Ch 10
"Theresa he's still out there." Bessie said.
"Call Chief Witter." was the answer she got.
"The police? You want us to arrest this guy?" Bodie asked. "What did he do?" The air was tense.
"Harassment. He won't leave me alone." Theresa said taking her eyes away from the screen for a moment. "Bodie that's Ethan Crane."
"Who's Ethan Crane?" Bodie asked blankly. "I'm a little out of the loop."
"Assault and battery." Dawson put in. "He gave Resa that black eye."
"Oh my God." Bessie said noticing for the first time the blackness around her sister's friend's eye. "Bodie call Sheriff Witter."
Bodie did so without argument. "They're on their way." He said. "Why don't you guys go somewhere else?" He suggested to Dawson and Theresa. "Where he can't see you? Bessie, wait, we have to talk."
"C'mon I'm sure Max and Is won't mind if we use their room." Theresa said to Dawson as they got up.
"Okay." The two made themselves scarce.
"Bessie, what's going on with you lately?" Bodie asked. "You seem so distant. I never see you any more. You're always at the hospital." There was a low-level note of accusation in his voice.
"Bodie we need to talk about something."
"I know that." He said, frustrated. "I suggested it, remember?"
"There's something you need to know." Bessie started when there was a knock at the door.
"It'll have to wait." He was suddenly nervous as he opened the door.
"Evening Bodie. Bessie." John Witter nodded to them both. "Is this the young man that won't go away?" Ethan Crane was brought into the light.
"Yes. He's also the one that hit Theresa."
"I didn't mean to!" Ethan cried. "She got in the middle of me and the kid with the bad dye job. And he was the one who dove off his boat, dumped me in the creek and tried to drown me. If you want my opinion he should be arrested, not me." Ethan was fuming. He knew he shouldn't have said any of that, but he couldn't help it.
"Why would Dawson try to drown you? He's an even tempered kid, wouldn't you two say so?" John asked.
"Yeah, I've known him his whole life." Bessie said. "He's best friends with my little sister."
"Yeah Ethan why would Dawson try to drown you? Could it be because you can't take a hint?" Theresa said from the back of the room.
"Theresa, please, just listen to me!" Ethan begged. "You've been avoiding me for nearly a month."
"You might take that as a hint that she doesn't want to talk to you, son." John looked at his niece. "You all right Resa?"
"Just fine Uncle John. Dawson gave me some ice when we got back."
Dawson came in the room. He groaned when he saw Ethan. "You again? What does it take to get you to realize Theresa does not want to see you, speak to you, listen to what you have to say, or have anything to do with you?"
"Dawson I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"Of course Chief Witter."
"Did you try to drown this young man?"
"No." Dawson said. "He fell into the Creek."
"Bull! You pushed me." Ethan sounded like a child. "Theresa, I do love you." He started. "You must believe me!"
"Uncle John if I press charges what kind of sentence will he get?"
"Well, that depends on the charges."
"Stalking, assault and battery, and let's see what else we can dream up." She said.
"Harassment." Dawson added.
"There you go." Theresa said. "All of that."
"Theresa, you can't do this to me." Ethan said.
"Why not?" Her fury bubbled to the surface. "Give me one reason."
"I love you."
"One good reason." She amended.
"You love me."
Theresa shook her head. "No I don't. I couldn't possibly love someone as cold and as unfeeling as you. I'll see you in court. I'll be the one in red."
"Resa." He shouted, as she started to leave the room. "You can try to deny it. You can try to fill the void with someone else. But it won't be love you're feeling, and it can never possibly match what we had, what we can have together. Please Resa, just give me a chance to explain things from my point of view. Not Sheridan's, or Luis's, or Jack's, or Andi's or anyone else's. Mine. I think you owe me that much."
Theresa whirled around. "I don't owe you anything. And another thing the only people allowed to call me Resa are my friends and family and the last time I checked you were neither." She said firmly before she left followed by Dawson.
"Come young man." John Witter roughly turned Ethan around. "You have the right to remain silent..." He began. No one noticed, or cared if they did notice the tears streaming down Ethan's face.
"Now where were we?" Bodie said as he shut the door.
"There's something you need to know."
"And what is that?"
