Rain On Me
Chapter Two
Written by Shay





"What can I get you?" The waitress repeated, amusement creeping into her voice.

Something in her tone shook Luis out of his zone and he gave her an apologetic half smile. "Sorry. I'll have a beer. Whatever's fine."

She nodded and turned to leave, her face lingering in his mind. She seemed out of place in this kind of establishment. Too pure. And he felt drawn to her. He didn't know why, they hadn't even exchanged names. It wasn't a physical attraction, either, more like something he couldn't explain. Something about her eyes....



******



It was near closing time and he was still there. Rachel sighed and punched out, before heading over to his table. He had stopped drinking almost two hours ago, instead just sat there with this destitute look on his face. She had wanted to go over and talk to him, make sure he was okay, but a party of ten had come in and had sat in her section, keeping her on her toes. Every once in awhile he'd look up and their eyes would meet and she'd offer him a smile, which he'd return before going back to his napkin shredding.

Pocketing her tips as she made her way towards him, she removed her apron. Approaching the table, she flashed him another smile. "Hey."

His head shot up and he returned the greeting. "Hey."

"I've been meaning to stop by all night, you know, other then to refill your drink," she cracked, earning herself a small grin. "But we got a little busy, as I'm sure you saw. Anyway, I know we don't know each other, but you've been sitting here all night, looking like your dog just got ran over and I'm a pretty good listener, so if you're in need of a friend or just an objective point of view...."

Luis glanced over at her, surprised. They didn't even know each other and she was offering to let him spill everything to her? He could really use someone on the outside of things right now. Everyone in Harmony was so tied to one another it was hard to tell where their loyalties lay sometimes. For a moment, he just took in her appearance. Her long dark brown hair was swept back in a messy ponytail and her green eyes were gazing at him, waiting patiently for an answer. She had an athletic build, but not stocky. Had he not had enough woman problems with Sheridan and Beth, he might have liked her. Finally, he said. "I don't even know your name."

Letting out a light laugh, she slid into the booth across from him, extending her hand. "Rachel Patterson, waitress and student extraordinaire at your service. And you are?"

He took the proffered hand, giving it a firm shake. "Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, Harmony PD. Student, huh?"

"That's quite the moniker," She grinned. "And a cop, wow. But yep, third year, Castleton College. This is just to pay my way through," she gestured around.

"What's your major?"

"I'm hoping to become a physical therapist," Rachel stated.

"Really? That's great."

She gave a modest shrug of the shoulders. "I certainly didn't come over here to talk about me, Mr. Harmony PD. Are you going to tell me what's eating you or not?"

Luis chuckled at the stern look on her face before exhaling loudly. Somehow, he knew she was just what he needed. "Okay."



*******



Sheridan closed her eyes, willing back the tears, but as soon as she heard the shower turn on, they came streaming down her cheeks. Today was easily the worst day of her life. Even worse then the day she had married Antonio, because even on that day, Luis had still been standing beside her. But now he was gone. He had turned his back on her and walked away. And she had let him, just stood there and watched him do it. Was protecting Antonio really worth losing Luis over? She had asked herself that very question over and over since that afternoon and every time the answer had been no. People got their hearts broken everyday. It was part of life. And as much as she said it, Antonio saving her life was no reason to protect him. If such were the case, she should be protecting Luis' heart, he had saved her life countless times.

But there was no point in telling Antonio the truth now. She had lost Luis. He had made that clear. She had made her decision and he no longer wanted any part of her.

Flinging herself down on the bed, she buried her face in her pillow and allowed herself to weep for the single most idiotic decision she had ever made.



*******



With Little Ethan safely tucked in bed, worn out from his day at the park, Theresa crept out of her room, shutting the door behind her. There was something she needed to do. Sighing in relief that her son hadn't awoken when the door closed, she turned around, running smack dab into a body.

"Oh, Ethan," she exclaimed, her hand over her heart. "You scared me."

"Why are you sneaking out of your room like some kind of burglar?" Ethan asked, an eyebrow raised in question.

Theresa shook her head, seemingly frazzled. "I just got Little Ethan to sleep and I didn't want the door to wake him."

Ethan eyed her suspiciously but accepted her answer. "All right. Well, I'm going to bed now. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Ethan."

