The next day, at an undisclosed rehab center

"Well, Robert, you look great! Are you ready?" David asked, thinking it was amazing how incredibly well Robert looked. He was tanned, his hair had grown out, and he looked like he had put on some weight, although he also looked extremely fit, as if he'd been working out every day. He just looked really healthy.

"I'm not sure. I really screwed up and let so many people down last season. I don't know what the cast is going to think. What if I mess up again? Plus, are you sure? I still can't believe you want me back after all I put you through, especially with the final episodes."

"And how in the world is Calista going to react, after the way I treated her when she came to see me?" Robert said to himself. Despite his efforts to forget about Calista, he had spent a lot of his free time following her life through the media. He had seen some of the tabloids writing articles about her and Garry. Last winter, she had told him that she and Garry had dated for awhile, but were now just friends, but had that changed? He'd also seen her on that Lifetime biography show where she discussed how very happy she was with motherhood, but that deep down, she realized that Liam needed a father, and that she too would like a man in her life. Had she found one now? After watching that, he'd come very close to giving in and calling her, but then his pride, as well as his love for her, had overruled. He simply couldn't bring himself to ask her back - not until he was sure he was going to be better. He had wondered if that time would ever come, and if it did, would she still be free or, worse yet, even want him back? But he knew he'd have to take that risk because it simply was not fair to keep her on this rollercoaster ride with him.

None of this, however, stopped him from watching the show in the new season, even though he'd sworn he wouldn't. He had found that he couldn't keep from watching it. In fact he taped it and replayed Calista's scenes over and over again. Her scenes with Glenn were especially difficult to watch, but he was drawn to them. Her acting ability had always astounded him and because he knew her so well, he could see how much she was drawing on that talent in trying to portray a realistic love affair between Ally and Glenn. But he could see what other viewers saw - the chemistry simply was not there, not like it had been for the two of them. He could still remember the feel of her lips on his, the touch of her hands on him, the electricity that charged the room ...

David's voice brought Robert back to the present. "Robert, I don't think your probation officer and your counselor much less the DA and the judge would have agreed to this, if they thought you were going to mess up again. You've made tremendous progress over the past 8 months. We've got the plan in place for your attending the meetings daily and the weekly drug tests are not going to interfere with any of the filming. Either your probation officer or counselor will always be on the set, in case you need them, and to escort you to and from rehab.

"On top of that, all of the cast are going to be thrilled when they find out you are back. You know we're all a family -- and we've all been rooting for you throughout this ordeal. Plus, Michelle told me if I didn't bring you back to the show, she was going to take drastic action. Listen, man, I don't want to be sleeping on the couch for the next month. You've gotta know she's one of your biggest fans and I'll never hear the end of it if you don't come back!

"We've been making the best of things, but we all know, and believe me, the fans have been letting us know, that the only way we can end this season, is with the return of Larry to Ally. And speaking of that," David said, watching Robert closely, "I know that Calista is going to be happy to see you. She's really missed you through all of this.

Robert's eyes widened with a look of feigned innocence, as he said "What are you talking about David?"

"C'mon, Robert, Calista told me that the two of you had gotten really close during last season."

"She did?" Robert asked, amazed that the usually private Calista would have confided in David about their relationship.

"Yes, and anyone watching closely on the set last season would have had to be blind to not see that the incredible chemistry you guys were showing on film was a reality as well. Calista told me just yesterday that she really concerned for you and that she's missed you tremendously."

A look of hope had crept into Robert's eyes as he listened to David, and for the first time during this discussion, he actually smiled. "If that's true, then I think I just might be ready for this. Actually, I'm feeling really good and I think I'm up to the challenge. I'm still amazed that we were able to accomplish all this without it leaking to the media, though. We really have my probation officer and counselor to thank for all their assistance. It's hard to believe that the DA and judge agreed to go along with this"

"Well, I have a funny feeling that DA Capone had been closely following the show last season and that you had the same effect on her that you had on millions of fans," David said, with a chuckle. "You know, I'm not saying she compromised her position, but, seeing how great your progress in rehab has been, I think she realized a lot of good could come of you returning to work. And if you were going to go back to work, why not let it be in your role of Larry, making her (and thousands of other women) happy. As for the judge, I believe you demonstrated to him that Proposition 36 is really working for you."

Just then, something David had said earlier sunk in. "Wait a minute -- you said, the cast, and Calista, are going to be happy when they find out I'm back. You mean they don't know I'm coming back?"

"Nope -- I do believe I've pulled off the biggest coup of all time . . . The media doesn't know, the cast and crew don't know. And my wife only knows the bare minimum and has been sworn to secrecy, with the threat that I'll go right to The Enquirer with all of her beauty secrets if she lets it out. It's a secret and that's the way I intend to keep it, until the right moment," said David with a huge grin on his face.

"But how in the world are we going to manage this? Won't the cast know, once you give them the script? And I'm not sure about how Calista's gonna react - I don't know if she told you, but I was pretty awful to her back when I first got into rehab. In fact, I haven't seen or spoken to her since then."

"I really don't think you have to worry about that. I have an idea that Calista will NOT be unhappy to have you back! If I read her right, and after all, I do know her pretty well, she's still got strong feelings for you. As for keeping your return a secret, your script is different from the rest of theirs." David just couldn't stop smiling. "You just learn your part, they will learn their's and I'll put it all together at the right time. And don't forget, you and your probation officer need to be on the set by 6:30 a.m., Monday after the Christmas break, and be sure to use that special pass that'll let you in my private entrance and you guys can wait in my office. Even though we're not supposed to start filming with the rest of the cast until Tuesday, I don't want to take any chances. It won't be a secret for long, if you're spotted on the set. I plan to get your solo scenes filmed that day, so rest up and be prepared for a long day. Then you'll get a couple of days break."

"But what about the crew? After Monday, word's bound to leak out about me being back."

"The crew we'll be using that day will have all signed confidentiality agreements, with their jobs on the line, that nothing will be said about Monday's filming. We've got a great crew; I have no doubt that they'll keep their word. They're going to be thrilled to have you back and quite honored to be let in on the secret.

"We'll be filming with the rest of the cast starting on Tuesday and by Thursday, should be to the scene where it all comes together, although it probably won't be till late in the morning. Plan to arrive early again that morning, 6 a.m. You'll have some rehearsal time that morning with one cast member, who will also have been sworn to secrecy about your return. But other than that, you'll have to wait in my office until we're ready for you. If filming gets behind schedule, I'll be sure to let you know. Well, listen, I've got to go. Robert, you have a great Christmas, ok? They're letting you spend the day with Indio, huh?"

"Yes, I've been given a two day pass. This'll be the first time he and I have been alone together, outside of this place, since before I came in. I'm really looking forward to it. I wasn't able to get out shopping for him, but it's amazing what you can buy on the Internet these days. Deborah says FedEx has been coming to the house every day for the past two weeks," Robert said, with a huge grin on his face that reminded David of the old Robert. "I can't wait to see Indio's face Christmas morning. It's what I've been dreamin' about for a long time now. And listen, David, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the faith and trust you're putting in me. Believe me, I'm not gonna let you down this time. I really believe that this time, I've really turned a corner and I really thank you for all of your support." Robert reached out and hugged David, saying "Man, you just don't know what it means to have friends like you."

"Take care of yourself, Robert, and I'll see you in a few weeks."