I started writing this on July 20th. But new ideas are constantly coming into my head. I got the idea after reading an old issue of Teen Magazine of mine because the girl signed it Torn Between Two Hearts. I felt as if suited these 'couples'. Just so you know...ET aren't together. Gwethan are. Luis and Beth aren't engaged, as aren't Brian and Diana. Ethan in this fic is Travis. I picture him in this fic more. And Gwen is Natalie. I hope you enjoy it! Feedback is truly cherished! So please donate your time to give some!

~*Torn Between Two Hearts*~

*~Prologue~*

To the town of Harmony, Maine and the rest of the world she was known as Sheridan Crane. But not to him, she was known solely as Diana. He had found her almost dead, and brought her back to life. He devoted everything in his life to make her feel better once more. Even if she had no amnesia, he felt it as if was his calling to save her, and quite possibly change her life.

But he never knew that once she got her memory back that everything could possibly change. She felt lost. She didn't even know herself where her heart truly belonged.

Was her heart for only for Luis Lopez Fitzgerald? The charming cop which she first crashed into Harmony when she first arrived and they both hid their feelings at first until they couldn't hide them any longer? Or was it with his older brother Antonio Lopez Fitzgerald, but to her known as Brian O'Leary who disappeared when Luis was only twelve or so? But saved her life from impending death?

She was unsure what to call herself now. Would she present herself under her assumed name of Diana which she began calling herself after her amnesia? Or her birth name of Sheridan Crane? Both names carried good and bad values and ideologies which she held strong in her heart. But only one man out of those two men waiting for her could hold the love of her heart. She wiped any tears that she could see from her face and proceeded to go out where the others stood. She was ready to present herself, and announce her choice. And the voice inside her knew that this day would and possibly could change her life forever.


~*Chapter 1~*

She began to clear her throat. She wanted to make her choice as soon as possible. Her life depended on it. Because with this choice, not only would her life change, but also the man which she chose life would change. And the man whom she didn't choose, would be heartbroken. She had to make the best decision that she could possibly make but knew it would break the heart of somebody.

She closed her eyes, and began to countdown from ten.

Ten.

She had to do this no matter what. She had kept this to herself long enough.

Nine.

She looked at those around her. There were so many people she had to share her final decision with.

Eight.

Both Luis and Antonio loved her greatly. But she loved them under different identities. She wondered if that would affect her choice.

Seven.

Both men saved her lives numerous times. But she could only save herself now.

Six.

She knew that her former nephew, Ethan Winthrop, was in a similar predicament. First he was with Gwen Hotchkiss, his first love. Then he met Theresa while engaged to Gwen. She was thee younger sister of the two brothers, which she was deciding between. He broke off his engagement to Gwen soon after, and proposed to her. They were nearly married. When an explosive tabloid shocker came out. They kept together for awhile, until Ethan couldn't handle her lies any longer. Soon after Theresa's 'fake' execution, he had gotten back with Gwen again. And it was that choice of being with Gwen is where he stayed.

Five.

Why her? Why now? She didn't know. But it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Four.

The families were becoming restless. They were truly anticipating this choice of hers.

Three.

Her father, Alistair Crane was shocked to see her alive. He never knew that she would survive the explosion which he set forth. His face was priceless when she walked into the Crane mansion wondering if she had been there before.

Two.

She took a few deep breaths. She was nervous.

One.

This is it she thought. Time to announce her choice that would change everything.

Zero.

Darkness.

She had fainted before she could utter one word.


~*Chapter 2*~

It was dark all around her. She could hear some muffled voices. But that was it. Nothing more, and nothing less. Both men rushed to her side. Both were concerned for her well being. She had already been through enough traumas already. And now this would add to it.

She began to become confused again. One man was calling her, Sheridan; and the other called her Diana. Who was she? Who did she want to be? Would she be Sheridan Crane? A beautiful woman who had lived the life of prestige and elegance, and most of all, money until she got amnesia and became Diana?

She wanted to get up from where she was. But she was pushed back down. A calming voice came over and talked to her.

