this party going!"Charity walked over to Sheridan and touched her arm. "Sheridan, are you all right?" she asked in a concerned voice. "Did someone hurt you?" "No of course not Charity. I'm fine," lied Sheridan, amazed at how perceptive Charity always seemed to be. "You guys go and have a good time." The kids all headed towards the gym, that is, all except Kay and Simone who rushed up to Sheridan. Sheridan noticed that Kay was shading her eyes with her hands. "Sheridan, you have to help me!" said Kay. "What's wrong?" asked a concerned Sheridan. She then noticed that Simmone was laughing hysterically at Kay. "Hahha Kay read in a magazine that guys really like long eye lashes, so she decided to try some, except hahah.we didn't have any make up glue so Kay.hahha. she used super glue and now well see for yourself," said Simmone who was practically in tears with laughter. Kay removed her hands from her face and Sheridan had to stifle a laugh at the sight of Kay with crooked 4-inch long fake eyelashes covered in glue. "Sheridan, you have to help me!!" pleaded Kay. "Okay, okay come with me, and lets see what we can do about this." Sheridan, Kay and Simmone head towards the women's locker room. Luis was heading out of the gym when he bumped into the kids coming back from dinner."Hey bro!" said Miguel. "What's up?" "Not much, have you guys seen Sheridan?" "Yes, I think she went to help my cousin and Simmone with their make-up," said Charity. "But she seemed sad about something I think." "Oh? Well I need to find her," Luis said. "You guys head on into the gym." Luis didn't even notice that Theresa was standing next to Ethan Crane as he whisked by them. By the time Sheridan had managed to de-lash Kay, the dance was already in full swing. Luis had given up looking for her because he had to be chaperoning the dance, but he kept glancing at the doorway to the gym to see if she had come back yet. "Thanks so much Sheridan!" said Kay. "I totally owe you one." "It's no problem Kay, now you two go have fun." Kay looked into the gym and frowned when she saw Miguel and Charity dancing together. "Yah, we have to get in there," said Kay. She grabbed Simone's hand and the two entered the gym. Sheridan hung back for awhile. She really didn't want to go in there and see Beth and Luis dancing, but she knew that she was one of the chaperones of the dance, and she had an obligation to fulfill. "Oh well buck up Sheridan," she said to herself as she entered the gym. The first person Sheridan made eye contact with was Luis when she entered the gym. She noticed that he wasn't dancing with anyone and that Beth wasn't even standing near him. Their eyes remained on each other and she thought that Luis was about to walk towards her when suddenly, like a whirlwind, Sheridan was whisked away by Hank. "Hello Gorgeous!" he said. Sheridan had no choice but to dance with Hank, but right after the song ended she made an excuse about needing to check the dessert table and went to look for Luis. Luis was dancing with Beth now, and although it was a fast dance, seeing them together at all made Sheridan feel like she must have imagined that Luis had been interested in her romantically. Sheridan spent the next hour doing double duty; trying to avoid Hank and Luis and finally decided she needed to get some fresh air. Just as she was about to exit the gym somebody yelled out to her, "Sheridan!" She turned around to see that Chad, Whitney, Kay, Simmone, Theresa, and Ethan were coming towards her looking upset. "We have a problem," said Theresa. "What now?" said Sheridan. "The singer you hired for the dance isn't coming, she has laryngitis," said a disappointed Kay. "Oh, that's too bad, but we still have a lot of great music," said Sheridan. "But having a live singer for the last dance of the night was going to be the highlight!" said Kay. Kay had been planning on making her move for Miguel during this dance and was extremely disappointed. "I'm sorry everyone, but I don't really know what to tell you," said Sheridan. "I doubt that we can find another singer in the next ten minutes." "Well. actually Ethan was just telling us that YOU are wonderful singer," said Theresa. "Oh was he now?" said Sheridan, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at her innocent looking nephew. "What exactly are you kids getting at?" "Come on Sheridan!" said Ethan "You know you are a great singer, why don't you help everyone out and sing." "No, I couldn't. I haven't performed in front of people in such a long time." "PUHLEASEEE SHERIDAN!" Sheridan couldn't resist their pleas, and she could see how important it was to them. "Okay, okay….but I'm warning you, one crack about my voice and that'll be the end of it," joked Sheridan. "So what should I sing?" "Anything you want," said Kay. "Just make is something romantic!" "Romantic huh?.okay. I'll think of something. Just give me a few minutes to warm up my voice." "Great, I'll go introduce you while you get ready," offered Chad. Luis scanned the room for Sheridan, but couldn't find her. He hadn't seen her for over an hour now. Maybe she had left with Hank he thought to himself, maybe she really was interested in Hank romantically. He sighed, suddenly feeling very depressed and was about to head back to his office when he heard Chad announcing the last dance of the night. "Hey all, for the last dance we wanted to make it real romantic for you and have a live singer, but unfortunately she got sick at the last moment (the crowd let out a disappointed sound) But not to worry cuz we got a fill-in at the last minute, and I hear she ain't too bad. So to sing the last song for the night, it's my honor to present the youth center's own Ms. Sheridan Crane." Luis jaw dropped open as he heard Chad announce that Sheridan would be singing, and he watched dumb struck as she walked up onto the stage to the mic. "Hi everyone," said Sheridan taking the mic. "This is just a song that I've always loved."She looked at Chad to start the music and began singing:

A Groovy Kind Of Love (Phil Collins-slow version)

When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do Is take a look at you, then I'm not so blue When you're close to me, I can feel your heart beat I can hear you breathing near my ear Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me got a groovy kind of love Anytime you want to you can turn me ontoAnything you want to, anytime at all When I kiss your lips, ooh I start to shiverCan't control the quivering inside Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me got a groovy kind of love. ohwoh When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do Is take a look at you, then I'm not so blue When I'm in your arms, nothing seems to matter My whole world could shatter, I don't care Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me got a groovy kind of love We got a groovy kind of loveWe got a groovy kind of love, oh We got a groovy kind of love All the couples started to dance to Sheridan's singing. But Luis just stood there and starred at her in awe. He couldn't believe how beautiful her voice was, and that she had managed to surprise him yet again. He didn't even realize that he was standing out in the middle of the gym by himself. Sheridan noticed Luis starring at her and when her eyes met his, they both smiled at each other. Their gaze stayed on each other for the whole song and Sheridan knew that the song she was singing was meant for Luis.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 9: Watching You Sleep
Sheridan finished singing, and everyone cheered and clapped for her. She thanked everyone for coming, said goodnight and stepped off to the back of the stage. Luis was already there waiting for her."Hi," she said smiling. "Hi yourself. So you never mentioned that on top of everything else you are an amazing singer as well." "Well, you know…. didn't want to brag or anything," Sheridan joked. Luis smiled back at her and she felt her heart skip a beat. "But seriously Sheridan, that was amazing….you just always manage to surprise me. Luis had stepped a bit closer to her and his fingers were lightly brushing the tips of her fingers. "Thank you Luis,….I feel the same way about you.""You do?""Yes." They smiled at each other again. "Well…I just wanted to tell you," started Luis. "Well…earlier when we were dancing…I really wanted to…""LUIS!" Sheridan and Luis both turned around to see Sam Bennett starring at them. "Oh, sorry Luis. I didn't know you were back here with anyone." Sam noticed how close Luis and Sheridan were standing to each other. "But I need to talk to you right now in private.""Right NOW?" said a slightly annoyed Luis. "It's o.k. Luis," said Sheridan. "I wanted to go say goodbye to the kids anyway." Sheridan left so Luis and Sam could talk privately. "What's up?" said Luis, as he watched Sheridan walk away towards the kids. "Well, I am really sorry to have….(Sam raised his eyebrows at Luis)…interrupted you, but we just got a call at the station that there may have been another mugging at the wharf, and I need you to check it out with me." "Who called?" asked Luis "We don't know. It was an anonymous tip to the station about five minutes ago. That's why we need to check it out now." "Okay, well let me grab my coat and we can go." Luis walked over to where Sheridan was talking to some of the kids from the youth center. "Hey, I've go to go check out a possible mugging at the wharf," Luis said. He hated to leave right now, but duty called. "Could you do me a favor and lock up the youth center after everyone leaves, I don't know how long this will take.""Sure Luis, I can do that." She hated that he was leaving, their conversation felt unfinished. "Just be careful." "I will." Luis smiled at her and their hands touched briefly as he handed her the extra keys to the youth center.Sam and Luis left to check out the wharf. On the other side of the gym, Hank and Beth were watching the whole scene as Luis and Sam left. "That was lucky," said Beth. "It looked like Luis and Sheridan were getting really close, I don't know what would have happened if Sam hadn't gotten that call.""Luck had nothing to do with it," said Hank in an ominous tone. "What do you mean?" "I mean I made that anonymous phone call to the station." "Hank, you can't do something like that, that is a serious offense!" "Hey, I didn't see your charm winning Luis over, and if you want to end up with him and I want to end up with Sheridan, we better start working harder to keep them apart." "You know I want to end up with Luis, but I'm not willing to do break the law to make that happen!" "Well I AM," said Hank. He walked away from Beth towards Sheridan. Sheridan was saying goodbye to some kids when Hank approached her. "Hey gorgeous," he said. Sheridan rolled her eyes as she turned around to face Hank."Hi Hank." "So I barely got to dance with my date at all tonight," he said inching up to her. "Well now….we weren't really officially each others dates." She inched the opposite way."Well whatever. But at least let me take you out for a night cap." "I can't. I have to lock up the youth center after everyone leaves for Luis." "Huh…you seem to do a lot of things for Luis lately," Hank said annoyed. "Is that a problem? I mean I do volunteer at the center, and Luis is the director of the center." "No…no problem at all. Well I'll just wait around for you and then I'll take you home," Hank suggested. "No. Please don't bother. I want to stick around and clean up anyway so there isn't so much clean up for Luis and me tomorrow." "But Ethan left with your car didn't he?" "Oh, You're right he did. I forgot all about that…. but there is a couch in Luis's office and I have a change of clothes here. I'll just sleep here tonight and have Ethan pick me up early tomorrow morning. "Are you sure, it's no problem for me to take you home," insisted Hank. "Yes. I'm sure." Hank was disappointed as he left Sheridan behind, but he figured at least she wouldn't be seeing Luis again tonight.

