Chapter 46:
Be My Valentine or Maybe Not
AN: Sorry it's been forever, I just went through a period where I couldn't write nothing because, I either had no desire to write or simply couldn't come up with anything, but, I think I'm gonna be back for awhile.
Kathelina groaned, as the sun shown through the window.
"Rise and shine...", Daniel told her, jerking the covers up off her.
"Arrgh.", she exclaimed, her eyes coming wide open.
"Wake up, do you realize that is almost 1 in the day?", he asked.
"So, who cares...today ain't special.", she told him. "It's just another day."
"Kat, you can't behave like this...you can't spend every holiday in bed, trying to escape reality.", he told her. "You have to come to terms with what has happened."
"What do you want me to do? Forget about Dylan? Pretend it's nothing, that he is dead and his life is gone forever, that he will never smile, laugh, feel anything ever again?", she asked.
"Yeah, but, Kat you can, you're not dead. You are very much alive. And, I am sure that Dylan wouldn't want you to cut off your life like this and I am sure if he was here he'd tell you exactly what I am.", he told her.
"Daniel, what did you have done?", she asked.
"Nothing, Kat, it's nothing that I wouldn't want to do any other day of the year.", he told her. "Now, go get dressed."
She gave him a evil eye.
"Don't you look at me like that, missy.", he told her.
xxxxxx
Rachel sighed, she still had really no memory of what Noah had said had happen, she got to her feet and decided to pore herself a drink.
"Isn't it a little too early for that?", someone asked, getting her attention.
"Foxworth.", she asked, turning to him.
"Yeah, who did you think it was?", he asked.
"No one, I just...", she began.
"Rachel, are you feeling okay? You've been quiet since you got home last night, what happened between you and Noah?", he asked.
"Nothing, I - it's complicated and, I can work through it on my own, hey I'm a big girl, I've always did things on my own.", she told him.
"Did Noah do something to you?", he asked.
"No, no.", she told him. "Noah, hasn't...no of course not, all he did was keep me warm and safe."
"Yeah.", he replied.
"What does that mean? And, why are you looking at me like that?", she asked.
"Rachel, don't get any idea about Noah, okay. There's a lot you don't know about him.", he told her.
"What's that suppose to mean?", she asked. "He's not like Daniel or anything is he?"
"No, I don't believe...but, Rachel. You need to be careful, not just with him, but, with anyone for that matter.", he told her.
"I always am.", she told him.
"Uh - huh.", he replied.
"Why do I get the feeling' that you are judging me, or making assumptions?", she asked.
"That's what I do, I make observations.", he told her.
"Fox, what does that suppose to mean?", she told him.
"Nothing.", he told her.
"Yeah, so tell me. What did you plan for Theresa? I know you've did something sweet and romantic.", she told him.
"Well, I booked her for a full body massage at the salon and, I've also, got planned a romantic dinner for two at the Sea Scape.", he told her. "I got the place shut down so it's just gonna be the two of us."
"Aww, that's really cute.", she told him. "Wanna hear my plans? I get to stay home all by myself and listen to Julian and doctor slut get it on."
"Poor little Rachel.", he told her, patting her on the top of the head.
"Yeah. poor me.", she told him.
"Well, I have to go, I'm gonna go set up everything for Resa. I'll see you later, okay.", he told her.
"Okay.", she told him, then he left.
"Face it Rachel, you're always going to be alone.", she mumbled to herself.
"You don't have to be.", she heard a voice from behind her tell her, then his lips came crashing down on her neck.
"What are you doing here?", she asked, stepping away from him.
"I came to see you, I've missed you.", he told her. "You know, even though all day yesterday you've avoid me like the pelage."
"Noah - I don't want to talk to you, I want you to leave.", she told him.
"Rachel...", his breath was hot on her neck and sent chills up and down her spin.
"I told you I don't want anything to do with you. And, I do not know what makes you say that we slept together, because I have no me memory of having any sexual activity with you, and I know you do not believe me, but, that was the truth. I do not remember what you said took place, and I didn't remember my own name when I woke up but, that came back and so did all my other memories but, our supposed "love making", I do not. The night of the storm is a empty space in my head, I try to remember but, when I do. All I get is a terrible head ache and even more confusion.", she told him.
"You're not lying are you, you really don't remember.", he told her.
"No, I don't remember.", she told him.
"Rachel, I - something happened before you woke up, and I need to ask you a question, who's Mark? And, what did he do to you that traumatized you?", Noah asked.
"Nothing.", she replied simply. "Why do you keep stalking me, why don't you leave me the hell alone? I already slept with you or so you say. Now can you just leave me alone?"
"You're not a strong as you come off to be. You're weak when it comes to men and sex? And, me.", he told her, he smirked down at her.
"No, it's not men or sex that weakens me, I'll give you the last one, but, you don't weaken me, you scare me, you - Noah, you're crazy.", she told him.
"For you, Rachel come on you can't fight this, it's greater than the both of us. The night before last was - was like magic. I've had my share of women don't get me wrong but, being with you was like nothing I've ever experienced in my life.", Noah told him.
"Would you stop it? Would you quit doing this to me?", she asked. "What do you want?
"For you to quit playing this game with me. Rachel, what I feel for you goes beyond sex, I feel like a nail being pulled towards a magnet, I've felt that way since I first meet you. At first I thought it was because of my hatred for your mother and the plan...Rachel, I'll be honest with you, I planned to use you to hurt your mother, I was going to hurt her little girl as a way to get revenge for what she did to my mother and father, but all that changed when I looked in your eyes, I mean really looked into your eyes and saw the pain, the pain that Ivy had helped put there and at that moment I knew I couldn't hurt you, because it wouldn't effect Ivy it would effect you.", Noah told her.
