A/N: Thanks for continuing to read, review, and follow! I appreciate it. I'm sorry for the slightly later than usual post. This chapter picks up where the last one left off. Hope you enjoy this update!

/

"Charles has been holed up in a conference room talking with the Meyers Tech board of directors since we left the Yacht Club. It seems this isn't the first time Meyers has exhibited highly questionable behavior, far from it in fact. The board has warned him that he needed to clean up his act, or else." Marissa paused to take a drink of water. She had been doing most of the talking since they got to her office. Now, it was her wife's turn. The redhead wanted some answers. "Let me ask you something. You seem to know an awful lot about what Meyers had planned. Why is that exactly?"

Bianca scowled. She knew it was time to come clean. It wasn't exactly something she wanted to do right now, but she was out of excuses and time. Besides that, Bianca knew she didn't really have a chance with Marissa sitting in front of her with a raised eyebrow and a knowing expression. Her wife knew she was pretty much powerless against that.

"Kendall and Greenlee may have found out about it."

"Hmmm, interesting. And how, pre-tell, would that have happened?"

"I might have asked them to help me." Bianca mumbled.

"What was that?"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "I might have asked them to help me figure out what was going on with Meyers."

Marissa paused for a moment. "We'll come back to that in a minute. For now, tell me how they found out about this."

"They were dressed as maids and somehow got a master keycard to look around in his room."

"I knew I saw them! They like darted behind a plant, but when I went to look again, they were gone. I thought I was seeing things for a minute there. Wow. What happened next?"

Bianca then related how Charles had almost found them before they were able to hide in a closet which had Marissa biting her lip to prevent her from laughing at the image of the Dynamic Duo hiding and then literally running into Charles with a cart. The redhead quickly sobered up when Bianca told her about the file Meyers had on her as well as the outline Kendall had found. Marissa had seen the document in question when Charles gave it to her at the Yacht Club so she knew everything that Meyers had planned, and seeing how upset Bianca was at the moment, the redhead was grateful that her sister-in-law had only remembered just a few of the details.

"So, I wanted to go over there to make sure you were safe, but Mom convinced me that it was better if Kendall and Greenlee went and kept an eye on things for me. I feel like an idiot."

"Why would you feel like that?"

"Because you found out what was going on, and you didn't need me."

Marissa took Bianca's hands in her own. "Hey, I am always going to need you, always.

"But you had Caleb …"

"Yes, I know Caleb was here along with Jack, but you were too. You had no way of knowing what I did or didn't know so you did any and everything you could to make sure I would be okay. Today, that meant sending the Dynamic Duo to keep an eye on things while you came to get our son, which if you remember is something I asked you to do." Marissa paused seeing that her wife wasn't completely sold just yet. So, she decided to try another tact. "I'm sorry."

"What do you have to be sorry for?"

"I obviously haven't been doing my job if you're doubting how much I need you and how important you are to me."

Bianca protested. "I never said you weren't doing your job. It's me doing my job that I question."

"Well, I don't question it. I never have. I can't help but wonder why you are though. Talk to me, Bianca. Please?"

"He just has all this stuff going for him."

"I won't lie. Yes, he has a lot going for him, but at the same time, he has even more going against him. Let's face it. He is no Bianca Christine Tasker-Montgomery, and he never will be. You've got him beat hands down. There's simply no contest. When I was in the hospital, unconscious and unable to speak for myself, you knew exactly what I would've wanted to be done. You were the only one who did, and you fought for me like I knew you would. When rehab started to wear on me, you wouldn't let me quit and found the most interesting ways to motivate me."

"I have to admit that I was inspired." Bianca grinned.

