The Ex Factor

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. :)

Prague:

It was a woebegone group of people who were gathered in the restaurant area of the Hotel Moravia, comparing notes.

"We've got nothing." Luis sighed. "Sam ran their credit cards for me back in Harmony, which took a while, let me tell you...those two are like the Visa queens. Anyway, Theresa took out a large amount of cash, which means she's not leaving a paper trail of where she's going." He looked downcast. "I gotta tell you all...I'm stumped. I have no idea where they went, but they haven't been back to the hotel, and something tells me we shouldn't expect them any time soon."

Ethan stared into the contents of his glass, saying nothing. He kept replaying the words of Theresa's letter, over and over...'I wrecked everything. Everything I ever wanted, everything that is important to me, I'm either destroying it now or it's lost to me already.' He thought morosely, and then reached out to toss the liquor down his throat.

Luis watched him worriedly. Ethan had refused to tell him just what it was in Theresa's letter that had him so thrown. "Hey, Ethan, don't you think it's a little early for the hard stuff?"

"It's too late." Ethan mumbled. "For everything."

"Pity train, party of one, now boarding." Jared snapped. "Whatever it is, get over it. We don't have time to babysit a drunk." he stood up, ignoring Ethan's glare. "I can't just sit here. Let's go-I don't know where to look but I know we have to try."

As the group got to their feet, Fancy put a comforting hand on Ethan's arm. "We're going to find them, OK? And when we do...Ethan, you've got to work this out with Theresa and Gwen." She whispered in a low tone. "Because this whole being married to one woman and being in love with another-it's not working. You can't go on like this. It's killing you all."

"Believe me, I know. When we find them, this all ends. I'm putting a stop to this charade, once and for all. I have to."

As the five walked through the restaurant to the exit, a man in a stern looking suit nearly bumped into them as he clutched several full shot glasses in his hand. "Watch it!" The man laughed and spoke at the same time, clearly drunk. He brushed past them, on his way back to a table full of similiarly suited men. "OK, everyone!" They heard him yell. "Let's raise a toast to our generous boss, who brought us all to this woooonderful city and gave us the day off with pay. To Mrs. Alistair Crane!"

"To Mrs. Alistair Crane!" The rest of the men echoed.

The five of them stood frozen, exchanging shocked looks. Then as one, they turned around and ran toward the drunk. Luis grabbed him by the collar and pulled him to his feet. "What did you just say?"

"Hey, hands off the merchandise!" The man slurred. His friends had jumped to their feet as well, spoiling for a fight.

Ethan grabbed the man closest to him and pulled him to his feet as well. "Tell us where Theresa and Gwen went, right now, or I swear to God-"

"Hey!" Paloma pulled Ethan away. "Take a pill, already!" She turned to the man with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry for the overabundance of testosterone in these two. We overheard what you said. Theresa is my sister, and we haven't been able to find her. Do you know where she is?"

The man looked at her suspiciously but didn't speak. Then another man stepped forward, looking at Luis hard. Suddenly his face cleared and he broke into a grin. "Luis! How are you, man?" He slapped the man on the back. Luis grinned back. "Jason, it's good to see you. I'd forgotten that you took that job with Crane Security!"

Jason shrugged. "Beats the police force pay. Anyway, we did come here with your sister. We were supposed to guard her and Gwen Winthrop, of all people. Never would have believed those two would vacation together, believe me. But this morning the boss lady told us they didn't need us anymore. They took off with our head of security to check out some village."

"What village?" Everyone asked at once.

Jason frowned as he tried to remember. "Um...Jen..no Jer..."

"Jesenik, you idiot!" Another one of men said, and then burst into another fit of drunken laughter.

"Thank you!" Luis grinned. "Ok , you guys, Jesenik here we come!"

He looked back at Jason as he started to walk away. "Two words, Jace...designated driver!" He grinned.

Jason waved a wobbly hand. "We'll get a taxi, Luis, don't worry. Hey everyone, let's drink another toast...to the taxi driver! May we not throw up in a foreign cab!"

"Boy, those guys were having a good time." Jared grinned as they stood on the corner, trying to hail a cab of their own.

"You're awfully chipper for someone whose girlfriend is missing." Ethan snapped.

Fancy, Paloma, and Luis all rolled their eyes. "Can I hit him? Please?" Paloma whispered to them.

"Are you slow or something?" Jared snapped back. "She's not missing. She's in Jesenik with her head of security watching out for her. They're fine, Ethan, so unbunch your panties and relax. We'll catch up with them soon."

Ethan started to reply but Luis grabbed him roughly and pushed him into the cab. "Knock it off, Ethan, I'm warning you because the more you talk the more I really do want to hit you."

Ethan just shook his head as he stared at the window. "I hope you're all right, I really do." he said quietly. "Because I keep getting this feeling in my gut that something is going down - something bad."

