Chapter Twelve
Explanations
The cadence of Theresa's heart quickened at Fox's admission of love. While her eyes sparkled with irrepressible elation, butterflies fluttered crazily within her stomach. The sincerity behind Fox's words paired with the emotion shining within the windows to his soul warmed Theresa's heart. His love settled over her like a warm comforting blanket while also serving as the much needed glue to mend the pieces of Theresa's shattered heart. The burden of grief Theresa had been carrying finally dropped away and freed her from the emotional angst that haunted her for the past week. She had endured the unexpected emotional test that had been tossed her way and although she was exhausted physically and emotionally, Theresa knew that any additional strength she needed would come from Fox.
"Fox," Theresa said slowly as she led him towards the couch. "Please tell me everything." Her request was simple enough, but Fox's answer clearly fell in complicated territory. He searched his mind trying to find the words to clarify his situation, but instead his mind was a jumbled mess and prevented him from uttering a plausible sentence. Theresa noticed Fox's blank stare and squeezed his hand encouragingly. "Confused?" She said stroking his chin gently.
"It's kind of difficult to know where to start," Fox admitted as he ran his hand through his slightly tousled hair.
"What happened to make you have to fake your death in the first place? Are you in trouble?" Theresa asked hoping that her questions would unravel the knots of confusion and decipher the mystery that preyed upon her curiosity.
Fox's eyes turned cold and murky. His unreadable expression almost frightened Theresa. "Fox, what is it?" Theresa asked urgently. "Oh my God, you are in trouble?" Theresa whispered fearfully. Scenario after scenario played in Theresa's mind, but one image, the one thing Theresa feared most of all, would not escape her mind. The thought of ever losing Fox instilled pure terror in her heart. It settled over her slowly as its icy touch seeped through her veins. "I can't lose you, Fox!" Theresa cried tearfully as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I thought I lost you once, and I was devastated. If I lose you again" Theresa trailed off unable to finish her sentence.
"Theresa, you aren't going to lose me." Fox whispered gently in her ear. "Please, stop crying." He pleaded as he tried his best to comfort Theresa.
Theresa pulled away slowly as she wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "I'm sorry," She apologized profusely. "I didn't mean to burst into tears like that, but I couldn't help but fear that I'd lose you again."
"Theresa," Fox said cradling her face in his hands. "You don't have to apologize, and worry so much. I don't plan on going anywhere."
Theresa inhaled deeply and offered a small smile. "Okay," She said patting his hand.
Fox returned the small briefly, but the same look that had crossed his visage earlier made another unwelcome emergence. Once again, Fox's expression was undecipherable and worry picked incessantly at Theresa. "That look," Theresa said. "I don't like it."
Fox held Theresa's hands tightly in his hands. "Theresa," He said quietly. "I faked my death because I was afraid I would lose you."
-- The repulsive smell of cigar smoke curled into the air and made its way into Fox's airways. He narrowed his eyes and coughed. "Do you know how many impurities are in that thing?" Fox asked crossing his arms and sitting back in the leather chair of his grandfather's office.
Alistair chuckled. "I've smoked these things for years. It hasn't killed me."
"Yet." Fox muttered as he rolled his eyes. If only it would. Fox thought regrettably. "Why did you ask for me anyway? I have better things to do you know."
"Better things?" Alistair scoffed as he tapped his cigar lightly.
Fox narrowed his eyes as irritation settled within him. "Grandfather, can you just tell me whatever it is you need to tell me so I can get out of here?" He asked impatiently.
"What's the rush?" Alistair asked sitting back in his chair obviously intent on working his grandson's nerves.
"I have plans." Fox replied simply.
Alistair blew a ring of smoke into the air. "Those plans better not have anything to do with that Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald." He said menacingly. The tone of Alistair's voice set Fox on edge. He sat up straighter in his seat and regarded his grandfather with a wary gaze. "Why, grandfather?" Fox challenged. "What if my plans have something to do with Theresa?"
