Back To You

Back To You
by Greta([email protected])

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

Part I

Luis paced the floor of his living room. He had been nervous ever since he got Theresa's phone call three days ago saying she would be home for a short visit. She was due home at anytime. He couldn't help but worry about her, even though she was married.
"Luis, honey, can you help me?" Sheridan called from upstairs. "Sure." Luis called back. Luis climbed the stairs and started towards the nursery. Before he could enter, a naked toddler crawled out the door.
"Whoa, kiddo!" Luis laughed and picked him up.
"Sweetie, can you put some clothes on Maggie while I finish with Callie?"
Sheridan pleaded, handing him a sundress.
"I think I can handle it." Luis said, throwing Maggie up and down in the air.
"I swear these twins will be the death of me!" Sheridan exclaimed as Callie yet again squirmed out of Sheridan's grip. "Say, Sher, did you mention to Ethan about Theresa coming home?" Luis asked.
"I didn't." Sheridan said.
"Good, because Theresa asked me not to," Luis said, "I guess being married to someone else helped her get over him."
"What was his name?" Sheridan asked.
"Brandon." Luis answered.
"Oh, well, did you tell Theresa about Ethan and Gwen not ever getting married?" Sheridan asked.
"She just assumed they did," Luis said, "I'm sure she'll find out differently when she gets here."
Luis buttoned the last button on Maggie's dress and sat her in her crib. Sheridan was still struggling with Callie. Luis came over to help.
"Well, I'm going to let you finish since you're so good at it and since you need something to take your mind off Theresa for a few minutes." Sheridan said.
"Ok, why don't you go start supper and I will bring them down in a second." Luis said.
Sheridan nodded and kissed her husband's forehead. Luis finished putting on Callie's matching sundress. He balanced her on one hip and went to get Maggie, but found her asleep. After covering her up, he noticed Callie rubbing her already red eyes. He sat down and rocked her, singing softly the song he sang to Theresa when she was little. Callie was soon fast asleep and Luis laid her in her crib, turning on the baby monitor. Luis was admiring his two beautiful daughters when he heard the doorbell sound.
"Time for me to go see another one of my favorite girls." Luis thought and headed down stairs.

Part II

Sheridan opened the door and there was Theresa. Luis came barrelling down the steps and into Theresa's open arms. Sheridan welcomed the man she assumed was Brandon.
"It's been a long time, little sister." Luis said.
"It's been too long." Theresa said.
Theresa turned to Sheridan and they hugged.
"Sheridan, I do believe that motherhood has made you more beautiful." Theresa said.
"Thank you, Theresa."
Luis finally noticed Brandon standing at the door. "Theresa, aren't you going to introduce me to your husband?"
Luis asked, confused as to why Theresa hadn't already jumped at that. Theresa's smile didn't fade, but it definetely toned down. Luis didn't notice, but Sheridan did.
"Luis, this is my husband, Brandon Mathews." Theresa said. Brandon walked to Luis and extended his hand. Luis shook it. Theresa could already tell that Brandon was the kind of guy that Luis liked and could get along with.
"Unlike Ethan..." Theresa thought.
"Theresa has told me so much about you, Luis." Brandon said.
Sheridan was aware of the conversation between Brandon and Luis, but still remained focused on Theresa. She saw things that Luis didn't. She saw how Theresa's face fell when Luis quickly took to Brandon.....saw how just the way Brandon moved made Theresa flinch. It made Sheridan's red flag go up, but she wasn't going to push it.
"Luis, do you care if I take Theresa on up to their room to get settled?" Sheridan asked.
"You girls go on ahead while me and Brandon watch the game." Luis said.
Theresa grabbed her bags and followed Sheridan upstairs and into the guest room. "Ok, Theresa, you are the closest thing I have ever gotten to a sister," Sheridan said, "Please tell me what's wrong because I know there's something."
Theresa opened her suitcase and began to unpack. Sheridan sat at the vanity, waiting.
"Sheridan, it's okay," Theresa said, "We just had an argument on the way down here, but it's no big deal."
Sheridan thought that this was possible, but there was still something....
"Alright, but if you need to talk, you are just two doors away from me!"
Sheridan said.
"Ok, now, where are my beautiful nieces?" Theresa said, smiling.

