I feel like every chapter I apologise for the long wait, but you know how life is... So at last here's the next bit!

Thanks to ImmortalSpuffy202, boh.l, and PK for reading and your encouraging and motivating reviews, you guys are the best!

Early the next morning, Hershel left for the university and Flora went off to school. Claire had some research to catch up on at home, and Desmond wasn't quite sure what he was going to do with his day yet.

Waking up, Desmond opened his heavy eyes and looked over at the clock hanging from the wall. Squinting, he tried to make out what time it was. Reaching for the nightstand behind him, he felt around until his fingers found his glasses. Bringing them to his face, the clock was made clear. Quarter past eight, it read. He didn't normally sleep until this hour, but he must have slept better since he had told Hershel and Claire about his capture. Rising up, Desmond stretched and yawned, thinking about what he could accomplish today. After a moment of thought, he remembered that today was an important day. It was Hershel's birthday. No one had spoken of it in the days leading up to this day, but Desmond would never forget. Every year on Hershel's birthday, Desmond always thought of his brother a little more than he did on a normal day. This would be the first birthday Desmond would spend with him since his brother had turned six.

After getting ready, he headed downstairs where he found Claire sitting on the sofa, working on some research from the lab. She had an open book on her lap and papers covering the tea table in front of her. Remembering the night before, how Claire seemed to be hiding something, he thought of a way to start a conversation without drawing too much suspicion.

"Good morning, Claire."

"Good morning, Desmond," Claire looked up from her book and smiled.

"Have you had breakfast yet? I'd be happy to make you something," Desmond suggested, secretly hoping she would decline since his knowledge of cooking was miniscule. Raymond had always done all the cooking for him his entire life, and his wife did a bit as well.

"Thank you for the kind offer, but I'm not that hungry at the moment."

"How about a cup of tea?" Desmond recommended, knowing a British woman couldn't deny that. He had to do some sort of kind act for her before engaging in a enquiry.

"I'm really fine, Desmond. I don't mean to be rude, but I really do need to stay focused on my research."

Something was definitely not right. She rejected tea. Desmond headed into the kitchen to put on a kettle for himself while contriving a plan on how to get Claire to talk. He knew asking if she was alright wasn't a good tactic. She would simply brush the matter aside. Perhaps he could start a simple conversation about how he was reminded of his family and somehow get into family needing to trust each other with everything... He had to catch her off guard.

After his tea was ready, he took it out to the living room, trying to think of a way to begin. Sitting down, he looked up at Claire who looked deep in her book. He half wondered if she was just trying to keep him from talking to her.

"Sorry to disturb you again, Claire, but I'd rather like to know what you're researching. I did quite a bit of biology and science study in university," Desmond started.

Claire looked up. "After my promotion, the lab has been wanting me to focus more on doing my own personal research rather than being a lab assistant. Right now I'm studying certain chemical reactions currently and the importance of them."

"Fascinating," Desmond mused, taking a sip of hot tea. "My wife had a quick mind for science. I'm sure you two would have gotten along well. I wish you could have met her," Desmond sighed, but actually wasn't feeling as sad as he appeared. He was only bringing up this sensitive topic to begin to soften Claire towards telling him her secret, and so that she would continue talking to him.

"I'm sure she was an amazing woman," Claire said thoughtfully, not seeming as rushed anymore.

"Indeed... I think about her and my daughter every day," Desmond started to feel guilty, using the precious memory of his beloved family to get information from Claire, but he had to continue. It was Claire's fault for hiding something. "Some days I think about how I could have prevented their deaths... If I had told them Targent was out there looking for us, maybe we could have been prepared for when they abducted us... My wife and daughter had no idea what was going on..." Desmond said remorsefully. "Maybe if I hadn't hidden secrets from them, perhaps they would still be with me today. I should have been honest with them, instead of feeling like all the pressure of protecting them was on me," Desmond paused a moment to look into Claire's eyes to see if she was processing, and it worked. Claire looked as if she were thinking about his words deeply. He continued. "But nevermind my sniveling... I suppose I should let you get back to studying." Desmond gave Claire a moment longer to think about his words.

Claire sat for a moment longer looking uncomfortable. She silently looked back down at her book, saying nothing.

"Claire, are you alright? You look rather pale," Desmond pushed. There was no way out for her now.

