T – Tyler

How could she not have seen it the minute she had clapped eyes on him? How could she not see the weak chin, elliptical head and kicked puppy eyes that screamed out the fact he was a Meade? Maybe not in name, but it was obvious none of the boys had inherited their father's genes.

She had always thought Alex had an air of a younger Bradford around him, but Daniel was undeniably Claire. Studying Tyler know as he stood in front of her, she admitted there wasn't a striking resemblance, but she had an eye for detail and she could pin point the traits which made him more Meade than Hartley.

She stared deep in those eyes that held hers and could have been looking at Daniel; she tilted her head, or Matt actually. Maybe he was a perfect mix of both parents, maybe Tyler was the missing stage between his two half brothers.

'What do you want?'

He swallowed and stepped further into the room. 'I wanted to say I'm sorry.'

'No you're not.' She smirked. 'Claire must be so proud of you, you did what she's wanted to do for years. Although I think she would have aimed for the heart.'

He leaned on the edge of the bed. 'I am sorry.'

'Look.' She snapped, 'Tyler, if I hadn't done what I did you would never have had the opportunity.'

'That doesn't excuse shooting someone.' He said, quietly so no-one would hear his admission.

She pursed her lips and nodded, 'True, and had I not been given the most wonderful surprise this morning you can bet your ass I'd be conjuring up ways to make you pay.'

'There must be something I can do.'

She sighed. 'Look, you forgive me, I forgive you; deal?'

He shrugged. 'Doesn't seem like a fair trade. I know what you did was...I can't find the words to say how wrong it was. But you didn't put a bullet in someone. I coulda killed you.'

'There is one thing you can do for me though.' He looked at her, quizzical; 'Get sober again.'

He stood from the bed and nodded. 'I can do that.'

'I'd suggest finding a new sponsor though.' She laughed and he joined her.

He sobered again, 'You're definitely ok though right?'

She reached to the bedside table and lifted a small plastic casing. 'I'm fine, got it all.' She smirked.

'Oh God, is that what I think it is?'

She tilted the casing from side to side, the small metal slug rolling against the edge of the container. 'I'm thinking of making it into a necklace for your mother, I think she'll appreciate it more than anyone.' She joked. 'You could of at least fired twice, I would have made earrings.'

He shook his head. 'How can you joke about this?'

She smiled as the memory of awakening that morning invaded her mind.

'Let's just say I had a wake-up call.'