A/N- This chapter took me forever to write because I wanted everything to be perfect so please be kind with your reviews. Le Boheme is one of my favorite opera's and I thought it was appropriate for the purposes of the chapter. And as always reviews are greatly appreciated.

Chapter 7

Boston Opera House

Six months later…

"Oh Fox that was the most enchanting story I have ever seen," a starry eyed Teresa murmured as she and Fox made their way down the cobbled streets of downtown Boston.

Fox racked his brain trying to remember even the tiniest detail of the magnificent play they had watched for the last two hours but nothing came to mind despite the fact that this was not the first time he had come to see Le Boheme (as it was a favorite of Olivia's) for while Teresa had watched the action unfold onstage with fascinated eyes, he had spend the entire time watching her.

"Rodolfo and Mimi were so in love, so happy despite their poverty. If she hadn't been so sick they could have lived happily ever after," she continued breathlessly when he made no comment.

"Opera's usually end tragically, Resa. It's an unwritten law," he replied, linking their hands together and pulling her slender frame closer to his so the crowd wouldn't separate them.

"At least Marcello and Mussetta ended up happy. Mussetta surprised me when she sold her earring to pay for Mimi's muffs and the medicines she needed. For all her flamboyant ways she had quite a noble heart," she told him.

Fox opened his mouth to utter a suitable reply but a torrent of hard rain caught them unaware and with a muttered oath Fox shrugged out of his dark coat and held it over their heads.

As the sweet smelling rain tumbled out of the gray filled clouds and thunder quaked, streaking the sky with flashes of white light, Teresa looked up at Fox with laughter filled eyes. She loved summer storms, they revitalized her, energized her, and heedless of the consequences she began to skip and dance as the rivulets of water drenched her soft skin and turned her into a fey creature of the night. .

Fox watched her with tender amusement, noting how the rain molded the white dress she wore to her curvy body and that the water had washed away most of her makeup and had loosened the bun at the nape of her neck and as a result tendrils of her silken dark hair lay loose around her shoulders, adding to her pixyish appearance.

"Join me," she called out, extending her hand to him and unable to resist Fox placed his hand delicately in hers and a tingle of awareness shivered over both their spines at the contact.

Inhaling the sweet scent of the rain and the delicious smell of vanilla and strawberries that seemed to emanate from her pores, Fox pulled her tightly against his heaving chest and closed his eyes as the pitter patter of the rain- began to play a symphony made just for them. Relaxing in his embrace, Teresa looked up and Fox opened his eyes to catch her staring at him. Their gazes locked and held-two eyes - two souls simply listening as the music dulled out and their hearts called to one another. Lost in his eyes, Teresa fantasized about what it would feel like if she moved her head a couple of inches and pressed her lips against his. If she made the first move, would Fox respond? Or would he be horrified at her aggressiveness?

Then as if he was reading her mind Fox bent his head and captured her lips with his own and the illusion became reality. Teresa's emotions swirled about her- creating wings that carried her heart into a realm of pure bliss. The simple touch of Fox's soft lips against hers sent jolts of rejuvenating currents through her body. A quiet moan transferred from her mouth to his as her body pressed instinctively against him. Warmth radiated between their bodies as their hands mimicked each other's movements and fighting for control, knowing that he couldn't let things go any further Fox broke the kiss.

"Fox, I---" Teresa whispered against his ear when her brain was functioning once more.

"Shh," Fox whispered tracing the curve of her lips with his thumb. "Resa, you know how I feel about you. I haven't made any secret of my interest but when you agreed to this date I told you I wouldn't pressure you and I won't. We're on your time table baby. And I swear you'll have all the time you need to adjust to the idea of being with me," he replied.

Teresa stared up at Fox, her eyes bright with tears. She didn't know what she had done to deserve a man like him but she was grateful that he was in her life. Losing Ethan had been hard but it seemed as if fate had compensated her for her loss with Fox.

Leaning up on her tip toes she pressed a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I don't deserve you, you know," she told him.

Fox brought a slim hand to his mouth and kissed her palm.

"You have that backwards babe. I don't deserve you," he replied kissing her softly and then linking their hands together so they could begin the walk to the B&B where she and her mother were staying.

"Fox, I want you to know that I'm starting to fall for you. After Ethan...well after his death I didn't think I'd ever fall in love again but you have brought me back to life."

Fox looked down at the petite brunette who had walked into his life six months before and stolen his heart and grinned. Twirling a strand of her dark hair with his hand, he pulled her closer and bent his head to capture her mouth once more. Teresa responded eagerly and as Fox deepened the kiss she let herself sink into the magic of the moment.

A few yards away an elegant blond in a bold red dress watched the couple embrace with growing anger. She had recognized Fox the moment he had walked into the theatre and she had almost run over to him before she noticed the petite brunette on his arm. The brunette was gorgeous, in a girl next door kind of way but that had never been Fox's style. He was used to sophisticated women who knew the rules of the game as well as he did but the way he gazed at the brunette told a different story.

"Who is she?" Audrey wondered her blue-green eyes narrowing with hatred.

"What are you staring at babe?" her dark haired companion asked her with a puzzled frown.

"No one Carter. No one at all. Will you take me home?" she asked sweetly, pressing her mouth hotly to his.

While Carter fumbled with his car keys, Audrey's head whirled with plans. She was going to find out whom Fox's mystery woman was and then she'd find a way to push her out of his life. Fox was hers and no one was going to steal him away. No one.