Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Passions stuff.

Summary: Chapter 4: Theresa and Fox go down to the beach as temperatures RISE!! Ethan takes Gwen to the beach too…to spy on them.

Down at the beach- 9:00pm…

Theresa and Fox took off their shoes (and socks for Fox), as they walked hand-in hand across the cool, sandy beach. It was a full moon, shining down on the water, creating a spectacular view. It was very romantic; anyone would've said that! They stared into one another's eyes, content with everything at the moment. It was…perfect.

I can't believe I've fallen in love within a matter of days, after returning from another country! And that's not all- I've fallen for my step-mother! This is not good…Fox was confused.

Theresa shivered as a cool breeze swept across her face. Fox noticed and immediately took of his jacket and offered it to her to wear. She smiled.

"How about you?" Theresa asked thoughtfully.

"I'll be fine. I don't want my girlfriend to catch a cold on the first date!" Fox felt even more confused now. Girlfriend? Date? Great, I'm in a lot of trouble.

"Thank you for everything tonight. You've done a great job," Theresa said. She gave him a kiss on the cheek, which sent tingles all over Fox's body. "Did I mention you're a great kisser as well?" Theresa commented, giving him a wink.

"That's 'cause I've had a lot of practise! You're not bad yourself!" Fox laughed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Ethan saw Theresa and Fox leaving, he wanted so much to follow them, to see what they were doing. So he did. He got the cheque and told Gwen that they were leaving.

"But…" Gwen started to protest.

As Ethan saw Theresa and Fox going down to the beach, he said "Let's go for a walk down to the beach."

The only reason you want to go down there is because Theresa is there too! Gwen wasn't going to give in so easily. "But it's cold outside. I don't think it's a good idea to get sick now that I'm pregnant."

Ethan struggled for an excuse. "A walk is very healthy for the baby. Besides, I'm sure the baby will like it."

"But…but…Ethan…"

"Let's go," Ethan announced, cutting Gwen off. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door, into the night.

When they made it down the beach, Ethan saw Theresa and Fox talking. Then she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Gwen saw that Ethan was going red. He must be really jealous if I can see his face red in the dark!

"Isn't it a beautiful night tonight?" Gwen asked Ethan to distract him.

"Yeah," he answered quickly without even really listening to the question.

Gwen was sick of this! She was not going to let Ethan keep staring at Theresa. She needed to make her move. So, she turned him around, put her arms around his neck and kissed him in a strong, urgent kiss. She pulled him closer, as the kiss deepened. This will definitely distract him now!

Ethan may have been kissing Gwen but his heart wasn't with her. He knew he had an obligation to look after her and the baby. That's the only reason I rejected Theresa and proposed to her. If Gwen wasn't pregnant, I would've asked Theresa to spend the rest of my life with me.

Gwen made sure that the kiss continued. She pulled him closer and closer. But Ethan wanted it to stop. He broke the kiss, both of them gasping for air. Gwen was hurt by Ethan's actions.

"Let's keep walking," he said, his gaze ahead.

Gwen had no choice but to agree. What could she do? A tear was welling up in her eye. She held it back. Just then, Ethan's phone rang.

"Sorry, I'll just be a moment." He answered it and walked a few metres away.

What am I going to do? If he keeps staring at Theresa, he'll eventually tell her that he loves her and not me! Then Gwen came up with an idea. I'll call mother! She'll know what to do. So Gwen walked a few more metres away from Ethan and dialled her mother's number.

"Hello, Rebecca Hotchkiss speaking," she said.

"Mother, it's me, Gwen. I need your help!"

Oh, hello Gwennie, what's the matter?"

"Ethan's been staring at Theresa all night because she's with his half brother, Fox. Nothing seems to be working to distract him!"

"Well, have you tried getting him into bed?"

"No."

"Then you haven't tried everything!"

"But…"

"No buts. Believe me, making love works all the time!"

"Ok, I'll try. Bye."

"Bye."

Just as Gwen hung up, Ethan walked back over to her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh look, Fox. Ethan has followed us. It just proves that the plan is working excellently!" Theresa exclaimed.

"Yeah." That's what you think. The plan has changed everything for me.

There was a pause for a while, as both of them was thinking. Theresa was the one that broke the silence.

"I know, let's go to the lake over there!"

"Why do I get this feeling it doesn't end there?"

Theresa poked her tongue out. "Just wait and you'll soon find out."

