Art of the Dark

by Cabbie Esq

This is a sequel to a story written by my writing buddy, Shady. She and I wrote it together after she completed her story. Todd and Téa are a reunited family with their baby boys, home after a terrifying kidnapping ordeal. They are facing a new mysterious threat though, one that is rooted in the spiritual, that reaches them from beyond the confines of earthly surroundings.

26. Chapter 26

ART OF THE DARK - PART 26

Téa groans as she stretches her limbs, stiff and sore from the day's travel. She welcomes the opportunity to walk back and forth inside the tiny building that serves as the airport, waiting for Dean to join her. He had to square things with the pilot as far as payment and getting the story straight...the story being, of course, that the plane had no passengers. Just cargo.

She looks around at the empty place, seeing no furniture, no regular seating for incoming and outgoing passengers. There is a desk with a laptop and some papers on it. Not even a phone. Shady, she thinks, VERY shady...but quite amazing.

Since she left Todd, she'd seen the secret workings of the underworld; it was incredible how the inhabitants of this world operated-smooth and professional, like any other normal business. They moved about like everyone else, had jobs like everyone else...the only difference being that if any of them were caught doing their jobs by the authorities, they'd go to jail.

Téa actually smirks, feeling a little like Maid Marian stepping into Sherwood Forest for the first time, seeing up-close how the thieves live. It makes her think of-and miss-RJ, as she realizes that this must be how he lives also. She knew he was still involved in organized crime, but never asked him about it and really, she didn't want to know, especially when she was an assistant district attorney.

Christ...she thinks...finding it strange now that she ever had a career. It seems like ages ago, another life belonging to a different person. She then wonders whether or not she could ever return to Llanview at all. Hank Gannon had surely replaced her and rightly so. She'd left him in the lurch and she feels badly about it.

Such irresponsible behavior from someone who's supposed to be so damned smart.

She thinks of Carlotta, too, of the family she hasn't seen in so long now. Her head dips sadly, hating the distance from the Vegas, from everyone that ever mattered to her. She sinks down onto the grey dirty carpet, resting the boys in their car seats next to her. They're quiet, patient as always. Curious faces look at her and she caresses their cheeks before sitting back against the wall. She crosses her legs and rubs the knotted muscles in her forehead.

Then the door opens and Dean walks in with a rush of chilly air behind him. He strolls over to her.

"We're all set. Got a car outside. You okay?"

She nods, looking up at him, and he gives her a gentle smile. "C'mon, let's go," he says.

Téa stands up like an old woman, following him as he grabs the twins' seats and walks out. She takes a big breath of the chilly air to wake herself up and it seems familiar to her somehow, as if it had a recognizable smell or something. As they make the drive north, Téa stares out the window, remembering when she first arrived in Montana...what an eye-opening experience it was. Montana was so open, untouched and sparsely populated compared to the east coast. The road stretches out before them and the horizon is clear, everything visible for miles around. For some reason, it relaxes her, lightens her mood a bit. Maybe because it's familiar territory.

Kinda like coming home...except...you don't really HAVE a home anymore, do you? And whose fault is THAT?

She closes her eyes, shutting the door on the thought. She doesn't want to go there, not now. So she settles in the seat, reclining back a bit, and it doesn't take long for her head to drop.

When she opens her eyes again, everything is still and strangely quiet. She quirks, looking around.

Wait...where's the car? Where's...

She pulls herself up, realizing ever so slowly that she's lying in the grass...somewhere. She looks all around and after a second or two, she recognizes the area, the memory coming back to her like pulling an old coat out of a dusty box.

In front of her, a short distance away, is Joely Atherton's house and she stares at it. It's a beautiful old house and that beauty reflects well the doctor who helped Todd so much when he was suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Joely was a life-saver. Then she turns around, expecting to see-and seeing-the guest cabin. Téa's breathing picks up a bit as she gets to her feet, slowly. She is alone it would seem. No Dean, no babies...nobody.

