Ethan looked up from his menu and watched Gwen and Frank engage in friendly chit chat. He tried to work through his discomfort, but was finding it hard. He knew that Frank was still mad at him for not identifying Theresa and worst yet things with Gwen were beyond strained. He hoped that a nice dinner out would ease some of the tension between the two of them and take their minds off of Theresa.
"So Frank," said Ethan trying to get his mind of the current state of his affairs. "When are you leaving Harmony?"
"Day after tomorrow at the latest. I still have some unfinished business to attend to first," said Frank taking another sip of his water.
"That unfinished business wouldn't have anything to do with Whitney Russell would it? Asked Gwen smiling teasingly at Frank. She knew that Frank had a crush on Whitney. It was extremely obvious. Of course, it was also ridiculous. Whitney was a friend of Theresa and any friend of that witch had to be as conniving and evil as her. "Don't do this Gwen," thought Gwen trying to hide her anger at the very thought of Theresa. "Don't give Theresa the satisfaction of ruining tonight. This was her new start with Ethan. She wouldn't let thoughts of Theresa spoil it.
"Well as a matter fact yes I would like to say good-bye to Whitney before I leave," said Frank trying to keep his expression neutral. The last thing that he wanted was to show Ethan or Gwen just how hard he had fallen for Whitney. "It's only polite."
"Only polite," smiled Gwen. "The next thing you know you'll say you want to say good-bye to Theresa.." Gwen couldn't even finish her sentence. The minute she said Theresa's name she noticed how both guys at the table tensed up. "Damn that girl," thought Gwen giving into the uncomfortable silence that had returned to the table.

Noah,Theresa,Whitney and Derrick stopped in front of the Lobster Shack and prepared to enter. The foursome had driven over in Derrick's car and Whitney and Theresa were surprised at how much fun they had just talking to their dates on the ride over. Theresa was especially surprised at how good it felt just to have a normal, fun conversation with a guy that didn't involve trying to make him want you until death do you part. Noah didn't make her feel like Ethan. But he did make her feel good and for right now that's all she wanted. The foursome walked into the Lobster Shack and Theresa's heart stopped. There sitting at the table in front of them was Ethan and worse yet he was with Gwen and that Frank Lomax guy. Had he changed his mind and decided to identify her as his stalker? No." thought Theresa, "He wouldn't do that to me. Still what the hell is he doing with Gwen?"

Ethan noticed Theresa as soon as he walked in. His face lost of his color and he fought back the lump that was rising in his throat at the mere sight of her. "Get a grip Crane," he said to himself. "You can do this you can be in the same room with Theresa and not want to throw your arms around her." Ethan took Gwen's hand and looked away from Theresa. He almost had himself convinced that he could go on with his evening as if she wasn't even there.. almost.

Whitney couldn't believe their luck. Of all the people to run into tonight they had to run into Ethan, Gwen and Frank. What was he doing here anyway? Wasn't he suppose to leave town? Whitney's heart skipped a beat as she remembered the last time he saw him and her kiss. She knew that Ethan and Theresa had this weird bad luck that kept them running into each other at the worst possible time. She just hoped that she didn't share the same fate with Frank.
Theresa do you want to leave?" Asked Whitney noticing how upset Theresa seemed at seeing Ethan and Gwen together.
"No do you?" asked Theresa realizing how hard it might be for Whitney to be on a date around Frank.
"No," smiled Whitney. Frank was through with her, he said so himself. Not that there was anything to get past anyway. Just a kiss..
"Well," smiled Noah "That's a relief I really had a taste for lobster and I'm slave to my taste buds."
"Well since we are staying let's seat ourselves." said Derrick guiding Whitney to her seat as Noah and Theresa followed.

