Disclaimer : I own... umm, well, nothing. Ah well.
I know I really shouldn't be starting another fic, but who am I to walk away from a sudden burst of inspiration? :) This is a 3 parter and I plan on having it all done by next weekend, so no long waits for updates like *cough* my other stories.
This was written because we all know it's going to take another year or more for the real truth to come out...
Exposed!
Part One
Written by Shay
"Dammit!" Beth cursed as she and Charlie came in through the back door of the house, their clown costumes safely tucked in the black garbage bag her accomplice was carrying.
The answer to her curse was a loud wail from the other room and the scowl already apparent on her face deepened.
"Mother, would you shut that thing up," She hollered, slamming the door behind her.
Mrs. Wallace, followed by Precious, came bursting into the kitchen, looking none to happy.
"No, no, Bethie," Her mother crooned, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "This is your doing, your problem. Precious and I here ain't getting involved."
Beth's eyes seemed to glow and she roughly grabbed the older woman's arm. "You're already involved. Go shut that brat up now, Mother, or else!"
Her eyes widened at the murderous look on her daughters face and moved away swiftly, calling out to the angels to save Sheridan and the poor baby's souls.
Once she was gone, Beth let out a growl and swept all the items off the top of the kitchen table onto the floor with a loud bang. "I can't believe she got away!"
Charlie spoke up for the first time then, placing a hand on her 'special' friend's arm. "Don't worry, Beth, we'll get that blonde bitch yet. She won't get away!"
Turning to face her, Beth shot her an incredulous look. "Hello, Charlie, she already got away! Luis is going to have twenty four hour security around her now. There's no way we're ever going to be able to get to her."
"No, she must die! Blondie must die!"
Beth didn't respond, a far away look having appeared in her eyes. The perfect plan, down to the last detail, was now defunct. The kidnapping of Sheridan had gone flawlessly, as had keeping her tied and gagged in the pit in her basement these past few months. The clown costumes had been genius, if she did say so herself, and Charlie being a nurse when it came time to deliver Sheridan's little bundle of joy was a gift in itself. Of course there was the fact that she and Luis still weren't married... something she had overlooked in her plans. Of course he wouldn't want to get married with Sheridan missing, she'd been an idiot to think he would. But he was around more, now that he thought she was pregnant. Oh yes, that was the best plan she had ever concocted. And it was fullproof, even if Sheridan had escaped when they'd taken her out to the woods earlier to finish the job. She had the baby now. All she had to do was call Luis and tell him he was a daddy...
******
Out of breath and weak, Sheridan stumbled, crying out in pain as her knee scraped against another piece of wood as she fell to the floor of the forest. She'd been wandering aimlessly for hours, not knowing where she was or where she was headed, but thankful she was free. Her heart bled for the child she had bore two days earlier, that had viciously been tore from her body and that she had never even laid eyes on. Hell, she never even knew if were a boy or a girl, only that it had quite the set of lungs on it when it came into the world. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she recalled those last precious moments her son or daughter was within her and she subconsciously clutched her stomach. She had to get back to Harmony, to Luis, he would find her - their baby, wouldn't rest until he did. With renewed strength and an image of him in her minds eye, she picked herself back up and trudged on, hoping against hope she found something before dark.
******
It was two hours later that she came upon a clearing and a tiny cabin that lifted her spirits like nothing had in the past three months. Despite the now swollen ankle she sported, she hurried towards the home, wincing in pain, but not willing to give in to it. It seemed to take an eternity, but she made it to the front door, leaning against it for support, her breathing labored. Finally she stopped wheezing and pounded on the wood and waited, her heart beating furiously in her chest, a million thoughts racing through her mind. Her fears were put to rest, however, when the door opened and an older man peered out at her, his face hidden behind a beard, but kindness apparent in his clear green eyes. Surprise was etched on his visible features and she imagined he didn't get many visitors.
"Can I help you?" He asked, his voice sounding vaguely familiar, but she seemed unable to place it.
Managing a smile, she gave him a hopeful look. "I hope so."
Concern crossed his face. "Are you lost? Hurt?"
"Both and more," Sheridan admitted freely, glancing down at her ankle which was now more than twice it's normal size. "Please, you have to help me."
He must have understood how desperate she was because he stepped aside to let her inside. "What's wrong, Miss...?"
