Don't Turn Back

Chapter 1:

Two years later, Luis and Sheridan were still secretely together. They still spent most of their time in Cedar Falls, but now after Graduation, they had to focus on college.

Sheridan was just finishing up tennis practice. Her couch watched her ace the court once again and sighed. "Sheridan, wonderful news." he told her as she went to get a drink of water. "Hmm?" she asked taking a sip. "Your game seems to improve day by day, and I can see a champion in your eyes. My teachings are no longer good for you. You have become better than me, so I am of no more use." "What are you saying?" she responded, trying to take this all in. A smile spread across her instructors face. "Coca-cola companies want to sponser you. You get to play in Wimbledon!" Sheridan's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. "OH MY GOD!!!!!!!" she yelled jumping up and down and hugging her instructor. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she repeated over and over.

Luis just entered Cedar Falls. Sheridan promised to meet him after tennis practice. After about 5 minutes of waiting, he heard Sheridan screaming and she jumped into his arms. "What is it sweetie?" he asked in curiousity at her happiness. "I get to play in Wimbledon? Can you believe it Luis?" Luis' hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy for you." he replied. Sheridan didn't hear the excitement in his voice. "Luis?" she asked pulling away to look him in the eyes. "What's wrong baby?" she finished. Luis sat down and she sat in his lap. "Don't you know what that means?" he asked her.

"Yeh! That I'm finally getting out of Harmony, I get to travel all over the world and fulfill my life-long dream!" she responded excitedly. "Sweetheart..what about us?" Sheridan studied him for a second and it all sank in. She had been so excited that she didn't really realize that this meant leaving Luis..her true love. "Oh God Luis..I wasn't even thinking." Sheridan's face saddened. "Wait a minute, what am I worried about? You can come with me!" she assured him. "But I can't leave now. My family's here, my chance of winning a soccer scholarship.." She got up from Luis' lap.

"That's more important to you than me?" Luis' face turned angry. He jumped up and grabbed her roughly in his arms. "Damn it Sheridan! You know it's not!" She flinched and he lowered his voice and released her. "I'm sorry Sheri..it's just that I've been working as long as you have to reach my dream and--" "That dream doesn't include us anymore, does it?" she interrupted. Luis frowned. "I want it to..you know I do. But what are we supposed to do? I don't want you to give up your dreams because of me, and I don't want to give up my dreams either." She stepped closer to him and they rested their foreheads together. "I guess I have to decide..I have to find out what I really want. My dreams, or you.." she sighed, tears rolling down her cheeks.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 2:

"Take all the time you need, Sheri. But in the meantime, do you still want to have our date?" "Very much." she replied wiping away her tears as a faint smile spread across her face. "Good, I hope you brought that new string bikini I've been hearing so much about to go swimming in." "Oh damn..I was in such a hurry to get here I forgot about it. I'm sorry, Luis." she frowned. "Not a problem, just go swimming with nothing on." he smiled seductively. Sheridan gave him a sexy grin as they walked towards the water.

It was getting dark and Luis and Sheridan were sitting in eachothers arms by the fire they had lit. "I love you, Sheridan." he said quietly interlocking his fingers with hers. "I love you too, baby." she brought her lips to his for a passionate kiss. "I should be getting home, I have soccer practice early tomorrow morning." Sheridan agreed. "Want me to walk you home?" "That'd be nice." she replied getting up.

Luis walked her to her doorstep. "Luis, before you go, I want to tell you something." "What is it, sweetheart?" he asked. "After tonight, I know what's the most important thing in my life. I want to be with you..I'm going to tell my tennis instructor I am not going to Wimbledon." Sheridan told him staring up into his liquid hazel brown eyes. "Sheri, are you sure? I've known you for a long time, and to go to Wimbledon has always been your dream."

"My dream is to be with you forever." she responded, confident that she was making the right decision. He hugged her tightly. "I love you so much, Luis. Nothing is stronger than that." she said. "You have just made me the happiest man in the world. I love you too." he replied. They kissed deeply and Sheridan slipped inside. Luis, now content with what he heard, walked away from her house with a smile on his face.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 3:

Sheridan sat in her room reading a book the next morning. It was almost noon when her phoneline rang. "Hello?" "Sheridan..I need to meet you in Cedar Falls right away." Luis quickly sputtered out. "Why? What's wrong?" she asked, hearing the way his voice sounded. "Just meet me there, ok?" "Alright darling, I love you." Sheridan said into the phone. Luis paused...unsure if he should say it back. "I love you too." he sighed. She was going to question this, but decided to brush it off. Hanging up the phone, she quickly got ready and rushed off to meet him.

