Eddie turned around slowly. He just watched as his mother, Marie, made her way over to Ryan and took a seat beside him on the couch. Marie grabbed her son and held him close, letting him weep. After a letting him cry for a few moments, she spoke.

"Ryan, you're going to be okay. Please, just admit that you have a problem, I'm begging you. Help us help you." Marie begged with tired determination as Ryan pulled away – and began to pull himself back together.

James kept a careful distance, as he always seemed to do, but his words were heart-felt, "Your Mother's right, Son. Admitting that I needed help was the best thing I ever did for myself… and for this family. We will get you whatever help you need – I promise. You just have to want it… as badly as we want it for you."

"I do know… that I need help. I get that now," Ryan admitted quietly to his hopeful parents.

Eddie kept his distance, and kept his hopefulness in check.

"Do you mind if I talk to Eddie alone?" Ryan whispered giving his parents a hopeful half grin.

Marie and James looked over at Eddie, who nodded, then back to Ryan, before slowly making their way towards the door.

"We won't be far," James said, somewhat concerned, as he closed the door behind himself.

X0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x

Janet poured a drink for Big Cat -- bourbon straight up. She would have refused to wait on her new found brother if she wasn't one, of two, bartenders on duty that day -- with the other bartender being on a break.

Ray was clearly intent on drowning his sorrows, and although some part of her heart was feeling for him – Janet had kept her distance and only approached him when his glass needed refilling.

Janet started to walk away when she heard Ray speak to her, in almost a whisper, "You know what goes on with Sam Daniels. Don't you?"

Janet, not facing Ray, rolled her eyes and took a breath, before turning around. At that moment Ray was not her brother, not her best friend's ex, he was her customer and she had to keep that in mind.

She lied, but kept things as pleasant as she could as she responded, "No, Ray, I don't know what goes on with Sam."

Ray looked over at Janet and, with an eyebrow raised and a sorrowful smile on his face asked her, "The real question is … would you tell me if you did?"

Janet watched him carefully, trying to stop that small bit of pity, that small sisterly urge, from nearing the surface, "No. I guess I probably wouldn't. Hannah's my best friend. Sam's the closest thing to a nephew I have. My loyalty is with them."

"Actually, Janet, you have two nephews," Ray corrected holding two fingers up unsteadily.

Janet shook her head slightly, realizing that he was right. And, if he turned out to be Sam's father, that would make Sam nephew number three.

"And I am… your brother. That's got to count for something when it comes to loyalty," Ray stated with defeat in his voice, as he took a gulp of his drink.

Janet tried to make sense of the conflict she was feeling. This guy sitting in front of her, drowning his sorrows, was not only her brother, he was the uncle to this child she'd just found out she was carrying. Family, suddenly, had a new meaning, and her hatred for Big Cat was ebbing… slowly. Her trust, or lack-there-of, however, remained status quo.

After thinking about it for a second, Janet responded, "I suppose that's true, Ray …but the thing is… you have to earn my loyalty. I don't give it away for free."

Janet turned quickly and turned her attention to another customer.

What she didn't realize was that those words meant something more to Ray. In them, he saw hope, and in that moment he decided that his new number one goal in life was to find a way to earn his sister's loyalty.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Eddie sat on the opposite end of the couch from Ryan, not looking at him, giving him all the space he needed.

After a moment of silence, Ryan spoke, "That was one hell of a eulogy."

Eddie replied with muted humor, "If you weren't such a stubborn ass I wouldn't have had to go that far. You think that was easy? Cause, I'll tell ya something. That was no picnic."

Ryan just looked over at Eddie and nodded slightly with a half grin.

"So… you serious about getting help?" Eddie inquired carefully.

After a slight pause Ryan responded, "I am. I know that I have a problem… I just… hate… hate… that I haven't been able to kick this on my own, you know. Damn it, I hate being so weak. This isn't me."

Eddie put his hand on Ryan's shoulder, but he didn't give cut him any slack; "Yeah, actually, It is you right now, pal. But it doesn't have to be."

Eddie pulled his hand back, and the brothers sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments.

"When you were 'eulogizing' me, I got to thinking… I know I have to go to rehab.... but is there a one near the Ridge?" Ryan asked, but there seemed to be a bigger question behind his words.

