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#Head Over Feet

A Therox Series

Disclaimer: I don't own Passions, or any of its related characters. The song used in this story is Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette.

Summary: Theresa's anguish about Antonio's death has sent her into a depression. Fox decides to take care of her and in the midst they discover that their feelings for each other are growing. Can they find each other, or will former flames rekindle old feelings?

You treat me like

I'm a princess

I'm not use to lying in bed

You ask how my days was…

You've already won me over

Theresa slowly crept along Harmony's shopping district. She was attempting to buy the bare necessities for herself- toothpaste, deodorant, body wash… She hadn't left her apartment in two weeks. Antonio's death had struck her hard and she was depressed, even on the brink of suicide. The combination of pre-partum depression and his death had sent her spiraling into a deep, severe depression. Luis and Miguel would come to her apartment and check up on her and the baby. They would try to get her to eat, bringing her treasured arroz con pollo, but she refused to eat. When she went into labor a few days after Antonio's death, she had great difficulty even dialing her doctor and then Fox, to take her to the hospital.

When she finally reached the hospital, she started to cry hysterically. She was so upset, that the doctors had to sedate her and give her a C-section to remove the little boy she would ultimately call Conner. When she finally woke up, she immediately asked to see her child. She looked into his large brown eyes and fell in love with her son. There was an instant connection between them, a connection only experienced between mother and child. Theresa loved motherhood. It fit her so perfectly. Her overwhelming love was a perfect fit for children, who desired and truly needed attention and care all the time. Although she wanted to take Conner home with her, she knew she wasn't ready to take care of him the way she should quite yet. Before she could take care of Conner, she would need to take care of herself.

She decided to give Conner to Luis and Sheridan for a few weeks, while she began to deal with her grief and her depression. Sadly enough, for the last two weeks she hadn't made any progress, as she remained in her bedroom eating tubs of hot fudge ice cream. Today, though, she had finally taken a long, hot shower, had brushed her untamed locks, and had gotten dressed. She figured it was time for her to get some fresh air and rejoin the living.

Being outside, Theresa had a hard time holding her head up. She felt an inexplicable embarrassment and guilt. Most of all, though, Theresa felt lost. She felt as though she had no direction in her life. When she was younger, she had been so ambitious. She wondered what happened to that wide-eyed girl she once was; the one who would never give up. She knew what had killed that seemingly endless optimism- Ethan. Ethan had taken a piece of her soul away when he left her for Gwen. He was the man of her life. He was the only love she had experienced. She overcame so many obstacles to finally be in his arms. Somehow, their love was lost in the midst of things that Theresa herself could not control. Despite her faults, she had expected Ethan to be devoted to their relationship. Sadly, Theresa was the only one truly devoted to their love and that wasn't going to work. Love had to be reciprocate, she thought. When she realized how one-sided their relationship became near its end, she gave up on ever rekindling it. That didn't prevent her from still loving him and feeling a heart-wrenching pain as Gwen came back into his life.

Absentmindedly, Theresa had drifted into the middle of the crowded street. She was not aware of the bustling energy of the district. Theresa was in her own world, deep in thought. Suddenly, she was rammed into by a broad, masculine shoulder. Theresa fell awkwardly, twisting her ankle in the process. She fell on her hands, scraping them against the cement. She yelped out in pain. A familiar voice cried out his apologies.

"Theresa! I'm so sorry. Leave it up to Fox to injure someone."

Fox bent down to where Theresa sat on the ground. She dress had gotten torn as a result of the fall and her stiletto heel had broken in half. She looked completely disheveled, but to Fox, she looked sort of cute. He couldn't help but smile.

"Fox," Theresa call back, surprised to see him there. "Hi…"

"Hi," Fox said as he gave her a wide grin. He was so happy to see her out. Theresa smiled back, forgetting for an instant the nagging pain coming from her swollen ankle. People were staring at them as they passed them.

"Let me pick you up there," Fox told Theresa, realizing the inconvenience that they were causing other pedestrians. Fox got Theresa up on her feet. He noticed her wince in pain as she applied some pressure to her ankle. "Uh oh," Fox said concerned.

Theresa didn't want any attention right now, even if it was necessary. "I'm fine Fox," Theresa replied, dusting off her dress. "Just a little scraped up." Theresa began to limp to a storefront, looking to lean on a wall for some support. Fox was right behind her, making sure she didn't fall.

He knew Theresa by now and he absolutely knew she was in a great deal of pain.