Luis paced around in Cedar Falls, nearly digging a hole. "Luis!" Sheridan called walking towards him with a smile on her face. "Hi baby." he said, taking her hands in his. "Now, what's this sudden need to meet me here?" she asked. "We need to talk, about our future." "If this is about me changing my mind about my decision, forget it! I'm staying here with you!" she said. "No..that's not it." he replied, running a hand nervously through his dark brown hair. "Then what's wrong?"

"Today at soccer practice, my coach offered me a full paid soccer scholarship to a college that offers an awesome soccer team." "Well that's not bad! Where in Harmony is it?" Sheridan asked. "It's not in Harmony, Sheri..it's in Nevada." "NEVADA?!?" she yelled jumping up, Luis getting up as well. "I don't know where this came from. It was like all of a sudden this great college that I never applied for wants me on their team!" Sheridan had tears forming in her eyes. She slowly backed away from Luis. "You knew about this, didn't you? You knew about this when I told you I was going to give up my dreams to be with you!" she cried, stepping further away everytime he tried to get closer.

"God Damn it Sheridan, you know me better than that!" "Not anymore! What's happening to us, Luis?" "NOTHING is happening to us!" "Yes it is, Luis! I gave up my dreams to be with you and now you're leaving!" "Sheridan, you know this is what I have wanted for so long. This is my life-long goal!" "Don't you even start with me about life-long goals. Playing in Wimbledon was my life-long goal damn it!" she screamed. Sheridan collapsed on the ground in loud crying shrieks. Luis sat down next to her and almost immediately she crawled into his lap, and he held her in his arms.

"Sheridan, don't you know this is hard for me too? I love you with all my heart and soul." he whispered in her ear as she dug her face deep into his chest. "Then please don't leave me..please.." she cried against him. Luis held her, his own tears beginning to form in his eyes. Sheridan could never move to Nevada, no matter what age she was, her parents would never allow it. And Luis' parents wouldn't allow him to bring her with him. He kissed her head and buried his face in her hair as they cried, not knowing what to do.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 4:

Ivy hung up the phone after talking to Luis' parents about their childrens 'situation'. They agreed to her plan. She picked up the phone again and spoke quietly. "So you gave him the scholarship?" "Yes, Mrs. Crane. It took a LOT of persuading, but once they watched a few tapes of Luis' at games, they were happy to have him." "You have been most helpful. I'll call you again if I need anything." Luis' soccer coach frowned. He didn't want to lose Luis...but it's amazing what a little cash can do to change your mind.

Luis stroked her blond curls softly as she cried against his chest. "Sheridan I don't want to leave you, baby. But my parents already know about it...they won't let me pass it up." "But I love you." she whispered. "I love you too!" he tried to reassure her, bringing her face up to meet his. Sheridan's blood shot eyes looked into his teary liquid hazel brown eyes. Why was this happening to them? Why couldn't they just be together? Doesn't true love conquer all? Thoughts raced through her head as Luis wiped away several tears from her cheeks.

"I realize that this isn't your fault, Luis..but why is it happening?" she said calmly, holding back her tears. "I don't know why, Sheri, but no matter what happens and no matter where we are, together or apart, I will always love you." Tears now once again flew freely from her cheeks hearing his words. She hugged him close to her and didn't ever want to let go. "When do you leave?" "T-tomorrow." he choked out. Her tears fell against his neck. "Make love to me." she whispered. "Sheridan..are you sure?" "I want your last memory of me to be of us making love." "I don't think this is the right time, Sheri." "Please, make love to me." she begged. Luis finally gave in.

An hour later they lay on the ground. "I love you, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald." "I love you too Sheridan Crane...now and forever." The suns glistening rays lit up their moistened bodies. They layed their together, too lost in eachother to really take notice of what was going to happen to them. The next morning Luis left for Nevada, and Sheridan told her tennis instructor that she changed her mind and does want to play in Wimbledon. Their last memories of eachother were of making love in Cedar Falls. And they knew now that life would be hard without the other, but their parents had told them something that echoed in their thoughts over and over: Don't turn back.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 25:

Luis was doing wonderful on his soccer team in Nevada. He knew scouts were going to be at the championship game, and he couldn't help but hope he was noticed. Soccer practice was over, and it was the girls turn to use the field. "Hey you..you're pretty good." a voice said from behind Luis. He turned around to see a petite, curly dark brown haired girl. "Thanks." he replied. "You got a name, handsome?"

