~22~

Firelight danced across Paloma's features as she contemplated her next move. Finally, releasing her bottom lip from her teeth's stronghold, she gave up, muttering, "I can't believe you're here, playing checkers with me, when you should be out there, searching for Sheridan and telling her that you love her."

"Paloma," Luis spoke warningly, nodding at the checkerboard.

"Luis," Paloma lifted her brows at her brother.

"It's your move," Luis reminded her, fixing his eyes on the checkerboard in front of him.

"No," Paloma nudged a checker forward. "I believe it's yours," she said, her earlier divided focus now concentrated solely on her brother and his seeming nonchalance whenever she mentioned Sheridan. It was as if their conversation in Marty's bedroom only an hour before had never happened. "Luis, por favor," Paloma clamped a hand around his wrist when it hovered over the checkerboard. "How can you be so stubborn?"

Luis gently removed Paloma's hand from his wrist and leaned back, his arms casually wrapped about his middle as he regarded her. "I don't have to search for her because I know exactly where she is. She's at the Bed and Breakfast."

"And you're still here?" Paloma exclaimed incredulously, covering her face with her hands.

Luis's lips twitched at her muffled 'Dios Mio!' She sounded just like Mama.

"Men," Paloma dropped her hands back to her lap. "You're all so dumb. The smart thing to do…"

Luis cut her off before she could finish. "…is stay here. Sheridan doesn't want to see me tonight, Paloma. Not after…not after I…" This time, he couldn't finish, but unlike Paloma he just couldn't find the words. No matter his intentions earlier, the result hadn't been anything but painful for all involved.

"You hurt her," Paloma conceded. "You've hurt each other," she elaborated. "You can change all that tonight."

"Paloma," Luis groused. "It's not that…"

"…easy," Paloma jumped in. "I know. It won't happen in a day. It might take the rest of your lives. But it's the rest of your lives, Luis. Together. Forever. Do you really want to wait to start forever tomorrow?"

Luis shook his head, unfolding his arms and pushing himself to a standing position. "I can't believe this. Now you're starting to sound like Theresa."

Paloma stood up to match her brother's stance and glowered at him, opening her mouth to respond when another voice, lilting and familiar, beat her to it.

"Is that really so bad?"

C'mon, Luis.

Listen to your little sister.

LOL!

She really is looking out for your best interests.

;)