Separated Hearts

Chapter 1:
"Congratulations, Ms. Crane. Your the mother of a beautiful baby boy." The nurse said as she handed the baby to Sheridan. Sheridan's eyes filled with tears as big brown eyes looked loving up at her. " YOu have his eyes." She whispherd as she softly kissed his forehead, tears streaming down her face. If she closed her eyes, she could feel his arms around her, gentally holding his son in his arms with tears of joy in his eyes. " Sheridan, he's so beautiful. I can't believe our love created somthing so perfect. I love you so much." She could hear him say. Tears drenched her hospital gown as the nurses came and took away her baby for his nap. They gave SHeridan some medication to take away her pain and put her to sleep. It could never replace the pain she felt in her heart though. She missed him so much. She missed the way he looked at her when they were in a fight, the way his lips felt against hers, the way he was always there for her. The one her family couldn't bribe. Her one true love. And now, he's gone. " Luis, I loved you so much. Why'd you have to leave me?" she cried out before sobbing herself to sleep.

Chapter 2:
Tears formed in his eyes as he stared at the picture of them, taken only a few months earlier. They looked so happy. And they were. So much had changed since that day. ~Flashback~ "Sheridan, I told you not to peak! Do I have to blindfold you?" Luis said, holding his hand over her eyes. Sheridan still shivered with excitement everytime he touched her. They had been dating for a month or so now, but it seemed like they'd been together forever. Luis gentally lead her to the spot and sat her down on the blanket, all the while making sure she wasn't peeking. "All right Sheridan, you can look now." As he took his hand off her eyes, her breath caught in her throught. They were beside a waterfall that emptied into a pond that had wild flowers growing around it. The trees created a canopy that allowed a little sunlight to shine through. It was perfect. As she spun around to look at everything, Luis smiled with satisfaction. "This place is beautiful LUis. How did you find it?" Sheridan asked him as she ran up and hugged him, then pulling him in for a kiss. "I just found it one day. I'm glad you like it." His eyes showed his happiness as he stared into hers. " I love you Sheridan." "I love you too LUis. More than anything." They leaned in for a passionate kiss. After a few minutes they pulled away for air. Sheridan leaned in for another, but Luis backed away. "Come on, time for lunch. I packed a picnic." Sheridan laughed at the thought of Luis planning lunch and started to follow him to help. " Where do you think your going? You stay right here, I don't want you to see the surprise." Sheridan opened her mouth to protest, but closed it and retreated back to the blanket. Luis came back carrying a basket. "What's the surprise Luis? You gotta tell me, I can't take this suspense." Luis set out the food and continued to ignore her. He finished and walked back to the Jeep to drop off the empty basket. THis was too much for Sheridan. "Luis, I'm warning you, you better tell me what the surprise is, or else." Luis didn't even turn around. He smiled to himself and continued to walk to the Jeep. At this Sheridan ran up behind him and jumped on his back. He jumped with surprise, then a smile light up his face. He held her tight, and ran over to the waterfall. Sheridan knew what he was thinking and frantically tried to excape, but it was too late. Luis jumped in the water with Sheridan still on his back. THey both came up sputtering and laughing. After the sun set it got colder and LUis and Sheridan decided to get out. "Gosh, I'm hugry now." Sheridan said, shivering in her wet clothes. Although is was the middle of summer, it was still cold out at night. Luis came back with 2 candles and his coat. He set the candles down and drapped his coat over her shoulders. She smiled and leaned back resting against his chest, her lips inches form his neck. He slowly brought his lips to hers and they stood there like that for a couple minutes. When they pulled away Luis took her hands and lead her to the blanket picnic. He lit the candles and poured the shampane. They ate dinner and talked about everything. After they had finished Luis began picking up. He refused help from Sheridan, who reluctantly agreed and went over to the pond. She sat on the rock and stared at the stars. She smiled to herself as she pulled Luis's coat closer to her. Luis came walked towards her and stopped to watch her as she stared at the sky. His hand had somthing gripped in it tightly and his whole body tingled with excitment. She looked down form the sky to see him staring at her. She smiled and he stepped forward. As they gazed into each others eyes he stepped closer and dropped to one knee. Sheridan's eyes began to fill with tears. "Sheridan, you are my love, my hope, my life. I've spent my whole life dreaming of my souldmate, and I know that I've found her. I can't imagine my life without you. And I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't ask you, to be my wife." Luis opened a small box to reveal a beautiful dimond ring with the words ' I love you' inscribed on the band. Luis slipped it on Sheridan's finger and continued." Sheridan Crane, will you marry me?" Tears now rolled down Sheridan's cheeks as she stared into his loving brown eyes. "Yes Luis, yes. I can't imagine my life without you and now that I've found you, I'm never letting you go. I love you." Luis stood up and held Sheridan in his arms as they kissed. "I love you too Sheridan. I'll always love you." ~Back to the present~ Luis set the picture down, tears welling up in his eyes. He slowly walked over to the window and watched the snow cove the ground. "I love you Sheridan. Forever and always." Luis whispherd into the night sky.

Chapter 3:
"Sheridan, Sheridan wake up." Some one gentally shook her. "Luis, is that you?" Sheridan said, jumping up. "No, it's Theresa. How are you feeling?" She said, with Ethan close behind her. Tears filled Sheridan's eyes, but she pushed them away. She had to be stronge. He left over 8 months ago, it's over now. She faked a smile for Theresa and Ethan hugged her. "I'm glad everythings alright. I guess my, cousin, is doing fine. He's such a beautiful baby Sheridan." Ethan said stepping back. "Yes, he is." Sheridan said staring out the window. "Do you have a name for him yet?" Theresa asked her as she put down the flowers and balloons in her hands. "What? Oh, no, I don't have a name picked out yet. I have some ideas, but I just don't know." Ethan and Theresa could see that Sheridan wanted to be alone, so they said there goodbyes and left. The nurse passed them in the door. "Excuse me miss, we found this on the floor of the delivery room. One of the doctors said that they saw you with it on earlier. Is it yours?" "My ring! I didn't even know it was missing! Thank you so much." The nurse handed the ring to Sheridan and left. Sheridan put it on and held it close to her heart. After a while she drifted off to sleep. ~Sheridan's dream~ It's Sheridan's wedding day and everything is perfect. Everyone is running around like crazy trying to get ready. It was as if the whole town of Harmony was going to be there, with the exception of Allistar and Julian of course. Sheridan was so excited. She knew somthing everyone else didn't. She suspected that she was pregant and her suspisions were confirmed just an hour ago. She was marring Luis and pregnant with his baby. Her life couldn't get any better. She hadn't seen Luis since this morning. Everyone was in such a rush getting ready and all and they were doing there best to help out. The last thing she did was kiss Luis before going to change. Now, with the wedding moments away, she was dying to see him again. Sheridan was in such deep thought she didn't even notice Pilar come up behind her. "Sheridan, I need to talk to you for a moment. Some things wronge." "Wronge? What could be wronge Pilar? Luis and I are getting married. Today is perfect." "No Sheridan. That's the problem. Luis isn't here. He's gone. He never arrived at the church and he's not at our house either. He, he's disappeard." Pilar said, with tears now streaming down her face. Inside the church Father Lonagan was anouncing the news to everyone else. Sheridan collapsed on the floor in a fit of tears. "NNNOOOOO!!!! He can't leave me! He couldn't have, he wouldn't! He loves me! He loves me!" Sheridan shreiked as tears poured down her face. She kept whispering " he loves me" It was all she could do to keep sane. Pilar took her to the house to rest while everyone tried to contact Luis. No one could find him though. He had disappeard. Abandoned Sheridan, on there wedding day. The next day everyone came to give Sheridan comfort, but nothing helped. She stayed in Luis's bed until Ethan came and took her to her cottage. And as if things couldn't get worse for Sheridan, they did. Pilar had just stopped by to see how Sheridan was. It was now 3 days since the wedding and Sheridan had been in a trance. She would wake up at night saying Luis's name and would burst into tears at the tought of him. She loved him so much and thought that he loved her too. Sheridan eventully feel asleep and Pilar kissed her forehead and left. The next thing Sheridan knew, she was being shaken by Ethan. "Ethan? What are you doing? Let me sleep." She said as she burried her head in the covers. "Sheridan, somthings happend to Pilar. She's, she's dead." Ethan said barely audible, tears trikleing down his face. Sheridan stared at him inshock. "Why, how? Why is this happening to me? Why can't I just be happy??" Sheridan screamed, tears of rage and sorrow filled her eyes. Ethan held her and they both cried over the loss. Finally Ethan spoke again. "Theresa found her. I guess she feel down the steps. It was to late to save her." This only made them cry harder. They had felt so much pain. ~Back to the present~ Sheridan awoke with tears in her eyes. "Why did this have to happen to me? Why couldn't I just be happy. Why Luis, why'd you have to leave me?"

Chapter 4:
Luis finally got to bed. He feel asleep dreaming of the moment that changed his life forever. ~Luis's dream~ It was there wedding day. Everyone was running around like crazy getting ready for the reception. Luis and Sheridan did there part to help out. When the time came to get dressed, everyone dashed to there clothes. Sheridan darted past Luis to get dressed when he reached out and grabed her arm. She was startled, then smiled at him. "Luis, let me go. I have to get dressed. You want me to be beautiful, don't you?" She asked him with a smile on her face. "You already are." With that he gave her a quick kiss and they both parted to get dressed. Oh course the men were done early and Luis decied to go down to the beach before the wedding, which was in an hour and counting. He strolled along the shore staring at the waves. He was getting married in an hour to Sheridan. A huge smile spread across his face. Nothing would make him happier then to take Sheridan as his wife. He loved her so much it hurt. Just as he was making his way back to his jeep, someone hit him from behind and everything went black. Luis woke up in a small room, his hands tyed behind him. He could see a dim light from under the door, and that was it. He tried to get off the cold floor, but felt dizzy when he sat up. Dried blood streaked the side of hisface. "Hello Officer. How nice of you to join us." A cold voice echoed though the room. "Julian? Where the hell am I? What are you doing? I need to go, I'm late for Sheridan." Luis said, anger and confusion flashing in his eyes. "Your not going anywhere Officer. I'm afraid you've already missed your wedding. In fact, your a day late. What a pity. You should have seen poor Sheridan. She looked so beautiful. That is, until you had to hurt her and not show up." Julian said, with more than a hint of amusement in his voice. "Damn you Julian!! Why are you doing this?" "Come now Officer, you didn't think Father and I would actually allow a marraige between the house keepers son and Sheridan, do you?" Julian lets out an evil laugh. "Now I think it's time that Father and I dispose of you as we did of your Father." Julian looks at Luis, and Luis can see a hint of fear in his eyes. "So, you're going to kill me. Or do you have some hit men ready toattack." "Listen to me. Father comanded that I dispose of you and that's what I intend to do. Kill you? No, where would be the suffering and the tourment in that?" "What? What do you have planned then?" "You'll see." Julian said as he plunged a needle into Luis's arm. ( the next day{still in dream}) Luis awoke in a small apartment. He didn't know where he was though. His limbs where sore and there was a bruise on his arm from where the needle had been shoved. A note lay next to him. He began to read it. " Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald: This is your new life. You have been given a new name and social security number which are enclosed. Someone else has been set up with your former ID. You are never to contact anyone from your former life. If you disobey this rule, serious conciqunses will follow. We trust that you know better than to disobey a Crane. This is the life that was given to your father when he learned to much, and now it will be your life. You are no longer know as LUIS LOPEZ-FITZGERALD. If you so much as utter that name, your life will become a living hell, if it isn't one already. We trust that you will follow these rules. Julian and Allistar Crane. You are:Tom White 468413-468764 Luis's mouth dropped when he finished and tears of anger burned his eyes. So this is what they did to his papa! Those bastards! They aren't the smartest though. Luis immediatly noticed phone. "I have to tell Sheridan and Mama that I'm alright." Luis thought as he dialed. He decied to call his house, since they might have tapped Sheridan's phone line. "Hello, Lopez-Fitzgerald residence." A sad voice answered. "Mama!! I'm so glad to hear your voice. How's Sheridan?" "Luis, is that you? WHere are you? Why did you miss the wedding? What's wronge?" "Mama, the Cranes kidnapped me and have taken away my idenity and everything, like they did to Papa. Please, tell me how Sheridan is." "I just visited her, and she is horrible. She misses you so much." Luis's eyes filled with tears, " Mama, please tell her that I'm alright. I'm going to get out of here, and when I do..." "Luis, calm down. I want you to be carful. I love you." "I love you too Mama. Tell Miguel and Theresa that. And Sheridan. Tell her that I am so sorry that I hurt her. Tell her I love her with all my heart." A few tears slipped down his face. " And Mama, you can't tell anyone that you heard from me, except for Sheridan, Miguel,and Theresa." "Luis, I dont' understand." "Please Mama. Just do it. I love you. I have to go. I wont call again, I just had to tell you I was okay." "I love you too Luis. Be careful, you never know what the Cranes are capable of." With that Luis hung up the phone and decied to get some sleep. He was emotionally and physically drained. About an hour later the phone woke him up. "Hello?" Luis said, a little puzzeled about who would call him. "I thoght you were smarter than that. I guess you'll have to learn the hard way. Put on channel 4 and you'll see what I mean. Next time, we'll kill you too." "Julian, what the hell did you do?" Luis screamed into the recciever as he turned on the TV. His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach and all he could do was stare. Soon tears poured down his face. He had killed hismother. ( on the TV. It's a news program and the reporter is standing outside LUis's house.) "We are here with the tradgic news of a death in the small town of Harmony. Death can strike in even the quietest of New England towns. I'm here live outside the Lopez-Fitzgerald house, where just a few minutes ago, a younge girl discoved her mothers broken body at the foot of there steps. By the time paramedics arrived, it was too late. Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald died of a broken neck due to a serious fall, conclueds doctors. We will have more updates with our ten o'clock report. Back to you in the studios." Luis couldn't take it anymore. They killed his mother and it was all his fault. If he hadn't called her... ~Back to the present~ Luis awoke in a cold sweat. He had been living those dreadful days over and over again in his dreams. Why couldn't things have gone differently. Why can't he see Sheridan anymore. Why him? Why his family? Haven't we sufferd enough? Luis cried for his loss. He missed Sheridan so bad it hurt. He needed to see her. BUt he couldn't take the risk of her being killed. He had to see her though. The only question is, how?

Chapter 5:
The next day Sheridan was allowed to leave the hospital with her baby. She didn't name it yet though. She only wanted one name, but if she named her baby that, she would cry everytime she saw it. She had cried more these last months then her whole life combind. As they pulled up the lond driveway to her cottage she fought the tears in her eyes. She knew that her family had somthing to do with his disapperance. She thought so atleast. Everyday she would wait by her phone, sure that he'd call her and tell he's okay. And everyday he wouldn't call. She was begining to lose hope. She began to think that he could be dead. Tears started to come again, but she pushed them away. Ethan helped her out of the car and Miguel got her bags. Since Luis left and Pilar died, she had become very close to Miguel and Theresa. Infact, they moved into her cottage because they couldn't live by themselfs yet. They took care of each other, with Ethan's help of course. They could have moved into the Lopez-Fitzgerald house, but there were too many badmemories. As Sheridan walked in she was greeted by Theresa and Gwen's hugs and kisses. The house looked so different from what it used to be. Sheridan added an addition on with two more rooms when they decided that Miguel and Theresa would move in. Pictures of there family filled the walls. It was depressing for Sheridan to see the pictures of two people she loved and lost, but it was also comforting. Sheridan set the baby, which was sleeping soundly, in his crib in her room, while everyone else took her flowers and balloons and spread them around the house. After a lot of talking and lunch, Ethan and Gwen left. "It's been quite a day, huh Sher?" Miguel said as he cleared the table. Sheridan started to help but MIguel steered her to the couch. "You sit and rest. YOu need to keep your strength." "Miguel, I can clear the table. I hope you two don't think your going to wait on me hand and foot until that baby can walk. I won't hear of it. Now let me help." Sheridan said with a laugh as she grabbed a stack of plated from Miguel. Theresa held the kitchen door open for them. "Now Sheridan, you just had a baby. We want to help out." Theresa said as she took the plates. "You two are impossible." Sheridan laughed as she headed to her room to check on the baby. ~Later that day after dinner~ Theresa had made dinner and now they were sitting around the fireplace. Sheridan had her baby in her arms and was gentally rocking him back and forth. Every time she looked into his eyes she thought of Luis. And as much as that made her sad, she still had a part of him with her. "So, Sher, do have a name picked out yet?" Theresa asked her as she sipped some hot cocco. "Yeah, you know he's going to need a name." Miguel said smiling at her. "I can only think of one name that would fit him, one name I want him to have." She looked at them with tears in her eyes. " Luis." "I think that would be a perfect name." Theresa said as she put her arm around Sheridan. MIguel came over and sat by them on the couch too. Sheridan smiled to herself. They were a family. The only real family she had. She could talk to them about everything. Mostly, they would talk about Luis and Pilar. They would tell her stories about Luis and Sheridan would tell them about Pilar. Most of the time they would laugh so hard tears would slip out of there eyes. Those tears usually turned to sorrow and they would hold each other and cry. This always made Sheridan feel better. Finally it was time to go to sleep. Sheridan helped Miguel and Theresa to bed, kissed them both on the forehead, and went to her room. She set the baby down and lay in her bed. She could sleep though, she couldn't get Luis off her mind. She sat up and reached for the picture of him next to her bed. She sadly smiled and fell asleep with him on her mind.

The funeral arrangments were set and everyone busied themselfs. Sheridan walked around in a trance, still unsure of the funeral. It had to happenthough. As they pulled up the old church Sheridan felt a lump rise in her throat. Never, never, did she expect to be attending Luis's funeral. She didn't know what to think. Miguel and Theresa held onto her as they made there way to the front of the church. Father Lonagon was greeting mourners as they took there seats. They walked up to the front of the church and sat in the hard pew, waiting for the service to start. Even now and then, a friend would offer there condolances to her and sit down. The whole thing was like a bad dream for Sheridan. Never had she felt so lonly, so afraid. She missed Luis so much. Tears fell down her cheeks as Father Lonagan began the service. Sheridan couldn't keep her mind on it though. All she could think of was the wonderful man that she was suposed to marry. They didn't even have his body. A picture of him was placed in the casket. The pain was too much. Sheridan's head was spinning and she had to get out. She rose from her seat and ran from the church, she just ran until she couldn't see straight. She colapsed in the sand and cried. Her body shook as the tears poured out. She felt so weak and lonely. Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around her. She turned around and saw him. He kissed her passonately and held her tight. She wraped her arms around him and eagerly kissed back. "Luis, you found me. I knew you wernt' dead!" She said through tears of joy. "Sheridan, how could you think I was dead. Something happend, but I'm here now. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I love you so much. I want you to always remember that. I love you with all my heart." "I love you too Luis. I'll always love you. I'm so glad you found me. Now we can get married." She said and pulled him in for another kiss. All her sadness and lonliness left her as she kissed him. They were together. "Sheridan, Sheridan." Someone gentally shook her. "Luis, I'm so glad your back. I missed you so much." "Sheridan. It's Theresa." Sheridan jumped up. "Theresa? Where's Luis? He was just here with me." Theresa's eyes filled with tears. "I'm afraid you were dreaming sweetie. You fell asleep on the beach after you ran out of Luis's funeral." "I was only dreaming?" Sheridan whimpered as Theresa helped her up. "Come on. Everyone's waiting for us back at the funeral. That is, unless you dont' want to go back. I could take you to the cottage, if you want." Theresa helped her up and they slowly walked towards the church. "No, I want to go back. I have somthing to give him." Theresa looked a little confused, but nodded and saddly smiled at Sheridan. Everyone stepped aside when Sheridan approached the casket. Inside, a picture of Luis smiled out at her. Tears slid down Sheridan's face as she pulled a small note from her coat pocket and placed it on the picture. She leaned down, kissed the picture, and left. ~That night before~ Sheridan couldn't sleep. Her heart ached in her and tears wouldn't stop flowing. The baby was with Theresa so Sheridan could be alone. Sheridan lay back in her bed and tried to sleep but it was usless. Luis's funeral was tomorow. She knew that she couldn't say anything to all the people, but she felt like this would be her last chance to say goodbye to Luis. She got out of bed and found a piece of paper and a pen. She began writing, unsure of what she was going to say. Her heart controlled the pen as she wrote: Dearest Luis, my one true love, I wish you could be with me now, I miss you so much. I don't know why you left, but I know you never ment to hurt me. And even though I am hurt, I don't blame you. I miss you though. I cry every night, wishing that you were there. I had a baby, our baby. I wanted to tell you on our honeymoon, but it was too late. I wish you could see him, he's so beautiful. I know you'd be proud of him. He looks like you already. He has your eyes. Oh, God Luis, I love you so much. I don't know what I'm going to do without you. I'll never be able to love anyone the way I loved you. I know some day we'll be together again. I am taking care of Miguel and Theresa, just like you would have wanted. They miss you and love you so much too. We all love you. I, I wrote you a poem. This is my way of saying goodbye to you. As lonely as the sunken sky,A tear dwells in my emerald eye, For all the wished lost to you,And the dreams that won't come true. You were my wish, my love, my hope,And now my heart can no longer cope, For all the wishes strung from the sea,Are now things that will no longer be. Your laughter lit my every day,And your smile made me want to stay, You understood me, but now you're gone, And you were the one I wanted for so long.Dreams are shattered like the night, Of cloudy minds and starless skies,Forever wishes torn apart, Like the seams of my heart,Broken words bite my tongue, And empty screams tonight are sung,Cries fill my mind with regret, That you had to be the one I met.Screams of anguish tear the sky, As a tear rolls from my eye,I'm falling further towards the depth, Of empty lives I've never met.You were the one, and now you're gone, Though I waited for you so long.I never even said good-bye, But it's in my song tonight.I love you Luis, I'll always love you,Sheridan Sheridan folded the letter and kiss it. She set it by the picture of Luis and went to sleep.~back to the night of the funeral~ Sheridan, Miguel, and Theresa sat in there small cottage like they had so many nights before, crying. Sheridan had just told them what her letter said and the tears were unable to be stopped. Gwen had taken the baby for the night, because she didn't think it would be good to leave the baby in the mourning house. Miguel and Theresa finally went off to bed and Sheridan lay on the couch until she cried herself to sleep.

