When Fenton arrived home later that night he found Frank sitting on the sofa with his head lying back and his eyes closed. Laura got up from the easy chair and rushed to Fenton's side. "Has something else happened?" Fenton asked after giving Laura a quick kiss. He could sense the tension radiating from his son.

"Callie and Camille were kidnapped," Frank answered, opening his bloodshot eyes and looking at his father. "And Sorrel insists on helping."

"How about you?" Laura asked as she and Fenton sat down. "Please say you have some good news?"

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"Wake up, Joe," Dr. Curan said, shaking Joe's shoulder. "Lunch will be ready soon."

"Lu...lunch?" Joe stuttered, opening his eyes slowly. His tongue felt a bit thick. "We...we just had breakfast."

"That was yesterday," Curan told him. "You've been asleep for almost twenty-four hours."

"You...you drugged me a...again," Joe protested.

"Matt insisted that your medication be increased," Curan informed Joe. "The side effects, drowsiness, metal mouth, etc., will wear off as you grow more accustomed."

"I don't want...want to grow a...a...accos... used to it," argued Joe, sitting up.

"You won't be on it too long," Curan assured him. "I think six months at the most. Of course," he added, smiling. "Matt is brilliant. You may be off of it within a month."

Joe felt like he should b e angry and terrified at the doctor's words but for some reason he just didn't have the emotional energy to expend. He got out of bed and went to shower and get ready for the day.

"Hello, Joe," Matt greeted him half an hour later when Joe entered the kitchen and sat down at the table. Joe gave him a nod to acknowledge the greeting but kept his mouth shut. He had brushed his teeth and rinsed with mouthwash but his tongue still felt too big for his mouth and the taste of copper would not disappear.

Joe tried to eat the plate of food set before him but the metal aftertaste of the medicine left him with no appetite. After the table had been cleared, matt smiled at Joe. "It's time to begin your training," he said.

"What training?" Joe asked, not realizing it was getting easier to speak.

"To be an Assassin."

"I'm not going to be an Assassin," Joe refused, glaring at Matt. "Why do you want me to be one anyway? Lauren is in prison."

"Not for long," Matt told him. "We can't let our mother rot behind bars, can we?"

"Our mother?" gasped Joe.

"That's right," Matt acknowledged with a nod. "I'm your big brother by about five years."

"If that's true, then why did Lauren want me to become the leader of the Assassins?" demanded Joe suspiciously.

"Because I had already told her I preferred working in the field," Matt explained. "I don't mind being in charge, I would just rather not."

"I won't lead the Assassins," Joe stated firmly.

"No," agreed Matt. "I have already accepted the crown, so to speak. But as a member of this family you will take your place in the organization."

"I'm not a killer," Joe declared. Again, he felt like he should be screaming but instead he just sat calmly discussing the matter.

"Not yet," Matt agreed, standing up. "Come, Little Brother," he said. "We have two guests I would like for you to meet."

Matt led Joe to a door just past his own room's door and rapped on it. The door was opened by a fully armed Assassin. Matt went inside with Joe following.

"Callie! Camille!" Joe gasped in surprised horror, seeing the two girls bound in two chairs near the wall. "Why are they here?" he demanded, turning on Matt. "They have nothing to do with this."

"Ah, but they do," Matt disagreed. "You see, brother dear, you will begin your training immediately and you will do your best. If at any time I think you are not trying then one of these lovely ladies will die. Mess up a second time and the other will die."