Chad watched the scene that had just taken place with great amusement. Not only did he catch the looks passing between that rich Crane guy and that beautiful brunette but he also noticed how that girl Whitney got all nervous when she saw the black guy at the Crane table. And what was with the guy she was with anyway? Not that he cared who Whitney dated. For all he cared she could be in love with both those guys. He felt sorry for them if that were true. Nobody deserved her.
"Harris," said Luis as Chad turned around to look at him. "Take those kids orders."
"Those kids?" asked Chad in disbelief. The last thing that he wanted to do was serve the high and mighty Whitney.
"Yeah," said his manger tossing him a pad and pointing to Noah, Theresa, Whitney and Derrick's table. "Those kids. And make it snappy."
Chad muttered a curse underneath is breathe and headed towards Queen Whitney's table. This was definitely not going to be any fun.

Frank tried hard not to stare at Whitney and her date. She was a young beautiful girl after all she should be dating. She knew Derrick pretty well. He had done some work for his father. He still remembered the look on the boy's face when after a tour of the facilities, that included a talking to him, Derrick's  father gave him the one day his law firm would all be his speech and  his dad informed him that he wasn't paying for college. That he would have to pay for it himself. The boy was none to happy with it but he did get off his duff and take out some loans so he wasn't all that bad. Whitney deserved a guy with that kind of initiative even if he was  some young, rich spoiled kid that probably could care less about her. What did he care.

"She is on a date," thought Ethan trying to control the fury that was building within him. "Wasn't it just a few days ago that she was declaring her undying love to him now she was dating other guys. Maybe she was dating other guys all along. Maybe he had just been somebody that she was using to practice on. What did he care. He was well rid of her. Of course that wasn't going to stop him from finding out who that guy was she was with if it was the last thing that she did.

"So this is a nice place," said Noah taking another breadstick and trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah," said Theresa smiling tensely "You know I have never been here before."
"Really." said Derrick my folks and I come here all the time the clam chowder here is the best on the entire east coast. My mother swears by the stuff."
"Well maybe I'll try it then," said Whitney trying not to look at Frank, who of course was looking at her.
"Great," she thought. "What else could go wrong?"
She didn't have to wait long for her answer.
"What are you doing here?" she asked Chad as he came toward their table.
"Taking your order princess I work here?" He said pointing to his name tag.
Whitney looked at his tag. "Chad," she thought. She officially hated that name.
"Somebody actually hired you?" Said Whitney unable to hide her disgust. "How hard up is this place."
"Not that you would understand anything about this, but some people respect hard working folks and give em chances they don't rush to judgment like some people," said Chad.
"Whatever." said Whitney looking away.
"Look do you guys want to order or what?" asked Chad getting angry. This Diva routine was starting to get old.
"Um Chad," said Derrick trying not to get dizzy with all the obvious tension going on between Whitney, this waiter and the guy at the other table. "Give us and the ladies a minute. We haven't decided yet."
"Whatever," said Chad walking away.
"What was that all about?" asked Theresa looking at Whitney with confusion in her eyes.
"Nothing," said Whitney getting up. "I have to go to the bathroom."
"I'll go wit you," said Theresa getting up and following her friend.

Derrick and Noah just stared at each other.
"Do you get the feeling that their is something going on between our dates and the guys at the Crane table?" asked Derrick a little amused.
"Don't forget that waiter," teased Noah," he definitely has a past with your date."
"Well I guess are plans for a light, fun evening are pretty much shot," said Derrick taking another sip of water.
"I'm agreeing with ya," said Noah looking at Ethan. "That's Ethan Crane right?" said Noah looking back at Derrick.
"Yeah and his girlfriend Gwen Hotcakes or something like that. I met them once they're really nice why?" Asked Derrick more interested in who was with Gwen and Ethan.
"I'm just curious as to why Ethan Crane has been staring at my date since we arrived." said Noah a little perplexed.
"Got any theories," asked Derreck. "Besides the obvious fact that she's dropped dead gorgeous."
"Nope," smiled Noah. "But I intend to find out.

Gwen couldn't believe this was happening. She and Ethan wre finally trying to put their relationship back on track and that witch Theresa shows up. She probably followed them here or something just to ruin her evening. Well this had gone on long enough. She and Miss Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald were going to have it out once and for all.
"Excuse me Ethan," said Gwen getting up. "I have to powder my nose."

