Thanks for reading and responding! Warning, this chapter is kind of long.

Chapter Thirty-nine

He'd debated it long enough, Jeremy concluded as he walked into the Logan foyer. He was going to see his daughter. He knew that it was a risky move, with all that was going on, but it had been days since he'd visited Danielle. And he longed to see her, to bask in the innocence of her playful spirit, and to get a break from the tension and heartache surrounding the Logan home. Ever since things went to hell at the Assemblyman's Dinner, the Logan house had been understandably dark and stressful. On several occasions, Jeremy had wished that he'd taken advantage of the chaos that had erupted the night of the Dinner, and taken his daughter, and escaped from the isolation and hostility which had increased against him. Yet at the same time, he was glad that he was there he thought as he removed his jacket from the coat stand and put it on. For he wouldn't have wanted to bring more worries to Ned after what had happened to Sean. Sean, who still wasn't any better than the day they'd found him in the woods. Though he'd awakened, hours after he'd been brought back to the house, he'd only been awake for a moment, before falling back into unconsciousness. The family had been visibly devastated, and though Marita had held herself together, Jeremy could see in her eyes the guilt and the wish that she'd been there for that split second when Sean had come to…

"Where are you going?" Jeremy suddenly heard, impeding his thoughts, prompting him to turn towards the testy voice which he knew belonged to Alice.

"It's none of your business." He answered shortly as he continued to button his coat.

"You're going to visit your daughter aren't you?" she demanded angrily.

"And what if I am?" Jeremy responded, now making his way towards the front door. "It's still none of your business."

"You're right it isn't." The girl contented tartly. "But I thought that maybe you would show a little respect by sticking around. I mean Sean is sick. I thought you cared for us, that you wanted to be apart of this family."

"What are you talking about?" Jeremy heatedly asked, turning from the door to face Alice. "I've been by Sean's side just as much as you. I risked my life to help find him!"

"You just don't get it do you?"

"Get what?"

"The fact that you're using one of the worst times for my family to pay some secret call that none of us approve of!"

"What!" Jeremy exclaimed with fury and shock. "I'm not paying a call to some harlot in a back alley somewhere!" He retorted, stunning Alice. "I'm going to visit my daughter!"

"Exactly!" Alice countered harshly.

"You know I don't think your anger has anything to do with me leaving while Sean is sick. You're still angry about my 'lies'! You're never going to let it go are you?" Jeremy yelled. "You're going to make me pay forever!' "

"What!"

"How can you be so unforgiving?" He accused.

"Unforgiving!" Alice gasped with resentment and shock.

"Oh please don't act so innocent! Like I've misunderstood your attitude towards me. Like this is all my fault; this is my daughter for God's sake, but you refuse to see why I had to do what I did, and so you punish me every chance you get for not being perfect…"

"That's ridiculous!"

"Is it?" Jeremy asked. "Cause if it is, why is it that you keep treating me this way? Why is it that you treat Marita the same way?"

"Marita wha.."

"Yes Marita!" Jeremy interjected before Alice could respond. "She loves your brother, and would do anything for him, but you treat her like crap because she didn't tell you about her relationship with Sean!"

"My problem with Marita has nothing to do with you using my family to stake out your daughter!"

"It has everything to do with this!" Jeremy shouted. "Your treatment of Marita, a woman who you've said is your closest friend, is proof that you'll never forgive anything! That you're heartless and…"

"How dare you talk to my sister that way!" Clay interjected as he angrily walked upon the scene.

"Stay out of this Clay!"

"Don't you dare tell m…"

"What in the world is going on here?" Ned implored fiercely as he and Marita entered the house. "Marita and I could hear you yelling outside!" he continued, scolding them all.

"Jeremy was coming down on Alice and…"

"No surprise you'd lie and put this on me!"

"Lie!" Alice retorted. "Clay's not the liar here! That's you!"

"Okay that's enough!" Ned roared, giving all three kids a wrathful glance. "I don't care who started what! I want this to stop! Right now!"

"Well it would stop if Jeremy would save us all the misery of him staying here and leave!"

"Clay!"

"Well I have no problem with honoring that request!"

"Jeremy…" Ned asserted, trying to stop the boy, but it did no good; for the boy was out the door before Ned could completely utter his name.

