She went to her window and gazed outside. The Llanview streets were littered with traffic. It was snowing. She was wearing a form fitting burgundy dress that she could see in the reflection of the window. She closed her eyes, thinking of him, trying to calm down.
“I’ll take you to dinner - we’ll escape our problems…”
She sighed and sat down on her bed. He’s got to come to her this time…he’s got to! She’s got to show him that she trusts him. She got up, walked to her door and unlocked it, pausing slightly before she went back to her bed. As she lay down she noticed her ring - she couldn’t remember when she had put it back on - only that she had wanted Todd to do it - like he did on their wedding day…she took the ring off and placed it on her nightstand before letting sleep overtake her.
She dreams of him - she dreams of the day she can have him - Like Water For Chocolate - her favorite movie…

She dreams the door opens and a light across the room turns on, dimly illuminating the room. It’s him. He takes off his wet overcoat - wet from the melted snow and pulls out a single red rose from an inside pocket of the overcoat.
“She’s beautiful…” he whispers and sits down on the edge of the bed, next to her sleeping form. He takes the rose and traces the outline of her dress with it, placing the rose between her breasts. He notices the ring on the nightstand and wrinkles his brow. Delicately, he picks up her left hand and puts the ring on her finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed…” he whispers.
Slowly, as if enchanted, he leans over - it’s time to wake up the sleeping princess with a kiss…

Téa feels a presence over her and lips upon hers. His lips - stealing a kiss. He’s here! He came! He came to her! She responds to his kiss and he allows it to grow deeper between them. She takes her hands and places them on his arms. He’s so into this kiss…is this…?
He parts from her, “Wow…Delgado…”
“Todd? Is it you?” she whispers. She’s awake.
“It’s me. Sorry I’m late Delgado. Your door was unlocked so I just came in,” said Todd, “Were you worried?”
“Yes,” she replied lost in the moment - in his arms, “Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” he said stroking her hair.
“What happened Todd?” she whispered.
“The therapy…took a while - I got to Llanfair late and Viki wanted to gab about her multiple personalities so I left late - and traffic was bad ‘cos of the snow and I had to get you this…” replied Todd. His eyes darted to her breasts. Her eyes followed his. There was a single red rose. She took a breath.
“Rodd?”
“No - it’s me. Todd. “I” wanted…to do this…since our discussion yesterday - Rodd and Pete haven’t bothered me - yet. I worry about it though but it’s me - it’s Todd. I’m gonna make this therapy work, Téa,” said Todd firmly.
“We’ll make it work,” replied Téa.
“I have a lot to tell you. Some of it isn’t…pleasant to hear,” said Todd intently, hovering over her as she lay on the bed. The moment - magical between them.
“I know,” she replied, “Right now - here between us - it’s intense.”
Todd swallowed, “It’s scary. But I don’t want to be scared with anyone else other than you. I’ve thought of us like this…while I was in Providence…”
“You did?” she whispered.
“I thought of you - and Shorty - a lot,” said Todd taking Téa’s left hand in his.
“My heart wouldn’t let me forget…you,” said Téa.
“I found your ring on the nightstand. I put it back on your finger. Why did you take it off?” It had bothered him…seeing the ring on her nightstand. Echoes of a voice in the back of his mind. Echoes he didn’t want to hear.
“I wanted you to put it back on Todd. And when you did - it would be like our wedding day - and you would feel the love between us - our wedding bands represent the love between us - not the violence…” said Téa, “We’ve got to deal with the violence between us…”
Todd frowned, “I feel like I’m in therapy again, Dr. Delgado.”
He twirled the ring on her finger.
There was silence between them.
“I don’t want you to take it off again,” he said firmly.
“Pete?” said Téa with a look of confusion over her face.
“No. Todd. “I” don’t want you to take it off,” said Todd intensely.
She did just that and handed it to him.
Confusion overran his face, “What?”
“I want to feel you put it back on my finger,” said Téa, “It’ll be like a new pledge between us - one made in love.”
He wrinkled his brow, took a breath, and took her hand in his. Delicately he slid the ring back on her finger, “Téa - “I’m” in love with you - not Rodd. Not Pete. “I” love you. Todd. “I” do,” His words were passionate and intense.
Téa leaned up off the bed - her hair hanging past her shoulders…
“I love you Todd, I do,” she whispered before kissing him. Todd placed his hand on her shoulder to support her.
“Wow…Delgado…” whispered Todd as she parted from him. Their eyes burned for each other.
“Todd…”
“Téa…I should go. I need to go…” said Todd suddenly becoming tense from a fear deep inside him. But surprisingly, he didn’t hear either Rodd’s or Pete’s voice.
“So much for our dinner,” remarked Téa lightly.
“Maybe…ah, tomorrow, or whatever…” said Todd guiding her back onto the bed.
“Maybe. I need to see José tomorrow. I intend on posting bail for him,” said Téa watching Todd get up. She sat up on her bed and turned on the radio. Todd put on his jacket.
“This is WWLV…the roads are closed because of the snowstorm. It is recommended that people stay indoors…”
Todd and Téa drowned out the rest of the radio broadcast.
“I can get a room…” muttered Todd turning red.
“You don’t have to Todd. You can stay here with me,” said Téa getting up and walking over to him, unbuttoning his jacket.
Todd was visiablily nervous, “Well, ah, we are married, aren’t we, Delgado?”
“If you ask me nice, I’ll let you sleep on the couch, Manning,” said Téa smiling at him.
“You gotta make things hard don’t you Delgado?” questioned Todd putting his hands over hers.
“What fun would easy be?” asked Téa.
After a brief pause between them, Téa got extra blankets for Todd to use and did up the couch so he would be comfortable. One day soon he wouldn’t have to use the couch, he thought.

