PREVIOUSLY

Sam: Yeah. I mean, I raised that baby, you know?

Tea: He's not yours.

Sam: Neither's Starr.

Tea: I'm with her father, you're not with Nora.

Sam: I want to try.

Tea: I have to be honest, but you really don't have much of a shot. You also know Nora doesn't want you back. I've been before this same judge about Starr before.

Sam: You backing out?

Tea: No, being honest.

[Scene ends.]

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

[Scene: Nora's office, mid-afternoon same day.]

Sam: Nora?

Nora: (Looks up from her work.) Mmm? Come in, Sam.

Sam: I feel defeated before I start with all this.

Nora: He's not your son, no.

Sam: I did help raise him.

Nora: But you also tried to pass him off as your own child. That's not very easy to overlook.

Sam: Will you be moving Bo back into the house?

Nora: We still haven't made any decisions yet.

Sam: I'll need to know.

Nora: I don't know yet.

Sam: I have to talk to Tea about this, then. I'm not out of this fight yet.

Nora: Do what you have to do so I can do what I have to do, for my son.

Sam: There seem to be a lot of unexpected people fighting for that little boy.

Nora: Yes. Even Todd is fighting on Matthew's side, which I don't mind telling you really creeps me out.

Sam: I know. He does whatever he wants to do.

Nora: Boy, does he. I defended him once, remember? He stalked me for my troubles.

Sam: You threw the case. I'll go find Tea and talk to her again. We're not having a conversation about my oldest boy. (Exits.)

Nora: (Mouthing:) "Oldest boy". (To herself out loud:) Yeesh. I certainly wouldn't claim a kid like him!

Rachel: (Arriving, crossing her arms and standing in the office doorway:) Lemme guess: Sam just left, so you're talking to yourself about Todd? You wouldn't claim a kid like Todd?

Nora: Oops.

Rachel: Gee, Mom. Thank you so much. (Turns and leaves.)

Nora: (Standing and calling after her, apologetically:) Rachel! Rach -- ! Oy vey! Well, I'm not going to die a saint, that's for sure! That was really stupid, Nora... (Puts her head in her hands and groans loudly.)

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Tea's office, later that afternoon.]

Nora: Tea?

Tea: Nora, what brings you here?

Nora: I wanted to talk to you about Sam.

Tea: Lawyer-Client Priviledge.

Nora: Personal.

Tea: Oh? How personal?

Nora: Ok, look: I really don't think you should've taken this case on.

Tea: That isn't your decision.

Nora: I took you in when you first got to town --

Tea: I owe you nothing, Nora, except maybe very indirectly my husband.

Nora: And he's the reason you took on Sam's case?

Tea: No. I took on Sam's case because Sam asked me to.

Nora: But the fact that Todd and Sam are close had nothing to do with it?

Tea: Only as a secondary effect. Todd is concerned that Matthew be protected.

Nora: He will be, he has me.

Tea: And Rachel did, too.

Nora: Tea...

Tea: As a parent myself now and having been a child who had no mother, I can see the depth of the influence how you're parented can have on a child. I have sided with Todd in this that the fighting over Matthew will hurt him in the long run if it isn't settled while he's still very young.

Nora: That's what Rachel said to me.

Tea: They're coming from similar places on this and arriving at the same place. Rachel would be horrified to know she agrees with Todd of all people, but both of them care what happens to Matthew.

Nora: Is this really about your wanting to pay me back for all the things I've said about you and Todd?

Tea: This is no vendetta for me against you for all those times you've told me in no uncertain terms I'm being a fool for loving Todd and wanting a life with him. He's not perfect, you and I both know he's done some pretty stupid things in his life and he can be vicious if crossed, but he's my husband and I take him as he is. I know you can't do that, you have a terrible history with him and I really don't blame you for your reaction, but don't assume my taking on Sam's case against you means anything more than my taking Sam's case.

Nora: You're sure?

Tea: This isn't about you and me, Nora. We're not friends and I really don't owe you much of anything. This is about Matthew.

Nora: I guess you don't, but at least we agree that it is about Matthew.