The difference between the memory and where she is now, this seeming dream or vision or whatever, is that the house and cabin are dark and not a little disconcerting. There's a strong wind whipping at her and Téa rubs her arms for warmth as she stares at the cabin looming in front of her. Now she sees that the windows have a dim, yellowish glow to them, implying lights on inside. So she walks toward it, treading very lightly, not knowing what to expect. When she gets to the wooden steps she stops, afraid of what might happen if she steps up and the boards creak. Then the cabin door opens, seemingly on its own. The cozy yellow glow spills out onto the porch and lights her up.

She swallows hard. "Who's there?"

No one answers, of course...and Téa sighs, looking around again nervously, before walking up the steps. She stops just inside the doorway, and looks in. The room looks just as it did before, and her eyes move over everything, the fireplace, the couch, the table and finally the bed…

...where Roseanne sits.

Or poses, is more like it. She is stretched out over the foot of the bed, leaning on one arm, her legs bent and curled behind her slightly. She looks good, radiating a bit of a glow herself; but from what though, Téa has no idea. She just stares at her, stunned.

"Hola, tia..." Roseanne purrs. "...'pasa?"

Téa takes a few steps in, but doesn't approach her. She moves over to the table behind the couch instead, standing right in front of her, like she's having an audience with some kind of royalty. "What're YOU doing here?" she finally whispers, and Roseanne pouts, faking hurt.

"Oh, come on...aren't you as happy to see ME as I am to see YOU? We've been SO worried about you, Téa."

Téa narrows her eyes suspiciously. "Who's WE?"

"My new FAMILY," Rosie answers, brightening sarcastically. "RJ...and Todd...they've been taking REAL good care of me," she says, as she slinks off the bed and takes a step toward her.

Téa backs up against the table. "How is that possible? You're in jail."

Roseanne spreads her skinny arms out wide. "Not anymooooorrrre..." she sings, laughing a little and sighing. "Oh Téa… I gotta tell you, it's SO good to be outta there. And YOU…," she says, pointing at her, "...you REALLY know how to pick 'em. Todd and RJ are definitely THE baddest of the bad boys."

Téa shakes her head at that. "I don't believe you. You couldn't have gotten out of there."

"Well...not without help. Those boys were absolutely brilliant."

"And I don't believe that Todd or RJ would've helped YOU do ANYTHING."

"Believe it or not...it's the truth."

Silence fills the room, both women staring each other down. Then Roseanne walks up to her, gliding almost. Téa looks her in the eyes, then down at the floor. Instinctively, she wants to directly avoid her gaze. Like a monster of some sort.

"What do you want?" she asks tiredly.

Roseanne shrugs. "Like I said...we're all so worried about you. So I thought I'd try to find you...and here you are. Only...HERE isn't QUITE where I thought it would be. We must've just missed you."

Téa looks up at that, doing a take. "Are you FOLLOWING ME?"

Roseanne lifts her eyebrows, grinning.

Téa studies her a moment and then laughs it off. "Yeah, right. SURE. You don't know anything."

"Don't believe me?" Roseanne asks, innocently, and grins again. "I see...the skeptic needs proof," she says, sighing again. "Okay...how 'bout this. Right now, at this very moment, the three of us are in England, on our way to 305 Filinger Road in a godforsaken town called...Cantshire." She speaks with a mock accent, thoroughly enjoying Tea's widening eyes. "That's right, we're on our way to that cozy little love nest you've been sharing with HIM."

Téa gasps slightly and Roseanne giggles. "Pretty good, huh?"

"That's impossible. There's no way you could've known- no, no, this is MY dream. Of course I know the address and I'm putting the knowledge of it in your mouth."

"Oh I see. Clever, true. Except… I thought you understood."

"Understood WHAT?"

"ME!" Roseanne yells back, pointing at herself. "I thought I got it through to you the last time I saw you. *I* THOUGHT I made myself pretty clear."

"All I remember is you threatening my children from behind bars," Téa snaps, and Roseanne grins again.

"Oh, so you DO remember. That's good."

