Once they both were inside, Mark turned toward Jen again.
"Wait! My Dad. Where is he? Please tell me he's alright."

"Henry never had him. He lied. It was a trap. I'm so sorry, Mark."

Mark began to freak out, panic and fear apparent in his now raised voice,
"Then where is he?! What's happened to him?!"

"Don't worry, Mark, we'll figure this out." Jen had tried to reassure him.

Connie nodded in agreement, "We will. And I'm sure Uncle Jack is okay. He can be pretty resourceful."

"In the meantime," Jen began as she headed back to the front door, "Richard needs to come in and explain something very important. Please don't be startled... and DO NOT hurt him." The first part of that had been directed at Connie. And the second, obviously, at Mark.

"Richard? Seriously?" Connie was taken by surprise and confused, "Seriously?"

Jen nodded, "I swear, Connie. I could see it in his eyes. Trust me."

Connie had no response. She really didn't know what to think or say to this, but gave a slight nod anyway.

"Jen-" Mark began, but was quickly interrupted.

"Mark, I am not getting into this with you again. Promise me."

He just sighed and turned away before responding, "Fine."

"PROMISE me, please."

"I promise."

"Alright..." Jen opened the door and now waved for Richard to come in.

Mark watched silently and took a deep breath as Richard entered the cabin. He could feel himself desperately wanting to spring and attack, like a vicious animal, but no - he had to hold back. He had made a promise to Jen, who had now turned her attention back on him, watching him carefully. Richard kept at a distance from his cousins, not wanting to scare or provoke anyone. There was an obvious tension in the air.

Despite this, he spoke up. There was much to say. Tell, actually. And that is when he turned his attention to his sister, "Connie, before I get into the main reason I'm here, I just want to answer your questioning."

Connie, who had stood furthest from him, stepped closer until she was right next to Mark, "Wh-What are you talking about?"

"There was nothing you could've done. So, don't be sad, okay sis?"

"I don't understand. What are you-"

"There was nothing you could have done to save me..." Richard interrupted, in a soft brotherly tone with true sincerity.

Connie's eyes went as wide as they could go and she opened her mouth to speak, but could not seem to get the words out, "Wha- I- uh... How- wh-"

"You never told anyone you had those thoughts, but I could hear you loud and clear. It's okay sis. I want you to know it's okay. Please stop regretting and don't blame yourself."

Connie burst into tears. It was true. She had wondered for so long if somehow she could have prevented Richard's death. If only she had been there.
She had put some blame on herself, but NEVER told anybody. Mark put a comforting arm around her as her cries got more hysterical. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"

Richard felt terrible for being the cause of this breakdown, but he knew he had to prove himself, "And Mark..."
Mark's eyes met Richard's, but there was still anger in them. It was obviously going to be tougher to convince Mark, but he had to give it a shot, "Mark, in one of your appointments with Alice Davenport, you told her you let someone die. This is not true. You did not let your Mom die."

For a moment, it looked as though Mark was amazed, but no - he needed more.
"Okay, Richard..." Mark sneered, "What was the last conversation I had with my Mother?"

Those other two things easily could have been discovered by Henry, but not this.
Mark knew it would be impossible. He was all alone in that hospital room with her.

"If that's what you want, alright Mark."
Richard sighed and took a moment to reflect on it.
"She was asleep when you went into her hospital room and you looked over a family picture. When she woke up, she asked why you didn't wake her. You thought she needed sleep and she told you she would rather see you. She then asked if your Dad had told you everything and said she knew you'd be okay. She'll always be with you, Mark. You both said 'I love you' and..." Richard paused, feeling a bit emotional. His eyes were sparkling.

Tears? Mark was shocked.
Sure, Henry had fake cried before, but this was different. This seemed so genuine.

"Well, Mark, you told her she wasn't going to die... because you wouldn't let her." Richard continued, and paused once more, waiting to see if it had been enough to convince him.

Mark stared at him, speechless. It was all true, and something Henry could not have known.
Connie, who had calmed down and was now wiping her tears away, looked to Mark, "Mark? I trust him. I believe it's really Richard."

Jen and Richard both smiled.

"So... can you trust me, Mark?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for another short chapter. I wanted to get something published since it had been over 3 months again. I'm doing my best to keep working on this, but my brain is starting to feel dead lately. I won't give up though. Also, I'm about to begin a new job - which is working overnights. I will do my best to still find time to write. Thank for sticking with me this long. As always, please send ANY ideas/suggestions to me in PM. They're very appreciated! I'm trying to figure out what to do about Jack. Also, the ending of this fic is written and ready. I'm looking forward to sharing it...I just have to get the story to that point.