~Setting~

This story takes place the day after "Martin Fitzgerald"'s funeral, when everyone finds out that he is not really Martin Fitzgerald.

Chapter 1

Sheridan Crane was tossing and turning in her bed. It couldn't have been just a dream. It was all so real. The blood on her hands, the body under the sheet "I didn't mean to do it! I'm so sorry," she says, over and over. Then a new figure enters the all too familiar scene. "Luis?" she asks. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to arrest you, Sheridan."

"Luis, no! Don't! I didn't mean to do it."

"But you killed my father!"

"Luis, no Please I love you"

Sheridan shot straight up in her bed. *Not again,* she thought. *The nightmares are back. But what did I say to Luis?* She couldn't remember. *He is so fine,* she thought to herself. And then, *Stop it, Sheridan! You couldn't possibly be falling for that arrogant cop could you?*

Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald was at the police station. "Sam," he said to Chief Bennett, "I want to be part of the investigation of my father's disappearance."

"Are you sure, Luis? I mean this is personal to you."

"I know. I want to know. For Mama. And Theresa and Miguel. But most of all, for myself."

"Okay, then, Luis. I know you'll do a good job." Sam patted Luis on the back. So if Martin Fitzgerald wasn't in Santa Fe, then where would he be Santa Fe. Slowly, his mind wandered, and he found himself thinking about Sheridan Crane. *She's nothing like her family,* he thought. *She is so beautiful I wish I could just hold her and Stop it!* Luis commanded himself. *You're not falling for that stuck up rich girl! She's a Crane, for crying out loud. But still*

There was a knock on the door. Sheridan went to answer it, and Hank Bennett was standing there, with a bouquet of flowers.

"Morning, beautiful," he said, walking in. "These are for you."

"Why, that's so sweet of you, Hank," Sheridan said, taking the bouquet and smelling it. "Why are you up so early in the morning?"

"I wanted to come and see you, Sheridan."

"Hank, we need to talk," Sheridan said, getting straight to the point.

"What about?"

"Well sit down, Hank, this is going to be a while." Hank and Sheridan sat down on the couch. "Hank, I think you're a really great guy and all," she began, "but I'm not looking for a relationship here."

"But"

"I know, you thought that I was really into you. I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."

"But we can still be friends, right?"

"Of course, Hank! You'd be a great friend to have, and I know I can count on you."

"Sheridan," Hank said, cautiously, "would this, by chance, have anything to do with my best friend?"

"Luis?" Sheridan asked, thinking back to that dream the other night, where she and Luis were in bed together

"Sheridan? Sheridan! Earth to Sheridan!" Hank said, swishing his hand in front of her eyes. "What? I'm sorry, Hank."

"I said, would this have to do with Luis?"

"No! Not at all. Why would you think that?"

"I was just wondering. So you're sure you're not interested?"

"Yes. I'm sorry if I disappointed you, but I think you're a great person." She gave him a hug. "Friends?" she asked, extending a hand.

"Friends," Hank said, taking her hand and shaking it.

Chapter 2 After Hank left, Sheridan left for the Youth Center. In a few days her 100 hours would be up, but she couldn't stand the thought of not seeing Luis every day. While she was driving, all she could think about was Luis, how wonderful he was, how kind, and loving *And not to mention handsome, too!* Surprisingly, she didn't hit any cars, and she made it to the Youth Center. It was locked. Sheridan pounded on the door, but no one answered. She didn't have the key, and it was too early to go to the Book Café, so she just hung out on the steps of the building.

After what seemed to be forever, Luis pulled up into the parking lot. He saw Sheridan sitting on the steps *Oh, poor Sheridan! She must be cold I think I'm going to go over and No, Luis, you must be crazy! You are NOT falling for Sheridan. You hear me? NO.* He was having a battle with that little voice in his head. He knew, deep inside, that he loved Sheridan, and that he didn't want to stop, but his prejudice against the Cranes was just too strong. But that prejudice seemed to vanish when Sheridan was near. He just wanted to hold her, to kiss her forehead, and for her to love him back. He'd never felt this way about anyone else before. Not even Beth.

He walked up to Sheridan. "Sheridan?" he asked.

"Luis! You're late, boss," she said, cracking a smile.

"I know, I know I'm sorry, it's just that I've been investigating my father's death." He pulled out his keys and fumbled with them *God, she is so beautiful! Stop it, Luis. Concentrate.* But he couldn't. Even if he tried, his mind would always wander back to Sheridan her blue eyes, her blonde head, and her beautiful smile that seemed to stop time

"Luis? Did you hear me?"

"What? Sorry, Sheridan, can you say that again?"

"I said, what have you found so far?"

"Nothing, really. But I'm hoping to find something soon."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(Two weeks later)

Luis walked into the police station. "Luis," Sam said, "we've discovered a major break in the Martin Fitzgerald case."

"Really, Sam? What is it?"

"We've found the body of Martin Fitzgerald. The REAL Martin Fitzgerald."

"How do you know it's him?"

"We took your DNA samples again, from that other test, and we tested the remains of the body. It was a match."

"So my father's dead?"

"Yes, Luis. I'm so sorry you had to hear it from me."

"It's okay, Sam. Now how do I tell Mama, Miguel, and Theresa? They're going to be devastated." A tear fell from Luis' eye.

"Luis, whatever you need, you know Grace and I will always be here for you."

"Thanks, Sam. But where did you find the body?"

"That's the weird thing. The body was found buried on the Crane property, in a coffin and everything. A sheet was over it, and it was bloody."

Luis' sadness turned to anger. "See, I knew those damn Cranes had something to do with this!" At the word "Crane," his thoughts turned to Sheridan. *Certainly she didn't have anything to do with my father's disappearance she's nothing like the rest of her family.* He had accepted his feelings for Sheridan, because they kept getting stronger and stronger every day. He couldn't deny it anymore.

