"Patti, I'm so sorry, but I tried my best." Mark spoke regretfully, sighing as the woman sitting in front of his office table began to weep, her whimpers beginning to indicate the storm of tears she was bringing with her. "I can't keep getting you off on probation, especially if you're just going to violate it. It would be a waste of our time." He placed a reassuring hand on hers, hoping it would halt her forthcoming tears.

The woman couldn't do anything but nod at her fate, knowing what he was saying at some truth to it. She tucked the blonde curls behind her ear, making sure Mark was able to see how upset he'd made her, hoping he would be able to make a last minute change to her lengthy sentence. Patti pursed her lips, letting her salty tears cascade down her face, eventually encasing themselves on her thin lips.

"I know you tried," She nodded understandingly, "I just don't want my daughter to be homeless while I'm locked up. I really care about her."

"I know you do." Mark added, hoping this emotional roller coaster would come to an end within the following minutes. He could indicate by her tone as to what she was about to ask her, but he wasn't quick enough to reject her impending plea.

"I wanted to know if she could...possibly find a home here?" Patti looked up at him, her eyes pleading with desperation and resentment at the same time.

Mark wasn't surprised when she asked, but felt stuck when his gaze met hers. It didn't take a genius to know why Patti had asked him that question, and a question which she only wanted one answer from. He gulped, shifting his gaze around in order to avoid the awkward tension.

"She could, but I don't think its...ethical to have a client's daughter staying with me while she serves a twenty year sentence." Mark shrugged, only to regret his words later.

Patti scoffed at his response, shaking her head in pure disbelief.

"It's the least you could do," Despite the desperate undertones, it was obvious that her statement was passive aggressive, something which didn't go unnoticed by Mark, causing him to oblige to the proposal. "Thank you." She grinned. "I promise you she'll have her life together, eventually. And when she does, she won't be a burden anymore."

The man nodded, plastering a fake smile on his face as he stood up, to which Patti followed. The two of them walked out to the front yard, waiting for Mark's driver to bring the car around to where they stood.

The blonde woman sighed, taking a quick peek at the backyard which consisted of a pool, along with deck chairs lined across on the edge. She'd hope to catch a glimpse of her daughter, but she wasn't in sight. Her attention was diverted to the black Chevy Suburban waiting for her entrance. Patti didn't bother turning around to say any final words to her lawyer, feeling as though she'd wasted her time depending on him.

Mark Helms and Patti Fenning were acquainted when the latter was assigned to Patti's first drug trail. Having strong connections in the justice system, Mark was able to get her off on probation – with just a simple wad of cash encased in an envelope. However, Patti always went back to her habits, both distributing and using heroin. He eventually learned his lesson, resulting in Patti finally getting what she deserved – twenty years behind bars.

Patti's drug habit pushed her daughter – April – away from her, who had to drop out of high school during junior year as her mom wasn't financially stable enough to support her education, rather choosing to spend her money on drugs. Since then, the two of them have been only close when they sleep in the same air mattress together.

The blonde considered Mark to be like an older brother she'd dreamed of – a non-abusive, non-alcoholic, smart and educated older brother. Despite the tension created, the bond the Fennings had to Mark Helms was almost family-like.

Mark stepped back into the house, sighing in relief as the car seemed to disappear the further it got away from him. He closed his door before walking over to the pool area, glancing at the occupied, pot-smoking April sitting comfortably on one of his deck chairs. The man sighed at the sight of her, already assuming how difficult she was going to be to handle. Nevertheless, he slid the glass door and strode over to her.

Once he'd approached her, he snatched away her marijuana pipe and lighter, only to get a confused facial expression thrown at him. April's brows furrowed at the action, causing her to sit up straight and slide her sunglasses down to look at him.

"I was smoking that." She informed bluntly, crossing her arms.

"April, you can't be smoking this here." Mark replied, rather calmly.

"It's not like it's illegal." The girl stated matter-of-factly, reaching out to grab her belongings, only for Mark to back his hand away, ensuring she wouldn't get them.

"I know it isn't, but unless you've got your own place – you can't be smoking here." He stood his ground, informing her of the rules in a stern, father-like voice. Mark was never the one to discipline his own child, but he knew that was something he had to get better at if April would be living with him.

"Well, I'm sure once my mom is done complaining about whatever we're here for – I can go back home and smoke as much pot as I want." April stated through gritted teeth, huffing in irritation. She stood up, fixing her over-sized band tee, holding out her hand as the corners of her mouth curled into a mischievous yet fake smile. "So if I could have my shit back, that'd be grand."

The man pursed his lips, trying very hard not to fall for her bullshit. He gulped as she mentioned leaving with her mom, not having the heart to tell her the truth.

"Your mom...is away for a week. You're staying here for a week." A lie which would obviously be easy to debunk, he couldn't break her heart – knowing from personal experience what a convict parent does to a child's self-confidence.

April's thick brows furrowed in confusion, narrowing her eyes at the man standing in front of her.

"Why'd she go away? And you of all people?" She questioned him like it was an insult to be left in Brighton Valley, especially in Mark's supervision. Her arms crossed as concern washed over her face, a hint of hope that he would send her back to Oxnard where she could be by herself, without the burden of taking care of a grown woman vomiting every night.

"She's recovering," He abruptly added, "I'm sure she'd mentioned it to you, or something." He mumbled the last part, looking back up to see April scoffing at his explanation.

"She's just going to get high again – trust me. Also," April looked down at his hand. "Since I have the house all to myself, I would really appreciate my stuff back, in my possession." April put her hand out yet again, causing Mark to roll his eyes and stroll back inside.

"April, you won't be going back to Oxnard, not until your mom is back." He shoved her items into the medication drawer in the kitchen. "Plus, your guys' rent is due and unless you can find a job, I suggest you stay here."

The girl followed him inside, her face plastered with disbelief. April stopped in her tracks, her eyes scanning the kitchen to see which drawer contained her pipe and lighter. She rolled her eyes, a groan emitting from her.

"Go upstairs, take a right and your room is there." Mark said blankly, walking back into his office while April did as told.