"What're you doing, Roseanne? What's your fucking POINT?" Tea has moved closer, wanting to get in her face now. The two of them stare daggers at each other from inches away…

Roseanne whispers: "What I'm DOING is making good on my promise."

Téa backs up a touch. "You're serious."

Roseanne cocks an eyebrow...and Tea shakes her head, laughing again. "Okay, lemme get this straight. So...you're out of jail, TODD and RJ helped you escape, and the three of you are tracking me now...AND...you're STILL planning to kill my sons."

Roseanne nods. "Pretty much. We used a laundry truck to escape, by the way. You don't know that information but a newspaper will tell you as much. In case you're still on this 'it's my dream and my knowledge' thing."

Téa folds her arms. "Okay, I'll play. You REALLY think Todd's going to let you anywhere near me? Let alone near the kids?"

Again, a terrible grin spreads across Roseanne's face and she laughs...softly at first, then louder and more obnoxiously, as she walks away from her. "You'd be SURPRISED what Todd LETS me do these days."

The words send a sickening feeling through Téa's body as she watches Roseanne crawl back onto the bed and stretch out like a contented cat. Then she rolls over onto her side, facing Téa again. "Isn't this where you guys...um...y'know...for the first time…," she says, making a fist and pushing it out suggestively.

Tea just looks away, disgusted...and Roseanne laughs again.

"Ooh...SORRY. Not up for girl talk, I guess? Pity...I'd love to compare notes."

Téa's eyes dart right back at that and after a moment, after studying Roseanne's glowy face some more, Téa starts to tear up. "What are you saying?" she whispers, taking a few steps toward her and Roseanne rolls her eyes.

"Ugh...here we go...Waterworks Delgado. Turn on the tears and out pours the sympathy. That is SO OLD. And you should know better than to try that shit with ME. Like you're so INNOCENT." Her words slide out with such venom. "You think I don't know what YOU'VE been doing? You think Todd doesn't know? Are you THAT STUPID?"

Téa is paralyzed, speechless, and Roseanne slides off the bed again, approaching her once more. "Oh, come on. You were always saying we never got along because we had no common ground. Well, NOW we do. We've both fucked the same guys, so we should have PLENTY to talk about NOW, right?"

Tea just keeps staring at her, unable to say anything. Finally, she drops her head, knowing this is just a dream, her own guilt talking...and Roseanne reaches out, lifting it back up by the chin. "Come on...I wanna hear ALL about it. ALL the juicy details," she hisses...and Téa glares at her with wet eyes for a second before reaching up and knocking her hand away, forcefully.

Roseanne's eyes widen, and she backs off a touch.

"DON'T touch me," Téa whispers, pointing at her, and Roseanne just laughs, putting her hands up in a phony defense.

"OOOOH...don't hurt me, killer."

"You don't scare me, Roseanne. Not even a little," Téa replies, and Roseanne's eyebrow lifts again.

"Oh, but...you SHOULD be scared."

Téa makes a confused face at that, as Roseanne starts to walk around her.

"I mean, after all, my plan's worked BEAUTIFULLY so far, even BETTER than I expected. Those visions I sent you, those little hints...they sent you right over the edge, just like I thought they would. And Todd, well...he doesn't need much prodding before HE busts a spring, so, I figured you guys would just go at each other's throats and destroy each other from the inside out-and you are-but I had NO IDEA you'd go running to Dean! That is SO AWESOME, Téa! So deliciously BAAAAD..." she says, back in front of Téa now. Then she suddenly sighs, glancing upward. "Wish I'D thought of it."

Téa looks at her, quickly learning, realizing. "Are you telling me that you planted those nightmares in my head?"

Roseanne gets right in her face. "DUH," she replies, and then turns on her heel, strolling away from her again. "Not that they were so far-fetched," she continues. "I mean, *I* think it's perfectly reasonable to assume that Todd would become a child abuser, given all that history." She grabs onto the bedpost and starts swinging on it. "He really IS fucked up...and I mean FUUUUUCKED up. I SERIOUSLY doubt there'll be any getting him back this time."

