"Do I need a lawyer?"

Frank was already mentally tired and it wasn't yet three o'clock in the afternoon. He didn't need Alan Spaulding's crap. "Do you think you need a lawyer Alan?"

Mallet moved between the Cooper and Spaulding. "We're just trying to figure out why someone put a bomb in Company. Why someone blew up the place that no one hated that much."

"I was here all day, more than one person will be able to verify that. Yesterday I had a meeting at 11:30, and one at 2:15. Would you like the names of those who were there?"

Mallet glanced over his shoulder at Frank, who stayed uncharacteristically silent. "Not at the moment. Have you been to Company recently?"

Alan thought for a moment before answering, "Two days ago, I was verbally abused, yet again, by one of you Coopers. When you speak, you all meld together. I haven't had the urge to face that since then. Buzz's burgers aren't that good. Is that all? I have a busy schedule."

Frank finally spoke up, "For now." Mallet looked up at his father-in-law, surprised, but went along with him. "And if you're planning on taking a trip, try to aim for countries with extradition treaties with us."

Without another word Frank strode from the room, followed closely by Mallet. Neither man quite breathed freely until they were out of the Spaulding house. "You think he hired someone to blow up Company? But why?"

Frank shook his head and looked back at the mansion. "Why do any of the Spauldings do anything."

Rafe stood in the doorway of Olivia's office at the Beacon and simply watched his mother work. It was a couple of minutes before he finally spoke, "You look happy Ma... at work."

Natalia looked up with a frown at her son, "You're not in class."

Rafe rolled his eyes at his mother as he stepped into the office. "It was an early one Ma, and today's my one class day, I'm not skipping, and I don't have work again until tomorrow. I was just on my way home." A smile sprang to Natalia's face and Rafe groaned, "Ma... uhghhh... I was on my way to the farmhouse."

Natalia started to respond when Olivia's cell rang. Natalia frowned at the Caller ID. "Hello." She listened. "Yes, yes, this is Natalia. She is. Yes, yes, someone will be right over to get her. Thank you so much for calling." She hung up and stood halfway up, and then sat back down with an 'oof'. "I need, but... and then..."

"Slow down Ma. It's Emma?"

Natalia stood again. "She's sick at school, but I have a conference call in ten minutes that we've already pushed twice, and Olivia is at lunch with... someone, I don't... she's throwing up, doesn't feel well."

Rafe put a hand on his mother's shoulder. "I'm approved right, for the pick up after school or whatever. I'll go, get'er, take her ho... take her to the farmhouse, tuck'er in, hold her hair back as she gives back her lunch, whatever."

Natalia was still halfway between sitting and standing, "You don't have homework?"

"What, am I in fifth grade or somethin'. Trust me Ma, taking Emma home from school won't impact my studies. Then, you don't have to use the eyes on Liv when you miss your conference call."

"Use my..." She gave him a gentle shove, "Go, go before I change my mind Raphael."

Rafe chuckled as he left his mother in the office, shaking her head at her offspring.

Mallet was back at the Spaulding mansion and he wasn't thrilled about it. "What do you want Alan?"

Alan was in full Spaulding mode. He was back in his study, his son Phillip and their ex-wife Beth was also there. "Ah, I understand, I am not a Cooper, Lewis, or even a Spencer-Rivera, or will it be Rivera-Spencer. I am simply a Spau..."

"Shut up Alan." Beth addressed Mallet. "He was shot at, I was there."

Mallet tasted the words on his tongue, "Shot at. With bullets?"

"Of course with bullets you..."

"Alan.."

Mallet was only a bit surprised when Alan actually listened to his ex-wife. The Detective turned to Phillip. "And you're here?"

Phillip shrugged, "To assert that I didn't do it? I need to go anyway, I have a... I'm seeing Emma this afternoon."

All of Mallet focused on Phillip, the case forgotten. "Does Olivia know?"

"Yes."

Mallet nodded, "Good. Did you see this alleged shooting?"

Phillip shook his head, "No, but, do you really think that Beth would lie for my father these days?"

