Even entered into her house and placed her medical bag on the floor besides the door. It had managed to chill up outside more than it usually did at nights in Harmony. From what the weather said in the car, the temperature had dropped another ten degrees and it was now 45 outside.

“T.C. honey,” She called stepping into the warmth of her living room. “I’m home.”

Seconds later the door to the kitchen pushed open, and from out of it stepped her sister, with her usual evil, and bitter smirk. “Well, look who it is.” Liz stated. “Harmony’s own Dr. Quinn. Who was you day medicine woman?”

“Liz, don’t you ever have any thing supportive, or maybe even remotely nice to say?” Eve asked as her sister approached her.

Liz shrugged. “What?” She asked smiling her fake innocent smile. “From what I hear every one in Harmony thinks your a miracle worker, I’m just calling it like I see it.”

Eve rolled her eyes. “Please, your just blinded by your own selfish lust for revenge.” She stated. “But, I don’t have time to argue with you about it. Where is my family?”

“Well besides me, who I might add is part of your family,” Liz through in as she took a seat on the couch. “No one is home.” She informed. “T.C. said some thing about giving Whitney a late practice and Simone left a little while ago. She wanted to go and see Chad.”

Eve frowned some. “You let her go as cold as it is out side?” She asked. “No wonder I don’t want an irresponsible woman like you around my daughters.”

Liz narrowed her eyes from where she sat on the couch. “First of all, she said she’d be right back, and secondly ,I would rather be irresponsible than a lying slut like you.”

Eve sighed heavily as she unfolded her arms. “You know what I am not even going to get started with you.” She stated walking towards the kitchen. “I am going to go prepare supper for my family.”

“Oh no need,” Liz said standing with a triumphant smile. “I already took the liberty of whipping up a fabulous meal.” She stated. “See I knew it was cold, and thought a Gumbo would be nice.”

Eve turned back to face Liz as the smell of a delicious gumbo fell upon her. “That smell?” She questioned an uncomfortable feeling coming over her.

Liz’s smile became even more bitter than usual. “I’m surprised you even remember.” She stated. “Mama used to make. She said I had a knack for it, and I have been cooking it for some time now.”

Eve shifted some as she stepped closer to Liz. Eve’s eyes had taken on a less suspicious look, and a more questioning one. Liz smirked. “You don’t even have to say it.” She stated. “I know what you want to know.”

“Do you?” Eve asked in a small voice. “What?”

“What happened to them.” Liz stated knowingly. “Our parents. You want to know how much worse hell got after you left?”

Eve nodded her head. “You never really talk about them.” She stated. “I had just assumed that you had forgotten about them too.”

Liz’s smile slowly dropped from her lips. “Forgotten about them?” She asked. “You think that I could forget such pain. Such sadness. He did it to both of us Eve!” She began to scream. “I’m just the one who toughed it out, for mom’s sake.”

Eve’s voice was low, and some what shaky as she spoke again. “When I left it was not to intentionally hurt you or mom.” She stated. “But you know, as well as I that I got it a lot worse than the two of you.”

Liz shook her head. “I never said that it was easy for you Eve.” She stated. “All I wish is that when you had managed to make it better for yourself, you could have come back for us. Who knows you might have managed to save mom before she.......” Liz shook her head as tears of sadness and remembrance came flooding back.

“Before what?” Eve asked her voice desperate, pleading with her sister. “What happened. Did Daddy hurt her.....worse?” She asked.

Liz managed to nodded her head as a sob escaped her mouth. “He drove her to.....” She shook her head once more. “Oh God, no I can’t. I can’t remember.”

Eve sighed some as she stepped closer to her sister. “Liz please.” She begged. “Please try to remember! I need to know! What happened to momma.”

“Alright!” Liz hissed with the anger of a snake as more tears pounded down her face. “She committed suicide! Are you happy!” She screamed. “Now you know what you missed! The worse part....the hardest part ever!” She yelled angrily and hearty broken as the memories of her childhood returned to her once more to haunt her.

Eve covered her mouth as the horror of her sisters words washed over her. She tired her best to console her rising tears but, to no avail, they had managed to slip down her cheeks anyone. As a sickening feeling came over she clutched her stomach some. “Oh God,” She said in a heart broken breath. “Oh God no.”

