Title: Just Want To Be With You

Author: Monika

E-mail Address: Blabs15@aol.com

Part: 1/?

Rating: PG-14

Category: Mainly Shuis

Disclaimer: I don't own Sheridan or Luis (don't I wish!) and Gregory, Lily, and Jake are fictional characters. Any resemblance to someone you may know (or are) is purely coincidental.

Author's Note: I decided to take a little break from the Love Games series and this story idea just struck me as I was watching yesterday's episode. The title is based on a song by Enrique Iglesias (Be With You). This takes place in the future, approx. 2005. Send feedback please if I should continue it or not!

Just Want To Be With You, Pt. 1

by Monika

Sheridan smiled as she watched the two young children run around the yard, chasing each other with water guns and running through or around the sprinklers that were set on the grass.

Lily, older than Jake by two years, was squirting her brother mercilessly, but he was just laughing and shrieking happily. It was a burning hot summer day in California and Sheridan herself had just sat down from playing with her children and running with them in the sprinklers.

She dabbed at herself with a towel and took a long sip of her iced tea. Shaking out her short, blond hair she threw her towel on the lawn chair and sat down, deciding to let the sun dry her off. In moments she fell asleep, the voices of Lily and Jake floating farther and farther away.

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

"I miss you..."

"What?"

"I love you..."

"Who are you?"

"Sheridan, come back to me..."

"Where? Where are you?"

"You know where to find me..."

"No, I don't! Where are you?"

"Just open your heart Sheridan, that's where I'll be...Open... Open... Open your eyes!"

"Huh?"

"Open your eyes! Open your eyes Mommy!"

Sheridan's eyes flew open and she looked up to see the startled expressions on Lily face.

"Mommy!" Lily screamed, flinging her arms around her mother. "You wouldn't wake up," she cried, sobbing in Sheridan's shoulders. Sheridan hugged her back tightly.

"Oh, it's okay sweetie," Sheridan comforted her four-year-old daughter. "Mommy was just really tired and dozed off. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Sheridan's thoughts floated back to her dream as she continued to hold Lily. That was the dream she had been haunted with for the past five years, ever since she had left Harmony. And she knew who it was about: Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. But for some reason, this dream was incredibly realistic and bothered her more than the others usually did. She had felt him there...

In the dream she had asked who he was, but she knew it was Luis. She could hear his voice, smell his cologne, feel his embrace.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Lily asked in astonishment, her crystal blue eyes wide.

"What?" Sheridan asked confused, and only then did she realize a tear had rolled down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away and put on a smile. "Nothing honey, I was just sad that I had worried you so much!" she lied, hating herself in the process. But she couldn't tell her children, they wouldn't understand. And she didn't want anything burdening them.

Lily didn't say anything, but Sheridan could read the skepticism in her eyes.

"Come on," she ruffled Lily's dark raven-colored curls, "It's getting late, Daddy will be here soon! Let's get Jake and then get ready for dinner."

"Okay," Lily nodded obediantly and then ran to get Jake out of the kiddy pool. Sheridan saw Jake was arguing about leaving the warm water, but she saw Lily say something to him sternly and then he reluctantly took her hand and she led him back to Sheridan. Sheridan smiled warmly. That was Lily; always

the little leader.

After all three of them had changed out of their bathing suits and into dry clothes, Sheridan let Jake go off to play with his toys and then proceeded to make dinner, with Lily's help.

"Can you hand me that pan over there from the table please?" Sheridan asked her daughter politely as she stirred something in another pan on the stove. Lily ran to get it and brought it to her mother quickly. "Thank you very much," Sheridan smiled. Lily beamed proudly.

They were half-way done with dinner when the front door opened and in walked Gregory Barnes. "I'm home!" he called out.

Little scuffles of feet were heard as Lily and Jake both ran towards the front door to meet their father. There were squeals of happiness as Gregory lifted both of them up in the air and walked into the kitchen. He greeted Sheridan warmly with a soft kiss.

"How was your day?" Sheridan asked as she turned back to the stove.

