"Hey, Gannon. You are really something. I know you said you worked with some autistic kids, but I didn't realize you were this well trained," Kevin complimented Rachel.

"You really were very good with him," Téa chimed in. Téa felt a little guilty. While she was happy that Rachel worked so well with Adam, she felt a left out. She had hoped to get to work with him the next time he came out.

"Thank you, Rachel. You were very patient and gentle with him," Viki praised her.

Sam said nothing. He headed out into the hallway to keep an eye on Adam.

"Mom, I know Sam still has huge problems with Adam's program. I honestly think he's coming around a little. At least he didn't disrupt it as much as the other times and I think he sees that Adam is making progress." Kevin tried to reassure Viki.

"I think so too. It's just going to take him some time," Viki stated sadly. She turned to Rachel again. "We usually eat in the dayroom with Adam, when he's out. Would you like to join us?"

Rachel was eager to observe Adam in that situation. "I need to call home and see how Bo is doing. If everything is all right, I would love to join you."

Viki turned to Téa. "Honey, I'd ask you to join us, but I don't think you're supposed to be out of bed for this long. I'm sure your doctor only meant for you to have a quick visit to with Todd."

Téa knew Viki was right because she was exhausted and her head was hurting. She felt a little nauseous and slightly dizzy. She knew she was doing too much; nevertheless, she wanted to stay with Adam. She felt a slight pang of jealousy at being left out. "I'm fine," Téa lied. "I'll just sit quietly in my chair until Adam has his dinner. Then I'll be a good patient and head back to my own room. I'm sure they'll be discharging me sometime tomorrow anyway. I don't see why I would have to stay an extra day. They already told me I'll have to come for a follow-up CT scan on an outpatient basis."

"Téa, are you planning on staying with Carlotta when you leave here?" Viki assumed she was.

"No, I'll be okay in my hotel room. I can always call the desk if I don't feel well."

"Oh, honey. I don't think that's a good idea at all. You shouldn't be alone for the next few days." Viki thought for a second. "Why don't I come and stay with you? Adam doesn't depend on me the way the other children do and I know Todd would want me to do that."

"Viki, no. That's not necessary. I'm not going to take you away from here. What if one of the other children comes out or if Todd has some kind of crisis. No," Téa shook her head. "I can take care of myself."

Rachel walked closer to Téa. "How about we become roomies again for a few days?"

Téa was surprised. "Aren't you staying with Bo and your mom?"

Rachel laughed. "I honestly don't think they will perish in the night if I'm away for a few days. Come on. It'll be fun. We can gossip, and watch some videos and load up on junk food. And to tell you the truth, once I tell my mom I'm definitely working with Adam, I think my being away from her for a few days would work out great for me. It'll give her some time to cool down."

Téa didn't know why, but this idea did not appeal to her too much. She felt horrible about feeling that way. Rachel was her best friend. Téa put whatever reservations she had out of her mind. "Thanks, Rachel. Okay. Roomie," Téa joked.

"Rachel," Susannah called to her. "I'm very proud of you. I'm also impressed with your training."

"Thank you, Aunt Susannah," Rachel hugged her aunt. "I know no matter how much you love me you wouldn't let me near Adam again if I hadn't handled him well, so your praise means so much to me."

Susannah hugged Rachel back tightly. "You're right. Adam's care comes first. And since the treatment you did with him was excellent, I'm happy to have you on our team." Susannah pulled back from Rachel. She continued to hold onto her niece's arms. "Rachel, you have to tell your mom that you are actually working with Adam. I think she believes it was only a passing thought."

"I will. She's going to go ballistic."

"I know," Susannah confirmed, "especially after what happened today. That's why I think you need to give her time to react, then process it, and then hopefully accept your decision."

"I'm not chickening out," Rachel smiled. "I'm going to call her right now to see how Bo is and I will explain to her that I'm going to be staying with Téa for a few days and that I'm going to be working with Adam whenever he's out."

Susannah sighed. "You can use the phone in my office so you can have some privacy. Good luck, sweetie."

"Oy! am I gonna need it," Rachel did a perfect imitation of her grandmother. Both she and Susannah laughed.

*****

Adam had stopped running after a while. He plopped down in the middle of the hallway and began to wiggle his fingers near his eyes again. They allowed him to continue and walked around him until it was time to eat. Additional meals of turkey platters were agreed on for the adults.

