Gone

In this story, Luis has decided to keep a professional distance between him and Sheridan until his job as her body guard is over. Roger and Pierre are still after her. This story is based on the November Promo about Fatal Death this week. This is not based on a spoiler! Enjoy the story!

Chapter 1:

His breath was steady and slow, the only sound heard though the cottage. Bathed in the moons pale glow she sat, watching him. Watching his muscular chest rise and fall with each breath, his beautiful face relaxed with dream. She choked back on her tears as she thought of all the pain tomorrow would cause. No one knew, not even Luis. Overcome with the urge to touch him, she leaned over from her perch on the coffee table and softly outlined the contours of his face. That calm face would be twisted with pain and sorrow tomorrow. Because of her.

Pulling back, she buried her face in her hands in an attempt to muffle the sobs. This was too much. The thought of hurting him was too much for her to bear. With weak legs she rose, and loomed over the couch where he lay. Her love lay. Bending down she brushed a kiss across his lips. One last kiss. As quickly as she could make her reluctant legs go she left him, asleep on the couch. Hugging the silk robe around her tightly, she went back to her room, and cried. Cried for the loss. Cried for the pain. Cried over all the things tomorrow would bring. For tomorrow, she would die.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 2:

Luis woke up the next morning with mixed emotions. Part of him was glad that his assignment as Sheridan's body guard was over today. Now he wouldn't have to worry about the drug cartel or Sheridan being in danger. With him off the case, he and Sheridan were free to be together. The smile that warmed his face quickly faded with the realization that tonight he'd be home. Home. A few months ago he felt at home in his house, surrounded by his family. Now, this cottage, the cottage he'd shared with Sheridan since his assignment was the only place he wanted to call home. Home was with Sheridan. At least that's where he wanted it to be.

Luis knew Sheridan was with him last night. He felt her kiss and wanted to do nothing more then to wake and return it. His head was the only part of his body that held him back. If he would have kissed her back, there was no telling where it would lead. He was so close to taking the dive off the edge of the cliff and giving into his feelings. His needs. He was teetering on the side and now even the littlest thing would send him over.

He'd fallen hard for Sheridan. Every heated look, every simple touch, anything Sheridan made him fall even deeper in love with her. He was too far gone to try and resist her anymore, and after their trip to Boston to meet with Agent Freemen so he could officially take him off the case, there wasn't a chance in hell he was even going to try to resist her. He wanted her, and she wanted him, and tonight they'd have exactly what they wanted. Wiping a hand across his forehead, Luis jumped off the couch and headed for the shower. It was still early, the sun was yet to rise, but to go back to sleep was pointless. Hopefully a shower would cool his over-stimulated imagination and body. He just hoped he would be quiet enough not to wake her. She'd come in by him a few hours ago and was no doubt exhausted.

Cracking open her bedroom door he slowly moved across the room, his eyes fastened on the floor, taking in every obstacle and warning his legs not to hit them. With a satisfied sigh he reached the bathroom door soundlessly, and turned to make sure Sheridan was still asleep. Dim light streamed in though the open window, causing the fresh tears to glisten on her cheeks. The white bed sheets were kicked to her feet, giving Luis a good view of the green jacket she was hugging around her body. His coat. Smiling softly at her sleeping figure he crept closer. Kneeling down next to her, he lifted a hand to brush a stray hair from her forehead. Gently he cupped her cheek and brushed away the tears.

"You've been crying." He stated, his voice barely a whisper as his amber eyes drank her features in. "You don't have to cry anymore beautiful. I'll make sure you have sweet dreams from now on." Tucking a few more golden strands behind her ear he leaned closer and brushed a kiss across her lips before standing back up and tucking her in with the blankets pooled around her knees. His heart swelled with love as she pulled his coat even closer and buried her face in it. A sweet, content sigh escaped her lips and Luis grinned down at her. His Sheridan.

"Sleep well Sheridan." With one last stare at the sleeping beauty he went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. "Damn, if I didn't need a cold shower before, I sure as hell need one now." Luis said with a chuckle as he striped and stepped under the cool spray. Sheridan's eyes fluttered open as soon as she heard the click of the door, and didn't even try to stop the onslaught of tears as they fell. Her heart screamed at to get up and go in by him, but she couldn't. It would only make things harder after today.

