PREVIOUSLY

Del: I'm on an assignment that... let's just say it already brings me into Blair's orbit.

Tea: Good. Don't push her buttons, let me do that. I owe her.

Del: For what?

Tea: A lot of things. Defenestration is only one of them.

Del: Do I want to know this story?

Tea: No.

Del: Don't commit any felonies.

Tea: I know the law.

[Scene ends.]

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

[Scene: DK Diner, mid-morning same day.]

Carlotta: So how long will you stay, Antonio?

Antonio: I'm not sure. At least through this case.

Carlotta: I am still very upset with you over how you spoke to Tea the other night.

Antonio: Mami...

Carlotta: You and Todd almost came to blows that night. I thought your pulling your life back together and going through law school meant you put violence behind you in your life with Andy!

Antonio: You're not defending Todd, Mami?

Carlotta: No, I'm defending Tea. She loves him, even though none of us approve of them together.

Antonio: He's a filthy animal.

Carlotta: I have come to the conclusion that it's better to find ways to support Tea than to fight with Todd. Fighting Todd sends her right back to him.

Antonio: You are defending him!

Carlotta: I'm defending Tea! For whatever reasons she really loves that man. She says he makes her happy, although she's always so upset and not sleeping I can hardly fathom her definition of "happy".

Antonio: He keeps her up at night?

Carlotta: Yes, he does.

Antonio: I get it now. She always did like sex.

Carlotta: Apparently that's not even it.

Antonio: (Sarcastic:) It must be his animal magnetism.

Carlotta: That's not it...

Antonio: What, he holds her at gunpoint every night to keep her awake?

Carlotta: He is an insomniac, yes. He also has nightmares.

Antonio: Well, well, well...

Carlotta: Antonio...

Antonio: What?

Carlotta: (Coldly firm:) This was told me in confidence, don't you dare use it against him.

Antonio: See, there you go again, Mami! You're protecting that animal again!

Carlotta: One thing I have learned the hard way is that if someone hurts Todd it also hurts Tea. We have to all just back off of them and let them sort themselves out. If it's meant to be, they'll stay together.

Antonio: I'm not giving up.

Carlotta: Don't hurt Tea.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2. Todd is running around like mad gathering things this morning.]

Todd: (Dials phone.) Viki? Hi...

Viki: (On phone in Llanfair library/study:) Todd? What's wrong?

Todd: Nothing. Look, can I borrow your cabin today and maybe tonight?

Viki: Should I prepare a bedroom for Starr?

Todd: No, I'll do that.

Viki: When will you bring her here?

Todd: What? No! She's coming with us. This is for her.

Viki: Oh! How lovely! When do you want to come for the key? I know you lost your copy, I have a new spare.

Todd: Probably not until you're at the office, I've got lots of things to do first.

Viki: I'll have it for you at my office, then. Anything else?

Todd: No. (Hangs up.) Thank, god. Dodged that "I love you" bullet. (Makes a disparaging face, shuddering, and runs out of the room, upstairs.)

[PH2, upstairs. Todd crosses to the hallway closet, opens it, grabs some boxed ornaments and tinsel, the presents for Starr and a videotape from MBR closet, goes down to parking garage (passing one of the bodyguards at the door), fills his car trunk, as Darius observes. Accompanied by another bodyguard at a discreet distance, Todd shops for and finds a small pine tree at a local farmstand, goes to Viki's office and picks up a copy of the cabin key, drives up to the cabin, with Muhammed in his own car behind him. Muhammed sweeps the cabin and grounds for intruders and then lets Todd in. Todd bustles around like a madman setting up the tree and the gifts, putting up decorations and tinsel all over the room, goes into a closet and digs out a TV and VCR to set up in the livingroom on a TV cart.]

Todd: (Flops on couch and puts his feet on coffee table, next to scrabble game. On cell phone:) Delgado?

Tea: (In her office, distracted from work:) Mmm?

Todd: Me.

Tea: Me.

Todd: We're meeting Starr after camp and coming to Viki's cabin, but I need you to get some stuff to bring.

