Sheridan and Julian were together in the library of the Crane mansion. "What do you mean Father?" "You know what I mean Sheridan, stay away from Luis!" The phone went dead. "I trust you will do what Father said." "I will Julian, don't worry. I am still going to go out with him tonight though." "Father isn't going to like that Sheridan." "I already told Luis I would see him tonight, and it is too late to cancel. Anyways I still haven't finished my community service." "Well after that Father expects you to have no contact with officer Luis." "Good-bye Julian."

Meanwhile Luis walked in the kitchen of his house to find his mother lighting the candles in the window. "Hi mama." Luis had a huge grin on his face. "Hello Luis, why are you so happy." "I am going out with Sheridan again tonight." "Luis, I think that you have asked Sheridan for enough help. I know she feels that she owes you something for saving her life, but I think this is going to far." "Mama, I'm not going to ask Sheridan for anymore help. She has already risked enough." "Then why are you going out with her tonight?" "We have a date." "You what? Please tell me you are joking Luis." "I know it is hard to believe." "Luis this is not going to go over well with the Crane family. They will not except the two of you." "Mama it is just a date. Besides I can protect myself from the Cranes." "Yes Luis, but what about Sheridan?"

Back at Sheridan's cottage Sheridan walked in the door slammed it and threw her purse across the room onto the couch. "What am I going to do? I don't want to stay away from Luis. Well I might as well have a good time tonight." Sheridan showered and changed. She was picking out the perfect earrings when there was a knock at the door. Sheridan opened the door and was speechless. She could barely utter the words "Hi Luis."

Chapter 2

Luis couldn't believe how good Sheridan looked. "You look great." "Thank you Luis, so do you." The only thought that was going through Sheridan's mind was "WOW!" At the Lobster Shack they just sat staring into each others eyes. Sheridan smile then faded. "What's wrong?" "The truth?" "Please." "Before I came here tonight Alistair and Julian warned me to stay away from you." Luis had a surprised look on his face. "What?" "Well you told me that you wouldn't listen to what your father and brother said, but." "But you never thought I actually would." "I am sorry I doubted you." "Luis, Julian and Alistair know I am here tonight and they expect it to be the last time we are together." "And what are you going to do?" "Have a good time tonight and go from there. No one tells me how to live my life." They again smiled at one another. "My turn, mama warned me to be careful too. She thinks that if our families get too close something dangerous will happen." "Lets not worry about that now." Luis took her hand in his.

Hank had been out on a walk. He came across the Lobster Shack. As he walked by the window he peered inside. He noticed Sheridan and Luis sitting inside. Hank was about to go in and say hi when he saw that they were holding hands. Furious, he walked off.

After dinner Sheridan and Luis walked back to the cottage. They noticed the lights on inside. "Didn't you turn the lights off when we left?" "Yes, I wonder who could be inside." They walked over to a window and looked inside. They saw him sitting on the couch waiting.

Chapter 3

"Julian?" "Hello Sheridan, officer Luis." "What are you doing in here?" "I came to deliver a message to you from Father." "You deliver something? Right. What are you really doing here?" "Seriously Father faxed this over to me and asked me to give it to you personally." Julian gave Sheridan a folder filled with papers. He then left, leaving Sheridan alone in the cottage. "Do you really think he came over just to give you that?" "No, I think he was here to remind me of what Father said about you and me."

Just then Luis' pager went off. It was the station. "Can I use your phone?" "Of coarse." Luis hung up the phone and explained that there was a problem he had to take care of. He gave her an "I am really sorry look." He then left.

On the way off the Crane grounds Luis was stopped by Julian. "I have something for you too officer." "What is it Crane?" "Here." Julian handed Luis an envelope. Luis took it, not really paying attention to what it was. He stuffed it in his pocket and headed off to the station.

Sheridan sat on the couch drinking some tea. She was thinking to herself. She really wished Luis could have stayed longer but she knew that he had to go. Realizing she still hadn't looked at what Julian gave her, she picked up the folder. She dropped her tea on the floor as soon as she opened the folder.