"I'm in love with someone else."
Bodie felt like the wind had just been knocked out of him.
"You're what?"
"I'm in love with someone else..."
"How? When?" Bodie's heart was breaking. "What'll happen to Alexander?"
"I don't know. Bodie I just know I can't be with you anymore it's not fair to anyone."
"Life's not fair." Bodie said loudly. "What happened?"
"I always loved him with a part of me and now I do with all my heart."
"Loved who-," Bodie broke off. "It's Doug, isn't it?"
Bessie turned her head away. "Yes." she whispered.
Bodie closed his eyes for a moment. He'd known for a long time this was coming. It didn't make it hurt any less. "Then good bye, I guess." The words cost him.
Bessie looked at him. "Good-bye Bodie."
"If it doesn't work with him, my door is always open." Bodie said lamely. He knew it would work between them. They had enough going for them that they could stay together and be happy. "Do I still have a job?"
"Always." Bessie said.
"I'm going to leave now." He said. "I'll be back before breakfast tomorrow."
"Okay." Bessie nodded and watched as Bodie left.
"You were what?" Sheridan asked in disbelief.
"Arrested." Ethan's reply came over the line.
"For what?" Sheridan honestly couldn't think of what Ethan could do to get himself arrested.
"Well, Harassment, Stalking, Assault and Battery."
"WHAT?" Sheridan shrieked.
"It's a long story. I need to be bailed out. My arraignment’s tomorrow. Do you think you could make it up here?"
"I- well- of course." Sheridan managed. "We'll talk when I get there, because I want a COMPLETE explanation of everything that's happened."
"Well I think it's a safe bet that Sheriff Witter is as arrest happy as his nephew." Ethan rolled his eyes.
"Ethan, I don't want you to say anything that might get you in trouble." Sheridan admonished. "Luis and I will be up there tomorrow."
"No! Don't bring Luis."
"Why not?" Sheridan asked.
"Cause his sister is the one pressing the charges."
"OK, explain this slowly and carefully." Sheridan managed.
"Time's up Crane." An officer said.
"Sheridan I have to go."
"OK, I'll be there tomorrow." Sheridan promised. "Hang tough."
"I will." Ethan sighed.
Sheridan hung the phone up and turned to Pilar whose living room she was sitting in. "Pilar I have to go."
"What happened Sheridan?" Pilar frowned, a look of concern on her face.
"It's a long story. Ethan's in some trouble and I have to go bail him out. Literally."
"Ethan's in jail?" Pilar couldn't believe it. "What are they saying he did?"
"Harassment, stalking, and assault and battery."
"Oh my lord. Who's pressing charges?"
"Um, he didn't say." Sheridan lied. She didn't want Pilar to have to worry about Theresa any more than she already did.
"The poor boy. Where is he?"
"He's staying with our cousins Jack and Andi. You remember them?"
"Of course." Pilar smiled softly. "But they live in Capeside!" Alarm flashed across her face.
"Yeah apparently that's where he was arrested."
"Theresa's the one pressing charges, isn't she?" Pilar sighed.
"He didn't say Pilar but he said your brother-in-law was as arrest happy as Luis is."
"John? Oh God, if he finds out how Ethan and Theresa are connected-," Pilar stopped suddenly. "Well, I know you have to go. Don't let me keep you."
"Thank you Pilar. Tell Luis I'll call in a few days. Ethan begged me not to bring him along."
"I won't tell him that part. He'd come running." Pilar made a face. "That boy is as stubborn as his father ever was."
"Tell me about it." Sheridan rolled her eyes before she was gone.
Pilar watched her leave, then sighed. "Que serat sera." She whispered to herself. (What is meant to be will be.)
"I don't care what you say Jack. I like that movie." Liz argued.
"Please Liz. It was made by a man with the mentality of a thirteen-year old."
"Ok now you sound like Dawson which is just plain scary man." Pacey said as he munched on a cookie.
"Please don't say that." Jack begged.
They didn't notice Andi wince. "Where is Dawson any way? Weren't he and Resa going to join us for movie night?" She asked.
"Resa called before when you and Jack were outside. They had a change in plans." Liz said.
"What kind of change Liz? You never said." Pacey inquired.
