Disclaimer: I don't own The Facts Of Life or any of the characters from the show. I do lay claim to any of my own made up peeps however. No profit, just fun.
Author's Note: The Facts Of Life was one of my favorite television shows when I was young. I've always felt the chemistry between Jo Polniaczek and Blair Warner was really special, but it took almost 30 years to really "see" the specialness and appreciate that it could have blossomed into something more. I wanted to continue their story with this attempt at fiction. It depicts how their relationship may have turned out with all the twists and turns of dealing with friends, family, career's and relationships.
Story Note/Premise: This story takes place in present day. I've also aged the girls about 5 years. I just thought it would be easier to relate to everything that way. So, Blair and Jo are in their late twenties, and Nat and Tootie are in their mid to early twenties. The story is based from the last episode of season 8 - when Jo takes a job in California and Blair decides on a law career – plus five years ...so essentially there was no season 9 in my world...no Jo marriage, no Casey, etc.
Special Thanks: and Kudo's to my Super Beta's Zebeza for the hand holding, ass kicking, advice and guidance and Gin for the support and encouragement...you guy's freakin' rock...
I hope you enjoy!
Preamble Binds
My family. We are not close. But we are strong willed. Even within our grief we present ourselves as unbreakable. My father's brother, uncle Russell, was a strong willed man who believed in order and demanded respect. Losing him caused a ripple on the surface that in time felt like a mighty wave.
Introduction
East Hampton, NY
Several figures stood solemnly on the white sandy beach - the incoming waves crashed against the rocky banks a bit further down the shore, as a thin mist carried over. The salt air was warm and humid.
It was six in the evening. The sun was still high and on this August day the moment was almost scenic.
Almost…
The private ceremony was one of sadness and bereavement. Ashes were released from a ceramic urn as the eldest stated a brief prayer. There were a few more moments of quiet reflection as the ashes settled on the crest tops of the waves, gently carrying them out to sea.
The small group began to walk back up the path that led to a gigantic white-painted brick mansion.
Joyce Warner, 83 and stricken with rheumatoid arthritis, was helped to her wheelchair. She righted it on the cobbled path. She was dressed in her finest society dress. It was black, Italian made, lace trimmed, along with a floppy sun hat - it was given to her by her son Russell earlier that summer.
Her cheeks were moist as she watched the others start up the walkway. She was distraught. She'd lost her beloved husband, David Sr., five years earlier and then - too soon - her son, Russell, to a sudden heart attack.
It was just too much at once.
Joyce's wheelchair was powered by motor and allowed her to slowly roll up the path alongside the others. She lagged back a bit, looking up at the sky. It was a clear day with a few scattered clouds. A couple of seagulls flew low and close to them.
Joyce suddenly reached out, barely touching the pant leg of her grandson, Robert. "Russell, look! Look at the birds! Oh Russell, the birds, did you… feed them?" Her voice cracked with sadness.
Robert had his head bent down, his full attention on the screen of his mobile phone. He'd spent the majority of the funeral, the reception, and the private ceremony, engrossed in it; barely sparing anyone notice. Even when they'd extended their condolences, he'd managed only a grunt, and then turned to escape into a corner of the church.
He caught the eye of his cousin Blair, who gave him a direct stare; lightly shaking her head with disapproval. Robert scoffed at her, then spared his grandmother a glance.
"Yes." He said quickly hoping to appease her.
Blair and Robert were very close in age and appearance. They were both blonde, tan and beautiful, as well as very ambitious. They'd even managed to dress alike for the funeral. He in khaki pants and a white buttoned down shirt. She in a simple white cotton blouse and light brown skirt which came to just above the knee with dark brown four inch pumps to accentuate her ensemble.
Blair turned sympathetically toward her grandmother. She bent down to meet her eyes and patted her on the arm. "Nana, you should go lie down." She stated gently.
"Oh, Russell! Russell… the birds," Joyce said, distraught.
"I'll take her now." A petite blonde, Blair's stepsister Meg, came behind the wheelchair and turned the motor off. She gave Joyce a linen handkerchief to dab free flowing tears that had began to run down her cheeks.
"There, there Joyce. We'll get you ice water and then rest." She cooed.
Joyce nodded her head as she was wheeled back to the main house.
Meg had struggled a little at the entrance through the back patio. The sidewalk had a rough patch that needed to be smoothed out… not the most friendly for wheelchairs. But Meg was adamant about getting Joyce into bed and practically lifted the family matriarch over the threshold.
Blair watched as they entered the house, before the beveled patio doors were shut tight. She turned to regard her cousin, his thumbs were flying furiously over his phone screen.
She frowned. "You could at least pretend to grieve."
Robert didn't bother to look up. "Have already… on my time, in my own way." He said dismissively.
"I meant for Nana's sake." Blair said sternly. His attitude was starting to wear on her nerves.
Robert spared her a glance, chuckling. "Like she wouldn't see through me."
Blair folded her arms and waited for him to continue. She knew Robert hadn't been particularly close to his father, but still…
The pinging noises of his phone sounded in the quiet air between them. Robert hated his cousin's overbearing air… it irritated him.
He drew in a reluctant breath finally looking up from the screen. "Besides, I have a lot to think about. My father would want me to concentrate on more important things. The company won't run on its own," he chirped snidely.
Blair smirked at that, and met her cousin's eyes, lifting an eyebrow.
"Let me know if you need any tips." Robert sneered before sending one last message and turning his phone off. He stuffed it in his pocket and turned to head up the path toward the house. Blair followed him into the main Grande room.
Robert abruptly halted at the bar and turned to search the liquor cabinet for the large container of scotch his uncle David always kept full. He grabbed a glass tumbler from the bar shelf and a bowl of ice cubes from the mini freezer and set them on the bar.
