Chapter Four

I've never felt this healthy before...

I am aware now...

It had been days since their restaurant incident. Fox and Theresa mutually decided to spend sometime apart. They both tried to mask their anxiety about their growing feelings for one another by claiming that they both would be busy.

Fox had finally spoken to Theresa about what he and Eve had discussed. Theresa was reluctant to admit that she needed to see a therapist, especially to Fox. She didn't want to seem unstable to him. Secretly, she had visited Eve since they had been on their "break" from each other, to consult with her about setting an appointment up with one. And once again, Theresa found herself inspired by Fox. After meeting Fox and becoming so close to him, Theresa had obviously grown up. She was more open to things, to new possibilities, and she thanked God every night for that and for Fox.

Theresa had confided in her therapist, who was surprisingly nice, and young, that she was beginning to think that she was falling for her best friend. She also confided to her how complicated admitting these feelings to him would make both their lives. Theresa was honestly scared. She didn't know if she was in love with him, but she did detect something there. The way her heart fluttered every time she saw him... Well, it spoke for itself.

The therapist told Theresa that she should explore her feelings for him and give them time to mature. Before she jumped head first into things, she needed to find out where she stood with these feelings before she made a mistake that could ruin both their lives. Theresa completely agreed. She was not ready to confront these feelings, and she definitely was not ready to communicate them with Fox.

-XXX-

Fox had regretted ever planning a date with Theresa. He knew that instead of pushing Whitney along, he was actually decreasing any possibility he had with her. Of all people, she knew Theresa, and her crazy plans. If she thought that Fox had anything to do with staging that date, or anything else for that matter, she could never trust him again, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He made Theresa call Whitney and explain to her that it had all been some weird coincidence that they had all been in the same restaurant at the same time. Theresa had called Ethan as well, for her own piece of mind. Everything was somewhat settled between them, and no one suspected a thing.

Fox, had finally realized, though, that he wasn't going to do anything to try to get Whitney. If it happened, it happened. If Whitney gave him no hints or signs that she felt something for him, then he'd have to move on. In fact, as he went on an errand trip the day before, he had stumbled into an old friend from out of town. She had gotten all grown up, and Fox had decided to go for it, and ask her out to dinner. She accepted. They were going out tomorrow night. He was going to give a short tour of the town.

Besides trying to move on from Whitney, Fox was trying extremely hard to fight this attraction he felt for Theresa. It was honestly freaking him the hell out. They were practically brother and sister, and all.

Tonight, though, he decided that he had had enough with this "break" from her. He was going to visit her. And he had to admit, he really did miss her. He wanted to ask what she taught about him going on a real date for the first time in nearly a year.

He left home with the intention of taking care of some business, and going to Theresa's apartment later than evening.

-XXX-

Fox knocked on Theresa's door. He felt inexplicably excited to see her. When do get excited over seeing your little sister?

Theresa, who was in her lilac bunny pajamas, wondered who could be at the door. They were interrupting her from watching CSI. She thought that it might be Fox, but he hadn't called her, and they hadn't agreed on seeing each other today.

When she opened the door, it was Fox. Fox smiled at her, and without even asking, he barged in. "What you up to?" He asked, as entered the living room.

"You're a stiff for manners, aren't you?" Theresa mumbled, quite annoyed.

"What was that?" Fox asked, obliviously.

"Oh, nothing, just wanted to complement you on you gracious entrance." Theresa walked into the living room, grabbing her remote, and sitting in her comfy chair.

"I have no clue what you are talking about. What's with having all the lights turned off anyway? It's only nine o' clock. Have you become an old lady now?" Fox looked at the TV. "CSI?" He asked incredulously. "You've got to be kidding me." Fox hated the show. Who likes to watch a science show on primetime?

"Look, don't come barging in here, unannounced, and tell me what to watch. This happens to qualify as quality programming."

"To each his own," Fox said unaware that Theresa was peeved with him.

Theresa sighed exasperated and Fox finally realized that his behavior for the past five minutes was inappropriate. "Theresa, hey... I'm sorry. I'm being a jerk for no reason. I think it's the whole gender difference thing..."

Theresa arched her eyebrow. Men always had some excuse for their behavior. "So you're a man, and I'm a woman, big deal," she said, unconvinced.

"It happens to be a very big deal. With our friendship, I have noticed how different men and women really are. You guys are so much more sensitive than men are. I mean, if I had done what I just did with you with a guy, we'd probably be play fighting right now. Well, actually, we'd probably be play fighting, in any case, but that's beside the point."

"So you're saying that women don't have a good sense of humor?" Fox smiled. He found it mind-boggling, and yet amusing how women always managed to put a guy up on a guilt trip.

"Did I say that anytime during this conversation?"

"No... But isn't that what you were trying to imply?"

"No, and I think deep down, you know that. I was just stating a fact. Women are more sensitive than men and it causes our friendships to work a little differently." Fox didn't want to hurt Theresa's feelings; he just needed to win one of their arguments, for once.

"You know what, I don't want to argue with you..." Fox translated that as in, 'you won, but I won't admit it. "...I just want to spend sometime with my best friend, don't you?"

Fox felt satisfied with himself. "Yes, of course. That's why I'm here."

Theresa looked like she had suddenly remembered something. "Wait here, I have a surprise for you," she told Fox, and she hobbled more gracefully to her bedroom. When she came back, she handed him a yellow slip.

"What's this," he asked before reading it.

"Just read it."

Fox read what seemed to be an appointment slip from the hospital. He realized that this was an appointment slip to go to a therapy session. "Theresa, this slip says that you have another therapy session on Thursday..." He told her, unbelieving that she had actually set this up.

"I've been going to therapy for the last three days. It's not that bad," Theresa trailed off, giving Fox a shy smile.

"Theresa!" Fox ran over to where she was standing, and picked her up, twirling her in the process. He put her down, and rested his chin on her head. "I am so proud of you, that I can't even begin to put it into words." His approval, made Theresa even more inspired to go to her therapy sessions.

"Well, rest assured, that I didn't do this because you told me to," she lied to Fox.

"Really?" Fox said, smelling the citrus scent in her hair. "I had no influence in this decision," he said doubtingly.

"No... I'm a very independent woman, you know? There's not a man in this world who can tell me what to do."

"Not even the charming Ethan Crane?"

"Especially not Ethan." They both laughed. Before, Theresa would do anything for Ethan, at the drop of a dime. Now, Theresa had matured into a true adult. Love was not necessarily expressed in one's actions, or even words, it was a feeling that engulfed you. Nothing needs to be said or done to prove you love someone. When it's real, it's expressed in everything you do, and you just know.

Fox kissed her on her head and then walked to the couch. "Let's watch a movie," he suggested, in a good mood.

"Sure," Theresa agreed. She already knew the movie they'd watch. It was her favorite, Gone with the Wind. "I'll go make the popcorn."

Theresa ultimately couldn't stay up for the entire movie. Everything exhausted her now; it was part of the symptoms of depression. She had somehow managed to place herself under Fox's arms, snuggling into his chest. She had a soft snore that Fox couldn't help but find adorable. He placed a blanket around the both of them and shut off the TV. He guessed he'd be staying for the night, as he had many times before. Tonight, though, with Theresa under his arm, he knew he wouldn't be able to fall asleep quite yet. He could feel and hear her breathe, and it was so fascinating to him. She was cute when she slept, he thought to himself, she's cute doing anything...

He was glad he hadn't told her about his date. For some reason, he was convinced it be best if he kept it to himself for a while. He'd tell her after. But for now, all he wanted to do was lie there and feel Theresa's warmth over him.