Disclaimer: I own two characters: Daniel and Ryan. However, Ryan won't make an appearance for a while. Other than that, I claim no ownership to any other characters. I simply enjoy writing stories.

Chapter 1

At the Wharf

At 5pm Theresa approached the wharf, unaware that Fox left the estate to look for her. He had fallen asleep halfway through paperwork and was awoken from a nightmare that involved her. It didn't help that he searched the entire estate to find her nowhere.

He had asked around, but no one saw her leave. So he left. She didn't intend to scare anyone. She just needed time alone, took a walk and ended up at the wharf. Focusing her attention on the water, Theresa stood in silence, until she heard footsteps nearby. She spun around.

"Hello?"

A voice answered, "Theresa? I'm glad I found you. You scared me." The person stepped around a corner. Theresa smiled in relief.

"Fox, hey. What're you doing here?"

He explained as he got closer, "I'll leave it at this. Something happened and I felt better knowing you were safe. So I left to find you."

She giggled, "how sweet. But how'd you know to come here?"

He shrugged, "honestly, it was a wild guess. But it's peaceful out here. I'd come too if I had a lot on my mind."

She smiled, "well, I'm fine, but thanks for being worried."

Fox didn't answer; instead he just smiled at her. She watched him and laughed.

"What?"

He shrugged, "okay...suppose there was another reason I came here."

Theresa countered, "oh? What reason would that would be?"

At St. Mary's

Miguel, Charity and John, Grace and David all stood inside the chapel going over wedding details. Kay stood in the hall and watched, while Simone watched her. Kay shook her head.

"This is so wrong. How can Miguel do this?" She turned to Simone who explained.

"Kay, you're my best friend, but you gotta face reality. Miguel loves Charity."

Kay argued, "so if you're right and he has no feelings for me, then-"

"-He wouldn't be marrying her, Kay. That's the bottom line and it has to be more than proof."

Kay argued again, "regardless," and she turned around to peek inside.

Miguel, Charity and John stood in front of the altar, while Grace and David pointed things out.

"I will stop this wedding."

"Kay, why are you even torturing yourself like this? It's not worth it."

"It is. He is. And they won't get married if I have a say in things. Just watch me. They won't get married, if-"

"-If what, Kay?" She spun around to see her mom staring at her.

Kay shrugged, "why do you care? It's not your business."

Her mother argued, "yes, it is. If it has to do with their wedding and your childish attempts to ruin it. But I promise you that won't happen."

Kay gave her a long, hard look and smiled. "Just watch me."

Grace eyed her, while Simone shook her head.

Grace then turned to Simone, "Simone, would you step inside with the others for a minute?"

Simone attempted a smile, "sure thing, Mrs. Bennett." She left and Grace turned back to Kay.

She shrugged, "what're you planning to do, mom? Lecture me some more? How sad. I'm through listening."

She started past Grace, who took a hold of her arm. "That's too bad, because I'm not through talking."

Kay pulled away and spun back around. "What now?"

Grace was rather blunt, "Kay, wake up and get over yourself. Accept things as they are. I won't let you ruin things for them."

Kay just shook her head.

At Beth's House

Beth satat her computer, sipping coffee. She had a few minutes of silence, when her mother walked in.

"Beth, I need some tea."

Beth snapped, "I think you know where the kitchen is. I'm busy."

Her mother slowly settled on the couch. "Busy with what? Your plan to snag Luis again? Beth, it will never happen."

Beth argued, "and just how do you figure?"

"Its simple. Luis wants to be with Sheridan. He's determined to make that happen."

"Well, he's as determinedas she is hesitant. Even now that Antonio's fine, she's still keeping quiet. That screams 'LOVE' alright."

"Beth, you're something else."

"Whatever. Keep your mouth shut ten more minutes, and you'll get tea. Now don't bug me anymore."

Edna rolled her eyes, "yeah, sure. Whatever you say." She reached for the remote and hit the power button.

"I wonder if 'Friends' is on. I love that show." She whispered out loud, "you know...Friends. What you and Luis are, and all you'll ever be."

Beth gave her mother a Look. Edna smiled, turning back to the t.v. And Beth, turned back to her computer.

At The Chapel

Kay and Grace were still talking, but Kay decided she'd had enough.

"You know what, screw it. I can't get my own mother to understand, and I'm through trying."

Without another word, she walked past Grace towards the church's doors. Grace tried to stop her, "Kay, wait a second-" but Kay snapped.

