K: (Karen stood and starred at her husband of 14 years like he was a stranger.) What? Lucas? Fire? (She could only get out one word thoughts. So many things were running through her head. She watched as her husband took out a notebook from his top desk drawer, open it and then dial the phone.)

D: Phillip, tell me what you know. (He listened carefully at the same time that he was watching his wife stare at him. He had always planned on telling her that he knew the state and town that Lucas was living in. Hell, he knew the exact address that their first born had lived since the day they gave him up for adoption. But every year on Luke's birthday he could see how much having to give her baby to another family still hurt her. He knew that if Karen knew where he lived, but could never contact him, it would be too much and it would possibly put her over the edge. Dan had never expected the truth to come out this way.) OK. I understand. Thanks. (He hung up and went to his wife who looked like she very well might pass out.) Karen...

Ka: (Crying.) Is Lucas dead?

D: I don't know sweetie. The only info I have right now is that the house that he lived in was completely destroyed this morning in a fire. They have recovered 2 bodies and they are still looking. (Dan grabbed her as her knees buckled.)

Ka: (As quiet as a whisper.) Oh my God Dan, my baby. Our baby.

D: Shh. Karen we don't know anything for sure.

Ka: I can't lose him again Dan. I can't. Please find our son.

D: I will.

Ka: (Almost as if nothing happened, Karen dried her eyes and turned to the kitchen.) I have to clean up the dishes. You better go talk to Nathan.

(Karen was walking into the kitchen as Kaylee was walking out w/ a plate of food in her hand.)

Karen: Kaylee, your dad sent him to his room.

Kaylee: I know, but he still has to eat. Can I take it to him?

Karen: (Smiling.) Yes, go.

Kaylee: (Noticing that her mom had been crying.) You OK?

Karen: Yeah , I'm fine. Go take Nathan his lunch. (Kaylee leaves. Karen turns to Chris.) I will never figure your brother and sister out. They fight ALL the time, but as soon as there is a problem, they become inseperable. What is up w/ that?

Chris: No clue. How do you think I feel, we are twins and I seem to be the odd man out.

Karen: (Laughing and then getting serious.) How do you feel about Kaylee's boyfriend?

Chris: (Shrugging.) I don't really know him. He's a year old then us.

Karen: So you don't have any idea why Nathan would be acting like this?

Chris: Besides the fact that he is psycho?

Karen: Christopher! You're just mad because he didn't cover for you. Speaking of which, get your books and get to your homework.

Chris: Do I really have to sit here all day?

Karen: Chris, you didn't do your homework AGAIN.

Chris: But it's Sunday, even Dad said that it is suppose to be a day of rest.

Karen: Try that one on your dad when he talks to you about trying to forge my name.

Chris: (Whining) You told him?

Karen: He is your father, of course I told him.

Chris: Was he mad?

Karen: What do you think?

Chris: I am SOOO grounded.

Karen: (Ruffling his hair on the way to start clearing the table.) It wasn't one of your smartest moves sweetie. Go get your books. (Chris got up and headed for his room.)

(Kaylee knocked on Nathan's door.)

N: Yeah?

Kaylee: Can I come in?

N: NO!

Kaylee: I have a peace offering. Food.

N: Just set it down on the floor and go away.

K: Come on Nathan, please can I come in? (There was no answer from her older brother and she went to knock again but the door opened first.)

N: (Nathan took the plate and started to close the door but Kaylee stuck her foot in.) Don't you have something better to do?

K: Just let me in. (He opened the door all the way and then took the food and went and sat down at his desk.) I'm sorry you are in trouble.

N: It's your fault.

K: How is this my fault?

N: If you would just listen to me about Braiden and get rid of him.

K: What is it w/ you and my boyfriend?

N: You are 14!

K: SO! When did you start dating?

N: That is NOT important. It's different w/ girls.

K: You know this b/c of the way you treat your girlfriends?

N: Why do you do that? What kind of guy do you think I am Kaylee?

K: People talk Nathan. I hear what they say.

N: Don't believe everything you hear.

K: Are you a virgin?

N: (Practically choking on the bite of food he had in his mouth.) That is none of your business.

K: Oh, but you get to be involved in every aspect of my love life?

N: There better not be any LOVE in your life little sister or Chris will no longer have a twin.

K: OOOOH! I am really scared Nate.

N: Have you had sex?

K: I am not answering that, you wouldn't answer it for me. Why do you hate Braiden so much?

N: Answer my question first.

K: No. I asked you first.

N: Fine. No I am not a virgin.

K: (Her eyes getting big.) How many times have you had sex and w/ who.

N: Forget it Kaylee. That's all you get. Now it's your turn.

K: NO.

N: Oh my God I am going to kill him. (Nathan starts to get up.)

K: No, no Nathan, I mean I have never had sex. Calm down.

N: You better be telling me the truth.

K: God Nathan, I have only been dating him for a month, do you think I am a slut or something?

N: What like my girlfriends?

K: I already apologized to you about that comment. I really am sorry.

N: (Smiling.) It's OK, some of my girlfriends might be a little questionable anyway.

K: Seriously Nathan, why don't you like Braiden?

N: I know his last girlfriend really well...

K: (Looking at him w/ 1/2 a smile.) Do I want to know how well?

N: Knock it off, we are just friends. ANYWAY! I am so going to regeret telling you anything. He cheated on her.

K: He would not do that to me.