"I'll say. Strip rehab? Genius! Seriously though, you were there for and with me every step of the way. You always seem to know what to say and do when I need that push. You make me smile, laugh, think, feel beautiful, special, appreciated, and most importantly, loved. Brady Meyers can have all of the accolades in the world, but at the end of the day, it's just for show and doesn't really mean much because you're left wondering how much of it is real and deserved. He doesn't hold a candle to you. When I tell you that you're beautiful, I'm not just talking about the outside. You have the most beautiful heart and soul there is, and that's what I see when I look at you. Now, that's not to say the outside isn't beautiful, because it is. You are simply stunning. What it means is that you are the complete package, and you take my breath away. There's something else. He went for the grand gesture and made a huge donation, but he had ulterior motives and wanted and needed the validation for making it. That's not you though. Anything you've ever done is to simply help others. You genuinely care about others. People don't know everything that you've done because that acknowledgement isn't important to you. Grand gestures don't mean as much to you as they do to him. You prefer the small ones instead, the everyday ones that hold more meaning than the big ones ever will. You send me flowers just because. I find little notes in a jacket pocket or briefcase. There are also your surprise lunch visits along with too many other little things that you do to count. They all show me how much you love me and are there for me. Every single one of those things mean so much to me. They mean everything. I'm pretty damn lucky."

Bianca shook her head. "I'm the one who's lucky. I have to ask you something though. You're not upset with me?"

"Why would I be?"

"Well, Kendall and Greenlee for one. I had them spying for me, and that could've put this deal in jeopardy. I would hate if that happened because of me. You've put so much work into it. It's just that I got this bad feeling about him and didn't trust him. I trust you though."

Marissa sighed. "I know. Do I wish you would've talked to me before Millie and Ethel got involved? Yeah, I do, but I understand. How much does Erica know about all of this?"

"Well. Mom didn't know about the first trip to the Yacht Club until she saw them in the lobby. Then, she made us go to Kendall's and tell her everything." Bianca made a face at that confession. No one likes being scolded by a parent to begin with, but it felt even worse when it happened as an adult. "We all came up with the plan to have Kendall and Greenlee go back undercover."

"Wow. You all did that for me. That is amazing." Marissa was touched. "There's one thing you need to know. This deal doesn't mean a damn thing to me. You will always mean more to me than any deal. Got it?"

A wave of relief flowed through Bianca. "Got it."

"Good. Now, what should I do with you?"

"I don't know. I just know I'm a mess."

"I seriously have my doubts about that, but if you are, you're my mess. Hmmm, I have an idea. Come here." Marissa gave her wife a mischievous smile.

Bianca knew that look all too well, and it always did wonderful things to her. "Don't you have to get back? Won't they need you?"

"Nope. They can handle everything just fine without me."

"The door?"

"Locked."

That was all she needed to hear. Bianca grinned before she happily complied with her wife's request, closing the gap between them. When the brunette was less than a hair's breath away, Marissa erased the remaining distance and captured her wife's lips. Bianca moaned softly and wrapped her arms around her wife and pulled her closer. Marissa was more than willing oblige her wife's silent request to be closer and deepened the kiss.

/

Caleb was greeted by Bryce and Geoff when he arrived back at the office. Thanks to a shortcut he knew, he had several minutes lead time on Meyers. Sometimes, it paid to be a resident of the town.

"Where are Jack and Marissa?"

"Jack is with Erica who stopped by a little while ago with Bianca."

"Ah, and I'm guessing Marissa is with her."

Geoff nodded. "Yes. They are in Marissa's office, where she is going to stay until we need her."

All five partners had agreed it was best for all concerned for Marissa to stay out of sight until she was needed. The redhead was more than happy to go along with that decision mainly because she wasn't quite sure what she would do if she saw Brady Meyers again.

"Good. It will give them some time to talk. It seems there were a few things going on that we didn't know about."

"Such as?" Bryce asked.

It was at that precise moment when Kendall and Greenlee made their appearance.

Bryce raised an eyebrow when he saw two of the firm's most well-known clients dressed as maids. "I don't really think I'm going out on a limb here by assuming that this is one of the things that we didn't know about."

Caleb chuckled. "You would be correct. Ladies, you made excellent time."

"With Greenlee driving did you really have any doubt? I'm waiting for NASCAR to sign her up. Those drivers don't have anything on her." Kendall smirked.

"Did we miss anything?" Greenlee asked, choosing to ignore Kendall's comment.

"No, you did not. You do realize that we can't give you ringside seats for this?"

"Yes, we know, but we'll be close. Where is Marissa?"

