Disclaimer: You know this is fiction because Maggie and Bianca are in a healthy relationship. Bianca, Maggie, Miranda, Kendall, Erica and the citizens of Pine Valley belong to ABC/AMC. No harm is intended, this is just for fun.

Let me tell you
'bout the way she loves me
Ooh, I want the world to know
I'm crazy about the way she loves me
Ooh, I'm proud to let it show
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Richard Marx - The Way She Loves Me

Thanksgiving Day

November 24, 2005

Pine Valley, PA

It was going to be another Erica Kane extravaganza. Half of Pine Valley would shortly be assembled in the huge dining room of the new mansion, enjoying a gourmet-prepared turkey dinner, washed down with lots of expensive wine. It would be the event of the season.

Until the next event Erica planned. Which would notbe a wedding if Maggie had anything to say about it…

Before the hordes descended, everyone was relaxing. Miranda was napping with an attentive cast of family members parading through her specially-designed nursery, cooing, oohing and awing over the precious little girl. Maggie had never seen a child so doted over in her life. Add in that she was a Kane and the future seemed a little scary.

Suddenly, Bianca came blowing into the room, throwing the door shut behind her. "Kiss me," she blurted, walking right up to Maggie and taking the blonde's face in her hands. "Quick."

Before Maggie could even react, Bianca laid one on her, a hard, deep kiss pressed to her lips with no chance of escape. Yeah, right...

Maggie pulled away after a moment, a surprised yet satisfied look on her face. "What in the world prompted a lip-lock like that? Not that I'm complaining..."

"My mother."

Maggie stepped away quickly. "Excuse me?" she asked, considering now about complaining.

"You heard me, my mother."

"Man, Binks, do we have to have the whole Mood-killers talk again?"

Bianca sighed. "No, I just needed a moment of normalcy before I go back out there."

Maggie rolled her eyes. "What did she do now?"

"She still has this dreamy look on her face," Bianca said. Then she checked to see if anyone else was around, which, for some unknown reason since they were in their room, made Maggie follow suit. "Wedding," she whispered conspiratorially.

At that, Maggie visibly shuddered. "Oh, man, La Kane on the warpath... you do realize that we're in her cross hairs."

"I'm hoping by the time we leave for Paris again, she's forgotten about it."

"Sweetheart, your mother doesn't forget about anything. She's got the memory of an elephant..."

"You got that right."

Maggie dropped onto the chaise lounge in the corner of the room, pulling Bianca down next to her. "So, what's the next course of action?" she asked, brushing a lock of brunette hair off Bianca's cheek, her fingers lingering to caress.

"I guess we change the subject whenever it comes up," Bianca replied, leaning into Maggie's touch. "Avoid the subject at all cost. Maybe avoid my mother."

"Huh, I could get into that," Maggie murmured, leaning in to meet Bianca halfway. Their lips met and they both sighed, content in the gentle contact.

"Hey girls," Kendall called as she strolled into the room. "Oh, necking again, imagine that... dinner's ready."

Maggie touched her forehead to Bianca's. "Actually, we were talking, Kendall. If you used your powers for good, you'd learn some things."

"Necking, talking, same thing. Dinnertime." And with that, she swept out of the room as quickly as she'd entered.

"Why does it scare me that she's so calm every time she's barged in on us?" Bianca asked.

"It's scaring me, too."

"Freud would have a field day with this..."

Maggie snorted. "Freud would have a field day just trying to find her brain through all that curly hair," she cracked.

"Maggie!"

"What?"

"First sexdar, now Freud."

"Sorry," Maggie said sheepishly. "It's those stupid advanced psych classes."

"It's a good thing you're not going to be a psychologist then."

"Yeah, I don't think I'm very clinical..."

"Dinner!" Kendall shrieked down the long hallway.

Bianca grinned, ignoring Kendall's call. "No, you're much more physical..."

"I'll show you physical later. For now, time to eat." Before they exited the room, Maggie tugged on Bianca's hand, turning her around. "I love you, B."

"I love you, too, Mags." And Bianca pressed a gentle kiss to Maggie's lips. "Come on, before Kendall comes back. Or mom..."

Maggie made a face as she followed Bianca out of the room. "Yikes..."

-------------------------

With a little smile, Bianca looked around the huge dining room. It was filled with the usual cast of characters. Opal and Palmer sniping at each other over what foods Palmer could ingest. Lily with her ever-present notebook, which did cause Bianca's heart to skip a beat when she noticed the girl jotting something in there after coming into the room behind her and Maggie. Reggie to Maggie's left, Dani beside him, Derek, Simone, Greenlee and a very subdued, almost drugged, Ryan. Kendall, across from the two of them, eyeing Bianca and Maggie as a spider eyes dinner trapped in its web... Myrtle, holding court and seated to Erica's right. Jack taking the head of the table, as was fitting the head of the household. It was nice to be back.

