Autor's Note: Thanks for the great reviews as always! Hugs
Thanks to my partner in crime, Scarlett for beta-ing this. ;)
He retraced his steps over to the desk and waited for the woman to come over.
"Mr. Sands. What can I do for you?" the woman asked.
"I need you to tell me what room Cerise Stone is in."
The woman typed something into the computer. "We don't have a Cerise Stone," she answered after a moment.
Sands frowned slightly. "Cerise Corso," Sands tried.
More typing. "I'm sorry, the only name that's remotely close is Cerise Sands."
Sands grinned. "Room number, please."
"Sir, we're not..."
"Room number," Sands ordered, "and a keycard."
The receptionist opened her mouth to say something but remained quiet when Sands moved the flap of his jacket, revealing the butt of his gun. He heard her whimper and a moment later, she placed the keycard on the counter. "Thanks sugar-butt." Sands took the card.
"Room 212," the woman said softly. Sands said nothing and headed for the stairs.
He walked slowly down the hall, stopping every five steps at a door to feel the raised numbers. Finally he found 212 and paused, listening closely, hearing no footsteps in the hall. He slipped the keycard into the lock and pushed the door open. He heard running water in the bathroom as he shut the door.
Pulling the aluminum cane from his jacket pocket, he extended it and moved around the room silently, one hand running over the furniture, while the cane did the work of finding the chair legs and things that could trip him up. His hand found her bag on the bed and he pulled it over, pocketing his cane. Unzipping her suitcase, he went through it and found her syringe wallet. His first thought was to ask her if she'd been taking her medication. He knew she had the habit of forgetting to take it when she was upset.
He heard the water shut off and moved towards the bathroom. He heard her sink into the water, crying softly. Silently, he took off his shoes and socks, leaving them by the door. He also pulled off his jacket and shoulder holster, leaving them just inside the bathroom door. He removed his T-shirt next, dropping it over the top of the holster. He moved through the room noiselessly, fingers along one wall. He found a towel rack as his feet came in contact with the tub's dais steps. He pulled a washcloth off the rack as he sat down on the steps.
Cerise wiped her cheeks off as she leaned back. When a wet washcloth touched her shoulders she started, turning around quickly.
"Shh…" Sands cooed, reaching out with his other hand and drawing her backwards.
"How did you get in here?" she asked, letting him pull her back.
"You were registered under Cerise Sands..." he answered, running the wet washcloth over her shoulder.
She blushed. "I... couldn't resist," she whispered, leaning against the back of the tub.
The tub was large and deep, and doubled as a hot tub. It could fit at least four and on her side it had a small seat. "It fits you,." Sands said softly, running the washcloth over her back.
"Does it?" She whispered.
Sands leaned forward, kissing the top of her head. "Yes it does, baby."
She sighed deeply, feeling his fingers brush over her shoulders. She shouldn't have ran out of the bar. It was a foolish mistake on her part, because the moment she returned to her room and entered the bathroomit's mirror had revealed the collection of bruises she'd received from Rick. Now more than ever she wanted to forget.
Sands sighed and moved to get up, but her hand on his arm stopped him. "Don't..." she whispered softly.
Sands cocked his head to the side. "I didn't think you wanted me to be around right now," he answered.
"Sheldon, please…" She whimpered.
"What?" he asked, trying to keep the desperation out of his own voice. God, he wanted to touch her! He wanted to take the pain away.
"I just need..." she started. "I need you to make me forget..." she breathed.
Sands was silent a moment. "Are you sure you want this, Sweets?"
"Yes…"
Sands stood without a word and shed his jeans and boxers, slipping into the tub with her. She leaned back against him as he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her shoulders from behind. He was going to have to be very gentle with her, not that he wasn't always. He'd learned a long time ago, never to be anything but, in the bedroom. Kissing the back of her neck, above her scar, his hand caressed her arm, until his fingers found her wrists.He frowned when he discovered that the skin around her wrist was raw and torn.
"He bound your wrists?!" Sands asked in a hiss.
"Yes..." She admitted quietly.
Sands swallowed back his anger. He of all people knew you couldn't tie Cerise up. He'd seen her bound, and she was nothing but a scared little girl when she was tied up.
