*****

Téa concetrates on nothing but holding onto Raymond. The water rushed around them. She took large gulps of air anytime the water would allow her the opportunity, feeling helpless, not being able to see beyond the white rushes of water. She felt the terror course through her body as the water slammed against them. Mike looked on, making his way carefully along the edge of the water. Searching for something...anything...to help them. Raymond, meanwhile, valiantly waded through the rushes of water. His taller form caught sight of some large rocks along the sides, and with all of his strength, tried to push their way over. The water was coming faster now, causing Téa to swallow a lot. She began coughing violently, trying desperately to maintain her control. In her mind, images of Todd, Faith, and Starr flashed through her mind. She tightens her grip on Raymond...her only thoughts now of her family.

Raymond reaches out and blindly grabs for a rock. He feels it....but can't grasp on. The water rushes them forward...and Raymond tries again...this time able to grab on. He pulls himself on to the rock more solidly and reaches behind him for Téa, who is clutching his shirt. He searches for her hand, and frees it from his shirt, grasping it his. Suddenly, a rush of water comes at them, pulling at Téa. Raymond's arm stretches, and Téa uses all her strength to hang onto his hand. Mike, who's now found his way over to them, picks up a long branch and holds it out towards Téa. Over teeming water, Téa sees the branch, and reaches with her free hand, blindly.

"Come on Téa!" Mike yells. She panics as she feels her hand slipping in Raymond's. One more blind grab...and her land safely on the branch. Using all of his strength, Mike pulls it in towards him, Raymond grabbing her closer as she nears him. Steadily on the rocks now, Téa gulps for air. Mike carefully leans down and grasps one of Téa's hands.

"Try to brace your feet on something!" he yells.

Téa, exhausted, finds a rock beneath her, and pushes up...finally climbing out of the water. Mike turns, picking up the branch again, and Raymond braces himself on it, climbing out.

Sitting on the rock, safe now, in the hot sun....more images of her family swirl through Téa's mind. She turns and stares at the falls....realizing how close she and Raymond were to going over. Téa is suddenly overwhelmed...and sobs of relief mixed with remnants of panic shake her body.

*****

Manning House, later that day

Blair had picked up Starr from school and taken her home. As much as Todd wanted both of his daughters with him, Blair and Viki reasoned with him that he was under so much stress taking care of Faith and worrying about Téa, it would be easier on him if Starr was with Blair. Todd had reluctantly agreed, on the condition that Starr come over the following day after school to be with him and Faith.

He walks into the nursery, to watch over his sleeping daughter. He looks like a man under tremendous stress. His long hair is completely disheveled, he hasn't shaved in days. His outfit consists of an old pair of jeans and an old button down. Todd leans over the crib, and gently kisses his sleeping daughter. In a zombie like state, he turns and leaves the room, walking into his and Téa's bedroom. He flops himself down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. In the quiet of the house...he allows his mind to wander...wander to places he doesn't want it to go...

She's not dead...I know that....but that guy...if he hurts her...I swear to God....Delgado..you gotta come home....

Suddenly frantic...he jumps up and begins pacing around the room. He's so angry....at everything....at her for going...at himself for not being able to help her right now....at Asa...cause he still wasn't so sure the old man had nothing to do with this...at the criminal..for being near his Delgado. His breathing becomes harder...trying to control his anger...

He pounds his fist into the wall...why did this have to happen...hadn't they been through enough? Growing angrier...he walks over to the dresser..picking up a china vase that is there. He curls his fingers around it slowly, tightly....wanting to break something...needing something to get rid of his anger....when suddenly....

He hears something....he relaxes his hand around the vase...listening closely. He realizes it is Faith...crying. A sudden panic washes over him...as he realizes he can't go to her like this...he's too out of control. He puts the vase down on the dresser, and sits down on the bed...trying to recall his therapy sessions....what he could do to calm himself down enough to care for his daughter. He runs his hand through his hair as her cries intensify. Todd takes a few deep breaths, his eyes finding Téa's picture on the nightstand. Focusing on her face....he breathes deeply. He relaxes somewhat....feeling a little better....at least trusting himself enough to take care of Faith. He gets up and jogs to the nursery.

Todd walks over to the crib, and looks down at his crying daughter. With hands that no one in Llanview would ever believe could be loving and gentle, he picks up Faith and brings her close to him. Faith reaches up and tugs at his chin, her crying subsiding in her daddy's arms. Todd sits down in the rocker with her.

"You want your Mommy don't you kid?" he says softly, tenderly stroking her cheek. "So do I....so do I."