Chapter 49: Intel

If knowledge is power, Intel is the first step to gaining control. Even the most revered figures have been dethroned and forever scourged by one small detail leaked to the media. In a conquest of revenge, survival depends upon extraction of such secrets, securing the perfect moment to lash out against one's enemies…

"Good evening – if you're just joining us, we've been exploring one of the most controversial stories of our time. David Clarke, despite enduring false imprisonment and an onslaught of torture that left his memory impaired, has been kind enough to sit down and share with us what he can recall from his personal account..."

As the interviewer turned to face where David was seated on his living room couch, Emily watched from just beyond where the set was roped off. Her hand was slightly clutched at her chin and she glanced over to Daniel nervously as they exchanged the same unspoken concerns. In contrast, Margaux beamed from a few feet away by the producer's chair. Lastly, Victoria stood out from them all, hovering nearby with a conflicted expression and inhaling a deep breath as David spoke.

"Before we continue," David used an insistent tone. "I feel it's important to state that while my memory has yet to recover – my time here in the Hamptons has educated me on many of the missing pieces. And based on what I've learned, it's clear there was a conspiracy at the time of my arrest."

The interviewer nodded in expectation. "You're referring to Conrad Grayson – the man now convicted of the crimes you were formerly imprisoned for?"

"I know he was responsible, yes," David agreed and then suddenly glanced off camera, appearing to concentrate on something specific. "But I believe there were others that held a stake in my demise… and still do to this day."

Emily tensed, whispering to Daniel. "He's diverting," she said fearfully.

"Wait," he urged under his breath. He followed David's gaze, wondering if it was his mother he was locked onto. "Let's just see what he says."

Meanwhile the interviewer cocked her head in surprise and gave a quick look to the producer, who urged her to continue. "Well, Mr. Clarke, this is your opportunity to set the record straight. I'm sure the millions watching are now curious whom you are referring to?"

"The person I speak of is here," David revealed boldly. Again his eyes darted off set and the crew all began to shift in anticipation. "Perhaps she should be the one to tell you."

By narrowing down the gender of the mysterious person, it only parted the waters. Several crew members stepped aside for the attention to fall on Victoria, whose grim expression begged for a reprieve.

David merely went on, continuing his incrimination. "The world knows her as just another Grayson," he informed the interviewer, slowly standing to his feet. "But since I've returned, I can finally say I see her true colors."

But the most brutal attack is the one that lies in waiting the longest— the one you never see coming.

Margaux motioned for the cameraman to adjust the frame, and he zoomed in on David as they all waited in eager anticipation for him to call Victoria out. But in a shocking turn of events, he suddenly extended a hand in Emily's direction.

"Emily—" he accosted, jolting her in surprise. "Why don't you tell the world who you really are?"

36 HOURS EARLIER

Daniel stopped suddenly at the entrance to the dining room, taking in the sight of Aiden at the long table reading the morning paper while sipping his coffee. He glanced next at Emily, who sat at the head of the table giving Summer a bottle. "Are you sure it's safe for him to be out in the open?" he asked her directly.

Both Aiden and Emily looked up in unison, the latter speaking on his behalf. "He's been staying here for a week now," she replied breezily, and somehow the tension in the room relaxed with her approval. "The maintenance staff had to have seen him when they were cleaning the pool, and they haven't said a word."

Daniel accepted it with a sigh, coming over to take his usual seat at the other end. "They probably assume you want your affair kept a secret," he grumbled back in jest.

Aiden chuckled while Emily dodged it with a simple eye-roll. It had been six days since she had cornered Aiden after the Fourth of July party; alerting Daniel to his presence the following morning. After drilling him about his escape, they both insisted he hide out in the pool house while he worked to research the organization that was after David. But few details had surfaced to date and if they were going to make any headway, they needed his full assistance as an ally.

"The staff can think what they want," Emily argued back at the perception. "But even Ryker's has yet to issue an official wanted ad. After my father's escape I'm sure they want to avoid any bad press," she supposed, dwelling on it thoughtfully. "Which we can use to our advantage."

"Clearly," Daniel supplemented, watching Aiden dig into the breakfast spread. "It's just the concept of harboring a fugitive takes some getting used to," he emphasized, opening the thick portfolio where he kept his study materials. "Especially when I'm prepping for a law exam," he added.

"Trust me, I'm the one that's adapting here," Aiden finally chimed in, expecting Daniel's aversion to his presence. As much as their friendship had grown, he knew his actions in the past year had been unsettling to them both. But rather than discuss it outright, he stroked his clean-shaven face and straightened the collar on the dress shirt he was borrowing, as if symbolizing his progress. His gaze trailed over to Emily who was back to feeding Summer.

"If there's anything that takes getting used to, it's seeing you two all… domesticated," Aiden countered, pausing to catch eyes with Daniel. "But I promise I'm going to do everything I can to keep your family portrait protected. It's why I took the assignment on David – I knew I could help ensure his safety."

Daniel could not ignore his reserves. "Is that also why you insisted Emily not mention a word to David about who she is?" he brought the topic up again. He recalled with anxiety how close she had been to telling her father the truth when Aiden's return had suddenly derailed her.

"I'll say it again – the less he knows, the less chance of him giving Krovnaya a secondary target," Aiden defended firmly. With a nod at Emily, he reminded Daniel that she was also at stake. "Besides, my near miss at him may have amped up security, but it's died down ever since you moved him just next door," he lobbed back.

"The beach house is still the safest place for him to be," Emily backed it in support of her husband. She caught Daniel's thankful glance before shifting the discussion. "At any rate, my father is going to be in the public eye; his interview is tomorrow night." She zeroed in on Aiden. "What do we know about Krovnaya so far?"

Aiden folded his hands to give her the rundown. "None of my old connections have ever heard of them, which means the network must be completely underground," he relayed, forming a conclusion. "I'm almost positive they're a subgroup of Bratva."

"Russian mafia," Emily defined for Daniel. "When we trained in Japan with Takeda, a number of our targets were Bratva affiliates."

"As was my contact—he's the one who assured me they could find Niko when no one else could," Aiden elaborated, connecting how he came to reach out to them. "Only the Bratva have that level of power. They've been trading on the black market for years, everything from government secrets to illegal corporations…"

"To high profile terrorists," Daniel guessed, slowly grasping it all.

Emily affirmed it with a nod. "Especially those convicted for money laundering during the 90's when the Russian mafia posed the largest threat to US security… it makes sense now why my father would have been priceless to them," she resolved, turning back to Aiden. "If Krovnaya is that heavy into the trade, how do we know they haven't already dispatched another agent to pick up where you failed?"

"It's difficult to say for sure," Aiden admitted before elevating his chin confidently. "But David's not the only target." He redirected over to Daniel. "Your father is worth even more alive and he's currently off the grid. Suffice to say, their resources are more likely to be interested in finding him."

