PREVIOUSLY

Tea: (Crosses so she's behind him, and carefully puts her arms around his waist from behind and holds him close. He closes his eyes, she doesn't see this, and he wraps his arms around hers for a moment, his face down and lost in his hair. He takes a breath and then slowly removes her arms from his waist as if he really doesn't want to, stops to hug them against him again closing his eyes, pulls them from his waist, opens the door, and leaves. Tea goes to the door and touches it, he is at the other side of the closed door with his forehead against it and his hands flat to the sides of his face on the door.)

[Scene ends.]

************************************************************************************************** [Scene: PH2, several minutes later.]

Tina: (Letting herself in:) Is the coast clear?

Tea: (Sitting at Todd's desk, working.) Oh, it's you.

Tina: You two fight?

Tea: You could say so.

Tina: Is there something I should know about?

Tea: Blair wants full custody of your neice.

Tina: Over my dead body.

Tea: Over all three of our dead bodies, and Viki's.

Tina: Where is he?

Tea: Went to Sam's office to meet with him. I don't know, he seemed to need to talk to someone, just not me.

Tina: Maybe he needs to talk guy talk, I wouldn't worry about it.

Tea: You think?

Tina: Yeah. Anyone he can talk to other than that little shrink he sees means he has more support.

Tea: He has so little.

Tina: He needs everyone he can get... This gives me an idea. Blair still with Max?

Tea: Yeah.

Tina: I used to date Max...

Tea: Oh, Tina...

Tina: Oh, yes. I almost married him, except for this little (Starts giggling) -- see, I got to the altar and instead of saying "I take thee, Max," I came out with "I take thee Cord"!

Tea: Your ex?

Tina: The same. I mean, I can't stand Max now, but it might be a lot of fun setting off little bombs for Blair to trip on to set her on edge for the proceedings. Knowing her, she'll want to do this is in a court setting, has she said anything yet?

Tea: He has the papers with him, I don't know.

Tina: I know Blair. She'll want the public spectacle so she can humiliate my brother in public, only we're going to make sure it's her face on the front page looking like a fool.

Tea: Don't tell me your plan, I'm a lawyer...

Tina: I won't, but I think you can see it already. It's very simple. I am, however, going to bed now. (Crosses the livingroom.)

Tea: Goodnight, Tina.

Tina: (Over her shoulder:) Night, Tea. Give my brother a kiss for me.

Tea: (Laughs.)

Tina: (Chuckles to herself, then over her shoulder as she goes up the stairs:) I know. I know. [They both laugh.]

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Saybrooke Mansion. Same evening.]

Kelly: (Entering, using her own key.) Dorian, there you are. Are you avoiding me, or something?

Dorian: No. Why, were you looking for me?

Kelly: You and I have to have a talk.

Dorian: About what?

Kelly: My little cousin, Starr.

Dorian: I see. Do you know that that low-life of a father of hers put her up to demanding the rent?

Kelly: I doubt he had to put her up to that, Dorian. She's a little kid, but she's not stupid. She's still very angry at you for that fight here that night that so terrified her.

Dorian: Her father manipulated her into this.

Kelly: I doubt that. He loves his child, he knows better than to use her like that.

Dorian: They accosted me in Carlotta's diner, Kelly!

Kelly: Oh, really? Do tell, Aunt Dorian. Did Starr knock you over and sit on your chest and punch your face? Did Todd?

Dorian: No! Starr wouldn't do such a thing. Todd, on the other hand...

Kelly: I doubt Todd would do that, actually. Apparently his rapist days really are over.

Dorian: He says I'm not his type.

Kelly: (Laughs.)

Dorian: Well, he's not mine, either!

Kelly: I'm sure he's not. That's not the issue with rape, anyway. You've never had any love lost between you since the beginning. My concern, here, though is for Starr's well-being.

Dorian: You're not here to plead his case or something mad like that, are you?

Kelly: No. Well, I guess only indirectly. I'm here on Starr's behalf. I remember that big custody fight that you started while Blair was in that coma. I hope you didn't go behind her back again and try to destroy Starr's life again like that.

Dorian: Me?? I only want what's best for Starr! It's not destroying her life!

Kelly: She's old enough to make her own decisions now, Dorian. She's told me, and she's told Andrew that she doesn't want to live here or with Max.

Dorian: I wouldn't want to live with Max, either.

Kelly: You're not thinking, Aunt Dorian. That means that Starr would also rather not live with Blair, since Blair won't leave Max. Starr came out and told me she would rather live with her father and her step-mother than live with someone who hates her father and makes her so uncomfortable.

