Part 35

August 2002 - En Route -- Baltimore, Maryland

"We're on our way back East right now, Jackson..." Tad said as he sat beside Dixie on the airplane. "We got kind of a late start, had to switch flights... Oh, she's fine, she's fine, feeling much better... Well how's your favorite criminal and mine? Keeping his holding cell vacant for him?...No, no. We haven't got much of anything yet, just that David knew Maria before she came to Pine Valley... I don't know, it could be a coincidence... Yeah, well either way, Dixie and I are heading to Johns Hopkins... I'm not sure how much we'll be able to get done today... Let's see, it's noon now, so we'll get there by six, which will really be nine. I don't know, stupid time zones... I'll tell you what, I'll give you a call once we hit the runway in Baltimore... Right." Tad clicked his cell phone off, putting it away before turning to Dixie. "How are you feeling?" he asked, taking her hand over the arm rest.

Dixie nodded. "Not too bad today," she said. "I just can't wait until we've finished up with this whole thing and we can go home and I can take my little girl and squeeze the stuffing out of her."

"Squeeze the stuffing out of her?" Tad laughed.

"You makin' fun of lil ole me?" Dixie grinned.

"Never," Tad said, leaning over and kissing her. "What kind of man would that make me?" Dixie laughed, starting to speak. "Don't answer that."

"Afraid of what I might say?" Dixie said with a giggle.

"No, I'm afraid you might be right."

"Aww. How sweet that my opinion means that much to you."

"Always has."

Dixie smiled, lowering her head. "You're gonna make me blush."

"That wouldn't be such a terrible thing."

"Oh, stop," Dixie teased. "You're so bad."

"But you love me."

Dixie leaned over, resting her hand on the back of his neck, leaning her forehead against his. "More than anything."

August 2002 - Tempo Magazine

Brooke shook her head, falling back into her chair behind her desk. Edmund took a seat in front of her.

"Doesn't get much more fun than that," Edmund said, leaning his head back, staring at the ceiling.

Brooke massaged her temples. "If I ever complain about anything, ever again, just remind me about that meeting. I think all I want to do is go home and get some sleep before the boys get home from wherever they are."

"Tad and Dixie are still away?" Edmund asked.

"Until the end of the week at least," Brooke said with a yawn.

Edmund shook his head. "Why don't you have the boys spend the night at Wildwind."

"Edmund... No, that's OK."

"You're exhausted. You're a mess."

"Gee, thanks a lot," Brooke let out a soft, breathy laugh.

"You've been saying for days that you haven't slept. You need to sleep, Brooke. Let me take the boys."

"You haven't dealt with two teenagers." Brooke said. "Not to mention that Jamie isn't exactly your number one fan at the moment."

"I think I can handle Jamie. He's doing this for you, right?" Edmund pointed out. "So it should be fine."

"Easier said than done." Brooke said.

"Give it a chance. Your son just might surprise you."

"This is an inconvenience for you."

Edmund shook his head. "You know I have the room, Brooke,"

Brooke laughed. "If that's not an understatement."

"You're going to wear yourself out," Edmund said. "I'm not a big fan of sitting in hospital rooms." Edmund looked at her with raised eyebrows. "Let me do this for you."