Tea: Why can't you do it?

Todd: I'm at the cabin now and I gotta deadline.

Tea: And I'm not pressed for time?

Todd: It's for Starr, ok?

Tea: (Irritated and tired:) Fine. What do you need? (Rubs her face tiredly.)

Todd: You know those popcorn things in the pan?

Tea: Which ones? The kind we had as kids?

Todd: The on-the-stove kind, yeah.

Tea: Where the top pops up like a turban?

Todd: THOSE! (Gets up and starts to pace.)

Tea: I'll find some.

Todd: Starr'll love that. And we'll need dinner stuff, too, 'cos Starr's gotta eat. You're a girl, and-and you know how to cook stuff. You'll think of something.

Tea: Grill?

Todd: I'll set the backyard on fire! Muhammed'll panic!

Tea: (Laughs.) I'll think of something safer, then.

Todd: Ok. (Grinning:) Wait'll you see the place.

Tea: I'm sure I'll be as surprised as Starr.

Todd: (Looking around at the decorations, fingering some tinsel. Anxiety creeping in:) I hope you like it.

Tea: It'll be fine. I gotta get back to work.

Todd: Me, too. See ya. (Hits the END button and puts his cell phone away. Wheels around and leaves the cabin.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Llanfair kitchen, lunchtime same day.]

Sarah: What would you say if we said we want to stay here?

Tina: Hmmm. What brought this on?

CJ: Family.

Tina: We're not family enough, just us?

CJ: Well, we've got uncle Ali --

Tina: Who you never see --

Sarah: We know how he is and we know he likes to know where we are.

CJ: You know he loves us. And we've got great-grandpa.

Tina: Who you've spent precious little time with, too.

Sarah: We need to change that. We've sort of avoided Asa.

CJ: Yeah, just barge into, what's Todd call it?

Sarah: (Giggling:) Bukefair.

Tina: Renee always runs interference for the kids, and Nigel adores you.

CJ: Yeah, so we want to stay. You're doing our work for us, Mom.

Tina: I'm not sure how that would work. Let me think about it. (Tucks into her lunch.)

Sarah: (Clothesline look passes between she and CJ, who nods.) Mom?

Tina: Mmm?

Sarah: We've been talking a lot with little Duke.

Tina: He's such a sweet kid.

CJ: Yeah, but to anyone else he's a lot like Todd. He's a lonely little guy.

Sarah: Anyway, he says even though he's lonely here he wants to stay, too.

Tina: Oh, so you want to stay to look out for Duke?

Sarah: (Shoots CJ a look first, looks back at Tina.) Noooo...

Tina: Well, whatever your reasons, you've said you want to stay because of family, and I can't fault either of you for that.

CJ: Mmm...

Tina: See, I've been thinking about it too, but I'd have to look very seriously into what arrangements could be made about work. Otherwise I'd be bored silly here.

Sarah: (Rolls eyes.) And we know how crabby you get when you're bored.

Tina: Yep, so I'll take this all under consideration and have to get back to you. We also have to think about school transfers.

Sarah & CJ: (Groan loudly.)

Tina: You'll have to face going back to school, and if you stay, that means here. We'll also need other living arrangements.

CJ: Why can't we all stay here?

Tina: It's not up to me.

Sarah: We'll ask aunt Viki. She won't turn us down.

Tina: How do you know that?

CJ: We know.

Sarah: We can tell she misses a houseful of kids.

Tina: (Narrows her eyes at them:) You two are such crafty little manipulators...

Sarah & CJ: (Smile back, both trying to look innocent and endearing.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: The Sun, Publisher's Office, around midday. Todd is listlessly stuffing a sandwich in his mouth while he reads his email. He takes a huge bite.]

Briggs: (Rushes in with a bunch of papers.) You're here!

Todd: (Starts chewing fast and swallows hard, mouth still full:) No, I'm not.

Briggs: Yes, you are. You wanted my notes?