"That's what you were thinking about? Thanks for paying attention," Eddie said with fake hurt. But he went to work looking through the pile of brochures for rehabs his Mother had brought. He pulled one out and handed it to Ryan.

"There's one in Lenox -- only about 30 minutes from the Ridge," Eddie said, allowing relief to slowly begin creeping into his consciousness.

Ryan glanced over the brochure, not really seeing it, "And if it's okay…"

"If what's okay?" Eddie asked, trying to figure out where this was going.

"I'm thinking about spending a little time in the Ridge when I'm done with rehab. A new scene might do me some good. I gotta figure out who I am… and I just don't think I can do that here." Ryan admitted looking around his trashed condo.

Eddie just looked at Ryan, and tried to judge if he was being truthful or not.

"If that's what you want, I think we can work something out. You could stay with me and Janet… but I'll have to talk to her…" Eddie said, liking the idea more than he wanted to admit.

"I can't get used to that one. You, living with a girl… never thought I'd see the day," Ryan smiled and hit Eddie in the arm.

"Me either," Eddie replied, and then added, with a smile and a raise of his eyebrows, "But, then again, I had no idea what I was missing."

xoxoxoxoxoxox

Hannah went to the meeting spot and waited. She dreaded this conversation like no other. The day had drained her, but she knew that she needed to keep it together until her mission was accomplished. She thought back to her meeting with Ray, and then her meeting with Phil, but was stopped from thinking ahead to her next meeting when she heard the sound of her cell phone ringing.

"You had best not be cancelling," Hannah said quietly under her breath as she pulled her cell from her pocket, but she smiled when she saw the caller ID.

"Did you have a psychic moment, Ms. Meadows? I really needed to hear from my best friend," Hannah smiled as she spoke.

"No psychic moment needed, Ms. Daniels. I needed to talk to my best friend too." Janet smiled too.

"I'm about to confront 'possible baby daddy #3'. You?" Hannah led off.

"I just finished talking to your 'possible baby' – hell, he's no baby anymore Hannah – 'possible pre-teenager daddy #1' and I've got … stuff on my mind too. I suppose now's not a good time to talk?" Janet inquired.

"No, just saw his car pull up. How 'bout Chinese food at my house around 7? Sam's down the Cape with my parents and I could REALLY use some girl talk. And wine. Don't forget the wine." Hannah said as her eyes followed the approach of her third DNA victim.

"That, my friend, sounds like a plan. See you in a bit." Janet agreed as the friends both shut their cell phones.

Hannah barely noticed the last words that Janet had spoken, as her attention was diverted by the happy, but curious, look -- on the very handsome face of -- Nick Garrett.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

After leaving Ryan, Marie and Jim sitting at the kitchen table in his parent's house discussing Ryan's his finances and and his various other responsibilities, Eddie made his way out to the back yard, where he found his sister sitting on the tire swing, rocking gently back and forth. They hadn't spoken that much since the break-through with Ryan, and he'd wanted to check on her to make sure she was okay.

"Hey, JJ, what goes on," Eddie said, as he propped himself up against the tall red maple tree that the tire swing belonged to.

"Not much. I was just thinking that … that I really let you guys down today, Eddie. Sorry I couldn't deal." Jillian sighed.

"What?" Eddie said, more loudly that he had intended, "Trust me, Jill, you didn't let anyone down. I'm the one who pulled that stunt without a warning. I know that the idea of Ryan dying scares the hell out of you. Sorry about that kid."

"Some Doctor I'm gonna be, huh? Can't even handle a little talk about death." Jillian seemed let down by her own perceived weakness.

"He's your brother, JJ, that kind of puts it into a category its own... As for being a doctor, with all that compassion you have... you, smart girl, are going to be... an outstanding Doctor. No question." Eddie said, half smile on his face.

Jillian smiled at Eddie as she mouthed the word 'thanks' and went back to swinging on the tire swing.

"So, you still heading out with me and Ryan tomorrow?" Eddie inquired.

"I am," Jillian confirmed, "First stop Lenox … and then on to Knight's Ridge."

"And Ikey?" Eddie asked, sounding a bit unnerved by the idea.

