Llanfair...later that day
Jessica opens the door and smiles warmly at Tea.
"So, I guess we're going to be seeing a lot more of you around here," Jessica says knowingly.
Tea walks in and hugs Jess. "Yeah, you'll be sick of me! How are you feeling?"
Jess' hand goes to her growing stomach. "Sick...but I guess that's normal. I'm glad Todd is back...I actually missed him."
"Me too."
"He's in the living room, complaining about the headlines in the Sun."
"Some things never change," Tea says, grinning.
Tea walks into the living room and sees Todd poring over the Sun, shaking his head. He looks up and sees her.
"Do you believe this garbage! They're running this paper into the ground!"
"Not scandalous enough for you?"
"Are you kidding, this is a joke!"
"Well, I can't believe you signed it over to those three in the first place."
"Yeah...well..I wanted you to have it....but I didn't think you'd take it."
Tea smiles, "Yeah, I probably wouldn't have."
Todd throws the paper down. "Doesn't matter, as soon as I'm better I'll get it back. I have to talk to Blair though. I want to see Shorty."
Tea looks at him. "Are you sure you're ready? I mean I know you would never ever hurt Starr..."
"Yeah...it's funny. Pete never wanted to hurt her...guess he likes kids...besides I would have you there in case, God forbid, something happened."
Tea chuckles sarcastically. "I'm sure Blair will love that."
"Blair will have to deal. You're my wife and Starr's stepmother...Shorty loves you...and Blair's just gonna have to put her first."
Tea smiles at his words. Todd looks at her...she is staring off into space. He still can't believe she is still his wife...and sitting right next to him...after everything.
"So, you're still gonna..." he trails off as he notices she isn't listening. "Delgado?"
Hearing his nickname for her snaps her to attention.
"Yeah?"
"What's wrong?"
Tea glances at him. She wants to tell him...she desperately needs to talk to someone...but he has so much on his mind right now...he doesn't her problems.
"Nothing," she says lightly.
"Right...c'mon tell me."
Tea takes a deep breath. "Todd, really, it's nothing. Besides, you have enough to deal with."
"C'mon Delgado, no fair. I have to spill all my stuff to you and you don't have to spill your stuff to me?" he says, in a slightly joking tone.
Tea just smiles, still unsure.
"Tea, if something's wrong, I want to help. Besides, I need a break from all my garbage."
Tea is touched by the sentiment behind his joking manner. As she thinks again about everything that's happened, tears spring to her eyes. She blinks to hold them back.
"My brother is in town."
"Del?"
"No, my brother, Jose."
Todd is kind of surprised at her sadness. "That's good right? So where's he staying?"
Tea is still staring straight ahead. "Llanview jail."
Todd just looks at her. No wonder she's upset. He sees the tears she is fighting to hold back, and a little grin crosses his face. That's his Delgado, tough as nails, trying to stay strong despite her sadness, trying to hide her real feelings...so much like him.
"What for?" he asks softly.
"Murder," she whispers, blinking hard to keep back the tears.
Todd doesn't know what to say. He struggles, trying to come up with something helpful, comforting, but he never was very good at that stuff.
"Did you get to talk to him?"
"Yeah, he says he didn't do it...I believe that. I mean Jose has always been involved with some pretty shady people, and done some illegal things...but he is absolutely not capable of murder."
The shakiness of her voice touches Todd. He wants to take her in his arms and hold her....do anything to lessen the pain she is obviously in. But...he is scared...he remembers what happened last time...in Providence...Pete had come out. It terrified him...he had to keep her safe. But he also has to do something....he wants to help. He tentatively reaches his hand over and takes Tea's. The feeling of Todd's hand grasping her own causes Tea's tears to overflow, spilling down her cheeks.
"Tea, look you no money is not a problem. Get Sam to defend him."
Tea smiles slightly through her tears. "I mentioned that to Jose...but he doesn't want Sam. He doesn't want anyone to defend him but me."
"But you can't...you're the ADA."
"Yeah...I am...but I could resign."
"Is that what you want to do?"
"Todd, I like this job, I do...but how can I turn my back on my brother...how can I work for the department that is prosecuting him? He says I'm the only one he can trust...how do I say no?"
Todd is silent. He is at a loss for what to say to make this better for her. Tea moves closer to him and puts her head on his shoulder. Todd feels her tears through his shirt.
"Come, Todd, you know what to do...take our lovely Tea to your room, make her forget all of her problems...you love her...show her how much...." says a smooth voice in Todd's head.
"Oh, shutup you loser...Todd...typical..she runs to you when she needs you...but as soon as a better offer comes along she's out the door, just like the rest...this is our chance...she's weak, vulnerable...let's have a little fun.." the angry voice fires back.
Todd straightens up and bolts off the sofa. Tea stares at him, confused. He runs his hands through his hair, wishing Pete and Rodd would go away...
To be continued.....