Theresa took another deep breath and poured cold water on her face as she stood over the basin of the bathroom sink.
"I can't believe it Whit. Of all the Lobster Shacks in all the world he had to walk into mine. Well actually he was here first so I guess I walked into his. Whatever this is a disaster."
"You think you're having a bad night," said Whitney rubbing her shoulders as she sat on the ladies room couch. "What are the odds that I would run into both Frank and that jerk Chad while I was on a date with Derrick?"
"Yeah laughed Theresa sitting next to her best friend. "I mean I thought that I had bad luck, those odds had to be astronomical. Something like gazillion to one."
"I think that your bad luck is rubbing off on me," laughed Whitney.
"I still can't believe that Ethan's her." said Theresa holding her head in shock.
"Can't you?" asked Gwen staring down scornfully at her rival. "I mean you have the most uncanniest way of finding Ethan anywhere at anytime. You sure you just didn't follow him here like a good little stalker?
Theresa looked up and rolled her eyes. This was the last thing that she need.
"Look whatever you have to say I don't want to here it, come on Whitney," said Theresa getting up.
"Well that's just to bad," said Gwen blocking Theresa's passage out of the bathroom. "Because I have a few things that I want to get off of my chest."
 

"Well this evening is a disaster." laughed Frank taking another sip of wine. They were on their third bottle. Remarkable considering that they hadn't even ordered yet. Ethan had drank most of it. It was funny he didn't remember Ethan being that much of a drinker before, but women trouble could do that to you. Another reason not to get involved.
"Yep," said Ethan taking another sip of his drink.
"I mean what are the odds of Whitney and Theresa showing up here of all places with two guys?" asked Frank looking at Noah and Derrick.
"Yep," said Ethan not taking his eyes off of Noah. "Who would have thunk it? I'm going to get another drink," said Ethan summoning Chad over to his table.

"Can you excuse us Whitney?" Asked Gwen staring at Theresa. "Theresa and I have some things to discuss."
Whitney stared at Theresa not sure what to so. She didn't want to get involved in what was bound to be a showdown between the two women, but at the same time she could tell how much Gwen hated Theresa and was actually scared to leave her alone with Gwen.
"I'll be ok Whit," said Theresa not taking her eyes off of Gwen. If Gwen wanted a showdown she would get one that she would never forget.
"Ok," said Whitney leaving "Call me if you need me."
"You know Gwen this whole bathroom cat fight thing is so cliché. Can't you come up with anything more original."
Gwen laughed at Theresa's sarcasm.
"That must be nice," said Gwen moving away from Theresa.
"What?" asked Theresa, her guard still up.
"Well having so many people lining up to protect you. I mean let's just take a minute and think about what you involved Whitney into when you were stalking Ethan,"
"I was not stalking Ethan.." interrupted Theresa.
"Lying, accessory to a crime she could have went to jail for your crimes Theresa. Yet here she is acting like you didn't nearly tear her life apart. Tell me Theresa what is it about you that inspires such loyalty?"
"I don't know why don't you ask Ethan?" through out Theresa. The minute she said it she was sorry. She knew that it ws a mean thing to say, but Gwen was attacking her and she was fighting back.
Gwen's face reddened in anger. "Don't you dare say Ethan's name."
"Why not I mean he is the reason why you're t rowing this little temper tantrum. Because Ethan loves me and you can't stand it."
At that Gwen let out a laugh. "Love you? Love You? Who could love a a little nobody like you?"
"Ethan that's who," said Theresa fighting back tears. Ethan did love her. He didn't care that she was the housekeeper's daughter.
"I maybe the housekeeper's daughter but you know as well I as do that Ethan was going to leave you for me before everything got all confused."
"Really?" asked Gwen flinching at her words. "Did he ever say that to you?" she asked not sure if she could bare to hear the answer to the question.
"No," said Theresa suddenly feeling a little insecure, but he does love me."
At that Gwen smiled.  She could tell that she had got to her with her last remark. She breathed a sigh of relief that Ethan had never told Theresa that he loved her. Maybe he didn't, maybe Theresa was just a passing fancy after all. At last she had the upper hand.
"Look Theresa," said Gwen moving towards Theresa. "You were nothing to Ethan but easy. You see men like Ethan occasionally have an urge to slum it. If you know what I mean. You were just an itch that needed to be scratched. Nothing more."
"An itch that needed to be scratched." repeated Theresa in disbelief. "That is not true and you know it."
"Yes, yes," said Gwen smugly. "Ethan loves you. Guess again. Ethan loves me. That's why he came to me and begged me to take him back. Why he took me in his arms and made mad passionate love to me and told me that I was the only women for him. Ethan and I are together again for good and there is nothing that you can do about it. So stop embracing yourself by throwing yourself at Ethan, I noticed that you had date. A member of your own class no doubt which is good, You should stay in the gutter where you belong."
Now Theresa was mad. Who did Gwen Hotchkiss think she was? She may have had more money then her but she wasn't better then her .
"Yeah," said Theresa staring Gwen squarely in the eyes." You can go on and on about how much Ethan loves you, but we both know that Ethan is only with you out of guilt an obligation not love and that even though you are in his arms Gwen that every time that Ethan is with you he is wishing that it was me
me."
At that Gwen lost it.
"Why you little witch," she said slapping Theresa in the face.
Shocked at Gwen's rage Theresa quickly came to her senses and slapped her back.
 

