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Sam slept on a lounge chair next to Todd's bed throughout the night. Despite the heavy sedation Todd's sleep still had some fitful moments where he would moan and whimper in his sleep. Tom was the one to wake up late the next morning. Viki had already arrived and Sam had filled her in on last nights events.

"Coach," Tom called out in a groggy voice.

"Hey Boomer," Sam greeted him and kissed his head.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Viki walked over to him and hugged him.

Tom started to get up and felt the IV tug on his arm. "I don't want more medicine!" Tom began to cry. "How come I have to have more medicine? Is Todd sick again?"

"Kind of," Sam answered and put his arm around Tom's shoulder. They finally got Tom to promise not to bother the IV in his hand.

"I have to go to the bathroom. Can I get up?" Tom asked as he wiped away the last of his tears.

"Sure, you just have to take the pole with you. Here I'll help you," Sam offered. Both Sam and Viki noticed that Tom was unsteady on his feet. They hoped it was only because the sedative from the night before hadn't completely worn off.

Frank came in and saw the empty bed, "I was here earlier to help him dress but he was still sleeping. Susannah wants to make sure whoever is out gets out of bed, washed and dressed."

"Tom is out right now. He's in the bathroom with Sam. He seemed a little out of it this morning."

Frank heard the concern in Viki's voice. "I saw his chart. He got a pretty strong shot last night. I'm pretty sure that's causing his unsteadiness." Frank informed her.

Tom and Sam came out of the bathroom. "Good morning Tom, are you feeling up to getting washed and dressed now or do you want to rest in the chair for a while?" Frank gave him a choice.

"Can I go to the playroom?"

"Well, maybe a little later. Doctor Hanen wants you to come to her office this morning. Do you feel up to walking over there?" Tom nodded.

"Since you missed breakfast, would you like something to eat now?" Frank offered

"Soda!" Tom responded.

"Tom, soda's not food. You need to eat something," Viki stated.

"I just want soda, orange soda." Tom insisted.

"I'll tell you what, how about eating something and having orange soda with it," Sam suggested.

"NO! I just want soda!"

They were all taken back by the sharpness of Tom's tone. It was unlike him to speak to them like that. Sam and Viki looked at each other, not only because of Tom's tone but because they knew he liked grape flavored beverages . . . soda, juice . . . he liked grape, not orange.

No one pushed the issue. Jeff came in to assist and he and Frank took Tom back to the bathroom and got him cleaned up and dressed. They were surprised by how quiet Tom was as they assisted him. He was usually talkative and friendly.

"I don't like these clothes. I want the blue ones," Tom complained as he looked at the gray sweats Frank had brought in to put on him.

"Tom, you've worn these lots of times before," Jeff reminded him gently.

"No, it wasn't me. I hate these. I want the blue ones."

Frank stuck his head out of the bathroom door. "Sam, can you please bring me the blue sweats," Frank called out.

Getting Tom dressed was a little more difficult because of the IV. Finally, Frank, Jeff and Tom emerged from the bathroom. A can of orange soda waited for Tom on the table.

"Can I go to the playroom now?"

"Tom, I told you, Doctor Hanen is waiting for you in her office," Frank reminded him. Tom looked confused. However he didn't say anything. Viki and Sam were starting to get worried.

Frank thought it best to fill Susannah in on Tom's behavior and reactions before his session. "Tom, I'll be right back to take you to Doctor Hanen's office. I need to go speak with her first. Okay?"

"Okay," Tom agreed. His sullen look had been replaced with his usual smile.

Tom got down on his knees and started to look through the toy box. "Was I really home?"

"Yes, sweetheart. You were home for Christmas," Viki answered.

"Santa brought me this. Right?" Tom asked, holding up a new toy truck.

"That's right, Boomer."

"That was a really long time ago."

"No baby, it was just a few days ago," Viki oriented him. She knew Tom confused easily when it came to time, but he seemed more disoriented then usual. Tom shrugged and continued to look through the toy box.

"Hey Boomer, do you want your soda?" Sam held up the can. Tom looked at the can.

"I like grape," Tom declared. Sam and Viki looked at each other.

Frank had filled Susannah in on Tom's unusual behavior and then went back to escort Tom to Susannah's office. "Good morning, honey. How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?" Susannah asked, once Tom had been brought to her.

"I don't like having this dumb needle in my hand all the time and having to walk with this dumb pole. It's all his fault!"

"Whose fault?" Susannah pressed. She noticed an unusually angry tone to Tom's voice.

"Todd's! He's always getting sick. Why does he get sick so much?"

Susannah knew how difficult it was for a young child to understand why their body wasn't able to do what they could always do. "Well, Todd's body is a little weak so it's easy for him to get sick," Susannah explained, in a way she thought Tom would understand.

"I hate Todd's body! I have my own body. I don't know why I keep getting stuck in Todd's. Then I feel sick, too. I want to go to the playroom!"

"Tom, you can go to the playroom a little later. I want us to talk for a while now."

"I never get to do what I want!" Tom pouted, which was once again unusual for him.

"Tom, will you draw a picture of yourself for me?"

"I don't like to draw," he responded sullenly.

He had Tom's voice and answered to Tom, but Susannah knew this was not Tom. He walked over to Susannah's computer and running his hand across it he commented, "Todd's got this really neat game in his computer. You get to kill off all the bad guys. I get to play with it sometimes. Do you wanna know a secret?"

"Sure I would, if you want to tell it to me."

"I was playing with Todd's computer and that Mr. Briggs came in and I got him to think I was Todd and I told him to write stuff in the newspaper." Tom paused while he giggled. Then he continued. "And Mr. Briggs looked at me funny." Some more giggles erupted. "But he wrote it in Todd's newspaper and Todd was real surprised when he saw it and yelled at Mr. Briggs." Tom continued to giggle at the memory of what happened.

"Do you like to make people think you're Todd?"

"Sometimes." Then, Tom got serious again and said, "Not when Todd has to get punished. I don't like getting punished for him."

"Do you get punished for him a lot?" Susannah pushed. Tom was still for a few seconds. He blinked a couple of times and then looked around, a confused look appeared on his face.

"Tom?" Susannah called. She studied him closely.

Tom looked at her and said, "I wanted to show you the truck Santa got me. I guess I left it in my room. Viki said it wasn't a long time ago."

"What wasn't a long time ago, honey?"

"That I got to go home."

"No, it was just a few days ago. Tom, do you remember coming into my office this morning?"

Tom looked even more confused. Then he noticed the bracelet Susannah had on. "You're wearing it!" Tom exclaimed. His face lit up like the Christmas tree he and Timmy had decorated.

"Yes, it's the best present anyone has ever given me," Susannah said as she held up the wrist that had the bracelet that Tom and Timmy had given her on it.

"I'm really glad you like it," Tom stated and put his head on Susannah's shoulder.