Gregory set Jake and Lily down before answering Sheridan. "Pretty good. I was able to close another case today without having to go to trial."

"That's wonderful," Sheridan smiled.

"How was your day?"

"Oh, it was so much fun! The kids and I were playing in the backyard with the sprinklers; it was just so hot out."

Gregory smiled widely. "See, this is what I love! My beautiful wife," he said as he hugged her from behind, "at home taking care of our beautiful kids while I'm at work and then having a delicious dinner ready when I come home." He kissed her on the side of her head before moving towards the living room. Sheridan watched him go with a smile, and then when Jake and Lily had both followed him, let it drop and sighed wistfully. Trying to hold back her cries, she turned her attention back to her cooking.

"I really thought my life was going to turn out differently..." she said in a low voice, her crystal blue eyes tearing over.

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

After dinner, Sheridan tucked Jake in bed and read him a short story. He was asleep within minutes and then she made her way into Lily's room. Lily was up in her bed, struggling to read.

"Lily, what are you doing?" Sheridan asked with a curious smile playing on her lips.

Lily turned to Sheridan with a serious expression on her face. "I'm trying to read Mommy!" she exclaimed, as if talking to someone half her age.

"Duh!" she shook her head.

Sheridan suppressed a laugh and walked over to sit next to Lily on the bed. "Oh, I see. How is that coming along?"

"I can't read!" Lily wailed, slamming the book closed. "I'm stupid!"

"No you're not and don't you ever say that again!" Sheridan exclaimed firmly. Lily looked up at her in confusion. "And don't ever say that about anyone either, it's not nice. But honey, maybe you're just not ready for... Romeo and Juliet yet," she picked up the book. "Where did you find this

anyway?"

"In the living room," Lily answered.

"Welll, why don't you start with something a little simpler than. Like this," Sheridan pulled out a book from Lily's bookcase.

Lily stared at the cover. "The... Three... Little Pigs," she sounded out to herself.

"See!" Sheridan smiled, "You can read." Lily sat back in satisfaction and opened to the first page. Sheridan kissed her head. "I'll be back in a little while to tuck you in," she said as she left the room. Lily never looked up from the book, engrossed in her desire to learn. Sheridan smiled and softly

pulled the door closed behind her.

Gregory was in the living room, sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper. He looked up at Sheridan as she entered and sat beside him. She leaned down on him and he put his arm around her.

"Greg, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about," Sheridan began softly.

"What's that honey?" he asked, not putting down his newspaper.

"The magazine called again. They were very impressed with my writing and wanted me to go and work for them. I was thinking that we could get Mrs. Robbins from next door to take Lily and Jake for--"

"Sheridan," Gregory cut her off in a threatening voice. He put down his coffee and newspaper and turned to look at her. "I thought we discussed this. You agreed to stay with the kids while I was at work. I thought we both agreed that a babysitter wouldn't be good enough for our kids!"

"I know, but Mrs. Robbins is really sweet. And the kids adore her. Just today she came to give Jake and Lily some cookies she baked and she was so wonderful with them! I think they're old enough now to understand that I wouldn't be abandoning them and--"

"Absolutely not," Gregory shook his head, standing up. "Lily is four and Jake is only two, they can't be seperated from their mother now. And a job as a writer can be very hard and stressful. Even when you were home you'd have to work on stories and articles. When would the kids get any attention?" he

demanded.

"How about from their father?" she mumbled under her breath in an annoyed tone.

"What?" Gregory growled.

"Nothing," Sheridan shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I give them enough attention okay! But you're their mother, it's the woman's role to stay at home with the children. You are my wife and I will not allow you to work and make me seem like some incompetant man that can't provide for his family."

Sheridan felt her anger rising. "I can't believe that you--"

"Can't believe that I what?" he screamed, his dark brown eyes narrowing.

"That I just want what's best for my family? Don't go and try to make me the bad guy Sheridan, I'm not the bad guy!"

"Please, Gregory, keep your voice down," she pleaded quietly.

