Chapter 1 & 2

Luis nodded, his eyes fixed on Sheridan. "Okay, good. Let's CLEAR the air."
Sheridan nodded sharply. "All right. Fine. Good."
They stood, staring at each other, and no one said a word. Luis rolled his hands, waiting for Sheridan to say something. "Well?"
"Come on, Luis, tell me." Sheridan raised her eyebrows.
Luis shook his head slowly. "Tell you what? How about YOU start?"
"Why?"
"Because I don't even know what you're so upset about!"
"Oh, right. Like YOU DON'T KNOW what I'm so angry about."
"That's right, yeah, I don't!"
Sheridan's eyebrows faltered. She raised her hands up in the air, giving in.
"Ugh, never mind! You're denying it." She turned away, ready to walk off towards the kitchen, but Luis grabbed her wrist. She gasped and he yanked her near him. "No," he muttered.
" 'Never mind'? Never mind what? What am I denying exactly?"
She did not respond, but she only stared up into his eyes.
"Sheridan, tell me! What am I denying?"
She said nothing.
Luis yanked at her wrist. "Answer me!" he ordered.
Sheridan's eyebrows fixed together. "Let go of me, NOW. Who do you think you are, Luis? Some sort of king? Let go of my wrist!" Luis did not move, but then he reluctantly let go, and she pulled her arm away. "Now, tell me - what did I do to anger you? Was it something I said?"
He stared hard into her eyes. He looked deeper and deeper into her eyes, and saw something that confused him. It was no anger, it was not the least bit of euphoria, but it was melancholy. Bits of sadness flicked in her eyes, and Luis strangely felt the same way. 'She must have remembered something,' he thought, 'but what?'
'I can't tell him how I really feel,' Sheridan was thinking. 'I can't let him know what I'm feeling.'
"Sheridan? What did I do?" Luis asked again, his eyes pleading for an answer.
Sheridan remembered what had happened that night at the wharf - what Luis had said. It had broken her heart. She had wanted to bawl her eyes out, and possibly knock some sense into him. Should she tell him how she felt, or would he laugh in her face?
"You don't know what you did?" Sheridan grumbled, her eyes confused and upset.
"No! No, I don't!" Luis exclaimed. "Please, will someone tell me what I have done? I just want a clue!" His arms were thrown up into the air, and he was crying out for help. "I just want to know what I did to make you like this!"
Sheridan's eyebrows wrinkled in anger. "Like what? Am I acting like some sort of a bitch to you?"
Luis was taken aback by her language. "No, no, you're-"
"Then, WHAT? You don't like the way I'm acting? Well, it's too bad, because this is what you deserve, after what you're done to me!"
"What did I do to you?" Luis pleaded.
"You know damn well what you did to make me like this. You know you said that you were only out to use me because of my family's exploitations of you. You know more than anyone else what you were saying that night on the wharf to your friend or whomever on your cell phone. You were saying that you were using me, me, the spoiled princess. My 'behavior' is damn well what you deserve after what you've done to me! I have every right to be like this, because you have been nothing but a bastard - a fraudulent, vindictive, good-for-nothing bastard! You've ruined my life!" Tears sprang to her eyes and her angry growling morphed to sobbing. "You've ruined my life! I hate you!" She ran to her room, her blonde hair bouncing. Luis went after her, only to have the door slammed in his face. He tried the knob, but it was locked.
"Sheridan, open up!" he yelled, banging on the door. "Come on, Sheridan, open the door!"
"Leave! If you're not my bodyguard anymore, then why are you still here?!
Leave me alone!" she wailed.
"No," he refused, "I'm not leaving without an answer. I want to know why you think that. I haven't-"
"Go AWAY!" she cried.
"Sheridan! Let me in! I NEED to know why you think that!"
"LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!" Sheridan screamed.
Luis stared at the door with furrowed eyebrows. He waited for her to say something else, but silence filled the air. And the silence remained. 'Oh, no, what does this mean? Has she gone out the window?' A million thoughts ran through his mind, and he went with his gut instinct: he knocked down her door, forcing it open by slamming his arm into it. He burst in and saw her on her knees, sobbing. He rushed to her side and draped his arm around her neck, hugging her. She struggled against him, whimpering. "Luis, leave me alone! Just leave me alone…"
"Sheridan, shh, shh," Luis comfort her. "Don't cry, Sheridan, don't cry." "Go away, please, leave me alone… please…" she quietly sobbed, clutching his forearm.
"Sheridan, don't cry, stop it, snap out of it!" Luis ordered, trying to get her back on her feet.
She reluctantly got up and pushed Luis away as he tried hugging her. "No! Leave! Get out!" she cried. She began to pound Luis' chest with her fists.
"Leave me alone, don't do this-" she sobbed, hitting him with no strength left in her. "Just go and never come back… never come back…"
Luis took ahold of her wrists and calmed her. "Shh, shh…" He pulled her into a hug, and she leaned her head onto his chest.
"Go, go now," Sheridan whispered, tears pouring from her eyes, as she pulled him down onto the floor with her. Luis waited, rocking Sheridan in his arms, until she calmed down and fell asleep crying. He cradled her until he became confident she would not wake up and flee. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