He sighed, frustrated, holding her close. "I'm sorry, baby girl. I'm sorry this happened..."
She pulled out of his arms and turned, kneeling in front of him.
Sands frowned and took her around the waist, pulling her onto his lap. "Don't ever kneel in front of me, Cherry."
"Why?" she asked timidly.
He kissed her neck and ear. "Because you're better than that." He kissed her other ear. "Because I don't deserve you to." His fingers massaged her back lightly, running up and down her spin. She leaned against him, eyes closed. He ran his fingers through her long hair and down her back, he slipped his hand into the water and between her legs. She whimpered. "Shh... I won't hurt you, Cerise. God knows I could never hurt you." He slipped his fingers between her thighs and began rubbing her clit. She squirmed, moaning. He leaned forward and kissed her shoulder, working his way up her neck., He kissed her passionately on the lips, his tongue diving deep. She moaned against his kiss and he deepened it more.
She cried out, when the climax hit her and Sands leaned back, letting her fall on top of him, catching her breath. He held her close, running his fingers through her hair. Then he took her by the waist, and gently slid her down. She whimpered again.
"It's all right darlin'," he whispered gently. The tip of him, pressed into her and he lifted her slightly, sliding her on to him slowly, letting her body adjust to him. He kissed her face, and closed eyes.
Finally he let go of her hips, as she settled over him, his hands moving upwards, gently running over her breasts. She shivered as he caressed and delicately fondled her breasts. He slid a little lower in the tub, raising his hips, allowing him to sink deeper into her. Then he started the rhythm, slow and gentle.
She moaned, her hands on his chest. He pushed the rhythm faster, and it didn't take long for her to find her own.
The climax hit them both, and she fell against him again, gasping.. He held her close, in a tight embrace, putting himself between her and the rest of the world. She lay against him, eyes remaining closed as she breathed heavily.
"I love you, Cerise," Sands whispered in her ear. For the first time in a long time, he needed her to believe him. "I love you so very much!" He didn't mask the desperation behind his voice. "I... I just want to be with you," he breathed. "For the rest of my life. I wanna take all your pain away, I wanna protect you." He heard her sniffle and he tightened his embrace. "I wanna be there for you, and for Lily, and for any other children we have."
She raised back, looking down at him. Sands ran his thumbs over her cheeks, wiping the tears away."Any other children we have?" she muttered.
He gave her his most charming smile. "Well, the way I figure it, if I already have a daughter, I might as well have a son."
She couldn't help but laugh softly. "But then that leaves me with a slight problem..." she said softly.
"Oh, what's that?"
"Remember, Shelly, I'm British, and very old fashion."
"Yes, I know. Ring on your finger," Sands said with a sigh.
Cerise looked at him. She begun running her fingers over his tattoos. First the one on his right arm, then the fleur-de-lis on his right bicep. She knew that tattoo well, the entire team had the same design. They'd gotten it in Paris. Her own was on her hip. She moved her hand up, running her fingers over the skull and cross swords on the back of his right shoulder. She leaned forward and kissed his neck, looking at the rest of his tattoos. She found a few she'd never seen before. On his left bicep was a light colored heart, in a somewhat tribal design; a single red rose in the center of the heart. The heart was held by a thorny vine, a large thorn pricking his skin and a single trickle of blood running down the stem. "This is new..." she said softly, kissing the tattoo.
Sands ran his fingers up her back. "My rose? Yeah... I got it... two years ago... on your birthday."
She ran her fingers over the inside of his arm and turned it gently. She traced over the small bluebird on the crook of his elbow. "And this one?"
"When I got it, at the time, it was for the fact that I would have been a father... now that I know I am... I'll have to update it." He smiled sheepishly.
"And these?" She touched the quarter sized cherries on a steam adorning the opposite forearm.
He grinned widely. "Luck,and my Cherry." He pulled her to him, kissing her. She kissed him back, smilingly a bit. He had two other tattoos on his back, and at least one on his shin that she knew of. And a whole collection of scars. Her fleur-de-lis was the only tattoo she had. He'd had to hold her handand whisper soothing words, while Sammy kept her pinned to the chair as the artist did it.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked her, twirling a lock of her hair around his fingers.