"Good point. Alan, Beth, would you show me where it happened?"

Beth gestured towards the door, "We were outside."

"Drink."

Emma pouted from the couch. "But Rafe..." Rafe stared at the young girl he thought of as his little sister from a chair he had pulled up to the coffee table. Emma finally sighed and took a drink of water from the glass on the end table. "Is it my turn?"

"Yep, so, what's it gonna be little lady? Can ya stay in the kitchen, can ya stand the heat."

Emma giggled and then pushed five M&Ms into the pot. "I... call?" Rafe nodded, "Your two M&Ms and raise you three more."

"Wow, gettin' very rich. Are you ready for the River?"

Emma nodded, "It's the... the flop, that's the five of diamonds, ace of hearts, and jack of diamonds. And then the turn, the king of clubs."

Rafe put on card to the side and dealt the river. "A three of clubs. Does that help you?"

Emma frowned, "I'm not supposed to te..." Her eyes got large, "Rafe..." With one motion Rafe stood and was at her side with the barf bucket he'd found in the basement and washed.

She was done soon after she started. Rafe carefully put aside the bucket and wiped off Emma's face gently. The young Spencer curled into Rafe. He looked down at her and after a moment put his arms around her. He bit his lip as she spoke, "I love you Rafe." He didn't know what to say, so he just rubbed circles on her back. He had never in his wildest dreams pictured his life as it was. Going to college, living at home with his mom and her... whatever she and Olivia were together. Girlfriend seemed like it wasn't a strong enough word, but they weren't wife and wife yet, and he wasn't even going near the word lover.

He shuddered, but stopped as Emma snuggled closer. He felt Emma's breathing slow and even out. He carefully flipped over her two cards. He laughed, careful not to bump or wake Emma. "Two aces. Beats my queen jack." He shook his head and looked down at Emma again, "Beginner's luck is alive and well."

It was only five or so minutes later that Olivia entered the farmhouse. She smiled at the scene and then saw the cards on the table. "Raphael Rivera, you're teaching my young daughter poker?"

"Uh... uh, actually, she was schooling me."

Olivia sat on the couch and took Emma into her arms. The young girl was so tired she barely stirred. "That sounds more like my daughter." Rafe stood, "But I wouldn't recommend having the cards still out when Phillip gets here."

"He doesn't like poker?" Rafe started to clean up the cards.

"I'd guess he wouldn't appreciate his young daughter playing poker."

Rafe rubber banded the cards and gathered up the M&Ms, popping a couple in his mouth. "And you?"

She looked between Emma and Rafe. "Was she having fun?"

Rafe nodded a bit hesitatingly, "I didn't teach her strategy or anything, just the rules, the types of hands, which hand wins over what, and the basics of betting. But, she's smart, really, really smart."

Olivia glanced at the sole M&M left on the table, "Did she eat anything?" Rafe shook his head, "Drink anything?"

"Some water, but..." He picked up the barf bucket and wrinkled his nose, it was a bit ripe. "I guess it came back up. We didn't have any ginger ale or anything."

"Natalia is getting some. Fever?"

"98.8. The nurse said that stuff is goin' around, and that a Derek had been sick a couple of days ago?"

Olivia nodded, "Her best friend at school." Rafe turned to go to the kitchen and winced, putting a hand to his side. "Are you okay?"

Rafe sighed, "Yeah, yeah, it's just a bad insertion, I have to change tonight anyway. The Doc said I needed more fat on me."

Olivia smiled, "Don't hear the Doctors saying that every day. How's your A1C?"

"You sound like my mother."

Olivia winced at Rafe disappeared into the kitchen. She listened as he cleaned the bucket and then re-appeared with it. "Sorry about that Rafe. It's none of my business."

Rafe slumped back into the chair across from Emma and Olivia. "Nah, it's okay. It's sorta weird, 'cause for my whole life I've only ever had Ma, but you're... I don't know." He smirked, "You're... personable. I can see why you were married so many times. All rough on the outside, all tough and kick butt-ish, but sorta soft and gooey on the inside, just want someone to love ya and put up with ya."