~*~
It was morning. Sheridan's eyes fluttered open and she looked around. She turned around and yelped, seeing Luis' arm around her and finding him asleep next to her. This came as a surprise to her. Every possible thought ran through her mind, and panic dominated her eyes. 'What are we doing on the floor? Did something happen?' She climbed to her knees and whirled around, jumping. Luis had been watching her.
"Luis," she whispered, a little shocked.
"Hi," he whispered.
Sheridan's eyebrows creased. "Um, what are we doing on the floor?"
Luis glanced around. "You fell asleep and I sort of did, too… right next to you, so don't worry - we didn't do anything."
Sheridan understood and nodded a little. "Oh."
Silence filled the air, and they only stared at each other. Finally, Luis broke the silence. "Sheridan, we need to talk."
"No, we don't, Luis!" Sheridan cried. "There's nothing I have to say to you!"
She stood up and walked to the doorframe, holding her face.
"Nothing?" Luis repeated her words.
"Nothing! I don't need to talk to you about anything!"
"Well, I do."
Sheridan turned around and saw him standing right behind her. "I have to talk about something."
"I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear anything come from your mouth." Sheridan stomped away into the living room and crossed her arms.
Luis watched her and followed her there. "Sheridan, please listen to me. I have to tell you-"
"No! I refuse to! You are not to tell me what to do because however much you beg and plead, I will not listen to you."
"Sheridan, please, LISTEN to me - I didn't use you! I didn't say those things about you!"
"Save it," she growled, her teeth gritted. "I said that I didn't want to hear it. It's all a lie! You said everything I heard!" She spun around, refusing to look at his face, and began walking to the bedroom.
"If I said those things about you - those horrible, horrible things about you, then… why would I follow you to Paris?" The question brought Sheridan to a halt. Her eyes were watery from holding back tears. But his last comment made her eyes flutter, and caused her lips to quiver.
"Why would I go to Paris, and make sure that you weren't in danger?" Sheridan stood, unmoving.
"Why would I do anything - even the most ludicrous - to put you out of jeopardy? Why would I do everything I can to make sure you aren't taking your last breaths each and every time I think about you? And why would I care for you so deeply and as much as I do now if I were only out to use you?" Luis looked at the back of Sheridan's head, waiting.
She stared up at the ceiling and slowly closed her eyes, a tear sliding down her cheek. "I don't want to hear it, Luis," she admonished softly. He ignored her. "If I were only using you, I wouldn't care for you as much as I do. Why would I want money? I have everything I need as for now - except one thing." He placed his hand on her arm and slowly turned her around. "I need your trust in me. I need you to know that I never said anything like that about you. I would never use you. I would never want to use you. I could not even imagine it. So I need to have you believe every word I'm saying now - I need for you to believe that I would never say anything to ever hurt you, whether or not it's right in front of you as I look into your eyes, or behind your back." Luis' eyes were begging, pleading for her trust in him. Sheridan helplessly stared up at Luis, her eyes welling with tears. "Luis… I can't believe you," she choked out, a tear falling from her eye.
"Why not?" Luis looked confused. Sheridan avoided his eyes by looking down at their linked hands. "I saw you that night and I heard you - and my own eyes and ears can't lie to me… It must have been you."
Luis groaned. "No, Sheridan, it wasn't me. I don't know what to tell you, how to explain what you saw and heard, but, all I can tell you is that it wasn't me! Believe me or not, Sheridan - it wasn't me." He lifted her chin with his fingers so she would look at him. "Look, Sheridan, I didn't say any of what you claim I said. I would never dare use you because I care too much about you. I don't want to hurt someone I care about. Just believe in me, Sheridan, and I'll walk out of here, and I promise not to bother you ever again. I just need you to believe me - this once." He paused, his eyes focused on hers. "So… do you believe me, Sheridan?"
Sheridan's eyes were filling up and tears were rolling down her cheeks. "I want so desperately to believe you, Luis, but… I can't. I saw you, Luis. It was you. Because of this, I don't know how I'll ever be able to trust you."
Luis heard her words and his heart cracked in two. He pulled away, sniffing, as his eyes were turning to liquid. Their hands pulled apart, and Luis took a few steps back. "If you don't believe me… I will walk out this door, and I'll never bother trying to gain your trust again." He walked to the door very slowly. Once he reached his destination, he turned round and spoke just above a whisper:
"Good-bye, Sheridan."
Then he left, gently closing the door behind him. Sheridan watched as he walked out of her life forever and she whined. She fell to the floor and began to sob uncontrollably. If only she could believe him...

