Gone

Chapter 1:

Sheridan held up a picture frame holding a picture of her and Luis, taken by Pilar at the many times she was over at the Lopez-Fitzgerald house. They looked so happy, so in love. Sheridan felt a tiny tear trickle down her face, and she quickly wiped it away. Why did things have to be this way? Why did he have to be like that? Why did he have to hurt her so much? She shook her head and laughed. She knew why. He was a jackass, like all the other men in her life.

Just using her and abusing her. Wow...that really sounded familiar. Oh, yeah. That's Luis's work again. He told her that that wasn't him, and she believed him, like the forgiving fool she was. She trusted him, and he tore out her heart and shredded it to pieces. That asshole. He is a monster, like all the other men. She looked at the picture again, and yelled. She threw it against the wall, and it shattered, into many pieces. She dropped to the floor, in exhaustment, and started to cry.

Luis looked out the window, into the misty grey skies. Harmony can be so cold, so unforgiving this time of year. Kind of like Sheridan. Sheridan...why did she turn on me like that? What made her say those awful things about me? That I actually slept with another woman. God, how could she even think that of me? I love her, and only her. She thinks that I am a sleaze.

How can I love her when she thinks that of me? That she doesn't trust me? I don't know... Luis looked around his room, and at the many pictures of Sheridan and him together, happy, smiling, in love. And it's all gone. Just because she doesn't trust him. Luis cursed, and flipped on the radio.

"There's a thousand words that I could say
To make you come home
Oh, seems so long ago you walked away
Left me alone
I don't remember what you said to me
You were acting so strange
and maybe I was too blind to see it
That you needed a change

Was it something I said
To make you turn away?
To make you walk out and leave me cold
If I could just find a way
To make it so you were right here
But right now..

I've been sitting here
Can't get you off my mind
Tried my best to be a man and be strong
Drove myself insane
Wishing I could touch your face
But the truth remains..

You're gone..
You're gone..
Baby you're gone
Gone, baby girl, you're gone..
You're gone.. You're...

I don't wanna make excuses, baby
Won't change the fact that you're gone
But if there's something that I could do
Won't you please let me know?
Time is passing so slowly now
Guess that's my life without you
Baby I could change my every day
Baby I don't want to

So I'll just hang around
and find some things to do
To take my mind off missing you
Except I know in my heart
You can't say that you don't love me too
Please say you do

Yeeaah....
I've been sitting here
Can't get you off my mind
Tried my best to be a man and be strong
Drove myself insane
Wishing I could touch your face
But the truth remains

You're gone..
You're gone..
You're gone
You're gone...you're gone..
you're.... Gone
You're gone...

Oh what'll I do
Without you being here
Don't know what to do
Sitting here all alone...
But I'm still in your heart Baby why don't you see?
That I need you here with me
Oohhh...

I've been sitting here
Can't get you off my mind
Tried my best to be a man and be strong
I drove myself insane
Wishing I could touch your face
But the truth remains
Been sitting here
Can't get you off my mind
Don't know what else to think
I'll never be sure
Drove myself insane
Wishing I could touch your face
But the truth remains

You're gone..
You're gone..
You're gone
You're gone
Gone You're gone..
But the truth remains
You're.... gone"

To Be Continued…

Chapter 2:

"That was *NSYNC's new hit, 'Gone', on Harmony's Hits, 104.5, WSNX." Luis rolled his eyes and laughed. "I need to get out of here. Wait, what I need is a drink." Luis got on his brown leather jacket, and he walked outside, to his motorcycle. He hopped on, and sped off. Sheridan, meanwhile, was sitting on her couch, when she heard a knock on her door. "Go away." Sheridan muttered. "Sister dear, it's me, Julian." "I really don't want to see anyone right now." "But...I'm here with Rebecca. We want to know what's gotten you so blue!" Sheridan rolled her eyes. "Like you care!"

Rebecca responded. "Sheridan, dear, we do care. We're practically sisters!" Sheridan hesitated. She really did need someone to talk to right now. "Well...fine. Come in." Julian and Rebecca came in, and Sheridan saw their worried faces. "Hello sister." "Hi, Julian. So, what do you want?" She said, in a masked tone of annoyance. "Sister, I just want to see if you're alright. What's gotten you so sad?" "I'll tell you what. You and father were right. Luis is nothing but a sleazy jackass!"

Rebecca's eyes widened, and Julian nodded. "I see. What did he do?" Sheridan shook her head. "He...I saw him, and another woman making love." "Oh my! How did this happen? I mean..." Rebecca screeched. "Luis is a bastard, Rebecca. Like all the other guys I've ever dated. Julian and Alistair told me about Luis, but I was too forgiving, I was a fool. I should've trusted my brother and my father. But I didn't, and look where that has gotten me. I really don't want to talk about this. I need some air. Goodbye."

