Passionate P.I.'s

Chapter 1:

Sheridan crouched down behind the pile of crates, her hand tightly gripping her gun and watched as the two men on the other side of the crates shuffled about impatiently. Her mind wasn't completely on the men, although her eyes were locked on them. She was impatient too... Luis was late. Where was he? He should've been here by now. Sheridan was way out of her element here and she knew it. Luis was the experienced partner in their business, Lopez-Fitzgerald Investigations.

Although Sheridan was well trained in the proper use of her weapon, and was in fact a crack shot, this part of the job was usually Luis' territory. Sheridan tended to handle the paperwork and computer research end of the business. Occasionally she would join Luis in the field when he needed a female decoy, or like now when he needed backup. If he was here to be backed up, Sheridan thought with a grimace.

Well, she was here as requested, exactly where she was supposed to be, hidden behind the crates. The question was where the hell was Luis? Sheridan watched as the man in the black suit spoke to the other. The second man, dressed in grey, looked at his watch and relayed the time. They were really starting to get restless now. If Luis didn't show up soon the whole operation was going to be a wash.

She heard footsteps off to the left and peered around the crates, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Luis. He strode confidently up to the men, exchanging pleasantries and handshakes. He spoke to them a few moments, saying something which Sheridan didn't hear that resulted in a round of laughter. Then Luis said something else, extending the briefcase he carried to one of the men. The man set the case down on the ground and opened it, revealing the piles of bills inside. The man was satisfied with what he saw... he grinned closed the case and nodded to his partner.

Sheridan knew that the case also contained a tracking device and a bug...she herself had sewn them into the lining. She watched the man in black hand Luis a small bag and Luis opened it, peering at the contents before nodding. Both men shook hands with Luis again and the three men began to walk slowly down the wharf. Sheridan crept out from her spot behind the crates and trailed them, being certain to keep out of sight.

She watched until she saw Luis get into his car and drive away, before she backtracked down the wharf to the spot where her own car was parked. She sank into the seat and let out a long breath. She was really hyper now... the excitement of being out in the field, that element of danger, always gave her a rush. After a moment she started the car and headed for home. Luis got home first. He flopped on the couch and flipped on the laptop that was resting on the coffee table.

He held his breath a moment until the map appeared and he saw the flashing cursor that indicated the tracker in the briefcase. It was heading towards the highway, where the motel was located that the contacts had been seen at. Luis removed the earplug he'd been listening to on the way home, and adjusted the computer so that the sound from the bug was transferred from the ear piece to the speakers. So far the men hadn't said anything more interesting than the scores from last nights Red Sox game.

Luis leaned back on the couch, propping his feet up on the coffee table, just as Sheridan walked into the cottage. He ran his eyes over her appreciatively. God, she was gorgeous. He loved the tight black jeans she wore on stakeouts. He knew he had the most beautiful wife in the world. She kicked off her boots, removed the black stocking cap from her blonde head, tossed her bag on the armchair and draped herself on Luis' lap.

"Hello, my love." She whispered, planting a kiss on his lips. "Hello, Angel." Luis wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her close. Sheridan snuggled close, laying her head on his shoulder and said "I was worried. You were late." "Yeah, I got held up. Hank, Beth and the baby showed up right after you left. I hated lying to them... I told them you were shopping. I wish we knew if Hank was really involved in this drug business or not."

"I hate it too Luis. What if he really is involved? How will we ever be able to turn him in?" Luis held her close. "Well, thankfully that won't be our decision to make. Whatever we find out, it's up to Sam what he does about it. I just hope we get a lead to the next link in the chain, and that its not Hank." Sheridan raised her head as the speakers emitted the sounds of car doors closing and footsteps. On the computer screen the cursor was no longer moving. "They're at the motel..." She said.

Luis nodded. He was thinking about Sam and how Hank had put his brother in an impossible position if he was really involved in the drug trade. Even though the department was already looking into the drug ring Sam had come to Luis and Sheridan, hiring them on the side to discover if Hank was involved. If he was then Sam was hoping to pull him out before the Harmony PD closed in on the ring.

Sam knew it was wrong, but he couldn't allow his brother to be arrested... especially not now when Hank had Beth and the baby. Luis was glad he didn't work for the department anymore. He knew Sam was really stuck in a hard place. Luis hoped that the whole thing was a huge mistake and Hank had nothing to do with it.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 2:

Sheridan couldn't stop thinking about Hank. "Why would he risk it Luis? He has Beth and the baby... how can he risk losing them?" Luis pressed a kiss on Sheridan's brow. "I don't know Angel. I can't imagine doing anything that could cause me to lose you..." The thought of losing Sheridan terrified him to the core. "That's good..." Sheridan's voice trailed off as she was still lost in thought about Hank and his family. Particularly the baby. Sheridan thought about little Andrew Bennett a lot.

Luis knew what she was thinking about and he cuddled her closer, whispering, "It'll happen Angel." "I know, but I want a baby now Luis... why can't we get lucky for once?" She asked, tears welling up in her eyes. "Nothing about our relationship has ever been easy, I know, but why can't we catch a break just this once?" "Good things come to those who wait..." Luis began, but Sheridan cut him off. "Don't placate me Luis! I hear enough of that from everybody else... I don't need it from you too.

I have spent my whole life waiting for things that have come easily to everyone around me. Why can't I have this?" Luis kissed her cheek and said softly, "Wasn't I worth the wait?" Despite herself, Sheridan smiled. "Yes." She kissed him sweetly on the lips. "You most definitely were. But I don't want to wait any longer... I want to be pregnant. I want to have our baby growing inside me so badly that I ache." "I know Angel... and it will happen. You'll see."