Kendall gave her a devilish, scary, knowing grin.

Bianca sighed, suddenly she couldn't wait to be back in Paris...

Beneath the table, Maggie maintained a hand on Bianca's thigh, prompting Bianca to reach under and move that hand whenever it strayed, which, to both Bianca's chagrin and delight, was quite often. One more squeeze to the knee area and Bianca would leap completely out of her chair, spill her wine, choke on her stuffing or accidentally stab herself with her butter knife.

Damn, when Maggie fell in love, it was hard, fast and completely...

Maggie was going to keep her hand on Bianca if it was the last thing she ever did in her life. Being here, in this mansion, castle, Kendall's carnival fun house, she was going to hold tight to Bianca because the Kane-Montgomery clan could still scared the crap right out of her. And keeping hold of Bianca had its own special benefits... Of course, eating was quite the chore as she was right-handed, her right hand was planted securely on Bianca's thigh, and she was attempting to use her left hand to shovel food into her mouth.

As it was, Bianca couldn't keep her attention on the detailed description Erica was giving her on the building of the mansion, stables and sprawling grounds. Extremely detailed. Mind-numbingly detailed... Okay, she was going to have to break that finger if it budged one more centimeter.

"And your Uncle Jack loves the stables," Erica said conspiratorially to her, leaning close with the unwanted, unsolicited, yet completely freely offered details. "We've... taken advantage of them several times. You know, when we need to get away from the house..."

Bianca felt light-headed. "Oh, my God..." she murmured.

Maggie's ears perked up, she winked at Bianca and her hand subtlely moved.

Bianca jumped sky-high, bumping the table, rattling silverware, china and crystal. Kendall had to snatch a hand out to keep her wine glass from spilling its deep ruby contents on the pristine white linen tablecloth. Reggie's roll went flying. Bianca's hand clamped onto Maggie's as all conversation around them came to a dead stop, all eyes focused on one completely flustered Bianca Montgomery.

"Oh, my, Bianca. Are you alright, dear?" Erica asked, suddenly concerned, placing a mother's gentle hand on her arm.

"I'm fine-," she squeaked, then cleared her throat. "I'm fine, Mom..." She let go of Maggie's hand to reach over and give Maggie a pinch on the butt. "Quit it," she whispered.

"But you said God."

"I didn't mean it toward you."

Maggie gave her a sexy little grin. "You will later."

"You know, after this little stunt," Bianca leaned close to growl in Maggie's ear. "You may find yourself on the other end of that little dare."

"Oh... Bad Bianca gonna come out to play?"

"Bad Bianca?" Reggie asked, unable to help but overhear Maggie's statement as he reached for his roll. "Do I even want to know?"

Maggie opened her mouth to reply, only to have Bianca slap a hand over it before she could speak. "Never mind, Reggie." Then she looked at the blonde. "You even think about licking my hand and you'll never see Bad Bianca ever again."

And that, in effect, shut Maggie up for the duration of the meal.

As dinner wound down and the tables were cleared, everyone slowly made their way to the library or the patio for a breath of fresh air. Pie and coffee would be served later, after the men watched the football game on TV and the women discussed... whatever Erica wanted to discuss. Bianca had a sudden fear that it would be something about weddings...

Maggie slipped off and grabbed Reggie by the arm. "Reggie, can I talk to you?" she asked, pulling him aside.

"But the game-." he protested.

"Reggie."

He gave her a weak grin. "Sure, what's up?"

"Why'd you have to go and explain to Lily was necking was?"

"Hey, Mags, she asked." He grinned at her for real this time. "And she said you told her to ask me."

"But I figured you might skate around the subject. You know, not actually giving her a straightforward answer."

"Maggie, you know how Lily is. She needs everything explained to her."

Maggie rolled her eyes, her head, practically her whole body. "Why did you have to explain it so well?"

"Look, she's always going to have questions. I mean just the other day she was asking me if Dani and I ever made it to second base."

Maggie grinned. "Well, Reggie? Did you?"

"Maggie, what do you think?"

"Well..." Suddenly, she held up a hand. "You know what? I don't want to know."

"Good, because I don't want to have to explain to Lily about you and Bianca."

"I think I'll leave that to Bianca."

Suddenly, Reggie smiled, a heartfelt smile that lit up his eyes and his face. "By the way," he said softly. "Thanks."

Maggie's brow furrowed in confusion. "For what?"

"Making that dream of mine come true. That it would be you and Bianca in the end."

Maggie smiled. "It took us awhile, but we finally got there."

"So Maggie, think you can answer a question for me?"

"I can try."

"Bad Bianca, what's that all about?"

Maggie grinned as her mind filled with images, scenes, memories. "Reggie, are you sure you want to hear this?" she asked him in all sincerity. Visions started coming fast and furious.

"Umm... uh..." Reggie stammered.

She patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, let's talk."

