Whew! I know I'm glad that last series, "Hell", is over and I'm sure my readers are too! Paraphrasing Téa's eloquent words, Todd's pain has a way of drawing in everyone around him, and I definitely would not exclude fan fiction authors from that statement. But as hard as it has been to have TnT at odds, now that some of their painful baggage has been disposed of, there is hope that the connection that has always been between them can again prove stronger than either of their wills.

As Shakespeare said, "the course of true love never did run smooth", and there is no exception for our favorite lovers. In this series, a malevolent external force (one with a receding hairline [g]) uses their turbulent past as a tool to try to blow them apart. But with the help of their loved ones and a few surprising new allies, rest assured that Todd and Téa will continue working their way back together, in spite of some half-hearted attempts to "move on".

I have chosen to have Jessica's baby live. I found it a complete waste of some very good plot opportunities to kill the poor kid off.

So, suffer along with TnT as they find themselves stuck in limbo, slowly working their way toward…..well….you'll just have to wait for the title of the next series to find out!

MCW

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PREVIOUSLY

“Well, get used to it, Doyle, because this is what Todd Manning looks like when he’s happy,” said Todd, still not cracking a smile. “No, make that downright elated,” he said, turning toward the staircase to the basement. “Hurry up, Doyle,” he called over his shoulder when the guard stood staring after him. “I’ve got a craving for some of that yummy mystery meat. Figures I’d develop a taste for it now.” The policeman shrugged his shoulders and followed after his prisoner, wondering if he’d finally lost his mind.

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Téa positioned the ladder in front of the drab wall and looked around her office. There was no denying the place lacked a certain pizzazz, and the framed diplomas and certificates she was preparing to hang were unlikely to provide it. But she needed her new practice to look business-like and unintimidating, so she was resigned to working in uninspiring surroundings for a while. Picking up a hammer and some nails, she carefully climbed the ladder, mindful of her slippery wooden-soled sandals. She leaned over precariously, struggling to balance a heavy frame and maintain her unstable position at the same time.

“A little more to the right, I think,” said a familiar voice from the open doorway. Shocked at the intrusion, Téa startled and almost dropped the diploma. Struggling to keep it from falling, she lost her balance and toppled clumsily off the ladder. A strong arm caught her around the waist as she fell, and suddenly she found herself held firmly against the chest of her ex-husband. Her face inches from Todd’s, Téa was dumbstruck as she stared into his hazel eyes, which had an unmistakably humorous glint to them. After a long pause, he gradually released his grip on her, allowing her to slide along his body until she was again in contact with the floor. Mesmerized, she stepped back and stared at him stupidly.

“You’re…you’re supposed to be in jail,” she stammered.

“That’s what I kept telling them,” said Todd lightly, “but they threw me out anyway.”

“They let you go?” she asked incredulously.

“No, Delgado,” he said in a teasing tone. “I always stop at the florist when I’m in the middle of a jailbreak.” For the first time, Téa noticed the potted azalea he carried lightly on one hip. As she watched, he set it firmly on the desk.

“It’s beautiful,” said Téa, trying to cover how completely confused she was by Todd’s sudden arrival. “Is it for me?”

“Yeah. I wanted to get roses but the chick in the flower shop said they were too personal for an office-warming gift.”

Téa shook her head, trying to get her bearings. She stared at Todd, her mouth hanging open slightly. “I…I can’t believe you’re here. How? Why?”

Todd turned to face her, and seeing how handsome he looked, Téa felt her heart lurch. “Are you ready for this?” he asked, grinning. “They knocked time off my sentence for good behavior.”

“You? Good behavior? I don’t believe it!” For a moment, the two of them shared a laugh. When they had settled down, Téa said, “Well, I don’t care what their reason was, I’m just glad you’re out of that horrible place, Todd.” He nodded silently, looking haunted for a moment. “So, when did you get out? What did Starr say?” asked Téa brightly, hoping to restore his good humor.

“Starr doesn’t know I’m out. They let me go about an hour ago and Shorty left with Blair on a trip last night. She won’t be back for three whole weeks. I left a message with Dorian, but since she considers me one notch below the plague, who knows if she’ll pass on the news.”

Téa couldn’t deny that she had been thrilled to see Todd, but as the initial joy wore off, she began to feel the usual confusion his presence produced in her. She stepped back, biting her lip. “Todd, how did you find me?” she asked nervously. “I just leased this office yesterday.”

“I have my ways, Delgado,” he said mysteriously.

Téa frowned. “I thought we agreed that we’d give each other some space, Todd, and then you come looking for me as soon as you’re out of jail.”