Part III

Luis decided to take Brandon and Theresa out to eat at the Lobster Shack.
Sheridan still wanted to talk more to Theresa, but called the babysitter and got dressed. At 7:30pm, they were out the door and on their way. Luis and Brandon talked all the way about basic guy stuff. Sheridan sat in the back seat with Theresa, who remained quiet.
"Sheridan?" Theresa whispered.
"Yea?"
"What are the chances of us seeing you-know-who tonight?" Theresa asked in a low voice.
"I don't know, Theresa," Sheridan said, "Since he's still a single guy living in my old cottage, he eats out a lot."
"Still single?" Theresa said, a little too loud.
Luis shot Sheridan a look in the rearview mirror. He knew what Sheridan had just revealed to Theresa. Brandon just turned around and gave Theresa a confused look.
"Sorry, just girl gossip." Theresa said, giving a small smile. Luis and Brandon continued to talk. Sheridan and Theresa exchanged smiles. Theresa's nervousness continued to build as Luis turned into the Lobster Shack parking lot. Theresa scanned the lot, trying to find Ethan's red Mercedes, but no luck.
"Alright, let's eat." Luis said, as they all got out of the car.
The Lobster Shack was packed out, but Luis had reservations and they were seated quickly. Theresa was still trying to find Ethan, but when they sat down Theresa gave up hope. She didn't really know just how bad she wanted to see Ethan. Suddenly, losing the hope of seeing Ethan, Theresa felt sick.
"Can you all please excuse me?" Theresa said, quickly getting up. Brandon sat for a moment and, then got up and went after Theresa. "I wonder what's wrong with those two." Luis wondered aloud. "I don't know, but I do know that if Theresa went into the ladies room," Sheridan said, "Brandon can't go in there."
Sheridan got up and started towards the restroom, but got distracted by something behind the bushes outside the back doors. Sheridan couldn't see anything, but she knew that someone was behind those bushes. She walked towards the back door. She shut them behind her and finally heard voices, angry harsh voices.
"Who could that be?" Sheridan wondered.
Sheridan peeked her head around the bushes and saw Brandon and Theresa.
Brandon had Theresa pinned against the wall and Theresa was crying.
Sheridan had to strain to hear.
"God, Theresa, why do you have to be so embarassing!?!!" Brandon yelled.
"Brandon, let me go!" Theresa screamed.
"No, not until you tell me why you embarassed me in front of your brother and sister-in-law." Brandon said, angrily.
"Brandon, let me go; you are hurting my arm!" Theresa screamed.
"I swear, Theresa, you are so worthless sometimes!" Brandon yelled.
Sheridan was about to step up and rip Brandon's head apart when she heard it.
SLAP!
Sheridan had closed her eyes. She opened them and saw Brandon with his fists balled up at his sides and Theresa on the ground. Theresa was sobbing, holding her face.
"You better clean yourself up and get back in there." Brandon hissed.
Sheridan stepped back so when Brandon walked back into the restaurant; he didn't see her. Sheridan ran over to Theresa.
"Theresa?" Sheridan said softly.
Theresa looked up and saw Theresa's tear-stained face and a large red handprint on her cheek.
"Oh, Sheridan!" Theresa sobbed and fell into Sheridan's arms.
"Theresa, is this the first time that this has happened?" Sheridan demanded.
Theresa didn't answer...she didn't have to.
"We have to tell Luis." Sheridan said.
"No!" Theresa said.
"Theresa..." Sheridan started.
"Can you just please take me home?" Theresa begged.
Sheridan nodded. She helped Theresa up and they started towards the parking lot.
"Let me go tell Luis we're going home," Sheridan said, "He and Brandon can take a cab home."
Theresa climbed into the car and Sheridan turned back towards the restaurant. Theresa suddenly shot up and grabbed Sheridan.
"Sheridan, promise me that you won't tell Luis." Theresa pleaded.
Sheridan hesitated.
"Theresa..." Sheridan said.
"Please!" Theresa said.
"I promise." Sheridan said.

