Rain On Me
Chapter Six
The halls of Crane Industries were eerily silent as Julian stepped out of his office. It had been a particularly grueling day of work and he was looking forward to getting home. Nobody, least of all Ivy or Rebecca, was going to get in his way of a night of relaxation. He was going to lock himself in the library, pour himself a stiff drink and immerse himself in the haunting voice of his one true love, everybody else be damned. As a smile came to his face at the thought, a loud shout startled him out of his daze. Recognizing his father's voice, Julian shook his head and continued on his way to the elevators. That was until,
"Dammit, you imbecile! I hired you to keep my daughter and that loathsome cop apart, not push them into each others arms!"
The mention of his sister caught Julian's attention, curious as to what his father was up to now. Approaching the door as carefully as possible, he strained to hear just what was going on. His face exhibited his shock when another familiar voice spoke in response.
"What the hell do you think I've been trying to do? It's not as easy as you made it out to be!" Antonio growled.
"Then make it that easy!" Alistair demanded. "Get your damn marriage consummated before Luis talks Sheridan into having it annulled! She's weakening and if you don't move quickly, you're going to have a bigger problem than not being able to get your own wife to sleep with you! Are we clear, Mr. Hersh?"
Realization dawned on Julian then and his jaw set. Damn his father, damn him to the hottest recesses of hell! While there was definitely no love lost between him and Sheridan, this was reprehensible. The Luis imposter had been one thing, but to hire a man to pose as the long-lost Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald? That stooped beyond low and was one step too far. And he couldn't, in good conscious, let this go on. Trying to reason with Alistair would be pointless, so there was only one thing to be done. He had to tell Luis.
The night was dark and along a lonely stretch of road, one that was all too familiar, a single police cruiser sat in wait. Reports of under-age drinking and other illegal activities in the area led one cop, to a spot that had once upon a time changed his life. A night much like this, nearly four years earlier. He could still remember every word, each look, as he and the one woman he was destined to love forever, came face to face for the first time. Hell, he could even still hear the squealing of tires...
CRASH!
"What the..." Luis grunted out angrily as he was shaken from his reverie by the sudden impact of another car against his own. Ripping the seatbelt from around him, he grabbed his gun and jumped from the vehicle. Stalking over to the other car, he felt his breath catch in his throat when he recognized the driver.
"Sheridan?"
At the sound of her name, the woman in question's gaze snapped up, the glittering blue orbs widening when she saw him. "Luis?"
Rushing to open her door, Luis quickly helped her from the car, checking to make sure she wasn't hurt. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Sheridan sighed, surveying the scene. "Well if this isn't de-ja-vu..."
Shaking his head, Luis fought the urge to grin. "What the hell happened?"
"I," She paused, her eyes sweeping over his form." I... was on my way home when Antonio called my cell-phone. He was upset, angry that I wasn't home and that I didn't tell him where I was going. He was making me mad so I hung up and then... well, this."
The urge to smile at her sheepish and slightly guilty expression was too much and he chuckled out loud. "You're a menace to society, you know that? Or maybe just to me. This is what, the third time you've run into me?"
Her attempt to glare at him failed and a smile spread across her face. "Shut up."
"Watch it, Ms. Crane, or I might just be inclined to arrest you again," Luis spoke with joviality.
Propping one hand on her hip, she arched an eyebrow at him. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh really?" He spoke lowly, removing his cuffs from his uniform. Her stance didn't falter the slightest as he stepped closer. "You have the right to remain silent -"
"Luis -"
"You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot -"
"Luis!"
" - One with be appointed for you -"
"Dammit Luis," Sheridan growled before yanking his head toward hers for an explosive kiss. It seemed to go on and on, the tingles going straight through them both. A soft moan escaped the back of her throat as he pulled her closer, one hand at the nape of her neck, the other gently caressing where their unborn child lay. Two soft noises of protest permeated the night air as they so very reluctantly parted.
Luis' dark eyes sparkled in a way she hadn't seen since the night they reunited, before he learned of her involvement with Antonio. Love coursed through them, raging on like the roughest of waters. A feeling of peace swept over Sheridan, a feeling she hadn't had since the night their baby was conceived.
"Wow," Was all that would formulate in her mind and his grip on her tightened when the sound reached his ears.
"Sheridan," He choked out, his eyes searching hers. "W- I mean, what was that?"