Julian blocked Sheridan. "Sheridan...you know that I deeply care about you, I just want you to know that we are here for you." "Thanks, Julian." Sheridan opened the door and walked outside. She walked to her VW Passat, and drove away. Sheridan looked at the signs. "Bobbee's Country Diner", "Jack's Hardware Store", "Linda's Lingirie Boutique". Sheridan kept on driving, when she came to a place she wanted to stop. "Hmm...a beer doesn't sound too bad right now. This place should be perfect." Sheridan pulled in the driveway, and parked. She went inside the building, and coughed after the first intake of smoke.

The interior was smoky, but it was inviting. The bar was in the center, decked out with funky blue chairs and a shiny silver countertop. Sheridan hopped on a seat, and she looked at the handsome bartender. "What'll it be, miss?" "I'll have a Bud Light, thank you." "Sure thing, miss. One Bud Light, coming up!" Sheridan smiled, and looked around. So many people were smiling, enjoying their night out. Sheridan started to frown, and she looked down. "Here you go, miss."

"The name's Sheridan." "Sure thing, Sheridan. So, are you from around here?" "Yeah. I live here." "Hmm...haven't seen you around." "Yeah, I'm mainly cooped up in the cottage." "Cottage?" Sheridan laughed. "It's where I live." "Oh, I see." A pissed off customer yelled. "Hey! Can I get some service over here? "Sorry! I'll be right over. I'll be back." Sheridan rolled her eyes. She took a sip of her beer, and sighed. "Sheridan, is that you?" Sheridan turned around.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 3:

"Oh my God! Hi, Hank!" "Hey Sheridan. Wow...it's been a long time since we've seen each other." Sheridan nodded. "Yeah, it definitely has. How are you?" "I'm okay. I'm living in Harmony again." Sheridan smiled. "Really? That's great!" Hank pulled up a seat. "Yeah, I'll be able to bother you and Luis nonstop." The sound of Luis's name made Sheridan wince. "What's wrong, Sheridan?" Sheridan groaned. "You haven't heard? Well...get a beer. This is a long story." Hank eyed Sheridan suspiciously. "What happened, Sher?" Sheridan shook her head. "I know it's gonna be hard for you to believe, being Luis's best friend and all, but..."

"But what, Sher? You can tell me. I won't tell a soul." "Ok." Sheridan sighed, then continued. "I c...caught Luis mak...making love to another woman." "Oh my...that's impossible. Luis would never do something like that, Sheridan." "That's what I thought, Hank. But he had us both played for the fool. I saw it with my own eyes. I couldn't believe it, but that was him, making love to that blonde bimbo." Sheridan stifled a couple of tears.

"I am so sorry, Sheridan. I can't believe Luis would do something that...that awful. Oh God...come here." Hank opened his arms, and Sheridan rushed over, and he enveloped her in his arms. "What an asshole. God...Hank, I have one question." Hank looked into her icy blue eyes. "Yeah?" "Are all guys such pricks?" Hank laughed. "I know, it's hard to believe, but there are some nice guys out there. You just gotta know where to look."

Sheridan smiled, and looked up at this man. He didn't seem like a stranger...he was her friend, someone she felt she could trust. She saw his attractive features...his long blonde hair, his deep blue eyes, a perfect nose...and God, was he tall...She held him tighter, closer to her. Hank smiled, and kissed her forehead. "It's gonna be ok, Sheridan. You'll see, you'll get over that jackass in no time." "Make that a promise?"

"Definitely." He looked down at Sheridan's ruby red lips, and he bent down. Sheridan smiled. *Should I be kissing Hank? Why not...you're not attached...But I still feel like I'm betraying...Betraying that bastard. I deserve some happiness, dammit. Sheridan bent up, and Hank kissed her, and she responded back, kissing him with all the emotions building inside her. Hurt, anger, guilt, lust...She kissed Hank with all the passion she could give. Right then...the door opened, and a familiar figure walked in...

To Be Continued...

Chapter 4:

Sheridan felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew it wasn’t because of Hank…It was something…bad. She turned around, and encountered Luis’s glaring eyes. Sheridan’s eyes narrowed, and she turned around to face Hank. “Hank…can we go?” Hank nodded, understanding Sheridan’s sudden urge to leave. “Sure thing, Sher. Let’s go.” Sheridan grabbed her coat and took Hank’s hand, and they walked up to the door. All the way to the door, Sheridan’s narrowed eyes were fixated on Luis. She frowned, seeing the hurt in his eyes. Sheridan smiled.

