PREVIOUSLY

Todd: (Tries to gather himself by breathing deeply a few times.) Ok. One of the worst was him saying, "Bend over, Manning, 'cos here I come. When I get through with you, there won't be anything left," after threatening to take The Sun. Then he was asking me if I'd enjoyed what Peter did to me...

Tea: Oh. My. God... That's beyond the pale even for Asa. That was downright cruel. Vicious. No wonder you felt sick to your stomach and couldn't eat. No wonder the guys were at war in your head!

Todd: (Pained, an effort:) No more.

Tea: (Takes his hand in hers.) No more. But, I'm going after Asa with everything we've got. That old bastard's going down, Todd. And we're going to do it. We'll find a way.

[Scene ends.]

**************************************************************************************************

[Scene: Viki's study, early next morning.]

Andrew: May I come in, Viki?

Viki: (At her desk writing in longhand.) Andrew! Of course. Is River all right?

Andrew: Oh, River's fine. He's fantastic. He's at soccer after school this week.

Viki: Soccer, huh? Well. The same afterschool program as Starr?

Andrew: Yes! They're thrilled. They're on the same team, even. He's really been enjoying that sport. He says he might take it up, especially if his cousin does.

Viki: You'll become a "soccer mom". Those two are inseperable, aren't they?

Andrew: (Laughs.) It's only for a week, we'll see how he likes it. Maybe he'll do it this summer. Yes, they are. We have a lot to learn as a family from those two.

Viki: You haven't dropped by here in ages. To what do I owe this occasion?

Andrew: Mostly because it has been so long. River and the Parish keep me pretty busy, but now that it's warm again and school is almost over, I thought I'd renew old ties again.

Viki: Well, it is good to see you, whatever the excuse. You know you're always welcome.

Andrew: I know. Sometimes being here with you helps me remember my father.

Viki: Sometimes I miss Sloane, too, yes.

Andrew: I had an interesting encounter with your brother recently, speaking of parenthood.

Viki: Oh?

Andrew: Yes. I saw a side of Todd I really never see of him. It was quite a surprise.

Viki: What did you see?

Andrew: He is a devoted father, isn't he?

Viki: Very.

Andrew: He said something interesting. We were in the park with the kids, who know we don't get along very well, and they were trying to make us shake hands and make up.

Viki: How sweet!

Andrew: It seemed that Starr had initiated this, with River helping her carry it out. If anyone had told me when Starr was little and Todd had returned that he could have raised such a sweet and compassionate, well-mannered child I would never have believed them. But he is raising one.

Viki: He's wonderful with Starr, she adores her father. He loves her very deeply. I think she's the first person he'd ever truly loved, after his mother left.

Andrew: I can see that now. I still find it difficult to believe, but I see it now when they're together and in the way that Starr talks about their relationship and about Todd to me and to River.

Viki: He is a devoted father. Starr is the first person he opened his heart to after Blair's betrayal with Patrick. I had to push him at first, but after his initial awkwardness and fear, he really took to fatherhood.

Andrew: Todd was trying to explain to the kids why some people do bad, mean things to others and he said something like sometimes they've been hurt so badly when they were small that it changes them forever and it hurts so badly they take it out on others because they don't know what to do with that pain.

Viki: It's true, you know.

Andrew: Was Peter Manning really that abusive with him? Did he hurt your brother this badly?

Viki: I don't know how much you remember of the events around the rape trial, but I met Peter Manning on more than one occasion and from his public mistreatment of Todd I can only begin to guess at what he did to my brother in private. Add to that Todd's testimony last fall, and your own observations of Todd, and I think you can begin to formulate your own answer to that question.

Andrew: That's horrible. That's unspeakable. It's true?

Viki: That's only scratching the surface. The DID is real.

Andrew: (Shock:) Now I understand that I have been needlessly cruel to Todd for a very long time. This is so against my Calling as a Cleric. I even went after his wife, and even I can tell he is desperately, madly in love with Tea. I still think he's wrong for her, but I've known for a long time I have no chance with her and maybe really never had. If we had stayed together, so many things would have gotten in our way.

Viki: Like what? I'm sure I've thought of most of them by now.

