A/N: I'm revisiting a story thread that I touched on a while ago. It's one I've been planning for a while, and I feel obligated to give a warning about it. There might be some triggers. Please know that this is not a storyline that I take lightly. Again, I have to thank you all for the great reviews! I really do appreciate them and more importantly, all of you for reading! Hope you enjoy this update!

/

"Well look what the cat dragged in! What's it been, about a week since I've seen you or Bianca in here?"

"Hey, Opal. I guess it has been that long."

"How've you been, Marissa?"

The redhead grinned. "I've never been better. You're in luck. I'm meeting Bianca for lunch so you'll get to see her today. So how have you been?"

"That is good news. I've missed the two of you lighting this place up. I can't complain too much. Krystal tells me that you're helping her out with the expansion of this place. I have to say that's mighty nice of you, and it means a lot to her."

Marissa shrugged. "It's nothing really, and I'm happy to help." She didn't want to make too big of a deal out it. In her mind, it was the least she could do. Being with Bianca, well, being with Bianca had made her happier than she had ever been in her life. She had a partner who loved her and whom she loved without question, someone she trusted unconditionally and was building a future with. Together, they had three wonderful children and were planning on adding to that number in the near future. She had a career that she loved, one where she felt she was making a difference and helping people. In short, she had a full, rich life, the one that she had always dreamed of. It was because of that and because of her promise to Bianca that Marissa was trying with her birth mother. She knew that her relationship with Krystal would always be complicated, and she would never be able to understand the other woman's actions. The rebuilding process was slow, but there had been steady progress. Marissa didn't realize how much progress had been made until she offered to help, an offer she meant.

"So what's been keeping the two of you so busy that you haven't been in here?" Opal asked.

"We've both had a lot going on workwise. Plus, we've been organizing things for the move which included some shopping."

"Oh, the new house. I hear it's quite the place, and I'm glad to hear that it's coming along. I know how much that girl of your's likes shopping. She comes by it honestly. There's not much that Erica loves more than shopping."

Marissa laughed. "Well, we plan on having an open house after we get settled in so be on the lookout for your invitation. You're right on all counts with the Kane women. The difference between them though is that my better half is an excellent bargain hunter and more modest in her tastes. Nothing against Erica, mind you. It's just that Bianca's style is definitely more in line with mine."

"Speaking of your better half, here she is now."

"Hey, Opal." Bianca gave Marissa a quick kiss and took a seat at the table. "I thought we talked about this better half thing, and it was established that you were the better half."

"I agreed to no such statement. We'll have to agree to disagree."

Opal just smiled and shook her head at the pair. "The two of you are something else."

"I couldn't agree with you more, Opal. What are they disagreeing about?" Kendall asked as she joined the group.

"Who's the better half in their relationship."

Greenlee smirked. "The two of you just can't help it, can you?"

"Can't help what?" Bianca asked.

"Never mind." The smaller woman rolled her eyes and joined the others at the table.

The friends listened as Marissa and Bianca told them about the progress being made on their new home. They also shared pictures they had taken on their recent visit. The older women were impressed with the design the couple had come up with and could easily see the excitement in the couple's eyes. Lunch was delivered to their table, and the group continued to chat while they ate.

"If you'll all excuse me for a minute, I need to use the ladies' room." Bianca stood and started to leave the table.

"Hold up, Binx. I'll join you." Kendall caught up with her sister and walked with her. They finished up, but before they left to head back to the table and after the older sister was assured they were alone, Kendall turned to her younger sister. "Do you have a minute, Binx? There's something I want to ask you."

"Sure, Kendall. What's up? We're still on for tomorrow, aren't we?"

"Yes, we are. Zach and I will meet you and Red at her office to sign the papers. I have to tell you again that we're both honored that the two of you trust us that much, and it means so much that Marissa feels that way about us. Neither of us wants anything to happen to either of you. Quite frankly, I don't know what I'd do if something did, but if something does, please know that we won't let you down."

Bianca smiled. "I know you won't and so does Marissa."

