Brooklyn's words echoed in her mind. 'Sure Danielle, whatever you say.' He had never spoken to her like that. Not once in three weeks had he ever been so cold and distant towards her. And he seldom used her full name.

Realizing that something must have happen while she was downstairs, Danielle turned and nearly collided with her brother. Meeting his sympathizing gaze told her all she had feared, Brooklyn knew about Travis. Confused and angry, she poked his chest. "What the hell did you tell him?"

Sighing, David took the hand against his chest and led them to the couch in the main living room. Once comfortable, she met his gaze again. "I'm sorry Danielle, I felt it prudent that the clan know of Travis' visit. Since you were still entertaining him, the duty fell to me to inform them of our uninvited guest."

She folded her arms. "I have forty-eight hours David! I don't know what I'm going to do yet."

He nodded. "I understand, but I also know that it's something you've worked hard to even be considered for. You shouldn't take your decision lightly."

Suddenly the situation felt far to real, and the folder she'd still held against her side was heavy. She laid it on the cushion beside her. Accepting this offer met moving back to North Carolina, traveling all around the country, and minimal trips "home". Possibly only at holidays if she were lucky.

Losing her connection to the clan would a painful, Goliath and Elisa were wonderful and had taken her in as if she'd always been a member of their family. He and David were the only ones in the castle besides Owen to use her full name on the regular. Broadway, Lex, and Angelia were amazing and always made her laugh. Hudson had taken to calling her 'his wee lil lass' and Bronx had spent more than a few evenings at her feet while she awaited the clans returns from patrol.

Her eyes suddenly watered and she turned, looking out upon their stone sleeping friends. Brooklyn would be the hardest to get over missing, she knew that without a doubt. He was her best friend, her shoulder to lean on when the day had been too long. And right now, he was hurt because of her. "Brooklyn will never forgive me."

David sighed, he hated seeing her so upset. "There's something else you should know. Goliath, Hudson, and Brooklyn witnessed the exchange between you."

Danielle turned her full attention to him, eyes wide and full of tears. Brooklyn's cold demeanor suddenly made perfect sense. "The kiss."

Her brother nodded. "I was surprised he felt comfortable enough to try, but more so that you returned it."

She sighed, wiping way her tears. "We'd been together ten years David and for what it was worth, he apologized."

He leaned back, his fingers rubbing his goatee. "Did it change the way you felt?"

She scoffed. "Of course not, there's nothing left for us. I would have much rather it have been…"

David leaned back against his seat, a small smirk spreading. "I had begun to wonder if you'd ever kiss him, or he you."

The smile spreading across his face told her that he'd known of their feelings long before this conversation begun. "Oh, shut up! I've only been here three weeks and we aren't even official! What did you truly expect to walk in on?"

He laughed. "Come now, as your big brother, it's only natural that I would have known. You are, of course, living with me, the signs were a bit hard to miss."

She sighed. "Well unfortunately, 'a miss' may be the problem. Brooklyn would hardly look at me, if you could have seen the pain in his face." She glanced over her shoulder again.

"I did…" David met her gaze as she turned back, knowing he'd surprised her with her with the conviction in his voice. "…it's honestly the worse I've ever felt regarding them."

Tears dripped from her eyes. "Then what do I do? If our friendship is ruined maybe I should take the damn job."

"What job?"

They turned to see Elisa stepping into the room from the stairs leading to the tower, obviously exhausted from the long night she'd had. David smiled and stood, offering her his place on the couch beside Danielle and taking the open chair. "Good morning, Elisa."

Danielle lifted the folder from the couch. "The job is a promotion my firm is offering to try and get me to come back." Her gaze locked with Elisa's. "And unfortunately, someone opened his big mouth about my ex being the messenger, so now at least some of the clan knows and Brooklyn's angry with me."

Elisa sat forward, her attention locked on the folder. "May I?"

Nodding Danielle handed the paperwork over and watched as Elisa's expression change as she read. After a moment she sighed and handed it back. "Well, I can't deny being impressed, they clearly want you back."

Danielle nodded, realizing that her situation wouldn't have been much different with Goliath a few years ago if Elisa had been offered another post. "What would you have done before getting involved with Goliath?"

Elisa frowned. "To be honest, I'm not sure. It's an impressive offer, and the growth you'd obtain from it is undeniable. One the other hand, I can tell you even friendship from anyone of them is irreplaceable." She took Danielle's hand. "I can tell you this Danni, I don't envy the decision you have to make."

Danielle glanced at David and then returned her attention to Elisa. "But…"

She smiled, her thumb playing with the gold band on her ring finger, the one Goliath had worked with David to be able to give her. "The question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you want your relationship with Brooklyn to go any further than friends?"