"Theresa." Ethan said as he approached her.

"Hello Ethan." Theresa said calmy, trying to keep her emotions inside.

"How have you been? Are you back in Harmony for good?" he asked.

"I'm good, and I believe that I'll be in Harmony for a long while."

"That's good. Is Tony here?" Ethan said re-wounding Theresa's memory of Tony.

"No. We got divorced."

"I don't know if I should be happy or upset for you." Ethan replied.

"Happy would probably be best." Theresa said under her breath.

"You're finally hear." Fox's voice said interuppting the conversation.

Ivy's face lit up, "YOU were actually looking for me?"

Fox nodded, "Of course. After all, what would a party be without the hostess." he said fakely. He then focused his attention to Theresa. "I don't think we've met?"

"No no, we have. Remember, I was lost this morning in the mansion?" Theresa said a little embarassed.

"Oh! Wow! You, you look different. I thought you were someone else." Fox said. For the first time he was speechless while talking to a woman and he felt dumb.

Theresa gave him a warm smile.

"You're working at the mansion?" Ethan asked.

Theresa nodded, "I needed a job right away."

"You don't mind if I talk to you for a second, privately?" Ethan asked.

"No, not at all." she said following Ethan to a corner of the room. She looked up at Ethan curious, wondering what he needed to talk to her about.

"Since you're going to be working here I thought I should tell you something."

"Ok. I'm listening." Theresa said.

"If I were you, I would stay away from Fox. He doesn't really have a great reputation with girls and I wouldn't want to see you hurt."

Theresa raised her eyebrows, "Hurt?"

"Yes. Is there something wrong with that?" he questioned.

Theresa cleared her throat as her anger began to boil. She thought it was about time she gave someone a piece of her mind, expecially Ethan. "No, but you know it's kind of funny how you said the same thing to me about Tony. To stay away from him because of his 'reputation' and you didn't want to see me 'hurt'. I mean, what are you trying to play here, Ethan? Big brother? Cause I have two big brothers who already do a hell of a good job at protecting me."

"Theresa, I didn't-"

Theresa put up her hand causing Ethan to close his mouth. "I wasn't finished yet. You know, if you were really so concerned about me getting 'hurt', then you wouldn't have put me through all the agony of planning your wedding to Gwen. You KNEW, how I felt about you, and notice I used past tense, not present. But if I could choose ANYONE who hurt me the most, it would be you. YOU'RE the reason why I married Tony. I can't actually say that everything with Tony was rotten apples because I have a wonderful son who keeps me alive. I wonder why I even named him after you. I was so caught up in you, married to Tony to get back at you, and I named my son after YOU of ALL people. There's so much on my plate right now that you probably wouldn't even understand." she said turning to walk away.

"But I want to understand. I want to help you, Theresa."

Theresa turned around hotly and looked him in the eye, "If you want to help me, then stay away from me." As she walked away she felt so much lighter now. Half of the things that she had kept shut inside for so long were out. If only she could get rid of Tony's side of the plate.

______________________________________________________________

Theresa rubbed her arms as she stood outside in the cold. It was better than being in the same room with Ethan. Seeing him resurfaced so many feelings that she had bottled. It hurt so much to feel them again. To be angry at herself, angry at the world, angry at God. She suddenly felt the warmth of a jacket over her shoulders. She turned around and faced Fox. "Thanks." she said mustering him a smile.

He nodded. "Sounded like you had a lot on your mind when you were talking to Ethan."

"Yeah. And I still have a lot more to say."

"Want to talk about it?" he asked.

"Hey, Big-bro Ethan says I should stay away from you." Theresa said jokingly. She was suprised at how easily she was opening up to Fox. She had only known him for a day.

Fox laughed, "I don't bite."

Theresa sighed and sat down on a bench and Fox joined her. "Sometimes I just feel so overwhelmed with all of these feelings and emotions that I don't know what to do. Its kind of like getting a lot of homework and projects in the same week." she said laughing. She then looked to the sky, "I always wonder why I'm even alive. Like, what's so great about me that's going to change the world?" she paused and looked at Fox, "If I killed myself, would anyone care? That's what I'm always thinking. It hurts to breathe and see and love and feel...But when I close my eyes," she slowly closed her eyes, "everything just disappears. All the pain and shame and sorrow and I feel...peaceful. Like nothing can hurt me, but then I open them," she opened her eyes, "and those feelings come rushing back. It hurts so much Fox, its like an emptiness inside that nothing but true love can fill. I just call it the Painful Mystery."

Fox couldn't find the words to say. What Theresa had said was so deep and so true. "I thought I was the only one who went through that."

Theresa looked up at him in surprise, "You feel the same thing?"

Fox nodded. "All my life I've never felt love from anyone; not my family, not anyone."

Theresa smiled, finally someone who she could share her feelings with and they perfectly understood. "I don't think Ethan's right about you."

"You know, thats the nicest thing I've heard from anyone in a long time." he said smiling.

"I feel sorry for your family because they certaintly don't know what a great guy you are."

"You don't have to flatter me." Fox said humbled.

"I'm not, I'm just speaking the truth. Its weird cause I feel like I've known you forever!"

"Same here." Fox looked at Theresa and a shiver went through both of their spines. Fox had never felt this feeling before. It felt so right. It felt as if his emptiness was being filled. He couldn't be in love with her. He had only known her for a day. But he didn't move, her eyes paralyzed him. He didn't want to move. He wanted to stay under that full moon with her all night.

As Fox's mind was wandering, so was Theresa's. Was this what love actually FELT like? She had never really known because she only knew what it sounded like. Was true love finally knocking on her door? Her mind then flashed back to Ethan's warnings about Fox. Ethan had been right about Tony though. Tony did end up hurting her, but Fox was different. He seemed sweet and gentle and loving... As if in a dream, Theresa's face slowly began to drift towards Fox's.

Both of their hearts were beating, not knowing how to take in the new feeling they had found. Only a kiss could seal the deal. Only a kiss could tell them if this was true. Their lips finally locked together and fireworks went throughout their bodies. They both sighed as emptiness's door was closing. No more painful mysteries.

Theresa suddenly opened her eyes and realized she was actually kissing Fox and that it wasn't a dream. She pulled away and jumped from the bench.

Startled, Fox jumped up to her side.

"I, I," she said trying to collect her words, "I'm sorry. I, uh, I shouldn't have..."

"No. I-its ok." Fox said looking down at the ground.

"I really should get going." Theresa said, starting to feel nervous. She took off his coat and handed it to him, "Thanks. Bye!" and she was gone.

"Wait. What's your name?" but she didn't hear him because she had already disappeared. Dazed, Fox sat back down on the bench. He had to think through everything that had just happened.