Marissa found Bianca working away in the little office they had set up by the Dining room.

"Home at last." said Marissa with a smile, creeping up for a welcome home kiss.

Bianca looked up and smiled back, welcoming the quick smooch and snuggle.

"So how was your first day back in your 'big lawyer hat'?" Bianca asked.

Marissa sniggered,

"You're not going to let me forget that are you? ...Today was more of an induction with Liza. Everything is pretty much as I remember it. I'll be sharing caseloads with Caleb and Liza until I'm settled. Caleb was serious about easing me in."

"That's good." said Bianca as Marissa perched on the edge of the desk beside her.

"How was your day?" Marissa asked.

"Good ...Apart from my mother …Don't ask!" Bianca added, shaking her head forlornly.

She caught Marissa's supportive expression though.

"The kids are currently in the den being entertained by Reggie…" she said, happily changing the subject.

Marissa nodded, still watching Bianca with concern.

"I know I popped my head in on the way through. AJ is actually letting Gabby have a go at Mario Karts; not just making her watch! I think he's getting the hang of being a big brother."

"He sure is!"

"And what are you doing?" Marissa asked peering forward to try and catch what was on the lap top screen. The last time she had found Bianca in here she had caught her watching a traumatic scene from the Erica film. She didn't want a repeat of that; especially after Miranda had lasted through the night in her own bed! Thankfully the screen simply showed a spread-sheet of numbers.

"I'm just finishing up some Miranda Centre donation reports." explained Bianca, "I've been back almost a year now and it still feels like I'm catching up!"

"You've been through a lot," said Marissa supportively, putting a hand on Bianca's shoulder, "A hell of a lot!"

"We both have!" Bianca replied, looking up at Marissa again. She starred up into Marissa's perfect face for a long time.

"God," Bianca sighed, "I don't know what I'd have done if I'd lost you!"

Marissa subconsciously reached up and traced the scar that travelled back from her brow, where the bullet had grazed her skull what felt like a lifetime ago. She flashed back to that night for a moment, JR and the gun, but she quickly rallied.

"Where did that come from?" Marissa asked, a little thrown by Bianca's bleak statement. Clearly her mother's attitude, despite Bianca's words, was having a profound effect on her.

Bianca didn't reply, only gave her a sad smile.

"Hey, you didn't lose me!" said Marissa, firmly, "And you never will! I'm here to stay."

Bianca nodded and sighed.

"I just wish my mother could see that!"

"Well how about I go and tell her!" said Marissa.

"I don't want you to…"

Marissa put finger firmly over Bianca's lips.

"No. This is making you unhappy and if I have to confront your incomparable mother, I will! She doesn't scare me!" Catching a look from Bianca she added, "Even if she should! I'm willing to do anything to make you happy. Hopefully my choosing to take on Erica will actually prove to her how much I love you."

"Please don't." said Bianca. "I just want to leave her to stew until she comes to her senses. I want you and the kids kept well away from it…" Bianca rested her hands on Marissa's knees and slid one hand along her partner's lap up to her waist, supremely comfortable in the now familiar gesture. "… and you have nothing to prove. I've got you and you've got me and trust me, mother or no, I'm never letting you go!"

…

RIP - Marissa :o(

I can't believe they killed her off in the reboot (Well I can, I was just hoping they wouldn't!) but at least Minx is alive and well here!