Well, here's chapter 8. I want to say thanks to those of you who have reviewed. I appreciate it more than I can express. I'm so glad you're enjoying it, and I love you all. And I'd like to ask all of those who are reading it and haven't left feedback to do so. The more feedback I get, the more inspired I am to write. So if you want more, and you would like updates sooner rather than later please, please, please, take a few moments and leave a review. This is not a demand, and I will still update even if more of you don't review. I'm just letting you know it's easier to get inspired when you receive the right kind of motivation. Thank you. Keep the E/T love alive!

Laura :)

Unconditionally-Chapter 8

It was addicting. The knowledge of having complete control over people's lives. Making them feel powerless. It was a drug, and he was a junkie. He could never get enough of pressing buttons and having the people around him, puppets that they were, dance to his tune. Watching the pair that stood before him, Alistair couldn't help but revel in the pure hatred that shone in his former grandson's eyes, and the sheer terror written all over the face of his young bride.

You honestly thought you were free, didn't you my dear? He gloated silently.

"Now, now, Ethan." he admonished, grinning smugly. "You mustn't let that temper of yours get you into trouble."

"You're not supposed to be here." Theresa whispered, her face ashen. "You were in a coma. Eve said you weren't going to come out of it."

"Is that any way to greet your husband after he's returned from the brink of death?" Alistair mocked. "No kiss, no tears of joy from my young bride?"

"The only tears of joy I'll shed for you is when you are finally dead. I should have known that you were too evil to die that easily." The fiery spirit she'd inherited from her mother came to the surface, allowing Theresa to force the sense of dread that came over her at Alistair's nearness to the back of her mind and focus on the anger she felt coursing through her.

"Yes, you should have." Alistair responded, enjoying the show of bravado. It was one of the reasons he'd chosen her. She was strong, willful. Never accepted no for an answer. She would win, no matter what the cost. The perfect woman to produce the kind of heir he wanted and deserved. The fact that the marriage anguished and infuriated the three people he despised most in the world was a perk of the arrangement he also delighted in.

Closing the distance between them, Alistair pulled Theresa to him, kissing her forcefully, taking pleasure in her futile attempts at resistance. The more she struggled, the more forceful he became. The action had the desired result, as Ethan soon cut short the kiss, pulling he and Theresa apart, wrapping an arm around her protectively. Amusement filled Alistair at the gesture.

"Excuse me, but what right do you have to interrupt a celebration between husband and wife?" he questioned.

"You listen to me, you disgusting, pathetic old man." Ethan stated, placing himself in between Theresa and the man he considered to be only one step above Satan himself. Fixing him with a menacing stare, he continued. "You do not touch her any more. You don't look at her. In fact, you don't even think about her. Leave her alone from here on out. I am not scared of you, Alistair. Don't make the mistake of thinking I am."

"I don't really think that's your decision. Theresa is my wife, and I'll do what I please to her. I don't need your permission. Never forget, Ethan, that I have the control here. Not you. So I suggest you use a more respectful tone."

"You son of a-" Ethan exclaimed, pulling his arm back, intending to inflict as much pain as possible on the evil that stood before him.

"Ethan, don't." Theresa pleaded, moving in front of him to block his path.. "Please. Just let it go."

Smiling at the chaos and the roiling emotions he could feel swirling around the room, Alistair decided he'd done enough.

"Unfortunately, my boy, I've got more pressing engagements that need attending to than dealing with your disrespect." Giving Theresa one last leering smile, he stated "We'll have to postpone our "celebration" until later this evening my, dear."

Placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder to keep him from another attempt at attacking, Theresa nodded demurely.

"Yes, Alistair."

"Now, if you both will excuse me." With those words, the Crane Patriarch exited the dining room.

Turning to look Theresa in the eyes, Ethan stared silently, an incredulous expression on his face, before finding words.

"'Yes, Alistair'." he mocked angrily. "What the hell was that, Theresa? Why did you protect that depraved, vindictive monster! And why would you agree to "celebrate" with him? Do you want to be with him? What, do you enjoy him raping you?" As soon as the words escaped his mouth, he realized the mistake he'd made.

"Shut up, Ethan!" Theresa yelled, slapping him. "How dare you! I wasn't protecting him! He's a hateful, obscene old man and I wish to God he would have died! I would never protect him. I was protecting you, you ungrateful jerk!" Despite her best efforts to keep the tears at bay, they began to stream down. "I didn't want him to come after you in retaliation for whatever you would have done to him. As usual, I did what I did for you. And as usual, you don't appreciate it."

