Family Bonds: Book 2 of Sista

by Blackstar1979

Family Bonds the sequel to Sista. The the Superstars and Sistas have been through a lot that have carved out bonds where there were none. Will the past rip apart the bonds that have been forged or make them stronger? Reviews are welcomed as always.

13. Chapter 13 Second Chances

Chapter 13

Second Chances

Tracy is cleaning the bar and speaking with Sophie about the bachelorette party for Angel. "It sounds great Paula is really going all out you guys are going to make this one hell of a party for your sister." The door dings saying someone was coming in. "The bar is closed right now we open at 6 tonight." Tracy says her mouth drops open as she sees Megan standing in the hall leading into the bar. Tracy drives her hand through her dark hair. "Sophie I swear, I didn't invite her to this meeting. Meg pie, you got a lot of nerve showing your face in here. You almost got me fucking fired."

Megan and Sophie exchange glares as Sophie gets to her feet and says to Tracy. "Get your Meg Pie out of here before she leaves on a stretcher."

Megan walks further into the bar and sits down saying "Though you have everyone else jumping around like puppets, because you're an Ivey I am neither impressed nor intimidated. I told your big sister and I am telling you, I'm no plaything." Sophie walks over before Megan can get to her feet and gets in her face.

Sophie had wanted to knock the shit out of this bitch namely for pushing Angel backwards at her own damn baby shower. Angel didn't deserve or need that stress. "If I were you I would tread real softly around me. If you touch me I'll go Amazonian all over your little punk bitch ass. My sister tries to avoid conflict with you." Megan says it is called fear. "No it's called you're not worth her son's life. Try me oh please try me." Megan slides her seat back and stands "You're no plaything," Sophie scoffs "what are you in grade school bitch grow up. I'm not a child or a pregnant woman. I'll destroy your face and come back for your career." Megan scoffs but leaves in a hurry. Sophie turns to Tracy "I'm going to tell you now you are still on the list for this Bachelorette party if you bring your girl, she will be in violation of her restraining order and there won't be anything you can say to Paula."

"Sophie, I'm not bringing her and I have told security that will be here that night that she is not to enter. I'm pissed that Megan even had the nerve to come in here today, talking to me like she didn't put my career on the line, by crashing my boss's party. If it weren't for Mrs. Paula Callaway, I would have still been on the street trying to sleep with guys to have a roof over my head."

Tracy was clearly upset Sophie just hoped having the party in town was still a good idea. Angel was going to be doing promotional stuff soon and after that, would be her party and the wedding, instead of on the beach Chase suggested his private Yacht as the location, that way they could be off shore here in Texas and less chance of snow or party crashers, he also didn't want Angel getting cold. Sophie had spoken to Angel about it and Angel and Joshua agreed that would be great since someone kept leaking information about the Chicago location that was supposed to be kept private. Sophie had a suspicion that somehow April was tracking large orders and announcing where the fucking orders were to be delivered. Sometimes Sophie hated technology. Chase had the orders stand to be delivered to the original location, but was going to have it picked up by his private transit company and flown back to the new location here on his Yacht. The performers or any caterers were told not to put the order into their system until the day after the wedding.

Personal Touch releases their album the next few days are filled with performances all over the state. Their release party is tonight in Houston and Angel paces in her long black outfit. Joshua who had actually been able to sleep stops her pacing pulling her into a hug. She speaks quietly as she stares at the back of their dressing room door. "I know Scott is dead, but I just don't like this city." Joshua tells her this is their last performance until after JC is born, when they start on their new album. He also reminds her that they weren't staying overnight here. She takes a breath and tells him "I couldn't come back here without you." He kisses her and tells her he wouldn't have it another way they weren't only a band they were a team. The sound person knocks on the door and tells them they are soon to be cued.

Angel stands on stage under a red light bringing out her freshly cut and straightened hair and her pale complexion. Her outfit is a dark crimson romper with black highlights and a shirt that has the new insignia for Personal Touch on it. The words appear black since the netting is covering the dark red lettering like shadow across her chest fading into fire. With her hands raised she drops her hand and a slow tempo beat starts playing. She focuses on the back row Joshua starts on his violin and sets the almost slow jazzy sound Angel starts singing.

You told me
That we could be
Together soon
But soon turns in to forever
I openly show you me
You threw cold water
On my flame for you
Soon turns in to forever

I get it, I'm me and you're you.
I'll love the fantasy of you.
You'll never remember I existed.
Same room, same time.
I see you
You're not mine.
You'll never have to admit I existed
You drew me in with your smile.
I stayed hooked for a while.
You'll never have to admit I existed

The music speeds up she leans closer into the microphone and sings

I wannabe pissed at you
But you never said
You were mine
and I never asked
You said you loved me
How could you even
form those words
All it took was a lie
And now you wish me gone
There was no more soon
Soon Soon Soon
SOOOOON Angel screams and bends at the waist she quickly springs back up into a standing position lifts her hands Joshua does the violin solo that repeats the chords for the past verse.
Soon turned into forever
Forever was too soon
Angel points to the crowd as she sings the last Soon and holds it for a beat of eight with her other hand in a fist in the air then drops her hands the music comes to an abrupt holt.

To lighten the mood they did the cover for the song "The Story" by Brandi Carlile. Joshua switched back to his guitar since he would not be singing in the cover. They all were so happy this was the song that would be played last. Joshua and Deon start playing then Joshua cues Candy to start. Angel sings the first verse as she smiles at Joshua Vash starts to play the intermission of the song. Angel brings it just like they had rehearsed at the end of the song she points at Joshua as she sings "Oh Yeah, it's true that I was made for you" she holds the last note until Joshua cues for a stop. The lights come back up and the crowd cheers.

They exit the stage and reenter their dressing room. A few people had paid and been cleared to have a backstage experience. After the meet and greet they could get the hell out of Houston. Joshua loved the melody of the song "Too Soon" was an original hit, but he knew who it was about and would be glad when this release party and this night were over. The first night they'd played it for a live audience some local Dallas reporter nicknamed it Joshua's song. Angel read the article and asked if he wanted her to see if Jonathon would pull it because she'd saw the look that always crossed his face when she sang it after the article came out. He half smiled and told her that they just wouldn't feature it after this album. She'd asked was he sure? He told her yeah and to please stop worrying about it.

Candy knocks and says it's time for the meet and greet. Deon can be heard along with Vash telling people not to crowd the door. Angel and Joshua step out of their dressing room and sign autographs along with the rest of the band Jonathon's traveling security team keeps them from being trampled. They take pictures one man held on to Angel too long for her liking and she tried pulling away. He finally let her go and as far as Angel was concerned picture time was over. This middle aged blonde woman and this man that looked familiar somehow asked Joshua for a picture. Angel watched as Joshua kind of shut down his smile becomes forced his eyes give him away every time, something wasn't right suddenly he yanks away from the couple and storms off. Candy says since a lot of them where there to see Angel she'd go see what was up with the other half of her favorite couple.

Joshua stands on the stairs of the performance hall glaring off into space. The fans didn't even approach him smart fans she thinks to herself, one of Bobby's STOP team members stand at the bottom of the stairs. Candy nods at him he nods back. If Joshua didn't hurt their feelings, the STOP team dude may hurt more than their feelings. "Joshua, are you cool it's almost over for now, this is it? Angel was going to follow you out here but I didn't need fans trying to block her." Joshua turned around he looked super pissed. Candy steps back his eyes were blue fire before he turned back around.

Joshua needed to calm down he couldn't believe that rat bastard and the bitch that birthed him had showed up at his fucking job. He had been doing okay after his meeting with Sally and Michael he'd even been able to sleep nightmare free. Now the walking breathing bane of his existence had just got a promo shot with him. Looking back at his friend he says in a hollow tone "Candy It's time to go before I go back in there and give them some of what they gave me." The fact that he was even thinking of going up side a woman's head told him it was time to leave.

"Joshua we are supposed to be here another hour. Who are they you've never walked out on a meet and greet or Angel for that matter?" he turns around and growls that the last two people to take a fucking picture with him in there, were his birth parents. He tells her she's right as he runs back into the building. Candy says "OH shit" and follows him in the building. His birth parents this was bad, this was beyond bad.

Joshua runs back into the main hall. Fans get out of his way as he reenters the circle just in time to see Brenda Smyth put her hand on Angel's stomach. He didn't need to hear or care what Brenda was saying Angel clearly was trying to block her contact she didn't like to be touched by strangers. He also didn't like that James Smyth was now taking a picture selfie style whiles standing behind Angel. Joshua taps one of the security team on the shoulder, and tells him to remove both of them or he would. The guy says "Calm down Showbiz, they paid to be back here." Joshua flips him off walks up behind Brenda and tells her get her fucking hands off his band mate.

Brenda turns around "Boy how nice it is to see you. I loved the show. I have missed you so much. You were kidnapped from us do you remember son?" Brenda hugged him he stiffened and broke her hug warning her in a barley controlled low tone to back off. Angel looked at him and then back at James it clicked who he was because she tells the crowd that she suddenly wasn't feeling well and asks security to get them out of here. Joshua takes her hand as he pulls her away from James, the fucker reaches for her Joshua grabbed the older man's hand blue eyes meet blue eyes. Vash pulls Joshua's hand off of James's and then applies pressure to James's hand to make him release Angel who looked about to leave her prized Personal Touch jacket in his hands anyway. Vash calmly tells security if they still wanted to be employed he suggested they get the couple out of the meet and greet. The Smyths are swiftly removed.

They take a few more pictures and sign a few more autographs the crowd starts to disburse. A group of young girls are in line, Angel recognizes Janet and two girls that wave at them smiling, the taller of the three stares at Joshua as they get to the front of the line the photographer tells the girls to smile. As the picture is taken the taller girl kisses Joshua on the cheek. They grab the picture Janet looked pissed, Angel thought it was funny she would have never have done that as a teenaged-fan though she probably would have been choke slammed for her trouble. Joshua rolls his eyes and firmly sets the girl away from him. She was glad he calmed down before this or that could have been memorable for another reason to the teen. The last person got their picture taken and shared that she was a fan of both Davenport Lighting and Angelic Impression and really liked that they had come together. Joshua and Angel thank her and soon head to the garage. Joshua is helping a tired Angel up into his truck. A drunken James grabs him from behind pulling him backwards to the floor saying how dare he have his own parents thrown from his venue? He tells a stunned Angel to close the door she does, from a lying position Joshua jumps to his feet, blocks James's drunken swing, and kicks him into the wall where he slides down glaring and swearing he'll pay for that. Joshua tells James in an eerily calm tone. "James, I'm not 10 anymore, touch me again and I will be the death of you." A STOP team member tells Joshua to get in the truck he complies. The guy grabs a dazed James and takes him away putting him in an unmarked car. Joshua pulls out of the garage and stops in front of the building to pick up Candy and Deon. Vash pulls up beside them he had parked on a different floor, he tells Joshua that his wife had just went into to labor so he was heading home. Agreeing that no one wanted or needed to stay in Houston tonight, Joshua drives back to Grandville with the 6 car STOP team convoy that followed. He drops Deon and Candy off at Deon's and heads home.

