February 14, 2000, 7:00 PM
New York City

Todd Manning draws his coat closer around him. The biting wind of New York was something he wasn't sure he would ever get used to. He had been here for about three months now, after travelling here and there the past year. Spent a few more days then he would have liked in a therapist's office. But it was for a good cause. His wife and daughter, waiting for him back home.

Okay, so he wasn't exactly sure they were waiting for him. He was reasonably sure Starr was, but Téa was another story. Téa. God, today was Valentine's Day. He probably would never have known if every store he had walked by hadn't had huge obnoxious hearts in the window. He wonders what she's doing tonight. Who she's with. If he's in her thoughts at all.

He walks up the stairs of Rockefeller Center, his new "hangout". He didn't know why, but it was calming to come here. Watching all the people skate in circles, having fun. Living their lives while his was on hold. He exhales, watching the little kids struggling on skates. Watching couples skate along holding hands. Trying to keep the thought of Téa spending Valentine's Day with another man from far his mind.

*****

Téa shoves her hands in her coat pocket, leaning back against the bench closing her eyes. Her escape from Llanview couldn't have been timed better. She could just hear Carlotta persuading her to find some guy to spend Valentine's Day with.

You shouldn't be alone mija...

But she wanted to be alone. Well, she really didn't want to be alone, but the guy she wanted to be with was currently missing in action. And as usual, she finds her thoughts turning to Todd. She tries to shake them out slightly, shaking her head. Willing herself to find some peace.

So, she had taken a break from Llanview and headed to New York. Her old stomping grounds. It was nice to be able to afford a room at the Hilton instead of some dump. She had visited with her Abuela that afternoon, and the evening found her watching the skaters at Rockefeller Center. She had always loved coming here as a little girl. It was an escape, albeit a painful one. Watching all the happy families skating. While it was a vicarious happiness, it was also a bitter reminder of her own family life.

She crosses her arms in front of herself, to protect herself from the cold and the memories. Alone. And at the moment it felt like she would always be that way.

*****

Todd's eyes are glued to a little blond haired girl struggling on ice skates. Reminded him of Starr. He grins at the thought of her out here, braving the ice. She'd be great.

He leans against the railing and looks around. The place is really beautiful at night, peppered with brightly colored snow gear, laughing children, smiling couples. Of course, all the sweetness more often than not gave him a stomach ache...but...it was still nice to see. What his life could be like if only he weren't him.

His eyes stop on a young woman sitting on a bench. He can't see her face as she's digging through her purse for something. But he can't pull his gaze away. He gets this strange feeling in his gut as he watches, there was something...familiar...about the way she sat, the way she moved.

She sits up, and Todd's eyes widen in shock. It was her. No doubt about it. Okay, her hair was shorter, but there was no mistaking her beautiful face. What was she doing here? More importantly, was she alone?

He continues to watch her, unsure of what to do. But he can see something, in her face. Sadness. It's subtle, but there was precious little he didn't pick up on about her. He wonders if she would even recognize him if she looked at him right now. He had cut his hair, and it was a lot lighter than the last time he saw her. Not too mention he was now clean shaven. Well, he would have to see if she truly recognized him.

Before he has too much time to think about it, Todd begins to walk over to the bench where Téa is sitting.

*****

Téa eyes are locked onto a young couple skating around the pond. God they look so happy, so ...in love. They made her sick. And miserable. And lonely. And the hardest thing was that no one seemed to understand. Everybody said she should be glad to be rid of Todd. But she wasn't. He had a hold on her that she didn't quite understand, and was sure that he would never let go.

Out of the corner of her eye, she sees someone sit down next to her. She doesn't move or look towards him, just continues staring at the skaters. After a minute, she begins to get a strange, familiar feeling. No. No way. She glances at the man quickly. Short, blondish hair. Definitely not. But she hadn't had this feeling since....

