Each of us longs for power and control. Once we get it, almost nothing can separate us from it. The desire for preservation can make people do things they wouldn't normally do. The need to keep the thing we hold dear can drive away everything else.

Emily sat in her beach house pouring over the recording from the week before. She was still surprised that Daniel had protected her but was getting more and more nervous of Patrick. His reaction to Daniel's confession had her more worried than ever. Victoria had spent most of the week locked in her room; Patrick had been making sure Daniel kept away from Grayson manor. Daniel had been living at Emily's house ever since. Conrad was desperately trying to repair his public image before the vote in five days' time. Charlotte was the only Grayson supporting Conrad.

Over at Grayson Manor Patrick tapped on Victoria's door carrying a tray full of her favourite foods. "Mother please let me in it's been a week now. I know what Daniel did was terrible but you have to move past it. Please let me in." He heard a key turn and the door swung open. He walked in and saw Victoria sat on her bed with red eyes and a bottle of her favourite scotch. Patrick laid the tray down and moved to Victoria, he embraced her. "Look you can't keep dwelling on the past, I've told Daniel to stay away so you don't have to worry about seeing him until you're ready."

"It's just," she sobbed "Daniel has always been my son. I still saw him as a child but now. I'm not sure anymore. Where is he? Is he alright?"

"He's been staying at Emily's. You don't think he's told her do you?"

"I doubt it. She was in a relationship with him after all. I don't know how she'd react."

"Maybe if she did we could get rid of her forever."

"No. It's too dangerous. We can't tell anyone or Daniel will be in more danger."

"After everything you still want to protect him?"

"He's my son." Patrick sighed.

"I think you need a distraction. Ever since Daniel crashed his interview Conrad's career has been slipping away from him. If we were to confirm everything Daniel said in an interview he wouldn't stand a chance in the vote against him."

"Is that really necessary? After everything Daniel said I wouldn't have thought he stood a chance."

"Well Charlotte's been doing a good job with damage control."

"What?"

"She's been doing countless interviews with him saying he's an amazing father and has been really supportive of her and her baby."

"He'd use her unborn baby to gain popularity? He really is a monster."

"Which is exactly why we need to destroy him. Without the job and his family he'll have nothing. He won't even have enough money to last long after your fortune was stolen."

"Speaking of money, how are we going to survive? If Daniel isn't living here anymore he was our only source of income?"

"Don't worry mother, I invested the majority of my money in Grayson Global. We're still making a substantial amount of money from that. Daniel also agreed to give a certain amount of money to us each month to support us."

"Will it be enough?"

"Definitely. I'll leave you now, you need to eat and rest. I'll organise an interview to destroy Conrad for good." He left. Later that day he called nightline and arranged an interview in four days' time. The night before the vote, Conrad wouldn't have time to repair the damage.

Emily walked down the beech to Nolan's house. She thought back to the day he had been released from prison. He had run out of the gates to a swarm of journalists desperate for his story. She had been waiting for him in a car a few meters away from the door. They had sped away from the reports and talked for hours about everything that had happened in prison and outside. Then she had taken him here, the house she had carefully selected for him, just down the beach from her. She walked inside and called for him. He came out of a door near the entrance. "Moring Ems what's happening."

"Conrad's starting to repair the damage Daniel caused. He might even stay on a Governor."

"So what's the plan?"

"I don't know, yet. We might have to convince Victoria to help. She's the one with the power to take him down."

"Couldn't we just tell Charlotte the truth about him? Without her support he'd be doomed."

"No she wouldn't be able to take it. She's still very delicate and without Daniel at Grayson Manor she's at more risk than ever."

"Good to know you still have a bit of, sisterly compassion."

"Charlotte's a victim in all of this. The last thing I want to do is to cause her more pain."

"And what about Daniel? Is he a victim in this? He did support you against Victoria and Patrick."

"He still killed Aiden. I feel nothing for him anymore."

"True. Can we not use him to get to Conrad again?"

"No ever since Patrick banished him he's been too unpredictable. He could end up telling the world everything, including the truth about the initiative. That would be too dangerous for him never mind Charlotte."

"I thought you didn't care about him anymore."

"I don't but if the initiative kills him I lose my one link to Victoria." They stood in silence for a moment.

"Have you heard any more from Jack?" Nolan said.

