Scenario for TM's Return to Llanview # 7

It was cool that evening on the docks. He had needed to get out and there hadn't been any signs of the agents in over a week. He figured the docks weren't that frequented so he was probably safe. The docks had many memories associated with them, some he really would have liked to have kept buried. But that wasn't going to happen. The memories were returning quickly as he had shaken the effects of the shock they had given him. He found himself walking near the area where he saw Tea with her brother Del.
He sat down on a piling remembering his love for Tea and his problems giving her what she really needed from him. He had been screwed up royally after coming home from Ireland. It hadn't been fair to Tea when he had gotten her mixed up in his war with Blair. Early in their marriage Tea had tried to get him to reconcile with Blair, but he had found Tea sneaking under his guard and before he knew it, he cared for her. That reminded him of the one honest moment he had with her on the dock. He had gotten all upset because Tea was wearing a necklace with an A engraved on it and he had assumed Andrew had given it to her but instead of getting mad she had informed him that it had belonged to her mother. As she had taken it off to show him, it had dropped in the river. After he had retrieved it things had gotten better. Of course he had messed up again when he assumed she was seeing a bum and that had turned out to be her brother Del.

He stares out across the water and another memory comes back as he sees waves on a beach and Tea beckoning to him from the water. For one sweet moment they clung to each other convinced that they weren't going to get off the island, but then his thoughts had drifted back to Blair and Tea had known where his heart would always be. He knew there was a place in his heart that belonged to Tea. But the reality was that Blair and his children had the rest. At the sound of footsteps on the Dock behind him he quickly stood up and moved into the shadows.

She walked to the edge and tore something up and tossed it away. She was upset, he could tell by how still she had gotten before she had torn the paper up. He had always admired that about her, she could be cold as ice in the courtroom but inside she burned red hot. "Hey Delgado, what's got you so steamed up." he moved out into the moonlight so she could see him.

Tea froze when she heard his voice. The words were something Todd would say and the voice sounded like Todd but there was something different, she waited to turn to him and closed her eyes hoping to hear something else. She didn't have to wait too long.

"I really hope that's not something near and dear to your heart, I don't relish taking a swim tonight." he said coming to stand behind her.

Tea opened her eyes and took a deep breath. With her eyes closed all she had seen was the Todd of old. In fact she didn't remember her husband ever bringing up the incident that had happened so long ago. She was afraid to turn around, afraid of what she was going to see.

"Delgado are you alright? Tea talk to me." Todd frowned. He didn't want to scare her but he was about ready to turn her around if she didn't answer him.

"Oh God what have I done?" cried Tea.

"Hey if it's making you upset I'll go get them for you." he started to take off his shoes when he felt her hand on his arm. He looked up into her eyes glistening with tears. "Really, I'll get them for you."

She shook her head no. She brought her hand up to his face. "It's really you isn't it?

"Uh, yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm me. I mean I'm still getting my thoughts back together but I'm still me. You okay Tea." he wasn't sure if she even realized her hand was still on his face.

Tea dropped her hand and looked at him sadly. " I thought I married you and now it's too late." She kissed him and said "Goodbye Todd."

He watched her leave knowing they had finally parted for good.

Scenario for TM's Return to Llanview # 6

It had been a long morning, She and her mom had just come from taking Hope to see her Daddy. They had gone so Cole could see Hope but also because he needed to know what his mother had been doing. It had been so hard to tell him about Marty's latest deeds. But they couldn't keep the truth from him. Starr made the decision to bring Hope to the park after leaving Cole, she wanted Hope to have some happy memories about the day.

It proved to be a good decision as Hope soon had her Mom chasing her around the park. Starr was breathless as Hope kept her moving, but she relished the time she had with her daughter. With all the unusual and dire things happening it was a relief to have a little fun. Starr took Hope's hand and decided it was time for a little quieter adventure and they began exploring for bugs. Hope had a lot of her mother's curiosity and soon they were crawling through the bushes looking for different insects.

TM walked through the park remembering times with his daughter Starr. He had gotten hold of Starr's kite and then asked her help to get a note to Tea. She had always been willing to help him with his schemes. TM sat down on the bench where he and Blair had once sat. It was a pretty area. He heard a child's laughter coming from behind him so he turned and watched as a little girl crawled through the hedge behind him intent on following something. Suddenly he spotted the insect she was stalking. The beetle was walking sedately across the grass and the little girl was creeping along behind it totally absorbed in it's movements. She reminded him of the time Starr had been so fascinated with bugs. Blair had been horrified at Starr's obsession with the creepy crawlies.

Blair put her foot down on the obsession with bugs after Starr started bringing them home. Todd turned Starr's attention to reptiles and Blair gave in. Before they knew it Starr had snakes and an iguana and any other lizard she could find or get her hands on. Todd continued to watch the little girl when he suddenly realized that she was so busy following the bug that she was almost on top of the bike path. She was headed on a collision course with several bike riders. He jumped up and swooped to grab the child just before the riders got there. "Whoa little one,you almost got squished just like that bug. " Hope looked down and saw that her beetle was dead and started to cry. Todd set her back down on the ground and quickly found a different bug and picked it up, Hope stopped crying watching the bug walk on Todd's hand.  She held her hand out and Todd carefully transferred the bug, all the time telling her to hold very still and not try and grab it. As he handed her the bug, he heard a voice calling. It sounded familiar, but he wasn't sure where it was coming from.  He spoke up. "Excuse me but if you're looking for a little girl she's over here on the other side of the hedge."

Starr had been panicking when she had lost sight of Hope. Now her heart stopped. She hadn't heard that voice in a long time. She rounded the hedge and saw a man crouched down talking to Hope. His back was to her so she couldn't see his face. Hope was laughing watching a beetle crawl up her arm. Hope saw her Mommy and said "Mommy look bug." At Hope's statement the man turned his head and looked up. Starr stopped cold.  It couldn't be.  She was trying to breathe in slowly as she walked toward her daughter.

Todd stood up, the young woman was obviously concerned. " I didn't hurt her, she was crawling into the bike path so I figured I should stop her. When she saw the bug she was following had died I gave her another one, I hope you don't mind." The young lady still wasn't saying anything.  She was staring at him like she had seen a ghost, then he took a good look at her. She looked like someone he knew, but he couldn't quite remember. Then it hit him. She looked a little like Starr. Could it be? Was he standing in front of his daughter? The more he took in her features the more he saw the little girl he remembered.  He had to ask, he needed to know. "Starr, is that you?"

When he had turned to face her, she hadn't been able to do anything but stare. He hadn't changed that much. The scar was on his right cheek where it always had been and the tone of his voice especially when he was talking about Hope was so reminiscent of the times they had talked about Jack. She had missed that voice. He was talking about giving a bug to Hope. It was so typically him, but when he suddenly said her name the floodgate burst open. "Daddy" was all she said as she rushed into his arms.

