*sighs*... Well, that's depressing. Before I launch into a predictable rant about what a negative message it sends to impressionables who were in any doubt regarding the acceptability of battering one's girlfriend, here is what's been reported of their reunion so far:

People reports: "'They're together again. They care for each other,' says the source. The on-again couple are currently spending time together at one of Sean Diddy Combs's homes, on Miami Beach's Star Island. Adds the source: 'While Chris is reflective and saddened about what happened, he is really happy to be with the woman he loves'." When he's not horsing about on a jet ski.

The Sun says: "Brown reportedly met up with Rihanna at rapper DIDDY'S $20m mansion in Miami - less than three weeks after an alleged bust-up left the Umbrella singer with a cut and bruised face. While Rihanna has yet to have surfaced, sources say Chris, 21 (he's actually 20), and Rihanna, 24 (um, she turned 21 last week...), have been 'talking and soul-searching'... According to reports, the couple begun to rekindle their romance when Brown called Rihanna on her 21st birthday last week." Get it together, Gordon.

Here's TMZ's two cents: "We're hearing the case will be turned over to the Los Angeles County D.A. next week, and a decision should be made soon thereafter on whether to file criminal charges against him. The two most likely charges - making criminal threats and domestic violence... As for a possible criminal threats charge, we think it's now less likely the D.A. will file because of Rihanna's change of heart. First of all, sources tell us the main reason he was arrested for this is because he allegedly told Rihanna something to the effect of, "I'm going to kill you"... Domestic violence is a whole other thing. When the jury sees the pictures of a clearly battered Rihanna, it's probably more powerful than any testimony she'd give. In fact, if she were to get on the stand and say she started the fight or somehow deserved it, it would not ring true… Finally, we're told more than half of the D.A.'s domestic violence cases involve women who have either recanted their stories or have gotten back together with the alleged abuser. We think a decision could come down sometime next week."

I berated Cheryl Cole when she took back Ashley because of the message it sent out to the masses regarding mutual respect in a relationship and tolerance towards infidelity. At least she managed to retain some dignity by blanking him for a couple of months and embarking on a glittering TV career on the back of the debacle. Forgiving unfaithfulness is one thing; the open acceptance of physical abuse is something entirely more alarming.

It's been three weeks since the "alleged" incident between Rihanna and Chris Brown. She has yet to be photographed in public (bar one reported shot of her on a beach in Mexico last week), while Chris Brown has been repeatedly photographed in Miami larking about on a jet ski without a care in the world. And sure why wouldn't he? The woman he's abused has forgiven him. So have his peers. According to the PR wheel, the mindless fans will surely follow.

With "project damage limitation" now in full swing, it wouldn't be surprising if an interview with Oprah is in the offing, along with a public donation of some sort towards a domestic violence charity. He will do some community service in the presence of many photographers, and, once the wave has crashed and the water has settled, he will be back in the Top Ten.

That's all dandy for Chris and Rihanna. Sure why would they, or their "people", spare a second thought about the credence they're giving to physical abuse, or the impact their actions will have upon millions of young, susceptible minds?! Never mind the warped validity it gives to seasoned wife beaters and the targets of their perversion. There's money to be made, Godnammit!!!