"Sheridan, please, call me Sheridan," She panted as he helped her limp over to a rocking chair that sat beside a dormant fireplace. She could've swore, later, that recognition filtered into his green eyes, but it was gone as soon as it was there, so she never could say for sure. "My baby, I was kidnapped, they stole my baby, the clowns stole my baby, they were killing me, I got away, fell, my ankle, I have no idea where I am," She spat out in one breath.
The man shook his head in confusion, "I don't understand."
Sheridan furrowed her brow, trying to pull herself together. She had to be coherent enough to tell this man the gist of what had happened to her so he could help get her back to Harmony, or at least as close as the nearest town. Pushing the pulsing physical and emotional pain, as well as the pure exhaustion that threatened to take over, she took a deep breath. "I was kidnapped."
Surprise took over the man. "I see. Why haven't you gone to the police, then? How did you end up here?"
"I've been lost in the woods since this morning," Sheridan explained. "The people who kidnapped me, they stole my baby and then they brought me here to kill me. But I got away and I feel like I've been running in circles all day. And then I found your cabin and I hope to God you can help me. I have to get home. I have to get back to my fiancé' - well not my fian - nevermind, it's complicated, but see, he's a cop and he'll find my baby and he'll make them pay and oh, God, I have to get home," She finally broke down, after months of putting on an indifferent facade, she let it all out and damn if it didn't help!
The man, utterly baffled by her story, moved so he was kneeling before her and gently wiped her tears. "Shh, please don't cry, Miss. You're much too pretty to cry."
The words echoed in the dormant, frozen part of Sheridan's memory, tugging at it, looking for a loose string as she studied him through blurry tears. For some reason, she felt completely at ease with this stranger. It was odd, after what she had been through, but she did.
"I'm sorry," She merely whispered.
"Don't be," He replied. "You've been through hell and back, you have every right to cry. I just never could stand to see pretty girls with tears in their eyes. Now, though, I think we need to get you fixed up. That ankle of yours is looking quite bad."
Ankle? Oh, right! Her ankle. She glanced down at the black and blue skin that was almost the size of her calf now. Looking at it made it hurt more, so she quickly diverted her gaze. "I tripped over a fallen tree. The shoes I had on weren't exactly made for hiking."
It was then that he noticed she was indeed barefoot. How she made it through the woods without protection on her feet, he would never know. "I'm going to get some ice. You've got quite a nasty sprain there."
"Thank you," Sheridan said quietly, her blue eyes following his form to the tiny kitchen off to her left. He quickly wrapped some ice in a towel and brought it back to where she sat. Kneeling again, he gingerly pressed it against her bruised flesh. The sudden cold made her jump and she giggled slightly. "It's cold!"
Chuckling, he again applied it to her ankle, twisting the fabric of the towel until it was tied securely. "The cold will bring the swelling down. I have some bandages, but you will need to see a doctor as soon as possible."
Nodding, she offered him a shaky smile. "Thank you so much. When do you think I will be able to go home?"
"Tomorrow," The man replied, standing. "It's much too dangerous to make the journey through the woods at night. You look like you could use a good nights sleep, anyways."
Just the thought of sleeping on something other than the thin blanket and cold dirt that had been her bed for the past three months made Sheridan feel compelled to pinch herself, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. His offer of rest caused her to yawn and she was suddenly aware of just how exhausted she was. He took notice of this and smiled, holding a hand out to her.
"Come on, let's get you to bed. You can take my room, I'll stay on the couch."
"Oh, no, I couldn't," Sheridan feebly protested, not wanting to put the kind man out. "You've already done so much for me. The couch is fine, really."
"Nonsense," He admonished. "You'll sleep in the bedroom and I out here."
Something about the stubborn way he spoke to her reminded her of Luis and again she felt as though she was missing something big. However, her fatigue was beginning to eat away at her and a nice warm bed was very tempting, so she found herself giving in.
"All right, if you insist."
Without a response, he helped her to her feet, carefully minding her ankle and led her down a short hallway to the bedroom. Once there, he shuffled around the room as she sank down on the mattress. A few moments later, he handed her a pair of shorts and a worn t-shirt.
