Luis looked out the plate glass window at Logan International Airport as plane after plane prepared for takeoff. Ironically, August had begun to cool off and Harmony was just hitting the prettiest part of the season. Fall was just around the corner and it was always Luis’ favorite season; the leaves turned magnificent shades of red and yellow before falling to the ground. Sighing, he realized that August in Paris was just as wonderful, but he really didn’t want to be leaving. Sheridan had already been in court once over the last month. They had finally tried the man that shot her in February. He had been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Sheridan had cried for nearly five hours after the verdict was read and to this day Luis still had no idea why.

"Papa, what’s wrong?" Colin asked, watching his father’s rigid figure lean against the window of the airport. He had come to know that stance as Luis’ thinking position, usually meaning something was wrong between Luis and Sheridan and Luis was mentally working it out.

"Not a thing, kiddo," Luis swept Colin into his arms. He and Sheridan had spent the entire last week arguing over Colin. She insisted that he come to Paris with them. After all, if the cartel was stupid enough to hunt her down for nearly a year; what would keep them from attacking Colin? Luis, on the other hand, insisted that Colin remain in Harmony. He was too small to travel to Europe with them and there was an added risk once he was out of the states. Colin would just be another person to guard: another distraction to his work. He couldn’t play games with Sheridan’s life because she insisted that their son join them in Europe.

Sitting in the kitchen after dinner had become a habit. Often, they would sit and chat while Colin playing outside in the yard. Luis had managed to surprise his son and Sheridan with a tree house and swing for both of them. Instead, they had begun arguing at dinner and, as Colin rushed to his room instead of outside, continued fighting until Sheridan left the room with Luis at her heels.

"Luis, I refuse to bend on this!" Sheridan yelled, stomping into the bedroom to pack. "You cannot think for a minute that I would leave our son behind while we spend the next two weeks in Paris. He needs us!" She threw her suitcase onto the bed, grabbing clothing to shove into it.

"Sheridan, no offense, but he needs to stay here where someone can keep an eye on him!" Luis screamed back, tired of her attitude. "You don’t seem to understand the concern to your safety!" He had tried for a week to get her to see what he was talking about. Never once had he raised his voice in attempt to talk this through. It was hopeless.

"Oh God, where have I heard this before?" Sheridan threw him a look. "Colin is my son and I refuse to be separated from him, Luis!" She continued to pack, anger evidenced in her walk and actions.

"He’s *our* son, Sheridan. OURS. I think we should talk this through! The boy could be a distraction!" Luis’ temper was getting the better of him and he found his voice raising.

Sheridan gasped. "You’re calling your child a distraction!" Her blue eyes were wide with shock.

"You know what I mean!" he growled. She always took things wrong; she had been twisting his words for a week.

"No, obviously I don’t. I said Colin is going and that’s all there is to it, Luis. You have no right telling me he can’t go. No right at all!"

"I can as your bodyguard and as the boy’s father!"

"Funny, that job doesn’t start until we land in Paris!" She replied, throwing some things in her case. "And you just said he was a distraction!"

Luis was livid. Taking a deep breath, he decided this was getting him nowhere. With a tight voice, he replied, "Maybe you should find another bodyguard."

"Wh…what?" Sheridan ceased packing and looked at him. She wasn’t yelling anymore. Instead, she was barely heard in the room. "What are you talking about?"

"Maybe I’m too damn close to the situation to travel with you and Colin to Paris. Perhaps some time away will do you good, Sheridan. We’ve been at odds for nearly a week now and over more than just Colin. Everything I do and say has started an argument."

"Luis," she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. "You can’t mean that you don’t want to go with me to Paris…you can’t mean you’re staying in Harmony. I can’t make it through this without you, Luis. I need you."

"If I am?" he crossed his arms, waiting for something to show she cared about it.

"No, you can’t!" She crossed the room to stand in front of him. "I…I didn’t mean to yell." She placed her hand on his chest, but he stepped away from her.

"Yea, that’s what you said last time," he turned and left the room.

That had been the night before and Colin had witnessed the entire thing from his bedroom doorway. Sighing, the little boy rested his head against his father’s chest. "Still mad at Mama?" he hugged his father.

"I’m never mad at her, Colin. We just disagree…a lot," Luis explained, watching the man outside fuel the FBI jet. "We fight sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love her with all my heart."

"Are you coming with us, Papa?" Colin asked. He really didn’t want to be without his father in a different place. He knew that his mother loved Luis and didn’t want to live without him even for a day.