"What made you think that Ivy would care? Haven't you heard the stories, I was sure everyone saw the cover of one of those filthy mags , since after the truth about Ethan's paternity came out, all the mags did an article exploiting my mother and how the truth had always been there, how she treated Ethan so different then me, Fox and Kat.", Rachel told him.
"Sorry, I don't read those lying things, all they do is make rich people miserable as their fat asses.", Noah told her.
"Well, they didn't lie that time, the truth was always there, mother couldn't give a flying fuck about us, as long as her precious love child is okay. Do you know that she was going to knock Fox out of his rightful place as Crane heir, she planned on letting Ethan be the heir and Fox the spare, as he likes to put it.", Rachel told him. "What kind of mother, choices one of her kids over the rest?"
"I don't know, Rach.", he told her.
"Me either, but, enough sappy bad life stories, we all haven't had it easy, right?", she asked. "and, don't want to sound like a charity case, some people, like to let people feel sorry for them, but not me. I can defiantly do without the pity of some fake.", she told him.
"You don't have to front with me, we agreed to be friends remember?", he asked.
"No, I don't remember, but if you want to be friends, then why not, it's not like it's an everyday thing someone purposing friendship to me, if their was a category in the yearbook for most bitchiest, most uncompassionate girl in school, I know I would have gotten the vote. All of my classmates hated me. They used to call me "the boy's dorm slut.", which was a total lie...I never slept with none of them...I just...well...", she began.
"Teased them, right?", he asked, giving her a wink.
"Yeah.", she smiled up at him. "You know, I - I like you. You're not at all like you came off to be when I first met you, I gotta admit I hated you, well, not really hated you...I didn't know that much about you, so I couldn't technically hate you. You were just...you were a jerk. You just recognized who I was and started to jump down my throat, making accusations...like that I didn't want to work, which was kind of true...it was more of, what's the use? Why even try to get a job, no one will take you serious, and that's exactly the truth. Take, Theresa for example she didn't want to hire me, and Fox, he told me "not to screw it up." And, you...you betted me that I couldn't keep a job and..."
"You like to hear yourself talk don't you? You never seem to want to shut up, you just go on and on and on.", he told her.
"Is that a bad thing, cause I don't want to be an one of those airhead girls, who just ramble on and on about pointless shit.", she told him.
"You don't do that, everything you say is brilliant.", he told her.
"Excuse me, have ya hit your head?", she asked. "I'm not brilliant, everyone in this town will tell you that, they all think I'm a pain in the ass."
"You are, but, you're a beautiful pain in the ass.", he told her.
"Why thank you.", she replied. "Ya really have a way with words there Bennett."
"Okay, so may I ask, have you always been this...spunky?", he asked.
"Spunky? Hmm, well...I say what's on my mind and don't sugar coat things.", she told him.
"That's nice.", he replied.
"Bennett? What does that suppose to mean?", she asked.
"Exactly what I said.", he replied.
"Okay.", she replied.
He began to laugh.
"What did I say? Why are you laughing at me, quit laughing at me.", she told him.
"I'm not laughing at you, just the security around this place, do you know how easy it is for you to sneak past them? I mean, I had no problem whatsoever.", he told her.
"You snuck past the security, why'd you do that?", she asked.
"Afraid you'd told your folks about what went down between us and they - well, they'd want my head on a silver platter.", he told her.
"Well FYI, I'm a very private person and I don't let people know my business. Well, there was a few times that the mags got a hold of some of my personal shit, but all and all I tell my family nothing, why should I they're only looking out for their best interest anyhow.", she replied. "So, from now on out, don't sneak past the guards, I'd hate to have to visit you in the hospital, with a bullet in you, all because, you want to play Batman and sneak into evil Poison Ivy's den."
He smirked at her. "Deal, Batgirl."
"I prefer Cat woman, she was sexy and I think her and Batman secretly had the hots for each other.", she winked.
"Really, never noticed that.", he replied.
"Yea.", she replied.
"Do you have a date tonight? Since it is Valentine's Day and you're stunningly beautiful and...", he began.
"Valentine's Day is crap, okay. I don't do love, nor do I do hallmark card day's where the theme is love.", she replied.
"Okay, so I'm dateless tonight as are you, so I was thinking, since Romance ain't your style, why don't want go, have a few beers, play a few rounds of cards and...just chill.", he asked. "As friends.", he added.
"Why not, but, on one condition...", she began.
"What's that?", he asked.
"You teach me how to play cards.", Rachel asked. "You're kidding right? You don't know how to play cards?", he asked.
"No, I don't...but, you'll teach me right, that and how to play pool?", she asked.
"Ya got it and oh one more thing...change that outfit.", he told her looking her over, she was clothed in the tightest leather mini skirt and the lowest low cut blouse, he'd ever seen. "I don't want to have to spend the night in jail, because I have to crack a few head cause, their looking at my date."
"Friend.", she corrected. "And, give me a few minutes I'll go change.", 'And, you'll definitely like it, I can promise you that.'
xxxxxx
"Foxworth?", Janet asked, causing him to turn around, he was standing in front of Dylan's grave.
"Janet, what are you doing here?", Fox asked, his eyes feel upon the single red rose she had in her hand. "What's the rose for?"