Clutching the jacket tighter she braced herself for the sobs that tore out of her. Finally Sheridan wore herself out crying and drifted into a restless slumber. Luis stepped out of the bathroom clothed only in a white towel and smiled over at Sheridan as he walked back out to the living room. "Boy Sheridan, when you're tired you really sleep like the dead." Luis said, yet couldn't muster up a smile. His gut was warning him of danger. Danger directed at Sheridan. It felt like someone just walked over his grave. He couldn't pin point the cause, but his instincts were telling him not to leave the cottage today.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 3:

Sheridan stared at herself in the mirror. Even with the shower and makeup she still looked horrible. Her eyes were dead, no sparkle was in them. She couldn't smile to save her life. Not that a smile would postpone today. Her face was lifeless and inside her heart was breaking. She'd been ready for a while now, yet couldn't make herself leave the room. Glancing at the discarded coat on her bed she rose and held it in her arms, hugging it for strength. "I can do this. I have to do this. For Luis." Thickly she swallowed and began to open the door.

No more tears. She'd promised herself not to cry anymore. Not that she could. Ever since she found out, crying had become a regular ritual. Now the time had come to be strong. Quietly she opened the door and saw him, sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. He looked just as sad as she did. Did he know what was going to happen? Stepping from the doorway she walked closer and rested her hand on his shoulder. Looking up at her with a lost look in his eyes, he rose and wrapped his strong arms around her. They stood for a while, wrapped in each others embrace. Holding on with all there might, afraid to let go. "Why are you hurting Luis?" Sheridan whispered, burying her head deeper in his chest.

"I...I don't think we should go to Boston today. Maybe we could call Hal and..." Sheridan pulled back abruptly, her eyes wide. "Why? Luis, we have to go to Boston today!" She heard her voice cry out. "I have this feeling. I know it probably sounds crazy, but my gut is telling me that something bad is going to happen today." Running a hand through his hair, he gave her a halfhearted smile. "It does sound crazy, doesn't it?" Sheridan felt her heart stop. How could he know? Were they really that connected? Looking up she closed her eyes in a silent prayer. 'Forgive me.' "Luis, I promise you nothing bad is going to happen. We'll go to Boston, Hal will take you off the case since according to him I'm not in danger anymore, and we'll come back ho..to Harmony." Stabbing. That's what the pain in heart felt like. The pain from lying to Luis.

Luis stared at her for a moment and gave her another grin. "You're right Sheridan, I guess it was just a false alarm." Giving her shoulder a loving squeeze, he head towards her bedroom. "Where are you going?" "It's kinda cold out there, and I thought maybe I should bring my coat." Luis said with a wink as Sheridan felt her face blush. "If you want you can wait in the car, I'll just be a second." "I'll meet you out there, I just have to do something quick." Sheridan told him as he came back out of the bedroom, coat in hand. "Okay, but don't take too long. I want to get this over with as soon as possible." "I know Luis, I'll be right out."

Nodding, Luis closed the front door, leaving Sheridan standing in middle of her cottage. Quickly she walked into the bedroom and over to her night stand. Pulling open the top draw she stuffed the sliver compact that lay inside into her pocket and left her bedroom. Blinking back the tears she surveyed the living room, watching all her memories float by like a movie. New Year's Eve, dancing the Pasa Doble with Luis, being hypnotized and finding out that her greatest fear was just a dream. The hot moments they shared recently, the talks they'd had together. Everything laugh, every tear, everything connected to Luis. Hugging herself tightly she let the memories wash over her, carrying her away.

As I watch you move
Across the moonlit room
Tomorrow I must leave
The dawn knows no reprieve
God give me strength when I am leaving.

So raise your hands to heaven and pray
That we'll be back together someday.
Tonight I need your sweet caress
Hold me in the darkness
Tonight you calm my restlessness
You relieve my sadness.

As we move to embrace
Tears run down your face
I whisper words of love so softly
I can't believe this pain
It's driving me insane
Without your touch
Life will be lonely.

So raise your hands to heaven and pray
That we'll be back together someday.
Morning has come
Another day
I must pack my bags
And say good bye.

Sheridan wiped her damp face and turned out the lights of her cottage as she walked out the door. As they drove away, her life faded away with the cottage into the distance

*the song was called Hands to Heaven, by Breath. :)

To Be Continued...