"Look, you're limping. I'm taking you to the hospital," Fox said to Theresa, determined.

Just as determined, Theresa explained that there was no way she was going. "Look Fox, I'm not going and that final. You can't make me," she whined with a pout.

Fox grinned knowing he had the upper hand in this situation. "Yes I can. What if I were to carry you?"

"You wouldn't!" Theresa looked indignant.

"Try me."

Fox picked her up off the ground and cradled her in his arm. Despite of all of Theresa's trash talk, she offered little resistance. After all, it was nice having someone take care of you.

-XXX-

Eve carried Theresa's chart to the outpatient wing. Her left ankle was sprained, and she had fractured her foot. It was obvious that she was not going to be able to be on her feet for the next six to eight weeks, perhaps even longer. Besides that, Eve discovered that Theresa was severely dehydrated, and was administering her some fluids through an IV.

She entered Theresa's room, where Fox sat by her in a chair, playing a card game with her.

"Hello Theresa," greeted Eve. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. Perfect." Theresa was obviously coxing Eve into trying to let her go. "I just don't know why I have this IV attached to me, is all. I feel fine."

"Theresa, it is obvious you haven't been taking good care of yourself." She looked at Fox now. "She is severely dehydrated."

"What?" Fox asked incredulously. He felt so guilty for not being there for Theresa. Why hadn't he been there when she needed him the most? "So those are fluids then?" He asked, now understanding why they had been there for so long.

Eve nodded her head. "We're admitting you just for observations tonight. It's policy when a patient comes in so emaciated."

"I'm not staying," Theresa began angrily. "There's nothing wrong-"

Fox cut Theresa off. "What about her leg?"

Eve explained her injuries, and Fox felt another wave of guilt. "She'll be fine though. She just needs to be looked after for a couple of weeks."

"I've got that covered," Fox responded reassuringly.

"Why are you guys talking about me like I'm not even in the room," Theresa said, bitter.

"It's okay Theresa," Fox said looking in her dazzling pools of light brown eyes. "All you have to do is relax now. Please relax. I'm here for you." Fox said that with such sincerity and tenderness that Theresa came undone. She laid back comfortably in her bed and decided to let Eve and Fox discuss their plans for her.

Eve gave Fox a quick, concerned glance that Theresa didn't catch. "Do you mind if I talk to Fox for a quick second," Eve call out to Theresa.

"No, not at all."

Fox and Eve exited the room, closing the door behind them.

"What's wrong, Eve?" Fox asked, worried.

"Physically, Fox, Theresa is going to be fine. Right now I'm just really concerned with her mental health," Eve said in a hushed voice. "I usually only discuss this kind of thing with the family of the patient, but this is a special case. I don't want to burden her family after all the tragedy they have experienced and you guys are practically brother and sister."

"Mental health? I don't understand." Fox had been oblivious to Theresa's depression.

"Well," Eve hesitated, "after giving birth to a child, women can often suffer from a post-partum depression, which can last for months after they have their baby. The depression can run from mild to severe. I'm afraid that in Theresa's case, it is probably severe, considering Antonio's death."

Fox could not find the words to speak.

"I know this is a lot to handle, but I think you're the only one who can get her to visit a mental health professional. If you don't, Fox, she could hurt herself, or worse." Eve put her head down, not wanting to even mention the word "suicide". "See what you can do, will you?"

"Of course." Fox was fumbling to speak. He didn't want to even imagine Theresa dead. "I guess I should go back inside…" Fox rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yes. Oh and Fox?"

"Yeah?"

"Visiting hours are over at nine."

Fox looked at his expensive watch. "Eight fifty-two," he said out loud, disappointed that he had to leave her so soon.

He reentered the room, and was rewarded with a brilliant smile from Theresa. "You look like you've just seen a ghost." For the first time, Fox realized how weak Theresa actually sounded.

"No… I'm just a little tired," Fox lied.

"You should go home, we've had a long day." It was just like Theresa, Fox thought, always putting others before herself. "So what did you and Eve talk about?"

"She was just explaining how to bandage your cuts there so they don't get infected and to keep your foot elevated."

"I hope you know that you are not responsible for what happen today," Theresa began, putting her head down. "It's my fault."

"Don't say that Theresa." Fox didn't want to hear her bashing herself, it would only prove Eve right.

"No, it's true," Theresa said, her head still down. He could almost hear a small sob in her throat. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I'm sorry you had to spend the whole day here with me."