Liz looked back at Eve in disgust. “Oh what?” She asked. “Now your actually going to pretend that you care what happened?!” She screamed angrily at her.

Eve looked up into Liz’s eyes, her sisters, as well as her own brown eyes were flooded with tears of a horrible past. “God Liz....” She said as a sob escaped her lips. “I didn’t know.” She stated. “I-I didn’t know!”

“Oh the hell you didn’t!” Liz screamed. “You knew exactly what you condemned us too!”

Eve shook her head frantically. “No I didn’t know!” She screamed. “I....I...” Feeling extremely weak she dropped to her knees and let one hand clutch to the couch. “Oh God, Liz I’m sorry.” She said sobbing as she lowered her head with a sudden feeling of shame.

Liz shook her head angrily as she grabbed Eve by the arm and forced her to stand up. “Stop it!” She yelled at her forcing her to face her. “Just stop the lies! You know that you were not sorry, you still aren’t!”

“Yes I am!” Eve screamed back at her. “Do you think I wanted my mother to die?!” She questioned. “Or do you think I wanted to be stuck in a house with an emotionally abusive father who raped me!”

“HE DID IT TO ALL OF US!” Liz screamed back at her. “IT WAS NOT JUST ABOUT YOU!”

“I never said it was!” Eve screamed. “But I just......Oh God......” She fell short of words and set herself onto the couch.

“Don’t expect any pity from me.” Liz stated. “You the doctor with the picture perfect family, and your high and mighty friends! You left me to survive hell on earth, and promise I am going to return the favor!” She wiped furiously at her eyes but it did not cause her tears to subside. “But at least I know where you got it from. You know when we were little every one would say you looked so much like Momma....but the truth is, you were, and still are just as evil as our father was!”

Eve looked up at her sister appalled at the words that came out of her mouth, causing a new batch of tears to arise with her old ones. “That is not true.” She stated still looking up at her. “Liz, I know that I made mistakes but he was a monster who set out intentionally to hurt us!” She stated. “My running away was not to leave you and our mother to some life of hell! I was only trying to save myself!” She stated. “That’s all I was trying to do, why can’t you understand that!”

Before either of them could say any thing else the door to the kitchen opened and inside walked T.C. and the girls. “Hey. sweet heart Liz.” T.C. as they entered the living room. “How are you.....”

Before he could even finish his sentence, he picked up on the swollen eyes, and the tears of both women, as well as his daughters. “Eve, what’s wrong?” He asked approaching her. “You and Liz have been crying?”

Eve shook her head. “No, honey.” She stated. “Liz was just.....”

“Yes T.C. we have been crying,” Liz cut her off. “And I think it is time you knew why. This charade has carried on long enough. It’s time you knew who I really am.”

Eve looked back at her in horror as she realized what Liz was about to do. Whitney removed her jacket and looked to her mother. “Mom what’s going on?” She asked. “What is Liz talking about?”

“Yea, what is it she thinks we have to know?” Simone asked.

“And why have the two of you been crying?” T.C. asked.

“As I said T.C.” Liz stated. “All will be answered. Right here, and right now.”

Eve was about to protest, when suddenly, she got the weakest feeling, It was not like before when she had heard about her mother, but this time, it was stronger, and more painful. Shaking her head, she tried to force it off, but the magnitude of the pain in her head combined with her stomach was so much that she had soon lost steadiness in her legs, and then before she knew what happened, every thing went dark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

Gwen looked down at her watch to see if the time was correct as she approached the coffee shop. Yep. Closing time. Peering in she saw that there were no more customers, just Beth, alone cleaning off tables. She nodded her head. “Good,” She said to herself. “It’s just here, no maybe we can handle this thing like real women do.” Placing on her best game face she strode into the book cafe ready to do battle.

Beth was about to say we are closed when she looked up, but stopped when she saw Gwen. “Oh, Gwen hi.” She said smiling. “I thought that you were one of the kids trying to sneak in and get a late night drink.” She stated.