She hugged him and then told him, "Now I have two things that are very special and important to me. My locket and this bracelet." Susannah patted his back and stepped back and looked at him. His face was just beaming. She stroked his head and said. "Tom, let's sit down. Okay?"

Tom smiled and replied, "Okay."

"Honey, can you tell me the first thing you remember since you woke up this morning?"

Tom thought for a moment and answered, "I came out of the bathroom with Frank and Jeff."

"Then what's the next thing you remember?"

"I found my new truck in the toy box."

"Anything else?"

"Sam and Viki got me the wrong flavor soda."

"They did?"

"Uh huh. They forgot I like grape and got me orange."

"What do you remember next?"

"I was here, but I forgot to bring my truck. It's really cool. It makes noise just like a real one and has all kinds of lights on it."

Susannah noticed Tom, suddenly, looked sad. "Honey, what's the matter?"

"My dad won't let me play with it because it makes noise. He's gonna take it away."

"Tom, do you remember that your dad is never going to come here and you can play with your truck all you want?" Susannah gently reminded him.

"Oh, yeah," Tom said, brightening up. He added, "Can I go get my truck now?"

Susannah smiled at him. "In just a little bit, honey. Tom, do you know of anyone else who lives with you and Todd and the others who would answer to your name?"

"Santa thought I was good or he wouldn't have brought me all that stuff? Right?"

"That's right honey. Santa knows you are very good."

Susannah realized Tom was changing the subject. "I took good care of Timmy, too. Didn't I?"

"Yes, you took very good care of Timmy. You were a big help to everyone." Tom got a huge smile on his face.

Susannah redirected him back to her questions. "Tom, do you know a little boy named Andy?" Tom looked down. Susannah could see he was starting to cry. "Honey, what's wrong? It's okay, you can tell me."

"I don't know. I just feel sad."

"Does thinking about Andy make you sad?"

"I don't remember him but I do."

Confused, Susannah needed clarification. "Honey, I don't really know what you mean. Can you try to explain what you mean to me?"

Tom looked at her with sad, confused eyes. "I'm not supposed to remember him, but I think I do. I think he went away. He didn't want to get killed."

"Who was going to kill him?"

"I want to go get my truck."

"Tom it's okay, Andy is okay. He came to see me."

Tom was as shocked at Timmy had been. "He did?" Tom's face was a combination, surprise, happiness and confusion.

"Yes, honey, he did. Andy's just fine. No one killed him."

"Miss Perkins will be real happy. She always feels real bad cau . . ." Tom stopped suddenly, realizing he'd already said too much.

"Tom, it's all right. You can tell me."

"What? Sam! Sam!"

"It's all right, Todd," Susannah spoke soothingly. She took hold of Todd's outstretched hands. "Todd, it's Doctor Hanen. You're in my office. You're safe."

Todd started to panic. "I want Sam! Viki went away. She's never coming back. She left me a note. She's never coming back. I want Sam!"

"Todd, listen to me. Viki did not go away. She is probably waiting for you in the lounge or in your room."

"No! She left me a note. It said she was going away forever." Susannah squeezed his hands gently.

"Todd, it was your mom who left the note, not Viki. Viki will never leave you."

Todd was quiet for a minute and then started to panic again. "If Viki didn't leave how come she's not here?"

"Todd, you are in my office for a therapy session. Viki is waiting outside for you. Sam is probably there, too."

"I want to go to them," Todd pleaded.

"I'll take you to them as soon as our session is over," Susannah offered.

"No! I want to go to them now. I want Sam and Viki," Todd insisted.

"Todd, I promise I'll take you to Sam and Viki as soon as our session is over. Let's talk a little first."

Tears started down Todd's cheeks. "You lied to me! They both left forever. They're never coming back. It's so dark. I'm cold." Todd crossed his arms around his torso and started to rock back and forth.

"Todd, I want you to try to stay with me. I know it's difficult, but I want you to try to stay here."

Feeling overwhelmed with panic, Todd stood up. His arms stretched out in front of him. "I want Sam and Viki," he cried out childishly. He tried to find his way to the door. Susannah grabbed him just as he was about to trip over the IV pole.

"Todd, I want you to sit down before you fall and hurt yourself."

"I want Sam and Viki!" he cried out, hysterically.

"All right. If you sit down, I'll call them in here for you. Todd, you need to calm down. I will get Viki and Sam to come in here, but first you need to calm down."

"They won't come. They went away forever." More tears slid down his cheeks. Susannah could tell he believed they had abandoned him.

"They went away forever," Todd repeated to himself quietly. He allowed Susannah to gently push him down onto a chair. Susannah called the nurses' station and asked Nancy to please send Sam and Viki to her office.

Within two minutes time Viki and Sam came rushing into Susannah's office. "Todd, it's all right sweetheart, we're here," Viki called out to him as she and Sam rushed over to where Todd sat.

As soon as he heard Viki's voice, Todd wildly grabbed at the air until Viki was close enough to touch. Just like he had the other night, he threw his arms around her waist and held on tightly. Viki could feel him trembling.

"Why did you tell me you were going away forever? Were you mad at me?"

Viki was shocked by Todd's statement. "Todd, I never told you that." Viki tried to set him straight.

"Yes you did. You left me a note. You said you were never coming back. I'll be good. Please don't leave me. I'll be good. Mama please! I'll be good. Don't leave me in the dark. I'm afraid."

Viki looked at Susannah. She did not know how to respond to Todd. It most definitely seemed to be Todd, but he was totally confused and disoriented. "Todd," Susannah spoke slowly and gently, "Viki is not mama. Viki is your sister. Do you remember that?"

Todd shook his head. "Viki went away. Sam went away. Everyone goes away."

"Todd, I'm right here. Sweetheart, you're holding on to me. I'm standing right here." Viki had never seen Todd so confused. She tried her best to keep from crying.

"Viki?" Todd asked, in a confused tone.

"Yes baby, it's me. Todd, you're holding on to me. I'm right here." Viki hugged him to her tightly.

"Don't go away again, okay? Sam too. Please don't go away again. I can't find you in the dark. It's nighttime and the trees make it even darker. It's so cold. When the sun comes out it won't be so cold." They realized Todd had no idea where he was. He was coming apart at the seams and it seemed nothing could stop it.

They walked Todd back to his room and sat him in the chair. He would not let go of Viki's hand. "Todd, can you tell me who I am?" Susannah asked. Todd looked frightened and confused. His chin quivered. A tear slid down his cheek. He couldn't answer the question. "Can you tell me where you are right now?" Susannah pressed.

Todd didn't answer at first, then he surprised them by saying, "The storage shed."

Suddenly he jumped up and ran to the door. The IV pole dragged behind him. Luckily he did not dislodge the IV. He didn't try to open the door. He started pounding on it.

"LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! I WASN'T BAD! I HATE YOU! LET ME OUT!" He screamed out in frustration and slid down the wall. "I didn't do it. It wasn't me. It wasn't me. He cried, to himself and then again screamed, "I HATE HIM! I HATE HIM!" He slammed the back of his head into the wall. He sighed, and drew his knees to his forehead and whispered to himself, "I didn't do it and I won't say I did. I won't say I did it. I hate you. I hate you."

They realized it sounded like Tom's voice. However the tone and attitude were not Tom's. Susannah walked over to him. She righted the IV pole and knelt down to him.

"Hi, do you know who I am?"

He looked up and nodded. "You're Doctor Hanen."

"You seem to be really angry," Susannah acknowledged.

"I hate him! He won't make me say I did it. He can't hurt me, so he locks me up."

"Who can't hurt you and locks you up?" Susannah pressed. He folded his arms on top of his knees and put his head in them. Susannah changed the subject. "Do you know where you are?"

He looked around and answered, "My room."

"That's very good. Have you come out and spoken with us before?"

"I was in your office." His tone implied that Susannah should have known that. He pointed to Sam and Viki. "They said they'd get me orange soda." Susannah realized this was the child she thought was Tom.

"Do you have a name?" Susannah asked.

"Thomas."

"Your name is Tom, too?"

"I don't like "Tom". My name is Thomas. Like my grandpa."

"Your grandpa?"

"Mama said I was named after my grandpa. He's dead. Mama is so sad that he's dead. She says we could go to him and he'd help us if he was still alive. Mama cries when she talks about him. I don't like being in the dark."

"Is it dark in here now?"

"No."

"Where is it dark?" Susannah pushed for more information.

"In the storage shed. The door closes and it's all dark. Big rats live in there. I don't want to be there. I don't want to be there!"

He was starting to cry again. He got up on his knees and turned around. He started to bang his hands against the door again. Susannah put her arms around him and gently pulled him back down to a sitting position on the floor.

"Honey, it's okay, you're not in the storage shed. Look around again." Thomas looked around. He still seemed confused and angry. "You're in your room. Hmmm, remember?"

He calmed down a little and wiped his eyes. "When I'm big I won't let daddy hurt mama anymore. I hate him. He gets madder when I yell back but I do anyway. I hate him!" Thomas was emphatic.

"Thomas, how old are you?" Susannah inquired.

"Eight. I'm in third grade. I won a prize for spelling, a pen and pencil set. I spell better than Tom or Todd. Mama said not to show daddy my prize. She said she was real proud of me. She said, 'Thomas, you are such a smart boy."'

Susannah smiled. "You really love mama a lot don't you?" He nodded. "Do you ever get angry with mama?"

"NO!" He seemed horrified at the very thought. I love mama! She's gonna take me with her."

"Where is she going to take you?" Susannah asked.

"It's a secret. Mama felt sick again and she laid down. I laid down with her and she told me. Don't tell daddy. Don't tell daddy. Don't tell daddy," Thomas started whispering to himself over and over again.

"Thomas, it's all right. No one will tell daddy."

"If he finds out he'll hurt mama."

"Can you tell us the secret?" Thomas shook his head. "Okay, you don't have to." Susannah looked at her watch and realized it was nearly time for Thomas' lunch to be brought in.

"Thomas, what do you like to eat?"

"French toast! Mama used to make it for me in the morning."

"Doesn't she make it anymore?"

"Mama sleeps too late to make it now. Sometimes she makes it for dinner. Mama makes the best French toast. I like orange soda and orange Popsicles and orange Jell-O. Orange is mama's favorite flavor too." "Thomas, if I can get them to make you some French toast for lunch will you eat it?" Susannah offered. He nodded. "Okay," Susannah said. She stood up and then helped Thomas up. "Can I go to the playroom?" Thomas asked hopefully. "Thomas, you seem to know all about the hospital. Have you been out much since Todd's been in the here?" He shook his head. "I just know stuff. I know about a lot of stuff. They don't like for me to come out cause I make daddy even madder. I hate daddy. Can I go play with the toys now?" "Sure you can Thomas," Susannah agreed. "I like it when you call me honey like you do Tom."

Susannah smiled. She put her arm around his shoulder and said, "okay honey, you can go to the playroom. I'll take you there right now. I'll be back in a minute," Susannah said to Sam and Viki, who had been sitting quietly. They realized that they now had another kid in their family.

After making sure it was all right with Alan to leave Thomas with him, Susannah headed back to Todd's room to talk to talk Viki and Sam. "Susannah, why do you think all these new alters are coming out now?" Sam asked. "I think Thomas has been around for a long time. I don't think he was dormant like Andy or the other Todd. I think Thomas handles the anger at Peter that Tom can't. I get the feeling that Thomas did not passively allow Peter to torture him. Probably by doing so his abuse was more severe. Yet, Thomas does not seem to be able to handle being angry with Barbara. He apparently adored her."

Viki took a deep breath. "Do you think he is aware of Peter and Barbara's death?" Viki asked. "He doesn't seem to be," Susannah answered. "He definitely is not as docile as Tom," Viki noted. "No, Frank noticed the difference this morning. He alerted me to the fact that this was probably another alter." "Do you think Todd was locked in a dark, rat infested storage shed?" Sam asked. "I wouldn't be surprised," Susannah replied. Both Sam and Viki shook their heads in disgust. "Do you think Todd remembers that? He was the one who said it before he switched." Viki reminded them. "It's possible. He may just remember the feelings of being in the dark," Susannah explained. "Susannah, Todd doesn't even know where he is most of the time. He is just so terrified. He seems to have become obsessed with the notion that we will leave him," Viki stated.

Sam nodded in agreement and added, "he has always been afraid of being abandoned, but now . . . I don't know what to say. I've never seen him like this. He's completely falling apart," Sam added. "Todd has definitely regressed. I'm believe memories of Michelle that the other Todd and Pete had may have something to do with it. The blindness has left Todd disoriented and completely vulnerable. I've arranged for Ryan Morgan to start working with him right after the holiday."

Sam and Viki still had a problem with this. "Susannah, how will you arrange for it. I mean, you never know when Todd will be out?" Viki asked. "Ryan will be on staff. I will also try to get Todd to come out before his scheduled sessions with Ryan." "You know he won't willingly participate," Sam stated.

Susannah knew what Sam said was true. "As cruel as it sounds, given Todd's current state of mind, we have to get tougher with him." "Oh God Susannah, right now all Todd wants is to curl up and die. He is in so much pain," Viki declared. "I realize that. That is why it is so important for him to have some structure when he is out. He is going further and further into himself. He is becoming childlike and dependent. If we allow this to continue we may never be able to get him back. He needs to participate in his therapy. He needs to learn to trust that you and Sam won't leave him. I find out valuable information from the alters, but Todd himself needs to be able to talk about things."

