Kristina helped Ethan back into the room a few hours later. He had his arm around her shoulder and was out of breath "well I guess I am not in as good of shape as you" he said breathlessly as he fell onto the couch. Kristina smiled "well I don't know about that" she said as she looked at him taking his shirt off. "you certainly tried, but that pesky net kept getting in the way" "oh you think your funny huh?" he asked as he pulled her onto his lap "yep, very funny" and he started to tickle her. A knock came on the door so Kristina got up and answered it. Carly was standing on the other side "I am sorry to both you both" she said then she got a glimpse of Ethan in his tennis outfit and busted out laughing "um anyway" she contined "I had a proposition for Ethan" Ethan looked up interested "what's that?" he asked "well, I was talked into having a high stakes poker game down in the backroom and if I am not mistaken one of the guys is cheating, but I cannot figure out how. I went to Luke first since you two are spending time together but he is out at the moment, so if you don't mind do you think you both can go down and get in on the game and win some of our money back? Kristina could tell that Ethan was very intriqued "Don't worry about the money" Carly continued "I will stake you, just win the money back" Kristina looked at Ethan with a sly smile "Do it babe, your the best" "ok, I'm in" "Awesome, just do me one favor, change first" "No problem" he said back to her as Kristina started laughing again. "we will meet you at the desk in 30" Kristina said to Carly as she shut the door. She looked around at Ethan, he was grinning from ear to ear. They met Carly at the front desk and she led them to he back room game. "Hi Boys" she said as she walked in "this is Ethan, he would like to join in on the fun" One of the guys looked at Kristina and said "oh well the more the merrier, especially if they look like her" Ethan just looked at him and put his arm around Kristina. "Ok Ethan, have fun" Carly said as she left the room. Kristina watched Ethan in total amazement. He knew exactly what he was doing. He knew when to lose a hand and when to win big. He had won Carly's money back in about an hour and was up another $5000. Ethan played them all like a pro. "well sunshine, why don't you come over here by me, maybe you will be my good luck charm like you are his" one of the guys said to Kristina. She saw Ethan stiffen up, so she put her hand on his shoulder and told the guy "thanks for the offer, but I like being only his good luck charm" Ethan smiled behind his cards. Once they were up another $10K Ethan decided it was time to call it a night. "ok fella's we are out of here, thanks for the game" he said. He got up and started to walk toward the door, Kristina behind him. The guy that had spoken to Kristina before turned around and slapped her on the butt. Before Kristina had a chance to even say anything Ethan had him pinned up against the wall in a choke hold. "Don't you EVER touch my fiance again, do you understand me!" he said with a growl. "sorry man, sorry" the guys said back so Ethan dropped him and he fell to the floor. Kristina walked to the door and Ethan turned to follow. The guy got up and got ready to charge him "Ethan look-out" Kristina yelled and Ethan turned around and knocked him out cold with one punch. He put his arm around Kristina and they left. Kristina could tell that Ethan was angry, so she took the money to Carly while Ethan went up to the room. She wanted to give him a few minutes to calm down and breath. "What happened in there?" Carly asked so Kristina filled her in "well he will not play in that room again, nobody touches my ex-step daughter, I'm glad Ethan knocked him out cold" She gave Carly the money and Carly handed her $10k of it "here give this to Ethan, tell him thanks for the help" Kristina went up to the room and opened the door. She could not find Ethan, she finally found him out on the balcony just looking at the city lights. She walked up behind him and put her arms around his waist "are you ok?" "not really" he said back and she could tell that he was still fuming "why did you have to wear something like that?" Kristina could not believe what she was hearing. How dare he "I'm sorry what? How dare you try to blame what happened on me? You happen to like the way I dress remember" she started screaming and he knew he had messed up "How dare you Ethan, seriously" and she stormed off to the bedroom. He could not believe that he had even said that to her. He didn't mean it. He had to make this right to her...