Scenario for TM's Return to Llanview # 5

It was nearing sunset, TM found himself walking the grounds at the cemetery. He had spent the day trying to recall more and more memories. One image kept popping up in his mind and it had led him to the cemetery.
There it was, that god awful mausoleum, he got to the door but could go no further. The day came back to him with blinding clarity. Waking up to find himself handcuffed to the wall. Then Mitch's taunting about Blair and Sam and how his own family was no longer safe, because Mitch was going to show him the errors of his ways. He would have to pay for not heeding the Messenger. When Mitch had returned he had hinted that someone had died and he had let him think for a moment that Blair was dead. Then Mitch had dropped the bombshell that Sam was dead. Todd's world had crumbled around him and then Mitch had ordered the unthinkable. Todd was bound and gagged and laid in the tomb with his dead father Victor. Todd looked on horrified as the lid to the vault was lowered and then darkness and then oblivion.

For eight long years Todd had existed in oblivion. For him the year felt like 2003, but he had been told and now realized it to be true, that it was 2011. Mitch had taken eight years of his life.  Todd slid to the ground against the door sobbing as the enormity of all that had passed hit him.

Vicki had been setting flowers at the graves of her three husbands and stopping to talk to them but with the sun setting it was time to return home. She had to walk past her father's mausoleum on her way to Llanfair, as she rounded the corner she spotted him sitting there sobbing. She walked up to see if she could offer some comfort. "Excuse me, are you alright."

At her voice, Todd raised his head and saw his sister standing above him.

Vicki found herself staring into the face she thought she would never see again. Her brother was staring up at her looking for all the world like some lost soul. She stooped and reached out "Todd, what is it? What has happened?" It didn't even occur to her that she shouldn't be saying those words. All thoughts of the Todd she had known for the last eight years were forgotten the moment she touched the face of the man in front of her. His look was so anguished that she couldn't help herself and she embraced him to give him the comfort he obviously needed at that moment. After a few moments she felt him pulling back so she released him. She took a good look at the man in front of her. He was older but seemed okay.  His eyes were haunted by something and then he started to stand up. Vicki reached for the wall of the mausoleum to stand back up when she felt his hand come out to support her.

Todd helped his sister regain her feet. Then he just looked at her. The years have been kind, but she seemed to have a sense of sorrow about her. "Are you okay Sis?" All the thoughts and feelings that had hit him were drifting away as he took in the picture of his sister in front of him. "Long time no see, huh."

Vicki laughed "That's an understatement" Even as she said the words she suddenly realized that not only was it an understatement there was definitely a problem here. She looked at the man in front of her and felt that she was indeed looking at Todd but if this is Todd standing in front of her then who was the man they all believed to be Todd. "Where have you been all this time?"

Todd ran his hand through his hair and tried to think of an answer that would make sense. " I'm not sure. They told me when I woke up that they had been taking care of me for eight years. I'm not even sure how I got there. My last memory before I woke up was Mitch putting me into Victor's vault. I thought they were lying to me. No way could I have been out of it for eight years. But, My God! Vicki, it's true. It is 2011, I've lost eight years."

Vicki was stunned. Todd was telling her he had been catatonic for eight years. Eight long years he had been trapped in his head. Thirteen years before he had been lost in a catatonic state when Sam had tried to bring to light Todd's past with Peter Manning. She turned and stared at her father's tomb as Todd's other words sunk in. She had know Mitch had been responsible for Todd's disappearance in 2003. But Walker had never told them about the circumstances around his disappearance. "Dear Lord, Todd, you're telling me Mitch actually placed you in with Father!"

Todd looked at the crypt. Suddenly he just wanted to get away from it.
"It doesn't matter, I... I need to get away from here. It's done, I can't get any of it back. I... I've got to go."

"But wait, where are you going? You can't just leave. You show up after eight years and you're just going to go again? Why would you do that?" Vicki grabbed his arm. "Don't leave, we need to talk. I need to know everything you can tell me. Let me help."

Todd stopped, nodded and held out his hand. Vicki took it and they left the cemetery.

Scenario for TM's Return to Llanview # 4

TM was grateful to John for the apartment. He realized he had stayed there before. It seemed like another lifetime. Well he had a place to stay and thanks to Louie some clothes, but that was it. He couldn't even go get a job because he had no ID. It didn't matter at the moment.  What mattered was that he was finally home and he could start looking for his family. It was getting later, the evening crowd would be hitting the bar soon which meant for the time being he was stuck in the room. He wasn't sure if the agents had followed him into Llanview, but he knew it was no time to get careless. He found some paper and began making a list.

Downstairs in the bar, the place was waking up. John had come back and asked if his house guest was upstairs and his bartender replied in the affirmative. John debated going up and chatting some more with him when he noticed Blair enter. He nodded and she made her way to him. " Blair, what has you slumming tonight?"

"Hi John.   I don't know, I'm still questioning whether I can trust Tomas. I don't know what it is with the man, but I feel like he's hiding something and I'm also wondering why Todd changed his story. Do you have any thoughts on the subject?" she asked.

"Have a seat Blair," he poured her a drink and said "I think you should be careful Blair. I'm certain he's in this up to his neck and now I think both he and Todd are suddenly working together. That Classified File you found in Todd's office is also a part of this, I'd bet my job on it. The whole thing smells of a cover up of some type. Just don't take everything he says at face value, but you're a big girl or you wouldn't have come calling. Hey how about doing a set with my band, you would certainly add a little class to this joint?"

"Sure John, it'll take my mind off Tomas for a while. I'll go pick something out with them." Blair rose and took her drink over to the group by the stage. After a small discussion the band got up on the stage and began playing.

Upstairs TM heard the band beginning it's set. He decided that he might go down just for a quick listen. As he neared the bottom of the stairs he heard a familiar tune start. He paused. John had someone singing, she began "Wake me up I must be dreaming, I can't believe that you are real." TM walked around the corner and just stared. She was beautiful. It was like it was yesterday, listening to her for the first time. He had done it just to liven things up that night. They had both been down in the dumps, she over Cord and him because of Sam Vance. They had played their most pathetic game and he had won again, but this time the loser had to do something for the winner and he had asked her to sing. It had been a revelation to hear her sing. TM moved through the crowd and found the pillar he had stood in front of that night. He leaned against it and listened.

Blair was finishing the first verse and was beginning the second. Even as she was singing, she remembered the first time she had sung Simply Love. Her eyes roamed the room until she found John at the bar and she smiled. As she was nearing the end of the song she caught a glimpse of a figure standing by the pillar, there was something familiar about him. Her eyes adjusted once more as she finished the final phrases. "Simply lo oo ove, Simply ..."their eyes locked "Love." Blair's breath caught, was she seeing things. She took her eyes away for just a moment to acknowledge the crowd and when she looked back he was gone. She wondered if he had been real, but his eyes, she couldn't forget those eyes. A small chill ran down her spine and her heart started racing. It had been like yesterday, with him standing there watching her. She recalled that night, Todd had tricked her into performing. When she had started singing that song at first, Cord had been on her mind but then as the song continued she had found herself thinking of the relationship she and Todd had developed. It had been funny how fitting the song had been for their relationship, even more so than her and Cord's.

