A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review and follow! It's appreciated. Sorry for posting a little late today. I went furniture shopping today and that took some time, plus made a dent in the old bank account. I'm glad you like Jessica. I felt Marissa needed a motherly figure outside of the Pine Valley realm, and I just stumbled upon her. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. You're going to find out right away what Jessica wants to talk to Marissa about. Some of you have guessed it. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

Jessica should have known that Marissa would suspect something was up. The redhead was just too damn perceptive sometimes. Jessica shook her head and charged forward with the real reason behind this call. She hoped she wasn't overstepping, but Jessica felt Marissa needed to know and, more importantly, would want to know.

"You've got me. Although to be fair, I did want to check in on you to make sure you're doing okay."

"Well, I really am. I even think Gabby believes that now."

"What do you mean?"

"With everything going on with Kendall and her health, it seems Gabby overheard a few things and thought I might be sick because of the baby."

"Ouch."

"Yeah, ouch. You couple that with her overhearing some moms talking about that movie on Lifetime with the mother who died during labor, and you have one scared little girl."

"Oh, I bet it was that movie 'A Mother's Heart', wasn't it? I just couldn't watch it. I can only imagine how hearing about it made Gabby feel. How's she doing now?"

"Yes, it was that movie, and we didn't watch it either. Gabby's doing a lot better, thankfully. Bianca and I took all three kids to my last appointment. We did an ultrasound, and they got to see and hear Sparky. Dr. Abbott was great with them and answered all of their questions. There was only one exception."

"That's good. What was the exception?"

"The question where they asked whether Sparky is a boy or a girl. They tried to sneak that one in, but we caught it."

Jessica chuckled. "Sneaky of them."

"Tell me about it. Okay, enough about that. What's on your mind?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Jessica told herself it was now or never. "When I had lunch with Erica, the topic of Kendall's health came up."

"Anything in particular about her health?"

"Erica said she's been reaching out to other specialists regarding Kendall's case."

Marissa had a sinking feeling she knew the answer to the question she was about to ask. "Anyone I know?"

"Yes. She said she talked with David and had practically groveled for his help."

"Let me guess. He asked what was in it for him."

Jessica grimaced. "Yes. Erica said she offered him everything she could think of to take Kendall's case. After he had her beg and believing that he was going to do it, he laughed in her face and turned her down cold. He said there was nothing she could give him that would make him help."

Marissa sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, that sounds exactly like David. I wish Erica would have said something. I hate that he did that to her."

"I'm sorry to be the one to tell you. Erica said she wanted to keep you out of it, but I thought you would want to know."

"You're right. I do want to know if something like this happens. And you have nothing to be sorry about. I'm glad you told me. I just don't understand him and don't think I ever will. He has this gift that could help so many people, save countless lives, and he chooses to use it for his own gain. In doing so, he hurts people he's taken an oath to help. I don't get it."

"I wish there was something I could say to help it make sense, to just help in general, but there's not anything I can think of. I don't get it myself. What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. I should let Bianca know."

"I can't tell you how much I hate this. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No, I don't so, but thank you for offering. It means a lot."

"If you think of something, please let me."

"I will. When are you coming to town?"

"My meeting at the Miranda Center is later this week. I'll call you when I get checked in."

"You're not seriously telling me you're staying somewhere else other than here, are you?"

"I don't want to impose."

"You're not. You're family. Our home is always open to you. If you want to stay here, we would love to have you."

"Well then, I would love to stay with you. I'll text you my flight information so you have an idea of when I'll be there."

"Good. I should be home no matter when you get here. I'm working from home the majority of the time now. It's just easier for me."

"I don't blame you one bit for doing that. I can't wait to see you again."

/

Bianca was shaking her head the instant Marissa finished telling her about Erica and David. "I really don't want you to do this, Rissa."

"I know, but I think I have to. Kendall is my family too. If I can do something, hell anything, to help her, I will. I need to. Kendall would do the same for me, and you know it." Marissa pointed out.

"I do." Bianca conceded. "I can't believe David. Mom must have been crushed. I wish she would've told us."

"So do I, but Jessica said she told her she didn't want to drag us into it. I'll just talk to him. Maybe, I can get him to reconsider, see reason and help."

"I love you and how you try and see the good in people, but that's not always the case."

