Lock Me In Your Heart

Lock Me In Your Heart
By: Heather
This is Heather's first shuis fanfic and
it is amazing! Find out what she has
in store for our favourite duo in this
well written story! Then e-mail
Heather with your comments...
E-mail Heather at:
lil_angel_361@hotmail.com

Sheridan Crane stood over the couch, staring at the breath taking sight in front of her. She could hear his rhythmic breathing as he slept, and she just stood; watching. He was living with her now, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and although they fought like cats and dogs, she had to admit that it hadn’t been so bad. With their fighting set aside, they actually managed to have decent conversations with each other.

Sheridan glanced at the clock on the end table. The bright red numbers flashed 2:30 A.M, but surprisingly enough, she wasn’t tired. Luis began to shift in his sleep. Sheridan took a sharp breath in, and froze. She didn’t want him to know she had been gazing at him like she was. Quietly she tip-toed back to her room, where she crawled under her blankets, trying to get comfortable. She sighed and laid her head on her pillow. Why was he effecting her like that? She was supposed to hate him --- he was only using her. He was worse than Jean Luc, because she had cared about Luis deeper than she had ever cared about anyone. He’d challenged her in ways no one had before.

In the beginning, they both knew there was an instant attraction between the them, though both their ego’s were too big to admit it; so in fighting their attraction, they ended up arguing.

Sheridan buried her head in her pillow further, trying to rid her thoughts of Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. Though he was the best looking guy she had ever laid eyes on, she knew his personality wasn’t something to be proud of. Sure, she had warmed up to him - they had even gone on a few dates together, and they were all wonderful - but after that awful night on the wharf, when she had overheard Luis having a conversation with someone on his cell phone. Before then, she had thought he was sweet, and charming; Lord knows his smile always made her knees go weak.

Sheridan was snapped back to reality when she heard the sound of breaking glass. She groaned, but swung her feet over the side of her bed, and started toward the kitchen, where the sound seemed to come from. She stopped suddenly, when she realized it could be an intruder, or even Roger and Pierre. Her nerves got to the better of her, and she rushed into the kitchen, stopping short. Luis was bent over, picking up pieces of a shattered drinking glass.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Sheridan bent down, and began to help him. Her hand brushed his, and he looked up, startled.

Standing up, after picking up the final piece, he cleared his throat. “Uh, sorry Sheridan, I was thirsty, but I must have been still half asleep, and I dropped it. I can buy you a new one if -”

Sheridan cut him off. “Don’t worry about it, I have plenty more of those, I break them all the time. I’m such a klutz.” They both smiled at each other, holding a gaze longer then either of them intended to.

Taking in a deep breath, Sheridan looked away. “Well, um, are you okay? I mean, did you cut yourself on the glass or anything?”

Luis shifted, and started back towards the couch, where he was sleeping. “No, I’m fine.”

“Okay, well then I guess I’ll go back to sleep...”

“Yeah, me too. Goodnight.”

Sheridan walked to her room, and before closing her door, she whispered a soft goodnight. After tossing and turning, she finally managed to fall into a restless sleep full of shattered dreams and broken hearts.

~*~*~


Sheridan could feel the sun beating down on her through her window. With her eyes still closed, she stretched and yawned. Squinting at the brightness of the sun, she glanced at her alarm clock. 11:00! Sheridan thought to herself. I never sleep in this late. Then again, I don’t usually stay up at all hours of the night staring at gorgeous men, now do I? After showering and dressing, she emerged into the Living Room. Noticing it was empty, she wandered into the kitchen, and found Luis sipping a cup of coffee and reading that morning’s newspaper. “Hey,” she said softly, sitting across from him.

He looked up tiredly and smiled. “Hey.”

Sheridan started at him with concern. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

“Ahhh, what a nice way to boost someone’s confidence,” he said jokingly.

Sheridan smiled lightly. “I’m serious! You look really tired.”

Luis shrugged. “I had a hard time falling asleep after I woke up and broke your glass. Sorry about that. I must’ve woken you up too.”

“Nah,” she said, shaking her head. “I wasn’t asleep anyway. I guess I had a lot on my mind.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

Sheridan blushed a light pink. Luis couldn’t know she was thinking about him. “Nope! So, um, anymore coffee left?”

Luis noticed her sudden change of subject, but he let it go. “Yeah, there’s some more in the pot.”

Sheridan got up and poured herself a mug. Maybe some caffeine would take her thoughts off Luis. Although it was scolding her tounge, she gulped the coffee down in merly minutes, and sighed. She would be drinking a lot of coffee if she wanted her thoughts off him.

