Chapter 12

“Well now! If it isn't Little Orphan Annie” Sheridan smiled as she bent down to meet Tammy at eye level. Tammy threw her arms around Sheridan's neck and gave her a big hug. Robert Kralik walked up behind Tammy and smiled. “Your costume is wonderful!”

“Happy Halloween” he said noticing Sheridan's costume. “Sheridan, I'm surprised” Robert kidded. “You, a cat burglar and engaged to a cop? Tsk Tsk.”

“Luis would never arrest you Sheridan!” Tammy said, a look of horror on her face. He loves you.”

Sheridan and Robert looked at each other and stifled a laugh. “I assume you're Daddy Warbucks?” Sheridan asked, noticing his formal attire.

“The buffet table is set up over there” Sheridan pointed to the other side of the gym. “Pilar made a special Halloween punch.”

What's a cat burglar Daddy?” Sheridan heard Tammy asked innocently as they walked away. Sheridan shook her head and chuckled as her tiny friend headed over to the refreshments.

“You're serious?” Sam asked in amusement. “Sheridan is going to the Halloween Dance as a cat burglar?”

“Sheridan has nothing to worry about from me,” Luis said sincerely. “She and I have had some long conversations lately and understand each other completely. Besides, I thought you knew me better than that.”

“Mr. Harmony Hunk three years in a row and king of the Batting Cages every year since then?” Sam asked wide eyed.

Luis smiled. “I think I've batted my last ball Sam” Luis said. “At least during the summer carnival.”

“No, we haven't even discussed it. I'm sure if I wanted to continue on with it she'd have no problem with it, it's just that I'm ready to settle down Sam. My bachelor days will be over in less than two months and that's just fine with me.”

“No, Jay was responsible for that” Luis grinned. “No one else in this world could ever have gotten me to do that.”

“Well maybe one person” Luis relented with a laugh. “But somehow I don't think she'd push me into that.”

“I am” Luis said. “I hate dressing up for Halloween. The only reason I'm not working tonight is because I promised Sheridan and the kids at the Youth Center I'd show up at this party.”

“Good” Luis said. “Now, I think it's time for me to head over to the Youth Center. Are you stopping by later?”

Sam grinned. “Sorry buddy. You're on your own tonight. I hate dressing up more than you do.” The phone on Sam's desk rang.

“What's that Marty?” Sam asked. “Did you say a cat burglar has been spotted lurking outside the Book Café?” Sam had to keep himself from laughing.

“I'll send Luis over there. He's on his way to the Youth Center anyway. I'm sure he won't mind.” Sam hung up the phone with Marty. “You heard?” He asked Luis.

“Yeah, I heard” Luis smiled. “I guess Sheridan wasn't kidding when she said she wanted me to arrest her.”

Jay returned to her desk and smiled when she caught sight of the single red rose in the bud vase next to her computer. Scott had given it to her the night before on their last date. As soon as she thought the name Scott, her mind drifted off to the tall handsome man who seemed to have stolen her heart.

“It's beautiful Scott” Jay grinned when Scott produced the perfect red rose from behind his back. “Thank you so much. Jay inhaled the heavenly scent and smiled gazing amorously into his dark brown eyes.

“Well, I thought you could keep this one here and bring this one into the station and leave it on your desk” he said producing another perfect flower from his other hand which had also been behind his back.

“Never” Jay smiled. “Thank you so much. Now I'll get to think about you all day at work too.”

“That's the idea” he smiled before leaning in and capturing Jay's lips in a heart stopping kiss.

Jay sighed in contentment. She couldn't be happier right now. Scott was everything she'd ever dreamed in a man and then some. He was definitely too good to be true. Knowing she wasn't going to get any work done in her current mindset, she decided to take her afternoon coffee break. She grabbed the palm pilot Scott had given to her so she could email him when she had the chance at work and headed out the door to a local coffee shop.

Jay ordered a coffee and sat down intent on emailing Scott and smiled when she saw he'd beaten her to it. Quickly, she clicked on her mail and read his note.

