Walking past the refreshment bar, he helped himself to a big handful of candy corn, popping several into his mouth at once. Suddenly, he made a face and examined his hand more closely. "Damn! I told that idiot I only like the ones with chocolate on the bottom." Grabbing the wastebasket, he spat the contents of his mouth into it and threw the rest of the candy in after the disgusting mess. Needing something to wash the terrible taste out of his mouth, he returned to the bar and poured himself a finger of scotch. After staring at the amber liquid for a long moment, he splashed in several more ounces of the potent liquor. He took a big gulp, coughed, and drank again. He started toward the desk, but took a sudden detour towards the large picture window instead. Staring down at the lights of Llanview, he found himself fantasizing about what it would feel like to hit the pavement when jumping from this height.

It was no good. He had tried, really tried, to pick up the pieces and forge a new life for himself in Llanview after losing Téa, but it was a total bust. Sam and Viki had turned against him. As much as he hated to admit it, they left a huge void in his life. He had instinctively known that he would need the help of the few people he had left who still cared about him, so he had sought them out when he returned. In desperation, he had turned to Blair. Thinking of her now, he shuddered involuntarily. Since the love of his life was gone, he had figured what the heck. Maybe living with Blair and Starr was his only chance of a family. Umpteen machinations later, he was very close to his wish. But it would be a hollow victory. He would destroy Blair's marriage and give Starr her desire to have her parents back together, but for what? The 'family' he would create for Starr would be nothing but a sham. Love was an integral part of a family, and he had none at all for Blair. There was only one woman he could ever love and he had lost her forever.

Todd had thought he might be getting over his tragic loss, pushing down the guilt he would feel for the rest of his life. At least that was what he told himself when he was in no mood to face the truth. Then RJ had taunted him, throwing his past relationship with Téa smack in Todd's face. If that wasn't enough to bear, the SOB had followed up by toying with his emotions, leaving an old letter from Téa on his desk. He had covered up pretty well when Blair had found the note, managing to keep a straight face as he informed her that it had to be from RJ. Luckily, she hadn't inquired how he knew that RJ was behind the sudden 'blast from the past', although she did pick up on Todd's obvious emotional distress.

If she only knew the truth! No one ever could, if he wanted to keep his freedom. There was no way anyone in Llanview would ever believe that Téa's disappearance was anything other than Todd's fault. Deep in his heart, he included himself in that group. There was no doubt that Téa would be here now if he wasn't such an idiot….if he could have told her his feelings instead of lashing out in anger.

When they had left Llanview together in March, things had been volatile from the start. How could it be otherwise when two strong-willed people tried to make a go of it? There had been fights and arguments galore, but there were good times, too. Todd had promised to try and not push Téa away when she wanted either physical or emotional intimacy, but sometimes it was just too much for him. Before her, he had never experienced anything even remotely resembling the feelings she brought out in him---adoration, exasperation, admiration and anger all rolled into one. She had become his whole world, and it scared him. And when he was frightened, he always covered up his fear by lashing out in anger. Bit by bit, the fights had become more frequent and bitterer than before. The happy times became few and far between. Then one night it had all come to a head.

It had started innocently enough with a quiet evening home alone together in their little apartment. Some snuggling on the couch had led to some serious making out. Things were getting hot and heavy, and to his surprise Todd was really getting into it. They had only made love once before, but that night he felt ready to go the whole way. Then Téa had to go and ruin the whole thing by whispering "I love you". Suddenly, Todd was back to his childhood when his mother had told him the same thing before splitting. Or Blair, professing the same thing before shacking up with Patrick Thornheart the minute Todd was out of the picture. Deep inside, Todd just couldn't believe that Téa could love someone like him, and he just couldn't believe in her words. He panicked, and before he knew what was happening, the intimate moment had turned into an angry clash of words. He had deliberately picked a fight, but even Todd was completely unprepared for the bitterness and hurtful words that both of them began flinging at each other. As usual, Téa was almost blinded by tears. Finally, completely undone by her raging emotions, she had grabbed her car keys and run out the door. Todd had paced around a bit, thrown a few things and guzzled some beers. After a while, he had calmed down enough to realize he had completely blown it. Delgado wouldn't leave him because of a little fight would she? He had just begun to plan what he would say to her when there was a loud knock on the door. Then came that fateful moment that would be seared in his memory for the rest of his life.