"Luis?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"You looked a little zoned out, like you were thinking about the girl of your dreams or something."

"I was." He smiled.

"Oh So tell me, Luis, who is it?"

"That's for me to know, and you to find out." He winked at Sam, and said, "I have to go now time to find my family and tell them the truth."

He took a walk, and ended up in Lighthouse Park. Sheridan was sitting on a bench, reading. "Hey, Sheridan."

She looked up. *She has the most amazing eyes*

"Luis! What what are you doing here?" she asked, not taking her eyes off of him for a second when he sat down next to her.

"Sheridan," he began, "they found my father."

"You did?" she asked, a glint of hope in her eyes. "Where? How?"

"Well, Sam stumbled upon a break in the case. The thing is," he narrowed his eyes at her, "the coffin was found on your property."

"Oh." Sheridan made a stunning realization. A tear started to fall from her eye, and soon, she was sobbing. Luis didn't understand, but his heart broke at seeing her cry.

"Sheridan, what's the matter?"

"Nothing," she said, in between sniffles. "It's just for some weird reason, you reminded me of my life back in France." A half lie

"What does that have to do with my father's death?"

"Nothing It was you. You're the kind of guy I've always dreamed about someone who would care about me for myself, not use me for my money and name someone who would take care of me, not hurt me and throw me away I've never had a good relationship because of my name. I wish I could be some ordinary Sara Cummings (SB joke!) No one has ever loved me in my life. It's just sometimes, it can be overwhelming, and painful." She started to sob again, and Luis held her. "Don't you cry anymore, Sheridan. There's someone out there who will love you for who you are, who will love you forever." He stroked her hair. *Someone like me.*

"But who?" Sheridan asked, in desperation. "Who?"

Luis couldn't stand it. He just couldn't hide his feelings any longer. "Me," he said.

"What?" *Did he just say what I think he said?*

"Me," he repeated. "I love you for who you are. I'll love you forever." Luis looked into her eyes, and slowly, he took her head in his hands and gently pressed his lips against hers. They kissed for a while when he gently pulled away. "Sheridan," he began. "I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to tell you. I want you to be mine. Forever and always."

Sheridan smiled at him. "Of course, Luis. That's what I've always wanted." She kissed him again, this time more passionately, when all of a sudden

"Oh, my God!" she whispered.

Chapter 3 Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald was taking a walk to the Book Café when she saw a couple making out. *Hmm in public? I wonder* She walked closer, trying to get a good glimpse, but not trying to interrupt, when she realized something

"Oh, my God" Theresa stood there, open mouthed, when it came to her that she should say something. "A-HEM!" she said, clearing her throat.

Luis and Sheridan stopped, looked at each other, then at Theresa. "Theresa?" he asked his sister.

"Yes, Luis. It's me," Theresa said, crossing her arms across her chest. "And you said not to get involved with the Cranes, huh? Sure. Listen to your own advice."

Sheridan had a puzzled look on her face, and then she realized it. "So Gwen was right," she said.

Theresa suddenly went pale. "Uh-oh," she said.

Luis turned to Sheridan. "Would you excuse me for a minute?"

"Sure. Of course." Luis pulled Theresa away from Sheridan. "Luis" Theresa began .

"Theresa, I'm not mad at you. There's just something I have to tell you." Suddenly Luis was filled with grief, and felt torn apart limb from limb. "It's about Papa."

"Papa? Did they find him? Is he alive?" she asked, excitedly.

"No. Theresa Papa's dead."

"What??" She started sobbing. "Luis what happened? Are you sure?"

"Yes. They found his remains in a coffin, with a bloody sheet over it. There was a red spot over the stomach."

Sheridan overheard this. *Oh, my Godthen that means I killed Luis' father I have to get out of here.*

"Where did they find the coffin?"

"On Crane property." Theresa breathed in sharply. "Then why were you kissing Sheridan, huh?"

"Well" Luis, for once, was speechless.

"I knew it, you were falling for her. I just didn't say anything."

"Sure, Theresa."

"I'm serious! So if you and Sheridan are together now, then maybe Ethan and I have a chance"

"Theresa, no. Just because Sheridan and I kissed, doesn't mean that you and Ethan have a future together."

"Why not? Don't you want to be with Sheridan?"

"Yes, but"

"Well, then, I don't see any reason why I can't be with Ethan."

"How about this: You've been lying to him for months now." At the sound of that, Theresa remembered Sheridan knew. She turned. "Sheridan?"

"Yes, Theresa?"

"Could you not tell Ethan what I just said?"

"That you're in love with him? Well"

"Please, Sheridan, I'm begging you." Sheridan looked at Luis, who couldn't decide what to do.

"Theresa, let's make a deal. If you don't tell anyone what you just saw, then I won't tell anyone what I just heard. Okay?"

"You got it. It'll be our little secret. Unless, of course, Luis wants to go and tell the whole world!" She looked at her big brother and smiled. He smiled back.

Sheridan looked at her watch. She needed to get out of there, to get as far away from Luis as she possibly could. "Guys, I have to go."

"So soon?" Luis asked, walking towards her.

"Yeah," she said, trying to act normally. "Listen, I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay. Sure." Sheridan turned to leave.

"Sheridan."

She turned at the sound of her name. "Yeah?" Even though she had to leave, she still couldn't resist just one more magical moment with Luis.

Luis put his arms around her waist and kissed her gently. She put his arms around his neck and kissed him back, so glad that he didn't know yet. She pulled away, and looked into his eyes. He was looking right back at her. "Luis, I really have to go."

"Okay, I'll let you go now. 'Bye, Sheridan," he said, letting go of her.

"'Bye, Luis. I'll see you later," she said, not wanting to leave but at the same time nearly running out of there. Little did Luis know that this was the last time he was going to see her in a long time.