********AT THE WHARF***********

Luis and Sam had been searching the wharf for anything suspicious and they had just met back up at the dock."Did you see anything unusual?" asked Sam. "No. Nothing at all, everything seems fine here," said Luis. "Do you think it was a prank call?" "Maybe, but let's look around one more time before we call it a night." "Okay Chief." They looked around again, saw no signs of a mugger, and decided to call it a night."Luis, can I drop you off at your house?" asked Sam. Luis looked at his watch; it was almost 1:00 in the morning. "Nah, that's okay Sam, no point in waking up my whole family, can you just drop me off at the youth center?" "Sure thing, but it's kind of early to start working again isn't it?" "Yah, well I'm not really tired and I figure I can get the clean up started so there isn't so much work for Sheridan and I tomorrow. Anyway I have that couch in my office if I want to crash later." "Okay Luis, you're the boss," said Sam as he drove Luis back to the youth center.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 10: Mistaken Identity

*******AT THE YOUTH CENTER*********

Sheridan had locked the center after everyone left and was in the process of taking down the streamers and flowers for the dance. Sheridan knelt down and picked a red rose from the floor of the gym and starred at it for a moment: Flashback: She thought about the romantic dance they had shared before the dance and the intense way Luis had starred into her eyes while she was singing. For a moment she had forgotten that there were even other people in the room. The rest of the world had just seemed to disappear and the only person who mattered was Luis.Sheridan smiled as she came back to reality. "I wonder what Luis was going to say to me before he had to leave," she wondered aloud. "Oh well, I'll just have to wait until tomorrow when I see him again." She suddenly realized just how late it was, and how tired she actually was. The planning, decorating and performing at the dance had taken a lot out of her. Sheridan decided that she had gotten a good start on the cleanup, switched off the lights and headed towards Luis's office to get some rest. Sheridan turned off all the lights in the center except for Luis's office. She noticed that there was a huge pile of paperwork that was still awaiting Luis's attention. "Poor guy," Sheridan thought to herself. "He still has all this work to do on top of everything else." Sheridan sat down at Luis's desk and decided that she would try to fill out some of the papers before she went to sleep, but as she starred at the sheets of paper, she noticed that the words were getting blurry and she could hardly concentrate on what they said. "Wow, I guess I am pretty tired," she thought to herself as the sheet of paperwork slipped out of her hand and her head fell gently onto her arm on Luis's desk. She switched off the desk lamp as she thought about Luis and slipped into her dreams.

******MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE THE CENTER*******

Sam had just dropped Luis back off at the youth center. Luis saw that the lights were all off and the doors had been locked. He felt a slight twinge of disappointment figuring that Sheridan must have gone home for the night, but after all it was pretty late, he thought to himself. Luis unlocked the door to the center and headed inside. He checked out the gym and noticed that most of the decorations were already taken down. He figured that Sheridan must have done that and he smiled thinking about how considerate she was. Luis checked the other rooms, and was about to head back to the gym when he felt a huge wave of fatigue hit him. "It really had been a long day," he thought to himself. "I better get some rest so that I am good-to-go tomorrow." Luis headed towards his office, and was about to enter when he noticed something at his desk. His cop instincts immediately took over and he was fully alert again. He hid near the corner of the door and tried to get a better look at who was at his desk. Luis quickly deducted that it must be an intruder because the center had been locked, the lights were off, and Sheridan's car was gone. He tried to get a better look but it was virtually pitch black inside, but he was certain he could hear the intruder breathing. Luis stayed silent for a few minutes, until he was certain that the intruder was not aware that he was there, there was no way anyone was going to break into his youth center.And with that last thought, Luis pounced!

To Be Continued...

Chapter 11: Watching You Sleep

Luis flew threw the air and landed with his full force on the intruder instantly knocking them to the ground. He was about to put the intruder in a choke hold when the expression on his face suddenly went from blind determination to protect the youth center to horrible shock as he heard a female scream and suddenly smelled the scent of a familiar perfume from the person he had just pinned....Sheridan's perfume. All this seemed to happen in about a tenth of a second. Luis jumped up instantly and switched on his desk light, all the time praying that he hadn't done what he thought he had just done. "OH MY GOD!" Luis cried. "SHERIDAN!!" Sheridan was lying on the ground, and there was a terrified and confused expression on her face. She was still trying to figure out what had just happened. She had been dreaming about Luis one minute and then suddenly it had felt like somebody had hit her with about 1000 pounds of cement. But what the heck had- "Owwwww!" She cried out in pain. All of her thoughts were suspended as she suddenly felt a tremendous ache in her head and neck. She squeezed her eyes shut and raised her hands to her head moaning in pain. Luis was by her side instantly. He gathered her up into his arms and carried her to the nearby couch. He couldn't believe what he had just done. He felt so terrible as he carried her in his arms, it was obvious that she was in pain. "Sheridan!...oh my god...I am sooo sorry. I thought... I mean...there was a intruder...and the lights were off...and I didn't know you were here...oh god... I am sorry," Luis stammered as he gently laid her down on the couch. Sheridan was beginning to come out of her daze, although her head was throbbing a lot, she slowly managed to understand what had just happened. But it wasn't easy since Luis was running around like a mad man gathering first aid products, calling himself the biggest fool, and apologizing to her every other word that came out of his mouth. When he finally knelt down next to her by the couch, she was struck by the sincere, sad puppy-dog eyes of his that starred with deep concern into her own. Luis looked at Sheridan, and could see where a bruise was beginning to develop. "Oh my god, I can't believe I hurt her," he thought to himself. He gently pressed the ice pack he had gotten to the area where the bruise was and felt his stomach tighten as Sheridan cringed from the touch. The ice hurt for a moment, but slowly it began to dull the pain in her head as Luis carefully and delicately applied the ice to her bruise. After a few minutes the pain was much better and she was able to talk. "Luis? What happened?....how?....how did you get here?" she asked trying to sit up on the couch. "Shhhhhh," he whispered to her, covering her lips with his finger. He gently guided her back into a laying position. "Don't try to talk right now. Just let me take care of you right now and I'll explain everything to you after I'm sure you're o.k." He was so close to her and she was so affected by his concern for her in his eyes and the gentle way he was talking to her, that all she could do was nod and lay back down as he continued to attend to her. Luis had Sheridan hold the ice pack to her bruise while he checked the rest of her head and face for any kind of bruise or injury. Being a cop he had some paramedic training and knew what to look for in head injury cases. Luis felt a huge wave of relief when he realized that there didn't seem to be any other bruises, or injuries and that the bruise she had received was really not very bad at all. "Thank god for that," he thought to himself, but he still felt terrible for the whole incident. Sheridan was watching his expressions as he checked her out. He seemed so concerned and worried about her, and he obviously felt guilty about something too."Luis, what happened?" she finally asked. Luis looked down at his hands, he felt terrible. "Sheridan, I am so incredibly sorry. When I got back here and the whole place was locked...and dark...and your car was gone...I thought that you were an intruder, and I....," his voice trailed off. "I am so sorry. I would never have knowingly hurt you….never. I couldn't live with myself if I did." He had taken one of her hands between his own hands and Sheridan could see how sincere he was and she was touched. "Luis, you don't have to apologize." He looked at her surprised. "I mean... I am so sorry for making you think that someone had broken in. I shouldn't have been here anyway, but I just wanted to get a start on the clean up and Ethan took my car, and I didn't think you would be back here tonight...and I was just going to leave in the morning and I fell asleep at your desk...and...." Sheridan stammered on. Luis cut her off again by covering her lips with his fingers. "Hey, I think I figured everything out the minute I realized it was you in here, and not an intruder, and the only person who needs to be apologizing about anything is me." "Well, thank you officer, but I really do feel terrible about the whole thing. Can you ever forgive me?" "Funny, I was just about to ask you that same question," he replied. "Of course I can," she said. She smiled at him, and Luis felt his heart jump. They talked for awhile longer, until Luis noticed that Sheridan seemed to be touching the back of her neck a lot. "Sheridan, is your neck O.K.? Are you still in pain?" he asked concerned again."Oh, its nothing, I think it's just a little scrape or something." "Well, let me be the judge of that," said Luis. He knelt down by Sheridan and looked at the back of her neck, gently moving her hair aside with his fingers. He saw a small cut on her neck. "Yah, there is a little cut, nothing serious, but I'll just get the antiseptic to clean it up," Luis said. He stood up to get the antiseptic. "You must have caught the edge of my desk, when…I tackled you." He felt bad again."Don't worry about it Luis, it doesn't even hurt." But Luis was already applying antiseptic to a cotton ball. He knelt down by Sheridan to apply it to her cut when she cried out, "Ow!" "Sheridan," said Luis confused, "I haven't even touched you yet." "Oh," she said nervously. Luis went to apply the antiseptic again, but even before he had touched her skin-"Ow, ow!" Sheridan said, and inched away from him.Luis had to smile now. "What's this Ms. Crane, you can dish it out, but you can't take it?" he said referring to the time when Sheridan had attended to his cut after she had clobbered him with a bottle. "Well that stuff stings," she said sheepishly. "Besides, it's just a small cut, I don't really need any of that stuff." She started to get up off the couch. "Oh no you don't," said Luis. He gently but firmly slipped his arm around her waist and slid on to the couch behind her. "I guess we're going to have to do this the hard way." "Anyway, you're right, it's just a small cut, but we need to make sure it doesn't get infected," he said as he gently applied the antiseptic to her cut, he was still holding her gently with his arm around her waist. Sheridan didn't even notice the sting, all she was aware of were Luis' arms wrapped around her, and the wonderful feeling of his cool breath on the back of her neck. "If this is the hard way, I'll take it any day," she thought to herself. Luis felt Sheridan relax into him as he continued to attend to her cut. He was glad that she felt so comfortable with him. Luis finished by putting a small Band-Aid on the cut. "Hey Sheridan, do you want me to take you home now?" he asked. "Huh? uh whatever you want Luis," said a very sleepy sounding Sheridan. Luis smiled to himself. "Whatever I want huh?" he thought to himself. "What if I want to stay here and hold you like this all night?" Almost as if Sheridan had read his mind, she shifted in her sleep so that she was completely curled up in his arms, and her face was only inches from his. Luis watched at her as she slept, her breathing was soft and rhythmic. He loved how she felt in his arms. He wished he could freeze this moment in time and just keep re-living it. Luis bent his head down and lightly brushed Sheridan's cheek with his lips. "You amaze me," he whispered to her as he drifted off to sleep, holding Sheridan in his arms. A moment later Sheridan's eyes slowly opened and the corners of her mouth turned up into a sleepy smile as she watched Luis sleep. "You amaze me too," she whispered, before slipping back into her dreams.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 12: Explanations