"Yea, I’m coming with you, kiddo. How could I be in that house for two whole weeks without you and Mama?" He rubbed his son’s back soothingly. "How could I be here wondering if you two were ok somewhere else?"

"Dunno," Colin admitted.

"Hey, kiddo, you stay here with Aunt Theresa and Uncle Ethan and watch the planes. I’m going to go talk to Nana and Mama, ok?" Luis shifted his son so he could look into his eyes.

"Okay," he rushed to his Aunt and Uncle when Luis put him down. Hopping onto his Aunt’s lap, he pointed out the planes that were coming to Boston and then the ones flying far away.

Turning to find his mother, Luis spotted Sheridan watching him. They had never made up last night; he had slept in the guest room and avoided her all morning. He hadn’t wanted to deal with her last night, especially his nerves as bad as they were. When she left the room in the morning, he packed his bag. She had seen him bring his suitcase to the car, but he knew that she feared he would change his mind and really let her go off alone. Watching her, he noticed how she looked away. Luis walked over to Sheridan, stopping not far from her.

"Hey," he greeted her. He wasn’t sure what to say to her. Luis decided that he wasn’t backing down; she had started this and he wasn’t going to bow down to her.

"So you’re speaking to me?" she asked. She wasn’t angry, just disappointed and hurting.

"Yea, pointless not to, don’t you think?" he asked, trying his best to be light and jovial. It was a sorry attempt at a joke, but at least he was trying.

"I guess," she shrugged, playing with her engagement ring. "I understand if you don’t want to come with us. I guess I’ve been bitchy lately. I’m just tense, Luis. I’m sorry I’ve been this way, but you have to understand that I’m nervous." She continued to twist her ring, looking at its sparkle in the lights of the airport.

"I know." He stilled her hands, taking them into his own. "With the wedding coming up and all these trials digging up bad memories…not to mention the entire situation with Misty, Colin and Ashley, it’s understandable that you are nervous and on edge. I’m sorry I yelled at you."

"I yelled first," she smiled slightly, looking up at him. "Love you."

"Love you too," he kissed her cheek. "I’m just as scared and nervous as you are, Sher. I don’t want to lose you and we’re losing the home field advantage. Paris doesn’t have real fond memories for me and I don’t feel like trying to swing from a ledge to a balcony with my fiancee in one arm and my son in the other," Luis explained. "I don’t want to see either of you get hurt."

"I know and I wish I could say that I agree, but I’m afraid that leaving him here isn’t a good idea either, Luis. He’s been through so much already and I feel that leaving him for two weeks when we’re finally making real progress with him will have a negative effect. Besides, if I’m going to be locked away in a hotel room for the next few weeks, I don’t see why I can’t have our son with me."

He sighed. This was a losing battle and he knew it. "Promise you won’t go giving me trouble when I tell you to do something because I’m going to need you to listen to my every command if we’re going to make this work in Paris."

"I promise, Luis," she vowed, making an X over hear heart. "Scouts honor."

Luis laughed and pulled her into his arms. "You’re a pain in the ass sometimes, Sheridan, but I love you."

"Thanks," she grinned and kissed his lips lightly. "I try my hardest to make you miserable," she teased, her smile brighter than ever.

"I’d believe it," he teased her back, caressing her sides as his hands slid around her back. "I’m glad you’re letting the FBI’s pilot fly us. I know how much you love flying planes and all, but I rather you rest in back with me and Colin."

"Well, I wasn’t really sure you were coming with us and I can’t fly a plane and watch Colin at the same time. Wonder woman I am not."

"Don’t need to tell me that," he laughed, earning a smack in the arm from his fiancee. "You know, I can’t wait until December. I’ve already planned our honeymoon, with Ethan’s help, and I think you’re going to love two weeks alone with me."

"Mmm, now that sounds like heaven," she slid her body as close to his as she could get. "Two weeks basking in the sun…"

Luis didn’t want to tell her that they weren’t going somewhere warm for their honeymoon, but he didn’t want to ruin the surprise. Instead, he just forced a smile and hugged his fiancee again, reveling in the smell of her perfume and the feel of her in his arms. "I hope we can go on our honeymoon alone."

"That’s different and you know it," Sheridan pulled back to look into his eyes. She was on the defensive, ready to jump on the first chance to start an argument and relieve a little tension.

"Miss Crane, we’re ready to take off it you’re ready to board," the pilot motioned to the waiting airplane, nervous that he might have insulted her by speaking to her. He was a pilot specifically chosen by the FBI, but even he knew the Crane power. Luis couldn’t have been more thankful for the interruption.

