Luis and Fancy's Apartment
10pm

"Fancy?" Luis walked in the front door of the small apartment he and Fancy had shared for the last six months. There was no response. Silently he cursed himself out. He should have come home right after he'd talked to Fancy and realized how upset she was. Why hadn't he? He had told himself he wanted to give her some time to cool off before they talked, but was that really it? Or had he just wanted another excuse to spend more time with Sheridan?

'Fancy's right. I've let this situation with Sheridan eat up too much time lately, and I've been neglecting her. I'll make it up to her.' He thought to himself as he flipped on the living room light.

"Fancy?" He called again. Still no response. She was probably in the bedroom, either already asleep or pretending to be. Undoubtedly, she was still upset. It would take some sweet talking to get him out of this one. Or maybe they could do something else that was even sweeter, and just about always guaranteed to leave Fancy with a smile on her face. Grinning at the thought, he opened the bedroom door and turned on the light.

"Hey, Fancy..." His voice trailed off as he looked around the empty bedroom. Where was she? Had she stayed out late to punish him? He grimaced as he looked around-then he paused as he saw the open closet door. Walking forward, he pushed it open the rest of the way, and then his heart plummented as he saw that it was half empty. Only his clothes remained. As his heart skipped a beat, he hurried to the dresser and opened it, hoping against hope that Fancy's lingerie drawer would still be overflowing with all the frilly things he loved to see her in. It wasn't. He opened another drawer. It was just as empty as the first. He turned and walked into the bathroom. The counter looked almost comical in a way...one half was crowded with his razors, aftershave, deadorant and the other side-it was just bare. None of Fancy's perfume, brushes, curlers, or the myriad of things she used to make herself look beautiful, all the things he never thought she needed anyway, remained. And if the apartment was half empty, it was nothing compared to how his heart suddenly felt.

The Crane Mansion

Just as Fox had settled down at the kitchen table, a stack of file folders and a ham and cheese sandwich in front of him, the doorbell rang. For the moment, he ignored it, taking a bite of his sandwich. The maid would let whoever it was in.

The doorbell rang again and Fox remembered what time it was. The maid was gone for the night. Frowning, he stood up. It was past ten o'clock. Who would be stopping by at this time?

"Coming!" He called loudly as he hurried down the hall towards the front door, the doorbell still ringing. Beginning to feel impatient, he yanked it open.

"Alright, already!" He froze as his eyes fell upon the woebegone figure before him. "Fancy?"

Fancy looked at her brother and opened her mouth to say what she'd come to say, but then-she felt them coming, the tears, and she was powerless to stop them. She'd held it together all night, but if you couldn't fall apart in front of family, who could you fall apart in front of?

Fox looked in surprise at his sobbing sister. "Oh, Fancy...whatever it is, it will be alright. Come in, please." He looked at the numerous suitcases on the porch. "I take it you're going to be staying awhile."

Fancy nodded miserably, wiping her tears and smearing mascara around her eyes as she did so. "Yes, if it's OK."

"Fancy, this is your home too. Of course it's OK. Go sit down while I bring these in, and then we'll talk."

A few minutes later Fancy was sitting across from him at the kitchen table, eating half of his ham sandwich as he poured her a glass of milk.

"So what's going on?" He asked as he settled back into his chair. "Did you and Luis have a fight?"

Fancy shrugged. "It wasn't really a fight."

Fox looked at her curiously. "What was it, then?"

Fancy took a deep breath, willing herself not to cry again. Finally, she was able to speak again. "It was...the end, Fox. I think it's over. For good. There is no more Luis and me."

Fox couldn't hide his surprise. "Fancy, what are you talking about? You and Luis are crazy about each other! I didn't even know you two were having problems. How can it be over?"

Fancy set down the remainder of her sandwich, suddenly losing her appetite. "Sheridan." She mumbled.

No other explanation was needed. Fox sat back in his chair with a sigh. "I see." He said quietly. And he did...boy, did he. Suddenly he saw it again, so clearly, Kay and Miguel, wrapped in each other's arms in Tabitha's living room, so intent on their embrace that they didn't even notice him until he'd dropped the flowers he'd brought for Kay and stumbled backwards, trying to escape what he was seeing.

"It's the ex factor." He said, almost to himself. "Some people just can't let them go, their first loves." He sighed heavily.

"Fox, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject." Fancy's voice was sympathetic.