Claire didn't answer right away. She drew in a deep breath. "Yes. I only... I'm sorry you had to endure that."

Desmond was tired of being indirect. "Nevermind that. You know what I'm on about... Don't pretend I haven't noticed your strange behaviour. I cannot believe Hershel hasn't noticed yet. He must be too blind by his love for you to see. You're hiding something from him... But the question is, what is it?" He asked directly, dead sick of going in circles.

Claire drew in a deep breath. "Desmond... I could come up with a story to get you to believe, but instead I'm going to be honest. I can't tell you, and I cannot tell Hershel either. I trust you to trust me in this. I just cannot tell you."

Desmond couldn't believe this. Claire knew hiding things would tear the family apart, and yet she was still hiding something intentionally. "Claire—"

"I know you think this is dangerous, to hide something from our family, but you have to trust me. I know what I'm doing. It's to protect you, Flora, and Hershel," Claire explained.

"Protect us from what? The truth?!" Desmond stood up, becoming infuriated at what he couldn't know.

"It's not like that!" Claire tried to justify.

Desmond breathing was unsteady as he approached Claire. His eyes were filled with fury.

"Desmond!" Claire stood up quickly, backing away from him. "Don't let Descole do this to you!"

"Have you heard nothing I've said?! Secrets will tear us all apart!" Descole raised his voice.

Desperation filled Claire's eyes. "Can we please drop this? I know it's hard, but I really need you to trust me," Claire said, gravely serious.

"No! I will not accept your silence! I must know!" Descole demanded, gripping Claire's shoulders tightly.

Claire gasped in fear, but she knew she had to stay calm to bring Desmond back. "D- Desmond! Hershel and Flora are counting on you, and I am too. We know you're still hurting immensely... but keeping secrets is not what will tear us apart. Lack of trust will do that. We cannot let this come between us. I beg of you, please trust me! I would never do anything to hurt you or Hershel or Flora. We love you. We're family," Claire finished, her voice shaking slightly.

Descole didn't respond. His face was blank. Claire couldn't quite tell if it was Descole or Desmond still before her, but she knew she had to draw Desmond back to reality fast. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him into a tight embrace.

Desmond's grip on Claire loosened as he realised Descole had come back again. His breaths were wavering and unsteady as he hugged Claire back. "I'm so sorry, Claire... Thank you for staying calm and bringing me back."

"It was nothing..." Claire hugged him a moment longer, feeling his uneven breaths. Pulling away, she looked at Desmond, who was clearly still unsettled and disturbed from Claire's keeping secrets. "I'm sorry I can't tell you. Believe me, I want to, but it has to be this way."

Desmond nodded, but said nothing. Claire sensed Desmond was still upset inside.

"Today is Hershel's birthday. We cannot let this come between us," Claire said.

"I understand..." Desmond agreed. "Is there anything I can help you with before he gets home?"

"I don't know... I was just going to make his favourite biscuits and I also have a gift for him. I don't know what else we could do to make this day special for him."

Whilst they were thinking, there were three quick raps on the door.

"I'll get it." Desmond turned towards the door, but Claire put her hand on his shoulder.

"You probably won't even know who it is, silly," Claire teased, walking past him on her way over to the door.

"You don't know that. For all you know, maybe you don't know who it is," Desmond laughed back.

Claire looked through the small hole in the door to see who it was. She slowly turned towards Desmond and lowered her voice. "I think you're right... There's a worried looking woman out there. Do you know her?" Claire stepped aside.

As Desmond peered through, he recognised her immediately. Quickly opening the door, his stomach filled with dread. "Emmy? What's wrong? What are you doing here?"

"It's Uncle Leon," Emmy's voice quivered quietly.

"Please, come in and have a seat. Tell me what's going on," Desmond invited in a hurried manner. Emmy entered and Desmond led her over to the sofa. Claire followed them, understanding who Emmy was since Desmond and Hershel had spoke about her before.

After they had both sat down, Claire standing nearby, Emmy showed Desmond a newspaper, her hands trembling. "He— he's been stolen out of prison last night. Who else could it be besides Targent?"

Desmond felt his worry grow, not particularly for Bronev, but that Targent had begun appearing. "I'm afraid you're right..."

"We know Targent intends to kill him... He's like a father to me, and I can't bear the thought of losing him. H- He's all I have in this world," Her hurried voice and desperate eyes showed her fear. "I- I don't know what to do, Desmond."