Lying in bed Angel lays on him as he rubs his hand up and down her back while staring at the ceiling. She looks up at him and says "If you want to talk about what went on today we can." He tells her the only thing he wanted right now was to hold his little family and get some much needed sleep since the only thing that fueled him to drive the 2 hours after a show was the thought of escaping Houston and getting home. Angel yarns and says "Sounds like a plan to me." She turns around so that she can get comfortable. He wraps his arm around her pulling her back against his chest with his hand on her stomach. He is soon rewarded with his son kicking him.

"You go to sleep too Jonathon-Chase mommy and daddy needs rest." Joshua mumbles as sleep claims him. Angel smiles and closes her eyes Joshua had called their son by his first name for the first time since they'd named him. She puts her hand on top of Joshua's and let sleep take her as well once JC stopped kicking her.

Hours later Joshua wakes with a start that wasn't funny the dream he had wasn't even in the realm of funny. Angel had got up she must have closed the curtains because it was still dark in the room. His phone rang it was Vash's ringtone. "Hello, hey Vash, you guys ended up having twins, where was the other guy hiding? So, you know Angel will want to know their names." Vash tells him. "Maxwell Josh and Mathew Joe, congrats man. Yeah I'll let you go so you don't get balled out by Cynthia. Tell her I said hello and congratulations. Oh ha she'd believe you." Sally calls him after he hangs up with Vash she wanted to come over and asked if it would be okay. He appreciated her not just showing up at the gate. After seeing his birth parents the side by side comparison in his head had shifted back to the truth. Sally had done a whole lot more good than bad. She'd been out of character. His birth parents knew exactly what they were doing. His birth father had tried to fight him in the fucking parking garage. He hoped they crawled back into the hole they climbed out of soon.

Downstairs Joshua and Angel sit in the den he'd told her that Sally was coming. She told him that was fine if it was fine with him, as she looks through a book of baby clothes showing him outfits now and then. He tells her about Vash's twins. A look crosses her face as she says "that's scary to think you are having one child and two shows up." She wiggles around on the couch Joshua looks at her with confusion in his gaze and asks is she okay. "Yes, our son seems to like to stick his foot in my rib cage."

The guard calls and asks is it okay to let Sally and two others onto the property. Joshua looks to see who else is in the car. Sighing he says yes. Angel asks who the other two were. "She brought dad and Cassandra" Angel gets up saying she had some cleaning to do unless he wanted her to stay in the room. "You're fine honey" Joshua didn't want her to start avoiding people in their own home.

Sally, Cassandra, and Michael head into the house. Cass was pleasantly surprised that Joshua had let her back on the property, her starting over classes that she had been going to were really helping her. She wanted to relay a message to Angel to tell Jonathan thanks. Joshua comes into the atrium and invites them into the den since there were no stairs for Michael to fight with. Upon entering, Angel stood greeted them and shook Michael's hand asking him how he was doing. He says alright and pulls her into a hug. She hugged him back all the while watching Cassandra. Cassandra knew what that look was about she smiled and said "Hey little sis can you please tell Jonathon thanks for giving me some very helpful advice?" When Michael lets her go she steps back and says sure. Sally hugged Joshua he hugged her back Cassandra hands him an enveloped birthday card and awkwardly stands looking away from him as he looks at it.

Joshua looks at the look on Cass's face before he looks down at the card. "What's this?" He asks in confusion she asks him to just open it. Angel walks over to see what Cassandra had given him. He opens the envelope like at any moment it's going to explode. The outside of the card depicted a large poorly drawn yellow happy face emoticon. He smirks because drawing wasn't one of his strong suits. He looks at Cassandra again she says open it. He opens it and a gift card falls to the floor. He bends and picks it up and reads the words written in the card.

Dear Joshua,

Happy belated birthdays,

I haven't really ever been a decent sister or person to you. I have given you nothing but grief ever since you came to live with us. I just want you to know that I'm sorry. You really had nothing to do with my mistreatment of you. I picked on you because I knew that you wouldn't go to the extremes that the person that you look like in my eyes would. It was and is shitty of me, I know. I want to start over, I want us to be closer, not just for dad. Joshua I realize something from the group that I am getting therapy from. I've been angry at the wrong person for a very long time. I'm not asking for some divine miracle that you'll just forget the shit I've done, but I would like a chance to prove to you that I have and can change. Since you really wouldn't want me to try to make you something out of clay like your friend can. I figured if I gave you the money maybe she could remake the thing I broke or make you something else I really don't know how that works. Joshua if it is even in you to do so will you please forgive me?

Signed

You sister Cassandra Marybeth Davenport

Joshua looks up from the card and catches Cassandra staring at him. Looking around she wasn't the only one. He meets her gaze. "Cass, I'm not going to stand here and say this piece of card stock with words on it is a magic wand and I'm instantly going to be able to forget, but I will forgive you. Please know this is it. If you entangle me in anymore shit, I'm done. I am going to be a husband, and father, and I am not going to subject my family to the craziness that I dealt with." She puts her hand out he shakes it. She says that's fair enough.

Joshua, Cass, and his parents sit down Angel asks does anyone want something to drink Michael says water would be great. Angel says coming right up and leaves the room. Sally looks at Michael and then back at her boy. "Joshua, there is something else." He sits up in his seat leaning forward when he asks what they needed saying he kind of figured they wanted something. Michael tells Sally perhaps this wasn't a good idea. Joshua says they are here now so what did they want? "It's about your father's procedure."

"Pop, if you're worried Lucas Sheldon is a great doctor. I mean pardon the pun but I'm living proof." Not wanting to beat around the bush Michael tells Joshua they can't afford the procedure even after selling their Colorado home and that his insurance won't cover it. "So you need how much?" Angel walks back into the room and hands Michael a bottle of water. Michael tells him how much it would take to cover the procedure. He then tells Joshua his idea about selling The Davenport to a buyer then he would buy it back in the event the procedure was a success.
"So let me get this straight, you want to sell a business that you gave to me. I've put lots of time, money, and energy into that place." Michael says he knows that and he would never have asked if he knew of something else worth a significant amount. Sally says they do still own The Davenport. Joshua sighs as he looks at his mother and sister. "So this whole thing about you being a better person I have to ask was that just part of this or were you serious?" Cassandra says she was serious and one thing had nothing to do with the other. She tells him that their parents told him that he could run the Davenport not that he owned it. Joshua nods and half smiles "I guess I didn't read that fine print but you can have it. I hope it works out for you." Joshua gets up and walks out of the room.

Angel walks towards the door to follow Joshua, Sally briskly walks pass her and follows Joshua into his home office. Cassandra gets up to join the conversation in his office. Angel turns around and faces her. "Same game different day, not this time, the last time was way over the top. Excuse me if I don't want to be out here with you and her in there." Angel turns around heading to the office. Cass grabs her shirt and pulls her away from the door. "Keep your hands to yourself" Angel angrily wrenches away from her and walks in the office.

Joshua looks up from his seat when Angel walks in. Sally turns on her. "This is a family discussion your input is not needed." Joshua tells his mother not to start.

Angel puts up a hand and says. "Look I am not part of your family as of yet." Joshua stands and walks over towards her. "Joshua I understand that you feel that you've just been babysitting The Davenport." Sally tells her not to talk like that. "This is my home. I'm sorry if the truth hurts. Go ahead and put The Davenport on the market. I am tired of people hurting Joshua in one way or another. First you, then his real parents, now you want to take something that means so much to him. Yeah, it's for a good cause but it's not what you said it's how you said it. I want to speak to Joshua in private will you please excuse us?" Sally looks back at her boy then walks out of the office.

Joshua leans back in his seat. "I guess I should have read the agreement. I still have to talk to Vash he supposedly owns part of my club." Angel walks over and sits on his lap. He hugs her to him putting his head on her chest. "Every time I think I have everything where it is supposed to be someone pulls the rug out from under me."

Angel puts her hand under his chin he lifts his gaze to hers. "We can solve this, Michael is your father and he needs help but he doesn't want to ask for the money." Joshua opens his mouth to speak. Angel puts her finger on his lips and kisses him. "Let me speak please." He nods "Joshua, if you still want The Davenport we can solve this. Michael needs the money but he wants to draw it from a sell of his own property let him sell it to me. Then it will not be up for grabs or barrowed it will be your club no loopholes no fine print."

Joshua says "babe, that's a lot of money." She asks him does he want The Davenport. "Yes I want it but I can't ask you to do this. It is more than I could pay you back until or even if our album sells more. I want him to get the help he needs if he's found a buyer."

Angel didn't want him thinking he had to pay her back. That club was part of him. Michael meant a lot to him. He had even started to mean a lot her as well. She knew he would do it if the roles were reversed. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly she says. "From the time Cassandra told me about Michael, I kept thinking that I would be totally lost if my father was sick let alone dying. With my plan everyone wins, Michael gets his procedure and you reclaim your club that you have put so much work into for years." Joshua asks her what she gets. Angel smiles at him and kisses him on the mouth bringing a smile to his all too serious face. When she draws back meeting his eyes she says. "How many times in a lifetime, can I save my friend Candy's day job, possibly save a good man's life, and put a huge smile on my lover's face with one purchase?"

Closing his eyes Joshua hugs her laying his head back on her chest as she sits in his lap running her hand through his hair.

Cassandra, Sally, and Michael were about to leave when Joshua walks back into the room he asks for them to come and sit down. Sally tells him that she knew how much the club means to him but this was more important. Angel stands by his side as he cuts Sally off.

"Look mom, dad it wasn't only the fact that you were just going to sell the club. All these years I thought I owned the club to find out that I don't is kind of a shock. I am not saying that I wouldn't sell it if it was the only way to get you help dad. Think how you would feel if your sister who you haven't seen eye to eye with since you have laid eyes on each other, suddenly apologizes then as almost an afterthought oh by the way the club that you have worked at since high school and assumed you owned wasn't yours it just felt like a set up."

Michael nods his head he now saw how it would appear. "Joshua, I didn't know what your sister was doing, I do want you two to be closer but one thing has nothing to do with why I came. I should have sold you the club but I didn't for fear that it would cause a bigger rift between you, Cassandra and Bradley." Cassandra says neither she nor Bradley wanted the club nor would they have brought it up to what it is today."

Angel squeezes Joshua's hand he tells his parents, and sibling that Angel had a plan. "Michael, ever since I heard about what was going on I keep thinking that if the roles were reversed Joshua would do the same thing for me. If you don't mind before you sell the Davenport to a stranger I want to purchase it."

Michael says no that he could not ask her do that besides the company that he is selling it to have promised to let him purchase it back in the event his procedure is successful. He goes on to say selling it to her would be just like asking her for the money. She asks him what company has he agreed to sell it to. He tells her. She pulls her phone and shows him picture after picture of closed buildings. Angel tells him that the owner of the company was a part of the GSSEC and they would not honor a contract like the one he is speaking about. She says Chase has had to bail the company out so many times that he has stopped allowing them loans. The only reason they would be willing to buy his club is because it is cheap compared to the ones not so near the Grandville broader and the wife of the buyer likes music that's the only reason she would want a club. "Look Michael, if you don't want to sell it to me, at the very least shop around and sell it to someone that won't end up turning your club into a parking lot. When Vash stops working there or Joshua pulls his band. I can tell you this woman is on a power trip, she is going to come in firing people and then wonder why no one is coming to her newest toy then when she has ripped your reputation to bits she'll be ready to close it since not a person will want to step foot in it anymore." Cassandra asks her what she would do with the club. "Me, I'd share it with Joshua where it will continue to flourish. With me buying it or even the Grandville Rebuild Organization it would survive. Selling it to Stout Properties signs its death warrant. Here is what I'm willing to pay for the club." Angel writes down an amount and hands it to Michael.