Luis walked into the station. Sam was sitting at his desk. "What's up Sam?" "I am sorry to call you here Luis. I know you were out with Sheridan, but I did this for your own good." "What are you talking about Sam?" "Getting involved with a Crane is too dangerous Luis. It is more trouble than it is worth." "You mean there is no problem here, you called me so I would get away from Sheridan? What makes you an expert on dating a Crane? Besides it was only ONE date." "Luis just trust me OK? So you don't plan on going out with Sheridan again?

Chapter 4

At the police station: Luis glared at Sam with a disgusted look on his face, he couldn't believe that Sam would do this to him. "Actually Sam, I hadn't thought about going out with Sheridan again. I was worried there was a real problem here. But there isn't so I am going to go." "Luis, I was only trying to protect you from pain that is unbearable." "What makes you an expert on the matter anyway?" Sam brought Luis back into his office and sat him down. Sam made Luis promise that whatever he said next would not leave the office. "Yeah sure, what is it Sam?" Sam explained that before he had met Grace he had dated Ivy Crane. "It was the worst experience of my life. The Crane family has a way of manipulating people, including people in the family. Don't think for a second that Sheridan won't be pressured not to see you." "She already has Sam. Tonight is the last time she was supposed to have anything to do with me." "See Luis the whole family is the same." "No, Sheridan is different than the rest of her family."

Back at the cottage Sheridan was cleaning up the tea she spilled on the floor. Next she walked over to her fireplace and lit a fire. She grabbed the folder Julian had given her. She looked at it for several minutes. Sheridan opened the folder again and glanced at picture inside. The picture was of a bloody handprint on a wall in the mansion. The handprint was the size of a child's. "This can't be true, it just can't." Sheridan thought to herself. She couldn't keep it in her hand any longer but just as she was about to throw it in the fire the phone rang. She set the folder next to the phone.

"Hello?" "Hi Sheridan." "Luis?" Her voice cracked and she was on the verge of tears. "Sheridan what's wrong." "Nothing Luis everything is fine." "No its not. I am coming over." "No Luis don't." But before she could finish Luis had already hung up

Chapter 5

Sheridan was pacing the floor. She knew she needed to calm down. She couldn't let Luis see her like this. There was a knock at the door. Sheridan wiped her face and tried her best to put on a smile when she opened the door. As soon as she saw his face she instantly turned away from him and started crying. "Sheridan what's wrong with you?" He turned her back around and took her hands from her face. So caught up in her emotions Sheridan flung her arms around Luis.

"I'm so sorry!" "Sorry for what? What are you talking about?" He walked her over to the couch and sat her down. She was still in hysterics. "I'm sorry Luis. I did it. Can you ever forgive me?" "You did what?"

She couldn't talk anymore, she just pointed towards the phone. "You called someone. I don't understand. Please calm down. I want to help you, but you are going to have to tell me what you are talking about." Sheridan got up, walked over to the phone, grabbed the picture and handed it to Luis. "What is this? It is a picture of a wall with a handprint on it. Why does this make you so upset?"

Sheridan chocked back her tears and explained to Luis the nightmares she had. She told him of the fear that she had killed someone. But it was just someone it was his father. Luis didn't say a word. "Luis don't you understand, this mean that the nightmares were true. I killed your father." They sat silent for a long time. Sheridan stared at Luis, but he could look at her. "I have to go" Sheridan looked down at the picture again. Luis got up and headed for the door.

Chapter 6

"WAIT!!!!" Sheridan exclaimed. Luis turned back around. And looked at her curiously. She ran over to him. "Look!" She pointed to a vase in the picture. "What? It's a very nice vase Sheridan, but how does that change things?" "I brought that back with me when I came back from Paris. That can't be my handprint!" They sat back down and Luis stared at the picture. He looked at Sheridan. "Your brother and father really don't want us to have anything to do with each other, do they?" "I can't believe that would do this to me." "They played on your weakness. They knew this would make you think you nightmares were true."

They sat there thinking. Luis suddenly jumped up and got his coat. He remembered that as he left earlier Julian had given him an envelope. He sat back down next to Sheridan. "Julian gave me something too." He showed her the envelope. "What is it?" "I don't know I haven't had a chance to open it yet. But you can bet it is another one of his tricks."