So they walked from the beach to the secluded, serene lake. The water was beautifully clear, their reflections were so life-like. It was cool but not freezing. The moon shone down on the lake. It was more romantic than the beach, as the beach was more public.

Fox couldn't trust himself alone with Theresa any more. What could he do?

Theresa took off his jacket and stood in front of him, her back to him. "Could you unzip this for me?"

"What?! Why?" Did I just hear right? Theresa wants me to unzip her dress?

She turned around to face him. "I thought we could go for a late night swim in the lake," she replied, unbuttoning his shirt. Ok, even I, myself, am shocked of my actions- the lengths I'd go to get Ethan back. Or is this just about getting Ethan back?

"Are you sure about this? I mean, you'd go that far to get Ethan to admit his true feelings about you?" Fox asked, wanting this to happen but not wanting Theresa to regret her actions.

"Yes. I'd do anything for Ethan! Besides…it'll be fun!" Theresa said cheekily. I can't believe I said that! Why did I say that?

I can't believe Theresa said that! Fun? Did she really mean it? "Ok, but I won't take any responsibility for what happens after the undressing!"

Theresa laughed. He's so fun to be around with.

"So, about that unzipping…" He didn't have to finish. She turned around and he grabbed the zipper. His hands were shaking but slowly, he pulled it down. Lower and lower until it couldn't go down any further. He turned around so he couldn't see her undressing.

Now that his shirt was off, he took off his pants. Hesitating, he also took of his boxers.

"Are you ready?" Fox asked.

"Wow, you look great!" was Theresa's reply.

He turned around quickly. "Hey! You were cheating!" he said, blushing.

"Whatever. I was complimenting you anyway."

"Well, you look…wow…um…gorgeous!"

This time it was Theresa's turn to blush.

"But there's a problem," he continued. "You don't wear underwear when you're skinny dipping."

Theresa chuckled. "Fine." So she slid the last piece of garment off her body, revealing herself to him. She was embarrassed. She was bare naked in front of her stepson!

"Beat you there!" Fox cried and ran straight to the lake. Once he got there, half of his body in the water, he started splashing water at Theresa.

Theresa ran into the lake. The water was really cold. She shivered, as she sunk in the water to cover herself. She was still feeling a bit uncomfortable about being naked in the lake alone with Fox…but for some reason, she felt like she had known him forever and it seemed right. Especially when it means I'll get Ethan back!

What happened next was totally surprising. Fox came over to Theresa and kissed her- more passionately than she could imagine. It sent sparks flying. It sent questions to arise.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ethan and Gwen (or just Ethan) had followed Theresa and Fox. Theresa wasn't the only one that was surprised. Ethan was totally shocked at the scene that lay before his very eyes. He saw Theresa and Fox's silhouettes. They were naked! They were about a to go skinny dipping…on the first date! It had only taken Theresa one night to get over him and find another! Ethan's heart was broken. He shouldn't have ever let his love go. Now he didn't know if he could get her back. What am I thinking? I can't think these thoughts. I'm engaged to Gwen, soon to be married to her! She's carrying my child and I'm thinking of Theresa! No way! I shouldn't. It's wrong and it's unfair to Gwen. But Ethan just couldn't help but hurt every time he saw Theresa with Fox. Now he saw them kissing, so passionately in the water. So close together. He clenched his fists tightly. ARGH!

I need to get Ethan home and into the bedroom! Gwen was desperate. What could she do now? It was Ethan's words that made her get back to reality.

"Come on, Gwen. It's getting late. Let's go home."

She smiled. Yes! She snuggled into his arms and they left together.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meanwhile, Theresa and Fox didn't notice Ethan and Gwen leave. They were still caught up in their kiss. It deepened and started to get more urgent. Their bodies touched and Fox's hands started travelling down Theresa's body. She didn't know how to respond. Part of her wanted for him to continue, the other half wanted him to stop. I guess the shiver from Theresa gave the answer. It prompted Fox to stop. What was I doing?

"I'm so sorry. I kind of got carried away. You know it's so tempting when you're naked and possess such a hot bod!" Fox used that as an excuse.

Theresa blushed. "It's Ok. You're really sweet." Really sweet.

"Let's get out. It's getting late. And you're starting to look pale and your lips are blue. Let me take you home."

So they got dressed quickly and left. There was silence. Neither spoke a word. They were both letting what just happened sink in. Questions arose in their heads. But what was in their heads stayed in their heads, for neither of them chose to let their thoughts out.

A/N What do you think? What should happen next? Therethan or Foxeresa? The plot's gonna get hotter!! REVIEW!!