"Not since last week but that's actually why I came over. I think he needs to know everything. I'm going to tell him everything about me, the Graysons and the initiative. Come with me, it'll be harder to throw two of us out."

"Of course Ems." They left for the stowaway.

At Grayson Global Daniel had spent the last 10 minutes screaming at one of his employees for a small error. He left on the verge of tears. Charlotte walked past him and into his office. "Well I see you're not the fun boss anymore." She said smiling.

"What is it Charlotte, I thought you would be busy with Dad."

"Actually that's why I'm here. I know what he did was bad, but does he really deserve to lose the career he's worked so hard for over it? How will he cope without that job?"

"Charlotte trust me sleeping with Ashley is the least of his crimes."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I wish I could tell you but I just can't."

"You know what I think, I think there is nothing else, you're just trying to turn me against him so he'll be left with no one. You know I expect this of Mom and Patrick but you, I thought you were really on my side."

"Charlotte I am on your side I'd do anything to protect you."

"So help Dad! How can you be so cruel?"

"You have no idea what that monster's done."

"So tell me. Oh wait there is nothing is there. After everything that happened with Declan all I wanted was your support. I guess that was just too much to ask." She turned and walked away. "Charlotte wait." Daniel called after her. She carried on walking.

Over at the stowaway Nolan and Emily knocked on the door. "We're closed!" Jack called from inside. They looked at each other. "Jack it's us!" Nolan called.

"Go away Nolan."

"Jack we care about you we want to help you!" Emily shouted.

"We want to explain everything!" Nolan called. The doors opened.

"You have one hour." Jack said. They spent the next hour talking through everything that had happened from the day David Clarke was framed. Jack listened quietly through all the secrets and lies being revealed. "So now you know everything." Nolan said.

"Jack the Graysons are terrible people who deserve to suffer. You of all people should know that. Do you understand why I need justice for what they did to my father?" Emily asked.

"I don't know, I need time to think. I mean how would you feel if someone just told you that. All of those terrible things. Just go you two."

"Ok" Emily said. They left.

"Do you think he'll ever forgive me Nolan?"

"I don't know Ems. At least he stayed and listened. We just have to give him time." They both left for their houses.

"Dad!" Charlotte shouted running down the halls of the governor's mansion. She was on the verge of tears. "Charlie what is it sweetheart?" She ran into his arms and he embraced her.

"I went to see Daniel to try and convince him to take back all the horrible things he said about you."

"What? What did he say?"

"He said, you'd done terrible things that I couldn't know about. He called you a monster."

"He was just trying to turn you against me. Clearly your mother has been convincing him I deserve to lose my place as governor."

"No it can't be. He hasn't been to the manor in nearly a week. And Mom's been shut away in her room the whole time. She wouldn't even let Patrick in."

"How strange I wonder what they're up to." He turned and saw his face on the TV screen. He turned the volume to hear. "The interview with Victoria Grayson and long lost son Patrick Osborne will be taking place in four days' time the night before Conrad Grayson faces a vote to see if he will be remaining as governor. It may be an attempt by the family to repair the damage caused by Daniel or if the rumours are to be believed Victoria trying to destroy Conrad's chances." The news caster said. Conrad sighed.

"It seems all of our work has been for nothing." He said sadly.

"She wouldn't do that would she?"

"The night before the vote. I won't have any time to defend myself from what they say. Charlotte you have to find out what they're planning tonight before it's too late"

"Dad you know I love you but I don't want to spy on Mom"

"Fine, I understand. I guess my career's over." He looked sadly into the distance.

"Fine. I can't let them destroy your carreer."

"There's my girl. Well go on. You have to find out as much as possible." She left for Grayson manor.

A few minutes after Charlotte had entered Grayson manor there was a knock at the door. Patrick answered and saw Daniel standing there. "What part of stay away didn't you understand?" Patrick snarled.

"It's ok Patrick I told him to come here." Victoria said from the top of the stairs.

"Why?" Patrick yelled.

"I wanted to talk to him. In private." She gestured them to follow her upstairs away from the maids. When inside her room Victoria demanded Daniel told them everything about the murder. He told them everything and Victoria promised she wouldn't let him go to prison, that she would protect him. Patrick reluctantly agreed. Daniel promised to give her some space to deal with the news. Then Daniel left. Patrick left Victoria with her thoughts. Little did they know Charlotte had been listening at the door.