Todd: (Puts sandwich down on paper roughly on his desk.) Yeah, whatever. I'm sure they're fine. (Wipes mouth with back of hand.)

Briggs: You hated the last draft.

Todd: What did you do when you and your wife would take the kids to, like a campsite, or something?

Briggs: Why do you ask?

Todd: (Affectedly casual.) No reason.

Briggs: I see...

Todd: Ok! I gotta reason, ok? (Grabs some paper and a pen.) It's -- it's for a column, see?

Briggs: (A bit sceptical, raises an eyebrow briefly, but plows on:) Well... we'd pack marshmallows...

Todd: (Scribbles it down.)

Briggs: Uh...

Todd: Go on!

Briggs: Well, depending on facilities or our plans, we'd take... oh, hotdogs, fixings, uhh...

Todd: Hotdogs. I like hotdogs... (Jots it down.) And?

Briggs: If we rented a place with a TV we might rent a movie or something.

Todd: Ok...

Briggs: Are you... planning something? An outing?

Todd: (Distractedly jotting notes:) Nobody's getting Outed here.

Briggs: Hmm?

Todd: (Looks up at Briggs, completely unaware of what he's said, evidently.) What else?

Briggs: Weren't you ever a child?

Todd: What I had for a childhood you couldn't exactly call normal.

Briggs: Did you go to summer camp?

Todd: Football camp.

Briggs: Surely you can think of this yourself, then. Do the things you did at camp.

Todd: I'm not doing a potato sack race!

Briggs: (Tries not to laugh.)

Todd: (Puts pen down, looks at Briggs.) Go away now.

Briggs: You'll trust me on this copy?

Todd: I said go away.

Briggs: Ok. Have a nice evening.

Todd: Go!

Briggs: (Smiles to himself as he leaves.)

Todd: (On phone right after Briggs is gone:) Delgado?

Tea: (Very distractedly answering in her office:) Mmm?

Todd: I gotta list.

Tea: (Smiles slightly:) Is it a long list?

Todd: I dunno, you tell me.

Tea: (Grabbing pen and pad:) Ok.

Todd: Hotdogs, fixings, umm... marshmallows...

Tea: Graham crackers and chocolate bars?

Todd: Yeah, for those runny sticky things with the melted marshmallows.

Tea: S'mores, Todd.

Todd: Yeah, whatever. Ummmm...

Tea: I'll think of the rest.

Todd: Yeah. (Hangs up.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: The Banner City Room, Viki's office midday. Viki is eating lunch at her desk while working on some paperwork.]

Kevin: Mom? (Entering and closing the door behind himself.)

Viki: (Looking up fron her salad:) Yes?

Kevin: Have -- umm... (Walks up to her desk, leans against it, looking at the blotter.)

Viki: What?

Kevin: (Looks at Viki:) Did Dukey talk to you?

Viki: Why?

Kevin: He won't really talk with me and especially not Cassie, and I was wondering...

Viki: Your little boy is not a very happy child right now. He misses you.

Kevin: Yeah. I've been pretty busy this summer.

Viki: Do you regret having him here?

Kevin: Godno!

Viki: Well, then spend more time with your son. He's growing up awfully fast. Before you know it he'll be Jessie's age.

Kevin: I -- (sighs) ...I love my son, Mom, but I don't know how to be his Dad.

Viki: You're a fine father to River.

Kevin: But, frankly, River's Andrew's not mine. I can hand him back to his father when I've had enough, or to Cassie. Duke's my own flesh and blood, and I don't know what to do. I love both my boys.

Viki: He's not much older than River, maybe that's part of it. From what Duke said to me, he's feeling like River took his place as your little boy and I think he really resents River for that and Cassie for taking his mother's place in your life.

Kevin: One of the first things he asked for in the airport when I picked him up was for me and LeeAnn to get back together.

Viki: I can remember when you and Joseph were small, and you especially had a hard time with accepting Clint. I think because Joe was already dead it was a little easier for both of you, but you had known Joe as a tiny boy and you'd missed him terribly after his death. Everytime you saw a red car you'd call out for him. I finally sold that red sports car of his because it reminded me too much of your father and I couldn't watch you grieving for him anymore. I still miss him. Do you remember that?