"She's back in her office with your sister. Your mother is here too, and she's with Jack." Caleb informed the pair.

"Actually, I'm not. Gentlemen."

Bryce and Geoff stood a little straighter and nodded. "Erica."

"He's on his way?" Jack asked.

"Yes, he is. We better get going. He'll be here any minute." Geoff said before turning to the receptionist. "We'll be in my office. Be sure to notify us immediately when Brady Meyers gets here."

"Yes, sir."

Jack noted the attire of his daughter and Kendall and shook his head amused by them. "When all of this is over, I expect to hear the whole story behind this." He gave Erica a quick kiss and headed down the hall with the other lawyers.

"Well, we can't exactly wait around here dressed like this. Want to go wait in Red's office with her and Bianca? That way, you can tell us why you and Binx are still here, Mom."

Erica nodded to her daughter. "I suppose that is only fair."

/

Kendall, Greenlee, and Erica were just out of view when Brady Meyers showed up. The receptionist recognized him right away from his recent visits to the firm.

"Good evening, Mr. Meyers. How are you?"

"I've been better. Have you seen Charles Miller?"

"Not for some time."

Brady wasn't buying that answer for one minute, but he also knew that he wouldn't get anything more out of the woman. He had tried repeatedly during his previous visits but without any success. He was starting to wonder if he was losing his touch.

Receiving a glare from the man, the receptionist continued. "Let me call Mr. Thompson. I'm sure he'll be able to help." The woman dialed the needed number and spoke briefly with Geoff's secretary on the other end of the line. When their conversation ended, she glanced back to Brady. "Mr. Thompson will be right out."

True to her word, Geoff appeared a moment later.

"Brady. How are you doing?"

"Spare me the pleasantries, Geoff. Where's Charles? I know he's here."

"Why don't we go back to my office and talk?"

/

Brian and Lisa were walking down the hall when they saw Erica, Kendall, and Greenlee headed their way.

"Good evening, ladies. Let me guess, new ad campaign for Fusion?" Lisa asked with a huge grin.

"Maybe they're moonlighting." Brian cracked.

"Whatever it is, you know there's a good story behind it."

"Isn't there always when they're involved?"

Greenlee rolled her eyes. "Funny. Don't give up your day jobs though."

"Did you?"

Erica laughed at Lisa's remark. She had grown quite fond of the younger woman in the time she had known her. Noting Kendall and Greenlee staring at her, the diva shrugged. "You have to admit that it was funny."

Lisa grinned. "Thank you, Erica. What brings the three of you here?"

"Does it have anything to do with whatever has been going on with Meyers Tech and our negotiations?" Brian asked.

"And what do you know about that?"

"Honestly, Kendall, not much. We just know there have been a lot of closed doors meetings today, and that Charles Miller has been here most of the day."

"Your guess is as good as ours at this point. We're hoping Red can shed some light on that for us."

/

Geoff led the way to the conference room Charles had commandeered earlier in the day. The partners had moved there at his request.

Brady stopped in the room's doorway. He immediately took note of Charles and the video screen behind him. On it, he saw his company's entire board of directors along with their lead counsel. None of them looked at all happy. "What the hell is going on?"

/

"Hi, Ellie."

The secretary glanced up from her computer screen and smiled seeing Kendall, Greenlee, and Erica. "Hello. How are the three of you doing?"

"Good, and yourself?"

"Pretty good."

"Is my sister-in-law working you hard?"

"To the bone, Kendall. She's working me to the bone." Ellie smirked.

Kendall laughed. "I'm sure. Is she in there?"

"Yes. She and Bianca have been there for a little while."

"Good. We can talk to them both at the same time. Let's see what they've been up to."

"Maybe I should call first."

Erica gave the younger woman an amused look. "It's all right, dear. I have no doubt they are expecting us."

Before Ellie could reply, the trio had blown by her. Three on one was never fair, but this was especially true when it was those three against anyone.

"Why is the door locked?" Erica asked.