Part IV

Theresa leaned back against the seat. She watched Sheridan in the rearview mirror head back into the restaurant.
"Please, God, just let me get through this one." Theresa said aloud.
There had been so many. First, it was all perfect. Then, came the bruised back, bruised arms, broken finger.....it all crashed down at once.
Brandon's temper could be deadly...that's what scared Theresa.
Theresa started crying. She couldn't help it. Her life had went from bad to worse; the bruises would be harder to hide now that she was back in Harmony.
Then, she saw him.
Ethan....
the man she waited her whole life for....
She leaned down hoping that he wouldn't see her. He walked right in front of the car. Still handsome and noble....Theresa shuddered when she thought of his touch. She felt the regret that still rested inside her. She could be with him. He hadn't chose Gwen.
"He could never want me now." Theresa thought.
She had been through so much. She was married to someone that physically hurt her and didn't love her. Now, she was looking at what her future could have been. It was too late....
Sheridan came back to the car.
"Luis was a little suspicious, but it's okay." Sheridan reassured her.
"Good." Theresa said.
Theresa was quiet all the way home. Sheridan tried to find something to talk about, but she couldn't find anything. Finally, they pulled into the driveway.
"Theresa, what are you going to do?" Sheridan asked when they got inside.
Theresa walked over to the couch and sat down. Sheridan sat in front of her.
"Sweetie, Luis and I will help you with anything you decide." Sheridan assured her.
"I don't know what I want." Theresa said quietly.
The doorbell rang. Sheridan gave Theresa's hand one last squeeze and ran to the door. Sheridan opened it to find Ethan.
"Ethan!"
"Sheridan, where is she?" Ethan said, sternly.
"What?"
"I know Theresa is here." Ethan said, coming in.
Sheridan let him in and closed the door. Ethan had already made it into the living room. Theresa stood up.
"Ethan..." Theresa said, smiling.
"Theresa!" Ethan ran to her.
Theresa wrapped her arms around Ethan. He felt so safe. She had forgotten how good it felt to be with him. Ethan ran his hands through her hair.
God, he'd missed her.
"Oh, Theresa, I thought I had lost you forever." Ethan whispered.
Ethan pulled Theresa back away from him.
"You are so beautiful." Ethan said.
Ethan leaned in to kiss her.
"Get your hands off my wife!"
Theresa jerked back and turned to see Brandon standing with Luis and Sheridan. Brandon's face was red with anger.
"Ethan, this is my husband, Brandon." Theresa said.

Part V

Theresa sat beside Sheridan and helped feed Callie and Maggie.
"Sheridan, I still can't believe that happened last night." Theresa said.
"It's okay now, right," Sheridan asked, "Brandon isn't angry?"
"He hasn't spoken to me." Theresa said.
"Ethan called me this morning." Sheridan finally admitted.
Theresa's heart began to beat wildly. The mention of Ethan's name still made her knees go to Jello and cause her to get hot and sweaty.
"What did he say?" Theresa choked out.
"He wanted me to ask you something." Sheridan said.
"What?"
Sheridan really didn't want to tell her. Ethan had begged Sheridan all morning to ask Theresa to come to the cottage. He said he would wait all day.
Sheridan had seen Brandon's wrath and didn't want Ethan involved. She knew that if Brandon had hit Theresa before; Ethan would find bruises. Sheridan could only guess what Ethan would do.
"Theresa..." Sheridan said.
"Please, Sher, what did he say?" Theresa asked.
"He wants you to come over to the cottage." Sheridan said.
"Today?" Theresa asked.
"Yeah, anytime today." Sheridan said as she lifted Maggie out of her highchair.
Theresa picked Callie up out of her highchair. They carried the twins into the living room and sat them in their playpen. Theresa sat down and her mind began to race. Could she get away with it? Could she see Ethan? What could she tell Brandon?
"Sheridan, I am going to Ethan's." Theresa said.
"Theresa, did you really think this through?" Sheridan asked.
"Come on, Sheridan, you believe in true love," Theresa said, "you have ever since you and Luis were brought together." Sheridan nodded.
"Then, please, I'm begging, help me get to Ethan." Theresa said.
Sheridan sighed.
"I swear, you are tons of trouble!" Sheridan said, laughing.
"So, you'll cover for me?" Theresa asked.
"Yes, now just go!" Sheridan yelled, laughing.
Theresa jumped up and hugged Sheridan.
"Here take my car." Sheridan said, tossing Theresa her keys.
Theresa kissed the twins' foreheads and raced out the door.
"Ethan, here I come, everyone else be damned." Theresa said aloud.