Dorian: She said that? Was Todd there? Has that lowlife Max done something to Starr?!

Kelly: No, Todd wasn't. Max has not. I took her out for ice cream after camp the other day on our way to Blair's for a late dinner out. I had Todd's permission. He picked her up at the Carriage House later.

Dorian: How is she doing?

Kelly: She seems happy, but she doesn't like Max and she doesn't feel very happy around him. She puts on a brave face. She knows his own children live out of state, and that also makes her feel uncomfortable. She wonders if he'll find some way to ship her off, too.

Dorian: And she would rather live with that lunatic than with her mother?

Kelly: Dorian, we had this conversation months ago. Starr loves her father. Todd loves his daughter. She's about the only person he seems to have feelings for.

Dorian: Oh, he has feelings for a lot of people! He has rage, and anger, and hatred, and --

Kelly: Yes, Dorian. He also loves his child deeply. I'm not apologizing for Todd in any way, but he is a far better parent than Blair at this point, and I have to side with Starr. If this is what she wants, then I'm going to support her wishes to live with her father.

Dorian: You would have your cousin raised by a lunatic?!

Kelly: I would petition to raise her myself if it came to that, but her father is very good to her and they're good together. Starr is very lucky, Aunt Dorian. She adores Tea, as well, and Tea adores her. Think about it.

Dorian: All my girls have gone utterly mad. Even Starr!

Kelly: (Irritated:) I'm going up to bed.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Sam's office, moments later.]

Todd: (Knocks on open door, cautiously, peering inside.)

Sam: (Looks up from the work at his desk.) Hi, Todd. You ok?

Todd: Umm, Coach?

Sam: Tom?

Todd: No, it's me, Todd.

Sam: You can come in, you know.

Todd: Umm... (Looks around the room a bit.) Ok. (Enters, sits in a chair in front of Sam's desk, looking uncomfortable.) Sorry. Been having flashbacks. (Smiles weakly, looking at Sam.)

Sam: You ok?

Todd: I will be in a minute, I think. (Breathes, and then exhales.)

Sam: Do you want some water or something?

Todd: (Shaking his head:) Mm-mm.

Sam: What do you see?

Todd: Things from when Blair took me to court over Shorty's custody a few years ago. It was horrible. Delgado went out a window for me. These papers are bringing that back, that's all.

Sam: I'm sorry, Todd.

Todd: Blair's the one you should be sorry for. When I get through with her there won't be much of her left, she'll never get even supervised visits back.

Sam: You're serious?

Todd: (Gruffly firm:) This is my kid.

Sam: That's what I keep saying about Matthew, except in his case, he's not. I still want him.

Todd: Nora serve you?

Sam: Not yet, but I know it's coming.

Todd: Did you ever expect to be a parent?

Sam: Yeah, although not with Lindsay. When she got pregnant with Will, we just got married. I've never been sure that was the right thing. Then we had Jen, and I said "two's enough".

Todd: Mine, he said "five's enough, only get rid of that last one, and pretend he was never born."

Sam: I can't do that with Matthew.

Todd: You have to. He's Bo's, not yours. Don't rip him apart like a pack of wolves.

Sam: I can't help it. I love him. I raised him.

Todd: You won't be raising him, Sam. I want to make sure Max won't be raising Shorty. I remember when Viki first put her in my arms I wanted to hand her back, but Sis wouldn't let me. Starr was so tiny and fragile. She looked up at me with those huge eyes babies have and I couldn't deny her anything. I just fell in love for the first time right then. Then she'd reach for me with those tiny hands of hers and I was hopeless. I wanted to protect her, I promised her I would. I can't lose her, Sam. I've already lost one child and lost custody of her before. I can't lose my little girl.

Sam: How're you holding up?

Todd: (Looks sad, sighs:) Been better. Let's do this. Maybe I can forget where I am. (Digs out custody papers from jacket pocket, hands them across to Sam, folded.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2. Late night.]

Tina: (Coming downstairs in a nightgown, barefoot.) Oh, hi, Tea. I thought you'd gone to sleep already.

Tea: No. I thought I'd pretty much follow you up, but I realized I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Tina: I just wanted a snack. He's not back?

Tea: No, and Sam said he left a good hour or so ago. Sam's home now, I almost woke him.

Tina: I bet he's awake and dressed again, knowing how well he knows Todd.

Tea: Look, can you hold the fort here?

Tina: Are you going to go look for him?

Tea: No, I think I'll spend the night at Carlotta's. I think she's still up, and she gave me a key to her place just in case.

Tina: She meant just in case Todd ever threw you out again.

