Nicole returned to the bedroom carrying the sandwich she'd prepared. She knew Peter was probably hungrier than that but she couldn't bear to leave him alone and out of her sight for more than a few minutes.
When she returned to the bedroom, she saw Peter, sitting in the rocking chair, holding the baby and looking at her. Fear went through her veins. The baby wasn't Peter's. Neither was Thomas. He had to feel so bad. And jealous.
"P-peter?" she asked, standing in the door way with the sandwich. He looked up. "I brought you a sandwich," she added feebly. He nodded and looked down at the baby in his arms.
"She's pretty," he commented. "Like her mother. What's her name?"
"Joanne," Nicole replied without hesitation. Actually, she hadn't thought of what to name her, it had just sort of come to her at that moment.
"Pretty name," he commented.
"Peter, you're not…mad, are you? I mean, I didn't know it wasn't you, honestly," she began, worried that he would be upset.
Peter stood up and placed the baby back in her crib. Then he grabbed her around the wait and kissed her.
The kiss tasted of longing, love, desire. But no anger. She was relieved.
"Not angry," he replied, taking the sandwich from her. "Understandable."
She nodded silently. "Peter, we have to take you next door. They'll be so surprised," she realized suddenly. She grabbed him by the hand and dragged him down the stairs. "C'mon!"
Peter allowed himself to be dragged next door and into the door of the Pad.
Micky and Mike were playing cards at the table in the center of the Pad. Both were afraid that the other was cheating, but that was normal.
"Hi guys," Nicole announced from the door. "Somebody's here to visit you."
"Oh? Who?" Mike asked without looking up.
"Can't be anyone of any importance," Micky replied skeptically.
"True," Mike replied, and paid no attention to her.
"Oh well," Nicole sighed. "C'mon Pete, I guess they don't want to see you," she said to Peter.
"Oh well," Peter agreed with a shrug.
"Peter?" Mike asked, standing up and turning towards the door. Micky did the same.
"Is it really him?" Micky asked. Nicole smiled.
"You tell me," she replied with a wink.
"Ok," Micky agreed. He grabbed Peter and lead him to the couch.
"Micky…what?" Peter asked, confused.
"It's okay Peter, it won't hurt a bit," Micky consoled him. "In fact, it'll help."
"What'll help?" Peter asked.
"You'll see. Sit down." Micky led Peter to the couch and sat him down. "Now, tell me the truth."
"I am…" Peter began.
"Shut up first and listen," Micky interrupted. "Now," he continued, placing his hand on Peter's head, "Tell me the truth. Are you really Peter Tork, our good friend who's been missing?"
"Yes, of course I am," Peter replied. He felt a strange sensation go down his spine, and he shivered. "Micky, what was that?" he asked.
"It's true then," Micky grinned happily. He began to jump up and down, delighted.
"Good to have you back," Mike added, giving Peter a hug.
"Wait a second, what's going on here?" Peter asked.
"Oh, gee Pete, we forgot," Micky remembered. "You see, you and Davy aren't the only weird ones around here any more," he explained with a grin.
"You mean you…?" Peter asked. Micky nodded.
"I have the ability to make people tell the truth," he explained with a smile.
"That's great Micky," Peter said, smiling. "Oh yeah, that reminds me… Where is Davy?"
