***********

May 1999

Téa steps off the elevator and starts walking down the hall. It had been awhile since she had been here. And even though Todd wasn't here, this building never failed to remind her of him.

She stops outside the door to Todd's old office and peers in. A flash of sadness and anger flares up as she sees Kelly Cramer sitting at his desk. An image of the dinner they had together here floats through her mind, bringing a small smile to her face. This was a risk....but that memory just further reminded her it was a risk worth taking.

Téa knocks on the door.

Kelly looks up. "Hi, Téa."

"Hi, Kelly, you have a minute?"

Kelly looked at her, a little oddly, but then her face relaxed into a smile. "Sure, what can I do for you?"

Téa walks in and up to Todd's old desk. She rests her hands on the desk and leans forwards.

"Actually, I think the better question is what I can do for you."

Kelly gives her another strange look. Téa mentally rolls her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, running The Sun is a big venture. Lots of different entanglements, problems could come up. I'm sure you could use a good lawyer."

"The Sun has a good legal staff."

"Not as good as me," Téa says, grinning.

Kelly leans forward on her elbows. "Why would you want to work for the Sun? I mean, considering...."

"Considering Todd?" Téa asks. Kelly nods.

"Kelly, what better way to get revenge on Todd than making sure his paper has more success without him than it EVER did with him," Téa answers, inwardly cringing at her own words.

Kelly nods slowly. "Well, I'll have to speak with Asa."

"I thought you were running the paper."

"I am," Kelly answers defensively, "but I'm not a majority owner."

Téa nods. "Well, you speak with Asa, and you get in touch with me." With that, Téa turns and walks out of the office. She walks briskly down the hall and gets on the elevator. As the doors close, she lets out a sigh of relief. Kelly was the easy part, convincing Asa would be a whole other story. She glances down at her watch, and smiles. She had a very special surprise to pick up before her trip up to see Todd.

*******************

Todd's cabin

Todd rubs his tired eyes, tired from hours at his laptop, researching old archived newspaper articles about Sykes, his parents, and the Grahams. He looks up at the clock, a small smile crossing his face. Téa would be here soon.

He hated staying away from Llanview. He knew Téa hated it too, but in order for their plan to work, he had to lay low for a while longer. And the truth was, he wasn't entirely sure he was ready to go back. His thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. He glances towards the door strangely. Téa never knocks.

He gets up and walks slowly towards the door. After a second, he hears Téa's voice.

"Todd, it's me."

He opens the door. "Why are you knocking?"

Téa grins. "Because I have a surprise for you." He watches as she reaches behind her. His eyes grow wide as he sees a blond head emerge from behind Téa's back.

"Daddy!"

Todd's surprised eyes go back and forth between Téa and Starr. Wordlessly, he reaches down and picks up his daughter. Téa smiles, watching them together. She walks past them, entering the cabin. Todd and Starr follow.

Todd holds his daughter close. "I missed you Shorty."

Starr pulls away from his hug and looks at him. "I missed you too, Daddy."

Todd sets her down, and looks up at Téa. "How did you..."

Téa gave him a conspiratorial grin. "I have my ways."

"But..."

"Later," Téa says quietly, glancing at Starr. Todd nods and sits down on the floor with Starr. Starr immediately starts talking about school and friends. Todd grins, loving her rambling, watching her eyes light up as she talked. He glances at Téa, who watches them with a smile. Their eyes lock, and he wordlessly thanks her.

To be continued....