Andrew: I deserve that. I'm sorry, Viki. Could Tea, a Catholic, have really stayed with a Protestant, an Episcopalian Minister, nephew of a Bishop? That alone would have probably proven ruinous, eventually. And then Todd would have kept coming after us and I don't think we could have withstood that, really. I knew she loved him, or I thought she might but that she was misguided, I still do, even when I tried to spirit her away from him. Adultery! Did you know we had physical fights over Tea?

Viki: Not that I recall, no, I had no idea.

Andrew: So much for vows of non-violence and goodwill to all mankind! So much for Christlike compassion towards those I might dislike! I almost gave up my Calling for her. That would have broken us up eventually, too. Unfaithful to my wedding vows, despite the breakup of my marriage I was still married to Cassie in my heart; I was unfaithful to my Calling, to the tenets of my Church, to my Ordination, and to my Parishioners. To say I blew it all for a woman would have been an understatement. How very "Thornbirds", you know? If Fate hadn't intervened, in the form of Tea coming to her senses and going back to your brother, I would have been giving up my calling and blown it all for a woman. As it is, it still looks pretty bad, and you know how hard I've worked to redeem myself in the eyes of this Parish and of my Superiors.

Viki: Yes. I do. I had to step in more than once with the ladies of the Church to knock them down a peg or two from their Righteous Church Lady stances. These (affected, "Uppuhclaaas Twit" slightly nasal voice) "Pillahz of So-ci-e-tay" acted like nothing more than vicious schoolchildren over this and were in the process of making a great deal of trouble for all of us over it. What a bunch of self-righteous biddies! I suppose I might not have been very helpful to you for breaking up your uncle's marriage, either. Todd misbehaved rather badly during this, too. That verbal attack in your Church during Ian Armitage's funeral was terrible, and I told him so if you recall. I watched them together, Ian was probably the closest thing to a male friend Todd had at that point, but he didn't seem to register Ian's death. Instead he harrangued you from the doorway over Tea. He eventually calmed down, but it was quite a scene. He went after you pretty viciously.

Andrew: Well, that's Todd.

Viki: I know. Then he made that whole big scene in the cemetery about insisting on begging you on his knees in the wind and the cold for forgiveness, despite you asking him not to humiliate himself like that and putting you on the spot in front of everyone, and that more than your forgiveness he needed his own. He wasn't really listening. He can't give it to himself even though he needs to. He needs to be less hard on himself, but if he were we wouldn't be able to see the good in him. Someone who beats himself up as severely as Todd does for everything he does cannot be completely evil, cannot be all bad.

Andrew: He is vicious, violent, angry. He is hurtful, even cruel.

Viki: He does try hard not to be like that, especially around those he cares most about. He doesn't always know how not to be mean, he's not one for mincing words and he's not one for hypocrisy. He can be very well-mannered when he feels it calls for it, but he usually can't see much point in the effort with most people. Tea makes Todd happy, and he seems to make her happy, too. That's important to him. I want my brother to be happy, and if Tea's the girl to do that, then they have my support. I wouldn't have let you keep Tea from my brother, I don't think.

Andrew: And I think you would have been right if you had done the step- mother thing and stepped in in the dual role that situation demanded of you. A very difficult set of conflicts for you, since you care about all three of us and the children so much.

Viki: I do. It is a dual role, and it's hard even in retrospect to take one side or the other and decide which role governed the decision. I'm sorry to say that in this case, Andrew, I'd take my brother's side first. I want him to be happy.

Andrew: I understand that. I don't agree with it, but I understand it. Remember when I took William's side against my father by announcing that William had died of AIDS? It caused such a huge rift between my father and I, but the internal conflict and the rift with my father were worth it to try to get him to accept William again, even in death.

Viki: I remember that. You were so happy that your father finally accepted William before his own death. Even he was glad in the end to have his children again, even if William was only a memory to comfort him while he himself was dying. I'm sorry it was so short-lived. I wish we'd both had more time with your father. I wish River had had more time with him, especially.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Study at Llanfair, mid-morning same day. Phone rings.]

