“Well I for one can’t think of anyone else that could do the job, but what happens when Helena gets out? She’s bound to want revenge. I mean no disrespect Peggy but is it worth putting Bette and her family in danger to carry on your legacy? I was there when Helena declared all-out war on Bette. She didn’t stop at just holding back grant money. She went after Tina, she conspired with Franklin and Leo to get Bette fired. She infiltrated all of Bette’s personal relationships then she went after her colleagues. She even tried to set me up by telling lies about what I was disclosing. She ruined any chance Leigh Ostin had of showing her work on the west coast, and who knows what else. You of all people know what your daughter is capable of. If you think she was a bad seed in boarding school how much worse is she going to be with what she’s learning from hardened criminals. If she knows no boundaries, where does she draw the line?”

“To your point James. I know what my daughter is capable of. I’m not so naïve to think that she’s not picking up some learnings from the criminal element she’s incarcerated with. I fear for my own safety which is why I’ve taken every precaution to keep us all safe. Trust me, I am sparing no expense on security. I would never jeopardize Bette’s well-being to carry on my work, but we also can’t live in fear of Helena ‘Fucking’ Peabody. If she’s crazy enough to try something, she’s going to find out just how far I will go to protect my own. She used to be one of them, but she’s given up that privilege. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I will try to get back to sleep. I will see everyone for breakfast in the morning. Good night.”

“Peggy, I’ll go in with you. Good night guys.” Bette hugs and kisses James and Lisa goodnight and walks into the house with Peggy. She walks her to her room and embraces her.

“I hope James wasn’t out of line. He’s just very protective of me.”

“Not at all. I would be surprised if he’d not confronted me. I know how important your relationship is, and I know he’s been your bedrock all these years. I’m not ever going to interfere with that, but I need you all to trust me. I have eyes everywhere and Helena can’t make a move without me being two steps ahead of her. She may socialize with the underbelly, but she doesn’t carry any clout.”

“Thank you for sharing that history with us. I’ve been confounded for years not knowing what the hell she had against me. It couldn’t have been easy for you to talk about. Are you OK?”

“The pain eases more and more each day. You and our family are the best medicine.”

“I’m not afraid of her Peggy. I know I wasn’t very strong when she came after me the first time, but I’m never going to allow myself to be so vulnerable ever again. Like you I will go to the ends of the earth to protect my own. She’s not getting anywhere near Tina or Angie or you for that matter.”

“The fact is we have two years to build our defenses and together we’re a force to be reckoned with. I love you dear. Good night.”

“Good night Peggy. I love you too.”