"Buchannon," Bo answers, rubbing his eyes.

"Bo, it's Tea," she says weakly.

"Tea, it's good to hear your voice. How are you?"

"Okay. Do you think you can come over here?"

"Sure," he says, sitting straight up in his chair. "I'll be right there." He hangs up the phone, and grabs his coat from the back of the chair and rushes out of the office.

*****

Penthouse #2

Tea sits on the couch, knees to her chest, rocking back and forth. She wanted the emotional pain to just go away, and she wanted someone to pay for what was taken from her. She was determined to make damn sure that whoever did this to her would pay.

Over the past couple of days, she let her mind go free. She stopped concentrating on the rape itself, and started concentrating on her recovery. That meant trying to let go. It was then that images started to flood her mind. Not the same images that had been haunting, of being touched, or licked, or penetrated, but pictures of him. What he was wearing, identifying marks, his voice. She began compiling a list, with the intention of calling Bo and telling him of her memories.

Bo knocks on the door lightly, having been around enough rape victims to know that he had to be very careful not to frighten them. He had to have their trust.

Tea slowly walks toward to door, knowing that it is Bo, but still afraid. She reaches for the door and looks through the peephole. She clicks the deadbolt, unhooks the chain and unlocks the doorknob.

"Hi, Bo. Come on in."

"Thanks, Tea." He walks past her, careful to make sure that their bodies do not touch and that there is a lot of space between them.

"Have a seat. Would you like anything?"

"No thank you." He lets her sit first before picking his seat. When she chooses the couch, he sits on the chair opposite her. "Have you remembered anything?" He asks, withdrawing his notepad and a pen from his breast pocket.

"Yes," she says, grabbing her notepad from the table. "Um," she sighs, "I've been trying to figure things out, but they get so jumbled in my mind, you know?"

"Yeah, just take your time."

"And things just started to come to me, randomly, and I've been trying to put them together. Do you remember when I told you I smelled something, but I couldn't remember what it was?"

"Yeah."

"I realized that I've smelled it before. It's like a musty, aftershave smell. So, it finally hit me. It's Old Spice aftershave."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm positive."

"Okay, anything else?" He asks, writing it down.

"Yes. He had on a Timex Indiglo watch on his left hand. It had a black leather band. He had a very deep voice, unnaturally so. It was like he was disguising it."

"Would you recognize his voice if you heard it again?"

"Yes."

"Anything else?"

"I remember his shoes. He had on a pair of black Rockports and he was slough foot."

"Okay. Every bit of information that you come up with will be very helpful. One question though, did the shoes look worn, or were they new?"

"New."

"Thanks Tea. You've been very helpful. I better get back down to the station, I'll be in touch."

"Yes, thank you for coming by."

*****

Later that Day

Roseanne had not been by to see her aunt since the rape. Partially because of the bad blood that existed between the two of them, but also because she wasn't sure how to relate to Tea. Consequently, she had kept her distance. It was Carlotta who finally convinced her to go by the penthouse. So, there she was, standing outside the door, wondering what to say and how to act. She tried to knock on the door, but each time her knuckles came close to touching the wood, she would stop just short.

She wanted to just walk away, but something would not let her leave. In a split second, she makes the decision to just visit Tea for a few minutes, then leave. She knocks on the door quickly, in rapid succession. Almost immediately, the door flies open. Roseanne's mouth drops as she sees her aunt, dressed in oversized clothing, her face drawn and thinner then she had ever been.

"Hi Tea," she says, trying unsuccessfully to regain her composure. "Can I come in?"

"Sure," Tea steps to the side.

*****

Penthouse 1

Todd watches as Roseanne, the voodoo priestess, as she debates whether or not to see Tea. He had done the exact same thing, every night, only his decision was the opposite of hers. He cracked the penthouse door, listening for any yelling. He promised himself that if Roseanne upset Tea in any way, he would intervene and deal with the consequences later. Deep in his heart, he hoped that he would have to intervene, just so he could be with her.

*****

Penthouse 2

"How are you doing?" Roseanne asks, sipping lemonade.

"I'm getting a little better everyday. How are things in your life?"

"Good. Tea, I am so sorry about what happened to you. I really hope they find that creep."

Tea looks just to the right of Roseanne, but it appeared as if she was looking in her eyes. It was an illusion that she had perfected. She couldn't bear to look into people's eyes and see their pity, so she didn't look into their eyes at all. She looked to the side, or above them, anywhere but in the eyes.
"Thanks," she whispers.

"So when are you going to leave this place and get some air?"

"Don't know." She wants to be alone, wishes that Roseanne would leave. She hates playing the role of the strong woman.

"Oh. Well, if you want, I can come and get you one day and we can go shopping, or whatever you want."

"Okay. Roseanne, I appreciate you stopping by, but I'm getting a little tired. Do you mind if we cut this visit a little short?"

"Not at all," Roseanne responds, with a hint of relief in her voice.

