Chapter 48: Contact

Contact is essential to the start of every connection. It allows bonds to form, gives us purpose, and provides the reassurance needed to help us feel safe…

"Daddy, the water is freezing!"

A young Amanda Clarke looked up incredulously at her father wading ankle deep into the frigid ocean waves as if he couldn't feel a thing. "Hey, you want to know a trick?" he asked her warmly. "You plant your feet in the sand and you stand still through the whole first wave."

Ever the picture of an adoring child, Amanda agreed in preparation. "Okay," she replied.

"Then the next wave's gonna feel warmer," David continued, staring down with a sweet expression. "And then the one after that's gonna feel warmer still. Finally, you're barely gonna notice the cold at all." Though nervous, his young daughter gave him a trusting look before edging near to where he stood. He smiled back, catching sight of the next wave. "You ready?" he asked.

She nodded with excitement. "Yeah!"

"Okay… here it comes!" he held her hand tightly, and they both braced for the rush of cool, sudsy impact. Amanda bore down just like her father had cautioned and held his hand tight, exclaiming as the wave crashed around her feet.

"Aaah!" her delighted cry filled the summer air, mixing in with her father's warm laugh.

But once contact is lost, the strongest bonds are tested. To survive, they can either be resurrected by the memories left behind; or reconstructed by a will to start over again.

END FLASHBACK

The vision of her younger self slowly dissipated, leaving Emily alone with the fragments of her thoughts along the dimly lit shoreline. It was nearly dawn, a fact she scarcely noticed after spending the night in solitude, reflecting on memories of her father that came drifting in like the rolling waves. They came and went in similar fashion and the hours passed, eventually heralding the arrival of another day.

Along with the sun's promise to rise onto the horizon came Daniel, walking down the hilly beach to where she was seated. Conscious that his wife was ever oblivious to the elements, he removed his jacket and tenderly placed it around her shoulders to shield her from the ocean breeze.

"Sun's nearly up," he observed after a quiet moment. It amazed him how she could remain so deep in concentration, yet after years of learning her habits he had come to expect it. Her unflinching gaze remained on the sea. "You been out here all night?" he finally prodded.

At last Emily spoke, turning slightly. "I went home first," she began.

Daniel nodded, knowing her well. He gave her credit for hanging around as long as she had with David before begging off with an excuse. But if his guess was right, her return was more than likely intercepted. "Did you tell Nolan?" he estimated.

"He insisted I go back," Emily confirmed seamlessly, adding a shrug. "I made it this far."

With understanding, Daniel glanced back to survey the distance to David's house. She was at least halfway. "Listen, Em," he started, bravely shouldering responsibility. "I'm sorry for springing him on you like that – I just couldn't wait. I thought it was the perfect opportunity for you to finally get a moment alone together."

Emily turned gradually to face him, but surprisingly her expression was wrought with appreciation, not anger. "You don't have to apologize, Daniel. I know you were looking out for me," she believed sincerely. Her gaze turned pensive. "Seeing him there… in that house… it was like something out of a dream."

Daniel patiently gave her time to reflect but could not resist asking. "So why didn't you tell him?"

Emily's hopeful look quickly vanished and she focused again on the ocean. "He didn't recognize me," she admitted. "It just felt like it wasn't the right time."

"Are you sure about that?" Daniel countered, furrowing his brow. "'Cuz from where I was standing, it looked like there was a connection. Even after you left he kept asking questions," he trailed off, resurging with a defense. "We both know what he's been through. Maybe you just need another pass at him once he's had time for his memory to recover?"

It was Emily's turn to look back fondly towards the beach house. "That's the one place in the world that could help," she supposed fairly, drawing serious. "If it doesn't come back to him there, it never will."

Daniel had to admit she was probably right. It had certainly been the trigger for her memories in the not-so-distant past. "At least now he has a safe place to try," he offered, more importantly. "I hate to bring it up but he's still not in the clear… hopefully with him being close we can anticipate any further attacks on his life."

Emily was prompted to her usual level of interest. "You said you had more to tell me about that?" she alluded, recalling a conversation they had regrettably never finished.

"I do. But first—I want you to level with me," Daniel bargained. "What's the real reason you couldn't tell him, Em? Come on, it's obvious you don't want the effects of his time with my mother to sink in. You could have undone that with a word. Why didn't you?"

She considered before replying. "I'm just not ready," was all she could stand to admit. "I thought I was… it was actually the last thing on my mind before I left," she recalled solemnly, eyeing his intrigued brow. "That and making things right with you."

"I guess this was a setback to that," Daniel assumed.

"Yes," Emily answered without thinking, immediately correcting herself. "I mean, no," she retracted just after. Could she honestly say she still harbored resentment towards Daniel? Especially considering the lengths he went to just to make her happy? That alone touched Emily's heart, but she could not overcome the disquieting effect of having her reunion somewhat deflated. "I don't know," she finally admitted.

Daniel ignored her halfhearted answer. "I think I do," he boldly presumed. "You're afraid of what happens when he finds out who you really are – and still doesn't remember you." Though his guess was not completely wrong, Emily refrained from giving him the full satisfaction. "But I'm telling you," he went on in protest. "If there's anything that's been keeping him going, it's his love for his daughter. As soon as I mentioned the past you shared with my mother, he was all ears."

To that Emily returned a suspicious glare. "What did you tell him?" she probed.

"Nothing specific," Daniel sloughed it off. "Just that he shouldn't trust her… the good news is I think he's starting to see it for himself."

"Well, that's an improvement," Emily sighed, finally getting the nerve to stand. One mention of Victoria was all it took to help her regain focus. There was only so much time to waste daydreaming by the ocean waves. "Still, until he recovers," she projected, forming a plan. "Perhaps it's best to help him from a distance."

Daniel remained puzzled, unable to believe that Emily was actually considering giving him space instead of marching back that very moment to tell him the truth. "Are you sure—" he questioned, but the words were barely out of his mouth when Emily suddenly reached over to extend a hand.

"We should go," she suggested intently. "You can finish telling me the rest when we get home."

He raised an eyebrow in amazement. "Is this an invitation for me to come back to the Manor?" he verified before accepting.

"Isn't that what you came here for?" Emily redirected, gesturing again with her hand. While the extension was more abrasive than inviting, once again Daniel had to remind himself that she was under stress. But her eyes were sincere and though the semblance of pain still shone through, there was still a faint sense of vulnerability. Knowing better than to turn it down, he seized it.

"Alright," he agreed, slipping his hand into hers. It was a soft step towards reconciliation and maybe even a way to distract him from prying. But it was something. His mouth curled upwards in regard and he shifted in closer. "Let's go home."

SCENE

Victoria paced her suite at the Riverhead as far as the room's phone would allow, impatiently waiting to be connected to LeMarchal headquarters. "This is Victoria Grayson, I need to speak with Margaux immediately—" She stopped and quickly continued upon response. "Then put me through to her mobile!"