"-Don't touch me and don't follow me. I'll be home when I'm home and that's all you need to know."

Grace looked on helplessly while Kay turned her back and stepped out. She shook her head, a tired look in her eyes. She then turned at the sound of footsteps. The others were coming from inside the chapel.

Charity spoke first, "is everything okay, Aunt Grace?"

Simone looked around, "...and where did Kay go?"

Grace kept it brief, "everything's fine. Kay just left to get some fresh air. She needs some time alone, and its best to give her just that."

Charity's curiosity took over, "she's okay, though?"

Grace attempted a smile, "yeah, she's fine. She just needs some time."

Charity nodded, turning to Miguel. He had faded away, thinking about Kay's situation and how it related to two months ago. He didn't want to hurt her. They'd always be friends, but that was it. He was in love with Charity. He looked down for a moment, until Charity snapped him out of his daze.

She took his hand. "You okay?"

Miguel turned to her and softly smiled, "yeah, I'm just worried about her."

Grace glanced at her watch, "you know, we should head home. It's still early, but it's getting darker."

While the others agreed, Miguel prepared his goodnights. He gave Charity a kiss goodnight, and he and Simone shared a brief hug. He shook hands with David, John and Grace and then left. Charity watched after him, her hands clasped against her heart.

Simone turned to her, "Charity, you're glowing!"

The two laughed when Charity spoke up, "I just can't help it. I love him so much."

They laughed again, when Charity suggested, "lets head out to the car. The sooner we get home, the sooner we can fill Jessica in on the progress we made."

Simone agreed, "lets go." As the two started towards the church doors, Charity turned around, "John, are you coming?"

John smiled at them and was quick to follow. Grace started to follow, when David stopped her. She turned to face him and he got right to the point.

"From the look on your face, I get the feeling you didn't tell us everything." Grace avoided his gaze, when he stressed, "maybe something Kay said."

Grace refused to look up, when David asked her, "what did she say?"

She lied, "...its not important. It was nothing."

David asked her, "you're sure?" She lied again, "I'm positive. Now, lets get going, huh? The kids are waiting."

Before he could speak, Grace was already leaving. He stood behind, thinking out loud, "I hope you mean that, Grace." With that, he followed.

At The Wharf

While Fox hesitated, Theresa interrogated, "seriously Fox, what's up?"

Fox began to speak, "okay...its kind of like this-" he stopped as Theresa began to laugh. He tried to act insulted, "and what may I ask is so funny?"

She apologized, "I'm sorry, its just that...Fox...this is me you're talking to. Since you came back and we became friends...you've been rather honest when it comes to how you feel."

She paused and gave him a look. "Why are you acting so awkward now?"

He finally caved, "because when we talked before, I wasn't...going to ask you out."

Again, she was silent. While he held eye-contact, she asked him, "okay...rephrase that for me."

He reached down to take her hands, "Theresa-" but he stopped and they both turned as a man approached them.

Fox spoke up, "can we help you, sir?"

The man looked from him to Theresa and raised an eyebrow. "I don't think you can help me, but she can."

As he approached Theresa, Fox stepped forward and blocked him. And Theresa stepped behind him.

Fox eyed him, "excuse me?"

The man laughed, "you heard me. Out of my way, golden boy."

He tried to step past Fox, but Fox pushed him away. "Leave her alone, and I suggest you get out of here."

The man snapped, "and you are?"

Fox shook his head, "not your damn business. Now get lost."

Theresa reached down and took his hand, "...Fox..." she hardly whispered. He squeezed her hand, while her head rested against his arm.

The man glared at him, "step aside and nobody gets hurt."

Fox shook his head, "I'm not going anywhere."

The man countered, "don't say I didn't warn you." He reached into his back pocket and withdrew a Beretta 92FS handgun. Theresa froze, but Fox kept his ground.

The man smirked, "still wanna try to be a hero, boy?"

Fox shook his head, "you don't scare me."

Theresa spun him around, cupping his face in her hands, "Fox, please just go. I don't want him to hurt you. I don't know what I'd do if...I..." she couldn't finish that statement.

He assured her, "I'm not leaving you."

Theresa begged him, "Fox, please..." she looked past him in fear as the man aimed at his back. She screamed, "no!" pushing Fox out of the way as the man pulled the trigger.

In the Next Chapter

Fox makes a horrifying discovery.

Kay meets a guy.

Beth gets a visit.