Erica marched into Krystal's Bistro, seeking out her unlikely ally. Krystal was leaning against the bar talking to a customer, but she looked up and smiled when she spotted Erica.

Erica walked up to her and placed her copy of the Inquirer into the counter top.

"Please tell me you had nothing to do with this." she said.

Krystal took one look at the headline and her smile vanished.

"No…" said Krystal, with a sigh. "No, I don't know where they got this story."

"We have to do something." said Erica in frustration. "This cannot go on, or our daughters are going to come back to a worse nightmare than they escaped from. Those damn journalists…"

Krystal licked her lips and turned towards the customer she had been talking to before.

"Erica, can I introduce you to Simon Hale, the reporter friend I told you about. He works for the Times."

"Oh," said Erica, biting back her rant.

She gave the man a weak smile as they shook hands. The name sounded familiar.

Simon seemed delighted to meet her.

"Miss Kane, it is a real pleasure." he said, enthusiastically pumping her hand. "You gave me my first big break, your wedding in '88. And believe me I really am one of the good guys, and I'm on your side."

"Simon is writing an article about the effects of press intrusion on families and he wants to use Marissa as a case study." explained Krystal.

"It's going to be a full spread in the Saturday magazine." said Simon.

Erica was still watching him with untrusting eyes.

"So has your research told you why our daughters are being thrown to the wolves while a would-be murder is painted as the hero of the hour?"

Simon settled back in his bar stool.

"From what I can gather the instructions seem to be coming quite high up in the food chain. Editors see this story as a perfect springboard to so many issues, gay parenting, father's rights, adoption, disability…" he explained, his hands spread apologetically, "There is also a lot of outside pressure, Carol Robinson is certainly pushing JR's side of the story, and she is very good at getting what she wants and is owed a lot of favours by a lot of powerful people. I think there is a little bit of political weight as well," He looked to both women. "All told, there are a lot of folk who think that keeping your two daughters on the front cover is in their interest."

"I thought I had some press pull as well." said Erica, surprised by the reporter's frankness.

"Oh believe me, you do, but it's not enough to turn the tidal wave on its own."

"So what do you need from me?" Erica asked.

"I just need you to honestly tell me how this press intrusion has affected your family." said Simon. "I want to tell your side of the story."

Erica looked to Krystal, who nodded her head; it was the right thing to do.

"Fine," said Erica, taking a seat beside him, "Fire away!"

"Now?" asked Simon, a little surprised by Erica's willingness.

"I'm here, you're here; and the sooner we can turn the tide the better don't you think?"

…