At long last the call finally went through and Margaux answered. "Victoria," she said coolly, taking the call on her morning walk into the office. "I take it your accommodations for the past few days have been satisfactory?"

"Hardly," Victoria complained in a heralding tone. "It isn't enough being displaced from David's side; do you intend to sequester me here indefinitely?"

Margaux smiled at her dramatic wording. "Nonsense," she assuaged calmly. "You've being given the same consideration I give all my clients. The situation is simply delicate in that David needs time to recuperate. So I've postponed the interview until after the holiday – surely you understand?"

"Undoubtedly, but to what purpose does it serve keeping me here until then?" Victoria pressed. "Without the funds we discussed in our agreement I have no per diem, nor any access to the outside world!"

Margaux entered LeMarchal headquarters with a scowl. "You know Victoria, for someone who failed to deliver on the original promise of our agreement; you're beginning to sound ungrateful. You led me to believe the length of your entire disappearance was spent in company with David, which his deposition with police failed to corroborate. And you still have yet to share any details about where you truly were, making it increasingly hard to trust you," she alluded carefully.

Sensing her faith waning, Victoria changed tone. "I understand your concern," she acknowledged, still maintaining discretion. "And I assure you I will make good on my promise, but my utmost priority was in protecting David, and it still is. He needs me with him in this critical hour."

"Then there's nothing to prevent him from seeing you, should he wish," Margaux retorted cleverly. "You're more than welcome to entertain visitors at your suite," she informed. "And you've been given unlimited access to room service and amenities."

Ever insistent, Victoria sidestepped it. "And what about transportation?"

Margaux stepped into the elevator with a sigh. "Not part of our agreement," she held firm, recalling the explicit conversation she had with Daniel. Just as he predicted, his mother would try to get to David at whatever cost and it only added weight to her suspicions. Something about her story was amiss… and yet her persistence was intriguing.

"Please, Margaux," Victoria in turn began to beg. "I fail to understand this adverse treatment, especially when you know firsthand what a horrid ordeal I've been through this past year."

At last she hit a nerve and Margaux hesitated at the implication. It wasn't often that she thought of her father and despite Pascal's deeds, she could not simply forget his memory, nor the way it forced her to commiserate with Victoria. And while she had promised Daniel her assistance that did not mean she could not make allowances as she saw fit – especially if they only confirmed her emerging theories.

"Tres bien," Margaux uttered a complicit reply. "I'll see what I can arrange," was all she promised, hurrying to get off the phone.

"Thank you, my dear," Victoria followed up richly. "I sincerely appreciate it."

"I must go," Margaux quickly dispensed, ending the call as she stepped off the elevator to her floor. Thinking carefully, she reached out to the only person she could trust with the task. I need a favor; she tapped in a quick text to Ben.

Meanwhile, the timing was perfect for the call to conclude as Victoria heard a knock at her door. Certain that the results could not turn around quite that fast, she answered it curiously only to find the last person she expected waiting on the other side. And though her visitor's expression was less than enthusiastic, she still gasped with excitement upon sight.

"Charlotte!"

SCENE

Jack studied the interior lobby of the Riverhead, appraising within seconds that it was a luxury hotel that far outweighed his pockets for even a one-night stay. Just standing in such an establishment was awkward, but somehow his brief visits to the Hamptons seemed to always land him where he felt like a fish out of water. It made the half-hour he spent waiting all the more tiresome until he was finally relaxed by a familiar face.

"Porter, isn't it?" a brisk voice called out from the doorway.

Jack looked up and immediately recognized the officer in full uniform. "Hey—yeah, Jack," he insisted, leaving his seat in the waiting area to come shake hands. "You're Ben, right?"

Ben nodded in return. "Good to see you, it's been a while." As was his habit, he gave a quick glance at both Jack and the surroundings. "You here on holiday or to make another heroic rescue?" he joked.

Jack shook his head bashfully. "Actually I drove down with Charlotte so she could pay someone a visit," he alluded plainly. "It'll be a while before I get any real vacation time," he added with less vigor.

"That's right, you're at Chief Greenville's precinct," Ben recalled from their last meeting. "I heard he can be a real stickler?"

Gradually Jack relaxed into agreement. "Yeah, I'm slowly finding that out," he had to admit. "I worked three double shifts in the past week."

Ben jumped at the opportunity. "You should think about transferring down here," he offered, echoing the last conversation they had. "I'm telling you, Chief Alvarez is a lot more reasonable. He's got a lot of respect for single fathers who need a flexible schedule. Not that things don't get busy," he clarified, not intending to downplay their workload. "We had our hands full with David Clarke's return a few weeks ago… come to think of it, I'm surprised that didn't bring you back in town sooner?" he suddenly realized the connection.

"Ah, yeah," Jack subtly tried to avoid it. "Well, it's been a long, hard road moving on from Amanda's loss…" he inserted, adhering to the actual truth as best he could. "In all honesty, I haven't really been able to process it."

"Certainly, I understand," Ben tried to show compassion. "But you've gotta be anxious to meet him, right? And for him to meet his grandson?"

Again Jack fumbled his way out of it, resting his hands in his pockets. "Well right now it's complicated… the boys are with my grandmother," he answered first, gesturing to the upstairs. "Charlotte wanted the setting just right for her first time meeting him, and I want to respect that. He is, after all, her father too," he deferred.

"Blood before marriage," Ben assessed, agreeing it was fair. "I suppose you're right." His gaze trailed in the same direction towards the upstairs. "I take it she wanted to square things with her mother first?" he guessed.

"Yeah," Jack shrugged.

Ben sensed there was more to it than that but ultimately deduced that was all he was going to get. "Well, then I guess I can wish her all the best in person," he concluded. "Turns out I'm headed there too. It's good to see you again, Jack," he extended for a last handshake. "You take care of yourself."

Jack accepted it with a nod; reserving his curiosity for once Ben had set off towards the elevators. Despite how uneasy it was to uphold the farce of being married to Amanda now that David was returned, he was more interested in why Ben was on his way to see Victoria.

SCENE

"Did you honestly think you would get away with this?"

In spite of the initial relief of seeing her daughter well recovered from life-threatening injury, Victoria soon found herself in a disquieted position on the couch while Charlotte paced before her in a rant.

"Please Charlotte, allow me to explain," Victoria tried to interrupted her scolding.

"Explain what?" she alleged, shaking her head with contempt. "It's obvious you're taking advantage of his condition and the fact that he doesn't remember how you betrayed him!"

"Bite your tongue," Victoria finally impressed her defense, rising to meet her daughter eye-to-eye. "It was Conrad's decision to frame David, not mine! I was faced with an unimaginable choice, and I chose the life of my children. But not a day went by that I didn't hate myself for what happened, nor regret having to make the hardest decision of my life!"

