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

March 1999
Llanview General…

Todd swallowed, “I’m a…fine…” he muttered.
“Faker,” she said somewhat serious, “What’s behind your back?”
“A picture,” replied Todd.
“Look, how’s José?” interjected Del taking Téa’s arm.
Téa looked at him and shrugged him off, “Don’t change the subject Del. And don’t distract me.”
Del and Todd exchanged knowing glances.
Téa crossed her arms, “In case you’ve forgotten, it’s my life in jeopardy. I think I have a right to know any information concerning it.”
Slowly Todd brought his hand out from behind his back and presented the picture to Téa. She took it and stared long and hard at it, clearly disturbed by it. She looked at Del. His face was hard and cold but his eyes --his eyes spoke volumes of the love he had for her.
Téa turned her attention to Todd. Todd’s lip quivered. Slowly, he reached out his hand, which was clearly shaking and placed it behind her neck pulling her into him, touching her forehead with his.
“Just when I thought…you were safe… from me… this happens. I’ll do anything… to protect you… anything!”
“Oh, Todd…” she whispered, caught up in his presence.
Just then the continuous, annoying beeps of a pager went off. It interrupted their moment. Both Del and Téa reached for their waists and checked their pagers.
“It’s me,” said Téa, “From Hank. I have to give him a call.”
Todd nodded his head and Téa walked off to the nearest nurse’s station.
Del and Todd exchanged awkward stares.
“I want my life back. I want her life back…” said Todd intently.
Del didn’t say a word. Téa walked back up.
“Well, Guys… Llanview’s finest finally caught the dock’s gas station robbers and it’s my turn to pick up a case. I’ve got to go to the station and then to the courthouse to arraign them,” she explained.
“Oh,” said Todd, “I’ll go with you!”
She tenderly placed her hand on his cheek, “You don’t have too. I’ll be surrounded by cops. Go home Todd. This will be so dull for you. I’ll be o.k…”
“I don’t know Téa. I can wait for you,” he said softly.
“I’ll get a police escort home if that will make you feel better…” she added.
“Not really…” said Todd.
“I’ll be o.k. I will,” she said in a calm, reassuring voice.
“If this is what you want…” he added.
She nodded her head, “I’m a big girl. It’s o.k.”
He nodded his head in assent.
“Téa…I just noticed…your lip…the cut…” said Del with concern.
Todd’s stare turned cold.
“It’s nothing Del. I bit my lip…” explained Téa, “God! Don’t be so… concerned over every little thing!”
“Yeah. Right. I’m just being…” started Del.
“I know. You’re worried and scared,” said Téa. She exchanged a sisterly kiss with him. Then she turned to Todd and exchanged a tender kiss with him.
“I’ll see you at home…” said Todd with concern.
“I’ll be home in about two hours…” said Téa.
“I…love you Téa…” he said barely above a whisper.
“I love you back,” she said. She turned around and left.

Later that evening,
The Manning Estate…

Todd sat down on his bed, his back against the headboard, with a beer in his hand. The stereo played on in the background. He ran his hands through his hair as he recalled today’s therapy session, trying to make sense of the conversation as he waited for Téa to come home…