"I - I came to pay my respects to Dylan, to say goodbye, I know that you don't believe me, and you have the right not to, but, Dylan has always and will always mean a lot to me.", Janet told him. "He's all I had you know, yeah, we were apart for so long, but, I do love him Fox, and I only did what I thought was best."
Fox just looked at her, he didn't know what to say, or what to think, Janet Swansboro, was standing in front of him, dressed in all black and crying, he didn't if this was some big act, a way to get him to feel sorry for her, or if she was in fact telling him the truth.
"Who - I'm guess Katherine, got those, of course, she's got money and - she can afford to get nice flowers for Dylan's grave, look at me. I'm pathetic, I - I shouldn't have came...I - I can never be good enough for Dylan. I can never...", Janet began, she began to weep, it was all an act, but, she knew Fox too good and she knew he would believe her, he had always had a soft spot for the damsel in distress, even if the damsel this time was his sworn enemy.
"Janet...", Fox began, he didn't know what to say, he just didn't like to see no one cry and he could tell that Janet was about to lose it.
"Fox, I - I was never good enough. I could never give him the life he wanted.", Janet told him, tears streamed down her face, but inside she was bursting at the seams with joy, she had finally beaten them all. She had, taken Dylan to Mexico, faked his death, changed his name to Drake, which was perfectly legal, because, of Drake Kristophes - Drake Kristophes, was James' body guard and surprised enough Drake had gotten killed only 6 hours before Dylan's "death", therefore, she'd hired a plastic surgeon to construct Drake's face to match Dylan's, dressed herself up as a nurse and switched a dead Drake, with the very much alive Dylan. Thus, Drake had a grave, Dylan was free to be with her and Kathelina and everyone else, including Fox was oblivious to the truth, and as for Drake's family, he had none, he had been a nomad, who had never mentioned his family.
"Janet, please...don't do this to yourself, I - Dylan did love you, he spent over 4 years of his life grieving over you, he bout' went crazy when you left him.", Fox told her.
"Fox, I know that - that you hate me, but, I need to explain something to you - something that I should have explained to you along time ago...", she began, she looked at him, she was leading him exactly were she wanted him, she was going to get both Fox and James, she was going to pit them against one another that way, when she got rid of them, it would look as if Fox killed James and James men retaliated and killed Fox. Thus, committing the perfect crime.
"Foxworth...", Kathelina began, getting his attention, her and Daniel had stopped by the graveyard, before heading off to where ever it was Daniel was planning on taking her.
"Kat, what - what are you doing here, what is he doing here?", Fox asked, he turned away from Janet and to his little sister.
"I - I had to stop by and - Janet, what is she doing here? And, why were you - Fox...Can someone please tell me what is going on here?", Kathelina asked.
"I was just leaving.", Janet told them, then she dropped the single red rose on the ground, Daniel stared intensely at her, he couldn't help but, find her actions kind of bizarre, then he watched as she walked ever so slowly, past them, without a word then turned and went out the big brass gate that lead to were there cars were parked.
"Talk about strange.", Daniel said simply.
"Janet is always like that.", Fox told him, then he turned to Kathelina. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. "I guess, I - it didn't help much to see her here."
"I know.", Fox told her.
"Yea, uh - you both wouldn't mind if I take a few minutes to talk to Dylan.", Kathelina asked, Fox nodded as did Daniel.
"I'll be right over there if you need me.", Daniel told her, then he and Fox walked away leaving Kathelina alone. "I - I don't know what to say, I just can't believe your gone. It was like one minute you were here, and the next...", Kathelina began. "Dylan, I will always love you, and I will never forget you."
xxxxxx
"So, what is Janet doing back?", Daniel asked.
"I have no clue.", Fox replied.
"Yeah.", Daniel replied. "Fox, listen I know you hate me but, I really like Kathelina and I plan on being apart of her life."
"Really, what makes you think that she wants you in her life?", Fox asked. "Do you plan on using Dylan's death as a way to hold on to Kat? And, what exactly is it you want with my sister? Daniel, I won't let you hurt her, and Kathelina may hate me for keeping you away from her, but, she'll appreciate it when she sees how..."
"Fox, I know you blame me for April's death, but know, that I'm not the same man I was back then, I have grown up and I - I, losing April changed me. I loved her so deeply, that when she died it was like apart of me died with her, but, Kathelina, she helps, she helps me - it's like she heals me. I know it sounds crazy and I'm probably going crazy anyways but, I like her a lot. I haven't known her all that long but..."
"You feel like you've known her your whole life?", Fox asked.
"Yeah, basically. She sees me for me, not what everyone says about me. And, I - I trust her. I know that she would never betray me. I could tell her anything."
Fox looked at him a moment, then he began to laugh. "I don't believe a word that comes out of your mouth."
"Excuse me?", Daniel asked.
"I don't believe you. Daniel, it takes time to love someone, you can't just take a look at them and go wow, I think she's the one. How can you love Kathelina, you hardly know her.", Fox told him.
"You don't...", Daniel began.
"You're in love with a fantasy or in love with her outward appearance, it takes time to grow to love someone. I know people say there's a such thing as love at first site, but I don't buy it. It's more like - let's say your sitting at a bar, a pretty girl walks in what do you feel for her, what thoughts run through your head?", he paused for a second, as to give Daniel to think over what he was saying. "You'd say she's hot, or you'd like to get her between the sheets. Never do you say, I love her. How can you, when you know not a thing about her? See I thought the same thing when I feel in love with Whitney, well in head I was in love with Whitney, but in reality I didn't know the slightest thing about her."