/

What started out as just a few kisses had turned into a very heated make-out session. If they had stopped to about it, neither woman would've been surprised, but neither did. What happened was what always happened between them, rational thought was out the window, and now, Marissa was lying on her back on the office sofa with Bianca on top of her. Marissa's thigh had found its way between her wife's legs and her hands underneath Bianca's shirt with the redhead's nails raking down her back. Bianca was grinding on her wife's thigh while she kept her hands busy as well. While one hand had deftly unbuttoned her wife's shirt, the other was fisted in soft, copper locks.

The insistent knocking on the office door broke the spell both were under.

"Marissa? Bianca? Why is this door locked? Are you both all right?"

"Is that my Mom?"

Marissa groaned, not from pleasure but from frustration. "Of course it is. Gotta love being busted by your Mom while making out in my office."

"Binx, Red, you okay?"

"Oh great, Kendall's out there too which means so is Greenlee."

"And you know they're not going to leave."

Bianca rolled her eyes before reluctantly sitting up. "Yeah, I know."

After receiving a nod, Marissa called out. "Everything's fine. Be right there."

After hastily rearranging their clothes and checking their lipstick, the couple deemed themselves presentable.

Marissa unlocked the door and opened it. "Hi. Wow, you really are dressed as maids. I'm glad I wasn't seeing things. Come on in. Ellie, you can go ahead and leave if you want."

"Um, would you mind if I stayed a little longer? I'd really like to see what happens."

The redhead chuckled. "Sure." Marissa left her door open and went to rejoin Bianca and the others.

"So, Marissa, did Danny help you get dressed this morning?"

Marissa was confused by Greenlee's question. "What are you talking about?"

"Buttons." Greenlee couldn't hide her amusement as Bianca and Marissa glanced at the redhead's shirt. Blushes darker than the lawyer's hair spread across the couple's faces. In her haste to redress, Marissa had missed a button causing the others to be out of alignment.

Marissa quickly turned away from the others and redid her buttons.

"Looks like everything was more than just fine in here."

"I do hope the two of you talked as well." Erica said knowingly.

Kendall shook her head. "I'm glad the door was locked. No offense, but I really don't need to walk in on the two of you again."

Marissa recovered before Bianca. "None taken. You do seem to have a habit of walking in on us. So, are you keeping those uniforms? I'm sure Zach and Ryan will like them."

Greenlee checked herself out. "I do make this look good. I think you're right, Marissa. Thanks!"

Bianca attempted to change the subject. "I thought you were with Uncle Jack, Mom."

"I was, but that was before Caleb arrived. He's now with Caleb, Geoff, and Bryce."

"Shouldn't you be with them, Red?" Kendall asked.

"No, I'm staying here. I really don't want to be around Meyers any more than I have to. Besides, I know what's happening."

"I can't blame you on the first part, Red. I'm pretty sure that Greenlee and I are the only ones out of the loop at the moment. So, enlighten us. What's going on? You know we're not going to say anything."

Marissa thought for a moment. She did trust Kendall and Greenlee to be discreet, and she also knew that Jack had informed Erica about everything. "The board of directors for Meyers Tech is giving its founder and current CEO the opportunity to leave the company to pursue other interests."

"Ah, that's definitely corporate speak for resign or be fired." Greenlee stated. "Wait. How do you know this?"

"The board also voted to hire us to represent them about three hours ago."

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks."

"You said the board hired you. I'm guessing he'll be finding that out soon too."

"Among other things, yes."

"How are they forcing him out? It has to be something pretty good since he's the company's founder." Greenlee asked.

"They are exercising the morals clause they added to his contract when they renewed it last year."

"Which he's violated." Bianca stated.

Marissa nodded. "Big time. Charles found evidence of that in his room. Bianca told me that all of you know something about that."

"He showed you that, huh? I've got to give him props for doing that. Greenlee and I were a little worried that he wouldn't. We didn't know his connection to Meyers at first, and then when we did, we didn't know how close they were."

"Charles told me they were very close at one time. Brady was the best man at his wedding. That closeness diminished over time though the more famous Meyers became. He let it go to his head, and family and friends fell to the wayside. They just couldn't deal with his ego anymore. His womanizing also really started getting to Charles, and his wife didn't want to be around him either. There were other factors for the board as well."

"Like?"

