All Todd can hear as he walks into the kitchen is the adorable sound of his son giggling. He smiles as he watches Téa bouncing him gently on her legs, her eyes bright as she takes in every expression crossing Dylan's face.

Téa sees Todd enter the kitchen out of the corner of her eyes.

"You're son is a morning person," she giggles.

"He sure as hell didn't get that from me," he retorts, grabbing a mug and filling it with steaming hot coffee. "Think anymore about Viki's offer?" He reaches into the refrigerator and grabs a carton of orange juice, pouring a tall glass for Téa.

"I have," she replies cryptically.

"And?"

"I'm not ready to even think about leaving him yet," she says wistfully, brushing a gentle kiss against her son's cheek.

"Well, it wouldn't be until January anyway."

"You think I should take it?"

"I'm not saying that. Look, we're rich Delgado. You don't have to work another day in your life if you don't want to."

"But?"

"I know you. You go crazy if that brilliant mind of yours isn't working on something. Besides, it's one class, at least at first, only three days a week."

She gives him a slightly bemused look.

"What?"

"Nothing, I just remember the days when you would do anything to get me not to work."

"It wasn't that I didn't want you to work, I just didn't want you working for someone I hated," Téa rolls her eyes in response and he smirks. "I like Viki, so hey, no problem."

"How generous of you," she retorts sarcastically, a smile playing on her lips. "I guess...I'm a little nervous. I'm not a teacher, I'm a lawyer."

"Delgado, you can do anything you set your mind to. Besides, if the world's gotta be stuck with more lawyers, the least you can do is make sure they turn out like you."

"I'm assuming there's a compliment in there somewhere?" she asks dryly, cuddling Dylan against her shoulder.

"I just...I don't want you to get bored."

"Married to you? Not likely," she responds, grinning, then tilts her head and looks at him thoughtfully. "Funny, I was worrying about the same thing regarding you, Mr. Manning."

"You wouldn't ever let me get bored," he grins.

"Damn straight."

He sits down next to her, taking his son and sitting him carefully in his lap.

"Viki really wants you."

"I know, and I think it's a great opportunity."

"But?"

"But what?"

"Give it up, Delgado, I hear a "but"."

"What if I'm terrible at it?" she asks quietly. Todd watches her, noticing once again how the 'self confident, high powered attorney' facade really housed a scared little girl who didn't believe in herself.

"You couldn't possibly be terrible at anything," he responds softly. A small giggle escapes Dylan and Todd grins. "See, even the kid knows."

"Not that you're biased or anything."

"Think about it, and say yes. Because Viki is breathing down my neck."

"Ohhhh...so I should say yes for you?" she teases.

"Of course."

She stands and takes Dylan from him. "Get outta here and get to work, Manning."

Later that day...

Todd sets the phone down, his eyes falling to the pictures of Téa, Starr, Jack, and Dylan on his desk. After months of bickering, he and Blair had finally come to a custody arrangement they both could live with.

The joint custody thing still had its kinks now and then, but overall, it was working for everyone, most importantly, the kids. They had all finally settled into a routine, at least as normal a routine as one could hope for with all the personalities and history involved. Starr and Jack had settled into a life that was as stable as it was going to get for them.

The ringing phone startles him out of his thoughts. Shaking his head slightly, he reaches over to answer it.

"What?"

"Hey, how's your day going?"

"I have a bunch of incompetents working more me. So, the usual," he grumbles, causing Téa to smile on the other end of the phone. "What's up?"

"Carlotta called, she's not feeling well. Antonio's on duty so she asked me if I could just go make sure the diner's all closed up. I already called Jess and she's on her way over to watch Dylan."

"What time you gonna be out til?"

"Shouldn't be too late. Carlotta said to close down around 9:30."

"Want help?"

"Todd Manning closing down a diner," she giggles, "nice image. But I got it. I won't be too late. I left a bottle in the fridge for Dylan, ok?"

"Yeah. Be careful, huh?"

"Don't worry. I love you."

"Love you, too."

He sets the phone down. In the process, he catches his reflection in his monitor, noticing the grin, the one that seemed to be on his face more often lately. Immediately, the grin turns to a scowl.

"Don't start getting soft," he mutters, beginning to rifle through a stack of papers. "'Cuz they're always waiting...always watching."

10:15 PM...

Téa wipes down the counter one last time. She knew the routine well, having helped out Carlotta a few times before when she was in a jam. She runs over the mental list one more time, checking each item off in her mind.

"Under a half hour," she says to herself. "Not bad, Delgado."

She walks back into the kitchen, taking one last glance at the ovens to make sure they're off. As she moves back into the dining area, she notices the streetlights streaming in through the windows, noticing the intricate patterns they make on the floor. She spots her cellphone on the counter, making a mental note to make sure she tucks it in her purse before she locked up for the night.

She takes one last quick walk around the diner, her eyes giving the tables and booths a quick scan. Satisfied that everything is in order, she heads back to the counter for her cell. She grabs her purse and unzips it...when a sudden chill runs through her.

"Mrs. Manning."

The voice startles her and she turns quickly...in the next moment hearing a tiny explosion...and the last vision she sees as a searing heat rips through her side is the tall shadowy figure, calmly aiming his gun at her...