N: (Looking at her and deciding to give up. He could see she really liked this kid and there was nothing that he was going to be able to say to change that. He would just have to be there for her when she got her heart broken, which he knew was going to happen eventually. He walked over to her and gave her a hug.) Just be careful.

K: I will.

Dan: Am I interrupting?

K: (Pulling back from the hug and seeing her dad standing in the door.) Hey daddy, I was just...

D: ...sneaking food up to your brother?

K: Mom said it was OK.

D: I should have known. (Handing her the phone.) Call Braiden and then give the phone to Nathan. (He looked at his son.) You are going to apologize or you are going to be grounded and that means no concert this weekend.

K: Dad, it's OK. I'm sure Braiden does not care. (She didn't want Nathan to get into anymore trouble. She liked Braiden, but she loved Nathan.)

D: I do. I asked your brother to do something earlier and I expected him to listen. Dial the number.

K: (She looked at her older brother helplessly and then got on the phone and waited for her boyfriend to pick up.) Hey, umm, my brother wants to talk to you....it's OK, it's not bad I promise...hold on... (She hands the phone to Nathan.)

N: (He sighs and takes the phone.) Hey, I'm sorry I hung up on you before...but if you hurt my sister I will kick your ass...

K: (Taking the phone.) NATHAN!

N: (Looking at his dad.) That's the best you are going to get.

D: Kaylee, take the phone and go finish your call in your room. I need to talk to your brother.

(He waited for Kaylee to leave the room and he shut the door behind her.)

N: You asked me to apologize and I did. You can't ground me.

D: I can ground you if I want to. One of the perks of being your father.

N: But you won't b/c you like that I am looking out for Kaylee.

D: (Smiling.) Cocky aren't you?

N: I like to think of it as confident.

D: Humm. How confident are you that I won't ground you for coming home drunk and 3 hours late last night?

N: Not so much. What makes you think I was drunk?

D: Were you?

N: What gave me away?

D: Your mom heard you tripping up the steps on the way to your room.

N: Think I can have the room in the basement? It would really make sneaking in a little easier if I didn't have to walk by your room on the way to mine.

D: Nathan, your mom does not find any of this the least bit funny. She worries until you guys all get in and I'm sure she laid there awake until you got home.

N: I know, I didn't mean to get home THAT late, I just lost track of time.

D: You mean you passed out.

N: Maybe...

D: Nathan, I drank when I was your age and I know it goes on, but I am not OK w/ you drinking to the point of passing out. It's dangerous. You are too young.

N: Sorry.

D: And you need to be more considerate of your mother too. If you are going to be late, you get on the phone and you let her know.

N: OK. You grounding me?

D: Not this time. (Seeing the smile on his son's face.) But, you need to lay off the alcohol and you owe your mom 3 hours. You will make it up Friday or Saturday night.

N: Saturday is the concert. That means I will have to be home by 9:30 on Friday night.

D: And you say you are not good at math.

N: Funny.

D: Do I need to worry about Kaylee and this kid that she is dating?

N: Not yet. I'm taking care of it.

D: Don't push it too much Nathan, telling her to stay away from him may push her right into his arms.

N: I'll be careful.

D: Aren't you suppose to be studying w/ Chris right now?

N: (Groaning.) I guess. (He gets ups and grabs his book bag.)

D: Can you call a truce on the fighting for the rest of the day? Your mom isn't feeling well.

N: I'll do my best. Should I be worried?

D: No, just give her a break.

N: OK.

(They both walked out of the room and Dan saw Chris walking into his room and followed him.)

D: (Knocking on the door frame of his youngest son's room.) I hear you are getting practice in the art of forging.

C: Umm. I tried. Didn't work out so great for me.

D: Doesn't sound like it. What do I need to do to solve your problem w/ school?

C: Nothing dad, I just forgot to do the assignment.

D: Uh huh. I have heard that one before. You are so smart Chris and school is important...

C: I get better grades then Nathan.

D: I know you do, but Nathan is not the one that gets notes home all the time from school.

C: Hey, this is the first in a long time. And it's Mrs. Henderson, she hates me.

D: Mrs. Henderson is STILL there? Man she has to be like...

C: 75 years old. The battle axe...

D: Chris dont talk about your teacher like that. The woman deserves a medal for putting up w/ high school kids for this long.

C: Sorry, but she seriously is out to get me.

D: Did you do the work you were suppose to?

C: No, but...

D: ...but nothing. You need to be responsible. Get your bag and get studying and I want to check all your work when you are finished.

C: Is that it?

D: I am going to trust that is enough of a punishment to get you back on track. Give your mom a break today and promise to keep it down.

C: I saw that she was upset. What was that phone call about?

D: Bad news about some old friends. There was a fire at their house and they were killed.

C: Anyone I know?

D: No. Just try not to fight w/ you sister and brother.

C: Deal.

(They both head out of the room.)

(Dan was going to go turn on the TV in the living room and try to watch a ball game to take his mind off of everything until he got news back about Lucas, but as he passed his office door he heard noises. He went in to find Karen at his desk. She had the entire file out in front of her about Lucas and she was crying.)

Ka: (Yelling.) YOU HAVE KNOWN ALL THESE YEARS AND NEVER TOLD ME?

Hey everyone...thanks for all the great feedback and replies... this was a spure of the moment story that I thought up and I didn't even know if I was going to continue it but b/c of all the response I just can't help writing more...keep the feedback coming...wendy