I'm With You

Destiny and Drew just got to Téa's and Antonio and Del were there as well. Destiny put Drew in the playpen with Leon and Tori.

"I'm glad you're all here. I found out something about Ralf Channing." Destiny said and sat down.

"What did you find out?" Téa asked.

"I was talking to Matthew and he said that he overheard Becca, one of the girls Dani has been hanging with talking to the other girls. He heard her say that Ralf paid Becca to give Dani drugs and make sure she was at the right place at the right time because he was planning to kidnap her all along. He wanted her senses to be out of whack so that it'd be easier."

"So that Becca girl knew what he was planning all along and she helped him?" Téa asked.

"Yep."

"Maybe she knows where Channing is." Del said.

"No. She said he gave her half the money but she didn't get her other half because he disappeared. She doesn't know where he is either."

"This makes matters worst. He was planning this for awhile before he executed which means he wanted her for a reason. He came to me for mere legal advice just weeks before. He's been gone for months but I just feel like this isn't over. He planned too much to just let it go." Téa said.

"Did you know anything about any illegal activities he was into when you were working with him?" Antonio asked.

"Why would I know that?" Téa replied.

"You help criminals all the time."

"You still don't trust me, do you? He only came to me for advice on a small matter. It wasn't a criminal case."

"I'm just saying, it's business first with you. You're not that picky about who you represent."

"Well I'm going to work from your office for a while." Destiny said then left the room. She could tell this was about to become a bit awkward.

"That's not true."

"And you would throw anyone under the bus to get it."

"That's not true either."

"You even tore Starr apart on the stand and she's your step-daughter."

"I warned her before hand. You know, that's beside the point. I'm more careful about the cases I choose than you think, even more so now. Let's talk about the fact that you don't trust me. How can we be together if you don't trust me?"

"I do trust you, just not as a lawyer."

"I guess if you ever need legal help again, you'll be going to Nora."

"...I'm not saying, you're not the best. I'm just saying you don't play fair."

"And you do?"

Del was just watching them go back and forth, wondering how this was going to end.

"Well played Delgado."

"So, at least we have a better insight on Channing but there has to be something somewhere that explains why he wanted Dani." Del said then Dani actually walked in.

"Dani! I'm surprised to see you. Are you coming home or are you coming to pack some clothes?" Téa asked.

"Actually, I came to work."

"Sorry, the position's been filled."

"What? Well fire them."

"Sorry but they do a better job."

"I can do better, you know I can and I will."

"I told you that was your last chance and I meant it but I'm here for you."

"So are you going to cut my credit cards back on?"

"No. I suggest you find another job."

"Mom! Is this a punishment for staying with Todd?"

"No. This is me not enabling and babying you. You need to learn responsibility so get a job."

Antonio and Del left the room.

"I'm trying to do better, if you would just give me another chance I can prove it."

"I love you but you have been putting me through hell and high water. I have been giving you chances for months and you blew it every time so when will I stop saying last chance? I give you a job, you purposely do an awful job. I put you in rehab, you don't go. You put yourself in danger, time after time. You get arrested. I am so worried about you, you're stressing me out. It's not just you and me anymore Dani. I have other kids to think about too. I have seven month old babies. How many times have I had to scurry to find a babysitter, be it in the middle of the day or in the middle of the night because of you. I have to be there for Sam too. He lost his dad. He's grieving too. He needs all of us. I keep trying to help you, you keep not letting me and I can't neglect my other kids because of it. Don't get me wrong, you're just as important to me as they are and I will always be there for you but right now I have to do the hardest thing I can do and let go but you can come home whenever you're ready."

Dani didn't know what to say, she was just dumbfounded.

"I suggest you stay away from that Becca girl." Téa said.

"Already ahead of you."

"So you know she set you up?"

"What do you mean?"

"She was paid to give you the drugs and she knew that Channing was planning to kidnap you."

"What? How do you know?"

"I heard it from Matthew, who heard it directly from Becca." Destiny said after entering the room.

"That bitch." Dani thought of Becca. She should've listened to Destiny when she warned her about Becca. Listening hasn't exactly been her strong suit lately. "So you're the new assistant?" Dani asked then shook her head. "I'm going to get some clothes." Dani went to her room.