Luis stared at her strangely. “You must have some pretty heavy things on your mind,” he commented.

Sheridan’s eyebrows furrowed as she sent him a questioning glance. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you just downed that coffee in practically two seconds, and you had this faraway look on your face.” He glanced at her, his eyes showing concern. “Are you sure your okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Promise?”

Sheridan finished gulping her second cup of coffee, put her dish in the sink, and headed towards the closet. “Promise! Come here, I want to show you something.”

Luis got up, and put down his newspaper. “Yes ma’am,” he replied, following her down the hallway. Sheridan opened the storage room door, and stood on her tip-toes, reaching for something. After finding what she was looking for, she closed the door, and retrieved to the living room, where she sat on the couch. She patted the seat next to her, motioning for Luis to sit beside her.

She held an object out to him, and he took it in his hands. It was a silver heart-shaped locket. “You wanted to show me a necklace?” He asked her, confused.

“It’s not just a necklace, Luis, open it!” she urged him.

Luis fumbled with the clasp for a minute until he finally managed to open it. When he saw what was inside, he smiled softly. He was staring at two pictures; one of a younger Sheridan and one of a younger Luis. “Who gave this to you?” he asked.

“Pilar gave it to me when I turned seven, for my birthday. She said it meant a lot to her, because we were both her ‘little angels’, as she called us. She thought I would like it. I don’t wear it, but every so often, I’ll take it down, and just stare at it. It’s one of my most prized possessions.”

Luis smiled at her. “You still look the same, except your hair is longer.”

Sheridan fingered her blonde hair. “Yeah, well...long hair isn’t really becoming of me so...”

“I think it looks good,” Luis assured her, as he stared at the pictures.

Sheridan blushed slightly and started at her hands. “Um, well, I thought you might like to see that, considering your picture was in there too. I must admit, you were a cute little guy. What happened to you?”

Luis laughed, and pretended to be offended. “Awe come on, Sheridan, I know you think I’m sexy,” he said, winking.

Sheridan laughed. “You wish.” She gently took the locket from his hands, and went to her bedroom, where she placed it on her nightstand. When she turned around, she saw Luis leaning on her doorframe.

She smiled slightly at him. “Okay, so your kind of good looking.”

“Kind of? That’s not what other girls say,” he replied with a smug look on his face.

Sheridan smirked. “Oh is that so?”

He nodded, smiling, but suddenly his face got serious, and he shut her bedroom door. “Sheridan, we need to talk,” he said, sitting on the edge of her bed, “about why you suddenly turned on me.”

Sheridan began to get up, but Luis grabbed her wrist. “Please, Sheridan. I want to know what I did that was so awful that you slapped me. I thought things were going great between us.”

“So did I,” Sheridan replied coolly.

“So then what happened? Tell me...please Sheridan, I’m begging you.”

Sheridan sighed as her eyes clouded over, remember the awful words he had said.

...I intend to use that spoiled princess for my own ends...

....her family has used and abused my family for years....


Sheridan stared at Luis for a minute, holding his gaze. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore. Warm tears began to trickle down her cheeks; she couldn’t help it. Even though he had used her, she couldn’t help but love him. If she hadn’t heard him on the wharf herself, she never would have believed that this caring, gentle man could ever do anything to hurt her - to hurt anyone.

Letting out a shaky breath in frustration, she sat down beside Luis on her bed. “I heard you on the wharf, Luis,” she finally uttered to him. “I heard everything you said to... whoever it was you were talking to.”

Confusion flashed in Luis’ eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Luis, don’t deny it, please, it will only make things worse. Why can’t you just fess up to what you said?”

“But I honestly don’t know what your talking about!” He protested, throwing his hands in the air, exasperated.

“Why can’t you just admit it?” Sheridan asked, her voice raising. “Are you trying to break my heart all over again?”

They stared at each other for a moment, before Sheridan turned on her heal, slamming the door behind her, leaving a confused Luis gazing after her.

Sheridan grabbed her coat and purse, and headed up to the Crane mansion. She hugged her arms closer to her body as she walked up the path. It was very cold out for a summer day. Rain clouds were seen in the sky, that looked like they were going to spill at any minute.

Finally she reached her destination, and opened the front door, just as it started raining. She searched for Ethan in every place she could think of - she really needed someone to talk to - but couldn’t find him anywhere. Finally, she decided to check Julian’s study.

The door was slightly ajar when she approached it, and she could hear Julians voice speaking; it seemed as though he was having an important conversation. Sheridan was about to leave, when she heard her name.