Chapter 4 Sheridan was pulling things out of her drawers and putting them into her suitcase. She had to leave. NOW. She didn't know where she was going, but that didn't matter. All that mattered is that Luis didn't know where she was. Tears were streaming down her face, for she realized she couldn't be with him. *He was the only man who loved me for myself. Why did he have to be the son of the man I killed?*

"Sheridan?"

Her nephew was standing there. "Ethan," she said, wiping her eyes. "What what are you doing here?"

"I just came by to check on you What's wrong?" he asked, giving his aunt a hug. "And why are you packing? Where are you going?"

"Ethan, don't ask questions right now, okay? Just I'll call you when I get there --"

"Where are you going, Sheridan?"

"I I don't know yet, Ethan. All I know is that I have to get out of here."

"Why?"

"Two words: Martin Fitzgerald."

"You still don't think you killed him, do you, Sheridan?"

"No."

"Then why are you leaving?"

"Because I'm positive I killed him, Ethan! God why did it have to be him?" she said, her thoughts turning back to Luis. "Anyone but Luis' father. He'll he hate me for the rest of his life!" She started to sob, and Ethan hugged her.

"Sheridan, what does this have to do with you and Luis?"

"Can't you see, Ethan? We can't be together. He'll find out eventually that I killed his father and" She started to cry harder.

"So I was right?"

"Yes! You were right, okay? I have fallen for Luis. I love him, Ethan."

"Whoa, Sheridan, I think you're a little too desperate."

"No, I'm serious. Don't don't ask now, okay?" Sheridan had finished packing and closed her suitcase. "Tell Luis, if he comes, that there's a note for him here, okay?"

"Sheridan, can't I convince you to stay? How do you know you killed the real Martin Fitzgerald?"

"Ethan, for the last time, please, don't ask, just let me go. For all our sakes." Sheridan rushed to find a pen and paper.

"I can't help it if I want to know where my favorite aunt is going, and why she's leaving," Ethan said.

"Ethan!" He was taken aback. "I'm sorry, Sheridan, I didn't know"

"No, I'm sorry. I just I don't want to talk, okay? I'll call you from wherever I am when I get there just not now, okay?"

"Okay. I think I'll leave you alone now. 'Bye, Sheridan," Ethan said. "Can I just ask something?"

"Ethan" Sheridan said, exasperated.

"Are you coming back?"

"I I don't know. Just I have to think, okay? I promise, I'll be okay."

"Okay, Sheridan." He hugged his aunt extra hard. "I love you, Sheridan."

"I love you too, Ethan. I'll miss you." Ethan took one last look at his aunt and walked out the door.

"Just one more thing before I go," Sheridan said to herself. She picked up a pen, found some paper, and began to write.

Dear Luis:

I'm so sorry we had to say goodbye this way, but I had to leave. If you don't know already, you should soon. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to do it. Don't try to find me; I don't know where I'm going. I just want you to know that I love you; I've always loved you, I just didn't know it I hope we'll meet again, somewhere, someday.

Love always,

Sheridan

Sheridan picked up a picture of her and Luis, held it close, and kissed it. "Goodbye, Luis." She took the picture and put it in her pocket. Then she picked up her suitcase, opened the door, took one last look at her cottage, and left.

Luis ran into the police station. "Sam?" he said, finding the Chief of Police. "You paged me?"

"Yes. We know who the killer is."

"Well, tell me Whoever it is, they're going to pay. For Mama's misery, for my siblings' lives without a father"

"Are you sure you want to hear this?"

"Yes! Come on, Sam, just tell me."

"All right." Sam took a deep breath. "It was Sheridan Crane."

Chapter 5 ~*Note: "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" is by the Backstreet Boys. *~

Sheridan was on the plane to Europe. She didn't know where in Europe she was going to stay; all she knew is that it wasn't going to be Paris. *Too many bad memories* She thought back to Jean-Luc and how he used her. *Will I ever find love the way I love Luis?* Just then, a song came up on the airplane's radio station.

*Show me the meaning of being lonely

So many words for the broken heart

It's hard to see in a crimson love

So hard to breathe; Walk with me and maybe

Nights of light so soon become

Wild and free; I can feel the sun

Your every wish will be done, they tell me

Show me the meaning of being lonely

Is this the feeling I need to walk with?

Tell me why I can't be there where you are

There's something missing in my heart

Life goes on as it never ends

Eyes of stone observe the trends

They never say forever gaze

If only guilty roads to an endless love (endless love)

There's no control, are you with me now?

Your every wish will be done, they tell me

There's nowhere to run, I have no place to go

Surrender my heart, body and soul

How can it be you're asking me to feel

The things you never show?

You are missing in my heart

Tell me why can't I be there where you are*

Tears fell from Sheridan's eyes as she remembered all her moments with Luis. *I had no other choice*

"WHAT?????" Luis yelled. He sank to the floor, on his knees. "Anyone but Sheridan!"

"Uh, Luis? Are you okay?"

"DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M OKAY?"

"Okay sorry" Sam walked away. Luis started to cry. Now it's not very often that Luis cries, so

"Sheridan killed my father Oh, my God I have to go find her!" Luis said, standing. *But wait!* He composed himself and went to find Sam. "Sam, what's the story?"

"Well, I forced it out of Julian. Apparently, it was a freak accident; One night, Sheridan went and picked up a letter opener. She was really young then, about your age when it happened."

"So she killed him" *God, it hurts to say that,* "when she was a child?"

"Yes. She took the letter opener and hid, and your father walked by her and it was sticking out; it pierced him and it killed him."

Luis shook his head. "Sam I have to go. Okay?"

"Okay, Luis." He left.