Inside was a short letter. The following was written:

Sheridan might have protected you once, but your job is in my hands. And so are the jobs of your mother and sister.

"They are threatening to take everything away from you Luis." "They don't scare me. I can take care of myself. But I am a little confused, what does it mean the job of my sister?" "Well Theresa works for." Sheridan realized that Luis still didn't know about Theresa working for Ivy. "For who, what aren't you telling me Sheridan?" Sheridan didn't want to hurt Theresa, but she couldn't lie to Luis. She explained to him that Theresa worked in the mansion. She could see how furious he was. "I need to go have a word with my sister. I will talk to you soon, ok?" Sheridan nodded. Luis grabbed his coat gave her a quick peck on the lips and left.

Puzzled Sheridan looked around the room. Luis had just kissed her. A huge smile appeared on her face.

Luis shut the door and stopped dead in his tracks. Had he just done what he thought he did? He did, he kissed her. He walked the rest of the way home smiling.

Chapter 7

"Yes Father I took care of everything. I gave Sheridan the picture. She should be having a nervous breakdown by now. And Luis should be thinking twice about whether or not Sheridan is worth his whole family losing their jobs." "Don't get too cocky Julian. You don't know how things went yet. This better have worked though. I am not ready to come home yet and I am sick of cleaning up after your mistakes." "Luis and Sheridan won't be seeing each other again after tonight. I assure you, besides she promised tonight would be the last time. Goodbye Father." Julian looked out the window and saw Sheridan's lights on. He decided to go admire his work.

Luis walked in his front door and heard Theresa talking in the kitchen. His smile faded as headed in that direction. Theresa looked at Luis as he entered the room. She noticed he was in an awful mood. "Whitney, I'll have to call you back. What's wrong Luis?" "Theresa, do you have anything to tell me?" "What do you mean Luis." Theresa was worried that he knew about her working with Ethan. Fate had to save her. "Oh, I don't know. How is school going? How is Whitney? Have you found a new job yet?" Now Theresa was sure he knew. She looked around the room. Hoping that fate would save her again. "Theresa I want the truth." She couldn't lie anymore. "Luis, I know you are going to be mad but I have been working for the Cranes. But I guess you already know that. How did you find out?" "Sheridan let it slip out, but that doesn't matter. I told you what would happen if you didn't stay away from Ethan." "LUIS, NO!!!!!"

Julian knocked on the door to the cottage. Sheridan was a little startled. "Who is it?" "Julian." He was the last person she wanted to see. She walked to the door unlocked and opened it just enough for him to see her. "You arrogant bastard! Get away from me!" "Sheridan, I need to talk to you." "Yeah well I do NOT need to talk to you, nor do I want to! I will come to you IF I ever want to talk to you again!" "Sheridan, what has gotten into you?" "Good-bye Julian!" She slammed the door on his face.

Chapter 8

The next morning Luis, Theresa, Pilar, and Miguel were packing away Theresa's things. Hank was still furious with what he saw last night when he got to the Lopez-Fitzgerald house. He couldn't believe Luis would move in on his girl. Hank walked in to see a bunch of suitcases and sad faces. His anger turned quickly into confusion. "Hey man, what's going on here?" "Hi Hank, Theresa is leaving to go off to school today. What brings you by this early bud?" Remembering that he was angry with Luis he pulled Luis away from the rest of the family. "Do you have a minute?" "Yeah sure, Theresa's bus doesn't leave for another hour. What's up?" "Sheridan." "What about her?" He was worried something had happened to her. "You went out with her last night." "Yeah I did." Now Luis was really confused. "When were you going to tell me?" "Tell you? I didn't know I had to check in with you every time I have a date." "You do when you are on a date with my girl."

"Father I think we have a problem." "What now Julian?" "I think you should call and talk to Sheridan."

Sheridan didn't to know whether to be happy or angry. So much had happened last night. Dinner was wonderful and Luis had kissed her. It was barely a kiss, but it meant everything to her. As much as that made her happy, she couldn't get her brother and father out of her head. She couldn't believe how they tried to manipulate her. How could they be so evil? The phone rang, she thought about not answering it, but it could be Luis.