John came up to her noticing she was looking around. "Hey that was great.
Are you looking for someone?"

Blair replied "I thought I saw Todd." She was distracted and continued to search the crowd.

"Manning hasn't been in. He's been avoiding the place since the shooting." said John.

Blair brought her focus back to John." No, he's not the Todd I meant. John I know this is going to sound crazy. But I thought I saw Todd with his old face. You know, the one who's picture was on that file. I swear I saw him watching me sing."

John debated telling her, but since TM had left the moment she was finished, he figured his guest wasn't ready to see Blair yet. John had noticed TM moving into the bar and had watched him as he watched Blair.
Now he was more curious than ever about that file. Something was going on and he was more determined than ever to figure it out. "Blair it probably was just the lighting, you just imagined the guy."

"You're right John but still..." just then the sounds of "Unforgettable" carried over the voices in the bar. Blair's eyes went to the jukebox just in time to see a figure move away. "Excuse me, John" and she moved to follow the gentleman walking away.

TM had made the decision to get out of there quickly when their eyes had met, but he hadn't been able to leave. He had seen her looking around and then he knew he had to see her. TM walked over to the jukebox and there it was. He punched in the number and listened as strains from the song filled the air. Then he made his way heading back toward the stairs to his apartment.

Blair followed him and saw he was headed upstairs. She entered the stairs once he reached the landing and made her way up. As she reached the top she saw him enter a room. With her heart pounding she made her way down the hallway. She knocked tentatively all the while praying she wasn't wrong. The door opened and time stood still. "God "she thought to herself as she gazed at him."He's beautiful."

"Hello Blair" said Todd.

Scenario for TM's Return To Llanview #3

Tomas and Todd escort Marty up into the mountain. Todd says "Okay, we're all in agreement then. You're going to stay here with Liam until the search for you dies down. That means no more wandering around town looking for revenge right now. The cabin is well stocked with enough food to last you for a couple of weeks. I'm going to try and bring you some baby supplies, I wish you would reconsider letting me take Liam back to Vicki's. Let's get you inside."

Tomas opens the car door and Marty emerges with Liam. When he reaches to try and help her with the baby she brings her gun up. "Stay back Tomas, I'm going along with this because I won't have to watch my back night and day but don't think you're going get the disc. I have it safely hidden so both of you do what you have to do to keep John and the police from finding me. We'll all be happier."

Tomas and Todd exchange glances and know for the time being a mad woman hold their lives in her hands. Todd grabs the extra items they brought with them and they walk to the door. Todd unlocks the cabin and they enter. Marty looks around happily and talks quietly to Liam. " Oh look Liam our new home. Isn't it lovely. Don't you worry. when the time is right we'll reunite with your Daddy. I promise." she set him down and turns to Tomas and Todd. " Well thank you so much for your hospitality but I think it's time you gentlemen leave. I need to put my son to bed. Remember guys, you keep my secret and I'll keep yours" she watched as they left. and locked the door behind them. then she set about making herself and Liam comfortable.

TM kept looking back, he was pretty sure he had lost them for the time being but dark was approaching. The area looked familiar and he had a feeling there was someplace close he could take shelter for tonight. He broke into the clearing coming face to face with a big cabin. "Yes," he thought, he knew he had remembered right. He didn't see anyone around so he took the chance and went up on the porch and found it under the window box. He opened the door and entered, this was going to work great. He knew he had hidden here before and knew it was the wrong time of year for anyone to come to the cabin, He walked over to the sink to get some water. He was so thirsty, then he heard footsteps on the stairs."Damn, I thought it was empty." he pulled the gun he had gotten from the guard and moved quietly behind the stairs and waited for the person to finish their walk down. He didn't want to hurt whoever it was but he needed to make them understand his need for shelter.

TM watched as she finished her walk down the stairs. When she made the turn for the Kitchen he stepped out from his hiding place. In stunned silence they saw each other, then in some weird moment they spoke simultaneously "You! Why is it always you?"

TM stared at her like he was seeing a ghost. Images flashed though his mind: first he was straddling her on a bed, then he saw her sitting on the floor cradling a body and yelling at him. The memories flooded back and with them the remorse and self loathing. "My God, Marty!"

Marty likewise was revisiting her memories. He was holding her down, then he was carrying her up the side of a mountain, a chat on a rainy evening by a fire but then her heart wrenched as she saw herself cradling her husband, more images of shouting matches and strange talks as the emotions rushed through her. "You!" she yells "You're going to ruin everything. It's what you do. Why can't you leave me alone?"

TM takes a step towards her but she backs away quickly. She's definitely spooked and acting more hyper than he remembered. "Marty wait, I'm not here to hurt you." Then he hears a baby cry. "What?... he starts for the stairs but Marty beats him to them.

"You can't go up there, you stay away from us. Haven't you hurt me enough." She stands there staring at him wildly.

TM realizes he still has the gun in his hand. He sticks the gun away and says "Marty I swear I won't hurt you. Go, go check on the baby. You're safe with me I promise. " he backs away to give her space as she rushes upstairs. He runs his hands through his hair. He takes some deep breaths as he walks to the couch. This really complicates things. Where the hell had she come from and who's baby was upstairs. he hears footsteps behind him on the stairs and turns around to find a gun aimed at him. But it wasn't the gun that was disturbing it was the fact that Marty had a baby in one arm and the gun in the other. It wasn't like Marty to endanger a child like that. "So Marty, is this how it going to end? You're finally going to take your revenge. Surely you're not going to do it with the baby here." he saw her take her eyes off him to look at the baby and he made his move and had the gun from her before she realized it.

Marty screamed in frustration, and the baby began crying.

Scenario for TM's Return to Llanview # Two

Louie took his new friend Tim to the back alley of Rodi's and told him to wait. Slipping in the back door, Louie let his eyes adjust to the gloom and saw his friend John behind the Bar. "John, I've got this friend who could really use your help but he's afraid of cops. I told him you were a good guy and that you'd listen to his trouble and help him. Are you willing to help, I've got him stashed out back?"

"That depends Louie, is he wanted for something? " asks John.

"Nah I don't think so, but he's got some major players chasing him for some reason. Let me go get him." Louie headed out the door, and returned a moment later talking quietly to the guy next to him. John looked up as they near and walk into the light. He paused what he was doing as the man from the CIA files walked toward him.

"Uh hi, Louie said you might be able to help me. I remember this place.  I use to come here I think. It hasn't changed that much. I need a place to stay. I can help out around here, clean up after everybody leaves.  I'm in a little bit of a jam." TM looks over his shoulder nervously.

John's curiosity was peaked. He recognized the man standing in front of him, at least his face. John wondered what the connection was between this stranger with Todd's old face and Manning. The stranger was definitely nervous about something. He pulled out several beers and indicated a table in the corner. He, Louie and the stranger sat down and John asked, "You do know I'm a cop right? If you're involved in anything illegal I can't help."

