What the Sea Took Away

“Look, I'm sorry, all right?” Brian answered, now irritated. “I made a mistake. I was going to tell Diana when she woke up if she didn't remember.”

“Were you really?” Liz asked with a raised brow. Liz knew Brian was honest for the most part, but she'd never seen him this enamored with a woman before.

Brian sighed and thought back. When I was carrying her back to the hotel, Diana suddenly called out the name Luis and then she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck” Brian explained not looking either of them in the eye. “I think she thought I was this Luis person. A minute later she said I love you Luis. I'll always love you.”

Sheridan stirred slightly and slowly opened her eyes. It took her a moment to remember where she was and then it came to her. Slowly she sat up on the couch, looking around for Brian finding him nowhere. She rubbed her temples, her head still with a dull ache from earlier. “What happened?” She asked out loud. “I remember being at the waterfall with Brian. It was absolutely breathtaking” she said smiling at the memory. “It was surrounded by the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen. Brian picked one and handed it to me. A white rose.” Sheridan could feel the pressure in her head building once again.

“A white rose” she said again. She knew it had meaning, but how? She closed her eyes trying to picture the scene at the waterfall. She smiled. Remembering. Again, her head pounded. There was another man. Handing her a white rose. A beautiful white rose. Who was this man? She shivered, every part of her felt it. She saw his face. A brief flash of a handsome face with dark hair and the most incredible hazel brown eyes she'd ever seen. She closed her eyes, wanting to revel in the feelings this memory stirred within her. She could hear his voice so clearly.

“My Mama, she always said Papa was very romantic but he didn't always express how much he loved her very well in words, so he brought home these rose bushes and planted them and said that if she ever felt that she was doubting his love or wasn't saying it enough just look at the rose bushes. Remember how much he adored her, how much he always adored her…”

Sheridan found herself shaking when she felt his hand touch hers in that instant he gave her the rose. Such a simple gesture. Somehow Sheridan felt as if the man were speaking those words to her and about her rather than his parents. Was it possible? She shook her head in frustration wanting to know more about this man she'd sensed was part of her life for weeks and only now got a brief glimpse of in her minds eye.

“Who are you?” She wondered. Suddenly she found the whole situation amusing. “I suppose the better question would be, who am I?”

Sheridan yawned and allowed herself to slowly drift back to sleep. Maybe things would become clearer after some peaceful slumber.

“Luis” Sam began slowly not wanting to upset his friend. “I know these last few weeks have been hard on you, but facts are facts.”

“Are they Sam?” Luis asked. “Did you personally send the fingerprints and dental records to Bermuda? For that matter, how many people had access to those records and could possibly tamper with them?”

“Luis, do you realize what you are saying?” Sam asked. “If the records were tampered with from this end, then that would mean someone knew the identification of that woman all along and if the records sent were from Harmony and weren't Sheridan's then whose were they?”

“Maybe the records never made it from Harmony. Maybe the resort doctor tampered with them. After all, the resort is owned by the Cranes which in turn means the doctor is on their payroll.”

“Why not Sam? Why the hell not? If that body wasn't Sheridan then Alistair and Julian knew I'd move heaven and earth to find her. They didn't want me to find her. They wanted me out of their hair. Those sleazy bastards could care less if Sheridan died out at sea or not.”

“Do you remember Julian trying to have the body cremated without our consent? What the hell would have happened if we hadn't stopped him?”

“Yeah, and my father's good name would have been destroyed” Luis spat bitterly. “I couldn't stop Julian and Alistair from cremating Sheridan's body or should I say the woman we thought was Sheridan.”

Agent Freeman had been standing by listening intently to the conversation between Luis and Sam. “If I may interrupt here for a moment” Hal said. He had a question for Luis. A very important question.

Luis stared at Hal for a moment and then nodded his head. “I know you'll probably think I'm crazy but honestly I'm not. I know Sheridan is alive. I can feel she is alive and in pain. She needs me Agent Freeman. I hear her calling me in my dreams to come and rescue her.”