"Hello?" "Hello Sheridan my sweet." "Father?" She shouldn't have answered the phone. "Yes Sheridan, were you expecting someone else?" "No Father." Her tone was harsh. "I called to find out how much Community Service you have left." She really had no idea how much time she had left. "I haven't thought about that Father." "I didn't think you would know. You have five hours left. I want you to finish them today." "I wasn't going to go in today." "Well you are now. Do you remember what you promised me last night?" "Yes Father." "Good then we understand each other." "No actually we don't. Why don't you want me to see Luis?" Alistair wondered what was going on, if the plan had worked Sheridan should be scared of seeing Luis anymore. "I only want to protect you dearest." "Protect me? Is that what you were trying to do last night?" "Sheridan I don't know what you are talking about." "Like hell you don't! You wanted me to believe I killed someone. You would sacrifice me for the Crane Empire. You would have let me believe that for years had I not looked at the picture close enough. Next time you are trying to manipulate someone with something from the past don't have things from the present in the picture. I do NOT need you to protect me. I am a grown woman, I can take care of myself!"

Chapter 9

"What do you mean your girl, Hank?" Luis was furious with Hank for thinking that Sheridan was a piece of property and belonged to anyone. "You know how I feel about Sheridan. I really think there could be something between us. You had no right to step in." "Calm down Hank, I didn't know she meant this much to you. Look, I don't want to ruin things between us. I won't go out with her anymore alright?" "Thank you." "I have take Theresa now." "I'll catch you later."

"Sheridan clam down." Alistair said in a soothing voice. "NO! I will not calm down! Look, I am going to be honest with you. I like Luis. I really do, but we only had one date and who knows if there will be another one. But I DO know that even if we are not romantically involved I want to be friends with him. He is the person I respect most in the world and I want him in my life!" Sheridan slammed the receiver down. She couldn't stay in the cottage for a minute longer, right now she was ashamed to be a Crane.

The Lopez-Fitzgerald family returned home, without Theresa. Luis didn't want to be at home. He left to go for a walk.

Sheridan walked along the pier. She stopped and stared out at the ocean. Just then she felt someone grab her arm. She whirled around to see him standing there.

Chapter 10

"Hank, you scared me!" "I'm sorry Sheridan, I didn't mean to. What are you doing out here?" "I needed to go for a walk." "You look upset, what's wrong?" "I don't want to talk about it Hank. Look, I don't mean to be mean, but I really want to be alone right now, OK? I'll talk to you soon." Sheridan walked away leaving Hank wondering what just happened. She had just totally blown him off. "She must really want to be alone right now," he thought to himself.

At the Youth Center Luis was drilling basketballs into the wall. He couldn't believe he told Hank he wouldn't date Sheridan anymore. He had had a good time last night even though Julian and Alistair tried their hardest to ruin things. He really wanted to go out with her again.

Miguel and Charity had been walking by the Youth Center when they heard noises coming from inside. "Miguel, maybe we should see what is going on in there." "Your right lets go." They looked in the gym to see Luis killing the basketballs. "I better go talk to him, he doesn't look too happy." "I will wait out here for you Miguel."

Miguel walked over to Luis and caught the ball he was flinging. Luis didn't know anyone was there and was surprised to see Miguel. "What's up bro? You don't look to hot." "Nothing, I'm fine." "You don't look fine. I know you didn't want to send Theresa off, but." "It's not that Miguel." "So there is something bothering you, what is it?" "Sheridan." "Did she hit your police car again? Come on you have to give me more than that." "OK OK. We went out last night and well to say the least it was an interesting night." "So are you going to ask her out again? It looks like you've got it bad for her man." "No, I'm not."

Meanwhile Sheridan had walked into the Youth Center. She saw Charity just sitting there. Charity noticed Sheridan didn't look happy. "Hi Sheridan." "Hello Charity," Sheridan tried her best to fake a smile. "Did you and Luis have a fight?" "What?" "Well you look really upset and Luis was in there hurling basketballs when Miguel and I got here. I just thought maybe Luis and you had had an argument. I am sorry to butt into your business, you don't have to answer me." "No it's ok. No we didn't have a fight, but I don't know why you would think that a fight with Luis would make me upset." "Well you two are in love aren't you?"