Joey: (Passing through the front entryway from the stairs toward the kitchen. Stops to look into the study as the phone rings.) Mom? (Runs across the room to pick up the phone.) Hello?.... Tina? No, Mom's at The Banner, I think.... they want to? I'd love to see them, sure.... I don't know.... Uncle Todd? I haven't a clue, and I don't want to know. Well, that's not true. He's in rough shape from what I can tell, he's being more of a tyrant than usual and taking it out on Asa in The Sun. I just steer clear of Todd as much as possible, as usual....I know he is, but if you want to know about your brother either ask him or my Mom, sorry.... Yeah, hold on. Ready. (Taking a message on Viki's notepad on her desk.) Uh-huh. Will do.... Mhm. Bye. (Rips note off pad, sets it on Viki's desk, sets down pen, runs off to kitchen.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Llanfair entranceway, late evening next day.]

Viki: (Answering door:) Tina! You made it. How was your trip? Where are the children?

Tina: Hi, Viki. Yes, we're here, they're getting their bags from the car. We're fine. How's Todd?

Viki: Come in. (Calling out the door:) Children? Come on in, we can unpack the car later!

CJ & Sarah Roberts: Ok, Aunt Viki!

Viki: Don't worry about them, they'll come in when they're ready. I'll leave the door open for them. (Ushering her to the livingroom/study.) Are you tired?

Tina: Yes, very. I drove the whole way. I'll be dreaming of white lines and black tar for days.

Viki: Long week?

Tina: Very. I haven't had a break in two weeks or more. And worrying about our little brother doesn't help. Do you think he'll even see me? We're not exactly friends and I won't blame him for feeling uncomfortable around me. Every visit I've made this year to see him, he's been uncomfortable around me. I know he wants to just bite my head off.

Viki: Maybe he won't this time. He's in a bad way, but he's been a bit more open about it with Tea and I and is letting us comfort and support him a lot more than you'd ever expect from him. At times he's noticably fragile with us, but the moment someone outside the family appears, he hides that completely. I guess if he's able to come to think of you as family, he might start to let you in.

Tina: Well, I am family. I'll try to reach him again, as his sister. We'll have to see. Meantime, you and I have some repair work to do of our own, and the kids want so badly to see Todd.

Viki: Like I said on the phone, seeing them will probably do him a world of good. Even if he's never liked you very much, he adores your children.

Tina: (Crossing to the doorway, looking out, calling:) Kids? Where are you?

Viki: I think I might know.

Tina: Where?

Viki: The garden shed, maybe?

Tina: You think?

Viki: Weather's nice, wouldn't hurt to look.

Tina: Let's go see. Flashlights?

Viki: We can get them in the kitchen and go out that door.

Tina: Ok.

Viki: (Closes the front door and they leave towards the kitchen doorway.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Asa's home office, next morning.]

Asa: Max, you've really screwed things up, you know that? How could you let this information get out?

Max: Me?

Asa: I thought you said you hired security, and it looks like you hired the Keystone Kops!

Max: This is a reputable, nationally recognized security company, Asa. As far as my checks show, they did nothing wrong. Tell ya what: --

Asa: No, I'll tell you what, Max! You'll --

Max: (Raising his voice, a little irritated:) As I was saying, Asa! What I am about to go do is to call all of those places and give them a description of Blair. I have a feeling --

Asa: (Sarcastic:) Why didn't I think of that? You fool! I --

Max: (Shouting:) But you haven't done it yet, have you, Asa?

Asa: No. We know Manning put her up to it.

Max: (More quietly, obviously trying to be restrained about this:) Ok, then... And when I've FAXed them her picture, they'll tell me if it was her visiting them. All right, Asa?

Asa: You go do that. I want a full report within an hour.

Max: You'll get it when I have the information, and no sooner, Asa.

Asa: If I find you've held out on me --

Max: You'll what, Asa? I'm not one of your sons, there isn't very much you can do to me, Asa. (Turns on toes and strides out of Asa's office.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Nora's office, that afternoon.]

Nora: (On phone:) Bo? Nora..... Yes, I did. Is tomorrow ok?.... It's the lab over in 'Jersey, right..... uhhh... early in the morning, so we all get there in time..... my house, not Sam's.... 6am... See you then. (Hangs up.)

