TODD'S RETURN - PART FOUR

PREVIOUSLY

Viki: (Quietly to Sam:) It is so nice to see them together again. I can see how deeply they love each other.

Sam: (Smiling.) I'm relieved he's back. It is good to see him have even a moment of happiness.

Viki: Ok, you two. (They look at her, a little sheepishly. Todd seems to blush.) There are more presents. There are some people who missed you a great deal, you know, Todd.

Todd: (Evenly:) I find that hard to believe.

[Scene ends.]

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[Scene: PH2, night time. Wrapping paper and presents, the cake remains, and other party remnants are all over the livingroom. Todd and Tea are not there. Camera pans to the stairs, and cuts to Todd and Tea in Todd's bedroom on his bed, holding each other and kissing. Tea lies on top of Todd.]

Todd: (Breaks the kiss, turns his head away. He looks upset.) I can't.

Tea: (Props herself up a bit. Pulls his face back with a finger on his cheek. Looks in his eyes.) It's ok. I know this must be so strange for you as memories flood you.

Todd: (Startled:) How did you know?

Tea: I saw your eyes when you stopped kissing me. I could feel your anxiety rising in your breath, feel your heart racing against me. (Leans over and holds him close.)

Todd: (Closes his eyes and tries to steady his breathing.)

Tea: (On her elbows again, his eyes open, she looks in his eyes.) If you can't face this right now, we can hold each other all night.....

Todd: (Puts his arms back around her and hugs her close, her head on his chest.) That would be good....I'm not as ready for sex with you yet as I'd hoped. (Kisses her hair and sighs heavily. Strokes her hair with one hand, closing his eyes. Quietly:) I want you..... I need more time.

Tea: (Quietly, reassuring him:) It's ok, Todd. Don't worry. This is ok.

[Scene ends.]

[Scene: PH2. Late night, livingroom. Todd, in PJs, is snacking on the remains of the cake, using his fingers and sitting on the floor by the coffee table.]

Tea: (Comes down the stairs looking for him. Quietly:) Are you all right?

Todd: (Mouth full:) Couldn't sleep. (Licks his fingers.)

Tea: (Crosses the room, chuckles at his lack of manners.) Never could.

Todd: (Smiles quickly.) No.

Tea: (Stands over him. Smiling:) Any cake left?

Todd: (Smiles a moment. Seriously:) You're not mad?

Tea: (Shakes head.) I'm not mad. (Sits next to him on the floor)

Todd: (Quietly:) Sorry I left you.

Tea: What, now?

Todd: Yeah. (Nodding.)

Tea: I know you don't sleep. I think you got a little sleep, though. Did you?

Todd: I think so. Yeah.... Being held tonight was..... (Looks away. Quietly:) ok.

Tea: Good...... Now that we're awake, and Starr's at Blair's.... we could try again, if you're ready to......

Todd: (Incredulous, eyes wide:) You still want me?

Tea: Never stopped. (Smiles.)

Todd: (Blinks. Apprehension spreads across his face.) Can we go real slow?

Tea: Yes. That might even be better in a lot of ways.

Todd: (Very quietly:) I'm scared.

Tea: (Quietly:) Hussshh....I know. (Leans in closer and strokes his cheek, looking into his eyes.) You don't have to be scared of me, or of yourself. I have no intention of hurting you....I love you, Todd, and I know that the very idea terrifies you....I know the idea of going to bed with me terrifies you, you can't hide then and you're afraid you'll hurt me or I'll hurt you. If you get too scared, we can stop. It might be frustrating, but I want you and if you have to go slowly in order to feel safe, then that's how it will be....Ok?

Todd: (Still looking in her eyes.) You must love me an awful lot.

Tea: More than you ever knew. More than I ever knew.

Todd: (Stares blankly for a moment. Blinks several times, recovering and trying to take this in. In awe:) Guess so....

Tea: (Leans over and kisses his mouth, nuzzling him, her hand on his neck spanning to his cheek.)

Todd: (Breathless, he breaks this kiss, too. He stares at Tea wide eyed.)

Tea: What, Todd?

Todd: (Remembers to breathe. Looks stunned.) I remember this.

Tea: Good, Todd! What do you remember?

Todd: Holding you close while you trembled....Kissing you like that.... Wanting so much to take you in my arms and make mad, passionate love to you.... (smiles gently, remembering) Only we couldn't.... Someone came to the door to pester me -- Do we know a guy called 'Max'? (She nods. His voice grows softer, more focused and intense)....Anyway...I thought my head would explode I was so frustrated....(Moves closer, almost kissing her)....I want you so much.....

Tea: (Backs up. Thinks back, a little stunned.) Was this -- Did Max come here -- to the Penthouse? We went to the Opera once, remember?

Todd: (Frustrated by her backing away. Raises one eyebrow. Loses himself as he thinks, stares into space, saying:)....I think so...He was there.... He -- (shakes head trying to recall it) -- I don't know what Max wanted ...but he kept after me, said he'd be here in an hour when we were at the opera. We got here -- (Moves closer to her, voice quieter.) .... I wanted you so badly that night....wanted things to be perfect.... was so set on that being the night we made love for the first time, that you would really be my wife that night....I had to chase you out! I'm sorry.....It was the last thing...I wanted...to do......(Nuzzles her face cautiously, and when she doesn't back away, kisses her mouth gently but hungrily. Rests his forehead against hers, still like he's nuzzling her. He holds her face in his hands. Quietly, foreheads touching, voice quieter, more intimate:) I never wanted to let you go....lived in fear I'd drive you away.... I'd die if you left me....Maybe that's why I left...

Tea: (Quietly:) I'm still here. (Kisses him, drawing him on top of her on the floor.)

Todd: I'm glad. I hate words. (Lays the length of his body along hers and keeps kissing her. Stops.) Sure this is ok?

Tea: Yes. As long as it's ok with you.

Todd: (Nods, continues kissing and nuzzling Tea. Stops to whisper:) Everyone's asleep, no one will stop us this time.

Tea: (Grins at Todd, he grins back then, and they go back to kissing.)

Todd: (Breaks the kiss and whispers very close to her face:) I promise...... (nuzzles her, his eyes closed, taking in her touch and absorbed by the moment, murmurs:)...... promise ...... (kisses her softly).....I'll be...... (more nuzzling)....... gentle......(kisses her tenderly, gently, and hungrily as he holds her face in his hands like an eggshell, her hands in his long brown hair above her.)

[Scene ends.]

TO BE CONTINUED