“Luis, I'm no psychology major, but don't you think these dreams of yours could be your guilt for not having saved Sheridan this time?” Sam asked.

Luis shook his head, his face donning a smirk. “I know that's what you think Sam, but it isn't the case. That's what I thought at first too, but I'm telling you, my gut tells me Sheridan is alive. I'd feel it if she were truly dead.”

“I don't know how to explain this to you, except to say I've always been able to sense when Sheridan was in danger, when she needed me. Right now I sense that something is wrong, she's not herself and is desperately trying to get through to me. If she were dead, why would I have these feelings? I didn't have them at first, right after the cremation, they started later.”

“So you're telling me that your gut instinct is the reason you believe Sheridan Crane is still alive?” Hal asked in wonderment.

“Come off it Doc” Brian said angrily. “We've been through this before. Sheridan Crane is dead. Her brother told me so and it was confirmed in the papers later.”

“Doc had his friend in Washington fax him Sheridan Crane's fingerprints and they matched the ones Doc took from Diana when you first brought her to the hotel” Liz explained. “I for one hope she is Sheridan Crane. At least if she is, I'll get paid some of the money owed to me.”

“No Brian” Liz said steadfastly. “I keep thinking how I'm going to keep a roof over our heads. If I don't pay the bills around here, you, me, Doc and your little mermaid friend will all be sleeping on the beach.”

“Laugh if you will Brian, but one day I will be right about that. And for the record, it was an easy match. Even with your untrained eye, you'd make the same match.”

“Well, I'd still be more convinced if Diana remembered something or if we had a photo or had a family member identify her” Brian said.

Brian swallowed hard. “Call her fiancé?” He asked. He knew this was the right thing to do, but somehow Brian knew if they called Sheridan Crane's fiancé, he'd lose Diana forever. For the first time in years, Brian felt like he had someone in his life he could really care about. Just as one event was responsible for the change in the course of his life long ago he believed finding Diana was a sign his life was about to change again and he really believed this time it would be a welcomed change. If he lost Diana, he feared his life would go back to the bleak existence he'd created, something he didn't want to happen.

“Thank you Agent Rothman” Hal said, flipping his cell phone closed. Hal looked up at his audience. “Sorry for the interruption gentlemen. Now, where were we? Oh yes. Officer Lopez Fitzgerald thinks that Miss Crane is still alive.” Hal sighed heavily. “Normally I would recommend a psychiatric evaluation but something tells me in this case Luis might be on to something.”

Luis stared at Hal, his eyes widening with excitement, waiting to hear what Hal knew. Something told him that Hal knew more than he was letting on.

“That phone call I just received was from an agent in Washington. It seems there has been an interest in Miss Crane's fingerprints. A copy of them was faxed only a few hours ago to a small island off mainland Bermuda, Somerset Island. It's across the Great Sound.”

Luis' heart began to pound rapidly. That's where we were” Luis said. We were half way between Bermuda and Somerset when the boat exploded. Sheridan must have wound up closer to Somerset Island and gotten picked up by a boat that brought her there.”

“Whoa, whoa, slow down buddy” Sam said trying to calm his friend. “Don't get your hopes up here. Remember, it's been a few weeks since the accident. Don't you think Sheridan would have tried to contact you?”

“What if she's hurt Sam?” Luis asked. “She wouldn't be able to contact me.” Luis ran over to his desk and grabbed the photo of Sheridan that rested in its permanent position and hurried back to Sam's office. “Could you at least fax this photo to the island for me and ask if anyone has seen her? I'm going to Bermuda to look for myself, but I'd like the picture to be there first in case someone has seen her.”

“Sure thing buddy” Sam said. “I'll get the number from Hal here and fax this to the same number the fingerprints were sent to earlier.”

She heard voices in the distance singing Happy Birthday. A feeling of love enveloped her as her mother stood their with her arm wrapped tightly around her.

“You're not supposed to tell your wish” her mother whispered in her ear. The little girl turned to her mother, a look of horror in her eyes. “Oh sweetheart! Don't cry! It's all right. Everything will be just fine. Now make your wish.”