"Did you speak with your mom or Bo?" Susannah asked when Rachel came into the dayroom. Kevin, Viki and Téa joined them. They too wanted to know how Bo was doing. Sam remained in the hallway, watching Adam. He felt most at peace when he was close to Todd and the alters.

"Yes. Bo is fine. He answered the phone. He said he had some discomfort, but the painkiller took care of that. He said Mom even let him pick out some old cowboy movies at the video store, just this once." They all laughed along with Rachel.

"Did you get a chance to tell your mom that you're definitely working with Adam?" Kevin asked.

"You mean you couldn't hear her all the way in here?" Rachel rolled her eyes as she kidded them.

"That bad?" Susannah stated.

"I'm exaggerating about the shouting . . . Mom is not a happy camper. She was all for me working with children with autism. Now that I have this great chance she's carrying on like this."

"Rachel, I think you have to be fair," Viki spoke up. She hated that Nora felt the way she did, but she understood why. "Adam isn't your typical child with autism. He lives inside the body of someone who hurt your mom. I'd hoped that Nora had come to terms with Todd and why he is the way he is. She seemed to understand why Susannah worked with him and how desperately Todd and the alters need the very best help they can get."

"Viki, I think Nora was starting to understand," Susannah agreed. "I'm afraid she has been traumatized by the incident with Bo and all those old feelings about Todd came back. And . . . Rachel, I hope you completely understand this . . . I cannot guarantee that Todd or one of the alters won't hurt you or cause you to be injured in some way. They are unpredictable and they can escalate quickly."

"I know that, Aunt Susannah. I also know that I felt absolutely no fear around Adam. I appreciate the warning, but I can't help him if I'm going to have my guard up all the time. I do understand what you said and I understand my mom's fears. I'm willing to accept the risks. I enjoyed working with Adam. He's a very sweet little boy. I also consider this a great opportunity and a unique challenge, one I may never get again. And frankly, I believe I owe Todd. If helping this little boy in some way helps Todd too, it makes me want to work with Adam even more."

Viki squeezed Rachel's hand. "Thank you. If you like, I'll try to talk to your mom again."

"No, Viki. Thanks for the offer, but no. I'm a big girl. If therapy has taught me anything it's that I have to stand up for myself with my parents. I never had any problems standing up for myself with friends or strangers. It was my need for my parents' approval that kept me trying to turn my life into what they wanted instead of what I wanted. This is what I want. I'd like my mom and dad to be happy for me. If they can't be, that will be their problem. I don't think my mom and dad are going to be too happy with another choice I've made. I'm going to be working as a hostess at Club Indigo." Rachel hesitated. She glanced at each of them, expecting to see some negative reaction. She was pleasantly surprised that there was none. "Uncle RJ offered me several other more prestigious positions. I wanted something without pressure. I want my days free for school. I know Adam may not be out often or for long periods when he is out. I want to be available when he here. Being a hostess is decent money and not something I have to devote much time or thought to when I'm not working. I realize mom and dad will not be happy about my spending so much time with RJ or at the club. They will have to work through that . . . or not. Either way, it's my life. From now on, I'm going to live it based on my choices, not theirs."

Viki, Susannah and Téa noticed Kevin's eyes gleaming with admiration for Rachel. They were all proud of her.

*****

Once the food was brought in and everyone was settled down with his or her plate, Adam was brought into the dayroom. Sam followed behind. Adam was whimpering as Don led him in. He was not crying or struggling. Adam headed for Kevin. He jumped up and down in front of him.

"I think he wants me to sing to him," Kevin guessed.

"If he eats something then you can use the song as a reinforcer," Susannah directed Kevin.

Sam's jaw clenched, but he said nothing. He too wanted Adam to eat.

Kevin forced himself to continue to eat while Adam continued to jump up and down and call out "Aaaahhhhh." Kevin held his plate out to Adam to see if he would eat something. Adam ignored it and continued to jump and vocalize.

"We treat eating and learning to touch and taste foods as another trial," Susannah informed Rachel. "Come here." Susannah gave the Sd as she stood by table that contained Adam's food choices.

When Adam didn't respond on his own, Don guided him to the table by his shoulders. "Great walking to the table, Adam!" Susannah's voice was highly animated. She held out the bowl macaroni and cheese. Adam sniffed it and shoved a handful in his mouth. "Yayyyy! good job eating, Adam!" Susannah reinforced. Adam grabbed another handful, but walked away from the table as he ate it. He headed for the window and began playing with the shade.