"No, this isn't about me." Fox shook off his melancholia. "This is about you and Luis. Has he been seeing Sheridan, is that what this is about?"

"No...well, yes. He has been seeing Sheridan, but not the way you think. She's just been very needy since the truth about Chris, or Gianni as I guess is more accurate, came out. Plus she still doesn't know if she'll be able to keep James. And it's not like I don't understand what she's going through, Fox, because I do, and I sympathize. But why does she always have to lean on Luis? And why does he have to drop everything at a moment's notice and go running to her every time? Do you know what he did tonight? He didn't show up for our first anniversary dinner because Sheridan needed him. He didn't even act like it was a big deal. And it's not the first time. It's not even the second, or the third time. I think he's still in love with her, Fox, and I deserve better. I can't lie in bed awake every night, wondering when it's all going to blow up in my face, wondering when he'll finally decide to go back to her. No, it's better if I just end this now."

Her words were strong, but the misery on her face was even more telling. Fancy looked devastated, and Fox felt lousy for her. Not only that, but he suddenly felt the need to beat Luis's ass. He made a mental note to schedule it in his calendar.

"You do deserve better, Fancy. I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better, but I know firsthand that there isn't. This is going to take time, but it will get better."

"Will it?" Fancy looked at him, half hopeful, half cynical.

Fox shook his head at his sister's questioning look. "I hope so, Fancy, but I'm still waiting for it to get better on this side too. All I can say is that it has to, because I can't imagine going through life feeling this low." He reached across the table and squeezed his sister's hand.

Fancy nodded slowly. "We'll be there for each other, Fox. And you're right - we will get through this."

The siblings smiled at each other, but deep down, neither one of them was so sure.

The Crane Mansion-mid morning

"Mrs. Crane! Oh, I'm sorry, it's Mrs. Winthrop now, of course. How lovely to see you again." Ella, the Crane housekeeper, opened the door, smiling.

"Why don't you just try calling me Theresa?" Theresa smiled at the woman as she walked inside.

"Oh, I couldn't do that." Ella shut the door and turned to face her. "It completely violates the subservient relationship between servant and wealthy, upper crust employer-or ex employer, as the case may be. I'd be thrown out of the housekeeper's union on my rear, so I would."

"Funny." Theresa grinned at her. "Anyway, I'm just here to get some of my old sketchbooks that I left behind. I need some new ideas for our summer line. I'm hoping some old ones will light a fire under me."

"Certainly. Is there anything I can get for you?" Ella asked.

"No, I'll just be a minute." Theresa started to walk up the stairs, then stopped as she watched Ella go into the living room and begin picking up what looked like empty cartons of nearly every ice cream known to man-and a half empty bottle of vodka. Fox apparently had had quite a night. Curiously, she walked into the living room after the housekeeper, and her eyes widened as she saw a sleeping Fancy on the sofa.

"Oh, Fancy! What's she doing here?" She asked Ella in a loud whisper.

Ella shrugged as she continued to clean. "I have no idea, Mrs. Winthrop. I found her this morning, along with all of her suitcases and all of these." She looked at the ice cream cartons and liquor bottle in distaste. "I take it she's staying for a while."

Theresa looked at Fancy, concerned. "Ella, do you mind cleaning this up later? I think Fancy and I need to have a little chat."

"Of course, Mrs. Winthrop." Ella ignored the look Theresa shot her and walked out of the room.

"Hey, Fancy." Theresa sat down on the couch and gingerly patted Fancy's back. "Wake up."

"Hmmm." Fancy groaned loudly and blearily opened her eyes. She looked, confused, at Theresa's face then back at the mess on the coffee table, and groaned even louder. "Kill me now."

"Fancy, sit up and talk to me. What's going on? Why are you here?" Theresa tapped her foot on the ground impatiently.

Fancy finally managed to pull herself into a sitting position, looking at Theresa wearily. "I'm here because...well, I left Luis. We're over, done, finished."

"What? Why?" Theresa was shocked by Fancy's words. "What happened, Fancy?"

"My dear, sweet aunt is what happened." Fancy was in no mood to mince words. "She crooks her finger and Luis comes running like a loyal little lap dog. Never mind the fact that I'm his girlfriend. Never mind that we've been living together for nearly six months. You know what's really stupid? Until this mess with Sheridan and Chris happened, I actually thought he might be getting ready to propose. Isn't that a laugh?" She chuckled bitterly and reached for the vodka bottle.