"Goodnight, Theresa,' He responded, heading in the direction of the room he shared with his wife, Gwen. He paused just outside the door, frowning as Theresa disappeared towards his half brothers room.



*******


Hesitantly, Theresa lifted her hand and gave three short knocks on Fox's door. During their short friendship, it had become their late night signal. Not more then a second later, the door opened and Fox appeared, his hair its usual mess, his mouth twisted into a grin.

"A midnight visitor. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Her brown eyes twinkling, she smiled as well. "I need your help."

Genuine interest shone on his face and he leaned up against the door frame, his arms crossed casually. "You need my help? Whatever with, dear Theresa?"

She shot him one of her sassy no-nonsense looks as she copied his arm crossed stance. "I would really rather not discuss this where who knows who could be listening," she said pointedly.

Taking the hint, Fox stepped aside, letting her inside the room, shutting the door behind them, missing the fuming man down the hall.



********



Once inside, Theresa turned on her heel to face Fox, her expression a mixture of sadness, hope and fierce determination. "I need to know what your feelings towards your aunt are."

Confused, Fox ran a hand through his messy locks. "Aunt Sheridan?" At her impatient nod, he shrugged, dropping carelessly onto his bed. "She's one of the few that ever bothered with me. She always sent Christmas and birthday presents and visited every once in a while. We never had the relationship she had with Ethan though, obviously. Why?"

With a wide smile, she sat down next to him. "So you'd want her to be happy?" She asked anxiously.

"Where are you going with this?" Fox questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Just answer the question, Fox," Theresa replied.

Shrugging again, he nodded. "Yeah, I want her to be happy."

Theresa let out an excited squeal, causing him to look at her strangely. "Then you'll help me?"

Fox smirked, but still looked confused as hell. "Help you with what , Theresa?"

Rolling her eyes, she let out an exasperated sigh. "Help me get Sheridan and Luis back together." Quickly she filled him in on what happened at the park earlier that day and Sheridan's devastating reaction.

When she was done, he sighed and shot her an amused look. "And how do you propose we do this?"

"It shouldn't be hard," Theresa advised thoughtfully. "They both love each other more then anything in the world. We just have to figure out how to get Sheridan to tell Antonio the truth and then get Luis to forgive her."

Fox chuckled at the sparkle of excitement in her big brown eyes and half wondered what he'd agreed to. "Yeah, that shouldn't be too hard," he scoffed. "All right, let's say we pull this off. There's still one problem. Aunt Sheridan is married to your brother and he really doesn't seem to be the type to give up without a fight. And she is pregnant."

At his words, her forehead creased and she frowned. "I hadn't thought about that. Antonio isn't going to just let Sheridan go."

"Especially if she's carrying his child," Fox interjected, but that only earned him a grin.

"The baby isn't Antonio's."

Surprised by her certainty, he said. "And you know this how?"

Smiling devilishly, Theresa poked him in the arm. "I know my brother and I know Sheridan and I know that that baby is not Antonio's. Mark my words, Fox."

He raised a hand in resignation. "If you say so. But that still doesn't change the fact that he thinks the baby is his."

"I know," Theresa sighed. "And we'll figure all this out. I just want Luis to be happy again. He deserves to be happy."

"And Aunt Sheridan's the only one to do that?" Fox asked, though he already knew the answer.

Meeting his gaze, Theresa gave a vehement nod of the head. "They're soul mates, Fox. Neither of them will ever be happy without the other."

Exhaling loudly, Fox raked a hand through his hair, nearly groaning when he saw the wheels turning in her eyes. "All right, what do you have going on inside that pretty little head of yours?"

Smiling brightly, Theresa fell back on the bed, slipping into scheming mode. "First things first, we have got to get Sheridan to tell Antonio the truth...."



*******



"Wow," Rachel sighed, leaning back in her seat, her green eyes studying the heartbroken man across from her. She had known he had a story to tell, but never would she have imagined something so dramatic and heart wrenching. For the past two hours they'd sat there and she'd listened to him pour his heart out, coming close to tears at many points.

"Yeah," Luis responded absentmindedly, toying with the straw wrapper on the table in front of him. It felt extremely good to get all of that off his chest, but it still didn't change anything.