"It's not much, but it's clean and something to sleep in," He explained and then motioned to a door on the other side of the room. "There's a shower, if you'd like. If there's anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll leave you be now."
"Thank you," Sheridan said gratefully just before he shut the door behind him, leaving her alone. Glancing around, she decided to take a quick shower before succumbing to slumber. And so she headed towards the bathroom to wash three months worth of dirt and grime from her being.
Meanwhile, the man stood on the other side of the door, shaking his head in amazement when he heard the water turn on. "Sheridan Crane. My God, what an odd twist of fate."
*******
"Mijo, what are you still doing up?" Pilar asked softly as she came into the kitchen where Luis was seated, papers littering the table and his forehead creased in thought.
Startled, he glanced up at the sound of his mothers voice. "Can't sleep," He muttered half heartedly.
Pilar sighed sadly as she took a seat across from her son. He'd become almost a zombie in the past few months, constantly worrying about Sheridan. She didn't think it was possible for him to be any more lost then he had been after he had lost her in Bermuda, but he'd proved her wrong. For now it wasn't only Sheridan, but a child - likely his child - as well.
"Has there been any news?" She inquired, reaching for his hand.
Luis let out a frustrated growl and ran his free hand through his hair, his emotions reflecting in his dark eyes. "No! It just doesn't make any sense, Mama. It's like she disappeared off the face of the Earth! There's been no ransom notes, no phone calls, nothing. If they didn't kidnap her for her money, then what the hell do they want? I feel like I'm missing a huge chunk of the story, something that's so obvious that it's staring me right in the face and I just can't figure it out!"
"Perhaps Antonio is right, and she left of her own free will? She was under a great deal of stress, Mijo."
Luis' amber orbs flashed at the mention of his brother and the suggestion that followed. "She didn't leave on her own, dammit! She was kidnapped! She wouldn't leave me, not at least without saying good-bye and she sure as hell wouldn't have gone three months without at least calling to let me know she's all right!"
Nodding, Pilar couldn't help but agree with that statement. No matter what amount of stress she was under, Sheridan would never allow Luis to worry so. "So what are you going to do?"
With a defeated sigh and a sad shake of his head, Luis met her gaze. "I don't know. All I know is I have to find her."
*******
To be continued...
I know I really shouldn't be starting another fic, but who am I to walk away from a sudden burst of inspiration? :) This is a 3 parter and I plan on having it all done by next weekend, so no long waits for updates like *cough* my other stories.
This was written because we all know it's going to take another year or more for the real truth to come out...
Part One
Written by Shay
"Dammit!" Beth cursed as she and Charlie came in through the back door of the house, their clown costumes safely tucked in the black garbage bag her accomplice was carrying.
The answer to her curse was a loud wail from the other room and the scowl already apparent on her face deepened.
"Mother, would you shut that thing up," She hollered, slamming the door behind her.
Mrs. Wallace, followed by Precious, came bursting into the kitchen, looking none to happy.
"No, no, Bethie," Her mother crooned, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "This is your doing, your problem. Precious and I here ain't getting involved."
Beth's eyes seemed to glow and she roughly grabbed the older woman's arm. "You're already involved. Go shut that brat up now, Mother, or else!"
Her eyes widened at the murderous look on her daughters face and moved away swiftly, calling out to the angels to save Sheridan and the poor baby's souls.
Once she was gone, Beth let out a growl and swept all the items off the top of the kitchen table onto the floor with a loud bang. "I can't believe she got away!"
Charlie spoke up for the first time then, placing a hand on her 'special' friend's arm. "Don't worry, Beth, we'll get that blonde bitch yet. She won't get away!"
Turning to face her, Beth shot her an incredulous look. "Hello, Charlie, she already got away! Luis is going to have twenty four hour security around her now. There's no way we're ever going to be able to get to her."
"No, she must die! Blondie must die!"
Beth didn't respond, a far away look having appeared in her eyes. The perfect plan, down to the last detail, was now defunct. The kidnapping of Sheridan had gone flawlessly, as had keeping her tied and gagged in the pit in her basement these past few months. The clown costumes had been genius, if she did say so herself, and Charlie being a nurse when it came time to deliver Sheridan's little bundle of joy was a gift in itself. Of course there was the fact that she and Luis still weren't married... something she had overlooked in her plans. Of course he wouldn't want to get married with Sheridan missing, she'd been an idiot to think he would. But he was around more, now that he thought she was pregnant. Oh yes, that was the best plan she had ever concocted. And it was fullproof, even if Sheridan had escaped when they'd taken her out to the woods earlier to finish the job. She had the baby now. All she had to do was call Luis and tell him he was a daddy...
