Okie dokies! This is another flash back for one of the characters. This time we get to see little Bradana. What kind of life did this beautiful doctor have as a child? What kind of father did she have? Well, hopefully this will answer a few of those questions…at least you'll get to know Brady a little better.

So get comfy and get ready to delve into the life of Dr. Joy!

Chapter 11

1972:

"Daddy!" 6 year old Bradana jumped from the kitchen table with a piece of paper in her hand and made a mad dash for her father. As she neared him, she launched herself at his legs. Her father caught her easily enough but set her down just as quickly.

"Daddy! Look what I made for you!" Brady waved the paper in front of him and looked at her father excitedly. He took the picture without looking or much interest and turned towards his office. Brady just followed her father into his study. Noticing he was being shadowed, he silently sighed and picked up Brady and carried her to the hallway just outside the door.

"Bradana, please. I need to get my work done," he said as he placed her on the floor. He then turned and closed the door behind him. Bradana just sat in silence on the floor. Helplessly she stared at where her father had just stood. She didn't understand what she was doing wrong. Tears began to form in her eyes but she wiped them away quickly. Her father hated it when she cried. Slowly, she got up from the floor and headed for her room feeling rejected once again. She climbed the stairs with her head bent and quietly shut the door to her room. She climbed up onto her and hugged her knees to her chest. She buried her head and shut her eyes tight to stop the tears from coming. It was no use. They fell freely and she wiped them away just to have more tears fall. There was a quiet knock on the door. Frantically, Brady wiped her face dry.

"Yes," she said in quiet voice.

"Hey, little miss. Can I come in?"

"Dunny!" Realizing who the other voice was, she immediately jumped from her bed and ran to open the door. Standing in the doorway was her older brother, Duncan. She jumped up and he caught her in mid air. Laughing, he just tossed her small frame into the air and caught her yet again.

"How are you little miss?" Duncan said with a grin on his face. He walked into her room, still carrying Brady and sat down on her bed. Brady had always adored her big brother. And he was mad about his little sister, although he would never admit it. Duncan set his sister down on the bed and the two siblings sat in silence. Brady, remembering being rejected again by her father, just put her head down once more and began to fiddle with the hem of her t-shirt.

"Brady? What's wrong?" Concern laced his voice. He was so used to seeing his sister always laughing or always on the go. So when she was very quiet, it was cause for concern. She was quiet a lot the past few years he mentally noted. Duncan knew that his father wasn't too fond of Brady. Why? He had no idea but was getting upset at the thought of anyone not being a doting parent to Brady. She was an angel. Granted, she had her moments, but she was so loving and innocent that he couldn't imagine anyone not loving her.

Brady just sat silently. She sniffed and Duncan knew that their father was the one that put tears in her eyes. Closing his eyes to fight off the rage that was now bubbling, her gently took Brady in his arms and kissed the top of her head and whispered,

"Now, little miss. No need for tears. What happened?" He tenderly rubbed his sister's back. She relaxed in his arms and wrapped her tiny little arms around his neck. Her head was buried in his neck as a muffled reply came from her.

"What was that my wee bird?" Duncan's attempt at their Scottish accent always got a laugh from Brady. Lifting her head Brady sadly repeated,

"I think I made father upset again," Brady's bottom lip began to tremble ever so slightly. Squeezing her eye's shut she buried her face, once more, into her brother's neck. She could never seem to get on her father's good side. No matter how hard she tried. A tiny little sob came from Brady. The sound made Duncan's heart rip apart.

Duncan tightened his hold on his sister while whispering gentle words of reassurance that there father wasn't upset with her. The tears finally subsided and Brady was now fast asleep in his arms. Duncan just held her a few minutes longer and watched her sleep. She looked so peaceful when she slept. Sighing, he gently laid her down onto her bed and tucked her in.

As he made his way to the door, a quiet voice stopped him.

"I wuv you Dunny," Brady said drowsily. Turning, he tip toed back to the bed and kissed Brady's forehead.

"I love you too, little miss." And with that he softly made his way out of the room. Duncan stood outside his sister's room for moment. He was beyond livid with his father. Their father was a cold hard man but that was no excuse to treat Brady that way. Making up his mind, he marched down to his father's study to have a chat with him.

A loud crash woke Brady from her slumber. Feeling slightly disoriented, it took a second to figure out that she was in her own bed. Then she heard shouts coming from down stairs.

Getting out of bed quickly, she quietly opened the door and tip toped her way to the top of the stairs.

"I AM YOUR FATHER! YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!"

"THEN START ACTING LIKE ONE!" Screamed Duncan. He did his best to keep his temper in check but as soon as his father tried to dismiss his actions towards Brady, Duncan lost it. For years their father showed no emotion towards Brady. He despised how his father treated their mother and sister. Well, that was about to change.

"YOU WORTHLESS INGRATE! YOU CAN'T COME BARGING INTO MY OFFICE AND SPEAK TO ME LIKE A DEJECTED MORON!" His father's face was now a very deep shade of red. With my luck, the old man will conk out and die, thought Duncan.

"ACTUALLY, I CAN. AND I WILL!"

"YOU USLESS PIECE OF…," his father grabbed the front of Duncan's shirt and raised his fist. Duncan raised his and was about to strike when hear heard a scream.

"NO!!!!" Bradana somehow snuck into the office and was now staring wildly at the both of them. Looking slightly embarrassed at what was about to happen, Duncan lowered his arm. As did their father but didn't let go of Duncan's shirt. Giving a small shove, Duncan was freed from his father's grip. Breathing heavily, Duncan made his way to Brady and stood directly in front of her. He positioned himself in between her and their father. He knelt down and quietly asked,

"Little miss. What are you doing down here? I thought you were asleep" Duncan tucked a stray piece of hair behind Brady's ear. Looking a little terrified, Brady sniffed and said,

"I heard screaming," she began to fiddle with her hands. Duncan gave her a soft smile. Kissing the top of her head as he got up he said in a louder voice,

"Father and I were having a little disagreement. We just got carried away. I'm sorry if the noise scared you. Why don't you head on back up stairs, ok?"

Their father grunted at the scene before him. Duncan turned to face their father.

"You have a problem with that?" Duncan crossed his arms, daring their father to say anything. Turning away, their father went to the small bar located at the end of the room and poured himself a drink. Taking a deep breath Duncan just shook his head. His father was a coward hiding behind that damn bottle.

Feeling a tug at his leg, Duncan turned and saw that Brady was looking up at him.

"Tuck me in Dunny," the little girl pleaded. Smiling despite himself, Duncan picked his sister up and held her tight.

"Of course little miss. It would be my pleasure," he said as he tickled Brady. She giggled and wrapped her arms around her brother's neck. They headed out of the study, both oblivious to their father and the argument forgotten. They headed up the stairs to Brady's room.

When the two left his office, Mr. MacKay slammed his glass down. Hearing the fading giggles as they made their way up stairs, he angrily thought, pathetic ingrate. Wandering back to his desk he got a glimpse of the picture Brady had given him. He pulled it out from under the pile of papers and stared at it. Clenching his teeth he crushed the paper in his one hand and tossed it into the trash. A thought struck him. He stormed out of his study and headed for the stairs.

I'll show you who's in charge...