Gwen smiled some. “No, Beth this has nothing to do with coffee.” She stated. “In fact, I just wanted to stop by and talk to you about some thing.”

Beth looked down at her watch, then back up at Gwen. “Well, I’ll be finished with all these tables in about half and hour, so if you want to wait....”

Gwen shook her head. “No.” She stated. “Believe me, what I have to say to you wont take long.”

Beth stood straight up at the look in Gwen’s eyes. She was no longer smiling, in fact she had any thing but a friendly look on her face. “Alright,” She said nervously. “What’s up.”

“Beth I’ll be frank.” Gwen stated standing with perfect posture and looking at her newest “case” . “Unlike Sheridan I am not naive and trust worthy and I know exactly what your up to with Luis.”

Beth tensed some, and let a smirk escape her lips. “Up to?” She asked. “What are you talking about Gwen, Luis and I are married and I am not up to any thing with him. Why would I have to be if he’s my husband.”

Gwen nodded her head. “Right.” She stated. “So how do you think you husband would feel if I told him that you called the true love of his life a selfish bitch.”

Beth let a look as mean, and distasteful as Gwen’s cross her face. “First of all, I am Luis’s true love.” She said through gritted teeth. “I am the woman he is married to.”

Gwen smirked. “And how’d you get him Beth?” She asked. “Because Sheridan turned him down. That is the only reasons he is with you. Because in the real world, I think it’s safe to say that if we put you and Sheridan out in the woods as bear bate and covered you with honey, you would not be the woman he rescued first.”

Beth’s snarl was even worse as Gwen’s words fell from her lips. “How dare you come into my place of establishment and speak to me like this?” She demanded. “I should kick you out of here right now?”

Gwen nodded her head. “Yes, you do that.” She stated. “And my next stop will be to the Lopez Fitzgerald house to tell Luis exactly what you referred to Sheridan as.”

Beth shook her head. “He’d never believe you.” She stated.

Gwen shrugged. “May be not.” She stated. “But....Sheridan. Now there is a different story. I have seen the two of them together, and they can read each other like books. He’d know she was being honest.”

Beth held her hateful glare for a second more, before a smile spread on her lips. “Maybe your right Gwen.” She stated. “Maybe Luis and Sheridan do have a strong bond together. I mean, if any one would know about another woman being in the picture, it is you. After all, you are playing second fiddle to Theresa are you not.”

Gwen had to grip the edges of the table to keep from lashing hatefully out at Beth at that moment. “Speaking of matters you don’t even know about.” She stated. “I guess you just as much loco as your mommy.”

Beth smiled as she walked around the table and over to Gwen’s side. “Think what you will of me Gwen,” She stated. “But, I know Luis loves me, and I can only think of one other couple in Harmony that are as fated to be together as Luis and I, and that, is Ethan and Theresa.” She continued to smile as their names escaped her lips. “Yes, Ethan and THERESA. Those two names just go together. In fact, I don’t think there is a way you could use one without the other. Not like Ethan and.....opps. What’s that other woman’s name.”

“You little bi......”

“Ah, ah, ah.” Beth said backing away from Gwen. “Remember Gwen, you are a lawyer, and know that I am completely in the right here. You came into my business started threatening and trashing me about issues that had nothing to do with you. You messed with fires, and you got burned. I am legally in the right.”

“Yes, and morally?” Gwen asked still trying hard to confine her anger.

Beth shrugged some. “Well I guess you can say I am like you.” She stated. “Willing to do any thing to get my man. I manipulated Sheridan, and you got pregnant.”

Gwen narrowed her eyes, and continued to hold tightly to the table. “Your right Beth.” She stated.
“I was willing to do any thing to get Ethan. Except murder.” She stated.

Beth looked at her raising a suspicious eye brow. “What are you talking about?” She asked.

Gwen smirked. “Please.” She stated. “I know for a fact that, that night in the hospital you were purposely trying to unplug your mothers IV.” Beth averted her eyes some. Gwen smiled and nodded her head. “Yes, I did over hear and interesting conversation between the two of you the day of the wedding, in which you threatened to kill your mother. You know your right Beth. I am a lawyer. And perhaps I should be stopping by your place some time soon to check up on your mother? Ask her if she needs any thing. After all, who knows what she knows about her loony tune daughter.”