Sam: (Arrives, anxious.) Hi. You found another lab?

Nora: Yes. I just called to tell Bo. We leave around 6am tomorrow from my place. It's at 9am. I figured the earlier we did it, the earlier we'd all know.

Sam: Ok... (Doesn't look at her.)

Nora: You look anxious.

Sam: (Looks at her.) I am.

Nora: You know I talked with Viki --

Sam: I've heard. Look, you're not happy with me?

Nora: It's not as easy as that, Sam.

Sam: Then what is it? I can't lose Matthew. Will isn't even talking to me now, I feel like I've lost him already. Jen's decided she's living in Europe.

Nora: (Calm:) It isn't up to you, Sam. I need you to back off, but I also need to know for sure whose child Matthew really is. Then I can better decide what's right for him. Right now, Sam, I feel crowded and pushed into things I haven't had time to really think through. You've been great, you've been very supportive, but I still feel crowded. My life has come to revolve around yours, and Lindsay's by default as well, far too much for my comfort. It's not good for me, and it's not good for Matthew. I have two people I have to have my life revolve around, no three, right now. Me, Matthew, and Ricky.

Sam: Is Rachel coming home soon?

Nora: Yes, and she'll need things to do to make the transition, plus she and Matthew need time to get aquainted.

Sam: How was the halfway house? Is she going to be staying with you?

Nora: Yes. She said it was ok, but very stressful. She sends her love. Right now my kids need me a lot more than you do and I can't help feeling you've been being more selfish than I even gave you credit for lately. This is not like you, Sam, I don't remember you being this selfish when we were all together in Chicago. I think we both need time to step back from all this and figure out where you and I are going, whether together or apart, and what's best for my son. I even postponed his Bris for you!

Sam: (Stricken and shocked.) I don't know what to say......

Nora: You don't have to. Think about all this, Sam, please.

Sam: Todd's been after me about being selfish, too, lately.

Nora: Todd?! What does he know about notbeing selfish?

Sam: You'd be surprised.

Nora: (Almost angrily:) He's one of the most selfish, manipulative bastards I've ever known. What's he doing giving you any sort of advice?

Sam: He knows me. Sometimes he seems to know me better than I know myself. He said some very harsh things, that's his way as you know only too well, but this time he's been right and I've been wrong.

Nora: I doubt that. Todd's rarely if ever in the right.

Sam: This time, believe me, he's been right. Suddenly, the son is the sage and the father the dunce.

Nora: He's not your kid.

Sam: He is in some ways even more my son than Will is.

Nora: That's a scary thought. You knew Peter Manning, I didn't.

Sam: There are other sides to Todd, sides you never knew here in Llanview that I saw when he was very young and that he somehow lost by the time you knew him here. You really never saw him when he was a little kid in Chicago.

Nora: I saw him with his father here, and remember I ended up defending him in his rape trial. A trial, I might add, during which he lied through his teeth, and put the blame on Marty and Kevin, even though he had led Powell and Zach into the rape and Kevin was innocent. It's why he hates his uncle. Then Todd came after Marty again for telling the truth, Luna -- you never knew Luna Moody Holden -- she gave him that scar.

Sam: Holden, as in Max Holden?

Nora: Yes, he's actually been married to someone other than Blair, can you believe it? Did you ever ask Todd how he got that scar? I bet he's never told you that story. Luna was defending Marty in an alley with a steel pipe. He came after me when I was ill, too. I couldn't see at the time --

Sam: Oh, Nora!

Nora: Long story, it's fixed now, but at the time he attacked me and Bo had to fight with him to get him off of me. Too bad he didn't kill Todd that day, although he came close. Todd got away. You knew him when he was a kid, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to hear you defend him, but you're not his father. You always did have a soft spot for kids, but he's the Devil's Spawn, I swear. Todd's a real Bad Seed.

Sam: (Calmly:) No, he's not. Unless Victor Lord was the Devil Himself.

Nora: (Sarcastic:) Some would argue he was.

Sam: Well, despite what he's done, Todd isn't. He's not the Bad Seed, either. I don't suppose I'll ever win this argument with you about him, and until he returned we would have been on the same side after that tape, but he's different somehow.