Chapter 6:
"RRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGG" the phone sounded as Sheridan jumped from her sleep. She blindly reached over and picked up the phone. "Hello." She whisherd, obviously she just woke up. "Hi beautiful." The cheery voice on the other side remarked. "Can I come over to see the new Crane additon?" "Hank." Sheridan stared," He's not a Cra.." "Great, I'll be right over. Bye" With that he hung up. "I can't believe it. Now I'm stuck with Hank all day. Oh, well, it can't be much better than being alone." With that Sheridan quickly changed. By the time she was done there was a loud knock on the door. "Come in Hank. Doors open." Sheridan shouted from her room. She picked the baby up and they came out to greet Hank, who had already sat down on the couch. "Well, if it isn't my best girl and her beautiful baby. Oh, he's wonderful Sheridan." Hank said as he took the baby in his arms. ' THe kid sure looks like Luis.' Hank thought to himself as he stared at him. ' At least Luis finally realized that things with Sheridan could never work.' Hank smiled at the thought of Luis gone. 'All he need was a little push.' Hank choaked down his laughter and handed the baby back to Sheridan. " Sheridan, there's somthing we need to talk about." "Sure, what is it Hank?" Sheridan asked as she walked the baby back to her room. "Sheridan, it's about Luis." Sheridan put the baby down and sat down next to Hank. "Have you heard anything?" She said, hope showing in hereyes. "Sheridan," Hank said, taking her hands. " I think it's time we faced the facts. Luis left 8 months ago, and no one has heard from him since. Now, I know my budy and if he was still alive, he would have tried to contact you and tell you he was okay. But nothing has happend, and I think we should just accept the fact that, Luis is dead." "No Hank! No! He can't be dead. He can't be." Sheridan said, sobbing into her hands. "Ssshhhh. It's alright Sheridan." Hank said, putting his arms around her. "As much as it hurts, I think we need to accept it." Sheridan stared at him with sorrow and confusion in her eyes. As much as she wanted to deny it, seh couldn't fight her doubt anymore. She knew that if he was alive, he would have told her. Through her tears she mumbled, "I guess your right Hank." "I was hoping you'd say that. I've got everything ready for the funeral. It's planed for tomorow. I knew it'd be to painful for you, so I took care of the arrangments. Oh, I gotta go, I have some business to attend to. Bye, beautiful." Hank said, quickly kissing her on the cheek and leaveing before Sheridan could responed. He slamed the door tightly behind him. "What the hell?" Sheridan said as she sat in shock. "He planned the funeral already? And it's tomorow?" Tears welled up inher eyes and she was too hurt to fight them. She felt overwhelmingly guilty. No matter how much she tried to convice herself that he was gone and probably dead, she couldn't fight the feeling in her heart that told her that he was alive.

Chapter 7:

The funeral arrangments were set and everyone busied themselfs. Sheridan walked around in a trance, still unsure of the funeral. It had to happenthough. As they pulled up the old church Sheridan felt a lump rise in her throat. Never, never, did she expect to be attending Luis's funeral. She didn't know what to think. Miguel and Theresa held onto her as they made there way to the front of the church. Father Lonagon was greeting mourners as they took there seats. They walked up to the front of the church and sat in the hard pew, waiting for the service to start. Even now and then, a friend would offer there condolances to her and sit down. The whole thing was like a bad dream for Sheridan. Never had she felt so lonly, so afraid. She missed Luis so much. Tears fell down her cheeks as Father Lonagan began the service. Sheridan couldn't keep her mind on it though. All she could think of was the wonderful man that she was suposed to marry. They didn't even have his body. A picture of him was placed in the casket. The pain was too much. Sheridan's head was spinning and she had to get out. She rose from her seat and ran from the church, she just ran until she couldn't see straight. She colapsed in the sand and cried. Her body shook as the tears poured out. She felt so weak and lonely. Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around her. She turned around and saw him. He kissed her passonately and held her tight. She wraped her arms around him and eagerly kissed back. "Luis, you found me. I knew you wernt' dead!" She said through tears of joy. "Sheridan, how could you think I was dead. Something happend, but I'm here now. I'm so sorry I hurt you. I love you so much. I want you to always remember that. I love you with all my heart." "I love you too Luis. I'll always love you. I'm so glad you found me. Now we can get married." She said and pulled him in for another kiss. All her sadness and lonliness left her as she kissed him. They were together. "Sheridan, Sheridan." Someone gentally shook her. "Luis, I'm so glad your back. I missed you so much." "Sheridan. It's Theresa." Sheridan jumped up. "Theresa? Where's Luis? He was just here with me." Theresa's eyes filled with tears. "I'm afraid you were dreaming sweetie. You fell asleep on the beach after you ran out of Luis's funeral." "I was only dreaming?" Sheridan whimpered as Theresa helped her up. "Come on. Everyone's waiting for us back at the funeral. That is, unless you dont' want to go back. I could take you to the cottage, if you want." Theresa helped her up and they slowly walked towards the church. "No, I want to go back. I have somthing to give him." Theresa looked a little confused, but nodded and saddly smiled at Sheridan. Everyone stepped aside when Sheridan approached the casket. Inside, a picture of Luis smiled out at her. Tears slid down Sheridan's face as she pulled a small note from her coat pocket and placed it on the picture. She leaned down, kissed the picture, and left. ~That night before~ Sheridan couldn't sleep. Her heart ached in her and tears wouldn't stop flowing. The baby was with Theresa so Sheridan could be alone. Sheridan lay back in her bed and tried to sleep but it was usless. Luis's funeral was tomorow. She knew that she couldn't say anything to all the people, but she felt like this would be her last chance to say goodbye to Luis. She got out of bed and found a piece of paper and a pen. She began writing, unsure of what she was going to say. Her heart controlled the pen as she wrote: Dearest Luis, my one true love, I wish you could be with me now, I miss you so much. I don't know why you left, but I know you never ment to hurt me. And even though I am hurt, I don't blame you. I miss you though. I cry every night, wishing that you were there. I had a baby, our baby. I wanted to tell you on our honeymoon, but it was too late. I wish you could see him, he's so beautiful. I know you'd be proud of him. He looks like you already. He has your eyes. Oh, God Luis, I love you so much. I don't know what I'm going to do without you. I'll never be able to love anyone the way I loved you. I know some day we'll be together again. I am taking care of Miguel and Theresa, just like you would have wanted. They miss you and love you so much too. We all love you. I, I wrote you a poem. This is my way of saying goodbye to you. As lonely as the sunken sky,A tear dwells in my emerald eye, For all the wished lost to you,And the dreams that won't come true. You were my wish, my love, my hope,And now my heart can no longer cope, For all the wishes strung from the sea,Are now things that will no longer be. Your laughter lit my every day,And your smile made me want to stay, You understood me, but now you're gone, And you were the one I wanted for so long.Dreams are shattered like the night, Of cloudy minds and starless skies,Forever wishes torn apart, Like the seams of my heart,Broken words bite my tongue, And empty screams tonight are sung,Cries fill my mind with regret, That you had to be the one I met.Screams of anguish tear the sky, As a tear rolls from my eye,I'm falling further towards the depth, Of empty lives I've never met.You were the one, and now you're gone, Though I waited for you so long.I never even said good-bye, But it's in my song tonight.I love you Luis, I'll always love you,Sheridan Sheridan folded the letter and kiss it. She set it by the picture of Luis and went to sleep.~back to the night of the funeral~ Sheridan, Miguel, and Theresa sat in there small cottage like they had so many nights before, crying. Sheridan had just told them what her letter said and the tears were unable to be stopped. Gwen had taken the baby for the night, because she didn't think it would be good to leave the baby in the mourning house. Miguel and Theresa finally went off to bed and Sheridan lay on the couch until she cried herself to sleep.

Chapter 8:
Luis woke up earily and showered before leaving for work. He was stll a cop, but here it wasn't the same as in Harmony. The small townof Newburg was a far cry form Harmony, that's for sure. Smaller in every way, Newburg was less a town and more a village. Luis hated his job. Although he was still a cop, it wasn't the same. All day he would patrol the streets, every now and then seeing a speeder. While patroling the streets Luis couldn't help but miss his family. And Sheridan. He missed her so much. He was worried about her. He could only imagine what she felt when he didn't show up for the wedding. He knew her family must have done all they could to convince her that he abandened her. He prayed that she wouldn't believe them. But as each day passed, even he was begining to doubt his existance. Everyone he knew called him Tom. That's who he was now. It killed him inside to lie like that, and go along with Julian and Allistars plan, but he had no choice. Just the metion of Julian and Allistar made him sick. He hated them. He hated what they did to him and Sheridan, and what they did to his family. Suddenly a figure darted out infront of Luis's car. He swerved and missed it, stoped and ran out of the car. A man lay on the side of the road, his face showing signs of a beating. He looked like he was haveing a hard time breathing. Luis slowly helped the man into the back of his car and headed for the hospital. "Okay buddy, it's alright. I'm officer White and I'm going to take you to the hospital. Can you hear me back there?" Luis said turning slightly to see the bruised and beaten man. He seemed familar some how, but Luis didn't know from where. The man shook his head slightly and closed his eyes. Luis pounded on the gas and pulled into the hospital. He took the man and carried him inside. Doctors and nurses quickly took the man and left Luis in the waiting room. Luis called the station and told them what had happend and that he'd stay there to find out what happend. "Alright Tom, make sure you file a report when you find out what happend." "Sure." Luis said as he hung up. As he sat in the small hospital chair waiting, his mind began to wander. After a few hours and still no word from on the man's condition, Luis slowly drifted to sleep. ~Luis's Dream~ It was a week since he and Sheridan had admitted their feelings for each other, and he couldn't be happier. He saw her every night when he got off work. It didn't matter what they did, as long as they were together. While working at the station though, he got a call from Sheridan. "Hello? Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald speaking." "Hello officer." Sheridan said suductivly into the phone. Luis smiled to himself. "And how may I help you miss?" He said, pretending not to know it was Sheridan. "Well, I have, this problem, and I was wondering if I could have an officer stop by my cottage tonight. Do you have one to spare?" "Why miss, I believe I could send our newest member of the force over right now if you'd like." "What's his name?" "Eric Ressell. He can be over in about ten minutes." "Very funny Luis." Sheridan said sarcastically. "I thought so. So, why'd you really call?" "I was wondering if you could come over a little later tonight. I have a surprise for you and need time to prepare." She said playfully. "I don't know if I can wait that long to see you, but since I have no choice, I guess I could come a little later. When do you want me over?" "Oh, about 8. That should give me enough time." "Okay, but now I really have to go." "I'm sure you do." Sheridan whispherd. "I'll see you tonight." Luis said, just as Sam walked in. "Alright, bye." With that, she hung up. Luis was smiling from ear to ear, and didn't even notice a confused Sam standing in front of him. "So, Luis. Who were you talking to?" Sam said, a smile spreading across his face as Luis blushed. "Oh, no one. It was just Theresa calling. You know how kids can be." He said, sipping his coffee. They had decided not to tell anyone about them yet. They decied that it would be better to tell everyone at Harmony's winter carnival next week. "Sure Luis." (Later night at 8.) Luis stood in front of Sheridan's cottage with a boquet of flowers. He smiled as he knocked on her door. When Sheridan opened the door Luis's mouth dropped. She looked beautiful. As he stepped inside he was greeted by a candle light dinner. Soft music played in the background and the room smelled like Sheridan's perfume. He took his coat off and turned to face her. She glowed with excitment as she took his hand and lead him to the table. She put his flowers in a vase and set it on the coffee table. As she walked past Luis, he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him. She smiled with delight and softly kissed his waiting lips. "Sheridan, why'd you do all this? You didn't have to, you know that." "Luis, I wanted to do somthing special for you. And since we can't go out anywhere, I thought we'd enjoy a romantic evening alone, here. Why, don't you like it?" Sheridan asked, her eyes filled with concearn. "Shh, Sheridan, it's wonderful. I love it." With that they started kissing. Luis held her tightly against him and she ran her hand through his hair. They were now passionatly kissing and stubleing towards the bedroom. Luis pushed the door open and picked Sheridan up. She hungrily kissed his lips and made her way down his neck. Luis getally set her on the bed as he lay on top of her. He kissed her passionatly then pulled away and stared into her eyes. "Are you sure Sheridan?" He whispherd, breathing heavily. "Yes Luis, yes..." She whispherd back as she pulled him down for another kiss. ~Back in the hospital waiting room~ "Sir, sir." An angery nurse shook him, trying to wake him up. Obviously she had been trying for some time now. "What, what?" Luis said, slowly remembering where he was. He could still feel Sheridan pressed against him.. "We have the results from the tests we ran on the man. If you'll follow me, I can show you to his room." She started walking. Luis got up and followed her down the hallway to small dim room.

Chapter 9:
Inside the room, the man lay with his left leg elevated and covered with a cast. A bandage was on his head and his face was still swollen andbrusied. "Hey buddy, how are you feeling?" Luis asked as he sat down in a chair next to the man. "Better." There was a long pause as the man swallowed, obviously in a lot of pain. "Thank you. They could have killed me." Luis immedietly went into cop mode. "Who, who could have killed you?" I should have never came back here. Tehy told me no to. They'll try to kill me again." the man said, as if speaking to himself. "Who tried to kill you? Sir, please answer the question.? Luis said as he turned the man towards him. "I didn't even get your name younge man." the man said, obviously avoiding the question. 'I'll just have to go along with this guy. He'll tell me sooner or later.' Luis thought as he held out his hand. "The names Tom White." He said as he held out his hand as he shook the man's hand. "I'm Carl, Carl Doalye." The man returned the shake, then let go. "So, Mr. Doyle, do you have nay family or friends that you'd like me to contact? I'm sure they're very worried about you." "No, I don't have anyone really. I lost them a long time ago." The man's eyes showed sadness. "I'm sorry to hear that. I know how you feel though, I lost some one very dear to me. I miss her." "Well now sonny, that makes me sad to think of someone dieing at such a younge age. What happend?" Luis was lost in thought then looked up." Huh, oh she's not dead. Things, well, they just got to complicated I guess. I would do anything to have her back though. But if I go back, I could end up hurting her." Carl suddenly got very serious. "What's your seceret?" "Excuse me? I don't have a seceret." Luis said, looking nevously atCarl. "Listen son, I know that your hinding somthing, and until you tell me the truth, I'm not telling you anything." Carl said as he turned his head away from Luis. Luis just stared at the man, shocked at what he had said. Luis stood up. "Sir, this is a police matter. I'll come back in the morning to see if you changed your mind." Luis started towards the door. He had to get out of that room. There was somthing about that man somthing.... "Luis, you forgot your hat." The man said as Luis turned around.

Chapter 10:
"What'd you call me?" Luis said as he turned around to Carl. Carl smiled knowingly at him. "What, didn't you recognize me? I knew it was you the second I saw you." Carl said, which made Luis even madder. "What the hell are you talking about? Who are you?" Luis yelled at him as he shut the door. "I'm not surprised that you didn't recognize me. They sure did a number on us, didn't they. I wish I could have told you the truth. I wish, I wish things had been different." "Carl, please, tell me what your talking about. I've never met you before. Hell, I've never even known anyone named Carl before you. If anyone has a seceret, it's you. Now are you going to tell me the truth?" "I you'd like that, wouldn't you Luis." Carl said, smiling at him. "Stop calling me Luis!! Why are you saying that?" Luis asked him, more confused then he had ever been his whole life. 'Does this guy know about me? Does he know the truth? He couldn't Luis, you just met him. Still..' Luis's mind raced with all kinds of questions. Suddenly it hit him. "Who is the 'they' you were talking about? Carl, tell me." "You know what Luis? I hate secerets. My whole has been nothing but one big seceret. Let's start by telling the truth. I'll tell you all you need to know, if you tell me first." Carl looked in Luis's eyes. " So, what'll it be?" Suddenly a nurse burst in the room. "I'm sorry sir, but visiting hours have ended. My paicent needs his sleep. Now if you want to ask him anymore questions, they'll have to wait for the morning." "Miss, you don't understand. I'm here on police business. I need this man to identify his attackers." "Sir, I think Mr. Doyle will be around here tomorow. You can talk to him then. Now, please leave before I have to call security." The nurse said as she pushed Luis out. Carl's eyes closed as Luis left. The whole way home Carl's thoughts raced through Luis's mind. HIs life, this seceret that he'd been trying to keep for so long, could that man know the truth. Should he trust him? Was his life destined to be haunted by his past? Luis went to bed as soon as he got home. It was near midnight and Luis was planing to wake up bright and earily at 6 to visit Carl. He was tired and quickly fell asleep. ~Luis's Dream~ ( A continuation of his other dream) Luis and Sheridan had just made passionate love and were now laying together. Sheridan slept, nuzzeling her head into Luis's chest as he wraped his arms around her. He was still awake, watching her sleep. He lightly kissed her forehead, careful not to wake her. "I love you Sheridan. I love you so much." Luis whispherd. "NOOOO!!" Sheridan screamed, pulling out of his arms. Luis jumped in surprise at her scream, then stared at her, hurt in his eyes. "I didn't mean to do it, I didn't mean to." Sheridan said, her eyes still closed, her face mixed with fear and sorrow. Suddenly her eyes flashed open and she began sobbing, her body shaking. Luis pulled her close to him and held her as she cried. "Shhh. Sheridan, you were just having a bad dream. It's over now, I here with you, I won't let anything hurt you. I promise." "Luis, I'm so sorry. I have to tell you the truth." "Sheridan, I don't under.." "Please Luis. Don't say anything until I'm done. I need to get this out." She looked into his eyes and he noded. "Luis, I've wanted to tell you this for so long. Ever since I started trusting you. But I couldn't. I couldn't bear the fact that I hurt you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I will now. I promise to always be honest with you. I want to tell you this before anyone else gets the chance to." She took a deep breath and looked away from Luis." You know about my dreams, but I've never told you the whole truth. I've been having these dreams since I was a little girl. They started the night before your father disappeard. In my dream, I'm in the main room of the mansion,and I hear a sound. I get scared and grab the letter opener off the desk and I hid behind the corner. A man comes around the coner and I try to stab him. The next thing I remember, there's a bloody sheet with a body under it in the middle of the room. I have blood on my hands," Sheridan says, looking at her hands as if reliving the night all over again. Tears roll down her cheek as she continues."and there's a casket in the corner. Suddenly, a loud voice starts scolding me. He keeps saying that no one would ever love me if they found out what I'd done. I told him that I didn't mean to do it, but he kept telling me that I did, and how bad I was. I would always try to see who's under the sheet, to see who I killed, but I couldn't. I would always wake up." Sheridan took another deep breath then stared at Luis. He looked sadly at her. " All these years, I've had to live with the guilt of possibly killing someone. Everyone tries to tell me that it was only a dream, but it can't be, it seems so real. I was sent away that next day, sent to a mental hospital. They wanted me to forget. Why can't I just forget it Luis?" She started sobbing now, and Luis wrapped his arms around her. ' How could they do this to her? How could they let her live her life thinking she was a murder? How could he ever be mad at her. She couldn't possibly kill someone.' He held her tight as she cried. "Sheridan, I'm so sorry you had to live your life like this. I'm glad you told me the truth though. I still love you, Sheridan, I'll always loveyou." "No, Luis, I'm not done yet. This is going to hurt you, and it's all my fault. I'm sooo sorry." She wept, shaking in his arms,"Luis, I was sent away the day of your father's disapearance. In my dreams I killed a man. Don't you get it? I killed your father!" She shouted as she pulled away from him. He stared at her, tears forming in his eyes. "Sheridan, Sheridan, damn it! Look at me!" He said, forcing her face up to his. "I still love you. You don't know for sure if what happened really did. I don't think you did anything, and I'm going to prove it to you. I love you too much to see you hurt anymore. I don't care what happend, I love you." He told her, his voice calm as he slowly kissed her. And he ment it. He didn't care. He knew Julian had somthing to do with it, but that was for another day. Sheridan needed to know that he still loved her. "Luis. Thank you. I love you." Sheridan said, as they lay in each others arms, searching for comfort and finding love. ~Back to Luis's apartment~ Luis rolled over expecting to see Sheridan. All he saw though was an empty bed. Empty like his heart. They never did find the truth about that night, but they were close. So much has happend lately, Luis forgot all about his search for the truth about that night and the search for his.. "Oh my God! I have to get to the hospital!" Luis said as he jumped out of bed and ran out the door.