-v-

Dani went back to Todd's condo a bit upset.

"I guess it didn't go well with your mom." Todd said.

"She won't give me my job back and she won't turn my credit cards back on." Dani said.

"Don't worry about it. I got you."

"Really?"

"I've been trying to give you money for a year but you would never take it."

"You can understand why."

"I know why you're here and I know you feel like I owe you and everyone else for killing Victor but I'm going to take advantage of you being here because I want to get to know you. You might not know it but you're daddy's little girl even if you won't acknowledge that I am your dad."

It's strange. Now that Dani's been staying with Todd, he suddenly seemed so human and less like the big bad wolf but she supposed that's how it was with Victor too.

"Thanks for letting me stay here but that's enough. I'll figure out another way." Dani said.

"Just let me help you." Todd insisted.

"You're doing enough."

-v-

That weekend, Destiny and Jeffery went for a walk after coming from ice skating. It was beginning to snow.

"I always loved the snow." Jeffery said.

"It's pretty but I'm more of a summer girl myself." Destiny said.

"How do you like your new job?"

"I love it. It's perfect."

"I threw out the idea of a double date with my friend who I'm staying with. He's dating someone new."

"That could be fun."

"Only problem is, when you're available, he's not and when he's available you're not."

"Maybe we can work something out next weekend. I haven't needed a babysitter since I started my new job and I've had so much more time to spend with my son so maybe I can find a sitter for a few hours next weekend."

"Cool. I'll let my friend know."

-v-

Dani and Jack were having lunch at Rodi's.

"Why are you staying with Scarface?" Jack asked angrily.

"I'm trying to give mom some space. I'm a problem." Dani replied.

"So why not stay at La Boulie?"

"I've been staying with him for a while now and Todd really isn't that bad once you get to know him."

"I can't believe you just said that. You sound as dumb as Starr, Aunt Vicki, and both our moms."

"My mom can't stand Todd."

"Yeah but she was in love with him at one point... This conversation is just pissing me off." Jack saw Jaime walk in. "Jaime Vega!" Jack went over to her. "Hi."

"Hi." Jaime looked him up and down.

"Can I buy you lunch?"

"No thanks."

"Would you look at me?"

Jaime looked at him.

"What do you want?" Jaime asked.

"I want to ask you out."

"Not going to happen."

"Why not?"

"Your reputation precedes you. Not interested."

Dani saw Becca walk in and was so ready to confront her.

"Are you really that evil?" Dani asked.

"I guess you've heard. All I did was put the barrel in front of you. I didn't make you drink from it."

"Would you be able to live with yourself if he had killed me?" Becca shrugged her shoulder like she didn't care. Dani slapped the wind out of her. Becca's face was cherry red. "That was for everything you did to me, fake ass bitch." Dani smacked her again. "That was for dissing Destiny." Becca started to swing back but Jack ran over and grabbed Becca. "Let her go." Dani said. Jack let her go then Dani paid for lunch and they left.

"I thought you didn't have any money." Jack said.

"I said I'd find a way and I did." Dani said.

-v-

The Evans' were having Sunday dinner together. Nothing like your mama's cooking.

"Promise me we'll never get too busy to come together like this." Phylicia said.

"We wouldn't dream of it mama." Shaun said.

"That being said, I've decided to get my own place." Destiny announced.

"Where is this coming from?" Richard asked.

"I can afford it now with what Téa's paying me and I want to do things on my own and not be such a burden."

"You're not a burden." Phylicia said.

"I know but you both should be living your lives. We're all adults now and you spent another eighteen years raising me after your sons were grown, I just want you both to enjoy life."

"You are our joy." Phylicia said.

"And I love you both for it but I know there are other things you want to do with your lives now that you're retired. I've already made up my mind."

Although the Evans' were caught off guard by this news, they tried to be understanding. Everyone has to let go at some point.

Thanks for hanging in there. Thanks for the views and reviews. Really appreciate it. Glad you all like the tough love Téa has been giving Dani. I felt like on the show, Téa and Blair went too easy on them. Lol. Stay tuned for more tomorrow. There's so much more to come, so many twists and turns.