"You're telling me that I always try to see the good in people? Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black?" Marissa smirked.

Bianca rolled her eyes. Her wife did have a point. "I'll give you that. I just don't like it. I don't like the idea of you having to deal with him."

Marissa took Bianca's hands in her own. "Look, I don't like it either, but I need to do this. I'll talk with him. We've got our plan in place, and I'll follow it."

"Fine. Just be careful. Don't let him rile you up or get you upset. Please?"

"I won't. I promise." Marissa checked the time. "He should still be there so I better get going. The sooner I do this, the better."

The couple exchanged a quick kiss before Marissa headed out to confront David.

/

Marissa walked through the hospital's main floor corridor with purpose. She quickly found the elevator, entered the car and pressed the button for the floor David's office was on.

"Hold the elevator please!"

The redhead pushed the hold button as two young men, one blonde and one brunette, wearing white doctor's coats stepped inside the car. The dark-haired man smiled. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. What floor do you need?"

"Oh, you've got it already selected. Thanks."

As the elevator began to move, the brunette turned to the blonde and started speaking in a low voice. "So, you were there and heard all of it?"

"Yeah, I was, and let me tell you it was great. Hell, I'd even say it was epic. If you ask me, David Hayward is a god and doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves. Erica Kane thinks she owns this town. I mean seriously, give me a break. It was so perfect seeing Dr. Hayward put her in her place. I mean, she was practically in tears, begging him to help, and he was as cool as could be. The man has ice water in his veins. He listened to all of her pleas and turned her down, just like that, and oh man, she was crushed."

"But we're talking about someone's life. How can he do that?" The brunette argued.

"Because he's David Hayward. That's how! Look, if it makes you feel better, he said he'll probably end up taking her daughter's case. He just wants Erica to suffer a little more since she's taken a lot from him, but he wants her on her actual hands and knees begging before him one more time. Then, he'll do it. He said she at least owes him that."

The brunette shook his head. "I don't agree with that and don't really see how you can either."

"You need to grow up and see how things are really done. It's all about power."

"It's about healing and saving lives. We took an oath to do no harm."

"What harm is there? He'll help. He's just going to get something out of it for himself first. There's nothing wrong that."

"Yeah, there is. There's a lot wrong with it. Look, we're never going to agree."

"Guess not. Oh, you would be smart to keep this to yourself. It would be your word against mine, and I've got Hayward on my side."

"If you're so sure there's nothing wrong with what he did, why would it matter if I said anything, Marshall?"

The blonde shrugged. "Just covering my bases. You can never be too safe."

The elevator car came to a stop, and the blonde exited, leaving the brunette behind shaking his head before exiting himself. Both men seemed to have forgotten all about Marissa who had heard the entire conversation. To say she was furious would be an understatement. The redhead believed what Jessica had told her, but to have it confirmed like it just was made her feel ill. The blonde seemed to worship David and found nothing wrong with what he'd done, and to her, that was extremely sad and disappointing. There did seem to be some hope however thanks to the dark-haired doctor. He seemed to have morals and ethics. She just wished the same could be said about David, but that conversation seemed to prove otherwise, not that she was surprised. He had delighted in Erica's suffering, reveled in it, and that, well, she simply had no words for how that made her feel. Marissa sighed, exited the car and walked down to David's office.

/

"So, Marshall, have there been any calls?"

"Just a few, nothing of consequence, and no calls from Ms. Kane yet, Dr. Hayward. I wouldn't worry about that though. I'm sure she'll come around soon though. You really showed her who was in charge." The resident answered as he placed a cup of coffee and the messages he'd scooped up from the front desk on his way to his idol's office. At this point in his career, he was nothing more than a glorified gofer, more of a lapdog if you asked others around the hospital. Marshall, for his part, was just happy to sit at the foot of the master and soak up whatever he could learn. His dream was to one day have the power that David Hayward had.

David rolled his eyes. He knew Marshall was nothing more than a suck up, and he merely kept the resident around for his own amusement. David also recognized that Marshall had no talent and would be a mediocre surgeon at his very best. There was not a chance in hell that David would ever let the resident touch one of his patients on the operating table. If he did, that could ruin his reputation, and David had no intention of letting that happen. He'd put too much time into building it to let some lackey destroy it because of his ineptitude. "I'm not worried, Marshall. I know she'll call. I have something she wants, something she needs. She'll come crawling back on her hands and knees soon enough, and I'm going to thoroughly enjoy every single second."

