Todd: Huh?

Tea: The mask.

Todd: Oh, yeah.

[Todd looks around the parking lot. Certain that they're alone he removes the mask from his face.]

Todd (referring to the mask): It was all that was left...well, either this or a clown.

Tea: Good choice.

[There is silence for several moments as neither knows what to say. They look at each other, they look at the building, they look at the cars. The silence is unbearable for both of them.]

Tea: So...

Todd: What?

Tea: I don't know what to say to you. It's been a long time.

Todd: Yeah, it has. You know, I almost didn't recognize you in there. That's not a Halloween wig, is it?

Tea: I cut my hair.

Todd: You shouldn't have done that.

Tea (anger rising): How dare you? You don't get to have any say in my life. You don't get to criticize my choices.

Todd: Sorry. I just liked it better when...

Tea: Finish what you were saying.

Todd: Never mind. It's your head. Do what you want.

Tea: Where the hell have you been?

Todd: You just get right to it, don't you?

Tea: It's been several minutes. I think I restrained myself well. So, where have you been?

Todd: Here...there...nowhere really.

Tea: I should have known you wouldn't give me an actual answer. Go back and finish watching Starr.

[Tea starts to walk toward her car.]

Todd: Wait.

[Tea turns back to face him again.]

Todd: You're just gonna go? You're not going to tell everyone I'm here? You're not going to yell at me for leaving? You're not going to try to run me down with your car?

Tea: There's been enough of that in this town lately. You know, there's no legal reason for you to have to watch Starr from the shadows. You could go in the front door and make your presence known. You would be making your daughter's Halloween the best she's ever had.

Todd (looking back at the building nervously): I don't know.

Tea: Why not?

[Before Todd can answer they hear voices from the front of the building. Todd quickly places the mask back on his face. They look at the building expecting to see people arriving on their side of the building to retrieve their cars. No one appears but they continue to hear voices at the front of the building.]

Tea: Must be smokers.

Todd (lifting his mask): I should get out of here before someone sees me.

Tea: Not yet. Come with me.

[Without thinking, Tea grabs Todd's hand and leads him to the farthest part of the parking area. Half-way there she realizes that she has Todd's hand in hers, even more shocking, he hasn't yanked it away from her and he's actually following her. When they reach a series of trees that border the edge of the parking lot Tea stops suddenly causing Todd to physically bump into her.]

Todd: Sorry. Why'd you stop?

Tea: Because we're here.

Todd: This is what you wanted to show me. I've seen trees before, Delgado.

Tea: I thought we could have some privacy here and we could talk without you having to wear that ridiculous mask.

[Tea grabs the mask from Todd and tosses it aside.]

Todd: Hey...

Tea: Where have you been?

Todd: You wouldn't believe me even if I told you.

Tea: Try me.

Todd: I've been traveling.

Tea: Why wouldn't I believe that?

Todd: It's more the mode of transportation that you might not believe.

Tea: And, what's that?

Todd: A motor home.

Tea: Fine! Don't tell me.

Todd: I knew you wouldn't believe me.

Tea: Have you really?

Todd: Yeah. I figured I could go where I wanted. I could be alone. No one would be around trying to talk to me if I didn't want them to be. I knew no one would be looking for me in one of those things.

Tea: Well, that's true. You should know, I'm living at the penthouse again.

Todd: I know.

Tea: Have you been spying on me?

Todd: It's my penthouse.

Tea: Are you going to evict me? Should I start looking for a new place to live?

Todd: No. I'm surprised you'd want to live there anyway after everything.

Tea: Well...

[Suddenly a bright light shines on the area where Todd and Tea are standing. Todd pulls Tea out of view of the parking lot and quickly presses their bodies together, her back pushed firmly against a tree. They wait quietly as the car with the offending headlights exits the parking area. As the darkness returns they both become quite aware of their bodies pressing together. They each listen to the other person breathing, their faces close but not quite touching. Todd's hand is on Tea's waist.

Tea trembles at the thoughts invading her mind. One thought she doesn't have is to leave. She wants to stay there with Todd's body pressed against her forever. She's afraid to even move in the slightest...afraid that if she reaches out to touch him, he'll disappear for certain.

Todd can feel her body trembling against his. His instincts tell him that she isn't shaking in fear of him but because she also feels the magnetic attraction between them. His instincts have been wrong many times before but this time he's certain that they're right. She's not trying to push away from him. She's not screaming. She actually wants to be in this moment with him.

They continue to stand there silently. Soon more people arrive in the parking lot and the trees are again lit up by headlights. Tea and Todd stay there, pressed against each other, not knowing how much time is passing. They only know that they don't want to move and the other person isn't moving so they stay pressed firmly together.

After they've been in darkness for several minutes Todd finally speaks.]

Todd: I think they're all gone now. It's probably safe. Did you want to go?

[Tea doesn't speak as her mind plays for her images of what she really wants to do...with Todd. Todd's mouth is so close to hers. If she could just know that bringing her lips to his wouldn't make him go away. If he didn't smell so incredible. If his hand didn't feel so gently on her waist. Her mind gets lost in the sensual sensations she's experiencing.]