Alistair crushed his cigar in the crystal ashtray on his desk and folded his hands. "You'll be sorry." He said calmly.
"You're bluffing." Fox said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Am I?" Alistair contested. "Do you want to take that risk? Fox, the reason why I called you in here was because I want you to terminate your relationship with Theresa."
"Why am I not surprised?" Fox said sarcastically.
"I'm not joking, Nicholas." Alistair said gravely.
"What are you going to do grandfather?" Fox asked standing up defiantly. "What the hell are you going to do?"
"The only thing that will guarantee that you won't ever interact with that woman again." Alistair said menacingly. "Kill her."
--
Confusion penetrated Theresa's eyes. "Lose me?" She asked. "Fox, what do you mean?" As Fox slowly explained the conversation he had with Alistair, Theresa's confusion was replaced with fury. "He's lying." Theresa's sputtered. "He's just trying to keep us apart!"
"That's what I though too, Theresa." Fox admitted. "But, but he's not bluffing this time."
"I don't understand." Theresa said slowly. "Why would you come to believe that?"
Fox pulled away and rubbed his hands nervously. "As I was talking to him, he-he motioned towards a screen in his room. I saw-I saw you. You were at the park that day, reading. Grandfather walked to the screen and pointed to something hidden in the bushes behind you. It was some guy, obviously one of grandfather's accomplices, pointing a gun at you." Fox swallowed nervously. "Grandfather laughed and said that he was ready to give the order to shoot you" Fox shut his eyes as his emotions spilled over. "God, Theresa, I was so afraid. You were just sitting there and that gun.."
Theresa covered her mouth. "Oh my God," She whispered.
"Grandfather told me that if I didn't swear I would leave you alone that he would kill you, your son...I was so angry that I wanted to strangle him, but- but I couldn't. I knew if I laid a hand on him that you'd still get hurt, and I couldn't bear the thought of hurting you. I was so tired of grandfather's threats, so I wanted to take my own revenge on him. I wanted to find something to destroy him. I made intricate plans to stage my death so that I would have time to do some research. Aaron and his unit were the ones who helped me pull it off."
Theresa was rendered speechless as Fox explained the connection between him and Aaron Hartley. Aaron had been a classmate of Fox's back in boarding school. He, along with Fox and Dylan made up a trio of troublemakers who constantly wreaked havoc at any opportune moment. Aaron's father, Michael Hartley, also happened to be one of Alistair Crane's employees. He had diligently served under Alistair Crane's command until he was unexpectedly fired. Alistair vehemently accused Michael of making advances towards his wife Katherine Crane. Michael had only done nothing but be respectful and amiable towards Alistair's wife. However, Alistair allowed jealousy to wholly consume his every sense and had him convinced that Michael had feelings for Katherine. Alistair threatened to kill every member of Michael's family if he did not leave Harmony for good. Because he feared for his family's life, Michael did as Alistair wished, but secretly harbored resentment and vowed revenge.
Michael Hartley eventually became a valued member of the FBI. His keen intelligence, common sense, and critical thinking propelled him to success in his newfound career. Growing up, Aaron had always harbored the dream of being like his father, and once he had the opportunity; Aaron desired to join his father as a federal agent. Aaron had kept in touch with Dylan from time to time and disclosed the information that he was working with the FBI. When Fox informed his friend of his dilemma, Dylan immediately contacted Aaron to enlist his help.
Fox relayed the information to Aaron secretly and pleaded for him to help. Aaron, without delay, passed the information along to his father. Once Michael Hartley learned the whole story, his buried anger towards Alistair Crane resurfaced. Fox had shared Michael's desire to bring Alistair Crane to his demise, and Michael did not hesitate to arrange for Aaron and a group of his men to Harmony.
Fox rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Once Aaron and his unit arrived, I faked my death. Surprisingly enough, grandfather fell for it."
"And the whole time I thought you were dead, you were trying to find a way to bring your grandfather down?" Theresa asked still trying to process everything Fox had divulged to her.
Fox nodded. "And," he said slowly. "I found exactly what I needed to bring him down."