"Job performance. Some of their latest releases haven't been up to par, and their stocks have taken a slight hit as well. They want to stop that slide before it gets to be too big of a problem."

"That's definitely the trifecta."

"Right now, they are on a video conference going over everything. I'm waiting here until if or when they need me." Marissa squeezed her wife's hand when she saw her tense up. The last thing Bianca wanted was for her wife to be anywhere near the man, and Marissa knew this. The redhead glanced at Kendall and Greenlee and grinned. "So, Millie, Ethel, it's good to know that you didn't need any legal help today during your adventures."

"We did have a close call, but it's nice knowing we have legal backup if it's needed." Greenlee chuckled.

"I know about and appreciate backup." Marissa said knowingly.

Ellie appeared in the doorway. "Marissa, Caleb is on line one for you."

"Thanks, Ellie." Marissa went to her desk and picked up the phone. "Hi, Caleb. What's going on?" The redhead listened while the others anxiously watched and waited. "Okay. Thanks, and I'm sorry you didn't get your dinner. When Jessica is in town next week, maybe the four of us can go out. For some reason, I think you'll enjoy her company a lot more than you would have Brady's." Marissa laughed at Caleb's reply, and the call ended.

"Well?" Bianca asked biting her lip.

"It's all over. He put up a little fight, but overall, he took it better than they thought he would. I'm sure his very generous golden parachute helped take the sting out of it."

"Where is he now?"

"Gone. He just left which means we can too. I just need to talk to the guys for a minute. Erica, Jack asked Caleb to pass on the message that if you wait in his office, he will be ready to leave in just a few minutes."

Erica nodded and grabbed her purse as she stood. "Thank you, dear."

Marissa turned to her wife. "I'll walk you out and then meet you at home."

"Okay, that sounds good to me. I really want this day over with."

"So do I."

"I have to say I'm a little disappointed. I thought there would be more, maybe some fireworks." Greenlee sighed.

"Yeah, me too, but at least it's over, and there was no bloodshed." Kendall added.

/

As the group was making its way down the hallway, Brady Meyers was approaching them with a head full of steam. "Marissa, could we talk, alone?"

Bianca instinctively took a protective step in front of her wife. "I don't think so."

Erica turned to Ellie who was already on her way back to her desk. "Call Security."

Brady looked at the brunette standing in front of Marissa. "Who's this?"

"This would be my wife, Bianca Tasker-Montgomery."

"Oh."

"Yes, oh." Bianca glared at the man.

"I'm Brady Meyers."

"I know exactly who you are and what you want with Marissa."

Brady held up his hands. "Whoa. Look, I just want to talk to her alone for a minute."

"That's not going to happen."

"Marissa, are you going to let her speak for you? Was your first marriage that bad that you're with someone now who won't let you speak for yourself? Isn't that the kind of thing your ex used to do? It looks like she's just like him, if you ask me."

"I didn't ask you, Brady, and for your information, Bianca is nothing like him. How nice of you to delve into my personal life though. I really appreciate it." Sarcasm dripped from Marissa.

"I just wanted to know who I would be working with. Look, could we talk in private?"

"There's nothing you can say to me that you can't say in front of Bianca."

Brady sighed. "I think you got the wrong idea about what I wanted to do tonight."

Bianca glared at the man. "I don't think anyone got the wrong idea. You had a step by step plan of how you wanted to get my wife into your bed. I don't see how anyone could be confused about that."

"I … I wouldn't do that to someone who was married." Brady sputtered.

"Are you saying you didn't know that Marissa was married? That you didn't see her wedding ring? Better yet, that your investigation into her didn't give you that piece of information?"

"Uh …"

"What about children? Did you not know that we have four children together? You don't have a problem going after a married woman with four children?"

"Uh …"

"Damn, your sister is going full on cross-examination mode. I think she's been taking some lessons from Marissa." Greenlee whispered.

Kendall nodded. "You may be right. I can tell you that Red is loving it."

Marissa couldn't take her eyes off of Bianca. She found her wife absolutely captivating.

"What is it, Mr. Meyers? Did you or did you not know that Marissa is married? Did you or did you not know that she has children? Did you or did you not create a detailed plan for the sole purpose of trying to sleep with her, consequences be damned for her? I should tell you that before you answer, there is ample evidence available that will clear up any so-called misconceptions."

