AN: Sorry the tedious real life stuff is resulting in a lack of time to write this...And me totally falling asleep only thinking about it instead of writing. Direct link between my brain and computer please. :-P Thanks for reading guys!

Comment back to "Guest:" bathroom was part of a planned arc that we saw start the week before (Lol. It's nice when things aren't as obvious as I thought they were). After Louise's party, Emily is thinking about Daniel in the shower and the familiarity she couldn't allow, then on Labor Day Daniel walks out of the shower to see Emily doing all the normal bathroom things she had been refusing to do because of that familiarity... He wasn't just standing there smiling because she was in a towel, well not only because she was in a towel. So it was the place to bring them back to where they had been on Labor Day (and probably further than that) without them talking about it. Daniel suffering through the thought of a familiar Emily (just out of his reach) and Emily being able to let go of more than just her towel without having to talk about it. Lol. Your review was fabulous though because I saw it and then I reread the last two chapters, trying to find where I wrote the scene where Daniel called out his smelly hair and Emily tried to wash it out at the hospital. I need to make notes as I write scenes for the follow up scenes I mean to include.

There are days when she awakens feeling as if she's in a time warp.

The smell of him.

The feel of him.

Before she opens her eyes, she has no idea where in time she'll be.

It had been horrible to wake up next to him last year. To wake up and realize he wasn't the person she had once thought he was. To wake up and realize that sweet and slightly dorky boy had been a figment of her imagination.

It had been worse this past week than it ever had been in the past.

Realizing he hadn't been a figment of her imagination.

It was worse to realize that she wanted to wake up and be next to the boy who was unaware of it all.

The further she went down the rabbit hole of revenge the louder her mistakes screeched at her. Every loss, every setback had only driven her further down it though.

The feel of his chest beneath her head, his stomach under her hand, his breath against her hair. It's a quiet reminder of her first mistake.

The enormity of everything that followed threatens to crush her.

She does her best to quell the panic desperate to erupt within her and not leap out of bed. To buy her time to readjust to her life. She pushes up on her arm, trying to keep her movements slow and controlled.

She freezes as his hand goes to her back.

"Manda," he murmurs without opening his eyes.

Manda not Em. She doesn't say anything, she can't.

His eyes open, just barely. "Stay," his lips slightly lift as his hand moves gently across her back.

She shoves everything down. "You've spent enough mornings in bed. Kevin says you're fine."

"I could be better," he pulls her closer to him.

"Your ankle could be better. I want to get out there before it gets too hot."

"I don't really think my ankle's up to running with you," he gave her a skeptical look, edged with early morning amusement at her.

"That isn't going to change staying in bed," she smirks and quickly removes herself from his arms. She's out of the bed before he can react.

He pushes up and gives a slow smile.

"You should be used to me running circles around you," she gives him another smirk as she grabs her robe.

"I should," he says smiling to himself as she heads to the bathroom.

-o-o-o-

David is sitting on the stairs as Daniel is walking back up along the beach as Emily is running further down it.

"Morning," Daniel says approaching the house.

"Morning," David nods at the mug of coffee and glass of water next to him, "I didn't know what you needed."

"A pillow," Daniel nodded before leaning down to get the glass of water.

"No one told me Amanda's a drill sergeant."

Daniel gave a low laugh as he went to sit on the stairs, "I didn't get the memo either."

"You scared her last week," David nodded, but didn't look at Daniel only the waves, "your mother as well."

"I noticed."

"I don't think Amanda will deal as well with you dying as I hoped."

Daniel laughed again.

David's lips lifted up.

"I'll do my best to avoid that then."

"She noticed you're not behind her," David commented seeing Emily return up the beach.

"It's too early for this."

"It's barely even 7," David noted.

"On a Sunday," Daniel added.

"Would have thought you two would have slept in. You had guests all yesterday."

"We went to bed pretty soon after they left," he explained their early rising.

David turned to Daniel, "I didn't need to know that."

Daniel bit back his laugh.

"Morning," Emily said with a smile as she slowed her run as she approached them.

"Morning sweetheart," David said looking up at her.

Daniel leaned forward to offer her his water glass.

"Were you two having a good chat?" Emily questioned before taking a sip.

"We were discussing how unnatural it is to be this active this early on a Sunday," Daniel didn't move from the step.

"Day of rest," David nodded.

Emily rolled her eyes, "If anyone here were religious or worked a nine to five job, I'd completely agree."

"Come sit," Daniel nodded at her, "enjoy the waves with us."

Emily gave Daniel a look.

"Did you have a good time with your friends yesterday?" David awkwardly asked his daughter. He had spent years imagining being reunited with her. His dreams hadn't prepared him for the reality.

"Yea," Emily nodded, "we needed that."