Susannah motioned Kevin over to where Adam's food selections were. "You do 'come here' with him, then try one of the new dishes . . . the potatoes or the ice cream."

"Come here," Kevin instructed.

Adam was guided to the table. This time he was crying because they had taken him away from one of his favorite activities. Kevin held out the mashed potatoes for him. "Do this," Kevin instructed as he scooped some potato up on his index finger and licked it off. Adam sniffed the food. He touched the potatoes with his finger and then grabbed a handful and shoved it in his mouth, getting most of it on his face. Kevin laughed. "Wow! I like the way you did that!" Kevin reinforced and rested the bowl on the table. Adam ate two more handfuls before he tired of it. "Way to go, Adam!" Kevin held up Adam's hand and gave him a high five. Adam smiled and giggled. Kevin wiped Adam's face off with one of the damp washcloths that had been provided.

Susannah pointed to the slightly melted ice cream. "Do the Sd again."

"Do this." Kevin scooped some ice cream up on his finger and ate it. Adam sniffed it. As he had with the other foods, Adam thrust his hand into the ice cream. He managed to get some of it in his mouth. "Wooohooo! I love the way you did that!" Kevin began to sing the Yogi Bear song to Adam. Susannah motioned for Kevin to stop singing. She instructed him to repeat the Sd. When he did, Adam took some more. Kevin reinforced with praise and a few more bars of the song. "He's either starting to get it or he's hungry," Kevin joked. They could see the love in his eyes as he looked at Adam. Adam ate another handful of ice cream. On his own he took some more macaroni and cheese. Susannah jotted down some notations on Adam's expanding food choices. Also, on his own, Adam touched the mashed bananas. He shoved a handful of them into his mouth. Apparently, having his fill, Adam plopped down on the floor. He began to rub his face and cry. Everyone exchanged looks. They had no idea why he was crying.

Susannah reached for a couple of the damp washcloths. She took Adam's hands down and cleaned the food off of them. She then cleaned the remaining food off of Adam's face and checked it for any irritation or bruise. There was none.

Suddenly Téa remembered. "He wants his blanket. He likes to rub it against his face."

They looked around for it. It didn't seem to be anywhere.

"I must have left it in Susannah's office. I suppose I rested it down and then forgot it." Viki stated.

"I'll go for it," Kevin volunteered.

"Kevin, here," Susannah tossed him the keys. "My secretary is gone for the day and the door is locked."

Adam's crying lowered. He looked tired. Adam began to rock himself and suck his thumb in an attempt to self-sooth. He was still whimpering for his blanket.

Before anyone else had a chance to reinforce Adam's behavior, Téa got out of the wheelchair, despite words of caution about overdoing it from Viki and Susannah. She sat on the floor next to Adam. "Adam, I love how you're sitting nicely." It was the first time Téa had really had a chance to be this close to him all day. "Your blanket is coming. Adam, I love you so much." Téa stroked his head. She tickled the back of Adam's neck. Without removing his thumb from his mouth, Adam smiled, giggled and scrunched his head back. This brought a smile to everyone's face.

Kevin came back with the piece of blanket material that Adam liked to hold. "Are you out of that chair again?" he gently chastised Téa. "You're never gonna win cooperative patient of the month at this rate."

Téa smiled and took the material from Kevin. She turned back to Adam. Téa held the blanket up near her eyes. "Adam! Looook what I have." Adam made eye contact with Téa, for a moment. "I love seeing your eyes, Adam! I love those eyes!" Téa hugged Adam and tickled his tummy. He burst into laughter. Téa tickled him one more time. To Téa, Adam's laughter was like the sound of an angel singing. "Adam's such a good boy. I love, Adam. Oh, I love you, Adam." Téa rocked him gently, as she continued to hug him.

Adam made no further eye contact with Téa. He did stay in her arms for a couple of minutes before he squirmed away. He began to rub his blanket against his face and resumed sucking his thumb. They could see his eyelids getting heavy.

Kevin helped Téa up and back to the wheelchair.

"You were wonderful with him," Rachel complimented.

"I'm not just teaching him. I love him." Téa and those around her were surprised by the sharpness of her tone.

"I-I'm sorry . . . I . . . I didn't mean that you were just his teacher the way I am. I just . . ."

