Near the end of the day, no one felt like cooking dinner. Darcy, Victor, Catherine and Adam sat in the livingroom in a slump.

Sísele had laid down for a nap after Christin left, close to noon, and hadn't gotten up yet.

Emily still lay asleep in her bed and Victor had checked on her twice and Darcy four times. She was still breathing. Drastically pale, but breathing. Her fever hadn't come back yet. Some good news.

"I don't understand why I'm so tired." Adam said.

Catherine smiled. "It's ok. Even though Christin did the work, we still feel it. It's normal. And it's good. That means you respected what was happening and took it in."

Adam didn't move. He nodded in his head but couldn't bring himself to do the physical action.

"How is Emily?" Catherine asked.

"She's asleep. Breathing. No fever. Moving. But she's pale. Won't know anymore until something happens or doesn't happen or she wakes up." Darcy answered.

Catherine nodded. "And your mom?"

Darcy shrugged. "I'm not sure. She's usually energetic. Maybe the stress and worry got to her. And Christin's work would've added to it. I'll go check on her."

"No, no. I will." Catherine smiled and got to her feet.

Darcy nodded. "Maybe I should check on Emily again."

"It's ok." Victor put his hand on Darcy's arm. "I'll go this time." He stood up and walked out of the livingroom.

"I'll call my dad. He should be doing nothing about now." Adam said. He pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"What is it that he does?" Darcy asked.

"Aw. Odd jobs here and there now. He was forced to early retirement because of his injuries. He used to be RCMP. But now, he does a little bit of investigating for people."

"Private investigator?"

"Something like that. The department he worked at knows about what he's doing. And they sometimes ask him for favors as well. He has a few clients in the go right now. But he always makes sure to be home for dinner. Unless, of course, something serious happens." Adam started dialling.

Darcy nodded. "How do you feel about Victor?"

Adam looked at Darcy. "What do you mean?"

"Well...."

Adam cut her off with his finger. "Hi, dad?.....hey.....I was wondering if you remember anything about a little girl who was sick years ago.......no, on the reserve.........I overheard you talking to Gram about it.......oh.....ok......so you'll call me back then? Or should I call Gram?........ok. bye, dad." Adam hung up.

Darcy was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Sorry. He said he'd have to think about it and get back to me." Adam out his phone away. "Which means he's probably going to call Gram." He chuckled.

"I know it's out of my place, but...."

"Hey, don't worry about it. Everything about this makes me out of place. But I'm trying." He chuckled weakly. "Ask me whatever you want. I'll do my best to answer." He smiled.

Darcy nodded. "How has your dad treated you?"

Adam was stunned by the question. "Well..." He started. Adam dropped his head and frowned at the floor as he thought. "I guess you could say he was alright." He shrugged. "He was neglectful and drank a lot. But he never raised a hand to any of us. He never screamed or yelled or put us down. He was....." Adam looked up and frowned at the ceiling. "Quiet and withdrawn." Satisfied he nodded and looked at Darcy.

Darcy nodded. "And your gram?" She asked.

"She was a terror." Adam laughed. "One thing out of place and she chased us with a wooden spoon that was, I swear, three feet long. Where do you get those? I never see them."

Darcy laughed. "My mother was the same." She admitted. "Must be something of that generation."

Adams laughed demoted to a smile. He looked to the floor. "What do you know of my history here?"

Darcy shook her head. "I'm sorry. All I know is what my husband said. He learned he had a brother. Had to call his mom to ask. Wanted to see you and planned to go the following Monday. I'm still in shock about it. But you're here. So my shock is a little numb."

Adam nodded. "Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way." He frowned. "How did he know where I was?"

"I think Catherine told him."

"Catherine?" Adam asked pointing toward the guest room.

Darcy nodded.

"How did she know where I was?"

Darcy shrugged. "I don't know. But you have to understand that there's a lot of history. I don't know much. But I do understand that people deal with things differently. And from what I've seen and heard, you're a very emotional part of Catherine's life."

Adam nodded and looked at the floor.

"Please don't get mad at her. She really is doing her best. If it's any consolation, I hadn't seen her this excited.....ever."

Adam looked at Darcy with his eyes. He flicked them back to the floor. He nodded. He wanted to question her. But she said that was all she knew. She spoke like she knew more. Adam questioned his mind. Could he trust her? Could he trust Victor? He showed up out of the blue. Could he trust Catherine? She knew where he was and didn't see him. What would he do if he was her? He shook his head. He didn't like to think like that. But his dad said nothing to him. He doesn't know these people and yet, here he sits. In their home. Trying to blend in. He shook his head again.

"Sísele's fine." Catherine said as she stepped into the livingroom. She sat down beside Adam on the loveseat.

"Good. This is a lot for any of us to deal with." Darcy smiled.

Catherine nodded. She agreed. A lot was happening.

The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Victor hollered. "Hey you guys. How's it goin'? Come on in."

Darcy frowned at the gaggle of voices. She wasn't prepared for anymore visitors.

"Emily's friends are here." Victor announced.