"I'm glad you're living your life," David looked at the woman his little girl had grown up to be. "I know that everything with Malcolm Black hasn't been easy to deal with, but it'll be a lot easier for me to figure it out if I know it's not stopping you from living your life."

"Dad, we can't just wait for him to come after us again. Daniel and I-"

"I know," David said completely focused on his daughter. "I will not let him hurt you."

"No one can make a promise like that Dad," Emily told him from experience.

"I will find a way," David promised.

"Well isn't this cozy," Victoria said coming to the door.

Daniel flinched. "Good morning Mom," he said without turning.

"Morning Victoria," Emily gave a fake smile as Victoria pushed open the door.

David turned, "You're up early."

"Good thing, I finally have proof Daniel is indeed alive."

"I did text you," Daniel turned back.

"One word responses. Hardly proof of your existence."

"I'm sorry, you felt slighted Mom," Daniel said without blinking.

"No you aren't. Your girlfriend had me banned from the hospital after you were nearly killed."

"So you're mad I wanted Amanda by my side and not you?"

"I am your mother Daniel," Victoria's jaw tensed.

"Does this mean you're still upset that you gave me life and I almost gave it up for her?" Daniel got up to stand next to Emily.

"Stop making it sound like we're in a Greek tragedy," Victoria crossed her arms.

Daniel gave her a sad smile, "No other word to describe our family, but a tragedy."

Emily's arms wrapped around his as she leaned into him.

"It doesn't have to be that way Daniel," Victoria gave her son a soft smile.

"Trust me, I'm working on that," he gave a smile down at Emily.

"That being said I think Daniel and I need breakfast."

Daniel sighed and looked up to the sky, "Thank god I thought you were going to tell me I had to run again."

"Only to the house this time," Emily smiled.

Daniel's head fell and he whimpered, "You know that's a hill right?"

Emily laughed at him. "Bye Dad," she smiled, but didn't risk leaning to give him a kiss goodbye in case there was a long range lens on him instead he stood and took the glass out of hands, giving her hand a quick squeeze. "Victoria."

"Amanda, Daniel," Victoria forced a smile.

"Have a good day sweetheart," David smile at her. "Good luck," he nodded at Daniel.

Daniel laughed, "Thanks."

"Come on," Emily pulled at the arm she held before letting go as she took off running.

He laughed again as he took off after her.

-o-o-o-

Daniel sat at the Thai restaurant's bar with a glass of water trying to absorb the article he was reading on his phone and failing miserably.

"Daniel," Margaux's voice was clipped as she spoke his name.

It shot Daniel to attention and he turned to see Margaux next to Jack and Carl asleep in his stroller. "Uh hi."

"Well this is unexpected," Margaux failed at hiding her discomfort.

"That it is," Daniel nodded.

"Is Emily joining you?" Jack's eyes were on the bouquet of flowers on the bar next to Daniel's glass.

"No, I'm picking up, it should be out soon. How are you feeling Margaux?"

"Wonderful," Margaux smiled, "yourself? I heard about your accident."

Daniel flinched slightly, "I'm fine."

"Glad to hear it," Margaux nodded uncomfortably and gave a relieved smile to the approaching hostess, "two and a high chair."

"One minute," the other woman smiled and left them.

"One minute of small talk," Daniel gave her an easy smile, "are we going to be able to handle this without the lawyers?"

"I am hormonal and hungry Daniel and I no longer find you charming, so please do not while we are in public."

"Margaux, we have been friends since we were children and we're-"

"Yes," Margaux cut him off, "going to have a child together. Trust me I still aware of this Daniel."

"So how late did everyone stay," Jack said trying to break the tension between them, "Louise didn't show any signs of slowing when I was leaving."

Daniel smiled slightly, "Nolan took her to city."

"Last night?" Jack's brow narrowed in disbelief.

"Yea," Daniel gave a shake of his head, "they went to bed two hours after I got up."

"Well," Jack nodded, "it's official. I'm old. That sounds horrible."

Daniel laughed, "I'm pretty sure Nolan's at least part cyborg."

"Only way to explain it," Margaux gave an attempt at a smile. "Your food's here," Margaux nodded at the young man walking with Daniel's food.

"Try not to look so excited, he still needs to get the iced teas," Daniel said before thanking the man that put the bag on the counter.

"Think you have enough food?" Jack nodded at the bag brimming with containers.

"You know Em and Thai food," Daniel gave a shake of his head.

"You know," Jack frowned, "actually I don't."

"Never offer to share," Daniel shook his head, "I learned that the hard way."

Jack laughed, "Noted."

"You're free of me," Daniel smiled at Margaux and handed a tip to the young man that put the iced teas on the bar, "enjoy dinner."

"Night Daniel," Jack nodded.

"Do say hello to Emily for us," Margaux smiled.

