Chapter 5: Just In The Line Of Duty
Chapter 5:
Sheridan, Luis and Tina sat in the conference room for several hours as they recanted the events of the day to Sam. They told their stories, filled out their statements and gave Sam a full understanding of what had happened. Sam taped the entire evening as members of the Gendarmes and Interpol would be in Harmony the next day and would need access to the statements. Sam also told each of them, they would be needed for further questioning when they arrived, but with these statements, it would not be an immediate request. This would give them enough information to get started with.
Sheridan stole glances from Luis frequently during their session. Every once in awhile, she would catch Luis looking in her direction. Though he would immediately break eye contact, she still had hope he was willing to talk with her. She was determined to talk to him tonight. She needed to get some things cleared up with him as soon as possible. Sheridan was getting anxious as their meeting was coming to a close. Her mind was filled with doubt. 'What if he won't speak to me?' she thought. Sheridan’s mind was a whirlwind and she barely heard Sam when he told them they were free to leave for the time being. The other three had already left their seats. Luis was almost out the door when she called him. “Luis?” She waited for him to respond.
Luis stopped in his tracks, took a deep breath and turned to face Sheridan. He knew he had to talk to her eventually. It might just as well be now. He turned and met her gaze. “May I speak with you for a few minutes?” She asked demurely. Luis excused himself for a moment and walked over to Sheridan. He stared at her intently for a moment before asking. “What did you want to talk about Sheridan?” Suddenly Sheridan was very nervous. She was having difficulty finding the right words. “Listen, Sheridan,” Luis said, “Tina is going back to Boston tonight. I’m going to walk her to the chopper pad and then I’ll be back. We can go get a cup of coffee or something and talk then, all right?”
Sheridan sighed with relief and smiled. “That will be fine Luis,” she said gratefully. Sheridan suddenly felt better about the talk she was about to have with Luis. At least he was speaking to her again. He wasn't totally ignoring her, as he had earlier. Her mind wandered as she remembered all the good times she’d shared with Luis over the past ten months. She also remembered all the fights and misunderstandings they’d had as well. How she hoped that what she about to tell Luis would yet be another misunderstanding, but her heart sank as she remembered listening to him on the wharf that night. She could still hear him and see him as clearly as if it were yesterday. The pain was still there from hearing him speak those cutting words. She shook her head, unable to understand the conflict within herself. ’How can I love someone who would use me in that manner?’ she asked herself. ’How can he be so different other times? If he would just admit it to me, I can get on with my life and forget him. But every time the subject comes up of why I’m angry, he acts like he doesn’t understand. I just don’t get it.’
Sheridan began aimlessly pacing the floor awaiting Luis’ return. After a few moments, Luis returned and stood in the doorway. She stopped her pacing and looked at him. ’Why does he make me fell this way every time I see him?’ she thought. Sheridan waited for Luis to speak. So, Sheridan are you ready? We can go to the book cafe if you like, or if there is going to be a lot of shouting, maybe we should stay here,” he suggested with the slightest hint of a grin on his face.
Sheridan didn’t want to fight anymore. She was tired of fighting. “Luis, I don’t want to fight with you,” she implored. The book cafe will be just fine, if you like, but I was thinking more along the lines of a walk on the wharf,” she said quietly. If that’s ok with you?” “Sure,” Luis said. “A walk on the wharf will be fine. Just remember it’s not a safe place to be alone at night Sheridan.” “I know Luis,” she said. “You told me that once before.” They had walked out of the police station and were headed for the pier. “I didn’t know if you remembered I said that before,” he said. “I remembered,” she said quietly “I remember everything you’ve ever said to me Luis,” she added under her breath. Luis shot her an angry look. She saw it and realized he’d heard her last remark and misinterpreted it.
“Luis, that wasn’t necessarily meant as an insult. I just meant I remember all the conversations we’ve ever had. Except a few in New Mexico when I was delirious. By the way, you still haven’t told me what I said when I had that fever.” Luis blushed as he remembered what Sheridan had said. ’Make love to me now.’ A smile formed on his lips as he thought about Sheridan saying that. He realized she was watching him intently and quickly forced the smile from his face. “I’ll tell you one day, Sheridan. Maybe. It isn’t important. Right now you have something you wanted to tell me. That’s what I’d like to hear,” he said.