*I don't know why, but I think Luis has got a thing for Sheridan*

Luis drove straight to Sheridan's cottage. He pounded on the door. "SHERIDAN!" No answer. "Sheridan?" he asked, a little softer. He didn't want to scare her, but he had to talk to her. Did she really kill his father? Why did she keep it from him all this time?

"Luis," a voice said.

He turned around and Ethan was standing there. "Ethan, where's Sheridan?"

"She left."

"Left? When is she going to be back?"

"I don't know."

"Well, when did she leave?"

"Like an hour ago. Luis there's something in there for you. She told me to tell you that." Ethan held out the key to the cottage, and Luis opened the door. He gasped.

"Ethan, the cottage is empty," Luis said.

"I know."

"Where is she?"

"Like I said, she left."

"But there's nothing in the cottage Ethan, what do you mean when you say 'left'?"

"She packed a suitcase and went to the airport kind of left."

"Oh, my God! Ethan, where did she go?"

"I don't know! She didn't tell me! But look, there's a note for you somewhere around here. If you read it, maybe it'll say something." Luis spotted the note, grabbed it, and opened it.

"So?" Ethan asked.

Luis read the letter. It hurt him so much to hear that Sheridan loved him. Once again, he was torn. "She didn't say where she was going," Luis said, deflated.

"Luis, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Are you and Sheridan"

"What about us?"

"Is there anything going on between you? Because Sheridan was pretty upset while she was packing."

Luis looked at Ethan sadly. "Ethan I don't know what I'm going to do without Sheridan," he confessed.

"Wow. You really do love each other."

"All I know is that I love her, and I don't know how I'm going to live without her. I need to find her. I have to talk to her. Tell her tell her I forgive her."

"For what, Luis?"

"Killing my father."

Ethan gasped. "So it wasn't a dream?"

"What wasn't a dream?"

"Never mind."

"Are those the nightmares that Sheridan had when she was little?"

"Yes." Just then, Ethan's cell phone rang.

Sheridan was walking the streets of London when she bumped into a familiar face. "Ted? Oh, my gosh! Hi!"

The man looked at her for a minute. "Sheridan?" he asked, incredulously, after a while. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Wow! I haven't seen you in ages!" He hugged his former girlfriend. "How have you been?"

"Not good. Ted, listen. Do you think I can stay with you for a while?"

"Well, I'm going to have to ask my mom, but I think she'll say okay." Ted Evans looked at her and said, "Sheridan, what's the matter? You look like you've been crying."

"I have It's a long story, I'll tell you later." They walked to Ted's flat when they heard screaming.

"What was that?" they asked, in unison.

Chapter 6 Ted and Sheridan rushed to the flat, where they found the source of the screaming. "Mother, what's the matter?"

Ted's mother, Victoria, said, "Look, Ted, your brother is back!" Just then a figure stepped into view. "Ben?"

"Yes, Ted, it's me."

"Ben!" Ted rushed to hug his little brother. "Where's Derek?"

"You you don't want to know." The woman with Ben got an instant sad look. "Oh! Everyone, this is my wife, Meg."

"Hi, everyone." Meg stepped forward shyly.

"Welcome to our family, Meg," Victoria said warmly. She went forward to hug her new daughter-in-law.

"Mother, I didn't know you were still alive," Ben said.

"Well, I was sick. That's when Derek left, to go find you. He said he was going to come get you and bring you back. Where is he? Do you know?"

"He's dead, Mother." Ted and Victoria gasped. Sheridan was just standing there, watching this whole family scene, and it reminded her of the Lopez-Fitzgeralds. She started to cry again.

"Sheridan, what's the matter?" Ted asked, suddenly turning. He went to hug her.

"Nothing It's just"

"You never told me what you were doing here in the first place."

"Sheridan?" Ben asked.

"Ben, yes. It's me." She smiled through her tears. "I'm happy for you. You've got a wonderful woman here. Meg, I know you'll be happy. You chose well."

Meg smiled. "Thank you Sheridan, is it?"

"Yes. Sheridan Crane."

"Sheridan, why are you crying?"

"It's a long story, I'll tell you. Just as soon as May I use your phone?" she asked.

"Certainly," Victoria said.

Sheridan walked over to the phone and tapped out a number.

"Ethan Crane."

"Ethan, it's me."

"Sheridan?" Luis looked up at the sound of her name.

"Yes, it's me, Ethan."

"Where are you?"

"Safe and sound, with Ted and Victoria."

"Evans?"

"Yes. But don't go looking for me."

"We have to, Sheridan! Neither of us can stand not having you in our lives."

"We?"

"Yes." He looked over at Luis. "Do you want to talk to her?"

Luis nodded. "Please?"

"Okay. Sheridan, there's someone here who wants to talk to you."

"Who is it?"

Ethan handed the phone to Luis. "Sheridan?"

"Luis?"

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Are you? You must have found out about well, you know."

"I did." Sheridan sucked in her breath. "Luis, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to do it, I swear."

"Let's not talk about it right now, Sheridan. I need to see you, face to face. There's something I have to say to you."

"No, Luis. Don't go looking for me."

"I have to, Sheridan. I have to."

"Please, don't. If you really love me, don't."

"Sheridan--" There was a click. "No, Sheridan, I can't. I have to find you," he said to the dead phone.

Sheridan walked back to the foursome. "What was that all about?" Victoria said. She noticed that Sheridan looked more upset than she was before.

"I I don't want to talk about it right now," Sheridan said softly. *Oh, if only Luis was here*

"Well, okay. We'll be here if you need us. I'm going to get your room ready." Victoria stood up and left.

"Ben, I need your help on something," Ted said, "now that you're here. Come with me." Ted led Ben out of the house. Now it was just Sheridan and Meg.

"Sheridan, what's the matter? Is it a man?"

Sheridan looked up. "How how did you know?"

