Author's Note: I know it's been long in the coming, but here you go. In the mean time, I'm writing Chapter 12 of 'Blood in the Snow' the daring sequal to this story. ;)
Thanks to all my loyal readers, and to Scarlett, where ever she may be, for the use of Eric Camron.
Cerise walked the parameter of the balcony for the hundredth time. She was restless. She wanted this done, and done now. Even more so, since she'd learned what Sarah knew. As she walked back past the door, a hand caught her arm, pulling her back. "Stop pacing, gorgeous, you'll make me dizzy." He whispered in her ear. She relaxed against him as he held her back to him.
"I'm just..."
"Restless." Sands finished for her.
"Yeah."
"It'll be fine." He told her. "Everythings been arranged, we move tomorrow, rather Sarah's with us or not." He tightened his arms around her, resting his chin against her head.
"If he's hurt her..."
"Shh...He hasn't touched Lily. That I'm sure of." Sands whispered. Cerise fought back the tears that were threatening. "Listen, if something happens to me out there..."
Cerise turned and looked at him. "Shelly, I really don't need to hear this right now. I've already lost my daughter, I don't even need to consider losing you." Sands sighed, pulling her to him, but he didnt' futher the subject.
"All right sweets." He muttered.
Cerise sighed. "We'll get through this." She said resolutely. "We've been through worse." Sands smiled slightly, buring his face in her hair.
Sarah sat back from the computer and watched Cam pace back and forth in front of the bathroom door. He was tossing the tacker from hand to hand. Sarah grinned slightly, watching.
"You're giong to give me a headache." She finally said. Came looked up at her. "What's with all the pacing?" She asked.
"Just thinking." Cam replied.
"About?"
"Two things." Cam answered with a sigh.
Sarah got up from her chair, grabbing her coffee cup and walking over to the coffee pot. "Okay, what's one?"
"This tracker." He held up the round tracker. "I've find it hard to think, Dupre would put it on the car."
"So you're thinking what?" Sarah asked.
"I'm think, there's someone else involved. Some one who didn't turst our young friend, or some one who...is on our side."
"Or both?" Sarah replied thoughtfully.
"Or both." Cam agreed.
"Okay, so what's two?" She asked him.
Came gave her a grim smile and answered. "Sands."
Sarah sighed and put her cup downn with out taking a drink. "What about Jeff, Eric?"
Cam came over to the table. "Sarah, if Jeff ever knew HALF the things we know, do you have any idea what he'd do?"
"Yeah, he'd go on a killing spree, and we'd be at the top of the list." She was straightening up a stack of papers and didn't look at Cam.
"That's why he doesn't know." She added.
Cam's hand landed on top of her's stopping her work and making her look up at him. "Bullshit Sarah. You and I BOTH know Jeff is smarter then that!"
"Do you think he knows any of it?" She demanded.
"I think he knows SOMETHING!" Cam replied sharply, going back to pacing. "I think that's one of the reasons he wanted out."
"One of the reasons?" Sarah muttered.
"Yes, one. Cerise was the other. No offence Sarah, but I was at the funerial."
Sarah frowned. "You ever get the feeling Jeff has a death wish?"
"Do you blame him?" Cam fired back and Sarah snapped her mouth shut. "I've got some digging to do at the headquarters, I wont be with you all tomorrow." Cam said. Sarah gestured it off. "You know the drill, keep Jeff and Cerise alive."
"Something that's easier said then done." Sarah muttered.
"Yeah well, you and I both know the agency needs them alive."
Sarah sighed. "I know, I know." Cam gave a sympathetic smile.
The next morning dawned grey and cloudy, rain threatening. Sands sat on the edge of the bed, loading the clips of one of his guns. Taking the cigarette from his lips, he put the gun in one of the holsters and snubbed out the cigarette in an ash tray. He turned his head to the bed. Cerise was still asleep. He hadn't told her the plan yet. The first part was easy, if not crazy. He was going to confront Dupre at his ware house down town and shake him up a bit, remind him that Sands was still the best.
He finished with his guns and sat his holsters aside. Scooting up on the bed, he leaned over Cerise slightly, stretching out next to her. Pushing the hair out of his face, he began humming that bitter sweet tone from her past. She sighed softly in her sleep and stretched out against him. He sang the words softly, though it had been a long time since he'd done so.