Chapter 11

"Luis, don't you like Sheridan?" "Yes," he said with a disappointed look on his face. "Then why aren't you going to go out with her again?" "Because of Hank." "Because of Hank?" "Hank met Sheridan first and likes her a lot. I would never come between a friend and the girl he likes." "How does Sheridan feel?" "I don't know." "Just remember true love comes through in the end, man. Just look at Charity and me. I'll see you later bro." "I'll walk you out."

Back in the lobby Sheridan was astounded by how much Charity could sense about her. She didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry Sheridan I shouldn't be asking you these kind of questions." "I don't know how Luis feels about me, but I have gotten to like him a lot lately." "Maybe you should ask Luis how he feels." "Maybe, but I don't think it can ever work out with me and Luis. My family is going to stop at nothing to keep us apart. Plus he has always said he doesn't want to get involved with a rich woman. There are just so many things about us that don't work."

Hank didn't want Sheridan to go and he didn't think she really wanted to be alone. So he followed her. When he saw that she was going to the Youth Center, he decided to hang out outside. He didn't want her to know he had followed her. He listened at what Sheridan and Charity were talking about. He was getting very encouraged with what he heard Sheridan say.

Miguel and Luis came into the lobby. Luis and Sheridan just stared at each other. They both had depressed looks in their eyes. Miguel and Charity left the two of them standing there. Hank saw Charity and Miguel heading for the door and jumped in a bush.

Chapter 12

Both Luis and Sheridan had no idea what to say. They kept looking at each other and looking away. Finally Sheridan decided to break the silence. "Luis I came to finish up my hours of community service. Father told me this morning I only had five left, so I thought I would finish them today." Luis was a little hurt by this he didn't want to see her go. "Yeah, that sounds right. I am going to be painting today, you can help me." "I'd be happy to help Luis." They walked into the storage closet and got out the paint, paintbrushes and a ladder. The storage closet was so small they had to stand next to each other. They couldn't tear their eyes off of each other. There faces were so close, and both of them wanted to kiss the other. But just as their lips almost touched, Luis pulled away, "Lets get to work Sheridan." "Yeah, work, ok." She shook her head and brought herself to reality.

Hank pulled himself out of the bush and carefully went into the Youth Center. He didn't want Luis or Sheridan to know he was there. He wanted to know what was really going on between them and he knew neither of them would tell him the truth.

Sheridan and Luis were painting different walls of the room. They couldn't physically get any farther apart. Luis noticed that she was struggling to reach the top part of the wall she was working on. He walked over to her. "You know, you are never going to be able to reach that high." "I can do it." She stretched as far as she could reach when she couldn't reach the top she climbed to the top of the ladder. "Sheridan you are going to fall, let me help." "No, I can do it." She finished and turned to look down at him. "See?" He gave her a sheepish little smirk. As she was stepping back down, she lost her footing and fell into Luis' arms. "See I told you you were going to fall." He put her down but she did not move away from him. But before anything could happen between them he told her they needed to talk. "What about Luis?" "About us. We need to talk about us." "I didn't know there was an us." "That's just it there isn't and I don't think it is a good idea that there ever be an us." "How can you be so sure?" She doubted it herself but was hurt that he doubted it too. "Look, why don't we go out again tonight, we won't tell anyone and won't be interrupted and take it from there?" "Sheridan I can't." "I understand." Luis could see that he had hurt here. It wasn't that he didn't want to be with her tonight, he did. But he gave his word to Hank. "Luis I have to go. I will finished my hours some other time ok?" "Sure" he could tell that she was about to cry and as she walked out of the room he wanted to tell her not to go. But he let her go and when she was out of his sight he kicked a paint can across the floor.

Hank felt terrible. He had no idea that they felt that way about each other. He snapped back to reality just in time to see Sheridan heading straight for him. He quickly stepped back and into a different hallway.

Chapter 13

Sheridan couldn't even make it half way home before crying. She knew things wouldn't work out between her and Luis, but deep down she really wanted to be with him. She couldn't believe it was over and before it really started. Ivy was getting out of her car when she noticed Sheridan walk by. "Sheridan, what's wrong?" Sheridan just walked by Ivy. Ivy could tell Sheridan was very upset and followed her into the cottage. "Ivy, please go away. I want to be alone right now." "What have Julian and Alistair done to you now?" "Its not them, its Luis." Sheridan explained what just happened to Ivy. And that she didn't think there was any hope for the two of them. "Sheridan you obviously like Luis, but do you love him?"