“All Resa would say was they were having a private movie night. Oh, and she wanted us to call Uncle John." Liz remembered.
"Pop? For what?"
"Didn't say. Why don't you do the honors Pace?" Liz passed him the phone via Max and Isabelle.
Pacey gave her a ‘thanks a lot' look and dialed. Liz just smirked and went back to watching the movie, which was now one the Mighty Ducks movies courtesy of Pacey.
"Hey, Pop? What happened tonight? Resa said to call you." Pacey suddenly motioned for silence. "You arrested Ethan Crane? What did he do now? You ARE kidding, right?"
Michael flipped the movie off and everyone sat up straight and looked at Pacey.
"Pace? What happened? Is Resa alright?" Liz asked.
"Shh." He said. "OK, so Ethan and Dawson got in a fight, Resa got in the middle, and now she has a black eye?" He asked for confirmation. "Then he stood outside the B&B for three hours while they watched most of Gone With The Wind? So they called you and Theresa's pressing charges against him for harassment." He paused, letting the teens take all that in. "And assault and battery. And stalking."
"You know Jack I think we were wrong." Liz whispered.
"About what?" He asked in a whisper.
"Our lives not be twisted enough to be a soap."
They received strange glances from their friends. "Ethan didn't leave Capeside this morning." Andi whispered.
"It would appear not." Isabelle said. "Is Resa okay?" she asked Pacey who had finally hung up the phone.
"He says she's fine. Mad as hell, but fine." Pacey shook his head. "You know, jail is the safest place for Ethan to be right now?" He said in a deadly tone.
"Calm yourself Pacey." Joey said. "Once he's out and about maybe he'll wise up and head back to Harmony. After assaulting the sheriff's niece he probably won't be too welcome around here."
"He was never really welcome, after we knew what he did." Jack asserted. "Right Andi?" He looked around, and realized his sister was gone. "Did anyone see Andi leave?"
"No." was the general consensus.
"Where do you think she went?"
"Probably to let off some steam." Joey suggested. "Since Resa didn't tell us about this herself it might mean she doesn't want to talk about it. I think we should let her alone tonight."
"Good idea." Liz yawned.
"Nodding off already Lizzie?" Jack teased and Pacey grinned.
"Be quiet." She muttered.
Jack smirked. "Max, Isabelle, Michael, Maria, Andi made arrangements for you to stay here tonight if you'd like to."
"Sounds good to me." Michael said and the other three nodded
"Hey are we included in this invite Jackers?" Pacey asked.
"If you don't mind using the floor. Isabelle, you're upstairs in Ethan's old room. Michael, Maria, Andi said you wouldn't mind sharing the attic." Isabelle and Max snickered at the abashed looks on their faces. "Max, you have the couch, Lizzie, you have the guest room down here."
"Why?" Liz asked. "I mean I always sleep in your room."
"Andi has my room tonight." Jack fabricated.
"Where are you sleeping?" She was concerned.
"Um well.. I."
"Jack can I talk to you and Max in the kitchen for a sec?" Liz asked finally wising up to what was going on.
"Of course." Max said.
"Uh, well, uh, sure I guess." He said as Liz grabbed his arm.
"Come on Jo, let's get some sleeping bags." Pacey said. "You call Bessie and explain."
“Ok."
"Hey Jo where's Ethan's room?"
"Top of the stairs, third door on the left, I think."
"Guess I'll find out." Isabelle smiled gamely. "See you tomorrow morning." She turned to say good night to Michael and Maria but they had already left for their bedroom.
"Ok what is going on?" Liz asked immediately of Jack once she, Jack, and Max were in the kitchen.
"What do you mean?" Max asked in a slightly bewildered manner.
"Jack, you're lying to me. Why?"
Jack sighed. "Okay the truth of the matter is Andi thought it would be better if we didn't sleep in the same bed anymore."
"Why? Because of Max?"
"I really don't find anything wrong with it." Max said. "I want Liz to be happy."
"There you see? Max knows nothing would happen between us. Your sister is being silly. There's about as much chance of something happening with you and me as there would be if I slept with Maria."
"I know. But there's more chance of explaining something to Maria and having her understand than with Andi." Jack laughed a little.