"Us, Lily, this..." she muttered.
He sighed, holding her close. "Baby, things will turn out alright."
"Shelly, you can't tell me you're not worried!" She looked at him.
"Cherry, sweetheart, I AM worried. I just can't show it," he said softly, calmly. "Think about it, baby. Durpe knows how I work... he struck home by taking my daughter. He knows he's turned my world upside down, and unfortunately, it was ALREADY upside down." She sighed, leaning against him. "I'll make him pay for all of this, I swear I will," he whispered.
He stood after a few minutes, grabbing the towels from the towel rack. He wrapped one around her. "I've got to run some errands. I want you to stay here," he told her, grabbing his clothes.
She tucked her towel and looked at him. "Going to tell me what errands you're running?"
"All in due time," Sands replied, as he got dressed.
"You see, now I could use the argument, that you're leaving me in the dark." She leaned against the counter.
"But I'm not leaving you in the dark, I'm just not telling you YET," Sands answered.
"How does that logic work?" Cerise cocked her head to the side, but Sands just grinned at her.
"You'll see." He stole a quick kiss and was heading for the door of her room, stashing the keycard he'd gotten at the front desk in his pocket. "Stay here, and get some rest," he said seriously at the door. She watched him leave.
El was still sitting at the table when Sands came back into the room. "Get your drink?" El asked him as he entered.
"Yes and no. I hope you're still wearing your shoes." El raised an eyebrow. "Cause we've got an errand to run. Let's go." Sands stood at the door waiting for El.
El groaned and got up, grabbing his jacket. "Where are we going?"
"No where for you to worry yer pretty little head over," Sands replied with a grin.
When they arrived at the small, dark pawn shop, Santino met them at the door. He was an older Mexican man with white hair, his body short and bent. "Ah… Mr. Sands. Come in." Sands followed the man in, towards the counter. He'd done business with the man in the past, both legal and illegal. "I have those passports," Santino said.
"Good, good. Hold on to them just a little longer."
Santino nodded. "What can I do for you today, Mr. Sands?"
Sands made the appearance of looking around the shop. "I'm looking for a ring."
Santino raised an eyebrow. "A ring in particular or just any old ring?"
Sands leaned against the counter. "You know the ring I'm talking about."
Santino cleared his throat. "I see. That brings us to a little problem, Mr. Sands."
Sands drummed his fingers on the counter. "And what problem is that?" he asked calmly.
"I don't have the ring."
Sands didn't move for a second, but the bored look on his face was enough to tell the old man he was in trouble.
"You don't have it..."
"No."
"And WHY don't you have it?" Sands tapped his forefinger on the scarred wood.
Santino remained calm. "A slight change of plans."
"I told you, to hold that ring, until I came back for it. I did NOT give you the option of getting rid of it!"
Sands voice was the soft and dangerous tone, El had heard in the hotel room and El shuddered, despite himself. He watched the old man fidget.
"Well, I supposed I COULD look..." The man didn't finish, Sands pulled his gun and shot the man between the eyes. "No more deals, Santino, you've fucked me over enough."
"You shot him!" El glared at Sands.
"Cool, isn't it?" Sands flashed him a grin, before going behind the counter. "The problem, El, is the man was a killer himself." Sands stopped, he heard movement in the room above and he had a sickening idea of what it was. This was how well he knew Santino.
"What are we looking for?" El asked Sands.
"Cerise's ring," Sands answered, feeling for the safe.
"Why?" El watched him, as he began prying the dial off the combination.
"Because she's still alive. Because I owe it to her to return this ring."
"You took it from her?"
"I thought she was dead," Sands said simply. "I couldn't keep the ring, it was to much of a reminder."
"And now?"
"Now she's waiting for me at the hotel." El blinked.
"She's alive?" El asked, watching Sands pick at the lock. "Yes... two fellow agents saved her."
El narrowed his eyes. "And you're sure that it is her?"
Sands looked over his shoulder at El. "I know. Trust me." He jerked the door to the safe open and began pulling the contents out. "Fuck-mook, get over here, I need your eyes," he growled.
El glared but moved over to the safe, watching Sands pull out baggies of cocaine and money. Finally he took a jewelry box out and set it on the table next to the safe, opening the lid. "Tell me if there's a antique silver ring, with a round emerald in there. There's a small line of tiny diamonds on either side of the emerald."