"Oh no, you don't." Theresa snatched it out of her reach. "No more downward spiral for you. One night of vodka and ice cream was more than enough. The Fancy Crane I know doesn't sit around feeling sorry for herself."

"Oh yeah?" Fancy gave Theresa a sour look. "What does she do, then?"

"She fights." Theresa said firmly. "And I'm going to help you. By the time we're done with Luis, he'll be sorry that he ever chose Sheridan over you, and believe me...he'll never make that mistake again."

Sheridan's Cottage

Gwen's high heels click clacked on the stone walkway as she walked, lost in thought. She and Sheridan hadn't had much of a chance to catch up lately. Every time they'd gotten together, it was generally to talk legal strategy concerning the custody battle. But not today-she'd delliberately cleared her morning schedule to spend some time with her best friend. With luck, she and Sheridan would just be able to kick back, relax, and gossip for the next few hours, something she suspected Sheridan desperately needed to do to get her mind off of everything.

Just as she reached Sheridan's front door it opened. Gwen instinctively backed up, her mouth opening in slight surprise as Luis emerged.

"Luis, hello! This is unexpected." She smiled at him.

"Oh, hello, Gwen." Luis's voice was glum. "Nice to see you." He gave her a sham of a smile and then headed off down the pathway.

Gwen turned to Sheridan, who was standing in the doorway watching him go. "Well, isn't he a ray of sunshine today?" She walked inside and Sheridan closed the door behind her. "What's going on with him?"

Sheridan frowned, looking concerned. "It's Fancy. She moved out of their apartment last night. I think she's leaving him for good."

"What?" Gwen sat down on the couch, feeling amazed. "Why?"

Sheridan joined her on the couch. "It's all my fault, Gwen. Yesterday I was so upset about the letter I got from Chris, and Luis was the first person I thought to call. What I didn't know was that he was supposed to be having dinner with Fancy. Not just any dinner-they were celebrating their one year anniversary."

"Oh!" Gwen grimaced. "Bad move on his part, that's for sure. But wait-didn't he tell you he had to go?"

Sheridan shook her head. "No. He just called Fancy and tried to cancel. I think it's obvious she didn't take it well."

"Who would? Poor Fancy." Gwen frowned. "But you do understand what this means? He chose you over Fancy! He still loves you, Sheridan, and now that Fancy's out of the picture, well, this is your chance."

Sheridan looked uncertain. "I don't know, Gwen."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Gwen looked at her in bewilderment. "Do you or do you not still love Luis?"

Sheridan sighed. "I do. I never stopped loving him."

"Well, then, don't just sit around biting your nails. I can guarantee you Fancy won't. Once she realizes what she's given up, she's going to want him back. You have to make your move before then."

"Gwen, doesn't that just seem...well, sort of wrong? I don't think I can do that to Fancy." Sheridan nervously played with her hair.

"You're not doing anything to Fancy. She left him, remember? You are just following your heart, like you should have done a long time ago. You and Luis are meant to be together, Sheridan. And don't worry-you are not alone in this. I'm going to help you, and together, we'll make sure Luis is back in your arms before you know it." Gwen smiled at Sheridan brightly, and unable to stop herself, Sheridan smiled back.

The Crane Building

Theresa Winthrop's Office

Theresa looked up from her sketchpad at the knock on her door.

"Come-" She started to call, but the door was already opening.

"Oh, it's you." Theresa's voice was unenthusiastic as she greeted Gwen. "You know, Emily Post would advise you to wait for a response before barging in."

"Don't care." Gwen shrugged. "I just came by to go over the visitation schedule with you for the next month." She indicated the printed calendar she held in her hand.

Theresa frowned. "I have a perfectly good assistant that I pay a lot of money too that you can make appointments with. Besides, Kieran and Ethan really should be here for these little meetings that we're forced to have every month."

"Why? So they can smile, nod, and say 'yes, dear', like usual?" Gwen grinned as she sat down uninvited in the chair in front of Theresa's desk.

Theresa had to concede that Gwen had a point. "True. We do have them well trained, don't we?" She looked over the schedule. "Everything looks fine except Ethan and I would like to have the girls for the last weekend of the month starting on Thursday. EJ has a three day weekend, and it's a good time for us to do something fun."

