Part 53

September 2002- Pine Valley Police Department

Leo walked into the police station, coming to a stop outside Anna's office. "Hey, bud," Leo said to Officer Lyman. "I'm here to see Chief Devane. Leo du Pres." Sean stood and knocked on Anna's door. Leo looked around, waiting before Lyman returned.

"The chief will see you," he said.

Leo walked passed him into Anna's office. "Hey you," Leo smiled, closing the door behind him.

"What a surprise," Anna said as she stood and approached him.

Leo kissed her cheek. "You look fantastic. How do you feel?"

"Very well, considering," she said. "What brings you down to the station? Don't tell me... you're here to bail David out of jail again."

"Well you're half right. I wanted to talk to you about David."

"That's really not a good idea, Leo." Anna said.

"David loves you so much, Anna," Leo said. "He... is so lost without you. You were the one thing in his life that made sense."

"David made his choices."

"So, he made a few bad choices. He still loves you, Anna. That never changed."

"David has his own agenda."

"Just talk to him." Leo said. "Or don't... but think about what I'm saying. David... loves you."

Anna's office door swung open. "Oh," Jackson said. "Sorry. I'll come back."

"No, that's OK," Leo said. "I've gotta get going anyway. Anna," Leo said as he stood. "Just think about it, OK?" Anna gave him a slow single nod. Leo headed out of the office passed Jack.

Jackson raised his eyebrows. "What was that all about?" he asked.

"Oh nothing." Anna said. "I thought you were going to take the day off."

"Oh, I did." Jackson said. "I just wanted to come by and see if you felt like getting some lunch."

"I am a bit hungry," Anna said.

"Then I guess it's settled." Jackson smiled.

"I was just about to take a break."

"Would you care to accompany me to the Valley Inn?" Jackson asked with a smile.

Anna smiled, standing. "I'd be honored," she laughed.

September 2002- Brooke English's House

Brooke placed her key in the front door, pushing her way inside. She tossed the keys down on a corner table, leaving the front door unlocked as she made her way upstairs.

After a moment, Brooke came back down. She hit the bottom step and started towards the front door when she came to an abrupt stop, her hand flying up to her chest.

"Jesus," she said, seeing Adam standing by the front door. "God, Adam. What are you doing here?"

"I thought that meeting here would be a better idea. A more... private setting."

Brooke shook her head, walking over to the sofa and taking a seat. Adam folded his arms across his chest, pausing for a moment, before moving towards the sofa to sit beside her. Brooke leaned forward.

"I need you to listen to what I have to say, Adam," Brooke said. "When Tad caught us last night... my heart was in my mouth. And after you left... he made a good point. He said to me... what would have happened if he had been my son. If it had been Jamie that saw us."

"Brooke..."

"Wait." Brooke interrupted him. "After Tad left, I got to thinking. It could have been your son. It could have been Liza. And My God, Adam... what if Colby had been with her? If your daughter had seen that. What would you have told her?"

"Colby is too young to understand."

"She's impressionable. OK, forget about what you would have told her. Think about what Liza would tell her. You could forget about Colby looking at you with any type of adoration ever again."

"I think I see your point, Brooke," Adam said. "But we don't have to worry about that now, because it's already happened. Tad's not saying a word to anybody, especially Liza. And we have no fear of any of our children ever finding out, because from now on, we lock the doors."

Brooke laughed. "From now on?" she said. "No way, Adam." She shook her head, starting to get up. Adam reached up, holding her back down and pulling her into a kiss. Brooke grew limp in his arms.

"You were saying?" Adam said. "I think it was something along the lines of..."

"I must be out of my mind," Brooke said softly.

Adam kissed her again as Brooke threw her arms around his neck, leaning back on the sofa and pulling Adam down with her.