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

A slow grin spread across Todd's face as he jumped up to answer the door. Only an hour? He had thought Delgado would be gone at least two or three after that knock down drag out they had had tonight.

He flung open the door. "Back so soon?" he said in a teasing tone. His blood ran cold. It wasn't Téa on the doorstep. It was two policemen. Their wet slickers dripped huge drops onto the welcome mat. The grin froze on Todd's face.

"Is this the residence of….Téa M. Delgado?" asked one, referring to a card in his hand. Todd nodded mutely, breathing hard to get himself under control. Téa had turned him into the police? For what? He hadn't laid a hand on her! "What is your relationship to Ms. Delgado, Sir?" asked one of the cops quietly.

"She's my wife!" said Todd defiantly. They weren't technically married anymore, but she would never be anything less in his eyes.

One of the cops took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I have some bad news." Feeling a cold shiver up his spine, Todd looked down at the policeman's hands. That was Téa's purse! And it was dripping wet. "There was an accident," the policeman went on. "The weather is pretty nasty out there, and witnesses say the car was going at least 80." Todd just stared at him, the words catching in his throat along with his breath. "It was that bad turn down on the Levee Road. Apparently Ms. Delgado was going too fast and couldn't make it. The car went off the embankment and went into the river."

Todd breathed a sigh of relief. Water? That wasn't so bad. Téa could swim like a pro. "All right. Where is she?" asked Todd, grabbing for his keys and coat by the door. "Which hospital?" The two policemen exchanged looks. When they turned back, the spokesmen looked like he was in physical pain.

"I'm afraid you don't understand, Sir. Ms. Delgado isn't in the hospital. She hasn't been found." Todd felt his knees buckling, and grabbed onto the doorside table for support. "What do you mean, she hasn't been found?" he choked out. "Then what are you doing here? Get the hell out of here and go find her!" The officers stiffened at the anger in his voice.

"There are diving teams down there, as well as patrols along both banks of the river. But…" The other cop held a restraining hand to his partner's arm. They both stared at Todd in sympathy.

"What? What aren't you saying?" he shouted.

"We'll keep looking all night if necessary, but you have to realize the chances of finding Ms. Delgado alive are slim. The current is very heavy there, and coupled with the weather…"

"Shut up! Just shut the hell up! You incompetent bastards! You couldn't find a flea if it bit you on the ass. Now get out there and look for my wife!" The cops just stood there at a loss. "Never mind. I'll find her myself." Rushing past the cops, Todd began jogging down the hall.

"Sir, there is nothing you can do!" shouted the cop after him.

Todd rounded the corner and slumped against the wall as soon as he was out of sight of the policemen. Delgado wasn't dead! She couldn't be! Because if she was, Todd knew his life was over, too.

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

Téa was dead. Todd sobbed aloud as the thought pounded into his brain yet again. He hadn't believed it for a long time, looking in every hospital and shelter in each town along the river. But as days went by and no sign of Téa was ever found, he had been forced to accept the fact that he would never see her again. When he had stumbled onto Jessica singing in a bar, it had seemed like a sign for him to move on. He had returned to Llanview to seek some support from Viki and Sam. Of course, that had turned into one big joke.

The thing was, he could still feel her. Maybe that was the reason he had been so quick to believe Sam when he kept insisting that Nora was still alive. Many times, Todd had the distinct feeling that Téa just couldn't be dead. He'd call around anonymously to the Vegas or her family fishing for information. But all his inquiries never turned up a thing. He didn't dare tell anyone what had really happened to Téa. Bit by bit, he had turned his interest to other things…breaking up Blair's marriage, getting revenge on Max and Asa, interfering in Viki's marriage plans. Then RJ had started his games with the old notes from Téa, and all the pain of his loss had come tumbling back to bury him.