"I can't believe you!" Lexy yelled, tears in her voice, drawing everyone's attention to where she stood on the stairs. "Any of you!" she shrieked; then turned and ran back up the stairs… Moments later they all heard a door slam.

"I'll go talk to her." Marita promptly volunteered; then headed for the stairs.

"I can't believe your outrageous behavior!" Ned reprimanded as he turned his eyes to Alice and Clay. "Your brother is upstairs fighting for his life and you're down here arguing with Jeremy…"

"Pa…"

"I don't want to hear it Clay!" Ned said lividly. "Now both of you, in the parlor! Right now!"

"But…"

"Now!" Ned ordered. "And don't move an inch until I return!" He commanded. Then angrily watched as his children obeyed him, fretting as they made their way to the parlor, before he then turned and exited the home to search for Jeremy.

"Go away!" Lexy tearfully yelled in response to the knock at her door.

"Lexy it's Marita." Marita said. Then paused, and waited for what she hoped would be an invitation to come in, but after a few moments of waiting she got no answer. "I just want to make sure you're okay." She then added.

Silence –

"Lexy?" Marita called again, but still there was no response. Marita then abandoned her plan to get Lexy to speak through the door, and did something that she wasn't too keen on, which was entering the girl's room without her granting permission.

"Lexy honey…" Marita said as she slowly came into the room and closed the door behind her. "Are you okay?" She asked, now making her way across the room, her eyes fixed on the young girl who was laying on her bed, slightly curled in a ball, her face red and wet from crying. "Lexy…"

"I'm not okay all right." The girl cried as she rubbed the tears from her eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Marita quietly asked as she sat down on the girl's bed.

"No..." Lexy said, but repealed her answer with the words that followed... "Everyone hates each other." She sobbed. " Jeremy hates Alice and Clay, they hate him, Alice hates you, pa is pulled in the middle and ends up yelling at all of them, and I…I hate it!" the girl declared with a cry.

"Honey I kn…"

"And then there's Sean…" Lexy continued; her voice cracking as she sat up on the bed, tears streaming endlessly from her eyes. "Marita what if he never wakes up? What if he never comes back to us? Pa…all of us would …" She then broke down in tears, compelling Marita to take her in her arms.

"Lexy no." Marita said fighting those same questions in her own heart, trying desperately to push away her tears, her fearful thoughts. "Sean is strong." She shakily reassured. "And he'll pull through. I mean just a couple of days ago he woke up. So we have to believe that he'll come to again." She said, now gently stroking the girl's back. They sat there quiet for a long moment, Lexy sniffling, while Marita continuously fought her grief, hoping that there was truth in her words…

"I'm sorry." Lexy stated quietly, suddenly.

"For what?" Marita asked the girl, as she pulled back from the hug and looked into the young girl's eyes.

"For saying that Sean may never wake up." Lexy uttered cautiously. "You love him, and I know that hearing that didn't make you feel good..."

"It's okay." Marita said. "You're just afraid…we all are, and I suspect that's why things are so tough with your family right now…But things will get better."

"You really think so?" Lexy questioned tentatively, a smidgen of hope flickering in her eyes.

"I know so." Marita assured. "Despite everything, your family love each other, and they love you. And it's that same unconditional love that's going to get you all through this, and that's going to help Sean." She said, now watching as her words sunk in and appeared to comfort the young girl.…

"Your love will help too." Lexy added softy, holding Marita's gaze, surprising the woman with her words, touching her heart. Marita then took the girl in her arms again, thanking her, with an emotional hug, for her kindness and acceptance, and for being a needed friend.

"This is going to stop!" Ned angrily asserted as he stormed into the parlor, slamming the door behind him, furious with his children, and the fact that Jeremy was nowhere to be found. "And it's going to stop today!" He continued.

"Well I guess that means that Jeremy's leaving, cause that's the only way…"

"Clay close it!" Ned roared. The boy instantly shut his mouth, while Alice trembled at seeing her father so furious. "Jeremy's not going anywhere!" He declared.

"But Pa he's trouble!" Clay defied, incapable of keeping his mouth closed. "He's ruining our family!"