/

Marissa had paused outside David's office when she saw that the door was partially open. This allowed her to hear the conversation taking place on the other side of the door. The redhead hated eavesdropping but couldn't help herself as soon as she had heard Erica's name. To hear the way they were gloating over the entire situation made her feel even sicker to her stomach than she had been after the ride on the elevator. David's last words pushed her over the limit. She'd heard more than enough. Marissa took a deep breath in an effort to calm herself down and knocked.

/

David glanced over to the door hearing a knock and smiled seeing his daughter poke her head inside.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Marissa. No, not at all. Please come in and have a seat. We were just wrapping up. Would you like something to drink?"

"Thanks but no. I'm fine. I will take that seat though."

Marshall stood quickly and offered his seat to the redhead, but she took the other one that had been empty.

"We'll talk more later. Be sure to keep me apprised on that other matter."

"Other matter?" It took a moment, but it finally dawned on the resident what David was referring to. "Oh right, that other matter. I'll be sure to do that. I'll just go now."

Marissa made sure the door actually closed completely before talking. "He seems … eager."

"He serves his purpose. I have to tell you this is a very nice surprise. How are you feeling?"

"Pretty good, just a little tired, but that's normal."

"Who's your doctor again? I could speak to them …"

Marissa shook her head. There was no way she was going to give him that information. She didn't want him bullying Dr. Abbott, pumping her for information. She knew that with David nothing was ever as it seemed. "I'm very happy with my doctor and receiving the best care available. Bianca would have it no other way."

David couldn't hide his disappointment at being denied that information. "I'm sure that's true. So, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Kendall."

David's ear perked up. "What about her?"

"As I'm sure you've heard, she's expecting, and there is obvious concern for her because of her transplant. She's had a couple of incidents and been hospitalized briefly as a result of them."

"I've heard something about that. Who is she seeing?"

"Dr. Rivera is her cardiologist." Marissa volunteered this information because she was positive that David already knew it.

"He's … good, I suppose."

"Not as good as you though, right?"

David smiled. "I can't deny that."

Marissa ignored the arrogant reply and continued. "I've heard Erica has asked you to take Kendall's case."

"You did? Who told you that?" Seeing no answer was forthcoming, David took a guess, positive he already knew the answer. "It was Erica. She told you, didn't she?"

Marissa shook her head. "Actually no, it wasn't. She hasn't mentioned it to either Bianca or myself. She didn't want to pull us into it."

David's curiosity was piqued. "Who told you then?"

The redhead had no intention of telling him her source. "I'm keeping that to myself. Will you?"

"Will I what?"

Marissa sighed. She really hated playing games. "Will you help Kendall and take her case?"

David leaned back in his chair. "It all depends on Erica."

"What do mean by that?"

"I've told her what I want from her in order for me to help. If she agrees, I might help. If not, well, it's all on Erica."

Marissa processed this. The fact that he was being so cavalier about Kendall's life was too much to take. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did you become a doctor exactly?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's not that hard of a question, David. I became a lawyer to help people. Most people who become doctors do so to help those that are ill."

David scoffed. "You have an idealized view of the world, Marissa. I can do great things. I can bring people back to life. I hold the power of life and death in my hands."

"It sounds like you think you're some sort of god."

"In that operating room, that's exactly what I am. I am god. I simply want to be recognized for that. I want Erica to recognize that."

"Is that what this is all about then? Your ego and making Erica pay?"

David smiled. "I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't have a high opinion of myself. You may call it ego, but I simply call it the truth."

"So, you'll withhold treatment until your greatness is acknowledged?"

The doctor shrugged. "Why not?"

"Wow. I thought you were trying to change, to become better. At least, that's what you've been telling me. It looks like I was wrong. It seems I always am when it comes to you. Everything that everyone here has said about you is right. And all of this time, you've pretty much been lying to my face."

"Why because I want to be recognized for my skill and ability? I'm no different from anyone else." David continued to ignore Marissa's point that he had lied to her.