"Thank you, Paul. We’ll be boarding right away," she smiled at him, letting him know that everything was fine. Paul nodded and strode back to the plane. "Ready?" she asked.

"As ready as I’ll ever be," he sighed, grabbing her hand. "Have I mentioned I hate airplanes?" he joshed.

"I’ll be there to protect you, baby," she kissed his cheek. "This can almost be a prequel to our honeymoon," she winked.

"Mm, Paris here we come," he swept her into his arms and started down the gateway, Colin right behind him as they laughed all the way to their seats.

"Are we there yet?" Colin whined, looking out the window of the black town car with Agent Freeman in front that was driving down the main streets of Paris, slowly making its way to their home for the next few weeks. The flight had been terribly long and unbearable to the poor child who hadn’t been able to sit still for the first three hours of the trans-Atlantic journey. Finally, he had fallen asleep for eight hours, waking to be even more energetic, if that was possible. Now, he was bouncing on Sheridan’s lap as they drove through Paris, not caring about the beautiful sights around him but instead that they weren’t done traveling yet.

Luis looked out the window; it wasn’t dark but not quite bright enough for the sun to be up. He shrugged. "I don’t know, kiddo. Hal wouldn’t tell us where we’ll be staying at while we’re here." He sighed, watching the buildings pass and trying his hardest to get a clue as to where they were going.

Sheridan leaned over and kissed Luis’ cheek. "Luis, it’s better if we don’t know where we are and no one else does either. You know that as well as I do," she linked her hand with his own, squeezing it gently.

"I know, but how can I decide on escape routes if I don’t know where to escape to, baby?" he looked down at their hands and smiled. Paris held so many bad memories. Last time they were here, Sheridan couldn’t stand his presence. "I’m liking Paris a lot better this time around, sweetheart. It’s nicer being on speaking terms with you."

Sheridan smiled and scooted closer to her fiance, leaning her head against his shoulder. She loved times like this when they could just be themselves and enjoy their time together. She knew when they returned to Harmony life would be much different. Luis would be at work again, most leaving her at eight and not returning to six. She would be trying to plan their wedding and raising Colin before she started her job as a second grade teacher in the fall. Down time would be hard to come by in the near future. Closing her eyes, she replied, "Yes, it most definitely is."

"Ms. Crane, Detective Lopez-Fitzgerald," Hal turned in his seat to face them. "We’re about five minutes from our destination. My fellow agents tell me that there is no report of your arrival so we should be able to bring you inside without incident."

Sheridan tightened her grip on Luis’ hand, still nervous over the prospect of testifying soon. When Luis squeezed her hand, she looked up at him, meeting his reassuring eyes. "Love you," she whispered.

"Love you too," Luis replied, kissing the top of her head.

"And I love you both," Colin giggled, kissing his mother’s cheek before resting back in her lap. Luis laughed. His son was amazing sometimes and Hal had been very confused when little Colin stepped off the plane with them. Not having time to ask, Luis knew that the second they were settled Hal would want to know who Colin was.

Hal merely looked confused a moment before turning in his seat and facing the road again. The driver pulled up to a small house that was rather secluded from the rest of town and Hal immediately stepped out to make sure the place was secure. Luis and Sheridan were both surprised when they didn’t stop at a hotel. Neither said anything, however.

"Sheridan, I’m going to go help Hal. Will you and Colin be all right in the car?" He asked before opening the door.

"Please, Luis, just be careful," she begged. She was terrified that what was left of the cartel would try and strike before she could testify. The drug cartel certainly wasn’t Sheridan’s biggest fan and it worried her to think that Luis’ life, as well as their son’s, could be in danger.

"Sheridan, I’m always careful," he promised, kissing her lips and getting out of the car to help Hal.

Sheridan watched Luis disappear inside and then turned to the driver. "Parlez-vous anglais?" She laughed at herself. If he didn’t speak French then she had made a complete fool of herself.

"Oui, madame, Je parle anglais et francais." He smiled at her. "Agent John Dixon, under Hal’s command. Miss Crane, I assure you that nothing will happen to you or your family while you are in our care."

"Thank you, Agent Dixon. It makes me feel much better to know that my family will make it through this encounter. Will you always be our driver?" she queried.

"Yes, ma’am. I hope you feel safer knowing that I will be doing the driving always because I’ve lived in Paris during assignments and I am the best man for the job when it comes to directing the troops around the city." He laughed. "Hal hates it, but that’s why he brought me along for this ride."

Sheridan laughed. Colin looked confused; they were no longer moving but still they were in the car. He needed to get out and soon or else he was going to go insane. "Mama, are we there now?" he asked.