"You know what? I changed my mind. Don't want to know. Don't need to know..."

"Rule number one. Never ever fall asleep while... uh... well, you know..."

"Aw, Maggie, you didn't." Reggie's shoulders slumped at the thought of his hero being quite so lame.

"Well, yeah… apparently, I did."

"Oh, man... I'm so disappointed in you."

"You're disappointed? Think about what I missed out on."

"Good point." Reggie grinned. "Man, Dani would kill me."

Maggie draped an arm over his shoulder, giving him an affectionate squeeze. "God, I've missed you."

Bianca brushed past them on her way to the library. "What, you're callinghim God now?" she asked on her way by.

Reggie looked at Bianca then Maggie, completely confused. "What?"

"Nothing!" Maggie exclaimed, tossing Bianca a pleading glance.

Reggie just shook his head. "The things I missed out on because the two of you live in Paris."

-----------------------

Bianca turned down her side of the bed, folding back the comforter and smoothing down the sheets. It was after eleven, the guests had finally left and the house was quiet. At least, Bianca and Maggie's wing was…

Time alone, finally.

"So, what was that with the hand about at the dinner table?" Bianca asked casually.

Maggie, dressed for bed in a pair of plaid sleep pants and a spaghetti strap tank top, nonchalantly turned down her side of the bed, studiously avoiding eye contact with Bianca. "Umm... I was restless?" she replied.

"Nice try. Talk."

"You said 'God' and I was trying to point it out to you."

"Oh, you pointed it out, all right. My mother almost caught us."

"We weren't doing anything wrong, you know. All I did was give you a little squeeze. You're the one who almost came out of her chair." With a devilish grin, Maggie crawled across the bed toward Bianca. "It wasn't like I was," moving in closer, "kissing you," she leaned in, "like this." And Maggie caught Bianca's lips in a kiss, taking her time before pulling back.

Bianca sighed, her eyes still closed. "Oh, God..."

"Yes?"

Tangling together on the bed, Bianca kissed Maggie, pulling back and reaching up to brush blonde locks off her forehead. "You think we're alone?" she asked with a smile.

Maggie grinned, her hands slipping under Bianca's own tank top. "In this place? Huh, I doubt it." She tightened her arms around Bianca's waist, pulling her close. "Wanna live dangerously?"

"Well, Miranda's asleep, Reggie and Dani went out… I think Mom and Jack are… occupied."

Maggie squeezed her eyes shut at the unwanted vision. "Please stop." She reached up to find Bianca's lips again, but stopped suddenly, a fraction of an inch away. "Kendall."

Bianca reared back quickly. "Jeez, Mags," she said. "You're the one who keeps bringing up Mood-killers. Calling me by my sister's name has to be at the top of the list."

"No, no, no," Maggie replied, suddenly pushing Bianca onto her back and jumping off the bed. "She knows the secrets of this house of horrors. All the trap doors and the hidden passageways. I'm sure she has the one to our room labeled and mapped out already." She hurried over to the dresser and began pushing, using all her might to shove it toward the section of wall from which Kendall had materialized the previous day. "Will you help me?!"

The huge mahogany dresser moved an inch. Maggie turned and put her back against it, putting every ounce of strength she had into her legs, pushing hard to slide it further. No dice. Bianca sat and watched, trying not to burst out laughing, when Maggie turned again, her hands against the dresser, her feet running on the floor at light-speed while nothing moved.

Maggie stopped suddenly, looking at Bianca. She exhaled hard, blowing some hair out of her eyes. "Hey, you want a little Maggie tonight?" she asked in exasperation. Unable to reply, Bianca just nodded. "Then get your fantastic ass over here and help me."

Giggling, Bianca jumped off the bed and ran to Maggie's side. Between the two of them, they managed to push the heavy dresser a few feet, blocking the secret entrance completely, before Maggie grabbed Bianca's hand and hauled her back to the bed. They fell onto the soft mattress, arms, legs, sheets becoming entangled.

Finally, hoping they had just a little bit of privacy, they made love into the night.

"You know, Binks," Maggie murmured later, her lips glued again to their favorite spot, the pulse on Bianca's neck. "I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to get back to the calm of Paris."

"So it's not just me."

"No, this place is crazy." Gently rolling onto her back, Maggie pulled Bianca into her arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I never realized just how bizarre this town really is."

"Maggie, if it weren't for this town…" Bianca's voice trailed off as she swept her hair back. "Well…"

"I know, I know. But that doesn't change the facts."

Bianca sighed, nuzzling her head onto Maggie's shoulder. "I love you, Maggie Stone."

"I love you, too, Bianca Montgomery."

"Aw, I love you guys!" Kendall's voice called from behind the dresser.

Bianca woke up early in the morning, a thought suddenly occurring to her. "Maggie, please tell me you brought the Levis?"

"Relax, they're right here."

"Oh, God..."