"No." Téa sighed deeply. "Rachel, I'm sorry." Téa cut her off. "I didn't mean it to come out like that. Please." Téa shook her head. "Rach, it's been a long day. I'm sorry."

Rachel hugged Téa. "No problem, girlfriend."

Susannah knelt down next to Adam. She headed over to where his family and Rachel sat. "We're going to take Adam to his room. He needs to be cleaned up and changed. We can't give him a bath or shower for a few days because of his leg wound. We'll have to give him a bed bath. Hopefully he's so sleepy that he won't have too hard a time with that. I'm going to order some sleep med along with his other medications. I don't want him up at three o'clock in the morning, ready for his day. Todd's body has been through too much today." He should sleep through the night. Once I know he's asleep, I'll be going home. I suggest you all do the same. Someone will call you if Todd or one of the other atlers comes back and needs you."

*****

Sam did not want to leave Adam. Viki and Sam agreed that he would stay in Adam's room and she would go home for the night. Viki hadn't slept in her own bed for a while now. The actual reason Viki decided to go home was to let Sam know she trusted him to take care of "their kid," on his own.

After Adam had been taken to his room, Kevin and Rachel wheeled Téa back to her room. They didn't bother to call and wait for patient transport. Doctor Anderson had come to check on Téa before he left for the day. He told her he had come earlier and was told she was visiting her husband. He gently lectured Téa on the lack of rest she was getting. He cautioned her that with the serious head injury she sustained, she should be taking better care of herself. Téa minimized the headache, nausea and slight dizziness she was feeling and pushed for an early discharge. Doctor Anderson agreed to the possibility, depending on his findings when he and Doctor Marahbee came to examine her in the morning.

Once they had gotten Téa back to her own bed, Kevin offered to drive Rachel back to Bo and Nora's. On the way they stopped at a TCBY for some frozen yogurt sundaes. They had both forgotten how easily they made each other laugh. Before they knew it they had been talking for more than ninety minutes and had gone through two sundaes each. They took a long walk around the park. Kevin filled Rachel in on the end of his relationship with Cassie and she filled him in on her time spent in Statesville and with her grandparents. Rachel was relieved that Bo and Nora had already gone to bed by the time she came home.

*****

Susannah's educated guess had been accurate. Adam was so sleepy by the time they got him to his room; their efforts to clean and change him were only met with a few small protests. Adam was asleep before they finished. Thanks to the medication Susannah ordered, Adam did sleep through the night. Sam was not as fortunate. He had been woken up by a nightmare that left him trembling. He could remember it clearly.

Sam was sitting, alone, on a beach. His back was to the ocean. He heard muffled sounds coming from the water. He tried to jump up to see if someone were in trouble. His feet kept sinking deeper and deeper into the sand. When he finally managed to pull himself free, he saw Todd. Todd was trying to fight his way back to the shore. He was being pulled out to sea. Sam tried desperately to get to him. Each time a wave came crashing into Sam, pushing him back. When the water finally calmed down, Todd was gone.

Sam woke up crying out Todd's name. Dave rushed into the room. Sam was shaking and embarrassed. He was covered in perspiration. Sam insisted he was all right and turned down Dave's offers to get one of the nurses or to stay and talk to him. Sam was grateful that Adam hadn't been woken up. Adam lay on his stomach. His thumb was in his mouth, his blanket was clutched in his hand and he was sleeping peacefully. After Dave went back to his post outside the door, Sam stroked Adam's silky head and kissed it. He brushed away the tear of his that had fallen on Adam.

*****

Téa was the first to come back to Adam's room in the morning. The clang of shifts changing and breakfast carts being wheeled around woke her up at a few minutes after seven. Téa had awoken once during the night. She called Todd's unit. Connie told her Adam was sleeping soundly and all was well. Doctor Anderson told Téa that he and Doctor Marahbee would be into examine her at around ten, right after morning rounds were completed. As soon as the nurse on the morning shift did Téa's vitals, Téa slipped on her robe and slippers and headed off to see Adam. Despite the protest of two nurses and a tech, Téa didn't wait for anyone to wheel her there. She insisted she was fine and feeling much better after a good night's sleep.

Angelo was posted at the door. His shift had started a short time before Téa got there. She greeted him with a smile and a "good morning." He told Téa that Sam had already awaken and had gone to the family lounge to take a shower. Téa tiptoed over to Adam's bed. She leaned over the side rail and kissed Adam's soft cheek. She pulled his blanket up a little higher.