Sheridan didn't answer... she was deep in thought. Everytime she saw little Andrew, or any other baby for that matter, she ached with longing. She'd never wanted anything so badly in her entire life as to bear Luis' child. The doctors saw no reason why they weren't able to conceive. All the usual tests had been run on both of them and, Lord knows, Luis and Sheridan were making all the right efforts. Pilar kept telling Sheridan to relax and it would happen when they least expected it, but Sheridan found that impossible.

Luis was thinking too... about the last time Hank and Beth had been over with the baby... not today, but a few nights ago. When they left Luis had walked them out to the car and when he came back inside he'd found Sheridan in the bedroom. She was sitting on the bed, tears rolling down her face and when he sat beside her she'd fallen into his arms and just sobbed her heart out. It was almost more than Luis could bear to watch.

Every month that went by and she wasn't pregnant just tore her apart. "It's just not fair Luis." She said now. "Look at all the babies born into this world that were 'accidents'... babies that are unloved and mistreated. And here we are, wanting a baby more than anything... it's just not fair." Sheridan murmured sadly, her face buried in his neck as he held her close. "I know sweetheart." Luis stroked her back and held her as they listened to the two men in the hotel room complain about the minute number of cable channels the hotel offered.

Then they whined about the lumpy beds. They listened as the men prepared to leave the room, gathering their things together. Then, to their dismay, the briefcase was opened, there was a bit of scratching as they removed the money and it was closed again. Luis imagined the case being tossed across the room onto a bed as they heard a thump. "We don't need this cheap case... let housekeeping have it..." one of the men said. Then the door slammed shut and there was only silence. Sheridan raised her head and sighed. "Well, tonight was a big waste of time wasn't it."

"Maybe not. There's still a chance those marked bills Sam gave us will turn up someplace..." Luis said, although he wasn't holding out much hope. The money would be laundered before it would be distributed anywhere. Sheridan slid off his lap and snapped off the computer. "Well, I say it was a bust... that money will never be seen again." She put her hands in the small of her back, arching it as she stretched. "I'm going to bed Sweetheart... are you coming?"

Luis nodded. "Right behind you Angel. I'll check the doors and get the lights." Sheridan nodded, disappearing into the hall. Luis locked the front door and switched off the living room light. In the kitchen he shut the light off and was about to lock the door when, instead, he went outside into the yard. He stood there, gazing solemnly up at the stars, and said a little prayer that their dream might come true tonight... that they might get the child they so desperately wanted. Then he took a deep breath of the cool, crisp fall air and went back inside.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 3:

The next day Sheridan was at her desk, dealing with one of the routine cases that were the bread and butter of their business. She was trying to locate a guy that had skipped town, forgetting that he had a couple kids that he owed monthly child support to. With the help of the Internet and a contact she'd cultivated at the DMV Sheridan was close to tracking him down. Luis was out on another case that was pretty routine for them. He was tailing a woman who's husband suspected her of cheating. No doubt Luis was outside either their apartment or some cheap motel out on the highway.

Sheridan's hands flew over the keyboard as she coaxed more information from the machine. She smiled triumphantly as the computer coughed up an address. Luis was always praising her for her success with this kind of work. He was practically computer illiterate. She typed up the information she'd found and printed out the report and a bill for their client, in this case the grandfather of the abandoned children.

Now all the mother had to do was present the address and his place of work to the agency she was dealing with and they would begin to garner the creeps wages. "Until he disappears again." Sheridan mumbled cynically, with a sigh, as she signed the papers and set them aside for Luis to sign. They dealt with real pillars of society in their work... Sheridan looked up with a smile as she heard Luis walk in, but the smile slid right off her face as she saw the tight expression he wore. "I guess your stakeout was a washout huh?"

Luis tossed a few Polaroid's on the desk. "No, that was a complete success... you can bill the guy. It's about Hank. He's gone." Luis' voice sounded very sour, as though he could barely speak. Sheridan closed the file on her desk and got up, coming to stand by the couch where Luis flopped. "What do you mean he's gone? You mean he's...dead?" Sheridan sank onto the sofa too.

"No," Luis reassured her quickly. "At least I hope not. I just talked to Sam... he got a call from Beth last night. When she got home from closing up the Book Cafe last night Andrew was with a babysitter and Hank was gone." "And he never came back?" Sheridan asked incredulously. "No." Luis said bitterly. "Beth said some of his clothes and stuff are gone. The bastard skipped out on her!" Sheridan knew that Luis was thinking about how his own father had disappeared. She couldn't believe that Hank would just leave Beth and that precious baby. "There has to be an explanation Luis."

"Yeah, he's a deadbeat. That's the explanation. We're going to track him down Sheridan, just like we do all the other jerks that abandon their families. When we find him I'm going to drag his sorry behind right back to Harmony and force him to take care of his responsibilities." Luis couldn't even think straight over the fury he was feeling at his best buddy. Former best buddy... he made the correction in his head.

"Poor Beth. She must be beside herself." Sheridan's heart went out to her friend as she shook her head sadly. No matter what Hank had done she knew Beth loved him and it would be tearing her apart. "Yeah, well she shouldn't waste time worrying about the jerk." Luis muttered, raking his hand through his hair. "He doesn't deserve a woman as good as Beth." "I'm going to Beth's. Maybe there's something I can do." Sheridan decided. "What about tracing Hank?" Luis knew he would be hopeless trying to begin the process without her on the computer.