"I get your point, but, things between Kat and I aren't like that, I'll admit I found her attractive from the moment I laid eyes on her, but, now. Fox, your sister means a lot to me, and I hope, I know that she cares for me to.", Daniel told him.
"Kathelina, doesn't know what she feels right now, so just back off. Give her time, don't rush her. Cause, I don't want to see her get hurt and if you care for her like you say you do then you will wait.", Fox told him, no way in hell was he going to let Daniel get any closer to Kathelina, but, Rachel had made sense, let Daniel think you were on friendly terms, that the past was forgotten, all the while plotting and scheming to take reveal his true colors to Kathelina.
"Does that mean you - you approve of Kathelina's friendship with me?", Daniel asked.
"Friendship, yes. But, a relationship, no. Not now, Kat needs time to heal. She doesn't need to do things she'll later regret.", Fox told him.
"Fox?", Theresa asked, walking up behind him.
"Resa, what...I was going to head over to the salon, but, first I wanted to stop here and thought I'd go visit Dylan's grave, and then Kat came here and I wanted to be here unless she needed me.", Fox told her.
"That's okay, Kat, needs you and I came by here for the same reason, I just had to stop, I - Fox, all of this has made me stop and think. We're blessed to be here, to be spending today with the people we love. Not just today, but everyday. We she tell and show people just how much we love them daily, cause. We shouldn't put off tomorrow, what we could do today.", Theresa told him.
"I agree.", Fox told her. "And, I love you so much, Theresa."
"Uh-hmm. Not, trying to be rude but, I feel kind of left out and very uncomfortable.", Daniel told them. "I'm just gonna go check on Kathelina.
"You know Dylan, I - I don't know what's going on, I can't seem to get that your dead. I guess it's just wishful thinking, but...God, please show me a sign, I need to know. Am, I going crazy? Cause, I can't believe he's dead, I know in my head that he is, but, my heart, it tells me different. So, please Lord show me a sign anything, let me know if this is all in my head, let me know if he's alive.", Kathelina asked, aloud, it was at that moment that a gentle rain began to come down.
"Oh My God, Dylan's alive, Dylan's alive.", she exclaimed.
"Kathelina...", a voice from behind her asked, she turned to him and gasped.
xxxxxx
"Theresa, I want to...", Fox began. "I think Daniel, can take care of Kathelina on his own and I - I want to take you some place special."
"Oh really?", Theresa asked. "And, where might that be?"
"You'll see.", Fox told her. "And, besides it's a surprise."
"A surprise, hmm?", Theresa asked.
"Yeah, now come on, before the rain get too bad.", Fox told her.
xxxxxx
"How ya like?", Rachel asked, turning around as if modeling her black low cut black dress, that came to her mid thigh.
"Has there been a change of plans?", Noah asked.
"No, why? What are you talking about?", Rachel asked.
"I thought, well, it looks like something you could entertain me in, party for two?", Noah asked.
"Noah...", Rachel began.
"And, I think I've never seen you with your hair down before, so much better than those ridicules clips you put it up with.", Noah told her.
"Thank you, I guess.", Rachel replied.
"Sorry, I - you know how to excite a man don't you, missy?", he asked.
"No, I didn't, I - this excites you?", Rachel asked, she giggled slightly. "You ain't hard to please are you?"
"Very hard to please, so you got magic. Very few women can catch my eye.", Noah told her.
"Really.", Rachel asked.
"Yes, you are very exquisite.", Noah told her.
"I thought we agreed to be friends and I - most friends don't do this. They have very civil, light, tension-less conversations. In those conversations, they don't discuss how sexy they think each other are.", Rachel told him.
"Well, in that case, take off your clothes.", Noah told her, Rachel's eyes widened.
"What?", Rachel asked.
"You purposely put on that dress to seduce me, play mind games with me. Make me horny.", he told her, she giggled. "Guilty as sin, aren't you?"
"Are we going to go out or what?", she asked.
"Yeah.", he replied, he smirked at her. "But, uh - this is going to a little different than what you had in mind and I hope it isn't too much for you to handle."
"I'm up for anything, I'm looking for a little adventure, what's life without a little fire and spice?", she replied.
xxxxxx
"James?", Drake asked, walking in the small office.
"Drake, I was just about to come and see you...", James began, before Drake interrupt him.
"What did you do with Janet?", Drake asked.
"She's fine, but you - you're not, we need to get out of here, before Varseta sends his goons here to take us out.", James told him.
"Are you sure she is okay?", Drake asked, he couldn't help but, be concerned about her, she was the only person that he truly knew.
"Yes, now come on, I have had Keisha pack a small suite case of clothes for you.", James told him.
"Keisha? Is she coming with you?", Drake asked, he knew without a doubt that Keisha and James had more than an employer and employee relationship and that he favored her above all the housekeepers.
"Keisha will be flying to Los Angelus, then we are going to go on to New York.", James told him.
"Okay, so she's...", Drake began.
"She as well as the rest of the hired help will be flying out with us.", James told him, Drake nodded.
"I want to call Janet once we get there."
"Sure.", James told him.
xxxxxx
"Kathelina...", Daniel began. "Kathelina, honey..."
"Dylan...", she trailed off.
"Kat - beauty, what's, what's going on? What happened?", Daniel asked, he'd never seen no one like this it was like she was in a daze.
"Dylan's - Daniel..."
"Kat, what's going on?", Daniel asked, he suddenly found himself afraid, he'd always been freaked out by the unexplained, supernatural.