Téa headed out to the nurses station. Nancy and Eileen were talking quietly to each other. "Hi Téa!" Nancy greeted her.

"It looks like you're feeling much better," Eileen commented.

"I am. I'm hoping they'll discharge me today. Do you know what time Doctor Hanen is expected in?"

"She should be here any minute," Nancy stated. "Is there something that we can help you with until she gets here?"

"No, I just wanted to find out if she planned on scheduling each of us to work with Adam or if Rachel will be working with him exclusively while he's out this time. She was very good with him," Téa added. Nancy and Eileen saw that Téa wanted to have a chance to work with Adam too. They knew if Susannah thought it best that Rachel work with him for the time being, Téa would do whatever was best for Adam, despite her own needs. They exchanged admirable glances for the young woman standing before them.

Viki returned to the unit before Susannah did. Téa told her where Sam was. Viki told Téa that Kevin wouldn't be coming until later in the afternoon. He had work to do at the Banner. After Viki had a peek at Adam, she headed for the lounge. She wanted to see how Sam was doing.

Susannah was the next to arrive. She looked refreshed after a restful night's sleep and an early breakfast date with Bill. She told Téa she would take her to her office as soon as she checked Adam's chart and looked in on him.

While Susannah was at sitting at the nurses station, reading the chart, Rachel showed up. "You haven't been here all night?" Rachel asked Téa in a scolding tone.

"No. Don't be silly. I came back here after they clanged me awake with the breakfast trays. I don't know how they expect anyone to get any good sleep in a hospital."

"Do you know if Adam is still out?" Rachel asked hopefully.

"I was in there a short time ago and it was Adam. You did a great job with him, yesterday," Téa graciously added.

Rachel smiled. "I'm so excited about working with him and about going back to school. I think I've finally found what I want to do with my life. The music business wasn't really for me . . . God alone knows law school wasn't for me . . . this . . . working with these children . . . helping them become part of the world . . . girlfriend . . . it fits me like a glove."

Téa hugged Rachel. "I'm happy for you." Téa meant that from the bottom of her heart. "Did you have a chance to tell Nora that you are part of Todd's treatment team?"

"No. Mom and Bo were asleep when I got home last night and they were asleep when I left this morning. I stopped by Carlotta's for breakfast, before I came here. I've packed enough of my things for a few days. My stuff is in my trunk, so if they say you can go home today . . . you've got yourself a roommate again."

"I take it you made sure to get out of the house before you had to confront your mom," Susannah guessed. She overheard what Rachel told Téa as she approached the young women.

Rachel looked as if she were about to deny it. Instead she shrugged. "Yeah, I suppose I did chicken out. I will go to Mom's office later and tell her. It won't make a difference. I'm sorry if my choices will cause her anxiety about me, but this is what I want to do with my life. I'm through trying to be what they want me to be. If Mom and Dad had their way I'd either be a partner in her law practice by now, or I'd be an ADA."

They all turned and looked in the direction of Adam's room. They heard his familiar "Aaaahhhhhh." They could hear Adam was awake and ready to start his day.

*****

Jeff had been sitting in Adam's room. He knew the little boy would be awake soon. Jeff had smiled when Adam began to hum to himself in his sleep. He called in Angelo. They lowered the side rails and stood on either side of the bed. Adam pulled his thumb from his mouth and opened his eyes. As was Adam's habit, he immediately climbed off the bed. He started to drag his full sized blanket with him. Angelo quickly substituted the cut down piece of the blanket. Adam held it. He sniffed it and rubbed it against his face. Adam headed for the bathroom door. They had made sure to keep it tightly closed. "AAAAHHHHH!" Adam cried out. He hit his palms against the door. He remembered the tub filled with water that had been in there on his previous time out.

"Aaaahhhhhh. I like your voice, Adam!" Angelo reinforced. Adam continued to bang on the door. Angelo placed his hands on Adam's shoulders and led him away. "Sorry, buddy. No baths for now. You have a big boo-boo on your leg."

Adam tried to get back to the door. Angelo led him toward the toy box. He was going to try again to interest him in the top or the ball. Adam started to bite his own hand. Jeff approached him. He gently pushed Adam's hand further into his mouth, so as to force Adam's jaw open. He then quickly pulled Adam's hand out of his mouth. If he had tried to pull his hand out, without first getting him to open his jaw wider, Adam's teeth might have ripped through his skin. Jeff held Adam's hands down. After a few moments he released them. Adam did not make another attempt at biting himself. "Good quiet hands, Adam!" Jeff reinforced.