Nora: You really love that bastard, don't you?

Sam: Yes, I do. He's a frustrating handful, always was, but he's not all evil. Do you know he came to me to take Matthew's side in arguing against not telling Matthew about the paternity issues surrounding him?

Nora: Why would he do that?

Sam: Think about how Todd came into the world.

Nora: He came into it like everybody else!

Sam: He came into the world through a paternity and custody battle gauntlet.

Nora: And he's taking Matthew's side??

Sam: (Urgently:) He practically begged me not to lie to Matthew about this. He's convinced that the lies will hurt Matthew in the long run. I don't agree.

Nora: I have to concede. I agree with Todd. (Quickly:) Don't tell him that! We don't agree on anything, not since the rape trial.

Sam: I won't tell. I also won't be hanging around you and Matthew until after we know the results. (Trying to remain composed:) This is all getting too painful and I need time out.

Nora: Good, as I said, I need some space, too.

Sam: (Heavy sigh.) I'll see you at your place in the morning. (Leaves.)

Nora: (Watches him go out. Picks up the folded newspapers on her desk and is stunned to read Blair's headline article in The Sun, and Mel's abuse article.) Maybe this is why Sam's so upset? (Reaches for the phone, dials.) Viki? Hi, it's Nora.... I just started reading them both... I've just been so busy, I know this is days ago. Sam was just here, he never said a word.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Llanfair, next morning. Kitchen. Viki, Sarah, and CJ are eating breakfast together.]

Viki: So, CJ, what do you two want to do today after breakfast?

Sarah: We were talking about doing some more exploring of the grounds.

CJ: Reminiscing.

Sarah: Like about when we first met Uncle Ali. You haven't told him we're here, have you, Aunt Viki?

Viki: Not yet, no. I'd like to surprise him, but not shock him. Things have been rough for him, lately.

CJ: I wonder if Uncle Todd remembers much of that time? I mentioned it in January, and he seemed to at least recognize that he was Ali to us.

Sarah: How much do we still remember, CJ?

Viki: He's changed a lot since those days, children. I think he's always loved you two, though.

CJ: He didn't even know who we were then, how could he love us then?

Viki: He has a huge soft spot for children.

CJ: I can believe it. Can we go explore, Aunt Viki?

Viki: I don't see why not. Finish your breakfasts and you can get going.

CJ: Ok, Aunt Viki.

Sarah: Thank you, Aunt Viki.

Viki: This is your home, too, in a manner of thought.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Manning Building, next day, mid-afternoon. There is a media gauntlet in the lobby for them to struggle through. Building Security protects them and guides them to the elevators to safety. RJ has a bunch of men arrayed across the various entrances, all in black suits, dark sunglasses, stern expressions, earphones in ears, all looking like Black Panthers with short hair, but looking extremely professional and buff. It is easy to assume each one is packing a gun and wearing a bullet-proof vest. Todd and Tea arrive in Todd's office, shut and lock his door.]

Tea: RJ's guys look tough.

Todd: (A little distractedly:) Yeah, nice and imposing. Armed?

Tea: I assume. I just hope all legally. They at least have handcuffs. (Looking out window to his right, arms crossed.) They move with a military precision, well-choreographed, and seem to know martial arts. I didn't ask RJ for the details on his men. Maybe he should run a security guard corp? Did you see that one guard take down that Papparazzi who was running after me when I got out of the parking garage? Down in a flash and in handcuffs. They must all have our pictures.

Todd: (Sounding distant, distracted:) I guess so.

Tea: You ok? (Still looking out the window. Perhaps she's seeing the crowds around the building below.)

Todd: (Slouching in his desk chair, staring into space, shot from his left side as she looks out the window at the city below. Quietly:) Do you remember when we were here in my office that day we were talking about our weddings, and how this marriage would be different? You were over there like that, and I was here like this.

Tea: (Turns to look at him from facing the window, arms still crossed across her chest.) Yes. What about it?

Todd: (Not looking at her, but at some far off point across the room in front of him, his hands loose across his body, fingers laced.) Do you remember my mentioning Ms. Perkins that day?