“And you will, Luis. In just a few minutes,” she said. They continued to walk towards the pier in silence. When they reached it Sheridan walked to the exact spot she saw the impostor that night. She stopped walking and stared out into the ocean for a moment. She turned to see Luis and he was just leaning against the railing waiting for her to say something. Sheridan took a deep breath and began. “Luis, do you remember the phone call we had that night you were on a stakeout here?” She asked. “Very well,” Luis said quietly. I remember everything that happened to me that night,” he said softly. “It was the happiest night I’ve had in as long as I can remember.” Sheridan felt her heard skip a beat as she heard him say that. There was that look in his eyes as well that caused her to go weak in the knees. She held onto the railing for support as she continued.
“Good,” she said. “I’m glad you remember that night so well. That will make it easier for you to remember what happened next.” Luis gave Sheridan a confused look. “Next?” He questioned. “Yes, next,” she prodded. “After I got off the phone with you, there was a knock on my door. It was Julian. I talked to him. What did you do?” Luis was still confused, but decided to play along. “Well, if you want my every move, I’ll tell you. “After I hung the phone up with you, I went back to the station with Silvano. I had to change back into Uniform and fill out a pile of paperwork on the drug bust. I had a couple of cups of coffee while I was there. I’d say it was an hour or so, then I went back to the wharf.” Luis noticed the look of disbelief on her face. “I can get proof from the station if you don’t believe me,” he offered. “It’s all documented, Sheridan.”
Sheridan just stared at him with her mouth hanging open. She was in shock. “That can’t be Luis,” she said. “I know what I saw and I know what I heard. It’s impossible for you to have been at the station for an hour.” “Sheridan,” Luis snickered, “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but I know where I was. I have police documents and at least a dozen witnesses to back me up. What’s the big deal with where I was after our phone conversation anyway?” Sheridan was momentarily speechless. ‘This wasn’t possible,’ she thought. ‘I saw him. I heard him. It is not possible!’ “Luis,” she finally said, “I saw you here, at this very spot not fifteen minutes after I talked to you. You were on the phone with someone? Does any of this sound familiar?” She asked. Luis was starting to get annoyed. “Sheridan, I’ve already told you where I was and what I was doing. You didn’t see me here, because I wasn’t here. What’s this about anyway?”
Tears started streaming down Sheridan’s face. ‘Is it possible I imagined it? NO! It was real.’ “Luis, I know what I saw,” she said. “I saw you standing right there on your cell phone talking to someone.” She pointed to the spot the impostor was standing. I had just finished talking with Julian. He was trying to convince me you were just like all the other men I have dated. He tried to convince me you were only using me. I told him he was wrong and I was going to prove it. I then came down here and found you on your cell phone. As I came closer, I heard what you were saying. You were talking about me. You said, and I quote, “Sheridan Crane? Don’t worry. I intend to use the very rich Miss Sheridan Crane for my own ends.” Then you laughed. It was a laugh I’ve never heard out of you before.”
“Sheridan, I NEVER said that. I WOULD never say that,” Luis loudly stated. “Luis, it was you. It was your face. Your voice. You said the Cranes have been using and abusing your family for years. Now you had a chance to use one of their own. Their spoiled princess Sheridan.” The tears were freely flowing down Sheridan’s face as she continued to tell Luis all of the horrible things he’d said that night. Luis was in total shock. He now understood why Sheridan had been so mad with him. What he didn’t understand was how this happened. He never said those things. He was no where near the pier when this happened. How was he to convince her it wasn’t him?
“Sheridan, is this what you have been angry with me for all this time?” He asked. “Because if it is, you have every reason to be angry.” “Well, I’m glad you finally agree with me on something OFFICER!” She shouted angrily. “I agree you should be angry, but not at me, BECAUSE IT WASN’T ME!!” Luis shouted back. He then reached over and grabbed Sheridan’s arm. He forced her to look directly into his eyes. “Sheridan, I want you to listen to me and listen well. “I did not nor will I ever use you in any way. I’ve told you that before and I meant every word of it. Sheridan, have you ever BEFORE or SINCE you saw someone who looked like me say those awful things, heard me even hint about using you? Have I ever given you any reason to believe I would hurt you?”