*****

Penthouse #2
9:00pm

Clothes were strewn about the master bedroom. Evening dresses, shoes, accessories, blanket the floor and the bed. Tea was in the bathroom, putting the finishing touches on her makeup. She wore a red, form fitting dress that fell just above the knees. She wore more makeup then she had ever worn, almost as a mask.

She wanted to go somewhere where no one knew her. Club Indigo was out, as was just about every other hotspot in town. There was a bar just outside of town, where she doubted she would be recognized.

*****

Penthouse #1

Todd had almost fallen asleep when he saw her appear in the hallway. He was shocked by her appearance, wearing that dress with all of the makeup. She's hiding. He leans closer to the screen, he swears that she's looking right into the camera lens, right into his eyes. There he sees it, the fear, the sadness, and the emptiness.

"I love you so much. Goddamnit, Tea, why you?"

*****

Blues Club
11:00

All eyes had turned toward the door as the stranger entered the bar. Tea felt slightly uncomfortable, wondering if they somehow knew what had happened to her just days before. She wrapped her jacket tighter around her, her arms crossing. She sees an unoccupied stool at the end of the bar.

She looks around, taking in her surroundings, the faces, before sitting on the stool. She cautiously removes her jacket, leaving herself further exposed.

The bartender senses her trepidation and uneasiness, knowing that she does not belong there. He made a mental not to keep an eye on her. He slides a napkin in front of Tea after pouring another customer a drink. "What can I get you?"

"Um, I think I'll have a martini. Shaken," she says, rubbing her hand together, a nervous action.

"Coming right up."

A tall, handsome, African-American man had been watching her since she stepped foot in the door. He is well dressed, in a dark colored Armani suit, matching tie and alligator shoes. A gold Rolex watch with a heavy gold bracelet, and a matching earring completing the ensemble. His head is shaved, making his almond shaped, hazel eyes even more prominent. A perfectly groomed goatee. He eases his way down the bar, until he is standing next to her. "May I buy you a drink?"

"I have one, thanks," she replies without looking up.

"Okay. Do you mind if I join you?"

"It's a free country."

"Ouch. I'm not trying to pick you up, if that's what you're thinking. You just look a little lost."

"Oh?" She finishes her drink and motions to the bartender for another. She looks over at her unwanted companion, and is shocked to find that he is very attractive. A lifetime ago, she may have been attracted to him.

Seeing his opening, he takes the chance of introducing himself. "I'm Benjamin Michaels."

"Tea," she says dryly.

"Delgado-Manning."

She raises her eyebrows, shocked that he knew her.

"I live in Llanview too. I come here every now and then, just to escape."

"Ah."

"I can take a hint, so I'll leave you alone.

*****

Later that Evening

Benjamin Michaels emerged from the bar carrying a inebriated Tea in his arms. She had managed to drink three martinis and a tequila shot before passing out. The bartender wanted to call a cab, but Ben offered to see her home.

Two men watched from the shadows.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Todd asked Ben, in an anger-laced tone.

What the hell is Todd Manning doing back in town? Damnit! He turns on the light to his Indiglo watch and sees that it is 12.00. Sh*t, I have to go. He reluctantly leaves, while rethinking his plan of attack. Todd Manning being back in town put a damper on his plans.

Todd saw a light out of the corner of his eyes, but was too distracted to investigate.

"I'm taking her home," Ben answers.

"I'll take her home." Todd tries to take Tea from his arms, but Ben turns away.

"I promised that I would see her home, and that's exactly what I'm going to do." He pushes past Todd, making his way toward his black Mercedes.

""Give me my wife!"

"Mr. Manning, I don't want to cause any trouble. If you want, you can ride with us and I'll bring you back. That's my best offer." He walks away, hitting his alarm button.

"Fine," Todd spits, realizing that this fight was lost. Normally, he would have tried to kill the guy, but the last thing he wanted to do was to frighten Tea. She had been scarred and scared enough. For her, he would sit back, and squelch his anger. Ben gently lays Tea in the back seat; Todd sits next to her. When the car starts in motion, her head falls to his lap, where he strokes her hair.

*****

Penthouse 2

Todd carried Tea up the stairs, tucking her in. He listens to her breathing for a few minutes. After making sure that she was comfortable, he goes back downstairs.

"Are you ready Mr. Manning?" Ben asks.

"I can get home." Todd reaches into his wallet and retrieves five crisp hundred-dollar bills. "I want you to forget you ever saw her."

"Keep your money. Don't worry, this will not go any further."

*****

Todd watched helplessly as Tea tossed and turned. Her hair stuck to her sweaty forehead. Soft cries escaped her mouth. She mumbles something, but Todd cannot decipher what she was saying. Her eyes flutter as she fights to open them. One eye opens, then the other, as they try to adjust to the darkness. Todd does not run, just watches. She rubs each eye, and massages her pounding temples. She turns on her side and squints at the figure in the darkness.

"Todd?"