"About that," Emily lifted Summer onto her shoulder, offering her opinion on the way to the nursery. "I understand why you needed Conrad to escape, but I still think it's dangerous for him to be on the loose."

"He's not entirely at large," Aiden clarified loud enough for her to hear, focusing on Daniel once she was out of the room. "I know you found my strategy to be unnerving, but I did take precautions." He reached into his pocket to show Daniel a very sophisticated, very small tracking device. "I placed one of these into Conrad's arm during a fight we staged just before our escape. Krovnaya thinks I lost a lead on him, but in actuality I've been using the software on the computer in the pool house to track it – just in case they decide to cut me loose."

"Or eliminate you outright," Daniel reminded him harshly. Aiden glared and Daniel attempted to be more optimistic as he peered at the prototype. "Clever," he observed. "Is that the same kind of device you built into Amanda's necklace last year?"

The pure mention of her was crushing and Aiden immediately shrank back in reminiscing. "Yes it was," he nodded, staring at the reminder in his palm. He closed his fist slowly as the painful memories returned; memories that he had yet to dwell upon until that moment.

Daniel immediately regretted dredging up the past. "Well, as long as you've got a tail on my father you have leverage," he distracted him. "You've got something they want."

Just then Emily returned, missing the awkward interlude. "What they want is a man who has no recollection of their existence," she continued in thought about her father, standing poised between them both. "Aiden, can you convince them it's pointless to pursue?"

He shook away the lingering memories to reply. "They never seemed to consider it before," he reasoned. "But then again, they've never been able to verify how much David actually remembers."

"Then that settles it," Emily quickly conceived a plan. "We'll use the interview to sell them on his memory being permanently erased. They need to see a picture of a broken man who poses no threat, and just wants to get back to normal life."

"And how do we make sure of that?" Daniel countered. "Since his last visit, he hasn't made any contact. He didn't even reach out to explain his absence at the party," he reminded her. Emily sighed apprehensively, having spent the past week wondering at his distance. And though she didn't want to force the issue, she had to admit it was strange.

"Daniel's right," Aiden supported it, lifting the daily paper as evidence. "Instead he's been photographed at city hall, requesting public records. He's trying to piece things together, not fade into the background—"

"He just wants answers," Emily discredited them both forcefully. She rested her hands on the table with precise thought. "So we'll find a way to give them to him, but at the same time warn him not to share with the public. He can't speak a word of it in his interview."

Both Daniel and Aiden studied her with skepticism. "And whom exactly do you trust with that task," Aiden prompted with interest. "You?"

Emily shook her head, already hatching a more reliable solution. "Spending time with me is only going to make my father more curious about Amanda," she began, brushing aside the sarcastic look that Daniel gave her. "But he does need to hear it from someone who knew him before he was imprisoned," she narrowed it down. "…someone who's still around nowto fill in the gaps."

Daniel furrowed his brow and braced himself to ask. "And that would be?"

SCENE

"David?"

Nolan's greeting came with astonishment as he set his eyes on the one man that had always believed in him. He shook away the initial effects of their first interaction and broke into a smile. "Please," he fumbled nervously at the doorway. "Come in."

"You're Nolan Ross," David affirmed first, shaking his hand. Something in his reply was strangely familiar, as if he already knew it to be the case. But he quickly shifted his attention towards the grandness of his home, timidly stepping into the foyer. "Thank you for inviting me over – this is quite a place you have."

"All thanks to you," Nolan had to acknowledge, leading him to sit in the common area off the kitchen. He fought to repress the emotions, but it was hard not to get sentimental when David had been like a father to him. "I know your memory is still hazy, but you once helped me to get on my feet when no one else would. I just wanted you to see how far your acts of kindness truly went," he offered sincerely.

Though David was unaware the invite had also come at Emily's prodding, he still carried himself with caution. But Nolan merely sat down in an opposing chair and offered him something to drink. "No, thanks I'm fine," he declined, eyeing him closely. "Is that the only reason you invited me here?"

"Well, that and," Nolan gingerly delved into the topic. "I assumed you would have questions about Amanda?"

David watched him with interest. "So you did know her?" he presumed.

His wording caught Nolan's attention but he swept over it, preparing the rehearsed explanation. "Before your unfortunate experience," he alluded carefully. "I often came to visit you in prison. On one occasion you asked that I make sure Amanda was taken care of, if something ever happened to you." He reached into a file that David only just noticed had been sitting on the table and handed him a bank statement. "After your supposed death, she stood to inherit the proceeds from your Nolcorp shares – I gave her every penny."

David studied the document while Nolan looked on intently. Emily's meticulous plan appeared to be working, and though there was a residual look of concern across David's brow, it at least absolved Nolan from any blame. "That's quite a relief. When I heard about her lifestyle," he finally disclosed, handing the paper back. "I worried that she fell on hard times at my expense?"

Nolan shook his head. "Everything that you intended for her protection came to be," he assured. "But no one could have predicted she would use her earnings to go after the Graysons… nor that they would be onto her from the moment she returned."

David stewed on it at length. "Yes, I'm aware of how powerful their family is," he attested, once again surprising Nolan with his depth of certainty. For someone who had lost much of his memory he exuded more conviction than expected. "It seems Conrad went to great measures to destroy my little girl," he further speculated.

"Well, Victoria too can be relentless," Nolan redirected his focus. His curiosity couldn't help prodding. "As I'm sure you're beginning to figure out?"

David nodded, but not with the same degree of contempt. He brightened at the mention, testing a theory. "More recently she's been sharing her perspective on the matter," he explained, looking for verification in Nolan's gaze. "She says there's more to the story than I'm aware of?"

Nolan recoiled irritably. "Of course she does," he expected, rolling his eyes.

"You're not fond of her either," David deduced from his expression, nodding with understanding. "Yes, I'm aware she can make it difficult at times to trust… but unfortunately Victoria is still the mother of the only living child I have," he introduced, supplementing his defense. "And as much as I want answers for Amanda, more lately I've been coming to grips with the fact that I need to start building a relationship with my other daughter."

His reasoning helped Nolan relax a little. "Of course," he empathized, wondering. "Have you tried to reach out to her yet?"

"Not with enough effort," David admitted, looking downward. "Though something tells me she doesn't want to be found…"

As he trailed off, Nolan opened his mouth to offer assistance when suddenly they were interrupted by a soft voice coming up from the back patio. "Hey roomie, you up for a morning swim—" the familiar drawl of Louise's southern accent echoed into the room, followed by her presence a moment later. She stopped short upon seeing them, and Nolan jumped anxiously to his feet. "Oh my, you have company," she observed.

"Louise—" Nolan stammered, reminding her with a firm look. "Ah, I thought we said lunch?"