"Well you certainly forgave yourself for it," Charlotte slung back assertively. "Apparently that's your mantra; I still remember when I came to you once, after feeling guilty for getting back at someone." She edged in close to remind her. "Do you know what you said to me? You said to make sure I forgave myself first…" She trailed into a disdainful scoff. "Spoken like an expert at the art of self-preservation, huh Mom?"

Victoria shook her head slowly, abhorred by her blatant accusations. "You dare to question my motives, when if not for my actions you would have never been protected all these years," she surmised.

Charlotte sneered. "Protected by whom? My criminal father?" She turned down her nose. "Emily was right; you'll stop at nothing to shift the blame. Just admit it— the reason you clung to David was to keep him from finding out the truth."

At last her angle became clear and Victoria seethed in recognition. "So this is all Emily's convictions, then?" she deduced, glowering angrily. "The master of deception herself has the audacity to criticize—" A sigh from Charlotte forced her to cut short her scathing reply. "Listen to me Charlotte, I don't know what lies she's fed you but Emily is not the martyr you think her to be!"

"No, just my sister is all!" Charlotte forced back brazenly, surprising her. "Yes, Mother, I know who she is! I've known for some time now."

Victoria reacted with a baffled shake of her head. "And yet you defend her nonetheless? Have you any idea what that woman has done to target our family?"

Charlotte retorted with insight. "Seems to me, none of that would have happened if not for you & Dad's decision to target hers," she insisted. "She was just a child when they took David away. She would have done anything just to have him in her life again..." Growing more resolute with every word, Charlotte gathered herself confidently to make her exit. "And I'm here to let you know, I'm going to see to it that she finally gets the chance."

Though intended as an end to their discussion, her swift departure was interrupted by a staunch reply. "Then plan to be sorely disappointed," Victoria predicted to her turned back.

Charlotte grimaced, forcing herself to turn about. "And why is that?"

"Because despite what you think, I know Emily a lot better than you," Victoria dangled the wiser, taking a step forward. "And all I see is a woman intent on using a façade to get what she wants." She seized the doubt forming in Charlotte's eyes. "It's the only reason she continues to hide behind the guise of 'Emily Thorne' when she's had plenty of chances to reveal her true identity. Face it, darling – Emily is no more 'Amanda Clarke' now than you are 'Charlotte Grayson'."

As inciting as it was to hear, Charlotte hesitated to validate her claims. "Just because she's chosen not to declare it to the world doesn't mean she'll keep it from David," she rebutted. "She told me the truth, why keep it from him?"

"Because unlike you," Victoria was prepared with supposition. "David's single surviving memory of her is the innocent girl he left behind – not the strategic manipulator you've come to know and clearly admire," she added with a hint of pity. But as unsettling as it was, it only added weight to her case. "So for all intents and purposes – Amanda Clarke truly no longer exists."

SCENE

Though it was just his second day back at the Manor, Emily had already become so accustomed to the warmth of Daniel in their bed that the sudden emptiness was enough to stir her. She awoke to the shadow of his form looming overhead, retrieving his phone from the nightstand.

"I thought mysterious exits were my trademark?" she whispered, softly gripping his hand with catlike reflexes. Her eyes slowly fluttered wide open.

"Usually, yes," Daniel cracked a grin in reply. He leaned in to plant a kiss on her forehead as she released him and rolled over. "But not when half my things are still at Nolan's," he reminded her gracefully.

Remembering, Emily propped herself up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes to watch Daniel walk to the doorway. Though things were still slightly brisk they were slowly becoming solvent, and just sharing the same bed felt worlds more comforting. But she knew their reunion still lacked the final solidifying factor and as always, Daniel was graciously patient in spite of her reserve.

"Hey," she called him back, suddenly feeling the urge to address it. Yet when he turned the words simply evaded her, none of them seeming adequate. "It's good to have you home," she settled for instead, adding a sincere smile.

"Yeah," Daniel met her just as evenly, careful not to overdo it. "It's good to be back." His eyes quickly darted down the hall, hearing a wail in the distance. "I think your daughter's awake," he acknowledged the timely distraction with a half-grin and then continued on his way. "I've got some errands to run and then I'm meeting Charlotte in the city… I'll see you later on."

Emily nodded as he left and shrank at her inability to engender more affection. She knew he was probably growing tired of small talk and cordial smiles, and frankly so was she. As always her own impulses were a mystery even to her, despite being consciously aware that she had moved past their rift. So what was getting in the way of full-fledged forgiveness?

She put off pondering the answer and tended to her daughter instead, spending a few sweet moments together before getting ready and migrating downstairs. The sun was shining and it gave her the thought to take Summer for a late morning stroll. Perhaps then she could sort out the confusion in her mind over Daniel and the tension in her heart after seeing her father. With intent, she crossed the foyer with Summer in tow and opened the front door to start outside— only to come face-to-face with David.

"Ah," Emily's gasp caught in her throat, realizing she had caught him poised to knock. "M-Mr. Clarke," she fumbled for what to call him.

"I'm so sorry—I see you're on your way out," he immediately apologized. There was something so mesmerizing about her stare, something he mirrored as he looked back, without even knowing it. "It's just you ran off so quickly the other night – I didn't get a chance to thank you personally."

Still unsettled, Emily forced herself to calm down so she could focus. "Thank me?" she repeated.

"For my house," David elaborated, turning in the general direction. "Your husband said it was your idea too? I didn't mean to intrude, it's just I knew you lived right down the beach," he went on to explain. Shying away from the admission that it wasn't his first time there, he tore his eyes away long enough to glance down at Summer and then back up again. "It was truly kind of you, and I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate it."

"Well, we…" Emily found herself stumbling again for words, for anything short of completely losing her breath. Finally, her skills at eloquence kicked in. "We owe you everything for saving our daughter," she explained seamlessly, following his gaze back to Summer. It suddenly dawned on her they were just lingering on the stoop aimlessly.

But David appeared not to notice, gazing fondly at the infant. Still when he looked up with a sudden question, it jarred her to hear it. "Do you mind if I ask; did you name her after Amanda?"

Emily flinched visibly. "I'm sorry?"

"Her name—Summer Clarke Grayson," David quickly affirmed. "I noticed it was stitched into her outfit the day I brought her in."

It was almost unbearable for Emily to hear him say, and made their quiet interlude in the doorway all the more awkward. "Yes," she finally agreed, forgetting it was still a fair answer. After all, by her own illusion she was best friends with Amanda. "Yes, of course—your daughter and I were very close," she elaborated.

David nodded warmly and wondered if he was somehow making her uncomfortable. Taking it as a cue, he decided to beg off. "So I've heard," he stated in short. "Well, I suppose I should get going…"

Though it was a struggle merely to chat, it was even harder for Emily to fathom letting him walk away so quickly. "Mr. Clarke?" she pled before he could leave. As hard as it was, she would simply have to power through it. He turned with interest, and when a kind light flickered into his eyes it gave Emily the courage to brave on with a smile.

"Would you like to come in for a bit?"