He had walked into Michael’s office… as if bothered… and began to pace. Dr. Michaels stood up and put his hands in his pockets.
“What’s bothering you Todd?” he asked.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” said Todd.
“I’m not in the mood for your games today Todd…” said Michaels firmly.
Todd turned toward Michaels and sneered at him, “It’s Téa, all right.”
Michaels wrinkled his brow, “What about Téa?”
“She’s in danger,” said Todd seriously facing Michaels.
“From you?” Michaels asked with concern, “Pete?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know… but not like…” stammered Todd.
“Let it ramble Todd, stream of consciousness… remember we talked about that?” encouraged Michaels.
“Last night, Téa and I were beginning to have sex…make love…when our front door slammed. So we checked it out and there’s this newspaper article attached to our door by a knife. And it says Ms. ADA, you’re next…and I’m thinking…she could die. Some nutcase wants Téa dead. And I…I tried so hard not to let her into my heart…but it happened. And I…I tried so hard not to hurt her…but I did. And now… just when me and Téa are working things out…just when… I discovered her… I could lose her to something I can’t control…” said Todd clearly losing himself in his thoughts.
Michaels frowned, “This doesn’t help, I know, but it it’s nothing you can control…don’t try to be controlling in an attempt to prevent something you can’t Todd. You’ll only alienate her that way…”
“If I did… no doubt she’d be in my face telling it to me straight,” said Todd.
“O.k.,” said Michaels, “Now why do you think she might in danger from you?”
Todd made a face, “I don’t understand what I’m feeling… I’m confused…”
“Todd, let’s gain some perspective. What do you want for yourself? What do you desire?” asked Michaels.
“Is this going somewhere?” asked Todd.
“Do you want it to? Answer my question,” said Michaels.
“I want… Téa,” said Todd his lip quivering, “I want to live in our house with her. I want…a family…a real family… I want to have a child…with Téa,” admitted Todd, “I want the fanstay I dreamed of when I was a kid. And I want Téa…to be a part of that.”
“What drives you Todd? What impulses do you have?” asked Michaels.
Todd made a face, “My desire to have a family…but I get angry real easy. And what’s mine… it’s only mine. I want no one else to have what I have…”
“You mean possession. Do you want to possess Téa?” asked Michaels, “Like chattel?”
“No!” exclaimed Todd, “But I want her to be my wife. But I don’t want to treat her… I don’t want… I don’t want to possess her. I want her to be with me because she wants to.”
“And what about Téa excites you Todd? What about her makes you want her as your wife? How does Téa turn you on?” asked Michaels.
Todd put his hands in his pockets and wrinkled his brow, “The way she looks at me. Her eyes are brown you know. Deep brown. Expressive. Soulful. When she looks at me… I know… I’m the only one in the room. The way she touches me. Tender one minute… aggressive the next…it sends sparks throughout my body…her grin… her sexy grin. Her hair…her passion for something she believes in…”
“Does Téa believe in you Todd?” asked Michaels.
“Yeah…” said Todd.
“…or are you a fascination to her? Is she a fascination to you?” asked Michaels.
“Delgado is no fascination to me!” exclaimed Todd.
“Why did you just refer to Téa as Delgado just now?” asked Michaels.
“Look - I’m not a romantic guy. I try… I do… but if I could say those romantic words I would…Delgado… it’s just my way of saying those romantic words…” explained Todd.
“Is your physical love… do you find it romantic? Or is that expression of your love…is that what scares you?” asked Michaels.
“Yeah, it scares me…” said Todd.
“Don’t you trust Téa with your body?” asked Michaels.
“Of course! I just don’t trust myself!” flustered Todd.
“Help me understand Todd…” said Michaels.
Todd closed his eyes, reliving a memory, “I don’t want to physically hurt her… how I was hurt before. This last time… I was so turned on. I was so into her… I lost myself in what was occurring. I referred to myself in the third person and I… bit her lip… so hard, it bleed…” explained an extinguished Todd.
“Todd, was it your voice in the third person?” asked Michaels with concern.
“Yeah. Yeah. It wasn’t Rodd. Or Pete,” said Todd, “What did I hear?”
“Maybe you heard… your emotions…” suggested Michaels.
“What is love? Is it…tender? Kind? Or is it violent? Aggressive? What is…trust?” asked Todd.
“Love is a feeling inside of you. How you express it - is between you and Téa. Trust is believing that person completely…” answered Michaels, “Biting Téa’s lip really bothered you?”
Todd nodded his head, “I’m so much bigger than her. She’s so little next to me. I could hurt her so easily…And sometimes it’s so easy to think that.”
“I don’t think you will. But I think your newfound sexual relationship is testing your limits…pushing your boundaries…” said Michaels.
“Should I continue it? The sex?” asked Todd.
“Do you and Téa enjoy it? Is it sex to you or do you make love to Téa?” asked Michaels.
“I’m no stud. I make love to Téa…the best way I know how…” said Todd honestly.
“Make love to Téa then. But only the two of you can define the physical parameters of your love,” said Michaels, “Don’t force sex…let it come about as a natural expression of your love for her…”