Kevin: That must be why I love red sports cars to this day. Wow. I do remember some of that, yeah. Somewhere I have a little diecast red sports car. A lot of paint's rubbed off in places, but I kept it.

Viki: Maybe you can share some of that with Duke? Things you remember of being his age and things you did with your fathers or your grandfather? Does Duke ride?

Kevin: You know, I'm not at all sure.

Viki: Maybe you could ride together, or teach him to ride?

Kevin: Maybe I will. I haven't been on a horse in years, though.

Viki: Well, I know Cassie has ridden but doesn't ride now, so this could be something to share with Duke that's yours together.

Kevin: I bought him a bike.

Viki: We have some bikes in storage, unless you'd like to buy yourself a more modern one.

Kevin: I guess I'll get a new one and a helmet, maybe to match his, and take him biking.

Viki: That sounds marvelous.

Kevin: I hope it works out.

Viki: Give him time and space to come to you. Try this and see what happens.

Kevin: I think I'll go bike shopping today. Thanks, Mom.

Viki: Glad I could help.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Tea's office, afternoon same day.]

Todd: (Barging in:) You ready?

Tea: Oh! I haven't even had lunch yet!

Todd: We gotta go get Shorty in a little while! We'll grab something hot & greasy on the way out.

Tea: (Sighs.) I'm swamped. Eeeew...

Todd: What?

Tea: I'll pass on the hot & greasy on the way. Maybe just some fruit.

Todd: Now who's not eating and taking care of themselves? If I can drop everything for Shorty, you can, too.

Tea: I'm fine. Can you just go without me?

Todd: (Walks to her desk and grabs her pen out of her hand. She looks up at him.) This is for both of you. For all of us.

Tea: This is important to you.

Todd: You're important to me.

Tea: Ok. Gimme a minute to wrap up, ok?

Todd: (Fidgets restlessly while she wraps things up, checks watch.) Time's up!

Tea: (Not finished yet. Glaring:) Go away.

Todd: (Grins at her.)

Tea: What're you grinning at?

Todd: I'm getting to you, aren't I?

Tea: Actually, yes you are. I can't wait for the custody nonsense to be over with. Maybe then we can both get some sleep.

Todd: Oh... (A sad expression crosses his face, he looks at his feet.)

Tea: (Looks up from her work.) Look, I'm swamped here and I know tonight is so important to you. I know you've got something special planned.

Todd: (Looks at her through his hair, his eyes piercing as he studies her from under his brow.)

Tea: I just need a couple minutes and then we can run out of here, ok?

Todd: (Seeming crestfallen, he simply shrugs, running his finger along the edge of her desk.)

Tea: Look at me. (Locks eyes with him:) Hold tight, willya? This one's almost done. Jeez.

Todd: Yeah. Whatever. (Looks around room.)

Tea: (Finishes, stows file on a pile of papers to her right. Grabs briefcase, pocketbook, random other office stuff.) Let's go.

Todd: (Leaves room first. Tea closes and locks the door.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Banner City room, moments later.]

Cassie: (Crosses to Viki, who is talking with Mel next to his desk.) Hi, Mel. I need to steal Viki, if I may?

Mel: Oh, certainly. Viki?

Viki: What's up?

Cassie: Personal.

Mel: (Quietly:) Oh...

Viki: Come with me. (Crosses into her office followed by Cassie, and closes office door.) Duke?

Cassie: Kevin talk to you?

Viki: And Duke. You all need to settle this between yourselves, you know.

Cassie: We're trying.

Viki: Why aren't you speaking about this to your mother or Mel?

Cassie: Mother can't stand Kevin, so she'd be worse than useless. I wish I knew how to talk to Mel about this. I'd really like to talk to Father about this, but he's so ill I don't want to cause him more stress. Duke won't talk to me or River and barely speaks to Kevin. He's almost sullen, and when he isn't out with his cousins, he just about locks himself in his room.