Part VI

Ethan sat his desk, finishing up some work on his laptop. The waiting was biting at his nerves. Sheridan didn't sound thrilled at telling a married woman to go meet a man who wanted to try and get her back. He knew it was because of Luis. Ethan got up and walked towards the window, hoping to see some sign of Theresa.
"Are you going to follow your heart, Resa?" Ethan thought.
As if God was reading his thoughts, Sheridan's white Camry pulled into the cottage drive. Ethan almost jumped through the window when he saw his beautiful Theresa climb out of the car. He met her at the door.
"Oh, Theresa, I can't believe you came." Ethan said, pulling her into his arms.
"I can't believe it either." Theresa said.
Ethan wrapped his arms around her and breathed in the familiar scent of her hair. Theresa rested her head in the hollow of his neck. Before she even realized, they were kissing.
"Theresa, please tell me that this means you'll come back to me." Ethan said.
Theresa pulled away. She knew that this would have to be discussed sometime.
"I don't know, Ethan," Theresa said, "I am married."
"Theresa, you can't tell me that you're happily married," Ethan said, "otherwise you wouldn't have come today."
For some reason, this caused Theresa to cry. She buried her head in her hands. She wanted to tell Ethan everything, but she couldn't.
"Oh, Theresa, I am such an idiot," Ethan said, pulling her into his arms, "How could I be so stupid?"
Ethan tried to comfort Theresa, but she only cried harder.
"Ethan, this was a mistake." Theresa said, turning around to leave.
"Theresa, wait!" Ethan yelled.
But, it was too late. Theresa was already jumping inside the car. Ethan ran out towards the car, but Theresa peeled out of the drive and was gone.
Ethan stood in the driveway, watching the red taillights disappear.
Theresa slammed her head against the seat. How could she lie to Ethan?
Why didn't she tell him everything? Ethan would have protected her from Brandon and they could've been together.
"How could I have been so stupid?" Theresa said to herself. Theresa parked Sheridan's car in her normal spot and drug her heavy heart inside, not noticing that Luis' Tahoe was gone. Theresa opened the door to a quiet house.
"Hello?" Theresa called out.
Theresa heard a cabinet slam in the back of the house. Theresa headed for the kitchen. Theresa swung the door open and saw Brandon pouring whiskey.
"What are you doing?" Theresa demanded.
"Oh, so you decided to come home, huh?" Brandon slurred.
"Goodness, Brandon, how much have you already drunk?" Theresa said, angrily.
"Enough." Brandon replied.
Theresa crossed the room and snatched the bottle from Brandon's hands.
She carried the bottle to the back door and tossed it outside. Theresa didn't shut the door until she heard the bottle shatter on the hard ground.
"You promised me that you wouldn't drink while we were here." Theresa said, with disgust.
"Theresa, don't make me hurt you." Brandon hissed under his breath.
"Brandon, you don't scare me." Theresa said.
"Oh, really?" Brandon charged forward.
Theresa stood her ground, but Brandon was too big. His fist came across her face and Theresa lost her footing. Theresa fell backwards and felt her head thud against the hard tile. Everything went black and Theresa began to drift out of consciousness.