Chapter 11:
Sheridan woke up early the next morning and decided to take a walk. The sun was just rising and no one else was up. She wandered through the streets, along the beach, anywhere her legs would take her. Not really thinking of anything. She strolled around for awhile, until the sun and fully risen and people where begining to fill the streets. When she came back in the cottage, Theresa and Miguel were running around the house like crazy getting ready for school. This was a familar scene to Sheridan, and she smiled as she made her way into the kitchen to make them breakfast. Miguel ran in first, and sat down at the table. "Morning Miguel. Breakfast will be ready in a second. Is Theresa almost ready?" Sheridan said as she pulled two pieces of toast out of the toaster. "Morning Sheridan. Yeah, she should be here in a sec. Thanks." Sheridan handed him the plate of eggs and toast and kissed him on the cheek. She didn't know why she did that, but every moring she'd kiss there cheeks, just like Pilar used to do to her. Miguel kissed her back and started eating. Theresa stumbled into the kitchen, kissed Sheridan, got her plate and sat next to Miguel to eat. "Rough night Theresa?" Sheridan said, covering up her laugh. Theresa was never much of a morning person. "School starts too early." Theresa said as she picked at her eggs. Sheridan laughed and sat across from them with a cup of coffee. "Sher, where were you today? I heard you leave early and you just got back a few minutes ago, right?" Miguel asked as he shoveld some more foodin. "I couldn't go back to sleep so I thought I'd go for a walk. You two had better hurry. School starts soon." "Hmmmm. It doesn't start for another, ten minutes. Don't worry, we won't be late." Theresa said as she got up from the table. Mornings were usually like this at the cottage. After they would go to school, Sheridan would clean up a bit, then head over to the youth center. After Luis left, no one wanted to take charge of the youth center, so Sheridan did. She was the new director, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Sure, it made her think of Luis, but she could she also knew that this is what he would have wanted. She need somthing to keep her busy anyway. Ocassionally, Hank would stop by and help her, but it seemed that she was mostly by herself until school let out. She stopped by Gwen's to get her baby and the two of them went to work at the youth center. Nothing had changed since she left on maternity leave. Actually, little had changed since Luis left. His locker was still full of his stuff, the books still had his scribbles in it, now it was just a little cleaner, and lonelier. Every room in the youth center had some memory that Luis and Sheridan shared. Every now and then Sheridan would feel a tear slip out. But just a few. She was tired of mourning her loss. Sure she missed him, but somthing inside of her kept saying that he wasn't dead. And eventhough they had his funeral, she wouldn't lose the hope that he would come back to her. Sheridan snapped out of her daze as she looked at the clock on the wall. "It's only 8. It seems like it should be later, huh Luis?" She smiled and looked at her baby. "What do you think we should do today, huh? Maybe we could..." The phone interupted Sheridan's thought."Oh, come on, we better answer that." She smiled as she picked the baby up and dashed to Luis's old office. "Hello, Harmony Youth Center." "Sheridan, Sheridan is that you?" a male voice whispherd. "Who is this?" Sheridan said, not recognizing the voice. "He still loves you, you know, and he'll come back to you soon." "Who will, who is this? What are you talking about." Sheridan yelled, with more than a hint of fear in her voice. "Just know that he's alive, and he'll come back to you. Soon." The voice said as the man hung up. "Luis, are you talking about Luis?" Sheridan said, tears falling down her face. As much as the call had scared her, it also gave her hope.

Chapter 12:
Luis ran to his car and jumped in. He had to talk to Carl. Could this man be the missing link? Did he really know Luis? Luis pulled up to the hospital and ran through the doors and up to the nurses desk. "Please, I need the room number of Carl Doyle. It's police business." "Sir, are you aware of the time?" "No, not really." Luis said searching for a clock. "It is 5:30 in the morning. Visiting hours don't begin until 6. Now, you'll either have to go home, and come back later, or I will call security and they will escort you out." The nurse said, and continued working. Luis looked around in shock and finally left. "How can they refuse admittance to the police? This is a case, goddamnit." Luis mumbled as he stormed out. After what seemed like an eternity, 6 finally came an Luis practically ran to the hospital. When he got there, he was greeted by a larger, even more unfriendly nurse. "How may I help you sir?" "I need the room number of Carl Doyle. Please hurry, this is police business." Luis said wearily. He kept going over the posibilities in his mind of who Carl was, and one idea stood out. "I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to wait a little longer to get into that room." "WHAT!!" Luis yelled, causeing the nurse to jump in her seat. "It's 6. Let me see Mr. Doyle." Luis said, anger biting in his voice. "I can't allow that. Doctors orders. There were some complications and there are specific orders not to allow anyone to visit him for at least two hours. You can wait here, or come back later." "Complications? What complications? Is he alright?" Luis askedworridly. "I can't tell you that sir, it's classified information. Now, you can either take a seat, or come back later." Her phone rang and she picked it up as Luis walked away, defeated and nervous. "Hello Mr. Crane. Yes we carried out your orders. By the time the cop gets there, he should have been taken care of. Yes, yes sir. Thank you sir. Good Bye." The nurse hung up the phone and continued her paper work.

Chapter 13:
Carl smiled to himself as he hung up the phone. ' Wouldn't Allistar and Julian love to know who I just called' he thought to himself as he looked towards the door for what seemed like the millonth time since Luis visited him last night. He wanted to tell Luis the truth last night, but he need Luis to trust him first. Once he had his trust again, he could tell him the truth and help get Luis his life back. He still felt guilty for leaving all those years ago. He missed his family so much. He couldn't let the same thing happen to Luis. He wouldn't. He would do everything he could to make sure that no one had to live the same life as he had to. Still deep in thought, Carl didn't notice the nurse slip in his room. "Hello there Mr. Doyle. How are you feeling today?" She said as she opened the shades to reveal a beautiful snow covered scene. "Much better today, thankyou nurse?" "Nurse Enarc." "So, Nurse Enarc, have there been any visiters to see me? Have the police come by yet, I remember the officer saying yesterday that he had to file a report on my case. Has he stopped by yet?" "No, I'm afraid no one has come by yet. Now relax your arm, it's time for me to give you a shot. This should take away some of the pain in your leg and head. Now hold still." She said as she prepared the area. "Well, actually I feel much better, I'd rather not get a shot." "Now listen here Carl, you need to have this shot, now." She said as she moved the needle closer to his arm, carful not to seem to desperate. ~Back in the waiting room~ Luis sat around impaciently in the waiting room thinking about everything that had happend. He had to see Carl. He couldn't wait any longer. He got up and started down the hall towards where he thought the room was. Suddenly he saw.. ~Back in Carl's room~ Carl was forcing away the nurses arm. Somthing wasn't right about this nurse. He didn't trust he, and certainly didn't want the shot. Suddenly somone knocked the needle out of the nurses hand. It went slidding across the floor as the nurse lunged after it. "What do you think your doing Sir?" The nurse said as she picked up the needle. "What do you think your doing? Do you realize that it is against the law to forcefully inject somthing into another person without there consent?" Luis said as he stood by Carl's side. Carl looked up at Luis, silently thanking him. "This is a pain killer. We use it on all our pacients. I don't see what the problem is." The nurse said as she moved closer to Carl. Luis quickly grabbed her wrist and took the needle. She stared at him in disgust, but didn't want to make a scene, so she left. Once she was gone, Luis locked the door behind her and turned to Carl, who was shaking. "Hey, it's okay now. She wont try to hurt you again Carl. Don't worry, you'll be out of this place today anyway." Luis smiled at him as he took a plastic bag and put the needle in it. He'd test that later at the station. "Thank you." Carl mumbled as he motioned for Luis to sit down. "Thank you Luis." "No problem. It's my job. But I need to talk to you Carl. I need to know the truth about you. Please, I just want to help you." "Luis, I'll tell you everything you need to know. I promise you I will. But I need you tell me your secret first. Please, I need to know if you are who I think you are." "What about you? I don't even know you. I've never met you before. How can you expect me to just trust you?" "Because you can. Now calm down and tell me the truth. Please Luis." Luis took off his coat and sat down. "How did you know my name? Everyone calls me Tom. I'm Tom White." "No, your not. Your Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. You deserve to go home. Back to your family. Back to Sheridan." At this Luis jumped out of his seat. "How? How do you know all this about me? Who are you really Carl? Tell me the truth." "The truth will come out eventually Luis. Now sit and tell me yoursecret." "Just answer one more thing for me, and I'll answer all of your questions." Luis said looking Carl in the eye. "Are you my.." "As I said before, all your questions will be answered soon. The truth always comes out." Carl said. He then sat back and smiled at Luis. "Will you talk to me now?" "Alright." Luis said as he too leaned back in his chair. He didn't know why he trusted Carl, but he did. Luis proceded to tell Carl that he was from Harmony and that he had a family and friends there. Carl was very interested and occasionally asked questions about Luis's family. Luis told him how his father had abandoned him and his family and how much he had to give up. He didn't notice the tears slip down Carl's face at the mention of Luis's father. Luis then told him about Sheridan, and how much he loved her. He told him about how there relationship had started and what it had become. He told him how he propesed and even about his wedding day. Luis suddenly got very sad. He kept telling Carl the story, though. How he was kidnaped by the Cranes, and how he was forced to leave Sheridan on his wedding day without saying anything. He even told him about the Cranes note and his call to his mother. By this time Luis was crying as he talked, trying to force the tears back. Unfortunatly it wasn't working. By the time Luis got to the part of Pilar's death, he was hysterically crying. He hadn't talked about this to anyone befor and it hurt a lot more than he thought it would to talk about them. Carl too was crying after Luis's story, but Luis was too upset to notice. He got up and went over to the corner to get some kleneex's. By the time he was done composing himself, Carl had managed to look like he hadn't cried at all. But inside his heart was breaking. Luis sadly smiled at him and sat back down. "So, Carl, that's my secret. That's why I'm here, in Newburg, insted of with my family and Sheridan back in Harmony." Luis said as he looked at Carl. "Now, I told you what you wanted to know, now it's your turn. What's your secret Carl?"

Chapter 14:
Carl swallowed and nodded his head. He stared into Luis's eyes and at that moment Luis knew. He knew what Carl's seceret was. He had suspected it before, but now he knew for sure. "Papa?" Luis whispherd as a tear rolled down his cheek. Carl smiled at him and Luis ran over to him and hugged him. "Papa, I missed you so much." They hugged and cried for a few minutes. Carl asked all about Theresa and Miguel. And Pilar. Just the mention of her made Luis's eyes fill up withtears. "I'm so sorry Papa, I killed her. I killed my own mother." Luis said as he hugged his papa again. It felt so good. Luis never admitted it to himself before, but he had missed him. Before he would have been mad at him for abandoning his family, but now he understood. "Why Papa? Why'd they do this to you though? What sort of threaght were you to the Cranes?" Luis asked him as he settled back in his chair. Carl ( or should I say Martin) became very serious. He looked from side to side as if somone was watching them. Martin leaned close to Luis and whispherd, " I can't talk to you here. They'll hear us, we've said too much already. I should be realised soon. We can talk at my apartment. Please Luis, you must be pacient." "I understand, but you have to stop calling me Luis." Luis smiled at him and put his coat back on. "I'm going to ask the nurse when you can leave. Don't worry, I won't let you out of my site." Luis got up and walked to the door, peering around the side looking for a nurse. One walked by and Luis stoped her. "Excuse me, do you think it's possible for Mr.Doyle to be relised as soon as possible? I would like to take him down to the station so he can file the report on his attackers." Luis said, showing her his badge. She nodded and gestured for Luis to follow her. Luis shook his head. "Mr. Doyle wants me to stay near his room until he's realised, and I don't want to upset him or anything." Luis said, trailing off. "Of course. I'll be right back with his test results and we can see if he's able to go. Why don't you start getting his things together, I'll be right back." She said as she smiled at Luis. He gratefully smiled back and headed to the room. Martin smiled at Luis as he came back in. "So?" He asked hopfully. "She's going to get the results. It looks good though." Luis couldn't stop smiling. He was so happy to have found his Papa. He couldn't wait to here his story. He was nervous to here the truth though, but he had waited too long for this moment. Martin, Papa, was going to tell him everything. The nurse came back and said it was okay for Luis to take Martin home. They got everything together and headed for Martin's apartment. Luis pulled up to a small dirty looking apartment and helped Martin up to the third floor, where his apartment was. Luis opened the door and was shocked. The place was a mess. Food wrappers and clothing were thrown everywhere. Luis smiled to himself. His dad had never been the neatest person he knew. As Luis put his medication on the table he noticed a small frame. In it were pictures of his family. They were all taken out of Martin's wallet. Luis smiled as he looked at all the out dated pictures. They all looked so youge. Even his mother. She looked so beautiful. Martin sat on the couch as he watch Luis. When Luis was done looking at the pictures he sat down next to his dad on the couch. Martin nodded at him and began talking. "So Luis, I'm sure you have a lot of questions to ask me. And I'll answer them all. But first I want to tell you what happend, why I left." Luis just stared at him, so he continued. "As you know, I've been working for Crane industries ever since I was old enough. While working there, I learned many secerts of the Cranes, things that could destroy there empire. I was sworn to secerecy, though, and never thought of breaking that promise. You see, the Cranes are very powerful and I knew that they would stop at nothing to make sure that I or anyone else, for that matter, kept quiet. Most of their secerts I learned from your mother. And some of it I learned unintentionally. However, the Cranes knew that I would keep quiet. They have a way of manipulating people to do exactly what they want. Unfortunatly, I followed their orders." "But, Papa, I don't understand. If you kept quiet, why would they send you away?" Martin chuckled to himself. "Your still as impaicent as you were when you were a younge boy." Luis smiled at him, but looked a little anoyed. Martin continued. "One night I got a call from Mr. Crane saying that he need me to come over. He didn't tell me why, he just said that it was an emergency. I thought that somthing might be wronge with your mother, so I hurried over there. However, when I walked in, all I saw was a bloody sheet. A small girl was screaming in the corner, blood all over her hands. I started going over to help her, but suddenly Allistar came out of the corner of the room and told me to stand back. He continued to tell her that she was a very bad girl. She kept screaming that she didn't do it, the poor little thing, tears running down her face. She was about your age at the time. I asked Julian, who was standing back watching the whole thing, what had happend. He told me that it was none of my business, and that they needed my help to load the body into the coffin. When I refused to help, saying that I couldn't cover up a murder for them, they let me go. As I made my way out the door, somthing hit me from behind, knocking me out. When I woke up I was laying on the floor of a dark room, my hands and feet tied. There, Allistar told me that it was very stupid of me to think that I could refuse the Cranes. He said that I was never going to see my family or Harmony again. They gave me a shot and the next thing I remember is waking up on the bed of this here apartment with a note from the Cranes telling me that I was never to contact my family and that the only reason they spared my life was because this way I could live with my mistakes for the rest of my life. Of course, I didn't listen to the note and the first chance I got, I called home to tell you all that I was alright." Martin stopped, his eyes welling up with tears. Luis also had tears in his eyes. To think, those bastards had done this to him and his father. There was a long moment of silence while Martin regained his composeure. "Well, I called home and your brother Antonio answered. He was so excited to hear from me. I told him to tell you all that I was fine, and that I loved you all very much. I told him that I was going to be home soon and if it took a while, not to worry. I told him to tell your mother to quit her job too. I told him about the money I'd been saving and said that that should be enough for you to live on until I got back. I also told him that he couldn't tell anyone but the family that I had called him. I told him that I loved everyone again, and to be good for your mother. He, he told me that you all loved me too and that he was so glad I was okay. I hung up and decided to get some sleep. The next thing I remember is getting a phone call from Allistar. He told me that they thought I was smarter than that, and that they had done away with Antonio." Martin stopped and let the tears flow down his tired face. They both knew what the Cranes ment when they said, did away with. Luis hugged his father tight, knowing exactly how guilty he felt. The Cranes had killed two people that they loved. They sat there crying for a while, unable to say anything. When they had calmed down a bit, Martin contiued. "After that day, I couldn't risk contacting you guys again. I couldn't let the Cranes hurt my family any more. So I stayed here in Newburg, under the false idenity 'Carl Doyle'. I hated lieing to people, but I was for mine and my family's best interest." Martin looked sadly at his son, who returned his sad stare and bowed his head. Suddenly Luis's head popped up. "Papa, the litte girl, you know, the one with blood on her hands, that was Sheridan Crane, Allistar's daughter. She's been haughted by that night her whole life. They tried to convice her it was a dream, but she thinks that she really killed someone. Please tell me, did Sheridan really kill some one? Papa, who was under the sheet?"

Chapter 15:
Martin swallowed and shook his head. "I don't know Luis, I wish I did though. As soon as they told me that they wanted me to help cover up their murder, I left. I knew what could happen if I got my finger prints anywhere near that body. I don't even know if there was anyone under the sheet. All I know is that whatever was under that sheet wasn't very big." He looked sadly at Luis as Luis's head dropped. He still didn't know who was under that sheet. All he knew was that things didn't look good for Sheridan. That night wasn't a dream, he knew that now. He just didn't know the truth. He wanted so badly to help Sheridan, to rid her of her past. Things were different now though. Sheridan could be a murder. Then what would he do? He was a cop, but he couldn't arrest her. He didn't want to cover up what the Cranes had done though. He wanted the truth to come out, for everyone's sake. Luis was silent as all the different possiblities ran through his mind. Martin noticed that Luis looked troubled. "Luis, what is it?" Luis looked up and sadly smiled at his dad. "I just want to find out the truth for Sheridan, but I'm afraid of what will happen if the truth will come out. I know in my heart that Sheridan could never kill anyone, but now, I'm not so sure. What if she really killed somone. What will I do then? What will happen to her?" Luis stared at his father searching for some sour of answer. "I don't konw what to tell you Luis. I wish I knew the truth about that night, but I don't know. I just don't know what happend, and for all these years I've lived with, not only the guilt of leaving my family, I also feel guilty about not exposing the Cranes." Maritn said as he sifted in his seat. Luis got up to get somthing to drink. "Do you want anything?" Luis asked as he took a glass and filled it with water. "No, I'm fine. So Luis," Martin said, deciding to change the subject."When are you going to see Sheridan again?" Luis spit out his water and stormed over to Martin. "What do you mean, see her again? I can't remember? I'm stuck here. If I try to see her, I could put not only her, but me in a lot of danger. I would never do that to her. Never!" Luis said as he sat down. Martin looked at him shocked, then smiled to himself as an idea came to him. "I supose going to Harmony wouldn't be very safe, but what if she accidentally ran into you, away from Allistar and his little spies. What if she came here?" "Came here? Why on earth would Sheridan Crane come here of all places? There's nothing to offer her here in Newburg. Nothing." Luis said sadly as he looked at Martin, who was almost bursting to tell Luis his idea. "What, why are you looking at me like that?" "Because Luis, I could give Sheridan a reason to come here. I could make up an excuse for her to come here." "Like what? What could you possibly say?" "Hmmm, well I can't say that its about you, but I could say it's about the Youth Center." "The Youth Center? Why would that work? She probably never goes there anymore." "Yes she does. In fact, she's the new director there." "What? How would you know that? You didn't even know that I was the Youth Center director until I told you just a couple of hours ago. How would you possibly know that Sheridan was the new director?" "I have my way's Luis. I can't tell you about them now. I wish I could, but you've had enough to deal with for one day." "What? What are your ways? You have to tell me Papa." "For another day Luis." Martin said as he picked up the phone. Luis sighed as he watched his father. There was so much yet to be said. Luis felt like a child again, which was wierd, because he hadn't felt like one ever since his papa left. Martin dialed a number and paicently waited. Luis looked at him confused. Martin just smiled at him as a familar voice picked up on the other end. "Hello, Harmony Youth Center, how may I help you?" Sheridan said, as she sifted her baby to her other shoulder. "Hi, could I talk to the director please?" Martin said, a his face glowing on his face. "This is she. What can I do for you Mr?" This voice sounded familar somhow, but Sheridan had no idea from where. "Mr. Doyle. But please, call me Carl. This must be Ms. Crane." Martin said as Luis's head jerked towards him, concern and excitement written all over his face. "Is that Sheridan?" He asked, his face lighting up at the mention of her name. "Yes, now be quiet." Martin said as he turned back to the phone. "Please, call me Sheridan. Now, what can I help you with Carl?" Sheridan said, smiling to herself. "Well, Sheridan I run a youth center here, and I was wondering if you could come here and give help me get the place better organized. I would really appreciate it and I would cover all your expenses." "I would love to Carl, but I don't even know where you live." "I live in Newburg. I can give you directions and everything. Please, it would mean so much to me. I would love to give somthing back the kids of my community by organizing there youth center better. And a friend of mine recently visited Harmony and had nothing but compliments for you and your youth center." "Carl, I think I would love to help you. I think I need a vacation anyway. Just give me directions and I can leave as soon as tomorow morning." "That would be wonderful." Carl contined to give Sheridan instructions as Luis stared at him. Martin hung up and smiled at Luis. "Looks Like your girlfriend will be here tomorow. I told her not to tell anyone but Theresa and Miguel that she was coming here, because some of the kids in Harmony are friends with the kids here and I didn't want the surprise ruined. She agreed to everything." "Theresa and Miguel? Why would she tell them?" "They live with her now. She takes care of them." Luis smiled. Sheridan was taking care of his family. Then it hit Luis. He was going to see Sheridan tomorow!"