Halloween….just a few short years ago he and Téa had dressed as pirates and gone out on the town to show off. Now here he was…completely abandoned by everyone he cared about, stuck alone in his office with no one to spend the holiday with him.

Sniffing deeply, he drained the remainder of the scotch and turned toward his desk. May as well spend the evening refining his plans. In just a few weeks, the virus he had planted in Asa's computer would detonate, and he wanted to have everything ready to complete his plan of revenge. Sitting down at the desk, Todd looked over a small stack of memos that his staff had left for him, tossing them aside as he finished with each. So and so wanted a raise. Yeah right. Fuel prices were driving the costs of delivery through the roof. Yada yada yada. Dear Todd, I know you must be surprised to be hearing from me after all this time, but I need to see you. Meet me at the docks at midnight. Todd bolted from his seat, grabbed the empty drink glass and flung it against the wall.

"Damn you!" he shouted loudly. "Damn you RJ!" he said in a low growl as his gaze locked onto the signature at the bottom of the note. Téa. For a moment it felt as though his heart was being squeezed in a vice. This was the last straw. He'd tried to laugh off RJ's attempts to mess with his head, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it had rattled him. But enough was enough.

Moving behind the desk, Todd quickly flung aside a painting, exposing the safe. He punched in the combination and threw it open. Reaching inside, he pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle and slipped it into his pocket. This time he wouldn't miss missing. Time for RJ to pay. With his long coat flying behind him, Todd rushed across the room and out the door.

In the corridor outside his office he paused, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck prickling. Feeling uneasy, he searched the shadows of the abandoned hallway, but he saw nothing. Slamming the door behind him, he muttered, "You're not going to get away with this! No one plays with Todd Manning." He turned and hurried to the elevator bank.

After he was out of sight, a shape emerged from deep in the corner behind a potted plant. A pair of size 6 Ferragamo pumps took a few steps, then faltered. A large drop of moisture hit the carpet, leaving a wet spot. Slowly, the shoes began to move toward the elevator.

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

The Halloween party at the Angel Square Community Center was in full swing as Todd arrived. His only bow to the holiday was the rubber mask he wore over his whole head, although it was a disguise to him, nothing more. It was a particularly crummy mask, the only thing left in the store at 9pm on Halloween night. He was supposed to be the Terminator after the accident, with half his face ripped off to reveal his cyborg innards. Although the mask was poorly executed, Todd was secretly pleased. After all, tonight he really was out to terminate someone. His costume didn't matter. He was a man on a mission. Trying hard not to breathe in the fumes of Taiwanese rubber, he began to scan the room for his quarry, reaching his gloved hand in his overcoat pocket to check on the unregistered automatic handgun he carried there.

The place was packed with people in various types of fancy dress. Here and there he recognized a face or two under a funny wig or some garish make-up. To his complete horror, his sister Viki and her ex-mobster fiancé were dressed as Dagwood and Blondie from the comic strip. Shuddering, Todd was happy that no one could recognize him for 'Blondie's' brother. There was no other explanation. Viki's alters must be back. Moving away, Todd pushed through the crowd. There was the police commissioner, Bo Buchanan, and his date dressed in 50's attire. Bo had his hair slicked back and a white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His partner had a blonde ponytail and a pink poodle skirt. All in all, they looked like something straight out of "Grease"……..if Sandy threw over Danny and started dating some old geezer trying to recapture his youth. Bo's latest squeeze was supposed to be a doctor, but looking at her attempt to jitterbug, Todd was reminded of one of Starr's dolls. "Dr. Barbie," he muttered under his breath. At least Bo wasn't the worst dancer on the floor. Detective John Sykes was doing the twist with his mother….er….'girlfriend' Rae Cummings. They were dressed in matching Hansel and Gretel costumes. Todd turned away before the sight of Sykes' hairy legs made him want to puke. He did not want to vomit inside a rubber mask.