"Daniel I - I asked for a sign that Dylan was alive and, it - Daniel it's raining. It's raining, do you realize what this means?", she asked.
"Kathelina...", he began.
"I - Daniel, Dylan's alive. He's alive, I asked for a sign and here it is, this proves it, Dylan is alive.", Kathelina told him.
"Rain? Kat, what does rain have to do with anything, it doesn't prove anything beauty. This is just day to day weather.", Daniel told her.
"No, no, this is the universes way of proving to me without a doubt that Dylan is alive...", Kathelina gasped, she'd just realized something, Alistair, Alistair would know where Dylan was, or maybe he was the one behind this.
"Kathelina, what's...", Daniel began.
"Alistair...Alistair, I should have known it, Daniel all the proof we need is in Alistair's office.", Kathelina told him.
"Proof?", Daniel asked.
"Yes, Alistair knows where Dylan is.", Kathelina told him.
"Where Dylan is? Kathelina, what are you talking about, my brother, baby he's dead and I know it's hard but...", Daniel began.
"Haven't you heard a word I said? Dylan is alive, the universe says so.", Kathelina told him.
"Universe?", Daniel asked.
"Yes, that was the universes way of telling me that Dylan was alive.", Kathelina told him.
"Dylan - Kathelina, I know that this hard on you and I'd love for what your saying to be true but...", Daniel began.
"Daniel, what I'm saying is 100 true, I know it. Fate lead me here, so that the universe could tell me that Dylan's not dead.", Kathelina told him.
"Oh My God.", Daniel exclaimed, he'd never heard such nonsense in his life.
"You sound upset...", Kathelina began. "I thought you'd be happy that your brother was alive."
"Kathelina, what proof do we have, I mean real proof, I - I don't buy into this fate lead me here and the universe is talking to me, neither will no one else, do you know how crazy you sound?", Daniel asked.
"But, it isn't crazy, Daniel, you got to believe me. You got to trust me when I say, I know that Dylan is out there and my grandfather knows where he's at, I mean look what he did for Ethan, and then Sheridan she was pronounced dead twice and came back to Luis, and Theresa...she was supposedly injected with lethal injections...Daniel, my gut feelings tell me that Dylan's alive and...I wish that you'd help me. I can't go to Fox, because, I don't want to get his hopes up, just incase I'm wrong and Theresa...her and Fox have been through so much. You're the only person I can count on.", Kathelina told him, she looked at him with pleading eyes. "So what do you say, will you help me?"
"I...", he looked at Kathelina, he knew that she was grieving and he'd vowed to himself to stand by her always, and to help her come to terms with Dylan's death, he sighed. "Okay, I'll help you."
"Thank you, Daniel, thank you. I knew I could count on you. Thank you so much.", Kathelina told him. "now, come on we got to go to Crane Industries, we got to find the information the one telling us where Dylan is.", Kathelina told him.
Daniel looked at her. "Let's go." 'So much for a romantic Valentine's Day.' , he shook his head, then he and Kathelina hurried off to the jeep.
xxxxxx
"How's Dylan?", Alistair asked, walking up to Janet who stood consumed in her own thoughts.
"Excuse...", Janet began. "Who are you, where do you get off asking about my dead ex boyfriend?"
"Oh cut the act, Janet. I know the truth.", Alistair told her.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Dylan is dead.", Janet told him simply.
"Oh Yeah, really. I have sources that have supplied me with plenty enough evidence that says without a doubt that Dylan is very much alive and is living in sunny Mexico, under the alias of Drake.", Alistair told her, causing her to gasp.
"What, surprised?", Alistair asked. "Janet, I know everything about everyone. I control this whole word."
"Oh really?", Janet asked.
"Yes, see I know all about you, I know that you plan on killing both my grandson, Fox and James Hartford.", Alistair told her.
"You're Alistair Crane?", she asked, more shocked than anything. "The Alistair Crane?"
"No, I'm Marilyn Monroe.", Alistair replied, sarcastically. "Of course, I'm Alistair Crane."
"Oh My God.", Janet exclaimed.
"I'm not God, but, uh - I rank pretty close up there next to him.", Alistair told her.
"This is my lucky day.", Janet said more to herself.
"Luck has nothing to do with it, I'm here on business, I - I'm here to help you. My granddaughter, will not be with Dylan, he is a fool and no blood relative of mine will marry someone below my standards. Foxworth, married Theresa and it is one of the most tragic things that's happened to this family. I still haven't came to a solution, that is till now.", Alistair told her.
"What?", Janet asked.
"Change of plans my dear. You will not kill Foxworth, you will his lovely wife. She needs to be eliminated and by doing so we both get what we want, you get full power over Fox and Kathelina and James dead. I get Kathelina and Fox all to myself, they will marry a spouse of my choosing and produce my family heirs, heirs that will be as strong and as ruthless as my ancestors.", Alistair told her.
"We - Dylan, he'll...", Janet began.
"He'll never know any difference than what you told him, he will think he's Drake and you will get your precious Dylan or Drake, as you now call him.", Alistair told her. "Oh and by the way, nicely done. I couldn't have pulled off a better plot myself."
"Thanks and we got a deal. I'll kill Theresa, in exchange for your help in keeping Kathelina from finding Dylan. Oh and I have the perfect set up for Theresa's dismiss. We'll discuss over coffee, later. Right now, I'm going to go back to the hotel and call James.", Janet told him.
"That's fine for now, I also have very important issues I need to take care of.", Alistair told her.
xxxxxx
"Ethan, I want to show you something, I...", Sam began,
"Samantha, what did you do?", Ethan asked, he could by her tone that she'd did some kind of romantic like setting.