"What are you talking about?" Téa asks, and Roseanne stands back up straight.

"What I'm talking about is stuff you DON'T know. Stuff you can't put into a dream. I'm talking about lines being crossed. He's done things to me, Téa...terrible, terrible things. You thought he was healed, you thought he'd NEVER do such things… again..." Roseanne's head jerks and she suddenly stops, looking all around, as if she hears something.

Téa stares at her, mystified, until she sees something. Out of the corner of her eye, she spots movement in the shadows of the cabin. Something seems to take shape, the darkness molding itself into a solid form that emerges, slowly. Roseanne is still in her place, listening instead of looking behind her. Téa doesn't even get a chance to say anything as the form moves toward Roseanne and grabs her from behind. Roseanne freezes, unable to move or speak as the form locks around her…

… and becomes more recognizable to Téa. She watches ghostly, shadowy hands roam over Roseanne's chest, a face rubbing against her shoulder, its lighter hair mixing with hers, long strands falling downwards. Then it-he-looks right up at Téa, and she is immobilized at the sight. Unable to look away, she sees him continue roughly grope Roseanne in front of her, his movements and gestures becoming even more suggestive of what's coming next. But the whole time, his eyes are locked with Tea's...steady, clear and shining with their own eerie light, like an animal's eyes in the dark.

The room fills with an awful stillness and Tea gets a feeling of absolute dread, a feeling that only comes when you realize, too late, that you're about to see or experience something truly terrible. Her lips part slightly as his mouth moves over Roseanne's shoulder, sucking on it like a lover would, except then he bites down on her, hard enough and deep enough to draw blood. Some of it seeps out, drawing red lines down the front of her chest. Roseanne doesn't react to it...she still seems frozen in place, unable to do anything about it.

Then the face lifts again, to look at Téa directly...and she feels her stomach drop to her knees. Todd stares back at her, unblinking, licking his lips like a vampire in the middle of dinner. He lifts a hand to wipe his bloody chin before giving Roseanne a smacking kiss on the cheek, leaving a blood-red mark.

"Gracias, Rosie. I'll take it from here," he says, calmly, coldly...then he simply reaches up, grabs her head with both hands…

...and snaps her neck.

Téa gasps, her face going white. She wants to scream, wants to run...but just like Roseanne, she can't move. She is literally frozen in place.

Todd drops Roseanne, her body falling into a heap on the floor, which he casually steps over to approach Téa.

"So...THIS is where you're at, huh?" he asks…but all Téa can do is look at him, horrified. She breathes fast and rough, tears racing down her face. He makes soothing, shushing noises, using his thumbs to wipe her cheeks.

"It's okay, Delgado...everything'll be okay. You'll see. Nobody's gonna split us up...not that bitch, and not that thievin' fuck you're with, either. I'll fix 'em all..." With those beautiful light eyes she loves so much, he looks at her, eyes roving her entire body from head to toe, an indescribable expression on his face. "I will take care of everything...and then it'll just be us again. You, me, Evan and Brendan...the way it should be."

They look at each other for a moment...then Todd moves in to kiss her with bloodied lips. Téa backs up, whimpering, finally getting up enough strength to move. She pushes him away and bolts out the door, tripping down the steps. She doesn't look behind her as she runs away, but she knows he's watching her, knows he's coming after her.

I'll show you who I am...be more than happy to...you just wait and see...

Téa wakes with a start, gasping and pitching forward in the seat. Dean looks over at her, and puts an arm out to stop her from hitting the dashboard.

"Whoa, hey...you alright?" he asks, looking between her and the road.

Téa holds onto his arm for a moment, as she catches her breath...then she gently pushes him off, nodding.

"Must've been a pretty bad dream," he says, putting both hands back on the wheel. He looks up at the rearview, checking the boys...both still asleep. Téa covers her face with her hands for a moment, rubbing her eyes roughly.

"God..." she mutters. "I need a newspaper - I have to - something local to Pennsylvania."