"Later, sweetie, later."

-----------------------------

November 27, 2005

Pine Valley, PA

Maggie sat Indian-style on the ground, picking at the leaves and twigs that caught in the grass in front of her, blown around by the cool November breeze.

"You know," she said softly, clearing her throat before continuing, "besides Bianca, you're the only person who has the ability to get me to come back to this place." She swallowed hard. "Jeez, Franks, I miss you. I never thought I'd ever say that, but I do." Glancing down, Maggie fingered the photo booth strip of pictures Bianca had given her on her first birthday in Pine Valley. The shots of Bianca and Frankie, taken so long ago, before the death, violence and destruction came. Her eyes strayed to Bianca's face, a finger gently touching the photo. Looking back up at the granite headstone in front of her Maggie laughed a little raggedly. "I miss you, Frankie, but, man, I'm so glad you're not here. I wouldn't want to have to fight you for Bianca. And I would fight you. I'd fight damn hard. Dirty, too."

Bianca stopped where she was behind the gate, not wanting to intrude on Maggie's time with her sister. And try as she might, she couldn't make herself stop listening. When Maggie first arrived in Pine Valley, she rarely, if ever, opened up to anyone. Over time, heartache and finally joy, she had been able to bridge those walls, free her heart and give her love without reservation. Bianca was overjoyed by that, in spite of the tremendous cost to them both. So, quietly, she stood back and gave Maggie some time.

"She's, uh, she's incredible," Maggie said softly then laughed at herself. "But you knew that already, didn't you? That's why you fell for her, too." She sighed, reaching up to pull a leaf off the granite by Frankie's name. "Sometimes I look at her and it takes my breath away." She blushed suddenly. "I gave her a ring, Frankie," she murmured, leaning close to the grave stone as if sharing a highly guarded secret. Suddenly, Maggie laughed, a real laugh of joy. "Seriously, sis, I gave her a ring. Me! I'm such a sap, you know? But I couldn't stop myself. I love her so much, I can't even imagine not being with her. And I just had to let her know…"

The breeze refreshed itself, tossing leaves around in a whirling dervish as the sunlight dappled through the branches of the tree above them. Maggie reached out a hand, brushing her fingers over Frankie's name.

"We had a rotten lot in life, Frankie, the way we grew up. But when I look back on it, if having it better meant I never would have found Bianca… I wouldn't change a minute of it. You found her first and I thank you for that. Thank you for helping me find my heart."

Bianca swallowed over the lump in her throat, quickly wiping the tears from her cheeks before making her presence known. And she did want to make her presence known, because, despite it all, Maggie still acted tough. With a little cough, she stepped through the cemetery gate.

The crunching of dried leaves behind Maggie alerted her to Bianca's approach and she quickly wiped her eyes, feeling her partner drop down beside her. Bianca put a gentle hand on Maggie's shoulder, kneeling on the ground at her side, her body leaning close for the contact. With a smile, she placed a singe rose on the gravestone.

"Hi, Frankie," she whispered, her fingers lingering a moment on the cold granite.

"I'll leave you alone for a bit, let you have some time with her," Maggie said softly. She pressed a kiss to Bianca's forehead then stepped away slowly, the leaves crunching underneath her feet.

Bianca brought her attention back to grave stone in front of her. "It's been a while," she sighed. "And a lot has happened. I'd be lying if I said I don't miss you, because I do." She sat down on the ground, the same way Maggie sat before, and contemplated her words. She battled with the lump forming in her throat and feelings that couldn't be put into words. "Your sister, she's um..." Bianca giggled trying to conjure up the words that would describe Maggie. "She's amazing. Yeah, she is. I don't know how else to describe her. Every day we're together, I just look at her and smile. I love her so much. I also want you to know that I loved you, too. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think back to the times we spent together, I'll always cherish those. But your sister, at the risk of sounding like the romantic sap that I am, she's everything to me. Maggie is my world. I've never met anyone in my life with so much love to give." She paused for a moment and laughed at the double meaning of her words. "We love each other and I hope you're smiling down on us right now, knowing that we're happy."

Reaching forward, Bianca's fingertips grazed the tomb stone as she traced the letters of Frankie's name.

A tear slipped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. "Oh, Frankie, I wish you were here. I wish you and Maggie could be together again." Suddenly, she sighed. "I'm in love with her, Frankie. With everything that I have, I am in love with her. She means everything to me, she and Miranda."

A gentle breeze tossed Bianca's hair, causing a few strands to brush across her cheek. If she didn't know better, she would swear Frankie was standing beside her, teasing her with her touch. Bianca smiled, a gentle sigh breathing out of her. It wasn't the touch of a lover, it was the touch of a friend.

The gentle rustling of leaves behind her had Bianca looking up, her eyes alight as she watched Maggie walk up and settle down on the grass beside her. Their hands found each other of their own volition, fingers lacing together naturally. They leaned against each other, Maggie's head on Bianca's shoulder, Bianca resting her head on Maggie's.

