Todd glances at his watch impatiently, as usual. He is waiting for Téa to join him for dinner. It is her last night in town before she has to leave for California to finish up the extradition she had been working on. He sighs....it is a trip he's not too crazy about her taking...he has this very strange feeling....he just can't put his finger on it.
Téa walks in and notices Todd seemingly lost in thought. She walks over to the table.
"How is my favorite newspaper publisher this evening?" she says playfully, wearing a sexy smile.
Todd looks up at the sound of her voice, and grins. "I better be your favorite," he says.
She laughs, "No contest," she replies, and sits down across from him.
After their dinners arrive, Todd attacks his with his usual "manners," which at this point brings nothing but an adoring smile from Téa. After a few minutes, their dinner is interrupted by Asa Buchanan.
"I'll have to talk to Renee about keeping lowlifes out of here."
Todd looks up, licking his fingers. "Bite me Gramps." Téa chuckles.
"So," Asa says, turning to Téa, "hear you're going out of town for a few days." The comment brings a glare from Todd.
"Yeah....and how did you hear that?" Téa asks.
"I have my sources," Asa grins.
"Yeah, I'll bet," Téa says, rolling her eyes.
"What's it to you anyway, Gramps?" Todd asks suspicously.
"Nothing, Manning....just making an observation," Asa grins, walking away. Todd watches him walk away, not particularly liking that exchange.
"Wonder what he's up to," Todd mutters.
"Todd....I'm sure it's nothing, come on he's just trying to jerk your chain."
"Yeah, whatever," he says, the bad feeling not completely leaving him.

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

Manning House, later that evening

Téa sits in the nursery, holding Faith.
"So, mija, ohhh I'm gonna miss you! I hate being away from you for a minute! But you're in good hands....here with your Daddy, and your big sister Starr is gonna come stay with you too," she gently kisses her daughter's forehead, "ohhh...this is gonna be a long three days."
"So don't go."
She looks up to see Todd standing in the doorway, staring intently at her.
"Todd...I have to go."
"Why, aren't you supposed to still be on maternity leave?"
"Yeah...but I agreed to go back early to get this extradition done."
"Why can't someone else do it!"
"Todd....look I don't like the idea of leaving either...but I started this project and I really want to see it through," she says, getting up to put Faith down in her crib. Todd walks over and stands next to her. She turns to him and gently strokes his hair. "Besides, I'll be gone three days, tops."
"Téa, I just....I don't know...I got a bad feeling," he whispers.
She leans forward, and gently brushes his lips with hers. "Don't worry," she says softly.
"Yeah right," he mutters.
Téa reaches down and gently brushes her daughters soft face with her fingers.
"Good night angel," she says.
Todd takes her hand. "Yeah...good night kid," he says, smiling adoringly at his daughter. Once back in their room, Téa places the walkie talkie on her nightstand.
Todd changes into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, and lays down on the bed. Téa changes into a flannel button down and joins him.
"So," she says, snuggling closer to him, "what do you have planned the next couple of days?"
Todd talks while stroking her hair. "Well...I arranged for Kelly to do a lot of stuff at the Sun so I have more time with Faith while you're away...no late nights. And Shorty's gonna be here too."
"That'll be good...give her some time with her Daddy and her sister."
"Yeah...and I got therapy tomorrow...other than that..nothing," he says, then turns to her and kisses her. "I'm gonna miss you....you know...it's the first time we've been apart since I got back."
Téa smiles. "Yeah...but I'll be back before you know it."
"Not soon enough," he says, grinning. He pulls her close and kisses her passionately.

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

Llanview Airport, the following morning

Téa stood next to Todd, holding their daughter. She looks out at the private plane that is to take her to California.
"Good Morning Téa."
Téa and Todd turn around, and see Mike.
"Hey Mike, you remember my husband Todd," Téa says.
"Yeah, hi Todd."
"Hi," Todd replies, looking at Mike somewhat distrustfully.
"Are we all set?" Téa asks.
"Yup," he points to the police officer and the man they were extriditing. "There's our company," he says, a wry grin on his face.
The pilot comes into the terminal and announces that they are ready to take off.
Todd looks at Mike and the other people in the room, and then at his wife. He wants to kiss her goodbye, but not with all these people around.
"Uhh,...Téa...come here," he says, motioning for her to follow him. They go around a corner.
"What's up?"
"I just wanted to say good bye," he grins. He leans down and kisses her, being careful not to crush Faith between them. He pulls away slowly.
"Well," Téa says somewhat breathlessly, "goodbye to you too."
She looks at Faith and gently kisses her cheek. "Good bye mija," she says softly, eyes misting up, "I'll miss you." She hands her to Todd. "And take good care of your Daddy and sister," she grins. They walk back out to the center of the terminal. Téa reaches out and takes Todd's hand, squeezing it in her own.
"Oh, and by the way," Téa says, grinning, "I have a check up when I get back."
Todd smiles, "THE checkup?"
Téa nods, the seductive smile lighting up her face. She moves a little closer to Todd and Faith.
"Give Starr a hug for me," she says.
"You got it," he replies.
"I love you...both of you," she says softly.
"Love you too Delgado...both of us," he answers, still holding her hand.
With one last smile at her family, Téa walks out towards the plane. Todd watches her board, the bad feeling about this trip still firmly entrenched in his heart. He kisses Faith's forehead, and looks back at the plane.
"Be careful Delgado," he whispers.