Chapter 3

Luis returned home. He sauntered to his room slowly. He sat down on his bed and closed his eyes, remembering all of the close moments he had shared with Sheridan. 'Why couldn't she just believe me?' he thought. 'I was telling her the whole truth and she refused to believe me. How could she have heard me at the wharf saying all those things when I wasn't even thinking them?' He inhaled deeply, and opened his eyes. 'I don't know who she thinks she saw, but I will do everything I can to find out who it is.' "Luis?" Luis' head snapped up when he heard his name. The door opened and a head popped in. It was Miguel. "Luis, you're home!" he exclaimed, smiling. "Hey, Miguel," Luis greeted quietly, flashing a quick smile. Miguel's smile faded and his eyes grew concerned for his older brother. "Luis, what's wrong? You don't look too happy." Luis stood up, shaking his head. "It's 'cause I'm not, Miguel. I just… everything's just a jumble right now…" He trailed off and stared down at the floor. "Luis, man - come on, what's going on? Tell me what's happening in your life. I'm your brother - you can tell me anything, right?" Luis looked up and tried to smile. "Yeah, of course," he replied. Miguel placed a hand on Luis' shoulder. "Then, what is it? Why do you look like… look like…" He stopped and tried to think of something to say. Luis looked up at Miguel with confusion in his eyes. Miguel scratched his head. "Sorry, I got nothing." "Miguel… I don't know how to put it. I've been mashed into a giant, jagged rock." Luis' eyes returned to the floor. "Why? Luis, what happened?" Miguel was very concerned for his older brother. He furrowed his brow trying to think of anything that could upset Luis like that. Then he realized that he wouldn't need to think at all - he knew exactly what was bothering Luis. "It's Sheridan, isn't it?" Luis' head lifted and he stared Miguel square in the eyes. "It's Sheridan who upset you, isn't it?" he repeated. Luis turned away. "I just don't understand, Miguel. One minute we're smiling and sharing a good laugh, and the next, she's telling me that I've only been using her for her last name. Miguel, I-" "Wait. Back up the trucks for a second, Luis. Sheridan told you that you've been using her?" Miguel asked, confused. Luis took a deep breath. "Well… there was one night at the wharf when Sheridan and I… shared a special moment. It was out first real kiss." He saw Miguel's rising smirk, but ignored it and continued. "Then, later on, she came back to see if I was still there. She heard my voice and saw my face saying that I was only after her. Not for Sheridan Crane, the woman, but Sheridan Crane, the woman with money." Miguel looked puzzled. "But you wouldn't do that." "Yeah, I know I wouldn't. Sheridan claims that it was me, but… it wasn't. Now, because of that… there's no chance for anything between the two of us." Luis flopped back down on his bed, his shoulders slumped. Miguel wanted more details. "So…? Now what?" he wanted to know. Luis motioned with his hand that everything was over. "She wants me to admit that I said those things, but, you know, I don't want to lie to her. It'd just be wrong if I lied about something like this." He stopped. "Especially if I lied to Sheridan." Miguel nodded, understanding. "So, there's no hope for you two?" he asked. Luis shook his head. "No, there isn't." Miguel's lips twisted into a smile, perplexing Luis. "Not true," he replied. Luis' eyebrows curled, as he stood up. "What are you talking about?" he wanted to know. "All you have to do is… tell her that you love her." Luis scoffed. "Are you serious, Miguel? Tell her I love her? Why would I do that?" "Because you do love her!" "No, I don't!" Luis protested. "Yes, you do! Plus, if you tell her, then you two will have a chance to be together." Luis shook his head fiercely. "That won't convince her that I didn't say those things, Miguel." He paused, sighing. "Let's say that I did tell Sheridan that I loved her - but I don't - then what? We would get together, yeah, but those hurtful words she thinks I said would stick with her forever, and she would never be able to forget them. She'd think I'm a liar, a user, but she'd keep it to herself. But let's say that I said that I did say those terrible things. I would be a liar, because I didn't say them. She wouldn't just smile and be relieved that I admitted it. The words would be kept with her no matter what. She'd think that at one time, I was only using her and that I intended to keep it to myself forever. So, Miguel, it's a lose-lose situation." Miguel nodded, understanding. "Oh, I see." Luis bit his lip. "Agh, what can I do? Sheridan won't believe me. I keep telling her that I did not say those things about using her just for her money, but she refuses to defy her eyes and ears. Why can't she just believe me?" Luis sank back down onto his bed, and Miguel sat himself right next to Luis. "Luis, if it wasn't you, then who what it?" he catechized. Luis shrugged. "That's what I'm trying to find out. But I do know it has much to do with Julian and Alistair Crane."

