Grace still couldn't speak. Even with the pressure of Oliver's cold stare as he kept his finger pointed at the photograph of Agatha and Rooster she couldn't utter a single word. This wasn't how things were supposed to happen. None of it. They were so close to calling it a night - and on decent terms. Now she knew she was in for a very long and sleepless day.

"I'm not leaving here until you explain this to me."

The least she could do was move. She walked over to where he stood and took the album from him. She knew if she opened her mouth right now all she would do is break down. This wasn't a productive solution.

"I've already seen it."

She only nodded.

"So, this is how you knew who 'Ralph Mudge' was. And this is why you knew he's Miss Hannigan's brother. There were no pictures in her office, where there?"

Now, she shook her head.

"I'm not going to stand here and wait for head signals. I want to know why you didn't tell me."

After taking a couple long deep breaths, Grace forced herself to speak. To her surprise, she did so somewhat clearly. "I was going to tell you."

"Is this what you've been keeping from me?"

"That's a strong way to word it. We've only been talking about it here, and I told you I needed to work through things."

"Don't you realize how serious this is? These people nearly killed Annie. How could you not tell me you know them? What, was this all some sort of clever plan to take my money? Then what happened, you thought better of it last minute? You thought you could take my attention away from it with romantic overtures?"

Grace's mouth dropped open. She expected a harsh reaction, but not such accusations. Fortunately, this made her anger take over, making it much easier to speak. "How can you think such awful things about me?"

"Because you obviously feel guilty. Why else wouldn't you tell me and make a big deal of it?"

"And that's it? There's no other reason why I would have a hard time telling you?"

"None that I can think of," he sneered.

"Well," she started in a sarcastic tone, "this may come as a shock to you but it just so happens I was afraid of your reaction. I needed to figure a way to tell you that didn't leave room for any misunderstanding. That sure worked out well for me."

"I don't believe it. You were too persistent."

"Blame your ugly temper for that. This serves as my defense. You made up your mind about the situation before hearing what I have to say."

"It's all too suspicious."

In a huff, Grace opened the album which was still in her hands. Returning to the page Oliver had seen, she handed it back to him. "Read the date beside it."

"1921," he read aloud.

"Mhmm, and did you find it odd how much younger both of them look?"

"I didn't notice."

"I hadn't met you then. I haven't seen either of them in years. I live here. I'm working with you at all hours of the day. If I were still in contact with them you would have known by now. Seeing Agatha at the orphanage was pure coincidence. As for Rooster, I've always despised the man. He was a good-for-nothing bum and it's obvious he's gotten worse. I knew them a long time ago and I resent everything you've said to me, especially the part about me having ulterior motives when we kissed. After all this time, after what we've gone through together the past couple days, I can't believe you think this little of me. What happened to caring? If you really cared you wouldn't have jumped to such horrid conclusions."

Oliver didn't know what to say. He wished she hadn't looked him straight in the eye, otherwise, he could have convinced himself she was lying. He still had his doubts. There still seemed to be something that wasn't adding up. But from the look of disgust in Grace's eyes, he felt a chill of regret.

"I'm… sorry," he said, though it wasn't so simple.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry for letting myself fall into this trap."

"Trap? What trap?"

"Thinking you'd really changed. Tonight has been a fantastic lesson for me. No matter how different someone may seem, a piece of the old them never lets go. If they change it's only for the worse."

"You're making this much bigger than it needs to be."

"I'm making this bigger? I'm not the one who made a rash judgment over a photograph."

"Don't twist my words around. You know there is more to it than the picture."

"There is, and I'm not going to be with someone who would think for a minute I'd act so vile."

"Give me a break, it's got to be nearly six o'clock in the morning!"

"I don't care what hour it is. You made your thoughts clear and I'm not going to subject myself to something like this ever again. I had enough of this with Agatha earlier, I certainly don't need it from you."

"I never pegged you for a quitter," Oliver said with a shake of his head.

Through her teeth, she replied, "I'm not quitting. I'm sparing myself unnecessary pain. I don't need this."