"There will be no number seven."

Rafe tilted his head to one side, "Damn straight."

"Raphael."

Rafe winced and spoke without looking up, "Sorry Ma."

"Would you give me a hand with the groceries young man?"

Olivia frowned, "You did all the shopping?"

Natalia shrugged, "I was there. Rafe..."

Rafe popped to his feet as Natalia left the room. "Comin' Ma..." He was almost out of the room when he turned. "It was 6.5 again, never been over that yet. Which, considering that when I was diagnosed my levels were up in the thousands..." He paused, "With your heart. You sometimes ignore my Ma. Listen to her. She's the reason I'm not gonna lose my eye sight, toes, internal organs and all that good stuff before I can even drink. Listen to her."

"I'm coming, I'm coming, if you're cute, don't leave, otherwise, keep your hat on I'm on crutches, I'm coming."

Casey did as she was told and Ashlee finally pulled the door open. "Hello."

"Wow, your face looks so much better with the bandage instead of hanging there like grated cheese. Are you okay?"

Casey glanced though the door, "I am. I just wanted to make sure you were okay as well. I'll..."

"Do you want to come in? Casey?"

Casey paused, "Uh, sure. Sure." She stepped in and closed the door. "Broken ankle?"

Ashlee sighed and nodded, "Yeah, lots of fun, but, I shouldn't complain, right."

Casey gestured to the rest of the room, "Feel free. When life sucks, complaining helps you not... go out and get drunk, or pick fights, or just generally screw over your life. Don't let me stop you from complaining."

Ashlee faced Casey, "Do you regret it? You're probably gonna have a scar, you don't even know any of us."

Casey shrugged, "I didn't think about it too much. And, I have other scars, you just can't see them." She put a hand to the gauze on her face, "May I make an observation?"

Ashlee sat on the couch, swinging her cast up onto the coffee table with a clank. "Sure. Some deep, inspirational piece of information?"

"Not... not quite. You're using your crutches wrong. It may feel good now, but your pits are gonna hurt like hell before soon. If you use your triceps, your arm muscles, not let the crutches rest on your arm pits it'll hurt some, but it'll get better."

"Triceps of steel?"

Casey inclined her head, "Sure, sure."

There was a knock on the front door. Ashlee looked at it longingly. Casey spoke, "Want me to get that?"

"I would owe you even more if you did."

Casey walked to the door, "No worries." She opened it.

The tall woman on the other side took a step back. "Oh, hello. I was looking for Ashlee." Casey stepped to one side as Dinah came in, "Have to make sure my favorite employee is alright."

"I thought I was the irreplaceable employee?"

Dinah smiled, "That too." She turned to Casey. "Dinah Marler."

"Casey Jones."

Ashlee chimed in, "She saved my life."

"Then I own you thanks. You were also the one who saved Nat and Emma?"

"Yes."

"Busy day."

Casey shook her head, "I guess. I'll leave you two alone, I need to find somewhere to hang my hat."

"How 'bout here? Doris has like, extra rooms around here somewhere. You can be my human buffer."

Dinah chuckled, but Casey frowned, "That's okay, I'll find..."

"Please. We're not the, pinnacle of mother daughter relationships, you need somewhere to stay. You can make sure I keep crutchin' right."

Casey frowned at the young adult, "The SFPD thinks I'm the one that blew up Company, and yet you're inviting me into your home on behalf of... the Mayor?"

Dinah spoke up, "Do you need clothes too?" She flicked at Casey's threadbare shirt, "I have some jeans and shirts that I was gonna donate to goodwill, they may fit you, I can drop 'em off tonight if you'd like." She looked Casey up and down, "Somehow I think I'll still give the skirts and blouses away."

Casey glanced between the two women and shook her head, "This town is crazy."

It was Natalia who answered the door when Phillip arrived. "She's upstairs in bed. She came home sick, but..." A smile that was mostly tired with not much happy came Natalia's face. "When Olivia told her you were coming... she wanted to see you."

Phillip raised his eyebrows, "Alone?"