"No!" Ned countered "You're ruining this family, both of you, with your endless need to reproach him!" The man said as he turned his eyes to a pensive Alice, who was contemplating her fight with Jeremy, now realizing that the boy had been right. "Why are you two so angry?" Ned continued. "Why are you not even trying to accept his past? He told us the truth, and He's apologized for lying…"

"Yeah after you forced the truth out of him!" Clay interjected.

"Even so, he told us what was going on." Ned replied. "What else do you want from him!"

"I want him to leave!" Clay yelled. "I can't believe that he's still here after everything he's done. That you keep choosing him over us!"

Ned was taken aback by his son's words. Then suddenly, enlightenment washed over him, making him understand why Clay had always been vehemently against Jeremy being there. "Clay I'm not choosing Jeremy over you." Ned conveyed earnestly. "I'm trying to give him a chance." He explained. "Everyone makes mistakes, and have made choices that have hurt others, that doesn't mean that we shut them out forever, especially family."

"But Jeremy isn't family!" The boy disputed.

"Clay he is! He's your adopted brother." Ned argued, causing his son to sigh with frustration. "But that doesn't mean that I love you less." The man declared. "I will always love you, and Alice, and Sean and Lexy, more than you'll ever know. Because you're my blood, my children, and you're all that I have left of your mother…"

"Pa I'm sorry!" Alice suddenly asserted, tears in her voice, expressing the regret she now felt for all she'd said to Jeremy, as well as the anger she'd sparked in her father. "This is the last thing you should be dealing with right now."

"Honey it's okay." Ned said, relieved that he was making some headway with at least one of his children. "I want to deal with this right now. I want this settled once and for all."

"Pa I don't know if this can be settled." Clay stated strongly, now more calm than before, but still fixed in his views. "I'm still not comfortable with Jeremy being here. I don't trust him!" He said.

"Clay I know that your distrust of Jeremy isn't going to disappear over night." His father declared. "All I ask is that you give him a chance." He pled. "Give Jeremy an opportunity to rebuild your trust." He proposed as he returned his gaze to Alice. "Can you do that?" He asked, but before his children could answer, there was a knock at the door.

"What is it?" Ned answered with irritation.

"Sir Dr. Breedlove is here." A voice said through the door.

Ned's stance immediately changed. His question to Alice and Clay fading from his mind, replaced with his need to save Sean. "We'll finish this later." He said; then quickly left the parlor. With his children following behind, as he went to greet the man who he hoped could do something to save his eldest son.

Marita firmly squeezed the rag, and cool water instantly poured from it, running over her hands, dripping down to the bowl below. Her mind briefly wondered to the past, just weeks ago, when Sean was in Cholena, and she'd assisted him with his morning bath. It was such a wonderfully intimate time she thought, her heart aching with longing and love. They'd had so many hopes, beliefs that they would attain their dreams no matter what. But now, two weeks after that glorious time, they were so far from the dream, no where near moving forward with the plans they'd made. Marita turned to Sean, adjusting her position on the side of his bed, and gently pressed the damp cloth to his forehead. She still couldn't believe that this was real she thought with angst and guilt, as she lightly moved the cloth about his face, over the bruises that were starting to heal. They were supposed to be planning their wedding she grieved, after announcing to the family their engagement. Yesterday had been the intended day, right before they sat down for Thanksgiving Dinner. But the attack on Sean had changed everything; leaving her and his family to disregard the holiday, choosing instead to spend the whole day alternating at Sean's bedside, praying that he would awaken like he had the night before. Anguish rushed through Marita, causing her to close her eyes and to cease in dabbing Sean's face, wishing that she'd been there when he'd briefly awakened. He had to come back again she cried, silently within her thoughts, struggling to form the words aloud. She then drew a deep breath and opened her eyes, then removed the cloth from Sean's face, replacing it with her hand…

"Sean…" She uttered quietly, pain ripping through her as she struggled to tell him what was in her heart. "Sean I…"

"He's in here doctor." Ned said as he and the doctor walked into the room, interrupting Marita's attempt at baring her soul. "Marita!" He asserted with surprise when he saw the young woman sitting with Sean, prompting her to turn her eyes to him.

"Mr. Logan!" She said. Her voice weak with tears as she immediately stood from Sean's bed.

"I'm sorry to intrude..."

"No, you're fine..." Marita stated with forced strength, now wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Are you okay?" Ned asked, not caring that the doctor was witnessing what he would no doubt deem as an odd scene.