A tiny smirk appeared on her lips. "It always was an effective way to shut you up."
Though he laughed slightly, it was a mere second before he grew serious. "Sheridan, I -"
"Shh," Sheridan pressed a finger to his lips. "I know, Luis. I'm sorry. Just... just let me write a check for the car and I'll leave you alone."
His hand clasped over hers as she reached for her checkbook. "Don't worry about it, you only chipped a little of the paint. It's no big deal."
"Are you sure?"
Luis nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure. You just go on and get home. You and our baby need the rest."
"Okay," She tucked the book back into her purse. "I'll... I guess I'll see you around."
"Count on it," He agreed. "Goodnight, Sheridan. Drive carefully, would you? You've got precious cargo in there with you."
Rolling her eyes at his warning, she brightened at the mention of their baby. "I'll see what I can do. Goodnight, Luis."
Watching as she headed back toward her car, Luis was suddenly struck by something from deep within. "Sheridan, wait!"
Pausing just outside the door, she turned to face him. "Is something wrong?"
Everything, He bitterly mused internally as he closed the few feet between them. "I forgot something."
"What?"
"This," Was his answer as he again claimed her lips with his own.
"Are you going to tell me what's got you all crabby and upset?" Rachel asked later that night as she and Luis stepped inside her apartment after her shift. "Seriously, Lo-Fitz, what's the problem?"
Luis sighed, dropping down onto the small couch before gazing over at his friend. Her green eyes stared at him expectantly, her expression concerned.
"It's Sheridan."
Rachel blew out a breath at the name and made her way over to side beside him. "Did something happen?"
"You could say that," He replied tersely, thrusting a hand through his hair. "We... had a little run in tonight."
"What kind of run in?"
"The kind where she rams her car into mine and then I ram my tongue down her throat."
His head fell forward then, resting on his hands and she sighed. "Why don't you start from the beginning?"
"I was on patrol when this car ran into mine. I was furious until I found out it was her. We were joking around al little and the next thing I knew, we were kissing like it was going out of style." Luis groaned at the memory and turned his conflicted eyes toward her. "God, Rach, it felt so good to have her in my arms again. For those few moments, the past two years melted away and it was just us. But then reality set in."
"You miss her, don't you?" She asked softly, already knowing the answer.
"I've tried to pretend I don't," He admitted. "But I do. I miss her more than anything; so much it hurts. Kissing her made me feel alive again and now... now, I just feel empty."
Rachel's heart went out to him. "I know I said you need to move on, but I guess I just didn't get it. There is no getting over her for you, is there?"
Luis shook his dark head in regret. "No. I tried, you know, when I thought she was gone, but even then it was impossible. Now... I mean, she's my soul mate, Rachel; we're having a baby together for God's sake! She's always going to my one and only. I couldn't change that even if I wanted to."
"And you don't?"
"No. I love her and someday... someday we'll get our forever."
After another thrilling evening with the always lovely Theresa, Fox was headed down the hall to his room when his father's voice stopped him.
"Fox, a word?"
Turning, his brown eyes narrowed at the man. "About what, Father?"
"Just a brief chat. I insist," Julian spoke, his eyes pleading with his son. Fox sighed and followed him into his room. Crossing his arms, he gazed at Julian in anticipation.
"Well?"
Downing his drink, Julian finally continued. "I've recently become aware of the fact that you and Theresa are working together in hopes of reuniting my dear sister and Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald."
"What makes you think that?" Fox challenged, to which Julian only chuckled.
"I'm sure you're well aware that your grandfather has the entire town under constant surveillance. There is hardly anything that goes unknown."
Fox shifted his weight, his gaze never leaving his face. "So, what's this all about? He ordered you to make sure we don't succeed?"
"Well, he did," Julian conceded. "But that's not quite what I wanted to speak with you about. While it concerns your aunt and Luis, it is beneficial to the cause, not detrimental."
Amusement, mixed with disbelief, crossed Fox's face. "Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You want to help Aunt Sheridan? And you expect me to believe this?"
"Yes, I do. A huge injustice has been done and while I am certainly no fan of Sheridan and Luis, I will not let Alistair win. He has gone too far this time."
"How so?" His son inquired, his curiosity lit.
Julian cleared his throat and took another drink before responding. "It has come to my attention that the man your aunt, my sister, is married to is nothing but a hired imposter to keep her and Luis apart. That man is not Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald, not by a long shot."