Tea: I'm sure that's exactly why, but she hasn't said so yet.

Tina: Should I tell him, if I'm still awake?

Tea: Sure. It'll maybe drive home to him that he has to communicate with me.

Tina: I think he does, just in very inarticulate and frightened ways.

Tea: He does, but I need him to come out and tell me things and right now I really don't even want to talk with him. I need a break. If he panics, tell him I love him, ok?

Tina: With you gone, he'll do more than panic.

Tea: Well, unlike his mother, I'm not leaving for good.

Tina: We both know he won't believe that.

Tea: He's gonna have to.

Tina: Anyway, you do what you have to do.

Tea: We'll all be all right, Tina.

Tina: I hope so.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Rodi's bar, less than an hour later. Todd walks up to the bar, jukebox is blaring Nirvana's "about a girl"]

Todd: (Grimaces sadly at the song, glares at the jukebox across the room. Sits down next to RJ at the bar.)

RJ: Fancy meeting you here, Todd.

Todd: (Brooding, a little surprised by RJ's greeting.) Very funny. What're you doing out of your cage?

Bartender: What can I get you?

Todd: Beer.

RJ: Took the night off. You look kind of down.

Todd: Blair wants custody of my kid again.

RJ: I see.

Todd: What's your special problem tonight?

RJ: Personal.

Todd: You dating?

RJ: No. That's part of the problem. My niece is back in town and staying at Bo's, well Nora and Matthew's.

Bartender: (Hands Todd his beer glass.)

Todd: (Flashes a quick nod at the bartender, sips beer as he talks.) That's bad? Well, I mean it is, but is it? They split up?

RJ: Yeah, sort of. I'm glad they finally let Rachel out.

Todd: I bet she's glad to be out of the snake pit.

RJ: Very. She's been watching her brother for Nora. Bonding with him and the like.

Todd: This is bad?

RJ: Being asked if she was Matthew's Nanny is. The tot ain't no Brotha'.

Todd: Someone actually said that? I mean, she kind of is, but not.

RJ: Exactly. She was rip -- very angry and upset. Brought the boy right home, called around. The only available friend or relative was Uncle RJ.

Todd: Where was the "wonderful Nora, Supermom for the ages"?

RJ: At work. Or rather, at work, in a heated argument over that same little boy in her office with Sam when she heard her messages.

Todd: Oh, him.

RJ: He's like your Dad, or something, right?

Todd: (Bristling:) Nobody's like my Dad, except my old man.

RJ: I see.....

Todd: Look, if we're gonna have to be around each other, can we steer clear of Sam for a while?

RJ: Whatever.

Todd: Sorry. Lousy mood.

RJ: Understood. My Dad left us. I remember yours a bit, too. What a piece of work he was. (Thinking. In awe of Todd:) You're just head-over-heels in love with your wife, aren't you?

Todd: Do you really need to have it spelled out, Gannon?

RJ: All I have to do is to see the way you look at her, the way you follow her through a room with your eyes especially when she leaves, to see I have no chance for anything but her friendship. No jive.

Todd: No jive?

RJ: No jive.

Todd: It's that obvious? Who else knows this?

RJ: Anyone who is able to suspend their hatred of you even a moment and pay attention. Anyone who sees you through Tea's eyes even momentarily.

Todd: I guess my secret's safe, then.

RJ: (Laughs.) Not hardly.

Todd: (Looks at RJ, eyes narrowed:) It'd better be, Gannon.

RJ: When you proposed to Tea the last two times, did you want your love for her to remain a secret then?

Todd: What's it to you?

RJ: Just making conversation. She's a friend. Did you?

Todd: No. I was happy for a moment each time. I didn't care who knew.

RJ: Only a moment?

Todd: That's all it ever seems to last before my world comes crashing down around my head.

RJ: I know the feeling.

Todd: You're one of the few.

RJ: Look, I know we're not buddy-buddy, ok?

Todd: Where's this going?

RJ: For Tea's sake, can we bury the hatchet?

Todd: (Suddenly bristling:) What do you want with my wife, Gannon?

RJ: Whoa, Manning! All I want is the friendship she and I have had for some time. I haven't got a chance at anything more than that. I know she's just as haplessly in love with you as you are with her.

Todd: She said that?

RJ: More than once. I really wish I had your life in that regard. She went through hell when you were gone. She dated that Sykes creep for a while and everytime I stepped in to keep my hand in our friendship, he'd come skipping up to me like one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and try to make my life.... "difficult". At times, having the DA as your older brother can come in useful.

