Ethan tried to fall back asleep but knew it was a wasted effort. He had spent so much of last night thinking about Theresa that it was a wonder that he got any sleep at all. He sat up totally disgusted with himself and his situation. He was so angry at himself. Angry for believing Theresa's lies, angry for letting Theresa replace Gwen in his heart. His life was such a mess and there was only one way to fix it. He would get back to the way his life was before Theresa and that meant getting back with Gwen. Not that that was going to to be easy. He knew how much he had hurt Gwen he could see it in her eyes. He just hoped that what they had was still worth salvaging to her and that she could forgive him. He reached for the phone but before he could dial Sheridan came in and plopped herself on his bed excitedly.
"So tell me what happened with Gwen and Theresa?" she asked. She had been thinking about her nephew's predicament all last night and it was all she could do not to come into him room when she got home from her latest outing with her friend Hank Bennett and ask for all the juicy details.
"Well things didn't turn out quite like I expected them to," said Ethan matter of factly.
"Was Gwen very hurt?" asked Sheridan extremely concerned about the young women who had been such a close friend to her.
"Not as hurt as me," said Ethan kicking of his comforter and standing up.
"What are you talking about?" asked Sheridan confused. "Oh no, Theresa rejected you and you lost them both." said Sheridan full of concern for her nephew.
"Actually Sheridan, Theresa didn't reject me. In fact, she begged me to give us a chance," he said unsuccessfully hiding the anger in his voice.
Sheridan immediately picked up on Ethan's anger and became even more confused.
"Well isn't that what you wanted? she asked staring at him intensely.
"Oh yeah it was," he said glibly," before I found out that she was stalking me."
"What?" asked Sheridan getting up to face Ethan.
"You heard me right," he said staring at his aunt's shocked face. " My dangerous stalker is non other then my girlfriend. Or should I say ex girlfriend well actually almost girlfriend..."
"I don't care what you call her Ethan, there has to be some mistake. I mean I met Theresa and she struck me as a nice girl. Besides I saw the sketch of your stalker and Theresa looks nothing like her,"
said Sheridan.
"Actually she looks exactly like the sketch, that is when she isn't wearing a wig and glasses," said Ethan.
"Wait you're telling me that Theresa has been walking around her in disguise?" asked Sheridan.
"Yep our mild manner little secretary is really a babe in disguise," said Ethan still trying to believe Theresa's deception himself.
"Holy Clark Kent," said Sheridan trying to lighten Ethan's mood, but she could tell that Ethan wasn't in the mood to be cheered up. And who could blame him. Here he was ready to sacrifice everything for this girl and she betrayed him in the worst possible way. Who did this girl think she is? Why would she or anybody want to hurt Ethan this way? "Wait a minute," she thought. "This did make since after all."
"Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald," said Sheridan looking at Ethan.
"What?" asked Ethan confused.
"Officer Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, Theresa's brother. I bet you anything that he is responsible for all of this. I mean he hates our family," said Sheridan trying not to think of all the grunt work that Luis had made her do at the community center just because she was a Crane.
"Yeah I know," snorted Ethan. "I've had my share of run ins with officer Lopez-Fitzgerald."
"I bet you that he put Theresa up to this whole stalking business. You know brained washed her some how. The poor girl has probably been told she since she could walk that the Cranes were evil. Maybe
all of this is a manifestation of all that talk." said Sheridan shaking her head in disgust. Now Luis was poisoning Theresa with his hate. It was times like this that she found it so hard to believe that he was their housekeeper's son. Pilar was the mother that she never had. To bad Luis was making things impossible for both their families.
"Well I don't care what her reason's are. All I know is that Theresa went out her way to insinuate herself into my life for the sole reason of destroying it and I hope to forget that she ever meant anything to me," he said trying to suppress the pain the words brought to his heart.
Sheridan watched her nephew and knew he was hurting. She had watched him put up this brave front before. Whenever he ran from the room trying to hide away from the latest Crane family argument between his parents and the great Alastaire Crane, but she had never seen him act this way because of love. Things between him and Gwen were so good. He never seemed to hurt with Gwen. Then again maybe he never hurt because he didn't care enough. That thought made Sheridan sad. She had spent so many years envying the love that she thought Gwen and Ethan had and wishing she could find a similar love. Now looking at her nephew feel things for another women that he obviously never felt for Gwen made her wonder if any relationship was ever anything but an illusion that changed no matter how many years each person had invested into it.
"Well," she said giving her nephew a hug. "If anybody knows about failed love believe me it's me if there is anything that I can do for you just let me know."
"Actually," said Ethan pulling away from his aunt to face her." There is something. I need you to talk to Gwen. I need you to help me get her back"
"What?" asked Sheridan confused. It was obvious to Sheridan that Ethan's heart was no longer with Gwen. "Ethan.." she began in protest.
"Look Sheridan I know I messed things up with Gwen. I know I hurt her, but Gwen and I had a lot of years together, good years. I was planning on marrying her and spend the rest of my life with her. That means something to me. If I hadn't let myself be distracted by Theresa we would be engaged now."
"But you did fall for Theresa," said Sheridan sternly. "Look its pretty obvious to me that your feelings for Gwen have changed and I don't want you to hurt her anymore then you have by using her to get over Theresa, after everything that the two of you have meant to each other that would be cruel."
Ethan understood Sheridan's words and admired her loyalty to Gwen. She was right. He was trying to use Gwen to get over Theresa and that truth of the statement sickened him. She had been to much to him to be his rebound girl, especially when she never even relinquished the title of girlfriend. He was a real bastard.
"If only Theresa had never come into my life then I never would have broken Gwen's heart that way," said Ethan clearly upset.
"Ethan if you and Gwen were as solid as you seemed them Theresa never would have been able to come between the two of you" said Sheridan trying to get her nephew to see the truth about his life.
"I need to fix my life and Gwen can do that for me," said Ethan ignoring Sheridan's words.
"Look Ethan I know how much you and Gwen shared but you can't can stop loving Theresa by reliving the past with Gwen." warned Sheridan.
"Why not. I mean  Gwen is such a great girl and we have so much history. What is so wrong with trying to love her the way that she deserves to be loved?" asked Ethan earnestly.
"Nothing," said Sheridan brushing her fingers through Ethan's hair," If you were capable of doing that, but I know you Ethan, better then you think, and I can tell that despite all of this that you still want Theresa."
Ethan turned his head away. Sheridan was right despite everything he did still want Theresa. But whatever they had or could have had she destroyed with her lies. Gwen was his future, He could love her again. He just had to work at it.