Todd looked hurt. “I’m not stalking you, Téa, if that is what you’re thinking.” He turned away abruptly, and Téa began to regret her hasty words. “I need a lawyer, and I thought I’d throw a little business your way, that’s all.”

“What about Sam?”

“You’re the best choice for this work, not Sam.” He looked at her hopefully.

Téa sighed. Keeping her life separate from Todd’s was going to be harder than she had thought. “OK, tell me.”

“Well, now that I’ve done my time and I’m seeing a therapist, I want regular visitation rights with Shorty. They can’t keep me away from her now, can they? Eventually, I want joint custody, but I’ll settle for a few nights a week now.”

“Yeah, I think I can do something for you there, Todd. For all we know, Blair might actually be cooperative this time. Starr is getting older and it is clear now that she wants and needs you in her life. I’ll put together a plan and get back to you.”

“Thanks,” said Todd, breathing a sigh of relief. He had been worried she wouldn’t take the case. He glanced around the less than impressive office. “You know, Delgado, my jail cell had more charm than this place. Couldn’t you at least afford a window with all the millions you got from me?” He turned toward her and Téa could see the hint of a smile on his lips. She smiled back, glad that he was still in a good mood.

“I’m trying to project an image here, Todd, and a fancy office doesn’t suit my needs. I want my clients to be comfortable, not intimidated. So, it’s thrift shop décor for a while. Actually, it’s not too far below my cubicle in the DA’s office.”

Todd shook his head. “Whatever. It’s your life.” He paced around the small room, then stopped directly in front of Téa. “Look, I’ve had my fill of small, dark spaces for a while. The weather is great and Angel Square is just a few blocks away. Can you join me for a walk?”

Téa looked at the piles of boxes that needed to be unpacked and organized. “I wish I could, but I have all this work to do.” She looked deep into Todd’s eyes, then back at the mess on her desk.

“C’mon, Delgado,” he coaxed. “You know you’re looking for an excuse to blow all this off for a while. It’s just a little walk. You don’t even need to talk, if you don’t want to.” He took a deep breath. “I’m tired of being alone.” He was rewarded by one of Téa’s heart-stopping smiles.

“Manning, you always know how to push the right buttons. It’s frightening sometimes.” She walked to the door. “Let’s go, but you can plan on buying me an ice cream cone.”

Todd grinned back. “It’s a deal. But you’re paying for the sprinkles yourself.” The empty office echoed with their laughter as they walked away down the corridor.

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Téa leaned back into the park bench, stretching out her bare legs in the hot August sun. She glanced at Todd reclining on the grass at her feet. His eyes were closed and she took advantage of the opportunity to examine him closely. During the four months he had been locked up, his hair had grown out considerably. It just dusted the top of his shoulders, but at the moment it was spread out around his head as he rested on the lawn. Téa ran her eyes up and down his long body, noting the well-muscled arms crossed loosely over the flat stomach. She wasn’t used to seeing Todd this way. He was relaxed and--there was no other way to put it—happy. As she watched, his lids fluttered open and he regarded her with an amused glitter in his expressive hazel eyes.

“We should really move into the shade, Todd,” she said, looking away quickly. “You aren’t used to the sun and you’ll get a burn.” He stretched his arms over his head languidly, soaking up the heat like a lizard.

“Don’t make me move yet, Téa. This is great.” He sighed deeply, squinting at the blazing orb high over head. “There is nothing in this world worse than being locked up,” he said, closing his eyes again. Téa fought down the feelings of guilt.

Looking at his black T-shirt and jeans, she said, “You know, Todd, you really should consider some other color for your clothes. Black is just too hot for summer.” He sat up slowly and wrapped his arms around his knees.

He pretended to be hurt. “C’mon, Delgado. You’ve seen me in nothing but blue for four months. I thought about buying another color, but the salesgirl said I looked good in black.”

Téa felt ridiculously jealous. “What salesgirl?” she asked suspiciously.

“The one at Logan’s when I stopped by to pick up a few things this morning. All I had was winter sweaters and stuff. Not exactly appropriate for August.” Téa wondered why the thought of another woman appreciating Todd’s looks was bothering her so much. She was supposed to be getting over him. She shook her head and changed the subject abruptly.

“Well, Manning, have you given any thought to what you’re going to do now? Are you going back to the Sun?”

Todd’s face took on an inspired glow. “Not right away. Eric San Martín is doing fine running it without me. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought while I’ve been in jail, and I’ve got an idea for something new.” He scooted forward until he was sitting right at her feet and looked up into her dark eyes. “I’ve been thinking of starting up a new magazine, kind of a local news and general interest thing. You know, profiles of interesting residents, exposés on corruption in the government, a few fluff pieces on new restaurants and businesses. What do you think?”