* * *

Sheridan stared out her bedroom window and sighed deeply. A look of sadness spread all across her face and she could not get rid of it. A whiff of breath escaped her lips and she wanted so desperately to run under the covers and sob wildly into her pillow. Luis had left her, and any chance between them was over. He had denied saying anything about using her that night at the wharf. Now what was going to happen? Would they ever see each other again? Sheridan sighed, a tear falling from her eyes. She wasn't even sure WHY she had tears in the first place. Why did he have to use her? If he didn't, then she would be smiling right now. She wouldn't be hating Luis. She would be fine, she would probably already have chosen someone to spend the rest of her life with. A couple months ago, she had hoped it was Luis she would be with until the day she died. "Oh, Luis…" she whimpered. "Why? Why did you do this to me?" She cried in pain, holding her face in her hands. All of a sudden, she stopped, and she stood up. She wiped away her remaining tears, and cleared her nose. "I need to get out of here," she sniffed, "I need to get away from this place." She grabbed her jacket, draped it over her white shirt and rushed out of her cottage.

* * *

"What a night." Hank sighed and smiled at the star-filled sky. He walked around the shops of the wharf with a grin spread across his face and there was one reason why: Sheridan Crane. Now he had a chance with her. Sure, he was a little saddened with the fact that Luis' happiness was demolished, but now he had a clear path to a relationship he had been chasing after with Sheridan. His thoughts were interrupted with the sharp ringing of his cell phone. He grabbed it and opened the flap. "Hank Bennett." "Hello, Hank Bennett," a low voice with a heavy accent growled ominously. Hank furrowed his brow, not recognizing the voice. "Um, who's speaking?" "I've been waiting to speak with you, Hank," the voice said. Hank's suspicions arose. "I said, who's speaking?" "This is Roger," the man on the other end of the line replied, introducing himself. Hank raised his eyebrows. "Look, pal, I don't know any Rogers. So-" "Les' boss, Roger," he interrupted. Hank froze. "L-Les?" he stammered nervously. Roger smiled, and Hank could just feel it. "Yes. Les… your friend." "Les was never my friend!" Hank protested, angered. Roger shook his head. "Well, how could he be your friend when he's DEAD?" Hank laughed bitterly. "Yes, he's dead, and good riddance." "And you know why he's dead? Because the so-called love of your life grabbed a gun and shot him." Roger's tone was darkening. Hank had stopped laughing. "Hey, that only happened because Sheridan was only trying to protect my best friend, Luis!" "Yes, Luis - the love of her life." Hank laughed again. "Yeah. Right." Roger ignored Hank's chuckle. "You won't be laughing when I tell you what I'm going to tell you, Mr. Hank Bennett," he said admonishingly. Hank's fingers gripped the phone tightly. He gave no question. "You're going to take the gun from her and point it at HER," Roger continued. Hank opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. "Wh-what are you trying to say?" he stammered. There was a dead silence over the phone. "I'm saying…" A long pause. "You are to kill Sheridan Crane."