"You realize, of course, that this is the only way we'd ever get her to listen to us," Maggie whispered.

Unable to stifle her giggle, Bianca nodded. "Yeah, I know. She's five times as stubborn as you are."

Maggie's mouth dropped open. "Me? Stubborn? No way."

"Oh, way," Bianca assured her with a laugh.

Slowly, they climbed to their feet, Maggie wiping her hands across her rear in self-consciousness. Her eyes locked on the headstone. Mary Francis "Frankie" Stone, it read, 4/26/82 – 11/27/01 Beloved Sister and Friend - In Our Hearts Forever.

"I don't know when I'll be back, sis," Maggie said softly, her voice hoarse, her eyes stinging with unshed tears, "but you'll always be with me."

"You ready to go?" Bianca asked gently, running a caressing hand through Maggie's hair and down to her shoulder.

Instead of answering, Maggie stepped into Bianca's arms, pulled her close and held on tight. Bianca hugs, she needed one of those desperately right now. She sighed when Bianca's arms pulled her in close, giving her strength and warmth. Her face turned into Bianca's throat and she breathed deeply of the crisp autumn air mingled with the fresh scent of Bianca, the apples in her shampoo, the spicy sweetness of her Angel perfume, the coolness of her leather jacket. Running a hand through silken chocolate hair, Maggie turned her face up to the sky and felt a touch of warmth along her cheek. I love you, too, Frankie, she thought.

They headed back toward BJ's through the park, in search of nachos, strolling hand-in-hand. Maggie felt freer than she ever had before and mentally kicked herself in the ass for not allowing this to happen sooner. Imagine if she'd fought for Bianca when Lena was around. That Polish stick wouldn't have stood a chance. Of course, it only would have worked if Bianca had been willing to admit her feelings in return. Man, the heartache they could have avoided if they'd just been honest with each other. Just like some stupid soap opera where two characters danced around each other instead of just talking… So not like real life…

"So," Bianca said conversationally, "I noticed you're wearing a brand new pair of jeans."

Maggie grinned. "What? These?"

"When did you find the time to get a new pair of 501's?"

"Well, considering what you did to my last pair, I thought I better stock up quick." She turned herself in circles, trying to catch a glimpse of her own rear end. "Do these look okay?"

Bianca chuckled throatily. "Oh, these look better than okay…"

"And I have a jersey to show you later."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really." Suddenly, Maggie stopped and pulled Bianca into her arms. "I thought we might see how it looks on you this time."

Bianca grinned, her arms holding Maggie tight. "You've seen me in your Rangers jersey," she reminded the blonde.

"Mmm, not the blue one. I think blue looks really good on you."

"You think anything looks good on me."

Maggie grinned sexily, kissing Bianca full on the lips, right in the middle of the park. In broad daylight. With people all around. "I especially think anything looks good on you when I take it off of you…"

"Mm, you are insatiable."

"Lucky you."

Bianca grinned, pressing her forehead to Maggie's. "Yeah, lucky me."

Laughing, Maggie caught Bianca's lips again, kissing her soundly. Bianca's lips parted, and Maggie quickly deepened the kiss, feeling Bianca respond in kind. Suddenly realizing where they were, they both started laughing, although their lips never strayed more than a centimeter apart. Still laughing, Maggie started backing Bianca toward a stand of trees, her mind quickly calculating the possibility of a little make-out session before Erica sent out a search party.

Feeling Maggie's hand slide under her jacket, Bianca giggled. "Maggie!" she shrieked with laughter, all the while allowing Maggie to take control of the situation.

"Bianca?"

As if a polar blast shot through the air, Bianca and Maggie froze then slowly parted. Turning to face the voice, both women were stunned for a moment then Maggie's face turned angry red.

"Babe," she breathed. The intense deadly look on her face spoke volumes. "Still sucking oxygen away from more deserving life-forms, I see."

"Maggie!" Bianca exclaimed again, though certainly not in the same playful tone she'd used earlier.

"What? You can still be mad at her too, you know." Never taking her eyes off her 'cousin', Maggie moved to stand protectively in front of Bianca, shielding her with her own body. "What do you want?" she snapped. When Babe made a move toward Bianca, Maggie nearly growled. "Don't even think about it."

Bianca slipped her arm around Maggie's waist from behind. "Maggie," she said softly. "Don't."

"Don't what, B? Give this bitch a piece of my mind?" Maggie's eyes never left Babe for a moment. Suddenly, everything she felt, everything she'd seen came flooding back to her. Bianca's heart being ripped out of her chest, her broken cry echoing through the halls of the hospital when she thought Miranda was gone, her confusion, depression, turmoil. "She deserves it," she said darkly.

"Maggie, sweetie, it's okay. Let it go. I've moved past this. I'll never, ever forgive Babe, but life has gone on for me."

