When Lies Become Known Chapter 10

A/N: Didn't forget about this story; just needed a little inspiration.

Two Weeks Later

Starr clutched her backpack to her chest as she exited the plane and sat down in the waiting area wanting a bit of rest before she retrieved her luggage and went to see Evangeline. She had insisted via email and on the phone that she was coming to visit her friend who had become more like a mini-mentor and surrogate mother.

Something was going on with Evangeline.

She could tell from her emails that she wasn't seeing anyone new so she was safe on that front, she didn't appear to be sick because she emailed regularly, and in her mind there was only one other explanation and it was one she didn't want to give voice to until she had confirmation.

Exhaling a deep breath she stood up, clutched her backpack to her chest and headed off for baggage claim, she had a date with a friend and she didn't want to be late.

Evangeline paced around her small office anxiously. She had hoped she had stressed the urgency to Starr that she didn't want to see her this week, but she was afraid that she had inherited her father's tendency to press the issue even when you tried all possible means to step back.

Rubbing her belly as she often did know she talked to her children, "Hey you two, its Mom. I'm worried because your big sister said she's on her way here. She's so much like your Daddy that I'm afraid you guys will want to be as bold as he is, but I can't promise you that your Mom will be able to handle it better than your Dad does now."

Stopping in the middle of her office as she noticed she had created a wear in the middle of a carpet and said, "Well there's no use worrying about what you can't change."

Sitting down Evangeline pulled out her schedule to being on her day not realizing her life was about to change drastically.

Todd rolled his eyes as he entered the house and found it empty with the exception of the help that he hired to keep the house clean, and cook him a meal every once in a while. No matter how much Blair claimed that she wanted them to be a family she didn't live up to her end of the bargain.

Sitting down after pouring himself a stiff drink he opened his laptop up and began perusing his emails when he heard the lock in the door open and rolled his eyes checking his watch he waited until a disheveled Blair came stumbling in the door, "Todd?"

Disgusted Todd looked her up and down and said, "So who is it this time? The masseuse? The hairdresser? Really Blair you are going to have to start having better lovers or at least better manage your trysts. You look like hell. I'm going to my room."

Blair rolled her eyes as she wrapped her coat around her half-naked body and combed her fingers through her mangled hair and said, "This only happens because you refuse to give me what I need. Todd you know I'm a sensual woman and I can't be alone."

Walking up to him as if she wanted to press a kiss to his lips Todd stepped back and shook his head, "You are not what I want and you know what I think of these displays of yours, go upstairs and sleep if it off Blair."

Blair smirked at him cattily, "Still pining over Evangeline? No one has heard from her in months Todd, she's moved on with her life and so should you. Wishing her back isn't going to work."

Todd closed his laptop as he reached for his briefcase, "I'm going back to the office. Jack had a sleepover at Vicki's and will be back tomorrow."

At the door he heard Blair call out for Starr, stopping he turned around and said, "She's on her early graduation present."

Blair smiled and said, "Well at least I hope it was somewhere fun."

Todd smiled to himself as he thought of where his daughter was, "I know at least one thing, she's having more fun than either of us."

"With the party of the second degree, in regards to the first," Glasses perched on her nose, the voice recorder taking notes vigorously and shoes off Evangeline appeared at home in her office. That was with the exception of the belly that she continuously rubbed as she continued her notes for the next case on her books. Yawning she continued when she heard the commotion in the hallway.

Walking to her desk she pressed Pause on the recorder before opening the door ot her office to see what the commotion was about and her mouth fell open at the sight in front of her.

Starr Manning was tapping her foot impatiently as she argued with Evangeline's receptionist, Joy who was telling her repeatedly that she was not accepting visitors at the moment. Too stunned to say anything but a whispered, "Starr?" She couldn't believe her eyes.

Starr's face lit up at the sight of her as she walked over to where Evangeline was standing and embraced her warmly. Stepping back she looked down at her at her burgeoning belly and said, "Well I don't have to ask what you and my dad did the night of his wedding reception."

Vicki knocked on the door lightly as she entered her brother's office. Not hearing a sound she peeked her head around the door and sighed sadly as she looked at the sight in front of her, "Todd?"

Not receiving a response, she walked closer and touched his head softly and was rewarded by a muffled groan. "Todd?"

Cracking one eye open he lifted his head slightly and looked at her disgruntled and questioned, "Vicki? What do you want?" He wasn't in the mood to have visitors and although he was notorious for his rudeness he wasn't in a mood to shoot down his sister.

Vicki stood in front of his desk and said, "I want you to come over to my house and let me cook you dinner."

Shaking his head he rested his head on the desk again and said, "Thanks but no. I'm not hungry."

Stroking his hair she said, "You run yourself ragged at this paper day and night, you don't eat, you don't sleep. I'm worried about you."

Raising his head Todd smirked, "You're just pissed because The Sun has been beating the Banner in all the ratings for the past year."

Vicki rolled her eyes, "Well when you fill your paper with propaganda and filthy trash, the viewers are likely to bite."

Todd snorted, "I appreciate what you're trying to do here but its okay. I'll be fine."

Vicki looked down, "I let you down Todd. Maybe if I had pressed about that invitation…," Letting her voice trail off she refused to look her brother in the eye for fear she would see anger and continued, "If I had done what you requested of me, this could've been prevented."

Todd shook his head, "I've come to the realization that some things are just not meant to be and maybe this is one of them. I don't think I'll ever understand why Evangeline and I weren't supposed to have a chance together but maybe the cards weren't in our favor."

Thoughts please.