Rachel sat silent for a moment, mulling over what she had just heard. Finally she shot him a small smile. "I obviously don't know you or Sheridan, but don't you think that maybe you were a little harsh in just walking away? She did say she'd tell him, just not then."

Luis' face seemed void of any emotion at her words, though a spark of contempt was visible in his dark eyes. "If I could believe she actually meant it this time, maybe I wouldn't have walked away, but she's said it so many damn times and he still doesn't know! I gave her the choice, it was in her hands, all or nothing. And she chose nothing."

His rant ended so softly and his visage was so overcome with pain that Rachel didn't hesitate when she got up and sat next to him, pulling him into a hug. He tensed for a moment before relaxing. They'd only met a few hours ago, but already he felt as though he'd known her his entire life.

"Let me ask you something," Rachel said a few minutes later, once he'd regained his composure. "If tomorrow she came to you, or next week or hell, next month even, and said she told your brother the truth and by some miracle, he was okay with it, would you take her back?"

"I don't know," Luis admitted after a moment of silence. "I would love nothing more then to say I would, but she's put me through hell with this damn situation. I don't know if I can forgive her for that," he revealed sadly.

"To love is to forgive and forget," Rachel announced and Luis gave her a weird look.

"What?"

She shrugged with a light laugh. "I'm usually better with the quotes, you know, they usually make sense, but it's late. Maybe time away from her will do you both some good. If fate plays it's role, this could be just what she needs to tell your brother and just what you need to forgive her."

Luis ran a hand over his face before shooting her an amused look. "Fate, huh? You sound like my sister."

"Then your sister must be a very wise woman," Rachel grinned, glancing at her watch. "Shoot, I didn't realize how late it is."

Taking his cue from her, Luis snuck a peek at his own watch and frowned. Nearly 4 am. He knew it was late, as everyone else had already left, but he hadn't realized how long he'd been sitting there. "Yeah, me either. I guess we should get out of here."

Nodding, Rachel slid out of the booth, as did Luis. Knowing the part of town they were in, he waited for her to close up and cash out and together they headed outside. "I hope everything works out for you, Luis," Rachel said abruptly once she'd locked up.

He managed a smile. "Thanks. For everything. It helped just having someone to talk to."

"Anytime," She returned as they approached his car. "Seriously, if you ever need someone to talk to... I'm here every night, except for Thursdays."

"I might have to take you up on that," He remarked, glancing around. It was then he noticed there were no other cars in the lot and he frowned. "Where's your car?"

Rachel looked confused but then gave a shake of her head. "I don't have a car."

"How are you getting home, then?"

She shrugged and gestured towards her feet. "My two trusty side kicks."

Concern washed over his features. "You can't walk home in this neighborhood at this time of night."

"I'll be fine, Luis," she chuckled. "I do it every night. Besides, it's not far."

"How far is 'not far'?" He questioned, quirking an eyebrow.

"A mile or so."

"A mile?" Luis exclaimed. "No way. Get in."

"Luis -" Rachel started to protest, but sighed in resignation at his look. The talk inside the bar had begun their friendship, but the ride to her apartment cemented it.



*******



After crying herself to sleep, Sheridan awoke sometime later to the soft feeling of someone's lips on her neck. As she came to and realized that the passion she had felt in her dreams wasn't real, her eyes flew open to meet Antonio's gaze.

"Antonio, what are you doing?" She asked, shifting away from him.

"I want to make love to my beautiful wife," He murmured, once again moving his lips against the skin of her neck.

She froze at his words, a lump forming in her throat. She couldn't. Wouldn't. Ever. Luis may have walked away from her today, but she fully intended on getting him back. She was brought back to her senses as Antonio's mouth moved lower and she jerked away from him.

"Sheridan?" He asked, confusion plain as day in his eyes, hurt written across his face. "Don't you want..."

Tears stung her eyes and before she could stop them, they were cascading down her cheeks. Shaking her head, she slipped from the bed. "I can't," she managed to utter before disappearing into the bathroom.

When Antonio heard the lock click into place, he angrily punched a pillow, his expression tense. "Damn you, Luis."



*******