******
Out of breath and weak, Sheridan stumbled, crying out in pain as her knee scraped against another piece of wood as she fell to the floor of the forest. She'd been wandering aimlessly for hours, not knowing where she was or where she was headed, but thankful she was free. Her heart bled for the child she had bore two days earlier, that had viciously been tore from her body and that she had never even laid eyes on. Hell, she never even knew if were a boy or a girl, only that it had quite the set of lungs on it when it came into the world. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she recalled those last precious moments her son or daughter was within her and she subconsciously clutched her stomach. She had to get back to Harmony, to Luis, he would find her - their baby, wouldn't rest until he did. With renewed strength and an image of him in her minds eye, she picked herself back up and trudged on, hoping against hope she found something before dark.
******
It was two hours later that she came upon a clearing and a tiny cabin that lifted her spirits like nothing had in the past three months. Despite the now swollen ankle she sported, she hurried towards the home, wincing in pain, but not willing to give in to it. It seemed to take an eternity, but she made it to the front door, leaning against it for support, her breathing labored. Finally she stopped wheezing and pounded on the wood and waited, her heart beating furiously in her chest, a million thoughts racing through her mind. Her fears were put to rest, however, when the door opened and an older man peered out at her, his face hidden behind a beard, but kindness apparent in his clear green eyes. Surprise was etched on his visible features and she imagined he didn't get many visitors.
"Can I help you?" He asked, his voice sounding vaguely familiar, but she seemed unable to place it.
Managing a smile, she gave him a hopeful look. "I hope so."
Concern crossed his face. "Are you lost? Hurt?"
"Both and more," Sheridan admitted freely, glancing down at her ankle which was now more than twice it's normal size. "Please, you have to help me."
He must have understood how desperate she was because he stepped aside to let her inside. "What's wrong, Miss...?"
"Sheridan, please, call me Sheridan," She panted as he helped her limp over to a rocking chair that sat beside a dormant fireplace. She could've swore, later, that recognition filtered into his green eyes, but it was gone as soon as it was there, so she never could say for sure. "My baby, I was kidnapped, they stole my baby, the clowns stole my baby, they were killing me, I got away, fell, my ankle, I have no idea where I am," She spat out in one breath.
The man shook his head in confusion, "I don't understand."
Sheridan furrowed her brow, trying to pull herself together. She had to be coherent enough to tell this man the gist of what had happened to her so he could help get her back to Harmony, or at least as close as the nearest town. Pushing the pulsing physical and emotional pain, as well as the pure exhaustion that threatened to take over, she took a deep breath. "I was kidnapped."
Surprise took over the man. "I see. Why haven't you gone to the police, then? How did you end up here?"
"I've been lost in the woods since this morning," Sheridan explained. "The people who kidnapped me, they stole my baby and then they brought me here to kill me. But I got away and I feel like I've been running in circles all day. And then I found your cabin and I hope to God you can help me. I have to get home. I have to get back to my fiancé' - well not my fian - nevermind, it's complicated, but see, he's a cop and he'll find my baby and he'll make them pay and oh, God, I have to get home," She finally broke down, after months of putting on an indifferent facade, she let it all out and damn if it didn't help!
The man, utterly baffled by her story, moved so he was kneeling before her and gently wiped her tears. "Shh, please don't cry, Miss. You're much too pretty to cry."
The words echoed in the dormant, frozen part of Sheridan's memory, tugging at it, looking for a loose string as she studied him through blurry tears. For some reason, she felt completely at ease with this stranger. It was odd, after what she had been through, but she did.
"I'm sorry," She merely whispered.
"Don't be," He replied. "You've been through hell and back, you have every right to cry. I just never could stand to see pretty girls with tears in their eyes. Now, though, I think we need to get you fixed up. That ankle of yours is looking quite bad."
Ankle? Oh, right! Her ankle. She glanced down at the black and blue skin that was almost the size of her calf now. Looking at it made it hurt more, so she quickly diverted her gaze. "I tripped over a fallen tree. The shoes I had on weren't exactly made for hiking."
