At the Gala concert Erica made sure she made her presence known in the press pit, as she was dressed in her newest Lacroix evening gown. She then entered the concert with Opal ready to brush shoulders with the Pine Valley great and good.

Adam was there with Brooke. Erica was surprised how weak he looked. She hadn't really seen him since his heart attack. He was no longer the strong proud Chandler he used to be. JR's behaviour had taken a lot out of him and his illness and taken the rest. Erica was beginning to realise now just why Caleb, Scott, Brooke and Marissa had been so concerned when they were putting together their proposals for the buy-out offer. Adam didn't look he was had the strength to take any more bad news.

…

As the concert started Erica had to put up with Opal constantly whispering in her ear, determined to try and convince her how wrong she was about Marissa. Every few minutes she would a drop in yet another thing that Marissa showed she and Bianca were right for each other: the work she put into Bianca's custody case and divorce; helping Bianca get away from Ricky Torres; falling in love despite JR's behaviour; their plans to move in together with the kids; the shooting; how they got back together even when Marissa had amnesia; standing by Bianca after JR assaulted her; the house party she organised for the whole town when Bianca came home from hospital; the trial; Bianca's relapse and surgery; the way she protected Bianca and kids during the hospital hostage siege; how they stood together through the Inquirer's hate campaign; the fact that Opal had overheard Miranda asking Marissa just that afternoon if she could to call her mamma and how Marissa said she would be thrilled if she did…

Erica hated her friend for refusing to drop the subject. It brought with it echoes of Bianca's words from earlier as well.

Marissa loves me. I don't doubt it. She shows me everyday… with every look and smile and kiss. Why are you so sure that you are right and I am so wrong! You know her barely at all and yet you sit in judgement over her for something she would never do…

Did she really know Marissa?

Erica was being reminded of some things she had almost forgotten. She found herself remembering how good Marissa was with Miranda after Ricky had taken them hostage, sitting with her through the police medical exam and staying with her all night. She also remembered how well Marissa had taken care of a traumatised Bianca at the Erica film premier…

She tried to think back on her reasons for doubting Marissa but all she had in her 'against' column was Marissa's awkward behaviour around Scott at a couple of meetings and a sense of anger about being the last to know about Miranda's nightmares…but was that really Marissa's fault? And then she remembered how the idea of an affair had popped into her head at that uncomfortable dinner party in the presence of Krystal Carey! Was Opal right? Was she seeing something that wasn't there?

…But it wasn't transference or whatever nonsense Opal had suggested. She wanted to marry Jackson! She just hadn't found the right moment to organise the wedding. She hadn't been looking for excuses! And she certainly hadn't been looking for a scape goat onto which to laden her guilt and fear!

Of course she was nervous at the thought of settling down firmly and finally… she had always been a free spirit and living the domestic life felt abhorrent to her. But Jackson was the man she loved! Of course she wanted to marry him!

Of course she did!

…

After the concert, Erica came home to find the apartment empty. Jackson had left a message on the answering machine. The day's sailing with AJ had been so much fun they were going to have a sleep over on the yacht. Bianca had already said yes and Reggie was going to join them too, for a proper evening of male bonding. He finished by wishing Erica a good night and saying the words 'I love you'. In the back ground AJ could be heard calling out 'good night' as well.

Erica looked around the dark apartment, for the first time since the shooting, she was truly home alone.

Jackson had moved in the moment Reggie and his family moved out. It was a strange sensation to be in the empty penthouse and Erica was beginning to realise how much she didn't like it. It was comforting to come home and have someone to talk to. True Jackson very rarely said much in return, except to offer a smile and a nod and the odd quip but it was more than enough. Erica began to realise the implications. She had already settled down with Jackson. They knew each other so well and for so long they fitted together almost seamlessly… The domesticity she had most feared had crept up on her when she wasn't looking.

Maybe settling down wasn't so scary a thought after all?

…

Erica walked out onto the balcony and looked for the yacht on the marina; she could see still lights shining in the cabin. She wondered what fun they were getting up to so late.

Erica turned back to her dark empty apartment. Thanks to Opal and Bianca she was finding herself beginning to doubt herself when it came to Marissa. Maybe if she was honest she had been a little bit scared about her wedding day. Worried that this marriage, her twelfth, (although officially her seventh) would be turned into another comedian's punch-line and then their happiness would crumble to dust like all her marriages before.

Maybe Opal was right that she was looking for something in Marissa that was really in herself?

Maybe she was wrong about the girl?

Maybe there never was an affair?

Maybe..?

Maybe..?

…