Beth forced her hands into balls of fist and kept them in her pocket trying to remain calm. “Your over stepping Gwen.” She warned.

“Now I wonder,” Gwen continued ignoring the warning. “Would Luis really want to spend the rest of his life straddled with a nut case in waiting?” She asked. “Or with some one as beautiful, and socially classy, well groomed loving, and giving woman like Sheridan? My, my how hard to choose.” She smirked at Beth as she pulled her purse closer on her shoulder. “I am having dinner tonight with family so I have to go. But remember what I said Beth, Luis may not believe me, but when it comes to his TRUE love Sheridan. You don’t stand a chance.” She turned around and walked to the door, then stopped, and turned back to Beth. “Oh, would you like me to ask some one to remove all the sharp metal objects from your little coffee house?” She asked. “Because God knows I’d hate to see you do some thing that you may regret.” She said sarcastically. “Bye Norma Bates.” She said with a wicked smirk, and then exited the cafe.

Beth watched Gwen go then pulled her fist out her pocket and banged them angrily on the desk. “Damn that BITCH!” She cursed angrily. Her eyes went to the window, and she was able to see Gwen start up her car, and then leave, and her face took on that far away, and some what demented look that it got. “Some one thinks it’s time that maybe Gwennie had an accident.” She stated, as her eyes clouded over and her lips lifted in a some what evil smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

After a few good hours of sleep, Savannah descended the stairs in the Crane Mansion wearing a very classy blue dress with her hair done up in a bun. While she was sleeping, a note was left for her from Ethan that the family including Rebecca and Theresa would be all joining at the seascape for dinner and that she should dress nice.

As she stepped into the foyer she was greeted by her younger brother who was wearing a nice dark gray shirt with black slacks that matched his shoes. “My, my doesn’t some one look handsome.” She stated.

Fox smiled at her. “And you look dashing yourself my dear.” He stated. “Any man should be proud to call you family.”

“Oh, Fox.” She said playfully pretending to tap his arm in a flirting way. “So, tell me am I to believe you dressed your self. Because I can remember as a kid that when you did that you made Tabitha Lenox look like she had more class than you.” She stated.

Fox smirked. “Well I’ve matured.” He stated. “Trust me I am capable of taking care of my self.”

Savannah smiled. “Well you have grown into a handsome squirt.” She stated. “I will give you that.”

“Oh, so touching.” Fox teased right along with her.

“So where is everyone?” Savannah asked. “I know they did not leave with out the two best looking people in the gang.”

Fox shook his head. “Wouldn’t be a party without us.” He stated. “They are all in the living room chatting waiting for the limo to arrive.”

Savannah rolled her eyes. “Oh, good. Time to kill.” She stated. “Just what I want to do, listen to Rebecca shoot threats at Theresa while fathers paws at Rebecca and Ethan just stands there starring with that....duh look on his face.”

Fox laughed surprised. “Vannah I’m surprised at you.” He stated. “I thought you and Ethan were close.”

“Well we are.” Savannah stated. “But just like the next Crane I like to take my shots at mothers numero uno every now and then too.” She stated.

Fox smiled his charming smile. “Another thing we have in common.” He stated. “Oh, Vannah there is some thing we should discuss though.” He said dropping his voice to a more serious tone. “Theresa.”

Savannah nodded her head knowingly. “I guess I should have known that she would be confiding in her new confidant of days.” She stated.

“Come on Vannah,” Fox stated. “Theresa is a sweet girl. I mean sure she made some mistakes, and granted maybe she was rough with mother but we both know that mother deserved it a little.”

Savannah sighed heavily. “Look Fox,” She began. “You know I love you, and respect you but that girl not only disgraces our family she......”

“Disgraces our family?” Fox asked. “How?”

“Fox?” Savannah said some what shocked that he could miss it. “She is the house keepers daughter. She’s inferior to......”

“Savannah!” Fox said in a shocked tone. “I can not believe you would say some thing like that. She’s inferior. That is such a snobbish thing to say. I never knew you were like that.”

