Holiday break was over. She needed to go back to school. Her life as she knew it had been upended in more ways than one. She had stayed off social media, had avoided running into anyone that would have seen or heard what happened at that party and now she couldn't avoid it any longer. She sat at the counter in the kitchen and tried to eat. Tried not to think about how the day would go. Would kids stare? Would there be whispers? What did people know? She'd see Joss in math. In the halls. She didn't know how to feel about her anymore. Joss had tried to initiate something with Cam, but she also saved her from something unthinkable. Something Joss' own brother tried to do. She wasn't sure where she and Joss would stand when they encountered each other.

"Addison, you're pretty quiet this morning." Alexis said as she watched her daughter push the cereal around her bowl, barely eating.

She looked up at her mother as her brother watched from the other side of the kitchen. "It's just weird without Dad here." She told the partial truth because facing the kids from school was what she really couldn't stop thinking about.

"I'm sorry, baby." She watched her daughter carefully and then glanced at her son. "Are you sure that's all this is?"

Addison sighed. It was sometimes impossible to hide from her mother. "I'm just nervous about today. But I'll be fine."

"We can tell the school what happened, sweetheart. It might help if they knew. I'm not saying you need to tell me who, but at the very least we can tell them you've been through a trauma…everything you're feeling is justified…"

"No. I'll be fine. I'm ok."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah. Sympathetic stares from teachers will make it worse. I just want it to be normal. Thanks for being understanding about it though. I know you and Daddy want to tell the police."

"I'd do anything for you Addison. Anything." She said as she hugged her daughter. "That goes for you, too, Owen. I hope you realize that."

He stood and walked towards his mother. "I know. We can always count on you and Dad. We're lucky." He said pointedly as he looked at his sister. Trying to send the message that it was time she finally came clean, so their mother would drop Morgan's case.

"I'm the lucky one, O." Alexis said as she hugged her son. "You two ready to go?"

"Sure." Addison said as she hopped off her seat at the island.

Alexis watched her daughter carefully as she drove her to school. She worried today was going to be harder for her than she anticipated. "Addison, if you need a break, if you're overwhelmed…–-hang on a second, Owen." She said stopping her son from getting out of the car.

"I know. I'll be ok." She was nervous but she told herself she would be ok. She knew where she could go. The library was a safe space, no one went there. She also knew Morgan was at Shadybrook. There was no chance she was running into him. "Bye, Mom." She said as she got out of the car.

"O, keep an eye on your sister?" Alexis said. "And if you hear anything…"

"I will. I won't let anything happen to her."

"I know. You really are a wonderful brother to both your sisters."

"Thanks, Mom. I'll see you later." He said as he got out of the car. Owen knew today was going to be harder than his sister thought. He'd seen the rumor that Hope had started. He didn't want her to panic. It seemed like it was just circulating amongst a few upperclassmen and his sister didn't need more to worry about. He would look out for her. He'd try and keep her from finding out what people were saying while trying to simultaneously defend her and keep her secret.

Later that morning, Addison walked down the hall after stopping at her locker. The day was going exactly as she feared. There were stares and whispers. She reminded herself she could do this. It was just an ordinary day. Kids stared all the time since the debacle that fall. She walked down the hall. She needed to stop at her locker before she made her way to English and made eye contact with Joss as she passed her.

"Addison, can you wait for a second?" Joss asked her.

"I can't. I'm late."

"In math then?"

"I'm just trying to get through the day, Joss. Really, I gotta go." Addison avoided her. She wasn't sure how to face what happened and Joss was a part of that night. She didn't know what to say to her, so she closed her locker and walked to her next class. Joss seemed to accept that and moved on. She was grateful. One class at a time. She could do this.

That afternoon, math was at the end of the day, she hated this day in the rotation. She dreaded math on a good day and having to possibly talk about that night with Joss made it worse. They were sent off to do independent work and so she got up and approached Mrs. Ryan, "Can I go to the nurse?"

"There's less than an hour left in the day, Addison. What's going on? Can I help you with anything?"

"Nevermind. I can make it." Addison said as she looked at the clock and walked back to her seat. She sighed and continued working on her math problem. Tried not to make eye contact with Joss or anyone else.

Joss looked over at her. "Hey…" Addison looked up. "You alright?"

"I'm fine. It's been a long day." Addison replied, glancing at the clock again quickly.

"Can I talk to you after school?" Joss had tried to give her space over break. And she realized that Addison clearly hadn't named Morgan, but she needed to know where her head was at. She worried about her brother. He was getting better and didn't need a setback.