"Just about, kiddo. Papa’s just checking a few things with Agent Freeman and then we’ll go inside," checking her watch, she realized that it was after midnight in Harmony but nearly sunup here in Paris. No wonder she was starting to feel dreadfully tired, she hadn’t slept for more than four hours on the flight. Sighing, she hoped she could get some sleep while Luis watched Colin or else she was going to be even bitchier than she had been before their flight.

The car door opened and Sheridan immediately backed away from it. She didn’t know why, but her instinct made her shift away from the now open back door.

"Sher, you can come out now, baby. We’ve secured the area and it’s safe as can be," Luis poked his head in. "Come on sweetheart, everything is all right."

Sheridan released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and climbed out of the car with Colin. She immediately put her arm around his waist, snuggling up to him as they headed inside the house. It was a cute little place, one story with a brick porch leading to the oak front door. Sheridan thought it was nice, but it wasn’t home.

Colin walked along side his mother, trying his best to keep up with his parents’ long strides. He held his mother’s hand tightly as they headed for the front door. He wasn’t used to this place and the weird language his mother had used in the car sounded different that the Spanish he was learning from his grandmother. "Mama, where are we?"

"We’re in Paris, France, my love. A city across the big ocean from Harmony," Sheridan ruffled his hair as Luis opened the front door to let them in. The inside of the house was wonderful. It had a quaint little living room, four bedrooms, and a nice little kitchen. Sheridan fell in love with it, but she loved her house much more.

"Let me show you which rooms you and…the boy can have," Hal said, leading them back to the bedroom unsure of what Colin was to Sheridan and Luis. He brought the trio to the master bedroom. "This will be your room," he motioned to the four-poster bed and the tall bureau. "You can unpack whenever you want and I definitely recommend it since you’ll be here a while."

Sheridan nodded. Turning to her fiance, she placed a kiss on his cheek. "Why don’t I take Colin into his room with Hal and you start unpacking, sweetheart?"

"All right," he stepped into the room where their luggage waited. He didn’t want to be the one to unpack, but he didn’t have any choice in the matter. Sheridan had volunteered him.

Sheridan followed Hal to the room across from hers and Luis’. The door opened to reveal a simple twin bed and another dresser. At the end of the bed was a toy box. "I phoned my associates from the airport and told them we had a small boy coming along. They were able to dig up the toy box and some toys so he wouldn’t be so bored."

"Mama made me pack toys too," Colin smiled, going to his extra suitcase. He immediately opened it and began to search for something to play with.

Hal’s eyebrows rose in question. Last he heard Sheridan and Luis were just engaged, forget having a child. Now he was definitely interested in Sheridan’s story. "Mama?"

"We’ll explain once we’re settled, Hal, I promise. Just let me unpack Colin’s cases and I’ll bring my fiance into the living room to explain before you brief him on the situation," she ruffled Colin’s hair.

"All right, Ms. Crane, I can wait a few more minutes for explanations," he headed for the door.

"Agent Freeman?" she stopped him.

"Yes, Ms. Crane?" he asked, turning to face her.

"Please tell your men not to call me Ms. Crane. I much rather prefer being called Sheridan; after all, I won’t be a Crane much longer. I’m also sure Luis won’t mind going by his first name either. It isn’t like we don’t know you all fairly well."

Hal smiled and chuckled lightly. "Very true, which reminds me that I almost forgot to congratulate you on your engagement, M…Sheridan. Congratulations to you and Luis. I will tell my men not to use your maiden name. Anything else?" He continued to approach the door, waiting to see if she had any other requests.

"No, thank you, Hal. I appreciate it," she watched him leave the room.

Colin waited for a few minutes, still fishing through his toys. "Is Mr. Hal a police man like Papa?" Colin asked as his mother began to unpack his clothing, once he was sure it was all right to ask questions.

"Sort of, kiddo. Hal is an agent for the government. That means his has more power than Daddy," Sheridan tried to explain it as best she could. She didn’t want to confuse him but she wasn’t sure just how to explain the difference between a cop like Luis and an FBI agent to a five-year-old.

"He could beat up Papa?" Colin was shocked, pausing in his rummaging of the toy box. The thought of anyone being stronger than his father was just shocking to him.

"No sweetheart, he can’t beat Daddy in a fight," she giggled, thinking of Luis and Hal in a wrestling match. "It means that if he says that something is wrong and Daddy doesn’t think so, that Hal is right."