SCENE

Nolan slowed his stride up to the outside dais of the beach club so he could finish out his phone conversation with Daniel. He took his time with each step, delaying in order to get all the details before his appointment with Louise.

"I still can't believe Ems didn't tell him who she really was," he sighed in exasperation, expecting Daniel felt the same. "It was the perfect moment—there has to be something else holding her back besides not being 'ready'," he supposed wisely.

"Well, for now that's all she's giving me," Daniel replied wryly, ironically taking the call from Nolan's residence as he packed up his things.

"Hm, still," Nolan attempted to look on the bright side. "The mere fact that you're relocating from Casa Nolan back to the homestead is a good sign," he hinted, catching sight of Louise several feet off. "Especially now that I have my own agenda these days…"

Daniel understood with few words. "Listen, I really appreciate all your help these past few weeks," he thanked him sincerely. "Not only letting me crash but being there for Em and Summer – I don't know what we would've done without you."

Though it touched him to hear, Nolan did his best not to get too mushy in return. "Anytime," he offered lightly. "But something tells me my work still isn't done. With David's pursuers still at large, isn't it a little soon to celebrate?"

"Hard to say," Daniel acknowledged, tossing the last of his things into a box. "David still doesn't have a clear memory of what happened to him and the background Aiden gave me was limited. But, if the people that faked his death are the same ones after him now, one thing's for sure – they'll be persistent."

"Then we'll be ready," Nolan reaffirmed supportively. At last he made eye contact with Louise on the pool lounge and she gestured for him to come over. "Let me know if you need my tech skills for anything," he extended before signing off.

"I'll keep you posted once we have a plan," Daniel agreed. "Or at least a way to flesh out his assailant–talk to you later."

With Daniel's call ended, Nolan quickly browsed his contacts to make yet another just as he reached Louise's side. "Morning Lucy," he greeted.

Louise propped up on her elbows to face him, adjusting her sunglasses. "Why, Ethel you look like your hangover is as wicked as mine," she observed his tightened demeanor. He held up a finger in reply, waiting through several rings as his call eventually went to voicemail.

"Leaving a message," he begged off and turned aside. "Yo, Ems … ah, been trying to reach you since yesterday…" he trailed off, searching for words that would not completely overwhelm her. "I'm sure you just need a minute but with everything that's going on, just, call me back."

Hoping it was not too overbearing, he spun around to give Louise full attention. "Now are you sure you're not from the South?" she retorted, having overheard him. "'Cause you take care of your friends like family."

Nolan smirked, comforted somewhat by her keen observation. "Well, my friends are my family," he answered and signaled a waiter for a cocktail to catch up with the one Louise had started.

Louise let out a half snort and shifted from her sunbathing position to face him more directly. "Hmm, is that true for all your friends, or just Emily?" she impressed cleverly. "I mean, let's be honest here – she's the brains behind these last few rendezvous of ours. So what's next? I've already told you everything I know about Victoria and the kidnapping."

"And while that's been more than invaluable," Nolan inserted before she got discouraged. "That's not why I wanted to meet up today," he insisted.

"Then what is it, sugar?" Louise challenged, setting her drink down abruptly. "Since outside of helping people with their plottin' and plannin', I don't seem to serve much purpose here," she digressed.

Sensing he had been treating Louise more like a recruit instead of a friend, Nolan recoiled a bit. "See, that's where you're wrong," an idea slowly came to mind. "Because I asked you here to help me with something that falls right up your alley."

Louise raised a thoughtful eyebrow. "Namely?"

Nolan couldn't help a glance at her scanty designer apparel. "What if I told you we could use our 1-percenter advantage to bury some skeletons from the past and reinvent our images all in the same night?" he posed.

"I'd say… I'm intrigued," Louise had to admit. "How so?"

With her clear interest, Nolan had already begun tapping out a text to start the ball rolling. "By giving the Hamptons the one thing it can't seem to get enough of," he divulged with a wicked grin. With perfect timing his cocktail arrived and he lifted it to toast their joint operation.

"Fireworks."

SCENE

Emily paused before leaving the kitchen with a tray of tea for her and David, hearing an alert go off on her phone. She checked it and realized there were several missed calls and a voicemail from Nolan, followed by his most recent text. Thinking of hosting an event with Louise for the 4th, it read. Let me know if you're in.

Emily's thoughts were quick to brew on the premise, but she set it aside to focus. Her very own father, whom she had long believed to be dead, was waiting for her in the parlor, no less. With an adjusted grasp on reality and determination to be discreet, she once again started into the other room.

"Thank you for keeping an eye on her," she appraised kindly, setting the tray down on the coffee table. David had offered to hold Summer while she fixed the refreshments. The sight of them together was so touching that she delayed for words. "Sorry, it's just been a while since I had someone for tea," she explained her hesitancy upon sitting down. "You're good with her."

David absorbed it with a grin. "Thankfully the few memories I do have include my early years of being a father," he shared, reminiscing. "I still remember the feeling of holding Amanda in my arms."

As tender as his recollection was, it was just as painful for Emily to hear him say it without any registration of it being her. But rather than let it deter his development, she patiently listened. "She was very dear to me," Emily spoke with deep reverence. "I considered it an honor to name my daughter after her legacy." Her voice lowered to just under her breath. "And yours."

David jiggled Summer a few moments longer and then finally returned her to her carrier. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you come to meet?" he posed to Emily, sipping his tea.

"Unfortunately our paths crossed in juvenile detention," she admitted, choosing her words carefully. "She was my cellmate. We both endured trials that led us there… but we emerged with an even stronger resolve. After our release we promised to continue looking out for each other."

A solemn look came over David's brow and Emily realized by her phrasing it could imply that she failed Amanda in that regard. "But when my studies brought me to the Hamptons," she continued. "I never expected Amanda would … follow me here. And despite finding happiness with Jack," she told grimly, sipping her tea. "Her curiosity led her into the treacherous path of the Graysons."

"All except for Daniel," David countered, speaking from a profound, albeit brief perception. "He seems to be an amazing young man?"

"He is," it warmed Emily to admit. It was too easy to speak generally about the Graysons as a whole, not realizing that she herself was one, as was her husband. She was urged to clarify. "But I'm sure the authorities informed you of how Conrad schemed the downfall that put you in prison," she ventured. "Not to mention the impact it had on Amanda?"

"Yes, I know," David confirmed. Yet learning of those details still had no effect on the other questions he fervently wanted answers to. "Daniel also warned me not to trust his mother, Victoria," David relayed, searching Emily's eyes. "He said you would know best how to explain why."

Emily averted her gaze to Summer. "My reservations with Victoria go back further than this most recent incident," she explained, caressing her daughter's face tenderly. She was not yet ready to give him full detail but the sternness that filled her voice conveyed the depths of hatred. "This may be hard for you to hear but, she's never shown anything but contempt towards Amanda." At that she poised her chin, staring darkly into David's eyes. "She led her down a harmful path of disillusion since the day she was taken from you. For years she had her brainwashed to believe you were guilty."