Whitney Russell put another flower arrangement on the table and sighed in disgust. She had spent barely slept the night before and the last place she wanted to be was at the youth center putting up decorations for a party that she wasn't even sure that she was going to. Before Theresa's lies blew up in everybody's faces she had dreamed of asking Frank to the dance. That they would come as a couple and that she would finally have something in her life besides tennis, but now that wasn't going to happen. Theresa had made sure of that. She loved Theresa like a sister, but this time she had gone to far. She was so angry at her that she barely said two words to her yesterday after they left the Cranes and wasn't sure what she would say when they ran into each other again. Everything was such a mess. She turned to walk over to another table and noticed a strange guy that she had never seen before coming in.

Chad Harris looked around the youth center and smiled. The center was beautifully decorated and it looked like a hotel ballroom. "This sure don't look like the youth center's in L.A." he thought "maybe New Englanders really did live better, maybe this was a good omen and he had made the right decision coming here." He had been traveling for days to get to this little town and with very little money he needed a place to crash until he got himself together. "From the looks of this place this was going to be like staying in a hotel," he thought.

"Excuse me," said Whitney walking up to Chad, "But the youth center is closed until Monday."
"Really?" asked Chad looking Whitney up and down. "Well I don't see no sign outside that says closed until Monday."
"Well," said Whitney a little annoyed by the stranger's response. "That's because we haven't put it up yet. So I'm telling you."
"Look I'm new in town and I just need a place to crash," said Chad trying to explain his situation.
"Oh well in that case the homeless shelter is a few miles down Alastaire Way I'm sure that you'll feel right at home," said Whitney a little bit more callously then she intended to. She had never been deliberately cruel to anybody in her life, but there was something about this guy that rubbed her the wrong way. She knew he was trouble.
"Oh," said Chad becoming defensive. "I know what the deal is here. You're one of those snotty black girls that turn her noses up at brothers that don't wear Chinos and eat New England Clam Chowder.  I mean that's cool living up here I'm probably the only real black man you've ever seen."
"What?," asked Whitney defensively. It wasn't the first time she had heard this. In camp when the black kids heard that she was from New England and that her mother was a doctor they automatically made assumptions that she thought she was better then them and went out of  their way to avoid her. It hurt then and it hurt to hear this stranger say it now. " That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life," spat Whitney in retaliation " why don't you take your attitude and leave here now."
"Make me." said Chad grinning. "If you can."
"Oh I can mister. Look the chief of police happens to be my father's best friend. All I have to do is call him and he will haul your butt to jail so fast your head will spend, but from the looks of you already been there so you'll be all right," she said.
"Hey," said Chad starting to get angry. "Who are you to make assumptions about whether or not I have been in jail before. What I mean you see a strange, young black guy and you just assume that he is a criminal?"
"No," spat Whitney "I see a young punk and I know that he's a criminal."
"A punk? Hey who are you calling a punk?" asked Chad.
"Look," said Whitney hoping to end this conversation. "I have had a really tough night and I can't deal with you right now so will you please leave. Now," said Whitney
"Wait let me guess what's behind your bad mood. Your best friend borrowed your new designer jacket without telling you?" said Chad sarcastically. "No that's not it. Your boyfriend Biff forgot to get the pink roses and brought the red. Don't you just hate it when that happens?"
"Hey you don't know me," said Whitney taking offense at his remarks.
"You don't like being judged huh? Well neither do I. Now you know how I feel listening to you run me down for no good reason," said Chad making his point.
Before Whitney could answer Luis was standing next to them staring at them curiously.
"Whitney is everything all right?" asked Luis not taking his eyes off Chad.
