Hero

Wandering around the wharf, aimlessly, Luis’ mind was only on Sheridan. He couldn’t believe she was gone. Just as they were starting over, she had left him. She was so happy - they were so happy. He loved her, he honestly did, and she had died not knowing it. Someone had shot her, in cold blood, and he never had a chance to tell her.

He could feel the tears burning the back of his eyes, and the lump rising in his throat. A lone tear trickled down his cheek, and he lost control. Slamming his fist on the rails of the docks, he let out a cry. She was supposed to be here with him, they were supposed to live long, happy lives...together. They were supposed to be together. Luis ran his hand through his hair, and wiped his face. It was no use crying. It wouldn’t be Sheridan back to him.

“God, Sheridan, I would give anything to see you again. I just need to hold you once more.”

Sheridan watched as Luis cried. She couldn’t believe how hard he was taking this. She couldn’t let him suffer, not anymore. Timidly, she stepped away from her hiding place, and walked towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder lightly. “I’m right here, Luis.”

Luis whirled around. His eyes slowly got larger, but then disappointment clouded them. “You can’t be here. I’m imagining you.”

Sheridan placed her hand on his cheek. “No, Luis, I’m here. I couldn’t stand to see you so upset. I had to see you...to be in your arms again.”

There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are

He brought his hand up to hers, and laced their fingers together. It felt so real. Slowly, he stepped closer to her, and enveloped his arms around her, and he felt her squeeze back, so tightly, he thought he would burst with happiness. “Your alive!” he said, his voice choked. “I can’t believe it!” His heart was pounding with excitement, and tears clouded his eyes, but this time they were of happiness. He tilted his head downwards and captured her lips in a soft, meaningful kiss. The next word uttered out of his mouth could change his whole future. “How?”

“It’s a really long story,” Sheridan explained.

“Well, I have time,” Luis replied, beginning to walk, their hands still held together.

Sheridan smiled at him softly, and looked at the ground for a moment before continuing.

There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

“Well...it all started when you were going to leave for Washington. I had this strange feeling that something was going to happen, but I didn’t mention it to you because I didn’t want you to get worried. When you were outside with Agent Freeman, I heard Hank and Pierre talking.” Sheridan took a deep breath.

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

Luis nodded his head, and urged her to go on.

“Pierre was telling Hank that he wanted me dead, that night. I was terrified! I didn’t know what to do. So while you were searching for something in the car, I told Agent Freeman what I’d heard. He set the whole thing up, Luis…”

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

“…I was never actually hurt. I had a bulletproof vest on, so the bullets didn’t hurt me much. It was so hard to hear you cry, knowing I wasn’t really dead. Agent Freeman gave me a tranquilizer so I wouldn’t wake up and ruin everything. It kicked in a few minutes after Hank pulled the trigger.”

“So was everyone in on it?”

Sheridan’s eyes filled with tears. “Yes…Dr. Russell, Sam, Hank… everyone.”

“Everyone except me,” Luis said looking down. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

Tears were now flowing freely down Sheridan’s flushed cheeks. “I wanted to, Luis, I really did. I begged, I pleaded, but Agent Freeman said it would be more convincing if you didn’t know.”

Luis immediately regretted using such a harsh tone with her. He gently brushed her tears away from her face, gliding his thumb across her smooth face. “Sheridan, please don’t cry… I’m sorry. I was just frustrated. I’m just so happy you’re here, alive and well…” Luis placed his hand in her blonde curls, and brought her forward, their mouths meeting in a soulful kiss. It was slow and meaningful, and neither one had felt anything like it.

It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

Luis pulled away quickly, a question burning into his mind. “What about the hit men? They could still be after you, Sheridan, we have to get you back to safety,” Luis began, leading her away from the wharf. Sheridan stopped him, and smiled at him softly.

“Thank you for being so concerned for my safety Luis, but the dangerous members of the drug cartel were arrested last night. With roger and Pierre behind bars, the drug cartel is nothing.”

Luis started at her for a moment, before a huge smile broke out on his face. He picked her up and twirled her around. “It’s over Sheridan, it’s all over! Your safe!”

Sheridan squealed with delight and hugged Luis forcefully. “I know,” she whispered. “I feel so… carefree!” Luis leaned down and brushed her lips softly, catching her lips in a lingering kiss. Sheridan pulled away, and rested her forehead on his. She closed her eyes momentarily and gathered her thoughts. “Luis… I have something important to tell you. It’s not easy for me to say this, but I have to tell you.”

Luis nodded his head, slightly confused with Sheridan’s sudden need to confess. “Alright, I’m listening.”

“Okay… Julian and Alistar hired an imposter that night when I heard ‘you’ talking at the wharf. I am so sorry, Luis, that I didn’t believe you.” Sheridan could feel the tears burning at the back of her eyes. “I wanted to. My heart was telling me to, but it looked so real that I just couldn’t go against what my mind was telling me.” Her voice caught, and her lip began to tremble.

Luis pulled her into a tight embrace, and Sheridan clung to him.

“How did you find out?”

“Ivy told me before I came here. After I heard, I couldn’t stay away from you. I had to tell you.”

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

“I’m glad you did. I would never say such mean things about you, or anyone else.”

“I know, Luis…in my heart, I always knew.. but what I can’t believe is what my brother and father went through just to keep us apart,” Sheridan said sadly, a lump growing in her throat, making it difficult for her to continue. “During my whole childhood, I tried everything to earn my father’s love, but all I was to him was a business deal in the making. He had everything all set up. I was supposed to marry into a wealthy family, and make him proud. When I told him I wanted to marry for love, and not money, he said he wanted nothing more to do with me, and moved away.” A hot tear trickled down her cheek, and Luis’ heart broke into a million pieces. “Why won’t anyone love me, Luis? Am I such a terrible person?”

Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away

Luis put his hand under her chin, and gently lifted her face, so her eyes would meet his. “Sheridan, listen to me. Your father is foolish to push you away. You are such an amazing woman, and you continue to amaze me everyday. A lot of people in Harmony love you Sheridan. Mama does, Ethan does, Gwen does…”

Sheridan smiled weakly. “I guess your right.”

“And I know someone else who loves you, Sheridan.”

“Oh yeah? Who’s that?”

“Me,” Luis said, brushing her tears away. “I love you, Sheridan.”

Sheridan gasped, and searched his eyes. They were sincere and genuine.

Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way

“Oh Luis… I love you too….more than anything in this entire world.” She reached up and pulled his head down, kissing him passionately. She tangled her hands in his hair, and pulled him as close to her as possible. Everyone and everything disappeared, and it was as if they were the only existence.

Sheridan pulled away, and smiled at him sweetly. “You’re my hero, Luis,” she whispered, and kissed him again.

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

And as the story ends, they lived happily ever after