"I guess. Yeah." She couldn't avoid it forever and so she agreed.

Addison gathered her things at the end of the day. She went to her locker, got her coat, and then stood outside the school and waited for her Mom to pick her up. She hoped Joss would get caught up talking to friends and forget about her. She stood against the building and took out her phone. She texted Cam a simple Hey and a smiley face. She saw Joss exiting the building. Maybe she wouldn't see her. She did. She looked up and Joss was approaching her.

"Hey thanks for talking with me."

"Joss, what do you need? I don't have it in me to fight about what my relationship is with Cam…" She'd start with the obvious. The drama from Christmas and Rice Plaza and hope that was all it was.

"It's not about Cam. It's about my brother…it's about the party."

"Oh." She froze, she knew that's what it would be about. She hoped it was about Cam. But she knew.

"I didn't want to bother you over break, but…I was just wondering if you're ever going to say anything because he's just starting to seem like himself again and I don't want to see anything more happen to him…"

Addison just stared at her and waited for her to continue.

"But I know what he was about to do, whether he could see that or not…" Joss admitted.

Addison sighed. "I heard he's in Shadybrook. I appreciate what you did for me. I really do, Joss."

"But are you going to say anything?"

"I mean, I've thought about it, but I don't think so. But, it's not to protect him. I have other reasons." Her parents. Kristen. If her family stood a chance at surviving what was going on she had to stay quiet. The only way to move on was to stay quiet. The people who loved her most knew. They'd help her even if she never mentioned it again.

"Well whatever they are, I'm grateful." Joss said, genuine.

Addison read the situation and took a deep breath, she had to try and stand up for herself in at least one area of her life. "Joss, Cam and I…"

Joss looked at Addison, and admitted, "I know. I can tell. He told me as much…I'll back off." She couldn't force something with Cam. Seeing what happened with Addison and her brother put that into perspective.

"Really?" Addison was shocked it was that easy.

"He doesn't like me the way he likes you. It sucks, but it's true."

"Thanks, Joss." And then she added quietly "Seriously. If you weren't there…I don't even know…" She started to say and then she was relieved to see her mom's car pull up. "My mom is here. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." Joss replied as Addison walked away. To her Addison had seemed to have everything. A family that was together, talent, a boy who was interested in her, but even with all that something traumatic still happened. Maybe her jealousy was unfounded. Maybe it wasn't worth the effort it took to get everyone to hate her to protect her own popularity…

Addison got into the car, "How was school today?" Alexis asked.

She looked at her mom, she was honest. "Harder than I thought it would be."

"But you did it and I'm so proud of you. Was that Josslyn? You two aren't having issues again because of Cam are you?"

"No, we're keeping our distance as promised, but I think we may be finding a way to move past the drama."

"That's good, baby. You'd tell me if there was more going on, right?" Alexis couldn't help but worry that her daughter was keeping more inside than she should. It's why she made it a point to make sure she'd be home this afternoon. Just in case Addison needed or wanted to talk.

She looked at her mom. She hated keeping all this from her, but she reminded herself she had to. "Right. Are we going home or do you need to go back to work?"

"Home. Your Dad said he might drop by to see you. I'll finish up from there."

"Mom?"

"What is it?"

"I really hate this."

"I know. Your dad and I thought staying with me during the week and at the Gatehouse on the weekend for now was what's best, but if you'd rather us figure out a different schedule…"

"I don't want a schedule. I want us to be a family."

Alexis sighed. "We're still a family. We will always be a family."

"Not the way we used to be. Is Krissy talking to you yet?" She needed her sister to own her mistake. It wasn't her mom's fault. It was hers. If she hadn't agreed to keep quiet, Krissy never would have had the power to blow everything up at the ELQ meeting.

"Not yet."

"She goes back to school next week, though."

"She does."

"Want me to try and talk to her? She kind of owes me a huge favor…"

"Addison, I don't want you to put yourself in the middle of whatever Kristen's issues with me are, ok?"

"Mom if you knew—" Addison stopped herself.

"Knew what? What don't I know?" Alexis questioned and looked at her daughter.

"Nothing. It's stupid." She tried to brush it off, cover her tracks. "What's for dinner? You aren't going to try and cook are you?"

She doubted it was nothing, but she let her daughter change the subject. "There's a lasagna in the freezer that Aubrey had made. We'll heat that up…"

"Uh, you sure that's a good idea? Dad always did that."

