Chapter 34

Pains Of The Past, Refuse To Be Forgotten

Theresa turned to her husband. "Are you, okay?"

Fox looked at her for a second, he hated that man, he had took April's life. He had destroyed a person's life, all because of his selfishness, Daniel Banning wasn't what people thought of him, especially Kathelina, he saw it in her eyes, he saw the look of amazement in her eyes, the same look that had been in April's eyes, when she meet him, he prayed that Kathelina wouldn't let him destroy her the way April had, he prayed Kathelina didn't try to save the man, he just wasn't worth it. "No."

"Fox, I- please don't shutdown on me, please don't…trust me with what ever it is, that happened.", she told him.

"He killed her, okay, he let her get behind the wheel, Theresa she was drinking, April never would do that, she loved him, and all he ever did was push her farther and farther down the destructive path, he had turned her into a miniature version of himself, with the parties and drugs, booze, he had destroyed her.", Fox told her.

"Did you love April?", Theresa asked.

"She was my best friend, Resa, she was always there for me, always the voice of reason, I mean a many of times I would call her, because I was to drunk to drive, and here she'd come driving me or sometimes even walking me home and staying the night as I threw up.", Fox told her.

"Were you in love with her?", Theresa asked.

"No, I mean I love her and I miss her like hell, and I often wonder about us, I mean if I had just told her to stay home or if I had keep her away from him, you know, maybe she'd still be alive.", Fox told her.

"Was they alone, I mean, when she died?", Theresa asked.

"No, he and a bunch of guys and girls, he knew were up at the cliffs, it was like a 55 foot drop of with a road that was straight down, I mean it was hard to drive sober and impossible to drive drunk. Anyone, who tried it had a death wish.", Fox told her.

"Oh.", Theresa replied.

"Theresa, that night, I just…I had this feeling you know, like something bad was going to happen, I mean it was like everything she did that day I noticed you know, how she walked, how she laughed, her smile, her hair, it was like I knew she was going to die.", Fox told her.

Theresa looked at him. "Was Daniel older than her? I mean, how did she meet him, was he on drugs?"

"Daniel was 20, she was 16, she meet him at a party Dylan and I threw it was her sweet 16 birthday party, the last party she ever had, the last birthday she ever had. Daniel's Dylan's older brother, he came in for the party, see it was his and April's birthday party, April was a few days younger than Dylan, so we just had a double birthday party.", Fox explained.

"Oh.", Theresa replied, she didn't say much, she wanted him to trust her, she wanted him to be able to confide in her, she wanted to regain the trust, the love…

"He was bad news from the get go, he was a drop out, I mean he quit school, he figured life owed you know, since he was rich and his looks weren't that bad, he'd go through life as he chose and there was nothing no one could do about it.", Fox told her.

"Did he care for her, I mean he said he thought about her all the time and he wished he died, I mean…", she trail off, she remembered his features, it was the look of regret and his words….

"He was a drunk a druggie, I mean, he hated his life, I think it was about his family, his dad and mom never were that much I mean, he would never admit to it, I mean every thinks, his parent's have this solid marriage, but the truth is, his dad is no better than Alistair or my father for that matter, he had his mistresses and I think Daniel knew that.", Fox replied.

"So he drunk to numb the pain?", Theresa asked.

"Yeah, I've been there, I know how it is when you're hurting and no one understands I mean, the worst pain a person can feel is finding out that your family is falling apart and you can do nothing about it, I mean yeah, I say I don't care for them, but the truth is I do. We are blood and I'm sure Daniel felt the same.", Fox told her. "But, I quit that, you know after I found you , I replaced that drinking and parting, and I found something I never knew."

Theresa looked at him. "Daniel, I don't think can do that."

"Hell, yeah, he can't he's a loser, I mean April would have died for him and in a since she did, he chose drugs and alcohol over her, and she…she loved him I mean, I know in my heart she did, and that's why I can't stand him, I mean, he knew that and he took advantage of her.", Fox told her.

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Daniel sighed, he'd just finished his 3 bottle of vodka, he felt kind of lit, but nothing he could drink seemed to help anymore. April was always in the back of his mind, he could see her smile, her hair, it was the beautifulness color, it was a blondish color, but she had red streaks in it, he hair was natural, she wasn't like the other girl's, she didn't care about money, fame, popularity, all she cared about was him, he could see her now, he loved the way her eyes danced when she looked at him, she had so much life in her, so much…it was gone though, she was gone, all because of him, all because he was weak and couldn't give up the bottle and the drugs.