"Miss…You will be alright. Just remain calm. The medics will be with you shortly."

She closed her eyes, and began take slow and steady deep breaths. She vaguely remembered how this happen. It wasn't her concern now. All she wanted to do was to tell everybody her choice.

She began to see a face. She wasn't sure who it was at first. It was appearing slowly at first. First the body, then the face but it was appearing slowly.

It was the face of her love as Sheridan Crane. It was Luis Lopez Fitzgerald.

Flashback

"Sheridan, what's that burning smell?" Luis said as he checked on his steaks.

"Oh no, my eggs!" Sheridan said as she rushed to check on her eggs, but they were already burned to a crisp. She was taught from a very young age not to waste food, plus she never really knew how to cook properly.

"Poor Sheridan…can only have eggs." Luis said with a smirk on his face as he brought his steak, salad, and corn on the cob into the living room behind Sheridan.

He loved tempting her, especially now since he was her bodyguard until the brush with the drug cartel was over. Sheridan took a seat on her couch, and began to eat her eggs. She looked at Luis angrily, she hated how he did this to her. She took a bite of her eggs, and a gulp of her orange juice. The burnt eggs were horrible, but didn't want Luis to know. So she told him, "As a matter of fact, I like burnt eggs…they are my specialty."

For once Luis felt sorry for her, unknown to him; the friendship they were just starting would turn into an everlasting romance and companionship. Luis cut a huge piece of his steak from his plate, gave Sheridan a piece of his corn on the cob, and some of his salad. Sheridan refused at first, but Luis kept on pressuring her to try it. "Come on Miss Crane, its not poisoned…" he said.

Sheridan dug in as she was famished, and finished every single bite of it. And finally said, "Luis, where did you learn to cook like this?"

Luis was astounded at Sheridan's comments, and finally said, "Soon after papa disappeared…Mama had to work overtime for the Cranes. I had to take care of Theresa and Miguel on my own… As well Mama taught me a thing or two about cooking…I'm glad you enjoyed it!"

End of flashback

She felt as if she could taste that steak right now. It was like nothing she had ever before. It was so juicy and tender. There was a part of her that longed for that steak. To have Luis protect her from harm and danger that may hurt her in any way.

Luis disappeared, and another man's face began to appear. It began to take shape quickly this time. It was Antonio Lopez Fitzgerald, but to her Brian O'Leary.

Another flashback of hers but this time with Antonio began to appear.

Flashback

"Damn it! I am not cut out to be a waitress! Now, I'll never be able to pay Liz back!" Diana said angrily as she slammed down the tray she was carrying.

Brian noticed and came over to calm her down, and kindly said, "Diana, calm down. I'll teach you. I know you can do it. You just have to believe in yourself"

"What do you know about waitressing that I don't?"

"Here…let me show you." Brian said as he took ahold of the tray, which Diana slammed down on the counter and walked over, to the old ladies that Diana was supposed to be handling.

Diana followed and listened in.

"What would you two lovely ladies like to order today?" Brain asked kindly and casually.

The ladies looked up, and giggled. They looked at their menus, and finally decided on the scrambled eggs.

Brian rushed to fulfill their orders. Diana was about to get them some more coffee when she caught Brian kissing their hands and wishing them good day. A part of her felt a pang of jealously. But she wasn't let that get in her way. She loved Brian.

As she saw Brian begin to clear the table, she approached him and asked, "I thought you were going to teach me…"

"I am…just follow me…"

End of flashback

She knew there was more to that flashback, and the other one. But it wouldn't continue. She wondered if there was a reason behind it. Could it because that her heart was still struggling the love for both men?

She had just opened her eyes once more when she saw the medics around her. Checking her pulse and everything. She moaned. She was so scared. She didn't want to lose anybody. But she feared after announcing her choice, she might.

As she was put on the stretcher, she wondered who would come with her to get a final checkup by the doctors in the emergency room. She saw Ethan come near her. She realized that probably both the other men who she was choosing between asked him to come along so it wouldn't cause any further conflict.