Tea: That's ALL it's about. I don't know why you need me to reassure you of that.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Late afternoon, PH2, 200 High Street.]

Tina: (Letting herself and the kids in, and calling out:) We're back, Todd!

Starr: (Taking off upstairs, calling:) Daaaaddddeeeeee?

Todd: (At top of stairs, coming to meet a running Starr near the bottom. He catches her and scoops her into his arms.) Hi! How was your day?

Starr: Ok. We all came over (turning and pointing), look.

Todd: (Quietly, looking in her eyes:) Hi, sis.

Tina: You ok?

Todd: (Doesn't answer, just looks at her, his face blank.)

Tina: We'll talk later.

Todd: Whatever. You gotta new rugrat or something? One you never told us about?

Duke: No. I'm Demerest Buchanan.

Todd: Oooohh. My nephew's kid. My condolences.

Tina: (Sharply:) Todd!

Duke: I already know he doesn't like my Dad.

Todd: Oh, I bet he told you all sorts of good stuff.

Duke: Some.

Todd: I doubt he told you anything good at all about me. What're you doing here?

Tina: I brought him --

Todd: No, this town.

Duke: I wanted to get to know my family, especially my Dad. He's said things, and maybe you'd understand this. Jason's not my Dad.

Todd: He told you about my old man?

Duke: A little. I know he was meaner'n a rattlesnake.

CJ: Worse than Asa.

Todd: Much worse. Just not as rich.

CJ: (Noticing the way Todd reacts, he segues to:) Umm... We went to Asa's last night. That was interesting.

Todd: You did? WHY??

CJ: I need to know where I stand, familywise. Surely you can understand that.

Todd: Intimately.

CJ: Yeah, well I dragged my mom and sister with me.

Tina: Why did you look at me when Asa wanted to hug you?

CJ: Because I know that anything I do when it comes to him will have effects on you and I needed to be sure that I was doing the right thing, that even a hug wouldn't be likely to come back on you.

Tina: He thinks I set him up.

Todd: Did you?

CJ: I did. I made it very clear to him in that conversation who would be the boss of me, and it's me not him. I also called him pretty harshly on his making Sarah and me pick between families. I resent him making me choose sides in this. I am a Buchanan, but I am also a Lord and I refuse to give up my Lord relatives for him, no matter how he feels about them. (Duke's eyes have been growing wider as he listens to CJ and watches Todd.)

Todd: Good.

Sarah: He hated it, of course, so I don't know what Clint's just cost our mom.

Tina: Asa was impressed, though. He tried to hide it.

Todd: Outta the mouths of babes...

CJ: Well, sort of, yeah. As far as he's concerned, I guess so. I mean, he's ancient.

Todd: Fossil.

CJ: Primordial.

Todd: (Laughs.)

CJ: And I am but an egg, as far as he's concerned.

Duke: You sassed Asa??

CJ: Yep.

Todd: Got away with it, too, it seems.

Tina: So far.

Todd: You worried Big Daddy'll take it out on you?

Tina: He has before.

CJ: Doesn't matter. I had him on the mat last night. He knows, no matter how he brushed it off, that he has to deal with me if he goes after my mom or Sarah, or any of you.

Todd: You're just a kid.

Duke: No, I'm just a kid. (River giggles.)

Todd: True, but you're Kevvie's kid, and Asa thinks the sun shines out your Dad's butt.

Duke: (Shocked:) What you said!

Todd: I've said far worse, kid. Your great-whatever-grandpa and me have been at war for years, and your little Daddy and me, too. Don't get your shorts in a knot over it, because it isn't going to change.

Duke: That's about what my Dad says.

Todd: Well, it ain't.

Duke: Why do you hate my Dad so much?

Todd: He hates me.

Tina: Duke, can you save this for another time when you can talk with Todd alone? (Pointed tone obviously directed at Todd:) I'm sure he'll answer all your questions in private.

CJ: His bark's worse than his bite, Duke.

Sarah: Well, at least to kids.

Todd: (Sarcastic:) Yeah, that's me. I'm an old softy.

Starr: Yes, you are, Daddy.