Chapter 4

Luis walked out from his bedroom and went to the living room. He pulled on a dark blue sweater and looked around the room. He tilted his head, remembering the time when he and Sheridan held up the slides of Spain to the light to get a good look at them. The thoughts of Sheridan brought a smile to Luis' lips. Realizing that it was all just his mind, Luis shook his head and cleared his throat. 'Okay, don't think about Sheridan Crane. Crane… Crane…' The name echoed in his mind. Luis' eyebrows creased in anger. "Those damn Cranes ruined my life," he growled. Then he faced the door and left.

* * *

The Book Café was full of people, like every other Saturday night. Music played throughout the room and laughter filled the air - nothing unusual. Then, the door burst open, and in walked a red-eyed, dispirited Sheridan Crane. Not many turned to look at her, but she did grab some attention. People raised eyebrows, seeing the beautiful Sheridan Crane with tears in her eyes and a frown dominating her lips. Her eyes darted about the room, and she casually wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and she sniffled. Then she sauntered over to the couch and made herself comfortable. 'Might as well,' she thought, 'I'll probably be here for awhile.' She leaned over and picked up a TIME that was laying on the coffee table before her. She buried herself back into her snug seat on the sofa and flipped the magazine to the first article. As she got herself interested in the story, she heard a pleasant voice. "Miss Crane?" Sheridan's head lifted. The person who had called her was Whitney Russell. Sheridan smiled, seeing her. "Whitney, hi," she said, "don't call me that. 'Miss Crane'. It's too… formal and unnecessary." She paused and stood up, meeting her at eye level. "It's Sheridan to you, Whitney." Whitney grinned, brushing a curl of hair from her eye. She clasped her hands together, pursing her lips and cocking her head. "Sheridan, um… have you seen Theresa lately?" she wanted to know. Sheridan looked around the Book Café and shrugged. "Um, I'm sorry, but I haven't the slightest idea, Whitney." Whitney's eyes relented. "Oh," she uttered. "Well, thank you anyway - Sheridan." Sheridan smiled politely, but her smile twisted into a slight frown as she saw Whitney's eyes roll around nervously as she bit her lip. "Whitney, what's the matter? You look a bit nervous," Sheridan told her. Whitney shook her head slightly, her eyes looking elsewhere. "Uh, no. No, Sheridan. Wh-why do you say that?" she asked. Sheridan shrugged. "Well, telling by how you're biting your lip and playing with your fingers, it looks like you're worried about something. Are you worried about something, Whitney?" "No. Not at all." She glanced at the counter. Sheridan followed Whitney's eyes and saw who she was gazing at. "Does this have anything to do with Chad Harris?" Sheridan wanted to know. Whitney said nothing, but continued her gaze on Chad. "Whitney?" Whitney's head turned to meet Sheridan's eyes. "Hmm?" Sheridan chuckled. "Never mind." Whitney looked back at Chad, and from the corner of her eye, she spotted Theresa strolling in. Whitney uttered a short 'oh' and smiled at Sheridan. "Well, thank you, Sheridan. It's been good talking to you. Theresa seems to want to tell me something." Sheridan returned the grin. "Been great talking to you, too, Whitney." She knew what Theresa urgently wanted to talk about with her best friend, Whitney: Ethan. Sheridan watched Theresa yap away and jump up and down every once in a while. Sheridan grinned, happy to see Theresa so happy. She wished she could be head over heels in love and happiness. Sadly, she picked up the magazine she had been reading before, and she sat back down, her eyes focused on the words. Theresa had dragged Whitney to the far corner, so she nor Whitney had noticed the door to the café open. Luis stepped in. His eyes moved about, looking around, but his sight stopped on Sheridan. 'She's here?' he asked himself. He furrowed his brow and closed the door behind him. He walked towards the couch but stopped himself. He bit the inside of his lower lip and walked to the counter. "Hey, Chad," Luis greeted, quickly smiling. "Yo, Luis, what's up, man?" Chad replied. Luis shrugged. "Uh, no much - or, I don't think so… but I do want an iced mocha." Chad nodded, taking the order. "Comin' right up." As he waited for his mocha to be whipped up, Luis pulled up one of the stools and sat himself down on it. He tried to disregard Sheridan sitting there but he couldn't just erase that from his mind. He slowly rotated his head and watched Sheridan read, her legs crossed, her back rested comfortably against the soft cushion of the couch. His field of vision consisted entirely of Sheridan, and nothing else. "Why couldn't it have worked out?" he whispered, his vision going blurry. He sniffed and held back tears, turning his head back around. Sheridan's head snapped up as she felt someone's eyes on her. She slightly moved her sight, but saw that it was just her mind playing tricks on her. But she spotted a familiar figure sitting at the counter, on a stool. She tilted her head and wrinkled her eyebrows. "Could it be? Could it…" She shook her head and returned to her article. Ever since Luis had left, it was as if her thoughts focused on him, and him only. 