Hank walked back into the Youth Center. He had to talk to Luis. He walked into the gym where Luis was still painting. He saw the anguish in Luis' face and knew what he had to do. "Luis?" "Oh, hi Hank." "Luis, I just saw what happened here. I can't believe you said no when Sheridan asked you out tonight. How stupid are you?" "What are you talking about Hank? I told you I wouldn't go after Sheridan." "Yeah but I didn't know she felt the same way about you that I can see you feel about her. Forget what I said earlier. Even though I think Sheridan and I are meant for each other, I can wait until you two play this out." "What are you saying Hank?" "I am saying go after her Luis!"

"What Ivy?" "Do you love Luis?" "I think I might." "Then you have to fight for him. You will regret it your whole life if you don't. Love is the most important thing in the world. Don't let it slip through your fingers."

Chapter 14

"Sheridan go find Luis. Tell him that you love him and never let him go." Ivy handed Sheridan her coat. Sheridan left the cottage in a hurry and left Ivy in her cottage. She jumped in her car and headed for the Youth Center, she hoped Luis was still there.

"Will you watch things here for me here for awhile?" "Sure Luis, go." Luis handed Hank the paintbrush he had been holding, grabbed his coat and ran out the door. He got to the cottage and knocked furiously on the door. "Come in," the voice did not sound familiar. "Hi Luis." "Hi Ivy, where is Sheridan?" "She went to look for you, didn't you she her on your way here?" "No, what is her cell phone number?" He walked over to the phone and dialed the number. Ivy slipped out while Luis was on the phone.

Sheridan didn't even bother to shut off her car when she got to the Youth Center. She ran inside. She saw Hank standing there. "Hank?" "Hi Sheridan." He gave her a puzzled look. "Is Luis still here?" "No, he went to find you." "He did?" Hank couldn't help but notice the smile appear on her face. "Sheridan, can I ask you a question?" She wanted to go find Luis before she lost her nerve. But she knew she had hurt Hank and thought it was the least she could do by answering a question. "Sure." "What is it about Luis that make you look like you do when you hear his name? What did I do wrong?" "Hank, you didn't do anything wrong. Luis is, well he is just." Her cell phone began to ring. She picked it up and was surprised to hear Luis' voice on the other end. He told her to come to her cottage immediately and she didn't refuse. ".perfect." "What did you say Sheridan?" "Hank I have to go, I'm sorry." And just like that she was gone and on her way home.

Chapter 15

Sheridan made it home in record time. She flung open the to see Luis sitting there reading Glamour magazine. Embarrassed he put the magazine back on the coffee table. "Read anything interesting?" She poked fun at him. "We need to talk." "I know, there is something I need to tell you." "Well that is going to have to wait. I need to tell you something first. They only reason I said I couldn't go out with you earlier was because I told Hank I wouldn't. I really wanted to say yes." "Really??" She said in a sweet soft voice and was ready to cry again. "Yes" "I can't let you ruin your friendship with Hank." "He knows I am here and why." "So things are ok with you two?" "They will be. Do you still want to go out tonight?"

Ivy walked back into the mansion. Julian was drinking his usual glass of brandy. "Why do you look so smug, my dear?" "Oh nothing really, I just told Sheridan to go after true love." "YOU WHAT?!?" "Yes she was worried things weren't going to work out between her and Luis, so I told her to fight for him otherwise she would regret it her whole life." "Ivy you should have minded you own business."

"Luis do you really think it is a good idea, do you think it is worth all the trouble it will cost?" "I don't know you tell me." He took her face in his hands pulled it towards his own. He gave her the most passionate kiss. Not wanting to take his face away from hers he stared into her beautiful eyes. "Is it worth it?" He asked as he smiled from ear to ear. "Yes" "By the way what did you have to tell me?" "I love you" She said sweetly. They returned to their kiss and got lost in their emotions and each other.

THE END