He digested it slowly, heaving a grand sigh at the revelation. "No wonder I have no memory of Amanda while I was in prison," he began to connect the dots. "I thought it was just another part of my life lost at the hands of my torturers…"

On the word torturers, Emily furrowed her brow with interest. "That must have been terrible for you," she commented, desperately wanting to explore any fragments he could recall of the people that harmed him.

But he moved past it quickly. "It's something I'm glad to have forgotten," he inferred. "Just like I once assumed that Amanda had forgotten me… But now I understand why she never reached out," David finished, growing silent. There was an awkward space as he sought to gather his words, and suddenly he set his cup down and stood to his feet. "I should get going," he declared.

Emily recognized that the memories were jarring an emotional reaction and immediately rose to defense. "Mr. Clarke–" she interjected. "Amanda eventually came to believe in your innocence—and once she did, she dedicated her life to proving it," she blurted in a pant.

David gave a submissive nod. "Yes, I'm certain my exoneration is much to her credit," he admitted. His gaze remained forlorn, as if something weighed heavily on his mind. "It's just after reading about her feud with Conrad and her eventual death in prison… it sounds like her dedication is unfortunately what killed her. Right now that's hard for me to deal with."

He turned to leave but Emily was intent on stopping him. "I understand what you're going through," she breathed desperately, coming around to stand in his path. "But believe me—Amanda's legacy is still alive. And there is so much more about her that you deserve to know."

Emily ceased speaking to stare into his eyes yet again, praying for some sort of connection. Perhaps if he gave her even just a hint of what she was looking for, she might tell him right there on the spot. But there was an empty luster in his gaze, as if he did not even know why he was searching. She attributed it to the overwhelming burden of putting his life back together while uncovering so much pain in what was left behind. But she could not let it stop her completely.

"In fact," Emily offered in a fluster. "I'm hosting an event tomorrow night." In a panic, her mind went to Nolan's invitation, hoping to parlay it to her advantage. "For the 4th of July?" she described aptly. "Some of the people that knew Amanda will be there – perhaps after meeting them you could find out more about who your daughter truly was?"

As apprehensive as he seemed, his eyes quickly softened at her offer.

"I think I would like that."

SCENE

"What's with all the boxes?"

Daniel glanced over at his vehicle parked on the curb, not expecting Charlotte to observe the contents of his back seat as they met for lunch at an outdoor café. "Ah, long story," he brushed over it loosely. He reached in for a long overdue hug from his younger sister. "Part of the reason I've been so out of touch these past weeks—I was hoping you'd forgive me for that, by the way?"

Charlotte shrugged it off as they found a table. "Don't be silly," she waved him down, taking the seat across from him. "Emily filled me in when she brought the divorce papers." She shook her head slow and deliberate in support. "I still can't believe what Mom did to you two."

"Hmm, I can," Daniel countered, reviewing the menu.

"No, you're right," Charlotte quickly reconsidered, leaning in close. "It's only proof of how low she'll stoop just to get what she wants. I told her as much this morning."

Daniel snapped up in surprise. "You went by to see her?" he probed.

"I know," she replied, expecting his chagrin. "Trust me, it wasn't a pleasant visit. But I needed her to know that now that David is free and back in his home where he belongs, her control over him – or any of us for that matter – is over." She gave her brother and admiring look. "I think what you and Emily are doing for him is amazing, and I'm here to let you know you have my full support. In fact," she paused, lifting a bag into view from the side of the table. "I brought this in hopes that it would help?"

Daniel peeked over and could see it was Emily's Infinity Box, prompting him to recall it had been last in her possession. It soon occurred to him the kind of transparency Charlotte was expecting. "Ah, as much as I'm sure David would appreciate that," he began hesitantly. "I don't think Emily's quite at that point yet…"

Charlotte wrinkled her brow. "What do you mean?" Her mother's admonition swiftly came to mind. "Wait – are you saying Emily hasn't told him who she is?"

He affirmed it with a nod, and it was his turn to expect her chagrin. "Look, that's not to say that she won't soon but, for now she just isn't ready." He stopped to read the disappointment on her face. "I know, I thought she would be. The setting was right, the moment was there, but when it came down to it… she let him believe she was just Emily Grayson."

After mulling it over, Charlotte finally inserted her opinion. "That's because she is," she concluded, meeting his glance sternly. "Think about it, Daniel—as long as Emily continues to hide behind the alias she created, she can never admit the truth." It was a topic they had discussed at the start of summer and seemed inevitable to always resurface. "It kept her from being honest with me for years, and now it's sure to taint her relationship with her father—and mine."

"Wait, Charlotte what are you talking about," Daniel rebutted fairly. "Emily's decision doesn't have to affect your relationship with David at all, he knows who you are." He recalled a detail that Nolan had extracted more recently from Louise. "He's the one who saved your life—"

Charlotte overstepped it with momentum. "And the first thing he'll ask me about is my sister," she reminded, projecting the conversation. "What kind of relationship did we have, and how close we were … and then what?" She looked to her brother for answers he could not provide. "Face it, Daniel. As long as Emily insists on keeping her identity a secret – she forces everyone around her to perpetrate her lies!"

Daniel took an exasperated breath, placing his hands at the bridge of his nose. "So what are you saying, you won't even consider seeing David until she comes clean?" he articulated. He found it odd for her to take such a strong stance so quickly, especially when he had been under the impression that her relationship with Emily was on repair. "What is this, part of the 'new Charlotte' now," he challenged her. "You hold everyone to a standard and when they fall short, you just cut them off?"

"I'm not cutting her off," she insisted. And though her vengeful approach had long been expunged, there was still determination left in its place. "I just hate it when Mom is right," she alluded, slightly confusing him. She shifted to reach out with a sympathetic glance. "Daniel, we spent our entire childhood growing up with parents who nearly ruined us with their lies. I finally have a chance at knowing my biological father and I don't want to start off our relationship that way."

"Char, our parents were terrible people," Daniel argued. "Alright? But we're not them. Not me, and certainly not you," he emphasized sincerely, taking her hand.

She glanced down at the Infinity Box in response, resolving to leave it there with him. "Are you sure about that?" she pressed him to reconsider, gently pulling her hand away. "Because when I leave here, I'm going back to my son. A son that I know, someday, is going to ask me about his father, and I'm going to have to tell him the truth… and it'll be the hardest thing I'll ever do."

Charlotte faced her brother austerely to conclude her point. "And one day you'll have to do the same with Summer," she transitioned with an eerie reminder. "Only she'll want to know about her mother. Are you going to allow her to believe she's the real Emily Thorne?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Or are you prepared to tell her the truth?"

SCENE

Emily thrust the door open to Grayson Manor with a warm greeting. "You made it," she sighed at the sight of her best friend, dressed to the nines in all the right hues of red, white and blue.

"To my party? Of course," Nolan chided sarcastically as he sauntered through. "Wouldn't miss it."

