Neil created the Ethics Committee to help safeguard the children's wellbeing and protect the interests of his charities. The Committee was headed by Dr. Evans, the Center's on call psychiatrist. Other members included legal counsel, child welfare experts, members of the Foundation's board of trustees, healthcare providers, and social workers. The Committee was solely financed by private donations and its rulings were reviewed by members of the National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO).

Neil agreed to abide by the Committee's final decision. In reality, Neil could ultimately make whatever decisions he wanted since the NJC was a private organization that received no government funding. So though seemingly biased in Neil's favor, the Committee did actually serve as a safeguard for the children.

When the Committee was presented with a case, they would have all parties involved write a statement of their account of the event. They would then review said statements and call witnesses to testify in a mock courtroom environment (a conference room at the Foundation). The Committee would then convene in private and only present their ruling after coming to a consensus, sort of like a jury. The Committee's ruling would in turn be reviewed by NASCO members and summarily be accepted or rejected. If NASCO members decided to reject the Committee's decision, a second trial would take place with NASCO members running the proceedings. Their resulting ruling would then be considered binding. If they accepted the Committee's ruling, it would be considered binding for all parties involved.

At the Foundation conference room during the proceedings

Dr. Evans: "Admiral Donovan, would you please describe in detail the events that transpired early Sunday morning, from the time you and Julie left the spot where the police stopped the girls until you arrived back at the NJC. "

Shane: "We started heading home but then I took a detour to Memorial Park. I then took Julie to the dugout, where I proceeded to discipline her."

Dr. Evans: "When you left the side of the road, did you intend on detouring to the park or did you make that decision en route?"

"I had every intention of stopping at the park."

"Tell us about your frame of mind upon arrival at the park."

"I was livid, to say the least."

"Would you say you were in control of your emotions at that time?"

"Yes, I was in complete control of my emotions at that time."

"Exactly what transpired in the dugout? How did you discipline Julie?"

Shane shifts in his chair, somewhat uncomfortably, before responding, "I began yelling at Julie for what she'd done that night. Asking her how she could be so irresponsible and do something so asinine and dangerous. I told her she could have killed someone by driving drunk. I then removed my belt and proceeded to ensure she would never make that mistake again."

"How many times would you say you struck her with your belt?"

"I don't know, I wasn't counting."

"Isn't it commonplace to have a predetermined number of strokes in mind before meting out punishment with a belt?"

"Not always. Sometimes it's unknown how many strokes will be required to elicit the desired response."

"Enlighten us, Admiral. What is the desired response?"

"Most often? Contrition."

"Was it necessary to strike Julie over fifty times on the back, buttocks, and legs to achieve that response?"

"That wasn't the desired response in this case," Shane replies, through gritted teeth. It's clear Shane is becoming agitated with Dr. Evans's questions. He is quickly losing his patience.

"What was the desired response IN THIS CASE, ADMIRAL?"

"To ENSURE she would NEVER get behind the wheel while intoxicated again!" Shane is progressively getting louder with each response.

"Couldn't you have waited until later that day to administer punishment? Wouldn't it have been prudent to remove yourself from the situation, take control of your emotions and get some sleep, thereby allowing both of you to have a clear head prior to proceeding?"

"NO!" Shane's face is turning red. The vein on his forehead is bulging. His hands are tightly clenched into fists.

"So you intentionally chose to punish her out of anger and nothing more?"

Shane stands up and pounds his hands on the table, yelling, "I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT!"

"Why are you getting so upset, Admiral Donovan?"

"BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT HER TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID AND SPEND THE REST OF HER LIFE REGRETTING IT!" Shane sits down and buries his head in his hands. A tear slowly rolls down his cheek.

Mike's pov

I close my eyes and take a slow deep breath. As I open my eyes, I'm suddenly overwhelmed with sadness seeing my best friend broken down on the stand. It made sense now why Shane reacted the way he did. How could I not have seen it sooner? Of course that's what was behind this. I feel awful that I haven't been there for him these past few days. I'm such an idiot for not connecting the dots.

What no one realized was that Neil had just reached the same conclusion as Mike.

Neil's pov

Seeing Shane break down under Marlena's questioning, I now instantly regretted my recommendation to have him expelled from the program. How could I not have seen it? I guess my subconscious wanted to keep that memory in the far recesses of my mind. I silently pray that the Committee rules in his favor and Shane can someday forgive me for putting him through this process.

(Back to the proceedings)

Dr. Evans: "What mistake is that, Admiral Donovan?" Marlena's tone has clearly changed from accusatory to sympathetic. She has now slipped into therapist mode or perhaps she was in that mode all along.

