Part XVI

"Don't be long Teresa, we have to catch the plane for Harmony in less than 4 hours and the traffic is going to be horrendous between here and the airport."

"You never took a commercial flight, have you?"

"No, not really. But it's not like we're sitting in coach or anything like that."

"God forbid we sit with the common folks, right?"

Fox looked at Teresa with a half smile.

"Just trying to make our trip back home as comfortable as possible."

"I know that Fox. I'm just pushing your buttons."

He watched her as she opened the front door and made her way out of the apartment. He spoke just as she was about to close the door.

"Don't be long Teresa."

"Just going to the bank around the corner."

She closed the door behind her and Fox went to his bedroom to pick up the remainder of his cloths. He scanned the room quickly before he picked up his suitcase and Teresa's and took them out. He made his was in the living room where he left the luggage near the door and sat on the couch across from Whitney who was watching television.

He looked at her and felt awkward been in the same room as her. She looked up and gave him a smile. He forced a smile on his lips and hoped that it didn't look fake.

"Thank you for letting me and Chad stay here especially since you're going back to Harmony with Teresa."

"Well, no sweat. You guys can save some money before you can find your own place to live and you have Ethan and Gwen to keep you company."

"Well if Gwen decides to leave her bedroom someday."

"I have the feeling she will once Teresa leaves L.A."

"Yeah, you're probably right. You know Fox, I never thought that you would be such a great friend to Teresa. I mean for you to go back to Harmony with her to support her with the custody battle when we all know that you hate it there."

"Well, Whitney.I care about Teresa more than I care about anyone else. She is the only person who can see beyond me. And she is the only person who cares about me."

Whitney had a quick smile, then looked at Fox's face and saw how sincere he was about what he had just said.

"It's true, when Teresa loves, it's with her whole heart. She never holds back. The past couple of days have been rough on her and you were the only person who was able to get through to her."

"Well, if I were in her situation, I wouldn't have been able to listen to anyone. My father was underhanded. I told her that she should be careful with him."

The doorbell rang and Fox went to door and opened it. A police officer stood there.

"Officer? What can I do for you?"

"Is this where a Ms. Lopez-Fitzgerald resides?"

Fox's face washed out. Whitney got up and ran to the door, she stood beside Fox and looked at the officer.

"Has something happened to her?"

"I'm afraid she was caught in the crossfire between bank robbers and the security staff of the bank."

"What?"

"How is she?"

"She was taken to the hospital and it doesn't look good at all."

Fox didn't move, his mouth was open and he looked at the officer but didn't see him. Teresa had been shot and she may not make it. At last, he heard Whitney whimper. He took his car keys and stormed out of the apartment. He looked over his shoulder to Whitney.

"Let everyone know what happened, Whitney."