'Why can't I just stop thinking about him?' she thought, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. About an hour later, Sheridan felt her eyes drooping, so she decided to return home for a wink of sleep. On her way out, she saw that the man had already left, and she felt slightly disappointed. She walked out of the Book Café and walked to her car, as she reached into her purse for her keys. She stopped mid-way, and decided to take a little walk around the wharf before sleeping. She began strolling towards the wharf with a worried frown lurking her lips. 'What if I run into Luis there? What if he's on the phone again?' Then she shook her head, finalizing that her luck could not go as bad as that. When she arrived at the wharf, she did a little window-shopping. She didn't care if someone from the press spotted her. She wanted to grant her own wish for freedom. Sheridan's eyes sparkled as she saw a little girl cling onto her mother's and as they shopped together. 'One day, I'm going to have that,' she promised herself. She grinned dreamily imagining it, but realized she could never convince a man to love her for her and not for her money, and have him settle down with her. She felt a tear forming in her eye. Then she turned away, but she felt something hard bump into her. The next thing she knew, she was falling but something broke her fall. She blinked her eyes open, only to gaze into a beautiful pair of eyes gazing right back at her. It was Luis. She had fallen on top of him. "Sheridan," he whispered. Luis' eyes were wide and full of surprise, as were Sheridan's. She gaped at herself and blinked. "Oh…" she huffed. She slowly got herself to stand upright. Luis only stood up and he ran his fingers through his hair. "Uh…" "Sorry," Sheridan chuckled nervously. "I didn't see you there." Luis smiled uncomfortably. "Yeah, um, I didn't see you, either," he replied. "I can't believe my luck," Sheridan groaned to herself, looking away. "Oh, because you crashed into me?" he asked, motioning to himself. A look of fury dominated her features. "I did NOT crash into you! You're the one who practically smashed right into me!" Sheridan accused. "That's NOT what I meant," Luis said firmly, quieting Sheridan. She eyed him somewhat suspiciously, her eyes filled with anger and confusion. "Well, what luck is this? I run into you - how ironic." Luis scoffed, agreeing. "Yeah, well, we're bound to run into each other - it's a small town we reside in," he replied. Silence filled the cold, bitter night air. "So… how are you doing? Mike protecting you now?" Luis had broken the awkward silence. Sheridan looked around and waved with her hand. "Does it LOOK like it?" she said sarcastically. Luis grooved his brow. "That's great, Sheridan! You're really bright for doing that." "Are you calling me stupid?" "Sheridan, no, I'm not. You're taking too much advantage of this 'there's no update on anyone coming after you from the French drug cartel' ordeal, and you got to fix it - by getting yourself a bodyguard." Sheridan rolled her eyes. "If you want me to get a bodyguard and keep him with me at all times," she began, "then WHY did you leave?" Luis stared at Sheridan with frozen eyes. She got him there. "Because, SHERIDAN - it's just awkward for me to stay with you at all times," he answered sternly. "What, you have a problem with me, Luis?" Sheridan challenged. Luis' eyes glazed over. "I don't want any fights picked here. All I'm trying to say is that you should get yourself another bodyguard." Sheridan groaned. "Why? I have Hank, don't I?" Luis cursed under his breath. "Right. Hank." "Besides," Sheridan said, "no one's after me, Luis. No need to worry - not that you're worrisome about me." "What's that supposed to mean? That I don't care about you?" Luis' eyes pierced through hers. "You probably don't, so why are you so angry?" She stopped. "Oh, yes, because you want me to trust in you completely and believe that you care for me just so you could use me all over again!" Luis clenched his jaw. "I told you time and time again that I DIDN'T use you, Sheridan." "Well, you also told me that you'd never talk to me again." "That's different, Sheridan!" He paused, and looked down at his hands and back into Sheridan's eyes. "Look, I DIDN'T use you, Sheridan. I would NEVER-" "Do that, yeah, I know. But you said it. So I guess that makes you a LIAR, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald." It hurt Luis to hear those words spill from Sheridan's mouth. "Sheridan, I am NOT a liar. Sure, I may be full of myself and a little rough at times, but that is ONE thing I don't believe in… lying to people." Luis desperately searched for belief in her eyes. He saw it for a minute, but then it dissipated, and tears replaced it. "I can't just believe you, Luis! I saw you! How can I defy my eyes? I saw you tell someone that you were out for revenge, and you were going to avenge my family by using me. So, how DARE you try and deny it?" A single tear slipped down her cheek. "Sheridan, don't cry. Please." His hand moved to her cheek and he wiped away her tear with his thumb. "You know I hate to see you cry," he whispered. Sheridan pulled away almost hesitantly. "No! Don't try it on me, Luis! You might have done it before, but you won't get to me again! It won't work this time!" She turned and ran off, bursting into tears. Luis stepped after her. "Sheridan, wait!" he called, but relented, letting her run from him. "Sheridan…"