Part VII

Luis and Sheridan walked up the walk, hand-in-hand.
"I had a great time, sweetie," Sheridan said, "I wish Theresa had been home in time to come."
"Yea, Brandon insisted on waiting for her," Luis said, "I can tell he really loves her."
Sheridan hung her head.
"Theresa has been acting a little strange lately, hasn't she?" Luis asked.
Sheridan avoided the question by digging for her keys. She unlocked the door. Luis walked through the house looking for Theresa and Brandon.
"Theresa?" Luis called.
Brandon came through the kitchen door.
"Hey, guys, Theresa is upstairs in bed." Brandon said.
"Why is she asleep so early?" Luis asked.
"Funniest thing happened," Brandon said, "Theresa was trying to fix some supper and slipped and hit her head."
"Is she okay?" Luis asked.
"Yea, she's got a nasty bruise on her face." Brandon said, shaking his head.
Sheridan stared at Brandon. She knew what had happened.
"She's upstairs?" Sheridan asked.
"Yea." Brandon replied.
"Luis, I am going to check on her," Sheridan said, "Why don't you and Brandon go pick up the girls at Ivy's?"
"Sure, sweetie." Luis said.
Sheridan climbed the stairs and went into the guest bedroom.
She closed the door behind her and was enveloped in darkness. The light from the streetlight outlined Theresa laying on the bed. Sheridan could see Theresa trembling from where she was standing.
"Theresa?"
Theresa lifted her head and looked over at Sheridan.
"Theresa, what happened?" Sheridan asked, sitting down on the bed.
Theresa didn't say anything. She reached over and switched on the bedside lamp. That's when Sheridan saw the bruise. It stretched from Theresa's temple down to the corner of her mouth. It had already turned a nasty dark purple and the skin around her eye was black. Sheridan gasped when she saw her sister-in-law.
"Is this Brandon's handiwork?" Sheridan asked.
Theresa nodded and started to cry. She had to stop because of the pain of crying. Sheridan pulled Theresa into a hug. "OH!" Theresa cried out.
Sheridan quickly let go. Theresa's face was still contorted in pain.
Sheridan gently turned Theresa around so Sheridan could see her back.
Sheridan lifted Theresa's shirt and saw a bruise exactly like the one on her face that started at the base of Theresa's neck and went down her back.
"Oh, Theresa, this has got to stop." Sheridan said, raising off the bed.
"Please, Sheridan, don't." Theresa pleaded.
"Are you just going to wait until he kills you, Theresa?"
Sheridan asked.
Theresa began to cry for the millionth time tonight. Sheridan comforted her.
"Theresa, what are you going to do?" Sheridan asked.
"I don't know I just need time alone." Theresa said.
"Alright, if that's what you need to figure this out, I'll get Luis to take Brandon to the police station tomorrow and I have to go out of town for the day." Sheridan said.
"Thank you, Sheridan," Theresa said, "You are the best sister I could ever have."