"Look …"

"What kind of person are you? What kind of person would knowingly plot to destroy another person's relationship or life for that matter, for their own gratification, or as some may say, for a lark or the challenge of it? Why would you do that? Is your own life lacking that much? Do you have that little regard for others? What if someone tried to do something like that to a member of your family? How would you feel? Or would you even care? No answers? Okay, let me tell you this. I don't want you near Marissa. She's done nothing to deserve someone like you attempting to use her for their own gains. I won't allow you or anyone else to hurt or use her. Anyone that does will pay dearly. That's not a threat. It's a promise, and one that I will keep with every fiber of my being. Do I make myself clear?" There was no ignoring the sheer steeliness in the tone of Bianca's voice, and it had Brady swallowing hard.

Marissa decided it was time to step in so the situation didn't escalate any further. Placing a hand on her wife's arm, the redhead spoke in a calm, even voice. "Bianca."

"Do I make myself clear, Mr. Meyers?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Bianca then glanced at Marissa. "I'm okay."

"Oh, you're more than that." Marissa faced Brady. "No plan that you may have come up with would have worked. I'm in love with my wife and would never do anything to purposely hurt her. This may be hard for you to hear or accept, but I'm in no way interested in you. Bianca is everything I've ever wanted in a partner. Why would I want someone else?"

"I don't get it."

"It doesn't really matter whether you do or not. I will tell you that she has everything you do and more. She's knows me, respects me and listens to me. Most importantly of all, she loves me, and I love her with everything that I am. Please leave."

Two security guards arrived followed by Charles and the firm's other partners.

Charles stepped forward. "Brady, you should go."

The man sighed and nodded. With a guard on either side of Brady, he left. The small crowd that had gathered quickly dispersed leaving a handful of people behind.

"Why don't we wrap all of this up tomorrow?" Caleb suggested to the partners and Charles, and they all readily agreed.

"I'll let the board know. I can't tell you how sorry I am about all of this, Marissa. You as well, Bianca." Charles said apologetically before he started to turn. It was then he finally saw Kendall and Greenlee. "I know you two. Why are you here?"

Caleb smiled and clapped the other man on the shoulder. "It's a long story, Charles. How about we grab some dinner, and I'll explain it to you?"

"Okay, I guess. This has been one hell of a day."

Jack glanced at his wife. "I'm ready whenever you are, sweetheart."

Erica nodded. "You did very well, Bianca. I never had any doubt about either of you." The diva hugged her daughters, daughter-in-law and step-daughter. "I think we need to plan a dinner soon to celebrate all of this. I'll be in touch."

Kendall and Greenlee glanced at each other and decided to take their cue from Erica.

"Nicely done, Bianca. You too, Rocky."

Kendall hugged the couple. "I'm proud of you, Binx. Take care of her, Red. I'll call you tomorrow."

Marissa nodded. "I will. Thanks again for everything, Mille, Ethel. I appreciate you having my back, again."

"Thank you both." Bianca added and hugged her sister again tightly.

Seeing that they were both finally alone, Marissa pulled Bianca back into her office and closed the door. She crashed her lips into the brunette's as she pressed her against the door.

"I loved the way you handed him his ass. That was one of the hottest things I've ever witnessed." Marissa whispered as her lips traveled down her wife's neck.

"You weren't so bad yourself, Counselor." Bianca groaned as she wrapped her arms around her wife. Suddenly, her stomach growled.

Marissa pulled away slightly and smiled. "Did you have lunch?"

Bianca shook her head sheepishly. "No, but please don't stop what you were doing."

"We're going to put it on hold for just a little while. Let's go to Krystal's and have dinner. We'll leave my car here, and you can drop me off tomorrow."

"But I don't want you to stop. I really want you." Bianca pouted.

Marissa smiled as she pulled her wife out the door. "I want you too, but you need something to eat. I want you to have all the strength and energy you can get before I have my way with you."

Bianca had a goofy grin on her face as Marissa led her away. She was more than happy to accommodate her wife.