Michael looks at the amount it was double what the buyer was offering which would in the event his health failed his family would still be alright. He turns to Cassandra and asks if he sold the club to Angel and Joshua would she be adverse to it? Cassandra looks at Angel and her brother and says no at least this way it would still be run by a Davenport. Michael nods and tells Angel "you have a club."

Days go by the club is now owned by Joshua, Angel, Candy and Vash. Since Joshua was willing to give Sally and Cass another chance he asked Angel in private could he invite them to the wedding and reception, she agrees and at dinner one night at Ivey Mansion she hands Cassandra, Michael and Sally the invites. Cassandra looks at the invite then back up into Angel eyes. "You're seriously inviting us?"

Angel steps back expecting some kind of weird back lash like she received for inviting Megan to her baby shower and says "Y…Yes but we understand if you don't want to come and it's not a big deal." Cassandra jumps up from the dinner table and hugs her. Angel stood frozen as she asked Cassandra "let go please." Joshua taps Cassandra on the arm and she lets go saying she will be there with bells on. Sophie who had been silent during this little display told them that there would be security at the wedding and the parties associated with it and if anything jumped off they would be removed with swiftness.

Cassandra reads her invite and notices the Bachelorette and the bachelor parties are on different days. She looks across the table Jonathon had a woman with him. She tries not to stare but something was going on. She wondered if Angel had noticed that the woman was on Jonathon's page on his social sites. "Hey not that it's wrong or anything why are you guys having your parties on different days?" Joshua explains about Candy being his best groom's woman and the fact that he didn't want her to miss out on Angel's party. "Wow, I knew you were short on friends bro. You couldn't find one guy to be your best man? What about Jonathon?"

Joshua smiled Cass ribbing him but not with an evil intent was how he figured normal siblings acted. He'd witnessed Angel and Sophie doing some of the same but it was in fun. "As for the short on friends comment, you're right by my own design I really don't associate with a lot people. Candy has been my friend since she started working at the club. She knows almost as much about me as Angel does. I say that to say this I know I can trust her to throw me a party and help me get to the wedding with as less bull as possible. Besides I don't think I would ask Jonathon anyway he's my boss for one and the second reason is he has a part in the wedding and it is a very important part, he is giving me his only daughter."

Cassandra turns to Angel and asks "So sis, does this mean your maid of honor is a guy? I mean fair is fair." Cass says with a smile. Joshua rolls his eyes. Angel says that Sophie is her maid of honor. "Are you ok with Joshua having another woman involved in your wedding?" Joshua is about to say something when Angel says that Joshua and Candy are friends and have never given her a reason to not trust them. "My husband dumped me for my younger, thinner, best friend. I should have seen it coming but I didn't. Excuse me." Cassandra gets up and leaves the house. Sally gets up Jonathon waves her back down and tells her he will speak to Cassandra. Joshua thanks him but says he'll do it.

Cassandra sat in her parent's car with the windows rolled up. She hadn't thought about Chad in a few weeks looking at Joshua brought it back to the surface. She had to keep telling her self that they weren't one and the same. Joshua was younger and that was the image that was locked into her head of how Chad looked. Joshua was giving her a second chance. She had to get out of that house before she let her mouth get her into trouble. She wanted to be a better her. She hears a tapping on the window. She looked and as if on cue Chad was now standing outside her window. Squeezing her eyes shut she looks again, and it is Joshua. She pops the locks and he opens the door asking did she mind if he spoke with her. "Look Joshua, I'm sorry, I tried to remove myself before saying anything, but I guess I was too late."

"Angel knows that had nothing to do with me. Cass if being at the wedding is going to mess with you like this. Don't torture yourself for my benefit." She asked was he uninviting her. "No you don't listen to me. I don't know what happened with you and Denton I have been getting bits and pieces and he really deserves a swift kick in the ass from what I've heard." Joshua turns in his seat. "Look at me. You said in your letter that I looked like someone, was it him?" without looking his way she nods her head. "Cass, I don't know what to tell you about that. You're fighting transference and I commend you for that. I personally don't see the resemblance, but I'm not you." She accuses him sounding like her shrink. "Here's one for your scrap book, I've accrued a lot of couch time in the past 17 years, and it's one of the reasons I am even able to try to forgive you."

She turns in her seat it was easy to listen to him speak he didn't sound like Chad in tone or what he was talking about. She reaches out and moves his bangs out of his face. The scar on his forehead where it met the ground during his abduction was a major difference. She had really never sat this close to him with him not trying to get away from her. She noticed his eyes weren't light blue like Chad's they were quiet dark. His goatee was wire thin and his chin strap was thicker than Chad's. She noticed a lot of things that put them apart. Chad was older and starting to lose his hair. Joshua didn't have that problem he had more hair than Bradley's hairy ass. "I guess it was mostly hair color and body type." Joshua tells her that one other thing that may have made him the perfect target was that she knew he wouldn't hurt her. "I hate to admit it, but yeah. I have a question why didn't you just leave when you turned 18 and like never look back. I am not saying I wanted you to do that, I just wonder why you kept coming home."

Joshua sighs "a week ago I asked myself the same question. My response to Vash maybe I'm a glutton for punishment. Then I saw someone that I never thought I would see again. In the back of my mind ever since Sally brought me into her life good, bad, or indifferent I was a part of a family." She asks is that why he could forgive mom and herself? "Sort of, I was conflicted I'll admit that, but a few nights ago really drove it home for me. To let it go, because without Sally, I may not have been, not only who I am today, but I may not have survived my birth parents. You and Brad threatening to toss my ass out the window was a breaking point for me. I got help, I learned how to cope with other shit. It made me angry enough to fight back in school and in life. Would I want to go through it again? No, but forgiving you and mom is my way of growing up and letting shit go." She asks was his choice of not having a lot of friends related to her and Bradley's treatment of him. "I'd love to say yes, but the truth is I trust a hand full of people call it a character flaw." She says this is the longest conversation they have ever had without insulting each other. "Yeah I think so. Well it's getting late I'm going back in there are you coming?" She nods and thanks him as they head back in the house.

The next morning Evie buzzes from the gate Angel had not given her a pass key. Roman had been very nice to her here lately. When she asked about a woman named Candy he told her that the woman was an ex of his and had an ax to grind. The story he told the police with his lawyer present was that he had went to visit her sure but she had let him in and they had sex like old times then she got a call from her boyfriend and went bat shit and kicked him out. He told Evie he had honored their agreement he had not slept with a diva. He hadn't tied her up anymore all was good in her world he was away at another show. She is soon let into the gate she walks into the atrium and sits on the couch. She sees Angel coming into the atrium the cleaning service was here. "Hey sista I got you a shirt." Evie hands Angel a gift bag with a smile.

Angel thanks her and pulls the shirt out reads it and puts it back in the bag and hands it back to Evie. Sophie walks in to tell Angel the cleaners were done in the den. Angel excuses herself and leaves a confused Evie in the atrium with Sophie. Evie calls after Angel to try it on Angel keeps walking. Sophie eyes the bag and asks "what is it?" Evie tells her since she didn't get to go to the baby shower she bought Angel a novelty tee and pulls it out of the bag proudly for Sophie to see. Upon reading the shirt Sophie's eyes narrow. "Look I understand you're attempt at humor but that shirt isn't funny just put it back in the bag." Evie says in her defense the shirt got a lot of stars as a rating but she will speak to her friend. Sophie tells her about Angel's first baby and about Sophia's vanity induced decision to kidnap the baby using a black market adoption agency owned by April Sharp and how April now wants her nephew as a payment for her mother's inability to pay her when Angel miscarried.

Angel walks into Joshua's music room. She sits in his desk chair and stares out of the window. Joshua was at the club this morning one of her father's bands needed to use the club to get their track set on to their album since LEGNA Dallas was officially closed now. Angel didn't want the damn shirt. It was supposed to be funny but it just wasn't, not to her. Rubbing her stomach she says to JC. "Mommy doesn't mind giving you room to grow baby boy. All you have to do is come out happy and healthy." Tears sting Angel eyes. The shirt said, Dose This Kid makes me Look Fat? That question spoke of Sophia's vanity so much she was willing to try to kidnap her own grandchild. April Sharp was still out there somewhere. Evie pokes her head in and asks can she come in. Wiping her eyes Angel says sure. Evie walks over and hugs Angel and tells her that she would have never bought the shirt had she known. "No one knows where that crazy bitch April is. Every time she has surfaced she has put me or someone that I love in danger, all because my vain ass mother didn't want to get fat." Angel pulls away from Evie gets up and walks over messing with a keyboard.

Evie knew that Sophia was rough on Angel as a preteen. Angel had bought Sophia a home and they seemed to be getting along when she was around. "Angel, are you sure that was Sophia's intent? I know she was rough on you as a child but could not this just be the April woman lying to make her look bad in your eyes? Besides it's not good to speak ill of the dead. Sophia always told my mother that she was harder on you because you were the oldest and she wanted you to thrive. My mother or I didn't agree with her methods but…"

Angel puts up a hand "Please, Evie you don't know what you are talking about. You think for one second that I don't wish what I know to be true is some cooked up bullshit by this April lunatic? That my own mother didn't pay someone to kidnap me, rip my unborn child from me, and then get pissed when I miscarried. Not because it was an emotional time for me, but because it set her plan back." Evie says Angel still shouldn't speak ill of the dead. "Just because Sophia killed herself and she's dead now doesn't make her an instant saint. All those years thinking I was overreacting, that maybe I had done something to piss her off, to find out she couldn't stand my ass over the origin of my name, is completely insane. I heard her say it to my father. So excuse me if I don't want to stay here and chit chat about my mother dearest." Angel is so angry she starts trembling and feels dizzy sitting down in the chair, she says "Just go please." Angel puts her head down on the music stand. She had to calm down. Closing her eyes she starts a calming breathing exercise that Dr. Middlebrooks taught her the dizziness starts to fade when she looks up, Evie was perched on Joshua's desk watching her.

Evie says "Angela, if talking about Sophia is going to illicit this type of a reaction from you. I will not speak of her. I did not come here to stress you out or have you mad at me, I came to hang out with you. It is apparent that I have missed much." Angel fills her in on what had been going on the good and bad of the past few months. Evie is downright dumb struck. Her friend had been through so much and most of it bad no wonder Sophia was a touchy subject. When Angel's coloring starts coming back to normal Evie says. "Let's go shopping instead of a shirt you will not wear. I'd rather get you something you can use." Angel tells her she doesn't have to. "I know that but you need a break. You are worried about so much, and hiding in the house is not good for you. Let's go find a nice outfit and then hit the mall. Do you have an outfit selected for your party already?" Angel tells her no. "Well then this looks like a job for one of your bridesmaids let's go."

Candy sits at the Davenport playing her keyboard. She'd finished the books and was now waiting for Deon to come get her. Joshua walks over and says he's heading home did she need a ride. "Um no Deon is coming to take me back to his place." Joshua asks her if she was ever going back to her home saying he missed having her down the street. "I will soon, but right now I just don't feel safe there. I went there to get some more clothing, the heating and cooling system came on and I about knocked Deon over running out of there. I'm afraid of being at my own home. Roman has some higher up in his back pocket. I don't know what he told them but the case has been thrown out. I get attacked and he gets off without even a slap on the wrist." Candy was still playing, she only notices when Joshua puts his hand on hers making her hit the wrong note.

