This is after Abigail's hit and run.
-d-d-d-
Theresa frowned at one of her machines in the forensics lab before she reached for her ringing phone, hoping it wasn't the agent for whom she was currently running the tests.
"Hello?"
"Theresa? It's Stephanie," her cousin's voice came through the line.
"Hey, Steph. Everything okay?"
"I just got a call from Sonny."
"Is something wrong with Tate?" Theresa momentarily panicked thinking something had happened to her son.
"No! No, it's not Tate," Stephanie rushed to assure her. "It's Abigail."
"What happened?"
"There was a hit and run," the other woman explained.
"Crap," Theresa murmured. "Are you going to Salem?"
"No, not unless it's bad. Right now, she's stable."
"I have a few more tests that need to be done tonight, and then I'll be home. How are Shawn and Ciara?"
"Shawn's more upset than Ciara. I talked to Mom. She says Chad won't leave Abby's side."
That surprised Theresa, "I thought he was involved with Gabby Hernandez."
"Some loves never die," Stephanie theorized.
"I guess not. If you guys need to take off, drop the girls here, okay?"
"I'll keep you posted," Stephanie promised. "You okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you guys. I'm the only one in the house not related to Abby."
Stephanie laughed a little on her end.
"I'll see you when I get home," Theresa said.
"Okay," Stephanie agreed.
-d-d-d-d-d-d-
Theresa closed the door to the nursery and turned to go towards her room when the light shining through the windows from the open door of Ciara's room caught her attention. She frowned because Ciara had gone to bed hours ago, claiming a headache and yet the younger girl was standing on the walkway looking towards the town.
Theresa cautiously let herself out onto the walkway between Ciara's room and the rest of the house, and silently came to stand beside her cousin.
"Did I wake you?" Ciara asked after a moment.
"No, Sophie did," Theresa told her. "If you want to be alone, I'll understand, but it helps to talk."
"The therapist Shawn keeps making me see tells me that a lot," Ciara snorted.
"How's that going?"
The teen shrugged, "Okay. I know Shawn talked to you and Steph about me staying a little longer."
"It's fine," Theresa assured her. "I got the tporary transfer papers from the registrar's office this morning. They're on the kitchen counter."
"Thanks," Ciara nodded.
"Did you talk to your mom?"
"Yeah, I called her right after I came upstairs. She was at the station."
"Anything new on what happened?"
"She only said Abby wasn't the target," Ciara admitted.
"I didn't think she would be," Theresa shook her head.
"You didn't?" Ciara looked at her.
"I heard Abby was involved with Dario Hernandez. I knew Rafe's father had a history so after Stephanie called me, I ran Dario's name," Theresa admitted. "I also called a snitch my dad knew when he was in Salem."
"And he talked to you?"
"The names Donovan and Brady carry a lot of weight, especially when combined," Theresa smiled. "Word is, Dario pissed off the wrong people."
"Does Mom know?"
"I didn't think she or Rafe would take my call, so I called J.J. He was surprised to hear from me, but he was grateful. He's gonna look into it."
Ciara nodded silently.
"What's wrong, Ciara?"
"I'm just worried about Abby."
"I know you are. I also know that's not the only thing bothering you," Theresa told her.
"Theo won't return my calls," Ciara admitted quietly.
"I'm sorry, Sweetie. I know how much he means to you," Theresa shook her head. She personally didn't understand how a good guy like Theo, who could see through most people, couldn't see through the little poser that was Claire Brady. It was like the girl had gotten every bad quality Belle Black had with none of the good ones from either parents mixed in. Shawn wasn't perfect, but honestly she couldn't see any of Shawn in his daughter.
"I waited too long," Ciara said softly. "Either that, or I am completely repulsive."
"Hey," Theresa said. "You are anything but repulsive. If Theo doesn't see how great you are, it's his loss."
"He gets an 'F' in Ciara, right?"
"We have got to stop watching Buffy," Theresa giggled. "You okay to be alone, or do you want to stay in my room with me? My bed's huge."
"Thanks for the offer, Reesie, but I'm okay."
"If you change your mind, you know where I am," Theresa smiled.
"I know," Ciara smiled.
"See you in the morning," Theresa nodded.
"Night," Ciara said softly as her cousin walked back into the house.
Theresa closed the door behind her and started for her room.
"She okay?" Shawn's voice came out of the dark.
Theresa whirled around, "God, Shawn, you scared me."
"Sorry," he materialized. "I was in the com room talking to Rex. I heard you and Ciara when I walked out the front door. I didn't eavesdrop, but I did hear some of it. She's still upset about Theo, right?"
"Yeah," Theresa nodded. "That's all I'm telling you because I don't know what she wants you to know."
"I'm glad she's talking to you, Theresa," Shawn admitted.
"You're not worried that the bad seed is giving her advice?" she teased.
"You're not the bad seed," Shawn grinned.
"Thanks for that," Theresa smiled. "See you in the morning."
"Night."