The stranger nodded and said. " I haven't done anything illegal that I know of. A little over a week ago I woke in this strange room and was told I had been there for eight years. I thought the people who had me were nuts they kept trying to find out if I knew where 'it' was and I had no idea what 'it' even was. I ... They had me strapped to a chair and they did something...when I awoke again, I've been trying to piece together my memories. I know I have a daughter, I remember her mother's name, and another woman who used to be my wife.  Louie showed me a paper. The Sun or something. I feel like it use to belong to me, but it said the publisher had been recently shot. I don't understand what's going on. The people that had me are chasing me for something. And all I know is the answer to my questions and my life are here. The only thing I know for sure is what my name is."

John took a sip of beer, looking intently at the man opposite him. He didn't seem crazy, just confused. "You really have no idea why these men are after you? Do you have any idea where you were for eight years?"

The stranger looked at John and realized if he wasn't straight forward with this guy he wouldn't get any help. "All I know is this. It was some kind of secret installation and I don't know where. I managed to escape when they came to kill me and I hopped onto a plane. I don't even remember where it landed. All I know is that they followed me and tried to kill me again and then Louie helped me out and we've eluded them for the time being. I know that sounds like something weird, but it all happened. How about it? Will you help me?"

John  made the decision to help, he wanted to keep on eye on him and he knew this man was tangled up in the mystery surrounding Todd and Tomas. "You can have the apartment upstairs, but you probably ought to keep a low profile.  Don't worry about helping out down here for right now. When I'm certain you haven't brought trouble here, then you can help out. You and Louie tell the cook what you want to eat. I have to get back to work. By the way, do you have a name?"

The stranger looked at him and said, "Just call me TM."

Scenario for TM's Return to Llanview. # One

Blair exited the Manning building.  As she headed to her car, she looked toward the building that housed Todd's old Penthouse. She looked up and was surprised to see a light in the window of the Penthouse. Something wasn't right. The Penthouse was supposed to be closed up. Blair looked at her watch it.  It was getting late, she should be heading home but she couldn't get over the feeling that something was about to happen. Thinking she might have been mistaken, she glanced up as she neared the building. There was definitely light coming from the penthouse. She decided to check it out. Blair nodded at the doorman and made her way to the Penthouse elevator. She was filled with trepidation as the elevator came to a stop.

Blair stepped out into the hall and headed for the door. Music is emanating from within. She recognized the song . It was one of her favorites. Todd used to play it all the time. She found herself humming "My One and Only Love" as she reached for the door. Strange, it was unlocked. Blair turned the knob and entered quietly.  The light she saw was coming from several candles around the room. It was surreal she thought, the effect of the candles and the music, yet everything in the room was covered. Just as she started for the stairs a voice from behind her spoke.

"Hello."

Blair spun around, she saw a man in the shadows. He looked so familiar even though she couldn't see his face. He moved forward and the candlelight caught his features. "My God, it can't be.  Are you real?" Blair was stunned, he looked the same but different.

"Are you alright?" he said. Then in answer to her second question he looked down at himself and said " I think I am." He looked up "You look familiar.  Do we know each other?  I came here looking for my daughter but I guess she's gone. It's been such a long time." he walked past her to the window and stared out. "I didn't mean to be away so long."

Blair's heart was racing as he passed her to go to the window, she almost reached out. He sounds like Todd but he's acting so strange and he can't be Todd, Todd's at home with Tea. As he was talking she heard the longing in his voice for his daughter. "What's her name, your daughter?" she asked.

"Starr" he replied. " I can't find her or her mother? I really thought they would be here. I'm trying to remember where else I could look for them but nothing is coming to mind. I hope they don't mind me staying here. I thought if I stayed they might come home."

Blair's heart was breaking. His daughter's name was Starr and he was searching for her and her mother. My God what happened to him. "Todd" she whispered.

He turned around. "Yes? I'm sorry I didn't ask your name." He looked at her waiting for a reply.

"Blair, my name is Blair." she said.

Todd stared at her for a moment. Then he closed his eyes, he whispered to himself "I have a daughter, her name is Starr, her mother's name is...Blair!." He opened his eyes and suddenly his face lit up " It's you, you're really here. My Blair." he moved to her. "You are so beautiful in this light." he took her into his arms and gently kissed her.

Who's the Real Todd?, Ch. 25

Todd walked out to the living room and sat down. Totally drained. He had gotten Jack to face the truth but that was just the first step of many they were going to be taking. He didn't remember that much about Rex Balsom except that he had come to Llanview something of a con artist. He'd have to talk to Blair to find out what to expect from the guy. Tea hadn't sounded optimistic. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at his daughter.

"You did good Dad. He knows what he did. I can't believe the bullying resulted in this. Poor Shane. Dad just how serious if this for Jack?" asked Starr as she sat next to him.

"Starr, this is bad. Jack didn't set out to hurt when he started all this but he let it escalate and when he had a chance to stop he didn't. He and his friends lured someone into a trap they set up to humiliate and possibly harm. They didn't stop to consider all the ramifications.  They did it to get even.  Now a woman has been killed. They are responsible. He needs to own up to his part in this if he's going to ever be able to face himself in the future. We need to be prepared for the possibility he could go to prison." Todd wearily rubbed his forehead. Once again his body was crying out for rest. He looked at the clock and realized that Ray would be arriving in a little over an hour. "Starr, I need to lie down. I'll be upstairs."

Starr watched her father ascend the stairs. He was so worried for Jack and he was blaming himself. She felt her own tears track down her cheeks as she wept for both of them.

Todd tried to rest but it was useless. He realized the events of the morning had once more emphasized just how cursed he was. Todd sent his thoughts inward and went looking for Samuel. Samuel had been able to take the edge off so many times recently and he needed that part of him that he had patterned after his old friend He was just about to knock on Samuel's door when a hand landed on his shoulder. He looked around to find Pete standing there.

"You don't need Samuel right now. You need to come with me."  Pete had roused his curiosity so he followed him. They entered a gym and in the middle was a boxing ring. " This is your chance, Todd. Something you been waiting for a long time. Are you game? Just you and me Todd."

Todd nodded. They climbed into the ring.

"Bare knuckles Todd, let's get it on," said Pete. They began circling each other, "So I'm the demon you thought you had to contain. That one hurt Todd, after all I've done for you." Pete feinted and then telegraphed his first shot with his right only to follow with a full left-handed blow that connected with Todd's jaw. Todd's head snapped back at the contact. "Why on earth would you put that label on me, you hated labels. Monster, Animal, less than a man, do any of them ring a bell. You said you deserved them but deep down you hated every label, well I've got one that fits you to a tee. Coward. You've sat back all these years letting me take the blame." Pete took a quick move to his left and then feinted right and sent a blow into Todd's ribs. Todd backed away, Pete had already gotten in two shots, it was time to change the rules of the game.