"My name's Luis. How about you?" "Beth. Glad to meet you, Luis." "You too, Beth..I've got to go hit the showers though." "Bye!" she called to him as he ran off. She licked her lips after he was out of sight. 'That man oozes sex.' she thought to herself as she headed out on the field to play soccer. Beth wasn't Luis' type at all...and all he could think of was Sheridan. But who knew? Maybe they could be friends.

Sheridan had just one her first match in the French Open, and she sat down to cool off. "Want some water?" a high pitched voice asked. She looked over to see a short, brown haired, male. "Thanks." she responded, trying to smile as she took the water from his hand. "What's your name? It must be something great for someone as beautiful as you." A smile actually did spread her face this time. "Thank you..my name is Sheridan." "Ahh..perfect for an angel. My name's Hank." "Thanks for the compliments, Hank, but I'm going to go see about my next match, ok?" "Sure, go right ahead. I hope to see you again later." he told her winking cheesily. Sheridan was very turned off by Hank, but at least he was someone to talk to. But the only thing Sheridan could really think about right now was Luis.

It was Sheridan's turn again to play, and she was ready. She swung her racket in full force as the ball came, but then suddenly doubled over in pain. Sheridan grabbed her stomach and collapsed on the court.

Luis was sitting in class when he suddenly got a horrible feeling in his stomach. He knew this feeling...something was wrong with Sheridan. 'Ugh...stop it Luis. You need to focus on this, not Sheridan.' he tried to tell himself. But nothing worked. The feeling wouldn't go away. He ran out of the class room.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 6:

It was two years later. Sheridan hadn't heard from Luis since she left Harmony. She was now 20, and she had just started playing tennis again this past year. Also, she'd been dating Hank for three months now, but never once had she kissed him. She still loved Luis.

Luis knew today was Sheridan's birthday, and he wanted to see her so badly..but he had no idea where she was. He had been dating Beth for about two months now, but he had refused to kiss her after their dates or anywhere else for that matter. His kisses belonged to Sheridan, along with his heart.

Sheridan had had it. She needed to at least talk to Luis. Searching through her purse, she found the number he had given her right before she left. She fingered it, wishing she could feel him instead. Sheridan picked up the phone and slowly dialed the number.

Brrrrrriiiinnnnnnngggggg!!!! Brrrrrrrrriiiiiiinnnnnnggggggg!!!!!!!!! Luis' phone rang bringing him from his thoughts. He groaned and picked it up. "Hello?" he asked, slightly annoyed. "Luis?" she excitedly asked into the phone. "Sh-Sheridan?" he replied, making sure he wasn't dreaming. "Oh my God...it really is you!" she smiled. This seemed like the first time she had truly smiled since seeing Luis last. "Sheridan! I've missed you so much! How are you, baby?" She paused for a moment, dwelling in how he still called her baby. "To be perfectly honest, I'm miserable....I miss you terribly!" "I miss you too, baby! Where are you?"

"I'm in France...can you believe it?" Luis face turned slightly pale. She was in France? So far away.. "That's great sweetheart..I'm still in Nevada." "Aww. Well, I know how handsome you are, so how many girls have latched on to you so far?" Luis thought for a moment. Should he tell her about Beth? He might as well. "Actually, I'm dating a girl named Beth. She's ok..but she's not you. I won't even kiss her." Sheridan smiled at how honest he was.

. She decided to be honest with him too. "You're still sweet, Luis. I've been dating a guy named Hank. He's such a skank! He's tried to kiss me, but I've always told him no. My kisses belong to you." Luis smiled too. God he wanted her right now. "So what's been going on with your life? How has tennis been going? You've been playing for two years now!" Sheridan got uncomfortable. She couldn't tell Luis about the year she didn't play tennis..not right now, that is. "It's wonderful. I get to travel all over the world. But anyways, enough about me! How about you and your soccer career?" Luis was suprised how little she spoke of her tennis..but he brushed it off. He told her of how he might have a chance of making it on the U.S. soccer team.

They spoke for 5 straight hours. "Luis..I really have to go now. I have late night practice." "Alright. Well, I love you baby...forever." "I love you too..so very much. Promise that we'll keep in touch?" "I promise, sweetie. I hope you have sweet dreams." "I will now." she grinned. "Night, Luis." "Night." And with that, she hung up the phone and walked into her bathroom, now smiling, to take a quick shower.

