XXIV

"I'm so glad I'm being released this morning!" Theresa said cheerfully as Fox laughed.

"What's so funny?" Theresa asked.

Fox sighed. "I'm just glad to see you so happy."

Theresa smiled. "Well, I'll be even happier once I get my memory back."

A small frown formed at the corners of Fox's mouth. "I'm not so sure about that," He thought to himself.

"So," Theresa said interrupting Fox's thoughts. "What are we going to do today?"

"What do you mean?" Fox said.

Theresa crossed her arms. "I thought you said you were going to take me somewhere."

Fox chuckled. "Being a little impatient, aren't we?" Fox said as he teasingly waved his finger.

"No," Theresa said as she smiled. "I'm just a little curious."

"Curious? Yeah right. You're just impatient."

"Am not." Theresa pouted.

Fox laughed. "Okay, fine. I was going to take you somewhere today, but there's one problem."

"What?" Theresa asked.

"I don't think you'd want to run around in a hospital gown. You probably wouldn't want your new memories to include mooning the whole city."

Theresa giggled. "What, I thought this gown was quite becoming."

"You'd make anything look becoming." Fox said softly. "And, I wouldn't mind seeing your cute tush." Fox added while he winked.

"Have you no shame?" Theresa teased. "You're so audacious."

Fox took a bow. "Why thank you madam."

Theresa laughed. "Okay, so where is my fresh change of clothes?

"I have them here," Fox said as he pulled out a small duffel bag. "But, the thought of keeping you in that hospital gown is tempting."

"I make it look that good huh?" Theresa said smiling.

"Oh yeah," Fox said smiling mischievously.

"Fox," Theresa said as she gently pushed him. "Please, can I have my clothes?"

"Fine." Fox said as he handed them over. "You don't need any help- changing maybe?" He asked with an impish look on his face.

"You sly little devil." Theresa said. "I think I can manage on my own."

"Are you sure? Because you know I am pretty good at helping people get dressed."

"I bet you're better at getting them undressed." Theresa remarked.

Fox laughed. "Wow, Theresa, you know me so well. But then again, you speak from experience."

Theresa blushed. "I- I'll be right back."

Fox sighed. It felt good to jest with Theresa like they had before the accident. Fox hoped that if Theresa had regained her memories, it would not include the memory of finding out about Whitney.

Ring ring. Fox's phone buzzed.

"Hello?" Fox answered.

"Fox, will you be taking Theresa out today?" Pilar asked.

"I was planning to, but I thought I'd take her back to the apartment first." Fox said.

"Perhaps you should keep her busy for awhile. Whitney and I are trying to set up the apartment for a surprise welcome back party for Theresa."

"All right," Fox replied. "How long do you need to finish up?"

"Keep her busy for a couple of hours." Pilar replied.

"Okay, will do." Fox said.

"Oh and Fox," Pilar added. "If Dr. Livingston is around, invite him to come to the celebration too. After all, he did help save Theresa."

"Okay," Fox said. "I'll do that," he said before hanging up. When Fox looked up, he gasped at the sight before him. Theresa's natural beauty knocked Fox off his feet. She looked so feminine in the skirt and shirt that he grabbed out of the closet they shared. "Wow," Fox said.

Theresa turned around. "You like?" She asked smiling.

"You're beautiful." Fox said as he went up to her.

"Thank you." Theresa said as she instantly felt the flutters beginning in her heart and stomach. Fox leaned in closer. She detected a whiff of his cologne. Fox's nose gently nudged against Theresa. She found her gaze traveling down to his lips. They looked so soft and tempting.

Fox leaned in slowly and kissed Theresa on the lips. Theresa felt her heart beat faster as Fox pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her lips a little to accommodate Fox's tongue. As they passionately kissed, both Theresa and Fox felt their love for each other being rekindled. Suddenly Theresa felt herself being taken back. Her mind filled with vague memories. She closed her eyes and pictured a beach. She could almost feel the rough sand against her skin, and smell the salty air. She felt she could even hear the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. She pulled away quickly, breathless and bewildered.

"What is it Theresa?" Fox asked worriedly "Are you all right?"

"I- I just~" Theresa's voice trailed off. "When you kissed me~"

"I'm sorry." Fox said hastily. "If it made you uncomfortable~"

"No~" Theresa interjected. "It's not that. It's just that after you kissed me, I pictured a beach. I think it was a flashback or something."

