So take a look at me now, oh there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds and that's what I've got to face
-Against All Odds, Phil Collins

Maggie sat on the couch, her face buried in her hands. After a few minutes, she lifted her head, eyes red from all the tears and stood. Now hit with a tension headache, she headed toward the bathroom in hopes a hot shower would put her at ease a bit.

Twenty minutes later, Maggie stepped out of the bathroom, feeling somewhat refreshed as she walked down the hallway. She stood behind the couch and shook her head, staring at the messy living room before her. Granted, ever since Bianca and Miranda left, there wasn't much to care about anymore, but regardless this was still the home she shared with them. It was only right that she kept it in good condition while they were away.

While collecting the numerous empty food cartons, Maggie heard a knock at the door. Recalling how her study group had cancelled today's session, she was completely puzzled at who would be stopping by. After depositing the food cartons into the trash, she made her way to the door and opened it.

Standing at the doorstep was the last person she expected to see.

--

Kendall walked back into the Fusion office, surprised to see Bianca there and with Spike in her arms. Smiling at the sweet moment, she watched her gently bounce the baby boy up and down, eliciting a fit of small giggles. Bianca had a way with children and the fact that Spike was very comfortable in the brunette's arms was an example of that.

"Hi," Bianca looked up at her sister, finally acknowledging her presence in the room. "Where were you?"

"The roof. I needed some fresh air," Kendall replied, slipping off her coat and draping it over one of the chairs.

"Fresh air my ass," Josh entered the room, catching the tail end of Kendall's response. He threw the report he had been reading onto the table and smirked. "Why don't you just tell our dear sister what you were really doing up on the roof, or should I say who you were calling," picking up another report.

Kendall glared at Josh. Almost tempted to say, 'Bite me' but she resisted it and turned her attention back to Bianca. "Like I was saying, I needed some fresh air. Oh look, I think Spike needs his diaper changed," turning Bianca toward the back room where a changing table was set up. "Binks, do you think you can do me this one favor and…"

"Say no more," Bianca headed in the opposite direction with Spike in her arms.

The minute Bianca was safely out of the room Kendall walked toward Josh yanked the folder from his hands. "What the hell was that?"

"What? Oh, you mean me nearly busting you for calling Maggie," Josh replied, wearing a smug smile as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yes, that." Kendall glanced toward the back room. She hoped Bianca wasn't able to hear anything she and Josh were conversing about. "Just stay out of this. You don't even know Maggie."

"I know enough to remind you that she cheated on Bianca."

"Thank you for the news flash."

"So then tell me," Josh continued to lean back in hair chair, raising an eyebrow at the curly haired woman. "Maggie broke Bianca's heart. We both see the hurt on her face, yet you feel the need to make things right between them. Why is that?"

"Because I want our sister to be happy. And Maggie makes her happy."

"I take it you got through? She finally picked up?"

Kendall pushed aside the pile of papers and sat on the edge of the table. "Yeah I did."

"And?"

"And nothing. The phone call got me nowhere."

"What phone call?" asked a voice from behind Kendall and Josh. Bianca stepped back into the main office with Spike. "Kendall, this is the second time I heard Josh say something about a phone call."

Kendall quickly moved off the table and took Spike into her arms. "Oh, it's nothing, just business."

"Yeah, sure… business," Bianca nodded disbelievingly. "Really."

Unable to keep the information to himself, Josh decided he needed to speak up. "She called Maggie. There, it's all out in the open now."

"You what?" Bianca's brow furrowed. She tried to hide the anger and hurt but was unsuccessful. "Kendall, I told you, I will handle my own problems. I don't need anyone fixing them for me."

"Well, you seem to be doing a wonderful job at it," Kendall replied as she bent down to place Spike in his playpen. After handing him his bottle, she turned to the young brunette. "Because really, you've been doing a bang up job at fixing Mom's problems and mine, hell even Josh's but not once have I seen you pick up the phone to call that pathetic girlfriend of yours. In fact, you're pathetic too," earning a piercing glare. "Go ahead, get mad. I don't care. I called her because I love you and I just want to see you happy."

"Kendall…" Bianca sighed, knowing her older sister was correct to some effect. Yet, as much as she wanted to pick up the phone and call Maggie, there was still the looming hurt she felt in her heart. "I… Forget this, I need some air," turning on her heel and storming out of Fusion.

"Bianca!" Kendall called out, watching the elevator doors close. "Augh! Of all times she picks to grow a backbone, it's now," she remarked frustratingly while turning in Josh's direction only to notice the smug grin on his face. "What?!"

"We're just one, big happy family, aren't we?" Josh chuckled.

"Oh, shut up."

--

Maggie stood at the door, stray wisps of hair spread across her face. Without saying anything, she stepped aside to let her guest pass through. Once inside, she shut the door and leaned back against it.

"Oh, you look, um…" Anna eyed Maggie up and down. "I guess horrible would be putting it mildly."

Maggie didn't reply, simply walking past Anna and back into the living room, reclaiming her spot on the couch. Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on her knees, sighing deeply before looking back up the older woman.

"Kendall called."

Anna sat down on the couch next to Maggie. "Oh, she did?"

"Yeah, she reminded me how much of an idiot I am and wanted some sort of explanation as to why I broke Bianca's heart." Maggie leaned back on the couch bringing her legs close to her body and wrapping her arms around them, "I couldn't give her one."

Anna placed a comforting palm on the blonde's knee. "Oh sweetie, you are not an idiot."

Tears gathered in the corners of Maggie's eyes, unable to look at Anna, she gazed forward. "I messed up the only good thing I had in my life. Kendall had every right to say it. Because really, once a screw-up, always a screw-up."