"I'll concede that truth to you, Pete. I have unburdened myself at your expense. But you're no Prince. You prey on women, you delight in making them fear you, because, in reality, you're afraid of them. You fear they'll make you feel and if that happens you'll be vulnerable. Now, who's the coward." Pete growled and rushed towards him and Todd whipped his foot around and connected with Pete's face.

Pete staggered back, he had rushed right into that one. "Okay you got one off whoop have you got anything else. Come on enough with the dancing lets get this party on." Pete moved in and started sending punches rapid fire. They were both landing blows but neither seemed able to get the advantage.

After pummeling themselves almost senseless Todd finally held up a hand. "This is getting us nowhere, answer me something. What did you hope to accomplish when you brought me here?"

Pete leaned back against the ropes and chuckled. " Well, you tell me. Did you really want to talk when you came here or did you want to hit something? Admit it. You were mad and you were frustrated. Didn't you just get through telling your son you wanted to kill the man who took all those years from you, I know you, Todd, you've been holding in your anger for a while and it's obvious you can't take out your frustrations the usual way. Besides this gave me a chance to get some of my own back. So tell me, did you get any satisfaction taking me on because I got to tell you it felt pretty damn good to lay some of those hits on you."

Todd was shocked in more ways than one. He had never known Pete to chuckle. It was a little unnerving to think his dangerous alter could actually think anything was humorous. But what really shocked him was the fact that Pete had known exactly what he had needed after all. It had felt good to lash out, to go at Pete with everything he had. It didn't solve the problem they were faced with but he no longer felt the urge to smash a mirror or all the glassware in the house. "You're a bastard, Pete."

"I know but you love me anyway. Gah, I can't believe I just said that I'm spending way too much time around you. Get out of here before I heave." Pete left muttering to himself in disgust.

Todd started laughing, Pete had never seemed so approachable. He made his way back and realized that he could hear a conversation going on. Who was talking? "Damn I forgot about Ray"

He decided to listen in and take it easy, obviously, Samuel had taken over while he and Pete were having their discussion. Samuel and Ray had just begun discussing the facility. Todd felt the cold chill seep to his bones, Samuel wasn't any happier reliving this any more than he was but they needed to do this.

Ray looked at his friend and said: "Start anytime you're ready Samuel."

Ray waited for Samuel to begin, his thoughts roaming back to when he first arrived. He had been expecting Todd or Samuel to open the door so was surprised when Blair opened it. She had looked really upset and pulled him aside long enough to give him a quick rundown on what had occurred. When he didn't see Todd he got worried. This was just the sort of thing that could bring Todd crashing right back down into his depression. Blair told him that Todd had disappeared an hour earlier saying he needed to lay down.

There had been no answer when he knocked so he checked and the door wasn't locked. On entering, he had seen Todd laying on the bed. He seemed to be asleep but when Ray had attempted to rouse him there had been no response. After several tries, Ray had started to go find Blair when he was stopped.

"Don't go, Ray. My apologies, I was not aware you had arrived. It was remiss of Todd not to give me a warning what he was up to but I'm pretty sure he meant to be here to greet you." Samuel sat up on the edge of the bed and offered Ray the chair sitting beside it. "I'm presuming you talked to Blair before coming up here. Forgive me, but we're all a little shell-shocked at the moment especially Todd, this whole thing has hit him hard. I had expected a visit from him but it appears one of my brothers waylaid him and they had a more physical chat so to speak. So here we are, you want to hear some more of the gory details of our stay at the Facility. Surprisingly I can understand Todd's reluctance to talk of this as I too feel uncomfortable. I wish I had never drawn those pictures but now the cat is out of the bag and there's no turning back.  Make yourself comfortable, Ray."

Ray settled into the chair and gave his attention to Samuel. Samuel had asked for a moment and Ray waited patiently he knew that this was going to be difficult.

Samuel had been ready to start when he sensed that Todd had returned He paused to quickly ascertain what Todd had been up to, "My god Todd what happened?"

Todd was sitting in a chair looking at him covered in bruises. Todd laughed, "You should see the other guy." off in the distance, a bark of laughter echoed around them. " Go ahead, Samuel. You need to tell what you remember and I need to hear it. Then we can hear my part. There has to be something in these memories we can use to trap Kipling and Hesser. Go on."

Samuel took a deep breath and started in. "You are aware that after  Lawrence slashed Todd's face I took over. The subsequent ride to the emergency room and the treatment I was given there is essentially a blur. The injuries were too extensive and basically, I drifted in and out of consciousness. I was covered in bandages when they sent me to the facility. I remember jarring awake in the ambulance after we hit some pothole or something. Hurting all over and unable to move I just wanted to pass out again, but the pain was such, that every jerk of the vehicle just ripped through me and kept me conscious. We arrived and the doctors realized that I was awake and gave me something to knock me out."

"The next time I awoke I was being wheeled down a corridor and into a room. I thought it strange as it wasn't a patient's room but more like a laboratory. They moved me in and began hooking me up to all this machinery. I tried to talk but to no avail.  All I could do was lay there.  Then the doctor in the picture came into view and started talking to me. I couldn't quite understand him, my one ear was swollen shut from the trauma and my other had been worthless for years. He leaned closer and spoke saying 'Think of your Sister' I thought that was the most unusual request but no sooner did he say Sister and suddenly my mind was full of images of Vicki. I didn't even know who she was but every image felt like I should. Then something changed, the images began shifting I felt like I could reach out and touch the woman in the image but even as she became three dimensional something started slicing through her...." Samuel's voice was getting weaker and he had begun sweating. "As I watched that slicing, a pain started in my head. It began slowly but the more I watched the sharper the pain, I couldn't stop watching. I wanted to close my eyes to stop watching but my eyes felt like they were being held open against my will. I wasn't in control. The machine that I was hooked up to was doing it. It was slicing the memory from my mind, thin slice by thin slice .....thin slices of my brain.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh." Samuel screamed and collapsed back on the bed clutching his head.

Ray had been watching closely from the moment Samuel had started sweating, but he wasn't prepared for the agony he heard in the scream or for the result as he watched Samuel barely holding onto consciousness.

Todd had collapsed right along with Samuel as the pain coursed through the nerve endings in his brain. He was paralyzed until Samuel could fight through the pain.

Blair had come running at Samuel's scream followed by Starr and Jack. They watched as Samuel writhed on the bed in obvious pain, helpless to do anything. Ray sat on the bed talking steadily efficiently. "Samuel, listen to me, follow my voice, come on concentrate on my voice nothing else. There's nothing there, just silence and my voice, no pain just numbness, that's it numbness no pain." Samuel stopped writhing and lay quietly rubbing his head. Blair ran and got a cold cloth and brought it to Ray who carefully touched Samuel's shoulder. "Samuel, there's a cold cloth here do you want it?"