She smiled slightly and took a deep breath, then blew the four tiny candles with all her might. “Mommy! I did it! I did it!” the little girl screeched happily as the flames flickered out.

Sam stared for a moment at the picture of the beautiful blonde in the photograph. “Luis, I can't imagine the pain you're going through buddy” he said to himself, walking over to the fax machine. “I just hope you're not setting yourself up for more heartache.”

He fed the number Hal gave him into the machine and placed the photo of Sheridan that he'd taped to a piece of paper with a short note through the machine.

“I must admit Officer Lopez Fitzgerald, I was a bit skeptical at first but one thing I learned from my time with you and Miss Crane is you two share a connection the likes of which I've never seen before. Every time your gut instinct kicked in, it was right on the money.” Hal chuckled slightly. “You almost ruined everything when your gut told you Miss Crane was in trouble on the way to the airport.”

“Don't remind me” Luis said bitterly. “I still don't know why you thought it was better to keep me in the dark about that whole ordeal.”

“Water under the bridge, Luis” Hal sighed. “Thank heavens all worked out in the end. I was the first person that refused to believe Miss Crane could have survived being buried for so long. I was sure our attempts were futile but you never gave up. You never stopped believing.”

Hal smiled. “And that is precisely why I'm here with you now, Luis. If you believe Sheridan Crane is alive, then I'm willing to help you prove it.”

Luis and Hal settled in for their two-hour trip to Bermuda. As the plane began to taxi down the runway, Luis closed his eyes and immediately a vision of his beloved Sheridan invaded his thoughts. A memory of happier times, of times they spent together very much in love.

Sheridan sliced the huge sheet cake with precision under the guide of Pilar's able hand. Pilar placed the first piece of cake on a plate and handed it to Sheridan. Sheridan in turn handed the plate to her mother.

“KATHERINE!” a deep voice boomed from the doorway. Sheridan looked up, her eyes filled with fear. “What is the meaning of this?”

“It's… it's just a feeling, Agent Freeman” Luis said slowly, repositioning himself in his seat, the roar of the jet engines heard in the background.

“Yeah. For some reason I feel like Sheridan is in pain. I can't explain it, it's just there” he replied, visibly shaken by what he was sensing.

Luis nodded in response. He closed his eyes and twisted his neck from side to side trying to rid himself of the dark mood that suddenly hit him. Sheridan was hurting, he knew she was and at the moment, he was helpless to do anything about it.

As young as she was, the little girl could see her mother shaking. “Pilar, would you take Sheridan and the other children outside?” Katherine asked forcing a small smile on her face.

“Didn't I tell you no birthday parties with the children of SERVANTS?” The angry voice shouted. Sheridan looked over her shoulder as Pilar scooted her away. She was afraid. Afraid for her mother.

“Your mommy will be just fine mija” Pilar replied, though her voice lacked conviction. Just as they reached the bottom step Sheridan heard her mother cry out in pain.

“No Sheridan! No!” Pilar screamed as she watched the four year old run back up the stairs. She couldn't go after her, not with a dozen other children by the front door.

Sheridan heard Pilar calling after her, but she needed to see her mother. Her mother was the world to the little girl. “Mommy!” she called in a small voice as she ran back into the room where her party had been.

Hal watched as Luis stared out the plane window oblivious to everything except what was going on in his head. Hal had seen a similar look nearly a year ago when he drove Luis back to Sheridan's cottage. He'd senses she was in danger and when he arrived he found her lying in a pool of blood, seemingly dead.

He remembered how badly Luis had taken her “death” that time and had a feeling that if he was wrong about Sheridan being alive now, he'd never recover.

By the look on Luis' face right now, that “feeling” he had a short time ago hadn't gone away, it had only intensified. If Sheridan was indeed in pain right now, he guessed Luis was somehow feeling every bit of it. Hal couldn't even begin to understand the connection Luis and Sheridan shared, but he knew it was there. He just hoped that Sheridan was still alive in Bermuda. He shook his head when he thought about what that would mean. If Luis was right and Sheridan was indeed alive, then who wanted her dead badly enough to tamper with dental records and fingerprints?