Tea: Todd...

Todd: Delgado...

Tea (losing control of her passion): Todd...

Todd (his own desire taking over): Tea...

[They both slowly move their faces forward, neither aware that the other person is doing the same. They both fear the moment of impact and how the other person will react. Their noses touch slightly as their faces align. As their lips touch for the first time in an excruciatingly long time they both feel their bodies giving in to their need for each other. Their minds are forced to shut up and let go as their hearts battle to just this once win out.

Their kiss is slow and soft until they each feel the other responding and, unable to hold back, they press their lips together more forcefully. Their arms simultaneously grab on to each other. They both feel a need to be closer, to be more connected. Tea's tongue is the first to explore as it briefly makes contact with Todd's lips as they continue to kiss.

They both pull their faces slightly away from each other, take a quick breath, and then realign their mouths to continue kissing. This time they both open their mouths and explore each other freely. Their hands are also exploring.

Tea brings one of her hands up to caress Todd's hair. She's missed the feeling of his soft hair between her fingers. Todd still has one arm behind her back, trapped between her body and the tree as he continues to press against her body heavily...and heavenly, as far as Tea's concerned. Todd's other hand in moving up and down the side of Tea's body.

They both have fantasized so many times about being together again...about kissing...about touching...about experiencing each other's bodies in ways they never did during their tumultuous relationship. Finally, they're here and neither is willing to let go, to back away, to stop. Any doubts their minds try to throw at them, to prevent them from continuing on the obvious path they're on to lovemaking, are quickly thrown out and ignored. Their bodies know what they want and their hearts have been aching for each other for so long that their minds don't have a chance to sabotage this moment for them. Later, the problems, doubts, insecurities, old wounds will resurface and they'll survive or falter but right now their minds aren't equipped for the battle that their hearts and bodies are willing to fight dirty to win.

Previously, Tea would never have taken the chance of touching Todd on a private part of his body but given the desperate need she feels for him to physically satisfy her the way no other man ever could and the intense way that he's kissing her and the intimate way he's pressing against her, she take the chance and quickly undoes his pants and slides her hand inside.

Todd growls into her mouth as he feels her hand where previously he had only fantasized it to be. With Tea already in his pants, Todd pulls back from her body and quickly places his hand underneath the front of her skirt and yanks her panties down her legs slightly. She parts her legs as much as she can with her legs still trapped in the undergarment. His fingers slide across her intimately several times before he places one of his fingers deeply inside her. Tea moans softly, wanting more.

Tea releases him from her hand and quickly pulls down her own underwear before just as quickly yanking down Todd's pants and underwear. Tea struggles slightly as she tries to pull one of her legs out of her underwear so she can spread her legs farther. She stumbles slightly just as Todd places another finger inside her, causing his fingers to go even deeper than he planned.

This is all going so fast even though they've been married to each other twice and they both have fantasized about, and longed for, each other for a long time, this moment is going so fast...too fast, but neither can stop it. They both know that they want it and from the way the other person is responding they know the other person wants it too which makes them want it even more themselves. So, neither tries to stop the moment, to pull back, to re-enforce their internal protective barriers. They both let it happen...what they've wanted, what they've needed, for so long.

It has been so long since either has had passionate sexual contact with another person and their bodies are overloaded with sensory information. The smell of the other person, the sound of moaning, the touch of hands exploring and bodies pressing against each other, the feeling of the breeze against their bare skin, the taste of the other person's mouth... It's all overwhelmingly sensual, powerfully erotic, phenomenally, outrageously, sensationally orgasmic.

With Tea out of her underwear, her legs are opened for him. He continues to touch her, pleasuring her, exploring her depths, as they continue to kiss as if their very survival depends upon their lips and tongues never losing contact. Todd's fingers move along her interior contours seeking out the spots that generate the most pleasure for Tea. She's been his lover for a long time in his heart but this is the first time that he's been able to physically, sexually, please her and he wants it to be the most intense sexual experience she's ever had.

Tea's hands are also trying to please him, trying to tease him, with different sensations as she explores him physically for the first time. She can't believe that Todd is actually allowing her to stroke him, that his fingers are inside her, that his tongue is in her mouth. Her mind is reeling, her emotions are colliding almost painfully inside her. She needs him to be closer to her. She needs him to be inside her.

Tea removes one hand from him and places it on his wrist, wanting him to remove his hand from her. He won't allow it. He continues to caress the internal spot that he knows is driving her crazy with a need that he's determined he will satisfy. As his thumb stretches out and caresses her externally, his fingers continue their internal torture. It only takes a few more strokes of his fingers before he feels the spasms beginning. She tries to say his name but it comes out as an extended moan with his mouth still covering hers.

Tea's first orgasm of the night, her first orgasm with this man that she's loved and dreamt of for so long, emboldens her even more. She needs him inside her immediately. As Todd slowly removes his fingers from her, he caresses her gently, wanting to prolong her pleasure. Tea pulls his wrist away quickly and placing her hand around his thickness she brings him to her body. She brings one of her legs up and places it around his body making it easier for her to insert him inside her waiting, aching body.

