For anyone catching up, this story is an E/T/G (also with a tiny bit of Lancy/hints of Shuis) story that was written back when Ethan and Theresa finally consummated their relationship for the first time since his marriage to Gwen by making love at Crane Industries. In this story, a mystery concerning Sarah's death forces Gwen and Theresa to work together for the first time, and the two of them learn some harsh truths as they fight to find out the truth about what happened to Gwen's daughter. Cat fights and backstabbing ensue, but if they can't make peace for at least a little while, both of them just may end up dead. Meanwhile, Ethan struggles with his feelings for Theresa vs. his marriage to Gwen, knowing he has the hardest decision of his life to make.

This story is long finished, but I'm archiving it here in case the fan sites close after Passions ends its run this summer. I doubt anyone's reading at this point, but if you are and you want faster updates, please let me know via review or email and I'll do a massive uploading spree. :)

I love reviews. If you're enjoying The Ex Factor, please leave me one. :)

The Ex Factor

By Ava Sinclair

Prague/Airport:

"Finally!" Ethan breathed a sigh of relief as the pilot finished thanking the passengers for using their airline. "It seemed like we'd never get here."

Jared and Luis groaned and stretched. "Damn, I'm cramped." Luis yawned widely as he pulled his bag out of the overhead compartment. "These seats are way too small to spend that many hours in. Whose idea was it to ride in coach, anyway?"

Jared gave Ethan a dirty look. "Ask Winthrop. He made the reservations."

Ethan flushed. "Sorry, Luis. I didn't even think about it-I just grabbed the first three seats that were available."

Luis grinned. "You've got other things on your mind, Ethan. Don't worry about it."

"You can say that again." Ethan murmured, more to himself. He'd spent the whole flight running scenarios through his mind of what could be happening to Theresa and Gwen as he sat helplessly by. 'God, I'm an idiot.' He whispered to himself. 'How could I let everything spiral so far out of control?" He was silent as he followed Jared and Luis out into the terminal, until a loud groan from Luis broke into his reverie.

"I don't believe it!"

"What?" Jared looked curiously at Luis, wondering what had it was that had him so aggravated.

"Look at that. Of all the nerve..." Luis pointed across the terminal. Ethan and Jared looked to where he was pointing and both of their jaws dropped. Fancy and Paloma stood there, grinning, dressed to the nines, holding up a handwritten sign that said "Harmony Tour Group-Party of Five". They looked like they were enjoying themselves immensely.

Luis stormed over to them, his face thunderous. "What the hell are you two doing?"

Fancy smiled smugly. "Taking a vacation, just like you said. Why, Luis, aren't you happy to see us?"

Ethan and Jared joined them, Jared looking amused. Ethan personally couldn't have cared less if Britney Spears had gotten off the plane and decided to join them-he just wanted to find Gwen and Theresa.

"How did you get here?" Jared asked, grinning.

"On the same flight that you were on, except we were in first class. It was a wonderful flight, don't you think? With those big plush seats, the complimentary wine, and the filet mignon for dinner. I feel very rested." Paloma looked at the three tired men mischievously.

"Well, you two can enjoy your flight back home too, because you're both leaving, right now." Luis folded his arms and gave them a cold look.

"No way." Fancy's temper rose. "We're not in cadet training any more, remember? You don't get to order us around. We're here to help, so just stop being such a stubborn ass-"

"OK, OK!" Jared interjected hastily. "Luis, we don't have time for this. Maybe they can help-let them come with us."

Luis rolled his eyes heavenward. "Fine." He turned towards Paloma and Fancy. "You two will not run off, you will not play hero, you will not disobey me when I ask you to do something. Got that?"

Fancy opened her mouth to tell him exactly what she got, but Paloma stepped on her foot. "Fancy, we're in. Let's just leave it at that, ok?"
Reluctantly, Fancy snapped her mouth closed and settled for a small nod of her head. Paloma heaved a sigh of relief.

"OK, let's get moving. Hotel Moravia is our first stop. Gwen and Theresa have almost a 24 hour head start, so we've got to move fast to catch up with them. Lord knows what they've gotten themselves into by now."

Jesenik:

Jesenik:

"Excuse me, Sir, I was wondering if you could please-" Gwen stood in front of an elderly man who was seated at one of the rickety cafe tables, holding out the flyer with Sarah's picture.

"No!" The man didn't even bother to look at the flyer. Giving Gwen an indignant look, he stood up, slapping some money on the table, and hobbled away.

"Well, that's it." Theresa looked around the small cafe in frustration. "No one will talk to us. In fact, we've chased just about everyone out of here. I don't get it. People in Prague brushed us off and that didn't surprise me, but here...it's almost like they're scared. They don't even want to hear a thing we have to say."