Blair leaned against the polished wooden bar watching her cousin as he found what he was looking for. He set the container of liquor on the wooden surface with a loud thunk.
She decided to press the issue. "Now Robert, if you have anything you need to tell me, either tell me now or fill out a form and put it in the suggestion box. Our fathers wouldn't want us to waste time arguing, would they?" She chided, then put on a sickly sweet grin for effect.
Robert glared at her and uncorked the bottle, "Oh, but it's all yours now, isn't it? What difference would it make what I have to say about anything… Madame President."
Bending at the waist, he bowed in a grand gesture that had Blair rolling her eyes at the spectacle. Robert straightened, then furiously threw four ice cubes into his tumbler.
"Shhh! You're going to wake Nana!" Meg came from around the partition, joining them at the bar.
"Oh sorry!" Robert replied sarcastically. He poured a glass full then took a long draw from the tumbler.
Blair blew out a breath, catching Robert's eyes as he glared at her over the rim of his glass. "When are you going back?" She stated with an air of fake innocence.
"Trying to get rid of me so soon, cous?" Robert said between sips; wincing each time the liquor hit the back of his throat.
"No. Just wondering." Blair put on a look of indifference and started to trace light circles on top of the bar with her index finger. She peered up at him a few times as she did.
Robert watched her. He had reeled in his anger; if not for the sake of the day, out of respect for his deceased father. He was careful not to start a fight with his cousin, but his temper was always boiling at the surface.
"Don't tell me. Afraid I'll ruin things for you on your first day tomorrow? tsk, tsk. Don't worry. I won't cramp your style." He emptied the tumbler, and then refilled it.
"I'm not worried." Blair smiled smugly. "Besides, I don't officially start until Monday." She reminded. "I was just wondering how your division is doing is all. I have some… ideas."
Robert blanched at Blair's statement, then snorted. "Ideas." He said flatly. He skeptically looked her up and down.
Blair moved to retrieve her own glass. She gestured to Meg, silently inquiring if she would like a drink. Meg shook her head no, and was, quite frankly, tired of watching the two of them go back and forth. She sighed, propping her chin in her palm and positioned herself at the bar to observe their next round.
Blair pulled a glass bottle from the refrigerator and poured a generous amount of liquid. She noticed Robert watching her and smirked. "Club Soda." She continued, "I have a few things I may need to run by the executive board soon, depending of course..."
"On?" Robert looked at her guardedly.
"How well your division is doing." Blair reiterated. She took a sip and simply watched her cousin absorb that.
With a lopsided smile, Robert shook his head… not bothering to reply. He dismissively turned his back and walked across the room to the couch; then loosened his tie while tossing back the last of his liquor. He set the empty glass on a side table.
Blair continued. "I expect you to contact me immediately once you arrive in Tokyo." She rounded the bar and walked over to him. "That way we can converse about my ideas."
Robert turned and held up a hand. "Whoa... Wait a minute. You want me to go along with… what, exactly?
"I told you… ideas I have." Blair cocked her head and blinked at him.
"Oh, so you're serious? Well now… this should be interesting," Robert said condescendingly. "Let's see... " He mockingly crossed his arms and rubbed his chin in thought.
"You've only worked in operations for barely a year. You don't know a thing about production, other than legal issues... oh and you haven't even officially taken the big chair yet and you want me to help you with some... scheme?" He spat.
"Ah, ah, ah... " Blair wagged a beautifully manicured finger. "Careful, your confidence in me is slipping."
Robert glared at his cousin. He grabbed the blazer he had thrown on the couch earlier and turned to leave. "I'll take that as a compliment about my good judgment. Besides, you don't really want my input, now, do you?"
Blair blocked Robert, leaning in close. "Well, I did promise Daddy we would come together as a family unit," she purred then cracked a smile.
Robert cut his eyes to Meg who shrugged her shoulders in return.
He looked at Blair, eyeing her skeptically. "And you think I'll blindly go along with whatever you have cooked up?"
Blair silently chuckled. She felt slightly amused; she could smell the liquor on his breath. "Relax. It's strictly business."
Robert was truly intrigued now. "Really? Unlike… "
"Nothing personal this time… I swear." She patted his shoulder patronizingly.
He smirked then shrugged her off. "This time. Remind me not to get involved with any more of your personal pursuits." He moved to exit again.
Blair put a hand on his chest and pinned him with brown eyes. "Not even if I can offer you a great deal?" She lifted a brow in question.
Robert snorted a chuckle. "Well, that usually goes in your favor, doesn't it, Blair? Especially considering your… proclivities." He clumsily tried to shove her hand away.
"Which, as of late, haven't been secrets." Blair pointedly reminded her dear cousin.
Meg rolled her eyes at them for the billionth time. Dear lord they were irritating when they argued. Given the circumstances of the day, one would think they'd give it a rest. She sighed, "Guys, I don't think this is a good time for... "
"Forget it! This is bullshit!" Robert flashed angry eyes at them.
He ignored Meg as he quickly went around Blair. Tossing the blazer over his shoulder, he then turned and regarded his cousin. His eyes flashed barely concealed anger.
"Better watch your back, dear cous." He winked at her then started to walk - slightly wobbly - down the long hall leading to the front door of the mansion. "You're in the spotlight now. Wouldn't want to disappoint the family," he tossed back at both of them.
Blair and Meg watched as Robert fumbled with the doorknob before finally opening it. Smirking, Meg crossed her arms and leaned back against the bar.
"He's up to something." She breathed.
Blair smiled at his clumsiness and let out a soft sound of amusement. Robert gave them one last look before slamming the door shut.
Blair sipped her drink - a small feeling of satisfaction floated through her. "Not worried. He'll be thousands of miles away soon enough."