Jesenik: Manor

"That was close-too close!" Theresa put a hand over her heart as she stage whispered to Gwen. "I can't believe that head guard or whatever he is didn't catch us. We nearly ran into him!"
"Well, he didn't, and we're in." Gwen was unable to hide her excitement as she looked around the small room they had ducked into. "The person who called me had to be calling from here. I can't believe it's just a coincidence. I'm going to find them, and I'm going to find my daughter."

"We're going to find Sarah, Sherlock. Together. So just settle down, OK? Let's not do anything stupid and get caught." Theresa looked around. "This looks like some kind of library or something. There's no phone or anything. I don't think we'll find what we need in here."

"It doesn't look like it's used much, either."Â Gwen ran her hands over the desk and frowned on the dust that appeared on her fingertips.

"Well, that's a good thing, actually. Means no one is likely to wander in and find us."

"I'm not staying here, Theresa. I need to find Sarah. I'm going to check out some of the other rooms." Gwen moved towards the door but Theresa grabbed her arm.

"Hold on, Gwen! Now listen-we are in serious trouble here. We have no weapons of any kind, I dropped my purse with my cell in it somewhere in the woods, and we are very outnumbered. What we need to do is find a phone somewhere and get help."

"You find a phone!"Â Gwen snapped. "I'm going to find my daughter." She moved again towards the door and Theresa hurried to block her.

" We can't just go wandering around here! Those guards will find you before you've even turned a corner, and then we're both dead. How much help can you be to Sarah then? I know you want to find her, but you can't let that desire totally unhinge you. Be rational."

"Don't you dare patronize me like I'm crazy! You sound like Ethan." Gwen snapped and regretted it the minute the words were out of her mouth.

Theresa looked surprised. "Ethan would never say something like that to you."

Gwen kept her mouth firmly shut and looked at the ground, furious with herself for that slip of the tongue.

Theresa's eyes widened. "Is that why you were so determined that Ethan not know where we were? Did he say something like he thinks you're...I don't know..delusional or something?"

"Yes, well I'm sure you find that hilarious, Theresa. Go ahead, laugh it up. Ethan thinks I'm crazier than a bedbug because I believe Sarah's alive. Must be a dream come true for you." Gwen spat bitterly.

"I don't think that's funny." Theresa frowned. "It's...kinda horrible, actually."

"Oh please, Theresa, no fake sympathy from you. It's turning my stomach."

"No, really, Gwen...I mean, I knew he was upset from what he said that night on the pier but I never imagined he was that much in denial." Theresa shook her head.

Gwen whirled around to face her. "What night on the pier?" Her voice was soft-dangerously soft, and her eyes flashed angrily.

"Um..." Theresa instantly realized her mistake. "You know, we ran into each other the other night, just had a brief, brief chat, and went our separate ways. No big deal."

"Really."Â Gwen's hands were on her hips. "And during this brief, casual little chat he just took a second or two to completely bare his soul to you about Sarah, is that it?"

Theresa scratched her head. "Hmmhmm." She mumbled, hoping Gwen would accept her non answer and let it go.

"I see." Gwen's voice was even lower now. "Just one more thing, Theresa...exactly what night did you have this talk?"

"Um... I can't exactly remember." Theresa backed away towards the door. "You know, maybe we should check out the rest of the-"

Gwen's fingers closed around Theresa's arms and she yanked her back. "Would it happen to be the night that Ethan left me crying in our living room? The same night that I went to your house and waited for you for HOURS? And stupid me-I just assumed that Ethan had gone back to the office and you were out with Jared. But you weren't, were you? YOU WERE WITH MY HUSBAND!"

"Gwen..." Theresa held out up her hands in a beseeching fashion. "We just talked, that's all. He was very upset."

"Upset? UPSET?! I was very upset that night, Theresa! I needed him so badly and he left me, to be with you! Damn you to hell!" Gwen advanced towards her, her fists clenched.

"Gwen, stop, OK? I am not interested in getting into this with you now! We have more important things to do!"

At Theresa's words, Gwen hesitated, but her eyes still burned angrily. "Just tell me, Theresa...look me in the eyes and tell me now. Have you been seeing my husband behind my back? Have you-"Â Gwen swallowed hard, thinking over the past months..how distant Ethan had been since Rome, all the late nights working, all the times she couldn't find him, all the times that Theresa had conveniently disappeared at the same time.

"Have you been sleeping with my husband, Theresa?"

Theresa swallowed hard before answering, and the pause was enough to tell Gwen more than she ever wanted to know.

"You bitch. You lying, scheming, baby killing, husband stealing bitch." Gwen's voice was murderous.

"OK, that's it!" Theresa had lost all patience with Gwen's insults. "First of all, I didn't kill Sarah. That's why we're here, remember? Because she's alive! Second of all, you stole Ethan from me in a low, shameless little scheme of your own. As for what Ethan and I have done, it takes two to tango, and you better believe your husband was ready to dance!"