*~Chapter 3~*

Ethan sat down beside her in the ambulance. He was unaware that the woman that was laying down next to him was going through so much. He didn't know if he should call her Sheridan, or Diana. He grew up calling her Sheridan, but now, she was also known as Diana.

He held her hand and rubbed it. He looked into her crystal blue eyes, and began to remember the time he confided in her that he had fallen for Theresa, and wanted to break his engagement off with Gwen Hotchkiss.

Flashback

"Sheridan...Could we talk?" Ethan asked as he made sure that Luis wasn't in the room, and any other room of the cottage of Sheridan's.

"Sure Ethan. You always know you can confide in me about anything." Sheridan replied as she motioned Ethan to sit next to her on the couch. And then continued by asking as best as she could, "What's wrong?"

"I...I...have decided to break off my engagement with Gwen..." Ethan said breaking down.

"I thought you loved her Ethan, and wanted to spend the rest of your life with her. What happened?"

"I feel in love with somebody else. Somebody who believed in fate. And encouraged me to do the same."

"Is this somebody else, Luis's younger sister Theresa by any chance?"

"Yes..."

"Oh dear...we must not let Luis find out...He will be outraged once he finds out..."

"Finds out what?" Luis asked as he entered the cottage with a dozen red roses for Sheridan. As they were supposed to go to the engagement party soon together.

"Nothing..." Ethan and Sheridan said looking at each other in unison.

"Listen... I better go change, and talk to Gwen before she finds out herself"

"Finds out what?" Luis attempted to question Ethan, but it was too late. Ethan was already out the door.

End of flashback..

Ethan wiped away his tears, and struggled to look at Sheridan's face. She looked okay to him. But the medics wanted to make sure nothing severe happened when Sheridan hit her head when she fainted.

He noticed that she was looking into his eyes. He smiled. And asked as he pushed the hair away from her face, "How are you feeling?"

"Groggy and weak..."

"You'll be okay...I'm more than positive that you will be. I'm glad you are back in my life..."

"Me too Ethan. But I've noticed that you haven't called me either Sheridan or Diana. Why is that?"

"It's just that..." Ethan began to say when the ambulance came to a halt in front of the hospital. Ethan had to finish what he wanted to say. But it would have to wait.

He also knew that she had something to talk to him about as well. He realized it must be about her choice on who she chose. It must be tearing her up inside, he thought as the stretcher was pushed inside the Emergency Room.

*~Chapter 4~*

Ethan looked around startled. He couldn't believe his eyes. He felt as if he was dreaming. He looked down at her. She had her eyes closed again. She must be tired, he thought. The medics put her in a room and assured Ethan that both a doctor and nurse would be with them shortly.

Ethan sat down at a near by chair. He felt something bothering him as he sat down. He got up again and checked his pockets. There was nothing in the front two. He checked the back ones. There was nothing in the right one, but there was some thing in particular of interest in his left one. He took it out and began to read it, as he did this, he began to pace back and forth.

It was a letter which he got from Sheridan, a few days before she was coming to Harmony from Paris.

It read:

Dearest Ethan,

I am not sure what possessed me to write this letter to you so suddenly. As you know, Gwen has visited me in the hospital after my accident and assured me that all is well between the both of you. She loves you dearly Ethan. As do I; I remember our childhood together greatly. Anyways, I'm writing to tell you that I'm returning to Harmony. I've been through a lot of pain here overseas, and I hope that my life can improve once I set foot in my own home.

Please do not let the others except possibly Pilar, and your mother Ivy that I'm returning. I do not want to be pressured into leaving again.

I will see you in a few days, just as soon as the doctors give me the OK. This letter will come via Gwen. If you need to contact me, she has my number at the hospital.

Love always,
Sheridan

Tears began to form in Ethan's eyes. Even back then Sheridan knew who Ethan loved. But Ethan betrayed Gwen. He wasn't going to let that happen again. He committed himself to Gwen once more. He loved her. It wasn't the same love he shared with Theresa. It was different. He took out his handkerchief and began wiping his tears away.