"Oh-oh!" Adam echoed the phrase he once heard Kevin say.

"Yaaayyyy! great talking, Adam!" Jeff reinforced him.

Adam headed for the door that led out of the room, into the hallway. He banged the palms of his hands against that one too. He still had no idea what the handle on the door was for.

They knew he wanted to make his ritualistic run from the nurses station to Susannah's office. "Good showing us what you want!" Angelo knew this effort needed to be reinforced. "Do this." As Téa had done, Angelo placed Adam's hand on the handle and prompted pulling the door open. Adam ran out into the hallway. As usual he headed for the door to Susannah's office.

Téa, Rachel, Susannah and the staff all smiled at the site of Adam. His boundless energy was a pleasure for all of them to see, given how physically ill Todd's body had been just a few weeks ago. Bo had filled Rachel in on how close they had come to losing Todd on a couple of occasions.

"We're going to try some cream of wheat and rice pudding with him this morning," Nancy told Susannah.

"Téa, did your doctors say what time they'd be coming in to examine you?" Susannah asked.

"Around ten, I have plenty of time. Would it be all right if I tried to get Adam to eat his breakfast?"

"Sure it would. Do you want to come to my office first? I know you want to talk to me."

"If it's okay, I'd like to wait and come to see you after Adam has his breakfast?"

"That'll be fine. I want to take Rachel to my office and discuss what I want her to try in today's session with Adam."

Téa hated to admit it. However she was happy Rachel would be occupied and she'd have Adam to herself. "Do you need to do anything to him, before he has breakfast?" Téa asked.

"No. He was given his morning meds and a feeding while he was still asleep. His wound was cleaned and the dressing was changed and he's been changed. He can have free time until breakfast. Then afterward I want his teeth cleaned, if possible, and then it will be time for his session. We'll still be working on attending skills. If we can get him to sit at the table on his own today, we'll try for nice quiet hands. He needs to learn to keep his hands quietly in his lap when he's receiving instruction. Once we can get him to attend properly, we can start working on an imitation program. That would be something like modeling dropping a block in a bucket for him while saying 'do this.' If he can't do it on his own at first, we will prompt him, and reinforce him as if he did it on his own," Susannah explained.

Susannah and Rachel headed for Susannah's office. Adam continued his ritualistic run from Susannah's office to the nurses station. When Rachel and Susannah passed him in the hallway, he did not appear to even see them. Susannah waited until he was on his way back to the nurses station before she opened the door to her office to usher herself and Rachel inside.

Téa sat in the lounge and waited patiently for Adam's to either tire of running or for his breakfast to be brought in. She was surprised to see Kevin waiting to be let in. "I thought you weren't going to be here until the afternoon. Did you come for Adam's session?"

"No." Kevin patted his briefcase. "I have some papers I need to look over. It's too much for me to have tied up the hospital's fax machine with."

"Your mom went to the lounge to see how Sam is doing."

"When I saw mom at the house this morning she told me Sam stayed with Adam last night. I hope he's going to stop being such a pain in the ass about Adam's sessions."

"Ah, come on, Kevin. Sam's going through a lot now. He seems to be a little better about things this time. I think he's starting to realize that ABA is the best way to go with Adam." Téa felt so bad for Sam. She knew how much he was suffering.

"I hope you're right. I don't want him causing problems!" There was a touch of anger in Kevin's voice.

"Is it Adam or Rachel you don' t want him causing problems for?" Téa's question had come out more like an accusation.

"Both!" Kevin responded sharply. "Do you have some kind of problem with Rachel working with Adam?"

"No! I see that she knows what she'd doing and I'm happy she found something she loves. I want to make sure that what's best for Adam is always your top priority."

"What the Hell is that supposed to mean?" Kevin turned so he was facing Téa. "You know how much I care about Adam."

Before Téa had a chance to respond, Adam noticed Kevin. He ran over to where Kevin sat. Adam plopped down on his knees and pulled on Kevin's hands.

Kevin, Téa and the staff all broke into smiles and laughter. "I think I can guess what you want," Kevin kidded tenderly. Kevin got down on his knees. He was face to face with Adam. "Say, I want to play," Kevin tried. He figured you never know.