Chapter 16: I Will Still Love You
Sheridan hung up the phone and stared at little Luis. "Guess what hunny? We're going on a little trip tomorow." Sheridan smiled brightly at her baby. She was so excited for this trip, but she had no idea why. Somthing inside of her told her to go on this trip. She knew how everyone would react though. They would think she was crazy to trust some stranger, but she didn't care. She was going on this trip. She didn't know if she should take the baby though. What if she was wronge? She wouldn't want anything to happen to her baby. She couldn't bear to think of somthing happening to the only part of Luis she had left. No, she couldn't take the baby. I could be too dangerous. Sheridan told only Theresa and Miguel what she was doing, and swore them to secerecy. She told them that she'd call everyday, even though she'd only be away for a week. They told her that did think it was a little dangerous that she was going alone, but there was nothing they could say to change her mind, so they helped her pack. SHeridan was going to leave earily the next moring. If anyone would ask where she was, Miguel and Theresa were simply to say that she needed a little vacation. Just some time away. No one would find anything strange about this, and technically it wasn't a lie. Once everything was packed it was nearly midnight and everyone decied to get some sleep. After all, Sheridan wanted to leave bright and early the next morning. Within an hour, everyone in the house was fast asleep. ~At Martin's apartment~ Luis and Martin were up discussing the details of the next day. When they had figured out a plan, it was nearly two in the morning and Luis could tell Martin was exhaused. He helped him to his room and then made his way back into the livingroom and made up a bed on the couch. Luis didn't feel tired, but as soon as he laid down, he fell asleep. ~Luis's dream~ Sheridan stood befor him. She had just arrived and rushed towards her crying. He swept her in his arms and held her tight. She sobbed as she squezzed him back. They then pulled away and began kissing like with a passion neither of them had ever felt befor. He could feel her lips pressed against hers... "I love you Sheridan." "I love you too Luis." ~Back to reality~ Luis's eyes snapped open. He was going to see Sheridan in a few hours. Then he could tell her how much he loved her. ~In Sheridan's room~ Sheridan sprang up from her bed and looked around. It had just been a dream. Sadly she lay back down. She could still hear his voice echoing through her mind. "I love you." She smiled to herself and fell back asleep. ~The Next Day~ Sheridan was up bright and early, ready to leave. She had everything packed and was tring to get in. It was difficult though, with Miguel and Theresa hugging her and telling her to be carful. They hadn't been apart from each other since the disappearance and she knew they were worried about somthing happening to her. She kissed them both on the cheek and then kissed her baby, which was sound asleep. "Don't worry you guys. I'll miss you too. I promise I'll call the second I get near a phone." She said as she got in the car. They waved at her as she pulled out of the driveway and to the greatest surprise of herlife. Sheridan had been driving for some time now and looked down at her instructions for the millionth time. According to Carl's directions, she should be there in an hour. Sheridan could feel the excitment growing in her. She stared ahead at the open road, with thoughts of Luis on her mind. ~Martin's apartment~ Luis was pacing around the small room and glanced at the clock on the wall for what had to be the hundreth time in the last minute. Martin sat on the couch, watching him with a smile on his face. "She should be here soon Luis. Now why don't you sit down before you wear a hole in my floor?" Martin said with a chuckle as Luis glared at him, and finally sat down. "I can't help it if I'm nervous. What do you think she'll say? WIll she even talk to me? What if she hates me?" Luis asked Martin worridly. "Hate you? Boy, she's in love with you. She'll be so happy to see that your alive, she won't have time to hate you. Trust me." With that, Martin slouched down on the couch and shut his eyes. Luis smiled at him and got up to continue pacing. ~Sheridan's car~ Sheridan pulled up to an old apartment and got out. She double-checked the directions to make sure that this was the right place, and slowly made her way up the narrow staircase. She looked at her directions and found the apartment number. Walking up to the door she took a deep breath and knocked loudly on the door. She stood there, holding her breath as the door slowly opend.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 17:
The door slowly opend as Carl smiled back at her. "Hi, you must be Sheridan. I'm Carl, the man who called you yesterday. I hope you didn't have any trouble finding the place." He said as he gestured her in. She smile at him as she came in and sat on the couch. "No, I didn't have any trouble at all." Sheridan said as Carl place his crutches to the side of the couch and sat down next to her. "If you don't mind me asking, what happend to your leg?" "Oh, nothing really. Just an old man being clumsy I guess. Would you like somthing to drink? Can I get you anything?" "If it wouldn't be any trouble." "None at all. Now, what can I get you?" He said as he stood up. "Just some water please. Oh and Carl, could I make a phone call? I promised my, family, that I'd call as soon as I got here. Don't worry, they're the only one's I told, and they're very trust worthy." She said with a smile. "Of course you can call them. I wouldn't want them worrying about you now." Carl said as he made his way into the kitchen and closed the door. Sheridan picked up the phone and dialed her cottage number as Luis peeked in at her from the kitchen. "Hello, Theresa? THis is Sheridan. Yes, I'm fine, how are things there? Oh, that's good. Well, I don't want to take too long, I'll call you guys again when I get to my hotel room. I love you guys. Be good." Sheridan said, pauseing as Theresa talked in the other end. She smiled to herself as she hung up. ~In the kitchen~ "God, she's so beautiful. She called Theresa. She really is taking care of my family." Luis said as he smiled to himself. "Would you keep it down Luis? And get away from that door! You don't want her to see you know and ruin our plan, do you?" Martin scolded as he pulled Luis away and started back out the door with Sheridan's water in his hand. He handed the cup to Sheridan, who was looking around the room. She thanked him and took a drink. "So, did you have to tell your husband that you were alright?" Carl asked her once she had finished. "Husband? Oh, I'm not married. I was just telling my family. They worry about me." She smile at him sadly at the mention of a husband. "So, are you married Carl?" "I used to be, but things got to complicated. I miss her though." Carl said sadly. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Sheridan said and decied to change the subject. "So, when am I going to see that Youth Center of yours?" "Well, we could go there tomorow if you like. You know, give you a chance to settle and all. Do you have a place to stay?" "Yes, I saw a hotel a few miles away from here, I thought I'd stay there." "Oh, that's a nice place. I'm sure you'll like it." Sheridan smiled at Carl. He vaugely reminded her of Luis. She shook the thought out of her head and continued her convorsation with Carl. Before either of them knew it, it was nearly six. "Wow, look at the time. I should probably get to the hotel befor it's all booked up for the night." She stood up and held out her hand. "It was nice talking to you Carl, I guess I'll see you bright and early tomorow then?" She asked as she got her coat on. Luis leaned on the other side of the door, desperatly trying to get closer to her. It was killing him to have her so near and not be able to talk to her and hold her close to him. "No you don't Sheridan. I can't let you leave yet." He whisperd as he slowly opened the kitchen door. Martin saw him and smiled brightly at him. Sheridan saw that Carl was looking at some thing and turned around. And there he was. They gazed into each other's eyes but niether of them moved. Both tried to, but couldn't. Tears sprung to Sheridan's eyes as he slowly stepped towards her. "Luis?" She whisperd as she ran into his arms, holding him tightly, him squeezing her back. Tears flowed down both there faces as they held each other. Luis slightly pulled away and kissed her, kissed her so passionate that it took both there breath away. Martin sat down on the couch, smiling at what he was watching. Luis and Sheridan finally pulled away for air and then hugged each other, afraid that if they let go, the other would disappear.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 18:
Fianlly Luis pulled away from Sheridan to get a good look at her. She did the same, smiling through her happy tears. She then ran back into his arms and he held her some more. He pressed her close to him, memories flooding back to him. Sheridan looked into his eyes with tears streaming down her face. "I thought you were dead. I thought I'd lost you forever." She sobbed. "Shhh, Sheridan, you'll never lose me again. I'm so sorry that I hurt you. I'm so sorry." He whisperd as he looked at her, tears falling down his face too. "I have so much to tell you Sheridan, I have so much to explain." "So do I Luis. I've missed you so much." They hugged each other some more and finally made they're way to the couch, where Martin sat, just beaming from ear to ear. Sheridan reached over to table to get her water when she bumped a small picture frame. "I'm so sorry, I hope I didn't break it Sheridan said as she bent down to pick it up. She gasped as she stared at it. Pictures of several small childeren were on it, all suronded by.. "Oh my God, this is Pilar." Sheridan said, dropping the frame again as she clung to Luis. "My God, are you.." "I'm Martin Fitzgerald. Pleased to finally meet you." Martin said as he shook Sheridan's hand. She looked up at Luis who nodded and smiled at her. "He's your, your his?" SHeridan asked, still in shock. Luis laughed as he kissed her forehead. "Yes, he's my father. I'll explain everything to you Sheridan. I promise. But first, I want to hear what's happend to Harmony since I left." She smiled at him and kissed him. She would never stop craving the taste of his lips. He felt the same way. She pulled back though, before things went to far. After all, Martin was sitting next to Luis on the couch. "No, Luis. Please tell me what happend to you. I need to know why you left. Please." Sheridan pleaded to Luis. How could he refuse? "Alright Sheridan, but I don't think you're going to like what you hear." Sheridan nodded as her grip on his hand tightend. Luis stared into her eyes. "I don't know where to start." He admitted. So much had happend... "Start from our wedding day. I want to hear everything." Sheridan said fearfully. She was afraid of what Luis was going to say. She didn't want to make him relive the pain, but she needed to know the truth. "Alright Sheridan, hears the whole truth." Luis took a deep breath and started. "I was done getting ready for the wedding early and told Hank that I was going to take a short walk on the beach. I was there for a little bit and on my way back to the jeep, some one knocked me out and the next thing I know, I'm in this dark room, laying on the floor with my arms and legs tied. I couldn't get up." Luis said slowly, letting it all sink in. "Then, then I heard Julian's voice. I asked him what he did, what he was doing to me. I told him I needed to go, I needed to get to the wedding. He said that the wedding had been over now for three days and he told me that I hurt you really bad." Luis stoped as he saw tears falling down Sheridan's face. He wiped them away and kissed her softly. He wrapped his arm around her tighter and she laid her head on his shoulder. "He stuck a needle in my arm and when I woke up, I was untied on a bed in some room with a note next to me. It turns out that was my new apartment. The note told me that I should have no contact with anyone and that my new identity was Tom White. They even gave me a new social security number. It said that this is what they did to my father. Of course I didn't listen to the letter and immediatly called home to Mama." Sheridan looked hurt at this and Luis sensed it."I called home because I didn't know if they had your place bugged or somthing." Sheridan smiled at him and he continued. "I asked her how you were and told her that I was okay and I told her that I loved them all and to make sure to tell you that I loved you and that I was sorry that I hurt you. Well, I feel asleep and when I woke up, Julian called me and told me that he thought I was smarted and the next time, he'd kill me too. I turned on the tv and saw that they had killed my mama. I killed her." Luis said, crying. Sheridan wrapped her arms around him and held him as she cried too. Luis then told her about his new life and meeting Martin. He told her everything while Sheridan sat in awe listening to him. "...and Papa called you and told you to come here. Now your here, with me. So, that's about it. That's what happend. Can you ever forgive me for hurting you so badly?" Luis asked her sadly as she looked at him shocked.

Chapter 19:
Sheridan looked at him shocked. She turned away from him, tears in her eyes. He slowly turned her around to face him. She looked deeply into hiseyes. "Luis, how could I be mad at you? I love you." She said as she hugged him close to her. Tears of relief dropped down Luis's face as they pulled into a passionate kiss. After a few minutes they rememberd where they were and seperated a bit. "I have so much to tell you Luis, but" "But what Sheridan?" "It's nearly one in the morning. We should really let Martin have some rest." Sheridan whisperd as she motioned to the half-sleeping man next to them. Luis smile knowingly at her. "Your right. We can go to my place and talk." Luis whisperd back as he coverd Martin with a blanket. He scribbled a note to tell him where they were, and left for Luis's. As they drove to Luis's apartment (Luis was driving, although they were in Sheridan's car.), Sheridan couldn't help but stare at him. Although she felt like she should be shocked that he was back, she wasn't. All the pain and sorrow she had felt disappeard. It was like nothing had happend, like he never left. Sheridan smile as she grabbed his hand and laid her head on his shoulder. He kiss the top of her head and smiled. They finally got there and Luis took Sheridan's bags from the trunk. Once they got in his apartment he showed her to his bedroom and she unpacked all her stuff. She came back out to the living room to she Luis sitting on the couch with his eyes closed. He was so happy that she was back with him. It was wierd that to him, it was like nothing had ever changed. She came in and smiled at him as she sat next to him. His eyes opened and he leaned in to kiss her. He still held her tight, not wanting to let her go. Then her stomach growled. "I'm sorry Sheridan. You must be hungery. When's the last time you ate?" Luis asked her with concearn in his eyes. She laughed a little as his concern. "I guess I am a little hungry. What do you have to eat here?" She asked as she took his hand and pulled him to the kitchen. He lead her to the refigerater and opened it to find nothing, except two eggs and some milk. "Hm, it looks like somone needs to do a little shoping." Sheridan joked as she took the eggs and searched the cuboards for a frying pan. By the time she was done, she had made an omlett for Luis and herself. The finished eating, joking around and laughing, which felt good because neither of them had laughed much lately. When they were done, Luis cleaned up ( he wouldn't let Sheridan help), and they made there way back to the livingroom. "Now Sheridan, tell me everything that's happend in Harmony since I left. I want to know ever little detail." Luis asked her, excitement in his voice. "Well, Luis, I do have one thing to tell you." Sheridan said, staring deeply into his eyes.

Chapter 20:
Sheridan took a deep breath and look Luis in the eyes. He looked back at her with love and concern in his eyes. She smiled slightly at him as her eyes began to fill with tears. "Luis, this is somthing I wanted to tell you on our honeymoon, but.." Sheridan's voice trailed off and she looked up to see hurt in Luis's eyes. "I am, I mean I was, I mean.." Sheridan stuttered. This had been so much easier in her mind. Now, sitting there with him, she couldn't think of the right way to say it. "Sheridan, what is it? Please, tell me." He said lifting her bowed head to his. "Luis, I had a baby. Our baby." Sheridan said and waited for his reaction. He stared at her in shock for a moment, then hugged her close tohim. "We have a baby?" He whisperd, tears falling down his face. Sheridan smiled as she hugged him tight. "Yes, Luis. He's our baby. Our little Luis." She said, laughing as she cried. Suddenly she felt Luis tense in her arms. He pulled away from her and put his head in his hands. He started to sob, his sholders shaking. Sheridan had never seen him cry like this before. She put her arms around him, very confused. She decided not to say anything though, she'd just let him cry. Finally he calmed down a little and looked up at Sheridan. "I can't believe I wasn't there for you. I wanted to be with you, go through morning sickness with you, see your tummy grow, go to the doctors with you, to hold your hand while you gave birth. I wanted to hold our baby in my arms and kiss him. I wanted to be there, and I wasn't. I abandoned you." Luis said and started crying again. Sheridan squeezed him tight and whisperd in his ear, "Luis, don't you dare feel sorry. You protected me and our baby. Sure, I missed you, but I knew that you where with me in spirit. I knew in my heart that wherever you were, you loved me. And just knowing that was enough to keep me going." She smiled at him and kissed him softly. He smile a little at her and kissed her back. "I love you so much Sheridan. Thank you." He kissed her again. They were kissing for a while when suddenly Sheridan pulled away. "What is it Sheridan?" Luis asked her concerned.

Chapter 21:
Sheridan got off the couch and turned to face him. Luis stared at her in shock. Her face showed that she was worried. Suddenly she burst into laughter. Luis was even more shocked. She was laughing so hard tears were falling down her face. A very confused Luis stood up and hugged her as her body shook with laughter. After a few minutes, Sheridan took a deep breath and calmed down a little. She smiled at him. "You should have seen your face. You look so cute when your confused." She chuckled again as she kissed him. He pulled back. "Would you mind telling me what that was all about?" Luis said, a bit anoyed that Sheridan had made him worry about her. She started laughing again and got up heading for the kitchen. "Do you mind if I use your phone for a second?" She managed to spit out between giggles. Luis nodded to her. Once she was out of his site she grabbed the phone and quickly dialed a number as she managed to surpress her laughter to a smile. Meanwhile, Luis sat in the living room smiling. She was up to some thing, he just didn't know what. Sheridan was dialing the last of the numbers when suddenly she hung up. "What was I thinking?" She whisperd as ran back out to the living room, grabbed her purse, and ran back to the kitchen. Luis tried to say somthing to her, but she was too quick. She whipped out her phone and dialed the same number again. As it began to ring, Sheridan rejoined Luis in the living room. She smiled as the person on the other side picked up.

Chapter 22:
"Hello?" The familar voice on the other side asked. They spoke in a whisper, and it sounded like they just woke up. "Theresa? Is that you?" Sheridan said as Luis's face glowed as he jumped up to stand next to Sheridan. She was beaming at him. "Yeah, I just woke up. Is everything alright?" Theresa asked, concearn in her voice. "Of course, I'm fine. Theresa listen to me. I need you to wake Miguel up and to tell him to get on the other phone." Sheridan said excitedly as she smiled at Luis. He was so excited he hugged Sheridan tightly. "Okay, just a sec, Sheridan." Theresa said, as she put the phone down to wake Miguel. Sheridan turned to face Luis. "I thought you might like to talk to them. She's waking him up right now." Luis smiled at her and pulled her in for a kiss. "Thank you." He whisperd against her lips as Theresa came back on. "Okay Sheridan, I woke him.." "Sheridan, why'd you wake me up?" Miguel asked, some what annoyed. Sheridan smiled. "You'll see in a second." With that she kissed Luis quickly and handed him the phone. "Hello? Sheridan, are you still there?" Miguel asked. "Sheridan, is everything okay?" Theresa asked. "Theresa? Miguel?" Luis whisperd, tears of joy springing to his eyes. "Luis?" They answered together. They knew it was a stupid thing to say, but he sounded so much like him. "Yeah, it's Luis." Luis said, tears already starting to fall down his face. Theresa started crying and Luis could hear Miguel run over to her. "Oh, Luis, I missed you so much." Theresa sobbed. "We knew you wern't dead, we just knew it." Miguel said, it was obvious he was crying too. Luis wanted to wrap his arms around them and hold hisfamily. "I love you guys so much." Luis whispered. "I love you too Luis." Miguel cried as Theresa chimed in, "I love you so much." "How are you guys? Are you alright? God, I missed you both so much." "Were a lot better, now that you called." Miguel assured him. "Sheridan took care of us Luis. We're fine, how are you? Are you alright?" Theresa asked him quickly. They're minds were racing a mile a minute. There were so many questions. Luis wanted to tell them everything, especially how he had found Papa. He wasn't sure if it was right to tell them now though. He wanted to so badly, but they had just found out that he was alive, what would they think if he told them that there father was also alive. "Listen you guys, I have so much to explain, and I promise that I will. I have so much to tell you. But, I don't want to tell you over the phone. It could be dangerous. Promise me that niether of you will tell anyone that I called. You can't tell anyone that you even know I'm alive, it could be too dangerous. Please, just promise me that." Luis said worridly. "We promise Luis." They reapeated in unison. "Great. Now I can't wait to see you guys again, but I can't come back for a while. It won't be too long, but I can't go right away, and you guys can't come see me. I know that none of this makes any sense to you, but trust me." "Luis, of course we trust you." Theresa reassured him. "Yeah bro, I mean, why wouldn't we. I can't wait to see you againthough." "Me either." "I miss you guys so much, I wish I could be with you now." "We know that Luis, and we love you too." Theresa told him. "Of course we do, we love you with all our hearts. We're just so glad that your safe and alive." "I love you both very much. Now behave until I come back okay?" Luis paused for a second, not wanting to hang up. "I have to go now, but I will call you tomorow, alright. I love you." "Love you too Luis." Theresa said as she blew a kiss into the phone. "Yeah Luis, love you too. Tell Sheridan we love her too. Night." Miguel said as they hung up. Luis smiled to himself and turned to Sheridan, who was deleriously happy on the couch. She ran up to him and hugged him as he pressed her tightly to him. They seperated and began kissing, forgetting all of the hurt and saddness they had felt over the past months. They made there way to the bedroom, still intesly kissing. ~later that night~ Luis and Sheridan now lay in each others arms after making love for the first time in several long and sad months. Luis kissed Sheridan's head lightly as she moved closer to him, filling whatever small gap that was between them. "I love you Sheridan." Luis whisperd to her. She turned her head to look into his eyes. "I love you too Luis." Both of them fell asleep together, at peace knowing that the other was safely wrapped in their arms.