"What makes you think I do?"

"Get out, Oliver. I'm not discussing this anymore."

"Have it your way. Just don't come crying to me later on when you decide you've had a change of heart."

"Believe me, I won't," she said as he turned to go.

Before he left, he turned back to face her. "You best go back to addressing me as Mr. Warbucks."

"If I address you at all."

Before he left with a slam of the door, Oliver said, "You're damn lucky Annie is so attached to you. Otherwise, you'd be out on the street before I could even finish saying you're fired."

It was no surprise Grace wasn't able to get any sleep. The hurt from Oliver was almost worse than reliving the scenes of Annie at the top of those tracks. Mixed with the exchange of words with Agatha she was a mess. Worst of all, she had no one to turn to. She had a couple good friends and confidantes among Oliver's staff who knew of Agatha, but now that this involved Oliver, she couldn't take her problems to them. It wasn't appropriate. Plus, gossip traveled fast in this house. Sooner or later Oliver would find out what she said, or worse, Annie. Knowing she couldn't leave Annie made her feel trapped. She'd wanted to leave the house as soon as Oliver made his allegations. Why was this happening? Was she really such a difficult person to be around? First Agatha and now Oliver. With Agatha, she'd made her peace. It was disappointing and of course she wished for things to be another way. But with Oliver… the situation and feelings were so different.

Work kept her busy after moving out of the old apartment. What did she have now? Oliver made a good point in mentioning Annie. Saying goodbye again wasn't an option. But then, how could she continue working for Oliver if they didn't work this out? Sure, she was mad at him right now. Mad and hurt. Still, she had to figure in a day or two they'd cool down. At least she hoped as much. Things couldn't end when they've just barely begun.

Just as she thought she was going to slip into a light doze, there was a knock on her door. Her initial thought was Oliver. She leaped out of bed in relief, thankful for him coming to her so she wouldn't keep riddling her mind with ways to approach him later. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Drake standing before her with the telephone in hand.

"For you, Miss Farrell."

Glancing at the clock, she saw it was only a few minutes past seven. "Who's calling?"

"Agatha- she didn't give a last name."

Raising an eyebrow, Grace took the phone after a brief hesitation. "Hello?" she answered, hoping Drake wouldn't stand there waiting until she was through.

"Grace… I, uh. Look, this wasn't an easy call to make and I feel sick about it…"

"What's the matter?"

"I know I said last night I didn't need your help — and I didn't then — but stuff happened and it turns out I do need your help. I know you're probably going to hang up on me but I thought I'd at least try. I couldn't have them thinking I didn't have a single person to call."

Catching on, Grace questioned, "Where are you?"

"… They're holding me downtown. I won't say jail yet because I'm just waiting for a meeting with the Board of Orphans. They ain't too happy about what happened last night."

Grace looked over her shoulder to see if the butler was still there. He was. Not wanting anything to get back to Oliver right now, she kept her responses vague. "When is it? I'd rather talk about this in person."

"I dunno. Soon, I guess."

"Well, are you going to be where you are now within the next hour?"

Agatha groaned. "The hell am I supposed to know?"

"Do you need me or not?"

"… Yes. But not the way you might think."

"Like I said, we'll talk about it in person."

"Well, hurry."

Letting Agatha have the last work, Grace hung up the phone and handed it back to Drake before going to her closet.

"Is something wrong, Miss Farrell?" he asked.

"No, it's nothing. I need to go meet with someone, that's all."

"Should I let Mr. Warbucks know you won't be down for breakfast?"

"No!" she said much too quickly. "I mean, he's got a lot on his mind right now. Plus, he has a meeting with the press here around nine. He won't miss me. Annie should be fine, as well. I'm hoping she'll sleep in today. Whether she feels it or not, she has to be exhausted."

"What time will you return?"

"Within a few hours, I hope."

"Will you be needing the car?"

"Yes, but I'll be driving myself."

"Are you sure, miss?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Please, have The Asp pull it up front so I can change. I can't waste any time."

"Very well, Miss Farrell."