Madison was sitting in the recovery unit nursing Holly. She heard the familiar click of approaching heels and turned to see Erica Kane strolling along the corridor towards her.

Erica had a small gift bag in her hand and a broad smile on her lips as she approached to look down at Holly.

"You have a beautiful baby there." said Erica fondly.

"She's still weak." sighed Madison, but she's getting stronger.

Erica put a consoling hand on her shoulder before taking the seat across the way.

"I thought it was about time I looked in on you both." she said. "How have you been keeping?"

"I'm fine." said Madison simply. "We're both fine."

"And I imagine Scott is over the moon at being a father!"

"Oh he is!" said Madison quickly. "Unfortunately it's so busy at work he can hardly find a moment to be here."

"I had heard." said Erica, leaning forward, the same kind smile on her lips.

Madison looked down at Holly who was staring back with her bright blue eyes.

"He says we are our escape."

"Oh I can believe that!" said Erica warmly.

Madison looked up at her old friend. It felt good to have someone to open up to.

"So what have we done to deserve this visit?"

"I just thought it was time to see your little girl. And I wanted to see a friendly face." Erica said, holding out her gift bag. "This is for you, I figured you had more enough gifts for the baby..."

The bag contained a beautiful, subtle blue silk scarf.

Madison smiled at the thoughtful gift and then frowned suddenly.

"Is something wrong?"

"I've had a fight with my daughter." said Erica sadly.

"Kendall?"

"No, this time it was Bianca."

"Bianca?" said Madison in surprise.

"She doesn't want anything to do with me when I was only trying to look out for her."

"I'm sure she'll forgive you given time." said Madison.

"Only if I prove that I'm right!" said Erica looking at Madison intensely. "I wanted to know if Scott has mentioned anything about Marissa?"

"Has something happened with her?" asked Madison, her earlier spark of jealousy from yesterday subtly returning.

"That's what I want to find out. I'm sure I'm wrong but I saw him just the other day at Krystal's sharing his woes with Marissa. She seemed more than happy to be a shoulder for him to cry on."

"Yeah, he told me she was being a good friend." said Madison.

"I probably barking up the wrong tree." said Erica, as if dismissing the thought. "He probably just needs another outlet for his troubles; he probably figures you have enough to worry about with Holly here."

Madison nodded, but nervousness touched her eyes.

"He said that too." said Madison. "They were close friends."

"Very close from what I hear!"

Erica stayed and cooed with the baby for a few moments longer, and when she felt the time was right she made her move to leave.

She waited until she had turned the corner, out of Madison's sight, before a triumphant smile graced her lips. She had sensed Madison's germ of suspicion, now she just had to wait for it to grow. It was a cruel thing to do to the girl, but she needed an ally close to the suspect pair. And she had to prove she was right!

And she was sure she was right!

Besides it was for the good of everyone in the long run!

…