"Thank you for letting me steal the reins at the last minute," Emily quickly acknowledged, showing him over to where the event coordinator was setting up. "I just needed another pass at my father, and this was the only excuse I could think of."

Nolan shrugged, more obliged to help out under the circumstances. "Well, the Manor is the best venue for summer soirees," he acknowledged, making a broad scan of the decorated interior. He returned his gaze to Emily, noting her fitted red dress. "And it does seem to have the effect of bringing you out into your element," he detected.

Emily paid it little attention, more concerned with evaluating the guest list. "I'm hoping it will bring out a little more than just the Hamptons' elite," she advised, turning it so he could see. "These are all the people that RSVP'd within the past few hours, regardless of the short notice. Any stand out to you?"

He peered over to look, but came up empty. "Rich no-namers with nothing better to do?" he guessed.

Emily swiped the list aside, drawing his attention to a news article in its place. "This is the official announcement I ran in the Times this morning," she explained, zooming in on a brief line at the end. Nolan read it closely. David Clarke is rumored to be in attendance. "And these are the names that confirmed attendance shortly thereafter," she showed him next.

He read them aloud. "Sloan Fellworth, Todd Harkin, Oliver Queen… So wait—you think they're only coming because of David?" he caught on, clamoring in surprise. "Ems, you're using him as bait?!" he suddenly realized.

"It's the only choice I have!" she retorted in a coarse whisper, glancing around to make sure no one overheard. "Until we find the people who are after him, my father is still in danger. I spoke with him at length yesterday and he still doesn't remember anything. We need to get ahead of the next attempt on his life."

Nolan sighed at the implication. "Isn't there any other way?" he pled. "Not to sound all cringey, but this is not exactly what I had in mind when I pushed for fireworks…"

Emily assured him with a confident stare. "Trust me, if there was any other way I would do it," she insisted. "I talked to Daniel about it and he agreed the longer we wait, the longer my father stays at risk. We have to eliminate the danger before it comes."

As if on cue, Daniel traversed the stairwell at that moment, decked in his navy blazer to compliment the party scheme. "Nolan," he greeted the other, reserving a sidelong glance for Emily. "Em, can I see you in the study for a moment?" he asked, starting in that direction.

"Here, just keep an eye out for when guests start to arrive," she instructed Nolan, handing over her tablet.

Nolan complied, reaching out just as he remembered one last thing. "Ah, Ems," he called her back. "By the way, not sure if you realized but this whole event was meant to be a collab for me and uh, Louise," he reminded her. "Sort of a joint 'coming-out' party for our new image?"

Emily accepted it gracefully. "Then by all means, let her share the spotlight," she submitted, slipping away to follow Daniel. "I knew it wouldn't be long before I was replaced."

Though her accompanying grin implied she was kidding, Nolan was quick to allay her fears. "Ah, it's just a plug to help her get back into the social circle," he assured, stepping away. "Gentlemen prefer blondes."

Emily caught his last word just as she set foot into the study and then turned to close the sliding doors behind her. "Everything alright?" she prompted Daniel, approaching him at the desk.

"Listen, I know I agreed to have this party but that doesn't mean I don't have reserves," he enlightened, cutting through the palpable tension. "That being said, what's your plan in the event this whole charade works?"

"If my father's attacker shows…" Emily stared off pensively. "Then we need to detain him," she concluded with shocking ease. "Figuring out who it is isn't enough, Daniel – we need to neutralize the threat."

"Fair enough," Daniel agreed. "But you realize you brought this to our home turf?" he reminded her. "Under the circumstances, I just thought you'd be more concerned about keeping danger far away—especially with Summer just upstairs?"

"I know," Emily admitted it was an unusual move. "And don't worry—I've already taken precautions to make sure she's safe." She assured, taking an intimate step closer into his personal space. "That's why I'm glad you're home. Dealing with our enemies together is the surest way to protect our family— permanently."

Daniel raised his brow. "Our enemies?" he repeated. He reached out with a caring gesture. "Look I understand you want to help your father, but before you start assimilating hisproblems shouldn't you tell him who you are?"

"I can protect him better if he doesn't know," Emily insisted sharply, pulling away with recourse.

"Fine, then but just know your choice doesn't come without cost," Daniel continued regardless, and it brought her back to attention. "Don't expect Charlotte to be here tonight. Yesterday when we met up, she insisted on not meeting David until you come clean," he forewarned.

Emily pinched her mouth taut, emboldening under the pressure. She could no more force her sister than Daniel could force her. "That's her decision," she held firm.

Daniel nodded. "As is yours not to tell David," he reminded, looking down to gather his thoughts. "I just think you might be getting ahead of yourself. Having him close by is an advantage, but you can't expect him to not notice when you start fighting his battles," he advised wisely. "And once he does… he's going to wonder why."

Emily pushed the warning aside, too focused on the event at hand. "And when the time comes, I'll give him answers," she promised, making her way back towards the party. "But until then, I need to do this my way."

Her response was not surprising, having heard it so many times before. But unlike the other instances, this time there was an artifact in Daniel's possession that could grant him understanding. Ensuring she was gone, he removed the Infinity Box that Charlotte had given him from where it was stashed behind the desk. It was only after looking inside that he finally came up with a theory on the real reason Emily had been holding back – and why she could simply not bring herself to face her true identity.

SCENE

"Here's to new friendships," Nolan lifted his glass to Louise at his side. "That is, friendships forged on forgiveness, since this was meant to be our joint venture," he toasted sheepishly, surveying the nearby guests. "I promise next time we'll kick things off with our own flare."

With a few hours into the party, Grayson Manor was filled with guests and it appeared to be a success. But Nolan was ever conscious of the last minute change, and hoped Louise would not mind.

"Oh darlin', please," Louise brushed it off, merely happy to be in attendance. "I could care less about being co-host, I'm just relieved Emily was willing to bury things and invite me here," she fawned. At the mention, her gaze fell on the former who made small talk with a few unfamiliar faces nearby. "Besides, what palace is more worthy than this one?"

Nolan shrugged, recalling it was not her first time on premises. "Well, I was rather excited for you to see Casa Nolan," he countered, linking his arm through hers to take a turn about the room. "But then again, the night is still young," he added, hinting with a smug grin.

Louise flirted back with a warm smile. "Is that an after-party invitation I spy? This night just gets better as it goes!"

"With things going so well, I think it's time for a selfie," Nolan suggested, and she agreed with a laugh while they posed. Perhaps it was the buzz in the air or the trendy music in the background, but neither could deny they were genuinely enjoying themselves. "And… posted," Nolan declared after a few quick swipes to his phone. "How long do you think it will take for #LoLan to trend?"

"Mm, about as long as it'll take me to get back from the little girls' room," Louise joked, handing him her empty glass. "Excuse me, Ethel," she chuckled and disappeared in the other direction while Nolan grinned and watched her walk off.