It was then that he noticed she was indeed barefoot. How she made it through the woods without protection on her feet, he would never know. "I'm going to get some ice. You've got quite a nasty sprain there."
"Thank you," Sheridan said quietly, her blue eyes following his form to the tiny kitchen off to her left. He quickly wrapped some ice in a towel and brought it back to where she sat. Kneeling again, he gingerly pressed it against her bruised flesh. The sudden cold made her jump and she giggled slightly. "It's cold!"
Chuckling, he again applied it to her ankle, twisting the fabric of the towel until it was tied securely. "The cold will bring the swelling down. I have some bandages, but you will need to see a doctor as soon as possible."
Nodding, she offered him a shaky smile. "Thank you so much. When do you think I will be able to go home?"
"Tomorrow," The man replied, standing. "It's much too dangerous to make the journey through the woods at night. You look like you could use a good nights sleep, anyways."
Just the thought of sleeping on something other than the thin blanket and cold dirt that had been her bed for the past three months made Sheridan feel compelled to pinch herself, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. His offer of rest caused her to yawn and she was suddenly aware of just how exhausted she was. He took notice of this and smiled, holding a hand out to her.
"Come on, let's get you to bed. You can take my room, I'll stay on the couch."
"Oh, no, I couldn't," Sheridan feebly protested, not wanting to put the kind man out. "You've already done so much for me. The couch is fine, really."
"Nonsense," He admonished. "You'll sleep in the bedroom and I out here."
Something about the stubborn way he spoke to her reminded her of Luis and again she felt as though she was missing something big. However, her fatigue was beginning to eat away at her and a nice warm bed was very tempting, so she found herself giving in.
"All right, if you insist."
Without a response, he helped her to her feet, carefully minding her ankle and led her down a short hallway to the bedroom. Once there, he shuffled around the room as she sank down on the mattress. A few moments later, he handed her a pair of shorts and a worn t-shirt.
"It's not much, but it's clean and something to sleep in," He explained and then motioned to a door on the other side of the room. "There's a shower, if you'd like. If there's anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll leave you be now."
"Thank you," Sheridan said gratefully just before he shut the door behind him, leaving her alone. Glancing around, she decided to take a quick shower before succumbing to slumber. And so she headed towards the bathroom to wash three months worth of dirt and grime from her being.
Meanwhile, the man stood on the other side of the door, shaking his head in amazement when he heard the water turn on. "Sheridan Crane. My God, what an odd twist of fate."
*******
"Mijo, what are you still doing up?" Pilar asked softly as she came into the kitchen where Luis was seated, papers littering the table and his forehead creased in thought.
Startled, he glanced up at the sound of his mothers voice. "Can't sleep," He muttered half heartedly.
Pilar sighed sadly as she took a seat across from her son. He'd become almost a zombie in the past few months, constantly worrying about Sheridan. She didn't think it was possible for him to be any more lost then he had been after he had lost her in Bermuda, but he'd proved her wrong. For now it wasn't only Sheridan, but a child - likely his child - as well.
"Has there been any news?" She inquired, reaching for his hand.
Luis let out a frustrated growl and ran his free hand through his hair, his emotions reflecting in his dark eyes. "No! It just doesn't make any sense, Mama. It's like she disappeared off the face of the Earth! There's been no ransom notes, no phone calls, nothing. If they didn't kidnap her for her money, then what the hell do they want? I feel like I'm missing a huge chunk of the story, something that's so obvious that it's staring me right in the face and I just can't figure it out!"
"Perhaps Antonio is right, and she left of her own free will? She was under a great deal of stress, Mijo."
Luis' amber orbs flashed at the mention of his brother and the suggestion that followed. "She didn't leave on her own, dammit! She was kidnapped! She wouldn't leave me, not at least without saying good-bye and she sure as hell wouldn't have gone three months without at least calling to let me know she's all right!"
Nodding, Pilar couldn't help but agree with that statement. No matter what amount of stress she was under, Sheridan would never allow Luis to worry so. "So what are you going to do?"
With a defeated sigh and a sad shake of his head, Luis met her gaze. "I don't know. All I know is I have to find her."
*******
To be continued...