Did I thank you for last night, detective? Because if I didn't I'm an idiot! I really had a wonderful time. It's just a shame both of us had to work this morning. I could have thought of ways to keep us both entertained all night :)

“I bet you could have Scott!” Jay laughed. They'd only been dating for a few weeks, but Jay found herself being drawn more and more to Scott with each passing moment. Not a day went by where they didn't email each other and when Scott was in town, they managed to see each other every night, even if it was just for a cup of coffee.

I really wish you didn't have to work so late tonight. I really wanted to take you to that party in San Diego, but alas, I guess it wasn't meant to be. I'll tell you what. Why not humor me and tell me who you would have gone as? That way I can try to envision you dressed that way? I'd much rather think about that gorgeous body of yours in some sexy outfit than the accounts receivable on my desk. Maybe you can even give me a few choices :)

Jay blushed. “You are incorrigible” she smiled. Little did he know, she'd had moments of distraction as well, like thinking about the sexy dream she'd had of him the night before.

I can't wait to see you later tonight Jay. I know watching Halloween II on TV isn't the most exciting way to spend a Saturday night, but being with you is all that matters to me.

Jay grinned happily as she sat back and thought about what she'd like to dress as. She rather liked the idea and wondered herself what Scott would dress as well. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to know what types of costumes he wore as a kid too. Was he the cowboy type? Superhero? Did he wear homemade or store bought costumes? Jay realized she really didn't know that much about Scott's childhood and wanted to know everything there was to know about him.

She chuckled when she thought about where her mind was headed and knew it meant something, but wasn't quite sure what. She didn't want to dwell on it however. She had more important things to do, like emailing Scott.

Scott walked out to the sales room floor and watched Michael work his magic with a customer interested in purchasing a satellite system. He stood at a distance and watched the interaction for several minutes until Michael excused himself and headed in his direction. He saw the excited look on Michael's face and knew he'd sold her a system.

“Big dish. 4DTV. It seems she wants all the wild feeds she can get and I told her 4DTV was the way to go. As soon as I showed her the list of feeds she immediately wanted it. She's into daytime drama and can watch all her soaps well in advance on the feeds.”

“Good job Michael” Scott smiled. Michael beamed as he walked by. Scott shook his head and walked back into his office. The store was in very capable hands.

Scott sat down at his desk and clicked on his computer. He checked his email and he grinned happily when he saw he had a note from Jay.

You did thank me for last night. Several times in fact! Considering the way you thanked me, I wouldn't mind if you did it again ;)

Scott's smile grew as he remembered thanking Jay last night. His heart sped up just thinking about it. He could feel her lips against his right now and the feelings it stirred within him. He wanted nothing more than to be right back there with her right now.

I hate to disappoint you, but if we'd gone to the party I was thinking about wearing an M&M costume I have in the back of my closet. Not very sexy is it? LOL

Scott groaned. He was hoping for something a little more revealing than an M&M. He laughed suddenly when a crazy thought came to his mind. He'd get her for the M&M comment.

Don't like the M&M idea? Well, I suppose I could have always gone as a mummy. I have loads of old white sheets I could rip up. Or how about a cop? That would have been really easy.

So, tell me, what about you? Are you the cowboy type? Superhero? I can picture you running around as a little kid in a batman costume. I bet you looked cute all dressed up as a little boy on Halloween.

Okay, it's your turn to humor me. What would you have gone as? Oh and by the way, next time we watch a movie it's going to be a chick flick. The last scary movie I saw was in 1986, so be prepared!

Scott smiled and decided to email Jay with her request. He'd tell her exactly what he was hoping to wear to that party, had they gone.

“Has anyone seen Chad? Sheridan asked as she approached the refreshment table. The party was almost in full swing and they hadn't seen any sign of their DJ.

“He called awhile ago and said he was running late” Grace offered. “He had to close up the Book Café and he had a few things to get together and then he'd be here. Come to think of it, that was quite some time ago.”

“Sheridan, maybe you should send one of the kids across the street to see what's keeping him” Pilar suggested as she filled cups with her special Halloween punch.

“The kids are all having such a good time, I don't want to bother them” Sheridan said. “You know what? I'll take a walk over there. I can use the fresh air.”

“I'll be right back” Sheridan replied. Smiling at the kids as she walked past them in their colorful costumes, Sheridan left the Youth Center to see if she could find Chad.