"Now you stop right there," Anna moved her hand to Maggie's chin, turning her head so they could look at each other eye to eye. "You listen to me. You are not a screw-up."

"Anna, I am," Maggie replied as a tear fell down her cheek. "I cheated on Bianca. I can't undo that. I did what I did and now I'm suffering the consequences."

Swiping away the moisture from the blonde's face, Anna moved closer and enveloped her in a warm hug. "We all make mistakes. And there's no sense in beating yourself up over this. Come now," loosening the embrace and once again wiping the tears from Maggie's cheeks, "talk to me. I realize that I haven't been around much, but I want to help you. We'll find a way to fix this. But first, you need to tell me how this all happened."

Maggie's heart warmed, feeling a bit comforted by Anna's concern. If there was ever a person that cared more about her than Bianca, it was Anna. "Are you sure you want to hear this? You just got back to Paris and I'm sure you're tired."

"Sweetie, for you I will make time to listen." Anna kicked off her shoes, making herself comfortable on the couch. She eyed the cordless phone, "Maybe we should order some dinner. This could take a while, right?"

Slightly laughing at the suggestion, Maggie nodded. "Yeah. I have the nearest café on speed dial. Just press number 3, I'm going to get us something to drink from the kitchen."

"Okay," Anna nodded.

Maggie made her way toward the kitchen door. Before reaching it, she turned around. "Anna?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," she smiled. "For being the understanding ear I need in all of this."

--

Bianca walked into ConFusion, grateful that the club atmosphere wasn't in full swing yet. Taking a seat at the bar, she watched Del approach her.

"You do know, it's still early. Heck, we haven't even opened yet," Del spoke as he reached for the cutting board and some lemons.

"Yes, I know," Bianca replied.

Sensing something was troubling the brunette, Del pushed the cutting board aside and grabbed the bar towel to wipe his hands. After placing a glass of water in front of Bianca, he eyed her with some concern. "I know it's none of my business, but you look upset. Care to share?"

"Not really."

"Oh, you can tell me."

"Del, leave her alone," Erin walked up from behind. "In fact, there's a new delivery out back, think you can help the guys carry the supplies in?"

Tossing the towel onto the empty glasses below the counter, Del heeded Erin's request and stepped away.

Erin sat down next to Bianca. "Sorry about that. These days, Del seems to think he's God's gift to women. Sadly, he still hasn't accepted the fact that he doesn't have a chance with any of us here."

"And in my case, not even in his dreams," Bianca chuckled under her breath before taking a sip of water.

"Hopeless case, huh?" Erin couldn't help but laugh and at the same time, somewhat relieved that Bianca was actually talking to her. "Before this conversation goes any further, can I just say something?"

"Sure."

"I just wanted to say, thank you for not prejudging me. Jonathan is my brother and I know with everything that's happened, it would be normal to feel hesitant around me, but…"

Bianca placed her hand over Erin's, smiling slightly, "You have a good heart like Ryan and while I despise Jonathan for everything he did, you had no part in it. And honestly, you work with my sister so you can't be all that bad."

Erin smiled. "Well, she didn't like me at first but then again, Kendall does tend to think before she speaks." Bianca gave her a confused look. "Oh, God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"No, no, no," Bianca shook her head, laughing. "You're right, she totally does. That's just one of her flaws. She's more guarded than I am. Though these days, maybe I should be taking some lessons from her."

"How so?" Erin tilted her head slightly, somewhat curious to learn what made the Kane sisters different.

Bianca checked her watch. "I'd love to tell you more, but I just realized the time. I was supposed to pick up Miranda twenty minutes ago." She moved off the stool and put on her coat. "Maybe we can pick up this conversation another time?"

"Sure. I'm the Manager on duty tonight, so why don't you stop by later and we can maybe have a drink or two," Erin replied, handing Bianca her purse.

Bianca nodded. "Sounds like a plan. I'll see you tonight, then."

"Great, 'til tonight," Erin smiled again as she watched Bianca walk up the stairs and exit ConFusion.

--

Maggie swallowed the last bit of her dinner. After washing it down with some wine, she took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. "So, where do you want me to start?"

"How about the beginning? I've been told it's always the best way to explain things," Anna grinned, hoping to keep the mood somewhat light.

"Okay. But first, let's get these dishes washed and then we'll sit in the living room and I'll tell you whatever you want to know," Maggie replied. Pushing her chair back, she picked up her plate along with Anna's and brought it into the kitchen.

A half hour later, the two of them were seated face to face on the couch. Maggie had the familiar yellow blanket draped over her legs, her head resting comfortably against the cushions of the couch.

Beginning the tale, she sighed, recalling the events that brought about the current situation. "Things couldn't have been better between Bianca and me. Our lives were great, we were raising Miranda together and we seemed to have everything down to a routine. And then, one day, it shifted," Maggie paused, deciding to rephrase, "okay, not so much as shifted, but things sort of just changed."

"Changed? What do you mean?" Anna asked.

"Bianca started talking about settling down. You know, commitment."

"Well, that's really a huge change. It's a big step."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Maggie retorted, biting down on her lip. "And it was something I wasn't prepared for. So, me being me, I got scared but I didn't run. I took it all in stride, hoping that maybe Bianca would conveniently forget about the idea."

Anna held her gaze with Maggie, continuing to listen intently to her every word. "Well, I'm glad you didn't run. So, tell me, did the two of you manage to talk things out, possibly end up on the same page with regards to settling down?"

"No," shaking her head. "Well, yes and no."

"Explain."

Maggie hesitated for a second. "Because someone else entered into the picture and her name was Cecelia."

-end chapter-