Brooke and Edmund stood at the podium in a dinner hall in New York. "...So on behalf of Tempo Magazine," Brooke said. "We accept this award, with our deepest gratitude. Thank you."

The room roared in applause. Brooke looked over at Edmund, a smile on her face. he leaned down and kissed her cheek before walking with her back down to their table where Tad was waiting.

Tad stood as they approached. "Congratulations," he said, shaking Edmund's hand. Edmund sat across from Tad. "And you," Tad said, turning to Brooke. He kissed her cheek. "Congratulations."

Brooke smiled. "Thanks," she said, sitting down. Tad took a seat beside her.

"You two deserved this," Tad said. "All the work you did on the Proteus piece... this award belongs to you."

"We put a lot of long hours in," Edmund said.

"A lot of sleepless nights," Brooke added.

"But it was worth it," Tad said. taking Brooke's hand under the table.

"It sure was," she said. "It gives us something to work for with the next few publications."

Edmund looked at her a bit surprised. "the next publications?" he asked. "So I should tear up my farewell column?"

"I didn't know you already started writing one," Brooke said. "Tempo's on top, Edmund." Edmund smiled, remembering that those had been the exact words he had said to Brooke when this whole thing started. "We can't just pull out now." She paused. "We have an exclusive on the new cosmetics venture. Greenlee and Kendall's new company."

"Fusion," Tad said. Brooke looked at him strangely. "Liza's been spending a lot of time down there when she's not at the station."

Brooke shook her head. "the interview is already set for when we get back to Pine Valley."

"You don't waste any time," Edmund smiled. "Do you?"

"I like to stay on top of things," she said.

Edmund smiled with a nod. "So..." he said. "What do you two have planned for tonight?"

"We're going to catch a movie probably," Brooke said. "you want to come along?"

"No," Edmund said. "No, thanks I... have some stuff to catch up on."

"Give yourself a break tonight, Edmund," Brooke said.

"I should really get this done. To clear up my schedule a bit for when we get back home."

Brooke silently nodded. "Suit yourself," she said as Edmund's cell phone rang.

"I'd better get this," Edmund said, standing. "Excuse me."

As Edmund walked away from the table, tad turned to Brooke. "You see?" he said. "Not so bad, right?" Brooke smiled weakly. "You were just worried about nothing."

"I guess it was just paranoia," Brooke said as Edmund returned to the table. She didn't like the look on his face. "Is everything OK on the homefront?" she asked.

Edmund's face was drained of color. "I need to get back to Pine Valley right now," he said. Brooke looked at him. " That was Isabella on the phone. Maddie's' in the hospital."

"Oh my God," Brooke said.

"They think it might be food poisoning."

"We should go then," Brooke said standing. "What are we waiting for?"

"Brooke, you don't have to..."

Brooke shook her head. "I love that little girl like she's my own, Edmund. I'm going with you." She looked over at Tad who nodded. " You call the airline and exchange the tickets. We'll pick up the coats."

Edmund nodded, grabbing his cell phone again as Tad and Brooke made their way to the coat check. Brooke handed the coat stubs over.

"That poor little girl," Brooke said as she got the coats and handed Tad his. "She's probably scared..."

Tad took her hands. They were trembling. "You're shaking like a leaf."

"I'm just worried about Maddie."

"No," Tad said. "You need to take it easy."

"I'm fine," she said.

"Don't lie to me, Brooke." Tad said. "I know this is all deja vu... and it scares the hell out of you." Brooke silently looked at him. "You took an earlier flight for Laura." Tad pulled her into his arms. "Look...You don't have to take the earlier flight. We can wait..." "I have to," Brooke said. "For Edmund. We can't let him go back to face this alone. I know that if God forbid it was Jamie who was in the hospital, Edmund would get on that plane back to Pine Valley in a heartbeat."

"Are you going to be OK?"

"I don't know," Brooke admitted. "But I have to give this a chance. For Maddie." She paused. "Just don't you dare let go of my hand for one second."

Tad smiled and rested his hand on the back of her head. "Deal."