Todd: I heard. The wilds of Outer New Jersey.

RJ: (Laughs.) You ought to thank Henry sometime.

Todd: You think? Maybe I'll just donate to the Police Benevolent Fund, or whatever it's called, in his name or something.

RJ: I think he'd rather hear it from you directly.

Todd: Not on your life. We're not exactly friends.

RJ: You never know when you might need to call in a favour......

Todd: (Grins, thinking it over and staring into space. Looks in RJ's eyes.) Maybe. (Gulps his beer.)

Bartender: Anything else, sir?

Todd: Yeah, whiskey down, beer-back.

RJ: Whoa. Someone's not driving home.

Todd: (Glares at RJ.)

Bartender: (Serves him.)

Todd: (Knocks the whiskey back and chugs the beer.) Another.

Bartender: (Serves him.)

Todd: (Repeats this.)

RJ: If I have to walk you home, you're not driving.

Todd: Whatever. I just want to be numb right now. I'm not stupid enough to drive like this. I gotta kid.

RJ: Ok, then.

Todd: Leave me alone.

RJ: I don't think Tea would let me do that, Todd. You're stuck with me until I get you home. God knows I don't want to have to deal with this, but Tea would never forgive me if I let you get hurt.

Todd: (Signals the bartender.) Hit me again.

Bartender: (Looks at RJ questioningly.)

RJ: He won't be driving home. If I have to tie him up and carry him home over my shoulder.

Todd: That's sick, Gannon. (Bartender serves him again.)

RJ: You're gonna be sick in the morning. Tea's not going to be happy with either of us, but at least I can get you home safely.

Todd: My own personal bodyguard. Where's Mohammed? (Slams the whiskey down his throat. Signals for another whiskey, is served.)

RJ: Watching Max's house for Starr's safety.

Todd: They don't know, do they? (Knocks whiskey back. Starts to chug his beer again.)

RJ: No. I've had Tyrone trailing you all day.

Todd: I thought I saw him. (Finishes his beer.) Let's blow this pop stand. (Digs in his jeans pocket, peels a wad of cash, tosses some on the bar, catching the bartender's eye. He heads towards the door, RJ trailing behind him watchfully. He discreetly takes out his cellphone and makes a quick phonecall that can't be heard over the jukebox, then catches up to Todd.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2 MBR. Very late at night. Music: Nirvana's "About A Girl". Todd enters the PH, stumbling a little drunkenly, obviously looking for Tea and not finding her. He looks very upset at not finding her. He goes upstairs and looks in on his sister, looks in Starr's empty room and leans against the doorframe again a moment, every room but the MBR, which he takes a breath before entering, pushing the closed door open. His shoulders sink when he sees it empty. He slumps against the doorway, his head against the frame. Music: Nirvana's unplugged live Ledbelly cover, "In the pines (where did you sleep last night?)". Todd enters his bedroom slowly, crosses to the closet, opens door. He reaches up onto the shelf and takes a box down. He opens the box, tucks the lid under his arm, and takes out the teddy bear Tea gave him some time back. He recloses the empty box, puts it back on the shelf, closes the closet door, crosses through the darkened room to his bed. He curls up on his bed on his side on top of the covers, around the bear, and seems to try to fall asleep. He looks very sad, alone, and small.]

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Carlotta's house. Same time that night.]

Tea: (Dressed: Poking her head into Carlotta's bedroom. Softly:) Carlotta?

Carlotta: (Sleepily:) Mija? What's wrong?

Tea: I can't sleep here, either, Carlotta. I'm sorry. All I've done is pace the room.

Carlotta: I heard the floor creaking. You really love that jerk, don't you?

Tea: He is my life. I am his.

Carlotta: I felt that way about Diego, you know.

Tea: I know. I miss Diego. I miss seeing the way you used to look at him. I miss the way he looked at you.

Carlotta: Todd looks at you like that. I would never have expected that of him.

Tea: He's full of surprises. He's not like everyone thinks he is. Not with me. Not with Starr. Really not even with Viki, especially in private moments. He's a very, very private person.

Carlotta: Will you be safe to travel this late, with no sleep?

Tea: I think so. All I want is to get home and see that he's home and ok. I want to watch him breathe while he sleeps before the nightmare starts. I want to go home and be yelling so loud at each other we wake his sister Tina up. Anything, Carlotta. Anything.

Carlotta: I see you're worried about him. I'm sure he's fine. Go to him, mija. I think you're crazy, but go to him.

Tea: Thank you for putting me up tonight.

Carlotta: You know you're always welcome here.