Sheridan nodded. "We will. But you know as well as I do that he's not going to stop this soon. We have to wait until he stops somewhere and then we can try and trace him. While I wait I am going to Beth's. The reports on the Cooper and McGuire cases are there on my desk. All they need is your signature." Sheridan was already shrugging into her leather jacket and gathering her purse as she spoke. "I'll be back shortly." She kissed Luis briefly on the lips. "I love you." "I love you too Angel," he replied, their gazes locking for a second. Then Sheridan left Luis to brood over Hank's behaviour.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 4:

Sheridan rang the doorbell and glanced around the neighbourhood as she waited. It was not the best area in Harmony, but it was made up mostly of hard working families. It seemed like an eternity before the door swung open to reveal Beth. Sheridan looked at her friends pale face and her dark, sad eyes, knowing the woman hadn't slept. "Oh Beth," she said.

Beth fell apart right there in the doorway. "Sher... he's gone... Oh God, what am I going to do?" She broke into tears. Sheridan moved into the house, urging Beth back inside and closing the door. She embraced her friend, Beth clinging to her as her body was racked with sobs. "It'll be alright Beth..." Sheridan murmured, as she wondered if it really would be. Beth pulled back, wiping her eyes and sniffling. "I'm sorry Sher. I guess I just needed a good cry." She managed a weak smile.

"Don't apologize Beth. That's what friends are for." Sheridan replied, returning the smile. At first the two women hadn't liked each other. Sheridan was jealous of Beth's past with Luis and Beth was jealous of Sheridan's future with him. Then Beth and Hank had begun dating. Sheridan and Beth had buried the hatchet for their men's sake and formed an uneasy truce.

Slowly, over the past year and a half, they had begun to form their own separate relationship, realizing that they actually enjoyed each others company. Sheridan now considered Beth to be one of her best friends and it hurt her to see her in such pain. "Why Sher? Why would he leave us?" Beth asked plaintively, begging Sheridan for an acceptable answer as she poured them both some coffee from the pot she'd made earlier.

Sheridan took the cup of coffee and sipped it before answering. "I wish I knew Beth. It's very unlike Hank to do something like this." She weighed her options in her mind and decided to come clean. "Listen, Beth... I have something to confess..." Beth interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "If it's about the investigation concerning the drug ring, I already know about it. Sam told me last night. I don't buy it Sher. Hank wasn't involved with drugs... at least... not now."

"What do you mean "not now"?" "Well," Beth sat with her coffee mug clasped in both hands as she stared down into the murky brown liquid. "I know he did some things in the past that he wasn't proud of. I know he had a connection to the cartel that was trying to have you killed a few years back." "What?" Sheridan was stunned with this revelation and she set her mug down with a thud, sloshing a bit of the coffee onto the table.

Beth looked up then, her eyes apologetic. "The night that Hank was shot on the wharf, when you killed the shooter... it was a setup. Hank was forced to set you up, but he couldn't go through with it. That's why he took the bullet." Sheridan murmured in disbelief, "Hank tried to have me killed..." Beth reached across the table, placing her hand over Sheridan's. "Sher, he didn't have a choice. The cartel was threatening to kill Jess and Kay... he had to agree. The important thing is he saved you in the end."

"But still..." Sheridan had a chill now. To think that her friend had been going to allow her to be killed. She had trusted Hank to protect her, and so had Luis. It was almost laughable if it hadn't been so devastating. Luis had taken pains to have Hank appointed as his backup guard for her. It was like hiring the fox to guard the hen house. Sheridan shook her head, forcing the thoughts back down inside her. This wasn't about Beth and Beth was the person that was in trouble now.

When they found Hank she would deal with his betrayal then. She took a deep breath and met Beth's eyes. "Isn't it possible that he is still connected with them? Even unwillingly?" Beth sighed, setting her coffee aside. "I don't know Sher. If you had asked me last week I would've said 'absolutely not, no way'. The last few days he's been strange though. Quiet, withdrawn, secretive. And now he's just gone..." Her voice cracked and she struggled to keep calm.

Sheridan waited while Beth regained her composure and she thought about all the various reasons that Hank might have left. Foremost in her mind was that he was protecting Beth and the baby. She voiced that to Beth. "Maybe...it's the only reason I can think of too Sher. I know he worships Andy... and I think he still loves me..." Uncertainty crept into her voice then.

"He does love you Beth. I know he does... you can see it in his eyes. You and Andy are everything to him." Sheridan assured her. Sheridan reached out and squeezed her friends hand. She knew that was the truth... Hank loved them. She knew Hank needed help, and she was going to see that he got it.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 5:

Sheridan had remained at Beth's a while longer... doing her best to calm and reassure her friend. On the drive home she considered what she would do if she were in Beth's position. She knew she could never be in Beth's place because, unlike Hank, Luis had no secret, shady past.

Sheridan shuddered as she thought about how Hank had been instructed to help kill her and she recalled how close it had been. The fact that he'd had a guilty conscience at the last moment didn't change the fact that he had set her up. She knew she would never fully trust him again. Still, he had changed. He was a husband and a father and if he had left now to protect his family then Sheridan had to give the guy some credit for that. She pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine.

She unbuckled her seatbelt, but she didn't get out of the car right away. She was trying to decide if she should tell Luis about Hank's part in the hitman incident. She sighed. She would tell him because she didn't want secrets between them. She got out of the car and trudged slowly up the walk.

She would tell him, then stand back and watch the fireworks. Luis would go ballistic for certain and his opinion of Hank was already pretty low today. He was sitting at her desk when she walked in. He was glaring at her computer screen, pencil clenched between his teeth as he typed something in with his two index fingers.

The computer made a beep and the screen went blank. He spat the pencil out onto the desk and it bounced to the floor where it rolled to a stop by Sheridan's feet. "Damn!" Sheridan bent, retrieving the pencil and replacing it in the jar she kept on the desk to hold her writing implements. "Problems Sweetheart?" She moved around the desk, coming to stand behind him. She bent, sliding her arms around him, resting her chin on his shoulder.