Louise was a statue in her trendy beach attire and hat, her eyes locked onto David's. "S-sorry," she fumbled to Nolan finally. "I ah, thought I'd come early and lounge by the pool…" But she could no more convince him with David's presence there. "I didn't realize you two knew each other."

At that David rose, piping in on his behalf. "It's alright – Nolan was just helping me fill in the gaps," he explained. "He's been a good friend," he appraised to Nolan's surprise and then turned to Louise. The softness in his eyes insisted that he still held no resentment towards her. "And if he's a new acquaintance of yours, then it's good to see you making better choices."

Louise ducked her head in agreement, though her instinct was still to feel uneasy in his company. "Um, Nolan," she asked. "Would you mind giving us just a minute?"

Though Nolan was anxious to continue with their discussion, the tension between the others was enough to persuade him. "Sure," he conceded and stepped out, aiming on giving Emily an update.

Louise watched him go and then slowly approached David. "Listen, I just wanted to say how much I appreciated your advice during that whole situation with Victoria," she pled sincerely, dropping her head. "It felt good to do the right thing after my horrible mistake towards Charlotte… I promise I'm trying to turn my life around now."

"I believe you," David nodded genuinely, expecting her friendship with Nolan had to be somehow connected. He gazed into her wistful eyes, and knew his kindred feelings towards Louise had slowly evolved into a fatherly type of consideration. She had started out as just a troubled girl and an easy mark, but it was warming to see her trying to do better. Even the vague semblance touched his heart, making him miss the connection with his own daughter all the more.

"You helped me that day just as much as I helped you," David reminded her. She was integral in his decision to return Victoria's granddaughter to the authorities, and he recognized he might someday need her help again.

"Even that wasn't enough," Louise insisted. She decided it was worth sharing the other steps she had been taking. "I tried to make atonement for my actions by giving your daughter back the evidence she needed to get a divorce," she added. "It was the least I could do."

But David's brow suddenly furrowed. "Divorce?" he repeated, suddenly realizing why his attempts to reach out might have been in vain. "Charlotte's married?"

"Yes, well she was anyway," Louise enlightened him with an innocent look. "To my brother, Lyman—didn't you know?"

SCENE

Margaux was breezing through the finishing details for the David Clarke interview with her assistant when she took note of Daniel lurking at her office door. Expecting he would show his face soon, she dismissed her assistant with a word and gestured for him to come in. "Here to check up on things, I presume?" she ventured knowingly.

Daniel grinned at her perception and surveyed her desk for any indicators of what she had planned. "Well, oversight of David's interview was a stipulation of our agreement," he reasoned, taking a seat. "Considering that it's scheduled for tomorrow night, I'm surprised I haven't heard from you all week?"

"Limited oversight," Margaux corrected him with a smirk. "And I simply assumed David was keeping you abreast of the details," she defended fairly. "Especially when the setting is the hefty piece of real estate you so gallantly deeded back over to him?"

There was a note of curiosity in Margaux's argument and Daniel sensed that David wasn't the only one she had questions for. Despite her cooperation, she was still a journalist and his continued interest in David had to stand out. "He deserved it," he reminded her pointedly.

"Ah," Margaux nodded, leaning back in her chair. "And was Emily just as impressed with your act of kindness as you expected?"

Daniel recalled she was vaguely aware of their temporary separation. "What can I say," he debated how to carefully word the truth. "It gives her comfort to know Amanda's father is being well taken care of."

Margaux digested his shrewd reply. "I'm glad to hear that. I assumed you both were in better spirits when I heard about your Fourth of July celebration," she shifted topic. "I regret I could not attend, but I had work affairs to balance... along with arranging transportation for your determined mother."

Daniel's brow wrinkled in annoyance. "Carting her all over the Hamptons was specifically left out of our agreement," he prodded. "I thought you were gonna let me know if she tried to stretch the boundaries?"

"I decided to allow one excursion," Margaux asserted confidently, leaning forward onto her desk. "I was curious where she would go, so I asked someone I trust to escort her. Not surprisingly, she went to see David."

It was enough to rile him. "What happened?" he demanded.

Margaux shrugged. "Not much really," she recalled from what Ben had passed along. "But I have to admit, your insistence upon keeping them separated is what intrigues me most," she divulged and cocked her head to the side, studying him. "I have honored your requests for the most part but what is it about Victoria that incites you so?"

"She's my mother, isn't that enough?" Daniel alleged defiantly. He sighed and got up to take a turn about the room while thinking of how to explain it. "Besides manipulating people to get what she wants, she's… just given my family a hard time lately, that's all."

Margaux held her chin sternly, watching him from her seat. "Yes, I heard the speculation about her involvement in your daughter's disappearance," she acknowledged. "But this is more—there's something else driving you to keep her at arm's length," she paused to speculate. "Something she knows perhaps?"

Realizing she was treading close, Daniel came back over to talk her down. "Look, I just don't want her falling back in with David, alright?" he pressed. "Everyone knows my father screwed him over years ago, but what they don't know is my mother wasn't exactly an innocent bystander."

While it was not a shocking revelation, it humbled Margaux to admit she had not taken it into consideration before. But in spite of it, she could not change what was already agreed upon.

"I'm sorry to say she will get a chance to revisit that role tomorrow night," Margaux informed, expecting his chagrin. "I apologize, Daniel. But Victoria is still my client and she delivered the consent for David's firsthand account first. I have to honor that by allowing her to be present."

Daniel heaved a sigh, as his entire objective was to push for the opposite. "Can't you just send her compensation for giving you the story and then close her off from the set?"

"That would be a breach of LeMarchal contract," Margaux remained resolute, motioning for him to remember. "It hasn't been that long since you've been in the business, has it? You know I would never do that to a reliable source, regardless of who they are."

"Oh, so now she's reliable?" Daniel argued. "She disappeared for months – you and I both know she wasn't with David that whole time!"

"True as that may be," Margaux strengthened her stance. "I would prefer to let the record speak for itself, rather than risk losing the story altogether."

At last Daniel began to grasp what was going on. As much as Margaux shared his distrust in Victoria, she was keen to the effect she had on David. Her presence, be it for the negative or positive, was a tactic to draw out the truth regarding his past, perhaps even stimulating him to remember. With distaste, Daniel was forced to recall Margaux's commitment to quality journalism and determination to get better ratings – though she was feebly unaware it could mean certain death.

"Fine," Daniel acquiesced. "But if she gets to be there so do I – and Emily too," he bargained with a brisk edge. "You said it yourself; our hefty piece of real estate is the reason why you're even getting this opportunity. We're going to be there to watch it live."

Margaux consented with a nod. "Very well then, I look forward to seeing you," she met his terms, returning the same competitive edge. "By the attendance alone, it seems we're in for quite a show?"

SCENE

"So, what did he do after Louise told him?"