"I can reheat a lasagna, Addison."

"Ok, if you say so…" Addison replied skeptically as they drove home. Once they pulled in and entered the house, Alexis went to her office to finish some work, while Addison went to change and then settled in the living room with a book. She had homework. She couldn't think about it. She needed a break. She needed an escape from everything running through her mind.

Aout an hour later, she put down the book when she heard the lock turn. She looked towards the door and saw her father enter the foyer and walk to stand in the doorway to the living room.

"Hi, Addie." He smiled at his daughter. It was so good to see her.

"Dad." She said as she got up and hugged him. "I know it's only been a couple of days, but I miss you."

"I miss you, too, my sweet sweet girl. Where's your brother?"

"He had mock trial and then indoor soccer practice. He's getting a ride home later. Mom's in the kitchen trying to reheat a lasagna. Could you maybe make sure she doesn't burn the place down?"

"I'll see what I can do," he laughed. "How was school?"

"Honestly?" She asked. Ned nodded and she sighed. "A lot. Everytime I walked down the hall I swear kids were talking about that night…about me…"

"It will get easier." He hugged his daughter. She pulled away from the embrace and Ned tucked her hair behind her ear, "Addison, do other kids know what happened? Who did this? If there are witnesses…"

"Daddy, please don't. You said we could do this my way…"

"I did. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was pushing you."

"It's ok. Can you do me a favor though?"

"Anything for you."

"Can you try to get Krissy to talk to Mom? She's only been here for a few weeks. She has no idea what it's been like. It's not fair that she's blaming mom…"

"I'm trying. I'll keep trying and you're right. Your mom and I both hurt each other. It sounds like maybe you're in a better place about what's happening?"

"Not really. I still think you're both being ridiculous, but I also think Krissy is going to regret pushing Mom away again. I think she's trying to protect herself from the fallout."

"Addison?" He questioned. "Fall out from what?" He worried his daughter hadn't told them everything.

"Nothing. Forget I said anything?" She pleaded with her eyes.

Ned looked at his daughter and was about to say something when Alexis emerged from the kitchen, "I thought I heard voices. Hi."

"Hi."

"I'm glad you were able to stop by."

"Because you're trying to cook?"

She looked at her daughter. "You told him? Addison, I can turn on the oven and set a timer."

"Jury is still out on that." He said, flashing his dimples. Alexis couldn't help but smile.

Addison looked between her parents, they were at ease with each other. "Can you stay, Dad?"

"I can't. I just wanted to see you. Check-in in person about your first day back. But we'll have the whole weekend together and I'll call you tomorrow."

"You're leaving already?" She hoped he'd stay, because maybe being around each other would bring her parents back together.

"I've got a conference call with an overseas company." He lied. He needed an excuse. It would be easy to stay and even harder to leave. "Tell Owen I'll call him later, ok?" He said to Alexis.

"I will."

"Bye." Addison said as she hugged him one more time. "Love you."

"I love you, too. Make sure the oven is on 350. Cook it half the time with the foil, half the time without. You've got this, princess."

"Hey! I'm completely capable."

"Right. And, Addie, consider it forgotten." He added knowing she'd worry. Hugging her one last time, believing that she'd come to him again if it was truly important. "See you soon." He kissed her forehead and then nodded towards Alexis, who sighed as she watched him leave.

She helped her mother avoid a kitchen catastrophe and after dinner Addison laid on the sofa, texting Cam. She still couldn't concentrate and she thought maybe talking to Cam might help. Having someone who wasn't family to talk to was helpful. Especially about that night. Cam wasn't going to push her to speak up or pressure her to keep quiet. He let her share her feelings without feeling judged.

Cam- You survive Madison today?

Addison- I did. Thanks.

Cam- Want to meet at Kelly's this weekend?

Addison- I'll be at my dad's. It's cold, but want to meet at the boathouse? There's a heat lamp and blankets.

Cam- Sounds like a plan.

"Hey peanut?" Alexis said as she walked into the living room. Addison looked up and gave her mother her attention, "Mac called and I need to go down to the station for Morgan's case. I shouldn't be long and your brother should be home soon."

She really hated that her mother was representing Morgan. She should say something. But Krissy wasn't speaking to their mom and it would make it worse. She had to stay silent. She had to believe that her silence could help bring them all back together.

Alexis tried to read her daughter; there was something she wanted to say but wasn't. She was certain of that. "Addison?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Sorry, I spaced for a second. Cam texted and I saw it on my screen."

