Todd sits at his desk, looking haggard and exhausted. He hadn't gotten a wink of sleep last night after hearing about Téa. Reluctantly, he had sent Starr home with Blair. He had wanted her to stay, but Viki and Blair pointed out that he had enough on his mind with Téa's disappearance and little Faith. Todd had promised Starr he would bring her over to play with her baby sister after school. Maybe, just maybe it would help take his mind off his wife.
Yeah right, he thinks.
After Judith had arrived, upset over the news about Téa and wanting to help, Todd had set off to the Sun to make use of his resources. He didn't plan on staying long, he wanted to be with his daughter. He had spent the better part of the morning on the phone with Hank, as well as the authorities in California, but so far no luck. It took all he could not to jump on his plane and fly out there and find her himself....but he knew she would want him to stay and take care of Faith.
Todd's eyes fall on her picture. He reaches across his desk and picks it up, his eyes misting up. She has to come home...he can't even imagine his life without her anymore...and he doesn't want to.
"Todd?"
He looks up to see Kelly standing in the doorway of his office.
"Any news?" he says, somewhat anxiously.
Kelly shakes her head. "No, I'm sorry."
Todd stands and rakes his hands through his hair. "Look Cramer, you're in charge until....she comes home....I gotta find her and take care of my kids. If you have questions...ask Briggs."
"Okay....I'm sure she'll be home soon."
Todd simply nods, the raging worry, panic, sadness, and love for his wife welling inside him.
"Oh, by the way...I got another source telling me about Asa running for mayor..."
Todd's head snaps up at the mention of Asa. Kelly keeps talking...but all Todd hears, in his head...is Asa's voice....promising revenge....a thought occurs to Todd. Before Kelly even has the chance to finish....Todd storms out of the office.
*****
Yosemite National Park
Hetch Hetchy
Téa's eyes slowly open against the bright light of the morning. She and Mike had had no luck finding Raymond as yet, and had decided to stop and rest a bit. They had taken turns napping so one could "stand guard".
"OHhhhhhh," Téa moans softly. Her body is sore all over. Luckily, she had suffered no broken bones in the crash, but her body ached all over from the sheer impact. She had several cuts and bruises, but overall had been pretty lucky.
"You're up," Mike says. His face sustained several cuts in the crash, and they suspected his wrist was badly sprained.
"Yeah...we should get moving, huh?" she says softly. Part of her wanted to go back to the plane, so they could be rescued and go home. Home...where Todd and Faith were....she could only imagine how crazed with worry Todd must be.
"Yeah....there's water...we can get something to drink."
Téa slowly gets up, willing herself to despite the pain. They walk slowly down towards the reservoir.
"Be careful," Mike says.
No sooner are the words out of his mouth when Téa looses her footing on some loose rocks and soil. Téa throws her hands out to brace herself.
"Damn!" she yells, as she lands on her stomach. She lifts her hands to see some fresh cuts caused by the rocks.
"Are you okay?"
Téa sighs, holding back angry, frustrated tears. All she wants is to be home with her family.
"Uh...yeah...fine."
Mike helps her up, and holds onto her while they make their way down to the water.
As they sit in the sun, Téa voices the concern which has been swirling in her head.
"Mike....what if...if he's already gone? And what if we're making things worse for ourselves by trying to go after him...I mean...I agree ...we should....but what if," she pauses, "what if they don't find us now?"
Mike nods slowly. "Yeah...I know...I was thinking the same thing. But...Téa..we owe it to him to try."
Téa's mind drifts once again to Todd and Faith. With new resolve, she stands up.
"Well...let's go."
Despite their horrific situation, Téa is struck by the beauty of their surroundings.
"Raymond...Ray...." Mike yells.
The rising sun starts to make it very warm. Téa ducks under some trees for shade. Mike looks at her.
"You stay here and rest a minute...I'm just gonna wander over here and see if I can see anything."
Téa nods. As she watches him walk away, she pulls out the picture of her and Faith. She runs her hand over it gently.
"I'll be home soon, mija....to both of you," she says softly. "Oh, Todd...I need you right now."
*****
That afternoon, The Palace
Todd storms into the Palace dining room. After running all over town to find Asa, this was the last place on his list. As he surveys the room quickly, he notices Asa talking with Renee, and a man he didn't know. Todd stalks over.
Asa spots him. "What the hell do you want?"
Todd steps closer to him, menacingly. "What do you know about my wife's plane going down?" he asks, icily.
Asa looks genuinely shocked. "Yeah...I heard about that...sorry."
"I'm sure."
Renee steps in. "Todd..."
"You wanted revenge, Gramps...maybe this was you're way..."
"Now listen Manning..I hate you....that's no secret...but I'm not into causing plane crashes...that's sick...go take your paranoid delusions somewhere else."
Todd runs his hand through his hair. "You listen to me old man....I find out you had anything to do with Delgado's plane going down...I swear to God...you'll wish I let you die in that lodge." With that, he turns and walks out.
Asa sits down slowly.
"I can't believe he would accuse you of that!" Renee says.
"I'm not surprised," Asa replies.
"Friend of yours?" Cory asks, sarcastically.
"Not exactly...sorry I didn't introduce you," Asa says, then grins, "but then again...you'll be getting to know the Mannings well."
*****
Manning house, later that afternoon
Todd arrived home early and sent Judith home for the rest of the day. He had picked up Starr from school to come play with Faith. Faith is in her little seat, and Starr is "reading" her a book. Todd watches them, his hand clutching the phone. Still no word, and he was going insane.
Starr finishes the book and looks up at her father.
"Daddy....Tee's gonna be okay," she says, in her wise seven year old way.
Todd smiles slightly. "I know Shorty," he says quietly. He gets down on the floor next to them. He gently strokes Faith's soft cheek, taking in her eyes, so much like her mother's. His heart twists...what he wouldn't give to have Delgado here right now. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. Todd jumps up and practically runs over to answer it. He feels a fresh burst of panic when he sees Hank and Bo on the other side of the door. The two men walk in.
"Any word?" Todd asks.
"A rescue crew found the plane. So far, they've recovered four bodies," Bo says in a low voice, noticing Starr in the other room. Todd's hand tightens around the phone.
"They've been identified as the two pilots, and the marshalls guarding the criminal."
Todd sighs with relief. "Not Delgado," he says.
"They did find a necklace...I was wondering if it was Téa's...they said it was gold...had an "A" on it."
Todd nods. "Yeah...that's hers."
"Well, the crew said it looked like it was taken off...not broken or anything...they also found Mike's credit card. They seem to think it was their way of letting us know they are alive."
Todd breathes deeply and nods. A thought occurs to him. "Wait...you said the marshals and the pilots were found....what about the criminal?"
Bo and Hank exchange worried glances. "As far as we know..he's alive...and out there with Mike and Téa."
To be continued......