"You two seem to be having a good time," Emily's voice greeted him from behind. When he stiffened slightly she gestured for him to relax. "Don't, I'm glad," she insisted. "At least someone is."

Nolan sympathized, watching her scan the room. "He might still show up," he encouraged, certain she was on the lookout for David. "What about your eleventh hour RSVP's – any of them worth looking into?"

Emily shook her head no. "Nothing of interest… Just a few desperate socialites trying to climb the ladder," she appraised with a sigh. Daniel had only made a few brief appearances after emerging from the study and true to his insight neither Charlotte nor Jack had showed either. It was just as well, since without David and no leads, the outlook for her master plan was looking bleak. "Maybe Daniel was right," she started to admit. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea—"

Hearing her cut herself short, Nolan immediately looked up and followed her gaze to the conservatory. "What—what do you see?" he probed, trying to make out who she had her sights fixed upon.

She placed a hand on his shoulder in appeasement. "Someone I never expected to," she replied, and swiftly took off in the other direction.

Nolan had a mind to follow, but also knew better than to tail her when she had broken off without explanation. Saving him the trouble, Louise returned a moment later and he quickly forgot. "Alright, sugar," she proposed breezily, inviting him to the dancefloor. "Whaddaya say you and I give these birds something to tweet about?"

SCENE

Despite oversleeping from a late afternoon nap, David was fully dressed and ready to head over to the Manor when he saw a police car pull up in front of his house. He came out onto the porch to investigate, and was immediately surprised to see Victoria exit the rear driver side.

"Thank you for bringing me," she whispered to Officer Hunter at the wheel. "I promise I'll only be a moment."

"Yeah, sure take your time," he obliged, watching her saunter around the front of the car to meet David at the porch steps. His instincts remained keen while he trusted Margaux's admonition that it would likely be a brief visit. When he received her message the day before to help out with a favor, his last thought was that it would be chauffeuring Victoria around. And as much as he resisted the idea, just like Margaux he was curious what it would lead to.

True to expectation, Victoria's visit did not appear well-received. David met her at the top of the steps with an uncomfortable look that urged her not to come any further. "Victoria," he greeted briskly. "What are you doing here?"

"I see you're on your way out," Victoria approached him with a fleeting look, reading the apprehension on his face. "So I promise not to keep you. I assume you've already spoken at length with Daniel and Emily?"

Though he found it a curious question, David replied with a nod. "Yes," he edged in carefully. "Why do you ask?"

Victoria sneered with expectation. "Because I know my son and I know his wife," she began, refusing to call both of them her children. "And if my guess is correct, their first thoughts were to talk to you about Amanda." She paused to search his eyes. "Am I right?"

David conveyed it by his expression. "You seem to have left out much of your interaction with her since we reconnected," he relayed. "I wonder why that is?"

Sensing he still did not know the entire truth, Victoria exhaled with satisfaction. The presumption she shared with Charlotte about Emily had been correct. Even so, the window for opportunity would be brief. "I knew you would have questions," she addressed. "And no doubt you think me responsible for many things in the past – things you can't remember for yourself. But my only wish is to let you know that there's more to the story—you've only heard one side."

With that she suddenly reached forward, producing a small photo from her purse. David hesitated before eventually accepting, and then studied it closely. It appeared to be an older photo of Victoria holding an infant child.

"The day they took you, I was pregnant with Charlotte," she shared tenderly, nodding to the picture in reference. "She's the reason why I considered very carefully every choice I made. I regretted many of them, but I had to protect our daughter. Charlotte has been light of my life and once you meet her," she hinted, hoping to extract if it had already happened. "I'm certain you'll understand why."

He remained quietly pensive, struggling with the conflict that the picture stirred up. Though his loyalty was unflinching to a distant memory of Amanda, all along it was forcing him to ignore his other child. And though he had no connection to her, the photo itself was proof that she was real. He glanced up at Victoria and wondered if her presence was merely to remind him of that fact, or distract him of the former.

"David, Charlotte is the one truly responsible for your exoneration," Victoria went on, upon catching his glance. "She elicited the confession from Conrad that cleared your name. Even if you're unwilling to see me right now, at least visit the daughter you still have who loves you," she pled. With that she stepped back down onto the walkway, with a final look. "And when you do— ask her about who her sister Amanda truly was."

With that Victoria returned to Officer Hunter's vehicle, surprising him at how swift her visit had been. Courteous to the least, Ben nodded in David's direction and then pulled away. Meanwhile David remained perplexed at the top of the porch step and as he contemplated the meaning behind Victoria's final words his gaze drifted to Grayson Manor. The silhouette was familiar, though he could not be sure if it was from memory or merely his third night being there.

He stared for quite some time, and only flinched when a sudden burst of light rippled into the sky before exploding into bright falling lines. Something about the sound and brilliant color of the fireworks triggered a faint recollection and he steadied himself on the post nearest to the porch steps to grasp it. But instead of shaking the memory free, he was distracted by the imprint beneath his fingers. At once he glanced down to make it out, and immediately felt a strange sensation deep in his heart.

SCENE

Party guests had all filtered out by the time Emily found Daniel in the study, his blazer removed and hands bridged beneath his chin in very deep thought. He appeared indifferent to the noise of crackling in the distance, as the event staff set off the last few fireworks on the beach. But he was alert enough to observe her presence, questioning it almost instantly. "You disappeared for most of the night," he commented, wondering at the hint of intrigue in her expression.

Emily cocked her head to the side. "I could say the same about you," she countered. Their stand down was short-lived as she came around and plopped across from him in the windowsill. "When my father didn't show, I followed a lead instead," she explained with a shrug.

"That's funny," Daniel observed. "Because I've been doing the same thing—" he watched her look up with interest and revealed what was hidden under the shadow of his hands. It was a newspaper clipping on Lyman and Louise Ellis, with their picture encircled in red. "—and I think I realize now why you're not ready to tell David the truth."

Emily lifted the clipping into view, glaring back curiously. "This isn't mine," she replied right away.

"No, it's not," Daniel agreed fairly, reaching into the bottom drawer next. He took out the source where he had pulled it from – her Infinity Box. "But this is," he reasoned. "Charlotte must have added the clipping to the top of the stack not long after she stole it from you."

Sighing, Emily took the box from him and tossed the clipping inside without even looking. "This again? Did you spend your entire visit yesterday dredging up the past?" she asked defensively, sensing it was why Charlotte had returned her most prized possession. "We've been through this—her mission is done. She wouldn't have given this back if it wasn't."

"Yeah, hers is," Daniel shifted to make his point. "But yours isn't. She may have added Louise and Lyman Ellis to the 'list of takedowns'," he asserted, mimicking quotes with his fingers. "But you're the one who finished off Lyman the other day. And I'm sure it's no coincidence that Louise was here tonight?"