Ethan was out of wine and he wanted more. He wasn't usually a heavy drinker but after the last few days he was having he noticed how soothing alcohol was. It eased the pain. He hadn't expected it to hurt so much to see Theresa, let alone to see her with another guy. He swaggered over to the bar and ran into Noah.
"Excuse me buddy," said Ethan fully aware that he was now face to face with Theresa's date. "But you're in my way."
"Your way?" asked Noah non to impressed with Ethan. "What you think that just because you're a Crane you own everything."
"Not everything," said Ethan leaning close to Noah so that he was whispering in his ear. "Just something's like your date."
"What?" asked Noah surprised by what he had just heard.
"Nothing," said Ethan grabbing his bottle of wine, "Just watch out for her she's a heartbreaker."
 
 

Whitney nervously looked toward the bathroom door. Theresa and Gwen had been inside an awfully long time she was starting to get concerned.
Derrick noticed how worried Whitney looked and took her hand in his.
"Are you ok Whit?" he asked genuinely concerned.
"I'm just wondering what is keeping Theresa," said Whitney trying to keep the panic out of her voice.
"Me too," said Noah coming back to the table and looking towards the bathroom, "Maybe I should go check on her."
"No," said Whitney jumping up in a panic. The last thing that anybody needed to know was that Theresa and Gwen were having it out over Ethan Crane. If anybody found out about Ethan and Theresa Whitney knew that the consequences would be disaterous. "I'll go."
Noah nodded and was about to sit down when a scream caught his attention. It was Theresa and she sounded like she was in trouble.

Ethan recognized the scream immediately even through his alcoholic haze. It was Theresa. She was in trouble. He had to go to her.

Ethan and Noah could hardly believe the site before them. Gwen and Theresa were actually tussling in some sort of cat fight. Ethan immediately grabbed Gwen off of Theresa and Noah grabbed Theresa.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Ethan not amused. What had gotten into Gwen. Cat fighting with Theresa? Was she crazy?
"She started it," said Theresa wiggling in Noah's arms and trying to regain her composure.
"No you started it by being such a bitch," spat Gwen.
"I'm a bitch? You slapped me remember," replied Theresa her anger building again.
"That's right and I'd do it again," said Gwen trying to lunge at Theresa again.
"You know," said Noah pushing Theresa towards the door "we should go."
"That's right go," said Gwen "But this isn't over."
Ethan held Gwen until Theresa and Noah were safely out of the bathroom.
"Gwen what the hell was that?" asked Ethan angrily. "I mean attacking Theresa.."
Gwen turned around to face Ethan her face red with anger. "Attacking Theresa? What makes you think that she didn't attack me?"
"Gwen that's ridiculous?" said Ethan without thinking.
Gwen just shook her head in disbelief.
"I can't believe this you are taking her side," said Gwen smoothing out her dress.
"Don't be silly," said Ethan defensively.
"You are still choosing her over me," said Gwen trying not to cry.
Ethan just stared at Gwen not sure of what to say.
"Let's go Ethan I have suddenly lost my appetite."
 