And then he saw her, and his heart almost stopped. She was wearing the same pirate wench costume that he remembered so well from their first Halloween together, with the addition of a half mask that obscured the upper part of her face. Her hair was longer, and back to her natural color. Not daring to breathe, Todd moved closer. It couldn't be….she had never been found. He was only inches away from her now. She was looking around the room searching for someone, and she didn't seem to notice him standing behind her. Opening his mouth to speak, Todd found that he couldn't make a sound. His throat was completely constricted by emotion. He was just reaching up to remove his mask and reveal himself when her attention turned to a man approaching with some drinks.

"It's crazy at that refreshment stand," said Antonio Vega, handing over a paper cup. He was dressed as a flamenco dancer, complete with ball fringe-trimmed hat. Todd stopped in confusion. Why was Vega hanging around her? "Great costume, by the way," continued Antonio, sipping at his drink.

"This old thing," she said, spreading the skirt with her free hand. Todd caught his breath. That wasn't the voice he remembered. It was way too high-pitched and whiny. "It must have been Téa's. I found it in the closet in the penthouse when I lived there, and decided to keep it."

"Well, it looks like it was made for you, Roseanne," said Antonio with a leer.

Todd found the nearest wall and leaned up against it, fighting hard to get his emotions under control. He was breathing hard, in spite of the noxious rubber fumes inside the mask. That wasn't her. It was Téa's brat niece or cousin or whatever she was. For a brief moment, Todd had to struggle against the urge to march over and tear the costume right off her body. How dare that little….she had no right to touch Delgado's things. But after a moment, he just felt too drained to even move. He needed to go somewhere and get himself under control. Shivering a bit, he took a step or two towards the door.

"Well, well, well," said a mocking voice just behind him. "What have we here?" Todd froze. RJ! He was here! But how could he recognize Todd under this mask? Someone pushed past him, shoving him out of the way rudely. RJ strolled up to Antonio and Roseanne, completely ignoring Todd in the Terminator mask. A deep belly laugh rumbled from him, as he looked the couple up and down. "A flamenco dancer, Vega? How totally unoriginal. You disappoint me." He flashed his trademark grin. "Completely unworthy of this lovely buccaneer lady." He took Roseanne's hand in his and planted a long, lingering kiss on her fingertips.

Antonio stepped between them, and rudely pushed RJ back. RJ stared at him coldly, his grin completely gone. "Keep away from her, RJ! Haven't you hurt enough people yet? My partner is lying in a hospital bed thanks to you!"

RJ tossed his head, causing his long braids to swing behind him. He hadn't bothered with a costume…his looks were so striking, he attracted every eye without one. He was wearing a bright orange sportcoat…he was probably the only man in all of Llanview who could carry it off. Over it, he sported a full-length black leather duster, which matched his gloves. "Your partner is in the hospital, Officer," he spat, "because your delinquent baby brother decided to get behind the wheel of a stolen car while intoxicated. Don't blame me for that. It's in the genes."

Antonio lunged for him, his jaw clenched, but Roseanne managed to hold him back as RJ chuckled at his posturing. "Don't do it, Antonio. Cris and Sophia need you right now. He's trying to provoke you so he can press charges."

"I know you tampered with Manning's car, RJ," said Antonio very loudly. "And I'm going to see you pay. Now get out of here and let decent people celebrate the holiday without having to rub elbows with criminals like you!"

"Last time I looked, Vega, this was an open party. I'll leave when I'm good and ready." Antonio started towards him again, but Roseanne stopped him.

"I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face if it's the last thing I do," threatened Antonio loudly. Several heads turned.

