With Jackson's injury bandaged and the bleeding stemmed, Ricky ordered Kendal and Griffin out into the hallway. His grip on Marissa was just as unrelenting as he followed. Erica peered after their captor; he was all but ignoring her and Jackson now. It seemed he wanted Kendal and Griffin to block the elevator shaft.

"You've been very quiet." said Jackson, drawing her attention back to him.

Erica gave him a small smile but couldn't meet his gaze. She knew she was in shock ever since the gun shot… ever since Ricky's countdown and how paralyzed she felt at the choice between Jack and Kendal. She knew it was partly because she was so sure Ricky would not have hesitated in killing Jack right in front of her but mostly from the realisation that she really had been prepared to die in his place to protect her family.

"Erica." said Jackson, but she couldn't bring herself to look into Jackson's concerned eyes.

"I'm fine." She lied.

"No… Erica!" said Jack his tone a bit more urgent. He was looking past her towards the bathroom.

Erica turned to see the faces of two very nervous children starring at her from the doorway.

She turned quickly to check on Ricky, but he was still focused on Griffin and Kendal who were wedging a trolley between the elevator doors.

Erica waved the kids back before slowly getting to her feet and hurrying towards them, pushing them further into the cover of the bathroom and half closing the door.

AJ and Miranda wrapped their arms around her when she reached them and she hugged them back, all the time trying to keep one eye on Ricky in the hallway.

"You are being so brave." she whispered as she pulled away to lean down eye-level with the terrified children. "But you need to stay hidden for all our sakes."

AJ reached out to take Miranda's hand and nodded his head.

"I'm good at hiding." he whispered back.

Erica gave him a smile of encouragement, but then she noticed Miranda wasn't paying attention. She was staring at her mother's bed.

"Miranda." said Erica, gently shaking her granddaughter's shoulder to bring her back from the thought of her mother. "Did you hear me?"

"Is mommy going to die?" Miranda sobbed quietly.

"No Sweetie." said Erica firmly. "I would never let that happen."

Jackson suddenly gave a loud cough. Erica realised it was a warning; she had stopped watching the door. Ricky was on his way back.

"Hide." said Erica hurriedly pushing the kids towards the shower cubical. AJ dragged Miranda to cover. She gave them once last smile of encouragement as they ducked down behind the curtain once more. Erica then turned back to the half closed door. Did she have time to get back to Jack unnoticed? She couldn't let Ricky catch her in the bathroom, and risk him discovering the kids.

Then she heard his voice. It was too late, he was back in the room.

She had to think.

"Where's Erica." Ricky demanded and then Erica heard Marissa gasp, he was probably hurting her again.

Well there was nothing for it. Erica took a deep breath and flushed the toilet. She stepped out of the bathroom making a show of being embarrassed while straightening her skirt.

"Where do you think." she said haughtily, before hurrying back to Jackson's side.

Ricky looked annoyed at her but he didn't go and check the bathroom.

Erica looked up at Jackson and gave him a small smile; relieved her ruse had worked, and the kids were still safe.

Jack beamed back despite his pain and gave her a wink of encouragement.

…