Chapter 23:
Sheridan was awake befor Luis and quietly started to get up. She stoped and stared at him. She couldn't get up just yet. She settled back down and wrapped her arms around him. He slowly woke up and sqeezed her tightly.
~Sheridan's cottage~
Theresa and Miguel could barely sleep. All they coud think of wa the fact that Luis was alive. For so long they had prayed to Bod, asking him to give them there brother back. And now, they're prayers had been answered. Tears came to Theresa's eyes as she stared at the small baby before her. He reminded her of Luis, even though he couldn't even talk. She picked him up and began swaying back and forth with him. She remembered seeing her father do this to Miguel. She smiled sadly at the fuzzy memory. She didn't notice hte tears that sliped down her cheek as she remembered her father. She still missed him. The pain of him leaving resurface when Luis disapeared, although this time it, losing Luis was worse. Even though she'd never admit it to anyone, Luis was almost like a father to her . And now that her mother had died, Sheridan, in a way, had become her mother. Theresa could still see her mother's dead body. It haunted her dreams. Whenever she'd close her eyes, she see her mother lieing at the foot of the steps, sprawled out on the floor.
~Theresa's flashback.~
She had just come back from working at the mansion. Things were really starting to pick up there. In fact, Mrs. Crane had even gotten her an interview with some fashion exectuives. Theresa was happy for the first time since Luis disapeared. Her family need the money, and she was happy to help out any way she could. She came in excitedly, anxious to tell mama about her interview. She walked in the door and dropped her keys. She bent to pick them up, only to discover that they had fallen in a pool of blood. She fought the urge to throw up as her eyes followed the blood to Pilar's body. Theresa fell to the ground, sobbing. She was unable to move for a few minutes. Finally, using all her strength, she crawled over to the phone. She dialed the first number she thought of. "Hello, Ethan Crane speaking." He answered. "Mama." Theresa whispered and began sobbing again. Ethan knew immediatly that it was Theresa. "Theresa. Stay right there, I'll be right over." Ethan said as he sped to her house. Theresa dropped the phone and wrapped her arms around her legs, blood covering her hands. Ethan flung open the door to see Pilar laying motionless in a pool of blood. He knew in an instant that she was dead. He felt tears come to his eyes. Then he saw Theresa. She was huddled in the corner, blood everywhere, sobbing and shaking. He ran over to her and held her tightly. Once she had calmed down a little, he took the blood stained phone and called 911. Ethan just held Theresa and both of them cried.
~Back to the present~
Theresa whipped her eyes and set the baby back in his crib. She made her way into the kitchen to find MIguel. He sat at the tabel, deep in thought. "What a night, huh?" Theresa asked as Miguel snapped back to reality. "I'll say. I just wish we could see him now. God Theresa, I miss him so much." Theresa walked over to him and put her arms around his shoulders. He leaned his head back to stop the tears. "I know Miguel, I miss him too."
~Luis's Apartment~
Luis and Sheridan finally got dressed and decied to check on Martin before they went to the youth center. Yes, Martin did run a youth center, he wasn't lieing about that. They finally arrived and Luis knocked loudly on the door. The door opened with the force of Luis's knock. Whomever was in there last certianly didn't close the door tightly. As they stepped in the apartment, they were shocked at what they saw.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 24:
Luis and Sheridan stood shocked in the doorway. Sheridan clung to LUis's arm, her mouth dropped out of shock. Luis stood there for a moment, then started searching for Martin. "Papa! Papa, are you here?" Luis asked, panick in his voice. He ran to the bedroom as Sheridan began searching the livingroom. "Martin, Martin can you hear me?" Sheridan shouted as she stumbeld over somthing. She looked down and let out a blood-curdleing scream. Luis ran over to her as she turned and buried her face in his cheast. Luis stood there shocked. Martin lay before them, his face badly brusied and a dry line of blood streked his face. He did look like he was breathing. Luis dropped to his knees and felt for a pulse. Tears filled his eyes as he felt a very weak one. He looked up and noticed that Martin's chest was slowly rising and falling. He was struggling to breath though. Sheridan knelt next to Luis and gentaly proped Martin's head up with a pillow from the couch. She looked at Luis with wide eyes. Luis returned her stare with much fear in his eyes. "Sheridan, call the hopital. We can't let him die." Luis said, desperatly fighting his tears. Sheridan nodded and grabbed the phone on the table next to her. She quickly dialed 911 and told them that they needed an ambulance. Once she was done talking she hung up and put her arm around Luis. She felt so helpless. There was nothing she could do to help. No one could do anything. "Sheridan, this is all my fault. If he dies, I'll never forgive myself. I should have never left him, I should, I should..." Luis started crying now. He let Sheridan hold him. It took all Sheridan had not to cry. She had to be stronge for him now. "Luis, you can't possibly blame yourself. You didn't do anything. Please" she whisperd and kissed his forehead, "Don't do this to yourself. He's going to be fine." She said as she weakly smiled at him. He hugged her tight as they waited for the ambulance to get there, as Martin's strength slowly left him.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 25:
Luis and Sheridan sat in the uncomfortable hospital waiting room, an all to familar sceane for Luis. Neither of them spoke, they just waited for some sort of news on Martin. Both they're faces showed signs of worry and fatigue. No tears stained they're face anymore, the were to tired to cry. They just waited, they're fear growing with each passing minute. Luis squeezed Sheridan's hand tightly. Both of them knew that the Cranes were behind this beating, and they were afraid of what they could have done to Martin. They were capable of almost anything, and it's hard not to fear somthing that's only powerful, but evil as well. Luis looked at Sheridan. She was so pale. All the sparkle that was in her eyes this morning faded the moment they got to Martins. He hated that he had caused her all this pain. Sheridan looked over at Luis. She hated to see him so upset. Why, why did they have to suffer like this? He was such a good man, he didn't deserve this. As if reading each others mind, they leaned over and hugged. They hugged to take away all the pain they had felt. Suddenly the nurse walked up to them. "Excuse me?" He said. "Are you Mr. White?" Luis pulled away from Sheridan and nodded. "Well, then could I have both of you follow me please. I'd like to show you a few things." The nurse said, gesturing them to follow. Sheridan held Luis's hand tight as they made they're way down the hall. He showed them into a small room and pulled out some x-rays from a folder. He set them up to the light and began explaining. "We took these x-rays of Mr. Doyle's leg, which was already broken, and his head. Nothing seems to have been ingured further, and he seems to be doing fine, x-ray wise. We are currently testing a few other things, just to make sure that nothing was injected in him. You both can go back to the waiting room, and we'll contact you as soon as we learn anything else." He said smiling as he showed them out. Luis and Sheridan sat in silence again. The worst was yet to come. They knew that nothing was wronge, as far as they could see, but somthing must have been given to him. He could barely breath. Some thing wasn't right...

To Be Continued...

Chapter 26:
Doctors and nurses strolled around the hopital, ocassionally stopping by pacients rooms. All pacients, that is, except Martin's. No one checked on him, nothing was done to help him. The nurse who had just talked to Luis and Sheridan pull off the small lable that said CARL DOYLE and revealed that the name on the x-rays was actually KADY GIBOWSKI. He laughed to himself as Nurse Enarc came in and found him in a fit of evil laughter. "Tell me Adam, what's so funny?" She asked as she shut the door. "Phase 2 is now complete." He spit out between laughs. ~Waiting Room~ Luis and SHeridan sitll sat. They had managed to start a converstation, although neither of them paid much attention to it. "Luis what.." Sheridan started when he put his hand over her mouth. "Tom, you have to call me Tom." He whisperd, "Sorry to scare you." He said, smiling at the way Sheridan jumped when his hand flew to her mouth. "That's okay. But then, shouldn't I have a fake name too?" She asked seriously. "I guess it wouldn't hurt." He said, glad that she had thought of it. They both thought for a second, when Luis burst out. "What about Danielle?" He asked as she smiled at him. "I just always liked that name, is all." Luis said, slightly embarassed. Sheridan smiled at this as held took his hand. "I think it's a wonderful name." She said smiling. They sat there,and for a moment forgot where they were. Suddenly some paramedics rushed in with a victim, reminding Sheridan and Luis where they were, and the sadness returned. Luis put his arm around Sheridan, holding her close to him. As he moved, he realized that he had somthing in his pocket. He then remembered what it was, and jumped up. Sheridan stared at him as he dug in his coat pocket to reveal a needle. Sheridan shuddered, and was quickly pulled up to Luis. "Sheridan, I stoped some nurse from sticking this in Martin. I can't believe I brought him here again. There's no telling what they could have done to him. We have to find him SHeridan. We have to." Luis said, pulling a confused Sheridan towards Martin's room.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 27:
"Luis, what do you think you're doing?" Sheridan said, stopping. Luis tugged at her arm. "I brought Martin here before. I can't believe I was so stupid. Come on." He said, trying to pull her with him again. She would budge though. "Luis, calm down. Please tell me what you're talking about." Sheridan pleaded with him. He sighed and looked around to make sure no one would here him. "Martin was attacked before, that's why he had a cast on his leg. I brought him here, not knowing who he was. A nurse here was trying to give him some medicine," Luis said in a low voice as he pulled the needle out of his pocket. "and Martin was fighting it. I don't know what's in it, but I think it's some sort of poison. God knows what they're trying to do to him know." Luis's voice was full of worry and anger. Sheridan looked scared now, realizing what would happen if Martin would.. "Come on Luis, we have to hurry." Now Sheridan was pulling Luis. They made there way down the hall, desperately looking for his room. They wouldn't find it though. The Cranes were too clever for another mistake. The room Martin was taken to was hidden from the rest of the hospital. This was the special room, used mainly as a place for the Cranes to 'take care of business.' Luis and Sheridan gave up eventually and went to ask the receptionist where his room was. "I'm sorry sir, but that room number is confidential. Doctors orders. Now, if you leave a name and number, I can contact you when there has been a change in Mr. Doyle's condition." She pushed a pencil and pad of paper to Luis. He wrote down his name and number, and left with Sheridan. ~Maritin's room~ A figure walked in and locked the door behind him. An evil smile spread across his face as he saw the figure lying on the bed. "Hello Martin. How nice to see you again." The voice said filled with and eire calmness.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 28:
"Allistar? What are you doing here? How'd you find me? What's going on?" "Come now Martin, you can stop acting. No one can hear you here." ~Out side the hospital~ "Come on Luis. Maybe a walk will help." Sheridan said, holding out her hand to a teary eyed Luis. He took it and smiled at her. "Thank you Sheridan." "For what?" "For being here for me. For loving me. For being you. I love you." He said as he kissed her. Sheridan felt her eyes fill up with tears. "I love you too Luis, I always will. Come on." She said, kissing him once more before pulling him along. They walked, hand in hand, through Newburg. They talked about everything that had changed in Harmony. "Well, you know that Miguel and Theresa moved in with me. They are so wonderful. Theresa's been offered so many scholarships. Ethan and Gwen got married. That was so beautiful. Except for that, nothings really changed in Harmony." "I can't wait to go back, Sheridan." "I know, I can't wait to bring you back, either. But, if you just rush into town, Julian and Allistar will find out and," Sheridan shudders and Luis wraps his arm around her. "God only knows what they'll do. They might try to kill you." Tears sprang to her eyes. "Sheridan, listen to me. Your family wont hurt us anymore. I wont let them." Luis smiled lovingly at her then changed the subject. "So, when do you think we should go back? I really want to see Miguel, Theresa, and little Luis." Luis's voice was full of excitement at the mention of his son. Sheridan's face lit up. "Oh, I can't wait for you to see him. I think you should back soon though. To tell you the truth, I wish we could go right now." "Why don't we?"