Nolan kept pace with Emily's stride through the Manor, cringing at her final question about his meeting with David. "Sorry to say he made himself pretty scarce," he confessed. "As soon as I came back he excused himself, presumably to go looking for one Charlotte Ellis." He braced for disappointment but Emily was oddly calm. "And you're ok with that?" he dared.

"Actually, I think it worked out in our favor," Emily appraised. She led him out to the pool terrace, stopping midway to the shallow end and gazed in the direction of her old house. "If he's gone off to find Charlotte, it'll keep him occupied for at least the remainder of the day," she ventured. "That gives us a window to get into the beach house."

Nolan furrowed his brow in confusion as Emily began walking again, this time headed for the pool house. "And why exactly do we need to invade his home?" he pried at his first hearing of the idea.

"To prep for the interview, and to report back to the people that are after him," she answered seamlessly, parading through the rear door. "Finding it empty means the contractor will be forced to wait until he returns."

Still puzzled, Nolan followed her in earnest. "I'm sorry—did I miss something? Do we know the contractor looking for David—" his fair question was cut short as they entered the control room, and he looked up to see Aiden spin halfway around in the desk chair.

"That would be me," he announced upon sight. He lifted his eyebrows to indicate the figurative meaning in his response while allowing Nolan a moment to digest.

"Aiden?!" Nolan gave the desired reaction, both shocked and relieved to see their friend. He looked over at Emily in affirmation before rushing to give him a welcoming hug. She stood back to watch, anticipating the reveal would answer all his questions. "Wait, but—how did you escape," he gaped. "And are you really the one tailing David?"

"Yes and no," Aiden explained in part.

Emily edged forward to moderate. "Aiden's been working with the organization after my father. He took the assignment to help protect him, and so far he's succeeded." She faced him appreciatively. "I asked him to lay low until we could be certain no one was on his tail. But if not for him, my father might not have made it this far."

Nolan shook his head incredulously at the connecting pieces. "So did you know… all this time that he was alive?" he wondered of Aiden.

"Not exactly," Aiden corrected him, conscious that there were still more details to be shared. "I sort of happened upon the information after pursuing someone else…"

"We'll fill you in on the rest," Emily brushed past it. "But for now we need to focus on making sure that interview goes smoothly. You've already played a part in that by keeping my father's concerns at bay," she thanked Nolan, turning to Aiden next. "It's time for the next step – the house is clear."

While Aiden nodded and began to prepare his things, Nolan drew in towards Emily with concern. "And you're sure this will work—putting on a pretense that he remembers nothing?" he half-heartedly contested. "Because, if you ask me, something tells me he's starting to get some memories back…"

Aiden looked up with interest but Emily's countenance remained certain. "The mere fact he's moved on from asking about Amanda to finding Charlotte is a step in the right direction—she represents his new life, not his past," she pointed out. "Let's give Jack a heads up that he's on his way, and let him know to stick to the basics."

"Got it," Nolan took the instructions, ducking out to make the call.

Meanwhile, Aiden took his place next to Emily. "I'll head over now to make the call to Krovnaya," he advised. "Does that take care of everything?"

"Almost," Emily disclosed, still deep in thought. "I spoke to Daniel. Margaux agreed to let us come to the interview, which means we can intercept if he starts to go off track," she paused as a dark look crossed her eyes. "But there's one other person we need to stop from derailing it."

SCENE

Aiden treaded up the porch and used Emily's spare key to enter the familiar old beach house, shaking away the flutter of longing as he slipped inside. The last time he had been there was associated with deeply painful memories, worse than anything he had endured even after months of incarceration. If only you could have saved her, he thought, crouching down by the spot on the floor where Amanda had slipped away in his arms. He clenched his fist in consternation, forcing himself to move past it.

Bravely, he recalled his purpose there and took out his phone to contact Krovnaya. The tracking device had been disabled for the past week and with a breath he reactivated it, knowing it would transmit his location."This is Mathis," he advised when Viktor answered. "I've located the target – David's staying at his old place in the Hamptons." He took in a wide glance of the room to add depth to his story. "But at present he's not here – the house is empty."

Viktor's patience was thin on the other line. "When do you expect his return?"

"My sources tell me he's giving an interview tomorrow evening," he answered, coming over to inspect the kitchen table where a few items were spread out. Of particular interest was what appeared to be a photo of Victoria and an infant, likely Charlotte. He looked around and then palmed it before continuing with Viktor. "That should be my opportunity – though I'm not sure it will be necessary."

As expected, Viktor questioned Aiden's shift in assignment. "And why is that?" his thick accent drawled.

"I've had practice at this for years," Aiden responded with prepared choice words. He continued to comb through David's house as he spoke. "And from what I can see, he's not a threat. The man has nothing—no pictures from his former life, no sign of any investigation into whom he used to be…" He went on backing up each statement as he spoke it, swiping not only the photo but also a biographical book from the countertop. He stashed it and any remaining artifacts into his bag to add to the case. "He has absolutely no recollection of his ordeal."

There was a pause before Viktor finally replied. "You seem very confident in the matter," he offered. "I suppose his interview will serve as testimony to that fact."

Sensing him coming around, Aiden followed up earnestly. "I expect it will."

"We'll test your theory soon enough," Viktor conveyed. "But in the event you're wrong, we've decided to enlist supplemental assistance."

The call disconnected and instantly the hair on the back of Aiden's neck stood up, sensing a presence behind him. He whirled about reflexively, only to confirm his suspicion by spotting a figure on the porch from the corner of his eye. He dropped the phone to his side and ran out to pursue, barely catching a glimpse before they had gone. But his instincts were still sharp – someone had been tailing him and was now unbelievably close.

SCENE

"Did you see what he looked like?" Emily delved into interrogation immediately, storming out of the nursery while Aiden followed her through the house.

"Barely," he relayed, drawing on memory tactics they had been taught by Takeda. "He vanished before I could get a good look, but there was something familiar about his build…" he trailed off in recollection and looked upwards into the house. It was only then that he realized there were cameras just above them. "Did you always have these?" he asked.

Emily had little patience, more concerned with who was putting their plans at risk. "I had them installed the day of the 4th of July party," she explained in a huff. "I couldn't take any chances with my daughter's safety – especially when I thought a trained assassin might be coming here," she stopped to glare at him. "Which it sounds like might actually happen after all?"

"No harm will come to you or your family, do you understand me?" Aiden rushed to assure her. He placed his hands together in a penitent gesture. "I just need you to bring up the footage from that night," he pled.

Emily folded her arms. "You think the perp was there?"

Aiden relaxed his stance to give her a serious look. "I'm almost positive he was," he affirmed. "Now I've deactivated my device so that Krovnaya isn't able to track me here, but this guy had a lead for him to be at David's house at that exact moment. If he's hunting him down, I need to take him out."

