Dr. Michael Horton: aka Mike

Was the most promising young surgeon at Salem General Hospital. No longer practicing medicine full time, but does work prn for the hospital. Currently working at the Spencer Foundation . Best friend of Admiral Shane Donovan. Incredibly strict disciplinarian. Guardian of Julie, Stacey, Lisa, and Carrie. Dr. Neil Curtis' right hand man at the NJC Center. Biggest pet peeve: dishonesty.

Dr. Neil Curtis: aka Neil

CEO of Salem General Hospital (where he met Dr. Michael Horton) which is funded by his charity the Spencer Foundation. No longer a practicing physician but still keeps his license active. Chooses instead to focus on The NJC Center and the Spencer Foundation, both of which he owns and operates. Acts as the "dean" of The NJC Center administering discipline above and beyond the guardians who all fall under his tutelage. The wooden paddle is his disciplinary implement of choice. His wife Liz works at the Foundation as an administrative assistant. Liz and Neil have no children of their own.

Admiral Shane Donovan: aka Shane

at 23 y/o was the youngest man ever to be granted the title of Admiral in the British Navy. Strict disciplinarian (big surprise considering his backround, right?) He is now retired from the armed forces. Best friend of Dr. Michael Horton. Currently working at the Spencer Foundation. Handsome and debonair with the most charming British accent. Biggest pet peeve: disrespect (again, shocking, i know). The guardian of Julie, Stacey, Lisa, and Carrie.

Julie: came to the NJC at just 6 years of age under Mike's guardianship. Biological cousin of Stacey. Shares a room with Stacey, Lisa, and Carrie. Medium height, stocky but toned build, light brown hair and green eyes. Very intelligent (sometimes too much so for her own good) sarcastic, and athletic. Has a biting sense of humor and makes friends easily. Loves to push the envelope with authority figures. Often finds herself in trouble at school and home(the NJC)

The "instigator " of the group.

Stacey : came to the NJC the same day as Julie at just 6 years of age under Mike's guardianship. Biological cousin of Julie, 3 days her senior. Shares a room with Julie, Lisa, and Carrie. Tall blond with blue eyes. Very muscular, toned body. Quite the athlete. Stubborn and loyal to a fault. Loves to follow the latest trends and hang with the popular crowd. Has an attitude that gets her into alot of trouble at school and home(NJC).

The "bold" one of the group.

Lisa:

Came to the NJC at just 6 years of age under Mike's guardianship about 1 month after Julie and Stacey . No biological relation to anyone in the group. Shares a room with Stacey, Julie, and Carrie. Average height and build, dirty blond hair, blue eyes. Straight A student, musically talented. Gets along well with pretty much anyone and is well liked. Somewhat neurotic and a perfectionist. Usually respectful to adults but tends to curse alot. Rarely in trouble at school , sometimes in trouble at home (NJC) usually thanks to Julie and Stacey, or her colorful vocabulary.

The "mouth" of the group.

Carrie:

Came to the NJC at just 5 & 1/2 years of age under Mike's guardianship about 1 month after Lisa (2 months after Julie and Stacey). No biological relation to anyone in the group. Shares a room with Julie, Stacey, and Lisa. Petite with a slender build. Light brown hair with brown eyes. Kind, sweet, and very soft spoken. Very intelligent, loves to read and is a great writer. Almost never in trouble of her own accord at school or home(NJC), but does occasionally get roped into the others' drama.

The "baby" of the group.

The Settings

The NJC Center: A truly unique vision turned reality of Dr. Neil Curtis. The center is a pentagon shaped building sitting on 300 acres that houses approximately 200 orphans and their 50+ guardians. Each of the rooms houses 2-4 kids and contains a private bathroom with a shower.The center has separate living quarters for the guardians interspersed amongst the kids (orphans) rooms. The guardians have private rooms. There are separate "wings" for boys and girls, a large cafeteria and kitchen, a small conference room, 15 common area "living rooms" with tvs, books, board games , foos ball tables and pool tables. The area surrounding the center has 3 large playgrounds, 4 basketball courts, and several open fields for playing sports etc. Most of the guardians work outside the center (some are retired and some choose not to work).

The Spencer Foundation: a large charitable organization with international out reach programs that provides a wide range of various healthcare services to the indigent. Owned and operated by Dr. Neil Curtis. Both Mike and Shane work at the foundation