Thanks again for all the reviews, PM's, followers etc. You guys have no idea how much that means. Well, maybe some do, because at least some of you are writers too.

Anyway, here is chapter 13.

Chapter 13

"What…Daniel, you alright?" Brian immediately went down on one knee to check on his little brother. Evan was right with him on the floor. "Don't try to get up. Let me check first, okay, buddy?" Despite Brian's words Daniel did try to push himself up to a standing position, but when the world started spinning he decided sitting was a perfectly fine choice. In fact, he liked the floor very much. "Head hurt?"

The look Daniel gave Brian told the man enough, "Stupid question huh?"

Afraid nodding wasn't such a good idea right now, Daniel croaked, "Yeah, kinda."

"What happened? Did you trip?"

"That man pushed him!" Evan pointed angrily at the salesman who now gave them an indignant look.

"I did no such thing! Those two have been a nuisance from the moment they stepped into the store." He started picking up the pieces of the drum kit, checking them out as he did, "If there is so much as a scratch on this you are paying for it! First the guitar, now the drums..."

"You're lying!" Evan had gotten to his feet and if Brian hadn't done the same and held him back, he would have punched the man. "Brian, he's lying! Daniel didn't do nothing. He hardly touched the guitar."

"Hardly?"

"He tried the strings. Brian, you know Daniel can play. He'd never damage an instrument." Evan was adamant to defend his older brother. The two may have their fights, but when there was a common enemy they stuck together like glue. "And that guy pushed him to get us out of the store."

"Yeah, he did, Brian," Daniel had his hand on his head, rubbing the sore spot where the cymbal had hit him.

"And who are you?" the salesman looked at Brian.

"I'm their older brother. And I happen to believe my brothers," Brian's eyes turned to ice as he looked at the man.

"Punk kids! No discipline. That's what's wrong with this world. Just no discipline," The drums were all back in place and by miracle nothing was broken or damaged, not that he would admit that right now. "I want a word with your father! Maybe he can knock some manners into you all."

Brian's eyes turned even darker as he fixed the man with a glare, while ignoring that sick feeling in his stomach every time he thought about their parents. Instead, he chose sarcasm, "I'd love to give you our father's number, but unless you've got heaven's area code that's gonna be mighty difficult. My brother and I are their guardians," It was a little white lie, because technically, only Adam was their guardian, "So you're left with me. Now, did or didn't you push my little brother?"

"Of course I did not."

"He did, brian!" Evan yelled, "First he grabbed Daniel's arm and then he pushed him." Brian had held on to Evan, more to keep himself from punching the salesman than to keep Evan from doing so, but now he let go and was about to hit the man himself, when his arm was grabbed and he found himself being pulled back.

"You don't want to do that," a voice spoke in his ear. "It's not worth it."

"It'll make me feel a whole lot better, mister," Brian disagreed.

"Don't you even try it. I'll have you in jail so fast your head will spin," the salesman threatened. He felt braver now that it seemed the big angry man was being restrained. With someone in his corner, he managed to get the fear mostly out of his voice.

"See?" The other man, who was the same man Evan and Daniel had seen playing guitar earlier, spoke calm but with authority, "You hit him and he can have you arrested. Or at least get you in a lot of trouble. Not hitting him means he is the one in a world of trouble. Because, I am a witness to the incident, or rather, the assault."

"Assault?" The salesman's voice went up a notch.

"Yes, assault. These boys were admiring a guitar. They weren't doing anything wrong, yet this salesman took a dislike to them. He threatened them, manhandled one of them and then pushed your boy into the drum set. That, my man, is assault. If that boy is truly injured, we might be talking about a felony."

The salesman was starting to look a sickly shade of green and Brian had to hide the smirk that tried to will its way to his lips.

"Yeah, that's what happened," Evan was nodding. "That's exactly it."

"So, you're saying we should call the police?" Brian usually preferred handling things himself.

"Well, that's a possibility," The man agreed.

"You're kidding! You've got to be kidding," The salesman looked like he was about to faint. Now that he was faced with two adults he wasn't such a bully anymore. "I was trying to remove two punks from the store."

"Unfortunately for you, I will tell the police a different story," the other customer said calmly, "And since I happen to be a district attorney and unrelated to any of these people, I can't help but think they will believe me."

"But…but…." The salesman could only stammer, unable to form any logical sentence. Of course, there was nothing he could say that would turn this around.

