"You look stunning."
Téa flashes her most charming smile. "Thank you John."
"Who knew a power suit could look so good?"
Téa just smiles. She glances around her new office.
"Soooo...what do you think?" she asks.
"Well, aside from the fact that I'm still upset you left the PD, I like it."
"John, I explained that. I missed being a defense attorney."
"Counselor, you're on the wrong side of the law," John says, shaking his head. Out of his sight, Téa digs her nails into her palm to keep from snapping back at him.
"Besides," he says, walking over to her, "I liked working with you." He slowly slides his arms around her waist. He leans in and nuzzles her ear.
"But you know," he whispers, "this opposite sides thing, lots of spark potential."
Téa leans her chin on his shoulder, rolling her eyes.
Does this stuff actually work for you?
Bringing herself back to reality, she does her best impression of a charming giggle. John pulls away and grins at her.
"So, how about dinner at my place Counselor?"
"Oh...John...that sounds really nice...but I have plans."
Sykes raises an eyebrow, jealous. Téa sees this in rushes in to repair the breach.
"You remember my brother, Del?"
Sykes nods slowly. "Vaguely, you've mentioned him."
"Yeah, well he's close by and since I don't get to see him much....we arranged to meet. Top secret though, okay?"
"Sure," John says. "Not that I won't miss you."
Téa fights the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she puts on a seductive grin.
"I'll miss you too," she says huskily.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that day, Central New Jersey

Téa turns the car onto the bumpy dirt road. She had stopped at the penthouse and changed into a pair of jeans and a short sleeve black top. In the early evening dusk, she could make out the small cabin that was her destination.

She drives up to the cabin and puts her car in park. She gets out and looks curiously at the cabin. No lights. Strange. She walks up the front steps and puts her key in the lock, turning the door handle. She walks into the darkened living room.

"Hello?" she calls out.
In a matter of seconds, she hears the front door close behind her and feels herself pulled backward. As her back is pressed against the front door, she feels soft, warm lips cover hers. Relaxing slightly, she returns the kiss...then pulls back and pushes him away.

"Damn you Todd! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" she says, a bit breathlessly.

Todd looks down at her with that sexy grin. "After spending the day with Dudley Do Right, I figured you could use a little excitement."

Téa grins. "What can I say Manning, when you're right, you're right."

Todd wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
"So, what did ya tell him?"

"Told him I was meeting Del, and it was a big secret," she replies, big brown eyes sparkling.

"He bought it?"

"Yeah, I don't think he was suspicious."

"Good," he mumbles, leaning into kiss her again. After a moment, Téa reluctantly pulls away.

"I have something for you."

"I bet you do."

Téa laughs. "Cute." She flips on the light, reaches into her purse, and pulls out a piece of paper. Todd takes it, reading the large, careful handwriting of his daughter. He smiles, reading about her school adventures. Téa watches him, a lump forming in her throat, knowing how it tore at him to be away from Starr.

"I'm amazed she's kept the secret this long, even from Blair."

Téa shrugs. "She thinks of it like a game. Besides, Blair isn't around that much, too busy chasing Max around."

"Whatever." Todd sets down the letter and walks into the kitchen.

"Wanna beer?" he yells.

"Sure," Téa replies, flopping down on the couch. Todd walks out, handing her her beer.

"How's the new office?"

Téa shrugs. "It'll do," she pauses to take a sip of beer, "so what about you...how's therapy?"

"Sucks."

Téa nods, a wry smile crossing her face. Todd shifts closer to her. He reaches up and brushes a stray lock of hair out of her face.

"Any more news?"

"I'm telling you Todd, he fits. Adopted...about the right age. He's gotta be the one."

"The old man would have a heart attack if the guy who covered up his grandson's murder was his kid."

"Yeah...and the heir to the Buchanan fortune."

Todd looks at Téa, stroking her cheek. "And...heir to 2% of my paper."

To be continued...