Trying to think like Hershel would think, Sycamore tried to come up with a solution for their predicament. First, he tried to think of Targent's motive. "Perhaps they are trying to lure us to their hiding place..."

"Well, it's working..." Emmy crossed her arms nervously. "I just want to roundhouse kick them all between their smug eyes... If I knew where they were at, I probably would have gone there right away without telling you... I know, it sounds like a stupid idea, going after them without a plan, but the dread inside of me is too much... I feel so terrible that I would do anything to have him free from them." Emmy closed her eyes.

Desmond looked back at Claire, who was standing behind him. Although much of the situation had been explained to her now, she still didn't know what to say either.

"It's understandable that you're nervous, but what's important is that you keep a clear head," Desmond said like the professor would have said.

"That's easy for you to say! You don't even care if your own father dies!" Emmy blurted out.

Desmond was surprised: surprised that Emmy had said this, and also surprised that he felt guilt from her words. It was true. He didn't care.

"Emmy... I'm still nervous about Targent's appearance. We all need to keep clear minds," Desmond tried to steer the conversation away from his hatred against Bronev.

"I'd rather discuss this with the Professor, he actually cares about—"

"I want to help you, Emmy! Besides, Hershel is in no state to be giving comfort to you anyway. Did you notice the professor's strange behaviour yesterday?"

"It was sort of hard to miss... Why did he leave so quickly?" Emmy questioned.

"Speaking of Targent too often had finally brought him to the point of breaking, I suppose... He became worried that Claire and Flora had been abducted."

"That's not like the professor..." Emmy trailed off, her face filled with concerned.

"I know. It worries me. But that's why I'd rather you discuss this with me instead," Desmond explained. "If we were to tell him, he would go mad."

"You mean... Keep it secret from the professor?"

"I don't like it either, but I don't see any other way," Desmond shrugged.

Claire glared at Desmond firmly. "Desmond—"

"If you can keep a secret from him, then I can too!"

"Desmond, don't be childish! I have good reason. I know it doesn't make sense now, but you'll understand once everything is—"

"I have good reason, as well!"

"Stop fighting, please!" Emmy begged. "I haven't the slightest what you two are on about, but this is solving nothing. Let's calmly look at our options."

Desmond thought. "I suppose it's either search for their base... Or wait until they take us."

Emmy put her hands on her hips. "Seeing that they already have Uncle Leon, I think I'd rather go with the first choice."

"I would, as well," Desmond agreed.

"But how?" Claire asked, concern in her eyes. "If Targent put Desmond through so much pain, I don't want either of you getting anywhere near them."

"If Emmy and I go together, we will be fine. She knows the methods of Targent well. However, I understand your concern... especially considering what they did to me during our last encounter..." A chill ran down Desmond's back, remembering the suffering that he was still recovering from. He swallowed bravely. "but I have to go, for your sake and for Hershel and Flora."

"The only thing that will make Hershel go mad is if he hears that you went after Targent. You can't be serious about this." Claire's eyes were filled with an obstinance, not wanting Desmond in harm's way.

"I'll be back in time to celebrate Hershel's birthday," Desmond stood up, ready to go investigate.

"Desmond! I won't allow you to do this!" Claire stood in front of him, prepared to intervene if she had to.

"Enough!" Emmy couldn't handle their bickering any further. She stood up and faced Desmond. "Desmond, Claire needs you here. Leave this to me."

"But it's dangerous," Desmond warned.

"I know what I'm getting myself into. But Uncle Leon is worth that risk."

"Emmy... I don't think you should do this," Desmond stalled.

"You practically want him dead! Nevermind... Forget I came. It's better if this didn't happen." Emmy headed for the door.

"No!" Desmond grabbed her wrist as she took her first step. "It's not like that, Emmy, I'm just concerned about your safety!"

"Well, don't be. Worrying about me won't make a difference. I'm going, with or without your approval," Emmy ripped away from his grasp and strided towards the door.

"Fine— just— don't die!" Desmond shouted at her as she left.

There was a silence as Desmond stood, not knowing what to do now. "What now?" Desmond turned his head towards Claire.

After she thought a moment, Claire let out a worried sigh. "We'll have to hold off the celebrations. Let's go help her."