“I warned you for the last time Katherine” Alistair shouted. With all his might the back of his hand made contact with Katherine's face. The force of the blow sent her stumbling backwards. As Katherine began to fall, her head hit the corner of a marble table before landing on the floor unconscious in a pool of blood.

“What the… “ Alistair looked up and saw his tiny daughter standing there with shock horror and grief all over her face. “Get her the hell out of here!” Alistair demanded.

“Come Sheridan” a familiar voice said. It was one of the many maids in the Crane household. Sheridan didn't know her name, the only member of the household staff she knew by name was Pilar. “It's time for bed.”

Kicking and screaming Sheridan was dragged off to her room. Several other members of the household staff were there quickly to help hold her down. The next thing she knew, she felt a sharp pain on her leg and all went black.

She awoke from her nightmare asking for her mother. “I am so sorry, mija” Pilar said, her eyes red from tears she'd shed. “You're mommy is in heaven now, looking after you.”

“You can't see her Sheridan” A deep voice boomed from her doorway. “Your mother died. She's not coming back. It's you're fault, you know that don't you? You weakened her.” Alistair shot her a look of disgust and walked away.

The little girl cried on Pilar's shoulder, endless tears for the mother she lost. The mother she adored and loved so very much.

“I heard it this time” Liz said, before Brian had a chance to say anything. The three of them rushed to Sheridan's room to see what was going on.

“Diana!” Brian called, walking across the room in quick strides. “What's wrong Angel? Are you all right?” Doc and Liz followed Brian, concern and curiosity on their faces.

Sheridan glanced from face to face, each eager to hear her tell them her name. “My name is… Sheridan” she managed to say through tearful eyes.

Doc, Liz and Brian again looked at each other. Brian now knowing what Doc said was the truth. Brian turned once again to Sheridan. “Sheridan” he said gently. “Do you know what your last name is?”

“You don't understand” Sheridan cried, her blue eyes dull, pain evident in her eyes. “The memory I had. It was of my 4th birthday party.”

“Well that sounds like it would be a good memory” Liz commented, trying to make Sheridan at ease, but having a feeling that whatever happened at that party was devastating for her to remember.

“It was at first,” Sheridan admitted. “I remembered my mother, she was beautiful and so filled with love. I remember the feeling of being in her arms. I was so safe and secure and loved. I also remember our housekeeper Pilar. She was wonderful too. She couldn't have been kinder.”

`It was wonderful' Sheridan thought. She closed her eyes trying to forget the memory that assailed her. It wasn't working. She couldn't tell these people what she remembered, that her father murdered her mother. “It's just that my mother died right after that party” Sheridan said sadly. “My mother died when I was a little girl.” Her voice trailed off, tears filled her eyes once again.

“Sheridan smiled slightly. “Thank you Brian. I can't remember much, but I have this feeling that her death affected my entire life. That somehow her death had a major impact on me.”

“I have no doubt it did, Sheridan” Liz offered. “The death of a girl's mother is a tragic event, no matter what her age. I was a young woman when my own mother died and it shattered me. I can't imagine being so young.”

The scene raced through her mind again and she quickly closed her eyes. “No” she said quickly, too quickly in fact. “That's all I remember.”

“Brian told us something about a rose causing you to pass out earlier. Did you have a memory from seeing that rose?” Doc asked. Brian shot him a dirty look.

Sheridan furrowed her brow and a smile came to her face. “Yes, I do” she said. “I remember a man giving me a rose just like the one Brian handed to me. He picked it from a rose bush his father planted for his mother. It was really sweet.”

Slowly Sheridan shook her head. “No, I don't know who he is or what his name is.” The frustration began building inside of her and it was becoming obvious to the people with her.

“It's all right, Sheridan” Doc smiled. “You've had two memories today. That's a good start. I'll bet the memories will keep coming and before you know it, you'll have your entire memory back.”

