Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Passions. They belong to JER and NBC. However, Marie, Catherine, and the evil dude are my creation.

Note: This is a story I began and wrote way back when. : ) Sheridan has just fled Harmony for Paris after hearing "Luis" on the wharf.







Part One





"Why Luis? Why did you come all the way to Paris? To show me this," she said. Pointing at the piece of paper in her hands. A piece of paper she refused to believe. Sure, Jean-Luc was a jerk. But she didn't believe for a moment he was involved in what Luis suggested. A drug ring. "A phone call would have sufficed."

"Well.you see. There was a little problem with that method seeing as you hung up on me!" he yelled in exasperation. "You hung up on me and blocked all my calls. What else was I supposed to do? Let you die?"

Her blue eyes flashed dangerously, and she tapped her finger against her chin as if in thought. "Um.I don't know. Maybe called the police, Supercop," she jeered.

"You are impossible. You know what? I don't know why I wasted my hard- earned savings buying a ticket to fly over here. You are too stubborn to listen to a word I'm saying."

"Oh the nerve! You calling me stubborn. Why you.you.ugh! Why don't you go back to where you came from? As you can see, Officer," she sneered, "I am perfectly fine. I don't need you interfering where you're not wanted or needed," she spat. Getting right in his face.

"You are S-T-U-B-B-O-R-N! Even if I'm way off base here, what's the harm in being a little more careful? Until you know for sure your life's not in danger. What do you have? Some death wish?" he asked incredulously.

His words struck her dumb. But only for a moment. "For your information, the only wish I have is not to see your face. Ever again. You're just like the rest of them. Users. No-good, dirty users. Pretending to be interested in me when all you wanted."

"What?" he asked. Grabbing her by the arms and shaking her lightly. "What did I want, Sheridan? How did I use you? I thought I told you I wasn't like those other men. The ones who hurt you. Where is this coming from? Be honest with me, dammit."

She looked into his eyes in surprise. He almost sounded sincere. Like he had never said such hateful things about her. Such hurtful words. Almost. The memory of the pain she felt hearing him brag about how easy it'd been to fool her still stung. It was still too raw. "Why should I be honest with you? When all you've done is feed me a bunch of lies? Go back to Harmony, Luis," she pleaded in a strained voice. All her heart wanted her to do was beg him to stay. Convince her he didn't mean it. It was all a mistake. A misunderstanding.

He looked at her. Really looked at her. And saw the sadness in her eyes. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what had put it there. He wanted to know. So he could fix it. Make things better between them. Somewhere in the farthest reaches of his heart, he knew he couldn't live with himself if he let her walk out of his life forever. But what good would that do when she could barely stand him? "Sheridan, tell me. What did I do? Please. I need to know what I did to cause you so much pain," he whispered. His grip on her upper arms loosening. He reached up a hand to wipe away the tear that slipped down her cheek. He hated to see her cry.

She closed her eyes. Willing her emotions not to get the better of her. She wanted so much to throw herself into his arms. Pretend that night never happened. She could almost believe...But her father's and Julian's words echoed in her brain. They'd warned her. And she hadn't listened. She wasn't going to give him another chance to make a fool out of her. With new resolve, she made her decision. "You don't need an explanation because you already know what you did. Cut the innocent act, Luis," she said. Yanking her arm from his hold. "I never want to see you again," she lied. And turned her back on him. Running again.

Her words stung, but he couldn't just leave her. Not until he was sure she wasn't in any danger. He followed after her. Almost losing her in the crowd. Something didn't feel right. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as he scanned the surroundings. Looking for the source of his unease. His dark eyes catching the sunlight glinting off metal. He barely had time to register what was happening before the first shot rang out. "Sheridan!" he screamed frantically.

Panic rose in her heart at the sound. "Luis!" Her screams were lost in the rush. As people scrambled to get to safety. She turned around. Her eyes desperately searching for him. All she could think of were her words from just seconds ago. It was a lie. The biggest lie of her life. And she was afraid she'd never get to tell him that. "Luis!" she cried. Then he was there. In front of her. And she threw her arms around him. "Oh, Luis."

"Come on," he said. Taking her hand and pulling her after him. "We've got to get out of here." She didn't argue. Didn't complain as they ran down an alley. Hoping to find some escape. Somewhere to hide. They ran. Not stopping until the terrible scene was far behind them.

"I think we've lost them, Luis. Don't you?" she asked. Stopping in her tracks. And it was then she noticed the paleness of his face. He clutched his abdomen in pain and staggered forward. Her eyes widened in horror as she watched him move his hands away. "Oh my god! Luis!" she exclaimed. Rushing to his side to support him. "No," she cried as he slumped against her. This isn't happening, she tried to convince herself as she stared at her hands. "No," she sobbed as she stared at her blood covered hands.