-o-o-o-

Emily gave a look at the flowers as she came down the stairs after hearing Daniel call out as he entered the house. "Are those for me?"

He gave a side smile at them, "Little for you, more for Anne."

"They're wilting in the food," Emily said leaning to take them out of the bag, "actually. You can put these in water and I'll get the plates," Emily swapped the flowers for the food.

-o-o-o-

Emily sat in the kitchen behind her laptop as Anne cheerfully cut and rearranged the flowers, Daniel had hastily shoved in a vase last night.

"What are you up to?" Daniel walked in, dressed in a suit ready for a meeting.

"Returning emails to vendors," Emily sighed, "I think I need to find a new caterer for the fundraiser."

"Told you we should have stayed in bed," he smiled at her as he poured himself a fresh cup of coffee.

Emily rolled her eyes, "What time is your meeting?"

"11."

"I'm going to have to go to the city this week to deal with all this."

"When do you want to go?" Daniel asked sitting across from her.

"You don't have to come with me."

"You're the one that wanted to stay in the Hamptons, the last thing you get to do is leave me here. We haven't been to the city in three weeks."

"I don't want to stay over. I just want to go in and-"

"We'll fly in. You can meet with everyone, we can get dinner and fly back." He smiled across at her, "Think about it dinner without Nolan and Louise or my mother unexpectedly showing up."

Emily laughed and pushed back her hair as she opened another email.

Daniel's phone buzzed.

Emily looked up as Daniel groaned. "What's wrong?" She questioned.

"Patrick's back in town."

"Your brother?"

"Half," Daniel shot her a look.

"He texted you?"

"My mother."

"I need to prepare Nolan."

"Patrick and Louise. This would be a lot more interesting if it was on tv and not our life."

Emily laughed and stood.

He leaned forward and caught her hand, "Run away with me."

"Your mother would find us," Emily smiled down and gave him a quick kiss before leaving to go call Nolan in private.

"Anne," Daniel turned as Emily left the room, "is your family sane?"

"No family is sane, some just hide it better," she smiled at him.

-o-o-o-

"Sissy," Patrick smiled as Emily opened the door, early that evening.

"What do you want Patrick?"

"Why are you opening your own door?" Patrick questioned with a frown as he walked in.

"The staff has left for the day," Emily braced herself for an attack.

"No wonder you and my mother don't get along Amanda."

Emily froze.

"Seeing as we're practically family once more. I just wanted to stop by and give you and Daniel my best wishes. I know we all didn't get off on the right foot-"

"What the hell do you want?"

"I'm not your enemy, I'm trying-"

"You're Victoria's son."

"So is that one if I'm not mistaken," Patrick pointed up at Daniel on the balcony.

"Patrick," Daniel said heading for the stairs, "this is no longer the family house. If you're looking for Victoria-"

"Pretty sure he already found her," Emily said not taking her eyes off Patrick.

"Then what do you want?" Daniel practically jogged down the final stairs to reach Emily's side.

"He had a little talk with your mother," Emily didn't look at Daniel as his arm went around her, keeping her eyes trained on Patrick.

"Am I not supposed to know you're practically my..." he nodded at Daniel, "our sister? Convoluted family tree we have."

"What are you talking about?" Daniel did his best to keep his composure.

"The giant secret Nolan was keeping was your wife. So Mom tells me we're keeping this a secret because someone is after your father?" Patrick looked at Emily. "Now is this someone we should all be worried about."

"No because I'm going to kill you before he can," Daniel gave his half brother a smile.

"Daniel," Emily held onto his arm.

"This," Patrick's finger waggled between them, "is very different from last year."

"What do you want Patrick?" Emily once more repeated.

"I was just curious," he smiled, "when Mom told me it just didn't seem possible. Not the Amanda Clarke thing that actually makes total sense. I'm happy for you both."

They both continued to look at him.

"I know we didn't get off to the best start, but I'd like to try again. We are after all family."

"If you so much as breathe the name Amanda, I will-"

Patrick stopped Daniel's threat, "Whack job after David. Trust me. I got it. Your secret's safe with me."

Daniel began to threaten again, "If you-"

"This has been fun, but I only had a few minutes. Previous engagement," Patrick smiled.

"With whom?" Emily glared.

"Louise Ellis, I believe you're acquainted with her. Invited me to dinner with her and Nolan," Patrick smiled. "We should all do dinner soon," Patrick smiled back as he opened the door.

They stood there in silence following his departure.

"Please tell me you have a plan?" Daniel questioned with his arm around Emily.

"They all currently involve killing your mother," Emily continued looking at the door.

"At the moment, I might beat you to it," Daniel said before attempting a calming breath, it failed. "No time like the present." He headed for the front door.

-o-o-o-

"What's wrong?" David questioned opening the door.

"Mother would you like to take this one?" Daniel said walking into the house with Emily behind him.