Samuel opened his eyes and looked at Ray. "It doesn't help Ray.  It's never helped. This hasn't happened for so long I thought it was gone. The doctors at Philadelphia General were baffled and unable to find a cause and now I know why. This is something they did to me at the facility to keep me from remembering. God! This is the worst one since 2003. Todd is incapacitated for the time being and I'm not in much better shape. This is going no farther today. By the way, Thanks, you better stay close if we try this again, It helped to concentrate on your voice."

"You rest my friend, you're right this goes no farther. Not until we can figure out how to buffer the problem." Ray gave Samuel a pat on the shoulder and stood up. "We'll talk later."

Starr and Jack came to their dad and helped him get more comfortable on the bed. His barely audible "Thanks" the only sound as he drifted to sleep. Jack looked at his sister and said " Tell me about him." she nodded and they headed to her room to talk.

Blair walked Ray out and they made arrangements to talk. She locked up and headed up to Todd's room to watch over him and make sure his rest remained uninterrupted,

Who's the Real Todd?, Ch. 24

Jack looked sick. He had been avoiding his mom all morning and when she didn't yell at him at breakfast he figured she hadn't heard about the day before but from the looks on Samuel's and Tea's faces the jig was up.  He had nothing to lose, he tried to bluff his way out of trouble by pleading ignorant. "Hey mom, I don't know what you mean. I came because you told me I needed to be here but I don't know what's going on." he looked at his mom and then he caught the look in Samuel's eyes. He was in for it.

Todd knew from the moment that Jack spotted Tea, that his son was guilty. Now he needed to know exactly what Jack was guilty of.  "Why don't we all sit down. Tea is here to tell me all about it. You might as well hear what she has to say too. Tea, the floor is yours."

Tea looked at her stepson and felt sorry for him. Somewhere along the way, Jack had gotten lost and all the adults in his life were to blame with the exception of his real father. Todd hadn't asked to be separated from his son and he was still trying to find a way to reestablish that relationship. Tea knew how important Todd's kids were to him and this was going to tear him apart. "I'm not sure where to start. Yesterday Jack and I were visiting his father when we ran into Shane Morasco and his dad. Jack blurted out his surprise at seeing Shane and suddenly red flags went up all over the place. Shane informed his father Rex, that the cyberbullying had taken a different turn and that Jack was still behind it. When Shane said his mom was aware of it, they all got worried because Gigi was supposed to meet them so she and Rex could get married. Gigi, it seemed, was missing. Rex borrowed my laptop and brought up Shane's my face page only to find an invite to some party from a girl online. Shane claimed the girl was really Jack. Rex took off to look for Gigi and Jack and I went for our visit with Todd. I informed Todd about Shane's suspicions and they chatted and then Todd informed me that Shane's suspicions were true. Jack had engineered a trap for Shane only it looks like Gigi got caught in it. Here's where things turned bad. Rex found Gigi but she was unconscious. She was taken to the hospital." Tea paused. Blair was looking stunned and Todd had gone eerily still, just watching his son. Starr too was looking stunned and scared about what her brother had done.

Todd sensed Tea's hesitation and knew the reason. He had been watching Jack. The boy was fidgeting and looking at everything in the room to avoid eye contact with his family. Jack was scared. If the rest of Tea's news was what he suspected, then Jack better be scared. "Go on Tea, don't stop now. What happened to Gigi?"

Tea cleared her throat and looked at Blair knowing how deeply this was going to hurt because she was hurting too. She loved Jack but she wasn't sure if he could be saved from this situation. "Rex found Gigi in a sealed room with a running generator. There was no ventilation and therefore the room filled with Carbon Monoxide. I'm sorry, you have no idea how sorry I am. Gigi is gone. She was pronounced brain dead last night."

"No! It can't be. Gigi can't be dead. Jack, what have you done!" Blair cried. Starr grabbed her mom's hand and together they looked at Jack waiting for some explanation that would make sense.

Jack saw how hurt his mom and sister were and he knew how angry his dad had been last night. But what really scared him was the look in Samuel's eyes. He saw anger and pain in those eyes and then he saw pity. Samuel's reaction scared him the most. He had expected an explosion from Samuel. He had witnessed Samuel when he was furious. He figured Samuel would be as mad as his dad. But Samuel looked like he had been kicked in the gut.  He tried to make excuses. "Mom it was just a prank, we just thought Shane would spend the night and be none the worse this morning. I didn't know there was a generator in the room. We didn't turn it on. Mrs. Morasco did. I didn't mean anything to happen you have to believe me. We just thought Wheezy might get scared and need to use his inhaler. It was just a ..."Jack's voice petered out. Everyone was looking so disappointed in him, but the one that bothered him the most was Samuel's reaction. "I..." he stopped because Samuel met his eyes and held up a hand stopping him.

Everyone turned their gaze toward Todd. "Don't Jack, there's no excuse that you can say to get you off. Your actions have caused a tragedy. This isn't going to be fixed with an ‘I'm sorry.’ What you did was criminal negligence and there are going to be hard consequences to face." Todd looked at his son, "Do you understand what happened, Jack? I mean really understand. Jack, you killed someone. Do you get that?" Todd looked directly at Jack when he said the words. "You're never going to escape it and it will haunt you the rest of your life." There was such agony behind those words as Todd's voice cracked a little. Blair and Tea knew Todd was remembering his part in Suede's death.

Todd stood up and walked to the window lost in thought, thinking back to the anger and impulsiveness that caused him to react violently against Suede all those years ago. In his mind, he saw Suede hit the podium and then fall smashing his head against a wrench. He remembered the horror he felt when he realized Suede was dead. Now he saw his son facing that same horror, but as of yet it still hadn't sunk in for Jack and when it did his son was going to be a mess. At least he prayed for some reaction that would show Jack had some remorse for Gigi's death. He could help if Jack was remorseful but Todd was so worried that Jack still was in denial of any wrongdoing on his part and if he failed to recognize his part in Gigi's death there was no telling if he would ever see it.

Jack looked helplessly at his mother. She and Starr had tears in their eyes but they said nothing to him. Tea just shook her head.  She had talked with him the night before and he still couldn't see how he was responsible. Jack was counting on her and his dad to get him off and Tea was fearful her Todd just might do exactly that. "Well, I came to clue you in. Rex is going to be out for blood. We need to be prepared if charges are filed."

Todd turned to look at her. "What are his chances? How much time is he possibly looking at?"

"I don't know, it depends on if they charge him as an adult and what they charge him with. Like I said. Be prepared. I'm sorry." She hugged Blair and Starr. She worried about Todd but he had Blair and Starr and the three of them might be able to get through to Jack. She really hoped so. She left shaking her head at Jack, as she let herself out.

Todd looked at Blair and Starr. Blair saw a look in Todd's eyes that spoke volumes. She sensed the anger that Todd was currently holding in. She knew he was furious with Jack's lack of concern, and she also knew Todd was struggling to come to grips with his own feelings of frustration because he had failed to be here for his son. She felt some of those same feelings because she had failed Jack too.

"I need some time alone with Jack," he said. "Maybe you two could take Hope to the park and come back in about an hour."

"Todd are you sure you can handle it?" asked Blair.