Chad just stood there waiting for Whitney to tell this guy that he was a trouble maker. Maybe coming here wasn't such a bright idea after all.
Whitney looked at Chad and was seriously tempted to try to have him arrested. The guy oozed of bad news to her. Still he hadn't really done anything wrong and there was just a tiny bit of truth in what he was saying about her making uneducated judgments on him.
"No, no problem this guy just wanted to stay here and I told him to come back Monday," said Whitney not looking at Chad.
Chad was surprised by Whitney's response and smiled. He was sure that she was going to try to do him in. Maybe he misjudged her. "No," he thought "He was right about her, she probably just didn't have a long  enough attention span to tell this guy the whole story, it would probably cut into her mall time or something."
"Well, I'm sure that we can help this young man out. All the other kids have been moved to Holfaz Inn courtesy of the mighty Cranes for the next few days while we prepare for the benefit. I guess they figured  it would look good in the paper to give our kids a good time in a swanky hotel especially since they never bother to come to the fund raisers on these kids behalf's. I wish I could have seen the look on Julian Cranes face when the mayor told him that the city council decided to have the fund raiser at the youth center since the proceeds are going here. Oh well come with me young man. I'll get you set up."

Whitney watched the two men walk away and her eyes lingered longer then she liked on Chad. She shook her head immediately in an effort to shake off the last 10 minutes. What was it with her and guys. She just couldn't seem to talk to them. She looked up and saw Theresa coming her way. "Perfect," she thought. "Just what I need."

"Whitney," said Theresa coming toward her friend. "I saw the look on your face before Luis interrupted you what was going on between you and that guy?"
"Nothing," said Whitney curtly walking to another table to finish decorating.
Theresa could tell that Whitney was still upset with her. She had hoped to find Whitney in a better mood and was really upset that Whitney was still harboring some anger towards her.
"Why not," she said following behind her and trying to break the ice between them. "He's awfully cute, if you need any advice on how to snag him.."
"I won't call you," said Whitney placing another bouquet of flowers on the table.
"Wow Whitney," said Theresa really hurt.
Whitney looked up and saw Theresa on the verge of tears and felt bad for her remark. Whether or not it was her fault she blamed Theresa for blowing her chance with Frank. She also didn't like her insinuating that she was remotely interested in that annoying guy that just left. He had to be the most obnoxious guy in all of creation. "Awfully cute," she thought.
"Look Whitney I had a really bad night I mean I've lost Ethan forever I mean at least you can have some sympathy for me," said Theresa trying not to cry.
"Why Theresa? Why should I have sympathy for you when you brought this all on yourself with your lies?" asked Whitney.
"Well I didn't bring it all on my self that jerk Frank and that witch Gwen helped," pouted Theresa.
Whitney shook her head.
"That witch Gwen and that jerk Frank were just trying to protect Ethan from you." said Whitney.
"Oh," smiled Theresa understanding what was behind Whitney's mood. "This is about Frank."
"Look Theresa," warned Whitney.
"No I understand now," said Theresa. "You're mad because you think that I've blown your chances with Frank. I can understand that, but you should be thanking me, not condemning me, you would have been miserable with him."
At that Whitney snapped.
"Oh thank You Theresa," said Whitney moving towards her as Theresa moved back" For turning me into a liar. "Oh thank you Theresa for nearly getting me arrested and possibly causing a scandal that would not only embarrass my family but but the kabosh on my tennis career," she said still advancing. "And most importantly of all thank you Theresa for running my chance with the first and only guy that I have ever felt like I wanted to be romantically involved with. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!"
Whitney stopped her advancement as Theresa was up against the wall.
"I'm so sorry Whitney," whispers Theresa. "I had no idea."
"That's because you are so selfish, and so focused on yourself. Do me a favor Theresa. The next time that you decide to do anything and want to ask for my help don't" said Whitney.
"Fine," said Theresa crying now. "I won't, but I really am sorry."
"So am I Theresa," said Whitney. "So am I."