"God, I can't take this, I need away out, but, Lord you know I'm too much of a coward to do the right thing, to kill myself.", he prayed allowed he, rummished through his things, he only knew one way to escape and that was through and by his little friend, a friend he'd found early in life, he quickly got the joint that he had already pre-rolled, it was his only hope, he knew for a little while he could forget, he quickly toke a drew from it, feeling it's effect on him, he knew that in a few he would be in his own world, a world that was care free and there was no pain.

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Kathelina sighed, she had been sitting with Dylan for awhile now, he hadn't changed, he was still unconscious and in her heart she knew he wasn't going to make it, he had lost to much blood. She lifted his limp hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles.

"I love you.", she told him, she drink in his features, it was like she was looking at him through new eyes.

"Katherine?", she looked up to meet the eyes of the woman, she thought of as lower than, dirt, yeah, she was happy that her father had her back in her life, but the question was how long? Was Eve going to give up her husband TC for Julian? She also, blamed her and Sam Bennett for her parent's unhappy marriage.

"I need to check his vitals.", Eve told her, she nodded.

"I'll leave, I need to check on Ethan, anyhow.", she told her, then turned and left.

She and Ethan hadn't been that close in life, in there youth, yeah, but since she had returned to Harmony, they hadn't seen eye to eye on things, namely Fox, but the fact remained he was her brother, her blood.

"Kathelina?", she heard someone call her name, she turned to meet the eyes of her oldest full sibling, Fox, he was about the last person, she wanted to talk to now, she found it unfair the way he had spoken to Daniel about the terrible tragedy that both had experienced concerning April.

"Nicholas…",she began, turning to him with angry eyes.

"I know you're mad at me and….", he began.

"Fox, if you are here about Daniel, then you're wasting your time. I'm not remotely interested in your stories about how evil of a person he is. I hardly know him and I don't think it's right to judge him based on what you say about him. Everyone, has there opinions about stuff and let me remind you that not everyone see you as such a nice guy.", she told him.

"Kat, he's trouble okay. He only knows pain, he can never bring anyone nothing but, pain. If you get close to him it will only in in heartache and pain for you.", he told her.

"Foxworth, how bad can he be? I mean, he doesn't seem all that dangerous to me. Yeah, my first impression of him, wasn't all that good, neither was my first impression of a lot of people, Gwen, Dylan, and you know how I feel about Dylan, I love him more than anything.", she told him.

"Kat, you've known Dylan all your life, You know not one thing about Daniel Banning.", Fox told her.

"Yeah, well I know this much, he's been through a deal of pain, I saw that tonight, in his words, but more in his eyes. I see nothing, but a open wound when I see him, especially if the name April is mentioned.

"It ain't your place to make him better. To take away the pain.", Fox told her.

"Fox everyone needs someone, everyone needs a friend.", Kathelina told him.

"Well, be careful, okay. If he gets al little crazy, you leave.", Fox told her, she nodded.

"Fox I can handle him.", Kathelina told him.

"By crazy, I mean, he starts a drinking heavily or is going to some keg and wants you to join him.

"Nick, I ain't going to do anything stupid, okay. I would never do something I don't believe in.", she told him.

"I hope so, cause having something happen to you would kill me, it's bad enough he took her from me, you know having him around makes her death so real, so painful. I know you hate me for saying this, but I can't help but, blame him, it's the only way I can see it, I mean, if not him, she'd be alive. Kat, it wasn't like her to drink, party, you know she use to preach to me and Dylan about it all the time, saying we were wasting our money and killing ourselves slowly with it.", Fox told her.

"And, you were.", Kathelina told him, giving him a small smile.

Fox smiled at her. "No doubt, but back to what I was saying, Kathelina, he's messed up, he's beyond fixable, so don't try, I mean, he maybe come off as a okay guy, and he may be, but, the fact remains, he's too broken and if you try to fix him, you'll only end up hurt or even worse dead. And, I can see it in your eyes you're drawn to him, and right now, I'm sure he's trying his damn best to stay away from you. He's saying you're too young or that all he wants is some action, or what not. But, there's going to come a time when he can't take it no more, he will have you.", Fox told her.

"Fox, I love Dylan, okay. I'm not interested in Daniel, okay.", Kathelina told him.

"Good, the only thing he's going to do is turn you into a miniature version of him, with the drinking a parting.", Fox told her.

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"Whitney, hey .", Theresa greeted.

"T, what's up? Are you feeling, okay? I ain't seen you this happy in forever, is Dylan awake, or Ethan?", Whitney asked.

"No, they haven't gotten any better or worse, since they arrived, but I do have some good news times 3.", Theresa told her.

"Okay, spill.", Whitney told her.

