Sorry to announce another distrucption to my regular posts - I'm off on a training course for work. There will be a new chapter tomorrow but then the next one won't be until Friday.

Thank you to my reviewers and readers - I hope you are still enjoying the ride! Happier times are definately on the way!

SPOILERS - this week - David examines Bianca, Erica discovers the identity of the mystery patient and my 100th chapter (I hope to make this something special.)

...

Frankie came to see them in the waiting room when Bianca's exam was complete. He told them that he had given her a sedative and to help her sleep. Marissa asked to sit with her, as she had promised, but Frankie was insistent Bianca be allowed to rest. Even though she couldn't she her new love, Marissa couldn't bring herself to leave.

Slowly the waiting room emptied as the night crept on.

News arrived about JR's attack on Dixie. Krystal hurried home worried about Jenny and Katie. They had been home, and asleep in their beds the same time as JR was in house. She had to know they were alright.

Cara left with Ryan, she was exhausted and didn't want to stress the baby. She also insisted that Ryan needed to rest as well. Despite his protests Ryan seemed happy for her to escort him home.

Griffin had a shift at the hospital starting in a few hours and so, after asking them to call him if anything changed, he went to find a break room to grab a few hours sleep. That left Kendall and Marissa.

Marissa could see that Bianca's sister was clearly as worried as she was, but still Kendall made the effort to draw her into conversation. It was small talk; mostly about the one thing they knew they had in common, Bianca. Both women consciously skipping around the subject of JR. Marissa asked about Bianca's childhood and Kendall regaled her of stories of how jealous she was of Bianca growing up, and of all the mean things she had done to her. Marissa was surprised; the love the two sisters now shared was something wonderful, it was hard to imagine it starting in such a bad place. Marissa thought of her own lost twin, would she have been so close to Babe she wondered if she were still alive. Kendall began explaining to Marissa about how she and Bianca made peace over the birth of Miranda and the death of Michael Cambias. If Marissa had been amazed by Bianca's strength before; now she was astounded by it. As the women talked, time passed, they were too caught up to notice when morning arrived.

With the sunrise came Opal surrounded by children, two boys and two girls.

"They wanted to be here." she said apologetically. "No wasn't an option it seems." She was looking at the oldest girl rather pointedly when she spoke.

Marissa looked at the clock. It was after seven, they had been here all night.

The two little boys clung instantly to Kendall,

"Mommy!" cried the smallest.

Kendall pulled the youngest child onto her lap. The older boy, climbed onto the seat beside her.

"How is Bianca?" asked Opal, taking a seat by Kendall, and resting a supporting hand on the older boys' back.

"They think she's going to be fine. Well as fine she can be…" said Kendall. She muttered her next words carefully, mindful of the children. "… JR tried to strangle her!"

"Oh, my god! But she's going to be alright?"

"Frankie is just worried about any injury to her neck." explained Kendall, her voice unsteady. "We are waiting on David. Frankie isn't happy to give an all clear without his second opinion."

Opal nodded.

"That poor girl; how does such bad things happen to such an angel?" she sighed.

"'Rissa!"

Marissa turned round to see a beautiful brown haired girl holding up her arms for a hug. For a moment Marissa didn't know what to do. With big dark eyes like that, this child had to be one of Bianca's daughters. It was strange to think, after seeing them in photos and hearing about them from AJ and Bianca, this was the first time they had actually met. Marissa, froze, not quite sure what to do about the child's innocent familiarity. The little girl didn't seem to notice the apprehension on Marissa face; her eager smile was so open and hopeful. In the end Marissa surrendered and scooped the little girl up in her arms.

"So you must be Gabrielle." said Marissa, as the child settled on her lap.

"No." said the little girl with a pout. "I'm Gabby."

Marissa smiled.

"Sorry… Gabby."

"Sqwoosh me!" said the little girl burying her head in Marissa's shoulder.

Marissa was at a loss as to what the child expected.

"She likes it when you snuggle."

Marissa looked up to see the older girl standing in front of her - Miranda, AJ's birthday-twin.

"Snuggle?" asked Marissa.

"You know… snuggle." The older girl wrapped her arms around herself and swung from side to side in demonstration.

Marissa smiled in thanks and wrapping both arms around Gabby rocked her gently. It seemed to do the trick, Gabby nestled closer and gave a contented sigh.

Marissa looked back to Miranda. The girl wore a look of nervous apprehension on her face.

"She only little." said Miranda, apologising for her sister. "She's forgotten you don't remember us."

Marissa was a little taken aback by how sensible and grown up Miranda was being, especially as she must be so worried about her mom. She obviously took her role as big sister very seriously.

"No it's fine." said Marissa warmly. "AJ has told me so much about you two I feel like I know you already. It's nice to finally meet."

Miranda nodded her face still solemn.

"We missed you and AJ." she said nervously.

"He misses you too." said Marissa.

Miranda gave a sob. Suddenly she no longer looked like the responsible big sister but a lost little girl worried for her mother. Marissa felt her heart go out to her. She held out her free arm; the one not currently holding onto Gabby.

"Do you want to have a sqwoosh too." asked Marissa tenderly, and with a tiny smile Miranda stepped forward for a hug.

