s u r r e n d e r

Hank couldn't draw air. Stumbling out of the doorway of the Book Cafe, his eyes darted around the busy streets of Harmony, trying to focus on anything but the words he had just heard.

He'd woken up today thinking it would be a great day. Not one for bright mornings and sunshine, he'd gotten up early, with Grace's insistence, and had enjoyed some quiet time out on the balcony of his second story room. The sun had been out, the birds chirping, and the streets below already full of many Harmonites beginning their own day.

Though groggy from coming in late from work, he'd had a really good time just sitting and relaxing. And even though his time had been limited, he'd decided to make it a part of his day from now on. Even if for only a few minutes each day, it would allow him time to put things from his previous day into perspective as well as chance to look forward to the day ahead.

Shaking his head, he looked behind him in a nervous gesture as Sheridan's words came rushing back to his mind.

You are going to seduce Hank Bennett.

Hearing them had piqued his curiosity. Who was Sheridan talking to or more important, who wanted to seduce him? He'd been very careful to peer over the wall that had seperated him from the voice, but there had been no real need. Hank would know Beth's voice until the day he died. And that was what had startled him the most. Hearing her voice.

At first, he'd simply stood frozen not knowing what to do. Bits and pieces of their hushed conversation had drifted towards him, but his mind was still reeling from the thought of Beth wanting to seduce him. Thankfully, he had pulled himself together enough to quickly turn and step out of the cafe before he had been spotted by either of them.

Standing on the sidewalk in the cold air, he still didn't know what to do. Should he go back in and face them as if he hadn't overheard their conversation? Or should he just skip his morning ritual and head to the wharf for his mornng shift?

You should probably hop a plane and get the hell out of dodge.

Shivering, he figured that had been the best thought he'd ever had. But what would running away accomplish, he wondered. Would he simply stay away from Harmony, and specifically Beth, for the rest of his life? He couldn't very well do that. This was his home, born and raised. His only living relative, Sam, resided in Harmony. His sister-in-law, nieces, his best friend for a billion years Luis.

Beth.

Just thinking her name made him feel sick. What kind of reaction was he having, anyway? A beautiful woman had just admitted to wanting to take him to bed.

Beautiful woman? Beth?

"Oh, geez," he groaned, not believing he had just put the word beautiful in a sentence pertaining to Beth.

"Geez what," came a voice followed by a hand on his shoulder.

Almost jumping out of his skin, Hank turned to find a confused looking Luis standing behind him.

"What are you doing, Hank," Luis asked.

"Don't do that Luis," Hank returned, scowling at his friend.

Luis walked towards the door to the cafe, opening it. "Are you coming in, man," looking towards his buddy.

"No!" Hell no. He'd unknowingly decided that going in right now was not his best plan of action. He needed to think things over a while before facing Beth. He would have to tell her that the idea of them together was crazy but he didn't want to hurt her feelings.

"Man, what's your problem," Luis asked, letting go of the door handle and walking back over towards Hank, who had taken a few shaky steps away from the door himself.

"Nothing's my problem, Luis. I just don't feel like going in today."

Luis stared for a moment. "Then why are you here?"

Hank rolled his eyes. "Just forget it, alright Luis?"

"Something happen," Luis asked, looking back toward's the cafe. "You and Beth get in another fight?"

"We don't fight, we bicker amicably."

Luis grinned, "Yeah right. So what you have planned for Valentine's, Hank? A hot date? Who's the lucky girl?"

Valentine's Day. Gee, he'd been working so hard for the past couple of weeks that he'd lost track of time. "I forgot it was coming up," Hank murmered.

Maybe this was the reasoning behind Beth's insane idea. Or maybe, he had heard the conversation wrong and she was planning to seduce someone else. He had to admit, the latter didn't sit well with him but neither did the idea of him and Beth together in that way. "We've been friends for too long," he muttered to himself.

"Who? You and me?"

"No, dummy," Hank answered his friend.

"Your date?"

Hank was starting to feel uncomfortable with all the questions. "Me and Beth," he answered reluctantly.

Luis smiled again. "Yeah. I remember the first day of Kindergarten when we met her. She was so cute, in her little pigtails and that bright yellow dress she was wearing. Then she dumped a box of crayons over your head because you insisted that coloring outside the lines was okay."

Hank smilled wistfully, remembering the moment Luis was describing. They both had been placed in timeout and made to sit until they apologized to the each other. Hank had apologized first, though he didn't really know what the fuss was about. He'd simply wanted to go back to coloring.

"Yeah, she's always been a spitfire," Luis continued. "But you know that, right buddy? That's why the two of you are such good friends. You break the rules and she corrects you. In fact, I'd say you two could make the perfect couple. Best of both worlds, you know?"

Hank wished Luis would just shut up! At first, his words had coincided with his own thoughts to his relationship with Beth. But now... Now the guy sounded like he thought the two were meant for each other.

"Hey, Hank," Luis called, waving his hands in front of his best friend's face. "Where are you, pal? You seem miles and miles away."

"Just thinking," Hank murmured. He was at a loss on what to do. He sure as hell couldn't sleep with Beth. Hell no! That was a line he had made sure not to cross years ago. No. He'd simply have to find some way around her stupid plan.

"Hey, you coming in," Luis asked, walking towards the entrance of the restaurant.

Hank shook his head wildly. "No! I mean, no. I'm going to get some stuff done." With that, he turned and made his way quickly back to his truck. There must be something in the air thought as he searched for his keys. First Beth, and now Luis. Who next?

There was one thing Hank knew for sure: It wouldn't be him.

There was no way he would surrender to Beth Wallace.