Valerie Talbot is hiding in the bathroom of her bedroom, watching a masked figure in black tearing apart her dresser drawers and her closet looking for valuables. Valerie is silently praying someone comes to rescue her. Just then, the wailing sounds of a siren can be heard. The thief begins to run out the door. Valerie gets brave and comes out of the bathroom.
Valerie: Stop! (She begins chasing him into the hall and down the long staircase).
The burglar runs through the living room, into the kitchen, and through the french doors he forced open. Valerie is on his tail, screaming at him. She manages to to grab him, but her grabs her and throws down onto the ground. At this point, the police, along with Kane Garrett, enter the house. They can hear Valerie's cries for help and rush to her.
Kane: Dear God! Val, are you alright? (He gently scoops her up).
Valerie: I'm okay, but you have to stop that thief!
Wade: Come on guys, let's go! (Wade and the other officers run off through the huge backyard).
Kane: I'm going to take you inside and fix you something to drink. (He takes Valerie's hand and leads her inside).
Wade and the other cops are combing through the neighborhood, searching for the prowler. There's no sign of him. The cops meet in the middle of the road.
Wade: I think he's gone. Sheila and I will head back to Valerie's to fill out a report and get a statment. The rest of you head back to the station and see if you get any other reports of possible break-ins. We'll see you later. (They begin the trek back to Valerie's house).
Back at the mansion, Kane and Valerie are sitting on the couch. Kane has his arm around her while she's sipping hot tea.
Kane: You sure you're alright?
Valerie: Yes, just a little shaken up that's all. That burglar must have thought there were a lot of valuables in the house. He would have disappointed because they're aren't many here.
Kane: I'm going to stay here tonight just in case he decides to come back for seconds. Wade should be coming back to check things out.
Valerie: I'll call the kids after things settle down. Poor Paul, Zoe, and Amaya---just something else to get them upset. When are the bad times going to end?
Kane: I know it's been rough, but you'll get through it. I'll help you get through it. (He kisses her gently on the lips).
Meanwhile, Cordelia and Everett Burnham are in the kitchen drinking coffee. Cordelia is still shaken up over her encounter with Brody Pearce.
Cordelia: It's lucky he didn't sneak up behind me and hit me Everett. You should have seen the look on his face.
Everett: I want you to be careful Cordy. This Brody guy could blow up again----and you or anybody else he comes into contact with might end up getting hurt.
Cordelia: I thought I was done with abusive men.
Everett: You can't run away from them, they're everywhere.
Cordelia: I'll tell you one thing. I'm not going to be a victim anymore. The university is having a nighttime self-defense class. I was thinking of signing up. Maybe I can get some of the other girls like Tess and Dorothy to go with me.
Everett: Baby, that's a wonderful idea. With all the nutty things that have happened lately, better safe than sorry.
Back at Valerie's mansion, Wade and Sheila have filled out their report and took Valerie's statement.
Wade: Thanks for your cooperation Valerie. But next time, don't chase after the criminal. You're lucky he didn't do more than push you down.
Valerie: God, I hope there won't be a next time.
Sheila: Since you interrupted him, he might come back to try again. Do you have any security measures?
Valerie: There's a security system installed, but I haven't bothered to turn it on.
Sheila: Well, please do it soon. (To Wade) We'd better get back to the station. Goodnight Valerie and Kane.
Valerie: Goodnight, and thank you. (Sheila and Wade leave). Well Kane, are you ready to turn in?
Kane: I sure am.
Valerie: You can have the room across from mine. It's smaller than the other bedrooms, but the girls and I wanted our space.
Kane: That's perfectly alright. (He begins up the stairs with Valerie following. When they reach the top, Kane turns around to face her).
Kane: Goodnight Val. See you in the morning.
Valerie: Goodnight Kane. (She kisses him on the cheek).
Kane grabs her shoulders and gives her a passionate kiss. Valerie looks at him, suprised. She smiles and heads to her room.
Kane: I can't believe this is happening. I'm falling in love with you Valerie----all over again.
Next on come nightfall:
Roark and Larry confront Brody about his aggressive behavior.
Kane confides in Paul about his feelings for Valerie.
THIS HAS BEEN COME NIGHTFALL
BY BREE PERRY
COPYRIGHT 2001