Fred looking around, a concerned look on his face. The few remaining customers and waitresses were definitely keeping their distance, shooting them looks mixed with irritation, distrust, and yes...fear. "Something is off here." Fred said. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Crane, but I don't like this. I think we should go."

"No!" Gwen's eyes filled with tears of frustration. "This was our one solid lead to find Sarah. We can't leave now! There has to be one person that can tell us something."

Theresa sighed heavily. "Gwen, no one is talking to us. We're not getting anywhere. Look, I'm not willling to give up just yet either. I think we should just go find someplace local to stay for the night, and start fresh in the morning. We'll talk to every single person in this village if we have to."

Gwen sighed, defeated. "Fine. Let's go. Maybe after we get some sleep we'll be able to come up with some new ideas."

They exited the cafe and were waiting patiently for Fred to unlock the car when quiet footsteps crunched the ground behind them. Gwen and Theresa whirled around to see one of the young waitresses from the cafe, looking at them with large, apprehensive eyes.

"You are..." she hesitated, seeming to struggle with finding the right words. "You are from America? From Harmony?"

"Yes." Gwen and Theresa looked at each other with nervous excitement and then back at the waitress.

"Did you hear us mention that inside?" Theresa asked, trying to keep her voice as gentle as possible. The young woman looked terrified and like she might bolt any second.

The waitress nodded. "Yes, I hear you. And I.." she paused again, hands twisting the skirt of her simple uniform nervously.

Gwen stopped forward, putting a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder. With her other hand, she pulled one of Sarah's flyers from her purse. With quiet desperation in her eyes, she spoke. "We are looking for my daughter. This little girl is my daughter. We need to find her. Can you help us?"

The girl swallowed hard as she looked at the picture, brushing a dark curl out of her eyes. "The answers you are looking for...you will find them there." She pointed a shaking finger in the opposite direction. Theresa, Gwen, and Fred all strained their eyes, trying to see where she was pointing in the evening gloom. At first, it seemed as though she was pointing into the midst of the thick, dark forest that surrounded the village, but as their eyes adjusted, they could barely make out what looked like the outline of a building, an enormous one to appear above the treetops the way it did.

"My God..what in the world is that place?" Theresa whispered in wonderment. They turned back towards the girl, but she was already backing away, "I am sorry-I can tell you nothing more." she whispered, and turning, fled back towards the building.

Gwen turned back to Theresa and Fred, her eyes huge in her pale face. "This could be it!" Her voice was barely a shocked whisper. "We need to go there...now!"

Fred shook his head. "No, not in the dark. There's not even a road there-we'd have to walk through the forest. We don't know this place and we don't have any supplies. We need to wait until morning."

Theresa was torn, knowing Fred was right and yet also understanding Gwen's eagerness to check out this new lead.

"Gwen, I get how much you want to check this out, I really do. But this is starting to feel like one of horror movie moments, you know, where everyone is the theater is screaming 'Don't do it! It's a trap!' We have to be smart about this. Fred is right, we should wait until the morning."

"To hell with that!" Gwen's voice was both anguished and furious. "I have waited five years for this. I have missed my daughter and ached to hold her in my arms every single day! There is nothing that will keep me from her for a second longer, and if you two won't come with me, I'll go by myself!" To Theresa's shock, Gwen turned and ran-straight towards the woods.

"Dammit!" Theresa groaned. "Looks like we don't have a choice." She and Fred exchanged nervous looks before hurrying after Gwen's rapidly disappearing figure.
As the three of them disappeared into the darkness, the young waitress stepped out of the shadows, watching them sadly. When she was sure they were gone, she turned and headed towards a dilapidated pay phone outside the cafe door, dialing a number and tapping her fingers nervously.

"Yes..sir...this is Rina Schlesk, from the cafe. You said..." she hesitated as she had earlier. "You said if any of us could be of service to you, you would make it easier on our families. I have done you a service. The strangers from America, the ones you told us to watch for, they have come. There were three of them-two women and a man. I did as you asked-I sent them to you."

"Excellent, Rina." A cold voice purred on the other end. "I will be sure to prepare a very warm welcome for them." A sinister chuckle sent ripples of fear up and down Rina's spine.

"Tell no one of this, Rina, and make sure no one else speaks of our visitors either. I'm afraid they won't be heard from again."

"Yes, sir." Rina's voice was shaking. "But you promised...my family...we have almost no food, and my sister is working in your kitchens. Please sir, have mercy on us!"

"Very well, Rina. You have pleased me greatly. Your sister will be released, and I will see to it that your family survives the winter. But learn this lesson well, Rina..service to me is rewarded. Any disloyalty will be punished-severely." The line was disconnected.

Rina wiped the tears from her cheeks as she stared into the distance. "I am so sorry. I have sent you into the monster's lair. Please God, forgive me for I had no choice..."

To Be Continued...