Fox rubbed his temples. Theresa, who had always seemed so secure in herself had lost all of her self-esteem and self-importance. "Look, I've been wanting to spend some time with you for a while now, it's just that we've both been so busy, me with my business trips, and you with giving birth… That's all finished, so we can back to spending time with each other like we've always had. If it wasn't for the whole falling thing, bumping into you would have the highlight of my day, my week, and month."

Theresa lifted her head up. He always knew what to say. "I know you're just saying that. Either way though, it made me feel a lot better about this whole thing. Now come here and give me a hug."

Fox lifted her off the bed slightly, wrapping his muscular arms around her. Her small frame felt so comfortable in his arms. He put her down and looked at her. Despite the fact that she was his best friend, he had never noticed her soft dewy skin and defined cheekbones. She was beautiful. Fox shook off the thought from his head and stepped closer to the door, getting ready to leave.

"Well, I guess I better be going now, it's getting late. I'll be back tomorrow, bright and early. Get some rest."

Theresa look up at Fox. "I will. Don't worry about me."

The door to Theresa's room closed. Theresa got under her covers and thought that after seeing Fox, she might actually be able to get a good night's sleep, something she hadn't been able to do for nearly a month now.

-XXX-

Theresa awoke, as she basked in the warm, yellow light of the sun and the smell of cinnamon. She shifted to where the delightful smell was coming from and opened her eyes slowly. Fox's image, sitting, staring at her was the first thing she saw. It instantly put a smile on her face. She hadn't smile so much, since she had first seen Conner in her arms. Why did Fox have this effect on her?

"Good morning," Fox said a smile creeping up on his face to. His voice gave Theresa chills. "I decided to stop and get you some French Toast. I know how much you love cinnamony goodness."

"Yeah, you know me so well." What was going on between them? What was this weird tension?

Fox didn't know how to respond to that. He just unwrapped the goodies he had gotten her. "Eat up. You've become a rail."

Theresa put her head down at that statement. So, he thought she was unattractive now?

Fox didn't miss Theresa's change in demeanor. "A cute rail. A very quite rail," Fox offered, but it was a weak attempt.

"Oh please, Fox! That was pathetic, and as your best friend, I can tell you were lying. All you men like curvy women like Beyonce and J.Lo. That's probably why you like Whitney."

Fox laughed. "Theresa, as much as I like a good rack, I didn't fall in love with Whitney for that reason. I only fall in love with girls with big hearts and uncanny innocence."

"Like Whitney?" Theresa inquired, suddenly interested in Fox's ideal woman. Theresa took a huge bite out of her French Toast.

"Yes, like Whitney. And like you. You are the epitome of that statement. Too bad you're like my little sister." There was some doubt in Fox's voice when he made his last statement. Did he really see Theresa as only a sister?

Theresa was oblivious to Fox's tone and continued playfully. "Yucky, Fox. You and I… We could never be together. It would make things so complicated."

"How so?" Fox asked, playfully, but inquisitively.

'Well, for one thing, your Ethan's brother. People would look at me like I was a slut. I mean I'm sure they'd think, 'How many Cranes has she had sex with,' and I really couldn't handle that. Plus, Whitney's my best friend, and deny it as she may, she likes you."

Fox shook his head slowly. "Theresa, get over this. Whitney is not feeling me, at all. We're not even friends at this point." Fox sighed slowly. "And besides, even if she was, I couldn't betray Chad, even if he wants nothing to do with me."

"Nothing can get in the way of true love, take it from a true romantic."

Fox smiled devilishly. "Look how far that's gotten you…"

Theresa look hurt at first, but then she started to laugh out loud. She nudged Fox. "You are so lucky I'm in this state. You know if I wasn't, I'd beat the hell out of you."

"Right…" Fox said in disbelief.

Theresa went to grab her orange juice and she somehow stumbled into Fox's arms. Fox gave her a sultry look. "Why is that we always end up in these positions?"

"It's fate's way of telling us that we need to act on our primal urges and give in to this sexual tension between us," Theresa explained, wondering if there was any truth in what she just said.

"And why aren't we acting on it?" Fox was happy to see Theresa's spunky self seeping through.

"Well, that's because it would be like incestuous, and we are not the incestuous type, are we?" Theresa sat back up on the bed and took a sip of her orange juice.

"If that's illegal, then it's one law I'd love to break."

They both laughed at their sexual innuendos.