Sheridan woke up with the most wonderful feeling. It only took her a moment to remember what was causing it as she felt two strong and very familiar arms wrapped around her. She was still on Luis's couch in his office with Luis. She smiled to herself remembering last night's events. Sheridan glanced at her watch, it was still early. She decided that there was no reason to get up yet, and she was in no hurry to leave Luis's arms anyway. She settled back into Luis and began to drift off again to the sound of his rhythmic breathing when the sound of car horn woke her up again. Sheridan was confused at first as to why anyone would be at the youth center this early in the morning. Then she remembered that she had asked Ethan to come and pick her up early.

"Oh Ethan, why do you always have to be on time?" Sheridan thought to herself. She reluctantly got up from Luis's couch and Luis's arms, being careful not to wake him up. She gathered her things, wrote a note to Luis saying that she would be in later, and thanking him for staying with her all night. She had to stop herself from signing it love Sheridan at the end. She put the note on his desk and turned to look at him sleeping one more time. She smiled at how cute and peaceful he looked. She knelt down by the couch and touched his cheek with her hand. "Thank you Luis," Sheridan whispered as she leaned in and gently kissed him on the cheek. She quietly left the youth center leaving Luis to his dreams.

***************IN SHERIDAN'S CAR**************

Sheridan got into the car, and Ethan noticed almost immediately the huge smile on her face. "What are you so happy about?" he questioned her suspiciously. Sheridan shrugged. "It's just such a beautiful morning, don't you think?" "I suppose, as beautiful as the morning can be at 7:30am," Ethan said rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry for making you get me so early, had I known how things would have ended up last night." Sheridan stopped mid sentence and tried to change the subject but Ethan had already caught her. "Wait, wait what do you mean, how things ended up?"

"Um… I just meant that had I known that I would get so much done last night, I wouldn't have made you get me so early." "Oh. So I take it you and Luis got a lot of the cleanup done?" "How did you know I was with Luis?" said a startled Sheridan. "Well, I just assumed that since Luis's car was at the youth center when I got there this morning he must have come in early and you two were cleaning up from the dance, right?" "Oh, of course his car yes that's exactly right Ethan Luis came in early." She couldn't keep the smile off her face and had to pinch herself to keep from laughing. Ethan had about enough of this and pulled the car off to the side of the road. "Ok Sheridan, spill it." Sheridan tried to look at him innocently but she could see that he wasn't going to drive until she told him everything.

"Okay, ok," Sheridan laughed. "I'll tell you." When Sheridan was done explaining the whole story Ethan just starred at her. "So let me get this straight," he said. "First Luis tried to tackle you because he thought you were an intruder, then he took care of you, and then you landed up falling asleep in his arms on his couch together?" "Yes. That's pretty much right." Ethan smiled and began to drive again. Sheridan waited for him to say something but he didn't. When they got to the cottage Sheridan got out of the car. She turned back and looked at Ethan. "So, Why didn't you say anything?"

"You really want to know what I think?" asked Ethan."Yes, of course I do." "I think you've got it bad for Luis," he said and smiled smugly as he pulled away. Sheridan laughed happily as Ethan pulled away. She looked at her watch, she couldn't wait to get back to the youth center and see Luis again.

******AT THE YOUTH CENTER**********

Luis was in the middle of a very steamy dream. He was kissing Sheridan passionately and telling her how much he loved her. "You mean so much to me," Luis said. "You mean a lot to me too," responded Sheridan. "I love you, do you love me?" asked Luis. "Yah sure bud! Especially after I kick your butt in b-ball," Sheridan responded. Luis awoke from his dream startled and was surprised to see Hank standing in the doorway to his office. Hank was laughing in his obnoxious way at Luis's confusion. "Hey bud, that must have been some intense dream you were having. That couch pillow sure got lucky," joked Hank.

Luis realized that he was lying with his arms wrapped around the pillow, holding it close to his face. He threw the pillow aside and jumped up from the couch. For a moment he wondered if he had dreamed everything that happened with Sheridan last night until he saw a note on his desk. It read: Dear Luis, Ethan came early this morning to pick me up and I didn't want to wake you. I'll be in later this afternoon to help with the rest of the cleanup. Also, I wanted to thank you for staying with me last night, it really meant a lot to me. Sheridan.

Luis smiled as he read Sheridan's letter over again. He couldn't wait to see her again. He didn't even notice Hank come up behind him and read the letter over his shoulder. "What the hell Luis!" Luis shoved Sheridan's note into his desk, but Hank had already seen it. "Was that note from Sheridan? And did it say what I think it said?" Hank demanded. "Did you stay here with Sheridan last night?" "Yah Hank, I did. But it's not what you think." Luis explained the whole situation to Hank, but it only made Hank angrier after he had been so certain that he had gotten Luis away from Sheridan for the evening. "I can't believe you would make a move on my girl," yelled Hank. "Hey, first of all I didn't make a move as you put it, and Sheridan isn't your girl," fired back Luis.

"Maybe not yet, but she will be. I plan to marry Sheridan Crane." Hank was irate now. "Hey, just calm down. I don't want to fight about this with you, you're my best friend Hank." "And some way you show it, stealing my girl. I suppose that dream you were having when I walked in was about Sheridan too." "Yah, actually it was." "Great, just great." Hank said sarcastically and angrily. He started to walk out of Luis's office, but turned around at the door. "Just remember Luis, Sheridan is going to be mine. You can count on that!" Hank stomped out of the youth center slamming the door behind him. Luis starred after him a little stunned. He though about it for a few minutes and decided that Hank was jus being himself, he always had a flare for the dramatic and they had always had a little bit of competition between them when it came to women they were interested in. He decided to just let it slide. Luis looked at his watch and smiled. He hoped Sheridan would be here soon.

*********CRANE MANSION-JULIAN'S OFFICE***************

Julian had just poured himself a fresh glass of brandy when the phone rang. He answered it and sucked the whole glass down as he put the person on the other line on speakerphone."Hello father, to what do I owe the honor?" "Oh can it Julian, and lay off the brandy for ten minutes if you can. I need your full attention right now," snarled Alistar Crane. "Do you have any idea where your sister was last night?" "Who? Sheridan? I think she was at that waste of our good money, hole in the ground youth center. Some type of dance or event for the common folk and scrubs of Harmony."

"That's MY money Julian, and you're right. Sheridan was at the youth center, and she just got home about an hour ago." "So?" "So?!! My god Julian, your stupidity always manages to surprise me. Sheridan spent the whole night at the youth center, and she wasn't alone." "Oh? Let me guess she was with that obnoxious Hank Bennett. My dear sister always knows how to pick em' from the very bottom of the barrel." "NO JULIAN, it wasn't Hank Bennett. It was Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald!" Julian was silent. "That's right Julian, you won't have a damn thing to say if officer Lopez discovers the truth about the connection between the Cranes and his father's disappearance."

"What are we going to do about this unsightly little development father?" "WE aren't going to do a damn thing. I wouldn't trust you not to bungle it up. I have, however, decided that there will be no further relationship between Sheridan and Luis. It's time that Sheridan headed back to Europe." "Well father, I don't see how you'll manage that. Sheridan seems quite happy in Harmony right now. She continues to work at that blasted youth center even though her court sentence ended, I think she may even enjoy it, if you can believe that."

"Yes, Sheridan has never had the good sense to stick with her own kind, she has always been the weak link in the family." "Then how do you plan to get her to leave Harmony, father?" "Lets just say that any relationship that may be developing between Sheridan and Luis is about to go up in flames." Even Julian got chills at the sound of his father's evil laughing.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 13: An Evil Plan

"So father, I'm intrigued, how do you plan to get Sheridan to leave Harmony." "Well, if she is enjoying living in Harmony so much, the only thing to do is make sure there is no place for her to live in Harmony." "I don't follow you father." "Of course you don't Julian. Just be quiet and listen to me. If Sheridan has no place to live in Harmony, she'll have to return to Paris." "But Sheridan lives in the cottage father." "Yes, she does. But if, by chance, the cottage was made unavailable to her, she would have no where else to go…no where but Paris that is. "Ahhh… I see. You mean we are going to rent the cottage to someone else?" "NO YOU FOOL!! "WE ARE GOING TO BURN THE COTTAGE DOWN!" Julian was stunned. "But father isn't that a little drastic?" "Drastic measures need to be taken if we want to insure the Crane family name. Besides Sheridan will lose everything she has in the fire, not to mention some very precious items that I know will cause her pain. She won't want to stay in Harmony one day longer when my plan is complete." "Uh...father. I think there are some holes in your plan." "Oh really Julian, like what?"