Just then the doorbell rang, and Emily glanced beyond him in expectation. "Fine," she rushed in solution. "You can access the surveillance from the mainframe in the pool house, but I need you to stay out of sight for a while," she instructed firmly.

"Of course," Aiden accepted it, though he found her request somewhat curious. He stepped out of her way nonetheless and started down the path out of the house with his bag in tow. "Emily," it reminded him, and he called her back for a brief moment. "I had to remove some things from the house," he informed grievously. "Daniel and Nolan are right – your father has been looking into his past."

Emily lingered on the disappointing news, knowing it would make it all the more challenging to convey the opposite in the interview. But the doorbell rang again, giving her little time to decide. "We'll deal with that later," she urged him. "Just keep out of sight."

While Aiden complied, Emily gathered composure and finally made it to the door, taking a deep breath before swinging it open to answer. She plastered on a contrived smile first, serving up her best attempt at feigned interest with an air of regality.

"Victoria," she greeted her raven-haired nemesis. "Thank you for coming."

SCENE

"Charlotte should be back soon, she took the boys to the park."

Jack masked his uneasiness by being hospitable, despite how awkward it was to offer a seat in his living room to a man he had believed dead for nearly twenty years. Fortunately, Nolan's warning call came with enough lead time for him to prepare, but it had the opposing effect on Charlotte. She was firmly resolved to stay away and had asked Jack to cover for her, once again putting him between someone he cared about and another person he had to lie for. The irony was unnerving, as it was a staple of his relationship with Emily that had now transcended to her family alike.

"You have to forgive me," David interrupted his thoughts with an apology. He followed Jack to sit down. "I didn't think to search under Ellis when I went looking for her. It never occurred to me that she might be married."

Jack tried to act normal, resting his hands on his knees. "Yeah well, she just put in to change it back to Clarke," he led with implication. "Things didn't exactly work out."

"I see," David absorbed it, taking in the sights around him with a long, forlorn gaze. "Is that what made her move in with you?" he wondered.

"Ah, that and her son's father was my brother—" Jack explained, reaching over to hand him a framed photo for reference. "Declan. They were together only a short time before she found out she was expecting. Ever since he passed away… she's always been family to me." He looked on as David studied the picture, feeling some measure of relief at least that full account was true.

"Of course," David sympathized. "I'm so sorry for your loss. You must be grateful to have each other after both losing someone so close?" he trailed off and solemnness cast upon his face.

"Yeah," Jack affirmed sheepishly. It was hard to quantify the similarities in their respective losses, when each had fallen in love with the other's sibling – or so they believed. But as much as it tied them together, he knew when it came to Amanda it was the one thing that separated them.

David's next question only highlighted Jack's embarrassment to that fact. "Did you keep any other pictures of them?" he asked sincerely.

"Ah yeah," Jack obliged, still troubled by the whole thing. He took out the wedding album and gingerly handed it over, bracing himself to see if David would suspect anything. Sure enough, he focused closely on the pages with the bridal party, and Jack feared he was studying Amanda's face without recognition. "You must be anxious to meet your grandson," he rushed to insert. "Grandsons, I mean," he suddenly corrected in upholding the illusion.

But David appeared entranced by the photo. "I don't mind waiting," he whispered, suddenly lifting his head with interest. "Unless I'm taking up your time?"

"Ah, no," Jack tried to beg off, but the discomfort was too much to bear. "Actually, I just—well I have to head into work soon," he found himself fibbing, despite having plenty of time before his next shift. But it was overwhelming—having David there in his house, believing that his daughter had been his wife, all the while not knowing she was actually the girl next door. It sickened Jack to think of what turmoil David was going through when just about anyone, himself included, could clear it up by speaking one word of the truth.

David begged off humbly. "I understand," he muttered in a low whisper, returning the album. "Perhaps you could just let Charlotte know I stopped by. This is where I'm staying," he reached into his pocket to hand him an address, ending his request with a kind look. "Maybe she'd be more comfortable talking there. I'm actually giving my first interview and, uh… well, I'd like to have my family nearby."

Jack stared hard at the paper for countless seconds before finally mustering the strength to face David again. He desired to confess the truth so badly, but knew it would only have dire consequences that no one was prepared for. Rather than spring them without warning, he resolved to acquiesce.

"I'll be sure to let her know."

SCENE

"You can imagine my shock to receive your invitation," Victoria attested, beginning the stroll into her old residence. Emily stepped aside to let her walk by, and her tone carried with resonance as she entered the main room. "But then again, I do have a grandchild that lives here," she couldn't resist adding.

Despite how intentionally cutting the comment was meant to be, the poignancy was deflated as Emily strode ahead and settled into the seat Victoria had been going for – her signature woven chair. "A grandchild you're not even going to think about going near," she reminded coolly; glad she had kept the artifact if only to enjoy a moment of taunting. She gestured for Victoria to take a seat on the couch instead.

Victoria absorbed it irritably, but by the time she took a step back to sit down her countenance had already changed. "Relax, Emily," she said with condescend. "I would never hurt my blood. After all, Summer is a Grayson… and as much as it repulses me to admit," she paused briefly to scan her surroundings. "So are you. We're family—for now at least."

Emily glowered, expecting nothing less in retort. She was taking a heavy gamble inviting the lion into the den, and the match was already nothing short of a fierce standoff. But considering what was at stake, she was willing to endure it.

"My thoughts exactly," she returned in kind. "And family protects each other… which is why I invited you here today," she alluded openly, lowering her gaze to meet Victoria's eyes. "I'm well aware that your actions of late have been with the intent of getting close to my father. And despite my aversion to your relationship it behooves me to ask that if you truly care about him: you'll continue to keep his past a secret – including my identity."

Victoria sneered at confirmation of what she had long suspected. "So after everything you've done," she asserted bitterly. "All the lies and manipulation; the gross deception—" she alleged with precision on each word, only to bring it to a flat crescendo. "You still refuse to own up to the truth. Hm, why am I not surprised?"

"Regardless of what you think," Emily refused to entertain any of it. "I don't want my father in any further danger than he already is. There are people who would use that information to his detriment," she forced instead.

"The people who tortured him," Victoria supposed, showing her first inkling of interest. "What do you know about them?"

"Nothing I need to share with you," Emily snapped, elevating her chin. "But never mind that. I'm asking you not to indulge his interest in the past – something that should come easy, considering your part in it," she sniped. "Is that going to be a problem?"

"On the contrary," Victoria agreed, still in pursuit. "I merely wish you would stop this charade about doing it for David's protection," she challenged. Emily opened her mouth to persist but Victoria clamored on, standing to impress her point. "Admit it, Emily. You finally considered what would happen when you told him all the death you caused in his name, and you're ashamed for him to know the truth!"