“I'm sure of it” Doc nodded. “Now, if my memory is correct, you have a father and brother who are still living. I think they will want to know you are alive, as well as your fiancé.”

Sheridan tried, but couldn't hide the look of terror on her face. “I know my father is Alistair Crane” she said. “Please don't call him. I don't remember much, but I think I want to remember more about him before you call him. Please?”

“Hey” Brian said calmly. He took Sheridan's hands in his own. “I told you you're welcomed to stay here for as long as you like. None of us will call your father unless you want us to.”

Sheridan nodded in agreement and obligingly took Brian's outstretched hand. Doc and Liz watched as Sheridan and Brian walked off to Sheridan's room.

Anxiously, Luis walked down a path, the air heavily filled with a heavenly floral scent. His eyes darted from side to side appreciating the gorgeous view, but his heart heavy that he'd still not found her. He'd been so sure she was here. Every time he closed his eyes, she was in his dreams, waiting for him, calling to him to help her.

Still, there was no answer. There was no sign of the woman he loved more than life itself and Luis began wondering if maybe they were all right. Maybe he was just so grief stricken that he'd imagined the whole thing. Maybe his deep desire to have Sheridan alive again had clouded his usually good sound judgment.

“Sheridan?” Luis called again, this time his voice taking on a panic quality to it. “Are you here? Sheridan, please answer me.”

Luis stopped. His head telling him to turn back and go home. The woman he loves was really dead, but his heart. Ah, his heart would hear no such thing. His heart refused to give up and once again, his steps moved forward, his stride purposeful.

Luis stopped dead in his tracks. Did he just hear his name called? His heart pounded right out of his chest. `Could it be? Was that Sheridan that called him?' “Sheridan? Is that you?”

“Luis?” The voice called, this time undeniably female. The sound of the voice was so sweet,, music to his ears. Luis' heart soared. It was her. It was Sheridan, he was certain of it.

“I'm here Luis” Sheridan called, though he still could not see her. Luis stood there, looking in every direction, trying to follow the sound of her angelic voice. Where was she?

“Sheridan, I'm here. Where are you? Help me find you” he called. Just as he finished calling to her, the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen appeared mere feet in front of him.

“Sheridan? Is that really you?” He asked, tears of joy already rolling down his cheeks. Standing before him was Sheridan wearing the same bathing suit and sarong she'd worn the day the boat exploded.

“Luis!” She smiled brightly, her arms outstretched waiting for him to come to her. “I've been waiting for you. I knew you'd come to get me.”

“Sheridan” Luis mumbled as his eyes fluttered open. When he came to, he realized it was Hal calling him. “Hal” he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“We've just landed” Hal informed Luis. “There is a car that will be meeting us here taking us directly to a boat. We'll then take the boat to Somerset Island. The fax that was received in Washington came from a small hotel on the island. We can start looking there.”

“Yeah” Brian nodded. “Finally. I think she remembered something she wasn't telling us. She seems very distracted and was afraid to fall asleep.”

“Sheridan's going to remember bad things as well as good” Doc explained. “Hopefully once the memories really start coming, she'll remember the sequence of everything as well. Things could really start getting confusing for her.”

“Just that she might get her memories all jumbled up. She might remember bits and pieces about a certain event or person and assume they mean one thing when in actuality they mean something entirely different.”

“She should. Since she's already started to remember some things I don't see why she won't remember everything, but it will take time” Doc explained.

“You know, I never went back and checked!” Liz exclaimed, suddenly remembering the picture that was about to come through. She walked over to the fax machine and Doc noticed a strange look appear on her face.

Doc read the caption. “Have you seen this woman?” Then he looked at a beautiful picture of Sheridan Crane smiling. Liz walked over and handed the picture to Doc as he read the message under the photo describing the boat explosion and the events that came afterwards.

“Brian is going to be so hurt by this” Liz exclaimed. “I warned him that someone would be looking for her. Death or no death, it appears that her fiancé refuses to give up searching.”

Luis could barely contain his excitement as the boat glided over the ocean waters on its way to the small island they thought Sheridan might be. “Hal, I can't help but believe Sheridan is on that island. The closer we get to the island, the stronger my feelings are that she's there.”

