A/N: First, sorry in the delay in uploading my last chapter. I had problem with the site for some reason last week. While I was waiting for that problem to be resolved, I was able to finish up this chapter. I'm borrowing from the original storyline. I have to admit that I didn't like Bianca helping JR in the original. I know why they had her do it. I just didn't like it so I decided to make an adjustment. I have to admit I'm liking this 'power' to change things that bothered me. I promise to only use my 'powers' for good in regards to our girls. LOL! Anyway, I hope you like my spin on this. Thanks for all of the reviews. Keep them coming!

/

Marissa was running late. She hated being late especially when she was meeting Bianca, but her last meeting had run over. She sent a text to her friend telling her that she was sorry she was running behind but was on her way. Marissa couldn't wait to share her good news about winning her latest case with Bianca. It had been a tough one, but the result had been worth all of the work she had put into it. Caleb had offered to take her out to a celebratory lunch, but Marissa politely declined. There was no way she would miss her daily lunch 'date' with Bianca if she could help it. It was her second favorite part of the day next to spending time with AJ. Today, the two women decided to take the afternoon off. Bianca was helping her shop for her new home. She smiled as she thought of having her own home and raced out the door not wanting to be any more late than she already was.

/

Bianca was at their usual table at Krystal's waiting for Marissa to arrive for what had become their daily lunch 'date'. Next to being with her daughters, this had quickly become Bianca's favorite part of the day. They were able to talk about anything from their problems with work to their families. These venting sessions help keep her sane amid all the drama that seemed to swirl around Pine Valley. Bianca smiled as she remembered last Monday's lunch. Marissa had gotten the call from the Walkers telling her she had passed the credit check with flying colors, and the rental home was her's. She thought her friend was going to burst from happiness. Bianca thought for a moment. Happiness was pretty much a standard feeling for her now whenever she was with or even thought about Marissa. Don't go there. You're overanalyzing. Marissa is only your friend, well your best friend, in fact she's the best friend you've ever had. She's no more or no less.

"Bianca."

The brunette was stunned to see JR standing in front of her. "JR. What do you want?"

"Is that any way to talk to an old friend? Mind if I join you?" He said as pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Actually, yes, I do mind. Marissa will be here any minute, but you already knew that, didn't you?"

"It's funny you should mention my wife."

Bianca sighed. "Ex-wife, JR. Marissa is your ex-wife."

"That's only a temporary situation. I'm looking to change that."

"You are?"

"Yes, I am. I want her back."

"What about Marissa and what she wants?"

"She wants me. She just doesn't know it yet."

Bianca took a deep breath and struggled to control her temper. Of all the… You arrogant son of a bitch

"I think Marissa's pretty sure of what she wants, JR."

"She's confused right now."

"She doesn't seem that way to me."

"Well, she is. That's why she needs our help."

"Our help?"

"Your's and mine."

"You want my help?" This should be good.

"Well, you're friends, right?"

"Right."

"You want her to be happy, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

"I do too. So, I was thinking we could work together to make that happen."

"By doing what, JR?"

"By making her see that I could make her happy."

"Because you did such a bang up job of doing that the first time."

"I've changed."

"Sure you have. Let me ask you something. This wouldn't have anything to do with her finding her own place, would it?"

"Of course not. Although, I don't see why she felt the need to do something so silly. I mean she could have a suite at the mansion without paying a dime."

"Some things come at too high of a price." Bianca muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing. Go on. You were saying Marissa is confused and silly."

"You know what I mean."

"Uh huh. Marissa doesn't know what she wants."

"Exactly!"

"So, what is your plan to 'help' her?"

"Well, since the two of you are so close, I thought you could help me win her back."

"And just how would I do that?" Why in hell would I do that is more like it.

"You could be my wing man, so to speak. You know, give me ideas and tips to get her to see that I can make her happy."

"Oh, so you want me to help you trick her into believing she's in love with you." Bianca was quickly losing patience with him.

"Exactly! Wait! That's not fair. I want you to help her refocus, to see that her life is better with me. It would also be the best thing for AJ. He'd have both of his parents together."

"Wow. I have to hand it to you, JR. You're good. If I didn't know you as well as I do, I might almost be convinced to help you."

"You won't help? Why not?"

"Because contrary to what you seem to think, Marissa is better off without you. She doesn't need you to make her happy."

"Whoa! I'm seeing a little man hate."