"You sure that's all it was?" Her daughter definitely didn't look at her phone.

"I'm sure. Go to work. I'll be fine." She said and opened up the message with her sister.

"Love you. Maybe start your homework? It's not like you to put it off."

"Love you, too, Mom. Go, you don't want to be late." She said and watched her mother leave before texting Krissy. Will you please just talk to Mom?

Kristen- Adds, she's the reason this is happening…

Addison- No she's not, and I kind of want to say something but I won't. Not when you're like this. I don't want to make it worse…

Kristen-You coming forward won't make it worse

Addison- Yes it will. When she hears one of the reasons why I stayed quiet in the first place…

Kristen- You wouldn't…

Addison- You need to talk to Mom, Krissy. Don't destroy our family even more over this.

Kristen- Addie…just leave it alone. It's more complicated than you know. I've got stuff, too.

"Hey, where's Mom?" Owen asked as he got home, finding his sister completely spaced out on her phone.

"She had to go to the station. There's lasagna in the kitchen." Addison said as she continued to text their sister and then Cam.

"You ok?" Owen asked, worried she'd heard about the rumor or heard what some upperclassmen were calling her. He'd almost gotten into a fight over what he'd heard at practice. His sister was not a desperate slut and he needed to protect her from hearing about this.

"I'm fine. Just trying to get Krissy to talk to Mom."

"Good luck with that." Owen responded as he left his sister to her messages and went to eat dinner. Convincing Kristen to do anything on someone else's time table was a lost cause, especially when it came to their mother. But at least she didn't seem to know what was circulating.

Alexis drove to the station, unsure why Mac was so insistent on meeting with her tonight. Morgan was in treatment, anything that came up could wait. Dara was handling the case and if Dara wanted to talk to her she would have called. She was certain of that, but Mac insisted and so she obliged. Mac was a friend and he wouldn't be calling her in if it wasn't something that needed her attention immediately. She wondered if Dara even knew.

Mac sat at his desk at the PCPD and motioned for Alexis to enter when she knocked on the slightly ajar door, "Alexis, thanks for coming by."

"Why don't you tell me why I'm here Mac. He's in treatment. He's clearly not well. This case isn't the slam dunk this department seems to think it is."

"I wanted to give you the heads up that there's new evidence. It involves your son. The new DA won't drop it."

"What?" Alexis asked, sitting down as Mac motioned to the chair. "Does he need a lawyer?"

"No, no it's nothing like that."

"Then what could it possibly be?"

"You're a friend and I wanted to give you the courtesy of face-to-face conversation before you find out in discovery."

"Ok…"

"Owen's accident. There's video evidence and the car that ran him off the road was registered to Morgan."

"I had a feeling." She was relieved. She thought it was something more serious. "So you're officially adding the hit and run charges?"

"We are. But, there's more."

"What?"

"We've been trying to piece together some additional evidence of that night."

"And?"

"Well we're also working on a case against the Kensingtons for supplying minors with alcohol. We think Owen was on his cell phone while behind the wheel—" Alexis tried to jump in but Mac cut her off, "We're not charging him don't worry. It's based entirely on the 911 logs, the timing, we think he's the one who alerted the police that Morgan was violating his bail and reported the party at the Kensingtons. Cell phone video places them both at the party earlier that evening."

"He was there, but why would he..?" She knew her son had strong feelings about Morgan and a penchant for honesty, doing the right thing, but she didn't understand why he'd report Morgan while he was out looking for his sister.

"That's what we're asking you."

"I mean he was upset about my taking this case. There was an incident at the school this year involving Morgan and some other seniors. Owen came forward. But it's not relevant to the shooting on the docks."

"Well, Dara wants to question him just to be sure."

"Mac. Is that really necessary? It seems to me like he was just trying to do the right thing. Owen has a clear sense of right and wrong. He's a good kid."

"I told you the new DA won't drop it. He thinks there's more here. He's going through cell phone video of the party. He's determined to put Morgan behind bars. If you ask me, it's personal, but I just thought you should have the heads up. I know this poses a potential conflict for you."

"Well I appreciate it. I'll talk to Owen and call you tomorrow? Can you try and hold off Dara and the DA?"

"That works. Thanks, Alexis."

