Krystal was running late. She was meant to be collecting Marissa and the kids in the Martin Family people carrier and drive them all to the funeral; but she was waiting for Jesse to finish his phone call.

When his cell rang Jesse took it through to the other room for a bit of privacy. That was the price you pay for dating a chief of police; they are never off duty. She linger by the doorway. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop but she wanted a clue to how much longer he was going to be.

"Jackson, I am doing everything I can at this end!" she heard Jesse exclaim.

Hearing Jack's name sent a wave of resentment through Krystal. He was halfway across the world chasing a fantasy leaving Opal and Marissa alone to deal with all the arrangements to put his supposed loved ones to rest. Today was the day of the funeral and he and Kendall couldn't make the effort to be here. She was in half a mind to take the phone from Jesse and give that man a piece of her mind.

Then she heard Jesse whispered furtively something that sent a chill right through her.

"Yes I know we have fairly concrete proof that they faked Erica and Bianca's death but what we don't know is where they are being held. South America is just a guess…"

Krystal angrily pushed open the kitchen door and it slammed against the counter making Jesse jumped.

"They are alive!" she exclaimed. "You knew they were alive and you said nothing!"

Jesse looked up guiltily.

"I've got to go." he said down the phone before hanging up.

Jesse held up his hands for peace.

"Krissy please." he begged.

"Don't you Krissy me!" Krystal exclaimed. "It's the funeral today! Those kids… my daughter… How can you let them go through all this?"

Jesse grabbed Krystal's arms to try and calm her.

"You have to understand. The kidnappers aren't just some pirate gang. This is much bigger than that. These guys are much more powerful and much more ruthless. We are keeping our investigation quiet because we don't know what they will do if they find out that we know. They have to be watching us. We need to keep this charade up until we know where David, Erica and Bianca are being held."

"This is tied to David's disappearance?"

"Of course it is." said Jesse. "Look Griffin is already in Mexico and Jackson and the other are flying over to meet him. We got one lead and we are trying to see where it takes us."

"But you have to say something to Marissa!"

"I can't." said Jesse. "And you can't either. They are, without a doubt, watching her. They could still murder their captives if they think they are going to get caught. They had to have killed those two women whose bodies are being buried today. These guys are expert at covering their tracks and we need every chance we can get to find them."

"You can't expect me to just keep this news to myself."

"If you want your daughter to have chance to be reunited with Bianca then you are going to have to."

…

The journey to the funeral was taken in an odd silence. Marissa was in the back with the three kids; Reese had taken Maggie in her own car. Marissa could sense a tension between her mom and Jesse that had more to do with the fact that they had arrived late.

When they go to the chapel Krystal touched Marissa on the arm as she climbed from the car and whispered to her.

"I need to talk to you after the service."

"Of course." said Marissa as she picked up Gabby from her booster seat. She then stepped clear so the older kids could scramble from their seats in the back.

Jesse shot Krystal an angry glare and to Marissa's surprise her mother just glared back at him. There was clearly trouble in paradise.

Opal hurried over to make a fuss of the children and a crowd of other Pine Valley residents were clustered around the Chapel entrance waiting for the service to start. There were others there too, press, film executives, employees from the Miranda Centre. They had asked for this to be a private service but it was out of their hands. The whole thing was being shown live on national news and there was going to be a large TV special on the life of Erica Kane tonight at eight.

Muriel came over to offer Marissa her condolences. Krystal took Gabby from her daughter's arms, and she and Opal took the kids to give Marissa time to talk to the other guests.

"I'm so sorry for your loss." the little old lady from the Miranda Centre said, touching Marissa lightly on the shoulder.

"It must be blow for the centre too." said Marissa.

Muriel nodded.

"It's a blow for everyone. Bianca was a wonderfully compassionate and loving person, there aren't many like her in the world… and just feel fortunate that I knew her and I helped her make the world a better place."

Marissa nodded.

"That's a beautiful way to look at it."

Muriel was quiet for a moment.

"There is one thing that I need to talk to you about. Clearly not today but…"

"Just say it." said Marissa. "I'm might be glad of the distraction."

"We don't know what to do about the Ball."

"Ball?"

"Bianca was arranging a large Charity Ball for Christmas Eve. It was going to be linked to the Erica Movie, all the best guests, huge publicity… We don't know if we should cancel or hold it in her honour."

"Hold it in her honour." said Marissa without hesitation.

"And would you be there?" Muriel asked. "She always said she really being selfish and arranging it all for you."

Marissa smiled, remembering Bianca threats that she was going to have to arrange a Ball so Marissa could wear her deep red ball gown again.

"Maybe we can talk about this after the service."

"Of course." said Muriel. "I'll let you get on."

After talking to a few more familiar faces in the crowd Marissa caught up with Opal and her mother, who were still waiting by the door with the kids.

Miranda took her hand as they walked into the chapel together to say their goodbyes.

…