Joe awoke to the intruding light of morning, late morning by the looks of things. He suddenly realized he was laying in an awkward position, and that he was even more stiff than he had been last night. It took him another moment to realize that he definitely wasn't on a mattress. He was still on Mr. Adam! The man must have sat back and leaned against the headboard, falling asleep before he had put him down. Joe tried to squirm his way out without waking Adam, but it was impossible. He was to sore and weak, he could still barely move, and Adam had a heavy arm around his back, pinning him there. There was no help for it, he was sore and thirsty, he just wanted back on the soft pillows. "Er, Mr. Adam? Wake up, please. I'm kinda trapped."

Adam's eyes opened slowly at Joe's voice. He blinked a few times before disentangling himself from Joe and sitting on the chair. "You feeling any better, Joe?"

Joe thought a minute, as he settled himself into a more comfortable position, stretching his cramped limbs. "I think so. Still feel kinda sick, and I'm more sore now....but I think that was from sleeping funny. My heads a little better, itches like crazy though. You...think you could do me a favor though?" He squinted against the light. "I'm pretty thirsty, and it's a little bright in here. Could you maybe pour me a glass of water, and shut the drapes?"

Adam nodded. "Of course." Getting up, he shut the drapes and poured a glass from the pitcher sitting on the dresser. He handed it to Joe to drink.

Joe fully opened his eyes, the dimmed light much easier on his headache, and accepted the glass. Before drinking, he peeled back one of the many covers, and shoved it to the side of the bed. "Bit warmer in here, today." He explained before he tipped the glass to his lips and guzzled down the contents. He must have drank it to fast for his sensitive stomach to handle, because pretty soon he was leaning over for the bucket someone placed in close proximity to the bed. He huddled over it, and gagged and retched, finally emptying the contents of his stomach. Thankfully, the only contents *in* his stomach, were a few glasses of water. He huddled over a few extra minutes, until he was sure he was finished, then sheepishly sat the bucket back on the floor. "I'm sorry, Mr. Adam."

Adam removed the bucket from beside the bed to empty later then turned back to Joe. "It's not your fault, Joe. You're sick. Next time, just take it easier, okay? Little sips."

Joe nodded and repeated. "Little sips, got it."

Adam smiled and ruffled Joe's hair a little. "Maybe later we'll see if you can hold any solid foods down. I'll be right back. I'm just gonna empty this bucket outside."

Joe smiled and nodded, watching Adam go. However the minute Adam was out of sight, the smile faded. For reasons he didn't understand, he wanted Mr. Adam near him, and for the first time since all of this happened, he wasn't. It made Joe anxious, so he did all he really could do, he stared hard at the door, waiting for Mr. Adam to come back.

Adam got rid of the vomit and cleaned out the bucket. He entered through the kitchen and leaned against the counter, bowing his head. Sending up a silent prayer, he took a deep breath and grabbed the bucket, heading back upstairs and into Joe's bedroom.

Joe let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, as Adam walked back into the room. His return vanquishing the strange emptiness that had accompanied his absence. He smiled, and going with a sudden gut feeling, he asked. "Mr. Adam, do you think you could read to me some? Like King Arthur? Or Shakespeare? You seem like you might be the type to like Shakespeare."

Adam's eyes widened at the request, but he nodded and walked out of the room into his own, grabbed a book, and went back into Joe's room. "King Arthur seems like a good choice." Smiling, Adam started reading, his voice filling the room.

Joe settled back, and closed his eyes, Mr. Adam had a good strong reading voice, and he allowed it to fill his senses. He could *see* the brave knights of Camelot circling the round table, and riding off to battle. King Arthur at the head wielding the Mighty Excalibur, banners waving, Merlin at his side. When Adam finished he opened his eyes, and grinned. " I like that story, it....it seemed familiar. Like maybe someone read it to me before, some of the words were pretty big, so I don't think I read it by myself. You know what Mr. Adam? You have a reeeeally good reading voice. You're real little brother is real lucky, to live with you and listen to you read whenever he wants!"

Adam smiled slightly. "Thanks, Joe. That means a lot to me."

Joe smiled back. "And thank you for reading it to me! It was a real good story." He looked Adam up and down, and was struck by an odd thought. Sure Mr. Adam looked young and all, but he just felt so comfortable with him. Could he feel so comfortable with just a random stranger? Comfortable enough to let him hold him all night? And how about the empty feeling when Mr. Adam left the room? He wasn't sure how he was going to put the thoughts into words, but he had to try. "Mr. Adam?"

Adam looked up, expectantly. He noticed the look on Joe's face and set the book aside. "Yes, Joe?"

Joe squirmed uncomfortably, embarrassed about what he was about to say. "Well....it might sound kinda weird...but I feel like you're almost familiar. Like I know you, or I should. And that name.....Joe. Well I know you look really young....but...." He let his thoughts trail off, hoping he wouldn't have to put this into words.

Adam's eyes seemed to light up. "Are you starting to remember?"

Joe shook his head. "I dunno. Maybe? It's silly.....but maybe we're related? Like maybe you're my.....my father? Maybe?"

Adam sat there a minute, just staring at Joe. A few minutes later, a smile was spreading across his face, then he was chuckling until a laugh escaped his lips. He shook his head and looked at Joe. "I'm not your father, Joe."