"Good. That brings me to what I wanted to ask. I wanted to talk with you in private first. You can discuss it with Red later tonight. Your taking these steps have Zach and I thinking about the plans we have in place. Obviously, our situation is slightly different than your's since Ryan is still around and involved in Spike's life. If something were to happen to Zach and myself, he would go live with Ryan, and you've already agreed to be Ian's guardian, but we would like to update our wills so that you and Marissa take Ian. I'm sure something can be worked out with Ryan so the boys are still in each other's lives. I don't ever want them to lose each other. All of this just got Zach and me thinking. We both love Marissa, and the boys are crazy about her. After everything that's happened and what she's done for you and the girls, we can't think of anyone else, other than you, that we trust more. So, do you think Marissa would be willing to take on that responsibility?"

It took Bianca a few seconds to answer Kendall. She was truly touched that her sister and brother-in-law thought so much of her partner. "I'll talk with her tonight, but I already know her answer. Marissa would be honored."

Kendall sighed in relief. "Good, but I want you to run it by her and tell her to take whatever time she needs to make her decision. Now, let's get back to the table."

Marissa glanced up seeing the sisters approach their table. "Is everything okay?"

Bianca smiled. "Yep, everything's fine."

The redhead knew something was up by the look in Bianca's eyes but knew she would tell her about whatever it was later. "Well, Greenlee and I were talking and think we could all use a girls' night out." She was interrupted by the ringing of her cellphone and recognized the name on her caller id. "Sorry, I better get take this. Hey, Joanna. What's up?" She listened but couldn't make out what her friend was saying. "Joanna, I need you to take a breath and slow down. Now, tell me what's wrong."

Bianca could only hear Marissa's side of the conversation, but she could tell by her expression that something was wrong.

"Where's Will?" Marissa nodded hearing the response. "Have you called the police?"

At the mention of 'police', Kendall and Greenlee exchanged worried glances with Bianca who indicated that she had an idea of what was going on and would answer their questions as soon as she could.

"Okay, I'm on my way." Marissa disconnected the call and looked at Bianca. "Colleen's been taken to the hospital."

Bianca didn't have to ask why. She could tell from Marissa's expression why. It was something they had discussed and were both afraid would happen. "Is she alright, Rissa? What about Will?"

"Will's fine and is safe. Joanna's at the hospital waiting to get an update on Colleen's condition. I need to get over there." She looked at the friends. "I'm sorry. Bianca can fill you in. I'll call or text you when I know more, B." Marissa gave Bianca a quick kiss and headed out.

"What's going on, Binx?"

Bianca informed the pair of the situation as best she knew up to that point.

/

"Joanna, how's Colleen?" Marissa asked as soon as she spotted her friend in the hospital waiting room.

"Marissa, thank you for coming. They took her to get some x-rays. We should know something more soon."

"Okay, tell me what happened."

Joanna took a breath. "Colleen had dropped Will off at daycare when she remembered she'd forgotten something she needed for work at home. Robert was going through her desk for some reason and found your business card. He started questioning her about why she had a lawyer's card. She tried to give him some sort of excuse, but he wasn't buying it. Things got ugly and went downhill really fast from there. He just started hitting her and wouldn't stop, even after she passed out. Eventually, he got tired of using her as a punching bag and left. When she regained consciousness, she called me. I sent Steve over to get Will from daycare and called the police on my way over to her house. She was able to tell me what happened before the police got there. I came here in the ambulance with her."

Marissa spotted Brot walking down the hallway. "I'll be right back."

The policeman spotted the lawyer headed his way. "Marissa, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here with a friend of mine, Joanna Gallagher. Her sister Colleen Brennan was brought in earlier."

"Ah, Mrs. Brennan. I'm here to question her. Is there any update on her condition?"

"No, Joanna said they took her up to x-ray. What's being done to find her husband?"

"Are you asking for professional or personal reasons?"

"For now, I'm asking for personal reasons. It may turn professional, but that's up to Colleen. She met with me a few weeks ago. Her sister has been trying to convince her to leave her husband. Joanna suspected that he was abusing her. Colleen wasn't admitting to anything and was just asking me questions. I gave her my card in case she wanted talk more. From what Joanna just told me, her brother-in-law found it and that set him off."

"You know this isn't your fault, right?"

Marissa nodded. "I do. So, can you tell me what's being done to find him?"

