A/N: This is a one off 3rd person chapter. Plz. assume that the Blue Note hasn't been burned down (why did they have to do that in the show???). Also there are two sections happening at the same time- I hope it isn't too hard to follow. The lyrics aren't mine… hope u like. :)
Interstice. noun. a small space between things or parts
Whitney walks slowly into the park, lost in thought. It's clear that even though she is breathing in the scents of flowers and picking leaves off bushes, her mind is anywhere but on the picturesque vitality of her natural surroundings. Her eyes always seem to focus ahead at some unknown object. Sighing, she sits down on a bench…
Eve finds herself in a place vaguely familiar to her. She blankly glances at the sign above-
'Blue Note'
and stops at the door. Looking as if she's questioning herself on going in, she shakes her head impatiently and enters the café. A stranger bumps into her, but it seems she'd hardly noticed. She chooses an obscure spot towards the back of the café, and has a look in her eyes almost identical to that of her daughter's…
Whitney gets up idly from the bench and strolls further down into the wilder depths of the park. Suddenly hearing a distinct sound of stone hitting water, she awakens out of her trance to find a solitary figure standing at the mouth of the lake. She turns back and heads for the bridge, which she connects with so many precious memories. Leaning with her arms on its newly painted railings, she remembers how she was inspired there to reunite with the man who had, and always will have her love. She had no idea then, how powerful an effect Theresa's words would have on her.
The bridge was also the place where he had proposed to her. She smiles sadly to herself, recollecting how he had dropped to one knee, one hand over his chest like some medieval knight.
~I would have given you all of my heart~
But they are all just memories now. Memories that never saw the light of reality. She shivers slightly, almost physically feeling the cold loneliness that envelops her. Realising that a hand is resting on her shoulder, she turns around…
Eve gazes into her cup of coffee- it's evidently been untouched for some time. Her reasons for coming to the café are purely reflexive. Because all she can think about is her daughter- her poor daughter. And Chad. The worst part of it is knowing he was the result of a drunken one- night stand. Her one- night stand. Consequently she can read the anger of betrayal in TC's face whenever they look at each other.
~But there's someone who's torn it apart~And she does read her husband terribly well.
She had once been able to paint a picture of her family. She thought it would be perfect. But it's not the taintedness of that picture now that hurts her,
~And he's taken just all that I had~it's the sheer pain of seeing her daughter in misery. And the irony of it all- no matter how perfect the present may seem, the enemy, the past, would always catch up with you; even if you thought you were miles in front. Sensing a figure in front of her, she looks up…
"Fox! What are you doing here?"
"I was about to ask you that too. But I guess gentlemen first in this case. I- I'm in a rather bad mood today. Thought the park would be the best place to mope around," he mutters, hands in pockets.
"How funny- that's why I'm here myself. Now you wouldn't tell me about your sorrows, would you?" asks Whitney, half- smiling.
He returns her smile and shrugs. "Well, I don't think you'll understand, good friend though you are. I was just wondering how dreams and memories can have so much in common, sometimes- " Seeing her lower her head at his words, he stops.
~But if you want I'll try to love again~
Fox stares at her drooping shoulders, her curly black hair, and hesitantly reaches for her hand…
"Oh it's you, Julian," she murmurs as unenthusiastically as she can. Heaven knows why, but she feels relieved at his presence.
"Hmm. You don't want to see me, do you?" he asks quietly, glancing at her face.
"No. Not that it's my business whatsoever, but are you here for any particular reason?" she inquires, avoiding his eyes but indicating a chair in front of her.
"No. Just came here for old times' sake. It can be such an ideal retreat sometimes. Somewhere you can just sit, and wonder why the hell things are what they are," he replies, accepting the seat. He gazes at her, empathy clearly showing in his eyes. She looks up at him tearfully,
~Baby, I'll try to love again but I know~and his hand instantly seeks hers…
Whitney clutches his hand, tears steadily running down her face.
"Whitney- " he breathes, gathering her to him in a firm embrace. She rests her head on his chest and weeps silently, shoulders shuddering with grief.