MARTIN'S ROOM

"Are you sure Allistar?" "Of course I am. Now wash that off your face. You look like a damn fool." He said, handing Martin a rag. Martin sat up, and unsnapped the cast on his leg as he made his way to the small sink in the corner. He began scrubbing, removing all bruises and dry blood. Allistar laughed as Martin's face cleared of all the injuries. "What's so funny?" Martin asked as he made his way back to the bed." "My plan, that's what. Everything worked perfectly." He turned to Martin. "Let me congratulate you on a job well done." He said as they shook hands.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 29:
Sheridan and Luis walked around a bit more and strolled back to the hospital. Although they're fear had disapperd during their walk, it hit them full force when they steped back into the hospital. The nurse got up to greet them as they came in. "Your Tom White, right?" She asked, looking over the paper in her hands. "Yeah, that's me. Why?" "I have some news on the condition of Carl Doyle." Luis looked at Sheridan, unsure of what the news would be. The nurses face gave no hint if the news was good or bad. "Well, how is he?" Luis asked nervously. "I'm afraid we'll have to take him to a special poison control center. We have detected some sort of substance in him, but have been unable to identify it. You can say good bye to him before we take him. He'll be leaving in a few minutes." With that the nurse turned and began walking to a small room at the end of the hall. Luis and Sheridan followed, shocked and confused by the news. The nurse went in. "I need to do one last test before you two go in. If you'll excuse me." She closed the door. Inside, Martin sat, fastening his cast. She helped him re-apply his makeup. "Wont they know that it's make up?" Martin whisperd, sponging some under his eye. "Of course not. It's too dark in here. I'll tell them not to turn on the lights. Where's Mr. Crane?" "Right here." He said as he stepped out of the shadows. "You have to stay there, unless you want them to see you there." She said as she cleaned up the make up and pulled the blankets over Martin. Allistar stepped back, darkness consuming his figure, as the nurse opened the door to Luis and Sheridan. They stepped in, tears forming in Luis's eyes. "Pa, I mean Carl, how are you?" Luis asked, releaved that he hadn't called him papa. Martin smiled up at him. "I'll be okay, don't worry about me." He said. "Will you call once you're out of the clinic?" Luis asked, desperatly trying to fight the tears in his eyes. He prayed that Martin wouldn't die. He loved him. Sheridan squeezed Luis's hand. "Of course I will. Then we can go visit your family." He said smiling up at Luis. Luis returned the loving smile and leaned down to hug Martin. "I love you." Luis whisperd as he hugged his father. "I love you too. Take care of our family." He whisperd back as Luis pulled away. "Alright, time to go Carl." The nurse said as she lead them out of the room. Luis and Sheridan left and slowly made they're way home. The door behind them closed as Allistar let out a blood-curdeling laugh he had been holding in. "Bravo Martin. I'll have to pay you extra for the way you made him cry. That was wonderful." Allistar started clapping and laughing hysterically. Martin sat back with a satisfied look on his face. He unsnapped the cast and handed it to the nurse. Once they had everything packed up, they made they're way out to the large black limo in the alley. Phase 3 was complete. Now all they had to do was wait. Allistar knew what would happen next. They would walk right into his trap. Slowly, the limo pulled out of the alley and headed for Harmony.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 30:
Luis and Sheridan drove back to the apartment in silence. Both of them were thinking the same thing, but neither of them wanted to mention it. Finally, Luis spoke up. "Sheridan, I want to go home. I don't think it's safe to stay here anymore. Let's go back to Harmony." Luis said as he pulled up to his apartment and killed the engine. "Luis, I was thinking the same thing. There's nothing here for us any way. I want to take you home." The both stared at eachother smileing. Jumping from the car, Luis pulled her to his room and they began packing. Because Luis didn't have that much, they were done within an hour. "Do you think we should leave tonight?" Sheridan asked, surprise at how quickly they had everything packed. "I don't want to stay here for another minute. I'm just going to call the station and tell them that I'm going to take my vacation time now. That way, it wont seem that suspisious that I'm missing." He said with an excited smile. Sheridan couldn't help but laugh. Every since they had decided to go back, a spark was lite in him, she could see it in his eyes. They sparkled with excitment. She was excited too. She couldn't wait for him to see there baby. Luis got off the phone and wrapped his arms around her. Sheridan was in such deep thought, she didn't even here him come up behind her. She jumped at his touch, them turned to face him. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. He was so excited to finally be going home. They pulled away and began loading boxes into Sheridan's car. Luis was going to leave his car there, because he wasn't sure if the Cranes had a tracking device installed in it. Takeing Sheridan's car would definetly be safer. Once everything was packed, Luis locked the door to his apartment one last time, and made his way to Sheridan, who was waiting in the car. Smileling, they made they pulled away from the small town of Newburg, to recapture the life stolen from Luis. "Harmony, here we come." Luis said, his eyes lighting up. Things were definetly going to get better.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 31:
Martin and Allistar drove to Harmony in silence. Martin was unsure of where he was going to go. Allistar, however had other plans for Martin. They pulled up to the large mansion that loomed over the tiny New England town. Both men steped out of the limo, sore from the long drive. Allistar made his way into the mansion, with Martin close behind him. Seating himself at his desk, Allistar pulled out a large envelope from one of the draws. He handed it to Martin, who took the money out and began to count it. "Come now Martin, don't you trust me?" Allistar asked, his voice some what mocking Martin. Martin glared at him them smiled when he content with the amount he had received. "Now what Mr. Crane? Where do we go from here?" Martin asked. Allistar had failed to inform Martin of the intire plan. "You see Martin, I needed you to drive Luis and Sheridan to Harmony. My foolish daughter, if only she would have listend to me. Such a pity." Allistar began, sipping the glass of brandy in his hand. Martin stared at him, unsure of what he ment. Fear slowly crept into him. "Your not going to hurt them, are you? You told me you wouldn't hurt them." Martin said. Sure, he may had turned his back on his son, but he still didn't want to see him dead. He had already been responsable for the death of one son. "Come now Martin. A Crane keeps their promise. No harm will come to them as long as you're around." An evilness danced in Allistars eyes, some thing Martin had seen once before, long ago. "Excuse me, Mr. Crane. What do you mean, while I'm around?" Martin said, backing up to the door. "Martin, sit back down. We have some business to discuss. Please, your sugestions are lunicrist." The glint was still in Allistar's eyes, but Martin had no choice but to listen. Where would he go? "What business, Mr. Crane?" Allistar looked into his eyes and reavealed the gun he had concealed under his desk. With one deft motion, he aimed it and pulled the trigger. "Good bye Martin. May you and your wife rest in peace." Allistar said, stepping over the lifeless body and removed the envolope from his hand. Placeing it back in his desk, he stepped out of the small room to arange for the disposal of the body.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 32:
Anyone could feel the excitement pentraiting from the car as Luis and Sheridan came closer to Harmony. As they slowly drove through the small town to Sheridan, Miguel, and Theresa's cottage, a thousand memories came flooding back to Luis. Memories that he'd tried to erase before, because they hurt him, but now, he could let them all come back. He was home. He took Sheridan's hand and squeezed it tightly . She squeezed back, knowing how nervous he was. She had been waiting for this day though. She couldn't wait to see Miguel and Theresa's faces. She smiled at him, absolutly glowing with excitement. Luis smiled back at her, his own excitment showing on his face. They pulled up to the cottage and Luis turned the car off. Everything looked so different. "Wow, it looks so..." "Different, I know. I bet everything does." She said, putting her arm around him, pulling him closer. She stared to open the door when Luis grabbed her hand. "Wait Sheridan." "What is it Luis." "I just need a second." He said taking a deep breath. Sheridan kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly. "Take as long as you need." They stood there for a few seconds when Luis pulled back slightly. "Lets go." He pulled her towards the door. She unlocked it and they made they're way in. "Hello, Theresa? Miguel? Is anyone here?" Sheridan asked as she pulled Luis in and closed the door. No one answered and Luis's face dropped slightly. He wanted to see them so badly. Sheridan sensed it and pulled him closer. "Come on, lets look around. Maybe they didn't here me." Sheridan lead him into the addition. They went into Miguel's room, them Theresa's. They weren't home. Sheridan lead him back to the living room. "You wait here, I'm going to go get something to drink." Luis nodded as she headed into the kitchen. He finally looked around and saw all the pictures of his family on the walls. Tears sprang to his eyes as he looked at the pictures of them together, with Pilar. Luis wiped the tears away as he picked up a picture of him and his mother. She was so wonderful. He missed her so much. Guilt over came Luis as set the picture down to wipe away the contiuous stream of tears that trailed down his face. Sheridan came in and saw him looking at the pictures. She put the drinks down and walked over to him, putting her arm on his shoulder. He saw her and hugged her tightly to him. "God, Sheridan, I miss her so much, I miss her so much." He sobbed. Sheridan hated to see him so upset, it broke her heart. She pushed her tears down. She knew it'd only make him cry harder to see her crying too. She rubbed his back and held him close. "Shh, Luis. I know you miss her. But she's in a better place now. You'll see her again some day, but for now I know she's watching over us. I know she's so proud of you, and she loves you so much." Sheridan whisperd to him. He pulled away and from her and looked into her eyes. In those watery brown eyes, she could see all the pain and suffering he had faced over the last few months. Sheridan wanted to just take it all away. She leaned towards him and kissed him. When they pulled away, Luis whisperd, "Thank you Sheridan." "Any time Luis, I'll always be here for you." He kissed her again and pulled her close. "I love you." He whisperd in her ear. Sheridan still got chills down her spine everytime he said that. "I love you too Luis." She whisperd back to him. They hugged each other as the door slowly opened.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 33:
Luis and Sheridan heard the door opening and Luis quickly ducked. Julian stepped in, and smug grin plasterd on his face. "Tell me my dear, how was your vacation?" He asked her, while proceeding to let himself in. "Julian? What are you doing here?" Sheridan demanded, trying to mask the fear in her voice. "A brother can't help but worry about his little sister, now can he Sheridan?" Julian shot back, unaware of the fear in her voice. "Save it Julian. You couldn't give a damn about what happens to me. Now why did you really come over here?" Sheridan said, ocassionally glancing down at Luis, who's face was pale. If Julian found him, he'd tell Allistar and... "Contray to popular belife Sheridan, I do care about you. And I was wondering how your little vacation, as Theresa so delectly put it, went." Julian said, making his way over to the couch. "It went well actually. I was able to clear my mind and sort some things out. Speaking of Theresa, where are they?" Sheridan asked, and closed her hand around Luis's. She felt him squeeze back. "What? Do you expect me to keep an eye on them when you're gone, just because you decied to play mommy for them?" Luis's grip on her hand tighten as Sheridan's eyes got wide. "You are such a pompuss-ass, you know that Julian. I happen to love them like a family, the family I never found in you. If you question my taking care of them, I don't want to hear it." She said as she felt Luis's grip losen a little. Sheridan quickly smiled down at Luis before Julian turned around with an amused smile on his face. "Personally, I wouldn't mind Theresa staying in the main house." "Why is that Julian?" Sheridan asked surprised at Julian's sudden change of heart. Julian turned around with a sugestive smile on his face. Sheridan's face went white. "Have you seen the body on that girl Sheridan? I would bed her in a second if I had the chance." Luis practically broke Sheridan's hand and she felt him starting to stir. Sheridan was outraged. With her free hand, she slapped Julian hard across the face. His laughter stopped immediatly and he glared back at her. "Don't you ever come near this house again, do you understand me Julian. You stay the hell away from Miguel and Theresa. Now get out of here, you disgust me." Sheridan replied to him, a menecing coolness in her voice. "I'll leave Sheridan, but if you ever raise your hand to me again, there will be hell to pay." Julian said and stalked out of the cottage. As soon as he had left, Sheridan slumped to the floor, and Luis wrapped his arms around her as she cried tears of rage. "How dare he...he even think of that..the bastard" Sheridan choked out between tears. Luis held her tightly to him, still amazed at the way she defended his family. She must have been through so much when he disappeard. "Thank you Sheridan." He whisperd to her as he kissed the top of her head. He held her until she was calmed down. Luis sat down on the couch and Sheridan came out with some tea. "Julian's lucky I was hiding, otherwise I don't he would've been able to walk out of here. Especially after what he said about Theresa." Luis said anger burning in his eyes. Sheridan smiled sadly at him. "You'd think my family's evilness wouldn't shock me anymore, but it still does. I still remeber when I found out how evil they really are, how they would sacrifce me to get what they want. God, it seems like a million years ago." Luis nodded.
~Flashback~
~ [The whole imposter thing is yet to be cleared up. Sheridan is in Paris. Ivy's consince gets to her and she decides to tell Luis about the imposter.] Lopez-Fitzgerald house Ivy knocks on the door and Luis answers it. His face looks tired andhurt. "Mrs. Crane? Why are you here?" Luis says, stepping back to let her in. "Hello Luis. Please, call me Ivy. I need to talk to. It's aboutSheridan." "Sheridan? Is she alright?" Luis asked worried. "Yes, of course she's alright. Come on now, sit down. I have something very important to tell you, and I need you to let me finish before you ask any questions. Can you do that Luis?" "Of course." "Good." Ivy said, smiling at him for a second than remembering why she was there. Her smile disappeard as she looked into his eyes and saw all the hurt and pain. The pain of a broken heart. Any doubts she had before disappeared. "Do you know that Sheridan's in Paris right now?" Ivy asked him. Luis bowed his head and sadly nodded. Ivy placed a loving hand on his back. "I heard that she was planning to go back, and had to stop her. You see, a few days ago she slapped me, and I never found out why. I just don't understand Ivy. Things were going so good between us, and all of a sudden, out of the blue, she comes in and slaps me. I've tried to get the truth out of her, you know, get her to tell me what I did wronge, but we've always been interupted." Luis stopped for a second and swallowed the lump in his throat before continuing. "Well, I went down to airport to try and stop her. I couldn't let her leave me, not without knowing what I did to hurt her." "And you honestly have no idea what happend, why she's so mad at you. She never told you?" "No, never. I wish I knew what I did, that way I could fix it. I hate seening her so sad, and I hate it when she's mad at me. Anyway, I got to the airport. I saw her and Hank there, and he was hugging her as she cried. She pulled away and Hank left. I ran up to her before she boarded the plane...
[flashback]
Luis reaches out and grabs Sheridan's arm. "Sheridan, please don't leave. I still need to talk to you." "Luis, let me go. I have nothing to say to you. I'm going back to Paris for good, I can't stay here anymore." "Sheridan, you can't just run from me. From us. I need you in my life. Please Sheridan, don't leave me, I .." "Luis, no. Don't do this. You made yourself perfectly clear. You can't fool me with another one of your acts. It's too late, I know what little game your playing. I just wish I would have know sooner." Sheridan said, tears streaming down her face as they welled up in Luis's. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. She knew that she couldn't get over him, but he didn't love her. He was only using her. Sheridan handed the ticket to the attendant as she boarded the plane, leaving Luis in tears. [end airport flashback] ..and she left. She walked out of my life." Luis said as he turned away from Ivy with tears in his eyes. Tears freely rolled down Ivy's face as she wiped them away. "Goddamn Allistar. How could he do this again." Ivy muttered as she wipped away her tears. Luis turned to face her. "What did Allistar have to do with this? Please Ivy, I need to know." Luis's eyes pleaded with her. "Listen closely to me Luis. I'll tell you but you can't tell anyone who you heard this from." "I promise." "As I said earlier, I walked in on Julian and Allistar talking on the phone. Allistar was congratulating Julian on getting Sheridan out of the country. I was going to interfere right then and there, but then I heard Julian tell him that if it wasn't for the imposter, Sheridan might still be there. He said it was a shame to have to hurt her, but they had warned her. They both laughed over how naieve she could be, and how they had warned her that you would use her. It was then that I noticed a mask in Julian's hands. Don't you see Luis? They made Sheridan think that you were using her by paying some one to impersonate you." "But how?" "When it comes to threats to the Crane Empire, Allistar will spare no expense to make ensure that his plans work, and that there are no loose ends." Luis was enraged. He couldn't think of anything but Sheridan. He need to see her. "Ivy, I have to see her. I have to tell her the truth. Please tell me where she is." A while later Luis was on a plane to Paris. Ivy was the only one who knew where he was going. She had arranged everything. Her words still echoed in his head. "Don't every give up on true love. You've found it Luis, know fight to keep it. Don't let anything take it away." Ivy told him before he left. He hugged her and ran to plane. Now, sitting there, all his thoughts were on Sheridan. He was so realived to have finally found out what happend. He was worried about her though. He know how vunerable she could be. He couldn't wait to find her. Ivy gave him directions to her apartment, they just hoped that she would be there. The plane landed and he ran off to Sheridan's apartment. Thanks to Ivy's simple directions, he was there in a matter of minutes. He dashed up to her apartment and knocked on the door. As soon as Sheridan opened it, Luis pulled her in for a passionate kiss. So maybe it wasn't what he had planed to do on the plane, but it was what his heart told him to do. Sheridan, of course, pulled away shocked. "Luis? What the hell are you doing here?" Luis smiled at her. She could see a sparkle in his eyes. He let himself in and closed the door. "I know why you slapped me. You thought I was using you." Sheridan was enraged. "Though? Thought? I know what I saw Luis. I heard you with my own ears! Why are you here now that you know that I discovered your little plan?" "Sheridan, I thoght you knew me better than that. I could never use anyone, especially not you." "Luis, I saw you. You can't talk your way out of this one. You'll just have to find another rich bitch to use, because this ones been used for the last time." She began walking away when Luis grabed her arm and spun heraround. "That wasn't me Sheridan. Allistar and Julian, they hired someone to impersonate me. That wasn't me." "What? How would you know that?" Sheridan asked him, desperatly wanting to believe him. 'No Sheridan, you know what you heard and saw. That had to be Luis.' But doubts began filling her mind. "Ivy told me. She came over and said that she heard your brother and father talking and that she saw Julian with a mask." "I still don't know if I believe you Luis." Sheridan said. Luis and Ivy had planed this though. He walked over to Sheridan's phone and dialed the mansion. Ivy was waiting by the phone and answered. "Ivy, it's Luis. I'm here and I need you talk to Sheridan." "Of course Luis. I'm glad you're there. Don't forget what I said." Luis handed the phone to a slightly confused Sheridan. "Ivy? What's going on?" Sheridan listend as Ivy recounted all the gory details for Sheridan. When Sheridan hung up, she was absolutly beaming. She ran to Luis and pulled him in for a passinate kiss.
~end flashback~
Sheridan leaned over and kissed Luis. "I knew at that moment I'd always love you." Sheridan whisperd when they pulled away. "I knew it too Sheridan." They continued kissing, unaware that they had an audience.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 34:
Luis and Sheridan's audience stared at them stuned. Suddenly a baby began to cry, making they're presence know to Sheridan and Luis. Sheridan turned around as Luis looked up. Gwen and Ethan stood there, stunned as a huge smile spread over Sheridan's face. Luis's eyes filled swelled with love and tears as Sheridan got up and took the small baby from Gwen's hands. She and Ethan were still stunned when Sheridan handed the small child over toLuis. "This is..our baby." Luis said as tears of joy streamed down his face. He gentally rocked him in his arms and kissed him on forehead. The baby calmed as soon as he was in Luis's arms and drifted off to sleep. Sheridan hugged Luis tight and put her head on his shoulder. "He's so beautiful Sheridan." Luis whisperd as he kissed him again. Finally Ethan and Gwen broke out of they're state of shock. "Luis is that you?" Ethan asked as he steped closer, Gwen just behind him. Luis and Sheridan looked up, shaken from the trance they're baby had over them and remebering Ethan and Gwen. "Yeah, it's me." Luis said beaming from ear to ear. Gwen ran up to him and hugged him. She knew how hard Sheridan had taken his disapearence. She then hugged Sheridan and whisperd in her ear, "I knew he'd come back to you." Ethan let it all sink in. He couldn't believe that it was really Luis. He had been gone so long. "Are you sure it's you?" Ethan asked. Luis laughed at Ethan's stupid question. "Yes Ethan, I'm sure it's me." He flashed him a teasing smile and stared back down at the small sleeping baby in his arms. Ethan ran up to Luis and hugged him. Luis smiled as Ethan pulled away, slightly embarassed at his sudden burst of emotion. Sheridan pulled Ethan in for a hug. Ethan and Gwen had millions of questions for Luis and they answered most of them. They talked for a while when Ethan asked why Luis really disapeard. "I don't know if we should tell you yet Ethan." Sheridan said. "It could be dangerous, and that's the last thing I want for you and your lovely bride." Luis said, lightening the mood. Gwen smiled at him and pulled Ethan in for a kiss. "Well, now that your back Luis, you two can finally name your baby." "Yeah, that might be a good idea, you two. No one knows what to call the kid." Ethan said and they all laughed. Luis still held his child, unwilling to let him go. Sheridan smiled and rubbed the babies cheak. "That might not be a bad idea Luis. I was going to name him after you, but now I have you back, so, do you have any ideas?" "We could name him after my father." He said with a sad smile. "I wonder how he'd doing." Luis caught himself before he said anymore. Besides for Miguel and Theresa, he and Sheridan decided it would be to dangerous to tell anyone why he disapeard or about his father. Gwen and Ethan shrugged off Luis's comment. Sheridan stared at the clock on the wall. "Do you guys know where Miguel and Theresa are? They should have come home by now." Sheridan said worridly. Luis smiled at the mention of their names. "Sheridan, you don't need to worry, it's only six. And it's a Friday night. They do have lives you know. In fact Theresa asked me if I'd mind watching, Martin,"Luis and Sheridan both smile at Gwen,"for a few hours after school lets out. I'm sure they were just going out with some friends, and since I know that they didn't expect you two to show up tonight, won't be home for a while." "If you'd like, I could call around and tell them to come home." Ethan offered. He was used to helping Sheridan search for Theresa and Miguel when they would forget when to be home. "Would you Ethan? I really want to see them, and I know some one who want's to see them even more." She leaned over and kissed Luis. "More than anything." Luis said with a smile. "Now Sheridan, back to this beautiful baby of ours. I think he needs a middle name, and since I picked the first name, it's only fair to let you pick." He smiled at her. "Oh, how gererous. And you didn't just pick it out, we both did." Sheridan said teasingly. She thought for a few minutes than smiled toherself. "Ethan. His middle name will be Ethan." She said with a smile. Luis leaned over and kissed her. "Perfect. Martin Ethan Lopez-FItzgerald. What a wonderful name." Ethan look up and smiled at Sheridan and continued talking to Grace. "Yes Mrs. Bennet, this is Ethan. Miguel wouldn't be over there by any chance, would he?" Grace laughed. "You guess right Ethan. And please, call me Grace." "I'm sorry Grace, I'll try to remember next time. Could you put him on the phone for a second." "Sure, hold on." Ethan put his hand over the mouth piece to thank them for using his name when Miguel picked up. "What's up Ethan? Is some thing wronge?" "No, nothing's wronge, Sheridan just wanted you to come home. Do you know where Theresa is?" "Sheridan's home? That's great! I think Theresa's at the Russells. Do you want me to tell her to come home?" "That'd be great Miguel. Just come to the cottage, Gwen and I are over here." "I figured that Ethan." MIguel said with a chuckle. "All right, we'll see you then." "Okay, bye." Ethan hung up and got up to hug Sheridan again. "What a wonderful name for your baby. I especially like the middle name." He said with a grin. "Are they coming?" Luis asked excitedly. "Yeah, they'll be here in a few minutes. MIguel's going to get Theresa and they said they'll come straight to the cottage." "Good." Luis muttered as Sheridan gently took Martin out of Luis's arms. "Hey, what do you think your doing?" Sheridan smiled at him and stood up and walked to her room. Luis followed and shut the door. "Sheridan, I still want to hold him." Luis complained, causeing Sheridan to laugh. He sounded like a small child asking to hold a baby. "Luis, he needs his sleep. Let him rest for a while. Trust me, you'll hold him enough tonight." She said with a smile as Luis wrapped his arms around her, holding her close once she'd placed the baby in his crib. She pulled him in for a passionate kiss while running her hands through his hair. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Sheridan broke away and smiled at him. "Later Luis. Now lets go back out there before Theresa and MIguel come." She whisperd. Luis let out a small sigh of complaint then smiled. The went back out to the living room to see Miguel and Theresa siting on the couch, they're backs towards Luis and Sheridan. Luis smiled at Sheridan and cleared his throat.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 35:
Gwen and Ethan looked up at Sheridan and Luis, and their faces glowed with excitement. Theresa and Miguel turned around as they were quickly wrapped in two stronge arms, hugging them close. "I've missed you guys so much." Luis said through tears as he hugged them closer. They clung to each other, to happy and shocked and full of love to say anything. Sheridan walked over and hugged Ethan and Gwen. She was so happy to see Luis's family together again. Tears filled her and Gwen's eyes, both were very touched. Ethan still smiled largely, he was so happy that Theresa had finally gotten her brother back. He knew how hard his disappearence was for her. She only opened up to him, Sheridan and Miguel. He remembered the many nights he would spend, holding her in his arms as she cried. Gwen never knew about these, Ethan couldn't bring himself to tell her. He didn't want her to get overly jealous again, and he felt nothing for Theresa, other than compassion for a friend. Ethan and Theresa were close though, and they shared everything, even though Pilar had died months ago. Ethan's mind wandered as he watched her genuinly smileing for the first time since Pilar died. His poor little angel had been through so much. He had been calling her his angel whenever Gwen wasn't around. It always seemed to cheer her up. She looked up at him for a second, excitement dancing in her eyes. Ethan beamed back at her as she turned her gaze back to Luis. Luis smiled at her and Miguel. They look so grown up. He hadn't realized that he missed them so baddly. "Luis, I'm so glad your back." Theresa said, kissing him on the cheek. "Yeah bro, we missed you so much." Miguel told him, think how nice it was to call him bro again. "You guys look so grown up." Luis said as he studied their faces before pulling them into another tight hug. Luis looked up at Sheridan, and smiled at her. For the first time in almost a year, Luis felt peace and love. They broke away from their hug and began talking about some things. Theresa and Miguel had a lot of questions, but Luis wouldn't answer most of them with Ethan and Gwen around, so they mostly talked about Theresa and Miguel's lives. After talking for a while, little Martin started crying. Sheridan started getting up. "You stay here Sheridan, let me do it." Luis said smiling. Sheridan kissed him quickly and took his place on the couch next to Theresa and Miguel. They both hugged and thanked her for bringing their brother back. They were still hugging when Luis came out with Martin his arms, rocking him back and forth. When he saw them hugging, it made his smile even bigger. He walked over and kissed Sheridan on the head. Theresa and Miguel smiled when they saw Luis with the baby. "Theresa, Miguel. I'd like you to meet Martin Ethan Lopez-Fitzgerald." Sheridan said, a twinkle in her eyes as she looked at Luis. "It's about time you gave him a name." Miguel joked and Theresa giggled as Martin grabbed one of her fingers and squeezed it tightly. It was late now,and Ethan and Gwen decided they should let them be alone. Theresa hugged Ethan tightly, smiling at him. "I'm so happy for you angel, I'm so happy he's back." Ethan said, forgetting about Gwen standing next to him. Theresa's face froze in horror. "Ethan, did you just call Theresa angel?" Gwen asked him icily.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 36:

Ethan stood there shocked, Theresa still in his arms with fear in her eyes. Even though they knew that there was nothing for Gwen to be jealous about, the fact that they had been seceretly meeting was enough to worryabout. "We should have just been straight with her." Theresa whispered to Ethan as he nodded. They seperated to see Gwen glaring at them. "Well, Ethan. Why did you call Theresa angel? What the hell is going on?" Gwen said, venoem biting in her voice. Theresa suddered at her tone and looked helplessly at Ethan. "Gwen, it isn't like it seems.." Ethan started, but was cut off. "It never is with Theresa, is it Ethan? So this is where you go late at night?" Gwen asked menecingly, like a lion stalking her prey. "Gwen I don't know.." "Save it Ethan. I hear you get up. You think I'm asleep but I hear you. You've been leaving more and more often, and now I see why." "Gwen, please, your only embarassing yourself. If you would just listen and..." "No, Ethan, you listen to me, and stop interupting. I want to make this perfectly clear." She paused, looking around the room then back at Ethan, with a fire in her eyes that he had never seen before. "I can't stand to look at you and know that you can't trust me. I don't want to have anything to do with you. You have become your father, and I couldn't respect myself if I sat by and let you have meaningless flings behind my back and act like it doesn't matter. I trusted you Ethan, and you let me down. I will never be able to trust you again, you've destroyed that. I'll never stop loving you, but without my trust, that love is meaningless." Tears stung her eyes, but she fought them down. She gazed coldly from Theresa to Ethan and left. Everyone was shocked. Ethan turned to Sheridan and Luis. "I need to go. I need to take a walk to clear my head. I'm glad you back Luis, sorry for causeing so much trouble on your first day back." Ethan said sadly. "I'll go with you Ethan." Theresa told him, sadly taking his hand. He pulled it away though. "No Theresa, I need to be by myself." He walked out as Theresa stumbled back to the couch, still some-what shocked. "Theresa." Luis said, cradeling his son in his hands. "Do you mind explaining that all to me? I have no idea what's going on." Suddenly the baby started to cry. "Here Luis, let me take Martin. I think you guys need to talk." Miguel said as he left for his room. Theresa sat down between Luis and Sheridan. "Theresa," Sheridan said, taking her hand. "What's going on? Please,you can trust us." Luis put his arm around Theresa as she smiled atthem. "It's not at all like Gwen thinks it is. You see, we both were going through so much, and needed comfort. So, Ethan would come over late at night and we'd cry together or talk. We became very close, freind wise. But I swear, nothing happend." Theresa sincerly said. "I believe you Theresa, but why did you think you needed to keep it a seceret?" Luis asked her, hugging her tight. "Yeah, Theresa, you both should have just been honest with Gwen. She would have understood." "Would she have Sheridan? Come on, you know as well as I that Gwen is jealous when is comes to Ethan. She would have never understood. She probably would have reacted the same way she did tonight." Theresa sadly said. Sheridan couldn't respond, she new that it was true. "Thanks for trying to help you two, but I've had a long day and need some sleep." Theresa got up and Sheridan kissed her cheek, "Goodnight Sheridan, Night Luis. I love you." She said, kissing Luis and going off to bed. "Love you too." They repeated in unison. "What a day, Luis." Sheridan slid closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. He hugged her tightly. "I know what you mean." He kissed her forehead. "Luis, you know I'd love to lay here forever with you, but we really need some sleep if were going to wake up with the baby tonight." She smiled at him, "Come on, lets go get Martin and go to bed." She took him by the hand and they got Martin and went to bed.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 37:

Luis heard something and reached across the bed to find Sheridan, but all he felt were the cold sheets. Luis's eyes flashed open. Had he dreamed the whole thing? His eyes darted around the small room and rested on the figure in the corner of the room, slowly swaying. Breathing a sigh of relief, Luis got out of the bed and crept over to Sheridan. He put his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head, while she swayed in his arms. He started swaying with her, his eyes gazing at the slowly closing brown ones of their little baby. Sheridan was softly humming under her breath. Luis hugged her even closer, his face still looking over her shoulder. Finally little Martin had drifted to sleep and Sheridan placed him in his crib. "I love you." She whispered as she leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Luis smiled at her, his heart swelling with love. She wrapped her arms around his waist as he bent down and kissed his sleeping sons forehead. "I love you too." He whispered as he turned around to kiss Sheridan. "I love you." "I love you too."

At the Crane Mansion~

Allistar calmly sat behind the giant desk, his fingers lightly taping the surface, while his other hand lifted a glass of brandy to his lips. Julian sat before him, nervously sipping his own glass of brandy. "Do you know why I wanted to speak with you tonight Julian?" "No father, I don't. I was rather surprised to see you back in Harmony at all, much less having a private meeting with me." Julian replied coldly. "How can you be so foolish? Don't you even know what's happened? Haven't my spies been keeping you informed?" "Of what Father?" Julian asked, obviously confused. "Luis, you idiot. Not only has he returned, but he found Martin in Newburg. Martin told them the truth, or so they thought." Allistar said with an evil snicker before continuing, "Martin did his part, but he would have gotten in the way, so I had to dispose of him." Julian looked dumbfounded. Finally letting everything sink in, his face was filled with disgust and terror.

"You killed Martin?" He asked appalled. "Keep your voice down Julian. I had to, things were becoming too complicated." "But Father, Luis is back, he's with Sheridan. You knew that Martin would bring them together. Why on earth would you want them together. Things were working out fine the way they were." "How can you be so blind? Sheridan was willing to give up every thing to find Luis, and with a new baby in tow, God knows what she would have done to find him. As for Luis, he had nothing to lose in Newburg. They were like two ticking time bombs ready to explode. I did what I had to do, for a good reason." "And that would be?" Julian was obviously annoyed that Allistar had ruined their hard thought out plan. "I don't need to explain my motives to you Julian. You'll see when the time comes." "Then what the hell was the point of this meeting if you're not going to tell me anything?" "I wanted to inform you of our situation, and to warn you not to get in the way. Now, if you'll excuse me Julian, I have some pressing matters to attend to." "Of course Father." Julian said with mock respect as he got up and left. "It's always pressing matters, isn't it Father? I think you need a new excuse." Julian muttered under his breath as he closed the library doors behind him. Allistar waited for him to leave before picking up the telephone. "This is Mr. Crane. Are you ready to begin the next phase?"

To Be Continued...