"I don't hate men, JR. I don't even hate you, at the moment." Bianca couldn't control her anger any longer. "You're right about me knowing Marissa better than you. You want to know what I know about her? She is an extremely intelligent woman. She is fully capable of managing her own life, of knowing who and what she wants. She is one of the most caring people I know. You see that as a weakness that can be exploited, but I see that as something to be admired. She loves AJ with every fiber of her being and would do almost anything to make him happy. I say almost anything because while she knows that AJ would like nothing better than to have his parents back together, she also knows that it's the wrong thing for her. She wouldn't be happy, and AJ would eventually pick up on that and would be miserable too. She won't put him through that kind of pain. You hurt her badly before, and she learned from that experience and won't let that happen again. Marissa is someone who values honesty, and you don't know the meaning of the word. She deserves so much better than you. If you expect me to trick her for your benefit than you don't know me at all. Getting back together with you would be the biggest mistake she could make! I care about her too much to stand by and watch her get sucked back into a relationship with you, to see you manipulate her for your own purposes, to see you hurt her again! I'll be damned if I'll let you do that to her!"

"Take it easy, Bianca. I'm not here to fight you. I just want what's best for her."

"The hell you do! You're just thinking about yourself, as always, and a fight is exactly what you'll get from me on this!"

JR turned his head, saw Marissa standing there, and went into spin mode. "Marissa, we were just talking about you. I'm not sure what set Bianca off like that." He got up and started to reach out to her.

Marissa instinctively stepped away from him and towards Bianca. She placed a hand on the brunette's shoulder in an effort to both calm and reassure her.

"Really, JR? You don't know what set her off?"

"I have no idea"

"You know, don't even bother. I heard enough before. I know Bianca, and she isn't someone who flies off the handle for no reason. She was defending and protecting me."

"Protecting you from your own husband? She doesn't need to do that."

"Ex-husband! We're divorced in case you didn't remember! No, Bianca doesn't need to protect me. She wants to because she's thinking about what is really best for me, and that is something that you will never understand. Leave, JR!"

"But you don't understand"

"Wrong again, JR! I do understand. Get the hell out of here, and don't even think about bothering Bianca again!"

JR stormed out, and Marissa sat down after taking a deep breath to calm herself down. She looked across at Bianca and took her hand. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm so sorry. I kind of lost it. I shouldn't have… I overstepped. I know you are perfectly capable of defending yourself, of protecting yourself from him. I let him get to me."

Marissa sat quietly as Bianca stumbled over her words. She had heard the entire conversation. She knew what her ex said, and she had heard every word Bianca said in reply. Bianca is absolutely amazing. I can't believe her. I can't believe what she did, what she said. I've never had anyone defend me like that. I've never had anyone fight for me like that. Never. She did it without thinking, without me asking her to. JR would only ever do something like that as long there was something in it for him. Not Bianca. She did it because that's who she is. I don't know what I ever did to deserve to have her in my life. How did I get so lucky to have someone care so much about me? Someone I care… Marissa pulled herself from where that train of thought was taking her, not quite sure of everything she was feeling.

"Bianca, thank you."

The brunette blinked in surprise. She had thought for sure that Marissa was upset when she didn't say anything at first. Now, she was thanking her. "For what? You mean you're not upset?"

"Thank you for defending me, protecting me. No, I'm not upset, at least not with you. Are you sure you're okay? I could kick JR's ass for getting you so upset."

"I'm okay. He just got me so mad with his smug attitude. He wants you back."

"Well, I really don't give damn what he wants. I don't want him. I don't want someone who thinks so little of me, someone who doesn't have the first clue about who I am or what I want."

Bianca nodded. "You deserve better."

"I know. You know what, let's not talk about him anymore today. I don't want him taking away from our time."

Bianca smiled. "Alright. No more talk about unpleasant things. What do you want to talk about?"

"I won my case!"

"Congratulations! I never doubted you would!"

"Ha! That makes one of us!"

"You are a great lawyer!"

"You're right, I forgot! I'm a kick ass lawyer!" Marissa smiled.

Bianca laughed and was glad the tension left in JR's wake was gone. "Exactly! Don't forget it again!"

"If I do, I'll have you to remind me." Marissa squeezed Bianca's hand and then picked up her menu. "Let's order, and then you can tell me where we're going to spend all my money! I'm guessing that folder is your 'research' for today's shopping adventure."

Bianca smiled brightly. "As a matter of fact, it is! I've got some great places for us to check out. You'll be surprised to know that I am an excellent bargain hunter!"

Marissa laughed. "You know, I don't doubt that for one second! Hand it over."