"I will not keep my voice down!" Gregory roared. "This is my house and I will do whatever the hell I please! Now, you are not taking that job, understand?" Sheridan could feel tears burning behind her eyelids and willed them back. He stalked over to her and grabbed her arm roughly. "Do you understand?" he demanded again, his face up close to hers.

"Yes," she bit out through clenched teeth. He threw her back against the couch and walked out of the room. When he was gone she put her head in her hands and sobbed. This was one of the major arguments they had been having ever since they were married four years ago. And it always ended up with Gregory storming off and Sheridan bursting into tears, ashamed of how weak she was.

"Mommy?"

Sheridan looked up and gasped when she saw Lily standing in the doorway to the living room.

"Are you okay?"

Sheridan nodded and the little girl ran into her arms, hugging her.

Sheridan wrapped her arms around her and tried to keep in her sobs, but failed and the tears streaked down her face.

"How long do you have to be away?"

"I'll be home as soon as time permits," Luis promised his wife as he cradled the phone between his chin and shoulder. "But this case is really important to me sweetie."

"I know," she sighed. "And I don't want to keep you away from your work, but I miss you!"

"I've only been gone for a day," Luis laughed.

She laughed as well. "And it's been the longest day of my life, that's all I know. I'm glad that they made you Chief, Luis. It's what you've wanted for a long time now. But explain to me again why the Police Chief of Harmony is off in California?"

"Well, when Sam and the Bennett's moved to Boston he became a Detective there. And one of their escaped convicts has been spotted here in California. Only problem is that they're a little short-handed so Sam recommended me to do the job. It's been pretty quiet in Harmony lately so I let Hank take over

for me, since he is a detective now, and now, here I am," Luis summarized.

"Couldn't you just have stayed in Boston and they could've sent out one of their men?"

"Guess not," Luis smirked, "But I can handle it. And it'll look great on my record!"

"You're already Chief of Police, what more do you want?"

"I don't know," Luis replied truthfully. "But just 'cause I have a high position doesn't mean I'm going to start slacking off."

"I know, I know," she said quickly. "I wasn't implying that." Suddenly there was a loud wail in the background. "Oh listen sweetie, I gotta go. Kevin just woke up and I think he needs a changing."

"All right. Give him a kiss for me!"

"I will," she laughed. "I love you Luis."

"I love you too Beth," Luis smiled.

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

Luis stared at the skyline of the city of Los Angeles. The smog was slowly starting to descend on the popular city, but instead of looking dirty it gave a sort of mystical glow. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

Nights were always the hardest to get through, especially away from home. Every time he closed his eyes he would see her. Her soft, silky hair and sparkling blue eyes. The temptation to hold her and be with her was just too much. At least at home he could turn and remind himself he had Beth now. Luis

didn't want to seem like a jerk, but he knew that he had only married Beth because she was a good distraction. He loved her of course, he always had. But it wasn't that romantic, passionate love he had envisioned sharing for his wife. It was more of a familiar kind of love that you have towards your

best friend or a close family member.

With Sheridan though, it had been different. What they had shared was something Luis had never experienced before he had met her and had never experienced again after she left. He just couldn't understand what had gone so enormously wrong. What had suddenly changed? He could never even begin to fathom an answer as to what would make Sheridan turn against him like she did. He remembered that day at the Youth Center when she had slapped him and so coldly told him how she had been using him all that time.

Shaking his head to clear it, he turned away from the window. Moving over to the bed he picked up his wallet and leafed through it. Out of one of the crevices he pulled out a faded, worn picture. It was one of him and Sheridan. One of the guys from the pool hall, their second and last date, had taken it

just before Sheridan and Luis had left. He sighed as he looked down at the picture. That was so long ago.

"How can you still have such a tight hold on me?" he asked the picture, even though he knew it wouldn't respond.

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

"I'm fine Ethan!" Sheridan tried to convince her nephew for the hundredth time.