* * *

Meanwhile, Hank was walking the other side of the wharf. He ran his fingers through his hair. 'I can't just kill Sheridan. That's just not what I do. I like her too much to even let a fly land on her.' He shook his head, anxious, and heaved a deep sigh. All of a sudden, he heard his name being called. "Hank!" He spun around. Sam had called his name. He jogged to Hank, smiling. "Hey," he panted. Hank forced a smile. "What's up, Sam?" Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace. It laced through his fingers. Hank's eyes narrowed on the necklace. "What are you doing with Charity's pendant?" Sam held it out for Hank. "Well, I won't be getting off in a while, so I was wondering whether or not you could get this to Charity for me." Sam laughed as Hank took it from his fingers. "I don't even remember putting it in my jacket. It's as if that thing's trying to get itself around everyone's neck!" Hank stared down at the ancient-style jewelry. "Hmm. This really is beautiful," he commented. Sam nodded. "It may be quite the looker, but I've got strange feelings about that thing." He patted his brother's arm and chuckled. "But it's not like it has anything do with witchcraft!" He paused and glanced at his brother. "Well," he sighed, "it's time for me to get back to workin' away, Hank. I'll catch you later at the house, okay?" Hank nodded, dismissing Sam. "Yeah, okay." Sam jogged away, leaving Hank with his gaze on the pendant. "Really beautiful," he croaked.