Sam had doubts about this. "Susannah, as you once said, you can't force Todd not to dissociate. How do you plan to get him to come out for therapy sessions with you or with Ryan Morgan?" Sam pressed. "If all else fails, through hypnosis at the beginning, then hopefully he'll start to feel safe enough to stay out on his own."

Viki and Sam were at their wit's end. They both needed to recharge. "Not to change the subject, but I was wondering if we should do anything for Todd's birthday?" Sam asked. "Do the alters consider January second to be their birthday too?" Viki inquired.

Susannah shrugged. "I'm not sure. That has never come up. We could ask Thomas when he comes back for lunch. That reminds me. I'd better see about getting the kitchen staff to whip up some French toast for our newest boy. Before I go, I was wondering if you two had any plans for tonight?" "Well, we will be together. Both Sam and I can stay over tonight. Do you think New Year's has any meaning to Thomas, or to any of them?" "I doubt if it means much. I wish you two would take the night off just for yourselves. I would be more than happy to stay the night with Todd." "Oh, I don't know if that's such a good idea. Todd has been so dependent on us lately. He is so terrified. If he comes back and we are not around he'll think he has been abandoned again," Viki stated. "Well, you think about it. I'm going to get Thomas his French toast if I have to go down there and make it myself," Susannah announced, smiling.

Susannah was good to her word. Thomas ate most of the French toast and orange Jell-O without any problems. Sam and Viki had gone to the cafeteria for a quick lunch. Thomas asked Susannah to turn on the television. She asked him if he would talk with her instead. He shrugged and muttered "okay, what do you want to talk about?" "Well, you seem to know us, but we don't know much about you. Can you tell me all about Thomas?" Susannah prompted.

Thomas sighed impatiently. "I already told you! I'm eight and I'm in third grade." "I know you don't like to draw. Why is that?" "It's stupid and it's for girls," Thomas responded. "Honey, it's okay for boys to like to draw too. Timmy and Tom like to draw." "They act like little girls," Thomas commented. "Who said they do?" "Daddy. Daddy hates them. He hates me too cause he thinks I'm Todd. They think daddy hates me the most, but he really hates Todd the most."

So far Thomas was staying calm. Susannah continued. "Why do you think daddy hates Todd the most?" "Because that's who he thinks he's punishing. I can yell back if I want to!" Thomas announced, angrily. "Who says that you can't?" Daddy has to punish me special. Tom gets too scared to come out. Everyone does. I stay out! I hate him!" "You hate daddy?" Susannah restated for clarification.

Thomas nodded. "How does he punish you special." "He locks me in the storage shed. It's real small and there's no light when the door closes. Suddenly Thomas jumped up. He started to back away. There was a look of horror on his face.

"I hear them. I hear them! I want to get out. I didn't do it! It wasn't me." Susannah was surprised by how quickly he escalated into a flashback. Frank, Terry, Nancy and Jeff quickly and cautiously approached him. They stood in back of him and to either side.

"Thomas, honey you're not in the storage shed. It's all right. Thomas look at me," Susannah instructed. She held him by the shoulders. "I hear them!" He insisted and began to cry. "Tell me what you hear." Susannah prompted him. "The rats. They're in here too. I'm scared of them. They'll bite me." "Okay Thomas, listen to me. You are not in the shed now. You're in the day room at the hospital. Thomas, you are not in the shed." Susannah spoke slowly and firmly.

"I like when you call me honey," Thomas reminded her through his tears. Susannah and the staff breathed a sigh of relief. He had come out of the flashback. "I'm sorry honey, I forgot," Susannah apologized. She put her arm around him. Susannah could see he was tired. There was just so much Todd's body could take at one time. "Honey, would you like to take a nap now?" Thomas looked down. Clearly his feelings were hurt. "No one wants me to come out. They want me to stay inside all the time. Pete likes me. He hates Todd, but he likes me. He don't like Tom. He thinks Tom is stupid." Susannah wanted to pursue this but she knew Todd's body had to rest. She also wanted to make sure to right this idea he had that they didn't want him to come out.

"Honey, we don't want you to go back inside. We're all very happy that you came out to meet us." "You are!" Thomas sounded disbelieving. "Yes honey." Susannah smiled and stroked his head. "You made us all very happy by coming to say hello to us today." Thomas smiled.

Susannah tucked his hair behind his ears. "Honey, you can come out whenever you feel you want to. I asked you if you wanted to take a nap because I thought you might be tired. Are you tired? Thomas nodded. "Would you like to lay down on the couch in here or go back to your room?" Susannah gave him a choice. "My room," Thomas answered.

While they were walking back Thomas asked, "Everyone really likes me to be here?" "Very much. Sam and Viki are so happy to get to know you and so am I and everyone else here," Susannah assured him.

As Thomas climbed into his bed he remarked, "maybe mama will be here when I wake up." Susannah held back the tears that threatened to fill her eyes. She tucked Thomas in and stayed with him until he fell asleep.

Thomas was still sleeping when Sam and Viki came back to his room. Frank was sitting with him. Viki and Sam went to Susannah's office. Susannah addressed Sam. "How are you and Tea doing with locating Michelle's parents?" Susannah asked. "No luck yet. It's as if they disappeared off the face of the earth. We are going to hire a private detective. If they're alive, they have to be somewhere. Or perhaps we can find her brothers." "Are you still planning on seeing Bo tomorrow?" Susannah inquired. "Yeah, the longer I put it off the worse it will look," Sam explained.

Once again Susannah repeated firmly. "Sam, you can't let Bo or the Chicago police near Todd. No matter what happens. He can't be questioned now." "I know. Don't worry. I will make sure Todd is safe. I won't ever let anyone hurt him again. I meant it when I said I would take him out of the country before I let anyone hurt him. I'll do whatever it takes." They heard the determination in Sam's voice.

Viki couldn't bear thinking about all of that. She brought up something else that was on her mind. "Sam, Tea and I would like to get Todd and the others something for their birthday. Blair would too. Do you think that would be a good idea?" "Have you celebrated Todd's birthday with him in past years?" Susannah asked. "No, not really," Viki answered. "Not since he was a kid," Sam said.

Susannah thought for a minute. "Does Todd usually have any kind of party or anything for his birthday?" Susannah continued her questions. "No," Viki admitted, "he never mentions it. The only year he ever spoke about it was his twenty-fifth birthday. The year he found out he was my brother. And that was to inherit the money. I don't think he ever mentioned his birthday on any other year. I do send him cards every year, but he never acknowledges them. I thought it was just Todd being Todd and never gave it a thought." Viki confessed.

Susannah sighed. "Well, I will ask whoever is out about it. This year the realization of it being his birthday might be very upsetting to Todd. So, have you two given any thought to my offer to stay with Todd tonight so you can have some time to yourselves."

Viki and Sam looked at each other. "As tempting as it sounds, we don't want to be too far from the hospital. If Todd comes back he will, in all likelihood, need us to be with him. Viki and I can't bear the thought of him calling for us and us not being there." "I can understand that, I can't promise you that won't happen," Susannah acknowledged, sadly.