“It's strange though. I didn't have this feeling before I left Bermuda. It only came to me after I'd been back in Harmony for awhile.”

“Luis, I want you to remember that it's highly possible Sheridan isn't herself. Remember, she was involved in an explosion and was also in the ocean during a category 5 hurricane. She might possibly be hurt, or worse if we do find her at all that is.”

“I know Hal” Luis nodded. He'd tried to avoid thinking about all of the possible scenarios that might lay ahead of him. After all, if Sheridan were alive and well she'd try and contact him, wouldn't she? Suddenly Luis became anxious again. “Can this thing go any faster?” Luis asked Hal.

Hal shook his head and stepped on the throttle. He knew the only thing that was going to calm Officer Lopez Fitzgerald down was finding Miss Crane alive and well.

“Ha Ha Ha!” the sinister voice cackled. “The Cranes have used and abused my family for years. This time I'm going to use one of their own… their spoiled princess, Sheridan.”

“Hey, at least I don't have to pretend to like it anymore making love with you. Oh Luiiiis!” He mocked. “It made me sick.” Sheridan felt sick herself watching this man make a fool of her. She trusted him and he was using her. The sound of his maniacal laughter sent chills through her.

“Damn Cranes… Damn Cranes… Damn Cranes…” Flashes flew through her mind, all of them on one person. Each a vision of him cursing her family.

“No!” Sheridan cried. The vision of an angry Luis faded and a softer, more loving Luis replaced it. It couldn't be. Luis hated her, hated her family she thought.

“No, no, no, NO NO NO NO NO NO!” Sheridan's chants started quietly and became louder as she tried to rid her mind of the memories. She tried to escape but couldn't. He was tricking her, he had to be and she was falling for it. Sheridan fought to wake herself from the confusion of her own mind.

“He's using you… using you… using you…” A familiar voice said those words over and over. Whose voice was it? Who else knew Luis was using her?

“Brian, go get her a glass of water. I'll go see what's going on” Doc suggested as he headed towards Sheridan's room with Liz following behind him.

“Let's go then,” Luis said jumping out of the boat. Hal found himself breathless trying to keep up with Luis' pace as they finally made their way to the small hotel on the island. Luis' nerves were raw at this point, his stomach in knots. Somehow he knew Sheridan was here and in a few moments he'd see the smiling face of the woman he loved.

“I'm coming Luis” Hal said as he joined Luis at the front door to the hotel. Together the two men entered the lobby to the building in desperate need of repair. As they walked to the front desk, they passed a small table with several coffee cups on it and the faxed photo of Sheridan.

“Did you hear that?” Luis asked, his heart pounding right out of his chest. “That was Sheridan's voice! She's here! I told you we'd find her!” Without waiting for a response, Luis took off in a run in the direction he heard the voice coming from. “Sheridan! Sheridan, where are you?” Luis yelled.

Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, his heart caught in his throat as he passed an open door. He peered inside and sitting up in bed surrounded by people he'd never seen was the most breathtakingly beautiful sight he'd ever seen.”

“Sheridan?” He said weakly, tears streaming down his face. His heart leapt when she looked up and her brilliant blue eyes looked directly into his. It WAS her. She wasn't dead, She was alive and looking more beautiful than he'd ever imagined. Hal finally caught up with Luis and when he saw the look on his face he peered into the room and felt like he was looking at a ghost.

Sheridan didn't even see Hal standing there. When she saw Luis, all she could see was red. Just as she was about to lay into him for daring to follow her to Bermuda she looked into his hazel brown eyes and saw something she didn't expect to see. `What's that look?” She thought to herself. Is it love?' She'd heard it in his voice as well, the way it cracked when he said her name. It was not a voice she associated with Luis, but then again, she only remembered small bits and pieces. 'Why?' She thought. `Why is this man who is using me looking at me like that?'