Those words echoed within him…
“Let it come about as a natural expression of your love…”
The door to the bedroom opened and Téa walked in. He smiled at her.
“See, I’m fine Todd Manning,” said Téa lightly walking into the bedroom. She threw her briefcase on an adjacent chair and sat down facing him on his side of the bed.
He gave her a quick smile, “I’m glad. How many cops outside?”
“The usual three,” said Téa.
Todd looked at the blinds. They were drawn.
“Todd, are you all right? What were you thinking of?” asked Téa. She gently placed her hand on his chest.
“You. What you mean to me…” said Todd finding her eyes.
“What…do I mean to you?” she asked softly.
“Everything. I’m not good…at those romantic words or romantic things…but I’m trying…” said Todd intensely.
“Todd, I just want you to be you,” replied Téa.
He put the beer down on the nightstand and put his hands on her arms, pulling her down on top of him.
“And who is you, Téa? The soft, tender woman I made love too a few nights ago or the woman… who can… who gets off on the thrill of excitement…?” asked Todd clearly confused but obviously excited by her delicate position over him.
“I’m both Todd… but with you…” she paused, her lips posed over his….
“What about me? I can’t imagine you’d tell me I’m a sexual dynamo…” said Todd.
“You are to me. Todd, I trust myself…and you… to completely lose control…to give into every ounce of feeling and just let myself feel….” replied Téa.
His lip quivered as he let her words sink in, “Téa, this is a big thing for me - trusting you like this… allowing myself to ‘feel’ you… and I like it. I really enjoy discovering you like this…and I don’t want to hurt you… or lose you…” he paused, “I was so into you the other night I bit your lip and drew blood. It scared me just as bad as the newspaper article.”
“Don’t be scared. Accidents happen. We’ll figure out what works for us…together…” she replied softly.
His eyes connected with hers…so soulful…so expressive…
“I’m so scared of losing you…” he replied.
“I’ll never be out of your life…” she replied in a hauntingly seductive tone of voice.
And with that, Todd Manning let go of his doubts and fears and reached up, finding her nearby lips, tenderly kissing her. Téa gently fell on him, wrapping her arms around him.
He couldn’t stop exploring her lips - each kiss growing deeper and more passionate between them. They rolled over so they were on their side and as they kissed, he began to run his hands over the fabric of her clothes, she imitated his gesture, going no further until he was ready. And then, his hands reached for her shirt, untucking it roughly, as he gave himself over to their passion filled kisses. He flung off the shirt and quickly removed her bra. She quickly did the same to his clothes and within minutes they were naked before each other… kissing…exploring…
Her fingertips caressed his chest…
His tongue exploring her breasts with unabated excitement.
Her mouth on his neck, trailing her kisses lower, tenderly teasing with bites of her teeth…
His hand hesitantly exploring her inner thigh…
Her moans of pleasure urging him on… she was so wet and moist… he loved looking into her eyes as he explored the hottest spot of her body - getting off and getting harder watching the pleasure he invoked in her dance all over her face - and her body.
“You turn me on so much…” he whispered, “I can’t lose you Delgado… not now…”
“You’ll never lose me…” she whispered.
She could feel him tear into her as he hovered above her and then his lips were on hers…his hands, entwined in hers…
She could barely gasp for air as her moans took over. Todd’s moans intermingled with hers.
He held her close to him, tight. She snuggled into him enjoying his hot skin on hers.
“I love you Todd…”
“I love you Téa…”
They fell asleep in each other’s arms…