"Well, what's to keep Sheridan from just staying in the mansion, we certainly have a few extra rooms, or she could simply stay at the Harmony Inn, or even buy another abode somewhere else in Harmony." "I've taken care of all that. Sheridan wouldn't dare stay in the mansion, you know she hates it, reminds her of her childhood nightmares. As for the Harmony Inn, as of two days ago it has been closed for six months of remodeling. I've also made certain that there isn't a landlord or realty company in or anywhere near Harmony that will sell to Sheridan. "Well, it would seem you have covered all the bases father. What part do I get to play in this fiery plan of yours?" "A very minimal one. All you have to do is make certain that Sheridan will be out of the cottage this afternoon. My associates will be taking care of our little arson plan, making it look like Sheridan is at fault for the fire and such.""I can handle that father." " I should certainly hope so Julian. Now get to work." Alister hung up the phone and Julian poured himself another class of brandy.

*******IN SHERIDAN'S COTTAGE************

Sheridan has just showered and changed when the phone rang."Hello?" "Hi Sheridan, this is Luis." "Oh, hi Luis, did you just wake up?" Luis could actually hear Sheridan smiling when she said his name and it made him more confident about what he was about to do."Yah, I guess you exhausted me," he joked. Sheridan laughed. "But seriously Luis, it was really nice of you to stay with me all night, you really didn't have to do that." "It was my pleasure." The way he said it made Sheridan's heart jump. "So anyway Sheridan, I was hoping that maybe you wouldn't come into the youth center this afternoon, be-" "What? You don't want me to come in?" asked a disappointed Sheridan. She had just been about ready to leave for the center when Luis called. "No I don't. Because I was hoping that instead of working at the youth center you would do me the honor of spending the afternoon with me."

"But Luis, I was going to spend the afternoon with you, at the youth center." Sheridan was a little confused as to what Luis was trying to get at. "No. What I mean is that I wanted to spend the afternoon with you but not working I mean I was wondering if you would like to go out with me on a date?" Luis closed his eyes as he said it, and waited for the worst. "I would love that Luis," was her reply. "You would? That's great. How about I pick you up in half and hour then?" Luis was beaming. "That would be great Luis." They said their good byes and Sheridan hung up the phone. As soon as she put the phone down Sheridan spun around like a teenager who just got asked to the prom by the guy of her dreams. She stopped feeling a little foolish, looked around the room, smiled, and then started spinning again. She was finally going out with Luis! The phone rang again and Sheridan answered it in mid spin. "Hello?" she said in a singsong voice. "Well hello dear sister, don't we sound joyous today. Whatever is the occasion?"

Sheridan's smile turned into a suspicious scowl and she stopped spinning. "Oh, hello Julian. What do you want?" "Can't a brother take time out of his busy day to say hello to his dear baby sister?" "I suppose some brothers can, but what did you want?" said Sheridan sarcastically. "Sheridan, honestly, you wound me. I was just hoping that perhaps I could take you out to lunch at the Seascape this afternoon. We've spent so little time together since you returned to Harmony." Sheridan wasn't buying her brother's sudden interest in their relationship, but she wasn't in the mood to bother with Julian. Luis was going to be arriving soon. "Well, thank you for the offer Julian, but I already have plans this afternoon." "Oh really? So you'll be gone the whole afternoon?" "Yes Julian. The whole afternoon. Is that a problem?" "NO, not at all. When do you suppose you'll be back?" " I don't know Julian! Maybe this evening, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week what concern of yours is it?" Sheridan was losing her patience with Julian's annoying questions.

"But you'll definitely be away for the entire afternoon?" "YES JULIAN!" Sheridan had decided he was drunk and was about to hang up on him."Now calm down dear sister, no reason to get all HOT and bothered, wouldn't want you to lose your cool.""Is this conversation over Julian?" "Just one more thing? Who are you spending the whole afternoon with if I may inquire?" Sheridan debated not telling Julian, but she wasn't afraid of what her brother or father thought about her choice in men. "I am spending the afternoon with Luis if you must know." "Oh, I seeee. So I guess things must be HEATING up between you two eh? Isn't he half Irish? I've heard the Irish have quite a FIREY streak to them, they can be real HOT heads." Sheridan was positive that Julian was drunk now. "Honestly Julian, drunk in the middle of the afternoon." Just then she heard a car pull up to the cottage and saw Luis walking towards her door. "Well Julian, this has been enchanting, but I really must be going. Try to lay off the brandy why don't you." "Alright dear sister. Have a nice afternoon. Don't forget to dress WARMLY." Sheridan hung up the phone. She was a little baffled by the very cryptic way Julian had been speaking to her, but she put it out of her mind as she heard a knock at her door. In his office Julian was practically rolling on the floor in laughter. He couldn't believe how easy it had been, or how ironic it was that Luis was actually doing his job for him, by keeping Sheridan away from the cottage. "My dear sister has no idea just how quickly things are going to heat up for her."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 14: One Hot Date

Sheridan saw Luis walking up the path to her door and opened it just as he was about to knock. "Hi Luis." She gave him a huge smile and noted how handsome he looked in his black sweater and jeans. "Hey Sheridan." He loved it when she smiled at him; it made him feel special. It was like she had a smile that was just for him. He realized that was a silly thing to think, but still, he couldn't remember any other woman's smile that made him feel the way he did when Sheridan smiled at him. He reached his arm out from behind his back and handed Sheridan a single pink tulip.

"I figured you might be sick of roses." Sheridan took the flower and smelled it."Thank you Luis, it's perfect." She shot him that smile again and Luis felt his heart thump."Are you ready to go?" "I sure am." Sheridan and Luis left the cottage and headed towards his car where he opened the door for Sheridan. Luis pulled out of the driveway as he and Sheridan chatted. Neither of them noticed the large black van that made its way up the street towards Sheridan's cottage as they passed it on the road. "So officer, where are you taking me?" "Well Ms. Crane, that is a surprise that you are just going to have to wait and see for." "Well, as long as it's not to jail again," Sheridan said jokingly. Luis looked over and shot her a look, but he was clearly amused. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself."What's so funny?" asked Sheridan. "Oh nothing. I was just thinking about something.""What? Come on, tell me." "I was just thinking about how if anyone ever told me that I would be out on a date with you after that first time you literally came crashing into my life, I would have laughed them out of town." "You're not kidding. I would have laughed them out of the country if anyone had told me I would land up enjoying spending time with officer Lopez-Fitzgerald.""So I guess a lot has changed between us." "Yah, a lot." They were starring into each other's eyes again.

"Luis LUIS RED LIGHT!" Luis slammed on the brakes and they came screeching to halt at the light. He cheeks got red as he realized he had gotten caught up in Sheridan's eyes again. "Are you o.k. Sheridan?" "Yah, I'm fine. But maybe you should let me drive if you want us to get anywhere in one piece," she joked. "Haha very funny Ms. Crane, but I've seen your handy work before and I think I'll take my chances. Besides you don't know where we are going." "That's right, it's a surprise. Aren't you going to give me a little hint?" "Well maybe if you say please.""Please Luis." "Nope." Luis laughed as Sheridan playfully hit him on the arm. The two continued on their date, oblivious to the rest of the world and oblivious to the three men dressed in black who had just entered Sheridan's cottage.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 15: Under The Stars

Luis had driven them to Downtown Harmony. There were mostly little shops here and there that lined Main Street. He pulled into a nearby parking lot and they both got out of the car. "So is this the surprise Luis?" Sheridan looked around. She hadn't been to downtown Harmony in forever. She thought it was sweet that Luis wanted to take her around town. "Nope. Sorry. This is not the surprise. I just need to make a quick stop before we head to our final destination." They walked down the street peering into all the little shops as they went. Sheridan stopped in front of a small art store that had art prints in the window.

A copy of Van Gogh's, Starry Night, was hanging in the window. "That's my favorite," Sheridan and Luis both said in unison. They looked at each other and smiled. "Is it really your favorite Sheridan?" "Yes. I've always loved the stars. They are so peaceful." She looked over at Luis who was smiling smugly at her."What?" "Oh nothing. It's just that if this is your favorite painting I think you're going to like what I've planned." "You still haven't told me what the surprise is." "You'll know soon enough. Can you wait here a minute Sheridan, I'll be right back."

Luis ran across the street to the Harmony Deli and disappeared inside. Sheridan watched him go, wondering what he had in mind. Luis appeared a few minutes later from the deli carrying a huge picnic basket. He walked back to where Sheridan was waiting for him. "So did you figure out what the surprise is yet?" "Hmm let me see. Could it be a picnic lunch?" Sheridan was smiling, but she was a little surprised because it was a little chilly outside for a picnic. But all it took was one look at Luis's smiling face and she knew she wouldn't have passed up an opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch with Luis even if it there were three feet of snow on the ground.

"Well, you got it half-right. The picnic thing is right, but you haven't figured out the entire surprise yet." "Well when do I get to find out what the rest of the surprise is?" "Very shortly." Luis walked up behind Sheridan. "But first there's something I have to do." Sheridan was surprised as Luis pulled out a dark bandana and placed it around her eyes."Um Luis. I can't see anything." "Wow Crane, you catch on quick," Luis joked. "But you have to be blind-folded for the rest of the surprise, ok?" "Okay Luis, but how am I going to see where I'm going." "You'll just have to rely on me." Sheridan smiled as she felt Luis take her hand firmly in his and entwine his fingers between hers. He led her a few blocks farther. Sheridan noticed that the sounds of the street were getting farther away as they walked. She couldn't wait to see what the surprise was.

************SHERIDAN'S COTTAGE****************

Three dark figures packed up their gear and made a swift exit from the cottage. They retreated to their van and no one saw them come or go. One of the men in the van pulled out his cell phone and dialed. "Crane," answered the ominous voice of Alister. "The job is done," replied the man. "Good. You'll receive payment as soon as you're out of town." Alister hung up the phone and starred at a photo of Sheridan and Luis that was resting in an ashtray on his desk that some of his spies had taken of them.