Sheridan nodded. She tool a deep breath and a brief flash of Luis talking on his cell phone at the wharf went through her head. “What are you doing here Officer Lopez Fitzgerald?” Sheridan asked in contempt. `Whatever that look was on his face, it must be contrived' she thought. Her anger built at the very thought Luis was here.

“Look, officer I don't need you following me.” Sheridan suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head and grabbed it with both hands, closing her eyes as the pain was blinding.

Sheridan remembered being in Paris finding Luis having followed her. It wasn't clear, but she could remember the feeling of hurt and anger at him while she was there. “I didn't ask you to follow me here Luis” Sheridan said icily. “Just like I didn't ask you to follow me to Paris.”

Luis nodded, totally confused by Sheridan's greeting. He expected her to be happy to see him, but this greeting was reminiscent of his early relationship with her when they fought constantly. Reluctantly Luis agreed hoping this stranger might have some answers for him. As Luis left the room he turned and gazed lovingly at Sheridan one last time. He felt as if a knife had just pierced through his heart at the look of loathing and mistrust on her face at the moment.

“Luis Lopez Fitzgerald” Luis returned shaking the man's hand. “I'm Sheridan's fiancé. This is Agent Hal Freeman of the FBI” Luis introduced.

“FBI?” Doc said. “I knew the Cranes were powerful but I never expected the FBI to be looking for someone supposedly dead.”

Hal raised a brow and all Luis could see was red. “The Cranes have nothing to do with Agent Freeman being here” Luis said angrily. “He's here as a personal favor to me and I'm not here representing Sheridan's family. Now please, tell me what's wrong with my fiancée?”

Doc could tell there was no love lost between Luis and the Crane family and didn't feel like pursuing that at the moment. He took a cleansing breath and looked from Luis to Hal and then back to Luis. “Sheridan has amnesia,” Doc finally said. “She was found by a fisherman shortly after the hurricane was over barely alive. She was unconscious for quite some time after that and when she finally regained consciousness, she couldn't remember who she was never mind anything that had happened.”

“She certainly seemed to know who she was in there a few minutes ago” Luis commented. “But it was like she didn't remember we were engaged. It was almost as if…”

“Let me see if I can explain this to you” Doc said. “Sheridan had no memory until earlier today. She couldn't even remember her own name so she made up the name Diana. Brian took Sheridan for a walk earlier…”

Doc smiled briefly. “As I was saying, Brian took Sheridan for a walk earlier today and they came upon a rose bush. Brian pulled a rose from the bush and handed it to Sheridan and she suddenly passed out. Brian carried her back to the hotel and she mumbled your name along the way. According to Brian she said something along the lines of Luis, I'll always love you.”

“When she woke up here, she had another memory of her 4th birthday party. She seemed happy about it at first but then she remembered her mother's death and her whole mood changed. Anyway it was that memory that allowed her to remember who she was. She remembered her mother, someone named Pilar and earlier, you. That was it until just now. Sheridan went to sleep after she remembered the party and her mother's death and woke up screaming. We went to see what was going on and that's when you came in.”

Hal stared at Luis in contemplative silence for a moment. “Luis” he finally said, “It looks to me like Miss Crane is getting her memory back sporadically in small pieces. Since you and she have a how shall I say very colorful past, I can only imagine the things she must be remembering. I'm afraid you're going to have to give this time.”

Luis sighed frustrated. “I'll give her all the time she wants Agent Freeman” he said, “but this isn't going to be easy. It about killed me the first time.”

“Don't I know it” Luis smirked. “But not this time. I'm going to kill her with kindness. How long is it going to be before Sheridan gets her entire memory back, anyway?”

“Sheridan doesn't know she's supposedly dead,” Doc explained. “We didn't even know who she was for sure until today. I suspected it, but with the newspaper article and Brian calling her brother…”

“Yes, right after we found her. He was downright rude to Brian on the phone, accusing him of trying to make money from his poor sister's death.”

“Damn him Hal. I could have been here weeks ago if he'd listened to that phone call. But no, Julian wanted Sheridan dead. It would have been inconvenient for him and his old man for her to be alive.”