Todd glances at her, seeing her eyes dart towards him quickly. He grins slightly. He could almost read her mind. And knowing that mind of hers, she was going through the "evidence" in front of her, and trying to ignore the feeling in her gut. He knew that feeling. He had it everytime she was near.

Téa feels her heart pounding in her chest. God, there's no way it's him! Why does she have that feeling? Unable to take it any longer, she turns to the man next to her, taking him in full on. Her mouth drops as her eyes scan over his face. There was no doubt. She would know those eyes anywhere. Those beautiful eyes that had haunted her every thought since he had left her back in Llanview.

Todd watches her reaction closely, watching the realization wash over her face. He clears his throat, running his hand through his now much shorter hair.

"You look different," he comments dryly.

Téa, despite her shock, laughs. "Me? What about you?"

"Okay, yeah, a little."

They both fall silent, taking in the other. So many questions popping into their heads. The silence between them begging to be filled with all the unanswered questions, the loose ends begging to be tied up. But in a strange way, neither one of them jumped to start tying them. It was as if in that moment they both knew they'd have plenty of time to talk. They had been both been waiting for this moment since that cold, fated day in November. And they had been waiting for each other since they met.

"Look Téa, I know you must have a lot of questions, and knowing you you wanna do that talking thing...but..."

"Todd," Téa interrupts, "not now okay?"

"Really?"

"Really."

"But, I mean, you DO want to talk, right?" Todd asks.

"Yeah, I do. But it's Valentine's Day," she says quietly, "not a day for fighting or hashing things out. You know, I was prepared to be alone today."

"Me too."

"Not to be mushy or anything, but maybe there is a St. Valentine, because the one thing I wished for was to see you again."

Todd grins. "Man, that is mushy Delgado."

"Too much for you?"

"I'll cut you a break, it's been a while. And frankly I'm relieved to hear you saying mushy things in regards to me, I was expecting you to rip my head off."

"Oh, don't worry."

"Oh, I'm not," he smirks.

"You know what I would like?"

"I'm afraid to ask."

"Figures. Well I'm gonna tell you anyway. I would like a kiss," she says softly.

"From me?"

"Who else?"

"You tell me Delgado."

"Oh no, not tonight okay? Look Valentine's Day hasn't always been a good day for me, I mean more often than not I was alone. I was sitting here before looking at all these couples, smiling and happy. And I just wanted that, even for just a second."

"So, you want me to kiss you? Even after everything that's happened?"

"We have plenty of time to work that stuff out...assuming that's what you want."

"Yeah, it is. It is."

"So?"

"Um...so how do you wanna do this?"

"If this is gonna be a major deal, we don't have to do this."

"It's just, you know, it's been a while."

Téa grins slightly, and shifts closer to him. Todd does the same. He sees her looking up at him, and is convinced he's dreaming. The fact that she's sitting here in front of him, waiting for him to kiss her is almost unfathomable to him.

He leans forward slowly and very gently presses his lips to hers. They pull apart and kiss again, softly and still somewhat tentatively. Téa moves closer, carressing his cheek with her hand. Todd, taking a chance, parts his lips slightly, and presses his tongue against her lips. Téa opens her mouth against him, surprised and thrilled at the feelings that their deepening kiss is inspiring in her. Téa moves her hand to Todd's hair, running her hand through it. Without warning, she begins to giggle.

"What?" Todd asks, slightly annoyed.

"Nothing, nothing, it's just that I'm not used to your hair running out so quickly," she replies, her giggles subsiding. Todd grins at her.

"You're one to talk."

"Whatever Manning."

They lean back against the bench, Todd's hand covering hers.

"So, what now?"

"Nothing, at least for tonight. Tomorrow, we can start fighting as usual," she says smiling.

"And if I wanna kiss you again?"

"Be my guest Manning."

"Cool."

They fall silent, both still somewhat shocked at the turn of events of the evening. Fate had brought their paths together again, as it always would. No matter what happened, no matter the problems, the arguments...they would always be waiting for each other.