Happy May Bank Holiday! (Well here in the UK)

Thank for you reviews and comments. I am intrigued to see what happens next to Bianca on the new AMC, but it won't be the same without Marissa. (Just a mad thought, could they bring back Maggie, cast CBL in the role and then cast her twin Heather as Frankie back from the dead - that would be one awesome love triangle!)

SPOILERS - This week - David, Marissa, Miranda and Kendall all find someone to confide in.

...

David drove across state to the care facility he had found for his daughter Leora. It was a long way from Pine Valley, but it was the best. He had carefully vetted the staff before he placed her there. He felt guilty now for everything he had kept his baby girl from and now he was determined that she got the attention she needed, whatever the cost. Her sort of brain injury require specialist around the clock care and stimulation and now she had everything she could ever need. He had brought her back from death and now he was determined that she would have the happy life, he had too long denied her, to go with it.

The nurse, in her smock decorated in dancing cartoon cats, led him through to the 'sense room'. Leora was lying next to a glowing tube full of bubbles, staring open mouthed as the coloured light slowly cycled from red to blue to yellow. There was soft melodic music playing in the background as well and the subtle smell of flowers and popcorn; something to stimulate all her senses. She was there with Wilma her dedicated carer.

"Hey Leo', it's your daddy!" Wilma explained, touching the child gently to draw her attention to her approaching father.

"Hello baby girl." said David, bending down to kneel beside his daughter, who was rolling herself over to look at him better. He kissed her and rubbed her belly making her smile widely and give a deep laugh.

"How has she been?" he asked, glancing briefly at the carer. It been over week since he had last visited and he was feeling rather guilty.

"She's missed you." said Wilma. "But she's eating well and she is still a little diva. I'm not saying she isn't a sweetheart but she does love being the centre of attention!"

"So I see." said David as Leora let out a loud complaining cry when David didn't immediately resume making a fuss of her. She reached up to pull his hand back to rubbing her belly. She couldn't really get a grasp but she was batting his hand in the general direction. He tickled her side and gave her a warm smile, which calmed her protests in an instant.

David looked towards the carer again.

"I was wondering, it's still a nice day, could I take her out for a walk," he asked, "Just around the garden?"

"I don't see why not. She loves the chance to look up at the sky." said Wilma getting up from the floor, her knees clicking slightly. "As long as we wrap her up, that should be fine."

…

David rolled his daughter's wheelchair through the autumnal garden. The weather was certainly turning wintery and the nights were drawing in. At least the rain was holding at bay and the sun was taking off the worst of the chill as it tried to burn through the grey clouds.

He found a bench opposite a pair of brilliant red Japanese maples. Leora watched him with an expectant smile as he sat beside her.

"I'm sorry." said David. He was still smiling, although Leora seemed to be able to recognise that the smile wasn't reaching his eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't heal you. Maybe all this business with Orpheus is my punishment for the way I treated you. Maybe I need to accept that there are some things you can't fix… some people you can't save."

Leora was watching him speak with interest, but David knew it was very unlikely she understood what he was saying, she was just listening to the undulating sound of his voice.

"Not that I regret for a second saving you, my beautiful girl." He added quickly. "But I should have done better loving you!"

He stroked her cheek.

"But I know I can save her..!"

David became lost in his own thoughts for a moment. He had come here for a distraction but seeing Leora only seemed to bring him back to the theft of his Orpheus serum, and how there was only one person left who could help him get it back.

"You must be wondering who I am talking about." He said leaning closer, still stroking Leora's soft cheek. "I'm talking about a woman named Bianca Montgomery. She is actually dating your big sister, Marissa. She was hurt really badly and the special serum, I made just for you, helped bring her back. But there is a part of her still hurting and I know my serum can fix it if she would only let me… You'd think she'd let me, wouldn't you..? Maybe I should help her for her own sake!"

For a moment David played with the idea of resurrecting his old secret Orpheus facility, abducting Bianca and treating her against her will. A few years ago David would have done it without a seconds thought, it was for the greater good after all! But now he had a lot more to lose; Leora; his relationship with Marissa and AJ; his ties with Cara and Charlie, his son; his tentative position at the hospital. He couldn't risk it. There had to be another way!

David started to realise how cold the cheek was he was stroking.

"I think we need to get you back into the warm." said David, getting up from the bench and releasing the brakes on his daughter's wheelchair. "It's almost one o'clock! What do you say I stay and help you eat your lunch?"

David tried to dismiss all thoughts of Orpheus. He was here for Leora, he needed to give her one hundred per cent of his attention because that was what she deserved. He would have plenty of time to brood on his mistakes on the long drive home.

…