Viki: He misses Kevin.

Cassie: He wants Kevin all to himself.

Viki: That, too. He's just a little boy.

Cassie: I'm just the step-mom. Andrew says I should just sit back and listen to Duke, and if he's going to come to me he will.

Viki: "If you love something, set it free," and all that.

Cassie: Something like that.

Viki: Andrew's right.

Cassie: Ugh! I want so much to hurry this along, though. Summer's coming to a close too soon.

Viki: Patience, and I think what Duke needs almost as much as love is that.

Cassie: I just hope we don't "patience" ourselves out of this opportunity.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Todd's car, about a half hour has passed. Tea carries a brown paper sack with food in it to the car, Todd opens the trunk.]

Tea: I wish you'd gone in with me. You said you had a long list, I hope I got everything on it.

Todd: I trust you.

Tea: (Boggles.)

Todd: You're doing that thing with the bugeyes again. I hate shopping. What? You don't trust me?

Tea: I do trust you. Ok, lemme see this list of yours.

Todd: No! It's bad enough I admitted to it.

Tea: You didn't -- whoever it was with the other list you had who gave you pointers on how to have a normal evening at home, is this the same person?

Todd: If you can't remember, I'm not gonna tell you now.

Tea: 'Cos if it is, well, don't be too literal about it. That's what messed things up last time.

Todd: It did?

Tea: Mostly. Just, like I said that night, just relax and talk to me. You can toss that silly list.

Todd: I can? No. I can't! Besides, we have to go get Shorty right now.

Tea: This is getting heavy.

Todd: (Grabs the bag from her.) Will everything keep for the ride up? 'Cos I don't want Shorty to get sick or anything.

Tea: We can put it in the back seat where it'll be airconditioned like the rest of us.

Todd: Let's go.

[They get in the car, belt up, drive off. Scene ends.]

[Scene: Viki's cabin, a little later that afternoon.]

Todd: (In the car, turned around to talk to Starr.) Starr, stop fidgeting. When Muhammed is done checking the cabin and the estate, we can go in. Ok?

Starr: (Sighs heavily, blowing her bangs off her forehead. Resignedly:) Yes, Daddy.

Tea: Daddy has a surprise for us inside, but he didn't tell me what it is.

Starr: Really, Daddy?

Todd: Yep. I hope you like it.

Starr: I will.

[Muhammed knocks on Tea's window, she turns to him, opens the door and he leans in.]

Muhammed: All clear, sir.

Starr: Can we go in now??

Muhammed: Yes, Miss Manning.

Starr: (Practically rips her seatbelt off and unlocks her door, running out of the car and to the door before Todd or Tea can stop her.)

Todd: I guess she's a little excited after all.

Tea: Just a little.

[Inside the cabin:]

Starr: (Rushing up to the tree and sitting down to rip open a package.) Oh, look!

Todd: They're all for you, except for this one. (He picks up a box and hands it to Tea. It is wrapped in peach rose printed paper.)

Tea: Oh, Todd...

Todd: Open it.

Tea: (She does so, carefully leaving the wrapping in large sections. She digs through the box and keeps finding more wrapping paper. Her expression changes to disappointment, and then surprise as she finally gets down to the CD in all that tissue paper, pulls it out and finds a Ricky Martin CD. She looks at it, her eyes wide and misting up a little, her mouth parted slightly.)

Todd: You like him, right? That salsa stuff?

Tea: Oh, Todd! Thank you! Yes, he's very good.

Todd: I'm glad you like it.

Tea: I'll teach you to dance with me to this one.

Todd: That's going a bit far.

Tea: You dance very well.

Starr: (Hugging yet another teddy bear:) Daddy! I like the new bear, thank you!

Todd: There's more there.

Starr: (Talking to the bear and setting it down by her side:) Now, you help me with these, ok?

Todd: (Smiles at Starr.)

[Scene ends.]

TO BE CONTINUED

TO BE CONTINUED

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