Ethan put away the letter just as a knock at the door came. Ethan went over to open it. It was the doctor and nurse assigned to check on her.


"Hi, I'm Dr. M. Spencer, and this is my assistant Nurse Courtney." Marilee said taking out her hand to shake with Ethan. And stepped back so that Courtney could do the same.


"It's the pleasure to meet the both of you." Ethan said as he stepped aside and sat down in the chair to allow the doctor and nurse to proceed with the checkup of her.


"Does she have a specific name she would like to be called?" Courtney asked as she observed Marilee do some work on her.


"Um..." Ethan thought for a moment, and then said, "Not that I know of. I think she's still confused herself on who she wants to be."


"Call me ...." She began murmuring, but it was too soft for anybody to hear exactly what she was saying.


"What's that?" Courtney asked as she stepped closer to the bed to hear better.


"Actually...I'm not sure what to be called..." She said tearfully.


"Would Miss, be alright?", Marilee asked as she examined her breathing.


"Yes..."


"Alright, Miss can you tell me what you remember last?"


"I..I..was about to announce to my final selection on who I was choosing to be, and who I wanted to be. That's all I recall."


"Can you confirm this Mr. Winthrop?" Nurse Courtney asked.


"Yes. She was about to do that when she suddenly fainted, and then blacked out."


"I see...Doctor...can I see you over there for a moment?"


"Of course. Just a moment." Dr. Spencer said as she excused herself and followed the nurse.


"Doctor, I think she has a bit too much trauma lately. Based on her medical files, it says here that she was near death about a year ago. And Mr. Winthrop here pulled the plug on her on Christmas. And she miraculously came back to life..."


"Miraculously indeed. She has escaped death twice or even more now..."


"Should we keep her here over night?"


"Yes...I think its for the best." And with that, they turned back to her and Ethan and told them that she should stay over night for some more tests.


"Will every thing be alright?" She asked fearfully.


"Yes..."


"I'm scared Ethan..." She said as the doctor and nurse gave some last minute instructions to Ethan and left the room.


"Don't be..." He said calmly to calm her down.


"Can you tell me a story...?"

"Of course. I'll tell you the one of your Christmas miracle..."

*~Chapter 5~*


"Christmas Miracle?" She asked rather confused.

"Yes...It happened here in Harmony. In Christmas 2000..." Ethan began.

"I don't remember it."

"I'll tell you..."

"Thank you." She replied, and closed her eyes and lay comfortably on the hospital bed so she could rest and listen to the story.

As Ethan began telling her the story, she could actually see it. She could actually remember it happening.

Flashback

Luis bent down in front of the angel statue with tears in his eyes. He couldn't believe that he lost the woman he loved and cherished so deeply. All because of Ethan. Damn it!

He was praying for quite awhile when he had an urge to say a prayer for his now 'dead' love. He said, "Dear Lord, I'll never ask anything of you again..." He wiped some tears that began to appear away and continued,"....Just bring Sheridan back. Don't take her away from me. I'll do anything. Just--Just..let us live our lives together. Let us be happy. Let us grow old together."

Suddenly a voice appeared behind him which said, "Luis?"

Startled, Luis turned around and saw Sheridan. He couldn't believe it was actually it was Sheridan. He walked closer to her, and then said, "Sheridan. Is that really you?..." He stopped briefly, stopped forward again and gave her a hug. And then finally managed to finished saying what he had to say, "It's you. You're with me?"

"I'm here with you." Sheridan replied reassuringly.

"Don't you ever leave me." Luis begged.

"Never again." Sheridan promised him with tears starting to form in her eyes.

"I love you." He told her as he wiped away her tears.

"Say it again. Please say it again." She pleaded with him.

Luis smiled, and repeated hiss words again, but added things this time by saying, "I love you. I love you with all of my heart and soul, and I always will."

"I love you so much." Sheridan told him back, and with that they began to kiss

End of Flashback

Ethan had just ended his story when he heard something. It was coming from her.

What was it?

He stepped closer to the bed, and he heard it.

She was moaning, and calling out somebody's name in her sleep...

It was his name, none other than......