"Are you sure?" he inquired persistently. "You sound a little down. Hey, maybe you, Lily, and Jake could come over here for a little vacation," Ethan suggested excitedly. "Theresa and I haven't seen them for so long!"

"Maybe…" Sheridan said slowly, not intending to bring them over at all. She was scared that if Ethan saw her he would realize how much she really had changed, and not for the better. "How is Theresa?"

"She's wonderful," Ethan replied. Sheridan could almost see the wide smile on his face. "She loves New York and ever since she graduated from The Fashion Institute the job offers have been rolling in! She even has an interview with the people at Calvin Klein next week," he boasted.

"That's wonderful," Sheridan grinned. "She's definitely a talented designer. How are you enjoying New York? I still can't believe you moved there for Theresa."

"I would do anything for Theresa! I mean, when I found that Gwen was cheating on me with my best friend from boarding school, I was a mess. Theresa was there to help me through it. And we lost touch for that year, but then when she came home for summer between her first and second year of

college I realized I couldn't live without her and that I loved her. She was all ready set up here in New York, so what else could I do but move? The firm's very successful though. We just won a case against the local electric company and have more recognition than ever now!"

"I'm so happy for you Ethan. Your life is turning out so well and I know it's gonna get better!"

"What about your life Sheridan?" he asked seriously.

"What?"

"Are you happy with your life? Did it turn out as you hoped it would?"

Sheridan bit her lower lip and held back a sigh. "Of course Ethan, I couldn't be happier," she fibbed. "Lily and Jake are the best children ever," she said, happy she could be truthful about one thing at least.

"And Greg?" Ethan pressed.

"He's fantastic! I couldn't have asked for a better husband. He's sweet and thoughtful and loving and I can't believe I had the luck of finding him."

Ethan was silent for a moment. "Wow, Sheridan. I guess you do really love him. I'm glad it worked out so well. To be truthful, when I first met him I didn't think much of him. I guess the fact he had you two get married in privacy without letting you even tell your family kind of ticked me off. But now that I hear you talk about him like that with such sincerity, I guess I was wrong."

Sheridan nodded to herself, her eyes brimming over with tears. "Guess so Ethan. You have to have some faith in me, would I let myself get mixed up with a wrong man?"

"No, I know you better than that Sheridan," Ethan laughed.

Sheridan swallowed hard and took a breath. "Oh, sorry Ethan, but I have to get going. Lily and Jake are waking up and I have to get them ready. I have to go pick up some things for the house today and they're staying with my next door neighbor."

"Okay Sheridan, I'll let you go. Theresa says hi by the way."

Sheridan could hear laughter in the background and guessed that Ethan had kissed Theresa good morning or something to that effect.

"Tell her I said hi too. Bye Ethan, it was good talking. I'll come over there soon, I promise. Maybe sometime this month," she lied, a tear escaping and trickling down her cheek.

"I love you Sheridan."

"Me too," was all Sheridan could utter before hanging up the phone. Within a second she burst out in tears and held her head in her hands, rocking back and forth on the couch. Well, at least she had managed to

convince Ethan she was fine. Maybe now he would leave her alone about Greg. Except for one thing; the man she had described wasn't Greg. It was Luis.

Whenever Sheridan's mind wandered towards what she really had imagined her perfect life to be, Luis would pop into her head. With a heavy heart, she wiped her eyes and looked up. Her face fell in sadness. Standing in the entryway were Lily and Jake, hugging each other, and both terrified to see their mother in that position, again.

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

Luis had just stepped out of the supermarket into the late afternoon sunlight when he heard a woman's scream. He turned and saw a blond woman struggling to get up. A man was running wildly down the block clutching a purse in his hand. Luis put two and two together, dropped his plastic shopping bag, which consisted of a six-pack of beer and the fixings for a club sandwich, and ran off after the guy.

The perpetrator had gotten about a five-second head start, but Luis was gaining on him. Dodging traffic and various onlookers, he almost caught up to him. Luis extended his arm in a vain attempt to grab the portly fellow, but he quickened his speed. It must have been blind fear. Luckily though, while he was so busy worrying about outrunning Luis, the thief dropped the bag. Luis stopped to pick it up and the guy continued to run faster, disappearing around the corner.