"Well, Fox is through with Sam, which means there is hope for us, and he's also, dropped the custody case, I still feel like he's mad at me, but I don't know why, but for now, I'm just happy that Samantha has no effect on him and you'll never guess who I ran into?", Theresa gushed.

"I don't know, who?", Whitney asked.

"Come on Whit, guess.", Theresa told her.

"I don't know, Daniel Banning, don't ask, how I know him, Gwen's called me all day, talking about him, she says he's mighty fine.", Whitney told her.

"Yeah, well I know him, and I don't think…", Theresa began.

"Gwen's going to try to get to know him, well she heard through the grapevine, he was into blondes and all, so I kind of told her to go introduce herself.", Whitney told her.

"That's great, it's about time Gwen, got out on the date scene again.", Theresa replied, he mind drifted back to Kathelina, the girl was attracted to Daniel. 'This maybe a good thing, if Kathelina, sees he's took she won't be interested and besides she loves Dylan.'

"Ain't it, I mean, Gwen needs a man, she needs happiness.", Whitney told her. "Oh, and who did you see?"

"Noah, he's here he's in town.", Theresa told her.

"Did I hear my name?", he asked, running over to Whitney and Theresa.

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Daniel got to his feet he felt the drug begin to weave it's magic spell on him, he felt as if he could fly. He walked out of the bedroom into the living room, taking a seat on the couch. His eyes, roamed the room, it was comfortable, then he caught something, interesting, he hadn't noticed it before, a picture of his brother and Kathelina, he got up and walked over to mantle of were it set and picked up, studying it.

"Does he make you happy?", he asked, he smiled. "Of course he does he's my little bro, he's better than anyone to you.", he still held the picture in his hand, Dylan's smiling face as starting to really bug him. "Ah, beauty.", he ran his fingers over the image, chasing the outline of her face, he couldn't help but be drawn to her, she had this good nature about her, the same nature April had about her. "Don't do this to her, don't destroy her like you did April.", he told himself, he sighed, returning the picture to the mantel. He couldn't stay here, it was beyond hard to, he couldn't bare to stay in his brother's apartment, in the bed, he had no doubly had her in.

He closed his eyes. "Beauty, what are you doing to me? You're making me care for you. Why did you have to run after me tonight, hmm? Why did you have to make me start feeling things for you I shouldn't…things I haven't felt in so long, since they buried her.", he asked, aloud, when no answer came, he sighed, he had to get away from her presence, from April, from his brother.

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"Whitney, Oh My God, you've changed so much.", Noah told her.

"Well, you…my goodness you get better looking, each time I see you.", Whitney replied.

"Well, I kind of already knew that.", he joked, "So Ms. Russell, who's this Chad Harris, Theresa here raves so much about?"

"Well, he's just the most sexiest, most caring, most loving man I know.", Whitney told him.

"Besides me.", Noah joked.

"Yeah, besides you, what have they been feeding you at collage, ego grow?", Whitney asked.

Noah, laughed. "So, any kiddies? I know Theresa and Fox didn't waist no time starting a family, so is there any plans for children?"

"In the future, right now, I'm to considerate on my career.", Whitney told him.

"Which is?", Noah asked.

"See this whole town's went music crazy, see Fox and I own this little recording studio, actually the Cranes' do and well Chad is our competition, and of course Whit, here is a ….", Theresa began.

"A singer?", he questioned.

Whitney nodded and he laughed, she hit his arm playfully. "Don't laugh at me."

"Is she shattered any glass yet?", Noah asked.

"She's actually pretty good, she did a show a couple a days ago, at the Blue note.", Theresa told him.

"Really?", Noah asked.

"Yeah, T, sang back up for me as, did, Fox, Dylan, Ethan, Samantha and Kat.", Whitney told him.

"Now, I'd like to have seen that.", Noah laughed.

"Theresita, mija, , I'm sorry to interrupt, but she won't quit crying.", Pilar told her, waiting for her daughter to get the little girl.

"Come here.", she took the small infant in her arms. "Mama's here.", she rocked the little girl in her arms.

"She's beautiful.", Noah told Theresa.

"Thank you, Noah.", Theresa replied.

"How old is she?", Noah asked.

"1year and 5 months.", Theresa told him. "Noah, would you like to hold her, maybe you can get her to stop crying.", she watched as he reach out his arms and took the little girl, he gently rocked her back and forwards

Theresa smiled at him. "You're a natural."

"So, Noah, how's it been, I mean are you and that Ashley girl…", she felt Theresa kick her, "What did I…Oh, sorry. I, you guys broke up?", Whitney asked.

"Yup.", Noah replied.

"I'm sorry, I- why? I thought…", Whitney began, Theresa looked at her and sighed.

"I got another girl pregnant.", Noah sighed.