"You'll learn not to cross me my dear," Alister said as he lit the picture with his burning cigar. He laughed evilly as the picture began to burn and melt. Back in Sheridan's cottage a small spark flew from an outlet in the kitchen. This was followed by several more popping noises and more sparks flying. A small, sinister flame began to burn and travel down the length of the wall slowly but surely, igniting everything in its path as it went.

**********BACK ON THE DATE******************

Luis was still leading Sheridan to her surprise. She still couldn't see anything through the blindfold over her eyes, but she was sure they weren't outside anymore. She couldn't feel the breeze and they were definitely walking on a hard surface now. Luis finally stopped walking. "Ok, just stand right here for a minute," he whispered Sheridan waited while Luis scuffled around her. She couldn't see what he was doing and she was getting tired of waiting. "LUIS, am I ever going to get to take this blind-fold off." She was immediately startled to hear her words echoing through wherever it was they were.

"Okay, ok" Luis gently guided Sheridan to the middle of the room where he guided her into a sitting position on a blanket he had laid out on the ground. He sat down behind her and whispered in her ear, "here's the surprise." With that he removed the blindfold from Sheridan's eyes. Sheridan's mouth dropped open and she gasped. She unconsciously grabbed Luis' hand in hers as she went wide-eyed at what she saw. Right above her head the heavens were twirling and rushing past her. It was the most amazing thing she had ever seen. Twinkling stars and shooting stars flew by them and colorful nebulas and sparkling space dust followed in the most amazing array she had ever seen. Luis watched her reaction and smiled when she grabbed his hand. She obviously liked it. He let her watch the display above them a few minutes before leaning over her shoulder and whispering, "So, surprised?"

Sheridan jumped a little at his voice because she was so transfixed on the scene going on above her, but she smiled and looked at him. "Luis, it's amazing! it's more then amazing it's beautiful how did you do this?" She looked down and realized that she was holding his hand. She let go a little embarrassed. Then she noticed that Luis had set up a whole picnic for them. All the food was set out and several candles were lit around the area they were sitting. "I'm glad you like it." "Like it? Are you kidding? It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. How did you do this Luis?""Welcome to the Harmony Planetarium, Ms. Crane." "Planetarium? I didn't even know Harmony had one?" "Well, it's only been here a couple of years."

"Oh Luis, it's amazing. I love it. But how on earth did you set this up?" "Well, the director is a buddy of mine, he owed me a favor so I thought you might like this." Sheridan turned around to face him. "Luis, I love it." Their faces were inches away from each other and Luis felt his heart pounding as he realized what was about to happen as they starred into each other's eyes. At first their lips just gently brushed together, almost as if they were both afraid the other would disappear and it would just turn out to be a dream. But then the realization that this was really happening seem to set in and all the months of wanting and yearning seem to explode between them as the kiss began to intensify. Luis pulled Sheridan into his arms and held her tight to his body as he continued to kiss her mouth hungrily. Part of him still couldn't believe this was actually happening, and part of him never wanted it to end. Sheridan squeezed Luis's strong shoulders, almost as if she was afraid he might still disappear. Part of her couldn't believe this was happening and part of her had never felt so secure and happy as she did right at this moment. The stars and planets rushed past above them as they continued their truly heavenly kiss. But as the flames of passion consumed Luis and Sheridan so did the flames that slowly consumed Sheridan's cottage.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 16: Flames Of Desire

Sheridan sat nestled in Luis's arms her head against his chest. They were still on their date at the planetarium. They had finally ended the romantic kiss they had shared and were now starring up at the heavens. The scene above them had changed to a slower one of various star constellations in the sky that twinkled brilliantly in the night sky. Sheridan smiled as Luis pointed out the various constellations and told her the names. Everything felt so perfect, she was totally certain nothing could go wrong now. "That's Orion belt, and that's the Big Dipper, over there are the seven sisters," said Luis pointing out all the constellations to Sheridan. "Wow, I didn't know you were such an astronomy buff, Luis." "Well, not really an expert. I had a telescope when I was a kid and it was just kind of a hobby of mine."

Luis pointed to another small star that was kind of off by itself, but twinkled very brightly, "That star is" "Vega," said Sheridan finishing his sentence. "Hey, I thought I was the astronomy buff." "Well, I just know that star is Vega." "How come just that one star?" Sheridan suddenly looked a little sad and she sat up from Luis's arms and wrapped her arms around her knees. She starred at the star twinkling in the sky." "I'm sorry Sheridan, I didn't mean to upset you, I just wondered why you knew that particular star was named Vega."

"No. I'm not upset Luis. It's just that well, my mother, before she died, used to tell me that whenever I was sad or lonely that I should wish on that star, Vega, because it was her favorite star, and then I wouldn't be unhappy anymore." She looked up at Luis, "do you think that's silly?" "No Sheridan. I think that's a beautiful memory of your mother. But why does it make you so sad?" Sheridan sighed deeply. Luis could tell it was hard for her to talk about her mother, but he wasn't sure why. "You're right Luis, it is a wonderful memory of my mother. I mean, I really don't have that many of her. I really only have a couple clear memories and few cherished momentos of my mother's at all. It's just that I wished on that star sooo many times when I was upset or lonely when I was growing up, and my wish never came true." Sheridan continued to stare at the star and Luis could see tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "Why don't you give it one more try?"

"What do you mean Luis?""I mean make a wish on that star again." "No, really, it was just a story to make a little kid feel better, that's all" "Just try once more, for me, Sheridan." "Okay, okay Luis." Sheridan starred up at Vega, shut her eyes tight, and made a silent wish out into the heavens of the planetarium. Almost as soon as she opened her eyes, she felt Luis's arms sweep her up and pull her into his chest, and a moment later they were once again engaged in deep passionate kiss. When they finally broke for air, Sheridan couldn't help but smile. She starred deep into Luis's eyes and caressed his face with her hand. "So you were right Luis, my wish finally came true." Luis smiled back at her and they were about to kiss yet again, when suddenly Luis's pager went off. They reluctantly stopped and Luis saw that it was an emergency call from Sam Bennett.

"It's a 911 call from Sam, I've got to take this Sheridan." "Definitely Luis, I hope everything is ok." Sheridan got up and started cleaning up the picnic while Luis pulled out his cell phone and called Sam back. "Chief Bennett here," answered Sam."Hey Chief, this is Luis, what's up?" "Luis! Thank god I reached you. Is Sheridan Crane with you?" "Well yah she is. We're actually on out a" Sam cut Luis off before he could finish the sentence. "Luis! There's a huge fire at Sheridan's cottage." "WHAT?" Luis couldn't believe what Sam had just said. Sheridan had heard Luis's reaction and watched his face. She suddenly felt a sinking feeling in her stomach."You need to get over here right away." "We're on our way." Luis hung up the phone and jumped up. "What is it Luis? What's the matter?" Luis grabbed her hand and started running for the door. "Sheridan, there's a fire at your cottage, we need to get over there." Sheridan gasped, but didn't have time to think as they ran as fast as they could to the car.

Luis drove like a mad man to get back to the cottage. The whole time Sheridan was getting more and more hysterical, begging Luis to drive faster and having trouble breathing. Luis tried to comfort here as he drove but it was no use. "LUIS, PLEASE DRIVE FAST" Sheridan cut off in mid-sentence and went totally silent. They were still about 6 blocks away from her cottage and already she could see thick black smoke floating up into the sky. They finally got to the cottage, or as close as they could get to it, because the place was surrounded by fire trucks, ambulances, and cop cars. Luis and Sheridan jumped out of the car and Sheridan felt her knees buckle as she took in the fiery scene. Cops and firemen were everywhere. Sheridan starred at the cottage in disbelief. Huge monstrous flames and thick black smoke was shooting out of every window and it looked like half of the cottage including the kitchen and the living room had already been totally destroyed by the flames. One single thought went through Sheridan's head as she started towards her cottage: "My box, I have to get my box."

Luis grabbed Sheridan from behind as he came around the car. "Sheridan! What are you thinking?" Tears were streaming down her face and she fought to get away from Luis. "My box, I have to get it!" Sheridan fought against Luis but he held her tightly. He couldn't believe what she was saying. She was willing to risk her life for some stupid jewelry box or something. "Sheridan!" He held her against the car. "There is nothing that isn't replaceable in that house, except for YOU!" "You don't understand Luis," she said through sobs, "that box has…" "SHERIDAN!" Luis was upset now at the way she was acting. "Nothing in there is worth risking your life for!" Sheridan stopped fighting against Luis and collapsed in his arms sobbing just as Ethan, Gwen, and Sam ran up to them. "Oh thank god," said Ethan. He ran to Sheridan and hugged her tightly. "We were so afraid you were inside until Chief Bennett called Luis." Ethan hugged her again. But Sheridan barely heard him as she continued to cry and stare as the blaze gutted the cottage.

"Luis, I need you to help me set up some barricades, it may be awhile before they can put this blaze out," said Sam. Luis was a little worried about leaving Sheridan alone but Gwen and Ethan were already taking her to a nearby ambulance, so he figured she would be o.k. "Ok. Lets go." Sam and Luis headed towards the burning cottage. Luis glanced back at Sheridan who was wrapped in a blanket, still staring at fire. He felt a huge sense of relief knowing that she wasn't inside the cottage. Ethan and Gwen tried to get Sheridan to focus on them but she continued to stare at the fire, almost as if she was mesmerized by it. "She must be in shock," said Gwen. Suddenly there was another smaller explosion and another portion of the room crumbled into the burning inferno. The fire fighters rushed to move their equipment to this new area of the blaze.