"Do you think that our kiss stirred your memory somehow?" Fox asked.

"Maybe," Theresa said still baffled at the brief memory.

"That's all you saw? A beach?" Fox asked.

Theresa nodded. "That's all."

"Well, Theresa, I guess this is going to happen a lot. I've heard about people getting pieces of their memories back steadily. Eventually you may remember everything."

"It's so frustrating!" Theresa said frowning. "It's like I have this small grasp of something and- nothing!"

Fox put his arms comfortingly around Theresa. "Don't upset yourself. Just give it time."

Theresa sighed and leaned against Fox. "Okay, Fox."

"I see you're ready to leave." Dr. Livingston said as he quietly entered the hospital room.

Theresa smiled. "Yes, I'm about ready to go. Thank you for everything Dr. Livingston." Theresa gave the doctor a hug.

Dr. Livingston was taken by surprise. "You're welcome, Theresa." He said. "I'm glad to see that you pulled through. Well, you take care, Theresa. You too Fox." Dr. Livingston said.

"Thanks Doc." Fox said as he shook Dr. Livingston's hand. "I've got a driver waiting for us. Why don't you go ahead and head down? I've got to talk to the Doctor for a few minutes." Fox told Theresa.

"Okay," Theresa said. "Thanks again Doctor!" Theresa said before leaving the room.

"Something the matter Fox?" Dr. Livingston asked curiously.

"Well, one, Theresa had a flashback. I'm thinking that maybe she's recalling pieces of certain memories."

"She probably is." Dr. Livingston replied. "In some cases, people will recall parts of certain events. Eventually it will all connect together. Think of a puzzle. Right now, all Theresa's memories are scattered. As time passes, Theresa may be able to match pieces of memories together."

Fox nodded. "That's what I thought. Do you think that she might get some of her memory back?"

"Sure," Dr. Livingston said. "She could remember everything, or she might remember a few things."

Fox contemplated the doctor's statement. "Thanks, Dr. Livingston."

"You're very welcome. Now, I've got to get to the rest of my patients. You have a good day." Dr. Livingston said as he turned towards the door.

"Wait, Doc." Fox said. "Theresa's mother is throwing a celebration at my apartment for Theresa. We'd all appreciate it if you could stop by."

"Well, my shift ends in a couple of hours." Dr. Livingston said.

"That's perfect, because that's how long I've got to keep Theresa preoccupied so that Pilar can set up everything." Fox replied.

"Okay. Just give me some directions and I'll be there."

~*~

Ethan had stayed up all night thinking about Theresa. "Why don't I seem familiar?" He grumbled.

"Ethan?" Gwen yawned tiredly.

"Oh, good morning Gwen." Ethan said.

"What time is it?" Gwen asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"It's ten." Ethan replied.

"Oh." Gwen said as she rubbed her stomach.

Ethan stared at the ceiling debating on whether he should visit Theresa or not.

"What are you thinking about?" Gwen asked.

"Nothing," Ethan mumbled. "Is there anything special you wanted to do today?"

"I'm a little tired, and my feet are swollen again. I think I'd rather stay home today." Gwen said frowning.

"Are you sure?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah." Gwen said as she settled back in bed.

"Well, I'm going to run a few errands. I'll be back." Ethan said as he hurried to get dressed.

"Okay," Gwen said as she drifted back to sleep.

"Perfect." Ethan thought. "Now I can go see Theresa."

~*~



"I'm so glad Theresa woke up." Whitney said relieved to Pilar.

"I am too." Pilar said. "Thank God she's okay."

"I just hate that she lost her memory." Whitney said sadly.

"Yes, but the most important thing is that she's with us now. Perhaps she will regain her memories."

"I hope so." Whitney replied as she finished hanging streamers about the living room.

"I'm going to go ahead and prepare some of Theresa's favorite meals. Would you like to help me?" Pilar asked.

"I'd love to." Whitney said smiling. "I'm not much of a cook though." She admitted.

"It's all right. I'll teach you." Pilar said smiling. "But first, let me check on little Ethan."

~*~



"I can't believe I'm stuck in a cell with you." Syd whined.

"Get over it." Latoya snapped. "I don't like bein' stuck with your sorry ass."