Good, he deserves all the hurt in the world after what he did to me. She brushed right past Luis, and Hank looked at Luis and shook his head. They walked out, hand in hand. Luis shook his head in disbelief. *What the hell is Hank doing with my Sheridan? I thought he was my friend…* Luis shook his head and followed the pair out the door. He saw Sheridan climbing into her car. “Sheridan! Wait!” Sheridan rolled her eyes. *Great, the bastard wants an explanation. Well, I’m gonna give him one.* She got out of her car, and walked over to Luis. Hank got out of his car and opened his mouth, ready to protest, but Sheridan shook her head to him. Hank nodded.

Sheridan looked straight into Luis’s eyes. “What the hell do you want? Huh? Are you trying to rub this in?” Luis took a few steps back, in disbelief. “Sheridan…You still don’t believe that crap that Julian has been feeding you. Sheridan, you know I would never do that to you. I love you, Sheridan, and only you.” “Cut the bullshit, Luis. I SAW you!” “You DID NOT see me! That was not me, whoever it was! BUT IT WASN’T ME, dammit!” Sheridan’s mouth opened, and she started to protest, but Luis but his finger on her mouth. “Ssh…Let me explain what I think.” “I don’t give a shit what you think, Luis. You are SCUM. You slept with another woman, and you just can’t STAND that you got caught. Well, I got news for you, buddy.

I am moving on. I’m with Hank now. Maybe he’ll be a REAL man and never cheat on me. You are sickening. I NEVER want to see you again, you got that clear, officer?” Luis shook his head and reached out for her. “Don’t you DARE touch me!” Hank’s eyes lit up, and he rushed to Sheridan’s rescue. “Luis…get away from her.” “Shut up, Hank. The last person I want to talk to is you, BUDDY.” Hank’s eyes narrowed. “Luis…get away from her.” “Make me.” Hank’s eyes lit up, and he lifted his hand. He took one swing at Luis, and Luis was out cold. “Hank…you didn’t need to do that.” “Yeah, I did. Come on, Sher. Let’s get out of here.” Sheridan nodded, and they climbed into Sheridan’s car. Luis groaned, and got up, shaking his head. *Sheridan…why are you believing them? You have to trust me…I never did that to you.*

Meanwhile, Julian and Rebecca were sitting in the library, sipping brandy, when the phone rang. Julian put on the speakerphone. “Hello Julian.” “Father, what a great surprise.” Rebecca smiled. “What a pleasant surprise, Alistair.” “Hello Rebecca. I just called to congratulate you both on a job well done. Luis and Sheridan are through.” Julian smiled. “You see, Father, we didn’t have to kill her.” “Don’t get too cocky on me, son. Don’t screw this up, or else…” Julian nodded. “I know, father. Look, I have to go.” “Julian…you better be careful.” “I know, I know. Goodbye father.” Julian hung up the phone and loosened his tie. “Pookie…are you okay?” “Yes, you delectable little morsel. Now, come to big bear…” “Ooh! I like it when you say that…” Meanwhile, Sheridan and Hank were at the lighthouse, staring at the glistening water. “Hank?”

“Yeah, Sher?” “I just wanted to say…thanks for protecting me from Luis. It really means a lot to me that you care about me.” “Sher, you know that I would never let anything bad happen to you.” Sheridan smiled. “Thanks, Hank. You are such a good friend.” Hank frowned. “Oh…” Sheridan smiled. “Maybe we can be more than friends.” Hank smiled. “I would like that…” Sheridan raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, you would, huh.” She leaned in closer to Hank, and raised her head to meet his. “How about this…” Sheridan leaned in closer to his mouth, and gently placed a soft kiss on Hank’s lips. Hank smiled. “I think I can do better.” Sheridan frowned, and Hank leaned in, cupping his hands on her soft cheeks, and kissed her with all the energy he could give. Sheridan looked flustered. “Well, I think you won.”

To Be Continued...

Chapter 5:

Hank grinned. “Oh, I did, huh?” Sheridan smirked. “Don’t go get a big head on me, now!” “Who, me?” Hank pointed to himself, giving Sheridan big puppy dog eyes. Sheridan laughed, and hit Hank’s shoulder. “Yes, you!” Hank smiled at Sheridan, who was shivering. “Hey, you wanna get going?” Sheridan nodded. “Yeah, I think so.” They walked, hand in hand, to Sheridan’s car, and they got in. Sheridan turned on the car, and blasted the heat. She drove back to Hank’s house, and she put the car in park. “Well, I’d offer you to come in, but my bro is crashing tonight. Problems with Grace.” Hank explained. Sheridan smiled. “Oh, I heard about the whole ‘other husband’ thing. I hope everything works out for them.”

Hank nodded. “Yeah, me too. Well, I better get going.” Sheridan nodded. “Okay.” Her eyes lit up when Hank leaned in. The corners of Hank’s mouth curled up in her response, and he moved in, touching his lips lightly against hers, and she responded, kissing back. Hank intensified the kiss, thrusting his tongue into her mouth, and Sheridan welcomed it. Her whole body shook, and she ended the kiss. Hank got the idea, and he smiled goodbye. “See you tomorrow?” Sheridan nodded. “Definitely.” “Goodnight, Sheridan.” “Sweet dreams, Hank.”

