Kendal followed Jackson's car out of the Confusion parking lot as they headed in convoy towards the hospital. But as Kendal glanced back in the rear view mirror she noticed Ian's nodding head and Gabby also looking half asleep. It was late and it was already passed the little ones bedtime. She was in a quandary as she was almost as desperate to see Bianca as Miranda was, but she also didn't want to have to deal with two overtired and cranky children tomorrow.

Kendal pulled in a short distance along the road and turned on her phone.

"What's happening?" asked Miranda.

Kendal turned in her seat to address her niece.

"Look at Ian and Gabby, they are worn out."

"But mommy…"

"I will take you, I promise, but I think it's best if we drop Ian and Gabby at home first don't you?"

Miranda looked at her little sister who was already dozing off, her chin resting on her chest. She knew her Aunt Kendal was right.

"You promise?" asked Miranda.

"I promise. I just need to find a sitter." she said waving her phone for emphasis. "…Only I know Opal is working tonight."

"AJ is at home with his Uncle Stuart and Aunty Marion tonight." suggested Miranda.

It was worth a try.

It was all arranged for Stuart and Marion to bring AJ over the Kendal's house, it wasn't like it was the first time he'd slept over. Kendal also contacted Erica to let them know about the delay. She had tried to reach Marissa to let her know about AJ but she wasn't answering her phone. Erica assured her she would pass on the message when they got to the hospital.

Kendal was lifting an unconscious Ian in from the car when Stuart and Marion arrived.

"Thank you for this." said Kendal, "But Miranda really needs to see her mom."

"We understand." said Marion kindly. The tensions between them had eased since Marion's return to Pine Valley. Kendal understood all too well the extremes grief can lead you to and Marion had said sorry a hundred times over for blaming her for Stuart's death.

"Shall I take the other one?" Stuart asked. Gabby was asleep as well.

"I'd better come back for her." said Kendal, "She's getting quite a weight? They both are!"

"Hi, Miranda." said AJ, smiling at his birthday twin who was still sitting in the car with Spike. Miranda gave him a sad smiled back.

"Hi, AJ!" said Spike, waving enthusiastically at the boy he admired so much.

"Hey, Spike." AJ replied grinning at the younger boy.

"Mom, can I stay here with AJ?" Spike asked. "Hospital is boring."

But at the same time AJ turned to Stuart,

"Uncle Stuart, can I go with Miranda? I haven't seen Bianca in forever and… and then I can see mommy too?"

The adults all shared a look.

"Okay, who wants to stay and who wants to go?" Kendal asked.

"I want to go." said AJ.

Spike looked torn. He didn't like the hospital.

"We brought Cars: Traffic Jam down too." said Stuart, "Who's going to play it with me now?"

Spike looked up at Stuart's grin. Playing Cars was always fun, especially with someone else; he also knew that if AJ was with Miranda he wouldn't be as much fun as when it was just boys together… and he really didn't like the hospital.

"I'll stay." he said.

"Good man." said Stuart patting him on the back.

"So that's settled." said Kendal, shifting Ian's weight in her arms slightly. "You get in AJ; I'll put these two monsters to bed and then I'll drive you and Miranda to the hospital to see Bianca."

…

Bianca was sleeping.

If she knew about the shadowy figure that was lurking by her bedside she made no sign. As he reached out with a thick finger to stroke her cheek, she didn't stir.

"Bianca." he whispered, his voice soft, "I should have killed you when I had the chance."

The man moved to the drip that led to Bianca's arm, the drip that slowly administered her pain killer and sedative.

He played with the tubing, looking from the IV bag to Bianca's peaceful features.

"What would be worse do you think?" he said thoughtfully, "Too much or too little."

He playfully turned the regulator first one way and then the other. Eventually he came to his decision and roughly twisted the tap. Silently he settled back onto the chair by the bed, staring intently at Bianca's sleeping face as he waited.

…

Dixie stepped lightly down the stairs wearing a wide grin. She had just spent an enjoyable half hour reading Kathy and Jenny a bedtime story; they had picked a funny little picture book from Jenny's bookcase about a frog and a bunny rabbit.

Kathy and Jenny had both hugged her fiercely as she kissed them goodnight.

Her two days back in Pine Valley had turned into a few… no, more than a few. Once in a while her thoughts returned to JR imprisoned in Oak Haven, but whenever she felt a twinge of pity for him her mind took her straight back to the hideous gleam in JRs eyes as he made a joke about raping Bianca. That was the look of a monster.

She knew this was the right choice.

Dixie sighed and noticed a glow on her cell phone, there had been a missed call.

Even as she reached to check her phone for messages it rang, making her jump.

She recognised the number it was JR's doctor from Oak Haven.

"Mrs Martin, have you been contacted by the police?"

"What? No."

"Um… Mrs Martin I am afraid I have news about JR. It might be best if you are sitting down."

"Bad news" Dixie asked nervously, taking a seat on the couch.

"At his last consultation he was very distraught about your absence. I'm afraid JR attempted to commit suicide. He was found by the night orderly a few hours ago, he had made a noose from his bed sheets. We have him in the infirmary, but he has yet to regain consciousness…"

…