Chapter Two:


"If it were anyone else that did what you did... I'd have them killed."


Fox glanced at the young woman, giving her half a smirk and half a weary glare. "It's not like I ask you to do this every single day! Just today!"


"Oh yeah, see, if you asked me to head to the airport at ten at night, catch the private Crane jet and fly, what?, nearly ten-twelve hours straight from Hawaii to... what? Maine? New England?, and do this every day... I'd kill you personally!"


Fox turned to little Ethan, still in his crib, yet now staring at the strange young lady sitting on Fox's bed. The way that little Ethan was staring, and the way the morning sunlight seemed to sparkle down on the young woman, it made her almost angelic despite her devilish attitude. To the little boy, "Don't mind auntie Maile, little one. She's not always this cranky." He paused, then glanced at Maile. "Let me guess, you're failing your Social Studies courses in college as well?"


Nineteen year old Maile James childishly stuck her tongue out at Fox, which earned her hair to be ruffled by him. "I swear to God, if you weren't paying me to do this..."


"You wouldn't be my friend?" He winked, turning back to the task before him, which was packing his suitcase.


"No, I'd still be your friend. I mean, after all, I'm in your debt for putting that bitch in her place..." Maile suddenly turned to little Ethan, who was still staring at her. Quickly apologizing, "Sorry, big guy. You're not allowed to say or hear those words until your eighteen, okay?"


Fox laughed, "Oh, the kid's heard worse, Maile. Believe me... in this house, he's heard worse!" He winked at little Ethan, "Right kiddo?"


"Dare I ask?" Maile smiled, her eyes still on the little boy, who was now smiling shyly at her.


For a moment, Fox's face clouded over, and Maile didn't have to turn towards him to recognize the apparent distaste. "Every night, the little one and his mother subject themselves to hearing the type of noises that could only be heard on a Tommy Lee-Pamela Anderson home video... so believe me, he's heard far worse."


"Poor baby," Maile spoke, though it could be either towards little Ethan or Fox. This time, towards Fox though her eyes were still on little Ethan. "Is it just me, or does this kid remind you of someone..."


Fox stiffened up a bit, though shrugged it off and continued packing the rest of the bags. "What do you mean?"


"You know what I mean, Foxworth. I haven't seen what his mother looks like, but I can certainly see a lot of his father in him. He even has Julian's nose!"


Fox gave Maile this look, "So do I... what's your point?"


Maile finally turned towards Fox, a knowing smirk on her youthful face. Her brown eyes glimmered as she asked, "How long are you gonna play this game, Fox?"


Returning the smirk, he playfully touched her nose as he replied, "For as long as I can until I finally win!"


"And so you hired me to be a player on your team, huh?"


"That's right, Rugrat." He smiled, using the nickname he bestowed upon his young raven haired friend. "Not only because I trust you, but because I know Theresa and Junior will trust you as well."


"Not to mention that I know Maui like the back of my hand and what's better than playing a game if you're not playing on your own terms, right?"


"Now you see why I love having you as my friend? Because you're smart!"


"Yeah..." She smirked, "Smart enough not to sleep with you! Unlike my idiotic ditz of a stepsister..." Maile sighed, "Byegones. Anyway..."


"Anyway," Fox continued, finally packing the last suitcase. "You're right about this game being on my own terms. I need to get the little one and Theresa away from this place, or else this will just drag on forever! You know what I mean?"


Maile crossed her arms, "Yeah, I do know what you mean. You don't want it to be like bad soap opera time where two weeks our time equals one night their time!"


"Exactly!" Fox shuddered, "I remember watching mommy dearest watch this one NBC show where it took forever for just this one wedding ceremony!"


"And let me guess, it didn't even end happily?"


"Yeah, something about a car crashing through the church or something..." Fox shrugged. "Anyway, I figure that if there's any place I want my plan to follow through in, it might as well be the one place that I trust with everything in me."


"And considering that you hardly trust and it's a rare thing when you do..."


Fox turned to Maile, something shining in his eyes that she could only assume was happiness and light. "I'm taking the little one and Theresa to Maui to not only rest, but to help them find the happiness they truly deserve." He placed the last suitcase down, beaming at his friend, "And not only are you going to help me, but surprisingly enough, so will grandpappy Alistair. With his power and money, and with your support and guidance, you're going to help me help Theresa. Make this a trip she will never forget!"


Maile regarded her friend, silently impressed by his change of character. Fox took a step back, "What? What's that look for?"


"What the hell happened to you, Fox? Since when have you stopped considering the happiness of numero uno that is yourself?"


"Not when, dear friend. It's a someone..." He reached over, patting her on the head like a little puppy. She swatted him away, chuckling a bit. Maile looked him in the eyes and saw a sight she never thought it possible for him to hold.


"Holy shit... is it possible that you, Mr. Crane, are in--"


Fox silenced Maile with his glare. He glanced over at little Ethan, returning the same smile he saw on the boy's face. He winked at the child, then in a half joking voice, "I'm pleading the fifth on this one."


"Lucky girl." Maile whispered, gazing at little Ethan, then at Fox. "Hell of a lucky girl..."