Kevin Buchanan rubbed his hands through his hair, pacing besides his desk at Buchanan Enterprises. He grabbed his coffee off his desk, but his hand was shaking. He put it down. He hadn't slept in days, he was tired as hell, but somehow he was more wired than he had ever been before. He was sure that if anyone met him for the first time right now, they would think he was a drug addict or something.

But he couldn't help it. He missed his son. He missed both his sons. He visited Kevin Jr's grave every day. Kelly had shown it to him one day, and he'd been going ever since then. He always noticed flowers there- he supposed Kelly went too.

But he had never brought anyone else with him. That would make it real.

He hated her. He absolutely hated her for what she did to him. And yet, here he was, pacing by his desk, thinking about her. He couldn't help it.

He had just run into his Uncle Bo. Bo had spent some time in Pine Valley, and couldn't be sure, but was almost positive charges weren't going to be brought against Kelly. Charges definitely wouldn't be brought against him.

He didn't know whether to marvel bitterly about how Kelly got out of doing something so reprehensible scott free yet again, or be relieved. He knew she would never be able to handle jail- she was too fragile for that.

But still. Didn't she deserve something for what she did to him, to Babe Carey, to JR Chandler, to Bianca Montgomery? Okay, she wasn't the one who stole Miranda Montgomery, but she set the whole thing in motion, that was for sure.

Shouldn't there be some consequences?

-----------------------------

Duke Buchanan entered the living room of his Great-Grandfather's mansion, desperately wanting a shower. He had just spent the morning at the stables, riding his horse, Buttercup (he hadn't named her). It had been a nice time, but now all he could think of was soap, hot water, and a good nap.

"Hey there Duke," came a gruff voice. "How's the mare?"

"She's okay Grandpa," he told Asa. "Still rides perfectly."

"That's good," Asa said. "You seen your dad around?"

"I think he's at the office," Duke told him.

"Good," Asa replied. "At least someone around here knows how to take care of their family."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Duke asked.

"It means your Pa was duped by that she-devil Cramer woman," Asa told him snidely. "And you're too busy trying to bed her cousin and kissing her ass to see what a terror that family is."

"First of all Grandpa," Duke told him, seething, "Do not insult Adriana again. Secondly, Kelly was just as much a victim as Dad was."

"Oh bull," Asa roared. "I know a con when I see one Duke Buchanan. And that woman is a-"

"Yeah Grandpa," Duke interrupted, "you are a master manipulator, I'll give you that. But it doesn't mean Kelly is."

"For Christ's sake, Duke, she lied about who the baby's pa was, she lied about who the baby's mother was!" Asa yelled. "And you don't have any sympathy for your pa?"

"Of course I feel bad, but I don't see why dad has to treat her so badly," Duke whined.

"That's it," Asa roared. "Pack your bags. Maybe that coven of she-devils will take you in, I don't care. Or try your Grandma, it doesn't matter. All I know is, I want you out."

"You're kicking me out?" Duke asked, in disbelief.

"Absolutely," Asa replied. "Until you learn the meaning of the word Buchanan, you're not wanted here."

---------------------

Viki placed the tea set on the coffee table, right between the sandwich platter and the dessert tray. She then sat down on the couch, facing her girls.

"Mom this looks delicious," Jess cooed. "You didn't have to do all this."

"Yeah, tuna fish and lemonade would have been fine," Natalie added.

"Girls, it wasn't a trouble at all," she told them. "Besides it's been so long since we had a girl's day. I feel like I haven't seen you at all."

"Yeah, well I'd be happy to have them whenever you want," Natalie told her, grabbing a sandwich.

"So tell me, what's going on in your lives?" Viki asked.

"Um, well I finished my piece for the Banner yesterday," Jess told her. "And Mark said it was good, and that they could use it in the next edition."

"That's fabulous," Viki told her daughter. "Jessie, I'm so proud of you."

"Me too," Natalie said, smiling at her sister.

"How about you honey? How's work?"

"it's same as ever," Natalie said, dryly. "But its not forever."

"Have you thought about what you do want to do?" Viki asked.

"Yeah, actually," Nat said. "I've been thinking about going back to school actually. I was talking with Kevin, and he told me there was always a place for me at BE, and I mean, I don't know if I necessarily want to go into business, but there's so many subsidiaries, that I'd be able to find something that suits me, right?"

"Oh honey, I'm so glad you've decided to go back," Viki told her. "Especially with Cristian having such an unstable job as far as income goes, it's very important for you guys to be settled. I mean, obviously the family would always help you, but I think its important for a young couple to stand on their own."

Nat looked down. "Yeah, Cristian."

"What's wrong, darling?" Viki asked.

"We got in this huge fight," Nat told them. "We've been getting into a lot of them. Ever since he came back, I just, it's like I don't know him."

"Well, honey, he went through a huge trauma," Viki told her. "Of course he's different."

"I don't know," Nat said. "Did he tell you anything, Jess?"

Jess jerked her head up. "What?"

"Cris said he talked to you," Natalie told her. "Did anything seem off?"

Jess thought back to her conversation with Antonio. She needed more time, more proof. "No, not really."

"Oh," Nat sighed, pouting. She had been hoping for something to give her hope.

"Natalie, honey, just give it time," her mother advised her. "If in awhile, you really can't see your marriage working, then you have to do what's best for you. But for now, don't give up on love."

"I won't mom," Nat told her, smiling. "I promise."

"And what about you, Jessie?" Viki asked. "Anything we should know about?"

Jess snorted derisively. "God, no."

"No Antonio?" Viki asked. "I saw how he looked at you at dinner the other day."

"Antonio and I are over," Jess declared.

"You mean it?" Nat asked. Jess nodded. "Thank God!"

"Natalie!" Viki cried.

"I'm sorry mom," she started. "But he didn't treat Jess the way she deserved to be treated. He didn't respect her career, and he didn't respect her abilities to make her own decisions, and he treated her like some sort of prize to be won, like a trophy. That's not love. He has a horrible temper and gets angry all the time, and I'm just glad Jess is gonna find herself one of the nice guys now."

"Thanks Nat," Jess said, giving her sister a grateful smile. It had taken her a long time to see her relationship with Antonio was emotionally abusive, but after the Tico and Sonia mess, she knew she could never be with him. She'd never want to.

"Well all I want is for my girls to be happy," Viki told them. "And my boys too of course."

"Yeah," Jess agreed with her. "Though I suppose it'll be a long time before Kevin's happy again."

"He will be," Viki declared. "It'll take time, but with sisters like you two, I know he'll be just fine." Nat and Jess each reached for their mother's hands, and the three sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each other's company, and content with knowing they were part of a family who actually cared.