Luis parked his patrol car in front of the Book Café and stepped out into the cool crisp night air. It was a perfect night for Halloween he decided to himself as he peered around in the darkness. The moon was new and the only light around was a very faint glow coming from the storeroom inside the Book Café. Luis knew Chad was closing up early to DJ the dance and wasn't surprised.

“All right Sheridan” Luis called out into the still night air, a smirk tattooed on his face. “I know it's you. Come on out.”

“Sheridan, I know you're out here” Luis said. He waited for another minute and heard nothing. “Okay” he laughed. “If that's the way you want it. I'll find you.” Luis heard a cat meowing and a knowing grin appeared on his face. “That certainly didn't sound like any feline I've ever seen.” With determined strides, Luis walked around to the back of the Book Café in the direction of the noise.

“Meow” the call continued, as Luis slowly approached the sound. He tried to be as quiet as possible, hoping to take Sheridan by surprise.

Sheridan approached the Book Café and saw Luis' patrol car there. “I wonder why Luis is parked here? Sheridan asked out loud. “I hope there isn't anything wrong with Chad.” She peered into the front window of the Book Café and saw nothing but pitch blackness. The dim glow from the storeroom earlier was now gone.

“What could have happened to him?” Sheridan wondered, fear overtaking her. She wanted to call out Luis' name, but didn't want to give him away in case he was in pursuit of an attacker.

“Chad!” Sheridan said turning around holding her hand over her heart. “You just scare me half to death. I thought something had happened to you.”

“I'm right here” Chad smiled. “I was on my way over to the Youth Center when I saw you standing here.”

“I came her looking for you, but I saw Luis' patrol car here and thought something might be wrong.”

Sheridan nodded, tentatively. She wasn't sure about walking into the alley, but with Chad at her side didn't think it could be too bad. The two of them walked around the corner of the building to check the alley for Luis.

Luis stifled a grin when he saw a woman dressed all in black standing at the corner of the building, looking around the opposite corner. She didn't see him and from what Luis could ascertain, wasn't expecting him to come from that direction. `Perfect' he thought. Slowly he crept up on the woman noiselessly and grabbed her from behind.

“Yeah, it sounded like Luis” Chad said. Together they rounded the corner to the alley and stopped dead in their tracks. A few feet in front of them was Luis… in the arms of another woman dressed just like Sheridan.

Jay sipped her coffee, enjoying the rest of her afternoon coffee break. She couldn't help but wonder how Scott would react to her last email. She chuckled slightly imagining his frustration. After all, he was hoping she'd describe something sexy and she told him she'd been thinking about being an M&M. Just as Jay was about to leave, she saw another incoming email from Scott. Checking her watch, she decided she had enough time to read it and quickly opened the note.

I assume you thought you were being funny with your comment about being an M&M? If your intent was to elicit a groan from me it worked… initially that is. But I must tell you that the more I thought about it the more the idea of you being an M&M intrigued me. I mean after all, what's the slogan they use? They melt in your mouth, not in your hands? I think I like the idea of that Jay ;)

Jay laughed out loud. She hadn't thought of that until after she'd sent the email. She should have known he'd pick up that one.

Oh and if you'd decided to go as a mummy, well I guess I would just have to have unraveled you very slowly… layer by layer… and find out just what you were wearing underneath all that cloth. Would it be the same as the Scotsmen's kilts?

On the other hand, I was thinking along the lines of a costume that I could complement. You asked me what I was planning on going as. Truthfully, I was going to wait to hear what you were going as and hopefully we could team up. For example, I was hoping you'd want to go as Cleopatra. They don't come sexier than that and then I'd have a choice. Should I go as Marc Antony, your lover? Or as the Asp that gets to wrap itself around those luscious curves of your body? That would have been a tough decision. ;)

Now it was Jay's turn to groan. She fanned herself, finding it was getting quite hot in there. What was she doing anyway drinking coffee when it was eighty degrees outside? She shook her head and read the rest of his email.

As far as what I dressed up as when I was a child, I know you'll think I'm crazy, but I honestly can't remember. Obviously they weren't lasting memories. Now if I'd gone trick or treating with you I know I would have remembered that.

I'll let you go. I know you have to work. I for one feel better knowing you are out there protecting me.