Rachel, Piper, Nolan and Joel walked in.

"Hey, guys." Darcy smiled. "You know you can just knock and walk in, right?"

"Really? I'll use it." Rachel said. She sat on the floor. She stretched out her legs and crossed her ankles. She leaned back on her hands and propped her head on her shoulder. "Why tell me now?"

"I told you before. You just don't do it." Darcy said.

Piper sat beside Rachel. She crossed her legs inward. Her knees stuck out and she rested her elbows on them. "How's Emily?"

Joel and Nolan sat on the floor next. They looked at darcy, waiting for an answer.

"She's ok for the moment. She's sleeping hard though."

"You think it'd be ok if they went up?" Victor asked. "I think it's ok since Emily was sleeping all day."

Darcy looked at him. "She's also sick and needs her sleep." She sighed. "Maybe it will be ok." She looked at Piper. "Can you go see if she'll wake up for you? If she does, let her know you're all here and see how she feels."

Piper nodded and got off the floor.

"Hey, Nolan. Hadn't seen you in Twenty-five hours. How's it been treating you."

"Good." Nolan answered. "We have Emily's homework. We put it on the counter."

"Thank you." Darcy said. "Emily would really appreciate it."

Nolan nodded.

"What's going on with her anyway?" Joel asked.

"We don't know. She has a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Hopefully he'll ask for some tests and we can finally figure out what's happening."

Joel nodded.

"Emily would like that you guys came." Victor said. "You've always been good to her."

The room went silent. Everyone stared at the floor. What else could be said?

"You know? Maybe Emily should be woken up. She needs to drink something." Darcy said.

"I'll get her a glass of water." Joel offered.

"She's not waking up." Piper said.

"Alright. I will try." Darcy said as she got to her feet.

"Oh, no. It's ok. She's sick." Piper waved her hands to try and stop Darcy.

"It's alright, Piper. She hasn't been up to drink anything. She should get up for that at least." Darcy moved out of the livingroom.

Piper looked down. "She doesn't look good." She said, quietly.

"She hasn't been doing that well." Victor agreed. "But she's been doing better since this morning."

Piper nodded.

"These are Emily's friends from school." Victor introduced Adam.

"So, you're the long lost brother?" Rachel asked.

"Rachel, shut up!" Piper growled out a whisper.

Rachel looked up at Piper. "What? Nolan was here. He met him. He heard all about it. I wanna know." Rachel shrugged and looked back at Adam.

"I suppose that's the truth of it." Adam said.

"Really? You sound unsure. Are you sure?" Rachel asked.

"I believe so. Yes." Adam answered.

"So this weird Indian rushes your office and tell you he's your brother. And you believe him? Just like that?" Rachel asked.

Piper kicked Rachel's hip, lightly.

"What?" She asked, annoyed. She looked at Piper and frowned. "I. Just asking. He doesn't have to answer me." She said. Her annoyance came out, strongly, in her voice.

Piper scoffed, rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"So whyd you believe him? Did you know you had a brother? Were you looking? I know I wouldn't trust some random Indian bursting into my office saying 'hey. I'm your long lost brother. Heeeeeyyyyy.'" Rachel giggled. "I would've liked to see it though."

Adam smiled nervously. "No. I didn't know I had a brother. And I didn't believe him at first. But when he mentioned Catherine's name, I knew it had to be true."

"So why'd you know your mother's name but didn't know your mother?" Rachel asked.

"Oh my God! Rachel!! Shut up!!" Piper said.

"No! You shut up. I'm tryna get some answers here. I'm curious." Rachel defended.

"You're not curious. You're nosey." Nolan said. "And you're looking to see if you can gain any power over him cuz you're bitchy like that." Nolan realized what he just said and looked at Victor. "I'm sorry Mr. Conners."

Victor laughed. "No more swearing in the house. But I see the point you're trying to make. And I told you to call me Victor."

Nolan nodded.

Rachel laughed. "You stupid. Don't think much do you?" She looked at Adam again. "So how come you didn't know your mom? She's like, right there."

"Well, I was told she wasn't around. And I never knew where to start looking anyway."

"I think you were looking for excuses NOT to find her. Suppose it's ok. I do the same thing. Don't know where my mom is but I don't bother looking." Rachel shook her head. "I went and got a restraining order against her so I didn't have to look for her anymore."

The room held an awkward silence.

"But we're all here now. Why don't you go see if Darcy was able to wake Emily." Catherine smiled.

The three friends left the livingroom and went upstairs.

"I'm sorry Adam. They're kids. And you shouldn't feel pressured to answer any question you're not comfortable with." Catherine tried to smooth things over. She had become uncomfortable with Rachel's comments. She wondered if she was right, though. Had Adam looked for excuses? Who was she to ask anyway? She knew where he was for a year and didn't go see him.

Darcy came into the livingroom. "She's awake now. They went in just in time." She sat down. "She sat up and had a lot to drink. Joel's getting her another glass." Darcy smiled. She looked around. "What's wrong with everyone?" She asked.

Victor patted her hand and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. It's ok."