Blair rang the doorbell at Llanfair and wondered for the millionth time why Viki had asked her to come visit. Dorian had rattled off about fifty different conspiracy theories as to why. Most of them involved Todd or Dorian herself. Mel had seemed vastly amused by all of them punctuating each theory with an over dramatic 'and the Cramers will be destroyed!' until Dorian threw her hands in the air and told them both to go to hell.

That had been a little unfair in Blair's mind. After all, she hadn't done anything wrong. Blair felt like all she was doing lately was paying for things that other people had done. She had turned into a lightning rod for karmic debt and it was a position she was dying to shake off.

The door opened and Viki's housekeeper, Lois, ushered her in with a pleasant smile. "Ms. Cramer, please come in. Let me take your coat." She waited as Blair shrugged out of her coat. "Mrs. Carpenter is expecting you in the library." She gestured to the door and then moved away.

Take her cue, Blair went into the library and hoped that Viki wasn't set to ambush her. She'd had quite enough of that.

"Blair," Viki greeted her warmly. "I'm so glad you were able to come visit."

"Thank you," Blair offered weakly, feeling extremely uncomfortable. She hated this. She hated feeling as though every person was out to take everything from her. How much of her was left to take? Why did they keep coming?

"Would you like something to drink?" Viki offered. "Some tea perhaps?"

"No thank you," Blair braced herself, waiting for the inevitable.

Viki looked at her for a moment, seeing her discomfort. Blair reminded her of a wounded wolf, wary, cautious and ready to snap at a moment's notice. She supposed it was only right. Blair had been through so much in the last year. "How are you doing, Blair?"

Blair's chin lifted defiantly. "I'm fine. I'm getting stronger every day." She eyed Viki suspiciously for a moment. "I'm not helpless. I can take care of myself and I can take care of my child no matter what anyone says!"

"I have no doubt about that," Viki assured her quietly. "I've never doubted your strength or your tenacity, Blair. And I know how much you love Starr."

Blair crossed her arms defensively. What the hell had she walked in to?

"Todd asked me to look after Starr while he was away," Viki said. "She's upstairs right now and she needs her mother."

A long silence followed Viki's statement as Blair gaped open-mouthed at her ex-sister-in-law. "What?"

"Starr needs her mother," Viki repeated.

Blair blinked hard and swallowed, backing away slowly. "This is a cruel trick, Viki," she hissed. "Everyone knows that I'm not allowed to even see my daughter until a court appointed therapist gives me the okay. I'm not falling for anything that might make some judge decide that I can't be around my baby at all."

"This isn't a trick, Blair," Viki shook her head. It made sense that Blair would be downright paranoid at this point and Viki felt ashamed of the way she had helped matters come to this point. "Listen to me," she said seriously. "I am completely serious. After Todd disappeared you never tried to shut me out of your life or Starr's. I'm certain you felt some pressure to do that very thing."

"I'm not going to get into your history with Dorian," Blair said. "Todd and I never had families growing up. I was a foster kid and he got pawned off to Peter Manning. We both wanted more for our children than we had. Thinking Todd was dead didn't change that for me. His being alive didn't change it, either. Not for me." She leveled an angry and accusatory look at Viki. "But it seems that I'm the only one who felt that way."

"I know," Viki dropped her eyes to the floor. "I made several mistakes when Todd returned and I'm trying to rectify them. Do you want to see your daughter?"

Blair stared at Viki incredulously. "Of course I do."

"Then come upstairs," Viki headed that way. Perhaps she was running away from Blair's very valid points but arguing wasn't going to get mother and daughter together any quicker. There was a reunion that needed to happen.

Well, you've got two options, Blair, she thought watching Viki ascend the stairs. You can get the hell out of here and avoid any possible traps or you can go upstairs and be with Starr. She took a deep breath and placed one hand on the banister. Todd is trying to get us back together as we speak. I know he is. I could wait this out... avoid any trouble... She heard Starr giggle loudly and, before she even realized it, Blair was on her way. I can't wait for Todd... I need my baby.

Tea sat on the couch and gazed at the new surroundings in wonder. She felt like a princess in the penthouse. Gone were all of the hideous, angular, contemporary pieces. They had all been replaced with elegant neutrals and rich details. This was the home she had always dreamed about.

Todd had given her her dream.

It was too bad he wasn't there. She might have had the chance to start making inroads to shift their relationship. Coming home to the newly decorated penthouse had made her even more certain that this was the kind of life she was meant to have.

So Todd wasn't an ideal husband. He was surly, moody and rather childish. Fine with her. She would just have to establish who was boss. Most men just needed a firm hand. Todd was volatile but she had a contract to keep him in line. This was definitely a situation she could live with.

She picked up the phone, eager to show off her magnificent new house. "Rachel? It's Tea."

"Hey girl," her friend sounded genuinely glad to hear from her. "How are you doing? You on the mend?"

"I'm from sturdy stock," Tea sniffed. "I can handle a little fall. Anyway, I'm home now. I was hoping you'd find your way over and say 'hi' in person."

There was a long silence. "Is Todd there?"

"No," Tea rolled her eyes. Rachel really needed to get over it already. Grudges were so tedious. "He's out of town so I've got the place to myself."

"Well," Rachel hedged. "I can probably drop by for a little while."

"I wish you would," Tea said sincerely. "I really miss my friend."

Rachel laughed warmly. "All right, all right. I'm coming over, okay?"

Tea hung up the phone and picked up the note Todd left.

Out of town. Starr's at Viki's. Hope you like the new stuff. Get well soon.

She smiled and snuggled against the cushions of the couch. "Thank you, Blair," she said aloud. "I couldn't have gotten this without you. Keep up the good work."