* I am not affiliated with NBC or James E. Reilly. I am simply borrowing the characters.

C H A P T E R    T E N

"What now?" Theresa asked softly, conveying her thoughts. Fox was surprised that Theresa spoke his own thought aloud. "I don't know." Fox replied shrugging. Theresa sat down while Fox paced around the room.

"Look," Fox said filling the awkward silence between them. "I'm going for a walk. I need some air." Fox left quickly.

Theresa jumped up. "Wait, Fox!" She called after him. Fox pretended not to hear her. He bounded down the steps. "Fox, wait!" Theresa called again. She tried to catch up, but she was no match for Fox's long strides. By the time she reached the courtyard, Fox was long gone. "Damn!" Theresa sputtered throwing her arms up in frustration.

"Hey, you all right?" A familiar voice asked Theresa. Where have I heard that voice before? Theresa asked herself. She turned around and faced the stranger who had hit on her earlier. "You again." She said surprised.

"Yeah, me." The man replied giving an apologetic smile. "Look, I'm sorry about before. You know, the cheap line. I just found you to be so breathtakingly beautiful. I couldn't muster up anything clever enough to sweep you off your feet. Forgive me?" He asked, his eyes pleading.

Well, maybe he has some charm after all. Theresa thought. "Do you have a name?" She asked him.

"Yeah. I'm Dylan. Dylan Banning."

"I'm Theresa, and I forgive you Dylan Banning." Theresa offered her hand. Instead of shaking it, Dylan planted a small kiss on it.

"Theresa, it's very nice to meet you too. Hey, wait a minute. You wouldn't happen to be the Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald former step-mother of the notorious Fox Crane now would you?"

"You know Fox?" Theresa asked surprise.

"I'll take that as a yes." Dylan said smirking. His eyes were a deep brown with flecks of honey. Theresa found them to be enticing and wondered what secrets he hid behind them.

"How do you know about me?" Theresa asked curiously.

"Tabloids and Fox told me about you too."

"Good things I hope." Theresa said.

"You could say that." Dylan replied.

"How do you know Fox?" Theresa asked.

"Old partner in crime."

"I see." Theresa said knowingly. "You live here too?"

"For the time being."  Dylan said. "Would you like to sit?" Dylan gestured towards a bench.

"I'd love to. If you're a friend of Fox, why didn't he introduce me to you?"

"He was probably trying to keep you all to himself." Dylan joked.

"Seriously, Dylan." Theresa said punching him playfully on the arm.

"I don't know. You'd have to ask him. So, just a minute ago, why did a foul word come out of that pretty little mouth of yours?"

"Oh that." Theresa said rolling her eyes. "I was trying to catch Fox before he left."

"Oh I see. Something important?"

"You could say that." Theresa replied.

"So, do you know who his mystery woman is?" Dylan asked.

Theresa tensed. "Um- no." She lied. "Do you know?"

"If I did, would I be asking you? Anyhow, for awhile I thought that it might be you."

"Me?" Theresa blushed. "Why me?"

"I dunno, but then I changed my mind."

"I see."  Theresa said looking down.

"Disappointed?" Dylan said giving a sidelong glance at Theresa.

"Now, why would I be disappointed?"

"I think you like Fox."

"Of course I like him." Theresa said. "He's a friend."

"Mm-hm." Dylan winked. "Maybe if that mystery gal weren't in the way, you could have him."

"I don't want him like that." Theresa said.

"Sure you don't." Dylan said.

"I don't have to take this. I'm going to leave." Theresa got up, but Dylan stopped her. "Wait, Theresa. I'm sorry. I promise to be good. I just like to tease. Please stay. I get awful lonely." Dylan smiled.

"Fine." Theresa said. "I've got nothing better to do anyway." 

~*~

* Please review. Comments are greatly appreciated. =D [And yes, the mystery man as you've read above is Dylan.] How many of you managed to guess that? ;) Well, anyhow, stay tuned to see what role Dylan will play in Theresa's life. 

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