"Aaahhhh," Adam responded in his usual way. He continued to pull on Kevin's hands.

"Seesaw," Kevin called out in a singsong tone. He leaned way back, pulling Adam forward.

Adam laughed. Kevin allowed himself to be pulled back by Adam. They did this over and over again. Adam was giggling and laughing all the while. Téa and the staff watched them play. They all had big smiles on their faces.

"Seesaw," Adam echoed, about six minutes after Kevin had said it.

"Way to go, Adam! Great talking!" Kevin pulled Adam into a hug.

"Wow, Adam! Haaaaa! I love when you talk." Téa joined Adam and Kevin on the floor. Téa and Kevin both hugged Adam. They tickled his neck and tummy. The joyous sound of Adam's laughter and giggles filled the area. Susannah and Rachel heard the sweet sound of it as they walked down the hallway. They stopped a few yards away from where Téa, Kevin and Adam sat.

"He echoed 'seesaw' several minutes after he heard Kevin say it," Angelo filled Susannah and Rachel in. Rachel and Susannah exchanged happy smiles and continued to watch from a short distance.

"I love you. Oh, I love you so much." Téa spoke softly, into Adam's left ear.

*****

Todd had been sleeping soundly in Goodone's arms when he heard Téa's voice saying I love you. He slowly opened his eyes.

Goodone kissed Todd's forehead. "It's not time yet. Sleep, Todd. Sleep."

"Téa," Todd whispered.

"She loves you. You'll get back to her soon. Shhhh. Sleep." Goodone soothed.

Todd's eyes felt heavy with sleep. He glanced around. He saw a teenage boy standing far in the distance. The boy seemed to be on a different plane. His world seemed different from the world Todd inhabited when he was inside . . . separate . . . far away. The boy wore jeans and a well-worn leather jacket. Todd could only see him from behind. He seemed to be watching something or someone. Todd tried to look beyond him. It seemed as if the boy were standing on a cliff, looking down. Once again Todd heard Téa's voice saying, "I love you." Todd snuggled into Goodone. He smiled and went back into a deep sleep.

If Todd had been able to see the young boy's face, he would have seen the look of longing in his eyes as he watched Adam receiving so much affection. The young boy couldn't remember what it felt like to be held or hugged. He didn't know if he ever had been.

"I don't need that kind of crap. I'm tough! I don't need no one! I don't care about no one and I don't give a rat's ass if they care about me. I'm strong! They can't hurt me. None of them can hurt me! Buchanan is pretending he likes that kid to impress Téa. He's gonna con her into helping send us back to Statesville. I won't let Delgado betray us. I won't let her make a fool out of us or Todd. I won't let nobody make a fool out of us," the boy whispered to himself. Anger had replaced the longing in the young boy's eyes. He hated being made a fool of. It made him want to lash out and hurt whoever was responsible. It also made him want to lash out at Todd. He hated any signs of weakness Todd showed. Most of all, he hated that Todd felt everything. He felt it and he felt it intensely. "That's what gets you hurt and what makes them think they can use you . . . use any part of you . . . do whatever the fuck they want to you," he spat out angrily.

The boy's eyes opened wide when he saw Rachel walking down the hall with "his Doctor Hanen," as he thought of her. "That lying bitch said she cared about us. She said we were safe here and she'd protect us! There is no safe place! Nowhere! Not one fuckin' place out there is safe. They all lie. She's just like the rest of them. They all pretend they love you and care about you and every fuckin' one of them stands by and does shit while they watch you get hurt. I'm the one! I'm the man! I'm the only one who can protect us and keep us from getting hurt."

Téa hugged Adam tightly. She tickled his tummy one more time. "Yeaaaah. Adam's such a good boyyyy. I love Adam. I love you." Téa didn't know what hit her when, in a flash, she felt the "child" in her arms' jump up. The slippers Téa was wearing fell from her feet as he pulled her up with him.

Before Kevin or anyone had a chance to react, he had Téa held firmly against him. He dragged them both against a wall. Téa felt his hands on her head and jaw and his forearm holding her against him.

"Don't move! Don't you try to get away from me!" he whispered in Téa's ear.

Téa didn't need to look into those eyes, filled with rage, to know it was Pete who had hold of her.

"I'LL BREAK HER NECK! I SWEAR I WILL! IF ANY OF YOU COME NEAR ME, SHE'S DEAD!"

TO BE CONTINUED