Joe failed to see the humor, in the situation. All he felt was mortification, his face turned scarlet. "Well I said it was silly, you didn't have to laugh at me! Just...you seemed soooo familiar. And I felt safe with you. So if you're not my father, who are you then? And do you know who my father is? And why didn't you take me home, if you do?"

Adam's face turned serious and he sighed. He should've known that Joe would've asked questions. "I'm a friend, Joe. And yes, I DO know who your father is. The reason I haven't taken you home . . . . is because this IS your home."

Joe frowned, more confused than ever. "Then if we're not related, why're you here, and not my family? Where *is* my family....did something happen to them? And you *must* know my *real* name, what is it?"

Adam sighed. "Joe, you need to calm down. I can only answer one question at a time. The doctor thinks it's better if you aren't told everything, just in case it might set you further back than you already are."

Joe closed his hands into fists. and he pounded them onto his knees. " I WON'T calm down! You know something and you're not telling me! It's *my* life, don't I *deserve* to know about my own life?!?!"

Adam grabbed Joe's fists and held them down. "And this is exactly why Doctor Martin didn't want you to know. Because he knew you'd get upset and lash out. Now calm down, Joe!"

Joe struggled and thrashed, but he couldn't turn himself loose. "I don't WANNA calm down! I don't HAVE to!" He struggled and struggled, quickly tiring himself out. His screams dissolving into angry sobs.

Adam let go of Joe's fists, knowing it was over and Joe was too tired to fight anymore. Cupping his little brother's face in his hands, he spoke, "Joe, look at me. I promise you. When you calm down, we'll talk and I'll tell you everything, okay?"

Joe took several deeps breaths, gulping against the lump in his throat. He raised his eyes to Adams, and not trusting his voice, he proceeded to nod.

Adam nodded. "That's it, Little Joe. Just take deep breaths."

Joe frowned, and swallowed again. "Little....Little Joe?"

Adam paled slightly. "I-It was just a nickname I used for my little brother. He was born early and he was so small so the name just stuck. Sorry, it just slipped out."

Joe furrowed his brows, the nickname was having a mysterious calming effect on him. Like a warm blanket. "No, don't be sorry. I kind of like it." He took a deep breath." So...is my real name Joe? Like your brother? Or are you really keeping my real name a secret.?"

Adam nodded. "Yes, your real name is Joe."

Joe nodded, "I thought so. So...you never told me where your brother is. You said he was away."

Adam ran a hand over his face. "That, well, that's kind of hard to explain. I don't exactly know where he is. He disappeared."

Joe frowned. "Wow, I'm sorry. Like he was kidnapped? I hope you find him."

Adam smiled appreciatively. "Thanks. I think he just got lost and has yet to find his way home."

Joe nodded. "Has he been missing long? If he hasn't maybe he's not to far. I hope you're still looking."

Adam smiled a little. "Yeah, I'm still looking. I don't plan on giving up."

Joe smiled back. "That's good, I have a good feeling about your brother. Maybe I can help you look, when I get better. Hey, you said he's real small. Maybe he's just hiding somewhere." He chuckled slightly, then looked down and began to fiddle with his fingers. "So....well you said when I calmed down, you'd tell me everything." He looked back up hopefully.

Adam sat up a little straighter. "Yes, I did. Okay, we'll start out small. This is the Ponderosa. Your father, Ben Cartwright, owns it. It stretches for 1,000 acres." Adam paused, allowing the information to sink in.

Joe's eyes widened. "Wow, that's really big!" Then he let out a sudden little giggle. "Ponderosa is kind of a funny name....isn't it? He sobered back up as he repeated his fathers name, oh so softly. "Ben Cartwright.....so what's my mothers name? Where are my parents?"

Adam didn't say anything for a minute. "Y-Your mother's name was Marie Cartwright."

Joe frowned, he got the feeling Adam was hiding something again. "Was? Where is she now?"

Adam stood, walking to the window, and just standing there. "Your mother . . . . passed away when you were almost five years old. She was seriously hurt in a riding accident."

Joe sat there silently for a moment, grieving for this woman he didn't even remember. "What was she like?"

Adam stared out the window, remembering the woman he had eventually come to know as his mother. "She was pretty, Joe. Her smile could light up a room and she always spoke her mind. She loved you more than anything."

Joe sniffled and nodded, picturing a beautiful woman in his mind. Though he had no way of knowing if that was how she looked. "And my father?"

At that question, Adam turned to face Joe, a small smile on his face. "Your father's fair. He listens when people talk to him and he has a lot of people who respect him. He loves you, Joe, that you can be sure of. He'll want to help you just as much as I do."

Joe nodded, getting a brief glimpse of a man, big with black hair turning silver, warm brown eyes. "Where is he?"

Adam smiled. "He and your older brother are on a hunting trip right now. They should be coming home in a few days."

Joe smiled, that had been his next question. "So I have a big brother? Just the one? Are there any younger kids for me to boss around?" He asked hopefully.

Adam swallowed the large lump in his throat. "No, you don't have any younger brothers or sisters."

Joe frowned a little disappointed. "Oh....well I guess I can live with that, long as I can get away with stuff. So, I just have one big brother then?"

Adam turned to face the window again. "No, actually. You have another older brother."