Marissa tied the apron around her waist and gave Krystal and Opal a nervous look.

"You're sure about giving me this job?"

"Sweetie," said Opal, "Krystal and I talked it through. You need to get out of the house and find your feet again."

"You'll do great, honey." said Krystal, "We'll start you small, just clearing tables today okay?"

"Okay." said Marissa, as she embarked in a new career in the catering industry.

Opal talked her through the best way to load trays and wipe down tables. She was then taken into the kitchen and shown how to stack everything in the dishwashing area and where to put the clean dishes afterwards. It all seemed very straight forward.

By mid-afternoon Marissa had also taken on the role of welcoming patrons and handing out menus, something she found much more enjoyable than collecting people's leftovers.

…

Two new customers walked in. One of the women was struggling with her crutches and talking animatedly to the companion.

"Kendall, I'm sure that Frankie told you I had to take it easy." she said sarcastically as she manoeuvred herself toward the table Marissa had just cleared.

"He also said you need to get back to your old life." said the woman named Kendall, "Not so long ago you practically lived here, so come on; one glass of ice tea isn't going to kill you."

The woman on crutches shook her head at her companion. She was concentrating on her feet, her left leg was fitted with some kind of brace. Marissa pulled out a chair for her.

"Thank you." said the woman looking up with a smile. Both women froze when their eyes met.

"Marissa!" gasped the woman, her face suddenly going pale.

"Bianca!" cried Marissa, a smile exploding on her face.

Marissa hadn't recognised her at first, but as soon as she saw those big brown eyes she felt her pulse race. She could hardly believe it was the same woman. Her best friend! The last time she had seen Bianca she had been frail and paralysed, her head locked in a brace. Now she looked… stunning.

"It's so great to see you!" cried Marissa throwing her arms around her best friend and pulling her into a hug.

Bianca fell forward awkwardly into the embrace, her whole body tense, and the arms that encircled Marissa felt hesitant and uneasy. The red head pulled back concerned.

"Oh god, is that alright? Is it alright to hug you?"

"Of course it is!" said the other woman.

Bianca was still staring at Marissa seemingly unable to say a word.

"I'm Kendall." said the other woman, offering a big smile and her hand as introduction. "I guess you don't remember me. I'm a friend, although you probably will know me better as Bianca's older sister."

"Hi." said Marissa shaking her hand. She wasn't really listening, she was distracted by Bianca. Marissa kept looking back at her worried face and wondered why she was being so quiet.

Bianca sat down awkwardly on her chair, her eyes not leaving Marissa for a second.

"Is everything alright?" Marissa asked, anxiously addressing her friend.

Bianca smiled back, but Marissa could still see tension in her eyes.

"No, I'm fine." said Bianca, at last finding her voice. "How are you, you look amazing."

Marissa smiled at the compliment.

"Well, you look incredible." said Marissa, her smile returning. "I can't believe the transformation."

Bianca tipped her head to hide her embarrassed smile, which made Marissa's heart flutter. This was what friendship should feel like, not the grating tension that she felt when she was with JR. Bianca made her feel comfortable and happy, JR just made her skin itch.

"Well I'm glad you're here." said Kendall, a wide grin on her face, "Why don't you join us? I'm sure you two have got a lot to catch up on."

Marissa noticed Bianca tense up at the suggestion.

"I'm supposed to be working." admitted Marissa, looking around; the café was half empty.

"You work here now?" asked Bianca. The sound of her quiet voice, made Marissa smile widen.

"It's my first day." said Marissa jokingly. "So I want to keep on the good side of my boss."

"Oh Krystal won't mind." said Kendall patting the empty chair beside her.

Marissa didn't need to be asked twice.

Kendall gave her a warm welcoming smile but Bianca just looked edgy. Marissa wondered what was bothering her.

…

The silence that followed was uncomfortable. Kendall kept looking at her sister as if waiting for her to start the conversation. Bianca was just staring at Marissa with wide nervous eyes. Marissa had to break the mood.

"You know I almost didn't recognise you without the head gear." she admitted, miming the head brace that Bianca had worn. "You look so different! You really are… I mean you're incredible!"

"Speaking of head gear." said Kendall critically, glancing to the top of Marissa's head. "I think we need to address the issue of your hat."

Marissa glanced up self-consciously. She was currently sporting a green baseball cap with the legend 'Hot Mama' emblazoned over the brim.

"My hat, it's so people don't stare at me; at the scar. It was a present from AJ, he got it from the fair."

"Trust me people are staring." said Kendall lightly.

Marissa laughed at the joke, pleased at how easy going Kendall seemed.

Kendall's phone chose that moment to ring.

"Its work, I've got to get this!" she said, getting up from her chair. As she did she gave her sister's shoulder a supportive squeeze. "Have fun!"

"I can't seem to find anything that suits me," said Marissa with a sigh, now addressing Bianca. "I guess I'm not really a hat person. It's just…"

Marissa took off her cap and she saw Bianca's eyes flit briefly to the ugly scar, not quite hidden by her short red hair.

Bianca sighed and at last found her voice

"I don't think you need the cap. You look perfect just the way you are. But I know how it feels when people stare." she said, gesturing to her crutches, "You know I've got one or two hats at home that I'm sure will suite you better. I'll get Kendall to pop by with them. Just because you've lost your memory shouldn't mean you've lost all sense of fashion as well."

Marissa smile just beamed.

"See that's why I need my best friend. Although I'm not sure a taste in fashion is particularly my strongest suite - I've seen my wardrobe - some of the dresses are hideous!"

"Oh I wouldn't say that." said Bianca. "You've got some stunners in there too."

Bianca grinned at the light-heartedness for the conversation, but Marissa could see her shoulders were still very tense. What was wrong with her, why couldn't she relax?

Marissa looked hard at her best friend; a woman she felt a deep instant connection to. Something was clearly distressing her and she didn't know what it was. Maybe it was Marissa's amnesia that was causing the problem. Knowing that your best friend can't remember you must be disconcerting, especially after everything else she went through after the shooting. Marissa wondered if what Bianca needed was some reassurance that they really were still friends and that would never change.

"It's amazing," said Marissa, leaning closer to Bianca and taking her hand. "I just feel so close to you. My best friend… I've met you twice and already I know I can open up to you, and with you looking out for me I just know everything is going to be alright. AJ talks about you and your daughters all the time. He makes us sound more like sisters than friends. JR hates it. Every time AJ mentions your name his face almost turns purple, he really doesn't like you."

"No, he doesn't." said Bianca quietly, Marissa saw a whole array of conflicting emotions flit across her face.

Marissa could feel her friend's hand literally trembling in her own. She was clearly terrified of something. She put both of her hands over Bianca's to try and reassure her. Bianca just looked back at her with wide, worried eyes.

…

"Sorry to interrupt."

Both women looked up to see Kendall had returned.

"Bianca, I'm sorry but I'm needed at Fusion, there's a problem with our new Country Cosmetics line. Apparently all the promotional material says County not Country… I can give you a lift home now, or I can come back and collect you when I'm done."

"No I'm ready to go." said Bianca, pulling her hand rapidly from Marissa's as if burned. "It was nice to talk to you." she said apologetically as her sister helped her to her feet.

Marissa shook her head after she left. She was sure Bianca would have run from the restaurant if she was able. What the hell was that? Why was Bianca so terrified, was it something to do with JR?

…