Shane: "I was sixteen. We were in the States visiting relatives. I'd been drinking with my younger cousin at his friend's party. I knew I probably shouldn't drive home but if I called my father to pick me up, there would be Hell to pay. Underage drinking wasn't tolerated, besides I was only three miles away. I turned onto my uncle's street and cut the headlights so my parents wouldn't see them flash in the guest bedroom window when I pulled in. It was several hours after curfew and I had plans next weekend. I couldn't risk being grounded. I was only a few houses away. It was dark. I never saw the ball roll in front of the car, my brother chasing after it. He loved sneaking out to practice. I couldn't stop in time. If my reflexes hadn't been impaired... " Shane chokes up, holding back tears.

"He was still alive when the ambulance arrived. I'll never forget the image of my baby brother bloody and unconscious on that stretcher. He died a few hours later. I killed my brother. I have to live everyday of the rest of my life knowing I'm the reason he's not alive. I only wish my father had picked me up from that party and beaten the shit out of me."

You could have heard a pin drop after Shane revealed that bombshell.

Mike's pov

My jaw about hit the floor. I can't believe this! Shane briefly mentioned one time that his little brother was killed by a drunk driver but he failed to mention that HE WAS THE DRUNK DRIVER. No wonder I got the distinct impression he didn't want to elaborate on his brother's death. He didn't say as much at the time, but he made it very clear that topic of conversation was off the table. Now I know why. I can't imagine the turmoil and anguish this situation with the girls must have dredged up for Shane.

Neil's pov

I was the cocky young senior resident on duty that night. It was my first shift where I was essentially flying solo since the attending physician was tied up in the E.R. with a mass-casualty incident. It was clear I was in way over my head when they called the code blue. I froze when I saw the boy lifeless before me. I panicked. If only I had reacted sooner. I still wonder to this day if I could have saved him. You never forget the first patient you lose.

It didn't take long for the Committee to come to a decision. They recommended Shane remain our guardian, contingent on required weekly therapy sessions with Dr. Evans for the next three months. NASCO accepted their decision.

Stacey's pov

After the ruling by the Ethics Committee, we all went back to the NJC to decompress. We got back to our room and collapsed, emotionally drained. Thank God Shane didn't get expelled. He's started to grow on me in these past seven years.

"You think you know a guy. I thought he was a bad ass before but fratricide opens up a whole new level of respect."

Lisa replies, "Oh my God, what the fuck is the matter with you, Stacey? How can you be so crass?"

Julie says, "Yeah, way over the line, cuz. Funny, but over the line, nonetheless."

Carrie shudders, "Seriously dark. I'm shook."

"Relax, you know I'm only joking. Why are you mad at me? You're the one who caused his emotional unraveling." (pointing at Julie)

Julie says, "Thanks, cuz, 'preciate that."

"Anytime. I mean, I'm really just an innocent bystander who's simply trying to lighten the mood. I actually feel really bad for Shane. That's some major baggage to carry around."

My cousin says, "Really this is all your fault, Stacey. We never would've even been at that party if it wasn't for Matt."

"Mark."

Julie snarks, "Whatever! I certainly hope he was worth the trail of emotional destruction you left behind. Did he at least put out, cuz?"

"No," I say wistfully, "it didn't go that far but I like your can-do attitude."

Thankfully, our conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Carrie replies, "Come in."

It was Shane.

"We need to talk," he says, motioning to Julie. "And you two (pointing at Stacey and Lisa) are wanted in Dr. Curtis's office. PRONTO."

Son of a nutcracker.

Julie's pov

I follow Shane to his room, not sure what to expect. Since the dawn of time, no good has ever come from someone uttering the phrase, "we need to talk." I wait for Shane to initiate the conversation. Afterall, he came to me. I stand there looking down at the floor. I'm not ready to face him yet. Shane tries to gently lift my chin but I flinch at his touch.

He backs away and says, "Julie, look at me."

I reluctantly lift my head to meet his gaze. I immediately regret looking him in the eye. I want to be mad at him but he looks so beaten down and vulnerable. I've never seen him like this before. I'm not only unnerved, I'm completely caught off guard. How dare he be fallible.

"Julie, I'm not going to apologize for what I did. I know you can't understand why right now but maybe someday..."

Before he can finish his sentence, I collapse against his chest in tears. He hugs me tightly, resting his chin on the top of my head, holding me close. A single tear runs down his cheek.

"...you'll forgive me."