Chapter 11

Bianca's hand knocked lightly against the door of Maggie Stone's apartment. She heard her call from the inside, yell out, "It's open,"

Bianca turned the knob and let herself in, softly closing the door behind her. Looking around at her surroundings, she saw boxes-- lots of boxes. There were in groups of stacks, getting a closer look at one, Bianca saw it read 'bedroom stuff'. Maggie's head peeked out a corner, a smile lighting up on her face when she saw her guest. Bianca smiled back, "Hey."

Wiping her hands on her jeans, Maggie walked into the crowded living room, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you," Bianca stated, "You're moving?"

Maggie nodded, "Nothing drastic, not out of Pine Valley. I'm going back to Myrtle's...this place doesn't seem welcoming anymore."

Bianca looked at her sadly, "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you."

Maggie crossed over to her and pulled Bianca into a warm embrace, "You're here now."

Bianca pulled back reluctantly, "Can I help you pack?"

"Sure," Maggie smirked, "The only stuff I have left to pack are my clothes. Help me pick out what to put in the suitcase and what to toss out."

"Kendall!" JR yelled, gaiting into the Fusion office. He noticed the curly haired brunette behind her desk, skimming through papers. He walked up to her, firmly pressing his hands against the polished wood.

Kendall wasn't fazed by his voice, continually checking her inventory paperwork, "This should be fun," she muttered.

"Have you seen Bianca?" he asked uneasily. He had been wanting to meet with her but the girl was unreachable. Next to Erica, Kendall was his last resort and she was the lesser of two evils.

She looked up at him, "She came by with Miranda not too long ago. Why?"

JR tried to hide the relief on his face but failed miserably, "No reason."

"No reason? You practically walked in here like a barbarian," she declared while pushing her work off to the side.

"I just went by her apartment and didn't see her. I called her cell and I keep getting her voicemail but I guess she turned it off."

"She's with Maggie," she said a little louder than needed. Kendall watched for his reaction. His face fell a little, "You can stop by there if you want."

JR seemed taken aback by the suggestion, "No thanks," he replied somberly, "I'll just go." He retreated to leave but before he was more than a foot away Kendall stopped him.

"JR, wait!"

He notably slumped his shoulders and faced her, "Yes?"

"I heard you went to the station today, to see Babe and all. That couldn't have went smoothly,"

JR's expression grew dark, "About as joyful as a venomousness snake bite."

Kendall gave him a sad smile, "That delightful."

"What I ever saw redeemable in Babe Carey, is no longer there."

She studied him carefully, "Do you want it to be?"

Maggie pulled her hair into a high ponytail on top of her head. She hoisted up a cardboard box into the trunk of Bianca's SUV, "That's the last one."

From behind her, after making sure Maggie was out of the way, Bianca slammed the trunk door, "Alright, are you ready to go?" she asked fondling her car keys. The two were in the courtyard outside of Maggie's former apartment building. They had just finished packing and were leaving to head to Myrtle's.

Maggie sighed, "As I'll ever be."

They walked to their respective sides of the vehicle. When Maggie got in she caught a glance of the backseat and saw Miranda's empty car seat, "Where's Miranda?"

Starting the engine Bianca answered, "She's spending quality time with my mom."

"That's nice," Maggie replied simply.

The vehicle shifted into drive and neither of them talked for a while. Maggie watched Bianca as she drove. She looked so forced, "Bianca, what's wrong?"

Bianca opened her mouth to speak but before she even could sputter a single word, Maggie cut in edgewise, "And don't say it's nothing. I know you. Babe's trial is next week, is that what's bothering you?"

"It's all that I think about these days," Bianca half lied. It wasn't the complete truth. She was also thinking abut what Kendall and she had talked about earlier. JR did not have feelings for her. He was still getting over Babe. There really wasn't a point of spreading Kendall's uncertified speculation, "Never a moments ease."

"You'll be rid of her soon, Bianca. Hold on." Maggie said encouragingly. She was like Bianca's coach, never letting her quit. Making her believe that there'd be brighter days.

"Thank you, Maggie."

"Anytime."

"I am over her, Kendall." JR told her, leaving no room for argument.

"One can only hope," she retorted. Kendall raised herself from her chair and moved to stand with him. JR backed up slightly to give her space. Wanting to be distracted he fingered her picture frames on the desk. Finding particular interest in the one with Bianca's picture, he studied it and stroked her frozen face.

Kendall watched his actions, amused, "She's amazing."

"She is." he replied lost in his own world.

She arched a brow at him, "You really are in love with her."

Bam! Back into reality, he turned to her crisply, "No."

Kendall gently took the picture from his hand and perched it back to its place, "Yeah, right."

"Bianca and I are just friends," he reminded her.

Kendall began to shake her head disbelievingly, "I've heard it all, JR. Why can't you admit it?"

He shot her a his own look of skepticism, "To you? Seriously, Kendall."

"You do," Kendall realized grinning triumphantly.

JR hated that she was relishing in her newfound information, "It doesn't matter. Like you said, she's with Maggie," he didn't have any harsh thoughts towards Maggie or any tainted past but her position with Bianca did stir something grave within him.

"You should let her know," she informed him.

"Because your love life is perfect," he stated sarcastically.

Kendall grimaced thinking of Ryan and Greenlee and their budding relationship. That ship had gone and sailed. Her thoughts almost trained away but JR hadn't convinced her of leaving this discussion behind, "Aren't we touchy? Letting her know would benefit you a lot better than bottling it all in."

"Bianca doesn't want me, Kendall. She has Maggie. I'll deal with it my own way." JR mumbled the last sentence, wanting to make sure he didn't get the urge to listen to Kendall.

She gazed at him warily, "JR, you're setting yourself up for a world of hurt. Bianca will understand. Return your affection? Maybe not but hiding from what you feel isn't the best solution. Those sensations you feel can't be willed away. She'll notice JR, she'll start to wonder. Why does he look at me like that? Why does he do this for me? Why does he do that for me and only me? He's calling me again, is that JR outside of my window and--"

JR looked at her as if she was crazy, "You make me sound obsessed."

"Okay, not that melodramatic."

"Kendall, it's been swell." he began walking away, each stride growing farther upon until he reach the elevators. He pressed a button and waited for the doors to open.

"JR!" Kendall called rounding the corner, he had just passed.

The bing of the elevator came and he stepped inside, the doors closing behind him. JR slammed his fist into the wall, "Damn."