Luis took a breath and let it out. At least he had gotten the bag back. And the guy hadn't looked that dangerous. More inexperienced and scared than anything else. With the bag in hand, Luis jogged back to the supermarket, hoping the woman was still there.

She was. A small crowd had formed around her and she had her back turned to Luis as he approached. There was something vaguely familiar about her figure, but Luis dismissed it with a shrug. Pushing his way through the crowd he tapped her on the shoulder.

"Excuse me Ma'am, is this-" he stopped abruptly as she turned around. "Yours?" he finished in a mixture of shock, surprise, happiness, confusion, and every other emotion he could think of.

"Luis?" Sheridan breathed in a disbelieving whisper. Luis took in her face. She hadn't changed that much. Still the same stylish blond hair and smooth, porcelain skin. He wanted to reach out and caress it. There were some differences though. For example, the dark circles under her eyes and the light he had been used to seeing in her eyes had diminished.

While Luis was mentally inhaling Sheridan, she was doing the same to him. He was still the same, tall and muscular. His deep brown eyes captured her and she had to practically rip her eyes away from his. There were some wrinkles in his forehead though and his voice wasn't as expressive as before.

They stared at each other awkwardly for a few seconds before Luis held up her purse.

"Oh, thank you," Sheridan said softly, taking the bag from him gingerly. Their fingers touched for a second and a tingle of electricity shot through Sheridan's arm before Luis pulled his hand away quickly.

"It was no problem."

"But it was very sweet of you. I had everything in here, my money, beeper, cell phone, keys, everything. If this had been taken…" she trailed off.

Luis looked at the spot where he had dropped his bag. 'Gone,' he thought with a smirk, 'Figures!' "Damn," he muttered out loud.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing… Um, I just dropped my bag there and now it's gone."

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry Luis. Why don't I… Why don't I treat you to some coffee?" she asked in a hesitating manner. Now that she had seen him again so many emotions had rushed over her. She didn't know what to make of them. The only thing she did know was that she didn't want to lose him again so quickly.

Luis paused, unsure of what to say. Was it emotionally healthy for him to be around her? He couldn't deny the attraction that was running through him. Should he just spare himself the agony? "Okay," he nodded, smiling tightly.

"Okay," Sheridan smiled a little also. What had she just gotten herself into?

Luis stared at Sheridan across the table they occupied in the small café. The two had been talking for almost an hour and a half; chatting meaninglessly about the weather and national current events. They talked little about their personal lives and completely avoided any mention about what had happened between them years ago. They knew it was a touchy subject and didn't want to bring it up.

It was only when the check came that their conversation got even remotely personal. They both reached out for the check at the same time; Sheridan's hand gently covering Luis'. Freezing, they looked up to stare at each other, all the old feelings rushing back. Smiling the faintest smile, Luis looked down at their touching hands. His smile quickly faded when he saw the gold band on Sheridan's ring finger. Sheridan turned to see what he was looking at and when she noticed she immediately snatched her hand back and hid it under the table.

Luis continued staring at the table in shock. She was married? 'Well, what did you expect Luis!' he chided himself. 'Did you think she was going to wait forever for you? You didn't wait for her! Should I bring it up? I don't want to seem like I'm prying or that I'm jealous… But then if I don't bring it up it would seem weird, like it bothered me or something. But it doesn't bother me! Yes it does. No it doesn't! It's just shocked me. And made my heart crumble in my chest…'

"So," Luis finally blurted out, "Who's the lucky guy?"

But Sheridan didn't answer. She was staring at his wedding ring, her face trapped in look bewilderment. She looked up at him and in an almost desperate tone choked out the word she wanted to say. "Beth?" He simply nodded and she stretched her lips into a small smile, trying to hold back tears. "That's good… I always thought you two would end up together," she fibbed.