"Yeah... these damn things are designed to drive sane men crazy!" Luis flicked his hand at the computer. "And where would you find a sane man?" Sheridan quipped, deadpan. Luis glanced at her, less than amused. "Sorry..." she mumbled. "How's Beth?" Luis asked, turning in his chair and drawing her into his lap. "Not good." Sheridan wrapped her arms around him, snuggling close.

"She's scared and she doesn't know what to do with herself." Luis scowled. "She needs to forget about him. He's a no good user." Luis' words were strong, but Sheridan could hear the pain in them. "I don't think he abandoned them Luis. I think he's protecting them. Luis... I have something to tell you and I want you to keep your cool...okay?" Sheridan waited for him to confirm. He nodded and she continued.

"The hitmen that were trying to kill me... Hank was involved. But he couldn't go through with it Luis." Luis looked furious and Sheridan could feel the tension in him building. "That bastard! How could he do that and call himself our friend?" "Luis... he didn't do it. He took the bullet for me, remember?" Sheridan said quickly.

"Now I think there is still a connection left between them. We have to find him Luis... we have to help him." Luis' voice was cold and empty. "Why? So he can kill us? So he can endanger his family even more? No, he made his bed and now he can lay in it." Sheridan couldn't believe Luis' reaction. He was so hard and it scared Sheridan. She had never seen him more furious than he was right now.

She could feel it in his body where she was pressed against him. She knew it went back to his fathers disappearance and she hoped he would eventually put the past back where it belonged and focus on the present. Hank was in trouble and they needed to help him... if for no other reason than it would be best for Beth and the baby.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 6:

Sheridan sat at the computer, anxiously awaiting a report she was expecting concerning the use of Hank's credit card or ATM card. She saw Luis across the room, talking on the phone and raking his hands through his hair. He was frustrated and so was she. It had been several days now since Hank had disappeared and neither of them had been sleeping well, but Sheridan was worried about her husband.

She had never realized the extent of Luis' bitterness and resentment he still held over his fathers disappearance. This thing with Hank had brought all the emotions bubbling to the surface, but yet he still held them inside and Sheridan knew he would have to blow eventually. He hung up the phone and turned to face her now, his face pinched and his eyes revealing the sleepless nights he'd had. "That was Beth." He said.

"Has she heard anything?" Sheridan asked, not really expecting a positive response. Luis frowned. "No, and I wish she would just give up hoping to hear anything. He's gone for good and she's better off without him." The computer beeped and announced that Sheridan had mail. "What does it say?" Luis asked her with an eagerness that belied the honesty of his previous statement.

Sheridan opened the e-mail and scanned it quickly. "He hasn't used either card yet. I guess he's either using cash or else..." Her voice trailed away, as she thought of the horrible consequences that could have befallen Hank. Luis was silent too, they were both lost in thought, when the phone jarred them back to the real world. "Hello?" Luis answered the phone. "Hank? Where the hell are you?"

Sheridan perked up, coming to stand beside Luis. She was so thankful that Hank was still alive and was free to call them. She listened impatiently to Luis' half of the conversation and when the call ended she looked at Luis. "Well?" "He's in Boston." Luis explained. "He wants me to come and help him out. He won't say what the trouble is or even what he needs, but he'll tell me in person." "Ok, so when do we meet him?"

"Not we Sheridan, me. I want you to stay here." Luis replied. Sheridan looked at him as though he'd grown an extra head. "I don't think so." She said firmly. "This is a partnership, remember? If I can crawl around on the docks to back you up on stakeout then I can certainly go with you to Boston." Luis couldn't help but grin at her tenacious attitude. "Alright, you're right. He wants us to meet him tonight so let's get going."

Luis left Sheridan standing there, wondering why he gave in so easily. She smiled and decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Okay," she said, striding into the bedroom behind him. "How long do I pack for? And will I be needing my black outfit?" She waved her stocking cap around in the air. "You bet..." Luis was already thinking about how great she looked in her surveillance outfit.

Sheridan read the lecherous look on his face and threw the cap at him with a grin. "You know, Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald, you have a very dirty mind." Luis moved to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "And you, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, love my mind." "Among other things..." Sheridan murmured, sliding her arms around him and giving him a seductive smile. "Oh Baby... I wish we weren't in such a hurry..." Luis groaned.

"Yeah, well, as soon as we get Hank back home where he belongs we can get back to normal ourselves." Sheridan said, suddenly turning serious. "Should we call Beth?" Luis considered that for a moment. "No, lets wait until after we meet him tonight. I don't want to get her hopes up if things don't go like we want. We still don't know what we're dealing with here." "You're right." Sheridan nodded. She gave him a quick kiss and moved away to get her bag from the closet. They threw some clothes into their bags, both eager to get going.

An hour later they were on the interstate, the Jeep moving just slightly over the limit. "When I get my hands on Hank he'd better have a damn good excuse for running out on his family." Luis muttered. "Luis," Sheridan said softly, not wanting to upset him. "This is not about your father... Hank is not your father." "I know that Sheridan." Luis replied tightly.

"Look Luis, I never really knew your father, but for you and Pilar to both love him so much he must have been a very special man. You have no proof that he left you willingly. And I know deep down you realize that, just as you realize Hank would never willingly leave Beth and Andrew either." Luis stared at the road ahead for a long moment before glancing at her. "I know that now Sheridan, but I didn't when I was a kid. I thought he left because of me... because I wasn't a good enough son. I just don't want Andrew to grow up feeling that way too."

Sheridan reached over, placing her hand on his arm and squeezing gently. "He won't Luis. We're going to find Hank, and help him out of whatever mess he's gotten himself into. Hank knows it too... that's why he called us." Luis glanced at her again, pain etched into his face. "What if we can't help him Sheridan? What if he's in too deep for us to get him out?" Luis' voice dripped with emotion, fear that he wouldn't be able to come through for Hank, Beth and Andrew.