~The first cut is the deepest~He kisses her head softly and she slowly stops crying and looks at him…
"Eve, Eve, I can't bear to see you in such pain. It hurts me to see you hurting, you know," he whispers lowly. He wipes her tears away, one arm still around her, not wanting to let go.
~Baby I know the first cut is the deepest~
"Please tell me Julian, is it our son that nearly got married to my daughter?"
He doesn't answer at once, but their faces close in on one another, his eyes fixed on her quivering lips…
"Do you really want to know, Whitney?" mutters Fox, wanting this distance between them to disappear.
~But when it comes to being lucky he's cursed~
He lets his finger caress her mouth lightly and watches her in fascination as she closes her eyes…
"God, do you know what you do to me, Eve?" he asks hoarsely, proceeding to brush his lips on her cheek. She makes a slight sound, but is unresisting under his touch.
~When it comes to loving me he's worst …~
"Fox-" she murmurs, but he abruptly arrests her mouth with his own, kissing her as though he'll never get the chance again. She gasps at the ferocity of his passionate kiss, and begins to pull away…
"I love you, Eve."
"No Fox, please don't!" pleads Whitney, running a hand through his golden brown hair.
"We both know this isn't going to get us anywhere!" says Eve firmly, taking a deep breath.
"It would have! It would have, Eve, if only you didn't get married to that- that TC!" he retorts, grabbing her arms.
~I still want you by my side~"But why would you love me …?"
"You're beautiful. I absolutely adore your beautiful brown eyes, and I love the way your hair moves around your shoulders. I love everything about you. You're the prettiest thing alive in this world, Whitney-"
"That's not love, Fox. You know it's not…"
~Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried…~
"I love you more than you know! Do you think I could ever have felt anything real for Ivy or that disgusting whore of a woman- Rebecca? I don't care what anyone will think, I'll always love you Dr Russell!"
~And I'm sure going to give you a try~
"No Julian, I think it's desire you feel, not love-" Eve starts to explain, her mind frantic…
"There's a line drawn between love and desire. And even if you care for me, you know which one you're feeling for me…"
~And if you want I'll try to love again~
"But sometimes, that line can be so fine; I don't know the difference when it comes to you, Whit-" whispers Fox, his voice almost lost in the breeze of the fast arriving night…
"I'd better go now, Julian. The girls might be worried. It's getting dark and I promised them I'll be home before eight today-"
~Baby, I'll try to love again but I know~"This isn't the end of it, Eve. Please remember that. You can do home to that hypocritic, creeping husband of yours, and ask him why he didn't tell you about the affair he had with your sister 24 years ago. When you were still married. Then ask yourself whether he had truly loved you at all," he snaps, leaving a horrified Eve gaping in sudden realisation.
~The first cut is the deepest…~"… so anyway, I'll always be your friend. Always. I know the difference between friendship and love 'coz I've experienced them both. I don't care if Chad's my half- brother. I can't change the way I feel about him now, even though we can't get married and have kids together. Please say you understand, Fox…"
"Yeah." He concludes reluctantly after a brief pause. "You're right. But is it okay if I still think about you? If I have strong feelings for you- even if it's just as a friend?"
"Of course," she replies, smiling. They walk away together, away from the bridge and the moonlit water below…
*******
OK lol. This might not be a Foxney fic. Evian probable. I only wrote this chappie coz I've thought about doing it for a while. Just wanted to get it off ma head…
So far, 6 ppl have voted for Therox, 4 for Foxay and 3 for Foxney. Too close for call. As usual, the counters are open and your humble fast-food girl here will be asking: Sizzling Foxney, Double Foxay and fries or Tasty Therox with mayonnaise lol. Thanx, thanx and more thanx to Lydia, Foxayfan, Katykat1010, Mahoganymiss, silverskies, Maxx, Laura, melbo18, justnet12000, Theroxfan, lilly and Janeeta for their wonderful reviews. U guyz totally rock. And remember, plz. keep suggesting, commenting, and throwing sticks & stones at evil Miggy- boy etc! They really do help. Luv ya'll!
Next chapter: Bennetts have a new neighbour…guess who??? Read and find out!