Dean looks over at her again. "What happened?"

Téa rubs her face one more time and gives him a sidelong glance. Then she shakes her head, sighing. "I'd tell you, but...you'd think I was insane."

"Well, I already KNOW you're insane, so," he replies with that trademark, disarming calm and Tea looks over at him, always surprised at how well it works on her, no matter how bad things are...just the right amount of humor to distract, and lift the weight of the thoughts bearing down on her.

She laughs a little. A very little. "Thank you," she says, and he looks back at her, smirking...pleased with his successful effort to make her smile.

"You're welcome. Now let's hear it."

Téa glances out the window, her mind suddenly going back to the dream. She knows it's only her own thoughts that occupied the dream but… then… there was that tidbit about the laundry truck. Couldn't be, she thinks. Just her own thoughts. She rubs her forehead to distract herself. "I dreamt I was back at Joely's house."

"Who?"

"Joely Atherton...she was Todd's therapist. When we broke up, he came up here to get treatment. I came up later, and we got back together...decided to build our house nearby." Téa says this wistfully, the memories of the all-too-brief, happy time suddenly flooding her mind.

"...I think you and Starr'll LIKE living off the land and all that crap...nice change from the Penthouse."

"...oh, okay...all that crap, or the penthouse. That's it, Manning. I'm leaving you."

"That's too bad. I was thinking of building here."

"Building what...the bomb shelter?"

"You're so weird, Delgado."

"...okay, sorry...um...building what?"

"That house I told you I wanted. You remember...with the springer spaniel...and the picket fence. Well?"

"I think...that's the best idea you've ever had."

Téa pauses for a bit, as the memory fades, letting her head rest on the seat back. "Anyway...that's where I was in this dream, in the cabin where Todd and I had stayed. But Roseanne was there..."

Roseanne...Dean looks over at that, with a more concerned face that she doesn't see.

"...and I swear to god, it didn't feel like a dream. It felt like...like I was REALLY THERE. And SHE was really there. We argued...she told me all kinds all crazy things."

"Like what?" he asks. Téa makes a sound, sort-of like a laugh, but also like a frightened breath.

"She told me that she escaped from Statesville...and that RJ and TODD helped her do it using a laundry truck," she says, turning her head to look at him. He looks away, but she sees the more serious look on his face. Eyes still on him, she says, "She also told me that...they all know I'm with you. And that they're following us. Crazy."

Dean shrugs, murmuring a "Hmm..."

...and Tea gets a bad feeling from his non-reaction. "She knew the exact address of the house in England. She said...that's where they are right now but that doesn't mean anything because I know the address… but the laundry thing? The escape?"

"That was SOME dream."

"You don't seem surprised by any of it," she replies, and he tries to shrug it off.

"Well, it was just a dream, Téa ...you have to remember that."

She stares at him for a long time, studying his profile as he continues to avoid her eyes.

"Is there something you wanna tell me?" she finally asks, and he just shakes his head. So she leans in closer to him, putting a hand on his arm. "Dean...look at me."

He huffs hard...and then finally drags his gaze to her. Her face softens, a silent plea for him to open up. He looks away again, bothered now. "It's nothin', I'm tellin' ya. Just...I dunno...freaky coincidence."

"WHAT is? Tell me."

He sighs again, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, look...when we were still in England...*I* had a pretty weird dream, too. I'd forgotten about it, but...your bringing up Roseanne reminded me. That's all."

Tea's eyes widen. "What do you mean? Did YOU see her too?"

Dean laughs...but nervously. "Uhhh..." he stutters, not wanting to admit to something as crazy as seeing a vision but he can't help but notice a disturbing similarity between their two 'dreams.' He suddenly remembers hearing Roseanne's voice, then seeing her coming out of the shadows...having the glow of daylight around her in the middle of the night.

Let's just say...I followed the rain.

"You saw her. Why didn't you tell me?"

He gives her a strange look. "Why would I tell you about THAT? It was just a stupid dream," he replies, but isn't convinced. Téa sits back from him.