Savannah shook her head. “I’m not.” She stated, looking away from him for a while. “It’s just.....” She sighed heavily, and kind of shifted her weight to one side. “I guess it’s just me letting my anger get the best of me.” She stated, not wanting to tell Fox the real reason why she had said what she said. “I...I didn’t mean that it was wrong.”

Fox nodded his head, but eyes her suspiciously. He could not help but notice how she tensed some when he called her out on being a snob, almost like she felt she had to prove her innocence and Savannah was usually not like that. She was always the kind of woman who was like, ‘Take me for who I am, or shove it.’ She never felt as though she had to justify herself to any one. So why was she feeling that way now?

“Look just forget it,” Fox said coming from his thoughts. “I just, I want you to think about what your doing, okay?” He asked. “If not for Theresa’s sake, then for mine.”

Savannah eyes him some. “Yours?” She asked. “What do you have to do with Theresa?” She asked. “Well, besides obvious reasons.”

Fox quickly nodded his head. “Nothing.” He protested almost too fast. “I just think she is a really nice girl, and I think she gets a lot more slack from Crane women then she really deserves.”

Savannah smiled as she nodded her head, but did not press the subject. After all, he had been generous with her and did not press the fact that she had acted like a bigot for a second. Although she knew there was a reason she acted that way. It was not as if she wanted to, but every since last year, when......... HE came into her life, it made her trust people a little less, especially those who were not of her stature.

Before either of them could say any thing else, the door bell rang and the others came from the living room. “That must be the driver.” Julian said being the first to speak.

“Well it’s a bout time.” Rebecca said going to the mirror and looking herself over.

As Savannah was going to the door, Theresa approached Fox. “So did you talk to her?” She asked.

Fox nodded his head tensely “Yes, I did.” He answered.

Theresa sighed heavily. “And I guess that tense look on your face means she was not to willing to back off.” She stated.

Fox shook his head. “No, not exactly.” He stated. “I got her to admit she’d think about it before making any moves. But the only way I see you getting out of this situation with absolutely no slack from Savannah, is by telling Ethan the truth first.”

Theresa’s eyes got as wide as saucers. “No I can’t do that.” She stated. “Ethan would hate me forever.”

Fox rolled his eyes. “Now your being exaggerative.” He stated. “You said yourself Ethan is very forgiving especially when it comes to you. Just be straight forward with him.”

Theresa shook her head stubbornly. “No, I can’t Fox. I’m sorry I can’t.” She stated.

Fox shrugged. “Have it your way.” He stated. “But I doubt my sister will wait forever in thinking, and I also doubt she’ll change her mind when she is finished. Basically all I did was by you time. Now you have to figure out what would anger Ethan the most. Hearing the truth from you, which will at least get you points for being straight forward. Or hearing the truth from Vannah, who can fight lower than mother and Rebecca.”

Theresa let her eyes travel to Ethan, who was holding little Ethan in his arms. She smiled some. “I am not sure what I will do yet.” She stated. “But all I know is that I will make Ethan want to be with me forever.”

Fox said nothing, just watched her walk away. ‘Who knows Theresa,’ He thought t o himself. ‘Whenever your secret comes out, it might be the straw that breaks Ethan’s back, and destroys any bond the two of you had together. However, I will be there to pick up the pieces and see that I am the man you love.’

Savannah approached the door, and looked down at her watch. Her eyes lit up evilly. “Right on time.” She stated as she pulled open the door handle.

From out side the chili frost bitten air, in the house rolled Ivy, decked out in a nice black evening suit Julian was the first to notice her, and he frowned in contempt. “Ivy?” He said in an unpleasant voice. “What on earth are you doing here?”

Theresa, with her hands on her hips stepped forward. “That is a very good question?” She asked. “Woman where do you get your gall? You do realize you were thrown out not even a week ago.”

Ivy narrowed her eyes at Theresa, but did not retort with a wicked comment, she simply looked up at her daughter. “Darling, didn’t you tell them?” She asked.

Savannah placed on an innocent face, and bit her lip. “Oh, drat I forgot!” She stated. “Everyone, I invited my mother to dinner, that is alright isn’t it?” She asked.