"I've been through it many, many times. You know, Ben and I were supposed to be married a long time ago. But well, it's a long story. I know that look. You're hurting over love."

"I am, Meg. And I don't really know you, but I think that's a good thing."

"If you want to let it out, you can tell me," Meg offered.

"Okay," Sheridan agreed. "It's a long story."

"Luis?"

"Yeah?"

"I know you don't like my family, but I was wondering, since you want to find Sheridan as much as I do, would you be willing to work together?" Ethan proposed.

"Um" *Mama was right about Sheridan, and about Papa, so maybe she's right about Ethan.* "I'll give it a shot, Crane, but if you give me even a bit of trouble, I'm going solo."

"Deal." Ethan extended his hand, and Luis took it, warily, and shook it. *Maybe Mama was right.*

"Let me get this straight. You killed someone years ago, which led to you being used by all the men you dated, but when you found Luis was that his name?"

"Yes."

"You fell for him and he fell for you but the man you killed was his father?"

"Yeah. He hates my family for that. Now that he knows I did it well Meg, I don't know what to do," Sheridan confessed. She cried again.

"Let me just tell you this, Sheridan. If he really loves you, like really loves you, and you love him, you'll get through it. Trust me; I've been through it. Many times."

"Thank you, Meg. You're a good person." Meg leaned over and hugged Sheridan. "Anytime."

"Okay, then, Ethan. Where did you say she was staying?"

"With Ted and Victoria Evans. They're business partners with the Cranes, and great friends to us. Sheridan even went out with Ted. But that was a while ago."

"Where do they live?"

"Last time I checked, they lived in Paris, but you can never tell where they're going to be. They move around a lot. Ted's little twin brothers actually moved here to the States."

"Oh. So do you know how to track them down?"

"I could ask my father"

"No! Don't let that b@st@rd get involved."

"You know what, Luis? You're right. I can see why Sheridan likes loves whatever, I can see why she cares about you so much. My father is a b@st@rd."

Luis was shocked. *Mama was right!*

"I hate my father. All he cares about is the money, the power, he doesn't care about people. He is just Well, I think you know what I mean."

"I certainly do."

"Well, then, we're going to have to track her down ourselves." Ethan dialed a number on his cell phone. "Uh-huh thanks Okay, bye."

"What was that all about?" Luis asked.

"Luis, start packing. We're going to Europe!"

Chapter 7 ~*Note: "If She Only Knew" by 98°.*~

"Europe? But why?"

"That's where the Evanses live! Somewhere in Europe."

"Oh. Is that where Sheridan is staying?"

"Yes. Now come on, let's go!" Ethan left for his room, and Luis left for his house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Later)

Luis and Ethan met at the airport. "So," Luis said, "you paid for me?"

"Yes, of course! There's no use in finding Sheridan if you're not there to greet her!" At that, Luis smiled. "You must really love your aunt."

"I do. And apparently, so do you."

"Yeah" A song was playing on the radio.

*If she only knew what I knew but couldn't say

If she could just see the part of me that I hid away, oh yeah

If I could just hold her in my arms again

and just say I love you; but she's gone away,

maybe she'd stay if she only knew

If she could just feel what I feel here in my heart

She'd know it was real, pure and true, right from the start

But I'm just a man who didn't understand

What she was going through; but she's gone away,

maybe she'd stay if she only knew

And how, how did I let her get away?

'Cause love, love is so easy to feel, but the hardest thing to say

If she could just see (see) what I see when I close my eyes

All that I dream, surely she would realize

But like a fool, I waited much too long

To let her know the truth; and she's gone away,

Maybe she'd stay if she only knew

Tell me, tell me, how, how did I let her get away?

'Cuz I guess that love, love is so easy to feel, but the hardest thing to say

If she only knew what I knew but could not say

If she could just see the part of me that I hid away

If I could just hold her in my arms again

And just say I love you (I love you)

But she's gone away, maybe she'd stay

If she only knew*

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(A week later)

"Sheridan, we're moving." Victoria walked into Sheridan's room, followed by Ted, Meg, and Ben.

"WHAT?" she asked.

"Yes, we've got to go. We can't live here anymore we're moving to Oslo."

"But why so soon?"

"We've been planning it for months now. I'm sorry we had to spring this on you like this, but I'm sure you can get a hotel or something," Victoria justified.

"Yeah Oh, I'm going to miss you! Thank you so much for letting me stay in your home."

"Oh, no problem, Sheridan. And anytime you're up in Oslo, come and visit us!" Ted exclaimed.

"And Meg and I are going back to Sunset Beach," Ben said.

"Oh, I'm going to miss you, too. Take care, okay? You too, Meg," she said, nodding towards her. "And Meg Thanks."

"You're welcome, Sheridan," Meg said, smiling warmly. "Keep in touch! And I hope everything works out. It will. You'll see."

Luis and Ethan were in Paris, looking for Sheridan. They tracked down the address of Ted and Victoria Evans, but the house was empty. Frustrated, they looked, and looked, until Ethan had a brainstorm of checking it on the Internet.

"But we don't have a computer," Luis protested. He was actually getting along quite well with Ethan. *He's not as bad as the rest of his family. Just like Sheridan.* Luis saddened a little at the thought of that beautiful woman.

"Yes we do." Ethan rummaged in his suitcase and pulled out a laptop. "Let me just plug this in, and we'll be online in no time."

Sheridan was in her hotel room in London, when all of a sudden she heard a knock on the door. *Can't they see the "privacy" sign on the door?* "I'm coming, I'm coming," she grumbled.

She opened the door and two men were standing there, both masked, one pointing a gun in her face. "Sheridan, you're coming with us." They grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the room. Sheridan was screaming for help, and struggling with the men (apparently, Frenchmen, considering the heavy French accents), but they pointed the gun to her head. She remembered when the same thing had happened to her before, on top of the Seascape. Luis had come to save her. But this time, Luis wasn't there to save her life

"Got it!"