"Your mom's going to be okay." Marissa whispered as she rocked the girls gently in her arms. "I just know it."

Somehow the act of saying the words out loud made her believe it too.

Marissa looked over the heads of the children towards Kendall. Bianca's sister and Opal were grinning back.

"You're a natural!" Kendall mouthed, with an approving nod.

…

A very tall figure in a fine suit walked into the waiting room and approached Kendall. She stood up to greet him and he engulfed her in a hug, Marissa recognised him as an uncle of Bianca's – Jack… no, Jackson.

"Have you heard anything about JR?" asked Kendall.

"No word yet; but I know Jesse is going to want to charge him right away. When the trial comes I relish the chance to put him away once and for good."

"You'll have to join the queue." said another new arrival. "You are not the only lawyer baying for JR's blood."

The new arrival was a man Marissa recognised, Caleb Cooney. He had been Marissa's old employer when she still had her memories. Back then she had been a lawyer too. There was a sudden tension between the two men and they squared off against each other.

"I think you'll find I have more experience in these kinds of trials." said Jackson.

"And I don't think you realise how long I've been waiting for a chance to nail that son of a bitch!"

"I suggest we draw lots," said a third voice, "Because I want this case too." Liza, a woman who had done so much to help in the search for AJ, was standing there with her hands on her hips.

"Now, now," said Opal getting up to stand between them, "None of that! We need to work together here. We owe it to Bianca. And I know there's a saying 'too many cooks' but I don't think there has ever been a case of too many lawyers."

"I actually thought there were quite a few jokes on that subject." quipped Jackson; he spoke with a grin on his face. Opal's presence had broken the stand-off.

Caleb laughed and Liza smiled.

"Do you know what I think." said Kendall, smiling too. "If you three work together that swine is definitely going down!"

There was a murmur of agreement and with slight hesitation Caleb and Jackson shook hands.

…

Marissa had only half been paying attention to the conversation, although she was glad to see there were so many people wanting to help take JR down. She had been talking with Bianca's two girls. Learning about their life in Paris from Miranda and the reasons why teddy bears shouldn't go in the bath from Gabby.

Gradually she became aware that Liza was looking at her.

"Marissa, how are you?" she asked.

"I'm okay." said Marissa, not sure why she was suddenly centre of attention.

"And what are you doing about AJ?" asked Liza

"What?" That question had come completely out of the blue.

"I think you need to file for full custody." advised Liza, her expression very serious, "The sooner the better. I'd be happy to represent you."

Marissa shook her head, having no idea where this was coming from and why she felt it was so urgent.

"But if JR is going to jail..?"

"This isn't about JR." said Liza taking a seat beside Marissa. "This is about Adam. He is very protective of his family. I've had first-hand experience so please believe me when I tell you that with JR gone, he's not going to want to let AJ out of his sight. He will do anything and everything to keep you apart."

Before Marissa could ask what Adam Chandler might do, the man himself appeared.

"Is someone taking my name in vain?" he asked, his voice booming over the quiet conversations in the room.

The whole room turned to stare at him. The bad feeling radiating towards him was obvious. His son was the reason they were here.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Caleb, rounding on him.

Adam pulled a smaller, sorrowful figure from behind him.

"AJ wanted to be with his mother." said Adam. He had his hands on the little boy's shoulder, but it wasn't a possessive touch, it was one of comfort.

The look he gave Marissa spoke volumes. There was no fight in him, not a hint that he was playing games. Adam Chandler was trusting her with his grandson.

"Mom!" cried AJ.

He ran up and gave Marissa a massive hug. A hug so huge it also encompassed Gabby and Miranda.

AJ then stepped back and gave Miranda an anxious look.

"I'm so sorry my dad hurt your mom." he said, his voice almost a sob.

Miranda looked at him with wide, sad eyes,

"It's not your fault." she said, "You didn't do anything."

"I know." said AJ looking down at his shoes, "But I'm still sorry."

Marissa pulled her son into a hug.

"Oh sweetheart," she sighed, "We are all sorry. And we are all sad that this has happened. We just have to help each other get through this."

As Marissa planted a kiss on her son forehead she noticed Frankie pass the door of the waiting room. Did he have news? He didn't look their way though, his focus was down the corridor. Then David appeared from the other direction. The two doctors exchanged greetings and then hurried back out of sight to Bianca's room.

"Is everything alright mom?" AJ asked, noticing her distraction.

"No, I'm fine. It's just David has arrived. Hopefully soon they will be able to tell us if everything is going to be okay."

"Then can we see mommy?" asked Gabby.

Both AJ and Miranda looked at her eagerly was well.

"Hopefully." said Marissa carefully, "But you have to remember when you see her she's been very badly hurt."

"I know." said Miranda sadly.

Marissa rubbed a consoling hand on the little girls back.

"Um… I know something we can do." said AJ. He spoke hesitantly looking nervously at Miranda.

"What?" Miranda asked, confusion on her face, and then her eyes lit up in understanding.

The two birthday-twins shared a grin, their nerves and grief momentarily forgotten. Excitedly they exclaimed in unison,

"Get-better pictures!"

…