"That's where you're wrong," she corrected him, growing exasperated. "Nolan invited Louise as his friend, and after what she's done to redeem herself, I've decided to move past everything else." At that she stood, anxious to return the Infinity Box to her own safekeeping. "I already told you what this party was for, but if you can't trust me—"

"My trust inyou is the reason I know I'm right," Daniel asserted, matching her stance. He gestured to the box in her hand. "Fine, maybe Louise dodged the red Sharpie but she's the exception—there are plenty of others." He shook his head woefully, wishing sometimes that she would give him credit for knowing better. "You keep forgetting I've read those journals," he reminded her. "You chose to take down your enemies but your father wanted you to forgive. So, maybe a part of you wonders how he'll react when he discovers you didn't listen?"

Stunned at how speedily Daniel had just read her, Emily turned away and started back into the hall. "I think it's safe to say any knowledge of his enemies would be foreign to him at this point," was all she could think to reply.

"Did you test that theory already?" Daniel pressed, following her to the foot of the stairwell. "Or did you skip over that when he came by for tea?"

Her back still turned, Emily sucked at her teeth. "Look, I don't want argue about this again," she pled sincerely, clutching the box in her hands. "We're just getting back to a good place."

Though Daniel was almost positive he had her cornered, he attempted to soften. "I know," he conceded, coming up behind to placing his hands on either of her arms. "Neither do I – I just… I know you never expected your father to come back, and now that he's here—it just seems like you're afraid of what he'll think of your choices. But he still deserves to know," he refused to sugar-coat it. "Whether he approves or not."

It jarred Emily to think of what it would be like for him to respond adversely, and Daniel rushed to overstep it. "You know, years ago I had to do the same thing," he reset the discussion, turning her around to face him. "And even though I started off falling in love with Emily Thorne, don't think for a second I don't know who I really married." He rested a hand on the Infinity Box, tapping the symbol on the top. "At the end of the day, you're still Amanda Clarke."

With his eyes transfixed so intently, implying both mild disappointment and undying support in only the way he could, Daniel had brought Emily nearly to tears. His words were ever poignant, penetrating a part of her that she seldom showed to anyone, but saved exclusively for the love of her life. In that moment she could have cursed herself for ever putting him out of the house, and the thought of her selfish instincts instantly repulsed her. But as always, Daniel had proven himself able to do the one thing she often fell short of, showing true forgiveness.

As if to seal the act, he leaned in to kiss her softly and Emily knew tonight their reconciliation would be complete. But first, there was something urgent she needed to take care of.

"You're right," Emily acknowledged, bowing slightly. "I do need to tell him – whether he accepts it or not. First thing in the morning, I will," she promised upon looking up.

Daniel was surprised at her fast turnaround. Tomorrow was even sooner than he expected but he did not want to discourage the change of heart. "I can be by your side if you want me there," he offered.

Emily reached out forwardly, squeezing his hand in suggestion. "Right now I want you… upstairs," she insisted, feeling the heat return between them. Her gaze traced the outline of his lips and trailed downward, falling onto the box in her hands. She suddenly had the perfect excuse to delay just a few moments longer. "I'll be right up; I just need to put this somewhere safe."

Daniel agreed without a hint of protest and returned a seductive grin. Emily held his glance longingly until he was halfway up the stairwell and at last she turned to tie the one remaining loose end left before joining him in bed.

MONTAGE

"You ready, Jack?"

Charlotte called out to her driving companion from the passenger side of his car, shaking his attention from where he stood gazing into the night from the Stowaway porch. The view of the sky had been forever altered by the fire damage, but despite the change Jack still felt a sense of nostalgia from where he stood.

"Sorry," he quickly apologized, lifting the last box of salvaged items from where it rested by his feet. He came over to add it to the others in the backseat and then paused again to look up. "Just wanted to see the fireworks one last time from my old home by the docks."

Charlotte nodded in understanding. "You know they shoot fireworks up by our new home too," she added with a smirk.

Jack chuckled and finally got in. "Alright, alright," he obliged. Her lack of sentimentality was not unusual but was still enough to peak his interest. Their visit had been decidedly brief and outside of going to see Victoria once, he was surprised she was already itching to go back. "You sure you don't want to make any other stops before we get on the road?" he verified.

"Nope," she answered confidently. "I miss the boys, can't wait to see them," she thought adoringly of her son and nephew. "Besides," she added with a note of disdain. "Nothing ever seems to change in the Hamptons."

SCENE

David awoke at the abrupt noise of sputtering firecrackers, shooting off in a more startling rapid fire than the steady stream from earlier that evening. He looked around and realized he had dozed off on the porch swing, still dressed in his clothes for the party – that had clearly come and gone. He waited to place his last waking moments and they slowly came back: Victoria's random visit and then the jarring response following his discovery of the carving on the post. His first instinct was to go back over and inspect it, when he realized he had something in his hand.

Taking a closer look, again David was reminded of his youngest daughter Charlotte by the photo in his palm. An epiphany came to him as he realized he was holding a symbol of love for one child, whilst gazing at the carving that represented the memory of another. Feeling pressured to make a choice, he glanced back and forth between them both and then off into the distance. Having decided that it was time to choose which to pursue, he stood and last and retreated back into his home for the night—clutching the photo close and leaving the carving behind.

SCENE

In near perfect symmetry, the Infinity symbol was all Emily could stare at as she walked with her head down all the way out to the pool house, glancing back only once to ensure she had not been followed. Once inside, she set the box down, secured the door and then turned about to address the pitch black room.

"I sent the staff home," she announced in a low tone. "You should be safe here for tonight."

A voice returned, though the face was still obscured by darkness. "It's not my safety I'm worried about," it rang rich with familiarity. "It's your father's."

Not one to speak to an unseen audience, Emily took several paces deeper into the room until she could see a silhouette in a sliver of moonlight. Though spotted from far away at the party, she wanted the satisfaction of confirming her suspicions up close.

"Daniel relayed to me everything you told him." She folded her arms with purpose, emitting an air of certainty and prowess that only she could. "But seeing that this is my father we're talking about, I think I deserve to hear all the details first hand. How did he end up a target, and who's after him?"

At last Aiden stepped into the light, and met her forward gaze. "As disconcerting as it may seem," he admitted with worry. "I am."

Emily narrowed her eyes in disbelief, but maintained focus. "Well then," she prompted him. "Start talking."

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: SO sorry for the slight delay again, dear readers! As you may have guessed the goal was to have this chapter up in time for the 4th, but alas summer in the Revengeverse is running a little behind summer in the real world, lol. I do hope you enjoyed though and are happy to see the developments with both Demily and David :) As more of these continue, I will forewarn that we are slowly dwindling down to the end, but I have at least 3-4 chapters in store, if not a few more. I know, it's hard to believe it's almost over but I do want to keep my promise to have an abbreviated season that still has a satisfying end. So stay tuned, and MANY MANY thanks for all your kind and candid reviews, they make my day! (And I mean make it better! Always!) Please feel free to review this chapter also and let me know your thoughts – love you all! ~Love and Reven8e~ MothToANewFlame