Luis looked over Ethan's shoulder. "'Ted and Victoria Evans,'" he read, "in London?"

"Yes. Hopefully, they haven't moved yet."

"Well, then, let's go and find Sheridan!" The duo started packing up their belongings and left for the airport.

The men dragged Sheridan down into the basement of the hotel and tied her to a chair. "Whawhat do you want with me?" Sheridan demanded.

"We're going to reunite you with your beloved fiancé, Jean-Luc," one of the men said.

Sheridan gasped. *Jean-Luc is dead?* "What did I do wrong?" she said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Nothing. You just happened to cross the wrong guy."

"But Jean-Luc was a good guy Right?"

"Hah!" one of the men laughed, in her face. "That's what he got you to believe. He owed us, big-time. And when he didn't pay up BOOM!" he said, laughing, as he remembered how Jean-Luc and Mimi had died.

"Please, don't kill me," Sheridan pleaded.

"Why shouldn't we? Your life is a living h*ll anyway, right?"

"How would you know?" she said, getting mad.

"Because we've researched you, Sheridan. We know your life, forwards, backwards, and upside down. And she's going to take over for us." A beautiful young woman stepped out of the

shadows of the basement.

"Say hello to the new, improved, Sheridan Crane."

Sheridan screamed as loud as she could.

Chapter 8 ~*Note: "The Hardest Thing" by 98°.~

The woman walked up to Sheridan. Amazingly, the resemblance was almost identical. Except you could see the evil in the impostor's eyes. "Hello, Sheridan," she said, with a hint of mockery in her voice.

"Get away from me, you b!tch!" Sheridan yelled. "No way are you going to take over my life. I won't let you hurt Ethan and Luis like that!"

Suddenly there was banging on the stairs. "Whoever you are, don't worry, we're coming to save you!" The three villains looked at each other.

Ethan and Luis had arrived in London. They looked for the Evans residence, but found it empty, yet again. "D@mn," Luis cursed under his breath. "That must mean they moved again."

"Well, I'm exhausted, so why don't we call it a day and find a good place to stay for the night?" Ethan suggested.

"Might as well," Luis agreed. They got back into the car and drove to the nearest hotel. Luis took the luggage while Ethan checked in. After they were done, they went to their assigned room. "Hey," Luis said to Ethan. "Check this out." He walked to the door next to theirs, which was open. Ethan followed his lead and went inside, but something caught Luis' eye. He picked it up. "A picture," he said. "I wonder" He turned it over and found himself looking straight at his reflection. His and the woman he loved.

"Ethan! Come here!" Ethan rushed out of Sheridan's room, saying, "Luis! Sheridan's staying here!"

"I know! Look!" Luis showed the picture to Ethan.

"It's you and Sheridan."

"Yeah. And no one in London knows Sheridan or me. So she must have been carrying this. What happened to her?" he wondered aloud.

"Her room looks fine," Ethan observed. Suddenly, there was an announcement on the PA system: "All police officers, American, French, and English, please report to the basement immediately."

Two men were standing at the base of the stairs. "Whoever you are" he began to say, when he noticed the Frenchmen and the Sheridan look-alike pointing guns at him. "Hey, I just want to help whoever screamed."

"I did," Sheridan tried to say, but Pierre (the one that had the gun held to her face in the beginning) shut her mouth and held the gun to her head, which made the tears appear in Sheridan's eyes once again. Suddenly, there was more banging. Ethan appeared at the bottom of the stairs, which made Sheridan's eyes light up. "Sheridan!" he exclaimed, running towards his aunt.

"Ethan!" she said, but the sound was muffled.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Ethan demanded of the three gunpeople.

"We're getting exactly what we deserve. Sheridan was innocent, but she happened to cross the wrong person at the wrong time. So we have to kill her."

Sheridan was shaking with fear. *Please, dear God, if I have to die, just let me see Luis one last time* she prayed.

"NO! You're not going to kill her. I won't let you!" Everyone turned to the sound. It was Luis, followed with about a dozen police officers.

He walked towards Ethan, Sheridan, Pierre, Roger, and the Sheridan look-alike, hate in his eyes, and a gun in his hands, pointing to Pierre. "Drop that gun, or else you die."

"What gives you the authority to tell me what to do?" Pierre asked, not fazed.

Luis pulled out his ID. "Harmony PD. I have the right to arrest you," he countered, angry.

"But you're in England."

"That doesn't matter! We also have some French police officers here, if you want to deal with that." He stepped aside, showing the faces of the angry French officers.

"We've been looking for you three," one of them said, with a heavy French accent. "Now, there's no escape." He pulled out a gun, and so did Luis. Pierre tightened his hold of Sheridan, when all of a sudden, a shot was fired

"Oh, my God," Sheridan said. She looked down at the fallen man, with a pool of blood forming around him. "Thank

God," she said, relieved. Pierre and Roger were dead. The Sheridan look-alike ran, but one of the English officers caught and arrested her. "Thank you, men," the English captain said. "You can go now."

"Actually," Luis spoke up, "I've got it under control."

"Okay, then," he said. "We'll finish all the reports and paperwork."

"Thanks," Luis said. The police officers left, and it was just Luis, Sheridan, and Ethan.

"Luis," Sheridan said, "you saved my life. Again. You don't know how grateful I am to you."

Luis didn't say anything, just untied her. Ethan was confused. *Didn't he say he loved her? Why does he have that look on his face?*

Sheridan stood up. "Luis," she began, "I have something to say to you."

"And I do, too." At that moment, he was filled with both love and hate, with a feeling of dread yet he was lightheaded it was so overwhelming. He loved Sheridan, but hated that she was a Crane. And that she had murdered his father in cold blood.

"What is it, Luis?"

