"You look happy." said Krystal as Marissa and Bianca walked into the Bistro side-by-side.

"Good Morning." said Marissa, giving her mother a bright smile. "Bianca has something to ask you."

She gave her girlfriend a quick kiss on the cheek and then headed off to the back room to get ready for work, leaving them both alone. Bianca wore an amused grin at her girlfriend apparently dropping her in it.

"What did you want to ask me?" questioned Krystal, leaning forward on the bar as Bianca came closer.

"Well." said Bianca, pausing as her eyes followed Marissa's retreating figure. "I was wondering if you had plans tonight because we wanted to invite you to dinner as a sort of thank you for everything you and mom did for us with the press and the riot!"

"You're inviting me to dinner?"

Bianca nodded.

"We thought it would be nice if I asked you and Marissa asked my mom."

"Erica will be there too?"

"That's alright isn't it? You made such a good team, fighting on our side… we were kind of hoping it could stay that way."

"Well that's fine by me." said Krystal. "I just want my girl to be happy and you make her happy so am willing to smoke the peace pipe with Erica. The question is will your mom feel the same?"

"Of course she will." said Bianca. "She just wants me to be happy too. And knowing that you two can get along is a huge weight off of my mind."

Krystal leaned closer putting her hand on Bianca's that was holding tightly to her crutch.

"Well you won't have any trouble from me." she said kindly.

Bianca nodded, giving her a grateful smile.

"So will you come to dinner tonight? I know Marissa has something important to talk to you about!"

"I'll be there. What time..?"

…

Lunch hour was in full swing and Marissa was in the thick of it.

She was busy at the coffee machine when she turned to see Scott standing at the bar.

"Cappuccino please." he said.

Marissa handed her completed hot drinks order over to Camilla to take to table four and then gave Scott her full attention.

"Drink in or take-away."

"Take-away." said Scott. "I'm on my way to another meeting."

"Well you're still looking stressed."

Scott nodded sadly.

"I think we are going to have to cut jobs. We can't make the wage bill for the next quarter." He looked heavenward in despair in the next moment. "This isn't what I signed up for."

Marissa reached across the counter and took his hand.

"Hey! Hey! Don't be like that! I'm sure there is someone out there who can help you."

Scott shook his head but didn't pull away.

"I thought Caleb was the one, but he's gone. Adam is adamant he won't sell… It's just… there is nothing I can do."

Marissa leaned closer and took his hand in both of hers, concern in her eyes.

"Look I can't really say anything right now. And I know it looks bleak. But it will work out. There is a way to fix this I'm sure."

Scott stared back in silence at the determination in her eyes.

"You think so?" he asked quietly.

"I know so!" said Marissa firmly. "Don't give up yet!"

Scott nodded and gave her a small smile.

"Thanks I needed that." He said, his mood a little lighter.

"And I know what else you need." said Marissa sliding out from behind the bar and giving him a great big hug.

There was a polite cough that disrupted their friendly embrace.

"Marissa you asked to see me."

Marissa whipped around to see Erica watching her with a curious expression on her face.

Scott checked his watch.

"Oh, gotta go or I'll be late." He said quickly. "And thanks for the pep talk." He added, kissing Marissa's cheek before he left.

"Any time!" Marissa called after him.

Marissa then turned to give Erica a big friendly smile. She was nervous. Now her memory had returned she remembered how intimidating Erica Kane could be. It was probably that nervousness that blinded her to the fact that Erica's returned smile didn't quite meet her eyes.

"I'm so glad you could come." she said but then faltered.

"So you and Scott..?" Erica asked quizzically.

"He's down at the moment, all this business with Chandler Enterprises. He needed cheering up!"

"So I see." said Erica, her eyebrow raised.

Marissa's head was too preoccupied with how Erica would take her next question to notice the archness of her tone.

"Which brings me on to the reason why I asked you for coffee." said Marissa, nerves making her smile a little strained. "Bianca and I are having a dinner tonight and we would love it if you could be there. We haven't really caught up with everything that has happened lately. And we want to say thank you to you and to Krystal for everything you've done for us!"

Erica's lips thinned.

"Krystal will be there too."

Marissa nodded.

"We want to thank both of you. Krystal has already said yes…"

"You asked her first?"

Marissa faltered; Erica was clearly affronted at being the last to know.

"Bianca asked her this morning." explained Marissa. "We decided to ask each other's moms, to symbolise how we are all one big happy family. You probably think that's silly."

"I'm not sure I'm free tonight," said Erica, "I'll have to check my schedule…"

Marissa was panicking now. She had to get Erica there tonight for Bianca's sake..

"I know it would break Bianca's heart if you're not there. You both have so much to catch up on. I know there's a lot she needs to talk to you about."

"Bianca needs to talk to me?" Erica asked, the stiffness in her body language melting away at her daughter's name.

"Of course she does." said Marissa. "Please say you'll be there tonight!"

"If Bianca needs me of course I'll be there."

"Wonderful." said Marissa, just holding back the urge to give Erica a hug. She could sense it might not be welcome. It seemed the feud between Erica and Krystal hadn't quite come to an end. How else do you explain her standoffishness? "Dinner's at eight o'clock. But for now what coffee would you like. I'll make it before I take my break!"

"It is alright." said Erica stepping back. "I won't be staying for coffee, but I will be there tonight at eight."

"Um… okay… bye…" said Marissa confused as Erica walked away.

...

Marissa was disappointed that Erica couldn't stay. She was hoping to talk to her about Bianca and Miranda and maybe talk about she own experience of coping with passing on the story of her rape to Kendall. She knew Bianca was trying to keep her mom away from that subject to avoid upsetting her and ruining her upcoming wedding. But Marissa knew that Erica would want to help, even if it meant going behind her girlfriend's back. Now she'd have to wait for another time.

…