"Don't screw this up Phillip. It's not just about you, it's about her too." Phillip looked up and over Natalia's shoulder at Olivia, who was staring at her ex-husband.

Phillip nodded as he responded to his ex-wife. "I... of course not."

Olivia grabbed her jacket and on her way by, captured Natalia's lips in a kiss. "Rafe's in the kitchen." She gave Phillip a stare that told the Spaulding that the statement was for his benefit. Then she was out the door.

Phillip cleared his throat, "Picking up Ava?"

Natalia stared at the door, and then managed to pull herself back to reality. "Yes. Don't take too long up there..."

Phillip nodded as he disappeared up the stairs.

Rafe came into the living room as Natalia started to sway on her feet. "Whoa, Ma." He led her to the couch, "You okay Ma?"

"I... I need a vacation."

Rafe laughed, "It's called a Honeymoon Ma."

"No, no, we..."

"Oh, yes, yes you two. At least a weekend Ma." Rafe put an arm around his mother. "Stop movin' for a minute Ma. Nothing bad will happen. You wanna come with me to the Company Memorial?"

"No, you should go, but I'm going to stay with Emma. There's something..."

Rafe stood and sighed, "She's fine Ma. She just picked up a bug at school, it's what happens."

Natalia wasn't going to be placated, "Look, Rafe, the last time I had this feeling, you were diagnosed with diabetes. Something is wrong, it sounds... something is wrong."

"The bullet's with the Forensic guys."

Frank shook his head, "Someone blows up Company, and the next day someone shoots at Alan?" Mallet's silence stretched and finally Frank answered the unasked question. "C'mon Mallet, you know me better than that. And I came straight back here to see if we'd gotten Casey's Juvie records yet."

"You were angry Frank, in a way that I've never seen you. And you weren't thinking straight."

Frank shook his head, "Check with Chief Wolfe. I was in his office getting talked at about something or other. Right after I got back he dragged me in there before I could even pee."

"See, now that's a good alibi. Chief Wolfe wouldn't cross the street for any of us. So, was Casey an angel as a child."

"Not quite, no. From thirteen to fifteen she was in Juvie."

"What happened at fifteen?"

Frank sighed and handed the file to Mallet, "Back to foster care. Had two DUIs just after she got her license, a couple of minor assault charges around then, though she never went back into Juvie. Then she aged out."

Mallet perused the file. "Since we didn't find anything in her adult record, do you think this makes her more or less likely to be the one who blew up Company?"

"I don't know. It does sort of look like she got her life in order doesn't it. Hey, are you coming to Pop's... Memorial service?"

Mallet nodded, "Wouldn't miss it. We'll all be there, I think most of the town will be."

Frank stood and pulled his jacket off his chair, "There's going to be karaoke."

Mallet paused mid motion, "You're kidding, please tell me you're kidding Frank."

"Mallet, I wish I were."

"Oh, you.. you're in my house."

Casey stood from the couch, but didn't get to answer as Ashlee crutched into the living room. "I asked her to stay."

"Ashlee..."

Ashlee flopped onto the couch, "What? She needed somewhere to stay. And you have the guest room, in addition to the one I'm using down here and empty one upstairs." Ashlee shook her head and opened her book.

Casey looked between mother and daughter, "I'll find somewhere else."

Doris blew out a breath, "No, no, it's alright." She shot her daughter a look. "Will you be going to Buzz's memorial for Company. Ashlee and I will be..."

"No... no, no, no, I'm on crutches, c'mon."

Doris and Ashlee's gazes were locked in a duel, and Casey just stayed out of the line of fire and waited for it to be over. "I am the Mayor, you are my daughter. We are going." Ashlee groaned as Doris turned to Casey. "You're welcome to come along as well."

"Will I get stoned."

"Because I have let you in my house I'm going to assume you mean the hard rock, and not weed." Doris was silent for a moment before she continued, "Hate and Love go hand in hand in this town. I'd say, no... well, unless you're planning on taking out the rest of the town while they're all in one place."

Casey shrugged, "Not on my current itinerary, no. Free food, half the people there will think I did it. What the hell, sounds like fun."