Emily was surprised that they remembered. She wasn't all that thrilled that they remembered considering all the work she had to do. Her boss had a deadline and she intended to meet it. And beat Lucky Spencer at the same time. There was no way out or around the family birthday dinner. There was no way around Edward exploding or Monica and Allen having some fit once they realized what was going on. Or thought they did, anyway. Even though they had no clue what was going on. Emily sat silently on the couch as Edward went on and on about hooligans, rapscallions, and criminals. Why he made each one of those terms plural was a mystery to Emily since he was talking about Jason each time. One simple sentence set it off.

"I have to ride with my driver and guards."

They wanted to take her to the Grille for dinner. She suggested something quiet and cozy at the house. Lila and Reginald saw through that and were about to intervene in their own way but could not immediately find one that would not draw undue attention to Emily's social outings over the past couple of weeks. Reginald knew it wouldn't be long until Emily moved out. She was already practically living at the penthouse and that pack back didn't fool him after he noticed that she didn't have any laundry. She was careful not to change or disturb the obvious surrounding in her room but all the little things that were Emily were gone. He figured that was Lucky Spencer's influence in teaching her how to go on the lamb. He didn't say anything to Lila, though. That would have to come from Emily in her own time. After this fiasco, Reginald figured the time was almost here.

Deciding to turn the temperature down a bit, Monica went for a neutral question.

"What do you mean driver and guards?"

The tone always indicates how neutral a question is. Monica needed lessons because when one has to grit it through clenched teeth, its not coming up neutral.

"Just what I said. Didn't anyone notice the additional limousine in the drive way?"

That put them on the defensive. Edward didn't stay there for long.

"Its trespassing. I'll have it towed. That young hooligan will not turn this property into some gangster garage!"

"Edward..."

"Now, now Lila. Don't upset yourself. I know you have a fondness for scoundrels but you shouldn't be taken in by this one. And his influence over Emily must be stopped."

"Yes, Edward you are correct. My fondness for a particular scoundrel has endured over 50 years. Perhaps you should not do anything to change that."

"Hmph!"

He was still ticked but he wasn't about to get into trouble with Lila so he clammed up and busied himself coming up with some sort of plan while throwing dagger looks across the room. At everyone but Lila, that is.

Allen wasn't sure what was going on or why Jason did that.

"Em, what's going on?"

They were ruining her birthday and she no longer had an appetite but knew she couldn't say much more.

"Consider it a birthday present from my loving brother."

That set the room a flame. Monica defending Jason, to an extent, while Edward started up with calling the police. Allen going at Edward for doing something that might push Jason further away from them. Jason's relationship with his sister and grandmother was solid. He and Monica still hoped to find a way in through either of them. Edward attacking Jason in both their presence wasn't helping their situation.

Ned didn't say anything but looked around the room then back at Emily. He knew these family scenes were harder on her than everyone else. She never was one to join in and she tried to slip away as often as possible before they got really bad.

"Em?"

"Hey Ned."

He gave her a hug.

"Happy Birthday. The big 18, you're an adult now."

Emily's is wise to a lot of things. She did grow up in the Quartermaine mansion. Ned had an agenda and something to say. She waited for him to reveal both. In an innocent 18 year old kind of way.

Ned wasn't buying it. She was a Quartermaine after all. Still, whatever survival skills she developed to make it this far among the group was fine with him. He reached into his jacket pocket, handing her an envelop. She accepted but made no move to open it while keeping her eyes on him.

"What is it?"

Impressed, but he hid his smile. It was a very old negotiation technique and with a little practice she would be very good at it.

"Your birthday present. Your ELQ stock certificates and limited access to your trust fund. You don't get complete access until you're 21. That's the best I could do in making some changes. There's also a couple of shares from some ELQ holdings and—one or two competitors."

He said nothing else and simply waited for her response. She was amazed.

"Why? Grandfather wouldn't do this. He wouldn't approve. Nor would mom or dad."

"I'm a Quartermaine just like you. That's reason enough. But you need a little freedom. Options. Jason is the only one who got out. The way that happened and the reason still hurts but he's free of this place. Even Justice managed to get away from grandfather's clutches. The fact that the two of them are together really drive grandfather nuts. I am a gate keeper. Perhaps that's just a fancy word for enabler because I'm the one putting out fires and cleaning up the messes the family keeps getting into but if I don't, no one else will.

I don't want you anywhere near my role. It's a headache and another full time job in addition to running ELQ. But, its my job so I do it. Find your place Em. Don't feel restricted or trapped by the family. It will make you do things you'll wish you hadn't. Make you turn into someone you wish you weren't. Tracy and AJ are perfect examples of that."

Her heart beat a little faster at those last words but her expression and demeanor gave nothing away. Opting for ignorance this time.

"What do you mean? What's AJ done?"

"Who knows what Junior's done in the last year but it couldn't have been anything good. He was angry, jealous and insecure. Tracy, greedy, reckless and selfish. All of those are bad traits alone combined they are lethal. Neither made their own way. They tried to take or complained about not having something given to them the easy way. That's all I'm saying."

"Ok, I get it."

And she did. She was also overwhelmed by everything he said and everything he is. She reached up and embraced him without another word. The two of them did not notice the room still as the others looked on. They sensed something very intense and very important taking place between those two and wanted to know what was happening. When they separated both had tears in their eyes.

"Ned, I love you. Don't ever forget that."

"I love you too Em. And if you ever want or need anything, tell me—ask me and I'll do everything in my power to help."

"Same here."

He looked at her for a minute and was surprised to see that not only did she mean it, she felt she could do it.

None of the others were sure what was going on or what they missed but they wanted details in case it was ammunition or shelter for the next round. Ned shut that off completely.

"Reginald?"

"Yes."

"Since I can't go in there and expect to come out alive, would you ask cook to prepare dinner for three for Emily's 18th birthday. Grandmother will join us in the formal dining room. Anything cook wishes to serve will be more than appreciated."

Reginald nodded his understanding and approval then left. Ned wasn't finished yet.

"Grandmother?"

"Yes, dear."

"Emily and I would enjoy a tour of the rose garden if you're up to it."

Lila isn't the Grand Dame Quartermaine of all time for nothing.

"Of course. I would be honored."

Edward opened his mouth to protest both of their high handed behavior but Lila shut that down.

"Edward, be quiet. You wanted to eat at the Grille and you still have reservations. Reduce them to three. Monica, Allen you should hurry so that you all aren't late."

With that, Lila started up her wheelchair and headed out the patio door with Ned and Emily in tow. The other three stared at each other in confusion not understanding what just happened or why they were dismissed. 'Cause its pretty obvious when Lila Quartermaine dismisses you.

Lila understood. She sensed it was coming. The scene in the Morning Room assured her it would come that night. She gave her blessing and instructions. Ned wasn't so sure but kept quiet. His reservations stemmed from the fallout he was certain was sure to come. Ned said he would help so that was that.

Marco didn't say anything later that evening when Ned and Emily walked out the front door of the mansion with Reginald in tow. This would be interesting.