Timmy was the one who awoke. Susannah, Sam and Viki found Timmy and Frank sitting on the floor playing CandyLand. Viki bent down to Timmy. She placed her hand under his chin and gently turned his face up towards hers. Viki's heart always melted when she looked into those huge innocent eyes. She kissed Timmy on the forehead.

"How's my sweet boy?" "Look! I'm almost winning. I'm gonna find the candy castle." "I can see that," Viki told him. She stroked the left cheek of his upturned face. "Timmy is certainly a very good player," Frank acknowledged. He smiled at Timmy. When the game was finished, Susannah asked Timmy if he would talk to her for a while. Timmy was happy to. He waved good-bye as Frank left the room for his post outside the door. Timmy sat on his bed, cuddling up in Viki's arms. "Timmy, do you know Thomas?" Susannah asked. Timmy's face got very serious. He looked down without answering. Viki held him tighter. "Sweetie, does that question upset you?" Timmy continued to look down without answering. "Are you afraid of Thomas?" Susannah pressed. Timmy shook his head. "Is Thomas ever mean to you or to the others?" He shook his head again. "Can you tell me why talking about him upsets you?" Susannah continued to push.

Timmy leaned into Viki and hung his head down against her. "Daddy hates Thomas the most. He gets punished real bad. We don't want daddy to think we're him. Sometimes he don't come out for a real long time. Miss Perkins says that's good and we shouldn't talk about him. Mommy likes Thomas a lot."

Susannah continued cautiously. "Timmy, how does daddy punish Thomas?" Viki felt Timmy stiffen in her arms. She cast Susannah a warning look. "It's okay, sweetie, you won't get in any trouble for telling me."

"Daddy once grabbed me cause he thought I was Thomas. I don't want to go there. I don't want to go!" Timmy cried out. He buried his head in Viki's shoulder. Viki rubbed his back.

Susannah sat down on the bed, sandwiching Timmy between Viki and herself. "Okay Timmy. Sweetie, we won't talk about Thomas anymore right now. Okay?" Susannah promised as she stroked the back of his head.

Sam, who had been quiet through Susannah's questions, wanted to take Timmy's mind off of his painful memories. "Hey pal, do you think you could draw me a picture of the stuffed horse that Santa brought you? I would really like that?"

Timmy stayed snuggled in Viki's arms for a few more minutes. Then he turned around and asked Sam, "Do you really want me to draw a picture for you?"

"I want you to very much," Sam confirmed.

Timmy got his crayons and some paper and sat on the floor with them. After he had been drawing calmly for a while Susannah asked. "Timmy, do you know what January second is?"

"Todd's birthday," Timmy replied calmly.

"Is it your birthday, too?" Susannah asked. Timmy shrugged his shoulders. Timmy was still calm. Susannah continued. "Do you or Todd or any of the others like to have a party on your birthday?"

Timmy dropped his crayon. "NOOOO! Daddy will get real mad if we have a party. Daddy gets extra mad on Todd's birthday. We weren't supposed to be borned. Daddy gets real mad. Daddy gets real mad!" Timmy curled up into a little ball.

Susannah sat down on the floor next to Timmy. She rubbed his back. "Shhhh, it's all right sweetie, you don't have to have a party. No party. Shhhh. Timmy calmed down again. After a while he snuggled into Susannah's arms. She rocked him gently for a few minutes.

Susannah approached the subject in a different way. "Does anyone do anything special for Todd's birthday?"

"Mommy makes a cake and puts candles in it. We have to eat some of it quick and throw it away before daddy comes home. Mommy buys us a present but we have to hide it so daddy don't see it. Daddy'll get mad at mommy too if he finds out. Mommy kisses us and says 'happy birthday darling, I love you very much.' I don't want mommy to get hurt," Timmy whimpered as some tears fell.

Sam and Viki had to fight to keep themselves from crying along with Timmy. "Mommy won't get hurt Timmy. I promise. It'll be okay," Sam assured him.

"Is that because mommy's far away and daddy can't find her?" Sam nodded.

"Yeah, pal." Sam joined Susannah and Timmy on the floor. "Timmy, do you think I could have a hug?" Sam asked. He needed to hold this child in his arms.

Timmy let go of Susannah and snuggled up to Sam. Sam held him tightly. After a while Timmy remarked, "I'm glad mommy is far away. I don't want her to get hurt, too."

They all exchanged looks. They realized that Timmy was willing to put his mother's well being before his intense need for her. Sam kissed him on top of his head and said, "You are such a good boy."

Some of the anger Viki felt for Barbara melted as she thought of this weak but terrified woman trying to give her child some kind of happiness on his birthday. Even if she had to put herself in danger to do it. Viki pictured Barbara and Todd trying to scarf down a piece of cake and celebrate Todd's birthday quickly, never really getting to enjoy either because of the constant fear of the very real danger that they faced. The thought of this woman and child living in absolute terror of Peter brought tears to Viki's eyes.

**************************

Timmy was out for the rest of the day. Susannah took him to the art room where he happily finger-painted for a while. With Dave stationed outside the door, Susannah left Timmy in the care of Laura, the art therapist. Susannah had a surprise in mind for Viki and Sam and she needed to arrange some things.

To Viki's surprise, Kevin stopped by to wish her a happy New Year. Hugging him, she asked him what his plans were for the night. He told her he and Cassie would be spending a quiet night together at home. Kevin asked Viki about her plans.

"Sam and I will be here for the night." Viki explained about Todd's current condition and that he panicked if he came back and she and Sam weren't around.

For a moment Kevin felt some of his old resentment towards Todd for keeping his mother sitting vigil for him, even on New Year's Eve. He then thought about why Todd was so terrified and his newfound sympathy returned.

Turning to Sam, Kevin said, "If my mother has to be here for the night I'm glad she won't be alone." He turned back to Viki and asked, "So who's out today?"

"Right now, Timmy," Viki answered. She could see Kevin was happy to hear that.

"Where is he, in Susannah's office?"

"No, he's in the art room. Would you like to visit with him?"

"Sure," Kevin answered, surprised by the fact that he really did want to visit Timmy again. Something about the little boy had gotten to him.

****************************

Laura was washing Timmy's hands off when they entered the art room. The smock he had over his clothes, was covered with finger-paint and his face was smudged with it. "Timmy is a very enthusiastic finger-painter," Laura said smiling. She then took a fresh washcloth to his face. Timmy turned around and saw Kevin standing there with Sam and Viki.

"KEVIN! You really came back again," Timmy exclaimed. A giant smile covered Timmy's face. He started to head for Kevin. Laura held him back.

"Whoa! Hold it there, mister. You don't want to get Kevin full of paint?" She quickly finished washing his face off and then carefully took the paint-coated smock off of him. Timmy squirmed impatiently.