"Excuse me?" Syd said as she threateningly towered over Latoya who sat on her bunk bed.

"I ain't scared of you." Latoya said. "So you better back your ass up."

"You know what~" Syd said as she pointed a finger in Latoya's face.

"How 'bout you shut the hell up?" A big threatening woman said as she was escorted into the cell.

"What, another damn roommate?" Syd said incredulously.

"You ain't got any choice in the matter," The woman replied.

"I dunno who the hell she thinks she is." Latoya mumbled. "You ain't no princess, Syd."

The big woman laughed. "So that's your name, huh? Syd. I kinda like Syd. Me, I'm usually known as Big Bertha."

Syd looked disgustedly at the big woman. "You stay away from me." She said as she walked to the other side of the cell.

"You don't tell me what to do." The woman replied as she slowly made her way towards Syd.

"Latoya!" Syd cried. "Help me out."

Latoya shook her head. "No way am I gonna get between ya'll." She said. "You on your own, honey." Latoya smirked as she saw fear in Syd's eyes. "That's what you get!" Latoya thought.

~*~



"What's this?" Julian Crane said as he picked up one of the tabloids that Rebecca Hotchkiss threw on his desk.

"Apparently, Fox and Theresa are an item now." Rebecca replied haughtily.

"Really." Julian said as he read the article titled 'Crane finds love?'" The article pictured Fox, but had no pictures of him with Theresa. "According to various sources out in Los Angeles," Julian read aloud. "Nicholas Foxworth Crane has apparently found love with one of his father's ex-wives. Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, the supposed ex-wife of Julian Crane was spotted with Fox Crane at one of the prestigious clubs in downtown L.A. Lopez-Fitzgerald was apparently involved in a devastating accident two weeks ago. Sources say that her condition was deemed critical. The latest news of her condition is that she now lays comatose." Julian put the paper down. "A coma?"

"A coma?" Rebecca asked confused.

"Did you even bother reading the rest of this?" Julian asked.

"No, pookie." Rebecca replied.

"Well, Theresa was involved in some type of accident and she's reported to be in a coma." Julian said as he skimmed the rest of the article. How old is this?"

"I got it a couple of days ago." Rebecca replied.

"Where's my son?" Julian asked.

"Little Ethan? I presume he's with Pilar." Rebecca said. "You know, honey, you should probably opt to get custody of little Ethan. Especially now since his mother is comatose. We won't know for how long she'll be out." Rebecca suggested.

"I already have a lawyer working on the case. I will get custody of my son." Julian said.

"They're taking too long." Rebecca complained.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Julian asked.

"For your sake pookie. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner Little Ethan truly becomes yours and I can have my revenge on that little slut."

"Revenge?" Julian raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, you know that if we get little Ethan, Theresa will be devastated. And, she'll stop going after Ethan. My Gwennie cannot rest until that bitch is taken care of. I'm sure taking away her child will do the trick."

Julian sighed. "I'll call the Lopez-Fitzgerald house. I wonder if Pilar's heard about her daughter's accident."

"Okay," Rebecca said happily. "I'm going to call Gwennie."

Julian picked up the telephone and dialed Pilar's number. It rang a couple of times before Miguel picked up.

"Hello?" Miguel answered.

"Is Pilar there?" Julian asked.

"She's out of town." Miguel replied. "Who is this?"

"Julian Crane. Why is she out of town?" He inquired.

"Julian?" Miguel said. "Look, I don't think you need to know why."

"I know Theresa was in an accident in L.A. Is that why your mother left?" Julian asked.

Miguel did not answer.

"I take that as a yes." Julian said. "Did she take my son with her?"

"Your son?" Miguel asked.

"Yes, Little Ethan. In case you've forgotten, he is my son."

Julian heard Miguel sigh. "Can't you just leave our family alone?"

"Little Ethan is my son and I will get custody of him." Julian replied.

"He's Theresa's son too." Miguel retorted. "You have to fight like hell to get custody of him."

"Then so be it." Julian replied.

"Goodbye." Miguel said as he hung up the phone.

Julian waited for the dial tone and dialed another number. "Look, I need for you to do something for me," Julian said in a low tone. "Find out if Pilar and Ethan Martin Fitzgerald are in Los Angeles. If they are, inform me immediately. I may have to make a quick stop in L.A."