Part VIII

Sheridan snapped Maggie and Callie into their car seats and turned back to face Theresa.
"Alright, sweetie, you have all day to yourself," Sheridan said, "but Luis and Brandon are coming home in 45 minutes for lunch; other than that, it's all yours!"
"Thank you again, Sher." Theresa said.
"No problem, Resa." Sheridan said, smiling at their little names.
Sheridan gave Theresa a final hug, trying not to hit her bruise. Luis had already done that this morning. Theresa did a good job of covering her pain.
Theresa waved until Sheridan's car was out of sight and she got back inside the house.
Theresa headed for the kitched to start herself a pot of water for some hot tea. She need to relax and decide how to get herself out of this situation. She poured the hot water in a cup when the doorbell sounded. Theresa headed for the door and was surprised to find Ethan on the other side.
"Theresa, we have to...what happened to you?" Ethan said.
Theresa's hand flew to her bruise. She walked back towards the kitchen.
How could she explain this one?
"Theresa, answer me!" Ethan said, following her.
"Ethan, please leave." Theresa said, picking up her teacup. Ethan placed his hand on Theresa's back. Hitting her bruise, Theresa screamed and dropped her cup. Ethan pulled back, confused.
Theresa leaned up against the counter.
"Oh, Ethan, please go." Theresa said.
Ethan picked up the bigger pieces of the cup and threw them in the trash.
"Fine, Theresa, I am leaving." Ethan said and walked out the kitchen door.
Ethan slammed the front door behind him. He didn't understand Theresa sometimes. Ethan pulled out his keys and started unlocking his door when it hit him. He knew why Theresa was being so defensive....he knew how she got the bruises....all he needed was to ask Theresa about it.
Theresa was mopping up the spilled tea, crying, when Ethan burst back through the door. Theresa was so startled she shot up and that sent pain from her back shooting down her body. Once she got her breath back and the pain settled, Theresa noticed Ethan's face was blood red.
"Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, I am going to ask you a question." Ethan said.
Theresa trembled. She'd never seen Ethan so mad in all the years she'd known him.
"I want you to be completely honest with me, okay?" Ethan said.
"Alright." Theresa said, quietly.
"Those bruises...did he....hit you?" Ethan asked, trying to get it out without yelling.
Theresa dropped her head. She couldn't lie to Ethan...she's never been able to. She didn't know what to say, but one look at Ethan and Theresa knew that she didn't have to say anything.
"Ethan...please....listen." Theresa begged.
Ethan paced the room.
"I can handle this; please don't get involved." Theresa said. "I am going to kill him." Ethan said.
"Oh, please, Ethan." Theresa begged.
She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his neck. He didn't hug back. Theresa knew he was too mad to do anything.
"Please, baby, don't." Theresa whispered.
"Theresa, no, I can't promise you that the next time I see him he won't die," Ethan said, "I'm going to kill him for hurting you." Theresa pulled away from Ethan and folded her arms.
"Luis doesn't know, does he?" Ethan asked.
Theresa shook her head.
"You didn't tell him or me because you knew that we'd react this way." Ethan said.
Theresa nodded.
"Why did you let this go on?" Ethan asked.
"I thought that since I couldn't have you, I deserved it." Theresa said.
Ethan stared in disbelief at Theresa.
"Oh, Resa, how could you believe that?" Ethan asked.
Ethan took Theresa into his arms.
"You are such a beautiful and wonderful woman," Ethan said, "There isn't anything in this world more remarkable than you."
Theresa had tears in her eyes. Why was she so miserable when she could be so happy if she wanted?
"I'm sitting here, looking at you in such pain, and I have never wanted to kill someone as bad as I do your husband." Ethan said, his rage returning.
"Oh, is that a fact?" a voice boomed.
Ethan and Theresa turned to see Brandon.
"Well, seeing as you are making moves on my wife, I'm the one that's going to be doing the killing." Brandon said.