"Of course," the DA continued with a glance at Brian and the boys, "that depends largely on these gentleman pressing charges against you. They might be willing to let this go with a phone call to your employer. I am sure he would like to hear how you treat your customers."

"I am the owner," The man tried to outsmart the DA, but he had his back against the wall.

"Well, in that case I have a feeling you'll want to apologize. You won't make any money from jail and even if you didn't go to jail, this is very bad publicity."

"Jail?" Daniel was slowly getting to his feet. "Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

"Well," The DA said, looking back at Daniel with a quick wink, "In cases of assault that is a possibility for the judge. And you were hit on the head. No idea what kind of damage that did. Might get worse too."

"I feel just f…" but realizing the man was simply trying to scare the owner of the music store, Daniel shut his mouth.

"Exactly, never know with head injuries. So depending on your injury, this might be considered a felony and then this man here is looking at at least a year in jail. And that's not even counting the civil suit he might be facing, should you be inclined to sue him for damages."

Swallowing his pride the owner looked at the boys and Brian, "I do apologize." He sounded like he was choking on the words and if Daniel didn't know exactly how it felt to be forced to apologize, he would have laughed. As it was, he started to feel sorry for the man.

"It's okay," the boy quickly said.

"Hold on," Brian looked at the DA, "he's a minor, so it'd be my decision whether or not we press charges, right?"

"Brian!" Daniel looked shocked, but the DA nodded.

"Yes, that would be up to you, in this case."

"Much as I'd like to punch you, mister," Brian gave the owner another glare, "I'm glad this man held me back. But if you think I'm gonna let you off with an apology like that, you have another thing coming. Even our 8-year-old knows that's not a proper apology."

His hands in front of him, as if to ward off an attack, the owner spoke quickly, "Look, there really is no need for the police to get involved. It was a simple misunderstanding. I thought I saw the boy do something that he didn't. I overreacted." He wasn't sure what scared him more, the idea of being prosecuted or the thought of his business being hurt by bad publicity. "The boy seems fine, but I'm perfectly willing to pay for any medical costs if that is necessary."

"Hmm…sounds like excuses to me. I was always taught to take responsibility for my actions," Brian had his arms crossed as he watched the panicking owner.

"I can always throw in a gift certificate for the young man," Suddenly the owner looked even more panicked and looked at the DA, "Or is that bribery? I mean, I don't want to…"

"Don't worry. As long are you're not offering it to me, you're perfectly within the constraints of the law. Nothing can stop you and these people from coming to a mutual agreeable outcome."

"Well?" The man looked at the McFaddens with hope-filled eyes.

"Dan'l?" Brian wrapped his arm around Daniel's shoulders, "What do you say?"

"Brian, I….," Daniel hesitated.

"Take it!" Evan called out, "the sooner you'll have that new guitar."

"I don't want it that way," Blushing a little, Daniel looked up at Brian, "I mean, yeah, he was a jerk treating us like that. And he shouldn't have pushed me. But most of the rest was an accident. And I already accepted the apology."

Brian had to restrain every fiber of his being not to give Daniel a kiss on the top of his head, "I agree, kiddo. I think you've made a very mature decision." Then he looked at the owner, "Guess you're off the hook." Part of him still wanted to punch the guy, but instead, he simply looked away, "Thank you very much for your help, mister…"

"Harris. Frank Harris," Frank held out his hand and shook Brian's who introduced himself as well as the two boys. "I'm glad I could be of help." The four left the store together, leaving the owner behind to lick his wounds. "I have two boys of my own and I'd like to think someone would stand up for them if they found themselves in a similar position."

"Still, it means a lot," Brian insisted. "Including the fact that you protected me against myself."

"Brian likes to fight," Evan offered and Brian rolled his eyes.

"Out of the mouth of babes," Frank laughed. "But now this young man still has no guitar."

"Didn't have money for it anyway. Was just seeing what I was saving up for," Daniel shrugged.

"You play?"

"Yeah he plays! He's real good too," Evan boasted earning him a shy look from Daniel.

"Not that good."

"Yeah you are, isn't he, Brian?" Evan insisted.

"He's quite good," Brian agreed with the 13-year-old. "But his old guitar will have to do for a while longer. Don't think Santa has one on his list either." The last words were spoken rather ruefully, because both older McFaddens wished they could give their brothers more. Daniel had other ideas though.