The Next Day…

Todd rolled over and literally bolted out of bed when he didn’t feel her next to him.
“Téa!” he cried out.
She walked out of the bathroom with her robe on, “Todd? Are you all right?”
Her hair was covered by a towel.
“I am now. What…what are you doing?” he asked.
“I have to drop off some stuff at Carlotta’s then I want to swing by the hospital and check on José before I go to work,” explained Téa towel drying her hair.
“I’m going with you,” he said tossing off the covers and bolting for the shower.
“Todd,” said Téa. He paused at the bathroom door, naked, and looked at her.
“What?”
“Are you all right? About last night?” she asked.
“Yeah. It’s confusing sometimes but I know…” he drowned off as they made eye contact.
“Know what?” she whispered.
“I know I enjoy what I’m doing - what I’m feeling - when I’m with you…” he said awkwardly.
She smiled at him and he turned around to take his shower.

Carlotta’s Diner…

The breakfast crowd hadn’t filtered into the diner yet. Téa walked in, dressed in a power suit, with Todd by her side. Cris Vega was cleaning tables. Carlotta was behind the counter pouring Andrew a cup of coffee. River was eating cereal.
Téa walked up to the counter and handed Carlotta a folder, “Morning Carlotta. Tell your friend she’s got a good case.”
“Thanks Téa,” said Carlotta. Carlotta couldn’t help but notice how close Todd stood to Téa.
“Hello Téa. Todd,” said Andrew awkwardly.
“Hi Andrew. Hi, River,” said Téa politely.
River just smiled and waved his hand.
“Hey Rev,” said Todd evenly.
“You guys want any coffee?” asked Carlotta.
“Sure. I’ll have a cup,” said Téa.
“Let’s go sit down at a booth,” suggested Todd.
“All right,” said Téa. Todd escorted her to a booth next to the door.
Cris finished wiping a table.
Just then three guys waltzed into the diner with an air of authority. All were dressed in black with long flowing black overcoats. One stood by the door.
Téa gasped.
Todd turned around.
One grabbed Téa and yanked her out of the booth. Todd stood up and felt a gun in his back. The guy by the door herded Carlotta, Andrew, Cris and River together by the counter.
“We just closed the place for business,” said the guy holding Téa - his hand firmly on her arm, one around her waist.
“Miguel Coronado…” muttered Téa recognizing him from his picture.
Todd’s face was full of anger and hate as he watched the mobster caress Téa’s waist and manhandle her.
“Well, Ms. ADA, you’re more attractive in person that your picture. It doesn’t do you justice,” said Coronado.
“Screw you!” said Todd lunging for Coronado. The man in back of Todd reached for Todd’s arm, holding him tight and shoving the gun in Todd’s back.
“Who’s this? Your old man?” asked Coronado.
“Yeah! I’m her husband!” exclaimed Todd firmly.
“Why me?” asked Téa. She could feel her heart beating rapidly - her adrenaline flowing throughout her body.
“Why not? You’re the next best thing to José,” said Miguel holding her tight. He whispered into her ear, “I bet you’re a hot little number too…”
Todd saw red. Wanting to reach out but feeling the hard gun in his back…
“Why didn’t you… send … why did you come yourself?” asked Téa.
Coronado pulled her into him, rubbing his hand across her tummy, “You ask too many questions Ms. ADA. When I want a job done right, I do it myself.”
Todd could feel his own adrenaline flowing through his body. He was clearly upset at Coronado intimately touching his wife.
Coronado backed away from Todd, with Téa firmly in his grasp. He stood a few feet away from Todd.
“I can’t stand your family Ms. ADA. Your brothers have been an annoying thorn in my side. And I’m going to hurt them by hurting you…” he said into her ear.
Todd made eye contact with the desperate pleading eyes of his wife. Inside, he knew she was scared. Outside, she wouldn’t show it.
“First, I’m going to humiliate you - I’m going to defile you - in front of your husband…and then I’m going to kill you in front of all of these witnesses…Pray your brothers cry over your body…” said Coronado coldly.
Todd swallowed as the words rang through his ears. Her lip trembled. Her eyes pleaded with his. Todd could feel the anger in him rise, fueled by his adrenaline.
“No. Not my wife. I won’t let you,” said Todd just as coldly.
Coronado sneered at him.