Maggie stood stoically, her gaze never wavering. Babe's heart began to stutter in her chest, suddenly aware she was totally outmatched by the smaller woman. "Well, it hasn't gone on for me," Maggie ground out through gritted teeth. "I never got my closure." She glanced back at Bianca for a moment. "Until now… And she's never getting any forgiveness from me, either. She kept your baby from you and she... she took so much away from me. I have something to say to her."

"No, Maggie," Bianca urged softly. "Don't"

"No, I want to do this. She hasn't heard what I have to say." Maggie leaned forward confrontationally, ready to do battle. "And now it's my turn."

The anger that flashed in Maggie's eyes was something to behold and it shook Babe yet again. A calmness more frightening than anything she'd ever seen settled over Maggie, almost causing Babe to turn and flee before the storm let loose its fury. Maggie's eyes locked on Babe's.

"You coward," she said, her tone even, measured, cold. "You lying, manipulative deceiving, heartless coward. How did you do it? Day after day, how did you look her in the eye and lie to her? You called her your best friend. You LIED to your best friend! Oh, that's right, you claimed to be Bianca's best friend. You pretended to be my friend, too! And you still lied! How did you know when one lie ended and the next one began? And to think I let you set foot in my house when you knew. You knew the whole time that Miranda was alive!"

Babe swallowed. "Maggie… I…"

Maggie took one menacing step forward. "Oh, no, you don't get to speak. You just shut up and listen to me. All your cryptic little comments. You knew Bianca felt a connection with that child. You saw it. You encouraged it!"

"Mags," Bianca whispered soothingly from behind her. "Come on, I think that's enough."

"Binks, that's not near enough. I've been waiting 11 months to say this."

"Say what, Maggie?" Babe cut in, finally finding her courage. "Go ahead and say it because it's probably nothing I haven't heard already."

Maggie snorted in derision. "Oh, please, don't give me that martyr act, Babe. Everything that's been said has been deserved. You should have to hear it every day for the rest of your miserable life. You had your son, Babe, you knew he was alive. And still you kept Miranda from her mother. You must be one sick, twisted individual to be able to live with yourself day in and day out, knowing what you knew." Maggie took a deep breath, reaching out to poke Babe in the chest with her finger, driving home her point. "So let me just add a little something to what you've already heard. You don't deserve friends. You don't deserve your son. You don't deserve anything except the misery you've had to live in since you very nearly destroyed Bianca's life. And your mother and father can join in that misery with you."

Tears glittered in Babe's eyes as Maggie's tirade wore down. She swallowed hard and glanced beseechingly at Bianca, then back to Maggie. "I know what I did was wrong, Maggie," she murmured. "And I do have to live with that every day of my life."

"That's right, you do," Maggie snapped. The urge to slap Babe was overwhelming, but Maggie didn't want to do that in front of Bianca. Besides, she was terribly afraid it wouldn't exactly be a slap when it happened… "You unbelievable bitch."

"The rings are beautiful," Babe said suddenly, startling both Bianca and Maggie, her eyes jumping back and forth from Maggie's hand to Bianca's. "I'm happy for you. I always knew-."

"Shut up," Maggie growled. "You don't get to comment on our lives. You don't get to feel anything for us. This is happiness, Babe. This is something you will never have."

"Okay, Maggie," Bianca said soothingly, sensing the storm had finally abated. "I think that's enough."

"Even you couldn't ruin that for us," Maggie said softly. "Others may be able to look past your sins and forgive you for them, but not me. Not now, not ever." Giving Babe one last disgusted look, Maggie took Bianca's hand in hers. "Now, it's enough," she said firmly. "Let's go home to our daughter."

Leaving Babe standing broken in the middle of the park, Maggie led Bianca away, down the footpath, toward a familiar spot. Bianca reached out with her other hand, catching hold of Maggie's wrist.

"Maggie, honey," she said softly. "Where did all that come from?"

Sighing, Maggie slowed and turned to Bianca. "B, I never got to say that. I never had the chance to tell Babe how I felt, how her actions affected me How watching what she did to you almost killed me. That's been building for a long time."

Bianca smiled in spite of it all. "Remind me never to get on your bad side. I'd hate to see what you're like if someone ever left the toilet seat up."

Finally, Maggie grinned somewhat ruefully. "Trust me, you don't want to. Jamie's seen it."

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah, it was worse than what you just saw."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"I seriously doubt you'll ever leave the toilet seat up, Binks."

"I know, I was just saying."

Laughing, they hurried down the walking path and burst through the trees. Like an old reliable friend, the boathouse stood before them. A little more weathered than they both remembered, but still standing strong. Slowly, Maggie led Bianca up the steps and to the bench they'd shared on many occasions.

"Okay," she said with a grin. "Time to right a few wrongs."