“Um, yes it is Savannah.” Theresa stated. “Ivy is no longer Mrs. Crane, I am and this is a family event.”

Savannah shrugged. “Rebecca’s coming.” She stated.

Theresa rolled here eyes. “Well yes but as Julian’s guest.” She stated. “Julian is a Crane by blood and I can not over rule him, but Ivy. That is a different subject.”

Fox smirked. “Looks like you’d better get ready for another face full of snow mother.” He said smirking some.

“Knock it off Fox.” Ethan stated finally speaking and approaching Theresa. “Theresa come on, let mother come. She’s family too.”

Theresa shook her head content on being head strong. “Sorry Ethan, but my decision stands.” She stated. “Ivy is not welcome at the house, or at dinner with us tonight.”

Savannah smirked. “Unless, another blood Crane, which out rules you invited her.” She stated looking pointedly at Theresa.

Instantly Theresa caught on, and new exactly what Savannah had done. Savannah smiled even more as she saw the smile leave Theresa’s face and reality dawn on it. “And I am a blood Crane, and I do outrank you, and I did invite mother, so, looks like she’s coming.”

Ivy looked in Theresa’s direction and smiled cockily. “Yes, it does.” She stated. “Well, come along every one lets get moving.” She said turning on her wheels and heading out side.

Ethan frowned some as he handed Theresa her son. “I’m going to go and catch up with my mother.” He stated. He then walked to Savannah. “Thanks for doing that,” She stated. “It was really good of you.”

“Hey, she’s my mother too.” Savannah stated. “What is family for.”

Ethan smiled and kissed her cheek, and then looked back at Theresa, his smile leaving his lips and he shook his head to show his disdain in her actions, but he said nothing and walked out.

Savannah smiled as she approached Theresa. “Oh my dear, you should get used to looks like that.” She stated. “Because I have just begun. And believe me, Ethan is not the only thing I will be taking from you.”

Theresa looked to Savannah her eyes narrowed some. “I may be down, but I am far from out Savannah Crane.” She stated. “I beat your mother, and I can beat you.”

Savannah smirked. “Oh Theresa,  feisty this evening aren’t we.” She stated. “Well you’d better hang on to that fire, because when I finally decide to play that tae for Ethan, and I will....that firey part of you will be the only thing keeping you warm at nights.”
 

Theresa tried to hold a tough face, but the thought of what Savannah was saying had made her truly uncomfortable and her eyes revealed her insecurities. Fox approached the ladies seconds later. “Theresa, are you okay?” He asked. She only looked up at him, gave him a fake supportive nod, and then walked out the house. He looked to his sister. “Savannah please.” He said in a begging voice.

Savannah taped his shoulder. “Oh come on Fox, you know that I am not truly horrible.” She stated. “I just want to play with Theresa. But you are her friend, so I think it only fair you advise her not to over step her boundaries. Because I could turn what is a simple game to me, into her worst Nightmare for her.”

Fox sighed some, but said nothing, and then followed in the path of the others. Rebecca and Julian then approached Savannah, Rebecca smiling gleefully. “Wonderful job Savannah.” She stated. “See Julian, I told you bringing another Crane into play would stir things up.”

Julian smirks. “Indeed.” He stated. “But I am curious Savannah what else is it that you have on Theresa?” He asked. “When Rebecca and I asked you to come in for this favor you said you already had plans in hand.”

Savannah smiled at her father, and fixed his collar some. “Well Daddy that is for me to know, and you to find out.” She stated. “But in the mean time, I think we should enjoy what promises to be an eventful evening.”

Rebecca smiled. “Oh yes, it’ll be eventful.” She stated smiling as she walked out of the house with Julian at her side.

Savannah watched her go, and narrowed her eyes some. “Enjoy it now hag,” She said referring to Rebecca. “Because Theresa is not the only Mrs. Crane I am working to get rid of. I’ve got your number to....in order to settle an old score on an acquaintance's behalf.” Then, she exited the mansion and slammed the door shut behind her, but not before silently vowing to make tonight the first step in bringing down Theresa and Rebecca all with one strong blow.