I can't wait till tonight. You're on for that chick flick next time. I'm looking forward to having you jump in my arms when the scary parts come on in Halloween II.

Again, Jay groaned. She sent a quick response and left the coffee shop. She had a feeling the rest of the day was going to go on forever and right now she had an urge to wrap her arms around Scott. She chuckled to herself as she walked back to the station. She was definitely hooked. Hooked on one Scott Mayne.

Luis was taken by surprise but wasn't shocked that Sheridan had pulled that move on him. That was until she kissed him with all her might… and he realized the second her mouth descended on his there was something very wrong. Something was not right. The woman kissing him wasn't Sheridan.

Luis pulled back against the woman fighting to deepen the kiss. When she tightened her grasp, Luis pulled back harder escaping from her grasp and holding the assailant at arms length.

“What the hell?” Luis said trying to process what had happened. He finally caught a glimpse of the woman who'd kissed him. “Beth!”

Sheridan stood there watching the scene unfold, not able to move at first. Sheridan then realized that Luis hadn't been the one to initiate the kiss. She had.

“Beth, what the hell do you think you're doing?” Luis demanded to know. He gruffly dropped her arms that he was holding and took several steps back.

“Hi sexy” Beth greeted, her voice thick with lust. “I just thought you might like to have a little fun on Halloween like we used to have, You remember our Halloween traditions, don't you Luis? No one could ever please you the way I used to.”

Sheridan found herself remembering a conversation she and Luis had several weeks earlier and a small smile came to her face.

Sheridan wrapped her arms tighter around Luis' neck and deepened their kiss. Luis moaned in response, his hands roaming her sides, slowly inching their way towards her breasts. Sheridan moved her hands towards Luis' uniform shirt and slowly massaged his chest before her fingers deftly began unbuttoning it.

A surge of heat coursed through Luis' body and he knew this was headed in only one direction. As much as he wanted to explore that wonderful place with the woman of his dreams, he had to know why before things went any further. Gathering all of his strength, Luis pulled away.

“I'm sorry” Sheridan said pulling completely away from him. She turned away, unable to look at him.

“Hey” Luis said gently, taking her chin in his hand turning her head to face him. “What's this all about? I knew something was up with you last night.”

“Nothing is up” Sheridan said, her eyes downcast. “I love you Luis. I just wanted to show you how much.”

His voice held nothing but the deepest affection for her. Sheridan looked up, willing the tears not to fall, but Luis could see the look of sadness in her eyes.

“Sheridan, I love you more than anything in this world” Luis began looking into her pretty blue eyes. “Angel, there is nothing I would love more than to make love to you, right here and now. Sweetie, don't you know how much I want to be with you?”

“Sheridan, I thought you wanted to wait until after we got married. You and I both agreed we wanted to wait. Has something changed?”

Sheridan didn't know how to say what she was feeling without coming off as a complete idiot. “Luis, it's just…” She really didn't know how to say this.

“Oh Angel” Luis soothed as he gathered her in his arms. “I don't want Beth. I want you and I want you when the time is right for both of us.”

“I love you. I love everything about you. Our relationship isn't about sex, it's about two people who are madly and passionately in love with each other and want to share their lives with each other. Their entire lives, body mind and soul. What you and I share right now is so far above anything I ever shared with Beth or any other woman. We share our hearts, minds and souls. That's enough for me right now. It's the most important part. Sheridan, you're my soul mate. You're stuck with me Angel.”

“I love you Luis Lopez Fitzgerald” Sheridan smiled through tear filled eyes. They were tears of happiness.

“Oh and Sheridan?” Luis said with an impish grin. “When you and I do make love, it's going to be explosive. No one will ever know the passion we'll experience together…”

“Beth, what part of it's over didn't you understand a few weeks ago?” Luis asked, trying not to lose his temper.

Sheridan took a deep breath and walked over to where Beth stood inches from Luis. Luis turned when he heard footsteps.

“Hi” Sheridan greeted sweetly walking up to Luis and wrapping her arms around him, kissing him passionately on the lips.

“You're welcome to join us Beth. I'm sure the kids would love to see you” Sheridan smiled brightly. She then turned, her arm linked tightly with Luis' and they headed over to the Youth Center with Chad, leaving a very stunned Beth standing there speechless.