"Finally!" Bianca exclaimed, knowing exactly what Maggie meant. "Do you know how long I have wanted to kiss you here?!"

"I'm sorry for making you wait."

"You should be. Think back on all that wasted time, Stone."

"So, how would you like me to make it up to you?"

"Just shut up and kiss me."

"You know, the bossy bit I like. But think you can put that on hold until we get somewhere warm? 'Cause really, hypothermia... not very enticing."

Bianca pouted. "Oh, okay..."

"But you can still kiss me."

Looking up from where she was scuffing her shoe on the faded boards of the boathouse, Bianca grinned. "Mmm, come here," she murmured, pulling Maggie close, their lips colliding sweetly.

It didn't take long for the kiss to slip from a moment of fun to an expression of love and desire. Maggie raised herself up on one knee on the bench, cradling Bianca's face in her hands, leaning over to kiss her again. Bianca, finally living out a dream she'd harbored in her heart for so long, let Maggie have the lead, her hands slipping inside Maggie's jacket to grip her waist.

When Maggie finally pulled back, Bianca followed, kissing her again before nuzzling her face into the crook of Maggie's neck. "I've missed this place," she whispered, smiling against Maggie's skin when she felt arms sliding around her shoulders to hold her close.

"I know it's not really the same," Maggie said, a gentle hand in Bianca's hair. "But we have our balcony back home."

"We do, but you're right, it's still not the same. So much happened here..."

"Let's not discuss the whole 'I'm into guys' thing, please?"

That made Bianca laugh, "Okay, you're right, Paris is better."

They held each other for a long time, the warmth they generated together more than enough to sustain them as the day grew cooler. Hands held tightly, fingers remained entwined, hearts beat together. Maggie pressed a kiss to Bianca's forehead, reveling in the feel of the smooth, warm skin beneath her lips. Bianca nestled closer, gently rubbing her nose against Maggie's neck, chuckling to herself when she heard Maggie suck in her breath at the ticklish feel.

"Come on, B," Maggie whispered finally. "Let's head back before your mom decides to call out the bloodhounds to find us."

Bianca sighed softly. "Hey, Maggie?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I know."

Silence. "Okay, not exactly the response I was hoping for."

Maggie laughed. "I love you, too, Bianca. I really do."

"That's better."

At Bianca's insistence, they stopped at BJ's for a plate of nachos with extra hot sauce before returning to Casa Kane. It was a unique experience for them both, finally appearing as a couple in Pine Valley, comfortable in who and what they were. Well, it was no surprise to the people who saw them there, to those who watched them for 4 torturous years as they danced around each other in an excruciating fandango. It's like the whole town finally sighed with relief.

It was quite a fun way to kick off the holiday season…

Maggie tossed some bills on the table, grinning as Bianca pulled on her coat. "You know, if we hurry, we may be able to take advantage of the stables again before Erica starts to wonder where we are."

"Oh, Maggie," Bianca replied, with a shake of her head. "I can still hear her telling me about how she and… she and… Uncle Jack…" She visibly shuddered, from her head to her toes. "I don't know…"

"Okay, come on." Taking Bianca's hand, Maggie started for the door. "Time to exorcize a few demons."

"I think the only way to exorcize these demons is to burn down the stables and start over," Bianca muttered.

Maggie laughed. "I'll bet I can think of something better."

Holding hands, they started for the entrance, their destination in mind. Suddenly, the door swung open and they stopped dead in their tracks.

"Aw, crap!" Maggie exclaimed. "Twice in one day!!" She turned to Bianca. "And we wonder why we didn't want to come back here."

"Maggie…"

"Get out of my face, David," she snapped at her cousin. "I have absolutely nothing to say to you."

Holding up his hands, David Hayward tried to appeal to his young cousin, a woman he had taken under his wing, loved like a daughter, mentored. Betrayed. "Maggie, let me talk."

Well, that was the wrong thing to say. The bulldog rose up in Maggie again and she literally vibrated with her anger and indignation. "Kiss my ass, David," she instructed him, pulling Bianca behind her as they made their way around the man standing in their way. "And go to hell while you're at it."

David reached out and grabbed Maggie by the arm. "Maggie-."

Maggie spun on David so fast that he had to take a quick step backwards. "I highly suggest," she said in such a dangerous tone that even Bianca looked startled, "that you remove your hand right now otherwise you'll be drawing back a bloody stump."

"I need to talk to you, Maggie. I need-."

"That's funny, David, how this is about what you need. How about what I need? What Bianca needs? What we needed when you were out saving the day for Babe? Forget it. I'm not interested. Stay away from me. Stay away from Bianca. Just… stay away."

Brushing past the good doctor, Maggie pulled Bianca out of BJ's and away from yet another confrontation. Bianca tried desperately not to grin at Maggie's stubbornness, her protective streak. She loved bigger than anyone Bianca had ever known.