Sheridan didn't answer... she didn't know how to. Instead she just squeezed his arm again and gave him a wry smile as the Jeep continued to eat up the miles between them and Boston.

To Be Continued…



Chapter 7:

Sheridan shifted uncomfortably in the seat of the Jeep. "So where is he?" Luis gave her an impatient look. If he knew where Hank was he wouldn't be cooling his heels here. He reached into the backseat and grabbed the box of donuts they'd picked up along the drive to Boston. He pulled out a cream filled chocolate covered one, Sheridan's favorite kind, and held it toward her. "Want one?" Sheridan felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she caught scent of the treat and she shook her head. "No thanks."

Luis looked at her with surprise. He'd never known Sheridan to refuse chocolate. "You alright Sweetie?" Sheridan nodded, not wanting to worry him. "I'm fine. I've just had enough donuts for one night I suppose." Luis nodded and bit into the pastry himself. He knew what she meant. This was his fifth one of the night and it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the first couple had been.

They watched the parking lot a while longer as the night faded away and the sun slowly rose behind them. "Damn it! What the Hell happened!" Luis grumbled. "I hope Hank's alright." Sheridan said softly, worry eating away at her. Luis nodded. "Me too. Well, let's go get a room and crash for a few hours. Maybe Hank will try and contact us again."

Luis straightened in the seat, trying his best to stretch a little before buckling his seat belt. They drove a few miles before finding a motel that wasn't a total dive. Luis rented them a room and as soon as they got inside Sheridan announced her intention to have a long hot shower. As she stood under the hot spray she wasn't surprised to feel a slight draft as the bathroom door opened.

A moment later she heard the shower curtain slide open and felt Luis' arms slip around her. She leaned back against her husband as he began kissing her neck. Then he let her go, reaching for the soap and washcloth and started to wash her back, the cloth moving slowly and sensually over her skin. "Oh, Luis..." She moaned softly as his hands moved from her back to caress her breasts with the soapy cloth.

It was too much for them to take... Luis dropped the cloth and moved Sheridan under the spray to rinse off the soap, then he turned the shower off and urged her out of the stall. They hurriedly dried off and Luis scooped her into his arms, taking her to the other room and gently lying her on the bed. He followed her down, until they were lying side by side, gazing into each others eyes as their hands explored and caressed each others bodies.

"I love you so much, Sheridan." "I love you too Luis." Sheridan whispered, thinking briefly of the reason they were here in this hotel room. "Don't ever leave me Luis." Luis brought his hand up and stroked her cheek softly. "Never Angel. You don't have to worry about that, I promise." Sheridan smiled, turning her head a little to kiss his palm, then leaning in for a real kiss. They kissed deeply, their tongues mating together passionately as their hands brought them closer and closer to the breaking point...

A little later they were snuggled under the blankets, basking in the afterglow. Sheridan wondered, once again, how it could get more intense and beautiful every time they made love. She had friends who were also married and they often lamented over their dwindling sex lives. Yet, even after more than two years she and Luis still made love almost every day and it just got better and better.

She glanced up at Luis and even though he smiled lovingly at her she could see the worry on his face. "What are we going to do Luis?" "Hope he calls us I guess. If we don't hear anything in a few hours maybe we can find out something if we scout around where we were supposed to meet him." Sheridan nodded. "Yeah, somebody somewhere knows where he is. I just hope it's not someone who wants to harm him." She shuddered and Luis tightened his arms around her. "Don't worry Sweetheart, we'll find him." Luis just wished he believed it himself.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 8:

Luis was frustrated. He had been scouring the area around their arranged meeting place for a couple of hours. He'd spoken to every human he'd seen within a ten block radius and nobody had seen Hank... at least nobody would admit to seeing him. He only hoped Sheridan was having more luck in her search of the nearby motels.

Sheridan wasn't having any more luck than Luis was. She'd talked to every bored, underpaid motel worker in Boston, she was sure of it. Finally she returned to the motel she and Luis were staying at. She parked the jeep outside their unit, wondering if Luis was back yet. Surely he hadn't discovered anything or he'd have called her on her cell phone.

She got out, locked the Jeep and started climbing the stairs to their second floor room. On impulse, knowing the thought was foolish, she turned and trotted back down, heading for the office. The chances of Hank choosing the same motel as them were next to nil, but if she didn't check then the possibility would drive her crazy. She waited impatiently as the young desk clerk popped her gum loudly and giggled into the phone receiver.

Then she let out a nasally laugh and said "Gotta go... there's a customer here." The word 'customer' sounded as though she were referring to a lower life form, with the tone it was said. Nonetheless, Sheridan offered the girl her most brilliant smile and whipped out Hank's photo. "Oh, him..." the girl said wearily. "What's with this guy anyway?" "What do you mean?" Sheridan asked. "You recognize him?" "Yeah, he was staying here. He sure is popular... a couple of guys came looking for him yesterday morning.

They didn't find him though, and they tore the room apart looking for something. Three guesses who had to clean that mess up." The girl scowled and eyed Sheridan. "He a wanted man or something? You a cop? Or a bounty hunter maybe?" Doller signs flashed in her eyes. "No, just a friend." Sheridan gave her a card with her cell number on it. "Listen, if he comes back, or the other two either, give me a call, alright?" "Yeah, sure... whatever." The girl took the card in a manner which told Sheridan it would be filed in the trash as soon as she left.

"Oh, did you find anything in the room when you were cleaning?" "I didn't steal nothing!" The gum cracked indignantly. "I'm sure you didn't," Sheridan was quick to assure her. "I was thinking about papers...something with phone numbers... notes... anything that might give me an idea where he went?" "Yeah, actually there was something...down behind the john under some wet towels...it was a notebook."