"Yes, you are. The difference that you fail to see is that you're doing it at the expense of someone's life, and it's really sad that you don't see it." Marissa shook her head. "Erica will do whatever you want. How could she not? Her child's life is at stake after all. She'll pay whatever price needs to be paid."

"And what price exactly do you think that I want her to pay?"

"You want her to beg, come to you crawling on her hands and knees. You want her humiliated."

That surprised David. He had no clue how Marissa knew this if Erica didn't tell her.

"Let me ask you something else, David. What about Bianca? Do you want her to beg too? She will if you want her to because she loves her sister. I would hope you wouldn't though. After everything you put her through, you owe her at least that."

"I've always done my best to help Bianca."

"Always? Hardly. We both know that's not true. If it was, you would have told her the truth about Miranda and not let her believe her daughter was dead. Who does that? Do you have any idea of how devastated she was? Do you have any idea of the hell she went through? All of these years later, she still has nightmares about that, of losing Miranda. That pain will never truly go away for her, pain that you caused."

"I did that to help my daughter, your sister."

Marissa shook her head. "You can try and justify it all you want, but it still doesn't make it right. Bianca had done nothing to deserve that pain. Babe, Krystal and you were wrong. You can color it however you want, but it was still wrong. The fact that you can't see that makes it even worse. Don't worry. You'll get them to beg and plead and give you everything you're asking for."

Seeing an opening, David pounced. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What will you give me to help her? What's it worth to you?"

"I'm assuming you have something in mind. Go ahead. Name your price."

"You, AJ and the baby. Let me be a part of your lives, see you. We are family."

Marissa glared at the man whose DNA she shared, the man who was her biological father. No, he wasn't remotely any kind of father to her. Roy Tasker was the only father she ever had, and he was more than enough. He was all the father she ever needed. David didn't even come close to being half the man that Roy was. Yes, David had fame and fortune, but that was all. He was feared and hated by many whereas Roy was loved and respected by all, especially her. Marissa had braced herself for this possibility, but she hoped it wouldn't come to this. She and Bianca discussed this and grudgingly came up with this compromise. "If that's your price for helping Kendall, fine. I'll draw something up. You won't spend time alone with either of them though. I won't allow that."

"You don't trust me? My word isn't good enough for you?"

"No, why would I trust you? You've given me absolutely no reason to. I'll put my faith in a legally binding document instead."

"Fine, but thank you. Thank you for letting me be part of your life."

"Don't thank me, David. I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this Kendall, Zach, their children, Bianca and Erica, my family. Don't ever think otherwise. There will be no begging from Erica or Bianca. I'll talk with Bianca, and we'll come up with something, but you will never spend time alone with them. Either Bianca or myself will be there." One of the things that saddened Marissa about this whole bargaining was that she and David had actually been getting slightly closer since the wedding. The two had had several lunches, and it had been nice. Now, what they had been building was destroyed. While she had agreed to this deal with the devil, she would do everything in her power to limit his influence on her children. They would not be molded or used by him or anyone else.

"You need her permission regarding your children?"

"Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I'm not asking for her permission. I'm simply asking for her input. She's my wife, and we make decisions together, especially when they involve our children. She is as much their mother as I am. Understood?"

David held his hands up in mock surrender knowing immediately his mistake. "Understood."

"Oh, one other thing, if you ever do anything to hurt any member of my family, the ones I just mentioned including Greenlee and Ryan, the deal is off, and you'll also see exactly what I'm capable of doing when someone crosses me or hurts the people I care about. Contrary to what you may believe, David, I'm no pushover. My parents, the Taskers, taught me well, and you would be wise to remember that. We're done here. I'll have the contract drawn up, and let you know when to come to the office to sign it."

"You could just bring it over."

Marissa stood and gathered her coat and purse. "No, I want it signed in front of witnesses and notarized. I'm not taking any chances."

David watched as Marissa walked away. Her disappointment in him clearly evident in her eyes. There was something else he saw too. It looked like a combination of betrayal and disgust. How could she feel anything else? He had gotten what he'd wanted, but it was because he had basically blackmailed her. David saw Marissa as someone who had always tried to see the good in people, just like Bianca. This made her someone he believed he could easily manipulate. He realized now that she had actually been prepared for his demands. In fact, she didn't seem all that surprised by them. What did the fact that someone like her, someone who tried to see the good in others, had pretty much expected him to use his own grandchildren as leverage say about him? Did he ruin any chance he had to have real relationship with his only remaining child?

