Los Angeles, CA

If Danny had been told 2 weeks previously that a break in shooting would fill him with dread, he would have laughed. That was before he was (or at least felt) responsible for someone else's career. Especially when that person was his girlfriend.

This was how he had managed to find himself sitting across from L.B. Mammoth and several of the backers, none of whom seemed happy.

One of the backer leaned towards him. 'Mr. Kelly, you assured us that if we gave you some time that Ms. McDermid would be able to get back here and finish filming. We gave you time, and where is she? Nowhere to be found.'

'Well, sir, you have to understand that her father is really ill. You can't expect-'

'Oh believe me, we can expect. We're here hemorrhaging money while she's gone. And if we continue to lose money we will expect there to be consequences for her. Do you understand me?'

Danny had nothing to say to that, and could only manage a nod in reply.

'Very good. You can leave now, and be sure not to disappoint us.'

Danny didn't have the will to stop and talk to anyone after his meeting, and had breezed by all of his friends. Once he arrived home he flopped down on his couch, not wanting to see or hear from anyone.

Up until that point he had truly believed that everything would work out, that Sawyer would either come back or that the backers would come to their senses. It was only at that moment that he began to realise that he had failed. He promised he would take care of everything, and he hadn't. Never in his life and he felt so-

*RingRing*

Danny sighed, and dearly wanted to not answer. At that moment sitting back and ignoring everyone for a night. It was only the slim possibility that it might be Sawyer on a late night call that made him answer.

'Danny-boy, how the hell are ya?'

Danny smiled. Ben was one of his older brothers, and as much as he could be a pain in the butt, he was the kind of guy you would want to talk to at a time like this.

'Benjamin! How's the family?'

'Not too bad. Nancy may have me killed if we don't have a baby by this time next year, so that's been taking up most of my time.'

'It's a hard life. Mom and Dad?'

'They're good, worried about you. Mom wanted me to ask if you knew what Sawyer's dad eats; she's putting together a care package.'

'Of course she is. That why you called?'

'I just wanted to hear what's happening.'

'Well, Sawyer's dad is getting out of hospital today. She's relieved, as you can imagine.'

'You don't sound very happy. Hoping she might have some inheritance coming her way?'

Danny frowned at that. 'That isn't funny. Let's just say that the studio ain't too happy about the way things have worked out. I'm starting to worry that her contract with Mammoth Studios won't last too long.'

'Her Dad nearly died, Jesus! What kind of jackasses are you working for?'

'I ask myself that every day.'

Ben sighed. 'What are you gonna do?'

Danny ran a hand over his face, trying to process his thoughts. 'I don't know. She kinda knows how bad things are, but I don't know if I should tell her everything. She's under enough pressure. We all are.'

'Dan, can I ask you something?' something changed in his voice at that moment, but Danny couldn't place what.

'Shoot.'

'What are you still doing there?'

Danny was surprised by that. 'Excuse me?'

'Why haven't you gone to be with her?'

'Ben, it isn't that-'

'Listen, I know how difficult it must be for you both right now. All I'm saying is, if it was Nancy, I would drop anything to be with her. And I know you think the same way I do.'

'Listen, I can't just leave.'

'I know you can't. I don't know your life. But just think about what I said.'

Boston, MA

Sawyer pushed her father's front door open with great enthusiasm. 'Welcome home, Dr. McDermid! It's time for you to remember what it's like to actually be at home. Not that you did much of that in the first place.'

Jared chuckled and took his first step inside. He was finally starting to look better, with a bit of colour coming back to his face. He may not have looked as dapper as he had before, but he was getting there.

He threw himself down on the couch, getting a head start on some of the rest that his doctors had insisted upon. He didn't even stop to look at any of the presents his family had sent.

Sawyer grinned down at him. 'Have you finally embraced relaxation as a way of life?'

'I could certainly get used to this. Sit with me?'

She sat down at the end of the couch, and smiled at her dad. He returned her smile, but then shifted up, clearly having something he wanted to ask. 'So, when are you going back?'

'Whenever you don't need me anymore.'

'And what about your career?'

'That's something that neither of us should be worried about right now.'

He chuckled. 'And what about that young man of yours?'

Sawyer tried to smile, but it was troubled. 'He'll be fine. If he really loves me, he won't mind. And I know he does.'

He sat up, and looked at her directly in the eyes. 'Sweetheart, that isn't the way life works. It isn't fair for you two to be separated.'

'I have two important men in my life. Right now, I need to be with you.'

'Hmm...It's a shame it can't be both.'

Sawyer swatted him gently. 'If we were able to both be here, we would. Believe me, that would be my preference.