Sometime later, a hand in her hair brought her back into world from a deep sleep. She turned over to see Fox sitting next to her, and David standing in the doorway. Her sister-in-law smiled. "Hi, how are you feeling, honey?"

"Tired." She couldn't deny it, after getting zero sleep the night before, she joined Elisa for a quick breakfast before turning in as Elisa left for work. "What time is it?"

David moved in from the door, standing at the foot the bed with his arms crossed. "Nearly five, we thought you'd want to be awake before the clan since you'd dropped everything to get here."

She sat up and met his perturbed gaze. "Who's been calling?"

The smirk that spread across his face told her she'd hit the nail on the head. "Everyone from your direct supervisor to the company's CEO. Apparently, you left without filling the proper notice last night and left your lackies hanging with more than a few meetings today."

Fox laughed. "They're afraid your brother is trying to steal you back. They've even mentioned renegotiating your contract again if that's the case."

Danielle couldn't help but smile, the way the board bent to her every whim was hysterical at best. "Good Lord, I told them two days!"

They laughed together, and Fox moved enough to allow her to slip from the bed. She moved over to the dresser and began brushing out her long hair.

David appeared in the mirror behind her and extended his hand. "May I?"

She met his gaze in their reflection and handed the brush back to him. "You haven't brushed my hair since we were children."

He nodded. "Old habits I'm afraid. Are you complaining?"

She shook her head and watched as Fox stood. "The clan will be up soon…" Her eyes locked with David's reflection. "Shall we still order pizza?"

Danielle watched her brother smile. "Why not. With Danielle home we have reason to celebrate, it may actually lighten the mood a bit."

When Fox had gone, she turned her attention back to him. "What do you know?"

A smirk formed, and David met her reflected gaze. "Shouldn't the question be, what don't I know?"

She sighed. 'He'll never change.' "Fine, you insufferable smartass. What don't you know?"

He laughed. "Only one thing. How long will the two of you let this continue?"

"Let what continue?"

"Danielle."

"Fine!" Crossing her arms, she stared at the dresser in front of her. She hated it when he used that 'know it all' tone, she sighed again. "I don't know. I had been in pieces, he still is, there may just be too much to heal. We may have to settle for friends and be done."

He set the brush down and began pulling her hair back in a loose braid. "Will either of you be satisfied like that?"

She sat in silence for a moment before meeting his reflected gaze. "I don't know."

"Then it won't solve anything. You will continue to bury yourself in work to escape the loneliness and one-night Brooklyn will leave so drunken that no one will be able to protect him from himself."

Danielle shook her head. It was sometimes still hard to believe that this was her brother, especially, after he'd set his own sights on the clan. "Just what do you propose I do?"

"Sleep with him."

"David!" She could hardly believe the words had left his mouth and turned to actually stare at him. "You can't be serious?"

He shrugged. "It will happen, in time, if the two of you manage to work it out. I'm just suggesting you skip the messy parts."

"I hardly think sloppy, drunken sex is going to solve anything."

She stood, slipping past him and made her way to the door until his question made her pause. "Do you still love him?"

Danielle smiled sadly and faced him. "Would I be here if anyone in a year even crossed my mind?"

Her brother smiled and came to stand next to her, his right hand on her shoulder. "Then you should tell him. Maybe not that you still love him right away, but that he still holds a special place in your heart. Maybe then, you both can start to rebuild your friendship and see where things go from there."

Nodding, she stood on tiptoes and kissed his check before heading towards the living room. Smiling, she realized her heart felt a little lighter than it had in a year.