"He's only considered a person of interest at this time, and we've got an APB out on him. That's really all I can tell you until I interview Mrs. Brennan."

"I understand. Oh, I see Frankie's talking to Joanna now. It looks like we might have an update on her condition." The pair headed back to the waiting room.

"She's going to need to stay here a few days. She has a collapsed lung, some broken ribs and a fractured jaw."

"May I see her Dr. Hubbard?" Joanna asked.

"Of course, you may. We've given her something for the pain so she may not stay awake."

Joanna nodded. "I understand. Thank you, doctor. Marissa would you mind waiting?"

"I'd be happy to."

"When do you think I could talk to her, Frankie?" Brot asked.

"I'd say you could try and talk to her in a couple of hours."

The policeman answered Marissa's unasked question. "I'll stay here a while to make sure she's safe, and I'll call Jesse to see about arranging some protection for her."

"Thanks, Brot. I need to make a couple of calls." She saw he had a question of his own. "I'm not representing her at the moment, and I don't even know if she'll want me to. There's not much I can do until I know for sure what she wants from me in the way of help, but I'm going to get my paralegal to start working on an order of protection for her. If she decides that wants to leave him and wants my help in doing that, I'll have the order ready to file as soon as possible."

/

Bianca was in the kitchen getting dinner ready when she heard Marissa pull into the driveway. She was anxious to talk to her and find out how Colleen was doing. She'd had a few updates from the redhead throughout the afternoon, but the texts didn't give her the details she wanted. More importantly, she wanted to see how Marissa was. She knew the day's events had to have been hard on her partner. She smiled softly as she greeted Marissa by the door. "Hey, how are you? You look tired."

Marissa sighed and let herself be enveloped by Bianca's loving embrace. "I'm much better now."

The couple stayed like that for several minutes before Bianca leaned back slightly. She gave Marissa a loving kiss and pulled her towards the sofa. "Let's sit down, and you can tell me everything that happened when you're ready."

Marissa rested her head on Bianca's shoulder and closed her eyes briefly. The afternoon had been emotionally draining, and she needed the quiet strength of Bianca to regroup. "Where are the kids?"

"Homework is done, and now, they're all playing in AJ's room."

Marissa nodded, glad that they wouldn't be around to overhear what she was about to relate to Bianca. "I'm not sure where to start."

"How's Colleen?"

"She's still in the hospital. They want to keep her for a few days. She has a punctured lung, some broken ribs and a fractured jaw along with too many bruises to count."

"So, she'll heal physically. How's Will, and where is he?"

"He's fine. Luckily, he wasn't at home when this happened. Colleen had dropped him off at daycare. He's going to be staying with Joanna and Steve for the time being."

"What about Colleen's husband? Where is he?"

"They're not sure where he is right now. The police are looking for him. At this point, he is merely a suspect and hasn't been charged with anything. Brot was at the hospital to interview Colleen, but she was out of it and couldn't talk. They had her on some heavy pain medication because of her injuries. He's going back tomorrow to interview her. He spoke with Jesse, and they are posting a guard outside of her room for now."

Bianca sighed in relief. "I'm glad to hear that. Did you get a chance to talk with her?"

"Only for a minute. I asked her if she wanted me to come back tomorrow, and she nodded. I had Lisa prepare the paperwork requesting an order of protection be issued. If Colleen agrees, we'll file it with the court immediately. I'm also hoping she'll agree to press charges."

"You think there's a chance she won't." It wasn't a question, merely a statement of fact, one that came from her years of work at the Miranda Center.

"You know as well as I do that it's a possibility. When someone's in an abusive relationship, sometimes they blame themselves. They think they've done something wrong, that they're at fault and deserve what's happening to them, that they deserve the abuse. That's why, if it's possible, I want Colleen to use some of the services that the Miranda Center offers, particularly the counseling for both her and Will."

"Unfortunately, you're right. I see it every day. That mentality becomes engrained in them, and it takes something like this to break them of it. Sometimes, it's too late, and they never get away. Hopefully, Colleen will be able leave before it's too late. You know that the Center will do whatever we can for her. She has to take that first step though."