Part IX

Brandon was across the room and in Ethan's face before Theresa could react.
"Brandon, please leave Ethan alone." Theresa begged.
"Theresa, if you don't want to get hurt, I suggest you leave now." Brandon hissed.
Ethan pulled Theresa behind him.
"Oh, you're through hurting Theresa." Ethan said.
"Are you trying to tell me what to do with my wife?" Brandon asked.
"Theresa is her own woman; she doesn't belong to anyone, especially someone who finds it enjoyable to hit her." Ethan said.
Brandon raised his fist. Ethan started to struggle and protect Theresa at the same time.
"Whoa! Stop right there!"
Theresa looked toward the door and saw Luis and Sam race to pull Ethan and Brandon apart.
"Brandon, calm down." Luis said, holding him down.
Sam got Ethan to sit down and Luis pulled Brandon to the other side of the room. Theresa leaned against the counter.
"Alright, tell me what's going on." Luis said.
"Luis, do you know...." Ethan started.
"Not from you!" Luis yelled.
"Luis, please don't yell." Theresa said.
"Luis, this is nothing," Brandon said, "Theresa is just upset because of Ethan."
Ethan was fuming.
"He came here just to upset her." Brandon said.
Luis looked back from Brandon to Theresa to Ethan. Theresa began rubbing her temples. All of Brandon's lies began to bang in her head...all the bruises began to come flooding back...his lies against Ethan built up and flared her temper. She had been so zoned out that she was unaware that Brandon was still making excuses.
"Luis, really, it's cool." Brandon said.
To Theresa's chagrin, Luis was believing all of Brandon's lies. Theresa saw that Ethan was going nuts. Suddenly, it hit Theresa like a brick.
"Brandon, shut up!!!" Theresa screamed.
Luis, Sam, Brandon, and Ethan stared at Theresa. Ethan crossed the room and took Theresa in his arms.
"I'm sick of it, Brandon," Theresa sobbed, "You could kill me."
"What?" Luis said.
Theresa leaned against Ethan. Ethan stroked her hair.
"Oh, baby, let me tell him." Ethan said.
"Somebody better be explaining." Luis demanded.
"Luis, words cannot explain enough; just look." Ethan said, as he turned Theresa around.
He raised Theresa's blouse. Sam and Luis both were stunned at the bruise.
"Do you really think that whatever dumb excuse Brandon gave you could cause this?" Ethan asked.
"Theresa, talk to me." Luis said, turning her to face him.
"Tell him, Theresa." Ethan said.
Before Theresa could answer, Sheridan came through the door with Maggie on one hip and Callie on the other.
"Can you believe that the roads are snowed in..." Sheridan started, but stopped when she saw her crowded kitchen. Sam stepped towards Sheridan and took the girls back into the living room.
Sheridan walked towards Theresa and Ethan.
"Can you explain to me what's going on?" Sheridan asked Luis.
"Theresa showed Luis the bruises on her back." Ethan said.
"I asked Theresa to talk to me, but she hasn't." Luis said.
Sheridan raised a hand to Ethan and Luis. She focused in on Theresa.
"Sweetie, tell Luis and I swear to you that you will never be in danger again, ever." Sheridan said.
Theresa nodded and turned to Luis who was beside Ethan and Brandon.
"Luis, Brandon has a drinking problem," Theresa said, "and if I ever made him mad while he was drunk...I would get to feel the wrath of the alcohol."
Theresa could see Luis' jaw tightening. Ethan had already heard more than he could and was starting to get restless.
"My little 'accident' in the kitchen was no accident," Theresa continued, "Brandon was drinking in your home and that made me mad, so I backtalked him."
Luis reacted so fast, no one could stop him. Brandon was on the floor before Theresa could stop him. Ethan wasn't going to stop Luis.
"Sheridan, go tell Sam to get someone to haul this sorry excuse for a man to jail," Luis said, "I want this filth out of my home."
Ethan pulled Theresa into his arms. Theresa, for the first time in a long time, felt safe and stable. Luis kissed the back of Theresa's head. "Ethan, take my sister to your house until I get this taken care of," Luis said, "After seeing you today, I know that she's just as safe with you as she is with me."
Ethan shook Luis' hand. Theresa hugged her brother. They walked towards the front door. Ethan noticed Theresa yawning and picked her up and carried her to the car. They got inside and Ethan looked over at Theresa.
"Ethan, thank you for everything you did tonight." Theresa whispered.
"You are worth it." Ethan said.
Theresa smiled as Ethan kissed her pursed lips. Ethan pulled out just as Sam pushed Brandon in the back of his police car. Theresa watched as her old life dissolved into nothing and a new life with Ethan was just beginning.

THE END

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

Back to B

~*~

Back to Fanfics

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

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws