As Todd impatiently waits in the other room, Tea gets ready in the bathroom. "So, you gonna tell me what my treat is, Delgado," Todd asks as if he can't figure it out.

Tea peeks her head out of the bathroom. Only opening the door a crack she says, "Geez, and you say I'm impatient. If the people of Llanview could see you now, feening for a little nooky," she says laughing.

"Little my ass, I want a lot. I have been without it for awhile you know," he says indignantly.

"Oh please.....yeah, it's been what a whole month? I remember a time when I couldn't get into your pants with a crowbar," she says giggling.

"Yeah, well those days are over baby. I want my woman and I want her now," he says playfully pouting.

"Oh, all right! Hold on a sec I'm almost finished. And NO peeking," she says as Todd tries to peek through the crack of the door.

"Damn!" Todd mutters leaning back on the bed.

"Okay. You ready?," Tea asks.

"I've been ready since I walked in here," he says smiling.

"All right, close your eyes," she says. Todd does as she asks and closes his eyes. Tea walks into the room and stands directly in front of the bed. "Okay, you can open them now," she says. Todd opens his eyes and is shocked and delighted by what he sees in front of him. Tea is standing there in the cutest little French maid's costume he could ever imagine.

"Ta, da," she says throwing her hands in the air and then placing them on her hips. "So, what do you think?," she asks slightly shy all of the sudden.

"What do I think? I think I'm looking at the cutest little French, Puerto Rican maid I have ever seen! Get over here," he says.

"I hoped you would like it. I figured it's Halloween and since it's your favorite holiday I would give you a special gift," Tea says looking lovingly at Todd. "I want you to know and I know how you think so I know you're thinking it. I have never done something like this for anyone else, Todd".

Todd stares adoringly at Tea. "That's good to know. Cause the idea of you doing this with anyone else makes my blood boil. Now come here," he says putting his arms out.

"Wait if were gonna do this we're gonna do it right," she says naughtily.

"Oooookay....how exactly are we going to do this?," he asks just as naughtily.

"Well, you didn't get to finish your shower, so, how about we start there?" she says walking towards him. She stops in front of him and touches his face. "I want to pamper you a little querido. Make you remember who your real woman is, when I can't be there to show you," she says slightly sad.

"I know who my real woman is, she's on my mind all the time," he says stroking her face.

"All right enough of this mushy stuff. Let's go monsieur, we have a scrubdown to get to," she says as she pulls him off the bed.

Todd follows her to the bathroom. Tea makes sure to put a little extra wiggle in her walk cause she knows Todd is checking her out from behind.

I am a very lucky man, he thinks to himself and smiles. Tea bends over to turn the water on in the bathtub, which causes her skirt to raise even higher then it already was. Todd can see the tiny French cut panties she is wearing. Black, hmmmm, my woman does know me. Todd can feel himself beginning to harden already. No way, am I gonna make it through this night in one piece, he thinks. The thought causes his smile to widen.

Tea turns around and sees his smile. Thank you God, for giving us this time together. Just let me show him how much I love him and need him. Turning back to the water she makes sure the temperature is right. She stops up the drain so the water can't escape and proceeds to pour bubbles that she had brought with her into the bathtub.

Todd is leaning on the doorframe between the bathroom and the main room. Tea walks slowly over to him and begins to lightly rub his chest. The sensations causing Todd to tingle all over. He closes his eyes and leans his head back, as Tea lightly kisses his chest. As she does this she begins to pull at his boxers until they slide to the floor. Todd opens his eyes as Tea kneels down to help step out of them. Seeing her in that position causes Todd to realize he would do anything for her. Not just because of the position but it dawns on him just how much she loves him. Unconditional, that's what it was. She knew more of his secrets then anyone else in the world. She knew of the torture that he endured as a child. She knew of the torture that he inflicted on others as a young man and still did at certain times. Yet, she still loved him. An unbelievable concept. He didn't think that he would ever be able to comprehend the reasons. All he knew was that he was glad that she did. He knew then and there that he would endure any torture to ensure her safety and happiness.

