The Palace,
Later that night

Téa opens the door of the room and glances around. She smirks slightly as she looks at Jeremy, who has his hands safely tangled in his mother's long brown hair.

"She better be hiding," she whispers.

Téa closes the door and walks into the room. Alex had arranged for a key to be left for her at the front desk, and Téa also notices a bassinet in the main room of the suite. She hears a noise and looks up, seeing Alex peeking out of one of the bedrooms.

"Oh, you're back," Alex says, a huge smile on her face. She makes a beeline for Téa and Jeremy, never once directing her eyes to the glare on Téa's face. "Oh...oh he is too precious, hello sweetie!" Alex coos, running her finger over his soft skin.

Téa clears her throat. "Nice touch," she says, nodding her head toward the bassinet.

"Well, if we're going to have a little one..."

"Oh and it certainly doesn't hurt to butter me up after your little stunt," Téa says, walking over to the bassinet and placing Jeremy in it. She runs her finger along his soft cheek, smiling. Winking at him, she quickly puts on her 'stern lawyer look' and turns back to Alex.

"You're upset."

"Alex, I specifically asked you not to tell anyone I was here."

"I didn't tell him you were here, I told him to meet me at the police station."

"Cute. You know what I mean."

"You wanted to see him," Alex says, walking over and sitting on the couch.

"Alex..."

"Don't even try to deny it Téa. You wanted to see him and he wanted to see you."

"I think he's been too busy with his other life to even think about me," she says quietly.

"Hmm, well when I saw him the other day, he looked downright miserable."

"Look, that's not the point. The point is, you had no right to do that!"

"Yes I did!"

"Oh how do you figure that?"

"Because....," Alex pauses, sighing. "Téa....there are only a few people in this world who have showed me any kind of kindness. You and Todd are two of them. We had a lot of fun, the three of us. And...I guess...I think of you two as my family, such as it is."

Téa stares at her, touched by her words. Softening, she walks over and sits next to Alex on the couch. Alex glances over at her and continues.

"Besides, it's because of me that you two got together in the first place, I feel a responsibility here. If I was the reason you ended up together, then I should be the reason you get back together!"

Téa laughs. "Ah yes, the logic of Alex Olanov."

"Am I forgiven?"

Téa shakes her head, still chuckling. "Yeah, you are. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing."


Remembering her phone conversation with Todd, Alex grins. "See, I know what I'm doing Téa. So, what happened?"

"The usual. Yelling, misunderstandings, me trying to tell Todd he is not a monster, him trying to tell me I don't know what the hell I'm talking about."

"Yeah that sounds about right," Alex quips.

"I don't know..maybe we needed it...to say goodbye," Téa says quietly.

Alex turns to her. "Is that what you want?"

"What I want doesn't matter. He's got a new life, or a return to the old one...whatever."

"And you think he's happy?"

"Alex I'm not gonna take him away from his family. I did that once."

"Well if I recall, that was pretty much Todd's decision wasn't it?"

"Well yeah but..."

"And, you did leave him Téa."

"Gee thanks for the reminder."

"All I'm saying is that he's probably just settling because things didn't work out with the two of you last time."

Téa leans back against the couch. "What if he isn't?"

"And what if he is?"

Téa looks at Alex. "When the hell did you become Cupid?"

"I told you, you two are my responsibility."

With tears in her eyes, Téa turns to look at Alex. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Well, I admit I was pretty angry at you, but..it means a lot to me that you care enough about me to try and do something like this."


Alex smiles. "I do. And I'm not done yet."

"Oh no...what?"

"How long are you planning on staying? I mean now that your secret's out..."

"Actually, I haven't decided. Maybe a few days, catch up with everyone."

"Good! Because ..you never know when Bo might pull me in for questioning so you might as well just stay."

"Good point."

"Oh, and speaking of secrets, did you tell Todd about that little precious angel?" Alex asks, flashing a smile over to Jeremy, who is drifting off to sleep in the bassinet.

"Yeah, and of course, being Todd, he immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion."

"Which conclusion is that?"

"That I had a baby with another man."

"Did you let him believe that?"

"No of course not!"

"Well you know, a little jealousy never hurt anyone."

"Alex, I'm past those games, especially with Todd. It's not my style. Now I'll admit, in the past, I have tried to make him jealous with other men....but I wouldn't use an innocent baby."

"And that's why he loves you."

"Right."

"I'm serious. Todd Manning, for all his faults, has been screwed over many a time. I think he appreciates your honesty with him. And ..he does love you. I know he does."

"Okay Cupid, whatever you say," Téa gets up, stretching. "I think I'm gonna take a long, hot bath. Today has drained me. Do you mind watching Jeremy for a bit?"

"Of course not, it's my pleasure," she says, walking over to the bassinet and sitting down next to it and peering inside at his drowsy face.

"You know Alex, you don't have to literally 'watch' him," Téa giggles, and then turns and heads for the bathroom.

Alex smiles at Jeremy, whose eyes are struggling to remain open. "Aren't you the most precious thing?" she says softly, reaching in and taking his little hand. "It must be hard on your mom, raising you by herself. But I'm working on that sweetie. And I don't think it will take too long, judging by the way even *I* disappeared when they looked at each other. That's quite a feat you know, I mean, I am quite stunning. But enough about me...I think that before long, everything will work out for you, and your mom, and for Todd. I'm looking out for you too, sweetie. Don't worry, Auntie Alex is on the case," she says, smiling, watching the precious little boy drift off to sleep.