Roseanne sidled up to him, stroking his back. "C'mon Antonio," she cooed. "This place sucks. What do you say we go back to your place and make a little party of our own?" Antonio remained glaring at RJ for a long moment, then allowed Roseanne to drag him toward the door. Todd watched Téa's niece all the way out, her costume bringing back memories that were almost too painful to bear. Just before she went out, she pulled a long, flowing black cape around her shoulders and brought the hood up to cover her hair. She took Antonio's hand in hers and they went out.

Todd shook himself, breaking the spell. He glanced over at RJ, who was looking around the room for someone else to bait. "Good," thought Todd. "Vega threatened him in front of witnesses….all I have to do is pull the burglar alarm on the diner and old lover boy will head out to investigate….alone. No alibi. That should be enough to throw suspicion on him."

Todd watched RJ as he made the circuit of the room. First he insulted the commissioner, then he turned on John Sykes. In a way, Todd couldn't blame him…they did make such inviting targets. But it really was a pretty tame party, and RJ soon seemed to grow bored. He started to make his way to the door. Fingering the gun in his pocket, Todd began to move after him.

Suddenly he stopped cold. He had such a strange feeling…as though someone was watching him. Looking this way and that, he searched the room. Turning around quickly, he spotted Téa's niece in her enveloping black cloak and mask. She was looking straight at him. He snapped his head toward the door he had just seen her exit and then quickly back. This was confusing…why was she looking at him that way? No one else seemed to notice her. He took a tentative step towards her. Behind him, he heard RJ's voice raised in mocking laughter. Turning toward the door, he was just in time to see RJ stroll through it with a bold swagger. Now was the time to make his move…but that girl. He turned back and was shocked to see that his audience had disappeared, vanished seemingly into thin air. He craned his neck as he looked around the room, but he found no sign of her.

Remembering his task, he pushed his way toward the door. It must have been his mind playing tricks on him, or maybe the idiot forgot her purse or something. But that feeling….he couldn't shake it. Well, this was no time for distractions. He had a murder to commit. He left in search of RJ.

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

The mist boiled and swirled around the docks as Todd waited quietly in the shadows. The moisture felt good on his bare face. That sweaty mask had been hell. For a moment, he savored the familiar smell of mildew and motor oil that always seemed to pervade the waterfront area. But soon the old memories started to return. This was where he had dived into the water to retrieve Téa's necklace. She had thought he had drowned. Todd shuddered at the word. Drowned. He wondered if Téa had time to consider the irony that fateful night when she struggled out of her car and felt the river pulling her down. It certainly wasn't lost on him. How much better the world would be if he had never come up with that necklace….if he had just disappeared forever. Téa would still be alive.

She'd have plenty to say to him if she knew he was planning to rid the world of RJ. But he'd had enough. The taunts and implications and baiting with old letters were going to stop…permanently. Being Todd, he really hadn't stopped to consider the consequences all that clearly. He just wanted RJ gone for good, and what better way to accomplish it than to do it himself?

Besides, who was going to care if he did get caught? He certainly didn't. Téa was lost forever, Viki had turned her back on him, Sam had rejected him and Starr was too much of her mother's daughter to give him a second thought. If this went bad, they could all get their jollies sitting around tut tutting about what an evil, awful guy Todd was. Well, they had to wise up sometime.

Todd heard footsteps approaching and drew himself more deeply into the shadow. It was RJ all right, although the low light made it difficult to see. Feeling for his gun, Todd got a good grip. RJ was on schedule, obviously hoping to find Todd making a spectacle of himself calling to Téa like he had done after that last note. He watched as RJ looked around, cursing in annoyance when he found himself alone.

This was it.

"Lonely, RJ?" sneered Todd as he stepped away from the wall. RJ was immediately wary, although he covered it up with a nervous laugh.

"Manning? Fancy meeting you down here."

"Who did you think you'd find….Téa perhaps?"

RJ didn't miss a beat. "I don't know, Manning. You tell me. Although if what you say is true, Téa dumped your ass. So why would she be here?"

"She wouldn't. That's how I know that you planted that note."

RJ looked genuinely confused. "The note? But that was last week and it said to meet in the park. I saw you there, remember?" Todd laughed nastily.