She reached into a drawer and pulled out a spiral book. "Seemed a shame to waste a good book...so I just ripped out the page he wrote on." She shrugged apologetically "Sorry, it already went out with the trash." Sheridan took the pad and looked at it. "Have you written on any of the pages yet?" At the girls negative reply Sheridan brightened. "Let me use that pencil?"

She rubbed the pencil sideways across the paper until some faint writing was revealed. Sheridan grinned as she returned the pencil. "Thanks, you've been a great help." She practically flew from the office and across the parking lot. She was headed for the Jeep and dialing her cell phone as she moved. She sighed when Luis took a while to answer. "Luis... where are you? I'll pick you up in 5 minutes... I've got a lead..."

To Be Continued...

Chapter 9:

Luis hopped into the Jeep almost before Sheridan brought it to a complete stop. "What did you find?" Sheridan handed him the pad. "A name and an address. That's Hank's writing isn't it?" Luis nodded. "Yeah, it sure looks like it. I wonder if it's a Boston address?" "I checked the map already. It's a street a few blocks from here." Sheridan pulled the vehicle back into the traffic as she spoke. Luis stared at the address and the single name above it. "Mike...I don't know any Mike." He mused. "I wonder if he's a friend or an enemy?"

"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough." Sheridan remarked. "Chances are he'll be at this address." She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel impatiently as she waited for a light to change. It turned green and she stomped on the gas a little too hard. Now that they actually had a lead she was anxious to follow up on it. Luis nodded. "I just hope Hank's there too." Sheridan parked the Jeep across the street from the address and they surveyed the building in question. It wasn't the best neighborhood, but the building wasn't too terribly run down.

Several girls were on the sidewalk in front, jumping rope. "I didn't realize kids still did that." Sheridan said, unbuckling her seatbelt and tucking her gun safely under her shirt. "Apparently they do here." Luis also concealed his weapon and they got out of the Jeep, crossing the street. The girls moved aside and just before entering the building Sheridan heard one of them whisper knowingly to the others, "Drug dealers." Okay, Sheridan decided maybe the neighborhood was worse than she'd initially thought.

They climbed the stairs to the second floor and moved slowly down the hallway. The air was dusty and stale and Luis stifled a sneeze. Outside the apartment Luis rested a hand on his gun and knocked briskly on the door. "It's about time..." The tall balding man seemed surprised to see them standing there and his voice trailed away. "Who the Hell are you?" He reached for his gun and Sheridan and Luis did likewise.

Before either of them could get their weapons in hand they were grabbed from behind and roughly shoved face first up against the wall. "Nice try." The balding man said with attitude, as he took their guns and nodded at the men holding them. They were escorted into the apartment, and shoved onto a worn sofa. Sheridan was terrified. These men were obviously professionals... they'd been so quick to overpower them. She wondered if they would kill her and Luis... and if they had already killed Hank. She glanced over at Luis...

Luis met her petrified gaze and his heart was racing in panic equal to hers. Damn, he wished he'd insisted she stay in Harmony. If these bastards hurt her... Baldy was standing before them, eyeing them intently, a thoughtful look on his face. "What are you doing here?" He asked finally. "Looking for Hank Bennett." Luis decided to play it straight for now. The man snorted, giving Sheridan the once over. "Madison's taste in employees sure has improved... seems a shame to waste such a pretty lady..."

The other men chuckled and bile rose in Luis' throat at the thought of them touching his wife. He glanced at Sheridan and she was decidedly green... she looked as though she were going to keel over. "You touch her and I'll kill you." Luis muttered in a menacing voice. Baldy laughed, exchanging almost amused glances with his men."You're in no position to make threats Buster, but take it easy... I've got other plans for the two of you." Sheridan didn't like the sound of that, and upon looking at Luis she knew he was worried too.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 10:

Luis and Sheridan exchanged glances. Not being hurt sounded good, but 'other plans' wasn't sounding particularly pleasant either at the moment. Luis tried to reassure her with his eyes, but he could see it wasn't working. "What have you done to Hank?" Sheridan turned to the bald man, her ice blue eyes flashing angrily. Baldy looked at her curiously. "If I didn't know better I would say you were worried about him."

"Of course I'm worried about him!" Sheridan replied indignantly. "He's my friend and I care about him, now where is he?" Her voice took on a tone Luis recognized from the days when she was striving to please her father, to be a good Crane. It dripped with demand, and the expectation that she would be answered, simply because she said so. The man exchanged glances with his minions and then pinned his gaze back on Sheridan. "Madison must just love you making 'friends' with his marks." "Who the hell is this Madison?" Luis asked.

Baldy got close in Luis' face and bile rose in his throat as the man's breath, dripping with stench of coffee, cigarettes and something equally unpleasant, streamed onto his skin. "Don't play games with me you lowlife. You think you can waltz in here with your sex-pot sidekick and pull a fast one? Well you can't. I'm onto you. Madison might have gotten the jump on the last agents, but he won't get me!" He stepped back and Luis was able to draw a deep breath.

"Agents? You guys are F.B.I.?" A sigh of relief drifted from his mouth and he saw Sheridan relax next to him. "F.B.I.... thank goodness." She whispered. "Please tell me you have Hank... tell me he's safe?" She pleaded with the man. "Hell, you know I almost believe you two... who are you?" They told him their names and the man dug Luis' wallet from his pocket, looking at the P.I. licence inside. One of the other men typed frantically into the computer and managed to come up with copies of their licences on it.

"Yeah, they're telling the truth Freeman... they're legit." he told them. Agent Freeman let out a long low sigh and shook his head. "You know, you could've been killed? You tried to pull a weapon on a federal agent." "We thought you had Hank. If we'd had any idea you were agents we would have approached this differently. So where is Hank?" He indicated the cuffs on his wrists. "Are these still necessary?" Freeman nodded to one of the other agents and said, "Damned if I know where he is. I was hoping it was him at the door, but instead I got saddled with the two of you."

