Alan watched, his shoulders tense until the three men who had threatened his family left, and then only when the door had closed behind them did he exhale slowly with a sigh. He turned and surveyed his household, Drake was standing there with clenched fists and a dangerous gleam in his eyes. He was in his protector mode and he went to the window to ensure their visitors were truly leaving. He was now looking at Joe with a concerned look. Alfred had a look of anger simmering in his normally guarded eyes. But it was Joe and Jackie that most concerned him so he turned to them anxiously.

Joe had a look of righteous indignation on his face, he stood stiffly with a scowl on his face as he looked towards the door.

Jackie herself seemed fine but there was a hint of rage beneath the surface, on her brother's behalf directed at the three men who had so callously caused him such emotional pain. Mostly she looked anxious and concerned for her brother.

"That man is demented." Joe said in a vehement voice. He had been so unprepared. For that man to just barge into his father's house and claim Joe as his son showed such cruel unmitigated gall it was appalling. That man was a ridiculous nut, Joe thought indignantly. To take advantage of him having lost his memory in such a way was so callous and conniving it made Joe's blood boil. Then to try and touch his sister, well Joe definitely wasn't going to let him get near his sister again.

Alan ignored Joe's outburst for the moment and instead walked over and placed an arm over each of his children's shoulders. "Are you two alright."

Jackie said "Yes, Pa." but Joe just nodded. "I'm glad I decided to come home for lunch. I'm sorry though that never should have happened." He said quietly

"It's not your fault Pa." Joe said in an indignant voice. "It's that nut's fault for---"

"Joe!" Alan said in a quiet but stern voice. "Come lets sit down." "Alfred, Drake, thank you for your help."

"My pleasure sir." Drake almost growled and Alfred nodded.

Then the Darrons went to the parlor, with Alfred and Drake following at a discrete distance to eavesdrop.

Joe and Jackie both sat down on the settee and Alan lingered behind them. He could sense the rage in Joe. Even though a part of him was pleased that Joe loved him so completely he would feel so strongly about this threat, in his heart he knew harboring such resentment would only hurt Joe and their family in the long run. So he set about the task of releasing the rage from Joe. He stood behind the settee and gently massaged Joe's shoulders for a minute,at first Joe remained tense and defensive, then gradually Alan felt the anger and tension drain away from his son under his loving touch. Then still without a word he crossed over and sat in a easy chair facing them.

"You know I really don't think he meant to hurt you Joe." Alan said in a quiet voice, looking deeply into his son's eyes.

Finally Joe pulled his gaze away, he sighed and then visibly slumped, and then the last of his anger drained away with it. "Yes, I guess I do see that he didn't mean to hurt me, he really did think I was his son." Joe said in a resigned voice. He realized that even when Mr. Cartwright had first confronted him he had seen the sincerity in his eyes, that he was somehow truly mistaken. Joe knew he could not harbor his rage any longer. "I'm not angry at him any more, Pa." Joe finished in a quiet voice. Now that there was no one to blame he just sounded drained. His eyes drifted to the floor.

"Joe..." Jackie started but seemed unsure of what to say. So instead she just placed a hand on his shoulder.

Alan stepped forward and knelt in front of Joe and placed a hand on his knee. "Son, I'm glad you feel that way, It's very mature of you and I am proud of you."

Joe looked up when Alan said he was proud and his eyes brightened for a moment, but then he looked back down without saying a word.

"Joe if you remember Mr. Cartwright lost his son when he was murdered. He's just unable to cope with that loss, and that is the reason for his outburst this morning, not a cruel nature. Yet because he is sincere, I'm afraid he might try to continue his claims by legal means." Alan saw no reaction in Joe's downcast eyes and he realized Joe had already considered this and that was perhaps the reason for his sorrow.

"But Joe I'm going to promise you something." Alan said and he gently lifted Joe's chin until his eyes met those piercing green ones that resembled his so closely. " I will not lose my son like Mr. Cartwright, no matter what happens I will not lose you to Mr. Cartwright or anyone else. Do you understand me?" Alan's stare bore into Joe demanding an answer, his eyes full of love. Then Alan gently released Joe's chin, but Joe's eyes didn't drop this time but they met Alan's with an answering look of love, but also determination.

"Yes, Pa nothing will separate us. Not this man or anyone else,"

"Don't worry son." Alan said with a small smile. " It isn't possible for Mr. Cartwright could win in a lawsuit, and I know we can stick together as a family through this."

"Yes Pa." Jackie's anger now seemed to have dissipated as well. "Nothing tears us Darrons apart, right?"

But before Alan could reply, a answer rang out from behind them. "I hope that includes me too?" Alan, Joe, and Jackie all stood and turned to see a smiling but somber looking Beth walking towards them. She had been visiting a neighbor, but Rosie had left to find her during the shouting earlier and Beth had returned just in time to hear Jackie's final question.

"Mama" Both Joe and Jackie murmured and Beth went forward and enveloped her two children in a fierce embrace. Alan joined by placing a comforting hand on Joe and Jackie's shoulders. "Now we can face anything." He whispered.

For quite some time they just stood there, drawing comfort from each other and quietly bonding as a family, and together they feared nothing....