36



"Dylan," Fox said in surprise as he opened his front door to find Dylan on his doorstep.

"Hey buddy!" Dylan said cheerfully as he let himself in.

"I didn't know you were coming over~" Fox closed the door. Dylan began whistling as he walked through the house. Fox followed and watched his friend intently. "He's acting differently." He noted to himself. He watched as Dylan happily greeted Theresa.

"Dylan!" Theresa said smiling as she greeted him. "How are you?"

"Absolutely perfect." Dylan smiled as he gave Theresa a kiss on the cheek.

"Something's going on with him." Fox said in a low tone to Theresa. "He's acting weird." Theresa looked over at Dylan and watched his movements carefully.

"He's happier." Theresa observed as she folded her arms. "I wonder what's got him in such high spirits. So, Dylan, what have you been up to lately?" Theresa asked curiously.

"I've been in pursuit of a woman." Dylan replied sighing. He kicked back and placed his feet on the table. Theresa frowned and patted Dylan's legs to indicate that she wanted them off the table. Dylan rolled his eyes and placed his hands behind his head. Dylan then began humming love songs to Theresa and Fox's surprise.

"A woman?" Theresa and Fox said at the same time. Theresa sat beside Dylan. Fox followed and sat beside her. "So who is she?" Theresa prompted. "Details, Dylan. You can't leave your friends hanging like that."

"Her name is Alexandria." Dylan said dreamily. He closed his eyes and sighed again. Theresa looked over at Fox with raised eyebrows. "Alexandria?" Fox mouthed silently to his wife.

"Where have I heard that name before?" Theresa mumbled.

"Alexandria what?" Fox asked.

"Alexandria Gray. She's amazing. She's beautiful, and get this~ she's a cop." Dylan replied. He had Alexandria on his mind most of the time, and he was determined to make her his. The only problem was that Dylan couldn't figure out how he would pursue this hard-to-get woman. She was obviously headstrong and independent. Alexandria was definitely going to be tough to win over.

"Oh my God," Theresa said in surprise. She couldn't believe that Dylan was pursuing the detective that was on Lindsay's kidnapping case. She shook her head in surprise and got up from the couch. "Alexandria Gray?" Theresa repeated.

"Something wrong, Theresa?" Fox asked as he came up behind her.

"Alexandria is the detective that was working on Lindsay's case." Theresa whispered.

"What?" Fox said. "Lindsay?"

"Justin's wife." Theresa clarified.

"Oh." Fox said. "Wow, small world hm?"

"He must've run into her. She's still in town to make sure that the transfer of the Hunters went smoothly." Theresa mumbled.

"Is something wrong with Alexandria?" Fox asked. "You don't seem pleased that Dylan is pursuing her."

"It's not that." Theresa replied softly. As she recalled Alexandria's demeanor, Theresa caught the vibe that Alexandria was a loner. She was afraid that Dylan could get his feelings hurt if Alexandria turned him down. "I just don't want Dylan to get hurt. Alexandria didn't seem like the dating type."

"I see." Fox said softly. "Well, unfortunately Dylan is like me. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."

"It's not always a bad thing." Theresa said leaning into Fox. "I just wonder if this Alexandria Gray is interested."

"I guess we'll see if she is or not." Fox replied.

"Hey, why don't you two stop talking about me and come over here. I'm getting lonely." Dylan called from the couch.

Theresa laughed. "You just love attention don't you?"

"I sure do." Dylan replied. "But you know, I won't be lonely for long though." Dylan said winking. "Nope, Dylan Banning won't be a single man for long."

"How would you know?" Fox asked. "Why are you so sure?"

"Alexandria Gray is going to fall for me." Dylan replied confidently.

"And if she doesn't?" Fox asked.

Dylan frowned. "Aw, c'mon Fox! Don't you have any faith in my charming abilities?"

"You're charming abilities?" Fox laughed. "Whatever man. Those great charming abilities of yours have gotten you your fair share of slaps from women."

"Don't remind me." Dylan replied. "I'm just a little rusty. Just need a little practice is all. Hey, Theresa, you think I could practice on you." Dylan winked while Fox frowned.

"Uh- excuse me?" Fox asked. "Why don't you flirt with someone else's wife, Dylan?"

"I'm sure you could charm Alexandria." Theresa replied patting Dylan on the head. "You don't need to practice. Just be yourself."

Dylan smiled. "Thank you Theresa. You see? She has faith in me." Dylan said as he stuck his tongue out at Fox.

"Just don't get too carried away." Theresa suggested.

"Yeah." Fox said as he put his arms around Theresa. "Bet that'll be difficult in itself- not overdoing it."

"Well, you guys wouldn't mind helping me out?" Dylan asked.

"Us?" Theresa asked. "Help you get Alexandria?"

Dylan nodded sheepishly. "Please?" He gave Theresa and Fox his best pitiful you-know-you-want-to-help-me look.

Theresa and Fox exchanged looks. "You don't need our help." Theresa smiled. "I'm sure you could get her on your own, Dylan."

"But you two could really help me with the romantic stuff." Dylan insisted. "C'mon you two. You know you want to help me."

"You're pitiful." Fox said.

"Fox!" Theresa reprimanded. "We'll help you out the best way we know how, Dylan, but we won't guarantee anything."

"Fine." Dylan said. "Thanks you guys. Have I told you lately how much I love you?" Dylan proceeded to get up and gave both Theresa and Fox a huge hug.

"Uh- you're so sweet~" Fox said sarcastically as he tried to pry his friend from himself and his wife.

"Okay, Dylan!" Theresa said laughing.

Dylan smiled and settled back on the couch. "So, what's the plan for today?"

"Um- Theresa and I were going to spend the day with Belle and Ethan Martin." Fox replied.

"Oh how sweet!" Dylan replied. "I haven't seen those kids in awhile. Where are the little tykes anyway?"

"Upstairs." Theresa replied.

"I don't want to be rude or anything," Fox cleared his throat. "But, Dyl, don't you have anywhere else to go?"

"Aw, I can't stay here?" Dylan asked with his lower lip protruded in a pitiful fashion. "Aw, can't he stay?" Theresa whispered to Fox.

"You know what's he's like? He's like one of those stray dogs on the street that look at you and make you want to take them in." Fox replied.

"Fox! He's our friend!" Theresa nudged her husband in the ribs. "Why are you being so mean to him?"

"I'm not being mean. That's how Dylan and I are with each other. We jest, we joke, we get on each others nerves. However, he seems to bother me more than I bother him."

Theresa shook her head and laughed. "Dylan can spend some time with us. After all he hasn't bugged us in awhile."

Fox smiled. "Yeah, he hasn't."

"I haven't what?" Dylan asked with his head titled to the side.

"Would you like to stay for awhile?" Theresa asked Dylan.

"I would absolutely love to." Dylan replied. He got up and settled between Theresa and Fox. "You two are the greatest friends in the world." Dylan then put his arms around his friends and sighed. "And you're going to help me get the woman that I'm crazy for."

"Great." Fox said as he shifted in his seat.

Dylan grinned. "This is gonna be so much fun."