Tea: No.

Todd: (Looks at her:) Never mind, it's not important.

Tea: Oh, don't you start that, Manning!

Todd: Start what?

Tea: Start talking about something that's bothering you and then when you don't get the reaction you want, just clam up.

Todd: It's not bothering me. (Looks away, back to that faraway point in the room.)

Tea: For you to bring it up so long after that day means it meant something to you in the first place.

Todd: No, it's nothing. Drop it.

Tea: It's about one of your alters, so it must be something. You hardly ever talk about them.

Todd: (Looks at her:) You don't want to know. You didn't want to know then, either.

Tea: If I had heard it then I would have wanted to know more.

Todd: You didn't listen very closely to me that day.

Tea: Yes, I did. I saw you melt when I kissed you and told you that I love you. I saw you needed me, maybe just not how deeply.

Todd: Do you?

Tea: (Comes and leans against the edge of his desk, near him. Quietly, looking in his eyes.) You know I do. You once told me you only wanted to be scared with me. I didn't understand it at the time, but you were offering me your heart and offering me your rather battered trust. I'm here. What's wrong?

Todd: (Quietly:) I needed you to listen to me. (Bristling:) How would you feel with someone like her running around in your head?

Tea: (Gently:) I don't know. How do you feel about it?

Todd: Disgusted. I'm a guy, you know?

Tea: Yes, you are. A beautiful, handsome guy. It's not uncommon to have alters who aren't the same gender as you.

Todd: Why me?

Tea: Why not you? She protects you, right?

Todd: All of us, yeah. She doesn't like Pete. I don't even like Pete.

Tea: I kind of do. He's part of who you are, whether you or I like that or not.

Todd: You accept him?

Tea: He's part of you. I can't say he doesn't scare me. If I want you, I don't really get a choice.

Todd: IF?!

Tea: I do want you, Todd. Very much.

Todd: I get the feeling when I'm out to lunch, Tom runs things until Pete gets triggered. Don't worry: It's still me, lousy ol' Todd.

Tea: I wish you wouldn't put yourself down like that.

Todd: You're ok with all this? I'm not.

Tea: Except the places where you put yourself down, yes.

Todd: That morning they all showed up when we were in bed? I wanted to get smashed. I couldn't handle it.

Tea: You did fine. I know it's hard.

Todd: But you're ok with this?

Tea: Once I knew you weren't faking, that you really have been ill, yes. I love you.

Todd: How can you love me? How can you just accept me back, knowing all this damage is in here? Knowing what I've done to you and everyone else?

Tea: How can I not? When I thought you were faking and that you'd just used me those years, I hated you. I did my best just to forget you. I couldn't.

Todd: Why did you take me back?

Tea: Viki called me and left messages all over for me, I was out of town and out of range when you got back, so she left many messages on my machine here. At the hotel desk. In one message she spelled it out, like a telegram. You were here, she said, you were ill. Full stop. She said in another on my machine, well your machine, that the DID is real, she was now convinced and I needed to come back ASAP to see you for myself. She warned me you didn't seem to remember a lot of things, like where you'd been.

Todd: That's still fuzzy.

Tea: As soon as I saw you again, I knew you were the only guy for me and I had to find out what was wrong. I'd read your journal, remember? I tried to play things casual with you, but I really couldn't. I had missed you so much, you have no idea. If Viki believed in you again and called me to your side, then something had to be going on. She and I hadn't had much contact while you were away. I wanted to believe in you again, in myself. When you left, you tore my heart to shreds, and I had to know if it had all been worth it. I saw you and I couldn't send you away again or leave you again if there was any chance that things were not as I had thought they'd seemed. I had to know.

Todd: (A little warily, it seems:) Now you know.

Tea: And I'm still here. I'm sorry I missed this the first time around. I can see it's important to you. How do you feel about Ms. Perkins?

Todd: (Looks down, thinking. Then, looking at her:) It's very weird having this... womaninside me. She's so strange sometimes, bossy. She's all girl, which is very weird for me. She's this bossy, swishy schoolmarm. (Makes a face.)

Tea: She means well.