"Of course not, Brian. Christmas isn't about big gifts. And it'll mean more if I've worked for it myself."

Brian's pride was as unmistakable as the boys' love for one another and Frank smiled, "That's a very good attitude, Daniel. It'll get you far in life."

"Just the way I was raised," Daniel may have made it sound like it was the most normal thing in the world, but Frank Harris had seen enough in his 10 year career in law to know that it wasn't.

"Well, in that case, you were raised very well," He shook their hands again, "good luck with your Christmas shopping. I guess I'd better get to my own as well. Spent too much time playing guitar in here…and badly too." He winked at Daniel whose eyes grew just a little wider. He hoped it was just a casual remark, because if the man had heard him say that earlier, he'd feel very bad. Frank reached into his pocket and retrieved his business card, handing it to Brian, "If that little bump on Daniel's head turns out to be something worse, just give me a call and I'll be happy to testify. It was nice meeting you."

"You too," Brian said. They watched the man walk off and then slowly turned and walked away from the store. "Well, that was an adventure. And I still didn't get my shopping done."

"So have you done your Christmas shopping yet," June plopped down on Crane's bed, "Or have you really been studying full time?"

"Well, pretty much," Crane grinned sheepishly as he looked at her over his shoulders. He was sitting at the small desk in his room, with his notebook open. He'd lost count how many times he'd read through his notes already, but with only two more days, he needed to get this done. "I've also been trying to come up with a plan to find out whether or not they were really being blackmailed."

"Blackmailed into firing John, you mean?" The redhead pulled up her legs and made herself comfortable. It was clearly a subject they had talked about before.

"Yeah," the grin had disappeared from Crane's face.

"I feel so bad for him, you know?" June's pretty features were usually enhanced by her bright smile, but now a dark cloud hang over them. "He's so nice and so passionate about teaching."

"He's the best teacher I've ever had. Who cares who he loves? I don't. You don't."

"No, but a lot of people do," June subconsciously plucked at imaginary fluff on Crane's quilt. "I had a terrible row with my dad about it. He said teachers like that are perverted and will corrupt us."

"My brother did his best to avoid saying things like that, but I don't know…" Crane didn't want to think Adam would be that narrow minded, but he knew he couldn't rule it out, "He may have thought it."

"So, instead of studying, you've been trying to come up with a plan to help John?" June got up and walked over to Crane, placing her hands on his shoulders, massaging them. "You're such a generous person."

"Hmm…don't know about that."

"Oh I do…." Before Crane could stop her, she'd reached out with one hand and pushed his book aside revealing a map of the campus. "I knew I saw you covering something up when I came in! So, tell me!"

"I can't." Crane tried to take the map, but she'd already picked it up. "Come on, give it back."

"I don't think so…," she held it behind her back as she backed away from him, "You'll have to tell me what the plan is first."

"Or I can simply take it from you." Crane had gotten up and reached around her.

She backed up even further. "You might rip it. And then what?"

"I'd get a new map," He did another attempt to take it from her but as she took another step back her legs hit the bed and she tumbled backwards, taking him with her.

"Crane, if that's what you wanted, you should have just said so," She giggled when he landed on top of her.

Crane didn't know how fast to roll off her and scramble to his feet, "Gee, June, I'm so so sorry."

"Silly! I was just teasing," She sat up again, "We're just friends. I know that. I respect that. In fact, it's what I like about you. You're nothing but a gentleman and a great friend. You're not one of those guys who only want one thing when they see a girl."

As soon as she let her guard down Crane pulled the map from her hands. "Gotcha!"

"Oh! That was a rotten thing to do!" The pout on her face made Crane laugh even more. "Why won't you tell me?"

"Because," Crane hesitated, immediately serious again, "I don't want you getting in trouble."

"You're going to get yourself in trouble?"

"I don't know. I might. I'm not afraid of it." Crane folded the map and put it in his pocket.

"Neither am I. You know that," She gave him a mischievous grin, knowing he'd remember that afternoon in their first week, when she'd got him to go skinny dipping. And that prank she'd pulled a few weeks ago on the guy who always tried to put his own laundry in with other people's.

"Not that kind of trouble."

"Maybe I can help. Even if just with planning it out. You're not the only one who's lost a great teacher, you know."