"Yeah. You went for that act hook, line and sinker." Todd turned suddenly somber. "But I'm sick of your games. Hope you liked jerking my chain tonight, RJ, because it's the last time you'll ever do it."

"Tonight? What are you talking about?" RJ quietly felt for the gun he had shoved in his belt. He was beginning to get a bad feeling. Todd seemed crazier than usual.

"Shut up," Todd muttered, getting agitated. "Do you think I'm stupid? You know damn well you planted another one of your old letters from Téa on my desk tonight…and it's going to stop."

Todd pulled the gun from his pocket, but RJ was just as quick. In a heartbeat the two men stood face to face with weapons pointed straight at each other's hearts. "Drop it, or I'll blow you away!" Shouted RJ, sweat beginning to form on his forehead.

"Not a chance, Gannon. Go ahead and do it, but you'll get blown away. I'll take you with me, man." The two men stood barrel to barrel, neither one backing down. "That's right, RJ," said Todd, deceptively calm. "You're going to die."

"Oh no, my brother, that honor belongs to you." Todd could just make out the beginning of a smile on the other man's face. "So, confess, man. What did you do to Téa?"

"Shut up!" screamed Todd, shaking. "I didn't do anything to Delgado."

"That's really pathetic. Is that why you want to kill me? Because I did?

Todd's finger jerked slightly against the trigger. He didn't care if RJ managed to shoot him in the process, but he was going to take him down…now. He drew a deep breath, preparing to launch himself to the side as he fired, when he noticed something in the shadows just over RJ's shoulder. Opening his eyes wider, he realized it was a person who was moving closer. Keeping half an eye on RJ, Todd risked a glance to the newcomer. His lower jaw dropped.

There, unmistakably, was the lovely face of Téa Delgado. A large hooded black cape swirled around her body, enhancing the paleness of her unmasked visage. Two glistening tears made tracks down her cheeks. She was shaking her head and mouthing the word "no".

It all happened in the blink of an eye. Completely floored by the sudden appearance of the woman he thought was lost to him forever, Todd gasped. Involuntarily, the arm that held the gun on RJ flinched. Misinterpreting the motion as intent to fire, RJ pulled the trigger on his own weapon.

BAM!! The sound of the gunshot reverberated off the walls of the warehouses. Todd went flying backwards as the bullet slammed into his body. His head struck the pavement hard as he went down, his own weapon sliding out of his hand. RJ thought he heard a noise, a whimper behind him and he whipped around, weapon at the ready. But there was nothing there.

RJ quickly knelt down at the fallen man's side. Todd's eyes were fixed at a point just over RJ's shoulder. Incredibly, he had a tiny smile on his face. RJ threw back Todd's overcoat. His chest was already soaked in blood. "Damn!" he said softly, tears in his eyes. "Why did you make me do that, Manning?" Todd was trying to say something. RJ moved his ear closer to Todd's mouth.

"Téa," Todd said barely above a whisper. When RJ pulled back, he noticed a trickle of blood coming from Todd's mouth.

"Yeah, man, I know. You love her." RJ dashed a tear from his eye. His head snapped up at the sound of running footsteps approaching. "I gotta go," he said softly. He ran a few steps toward the alley then stopped for one last look at the man lying on the pavement. At least he looked peaceful, at last. Shaking uncontrollably, RJ made his getaway.

A small black clad figure ran out from the shadows toward the fallen man. "Todd! I'm here! Oh querido I'm here with you!"

Todd, almost unconscious, opened his eyes. "Delgado, is that you?" he said weakly. She took his hand tightly in hers.

"Yes, and I love you Todd. Do you hear me? I love you!"

"Téa, I love you, too. Téa….Téa…Téa….."

The world faded to black.

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

To be continued in my Thanksgiving Story, so tune in next month….same bat place, same bat channel. OK, it's Halloween…when else could I say that and not sound stupid? Don't say it, or Todd will be lying on that pavement forever…. MCW