[Todd rolls his eyes. Tina tries not to chuckle and manages to mostly just smirk at him. Todd sees this and makes a disparaging face at her. Tina makes one back, and he rolls his eyes again. CJ observes all this.]

CJ: Well. That was exciting.

Tina: What, me making goo-goo eyes at my little brother?

CJ: If I didn't know you two better I'd think that was the closest you two have gotten to outright affectionate goofiness.

Todd: (Scowling at CJ:) Shut up, kid.

CJ: (Bursts out laughing. Todd scowls at him. River and Duke boggle.)

Tina: Ok, time to get River to the Rectory and Duke to The Banner.

Todd: Goody, he can go bother my other sister now.

Tina: Duke was being rather good today, Todd. He's going to meet Kevin.

Todd: As a reward for being a good boy? (Duke gasps, gaping at Todd, then closes his mouth and swallows.)

Tina: This is still pretty new to Duke. Remember when having a big family was still new to you?

Todd: (Sobered by the jab, apparently, a tiny bit sheepish seeming:) Yeah.

Tina: Then cut him some slack.

Todd: Duke?

Duke: What?

Todd: (A bit gruffly:) C'mere. (Kneeling.)

Duke: No.

Todd: (Sits back on his heels.) I don't hurt kids.

Duke: How do I know for sure?

Todd: (Shrugs.) Ok, don't believe me. (Starts to get up.)

CJ: He doesn't, Duke. Grownups are another story.

Duke: (Cautiously crosses to Todd.) Yeah?

Todd: (Kneels in front of Duke at eye level. Quietly:) If anyone ever hurts you, point them out to me. They won't do it again.

Duke: (Eyes widening, expression unchanged, he backs up a little.) Ok... (Runs to Tina. Todd stands up.)

Tina: Jeez, Todd, did you have to scare him?

Todd: I told him if anyone hurts him he should point them out to me and they'll stop hurting him... What?!

Tina: It's the menace in your voice, Todd. For a guy who doesn't hurt kids you still manage to be pretty scary sometimes.

Todd: It's a gift.

Tina: So are claws on panthers, and they know when to use them. C'mon, Duke, River. CJ, Sarah?

CJ & Sarah: Yeah, Mom?

Tina: Play cowboys and indians and make Todd play the indian. You know what to do.

Todd: This house has no rope. Nice try, sis. (Shooing motion:) Go!

Sarah: (Casually:) So, we'll find something else to use. (Todd scowls at Sarah, she smirks at him.)

Tina: (Laughing, a boy's hand in each of hers. Arnold Schwartzenegger voice:) I'll be baaaack... (Todd looks back at Tina.)

Todd: Whatever. (Tina leaves, Todd turns to Sarah and CJ, who try to look innocent at him.) Oh no, you're not gonna pull anything on me!

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: Banner City room entrance to Viki's office, moments later.]

Viki: Tea, hi.

Tea: Hi, Viki.

Viki: What brings you here?

Tea: I wanted to talk with you about some things.

Viki: I'm sorry I buried myself in work when my brother left. He left you in my care and I let you both down.

Tea: Why did you push me to be with Sykes?

Viki: I thought it was the best thing for you at the time, I wanted you to be happy and in my anger at Todd and my hurt I urged you to date John Sykes.

Tea: Did you know that he had been stalking me for most of that year?

Viki: With Todd there?

Tea: Sometimes in the same room, with Todd in the ankle monitor.

Viki: Oh my... no wonder Todd so disliked him. I don't think you'd reminded me of that before. I knew Sykes seemed to be harassing Todd.

Tea: He was, at every opportunity, like he does RJ. Todd couldn't do anything, they had him in chains with the ankle monitor. House arrest is still police custody. Todd was imprisoned in his own home.

Viki: He kidnapped all of us.

Tea: He'd had a breakdown the night he found Georgie's body.

Viki: He's said that. The question is why until the catatonia did we not know?

Tea: We didn't want to?

Viki: I think you're right.

Tea: We all thought it was just Todd being his usual reckless, secretive, paranoid self.

Viki: He's always done crazy, reckless, dangerous things.