Todd: She's so creepy! She's not running around in your head!

Tea: She can be charming and funny most of the time. She's often very disarming and sometimes outrageous, usually outrageous. Sometimes it's alarming... Hmmm... I think I may see your point.

Todd: (Edgy:) Yeah, well, the rest of us, we're all all man. Even that goofy little moron Tom is all boy.

Tea: Tom's not a moron, he's just a sweet, kind of goofy kid.

Todd: (Scowling:) He's a moron. Pete thinks so, I think so, Rod thinks so. Ms. Perkins, well, she likes Tom. I don't know why.

Tea: And you're going to take Pete's word for it? Tom'’s a playful side of you, why do you think he's a moron? He’s sweet, he's kind, gentle, loving, playful, compassionate.

Todd: That's stupid.

Tea: Why? Why do you always twist things around like that?

Todd: I'm not twisting things around. Tom's a moron. He's too gullible.

Tea: Tom likes to play with puppets and kids love him, you can't deny that your love for children and even animals is a good thing. Tom lives those things, don't cut yourself off from those things, Todd. Starr really responds to those things about you.

Todd: (Bristling:) Oh, now that's dirty pool. Don't bring my kid into this, Delgado.

Tea: Why not? So much of this struggle of yours to heal is about being a better father to Starr, isn't it?

Todd: (Conceding:) Yeah. All right. Ok. (Thinking, then:) Tom really likes you. He was very angry at me for leaving you last fall. I got on that plane to New York City and he attacked me for having blown things with you, he said you were a lot of fun. He missed that.

Tea: So is he.

Todd: (Smiles despite himself.)

Tea: Is that smile yours or his?

Todd: What smile?

Tea: Todd......

Todd: (Confused:) I'm smiling?

Tea: Yes. You can't feel it?

Todd: No. (Feels face with hand. Stops smiling. A hint of fear crosses his face briefly.)

Tea: Don't play with me!

Todd: I wasn't!

Tea: Oh, Todd! Sometimes I still don't understand you.

Todd: I wasn't smiling.

Tea: I wish you would smile more. You have a wonderful smile and it just lights up your face. Sometimes I see you smiling because you're happy and I swear the room just lights up. I love you even when you're not smiling, but when you smile you're even more gorgeous.

Todd: I want to tell you to stop, but it feels so good to hear how much you love me and that you want me. I just don't feel I deserve you. It's scary, this being loved stuff.

Tea: You deserve to be loved, and to love yourself. You have a lot of love to give, you know.

Todd: Awww, that's so mushy. All this hearts and flowers stuff is for chicks.

Tea: You must be a chick then sometimes, because you've gotten pretty mushy yourself at times. It's ok, though. When you do it it means an awful lot to me. You make me happy.

Todd: (Very touched.) I need to know that I make you happy. I don't understand how I could make anyone happy, but I'm glad I make you happy. I want so badly to.

Tea: (Moves closer to him.) You do, Todd. You make me happy. (Holds his face in her hands and lovingly kisses his mouth.)

Todd: (Holds her close and leans into her kiss, kissing back almost hungrily.)

Tea: That was quite a kiss.

Todd: (Takes her face in his hands and kisses her mouth with much emotion.)

Tea: (Runs her hands through his hair.)

Todd: (Holding her close, burying his face against her neck and shoulder.) Don't leave me.

Tea: (Holds him close a long time.)

Todd: (Breaks the hug. Mild panic:) What time is it?

Tea: Afternoon.

Todd: I know that. (Looks at watch. Gets up quickly.) I got therapy, I gotta go.

Tea: Do you want me come with you?

Todd: (Bristling:) I gotta do this myself.

Tea: Meet back here when you're done?

Todd: (Casual:) I guess. (A little edgily:) Will you really be here?

Tea: Do you want me to?

Todd: (Casual:) Whatever.

Tea: I could go to the office and not be here when you get back.....

Todd: (Quick decision:) Meet me at his office, so you're the first thing I see when it's over.

Tea: I'll be there. Todd?

Todd: What?

Tea: (Kisses him once more.)

Todd: (Todd catches his breath, and runs out of the room.)

[Scene ends.]