Chapter 38:

"Yes sir Mr. Crane. We will continue on as planned." "Very good. Make sure that nothing goes wronge. There will dire consiquences if things don't go around according to the plan. Your life as you know it will be over." "Of course Mr. Crane." The man on the other end of the line answered queitly, his voice calm. "I will tell you when it is time to move on with the next phase." With that Allistar hung up, smiling. Things would go perfectly. He would let them sit for a while. Do nothing to arouse suspicion. Then he could go in for the kill. He sat laughing when he remembered that he needed to check on the Martin situation. He dialed the phone as the person on the other side picked up. "This is Mr. Crane." "Mr. Crane, what can I do for you?" The cocky voice said. "Did you get rid of the body and all the evidence?" Allistar askedannoyed. "Of course I did. Do you really think that I'm that incompetent. Every thing is gone. May I congratulate you on a job well do.." "Shut up. Now is hardly the time to celebrate. We still have much work to do. I have another task for you, so I need you to come over to the mansion, tonight." "Of course Mr.Crane. I'll be right over." ~A few minutes later~ There was a light knock on the library window and a mans figure could be seen standing there. Allistar opened the window and the man climbed in. "I'm glad you could get here so quickly." Allistar shook the man's hand as they both sat down. The man's face was still covered with shadows, and only the small desk lamp was on, creating only enough light to see Allistars face. "Anything you want Mr. Crane. Whatever you want done, I'll do." "Of course you will. You'd be dead without us." The man gulped and Allistar laughed cruelly at him. "What did you do with Martin's body?" "I disposed of it exactly as you commanded sir. Not a trace of evidence remains. With the large donation you made the crematorium, and the fact that his remains are scattered all over Harmony, I doubt anyone will wonder where he is." "Excellent. Now to the problem at hand. Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald had returned to Harmony." "He has?" The man's voice was filled with bitterness. "Why would he come back?" "It was part of my plan." "Your plan? I thought your plan was to make him disappear. Why bring him back Allistar? Things were going so good." "That's Mr. Crane to you. And things were not going okay. They would have found each other anyway, but now their being together is part of plan. They're like pawns on a chess board. I'm just setting them up. Soon, soon though, we'll reach checkmate, and the Crane name will be safe." "I understand, Mr. Crane, but what do you need my help with?" "You need to get there trust. Be there confidant. Let them tell you things, and report them back to me." "So I'm back to spying again?" "Yes. Now I want you to start as soon as tomorrow. Go to the cottage, and expose Luis's return. Assure them that they can trust you.." "Mr. Crane, I know how to con people. This will be a piece of cake." "Let's hope so, for both our sakes." Allistar got up and opened the window as the man climbed out. "Soon Sheridan, my dear. Soon your whole world will come crashing down, and my secret will be safe. No one will bring down the Crane Empire."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 39:

Sunlight streamed in the window, waking up a sleeping Sheridan who was nestled in Luis's arms. She turned and smiled at Luis, and rested her head on his chest. She kissed it lightly then made her way up to his lips. Luis started to stir, and Sheridan felt him kiss back. "Hey you, how'd you sleep?" Luis whispered as he kissed the top of herhead. "Wonderful. I love waking up in your arms. I could just stay like this forever." "Maybe we can." Luis said grinning at her. He pulled her into a kiss as someone knocked on the door. "Maybe not." Sheridan smiled as she pulled away from him. "You stay here. I'll be right back." She gave him a quick kiss, pulled on her robe and made her way into the living room. She opened the door and smiled. "Hi Hank. What brings you here?" She said cheerfully. "Wow, you look gorgeous today Sheridan. You're glowing. Why are you so happy?" "Just because." She smiled at him as he let himself in and closed the door, surprising Sheridan. "So, why are you here Hank?" "I just thought I'd pay a visit to the prettiest babe in Harmony." He said kissing her on the cheek. Sheridan backed away. "Hank, about that. I'm really glad we're friends and all, but it makes me a little uncomfortable when you kiss me like that. I'm sorry, it's just that my heart will always belong to Luis. Please don't be offended." She told him, inwardly sighing. 'It's about time I told him to lay off. I can't believe it took me so long.' Hank looked a little surprised, but decided to ignore what she said. 'She must just be covering because Luis is here. I know she wants me.' He smiled to himself. "So Sheridan, where's that beautiful baby of yours? Is he in your room?" Hank started walking to her room when Sheridan stopped him. "Actually Hank, Theresa has him. I don't want to wake her or the baby right now, so why don't you come back later, then you can see him." Sheridan began showing him to the door, but Hank wouldn't give up that easily. "Sheridan, did I leave my coat over here a while ago? I think I left it in your room." "In my room? Why would it be there? No Hank, you didn't, now if you don't mind, I really need to get ready. I have work to do at the Youth Center today." Sheridan quickly ushered Hank out of the door. "All right, well maybe I'll see you there. Bye beautiful." Hank said, leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek. She backed away and closed the door, leaving Hank kissing the door. Hank swore under his breath as Ethan walked up. "Good morning Hank." "Oh, morning Ethan." He said as he brushed past him. Allistar wasn't going to be happy about this. Ethan let himself in as Sheridan was making her way back to the bedroom and Luis. "Sheridan, is Theresa here?" Sheridan jumped, then smiled at Ethan. "Hi Ethan, yes she's in her room. Wait here, I'll make sure she's awake." Ethan nodded and sat on the couch. Luis was growing impatient. He wanted Sheridan to come back, he wanted to hold her in his arms again. He sighed and shouted for her. "Sheridan, is Hank gone?" When he received no answer, he went into the living room wearing nothing but a smile, and some boxers. He failed to notice Ethan sitting on the couch. "Sheridan, come back in here. The beds really.." Ethan turned and smiled at Luis, started blushing immediately. "Um, Ethan, what are you doing here?" Luis let out a nervous laugh. Ethan started cracking up. "Luis, I could always keep you company in the bedroom till Sheridan gets back." Ethan said, then burst into a fit of laughter. "That's not even funny Ethan." Luis choked out, trying not to laugh. He finally gave in, and burst out laughing. Sheridan walked in with a smile. "What's so funny?" She asked puzzled. "Luis was just telling me how lonely he is." Ethan spit out, causing them both to go into hysterics. "I don't want to know. Ethan, you can go back by Theresa if you like. She's dressed and everything, so you can go talk to her." Ethan remembered why he came there and stopped laughing. "Thanks Sheridan." Ethan grinned at Luis before walking back to Theresa's room. Sheridan walked over to Luis and kissed him on the lips. "Look at you, your face is all red from laughing. You look so cute when you laugh." Sheridan kissed him again, took his hands and lead him to her bedroom. "I'm going to go take a shower, and then we can go exploring Harmony." Luis frowned a little. "Won't people see me though? Is that safe?" "I guess not. Well, we could just go the Youth Center. I'm sure it'd be safe there. School starts soon, so we'd be alone most of the day." "Sounds good to me. Are Theresa and Miguel ready?" "Of course they are. Now I really need to take a shower." "Do you mind if I join you?" Luis asked, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck. "Hmmmm, I don't think I'll mind."

~In Theresa's room~
"Theresa, I want to apologize for last night. It was completely uncalled for of Gwen to have that little outburst. I talked to her last night though, and she said that she didn't mean anything by it." "That's good. I'm glad there wont be any bad blood between us." Theresa said smiling. She had been so worried that Gwen would do something drastic. Ethan however, still looked grim. Theresa took his hand. "What's wrong Ethan?" "Gwen told me that the only way she'd be able to trust me again, is if I stop seeing you. Completely. I can't see you anymore Theresa, or my marriage will be over." To Be Continued...

Chapter 40:

Theresa stared at him shocked. "Ethan, I don't understand? What, why can't we see each other?" Theresa sobbed as Ethan felt his heart breaking. He reached over and wiped away a tear streaking her face. "I love Gwen. And if she wants me to stay away from you, then I will. I love her to much to lose her." "She much not love you then. How can you say you love someone when you don't care about how they feel? Ethan, you and I have been through a lot together. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here for me. I thought I was important to you to, but I obviously was wrong." "Theresa, I..."

"But what I don't understand Ethan, is how you can be such a coward. Doesn't Gwen forbidding you to do something so innocent reveal to you who she really is? Are you really that blind?" Theresa turned her face away from him to hide the tears. Ethan sat dumbly in front of her. "You don't understand. Gwen can be insecure at times, and knowing that you and I have been seeing each other regularly..." "But nothing happened!" Theresa shouted, turning in anger. "You and I know that, but Gwen doesn't. She is convinced that the only way we can be happy is if you and I are apart."

"We, you keep saying we, but Ethan, are you really going to be happy? Are you going to be content with a wife who tells you what to do, who has you on such a tight lease your practically choking? If she really loves you, she wouldn't have to doubt you, she could trust you and your judgment. Love is all about trust, and if Gwen doesn't trust you, I don't know how she can say that she loves you."

Theresa's tears had dried, she felt nothing but pity for Ethan. For the first time she had actually told him what she thought of his and Gwen's relationship. Ethan's eyes were filled with confusion and sorrow. Gwen had been his first and only love. His whole life had been nothing but Gwen, and the thought of living his life without her scared him. He couldn't live without her. "I love Gwen and she loves me. I know she does otherwise she wouldn't be so concerned for me. I'm sorry Theresa, but if I continue to meet with you, something..." Ethan's voice faded as he slowly rose from her bed. Theresa got up with him, and kissed him on the lips. She pulled away, tears in her eyes. "Good-bye Ethan. I hope you're very happy." Ethan walked out, tears welling up in his own eyes.

~At the youth center~
Sheridan and Luis snuck in the back way of the center, careful not to draw any attention to themselves. Sheridan opened the door and flicked on the lights. Luis smiled brightly as his eyes danced around the center. He carried Martin with him as he explored the gym, his office. It was all the way he left it. He smiled as he walked past the locker room. "Brings back a lot of memories, huh?" Sheridan asked smiling. "It sure does. And you kept all this up by yourself?" Sheridan nodded. "Sheridan, I was thinking." "About what?" "About Miguel and Theresa. Should I tell them about Papa, or would it hurt them to much to know that he's alive, but could die? Should I even tell them why I disappeared?" "I can't tell you what to do Luis. You're their brother, you decide. Just know that I support whatever you decide." She gave him a quick hug as Martin began to cry. Sheridan took him in her arms and rocked him back and forth. "Shh, don't cry. (To Luis) I'm going to put him down in the cradle I setup in our office." Luis smiled when she said our office. As she went into the office, Luis picked up a lose basketball and began shooting around. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to greet Sheridan, when his eyes filled with shock. "What the..."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 41:

"Sir, I want you to freeze and put your hands about your head." Sam said as he brought his gun out of it's holster. Luis froze. He'd recognize Sam's voice anywhere. But why would he tell Luis to freeze? He wasn't doing anything illegal, just playing basketball. "Now turn around slowly, I don't want you to try anything." Luis slowly stared to turn around, eager to see Sam's expression. Suddenly Sheridan burst out of the office. "Sam, I thought I heard your voice." She smiled warmly at him. She couldn't see Luis on the other side of the wall, or see Sam's gun pointed at him. Sam looked up at her with a worried face. "Sheridan, you stay right there." Sheridan finally noticed that Luis was no where to be found. "I caught some guy in here, and since I'd never seen him here before, I figured he might be trouble. Your lucky I came in when I did." "Oh my God! Sam, what are you doing? You didn't hurt him did you?" Sheridan yelled, her voice pools of worry. Luis stifled back a laugh. 'Sam sure was in for a surprise.' "Of course not. Why, do you know this guy?" "Very well actually." Sheridan's smile returned. "And you know him too." She walked over and pulled Sam's gun down. "Sam, I think you're in for a surprise." Sam looked dumbfounded. 'Had Sheridan found another guy? Had she given up on Luis?'

Slowly Luis turned around, a smile beaming from his face. He walked towards Sheridan and swept her into a kiss, careful not to get to carried away. Sam's mouth practically hit the floor. He couldn't believe that was Luis. His knee's felt weak and he plopped on the ground. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his mind trying to sort out everything. They he realized that Luis was standing right in front of him. His buddy, his companion. He had missed him so much, not only on the force, but as a friend. And now he was back! He looked back up at Luis, a smile on his face. Both Sheridan and Luis were glowing. Sam was so happy to see Sheridan happy. Her eyes had lost there sparkle when Luis was gone, but now they were like fireworks. Sam got up and pulled Luis into a manly hug. They pulled back and shook hands. "Luis I thought you were..." "Dead? Ah, well you can't get rid of me that easily Sam." "So where did you go? Why? How long have you been back? Who elseknows?" "Hey Chief, calm down. I have the answers for all your questions, but I'm not sure if you want to hear it." "Why Luis? Was it illegal?" "You're damn right it was! But I don't know want to put you in any danger. I haven't even told Miguel and Theresa what happened." "Luis, you can tell me, I want to know." Sam pleaded, getting more intrigued by the minute. "But your a man of the law, and I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position. Hell, I'm not even sure what to do yet. So much has happened." He got a far way look on his face, then turned to Sheridan. "Should we tell him?" "I think we can trust him, but we should tell Miguel and Theresa too. They deserve to know the truth as well." Luis nodded, and walked into the office to get Martin. He came back, and motioned for them to follow him. "Let's go back to the cottage, it'll be safer to talk there." Luis said in a low whisper as the three of them snuck out of the Youth Center and drove towards the cottage.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 42:

They made it safely back to the cottage, careful to avoid as many people as they could. Miguel and Theresa were done with school for the day and were putting their books away when Sam, Sheridan, and Luis walked it. "I want every one to sit down and not a say a thing till I'm done. Understood?" Luis said, looking each of them in the eye as they nodded. "Not a word of this is spoken to anyone, okay?" Once again Luis was answered with nods. He took a deep breath and began his story. Luis's voice was calm and showed little emotion. His audience, however let out several gasps, and a few tears. "I can't believe those bastards did it again." Sam said out of pure disgust, not realizing what he said until it was to late. "Again? Who else did they do this to Sam? Maybe they could help us." Sheridan began excitedly. "They couldn't help you. One of them gave up, and everything wasforgotten." "Who were they?" "No one." Sam abruptly said, then closed his eyes. Luis looked at Sheridan and warned her not to push Sam anymore. "The Cranes kidnapped you, and killed Mama?" Theresa sobbed, as Sheridan placed a reassuring arm around her. "How did you two find each other though?" Miguel asked confused. "I don't know if you guys will want to hear this." "Of course we do Luis!" Miguel and Theresa said at the same time. "I found Papa. He called Sheridan and set up everything. He was attacked though, and had to be sent away." They continued talking and asking questions, unaware of the small mic planted in the room.

~In the Library at the Crane Mansion~
Allistar sat chuckling as Luis explain the story. "How truly heart warming Officer." Allistar said with feigned compassion as he quickly became bored with the mundane story. He set down the nearly empty glass of brandy and dialed the familiar phone number. "Yeah?" "Gallenghar, this is Mr. Crane." "Ah, hello Mr. Crane. Is everything working correctly?" " Yes, I can hear everything clearly. However, their trite conversation has proved to be even drabber than I expected, which is why I decided to call you. What did you find out from Sheridan? Did you expose Luis? You certainly must have learned something while planting the mic. Out with it!" Allistar commanded. Although his tone was threatening, Gallenghar retained his cocky tone. "Actually Mr. Crane, Sir, I wasn't able to contact Sheridan long enough, and I sure as hell wasn't ale to expose Luis." "That's not what I wanted to hear Jack. How did you plant the mic then?" "There was a distraction at the Youth Center. I was able to slip in and out of the office without them even noticing me." Jack let out a cold laugh. "I'll try again tomorrow, Mr. Crane, you can be sure of that." "Of course you will. I'm not paying you to dilly dally. Contact me if anything arises." Allistar stated and flipped his phone shut. By this time, Sam had decided to leave and Theresa and Miguel retired to their rooms. Both were exhausted from all the days events. Sheridan and Luis sat in the living room, Martin peacefully sleeping in her arms. "Theresa and Miguel seemed to take the news well." Luis said, as he took a seat next to Sheridan on the couch after he finished putting another log on the fire. He remembered how emotional he was during all of this. Sheridan put her free hand over Luis's and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I know. I think they were very overwhelmed though. So much has happened lately, I'm starting to feel overwhelmed myself. I think they need a night to let everything sink in." Luis looked at her sadly. "But we'll be there to help them cope. Together." Sheridan gazed deeply into his eyes as he smirked at her.

"Sounds like a deal." He gave her a light kiss on the tip of the nose, then pulled away, as if remembering something. "What is it Luis?" "Martin told me something else. Something about, that night." Luis looked at her anxiously to see her expression. Her face when pale and her smile disappeared. "What did he say?" "That night was the reason my father was sent away." Luis whispered, his face remaining calm. "It really happened, I really killed someone." Sheridan cried, fear engulfing her. The memories of that night flooded her mind, she could almost feel the blood dripping on her hands... "Sheridan, snap out of it." Luis replied harshly. Sheridan snapped back to reality as Luis wrapped his arms around her as she cried on his shoulder.

~Crane Mansion, Library~
"Damn you Martin! That wasn't part of the deal. You weren't supposed to tell him about that night, Sheridan was convinced it was a dream." Allistar said, venom drenching his words as he slammed his fist against the desk. ~The Cottage~ "Did he tell you what happened?" Sheridan asked in a shaky voice as she clutched the small baby close to her. "Your father, and Julian called him and told him to come to the mansion. They wanted him to help load the dead body into the coffin. He said you were crying in a corner, blood on your hands, as Allistar told you how evil youwere." "Like in my dreams." Sheridan mumbled, barely audible.

~Library~
"Damn you to hell Martin." Allistar hissed as he quickly pulled out hisphone. "This si Mr. Crane. It appears we have a bit of a complication. I think we'll have to speed things up. I want the next phase done, tonight." "Tonight?" Sir, isn't that.." "Just do as I say, damn it. I want Sheridan and Luis dead, tonight." ~Sheridan and Luis's room~ "Sheridan, we're going to find the truth. I want you to be free of the past." Luis hugged her tightly to him as she turned out the lamp next to her bed. She pressed herself against him, inhaling his scent. Usually, that gave her a sense of comfort, but tonight nothing could help. Sure, she had always suspected that night had been real, but there was always the possibility that it was nothing more than a dream. But now, she knew that there was a murder, and that she could have been responsible for it. Her life depended on the truth of that night. "Luis, I'm so scared. What if I really killed someone? Would you still love me if I was a murder?" A tear fell from her eye and landed on Luis'schest. "I would love you no matter what. I don't think you could do anything to make me stop loving you Sheridan." He kissed her head and Sheridan allowed herself to be comforted by Luis. She kissed his chest and mummer, "I love you." "I love you too. Now get some rest, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Luis whispered back as they both slowly drifted off to sleep, unaware of the figure watching them through the window.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 43:

The man krept slowy around the house and peered into the window. It was obviouse that he had done this before because he didn't make a sound. 'There he is.' He thought as he saw the sleeping figure on the bed. Little did the man know that there were two bodies nesteled in the bed.

~Inside~
Luis hugged Sheirdan tight to him, his back to the open window. "I love holding you Sher, but I'm really thirsty. I'll be right back." Luis whispered to a sleeping Sheridan. She smiled in her sleep and Luis kissed her on the forehead, careful not to wake her.

~Outside~
The man quickly loaded his pistol. One bullet was all he needed, he never missed a target. He slipped the silencer on and aimed the gun at Luis's back. A loud crack behind him made him quickly pull the gun down. Someone was watching him!

~Inside~
Luis kept trying to pry his arms away from Sheridan, but his arms wouldn't respone. He gave her one last squeeze as Sheridan sleepily rolled out of the Luis's arms and onto the floor.

~Outside~
"Wind. I can't believe I'm so jumpy." The man took a deep breath and assured himself, "The sooner you shoot the bastard, the sooner you get paid." The sound of cash registers in his head brought him the comfort he needed and he turned his attention back to the window. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.

~Inside~
Luis quickly rolled over to his stomach and stuck his head over the bed. Somthing grazed hi shoulder, and he felt blood drip down his shoulder. He looked up to see a small hole on the wall, inches above him. After being a cop for so long, one knows what a bullet hole looks like. Luis immediatly recognized the hole in the wall as just that, and his cop instincts flew into full gear. He was relieved to see that Sheridan was safe and sound on the floor, still asleep. 'She'll be safer on the floor.' Luis thought as he lifted his head slightly to look around the room, careful not to make any sudden movement incase the shooter was still around. Seeing nothing, he crawled over to the window, shut and locked it tightly, and pulled the shades. Everything else was secure in the house, he knew that. He dashed over to the corner of the room and was relieved to see little Martin asleep as well. Luis bent down and kissed the small baby, then opened the closet door and pushed his cradle inside. A small river of blood was now flowing down Luis's arm, so he made his way into the bathroom to wrap his arm in a bandage.

~Outside~
"He moved, the lucky bastard moved." The man cursed as he dug in his pocket for a spare bullet. Finding none, he scaned the ground for his black supply bag, which was complete with all the amo and weapons and hit man would ever need. Cursing under his breath again, he remembered that he left it in his car. Quickly he dashed to the car, parked in the secluded area Mr. Crane instructed him to. He unlocked the trunk and quickly searched the bloodstained trunk for his bag. "Where the hell's my bag? If anyone finds that, they'll see all my instructions and weapons.. Where the hell did I leave it?" Desperation was obvious in his voice as he slammed the trunk closed. Pauseing for a moment to recap the days events, his eyes flashed open and he hopped in the car and raced towards the Book Cafe.