"Oh, so you're good with babies, because you have one?", Whitney asked.

"No, she's 8 months, and she's engaged.", Noah told her.

"Well, congrad…", she began, before Theresa shook her head in disappointment. "She ain't engaged to you is she?"

Noah, shook his head no. "I'm afraid not."

"I'm sorry.", Whitney told him.

"Thanks Whit.", he told him. "Do either of you lady's know of a job opening around here, besides working at the B & B?", he asked.

"Yeah, I can't guarantee this,, because I haven't talked to Fox yet, but how would you like to be a manger or something at recording studio, it'll be fun and the pay is great.", Theresa told him.

"Sounds good to me.", Noah told him.

"That ain't fair, you're recruiting everyone to Crane, you don't even give me and Chad time to talk.", Whitney joked.

"Can me and Fox help it if we're better business people then you and Chad?", Theresa replied, winking at her lifetime friend.

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Daniel walked in to the Blue note he had, been there once already, but figured he'd get another drink since he couldn't sleep, he was already high, but he wasn't high enough.

"Excuse, me, excuse me?", he heard a woman exclaimed and watched as the bar tender ignored her. "I said, excuse.", she walked over to the bar tender. "Do you know, who I am?", she asked.

Daniel smirked, the woman was a fireball, red haired, fairly old, he recognized her, but he didn't know from were.

"I'm Rebecca Crane, as in Julian Crane's wife.", she told him.

"Rebecca Crane?", he asked aloud, his mind wondered.

Flashback

Daniel walked in the study he was 8 years old ands he had came home for Christmas break.

"Oh God, Danny, you know, Oh God, you're so…", he heard moans coming from the room, he knew it wasn't his mother's voice his mother had took the other kids out for last minute gift shopping.

"Damn it, Rebecca, I can't get enough of you.", he heard his dad tell the woman, he watched as his dad began to kiss the woman's naked flesh.

"How long is it till your wife gets back?", Rebecca asked.

"Not for awhile, she took the little bastard's shopping, if I had my way I'd let them stay in Europe, especially Daniel, he's an embracement.", he told her.

"Tsk, tsk, enough about your family, Jonathan ain't going to be home for awhile, I sent him to go get Gwennie.", she told him, and then they began to go at it like rabbits.

End of Flashback

Daniel over looked the woman, it was her, his father's bed whore, he smirked it was time to make this bitch squirm, he got up from the stole and began to walk towards her.

"Mother.", Gwen lectured. "Be nice, he doesn't owe you nothing you know."

Daniel walked over to the two women, he was merely inches from them, but, he stopped, he could tell that Gwen was Rebecca's precious daughter and that Rebecca even though she was a heartless monster, she had a soft spot for Gwen. He smiled to himself, Gwen was the ticket to get back at the witch. "Uh, hmm.", he cleared his throat getting there attention.

"I could help myself, I just wanted to stop by and say hi, I've been watching you for awhile, and you my dear are gorgeous.", he told Gwen.

"Thank you.", Gwen blushed.

"Well, would you like a drink, you and your friend?", he asked.

"Yes, why think you, Gwennie and I both would, Tequila sunrise.", Rebecca told him.

"Mother….", Gwen warned.

"Mother, ma'am I'd never figured you were her mother.", Daniel told him, if he hadn't been so high, he couldn't have did it with out smirking or laughing, but thanks to the herbs his words sounded as if they were 110 percent true.

"Well, aren't you nice?", Rebecca told him. "The names Rebecca Crane, by the way.",

"Crane? Well, this whole damn town must be Cranes I've meet up with quit a few lady's who were either blood Cranes or married to them."

"Oh, pookie and I aren't all that married, we're not in love, not anymore, I caught him with another woman, that doctor slut, Eve Johnson.", she huffed. "So, if you're offering, I'll gretly abide.

"Ignore mother, she's a little drunk.", Gwen told him, she had seen the man earlier with Kathelina.

"No problem.", he smiled at her, he knew she was getting drawn in by his smile.

"I didn't catch your name?", Gwen told him, she didn't want him to know she knew him, much less had been checking him out since she'd laid eyes on him.

"Daniel Banning, and yes, before you ask, Dylan is my baby brother.", he told her. "And, you, my lady?"

"Gwen Hotchkiss.", Gwen smiled, and extended her hand, she was surprised when he bought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Nice to meet you.", he told her.

"Same here.", she smiled.

Spoilers for Chapter 35:

Daniel and Kathelina bond over Dylan.

Daniel and Gwen go out on a date.

Fox and Theresa talk about the past and decided to wipe the slat clean and then later they go to dinner.

Daniel rethinks his decision concerning Rebecca and using Gwen.