"Gwen, I'm gonna go help them out, it looks like they could use another pair of hands helping out, can you take care of Sheridan?" "Yes, of course Ethan. I think she is calmer now. But Please be careful." Ethan promised that he would and rushed off to aid the firemen with their equipment. Gwen sat with Sheridan in the back of the ambulance trying to keep her calm and tell her that everything was going to be all right, but Sheridan barely heard a word she was saying. All she could think about was her box. She couldn't lose it. She wouldn't lose it. It's contents meant too much to her. Suddenly Sheridan came out of her trance and glanced out of the corner of her eye at Gwen."Um Gwen, could you get me another blanket?""Of course Sheridan." Gwen got up and went around to the front of the ambulance to get another blanket, and that's when Sheridan did the unthinkable. She ran from the ambulance as fast as she could straight for the burning cottage.

Luis and Sam were carrying a large barricade over to nearby area. Luis's back was to the burning cottage, when he suddenly heard screaming and commotion from the firemen and cops. Then he heard a female voice, which sounded like Gwen scream out, "NO SHERIDAN! COME BACK!" Luis was frozen in time for an instant. He felt his heart wrench and his blood seemed to suddenly run cold as ice in his veins. As he dropped the barricade and turned around he felt like the world had suddenly started moving in slow motion. Even as he turned he felt a cold dark feeling in his stomach. It was the most frightening feeling Luis had ever experienced. A feeling that he was never going to see Sheridan alive again.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 17: Rescue 911

Luis turned just in time to see Sheridan disappear into the smoldering cottage. The breath caught in his throat. Almost as if the fire had been waiting for Sheridan to enter, as soon as she ran into the house the entire front portion of the doorframe and roof crumbled into the inferno behind her, preventing anyone from following her. Luis was frozen in time for what seemed like an eternity, but actually was only half a second. Luis took off running towards the cottage. He was like a man possessed. He wouldn't lose Sheridan. Suddenly Sam Bennett tackled him from behind. In the adrenaline state that Luis was in he could have easily gotten away from Sam, but suddenly Ethan and two other officers were there helping to hold Luis down. It took all of their strength to hold him down. "LUIS! You have to calm down!" yelled Sam.

"NO! I have to get in there! I have to save her!" Luis was fighting like a mad man against them. "OFFICER LOPEZ-FITZGERALD!" Sam barked at him. "I ORDER YOU TO STOP." Luis snapped out of his hysteria when Sam did this and stopped fighting them. He felt his hysteria turn into painful anguish. "We can't just let her die Sam. We just can't. We have to do something. Please do something" Luis voice trailed off and he felt hot tears stinging at the corners of his eyes. "She's not going to die!" Ethan said suddenly grabbing Luis by the shoulders. He looked almost as upset as Luis did. "SHE'S NOT!" "That's right," said Sam. "The firemen are already trying to rescue her." Luis looked towards the cottage. Sure enough several fire fighters were using axes to clear an entrance into the cottage.

"We need to leave this rescue up to the experts Luis. If you went in there you would only be putting Sheridan and yourself at risk. I need you to stay calm officer," said Sam. Luis nodded. He watched transfixed as the firemen cleared an entrance to the inside of the burning cottage and entered. Luis began silently praying as he waited for them. He glanced at Ethan who was being comforted by Gwen. Each second felt like year passing by. A million questions flew threw his head. How could this be happening? They had just shared their first real kiss what seemed like minutes ago and now she might be gone forever. Why would she do this? What would possibly have possessed her to risk her life? Luis remembered she had said something about a box, but he couldn't believe that Sheridan would risk her life for a jewelry box. She wasn't like that. He didn't have another second to think as one of the firemen began to emerge from the burning cottage. Luis jumped up and imagined for an instant seeing Sheridan in the fire fighter's arms. She was bruised and coughing, but god, she was alive. Luis would run to her and never let her out of his arms ever again. But Luis was suddenly shocked back to reality as the first fireman came out of the house empty-handed. Sheridan wasn't in his arms. Luis began to shake as he waited for the second rescuer to emerge. It didn't look good.

***********IN THE COTTAGE*************

Sheridan had only one thought running through her head as she ran to the cottage. She had to get that box. She wasn't thinking about anyone else, not even herself as she ran, just that box. The intense heat and thick black smoke that filled the burning cottage immediately hit her almost knocking her back. She began to choke on the smoke but pushed on trying to find her way into the bedroom. The smoke was everywhere and she couldn't even keep her eyes open. She trusted her instincts and moved towards the bedroom. Suddenly a huge piece of the rafters came swinging down and missed hitting Sheridan by mere inches. She had to jump to get out of the way and landed with a thud on the floor. Somehow she made her way to the bedroom, which was just beginning to be reached by the fire. She crawled across the ground, she could barely breathe now, to her dresser and felt underneath it carefully. God! She couldn't feel it. Where was it? She started to panic and felt her lungs filling with smoke. She was about to give up and succumb to the smoke when she finally felt something. She wrapped her hand around it and pulled it out. It was a small wooden box. Sheridan hugged the box to her and suddenly felt that maybe she wasn't going to die in her after all. She began to make her way back to the entrance she had came in, but just as she turned around a huge burning section of the wall came tumbling down on her. Sheridan watched in horror, the box clutched to her chest as the burning wall came towards her. As the fiery wall came crashing down on her, she had one last thought; "I'm sorry Luis." The wall hit her and Sheridan was knocked unconscious trapped underneath.

***************OUTSIDE THE COTTAGE**********

Luis waited for the second rescuer to come out of the cottage. His fists were clutched so tightly his knuckles were white. He prayed to god to let the rescuer come out with Sheridan in his arms, and for her to be alive. Suddenly from the smoky makeshift entrance the firefighters had made, the second rescuer emerged. There was so much smoke that no one could see him very clearly. The rescuer came forward. Sheridan wasn't with him. Ethan sank to the ground and Gwen burst into tears at the realization that Sheridan hadn't been found in the cottage, which was now completely engulfed in flames. Luis starred at the rescuer. His entire body was shaking. He didn't believe this was happening. Sam Bennett came up behind him. "I'm sorry Luis. The rescuers searched the house for her but they couldn't find her. I'm afraid there is no way she could have survived that fire for long." Luis couldn't speak. He just starred at the cottage as it continued to burn. Sam put his hand on Luis's shoulder.

"Look Luis, I'm really sorry. I know Sheridan meant a lot to you." That last sentence echoed in Luis's head. Sheridan meant more then a lot to him. She meant everything to him. Suddenly he knew what he had to do. He wasn't going to give up on Sheridan, not yet, not ever. Without a second thought Luis took off running towards the cottage. He wasn't going to let things end this way. Sam didn't have a chance to stop Luis this time. Nothing could have stopped Luis now. Sam and others yelled for him to stop, but Luis couldn't hear them. Luis ran to the entrance the rescuers had made and dove into the inferno without a second thought. He rolled onto the floor and was immediately hit by the heat and smoke. He covered his mouth and nose with his arm and started to make his way through the cottage. He said a quick prayer in his head as he went hoping that he would know where she would be. Luis struggled through the flames and somehow made his way to Sheridan's bedroom. He could hardly see through the choking black smoke but for some reason he knew that if he was going to find her it was going to be in here. He peered around the room as best he could but didn't see her. Dammit! Luis felt despair setting in. Then he noticed something. He saw what he thought was a hand. Could it be? Could it really be Sheridan? He couldn't see any other part of her because a wall had collapsed in that area. Luis felt his hope grow again and desperately tried to make his way over to where he saw the hand. A huge wooden beam came flying at him from above and Luis had to dive to get out of the way. He finally managed to make it to the fallen wall. He touched what he thought he had seen and his heart lifted. It was Sheridan's hand. She was trapped under the wall. Luis tried to pull her out but it was no use. Luis refused to give up. With all his strength he braced himself under the wall and began lifting it. Ordinarily, one person could never have lifted this wall, but Luis was fighting for Sheridan's life. It took every bit of strength he had and some he didn't have to move that wall but somehow Luis managed to find the strength to move the wall enough so that he was able to pull Sheridan out. Luis didn't have time to rejoice in finding Sheridan. The roof was about to cave in over them any second. He scooped Sheridan up in his arms and was about to flee when his foot hit something on the ground. He looked down and saw a small wooden box. He remembered Sheridan saying she had to get her box. Luis heard the roof creaking above them, ready to cave in any second and grabbed the box as he made his way out of the bedroom with Sheridan in his arms.

Outside Ethan, Gwen, and Sam watched horrified as what was left of the cottage began to creak and shake under the stress of the fire. None of them could believe that Sheridan and Luis were both going to die in there. Just then, an instant before the cottage collapsed into a burning pile of rubble, something came flying out of the makeshift entrance. They all held their breath and began running towards it. "IT'S THEM! IT'S THEM!" cried Gwen. "Luis saved her!" Luis collapsed on the ground with Sheridan in his arms. He heard the horrible sound as the cottage collapsed behind them. He could barely believe they were alive as he gasped for air. He could see Ethan, Gwen, Sam, and medical personnel running towards them.

"Oh, thank you god. Thank you for saving her," said Luis. But then he looked down at Sheridan in his arms. He realized she wasn't breathing. He began to panic and the relief he had been feeling began to disappear again. The medical people reached Luis who was huddled over Sheridan begging her to breathe. He looked up at the paramedics."HELP HER! YOU HAVE TO HELP HER!" "Alright sir, we need you to let us work. The paramedics took Sheridan from his arms and began to check her vitals. Luis looked on frantically. One of the paramedics felt Sheridan's wrist and looked up at Luis gravely. "She has no pulse."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 18: Cheating Fate

"She has no pulse," said the paramedic. Luis felt his chest tighten. After all this how could she not be alive? "OK, we need to move her stat!" the paramedic yelled. "Get me 50cc's of lydocaine and get the paddles ready!" They moved Sheridan onto a gurney and rushed her to the ambulance. Luis ran after them as they loaded her into the ambulance. He watched in horror as they injected Sheridan with something and began heart compressions. "OK, lets move. We need to get her to the hospital now." The paramedics started to close the ambulance door but Luis stopped them."I'm coming with her!" "No sir. I'm sorry, you can't. We need to work on Ms. Crane right now. You'll have to meet us at the hospital." They slammed the doors to the ambulance and took off. Luis turned around and Sam Bennett had already pulled up in a squad car. "Come on Luis. I'll drive you to the hospital." Luis jumped in the car and they took off towards the hospital.

