Author's Rantings: Okay, I had a different ranting prepared for today, but after I saw today's episode, I had to write about this. Fox so obviously doesn't really love Whitney! I mean, during the whole fight scene if you looked at his face in the background, he occasionally looked concerned or vaguely interested, but mostly he just looked bored. This could just be a slip-up by Justin, but I don't think so. I think this is a mega hint about Fox's true feelings. When Julian was trying to take away Theresa's baby, Fox was totally into it. The camera never once caught him looking bored-- rather, he was concerned, sympathetic, compassionate. Also, when they panned to Fox's thoughts today, they were something like: 'What a mess-- now I'll never get to be with Whitney' (paraphrasing). He doesn't have real concern for Whitney-- he just wants her to be HIS. Why some may speculate this is a callousness on Fox's part, that obviously isn't true since we've seen his concern and caring for Theresa. Therefore, even though FFox may not know it, he doesn't really love Whitney, but rather her best friend. That is all.

You guys are incredible with the reviews– thanks so much.

Going For Blood

When Theresa awoke the next morning, she was still smiling from the night before. Scheming with someone else was definitely better than scheming alone, she decided. Especially when that someone else was Fox. Then again, he made pretty much everything better than it normally was.

Humming softly to herself, she got dressed for the impromptu tennis match that morning and then headed out of her bedroom. She stopped as she heard a familiar voice coming from down the hall. Stunned, she murmured to herself, " It couldn't be..."

But as she turned the corner, there was Ethan, sitting on her couch, playing with her son. She felt a painful tug at her heart. This was how she had always imagined their future. One happy, perfect little family.

Ethan glanced up and spotted her. " Oh, Theresa. Hi." he said awkwardly. " Your mother let me in. I hope you don't mind."

" Mind?" Theresa repeated in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone. " Of course not, Ethan. I never mind when you're around."

There was a moment between them, a definite moment. Then Little Ethan gurgled and reached for his mother. Theresa laughed. " Come here, you," she cooed, scooping him into her arms and sitting beside Ethan on the couch. It felt so wonderful to be near him again, to be in his presence. She felt like the old Theresa– the innocently hopeful romantic– once more.

" You have a great son there," Ethan complimented.

Theresa smiled sadly. " Well, he was named after the best."

Ethan cleared his throat. " Yes, well...you can probably guess why I came here, Theresa. I want to talk to you about Fox, about what you're getting into."

She frowned at this. " What do you mean, Ethan?"

" He can't be trusted, Theresa," Ethan informed her. " He's my brother and I love him, but...I would never turn my back on him. And neither should you."

" I think I've come to know him pretty well." Theresa countered. " And he's proven himself worthy of my trust."

Ethan shook his head. " Yes, but you've only known him for a short while. I've known him his whole life. I know the real Fox."

Theresa tried to hide her smile, but she was loving this. It was all too easy. " So enlighten me," she suggested.

Ethan furrowed his brow, lost in thought. " One time, when we were younger," he began, " Fox and I were playing with Aunt Sheridan. She had these dolls from her childhood that her mother gave her, and she took such special care of them. Well, Fox found them and decided to play surgeon by cutting them all apart. He did that, Theresa, to Sheridan of all people. That's the kind of person he is."

Theresa shook her head. " He was just a child, Ethan. Children do things like that."

" I never did."

Theresa smiled ruefully. " No, I suppose you didn't. But whatever the case may be, Ethan, I love Fox. I want to be with him." And she was surprised by how easily the words came. She shook her head to erase the thought. " Now, why don't you tell me why you're really here?"

Ethan looked uncomfortable. " What do you mean?"

Theresa smiled at him indulgently. " It makes you uncomfortable to see me with Fox, doesn't it?"

" Well, of course," Ethan returned, obviously flustered, " I don't trust him and I don't want to see you get hurt."

Theresa shook her head. " That's not why, Ethan. You and I both know why you're here."

" I don't know what you're talking about," Ethan insisted. He rose to his feet. " I should probably go. Gwen's waiting for me."

Theresa winced. She knew she had upset him, but was it really necessary to throw HER name out? She watched him sadly as he left. " Goodbye, Ethan."

***

" You really are the worst tennis player I've ever seen." Fox informed Theresa after she had missed yet another of the serves that was aimed perfectly toward her.

It was true, Theresa knew. Whitney and Fox were definitely in their element on the tennis court, and she and Chad definitely were not. Fox, in particular, was impressing her with his skill more and more. She had known that Whitney was good, but she always sort of assumed that Fox was bragging unnecessarily. Now she saw that he had every right to boast.

Fox winked at Theresa, pulling her from her reverie. " Still, you do justice to a tennis skirt like no other."