"Yep … And, I love you Eddie, but you should know that I'm planning on hanging out with him whether you like it or not. There … I said it. Whew... But, I'm really looking forward to hanging out with Janet too. I'd really like to get to know her better. She seems ... exceptional," Jillian grinned, loving the fact that Eddie seemed so happy, and then added thoughtfully, "You must be anxious to get back to her."

"More than you know…" Eddie smiled and walked towards the pond at the far end of his parent's spacious backyard and called Janet's number.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Hi Hannah," Nick said as he approached her cautiously.

"Hi Nick," Hannah replied, trying to keep her voice strong and steady.

"I have to say that, this…" Nick said with a smile, his arms out, motioning at his surroundings, "this is a surprising place to meet. Kind of unusual, even for you, Hannah Jane. Everything okay?"

"It's fine, Nick. I just wanted to talk with you. And I wanted to do it somewhere we both felt… safe. And I liked the idea of doing it here… with your Mom." Hannah said, motioning to the gravestone belonging to Nick's Mom, Caroline Garrett.

Nick didn't say anything, but it was clear that the wheels in his mind were turning.

"You know, I come here a lot. I've always come here a lot. I loved your Mom, Nick. She was … an amazing person." Hannah had already decided how to tell this story – she just hoped she had enough strength to tell it right.

"I didn't know that. I mean, I know that my Mom was the best. I'm just a little surprised that you come here. I've come here quite a bit myself since I've been back in the Ridge." Nick admitted.

"See, that doesn't surprise me at all. What surprises me… is that you were able to stay away from here for as long as you did." Hannah admitted, almost becoming diverted from her story.

"Hannah…," Nick said quietly, before asking, "Hannah, what goes on?"

"Nick, I've got a story to tell you, and I need you to promise me… really promise me, that you'll listen." Hannah began, trying to stave off the emotion threatening to take her over completely.

"Story... What kind of story, Hannah?" Nick asked.

"Just promise me you'll listen, Nick. Please." Hannah implored.

Nick just nodded, and moved to sit at the bench near his Mother's grave. Hannah stood directly in front of him, and talking with her hands as much as her words began her story.

"When you didn't come back, Nick, it broke me into tiny little pieces," Hannah began.

"I know that Hannah. We've…" Nick interrupted.

"Nick, come on, please … just listen." Hannah reiterated strongly.

"Okay… okay," Nick nodded , realizing his mistake.

"So, there I was, just an absolute walking disaster, and that summer I… as my Mother would say… acted out every chance I got. I went to every party, I drank, I smoked pot, and I … had sex with guys who weren't you – just because they weren't… you."

Nick looked like he wanted to be sick, but he kept his mouth shut.

"I was… a 'hot mess' that summer. Or at least that's what I've been told." Hannah added dryly.

Nick looked grim, and it was clear that he was struggling to stay quiet.

"Shortly after my 'acting out period' I realized that I hadn't HAD a period. It didn't take me long to figure out that I was… pregnant. I knew immediately that I was going to keep my baby. I loved Sam… from the minute I knew he was a part of me. What I didn't know was… who his father was. After what I had just done there were a few… candidates… three altogether."

Hannah turned around and walked closer to Caroline's grave. She paused for a second as she ran her hand over the cold granite and collected her thoughts. She whispered towards the stone, "Any help you want to give me here would be truly appreciated."

"Hannah, I know this story, you find out that Gavin Goddard is the father, and everyone lives happily ever after," Nick said with annoyance in his voice.

"That would be nice and easy, right Nick? Nothing about this was easy… And, I was just a messed up kid, with a broken heart, trying to figure it out as I went along."

Hannah sighed deeply.

"The truth is… Gavin Goddard is not Sam's father. There was never even a chance that Gavin Goddard was Sam's father. But, that was a story that worked for my family, so I went along with it like a good daughter. He went along with it… as a favor to my Father. And, in return, I got the support from my parents that I needed to make a life with my son." Hannah said with distaste evident in her tone.

Nick stood up and approached Hannah.

"So, Gavin Goddard isn't the father?" Nick asked, clearly confused.

"No, he's not Sam's father." Hannah shook her head from side to side.

"But there are three OTHER possibilities?" Nick investigated.

"Yes, Nick, three other possibilities…" Hannah confirmed.