"Oh," Colin was still confused but didn’t seem to care. He had found a few cars in the toy box, which reminded him of his favorite toy. He opened the bag with his toys in it and dug out his police cruiser. "Can I go play in the living room, Mama?"

"Go on, sweetheart, but don’t get in the way of the other FBI men," she instructed. "And mind your manners."

"Yes, Mama," he grabbed his car and scampered from the room to play. Sheridan laughed and finished unpacking. She decided to join her son in the living room before he got himself into trouble.

Luis finished unpacking his clothing as well as his fiancee’s and grabbed his surprise for her. Paris was definitely looking much better this time around than it did last time. Heading into the living room he found Sheridan and Colin; he was surprised to find them alone before a roaring fire. "Where is everyone?" he asked, looking around for the FBI agents.

"In the kitchen either cooking or plotting," Sheridan laughed. "Hal said we can talk later…what are you hiding?" she noticed his hands behind his back and her eyebrows rose in suspicion. She hadn’t a clue why Luis would be hiding something now.

"Well, this will make my surprise much nicer if we can have some time alone just the three of us," he revealed a small black radio that he had packed just in case. "Battery operated in case the outlets are odd and the plug won’t fit." He placed it on a table near the fire, waiting for her next complaint; he knew she was going to say there wasn’t any music.

"Luis, that’s incredibly sweet, but I am sure AKIS doesn’t broadcast across the Atlantic and I’m sure you don’t know what the words mean on the French stations…" She didn’t need music right now, she’d be happy just to snuggle with him, though she did love dancing with him.

"You’re right, but I had Theresa make us a tape of love songs before I left," he grinned proudly, showing her the cassette. "I figured we could at least enjoy ourselves while we were here, Sher. I can’t exactly watch TV," he laughed. "And seeing as how we have plenty of company, there are other things we can’t do in the living room."

She blushed slight and giggled, standing from her seat. "All right, babe, I’m game. Why don’t we see what your sister taped for us?"

"I was hoping you would say that," he smiled, popping the tape into the cassette player. "Well, here goes nothing," he hit play.

"Sheridan, Luis, I’m guessing you are both in Paris by now if you are listening to this. Hopefully you didn’t argue on the thirteen-hour flight and are currently enjoying yourselves in some romantic hotel suite where you can have room service and some time alone. In any case, here are a few songs to last you your trip to Paris. I picked the best ones from my CD collection, hope you enjoy. Love you both…see you soon."

"That was sweet of her," Sheridan grinned. "She didn’t have to make the tape for us. I know how busy she is…"

"Yea, but where are the tunes!" Luis waited patiently and finally heard something start. "Hey, I know this song! Come here baby," he pulled her into his arms, oblivious to the FBI men watching them. Sheridan was surprised that as they swayed, Luis sang softly to the music. She had never heard him sing before. He had always complained that his voice was terrible and never meant to actually sing, as opposed to hers. This time was different and he sang the words just loud enough for her to hear.

Sheridan looked deep into her fiance’s eyes and listened to him sing the words she knew he honestly meant. So far Luis had never let her down and been there whenever she felt down. Sure, there were bumps in the road, but any relationship had its challenges to face. She had to admit that not every relationship had to face an imposter that played on their fears, a drug cartel, an imposter of a father, a flood in New Mexico and so on. Yet, their relationship continued on despite it all and Sheridan couldn’t have been happier than she was at the moment.

He looked into her blue spheres and smiled. He was her hero and kept her strong when she felt weak. He was her everything and it made her heart soar to know that he always would be. She would never have to face the world alone, nor would he.

"Love you, Sher." He pulled her close, enjoying the feel of her against him.

"Love you, Lu," she kissed his lips lightly, waiting for him to realize just what she called him.

"Lu?" he asked with a laugh, still dancing with her in the living room with the FBI agents and Colin looking on. He liked the nickname, it was the first time someone had called him by a shorten version of his already short name. Leave it to his Sheridan to make up a new one.

"It suits you, babe," she laid her head on his chest, closing her eyes and listening to the soothing sound of his heart beating. "Will you always be my protector?"

"Forever and always, Sher, forever and always," he hugged her close and kissed the top of her head.

"I promise the same, Lu," she teased, her eyes still closed. "I would do anything for you."

He didn’t reply to her, merely rubbed soothing circles on her back hoping she knew for sure how much he loved her. She was everything to him and he would do anything to stay in her arms.

"I put my faith in you, Luis," Sheridan looked deep into his soothing brown orbs. "You’re the only person I trust with my heart and my life."

"I would give up my life for you, Sheridan, you know that," he kissed her lips. The kiss began to deepen as the music and dancing became forgotten.