/

Bianca was getting something to drink when she heard the garage door alerting her to her wife's return home. Marissa opened the door, and the brunette knew instantly how it had gone. The redhead dropped her purse and keys on the counter before walking over to Bianca and falling into her embrace. The two remained locked in each other's arms for several moments before either spoke.

"That bad?"

Marissa nodded and sighed. "Yeah, that bad."

Bianca pulled back. "Do you want to talk?"

"I do, but can we do it later? Right now, I just want to be with you and our kids and not think about David."

"Okay. We were just going to watch a movie." Bianca helped Marissa remove her coat and picked up her drink. "I'll go hang this up. Get yourself something to drink and meet me and the kids in the family room."

Marissa smiled and nodded. This was exactly what she needed right now.

/

After the movie was over, the kids were bathed, had their pajamas put on, read a bedtime story and tucked in with hugs and kisses given. Marissa took Max outside while Bianca headed to their bedroom to get ready for bed. The redhead locked up after coming back inside with Max. She then padded down the hallway to the bedroom and ducked into the bathroom after grabbing her pajamas.

Bianca was settled in bed when her wife exited the bathroom. "Alright. Are you ready to talk now?"

Marissa sighed and nodded. "Yeah." After crawling under the covers, Marissa began. "I overheard two residents talking in the elevator. One of them was named Marshall, and he kept going on and on about David, how great he was and how he stuck it to Erica."

"Seriously?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I then overheard him talking to David. They were talking about how he wanted Erica to coming crawling back to him and beg him to help. It made me sick. I couldn't take anymore and interrupted them. When we were alone, I asked David if he would help. It got ugly after that. I called him out on what he wanted from Erica and you. He ended up asking me what it was worth to me. I told him to name his price."

Bianca knew what was coming next. She and Marissa had discussed it. They both knew how David's mind worked, but they also both hoped that maybe this time he wouldn't resort to his usual tactics. It turns out that they were both right and wrong. "You, AJ and Sparky."

Marissa stroked her belly. "Yeah."

"And you did what we discussed."

"Yeah, contract and all."

"I wish you didn't have to do this."

"So do I, but it's for Kendall. It would be different if we had another doctor for her on his level, but we don't."

"I know. We can't let Mom and Kendall know, and we really can't let Zach know. What he would do to David would be very ugly."

"That's the truth." Marissa leaned back. "You know what's sad about this? We really were starting to get along. He was great at the wedding, seemed truly happy for us."

Bianca pulled her wife closer so that Marissa rested her head on the brunette's shoulder. "I know. You were considering including David more in AJ's life, and then he does this. I'm so sorry."

"Well, that's David."

"I hate this. I hate having this feeling like I'm having to make a choice between Kendall and our children."

"I know. I hate it too, but I don't think we're choosing one over the other. This could be a matter of life and death for Kendall, and we have to do something. We can't just sit back and do nothing. Neither of us are capable of doing that, especially when it comes to our family. And I know without a single doubt in my mind that Kendall would do whatever she could for us if the situations were reversed."

"You're right. She would. Alright, we went over all of this before you talked to him. David will never be alone with them and will only visit them on our terms, not his. Everything will be monitored, and if for any reason they don't want to go, we won't make them."

Marissa nodded. "Exactly. I've got our other terms written down."

"So, tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, I call Caleb and talk with him, tell him what's going on. I'll work with him on this and let him draw it up. As much as I would like to draw up this contract myself, I won't. I know that I'm too connected and emotionally involved. We need Caleb's cool head on this because it's too damn important to mess it up. Together, we'll come up with the best contract that will protect our family while helping Kendall."

Bianca kissed Marissa's temple and pulled her wife even closer. Somehow, they would get through this, and they would do it together.

/

"Jessica!" Marissa smiled brightly as she opened the door and greeted her friend.

"Marissa." Jessica hugged the redhead. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay."

Jessica pulled back and studied the younger woman. Something was definitely up, and Jessica was going to get to the bottom of it. She gently pulled her over to the sofa, and they both sat down. "Alright, I know that look. Out with it."