It's the same evening, but later. Eliza is asleep and the baby is in the maternity room. Everyone has gone home except for Lance and Marcus, who are in the hospital cafeteria drinking coffee. Lance is an emotional wreck after being told by Rosamond their romance is over.

Marcus: You know she didn't mean it son. Rosie's just feeling like a third wheel right now. She'll come back when she's comfortable.

Lance: She made it clear she wasn't coming back. Dad, I don't know what I'm going to do! I love her with all my heart and I can't live without her!

Marcus: Then go to her.

Lance: I can't leave Eliza and Melissa.

Marcus: Eliza understands, and I'll stay here.

Lance: You'd do that Dad?

Marcus: I know what it was like to be in love and everything seemed to be stacked against you. I'd never thought Ingy and I would finally be together but all we needed was time.

Lance: I'm going right now, and I won't leave until she walks out that door with me. (He gets up from the table and leaves).

At the police station, Wade Atherton and Russell Gault are looking over reports on the Night Prowler case.

Russell: I wish this guy would slip up one night so we can get a clue to his identity.

Wade: He will Russ, he will. There's no such thing as a perfect crime. We'll get him. We've been lucky---he only managed to get away with a few items from Suzanne's place. (Just then, Sheila Tandy comes up with a stack of folders, and she places them on the desk).

Russell: Sheila, what are those?

Sheila: I was doing some digging around and found some old case files from 1979. Did you know that there was a rash of burglaries in this town similar to what we've got going now that year?

Russell: No I didn't. Could it be the same person?

Wade: Why would the burglar take a twenty-two year hiatus? It doesn't make sense.

Sheila: The 1979 burglar was never caught. No evidence was ever found at the crime scenes. It could be a copycat---some crime nut who has clippings, articles, maybe a scrapbook of the original break-ins and decided now would be a good time as any to finish the job.

Russell: You know, that scenario doesn't sound bad Sheila. You're one intelligent woman.

Sheila: Why thank you boss. (She winks at the two men and walks away)

Wade: Okay, let's go over these. I guess we don't have anything to lose.

Russell: No we don't. Anything that will give us a lead to the identity of our night prowler is what we really need if we're going to crack this case.

Lance is at the front door of the Burnhams' house. Only the porchlights are on. Cordelia and Everett's gold Cavalier is gone, but Rosamond's green Dodge Shadow is parked out front. Lance rings the doorbell and closes his eyes. After a bit, Rosamond answers. She's not surprised to see Lance.

Rosamond: I expected you'd come here.

Lance: Please let me in Rosie.

Rosamond: All right, but I'm telling you again I'm not changing my mind. (She moves away and Lance enters)

Lance: Where's Cordelia and Everett?

Rosamond: They took Jadyn to the movies. They should back in a few---(Her sentence is cut off as Lance whirls her around to face him. Before she can say or do anything else, Lance covers her mouth with his. After a moment, he breaks off his kiss to breathe. Rosamond just stands there, frozen).

Lance: I love you and I'm not leaving until you walk out that door with me.

Rosamond: Go back to the hospital Lance.

Lance: Dad is there, and he told me to come.

Rosamond: Please leave Lance. Why can't you accept the fact it's over?

Lance: Because I won't! You know and I know it's not the end. We love each other too much to break off something that's right.

Rosamond: The baby must come first Lance.

Lance: My daughter is very important to me, but so are you. I wouldn't have the courage to handle becoming a father without you.

Rosamond: You don't need me to be brave Lance.

Lance: But just knowing you're by my side gives me strength and hope. What will I have if you're not there?

Rosamond: You had your family and friends before I came into the picture. It will be just like it was.

Lance: I won't let you leave me like this Rosie! I love you!

Rosamond: I love you too, but we can't be together. Please leave.

Lance: I can't. (He grabs her and pulls her to him and he begins kissing her again. Rosamond at first tries to break free, but she gives into her feelings and wraps her arms around him. Lance stops kissing her and looks into her eyes).

Rosamond: Now you should go.

Lance: I want to make love to you.

Rosamond: No.

Lance: Then I want to hold you.

Rosamond: Lance I---(She puts her head on his chest and cries softly. Lance picks her up and begins to carry her upstairs).

Lance: You shouldn't be alone tonight angel. You shouldn't be alone ever. We're going to get through this baby. But right now, I'll just hold you and we'll forget about our troubles. Everything is going to be okay I promise you.

Back to the police station.

Russell: I haven't found anything yet, have you Wade?

Wade: Here's something that sounds promising. On the night of February 14^th, 1979, a call came into the station. The call was taken by an officer named Timothy Childs. A woman told Officer Childs her husband was the burglar they were looking for. I'll read you the transcript of the call.

Russell: Wow that's pretty dramatic. They didn't trace the call?

Wade: They did, but the phone number was unlisted.

Russell: There has to be something that can help us find out who this guy is.

Next on come nightfall...

Paul and Tess arrive for the dinner party.

Lance and Eliza bring their daughter home.

The identity of the night prowler is revealed.

THIS HAS BEEN COME NIGHTFALL

BY BREE PERRY

COPYRIGHT 2001