“Jack maybe I can talk to Andi? I mean I can tell her that I trust Liz and I want her to be happy." Max said.
"You can try." Jack said, in a tone that suggested he thought the task impossible. "I love Andi to death, but subtlety and understanding are two very weak points with her."
"Okay I just have a couple questions. Max are you okay with me sleeping Jack's room with Jack?"
"Yes." He said. "I trust you, I trust him, and I know you're a restless sleeper. If he helps you, then I'm happy."
“Good. Now Jack is there any problem that's developed in the last twenty four hours that would make it impossible for you and I to sleep in the same bed? Besides your snoring that is?"
"I don't snore!" He insisted. "And no."
"Good." Liz gave Max a kiss. "Good night Max. I'll see you in the morning. Jack I'm going to bed."
"Night." He said. "I think I'll wait up for Andi a bit. See where she went, you understand?"
"Just be quiet when you come up."
"I will. Night Lizzie. Oh hey Max since that bed's free do you want it?" Jack asked as Liz went upstairs.
"Sure." He smiled. "Thanks for letting us stay here. Um, one thing though, is there anything, well breakable in your attic? If there is I suggest you get rid of it before Michael and Maria go up."
Jack grinned. "No, the only thing in the attic is a bed and soundproofed walls."
"Very good place for those two." Max laughed.
Jack laughed as well. "You're a good guy. I can see why Liz loves you so much."
"You think she loves me?" Max's eyes brightened.
"Man you are dense." Jack laughed. "Night Max. Your room's down the hall off the dining room."
"Thanks." Max left, happier than he'd ever been.
"Hey Crane you got a visitor." The guard yelled.
Ethan sat up. Sheridan got here fast. He thought. Thank the lord.
But it wasn't Sheridan who walked in. "Hi Ethan. You sure stepped in it this time didn't you?"
"Andi." He said, tone expressionless, but inside he wondered how much worse his evening was going to get.
"So you hit Theresa huh? Nice job Ethan."
"I didn't mean to. I was aiming for that Dawson kid. Resa got in between us."
"That's your excuse?" Andi shook her head. "You're pathetic."
"Thank you so much Andi. Feel free to leave at any time and don't let the door hit you on the way out." Ethan said lying down on his cot.
"I'm not leaving. What goes through your head when you screw up like this Ethan?"
"I'm an idiot, I'm an idiot, I don't deserve her." He said in a low voice.
"No you don't." Andi agreed. "So if by some miracle you beat these charges I suggest you take your sorry ass back to Harmony and forget you ever heard the name Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald."
"I don't know how to do that." He looked up, with pained eyes. "But I have to, don't I?"
"Yes you do. Because Ethan you had her and you let her go and no you have to realize that this time you don't get a second chance."
"I didn't even realize I had a first chance." He cried. "Until it was gone."
"You may not believe me but I am sorry Ethan. Not even you deserve this pain."
"But I don't get a do over, right?" He laughed without humor. "I always thought you could go back and fix any mistake you made. But it doesn't work that way, does it?"
"No it doesn't. I know that better then you could imagine. So does my mother." Andi said sadly.
"And mine." Ethan said, throat tight. "Why are you here Andi?" Ethan had to ask. "Did you want to theorize with me? Get my side of the story? Lecture me? What?"
"No I just wanted to tell you that you should probably make other sleeping arrangements should they let you out on bail tomorrow. You sleeping at the house isn't gonna happen anymore."
"I already said I'm going back to Harmony." Ethan's voice was dull.
"There's the small matter of the charges being brought against you. You should probably get a good lawyer Ethan. Stalking, harassing, and assaulting the niece of one of Capeside's more prominent citizens isn't going to be an easy rap to beat."
"I'll be representing myself." He said in a tired voice. "I'm going to plea bargain. I figure a month, maybe two in here." He looked around, obviously finding the thought distasteful. "A large fine, and community service."
"If you're truly lucky. Good luck Ethan." Andi said as she started away.
"Andi wait. I need to know. Whose side are you on in this?"
Her glare made him feel like an insignificant insect. "I'm not on a side." She said.
"Andi we're family." Ethan persisted.
Andi just looked at him. "Are we?" she asked simply before walking out of the jail all together.
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