"Oh, don't gimme that. You're as weirded out as *I* am. What did she say to you?"

Dean keeps his eyes forward, focusing on the road. "Well, she didn't say anything about busting out. All she said was..." he starts, his mind drifting back to her whispered words.

You don't have much time. Todd came to see me today...he knows, baby...he knows Téa's with you...and it won't be long until he finds this place. He WILL find you...and when he does, he won't be interested in talking things over. His rage...his fury...it's blinding him, taking him over. He can't control it...and you know what that means, D...he's going to hurt her...he's done it before, and he'll do it again.

"Something about...Manning...coming to see her. She said...he knew you were with me, and...that he'd be coming," he says, still remembering.

You need to move fast, baby...you need to win her...you need to make her see that she can't ever go back to him...because she's in danger...her children are in danger...their father is coming.

Téa says nothing, eyes on the road ahead. The words that get her… he's coming.

Dean goes to look at her again, but his eyes catch sight of something up ahead. He slows down, pulling over.

Téa looks up at him and he points out the windshield. There in front of them, across the road, is the turnoff for the house...nothing more than a space between the trees, marked by a wood sign with 107 Bay Dr. spray-painted on it.

"That's it," Téa says, sadly.

With a deep breath, Dean checks both directions then he drives back out and turns onto the dirt road. As the car bounces along, Téa finds herself starting to panic a little. The idea that Roseanne really does seem to have some mystical power after all-and that she and Todd are somehow connected, working together even, and god knows what else-unnerves her. She needs the paper. She needs to know if the break is true, if the laundry truck was used.

But logic doesn't help.

Especially as they continue on through the darkened, tree-covered passage. It feels like a sort-of claustrophobia. She rubs her neck, pressing hard on the muscles, trying to stave off the feeling of walls closing in on her. They clear the trees just then and Dean slows to a stop. Both of them take in the house standing like a giant in the middle of the clearing. Once Dean turns off the engine, silence chases away the noise and fills the air. Dean whistles, admiring the spread.

Téa blinks slowly, looking at this place that's supposed to be her home, her castle in the sky, her happily-ever-after. She should be all warm inside and happy to see it...but she's not. Instead, she feels as empty and cold as the house appears to be.

Without a word, she gets out of the car and gently pushes the door closed. She takes a few steps around to the front of the car and looks the house over from side to side. It's dark and there are no lights anywhere. The place gives off a foreboding sensation rather than welcoming one. Téa wraps her arms around herself for warmth as a chilly wind blows through. She hears the lapping of water from the nearby lake, leaves skittering across the large front porch, and a billowing of a plastic sheet protecting unfinished spaces. She takes a deep breath, feeling the cold air dive down her throat, filling her lungs, as the house seems to call out to her…

What're you waiting for, Delgado? Come see what I built for you...

She walks up to the steps, carefully climbing up to the front door, her footsteps echoing through the heavy wood planks. She hesitates to touch the doorknob, half-expecting it to just open on its own. She reaches out and runs her hand lightly over the door instead, making sure it's really real and that she hasn't just walked into another dream.

Then she hears footsteps behind her, loud, clunky, undoubtedly Dean's heavy boots. The decidedly ungraceful sound jolts her out of her nightmarish thoughts and back into the real world. She looks over at him as he comes up beside her. They stare at each other for a moment in the dim light, the wind forcing them to close their eyes to narrow slits. He smiles at her thinly but tenderly and she sighs, relieved and calmed by his presence, yet again…

A magic all his own.

She looks back at the door and it doesn't seem so intimidating now. So she grabs the knob and turns it. The door pulls away with a squeak and a rush of air, revealing another dark space. Téa makes out doors and a hallway ...but not much else. Dean steps right in front of her, automatically pushing her behind him. He turns on the flashlight he's carrying and in its small, circular beam, they see the foyer, a staircase, a hallway leading back, and an archway to their left. He turns the beam that way and starts walking toward it, his steps echoing all around.

