This story takes place when Hank goes after Gwen instead of Sheridan. The events after he steps through the door are totally different from those that transpired on the show.

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Hank stepped out of the front door of Sheridan's cottage, closing it softly behind him. Turning back to the front porch, he scanned the area for the heartbroken, but very angry girl who had just stepped out.

"Um...Gwen," he called out, not really sure if he should have volunteered for this job in the first place. He wasn't exactly swimming in knowledge of how to handle a broken heart or worse yet, an angry female.

Not hearing a response, Hank took the few steps down the porch, scanning the walkway and yard for any signs of the girl.

"Gwen," he called out again, this time louder. No one answered, but a rustle of leaves came from his left. Turning just in time to see a flicker of red moving beyond his sight, towards the shores of Harmony's beaches, Hank picked up his pace a little. The last thing anyone needed tonight was an attempted suicide by one of Harmony's elite citizens.

Slowing himself to a jog when he reached the hills just above the beach, he quickly scanned the area for Gwen. It didn't take long to locate her, a slump in the otherwise beautiful sands that stretched the beach for miles and miles down. Releasing a breath that she hadn't done anything stupid - yet - he made his way down to where she sat, her face hidden between her hands.

"Gwen," he asked, not really knowing what to say.

"Go away," came a muffled voice between sobs and hiccups.

Resigning himself to the fact that this might take a while, Hank sank down next to her - far enough away so he didn't crowd her, but close enough where he could catch her if she decided to split.

A few minutes passed, filled with the sounds of the beach - waves crashing, nearby crickets chirping, incessant, pitiful cries.

Sliding a glance in her direction, Hank shook his head. As much as he didn't know Ethan Crane, they guy certainly had to be either really stupid or really in love...with another woman.

"Hey, it can't be that bad," Hank said, trying to calm her down. Apparently, it worked, because the crying stopped, the hiccups vanished, and Gwen just sat still, her face still in her hands.

"I mean...you know, it's probably better off that you didn't marry him." Hank watched as Gwen picked up her head, turning to give him a stare that sent actual tingles of fear down his neck. Shifting uncomfortably in the sand, he continued. "If you had married him tomorrow, the whole marriage would have been a lie. You should only get married if both parties are sure in their love and commitment to each other. You're better off that he told you he was in love with--"

"Shut up," Gwen growled, interrupting him.

Hank tried to hold it in, but it was just too much.

"You're laughing," Gwen said incredulously, watching him seem to enjoy himself at her expense. "I can't believe this," she said horrified, pushing herself up to stand.

"Hey," Hank said quickly, sobering in his laughter. He quickly clamped his hand over her arm, pushing her down.

"Get your grubby hands off of me," Gwen yelled. Who exactly did he think he was dealing with, she thought angrily.

"Sorry," Hank said, shaking his head, but still holding her firmly. "I'm not letting you go. Sheridan would kill me. Luis would kill me. My brother Sam, he would kill me too."

"I don't give a damn about your brother Sam," Gwen spat angrily, the tears returning to her eyes. She yanked hard, breaking his hold on her. Quickly getting up, she began walking in a blind direction.

"Hey," Hank said, jogging quickly after her. "Please, don't jump in the water. I'm sure you're a great swimmer. It probably wouldn't work this way. Pills, a bullet, jumping off a roof - those would be better suited for you," Hank finished, regretting the words before even spoke them. He didn't want her to kill herself, but he sure as hell didn't want her trying it when he was around.

Gwen stopped, turning to look at him as if he had just grown a second head. "You think I'm going to try and kill myself," she asked, a look of shock on her face. It was her turn to laugh. "I am not going to commit suicide," she told him, her laughter dying down.

Hank sighed his relief. He could probably get her back to Sheridan's and be home in the next hour.

Gwen shook her head, lost in her own thoughts. "No, that would just be too easy for Theresa. She would have won if I was dead, both of which I'm sure she wouldn't mind being true."

Hank took a step back, watching her. The fact that she had been crying only a few minutes ago but now seemed as calm as a bird on a spring day gave him cause to worry. "Look, I know Theresa. In fact, I've known her since they brought her home from the hospital. She's a sweet kid. She wouldn't ever want to hurt you. I'm sure she feels really bad for what's happened."

Gwen looked up at him. "Another fan of the Lopez-Fitzgerald's, I take it."

"Well, yeah," Hank said. "Luis has been my friend for...forever. And I love his family like I love my own." Hank's eyes squinted, as if trying to look through her. "You're not going to hurt her, are you?"

Gwen shrugged, turning to stare at the water. The wind gave a strong gust and she pulled her arms around her bare shoulders. She felt a soft material brush her shoulder, followed by the warmth from his jacket. "No," she began only to be hushed by him.

"It's okay. You need it now more than I do," Hank said, stepping forward to watch the water with her. "You know, I used to come here every day when I was a kid. Luis and I would have nothing better to do, and we'd spend hours here just hanging out, exploring the beach, meeting girls...just having a great time."

Gwen stood still, listening to his words.

"And sometimes," Hank laughed, "sometimes, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald...she'd make us bring Theresa with us." Hank laughed again, remembering the times when he and Luis had been anxious to get to the beach only to be stuck with Theresa. Hank shook his head with the memories, turning to look at Gwen. "If you hurt Theresa, I'd--"

"You'd what," Gwen said, staring at him face on. "I guess she should only be so lucky. What, with Ethan, and Luis, and now you to protect her, the girl can do no wrong. Who's going to look out for me," Gwen asked, urging the tears back. "Who's going to defend me when someone's hurt me...broken my h-heart..." she couldn't finish, turning back towards the ocean.

All her life's dreams had vanished in one moment, with one passing second, a few spoken words.

I love Theresa.

Gwen turned, running back towards the cottage.

"Gwen, wait," Hank called, but she wouldn't stop. Following after her, but much slowly, Hank wondered what the cure for a broken heart was.

The sad thing was, he didn't think there was one.