The clapping of many hands, including a certain pair of little ones, brought Sheridan and Luis back to earth and they pulled apart, albeit reluctantly. Sighing, he realized this was going to be completely different from the time they spent alone in the cottage. He and Sheridan were not going to have one on one time like back then. Instead, they had six FBI agents attempting to guard them and Colin, who was definitely going to be attached at their hip during their trip to Paris.

"You two make an amazing couple," one of Hal’s agents told the lovebirds. He was a younger man, maybe twenty-five or so, with short blond hair and deep brown eyes. He was Luis’ height and build, but he wasn’t nearly as good-looking. "I’ve never seen two people more suited for each other."

Sheridan blushed and buried her face in Luis’ shoulder. She couldn’t believe that everyone had been watching them.

"Thank you," Luis replied, bringing Sheridan to the couch and sitting with her. "That’s why we’re engaged to be married," he looked at his fiancee with a smile on his face. She grinned at him. The love they shared was displayed clearly in the look they shared.

"So," Hal came into the living room, bringing the pair some coffee. "Care to explain who Colin is now?"

Colin looked over at them, wondering why they were bringing him up. He hadn’t done anything wrong, merely played with his toy cars. He slept on the plane when he was told too so it couldn’t be that. What had he done to get in trouble this time?

"Sure," Sheridan looked over at her son. "Kiddo, why don’t you go play in your bedroom so the adults can talk?"

"You know what," one of the only female agents interrupted. She looked like Sheridan: tall, thin and beautiful with big blue eyes. The only difference was her short brown hair that had caramel colored highlights in it. "I’ll take him into the kitchen for some breakfast. How’s that?"

"Umm," Colin was nervous. It wasn’t often that Colin was around new people anymore; he had learned most of the family friends back in Harmony. But this woman was someone new and that bothered him. "Is it ok, Mama?" he wanted her to say it was all right and that he would be safe.

"Go on with the Agent, kiddo," Luis ruffled his son’s hair. "She’ll take good care of you buddy and just maybe she has Coco Puffs."

"Do you?" he looked at her wide eyed and excited. Coco Puffs was his favorite food in the whole wide world. He could live on it if his parents would let him.

"I never leave home without them," she offered him her hand and he took it, following her into the kitchen.

Once he was gone, Sheridan turned to Hal and explained the exciting and depressing times from the last few months. She covered Misty’s surprising return to Harmony as Hank’s girlfriend and the boy she claimed was Luis’. Luis explained how they had discovered that they boy wasn’t just his, but Sheridan’s as well, and that Julian Crane himself tried to help them sort out the final details: how they met years before in Boston, how Sheridan had lost the baby to Alistair and how Misty ended up with the boy instead. They ended with Sheridan’s missing baby sister, Ashley, who was hiding somewhere in Europe. Sheridan realized just how tired she was, both emotionally and physically, and excused herself to go to bed while Luis finished chatting with Hal.

"I don’t believe you two have a son," Hal shook his head. "You two have belonged together for years." He was still mulling over everything they had admitted and wondered if he could use any of his sources to find Ashley.

"Yea, well, it was a shock to us too, Hal, but a pleasant surprise. I love Colin and he adores Sheridan. We’re a family and in December, Sheridan and I will be married finally. It’s been a long road but I wouldn’t change it for anything."

"Well, it’s about time you two got married, Luis," Hal laughed. "We’ve been following Sheridan for a long time and we know all about your love affair in the past when she worked for you at the Youth Center…"

Luis smiled and remembered some of the good and not so good times form the Youth Center. He hated to admit it, but he did know that he loved her even back then. "I agree. Now, what about the trial? When does Sheridan take the stand?" The sooner this was over the better.

"The trial started yesterday and Sheridan isn’t due to take the stand for a few days. We won’t be driving her back and forth to the Courthouse; it doesn’t make sense to place her life in danger when it can be avoided." Hal looked down at the files in front of him.

Luis nodded, trying not to think about the fact that Sheridan could be in danger again. He hated it when he was nothing more than her bodyguard but now…now his entire life hung on whether or not they could survive the ruminants of the drug cartel. "How will we know what she should be in the courthouse?"

"We’ll receive a call three hours in advance to make sure we get her there on time and in one piece. Luis, she’ll be fine, I promise you that. The cartel fell apart when Pierre and Roger were apprehended; the few that remain are nothing more than petty thugs and won’t bother seeking revenge when they are well hidden in town. Striking out means a chance of being caught and since their bosses have been taken down they aren’t going to put their necks on the line."