Hank got out of the car, and went into his house. Sheridan smiled, and drove off, towards Raven Hill. She got to the Crane Estate, and frowned. It was so big, so unwelcoming. Not like Hank’s cozy little house. She smiled. *Hank…he’s so nice…so perfect.* She frowned for a minute. *But do I love him? Look where loving has gotten me. I loved Luis.* She smiled at Luis’s name, and she scolded herself. *He doesn’t deserve your smiles.

But still…I wonder if he’s miserable now…Good, he should be…But…* Sheridan shook her head. She went to her bedroom, and took off her clothes, and put on a white terrycloth robe. She went into the bathroom, and turned on the faucet to her whirlpool. She put in some bath bubbles, and she turned on the radio. “Hey guys! This is Sabrina Kline, giving you another 30 minute hit-a-thon on 104.5, WSNX.”

“There’s a thousand words that I could say
To make you come home
It seems so long ago you walked away
Left me alone
I remember what you said to me
You were acting so strange
And maybe I was too blind to see

That you needed a change
Was it something I said
To make you turn away?
To make you walk out and leave me cold

If I could just find a way
To make it so that you were right here
But right now…
I’ve been sitting here
Can’t get you off my mind
I’ve tried my best to be a man and be strong

I drove myself insane
Wishing I could touch your face
But the truth remains
You’re gone
You’re gone
Baby you’re gone
Girl you’re gone, baby girl you’re gone
You’re gone
You’re…”

Sheridan frowned as she listened to the song. It reminded her of something, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She shook her head, and got into her warm, inviting bath. She leaned her head against the tub, closing her eyes. She reeopened them, and she gasped. “What the hell are you doing here?”

To Be Continued...

Chapter 6:

Luis looked at Sheridan with bloodshot eyes, stammering “I…uh, I…came to get some…stuff.” Sheridan looked at Luis with wild eyes, darting from him to a baseball bat, wondering if she should use it. “Luis…you don’t want to do this. Luis…go away.” Luis looked at her with confused eyes. “Do what…” Sheridan shook her head. “Luis, you’re drunk. You do not want to do anything stupid, okay?” Luis laughed. “Stupid, huh? So now I’m stupid?” Sheridan shook her head. “Not at all, Luis. Just go away.” He shook his head. “No, Sheridan.” Before she could protest, Luis picked up Sheridan’s naked body, and threw her onto her bed.

“What the hell are you doing, Luis? Get AWAY!” Sheridan screamed. Luis managed a smile. “Or what are you going to do, baby?” Sheridan looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Or else I am calling the police.” “OOH, the big bad police. What are they gonna do to me?” “Lock your sorry ass away!” “Bad answer, Sherry!” Luis moved in closer, pinning Sheridan down. “GET AWAY!!!!” Luis laughed, and took off his pants.

Sheridan whimpered and struggled with all her might to get out of his grasp, but Luis was just too strong. What the hell has happened to him? I loved this man, for heaven’s sake? And now he’s trying to RAPE me! No way in hell am I letting this happen. “Hold on, Luis. You don’t need to do it like this.” Sheridan smiled seductively. “You can have me with my own free will. Just let me go.”

Luis smiled and let Sheridan go. Sheridan smiled a minute, and kissed Luis. She backed away, and threw her hand up to punch him. She knocked him away, and she clawed his face. Suddenly, the ‘skin’ peeled away, and Sheridan gasped. Underneath the ‘skin’ was another man’s face! “WHAT the hell?” Sheridan’s eyes widened in horror. “You’re…not Luis.” “No he’s not.” A voice said behind Sheridan. Sheridan turned around. “Who are you? Wait a minute…I know who you are. You’re that bitch that I saw Luis with!”

The blond-haired woman nodded. “I know you saw me with that man…but it was actually this guy. I can explain. We were hired by Julian to break you and Luis up.” Sheridan frowned. “It worked.” She narrowed her eyes at the woman. “Julian, my BROTHER, hired you to make love to this Luis lookalike?” The lady lowered her head and nodded. “Yes, I am so sorry! I didn’t like this plan from the beginning, and I tried to tell you, but my partner never let me. I am so sorry, Sheridan.”

Sheridan nodded at the lady. “Excuse me for a minute.” Sheridan picked up her phone, and dialed the police station. “Hello, Sam. This is Sheridan Crane. Some man posing as Luis tried to rape me. Yes, Sam Okay. He’s out cold right now. Thanks, Sam.” Sheridan heard a knock at her door. She walked to get it, and she opened the door. “Luis?”

To Be Continued…