Luis continued to stare at her. "So did everyone else. Guess we proved them right."

"Guess so," she nodded, a blank expression on her face. She reached for the check again, desperate to get away from his piercing gaze, and looked at the total. Reaching into her bag to get her wallet, she felt her beeper vibrating. Picking it up, Sheridan saw that it was Greg. And he had beeped her four other times before. She checked her watch and to her dismay saw that she was two hours late. "Oh my God," she mumbled, trying to find her cell phone.

"What's wrong?" Luis asked in concern.

"Do you have a cell phone?" she asked, not answering his question. "I think I forgot mine at home."

"Yeah."

Sheridan took the phone he offered her and frantically dialed her house number, her hands trembling. Gregory picked up on the first ring.

"Where are you?" he demanded in a dangerously calm voice.

Sheridan turned away from Luis so he wouldn't see the fear written all over her face. Speaking in a low tone, she tried to explain. "Gregory, dear, I'm so sorry. I-"

"I don't care Sheridan. Where are you?"

"You see I was coming out of the grocery store and then-"

"I said I DON'T CARE!" Gregory screamed, beginning to lose control. "Where the hell are you? You're over two hours late! I tried calling your cell, it rang here in the kitchen! I try beeping you, you don't even bother to return my pages! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?"

"Where are the kids?" Sheridan asked, praying that Lily and Jake weren't witnessing Gregory's outburst.

"They're over at Mrs. Robbins'. I want you to come home NOW Sheridan. We'll discuss this when you come." With that he slammed the receiver down and the line went dead.

Sheridan sighed deeply, then closed the phone and handed it back to Luis. "Thank you," she said in a tight voice, on the verge of tears.

"Sheridan, what's wrong?" Luis asked. His expression was of pure worry for her and Sheridan nearly cried at the sight of it. How she longed for her husband to be just as half as caring as Luis. How she longed for her husband to *be* Luis.

"Oh, it's nothing. That was, the um, babysitter. I'm a little late and she was getting worried. I'm so sorry, but I have to go," Sheridan rose from her seat. She pulled a ten out of her wallet and placed it on the table. "I think that's enough to cover my half."

"No, Sheridan, it's fine. I'll take care of it," he tried to return her money to her. She wouldn't take it though.

"I insist Luis. It was good seeing you and thanks again!" she added before rushing out of the café.

Luis sat there for another moment, stunned. "Babysitter?"

~

Sheridan took a deep breath before opening the gate to the house and slowly walking up the cement walkway. She had her keys in her hand, ready to insert in the door, but that wasn't necessary. As soon as she climbed the stairs to the porch, the door was flung open and there stood Gregory. His eyes were wide and bloodshot, his hair wild. He had his tie off and the first two buttons of his shirt undone.

"Gregory…" Sheridan began softly.

"Get in," he ordered.

Sheridan felt something burning in her. She knew the way he was treating her wasn't right. Why was she taking this from him? Because you know you have no one else Sheridan, a small voice said in the back of her mind. Sometimes she wondered if that was the reason Gregory had insisted on moving all the way to California. Just to make sure he was the only family she had around. When Sheridan had wanted to move back to the US he wasn't too keen on the idea of even being on the East Coast and had insisted on California. Sheridan had reluctantly agreed.

"Gregory, get some sense in your head," Sheridan tried to defend herself. "Yes, I was late. I'm sorry. But that is no right to get this angry! I lost track of time and unfortunately left my cell phone at home and forgot to set my beeper off vibrator. It happens! There's nothing we can do about it now so let's just move on," she breezed past him in the house, trying to control her shaky voice.

He slammed the door with a sharp bang that made Sheridan jump. "Don't you dare," he began, advancing towards her menacingly, "talk back to me like that ever again! You're in enough trouble as it is, you can't afford anymore!"

"God, what are you? My father?" Sheridan snapped, her fury rising even more.

Gregory glared at her. "No, I'm not. You're father chooses not to be around you or to even call you. He wants to forget you even exist because you're too much of a burden to him! You better pray that I don't start acting like your father or else you better wish your father was more like me!"