Luis nodded and sank back onto the couch. As opposed to Sheridan, he had slept for seven hours on the flight over. It had been a long day and the quiet flight had been the perfect place to catch some much-needed sleep. It was a good thing that he was still awake; someone had to watch Colin. Speaking of Colin…

"I think I’m going to go check on my son before he drives your poor agents nuts," Luis stood and looked at Hal. "You don’t mind that we brought him along, do you?"

"I’d be lying if I said no," Hal admitted, "but I understand the reasons for bringing him along. I wouldn’t have made you leave him behind if you had told me about him, Luis; chances are he’s in as much danger as you and Sheridan. If the cartel is going to strike, which I seriously doubt, they will strike by hurting Sheridan any way they can."

Before Luis could reply, Colin’s voice could be heard nearing the kitchen door. "Papa," Colin stuck his head out of the kitchen. "Come on and eat. They have a whole bunch of Coco Puffs!"

Luis laughed. "Thanks Hal," he went into the kitchen after his son ready to face the mess the boy was bound to make and he knew that his son wouldn’t let him down.

If Sheridan thought that being locked in the Crane cottage was boring, it was because she hadn’t faced life in the French safe house yet. For three days she, Luis and Colin had been forced to sit around in the small house, never once journeying even into the back yard. Colin hated it! He couldn’t stand being caught inside all the time and his toys were slowly but surely boring him. In turn, he was driving his parents mad. For Luis, it was like being a caged tiger. He couldn’t be alone with Sheridan with everyone else around, especially Colin. The kid needed attention and he had a habit of choosing the worst moments to reveal his presence. As for Sheridan, it was hell and there was nothing too it. Luis complained; Colin complained and therefore, she complained.

Sighing, she watched Luis and Colin play with his toys on the carpet in front of the fire. She had to find a way to keep her mind occupied or else she would be watching French soaps and talk shows. Everything she used to do when she lived in Paris was off limits because of the cartel. Closing her eyes, she settled back in the armchair and remembered the day Luis surprised her with the tree house in the backyard; at least it would take her mind off of the boredom.

"Sheridan? Sher, where are you?" Luis came in through the back door, wiping the moisture from his brow. The heat was incredible outside and his strenuous work had only made it worse. Grabbing a bottled water from the fridge, he downed half of it in one long gulp.

"What?" Sheridan entered from the living room. It was her day off from the Youth Center and she was getting ready to take Colin food shopping. It was the only day she had to get errands done.

"I have something to show you," Luis smiled at her, looking at her jean shorts and spaghetti strap tank. She was gorgeous in just about anything, but he loved the way this outfit highlighted some of her best features, revealing her flat belly and long legs.

Sheridan sighed. "Luis, I have to get to the grocery store, we need milk for breakfast tomorrow…" Sheridan never thought that she would be doing something so simple and taking pleasure in it.

"Sher, it will only take five minutes, I promise," he offered her his hand, but she was too busy watching the sweat that glistened on his bare chest and wondering when it started taking only five minutes. He looked damn good standing there in a pair of shorts and sandals. "Sher?"

"Oh, sorry, babe. Let’s go see your surprise," she sighed and took his hand, following him outside. This was going to throw her schedule off and she had other errands to run. Colin needed a new pair of sneakers; he managed to ruin the other ones when he was playing outside. She also had to get his hair cut, meet with Hank at the Center to make sure everything was running smoothly and then she promised Colin they could go to the pet store.

Luis led Sheridan outside to the giant oak in the backyard. He first showed her the swing that he had made for the tree limb. Sheridan smiled. She had always loved swings and could see many afternoons ahead for herself and Colin in this very swing with Luis pushing them. "It’s beautiful, Luis. I love it. Now I better get going…"

"Wait, I’m not done," he motioned to a ladder that dropped down from the limb across from it. "After you, mi amor."

Sheridan looked at the ladder and noticed it disappeared into the dense foliage of the tree above. Sighing, she knew he wouldn’t let her leave until she saw whatever happened to be at the other end. With this realization, she started climbing the ladder, followed by Luis. Once at the top, she realized that she had climbed through a trap door was sitting in a tree house. Scooting in, she noticed a table and chairs. It was adorable and was going to make a great playhouse for their son. "Luis, this is great."

"I figured you never had a tree house as a kid and I loved mine…I figured Colin would get a bit of use out of it too," he laughed, his thoughts just flying out with no particular point. "Do you really like it?"