Once she was finished Timmy headed for Kevin. Kevin walked towards him, realizing Timmy still had the IV pole to contend with. Timmy surprised Kevin by throwing his arms around him. "I thought you'd never come back again." At first Kevin stood still, his arms at his sides. He then instinctively hugged Timmy back.

Kevin was shocked when he realized just how thin Todd had become. Even more than he had been able to tell through the clothes and pajamas he had seen Timmy in. He could practically feel every bone in Timmy's upper body.

"How's my new buddy doing?" Kevin asked.

"Wanna see my paintings?"

"You bet I do," Kevin answered.

"They're still wet so they didn't get hanged up yet. Laura said it was okay to make a big mess with the paint. She said I wouldn't be punished. Laura helped me spell the words on my paintings," Timmy chattered on, taking Kevin's hand and pulling him over to a long table with three freshly done finger-paintings drying on it.

Sam and Viki followed them to the table. One painting was of Mr. Rabbit. The second was of Timmy holding a brown and white fluffy dog. He had "ME AND RANDY" written under each figure respectively. The third was a picture of a dark haired man. "MY BESTEST FRIEND" was written under it.

Timmy looked at Kevin. "See! It's you." Timmy pointed to the third picture and then added sadly, "It don't look like you too much cause it's hard to draw good with finger-paints."

For a moment Kevin didn't trust his voice. He did not understand why Timmy got to him the way he did. Viki noticed how touched by the painting her son was and she stood next to him and rubbed his back.

"Timmy, that is the best picture I have ever seen. I think it looks a lot like me. Do you think I can have it when it dries?" The total joy on Timmy's face was heart wrenching. It took so little to make this child happy.

"Kevin likes my picture! Kevin likes my picture!" Timmy said in amazement to Sam, Viki and Laura.

"Of course he does, baby. You draw very well," Viki said.

"How long before it dries?" Timmy asked Laura.

"I'm afraid it will take some time Timmy."

They could see that Timmy was disappointed. "Of course, I could stay around and visit with Timmy while it dries. If he wants me to," Kevin said, coyly.

"YEAH!" Timmy shouted happily and jumped up and down. Timmy turned to his "bestest friend." "Kevin, do you want to see the playroom? They got lots of toys. Tom plays with me sometimes. He says they got . . ." Timmy thought for a minute and then continued, "Neat stuff in there."

"Well let's go to the playroom," Kevin said.

"Timmy, let me check first and make sure the playroom is available," Laura reminded him.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot. Sometimes other people like to play in there and then I have to wait," Timmy informed Kevin.

Laura came back and said, "All clear! Go ahead Timmy."

Timmy took Kevin's hand in one hand and his IV pole in the other. He was getting used to wheeling it along with him. They headed for the playroom. Timmy showed Kevin some of the cars, blocks, trains, and stuffed animals. They finally settled down to play with the remote cars. Timmy was not very good at working the remotes. It was not really age appropriate for him. Tom had tried to teach Timmy how to use the remotes, with little success. Kevin had Timmy sit in front of him, Timmy's back to him. Kevin held Timmy's hands and manipulated Timmy's fingers while they both operated the remotes. He could not believe Timmy's happiness at being able to make the cars move around the way he wanted them to, for the first time.

Kevin was surprised by the good time he was having. He loved being with this child. He also could not believe how easy it was to separate Timmy from Todd in his mind. Dave came in to let them know that Timmy's dinner had been brought to the table in the day room.

Timmy wanted to stay and play some more. Alan told him he had to close the playroom up for the night now anyway.

"You know, I would really like see if the picture you made for me is dry. Why don't we go to the art room before it closes too and if it's dry we can take it to your room?" Kevin suggested.

Timmy brightened up and said, "Okay." The picture was still slightly damp, so they took it to Timmy's room and laid it flat on the bed.

"I'll bet it will be all dry in the time it takes you to eat dinner," Kevin stated.

"I'm not hungry, do I have to?" Timmy whimpered.

"Sweetheart, you need to eat something. Why don't we go see what you've got for dinner?" Viki suggested.

"That sounds like a great idea to me," Kevin declared.

"Okay," Timmy agreed.

Viki lifted the lid off the plate. "Chicken fingers and mashed potatoes! Timmy you like chicken fingers and mashed potatoes," Viki reminded him.

"No, I like alphabet spaghetti," Timmy protested. He remembered the game he and Kevin played last time.

"Then I guess you don't want to play the chicken finger game?" Kevin asked innocently.

"Yes I do. What's the chicken finger game?" Timmy asked, his eyes wide. Sam, Viki and Kevin smiled. Timmy was precious to them.

Kevin had to think fast. "Okay Timmy, this is how you play the chicken finger game. For every chicken finger and spoon of potatoes you eat I have to tell you a chicken joke. Do you like chicken jokes?" Timmy giggled and nodded. "All right then, let's see. You have five chicken fingers here so I have to come up with five jokes. Hmmm, you drive a pretty hard bargain." Timmy giggled again. Kevin soon realized that no matter how silly or dumb the jokes he made up were, Timmy loved them.

One by one, Timmy ate the chicken fingers and took spoonful after spoonful of the potatoes until they were gone. Kevin not only enjoyed watching Timmy burst into giggles at every joke, but he was enjoyed watching his mother and Sam cringe at the silliness of them.

Timmy had a strawberry cupcake for desert. He handed it to Kevin and offered, "You can have it. It's the best part so I want you to have it." Kevin was touched by Timmy's gesture.

"You know what friends do with cupcakes?" Timmy shook his head. "They share them. Here," Kevin said as he picked up the plastic knife that was on the tray and cut the cupcake into two pieces, a larger and smaller piece.

When he handed Timmy the larger piece, Timmy said, "You can have the big one."

"Don't you know? That's one of the rules of the chicken finger game. The person who eats the chicken fingers gets the bigger part of the cupcake and all the milk."

Susannah came into the room. She was surprised to see Kevin back so soon. She came over and stroked Timmy's head and seeing the empty plate she said, "Hi sweetie. I see you had a good dinner."

"Kevin played the chicken finger game with me and now I get the big half of the cupcake," Timmy informed her as he took another lick of the strawberry icing.

"Well Kevin seems to do wonders for your appetite," Susannah observed. She patted Timmy's head.

Timmy took Susannah's hand and Kevin's hand and led them back to his room and over to the bed. "Look! I drawed this and Kevin likes it and wants to keep it. Kevin likes it! He didn't punish me for drawing it and he don't think I'm stupid."

Timmy's words made Kevin shiver with anger at the thought of Peter punishing and humiliating this child for drawing a picture.

"That's an excellent picture. I can see why Kevin would want to keep it," Susannah complimented.

Timmy headed back to the table and finished his milk and licked all the icing off the cupcake and asked Kevin if he wanted to do another puzzle.

Kevin discreetly looked at his watch. "I think I have time for one puzzle," Kevin told Timmy.