"Victoria, you don't know what you're talking about—" Emily met her stance in protest.

"Your plan was perfect," Victoria held firm with accusation. "Save for one little detail… your father is alive," she exerted with proud triumph. "And now you must live with the repercussions of what you've done!"

"And so will you," Emily fired back, taking a step closer. "Don't think for a second this means I won't make sure of it," she threatened.

"Then tell him," Victoria taunted, stepping back to assess her with a scathing glance. "Or stay hidden in this pathetic identity! Either way, it will be tremendous fun to watch."

"And when the time comes, I'll be sure you have a front row seat," Emily lobbed back with purpose. "But until then, I'm asking you to do the one thing you failed at miserably – and that's protect the man you claim to love," she challenged vehemently. Her gaze flickered from one evil eye to the other. "Conrad's not here for you to hide behind anymore, so you can either right the wrongs you committed, or show yourself to be the same coward you tricked my father into loving years ago!"

Emily's final allegation dared Victoria to retort, but she held her tongue, pondering instead on the level of passion in the other's voice. Emily's weaknesses were slowly making themselves manifest and the clever wall she had built around her emotions was eroding. While it was satisfying to see her in such distress, it was also a testimony to one thing—her concerns were genuine. And as much as Victoria loathed her, she would not allow her hatred to endanger David's life, especially if it might be the difference between being part of it.

In the time it took Victoria to ponder, Emily had relaxed. "Now will you promise not to say anything?" she posed again, calmer.

"Not a word," Victoria uttered in a suspiciously soft tone.

Emily merely took the win. "Thank you, Victoria," she replied dismissively, returning to her seat. "I'm sure you know the way out."

Victoria stared viciously as she watched Emily return to what had once been her chair. Yet it did not diminish her prideful steps to the door, knowing she still had something of value. In symmetry, Emily stewed on the same premise as Victoria left, also invigorated by the knowledge that she held. She turned mid-thought at the sound of Aiden coming up the walk, entering the room just shy of Victoria's exit.

"Was that her royal wickedness?" he posed in disbelief.

Emily cocked her head thoughtfully. "In the flesh… since Victoria's going to be present at the interview I had to ensure she didn't ruin anything," she answered, glancing up at him.

Aiden's gaze was still concentrated in the direction of her departure. "I'm sure you did. I've got half a mind to strangle her myself," he restrained the urge. It was all the more difficult after just leaving the original scene of the crime.

Sensing as much, Emily rose to calm him by diversion. "That's why I asked you to stay away," she redirected, folding her arms. "So what did you find?"

At last Aiden drew attention to the printout he had walked up with, showing her. "This," he identified, pointing at the corner of a still shot from the party. "Oliver Queen."

Emily squinted, vaguely remembering. "He was one of my late RSVP's," she recalled, realizing she had dismissed him as a suspect after a brief conversation. "I got the impression he was just another wealthy playboy looking for a good time?"

"Or looking for David—which means I need to look for him," Aiden suggested, showing the printed page underneath with a better photo and last known location. "But by the looks of it this chap is far out of his league in the Hamptons. He's originally from Starling City – a place that happens to be crawling with Bratva affiliates."

Emily handed the printout back, presuming his next move. "Then that's where you're headed."

SCENE

The next day came and despite no critical update from Aiden's trip up north, the time had finally come for the interview. The sun was just setting when the LeMarchal crew arrived at David's beach house, including Margaux at the helm, directing the press. Emily and Daniel decided to walk over, using the time to allay their apprehension as they treaded up the beach.

"Well, this is it," Daniel began, taking Emily's hand as they neared within feet of the house. He looked over to verify she was ready. "You're sure it's what you want?"

"You know I want my father to know the truth," Emily digressed, convincing herself. "But this is for the best. Aiden is still tracking down the tail that was on him but Krovnaya will be tuned in regardless. They showed my father mercy before," she drew upon it with certainty. "Once they see that he's not a threat – perhaps they will again."

Daniel gave her a trusting look, but even he could sense she had doubts. "And if they don't?" he tugged at them carefully.

Emily shrugged. "Then we stay and fight," she maintained, never once considering anything else. "Whatever it takes—I will go after everyone in that crooked organization until the last one doesn't even think about coming near David Clarke."

Daniel could not help a wide grin at her tenacity. "I guess after all your takedowns," he chuckled. "Taking on the entire Russian mafia is a walk in the park?"

It soothed Emily to be lighthearted about it, even for a moment. "Well, you are on your way to becoming an attorney," she returned in kind, squeezing his arm. "Not a bad way to break into the profession?"

He exhaled at the light joke, and almost in unison they both became serious again. "Everyone's rooting for you," he felt obligated to insert. It was somewhat overstated, considering that both Jack and Charlotte still resented her for keeping the truth quiet. But he knew deep down that despite their distance, it did not mean they loved her any less. The same could be said of him for understanding her choice. For the first time Daniel felt he was truly coming into his role of husband, allowing Emily to make the decisions that were ultimately up to her. He knew at times she would be wrong and on occasion he would have to stop her for her own good. But as time had taught them, more often than not it was lending support that mattered most.

"Thank you," Emily replied, as if reading his thoughts. He looked up and she was gazing at the house again. "This is the most important thing – knowing he's home, and he's safe. It's worth more than anything I could have ever done to avenge him," she soon realized, unknowingly accrediting Daniel as a better son-in-law than she had been a daughter. "It's what he truly deserves – to move on, and be happy."

Daniel nodded graciously and they both shared an endearing look at the thought, complementing it with a shared kiss. They were slowly getting back to a good place, and perhaps it was the summer night or the familiar sounds of the ocean that only further drew up the heat between them.

Yet as warming as the moment was, it was just as fleeting. A patrol car pulled up and Victoria stepped out, serving them an unsavory glare before being escorted inside by Officer Hunter.

Emily exchanged another look with Daniel, and this time it read joint contention. "But I suppose it's safe to say that's still a ways off," she concluded her earlier statement.

He agreed with a knowing look as they prepared to go in. "Shall we?"

SCENE

Emily had her eyes on Victoria when David made his entrance onto the set, and it only took a sharp look to convey how crucial it was for her to stick to the plan. But as David came over to greet her, Emily discreetly walked over to join Daniel a few feet off.

"They look rather friendly," he whispered under his breath. "Think we can trust my mother to go along with this?"

Emily glanced back, somewhat undecided. But the more she surveyed their interaction; it was clear how desperate Victoria was to hold her father's interest. In return, David seemed curiously content, possibly pleased to have Victoria there. At one point he even smiled at something she said.

"I think so," Emily concluded, restraining her discomfort. David had barely acknowledged her own presence and only briefly looked up with a nod before the crew began ushering him to his seat. It was painful to watch, and a part of her could not stop wondering why he was being so distant. But ever dedicated to the plan, she could not afford to let it be a distraction.