Chapter 4:

The drive to Boston was a long one, longer then Sheridan remembered from previous trips. Inside, the car was quiet as a steady rain fell outside. The rain and the radio, combined with Sheridan's lack of sleep made it easy for her to drift off, her head resting against the window. Luis turned to tell her that they were about a half hour away when noticed that she was sleeping. She looked so exhausted today. As they drove over another bump in the road, Sheridan's head bounced off the window, causing her to awake for a second before falling back asleep. Shaking his head Luis leaned over and laid her head onto his lap.

"The last thing I need is for you to get a concussion Sheridan. We should be there in a half hour." "Mmmhmm. Okay Luis." Sheridan mumbled as she slipped into a deeper sleep. Chuckling, Luis turned down the radio and concentrated on the road as the rain began to fall harder.

Raising her hand she shielded her eyes from the glare of the light. Finally her eyes adjusted and she gasped at what she was seeing. She was in a church, an empty church, and soft candle light replaced the glaring light she'd first seen. Candles and flowers filled the church, and a coffin was by the alter. Slowly she walked towards the oak box until she could run her hand over the smooth top. It was so cold, so lifeless. Carefully she lifted the lid off the coffin and fearfully stepped back, her hand reaching back to steady herself on a nearby pew.

Her face was staring out from the coffin. Her chalk-white, dead body was in the coffin. Sheridan's body jumped at the heavy thud of the church doors as they slammed shut. In stepped Luis, his face ashen, dark circles around his eyes. He seemed weak, and devastated. He walked to the coffin and stood in front of it before dropping to his knees; sobbing. His shoulders shook and his cries tore the silence of the church. Sheridan rose from the pew and started to approach him when he started to fade away. "Luis, no don't leave me. Oh God, come back. Please!" Tears coursed down her cheeks as she screamed to the disappearing image.

"No, no, no, no. Don't go, don't leave me." Luis shook her gently as the tears fell down her face. "I'm not leaving you Sheridan. I'm right here. Wake up sweetie, it's just a dream." Her eyes flew open and fastened on Luis's as she sprung up and wrapped her arms around him tightly, squeezing him fiercely. Luis hugged her back and rubbed her back to calm her. "You're still here." She whispered as they parted. Luis nodded and gave her a faint smile. "I'm still here." He pulled her into another hug. Sheridan looked up from over his shoulder and realized that they weren't moving anymore. In fact, they were parked outside a large building. The Boston Police Station.

"We're here already?" Sheridan asked as she pulled back. Luis nodded. "Yeah, all I have to do is meet with Hal for a few minutes and everything will be over." Reality sunk in quickly and she swallowed hard as she nodded. Luis had no idea how true that was. In a few minutes she'd be...gone. "Luis, do you think I could just stay in the car? I'm really tired and I don't really feel up to meeting with Hal." Sucking in a deep breath, Luis surveyed the area. It looked safe enough, and this was a police station for God's sake. 'And it's not like her life is in danger. There's no reason not to let her stay in the car.' "Sure, you can stay back. But I want you to lock all the doors, okay?" Sheridan gave him a small grin and nodded. "I promise." Luis smiled at her and slipped his coat on as he closed the door behind him. Sheridan couldn't let him just walk off though, couldn't let it end like this. Quickly she unlocked the door and jumped out of the car, running towards him.

"Luis! Wait!" Sheridan shouted through the rain and pulled Luis into a passionate kiss as he turned around. One last kiss. As he pulled away, Luis looked at her, a goofy grin plastered on his face. "I'll see you in a few minutes Sheridan. Now get in the car before you catch cold." "Good bye Luis." Luis waved at her as he ran inside. The glass doors slammed shut. "I love you."

Look into my eyes
You will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart
Search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me it's not worth dying for
You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you

Look into your heart
You will find
There's nothing there to hide
Take me as I am
Take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it there's nothing I want more
You know it's true

Everything I do
I do it for you
There's no love like your love
And no other could give more love
There's no way unless you're there
All the time all the way

You can't tell me it's not worth trying for
I can't help it there's nothing I want more

Everything moved in slow motion. She could hear the ticking through the pouring rain and saw Luis turn to shake Hal's hand, then walk through the doors. Biting her bottom lip she squeezed her eyes closed and prayed. Then it happened.

I would fight for you
I'd lie for you
Walk the world for you
I'd die for you

You know it's true
Everything I do
I do it for you

*Everything I do I do it for you is by Bryan Adams

To Be Continued...