“Luis, I know how you feel about Julian and Alistair” Hal said, “but you've found Sheridan now. That's the most important thing. We'll deal with Julian once Miss Crane has her memory back.”

“Very well” Doc agreed, “but we need to try to not upset her. I know that's going to be difficult but we need to try.”

“Here's the water” Brian said as he walked into Sheridan's room. He found her sitting on the edge of her bed rubbing her temples with Liz at her side. “What's wrong?” He asked.

Sheridan shook her head slightly. “Not really, well yes I guess I did.” She looked at Hal. “I remembered meeting Agent Freeman, but nothing more than that.” She eyed him with curiosity.

Hal's eyes twinkled and a small smile played on his lips. He remembered that first meeting all too well. “It's nice to know you haven't forgotten me, Miss Crane.”

“You gentlemen haven't met Brian” Liz smiled. Luis and Hal stepped towards Brian. Luis was barely paying attention. He was more interested in looking at Sheridan at the moment.

Luis turned his attention to Brian long enough to shake his hand. “Luis Lopez Fitzgerald” he said staring into Brian's blue eyes as the two men shook hands. “I can't thank you enough for pulling Sheridan out of that water. I searched and searched for her. I even went back out during the hurricane and couldn't find her.” Luis turned his attention back to Sheridan briefly and caught her confused gaze. He then glanced at Brian again. “You'll never know how much this mean to me.”

Brian feigned a small smile. “You're welcome. Believe me when I say I was more than surprised to find Di… Sheridan in my net.” Brian withdrew his hand and turned his gaze to Sheridan, then Liz and Doc.

“Maybe we saw you when we were here on our… I mean maybe I saw you while I was in Bermuda a few weeks ago.” With the way Sheridan currently felt about him, he didn't think she was ready to learn they'd taken a pre honeymoon, honeymoon.

“I doubt it” Brian said. “I was out on a fishing boat for a few weeks and didn't come in until I found our little mermaid in the net. Which reminds me, I'm going back out tomorrow so I need to get some shut eye.”

“How long will you be gone Brian?” Sheridan asked, disappointment evident in her voice. Luis caught the tone of her voice and couldn't help the feeling of jealousy that coursed through his veins.

Sheridan's eyes narrowed, staring directly at Luis. Defiantly she walked up to Brian and threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “Have a safe trip.” She said and kissed him lightly on the cheek. She then looked over at Luis and could tell he was doing everything he could to keep his anger in check. Suddenly her headache returned. She stopped and rubbed her temples and had a flash of dancing with a mousy looking man. They were doing a tango as Luis looked on. He had the same look on his face. She then remembered kissing the same man with fireworks going off in the distance.

“Yes” Sheridan said rubbing her temples. “I think it was a Fourth of July Party.” She continued to massage her forehead wondering why this particular memory assaulted her.

Luis couldn't keep the grin off his face. “Warren” he smirked. Sheridan just glared at him, but she then heard herself call “Warren's” name.

Brian didn't know what was going on with those two, but knew it was time to leave. “Well, goodnight everyone” Brian said as he began walking to the door.

“What?” Brian asked innocently. “You've been hounding me to pay you what I owe you so I'm taking this next job so I can do just that.”

Liz searched Brian's eyes for the truth. She knew something was going on, she just didn't know what. “Sorry buddy, but I don't buy it” Liz said emphatically standing with her hands on her hips. A few hours ago you wouldn't leave Sheridan's side no matter what and now you're pushing off to sea for God knows how long? What is up with you?”

“She has a fiancé, Liz” Brian said with a hint of remorse. “That man is head over heels in love with her. It's obvious.”

“And the only memories she seems to have of him at this point are bad ones. Brian O'Leary give up now? No way. It's something else. Is it the FBI man in there? Is there something in your past you're afraid he's going to find out?” Liz smiled knowingly at Brian.

“I told you before Liz, I'm not in trouble with the law” Brian said defensively. “I just decided it's time for me to go back out, that's all.”

“I don't believe you Brian” Liz said. “I know how you feel about Sheridan. You wouldn't leave here without a damned good reason.”