"Well, nothing really. I just cooked you a nice little dinner and well, I planned on just spending a quiet evening along together, just the two of us.", Sam told him, she sat down on the chair that was beside Ethan's wheelchair.
"Sam, I told you I don't...we can't be together, it's as simple as that. Do you really want to be with a man like me? A man who can't even walk, nor dance, or hold you close to me. Sam, I can never love you, and I don't want to be a burden to you, or anyone else for that matter, that is why.", he paused for a second, he couldn't let her throw away her life like this and, he knew what he had to do, draw in a deep breath, he began. "That's why, I am giving you 10 minutes to get out of here or - or I'll call the police, have them escort you out."
"Ethan...", she began.
"Samantha.", he knew that she wouldn't willing leave, they both were to attached to each other. "Sam, I - we can't go on, it was fun in the beginning but, now Sam I don't need some girl hanging around here, all you ever were was a way for me to amuse me. But, now...Sam, this isn't fair to either of us, I - Sam, I want you to leave, I want you to move on. Find someone else, someone who will love you."
"Ethan, I...", Sam began, she looked down at him, she could tell he meant business and that he wanted her to leave and wouldn't stop till he got what he wanted. "I love and I know you love me too, and I'll wait for you, but, I'll respect your wishes and I'll leave.", she got to her feet slowly.
"Samantha.", he grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks. "Be happy in life, you're too young, too beautiful not too."
Sam looked down at him, tears began to spill down her cheek. "Why are you pushing me away?"
"Samantha...", he began.
"Ethan, tell me you don't love me, that you don't care for me, that what we have don't mean nothing to you.", Sam told him, she looked him dead in the eyes.
"Damn it, Samantha.", he cursed. "Why can't you just leave? Why do you got to make this hell for me?"
"Because, this - this is hell for me.", she told him.
"Sam, this is no different that you're relationship with - with those men at the clubs, there was time when you said goodbye.", Ethan told her.
"Ethan, this is different. You're not a customer, and what we share, or thought we shared...Answer me this, Ethan. What was I to you? Was I a whore, cause you treated me helluva a lot better than men treat their booty calls. You - you protected me, you lied for me. You took a bullet for me. And, I'm sorry but, people don't do that, unless they care a lot about that person. I'll admit when it comes to love and relationships I don't know shit, but, this - Ethan, I know you, I know myself. And, what we have...", she began.
"Was good, was fun, but, it's over now. We can't - I won't let this continue. I want you out of here and...", Ethan began.
"Where do I go, Ethan?", Sam asked. "Where do I go?"
"I'll call the B&B, you can go there, or a hotel or the mansion...you just can't stay here and besides you still have your apartment.", Ethan told her.
"Okay, I'm out of here, I'll come by and...", Sam began.
"I'll send your things over tomorrow, I don't want no reminders. I want you to move on, I want to move on. I...", Ethan began.
"Do you want me to help you into the bed?", Sam asked. "or is the nurse coming by?"
"The nurse will be here in a few minutes.", Ethan told her.
"Okay.", Sam told him, she grabbed her jacket and coat and made her way out of the door without saying another word. 'What different would it make? Ethan, has already made up his mind.'
xxxxxx
"Okay, so where do we begin?", Rachel asked, walking into the small bar.
"Well, what about a drink?", Noah asked.
"What, trying to get me drunk, so you can have your way with me?", Rachel asked, she gently grinded her body against his so her breast rubbed against his arm. "If you want to take me to bed, then your wasting your time."
"You know I can have you at anytime.", he told her, he pulled her to him, he felt her breath catch in her throat. "See, I just proved my point.", he smirked.
"You are such a jerk.", she stammered, he began to laugh.
"I like you, I like you a lot.", he told her.
"Every guy thinks that works, but, guess what it doesn't work with the rich guys it sure don't work with guys like you.", she told him.
"Ouch.", he replied. "Friends, don't insult each other."
She began to giggle. "You're crazy."
"Is crazy good or bad?", he asked.
"I don't know.", she told him.
"Well let me try and...", he began.
"Would you quit flirting me?", she asked. "I wanna play cards, I wanna play pool and you - you are suppose to teach me."
"Indeed I was.", he told her. "But, I think you can - you can teach me a lot."
"Well if your not going to teach me how to play, then I'm sure their is some hot attractive man who will be more than whiling...and he just walked in the room.", her eyes darted to the tall dark haired man who had just walked in, he was kind of older than Noah but, wasn't all that old he wasn't a day over 35, 40 at the least. "Well if you'll excuse me..."
"No, you're not going on step towards him.", he told her.
"Excuse me.", she exclaimed, placing her hand on her hip and glaring at him.
"Rachel, stay away from men like that. Unless you want to be on one of those A&E specials about serial killers and their victims.", he told her.
"What?", she asked.
"It's women like you that serial killers target and then the woman is found months if not years later at the bottom of a lake.", he told her.
"Don't be silly, I'm smart, do you know how many men that I've talk to, I mean...", she began.
"Never mind me, go on, go whore it up like you always do.", he told her. "You, know for awhile there you had me, the whole I don't just go and sleep with any old' man, only the ones I care about, the ones that...just go, you owe me nothing."
"Noah, I'm - I want you to teach me. If you still want to...and, I like a man who isn't afraid to show his jealousy to a woman.", she giggled.
"God, you're all mouth aren't you?", he asked. "And, what a mouth you have, it's just gorgeous.", he told her, she smirked.