El picked through the box, looking at all the rings. He pulled the final drawer out and found a silver antique-looking emerald ring, with a single round stone. "This is it." El held it up.
Sands hesitated, then snatched it from El's hand, taking a moment to feel it out. He knew it had to be the ring. He slipped it on his little finger for now and turned to leave. Then another thump came from above and Sands swore. "We'd have to come on market day..." he grumbled.
"Market day?" El questioned. Sands was heading for a back stairwell, running his hand along the wall, the other drawing one of his 9 mm's.
"Yeah... dealing in little girls," Sands answered, climbing the stairs slowly. El was right behind him.
Sands edged towards the door, listening intently. There were three men's' voices in the room , accompanied by soft whimpering. "Try not to shoot any of the kids," Sands hissed, before he kicked the door open, drawing his other gun at the same time.
Two of the three men spun around, dropping as Sands pulled the trigger. The other rushed Sands, knocking him back into a wall. Sands kneed the man in the groin before driving the palm of his hand up and into the man's face, hearing a satisfied crack. The man fell back, dying slowly. "Where are the girls?" Sands questioned, holstering his guns.
"There in a cage, I can't get the lock off," El replied, trying to figure out how best to remove the lock. Three girls, the youngest around four, were huddled in the far corner, staring at the two men.
Sands came over and felt the lock. Then he crouched down, pulling the leather wallet from his pocket. He gave the girls a warm smile. "No worries, sweethearts, we're here to get you out," he told them softly, soothingly.
El crouched beside the bars, closet to the girls. They looked at him He returned their look with caring and compassion in his eyes. "We're going to take you to safety. What are your names?"
The oldest, who was maybe ten, looked at the other two, then spoke softly. "Maria. And this is Nina, and Suelita."
Sands raised his head. "Spanish for Lily,"he said with a grin. Maria grinned.
"She's the littlest, four years old."
"Are you sisters?" El asked.
"Yes..." Maria answered.
"Where's your parents?" Sands asked as he worked on picking the lock.
Nina sniffled. "Our Madre y Padre son muerto... last month in the revolución."
El shot Sands a dark look. Sands didn't show any signs of understanding, but internally, he grimaced. He got the lock off and threw it over his shoulder. It hit one of the men in the forehead. With El's help, he pulled the door open. The girls scrambled out towards them, except the four year old.
"She's scared," Maria said.
Sands turned back to her. "Come on, sweetheart…" He cooed, coaxing her out. The little girl peered at him intently. "No one's going to hurt you, luv," He told her earnestly. He crawled into the cage with her, slowly. "Come on. You can trust me." He held out a hand. The little girl hesitated, then threw her arms around Sands' neck. Sands sighed internally, beginning to feel like a kid magnet.
He got out of the cage, carrying the little girl.
"Where can we take them?" El asked.
Sands paused. "We'll take them back to the hotel for right now. Until I can get a hold of Father Juan."
"Father Juan?" El questioned.
"Yeah." Sands shot him a look. "He's a friend of mine."
"A priest?"
"Yes, a priest. Did I stutter when I said Father?" Sands questioned. El shook his head and followed Sands as he started for the door. Nina grabbed El's hand tightly, with no intention of letting go. Maria took Sands' free hand.
They headed down the stairs, which was mistake number one. Three men were filing through the door and upon seeing Sands and El with the girls, they opened fire. Sands dove behind the counter, putting Suelita and Maria in a niche. Nina scrambled into it with them and as Sands stood, he opened fire. El had already dropped one of the men and Sands dropped the other two.
Someone outside with a machine gun opened fire and Sands and El dropped behind the counter with the girls. The youngest two began crying. "Shh… shh, it's alright," Sands reassured them, while trying to listen for the gunman. "Do you see him?!" Sands demanded from El.
"Sort of," El replied, watching through the window. Footsteps came closer and Sands stood, turning as he opened fire. The gunman fired back but hit the floor with a cry of pain. Sands shot once more, and the man was silenced. "Lets go." Sands picked up Suelita again, and Maria grabbed his hand. Nina took El's as they left the pawn shop.