Erica unlocked the door of her apartment still not quite comprehending that Bianca had thrown her out of her house or that Krystal could have been so rude to her!

She threw her keys onto the table and then became aware that there were two people sitting on the couch waiting for her arrival; Kendall and Jackson.

Kendall made a show at looking at her watch.

"You're early."

"Bianca needed an early night." said Erica with an awkward cough.

"And did you say anything you shouldn't?" Kendall asked pointedly.

"I don't know what you mean."

Erica chose to ignore her daughter's sarcasm and instead walked over to Jackson for a kiss.

Jack kissed her but then held her back at arm-length to have a good look at her.

"Kendall has been telling me stories which I hope aren't true." he said. "I think you had better tell me what happened tonight."

"Nothing happened." said Erica pulling out of his grasp. "We had dinner… AJ made me a card… Bianca got a little over sensitive about something I said; probably a little over tired. But that's not surprising after all she's been through lately…"

"And she's probably worried about tomorrow." said Kendall. "So what did you say to upset her?"

"What's happening tomorrow?" Erica asked, ignoring the second half of the question. The way Jack was staring at her right now made her wary of admitting that she had tried to put a wedge between Marissa and Bianca, even if she knew she was doing it for Bianca's sake. She wasn't sure he would understand!

"The meeting at the psychiatrist! The moment where she has to explain rape to her nine year old daughter!" said Kendall starring at her mother. "I mean you did ask her about Miranda didn't you? That is what you were upset about, wasn't it, the fact you were being kept out of the loop?!"

"I didn't get the chance!" said Erica quickly; realising that she hadn't thought for a second to ask the question.

"So what did you talk about?" Jackson asked, his eye still boring into her. He was in his district attorney mode, something Erica had learned to be wary of.

Erica swallowed, now she was coming to say it out loud, she realised her actions were a little hard to explain. She knew she was doing the right thing. In the long term it was the only thing to do to protect her daughter from another heart break… only she wasn't sure she could get them to see it that way.

"We talked about Madison and the baby." said Erica cautiously. "And Marissa mentioned Scott and his work at Chandler… then I may have made an innocent comment about Marissa's history with Scott, at which point Bianca took offense."

"History..." said Kendall flatly. "You brought up the fact that Marissa had an affair as dinner conversation?"

"I just wanted to make Bianca aware of the risks in a relationship she has just charged blindly into! Marissa has a past! A past that is dominated by men!"

"They've hardly been charging blindly into a relationship!" said Kendall. "They've been together almost two years! They've been through more ups and downs than any couple should and they're still together. What the hell do you think is going to happen to make Marissa change her mind now, after all this time?"

Erica looked to Jackson for support.

"No, but that's my point! She has changed her mind… or at least it's been changed back. She admitted to us just tonight that she's a different person from who she was and what she wanted when she had the amnesia isn't necessarily the life she wants now."

"She said that?" Jackson asked.

"Well, I'm paraphrasing." said Erica, "But yes, that is what she said!"

"Even so," said Jackson, "I think you may be jumping the gun a bit here. Bianca and Marissa are very happy together and I honestly can't see that changing any time soon." He put a hand on Erica's shoulder. "I know you think that you are protecting your daughter, but I think this is more a case of leave well alone. If you want to be there for your daughter, you be there for her! But on her terms Erica, not yours. I'm sure Bianca is trying to do what's best for Miranda and the rest of her family, which now includes Marissa whether you can accept it or not, and the last thing she needs is her mother turning up and trying to take control."

Erica looked up at Jackson, she could hear the disappointment in his voice. He gave her a grave smile.

"…And don't we have our own things to worry about," Jackson continued, "Like a wedding to plan! Or do you intend to use this as an excuse to postpone…"

"Of course not!" said Erica. "I want to marry you as soon as possible! I was just looking out for my girl!"

Jackson sighed.

"Well maybe it's time for you to accept that Bianca is perfectly capable of taking care of herself!"

…