The cadence of Theresa's heart quickened at Fox's admission of love. While her eyes sparkled with irrepressible elation, butterflies fluttered crazily within her stomach. The sincerity behind Fox's words paired with the emotion shining within the windows to his soul warmed Theresa's heart. His love settled over her like a warm comforting blanket while also serving as the much needed glue to mend the pieces of Theresa's shattered heart. The burden of grief Theresa had been carrying finally dropped away and freed her from the emotional angst that haunted her for the past week. She had endured the unexpected emotional test that had been tossed her way and although she was exhausted physically and emotionally, Theresa knew that any additional strength she needed would come from Fox.
"Fox," Theresa said slowly as she led him towards the couch. "Please tell me everything." Her request was simple enough, but Fox's answer clearly fell in complicated territory. He searched his mind trying to find the words to clarify his situation, but instead his mind was a jumbled mess and prevented him from uttering a plausible sentence. Theresa noticed Fox's blank stare and squeezed his hand encouragingly. "Confused?" She said stroking his chin gently.
"It's kind of difficult to know where to start," Fox admitted as he ran his hand through his slightly tousled hair.
"What happened to make you have to fake your death in the first place? Are you in trouble?" Theresa asked hoping that her questions would unravel the knots of confusion and decipher the mystery that preyed upon her curiosity.
Fox's eyes turned cold and murky. His unreadable expression almost frightened Theresa. "Fox, what is it?" Theresa asked urgently. "Oh my God, you are in trouble?" Theresa whispered fearfully. Scenario after scenario played in Theresa's mind, but one image, the one thing Theresa feared most of all, would not escape her mind. The thought of ever losing Fox instilled pure terror in her heart. It settled over her slowly as its icy touch seeped through her veins. "I can't lose you, Fox!" Theresa cried tearfully as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I thought I lost you once, and I was devastated. If I lose you again" Theresa trailed off unable to finish her sentence.
"Theresa, you aren't going to lose me." Fox whispered gently in her ear. "Please, stop crying." He pleaded as he tried his best to comfort Theresa.
Theresa pulled away slowly as she wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "I'm sorry," She apologized profusely. "I didn't mean to burst into tears like that, but I couldn't help but fear that I'd lose you again."
"Theresa," Fox said cradling her face in his hands. "You don't have to apologize, and worry so much. I don't plan on going anywhere."
Theresa inhaled deeply and offered a small smile. "Okay," She said patting his hand.
Fox returned the small briefly, but the same look that had crossed his visage earlier made another unwelcome emergence. Once again, Fox's expression was undecipherable and worry picked incessantly at Theresa. "That look," Theresa said. "I don't like it."
Fox held Theresa's hands tightly in his hands. "Theresa," He said quietly. "I faked my death because I was afraid I would lose you."
-- The repulsive smell of cigar smoke curled into the air and made its way into Fox's airways. He narrowed his eyes and coughed. "Do you know how many impurities are in that thing?" Fox asked crossing his arms and sitting back in the leather chair of his grandfather's office.
Alistair chuckled. "I've smoked these things for years. It hasn't killed me."
"Yet." Fox muttered as he rolled his eyes. If only it would. Fox thought regrettably. "Why did you ask for me anyway? I have better things to do you know."
"Better things?" Alistair scoffed as he tapped his cigar lightly.
Fox narrowed his eyes as irritation settled within him. "Grandfather, can you just tell me whatever it is you need to tell me so I can get out of here?" He asked impatiently.
"What's the rush?" Alistair asked sitting back in his chair obviously intent on working his grandson's nerves.
"I have plans." Fox replied simply.
Alistair blew a ring of smoke into the air. "Those plans better not have anything to do with that Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald." He said menacingly. The tone of Alistair's voice set Fox on edge. He sat up straighter in his seat and regarded his grandfather with a wary gaze. "Why, grandfather?" Fox challenged. "What if my plans have something to do with Theresa?"
Alistair crushed his cigar in the crystal ashtray on his desk and folded his hands. "You'll be sorry." He said calmly.