Luis was silent as they drove. He was the one in shock now. "Hey, buddy, she's gonna be all right. I already called the hospital and Eve is setting up for an emergency trauma. She'll be in good hands Luis. I also called your family and they should be meeting us there too." Luis didn't say a word. He couldn't explain it to Sam, he could barely explain it to himself, but somehow he knew that Sheridan was slipping away. Farther away then it would ever be possible to bring her back from. They arrived at the hospital only moments after the ambulance had and Luis jumped out and ran to where they were unloading Sheridan. "How is she?" asked Luis as they rolled her in. "We were able to get a pulse, but it's very faint." They rolled into the emergency room where Eve and other doctor's were already prepared forSheridan. They rolled Sheridan into the trauma room and began working on her. Luis saw the grave look on Eve's face when she first saw Sheridan's condition. Eve took charge right away and began working on Sheridan. Suddenly the heart monitor flat-lined and the ER crew jumped into action. Eve grabbed the paddles to shock Sheridan's heart.

"Charge to 160. OK. Clear!" Sheridan's body lurched upwards as Eve shocked her heart. Luis looked at the monitor but it continued to flat line. "OK, 180. Let's go again. Clear!" Sheridan's heart rate continued to flat line. Eve was about to shock her again when she noticed Luis standing in the doorway looking absolutely crushed. "Get him out of her now! And get a doctor to check him out, he could be suffering from smoke inhalation." Two nurses ushered Luis out of the trauma room. He could hear the sound of Eve's voice barking orders to increase the voltage and the sounds of Sheridan's heart monitor still flat-lined as heleft.

A doctor checked out Luis. Although he felt fine physically, they gave him oxygen because of all the smoke he had been exposed to. Luis was in agony mentally. Every sound he heard coming down the hall he was certain was going to be Eve coming to tell him that they hadn't been able to start Sheridan's heart, that she was dead. He put his head in his hands and closed his eyes. Suddenly he heard footsteps coming towards his room. He looked up and saw Pilar, Theresa, and Miguel enter his room. They all seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at seeing that Luis wasn't hurt and rushed over to him. Theresa and Miguel rushed over and hugged him. "We're so glad you're not hurt Luis," said Theresa. "Yah, we just heard the whole story from Chief Bennett," said Miguel. Pilar walked over and gave Luis a huge hug. "Oh my poor Luis. I am so thankful you are all right. I cannot believe there was a fire at Sheridan's cottage. I cannot believe that Sheridan was hurt." Luis looked at his mother. "Have you heard anything about her condition Mama?" Luis swallowed hard, he was almost afraid to hear the answer. "No Luis, I haven't. I only know that Dr. Russell is still working on her." Pilar saw the pained look in her son's eyes and hugged him again. "Theresa, Miguel, Can you wait outside for a moment."

"Of course mama." They both hugged Luis again and left his hospital room. "Is what Sam Bennett told us true? You risked your life to save Sheridan from the fire?""Yes mama. It's true." "You are a wonderful man Luis. I am so proud of you." She noticed that Luis was starring at small wooden box that was placed on the table near him. "What's that Luis?" "I don't know mama. I think it's what Sheridan ran back into the cottage for. I just don't know why.""Did you open it?" "I tried but it has a lock on it. I guess it is a jewelry box or something." "No, I do not believe that Sheridan would risk her life for something like jewelry. She has never been so materialistic." "Well whatever is in it, it may have cost Sheridan her life." Even as he said it, he had to choke back a sob and dropped his head so Pilar wouldn't see.

Pilar took her son's hands in her own. "Luis, it wasn't just you being a cop today was it? You care about Sheridan a great deal don't you?" "Yah, I do care about her mama." "Do you love her Luis?" A tear escaped down Luis's face. "What does it matter now mama?" "It matters Luis. It matters much more then you could know. Love can heal anything. Let your love for Sheridan help to heal her." "How do I do that mama?" Pilar touched his heart with her hand. "I think you know Luis."She hugged Luis again and promised to pray for Sheridan. "Don't give up on Sheridan yet son. She has always been a fighter." Then her, Theresa, and Miguel went home. Luis waited for what seemed like hours for someone to tell him what was going on with Sheridan. He couldn't take this. He had to know one way or the other what had happened. Sam had promised he would be the first person to know as soon as they had new information on Sheridan. Finally Eve came into Luis's room. Luis noticed that she looked exhausted and braced himself, as hopeless as that was, for the worst. "Hi Luis, how are you doing?"

"How is she Eve?" Eve smiled. It was obvious Luis cared a great deal about Sheridan. "Luis, Sheridan suffered some very serious injuries, not to mention an extreme level of smoke inhalation. It was very touch and go for awhile. We had to shock her heart three times during the surgery. We finally managed to stabilize her but she is in a coma now. "SHE'S ALIVE!?" Luis was unbelievably happy just to hear that she was alive. "Yes, she's alive. But she is still not out of the woods yet. If she doesn't wake up within the next 24 hours, she may not ever. I knew you would want me to be straight with you, so that's why I'm not sugar-coating any of this."Eve took Luis's hand. "But don't give up yet Luis. It's amazing that Sheridan made it this far. She is obviously a real fighter. But I guess you already knew that huh?" she said smiling at him. Luis looked up at her. "Yah, I did know." He managed a weak smile. "Eve, can I see her now?" "Well, I don't know Luis. Critical patients aren't really supposed to have visitors.""Please Eve." Eve could tell that he needed to see Sheridan. "Ok Luis. Follow me."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 19: Decisions

Luis walked with Eve down the hospital hallway to the ICU where Sheridan was. He was happy that she was alive, but he knew that he couldn't breath easy just yet. "Has any of Sheridan's family been here Eve?" "Her nephew Ethan and friend Gwen were here until they found out Sheridan had survived the surgery. They were pretty exhausted so I told them to go home and come back in the morning. It wouldn't have made them feel any better to see her right now." Luis was glad that Sheridan had some family that cared about her. "How about her brother or father?"

"No, just Ethan and Gwen." Eve's face suddenly clouded over. "But frankly, when it comes to the Crane Family, I would say Sheridan and Ethan are the only members of that family worth giving a damn about." Luis noticed Eve's strong dislike of the Cranes, but was too concerned about Sheridan to pursue it. They got to the ICU and Eve led Luis into one of the rooms. Luis gasped and felt the color drain from his face when he saw Sheridan. He had thought he had been prepared to see her in bad condition but this was beyond his worst nightmare. Sheridan looked lost among the monitors and tubes and IV's, and pumps that were attached to her. "Eve I thought you said she was alive?" Luis was starring at the respirator that was doing Sheridan's breathing for her.

"She is alive Luis. That machine is just helping her to breathe right now. I told you that Sheridan suffered a lot of internal injuries. That's why these next 24 hours are crucial." Eve looked at Luis concerned. "Luis, maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. You can see her in the morning." She started to guide Luis out of Sheridan's room. "No! I want to stay. I just wasn't prepared to see her like this at first, but I'm o.k. now.""Are you sure?" "Please Eve. I want to stay with her. I need to stay with her." "All right Luis. I'll be back to check on her in a little while." Eve was about to leave the room when Luis stopped her.

"Eve, what are her chances? Her chances of waking up?" "It's hard to say Luis, we'll know more in the morning…" "Come on Eve. Level with me here." Eve looked down at the floor before answering." "With the seriousness of her internal injuries, I'd say less then 30%." Luis shut his eyes and rested his head in his hands. "I'm sorry Luis. Why don't you try talking to her a little? They say it helps sometimes. I'll be back shortly." Eve left and Luis walked to the side of Sheridan's bed.

It was still hard to see her like this but he wanted to be strong for her. Luis reached into his pocket and pulled out the small wooden box he picked up when he rescued Sheridan. He put it down on the table near her bed. Luis sat down in the chair by her bed. There was barely space for a chair amongst all the monitors and medical equipment. Luis tried to say something to her, but was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't speak. He ever so gently took one of her hands in his own hands. Her hand felt cold and clammy in his and he gently leaned in and kissed it. He couldn't speak to her right now, but he held her hand to his face and let a tear that had just fallen from his eye fall into it. His mother's words rang in his head; "Love can heal anything." Luis prayed that somehow Sheridan could feel him there and draw strength from him. He continued to sit with Sheridan, holding her hand in his and praying.

**********IN SHERIDAN'S HEAD************

Sheridan was at a carnival. She looked around curiously. For some reason it was all very familiar to her, but she couldn't remember why. She began walking around when suddenly two young girls in school uniforms ran up to here. "Sheridan, Sheridan! Where did you go?" "Excuse me? Do I know you two girls?" The girls stare at Sheridan for a moment with confused expressions.

"Oh I get it Babette," said one of the girls to the other. "Sheridan is trying to play a joke on us. Well, no time for that Sheri, we are going to get are fortunes told by a real fortune teller!" The girl grabbed Sheridan's hand to come with them. Suddenly it all came back to Sheridan. She was at the same carnival she went to when she was in boarding school, and these were her friends from school. They had gone to see that fortuneteller, that horrible gypsy woman who had predicted her future. Suddenly Sheridan had a terrible feeling. Why was she back her? What could have happened to bring her back to this moment? The two girls were still trying to pull Sheridan towards the fortuneteller's tent. Sheridan started to back away from them. "No, I'm sorry. I can't go with you?" "Why not Sheridan?"

"I just can't." Sheridan broke free and started running in the opposite direction. She looked back as she ran but somehow the farther she ran the closer the gypsy's tent seemed to get. Sheridan's panic increased and she tried to run faster, but suddenly she was running straight through the entrance of the tent.

