A/N: First of all, thanks for all of the great reviews. It means a lot and gives me inspiration to keep writing. Second, the plan is to continue this story for a while. I'm not sure how long, but I do have ideas for more chapters. I'm going to play with the timeline occasionally and will use a few things that happened on the show but with my own twist. Hope you enjoy the journey!

/

Bianca checked the time. She was running late for lunch with Marissa so she sent her a quick text that she was on her way. Bianca smiled at the thought of seeing her friend again. It had been three days since they had last seen each other. They talked a couple of times every day, but it wasn't the same. Besides missing her, Bianca was worried about Marissa. AJ had been sick with a virus and had wanted his mom to stay with him. There was no way that Marissa could refuse his request. Staying with him though meant staying with JR, and Bianca didn't trust him as far as she could throw him to not use this situation to his advantage. During their calls, she had done her best to shore up the redhead's resolve not to backtrack when it came to her ex, but she wasn't sure how effective she was against JR's 24 hour a day presence. She sighed and headed over to Krystal's.

/

Marissa looked at her phone, read Bianca's text and smiled. She was really looking forward to lunch with her friend. She had missed seeing her the last three days. The daily phone calls helped, but they weren't the same. She felt better just seeing and spending time with her friend, and after the last three days, she needed to feel better. That need had nothing to do with AJ and everything to do with JR. AJ was feeling better and was pretty much back to normal. She had been so worried about her son, and when he asked if she would stay with him, she, of course, said yes. JR seemed to be equally worried about AJ as well, at first. Marissa soon saw that concern being replaced by JR being JR and trying to manipulate things.

/

Bianca spotted Marissa as soon as she entered the restaurant. Her back was to the door, but Bianca could see some tension in the redhead's shoulders. Damn, JR. She smiled as a thought came to her, and she walked across the room. When she reached the table, she playfully nudged the back of Marissa's head.

"Hey! What was that for?" Marissa turned and saw a smirk on Bianca's face.

"You've spent the last three days with JR, and I do have this contract to knock some sense into you."

"That's only if you see me falling for him again."

"Consider it as me taking preventative measures. I take my legal obligations very seriously."

"Hmmm. Well, it's not needed."

Bianca smiled. "How's AJ?"

"He's doing so much better. He is chomping at the bit to see you and the girls."

"That's good. I know they're anxious to see him too and so am I. So, how are you?"

"Tired, but good for the most part."

"Really?"

"Really. You can get that worried look off your face. I'm good especially now that I'm out of the mansion."

"How did it go with JR? Did he behave himself?"

"What do you think? Of course, he didn't. He doesn't know how."

"True enough. So, tell me what he did."

"He was kind of okay, at first, but that was when AJ was feeling his worst. Once he started to bounce back, JR went into overdrive. I have to admit he started to get to me a couple of times with the guilt, but as soon as that happened, the most interesting thing would occur."

"What?"

"My phone would ring, and it would be you! There you were pulling me back to reality!"

Bianca laughed. "You're making that up."

"No, I'm not. JR began to get kind of mad about it. It probably didn't help when I started laughing every time it happened. You must have had a sixth sense thing going on to call exactly when I needed you."

"I'm not sure about that, but I'm glad I was able to pull you back from the edge."

"You really did. JR finally backed off enough for me to do a little work for you."

"Work for me? What are you talking about?"

"The fundraiser."

"I told you that everyone loved your idea of combining budgets and just having one big event on New Year's Eve, right?"

"You did, and it got me to thinking about what else I could do to help."

"You've done more than enough, and I know how packed your schedule is. You're way too busy to do any more."

Marissa turned serious and took her friend's hand. "Bianca, I'll never be too busy to help you. Whenever you need me, I'll be there. Got it?"

Bianca was shocked by the intensity of Marissa's response. She finally managed to smile. "Got it."

Marissa squeezed her hand before releasing it. "Good! Don't forget it! Now, are you still wanting to have it at the Yacht Club?"

Bianca sighed. "Yeah, but I don't know if it's going to happen though. I told you about the new manager, and how he is refusing to budge on the rental fees. He was actually pretty rude when we called to see about lowering the price. He doesn't want to set a precedent by making an exception for us."

"Would you still want it if you could get it?"

"The place suits our needs the best, but I don't know about having to deal with the manager."

"What if you didn't have to deal with him?"

"That'd be great, but I don't see how that's going to happen. Why?"

"Just answer the question. Would you still want the Yacht Club if you didn't have to deal with the manager?"

"Alright. Yes. What are you up to, Tasker? Spill it!"

Marissa shrugged. "Good. Then, it's yours!"

"Are you serious? Wait. Does this have anything to do with all of the calls you've been making to my office, and the things you've been having my assistant chase down?"

"Yeah. Jan was okay getting that information for me, wasn't she?"

"She's more than happy to help you. I told her to give you whatever you needed. Did that help?"

"It did. After you told me how he treated you, I've got to admit I was pretty pissed off. I decided to do something about it. I did some research and made a few calls. I managed to talk to the owner. We had a very nice conversation. It turns out she didn't know about the new policies put in place by the manager, and she wasn't happy. There are going to be some changes made as a result. The Miranda Center has it reserved for New Year's Eve at no cost."

"What? We're getting it for free?"

"Yep!"

Bianca jumped up from the table and hugged Marissa tightly. "You are amazing! I can't believe it!"

"Well, I've been told I'm a pretty kick ass attorney."

"Pretty modest too! But you are! I can't believe you did this!"

"Let's just say I was motivated. No one treats you like that idiot manager did and can expect to get away with it!"

Bianca laughed. "Remind me to never get on your bad side."

"I don't see you ever having to worry about that."

"Wow, Marissa! I can't get over what you did! I owe you big time!"

"Bianca, you know you don't owe me anything. Besides, that smile on your face is the best payment I could ever ask for!"

If it was possible, Bianca smiled even more. How did I get so lucky to have Marissa in my life? "Could I at least buy you lunch?"

Marissa smiled brightly. The fact that she was able to make Bianca so happy made her day. "I guess I can let you do that."