Tea: Buenos noches, Carlotta. Muchas gracias. (Kisses her cheek.)

Carlotta: De nada, mija. (Rolls back over, tucking herself back in.)

Tea: (Leaves the room, carrying her overnight bag, and quietly leaves the house, locking the door behind her.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2, a little while later that night.]

[Tea enters PH2 quietly, all the lights are out. She peers into the kitchen, looks at the livingroom couch, looks to the livingroom window and doesn't see anyone, starts up the stairs....]

[...Some time later, Tea enters the MBR and reaches for the wall switch. Before she turns the light on, she sees Todd on the bed and crosses to the bed to check on him visually. She notices the bear, and seems touched. She finds a comforter, lays it over him, and tucks him in, kissing him and stopping to stroke his forehead and smooth his hair away from his face. She leaves. Camera cuts away. Fade out. Fade in: In a little while she returns, ready for bed, and crawls under the covers with him. She snuggles against him from behind and falls asleep.]

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Kitchen, PH2. Next morning.]

Tea: What happened last night? Where did you go from Sam's office?

Todd: Out. Walked for a while. Then went somewhere.

Tea: Drinking?

Todd: Ran into RJ at Rodi's.

Tea: You didn't argue?

Todd: No. He insisted for your sake that I not drive and he made me let him walk me here. I was still drunk when I got back here.

Tea: That was good of RJ. He's never had much use for you.

Todd: We're not friends. He kept saying he was doing this for you. You're not doing him behind my back, are you?

Tea: I'll ignore that. Did you eat?

Todd: (Morose, but trying to be casual:) Nuts, pretzels.

Tea: You should have something.

Todd: Are you?

Tea: I'm going to keep ignoring that, Todd. We've had this fight over Andrew, and RJ and I are no more than friends, which is the way it's going to remain. Now: you should eat something.

Todd: (Fidgeting, moodily:) Not hungry.

Tea: Not hungover?

Todd: Yeah, I am.

Tea: Drink some water.

Todd: I've had so much water I'm about to float away.

Tea: Keep drinking it.

Todd: I'll turn into a giant prune, or a giant waterballoon. Then you'll have to keep all the sharps away from me or I'll explode all over everything and make a huge mess.

Tea: I'll still love you.

Todd: Ugh. You'll be scraping me into a bucket, but you'll still love me?

Tea: Yeah.

Todd: I love you, too, Delgado. There, I said it.

Tea: I wasn't fishing, but I never tire of you saying those words to me.

Todd: They're hard to say to you.

Tea: I know... You know I saw how you were sleeping.

Todd: I'll deny it all.

Tea: I'm not telling. I thought you hated that bear. I had no idea you'd even kept it. It's just that you've never done that before and you seemed to be doing it because you were upset. Are you ok?

Todd: It helped. It's disgusting, but it helped.

Tea: It's very primal, I'm glad it helped. Would you rather have held onto me last night?

Todd: I can't talk about this. (Walks out.)

Tea: (Follows.) Todd?

Todd: No!

Tea: Please?

Todd: (Stops, back to her.)

Tea: (Crosses to stand in front of him and looks in his eyes.) Custody?

Todd: Yeah. I can't take much more of this. (Voice cracks.)

Tea: Worried about Starr?

Todd: I can't lose her, Delgado!

Tea: That's up to the court --

Todd: The hell it is! (Starts to try to pass her.)

Tea: (Wheels around to face his back.) Listen, to me, Todd!

Todd: (Stops, back to her, looks at ceiling. Looks at floor.)

Tea: If you do anything, take matters into your own hands again, like when Georgie died and you took both of us off to upstate New York? ... You can't take her again, Todd. You have to -- turn around and look at me, please?

Todd: (Slowly turns to look at her, face now blank.)

Tea: Todd, promise me, ok? Promise me and Starr you won't run off with her again? Because if you do, they'll never award you even supervised visitation again. Promise me, Todd.

Todd: (Pauses. Quietly:) Ok.

Tea: Ok what, Todd?

Todd: I won't kidnap my daughter again, Delgado. Stop scolding me like some little boy!

Tea: Ok. As her step-mother, as an officer of the court, as her friend, and as your wife; I will hold you to this promise though, Todd.

Todd: (Walks upstairs.)

Tina: (On her way downstairs, passing him on the stairs.) Hi, little brother.

Todd: (Grumbles and makes a face at her.)

Tina: (Smiles at him, clearly trying to taunt him endearingly.)

Todd: (Gets upstairs, goes into the MBR, and shuts the door hard. He leans against it, eyes closed.) [Fade to black.]

[Scene ends.]