"How how could you do this to me, Sheridan?"

"Do what?"

"You knew the truth about my father all this time, and you didn't tell me? Sheridan, we were supposed to be honest with each other. And yet you keep the one thing I've been searching for from me? I I don't understand."

"Luis," Sheridan pleaded, with tears in her eyes, "I didn't mean to do it, I swear! It was just an accident I was so young Please, can you forgive me?"

Luis looked at Sheridan. *God, it hurts so much to see her like this* "I I don't know, Sheridan. I need time to think. But until I talk to you again, I don't want anything to have to do with you. Goodbye, Sheridan." Luis turned and left Sheridan, who was sobbing. Ethan, who had witnessed it all, comforted his aunt, then helped her out of the basement.

Luis walked to the elevators, where there was a song playing. Actually, it was the tail end of the song.

*It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do,

to look you in the eye and tell you I don't love you

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to lie,

To show no emotion when you start to cry

I can't let you see what you mean to me

When my hands are tied and my heart's not free

We're not meant to be

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do,

To turn around and walk away pretending I don't love you*

He walked out of the elevator, deflated. He was walking towards his room when Ethan cornered him and hit him.

"Ethan, what the h*ll was that for?" Luis said, angry.

"You b*st*rd! You tell me that you love Sheridan, that you want to be with her, but when you finally see her face to face, you tell her you never want to see her again! What's up with that?" Ethan demanded.

"I said, I have to think," Luis said quietly.

"Well, then, go and think!" Ethan opened the door. "I'm going for a walk." Ethan opened and closed a few drawers, slamming them all. "Good riddance, Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald." He slammed the door.

Luis lay on the bed and began to make the toughest decision of his life.

Chapter 9

Sheridan was sitting on her bed too. But she was crying. *I went to all this trouble to get away from Luis and now he's here and he hates me! I knew it... that's why I left in the first place! Oh, Luis*

*Okay time to look at this from MY point of view. Not the cop point of view, not as a Lopez-Fitzgerald, but from Luis' point of view. I love Sheridan. I know that. She's kind, thoughtful, and generous not to mention beautiful and she's got a thing for me too. Actually, it's not just a thing. She loves me. She told me that. But she kept this huge secret from me; the one thing I was looking for, she knew. And she never told me but why?* Luis pondered, and hard.

*Because she loves you!*

Luis sat up, finally realizing why Sheridan had left, why she'd had the nightmares she never told him about, why she always got that hint of fear and sadness in her eyes when she talked about her past He remembered that night in Santa Fe.

"I didn't mean to do it!" she said, over and over.

*She loves me she didn't want to lose me so she left me.*

He sat there, grateful, because no woman had ever been that devoted to him. Not even Beth. Sure, Beth was a great woman beautiful, too, but Sheridan Sheridan was his soulmate. Luis felt it. *I'm so sorry I put you through this, Sheridan,* sadly.

*It's okay, Luis, I know you didn't know about me you know I still love you, right?*

Luis and Sheridan both recoiled in shock*I just heard him think that!*

*I can hear you think, Sheridan.*

*I know. I hear you too.*

Luis sat there, thoughtless and speechless, when he couldn't hear a female voice in his head. Only his own.

*Where did that come from? Maybe maybe Sheridan and I have ESP or something. Oh well. Back to the subject. She lied to me but she did it to protect me. And herself. I can see how hurt she's been by her past loves and I swear, I will never hurt her again. My father's dead. Nothing can change that. But even if she did kill him, she didn't mean to do it; it was an accident. Nothing I say or do will bring my father back. But to live the rest of my life without Sheridan, well that would be double torture.* Luis finally got up and opened the door. Ethan was there.

"So, did you think?"

"Yes," Luis said.

"And?"

"You'll see." Luis took his Walkman and left.

Sheridan smiled through her tears. *I heard him say that he was sorry Maybe this means we have a chance!* She picked up the phone and tapped out a number. "Hello? Yes, I'd like to request a song You can? Great! Thank you so much!" Sheridan turned on the radio and heard the DJ say, in his English accent, "Now, for a brand-new song, called 'I Wanna Love You Forever,' by Jessica Simpson. I've gotten many calls for this one, and one was from a young woman who wants to tell the man she loves that she'll always be there. Here it is!"

*You set my soul at ease

Chased darkness out of view

Left your desperate spell on me

Say you feel it too; I know you do

I've got so much more to give

This can't die, I yearn to live

Pour yourself all over me

And I'll cherish every drop here on my knees

I wanna love you forever

And this is all I'm asking of you

Ten thousand lifetimes together

Is that so much for you to do?

'Cuz from the moment that I saw your face

And felt the fire in your sweet embrace

I swear I knew

I wanna love you forever

My mind fails to understand

What my heart tells me to do

And I'd give up all I have just to be with you

And that would do

I've always been taught to win

And I never thought I'd fall

Be at the mercy of a man; I've never been

Now I only want to be right where you are

In my life I've learned that heaven never waits, no

Let's take this now before it's gone like yesterday

'Cuz when I'm with you, there's nowhere else

That I would ever wanna be, no

I'm breathing for the next second I can feel you loving me*

Luis smiled as he finished his little walk. He had heard the song on the radio and knew that Sheridan had requested it. He just knew. He walked back into the hotel lobby, when one of the English officers stopped him. This man was off-duty, but Luis recognized him

"Sir," he began, "I'd just like you to know that there's a dance here tonight."

"Really? Cool!"

"It's a Valentine's Day dance," the man added. "You can take that girl you know the blond one. Short hair, blue eyes always dressed niceYou and her would make a great couple."

Luis blushed. "Actually well, it's a long story. But thank you for telling me this!" He ran up to his room and found Ethan. "Ethan!"

"Luis."

"You've gotta help me, Ethan. Please."

"With what?"