"It's just that this…" Again Crane hesitated. June had been a friend since he'd come to Davis. He'd confided in her a number of times. About his brothers, about his classes, his insecurities, his dreams, his fears. He'd lost her a little when he was with Heather, the girl who'd gotten him to use drugs, but he'd been able to earn back June's trust and they'd been best friends ever since. And part of him wanted to confide in her now as well. Yet, another part wanted to protect her from possible consequences. "June, I might be planning something illegal."

"So?"

"So?" Crane couldn't believe his ears. "That's not something to talk lightly about."

"Not the first time I broke the law, you know. Did you think skinny dipping was allowed?"

"No, of course not," Crane felt the blush creep up all the way to his ears thinking back to that day, "But that's different."

"Then tell me why it's different!"

Making a decision Crane groaned, "Okay…I'll tell you a part of it."

"Hey!" Adam finally raised his voice. "There'll be no throwing with food. It's bad enough that it happens at home, but I'm not having it here in the middle of the mall."

"It was an accident, Adam," Evan tried to look as innocent as Ford could. The problem was that not only was Ford better at his own look, it was also a very natural one to him, because he very seldom was guilty and if he was, he would look it. So Evan's attempt remained just that: an attempt and it didn't fool Adam.

The man leaned in to look Evan straight in the eye, his voice dangerously low as he said, "Are you adding lying to general misbehavior?"

Immediately Evan's expression changed, "No, sir."

"Then just say sorry, put that fry down and don't throw anything else. Clear?"

Evan wanted to roll his eyes, but he knew he was pushing his brother. If there was one thing Adam hated, it was lying. "I'm sorry, Adam. Honest." He put the fry in his mouth instead of putting it down, a small show of rebellion, but Adam didn't call him on it. After all, the fries were there to eat them, not look at them.

"Same goes for the rest of you: no more."

Daniel had stayed out of it, mostly. He was enjoying his burger and fries, while sipping coca cola. They didn't drink much of it at home, but he liked it. It also helped him as he digested what had happened. The incident in the music store had shaken him more than he liked to admit. Not that the man had really scared him, well not much anyway, but he wasn't used to being treated that way in a store. Back in Murphys everyone knew him and even the grumpy people wouldn't have thought he was about to damage something or even steal. And they certainly wouldn't have pushed him like that. It had all added to his already morose mood about a possibly lost friendship and his fears over Adam's dates messing up his own life. He wasn't sure he wanted to help his brothers with their plan, but he knew he'd hate himself if he didn't. And it would make Adam and Brian feel bad. Despite his issues with Adam at times, he didn't want to hurt his brother.

"So, has everyone done their shopping?" Adam took a big bite out of his own burger causing the tomato to fall out. Fortunately, it fell on the table, not his pants, because it was drenched in ketchup and would have ruined his jeans. He started cleaning it up with a tissue while he chewed.

"You're kidding, right?" Brian laughed, "Have barely started and we still need some extra lights to replace that string that broke down last year. And of course someone who will remain nameless," He glanced in Guthrie's direction as he said it, "broke one of the shepherds last year so we'll need a new one."

"It was an accident!" Guthrie said for the hundredth time.

"I know, kiddo, it's okay," Brian tousled the boy's hair, "I'm just teasing you. You get to pick the new one."

"As long as it's not a weird color!" Evan insisted.

"As long as it's a human one," Daniel added, "Remember that he thought baby Jesus was a lamb because of the song?"

Evan and Daniel laughed and even the oldest two had trouble not to laugh. Guthrie turned red, though, "Stop it! I didn't know, right."

"They're just teasing you," Adam said softly to him.

"Why does everyone pick on me? Pick on someone else for a change."

Adam wrapped his arm around his youngest brother and pulled him a bit closer, "I know it seems like they only tease you, but I promise you we all get teased."

"You don't." Guthrie wasn't ready to give in yet.

"Oh you bet I do," Adam looked at Brian, "That big guy over there likes to get under my skin as often as he can."

"And he me," Brian retorted, "he's pretty good at teasing too."

"Still, I don't like it," Guthrie pouted, "And teasing is only okay when the other person is okay with it. Otherwise it's bullying. That's what you taught me."

"You're right," Adam sighed, remembering that conversation very well. It was the same talk he'd gotten himself as a little boy. "We're sorry. But kiddo, you really shouldn't take it to heart so much. When we tease you, it's because we love you."

