Blah this chapter is kinda crappy. I was out of good ideas but needed to get it out of the way. Review please , they make my day!

"Family Ties"

Chapter 14

Joshua shook his head at his father's audacity. He stood up and walked over to him-angrily.

" You do realize that I'm not a child anymore. This is my private office and you can't just walk in here like you just did. What if there was a patient in here ?"

Nathan not taking him very seriously.

" Maybe you should get a new secretary, anyone could walk in here."

"Don't tell me what I should do, you know nothing of what I do."

"I know enough to know that you are making a huge mistake. That you are letting your judgement be clouded by some -some little floossie. You end this... you end this right now."

The anger rising in Joshua , " You have no right to come in here and pass judgment, none at all. The only thing keeping me from throwing you out of here is the fact that you're my father and frankly I'm ashamed to call you that at this moment."

Nathan is un phased, probably has already heard this many times over the years.

" Do you realize what you are doing ? You are ruining your life over what? Mackenzie Allen's daughter... A girl who roped you in with her bastard child, she's got you wrapped around her finger but, I'm here to help you forget about her."

"You are really something, dad." He shakes his head " You're making something out of nothing all because you feel threatened."

" Really? Is it nothing when you give up your position in one of the best hospitals in England for the first job offer in Washington, that doesn't even compare to where you were... all for that girl. Others may believe that you came back for this job but I know that you came back here for her."

Joshua pauses, his father actually had a point but he would never let him have the satisfaction.

"Get out. Get out of my office and keep out of my business."

Nathan begins to walk out the door turning back , " Just remember everything is fair in politics, son. Watch your back."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mac is seated at her desk going over some papers. Vince peeks in.

" Ma'am your son is here to see you."

" Thank you Vince send him in."

Horace walks in and Mac gets up to hug him.

"Hey baby. What brings you by here?"

" I need you to sign this permission slip ."

They take a seat on the couch and she reads over the form.

"Horace I don't know about this trip. If it was closer it would be one thing but you know how things have been lately."

"So what now we're being punished for what she did? It's not my fault she's a slut."

Mac's eyes widen. "Horace! Don't you ever say that about your sister . Do you hear me? You haven't been much of a saint either. You think we didn't find out about what you kids did while we went away to LA?" he looks down in shame, they thought they got away with all of that.

"Yeah we know about the drinking and the use of my office... You should not be passing judgment on your sister , if anything you should be sticking up for her like she has for you."

"Mom that's not the point, I shouldn't have to stick up for her when she didn't even have the decency to tell me herself."

"Is that what this is all about? The fact that she told Rebecca and not you?"

"Yeah sort of."he nods softly

" Oh honey, she didn't do it to hurt you. She only told Rebecca because she really couldn't help it . I'm sure this was hard for her, trying to figure it all out and not want anyone to know but, you sister does love you and I know you love her too. Don't keep on punishing her the way you are."

"Why should I forgive her if dad can't?"

Mac nods " You know it's a little different with your dad... He's just having a hard time accepting things. Your dad and Avery will be fine and I want you kids to be okay too. No more fighting. We're family, we should be there for one another."

"Okay mom, I'll try." she smiles and hugs her son.