"That's messed up about the case, but he come near you again and you won't have to worry about calling the police, there won't much left of him. Candy unless you plan on just moving in with Deon you have to go home. If you want, I'll come over there and help you clean or whatever. Angel is going to be out with her friend something about looking for an outfit with Evie."

"I guess you're right I have to go home sometime I'll call Deon"

Joshua says "Candy it's not about being right or wrong. I just don't want you to just abandon everything you worked for you worked hard to get that house.

Candy knew Joshua was right, hiding was just making it worse. If she kept this up, she wouldn't go home at all. This was as good a time as any at least she wouldn't be alone. She calls Deon. "Hey baby, I'm going home. I know I said that I was going to come back over there, but I have to go home or I never will."

Deon had mixed feelings about Candy going back to her house. That's where all the shit started. He still wanted to rearrange Roman's face. "Candy if you are going back home I want to come with you. I don't want you there by yourself." She tells him that Joshua will be there with her. "Well that's an even better reason for me to be there." She says the more the merrier beyond smiles. He hears the smile in her voice and smiled himself. Is Joshua taking you or am I still coming to pick you up?" she tells him that Joshua taking her. "I'll see you guys there and Candy when you get in the house if I'm not there, please lock the door remember I have a key."

She knew where that came from "We will be careful. At least I won't be there alone I need to get this under control. I could have hurt you last night running out of the house. I want my life back."

Joshua texts Angel what he was up to and ask had she left the house yet. She answers yes, and that her, and Evie were heading to a few more stores, but she was about to go home after finding something for her father's birthday. He asks when it is saying he'd get Jonathon something as well. She tells him it is in a few days and ends with sending him the date and a smiley emoticon.

"You're texting, were you paying attention to me?" Evie asks Angel as they walk through the mall. Angel tells her that she was listening and yes she would love to grab something to eat. "So you didn't hear me my god child did." Evie smiles they find a seat in the enormous food court. A security guard comes over and tells Angel her usual table is open. "We are fine here" Evie says to the woman.

Angel says nothing she did this a lot when in Evie's presence. She knew the security guard was only doing her job this was a mall owned by Chase it was a part of the rebuild Grandville movement. She usually sat with Candy up in the balcony and ordered electronically. Evie liked the first floor. The guard turns to her. "We're fine here but thank you." the woman leaves Evie says she will go grab their food. She asks Angel did she want her favorite loaded potato. "Nah it seems that JC does not do sour cream. I do want some orange mango tea and a cup of steamed veggies the guy at Chao Fun knows just tell him Dragon hair's usual. Evie smirks as she walks away from the table flicking her black hair saying yes dragon hair. They eat and head home. Evie drops Angel off at home. She slows down as she sees Joshua's truck heading to her own home she eyes it again and wonders why he isn't home. Evie notices the blonde named Candy that had tried to get her boyfriend busted for a heinous crime get out of Joshua's truck with him.

Joshua and Candy enter her home she locks the door behind him. Standing in the small atrium she stares at her living room. Walking slowly she walks through the house stopping here and there when she goes into her bedroom Joshua stands at the doorway. Candy turns around and looks at him in the doorway. "I don't know where to start I want to clean up. I want to get rid of that damn bathroom suite the floor is messed up I've been on the web looking for flooring." She walks to him and hugs him thanking him for setting a fire under her butt. He asks what else real friends are for. They freeze as the front door opens and keys are heard then Deon's voice as he announces it is just him. Moving back down stairs Candy moves to him hugging and kissing him. They start cleaning and Joshua tells them to hit the living room and den and her art room and he would handle the bathroom they both thank him.

Joshua walks into the bathroom and looks at the flooring where it had buckled because of the water that had spilled out the fucking tub. Setting his phone in the medicine cabinet he starts ripping out the flooring. It was destructive but a good outlet for the fury he felt. He snatched the floor up in record time breathing heavy he grabs the curtains and other decorations and trashes them. Candy said she didn't want any of it. Deon had told him about coming in here and finding her in the tub. Joshua grabbed the last trash bag that he'd came in here with it was now full. Whipping it into the dumpster heading back to the backdoor he gets a text from Cassandra asking how his day is going. This was weird when she first started because it was usually a lead-in to a joke or something but here lately his sister seemed to want to text him no bullshit. He answered that he was helping out at Candy's place. She wanted to share with him that she had just got a new job. He congratulates her then asked what she would be doing. She text back the same thing she was doing in CO. Joshua had no clue what Cass did for a living. She asks him did he put in a good word for her. He admits he still didn't know what she did so he would have to say no. She tells him she is an audio visual engineer. He asked why she would think he had something to do with her job. She revealed that she was now working for LEGNA Grandville when it opened. That raised his eyebrows he says nope she must have earned a spot because of her professional background. They end the conversation and he heads back into the house.

Cassandra wondered if Jonathon had hired her yes she had went to the Davenport and met with the woman she saw with him at dinner the other night. She went on Jonathon's social network to find out what was going on between the two. The woman was featured on his page in his photos more Irish was attached to her photo Cass sent it through her translation site and closed her laptop. The translation had to be wrong. She opened her laptop and ran it through again it called the woman his loving partner. Cass sent the phrase through a dozen other translation sites. She went on the woman's page and her eyes narrowed it was all in Gallic Cassandra's translation sites were going to get a work out tonight. Jonathon's business partner had hired her she wonders did Jonathon know. Another thought dances around in her head maybe he hired me and just did not want his feelings for me to seem obvious.

Later that night Sophie and Luke go to another convention this one was in Luke's honor his network had reached number one health network according to the Medical Association of TX. He was sitting at the table and would have to give a speech bouncing his knee he reads his note cards over for a 10th time. "Nervous much" Sophie says. He shrugs but still doesn't keep still. She puts a hand on his knee he stops bouncing and admits to her that he didn't know this was going to happen he knew they were doing well but number 1? "I'm not surprised and I am kind of surprised that you are. You have pushed for procedures that were only ideas and made them work." he goes up and delivers his acceptance speech and introduces her as his fiancée. Sophie smiles at the many people that stare at her and the news people that take her photo. Though the attention wasn't new to her she was not expecting him to do that and she would get him later for that. He wanted to divert some the attention from himself but this was his arena not hers.

Trent Shelly Luke's best man walks up and sits next to Sophie. "Our guy has done it again. He has got to be one of the luckiest men in America to date. I mean he has a successful relationship with work and women. "You look bored can I treat you to a drink from the cash bar?" She looks irritated points to Luke up there giving his speech and says reason they are here. "I'll take that as a no he's not the only one being honored here tonight, but hey tunnel vision is great when you can make it work good night Ms. Ivey." He gets up and walks away. Trent walks out of the auditorium takes a call. "I don't understand we had a deal. What am I supposed to do she's not here. Well that I can do but it's going to cost you. He is my friend after all. You know where my allegiance lies this conversation is over goodbye mother." Getting in his car he drives back to his post to watch the planed action unfold.

Luke and Sophie head back to Ivey Mansion going up the hill the Hummer suddenly loses all power and rolls back down the hill one of the STOP team that is following takes most of the impact as the large vehicle is stopped by hitting the front of the STOP vehicle. Luke looks over at Sophie who had been screaming when they started rolling backwards towards Cherry Lake. "Are you okay?" He asks a now silent Sophie. She nods and gets out of the Hummer with slow movements. One of the STOP team tells them to get in his car. Sophie does, Luke says he will be up there shortly, getting out, he checks on the man in the car that saved them from barreling backwards into the fucking lake. The Hummer was fine the front of the SUV STOP vehicle was totaled. Luke takes charge in getting the guy of the vehicle. A car slows down and before Luke can tell the onlooker to move on, Trent gets out and offers his assistance. They get the man out of his vehicle and in to an ambulance. Luke thanks his friend and asks what would make a vehicle behave like that after he says what happened. "I mean I pressed the gas and the damn thing didn't even sputter it just died and went to rolling back down the hill. If that guy hadn't of been following us and stopped we would have been in the damn lake." Trent shrugs and says he's glad Luke was okay. Luke sends his vehicle to the shop for a full checkup. Trent ends up dropping Luke off at the gate of Ivey Mansion saying he'd take him to the door. Luke told him that wasn't needed considering it would take them longer to do check-in and get approval than for him to just drop him at the gate. Luke gets out and watches his friend drive down the hill.

Then next morning Angel comes from her therapy session feeling good about her progress Dr. Middlebrooks said they were moving in the right direction. Angel pulls into Ice Cream Haven gets out and goes in. She didn't like eating ice cream in the truck since she always ended up feeding her chest. She calls Sophie and asked did she want Ice Cream since Ivey Enterprises was her next stop today. Another company that had been bought out needed some IT specialist so Angel was going to be hiring a few since she had time. Sophie tells her sure since she was already there. After placing her order Joshua's birth mother walks in and sits in front of her. Angel goes to get up taking her little card to tell the waitress what table her order went with the woman reaches out and grabs her arm and says "Angela nice to see you, Boy was very rude having us thrown out. I don't understand he was kidnapped from us you would think he would be glad to see us."

Angel glared at the older woman and says "His name is Joshua leave him alone will you. Now let go of me" Angel tries to wrench out of the woman's grasp to be let free. The Woman tightens her grip. "Ouch you're hurting me let go."

Brenda Smyth says "Look Angela we tried to be nice to poor Boy his kidnappers have turned him against us." The girl still tried to pull away in jerky motions. She is pissing Brenda off. "Look I am glad he has come so far. You love him don't you? How much is his future worth to you?"

"Let go of me or I'll scream" Angel says in a higher pitch as she still tries to pull free. The woman had a hell of a grip Angel raises her other hand but is afraid to slap her. She quickly finds out how bad of an Idea it would have been. The woman scoots closer and shows her a gun. Angel stares down at the gun. Her tone drops into a whisper "Please don't shoot me."

Brenda slowly lets go of Angel's wrist. "Shut up. Get up pay for your treat, and walk out to your truck we are going for a ride. If you raise any suspicion you'll be shot at point blank range and not even the group that follows you will be able to save you." The girl gets up Brenda gets up with her.

They both move to the counter the woman asks about Angel's other order. Angel tried to think of some way out of this. Joshua's mother takes Sophie's Ice cream and thanks her saying they have so much to catch up on. Angel turns around and looks at the owner then back down between her and Joshua's birth mother at the sound of the safety being released. She looks back up into the older woman's eyes and walks out of the shop. The woman tells her if she makes eyes contact with anyone on the way to the truck she's a dead woman. Angel gets to her truck thinking that she will have a spilt second while the woman goes to the passenger side. Just get in and pull off she thinks to herself. She gets in and the woman gets in behind her in the back seat. Now the woman is out of view the back windows were tinted. She had to try to reason with the lady she didn't want to go anywhere. "What do you want?"

"To talk and I wanted your undivided attention. I want 20,000 dollars. You're a big spender don't you have a check book in that purse of yours? You write me a check I can undo what Boy did and get my husband out of jail. I know you won't stop payment because if you do I'll frame Boy for your murder and he will go down."