"Are you going to teach me or not?", she asked.
"Damn you're determined.", he told her.
"Would you quit toying with me?", she asked.
"Ok, what first?", he asked.
"Mmmm mmm...pool.", she replied.
"Of course, you just want to have my body against yours.", he told her, she began to giggle.
"Sorry to disappoint but, that's the last thing on my mind.", she told him, she grabbed his hand and jerked him towards to pool table. "Now, come on you - you promised me and let me advise you that the last man who broke a promise to me...well, he isn't to bad ass now."
"Damn beautiful and lethal.", he told her. "I think this is going to be hell a' good."
"Yeah, now...", she picked up the pool stick. "Teach me.", she told him.
xxxxxx
"Mr. Winthrop is their anything else I can do for you.", the nurse asked, she was pretty young, not at all what he'd pictured her to be.
"No, I'm fine. I'll be waking in the morning, and I will call you if I need anything.", Ethan told her.
"Is anyone staying with you tonight, a family member, your wife?", the nurse asked.
"No, I don't want to bother any of my family and I am not married, so I'll be here all by myself and I'll keep the phone near by in case I need anything.", Ethan told her.
"Whatever you wish, Mr. Winthrop. But, I can call your mother or your brother or...", the nurse began.
"No, go on home, I'll be fine. I'm going to have to get used to this. I'm going to be like this till the day I die.", Ethan told her grimly.
She gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, I really am. I've been a nurse for going on 5 years now and it really saddens me to see a man as young as you bound to a wheelchair, or bed, who can not do for themselves. But, hopefully this isn't the end for you, hopefully the physical therapy will help."
"I don't know.", Ethan told her forcing a smile to his lips. "I suppose, anything is possible."
"Yeah.", she told him. "I'm going to go now. Be sure to call the hospital if you need anything."
"I will.", Ethan told her.
xxxxxx
"Keep them coming, I ain't about to feel anything tonight.", Sam told the bar tender, she quickly gulped down the contents of the glass and waited for a refill.
"Well, what do we have here?", Gwen asked.
"What - Gwen, what are you doing here?", Sam asked.
"I - Daniel stood me up, well not actually, he never made any plans for me at all, instead he took Kathelina out, well I don't know that for sure...", Gwen began.
"Well, at least I am not alone. Ethan broke up with me.", Sam told her.
"Really.", Gwen asked.
"Yeah, he doesn't want to hold me down, he doesn't want me to waste my life on him...how can I waste my life on him, Gwen I want to be with him but...", Sam began.
"Who's with Ethan now?", Gwen asked, she couldn't help but, feel a little happy by this news. 'Ethan was free.'
"No one, at least I don't think no one is there. Ethan's basically ran off everyone who cares about him, he's let this beat him, Gwen he is so depressed.", Sam told her, she gulped down another rum and coke.
"What about Ivy?", Gwen asked.
"She's - she expected me to stay with him tonight, Ethan set me up, he purposely made it so that he would be alone tonight. Gwen, what if he does something crazy?", Sam asked.
"Tell you what, give me your key to Ethan's apartment and I'll go and check on him...I'm gonna head back to the mansion and I can stop there on my way home.", Gwen told her.
"Okay, thank you.", Sam told her, handing her the key.
"Your welcome, I really care for Ethan too, he is the father of my little boy and we were friends since we were real young. We grew up together.", Gwen told her.
"I know.", Sam told her.
"Yeah, I'll uh, I drop off your key tomorrow and I'll call you if I need to.", Gwen told her, she quickly excused herself and made her way out of the crowded bar.
"What's this?", Theresa asked, her eyes skimmed the small room that was decorated.
"Well, you insisted that I not spend much money on you. You didn't want diamonds or pearls are none of the fancy stuff.", Fox told her. "So, I went and I rented your favored restaurant, so for the rest of the night, it'll just be me and you. No interruptions."
"Mmmm mmm.", Theresa replied.
"Mmmm mmm, what?", Fox asked.
"Nothing, I was just thinking.", Theresa told him. "We needed this, time alone. Time to rebuild our relationship. Time to talk, I mean really talk, like we use to. I don't know where we went wrong, but for awhile. Since Ethan faked his death, we - we didn't talk. It was all about the physical-ness of our relationship, I - We forgot the basics, we forgot our friendship, I love you and I love being your wife and the mother of your children but, I also like being your best friend."
"I total agree, and this is the reason I did this. So that we could talk.", Fox told her.
"Good.", Theresa told him. "Now, I need to ask you something, what's going on with you, why did you stop by at Dylan's grave?"
Fox sighed, then began. "I just - I kept thinking about us, and Kat and Dylan. Kathelina is going to be shorted out of days like today, Dylan was shorted. And, I - Dylan and I were extremely close, I told you once, that was the only link to the past that I had. April is dead, Dylan is dead, we were like the three musketeers, but now it's like - I'm alone. Theresa, I know that I have you, and Nikki and Little Ethan but, I - forget it, I'm making no sense."
"No, your making sense, I don't know what I would do if I lost Whit, and I understand that you were the same way with Dylan and...Fox, I can't tell you that I know how you feel or that everything is going to get better for you or Kat, because, I don't know that for sure. But, I - I want to try and help you. I want to be there for you. Fox, you're not alone, you have me. You stood by me when I was sick and I'm going to stand by you."