Whitney noticed how disheveled Theresa looked and rushed to her friend's side with concern.
"Theresa what happened?" she asked.
"Nothing," said Theresa grabbing her coat
"I'm going to take Theresa home," said Noah grabbing his stuff. "You guys stay and have dinner."
"Actually I think we all should call it a night too," said Derrick.
"Ok well I'll take Theresa home in a cab while you take care of the check," laughed Noah.
"You are smooth." laughed Derrick. "Get going."
"Sorry," said Theresa smiling weakly as she and Noah headed out the door.
"She's not the only one," said Derrick squeezing Whitney's hand and heading towards the bar.
Whitney saw Gwen and Ethan say something to Frank and then leave. She could have sworn that she saw Gwen giving her the evil eye before she left. Great now she was making enemies with Theresa's enemies just by being her friend. She looked at Derrick and just shook her head. She finally got out on a date with a nice guy and it ended in disaster. Her life really blew. She looked up from her thoughts and saw Frank Lomax standing over her.
"Whitney," said Frank holding out his hand. "Can we talk?"
 

Derrick turned around from paying the bill and watched Whitney leave with Frank.
"Well," said Chad handing Derrick his change. "It looks like you lost your date."
"Yeah," said Derrick. "You maybe right."

Frank gave a weak smile to Whitney and fiddled with Whitney's jacket collar.
"Thanks," said Whitney shifting uncomfortably. "So what do you want Frank. I mean I thought that you would have nothing to say to a liar like me."
"Yeah," said Frank. "I'm sorry about that I was really harsh."
"Harsh? Try down right cruel," said Whitney angrily. "You had no right to treat me like some criminal who had just gotten away with murder."
"I was mad at not nabbing Theresa. I shouldn't have taken it out on you," said Frank moving closer towards Whitney.
"Was that an apology?" asked Whitney smiling.
"Yep, an apology and a good bye." said Frank smiling back.
"Good-bye?" asked Whitney
"Yeah my job is over here I'm moving on." said Frank a little sadly."Derreck's a good guy. I know his dad. Good luck with that. You deserve somebody to who will care about you."
"Well uh good luck," said Whitney trying not to cry. It's not like she expected to end up with Frank. She never even thought that they would talk again, but she never expected to feel this way about him leaving.
"Hey," said Frank kissing Whitney's forhead. "Don't be sad we'll meet again."
"You think so," said Whitney looking up at him.
"I know so. And I want to you to know something. I want you to know that I don't do relationshups as a rule. I avoid caring about anybody else at all costs, but if there was anybody that could have made me break my rule it would have been you."
"Really?" asked Whitney now crying.
"Really, who knows maybe when we meet again our timing will be better. I mean at least you'll be legal."
Whitney laughed and touched Frank's face. The two gave each other a long look and she waved quickly at him as she watched Frank Lomax walk down the street and out of her life.

Theresa sat quietly through the entire cab ride home. She noticed that Noah would stare at her periodically like he wanted to say something, but he never did. They pulled up to her house and Noah walked Theresa to the door.
"I'm sorry that tonight turned out so horribly," said Theresa looking inside her purse for her keys.
"Well it wasn't a total lose at least it was entertaining," said Noah.
"Aren't you going to ask me what the fight was all about?" asked Theresa. She really didn't want to talk about what was happening between her and Ethan, but she felt that she owed it to Noah to tell him why there evening out was such a disaster.
"Nope. You'll tell me when you are ready," said Noah kissing her on the cheek.
Theresa smiled as she watched Noah go. As bad as tonight what it taught her a valuable lesson. This thing with Ethan had gotten way out of hand. Everybody had finally put their cards out on the table and it was time to make some tough decisions. The masquerade was over. And what was going to happen next was anybody's guess.