She nodded. "I can’t believe you’ve built this all by yourself, Luis. It’s amazing. I didn’t know you were so talented," she motioned to the table and chairs. "You made those too?"

He nodded. "I’ve been working on those for weeks. They’ve been at Mama’s until this morning. I wanted to surprise you and Colin with this."

"It’s a wonderful surprise…"

"Ms…Sheridan," Hal entered the living room, noticing her eyes were closed. "Sheridan?"

Luis looked up from his place on the floor. "She must have dozed off. What’s up, Hal?" Luis stood up and walked over to the FBI agent.

"We were just phoned, Sheridan’s going on the stand this afternoon. This is almost over, Luis." Hal smiled at the younger man, knowing that the pair hated being trapped like this.

"How long after she testifies will she be in protective custody?" Luis asked.

"About three more days. I know we brought you here for two weeks, but the case is moving much faster and the defense has declined to call witnesses. Less time to focus on their…good sides," Hal rolled his eyes. "Wake her up and get ready, we leave in twenty minutes."

Luis nodded and woke Sheridan, explaining the situation as they readied for court. In now time, they were whisked outside and into the awaiting town car and on their way to testify in against the drug cartel.

"Thank God that’s over," Sheridan collapsed onto the bed that night after they both changed into their nightclothes. Colin had fallen asleep on the return ride and woke only long enough to eat and take a quick bath. He fell asleep after being removed from the tub and hadn’t even woken when they changed him into his pajamas. The Agents were debating which two would be forced to work the night shift, seeing as how Sheridan testified there was no need for the heavy protection. If the cartel hadn’t struck before she testified, chances were slim that they would go after her now. There were only three more testimonies to be heard over the next two days, Sheridan’s having taken the majority of the day, and then she would be free to return to her life as normal. After her testimony, Sheridan and Luis were permitted to finally phone their families in America, though they had chosen to wait until the next day to do so.

Leaning in, Luis started nibbling on Sheridan’s ear. "Too tired for some loving, baby?" He was happy to finally have time alone with her; it seemed like it had been forever.

"Yes," she pouted. "I’m exhausted, Luis. They were so cruel to me when I was on the stand…"

"I couldn’t tell. It was in French," he flopped onto his back, disappointed that Sheridan didn’t want to make love. "What did they do?"

"Well, our raised voiced should have given you the hint that I was getting angry, but that’s beside the point," she sighed. "He was trying to make it seem if I was the one that was on trial. He kept insisting that I knew Jean Luc was a drug dealer and that I even *assisted* him on sales! Luis, you know I would never do that to a family…"

Luis rubbed her arm soothingly, trying to calm her down. Looking deep into her eyes, he read the pain and tried to convey his love. "Sher, really we both know that you would never do something like that and so does everyone else. Baby, everything will be much better in the morning. In three days we’re going to be free of this mess and maybe we’ll have some time to tour before heading home again."

"I’d like that," she looked over at him. "I miss home but there are a few things in Paris that I would like to show you and Colin before we go home. Besides, I’d like to look at the wedding gowns in case I decide to have Theresa change the designs I had her create."

Luis laughed. He could just imagine Theresa being given new designs for a wedding gown. "She’d freak out."

Sheridan giggled. "I know and I would hate to do it, but I have seen some nicer gowns..."

There was a knock at the door and Sheridan sighed. "Aren’t you glad we didn’t start something?" she sat up. "Come on in."

"Sheridan," Agent Janet Frank peeked her head in. "There’s a phone call for you from a Mr. Julian Crane. He says it’s urgent."

"Julian?" Sheridan was shocked. "Wow it must be important. I’ll be right there," she replied, starting to get up. She would have wondered how Julian got the number, but she didn’t doubt that he had his ways.

"Actually, I brought you a portable," she handed it to Sheridan and disappeared.

"Allo," Sheridan teased her brother. She knew he hated when she spoke to him in French since he had never learned a foreign language.

"Cut the act, Sheridan, I know it’s you. I have some news that I need you to follow up on since you are in Paris," Julian’s voice was soft as he spoke to his sister. Everyone had noted a change in him.

"Not business I hope, because I want nothing to do with Crane enterprises," Sheridan began to pace the room, wondering what her brother could want now.

"No not business really. It’s about Ashley…" he paused.

"What about Ashley?" Sheridan sank onto the bed, wondering what her brother could know about their missing sibling. Was she all right? Did he locate her? What did he know and why wouldn’t he just tell her already?

"She’s not just in Europe, Sheridan. Ashley’s been located in a place you know very well. A country you spend the majority of your life in. Sheridan, Ashley is in France."

Chapter Ten