Tea: He didn't stop doing them, but the fact that he got worse is what we missed until it all fell so quickly apart. Why didn't it register when he was in the cabana with me and then with Sam and Sam finally got him to come out, and Todd wanted the police to kill him? Even for Todd that was pretty bad, and a sign he was doing very poorly. Starr was still nearby as I recall, that's not like him. But we all ignored it as that, as anything but Todd's usual strange behaviour.

Viki: Not even the trip to Niagara Falls?

Tea: No, there it started to come to me that something was seriously wrong. I didn't want Starr to grow up on the run, if it came to that. I lied to him that I was sick and figured he'd stay with me if I was unwell.

Viki: How did he take that?

Tea: Terribly, as usual. I mean he was very concerned, and then Sam arrived and he felt deeply betrayed and hurt and took off with Starr. Do you know Todd had the work gloves, the fireplace gloves from the murder scene at the lodge in the bottom of his bag on that trip?

Viki: Evidence?

Tea: I found them. That's why he ran. He thought Bo was trying to frame him. He thought I'd turn him in if I found them. He didn't know what to do or who to trust, but he wanted us with him.

Viki: He wasn't just being paranoid that time. Asa really was trying to frame him, not Bo.

Tea: He knew as soon as he put them on I think that he'd just implicated himself, and I think that's when he started to really panic. Once he had buried Georgie under that brush.

Viki: He found Georgie's body the night he proposed to you, and he was very anxious as it was. Maybe that primed him for panic later?

Tea: It's anyone's guess.

Viki: People with traumas, it's like we get primed for more trauma and each time it seems to hit us worse than the last trauma and it just builds until something happens.

Tea: Something happened. He snapped.

Viki: He was apart at the seams before we could catch him in time to stop it.

Tea: When is he not like a runaway train?

Viki: When he's like a trainwreck.

Tea: (Chuckling ruefully.) Same difference. Why do I love him so much?

Viki: He can be very gentle and sweet when he wants to be. You calm him.

Tea: He says I make him feel not so afraid, that he's maybe not so scary.

Viki: That's hard to do, you seem to have more success than I do with him.

Tea: He understands that I feel he's not garbage, but that I see something ok in him.

Viki: I'm very glad he has you.

Tea: I'm not always.

Viki: He has that effect.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2, early evening same day.]

Tina: (Arriving.) Hi, Todd. Tea back yet?

Starr: (Playing with dolls and toys on the floor with Todd.) No, Tee, Tee. (Todd stands up to look at Tina.)

Tina: Ah. You look a bit worried, Todd. You ok?

Todd: No.

Tina: Miss her?

Todd: (His face is mostly blank but he seems upset. He shrugs, not looking at Tina, crosses to desk.)

Tina: (Sees this.) Ah. (Crosses to him near his desk. Quietly, so Starr won't hear, into his ear as she carefully hugs him:) We're all here, don't panic. Everything will be fine.

Todd: (Slowly and carefully hugs Tina back, slowly coming to rest his chin on her shoulder and close his eyes.)

Tina: (Quietly, into his hair:) That's it, sweetheart, you're ok. Just let your big sister hold you a bit. I can't make it all better, but I'll try to make it a little easier for a moment.

Todd: (Moments later, he pushes her away and turns away, just as the door opens, and in walks Tea.)

Tina: Todd was just telling me how much he missed you. (He scowls at Tina, then looks at Tea.)

Todd: (Growling:) Where the hell have you been, Delgado!

Tea: At your sister's office, Manning! What a fine way to greet me after a long day apart.

Tina: (Putting her finger to her lips and looking at Tea, Todd looks restless, about to bolt.)

Tea: (Crosses to him, takes his hand:) Come here. You and I are going upstairs, right now.

Todd: (Yanks hand away from hers.) I'll do my homework! I'll walk the dog!

Starr: (Looks at Todd and giggles.)

Tea: WHAT?!

Todd: You're treating me like a little boy again. (Mockingly:) "Come right upstairs with me right this minute, young man!" (Mocking, but slight come-hither voice:) And you'll do just what to me, Delgado?

Tea: (Rising to it as a challenge, also coming on to him a bit in response, tauntingly:) Why don't you just come upstairs with me and find out, mmm?