"And, of those three possibilities… would one of them be me?" Nick asked, crossing his arms over his chest, wanting to know, and not wanting to know, at the same time.

"Yes, Nick. One of them … would be you." Hannah confirmed, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

xoxoxoxoxoxox

"Eddie," Janet said, answering the phone on the first ring. She was just finishing up her break when he called.

"Hey Beautiful, what goes on," Eddie couldn't help smile when he heard her voice.

"I've been worried. How are you? What goes on with Ryan?" Janet practically jumped through the phone; the feeling of concern, mixed with the loneliness of just plain missing Eddie, had her emotions wound pretty tight. Well, something else was messing with her emotions, but she couldn't go there right now.

"I'm okay. It was a long day, but I think we finally got through to him. Time will tell I suppose. I am... beat. Wish you were here to rub this tension out of my neck…" Eddie spoke to Janet in that soft, sexy, husky voice… in a way he spoke to no one else.

"Wish I was there too. I really, really do. I miss you Eddie. It's crazy how much..." Janet shyly admitted.

"Right back at you," Eddie smiled, "I'm not sure when I became so damned dependent, but I really missed having you there with me today."

Janet smiled at the thought and then cringed when she looked up and saw that she was already five minutes late getting back from her break.

"Eddie, I've got to get back to work, but if you aren't too tired, will you call me later?" Janet asked with a sense of urgency in her voice.

"You okay, Janet?" Eddie became slightly concerned, "Because I'll drive out to the Ridge right now if you need me."

"Don't tempt me, Eddie, 'cause I always need you," Janet sighed, "But , no, I'm fine. I just want to hear your voice before I go to sleep. I just don't like sleeping alone anymore."

"I know the feeling... I'll call you. And, Janet, I Love you." Eddie said with the widest smile he'd been able to accomplish all day.

"Love you back." Janet said, also grinning widely, as she closed her phone and went back to work.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Nick's head swirled around him as anger, confusion, joy and a hundred other emotions bubbled to the surface, "I could be Sam's father? Hannah???"

Tears began to stream down Hannah's face.

"The peanut allergy. My mother's eyes. You said it couldn't be. I asked you. I begged you to tell me." Nick stammered with confusion, and hurt, evident in his voice.

Nick's pain pierced right through the center of Hannah's heart.

"Nick…" Hannah started.

"Don't 'Nick' me, Hannah. I know that I screwed up when I didn't come back. When I 'disappeared into the ether'… I know that. But I've been back for more than a year. A year, Hannah! I could have been a father to Sam this whole time. If he's my son… I can never get that back." Nick's anger was pointed.

"I don't know what to tell you, Nick. You were gone for ten years before that. Ten years! I didn't know if I could TRUST you to be here. I didn't know if you would stay. And, I sure as hell didn't want you to stay out of any obligation to us. Don't you get that?" Hannah asked, her own anger at Nick coming to the surface.

"No, Hannah, I don't 'get' anything. Not anymore." Nick said more sharply even as he began to calm down. He took a turn running his hand over the cool surface of his Mother's gravestone.

Hannah and Nick stood there for a few seconds, on opposite sides of Caroline's gravestone, not talking, not looking at each … but it felt like so much longer.

"I think it's you, Nick. I've never known for sure, but for what it's worth, I always thought it was you," Hannah said quietly as she reached out to touch Nick's arm. Nick pulled away quickly.

"I've got to tell you Hannah -- it's not worth much, not much at all," Nick's anger was still apparent, "I just want to know for sure. I want to know if Sam's my child. I want to know if my father has a grandson. I'll love Sam no matter what, but I have to know."

"Okay, so, we'll find out." And for the third time that day Hannah pulled out a DNA kit. Nick reached for it immediately.

"Tell me how this works," Nick asked, anger still apparent in his voice, and as Hannah explained the process, Nick took out the swab and proceeded to provide his DNA sample.

In spite of Nick's lingering bad feelings, relief filled Hannah's body. She'd done what she set out to do, and after all those years, the people most integral to this story knew the truth… at least as much of the truth as they could for now.

All that was left to do was to send in the DNA tests and wait for the results.

Hannah left to go meet Janet, but Nick stayed behind… to talk to his Mom.