Seeing no way out of this Angel pulls her check book and writes the woman a check. The woman says all that has to happen now is that they go cash it. "Y…you don't need me to do that." The woman tells her if she wants to get out of this alive to start the truck. Angel does they head to the closest bank. Joshua's ringtone makes her jump. "It's Joshua I have to answer that." The woman slaps her up side her head with her free hand saying that his name is Boy. "Ouch he's calling me." The woman trails her hand down the side of Angel's face and tells her to let it ring she liked that song. As Angel pulls out she hears what sounds like texting.

Joshua leaves Angel a message he knew she had agreed to help Sophie by agreeing to conduct interviews for new computer people for Ivey Enterprises. He says "Hey babe it's me no emergency. I just wanted to let you know I was heading to the club another band's release date is tonight. Happy hiring I love you."

An hour later Sophie called Angel and got the voicemail she calls Joshua. "Hey, have you heard from Angel she said she was coming to handle these interviews after stopping by Ice Cream Haven after her therapy?" When he says he thought she was already there. "Okay hold on I'm calling the Haven." Sophie clicks back over "She left there with some chick like an hour ago. Is Candy with you? Okay I'll call Evie I don't know who else she would be hanging with. Especially to blow me off like this. I'm going to have to reschedule these people they have been patient but damn." Joshua asks her had the STOP team seen her. "I wasn't going to call them but shit the last thing she said to me was what kind of topping I wanted. Okay I'll get back to you after I call Evie and if they aren't together I'm calling the STOP team." Sophie calls Evie when she denies seeing Angel since last night Sophie hangs up on her and calls Bobby's STOP team captain. "What do you mean she's been parked in the bank's garage for 30 minutes? That's not even our bank. Yes, I give you permission to go in the bank. Call me back."

Angel walks in the bank with Brenda. She tried to not appear frightened but she just had to hold it together long enough to do this and get away. They cash the check Angel steps back the woman tells Angel one more stop. "Look I gave you the money I have to go I'm expected somewhere like 10 minutes ago." Angel turns the woman wasn't crazy enough to draw her weapon inside a bank. Angel powerwalks towards the entrance. The older woman walks just as fast the minute they are back in the garage Angel tries to run the woman pulls her gun and tells Angel to get in the truck. The woman gets back in the back seat. A man taps on the window of the passenger side. On instinct Angel hits the locks. The woman tells her to unlock the door she does. The man was around her age, wearing dark slacks suspenders and a white button up shirt.

If fear was something you could touch Brenda knew she could grab ahold of Angel's. "Welcome to the party Patrick did you bring your friend? Miss Ivey here has paid our price in full she deserves your best." The girl grabs the door handle as if to bolt from the cab. "Try it dear and this lead will eat through the back of your seat have you ever raced a bullet their pretty fast." The girl stops and slowly removes her hand for the handle.

Patrick wanted this to go smoothly he speaks in a calming tone to the woman. "We just don't want you to be able to tell the police where we are. You understand right?" the woman says the usual about not telling anyone anything. "Oh you'll want to and that we just can't have. It's better this way. I've never met my big brother but momma says I may get a chance when all is said a done." Patrick removes his hypodermic needle kit from his pocket and calmly keeps speaking the woman starts crying something loud and unintelligible about being pregnant begging him not to hurt her. "This will calm you down don't worry if we wanted to kill you you'd be dead already." He looks back at his mother nods his head. His mother grabs the girl around the neck holding her still the girl screams putting one hand on her stomach, and one hand one his mother's arm he presses the needle into her upper arm.

Angel felt warm all over she knew she was going to pass out. She tried to get free. The pressure around her neck is released after she feels the pinch of the needle. "pleeeease nooo" The man's voice was very calming but he sounded far away. She tries to reach towards his voice then her world falls into darkness.

Patrick watches as the girl shakes and soon her jerky movements slow as she reaches for him he leans away until her hand falls to the seat and she passes out. His mother pulls her back upright by her hair. He'd parked his Oversized Ford F350 next to her truck on the driver's side. Getting out he opens the door and puts her in the back passenger seat of his truck. With his door open and his tinted windows up no one looking from the front could see the switch. His mother gets out and gets in his truck. They soon drive pass the people that he followed that was following her.

Captain Joey Striker calls Miss Sophie Ivey back. "Ma'am we went in the bank and Miss Angela wasn't inside. Her truck is still in the garage. The teller says that Miss Angela gave the woman a check for 20 grand. The teller says the only reason she remembers the transaction because of the amount and the fact that the check was a personal check and she had Angela show ID as proof she had really wrote the check. She also said the Angela woman seem nervous about something. I've informed Agent Hawk-Ivey. He has tried to call her but keeps getting voice mail." Sophie says she has too that's why she called him in the first damn place. "Ma'am we are on your side. We are state there are some places we cannot enter. Private property garages are one of them. My men covered the entrance she just never came out." he has to put the phone away from his ear until the screaming stops. "Ma'am we will find her okay."

Joshua tried to keep himself busy he checked the locks on the equipment. When the lead guitarist from another band struck up a conversation with him the minute his phone plays Sophie's ringtone he answers turning his back to the man. When Sophie tells him that Angel wasn't with Evie or at the bank with her truck Joshua grabs his jacket and runs out of the club he calls Jonathon and asks him to come cover the club. "I don't know what's going on but I aim to find out."

Angel feels very sluggish as she comes to her throat is dry. She looks around and discovers she is on a bed. "Oh my god where am I?" She tries to sit up but can't that's when she discovers she is cuffed spread eagle on the bed. "No HELP ME" she screams she was in a hotel or at least it looked like one. She feels cold and looks down and discovers that she is only in her underwear. A door to the adjoining room opens the man that she'd seen earlier stands in the doorway staring at her. "Look I gave you the money I don't know where we are please just let me go." he tells her to calm down or he'll put her back to sleep. He freaked her out when he tells her in his calming tone that he liked watching her sleep. Angel pulls on the cuffs as she tries to scoot away from him as he walks further into the room and sits beside her.

"You know I use to listen to your music and dream that when you walked off stage to greet the first row that one day I'd be in the front row and you would come to me and hug me or high five me. Mother says we can't keep you I begged her to, but she said we'll have to leave you here in Houston. Oh damnit I told you where we are. What you don't like Houston?" Angel shakes her head no her eyes were as big a saucers. "I'm sure Boy will come and get you so at least you won't have to walk back home. You look so frightened" he reaches out and softly runs his hand down the side of her face. She flinches and whimpers. "I'm gonna take a picture will you smile please?" She asked will he release her. "That's not up to me that's mother and father's department. I'm just the nurse. I'm glad you gave us the money to get dad out he just doesn't know how to express himself where Boy is concerned. They are very much alike dad and Boy."

Angel says nothing Joshua was nothing like any of these people. "Patrick I have one request can you please let me up long enough to use the restroom. I'm not going anywhere you have my clothing and my truck somewhere." he smiles down at her and then surprises her by saying she had a point. She smiles up at him. Her smile fades just as quickly when he turns around to go get the key and she notices his gun he was armed. He unlocks her hands first and hands her the key to unlock her ankles.

"Please don't try to escape. I like your band and all but I will shoot you if you try to get away." He pulls his mom's gun. She walks into the restroom. He sits on the bed facing the restroom door. He leans back on the bed that's when he felt a prick in his thigh. "shiit" He knew what had happened he had the prefilled needle in his pocket he wanted to watch her sleep again. His world fades to black.

Angel walks back out of the bathroom moments later to find her capture asleep on the bed. She knew he was asleep because he'd let go of the gun. It was on the floor. Just under his hand. She couldn't find her damn clothes moving slowly she gets on the floor and grabs the gun. She had to get out of here. She eases up to the adjoining door and slips into the room he had come from. She finds her clothing on his bed she didn't even want to think about why they took her clothing. She dresses in the closet incase the parents came back before she was done. Peeping out she quietly peaks to see if the son has moved he hadn't. Her purse with her phone was with her clothing she opens the door looks out doesn't see anyone and runs to the elevator. As she gets in, the other elevator opens she presses herself up against the interior wall and pushes the ground button when she hears Joshua mother's voice. Her doors close and she hopes no one from this floor to the ground needed this elevator. She holds the gun behind her purse in her left hand. The elevator stops on the 3rd floor a couple gets in, eyes her, and then stares up at the numbers as the elevator descends to the ground level. Angel walks out of the hotel and runs until she couldn't run anymore. Breathing heavy she looks back, she'd run a good 5 blocks. She was in Houston at night alone with a group of lunatics looking for her. She tries her phone the battery was dead. She almost breaks down until she remembers Sophie's Christmas gift to her hoping it works she presses her phone to the side of her purse it comes to life with its usual "hello darling" thought bubble emoticon. The pocket charger would only give her about 50% but it was something. It was hope. Her phone starts ringing its classic ring. She was scared to answer it. She sees that she has lots of voicemails. Biting her bottom lip the first voicemail was Sophie asking where she was. When prompted she calls Sophie. Sophie answers and asks where the fuck is she. Hearing her sister's familiar voice was almost Angel's breaking point. "All I know is some were in Houston" Angel looks around for a street sign at Sophie's request "I'm on Hudson Street at a bar named Rave DEN but I don't know this part of Houston if they come I have to leave."

"Who are they?" Angel tells her what happened and who was behind it. Sophie is angry and speechless for a moment. She knew how Angel felt about Houston. "Angel stay there as long as you can I'm on my way." She didn't want to get off the phone but if Angel was using the Battery-Jump she wouldn't have much phone life left. "Hey I'll call Joshua you sit tight only as long as it's safe to do so. If you have to leave just text me okay" Angel agrees. "See you soon sista, love you." She calls Joshua he answers her first words are. "You, son of a mother fucking bitch! Your mother kidnapped my sister that's what my problem is. Angel is in fucking Houston. No not Davenport, Smyth, get your head out of your ass you dumbass. Sorry I'm not mad at you I know you had nothing to do with it or I would chop you up into little bite sized pieces. She got away she's in a bar." He asked what bar and she tells him he says he's on his way.

Angel sat in a booth at the back of the bar. She figured she was far enough away from the front door to where if one of the Smyths came in the front door she could get out. The bar tender walks over and asks her is she going to order. "A menu would be great." He hands her one and stands there staring at her. Angel looks up and orders fries and a Ginger Ale. He takes the menu and tells her coming right up. Angel refocuses on the front door after scanning the bar. Sitting back in her seat she notices when Glenn walks in. He sees her and looks around then waves at her. He stops by the bar then walks over he was blocking her view of the front door she leans to the side then looks up meeting his gaze.

She was pale and looked two seconds from running. Her eyes gave away the fear and distress that was coming off her in waves. She was dressed in a business suit. He points to the chair in front of her and says "Hey mind if I join you?" She looks behind him and he looks too. "Are you meeting someone here? I'm not here to mess with you if that's what you're thinking." Logan walks in and she gets up looking behind him. He sees her and walks over telling her that Megan wasn't with him. She seems to calm down a little. "So do you mind if we sit with you?" She says she'd prefer it. That's a shock to Glenn. "Well you know we aim to please."