Sheridan managed a very soft “no”. “No,” he repeated quietly. “Sheridan, do you REALLY believe I would try to hurt you.?” He picked her chin up forcing her to look in his eyes. “I want you to look me straight in the face when you answer me.” Sheridan looked at Luis for what seemed like an eternity. She found herself lost in his beautiful hazel eyes that were now sparkling from the reflection of the water. All she saw in his eyes was a very loving, caring, compassionate man. The man she’d fallen in love with. She saw no hate, revenge or malice. “No, Luis,” she said as if she was mesmerized. She threw her arms around his neck and continued to sob. “Luis, I am so sorry for doubting you. I should have known you could never say those things about me.” Luis in turn wrapped his arms around her. Finally he knew what had been bothering her all this time. It didn't solve the mystery of what happened, however. Luis was quite disturbed about someone walking around Harmony impersonating him.
“Sheridan, I wish you’d told me this sooner. We could have cleared this whole mess up long ago,” Luis said softly. He stood back for a moment and looked at her. “I know Luis,” she said. “But I didn’t want you to have the satisfaction of knowing how deeply you really hurt me.” She looked down, still unwilling to let him know how painful the whole matter had been. There was a moment of silence while both Sheridan and Luis gathered their thoughts. Neither one knew exactly what to say at this point. Luis was the first to break the silence. “So, what do we do next, Sheridan?” He asked quietly. “Where do we go from here?” Sheridan looked at Luis. There was pain and longing in her eyes.
She so much wanted to wrap her arms around him, but so much had happened in the last few months, she didn’t know if they would ever be able to repair what was almost the most wonderful relationship of her life. “Luis,” she said demurely, “I won’t blame you at all if you don’t forgive me. I should have had more trust in you. You are the only person who has ever been completely honest with me. The only person I could trust with my life, and I threw it out the window. I let my pride get in the way, instead of asking you about it at the time. I also said many things to you in a deliberate attempt to hurt you the way I thought you had hurt me. I know you can never trust me again, Luis, but I do want you to know I am very sorry. I’m sorry for everything I’ve said and everything I have done to hurt you.” Tears were beginning to form in her eyes as she realized she’d let the man of her dreams escape through her grasp. She knew there would never be a man like Luis again. But that was to be her destiny she thought.
“Sheridan,” Luis said gently as he took her face in his hands and lifted it so her eyes would meet his, “I know we have both caused each other much pain and heartache recently. That was the last thing I ever wanted to do. I never wanted to be responsible for causing you any pain. Even though I was not the one at the wharf that night, you thought it was I. So in a way, I am responsible for hurting you.” Looking into Luis’ eyes while he said this caused the tears to flow freely down Sheridan’s cheeks. Luis brushed them away as they fell. Sheridan closed her eyes at the feel of Luis caressing her face. She tried not to let him make her feel this way, but she had no control of her emotions when Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald was involved. She inhaled deeply and enjoyed the touch. “Luis, I so wish we could just turn the hands of time back. I wish we could erase all the pain we have caused each other.”
Luis suddenly smiled. “So, why don’t we then?” He asked, his eyes never leaving Sheridan’s. “What do you mean?” She asked hopefully. “I mean, why don’t we start over? Why don’t we begin again?” He said. “You really want to try?” She asked. “Do you think it would work?” “Let’s try something for a minute. When we are done, we can tell each other if it’s worth trying to start over,” Luis said. “What do you want to try?” She asked curiously. “ A kiss,” he said quickly.
Sheridan’s heart leapt and she felt her body go limp at the thought of kissing Luis. She smiled and gave him an affirmative nod.
Luis smiled and slowly leaned in. Sheridan could hardly breathe in anticipation. Luis continued to lean closer and Sheridan slowly raised her head to close the gap. When their lips touched, Luis felt something inside of him explode. It was unlike anything he’d ever felt before. He quickly pulled back and caught his breath. Sheridan felt it too. It was if a part of her had awakened after sleeping for twenty years. When Luis pulled back, Sheridan was almost heartbroken, until she saw the look in his eyes. It was a look of wild passion she’d never seen before. This only caused her to tremble at the very thought of what could be with this beautiful, wonderful man of her dreams, standing before her. Again, Luis leaned forward, this time kissing her with a passion neither of them had ever known. Neither even bothered coming up for air. They caught quick gasps while kissing. Their feelings for each other were being unleashed in this kiss. Neither one had actually told the other how they felt, but neither one was willing to let go of this kiss. They each knew in their hearts how the other felt. They knew the words would come later. Right now they wanted to keep this kiss for as long as they could. It meant the beginning of the new relationship that was starting between the two. The relationship that would be built entirely on trust and a love that no one could ever understand. They continued their kiss, not knowing what would happen next, not caring about anything except this moment in time.
To Be Continued…