Daniel noted the concern in her eyes, but he too was confined by the circumstances. "They're starting," he observed, and took her by the hand. Victoria remained a moment longer with David before joining them in the roped off area, smirking in their direction.

Oblivious to it all, Margaux took the chair beside the producer to make the final announcement. "Alright everyone—quiet on the set!" And with every final detail in place, at last it began.

"Good evening," the interviewer delved right in, facing the camera. "If you're just joining us, we've been exploring one of the most controversial stories of our time. David Clarke, despite enduring false imprisonment and an onslaught of torture that left his memory impaired, has been kind enough to sit down and share with us what he can recall from his personal account..."

"Before we continue," David suddenly interrupted. "I feel it's important to state that while my memory has yet to recover – my time here in the Hamptons has educated me on many of the missing pieces. And based on what I've learned, it's clear there was a conspiracy at the time of my arrest…"

Emily immediately tensed in response, whispering to Daniel. "He's diverting," she said fearfully. She nudged for him to get Margaux's attention.

But Daniel held up a finger in restraint. "Wait," he urged under his breath, trying to catch what David was saying. The interviewer asked him a question about Conrad and he agreed, alluding to someone else being involved beside him. He gave Emily a hopeful look, anticipating what he might say next. "Let's just see what he says," he delayed. Emily sucked in a fateful breath and waited for his response.

"The person I speak of is here," David was saying. "Perhaps she should be the one to tell you."

Upon hearing it was a female, Emily immediately glanced over to Victoria, concluding she had broken their agreement to tell him about the past. "What have you done," she hissed. But Victoria returned an innocent look, as unsuspecting as her wily demeanor could manage.

"This is obviously your doing!" she suspected, snapping her attention back to David.

As both women watched he stood, continuing his incrimination. "The world knows her as just another Grayson," he said to the interviewer. "But since I've returned, I can finally say I see her true colors." At last he concentrated his gaze. "Emily—" he accosted, jolting both her and the entire room in surprise. "Why don't you tell the world who you really are?"

Emily was speechless, stunned into submission. "Wh-what?" she gasped, glancing around in shock as the entire interview suddenly shifted onto her. She stared into her father's eyes like a wounded animal. "What are you talking about?"

Fearing David had somehow come to know of and was about to reveal Emily's identity, Daniel dashed over to Margaux. "Cut the feed," he demanded, reaching over to get the cameraman's attention. "This wasn't part of our agreement—turn that camera off—"

"Forget it; this is exactly what the public wants to hear!" Margaux ignored him with all eyes on the confrontation before them. Daniel tried to persist, but Officer Hunter blocked his attempt, coming to Margaux's aid.

"Mr. Grayson, I suggest you step away from her," he warned, urging him with a meaningful look to back off. Margaux still had the final say and Daniel was dangerously close to getting physical in his attempt to stop her. With no choice but to let it go, Daniel stepped aside and was forced to just watch.

"I did my research," David fixated onto Emily. But instead of sounding anxious to expose, his tone was surprisingly hurt. "Nolan Ross said he gave Amanda the money she was due to inherit—" he argued, producing several folded statements from his pockets and thrusting it into her hands. "But I pulled her bank records. The money suddenly disappeared right around the time you were released from juvie." He stared her down with accusation. "I looked into your history. You went from a second-rate foster home to traveling abroad and studying at Ivy League schools… while Amanda was forced to degrade herself as a stripper!"

Emily glanced down at the statement incredulously, shocked that her father had went to such lengths to look into the anomaly. Perhaps she had underestimated that he would accept one forged document without looking into the rest. All her concern for his discretion suddenly was dashed to pieces as she suddenly realized something even worse was at stake – he hadn't figured out she was Amanda. He thought she had defrauded her!

"Mr. Clarke, what you're insinuating couldn't be further from the truth—" she began shakily, but he was full of momentum, edging closer.

"Last week you told me you promised to protect her," he reminded cleverly. "That she followed you here to the Hamptons? But I think it's just the opposite," he alleged, peering into Emily's eyes. "I think you stole her money and she came here looking for you. And then you threw her to the Graysons like a sheep to the wolves!"

On his final claim, he glared over at Victoria, removing any doubt that she would be getting off scot-free in his tirade. But his attention quickly returned to Emily, who was too flabbergasted to speak.

"Your first attempt to silence her wasn't enough, was it?" David continued guessing. "I saw the photos; you were there on her wedding day when she was first presumed dead. And later, when she was arrested for Conrad's murder – you were at the opera with her." He suddenly paused, looking around at his house in conclusion. "That's why you both went to all this trouble isn't it," he supposed, including Daniel in the accusation. "Giving me this house – naming your daughter in her memory… all of it just to withstand living with your guilt!"

Despite all being outrageous, the intensity to which he spoke each accusation distressed Emily into silence. Not only could she not fathom being on the other side of such deep rooted anger from her father, but she could not conceive how he could be so clearly misled. She bottled her frustration, resorting to just shaking her head. The entire plan had collapsed on live television, with everyone watching. There was nothing she could do to refute it, except the one thing she had wanted to avoid the most.

"None of what you're saying is true," Daniel inserted before Emily could respond. He begged the producer with a pleading expression and approached David, void of emotion but simply trying to clear the air. "Please, Mr. Clarke if you'll just let us explain—"

"I've heard enough," David cut him short and left the area in frame. "This interview's over," he announced, and with some measure of finality it was his word that had the final say. The producer finally agreed to cut the feed and a collective sigh emitted from the entire room, though the tension still hung fresh in the air. David gave Emily and Daniel one final look of contempt before storming off to his back porch.

SCENE

"Well, how's that for retribution?"

If there was one thing that could make the ordeal any worse, it was the sound of his mother's voice. Daniel winced upon hearing it, but somehow kept his self-control as she crept from behind and sat down next to him on the porch step. "Mother," he warned. "I strongly caution you to watch what you say…"

"Oh, I don't think that matters much now," Victoria resolved. "This colossal debacle took no prisoners, with scarcely a word from me." Her reply came with acceptance; mere minutes after David's showdown had dismissed everyone from his house, including her. The crew was finally straggling out, with Margaux bringing up the rear and she slowed down upon passing them both on the steps.

"Daniel, I know what you must be thinking—" Margaux begged kindly, but he would not hear it.

"No, you really don't," he brushed her off. "So why don't you just save yourself the trouble, and go bask in the triumph of your media spectacle," he raised his brow to call out her intent. "It's all you wanted after all, isn't it?"

Margaux wanted to argue in good conscience, but could tell by his expression that it would be a worthless battle. Her gaze trailed over to Victoria and for the first time both mother and son shared something in common, even if it was just equally dirty looks. "Your payment has been disbursed," she informed, rather poetically. It still felt good to remind her that she was only recently independent. "I take it you'll no longer require transportation?"