"I'm sorry, 'Resa." He apologized, taking her into his arms, rubbing her back comfortingly. "So sorry. I don't know what came over me. It just made me so angry to see him treating you that way…touching you like that. And to think of him…" Taking a deep, calming breath, he continued. "After you stopped me, I guess I was frustrated and needed to get my anger out somehow. You were just the easiest target. But I had no right to say what I did, or to act that way. Please forgive me."

Returning the embrace, Theresa sighed as the tears came to an end, pulling back to look at Ethan face to face.

"It's okay. I just…please have more faith in me, Ethan. We have to believe in each other, believe in our love, if we are going to make it."

"You're right. And I promise I'll have more faith from now on. I believe in you and in us, 'Resa. I love you."

"I love you too, Ethan. I always have." Casting a glance in the direction Alistair had taken, she shook her head, leaning back into the safety of Ethan's embrace. She knew that there was still Alistair to deal with, and that his return was a complication to an already difficult situation. She recognized the fact that her husband was not going to just let her go. But at that moment, she chose to focus on the man holding her in his arms. She would worry about the repercussions and whatever devious scheme Alistair was cooking up later.

Fate won't let us down this time. She assured herself. It'll all work out. It has to.

"Mother, what are you doing here?" Gwen asked, arriving at the door to Alistair's office

and finding her mother waiting. "What's going on here?"

"Sweetheart, I honestly do not know. I just got a message saying I was supposed to come for some sort of meeting."

"That's why I'm here, too."

"That makes three of us." Ivy spoke as she came into view. "I don't like this. I don't even know why I came, except that the note said it was important, and would affect my future and Ethan's future."

"I don't like it either." Gwen agreed. "But I think we should just go in, see who is doing this, what they want, and move on from there. This is probably just another one of Theresa's stunts, and if it is, we can just walk away and deal with her later."

"Well then, let's see what this is all about." Ivy declared, opening the door.

The three women paled at the sight before them.

"Alistair?" Ivy gasped. "But you're-"

"In a coma? Dying? Sorry to disappoint you ladies, but I've made a miraculous recovery." His sinister laugh at the shocked look on his guests faces sent a chill down their spines.

"What do you want, Alistair?" Rebecca asked, refusing to show fear.

"I want to help you. All three of you. Gwen, you want to salvage your marriage, and you would do anything to beat Theresa. Rebecca, you may be a selfish slut, but in your own way you do love Gwen and want her to be happy. Not to mention the shame of having everyone know that your daughter lost her husband to the housekeeper's daughter. And Ivy, well, you're the classic meddling mother. You think you know what's best. Theresa's just not good enough for your golden boy son, no matter that she makes him happy. All three of you hate Theresa, and want to keep her away from Ethan. I'm offering to grant that wish, if you agree to work with me. So, what do you say?"

"What do we have to do? What is agreeing to this going to cost us? You never do something for nothing, Alistair." Rebecca stated. "What's in it for you?"

"Helping you helps me."

"Why am I not surprised." Ivy scoffed.

"It's no secret that I loathe Ethan, and would do anything to destroy him. I want Theresa to myself. She's mine, and I am sick of his excessive involvement with my wife. This arrangement benefits all of us. All you ladies have to do is follow my direction."

"I don't think we can trust you. You aren't known for keeping your end of the bargain."

"Gwen, Gwen, Gwen. I always keep my end of the bargain. My methods may be unorthodox, but you have to admit, I always get results. Do what I tell you when I tell you, and soon Ethan and Theresa will be ripped apart…permanently. Everyone wins. Except, Ethan and Theresa, that is." He gave each of them an appraising look, gauging their reaction to his proposal.

They can't resist. Alistair smiled to himself, knowing they would give in.

"Okay." Gwen relented. "I'm in. I'll do it."

"Gwennie, are you sure?" Rebecca questioned.

"Mother, if it would get me Ethan back, if it would destroy Theresa, I would sell my soul to the devil himself. This is pretty close. But it's worth it if I can save my marriage. If it'll bring Ethan back to me, that's all I care about."

"Okay then. I'm in too."

"I will do anything to protect my son from that viper. I'll do it."

"Excellent. I'm happy to hear it."

"What's our first move?" Ivy questioned.

"Just keep doing what you've been doing for now. Ivy, keep pretending to be supportive of the 'happy couple'. We'll need you on the inside when everything comes to play. Gwen, continue playing the part of the spurned, innocent wife. And Rebecca…well, you just be your normal, nasty self. I'll let you know when it's time to make a move. Understand?"

The trio nodded.

"Good. You may go now." Alistair dismissed his newest minions. As the door closed behind them, he let out a self-satisfied laugh. Everything was working out perfectly. They would never know what hit them.

Dance, puppets, dance.