In the car over to Krystal's Marissa had to keep all her focus on the road. The remains of the storm devastation still littered the highway; broken branches, huge puddles, and at one point the police were there to direct them around a roof that had blown off a nearby house.

"That was quite a storm." said Marissa as she slowed for a particularly wide puddle.

"Mmm-hmm." said Bianca not really hearing her.

Bianca was being very quiet again only this time there was a new tension in her shoulders. Marissa would catch Bianca staring at her, her focus on her short crop of red hair that concealed her extensive bullet scar.

"Okay, spill." said Marissa, as she slowed for the next stop sign.

"What?" asked Bianca, feeling guilty for being caught.

"Why are you starring at my scar?"

"I… I was thinking how much JR stole from us with that one bullet. He shot you, I can't believe he shot you. Aren't you angry. I… I'm angry."

"Yes, I'm angry and I'm upset." said Marissa truthfully. "Not just for what JR did to me. But what this will do to AJ and because of what he tried to do to you… to us."

Marissa held Bianca's gaze, the steely determination was there for her girlfriend to see.

"But right now I don't want to think about him." continued Marissa, her tone lighter as she tried to make the point to Bianca. "He is gone, you said it yourself just a moment ago – We're free! And if the judge is true to his word JR will never trouble us again. I cannot change what happened; I cannot get back what that bullet took from me, no more than you can. I've lost my memories, so I make new ones. So far, with the exception of any moment connected to JR I must say they have all been pretty wonderful. Especially the time I've spent with you. And I look forward to making many more memories with you, starting with this date-slash-party. I know that this is just a brief escape, I know that when the party is over I will have to have a long painful conversation with my son about his dad I know I need to call Liza and make sure it is even legal for me to take AJ home after what JR said in court… but right now we are going to party and dance and have fun because we deserve it. Reality can wait for later to come slap us in the face. Right now it's just you and me and whatever memories we choose to make…"

Bianca was staring at Marissa still. She was helpless in response to the flirty smile on Marissa's lips.

"… Am I talking too much?" Marissa asked.

"Definitely." said Bianca flirting back.

Still smiling Marissa closed the gap between them to steal a kiss, only for aloud honk of a car horn to break them apart with a start. There was quite a queue behind them at the junction.

"We'll continue this later." said Marissa still smiling as she restarted the car.

…

When they reached Krystal's, Bianca stood by the driver side door in a moment of indecision.

"It sounds like it's busy in there." said Bianca, "I'm wondering if I can manage with just one crutch."

"You can do that?" asked Marissa.

"Well I manage alright at home, and if it's crowded in there it can be hard to maneuver with two…"

"I say do it." said Marissa. She sidled up beside Bianca and slid her arm around her girlfriend's waist. "If you need to, you can always lean in me."

Bianca grinned as she rested against her girlfriend's side.

"You convinced me." she said, leaving her second crutch on the passenger seat.

...

Krystal's was almost full to bursting and it really was a party. Marissa held the door for Bianca, who was taking in the much altered surroundings of their favourite bistro. There was music playing and someone had found balloons and streamer to decorate the place.

"Marissa!" cried Krystal, engulfing her daughter in a huge hug as if it had be months instead of barely an hour since they saw each other last. She them enclosed Bianca in an equally large hug.

"Quite the party." said Marissa, shouting slightly over the noise of the music.

"JR is in the loony bin or going to jail. I can think of no better reason to throwing a going away party can you?"

Krystal plucked two glasses of champagne from a passing tray and passed them to the girls.

Marissa grasped it but Bianca looked down reluctantly.

"I can't drink." she reminded them.

"Not even one little sip to celebrate the end of a leach like JR." asked Krystal still proffering the glass.

"Oh I do want to celebrate." said Bianca fiercely. "But do have you any sparkling cider?"

…