Tina: Whoa. Get a room, guys.

Starr: You're being weird, Daddy.

Todd: What else is new, Shorty? (Crosses to stairs.)

Starr: (Whispers to Tina:) It worked last time. (Louder:) Kiss Tee, Daddy.

Todd: (Eyes on Tea, as if the world went away:) You coming or not, Delgado? (They stare at each other. He turns and starts up the stairs again, moving slowly as if feeling dejected. She watches him go and when he's almost gone, starts up after him. After a couple of steps:)

Tea: (Quietly:) Todd? (He stops moving. She climbs to his level. She takes his hand, and they continue up the stairs like this.)

Starr: (After they disappear up the stairs, turning to Tina:) Aren't my mom and dad cute?

Tina: (Surprised:) Um... Yeah, very. Is that how you think of Tea?

Starr: (Going back to playing with her toys on the floor:) Uh-huh. She says to think of her as my friend, but she's a much better mom than Blair. I mean, I love Mommy, but I really love Tee.

Tina: Have you told Blair this?

Starr: I don't want her to get mad so no. She hates Tee, she doesn't think I've heard her, but I know.

Tina: I'm sorry you've heard that.

Starr: It's true?

Tina: (Gently:) I'm sorry, but yes. I've heard Blair say it.

Starr: I don't like Max.

Tina: (A little sheepish:) I almost married Max.

Starr: Then you like Max?!

Tina: Not much anymore, no.

Starr: I never liked him, even when I lived with them all the time when Daddy was gone. I like Max less the more I live with him.

Tina: Why?

Starr: He's not my Daddy and he never will be but he keeps trying to be. I know he hates Daddy, he's done some really mean things to Daddy, and I don't like Max for that either. I just plain don't like Max Holden. I'm never going to be Starr Holden, either, and if he married Mommy I would be and then I'd be gone just like the rest of his kids. I like Daddy much better, so I'm staying right here with Daddy and Tee and you.

Tina: That's what we're trying to arrange, and if you're really unhappy where you are when you're with Blair and Max, I can't see making you stay with them.

Starr: Keep working on it. I'm just a kid, you're supposed to do it.

Tina: There are some things you can do to help, too.

Starr: I know. I can talk to the judge, I'm old enough, and I can make him listen if I have to.

Tina: Right now, though, I think it's time for you to get some sleep.

Starr: Awww, aunt Tina!

Tina: No, I don't want your father mad at me for keeping you up.

Starr: I want him to tuck me in.

Tina: I'll see what I can do, but first we put these things away.

Todd: (Coming downstairs, barefoot, without his suit jacket, his shirt unbuttoned, showing his t-shirt:) Starr, bedtime.

Tina: I was just getting her to put her stuff away.

Todd: Put those away and go brush your teeth and change. I'll be up in a moment.

Starr: (Dragging toys and dolls in a mesh bag:) Ok. I want you to tuck me in.

Todd: I will. I need to talk to Tina a sec, then I'll be up.

Starr: (Goes upstairs.)

Todd: Update.

Tina: Hmmm... Been a few days. Starr hates Max.

Todd: Not news.

Tina: She knows he's done mean things to you.

Todd: Oh. I guess she's heard Blair and Max and me talking about it.

Tina: Oh. Mmmm... That night I had out with Max was a little more interesting than I had noted before.

Todd: How?

Tina: I got him a bit drunk, although he tried to hide it. I don't think he remembers that I know when he's drunk. After his booze troubles I'm surprised he drank at all.

Todd: Maybe you can kick him off the wagon.

Tina: Maybe with both feet? Well, anyway I found it amusing. Maybe I can get him more than mildly tipsy next time, but we'll see.

Todd: Drinking game?

Tina: Could try that.

Todd: Just don't tell me in advance, you just know they'll ask during the hearings, and Max is sure to speak up just to screw me. I'll have to say something if I catch you here drunk, and it could damage your custody what with the way Asa is about you and those kids.

Tina: Any kids.

Todd: Even kids that aren't his. (Goes upstairs.)

[Scene ends.]

TO BE CONTINUED