Sheridan rubbed her wrists after the cuffs were removed. "So Hank is working with you then?" "Yeah, he's been working with us for some time now. Trying to help us put away Madison... but Madison figured him out." "So that's why Hank ran... this guy came after him?" Luis asked. "He left his family though..." "Don't worry...we have men watching his wife and kid. His brother's family too just in case." Freeman frowned. "What I didn't bank on was you two. What are you doing here anyway?" "Hank called us... wanted to meet us here in Boston, only he never showed for the meeting." The agent nodded, his frown deepening. "He never kept our last meeting either."

Sheridan explained what she'd learned about the men searching for Hank at the motel. "Were they your men?" Freeman exchanged a quick look with his men before answering. "No. They must have been Madison's guys. At least it sounds like they didn't catch up with him either." "So what happens when he meets with you?" Luis moved to Sheridan, taking her hand, needing physical reassurance that she was really alright. "We take him into protective custody. He should've come to us as soon as he knew his cover was broken. I don't know what he was thinking, running like this. And I don't understand why he broke our meeting."

Luis had a feeling it had something to do with a rumor he'd heard buzzing around the station when he'd been visiting Sam a few weeks ago. Something to do with F.B.I. agents on the take and 'losing' a few witnesses. It had been covered up pretty well, but the rumor mill at the station was usually quite accurate. Chances are something had caused Hank to mistrust this Freeman guy, and actually Luis wasn't too sure about the man himself. "So what are you going to do about us?" Sheridan voiced the question, just as Luis was about to.

"Well, when I thought you were working for Madison I was planning on using you as bait." His eyes ran appreciatively over Sheridan again. "I had you pegged as Madison's girl, and that would've been great leverage." Sheridan didn't like this agent, and his lecherous looks made her skin crawl. but she forced a quick smile. "Well, I'm not. I happen to be a married woman." She tightened her grip on Luis' hand.

"Yeah, whatever. At any rate, you're no good to us now, so you might as well get out of here. I suggest you go home, but if you should come across Hank make sure he understands how important it is that he contact us." Luis nodded, as he accepted their weapons from the other agent and passed Sheridan hers. "Sure thing, we'll be sure to do that." He took Sheridans hand again and towed her to the door before Freeman changed his mind about letting them go.

Only when they were safely ensconced in the Jeep did they allow themselves to really relax. "What do you think?" Luis asked, knowing what a good judge of character Sheridan usually was. "I don't like him. Something about him just doesn't ring true. Also, just the way he kept looking at me was making my skin crawl. I don't trust him." She rubbed her arms, trying to alleviate the sudden chill she had.

"Okay, I agree. I don't trust him either, and I think that's why Hank hasn't met with him. What I don't understand is why Hank didn't meet with us, or at least try and contact us again." Sheridan gnawed her lower lip a little. "I don't know, but I don't like the possibilities that I'm imagining very much." She looked at Luis, fear glistening in her eyes. "Do you think those men have caught him?" "I don't know, but..." They were interrupted by Sheridan's cell phone. "Maybe that's Hank."

"Maybe." Sheridan took the phone from her jacket pocket. "Hello? Oh, hey Beth." Disappointment clouded her face as she heard the woman's voice. Then, suddenly, she smiled. "He did? When?" A pause made the smile grow. "That's great Beth. What did he say?" "Okay, that's good Beth. I can't believe you noticed that... you could work for us with an ear like that! Ok, you take care Honey, we'll talk to you soon." Luis was practically coming out of his skin, eager to hear and Sheridan obliged. "Hank called her about half an hour ago.

He said he was fine, and Beth heard something in the background. It was a loudspeaker Luis... he was in a Walmart store when he called." Luis frowned. "Walmart... do you have any idea how many Walmarts there are in Boston?" "I know Luis, but it's someplace to start." Sheridan enthused. "And at least we know he's still alive." "Yeah," Luis agreed. "Okay, lets go get a phone book and find those Walmart stores." He started the Jeep and then went in search of a phone booth.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 11:

Three hours later Sheridan and Luis sat in the Jeep, in a fast food parking lot, eating mediocre burgers and greasy french fries. Sheridan took a big gulp of her diet cola in an attempt to dilute some of the grease. "I think there are Walmarts in this city on the average of one for every hundred people," she sighed. "We're almost done," Luis said, scanning the page they'd ripped from the phone book.

"Only two left." They had been in Walmart after Walmart, showing Hank's picture to every greeter and checker they could find. Nobody had seen him. "Luis... he might not even be in Boston anymore. He could've been anywhere when he called Beth." "Yeah, he could've, but I have a feeling he's still in Boston. Hank has always liked Boston. He was a huge Red Sox fan... oh man!" "What?" Sheridan sat up straighter, eagerly. "I should've known that's where he would go..." "Where?" "The stadium... Fenway Park... I bet that's where he's hiding."

Luis tossed the remains of his food into the bag and started the Jeep. "I can't believe I didn't think of it before. When we were kids we always said we were going to run away to Fenway Park." "Luis, you really think he'll be there? You aren't eleven years old anymore and there are killers after him." Sheridan had serious doubts and she hated to see Luis get his hopes up. "No, we aren't eleven anymore, but there's a certain safety attached to childhood dreams..."

He glanced at Sheridan, recalling what a miserable, lonely childhood she'd had. He reached over as he came to a stop light and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Trust me on this, Sweetheart. I have a good feeling." Sheridan squeezed back, praying he was right. The traffic seemed to be moving at a snails pace. She glanced at her watch. 5:15... no wonder. It was rush hour.