************IN SHERIDAN'S HOSPITAL ROOM*************

Luis had been sitting calmly still holding Sheridan's hand when suddenly one of her monitors started to beep, and then another monitor began to make a loud noise. Luis jumped up but Eve and two nurses were already on their way in. "Ok, she's coding! Start chest compressions and get me 65 cc's of parapadil now!"Luis watched helplessly as Sheridan struggled to stay alive. He knew that the odds were against her as Eve and the nurses worked on Sheridan again. "Dr. Russell, should we get the crash cart ready?" asked the nurse. "No, I don't think her heart can take anymore right now. Just keep doing chest compressions." Then just as suddenly as the chaos had started the monitors stopped making alarming noises and she was stable again. Eve let out a deep sigh as she looked up at Luis. Just the expression on Eve's face was enough for him to know that this wasn't a good sign for Sheridan's recovery. He sat down again by her bedside once Eve was finished stabilizing her and looked at her face. "Come on Sheridan, please don't give up yet. I know there some fight left in you." He leaned in and began whispering something in her ear.

**********IN SHERIDAN'S HEAD************

Sheridan was filled with intense panic as she ran into the gypsy's tent. It looked just the same as it had when she had her fortune told as a girl. "I must be having some kind of terrible nightmare," Sheridan thought out loud. "This is not a nightmare my child," said a raspy voice that Sheridan immediately recognized. She spun around and was face to face with the old gypsy woman. She looked the same. The same wrinkled skin and long wispy black hair that seemed to envelop her. Her face was covered with a scarf except for her eyes. Sheridan remembered those eyes. They were black as night and seemed to be able to penetrate into Sheridan's soul. "Why am I here?"

"Don't sound so surprised my dear." She motioned for Sheridan to have a seat at her table, where a large crystal ball was perched in the middle. "After all, you knew you would wind up here eventually." Sheridan sat down uneasily. "What are you talking about? I have no idea why this is happening." "Of course you do dear. You are taking your final steps, fulfilling your fate as it were.""My fate? What do you mean my fate?" "Have you forgotten what I told you? What I predicted your fate to be?" Sheridan felt a cold chill go down her back. She hadn't forgotten. She remembered every single word the gypsy had spoken to her. How she would never find love, or have a family, and how she would die young. Suddenly Sheridan had a horrible feeling. "Am I dead?"

"Well my child, lets just say you are taking the finals steps to the next world." Sheridan began to breathe faster as the realization set in. She prayed that this was nightmare and she would wake up soon. She jumped up from the table. "No! No! You're wrong. I didn't die. This is just some horrible nightmare!" The gypsy stared at her calm and collected. She motioned to her crystal ball. "See for yourself." The smoky haze in the crystal ball began to clear and Sheridan gasped at what she saw. She saw herself. She was lying on the ground, passed out, in a room that was full of smoke and flames. Then the scene changed to one of her lying in a hospital bed. Doctors and nurses were scrambling all over. She could hear them saying that she was coding, that they couldn't start her heart. The scene suddenly disappeared and Sheridan stood in silence. She felt weak and sat back down at the gypsy's table. "So I am really dead" Her voice trailed off.

"As I said before, you are almost ready to leave this world for the next." "This can't be happening. I'm not ready to die." Sheridan broke down in tears. The gypsy woman took one of Sheridan's hands in her bony gnarled one. "It is not worth crying over child. It is simply your fate. Has not everything that I told you about your future come true? You never found love or had a family. It is your fate to die young. You can only cheat fate for so long before it inevitably catches up with you?" "Cheat fate? What do you mean cheat fate?"

"That is not important. All that matters now is that you let go of your final hold on this world so you can travel into the next. The next world will be a much happier place for you my child." The gypsy motioned to the entrance of her tent and Sheridan turned to see what she was pointing at. Instead of the carnival outside a brilliant white light was shining. Just looking at it made her feel warm and secure. She wanted to go towards this beautiful light. Sheridan got up from her chair and slowly started walking to it. The gypsy's words rang in her head as she went. "Let go Sheridan, let go."

**************IN SHERIDAN'S HOSPITAL ROOM***********

Luis was gently speaking to Sheridan. He held her hand and spoke softly into her ear. "Sheridan, please don't let go. Please try to hold on. I know it's hard but you can't give up now. Just think about all the people who love you. Ethan and Gwen, my mother, all the kids at the youth center, all your friends in Harmony, and me." Luis felt a surge of emotion when he said this. He had finally admitted it to himself that he loved her. He leaned in closer and held her hand to his heart. "I love you Sheridan. I need you. Please don't leave me, don't let go."

**********IN SHERIDAN'S HEAD***********

Sheridan was walking slowly towards the bright light. The closer she got to it the more secure she felt. "That's right my child, go into the light." Sheridan continued to walk slowly but suddenly out of the corner of her eye she noticed something. There was another opening. It was smaller and the light from it wasn't as bright, but it was there. She stopped walking. "What…what is that?" The gypsy looked angered that Sheridan had stopped. "That is nothing, ignore it." The gypsy started with her trance-like voice. "Let go Sheridan, just let go." Sheridan was about to start walking to the light again when suddenly she heard another voice. It was far away, but somehow familiar. Sheridan listened to what it was saying. "Please don't leave me, please don't let go."

The gypsy's voice was still telling her to go to the light, but her voice seemed to be getting softer and the other one louder. Sheridan looked back at the new opening. It seemed to have gotten bigger and the light brighter. She took a step towards it. "NOOO!" screamed out the gypsy. "You must fulfill your fate!" But Sheridan barely heard her. All she heard now was the sound of the other voice. A voice that seemed to wrap around her and fill her with love. Sheridan let the voice guide her to through the entrance.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 20: Awakenings

Luis continued to whisper into Sheridan's ear when Eve came back into the room. "Luis, I think it would be best if we let Sheridan rest now. We'll know about her condition in the morning. I'll get you a ride home okay?" "No Eve. I want to stay with her." Eve walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Luis, there's nothing else you can do for her right now. You can come back in the morning and hopefully we'll know more." "All right. Just let me have a few more minutes with her and then I'll go." "Okay, but just a few minutes more." Eve left the room again.

Luis held Sheridan's hand in his and brought it to his lips, gently kissing her fingers. He just couldn't believe that he might never hear her voice again, stare into her baby-blue eyes again, or kiss her lips again. He was certain this just wasn't the way things were supposed to end for them. He noticed Eve standing in the doorway waiting for him and he reluctantly started to get up. "Sheridan, I'll be back in a few hours to see you, I promise." He slowly started to release her hand when he felt it. Or at least he felt something. His eyes went wide. He couldn't believe it. Sheridan had squeezed his hand. It had been weak but he was certain he had felt it.

"EVE! She squeezed my hand!" Eve walked over by him looking doubtful. "Luis, Sheridan is in a deep coma, I highly doubt you could have felt her squeeze your hand." "Eve, I know she did! I felt it!" Luis sat back down and took her hands. "Come on Sheridan. I know you're there. Please wake up." Suddenly Sheridan's hand moved again in Luis's hands. This time Eve saw it and she looked amazed. "You're right Luis! She's waking up." Eve ran to get the ICU nurses. They returned and started checking Sheridan's vitals. "Her pulse is up and she seems to be breathing without the help of the respirator."

"Is that a good sign?" asked Luis nervously. "That's downright amazing Luis," said Eve smiling. Eve turned to the nurses. "Okay lets take her off the respirator." They carefully removed the machine from Sheridan and waited nervously to see how Sheridan reacted. Luis was in agony, each passing second felt like an eternity. He held her hand and shut his eyes, silently praying.

"Please god, I promise that I won't let anything come between us again if you just let her be okay," he said silently in his head. Then Luis slowly opened his eyes and immediately felt his heart soar. Two beautiful baby blue eyes were starring deeply into his, penetrating his heart and thoughts; two beautiful eyes that belonged to the person who completed him.

Sheridan felt groggy and confused as she came out of her coma. She slowly became aware of her surroundings and felt panic and fear setting in, but then her eyes slowly came into focus and she became aware of someone holding her hand and tried to focus. Her panic instantly disappeared when she saw his face, Luis's face. He was looking at her with those deep, comforting eyes of his, holding her hand. Sheridan felt a huge wave of relief wash over her. As though he read her mind Luis leaned in close to her face and whispered to her. "Everything's going to be all right now. I'm not going anywhere." Sheridan was still much too weak to respond but she managed to gently wipe away a tear from his cheek with the hand of hers he was holding gently in his by his face. Then she fell back into a peaceful sleep, giving him one last comforting look. Somehow they both felt that there was nothing that could keep them apart now.

****************JULIAN'S OFFICE*******************

"Julian. How the hell did this happen?" "I don't know father. Sheridan for some reason or another ran back into the cottage while it was being consumed by flames." "I knew she was foolish, but I never thought she would do such a thing. I thought I told you to keep your sister away from the cottage for the afternoon. Were you completely incapable of following the simplest of instructions?"

"She was out with Luis. How was I supposed to know she would fine out about the fire so soon?" "Dammit Julian! I have heard enough from you. This is not at all what I wanted! What have you heard about Sheridan's condition?" "According to Ethan she is in a deep coma." "And is it true that Luis saved her from the fire?" "Yes father, he rushed into the burning cottage and rescued her just before it collapsed."

"That's just great Julian, as if things could get worse at this point." "Father, he did save her life." Even Julian was somewhat surprised at his father's coldness. "Of course, and I'm certain Sheridan will pull through, she is a Crane after all. My concern is that this rescuing incident will bring them closer together then ever. That is completely unacceptable!" "Of course father. But I don't see how we can stop that from happening now." "Oh, don't underestimate me Julian. I've only just begun to fight. Luis and Sheridan have more problems ahead of them then they could possibly imagine."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 21: Healing Touch

Coming Soon...