Before she could reply, Whitney was lining up the next serve. She was definitely all-business today. Theresa knew that Whitney had a competitive side that usually only came out on the court. Still, she had never seen her best friend like this before. She was like some sort of predator out for the kill.

Whitney served the ball, slamming it at full force toward Fox, who returned the shot dexterously. They went back and forth like this, ignoring their respective partners, who watched the entire process with awe. Suddenly, the spell was broken as the ball sailed right past Chad.

Whitney turned on him, fuming. " Chad, pay attention!"

As Chad shrugged in bewilderment, Fox grinned at Theresa. " I love it when she gets all hot and bothered," he informed her.

" You aren't looking too shabby, yourself," Theresa complimented. " I only wish Chad and I could play better to liven up this meet."

" Match," Fox corrected her. " And you aren't entirely a lost cause. You just need to learn better form– and, you know, stop screaming like a girl whenever the ball comes at you."

Theresa swatted at him playfully. " I do not."

" My eardrums suggest otherwise." Fox returned dryly. A sudden idea seemed to strike him. " Come here."

Theresa frowned but obeyed. Fox turned her around so that her back was to him and wrapped his arms around her. " You need to feel like the racket is just an extension of your arm." He gently guided her right arm back and forth. " Like this. Do you feel it?"

Theresa swallowed heavily. " Oh, I feel it."

She glanced over and saw Whitney regarding them impatiently. " Can we do this, please?" she called out irritably.

" Right," Fox returned good-naturedly, stepping away from Theresa. " Your serve, lover."

Nervously, Theresa fingered the ball and then tossed it into the air. *Feel the racket*, she admonished herself. She brought her arm around and racket connected with ball. The ball sailed over the net, arching beautifully.

Theresa turned excitedly to Fox. " I did it! I– "

What happened next seemed to occur in slow motion. She saw Whitney raise her racket to hit the ball. She heard the thunk as racket and ball connected. She saw a look of complete and total animosity in Whitney's eyes. And then the ball slammed into Theresa's stomach at full force.

She fell back a step, staring at her best friend incredulously. In an instant, Fox was at her side. " Theresa, are you okay? Here, let me look."

He raised up her shirt a bit to reveal the damaged area. Evidence of a dark bruise was already beginning to form on her skin.

" You'll be okay," Fox assured her, squeezing her hand. " It isn't too bad. And besides– bruises can be kind of sexy, you know."

" Are you okay?" Chad inquired as he and Whitney came around the net.

Theresa was too busy glaring at Whitney to hear him. " You did that on purpose!" she accused.

Whitney looked to Fox and Chad incredulously. " I did not!"

" Yes, you did." Theresa insisted. " I can see it in your eyes! I should have known better than to play tennis with you. You always turn into this crazed freak and make a fool out of yourself."

" I'm making a fool out of myself?" Whitney countered. " This from little miss 'I did it! I did it!' Gosh, Theresa, what are you– five?"

Fox looked back and forth between the two women. " Ladies, I'm all about cat-fights, but maybe we should both just calm down a little bit– "

Chad began backing away. " Maybe we should give them a minute, Fox..."

The two men wisely departed, leaving the women-folk to duke it out. " What is the matter with you, Whitney?" Theresa snarled. " What– are you jealous? Is that it?"

Whitney laughed, maybe just a little too loud to be convincing. " Me? Jealous? Of you and Fox?"

Theresa folded her arms. " That's certainly what it looks like to me."

" That's just...ridiculous." Whitney argued. " I love Chad."

" Yeah, but the grass is looking real green on my side, isn't it?" Theresa taunted. "Especially when it's so tan and tall and muscular." She stepped in closer. " You just can't stand that it's me with him and not you."

Whitney shook her head. " No, that isn't it, Theresa. Although I will admit that something isn't right between the two of you. I mean, what happened to Ethan? He was the love of your life for years and now nothing? You've moved on, just like that?"

Theresa didn't reply.

Whitney began to pace. " You know, I'm usually pretty good at picking up on when a guy's into me. And these past few weeks, Fox was definitely into me. Or, at least, I thought he was. But then you say that you two are together, and now...?"

Theresa was intrigued despite herself. " Now?" she repeated.

Whitney shook her head. " It's like he can't make up his mind. He acts like he still wants me, but then he looks at you...and it's like I don't exist anymore."

Theresa stared at her, not sure what to say. Whitney sighed, defeated. " Look, Theresa, I'm sorry that I hurt you. And just...forget about what I said. I'm just crazy with tennis fever. You know how I get."

Theresa smiled weakly. " I'm sorry too, Whit. I shouldn't have made those crazy accusations about you wanting Fox. I know how much you love Chad."

But the foundation had been laid, and Theresa knew that Whitney would be thinking of Fox now, deliberating, pondering, maybe even wanting. And Theresa suddenly wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

***

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