"You know," she said, grabbing Maggie's jacket to slow her down. "I never had my own pit bull before."

Maggie slowed down, suddenly aware of her anger. She sighed. "Sorry about that," she said sheepishly.

"Oh, no, don't apologize, it's really quite endearing. A girl could get used to this."

"Okay, so I have a bit of a white knight complex. I'll admit it." She shrugged. "Maybe I am a little stubborn."

"Hmm, Maggie Stone a little stubborn. That's like saying Erica Kane is a little bit interesting."

"Oh, I'll show you interesting…"

They practically ran back to the mansion and to the stables. This time, Maggie followed Bianca up the ladder, returning the bite to the butt she'd gotten on their first visit to the hayloft. Before they had even stumbled into a freshly tossed pile of hay, they were lost in the sensation of each other. Laughing, shrieking, talking…

Neither had seen the young blonde girl with her ever-present notebook trailing them from the moment they had returned to the mansion's manicured grounds, stopping outside the stable doors when they went careening headfirst inside and up the ladder.

Later, after they had left, still pulling hay from each other's hair, Lily hurried into the stables, running into Kendall as she stumbled out of the tack room.

"Kendall?" Lily asked in confusion.

Oh, my God, Kendall thought to herself, her face pale, her hands trembling. Did I just listen to all that? "Damn this power I have!" she exclaimed. "Damn it!"

Lily was consulting her notebook. "Kendall?" she repeated. "Why did I hear noises?"

Kendall almost choked. "Um, it's nothing, Lily…"

"But it was Bianca and Maggie. They were making noises. And talking funny."

Kendall stood there for another long, uncomfortable moment. "Go ask Reggie," was all she could manage.

"Are you sure?"

"More sure of that than I am of wanting to be the one to answer those questions..."

Lily shrugged. "Okay." She started to skip away.

"Lily, wait!" Kendall called out. "On second thought, go ask Maggie and Bianca. It's their turn." Kendall shuddered again. "I need a shower…"

-----------------------------

Okay, there's one really good thing about this estate Erica owns, Maggie thought during her morning jog as she saw the mansion looming ahead of her. I think I've run 10 miles and never left the grounds. Then she grinned to herself. Okay, the stables makes it two really good things…

When she finally arrived at the kitchen, Maggie opened the Sub-Zero and pulled out a bottle of water, gulping half of it down before even taking a breath. Of course, now she wanted a croissant or pain au chocolat to go with it but there was nothing like that to be found anywhere. With a sigh, she leaned against the granite counter-top and sipped her water, straining to hear even a minute sound from anywhere in the massive home.

The kitchen door swung open and Bianca entered.

"Hey!" Maggie exclaimed, brightening up instantly.

"Oh, shit," Bianca replied, turning on her heel quickly to escape the knowing look in Maggie's eyes.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no," Maggie said, jumping after Bianca and grabbing her by the wrist. "Get your ass over here." She pulled her back to the counter. "It's been almost a week. I've had to see both Babe and David. This is my reward."

"Oh, okay," Bianca sighed. Although she really wasn't protesting all that much. Grinning mischievously, she let Maggie hop onto the counter before she leaned in with a kiss. "So, how was your run?"

Maggie grinned, her lips against Bianca's. "Okay, I guess. It's the cool down I'm enjoying right now."

"Mm, me, too."

Maggie pulled Bianca close, settling into the kiss naturally. Bianca slid her arms around Maggie's waist, realizing she was actually necking with her girlfriend in her mother's house. She tried hard not to giggle at that, but Maggie's lips on hers didn't help matters any.

Oh, what the hell, she thought to herself as she fell headlong into the kiss. I've waited my whole life for this. It's my time…

With a soft moan, Bianca pulled Maggie closer, kissed her deeper, held her tighter. Maggie responded in kind, a chuckle deep in her throat as she slid her hands into Bianca's hair, holding her close to take control. It still amazed her how good a kisser Bianca was, how she knew exactly how much to give and how much to take. How soft her lips were, how sweet she tasted…

Oh, yeah, Maggie thought as she deepened the kiss further. I am such a guy…

The kitchen door blew open and in swept Kendall and Erica, discussing flower arrangements or financial disclosures or something like that, freezing Maggie and Bianca in their current position. Maggie actually wondered if they stayed absolutely still long enough would they even be noticed at all by the two dueling divas.

Yeah, right...

Kendall shrieked almost instantly. "This isn't a power! It's a curse!!" she exclaimed, slapping her hands over her eyes.

Bianca blushed violently. "Oh, Lord, not my mother, please…" she muttered, her face burrowing deep into Maggie's neck in embarrassment.

"Sorry, sweetie," Maggie whispered, wrapping her arms protectively around Bianca's shoulders. "Damn this kitchen…"

"Oh, my," Erica murmured appreciatively. "Now, why didn't I think of sitting on the counter…"

TBC- Home to Paris