"My God, I'm the luckiest man alive. Theresa, I've did so many stupid things, and here you are. You're still by me, God I love you. There's no words to express what you mean to me.", he told her, he gently kissed her lips.
xxxxxx
"You little liar, you've took a hundred and ten dollars from me already.", Noah exclaimed, Rachel giggled. "Beginners luck I suppose."
"No, you're no beginner, in fact I'd say your an immature.", he told her.
"Well maybe...", she smiled. "either that or the teacher can't stand the fact that the student is better than him."
"Whatever, you little cheat, I'll get you back for this.", he told her.
"Yea, thus far your threats have been as empty as your wallet has become.", she told him.
"Rachel, you have no clue what you're getting yourself into.", he told her.
"I'll take my chances...so, tell me...why did you come back to this crappy town?", she asked.
"Needed to get away, I suppose.", he replied.
"Yeah, but look at this place, it isn't your idea of a vacation spot.", she replied.
"Well yea, but not everyone can afford Paris, Italy and the Bahamas.", he told her.
"Yea, sorry. I'm not use to the non-rich...not that, that's a bad thing it's just - I - I...argh...I'm so stupid, I just keep opening my mouth and inserting my foot.", she replied.
Noah laughed. "I find that cute."
"Of course make fun of me.", she replied.
"Why'd you come back to Harmony, if you could afford better?", Noah asked.
"It's home and - I wanted to get reacquainted with my family, to put it nicely.", she told him, she took the pool stick hitting the 8 ball.
"Ha, you lose.", he told her.
"Only cause I choose to.", she replied.
"Right.", he replied. "Are you close to your sister and brothers?"
"Depends what you mean, we all speak, but we're not the Brady family. Nor, will we ever be, my father and mother could careless about each other and refer to their kids and marriage as the biggest mistake they've ever made. Fox is busy with his life, Kathelina is busy with her life and Ethan is busy with his, Fox is the heir, Ethan the oldest, Kat the baby and me - the one who sends daddy's money.", Rachel told him.
"So you and Julian...", Noah began.
"Hardly speak unless, he finds out that I maxed out one of his visa cards.", Rachel told him.
"Come on, you can't be serious...", Noah told her.
"Wanna come over one night, we'll have imaginary dinner with my family.", Rachel told him, she gulped down whatever was left in the bottle of vodka that Noah had bought for himself.
"Who told you, you could do that? And, besides how old are you? I'm not about to -"
"-relax, I'm 21 and you aren't gonna be arrested.", she told him.
"Have you always been that big of an alcoholic? You just drank over half of that thing.", he told her.
"Trust me I can handle it, Crane's know how to hold there liquor.", she replied. "And, besides if I was to get drunk I got you to take me home."
"Right.", he replied simply.
"Okay, let me ask you a question, why didn't you come home to Harmony at Christmas?", she asked. "If you're family is the way you say they are?"
"I was busy.", he replied simply.
"Too busy to drop in a few minutes, over the holidays...or maybe every other Christmas...you were gone what 4 years and never came home, you hardly phoned your folks."
"I was - I had things to do.", he replied.
"You didn't even come home when your mother lost her child...", Rachel began.
"Damn it, Rachel...do you really want to know the truth?", Noah asked, she simply looked at him, and didn't say a word. "It killed me to hear that my mother and father lost their child and that Ethan was my brother, well correction half brother, I resented my whole family, mainly my father and I vowed to make him and Ivy pay. That's what I've been doing the last 4 years, I been planning Ivy and my father's dismiss."
She nodded. "I wanna help."
He chuckled lightly, "What?"
"You heard me, I - I hate my mother and your father as much as you do. I want them to pay. For not only what they did to me, Fox and Kat. But, for your sister or brother that died. It isn't chief Bennett's fault, but, my mother - Ivy deserves to rot in hell for what she did and I - I'll help you do whatever it is you've planned.", she told him, she looked him dead in the eye.
"Either you're drunk or you like me a lot.", he told her simply.
"I like you, and we've both been screwed over by my mother and it's about time we got our revenge.", she told him. "Besides, I'm - you'll enjoy our partnership I'm sure."
"Are you - my God you're serious, aren't you?", he asked.
"Yea, I've been planning too, and I - I have an idea of how to get Ivy where you want her, plus get rid of that Hastings guy. I have a feeling that there is more to the story than what it looks like. I just need to - I need someone whose willing to help me find the missing pieces, that's one of the main reasons I came back to Harmony, that's the only reason I've been so chummy with mummy.", she told him. "I've just had the worst luck ever, I can't find nothing, but I know that with your help, we'll both get what we want."
"Looks like I found the answer to my prayers and you got yourself a deal, partner.", he told her. "but, just so you know the bet is still on."
"What bet?", she asked.
"The one we made, concerning your job.", he replied. "And, don't think for a second that you can weasel your way out of it."
Rachel nodded grimly. "I - I know, and besides you know I'll win so."
"Of course.", he replied.
"I always win.", she replied. "now, can you order me another drink? I think we got lots to celebrate."
Spoilers for Chapter 47:
Kathelina is one step closer to the truth, which doesn't set over well with Daniel.
Rachel and Sam have a heat confrontation.
Once getting to the hotel, Drake has flashbacks, and feels a connection to the hotel room.
Ethan finds himself in bed with an unlikely woman.
Theresa tells Fox something shocking, and debates on telling Fox a secret that could cause heart ache to everyone in Harmony.
Alistair decides to use Theresa's hate for Sam to his advantage, and later persuades Janet to get closer to Fox, by using Dylan's death.
Noah tries to persuade his sister to tell him what she knows on Ivy but, Kay refuses.