~Inside~
Luis wrapped a white bandage around his arm and double checked every room in the house. When he was satisfied that everything was secure, he came back in by Sheridan, who was starting to stir on the floor. "Luis? Luis where am I?" Sheridan asked in a helpless, yet sleepy voice. Luis couldn't help but chuckle at how cute she sounded. "Sher, honey, you're on the floor." "What?" She asked blinking several times to get Luis in focus. "You fell off the bed. Here, let me help you up." Luis knelt next to her and she took his arm to steady herself. Luis winced in pain, but made no noise as she put pressure to his bandage. Sheridan felt the bandage against Luis's bare arm and immediatly let go. "Luis, what happend to your arm?" Luis set her down on the bed and turned her to see the small whole in the wall, and inch or so above their pillows. Sheridan let out a little gasp as he pulled her into a tight hug. "Thank you. You saved my life." He whispered in her ear. "What did I do?" "If you hadn't rolled off the bed, I'd probably be..." Sheridan's eye's fill with tears and she put her finger over his lips to quiet him. "Shh. Your welcome, it's about time I returned the favor." She said with a small smile. They stared into each otheres eyes for a while when Sheridan broke away from the trance. "Luis, where's Martin!!" Her voice was very shrill. Luis got up and pulled the sleeping baby from his crib in the closet. Sheridan showered him with kisses, waking him up with a small cry. "Luis, shouldn't we call the police." "I am the police, remember?" Luis gave her a small smirk. "I don't think it would do any good Sheridan. I think a hitman was hired by, well.." "My father, and we both know that it'd be impossible to find him now." "Exactly. Tomorow I'll be able to think more clearly. Well, Sher, I don't think I'm getting any more sleep tonight, would you care to join me for a cup of hot chocolate in the kitchen?" "I'd love to." Sheridan grinned, taking his hand as she, Martin, and Luis started towards the kitchen, when there was a knock on the door.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 44:

"The book cafe. How could I leave it there? Old man Allistar's gonna have my ass." The man screamed at himself as he sped faster. The lights were off and everything appeared locked at the book cafe. His eyes scanned the room, and rested on a dark lump in the corner of the room. Slipping on his gloves, he prepared to break open the lock. However, the door opened, clearly unlocked. "This is going to be easier than I thought." He mumbled and crept inside. Large puddles of coffee covered the floor, causing a quiet splash to follow each step. He bent down to grab his bag, but was horrified at what he touched. It was a human head he felt, not the smooth leather of his bag. The long hair was dripping wet. He felt for a pulse, but found none. He casually wiped his hands on his jacket, his eyes surveying the rest of the body, which was hidden near the back door, squished behind the magazine rack. Suddenly the man heard footsteps behind him.

~Cottage~
Luis kissed Sheridan on the forehead and whispered, "I want you to go hide in the closet with Martin." "But..." "No, Sheridan. Don't be stubborn, now get in the closet and don't come out until I get you. I love you." Luis kissed her once more, masking the rising panic he felt in his stomach. He gently pushed her towards the bedroom, but she stopped and kissed his lips quickly. "I love you too. Be careful." "As always." Luis gave her a smug little smile as she disappeared into the room. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Luis crawled over to the window and cracked the shades to see who was at the door. A wave of relief rushed over him as he opened the door. "Oh man, am I glad it's you."

~Book Cafe~
"Sir, I want you to freeze and put your hands above your head. No sudden movements." The man lifted his bloody hands above his head and turned to face Sam, and five other officers. An officer cuffed the man. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you do not have one, one will be appointed to you. Lets go buddy." The officer said and pulled the man out to the waiting squad car. "We'd better go identify the body Chief. Bryan, I want you to take some of this blood down to the lab to be analyzed." Bryan nodded and left. Several other officers were dusting for finger prints and other clues. Detective Eric Ressell and Sam slowly walked towards the body. Nausea washed over the two men at the site of all the blood and gore. The pulled on their gloves and started turning the body over.

~Cottage~
"Ethan. Get in here. Hurry." Luis shoved him in and relocked the door. "Hello to you too. Hey, what happened to your arm? Where's Sheridan?" "Sheridan. I almost forgot." Luis ran into the bedroom. "Sheridan, it's okay, it was only Ethan." Luis held out his hands to Sheridan, and hugged her tightly. "Luis, you're shaking." "I'm fine, don't worry about me." Luis gave her a faint smile and they walked out to the living room to see that Ethan had made himself comfortable on the couch, reading one of Theresa's fashion magazines. "Ethan, what are you doing here so late?" Sheridan asked as he quickly set down the magazine. "I know it's late, but I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk around the grounds. I was on my way back to the main house when I though I saw someone outside your cottage." "Did you get a good look at the person?" Luis cut him off. "No, I just thought it was you, Luis. That is, until I saw him run off." "To his car?" Sheridan jumped in. "I don't know. It was dark." "Then what happened?" Luis urged on. 'Ethan must have seen something.' "I got thirsty from my walk and got a drink at the main house, then came over here. I thought you were up, since I had just saw you out. That was you, right?" Ethan asked in a very confused tone. "No, Ethan, it wasn't me." Luis snapped, obviously annoyed. He remembered Sheridan though, and his tone softened. "Someone tried to shoot me. But there's no trace of a person, except the bullet in our bedroom wall. Whomever did this knew what they were doing, and will be back to finish the job. Ethan, I don't want you leaving here while there's an armed and dangerous man on the loose. Sheridan, you have to call the station."

~Book Cafe~
"Oh God." Sam whispered as Beth's live-less face stared up at him. "Looks like she sustained a blow to the head, and has multiple gun shots to her abdomen." Detective Ressell noted, keeping a professional demeanor, despite the gruesome site. Eric's professional attitude reminded Sam of the task ahead of them. Eric reminded him of Luis. In fact, Eric had filled in during Luis's absence and even snagged detective, with Sam's recommendation. "I see. Her head was bashed with something heavy, yet it didn't break the skin. It looks like her skull is dented." Sam said, outlining the large dent in the side of Beth's head. " I want you guys to dust everything that looks heavy enough to bash in a skull." Eric shouted to the officers as they poked around the cafe. "Sam I think we should alert her family." Sam nodded and scanned through a list of people to tell about the accident. Beth's mother had died, and he didn't know the numbers or names of anyone else related to her offhand. The only person he could think of who'd care was Luis and Hank. They'd grown up together and he was sure Luis would be heartbroken over the lose of hisfriend. "Eric, I need you to call my brother and tell him what happened. I need to go make another call." Sam headed to the back entrance to call Luis. The cold night air bit through him as he dialed the cottage. ~The cottage~ Sheridan nodded and was about to pick up the phone when it rang. Startled she quickly grabbed it. "Hello?" "Sheridan, this is Sam. I need to talk to Luis, there's been an accident." Sam's voice sounded sad and tired, Sheridan nodded to the phone and handed it to Luis. She knew something was wrong. "It's Sam. Something's wrong Luis, he said there was an accident." Fear filled Sheridan's eyes as she stared at Luis. He took a deep breath and lifted the phone to his ear. "Yeah Sam, what's wrong?" Luis listened intently. The longer he listened, the paler his face grew. He hung up and wrapped his arms around Sheridan, burying his head in her shoulder. "Beth, she's dead. Someone killed her..." Luis's voice grew softer as small sobs escaped him. Sheridan held him tight.

~A few hours later~
Ethan was sleeping soundly on the armchair in the corner and Luis and Sheridan were holding each other on the couch. Sheridan was sound asleep, her warm breath tickling Luis's neck. He kissed her forehead and gently pried himself away and went to the bathroom. Once inside he let out a deep breath and hung his head over the sink. Barely able to lift his head he stared at the tired face in front of him. 'What happened to you Lopez-Fitzgerald? You used to be invincible.' He thought back to a time where he believed he was invincible. When his biggest problem was finding time for him and his father to find time to go to the park together.
~Flashback~
Luis ran up to his father as he arrived home from a hard day of work at Crane Industry. Martin swept him into a hug. His sweet little boy. Untainted by the world. "So Luis, tell me about your day." Martin asked as they walked into the small home. Luis was practically bubbling with excitement. "Me and Hank won in basketball today. We beat Antonio. All by ourselves. Antonio kept telling us that we couldn't beat him, but I sure showed him, huh Papa?" Luis smiled warmly at his father. "My son, I wish I had half your determination and energy. And to think, you're only eight. One day, when your grown married.." "Married. Yuck. Papa, why would anyone want to marry a girl? It's bad enough I have to live with one of them." Luis wrinkled his nose as Martin let out a hearty laugh. "Son, you live with two girls. Your mother and Theresa." "Mama's not a girl." "I hate to burst your bubble buddy, but your Mama is," Martin made a dramatic pause and grinned at Luis, "A girl." With this he started tickling him, causing Luis to squeal with laughter. When Luis finally gave in, he and Martin walked into the cozy living room and Martin sat on his favorite chair, Luis perched on the arm. "Tell me buddy, where is everyone?" "Mama went grocery shopping with Theresa and the baby." "His names Miguel, Luis." Martin smile, obviously amused. "I know. And, um, Antonio had to go to work, so it's just us. And I know what we should do." Luis arched his eyebrow, causing Martin to laugh. "And what might that be?" Luis rushed out of the room and returned with a football under his arm. The one his papa had given him for his birthday. "We can play catch in the park. Please Papa, I need the practice." Luis begged, sticking out his lower lip just like Antonio taught him to do to Mama. Martin smiled. How could he refuse a face like that? "I suppose we could for a little while. I'm just going to leave a note for you mother so she doesn't worry.' Luis and Martin walked to the park and began playing catch. "I'm going to throw this one over your head Papa!" Luis shouted. "Oh no you wont." Martin challenged. Luis's face became very focused as his tossed the ball as hard as he could, sending it sailing over Martin's head, and rolling down the hill to the edge of the small playground. "I'll get it Papa." Luis grinned as he ran down the hill, proud that he was so strong. He threw it right over his dad's head. All that practice with Hank was paying off. One day they would play in the NFL, him and Hank. Luis was so caught up daydreaming, he ran right into a tall blonde woman. She looked down at him and flashed him a smile as he looked away, his cheeks turning red. "Hey you. You leave my mother alone." A small girl raced up to come to her mother's defense. Her long blond hair was pulled into a ponytail that bobbed when she shook her head. She glared at Luis with cold blue eyes. "I didn't mean to." Luis shouted back at the annoying little girl than looked up at the woman. "I'm really sorry." She smiled at him and kissed him on the forehead. "That's fine. Sherry, I want you to apologize. Remember what I told you, never accuse people without giving them a chance to explain themselves." The woman looked up and walked towards Martin who had see the scene. "Well, if it isn't the beautiful Mrs. Crane." Martin's lips lingered on her hand as she smiled. "It's nice to see you again too, Martin." "So Juliet, how are things at the mansion on the hill?" Martin and Juliet engaged in conversation as Sherry stuck her tongue out Luis. "You have to apologize now." Luis said with a cocky smile. "Nope. I don't have to do anything. No one tells me what to do." She said as she stormed back to the swings and began to swing. Luis wasn't going to give up though. He wanted his apology. "Stubborn. Your stubborn as a mule." Luis said matter-of-factly as Sherry burst out laughing. "What?" "Oh yeah, well, well..you look like a monkey." Sherry blurted out quickly. Now it was Luis's turn to laugh. This only angered Sherry, and she shouted, "And you smell like one too." And she took of running and giggling. Luis grinned and chased after her.

~End Flashback~
Luis looked back up at the mirror to see his familiar tired reflection. Everything was so carefree before Papa left. He missed his father calling him buddy. That's where Hank got it from, but it wasn't the same. The world had changed Luis. It made him tougher, it made him determined. It made him forget about dreams and focus on reality, to learn how to work, and work hard to get something. It showed him how in an instant, your whole life could change. And now, for the first time in his life, Luis felt weak. He didn't know how much more he could take. Sighing, he went into the bedroom. Martin was starting to wake, and Luis picked him up. "Hey buddy, you want to keep me company?" The small baby yawned and looked up at Luis with big brown eyes. "I'll take that as a yes." Luis smiled as he sat down on the bed. "Hmm, so what do you want talk about?" Luis stared down at the baby, as if expecting a response. "Would you like to hear about your grandpa? I'm sure no one told you about him. Then again, no one knew him as well as I did, except your grandma, of course." Luis slowly rocked the baby back and forth, gaining comfort from the baby. "He was a great man. I wish he could have seen you, he would have been so proud. He used to call me buddy, ya know. When you get a little older, I'll have to take you fishing with me. Me and Papa would row out to the small island in the middle of the harbor and would fish off the pier. He taught me so much, and now I can teach you. You can talk to me about anything, you know that, right buddy? I'll always be here to protect you. Always." Luis kissed the small forehead of the now sleeping Martin and placed him back in his crib. He walked back out to the living room and stared out the window watching the sunrise. "Papa was a great man." Luis whispered, his eyes fixed on the sun. Two arms wrapped around his waist and a head rested on his shoulder. "Like father like son." Sheridan whispered back as they sat in silence, watching the sun rise.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 45:

Allistar Crane nervously paced across his room in the mansion. It was a large room, obviously the resting place of a very powerful man. Not even brandy could calm his nerves today. Things had gone completely awry. He only prayed the situation wasn't as terrible as his informants made it seem. He had to take action right away. He didn't want the situation to get any more desperate. It was simply a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. But for once, Allistar didn't know what to do help the situation without getting the Crane name involved. The phone disrupted his thoughts as he pushed the button, causing a low, smooth voice to penetrate the room. "AC, where are you? Haven't you heard? "Of course I have, and I'll be down right away. I'm sure it's all just a misunderstanding. That is all it is, correct?" "Of course it is." "Very well, I'll see a while." Allistar hung up the phone and sighed. Things had become even more complicated. ~Down at the station~ The man hung up the phone and was lead to Sam. Sam sat at his desk, Eric to his left.

"I'm afraid well need your name." "It's, um, Tim. Tim Rodd." "What were you doing at the Book Cafe, after hours?" Sam stared coldly at Tim, as Eric questioned him. "I forgot something very important there, and was going back to get it. I'm new in town and didn't know when it closed. I went to try the door, and found it unlocked. I went in to get my things and discovered the body. I checked her pulse, then you came in. As you can see officers, I didn't do anything."

"I don't SEE anything, you bastard." Sam yelled as he pushed out of the desk and walked away. People like that really got to him. The kind that even though they were caught red-handed they still tried to weasel their way out of a punishment. People like the Cranes. Well, most of them anyway. Sam let out a grunt of disgust even thinking about the Cranes. He especially hated Julian and Allistar. They had ruined so many lives. And now Ivy was becoming one of them, blending right in. She was no longer the woman he loved. She fell down from her pedestal the day she abandoned him and their life together for the Crane money and power. Suddenly Sam felt very claustrophobic and went outside to get some air.

"There's quiet a few holes in your story, isn't their Tim?" Eric asked as his soulful blue eyes scanned the report filed minutes earlier. Eric was an attractive man, deep blue eyes and dark blond hair styled similar to Luis's. His face showed much stress for a man of 18. He had been working on the force during school, and, after finally gradating last summer, he became a full time cop. He was extremely bright, and after cracking a few high-profile cases, he was promoted to detective a few weeks after Luis disappeared. Luis had actually been instructing Eric, and the two had bonded over the years. "Holes? No holes here." Tim said with a cocky tone, but Eric could sense a fear in it. "What did you leave behind?" "Oh, nothing you'd think was important." "Enlighten me." Eric smiled and leaned back in his chair. "It was just a bag, with my clothes in. Like I said, I'm new in town, just visiting some friends and stopped for some coffee. Is that a crime now?" Eric choose to ignore Tim's smart-ass comments and continued the interrogation.

"You say the door was unlocked? Was it like that when you got there, or after you had already gotten in?" "Like I said, OFFICER, it was unlocked when I got in." "So you just walked in?" "Yep." "Are you aware that the lock on the door showed signs of someone tampering with it?" Tim's eyes got wide. "Is that so? How odd." "We also found a bag near the body. Do you care to explain that?" Eric said, motioning towards the other cops examining evidence. Tim swallowed thickly and shook his head. "Did it have clothes in it?" "I don't know yet. Thery're still examining all the evidence, I don't think they've gotten to it yet." Eric scribbled a few notes on the report, then looked back at Tim as two officers came up behind him. "These men are going to take you to get finger printed, then back to your cell." They lead Tim away, leaving Eric to his thoughts. 'It just doesn't add up. He said he checked her pulse, so his fingerprints will be over her, right? What if it isn't? There could still be a killer on the loose.' A thousand thoughts ran through his mind, his conscience was working over time. He loved Harmony, and wanted to do all he can to protect it's citizens. And now one of them was dead. He felt extremely guilty, even though there was nothing he could have done.

~Outside~
Sam walked a few feet and ended up on a bench with his head in his hands. The click of heals against the sidewalk broke him from his thoughts. He looked to see a love-filled pair of baby-blue eyes staring back at his. "Ivy? What are you doing out at this time of night?" Sam jumped back, startled as a million emotions through him. Love, anger, pain... "Sam, I didn't think I'd find you here. Are you working?" Ivy took a seat next to him on the bench. "Yeah, there was an emergency, you know it's not very safe for you to walk alone at this time of night." "I needed a walk to clear my head, and anyway Sam, it's nearly morning. Isn't the sunrise beautiful?" Ivy shifted her gaze at the glowing sun as the sky was painted with pink and orange. For a brief moment, Sam could see the old Ivy peaking through. His Ivy. He stared at her for a moment, captivated by her face in the dim light. She turned back to face him, her eyes dancing. "Just like old times, right Sam." She flashed him a smile, causing Samto shake his head and turn away angrily.

"Ivy, we're over with. Why can't you just accept that and move on with your life?" Ivy's eyes fell, then she looked up at him with a fire burning in her eyes, one he was afraid he was returning. "Sam, I didn't mean to imply that. It just brought back a lot of wonderful memories. Memories I know we both want to relieve." Ivy wrapped her arms around Sam's neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Sam took a moment to pull back. "No Ivy, you choose Julian, now you have to live with your mistakes." Sam's voice was harsh. "Now if you excuse me, I have work to do." He got up and began walking down the street. "Be careful Ivy." Sam called over his shoulder as he hurried away.

~At the Station~
Sam walked in the door and was in his seat for no more than a minute when Allistar Crane burst in the station. "Chief Bennett, what on earth do you think you're doing?" ~In the Library, at the Crane Mansion~ "Hello, Julian Crane speaking." Julian answered, unconsciously taking a sip of brandy. "Julian, it's me, I found the bird. Our secret's safe."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 46:

~At the station~
"Mr. Crane, what's the problem?" "You know exactly what I mean. What gives you the right to imprison an innocent man." Allistar sternly asked, his voice menacing yet calm. Sam let out silent sigh of relief and glared at Allistar. This man had ruined his future, his life. He no longer feared the almighty Allistar, he wanted revenge. "And which innocent man might this be, Mr. Crane?" Sam said as he motioned for Allistar to take a seat. He did and while looking at the crowded cells. "A man by the name of Tim Rodd was brought in a few hours ago. He contacted me, his attorney, and told me of this travesty." Allistar spoke in a hypnotic tone, letting his every word burn into Sam's mind. "Did he tell you the charges brought against him?" "Obviously not, Chief. If he had, I would not have come down here in the first place." The two men began discussing the events.

~The Russell house~
Eve stirs her cup of tea as she cradles the phone between her chin and shoulder. "I have the bird Julian. Our problems are over." "What!" Julians' brandy flew from his mouth as he gasped in surprise. "You heard me. All I have to do is open it, get the photos, and send them straight to hell, along with all the ever misdeed from our past." "How on earth did you get it?" Eve tensed up, recalling that evenings events. She didn't want it to lead to this, but Ivy left her no choice. Eve wasn't going to blackmailed by anyone, and she wasn't about to betray Grace. She was backed into a corner and took the only way out. "Damn Bitch. She gave me no choice." Eve mumbled under her breath. "What? Didn't you hear me Eve? How'd you get the bird?" "Julian, has Ivy been home tonight?" Eve inquired in an eerily melancholy voice. "Ivy? What does my darling wife have to do with this?" "Everything, I'm afraid. Look, you're not going to like what you hear, but there's nothing you can do about it, what's done is done. I want you to keep that in mind." "My God Eve. What did you do??!!" Julian gulped down the remainder of his brandy and braced himself for the worst. "Ivy had the bird. She has been hinting and gloating about it for weeks now, trying to blackmail me to help her. I couldn't give in though, especially since I didn't see any concrete evidence to support her allegations. Tonight, however, she told me to meet her at the Book Cafe, after hours. She said she'd bring the photos, and the bird. I would have never agreed to come, but she had to have know, she said photos." "Wait, blackmailing you? For what? What service could you possible do for my wife?" "Shut up would you Julian, and let me finish." Eve asked in a very annoyed voice. She had to get this all on the table before the consequences of her actions sink in. "I met her there, and the place was dark. I saw Ivy in the corner and she told me that she had the photos of us, and she would show them to T.C. if she didn't get her way. She waved them in front of her and I caught a glimpse of them in the moonlight. They were our pictures Julian. I tried to grab them, but she pulled them away, and locked them back in that damn bird. She told me her request and when I refused, she turned to leave. I did the first thing that came into my mind. I ran behind the counter and pulled out the gun Beth kept their for protection. I turned around and fired as she screamed. That's when I noticed the person in the corner. She rushed away, I assume it was Beth, to get help. I saw the bird lying in the middle of the room, grabbed it and ran." "You killed Ivy?" "Who killed me?" Ivy asked as she walked into the room, glaring at Julian.

~The Station~
"Chief, we found a black bag and gun at the scene of the crime. They're getting ready to analyze them now." "Thank you Eric. Mr. Crane, if you'll excuse me." "Of course. I trust you'll contact me if any new evidence arises." Allistar got up to leave. "We'll be sure to tell you." Sam mumbled as he followed Eric into the back room, where they were opening up the bag.

To Be Continued…