"We'd better get there soon, Luis. If there's a game tonight the place will be crawling with people in no time." "The boys are in town tonight." Luis said as they inched through another intersection. "The game starts at 7:30." He knew that left them a very small window of opportunity. Fans would begin showing up hoping to catch the players warming up soon. "How are we going to do this Luis?" Sheridan asked a while later, once they had bought their tickets and entered the stadium. "There are security guards everywhere and Hank isn't just going to be sitting in the bleachers even if he is here."

Luis was gazing around, taking everything in. In all the years he'd been a Red Sox fan he'd never actually been to Fenway Park, and despite the gravity of the situation he was in awe. "Luis?" Sheridan's voice broke his trance. "Oh... yeah..." Luis agreed.

"We're going to have to get the guards to help us out I guess. We'll need to speak to the chief of security." He moved away to speak to the nearest guard. Sheridan leaned against the nearest wall. She was tired, and feeling a little light headed. All this worry and stress was getting to her. She was used to this kind of work, but it was different when people you know are in jeopardy. She just wished they could find Hank and go home.

To Be Continued...

Chapter 12:

"There's no way anyone is hiding out here at Fenway." The chief of security leaned back in his desk chair and insisted stubbornly. "My men would've found him already." Luis stared at the man, annoyed with his arrogance. "With all due respect to your men, I believe he is here somewhere. Please, his life depends on us finding him before somebody else does."

The security man glanced down at the P.I.'s licences he held in his hand once more. He handed them back with a sigh. Sheridan could see he was wavering. "Can't you just humor us? Have your men help us out? Please?" She gave him her most winsome smile, gazing at him with her mesmerizing blue eyes. "Alright," he said finally. "But this better be on the up and up. If I find out this is just an elaborate attempt to try and meet the boys..."

Sheridan grinned. "Do I look like a baseball fan?" The man eyes her with obvious interest. "Yeah, you look like the worst kind. The kind the boys can't resist." Luis' eyes narrowed and he muttered, "She's married." "Right... okay, I'll get one of my guys to take you around. I hope you find this guy, but I'm sure it won't be here. My guys are good at their job."

"Thank you." Luis shook his hand and they all left the office. The man introduced them to a guard named Steve and returned to his office. "Where do you want to start?" Steve asked as soon as his boss had left. He was young and seemed eager to help out two real P.I's. He reminded Sheridan of an overexcited puppy. "Well, lets start with the places nobody ever goes." Luis suggested the obvious, suppressing a grin. Steve nodded.

"Okay, let's go." He led them off to the bowels of the stadium, where the electrical system, plumbing, heat and other inner workings were housed. The three of them poked through every corner, cupboard and space large enough to conceal a man. After that they started at one end of the building and worked their way through all the areas. Finally they came to a halt behind the concession area. "Well, I think we've covered just about everything." Steve said apologetically.

Sheridan caught a whiff of fresh popcorn and a wave of nausea passed over her. Her knees were weak and she sank against the wall, trying to lean there looking casual. Luis eyes her suspiciously. "You okay Sweetheart?" "Yeah, I'm just a little tired." Sheridan gave him a forced smile. The young guard looked at her nervously, seeing how pasty she looked. "I'll get you some ice water," he said, disappearing into the back door of the concession booth.

Luis moved to her, concerned. "Sweetheart, you really don't look good. Are you sure you're just tired?" Sheridan shrugged and offered him a wan smile. "I don't know, maybe I'm getting a cold. Don't worry Luis. I'm sure it's just a combination of being over tired and stressed." Steve returned with a cup of ice water, which Sheridan gratefully accepted.

After leaning against Luis and sipping the water she started to feel a bit better. "I'm fine," she insisted to the two men who were watching her as though she were ready for the infirmary. "Let's get on with the search." "Well," Steve said, "Unless we want to start a row by row search of the bleachers, which are probably full by now, we've looked everywhere."

"Wait," Sheridan had a thought. "Where are the mowers?" Luis looked at her with confusion for a moment before he caught her drift. He turned to Steve. "Right, where is all the maintenance equipment? I don't remember seeing it." Steve grinned. "That's because you didn't. The access to that area is from the outside only." He led them down a hallway to a doorway opening into the employee's parking area, and then to another door beside three huge bay doors.

Steve unlocked the door and they all stepped into the dark building. Steve switched on the lights and a dim glow filled the cavernous space. Sure enough, there were the mowers and various other pieces of equipment. The garage had an overwhelming odor of gasoline, oil and fresh cut grass. They scents mingled together and invaded Sheridan's nostrils, once again making her feel woozy and ill.

'What is wrong with me?' She wondered, hoping the men were too preoccupied with the search to notice her leaning against the wall. At this rate Luis was going to be hauling her behind to the hospital, and she hated hospitals. Suddenly a thought hit her, driving the nausea into the back of her mind and filling her with a giddy hopefulness. 'Maybe I'm pregnant... maybe this is morning sickness.

Not everyone gets it in the morning...' She suppressed a giggle, wanting to be alone with Luis, in a much more romantic setting than a filthy garage, when she told him. First things first. Searching the garage for Hank was the priority at the moment. She spun around as she heard a muffled thump on the wall behind her. "Luis!" She called. "What, Honey?" Luis and Steve rushed over to her.

"I heard something... what's behind this wall?" "A small office... the door is over here around the corner." Steve led them over and unlocked the door. Inside the room was an empty pop can. Other than that nothing looked out of place. Sheridan silently pointed to another door, most likely a closet. Luis nodded and moved toward it, drawing his gun as he did. He slowly reached out his other hand, carefully turning the knob. He swung the door wide open and all three of them inhaled sharply at the sight inside the closet...

To Be Continued...