Noah Bennett looked outside the window of the black Jaguar he was riding in and couldn't help but feel a since of dread as he turned on his street corner. He had wanted to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with Sandy and their friends up at Sandy's folks ski cabin in Vermont, but his mom, ever the happy homemaker, talked so much about how much she was looking forward to having him home for the holidays that he just couldn't break her heart by not coming, even if it met that the beautiful Sandy was going to have to drive on in her Jaguar alone. He looked at Sandy and smiled. The two of them had become really close friends. There was a time that they thought about becoming more then that but better sense prevailed and they decided that they were better off friends and all their flirting was reduced to mild innuendoes and flirtacious kisses. Sandy stopped in front of the Bennett house and smiled when she noticed Noah looking at her..
"So this is your place huh? Its very quaint." she said still smiling.
"Is that rich people speak for what a dump?" he asked smiling.
"No," said Sandy leaning over to kiss him. "That's rich people speak for you have a very nice home. I would much rather live in a cozy little house like yours then the mausoleum that passes for my house. Do you know that I'm not allowed to touch anything in that place. I hate it."
"Well you've obviously never had to live in a house full of women with one bathroom," said Noah smiling.
"Scary," said Sandy kissing the handsome young man again.
"I'll tell you what let's trade houses. I'll live at your place and you live at mine," he said stroking Sandy's hair.
"I have a better idea why don't we live in mine together," said Sandy playfully.
"Won't your folks mind," said Noah playing alone with Sandy's flirtatious conversations.
"Noah, I live in a 100 room mansion they don't even have to know," she said.
"Let me grab my stuff I'll be right back," he laughed.
"I'm going to miss you," she said sincerely. "I was really hoping that you'd come along kind of the last hurrah before you leave us forever."
"I wanted to but you know my mom has a thing about having the family home for the holidays, besides you'll hardly miss me."
"Oh I'll miss you all right," she said.
"Have you told your parents that you're not going back yet after the semester is over?" she asked her face suddenly filled with concern.
"No and I'm not looking forward to it." he said solemnly.
"Are you going to tell them what happened?' she asked watching his face very closely for his reaction.
"I can't," said Noah staring out of the window. "They wouldn't understand."
"Well I'm sure it will be ok," she said trying to lighten his mood. "Just turn on that famous Noah Bennett charm and your parents will be putty in your gorgeous hands," she said raising her hands to his mouth.
"Careful love you're stroking my ego," he smiled.
"That's not all I'd like to stroke," she said smiling salaciously.
"Ok," said Noah reaching in the back and grabbing his things. "On that note I'm out of here."
"You know," said Sandy grabbing him before he left her car. "One of these days some lucky young lady is going to snag your heart and you won't be so quick to always run away."
"Well," he said kissing her as he got out of the car. "For that to ever happen she would have to be as beautiful as you and that would be impossible."
"Take care Bennett," smiled Sandy as he closed the door.
Noah watched Sandy and sighed thinking of the lost chance with her. "Oh well," he thought. "Maybe its better that we just stayed friendly and still didn't cross some lines. That only thing that brings is trouble." He put his key in the door and walked into the house. Everything looked exactly as he left it and he found that to be extremely comforting. "Honies I'm home," he said dropping his stuff down. And anticipating the onslaught of happy relatives. Yep despite everything it was good to be home.
 

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