Everyone helped themselves to a glass of Adam's champagne to toast AJ and his little ship.

Marissa was keeping one eye on the time though. She still had a feast to prepare. Maggie sidled over to stand beside her.

"This is nice." she said, clinking glasses with Marissa. "Everyone is here… almost."

"Almost?"

"I thought David would be coming."

"I asked but he was too busy." said Marissa, raising her eyebrows as if to say she expected nothing less. "You've been seeing more of him these days than I have."

Maggie took a sip of her champagne.

"He's close to a breakthrough."

Marissa nodded.

"Sure… even the ability to bring back the dead isn't enough for him to be satisfied." Marissa's eyes drifted to where Bianca was laughing with her sister. "If I didn't owe him so much I'm not sure I would keep giving him these chances." Marissa sighed. "But he's my father… and AJ's grandfather so we have to wait until he remembers that we're here… We're still waiting."

"Hey, he's not such a bad guy." Maggie insisted.

Marissa gave her an amused look of scepticism.

"Okay… he can be selfish…" Maggie admitted

"…very selfish…"

"…but I think right now at least his heart's in the right place."

"I'm not sure it's his heart he's following…"

"You're wrong there." insisted Maggie.

Marissa sighed.

"This obsession with his research in the end is all about fame and glory, and if he told you anything else he was lying. Watch him… he's never on the level, no matter how much you want…" Marissa sighed again not quite willing to finish her sentence and branding her own father as a liar. "Just watch him." she said at last.

"I always do." said Maggie taking another thoughtful sip of her champagne.

…

Kendall laughed again at her sister's description of her story telling session with Gabby last night.

"…but you got the bunny in?"

"I did." said Bianca, laughing too.

"Good for you!"

The bumped glasses; Kendall with her champagne and Bianca with her orange juice.

"How are things at home for you?" Bianca asked, nodding over to where Griffin was deep in conversation with Reggie and Scott.

"We're very good - thank you." said Kendall, her smile growing wide.

Bianca nodded.

"I'm surprised Cara couldn't make it. She was invited."

Kendall sighed, that was an awkward subject.

"She said …um … Charlie hadn't had such a great night and she didn't want him to ruin the party."

"Hey, we're used to kids… that wouldn't have mattered."

"I know." said Kendall, her eyes were still on Griffin, Reggie and Scott. "I think something happened with those two. After the island…"

Bianca followed her sister's gaze, confused. And then she caught Scott glancing back their way, a fleeting expression of guilt on his face.

"Cara and Scott." Bianca gasped in alarm. "I though Cara liked Ryan?"

"So did I. But it seems Ryan is firmly in the friend zone."

"But Scott… They haven't..?"

"I think they are avoiding each other… avoiding temptation."

"Good." said Bianca a little more roughly than she intended. "Pine Valley doesn't need another scandal."

Kendall laughed at that.

"Pine Valley always needs scandal!"

…

Reese found herself standing next to Erica Kane, and although they touched glasses for the toast, there was a rather frosty air between them.

"A little bird has told me you plan to move back to Pine Valley." said Erica in a casual tone.

"I've already bought a cabin down by the lake. The views are spectacular even if the house isn't yet…" began Reese, almost relived Erica had chosen to start a conversation and break the tense silence.

"I think it's a mistake." Erica interrupted; the lightness now vanished from her voice.

Reese chose to ignore the negativity of that statement.

"I don't. I get to be near my family and make a fresh start…"

Erica turned to her and her eyes narrowed. Unable to help herself Reese took a step back.

"No… that was a warning. Moving here will be a mistake… for you!"

"Are you threatening me?" Reese squeaked.

Erica smiled, although with her eyes narrowed the smile was more threatening than ever. Reese felt like a guppy facing a shark.

"That was, I think I said, a warning." Erica said smoothly. "You should remember that I take my daughter's well-being very seriously! And anything that threatens her happiness… Well let's just say it won't for long."

Reese tried to laugh off Erica's words but Erica looked dead serious.

"I would never hurt Bianca!" Reese exclaimed.

Erica shook her head in apparent disappointment.

"Now we both know that's not true." she said cruelly.

…