Téa shrugged. “I don’t know much about the publishing business, but I think it sounds interesting. I read in the Wall Street Journal where local magazines were the coming thing.”

“Yeah, and we’ll tie it in to the internet, you know? Let people log on and look up local businesses or movie listings. We can sell ads on the web page, and in the magazine. If it hits, it could be more lucrative than the Sun.”

“Wow, you have got this planned out pretty well, don’t you?” she said, impressed.

“What do you think about pulling Briggs off the Sun and moving him over to help me get the magazine off the ground? I think we work pretty well together, and maybe he’s ready for a new challenge.”

“As long as you can avoid giving the poor man a massive heart attack, Todd,” said Téa with a laugh. “You’re pretty demanding.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll give him a good medical benefit package just in case.” They chuckled conspiratorially. Todd stood up and brushed off his clothes. He sat down next to Téa on the park bench. “I need to find some place to live,” he said. “I gave the penthouse to Blair. I guess I’ll stay there while she is away, but I want to have a place of my own before they get back. I don’t need anything fancy, just a comfortable place for me and Shorty.”

Téa looked at him thoughtfully. “You could stay at my place,” she said quietly. Todd looked at her with wide eyes.

“Delgado, what are you saying?”

Téa covered her mouth in shock and shook her head. “Oh, I’m sorry, Todd! I didn’t think how that sounded. No, I’m not asking you to move in with me, but I’m looking for someone to sublease my apartment. I’m moving down here to Angel Square.”

Todd let his breath out slowly. “You had me going there for a minute, Téa,” he said with a grin. He looked suddenly serious. “Is it safe for you here? You pissed off a lot of people when you were ADA. What if they come after you?”

“Not you too,” she said in exasperation. “Sometimes you and John are like an echo.” She had her head turned away, so she didn’t notice the look of sudden fury in his eyes at the mention of the hated detective. “You don’t have to worry, I found a nice little apartment down by the river. And I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. Now are you interested in my old place or not? It’s in the same building I used to live in with Rachel before I married you. It took me forever to find a place after you left, and I had just rented it when you showed up last spring. But now I need something more modest. I’m trying to fit in with the people, and I want to live among them again.” She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a key. “Here, you can check out the place this afternoon and let me know what you think.”

Todd took the key. “Thanks, Delgado. I remember that building and it may just be perfect for my needs. I’ll let you know.”

“I also wanted to tell you that I’m selling the Mercedes you bought me.” She held up her hand to stop him from speaking. “I’ve loved the car, Todd, but I’m buying a used Accord.”

He let out an exasperated hiss. “Save your breath, Delgado. I figured it out. You need more plebeian transportation now that you’re going to be a street lawyer.” His stomach rumbled loudly, causing Téa to laugh. He looked down in surprise, then smiled. “Jeez, I forgot what it’s like to be actually hungry. The food in jail didn’t exactly inspire an appetite, you know?” He looked at her hopefully. “How about grabbing a quick lunch?”

“Todd, I have so much work to do in my office. I should really get back.”

“I have appointments with Susannah and my probation officer this afternoon, but we both have to eat, right? C’mon, Delgado. I hate eating alone.” He fixed her with his puppy dog eyes.

Téa smiled. “Where do you want to go?”

“I’m sick of bland stuff. I could go for something spicy. How about the diner? It’s just across the street.” Téa looked wary, and Todd dropped his eyes to his lap. “I guess Carlotta won’t be too happy to see me.”

“Well, you’re not her favorite person, that’s for sure. I think I can persuade her to let you in, though. Are you sure? You’re bound to run into people you know. Do you think you’re ready?”

“You mean ready to hear what a lowlife I am and how I should be locked up forever?” He shook his head in disgust. “I don’t care about any of that, Téa. I guess I’ve earned their contempt. As long as you’re with me, I can take it.”

Téa stood up. “Then let’s go. This will be my treat. I guess I owe you a decent meal after condemning you to prison food for four months.”

“Sure. But we’re even now, right? No fair trying to kill me by ordering extra chilies in my food, OK?”

“A tough guy like you is afraid of a little hot food? You disappoint me, Manning.” She smiled seductively over her shoulder.

Todd smiled back and followed, jogging lightly to catch up with her. “Hey, bring it on, Delgado. If I can survive that jail slop, I can live through anything you can throw at me.”

“We’ll see, Todd. We’ll see.”

TO BE CONTINUED

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