"I'm fine." Marita assured.

Ned didn't utter a response, but faintly nodded at her answer, knowing that the truth was that she wasn't okay, but like all of them, was trying to be strong. "This is Dr. Breedlove." He then said, slightly turning to the man at his side. "Dr. Breedlove this is Marita Peters…" Marita kindly greeted the doctor, who seemed reluctant to give her the same courtesy. Then she promptly exited the room; leaving the doctor and Ned to discuss Sean's case, while she waited outside, having a seat next to Clay on the bench in hall, praying that this Specialist from Louisville could do something to help bring back Sean.

Jeremy entered the Logan home, quietly shutting the door behind him, thinking how this was it for him. It in that his time at the Logan Ranch had finally come to an end, considering all that had happened today. After his blow out with Alice and Clay, he'd taken a horse and left the ranch. He had planned to go see Danielle, but couldn't. For he was too upset, and he didn't want her or Lucy to see him that way. So, he'd decided to clear his head, by riding, for hours and hours. He was sure that he'd nearly reached Carlisle before he'd finally turned around and headed back to Lexington. Now it was well past dusk, close to midnight, and he hadn't been back since earlier in the day. He was certain that this would be the last straw for Ned, that this time, the man would have no choice but to send him away…

"Where have you been?" A voice asked with anger and stress, startling Jeremy from his thoughts. "I've been worried sick!" Jeremy turned from the coat rack, where he'd been hanging his jacket, to face Ned Logan, who was standing in the foyer.

"I'm sorry." The boy stated with sincerity. "I know that you have enough to worry about without me running off som…"

"You're dam right I do." Ned angrily concurred. "I mean what were you thin…."

"That's why I think it's best that I leave." Jeremy interjected before Ned could continue. "Me being here is destroying this family, so I'll go... I'll be out by week's end."

For a moment Ned was speechless; not because of what Jeremy had said, for he'd suspected that the boy would eventually announce that he planned to go, but because Jeremy was saying it now – today...

"No." Ned uttered when he found his voice. His stance now changed from the anger he'd displayed before. "I can't let you do that." He said.

"You can't stop me." The boy stated as he moved to leave the foyer and head for the stairs.

"You're right I can't." Ned replied. "But I'm going to do my damdest to try."

"Why?" Jeremy asked with perplexity, and a hint of frustration, as he turned back to face the man.

"Because you're family."

"Ned I'm not family." Jeremy argued. "I'm just some kid that you tried to help. And I appreciate that, but I'm not your blood. I'm not worth the effort that you're putting into me."

"Son don't say that." Ned entreated. "You're a good kid."

"You don't know that." Jeremy replied, now thinking how he planned to "betray" the Logans again. How he'd lied when he said that he'd given up his plan to take his daughter.

"I do know that." Ned stated with certainty. "Just because you were planning to take your daughter, and lied to us about your past doesn't make you a bad person."

"Alice and Clay would think differently…"

"Alice and Clay are angry, and hurt." Ned contended. "But they'll eventually get past this. It's just going to take time for their feelings to be resolved." He said, recalling the conversation he'd had with his children earlier.

"And how much time is that going to be? I don't know think I can take much more arguing…"

"Son I understand." Ned empathized. "But running is not the answer."

"If it isn't the answer then what is?" The boy asked. "For me to stay, and continue to take all this anger and hostility from Alice and Clay? They don't want me here."

"But I do." Ned stated. "And so does Lexy…and Sean. And I suspect that Alice wants you to stay too, but she's just too angry to admit it."

"I don't know…"

"I do." Ned said. "In spite of everything, you're wanted here."

Jeremy stood silent, taking in everything Ned had said. He was touched that the man saw him as family, and when he was truly honest with himself, he wanted to stay at the Logans, just as much as he wanted to run off with his daughter. But he couldn't do both; he couldn't remain with the Logans, and visit Danielle forever, and he couldn't take his daughter and continue to keep his residence on the ranch. Something was going to have to give, and soon, and when it did he hated to think of the emotional consequences he'd face…

"Jeremy, I know that I can't stop you if you're insistent on going." Ned declared, drawing the boy from his thoughts. "But I hope that you will stay…for my sake, if for nothing else."