He lay there, knowing the sun was up. But he didn't care. For the first time in a long time, he was happy. He was in love. His eyes still closed, he reached out beside him, running his hand over the petit body beside him, caressing the curve from the waist to the hip. He leaned forward, his lips close to her face and began singing softly a tone from her past. He'd learned it by listening to her, when she didn't think anyone was listening. He was, he was always listening to her, with her soft musical voice, with it's British accent.
She shifted slightly, moving against him and Sands smiled slightly. "Shelly." She sighed. He bit back the grin and answered her.
"You know how much I hate that right?" Cerise Stone opened her eyes slowly and moved closer to him. He rested his forehead against hers.
"I'll call you what I please." She replied with a smile.
"Well, then that just means I get to call you want I want." Sands rplied, running a hand through her vibrant red hair.
"I thought you already did?" She asked.
He grinned and kissed her lightly. "Of course I do, Cherry."
"You see, I could complain about that nickname." He still hadn't opened his eyes, but he smiled.
"Then I'll make a deal with you."
She traced his jaw with her fingers. "What kind of deal?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll allow you, and only you, to call me Shelly, if I can call you Cherry."
She laughed softly. He loved that laugh,it wassomething he'd lost and she'd have to teach him to do again. "Alright...Shelly." He grinned and opened his eyes.
He looked deep into her green eyes and felt a peace settle over him. It had been to long since he'd felt this way, and he didnt' want to give it up.
"I certainly hope this didnt' spoil your birthday." He whispered.
She smiled again and this time, she kissed him lightly. "Shelly, you've made my brithday all the more better..."
He looked at her. "But?" He asked.
"But I do believe we should be betting back to the safe house." She stated. They'd spent the night in a hotel room, after his revealation and they'd left the museum. They'd made love and Sands found himself swearing he'd never leave her side again.
She moved to get out of bed. Sands took a moment to study her. He'd never been attracted to women like Cerise before, but that had changed. Even he had to be honest with himself. When the'd first became partners, there was something that drew him to her. With in a few short months and a few operations, they'd become close. Cerise had made it past the heavily guarded walls of his and he'd made it past hers.
Grinning, he reached out and grabbed her, pulling her back down on top of him. "Sheldon." She gave him a look. He continued to grin, reaching up and brushing the hair from her face. She tried not to grin herself, but it was impossible when his eyes sparkled like that. For a long moment, he looked deep in ther eyes. Then finally he whispered. "I love you." She smiled warmly and leaned down, kissing him.
Cerise shifted and opened her eyes slowly. Sands smiled warmly and pushed the hair out of her face. "Morning, sunshine."
She wrinkled her nose, "sunshine?"
"Remember, I get to call you what ever I want."
"All right, Shelly." She snuggled against him and he wrapped him arms around her.
"You're going to stay here with Sarah for this morning. El and I have some business to conduct, then we'll be back for you." Sands told her.
"Where are you going now?"
"To Dupre's ware house. He needs to be reminded who's the best."
She shook her head and sighed. "All right, Sheldon. Just be careful."
"Always." He kissed her forehead. "Just be ready for action later."
"You have to be in this business." Cerise muttered.
Cerise headed down the hall towards Sarah's room as Sands and El left. She knocked on the door, looking around the hall, and heard voices in side. "Just a minute!" Sarah called. Cerise raised an eye brow. She heard hurried movement, before Sarah opened the door.
"Oh, Cerise, damn, call before you come down here." Sarah said.
Cerise raised an eyebrow, then frowned, pushing her way into the room. "Who's in here with you, Sarah?"
"No one." Sarah said.
"You still can't lie well." Cerise said, looking around. She went out to the balcony and looked around.
"Cerise, you're getting paranoid." Sarah said calmly from the middle of the room, watching her.
Cerise gave her a look. "After what you told me yesterday, yeah, I am." Cerise came back in and went over to the bathroom. Sarah swore.
"Cerise, try to understand, that I needed back up." Cerise rolled her eyes and threw the bathroom door open.
Cam looked up from the sink. "Morning Cerise."
"Eric Cameron!" Cerise turned and looked at Sarah. Sarah gave her a sheepish grin.
"Let me guess, he knows it all too?"
"More or less." Cam said, coming to the door way.
Cerise sighed, shaking her head. "Now he's REALLY going to shoot you." She said to Sarah.
Sarah grinned. "Yeah, but that's why I brought Cam in. If anyone can keep Jeff from doing it, it's you AND Cam."
Cerise shook her head. "If you say so." She turned to Cam. "How much do you know?"
"All of it." Cam said.
Cerise sighed. "This is getting really old, really fast." She muttered