Gwen bit her lip in consternation. She hated giving up those three day weekends with Sarah and Jane, but she really didn't have a choice. Ethan and Theresa-especially Theresa-held all the cards in the custody arrangement. It was only due to Theresa voluntarily allowing Gwen to keep custody of Jane that she had her at all, and she knew it was in her best interest to keep Theresa happy. As for Sarah, her father Ethan had joint custody of her and could have her that weekend regardless. Sighing, she nodded. "Fine. But I would like the next three day weekend."

"That can probably be arranged." Theresa made the changes to the calendar, then put it in her copier. Then she and Gwen signed both copies, as they did every month, in case of later disagreements. Ethan had been astonished when he'd returned from his year in Jesenik to see how well the two had worked out the scheduling between them, with an almost complete lack of screaming or physical violence. They'd asked him if he wanted to change anything, but he wisely remembered the adage that said 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and kept his mouth shut.

"That's that." Gwen folded her copy, put it in her purse, and stood to go. "Oh, have you seen Fancy lately?" She asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

Theresa was immediately suspicious. "Why?"

"Oh, no reason." Gwen murmured, moving towards the door. Theresa eyed her sternly until she broke down. "Fine. I saw Sheridan this morning. She told me that Luis and Fancy had broken up."

"They have not broken up." Theresa snapped through gritted teeth. "This is...well, just a temporary little bump in the road. A minor setback, if you will. Luis and Fancy will be back together again before you know it."

"Keep dreaming, Theresa. From what I understand, Fancy moved out. That sounds pretty final to me. Besides, if she and Luis get back together, it will only delay the inevitable. He belongs with Sheridan, heart, body, and soul. To borrow one of your phrases, it's fate."

"Oh, please. That ship not only sailed a long time ago, it docked, all passengers disembarked, and it's since been dismantled and sold for scrap. Luis and Sheridan are over. He's in love with Fancy, and soon, he's going to figure out that he can't live without her."

Gwen laughed. "You are more delusional then ever, Theresa. I suppose it's nice that you want to protect Fancy from the truth, but in the end, you'll only hurt her more. She and Luis will never have what he and Sheridan had."

"I hope not." Theresa snapped back. "Because their relationship was flimsier than a house made of straw."

Gwen scoffed loudly. "We'll just see about that." She headed towards the door.

Theresa's eyebrows raised. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to help Sheridan get Luis back?'

Gwen whirled around to face her. "Are you going to deny that you're trying to help Fancy?" She accused.

"Not at all." Theresa crossed her arm. "In fact, I think we should make this interesting."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gwen eyed her warily.

"A bet, Gwen. I say we make a little wager on who's going to end up with Luis. You up for it?" Theresa smiled archly.

Gwen set her purse back down and turned back towards Theresa. "That depends. What exactly would we bet? Neither one of us needs money, and besides, gambling is tacky."

"Snob." Theresa muttered under her breath. Then she resumed speaking in a normal tone. "You're right though, a monetary prize would be boring. Let me think." She tapped her fingers on her desk for a minute, then a smile spread across her face. "You are going to the annual Crane Ball, aren't you?"

"Don't I always?" Gwen queried, sounding bored.

"Well, Fox made me promise to host it again this year, even though I'm no longer Mrs. Alistair Crane, thank God." Theresa rolled her eyes. "And as usual, the press will be there, along with everyone who's anyone. The terms I suggest are these: we have until the Crane Ball to get Luis together with the woman he loves. If he's with Sheridan by then, you win. If he's with Fancy, and you know he will be, then I win."

"Win what?" Gwen was getting impatient.

"It's not really so much what you win." Theresa smiled. "It's what the loser has to do." She leaned over and whispered in Gwen's ear.

Gwen pulled back and looked her in astonishment. "You are insane, you know that?" She shook her head. "That would be in all the papers. It would be completely humiliating!"

Theresa grinned. "Scared, Gwen?"

"No." Gwen snapped. "I just had a moment of pity for you, that's all. Because it will be you who's completely embarrassed yet again. I am going to win this one, hands down. You're on." She reached out and shook Theresa's hand.

"Excellent. Until the ball, then. That gives us a couple of months. And there will be no dirty tricks, of course." Theresa crossed her fingers behind her back.

"Of course." Gwen smiled sweetly, also crossing her fingers. Smiling angelically, she backed out of the room, then broke into a hurried trot down the stairs to her office. For she had a lot of work to do...

To Be Continued...

Coming Soon:

Jessica overhears a useful conversation between Gwen and Kieran. In the meantime, Tabitha and Endora get more than one unexpected visitor...