"I just didn't want a lamb for a shepherd," Daniel grinned wickedly, "How would a lamb shepherd lambs?"

"Daniel," Adam shook his head as he chided, "it's enough now."

"Geesh," Daniel didn't know why, but the gentle admonishment got his dander up and he raised his voice. "Can't say anything here!" He angrily put his coke down. Unfortunately, the force with which he did it caused the cup to tip over and the remainder of the cold liquid and the ice to spilled out over the table and unto the floor.

"Daniel! Was that really necessary?"

"It was an accident." Unlike Evan earlier, Daniel's words sounded more like a challenge than an excuse.

Adam glared at the boy, "Even if you didn't mean to spill that coke, that little temper tantrum you just had caused it."

Daniel bristled at that, "I'm not two! Toddlers have temper tantrums!"

"Exactly. So you should be far too old for them."

Daniel opened his mouth and closed it again. He hated having his own words used against him. And he wanted to do the same to Adam. Problem was, he had nothing. Nothing he could use. Nothing he could think of that wouldn't make it even easier on Adam to yell at him. And although he wanted to do some yelling of his own, something held him back.

Watching the emotions cross Daniel's face Adam knew he'd made a point, but he was about to make another point. "Do I have to treat you like a toddler with a temper tantrum? Because I tell you, you have been asking for it for a while now. Ever since you came back from school yesterday you've just been impossible. So I'm more than willing to put you over my knee. Right here and now!"

Daniel's eyes grew wide and everyone around their two tables went very quiet and looked on just as wide-eyed, "You wouldn't!" Daniel could kick himself, knowing that sounded like he was challenging Adam and he knew not to. But geesh, how dare Adam treat him like he really was a toddler?!

"I wouldn't?" Adam's voice had risen in volume, but now got low again. "You wanna try me, little boy?" He got to his feet and looked down at the dark haired teenager.

"I'm not little! I'm fourteen. I'm almost a man. And you're not my father!"

"I may not be your father, but I'm your guardian. What I say goes." Adam reached out and took Daniel by the arm giving him a little shake.

"Adam…let go! You can't." Tears filled the boy's eyes. His brother had grabbed him in exactly the same place the store owner had grabbed him earlier and the spot was sore. He tried to wrestle free, but that only made Adam's grip tighten around his bicep and hurt even more.

"I am done with the attitude," A swat landed on Daniel's backside, causing the boy to twist his hips away from the man. "I'm done with temper tantrums," Adam had no trouble finding his behind again with a hard swat. "And I'm very much done with the back talk!" The hardest swat of the three landed and Daniel bit his tongue in order to stop himself from crying out. "Now you sit your butt down, eat your lunch and the rest of the day you stick with me. When we're home you and I are going to have a long talk about your behavior and I promise you, one wrong move today and I won't wait till we're home. There's a nice big restroom I can take you to. Am I making myself crystal clear?"

Tears, anger and self-preservation were warring in the teenager, but finally self-preservation won out, "Yes, sir," he mumbled and as soon as Adam released him he lowered himself on his seat, keeping his head down. He didn't want to see the sympathy-filled looks from his brothers, nor did he want to see the faces of the strangers around them. He hoped they were all strangers. If he'd looked, he would have known their little scene hadn't even attracted too much attention. A young teenager being swatted by an adult was not an uncommon occurrence and they hadn't been as loud as they thought they were. Every other McFadden present tried to focus on their lunch as well, not wanting to look at Daniel for fear of embarrassing him.

Slowly Daniel took bites from his food, but as usual when he was upset, his stomach tightened and his appetite disappeared. The thought of people seeing him getting spanked, even if it was only a few swats, and the knowledge there was a real spanking coming, were enough for the boy to feel totally miserable and having to fight tears. As he nibbled he subconsciously rubbed his arm every now and then.

Adam felt Brian's eyes on him as he matched Daniel's slowness at sitting down. Deep down, there was a nagging voice asking him what the difference was between Daniel losing his temper and tipping the coke and him losing his temper and spanking his brother. Not that he didn't think Daniel deserved some consequences, he'd let it go on for too long probably, but he shouldn't have lost his temper. Brian's disapproving eyes told him exactly that. Finally, the oldest looked up at Brian and mouthed, "I know." Brian looked pointedly at Daniel and Adam got the message.

"Danny?" He said softly reaching out to the younger boy and touching his lower arm, the resulting flinch feeding his guilt. "Danny, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper."