Sheridan couldn't stop the hot tears from clouding her eyes. A lump came to her throat and she tried to control herself. "How would you know what the hell my father is like? You never even met him! You haven't met any of my family and you won't let me see them either! You keep me locked in this house

like some sort of prisoner and-"

"And what Sheridan?" Gregory demanded. "Provide you with food, clothes, anything you want? Excuse me for wanting to take care of you! I love you and want what's best for you, but you don't care about that do you? You're too busy being selfish and spoiled and not realizing what I do for you! Do you

know how many things I've given up for you? Do you ever see me complaining or even mentioning those things? Of course not! I don't want to upset you. But as soon as I ask you to do something for me, like call when you're going to be late so I don't worry and nearly have a heart attack, then all of a sudden it's the start of world war three!"

Sheridan stared at Gregory in shock, not knowing what to say.

"When are you going to realize, Sheridan," he continued, his tone gentler, "that I love you and all I want to do is protect you? I can't do that if you're constantly fighting with me and questioning my motives like

you don't trust me! Don't you know that I would never do anything to hurt you and our family?" Gregory came closer to her and gently wrapped her in an embrace. "I know sometimes I come off a little strong, but that's only because I love you so much. The thought of anything happening to you is enough to make me want to die!"

"Oh no, Gregory, please! Don't talk like that!" Sheridan pleaded with a gasp.

"Just tell me you love me. That's the only thing I want to hear."

With an inward sigh of defeat, Sheridan hugged him back. "I love you Gregory."

"I love you too. Now, let's just put this all behind us and get back to normal around here. I'm going to get ready for dinner, I brought some Chinese food home, and why don't you go pick up the kids next door?" he suggested, pulling back slowly.

Sheridan nodded with a smile. He kissed her on the forehead and then made his way upstairs. When Sheridan heard their bedroom door close, she moved quickly to the kitchen. Picking up the phone, she nervously dialed the number she had memorized and had wanted to call for a long time.

"Hi," she said after someone had picked up, "This is Sheridan Barnes. I'm calling for a Mrs. Lila Rhodes in reference to a job proposal. Thank you… Yes, Mrs. Rhodes? This is Sheridan Barnes…"

~

With trembling hands, Sheridan dialed the number of the hotel Luis had mentioned he was staying at the day before at the café.

"Hi, can I please be put through to a Mr. Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald," Sheridan asked politely when the receptionist picked up.

"Yes. Who may I say is calling?"

"Sheridan Ba-Crane," she corrected herself. Luis wouldn't recognize her as Barnes. But then again, how many Sheridans did he know? Still, better safe than sorry. "Sheridan Crane," she repeated herself.

"One moment please," the receptionist said.

Sheridan bit her lower lip nervously as she waited for Luis to pick up the phone. What would his reaction be? Would he be mad that she had tried to contact him?

A moment later his deep voice came over the line, in almost a breathless excitement. "Hello?"

Sheridan froze. "Luis?" she finally managed to choke out.

"Sheridan," he greeted her. Sheridan could almost see his smile and she felt one of her own forming on her face.

"Hi, how are you?"

"I'm good. How are you? Is something wrong?" he asked quickly.

"No, no, nothing's wrong," she assured him quickly. "Actually I need a little favor. I know I have no right to impose on you like this and I completely understand if you don't want to-"

"Don't be silly," Luis interrupted her. "If I can help you in any way just let me know."

"Well, I'm going to see about a possible job and I don't have anyone to leave my children with. I would never think to ask you unless it was an emergency, but I really want this job. And my usual babysitter had a prior engagement so-"

"I would love to," he cut her off again.

"Really?"

"It would be no problem," he said honestly. "Just give me the details."

"The interview's in about an hour and a half. If you could come in forty-five minutes, that'd be wonderful. My address is…"

She gave him all the necessary information he needed and then hung up, her heart racing at the thought of seeing Luis again.

To Be continued…