"What great travesty have I committed now?" Victoria crossed her arms, "I could understand your behavior if you were a teenager Daniel, but you're almost 30."

"You told Patrick about Emily being Amanda?"

Emily watched her father's eyes go wide with a lethal rage.

Victoria didn't notice, she was focused on Daniel. "I know you have difficulties accepting my relationship with Patrick, I really wish you would just give him a chance-"

"Amanda staying Emily is the only chance she has at being safe and you told him," Daniel quickly retorted.

"Obviously I told him before I was aware of Malcolm Black and I told your brother-"

"Why," David was tense, "didn't you tell me you told him?"

"Patrick is a good child. I thankfully have one child that listens to me."

"He's such a good child, he stabbed Nolan last year when Victoria was trying to get information on me," Emily informed her father.

"Well loyalty and poor impulse control seem to be side effects of foster care. I would have thought you would be sympathetic to that Amanda," Victoria turned her focus to Emily.

"Victoria!" David snapped.

"I really do not understand why everyone is so worked up over this. Why would I not tell my child this information?" Victoria turned to David.

"You didn't tell me," Daniel pointed out.

"Well considering what you did with the information can you blame me?"

"I will talk to him Amanda and make it clear-"

Victoria stopped David, "You will not threaten my child."

He turned to her, "Your actions have threatened mine."

-o-o-o-

"Nolan," Louise smiled as she walked above deck the following morning to see her friend. Her eyes hidden behind large glasses, her hangover intensifying in the sun. She hoped for bloody marys as she was expecting gossip regarding Patrick, however she froze as she saw his cold expression.

"It was so simple, I thought no one would be that obvious," he spoke more to himself than her.

"What are you talking about Nolan?"

"You are not dumb Louise, please stop acting like you are," his expression was tired because he was. He was tired of always falling for it. No one as smart as him should make this many misjudgments in his personal life.

"Did something happen with Patrick last night?"

"No this would be regarding the other son."

Louise frowned, "Are we talking about Danny? I swear I haven't made a single-"

"You didn't create a fake facebook profile and send a friend request to several of Sara's friends."

"Of course not. Danny has made his intentions regarding Emily very clear. Have I made a single attempt-"

"No you needed someone who had already gotten between them before because you knew you couldn't. What? Get him while he's broken down and weak? Margaux didn't give you enough time last time, did she? And he was angry at you because of her."

"You are being paranoid Nolan," Louise smiled, "that's normally my job."

"You deleted the account," Nolan nodded, "but that didn't delete the very public trail of Samantha Brown becoming friends with several of Sara's friends. It wasn't that hard to unfreeze the account and track it back to you."

She was caught, she had known it from the start, it had been instinct to try to fight it. "It was a momentary lapse. Before I knew Emily."

"The Margaux thing..." Nolan shrugged. "I could definitely let that go, but you almost got Ems killed."

"I didn't mean for anything like that to happen."

"That doesn't change that it did happen!" Nolan stood as he yelled.

Louise backed away in fear.

"You almost killed them."

"I didn't..." Louise's eyes filled with tears. "When I saw them out," her head shook, "how you talked about them. How Emily warned me away from him..."

"What Louise?" Nolan sighed.

"I like her," the tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally fell. "I didn't know what they were when I invited them."

"You mean a couple because I'm pretty sure you were aware of that," Nolan held in his sigh.

"Ems is still rich, Danny isn't. She faked a pregnancy to get him to marry her," Louise defended herself.

"The guy still proposed twice."

"I didn't get that. Then honestly Nolan, how the hell was I supposed to know she'd run them off the road?"

"Says the woman that locked Daniel's previous girlfriend in a sauna."

Louise said nothing.

"How did you know about Sara?" Nolan questioned her.

"Why does it matter?" Louise asked in defeat realizing that just like with Daniel she couldn't compete with Emily for Nolan.

"You know why."

"I knew that's all that really matters, I knew and I brought them there and we know what happens after that."

"How did you find out about Sara?"

"I asked around," Louise tilted her head at him, finding strength within herself.

"Asked who."

"Just people."

"People who knew about a girl Daniel was dating five years ago?"

Louise said nothing.

"Just tell me who told you."

"Nolan, I am telling you. It was a couple different people. They talked about ex girlfriends. It was an Ashley and Sara. Ashley is currently in Malibu and I didn't think Danny would agree to a trip."

Nolan sighed, "She doesn't care about you. She never will." He stared at her for a moment, his lips lifting up slightly. "You know for a girl who wants a family. You..." He shook his head and walked away from her.

She stood still for a moment as he went to get off the boat, "Nolan," called out after him.

He turned.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"Frankly my dear-" his lips twitched up, "you know the rest." He walked away and Louise collapsed down onto a chair.