Daniel shrugged noncommittedly, but didn't say anything.

"I know you're probably very angry at me right now."

"Yeah," the teen almost whispered.

"I can see that. I punish you for a temper tantrum and then act in anger myself."

"Does that mean we won't...talk at home?"

Adam had to smile despite himself, "We'll still talk, buddy."

"That's not fair."

"I can understand you feel that way. But I promise we'll also really talk."

"If it means you'll still sp…punish me," he hated actually saying the word spank, "I don't care."

"Well, I hope…" Suddenly Adam noticed Daniel rubbing his arm. Was that the first time? No, he'd seen it a few times. Surely, he hadn't held on that tightly, had he? "Are you hurting?"

"Of course I am, you just…"

"I meant your arm." Before Daniel could pull away Adam had his hand and pushed his sleeves up revealing a very red upper arm, the imprint of fingers there were starting to turn to bruises. "Oh my god…I...did I…" Adam felt weak in the knees. Had he been standing he might have fallen. He let go of Daniel's hand in shock and fell back in his chair. "I never…"

"I doubt that's your doing, bro," Brian calmed him down. He may have felt Adam should have handled Daniel more calmly, he also knew that he hadn't lost his temper that much. Yes, the man had been angry and Brian was sure the swats had hurt. But nothing that bad that it would still hurt now. So he also knew the bruising on the arm had another cause than Adam's grip. "I bet that happened at the music store earlier."

Daniel nodded. Although the revengeful feelings in him reveled in the fact that Adam was blaming himself for it, he wouldn't lie about it. And there was always that nagging feeling of guilt over all the back talk and behavior the past 20 hours. "Adam grabbed me right where that guy squeezed my arm."

"What guy?"

"Oh shoot…" After their first round they had only briefly met to regroup and rearrange the duo's and then at lunch there had been one thing after another. Brian had simply been doing too many other things to think of telling Adam. He had the good grace to look ashamed. "I never told you about the incident at the music store."

"No, you haven't!" Adam felt himself getting nervous. What on earth had happened in such an innocent place. A place Daniel loved! "You'd better tell me."

Brian gave Adam a quick update, with occasional help from Evan and Daniel, and as he spoke Adam's face became grimmer by the second.

"I'm going to the police! And we'll sue!"

"Adam, be reasonable," Brian tried, but Adam shot him down.

"You're not his guardian. I am. So it's my decision, not yours. And I say I'm going to the police." He never noticed Brian's expression of pure hurt. All he felt was this overwhelming need to protect 'his boys'. They may not be his, but his protective side felt that way anyway.

"Adam, please," Daniel spoke up again. "I know you're mad at me already, but please…it's not worth it. I don't want that man to lose his store or end up in jail or both or worse, I don't know…" the possibilities Frank had spoken about had shaken the young teen. "I just don't want to have anything to do with him."

Adam's look at Daniel were much more gentle now than they had been a few minutes ago. "Danny, this guy needs to know he can't do this."

"He knows. Honest."

"Daniel's right, Adam, he knows. I promise you. Frank was a great help there. Really put the fear of God in him. He was shaking in his boots. He even offered gift certificates."

"And rightly so, Brian, Daniel should have accepted."

Daniel shrugged, "I didn't want nothing from him."

"Anything," Adam corrected automatically.

"Anything from him," Daniel looked at his big brother with big expressive eyes, "I'd never feel okay with anything that came from him."

Finally, Evan piped up, "I think you should have."

"But I think I can understand where Daniel's coming from," Adam had kept his eyes on Daniel, "I'll respect that. But Daniel, what if he treats someone else this way? Some other kid. And there's no one like Frank to help him out?"

"I really don't think he'll do that, Adam. He never realized what it could mean to him or his business. Now he does. Please…I just want to be done with it."

"Alright," Adam conceded, "I still think it would be better, but I won't force you."

"Thanks," Now Daniel felt even worse about taking his mood out on Adam, and Guthrie, earlier. "And Adam…I'm sorry about earlier. I don't know why I got so mad."

"Well, having heard this, I think I can put it in perspective a little. It doesn't excuse you, we've talked about your temper before, but it helps knowing this." Adam got to his feet again and pulled Daniel up to give him a quick hug. Even though they were in public, Daniel didn't resist. It was the first time in at least a couple of days the boy allowed a hug.