"You're bluffing." Fox said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Am I?" Alistair contested. "Do you want to take that risk? Fox, the reason why I called you in here was because I want you to terminate your relationship with Theresa."
"Why am I not surprised?" Fox said sarcastically.
"I'm not joking, Nicholas." Alistair said gravely.
"What are you going to do grandfather?" Fox asked standing up defiantly. "What the hell are you going to do?"
"The only thing that will guarantee that you won't ever interact with that woman again." Alistair said menacingly. "Kill her."
--
Confusion penetrated Theresa's eyes. "Lose me?" She asked. "Fox, what do you mean?" As Fox slowly explained the conversation he had with Alistair, Theresa's confusion was replaced with fury. "He's lying." Theresa's sputtered. "He's just trying to keep us apart!"
"That's what I though too, Theresa." Fox admitted. "But, but he's not bluffing this time."
"I don't understand." Theresa said slowly. "Why would you come to believe that?"
Fox pulled away and rubbed his hands nervously. "As I was talking to him, he-he motioned towards a screen in his room. I saw-I saw you. You were at the park that day, reading. Grandfather walked to the screen and pointed to something hidden in the bushes behind you. It was some guy, obviously one of grandfather's accomplices, pointing a gun at you." Fox swallowed nervously. "Grandfather laughed and said that he was ready to give the order to shoot you" Fox shut his eyes as his emotions spilled over. "God, Theresa, I was so afraid. You were just sitting there and that gun.."
Theresa covered her mouth. "Oh my God," She whispered.
"Grandfather told me that if I didn't swear I would leave you alone that he would kill you, your son...I was so angry that I wanted to strangle him, but- but I couldn't. I knew if I laid a hand on him that you'd still get hurt, and I couldn't bear the thought of hurting you. I was so tired of grandfather's threats, so I wanted to take my own revenge on him. I wanted to find something to destroy him. I made intricate plans to stage my death so that I would have time to do some research. Aaron and his unit were the ones who helped me pull it off."
Theresa was rendered speechless as Fox explained the connection between him and Aaron Hartley. Aaron had been a classmate of Fox's back in boarding school. He, along with Fox and Dylan made up a trio of troublemakers who constantly wreaked havoc at any opportune moment. Aaron's father, Michael Hartley, also happened to be one of Alistair Crane's employees. He had diligently served under Alistair Crane's command until he was unexpectedly fired. Alistair vehemently accused Michael of making advances towards his wife Katherine Crane. Michael had only done nothing but be respectful and amiable towards Alistair's wife. However, Alistair allowed jealousy to wholly consume his every sense and had him convinced that Michael had feelings for Katherine. Alistair threatened to kill every member of Michael's family if he did not leave Harmony for good. Because he feared for his family's life, Michael did as Alistair wished, but secretly harbored resentment and vowed revenge.
Michael Hartley eventually became a valued member of the FBI. His keen intelligence, common sense, and critical thinking propelled him to success in his newfound career. Growing up, Aaron had always harbored the dream of being like his father, and once he had the opportunity; Aaron desired to join his father as a federal agent. Aaron had kept in touch with Dylan from time to time and disclosed the information that he was working with the FBI. When Fox informed his friend of his dilemma, Dylan immediately contacted Aaron to enlist his help.
Fox relayed the information to Aaron secretly and pleaded for him to help. Aaron, without delay, passed the information along to his father. Once Michael Hartley learned the whole story, his buried anger towards Alistair Crane resurfaced. Fox had shared Michael's desire to bring Alistair Crane to his demise, and Michael did not hesitate to arrange for Aaron and a group of his men to Harmony.
Fox rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Once Aaron and his unit arrived, I faked my death. Surprisingly enough, grandfather fell for it."
"And the whole time I thought you were dead, you were trying to find a way to bring your grandfather down?" Theresa asked still trying to process everything Fox had divulged to her.
Fox nodded. "And," he said slowly. "I found exactly what I needed to bring him down."