Hank stood with his hear against the door of Sheridan's dorm long enough to hear this. 'Damn this Luis guy..he's trying to steal Sheridan from me. Keep in touch, eh? Not if I can help it!' he smiled evily walking away.

Chapter 7:

Hank went to extreme lengths to make sure Sheridan would never be in contact with Luis again. He knew Sheridan was going to be out one night. After he disconnected the fire alarm system for the whole floor she was on, he made his way to Sheridan's room. Knowing that all of her information on where Luis was and every materialistic memory she had of him was in her room, he poured a little bit of gasoline around the living room and lit a match. He walked away, sastisfied, before the fire got too out of control and hurried away. By the time she got back to her dorm, everything would be gone, and she'd be forced to start all over again...with him.

Sheridan tossed and turn in her bed in the next room. She was supposed to go out tonight, but she had the strangest feeling to stay in her dorm. Suddenly, she bolted up in her bed. "What's that burning smell?" she said outloud to herself getting out of bed. She opened the door to the next room and was horrified at what she saw. A huge fire was quickly spreading around her room. Millions of thoughts must have raced through her mind as she watched the fire quickly grow larger.

She came to her senses and started running to the door to get out. But right before she did, she remembered her special box under her bed. She ran to get it, and when she came back to the living room, she could no longer see the door. The fire was too out of control and there was no way she could get out through the front door now. And the only phone was in her kitchen, and she could see from her standing position that it was being burned to ashes. Tears came to her eyes as she clutched the locked box to her heart and ran back into her bedroom.

Luis jumped out of bed. That damn feeling of something wrong with Sheridan was happening to him again, just as it had two years ago. He picked up the phone and dialed the number he gave her. "We're sorry, but the number you have dialed is busy. If-" Luis slammed the phone down. Damn it. There was nothing he could do now. He was in Nevada and she was in France for crying out loud.

Sheridan was quickly becoming overcome by the fire's fumes. She had to try the last resort...her window. If she could just make it over to the other room to call 911. Only one problem: she was terrifed of heights, and she was 5 stories up. But she had to..for Luis. She held her box tightly with one hand and climbed out the window onto its ledge.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 8:

Sheridan's eyes fluttered open. Once she took in the things surrounding her, she jumped up in her bed. "W-where am I?" she asked silently to herself. Suddenly a hand grabbed hers. She looked over to see of a fire that happened in your dorm." "B-but I made it onto the window Hank. "You're at the hospital, Sheridan. You passed out from the fumes ledge." "They found a box clutched tightly in your hand. They think you might have dropped it back inside and when you came back in to get it that's when you passed out." "Oh God...the box..where is it?" she asked panicked, looking around.

"Don't worry, Sheridan...your friend Lola is keeping it for you in a safe place until you get better." She relaxed now. As long as everything in that box was safe, so was Sheridan. No one but her could ever learn what that box contained. Thank goodness she had a nice steel lock on it and wore the key around the necklace Luis gave her for her 17th birthday. She touched her neck and felt her necklace was still there.

She let out a sigh of relief and settled back into bed. Within moments, Hank saw she was sleeping. Hank was furious. He had been there ever since she entered that hospital, and did she say thanks for being there for me? Noooo! He grunted and stormed out of the hospital room. Sheridan opened her eyes slightly and smiled. She faked going to sleep to get rid of him. It was gross enough having to hold his hand, but him staying with her? Now that was scary. She drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Hank decided to take his anger out on the tennis court by practicing his hits. He set the machine to a nice high speed, but the machine that throws the tennis balls at him gets possessed by a demon, and shoots a ball straight at his head at 200 miles per hour! It kills him on impact and he falls to his death. I guess that's what the skank had coming to him.

Sheridan woke up from her dream and started cracking up. That was too funny. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. At least she had a nice laugh. She soon drifted off to another dream, only this one contained visions of Luis and her. Luis actually had a smile forming on his face as he slept now. He could feel Sheridan smiling, and he knew now that she was ok. His last thoughts before drifting off to sleep were of Sheridan...his true love.

THE END

Ok ya all...this is gunna sound kinda sudden, but that's it for Don't Turn Back! The VERY LAST sequel to the whole Cedar Falls fanfics will be starting immediately. "Whispers In The Night" has Luis and Sheridan at the age 26 now.