SMACK! Theresa's words were cut off by the blow to her face. Gasping, she touched her cheek gingerly, and then lifted her head to stare hotly into Gwen's eyes.

"Alright, I've taken enough from you! I have tried to be nice and I have tried to help you but there's only so much I can take. You either back off right now or-"

"Or what?!"Â Gwen challenged, coming closer to Theresa.

"Or it's on, and I will take you down the way I've been dying to for YEARS!" Theresa returned Gwen's angry stare, feeling her Mexican-Irish temper reach the boiling point.

"Oh, you can bet it's on!" Gwen reached out and grabbed a decorate vase off the desk, smashing the end off to make a jagged weapon. "BECAUSE I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Reacting quickly, Theresa threw herself at Gwen. They both fell to the ground and the vase flew out of Gwen's hand, hitting the wall and shattering into a thousand pieces. Both of them jumped to their feet, breathing heavily and staring at each other with daggers in their eyes. Gwen glanced at her broken weapon in disgust.
"I didn't need that to beat you, Theresa. I've got all I need right here." She balled up her hand. "Fist, meet face-it's been too long!"

The resulting blow knocked Theresa back into the wall. Stunned for a moment, she was barely able to move aside fast enough as Gwen ran at her, her face twisted in rage. Missing her target, Gwen was knocked off balance herself and fell to the floor again. Before she could get up Theresa was on her, grabbing her blond hair and using it to drag Gwen to her feet.

"Payback's a bitch, Gwen. Face, meet desk!" She slammed Gwen's face into the desktop, hard. Gwen groaned and dropped to her knees on the floor, seeming unable to move for a moment as she gasped for breath.

"Had enough, Gwen?" Theresa was out of breath herself.

"Not as long as you're still breathing!" Gwen hissed and launched herself at Theresa's legs. Both of them were on the ground again, tearing out hair, scratching eyes and pummeling every part of each other they could reach. Theresa finally managed to pin Gwen beneath her and she pulled back her fist, ready to deliver the finishing punch, when her clenched hand was suddenly grabbed from behind.

Gwen and Theresa froze in place as their eyes met that of the head guard-and ten of his men, surrounding them, smiling coldly.

"Sorry to interrupt, ladies." The leader grinned wickedly at them. "But we were hoping we might have a word with you."

There was no use in fighting anymore-plus it was hard to do with a burly man on either side of each of them, and their arms pinned behind their backs. Gwen and Theresa were frogmarched through dark corridors and down a narrow, stone staircase, to a barren basement below.

Theresa tensed, fear rippling down her back as she saw the barred cell waiting for them. "A dungeon...perfect. Just perfect."

"In you go." The leader unlocked the door and shoved Gwen inside, then Theresa after. He looked back at his men. "You're dismissed. I can take the little hellcats from here." As the other men trooped back up the stairs, he looked through the bars at Gwen and Theresa. "Well, aren't you a pretty pair? And feisty too." His eyes, a startling shade of blue,swept over them. "I was hoping you'd give us a little bit more trouble, to be honest. It's been quite boring around here these days."

Gwen nudged Theresa. "Theresa, go!" She whispered hoarsely.

Theresa looked at her in amazement. "Go where?"

Gwen looked at the man, then back at Theresa. "Go do what you do best, Theresa. Charm him, seduce him, I don't care! Just get us the hell out of here!" her voice was an angry whisper.

Theres gave Gwen an icy glare, then looked back at the man with a sigh. Well, it was worth a try. Approaching the bars, she adopted a seductive tone. "So you've been...lonely?" She let her fingers caress the bars gently, inching closer and closer to him. "If you want to open the door, I'll see what I can do about that."

He came closer to her, close enough for her to see the long strands of dark blond hair escaping from his helmet. "Is that so, little one?"Â he smiled back her like the cat that had caught a canary, and ran a finger over her cheek. "It's a tempting offer you make me." Suddenly, he pushed her back. Startled, she fell hard on the dirt floor. "Sorry, sweetheart, but I've been around far too long to fall for that one." He turned toward the stairs, then looked back. His eyes met Gwen's and to her surprise, she felt a jolt of electricity race up and down her spine."Of course, if you'd been the one to try that, I might have gone for it." He gave her a wicked grin.

"Get some rest, ladies, because interrogations begin in the morning. Fun for me, not so much for you. Oh, and if you decide to fight again, let me know. I can bring you a couple of string bikinis and a bottle of oil and we'll have a party!" Laughing, he ascended the staircase and disappeared from view.

Theresa sat up, and then pulled herself against the brick wall, her knees pressed against her chest. Gwen stood across the cell, leaning against the bars, her face a mask of despair. Neither one of them said anything, but Theresa knew what Gwen was feeling, because she was feeling it herself.

They had blown it-they had lost their chance to find Sarah.

To Be Continued...