"I'm hoping the same thing, that she can find the strength to leave and break this vicious cycle she's in. You're right about her taking that first step. I know Joanna wants to make her leave, but I've told her many times that this has to be her sister's decision. It's just that Joanna is worried sick about both her sister and her nephew. She asked about seeking some sort of custody of him if Colleen doesn't leave. She doesn't want to do it, but she knows that she needs to think about him and his safety. Nothing's happened to him, yet, but that could change in the blink of an eye. You don't know what could set her husband off and have him start taking things out on Will. I told Joanna that I would look into that tomorrow."

"Joanna's right about keeping Will safe. He has to be everyone's first priority right now. Do they have any idea what set off Colleen's husband?"

"He found my business card. When she got back from dropping Will off at daycare, he started questioning her about why she had a lawyer's card. He didn't buy her explanation, and he lost it."

Bianca gazed into Marissa's eyes and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind an ear. She could see the toll the day had taken on her. "Are you okay? I don't want you thinking that this is your fault."

Marissa saw the worried look on Bianca's face. "I know it's not, and Brot told me the same thing. I'm okay, really. I'm just tired. These cases are always hard. This time I actually know one of the parties involved. Something like this makes me appreciate what I have with you, what we have together. It makes me realize how lucky I am." She leaned in for a loving kiss. "Now, I'd like to talk about something else if we could. I could really use a little break."

"We can do that. I had an interesting conversation with Kendall today."

"Yeah? What about?"

Bianca grinned. "You."

"Me? What about me?"

"Well, she and Zach were talking about our request of having them be guardians for all three kids. They already have me as a guardian for Ian in their wills, and they would like to add you as well."

Marissa blinked in surprise. "They want me …"

Bianca smiled softly and nodded. "Yes, they do. You know how they feel about you. They love you, and they trust you. They know that you won't let anything happen to either of their sons. If Ryan wasn't in Spike's life, they would have us as his guardians too. He is though, and he's a good father. What they can do is entrust Ian with both of us. She wanted to know if you would be up for it."

"That's what the two of you were talking about at Krystal's."

"It is. I told her I would talk with you about it when you got home. She said you could take your time to think about it and give her your answer when you were ready."

Marissa nodded. "Of course I'll do it. I'm honored that they trust me that much. You know how I feel about your family. I love them. They're …"

"They're your family too. You know that right?"

"I do, and I'll do anything for them."

"I know that, and so do they. That's why they're asking this."

Marissa smiled seeing the look in Bianca's eyes. "Let me guess. You already knew what my answer would be and told Kendall."

Bianca made a face. "How do you know me so well? I did. I told her that I would ask you but that I knew you would do it. I hope you're okay with it."

"Why wouldn't I be? It seems you know me just as well as I know you." Marissa smiled even brighter. "Anything else happen after I left?"

"Greenlee told us what the two of you were thinking about a girls' night out. Kendall and I think that it's a great idea. Now comes the hard part, finding a day that works for everyone."

"Mom!"

Marissa turned and saw AJ racing down the stairs with Miranda and Gabby close behind. "Hey, guys. How was your day?"

"It was good, Rissa. Are you okay? We were wondering why you were late and Mom said it was because a friend of yours was hurt and in the hospital."

"Is she gonna be okay, Mommy?"

Marissa glanced at Bianca and took a shaky breath. She didn't think she would ever stop being surprised by the thoughtfulness of their children. Marissa pulled Gabby onto her lap while Bianca scooted over so AJ and Miranda could sit on either side of the redhead. She hugged each child. "I'm much better now that I'm home with the four of you. Thank you for checking on me. You know, I think you guys are just the best kids in whole world. She's doing better but will have to stay in hospital for a few days. Frankie is taking care of her though, and you know how good of a doctor he is."

AJ nodded. "He took really good care of me when I hurt my knee in the park this summer."

Bianca nodded and ruffled the boy's hair. "He sure did, Buddy, so you know he'll take good care of your mom's friend. Would the three of you stay here and take care of your mom for me while I go check on dinner?"

"Okay, Mom. We'll take good care of Rissa." Miranda smiled.

"Thank you." Bianca gave Marissa a quick kiss before heading off to the kitchen. Seeing the smile return to her partner's eyes told her she was in the best possible hands.