Angel was cold there must be a door in the back because she kept feeling a draft. Logan with Glenn was an odd combination but they were both at least familiar faces. Logan sits on the same side as her Glenn sits across from her. Angel puts the gun in her purse. Glenn asks was she checking out new bands here at the Den. "No I…I'm hiding out in here until Sophie comes." Angel didn't know speaking to him would be so hard with exception of Paula's house they had not said a word to each other since Mark's wedding reception and that ended with her kneeing him in the groin to get away from him. She wraps her arms around her this suit jacket was cute but very thin. Logan offers her his jacket. She accepts thanking him. He gets up and walks out to his car to go get it. Glenn reaches across the table and touches the scaring around her wrist from where the restraints held her to the bed. She doesn't pull away from his touch just squeezes her eyes close tightly then reopens them.

"What happened to your wrist?" She tells him and though he told himself that he was done apart of him still cared. "Have you called your husband? He referred to Band Boy as her husband because as far as Glenn is concerned she was already taken. She tells him that Sophie would relay the message since she was low on battery, and didn't know if she would have to flee this place. "I can answer your question of do you have to run the answer is no. I'm not going let anything happen to you. I was an ass." She looks away from him. "I'm not trying to change your mind or nothing." She starts to say something he cuts her off. "I heard your song between that, and the fact that I realize I was way too everything to you and none of it good. I know we can't be an item but you're my best friend's family. Mark told me countless times before and since the reception that if I really loved you I would have wanted what was best for you not what suited my wants only. I'm sorry I hurt you."

Angel meets his gaze again after checking the door. "I don't know what to say to you." Logan comes back and hands her his jacket. "Thank you" she wraps up in it. Her order comes to the table she pays now, just in case she had to leave in a hurry. Logan takes his previous seat next to her. She wasn't hungry but she figured if she ordered something she wouldn't be put out. "You guys can have the fries I'm not really hungry." Glenn stares at her as he slowly reaches for a fry he says last chance to change her mind. "Please just eat them." Logan asks is she sure she just nods draws in on herself more inside his biker jacket. They take care of the fries in quick fashion and she sips the Ginger Ale that was not helping the chill that had set up inside of her.

Out in front of the Rave Den Sophie and Joshua pull up Joshua checks to make sure his blades are unlocked on his belt. He gets out and tells Sophie to stay in the truck. She says fuck that. They walk in and Logan waves at them and is pushed out the seat onto his ass as Angel charges at them she launches herself into Joshua's arms. He holds her close to him. Looking around he spots Glenn helping Logan to his feet. Bobby runs in and says for them to leave now. Angel hands him the gun and tells him how she got it. She feels Joshua tense at her mention of his birth parents.

Bobby asks Angel "The owner of the Ice cream shop said you bought and older lady an ice cream and left with her what the hell happened?" When she tells him what happened he eyes the expression on Davenport's face. The kid looked about to explode and Bobby couldn't blame him because right now if either one of the people his younger sister had just described walked into this establishment he'd kill them were they stood there would be no trial. "I still want you guys out of here. My STOP team captain has been put back on desk duty. I have a few federal agents mixed in that way from now on they can follow you more closely. So when did you switch cars because your truck is still at the bank?" That was it he knew she looked on the brink of falling apart. She burst out crying that they had put her to sleep with a something in a needle.

"He said he liked watching me sleep. I was so afraid I debated on going out of the bathroom window but it wouldn't open. If I had of broke the glass he would have heard me. I went out into the hotel room and that's when I found him asleep. I took the gun in case the woman or her husband were waiting on the other side of the door."

Brenda and James ride up to their room. "The room is wonderful and now all we have to do it have Boy pay us for her and we're home free." James grunts at her and says he's just glad to be out of jail and that he's going to give Boy a lesson in respect when he sees him. "I know dear" they walk into the suite and Brenda stops short. Patrick wasn't in the suite. Sighing "Patrick, I told you that you could watch her sleep. You better not be in there doing anything else to our golden goose but watching her sleep." Brenda walks into the adjoining room and stops dead in her tracks. On the bed lay Patrick. She walks into the bathroom the girl was gone. An unyielding urge to scream burst from Brenda's lips as she balls her hands into fist. "AHHHHHHHHHHH Patrick what have you done? Where is she? She can't of gone far you put enough sedative in that second oh no." Walking over to where James is slapping Patrick awake he groans then looks up at them. "Tell me how she got loose" Patrick says what happened and the fact that he now wouldn't be able to get his sexy picture. Brenda grabs him by his hair yelling in his face. "If she has left this hotel that means she now knows where we are. We have to get out of here before this place is crawling with cops. Where's my gun?" Patrick shrugs and for the first time his parents beat on him. He pushes Brenda away from him he was taught not to hit women she comes back and punches him in the face. James kicks him and starts stomping on him.

Patrick screams "Momma I thought I was your favorite." They kept beating on him "Ouch Daddy. It's me Patrick your pride and joy. Daddy please stop that's enough daddy please" Patrick cries. His sorrow turns to anger when his own father grabs him by the throat and starts choking him. He swings wildly and catches his father in the side of the head with his fist. James falls to the side of him and Patrick jumps on him choking the older man asking how it feels. His mother screams at him to get off of her husband. Call him a wasted fuck and punches him in his face he punches her out cold. "Momma I'm sorry" He gets off James and goes over to care for his mother he was a nurse after all. He hadn't meant to hit her. "Momma wake up you said yourself we have to leave."

Hours later all order seems to be restored they leave the hotel in Patrick's truck. James was tired of his seeds turning on him he was the alpha male in this family. They are sitting in a hotel in Grandville South the girl had to come back to town and when they found her. They would take her and demand ransom from Boy and James would prove no child of his was ever too old for a beating. Patrick was an easy mark. The boy was dumb enough to believe that he was sorry and would never lay a hand on his pride and joy again. Brenda played her part, when she woke she apologized and cried on cue that it wasn't her favorite's fault, that the little witch had put a spell on her baby boy. She told Patrick that the woman would lead them to his big brother all he had to do was get her back and they would do the rest.

"Y'all she done seen my face she'll know me from a mile away." His daddy told him a plan. "That just might work." Patrick had a plan now all he needed was to set it up. His daddy promised that he wouldn't hit him no more and that when they got the money he could finally go to medical school he liked being a nurse, but he would rather be a doctor. Then he could live up to his daddy's nickname for him. He would be his daddy's Pride and Joy.

Sophie insisted on driving back Joshua had sped like a mad man to get to Houston. He'd cut a 2 hour drive down to an hour and fifteen tops. He broke so many speeding laws and basic traffic signs meant nothing to him. Joshua sits in the backseat of his truck with Angel laying on him. As they reach Granville South he looks down at her she'd fallen asleep. He was torn because he didn't want to wake her up but he didn't want to take any chances none of them knew what the guy gave her in the needle. "Come on babe wake up, we're almost home." He runs his hand up and down her back. She jerks awake looks at him and sighs. They get in the house and Angel heads straight to their room. Joshua follows her up there. After a long hot shower as hot as she could stand it she wraps up in one of his shirts and gets in their bed. Joshua lies down with her "Do you want to talk. "

Angel meets his gaze and speaks in a hollow tone "I did everything she asked and still ended up funding my own fucking kidnapping. When I woke up in the hotel room and your brother said he liked watching me sleep I was never so scared in my life. I didn't want him putting me back to sleep. JC didn't start moving around until I started running. I was so afraid that I'd never feel our baby again. As I was running down the street I made a promise to myself." Joshua asks what she promised herself. "I promised myself if I got away that I would come home and not leave." Joshua tells her about the new way the STOP team would be able to work. Anger spiked he didn't understand. "You weren't there, you didn't see that bitch pointing a gun at me. Or that fucker stick me while she held me in place. I'm going to learn how to shoot. I had the gun but that was merely to take one of them out of play. If they had of come back if I had of missed they would have killed me."

Joshua gets up "You think I don't know I wasn't there? I understand you're scared. I just don't want you to be a prisoner in our own home." He paces at the foot of the bed. They wanted his attention they'd got his attention and would feel pain when, not if, he caught up with them again. "As far as you learning how to shoot. You have a brother that's a Fed and a father that's a weapons enthusiast I'm sure one them could teach you." She says they could teach him too. His answer of NO was so final. She stammers when asking him why not. He sits on the bed running his hands through his hair. Looking back at her over his shoulder he says in a calmer tone. "There are so many irreversible decisions that I would have made in my life if I owned a gun. That's why I choose not to own one. You on the other hand learning how to use one may be the answer I don't know. Talk it over with Dr. Middlebrooks."

"I will, I don't know if having one would have leveled the playing field or made things worst today. I'm afraid and I hate my fear." He lays back down and pulls her close. He was right about not staying locked up in the house the longer she did it the longer it would take her to leave the house. "You're right, we have a lot of things to do, and I don't want to give them the satisfaction of controlling me through my fear of them. I'd have to leave the house at least twice in the near future. We have already moved the wedding once, and I don't want to move it again. Dr. Middlebrooks would say telling myself that I'd come here and never leave was just my way of given myself hope that I would make it back here. I won't be so quick to go anywhere alone for a while, but I won't hide out in here."

He kisses her and agrees with her self-assessment and compliments her on recognizing the self-preservation emotional trigger tool. He was glad her therapy seemed to be sinking in. He wanted to change the subject and starts talking about the wedding and other less stressful topics. She suddenly smiles and starts wiggling around. He looks down at her "What are you doing?" She takes his hand and presses it to her side. JC was kicking her. A goofy grin claims his features. "I think we have a future kick boxing champ in there." She says no because daddy would clobber the first kid that kicked him. Joshua laughs and says "The kids would be safe, I'd be ready to clobber the teacher." She turns in his arms to get more conformable and he holds his lover to him kissing her nape. They soon drift off to sleep.

Cassandra and Sally are cooking breakfast the next day this reminded Casandra of her early childhood. Just her, and her mother, talking, and cooking, and her daddy would come in soon saying something smells good, and they'd eat their breakfast creation. Someone was knocking on the backdoor. "I'll get it mom." Cass goes to the door. When she looks out she pauses "Bradley, you're not supposed to be here" she says through the door. He looked normal enough, he had on nice clothing. He waves for her to come outside. She looks back at her mother. "Mom, I'm going to see what he wants, then maybe he'll leave before daddy gets up." Cassandra waves for him to step back. Bradley backs to the bottom step. Cassandra walks out onto the deck.

"Well, how's it going? Have you convinced dad that I can be trusted? I got a new job, I'm still clean. I'm living with a girl that needed work done on her house. In Grandville South." He smiles up at his little sister. She admits that she really had not said anything to their parents about them keeping in contact. Bradley walks up the stairs his face set in a grim line. "I'm a fucking secret now. I admit I haven't been that great of a son, but just like they replaced me with Boy they'll replace you with Angel. I need you to wake up sis."

Cassandra put her finger in his face and tells him "That shit worked for too long Brad. You basically fed my insecure delusion about my place in the family. Mom and Dad still love you, but you hurt them. Not only emotionally, but you put your hands on dad in violence. If you had of just robbed the house, that would have been bad, but you took it way to far, you could have very well killed him. They aren't replacing you with Joshua that was never the score. Joshua has been in our family for over 17 years, it took me a long time to realize this, but big brother, Joshua had a place in our family the minute momma brought him in the house." Bradley grabs her hand and puts something in it, saying to tell dad where she got it. He then walks back down the stairs.