"You'll see." Luis whispered in his ear, and Ethan quickly agreed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(Later)

Knock, knock!

Sheridan went to answer the door. "Ethan!" she said. "What are you doing all dressed up like that?"

"Didn't you hear, Sheridan? There's a dance here tonight!"

"Really?" Her heart sank. *Luis probably doesn't want to go with me.*

"Yes. Do you have a nice dress or something?"

"Of course I do. You know me," Sheridan said, pulling out a nice red strappy dress with spaghetti straps and little slits on the sides.

Ethan let out a low whistle. "Wow. Sheridan, you're going to look stunning tonight" he said, as Sheridan went to the bathroom to get changed, "and you'll be in for the surprise of your life." He smiled.

Luis was already downstairs, running around the ballroom. "Are you sure I can do that?"

"Yes. Ethan Crane told us to."

"And since when did Ethan Crane have the power to pull off things like this?"

"Since he became the heir of Crane Industries."

*I knew it. Count on Ethan to use his connections. I just hope the power doesn't go to his head.* Luis looked around at the decorated ballroom. *Tonight is going to be one night that neither Sheridan nor I will ever forget!*

Chapter 10 ~Note: "I Need You Tonight" is by the Backstreet Boys and "Thank God I Found You" is by Mariah Carey, Joe, and 98°.*~

There were a lot of people at the dance now. Ethan and Sheridan walked in, arm in arm. "Wow," Sheridan said, "there sure are a lot of people here."

"Yes," Ethan said. He looked at Sheridan, who was scanning the place. "I hope you enjoy tonight, Sheridan," Ethan said.

"What?" Sheridan asked.

"Sheridan, are you okay? You seem a little distracted."

"Oh. No, I'm fine." Ethan and Sheridan walked around a little bit, with him making sure that she didn't see Luis. *I am going to be so happy for Sheridan it's just too bad I can't spoil the surprise.* Ethan found the spot that Luis had instructed him to keep Sheridan, so he said, "Sheridan, sit here; I'll be right back." Ethan went to go dance with some girl that looked a lot like Theresa. *Theresa? Why am I always thinking about her? No, I am NOT falling for her*

Sheridan looked around, a little lonely, a little confused, and a little upset. She thought that Luis had forgiven her. But where was he? And why didn't he bring her to the dance?

Suddenly, the fast music stopped and a slow song started. *Oh, I wish I could be in Luis' arms right now* But this song was sung live

*Open up your heart to me

And say what's on your mind*

Luis walked down the stage, mike in hand.

*I know that we have been through so much pain,

but I still need you in my life this time*

He walked towards Sheridan, still singing.

*I need you tonight, I need you right now

I know deep within my heart,

It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right

I really need you tonight*

Now Luis was standing in front of her, singing. Sheridan was relieved at the sight of Luis, and so happy, she began to cry. Luis wiped away a tear before he started to sing again.

*I figured out what to say to you

Sometimes the words, they, they come out so wrong

And I know in time that you will understand

That what we have is so right this time

And I need you tonight; I need you right now

I know deep within my heart

It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right

I really need you tonight

All those endless times we tried to make it last forever more

And baby, I know I need youoh, yeah

I know deep within my heart,

It doesn't matter if it's wrong or right

All I know is, babyI really need you tonight*

People started applauding for Luis, Sheridan most of all. While the DJ was putting on another song, Luis took Sheridan's hand and pulled her up. "Sheridan," he offered, "would you like to dance?"

"Certainly," she responded, her eyes glistening. They went on to the dance floor and before they started to dance, she wrapped him in a big hug. "I love you, Luis."

"I love you too, Sheridan." He kissed her forehead and then, a song came on that they started to dance to.

*I would give up everything

Before I'd separate myself from you

After so much suffering

I finally found unvarnished truth

I was all by myself for the longest time

So cold inside

And the hurt from the heart, it would not subside

I felt like dying until you saved my life

Thank God I found you

I was lost without you

My every wish and every dream somehow became reality

When you brought the sunlight

Completed my whole life

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude

'Cause baby, I'm so thankful I found you

I will give you everything

There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do

To ensure your happiness

I cherish every part of you

'Cause without you beside me I can't survive

Don't want to try

If you're keeping me warm each and every night,

I'll be all right, 'cause I need you in my life

See, I was so desolate before you came to me

Looking back, I guess it shows that we were destined to shine

After the rain; to appreciate the gift of what we have

And I'd go through it all over again

To be able to feel this way

Thank God I found you

I was lost without you

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude,

Sweet baby, I'm so thankful I found you

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude,

My baby, I'm so thankful I found you*

After that was done, Luis took Sheridan outside. "Sheridan," he began, "you know I forgive you, right?"

"Didn't you say that in that song that you sang?" she asked, smiling.

"Yeah," Luis said, smiling back. *It feels so good to see her smiling again* "Listen, Sheridan, I've got something to ask you. You you're the most incredible woman I've ever known. Sweet, thoughtful, beautiful I just want you to know that I don't love you for your money or your last name. I couldn't care less about that. I love you for who you are, and I would never, ever use you in any way. I promise."

Sheridan had tears in her eyes. "Luis, you don't know how much this means to me."

"Yes, I do." A tear fell, and Luis gently kissed it away. "Don't cry. I don't like to see you cry." They both laughed at that. "But seriously, Sheridan, you have brought me so much. That's why I have to ask you this, now, not later." Luis sank down to one knee and Sheridan gasped. She knew what was coming. "Sheridan Crane," he asked her, pulling out a box, "will you marry me?"

Sheridan smiled. "Of course, Luis. I love you. Nothing is ever going to come between us again." At that, Luis hugged her, kissed her, and they were both giddy with laughter. He took out his ring and put it on her finger, then he took her hand and said, "Sheridan, let's go home."

THE END!!!!