Todd's look was bleak but his voice was firm. "He's my son Blair, do you really need to ask?"

Blair's eyes filled with tears, she knew she had hurt him just then.  It was too late to take the question back. She stood up and walked to him. "I'm sorry. That was unforgivable. I hope you can get through to him." She kissed his cheek and she and Starr departed.

Jack felt very vulnerable. He was alone with Samuel and this time, there was no one he could go to for support. He had been scared of his father the day before, especially when his dad had yelled at him, demanding to know if he had trapped Gigi. This was worse because he sensed that the man in front of him was capable of even more violence. He had caught the exchange between his Mother and Samuel. He knew that for one moment his mother had been afraid for him. She knew his real father and what he had done in his past. Jack was worried that he was going to find out just how bad his father had been.

"Come here Jack," said Todd as he made his way back to the window. He turned back when Jack made no move to join him. "You don't need to fear me. Unless you make me angry. You don't want to make me angry. Now come here."

There was something chilling in Samuel's tone that said if he didn't move on his own he might be very sorry indeed. Jack quickly moved to stand beside Samuel. Samuel smiled at him but there was no warmth in that smile. "That wasn't so hard, was it. Allow me to introduce myself. You can call me Uncle Pete. Your father decided to let me out so you could see what anger was all about. So you have been feeling neglected and decided to act out and bully someone because it made you feel good. I know someone like that and I hated him. So much so I almost killed him one night. I hated him and the whole world for the hurt he inflicted on us as we were growing up. That hatred and anger built up inside me and it chose many instances to erupt." Pete turned toward Jack. "I'm the one who raped Marty Saybrook. The thing is Jack, I felt good about it. That's the monster I've become. Each time the need for revenge boiled up inside your father became a chance for me to come out and take it. Your father keeps tight control of me because he doesn't understand himself yet. He thinks I have no control, but I'm very selective who deserves my wrath. You're fortunate Jack, we love you, myself included, as much as I can love. You're our own flesh and blood. So he'll never lift a hand to you. Believe me, I think you should be taken out and horsewhipped, but you see even if I think you deserve it, I would never do it. Let me show you something. You might want to move away. I don't want you to think I'm going to harm you, I just need to take off my shirt."

Jack backed up fascinated, and a little scared. He watched Pete remove his shirt and then Pete turned so that his back was lit by the sunlight coming in the window. His back was covered with scars. They were ragged and ugly. Jack had seen a picture of slaves with similar scars in his history books, but he had never seen an actual person have any.

"How??" Jack asked shakily.

"My adoptive father gave me those. He got a perverse thrill out of hurting your father when he was your age. Todd and I ran wild the year after raping Marty. He was filled with rage toward Marty and her friends and it was glorious for a while but then Todd began to feel remorse for his deeds. The accidental death of a man called Suede Pruitt opened both our eyes. Even I realized I hated and wanted to hurt but I'm not a killer. The weight of his death was unbearable because I caused it. That loss of control is why I'm confined most of the time. Todd is afraid the next time won't be an accident." Pete was so nonchalant about his part in the death of another man. Jack began to feel really uncomfortable. How could his dad be so cold about killing someone else? He said he carried the weight of that death but it didn't sound like it bothered him at all. "I'm curious about something. Tell me young Jack how does it feel to find out you've killed someone. You can be honest, you can tell me that you actually are enjoying this. That you got a thrill knowing you hurt this Gigi. I won't tell your mom. Just how much like my adoptive father and your degenerate grandfather are you?"

Jack backed farther away. Why was the guy saying that? "No you don't understand, I didn't mean to hurt her. I never meant for this to happen, I was just so mad at Shane. I couldn't believe it when he dropped a weight on my toe. I went a little crazy. All I wanted to do was get back at him for making me look like a fool in front of my friends."

"Hey kid, I understand revenge. but it has consequences especially when plans go wrong. Your father felt that way and look at what happened to him. He wears scars across his face as a constant reminder of how things get out of hand. I hear a lot of excuses coming out of your mouth kid, but it sounds to me like you expect us to forgive you because you didn't mean to do it. It doesn't work that way. You see unless you realize the extent of the harm you've caused all you're ever going to do is keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Believe me, I know. So kid, be honest with yourself, do you or don't you care that you killed Shane's mom." Pete stood there impassively waiting for an answer. He looked at Jack's face and saw the indecision and then he saw what he was looking for. But he needed to push Jack to his limit. " Come on Jack just tell me, You're happy aren't you, no more crybaby Wheezy. Now he'll probably go away because his mom's dead and you won't have him around anymore to get on your nerves. Isn't that right Jack, admit you're glad that Wheezy 's mom died, admit it, Jack."

"Stop it! Stop it! I'm sorry I didn't want it to happen, I'm sorry please stop saying I wanted it, It's not true. Please stop saying that." Jack collapsed in a heap on the floor crying.

Pete stood impassively over him. Deep inside he felt like that little boy of fourteen who finally fought back against his father. He turned inward.

"Have I earned your trust now Todd.'

"Yes Pete, Thank you. The door will remain unlocked. I think I'm going to be needing your services coming up. Thanks for rejoining the family, and thank you again for helping my son really understand what has happened. He needed to face someone like you to see what he's become. Now maybe he'll understand what he must do to make things better for himself and Shane.  Hopefully, he'll let me help."

Todd looked down at his son and sat down next to him on the floor. He gathered him into his arms and let him cry. When Jack was all cried out, Todd let him go and just sat there as Jack composed himself. Jack looked into the eyes of the man sitting next to him and felt something strange come over him. He reached for the face and said in a very childlike voice. "Dad?" Todd's heart felt like it was bursting. Jack had finally recognized him.

They sat there looking at one another for a moment. Jack actually felt a little shy. He didn't know what to say to his Dad. He found it a little strange to be thinking of Samuel that way but it felt right. He realized too that Pete was no longer there. The man sitting next to him, his dad, only had love shining out of his eyes. He wasn't scary at all. Jack couldn't help himself he had to ask. "Where did he go? Is he going to come back?"

Todd knew Jack was asking about Pete. So he answered truthfully. "He's around and yes he might come back. But you do know he'll never hurt you, don't you? Pete is a part of me I've been scared to show people because of what he is capable of, but I needed you to see what you could become if you failed to realize what you've done. I'll be honest with you Jack, Pete scares me too. When he offered to help I couldn't believe it, I thought he might be using the excuse to talk to you as a means of getting loose. He surprised me today. I realized I've misunderstood him. He's angry but not homicidal. I've always felt he was a demon I had to control because of the things I've done when Pete is in control. He's relentless and cruel but it wasn't until today that I recognized he's just that part of me that pushes emotions like pity and forgiveness and uncertainty aside and just gets the job done, no matter the job. Unfortunately, sometimes what he considers just a job is, in fact, something horrific like the raping of Marty. I let that happen, just like I let him fight Suede Pruitt and as a result, I now have to live with the fact that a man died because of me. I killed a man. It's not something I ever wanted you to live with but now you have to face the fact too. Jack, you killed someone. It was unintentional, but you put the circumstances in play and as a result of your actions, Shane no longer has a mother." Todd paused watching his son, he saw Jack's face fall and knew he was close to tears again.

