Erica looked very determined with the revolver aimed at Ricky. Kendal put her hand on her mother's wrist.

"Do you want me to take the gun?"

"I've got it." said Erica coolly and gave her daughter a smile. "But I think we need to get the kids out of here and let the authorities know we've got their man."

Kendal nodded. Her mom was right, and personally Kendal wanted to get as far away from Ricky as was physically possible. The guy was still grinning with his hands raised, it was really unnerving.

Marissa had followed Griffin as he hurried to Bianca's bedside to check her vitals. She was standing at the opposite side of the bed, concern in her eyes as she starred at Bianca's pale features. She had her arms around both AJ and Miranda's shoulders as they watched Griffin work. Kendal joined them and put a comforting hand around the smaller woman's back. She smiled but looked a little unsteady, the purple bruise quite vivid on her forehead.

"How is she?" Kendal asked.

"She needs a stimulant to counteract the effect of the sedative." said Griffin, his face a mask of concentration. "It may not be too late…"

"Too late…" gasped Marissa in horror.

"Mommy." sobbed Miranda.

Marissa pulled the little girl against her side and Kendal added her own arms to the embrace.

Griffin hurried off towards a cabinet in the corner of the room, pulling out a vial and a large needle.

"Marissa," said Kendal. "It might be best to get the kids out of here."

Marissa looked down at the children in her arms and nodded her head.

"Yeah…" she said finally before looking into Kendal's eyes; she looked so torn, "…but I can't leave her."

Kendal gave her a small smile,

"Come on kids." she said, attempting to draw Miranda into her own arms.

"I don't want to leave my mom!" Miranda almost screamed, pushing back, "Don't make me leave my mom."

"Mommy!" cried AJ too, grabbing tighter onto Marissa, he was still clearly scared too.

"Shh… shhh." soothed Kendal, kneeling down to Miranda's eye level, smoothing her cheek. She turned to AJ and gave him a small smile too before addressing them both. "Look Binks is in the best possible hands; but it's hardly safe for either of you. And the last thing you mommy, either of your mommy's, would want is for you to be in any more danger."

"Please Miranda." begged Marissa. "I swear I won't let anything happen to her."

"You can't swear that." cried Miranda.

"But I can." said Griffin coming back with a second vial of medicine. "And someone needs to reach the authorities and let them know we are safe."

The last part was aimed at Kendal.

"Kids please." said Kendal, "If we go and get help we can get more doctors here to help Bianca and Jack."

Jack gave them a small wave from his prone position on the floor. He still looked pale from loss of blood and he still looked in considerable pain.

Kendal held out her hands to the kids.

"Marissa." said Griffin, looking over from filling the needle. "You need to go as well… I'm concerned about your head injury."

"I'm fine." She said.

"You can barely stand." said Griffin firmly.

"Marissa." said Kendal putting her hand on her friend's arm. "I don't think the kids will leave if you don't."

It looked for a moment like she would refuse to go but AJ spoke up. He slowly reached out and took Kendal's hand and then he took Miranda's hand as well.

"Mom, Miranda, we have to go." he said.

Miranda nodded slowly and released her hold on Marissa.

"But Doctor Griffin, you won't leave my mommy?" she asked.

"I'll be right here." he reassured her.

"Mom, you need a doctor too." said AJ looking at his mother with wide blue eyes.

Kendal and Marissa shared a look before the red head ducked her head in surrender. Kendal put an arm around Marissa's waist for support as they led the two children to the door.

…

"What is he doing in there?" Ricky asked as they appeared.

"Silence." commanded Erica the gun still in her hand.

"Kids, ignore him." said Marissa, pulling AJ a little closer.

Erica and Kendal shared a meaningful look, both making sure the other was alright.

"We're going to get help." Kendal explained to her mother. "We won't be long."

"Don't worry about me. Ricky isn't going anywhere." said Erica smartly.

Ricky snorted in derision.

Keeping one eye on Ricky, Kendal led Marissa and the children towards the elevator. It wouldn't take much to pull the trolley from between the doors and unjam it.

Ricky stepped into their path, blocking their route.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked. He was still grinning.

"Don't move!" commanded Erica, meaningfully moving closer with the gun, "I will shoot you!"

"In front of the kids?"

"I think it would be an education for them to see what happens to bad men." said Kendal angrily.

Ricky smiled at her, and when she moved to lead the kids passed the other way he stepped into their path again.

"Marissa stays." he said, his voice less playful.

"What do you want with Marissa?" Kendal asked.

"That is none of your concern." said Ricky harshly. "But Marissa stays."

"What makes you think you have any say in what happens here?" asked Erica. "I have the gun!"

"You won't use it." said Ricky and he took a step forward.

"Stop it or I will shoot." commanded Erica

Ricky took another step, closer to Kendal and Marissa.

"I mean it!" warned Erica.

Ricky took another step, causing Kendal and Marissa to move back, pulling the two nervous children with them.

"This is your last warning!" cried Erica, there was now tension in her voice.

Ricky took one more step…

Erica pulled the trigger.

There was just a hollow click.

Ricky grin widened.

"Oh, maybe I should have mentioned you fired my last bullet with your warning shot. Now it's my turn."

There was a flash of a blade in his hand. Somehow he had gotten hold of a scalpel. It must have been tucked up his sleeve.

Suddenly he surged forward towards Kendal, Marissa and the children.

Miranda screamed!

…