"Living room, I take it?" he asks, casually, shining the beam along the walls.

Téa nods...and he turns around, shining the beam on her.

"Or would it be the SITTING ROOM?" he says, with a mock English accent.

Téa squints, holding a hand up to block the light. "Ain't no sittin' rooms in this house, Jeeves."

Dean cracks up at that, turning the flashlight back around. He finds the large fireplace, and walks over to it. "A-ha. Well," he says, squatting down to get a better look at it. "Guess I better go dig up some wood so we don't freeze to death."

Téa sits down on the hearth next to him, and he looks over at her.

"You sure you don't wanna just find a motel? Least they'd have electricity, running water."

She sighs, knowing it's crazy to stay in the unfinished house when civilization isn't that far away. But still, something is telling her not to leave...so she shakes her head. "Maybe in a while, but...not right now."

Dean sighs, too, and then shrugs. "Okay." He stands up, pulling her up with him. "Why don't you go back to the car until I get the fireplace going?"

She nods, but doesn't move. They're standing so close together, she can feel his breath on her face. And she likes it...that sense of closeness, protective warmth.

Dean looks down at her, fighting a strong urge to kiss her; but he keeps it in check, as he takes her hand and starts leading her out. They walk back out and down the steps...and then Dean leaves her to go around to the back of the house.

As Téa starts back to the car, she sees a pair of headlights coming toward her. She whirls around. "Dean!" she calls but he's out of earshot. She turns back around, as the car clears the trees and pulls up behind their car. Téa tries to see who it is. She sort-of recognizes the car, its shape and color seeming familiar. The person gets out, standing up slowly, and weakly...and Téa squints harder, unable to tell if it's a man or a woman.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" the person says, in a proper English accent, and Téa lets out a breathy laugh, slapping her hands over her mouth, immediately relieved.

"Oh my god...Joely!" she says, running over to her.

The woman gives her a strange, unfriendly look, until she's up close and can see her face. Then it melts away to a huge smile. "Téa!" she exclaims, as Téa practically knocks her over with a hug, laughing nervously. Joely pats her on the back, but doesn't return the squeeze, which Téa notices.

Téa pulls away, clearing her wind-blown hair out of her face. "Oh, god...I'm so happy to see you," she whispers...all the time taking in Joely's face. Something about it seems different. But Joely just smiles gracefully.

"Ohhh...it's lovely to see YOU, my dear, but...what are you doing here?"

Téa laughs again, a heavy laden sound, shrugging. "That's, uh...that's a long story. What are YOU doing here?"

"Well, Todd asked me to keep an eye on the house until you moved up here. So I come by every day or so just make sure nothing's been disturbed," Joely replies, reading Téa's look. She's about to say something when she sees someone coming out from behind the house. "Oh...who's that?" she asks, not recognizing the man's shape or gait.

Téa turns and sees Dean carrying an armload of wood into the house. She turns back around to Joely with a guilty look which makes Joely regain a look of suspicion.

"Téa, what's going on here? This is all very strange."

Téa runs a hand over her hair, sighing, busted like a high school girl crawling out of her boyfriend's bedroom. "Yeah, it is...ummm, well...something, uh...something bad has happened. Things are...not so good with Todd and me," she replies, and there's a short silence as the two women look at each other.

Finally, Téa takes Joely's hand.

"Why don't you come inside? I can explain everything...it's too cold out here."

Joely nods, suspiciously, but she allows Téa to lead on, although very slowly. Téa notices the distinct frailty in her steps. She wants to ask, but doesn't dare, at least not now.

She's the one with all the explaining to do...especially when they finally get to the steps, and Dean emerges from the doorway. He makes eye contact with them and freezes at the sight of the old woman. Joely looks up at him, taking a moment to place his face...then her eyes widen.

"Oh my god," she says, looking over at Téa. "What the bloody hell is HE doing here? Isn't this your kidnapper?!"

Téa and Dean just look at each other...then Téa just gazes upwards at the heavens, and Dean shuts his.

"Great," he mutters.

To be continued….