Tea looked up at Todd. She knew he was once again trying to understand why she loved him. He would never be able to see what she saw in him, she understood that. She understood because she felt the same way at times. Sometimes she herself would feel unworthy of the love of this incredible man. He looked at her as if she was this precious angel. This precious gift that was his and his alone. She smiled at that thought. There were times when she couldn't understand why this man would love that poor little girl that grew up in a basement. Yet, he did. He saw more than that and made her see it sometimes too. He made her feel like she was a queen and not the Ice Princess that some thought her to be. Yes, she knew of his past and she knew that he would never be far from the next blow up. However, she also knew that more than anything now all he wanted to do was protect his family. To give love and be loved back. She would do anything to ensure that he always knew that she loved him and him alone.

Tea stood up and led him over to the bathtub, encouraging him to enter and sit down. He did and immediately felt a sense of peace. Tea took a loufa sponge and filled it with bath gel. As she did this Todd found a comfortable position in the bathtub. He sat back against the tub with his legs slightly spread apart and leaning against the sides of the tub. Tea kneeled near the tub and begin to rub the loufa against Todd's chest. As she did this their eyes were locked on one another. Tea took the sponge lower barely grazing his abdomen. Todd's eyes closed as the sensations began to overtake him. Watching the woman he loved be so tender with him was almost more than he could stand. Tea leaned over and gently kissed Todd's lips, never stopping the caress but throwing the loufa aside. The gentle kiss took on a new intensity as Todd placed his hand behind Tea's head locking her lips to his. He slowly ran his tongue along her lips. The sensation causing Tea to part her mouth. As she did this Todd inserted his tongue into her mouth. Tea took advantage of the invasion and began to suck on Todd's tongue. Causing him to let out a moan of pleasure. After a few moments of this Tea can feel Todd's hand moving up her top finally settling on her breast. As Tea continues to suck Todd's tongue she can feel him loosening the strings of her top and placing his hand on the flesh of her breast. Breaking the kiss ,Todd raises up slightly and pulls Tea to him taking her nipple into his mouth. Todd swirls his swollen tongue around the dark nipple causing Tea to cry out. Breaking contact for only a moment he raises himself out of the tub and joins Tea on the floor of the bathroom. Laying her back against the floor Todd once again goes to work on Tea's breasts. First one then the other, alternating between touching and sucking. All the while delighting as Tea wiggles on the floor in ecstasy. Todd finally breaks away from his ministrations and looks onto Tea's eyes. He is once again amazed that he is able to bring about the passion he see there.

As Tea stares lovingly at Todd, her hand slides down between them and begins stroking his hardness. Todd lolls his head back and closes his eyes at Tea's touch. She strokes him until he feels he can take it no more. Finally, he sits up and begins to remove Tea's stockings and underwear. Getting rid of all her encumbering garments he slides the skirt off her body. As Tea lays naked before him he can't help but be awestruck at her beauty. Knowing that it belongs to him just turns Todd on even more. His hands begin to work on the lower region of Tea's body. First just lightly massaging then inserting a finger to check her readiness. Tea begins to strain against his hand until she finally manages to breath out, "Todd, please now." Todd removes his hand from where it had been bring Tea pleasure. He positions his body between Tea's legs, and once again kisses her. As they kiss, Todd enters her. They at first slowly move against one another, both wanting to prolong the pleasure. Tea begins to moan her pleasure. Sensing that Tea is on the verge Todd picks up the rhythm until finally he hears her cry out his name. Hearing his name on Tea's lips sends Todd over the edge and he too finally gives into his passion. As they lie there in each other's arms, they both silently thank the gods that they we're given this time together.

A Little While Later

Todd and Tea are lying in bed making small talk. Todd suddenly remembers the gift he brought. Getting out of bed he walks to his bag to get it. He brings it back to the bed and lays the box in front of Tea.

"I thought you said this was Halloween and not Christmas, Manning?," Tea says grinning questioningly.

"Indulge me, okay. I don't do nice things very often," he says grinning back.

Todd lays back against the headboard and pulls Tea to him as she begins to open her gift. Opening the box Tea pills out a charm bracelet. On it is a yin and yang charm. "Oh, Todd it's beautiful. I love it," Tea says as she reaches up and kisses him. "Well, I'm glad you like it. I saw it and it made me think of us.".

Todd helps Tea put the bracelet on and they both settle under the covers. As they snuggle up against one another, they let themselves feel the love that is coming from the other person. It maybe a long haul, but something tells them that they will make it.

The End