Tea's arms go around Todd's neck, as he places one arm around her while his other hand encourages her to place her other leg around him. As Tea's body leaves the ground, Todd supports both their weights against the tree. After he feels that they both are in position and ready, he begins thrusting into her. Every second, every thrust, is the ecstasy that he knew it would be with her. If he allowed his mind to stop and think it wouldn't allow him this. His mind never allows him this kind of pleasure. He isn't listening to his mind right now, though. He's listening to his heart and to his body which both want and need to be with Tea.

Todd has denied himself sexual pleasure for so long that he can feel his body racing to the finish too soon. He wants to hold out and make it last longer, to slow it down, but he can't stop himself, the need, the desire is too great. He lets go of himself completely as he thrusts inside her and continues to kiss her passionately. When he senses that his body can't hold out any longer he thrusts deep inside and explodes copiously.

Knowing that Todd is releasing inside her, that he's sharing something with her that he had previously kept hidden from her is too powerfully emotional and sensual for Tea and she enjoys her second orgasm.

Their kissing has ceased as they both try to catch their breaths and reassemble some semblance of mental function. Todd is still inside of her, not wanting to leave the comfort of her body. They are both holding each other tightly, their faces nuzzling, not wanting the moment to end but knowing that it has to. Tea slowly releases her legs from his body as they physically disconnect.

After a moment of silently standing together they both realize where they are and how they would look if someone found them. Todd pulls his pants back up and Tea searches for her underwear on the ground. Todd finally, and awkwardly, speaks.]

Todd: Um...I don't think you want to...uh...put those on again.

Tea: Why?

Todd: You don't know what could be crawling in them.

Tea: Oh.

[An awkward moment passes until Todd is startled as Tea suddenly begins laughing.]

Todd: What's so funny?

Tea: Me.

Todd: What?

Tea: Think about it, Todd. When I go back to the penthouse, when I walk into the building, no underwear on, your, our, um...well...the evidence of what we did here...nevermind.

Todd: Go ahead. Finish what you were saying.

Tea: It's running down my leg, Todd.

Todd: Oh.

Tea: I'll be the subject of tomorrow's gossip.

Todd: Well, maybe you could, you know, wipe...

Tea: Don't worry about it. I'll do the best I can.

Todd: Maybe it isn't that noticeable.

Tea: Not out here but in the bright lights of the lobby I think it will be quite noticeable. Even if I...um...wipe up...the aroma is still identifiable.

Todd: Well, then, um, maybe you, uh, maybe you just shouldn't, you know, maybe you shouldn't go back there tonight.

Tea: You want me to check into a hotel like this?

Todd: I wasn't thinking that.

Tea (laughing again): Yeah, I'll go to Carlotta's. When she asks me where I was and with whom I'll just say that I picked some guy up in the park and had sex with him against a tree.

Todd (hurt): You're ashamed... I understand.

[Todd starts to walk back toward the parking lot. Tea has to practically jog along side him to keep up with his quick pace.]

Tea: That's not what I meant.

[Tea physically gets in front of him and stops him.]

Tea: I'm not ashamed. In fact, I half expect to be waking up any moment now like I...(cautiously continuing)...like I have so many mornings when I've dreamt about being with you.

Todd: You've done that?

Tea: Yes. I'm not ashamed of what we just did. It was what I wanted. It was what I chose. Do you want me to tell people about it? Do you want people to know you're here? What does this mean, Todd? Was this a just a momentary opportunity for sexual satisfaction or was it more than that? Are you going to disappear into the night now? Tell me. Tell me what this was and what you want me to do.

Todd: I want you to shut up. It was fine back there when you weren't talking. You think too much and you ask too many questions.

Tea: But some of those questions need answers.

Todd: You wanted to know what to do so people didn't see you like this, right? That's easy, you'll come with me.

Tea: What?

Todd: I told you. I have a motor home. There's a place near here that I've been to before. I can hook everything up. You can take a shower, you can clean up.

Tea: Then what?

Todd: We can eat something. I have food.

Tea: And after that?

Todd: You're doing it again.

Tea: That's how I am. I like to know what to expect.

Todd: Were you expecting what we just did?

Tea: No. I'll admit to hoping for it someday but I certainly wasn't expecting it tonight.

Todd: So, you enjoyed yourself?

Tea: Wasn't that obvious?

Todd: So, not knowing can be good, right?

Tea: I guess it can be.

Todd: Do you want to drive your car and follow me or leave your car here?

Tea: Well, um, I guess I can leave it here. (looking around the parking lot) Where's your motor home?

Todd: I parked it down the block. I didn't want to be too conspicuous.

[Todd and Tea silently walk across the parking lot. Neither knows what is coming next for them but they both know that their lives have once again changed permanently because of the other person's presence in it. They both also feel fairly certain that the pleasure of the evening isn't over yet.]

THE END