* * *

Sheridan was running. She had been crying, but now she was breaking out into sobs and running at the same time. She thought she wouldn't have to face him again. She couldn't believe her luck could worsen. Sheridan's feet finally slowed their pace. They patted the ground, and went slower as they went. At last, she came to a complete stop. She slammed herself against a light post, her forehead against her arms, and she cried hard. Sheridan still couldn't believe that she could let Luis get to her like that in the first place. 'He used me and then he thinks he can do it again? I can't believe I almost let him do it again.' She squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip, trying to hold in her sobs. "I have to get home…" she whined. Sheridan spun around and saw Hank. "Hank! I'm so glad you're here." She ran to him and threw her arms around him. She dug her face into her shoulder. Hank patted her back. "Sheridan - what's going on?" "I ran into Luis… he tried to talk me into trusting him against - probably just to use me again and play me as some kind of fool!" she cried into his shoulder. Hank hugged Sheridan tightly. "Aww, Sheridan, shh," Hank tried calming Sheridan. "Hank… I can't believe myself for falling into his trap like that. He's right to think of me as a fool." "And boy, IS he right." Sheridan immediately opened her eyes and wrinkled her brow in perplexity. She slowly pulled away from Hank and stared at him, and she clutched his arms as she noticed something strange flickering in his eyes. They flashed a bright orange and he grinned devilishly. Sheridan drew in a sharp gasp and pulled her hands away from him. She covered her open mouth with her hand, her other looking for something to grasp onto. She wanted to scream, but nothing came from her lips. He began to step towards her, but she stepped back. She whirled around and began to run, but she collapsed to the hard pavement as something pushed her down. She screamed for help but Hank roughly yanked her over and slapped her across the face - hard. She squealed and struggled, but he was too strong. His power was being combined with the demons' of the pendant. When he felt her struggling even harder, he hit her with his fist. She groaned, as Hank dragged her to her feet, and he threw her against the wall, her head hitting the brick stone hard. She slid down to the cold pavement, a trail of blood sliding down the wall.

Chapter 5

Luis' eyes widened in panic, and his heart was palpitating. He swore he heard a begging, crying voice - Sheridan's voice. He needed to find her. She had been crying out for help, and he knew something had happened. What he would do to discover it wasn't Sheridan after all. He ran towards the alley, where he heard her voice screaming from, but he heard grunting and what seemed to be slapping. He furrowed his brow, and leaned in to listen more. "She must die…" It was a low, raspy voice. Luis didn't recognize it, but he could make out the words. He took in a deep breath, and stomped towards the alleyway. There was a man sitting, and he was beating on a figure… a woman. "Sheridan!" Luis cried, dashing towards the figure. Luis jumped the man, and began blowing punches at him, only to get one back, smack in the face. He was thrown against the wall, and his eyes opened a crack - enough to recognize the figure. His eyes widened. "HANK?" Luis said his name incredulously. Hank's lips twisted into a malicious smile, and his eyes were a blazing orange. He raised his fist and aimed for Luis' face again, but Luis threw his head aside, and kicked Hank. Hank's fist ran through the brick wall, and Luis gaped in terror. As Hank was pulling his arm from the building, Luis noticed something being thrown about around Hank's neck. It, too, was a brilliant orange color, and Luis' eyes narrowed on it. 'It's the same color as his eyes…' he thought. Hank's arm swung at Luis before he even knew it, and Luis caught his fist. "Hank! Hank!" he called, just to see if he would answer. Hank had not said a word to Luis, his best friend, but he only beat Sheridan, and he was the one with the low, raspy voice saying that he needed to kill Sheridan. Hank didn't respond. "Hank… is that you?" Luis asked, holding both of Hank's fists. Hank only glared into Luis' eyes. Luis' eyes went back and forth from Hank's to the pendant. 'They're glowing simultaneously,' he told himself. 'What could it mean?' "You must die," Hank roared, and Luis' eyes widened. 'It must be that glowing necklace!' Luis decided, and in one swift move, he yanked the pendant from Hank's throat. Hank collapsed to the ground, and he remained unmoving. Luis stared in horror at Hank, and looked down in his hand. Something arose in him that he had never felt before: revenge. Revenge out on everybody - every citizen in Harmony. He gasped and hurled the pendant from his hands. He didn't like the feeling he had just experienced. He slid to Sheridan's side. "Sheridan!" He placed his hand on her cheek, and it was cold. He took her limp hand in his, and he tilted his brow in fear. "No," Luis murmured, slipping his hand under her head. "Sheridan? Sheridan, can you hear me?" His voice was panic-stricken. There was no response from the lifeless body. Luis' hand rested on her cheek, as his brow elevated into a hill. "No, no - this can't be happening," he pleaded, pressing his palm against the pillow of skin. Luis' gaze moved from Sheridan's pallid face and her fresh, dark bruises to the fresh pool of crimson blood oozing from her head. "Oh, my God," Luis whispered in terror. Frightened, Luis pulled his hands away from her head and he scooped her up. He fled from the alleyway to his car. He sped to the emergency room