He turns around and says "If you want to forget about the fact that our parents made us move out because of him, then you go ahead, and live in your fantasy world until it comes crashing down around your ears. I'm going to have a talk with Joshua, if he is the vehicle for me to get back in dad's good graces, then so be it. You said he forgave you and mom what makes me so damn different?" Cass tells him to just leave Joshua alone. She also reminds him of what the consequence was if they chose to stay here at the house, after threatening to throw a miner out of a second story window. "You the one that made it in to a threat, I was game. When I looked at your face I knew you couldn't go through with it. All you would have had to say was that he jumped and tried to set us up it would have worked."

Cassandra says "That's the difference between us Bradley; I was trying to scare him into stop giving mom the silent treatment. You meant to throw him out the window for real. Even if your lie had worked, you don't think for one second, that it would not have ate mom alive, here is the kid she saved that ends up "jumping" to his death. She was wigging out from him not talking to anyone. She would have been ready for the funny farm had anything happened to him. Between you and Denton I was half fucked up most of the time. I'm doing something about it now that, I have a second chance."

"You are selfish you know that. You seem to think you are the only one that deserves a second chance." He points at her hand "Give that to dad. You won't tell him it's from me for fear that he will be pissed that you still talk to me. You found your way in I guess it's time for me to find mine. Goodbye traitor. " he turns around and walks to his roommate's car. Cassandra yells it's not like that he gets in and drives away.

Cassandra opens her hand as she watches her brother speed down the alley. He gave their dad $300.00 she jumps at her mother's voice. Sally leans in the doorway. "What did he want?" Cassandra hands her the money and says it from Brad to dad. "How long have you two been talking? Or did you ever stop?" Cassandra says they never stopped she just didn't want to upset her dad. "I'd say leave it up to them to settle, but if he's going to be dropping by I need to talk to him. He looked good, I hope he keeps it up." Sally watches her girl's eyes brighten. As she gives her a full report on what her big brother is up to. "That helps, I'm glad he is turning his life around. He scared us more that day then I was even ready to admit. When your father sent him away I was worried that he would turn back to drugs." They head back in the kitchen and finish cooking, Michael had not come down yet. He was usually very prompt. "Cassandra, go see if your father has got up yet." Cassandra walks into her father as he is about to enter the kitchen he seemed to be moving slower. "Daddy, are you okay?"

"I feel foggy" says Michael as he slowly makes it to his seat. As they start eating Michael sits and stares straight ahead. Sally asks was he not hungry. Michael felt himself leaning and tries to correct his posture. He feels like he leaning the other way Sally stares at him. The lights become brighter and he closes his eyes. The lights were still bright like he had not even closed his eyes. "It's bright turn down the lights can we please?" His wife gets up her motion makes him dizzy and he falls over. "Help me up" Cassandra runs towards him he tries to reach up to her hand but notices all his efforts fail as he looks down at his hand. Something was very wrong. He tries to talk to her he could hear his words but she kept asking him what is wrong. She announces to Sally that he is shivering. He did not feel cold, in fact he felt warm all over the lights dim and darkness claims him.

Joshua sat in his music room playing his guitar. Angel pokes her head in and hands him his phone. "Sorry it didn't wake you did it?" She says no she woke up minutes before it started playing an opera piece. He knew exactly who had called. "It's Sally's favorite song." He calls his mom back when she answers she sounded weird. "Mom, what's wrong are you guys okay?" Sally tells him that Michael is back in the hospital after passing out at breakfast. "Please tell me you're at Sheldon Medical Center. Okay, no I'm on my way okay. He's going to be fine mom, please stop crying, I'm on my way." Joshua ends the call and franticly turns around in a complete circle. Angel grabs him and says she's driving. He asks is she sure she says yes because she'd like him to actually get there and not by becoming a patient. They head out and she drives him to Sheldon Medical in his truck. Joshua jumps out as soon as she parks. She powerwalks to keep up with him not wanting to be left out in the parking lot alone.

Sally, Cassandra, Joshua and Angel sit in the waiting room. Cass keeps looking at the doorway she'd called Bradley he deserved to know what was going on. She would not want to be left in the dark, and she hated that he'd accused her of being selfish. Bradley walks in, Cassandra gets up. Joshua nods his greeting, and turns back around. Bradley walks over, hugs his mother, Sally clings to him as she had Joshua and starts crying again. "Mom, he's going to be okay." Joshua says as he gets to his feet. Sally looks up at him, and says she sure hoped so. Luke comes in, and says that they were going to move up the time frame of the procedure, because Michael had a set of pressure based seizures. Sally covers her face. Bradley walks up and gets in his face. Luke puts up a hand, and tells him to step back. Bradley tells Luke if he hurts his father he'd knock him the hell out. Luke visually ignores Bradley by stepping to the side and tells Sally that one of the top neurology teams would be assisting him, and walks back in the back.

Joshua sits back down with Angel on one side and Sally on his other. Cassandra tells Bradley that threating the doctor could get him kicked out. He waves off her statement and walks in front of Joshua who stands not wanting Bradley standing over him. "So Joshua, you recommended this guy, if he fails what do you get out of it? I know you don't like me, but setting up my dad is low, even for you." Joshua walks forward giving Bradley the choice to step back, or be walked into. Bradley steps back when Sally stands, and tells him to do so. Joshua pushes the door open so hard the air lock misses and the door hits the wall as he walks into the hall. Angel gets up and walks out with him. Sally tells Bradley that he owed Joshua an apology. She and Cassandra fills him in on how they did the research, and how most of the other doctors wrote Michael off as being too complex of a problem or to old. Sally tells him how Angel bought The Davenport to come up with the rest of what they needed and more. "Looks, like you did what you had to. He's my father and I'm worried about him. Boy is," Sally glares at him "I mean Joshua, I mean Joshua. I guess I've always seen him as someone that was going to try to get back at me. I thought this was his big chance since he knows the doctor."

Sally is furious as she wavers in between English and Spanish "Bradley, that doctor is not willing to risk his record for a bout of sibling rivalry. You are so focused on you, that you forget that there other players in this situation. That doctor tested your father, and I did my research. For Dr. Sheldon to take on a part of my family after the way I behaved, I can only call it a blessing. I know nothing is 100% but I'll take the 96.9% probability he showed me in charts and graphs over the 2% percent or just stamping my husband as a numbered lost cause like CO did. This is not about you. If Joshua was going to do something it would have been very easy for him to let your father sell the business and probably get a lot less. Everyone has given their all it is now up to that doctor and your father. If you can't be a help, I will not allow you to continue to be a hindrance. You're my son and I love you, but grow up, you're nearly 40 for heaven sakes, act it." Bradley walks into the hall and stops just inside the waiting room when he hears Angel talking about him.

Out in the hall Joshua stands looking out the window. Angel walks up behind him, and lays her hand on his shoulder, he turns around, she opens her arms, and he hugs her. He gruffly says "Bradley got one more thing to say to me. So much is on the line right now. He's going to keep this shit going. It might be better for me to leave. I can't deal with this shit right now."

Angel didn't want to fight with him, but she had to say something. He stands up from their hug, and is about to head towards the door. He stops, and turns back, when she doesn't start walking with him. Angel shakes her head no. "Joshua, it's not about Bradley. He's being an ass, true enough, but when Michael wakes up in recovery, and they go in there to see him, you don't think he will be hurt that you're not there. Michael has said nothing, but how he felt when you came all the way to CO to see him. You, Cassandra, and Sally have fought so hard to get along, with the underlying reason being, you all love Michael. No, it hasn't been easy but babe, Sally and even if she doesn't outwardly show it Cassandra needs you. This isn't about Bradley, or anyone but you, being there for the only people you consider family. I know I'm the last person you would expect to advocate for not running away, but please don't leave, not now, not like this."

Bradley walks out fully into the hall and says "She has a point. He watches the redhead jerk at his voice. "I didn't mean to scare you. Joshua she's right, I was an ass. I figured you were setting dad up, to get back at me. Mom told me just how much up my own butt I was about that."

Joshua looks at Angel then back at his brother. "You have no idea who I am, do you? I don't know where that thought even remotely sounds like something I would do. I've never did anything to get back at you, in all this time, directly or indirectly." Bradley brings up the fact that they were made to move out. "Brad, I didn't do anything. Am I going to stand here, and lie to you, and say I am not glad something was done, no? I am saying all I did was get free and try to deal with some scary shit the only way I knew how at the time. Anything that happened after Sally caught my ass. The shit that happened was like a domino effect she scared the hell out of me. I thought she was either there to beat my ass or kick me back to the state. Both of those I was thankfully wrong about. You wanna know what I thought, when Michael told me on my way back to the house that you guys weren't there?" Bradley nods "For a few weeks, I was scared that it was going to backfire, and you two would come up to the school and get me, or run my ass over. When mom and dad moved to CO, and I would come to the house for the holidays, Cass asked me why and I will tell you like I told her. With everything that went on, before you met me. With all the sacrifices and troubles I put Sally and Michael through, they never gave up on me, good, bad, or indifferent, and they made me feel like part of a family. That feeling at least with them, never died."

Bradley looks at Angel and asks "Is he serious? I know I had nothing to do with making him feel welcomed. The Smyth family must have been real pieces of work if he picked us over his own blood." The redhead shuddered and looks away at the mention of Boy's real family. Boy looks angry, and asks Angel to please go in the waiting room with his mother, and his sister, she half nods and walks back in the room. Boy turns back to him and tells him this conversation was over and that he was going back in there to wait on news about Michael. When Boy turns to walk back in the waiting room Bradley grabs him by the arm and spins him back around. Boy first meets his eyes and then tells him if he didn't move his hand it would be broken for him. Bradley had a split second decision to make, he lets go just before Boy reaches for his hand. "I have one last question. This has been bugging me for a long time. If you were so afraid of being thrown back to the state, or that mom was coming to give you a fresh one, why did you give my parents an ultimatum about us staying there? How the fuck did you swing that? You couldn't have been that damn scared." Boy looked confused then went off on him.

Joshua heard the words but something wasn't clicking until it hit him on what Bradley thought happened in that damn bathroom, all those years ago. "You thought I what said me or your birth children? You can't be that damn stupid. It happened like I've told you when you asked 10 years ago."

Sally and Cassandra both look up when Angel comes back in the waiting room. They hear Joshua who is not whispering; threaten to break Bradley's hand. Sally walks pass Angel into the hall and hears Bradley's question. Bradley thought Joshua had manipulated her and Michael's decision to make their adult children move out, after finding out what was going on under her own roof. She points at Bradley and asked him into the next room for a veneer of privacy. As they walk into the next room which contained no other people. Sally starts to speak. "Bradley, Joshua didn't give me or your father an ultimatum. When I barged into that bathroom and saw him trying to set his skin on fire, I flipped out and smacked it out of his hand. You didn't see the fear in his eyes. I saw where he had apparently been doing this for a time. I asked him why and only after threatening to send him back, is when he told me. I called your father upstairs. I'm glad you tried to cover your tracks by saying he was up there doing drugs, only because it made me go up there, and see what was really going on. Bradley your father and I made the decision to remove you two from the household because I felt like I had failed. I had no idea that anything was going on under my own roof. I knew you two had fought, but I thought that was an isolated incident. I feared if you and Cass had of stayed and did anything else I feared what self-destructive action Joshua would take to, as he put it "deal with it". I didn't want to find out. You and Cassandra were both adults and like your father said if it continued while Joshua was in therapy they could have intervened, and sent the law to protect him. With your stunt on his 13th birthday if you would have of hurt him, you could have broken up the family forever. Having to send him away for nearly a month tore me apart." Bradley asked why they sent Joshua to therapy where he could rat out the family, why give him that power. Sally sighs "I had never worked so closely with a troubled youth. I did not know what else to do. He was so angry, and introverted, I didn't want to make his childhood any worse than it already was. To find out my own birth children, felt it necessary to treat another human being worse than they would have a pet, both and angered, and saddened me immensely. I was disappointed in you both. I told you and Cass what he had been through, before I even fully adopted him. I asked for your input and you both said you were behind me all the way. I even shared with you what happened to him, and you both used it as something to torment him with. I'm hoping, I have answered your questions, and dispelled your illusion that Joshua could have or even would have manipulated your father, and I to do anything."