The next day at the DA’s office…

Téa walked into her office. She had work to do. Complaints to file, motions for discovery…
Hank walked into her office followed by a man she didn’t recognize.
“Téa, this is Phillip Powell. Phillip, Téa Delgado. He’s the special prosecutor in your brother’s trial,” said Hank making introductions.
Téa hesitantly shook Phillip’s hand and turned to Hank, “Why a special prosecutor?”
“No one in the office wants the case - out of respect for you,” explained Hank.
“I see,” said Téa.
Phillip looked at his watch, “The bail hearing is at ten.”
“Oh, yeah. What amount of bail are you asking for?” asked Téa politely.
“I’m not. I’m not asking for bail,” said Phillip.
“Oh, right,” said Téa, “He’s not your brother.”
“No, he’s not,” said Phillip walking out.
“Téa,” started Hank.
She held up her hand, “I’ll be all right Hank.”
Hank nodded his head and left.

The Courthouse…

Téa was flocked by reporters as she tried to get into the courtroom.
“Ms. Delgado, how does it feel knowing your brother’s a murderer and you prosecute murderers…?” came a question.
“Ms. Delgado, do you have a sick, perverted attraction to crime?” came another question.
“Oh, Ms. Delgado…isn’t your husband a criminal…a rapist?” asked Blair sticking a microphone in Téa’s face as Téa struggled against the crowd.
Téa glared at Blair.
“Blair,” came a voice from behind her, “That criminal is your daughter’s father.”
Blair turned around and faced Todd. The reporters were diverted and Téa snuck into the courtroom taking a seat. José turned around and his eyes found Téa. Their gaze was intent. Sam briefly smiled at Téa. Téa mouthed, “I love you,” to her brother.
The judge called the court to order. Todd snuck into the room joining Téa.
“Blair’s pissed…” whispered Todd taking Téa’s hand as he sat down.
“So am I…” whispered Téa bitterly.
“Mr. Powell, recommendations for bail…”
“I do not recommend bail for José Delgado…”
“Guy sounds like a jerk,” whispered Todd, “You were gone when I got up.”
“I’m sorry. I had to go to work and you looked so peaceful just sleeping there,” whispered Téa.
“Mr. Rappaport, your recommendations…”
“I got another therapy session this afternoon and Blair said she’d bring Shorty by Viki’s after dinner - after I got her to promise that your brother was off limits,” whispered Todd.
Téa frowned, “I promised Abuelita I would see her tonight…”
“Bring her over tonight then,” suggested Todd.
“…I concur with state’s counsel. I hereby deny the defendant, José Delgado bail and he is remanded into the custody of the Llanview police department. I expect motions for Discovery filed by Friday. This matter is adjourned for the time being.” came the judge. He banged the gavel.
“Bastard,” muttered Téa.
“I’m here for you Téa,” muttered Todd clutching her hand tightly.
“I know. I need to see José. He needs me,” said Téa standing up.
“I need you too Delgado,” said Todd his voice shaking.
Téa softened, “I’m not going to leave you. I’m here for you Todd.”
“This is tearing you up, isn’t it?”
Téa nodded her head.
“Look - I’ll go see José with you. I’ll stop being selfish - for a minute or two…” he said smiling.
“Thanks, Manning,” said Téa.
The courtroom swirled around them.