I am back as promised - I managed not to get washed away on my holiday which is a plus.

So we dive right back into the action - gosh I missed this!

SPOILERS - this week - The villain is revealed, Marissa suffers traumatic flashbacks and the police arrive at the scene, but are they too late?

...

Erica was pacing by the hospital elevator. Kendal had called and told her that she and Miranda would be delayed, but Jackson had insisted on waiting, to show a united front.

"Because it's my birthday and I think it will be nicer if we all showed up together." said Jackson

Erica knew this was another attempt to bring peace between her and Kendal; well it was hardly Erica's fault that Kendal was being too stubborn to accept her assistance and Jack not recognising that was really starting to upset her.

"I'm not sure why you felt the need to bring the cake." she said, trying to find a way of venting her irritation. Jack was leaning against the wall with the boxed cake in his arms. "Not all the kids are coming now, and…" she added pointedly, "It's not like Bianca can have any."

Jackson simply smiled.

"Well I'm sure Marissa would like a slice and all the staff that have worked so hard in taking care of Bianca…"

"True." said Erica.

"And you and Kendal… are you going to behave yourself?"

Erica could feel Jackson's eyes on her. She glared right back at him.

"I wish people would stop acting like I'm suddenly the bad guy in this, especially you and Kendal! I am doing all I can to help my daughter. I'm saving her business even if she is too stubborn to see it. Because that is what I swore to do, put my family first. You're both acting like I don't know what I'm doing."

"So none of this is for you?" Jackson asked, still choosing to push.

Erica put up a good show at being affronted by the suggestion, but Jackson had known Erica long enough to know that was all it was… show.

"Of course not." said Erica.

Jackson simply sighed.

"You know it's bad luck to lie to the birthday boy." He said.

Erica opened her mouth to reply but they were interrupted by a cry.

"Erica!"

Erica turned to welcome her eldest grandchild with a hug.

"What's up, why are you waiting?" asked Kendal a confused look on her face.

"Because I wanted us to all be there together as a family."

"It is his birthday." said Erica.

"Hello ship mate." said Jackson giving young AJ a grin.

AJ grinned back and gave him a salute.

"So shall we go?" asked Erica pressing the button to summon the elevator.

"Let's go." agreed Jackson choosing to ignore Erica's withering look.

…

The chime pinged as the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. Erica stepped out to find the nurse's station oddly deserted. Normally, even this late in the evening there was at least one nurse on duty.

"Maybe they're on a break." said Jack stepping forward curiously and resting the cake box on the desk.

"Can I see mommy now?" Miranda asked.

"Of course sweetie." said Erica putting her hand on the little girl's shoulder.

They pushed open the door to the room to find Bianca still resting peacefully on the bed. Although curiously there was no sign of Marissa.

"Mommy!" gasped Miranda, hurrying forward to take her mommy's hand. "I'm here!" She looked back at Erica, "She feel's cold." Kendal came and stood beside her niece and looked down at her sister, touching her cheek, it was cold and Bianca looked very pale but she was still breathing.

Jackson realised something wasn't quite right when he noticed her drip was empty.

"What's going on?" asked Erica, she was sensing a real wrongness with this whole situation.

"Where's my mom?" AJ asked.

"It's okay champ." said Jack putting a comforting hand on the little boy's shoulder. "Why don't we try and find someone to tell us what's happening."

He nodded to Kendal to stay with the kids and he and Erica stepped back out into the corridor.

They were relieved to see a male nurse striding purposely down the corridor towards them, the ward wasn't as deserted as it first appeared. Only Erica suddenly stopped and stepped slowly back her face a mask of horror. The man had a revolver in his hand. Jackson couldn't stop his own gasp of surprise, that face was too familiar.

"Ricky Torres! You're dead!"

"Hmmm rumours of my death were greatly exagerated." said the convicted killer, a cocky grin on his lips as he tightened his grip on the gun. "What old man, you don't think I have connection? Power..? I've just been biding my time."

Nervous, Jackson stepped forward to try and shield Erica from the gun but she only pushed passed him desperation in her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" cried Erica. "Have you hurt Bianca?"

The escaped murderer, surveyed them both, an evil sneer on his lips.

"Bianca, why would I care for Bianca? Is she here? Kendal?" he demanded, his gun waving between Erica and Jackson. "Tell me where she is and I might let you live."

…