Susannah and Sam could see how pleased Viki was as she watched Kevin and Timmy together. Viki was very proud of Kevin. She knew he overcame a lot to be able to be objective and compassionate towards Timmy. She also was saddened when she realized what a good father Kevin would be, if he had been given the chance to raise his own son.

"Timmy, it's soon time to put on your PJ's and get ready for bed," Susannah reminded him. She knelt down to where Timmy and Kevin sat on the floor.

"Can't I stay up and play with Kevin?"

"Timmy," Kevin began, "I have to go soon anyway." Kevin could see how sad Timmy looked at the thought of his leaving. "You know I want to get home so I can find a very special place to hang your painting. I want it in just the right spot so I can see it all the time."

Timmy's huge smile turned to a fearful expression. Timmy started to cry. "What's wrong sweetheart?" Viki asked, not understanding this sudden change.

"I don't want Kevin to get hurt," Timmy wept.

"Why do you think Kevin will get hurt?" Susannah pressed.

"If he hangs the picture up his daddy'll hurt him."

Kevin put his arm around Timmy's thin shoulders. "Timmy, not all daddies hurt their children. Some daddies are very good. My daddy is very good. He would be very happy to see me hang up a picture that my very bestest friend painted for me."

Timmy put his head on Kevin's shoulder and looked up at him and asked, "Are you sure you won't get punished?"

"Yes, I'm very sure. I think I'm going to hang it in the bedroom, so it will be the first thing I see in the morning and I will think, 'this is the picture my best buddy Timmy made for me.'"

Timmy threw his arms around Kevin and said, "I love you Kevin."

Kevin felt tears burn his eyes. "I love you right back buddy," Kevin patted Timmy's back. Kevin could not believe the words coming out of his mouth and even more startling to him, he couldn't believe he meant them.

They had all gone back to Timmy's room so Kevin could pick up his painting and Timmy could start to settle down for the night. Timmy was sitting on the bed. Kevin was standing next to it admiring the painting. Terry brought in a juice cup with Timmy's medication mixed in it. One of the new medications Susannah prescribed had a stronger taste than the old one and getting them, especially Timmy, to take it was becoming a struggle. Unfortunately, getting them to take it in pill form would be even more of one.

"Noooo! Please don't make me," Timmy started to cry.

"Come on pal, just drink down quickly. It won't be so bad," Sam coaxed.

"Timmy, it's your favorite, pineapple juice," Susannah reminded him.

"I don't like it anymore," Timmy said as tears continued to flow down his cheeks.

"Why doesn't she just get him a different flavor juice?" Kevin whispered to Viki.

"His medication is in there. It makes any juice taste bitter," Viki whispered back.

"Do you think you can get three more cups of pineapple juice?" Kevin asked, still whispering.

Viki went out to the nurses' station and came back with the additional juice cups. Sam and Susannah were still trying to coax a crying Timmy to drink the juice.

"Do you mind if I try?" Kevin asked Susannah.

Susannah stepped away, gesturing for Kevin to try. Kevin placed the juices on the table and pulled it near the bed. He sat down next to Timmy and put his arm around Timmy's shoulders.

"I'll bet that tastes pretty nasty, huh?" Timmy turned his tear stained face to Kevin and nodded. "See, the problem is, that nasty old juice is good for you, and you need to drink it. Do you know what I do when I have to drink something that tastes bad?" Timmy shook his head. "Here, I'll show you,"

Kevin opened up one of the pineapple juice cups Viki brought him. "Now this one is the bad tasting one. This one is the good one," Kevin opened up another juice cup. "See, I have a good one for you, too," Kevin opened the last juice cup and placed it on the table next to the one with Timmy's medication in it. "Now watch. I'll show you how I do it." Kevin noticed Timmy had stopped crying and was all eyes as he watched Kevin's every move.

"Okay, here's the nasty one," Kevin said and held his nose closed as he drank his supposedly "nasty" juice down in one quick gulp. "Now without letting go of my nose," Kevin said in a nasal twang that made Timmy giggle, "I drink the good one," Kevin drank down the other juice. He then let go of his nose and said, "Now all I taste is the good juice. Okay Timmy, it's your turn. Now you do it."

Timmy hesitated for a moment but then picked up the "bad" juice and held his nose and drank it down quickly. He then drank the untainted juice. He slowly released his nose and with a surprised look on his face admitted, "I just taste pineapple juice now."

"There ya go! See, that wasn't so bad." Kevin declared.

"Kevin knows everything!" Timmy remarked with amazement. He put his head on Kevin's shoulder.

Viki stroked her son's head and said, "Yeah, sometimes he does."

Grateful that the ordeal of getting the meds down was over, Susannah said, "All right now young man, it's time to get those teeth brushed and get into your pajamas and get to bed."

"Can you stay till I go to sleep?" Timmy begged Kevin.

Even though he knew he'd be keeping Cassie waiting, Kevin agreed. "Sure, you go get ready for bed and I'll be right here."

"Sam do you want me to get Dave to help him or do you want to do it?" Susannah asked.

"I think Timmy and I can manage," Sam said smiling as he helped Timmy to the bathroom.

Timmy asked Kevin to put him to bed. Once Timmy was tucked in he sleepily asked Kevin, "Are you really gonna hang my picture up?"

"A picture of me by my bestest friend, you bet I am. I love that picture." Timmy smiled and turned on his side and went to sleep. Kevin stroked Timmy's head and whispered, "Goodnight buddy." He then walked over to Viki and kissed her on the cheek and said, "Happy New Year, mom. I love you."

Viki hugged Kevin and said, "Sweetheart, thank you for everything."

"Kevin, I want to thank you too," Sam said, patting Kevin on the back.

"You're very good with him," Susannah added, "I'll be using your 'juice game' with him from now on."

Embarrassed by their gratitude and still feeling slightly ashamed by his previous attitude towards Todd, Kevin just shrugged. "It's the least I can do for my bestest friend." Kevin then carefully rolled up Timmy's painting and left.

Susannah looked at her watch. It was just a little after eight. She knew there was still a ways to go before midnight, but thought she'd spring her surprise on Sam and Viki now so they would have some time to enjoy it. "Will you two excuse me for a few minutes. I'll be right back," Susannah said to them. She went to her office to make sure everything was in place and then took some medical journals and paper work that she had been meaning to catch up on from her desk and headed back to Todd's room.

On the way back, Susannah stopped outside Todd's room and told Dave that she would be staying with Timmy tonight instead of Sam or Viki. She also asked him to stay at Timmy's bedside while she took Viki and Sam to her office. She told him what she had planned. Both Susannah and Dave smiled broadly at Susannah's plan.

Sam and Viki were surprised to see Dave entering the room with Susannah and to see the stack of papers and journals Susannah had in her arms.

"Can you both come to my office with me?" Susannah asked as she put her workload down on the table.