Alexis stood and left the station and drove home. She couldn't figure it out. She needed to talk to her son. They had thought he wasn't saying everything and they were right. She needed to give him a chance to tell her exactly what happened that night before he was sitting in front of Dara. She also needed to look up the new DA, someone new to town, a guy named Ric Lansing. It was on her never ending to do list, and it just jumped ahead of a few other priorities. Her kids came first. She would do her research. She would be prepared and stand up for her son. She also needed to think about how this might impact her daughter. They weren't wrong. More did happen that night and who knows what would be on the cell phone videos.

Alexis walked into the house and found her son sitting in the living room watching TV. She was relieved Addison seemed to finally have gone upstairs to maybe do some homework. The conversation with her would need to be more delicate, and she thought Ned should be there for that. She could talk to Owen first and fill him in.

"Hey, Mom." Owen said as he greeted her when she walked fully into the room.

She smiled hello, reached for the remote and turned off the TV. "Owen?"

"Yeah?" He asked, sitting up, sensing how serious she seemed.

"Were you the one who reported Morgan that night?"

He froze and Alexis moved to sit next to her son.

"Just tell me the truth, ok? Dara wants to question you. You're not in trouble. I just need to know what happened. I can't look out for your interests if I don't have all the facts."

"Does it really matter who reported him?"

"No, but if it was you, I need to know. If you have information about that night that could help…"

"I can't believe you're more concerned about winning this case than what happened that night."

"That's not what I meant to imply, O. Honest. That night was just as traumatic for you and your sister. Morgan was the one who caused your accident. I just need to know what happened. I'm your mother first. Always."

Addison sat at the top of the stairs and listened, praying Owen wouldn't crack. Of the three of them he would be the one to crack first, and she didn't want her parents to implode further. They were getting along. Albeit they were apart, but they were getting along and if they knew what Kristen did. If her dad found out it was Morgan, they'd fight about it and all hope of their family going back to the way it was would be lost.

"It's like I told Dad. Joss came to find me when Addison ran off. I was afraid she was having a panic attack and alone and it was snowing and cold. I went to find her. I knew Morgan left the party drunk. I didn't want anyone else to get hurt, so I called 911." He told his mom most of the truth and hoped it would be good enough.

"What do you mean by anyone else? Owen, you need to tell me what you know. They're looking at cell phone videos from the party determined to find more charges." She implored, hoping the knowledge that there could be video evidence would get him to open up.

He sighed and he was about to cave when Addison panicked at the possible thought there were videos of her attack. She walked down the stairs and stopped the conversation in its tracks. "I'm glad you're back. I was kind of hoping I could talk to you."

Alexis looked between her children. She needed to finish talking to Owen. Her daughter seemed anxious and needed her. She would now forever be prioritizing one over the other as a single parent. "Peanut, can it wait?"

"It's ok. I told you what I know. Talk to Addison." Owen said as his sister made eye contact with him. He could tell she was attempting to stop him from giving too much information. She must have been listening.

"Thanks." Addison said as her brother got up to leave.

"O, we're not finished." Alexis said and he nodded as he went upstairs to his room. "What's going on sweetheart?" Alexis asked as Addison sat down next to her.

"I can't focus. I can't stop thinking about it and how today at school I swear people were talking about what happened. And I have to, because I have homework." She told the truth.

"Come here." She opened her arms and hugged her daughter.

"I know I told you I was fine, but it was so hard today and I can't stop thinking about what might happen tomorrow." It was true and even more so now. What videos are there? She should log into myFace and see what's out there. Maybe that's why people were talking. She started to spiral internally as her mother held her.

She pulled away from the hug when her mother asked, "Did you see him?"

"No, he wasn't at school."

"I don't understand why you won't name him. Why are you letting who did this walk away from it unscathed?"

"I have my reasons." Addison said. She couldn't look her mother in the eye.

"Which are? I want to help you. I want justice for you."

"I know you do, so does Dad. I just can't tell you. Please try to understand. When do I see Dr. Winters again?" That was guaranteed to be confidential.

"Friday afternoon. Maybe after you talk it through with her?" She tried to be patient. She reminded herself this had to be on her daughter's terms.

"Maybe. I just need to figure out a way to focus tonight and hope he's never coming back to school."

"I'm not sure that's realistic, peanut." Alexis said as she ran her hand through her daughter's hair.

"I know." Her mother hugged her tightly again. "But it's kind of the only thought that's helping right now."

"I love you and one day soon, I don't know when, this won't feel so insurmountable." Alexis hugged her daughter again. They needed to find a way to get her to open up. Face what happened. Stop pretending. Keeping it locked away was only going to fuel her anxiety.