"I don't know what to do. I'm scared, what they will do to me. I can't tell Shane I'm sorry, he'll never believe me. He hates my guts and now I...I... God...I killed his mom." his voice cracked as the enormity of what happened hit him. Jack looked at his dad, tears streaming from his eyes. "What happens now?"

Todd shook his head, he was hurting for his son because now they had a long road ahead of them. The fact that Jack recognized what he had done was a step in the right direction but he was still in the path of some heavy-duty charges and the possibility of prison time. "For now we wait. This is serious Jack. If I know Tea she'll be doing everything in her power to keep you out of jail, but you need to understand that she might not succeed. In the past I would have bribed anyone who would take it, to get you off, but I'm not going to do that. It didn't help me. It just made me think I was above the law. I lost out on eight years of your life because someone wanted me out of the picture here. As a result, I wasn't here to guide you away from destructive behavior and now we're here. I'm fighting a great deal of rage toward the man who did this and there are times I just want to kill him. The thing is, I want the life I have right now more than revenge. I just got your Mom back, we want to have a life together. I've chosen to work with the police for the first time in my life. I can't go behind the law's back to save you. I can offer you my love and support through everything coming up. And I'm going to trust that you might get out of this with little to no time in prison." Todd ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't believe himself and his actions at the moment. Who are you kidding, you want to fight this with all the money at your disposal. He pushed the thought away because he knew that kind of action wouldn't really help his son. Todd rose from the floor and Jack did also. They made their way back over to the couch and sat down again.

"But I don't want to go to prison. I'm just a kid." the fear in Jack's voice was palpable.

"Believe me, I don't want you to go there either. I've been to prison and it's not pretty, it's ugly and violent and you would be eaten alive there. It almost destroyed me, but in the end, I learned from it. I don't believe the courts would send you to someplace like Statesville because of your age. That doesn't mean they would let you off scot-free either. We have to be ready for the possibility of a minimum-security facility for underage offenders.  Jack, I'm not telling you this to scare you. I want you to know the worst that could happen, to prepare you. This is why your mom and I were trying so hard to get you to see the path you were on. But in your stubbornness you ignored us. Now we sit here looking at consequences that I swore would never happen to my son. I owe you an apology. I've made mistakes with you from the get-go. Now I'm seeing my worst nightmare coming to fruition. When you were just a little guy, I used lies and deceptions to try and get you and your mom and sister back, but inevitably those lies came back and blew up in my face and I lost you all. Before I could make it up to your mother I was kidnapped and the rest is history. All I can do at this moment is be here if you want me. What do you say, Jack, do you want me to be with you through this?"

Jack looked at his dad and knew he needed him. His other Dad was going to be trying to get him off and he hoped Tea would succeed. If something bad happened, he could count on the guy sitting next to him to be there the whole time no matter what. He believed it because he saw it in Samuel's eyes. His dad cared that much for him. Jack once again felt tears in his eyes. This guy really loved him. It had been a long time since he had felt like he mattered to someone. In the last year, he had felt more and more isolated from his family as they had all been wrapped up in their own dramas. None of them had seemed to notice him and he had felt himself becoming invisible unless they thought he was coming down too hard on Sam or getting into trouble. He had just wanted to be noticed and now he had their attention but was it too late. Samuel made it seem like it wasn't, his dad was looking at him and really seeing him but Samuel wasn't writing him off. "You'll stay no matter what?" His dad nodded. "Please don't go away, I do want you here. I'm really scared." Jack begged.

Todd drew him into a hug. Giving his son whatever comfort he could. He was scared too. The days ahead were going to be difficult for everyone. Todd wasn't really the praying sort, but he found himself asking God for any help he could give.

Todd felt Jack pull back and immediately released him. Jack was looking embarrassed so Todd decided to change subjects for a little bit. "Jack, I need to ask you a question and it has nothing to do with all of this. Tea said you saw your Dad yesterday, aside from his displeasure at yesterdays events, how did he seem to you."

"I don't know, he was just Dad. He kept trying to find out what happened to Shane's mother and boy was he mad. I thought you would be mad like my dad. That night you came to the house, you got really angry. Was that Pete?" Jack asked.

Todd ran his hand through his hair and cleared his throat. " No Jack, that was me. Pete's anger is cold and deadly while I'm afraid I just fly off the handle sometimes. I'm sorry my frustration got the better of me that night. I'm more volatile than Pete and he's more deadly. If you should encounter him again just don't rile him up. He proved to me today that he wouldn't hurt you but that doesn't mean you couldn't get hurt just because you got too close to whatever he might be up too. Pete's a bit of a loose cannon. So now you've met Pete and Samuel, do you still think I'm a wimp. I remember you weren't too impressed with Samuel because he paints. Whether you realize it or not, Samuel is one of my stronger alters. He's the reason I'm sitting here today. Samuel took care of me and all the rest of the alters for eight years. You have no idea the strengths he has. Pete is strong but that's because Pete needed to be after my father abused me. Don't think for a minute that any of my alters are weak because they are parts of a whole. All of my alters are like tempered steel because together we've been through so much. Some people think I split because of my father and that might have been true in the beginning but you see I found out about my alters and I've used them throughout my life to help weather events that would kill an ordinary man. I'm stronger because of my alters. They are like brothers to me and you, you're sister, Sam and Hope are like nieces and nephews to them. When you're with me you get the advantage of calling on them for advice and aid and if I'm unable to respond they will. I know it sounds a little crazy doesn't it but you met Pete today. You were scared of him but did you learn anything from him." Todd paused and waited for Jack's answer.

"I didn't know what to expect but meeting Pete was scary. He's totally different from you or Samuel. He's cold and mean, and he kept throwing Shane and his mother in my face. He kept saying I got pleasure out of hurting Shane's mother. You've got to believe me. I'm sick inside I feel like I've eaten an alien and it's churning up my insides." Jack suddenly turn three shades of green and ran to the kitchen.

Todd heard him throwing up in the sink as the truth finally hit home. Todd walked over and grabbed a towel off the bar and wet it down with cold water then he joined Jack at the sink and turned on the running water and put the towel on his neck. Jack suffered through the dry heaves and began sobbing once more. He leaned his forehead on his arms and cried because of what he had done and because he was scared of what was going to happen next. Todd heard the front door open as Blair and the girls arrive back home.

Blair and Starr walked in and saw the scene in front of them. Blair saw her son crying and said a little prayer of thanks. Somehow Todd had gotten through to Jack. She walked up to her son and touched his shoulder and he turned to her, hugging her and crying on her shoulder "Mom I'm ..sorry.. help me...Mom." Blair's eyes filled with tears as she heard the anguish in her son's voice. "I'm here Jack, we're all here and we'll get through this together."