Hi folks - sorry that my postings were a bit irregular last week, this will continue until Wednesday I'm afraid as my nephew has to stay a few days more.

Thank you readers and reviewers for your patience.

SPOLIERS - this week - David meets Charlie, Erica discovers just how much she's missed, the judge gives his verdict.

...

Bianca took her seat on the stand to be sworn in. Her cheek was still bruised and her lip wasn't completely healed, but she looked back at JR, a confident expression on her face.

Jackson gave her hand an affectionate squeeze before he asked his first question.

"Miss Montgomery please can you tell this court you connection to the accused."

Bianca took a deep breath.

"It's complicated!" she said, "There was once a time that I thought that we could be friends. We sort of grew up together here in Pine Valley. We both had the same upbringing, successful and powerful parents with multiple divorces under their belt, it was sort of a bond."

"But you don't feel that way now?" asked Jackson.

"No." said Bianca simply. "He attacked me without provocation. I mean I know he was angry about the fact that Marissa and I were dating again. He's been angry for a long time and he started drinking again. He's said horrible things to Marissa and to me, he tried to blackmail us, but he's never lashed out, not like that."

"So you believe your lesbian relationship with JR's ex-wife is what upset him."

"He couldn't understand how Marissa could fall in love with me." said Bianca, flashing Marissa a little smile. "He was jealous and I think he felt that I had humiliated him."

"Please can you describe to the court exactly what happened on the night of the alleged assault."

Bianca looked back at JR. He was staring back a cold blank expression on his face.

"It was the night of the Miranda Centre Gallery opening." said Bianca, her voice catching in her throat, she looked down and noticed her hands were shaking.

"Are you alright?" asked Jackson. "Do you need a moment?"

Bianca took a deep breath, and shook her head. Jackson's presence was easing the worst of her fears. She took another deep breath, and then another; trying to ease the tremors until she was ready to proceed.

"I'd gone to find a quiet corner to rehearse my speech and take some medication for the nerve damage in my leg." explained Bianca. "JR burst in and he just started screaming at me. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He kept telling me that I had ruined his life and that I was laughing at him behind his back. He punched me, shoved me back into the wall and then clasped a hand over my mouth, trying to smother me. I fought back as hard as I could but he was so strong. I bit him, I hit him with my crutch, I scratched him. I think he got mad that I wouldn't stay still so he slammed my head down onto the table and then… and then he let go. I think he must have heard something in the hall. I'd fallen on the floor when he released me but then he quickly grabbed me, and put his hands around my neck and squeezed. All the time he was ranting that this was justice and revenge. I think I blacked out at that point because the next thing I remember is Dr Castillo, looking down at me."

"So JR attacked you and strangled you until you lost consciousness."

Bianca nodded.

"Yes." she said

"Did you believe he intended to kill you?" asked Jackson.

"Yes." said Bianca again.

"What you will have missed is that the defence's case states that JR was not himself when he assaulted you. That he was suffering from trauma induced schizophrenia."

Bianca's eyes grew wide as she turned to stare at JR once more.

"Bianca," continued Jackson. "Did any of JRs behaviour that night support this?"

"Objection." called McCoy. "The witness is hardly a mental health professional, what gives her the expertise to give medical opinion in this case."

"I am merely asking Bianca is she noticed any unusual behaviour on JR's part." retorted Jackson. "Maybe I should rephrase the question so it is more acceptable for my esteemed colleague?"

"Gentlemen."warned the judge. "Ask a question, get an answer, that is your job!"

The judge looked from McCoy to Bianca.

"Miss," he said carefully, "Please answer the question. Which," he added for McCoy's sake, "I will accept as an unprofessional opinion."

"He was very angry and very drunk… I didn't see anything but the rage in his eyes, and his fists. I'm sorry. I mean at the time I wasn't really focusing on what he was saying but the fact he was trying to strangle me."

"You have nothing to be sorry about." said Jackson. "Bianca you mentioned a history with JR. Has he ever lost his temper with you or attacked you like this before?"

"No, not like this."

"Has he ever attacked you, Bianca." Jackson asked again. "Please be honest."

Bianca looked down at her hands for a moment which were neatly crossed on her lap before she spoke.

"We did have a fight once. His ex-wife Babe had taken my baby and tried to pass her off to JR as her own. Babe however told me the truth eventually and tried to give my baby girl back to me only JR tried to stop it. He burst in and tried to take my Miranda away. We fought over her. He would not believe she was my baby. He pushed me so hard, the rail broke and I fell two storeys from my hotel balcony. I was in a coma for several weeks."

"Thank you Bianca," said Jackson. "No further questions your honour."

...

"Miss Montgomery, a pleasure to see you again." said McCoy, a self-confident smile on his lips as he rose to begin his questioning.

Bianca started when she finally recognised the defence lawyer. She had felt confident with Jackson questioning her and supporting her, but the sight of Justin McCoy brought back other feelings. She remembered his harsh words and vindictive behaviour at the Michael Cambias murder trial.

It hit her then, the memories; the smell of the court room, the expectant silence from the watching crowd, the cold gleam in JR's eyes as he sat beside the defence council, so familiar and so horrible… Suddenly Bianca was back in another court room seven years ago, and her hands were beginning to shake once more…

…