“But father,” Julian dragged out, “I don’t not need to get rid of the mask. What if we need to use it again? Knowing Sheridan, she’s fallen for Low-life Fitzgerald all over again.”

“Julian, throw out the Luis mask immediatly, do you hear me?”

Julian let out a slow, drunken sigh. “Yes father,” he slurred. “I still can’t believe Sheridan thought that goody-two-shoes cop would actually use her. That imposter must have done a better job than I thought. It’s a good thing Sheridan showed up at the wharf when she did, otherwise, who knows what could be happening.” He laughed. “Heavens, her and Luis would probably be married by now,” he drawled.

Imposter? Sheridan thought to herself, her eyes flashing. I can’t believe what a fool father and Julian have played me for!

Sheridan threw open the door to his study, hands on her hips. “Well, Julian, you have some explaining to do.”

Julian jumped at her voice. The mask was lying on his face. Frightened, he threw it, and it landed inches from her feet. Sheridan picked it up gingerly, and stared at it for a few moments. Finally she spoke. “Bravo, Julian. You must be oh-so proud of yourself. You fooled me.” Her voice was an even, cold voice, Julian had heard many times, while having conversations with her sister. They often got in fights, rather than having decent conversations.

Sheridan tossed the mask back to Julian, and walked out of his study, slamming the door behind her. Her lips trembled, but she willed herself not to cry. Luis must hate me right now, she thought to herself.

She rushed to the front door, and threw it open. I have to apologize to him. I have to tell him about the imposter, I have to tell him I’m sorry!

She ran as fast as she could down the path to her cottage, but something stood in her way, and she smacked into it, causing her to fall on the ground. Strong arms enveloped her waist, pulling her back to her feet.

Sheridan pulled back, and was staring into the eyes of Luis. Tears started to fall onto her cheeks. She threw her arms around him forcefully. “I’m sorry,” she wailed. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”

Luis hesitantly put his arms around her, pulling her closer to her. The rain was coming down in buckets now, drenching them both, but neither of them cared.

“What are you sorry for?” his husky voice sounded in her ear.

“For everything!” she cried. “For accusing you of...things that you didn’t do! I should have known, I should have realized you wouldn’t do that.”

Luis could tell she was hysterical, so he picked her trembling body up in his arms, and carried her back to the cottage to sleep. By the time he got to her bed, and changed her out of her wet clothes into a pair of pajamas, she had already fallen asleep.

Hours later, Sheridan woke up. Her mouth felt dry and parched, and her eyes felt swollen from her tears she cried earlier. Was that all a dream? she wondered to herself. Glancing to her nightstand, she saw her locket, and grasped it tightly in her hands for a moment. Finally, she lifted it, and lowered it around her neck. Stumbling into the bathroom, she brushed her teeth, and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked awful, but she didn’t care. She had to talk to Luis.

She found him in the living room, lying on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. “Luis,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”

Luis looked over in her direction, and rushed to her side. “Sheridan! Are you okay?”

She nodded her head. “I’m fine...but I need you to know something.”

They sat on the couch, facing each other. Sheridan cleared her throat and began to speak. “After our...kiss, on the wharf, I went home and you called me. After we hung up, I decided to surprise you, so I went back to the wharf, only you...well, who I thought was you, was talking on his cell phone. And they said some pretty awful things about me, but what I didn’t know...was that Alistar and Julian had hired someone to impersonate you...”

Luis stared at her, confused. “I don’t really understand what your saying.”

Sheridan took a deep breath, and took one of his hands. “My father and brother, for some reason, didn’t want us to be together, so they hired someone to pretend to be you, so I would ‘accidentally’ her him talking...bad things about me. And,” she said, as tears started to flow, “me, being stupid me, believed it was actually you. And then... I slapped you.” Sheridan brought her hand up to his face. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Luis sat there for a minute, taking everything in that she had said. Finally, he said, “It’s okay, Sheridan. I forgive you. I would have reacted the same way if I were you.”

Sheridan breathed a sigh of relief, and collapsed into Luis’ arms, exhausted. “Thank god,” she murmured. “I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost your...friendship.”

Luis put his index finger under her chin, and brought her face up so she was looking at him. “Hey... you’ll never, ever loose me.”

Sheridan smiled slightly and nodded. “Good.”

She held his gaze for a moment. Slowly, he lowered his head, and brushed his lips against hers. He pulled back and gazed into her eyes, before leaning down again, and kissing her, this time passionately.

After a moment, the two pulled away breathlessly. “I love you, Sheridan,” Luis murmured, kissing her again.

Sheridan pulled away long enough to say the words she had been wanting to say for so long. “I love you too, Luis. Always.”

THE END