Sam and Viki looked at each other, neither knowing what was going on. They followed Susannah to her office. The outer office was empty, as the secretary was gone for the day. Susannah handed the key to her inner office to Sam and said, "Go on in."

Taking the key, Sam looked questioningly at Susannah as he opened the door. He and Viki stepped inside. They could not believe what Susannah had done. Under the banner that read "HAPPY NEW YEAR," they saw a table set up with candles and champagne glasses. A bottle of champagne chilled in an ice filled bucket. The table was set beautifully, with fine china and silver. Plates of food sat under silver domed lids. A television and CD player had been set up.

"My God, Susannah! What have you done?" Viki could not get over it. Viki's eyes were shining like a child's in a toy store.

"Man, I don't believe this," Sam said, looking around.

"I know you both don't want to be too far from the hospital in case Todd comes back. I didn't want you to miss out on your first New Year's Eve together. I will stay with Timmy. I'll be right there in his room. You two can relax and have a nice dinner and watch the ball fall down if you like. There's a collection of CDs, many of which can be danced to," Susannah said, in a "hinting" tone.

Touched beyond words, Viki hugged Susannah and said, "How can we ever thank you?"

"Yeah," Sam muttered, nodding his head. He was also left at a loss for words by Susannah's kind gesture.

Viki held Susannah by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Susannah, are you sure you want to spend the night 'baby-sitting?"'

"I'll be just where I want to be," Susannah replied.

Viki hugged Susannah one more time. Susannah headed for the door. She called out, "Happy New Year," and headed back to Todd's room.

Viki hugged Sam and commented, "I can't believe Susannah did all this?"

"The more I get to know her, the more I realize how different she is from Nora," Sam remarked. Viki nodded in agreement.

Sam looked Viki in the eye and assured her, "He'll be all right with her. We are just down the hall from him. You can relax."

"I know," Viki agreed then added, "You know what? I'm starving!" They then sat down to the gourmet dinner Susannah had delivered and hoped, for just a few hours, they could release their minds from the torment "their kid" was in.

Susannah spent most of the night catching up on her work. She stopped at eleven-thirty and turned on the TV she had asked Dave to bring into Todd's room. She was watching the crowd in Times Square as they waited for the ball to drop. At eleven-fifty she heard Timmy crying out and saw he was thrashing about.

"Timmy, wake up, sweetie. You're having a nightmare. Timmy, come on wake up," Susannah called to him as she gently tapped his cheek.

Timmy woke up and looked around, clearly frightened. "Hi, sweetie. It's Doctor Hanen. You're right here in your own bed and I'm here with you. You're safe. No one is hurting you."

Timmy sat up. He was still not sure where he was. He looked around. Susannah sat down on the bed near the headboard. She put her arm around Timmy. "Can you tell me what was scary in your dream, sweetie?"

Timmy looked around again. He was still not sure he was safely in his room. Finally, he calmed down a little. He curled up next to Susannah and rested his back against her. His head rested on her shoulder. Susannah put her arm around him.

"Okay, sweetie, see you're safe. Did your dream scare you?"

Timmy nodded. "The big mouse was gonna eat me all up."

Susannah hugged him tighter. "A big mouse?" She pressed.

"Uh huh, a big mouse on the wall. He had big teeth."

Susannah realized he was dreaming about his time at the lodge and Asa's moosehead. "Oh sweetie, I'm sorry being at the lodge scared you so much. That wasn't a mouse. It was a stuffed moosehead. It wasn't real. Remember, Sam showed you?"

"No, it was a big mouse. He comes out in the dark," Timmy insisted.

Susannah wondered if Timmy's shared some of Thomas' memories or if Peter ever put him in the shed. If so, was he confusing his memories from the lodge with being locked in the storage shed? He said Peter once thought he was Thomas.

"Does he come out in the storage shed?" Susannah asked.

Timmy turned around, still in Susannah's arms, and buried his face in her shoulder. "I don't wanna see the big mouse anymore," he cried out.

"Okay, you don't have to." Susannah rubbed his back. "Shhhh, see, you're in your room. The big mouse went away. No more mouse."

Timmy turned around again. He continued to lean against Susannah. He once again leaned the back of his head against her shoulder. Susannah stroked his head.

"Try to go back to sleep, sweetie. I'll be right here with you.

Timmy noticed the TV. "I wanna watch TV with you."

"All right, you can watch, too," Susannah agreed.

"What's that?" Timmy pointed to the set.

"That's the big ball in Times Square."

"What's that?"

"Times Square?" Timmy nodded. "It's a place, sweetie. It's in New York City. Do you know where that is?" Timmy shook his head. "Well, it's a place about two hundred miles from here and every year, on New Year's Eve, they drop a big ball at midnight."

"Because they're clumsy?"

"No, sweetie," Susannah laughed. "They want the ball to drop. It's the way they celebrate the New Year."

Timmy thought about if for a few seconds. "Is that like the year's birthday?"

"Yes, kind of," Susannah answered. She smiled. She was enjoying the way Timmy looked at things.

"Where's Sam and Viki?" Timmy sounded like he was getting upset.

"They're in my office. Timmy, they're on a New Year's Eve date, so we won't bother them. Okay?"

"What's a date?"

"A date, hmmm, let's see. Well, sometimes, when two people like and care for each other a lot they go out together and it's called a date. So tonight Sam and Viki are each others date because they love each other."

Timmy thought for a moment. He turned his head up to look at Susannah. "Then I'm your date," Timmy figured out.

Susannah hugged him tightly. "Timmy, you are the best New Year's Eve date I ever had," Susannah told him honestly.

"I am?"

"You are sweetie." Susannah assured him.

Timmy noticed the countdown and asked, "How come they're counting backwards?"

"They count down to one and when they get to one it will be 1999."

"Oh," Timmy answered. He yawned. His eyelids were getting heavy. Susannah saw he was getting sleepy again. By the time the countdown ended and the ball had dropped Timmy's eyes were closed and he was sleeping once again.

Viki and Sam allowed themselves to have a good night. They enjoyed the dinner Susannah had ordered for them and had spent most of the evening in each other's arms. They danced slowly to the music Susannah left for them. They sat on the couch and watched the ball drop. At midnight they kissed each other passionately.

They sat there, snuggled in each other's arms until about one-twenty in the morning. They then headed back to Todd's room to relieve Susannah.

They smiled at Dave, who was posted outside the door and wished him a happy New Year. They quietly walked into the room and smiled at the scene before them. Susannah was still sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. She was sound asleep and Timmy was sound asleep in her arms. His back was still leaning against her and the back of his head still rested against her shoulder. The only light in the room was coming from the TV. The sound of the TV had been turned to low.

Viki and Sam looked at each other and realized they were not needed in Todd's room right now and headed for the lounge. They could rest in comfort there.

"She really does love him," Sam stated.

"I know she does," Viki acknowledged with a big smile.

TO BE CONTINUED

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