Bradley remembered his mother coming in and saying how she aimed to help one of her students, she'd said then she didn't know how, and would need all their help. He and Cassandra had almost helped a kid that was one step from self-destruction over the fucking edge. He felt like a total jackass this being drug free shit was hard, he thought more clearly now. He'd been so convinced Joshua manipulated his parents into keeping him and making them move. They could have just let him and Cass face the music of their actions, but they were still trying in their own parental way to protect their dumb ass adult children from criminal charges. Bradley knew he was wrong when he was beating on Joshua but as big as Bradley was he was bullied when he was in high school. He took it out on a kid half his age and size. Yeah, he was really a bad ass at 21 years old, which worked for a while, until Joshua beat his ass at the age of 23. Bradley started really thinking of ways to get rid of the little pest. That is when he probably should have moved out, or asked for help, not after trying to convince his little sister that it was a good plan to drop a kid out of a second story window to "scare" him into talking. He had thought Joshua's not speaking was his way of getting attention, the opposite was what was really going on. Joshua's release was fire Bradley's was drugs. He sighs and says to Sally "I guess I had a lot of stuff wrong. I forgot you coming in and asking us for help. I should've spoke up about what was going on with me, before you even started the foster child or adoption paperwork." She asked what he was talking about and he told her all of it. There was no use hiding it anymore.

Sally felt sick "Just stop, Bradley no more. If what you are saying is fact I brought you both your very own living breathing punching bag. I failed to protect him, until it was almost too late." Sally walks out of the side room back towards the waiting room. She stands in the doorway watching Cassandra, Joshua and Angel sit and talk about Michael. Her baby boy was a man now, he not only survived his parents, but also her failure to protect him from her other children.

Angel looked up and sees Sally standing in the doorway looking upset. Angel taps Joshua and points up to his mother. "Sally, are you okay?" Angel asks.

Sally walks in and hugs Joshua he hugs her back asking what was wrong. She tells him over and over that she loves him and she's sorry. He stiffens and asks was it something dealing with Michael? She tells him no and withdraws holding him at arm's length. She then says how she failed him and that she was so sorry. "Mom please don't do this to yourself I'm fine. You and dad intervened when I needed you most." He puts his hand under her chin she meets his eyes. "No more beating yourself up, about stuff you didn't know about nor can change. You got me help, I'm fine and dad's gonna be pissed at me, if I let you break down now. No more self-induced guilt trips down memory lane please." She smiles at him and hugs him to her once more, then reclaims her seat on the other side of him. Bradley walks back in and offers to go get something to eat for everyone Cassandra goes with him. An hour later everyone is fed and still waiting. Luke comes out of the back and Sally is the first standing in front of him asking how her husband is.

Luke says "We neutralized the growth and found its origin using a new micro technology. He will have a small scar in his hairline that can be repaired with cosmetic surgery. He was actually born with the growth, the fact that it got larger was a result of something else in his system feeding it. One of the medicines he was on to help with his blood pressure was the nutrient that was feeding the growth that is why it started getting larger about 6 years ago. He will be taken off the medicine before being released. Removing the growth, has also elevated or lowered his levels to heathier points. He will be a little lethargic at first but he is conscious, he has been asking for all of you even Angel." Angel looks confused "He is in room N455 if you guys want to go visit." They all thank him. "It's my job but you're welcome" Sally grabs his hand and shakes it.

Michael opens his eyes when he hears his family come into his room. "You came, thank you." He watches confusion play over his newest daughter's features he knew the wedding was in a while but as far he was concerned she was family already. He looks down at his hand and lifts it up onto the railing. "Dreamed about my grandson" Looking up and meeting her gaze he smiles, or at least he hoped he was smiling. His face was still numb from the sedation medicine. She smiled back and touched his hand. He then sees Bradley over her shoulder. He stares at his son. "Didn't think you'd come. Can't, fight with you anymore. Don't want to. You're either with us or against us… No more middle ground." Bradley says with them. "We will see." Looking to the other side of his bed he spots his wife. Hoping he is smiling he says "Hello beautiful" Sally steps closer and says hello and asks him did he need anything as she lightly squeezes his hand. "Same I have always needed, you" Joshua and Cassandra was standing back behind her. "Joshua, I don't know if I ever said the words before but son I love you." Joshua says he knows that. Michael looks at Cassandra "My baby girl has grown into such a beautiful young woman keep up the good work Cass." Cass clears her throat and says she will. "That's my girl. I think sleep is…" He starts lightly snoring with his eyes half closed. Everyone but Sally who says she was staying files out of the room. Cassandra and Bradley says they are going to head back to the house and clean up where dad had his episode at. Joshua and Angel ask did they need or want help. They all meet up and clean up the Davenport home. Bradley and Joshua weren't nearly as close as he and Cassandra were but they both believed you had to start somewhere.

Angel was washing dishes. Bradley knocks on the door that leads into the kitchen, Joshua and Cassandra had gone up to make sure their parents' bedroom was straight. He watches as she turns around staring at him. "Now that we are alone" she says they aren't alone "I figured I would thank you." She says for what she did nothing for him. "No it wasn't for me. I'm glad that you were able to talk Joshua into staying. My dad lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw you guys. I mean I know he was surprised to see me, and happy to see Cass. and mom, but you and Joshua being there really made his day." Bradley walks further into the kitchen he stops when she tells him that's far enough admitting she didn't like people walking up on her. "Yeah, I think I'll sweep or something. I'm not ready to get clobbered with a flying dish or nothing."

Later that night after one more visit with Michael. Angel asks Joshua to drive her home. Saying today, and last night had caught up with her and she was exhausted. He knew she slept kind of choppy last night with jerking awake, and then getting up early this morning he says sure and they ride back home. Angel is the first to sleep as he lays holding her reflecting on the day sleep soon claims him also.

Angel wakes to the smell of her favorite breakfast. She opens her eyes when she feels that Joshua isn't in bed she sits up and looks around the room. The curtains had not been drawn. Her door opens and Joshua backs into the room and puts something else on the already stuffed table at the end of their bed. Angel gets up and goes to the bathroom then takes her shower. Walking back out into their bedroom the jumble of stuff turned into a nice breakfast setting for two he had removed all the carrying containers. "Did you order me breakfast?" He waves for her to come have a seat.

Joshua smiles at his Angel these last few days had been something else they had helped with getting his dad back home. Angel had surprised him a week ago when she told him not to leave. She was right he would have been kicking his own ass, if he had of let his issues with Brad make him leave. Now he and Brad though there was a trust barrier, there wasn't as much hostility. He hated to admit it but he really didn't think he'd ever trust Bradley, it just seemed odd for them to be talking. Joshua knew he'd kind of lapsed back into an old habit of his when dealing with Bradley. In front of his parents he greeted Bradley as he had everyone else. Brad would try to spark a conversation and one slip of the tongue calling him Boy would kind of make Joshua withdraw from the conversation. The next time Angel went to her therapy session he went with her and when they were finished, he asked Dr. Middlebrooks for her assessment of the situation. She said that Bradley may not notice that he is doing it and the next time he did it to bring his attention to it instead of shutting down on him. He said he would try it and thanks her. She asked him did he order her breakfast. "Nah, I had a few helpful tips from Sophie but for the most part I cooked it." She says he was just full of surprises. "You usually beat me to the kitchen but I figured I'd set my alarm this time." They eat and she seemed worried about something. "What's wrong" She says tonight was her father's birthday party and in two days she would get to party with her girls. She was kind of anxious because Paula kept saying her pay back for making her cry at her bachelorette party was coming she asked Sophie what Paula meant and Sophie would not tell her. When Paula first said it, she wasn't very worried because Paula didn't know anything but stuff in her interviews really surface stuff, now her sister was planning a party and Paula was involved as one of her brides maids. "Babe, maybe Paula was bluffing and figured she'll keep it going until the party. Whatever it is I'm sure it going to be great. No leaving with the entertainment Mrs. Davenport. Sophie is being very secretive about what's going to happen at your party."

"Well same goes for you no following the act into any remote locations Mr. Davenport." Angel says with a smirk on her face. He asked her did she know what Candy was planning for his party. "No she just keeps saying you're going to have a blast." He tells her that it can't be more fun than some of the things he can think of to do to her right about now. "That may be true but at least no one has told you they are going to get you back for making them cry." He tells her not to worry too much about it whatever Paula has planned it is something that is going to be good. "You're right, I'm being silly I just wonder what she has come up with." They finish eating and head down stairs with the dishes. The kitchen looked like it was under construction. Angel pauses at the last turn in the staircase. "Oh my god, now I know why I usually beat you to the kitchen." Angel walks towards the sink there was stuff everywhere. He tells her that he'll clean it up and asks will she sit and just keep him company while he does. "Are you sure you don't need any help?" He smirks kissing her telling her nah he has it. "Okay sure."

Later that day Angel comes back up into her bedroom and tries on a few outfits. Candy texts her and ask did she have a minute. Angel tells her that she was getting ready for her dad's party. Candy says it won't take long she promised. Angel says for her to come on up maybe she could help her with a better outfit the one she bought didn't fit like it did when she bought it. Soon Candy sends her a text saying she is in the hallway. Angel walks to her door and pulls it open. Candy wasn't alone a little girl near Janet's age stood just behind her. Angel tells them one second closes the door and changes shirts the one she had on was too tight. She opens the door and the little girl was heading back towards the stairs. "Hey sorry I didn't know you were bringing someone with." Candy introduces the little girl as Niccole the kid sister she had told her about a while back. Angel remembers Candy making mention of a kid sister that was a fan of Angelic Impression. The girl had got kicked off the band page when it was rerouted to a page Scott had set up called the Scorned Angelic Impression. Bobby had restored the page and shut Scott's page down. "Well hello Niccole" The girl starts talking about how she was excited about finally meeting her favorite band lead. Candy must have read Angel's confusion. Niccole looked nothing like Candy. Candy says that she was a part of a big sister program and had been for five years. It now made sense because Angel knew from what went on a few weeks ago with Candy that she was an only child. "Candy, are you staying for my dad's party?" Candy asks Nikki how long was she able to stay. Nikki shrugs and says her father didn't get home for another few days from college. Candy makes a face and asks who Nikki had been staying with while her dad was away. Nikki shrugs and says she was old enough to stay home alone. Candy asks Angel was there room for one more. "Sure hey I have a cousin around your age of course I'm only guessing that you are like 13 right?" Nikki shakes her head and says nice try but she was 14. They help Angel decide on an outfit.

Authors Note: I have to thank my newest Beta Jess S you're great. Thank you so much. Also thank you readers please review it helps a lot. : End Note