Victoria seethed at her aptitude to lord it over her, but Daniel quickly replied on her behalf. "I'll make sure she gets home," he interjected. "Goodnight, Margaux."

With that she left and Victoria turned in surprise, wondering if he had done it merely to rush Margaux off, or out of genuine concern. "Did you mean that?" she asked once the others had gone.

"Yeah," Daniel relented and stood up, headed towards the car. "Emily may have been publicly humiliated, but it wasn't on your account."

Victoria rose in affirmation. "It wasn't," she insisted to his credit. "I swear to you, Daniel I did what she asked – I didn't say anything."

"Trust me, she knows. It's the only reason she's in there and not out here reaming you out," he informed, saving a glance for the house. Emily was the last one inside and he was going to ensure the moment she wanted alone with David was not interrupted. "But I wouldn't want you to think this was a victory for you," his tone changed to condemnatory when he faced Victoria again.

Her brow wrinkled in disillusion. "What do you mean?"

"I'm sure you enjoyed watching David light into Emily," he presumed. "But what you don't realize is that by doing so, he only put himself in harm's way. The whole reason she wanted this interview to go off without a hitch is because he's in more danger now than ever before."

Daniel tried to leave it on that note as he walked away, but his ever persistent mother pulled him back in desperation. "Please Daniel, if you know, you have to tell me—what happened to David? And who are the people who want him dead?"

SCENE

Emily remained inside the beach house in ignorance to David's request for everyone to leave. Instead she watched him through the sheers while he stood on the back porch, using the time to sort out her thoughts, memories, and feelings. They all seemed to flood in once; likely triggered by standing in the place she once called home. She stared down at her feet in recollection and as tears formed at the corners of her eyes, she knew this was one time she would not run from the truth.

The opportunity would come sooner than later as David soon returned inside, stopping in his tracks when he saw her standing there. "I thought I asked everyone to leave," he said briskly.

"Amanda was like a sister to me," Emily spoke with boldness, sidestepping his wishes now that they were alone. "And I loved her until the very end," she insisted. "It's just the person I loved and the one you think you know… they're not the same."

David became slightly defensive, edging a step closer. "Don't try to tell me about who my daughter was," he demanded. "I thought about her every day in that prison. Even when I was abducted, tortured… she was the one thing they couldn't erase. I knew her better than anyone and I loved her more than my own life," he drifted off in thought, searching for a word to describe his unconditional devotion. "Infinity," he mumbled.

Emily's entire face contorted with incredulity. "You remember?" she exhaled in a whisper.

David broke his trance to look back. "What?"

Though Emily's approach had started as one of sincere pleading, it suddenly shifted to one of disappointment. "How could you say you knew her better than anyone," she felt herself brimming with anger as she took a step in his direction. "When she's been right here all along?"

"What are you talking about?" David questioned again, studying her eyes.

"They said you'd been remembering things," Emily recalled, shaking her head in disbelief. "But I didn't want to believe it… I couldn't accept that if that were really true, you could still look at me and not know who I am." Her arms were spread open now, daring him to take a closer look. "Infinity times infinity?" she repeated with a note of scorn, and shook her head again. "You taught me to be strong, but you're a coward!"

She was barely inches away from him now, ready to charge and wanting to pummel his chest with her fists. David absorbed it in disarray, catching her wrists in restraint as her words took form and slowly reached his heart.

"How long have you known?!" Emily was now crying in frustration.

At last David seized a closer look, and in holding back her hands he caught a glimpse of the tattoo on her wrist. It stood out and called to his senses like a shockwave, sending him flashing back to the carving on the porch post, to a memory of a carving a wooden box in his cell, and finally back beyond where the sea of memories once stopped. He was digging into a patch of wet sand that Amanda dumped on the porch as a little girl and saying how much he loved her. Infinity times infinity, he could hear his own voice now.

All at once he shuddered, as the one phrase unlocked thousands of others, pieces that he could always feel but in more recent times could never see. He had blocked them out, willed himself to forget to spare the pain and now they were all coming back, riddling him with remembrance.

"Amanda?" he realized, suddenly seeing his little girl in Emily Grayson's eyes. They were reddened, flush with resentment and broken with despair but they were her eyes – his daughter. "Why? Why would you lie," he stepped close, instantly recognizing her deceit. "Why would you hide from me in plain sight—" he begged.

"Because I did everything for you!" she wailed, gaining strength to stand her ground. "I avenged your enemies, one by one, even though you asked me to forgive! Because the one person I couldn't forgive – was myself."

Again David was consumed by memories, in particular the journals he now recalled writing to her. She was quoting them directly, reminding him of his final admonition that she do what he could not. And it seemed she was admitting to it, but also fearful of not living up to his request. The entire outburst filled him with remorse and at last he saw his daughter for who she had become: a product of a tortured life spent only in his behalf, desperately wishing she could have him back but ultimately still abandoned in the process.

"Amanda," was all he could say aloud, intent on reassuring her. Her father was here and thankfully, his daughter had survived. "Amanda, I'm so sorry," he repeated with grown intensity, cupping her face tenderly and pulled her into a warm embrace. "I'm here now… I'm here," he shouldered her head to his heart. "Thank God you're alive!"

At last Emily surrendered to her emotions and all the pain and resentment dissolved as if it had never existed. "Dad!" she gasped inaudibly, squeezing her arms around her father. She held him tight like a little girl all over again, except now she was simply relieved that the elemental moment was actually real. The truth was finally out and as the age old saying promised, it had set her free.

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: Whew! That was one of the hardest scenes I've ever had to write, as it was so important to convey the power of their reunion. But I knew it was a moment we had all been waiting for and I wanted to do it the justice it deserved (that was painfully interrupted on the show!) Here you can imagine it given the proper time needed to truly sink in, while perhaps hearing the show's theme in the background (if you haven't heard already, I suggest listening to Loneliness by IZLER, from the Revenge soundtrack!) So with that we head into the final quarter and I can confidently say there are 3 full chapters left, with maybe 1 epilogue to follow. I promised this would be an abbreviated season and I don't want to exceed that, sorry! That being said, I did include a few nods in here for fun! A little progress with Demily, Aiden's return, and if you are a DC fan, you may have noted a nod to that universe. (Since Emily is often said to have resemblance to Batman, I wanted to pull in a character from the DC verse for a future storyline. So let me know if you caught that :) In the meantime, I do hope you enjoyed! Please hit me with your REVIEW, and I love you all for still reading and sharing such kind responses in your time! Can't believe this story has hit over 100K views and almost 400 reviews, it's been an awesome couple of years writing and it's still not over! But I'm just SO SO grateful to you all for the support. Thank you so much! ~Love and Reven8e~ MothToANewFlame